USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 113
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Richard Fleming was born in New York, December 3,
1806. When about one year old he moved with his parents to Hamilton, Canada. His father, James Flem- ing, died soon after. After his death Richard moved with his mother to Forty-mile creek, Canada, where he remained two years and then went to Stony creek-his mother having married in the meantime. Mr. Fleming remained here until the War of 1812 broke out, when he went to Fort George, stopping in that place about two years. Mr. Fleming's mother was taken prisoner while at Fort George, and was carried over to the American side, her husband having been shot before the fort was taken. Many of his relatives with much of their prop- erty were also captured. Richard, the subject of this sketch, was with his grandfather at this time, where he remained till he was about eleven years old, when he joined his mother at Batavia, Genesee county, New York, where his mother was again married. Here he re- sided till 1826, having previously learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for twenty-five years, working in Scipio and Summer Hill during this period. Having be- come tired of his occupation he concluded to sell out, which he did, and purchased a farm in the same town, where he remained till 1867. He then came west, first settling temporarily at Marion, Iowa. Stopping here a few months he then located in Homer township, Bu- chanan county, where we now find him. Mr. Fleming bought six hundred and thirty acres, including about thirty acres of timber. He has a beautiful home, well surrounded with shade trees and shrubbery which adds much to the beauty of the place. He has also a splen- did orchard of three hundred and fifty trees. His house is beautifully situated, and affords a pleasant and quiet home, possessing the attraction of music, books, and pictures, also other evidences of refinement. Mr. Fleming was married November 28, 1828, to Miss Ke- ziah Barnes, a daughter of Joseph Barnes, of Cayuga county, New York. They have had eight children, five of whom are living. Their names are as follows: Mary A. Fleming, James M. Fleming, Sarah A. Fleming, Addie J. Fleming, Mary S. Fleming. The names of the de- ceased are, Richard S. Fleming, Phidelia F. Fleming, Livingston H. C. Fleming. Mr. Fleming was married the second time to Miss Elethe Crozier, of Scipio, Cay- uga county, New York. Mr. Fleming is a staunch Dem- ocrat and has held several township offices. Has been justice of the peace two years, also township clerk a term or two. He is an intelligent and enterprising man, and is highly esteemed.
Myron D. Blood, the subject of this sketch, and one of the substantial farmers of Homer township, was born June 13, 1839, at East Hampton, Massachusetts. While an infant his parents moved to Connecticut, where Mr. Blood remained till he was seventeen years of age, at- tending school up to that time. He then came west, in company with his father, Nathan Blood, and located in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming about four years, and then went to Linn county, Iowa, renting a farm here for five years, in part- nership with his father. He then moved to Eads' Grove, Delaware county, remaining till the war broke
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
out, when he enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa infantry as a private. Mr. Blood took part in some of the severest engagements of the Rebellion. He was in the battles of Houston, Fort Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, through the siege of Vicksburgh; alsoon the Red River expedition, and was present at the capture of Mobile. Mr. Blood maintained an honorable and faith. ful position as a soldier, being promoted first sergeant for his brave and meritorious conduct. His record as a soldier in defence of our Government is certainly one in which his family may well take pride. After the close of the Rebellion Mr. Blood returned to Delaware county and engaged in farming, remaining there two years, when he came to Homer township, Buchanan county. He rented land for three years, and then went to Sumner township, stopping there seven years. He then returned to Homer township, where he now resides. His farm contains eighty acres of good land. He has a very pleas- ant home, being regarded by neighbors and citizens of the township as an intelligent and enterprising farmer. Mr. Blood married Miss Ellen A. Potman, of Cook county, Illinois, July 17, 1847. They have three chil- dren: Lina B. Blood, born September 3, 1872; Hattie Blood, born April 4, 1875; Ray O. Blood, born Septem- ber 15, 1879. Mr. Blood is a strong Republican.
Among the early pioneers of Homer township, who de- serves special mention in the history of Buchanan county, is George Davis. Mr. Davis was born in Sussex county, England, January 7, 1833, and emigrated to America in 1841. He landed in New York, and at once went to Saratoga county, where he lived upon a farm with his father, James Davis. George remained here until 1857, when he went west, first locating in Stevenson county, Illinois, where he rented a farm for two years, and then returned to New York from whence he had come. He continued farming for three years, and finally decided to try his fortune again in Stevenson county. After remain- ing here three years he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, locating in Homer township. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie, and erected a fine house, surrounding it with shade trees and shrubbery, also a splendid orchard, thus making a beautiful home. Mr. Davis made all of the improvements, showing much per- severance and energy, and enjoyed the results of his labors about nine years, when he sold out on account of poor health and went to what is now called Rowley, where he built a hotel which he has kept for seven years, but re- cently sold out. Mr. Davis, during these years of land- lord life, succeeded in winning the esteem, confidence, and good wishes of the travelling public. It is with pleas- ure that his townsmen hear of his intention of remaining with them. Mr. Davis married Miss Mary E. Tarry, of Saratoga county, New York. They have had four chil- dren, three of whom are living-Hattie M., born in No- vember, 1860; George E., born May 5, 1866; Rose A., born October 7, 1868. George Henry died when four- teen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist church, and are highly esteemed. He is a firm Republican, which, it will be seen, is a prevalent political faith in Buchanan county.
William G. Shillinglaw was born in Toronto, Canada, March 28, 1836, and lived there until he became of age, being engaged in farming. He made his home with his uncle, having lost his parents when about eight years old. Until 1867 he was engaged in farming and various other occupations. He was employed upon the lakes as a sailor ten summers, during which time he experienced many hardships, at one time being obliged to go without food four days, the vessel having become unmanageable; however, a landing was effected on the fourth day, when all the men had given up except the mate and Mr. Shil- linglaw, who, with courage and perseverance, strove to keep up the sinking spirits of their companions. The latter, no doubt, owed their preservation to the indomita- ble pluck and presence of mind of these two. Such he- roic action is rarely seen, and it is with genuine pleasure that we record this valliant deed of Mr. Shillinglaw. In 1867 Mr. Shillinglaw came to this county, and rented a farm in Homer township for three years, during which time he purchased the place on which he now lives. He first bought eighty acres, which he has increased to two hundred. His farm was at first only wild prairie, but by hard and earnest work, for which Mr. Shillinglaw has been noted since his residence here, he finds himself in pos- session of one of the best farms in the county. He has a beautiful home surrounded by elegant shade trees. There is also a fine orchard on the place, supplying good fruit of every variety. He may well take pride in his pleasant abode, it being entirely the reward of his own labors, assisted in no small degree by the efforts of his wife. Mr. Shillinglaw was married in August, 1855, to Miss Hannah Lindsay, of Gananoque, Ontario. They have three children-Collin M., born May 11, 1857; David W., born January 16, 1859: Marion E., March 23, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Shillinglaw are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a staunch Republican, and is highly regarded by his fellow-townsmen.
Hemy Sampson was born in Canada March 23, 1847. Ile remained there till he was of age, and then went to Detroit, Michigan, where he was employed in a malt house for eighteen months. Mr. Sampson them came west, locating at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He worked on a farm situated near the city, for seven years, when he moved to Homer township, Buchanan county, in the employ of E. W. Purdy of Independence. Mr. Sampson was married in June, 1866, to Miss Ann Welbon of Detroit. They have had six children, five of whom are living-Edwin S., born September 4, 1877; Robert H., November 6, 1869; Walter S., February 3, 1871 ; Jessie, November 4, 1874; Alice N., May 23, 1878; Nellie November 26, 1880. Alice died when eighteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson are members of the P'res- byterian church. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is a worthy citizen.
William Lots was born in Germany June 4, 1829, and emigrated to this country in 1847. He landed at New Orleans and immediately went to St. Louis, where he worked at shoemaking about two and a half years, and then enlisted in the Mexican war which was waging at this time, though it did not continue but six months after
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOW.1.
his enlistment. Starting from St. Louis, he went to Fort, Leavenworth, thence to Sante Fe, New Mexico. At the close of the war Mr. Lots returned to St. Louis, but after a few months went to New Orleans. He soon returned north, settling in Ohio. Wheeling, West Virginia, was the next place of his destination, though lie stopped here but a few weeks. Being afflicted with the western fever, he went to Wisconsin, where he lived sixteen years, still following his easy occupation. It was here that Mr. Lots was drafted in 1863, being at once assigned to the First Wisconsin cavalry and afterwards transferred to the Veteran Reserve corps, which was stationed at Washing- ton. In this connection it is of the greatest interest to record that Mr. Lots was one of the men sent out in pursuit of the murderer, Booth. He also is one among the few men of Buchanan county who has had the honor of shaking hands with America's best President, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lots was mustered out of the service June 19, 1865. He then returned to his family in Wisconsin, remaining there a short time, and came to Homer town- ship, Buchanan county, Iowa. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie, which has been converted into a pleasant home. Mr. Lots was married Novem- ber 29, 1849, to Miss Sophia Stroble of Germany. They have had thirteen children, cleven of whom are living: William G., born May 5, 1851; Emmaline, January 6, 1853: Joseph, December 10, 1854; Clara, July 6, 1856; Frank, May 8, 1858; Louisa, March 11. 1860; Albert. November 30, 1861; Lydia S., February 7, 1863: Edward, August 29, 1866; Oscar H., January 19, 1868; Eamest, February 4, 1872; Charlie, April 28, 1873; Emery, March 10, 1877. Joseph died in infancy. Frank died in the fall of 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Lots are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a sound Democrat, and is at the present time school dir- ector, being regarded as an intelligent and respected citizen.
Among the many substantial farmers of Buchanan county, A. H. Groves deserves special mention. He was born December 15, 1844, in Jackson county, Iowa, where he remained till the beginning of the war, when he en- listed as a private in company I, Iowa infantry, being only seventeen years of age at this time. He was a par- ticipant in many of the severest engagements of the war in the Gulf States; took part in the siege of Vicksburgh, was also in the battles of Arkansas Post and Coldwater ; was under General Grant a little over a year. Mr. Groves was honorably discharged May 22, 1864. His military record is one in which he may well take pride. At the close of the war he returned to Jackson county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming till 1867, when he re- moved to Jones county, residing there till he came to Buchanan county, locating in Homer township. Mr. Groves purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has made additions, now having three hundred and sixty acres. . It is considered one of the best farms in the vi- cinity, being well adapted for stock raising, in which busi- ness Mr. Groves is especially engaged in. Mr. Groves was married March 4, 1866, to Miss Olive E. Buell, of Canada. They have had eight children, seven of whom
are living-Harvey G., born May 1, 1867; Getha MI., born October 6, 1868; William A., born April 28, 1870; Nellie A., born October 30, 1872; Byron E., born April 1, 1874 ; Guy, born March 4, 1876; John A., born May I, 1879; Getha died in infancy. They have an infant girl not named as yet. Mr. Groves is a sound Republi- can, and is regarded by his fellow townsmen as an ener- getic and enterprising farmer. He has been repeatedly reelected to township offices.
Frederick Reiterman was born June 3, 1846, in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania. He came west when about six or seven years of age in company with his father, who located in Jefferson county. Frederick assisted his father on the farm till he was eighteen years old, when he en- listed in the Fourth Iowa infantry. He filled the posi- tion of a substitute; was with Sherman on his noted "march to the sea." Mr. Reiterman was detailed as a fifer for about three months, took part in the engage- ments at Atlanta, Marion, Savannah, Beaufort, Columbus, Bentonsville, and Raleigh. It was at this latter place that the news of Lee's surrender reached his regiment. He then went to Fredericksburgh, then to Richmond and Washington, where he took the cars, for Parkers- burgh on the Ohio river. He was mustered out in Louis- ville in July, 1865. Mr. Reiterman returned to his home in Jefferson county, and remained there till he was twenty-six years of age, though he had previously bought a farm in Benton county, Polk township. His land was wholly unimproved, but Mr. Reiterman soon made marked changes; he built a good residence and planted trees. He remained here but three years when he sold out and came to Homer township, Buchanan county, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved wild prairie. He built the house in which he now lives in the following spring, and now has a very pleasant home, a nice young orchard, and is evidently in the way of enjoying life. Mr. Reiterman married Miss Ellen A. Romig January 1, 1872. They have five children-Minnie K., born November 27, 1873; Nellie, born August 29, 1874 ; Charles, born Au- gust 1, 1875 ; Julia, born August 12, 1877 ; Frederick M., born January 16, 1880. Mr. Reiterman is an active Republican, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He has been township assessor one term, also road surveyor several years.
Benjamin F. Buckley, one of the solid men of Buchan- an county, was born April 30, 1838, in Barnstahle, Massachusetts. During his infancy his father, William Buckley, removed to Summer Hill, New York. Mr. Buckley's father followed the sea for twenty-five years or more; beginning as a cabin boy, he worked himself up till he became master of a vessel. This position he filled several years, and in the meantime sailed around Cape Horn many times, being engaged in the whale fishery in the North Pacific. Many a narrow escape he experienced during his life as a sailor. Once when in pursuit of a whale the boat which Mr. Buckley was in was thrown into the air, and as fate would have it, Mr. Buckley in descending passed through the mouth of the whale. At another time, when the boat had been upset
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
and broken, and the men thrown out the water, the whale on rising to the surface came up under Mr. Buck- ley so that he was able to ride on the whale's back some distance, though he finally escaped by swimming. Mr. Benjamin Buckley remained at home till he was about eighteen years old. He worked out and attended school and taught school till he was twenty-three. He enlisted in August, 1861, as a private in the Forty-fourth New York (Ellsworth's) regiment. This regiment was com- posed of a single representative from every town and ward in the State. Mr. Buckley was chosen to represent Summer Hill, and was the first one to enlist from his town. After remaining in this regiment several months around Washington, he was taken sick and sent to the hospital, and in a few weeks was transferred to Philadel- phia. He remained about six weeks in the hospital at Philadelphia, being detailed as nurse, but was soon afflicted with typhoid fever. After his recovery he was discharged, to his surprise, as it was entirely unex- pected. After a rest of thirty days he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New York infantry, sub- sequently turned into the Ninth heavy artillery, of which Joseph Welling was colonel, and William H. Seward, jr., lieutenant colonel. Mr. Buckley remained in this regi- ment fifteen months, and then for gallant and meritorious conduct received a commission of lieutenant in the Third United States colored regiment. This regiment was at Germantown, Pennsylvania, when he was ordered to re- port at that place. It then went to Morris Island and assisted in the retaking of Fort Sumpter. Mr. Buckley was discharged about a year after his connection with this regiment, on account of asthma. Finally after some other changes he came west and settled in Homer town- ship. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie, treeless as a barren plain, and built the house he now occupies in 1870. It is a very pleasant residence, being pleasantly situated and now surrounded with trees and shrubbery. Mr. Buckley married Miss Addie J. Fleming, of Summer Hill, New York, September 6, 1865. They have had four children-Susie E., born November 20, 1867; William R., born June 11, 1873; Edwin P., born January 23, 1876; Richard I., born July 12, 1880. William died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley and a daughter are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Buckley has held several township offices ; has been assessor, clerk, and trustee. He is a Republican and is held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen.
Thomas Cottrell was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, December 16, 1832. He remained at home till he was sixteen years old, and then went to Chicago, where he resided seventeen years, being engaged as a teamster all the time, with the exception of four years of army life. Mr. Cottrell enlisted July 18, 1861, in the Twelfth Illinois regiment, company K, and took part in some of the severest engagements of the war. He was at Pittsburgh Landing, Fort Donelson, Corinth, Kenne- saw Mountain, Atlanta and Savannah. He maintained a gallant and heroic record as a soldier, was mustered out July 18, 1865, and returned to Chicago, where he re- mained till the following February, and then came to
Iowa, locating in Buchanan county, where he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie. After being in the county ten years Mr. Cottrell located in Homer township, where he now is the fortunate possessor of one hundred acres of excellent prairie. Mr. Cottrell was married August 31, 1865, to Miss Zelinda Eaton, of Cook coun- ty, Illinois. The names of their children are: Lillie A., born June 29, 1869; Lewis F., born May 27, 1870; Lu- ella, born November 4, 1872; Samuel F., born Novem- ber 27, 1876; Auena M., born October 7, 1878. Mr. Cottrell is a sound Republican, and is regarded as a very worthy man. Mr. Cottrell was married the second time to Miss Chloe M. Eaton, of Independence, Iowa, August 31, 1867.
Among the early pioneers of Buchanan county is the subject of this sketeh, John D. Price. Mr. Price was born March 18, 1818, in Herefordshire, England, and emigrated to this country in 1848. Previous to his emi- gration he was engaged in farming and mining. Imme- diately after landing in New York he went to Buffalo, and from there to Canada, where he was employed as a teamster for three months, and then went to Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, working in a coal mine, and thence to Zanesville, Ohio, where he still continued to work in coal mines. Six years later he started west, going to Maluska county, Iowa, where he made bricks and mined one year. Mr. Price then moved to Buchanan county, and lived at Quasqueton two years, though he had pur- chased the farm he now occupies even before leaving Ohio. He then moved to Homer township, where he built a house, and, in fact, made all the improvements about it. He has a very pleasant home, encompassed with a grove of maple and cottonwood and a fine orch- ard. Mr. Price's early life on the wild prairie is likethat of many of the old settlers. At the time of his coming here there were only two houses between his home and Inde- pendence, and one of these was out of the direct way. There were no roads to speak of; country wild and plen- ty of game. It is very interesting to hear him relate his early experiences. Once his house was blown over by the winds; he also came very near losing his house by prairie fires. He tells the writer that he onee lost his teanı in the Des Moines river while attempting to cross on a ferry-boat, the rope having broken. Mr. Price es- caped by swimming, losing not only his team, but the flour and hardware with which the wagon was loaded. Mr. Price taught the first school in this district in his own house. Mr. Price enlisted in September, 1861, in the Fourth Iowa cavalry, and rendezvoused at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, about three months, and then went to St. Louis, remaining there about two weeks, thence to Springfield, Missouri. His first active service was at Pea Ridge; was through the siege of Vicksburgh; also at Cot- ton Plant, Austin, Mississippi, Fort Henry, and other places where some of the severest engagements were fought. Mr. Price was taken sick while in Arkansas, and was sent to the Sisters' charity hospital at St. Louis, where he remained two months, and was transferred to the Mississippi Marine brigade. He was connected with this brigade a little over a year, when he was again
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
granted a leave of absence on account of sickness. He came home, remaining two months; then went to Daven- port, where he was afflicted with lung disease, and was finally discharged. Mr. Price had three horses shot from under him and the fourth one wounded in less than an hour and a half. He married Miss Sarah Fos- ter, of Zanesville, Ohio, July 15, 1849. They have had one child, who died when two and a half years old. They have adopted three children, one of whom is liv- ing with them at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Price is a Republican, and has held several township of- fices; has been trustee, justice of the peace and road supervisor, and is regarded as one of the substantial men of the township.
Thomas Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Sussex county, England, December 29, 1822, and immi- grated to America in 1841, in company with his parents. He landed at Quebec and immediately went to Albany, New York. His voyage lasted nine weeks and three days. It was very perilous and many a narrow escape was experienced. Their food consisted of oat meal for three days, as the storm prevented them from having fires. He went to Schenectady, New York, and then to Charl- ton township, Saratoga county, residing there seventeen years, being engaged in farming and masonry in the meantime. Coming west, he arrived in Illinois in the time of the money panic of 1857. After frequent changes he came to Independence, Buchanan county, Iowa, lodg- ing his first night with James Donnan. Mr. Davis rent- ed a farm in Liberty township one year, and then moved to Homer township, buying eighty acres of wild prairie. He at once built a house and made other improvements. His home is well situated, being surrounded with a beau- tiful grove of shade trees. Mr. Davis married Miss Abigail J. Hayes, of Charlton, January 9, 1850. They have had seven children, only two of whom are living: Henry S., born April 14, 1851 ; Emma J., born October 5, 1853; Thomas H., born December 8, 1855; Mary H., born October 12, 1857 ; George F., born August 8, 1860; Milford P., born October 19, 1862; Susan N., born March 4, 1866. They have adopted a little one by the name of Burtin E. Davis, born April 22, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Davis is a strong Republican, has been in the town board several times. He is an intelligent and highly respected man.
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