USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 79
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Their affability and gentlemanly bearing, together with the reputation they have won for themselves in the past as shrewd buyers, and the "live and let live " princi- ples they maintain in selling, bespeaks for them a busi- ness career that will not only be successful, but credita- ble to them and satisfactory to the community at large.
S. S. CLARK.
The late S. S. Clark was born in East Granville De- cember 10, 1825, and died in Independence November 15, 1878. He was a son of Mr. Henry Clark, a prominent citizen of East Granville. When only a boy Mr. Clark evinced considerable business ability and at the age of sixteen commenced doing business with the public. Soon after he was employed as travelling sales- man by the Ward Brothers of New York city, with whom he continued for several years. At the age of twenty- two he joined a party that was being formed in Westfield for the purpose of making an overland trip to California, which proved to be one of considerable interest and filled with incidents both exciting and pleasant. He nade a stay in California of about four years, being en- gaged principally in mining. After his return home and after recovering from an attack of Panama fever, he came west and attended some land sales and purchased land in this and several adjoining counties. Some time afterwards he returned to his home on account of his father's death which occurred in the year 1858. He soon afterwards returned to Independence where he en- gaged in buying, selling lands, and making loans of money in connection with overseeing his farming inter- ests. These avocations he pursued in connection with other branches of business during his life time. In the year 1860 he made his first purchase of an interest in the Independence mill and afterwards owned a half in- terest in the same with Mr. Sherwood, who were sole proprietors till the milling company was organized, when Mr. Clark was chosen general manager and held the position while he lived. He was for a time connected with a Mr. Ingalls in the manufacture of the Ingalls' seeder. He afterwards connected himself with Mr. J. G. Whiting in the manufacture of a seeder of their own patenting, known as the Whitney & Clark seeder. In
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
the year 1865 Mr. Clark built the beautiful residence on River street, where the family still resides.
In the year 1861, April 15th, Mr. Clark and Miss Caroline Newkirk were united in marriage. Mrs. Clark was a daughter of Joseph and Franeis Newkirk, residents of Wayne county, Ohio, where she was born December 4, 1833. Their family consists of three children, two daughters and one son-Mary A., Katie E., and Stewart S., ages fifteen, eleven, and nineteen respectively. Mr. Clark was a man of rather delicate constitution, and five years prior to his death was very much afflicted, interfer- ing considerably with his business. He was an active, energetic man, and one of the leading men in the busi- ness community, and though he always had many irons in the fire, he managed them all well, and at his death was not only a well to do citizen of Independence, but one of the wealthy men of the State.
A. B. CLARK
was born in Massachusetts in the year 1817. He made his home principally with his father, Ebenezer Clark, till he was twenty years of age, when he went to Vir- ginia, where he engaged in teaching about eight years. Returning to Massachusetts he engaged in the drug bus- iness in Westfield, where he remained about eight years, excepting the years 1849 and 1850 which he spent in California. Though for a while engaged in the mercan- tile business, his chief interest in California was in mining. In the year 1852 he sold his interest in Westfield, Mas- sachusetts, and came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque, where he was engaged in the land business about two years, which business he transferred to Independence in 1854 and continued for about five years. He after- wards returned to the drug business in which he is still engaged.
Mr. Clark was married in Westfield, Massachusetts, in 1851, to Miss Margaret Hedges, a native of that State and town. They have a family of four children, two sons and two daughters-Virginia, the oldest, is the wife of William S. Boggs, Fannie, Archer E. and Robert S. Archer is engaged in the grocery business in Indepen- dence, and Robert S. is still a school boy. Mr. Clark is among the early settlers of this county and one of its prominent business men. He owns a nice residence in the city and is doing a good business. He entered Am- herst college in the year 1837.
W. H. H. MORSE
was born in the State of New York in 1841. When he was quite young his father, Heman Morse, moved to Canada, where they made their home about five years, after which they spent two years in Belvidere, Illinois, and afterward moved to Galena and Nera, making a stay in the State of about six years. In 1853 they came to Iowa, loeating in Independence. Mr. W. H. H. Morse made his home with his father on the farm till the year 1866, when he engaged in the dry goods business with
Messrs. Wilcox and Chesley-the firm name being Wil- cox, Chesley & Morse, and so continued until the death of Mr. Wilcox, which occurred about the year 1869, when the name was changed to Chesley & Morse. They continued in the business together about one year, when Mr. Morse purchased his partners interest and continued in business alone. In the fall of 1879 Mr. W. H. Lit- tell purchased a half interest in the stock, forming the enterprising firm of Morse & Littell, which is known through the country as straightforward and honorable, as their extensive trade gives ample testimony.
Mr. Morse was married in this city in 1867 to Miss Mamie Hale, and his family consists of two children- Neva and Anna-ages twelve and ten years, respectively. Mr. Morse is a man whose enterprise is congratulated by his fellow townsmen. He has in process of building a fine residence in the east part of the city.
Mr. Morse has been long identified with the business of Buchanan county, and at present is a leading business man of the county seat, which has grown up under his observation, as, when he first saw it, himself a boy of twelve, he little thought that before he reached his ma- jority, the straggling hamlet would put on such metropol- itan proportions.
G. N. WARREN
was born in Allegheny county, New York, in the town of Nunda, February 18, 1832, and made his home with his father, Noah Warren, till he was twenty-five years of age, when he went to Wisconsin where he purchased a farm of eighty acres and farmed it till 1862, when he enlisted in company H, Thirtieth Wisconsin volunteer infantry. He served his country three years and three months; was never wounded nor taken prisoner, though he partici- pated in many severe engagements. His service was a part of the time on the plains, being afterwards ordered south, serving most of the time in General 'Thomas' corps. October 3, 1865, he was mustered out of service with his regiment. After his return from the army he came to Independence and engaged in the carpenter and joiner business, in which he continued seven years. Mr. War- ren built the Congregational church and several fine res- idences, which is evidence of the estimation in which he was held as a builder. In the month of March, 1869, he purchased the farm of one hundred and seventy-four acres on which he still resides, in section thirty-one, Washington township.
Mr. Warren was married October 5, 1855, to Miss Bel- vie E. Blakely, who was born in Allegheny county, New York, October 30, 1831. They have one child, Viola N., born July 4, 1858. Mrs. Warren is a lady whose ability as a teacher has won her many friends. The faithful ser- vice of one's country in her hour of peril, and a success- ful waging of war upon that enemy of popular govern- ments, ignorance, constitutes a claim for benefits conferred, which no intelligent community will fail to recognize. With such claims Mr. and Mrs. Warren's ample domain, which we have numbered in aeres, can only faintly symbolize their larger realm, which must be
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
computed in golden opinions. They are Christian peo- ple, and members of the United Brethren church.
DANIEL WALKER
was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, in 1830. He made his home with his father, Henry Walker, until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he commenced life for himself, by engaging in farming and stock-raising. In these branches of business he continued until the fall of 1869, when he came to Independence, where he was employed in buying and selling stock. In 1874 he purchased a ten-acre lot west of the city, where he built his beautiful residence the same year. This property, when improved, cost him over five thousand dollars. He has since purchased dif- ferent lots adjoining him, and he now owns about one hundred acres of land, costing in the neighborhood of seventy-five dollars per acre. Mr. Walker's place is tastefully embellished and his farm has such a desirable location that it makes his property one of the most valuable in the vicinity, and his home one with which he may well be content.
Mr. Walker was married in New Hampshire, June 8, 1852, to Miss Lorinda Gordon, a native of New Hamp- shire. They have had two children, Edwin M. and Nettie F. Edwin died at his father's house November 1, 1874, at the age of seventeen. Nellie, born in 1857, is living at home.
Mr. Walker is not only a well to-do farmer, but one of the sound financiers, valuable to any community. He has, by his own existence, made a handsome property; showing what a man can do, if he has industry coupled with judgment. He is one of the first stockholders in the First National bank, organized in 1874.
THOMAS SHERWOOD
was born in New York, in 1819. When about twelve years of age his father, N. J. Sherwood, moved to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the hotel and mercantile business, in which Mr. Thomas Sherwood assisted him till he became twenty-five years of age. He then engaged in staging and the hotel business in Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne county, which he continued about ten years. He then disposed of his property and business and joined Governor Reader's party, and went to Kansas, where he remained about one year. It being in the year 1854-was one of the founders of the City of Pawnee, changed in 1858 to the name of Junction City, at which time it was moved to the junction of Smoky Hill and Republican rivers. At that time the slavery question was agi- tated hotly, and Kansas was inhabited largely by law- less, pro-slavery men. Mr. Sherwood, being decidedly an advocate of the Free Soil party, found there was too much conflict for pleasure, and soon repaired to Goshen, Indiana, where he again engaged in the hotel business. At the end of about six months he sold out and came
to Independence, Iowa, it being in the year 1856, and engaged in the hotel business with C. L. White. This he followed till the year 1856. Their old stand is now empty,-known as the Merchants hotel. He engaged in the livery business after quiting the hotel, in which he has since continued. In the year 1874, in the month of May, Mr. Sherwood met with a terrible loss by fire, which would have discouraged most men. He had a fine house and livery barn, on the lot where his present fine stable is built. All was swept away in that terrible visita- tion, still called the "great fire." He succeeded only in saving his livery stock and part of his household furni- ture. The balance of his property was laid in ashes. He rented a barn, collected his accounts, and built him- self the finest livery barn in the city; and is to-day, with his splendid horses and choice rigs, doing a fine business.
Mr. Sherwood was married in Wayne county, Penn- sylvania, in 1844, to Miss Henrietta Mumford. They have seven children living and two deceased. Mr. Sher- wood is not only one of the first men of the county in point of settlement, but in point of business standing in the community, being a man of indomitable energy. He gives us the pleasure of stating that since his visit to Kansas he has been an out and out Republican, and ex- pects to remain so. Mr. Sherwood is a man who has always lived a public life and frequently been called up- on by his fellow citizens to hold positions of trust and honor-such as member of council, county assessor, etc. In the latter office he served seven years.
AUGUST MYERS
was born in Bingen on the Rhine, Germany, in 1836. At the age of fifteen he came to America alone, making his first stopping place in New York city, where he clerked in a dry goods store about seven months. In the year 1851 he came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque, where he engaged as a dry goods clerk about seven years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the dry goods business himself, in Dubuque, and continued till the year 1861, when he came to Independence, Iowa, where he engaged in the dry goods and ready made clothing busi- ness, in which he is still successfully engaged. The town and business at that date being very small, he started with a light stock, but has since added to it until now he has one of the finest stores in the west, and owns one of the finest residences in the city.
Mr. Myers was married in Dubuque in 1857, to Miss Balbetta Baum, who died in this city in 1871, leaving seven children: Jennie, now the wife of Samuel Green- wald, a clothing merchant in Lamars, lowa; Isaac, en- gaged in the clothing business in Omaha; Hattie, Sarah, Julia, Carrie, and Yetta; the five younger children all making their father's house their home.
Mr. Myers married his second wife in Germany in 1873. Her maiden name was Jane Obermyre. They have a family of five children: Freddie, Harry, Fannie, Charles, and Rosa, ranging in ages from seven years to four months.
Mr. Myers joined the order of Free Masons in 1863.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
C. L. PATRICK
was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1821. When sixteen years of age he moved with his father and family to Byron, Ogle county, Illinois, where Mr. C. L. Patrick made his home for twenty years, engaged in farming. He came to Independence in the year 1857. He pur- chased two lots, where he still resides, in the western suburbs of the city. Built himself a fine residence soon after his arrival, and has since purchased several lots and erected commodious buildings upon them. In the spring of 1854 he came to this State for the purpose of purchasing Government land, and purchased about two thousand acres in Lynn county, and at the same time purchased three hundred and twenty acres in this county, all of which was entered at the Dubuque land office. In the fall of 1855 he attended a land sale at Fort Dodge, and purchased about three thousand acres in White county. In the year 1856 he purchased in Bremer county four hundred and eighty acres, making in all about six thousand acres of land which he held at one time in this State, besides five hundred and sixty acres he owned in the State of Illinois. Mr. Patrick chose this city as a home, and as convenient to oversee this land. In May he brought through from Illinois several teams and hands, and at once commenced the erection of his buildings, and in the fall he returned and brought his family to their new home. Immedi- ately following these purchases came the panic that will never be forgotten by many who were in the west at that time.
Mr. Patrick, not being able to sell his land as he expected, remained comparatively inactive for a time. But finally, finding things becoming no better, hired hands and went to improving his land. His Illinois land he sold at an advanced price, and engaged in the business of buying, feeding, and shipping stock. This he followed till the second panic came on, making stock almost worthless. Another season of inactivity followed, waiting for affairs to develop. In January, 1880, he engaged in the business of supplying the city with milk, and is still engaged in the same business. He is a man who believes in doing well whatever he cngages in. His stables are a model of neatness, and his cows are cared for in such a manner that they are really handsome, and a sight of them as they stand in the stalls, is worth going there to see. Try it.
Mr. Patrick was married May 6, 1847, in Berny, Massachusetts, to Miss Martha A. Hancock (a connec- tion of General Hancock): she was born in Berny, Massachusetts, in 1824. They have two children, both sons, ages thirty-three and twenty-eight respectively. Walter H. married, and resides on his father's farm, two miles south of Independence ; Herbert R. graduated as civil engineer, in the Iowa State Agricultural college, in 1877, afterwards was employed by the Des Moines & Aimes narrow gauge railroad company, as civil engineer. Afterwards went to Arizona in the employ of the Gov- ernment in land surveying and construction of irrigating canals. Was for two years engaged as assayer in the
interests of the Mormons. Is now in the employ of the Southern Pacific railroad company, as civil engineer.
J. R. BOON.
J. R. Boon, attorney, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 29, 1840. When he was but seven years of age his father, Samuel Boon, died and he made his home two years with Rev. Mr. Geary, brother of Governor Geary, of Pennsylvania and Kansas. His time was spent principally in school till he was fifteen years of age, when he commenced teaching. Attended school at Fredericks- burgh, Ohio, two terms. In the year 1859 he entered Vermillion institute, Ashland county, Ohio, at that time one of the finest academies in the Middle States. Here he continued in the pursuit of a legal education, till the year 1862, when he enlisted in company C, One hundred and twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry; but was soon after discharged on account of bodily disability. After- wards engaged in the mercantile business in Jeromeville, Ohio, which he continued till 1864, when he sold out and came to Buchanan county, Iowa. The first winter he taught in Independence. In the spring he moved upon a farm he had previously purchased and farmed ten years. At the expiration of this time he moved to Independence, and reviewing his law studies with W. G. & J. B. Donnan, was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1877. Has since been practicing law in this city. Mr. Boon was married, April 12, 1864, to Miss N. J. Wilson, daughter of Squire Clinton Wilson deceased, formerly a prominent citizen and early settler in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Boon have three children: Thomas C., Minnie S., Acquilla S., aged sixteen, thirteen and eleven, respec- tively.
A. H. TRASK.
A. H. Trask was born in Chatauqua county, New York State, in 1826, November 3rd. At the age of six he moved with his parents to Oswego county, where he lived until he was about thirteen years of age. In the spring of 1840, he, with his parents, moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, and remained there until the month of June, 1847. At this time Mr. A. H. Trask, in company with Mr. Eli Phelps, came to Independence, Iowa. His first enterprise was a contract which he and Mr. Phelps took, to carry the mail from Quasqueton to Dubuque, a dis- tance of seventy-five miles. This they continued about two years. It was at such an early day that Indepen- dence had no regular post office. In the summer of 1849, Mr. Trask went to Minnesota, where he remained only about two months, when he returned to Independence. In the spring of 1850 he went to California. The first winter he was engaged in the mines on the American revier, afterwards engaging in teaming, which he followed till the latter part of the year 1853, when he returned to Independence and engaged in teaming from Indepen- dence to Dubuque, which he followed about six months. In the spring of 1855, he started a small livery in Inde-
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
pendence, and this business he is still engaged in, but more extensively, running as high as twenty horses, and rigs accordingly. Has in the meantime purchased in the neighborhood of four hundred acres of land, a part of which he superintends in connection with his other business. Mr. Trask married his first wife, Miss Austa Fry, in 1861, in Independence; she died in 1873, leaving one child, Charles G., born August 13, 1864. Mr. Trask married his second wife, Alethea Candee, in Independence, in September, 1875. In justice to Mr. Trask we must say that notwithstanding his diffidence in making himself conspicuous in the eyes of his fellow men, he is not only one of the first settlers of this county, but one of its financially solid men of to-day.
A. J. BARNHART
was born in Chatauqua county, New York, in 1829. He made his home with his father, Peter Barnhart, till he was twenty years of age, when he purchased a tannery and run it two years. Seized with the western fever, which is always prevalent in the east, he sold out and went to Michigan and leased a farm for two years. The state of his wife's health induced him to return. Mrs. Barnhart died soon afterwards. One year after this event, he purchased a tannery in his native town and continued his first business about two years, when he sold out and returned to Michigan and engaged in the boot and shoe business in Schoolcraft. This he contin- ued fourteen years, when, selling his stock, he purchased a farm in the vicinity and moved upon it one year, and when he sold, returned to Schoolcraft, where he re- mained two years. In April, 1868, he came to Buchan- an county and purchased a half interest with his brother, in a farm of three hundred and sixty-five acres, in Sum- mer township, with a view of going into the dairy busi- ness. But at the expiration of five years, finding it not sufficiently remunerative for the amount of time and money invested, he rented the farm and moved to Inde- pendence. Here, after about one year spent in pros- pecting, he engaged in the grocery business, in which he still continues. In the year 1878 he purchased a half interest in a creamery in Fairbank township, which he still owns. In 1880 he added four more creameries, one being situated in Perry township, two in Black Hawk county, and one in Independence. The ones in Fair- bank township and in this city are run by six horse power steam engines; the others run by tread horse power. He runs eighteen teams, besides a great deal of hauling done by outsiders, and gives employment to thirty men. He makes as high as three thousand pounds of butter daily through the best portions of the season. He ships principally to New York city, but frequently to Philadelphia.
Mr. Barnhart married his first wife in New York State in the year 1851. Her maiden name was Theresa Che- ney, who died in 1854. He married his second wife, Miss Alice E. Rider, in New York State, in 1856. They have two children-Maurice W., born July 9, 1863; now
engaged with his father in the creamery business in In- dependence. Frenella I., born March 5, 1868. Mr. Barnhart, affable as a dealer, has a kind word for every one and the highest respect of all his acquaintances. Politically, he is a Greenbacker, and was one of seven men who first represented that party in this township.
A. H. FRANK
was born in Germany in 1844. At the age of fifteen he went with his parents to England, and remained two years, where he learned the bakery and confectionery trade. At the age of seventeen he came to America, locating first in New York city, where he remained until the year 1869 engaging constantly in the bakery and res- taurant business. In the year 1869 he came to Inde- pendence, Iowa, where he engaged again in the same business. His stand was for the first five years in Jami- son's old office. In the spring of 1875 he purchased the lot and erected the building where he still does a very fine business indeed.
Mr. Frank was married in New York city, May 3, 1866, to Miss Theresa Baum, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844. They have a fine little family of five children : Ida, Sarah, Bertha, Leonard, Wade-aged eleven, nine, seven, five and three, respectively.
Mr. Frank is a prompt, active, wide-awake business man. He commenced in this country with only a good knowledge of his trade and his hands, for capital; but, by his honorable dealing and pleasant business ways with the public, has won hosts of friends, has acquired a fine home and splendid business building, and a fair trade.
P. McCORISTIN
was born in Ireland, February 13, 1846. When three years of age, his father, John McCoristin, came with his family to America, and died six years after his emigra- tion. Mr. P. McCoristin being the oldest of the family, commenced at once to do what a boy of nine years could to help his mother in the care and support of the family. He came to Iowa in 1861, locating in Brewer county upon a farm his father had entered in 1854. Most of the time he was engaged in farming, but part of the time in a steam saw-mill. He remained with the family until he was twenty-three years of age, when he commenced to do for himself, other brothers having grown up to take his place. His first enterprise was in the hotel business in the city of Independence, Iowa, beginning in April, 1869, his house being situated on the same ground where he is still keeping a hotel. Find- ing his building too small and old to accommodate his customers as he wished to, he tore it down, and in the year 1879 he built himself a splendid brick hotel, where he is still doing a fine business.
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