USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 47
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name to that city, and naming all of its streets. He returned to Black Hawk County, if not rich in wealth, possessed of what is far better, good health. Three weeks after his return his father died and he has since continued to reside on the old homestead in Black Hawk Township, which he now owns. Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Gillen Decem- ber 27, 1882. She was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1854, the fifth of a family of ten children of John and Elizabeth Gillen. Her father was of Irish parentage, born on the ocean July 18, 1818. He died in Pennsylvania, October 1, 1865, and in 1867 his widow brought her family to Iowa, living in Linn County till 1870, since which she has resided in Black Hawk Township.
MASA COTTRELL, one of the leading agriculturists of Black Hawk County, was born in Rensselaer County, New York, June 6, 1825, a son of John and Sarah Cottrell, his father born in Rox- bury, Massachusetts, December 15,1776,and his mother a native of New York State, born December 11, 1788. They were mar- ried in Rensselaer County, living there till their death, the father dying August 10, 1842, and the mother September 18, 1869. They reared a family of nine children- John C., living in Michigan; George, on the old homestead in New York; James, of New York State; Mrs. Mary Jane Feath ers; Sally Ann, now deceased; William, died in 1870; Mrs. Eleanor M. Moul; Mrs. Susan C. Castle, and Amasa, our subject, the only member of the family who makes his home in Iowa. Amasa Cottrell was reared on the home farm, remaining with his parents till after maturity. He was married May 15, 1847, to Miss Rebecca Deavitt, born in Rensselaer County, New
York. February 6, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Cottrell have four children-William A., born April 10, 1848, married Fiddie A. Titcomb, and is now a resident of Le Mars, Iowa; Louisa Janc, wife of Noah Williams, of Ida County, Iowa; Warren H., residing with his parents, married Annie E. Wilson, and Harmon S., married Laura B. A. Pow- ers and is now a resident of Lincoln Town- ship, this county. Mr. Cottrell came to Black Hawk County, in 1857, and the first three years he worked rented land in Black Hawk Township. He then went to Pike's Peak, leaving his family here, and was there engaged very successfully in prospecting and mining. He returned to Black Hawk Township in the fall of 1860, and in the spring of 1861 went back to the mines, taking his family with him. In September of the same year he again returned to this county, buying 320 acres of land on section 33, in the spring of 1862, where he has since made his home. He has since added to his original purchase till he is now the owner of 960 acres of choice land under excellent cultivation. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and. also buys largely to feed for market. His shipments of cattle and hogs in 1885 reached ten car-loads, and his farm is increasing in productive powers. Among the many valuable farm buildings to be found in this part of the county none are better than those found on the farm of Mr. Cottrell. His large barn is 60 x 100 feet, and his substantial residence, which is one of the finest in the township, is furnished with all modern conveniences. Mr. Cottrell has always been an active, public-spirited man. He has served as township trustee one year, and has also served many years as school director, hold- ing the position of secretary of the School Board a number of years. He was presi- dent of Black Hawk Agricultural Society three years, and for two years held the same position in the Patron's Joint -Stock
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Company. He was also president of the Waterloo, Belle Plaine & Northern Mis- souri Narrow-Gauge Railroad for two years. In politics Mr. Cottrell has been a life-long Democrat. He and his wife and family are members of the Congregational church. Mrs. Cottrell's parents were natives of New York State, the father born in March, 1784, and the mother August 1, 1790. Both died in Rensselaer County, the father in 1878, and the mother January 26, 1850. Mrs. Cottrell has three married sisters liv- ing in Wisconsin-Mrs. Maria Bonestell, in Marquette County; Mrs. Eliza E. Welch, in Columbia County, and Mrs. Esther New- land, in Green Lake County. One sister, Mrs. Harriet Dumelton, died in Green Lake County.
OSEPH BANCROFT, one of the old and respected settlers of Cedar Falls, is a native of England, born in Leicester, December 19, 1826. He was reared in his native country, and there received the benefits of a common-school education. July 4, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Holbrook, daughter of William and Mary Holbrook, of Derbyshire, England. To this union were born five children of whom four are yet living-Eliza E., Mary T., John W. and George H. Annie, the youngest child, is deceased. During the summer of 1851 Mr. Bancroft immigrated to America with his family, landing at New York. He first located in Fayette County, Ohio, where he remained three years, after which he spent a short time near Paris, Illinois. In the fall of 1855 he came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, locating at Cedar Falls, where he has since resided. Mr. Bancroft has followed farming and gardening the greater part of his life, and since coming to this county he has carried on a garden and nursery, and at present is conducting an excellent green-
house. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and respected members of society.
AAMAN INGALLS was born in Du Page County, Illinois, July 31, 1854, the youngest of twelve children of John and Jerusha In- galls, who were both natives of Oneida County, New York. Soon after their marriage the parents made their home in Cattaraugus County, New York. In 1846 they removed to Du Page County, Illinois, and in 1856 they located in Kane County, Illinois, where the father died in 1864, aged fifty five years. The mother subsequently went with her youngest children to De Kalb County, Illinois, and in 1868 removed to Grundy County, Iowa, locating near the present residence of our subject, and in 1870 she settled on section 19, Lincoln Township. Eight of her children are now living-Edward, living in California; George, of Lincoln Township; Mrs. Je- rusha Pattison, of Reinbeck; Amelia, resid- ing in California; Mrs. Harriet Lewis, of Reinbeck; Orrin, of Tama County; Mrs. Mary Bean, of Grundy County, and Naa- man. Milton, Charles, John and William, are deceased. Charles was a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry and died in the service, and William belonged to the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, dying in hospital in 1863. After his mother's death, which occurred February 4, 1882, our subject became heir to the fine farm of 160 acres which he helped to acquire, and which he now occupies. December 25, 1877, Mr. Ingalls was married to Char- lotte Ingamells, who was born in Washing- ton County, Wisconsin, January 19, 1856. They have two sons-Frank and Clarence. In politics Mr. Ingalls isidentified with the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Republican party. George Ingalls, brother of our subject, is also a resident of Lincoln Township, and owns a fine farm of 160 acres, on section 20. He was born in Cat- taraugus County, New York, March 22, 1836. While living in Illinois he was mar- ried April 11, 1858, to Miss Selinda Wright, a native of Allegany County, New York, born October 30, 1834. He came to Iowa in 1868, locating first in Story County, and in 1878 came to Black Hawk County, where he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. George Ingalls have six children-Fran- celia (wife of Howard Hitchcock), Charles, Harriet, John, Georgia and Ella.
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C. HENRY, son of James and Han- nah(Clark) Henry, came with his parents to this county in October, 1858. His father was born April 7, 1807, ncar Colchester, Massachussetts, and was of Irish and English descent. The father was reared and educated in Madison County, New York, and was there married, his wife being a native of Connecti- cut, born May 6, 1806. He removed with his family to Illinois in 1856, and as before stated, came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1858, living in Mount Vernon Township till his death. His wife also died in this township. They were the parents of the following children-Albert Henry, born in September, 1835, farming in Washington Territory ; Alpheus, born in July, 1837, living in Mt. Vernon Township; D. C., born August 14, 1840, in Madison County, New York; Frederick, born in June, 1844, and Hannah M., born June 2, 1850, died in August, 1882, all the children being born in Madison County, New York. Our subject was reared in his native county till sixteen years of age, and there received a limited education in the common schools. January 1, 1868, he was married to Maria E. Thurs-
ton, born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, December 22, 1842, a daughter of Ira and Amanda (Fletcher) Thurston, residents of Bremer County, Iowa. To this union have been born five children, of whom three arc living-H. Mabel, born February 2, 1870; Bertha M., born June 2, 1872 ; Frank C., born September 14, 1876, all in Mount Ver- non Township. Charles C. was born in July, 1875, and dicd August 23, 1875, and George A., born January 24, 1879, died January 10, 1880. Mrs. Henry is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his religious views Mr. Henry is liberal. In politics he is a Greenbacker. He has served twelve years as justice of the peace, and has also served as assessor, being elected such in the fall of 1884. Mr. Henry has made farming his principal occupation through life, and has met with fair success. He now owns 240 acres on section 33, Mount Ver- non Township. Mrs. Henry's father was born in Lyle, Brown County, New York, February 24, 1810, and when he was ten years of age his parents moved to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he was married, living there till about sixty years of age. In May, 1854, he came to Iowa, and settled in Bremer County, where he has since re- sided. His wife was born in Mentor, Geauga County, Ohio, August 16, 1817.
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AHLON WILLIAMS, a promi- nent farmer of Spring Creek Township, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, January 27, 1841, a son of William and Catherine Will- iams, his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Indiana. Of a family of twelve children but five are liv- ing-Elizabeth, Matilda, Philander, William R. and Mahlon. In 1855 his parents came to Iowa, and settled in Spring Creek Town ship, Black Hawk County, where his moth-
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er died April 5, 1878. His father is still living at the advanced age of eighty years. Mahlon Williams remained with his parents until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, July 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Iowa Infantry. He participated in the battles at New Madrid, Corinth, Iuka, Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Jackson, Chattanooga, second battle at Cor- inth, Ebenezer Church, Selma, Columbus, Marysville, and many others of minor im- portance. He was discharged in August, 1865, and returned to Black Hawk County, . where, with the exception of three years spent in Washington Territory, he has since resided. His fine farm of 360 acres is under good cultivation, and his residence and other improvements, are among the best in the township. Mr. Williams was married February 18, 1867, to Elizabeth Rice. They have two children-Dennis and Ira C. Mr. Williams is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Re- publican.
ICHOLAS WALLIS, proprietor of livery stable, La Porte City, Iowa, is a native of England, born in Cornwall County, January 4, 1849, and is a son of John and Jane Wallis. Of nine children born to his parents six are still living-Mary J., Nicholas, Richard D., John, Annie and Albretta. He passed his boyhood in at- tending the common schools of his native country, and `when a young man came to America with his father, his mother immi- grating to this country some three years later. For several years the family resided in Michigan, and in 1879 removed to Wis- consin, where the parents still make their home. Nicholas Wallis was married in Illi- nois, June 28, 1883, to Miss Nellie Burnett, of Jo Daviess County, that State. One child
has blessed this union, a son-Floyd B. In 1883 Mr. Wallis came to Iowa,locating at La Porte City, in this county, and for some time has been successfully engaged in his present business, he having the best conducted liv- ery in the city, and is quite liberally patron- ized. He has a pleasant, social disposition, and has become popular among the busi- ness men of his community. In politics he is a Republican, voting that ticket in all National elections.
EV. CHRISTIAN ESHER is a native of Alsace, France, born March 24, 1826, a son of John J. and Mary N. Esher, and a brother of Bishop Esher, of the German Evangelical Association. When he was five years of age he was brought by his parents to America, and after landing in New York they went to Pennsylvania, and resided in Warren County a few years. They then moved to Cook County, Illinois, and there our subject was reared to man- hood, and received an excellent education. He left Illinois in 1855, and came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, locating on a farm in Big Creek Township, about three miles northwest of La Porte City, where he re- sided eight years. November 8, 1851, he was married to Mary J. Kennicott, a native of Canada, born March 18, 1831, coming with her parents, Levi and Abigail Kenni- cott, to Cook County, Illinois, when but three years of age. Her father is now de- ceased. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Esher three are living-Frank W., Edwin L. and Winnie I. Mr. Esher was ordained an elder in the German Evangeli- cal Association in 1868, but for four years previous had devoted much time to preach- ing the gospel. He followed his ministe- rial labors in various places throughout Iowa for about eighteen years, when, on
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account of failing health, in the spring of 1882 he retired from his active duties, and has since then been a resident of La Porte City, and is still taking an active interest in all Christian work. He is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres of well cultivated land located in the township. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
ILLIAM R. GRAHAM, Cedar- Falls, Iowa, was born October 13, 1842, at the head of Seneca Lake, in what is now Schuyler County, New York, a son of Alexander and Abigail Graham, who were also na- tives of New York State, the latter being a daughter of General Martin Keep. When a boy he went with his parents to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he enlisted in May, 1861, in the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and in the following November he enlisted in Company E, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, comprising a part of the army of the frontier. He was principally engaged in scouting and reconnoitering in Missouri, Arkansas, Kan- sas, Texas and Indian Territory. He par- ticipated in the battle of Prairie Grove and a number of other engagements. He en- listed as a private, but was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant, having command of Company G, and served in this position till he received his discharge in the spring of 1864, when he returned to his home in Janesville. In his youth he attended the Janesville High School, completing his edu- cation at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and graduating from that insti- tution in the class of 1867. In 1870 he wasad- mitted to the Wisconsin State bar, but has never followed the legal profession for any length of time. For a time he was a mem- ber of the firm of S. I. Russell & Co., manu- facturers of sash, doors and blinds at Chica- go, Illinois. He has been a resident of
Cedar Falls, Iowa, since 1876, and for sev- eral years after coming here was interested with his father in a merchant flouring mill. In 1882 a company was formed for the manufacture of paper at Cedar Falls, of which company Mr. Graham was chosen president and manager, continuing as such till January, 1886, when he disposed of his interests. Mr. Graham was married Sep- tember 24, IS67, to Miss Martha Hawkins, daughter of Hon. Olney and Mary Hawkins, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They have three children-Mary G., Alexander and Augus- tus. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, the Legion of Honor and Knights of Pythias. He is also a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, of which he is at present grand master of the Loyal Grand Lodge. He also be- longs to the Grand Army Post at Cedar Falls. Politically he is a Republican.
OLOMON HARVEY, son of George W. and Margaret Har- vey, is a native of Herkimer County, New York, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. In his youth he obtained a common- school education, which was mainly ac- quired by his own exertions. Leaving his native State in 1854, he located in De Kalb County, Illinois, remaining there but a short time. November 4, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Oroke, of De Kalb County. Five sons have been born to this union-George W., Earl, Os- car, John and Willis. Mr. Harvey came with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1857, where he has since resided. He first located on a farm after coming to this county on which he lived till the break- ing out of the late war. He enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry. His regiment was assigned to
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the Seventeenth Army Corps, commanded by General Grant. He served his country over a year, much of the time being in ill health, which necessitated his discharge. He has been a resident of La Porte City for many years, and has won the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He has held the office of justice of the peace for twelve years, and in the performance of his duties his counsels have been wise and just, striving at all times to be a peace- maker.
nne ON. JEREMIAH L. GAY, section 33, Cedar Township, has been prominently identified with Black Hawk County since 1856. He was born in Windsor County, Vermont, December 6, 1821, a son of Luminary and Lucinda (Ranney) Gay, natives also of the Green Mountain State. He is the eld- est of eight children, the others being- Lester and Byron, of Oregon ; John R., of Benton County, Iowa; Mrs. Plethynnai Brunson, of Will County, Illinois; Mrs. Eveline Merrill, of Jefferson County, Illi- nois ; Mrs. Minerva Black, of Hardin Coun- ty, Iowa, and Mrs. Adelaide Lemon, of Dallas County, Iowa. In 1865 the parents of Mr. Gay made his house their home, and there his father died March 31, 1880, aged eighty-three years. His mother is still liv- ing, and although in the eighty-eighth year of her age retains her physical and mental vigor to a remarkable degree. Our subject was reared a farmer, and being the eldest of the family his father early required his assistance, and his educational advantages were necessarily limited. However, he made the best use of the time he had and ac- quired a good, practical, business education. When twenty-one years of age he turned his face westward, and for a short time worked as a farm laborer in Cook County,
Illinois, but soon became a land-owner. In 1850 he made.his home in Kankakee Coun- ty, Illinois, and the same year returned to Vermont for his bride and was married June 24 to Caroline Putnam, who was born in Windsor County, Vermont, February 20, 1822, a daughter of Daniel Putnam. In July, 1856, they left Kankakee County and removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and in November, 1865, made their present residence their home. The homestead con- tains 300 acres of choice land, located in the beautiful valley of the Cedar River, and the improvements are all of the first class. Mr. Gay has held almost every position of pub- lic trust in the township. He has served as magistrate twenty years. Although he has no children he has given much time and at- tention to the school interests of his town- ship and district. In 1877 he was elected to the General Assembly of Iowa and was re-elected in 1879, serving as legislator with ability and efficiency. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the asylum for the blind at Vinton, Iowa, eight years. In pol- itics Mr. Gay is identified with the Repub- lican party. He is liberally endowed with the qualities that make an active, progres- sive, public-spirited citizen.
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HARLES KLECKNER, an en- terprising farmer of Barclay Township, residing on section 7, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1833. His . parents, George S. and Rebecca Kleckner were natives of the same State, and were both of German descent. He came to Iowa in 1855, locating for a short time in Buchanan County. He then came to Black Hawk County and settled on land three miles east of where he now resides, where he remained two years. He then removed to section 7, Barclay Township,
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
buying eighty acres of land, to which he has added by subsequent purchases till he has 240 acres where he now resides, besides forty acres of land in Buchanan County. He was married in this county in 1861 to Anna Buss, who was born in Germany in 1845, and to this union has been born one child-a son, named George S. Mr. Kleckner commenced life with no capital, but by industry and economy, to- gether with his good management he has made his life a success, and by his own cf- forts he has acquired a good property, and has besides gained the respect of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
R EV. JOHN S. HAUGER, a son of Simon and Margaret (Smith) Hauger, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1813. His grandfather, John S. Hauger, came to America prior to the war of the Revolution, and took part in that war under command of General Washington. After the war he settled in Pennsylvania, and married Barbara Miller, who, during the war, had been captured by the Indians, being held a prisoner for several years, when she was released with other captives at the close of the war. Si- mon Hauger, father of our subject, was one of the nine children born to this union. He married Margaret Smith, and of a large family, six children are yet living- Jacob, a minister in the German Baptist church, and for the past forty years a bishop of that denomination ; John S., Simon S., Susan, Margaret and Lydia. John S., our subject, was reared to manhood in his native county, and for a short time was engaged in teaching in the early schools of Pennsyl- vania. In November, 1841, he was married to Harriet Lint, of Somerset County,
Pennsylvania. Eight of the twelve chil- dren born to this union are living-Daniel C., Noah S., Hiram, John W., Michael, William E., Amanda and Elmira. Cyrus, Mary, Lydia and Annic are deceased. Mr. Hauger left his native State with his family in 1866, and after living a few months in Tazewell County, Illinois, hc came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and lo- cated two and a half miles east of Waterloo City, where he resided about two years. He subsequently settled on a farm thrce miles west of La Porte, living there till the fall of 1860, since which he has made his home in La Porte City. He has been act- ively engaged in church .work for more than fifty years, and for many years has been a minister of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, and although he has retired from active life, he still occasionally discourses from the pulpit. He has ever been honor- able and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and has spent a life worthy of imitation, gaining the respect of all who know him. He is the owner of two fine farms, containing 290 acres of highly cul- tivated land. In his political views he is a Republican.
OSEPH THOMPSON, section 13, Mount Vernon Township, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich- igan, April 7, 1836, a son of Giles and Rebecca (Whited) Thompson, both of whom died on the old home- stead in St. Joseph County. His father was born December 12, 1791, in New Hampshire, where he lived till after his marriage. He then lived a short time in New York, after which he moved to San- dusky City, now called Fremont, where he lived twelve years, eight years of this time being sheriff of the county. He then moved to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where he
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spent the last years of his life. He was twice married. His first wife died in New York State, July 18, 1828, leaving four children-Hiram G., Charles A., Samuel A. and Mary C., of whom Charles is the only one living. The latter is now living in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was a sur- geon in the army and has practiced as a physician for more than forty years. Giles Thompson married Rebecca Whited for his second wife. She was a native of Ohio. She died about 1838 leaving three children -Rebecca, who is now deceased ; Joseph, our subject, and James W., engaged in busi- ness in Omaha, Nebraska. James W. en- listed in the late war as a private and was discharged at the close of the war as First Lieutenant. Joseph W., our subject, was reared at his birth-place and there received a limited common-school education. He was married October 4, 1860, to Rhoda H. Smith, daughter of Levi G. and Harty M. (Curtis) Smith, both natives of Steuben County, New York, the father born May 31, 18II, and the mother August 31, 1813. Her parents were reared and married in their native county, and in 1846 moved with their family to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where they lived till their death. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have five children -Harold L., born August 1, 1861, living at home; Lora H., born December 25, 1862, wife of Cyrus E. Hall, living at Oskaloosa, Iowa; Hattie T., born October II, 1864, teaching in Iowa; Grace Mabel, born No- vember 16, 1879, and Charles Arthur, born September 29, 1881. Mr. Thompson came to Black Hawk County in November, 1863, and settled on section 14, Mt. Vernon Township, where he has since resided, his land at the time of his settlement being only partly improved. He owns forty acres on section 13 and eighty acres on section 14, all well cultivated, and his residence and farm buildings, which have all been built since he came here, are in excellent condi-
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