History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 104

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 104

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).

He is a successful, substantial farmer, and a sound Re- publican.

M. J. Sampson was born in Scott, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, December 31st. He came to Iowa in 1870, and settled upon his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, previously purchased, in Fremont township. He built the house in which he lives and made all the improvements upon the place himself. Mr. Sampson is finely situated, and has a pleasant home. He has an orchard and plenty of shade trees. He married in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1851, Miss Mary A. Prindle, who was born in Otsego county, New York, August 11, 1829. They have four children living and seven deceased: Mary E., born December 7, 1852, married John Bloom, and resides in this township; Alvin L., born February 4, 1855, died April 30, 1855; Clara E., born April 7, 1856, married George Jenks, and re- sides in this township; Charles W., born September 4, 1858, died December 16, 1868; Milo J., jr., born No- vember 16, 1859; Alice E., born June 13, 1862, died October 5, 1879; Addison J., born December 6, 1864, died in February, 1865; Hattie L., born August 18, 1866, died October 25, 1866; March L., born March 1, 1868, died March 9, 1868; Grace E., born October 14, 1869, died December 23, 1869; Fannie J., born April 27, 1871. Mr. Sampson is one of Buchanan's good citi- zens and substantial farmers. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

C. W. Scovill was born in Canada October 26, 1833. He enlisted in Wisconsin August 14, 1862, in the Twen- ty-second Wisconsin infantry, and served three years as corporal in company C. He was in several of the severest engagements of the war; was with Sherman through the famous "march to the sea;" was once cap- tured by the rebels and detained among them three months. The greater part of this time was passed in that den of horrors known as Libby prison. He came to this county in September, 1865, and located on the farm where he now lives, in the northern part of Fre- mont township. Mr. Scovill does a good farming busi- ness, runs a creamery, and keeps seventy cows. He was married in Bloomfield, Wisconsin, in 1859, to Miss Pri- scilla Bridges, who was born in Walworth county, Wis- consin, April 10, 1841. They have three children liv- ing: Charles H., born August 5, 1859: Lennah M., born November 30, 1867; Robert C., born November 31, 1871; Leona M., born May 23, 1874, died September 9, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are members of the Method- ist church. They are well situated in a nice home, and seem to enjoy life. They have hosts of friends, and de- serve the esteem bestowed upon them. Mr. Scovill has held the offices of trustee, director, supervisor, etc. He has always been a good, honest Republican.

Sidney Brooks was born in Chautauqua county, New York, October 28, 1827. He bought the place on which | he now resides, in Fremont, in 1865, and moved upon it in 1866. Ile built his present residence in 1872; has one hundred and seventy-five acres, including timber. His farm is well improved. He keeps a good stock of cattle, and is reckoned among our prosperous farmers.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

Mr. Brooks was among the earliest settlers in this por- tion of the State, and experienced many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He came here with very little property, and has earned, through his own exer- tions, all that he now possesses. He married Hannah L. Woolcott in 1851. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, April 5, 1834. They have five chil- dren living and five deceased: Sarah M., born November 28, 1852, died October 6, 1853; Eli M., born October 30, 1854. died March 15, 1861; Olive L., born Novem- ber 9, 1856, died March 21, 1861; Ezra N., born Janu- ary 3, 1859, died January 4, 1859; Mary Jane, born June 11, 1860; Letitia, born May I, 1863, Jes- se A., born April 10, 1866; Eliza, born May 5, 1869; Jane, born October 10, 1873; Frank S., born May 27, 1877, died August 16, 1879. Mr. Brooks and his oldest daughter are members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Brooks belongs to the Free Baptist de- nomination. Mr. Brooks is a straight Republican, and bears the name of an honest, upright man.

Edmund Grant was born in Utica, New York, May 15, 1836. He left New York at the age of sixteen, and came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he resided fif- teen years, being engaged in farming. He came to Fre- mont township in 1869, and purchased the farm of three hundred and twenty acres on which he now lives. Mr. Grant has made the most of the improvements upon the place himself. He does a large farming business, and is one of the sound, honest farmers of this county. He keeps a good stock of cattle and horses. Mrs. Grant, his mother, is still living, at the age of sixty-seven. His father, David Grant, died in June, 1872, at the age of sixty-two. Mr. Grant is a member of the Catholic church. He is an agreeable, intelligent gentleman, has a host of friends, and bears a most excellent reputation among his neighbors.

Nicholas V. Norman was born in Somersetshire, Eng- land, June 15, 1819, and came to America in 1848. In 1864 he came to Fremont township, this county, arriving in March, and purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives, two miles from Winthrop. He has made several additions to his farm, and now owns four hundred and twenty acres in all. He built the house where he now lives in 1869; it is one of the pleas- antest homes in the township. There is a fine young orchard upon the place, also a large number of shade trees. Mr. Norman was married in Ohio in 1849 to Miss Mary A. Taylor, who was born in Somersetshire, Eng- land, May 1, 1830. They have ten children living, and one deceased. The following are their names and ages in 1880: Freeman N., aged twenty-nine, June roth ; Frances A., twenty-eight, November Ist, married Edgar Hermans, and resides in Fayette county; Albert, twenty- six, August 12th; Charles, twenty-four, August Ist ; Ida M., twenty-two, July 14th, married Richard Baden, and resides in Liberty township; Frederick S., twenty, July 15th ; Henry, eighteen, April 12th, Grant died at the age of nine, in August, 1873; Lucy A., fourteen, September 14th; Lafayette N., twelve, December 14th; Homer E., seven, December 7th. Mr. and Mrs. Nor-

man were members of the Church of England, and have held to its principles since coming to America. They are agreeable, intelligent, and highly respected people. Mr. Norman is a sound Republican, and a most worthy citizen of this county. Mr. Norman has held several township offices.

Harvey Griswold was born in Saratoga county, New York, June 16, 1818, and has always been a farmer. He came to Fremont township in the spring of 1862, and commenced work on the farm on which he still lives. He entered about four hundred acres at Government price in 1857 ; has sold all but one hundred and sixty acres of the original tract ; has also purchased eighty, so that now he has two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Griswold has a nice house and excellent farm buildings, and there is a good orchard on his place. He built the house in which he lives in 1862, previous to the coming of his family. His farm was a wild lot, and there were but three or four houses visible from his place at this time. He was mar- ried in Janesville, Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1857, to Miss Mary E. Dillenbeck, who was born in Montgomery county, New York, March 20, 1832. They have five children-Henry J., who was twenty-two November 13, 1880; Arthur M., twenty-one, April 5, 1881; Ida E., nineteen, January 30, 1880; Lizzie A., seventeen, De- cember 10, 1880; Willie E., fourteen, October 7, 1880. Mrs. Griswold's mother, Mrs. Kate Dillenbeck, is living with her daughter. She was seventy-two February 9, ISSI. Mr. Griswold is one of our most substantial farmers, and has done much to advance the prosperity of this county. He is a good, straight Republican, and a most worthy citizen. He has been county supervisor two years, also town clerk, and assessor.

James Fleming, who has been a resident of Buchanan county since 1855, was born in Massachusetts in 1809. He came to Fremont and purchased about four hundred acres in the western part of the township. His wife was Miss Pamelia Robinson, who died in 1868 at the age of fifty-three. They reared a large family of children-had twelve in all, but only ten lived to grow up. Of these, only three are now living, viz: Lavonia E., aged forty- four, who married William Miller, and resides in this county; Ada A., aged thirty, who married Alfred Cordell, and resides in Waterloo; Fremont, aged twenty-four, who resides at home. Mr. Fleming was one of the pioneers in this county, and experienced all of the hardships usu- ally accompanying those who undertake the task of con- verting the wilderness into a field. By diligent, earnest work, he succeeded in building up a fine home and prop- erty. At this writing (January, 1881) Mr. Fleming is very ill, and has been confined to his room two years. He is a man everywhere respected.

Ira D. Havens was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1855, lived there until ten years of age, and then came to Iowa with his father, D. C. Havens, and settled in Fre- mont township. Bought the farm of eighty acres, where he now lives, in 1879. Married in 1876 to Miss Mary Butler, who was born in Canada in 1856. They have two children, George D., aged four, December 4, 1880, and James F., aged two, February 10, 1881. Mr.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

Havens is a good Republican, and straightforward, up- right young man.

Albert Knowles was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1836. In 1859 Mr. Knowles went to Missouri and remained about four years. In 1861 he became a member of the Home Guard, which was afterwards merged into the Twenty-second Missouri cavalry ; en- tered company A., Twenty-second Missouri. The regi- ment was afterwards consolidated, and this company be- came company K, Seventh Missouri cavalry. While in discharge of his duty at Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Knowles was thrown from his horse, receiving severe in- juries, which necessitated his leaving the service in February, 1863. He first entered the service as ser- geant, then received a commission of second lieutenant, afterwards promoted to first lieutenant, which office he held until his discharge. Mr. Knowles came to Byron township, Buchanan county, in 1863. After six or seven years he bought the place on which he now lives in the central part of Fremont township. It was a wild lot, and, not yet having his house built, Mr. Knowles and wife lived in the school-house seven weeks, having a bed upon the benches. His farm is a good one, and is being improved continually. Mr. Knowles was married in Wisconsin, in February, 1862, to Miss C. P. Bar- tholomew, who was born in Orleans county, New York, in 1839. Have three children : Ella E., born May 10, 1864; Katie F. September 29, 1867; Albert C., Oe- tober 29, 1871. Mr. Knowles has a pleasant home and seems to enjoy life. He is a good Republican, and a. member of the Masonic order. Has had several offices, such as justice, assessor, elerk, etc.

Patrick Taylor was born in Clare county, Ireland, in 1813. Mr. Taylor came to America in 1851; he moved to his farm in Fremont township, in 1869. This farm contains four hundred acres, and is excellent land. Mr. Taylor bought it in 1867. All the improvements on the place were made by Mr. Taylor and his sons. He has a large, two-story house which he built in 1869; the farm buildings are also good. Mrs. Taylor, whose maiden name was Annie Maloney, was born in Clare county, Ireland, in 1823. They were married in 1846. They have seven children living. Following are their names and their ages in 1880: Joseph, thirty-three; Dennis, thirty-one; Thomas, thirty ; Francis, twenty- eight ; George, twenty-seven ; Delia, twenty-one ; Mary, nineteen : Charles Patrick and two other sons died in infancy. Mr. Taylor has been a hard-working man all his life. He and his sons do an extensive farming busi- ness, being among the first farmers in the township. Mr. Taylor is in very comfortable circumstances, and all his property is simply the result of his own exertions. He is one of our solid men and most worthy citizens.

H. K. Meffert was born in Germany, in 1836; came to America in 1858; lived in Cook county, Illinois, seven years; came to Buchanan county in 1864, where he has since resided. He purchased the farm of ninety acres on which he now lives, in the western part of Fremont township, in 1863. He built his house in 1866. He was married in 1864 to Miss A. L. Brintnall who

was born in Windom, Vermont, in 1832. They have five children: Ralph H., Frank J., Mary E., George K., and Freddie E. Mr. Meffert belongs to the Lu- theran church. His wife belongs to the Congregational church. Mr. Meffert is a good, sound Redublican and a most worthy citizen.

George Elliott was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1830. When ten years of age, he came to this country with his father, John Elliott, and settled in Illinois, where he lived about fourteen years. In 1856, Mr. Elliott came to this county, and settled in Jefferson township, where he had previously purchased a quarter section ; there he lived about three years, being engaged in farm- ing, threshing, etc. Mr. Elliott, in company with Charles Tulloch, owned one of the first threshing machines ever brought to this county, and with it did a great deal of work for his neighbors. After leaving Jefferson, he resi- ded in Byron two years. In 1860, he purchased eighty aeres in Fremont ; has since made additions, and now owns four hundred and twenty acres in all. He built his present residence-a very good house-in 1864. He has a good orchard, and good farm buildings, making a very pleasant home. In 1861, he married Miss Jeanette Sharp, who was born in New York, in 1843. Following are the names of their children: John, born June 4, 1862; Mary Alice, born June 12, 1864; William George, born October 13, 1866; Florence, born November 28, 1870; Bertha Mabel, born March 30, 1876, died Au- gust 3, 1879; their youngest, a daughter, was born July 29, 1879. Mr. Elliott is one of the early settlers. He is highly esteemed as a man and a citizen. He has held several local offices.

C. F. Tank was born in Prussia in 1843. In 1865 he came to this country with his father and mother; they are still with him. His father's name is Christian Tank. Mr. C. F. Tank purchased the farm of eighty aeres on which he now lives in this township, in 1873. Built his house the same year. In 1869 he married Miss Fred- rica Raether, who was born in Prussia in 1843. They have six children, viz: Charles, Louisa, Augusta, Frede- rick, Caroline and Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Tank are mem- bers of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. Tank is a Republican, a good farmer, and a good citizen.

Mrs. Janett A. Christman, wife of H. A. Christman, is an old settler in this county, having been here since 1856. She was the daughter of James MeBride, and was born in Allegany county, New York, in 1830. Her father moved to Illinois in 1837, in which State was her home until she came to lowa. She was married in Boone county, Illinois, in 1850, to Evert Van Epps, who died March 12, 1872, leaving six children: Dora E., born April 14, 1851, married Augustus Marvin, and lives at Masonville, Delaware county; Eva, married Wil- liam Grout, of this township, died January 12, 1877, aged twenty-three; Virginia M., died June 30, 1874, aged eighteen years and six months; Everett E., born April 28, 1858, lives in Kansas; Elmer W., born January 2, 1861, also in Kansas; Nettie M., born February 25, 1863, resides in Kansas. In the death of Mr. Van Epps this county lost one of its best citizens. He was

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

born in Sullivan, Madison county, New York, in 1826. Moved to Belvidere, Illinois, in 1846. He was a man of fine cducation and ability, a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was the first school director ever elect- ed in this district ; was justice of the peace ten or twelve years, and held other township offices. When he came to this township he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land at Government price. There were only three or four other families in Fremont at the time of their settlement. The winter of 1856, famous for its severity, was passed by the family in a hastily built board shanty eleven feet square, with a small addition for a bedroom. One day toward the latter part of December of this year, Mr. Van Epps and wife went with a team to a neighbor's house, about one mile distant, in quest of a load of wood. As they were returning with the load, the horses being obliged to face a driving storm, and losing the track, refused to move, as there was a sharp crust which cut their legs at every step. In this precarious state of affairs Mrs. Van Epps sat on the sled with a child in her arms. It was about sundown when they had started for home. Now thick darkness came on and the moon was disappearing from view. In this dilemma Mr. Van Epps decided to turn the horses and go back to the timber, as he could not find the road home, and knew that once in the timber something like shelter could be found. The horses soon refused to proceed, and acted as though they wished to go in a dif- ferent direction. Being allowed to have their own way, they soon brought Mr. and Mrs. Van Epps to their own door. Mr. Van Epps was warm from the exercise he had had in tramping about looking for the road, etc .; but his wife was so chilled that she had to be carried into the house, where a warm fire soon revived her. The child had kept warm and comfortable. Mrs. Van Epps married Mr. Christman September 29, 1878. She is an intelligent and very agreeable lady. She is a member of the Methodist church. To her the early history of this county is a vivid reality, and we found her accounts of early occurrences deeply interesting.

Stephen Knowles was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1829. He visited California in 1853, and, after various changes in location, he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second Wisconsin infantry, and served through the war. Enlisted as a private ; commissioned second lieutenant, and then captain. He was under Sherman through his famous campaigns; was present at the battles of Thompson's Station, Resaca, Dallas Woods, at the capture of Atlanta, Savannah, etc. At Thompson's Sta- tion he was taken prisoner, and kept in the custody of the rebels six weeks, when, by exchange, he was again brought into the Union ranks. After the taking of Sa- vannah, Mr. Knowles, being sent forward as a forager and scout, was again captured February 24, 1865, near Hanging Rock, North Carolina, by General Wade Hampton's corps. He was despoiled of his clothing, a valuable watch, and two hundred and twenty-five dollars in money. Even the boots were taken from his feet by the order of the merciless rebel general. Then, clothed only in rags, he was put into camp, where he slept with-

out blankets. Then he was marched ninety-five miles, put on the cars and taken to Saulsbury, North Carolina, prison. They kept him there about four weeks; then he was removed to Danville; Virginia, and from there to Libby prison, where he was at the close of the war, when he was released, having been a prisoner about six weeks. Mr. Knowles has a specimen of the bread fed to him and his comrades by the rebels. It is composed of corn and corn cobs ground up together, and looks very much like dirt. Mr. Knowles came to Fremont in 1865; purchased his farm in 1868, and built his house the same year. He has been married three times; first, in 1847, to Miss Margaret J. Dickson, who died in 1862, leaving two chil- dren living-Ansel H., aged thirty-two, and Samuel B., thirty. Two sons died-Albert H., at the age of four, the other in infancy. His second wife was Mrs. Mary E. La Grange, of Albany, New York. They were married in 1865; she died in 1874, leaving one child, Albert Henry, aged fourteen this year, 1880. In 1879 he was married to Miss Sarah Little, who was born in Canada in 1846. Mr. Knowles is a thorough Republican and a first-rate citizen. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. She is a lady of education and refinement, and possesses considerable poetic talent. One of her produc- tions, read at the union of the Twenty-second Wisconsin, we had the pleasure of reading. It is a fine poem, and portrays in vivid language the hard life of a soldier.

H. C. Eddy was born in Monkton, Vermont, in 1836. At the age of nineteen he went to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1862, when, in the month of August he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second Wis- consin infantry, and served through the war. He par- ticipated in fourteen severe battles, being with Sherman through his campaigns. March 25, 1863, Mr. Eddy was captured by the rebels about eighteen miles from Nash- ville, and was kept a prisoner sixteen days. He spent twenty-four hours in Libby prison, a sufficient time in which to become satisfactorily acquainted with the place. In July, 1865, Mr. Eddy came to Fremont township and purchased the farm on which he now resides. He has one hundred and sixty acres of good land. All the build- ings and improvements have been made by himself. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Ward, who was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1842. They have four children-Alice L., born March 21, 1863 ; John W., August 20, 1866; Harvey K., July 26, 1873; George H., June 19, 1879. Mr. Eddy is a good sound Repub- lican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and are highly esteemed in the com- munity.

John Doyle was born in Wexford county, Ireland, in 1833. He came to America when eighteen years old, but did not come to Iowa until 1870. In that year he purchased the farm on which he now lives, in Fremont township. He has one hundred and sixty acres under good improvement, though it was unimproved when he came. He has a comfortable house with fruit and shade trees about it. He was married in 1859 to Mrs. Hannah Cox, who was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1825. Mr. Doyle has no children living. His daughter, Emma

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA

Marcella, died July 26, 1878, aged about eighteen years. Mrs. Doyle has one daughter by a former marriage -- Hannah Cox. She married Benjamin Cox and resides in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are members of the Catholic church. They are agreeable people and good citizens. Mr. Doyle is, at present, township asses- sor, and has held several similar offices.

Ezekiel Martin was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1828. Left therc in 1845 with his father, George Martin, and came to Iowa; settled in Delaware county where he resided until 1874. Mr. Maitin had many of the rough experiences of a pioneer. Mr. Martin was married March 29, 1855, to Miss Margaret LeLacheure, who was born on Prince Edward's island in 1833. They have three children: George Arthur, born February 16, 1856; Lottie, born June 20, 1857; John born June 27, 1859. Mr. Martin came to this township in 1874, bought his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, built a large and convenient house the same year. He has himself made all the improvements on the place. Has a good orchard, also shade trees. Mr. Martin is a successful farmer ; keeps about one hundred head of cattle; owns three hundred and seventy-five acres in all. He is a member of the Masonic order, a good Republican, and one of our solid men. He is pleasantly situated in a fine home, his children living with him.

John D. Bishop was born in Tompkins county, New York, in 1831 ; came to Fremont township in 1869 ; pur- chased the farm of eighty acres on which he still lives. The land was only partially improved, but Mr. Bishop has made a good home on it. He was married in 1865 to Miss Cinderella Wise, who was born in Rochester, New York, in 1839. They have one child living and one deceased: Ida C., died January 31, 1875, aged eight years; Adelbert T., born June 23, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are agreeable people, and have a pleasant home. Mr. Bishop is a sound Republican and a re- spected citizen.

Lewis Atwater was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1817, and lived in that State till 1869. He was occu- pied, partly in farming and partly in merchandise, in Cayuga and Tompkins counties. In 1869 he came to Towa and settled in Manchester, Delaware county. In connection with his brother Samuel, he had purchased, some fourteen years previous, nearly fifteen hundred acres of land in Wright and Delaware counties, and had bought out his brother's share in 1868. He purchased a house and lot in Manchester, in 1869, and has since made that place his home. He started a drug store in that place in 1873, which his son Frank now manages. Mr. Lewis Atwater owns at present, about eight hundred and twenty-six acres of land. He manages a farm of five hundred acres, eighty being in Fremont township, and the remainder in Delaware county, adjoining. He was married February 16, 1841, to Miss Ann MI. Price ; she died December 9, 1862, at the age of forty-two, leaving four children : Mary E., married L. W. Williams and lives in Tompkins county, New York; Eliza S., single, resides at Manchester; Frank J., married Ada Corning, and lives at Manchester; Ellen Cornelia, mar- 1

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 104

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574