USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 35
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
B ARTON JAY, of Cedar Falls Township, is a native of Ohio, in which State he was born March 26, 1833, a son of George and Eliza- beth (Burnside) Jay. His mother died when he was six years of age, and his father afterward married Polly Baliff. He lived in Ohio till attaining his cightcenth year, when he went with his parents to Bureau County, Illinois, where he resided many years. Mr. Jay has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in February, 1856, to Rebecca Julien, who died leaving two children-Sarah E., born June 7, 1857, and Emma J., born April 3, 1861. For his second wife he married Lydia J. Harding, October 15, 1866, and to this union has been born two children- Bertha E., born May 23, 1869, and George B., born December 9, 1870. Mr. Jay came to Iowa in the fall of 1866, and after living a short time in Lucas County he removed to Black Hawk County where he has since made his home. He is an industrious farm- er, and by his good management is mak- ing a success out of his farm, which con- tains eighty acres of land under high culti- vation. Mr. Jay is always interested in
educational matters. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as well as rc- spected citizens of Cedar Falls Township.
S AMUEL D. SHAW, one of the old and respected pioneers of Black Hawk County, Iowa, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, April 19, 1811, a son of Augustus and Prudence Shaw, natives of New England, his father being a Revolutionary soldier. After reaching maturity our sub- ject went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for several years. He then removed to Lock, Licking County, Ohio, where he followed the same business, and also served as mag- istrate. Hc was married there to Miss Elizabeth Stoughton, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Nichols) Stoughton, who came from New England to Licking County, Ohio, among the early settlers. Mrs. Shaw's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was among those who were surrendered to the British through the treachery of Major Benedict. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two children liv- ing-Sarah A., now Mrs. W. H. Eason, and Henry B. They also have an adopted daughter, Ellen, now the wife of Mr. Betts, of Benton County, Iowa. Their son, Henry B., served as a soldier in the late war, en- listing in the Third Iowa Infantry. He participated in many important battles, and on one occasion was severely wounded. After his term of service had expired he re-enlisted as a veteran. He served during the greater part of the war, and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Shaw came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1852, and settled in Orange Township, having en- tered large tracts of Government land. He
349
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
has been identified with the growth of Waterloo since its infancy, there being but a few shanties at that place when he came, and the inhabitants being mostly Indians. He has always taken an active interest in all enterprises for the advancement of his county, where he is ranked among the most esteemed citizens. He was elected judge of Black Hawk County in 1862, which position he held six years. He was always just and conscientious in his decisions, hav- ing the unwavering confidence of the peo- ple during his entire term of office. For years he served as justice of the peace, and was also assessor of Waterloo Township. He has been a resident of Black Hawk County since locating here in 1852, with the exception of a short time spent in Da- kota. In the spring of 1884 he removed to Cedar Falls Township, where he at present resides. He is a member of the Congrega- tional church. Politically he is a Re- publican.
ENRY WATTON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 22, Barclay Township, was born in Cambridge- shire, England, June 6, 1833, a son of John and Sophia (Betts) Watton, who were also natives of England. Although his early educational advantages were rather limited, he made the most of his opportunities, becoming well informed on general subjects. His mother makes her home with him, being now eighty-six years of age. In 1851 he came to America, and after living a year and a half in Wash- ington County, New York, he removed to Herkimer County, and two years later to Lockport, New York. He remained in Lockport but a short time when he went to Hamilton, Canada, living there three years, when he returned to Lockport and spent the summer, then went to England to spend the winter. The following spring
he came again to America, returning to Herkimer County where he spent a year. He then returned to Lockport, Niagara County, New York, and from there went to Orleans County, New York, and after remaining there two years he again re- turned to Herkimer County, and from there went again to Orleans County. He was married in New York State in 1864, to Paulina Packer, who was born in Saratoga County, New York, June 17, 1841, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Rebecca Packer, both of whom were born in New York State. Her mother died when she was a child, and her father is now living in Illinois, to which State he moved in 1861. Mr. Wat- ton purchased his present farm, where he has since resided, in 1866, which he has brought from its natural state to a well cul- tivated farm, having 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. In politics Mr. Watton is a Republican. He is engaged in general farming, and is making a spe- cialty of stock-raising. He has lately purchased a five year old full-blooded gray stallion, bred and raised by E. Dillon, of Bloomington, Illinois, and sold to Mr. Packer for $1,500 when a yearling. The animal, which is considered to be the best horse in the county, is sixteen and a half hands high, and weighs when in good flesh 2,000 j'ounds. It is registered as Cresiosa, No. 204, in the National Register of Nor- man horses, a descendant of St. Laurant, No. 753, and imported Magnolia, No. 987, National Register of Norman horses.
EUBEN FORD was born in Wy- andot County, Ohio, in 1852, a son of David and Catherine (Gundy) Ford. He was a year and a half old when his parents came with their family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and here he was reared, and educated in the district schools. His father
350
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
first settled on section 27, Washington Township, near the place where he at pres- ent resides, and is living with his son Niram, his wife having died in the spring of 1879. They were the parents of nine children-Matilda, wife of J. W. Leeper : Sarah, wife of James Coy : Eliza, wife of Abram Sprague; Mary, wife of Warren Sherman: Lydia, wife of George Cochonour; Ellen, married Wm. Deeming : Nancy, de- ceased : Curlus, living at Cedar Falls ; Niram, living with his father, and Reuben, our subject. Reuben was married January 7. 1872. to Helen 1. Carroll, daughter of John and Charlotte (Collister) Carroll. Her father died January 26, 1876. Her mother is still living on the old home- stead in Washington Township with her son Harmon. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have no children. Mrs. Ford was reared in this county, her parents having settled here when she was but three years of age. Mr. Carroll left at his death a widow and nine children, two of whom are deceased- Emma and Kate. Frank is living at Cedar Falls : Harmon, on the homestead ; Mary, wife of Virgil Cook, of Washington Town- ship: Martin and Myra, twins, living at home : Fred, at home, and Helen I., wife of Mr. Ford, born June 24, 1851, in Lake County, Ohio. In his political affiliations Mr. Ford is a Republican. He has met with good success in his agricultural pur- suits, and is now the owner of a choice farm of 320 acres in Washington Town- ship, located on sections 27 and 28.
AMUEL CAIN, one of the pros- perous and influential citizens of Orange Township, residing on section 8, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, August 18, ISIS, a son of William and Barbara (Wentz) Cain, who was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. The father died
when Mr. Cain was but six years of age, and the mother died at the home of our subject at the age of eighty-six years. Of their twelve children six are living, all but the subject of this sketch residing in Cam- bria County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Cain was married in Cambria County, in 1839, to Elizabeth Cobaugh, a native of that county. Of the twelve children born to this union, six are living-Mrs. Barbara Strayer, of Black Hawk Township; Mrs. Lucinda Was- som, of the same township; Mrs. Matilda Dierdorff, of Waterloo Township; Mrs. Hannah Lichty, of Kansas; Mrs. Mattie Klingaman, of Orange Township, and Mrs. Jennie Iseminger, of Black Hawk Town- ship. Those deceased are-Mrs. Susannah Strayer; Mrs. Elizabeth Shank, William, Frederick, Albert and Lydia. Mrs. Cain died in Cambria County, January 8, 1864, in her forty-first year, and Mr. Cain was again married in the same county in the latter part of the same year, taking for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca A. Dietz, who was born in New Jersey, December 31, 1831. Six children have been born to this union-Elias, Ellsworth S., Ada, Eva, John and Burchard H. Mrs. Cain was first married to Samuel S. Dietz, who died October 14, 1863, in his forty-fourth year. By her first marriage she had three chil- dren-Martin, living in Hudson; Mary, with her mother, and Martha, who died aged eighteen years. Mr. Cain was reared to agricultural pursuits, and is a thorough, practical farmer. He came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, from Cambria County, Penn- sylvania, in October, 1865. He then bought 160 acres of partially improved land, and the first year he erected a large barn and made other improvements. He has now his whole farm under good cultivation, and has made valuable building improvements. In connection with his home farm he works his farm of 120 acres, located on section 18. Mr. Cain has prospered far beyond his ex-
351
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
pectations, and since becoming a resident of Black Hawk County he has become one of its wealthiest citizens. He now owns in Black Hawk Township, north of Hudson, over 500 acres of choice improved land,
and 300 acres west of Hudson. He also owns quite a large part of the village plat of Hudson, including five dwellings and three stores, beside seventy-five acres of timber land. Politically Mr. Cain is a staunch Republican. He has served his township as supervisor and trustee, beside holding other local offices of trust and re- sponsibility. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Brethren church, to the ad- vancement of which Mr. Cain contributes liberally of his means.
AUL SOHNER, one of the early settlers of East Waterloo Town- ship, is a native of Germany, born April 6, 1827, the eldest son of Joseph and Marion (Hartmann) Sohner. He attended school in his native country from the age of seven till he was fourteen years old, after which he learned the comb- maker's trade, at which he served an ap- prenticeship of three years. He then worked at his trade as a journeyman until he arrived at maturity, and in May, 1849, he sailed from Antwerp, Belgium, to America, landing at New York City, July 4, 1849. He worked on a farm in New York State for six years, receiving for his services $5 per month for the first eight months, his wages being gradually raised till he re- ceived $10 per month. During this time he saved $275, and with this amount he came West, locating at Rockford, Illinois, where he remained about nine years. He was united in marriage in the fall of 1855 to Miss Jane Hewitt, of Rockford, who was born in England, and came to America with her brother. They have two sons-
Albert A. and Homer L. After his mar- riage Mr. Sohner lived on a rented farm for eight years, and in the winter of 1865 he removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, settling on the farm which he still occupies. At the time of his settle- ment here his land was open prairie, eighty acres being school land, worth at that time about $3 per acre. He has made all the improvements on his place, built his fine farm residence, barns and out buildings, and has his 120 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. Together with farm- ing he is engaged in raising stock, and is also engaged in the dairy business, milk- ing on an average ten or eleven cows. He makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, and his cattle are of the best grades. Mr. Sohner has always taken an active interest in the cause of education, and does all in his power to promote its interests. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
SCRITTO
BRAHAM W. WOODLEY, son of George and Sallie Woodley, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1808. His parents had a family of seven children-Abraham W., John, George, Sarah, Jacob, Mathias and Ann, of whom the latter two are now de- ceased. Mr. Woodley, our subject, re- moved with his parents in his nineteenth year to Erie County, New York, and the following year returned to Pennsylvania, locating in Lycoming County, where he began learning the trade of a brick and stone mason, working there about two years. He then followed his trade in Buf- falo, New York, for three years. He then went to Canada, remaining there about five years, working at his trade at Dunn- ville, Hamilton and Port Colborne. De- cember 2, 1835, he was married to Rhoda
352
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Doan, a native of Canada, born May 14, 1816, a daughter of Levi and Annie Doan. Six children have been born to them, of whom four are living-Sallie A., wife of Robert Clark, of La Porte City ; Levi L., of Wright County, lowa ; Olive A., wife of H. Gates, of Waterloo, Iowa, and Ma- thias, of Dakota. Jacob and Mary J. arc deceased. From Canada Mr. Woodley went with his family to. Medina County, Ohio, where he followed farming and worked at his trade until 1855. He then located in Benton County, Iowa, where he was successfully engaged in farming till within the past few years, when he became a resident of La Porte City, Black Hawk County. While living in Benton County he served as township trustee. He has al- ways been a hard-working citizen, and his property has been acquired by years of in- dustry and toil, and in all his undertakings has met with success. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. Politi- cally he is a Democrat.
C. FENTON, farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 19, Bar- clay Township, is a native of New York, born in the year 1840, a son of Franklin and Lemira Fenton, na- tives of New York, the father of Scotch and the mother of English descent. Our subject came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1866, locating on the farm where he has since resided, it being at the time of his settlement an unimproved tract of land. He has now a well-cultivated farm of 160 acres, with a good residence and commodi- ous farm buildings, all of which has been accomplished since Mr. Fenton has made his home here. He was married in Black Hawk County in 1872, to Jennie R. Craig, who was born in Scotland in 1849, a daugh- ter of John Craig, coming to America in
the year 1870. They have four children living-Orville F., Lemira, Alvin and Eva M. One son, Franklin, is deceased. Mr. Fenton commenced life for himself without capital, but by his persevering industry, combined with good management, he has been successful in his agricultural pursuits, and has through his own efforts acquired a good property. In politics Mr. Fenton is a Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christadelphian church, and re- spected citizens of Barclay Township. Mr. Fenton enlisted in the late war in 1863, in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and participa- ted in the battles of Alexandria and Frank- lin, besides many skirmishes, serving in all two years, when he received his discharge.
OSEPH J. BOWDEN, an active and enterprising farmer of East Waterloo Township, was born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, near Hazel Green, September 3, 1846, the only son of Cuthbert and Ann (Goldsworthy) Bowden, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America in June, 1844, where the father fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. He died in 1856, when our subject was but ten years of age. Joseph J. was reared on a farm in Wisconsin and received a common-school education. On attain- ing his majority he began farming, which he followed in his native State till March 24, 1882. He then removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with his family, and at once purchased his present farm which contains 160 acres of choice land, where he has since been engaged in general farming and dairying. His farm is located on section 18, this township, one and a half miles northeast of Waterloo. Mr. Bowden commenced life on limited capital, but by perseverance, industry and strict economy
353
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
he has accumulated a good competency, Mr. Bowden was married in May, 1872, to Sarah J. Fairley, a native of Virginia, but at the time of their marriage living in Wis- consin. To this union have been born three sons-John B., Willie F. and Walter P.
-3- -8
ESLEY S. STOKES, a prominent agriculturist of Orange Town- ship, residing on section 8, is a Gonna native of Putnam County, Indiana, born April 8, 1844. When he was four years of age his parents, Rob- ert F. and Sally Ann Stokes, settled in Mc- Donough County, Illinois, and there his mother died in 1855, aged forty-one years. Wesley S. spent his youth in assisting his father on the farm, and attending school during the winter months. As soon as he was old enough he volunteered in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois In- fantry, August 12, 1862. He participated in the campaign and battles leading to the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and later was in the campaign against Johnston's army. His regiment being transferred to the Gulf department, he participated in the campaign against Mobile in 1865, and was in the assault and capture of Spanish Fort, where he acted as Color- bearer. During his three years of service he was only off duty three days. He was honorably discharged, being mustered out at Chicago as Sergeant, August 15, 1865. After the war he went to Henderson County, Illinois, his parents having moved to that county during his absence. He was married in that county February 12, 1868, to Mary C. Grigsby, a native of Mus- kingum County, Ohio, daughter of John and Jane Grigsby. Mrs. Stokes died June 1, 1883, leaving five children-Edward E. and Ella E. (twins), Ida M., Clara E. and 34
Arthur E., who died December 31, 1884, in his ninth year. After his marriage Mr. Stokes made his present residence his home, and commenced improving his prai- rie farm of 200 acres. This farm is now classed among the finest improved farms in this part of Black Hawk County, and building improvements are not excelled in this neighborhood. Mr. Stokes was again married, February 22, 1885, taking for his second wife Rebecca Miller. She was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1845, a daughter of Jonas and Sarah Miller. When she was five years old her mother died. Her father subsequently married again and settled in Orange Township in 1875, where he died in June, 1881, in his seventy-third year, after which his widow returned to Pennsylvania. In politics Mr. Stokes affiliates with the Republican party. He is at present a member of the Board of Township Trus- tees, and is one of the township's most es- teemed citizens. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife belongs to the German Baptist church.
OHN MERNER was born in Switzerland, October 20, 1818, a son of Jacob and Susanna Mer- ner, with whom in 1837 he immi- grated to America, settling in
Canada West. His parents had a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, whose names are as follows :-ยท Jacob, John, Peter, Samuel, Frederick, Gottleib, Christian, Barbara, Annie and Mary. John Merner, our subject, was united in marriage in the year 1848 to Miss Mary Zingg, a daughter of Jacob and Eliz- abeth Zingg, of Oxford County, Canada. Of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Merner nine are yet living-John, David, Lydia, Solomon, Anna, Susan, Sarah, Will-
3.54
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
iam and Daniel. Mr. Merner continued to live in Ontario, Canada, for many years after his marriage, leaving there in the year 1875, when he removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and after residing on his farm here for a short time he came to Cedar Falls. As a farmer Mr. Merner has been quite successful, being now the owner of 400 acres of land. In his politi- cal views he affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church, and respected citizens of their township.
S ILAS L. KLINGAMAN was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1842. His parents, George and Sally Klingaman, were born, reared and married in Pennsyl- vania. They came with their family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1865, and settled on section 7, Orange Township, where the father bought a farm of 211 acres, on which he resided till his death, which occurred in October, 1871, at the age of sixty-one years. His widow still survives, and is making her home with her daughter Susan. They were the parents of fourteen children, our subiect being the eighth child. Those living now are-John G., of Water- loo; Josiah F., residing ncar Kimball, Da- kota; Silas L., our subject; Anna, wife of E. M. Sine, of Minneapolis; Susan, wife of S. B. Bickley; Eliza, wife of Z. H. Weller, of Waterloo; Elmer E., a school teacher of Orange Township. SilasL. enlisted in the late war, August 29, 1864, in Company K, Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and was hon- orably discharged in July, 1865. He came to this county in 1865 with his parents, with whom he lived till his marriage, January 17, 1869, with Miss Martha Cain. She was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1852, a daughter of Samuel and
Lizzie (Cobaugh) Cain. Her mother died in Pennsylvania, and in 1865 she came to this county with her father, who is still a resident here. Mr. and Mrs. Klingaman have four children-Charles E., born July 27, 1870; Alice Eva, born December 6, 1872; Frank, born July 18, 1877, and Will- iam W., born November 6, 1879. After his marriage Mr. Klingaman made his home in the neighborhood of his present residence. He farmed the homestead of his father most of the time from 1865 until after his father's death. He bought 105 acres of his present farm on section 7 in 1876. To this he has added the farm adjoining on the south which contains 148 acres, and now owns in one body 253 acres of finely cultivated land. He also owns twelve acres of timber land in this county. Mr. Klingaman com- menced life a poor man, but by his untiring industry and strict economy, together with his good business management he has be- come one of the prosperous farmers of Orange Township. In his political views he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Brethren church.
HOMAS BROOKS, one of the early settlers of East Waterloo Township, was born in Orange County, New York, June 14, 1823. His parents were both natives of Yorkshire, England, immigrating to America, September 3, 1818. They lived for one year at Fishkill, on the Hudson River, when they removed to Cornwall, Orange County. The father purchased a woolen-mill at Bellvale, which is now car- ried on by his son. He was a man of great industry, and was a devout member of the Baptist church. He had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom Thomas was the fourth child. Thomas Brooks passed his boyhood at
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
355
Bellvale, Orange County, New York, and attended the schools of that place. After leaving school he worked in his father's factory till his health failed, when he began work on a farm which belonged to his father, which he followed till reaching manhood. He was married January 27, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Cain, a native of Orange County, New York, the eldest daughter of Daniel R. and Anna Ashman Cain, both now de- ceased, the father dying in New Jersey and the mother in Orange County. In 1854 Mr. Brooks removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and for four years resided in Waterloo, when he settled on his present farm, entering from the Gov- ernment eighty-four acres of unimproved land. His farm is now in a high state of cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are good. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, and is also carrying on a dairy, selling the milk to the cheese factory. He and his wife are mem- bers of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Waterloo, they having brought with them a letter from the Methodist Episco- pal church of Orange County, New York.
OHN D. FERRIS was born in Saratoga County, New York, December 2, 1826, a son of Eze- kiel and Philetia Ferris, who were born in New York State, and lived there till after their marriage. His father was a farmer, and reared his sons to that occupation. He was the father of eleven children of whom nine grew to matu- rity. Four sons-Philo, Orville, Algernon, and Charles-served in the late war. Al- gernon died in the service; Philo died in Black Hawk Township in 1885; Orville re- sides in Black Hawk Township; Charles lives in Nebraska. The remaining chil- dren are-Melvin, of Kansas; Mrs. Eliza-
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.