USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 91
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Mrs. Caroline Hills was born in Grafton, New Hamp- shire, in the year 1811. At the age of six she moved with her father, Daniel Richards, to the State of New York. She married Mr. Edwin Hills in the twenty-third year of her age, in 1834. They moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1842. At the end of eighteen months they moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, where they remained till 1852, when they came to Iowa, locat- ing one-half mile east of Littleton, where Mrs. Hills still owns sixty acres of land. Mr. Hills died May 11, 1854. Mrs. Hills lost a little daughter, Adelia, aged twelve years, just five days previous to her husband's death. Mrs. Hill's son, William Oscar, enlisted in company G, at the age of seventeen. He served his country faithful- ly till he was taken sick as the army lay in the open field hospital after the battle of Atlanta. He was sick four weeks before he was taken to the hospital, and only lived two weeks afterwards. He died at Chattanooga Novem- ber 12, 1865, and was buried in the beautiful cemetery there. To such dead boys, who died in their youth for their country's cause and freedom's, the world cannot give too much praise. Mrs. Hills is a member of the Presbyterian church, and though she has no relatives in this State, yet she is not alone. Her circumstances are very pleasant and comfortable in this world's goods, and she is spending her days in trying to make others happy. In the year 1868 Mrs. Hills adopted Mary E. McWil- liams, at the age of eight, who has lived with her ever since, and has borne the name of Mary E. Hills up to her marriage with Mr. Elon D. Sanders, who farms Mrs. Hills' farm. Though Mrs. Hills is sixty-nine years of age, she has never needed to use glasses, and can thread her needle by lamplight.
E. D. Johnson was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1839. At the age of sixteen he moved with his father, Jefferson Johnson, to Kent county, Michigan, where E. D. worked on the farm and attended school till he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to clerk for R. C.
Luce, at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He remained with him five years, when he enlisted in company B, Twenty- first Michigan volunteer infantry. He served his country one year, when he was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Stone River, Murfreesborough. He lay in the world-renowned, infamous Libby prison three months, when he was exchanged. Immediately afterward he re- ceived an injury of the spine, which has since made him an invalid, who can only walk by the aid of crutches. Though he could not stand erect after his hurt, he re- turned to his former employer and clerked for him. In the year 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business upon his own responsibility, and continued it for five years in Michigan. In the year 1872 he came to Iowa, locating in Littleton, and again engaged in the same business, and has since been thus engaged till within the last week he has sold to Mrs. Barber. Mr. Johnson's ability as a business man cannot be excelled in the coun- ty, and if it were not for his deplorable physical condition he would be one of the drive-wheels of the community. He is a good, honest Republican. They have two very bright little daughters, who, it is hoped, will live to bless them in years to come.
Rev. J. D. Caldwell was born in Mercer county, Penn- sylvania, in 1828, and came to Iowa in 1856. His early life was spent on the farm and in school. After coming to Iowa he was a missionary under the auspices of the Home board of missions of the Presbyterian church, supplying all the Presbyterian churches in the counties of Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Greene. He has made Littleton his home for the last twenty-five years, and has preached there and at Jesup all this time. Mr. Caldwell had, previous to his theological studies, made medicine a study. He took lectures in Chicago since engaging in his ministerial labors, and has practiced since 1875, in connection with his pastoral duties. Mr. Caldwell was married in 1856 to Miss Anna E. Hastings, of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania. They have eight children : Orlan- do, aged twenty; Luella H., aged nineteen; Hattie J., aged seventeen ; Sally D., aged fifteen; Alice M., aged fourteen; Edith M., aged ten; John D., aged six; Jesse B., aged four-all of whom make their father's house their home. Rev. Mr. Caldwell graduated in Jefferson" college, of Pennsylvania, in 1853, and has a diploma of the same. He has also a diploma from the Society of Inquiry of the same institution. He graduated in the Western theological seminary, of Allegheny City, Penn- sylvania, in 1856. He has braved the dangers and en- dured the hardships of a frontier life in his Master's, cause. His success as a physician has been such as would satisfy greater professional ambition than his.
Mrs. Lucy L. Barber was born in the State of New York in the year 1822. Came to Iowa from Michigan in the year 1864, and located on a farm in this township near Kier post office. Her husband, John A. Barber, died in the year 1871, at the age of fifty-nine, leaving a family of three children: Eliza J., aged thirty-five, mar- ried E. V. Barkley in 1870, they now reside in Grunby county, Iowa; Etta D)., aged twenty-five, married M. V. Wilber in 1873, reside in this county; Emma J., aged
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eighteen, married J. E. Hayward November 10, 1880, engaged in the mercantile business in Littleton. He is a promising young man, and we predict for him a suc- cessful business career. Mrs. Barber has lived in Lit- tleton for the past four years, and has been speculating quite extensively in land and lots. Mrs. Barber is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Richard Cook was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 22, 1821. Worked at farming from about 1829 to 1844. In April of 1844 he crossed the waters to Canada, landing in the city of Quebec June 9, 1844. In four years he had saved enough from his wages to send for his parents and brothers, and they came to America in 1848. He, in connection with his brothers and sisters, took care of their parents for some twenty years, when they went to the better land. He was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Robinson, of Warrensburgh, War- ren county, New York, March 1, 1849. She was of Scotch parentage, coming directly from Scotland to New York. Mr. Cook and wife attended college at Fort Ed- ward, New York, under the management of Rev. I. E. King; pursuing the scientific course, with Greek and French languages, and remained there about two years. Taught eleven years in the city of Troy after leaving clo- lege. Since teaching he has been employed as commer- cial agent, selling linen goods on the roads, and so con- tinues at this writing, November 25, 1880. Has been a Methodist local preacher for the past thirty years. Has lectured on temperance, also education and natural science. Has reared four orphan children-two boys and two girls, all of whom are doing quite well, and it is hoped his labor is not lost. He is fifty-nine years of age this day. Is hale and hearty, weighing two hundred and thirty-eight pounds, and hopes to live a little longer to fight the battle of life this side of the river, and then hopes to have the company of those who are gone be- fore. Mr. Cook is a Master Mason and not ashamed of the credit-a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75, West Troy, New York.
H. M. Craton, M. D., was born in Richland county, Ohio, in the year 1833. At the age of nine years he moved with his father, George Craton, to Rousburgh (now Ashland county), where he lived seven years and attended school, when he moved to La Grange county, Indiana. Resided there six years with his father on the farm. Thence to Wisconsin with his father and located in Greene county, where he commenced the study of medicine. Attended lectures at Rush Medical college, Chicago, and at Keokuk, Iowa. Commenced the prac- tice of medicine in the year 1866 in the town of Anark, Illinois. At the expiration of six months he located in Rock Grove, Illinois. In the year 1867 he came to Jesup and commenced the practice of medicine, where he still practices and is doing a very satisfactory business. Dr. Craton was married in 1854 to Miss Rachel Rough, of Indiana. They have three children: George A., aged twenty-four, married to Miss Cook and living in Jesup; Ida A., aged twenty-two, married to W. H. Cook; Mar- tha A., single. In 1862 Mrs. Craton was taken away by death. The doctor was married again in 1865 to Miss
H. M. Hawley. They have one son, aged eight years. Has been the people's choice for mayor and other posi- tions of trust.
Elias Parker was born in the State of New York in the year 1829. Lived with his father till he was three years of age when his parents died (only two weeks between their deaths). His uncle, Orange Parker, took him to rear. He lived with his uncle and attended school most of the time till he was about fifteen years of age, when he went to his uncle Samuel Parker, in Eaton, Madison county, and learned the blacksmith trade and worked as journeyman until he was twenty-three years of age. He then set up his own shop and made edged tools. It was in those days when axes, etc., were made slower and bet- ter than they are now. At the age of twenty-seven he came to Iowa (1857), locating in this county at Little- ton. Here he worked at blacksmithing for six years. He then purchased a farm three miles west of Indepen- dence and farmed four years; then rented and moved to Jesup and started a smith and wagon shop, which he still runs with hired help very successfully. He has lately added to his business a large stock of general hardware and is doing a fine business. Mr. Parker was married when he was twenty-six years of age to Miss Amelia C. Brown, of Madison county, New York. Have five children: Ida, aged twenty-four; Olen B., aged nineteen; Julia 1., aged fourteen; Freddie E., aged ten; Leora A., aged six. Mr. Parker has by his own exer- tions accumulated quite a competence, and is a wide- awake, pleasant business man, and one of the drive- wheels of Jesup's business engine.
Isaac Muncey was born in the State of New York, Utica, Oneida county, in 1829. He lived with his fath- er in Utica until he was nine years of age, when his family moved to Illinois, locating thirty miles west of Chicago, in DuPage county. Mr. Muncey resided at home upon the farm until his father's death, which took place in 1840. His oldest brother being married, and the next one soon after, it devolved upon him and a brother next older than himself to look after the farm and care for their mother. Mr. Muncey says then was when he saw hard times, and a ten-cent piece looked as big as a cart-wheel to him. They sold cows for eight dollars that would to-day bring thirty-five. He says the far west complains of hard times, but he thinks they lack his experience or they would call them pretty good. In 1866 Mr. Muncey moved to this county, and engaged in stock raising and farming, often having on hand as high as two hundred head of cattle at a time. In 1867 he broke seventy acres of land and sowed it all to wheat, raising twenty-six bushels per acre, which he sold in Jesup at one dollar and forty-five cents per bushel. He owns three hundred and fifty acres of land and con- trols it all, besides being interested in a creamery with Messrs. Miller & Harris. He was married in 1856 to Mrs. Hulda Arnold, of DuPage county, Illinois, and they have four children : J. N., aged twenty-three; Fan- ny, nineteen ; Frederick, seventeen; Emma, seven-all living at home. J. N. is helping his father in his busi- ness, and is a bright, active young man. Mr. Muncey
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is very pleasantly situated in a beautiful home just in the suburbs of Jesup. Though over fifty years of age, he is full of life and vigor; he is one of the moving ele- ments in the business circles of the town. We cannot imagine a more desirable position than his, in the midst of a bright, happy family, and surrounded with friends. In 1879 he was chosen a member of the legislature, as a straight, square Republican.
Thomas Taylor was born in Lamville, Vermont, in the year 1826, and lived with his father, E. Taylor, and at- tended school till he was twenty years of age, after which he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1856 he moved to Wisconsin pinery at Wausaw, and worked at his trade about a year, when he engaged in the mercantile and lumber business. At the expiration of two years he sold the dry goods part of his business to his brother.in-law, R. E. Parcher, and continued in the lumber trade for six years. He handled lumber in a wholesale style by floating it down the river, and supplying towns down as far as St. Louis. In 1866 Mr. Taylor came to Iowa, this county, and purchased a farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Westburgh town- ship. At the same time he commenced the lumber business in Jesup, renting his farm. In the year 1876 he added a general stock of hardware to his lumber business which he is yet running, also supplying the city with lime, coal, etc. He sold his Westburgh farm and purchased one within a mile of the town. Mr. Taylor was married in the year 1851, to Miss Lucinda Parcher, Monsville, Vermont. They have two children-Nella L., aged twenty-five, and Robert Edward, aged eighteen, who helps his father in his business. Mr. Taylor is a wide-awake business man, and although he has several irons in the fire, he never lets any of them burn. They are a happy, prosperous family, and among the leading families of the place. Mr. Taylor is also a great lover of improvements, and has on his farm some of the finest cattle in the west. If you want to see a good square Republican, go and look at Mr. Taylor.
Thomas G. Kelley was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1830, and moved to Clark county, Ohio in 1856. In 1861 he bought a farm in this county, Perry township, of two hundred and eight acres, and moved onto it in 1866, where he still remains. Mr. Kelley is a machinist by trade, and most of his time since coming to Iowa has been occupied in that capacity. He was married in 1854 to Miss Elizabeth Bowls, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. They have no children living-lost an infant son, Town- send, in 1861. Mr. Kelley built a house in 1856; and has improved his farm until now he has one of the best farms of Buchanan county, and seems to be driving bus- iness on every hand. He is a Republican both by faith and practice.
R. A. Cameron was born in the State of Indiana in 1845, his parents dying when he was small. He came to this county at about the age of seven with an uncle, Thomas Cameron, and lived with another uncle, M. L. DePoy, till eleven years ago, when he was married to Miss Anna O'Brien, of this county. They have three
children: Ada M., ten; Eva I., eight; Cary S., four. They are a bright, nice little family of girls. Mr. Cam- eron purchased the farm of eighty acres where he now resides, in 1878. Politically he is a Democrat, and relig- iously a Presbyterian. He is a gentleman who has an interest in his neighbor's welfare as well as his own.
Dr. James Muncey was born in the State of New York in 1825; lived with his father, Isaac Muncey, on the farm till 1837, when he moved to Illinois, near Chicago, where he attended school principally till he was twenty-one years of age. In the winter of 1858, there being no school in that vicinity of the country, Mr. Muncey together with seven other boys built an additional room to a man's house and hired a lady teacher for one dollar and a half a week. The school consisted of eight boys and four girls. Mr. Muncey's, father died in 1840. Mr. Muncey attended medical lectures at Philadelphia and gradua- ted at Chicago. Commenced the practice of medicine in Campbell, Illinois, in 1851; crossing the plains to Cali- fornia, where he practiced about three years. Returned in 1854 and located in Black Hawk county, spending his winters in hospital practice in Chicago. Has prac- ticed in Black Hawk county, and in Chicago about twenty-five years. Dr. Muncey carried the first pill bags that were used in Black Hawk county. In 1867 he moved to Jesup and built a handsome residence where he still tesides. Is still practicing medicine; a large amount of his practice is in Black Hawk county. In the spring of 1854 he purchased five hundred acres of land which he stocked and improved and sold at quite an advance. Dr. Muncey was married in 1856 to Miss Anna McCloud, formerly of Montreal, Canada, and of Scotch parentage. Have four children, two sonsand two daughters. The doctor has friends on every hand; is liv- ing happily in the midst of a fine family and a good home. Is one of Jesup's indispensable men. He is medical director of Barcly township, Black Hawk county; Perry township, and also of the city of Jesup. Mrs. Muncey, and her daughter Nora, have displayed wonderful taste in mounting birds, and have a fine collection of their own work. The doctor has the finest flower garden in the county. Over three hundred varieties, it presents one of the grandest feasts for the eye the west affords.
James O'Brian was born in Ireland in 1822, emigrated to America in 1836, locating in the State of Delaware in the town of New Castle. Remained in the State about twenty-one years. Moved to Butler county, Ohio, in 1857. Came to Iowa in March, 1862, and purchased the farm he now lives on, there being three hundred and seven acres in all. Mr. O'Brian is quite extensively en- gaged in the stock business. Was married in 1846 to Miss Martha Kelley, of Delaware, who died, leaving three sons and three daughters, three of whom are living and three dead. Married the second time in 1870 to Miss Elizabeth Miller, formerly from Holmes county, Ohio. They have one little daughter, Effie Louisa, age nine. We find Mr. O'Brian a very pleasant gentleman and from this on you will find him a good, square Repub- lican.
T. W. Rich was born June 29, 1825, in the State of
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New York. Lived with his father, Samuel Rich, on the farm till he was nineteen years of age, when he went to Vermont and attended school four months in Grand Isle county; after which he worked on the farm for a man six months. Spent the following winter at home on the farm and attending school; but attended school only nine days. After various changes in business and loca- tion, occupying the time from 1843 to 1868, we find the subject of this sketch, locating in Jesup in the spring of the latter date. Here he bought the farm (now owned by I. H. Stodard) and moved on it in the fall of the same year, where he resided till February last, when he sold and again returned to Jesup and bought the property where he now resides. About five years of the thirteen, when he owned the farm, he spent as travelling salesman, and has been engaged at the same since coming to town. Mr. Rich was married September 13, 1845, to Miss Matilda S. Berry, of Franklin county, New York; have nine children living-Sarah M., age thirty-three, married Mr. Marcellus Denio in 1866, who was an engineer, and was killed on the railroad April 8, 1879; she was married again February 26, 1880, to Mr. Roy Wel- lington, now living in Harvard, Illinois; George F., age thirty, married Miss Julia Smith, October 2, 1879, liv- ing at Harvard Illinois; Lester M., twenty-eight, single, lives at Cedar Rapids; De Forest T., age twenty-four, married Miss Ida Beckley, March 10, 1878, lives in this county; Frederick S., age twenty-two, single and lives in Illinois; Charles A. Rich, age twenty, single, lives at home; Dexter H., who died September 14, 1865, at the age of nineteen months; Estella E., age fourteen; Mary E., age nine, both living at home. Mr. Rich is one of Buchanan's prominent citizens, and Jesup's first business men. He is a man who has large experience in the world, has a nice home and fine family.
B. F. Munger was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1835. His father, David Munger, moved to Ashta- bula county, Ohio, when B. F. was a mere child. Here he resided till the year 1855, when he came to Iowa with his parents and located in this county, Fairbank town- ship, where his father had previously purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land. Made his home at his father's until the year 1863, when he married Miss Sarah Richardson, formerly of Ohio (an old school-mate and friend). He rented a farm the first year, and joined the one hundred days service and served his time out and returned to his farming interests. Bought pieces of land at different times till now he owns the wholesome num- ber of five hundred and sixty acres, besides several valu- able lots in Hazleton. Is extensively engaged in the stock and dairy business, besides farming extensively. They have four children-Mavro, twelve years old; Bertie, six years old; Katie F., two years; Lousis S., six months old. They are a wide-awake little family. Mr. Munger is in- deed one of the big farmers and stock raisers in Bu- chanan county. He is a good neighbor, besides being one of those who are helping to make it an honor to be a Fairbank farmer.
O. P. Soper was born in Franklin county, New York, n 1827. At the age of eleven he moved with his father,
Joseph Soper, into the Brasher, St. Lawrence county. Went to Illinois in the year 1850, thence to Wisconsin. Spent a year in the pinery, during which time his father died, and he returned and brought his mother to Iowa, it being the year 1851, and entered two hundred acres of land in Fairbank township, where he still resides. The first house he built was a log hut, fourteen by eighteen feet. His neighbors came from seven to eight miles around to the raising. Fifty-two took dinner. They came to get acquainted with the newcomer, as well as to do the raising and get a good bite. Has since added to his acres till now he has three hundred and four in all. Built his present dwelling in 1864. Has planted fruit and shade trees, and has his farm under a splendid state of cultivation, so that now he can lie in his own shade and eat his own apples. Mr. Soper was married in 1851 to Miss Hannah Gray, formerly of New York, but raised in Wisconsin. Have ten children-J. M, aged twenty- seven, married, and lives at Quasqueton ; Phœbe Caro- line, aged twenty-four, married J. M. Smith, lives one- half mile east of her father; Alondon, aged twenty-two; Hannah Electa, aged twenty; Lavina Naomi, aged eighteen ; Charles M., aged sixteen ; Mary, aged fourteen ; Julia, aged twelve; William, aged ten; Anna, aged two. All the single children are living at home and constitute a wide-awake, lively family. As will be seen by this sketch Mr. Soper was one of Buchanan's first settlers.
Mrs. Amelia Wright was born in New York in 1835; moved with her father, Darius Hewett, to Illinois, in 1839. Married Mr. William C. Wright, in the year 1856, who died in July, 1878, leaving a family of seven children, two of whom are now deceased. Their ages and names at present are as follows: Letty, aged twenty- two, married Mr. Clem Dorland and now resides in Fair- bank; Dodo, aged seventeen; Kittie, aged fourteen; Gelea, aged twelve; Cora, aged nine. All the single chil- dren make their mother's house their home. Mr. Wright bought the piece of land of ninety acres, where the fam- ily still reside, in the year 1854. Has made several ad- ditional purchases, so that there are two hundred and eight acres in all, eighty-five of which are in Mrs. Wright's own name. We find Mrs. Wright a very genial, pleasant ·woman. She is an earnest member of the Free Will Baptist church, and is raising her family to fear God and keep his commandments.
Captain H. F. Sill was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1835. Came to Iowa in 1852, and preempted one hundred and twenty acres in Fairbank township. Returned to New York, came back to remain perma- nently in 1858, when he purchased forty acres more, and has since added to his farm. He owns now three hun- dred acres. In 1862 he enlisted in company C, Twenty- seventh Fowa infantry. When the company was organ- ized he was chosen second lieutenant, and was chosen first lieutenant in a few days. In 1864 was chosen cap- tain of the company; served his country in that capacity three years, when the war closed and he returned home. Was in such favor with his men that he bears the hon- ored title still, and will while he lives. Captain Sill was married in 1867 to Mrs. Augusta Laton; have five chil-
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
dren-two sons and three daughters-Henry M., aged thirteen; Anna M., aged twelve; Austin W., aged seven Minnie B, aged four; Myrtie A., aged two. The captain engages in the stock business along with his extensive farming. Has what he deserves-one of Buchanan's best farms and good homes.
Joseph Wolgamott was born in Maryland in 1824. His parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio, when he was a babe. Came to Iowa in 1855. Bought the farm of two hundred and seventeen acres where he now resides, in Fairbank township. Was married in 1851 to Miss Atha Buekmaster, of Ohio. Have seven children living-five sons and two daughters. Mr. Wolgamott came into this county in an early day. Commenced a frontier life in Ohio, and has had a full share of experience in this line. Long may he live to enjoy the reward of early privations.
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