USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 44
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UY D. LAWSON, grain merchant at La Porte City, Iowa, was born in McHenry County, Illinois, De- cember 15, 1839, his parents, Toly and Rachel Lawson, being natives of Norway. He was reared and edu- cated in the schools of his native State, and at the age of nineteen years began learning the miller's trade, which he followed for sev- eral years. For many years he has been en- gaged in buying and shipping grain, engag- ing in this business at Woodstock, Illinois, in 1865, which he continued at that place about seven years. He then came to Water- loo, Black Hawk County, Iowa, and for nearly a year was in the employ of the Gran- ger Elevator Company. In 1873 he came to La Porte City, since which he has been handling grain at various times, part of the time being associated in business with a partner. Mr. Lawson is classed among the substantial and enterprising business men of La Porte City, and in all his undertakings has met with success. Mr. Lawson was
united in marriage in September, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth A. Dufield, of Woodstock, Illinois. This union has been blessed with one daughter-Carrie B., born September 2, 1868, who is at present attending the Chicago, Illinois, Musical College. She possesses many accomplishments, and is a general favorite in society. Politically Mr. Lawson is a Democrat. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
OSEPH K. OREN, farmer and apiarist, section 25, Spring Creek Township, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1833, a son of John and Lydia Oren. He com. menced the furniture business at Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 1855 ; came West in 1865 and lived in Benton County, Iowa, about thirteen years, removing to Black Hawk County in 1879. He has a fine farm of 180 acres, 120 acres being in Spring Creek Township and sixty acres in Buchanan County. He makes a specialty of bee culture, an industry he has been en- gaged in about thirty years. He now has about 160 stands, his bees being of the pure Italian variety. Mr. Oren was married in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, in 1858, to Elizabeth Rathvon, who was born in 1837, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Rath- von. The founder of the Rathvon family in America came from Europe between the years 1736 and 1744. John Rathvon mar- ried Mary Miller, and their son, Michael, was born April 14, 1790, and May 26, 1811, married Barbara Alleman. Their daugh- ter Mary married George Etter, and their son Jacob married Elizabeth Roop. To Mr. and Mrs. Oren have been born five children, four of whom are living-Mary R., Charles R., Blanchard B. and Josephine E. Mr. Oren has held the office of justice of the peace one term. He is a prominent
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
member of the Odd Fellows order. He is self-made, his entire capital when he began life for himself consisting of $2, and his fine property has been acquired by indus- try and economy, assisted by a frugal and careful wife. He is one of the prominent citizens of Spring Creek Township, a lib- eral supporter of all projects that promise benefit, either material or social, to his county.
AMUEL BERRY, one of the larg- est land-owners in Northern Iowa, was born in Canada East, February 27, 1825, a son of John and Rebecca Berry, both natives of New Hampshire. After their marriage his parents moved to Canada, and in 1847 settled in Stephenson County, Illinois. Our subject was married in that county in 1848, to Miss Charlotte Allard, who was also a native of Canada East. They have two daughters-Sophia, wife of M. L. Newton, of La Porte, and Anzeletta, wife of Ezra S. Newton. A son, Albert, died in 1880, aged twenty-three years. Mr. Berry was brought up on a farm and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He has been very successful through life and was one the leading farmers of Northern Illinois, owning there 1,000 acres of improved land which he sold at from $65 to $75 per acre. He then invested in lands in Black Hawk and Tama counties, and now owns about 2,600 acres of land, almost all of which is under cultivation. After his marriage he lived in Silver Creek Township, Stephen- son County, Illinois, until he settled in his present home on section 24, Eagle Township, where he has resided since April, 1876. His home farm contains 400 acres, 100 acres of which is located on section 19, Big Creek Township, and his residence and farm build- ings are among the best in the township,
he having expended over $16,000 on his building improvements. His property in Eagle Township consists of 1,740 acres, be- sides which he owns 460 acres of improved land and eighty-nine acres of timber land in Big Creek Township, and two farms,contain- ing 120 and 180 acres each, in Tama County, Iowa. Nine of his farms have residences and are occupied by tenants. Mr. Berry devotes considerable time to stock raising, and is turning all his farms to that purpose. He now owns about 200 head of cattle and forty horses. His son-in-law, Ezra S. New- ton, is in partnership with him in the man- agement of the property, in which he takes an active interest, the management having devolved largely on him. On the home farm is a syrup factory, which is owned and operated by the Newton brothers, E. S. and M. L. Newton, and during the sea- son of 1885 they manufactured 2,000 pounds of an excellent quality of sugar from amber cane, and 3,200 gallons of syrup. There is also a creamery on his farm, although not operated by him. The parents of Mr. Ber- ry both died in Stephenson County, Illinois. He has a brother, Daniel Berry, living near him, a resident of Big Creek Township. In early life Mr. Berry was an old-line Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party and has never missed voting at any election.
ON. GEORGE W. HAYZLETT
16 was born February 16, 1837, in
@ x Hancock County, Indiana, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth Hayzlett, who were natives of Virginia. His par- ents settled in Hancock County, In- diana, about 1830, residing there till 1851, when they settled in Linn County, Iowa, on a farm near Mount Vernon, the father being in his eighty-fourth year and the mother eighty-six years of age. Of the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
six children born to them four are living- John G., William H., George W. and Osca, wife of Rev. C. A. Hown. Our subject re- ceived a moderate education, and in his nineteenth year began clerking in a mer- cantile store at Mount Vernon, Iowa. In his twenty-third year he became associated with A. P. Risley, and was engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Risley & Hayzlett about one year. He then engaged in business on his own ac- count, which he continued at Mount Ver- non till 1859 when he came to La Porte City, Black Hawk County. He was en- gaged in the same business at this place alone for four years, when he formed a partnership with Jasper Parks, the firm of Hayzlett & Parks continuing until 1871, when Mr. Hayzlett sold his interest to his partner. In 1863 he was appointed post- master of La Porte, serving as such till 1873, when he resigned. In the fall of 1873 he was elected sheriff of Black Hawk County, assuming the duties of that office in January, 1874, which position he filled for five terms of two years each, declining the next election. He was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1883 to represent Black Hawk County in the Twentieth General Assembly of Iowa, and is serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was one of the first councilmen of La Porte City, and at pres ent is holding the same position. He served for one term under the old regime as a member of the County Board of Super- visors. September 23, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Waln, daughter of Hon. Elijah D. and Mary J. Waln, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio, they settling among the Indians in Linn County, Iowa, where Mrs. Hayzlett was reared to maturity. Her father represented Linn County in the First General Assembly of the State of Iowa, held at Des Moines in 1858. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayzlett have been
born four children-Charles A., at home ; Paris L., an attorney at La Porte City ; John G., married and farming, and Ernest E., a telegraph operator at Cedar Rapids. Mr. Hayzlett has always taken an active interest in every enterprise which he deems for the good of his county. He is at pres- ent devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has a valuable farm of 148 acres near La Porte City. In politics he is a Republican.
ARVIN WALTS was born in Herkimer County, New York, March 20, 1839, and is a son of Michael and Mary M. Walts, his parents being natives of New York State and of German descent. His father lived in Jefferson County, New York, till his death, which occurred in 1858, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother is still living in her native State, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-seven years. Marvin Walts, our subject, was reared to manhood on a farm and has made farming his prin- cipal avocation through life. He became a resident of Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1868, when he purchased eighty acres of land, on which but few improvements had been made, only a few acres having been broken and a small shanty erected. This farm, which is located on section 27, Big Creek Township, has all been brought un- der a high state of cultivation by the untir- ing industry of Mr. Walts, and the primi- tive dwelling has given place to his present commodious residence, where he is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. Mr. Walts also owns a house and lot in La Porte City. He was married in Jefferson County, New York, in 1860, to Miss Martha Busler, a native of New York, born December 1, 1840, a daughter of Pe- ter and Margaret Busler, who were natives
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of the same State. Mr. Walts's father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for his services his mother now draws a pension. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walts of whom three are living-Nel- lie, Fred and John. A son, Milton, is de- ceased.
HOMAS L. MAYES, an old and respected citizen of Big Creek Township, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1809, his parents, James and Rebecca Mayes, being natives of the same State. Of the five children born to his parents only two are now living-Thomas L. and William. Thomas L. was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving his educa- tion in the district schools. He was first married in Pennsylvania to Rebecca Arm- strong, by whom he had two children, of whom only one survives-Anna, now the wife of Thomas Cascaden, of Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. Mayes married his second wife in Ohio, whose maiden name was Jane Pat- terson, and this union was blessed with four children-William P .; Jennie R., wife of George Knowles, of Colorado; John B., married Jennie M. Marietta, and Matthew. Mr. Mayes was again united in marriage in Ohio, taking for his present wife Cather- ine Lafferty, of Miami County, that State, and of the three children born to this union only one is living-a daughter, Mary. Mr Mayes lived in Logan County, Ohio, for several years, and in 1859 came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and located in Big Creek Township, where he still resides, his home farm containing 160 acres of choice land under good cultivation. He is one of the self-made men of Black Hawk County, commencing life on his own account with- out any capital. His large and valuable property has been earned by hard labor, frugality and fair dealing, most of his prop-
erty having been given to his children, he retaining the homestead. He has served his township very acceptably in several official trusts, holding the office of assessor, road supervisor and school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been elder since its organi- zation in the place. Mr. Mayes could not think of raising his family out of a church, consequently he was the founder of the First Presbyterian Church in La Porte City, and has been liberal beyond his means toward its support.
EORGE B. BIRDSALL, section 20, East Waterloo Township, was born in Herkimer County, New York, September 21, 1836, a son of Nathan Birdsall, a native of Dutch- ess County, New York. Our sub- ject's grandfather, Nathan Birdsall, was an engineer and captain under General Wash- ington during the Revolutionary war. The family were originally Quakers in religious belief. George B. was reared on a farm, his father being a farmer by occupation. He received his primary education in the district schools in his native county and later attended the Sauquoit Academy, of Oneida County. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school, which he fol- lowed for several terms during the winter months. He served as a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company H, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. He was sent to the front and later to fight against the Indians, and was mustered out in the fall of 1865. After being mustered out he returned to Black Hawk County and engaged in general farming. He has now 102 acres of choice land, all the improvements on the farm having been made by Mr. Birdsall. He was married in the year 1870 to Miss Anna M. Caffrey, a native of Canada East, she
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
having come to Black Hawk County in 1868. They have three children-Willis G., Mary L. and Alice M. Mrs. Birdsall is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Birdsall commenced life on limited means, but has ever been an industrious man, and in all his farming operations has been fairly successful.
ALVIN W. EIGHMEY, one of the pioncer settlers of Eagle Township, residing on section 10, was born in Saratoga County, New York, October 11, 1831, his parents, Leman A. and Chloe (Bar- rass) Eighmey, being born, reared and mar- ried in the same State. Calvin W. was reared in his native county till sixteen years of age, when he came to Dubuque County, Iowa, with his parents, where his father engaged in the hotel business at Rock Dale. In 1868 his parents settled on section 10, Eagle Township, Black Hawk County, where the father died April 14, 1872, aged sixty-four years. He was born and married near Saratoga, New York. His widow was born in Oswego County, New York, Febru- ary 27, 1810, and is now living on the home- stead on section 10, Eagle Township, with her son Orson. Her sons Hiram, Parley, Orson, and Calvin W. have made homes in Eagle Township, and are all prosperous farmers. Her son Charles is a banker at Dubuque. Of her daughters, Mrs. Helen Taggart lives in Eagle Township; Mrs. Mary Jane Conrad lives in Lewis, Cass County, Iowa; and Mrs. Nettie Coles re- sides in Kansas. When a young man our subject began working in the lead mines at and near Dubuque, which he followed for years. In 1853 he went to La Salle County, Illinois, remaining there about one year. He was married in that county April 19, 1854, to Catherine A. Penney, a native of Germany, born October 20,
1834, coming to the United States when about eleven years of age. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eighmey four are living-William, a merchant at Hudson, Iowa; Nettie, wife of Henry Mil- ler, of Lincoln Township; Frank, cashier of a bank at Dell Rapids, Dakota, and Charles, at home. Jessie, the youngest child, died at the age of three years in April, 1876. When Mr. and Mrs. Eighmey settled on their present farm it consisted of eighty acres of raw prairie land. He has now one of the finest farms in the township, containing 160 acres, his building improve- ments being noticeably good. In politics Mr. Eighmey affiliates with the Republican party. He has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years. He has held many official trusts in his township, always proving himself capa- ble and trustworthy. No man in Eagle Township has lived a more honorable life, and none more fully enjoys the respect, con- fidence and esteem of the people than C. W. Eighmey. Mrs. Eighmey's parents, John and Elizabeth Penney, settled in La Salle County, Illinois, in the year 1845, com- ing to Eagle Township in 1857, where the father died in 1870. The mother is still a resident of Eagle Township, making her home with her son William.
ILLIAM HEATH was born in Caledonia County, Vermont, a son of John and Ruth Heath, natives of New England. His par- ents had a family of nine children, of whom six still survive-William, Levi, Phineas C., Martha, Quincey and Rodolphus C. William Heath was reared to manhood on a farm, his education being received in a district school. He was mar- ried in his native State, February 4, 1841, to Elvira Lowell, now deceased, a daughter of James and Esther Lowell. To this union
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
were born six children-Simon, Lucius, Mary, Jennie, Charles and Elvira. Jennie and Charles are deceased. For his second wife Mr. Heath married Mrs. Harriet Par- ker, of Canada, June 1, 1865. Mr. Heath left Vermont in his twenty-ninth year and for twenty years followed farming in Co- lumbia County, Wisconsin. He then. re- moved with his family to Iowa and for years resided in Delaware County. He came to Black Hawk County in the fall of 1878 and has since been a resident of La Porte City. Mr. Heath started in life with- out means, and although he has met with reverses in business, he has acquired a com- petency for his old age, and is now living retired from the active duties of life, enjoy- ing the fruits of a life spent in honest toil. He is an enterprising citizen and is a liber- al supporter of the church, school, rail- roads, and all enterprises for the advance ment of the county. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
M. ASHLEY, farmer, section 16, Spring Creek Township, is a na- 00 tive of Black Hawk County, Iowa, born August 7, 1858, a son of N. F. and Elmina Ashley, pioneers of this county, coming here in 1853, and lo- cating on section 17, Spring Creek Town- ship, where they still live. Our subject re- ceived a good education in the common schools and also attended the high school at Waterloo one term, and .Tilford Acad- emy, Vinton, Iowa. He has always given his attention to agriculture and is one of the prosperous young farmers of the county. He has a good farm of fifty-two acres which is well cultivated, and his residence and farm buildings are commodious and convenient. Mr. Ashley was married Sep- tember 4, 1879, to Ida Harmon, a native of Black Hawk County, born April 2, 1861,
daughter of William N. and C. E. Harmon, pioneers of this county, but now residents of Centerville, Dakota. They have two children -- Roy E. and Tina J. When but twenty-two years of age Mr. Ashley was elected justice of the peace and served two terms. He has also served as clerk of his township, and in his official relations has given perfect satisfaction to his constitu- ents. He is an enterprising young man, and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
ROF. MARTIN L. NEWTON, civil engineer, La Porte City, and one of the representative cit- izens of Black Hawk County, was born inStephenson County, Illinois, May 27, 1851. His parents, Seth and Anna M. Newton, were natives of Lower Canada, of New England descent, and were among the early settlers of Stephenson County, Illinois, having settled there in 1847. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1870, graduated from the Freeport High School. The fol- lowing year he engaged in teaching, and in the fall of 1871 entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he took a four-year course in civil engineer- ing, graduating from that institution in June, 1875. In 1876 he came to La Porte, Iowa, and the two years following was principal of the high school at this place, and later held the same position for one and a half years. October 25, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Berry, daughter of Samuel Berry, of Black Hawk County. Of the two children born to this union but one daughter, Georgia, is living. Pro- fessor Newton was elected surveyor of Black Hawk County, and served two terms, having been appointed one term to fill a va- cancy. In the spring of 1881 he was ap-
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
pointed assessor to fill a vacancy, and has since held that position. For four years he served as justice of the peace, and in the performance of his duties was always wise and just in his decisions. In connection with his duties as civil engineer he attends to the duties of a notary public. In poli- tics he casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party.
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HRISTIAN SCHILDMEIER, a prominent farmer of Spring Creek Township, lives on section 3, where he has a pleasant home and 440 acres of valuable land. He is a native of Germany, but when a young man came to the United States, and is now one of the prosperous and enter- prising citizens of Black Hawk County. He was married in this county in 1860 to Christine Harting, also a native of Ger- many. They have eight children-Chris- tian, Charles, William, Christine, Emma, Matilda, Sophie and Anton. They are members of the German Lutheran church.
OLLIN WELLS, a farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Spring Creek Township, was born in Ohio, November 18, 1844, a son of Caleb and Nancy Wells, his father a native of New York, and his mother of Ohio. His parents removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1857, and settled in Spring Creek Township, and here the father died in 1868, aged sixty-two years. The mother is still living aged seventy-nine years. Their family consisted of nine children-Elizabeth, Rosanna, Polly, Cornelia, Simon, Allanus, Orlando, Henry and Rollin. Our subject remained with his parents till twenty years of age, when, in 1864, he enlisted in Company F,
Seventh lowa Cavalry, and served a little more than a year, the greater part of the time being on the plains. He was dis- charged at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1865. He then returned home and has since fol- lowed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. He has a good farm of 208 acres, with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. His parents were in limited circumstances, and he was obliged to rely on himself when he started in life, but his natural ability and good management have made him one of the prosperous men of the township, and he is now a prominent and highly esteemed citizen. He was married at Waterloo, Iowa, in 1867, to Clara E. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1850, a daughter of Mahlon and Christina Smith. They have a family of six children-Henry, George, Harley, Onie, Simon and Frank.
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DMOND SAWYER, retired farmer, was born in North Caro- lina, March 15, 1804, a son of Wilson and Penelope Sawyer, both natives of North Carolina, where they spent their lives. In 1852 Mr. Sawyer came to Iowa and entered 150 acres of wild land on section 7, Spring Creek Township, Black Creek County, on which there was no improvement save a little log cabin. His market and mill were at Cedar Rapids, it taking him three or four days to make the trip. He has been prominently identified with the county since his settlement, and has assisted materially in advancing all enterprises that promised to progress its interests. He has seen Black Hawk change from a wild tract of land to a country of fine farms and pros- perous villages. The first school-house in the township was built near his home, the children prior to this attending school at pri- vate houses. Mr. Sawyer's farm is now all
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
under cultivation and his residence and other improvements are among the best in the township. In addition to his homestead of 150 acres he has forty-five acres of val- uable land on another section. Mr. Sawyer was married in North Carolina to Mary Williams, who died in 1843. They had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living-Mary A., Isaac, Martha, Elizabeth, Edmond, Jr., Lucinda and George W. The deceased are-Wilson, Lorenzo, and Demarius; the latter was killed when in the service of his country in the war of the Rebellion. He was a second time married, in 1847, to Mary Wininger, a native of In- diana, and to them were born three chil- dren-Maria, wife of William Rice; John A., of Oregon, and Nancy Gilley, of Wa- terloo. His wife died in 1853, and in 1856 he married Elizabeth Findley, daughter of John and Martha Findley. In politics Mr. Sawyer was originally a Democrat, but now casts his suffrage irrespective of party.
NDREW MOORE, farmer, sec- tion 30, Big Creek Township, was born in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, September 23, 1833, a son of Charles and Harriet (Young) Moore, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respectively. His parents now live in Michigan, his father aged eighty- seven and his mother eighty-four years. He was reared a farmer, and has always devoted his attention to that industry, at which he has met with success, owing to his industry and close attention to his busi- ness. His fine farm of 200 acres was a wild, uncultivated tract when he bought it, but is now one of the best farms in the town- ship and is valued at $40 an acre. Mr. Moore has been twice married, first in Michigan, in 1861, to Jane Edwards, a na- tive of New Jersey, born in 1835. She died
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