USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 25
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ENRY JOHNSON, druggist, of Cedar Falls, is a native of Den- mark, where he was born Novem- ber 1, 1837. He was reared and ed- ucated in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years began clerk- ing in a grocery store, which he followed many years. In the year 1863 he immigrated to America, coming at once to Chicago, and in 1864 enlisted from that city as a mem- ber of the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, and in the Atlanta campaign, and other engagements of minor importance. After his discharge from the service in 1866 he returned to Chicago, and for some time was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. He came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1870, locating at Cedar Falls where he was engaged in the grocery trade for one year, and in connection with his gro- cery carried on a farm. He established his present drug store in 1878, which is well patronized, being one of the best in Black Hawk County, and a credit to Cedar Falls.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
For his wife he married Miss Louisa Fran- sen, by whom he has had seven children, four now living-Nettie, Harrie, Joshua and Louis. Mr. Johnson has met with suc- cess throughlife, and besides his drug store, is the owner of a well-improved farm con- taining 200 acres in Cedar Falls Township. He takes an active interest in matters per- taining to education, and is at present serv- ing as president of the school board. Po- litically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the following organizations : Danish Brotherhood, Iowa Legion of Honor, and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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HOMAS TODD, farmer and stock- raiser, section 21, East Waterloo Township, is a native of Lincoln- shire, England, where he was born November 18, 1830. The early years of his life were spent principally on a farm in his native country, where he re- mained till he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to America, landing in New York with but 50 cents in his pocket, and from this small beginning he has become one of the well-to-do farmers of his town- ship, his untiring efforts being crowned with success. He first located in Livingston County, New York, where he remained till 1855. He then moved to La Salle County, Illinois, locating near Ottawa, where he was married in 1859 to Miss Sarah P. Hosford, of Ottawa. This union was blessed with two daughters-Sarah J., wife of Joseph Turner, a resident of this township, and Mary S., a teacher, at present keeping house for her father, Mrs. Todd having died Octo- ber 20, 1885. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Todd removed to Livingston County, Illinois, where he remained till June, 1865. He then removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, locating on his present
farm, which at that time contained eighty acres of raw prairie land. His land is now well improved, and in connection with his general farming he is successfully engaged in raising stock, principally cattle and hogs. Mr. Todd has served his township as road supervisor. He was also elected to fill the office of township assessor, but did not serve.
EORGE LELAND, a prominent and successful farmer and stock- raiser of East Waterloo Town- ship, and one of the early settlers of this county, was born in the city of New York, July 16, 1836, the sec- ond son of Ambros and Elizabeth (Kapp) Leland. In 1837 his parents moved to Mid- dlesex County, Massachusetts, where they lived five years, and from there they moved to Rensselaer County, New York, where he was reared and educated, remaining there until nineteen years of age. He then, in 1855, accompanied his parents to Black Hawk County, Iowa, they locating in East Waterloo Township where the father died about 1864. The mother yet survives, and of the nine children born to her five are yet living. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation, and to that occupation George Leland has also devoted his life. In 1862 he was married to Miss Floretta E. Clark, daughter of L. Clark, and a lady of excel- lent qualities. They have two children- Wilson C. and Cora F. After his marriage Mr. Leland settled on his present farm, be- ing part of the old homestead of his father. He now has 375 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. He has a fine substan- tial residence, and his barn is well arranged in its various apartments. His sheds for the protection of his young stock are very commodious. In short, it is a model farm and the owner is a model farmer. As a stock -raiser Mr. Leland stands unrivaled
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in his neighborhood. He has few equals in the raising of hogs, and his cattle, which are of the Durham grade, are unsurpassed for beauty and quality in this township. In connection with his general farming he has lately turned his attention to dairying, and is now milking about twenty-five cows. For many years Mr. Leland has served very acceptably as Township Trus- tee.
ANIEL G. ELLIS, President of the Old Settlers' Association, was one of the first settlers of Black Hawk County, and is one who has contributed largely to its material interests. Mr. Ellis was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 28, 1826, son of Reuben and Abigail (Lindly) Ellis. His father had been twice married, Daniel G. being the eldest son of the second marriage. His father being a farmer by occupation, his youth was passed on a farm and attend- ing the common schools. When he was ten years old his mother died, and at the age of thirteen years he began the battle of life on his own account, remaining in Wash- ington County till reaching maturity. In 1847 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hampton, a native of Ohio. In 1850 Mr. Ellis removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and not having any money at that time, he squatted on a piece of land about ten miles east of the present site of Waterloo. He was appointed post- master of that place, which was called Elza, receiving his commission from President Pierce. There being no protection to set- tlers his land was entered from under him, after which he located at a point then called Elk Run, some four miles east of Waterloo, where he entered 200 acres of land, 160 acres being prairie and forty timber. He settled on his 160 acres, which he began to improve, and here he endured all the hard-
ships and privations incident to the life of a pioneer. In 1857 he sold his farm and removed to Kansas, returning to this county the following year, and lived on the same farm until 1867. He then located at Ray- mond, where he was engaged in the grain business about a year. After disposing of his business he purchased his present farm on section 4, East Waterloo Township, known as the Nelson Fancher farm. Mr. Ellis commenced life in this county on a very small capital, having but $30 in money, but by industry, frugality and good manage- ment he has met with excellent success, and is now the owner of his valuable farm, which contains 600 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. His neat residence is comfort- ably furnished, and his barn is one of the best in the county, being well arranged and complete in every detail. The farm is well stocked with some very fine animals, his cattle being the thoroughbred short horns, and as a breeder and raiser of horses and hogs Mr. Ellis has made a success. Mr. Ellis served in the late war in Company C, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, taking part in the celebrated chase of A. J. Smith through Missouri and Arkansas, and was mustered out in May, 1865. He has served his town- ship as treasurer, and has also served as township trustee, and as a member of the school board. He was elected as president of the Old Settlers' Association in 1885. During his residence at Elk Run he kept the postoffice and stage station, being on the regular line between Dubuque and Fort Dodge.
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ADISON T. OWENS, attorney at law, Waterloo, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsyl- vania, April 13, 1852. He received his primary education in his native county,and after coming with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Owens, to Iowa, he at-
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tended the schools at Waterloo, completing his education at the State University at lowa City, from which he graduated in 1878, with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar before the Supreme and Federal courts of lowa the same year, and in October, 1878, began the practice of law, which he has since followed at Water- loo. He is at present serving as a member of the City Council, being elected such in the spring of 1884. He had previously served one term as city clerk, and since January, 1882, he has held the office of county attorney. Mr. Owens is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is worship- ful master of Waterloo Lodge, No. 105. He is also Aid-de-camp on the staff of the Governor of Iowa, with the rank of Lieu- tenant-Colonel.
AMUEL H. ROWND, a pioneer of Black Hawk County, now deceased, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1808, a son of James M. and Martha Rownd. His maternal ancestors settled in Maryland prior to the Revolu- tionary war. He was taken by his parents to Barnesville, Ohio, in ISog, then a wilder- ness, the town being designated by three log cabins. Here he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed with his father till his marriage. He was married on his twentieth birthday, June 3, 1828, to Miss Eliza Philpot. Shortly before his mar- riage he took up his residence at Sum- merfield, Ohio, about twenty miles from his former home, the country at that time be- ing heavily timbered, rough and hilly. Here he cleared'a space and built a com- fortable log house, in which his entire fam- ily of nine children were born, five of whom are yet living-James M., William H., Sam- uel H., Charles A. and Sarah E. Mr. Rownd continued working at his trade,
digging the vats, and performing part of the labor with his own hands, hiring as little as possible in order to reduce a debt of $300 which he owed. He would fre- quently say " that seemed like the heaviest burden of his life," notwithstanding it was paid in one year. He built a shop of hewed logs, in which the first sermon in Summer- field was preached, the congregation mak- ing themselves as comfortable as possible by seating themselves on the floor which had been covered with dcer skins. He erected other buildings, and for a time car- ried on a harness, saddle and shoe shop, and grocery store. While living there he also helped to build two Methodist Episcopal churches and a temperance hall, besides giving to every other worthy charitable purpose. Though his preference was given to the Methodist Episcopal church, yet other religious denominations were not for- gotten, at one time, in a contested will case, carrying on a lawsuit for fifteen years, se- curing to the Presbyterian church a large estate. Hardly had he become comfort- ably settled in Ohio when he began to feel anxious about securing homes where his family could in the future be together. For this purpose he and George Philpot, a brother-in-law, started west in a one-horse buggy in 1850, looking through parts of Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa. They vis- ited the place where Minneapolis is now situated, foresaw the prospect, but could make no purchase, the land being held in reserve by the Government. He visited what is now Cedar Falls when there were but two log cabins and three families in the place. He returned the following year and selected land, and continued to make yearly and semi-yearly visits until his removal here in April, 1859, making col- lections in the East and purchases in the West until he had acquired nearly 4,000 acres of land. To have enclosed his land, which at one time was in a body south and
Saw Ho, Roused
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southeast of Cedar Falls, would have taken eleven miles of fence, though his largest purchases were west and northwest of the town. He resided in Cedar Falls three years when he removed to his farm, ad- joining the city on the south, residing there till his death, living to see one of his dearest wishes realized, that of his children being comfortably settled around him. Mr. Rownd was a stern opposer of slavery, and while residing in Ohio near the underground railroad, assisted many a negro from bondage to freedom by hurry- ing them through to Canada, or when too closely pursued, by secreting them till a favorable opportunity offered, his time and horses being at their disposal. He strongly opposed lawsuits, always preferring arbi- tration when possible. To illustrate : Two citizens claimed the same animal, and a law- suit was about to be the result when the case was referred to Mr. Rownd for arbitration. After finding out the actual worth of the animal Mr. Rownd pulled out his pocket- book, handing to each of the disputants half the value, retaining the animal himself, disposing of the matter to the satisfaction to all concerned. Since his residence in Black Hawk County, Iowa, his name has been connected with almost every benevo- lent cause, giving liberally of his means, and usually without solicitation, at all times unassuming and avoiding publicity. He contributed several thousand dollars toward the construction of the Iowa Central Rail- road, now part of the Diagonal Railroad, of which for a time he was vice-presi- dent, and also contributed largely to the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church at Cedar Falls. He bequeathed thousands of dollars to the Missionary cause, Church Extension and Freedmen's Aid. He was an efficient member of the Board of Super- visors, and for many years served as school director. As a man his frame was fully developed and well adapted to his great
intellect. His idiosyncrasies were such as to commend him to the unwavering con- fidence and high esteem of thoughtful busi- ness men. The dishonest and designing found it an impossibility to swerve him from what he considered just and equita- ble. Temperance, economy, uncompromis- ing honor and stern integrity characterized his daily walks. As a husband and father he was kind and affectionate, and as a citi- zen patriotic, always actuated by generous and laudable ambition. His liberal con- tributions for the public weal and also those for more private charitable purposes clearly bespeak a noble man. In politics he thought and acted on his own convictions, and for twenty-five years prior to his death he strongly adhered to the Republican party. Above all, he was an earnest Christian, and for many years was an exemplary mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. His favorite field of labor was the Sabbath- school, and during his long and efficient service as superintendent he accomplished a work which, in its salutary results, will be more fully realized in years to come. For years, during the latter part of his life, he suffered greatly from various internal dis- orders, and about two years before his death, his case was pronounced hopeless by his physicians, but he again recovered. However, a few weeks prior to his death his disease grew alarming, causing him in- tense suffering until the day previous, when he became more easy and quietly passed away on the morning of February 27, 1880. His sufferings, although severe and pro- tracted, were endured in the spirit of Chris- tian meekness and patience. No murmurs escaped his lips, no doubt occupied his mind, and when the final hour arrived death found him ready. His triumph was complete, and he " now rests from his labors and his works do follow him." Owing to his long residence here and prominent con- nection with the growth of Cedar Falls and
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
the surrounding country, the community at large sustained a great loss in the termi- nation of his useful and well-spent life. The longevity of his family is somewhat re- markable. His father lived to the age of cighty and his mother till seventy-six years, and of their family of eight children he was the first to die, the youngest then be- ing sixty years of age. Mr. Rownd left a large estate which he disposed of by will, and was one of the heaviest taxpayers in Black Hawk County. Mrs. Rownd, widow of our subiect, was a daughter of William and Ruth Philpot. She was a native of Ohio, living in that State till after her mar- riage. She is now residing with her fam- ily in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Below we give a brief sketch of the lives of the three sons who are residents of Cedar Falls Township. William H. Rownd was born in Ohio, December 3, 1836, and at the age of seventeen years he left his native State in company with his brother, James M., coming to Iowa for the purpose of taking charge of the large tracts of land purchased by his father, and has since resided here, and is now the owner of a fine, well-im- proved stock farm near Cedar Falls, his residence being in that city. For his wife he married Miss Ann Osborn, of Noble County, Ohio, and has one daughter-Rosa B. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Samuel H. Rownd is also a native of Ohio, born October 17, 1841, com- ing to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1859, with other members of the family. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, as a private, participating in the engagements at Haines' Bluff, Arkansas Post and numerous others of minor importance. During the siege of Vicksburg he was taken sick, and for about three months was confined in the hospital at Vicksburg. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1864. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McClin-
tock, of Noble County, Ohio, and three children have been born to them-Lena, Lyda and Katic. He owns an excellent farm south of Cedar Falls where he resides. He is also identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Charles A. Rownd has been a resident of this county since 1859, coming here with his parents in that year, from Ohio, in which State he was born March 28, 1844. He married Miss Ella Cotton, of Illinois, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Black Hawk County, she being a daughter of William and Eliz- abeth Cotton. Two children have blessed this union-Edith and Fred. He resides on the old homestead south of Cedar Falls, and is the owner of a valuable stock farm. He is at present serving as trustce of Ce- dar Falls Township. These three brothers are staunch advocates of prohibition.
RANK NEELY, manager of the Neely-Bryant Lumber Company, dealers in coal and lumber, was born in Belvidere, Boone County, Illinois, June 1, 1844, being the fourth of a family of six children of Alex. and Jane C. (Chamberlain) Neely. His parents were both natives of Massachusetts, and were among the first settlers of Belvi- dere, Illinois, where they resided many years. They are now residents of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Frank Neely received his early education in the schools of his native town, and later at- tended the Chicago University. At the breaking out of the late war he became a member of Battery I, First Illinois Light Artillery, and served in the ordnance de- partment. He was mustered out in 1865, having been in the service about four years. He then located at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Waterloo, where he was engaged in the sale of agricultural imple- ments until 1875, since which time he has
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been actively engaged in the coal and lum- ber business, his yards being on the Bur- lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern and the Wisconsin, Iowa & Nebraska Railroads, thus affording the best of shipping facilities. Mr. Neely was married in 1871 to Mary E. Sessions, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and to them . have been born two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. Neely has been a member of the City Council about eight years. He has served three years on the Board of Supervisors, and in November, 1885, he was re-elected to serve another term of three years. He is treasurer of the Peo- ples' Mutual Building and Loan Associa- tion, having held that office since its organ- ization in 1879. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in 1879 held the office of Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State.
A DAM DILGER, one of the prom- inent and influential citizens of Waterloo Township, was born in Germany, February 13, 1835, his parents, John G. and Anna (Erhart) Dilger, being also natives of that country. He remained in his native country till nineteen years of age when, money being sent him to pay his passage, he emigrated to America, and after spending two months in Pennsylvania, he located in Will County, Illinois, where he lived about ten years. He was married in Will County, in 1860, to Sarah Brown, and to this union were born six children-Hiram F., Mary, Emma, Cora, Hattie and Sarah. Mary is now the wife of A. W. Steeley, and has two children. Mr. Dilger removed with his family from Will County to Black Hawk County, Iowa, lo- cating in Eagle Township, where he pur- chased 170 acres. His wife died in that township in 1876, and in 1877 he was again married, taking for his second wife Mary 25
Gardner. By this marriage he has three children-Lillie E., Martin F. and Rudolph. Mr. Dilger added to his original purchase in Eagle Township till he owned 305 acres, on which he resided till 1882, when he sold eighty-five acres of his land and removed to Waterloo Township, where he has since followed farming on section 35. His son Hiram lives in Eagle Township on the old farm residence. Mr. Dilger commenced life in America, a poor German boy, but by industry and frugality and untiring perse- verance he has accumulated a good property and a comfortable home, where he and his family are surrounded by all that makes life a pleasure.
RAHAM J. STEARNS, one of the active and enterprising young farmers of East Waterloo Town- ship, is a native of Black Hawk County, born at Cedar Falls, August 6, 1857, the eldest son of Esleeck and Mary (Munger) Stearns, residents of Water- loo. His parents came to this county from New York State in 1856, and when he was six months old they removed to the farm where he was reared till his sixteenth year, since which they have made their home in Waterloo. Graham J. received a common school education, which he completed in the schools at Waterloo. On arriving at maturity he entered the machine shops of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and later was employed as fireman on an engine, during which time he was married to Miss Mary C. Messinger, the youngest daughter of E. J. and Catherine Messinger, of Water- loo. In March, 1880, shortly after his mar- riage, Mr. Stearns settled on his present farm on section 17, East Waterloo Town- ship, which was one of the first places im- proved in the neighborhood. His farm contains 140 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, with good farm buildings.
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Together with his general farming Mr. Stearns is engaged in raising stock, making a specialty of Norman and Bashaw horses, of which he has at present sixteen fine specimens. He also carries on a dairy, having about fourteen cows. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have one daughter named Katie E.
ESLEY MEARS came to Black www Hawk County, Iowa, in Novem- ber, 1854, and first settled in Waterloo, where he lived till 1867, when he removed to the farm on section 13, this township, which is still owned by his family, his farm contain- ing sixty acres of good land. Mr. Mears was born September 5, 1838, a son of Will- iam and Sarah (Newell) Mears, the father born in Pennsylvania, August 25, 1799, and the mother a native of Brown County, Ohio, born March 3, 1804. William Mears was reared in Bourbon County, Kentucky, where his parents settled when he was quite young. He began learning the blacksmith's trade of his brother Samuel, but not liking the trade he abandoned it and went to Brown County, Ohio, where he bound him- self out to a hatter till he was twenty-one, but did not serve his entire apprenticeship. He subsequently engaged in farming, remaining in Brown County till 1830, when he moved with his family to Warren Coun- ty, Indiana, and there entered eighty acres of Government land, where he lived several years, coming to Waterloo, this county, in 1854, and bought eighty acres of land where the Illinois Central depot now stands. William Mears built a saw-mill above the Union Mills, which he afterward converted into a grist-mill, where he carried on a profitable trade. After selling his mill he engaged in farming, and in 1867 he ex- changed his farm in Waterloo for his place in this township, occupied by his family.
He was married March 11, 1819, to Sarah Newell, daughter of William and Martha (Hall) Newell, and to them were born the following children - Ephraim, Mahala, Caroline, Wesley (our subject), R. Allen, living, and William, George, Eveline, Mi- randa and Cary, deceased. William and George served in the late war, the former dying in hospital while returning from the army. George died in 1873. Both father and mother were members of the Method- ist Episcopal church. The father served as supervisor while living in Waterloo. Wesley Mears, whose name heads this sketch, was married July 7, 1867, to Mary Collins, a native of Portsmouth, England, born in February, 1846, and to this union has been born one child-Ella Gertrude, born April 8, 1872. Mrs. Mears lost her father at the age of six months, and her mother married again. She was reared from infancy by a maternal uncle, with whom she came to New York at the age of twelve years, living there till she was twenty-three years of age, and married in Waterloo.
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