USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 11
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Exceptions were taken to Judge Harris along political lines, as a news- paper editor and proprietor and politician, especially during war times and the reconstruction period. He was prominent in the Democratic party and in harmony with its doctrines, tenets and traditions. He denounced the war in strong terms, and was in sympathy with the South. His paper was considered detrimental to the Union cause. The soldiers, who were then dodging rebel bullets in the army, looked with disfavor and hatred upon those in the rear who were acting against their best interests, and re- garded those who were not with them as against them. It was a desperate situation-a case of life or death to the soldiers who were fighting in a just cause for their rights-which is now the verdict of the world, including the Southern people themselves. To err is human. Judge Harris probably lived to regret some things he said and did. Near the time of his death he published in his paper: "In looking back over the past ninety years' history of our life, we feel that, with our experience, if we had the journey to make over, we would shun politics as we would a plague." In the year of his death there appeared in his paper an article from his own pen on the
centennial of the birth of Lincoln, the tenor of which was all that a patriotic American could desire; but in marked contrast with the sentiments ex- pressed in his earlier writings. He was for many years a Free Mason and an Odd Fellow. He died at Missouri Valley, October 9, 1911. Mrs. Harris died in 1898. Their children were as follow: Mary Isabella, married John Crane; William James, married Flora Townsend; Daniel Webster, never married; Clarinda Campbell, married John Lahman; John Wiley, married Hattie Toft; Robert Henry, married Frances Chapman; Ellis Nathaniel,
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married Essie Rainberger; Edwin Freeman, married Emma Jones; Virginia Tennessee, married Will Rutledge; Emma Eudora, married Charles Russell.
THE LEWISES.
Thomas T. Lewis married Sarah G. Meek, a sister to Rev. Richard C. Meek. They lived in Wayne county, Indiana, whence they moved to Niles, Michigan, in 1833. The family then migrated to Jones county, Iowa; thence to Kansas. Mr. Lewis had died before the family came here, and Mrs. Lewis lived with her son, Isaac, afterwards. The family, consisting of three sons, Richard M., Thomas S., and Isaac V. D., and their families, and a married daughter, the wife of Dennis Parmeley, came to Audubon county in October, 1854.
Richard Meek Lewis, who married Elizabeth Lewis, sister of Hon. William Walker, was a carpenter, who settled in section 26, now in Exira township, and sold his place to Whitman Wilcox. It is now part of the Benjamin F. Simpson estate. They then settled and lived many years in Oakfield; moved to Sheridan, Wyoming; thence to Casper, Wyoming. He was a class leader and prominent in the Methodist church many years. He died at Casper. Before marriage to Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Lewis had a daughter, Malvina, who married Thomas Roland, who settled in Audubon county. Mr. Lewis died in Casper. He had two daughters, Josephine, who married H. Moffit, and Albertine, who married William Allan Hamlin.
Thomas Shelton Lewis, married, first, Josephine B. Caylor, and, second, May Jorden. He was a farmer and a Democrat. He settled in section 25, Exira township. After the death of his first wife he moved to another place, about a mile west of his former home. He was the first county judge in 1855. In his official capacity he laid out the town of Dayton, as the first county seat of Audubon county, on July 9, 1855, on the land of his uncle, Rev: Richard C. Meek, the east half of the northwest quarter of section 22, Exira township. His first farm adjoined that of his brother, Isaac, and for many years they were embraced in Audubon civil township as the county was originally divided. The township was overwhelmingly Democratic and it was his fortune for many years to hold the office of justice of the peace ; and he also often served as judge of election. In early times, before he was admitted to the bar, he figured in actions before justices of the peace and inferior tribunals. Some amusing incidents transpired relative to him in his legal capacity. Once he was counsel for a party sued on a promissory note. The defendant, under oath, denied his signature to the note, and the
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affidavit was prepared by Mr. Lewis. The proof was overwhelming that the signature to the note was genuine, and the man was afterwards prose- cuted for perjury before John A. Hallock, justice of the peace, for making the false affidavit, the present writer acting for the prosecution. Mr. Griggs defended and the defendant made an affidavit for change of venue, in which he swore that he could not obtain justice before Mr. Hallock, or Mr. Harrington, or Mr. Smart, who were justices of the peace, or before any other justice of the peace in Audubon county, except T. S. Lewis. And the case was sent to Mr. Lewis for trial. Of course, the state could not obtain a change of venue from him. The defense attempted to exclude from the evidence the false affidavit of the defendant, in which he swore that his name signed to the note sued on was not his genuine signature. The trial took up a day and part of the night, and the contest was over the admis- sion of the affidavit in evidence. It was repeatedly offered and admitted, only to be stricken out on objection of defendant's counsel, the court being too ready to accept any subterfuge offered. The affidavit was not only false, but it compromised Mr. Lewis, who had prepared and filed it for the defendant. The situation was uncomfortable for the court, as well as for the defendant. Finally the court suggested-I believed to assist me-"Mr. Andrews, state your question thusly." And the interrogatory was framed accordingly. Mr. Griggs apparently supposed that the court was about to admit the evidence, but, out of abundant obstinacy and force of habit, ob- jected, supported by the usual harangue, when, to the amazenient of every one present, the court sustained the objection to his own question, cun- ningly observing: "I suggested the question to enable the court to be con- sistent with its former ruling." The laugh was certainly on me with a vengeance. Uncle Charley Gray, a bright old lawyer, present, exploded with laughter, and said that it was the most ridiculous performance he ever wit- nessed in court. The prosecution was abandoned in despair.
On another occasion, Mr. Churchill, of Atlantic, was trying a case be- fore Mr. Lewis, where Mr. Griggs and John W. Scott were defending. The plaintiff sought to introduce the testimony of the wife of defendant against her husband, to which proper objection was made, and a heated discussion arose over it. The court ruled that the lady should answer, upon which Griggs directed the witness not to answer. But she said: "The court orders me to answer." "Never mind what he says. You are not compelled to testify against your husband. Observe my directions and I will protect you." The court informed Griggs that he was in contempt, and that he should fine him if he repeated his conduct. Mr. Griggs replied that he re-
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spected the court, but that he had utter contempt for his ruling, and the court fined him. The contest continued along the same line until Griggs was repeatedly fined, when an adjournment was taken. During intermis- sion Mr. Lewis and Mr. Griggs, who were personal friends, had a private interview, and when court convened "His Honor" announced: "I was not aware of the position of counsel in this matter, and the fines for contempt are remitted." Then Mr. Churchill interfered and objected to the order of court, when Mr. Scott took a hand, pointedly asked Mr. Churchill if it was any of his business, and offered to whip him on short notice. Churchill admitted that it was not his affair, and the case proceeded again, with ill temper between counsel. Another question arose and was discussed pro and con until the lawyers got weary and sat down, when the court inquired : "What is the question, gentlemen?"
Years ago there was a place near the center of Audubon township, called "Indian Grove," from the fact that it was a large tract of burr oak trees, which were desirable for fence posts and were slyly sought and ap- propriated by some of the new settlers in that vicinity by "jayhawking" theni. Mr. Griggs was employed to prosecute the offenders and proceeded to the scene of action, accompanied by the justice of the peace, Mr. Lewis, and the sheriff, Mr. Comrardy. Arriving there, they surprised the tres- passers at work and took them redhanded, cutting down trees and loading timber, causing a panic and stampede. Some of the bushwhackers escaped, but three were arrested, including a preacher, who in the "skeddadle" lost his plug hat and, in attempting to rescue it, was nabbed. Court was held on the field, occupying a stump for the forum. Fines and costs were assessed calculated to discourage further transgressions. The court and counsel returned well satisfied with their success. The affair was afterward styled "The Circle Court of Audubon County." Mr. Lewis was admitted to the bar along in the seventies. He moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where he died in 1904.
His children by his first wife were, Emery V., who married Mary ; Eliza. deceased, who married Thomas Adams; Eldora, who mar- ried, first, Roland Strahl and, second, Smith Burton; Marilla, married Bert Poage; Minnie, married Samuel Crane. By his second wife, Mr. Lewis became the father of Herman, Thomas S. and Todd.
Isaac VanDorsey Lewis, carpenter and farmer, married Mary Jane White. He resided many years in section 26, Exira township, on the west side of the highway opposite from his brother, Thomas S., and, later, a short distance north in section 24. While living at this place, his house was
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burned. He has since lived many years with his son, Elbert, in section 22. He is a Democrat and has been a prominent citizen. He was one of the judges of election at the organization of the county, in 1855, and has been assessor, trustee, school director, school treasurer and county supervisor. He was a member of the first Methodist church society organized in the county, and the scribe, in 1855, and for many years a faithful worker and supporter of the church. A large amount of information concerning the history of Audubon county for this work was obtained from him. Mrs. Lewis died years ago. Their children are: Elbert, who married Elizabeth Slonaker; Edward, married Blanch E. Spry; Estella, married Ralph Hawk; Henry Clay, married Bertha Spry; William E., married Winifred Hawk; Malvina, married Charles Spry.
Bryant Milliman was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, November 16, 1828. His parents died when he was two years old and he lived with his grandfather, near Niagara Falls, New York, until fifteen years old, when he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was married there on December 5, 1852, to Jane Heath, sister of Amherst, Milton and Mark Heath. Mr. Milliman and wife came with a team from Fort Wayne and arrived in Audubon county in June, 1854. He soon became owner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter and lots 17, 18 and 19, in section 4, Exira township. having bought the claims of William Powell and William Shirley to some of these tracts of land, and the remainder was entered from the govern- ment. He owned over one hundred acres of this land and resided on it at his death. His first house and barn were erected on lot 17. The old house 110w forms the kitchen of the dwelling of Miss Amber Kelsey in the town of Exira. He was a Democrat. He died in August, 1912. "Aunt Jane" lives on the old homestead. Their children were: William H., unmarried ; Frank, who went blind and died unmarried; Charles N., married Ione Brinkerhoff; George W., married Mrs. Maggie Johnson; Jessie M., un- married; Marsh Edgar, married Lillie Johnson.
Miles Beers, wife and family, came from Delaware county, New York, in 1854, and settled on section 18, Exira township. He was a farmer and a Democrat. He was the first treasurer and recorder of Audubon county in 1855. His farm is now owned by Owen F. Ide, Esq. He and his wife died many years ago. Their children were, John W., unmarried; David B. and Jane, who married Oliver Smith.
John W. Beers came with his father. He was one of the clerks at the first election in Audubon county in April, 1855, at which he was elected clerk of the district court and county surveyor. He died early.
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David B. Beers and his father lived together many years, until his father's death. He married, first, late in life, Mrs. Lowly A., widow of Amherst Heath. For his second wife, he married Mrs. Leigan. He was a farmer and a school teacher. He succeeded to his father's farm. After marriage he lived in section 29, Exira township, on his wife's estate, but is now living in Brayton, Iowa. He is a Democrat and served as county superintendent and county surveyor. His children are, Eva, who married Calvin Dimick; Nellie, married Mr. Badd, and Lona C., also married.
Samuel Smith was born near Liverpool, England, and married Mary Farrell. He was a farmer and gardener. The family left Liverpool and, six weeks later, landed in New Orleans; thence he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, during the holidays of that year, and located in Clifton, a suburb of that city, and thence to Loveland, Ohio, two years later. In the spring of 1854 they came to Audubon county. (See sketch of Samuel M. Ballard. ) He bought land in section 14. Hamlin township, which he sold to Josephus Lewis. His wife died in 1856-7, and, late in life, he married Mrs. Louann Bailey, and went to live on her estate in section 14, Exira township, where he soon died. He was an upholder of the Union and a stanch Repub- lican. His sons, John. James and William, were soldiers in the Union army. The children born to him were as follow: Betsey, who remained in Eng- land. and died in 1856 or 1857; Sarah, who died in Ohio in 1856; Mary F .. married James Dalton ; John F., unmarried : Eliza, married John W. Dodge ; William F., married Cimanthia Hamlin; James, married Elizabeth O'Con- nell ; Samuel, unmarried; a son who died at sea, and Lizzie E., who mar- ried James Peaslee.
Rev. Richard Collins Meek was born in Kentucky, whence he went to Wayne county, Indiana, where he was educated, taught school and entered the ministry in the Methodist church. He preached in Indiana until 1833, then went to Niles, Michigan, and continued preaching in northern Indiana and in Michigan until 1850. When the Methodist church split, in 1844. he joined the Methodist church, South. He went to Holt county, Missouri, whence he came to Audubon county in 1855. He bought his first home here from Walter J. Jardine in section 27, in what is now Exira township. He entered, and also secured by purchase, several hundred acres of brush land east and south of the "Big Grove." The town of Dayton, in section 22, was laid out on his land. He was a Democrat, and his sympathies were with the South. During the war he was at an Indian mission school in Kansas, and returned here at the close of the war, in 1865. He was deeply interested in religious affairs, and was a preacher of more than
.
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ordinary ability, but exceedingly old-fashioned. He often preached here to attentive audiences. His wife was Eliza Tatman, better known as "Aunty Meek." They were truly pious people, and of most unblemished characters. She was a homeopathic physician, but not a general practitioner. He bought the old first school house in Exira, and converted it into a dwelling, where he sometimes lived, and alternately on his farm. Once, in early times, there
REV. R. C. MEEK AND WIFE
was a log-rolling just across the county line south of Ballard's timber, to put up a log cabin. As was usual on such occasions, they had some whisky to help the job along. While the work was progressing, the crowd saw Mr. Meek approaching and proposd to joke him. Knowing that he opposed tippling. they offered him the bottle and invited him to drink. Good naturedly, he accepted the bottle, remarking: "Yes, I think I will. Mrs. Meek has been wanting some to make 'Camfine,' and will be pleased to get it, thank you." And he put it in his pocket and rode away. The boys
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concluded that the joke didn't work as intended. He died on his farm about 1873-4. After his death, there was considerable controversy over his estate. He attempted to convey a large part of it to the church and to other kindred purposes, contrary to law, as it turned out. The provisions of the will in that respect were defeated. John M. Griggs displayed marked ability in conducting the cases for the estate, and recovered most of the property for Mrs. Meek.
Griggs's success with the business exalted him to the top notch in the estimation of "Aunty," besides netting him a handsome reimbursement for his professional skill and service. And, perhaps, learning that he was the son of a Methodist presiding elder, did not decrease her admiration. At any rate, from that time onward he stood in "high feather" with Mrs. Meek -so much so, that she made it a point to frequently consult his opinion on divers subjects. During the "grasshopper year," 1875, the prospect of losing the crops by those pests, looked probable. One day, in the worst of the scare, "Aunty" called at John's office to take advice whether it would be propitious to call the people together for a general meeting to pray to have the grasshoppers removed, and earnestly sought his best judgment on the subject in the very best of good faith. John was puzzled for once. It was out of his line. So he cautiously told the old lady: "It can do no harm to try." And then the spirit of mischief and mirth tempted him further to advise: "When the people come to the meeting, let them all go down into the timber and cach secure a good brush, and then they can kill a great many grasshoppers in that way." She accepted his remark with a cool- ness which savored of her doubt of his sincerity. However, about that time the hoppers unanimously rose up in a twinkling and flew away, never since to return. Who can say whether the good intentions of "Aunty" Meek did not hasten their departure? She was a strong temperance woman, a thorn in the flesh in her day to the "booze venders." and she actively en- gaged in prosecution of the dealers in intoxicating liquor. Mr. Meek and his good wife were childless.
THE HALLOCKS.
Isaac Peter Hallock, Sr., was a lineal descendant of Peter Hallock, who came from Hingham, Norfolk, England, to New Haven, Connecticut. in 1640, and who settled at Southold, Long Island, New York. He was born in Clinton, New York, January 6. 1802, and married Abigail Howland Smith, a native of Massachusetts. He moved from New York state to
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Chicago in 1830, and soon settled in Kendall county, Illinois, where he lived many years. He then went to Earlville, Illinois, where he was en- gaged in the lumber business a short time. In 1854-5 he and his son-in-law, Erasmus D. Bradley, bought, from Samuel B. Hopkins, the John S. Jenkins claim in section 20, now Exira township, and upon which Mr. Bradley and his partner, Alva B. Brown, afterwards laid out the town of Oakfield upon Mr. Bradley's portion. The balance of the purchase remains in possession of the Hallocks to the present time. Mr. Hallock and his son, Isaac, and perhaps other members of the family went to Omaha, Nebraska, about the time of making this purchase, but returned to Oakfield in 1856, and per- inanently settled there on the site of the present Hallock homestead. They resided with their son, Isaac, who succeeded to his father's estate, which is now possessed by a grandson, Isaac Percy Hallock. They were Quak- ers. He and his sons were stanch Republicans. He served as county judge in 1863-4, and afterwards was postmaster and justice of the peace. Both died at Oakfield years ago. Their children were as follow: Eliza- beth, who married Thomas Dissmore; Richard S., married Julia Burr; Julia Ann, married Erasmus D. Bradley; John Addison, married Catherine Crane; Sarah Melissa, married Joel H. Basham, and Isaac Peter, married Malinda Ann Norton.
Richard S. Hallock, M. D., married Julia Burr. He came from Omaha, Nebraska, to Oakfield, in 1856, where he was a successful physician and surgeon many years. He owned several farms and timber lands. He was surgeon of a United States colored regiment in the Union army. He was a Republican in politics. He moved to Salida, Colorado, where he died about 1890. He was the father of the following children: Robert Burns, who married Ossia Orton; Kansas Irene, married Hardy M. Clark; Julia, married George Simmons; Jennie, married William Fuller, and Burr.
Hon. John Addison Hallock married Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Ann (Eckman) Crane. He came to Audubon county about 1856, and was a farmer and successful school teacher. He settled on lot 13, section 3, adjoining the town of Exira on the east. He taught school in Guthrie Center, at Exira and at the Green school. As the town increased his land was required for suburban residences, and now forms a large part of the town. The Congregational church was built on his land. A Republican in politics, he was clerk of the district court, 1863-4; justice of the peace, 1868, and later representative. In 1878 'he was a merchant at Exira, but moved to Salida, Colorado, in the eighties, where Mrs. Hallock died. He (9)
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was an agnostic. There was an unusual amount of gun play in this family. The son, Charles, was accidentally wounded by a mob in Colorado; George shot and killed Colbert Strahl and at the same time wounded Jesse Mill- hollin near Oakfield, in 1883; Willis was shot and seriously wounded in Elkhorn the same year, in the celebrated horse thief mob case, and Frank was afterwards shot and killed in Colorado. The children were: Charles, who married Anna Burbank; George, married Lucy Norton; Willis, mar- ried Belle Overholt; Frank, Grace and Ray.
Isaac Peter Hallock, Jr., was born in Kendall county, Illinois, on March 21, 1840. He married at Oakfield, Iowa, in 1868, Malinda, the daughter of William Canfield and Harriet Ruth (Thayer) Norton, and who was born at Springwater, New York, May 16, 1845. He was a farmer, stock grower and merchant. He came to Oakfield in 1856, with his father, before the town was laid out, and they afterwards lived there together the remainder of their lives. He was a quiet, busy man, generally loved and respected by his kindred and neighbors. He had a large landed estate and was a wealthy man at his death. At one time he owned a flouring-mill at Oakfield and had a general store there several years. He had a fine deer park, containing a large herd of native wild deer, which finally escaped and were lost. He was a Republican, was county supervisor in 1883, and held local offices. His landed estate is now possessed by his sons, Keese and Percy. He is dead and his wife died in 1907. Their children were: Harriett Abbie, who married John Curry; Clarence Keese, married Olive Jenkins, and Isaac Percy, unmarried.
Hon. William Walker, son of Joseph and Catherine (Sheridan) Walker, was born in Huron county, Ohio, March 2, 1834. On February 18, 1858, he married Nancy Jane, daughter of William Henry Harrison and Eliza (Watson) Bowen. His father was a native of England, and it is traditional that he served in the British army under the Duke of Welling- ton. William Walker was a farmer and stockraiser. He went with his parents, in 1835, to Niles, Michigan, and came to Audubon county in 1855. He was a Republican in politics and served as representative. He was large landowner, and resided on Troublesome creek, in Audubon township. He was also a merchant in Exira for several years. He was a member of Exodus Lodge No. 342, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in religion was a Congregationalist. He died at Exira in 1899. His chil- dren were as follow: John E., who married Ida VanSlyke; Charles W., deceased; Francis A., deceased; Laura A., married James D. Barhan ; Ulysses S., married Louisa Marsh; Lula May, married James B. Rendle-
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man; Olive M., married Ralph D. Hawk; Eva J., married Charles Jenkins ; Jay Grant, married Jessie Pratt.
David L. Anderson, a native of Virginia, married in Highland county, Ohio, in 1840, Mary Smith. He was a blacksmith and farmer. He went to Highland county, Ohio, in 1839; thence to Wappelo county, Iowa, in 1849; to Marion county, Iowa, in 1851, and to Audubon county in 1855. He lived at Exira before the town was laid out. He was a Republican and served as justice of the peace, school director and first postmaster at Exira. He was a famous hunter in his day. He and his son, John, served in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. Another son, William, was killed in the army. He died at Audubon in 1901, and his wife died at Exira in 1900. Their chil- dren were, William S., unmarried; Lysanius M., married Tryphena S. Hopkins; John A., unmarried, murdered in 1883; Samuel, married Hannah Hughes; Catherine, married John McFadden; Laura, married William E. Hensley; Adelbert, married Elizabeth
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