USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 36
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beth Cartwright and Mrs. Cynthia M. Allen, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Mrs. Annie Kimball, of Washington, D. C. The parents moved with their family to Allen County, Indiana, in 1842, where the mother died in 1869. The father still resides there, and is now eighty years of age. John D. Ferris left his home in 1848 and located in Knox County, Illi- nois, in August of that year. He was mar- ried in that county, February 27, 1851, to Louisa Jackson, who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1834, a daughter of Norman and Electa Jackson. They have seven children living-Alger- non, a dentist at Parkersburg, Iowa; For- est, farming in McPheason County, Kansas; Hiram, a druggist of Carthage, Dakota; Frank, attending the dental department of Iowa State University at Iowa City; Mary, married Lorenzo L. McCartney, who lives upon and works Mr. Ferris's farm; Hattie and Rosa, living at home, the former a school teacher by profession. The eldest child, Cynthia, died in infancy in Illinois. Mr. Ferris followed wagon-making for four years in the village of Henderson, Knox County, when he came to Black Hawk County in September, 1852. He settled on his present place in November of the same year, he being the first settler of Black Hawk Township. No habitation stood west of him, and only a log cabin marked the site of the now thriving little village of Waterloo, and elk, deer and a few Buffalo were then seen in this vicinity. Mr. Ferris has witnessed the growth and development of Black Hawk County, where the priva- tions are almost forgotten at the present day. Mr. Ferris has now a fine farm of 192 acres, where he resides, on section 13, his land being under good cultivation. Politi- cally Mr. Ferris was formerly an old-line Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the
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good of his county, and does all in his power to promote the cause of education, and has served many years as school di- rector and trustee. He is an active and prominent man in the United Brethren church, his wife also being a member of the same denomination.
HARLES W. LANDIS, residing on section 32, Orange Township, is a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, born January 28, 1848, a son of Absalom and Tene Ann (Mosholder) Landis. They were also nativesof Pennsylvania, living there till 1864, when they moved with their family to Lce County, Illinois, and in March, 1866, located in Waterloo, Black Hawk County. They are now living on their farm in Cedar Town- ship. To them were born eight sons and four daughters, of whom the following are the only survivors-Louisa, living with her parents ; Charles W., whose name heads this sketch : Joseph, a resident of Orange Town- ship, and William W. and Edwin, residing with their parents. Charles W. was reared on a farm, and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. He made the most of his educational advantages, and at the age of seventeen was qualified to teach school. He taught his first term in Lee County, and for the nine succeeding winters followed teaching, being variously employed the re- mainder of the year. Part of the time he worked on farms, and while at Waterloo he spent a portion of a year in a planing- mill, and during the summer of 1868 he was employed as bookkeeper in a saw-mill and lumber yard at Cedar Falls. He also worked for a time at the carpenter's trade, and in 1872, the year following the great fire, he worked at that trade in the city of Chicago. Mr. Landis has also devoted some time to the teaching of vocal music.
January 22, 1879, Mr. Landis was united in marriage to Alice M. Heitter, a native of Stephenson County, Illinois, born Decem- ber 25, 1856, a daughter of Thomas Heitter. Her parents came to this county in 1867, locating on the place now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Landis. Mr. Heitter died here April 4, 1881, aged fifty-one years. His widow subsequently married J. H. Moore, and now resides in Waterloo. Mrs. Landis has two brothers living-Wilson L., of Eagle Township, and William F., with his mother, and one sister, Emma C., wife of William C. Miller, of Brule County, Da- kota. Mr. Landis has been identified with Black Hawk County since 1866, and since his marriage has been a resident of Orange Township. He settled in his pres- ent home in 1881, where he has 160 acres of choice land, this being one of the best farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Lan- dis have two daughters-Annie J., born October 19, 1879, and Emma M., born Au- gust 22, 1882. Mr. Landis and his wife are earnest members of the Brethren church. Mr. Landis is one of the leading Repub- licans of his township. He was elected township clerk in 1877, which office he has filled so acceptably as to be re-elected at each successive election.
H. HILLS, farmer, section 23, Barclay Township, was born in the State of New York, October 25, 1831, his parents, Jesse and Nancy Hills, being natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. He was reared in his native State, and in 1855 became a resident of Iowa. He was married in Manchester, Delaware County, iowa, in 1867, to Selina Miller, a native of New York State, born in 1840, a daughter of Elisha and Amanda Miller, and of the seven children born to this union six are
O. J. Miner.
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BIOGRAPHICAL. SKETCHES.
living-George D., Jennie, Nellie, Ralph Milton H. and Harrie B. Mr. Hills is now devoting his attention to farm- ing, and is the owner of a fine farm, con- taining 100 acres, where he resides. He is an old and successful school teacher, having followed that profession altogether about sixteen years in different States. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He has filled some of the minor of- fices of his township near Dubuque, giving satisfaction to his constituents.
EORGE N. MINER, proprietor of the Cedar Falls flouring mills, was born March 25, 1829, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, a son of Demmon and Lucy Miner. His paternal grandfather was a de- scendant of an old Puritan family who came to this country to escape being persecuted for their religion. He wasa native of Con- necticut, but an early settler of Massachu- setts. Our subject was reared in his native State till nineteen years of age, working till then on a farm or in a mill. He received a good education, and in after years be- came a successful teacher. After leaving Massachusetts he was engaged in teaching in a public school near Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, for nearly three years. He then went to Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin, where he clerked for a lumber firm one year. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1853 and for a year taught the Pleasant Valley public school in Muscatine County. Dur- ing the summer of 1854 he came to Cedar Falls where he taught school for one year, being one of the pioneer teachers of Black Hawk County. He subsequently engaged in the drug business at Cedar Falls, to the study of which he had devoted his leisure time for several years previous. He carried on this business successfully until the sum-
mer of 1873 when he bought the old Over- man & Co.'s flouring and feed mills, which were then being conducted under the old milling system. Mr. Miner has not only built additions to his mills, but has fitted them throughout with the latest improved machinery, including the roller process. Here can be found almost everything re- quired in milling operations, and it is in keeping pace with the times and turning out a fine quality of flour that has secured the success of Mr. Miner, and has gained for his establishment a high reputation. The Occidental Mills, which were built some time ago, are used for the manufact- ure of corn meal, which for quality and price cannot be excelled in the market. Mr. Miner has been twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Sawyer, he had one daughter-Sarah L., who is now deceased. For his second wife he married Artemisia G. Mills, of Erie County, Pennsylvania, and of the two chil- dren born to this union one daughter, Jessie A., is living. Mr. Miner and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years he has been superintendent of the Mission Sunday- school. He ranks among the leading busi- ness men of Cedar Falls, and has served as director of the public schools of this place. In politics he affiliates with the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
OHN HERMAN, farmer, of Cedar Falls Township, Black Hawk County, residing on section 18, is a native of Germany, where he was born November 16, 1816, a son of John and Mary Herman. He was reared in his native country, remaining there for several years after his marriage. He immigrated to America with his family
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in the year 1861, and for four years lived in Genesec County, New York. He be- came a resident of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1865, where he en- gaged in farming on rented land, and since ISSi he has followed agricultural pursuits on his present farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Herman were born two children-Sophia and Frederick. Sophia is now living in Grundy County, this State. Frederick Herman was born in Germany, May 5, 1845, coming to America with his parents in 1861, with whom he has since resided. He is a successful farmer, and is the owner of 178 acres of choice land. He is a re- spected citizen of Cedar Falls Township, which he is at present serving as road supervisor. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
OHN GARRETT, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, East Wa- terloo Township, was born in Huntingtonshire, England, June 24, 1827, the eldest son of Francis and Sarah (Stratton) Garrett. His mother died when he was about ten years old. He was reared on a farm, and at- tended school in his native place till ten years of age. At the age of twenty-five years he immigrated to America, arriving at New York in April, 1852. He then went to Oneida County, New York, where he obtained work by the month on a farm, remaining there five years. In March, 1857, he came to Illinois locating in Win- nebago County, where he was employed on a farm for the first season. He then rented a farm and there followed agricult- ural pursuits about seven years. In the year 1853 Mr. Garrett married Hannah Hewitt, a native of England, but at the time of her marriage living in Oneida County, New York. She is a daughter of
James and Mary Hewitt, her mother hav- ing died in this county in July, 1885, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Sohner. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett are the parents of five children-William F., Charles H., Hol- lis J., Minnie M. and Horatio S. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Garrett came with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled on eighty acres of prairie land which he began to improve, and to this land he added from time to time till he owns 320 320 acres. Of this land he has given part to his children, and is now the owner of 160 acres. He has been very success- ful, as a hog and cattle raiser, most of his money being made in stock-raising. His fine residence is well and comfortably furnished, and his barn and out-buildings are of the best. Mr. Garrett had but very limited means when he commenced life in this country, but by his own persevering in- dustry and strict economy, together with his good management, he has acquired a competency for his old age. The family belong to the Baptist church.
B ENJAMIN F. WHITE isa native of Maine, where he was born December 14, 1821, a son of Ebc- nezer and Mary White, his father be- ing a native of Maine and his mother of Massachusetts. At the age of six- - teen years he began clerking for his uncle, General Greenleaf White, a wholesale mer- chant of Augusta, Maine, and while there he associated with Jacob and Eben Stan- wood, brothers of Mrs. James G. Blaine. He subsequently went to Boston, Massa- chusetts, and a short time later located at Gardiner, Maine, where he was engaged for a time in the mercantile trade on his own account. He then returned to Au- gusta and there continued in business sev- eral years. About the year 1849 he came West, locating at Janesville, Wisconsin,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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where he was engaged in business for sev- eral years. In 1854 he located at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where, for the first few years, he followed mercantile pursuits. He has been engaged in the grain trade for many years, and for some time past has been connected with the paper manufactory at Cedar Falls. Mr. White was married Sep- tember 10, 1845, to Victoria Lilly, daugh- ter of Captain Isaac and Elizabeth Lilly, her father having been an ocean captain for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. White have been born four children-Victoria A., wife of George D. Purdy, of Des Moines, Iowa; Marietta, wife of James Stinson, of Aurora, Illinois; Frederick O. and James D. In politics Mr. White affiliates with the Demo- cratic party. He and his wife are consist- ent members of the Episcopal church and respected members of society. Charles A. White, brother of our subject, served as State Treasurer of Maine for one year.
RAD HALL, deceased, was born in Colerain, Franklin County, Massachusetts, September 8, 1818, the youngest son of Arad and Han- nah (Bailey) Hall, natives of New Hampshire, the father a minister of the Baptist denomination. His parents had a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom only two now sur- vive, the eldest and youngest daughters. The boyhood of our subject was passed on a farm, his winters being spent in the work- shop making hand-rakes, he and his brother carrying on quite a business. He attended the public and high schools of his native county, completing his education at the Shelburne Falls Academy of that county, after which he taught school one term. He was then married in 1842 to Charlotte Fisk, daughter of William and Dolly Fisk. She was a native of the same county as her
husband, born in the year 1818. To this union were born eight children-Ellen M., wife of J. W. Pierpont; Augusta J., wife of William Hunt ; Arthur W., now living in North Amherst, Massachusetts; J. Boardman ; Charlene F., deceased wife of George Hamilton; Frank F., of Waterloo, this county ; Cyrus E., at home, and Fred- erick, a graduate of the State University of Iowa City, at present teaching in the Central University at Pella, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Hall removed to Rowe, Franklin County, where he engaged in farming with his brother, Samuel Hall, and also continued making rakes. While re- siding in Rowe he was president of the Board of Selectmen, and while in his native county he served in the Legislature one term. He resided at Rowe about twelve years, when he returned to his old home, remaining there till the spring of 1866. He then removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled on the farm which is now occupied by his widow and her son. This farm, which at that time was raw prairie land, was improved by him, and on it he built a good residence, barns and out build- ings, and carried on general farming till his death, which occurred January 2, 1885. He was an active member of the Baptist church, and was a man widely known and highly respected for his many manly quali- ties. He gave liberally of his means to the support of his church, and served in the capacity of deacon. Mrs. Hall and son Cyrus are members of the same church.
ENRY OLIVER, farmer and stock- raiser, section 24, Barclay Town- ship, was born in Syracuse, New York, April 21, 1832, a son of Fred- erick and Sophia Oliver, natives of England, who came to America in their early married life, and died in New York State when our subject was a child. Thrown
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on his own resources when but seven years of age, his youth was spent in hard work, with but limited educational advantages. Feeling, as he grew older, the disadvan- tages he labored under by his lack of ed- ucation he but worked the harder to over- come this lack, and by his perseverance has conquered all obstacles and is now one of the wealthiest men in his township, and has acquired his property entirely by his own efforts, his determination and cour- age and pluck gaining ground where others less courageous would fail. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres and one of the pleasantest residences and the most convenient farm buildings in the township, where he has lived since 1858. These im- provements he has made himself, his land being uncultivated when he came to the county. Mr. Oliver was married in 1860, to Malinda Trumbauer, a native of Penn- sylvania, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Trumbauer. They have had four children ; but three are living-Charles F., Norris J. and Alvin. Virginia is deceased. In poli- tics Mr. Oliver is a Republican. He has held several minor offices in his township, to the satisfaction of his constituents.
ENRY OWEN, section 16, Lester Township, was born January 18, 1831, in Spafford, Onondaga County, New York, a son of Jona- than R. and Hannah (Whaley) Owen, who were also natives of New York State. The father was born in Milton, Sara- toga County, September 8, 1796, and the mother in Herkimer County, November 7, 1798. At the age of twelve years, when magnetism was the excitement, Henry being a good clairvoyant, a man by the name of Holt got the consent of his par- ents to take him to a neighboring town where he was giving a course of lectures.
After being with Holt a few days and get- ting well under his influence, Holt ran away with him down to New York City, some 300 miles from home. Holt went into partnership with a gentleman by the name of Leroy Sunderland, Sunderland deliver- ing the lectures every afternoon and Holt magnetizing Henry to prove the doctrine. After about two weeks Henry accidentally met a merchant of his native town by the name of Moses, who was down to the city to purchase goods, and took him to the lecture and made him acquainted with Holt. Moses compelled Holt to return Henry to his parents, which he did after keeping him from home just one month, but Holt only went as far back as Albany, and sent Henry the rest of the way alone. In the fall of 1850 he left his native county with his parents and went to Winnebago County, Illinois, remaining there till 1853. In April of that year he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and bought cighty acres of land on section 5, Lester Town- ship ; then returned to Winnebago County, and in September of that year he helped his parents move to Black Hawk County. He helped them put up hay and get in comfortable shape for the winter, then re- turned to Winnebago, Illinois, again. His father bought forty acres on section 5, built a log house on it in the course of the winter, and moved into it with his wife and three children in April, 1854. In the fall of 1854, Henry came back again to Black Hawk County, made his parents a two-weeks visit, and then went to Minne. apolis, Minnesota, and worked at his trade of wood-turning until May, 1855, when he again returned to Black Hawk County, ar- riving the Ist day of June, when he at once began breaking up the prairie and making a farm. His father was fife and drum major in the war of 1812, and several years after his death his widow received a pension for his services during that war.
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During his life he followed milling, wood- turning and hotel-keeping, but after coming to Iowa devoted his time to farming. He died in Lester Township, January 10, 1865, his widow surviving till March 16, 1879. Since coming to this county Henry Owen has followed farming pursuits. He sold his farm on section 5 in the spring of 1866, and bought the northwest quarter of sec- tion 16, built a house, and moved to the farm where he now resides in July of that year. He has done the hard work of break- ing up, fencing, putting up buildings and the making of two farms. He was married July 28, 1857, to Susan A. Black. She was born in McDonough, Chenango County, New York, July 7, 1836, a daughter of Samuel Black. To this union were born two children-Milo H., born May II, 1861, died October 20, 1862, and an infant, died in June, 1869. Mrs. Owen died in Lester Township, May 27, 1869, and October 5, 1871, Mr. Owen was again married to Re- becca A. (Leddick) Clubine, daughter of Philip and Matilda (Bear) Leddick, who were natives of the State of New York. Two children have blessed this union-Rose N., born October 10, 1872, and Jay R., born February 4, 1875. Mrs. Owen was born in Geneva, Seneca County, New York, June 12, 1836. She was first married to Lemison Clubine, who was born in Pennsylvania, September 24, 1826. He was a soldier in Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and while in the service was accidentally drowned in the Mississippi River, April 28, 1864. He left a family of four children- Sylvania B., born November 7, 1856, died October 7, 1864 ; Arthur F., born January 3, 1859, married Clara Carncross and is living on section 16, Lester Township ; Delmer C., born January 14, 1861, died November 3, 1864, and Charles W., born September 24, 1862, is living in Lester Township. In May, 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Owen took a trip to California, visiting San Francisco and other
points. Mr. Owen has the satisfaction of saying that he has traveled across the con- tinent, and has washed his hands in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In poli- tics Mr. Owen affiliates with the Republi- can party. He has served as township clerk one term, and as township trustee for sev- eral years, and has held the office of con- stable two years. He was secretary of the Township School Board seven and a half years, and is now secretary of Lester Cemetery Association.
EREMIAH RYAN, an active farm- cr and stock-raiser of East Waterloo Township, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in August, 1836. He remained in his native country till attaining the age of four- teen years, when his parents, John and Mary Ryan, immigrated to America. They remained several years in New York City, and there our subiect attended the city schools. His parents then removed to Winnebago County, Illinois, where they resided till their death. Jeremiah Ryan commenced life for himself, working by the month for farmers in Illinois. He was married in 1857 to Miss Sarah Pelley, of Winnebago County, and to this union were born the following children-William H., Edmond, George F., Elmer J., Lucius E., Walter, May I., Annie and Maggie. After his marriage Mr. Ryan rented a farm in Winnebago County and by his untiring industry he was soon enabled to purchase eighty acres. He remained in Winnebago County till the fall of 1867, when he re- moved with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa. He at once settled on the farm on section 8, East Waterloo Township, where he has since made his home. His land when he first settled here was all raw prairie. At present he has 320 acres, most
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
of which is under cultivation, and he is act- ively engaged in raising grain and stock, his cattle being of a high grade. His sub- stantial residence was built by him, and his barns and other farm buildings are in good order. Mr. Ryan has met with much success in his agricultural pursuits, which is due to his industrious habits and good business management. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are members of St. Joseph Church at Waterloo.
EORGE WASHINGTON HUM- PHREYS, deceased, was born at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, June 10, 1814. He was the son of wealthy parents and was liberally educated, intending to take a college course, which ill health alone prevented, and for several years he devoted his time to teach- ing. In 1836 he became a resident of Mus- catine, Iowa, where he was one of the pio- neers and became a leading citizen. He was there married to Miss Martha Jane Turner, who died leaving one child, Irene, who also died, aged twenty-four years. He was again married in 1859, in Chicago, Illi- nois, to Miss Lucy A. Kenney, a native of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, born in IS32. In 1865 they moved from Muscatine to Black Hawk County and located on sec- tion 14, Lincoln Township, improving a farm of 120 acres from a state of nature. In the war for the Union Mr. Humphreys took a great interest in the side of the Gov- ernment ; although a Virginian, was a de- voted adherent to the cause of the Union. He was past the age for military duty, but used his means liberally to encourage en- listment and for the support of the families of volunteers. While living in Muscatine he served several terms as sheriff, many years as justice of the peace, and as secre- tary of the school board. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Muscatine, under
President Lincoln, but resigned and was en route to Black Hawk County when Lincoln was killed. After coming to Black Hawk County he was less active in public affairs. He was the third settler of his neighbor- hood and taught its first school. His first residence was not entirely completed when it was destroyed by a cyclone and a second residence with its contents was burned in 1872, and subsequently the present resi- dence of the family was built. Mr. Humph- reys died January 31, 1882, leaving a wid- ow and three daughters. The eldest, Georgiana, is the wife of Alfred Ingamells, of Grundy County ; Lutie and Eugenia are with their mother. The daughters, by the will of their uncle, Robert Harper Humph- reys, will each come into possession of $4,000. He was a wealthy manufacturer, late of Baltimore, Maryland.
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