USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 51
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
merchandising. Of late years he has de- voted considerable time to his dairy. His farm contains 100 acres of valuable land, with a good farm dwelling, barns and out- buildings. Mr. Grant is agent for the firm of Thompson & Herrod, who are running an extensive creamery, which position he has filled about four years. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have four children-Francis A. and Frederick H. (twins), Edith A. and Grace. George Grant, grandfather of our subject, was killed by a tree falling on him while at wood-chopping in New Jersey. His ma- ternal grandfather, Nathan Miller, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was a descendant of the old Plymouth stock.
HARLES MILLER, an old set- tler of Black Hawk County, is a native of Prussia, where he was born February 24, 1824. He came with his parents, Henry and Mary Miller, to America in 1848, and for several years lived in Indiana. He re- moved to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1852, and in 1855 came to Cedar Falls, where he followed blacksmithing for fifteen years, he being among the first blacksmiths of that village. March 28, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Steemblock, who was born in Germany, in July, 1834, a daughter of Vertea and Tubka Steemblock, with whom she came to America when a child, they being among the early settlers of Hardin County, Iowa. Of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller eight are living-Mary T., Della E., Anna E., Charles W., George A., August, Cora H., and Nettie M. Mr. Miller is one of the self-made men of this county, he hav- ing begun life without means, but by his industry, frugality and untiring persever- ance he has accumulated property, and is surrounded with all that makes a comfort-
able and pleasant home. His home farm in Cedar Falls Township contains 200 acres of choice land, under excellent cultivation. He is at present serving as school director. He is a member of the German Evangel- ical Association.
LIAS WITHEY, farmer, section 13, Barclay Township, was born in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, June 26, 1826, a son of Daniel and Mary Withey, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former of English and the latter of German descent. He was reared in his na- tive county, and when a young man began life for himself by driving an omnibus and carrying the mail. He was prudent and saved his money and bought ten acres of land, which he lived on until he got it cleared and then sold it and rented a farm till he was able to buy a larger one in Steuben County, New York, on which he lived several years. In 1856 he came West and lived in Kane County, Illinois, one sum- mer, and then came to Iowa and settled on the farm where he now lives, in Barclay Township, Black Hawk County. He has always been an energetic, enterprising man, and as a result has accumulated a valuable property, owning now 160 acres of choice land with improvements second to none in the township. He is public spirited and lib- eral and has assisted materially in advancing the interests of the township. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has held several minor offices in the town- ship, including supervisor, and as a member of the school board, and has served with perfect satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Withey was married in Livingston County, New York, in 1850, to Louisa Taylor, a native of England, born in 1829 but reared in America, coming here with
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her parents when three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Withey have two children-Ida, wife of Emery Ross, of Jesup, Iowa, and Mary E., at home.
OHN BRIDLER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Mount Vernon Township, was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, April 29, 1847, a son of William and Mary (Burnham) Bridler, natives of England, his mother dying when he was less than three years of age. The date of his father's birth is January 6, 1808. He immigrated with his family to America, and came to Bremer County, Iowa, in 1852, the country at that time being mostly raw prairie, and the houses few and far between. He was three times married, and has a family of four children-Horseman F. and William H., residents of Bremer County ; John, our subject, and Mary E., wife of George Se- vinson, of Janesville, Iowa. John Bridler was reared in Bremer County, living there till after his marriage. He then farmed near Shell Rock, Butler County, Iowa, till 1875, when he sold his land and came to Mount Vernon Township, this county, buy- ing 160 acres of land, where he has since made a fine home. Since coming here he has rebuilt all the fences on his land, and also rebuilt his house, and his barns and out buildings are in good condition. In connection with his farming he also carries on stock-raising, and intends making a spe- cialty of the latter. His farm, which is located in this section, contains 120 acres of well-improved land, besides fifteen acres of timber land. Politically Mr. Bridler is a Republican. He has served very effi- ciently as school director in his township. February 20, 1868, he was married to Anna M. Pearl, a daughter of Hudson and Mar- tha H. (Jordan) Pearl. To them have been
born four children, of whom two are liv- ing-James E., born November 9, 1876, and Clarence Garfield, born November 8, 1880, both in Mount Vernon Township. Mary Florence was born in Bremer County, September 29, 1869, and died February 10, 1872; Pearl was born in Bremer County, April 10, 1875, and died February 4, 1876. Mr. Bridler is an attendant and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Bridler's father was a native of South Carolina. During the late war he was a strong Union man, and because he would not join the Confederate ranks he was shot by a rebel while returning home from a neighbor's house. He lived two years after he was shot, and died at St. Louis, Missouri, his wife also dying in that city. His son joined the rebel army, think- ing to save his father's life by so doing. Mrs. Bridler is the eldest of her father's children. The other children are -- Mary, wife of A. L. Burnell, living in Sioux City, Iowa; James William, of Janesville, lowa, married Josephine Webster ; Sarah Marga- ret, wife of W. Mullin, living near Waverly, Iowa.
ANIEL WEBSTER, farmer, sec- tion 4, Mount Vernon Township, was born May 22, 1836, in Kirk- come land, Lake County, Ohio, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Moore) Webster, the father born July 4, 1801, and the mother born near Trenton, New Jersey, in 1804. His parents were mar- ried in Lake County, Ohio, July 4, 1824. In 1854 they came to Black Hawk County, Iowa, with their two children, Daniel, and Charlotte E., who is now the wife of Joseph Mitchell, of Nappa City, California. The parents went to Nappa City in 1876, living there till their death, the father dying July 4, 1877, and the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
mother's death occurring in February, 1883. Daniel Webster was married No- vember 22, 1855. to Helen J. Mills, daughter of William A. and Almira Mills, the father born April 5, 1811, and the mother born September 9, 1815. Her parents were married October 27, 1833. Her mother dying when she was quite young she was brought up by Salmon Wallace. To Mr. and Mrs. Webster have been born six chil- dren-Frank M., born May 3, 1857: Capi- tola, born September 22, 1858, died March 5. 1861; S. F., born September 16, 1859; Charles D., born September 3, 1865; Jessic M., born December 7, 1870, and Kate E., born October 22, 1872. Mr. Webster came to this county in the fall of 1854. He has since then been a resident of Mt. Vernoon Township, where he is the owner of a fine farm containing 120 acres. He and his wife are Spiritualists. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Since coming to this county he has served as school director, which office he filled very accept- ably.
S AMUEL PATTERSON, farmer and stock-raiser of Cedar Falls Township, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1830. When he was seven years of age his parents, Robert and Mary Patterson, removed to Miami County, Ohio, and there he was reared to manhood, and from his youth has been engaged in farm- ing. By his father's death he was left at the early age of fifteen years the main sup- port of his widowed mother and four sisters-Jane, Hannah (now deceased), Mary A. and Flora E. He was united in marriage March 6, 1867, to Miss Jennie Hearst, of Miami County, Ohio, and to this union were born two children-William R., at present attending the Iowa State Normal School of Cedar Falls, and a daugh-
ter, Deborah, who is now deceased. Mr. Patterson left Ohio in 1867, and settled in Black Hawk County, lowa, where he farmed for a short time on rented land. He now resides on section 20, Cedar Falls Township, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres of land all of which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Patterson has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, having acquired his present prop- erty by his own industry and frugality. He is a much respected citizen of his town- ship, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. He has served as school director of Independent District No. 7. Hc is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
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P. FRISBY, farmer, section 17, Spring Creek Township, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in IS28, a son of John and Mary A. (Van Cliff ) Frisby. He was rearcd in his native State and Indiana, where his parents removed in 1840, remaining with his parents until manhood. In 1858 he came to Iowa and settled in Black Hawk County, entering his land in Spring Creek Township from the Government. He now has his land all under cultivation and has 135 acres of Spring Creek's best farming land. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of the Union in Company D, Thir- ty-first lowa Infantry, and participated in the battle of Chickasaw Mountain, the first battle at Arkansas Post, and many other hard-fought battles. January 11, 1863, he was wounded in the wrist, and eighteen days later was obliged to have his hand am- putated. May 12, 1863, he was honorably discharged, and now draws a pension of $24 a month. He was married in 1852 to Catherine Butts, a native of Ohio, born
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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April 12, 1832. Of their ten children, nine are living-Mary S., wife of Stephen Cal- vin, of La Porte City; Charles, George, Peter, William, Daniel, Sarah, Van C. and Carl. Harriet is deceased. Mr. Frisby has held the office of constable five terms, and township trustee four or five terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
G. LEVERSEE was born in Rens- selaer County, New York, March 20, 1838, and when he was three years old his parents removed to Stephenson County, Illinois, and six years later went to LaFayette County, Wisconsin, remaining there about six years when the family came to Black Hawk County, Iowa. The father was a native of Rensselaer County, New York, born Au- gust 7, 1807, living there till after his mar- riage, his wife being also born in that coun- ty, the date of her birth being May 20, 1810. They were the parents of four chil- dren-S. G., our subject, the eldest child ; A. W., Charles D., and Emma G., wife of Clark Pattee, living in Dakota. After com- ing to Black Hawk County the family first settled in East Waterloo Township, but about six months later moved to Mt. Vernon Township and settled on section 31, and in the spring of 1860 the family settled on section 29, where the father died March 19, 1873. The mother is at present liv- ing alone on the old homestead. S. G. came with his parents to Black Hawk County in October, 1853. He was reared a farmer and has always followed agricult- ural pursuits. He assisted his father on his farm till twenty-eight years of age when he began farming for himself. He has been quite successful in his farming operations and now owns about sixty acres on section 29 and 180 acres on section 30. Mr. Lev-
ersee was married December 24, 1865, to Emma J. Eyeston, who was born February 4, 1845, in Wyandot County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Lundy) Eyeston, the father born in Ross County, Ohio, January 8, 1815, and the mother born March 3, 1822, near Paterson, New Jersey, the parents coming to this county July 3, 1853, and locating on section 30, Mt. Ver- non Township. Mr. and Mrs. Leversee are the parents of six children-William D., born October 14, 1866; Florence A., born in 1868; Marquis A., born October 17, 1875; Samuel T., born April 19, 1877 ; Amos C., born March 6, 1879, and Rena E., born October 3, 1881, all natives of Mount Vernon Township, this county. Mrs. Leversee in religious faith is a Second Day Adventist. In politics Mr. Leversee affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served his township as road supervisor about eight years and has been township trustee about nine years.
ILLIAM MCKNIGHT LAW, a native of Ontario, Canada, was born March 24, 1854, a son of William and Mary (Bradley) Law, natives of England. The father im- migrated to Canada when twenty-one years of age, the mother living in that country from her tenth year till after her marriage. Their nine children were born in Canada, six of whom are yet living- Robert, now a resident of Kansas; Thomas R., living in Nebraska; Catherine, wife of O. R. Fritts, of Grundy County, Iowa; William McKnight, our subject, and Henry J., of Kimball County, Dakota. The par- ents moved to this county with their family in 1868 making their home in Black Hawk. Township till 1878, since which time they have lived at Cedar Falls, retired from active life. William McKnight Law came with his parents to this county, where he
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has since resided, and still resides on the homestead of his father, on section 19, Black Hawk Township, which contains 320 acres of land. He farms 200 acres of this land, the remainder, 120 acres, being rented out to tenants. Mr. Law was married August 20, 1878, to Miss Eliza J. Law, daughter of Robert Law, a prominent coal merchant of Chicago. This union has been blessed with three children -Ralph Allen, William Rob- ert and Harvey. In politics Mr. Law casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
UDSON BURR, son of Hudson and Martha Burr, residing on sec- tion 23, Big Creek Township, Black Hawk County, is engaged as a short-hand reporter, which occu- pation he has followed for several years. He was married in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1865, to Miss Helen Camp, a daughter of Asa and Margaret Camp, who were pio- neers of this county, and of the four chil- dren born to this union three are living- Helen L., H. Gurdon and Florence J. A daughter, Margaret, is deceased. The home farm contains 350 acres of choice land, which is managed principally by Mrs. Burr, and which she has brought under excellent cultivation, and occa- sionally adding to the farm by purchas- ing a piece of land. Mrs. Burr is a woman of good business ability, and is con- sidered a better financier than half the men in the township. The Burr family came to this county about ten years ago, and are respected members of society, having made many friends during their residence here. Mrs. Burr's parents had a family of eight children-Roswell, of Wisconsin ; James, of La Porte City ; Guston, of New York ; Frances M., wife of Henry Barnes, a Bap- tist minister of New York; Sarah A., de- ceased wife of Aaron Steel, of New York ;
Mary E., of California ; Helen, wife of our subject, and Louisa, wife of James Holmes, of New York. Mr. Burr is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
EWIS CLARK, farmer and stock- raiser, Spring Creek Township, lives on section 27, where he has a fine farm of 320 acres, all under cul- tivation. He was but ten years of age when his parents came to Black Hawk County and here he was reared and educated, attending in his youth the pioneer schools. He was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1844, a son of John and Barbara Clark. His parents came to lowa in 1854 and settled in Spring Creek Township, where the father died. The mother now makes her home with her son William. He has been successful in his agricultural pursuits and is now among the prosperous and well-to-do citizens of Spring Creek Township. In politics he is a Democrat. He has served in several of- ficial relations; among others has been road supervisor and school director, he taking a special interest in educational matters. He was married April 9, 1865, to Hester A. Howell, daughter of Stephen and Mary Howell. They have three children-Will- iam, James L. and Lewis.
F. BINGHAM, section 13, Fox Township, was born in Mont- gomery County, New York, July 18, 1812, a son of Abial and Sarah (Fowler) Bingham, natives of Con- necticut. He was married in New York in 1837 to Mary Mills, a native of that State, born July 29, 1814, daughter of Frederick and Alathina Mills. They have a family of five children-Ellen S., wife of L. A. Proctor, of Milwaukee; Mary, wife of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. D. Mills, of New York; Abial M., living on a part of the farm, married Nina Cy- press; Julia, wife of Frederick E. Mills, and Ida E. Mr. Bingham is one of the old- est settlers of the county, and is one of its most prosperous farmers. His homestead contains 520 acres of land, and his building improvements are models of comfort and convenience. In addition to attending to the cultivation of his land, he has erected a factory building and is engaged in the manufacture of butter, buying the milk of the farmers of his neighborhood. His but- ter is of a good grade and brings the high- est market price. In politics Mr. Bingham is a Republican. His grandfather was a hero of the war of the Revolution, and the love of his native country is one of the inheritances transmitted to him from his ancestors.
HARLES L. DEAN, son of Fes- tus A. and Hannah (Price) Dean, was born April 30, 1835, a native of Canada West, where he was reared to manhood, and educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Wisconsin, where he remained two years. He then re- moved to Bremer County, Iowa, where he improved a farm, and there followed farm- ing and stock-raising till 1884, when he re- moved with his family to Black Hawk County, and at once settled on his present farm, where he is engaged in general farm- ing. He is also engaged in raising stock, mak- ing a specialty of Clydesdale horses and Chester White hogs. Mr. Dean is an act- ive and enterprising farmer, and by his own good management he has accumulated a handsome property, he having begun life in Bremer County without means. The farm on which he now resides contains eighty acres of choice land, with good im- provements. Mr. Dean was married in
1868, to Roxana Drew, a native of Canada East, but at the time of her marriage a resi- dent of Wisconsin. They have one child, named Handy A. Mrs. Dean, mother of our subject, is still living, and is now a resi- dent of Michigan.
RANK COTTON, son of William and Eliza Cotton, was born in Winnebago County, Illinois, the date of his birth being November 25, 1851. He lived in the State of Illi- nois till 1873 when he came with his father's family to Black Hawk County where he has since resided on the home- stead farm on section 35, Cedar Falls Town- ship, where he is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was mar- ried December 4, 1881, to Miss Sarah Por- ter, daughter of Ezekiel and Ann W. Por- ter. Her mother is deceased, and her father is now a resident of Cedar Falls Township. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cotton-Harry E., born September 8, 1881, and Edna M., born No- vember 14, 1883. Mr. Cotton has served very acceptably as school director. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and are attendants of Fields' Chapel. William Cotton, father of our subject, is a native of Washington County, New York, a son of Aaron and Susannah (Rich) Cotton. His ancestors settled in the New England States prior to the war of the Revolution. Mr. Cotton has been twice married, both of his wives being deceased, his second wife dying March 21, 1885. He had a family of twelve children of whom six are yet living- Alonzo S., Albert J., Frank, Ella, Ida M. and Arthur P. William Cotton left New York State about the year 1837, locating in Lake County, Ohio, where he remained till 1844. He then removed to Illinois,
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
settling in Winnebago County among the early settlers. He made his home in Win- nebago County till 1873 when he settled in Cedar Falls Township, Black Hawk County, where he followed farming for years, being classed among the best farmers and citizens of that township.
OSEPH GIBSON, the genial pro- prietor of the Gibson House, at Cedar Falls, is a native of Eng- land, a son of John and Alice Gib- son. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and there served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade. He immigrated to America some thirty years ago, and after spending several years in Lee County, Illinois, he came to Cedar Falls, locating here in the fall of 1865. He was a skillful and reliable workman, and for many years was the leading blacksmith of the place. September 22, 1861, Mr. Gib- son was united in marriage to Miss Ange- line Jacobs, daughter of Benjamin and Lu- cinda Jacobs, both of whom died in Cedar Falls. Two daughters have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Gibson-Nellie A. and Mabel M., of whom the former is deceased. Mr. Gibson opened his present hotel in the fall of 1882, and through his good management it has become one of the most popular houses in the county. In his political views Mr. Gibson casts his suffrage with the Re- publican party. Heis a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows.
ILLIAM CLARK, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Spring Creek Township, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1846, a son of John and Barbara Clark. His parents moved to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1854, and
here he was reared. His parents died in this county leaving a large estate to their children, which they had acquired by many years of arduous toil and frugality. There was a family of eight children-Simon, now of Missouri; George, Lewis, Andrew, Henry, Nancy, wife of John Howery; Emeline, wife of D. B. Teeter, and William. William Clark was reared in Black Hawk County, receiving a fair education in the common schools. He has been an indus- trious man, and has added to the estate left him by his father until he now owns 343 acres of fair land. He is one of the prominent residents of the township, and has held many local positions of trust. In politics he is a Democrat. He was mar- ried January 1, 1873, to Ada Wallace, daughter of James Wallace, of Benton County.
ILLIAM BOWN has been a resi- dent of Black Hawk County, Iowa, since 1853, in which year he settled on his present farm on section 10, Cedar Township. He is a native of England, born in Not- tingham, February 6, 1827, remaining in that country till twenty-one years of age. He then came to the United States with his parents, Samuel and Eleanor Bown, who settled in Illinois, subsequently coming to Cedar Township, this county, where both died many years ago. While living with his parents in Illinois William Bown went to California, where he was engaged in mining for three years, and on his return joined his parents, who had, during his absence, settled in Cedar Township. He was married October 4, 1854, to Miss Martha Hall, who was born in Chenango County, New York, in 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Abigail Hall. When she was fourteen years of age her parents moved to Lake County, New York, where her father died.
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Her mother is still living in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Bown have six children -Emma, wife of Albert J. Peck, of Cedar Falls Township; Charles W. and John A., in business at La Porte, under the firm name of Bown Brothers & Hunt; Ida O., Ira E. and Omar A., living with their parents. Luella M., the youngest child, died at the age of one year. Mr. Bown was one of the first settlers of Cedar Township, and was formerly one of its most active citi- zens, but for the past ten years has been an invalid. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, owning at one time 640 acres. He has given eighty acres to each of his sons, and one of his daughters owns 320 acres of improved land, beside sixty acres of timber land. Politically Mr. Bown casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party.
ENRY DREESE was born Feb- ruary 22, 1844, in Pennsylvania, his parents, Henry and Eliza Dreese, being natives of the same State. Of four children born to his parents three survive-Joseph, Henry and Matilda. He was reared and educated in the schools of Pennsylvania, and Decem- ber 24, 1868, was married to Louisa Miller, daughter of Michael and Catherine Miller. This union has been blessed with one son- William M., born November 29, 1871. Mr. Dreese continued to reside in his native State after his marriage, and in 1883 re- moved with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, locating in Cedar Falls Township, where he has since been suc- cessfully engaged in farming and stock- raising, and is now the owner of 155 acres of well-cultivated land on section 26. In February, 1864, Mr. Dreese enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty- ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving under 49
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