USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 24
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where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, being one of the most suc- cessful farmers of his neighborhood. In March, 1885, he sold his farm and removed to Waterloo, where he purchased a house and lot, since which time he has lived some- what retired. He also bought lands in Nebraska, which he still owns.
EORGE A. REINHART, section 35, Mount Vernon Township, was born in Wittenburg, Ger- many, July 8, 1837, a son of Caspar and Anna (Schenck) Reinhart, who were also natives of Wittenburg, the father born December 16, 1800, and the mother December 20, 1803. George A. commenced his education in Germany, completing it in this country, coming here with his father's family at the age of sixteen years: The family made their home in Rensselaer County, New York, for eight years, when, in April, 1860, the parents came, with their four children, to Black Hawk County, Iowa. The family first settled on section 1, Mount Vernon Town- ship, on raw prairie land, which the father converted into a good farm. Both father and mother died in this township, the latter December 23, 1882, her husband surviving till September, 1885. George A. com- menced life for himself at the age of twenty- one years, working by the month till he was twenty-four years of age. He then, with his father, bought a piece of land, his inter- est in which, about three years later, he sold to his father. He then bought eighty acres on section I, this township, on which he resided till 1875, when he sold this land, buying his present farm on section 35, which was then but partially improved. Mr. Reinhart is a practical farmer, and has now a well-improved farm containing 160 acres. October 5, 1861, Mr. Reinhart was
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married to Harriet Denney, a daughter of Jasper and Eunice (Austin) Denney, the father living in Bremer County, aged about seventy-two years. The mother of Mrs. Reinhart died in 1880, aged about sixty- five years. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart have twelve children-Jacob F., born July 18, 1862; Oscar, born May 6, 1864; Eunice, born November 15, 1865; Anna M. and George A. (twins), born March 6, 1868; Hattie, born May 27, 1870; Katie, born February 15, 1872 ; Rose, born July 9, 1875; Emma J., born December 5, 1877 ; Charles, born September 4, 1879; Julia, born July 8, 1881, and Susie, born November 9, 1885. In politics Mr. Reinhart affiliates with the Greenback party. He has served as town- ship assessor from 1880 till 1883 inclusive, and has been township trustee about twelve years, serving with satisfaction to his con- stituents.
ALTER A. BRYANT, a son of Walter A. and Lydia T. Bryant, is a native of Worcester County, Massachusetts, where he was born March 14, 1847. He was reared to manhood in his native State, receiving in his youth good educa- tional advantages. In 1864 he went to Chi- cago, and was there employed for four years as clerk and bookkeeper for H. F. Eldred, a wholesale lumber merchant of that city. He subsequently spent several years in the lumber business in Illinois and Nebraska, and in the spring of 1878 he came to Black Hawk County, lowa, locating at Cedar Falls, when he became treasurer of a lum- ber company which is incorporated under the name of the Bryant-Neely Lumber Company, and is still holding the same po- sition. June 16, 1868, Mr. Bryant was united in marriage to Cornelia Thorn Livingstone, daughter of Rensselaer and Rachel Liv- ingstone, residents of Crestline, Ohio. This
union has been blest with five children- James E., Walter A., Le Roy W., Living- stone and Frank N. Mr. Bryant is a prom- inent and highly respected citizen of Cedar Falls, and since coming here has held sev- eral offices of trust. He is member of the City Council, and on the public school board, and is also treasurer of the Building and Loan Association. In politics Mr. Bryant casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party.
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ATHANIEL C. BRYANT, de- ceased, was born December 23, 1824, a native of the State of Maine, and a son of Major Cushing and Arlita Bryant, New England- ers by birth, his father being a sold- ier in the war of 1812. His ancestors can be traced back to the Puritans who came over to America in the Mayflower. His early education was received in his native State, and at the age of fourteen years he entered the United States navy, and from 1838-'41 he was attached to the sloop Erie, West India squadron. He attended the Naval school at Philadelphia in 1842-'43, and from 1843-'45 was attached to the sloop Plymouth, Pacific squadron, being promoted to Passed Midshipman June 29, 1843. During the Mexican war he was with the sloop Dale, Pacific squadron, and Aug- ust 7, 1850, was commissioned Lieutenant. He was with the brig Bainbridge, Bra- zil squadron, from 1850-'53; with the re- ceiving-ship Boston, in 1854 ; with the steam frigate San Jacinto, East India squadron, from 1855-'58; with the receiving ship Boston, from 1859-'60, and with the steam sloop Richmond, in 1861, and Mississippi squadron in 1862. He was commissioned Captain July 16, 1862, which position he held when he retired from active duty Sep- tember 26, 1864. During the late civil war he participated in many of the important
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engagements. He was with General Grant at Fort Donelson, and in co-operation with ยท land forces took possession of Nashville, Tennessee. He was a brave commander, and was placed on the retired list at the close of the war Mr. Bryant was married September 10, 1860, in Charles City, Iowa, to Miss Mary E. Southall, daughter of John and Mary Southall, of Lancashire, Eng- land. Two sons were born to this union -- Percy, born April 19, 1862, at present at- tending a college of physicians and surgeons, preparatory to entering the United States navy as a surgeon, and Walter, born Octo- ber 1, 1863, attending the Iowa State Uni- versity of lowa City, with a view to becom- ing a civil engineer. Soon after retiring from the navy Mr. Bryant came to Cedar Falls, having invested largely in Iowa lands. He died in this city September 19, 1874. He was a kind and affectionate hus- band and father, and was universally re- spected. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. His widow is still a resident of Cedar Falls.
LVIN KNAPP was born in Liberty County, Ohio, January 18, 1825, a son of Samuel and Tirzah (McIn- tyre) Knapp, both of whom died at the residence of our subject. His father was born at Saratoga Springs, New York, his father owning the springs. He was reared there, where he was married at the age of eighteen years. He moved to Huron County, Ohio, in 1809, and from there moved to Liberty County, and sub- sequently removed to Miami County, Ohio, living there twenty-six years, when he re- moved with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in July, 1853. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Sackett's Harbor, and for his services received a land warrant. Alvin
Knapp was married June 6, 1850, to Barbara Hartman, who was born in Germany, April 16, 1829, and when she was quite young her parents, John and Catherine Hartman, came to America, first locating in New Lancaster, Ohio In a few years the family removed to Henry County, Ohio, where Mrs. Knapp was married. Mr. Hartman dicd a few days after Mrs. Knapp's marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have been born seven chil- dren-Catherine M., born in Henry County, Ohio, September 6, 1851, married George Kennison, of Waterloo, this county; Alvin M., born July 7, 1853, marricd Eva Graves, and is living in Washington Township; Mary A., born October 17, 1854, now Mrs. Rufus Pontions, of Cherokee, Iowa ; Ange- line, born in Washington Township, June 3, 1857, died in April, 1858; John K., born February 24, 1859, now married and living in Nebraska; Amanda Elizabeth, born .Au- gust 12, 1861, died September 29, 1864, and Emma S., born June 5, 1867. Mr. Knapp has lived on his present farm since 1868, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm is located on sections 14 and 15, and contains 120 acres, most of which is timber land. He came to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in July, 1853, where he rented a house and spent the winter of 1853-'54 in that city. In the spring of 1854 he purchased 100 acres, twenty acres being timber land, which land adjoined his present farm, where he resided till 1868. He then sold his farm and bought the 120 acres where he now resides. When he purchased it but eighty acres had been fenced, on which was erected a log house and a small log stable, which have given place to a substantial frame residence and a good frame barn, and his farm buildings are all in good condition, and his land is under good cultivation. Mr. Knapp brought with him to this county about $2,000. Dubuque at that time was the chief trading point, and there Mr. Knapp would go for his sup- plies, often returning with goods for the
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merchants at Cedar Falls. In politics Mr. Knapp was reared a Democrat, but is now a Republican, having cast his last Demo- cratic vote for S. J. Tilden. He has served very acceptably as township supervisor for three terms. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church.
S AMUEL OWENS, one of the early settlers of Black Hawk County, was born in Westmoreland Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1814, and was the seventh of a family of nine children of Hugh and Martha (Hughs) Owens. His parents were early settlers of Westmoreland County, and there resided till their death. Samuel Owens was reared to maturity on his father's farm, when he went to Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, where he was married February 6, 1844, to Elizabeth Townsend, and to this union were born six children-Joseph J., Mary M. (de- ceased), Madison T., Kate C., Lee M. and Minnie. Mr. Owens moved with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in October, 1865. He had come to Iowa as early as 1843 on a prospecting tour through Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and again returned in 1850, when he entered 320 acres of land, and in 1852 entered 640 acres. On com- ing here in 1865 he settled on his farm three miles east of Waterloo which he im- proved, and there followed farming and stock-raising till November, 1884, since which time he has retired from active life. He still owns the farm near Waterloo, which consists of 500 acres of choice land. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Owens was elected super- visor of District No. 7, which office he still holas by re-election. While living in Arm- strong County, Pennsylvania, he served three years as clerk of the court. In poli- tics he was formerly an old-line Whig, but is now identified with the Republican party.
EORGE TUTHILL, section 36, Washington Township, came to this county in March, 1856, and with him brought 150,000 trees, most of which were apple trees, which he had bought in Waukegan, Illinois. He bought his present farm of 200 acres soon after his arrival, and immediately set out his trees, which he sold through this part of Iowa and in Minnesota. He carried on a general nursery business, with fair success, till 1861, growing all kinds of nursery stock and shrubbery. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Infantry to serve three years. Mr. Tuthill was dis- charged at Davenport in July, 1864, when he returned to his home in this township. In 1865 Mr. Tuthill had his old house and his new one, which was then almost com- pleted, destroyed by fire. He saved most of his household goods, but lost all his grain. In the spring of 1865 he built his present residence, although he has since made ad- ditions to the original building. Mr. Tut- hill was born in Luzerne County, Pennsyl- vania, August 9, 1833, a son of Nathaniel and Fanny (Smith) Tuthill, both of whom died at Northville, Cayuga County, New York. The father was born and reared in Orange County, New York, the mother also being a native of that county, living there till her marriage. Mr. George Tut- hill was married November 23, 1857, to Christeena Anderson, a daughter of Basil and Margaret (Stevens) Anderson. Her parents were born near Frazersborough, Scotland. After coming to America they lived in Canada three years, and when Mrs. Tuthill was about two years of age her parents came to Will County, Illinois, where the father died. The mother and her eight children subsequently removed to Washington Township, this county, where she still makes her home. Mr. and Mrs. Tuthill have three children-George
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B., born January 13, 1859, married Lucy Ford, a daughter of Niram Ford, also an old resident, and is now living in Kossuth County, lowa: Edgar F., born August 4, 1860, living with his brother in Kossuth County, and Fred, born May 4, 1865, living at home. In politics Mr. Tuthill affiliates with the Greenback party. He has served three years as county supervisor. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. Mr. Tuthill's mother died Decem- ber 19, 1878, in her seventy-sixth year, and his father died at the age of eighty years, October 12, 1879. They were of English descent. In the year 1640 John Tuthill came from the county of Norfolk, England, and was one of the first settlers of Long Island.
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SAAC E. BENTZ, one of the prominent citizens of Bennington Township, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1836. The greater part of his youth was spent on a farm and in a hotel, his father being a farmer and afterward en- gaged in hotel keeping. He received a good education, completing it at Shaeffers- town, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, graduating in the year 1856. He then taught school for four years in his native State, when he came to Naperville, Du Page County, Illinois, remaining there till April, 1861. He then returned to his home in Lancaster County, and enlisted for nine months in Company A, Twelfth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, being most of the time on detached duty. He was mustered out in the spring of 1862, and afterward helped to raise a company of cavalrymen. Septem- ber 12, 1862, he was mustered in Company C, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served in the Army of the Potomac, partici- pating in all the engagements of his regi- ment. August 11, 1864, he was wounded
near Newtown, Virginia, having two fingers taken off, when he was sent to the hospital. July 14, 1865, he was discharged at Phil- adelphia on account of disability, and has never fully recovered from the hardships he endured during his term of service. After his discharge from the war he re- turned to Lancaster County, and in the fall of 1865 came back to Naperville, Illinois, and engaged in farming. He subsequently went to Hinckley, Illinois, where he was engaged in the lumber trade four years, after which he returned to Naperville, and bought a large lumber yard at that place which he operated for a year, when he sold his business, and in March, 1876, came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled on section 1, Bennington Township, on the place where he has since made his home. He has just sold his farm and property, and intends moving to Waterloo, Iowa, for the purpose of giving his children better educational advantages. He was married in Naperville, November 16, 1865, to Susan K. Kuter, who was born Novem- ber 26, 1843, a daughter of John and Lydia (Kayler) Kuter. They have five children -George G., born November 28, 1866; Ida A., April 29, 1869 ; Charles K., August 26, 1872 ; Arthur I., December 7, 1875, and Susie O., May 2, 1883, in Black Hawk County, the four eldest children being natives of De Kalb County, Illinois: The parents of Mrs. Bentz were both natives of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Ku- ter moved to Illinois in 1857 with his wife and twelve children, of whom Mrs. Bentz is next to the youngest. The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He died in Pierce Township, De Kalb County, Illinois, his wife dying in the same county. Mrs. Bentz lived at the old homestead in her native State till eighteen years of age. After spending a year at the educational institute at Plainfield, Will County, Illinois, she went to Naperville, where she lived
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till her marriage. Mrs. Bentz's maternal grandmother while fleeing from some hos- tile Indians, became exhausted and sat down to rest with her baby on her knee. The Indians stealing up behind her scalped her, and killed the baby, by knocking its head against a stump. Her grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Bentz was elected township trustee the first year he came to this county, and has since filled that position. He has served two years as township assessor, and was census enumerator during 1880. He has held township offices since he was twenty-one years of age. He is highly respected in this township, and his removal is much re- gretted by his friends and neighbors. In politics Mr. Bentz affiliates with the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HOMAS LOONAN, one of the leading agriculturists of Black Hawk County, residing on section 25, Black Hawk Township, was born in Kings County, Ireland, April 4, 1833, a son of Hugh and Mary Loonan, both of whom died in Ireland. Mr. Loonan immigrated to America at the age of nine- teen years, landing at New York City, May 15, 1852. He proceeded at once to Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he was en- gaged in farm labor about three years. He then located in Winnebago County, Illinois, and was married in that county July 17, 1858, to Miss Catherine Glenny. She was born in County Sligo, Ireland, February I, 1839, a daughter of James and Maria (Arm- strong) Glenny. Her father died in Ireland in May, 1885, aged seventy years, and her mother still lives in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Loonan have seven children-Frank, mar- ried Emma Neiher, and resides on part of his father's farm; James was married Feb-
ruary 3, 1886, to Lizzie Vaughn; Hubert and Mae Bell, students at Tillford Academy at Vinton; Thomas E., Harry G. and Nel- lie V., at home. Mr. Noonan continued farm- ing on rented land in Winnebago County till September, 1864, when he settled on his present farm, owning at that time 160 acres. He was very successful in his farming pur- suits and rapidly acquired property, and now ranks among the prosperous farmers of this county. He now owns 965 acres of choice land in one body, where he resides, and an eighty-acre farm in another part of the township. In the early years of his residence here he raised large quantities of grain, but at present is extensively en- gaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs. He also buys largely, fitting the stock for market. Mr. and Mrs. Loonan are classed among the best citizens of their township, and none have had more to do with the development and building up of this county than themselves. In politics Mr. Loonan is identified with the Democratic party.
UGUSTUS S. SMITH was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, August 24, 1814. When he was two years old his parents, Libeus and Betsy Smith, moved to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, they being among the first settlers of that county. He was reared to manhood in Bradford County, and No- vember 10, 1841, he was married to Sarah M. Baldwin. She was born January 18, 1820, in Newtown, Fairfield County, Con- necticut, a daughter of Philo and Hannah A. Baldwin, who were also early settlers of Bradford County. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children-Robert S., Sarah A., Edward P. and Ella S. In 1856 Mr. Smith removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled in Cedar Falls, where he has since lived, and for years
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operated a saw-mill. He was also engaged in the mercantile business for a short time in Floyd County, lowa. Of late years he has devoted his attention to real estate business. He at one time owned a fine farm of 240 acres, about two miles south of Cedar Falls. In his political views Mr. Smith affiliates with the Democratic party. He is one of the oldest residents of Cedar Falls, and as a citizen he is highly respected. He has held the office of Mayor of Cedar Falls, and has also served as councilman. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
M. TOBIAS, general merchant, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1861, a son of John W. and Margaret (Markel) Tobias. His father wsa a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He died when our subject was six weeks old, aged thirty-nine years. D. M. was reared on a farm and received but a limited education in the common branches. He was married June 12, 1881, to Barbara Klinger, daughter of David S. and Barbara (Wiest) Klinger, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the father of French and the mother of Ger- man descent. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have had four children-Cora E., Emma J., Min- nie I., and an infant, deceased. Mr. Tobias left his native State at the age of seventeen years, in 1878, and went to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he was employed on a farm one summer, and in the fall of 1878 he went to Forreston, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for a year. He then re- turned to his old home in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, remaining there till March 22, 1882, when he went to New Ulm, Min- nesota, where he worked as a laborer some five months, and in August, 1882, he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa. After being with Mr. Shade two months he was vari- ously employed till February, 1884, when
he began clerking for Mr. Daniels. In the following June he formed a partnership with Mr. Daniels, and in November of the same year he bought the interest of his partner, Mr. Daniels going to Denver, lowa, since which time Mr. Tobias has con- tinued the business alone. Mr. Tobias is the present postmaster of Gresham, Black Hawk County, successor to I. E. Bentz, A. W. Daniels being the first postmaster at that place. In politics Mr. Tobias votes independent of parties. He is a member of the Reformed Lutheran church. Mrs. To- bias, mother of our subject, is still living in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, at the homestead farm, being now about sixty-five years of age.
DWARD TOWNSEND, senior member of the firm of Townsend & Merrill, of Cedar Falls, was born in Dutchess County, New York, November 28, 1831, a son of Elijah and Rosannah Townsend, his father be- ing of English descent. He was reared to manhood in his native State, receiving his early education in a district school, and later taking an academical course. In 1859 he became a resident of Black Hawk County, Iowa, when he located at Water- loo. In 1861 he came to Cedar Falls, and soon after engaged in the banking business with J. T. Knapp, with whom he was asso- ciated for many years under the firm name of Townsend & Knapp. During the sum- mer of 1862 he enlisted in the late war. He became a member of Company B, Thirty- first Iowa Infantry, at the time of its for- mation, and on the organization of the company was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant, and later was promoted to First Lieutenant. He served with the Fifteenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and was on duty principally in the vicinity of Vicksburg. He served until June, 1863,
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when he received an honorable discharge. After his discharge he returned to Cedar Falls, and was connected with the bank till 1876, when he retired from the firm. He was then engaged in the milling business with G. N. Miner, and in 1879 he formed his present partnership with A. Merrill, having bought out the interest of T. B. Carpenter, and together they have since carried on successfully their present lumber business. Mr. Townsend has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Seward, and to this union three children were born, two of whom are yet living-Catherine and Mary. For his second wife he married Sarah Huntington, of Oswego County, New York, by whom he has had one child -Edward. In politics Mr. Townsend affil- iates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is prominently identified with James Brownell Post, G. A. R., at Cedar Falls.
W. EDGINGTON, Sheriff of Black Hawk County, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 8, 1840, the second son of George and Mary (Taylor) Edg- ington, natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania, respectively. The grandfather, John Edgington, came from Virginia, and was one of the early settlers of Eastern Ohio. In 1846 W. W., our subject, moved with his parents to Iowa, they locating in Linn County, where he was reared to man- hood on a farm, receiving a common-school education in the schools of his neighbor- hood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Twenty-Fourth Iowa Infantry, and served three years. He participated in the battles of Champion Hills, Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, and Jackson campaign. He was then transferred to General Banks's command and was with him in the Red
River expedition, after which his regiment was sent with several others to General Sheridan, in the Shenandoah Valley. He was then sent to General Sherman, and was with him at the surrender of General Joe Johnston, after which he did garrison duty at Savannah, Georgia. He was mustered out in August, 1865, when he returned to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and the same year began dealing in grain and agricult- ural implements which he followed till 1878. He was then appointed to the office of deputy sheriff under George W. Hayz- lett, and in 1883 was elected sheriff, assum- ing the duties of his present office in January, 1884. Mr. Edgington was mar- ried in 1865 to Sylvia A. Rathbun, a native of Cedar County, Iowa. This union has been blessed with one daughter-Laura.
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