USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 27
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Maine, thence to New Brunswick, thence to Detroit, Michigan, finally locating at Jackson, Michigan, where he remained seven months. In the spring of 1864 he came to Black Hawk County, lowa, with his family, and resided about a year at Waterloo. He then removed to section 28, East Waterloo Township, where he has since resided, his farm containing 240 acres of choice land in a high state of cultivation, which he has converted from the raw prairie. On first coming here he devoted his entire attention to the raising of grain, and later began raising stock, in which enterprise he is still successfully engaged. He has also a small dairy, and disposes of his milk at the cheese factory. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cotton arc members of the Jefferson Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
EORGE WASHINGTON HANNA was born November 20, 1817, in White County, Illi -ยท nois, where he was reared on a farm. His parents, John and Mary Hanna, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. . They were married in Kentucky, being early settlers of that Statc. In 1810 they removed to Illinois, where they lived in a block- house for some time owing to the hostility of the Indians. The father died when our subject was ten years old, on account of which he was early obliged to earn his own living. He was married in 1837 to Mary Melrose, born in Edwards County, Illinois, June 9, 1821, and of the nine children born to this union seven survive-John I., in Texas; George W., of Luverne, Iowa; Robert W., also of Luverne; Phil C., an evangelist of the Free-Will Baptist church; Emily, living in Texas; Mary, at home, and Edith M., residing in Dakota. In July, 1845, Mr. Hanna removed with his
family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, he being the first white settler in this county. For several years he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Waterloo, but has made farming the principal avocation of his life. His home farm contains ninety-five acres of good land, beside which he also owns eighty acres a short distance from his pres- ent farm. He was the first justice of the peace of this county, serving five years when he resigned. Hc and his wife arc members of the Frec-Will Baptist church.
AMES T. POMEROY was born January 18, 1841, in Geauga County, Ohio, his parents, Alves- ton and Abigail Pomeroy, being na- tives of Ohio and New York State respectively. His maternal ancestry can be traced back to the year 1640, when two brothers named Andrews immigrated to America from England, locating in Con- necticut, of whom our subject's mother was a direct descendant. The descendants of . these two brothers participated in the Rev- olutionary war, war of 1812, and in the late Rebellion. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ichabod Pomeroy, was a native of Massachusetts, and was a soldier during the war of 1812, and an early settler of Geauga County, Ohio. His son, Alveston Pomeroy, was a native of Ohio. He was twice mar- ried, taking for his first wife Abigail An- drews, by whom he had three children- Austin L., James T. and Dwight. For his second wife he married Sallie Fox. James T. Pomeroy, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in his native State, and received his education in the schools of his district. He was married January 16, 1866, to Miss Emeline Smith, a daughter of Abram and Caroline Smith, of Geauga County, Ohio. Two children have been born to bless this union-Carrie A., born September 6, 1872,
285
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and Kittie M., born November 10, 1875. Mr. Pomeroy removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with his family in the year 1869, where he has since resided, and is now engaged in farming in Cedar Falls Town- ship, where he has a well-cultivated farm of eighty acres, located on section 34. Since coming to Cedar Falls Mr. Pomeroy has served acceptably as school director. Both he and his wife are much respected citizens of this township, his wife and daughter Carrie being consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
H. DE WITT, one of the pioneers of Black Hawk County, and one 00 of the most respected citizens, re- sides on section I, Black Hawk Township. He was born in Che- mung County, New York, July 16, 1814, and in 1818 his parents, Charles and Lydia De Witt, moved to Richland County, Ohio, and thence in 1830 to Delaware County, the same State. He was married March 8, 1835, to Mary M. Caulkins, who was born in Chenango County, New York, March 1, 1812, a daughter of Ithel and Polly (Terrell) Caulkins. In early life Mr. De Witt learned the carpenter's and cabinet maker's trades, which he followed exclu- sively a number of years. In 1852 he came to Iowa and lived three years in Cedar County, moving in 1855 to Black Hawk County and locating on the land which is now his valuable farm. He owns 114 acres and has a pleasant, comfortable home. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he showed his loyalty to the old flag by of- fering his services in its defense, but was rejected on account of his age. He has held various official relations in his town- ship, and has fulfilled his duties efficiently and conscientiously. His life has been that of an earnest, practical Christian, believing
in the broadest sense in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Mr. and Mrs. De Witt have passed the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and have out- lived the most of their ten children. They have lived useful lives and have won the love and confidence of their friends and neighbors, who have only words of admi- ration and praise to bestow upon them.
LI OWEN, section 5, Lester Town- ship, was born in Allegany County, New York, January 31, 1826, a son of Jonathan R. and Han- nah (Whaley) Owen, his father born in Saratoga County, New York, Sep- tember 8, 1796, and his mother in Herkimer County, New York, November 7, 1798. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Owen, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1853, and entered a tract of Government land in Black Hawk County, and the next fall his parents and the rest of the family moved to the new country. His father died in Lester Town- ship, January 10, 1865, and his mother March 16, 1879. Mr. Owen was married March 14, 1855, to Maria H. Cook, a native of Fairfield, Vermont, born December 23, 1838, a daughter of Charles and Ann (Waite) Cook, natives of England, the father born in 1801, and the mother in 1796. Her parents came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1854, and here the mother died May 27, 1873. The father afterward returned to Vermont and died in Johnson, Lamoille County, February 22, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Owen were the first couple married in Lester Township. They have had a family of eleven children-Edith L., born March I, 1859, was married November 25, 1884, to Austin Whitney, of Bennington Township; Frank W., born July 27, 1861 ; Luella G.,
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
born January 11, 1864; Harvey J., born September 26, 1866, died, aged four months ; Charles, born May 23, 1869, died, aged nine months : Anna A., born February 7, 1871 ; Nettie E., born April 8, 1873 ; Bertha M., born February 16, 1876; Louie B., born September 24, 1878 ; Cora E., born Novem- ber 26, 1880, and Ethel G., born September 17, 1884. In politics Mr. Owen is a Demo- crat. He has served his township as clerk, school director, school treasurer and collector.
OHN T. EDGINGTON, section 35, Poyner Township, was born July 14, 1836, in Hancock County, Ohio, and when about nine years old his parents, George and Mary Edgington, removed to Lynn County, Iowa, where the father followed farming a few years. He then sold his farm and re- moved to Cedar County, and a few years later settled in Jones County, from which county John T. enlisted in Company B, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, being mus- tered in at Muscatine. He was sent to Helena, Arkansas, and was in the Thir- teenth Army Corps under General Mc- Clellan. He took part in the Vicksburg campaign, after which his regiment was sent to attack Johnston. Soon after the re- treat of Johnston their division was sent to assist General Banks in the Red River ex- pedition. His regiment was then sent to the Shenandoah Valley under General Sheridan. His last battle was at Cedar Creek, soon after which he went with his regiment to Savannah, Georgia, and for several months was on provost duty be- tween Savannah and Moorehead City, North Carolina. He was mustered out with his regiment at Savannah, July 17, 1865, and soon after came to Poyner Town- ship, this county, his parents having settled here with their six children in 1864. John
T. bought his present farm in 1865, on which at that time no improvements had been made. He commenced his improve- ments in the spring of 1866, and now has a well cultivated farm of eighty acres, his residence and barn being among the best in the township. September 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Eleanor A. Ellis, who was born in Washington County, Ohio, Novem- ber 30, 1845, coming to Black Hawk County with her father, Joseph A. Ellis, when eighteen years of age, her father having since lived in that vicinity. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 28, 1821, a son of Reuben Ellis, who came from Mary- land to Ohio in an carly day. His wife, Mary A. (Mathews) Ellis, was born Octo- ber 16, 1817, and died February 6, 1855. They have an adopted daughter, Edith, who was born April 26, 1875. In politics Mr. Edgington is a Republican. His father was born in Richland County, Ohio, in Feb- ruary, 1809, a son of John and Catherine (Dougal) Edgington, the former a native of Ohio, and of English descent, and the latter of Scotch descent. George Edgington was reared to manhood in Richland, where he was married in 1834 to Mary Taylor, who was born May 24, 1809, near Bedford, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William Taylor. The mother is now living in the home of our subject in Poyner Township.
ILLIAM HORTON was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 14, 1830. He was reared on a farm, RE where he remained till twenty-five years of age. He then sailed for America, landing at Quebec ; and after spending two years in Canada he crossed the borders and located in Illinois, where he found employment on a farm near Spring- field, remaining in that State some six years. In the fall of 1866 he came to Black Hawk
287
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
County, Iowa, and bought seventy acres of land in Poyner Township. He then re- turned to Illinois, and two years later came back to this county, and after improving his farm sold it, and continued buying and sell- ing. He returned to England on a visit in the fall of 1875, and remained there until the spring of 1878. In the fall of 1878 he married Refief C. Aldrich, a native of Chau- tauqua County, New York, widow of the late Truman Aldrich. She has one son by her former husband-Truman Aldrich, Jr., born July 20, 1874. Mr. Horton is a prac- tical farmer, living three miles east of Water- loo. Their farm consists of 240 acres, well improved. They have also city property, consisting of both business and residence property.
OHN P. NEMMERS, general mer- chant and postmaster at Gilbert- ville, Iowa, becoming a resident of this place in 1880. He purchased his present store of Chris. Miller in 1883, where he has been successfully engaged in the mercantile trade. He car- ries a stock of goods worth $5,000, his sales amounting to $18,000 per annum. His parents, Nicholas and Mary (Freymann) Nemmers, were both natives of Germany. They were married in that country, and there their first child was born. They came to America in 1845, where both died, the father December 22, 1885, at the age of sixty-nine years. John P. Nemmers is a native of Saint Donatus, Jackson County, Iowa, where he was born December 27, 1857. He was reared on a farm in his na- tive county, his father having beena farmer by occupation. He received his education principally at St. Francis Teacher's College, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which he at- tended two years. After coming to Gilbert- ville, he taught in the parish school for two years, after which he engaged in his present
business. October 27, 1883, he was married to Maggie Mangrich, daughter of John and Maggie (Ambrose) Mangrich, natives of Germany, now residents of Gilbertville. Mr. and Mrs. Nemmers have two children -John and Susie. In politics Mr. Nem- mers votes the Democratic ticket. Octo- ber 6, 1885, he was appointed postmaster at Gilbertville.
JOHN PATTEE, section 18, Mt. Vernon Township, is one of the oldest of the early settlers of Black Hawk County. He was born in Topsham, Vermont, November 5, 1791. When he was three years old his parents moved to Georgia, Vermont, and three years later to Essex County, New York, where they lived till he was nineteen years old. In 1810 they moved to Newark, Licking County, Ohio. When he was about twenty-eight years old he went to Michi- gan and Canada, and later to Illinois. He subsequently moved to Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, and three years later returned to Illinois. In 1855 he sold his property in Illinois to his son Josephus and moved to Bremer County, Iowa, and in 1859 located on the farm where he now lives. At that time his land was a tract of wild prairie, but he has brought it under cultivation and has erected good buildings. He has set out trees and now has a fine grove of cotton wood, ash, black cherry, black walnut, butternut and box elder trees. Mr. Pattee was married in Licking County, Ohio, in 1810, to Christiana Sey- mour, who died leaving five children, but one of whom, a son, now of Monroe County, Michigan, is living. He subsequently mar- ried Catherine Wright, who died in Mis- souri, and left nine children, four of whom are living. He was married in Missouri, July 24, 1845, to Sarah Lovell, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Herness) Lovell.
2SS
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
They have had seven children; six are liv- ing-George W., David D., Daniel G., Benjamin F., Susan A. (wife of Elias Gable, of Osage, Iowa), and Isaac G. Mr. Pattec's father was a soldier in the war of the Revo- lution, and he in the war of 1812. He now draws a pension for services rendered his country in that struggle. In politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since seventeen years of age. His son, George W., was born in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, April 30, 1846, and was married February 2, 1867, to Emily E. Fitkin, daughter of Robert and Hannah Fitkin, natives of England, the former born in 1796, and the latter March 13, 1807. They came to America in 1842, and in 1859 came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and located in Mt. Vernon Township. where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Pattee have seven children-Harvey L., John Robert, George Nelson, Maria N., Charles W., Jessie and Bell A.
LINTON BOZARTH, section 30, Union Township, came to Black Hawk County in July, 1854, and settled on the land which is now his fine farm. He built a frame house which was burned in March, 1857. He soon after rebuilt, to which from time to time he added a room as he needed it, and lived in it till 1873, when he built his pres- ent large two-story frame residence. Mr. Bozarth was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, April 10, 1830, a son of Valentine and Rebecca (Hall) Bozarth. In April, 1839, his parents came to Iowa and settled near Muscatine, where he was reared. When twenty years of age he went to Cal- ifornia, driving a team across the plains, and remained there till 1854, when he re- turned to Iowa, and the same month came to Black Hawk County. He was mar-
ried March 31, 1855, to Elizabeth Lanc, daughter of John G. Lanc. They have had a family of eight children of whom six are living-Wilfred, Granville, John L., Ansley, Harvey and Maud. Walter died in 1859, aged four years, and Charles, April 6, 1884, aged fifteen years. In poli- tics Mr. Bozarth is a Republican. He has never aspired to official honors, but has served in several positions of local impor- tance. He is a member of Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65, F. & A. M.
-3- AMES NEWELL, the first settler of Washington Township, came to Black Hawk County in 1845, and located the land which is now the home of his heirs. He was ac- companied by his brother Thomas and brother-in-law Harris Wilson. After locat- ing his land they returned to Muscatinc, Iowa, but the following spring he came again to Black Hawk County, and built a house of hewed logs, and began improving his land, and at his death, May 30, 1875, owned 572 acres, 314 acres being in the homestead. Mr. Newell was born in Je- romeville, Ohio, August 11, 1809. He married Elizabeth Coter, who at her death left five children - Thomas, Harrison, George, Jackson and James. He after- ward married Mrs. Maryette (Darling) Slakes, widow of Isaac Slakes, who died in. 1847, leaving four children. In November, 1847, he married his third wife,'who sur- vives him. Her maiden name was Nancy A. Howard, a daughter of Danicl and Mary (Lee) Howard. Their family con- sisted of seven children, of whom five are living-William, Daniel, Millie (wife of Fred Webster), Douglas and Joshua, all res- idents of Black Hawk County. Harriet and Maria arc deceased. Mr. Newell died May 30, 1875, and thus passed from earth Washington Township's first settler. Hc
289
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
had done much to advance the material interests of the township, and lived to see it change from a wild prairie to a fine farming center, and a settlement of intelli- gent, thrifty citizens.
OHN PASHBY was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, March I, 1841, a son of George and Jane (Cook) Pashby, natives of England, the father born September 7, 1802, and the mother born about the year 1819. The father came to America in 1821, landing in New York with but 5 cents in his pocket, and had to beg his way across the toll bridges. He first located in Rochester, New York, living there about nine years, and during this time he had acquired by his own industry a farm of forty acres .~ He removed to St. Joseph County, Michigan, about 1830, locating on heavily timbered land, where he made a home and has since resided there. He was first married in New York to Eliza Ramsey, who left at her death two chil- dren-Robert, who died at the age of twenty-four years, and Elizabeth, now the wife of Samuel Stears. His second mar- riage occurred in 1832 to Jane Cook, who died in 1864, leaving five children-Mary, married her cousin, John Pashby, and is living in St. Joseph County; John, our subject; Jane, wife of John Featherson, living in St. Joseph County ; George, and Louisa, wife of Frank Hull, both living in St. Joseph County. George Pashby was a brother-in-law of Jerome Fargo, the great expressman. He is in politics a zealous Republican, and is a great admirer of American institutions. Since making his home in America he has met with success in all his undertakings, and is now the owner of 600 acres of choice land, beside having $17,000 out at interest. John Pash-
by, whose name heads this sketch, came with his wife to this county in the spring of 1865, and settled on section 8, on land which his father had bought from the Government in 1851 or 1852. No improve- ments had been made on the place, and while his house was being built he lived with Charles Girholdt. He has since im- proved his farm and has now 365 acres located on sections 7, 8 and 17. Mr. Pashby was married March 25, 1865, to Elizabeth Stickel, born in Cumberland County, Penn- sylvania, in February, 1843, a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Gentzler) Stickel, the former dying in Pennsylvania, and the latter in St. Joseph County, Michigan, in the spring of 1877. Mrs. Pashby died July 18, 1877, leaving three children-Cora M., born May 25, 1866; Louisa, born Novem- ber 14, 1867, and Peter E., born September I, 1869, all natives of this township. Mr. Pashby was again married March 6, 1880, to Emma Diemer, a native of Stevenson County, Illinois, where she was reared, a daughter of John Diemer. To this union have been born two children-George C., born March 15, 1882, and Jessie M., born May 5, 1884. In politics Mr. Pashby affili- ates with the Republican party. He is at present serving as township trustee, which office he has held for twelve years.
EORGE NEWELL, section 20, Washington Township, is a son of James Newell, the first settler in the township, and was thirteen years old when his father came to Black Hawk County. He was born - in Jeromesville, Ohio, January 18, 1833. He was reared in this county, and was early inured to the life of a pioneer farmer. He was married February 12, 1856, to Adelia Hackett, who was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, April 19, 1834, a daughter of John and
290
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Mary (Lent) Hackett. They have had nine children-Alonzo H., born May 7, 1858; Marion, born December 10, 1859, died, aged ten days; Mary E., born May 17, 1863; Jennic E., born November 3, 1865 ; Clara B., born May 19, 1868; George E., born August 2, 1871, died June 4, 1872 ; Ernest, born May 9, 1873 ; Luetta and Lu- clla (twins), born August 13, 1875. In poli- tics Mr. Newell is a Democrat. He has been trustee of his township twenty con- secutive years, and has also served as a member of the school board.
ENRY W. BUCHER, merchant and postmaster, Lester, Iowa, was born in Adams County, Pennsyl- vania, November 30, 1834, a son of Christian and Martha (Walter) Bucher, also natives of Adams County, his father born in 1809, died December 25, 1844, and his mother born in 1814, is still living in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Adam Bucher, who was a native of the same county, but of English parentage, was born in 1775, and died in May, 1847. His maternal ancestors were natives of Ger- many, but came to this country prior to the Revolution, and he has heard his great- grandmother, who died in 1848, aged nine- ty-six years, tell of that struggle for liberty. His maternal grandparents died in Penn- sylvania, the father April 1, 1845, aged sixty-six years, and the mother in 1849. Our subject was but ten years old when he was left fatherless, and when he was thir- teen he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked till 1858. He came West in 1855, and lived in Illinois three years, and in February, 1858, came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and remained till 1867, when he returned to his old home ' in Pennsylvania, but two years later came again to Iowa and has since made this his
home. He has been supervisor of the First District, consisting of Lester, Bennington, Mt. Vernon, Washington and Union town- ships since 1884, has been township treasurer four years, and has also served as assessor and township clerk. He has been post- master at Lester seven years. He com- menced his mercantile business in January, 1877, and carries a good stock, valued at $2,000, his annual sales amounting to about $5,000. He has a good farm of eighty acres, and a pleasant residence in the village of Lester. Mr. Bucher was married De- cember 27, 1869, to Rebecca (Milligan) Hood, widow of Captain Thomas Hood, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh. She is a native of Pennsylvania, born October 10, 1838, and came West to Illinois with her parents when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Bucher have four children-Mattie, born May, 1870; Bernice, February, 1873; Blanche, March 14, 1877; Nettie, Decem- ber 27, 1878. In politics Mr. Bucher is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist church.
-3-
LBERT J. COTTON was born June 17, 1848, in Winnebago County, Illinois, a son of William and Elizabeth Cotton, of whom his mother is deceased. He was reared to manhood in his native State, re- maining there till 1873, when he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with other members of his father's family. October 27, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Houdeshell, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Houdeshell, of Illinois, but for- merly of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton have two children-Carrie M., born September 7, 1877, and Charles A., born November 7, 1880. Mr. Cotton has made farming the principal avocation of his life, and now has a fine farm of seventy-
291
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
seven acres of well cultivated land, located on section 25, Cedar Falls Township, where he makes his home. Mr. Cotton is now serving his second term as road super- visor, and for the past five years has been school director of District No. 4, holding both offices with satisfaction to his con- stituents. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Mrs. Cotton's parents had a family of ten children, of whom eight still survive-Amelia, Mary A., Jesse, Edward, Jacob F., Sylvester, David F. and Cora M.
OHN CALL, sections 28 and 29, Union Township, was born in Essex County, New York, April 8, 1844, a son of Andrew and Han- nah (Worden) Call. His father was born in Essex County in 1791, and was a collier by occupation. He died at the age of sixty, when our subject was but ten years of age. His mother was also a native of New York State, born in 1796, dying in Keysville, New York, in August, 1884, aged eighty-eight years. Her father was an officer in the war of the Revolution, and for his services his widow drew a pension till her death. John Call, our subject, lived in Flackville, New York, till he was ten years old, when he went with his parents to Clinton County, New York, living there till he reached the age of seventeen years. He then, in September, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second New York In- fantry, and was first sent with his regiment to Alexandria, Virginia, and was there en- camped at Upton Hill till the spring of 1862. His first engagement was at the' battle of Fredericksburg, where he was taken sick and discharged in June, 1862, on account of disability. He remained at Keysville, New York, till he recovered his health when, in October, 1862, he re-enlisted
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.