History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 125

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 125
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 125

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a few months afterward went to Pennsyl- vania, where he remained about three years. In 1855 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, settled on section 6, Polk township, and soon after his arrival built the first frame house ereeted in the township. During the years 1866-67 Mr. Head was a member of the board of county super- visors, and has also held other local offi- · ees. He was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah Dunham, a native of New York State, who has borne him five children, two of whom are living. Mr. Head's pa- rents were of Scoteh deseent; his mother being a deseendent of the celebrated John Knox, and also a niece of Mr. Dunham, of Illinois, the great importer of Norman Percheron horses.

W. H. George, born in Richland county, Ohio, February 26, 1843, is a son of John and Eliza (Hittle) George. He remained in his native county until 1856, when he came, with his grandparents, to Bremer county, Iowa, settling in Polk township. In 1861 Mr. George enlisted in the Union army, serving three years. Upon leaving the army he returned to Iowa and, after living a year and a half in Marshall eounty eame to Polk township the second time, and settled on his farm, where he now lives, and owns 320 aeres of excellent land.

Thomas Harris, one of the pioneers of Polk township, is a native of Pennsylva- nia, born on the 10th day of April, 1811. . His parents were also natives of that Statc. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in 1814, while in the ser- vice. Shortly after his deatlı, Thomas was left in the charge of a friend of the family, with whom he remained until sev-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

enteen years of age, receiving, during the time, a limited education. In 1832 he was married to Miss Emeline Steward, who was born in Scipio, New York, May 31, 1811. In 1842 they removed to Illinois, residing in that State until 1856, when they came to Bremer county, Iowa, set- tling on section 10, Polk township, where they have since lived. They are the par- ents of nine children-Lydia, Lucy S., Nancy, Adeline and Emeline (twins), Lu- cretia, Mary, William M. and Rosalia A. The latter died April 15, 1866. Mrs. Harris died March 3, 1868. She was a devout christian and a devoted mother.

C. R. Hastings, one of Bremer county's pioneers, and one of the enterprising farm- ers of Polk township, is a native of New York, and was born in Franklin county, on the 4th of December, 1824. He re- mained at home on his father's farm, at- tending the district schools, until twenty- one years of age, at which time he began life for himself. Two years later he came as far west as Illinois, and spent the fol- lowing ten years in different parts of that State and Wisconsin, at one time being in the employ of the Frink & Walker stage line. During the spring of 1857, he came to Bremer county, and settled on section 22, Polk township, where, by hard work and economy, he has succeeded in accumu- lating a fine property, having a farm of .162 acres, under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Hastings is a staunch republican and has held sev- eral offices of trust. He has been one of the directors of the Bremer County Farm- ers' Mutual Insurance Company for sev- eral years, and was elected President at their last meeting. He is also Vice-presi-

dent of the Bremer county Old Settlers' Association. . In 1853 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Dianah Jones, who was born in Wales, in 1830. Four children blest this union-Mary A., Charles H., Clark M. and Dora E. Mr. Hastings is a genial, whole-souled man, and one who is greatly beloved and respected by all his acquaintances. He has always taken an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he lives, and was an active worker in the White Oak Grange, of his township. He was sent by that organization, in 1872, to Minnesota, to purchase seed wheat, and secured two car loads. Another grange near by was so much pleased with his trans- action, that they insisted on his making another trip on a like errand, which he did and purchased 1500 bushels, making a ju- dicious selection, to the entire satisfaction of all parties concerned.

E. A. Granger was born in Vermont, in 1835. When he was seven years old the family moved to DeKalb county, Illinois, and there he received a common school education, and passed his youth. In 1855 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, purchased land in Polk township, and then returned to Illinois, where he was married to Miss Olive Marsh, a native of that State, Feb- ruary 22, 1855. The following fall he . brought his young wife to their new west- ern home, where they have since lived, and by industry and perseverence, now own 320 acres of well-improved land, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Granger is a repub- lican, and has held several of the local offices. They have four children-W. A., Adolphus, Ella, and Lester A. Mr. Granger . is one of the most enterprising and success-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

ful farmers in Polk township. He is en- gaged extensively in raising stock, and seems to be rapidly accumulating a fortune.

Barnes Thompson, one of the early set- tlers of Bremer county, was born in Che- nango county, New York, in 1825. Ten years after his birth the family moved westward, locating in Delaware county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and obtained an excellent common school edu- cation. In 1855 Mr. Thompson removed to Illinois, and one year later came to Bre- mer county, Iowa, locating in Douglas township. The following year he settled in Polk township, where he has since re- sided. October 19, 1852, he was married, choosing for a helpmeet, Miss Eveline Gardner, a native of New York State. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are now living-Florence A., Ernest C., Ozem G., Frank L., and Leon L. Mr. Thompson and wife, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pol- itics Mr. Thompson is a republican.

John F. Spalding was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1838. His father died when he was but three years old, and, consequently, young John began helping his mother with the farm work, at a very early age. In 1858, he, in company with his mother, came to Bremer county, Iowa, and, after spending about two years at Horton, determined to go to Illinois. As there were no railroads in this section of the country at that time, John, in company with 'another man, embarked in a skiff on the Cedar river, near where Plainfield now stands, and floated down the stream to Moscow, and there boarded the bars for Henry county, Illinois. After spending the summer in that county, he returned to

Polk township, and purchased a farm, upon which he resided about nine years, and then bought his present farm. - Mr. Spalding spent three years in the State of California, and, after his return to Iowa, was proprietor of the Centennial Hotel at Waverly, for two years. He is a staunch republican, and has held several of the township offices. In 1863, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Olive Patridge, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. They have four children-Charlie C., Clyde W., Myrtie M. and Minnie L.

One of the old settlers of Polk town- ship is William Farr, who was born on the 3d day of December, 1826, in Madi- son county, New York. Nine years after his birth, the family moved to Illinois, and there William obtained his education, and lived for many years. During the year 1857 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on a farm on section 19, where he lived eight years, and then set- tled on his present farm. In 1854 Mr. Farr was united in wedlock to Miss So- phia E. Boardman, who is a native of Vermont. They have four children- Willis C., Walker A., Maurice B. and Warren. Mr. Farr has frequently held places of trust in his township, and de- servedly has the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives. His reputation for honesty and integrity being second to none. In politics he is a staunch republican, and a hard worker in every- thing calculated to advance the interests of that party,

E. H. Tyler, a native of New York State, was born in St. Lawrence county in 1835. Four years later the family removed to Ohio, and in 1854 located in Illinois.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

During the year 1858 E. H. came to Bre- mer county, locating on section 19, Doug- las township, where he continued to reside until 1880, when he bought an addition to liis farm on section 25, Polk township, and settled there. During the second year of our late rebellion, he enlisted in Company B, 14th Iowa, and served until honorably discharged in 1864. At Lees- burg, Missouri, he received a wound, from which he has never recovered, and there- fore draws a pension. Mr. Tyler was mar- ried in 1859, choosing for a helpmeet Miss Mary Rickel, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children living-Edmund and George.

Adin Terry, an early settler of Polk township, was born in the State of New York, in 1829. When he was sixteen years old, the family moved to McHenry county, Illinois; and there resided until 1855, when they came to Bremer county and settled on section 35, Polk township. Mr. Terry arrived here in the spring, and during the first summer lived in a wagon box. In the fall he erected a log cabin, which made them a good home for a num- ber of years. At the present date he owns a well stocked farm which contains com- fortable buildings. In his younger days, school advantages were not what they are at the present time, still, by diligence and perseverence, he acquired a good common school education. Mr. Terry is a republi- can, and has held several of the local offi- ces. During the year 1862, he was mar- ried to Miss Malvina Terry, a native of New York State. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are now liv- ing-Frank M., Ethel B., Nellie A., Wallace A., Mason M., Dudley O., Lulu

and Robert H. Mr. Terry's mother died in 1872, at the age of sixty-six; his father still survives her, and is now eiglity-two years of age. During the war for the Union, he took an active part in raising men to fill the quota of his township, and in this connection some years after, there were charges of wrong doing preferred against him, and it is but just to say, that after a thorough investigation by an impartial committee, lie was fully exonera- ted from any wrong. The proof presen- ted by Mr. Terry as to the disposal of cvery dollar placed in his hands was suffi- cient to dispel all belief or prejudice against him.

David Beebe, a native of New York State, was born in 1809. He obtained an education in the common schools of that section and reaclied manhood's estate in the place of his birth. In 1835 lic was joined in wedlock with Miss Nancy Hea- ton, and two years later emigrated to Boone county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for ten years, he then came to Bremer county, and settled on section 35, Polk township, where he now lives and owns 380 acres of well improved land; he also owns forty acres in Franklin township. In politics Mr. Beebe acknowledges no al- legiance to any party, but always tries to vote for the best man. Five children have been born to this couple, four of whom are now living-Saralı D., James H. Y., Mary J. and David B. Their oldest child, Chester A., enlisted in the army in 1862, and while stationed at Dubuque, was taken sick and died at his home, in 1863.

Lewis E. Branch, a native of France, was born in 1828. Three years after liis birth, the family camc to America, locat-

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY. -

ing at Watertown, New York, where Lewis grew to manhood. In 1853 he went to Cal- ifornia, but, after making a short visit, he returned to New York, and was joined in wedloek. Subsequently he removed to Bremer eounty, Iowa, loeating in Douglas township, where he remained some time and then, in company with his wife, again visited the Pacific coast, this time remain- ing two years. During their visit, his wife died. Upon his return he again set- tled in Bremer county, and in 1860 was married to Mrs. Cornelia Andrews, born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1837. This lady had one ehild, Nelson, by her first husband, and two by the latter, Fred and Dollie. Mr. Braneh died on the 3d day of August, 1880.

Samuel Sewell, born in Marion county, Indiana, March 11th, 1836, is a son of Thomas Jefferson Sewell, who died in Waverly, November 19, 1882. Samuel remained in his native State until 1852, wken the family eame to Janesville, Bre- mer eounty, settling on a farm. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Thir- ty-eighth Iowa Volunteers, and served un- til honorably discharged, September 7, 1865. Upon being mustered out of ser- viee, he returned to Bremer eounty, and located in Jaekson township, where he continued to reside until June, 1874, at which time he settled on his present farm, in Polk township. Mr. Sewell was married December 9, 1860, to Miss Sarah C. MeElhaney, a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. They have five children living-Margaret Ann, Samuel Allen, El- mira, Hattie L., and Sarah Susan. He was married the first time, in 1856, to

Anna Catherine Hursh, who bore him one son, and died in January, 1860.

A. W. Emily was born in Watertown, New York, in 1844. When he was ten years old, the family moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he received a liberal edueation, and lived until the open- ing of the late rebellion. September 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and served until Jan- uary, 1863, when he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and served until honorably discharged, September 27, 1865. Upon leaving the army, he returned to Wisconsin, and in 1868 eame to Bremer eounty, Iowa, and settled in Polk town- ship. Mr. Emily is a republican, and has held several of the local offices. In 1868 he was married to Miss Susannah Wight- man, who was born in England, and came to this country when ten years old. They have four children-Hattie B., Gertrude L., Sadie and Walter D.

W. M. Davis was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1819. He received a good common school education in his native county, and when twenty years of age learned the painter's trade. During the year 1838, he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, and engaged in house and sign painting until 1840, when he went to Chicago; and, while there, became agent for Van Amburgh & Company's circus and menagerie. With that company he re- mained seven years, after which he trav- eled with other companies ten years. In 1857, he settled on his farm, in Wiseonsin, and some years later eame to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on seetions 26 and 27, Polk township, and now owns one of the finest farms in the eounty. Mr.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

Davis was married February 27, 1854, to Sarah A. Emily, a native of Canada. She removed to New York State, with her parents, when a child, and grew to womanhood there. They are the parents of three children-Walter M., Jr., Susan E. and Stephen H.

W. W. Lynes was born in the year 1842, in New York State. When he was nine years old, the family left their old home, for Wisconsin, and, after spending some years in Walworth county, Rock Prairie and Beloit, they came to Iowa, and settled in Buchanan county. Shortly after, W. W. left the parental roof, for the purpose of seeking his fortune. He passed some years in different parts of the State, and, finally, in 1863, came to Bre- mer county, and located in Polk township. October 21, 1866, he was married to Miss Ella A. Hutchins, a native of Wisconsin. She bore him two children, and died June 1, 1872. Mr. Lynes afterward married Miss Ella A. Ketchum, by whom he has had three children.

J. Furrow is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1828. He grew to manhood in the State of his birth, receiving a limited edu- cation in the log school house of that day. When of sufficient age, he learned the trade of cabinet-making, and followed that occupation for a number of years. In 1851 he moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, and during the fall of 1861 came to Bremer county, Iowa, locating near Tripoli. Fif- teen years later he settled in Polk township, where he lived until 1880, when he moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where he now resides. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Julia Fish, a native of New York State. They are the parents of three children-Sanford

M., William H., and Sarah M. William H. was born in Illinois, on the 4th day of September, 1835, and was married, in 1880, to Miss Alice Eisenhart, a native of Iowa, born in 1861. They have one child- Grace. William now lives on the old homestead, in Polk township. In his youth he received an excellent common school education, and for a number of years has followed the profession of teach- ing. He is a republican.

J. P. Fritcher was born on the 21st day of June, 1811, in Sharon, Schoharie county, New York. Shortly after his birth the family removed to Oneida county, where he grew to manhood, and obtained a good common school education. He also learned the tailors' trade in that county. In Jan- uary, 1832, he was united in marriage with Miss Melvina M. Avery, a native of New York State. In 1844 he settled in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade, and farmed, until 1864. At that time he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on section 1, Polk township, where he has since resided. They are the parents of five children-Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Denison, and Nettie, all of whom are married. Denison was married Jan- uary 2, 1869, to Amanda M. Gibson, a native of Indiana. They have two chil- dren-Clarence, and John. Mr. and Mrs. Fritcher, and also their son Denison's wife, are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

F. H. Bunth is a native of Sweeden, and was born in 1842. Two years after his birth, the family emigrated to America, and upon their arrival in this country settled in Kenosha county, Wis- consin. There the son obtained a common

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

school education and reached manhood's estate. June 14, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Fourth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until honorably discharged, Janu- ary 1, 1863. As soon as discharged he immediately re-enlisted, and continued serving until June 19, 1866. He received two wounds during the Siege of Port Hudson, from the effects of which he has never recovered, and therefore draws a pension. Upon leaving "Uncle Sam's" service, Mr. Bunth returned to Wisconsin, and remained there until the spring of 1870, when he came to Bremer county, and settled on section 24, Polk township, where he now owns a well improved farm of ninety acres, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Bunth was married in October, 1866, to Miss Mary Jane Dyer, born in Kenosha county, Wisconsin. He is an advocate of republicanism, and has held local offices.

One of the pioneers of Polk township, is G. W. Nafus, born in Tompkins county, New York, in 1829. Four years later, his parents removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where they remained nine years, then spent seven years in Wyandotte county, when they located in Monroe county, Michigan, where the subject of this sketch was married, December 25, 1851, to Miss Sarah Southwick, a native of Ohio, born in 1832. In 1854 he removed to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1861, and then came to Bremer county, Iowa, settling on section 15, Polk township, where he now owns 230 acres of land. Mr. Nafus is a republi- can, and has held several offices of trust. Their children are, Flora, Jane, George, Charles and William. The family are members of the Free Will Baptist Church.

During our late rebellion, Mr. Nafus took an active part in looking after the families of soldiers, living in his neighbor- hood.

H. S. Bunth was born in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, January 5, 1850. He received a common school education in his native county, and passed his carly life there. When twenty years old, he made a short visit in Bremer county, and upon his re- turn home, was married to Miss Carric E. Hoffman, who was born in Walworthı county, Wisconsin. In 1874 he moved to Bremer county, and purchased a farm in Fremont township. There he resided four years, and then sold it and bought the farm in Polk township, where he now lives. Mr. Bunth is a republican, and has held several local offices. They have three children-Minnie, May and an in- fant.

J. M. Roberts, one of Polk township's most popular men, was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on the 7th day of March, 1837. When he was eleven years of age his parents emigrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood, and received a good common school education. At the outbreak of our late rebellion hc was among the first to take up arms in defense of his country; enlisting August 19, 1861, in Company F, 7th Wisconsin Infantry. December 30, 1863, he rc-en- listed with his regiment, and in Deccm- ber of the following year was promoted to the First Lieutenancy, and to the coni- mand of his company. At the battle of Five Forks, Virginia, on the 1st day of April, 1865, he received a wound front which he has never fully recovered, and now draws a pension. June 29, 1865, he

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

was honorably discharged, after which he returned to his home in Wisconsin, and October 1, of the same year, was married to Miss Cornelia L. Crippen, a native of that State. During the year 1871 Mr. Roberts came to Bremer county, and set- tled on section 30, Polk township, where he has since resided, and now owns a well improved farm of 120 acres, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Roberts is a staunch republican, and in 1876 was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which place of trust he continues to hold. In the fall of 1881, Mr. Roberts was the nominee of the republican party for representative- having received the nomination by a ma- jority of sixty-one votes out of seventy-five cast. He was a very popular candidate, but owing to a certain combination of cir- cumstances, was defeated at the general election, by 128 votes. Mr. and Mrs. Rob- erts are the parents of four children-Net- tie, Anna, William and Alexander. .

Albert Harrington, a son of Nicholas W. and Betsey (Spencer) Harrington, was born in Rhode Island, October 2, 1815. In 1821, the family moved to Onondaga county, New York, where the son grew to manhood and received a common school education, completed by an attendance at an academy. He was married October 28, 1840, in Onondaga county, New York, to Miss Sally Ann Coffin, a native of that county, born in 1816. Mr. Harrington and family remained in New York State until 1868, when they came to Bremer county, settling on section 25, Polk township, where he now owns a farm of eighty acres. They have one child living-Mary Eliza, who now resides in New York, and is a graduate of the Normal School at Albany.

John Roach is a native of the Emerald Isle, born March 16, 1848. When he was five years of age, his parents came to America and settled in New York City, where they remained for two years, after which they emigrated to Chicago, Illinois, where his mother died soon after their arrival. The family having been broken up by the death of his mother, John was adopted into the family of an Englishman named Ainsworth, and was brought up on a farm, receiving but a limited education. He remained in this family until fifteen years of age, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Illinois Cavalry. He partici- pated in many engagements, and was wounded in a skirmish at Rector, Virginia, from the effects of which he now draws a pension; after serving his country true and faithfully, until the close of the war, he was honorably discharged June 5, 1865, after which he returned to Illinois and re- mained in McHenry county until the fall of 1866, when he came to Waverly, Bre- mer county, Iowa, where he resided four years, when he came to Plainfield and . engaged in the grain and general produce trade, which is constantly increasing, and the name of "Johnnie Roach" is well and favorably known by every farmer in the surrounding country. Mr. Roach is owner of the finest residence in Plainfield, and here, surrounded by his family, he enjoys many pleasant hours not devoted to his business. He has been twice married, the first time, November 27, 1873, to Miss Mary Wancmaker, a native of Wisconsin, who died January 20, 1880, leaving two children-Lewis and Edwin. He was married again in October, 1880, to Miss Dora Wire, who is also a native of Wis-

Adin Jerry

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

consin. They are the parents of one child, an infant.

H. S. Ingham was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1838. Five years after his birth, the family moved to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin. He obtained his education at the district school, near his home, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. During the year 1861, he started west in search of a home, and, liking this section of the country, deter- mined to settle here. Therefore, in November, he purchased his farm, on sec- tion 36, and · has since resided there. In 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss S. T. Gibson, who is a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Three children bless this union-Winnie B., Lulu Maud and Mabel Laverne.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 125

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316