USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 45
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
in 1864 leaving three children-Samuel W., Joseph M. and Eva C. In 1870 Mr. Moore married Lavina Vore, who was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, in 1843. They have four children-Harriet M., Jes- sie M., John H. and Frederick G. Mr. Moore is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a staunch Re- publican. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812.
S OLOMON EMMERT, deceased, was one of the progressive and substantial farmers of Black Hawk County. He was a man of strict in- tegrity, perfectly honorable and up- right in all his dealings, and was respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. who admired his many manly qualities, and genial, social manners. He was born in Pennsylvania, January 7, 1821, a son of John Emmert, and was married in his native State, in Somerset County, in 1843, to Mattie Kring. He came West to Illinois in 1866, and thence in 1868 to Iowa, and settled on the farm in Big Creek Township, where his family now reside. He died November 20, 1881. He was twice married, his family by the first mar- riage consisting of the following children- Lizzie, born December II, 1845, now lives in Nebraska ; Lucy, born August 18, 1847, lives in Benton County, Iowa; John, born November 28, 1848, of Nebraska; David, born May 31, 1851, of Iowa; Mary, born April 11, 1853, lives in Illinois ; Susan, born June 29, 1854, lives in Pennsylvania; So- phie, born November 8, 1857, lives in Ohio; George, born February II, 1859, was stab- bed and killed February 7, 1875, just as he was leaving church; Hattie, born May 17, 1860, lives in Nebraska; Ida, born January 7, 1862, lives in Nebraska, and Wesley, born June 13, 1866. His second wife, to
428
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
whom he was married in 1872, was Rosc McDowell, born in 1841, a daughter of George and Mary (Roberts) McDowell. To them were born four children-An infant, born September 27, 1873, died November 5, following ; Edwin, born September 25, 1874; Arthur, born May 12, 1878 ; and Mil- ler, June 22, 1881. Mrs. Emmert has charge of the homestead, Wesley making his home with her.
um
HRISTIAN GOOD was born in Greene County, Tennessee, Dc- cember 23, 1826, a son of John and Susannah (Smeltzer) Good, his father being a native of Virginia, and his mother of Tennessee, both of German extraction. His parents immi- grated from Tennessee to Boone County, Indiana, a half a century ago, living in that county till their death. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Chris- tian was the eighth child. He was mar- ried in Boone County in 1846, to Charity Cotton, who was born in Indiana in 1826, a daughter of Cyrus and Mary Cotton, who were also natives of Virginia, of English, Dutch and Welsh extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Good have had eleven children born to them-John C., living in Cherokee County, this State; William A., of La- Porte City ; Noah P., living in this county; Irenius C., of Benton County, Iowa ; Mar- tha A., Eve R., Allie I., Handy O., Isaac N., and Francis M. at home. Mr. Good was one of the pioneers of this county, coming here when Indians and wild ani- mals were the principal inhabitants, and has, witnessed the many changes which have taken place since that early day. He was the first settler of Big Creek Town- ship, La Porte City, and built the first school-house in Big Creek Township. He was also the first justice of the peace of his township. He was a minister of the
Evangelical Lutheran denomination for several years, but has retired from the ministry, and is now living on section 29, Big Creek Township, where he has eighty acres of fine land. Of late years Mr. Good has been quite liberal in his religious views. He is one of the respected citizens of his township.
AMUEL HALLMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Barclay Township, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, born October 14, 1833, a son of Henry and Hannah Hallman, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. His father died in December, 1863, aged fifty-five years, and the mother is living in Pennsylvania, aged seventy-five years. Our subject was reared in his native State. When fourteen years of age he began working for his own main- tenance, and worked for wages till twenty years old. He had been prudent and saved his earnings, and at the age of twenty years was able to begin work for himself. He remained in his native State till 1865, when he came West and lived in Naperville, Illi- nois, a year. In 1866 he came to Iowa, and bought 160 acres of land in Black Hawk County, for which he paid $19 an acre. He has added to his first purchase till he now owns 450 acres of choice land, all under cul- tivation. A poor boy when he commenced life, Mr. Hallman has by perseverance, in- dustry and frugality accumulated a large property, and is now one of the wealthiest men in Barclay Township. He is a promi- nent and influential citizen, and has been instrumental in advancing many projects of material interest to his township. He has held the office of supervisor of Barclay Township. He was married in Pennsyl- vania, September 23, 1856, to Catherine Hauser, also a native of that State, born April 24, 1829. They have a family of four
429
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
children-Elamanda O., wife of Frank Lauer ; Victor, Milton, and Elanora O., wife of John Walker. Victor graduated in Feb- ruary, 1886, from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. He married Ida Bickert. In politics Mr. Hallman is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church.
EV. GOTTLOB GROSSMAN, pastor of the German Lutheran church, of Fox Township, is a young man of promise in his church and profession. He is a native of Iowa, born in Clayton County, a son of George and Nancy Grossman, the former being first professor in the German College at Waverly. He is well educated, completing his studies at Mendota, Illinois, where he was from 1875 till 1881. He has for four years been pastor of the Fox Township church, his residence being on section 35. He was married in Waverly, Iowa, in 1882, to Anna Kaufman, who was born near Detroit, Michigan, in 1862. They have three children-Cordelia, Ar- thur and Rosa.
3-
LBERT F. RAYMOND, farmer and stock-raiser, of Cedar Falls Township, was born in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, April 17, 1852. At the age of sixteen years he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with his parents, Ebenezer and Sarah Ray- mond. Here the father bought a farm lo- cated on section 8, Cedar Falls Township, on which he settled with his family. Of the four children born to Ebenezer Ray- mond and his wife three are yet living -- Albert F., whose name heads this sketch ; Hattie and Ada. Albert F. was reared to manhood on a farm, his father being a
farmer by occupation. He completed his education at the Cedar Falls High School, after which he engaged in teaching school in Grundy County, Iowa, for a short time. April 10, 1879, Mr. Raymond was united in marriage to Susan Smith, daughter of Nel- son W. and Olive Smith, of Cedar Falls Township. Three children have blessed this union-Effie M., born February 14, 1880; Ross L., born October 5, 1881, and Mertie B., born December 23, 1884. Mr. Raymond is an active, enterprising citizen, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his township, and also in educational mat- ters, having served as secretary and treas- urer of Pleasant Valley School District, and for two terms was assessor of Cedar Falls Township. He is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres. In politics he is a Republican.
NDREW CLARK, one of the pio- neers of Black Hawk County, re- sides on section 22, Spring Creek Township, where he owns 700 acres of valuable land. He was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 13, 1836, a son of John and Barbara Clark, also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1852 his parents moved to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and settled one mile east of where our subject now lives. His father entered large tracts of land and left his family in good circumstances. He died July 28, 1877, and his widow now makes her home with her youngest son, William. Their family consisted of eight children- Simon, George, Henry, Mrs. Teeter, An- drew, Mrs. Howrey, Lewis and William. Andrew Clark was reared a farmer, re- ceiving a fair education in the common- schools. He was married September 4, 1857, to Sarah A. Masters, a native of Penn- sylvania, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Masters, her mother deceased, but her fa-
4.30
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
ther living in Central City, fowa. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark but two are living-Minerva L., wife of Edward Haymond, and Lizzie J. Elliott is deceased. In politics Mr. Clark is a Democrat. He has served his township as school director and takes an active interest in educational matters. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Brethren church.
ESSE WASSON, M. D .- To the faithful. skilled and successful labors of Dr. Wasson too high a tribute cannot be paid. Forty-five years' experience as a practitioner have given him a reputation of which any man might well be proud. Through all these years he has been devoted to his profession, and day and night has re- sponded to the calls of the sick, bringing to their bedside a knowledge of disease, that was the result of close study and experi- ence. His friends feared lest his arduous duties should undermine his own health, but his strong constitution and observance of sanitary laws enabled him to live to en- joy the highest walks to be obtained in the medical profession. Dr. Wasson was born in Richmond, Indiana, October 22, 1821, a son of Jehiel and Lydia Wasson, natives of North Carolina. He was reared to man- hood in La Porte, Indiana, whither his par- ents moved when he was thirteen years of age. He received a good common-school education in his youth, and in 1844 entered the Indiana Medical College, at La Porte, from which he graduated in February, 1847. Soon after his graduation, he located in New Buffalo, Michigan, where for a time he practiced his profession, and then returned to La Porte, where he remained until 1853. In the latter ycar he came to Iowa and lived for a short time in Vinton, Benton County. In 1855 he came to Black
Hawk County, and bought twenty acres of land, a part of which is now the site of La Porte City, and the same year surveyed and laid out the town, naming it in honor of his old home in Indiana. For the first few years after coming to the county he engaged in the mercantile business in con- nection with his medical practice, ex-Gov- ernor B. R. Sherman, then a young man in his employ, conducting the business. He was the first physician to locate in his sec- tion of the county, and soon built upa good practice, which gradually increased as the country grew, and his skill became known. Since 1870 he has devoted considerable at- tention to journalism, being the editor of the Progress, a paper devoted to the inter- ests of his town and county. In 1880, he with G. W. Hayzlett, bought the buildings and started a cheese factory and creamery, of which he became sole owner in 1884. As a citizen, Dr. Wasson has always been foremost in enterprises that have had for their object the bettering of the condition of the people by advancing their public and private interests, and La Porte City would have been far in advance of what it now is if more had been as diligent and liberal as he in the use of their time and means for its improvement. He was a member of the Thirteenth General Assem- bly of the State of Iowa, and by his untir- ing efforts secured for La Porte City, through the Legislature, the first conven- ient postal facilities. He was the first post- master appointed at La Porte, serving from 1855 till 1860, and was also the first justice of the peace. He has served as mayor of La Porte City four years and has served several terms on the Board of Supervisors of Black Hawk County, and is an untiring worker in all interests of benefit to the county at large, his zeal not being confined alonc to the city where he resides. He is at present interested in the building of a railroad, and is one of its leading promoters,
433
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
as it will be of lasting benefit to the city of La Porte, which it is hoped it will reach at no distant day. Thus it will be seen, that not alone as a skilled physician is Dr. Was- son esteemed, but his unselfish, noble char- acter and liberal public-spiritedness have endeared him to the hearts of all, and long after his form has ceased to be seen on our streets and his voice heard in our homes will his memory be green in the hearts of those who have loved and honored him. Dr. Wasson enlisted in September, 1862, and was assigned to the Thirty-second Iowa Infantry as its Assistant Surgeon. He served in this capacity nine months, when he was promoted to Surgeon of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and served until February, 1865, when on account of physical disability he was obliged to resign. He is now a promi- nent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization in which he is much interested. In politics he hasalways been a staunch Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Trowel Lodge, No. 216. Dr. Wasson was married May 31, 1855, to Junia Haun, of Benton County, and to them have been born five children, four of whom are living-Buren S., Jesse G., George H. and Maud.
HOMAS EDWARDS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 20, Big Creek Township, was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1822, a son of Everett and Anna (White) Edwards. He was reared in his native State, and there married, in 1850, to Sarah Haffer, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. In 1870 they went to lowa and settled in Black Hawk Coun- ty, and now have one of the best farms in Big Creek Township, containing 160 acres, valued at $40 an acre. His residence and farm buildings are commodious and con- 43
venient, and his farm shows the result of having a thrifty and energetic owner. Mr. Edwards is a public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all that pertains to the benefit of his community, and a liberal sup- porter of all worthy enterprises. He has a family of ten children-Ellen, Lottie, Baker L., Hattie, Phœbe, Caroline, Asher D., Anise, Ida and Emma. Baker L. is a young man of industrious and econom- ical habits, and now has the management of the farm. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, and his wife of the Lutheran church.
L. LELAND, section 25, Mount Vernon Township, is a native of New York City, born December II, 1833, a son of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Knapp) Leland. His
father was born in Middlesex Coun- ty, Massachusetts, January 2, 1803, and his mother was born January 27, 1803, in Nas- sau, Rensselaer County, New York. They came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in the spring of 1855, with their three children- George, Henry P. and Ambrose, all of whom are now living in Waterloo Town- ship. Their sister, Mrs. Sarah C. Link, came from her home in Rensselaer County, New York, in the fall of 1885 and bought a house in Waterloo where she intends to make her home. Our subject's mother is making her home with him. His father died in Waterloo, March 8, 1865, and is buried in Waterloo cemetery. R. L. was married February 22, 1852, to Rachel M. Cole, who was born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York, August 8, 1831, a daughter of John and Phœbe (Cook) Cole, natives of Dutchess County, New York, who are now deceased, the mother dying in February, 1882, in her eighty-ninth year. To Mr. and Mrs. Leland have been born
434
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
three children-George F., married Mar- garet C. Boyd, and is living with his father; Sarah E., also living at home; Adolphus H., born June 10, 1853, and drowned Octo- ber 4, 1874, in Cedar River. R. L. Leland came to Black Hawk County in the fall of 1854, and made his first settlement in Mt. Vernon Township. In 1855 he bought land in Waterloo Township, on section 3, where he followed farming for eighteen years, after which he rented land for two or three years. He then, in 1874, moved to his pres- ent farm, which he had rented for several years previous to other parties. The house on this land was destroyed by fire in 1872, but being insured his loss was only about $200. Since coming here Mr. Leland has made all the improvements on his farm here and on the farm in Waterloo. He has now 380 acres. His farm is well tiled, he having laid about 230 rods of tile in the fall of 1885, and his residence, barns, sheds and other farm buildings are among the finest improved in the township. Mr. Leland is a member of the Universalist church. In his political views he is a Republican. He was elected first justice of the peace of his township, but did not serve. His son George was the first white child born in the township. Mr. Leland's ancestry can be traced back over 200 years. He is a descendant of Henry Leland, to whose memory a monument was raised a Sher- born, Massachusetts, about forty years ago.
IMON BITTERLY, farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, Big Creek Township, is a native of Ger- many, born in 1826. He was reared in his native country, and was there married in 1855, to Clara Shanker, also a native of Germany, born in 1829. In 1857 they came to the United States, and for eight years made their home in Ste- phenson County, Illinois. In 1865 they
moved to lowa, and settled in Black Hawk County, and for over twenty years have been identified with all the interests of their township, assisting materially in its advancement. They are progressive, en- terprising citizens, and liberal supporters of all projects that are of benefit to the community. They have had a family of eight children-Benedict, Edward, two who died in infancy unnamed, Lizzie, Benjamin, Leony, and Tillic. Edward was married December 14, 1885, to Anna, daughter of Jacob and Henrietta Ripple. In his political views Mr. Bitterly affiliates with the Republican party. He is a mem ber of the Evangelical Association.
un
EORGE E. EBERHART, the present efficient postmaster of Cedar Falls, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1839, a son of Albert J. and Eliza Eberhart. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, coming to America be- fore the Revolutionary war, and served with Washington's army, having been among those who endured the terrible hardships of the winter passed at Valley Forge. After the close of the war he set- tled in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the manufacture of glass. Here his son, Albert J., father of our subject, was reared to manhood and educated for the Baptist ministry, to which calling he earn- estly devoted the greater part of his life. About 1850 he was called to fill the pulpit at Edgington, Lee County, Illinois, remain- ing there several years, when he came to Iowa and officiated as pastor of the Baptist church at Waterloo for some time. In the fall of 1860 he received a call from the church at Cedar Rapids, but shortly after going there he enlisted in the late war as Chaplain of the Twelfth Iowa Infantry.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
435
After remaining with his regiment six months, owing to failing health he returned to Cedar Rapids, and in the fall of 1862 he removed to Cedar Falls, where he labored earnestly and successfully for five years as pastor of the Baptist church. After spend- ing years in various fields of mission work he returned to Waterloo, living there till his death, which occurred a few years ago. George E. Eberhart, whose name heads this sketch, attended the common schools in his youth, receiving a fair education. He learned the carpenter and cabinet mak- er's trade which he followed before and after the war. He enlisted in May, 1861, in Company I, Third Iowa Infantry. He was engaged in guerrilla warfare and in guarding bridges and railroads in Missouri till the following fall when he was sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where he was quartered a short time. After spending a short time in Mexico and Missouri he was transferred to Grant's command and par- ticipated in the battle of Shiloh. and siege of Vicksburg. He was with Sherman in his march from Vicksburg to Meriden, Mississippi, and also in the Atlanta cam- paign. July 22, 1864, during the siege of Atlanta, he was captured by the Confeder- ates and sent to Andersonville Prison, re- maining in confinement there till he was exchanged September 21, 1864. Mr. Eber- hart re-enlisted as a veteran in January, 1864, and remained with Sherman's army till he received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, July 10, 1865, when he returned to Cedar Falls. He was subsequently em- ployed for nine years in the United States Railway Postal Service, running for eight years between Albert Lea and Burlington, and for one year between Burlington and Chicago. December 24, 1868, he was mar- ried to Ida Markley, of Cedar Falls, daugh- ter of James and Catherine Markley. They have four children-Lewis V., Philip H., Nora A. and Clyde. Mr. Eberhart was
appointed to his present position as post- master of Cedar Falls, February 19, 1884. In religious faith he is a Baptist, and in pol- itics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of James Brown- ell Post, G. A. R., which he has served as Adjutant.
ULIUS C. BURNHAM, deceased, one of the prominent and influen- tial citizens of Black Hawk Coun- ty, was born in Vermont in 1824, a son of James and Fanny Burnham. He came West with his parents in 1840, and lived in Illinois until 1850, when he went to California and remained three years, and while there made $1,600. He returned to Aurora, Illinois, when he en- gaged in the mercantile business till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he raised a company for the Union army and was elected its First Lieutenant, but on account of ill health was unable to serve. He came to Iowa in 1862 and set- tled on section 30, Big Creek Township. At that time the land was unimproved and the only building was a little log cabin. When Mr. Burnham died he had the land all under cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings were among the best in the township. Mr. Burnham was a prominent man in his township and held different of- fices of trust, among others those of asses- sor and supervisor. While a member of the Board of Supervisors it was owing to his in- fluence that the practice of speculating with the county money was broken up, the officers loaning the money to the bank and thus increasing the amount of its funds, and making county warrants worth 100 cents on a dollar, while they had been valued at only from 60 to 80 cents. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders for thirty years. Mr. Burnham was mar- ried in Aurora, Illinois, in 1846, to Julia
436
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Baird, a native of Jefferson County, New York, born in 1830. To them were born seven children, but four of whom are living -Victor E., foreman of the glazing works at Clinton, Iowa; Frank F., a farmer of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Lottie B. Hayden, of Minnesota, and Guy M., principal of the Alden, Iowa, High School. The deceased are-Harriet, James and an infant.
ZRA S. NEWTON, a son of Seth Newton, was born in Silver Creek Township, Stephenson County, Illinois, January 9, 1855. He was reared to a farm life in his native county, where he lived till 1876. He then came to lowa with his father, who yet lives at State Center, Marshall County. He left his father's home in 1880, since which he has been a resident of Black Hawk County, and now manages the prop- erty of his father-in-law, Samuel Berry, who is the owner of 2,600 acres of improved land located in Black Hawk and Tama counties, Iowa. Mr. Newton was united in marriage May 26, 1880, to Miss Anze- letta Berry, daughter of Samuel and Char- lotte (Allard) Berry. Mrs. Newton was a native of the same county as her husband, born in Silver Creek Township, October 25, 1854. Mr. Newton is a young man of excellent business qualifications, and by his industrious habits and persevering energy has proved himself worthy of the trust re- posed in him.
EWITT C. COOK, proprietor of livery and dealer in horses, was born in Wyoming County, New York, February 26, 1833, the young- est of nine children of Philander and Esther (Graves) Cook, who were also natives of Wyoming County,
and of English descent, the mother dying when our subject was a mere boy. His education was obtained in the district schools of his native county, and at the age of fourteen he began to earn his own living by working on farms in his neighborhood. At the age of seventeen he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed as long as he remained in New York State. In the spring of 1857 he came to Iowa, making the journey with a four-horse team. He located at Waterloo, and soon after began working at his trade, which he continued here till 1867, after which he was success- fully engaged in buying and shipping stock till 1879, shipping mostly to the Eastern markets. He then opened his livery stable which is well stocked with buggies of all kinds, and fine horses, and has a good run of custom. In connection with his livery he is also engaged in buying and selling horses. In the winter of 1859 Mr. Cook was married to Caroline Courson, who came with her parents from Pennsylvania to this county in 1856. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born three sons-Wells C., John E. and Jay. In politics Mr. Cook af- filiates with the Democratic party.
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.