History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 92

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

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A. R. Wolgamot was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 10, 1852. At the age of four he came to Iowa with his father, Joseph Wolgamot, and located in Fair- bank township on a farm. Mr. A. R. Wolgamot com- menced business for himself July 12, 1876, engaging in the drug business in Fairbank. Read medicine and practiced three years previous to that. Resided upon the farm till twenty years of age, after which he attended school at Hopkins three years. Was married June 10, 1877, to Miss Clara G. Graham, of Delaware county. Have two children-Winnie Olta, two years old; Lita May, seven months old. Has recently built a splendid house, in fact the best one in Fairbank.

B. F. Ranney was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1856. At the age of twelve he came to lowa with his father, J. C. Ranney, locating in the town of Fairbank. Mr. B. F. Ranney commenced doing business for himself soon after he was sixteen years of age, first working on the farm, but in March, 1880, he commenced the grocery business in his town, and continues it still, very successfully. He still enjoys single blessedness. He is politically a Democrat, and has an interest in the business welfare of his community.

J. C. Myers was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1843. He came to Iowa in 1855, and engaged in farm ing with his father, Jacob Myers, until he was twenty- one, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Fairbank, in which he has been engaged exclusively since. Mr. Myers was married, in 1866, to Miss Rebec- ca J. Shults, of Fayette county. They have two chil- dren: Minnie Bell, age fourteen; and Harry E., aged eight. Mr. Myers has a fine stock of goods and a fine trade, and has one of the finest homes in the town. He is a natural business man, and from the fact that he has been in business in one place for the last seventeen years, we may predict permanency in the future-new styles, but the same old merchant.

G. B. Ward, M. D., was born at Centre Point, Linn county, Iowa, in 1856. He lived at home with his father, Dr. A. B. Ward, until his death, which occurred March 30, 1879. He attended school at Ann Arbor, in the department of medicine and surgery and graduated July 1, 1880. He had previously studied medicine under his father, and took a course of nine months' lec-

tures in 1877-8, and practiced, for a time, in Fairbank, where he has practiced since his graduating. It is but justice to say that Dr. Ward is a young man of fine ability. He has a complete understanding of his pro- fession, and we prediet that he will, in no far future day, rank among the leading physicians of Iowa. Dr. Ward was married, May 12, 1880, to Miss Ella J. Berry, of Ohio. Dr. Ward's office shows he is a man of an in- quiring mind and of splendid taste. He has a geolog- ical collection, arranged in fine order, making a very interesting and attractive office.

J. I. Minkler was born in Canada, in 1830, and came to the United States in 1840, and located in New York. He went to Illinois in 1856, and remained about three years, when he returned to New York, and remained two years. In 1861 he returned to Illinois and lived there until 1864, when he came to Iowa and located in the village of Fairbank, where he has resided ever since. He owned a half interest in, and run, the mill about two years. He engaged in the dry goods business in 1856, in company with his present partner, F. W. Nichols, and has continued the business successfully since. Mr. Minkler owns several farms, and has an interest in some others, owning in all about nine hundred acres. They own and run the mill in partnership. Mr. Minkler was married, in 1856, to Miss Martha Kent, of New York. Mr. Minkler got his start in the mining business, in Cali- fornia, in 1851 to 1853. As will be seen by the sketch, he is one of the wealthy men of Buchanan county. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and a friend to everybody.

Dr. J. A. Ward was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1831. At the age of fifteen he moved with his father, Benjamin Ward, to Iowa, locating in Independence, in July, 1854. Dr. Ward commenced reading medicine with Henry L. Kirkem, of Springsville, Ohio, and fin- ished his study with Dr. Blymin, of Mansfield, Ohio. He commenced practice in Springsville, Ohio, and con- tinued about one year, when he moved to Independence and commenced his practice there, in 1854, and con- tinued until the breaking out of the war, when he joined the army and served three years, as assistant surgeon, in the Ninth Iowa cavalry. He returned to Indepencence after the war closed, and resumed the practice of medi- cine until the year 1875, when he located in Bradford Chickasaw county, where he practiced two years. He then moved to Jesup and practiced three years, and then came to Fairbank, in 1879, where he has purchased a stock of drugs, and, besides a successful business in that line, is enjoying a fine practice. Dr. Ward was married, in 1840, to Miss Irena Wilson, of Ohio. They have two children: Anna, aged thirty, married to Daniel Carson, and resides in Lynn county, Iowa; and Katie, aged twenty-three, married David Anthony, living in Jesup, Iowa. The doctor is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and rightfully enjoys the people's confidence, which he abundantly possesses.

C. H. Procter was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1827. He went with his father, Leonard Procter, to the State of Vermont, when only a child. At the age of twenty-five, he moved to Charleston, Illinois, where he

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engaged at the carpenter's trade four years, when he moved to Decatur, Illinois, and remained there in the neighborhood of fourteen years. He worked in a pump shop principally. He came to Iowa, this county, in October, 1868, and located in Fairbank, where he still resides. He has carried on blacksmithing and wagon- making principally. He run the grist-mill three years. Mr. Procter was married on December 29, 1846, to Miss D. A. Strong, of Pomfret, Vermont, who was born in February, 1827. They have only one child living, Cora A., aged sixteen, single and living at home. He has always been a Republican.

L. Boutwell was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1828. At about the age of nine he moved with his father, Charles Boutwell, to Illinois, locating in Cain county, where Mr. L. Boutwell spent his best days, en- gaged principally in farming. Enlisted August, 1862, in company I, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois infantry. Served his country about three years, when he was discharged at Washington in 1865. Was indeed a faithful soldier, and though he received a severe injury in his back, and a fit subject for the hospital a great deal of the time, yet he was too plucky to ever go there. Mr. Boutwell was married in 1850, to Miss Polly Nichols, of Illinois, who died in 1866, leaving two children: Charles, who is now twenty-eight years of age, married and lives in Nebraska; Eunice, twenty-two years of age, and mar- ried to Eresta Ward, and lives in Fairbank. Mr. Bout- well was married the second time, in 1866, to Mrs. Mary J. Taylor, of St. Charles, Illinois. They have one child, George, ten years old. Mr. Boutwell has served his voting friends as constable for the past four years, besides being among that number who honored his State and county by giving Garfield a sweeping majority in 1880.

Dr. E. Wiltse was born in Canada in 1851, came to the United States when only about three years old with his father, Alexander Wiltse, who located in Colesburgh, Iowa, and remained there about two years, when they moved to Strawberry Point, where his mother still resides. Mr. Wiltse died October 7, 1876. Dr. Wiltse lived at home and attended school until he was nineteen years of age, when he attended school two years at Upper Iowa university. At the age of twenty-one he attended the Bennett Medical college, of Chicago. Commenced the practice of medicine in 1874, in Fayette, Iowa, where he remained till the year 1877, when he came to Fair- bank and established as a physician, where he is still practicing. Dr. Wiltse was married in 1873, to Miss Lucy Ann Dean, of Iowa. We feel that it is but justice to the doctor to say that he is a pleasant gentleman, and well worthy of the confidence the people repose in him. To give a little variety to our sketches, as well as to add a pleasant word for the doctor, we may state that he is a good, square Republican.

John Leehey was born in Ireland, in 1840; came to America in 1844, located first in Massachusetts, where he lived only about one year, when he went to Brattle- borough, Vermont ; moved to New York in 1851 ; moved to Pennsylvania in 1852; moved to Illinois in 1853;

came to Iowa in 1855, and located in Dubuque county. Bought the farm of two hundred acres where he now resides in the year 1864, moved upon it in 1866, built his present residence in 1878. Has put up barn build- ings this last summer. Has planted fruit and shade trees, and has his farm under good cultivation. Was married in 1868, to Miss Ellen O'Connor, of Irish birth. Have four children: Moses D., ten; Florence, five ; Michael, three; Joseph, two-a rousing family of boys. We find Mr. and Mrs. Leehey very pleasant people. They have a nice farm and good home. Mr. John Leehey enlisted in company F, Twenty-first Iowa volun teer infantry, in September, 1862. Served his country two and a half years. Lost a thumb in the battle of Port Gibson. Was discharged in February, 1864, on account of wounds. Was in two severe engagements.

Alexander Stevenson was born in Pennsylvania in 1808. His parents moved to Ohio when Mr. Stevenson was a babe, locating in Ross county, where he remained until about the age of twenty-eight, when he went to Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, and remained six years, then moved to Boone county, and spent ten years. , Came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Fairbank township, where he bought forty acres of land and forty the year following, where he built a house and two barns, and resided until the spring of 1878, when he moved house and barns to the farm owned by his son John, where the two families now reside. Mr. Stevenson was married in 1834, to Miss Mary Ann Cameron, of Ohio. They have only one child living, John C., forty years of age, and was married September 4, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Wilson, of this county. Have six children living: Laura J., seventeen; Elmer, twelve; Effie, nine; Mertie, four; Eber, six; Ralph, two. They constitute a bright, happy, lively family. Mr. J. C. Stevenson owns one of the best farms of Buchanan county, two hundred and ninety acres in all. Has fine buildings and a nice home in every respect. Mr. Alexander Stevenson was among the first settlers of this county, and his name will be honored in the far future as among those who went forward with stout hearts to open the broad, fertile prairies of the great west.

Samuel Wilson was born in Clarion county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1810, June 10th, where he resided until he was forty-five years of age. In the meantime he had moved to Illinois, but returned disgusted with the unhealthiness of the country. Came to Iowa in 1855, purchased one hundred and twenty acres, paying eight dollars per acre in gold. Built his present fine brick residence in 1864, hauled the brick and quarried the stone himself. Built his barn in 1861. Mr. Wilson was married December 24, 1835, to Miss Sarah Henry, who died July 19, 1851, leaving a family of five children: Lewis P., forty-three; Clarissa J., forty ; Mary A., thirty-five; Alvin H., thirty- two; Albert P., thirty. Mr. Wilson was married the second time, January 4, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Law. Have two children: Samuel L. Wilson, twenty-seven ; Elizabeth M., twenty-five. Mr. Wilson ranks among the earliest set- tlers of this county. Was a pioneer in Pennsylvania. Was the first child born in Taba township, Pennsylvania.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA

Has spent many a day in the western solitude, perfectly contented, anticipating and working for the comfortable days he is now enjoying. Has as good a farm and fine a home as one need wish.

C. O. Wellman was born in New York in 1829. Came to Iowa in 1854, and bought the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, where he still resides, in Fairbank township. Built his house in 1869. Has his farm under good cultivation. Bought ten acres of timber in 1862. Was married in 1853 to Miss Elizabeth Agnew, who died in September, 1879. Has four children-Eugene, twenty-six, married and living in this township; Maggie, twenty-four, married James Vincent, and lives in Perry township; George O., twenty-two, married and lives with his father; Cora, twelve. Mr. Wellman is one of Bu- chanan's substantial farmers and sound Republicans.

Henry Wilbur was born in Windham county, Vermont, in 1810, where he spent his early years on the farm and at- tending school. At the age of seventeen he went to the vicinity of Troy, New York, Rensselaer county, and en- gaged with Mr. John Gary, assisting him on his farm and in his tannery, and remained with him about six months, when he was taken sick with a fever, and after his recov- ery returned home to Vermont, where he taught school two winters and worked on the farm two summers, and then returned to New York. At that time there was only one steamer running between Albany and New York, so he took passage on a tow-boat to the city, where he lived about eight years, employed as hotel clerk most of the time. From the year 1835, Mr. Wilbur resided princi- pally in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with the ex- ception of two years spent in Ohio, until 1857, in the month of June, when he came to Iowa and bought the farm of one hundred and eight acres, where he still re- sides, in Fairbank township. He has since added to his possessions, until now he owns one hundred and fifty- three acres. He built his house in 1868. Mr. Wilbur has changed his home and farm from a log hut and wild prairie to a fine residence and well cultivated fields, a change that may well make any man feel that he has con- quered a kingdom. Mr. Wilbur was married in June, 1834, to Miss Ann J. Porter, of Nashua, New Hampshire, who was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, January 14, 1813. Have four children living and four deceased- Ann Augusta, forty-five, married in 1856 to John R. Lay- ton, who died in August, 1866, from effects of army service, leaving one son, Willie W., now twenty-one years of age; Mrs. Layton was again married, in May, 1867, to Mr. F. H. Sill, and resides in Fairbank township. Henry P. Wilbur, who was second lieutenant in company C, Ninth Iowa infantry, and died May 22, 1863, at the age of twenty-five, near Vicksburgh, while serving his country. Frederick M. Wilbur, who died July 1, 1864, at the age of twenty-five ; he was the second son who lost his life in his country's cause. Sarah C., thirty-eight, single, and lives at home. Rowland G., who died De- cember 9, 1844, at the age of seventeen months, drowned at Medford, Massachusetts. Ellen B., who died October 25, 1846, at the age of fourteen. Clara F., thirty-three, married, in October, 1868, to Mr. G. W. Camp, and lives

in Fairbank township. Melverton, twenty-seven, married January 1, 1874, to Miss Etta D. Barber, also living in Fairbank township. As will be seen by this sketch, Mr. Wilbur has been one of the pioneers of Buchanan coun- ty. He is one of Buchanan's substantial farmers, and a straight Republican.

Since the above was written, the publishers have re- ceived the following obituary notice of Mrs. Wilbur:

Died, March 8, 1881, after many months of intense suffering, Mrs. Ann }. Wilbur, wife of Henry Wilbur, of Fairbank, Iowa.

Mrs. Wilbur was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, January 14, 1813, and was married in Nashua, New Hampshire, June 5, 1834, removing immediately to New York city, where her husband then resided. After a few years residence in New York and Massachusetts, they returned to Nashua, which place they made their home until the spring of 1857, when they canie to Iowa, that they might be nearer their older children.

In leaving her New England home, Mrs. Wilbur severed many ties, for she was surrounded by warm, true friends, whose names were often spoken during that last, long illness.

In 1861 her two eldest sons, Henry and Frederick, volunteered in the war for the Union, and now the anxieties of a mother's heart began to be manifest in lines of care, and a look of trouble in the beautiful, dark eyes.

The terrible blow, caused by the death of her son Henry, at Vicks- burg, in May, 1863, was followed by another in 1864, when her son Frederick, who had returned from the army wasted by disease, yielded up his young life. These sacrifices told fearfully upon the mother's strength, and from this time on life's journey was often trod with falter- ing footsteps and failing strength. Ever gentle, kind and thoughtful for the comfort of others, she went bravely on, waiting her Heavenly Father's call, and the rest which he has promised.

She leaves a husband, son and three daughters, who mourn the loss of a faithful, devoted wife and mother. Rev. Bailey preached an im- pressive sermon from Hebrews, fourth chapter, ninth verse.

P. N. Freeman was born in Massachusetts in the year 1826. At about the age of eighteen months his father, Harry Freeman, moved to the State of New York, where he remained till his death, which was in 1863. Mr. P. N. Freeman commenced to do for himself at the age of twenty-two, engaging in farming. Resided in that State till the year 1855, when he came to Iowa, locating on the southern line of Fayette county, where he lived thirteen years. In 1868 he sold and purchased the farm of two hundred and forty acres where he now resides, in section twenty-seven, Hazelton township, this county. Has since made some purchases of land, till now he owns in all three hundred and eleven acres. Mr. Free- man has a good house and farm buildings. His farm lays beautifully, and is under a good state of cultivation generally. Has shade and fruit trees planted, and every convenience of a western home provided. Mr. Free- man was married in 1849 to Miss Mary Dunton, who was born in the State of New York, in 1827. Have four children living : Walter M., twenty-six April last ; Flora C., eighteen in March ; Fannie, fifteen in December, 1880 ; Prentice M., thirteen, January 11, 1881. Mr. Freeman is one of those men who believes in voting for men instead of party. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Freeman's interests have been associated with this county for the past twenty-five years. He is one of Buchanan's drive-wheels and business farmers.

W. N. Norcott was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1821, where he lived until he was twenty-three years of age, when he moved to Brown county, and lived there sixteen years. Came to Iowa in May, 1870;

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bought the farm of one hundred and twenty-five aeres where he now resides in Fairbank township. Is engaged in stock raising and farming. Was married April 13, 1843. to Miss Margaret Becker, of New York. Have four children living: Howard, thirty-six, married Ezabel Ganan, in 1877, now residing at Waterloo, is a painter by trade ; Violet, thirty-one, married J. P. Anderson, of Otterville, January, 1871 ; D. A., twenty-nine, married in 1879 to Miss Laura Williamson, reside at Otterville, farmer ; Willard, twenty-seven, married Miss Rachel Rust, September, 1876, farming in Perry township. Mr. Norcott has the horticultural department of farming in a good shape, has plenty of apples, berries, etc., ete. Has his farm under a good state of cultivation, and now owns one of Fairbank's best farms, and is a good farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Noreott are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. Among the other many excellent qualities of Mr. Norcott, it may be mentioned that he is a good, stiff Republican.

Weldon Gallop was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1801. Spent his best days in that State, engaged principally at farming. Moved to Pennsylvania in 1850, remained there about ten years. Came to Iowa in 1860, and bought a farm of two hundred acres in Fairbank township, where he still resides. Mr. Gallop was married in 1820 to Miss Minerva Holcomb, of New York. Had ten children, all of whom are living and facing the re- sponsibilities of life for themselves : Luceba, Ennety,

Elmira, Abner, Porter, Minerva, Ludema, Daniel, Celestia. Mr. and Mrs. Gallop are very active, consider- ing their ages. Have thirty-four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

J. B. Roberts was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in the year 1839, where he remained until the year 1855, when he moved to Wisconsin, and remained until June, 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating in Fayette county, Oren township. He purchased a farm and resided till 1866, when he sold his place and purchased the farm of eighty acres where he now resides in Fairbank township. Has turned his attention principally to farming. In 1863 he enlisted in company F, First lowa cavalry ; served his country two years and four months ; was never wounded nor taken prisoner. During his whole service was only off duty about six weeks, and only returned home when the rebellion was put down. Mr. Roberts has held positions of trust most of the time since his con- nection with Fairbank township ; was clerk of the board of township directors seven years, and assessor six years. Mr. Roberts was married in 1860, to Miss Louisa M. Carpenter, of Fayette county ; have five children : John H., nineteen ; Gilford W., seventeen ; Chester M., thirteen ; Cora E., ten ; Griffith, one year ; all living at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Masonie fraternity and the Odd Fellows order.

FAIRBANK.

This township is located in the northwestern part of the county. It was, at the time of its organization, called Alton, but, about one year after, the name was changed to Fairbank. In the meantime, a village had been located in the north also called Fairbank, and a post office of the same name. One of the founders of the village was a Mr. Bacon, whose grandmother's name was Fairbank. He suggested the name to his partner, F. J. Everett, to which all agreed; hence the name.

ORGANIZATION.

It was organized as a separate and independent town- ship March 5, 1855, as evidenced by the county court record, which is as follows :

STATE OF IOWA, BUCHANAN COUNTY, S. s., March 5, 1855: It is ordered by the court that township ninety, north, of range ten, west, be detached from Perry township, and that it shall hereafter be and form a separate township, to be called Alton, and that an election be holden in said township on the first Monday in April next, at the house of George Beatty, in said township, and that George Beatty, Miles Soper and Sampson George be the judges of said election. The court urther orders that the west tier of sections in township ninety, range

nine, be detached from Perry township, and hereafter form a part of Superior township.

About one year after the above order was made the name of the township was changed to Fairbank, and the name Superior has been changed to Hazleton.

ELECTION.

The election referred to in the above order, accord- ing to the best information that we can obtain, was not held until August, 1855, and then in a log house belong- ing to Charles Cheesbrough, but used as a school-house. The following were honored with an election to office : J. M. Soper, Jacob Minton and William Beatty, trustees; W. S. Clark, clerk; Fred Patterson, assessor ; W. S. Clark and Fred Patterson, justices; and Justus Durham and James Patchen, constables. The present township officers are : O. S. Payne, Thomas MeDonald and Phil- lip Kroft, trustees ; J S. Stevenson, assessor; C. B. Ever- ett and J. Sheridan, justices; J. C. Raney and B. F. Wright, constables ; and A. R. Wolgomat, clerk.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

SETTLEMENT.

William S. Clark made the first permanent settlement in this township in 1849, in the southern part, on the farm now owned and occupied by John C. Stevenson. He was a native of New York, and had five children. He was the first magistrate here; also one of the pioneer teachers, and the first clerk of the township. In 1858 he, together with his family, went to California, where he resides. He was a man of marked ability, of whom the settlers speak with great respect.

Alexander Stevenson settled here in September, 1850, coming from Indiana. He was born in Pennsylvania October 14, 1808, and married in Indiana to a sister of John Cameron. They have had four children, one only of whom is living-John C. Stevenson-with whom the old folks reside. Mr. Stevenson is still in the full enjoy- ment of health and of his mental faculties. He is one of the pioneer Presbyterians, and has been an elder in that church for forty years. His son, J. C. Stevenson, has six beautiful and interesting children.

Robert Wroten settled near Stevenson's in the fall of 1851, being a native of Delaware. He also was a pio- neer Presbyterian. His children are as follows : John, married, and living in Perry township; Jesse, married, and living in Washington township; Jane, married to Asaiah Anderson, and residing in Washington township; Alexander, married and living in Minnesota; Rachel, married to George Van Emman, and living on the old family homestead ; Eliza, married to Fremont Gates, and still living in the township; Thomas, living in Washing- ton township ; and Almira, married to H. Bantz, and living in Washington township. Mr. Wroten died June 10, 1867, and his wife January 10, 1878. Jesse, their son, died in the army in our late war.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 92

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

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