USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 81
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In the year 1860 he rebuilt his house, converting it in- to a very comfortable frame, which is yet one of the best houses of the neighborhood. Mr. George, wishing to give his sons a start, turned this farm over to them, and purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres one mile west of the city of Independence. This place has one of the finest locations in the county. The asylum, nearly one mile directly south, is in plain view, as well as the city. Many miles of railroad lie within its horri- zon, and moving trains are seldom wanting to give life to the landscape. Since coming to the farm he has built a fine horse barn, substantial corn-cribs and a
wagon house, and has now in preparation the building of a fine residence, which, from the taste he has dis- played in his other buildings, we can predict will be one of the most attractive homes in the county. The yard is beautifully adorned with shade trees, and an orchard of eight acres, with an abundance of small fruits, which show that its fine location is not the only advantage of Mr. George's new home. Mr. George was married in 1852, January 4th, to Miss Cynthia Sayler, who was born in Tompkins county, New York, December 1, 1829. They have seven children living and one deceased: William S., born October 2, 1853, who is now mining in Colora- do ; Letta M., born February 21, 1855, resides with her parents; H. G., born August 7, 1857, farmer in Fairbank township; Hattie L., born October 4, 1859, married, and resides in Fayette county ; Alice L., born April 21, 1861, also resides at home; Ulyses S., born November 9, 1864, died September 22, 1870; Ernest S., born February 5, 1867; Clarence S., born May 24, 1869, the last two living at home. Mr. George's mother still resides in Rockford, Illinois. She is a lady eighty-two years of age, and re- markably active and intelligent for a woman of her years. We had the pleasure of seeing a letter she re- cently sent to her son, and the hand-writing surpasses anything we ever saw written by the hand of an aged per- son. Mrs. George was for some years a beloved par- ishioner of the author and compiler of this history, who will remember, as long as he remembers anything, her constant friendship and many kindnesses to him, and her loyal devotion to the "old church" of her child- hood. God grant that her last days may be her happi- est and best.
M. D. Ozias was born in Preble county, Ohio, Novem- ber 22, 1832, came to the State of Iowa with his father, Jesse Ozias, in 1851, and has since made this State his home, and farming his principal business. His first pur- chase of land was made in 1851, in section thirty, Fair- bank township, purchased with land warrant, costing eighty-seven and one-half cents per acre. In 1852 he purchased two hundred and seventy acres in sections nine and sixteen, Perry township. Here he made his home till 1869, when he sold to George Parish, for eleven thousand eight hundred and seventy dollars. The spring following he made a purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land where he still resides, two miles directly west of the city of Independence. He has since made other purchases, till now he owns two hundred and seventy-eight acres. He built a fine residence in 1874, and in 1878 he built one of the finest barns in the county, forty-eight by one hundred feet, and twenty-four feet high. Mr. Ozias owns in all in the neighborhood of fourteen hundred acres, mostly situated in this county. Mr. Ozias was married in 1854 to Miss Clarinda T. Bright, born in Ohio, August 20, 1832. They have a family of seven children-Mary E., born November 14, 1857, married Samuel Walker, and resides in Fairbank township; John L., born November 6, 1859; Martha E., born March 26, 1862; Anna S., born September 1, 1864; Charles E., born April 28, 1868; Lolla L., born April 8, 1872; Edward H., born July 25, 1875.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Adelbert Brown was born in New York in the year 1837, January 27th. He made his home with his father, Alpha Brown, till he was about twenty-eight years of age. when he came to Iowa, locating in this county, where he purchased at that time the farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres on which he still resides, two miles west of Independence. He owns also in this township twenty acres of timber. Mr. Brown was married in 1864 to Miss Ellen Roberts, who was born in Wales, May 3, 1845. They have a family of two children-Imogene, born No- vember 15, 1866, and Mary Ellen, born November 23, 1868. Mr. Brown owns one of the best farms in Bu- chanan county, and is one of its most enterprising far- mers. Politically he is a Democrat.
L. A. Main was born in the State of New York De- cember 10, 1832. At the age of twenty-one he went to Madison university, New York, and remained two years. On his twenty-fourth birthday he married Miss Fannie I .. Loomis, who was born in New York February 14. 1833. In March, 1861, they came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan county. His first year was spent in farming and the following six months in the mercantile business. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company C, Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry, and served his country three years. After his discharge he engaged in the service of the Govern- ment one year and a half. When he was soldiering he received sixteen dollars per month, and afterwards one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month. Soon after his enlistment his health failed him, but he rendered the Government good service in the commissary department. In the year 1865 he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides, two miles west of Independence. In the fall of 1867 he was elected county treasurer and served his fellow citizens in this capacity six years. He has a family of five children- Helen A., Louis P., attending Knox college, Illinois; Willis E., Maurice A., and Morton L .- ages respectively twenty-one, eighteen, twelve, ten, six. They take a great interest in books and bid fair for the future. Both Mr. and Mrs. Main are very pleasant, refined people, and enjoy the highest respect of all. An atmosphere decid- edly tellectual pervades their home and the means are at hand to stimulate and gratify mental hunger.
William W. Gilbert was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 23, 1828. In the year 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Hazleton township, where he purchased property and made his home fourteen years. In the year 1869 he sold his property and purchased the beautiful residence where he still resides, at the eastern limits of the city of Independence. Mr. Gilbert was married in 1857 to Miss Hester H. Palmer of Hazle- ton township. They have two children, Ella and Frederick, ages respectively twenty-one and eighteen. Mr. Gilbert has a wide-awake interest in the public wel- fare and has frequently been appointed to positions of trust by his fellow townsmen.
Robert Burke was born in Ireland in 1829. At twenty- one years of age he came to America, and in the spring of 1857 to Independence, where he still resides, and where he has been principally engaged in the mason's trade.
He made his first purchase in 1858, buying a part of the property where he now resides, in the eastern limits of the city of Independence. He has since added to his land until he now owns twenty-seven acres. This prop- erty is valuable and beautifully situated, it being within the corporation and adorned with shade trees, and pro- vided with a fine house.
Mr. Burke was married November 12, 1859, to Miss Ann Mclaughlin, of Irish birth. They have a family of four children living: Mary Ann, born March 4, 1861, married Herbert Bruce; they have one son, Robert, born October 11, 1879. Henry J., born March 25, 1862; Margaret Ellen, born February 21, 1865; Rose Delia, born May 5, 1875. It may be said in Mr. Burke's honor, that by his own industry and business skill he is, to-day, an independent man. Both he and his wife are Christian people, and members of the Catholic church.
C. C. Cadwell was born in Madison county, New York, January 25, 1809. He lived with Colonel E. S. Cadwell till he was twenty-three years of age, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the literary department in the Lane seminary. He afterwards engaged in teaching in private schools, and then became connected with the Sunday-school mission work, in which he proved very efficient. He became an occasional contributor to the press and united himself with the interests of the tem- perance cause, frequently addressing audiences on the subject. In the year 1840 he went to Tennessee, where he spent nearly five years teaching in different parts of the State. In the year 1856 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and soon after purchased the piece of land where he still resides, one mile west of the city of Inde- pendence. Here Mr. Cadwell has a good home in a de- sirable location, in close proximity to the city, yet having the advantages of the country. Mr. Cadwell was mar- ried in Tennessee in 1849, to Miss E. E. Ross, a native of Vermont. They have a family of five children: El- more R., thirty years of age, married, and resides in Dunlap, Harrison county, Iowa, and practices law ; Clem- ent S., twenty-eight years of age, married, and farming in Minnesota; Edwin P., twenty-six years of age, mar- ried, and practicing law in Logan, Harrison county, Iowa ; Elfred S., twenty-one years of age, teaching music in Harrison county, in the town of Dunlap; Lizzie S., sixteen years of age, the only child left with the parents. Upon every public question of interest, Mr. Cadwell thoroughly informs himself, and his opinion is eagerly sought. The citizens of the county have many times been interested and instructed by articles from his pen. Before coming to Iowa he lived for a time in Racine county, Wisconsin; and about the year 1851 was town- ship superintendent of public schools in that county. His wife was a teacher in Germantown, Tennessee, at the time of their marriage; and, before going south, she had taught some time in St. Johnsburgh academy, in her native State.
Edward Baggot was born in Ireland, in 1824. He made his home with his father, Edward Baggot, sr., un- til he was twenty-five years of age, when he came to America. After several years spent in different States
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
in railroad building, he came to lowa, in the year 1858, locating in this county, where he continued that business for three years. In 1861 he purchased twenty acres of the Clark & Wilson addition to the city of Indepen- dence, where he made his home until the year 1872, when he sold it and moved upon the farm of one hun- dred and fifteen acres, where he still resides, about two miles northwest of Independence. On this farm he built a splendid brick dwelling -- large and roomy, and of excellent material and workmanship. This farm former- ly contained two hundred acres-lying on each side of the railroad. He has sold all lying south of the track. Mr. Baggot has one of the finest homes in the county. It is situated only a few rods north of the railroad, the trains passing in full view, thus relieving the monotony of country life. His home is in the midst of a beauti- ful natural oak grove, which shields him from the in- clement winter weather, and furnishes him all the pleasure of a park in the summer. Mr. Baggot was married July 9, 1855, to Miss Catharine Shehahan, of Irish birth. They have had five children, only two of whom are now living: James, born May 26, 1856, was drowned while crossing a ford on horseback, in the Wapsipinicon river on the second day of September, 1873; Edward, born September 25, 1865, died, of ery- sipelas, June 4, 1875; Ellen, born March 12, 1858, died April 24, 1876; Mary, born August 2, 1860; Nora, born October 24, 1863. This was an active, promising family till the destroyer, death, came in its midst and cut down three bright flowers within three years. Mr. Baggot is a man of sound judgment upon every question of im- portance. He is one of those men who has wrung by the hard hand of toil, a fine farm and home. Mr. Baggot and his wife are earnest Christians and members of the Catholic church.
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Elzy Wilson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1843. He was a son of Clinton Wilson, a prominent citizen of that county. Till he was twenty-one years of age, he made his home with his father on the farm and attended school. In the year 1864, he made an exten- sive tour through the west, simply to see the country. The year following, in company with his father and fam- ily, he returned, locating in this county, Washington township, upon the farm where Mr. Elzy Wilson still resides, two miles east of Independence. Mr. Clinton Wilson made several purchases of land, giving each of his children a farm. He made this county his home until his death, which occurred March 22, 1880. Mr. Elzy Wilson was married February 2, 1869, to Miss Maria Kaufman, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 20, 1850. They have two children, George and Kate, aged .eleven and six respectively. Mr. Wilson owns one hundred and eighty-two acres ; also an eighty- acre farm in Byron township. He makes stock raising and feeding his sole business, handling as high as two hundred and forty head each year; has this number at present. His sales some years amount to six thousand dollars of his own feeding. His farm is all in grass, and well adapted to the business to which he turns it. A creek running through it affords water for stock the year
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around. His barns, sheds, etc., he has arranged very conveniently. Mr. Wilson is one of those shrewd, far- seeing business men who "make every lick count." In a word, he is one of the drive-wheels of the business community.
Ephraim Miller was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1822. When about six years of age he moved with his father, Jacob Miller, to the State of Ohio, locating in Wayne county, where his father died in June, 1851. In the year 1850 Mr. E. Miller came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan county. In the summer of 1851, he purchased the farm where he still resides, in the southeast corner of Washington township. Originally there were two hundred and forty acres in this farm, but he has since added to it until it now numbers eight hundred and forty-five acres, beside forty-five acres in a different piece. In the year 1856 he built a large stone house, in 1858 a commodious horse-barn, and in 1865 a large cattle-barn. His grounds are well orna- mented with shade trees, and everything about his place gives a pleasant, home-like appearance. Mr. Miller was married August 12, 1841, to Miss Rebecca Wilson, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 3, 1823. They have a family of seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters. Wilson J. married Miss Mary V. Gould, and re- sides on a farm in the neighborhood of his father. Mary J. married John W. McMillen, and also resides in the neighborhood. Lewis B. married Miss Jennie L. Willi- ver, and resides on a farm joining his father's. John W. is single and at home. Nancy E. married H. H. House, and resides near her parents. Clinton E. and Emma I. are both still at home. Mr. Miller's early association with this county gives him prominence among the pioneers. His first introduction was satisfac- tory, and has so continued, though at first he had to go to adjoining counties for flour and to Dubuque for gro- ceries and clothing. When he built his house, he hauled the shingles, flooring, etc., from Dubuque. His perse- vering will and energy, and pioneer discipline, have brought him a rich reward.
John Boon was born in Preble county, Ohio, May 15, 1807, made his home with his father, Daniel Boone, until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Mich- igan. In 1846 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa. His first purchase of land was forty acres, where the Poor farm is now situated. Becoming disheartened with the county in its loneliness and wierdness, he sold his farm in the spring and determined to return east; but owing to different causes he concluded to stay till fall. By that time the country found greater favor in his eyes, and here he has since made his home. In the spring of 1847 he settled upon the farm where he now lives-in section thirty-six, Washington township; obtained a deed for the same in 1849, the farm consisting of two hundred acres. Has since sold about ninety acres. Built himself a good house in 1863, and has his farm under a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Boon was married in 1829 to Miss Mary Sutten, also a resident of Preble county, Ohio. He has ten liv- ing children-Nelson J., married and resides in Vinton,
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Benton county, Iowa; William, married and resides in Kansas; Susan, married Crawford W. Wilson, and also resides in Kansas; Daniel, married and resides in Min- nesota ; Morgan, married and resides in Perry town- ship; Jane, married Emanuel Wardell, and resides at present in Byron township; John S., married and resides also in Byron township; Charles, married and lives in Nebraska; Benjamin, married, and carries on the home farm ; Helen, single, and at home.
Mr. Boon is wide-awake and exceptionally jovial for a man of his years. His pioneer life and hardships seem not to have destroyed his natural cheerfulness.
William Horsey was born in the State of Tennessee in the year 1818. At the age of eleven he moved with his father, Nathaniel Horsey, to the State of Kentucky, where he lived till the spring of 1847, when he came to Iowa, lo- cating in Henry county, where he made his home thirty years. In the month of March, 1877, he became a resident of this county. The same summer he purchased his farm of eighty acres, where he still resides, in section thirty-six, Washington township. He remodeled his house the same year, converting it into a very neat, comfortable home.
Mr. Horsey married his first wife in July, 1838. Her maiden name was Susan Marcian, a resident of Ken- tucky. Mr. Horsey was married the second time on Christmas day, 1878, to Mrs. S. Wilson, widow of Thomas Wilson, deceased. Her maiden name was Buckmaster, formerly a resident of Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. Horsey is one of those men that it does a man's heart good to meet. He is kind hearted, clever, pleas- ant and sociable; has the highest respect of all his neigh- bors. He was born spiritually into the kingdom of Christ in the year 1856, and has since lived an earnest, exemplary, Christian life, and been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Horsey is also a member of same church.
Philander French was born in Cayuga county, New York, September 20, 1812. In the year 1850 he came to Iowa, locating in Buchanan county. The same year he purchased the farm where he still resides, in section twenty-five, Washington township. In the year 1851 he moved upon the farm and has since made it his home. Originally there were one hundred and sixty acres, but he has since added forty. He owns, also, one hundred and sixty acres three miles north in same township. Mr. French certainly has one of Buchanan's good farms, finely timbered. He engages in general farming, raising grain and stock of different kinds. His building site is especially worthy of notice, consisting of a sandy knob, sloping off in every direction, and naturally exceeding in beauty many labored results of the hand of art. He built himself a fine residence in 1859, and has ever- greens and other shade trees in tasteful order about it. In a word, he has one of the beautiful homes of Bu- chanan county. Mr. French married his first wife in 1833, in New York. Her maiden name was Lydia Hance. She died June 30, 1849, leaving four children : Lafayette, who is now in the stock business in British America, was formerly in the fur business, and has made that his home for the past sixteen years; the second
child, Jerome, farming in Nebraska; Mary, married Luke Munson and resides in Colorado; Elmira, who married Sylvester Ide, died September 18, 1879. Mr. French married his second wife, Mary Ann Vannettenn; in April, 1852. They have a family of eight children: Lucan resides in Montana; Frankie married Allen Sill, and resides in Nebraska; Verna, married W. Sill, and also resides in Nebraska; Louis, Charles, Freddie, and Gussie. Mr. French's early relation to this county cer- tainly renders him one of its pioneers. When he came here there were only two men of families and three single men in Independence. Dr. Brewer and wife, Thomas Close and wife, Samuel Sherwood, O. H. P. Roszell, S. S. McClure, comprised the inhabitants of the city, in 1850. Mr. French not only ranks first in the county in point of time of settlement, but in citizenship. He is a good sound Republican.
Erasmus Frizell was born in the town of Cazenovia, Madison county, New York, May 6, 1801. With the exception of the intervening years between 1828 and 1834, which he spent in Ohio, he lived upon the farm where he was born, till he was sixty years of age. In March, 1861, he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and has since been a citizen of this county. In 1866 he purchased the place of thirty-four acres where he still re- sides, one fourth mile east of Independence, lying north of the railroad. Mr. Frizell was married in Ohio in 1831, in Licking county, to Miss Sarah Sryer, who died April 30, 1878, in this county. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living: Electus L., a carpenter, who resides in Green county, Iowa; Elizabeth married Mr. J. C. Remcier, and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Eliza married Isaac Dalley, keeping house for his father; E. B. resides in Green county, Iowa; Emma, single, and carries on a dressmaking store in Cincinnati, Ohio; Nettie married Charles Cook ; is a widow and resides at La Cross, Wisconsin; E. H. in the hotel business, at Buna Vista, California. Mr. Frizell is sprightly and active for a man of his years. Has had a long and wide experience in the world. Has raised a large family, all of whom are taking their part in the great business of life.
G. W. Smyser was born in York county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1834. When about eighteen months old, his father, John L. Smyser, moved to Wayne county, Ohio, where he resided till the year 1852, when he and family came to Iowa, locating in this county, in Washington township. A full biography of him will be found on another page. Mr. G. W. Smyser made his home with his father till he was twenty-four years of age, working as a minor. At this age he commenced to do for him- self, but remained with his father two years longer. He was married November 17, 1866, to Miss Susan C. Neid- igh, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 13, 1838. They have three children : Mary V., born Octo- ber 1, 1867; John W., born July 13, 1879; Neva M., born April 27, 1878. Mr. Smyser purchased his farm in 1860, where he still resides, in section twenty-four Wash- ington township. . Originally there were one hundred and sixty acres, but he owns at present one hundred and
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
ninety-four acres. In August, 1861, he enlisted in com- pany H, Twenty-seventh Towa infantry, serving his country three years; the last year served as second lieu- tenant. His first engagement was at the capture of Lit- tle Rock. He served under the command of General A. J. Smith, Sixteenth army corps; was never wounded, though he participated in several severe engagements. At a battle on Red river, a ball passed directly through his hat. His last engagement was at the battle of Nash- ville, Tennessee, December 13 and 14, 1864. After his return from the army he moved upon the farm, where he has since resided. He engages largely in the stock bus- iness and dairying. In 1875 he built himself a magnifi- cent barn. It is considered one of the finest in the county. His farm is well calculated for stock raising, a creek running directly through it affording water for stock the year round. Mr. Smyser is well known throughout the county and possesses the confidence and highest esteem of all classes.
John G. Litts was born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1836. At about the age of eighteen his parents moved to Sussex county, New York, where they remained about sixteen years. At the expiration of this time they came to Buchanan county, Iowa, where they remained the balance of their lives. His father died in September, 1867, and his mother in June, 1876-both buried at Bethel Church cemetery. John G. Litts was married May 22, 1862, to Miss Nancy A. Makinson, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, September 19, 1836. They have nine living children, and three deceased. The names of the living are-Wilhelmina A., Franklin A., Louis M., George L., Minnie W., Susie E., Ernest A., Arthur W., and J. Allison-ages, respectively, eigh- teen, sixteen, fourteen, thirteen, ten, nine, six, two, one. The names of the deceased -- John M., who died at the age of eight months; Cora M., who died at the age of eighteen months; Claude Ray, who died at the age of eleven weeks. On the eleventh of August, 1862, Mr. Litts enlisted in company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa volunteer infantry, and served his country about nine months, when he was discharged on account of heart and spinal disease. He has never seen a well day since. He was second corporal of company H. In the year 1851 he made his first purchase of land, it being in section twenty-four, Washington township. In 1864 he moved upon the farm of eighty acres, where he still resides, in section twenty-four. Mr. Litts is one of those men who have a mind of their own, and, though his relatives were all Democrats, he has been a life long Republican.
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