USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 40
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MOS D. SWITZER was born March 15, 1840, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, his par- ents, David and Barbara Switzer, being natives of the same county. Of their family of six sons and two daughters all reside in this county with the exception of Mrs. Joannah Baxter, who is living in Tama County, Iowa. The father died in his native State, and the mother now lives in Lincoln Township with her son William. Amos D. was reared on the home farm in Somerset County, and received a good common-school education. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Union cause in Company C, Fifteenth United States Regular Infantry, and participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and was in the campaign against Johnston's army. He was in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Resaca, the battles in front of Atlanta and at Jones- boro. He was always on duty, and in all respects proved himself a gallant soldier. He received an honorable discharge from the army after which he returned to his old life on the farm in Somerset County, where he was married October 3, 1868, to Miss Harriet Engle, a native of that county. The following February he came with his bride to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and for about six years lived on a farm on sec- tion 13, Orange Township, owned by Jonas Miller. In 1874 Mr. Switzer bought the place where he has resided since 1875. His
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farm contains eighty acres of well-culti- vated land, the place showing good care and systematic farming. In politics Mr. Switzer casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church. They have had seven children born to them, six of whom are living-Samuel, Albert, Hubert, Ira, Hattie and Bertha. Annie died aged thirteen years and seven months.
LAM HILL is a native of Gene- see County, New York, born June I, 1817, his parents, Moses J. and Betsy (Winslow), being natives of the same State. After leaving New York State they settled in Pennsyl- vania, thence to Ohio, and from there to Illinois. They subsequently lived in Mich- igan, going from that State to Indiana, then returned to Illinois where the parents died, the father in 1862 and the mother in 1859. The father was of German and Irish descent, the mother being of English an- cestry. Elam Hill, our subject, was reared a farmer and has always followed that avo- cation. His first purchase of land was 160 acres, unimproved, which he sold shortly afterward and purchased eighty acres of cultivated land, on which he resided twelve years. He then bought sixty-five acres in Ohio, living there two years, when he sold his land and moved to Illinois. After liv- ing on rented land in Illinois two years he came, in 1853, to Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. He then entered 200 acres of uncultivated land, where he still resides, which by hard labor and good manage- ment he has brought under good cultiva- tion. Mr. Hill was first married in 1836, to Jane A. Dewey, who was born in Pitts- field, Massachusetts, in 1815, and died June 4, 1856. To this union were born three children-Sarah E., wife of James I. Carr ; 38
James D., who served in the late war, now deceased, and Paulina M., married Allen Cobb, of Waterloo, and of the six children born to them five are living. Mr. Hill was again married in this county January 2, 1858, taking for his second wife Marietta Williams, daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Powers) Williams. Three children have blessed this union-Charlie W., married Elizabeth E. Billings; Ada C., wife of Francis M. Billings, and Eddie E., at home. Both of Mrs. Hill's parents were natives of Vermont. They came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1855, where the mother died in 1856. Mr. Williams survived till 1871. Mr. Hill started out in life with a determination to succeed, and although he began with no means, he has by his perse- vering industry and strict economy ac- quired a competency for his old age.
DWARD A. SNYDER, senior member of the firm of Snyder & Hurd, publishers of the Cedar Falls Gazette, is a son of Charles and Permelia Snyder, and was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 7, 1838. He lived with his par- ents until seventeen years old, and then studied at Dickinson Seminary, and after- ward at Wyoming Seminary. In 1858 he came to Dixon, Illinois, where he attended Dixon College, and also taught school. In the autumn of 1861 he enlisted in the Forty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, most of the time being as- signed to duty in the Signal Corps. After the war he engaged in surveying and real- estate dealing. He went to Clinton, Iowa, and came thence to Cedar Falls in the win- ter of 1866-'7. Here he continued his busi- ness of surveying and dealing in real estate. He was for some time county surveyor. In 1870 he purchased a half interest in the
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Gasette. He was married September 24, 1867, to Mary A. Cameron, and they have been the parents of two children-Ella, deceased, and Jessie, now twelve years old. Mr. Snyder is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Legion of Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Grand Army of the Repub- lic.
OHN H. MURPHY, one of the leading agriculturists of Orange Township, was born in Chenango County, New York, October 15, 1815, a son of Thomas and Ruby (Hall) Murphy, the father a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and the mother of Somers, Tolland County, Connecticut. Both moved with their par- ents to Chenango County early in life, and were married in that county, and when the subject of this sketch was five years old his parents settled on a heavily timbered farm in Geauga County, Ohio. John H. was reared in Geauga County, living there till he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in September, 1855. Our subject's educa- tional advantages were very limited, as the schools in that new county were supported by subscription, and, the people being poor, they were not maintained with regularity. At an early age he was put to work, chop- ping, logging and otherwise helping to clear the farm of its dense timber. He was the second of a family of five children, he being the only one to come West. His sis- ters, Mrs. Clarinda Utley and Mrs. Flora Randall died in Ohio; his brothers, Willis- ton and Newton, are yet living. His father died in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1876, and his mother is now living in Rock Creek, that county, at the advanced age of ninety- five years. Mr. Murphy has been twice married, taking for his first wife Mary Sla-
ter, by whom he had one daughter, Alice, now the wife of Preston Groat, of Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio. Mrs. Murphy died when their daughter Alice was an infant, and Mr. Murphy wasagain married June 30, 1851, to Elizabeth Bushnell, and of the four children born to this union three are living --- John, Minnie and Fred, all at home. Frank died June 8, 1880, aged twenty-eight years. A grandchild, Hally Murphy, son of Frank Murphy, is being reared by our subject. Mr. Murphy came to this county in Sep- tember, 1855, and for a few months resided at Waterloo. He then bought a farm in the northwestern part of the township, living there till he settled in his present residence on section 1, where he owns a finely im- proved farm of 400 acres of choice land, located on sections 1 and 2. Mr. Murphy has followed agricultural pursuits through life, and is now making a specialty of stock- raising in which he is very successful. In politics Mr. Murphy is an ardent Republi- ยท can and Prohibitionist, but prior to the late Rebellion he voted the Democratic ticket.
YMAN LEWIS, section 22, Bar- clay Township, postoffice, Jesup, Buchanan County, was born in Erie County, Ohio, November 18, 1819, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hull) Lewis, natives of New York. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, participating in several hard-fought battles, and was taken prisonerand lay in the Hali- fax Prison till the close of the war. Lyman Lewis was reared a farmer, an occupation he has followed till the past few years, when he gave up the care of the farm to his son Charles and has devoted his attention to bee-culture, having a fine apiary of Ital- ian bees. He came to Black Hawk County in the spring of 1855, and settled in Barclay Township, at that time a sparsely
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settled country, the principal trading points being Waterloo and Independ- ence. Wheat could hardly be sold at 28 cents a bushel, and feed for stock was so scarce that when he did procure some his horses were so poor that they were not able to draw it to mill, and he was obliged to walk and carry it to Gil- bertville, in Poyner Township. He has seen the time that it took his last 25 cents to buy meal for food for his family. This is but one of the many hard- ships and privations he with other of the pioneers was forced to undergo, but their perseverance has changed the wilderness to a prosperous and populous township of fine farms and pleasant villages. Mr. Lewis has assisted materially in promoting this change, and has always taken an active interest in every enterprise worthy his sup- port. He has served as trustee of his township four terms. He was married February 20, 1843, to Drusilla, daughter of Amos and Flora Brown. They have had eight children-Rachel, born December 10, 1844, is the wife of Charles Patton, of Bar- clay Township ; Calista, born in 1846, died in December, 1847 ; Charles, born Decem- ber 19, 1847 ; Melissa, born May 12, 1849, is the wife of William H. Bole, of Pawnee County, Nebraska; Sarah, born March 22, 1850, died in 1851 ; Royal Alvin, born Au gust 22, 1853, died January 25, 1856; Marion, born in 1861, died in September, 1863; Harriet E., born January 18, 1863, died January 31, 1866; Elizabeth, born De- cember 28, 1865, is the wife of J. B. Mc- Kiblin, of Barclay Township. Charles was married October 3, 1872, to Hanorah J. Mil- ler, a native of Ohio, born November 22, 1853. They have four children-Ada, Me- lissa E., Oscar and Carl. He lives on the homestead with his father, having charge of the farm, and also devoting considerable attention to the dairy business. He is an enterprising, energetic young man, and one
of Barclay Township's most respected citi- zens. Two of his brothers, Wilbert Luther and Charles, lost their lives in the defense of their country, during the war of the Re- bellion. They were members of Company E, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. The former was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, and the latter starved to death in Tiles Prison, Texas. His mother is living in Butler County, Iowa, and although eighty-five years old is in the enjoyment of good health.
ILLIAM A. BRANIGER is a native of Ohio, born in Milners- ville, Guernsey County, Septem- ber 16, 1851. His parents, Fran- cis and Jane Braniger, are natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylva- nia, and Harrison County, Ohio, respec- tively, but since their marriage have resided in Guernsey County. The father is a har- ness-maker by trade and has followed that avocation about thirty-five years. William A. is the third in a family of seven children now living whose names are as follows- Mrs. Mollie Severns and Jacob F., of Guernsey County ; William A., our subject; Rollin S. and Clayton, living in Missouri, and Alice and Emma, at home with their parents. William A. Braniger attended the village school of Milnersville till twelve years of age when, his father being engaged in general merchandising, he was taken in- to his store as an assistant, and when twen- ty-one years of age he became a partner, receiving one-third of the profits. This partnership continued five years, when fail- ing health necessitated a change of climate and occupation. His father had bought the homestead of his brother, William Bran- iger, on section 17, Orange Township, this county, and here our subject came in 1877. In 1878 he returned to Ohio where he was married February 6, of that year, to Miss
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Alice I. Kimball. She was born in Milners- ville, Ohio, November 27, 1855, a daughter of Hoffman and Catherine Kimball, her parents being now residents of Cambridge, Guernsey County. Two lovely children, Frank C. and Rhea H., have blessed this union. In March, 1878, Mr. Braniger re- turned with his bride to his present home on section 17. This is one of the oldest farms in the county, his uncle, William Braniger, who now makes his home with him, having settled here in 1856. Our sub- ject, although he had no experience in farm work before coming to this county, has be- come one of the most successful young far mers in the township, and one of its most active and energetic citizens. Mrs. Brani- ger is a member of the Baptist church.
ETER S. ROBINSON, contractor and builder, residence Cedar Falls, is a native of London, Eng- land. When he was about five years of age he was brought by his parents, Michael and Mary Robinson, to America, and for three years lived in New York City. He then went with his parents to Cincin- nati, Ohio, and five years later removed with them to Fayette County, Indiana. At the age of twelve years he began learning the carpenter and joiner's trade, and at times also worked on a farm. He was mar- ried in Indiana to Sarah J. Young, and to them were born five children-William A., James E., John H., Lewis O., and Walter W., of whom Walter is deceased. After his marriage Mr. Robinson removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained almost fifteen years, and for several years acted as foreman for William Schofield, a promi- nent builder of that city, and for a time was engaged in business for himself while a resident of Cleveland. Since coming to Cedar Falls in 1863 he has ranked among
the foremost builders, many of the build- ings of this city and in the surrounding country having been erected under his su- pervision. He is at present superintend- ing the construction of the Southwestern Insane Hospital at Clarinda, Iowa. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and as a citizen is highly respected throughout the township.
HOMAS PASHBY, one of the successful farmers of East Water- loo Township, is a native of York- shire, England, born in June, 1836. At the age of sixteen years he im- migrated with his parents, Robert and Mary (Harland) Pashby, to America, landing at Quebec. They then went to Buffalo, New York, thence to Detroit, Michigan, the parents subsequently locat- ing in St. Joseph County, Michigan, where they remained till their death. They had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Thomas lived at home till he was twenty years of age, and in his youth received a common-school education. In 1857 he went to California and engaged in mining, re- turning the following year to St. Joseph County. He was married in November, 1862, to Jane Forsyth, a native of Canada, the youngest daughter of Alex and Eliza- beth Forsyth, of St. Joseph County. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Pashby came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled in Mount Vernon Township, where he bought eighty acres of land, and was there engaged in farming and stock-raising till April, 1881. He then sold his farm in Mount Vernon Township and bought his present farm of 1 50 acres on section 1, East Waterloo Town- ship, which is known as the old Clock farm. Since coming here he has built his present fine residence, besides making other sub-
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stantial improvements, and what he has ac- cumulated has been done by his own untir- ing efforts, he having commenced life for himself without means.
A T. WEBSTER, section 4, Mt. Vernon Township, came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in August, 1854, from Bremer County, where he had located the May before. He settled in Mt. Vernon Township, but a year later moved to Janesville and lived there three years, one year running a hotel and two years a steam saw-mill. He then returned to his farm, although for about eight years he continued milling. Three years of this time his mill was lo- cated at Janesville, and he then moved it to the Big Woods, where he ran it five years, when he sold out and has since given his whole attention to farming. His farm of 156 acres he bought second-handed on coming to the county, when by going two miles he could have got Government land, but he thought he could not get far away from the timber. At that time his land was wholly unimproved, and there were no roads save a path from one cabin to another. He built a log cabin in which he lived the first year, before moving to Janesville, and when he returned to his farm moved, his house from Janesville with oxen. In this house, which was 16x 24 feet in size, he lived till 1883, when he built his fine, large new house, and now has one of the best and most commodious houses in the township. He has brought his land under good culti vation and has erected good buildings. Mr. Webster was born in Mentor Township, Lake County, Ohio, January 15, 1826, but was reared in Kirtland Township. He was a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Moore) Webster, who moved to California and there died. His father was a physician,
practicing about fifty years, and at the time of his death was about eighty-two years of age. Mr. Webster was married April 26, 1846, to Mary E. Petersen, a daughter of James and Mary (Warren) Petersen. She died August 8, 1856, in Janesville, Iowa, leaving two children-Marion E. and Alice Josephine. Marion is the wife of A. J. Holmes, a dentist of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Alice is the wife of James Pearl, of Janesville. August 27, 1857, Mr. Webster married Mary Elizabeth Allen, widow of Royal Allen, and daughter of Irving and Harriet (Nichols) Farnsworth. Mrs. Web- ster was born in Burlington Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 29, 1832, and was reared in Medina County, Ohio, whither her parents had moved when she was five years of age. She was first married in Liverpool, Medina County, and subsequently moved to Hunt- ington Township, Lorain County, where her husband died February 14, 1855. She has one daughter by her first marriage, Myra Louisa, now the wife of John Thurs- ton, of Kossuth County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have one daughter-Kate Elizabeth, who was born September 14, 1858, and is now teaching in Waverly, Iowa. In politics Mr. Webster is a Repub- lican. He has served several years as a member of the County Board of Supervi- sors, serving when each township had one supervisor and also when the county was represented by three. In religious faith he and his wife are Spiritualists.
ILLIAM BRANIGER, one of the pioneers of Black Hawk County m and in early years one of its act- ive farmers, is a native of West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 27, 1808. When he was quite young his parents,
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Frederick and Susan Braniger, settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, and there most of his youth was spent, and in early life he helped his father clear a heavily timbered farm of eighty acres. He was employed in the iron works in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, following this avocation for nineteen years. March 15, 1838, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Dearmite, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- vania, December 28, 1813. Six children were born to this union-Theodore, died in his twenty-eighth year ; Henry, died in his thirtieth year ; James, died in his twenty- second year ; Arabella is the wife of George K. Smith, of Freeport, Illinois; Demaris married B. Clark and died in her thirtieth year. Mr. Braniger came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1856, and settled on sec- tion 17, of Orange Township, on the place where he still resides. The wife who pass- ed through the trials and hardships of a pioneer life with him, helping to build up their good home, died February 24, 1881, since which Mr. Braniger has been cared for by his nephew, William A. Braniger. Mr. Braniger has suffered almost total loss of sight, but is still enjoying fair health. He has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church the greater part of his life. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
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EORGE RAMBACH, of the firm of Rambach & Hartmann, nur- serymen, of Cedar Falls, was born in Alsace, Germany (formerly part of France), May 19, 1827. His par- ents, George and Dorothea Ram- bach, had a family of eleven children, of whom only six are now living-George, Michael, Philip, Barbara, Dorothea and Louisa. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and when a young man
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed many years. In 1851 he came to America, and for almost six years worked at his trade with the late G. H. Boehmler, at Lyons, New York. He came to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the spring of 1857, his former employer, G. H. Boehmler, following him the next fall. He subsequently worked at his trade with Mr. Boehmler at Cedar Falls for many years, but for the past several years he has been engaged in the nursery business, in which enterprise he is meeting with success. Mr. Rambach married Bar- bara Boehmler, a daughter of G. H. Boehm- ler, and to this union has been born one daughter, named Emma. In politics Mr. Rambach affiliates with the Republican party. Since coming to this county, our subject has made many friends, and as a citizen is much respected.
J. HERSHISER, steward of the County Poor Farm, is a native of Pennsylvania, born September 30, 1832, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Dull) Hershiser, both of whom are of German ancestry. They are still living in the State of Pennsylvania, the father at the advanced age of eighty-two years, and the mother aged eighty. They had a family of ten children, of whom our subject was the second child. He was reared on a farm till his seventeenth year, when he began to learn the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed till 1878. He was married at the age of twenty-one years in Pennsylvania, to Sarah Lint, a native ot that State, where she was born July 13, 1833. Her parents, Jacob and Susannah (Klingaman) Lint. were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Both are deceased, the former aged ninety and the latter aged forty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hershiser have been born ten children-Anna, deceased ; Edwin, liv-
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ing in O'Neill City, Nebraska; John, in Waterloo; Sarah E., deceased; Elias J., and Jacob L., residents of Nebraska ; Lydia C., deceased; Levi J., Rosa, and Ida B. The eldest son, Edwin, is now serving his second term as sheriff of Holt County, Ne- braska. He married Addie Perkins, and they are the parents of three children- Mary, Rosa and Edna. Anna married George Beal, and is now deceased. They had three children, of whom Edward is the only one living. John married Addie Bas- com, and has one daughter-Jessie. Mr. Hershiser has given all of his children a liberal education, and all are following the footsteps of their father, and are classed among the best citizens wherever they re- side. Mr. Hershiser enlisted in the late war in 1861, a member of Company C, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving over three years. He was discharged from the hospital in Maryland on account of disability, and is now receiving a pen- sion from the Government. In politics, although he affiliates with the Democratic party, he usually votes for the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office.
ACOB COLE, deceased, was a native of New Jersey, where he was born April 12, 1814. He was reared to manhood on a farm in his native State, and in his youth re- ceived a limited education. He was married September 5, 1838, to Miss Cather- ine Swayze, who was also a native of New Jersey, the date of her birth being April 6, 1821, a daughter of Israel and Ruth Swayze. This union was blessed with two children-John L., and Martha, who is married to Dr. Charles Henry, of Jack- sonville, Illinois. In 1863 Mr. Cole left New Jersey, locating with his family at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he remained
but six months, coming from there to Cedar Falls, Iowa, during the fall of the same year, where he resided till his death, No- vember, 20, 1882. He was a kind husband and indulgent father, and as a citizen was highly respected. His widow is still a resident of Cedar Falls, and is the owner of a valuable farm of 240 acres, located in Cedar Falls Township. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.
RANCIS BURGOON, residing on section 7, Orange Township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, October 2, 1824. His parents, Charles and Ann Maria Burgoon, were both natives of Maryland, but were married in Morgan County. They were among the pioneers of Iowa, locating in Clinton County, that State, as early as 1840. The father with all his family except our subject moved to Texas in 1853, and there the father died in 1877. The mother is still living, residing with her son George at Carthage, Missouri. Their two sons, Amos and Henry, and their four married daughters, Maria, Elizabeth, Margaret and Caroline, reside in Texas, and their daugh- ter, Mrs. Julia Ann Sanborn, lives in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Francis Bur- goon was reared a farmer, and has made farming the avocation of his life. He has been a resident of Iowa for nearly half a century, and his attachment for the Hawk- eye State is so strong that he intends to spend the rest of his life here. After reaching manhood he left his parent's home in Clin- ton County, going to Dubuque County, and while a resident of that county he was married to Miss Flavia A. Barnett, his mar- riage taking place in Clayton County. Mrs. Burgoon is a native of Ohio, where she was born December 4, 1823. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burgoon- Charles, of Lincoln Township; Melvina,
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