History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 133

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 133
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 133


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).


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John Simmons, a native of Cornwall county, England, and a son of Joseph and Mary (Gomnan) Simmons, was born Oc- tober 20, 1841. He came to this country with his parents when only six years of age, and lived in Grant county, Wisconsin,


on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of said county, after which he pursued farming as his avoca- tion. In 1874 he came to Warren 'town- ship, and, in the spring of 1875, settled on section 5, where he now resides and owns a farm of 184 acres of prairie and 5 acres of timber. He was united in marriage in February, 1865, with Miss Jemima Bul- lock, a daughter of William Bullock of Grant county, Wisconsin. By this union there are five children-Jennie, born Jan- uary 16, 1866; Eliza, April 25, 1869; John, July 29; 1872; May, October 27, 1874; El- mer, January 18, 1880. Mr. Simmons is a member of Tyrrell Lodge, No. 116, of A. F. & A. M., of Waverly, Iowa, and a re- publican in politics.


Christian Thoren, born in Brakelsiek, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on the 8th day of February, 1831, is the youngest son of Frederick and Amelia (Beinemeier) Thoren. He resided in his native country until 1857, when he emigrated to the United States, settling in Stephenson county, Illinois, where he resided until 1864, when he came to Warren township and bought a farm on section 28, where he has since resided and now owns a farm of 240 acres, and 11 acres of timber. In 1864, he was drafted into the army, serving one year in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry; took part in the battle of Spanish Fort, Ala- bama, and was discharged at Mobile, in December, 1865. He was married in 1857, to Miss Amelia Siekmeier. By- this union there are six children living-Amelia, born January 15, 1858, wife of Rev. J. Knoche; Henry, February 6, 1860; Charley, July 25, 1862; Mary, March 28, 1867; Frank- lin, February 23, 1870, and Minnie, Octo-


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ber, 1877. In politics Mr. Thoren is a republican, which he has been ever since becoming a citizen. He is a member of the Evangelical Church of Warren town- ship, in which he has served as Sunday School superintendent.


ORGANIC.


On the 28th day of February, 1859, the first election of Warren township was held at the house of N. M. Smith. The follow- ing officers were appointed to hold said election: H. W. Perry, N. W. Perry and Horace Smith, trustees; H. D. Perry and H. D. Smith, clerks. The following persons were elected: Justices of the peace, N. W. Perry and Horace Smith; constables, E. N. Perry and O. Skillen; trustees, B. W. Ingersoll, H. D. Perry and N. W. Perry; town clerk, H. W. Perry. The officers since elected, have been as follows:


1861-Assessor, Orville McGinnies, supervisor, A. M. Smith; constables, E. N. Berry and P. Skillen; justiccs, A. M. Winner and A. J. Stroat; clerk, H. D. Perry; trustees, P. Smith, G. A. Michael and A. J. Stroat.


1862-Justices of the peace, N. W. Perry and John Buckmaster; constables, William Berry and Calvin Kingsley; assessor, James Murphey; town clerk, N. M. Smith; trustees, Duncan Berry, Proctor Smith and John Buckmaster.


1863-Supervisor, D. Winrech; justice, II. M. Wood; trustees, Jolin Buckmaster, A. J. Buck and A. Kinney; clerk, Calvin Kingsley; assessor, Geo. Custer.


1864-Supervisor, John Buckmaster; justices, H. H. Case and James Sturde- vant; trustees, Amos Kinney, Charles


Stocking and Daniel Chittenden; clerk, Calvin Kingsley; assessor, S. Hammon; constables, Isaac Trumfair, W. B. Case.


1865-Trustecs, Amos Kinney, James Murphy, John Fauver; justices, James Murphy, Jno. Buckmaster; supervisor, John Smalley; constables, H. H. Timblin, W. B. Ingersoll; assessor, S. H. Kingsley. 1866-Clerk, T. Caswell; assessor, S. H. Kingsley; trustees, H. H. Case, John Woodruff, A. Kinney; justices, H. H. Case, Charles Stocking; constables, John Stocking, H. H. Timblin.


1868-Supervisor, J. D. Woodruff; trus- tees, Amos Kinney, T. Caswell, G. H. Wiggins; justices, H. H. Case, C. Shed- uede; constables, W. J. Stevens, C. Thorne; clerk, J. K. Stocking; assessor, George Luce.


1869-Trustees, Amos Kinney, G. H. Wiggins, John Hanner; constables, C. Thorne, W. P. Stevens; clerk, J. K. Stock- ing; assessor, E. Thompson.


1871-Supervisor, John Chapin; justice, Ch. Mohling; trustees, S. H. Kingsley, Henry Heine, Amos Kinney; assessor, Ed- ward Thompson; constables, John Hanner, C. Thorne; clerk, B. Chittenden.


1872-Supervisor, S. H. Curtis; trustces, C. Mohling, Amos Kinney, S. H. Kingsley; clerk, C. M. Kingsley; constables, John Allbright, James Bocker.


1874-Justices, C. Thorne, H. H. Case; Assessor, C. Mohling; clerk, George Gors, trustees, John Albright, Henry Kaiser, M. H. Robinson; constables, Fred Werdman, Fred Platte.


1875-Justices, H. H. Case, Charles Stocking; assessor, C. A. Mohling; clerk, Charles Gors; trustees, Amos Kinney,


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


George Curtis, John Albright; constables, M. Shaver, Charles McCormack.


1877-Justices, H. H. Case, C. Thorne; assessor, Henry Klages; clerk, Charles Gors; trustees, Clarence Tyrrell, Henry Kaiser, William Arns; constables, Daniel Case, Henry Kaiser.


1878-Justice, H. H. Case; assessor, C. A. Mohling; clerk, Charles Gors; trustees, William Arns, C. A. Mohling, Henry Heine; constable, D. G. Case.


1880-Trustee, H. Kaiser; clerk, Charles Tyrrell; assessor, H. Klages; justice H. H. Case; constables, L. Rust, D. Case.


1881-Trustee, William Arns; justice, H. H. Case.


1882-Trustee, Thomas Loveland; justices, Homer Case, Andrew Pitcher; assessor, Eugene Chittenden; constables, Louis Rust, J. W. Case.


EDUCATIONAL.


The first school was taught on section 34, in a log school house built by the neigh- borhood, during the winter of 1854-5, by Miss Lottie Crawford, now a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are now nine school houses in the township, all frame buildings, and erected at an average cost of $600.


A school was taught by Jessie Berry, during the summer of 1855, in the log school house on section 34.


FIRST THINGS.


The first marriage was George Michael to Miss Elizabeth Trumbo, at the resi- dence of Israel Trumbo, on section 34, by 'Squire Ellsworth, in 1854.


The first death was a child of W. B. Ingersoll and wife. /


The first birth was a son (Abner) to William Ogden and wife, in 1854. He is now living in Mitchell county, Iowa.


The first house was built by Israel Trumbo, on section 34. It has since been torn down.


CEMETERIES.


There are three cemeteries in this town- ship. One is located on the northeast cor- ner of the northwest quarter of section 33, and was laid out in 1875. The first inter- ment was the wife of John Yojrs, during the same year. Another is located on the northeast quarter of section 26, and was laid out in 1871. The first burial was John Frederick, a son of J. Shaver and wife, December 24, 1871. . The other is located in the southwest corner of section 30. The first burial here was a son of Proctor Smith, who was drowned during the summer of 1856.


RELIGIOUS.


The first services of this character were held in 1858 in a school house on section 27, by Rev. Sessions, a Methodist Episco- pal minister from Waverly. Afterwards services were held by Elder Wright, in January, 1863, in the school house on sec- tion 31. He soon after changed the place of worship to Case School House, where, services were held for one year, once every four weeks. A Presbyterian minister by the name of Sheeley, also held services here every four weeks. Meetings have been held regularly from that time to the present.


In May, 1868, a Union Sabbath School was organized at this school house. The first superintendent was William Nichol-


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


son; he was succeeded by B. S. Wales, and he by William Brown, and Brown in turn by N. L. Shaw. There were twenty scholars at the time of organization. There is now an average attendance of about sixty, and the school is in a very prosperous condition. It has had a very healthy growth ever since first established, and has been the means of accomplishing much good. A Methodist Episcopal Church has been organized, a building erected at a cost of $1,700, and dedicated free from debt, as among the legitimate fruits of this organization. The influence for good has been widespread. The death of its estimable superintendent, Wm. Brown, in December, 1882; the death of Jasper Wylam, teacher of the bible class, six years ago, are among the sad incidents of the school. During all these years only three other members have been called hence-Stella Case, in 1877, Frankie Brown, in March, 1882, and Mrs. Joseph Simmons, in June, 1882.


The German Evangelical church erected a building of logs in 1864. It was located on section 34, in Trumbo's Grove. Their first pastor was Rev. Geiper. Their pres- ent church edifice was built on the south- east corner of the southeast quarter of section 28, in 1872. It is a frame structure and cost $3,300. The first pastor was Rev. Jacob Nuhn, afterward came Rev. Fritz Belser, Rev. Jacob Knotoka, Rev. Ulthouse, Rev. Henry Lescholt and the present pastor is Rev. Beamer. Their first members were Fred Bohmeir and wife, Fred Schroeder eir and wife, Fred Clagas and wife, Christian Dorn and wife, Charles Meader and wife, William Meader


and wife, Fred Roeker and wife, Henry Armsbud and wife, William Eickman and wife and Conrad Schrodemeir and wife. The present officers of the church are Henry Walthagen, president, Fred Boh- meir, treasurer, Fred Schroedemeyer, sec- retary. Their Sabbath school was organ- ized in 1864. The first superintendent was William Eickman; the present one is Henry Arns. They have a membership of about eighty. Another German Evangeli- cal Lutheran church is located on the northeast quarter of section 26. It is a frame structure, built in 1871, and cost $1,500.


Their first pastor was Rev. L. J. Cramer, then came the present pastor, Rev. M. Stephan. The first members were Henry Heine and wife, Henry Platte and wife, Frederick Clansing and wife, Fred Groepper and wife, and Fred Dueck and wife.


The church has a membership of 250. A neat and commodious parsonage was built in connection with the church. A day school is taught by the pastor.


Rev. John Buckmaster, a United Brethren minister, was the first to hold religious service in the township, of that denomination, during the summer of 1865, at his house on section 29. Among his sermons was one on the subject of "The influence of woman," in which the ladies suffered considerably.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


This organization built a house of wor- ship in 1882, and dedicated it in November of that year. The sermon on that occa-


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


sion was preached by Rev. Elliott, from Charles City, assisted by Elder Crippin. The building is 26x40 feet, located on sec- tion 6, and cost $1,700. Rev. Francis Norton now has charge, this being his third year. There is a membership of about forty.


The present officers are: N. L. Shaw, Edward Bullock, Charles Kelly, John Han- ner, H. Robinson, C. E. Banks and W. J. Nicholson, trusteees; William Nicholson, class-leader; W. J. Nicholson, N. L. Shaw, stewards; W. J. Nicholson, secretary; Ed- ward Bullock, treasurer.


CHAPTER XXX.


WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.


This territory lies in the western tier of townships in Bremer county, and is bounded on the north by Warren and Lafayette, on the west by Butler county, on the south by Jackson township, and on the east by Jefferson and Warren. Embraced within these limits is the city of Waverly, which receives due attention. Including this city, which occupies sec- tions 2, 3, the south half of 34 and 35, and the north half of 10 and 11, there are about 19,200 acres of land within its boundaries. The Cedar river traverses this township, entering from the north on section 34, running thence through sections 35, 2, a portion of 11, then 12, 13, and leaving on the south half of 18. The Shell Rock river flows through the southwestern cor- ner, entering from the west on section 18 and making exit on 17. The Illinois Central and Dubuque and Dakota rail- roads pass through this township and make junction near the east line of section 33. The Burlington and Cedar Rapids


road, running toward the southeast, crosses the extreme southwestern corner.


In an early day there was an abundance of timber in this township, but the wood- man's axc has considerably diminished the supply. The soil is a dark, sandy loam in general, but in some sections it is com- posed of light clay and vegetable mould. There are many desirable farms. The sur- face is gently rolling, back from the river bottoms, drainage good, and the land fully occupied by an industrious class of people.


ORGANIC.


Washington township was organized by holding an election at the house formerly occupied by Heman A. Miles, on Monday, the 3d day of April, 1854, when the follow- ing officers were elected:


Justices of the peace, Nelson M. Smith, and John B. Buckmaster; constables, Joseph G. Ellis, and Jonathan Goforth; drainage commissioner, E. Tyrrell; town- ship clerk, Nelson M. Smith; trustees, Ed-


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


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ward" Tyrrell; Horace Wallace, James Estep; assessor, Edward Tyrrell; supervisor of roads, William Powell.


The judges at this election were Hay- wood Howell, William A. Pelton, William Powell. The clerks were, Nelson M. Smith and Edward Tyrrell.


The following named are the officers elected in 1882:


Justices of the peace, A. H. McCracken, J. W. Rowray, A. J. Tanner; township clerk, S. H. Morse; assessor, J. S. Connor; trustee, S.Goodspeed; trustee to fill vacancy, A. S. Lawrence; constables, John L. Leon- ard, F. W. Foster, H. B. Ellsworth; super- visor road district No 1, Willard Chandler; No. 2, J. S. Connor; No. 3, Louis Buering; No. 4, Fred C. Meyer; No. 5, J. K. Meyers; No. 6, A. Adams; No. 7, W. D. Lashbrook; No. 8, R. W. Egleston; No. 9, Joseph Baskins; No. 10, E. O. Fairbanks; No. 11, Joseph Boylson; No. 12, E. Conley.


EARLY SETTLEMENT.


The earliest settlement of this township, and the events connected with it, are in a great measure identical with those of the city of Waverly. .


Biographies are here presented which will show the general character of this settlement.


Abner Baskins, a son of one of Bre- mer county's earliest settlers, was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 15, 1836. He is a son of Abner B. and Mary (Kerr) Baskins, who left their home in Ohio for Bremer county, Iowa, May 27, 1852. Their journey was made with teams. Arriving here on the 22d day of June, they imme- diatcly located on section 4, Jefferson township, where the husband and father


made a claim, subsequently purchasing it. Their first house was a log cabin covered with clapboards, and having a puncheon floor. They were obliged to go to Du- buque for grocerics. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and educated in the subscription schools. In 1861 he was married to Miss A. Ross, who came to this county in 1858. She was born May 29, 1842. Five children bless their home -Edna, Clark, Minnie, Nellie and Abner. Mr. Baskins owns 85 acres of land, which is under cultivation and valued at $40 per acre. He had two brothers who served in the Union army, one in the Thirty- Eighth Iowa Infantry, who died at Port Hudson, and the other in the Ninth Iowa.


Joseph Baskins, a pioncer of Bremer county, emigrated with his father, Abner B. Baskins, to this county, Junc 22, 1852. They located on what is now known as Baskins' creek (the creek deriving its name from them). There the father entered some land, which he improved, and con- tinued to live upon until his death, which occurred in 1864. The journey from Ohio here, was made by team. Dubuque was their nearest trading post. Game, such as bear, deer, wild turkeys, wolves, etc., was in great abundance. Joseph was born in Rockland county, Ohio, on the 27th day of February, 1834. In 1861, he was married to Miss Phœbe Miner, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, December 6, 1838. They have two children-Miner and Mag- gic.


William P. Harris was a settler of 1853, and is an enterprising farmer. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1811. A few years after his birth, the family emigrated to Nicholas


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


county, Kentucky, and there his father died. During his youth, William P. learned the trade of brick-maker and mason. In 1839, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Julia Ann Crosby, who shortly after died. He was again married, Feb- ruary 14, 1844, to Miss Sarah A. F. Fritts, who is a native of Kentucky, and was born April 22, 1828. In 1850, he removed to Burlington, Iowa, and thence, by team to Linn county, where he had friends. Leav- ing his family in the town of Marion, Mr. Harris set out for the purpose of finding a good location for settlement. He finally purchased land in Buchanan county, and there removed his family. During the first winter of their residence there, they occupied a log cabin, with another family, being separated from them by a thin board partition. The succeeding spring he erected a cabin of his own, 14x14, making it of poplar poles, and moving into it be- fore it had either floor or door. In Feb- ruary, 1853, he came to Bremer county, and in his house, in April, was held the first election, there being sixty-three votes. Mr. Harris now owns 116 acres of land within the corporation, and on it is his fine residence, the whole being valued at $10,000. The family are members of. the M. E. church, of Waverly.


Moses Lehman, an enterprising man and an early settler, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1824. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Romberg) Lehman, who were blessed with ten chil- dren, six sons and four daughters. Moses was reared on his father's farm, and ob- tained his education in the old time sub- scription schools. At the age of eighteen he started out in life for himself. During


the spring of 1847, he emigrated to Stephen- son county, Illinois, making it his home for seven years. June 6, 1854, he removed to Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa. Mr. Lehman says he remembers well how he passed the first night after his arrival here. He stopped with a brother who lived in a pole shanty, through the roof of which the rain poured down upon them all night long. At that time lumber was not to be had for love or money. April 28, 1859, Mr. Leliman was married to Miss Electa Miles, who was born in Sheffield, Vermont, July 2, 1822, and a daughter of Masten M. and Mary (Jenness) Miles. They have two children-Elva M. and Sidney M. Mr. Lehman came to this State compara- tively a poor man, but by industry and economy, is to-day the happy owner of 124 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre, and containing all that the best farm life requires. In politics he is a republican. Mrs. Lehman is a member of the Episco- pal Church, of Waverly.


Nicholas Cavanaugh, who may be ranked among the early settlers of the county, is a native of Ireland, and was born on the 3d day of July, 1825. In June, 1853, he emigrated to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in a grocery store. During the spring of 1855, in company with John J. Smith, who afterwards built the Bremer House, he came to Waverly, Iowa. For some time after his settlement here, he worked in a hotel, but later, was employed as clerk in Mr. Hullman's store. He was married in 1861, to Miss Mary Tyrrell, a native of Quebec, Canada, and a daughter of Nicholas Tyrrell. They have three children-John E., Francis J., and Mary


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


Ann. During Mr. Cavanaugh's twenty- seven years of life in the county, he has been out of it but once. At the time of his settlement, the town and surrounding country seemed one vast wilderness, with wolves, deer, and all kinds of game, in great abundance.


One of Bremer county's most enterpris- ing men, Thomas Lashbrook, was born in Devonshire, England, November 5, 1819. He is the son of Richard Lashbrook, and one of fourteen children. In 1831, the family emigrated to Quebec, Canada, and thence to Clinton county, New York. During the year 1836, they came west, locating in McHenry county, Illinois, near Harvard Junction, where they entered land and settled, the father dying on the old homestead in December, 1881. Thomas passed his youth on a farm, and although his school days were few in number, he yet, by his own exertions in later years, has obtained a fair business education. In February, 1849, his marriage with Miss Hannalı R. Wilson occurred, she being a native of Essex county, New York, and born June 4, 1820. They have five chil- dren living-Cordell D., Watson D., Thomas W., Clarence E. and Ulysses L. July 4, 1856, Mr. Lashbrook and family embarked in prairie schooners, for Bremer county, Iowa, and upon their arrival, set- tled on land in Frederika township, which he had purchased two years previous. Their first house was a log cabin 13x13. Mr. Laslıbrook owned, at one time, 1,740 acres of land, at present he owns 412 acres, with much valuable town property in Waverly, consisting in part of a fine brick residence valued at $6,000, three stores valued at $3,000, one frame building valucd


at $2,000, one shoe-shop valued at $1,000, two drug stores valued at $1,800, four lots on Main street valued at $400, besides other property valued at $1,000, making the total valuation of his town property about $20,000. Mr. Lashbrook has held the offices of supervisor, school treasurer and director. He is a staunch democrat.


Frank Bulckins, a native of France, was born April 18, 1824. When fourteen years of age he entered the navy as mid- shipman, but after serving some time he had a difficulty with one of the officers, which closed his carcer as a sailor for the time, when he located in New Orleans, Louisiana. From there he again "took ship," and followed the sea for cight years, during which time he sailed into nearly every port on the globe. Upon again becoming a landsman, Mr. Bulckins returned to the States, and shortly after his arrival, was appointed surgeon at Washington, D. C. From that city he removed to New Orleans, where he opened an intelligence office, and thence, after some time, to Boston, Massachusetts, where he took passage for California, by way of Cape Horn. At the expiration of a few years he returned to the cast, after which he made a trip to Liverpool. In 1856 Mr. Bulckins removed to the city of Chicago, where he was employed on the lakes for a couple of years. Subsequently he embarked in the commission business. His marriage with Miss Julia Wheeler occurred in 1860. Three children-Grace, Bell and Lon-have blessed their home.


Thomas J. Sewell, one of the pioneers, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, March 11, 1808. He is the son of William and Sarah (Dallard) Sewell, who were the


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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.


parents of twelve children, ten of whom lived to mature years. William Sewell emigrated in 1826, with his family, to Pike county, Ohio, where he remained about one year, then removed to Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, where he engaged in farm- ing. A few years later he removed to Wabash county, Indiana, purchasing land where Jamestown now stands. Here he died, in 1838, and Mrs. Sewell, in 1856. Thomas J. Sewell was reared and educated in West Virginia. In 1829 he was mar- ried, in Pike county, Ohio, to Miss Marga- ret Henry, daughter of Judge Samuel Henry, of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell lived together more than half a century, and have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living-Allen, William, Samuel, Mary, James M., and Sylvester. April 27, 1853, he left his home in Indiana, and with teams came to Bremer county, arriving May 27th, 1853. He located in Jackson township, spending one year in a log cabin, on the place where Thomas Axlet now resides. He sold his claim, and purchased land of Abraham Myers, section 21, where he made a home, and resided until the spring of 1882, when he removed to Waverly. Mr. Sewell was in Waverly before there was a stake driven, or the town laid out. For his milling he went to Cedar Falls, and for groceries to Dubuque, with teams. In politics he was an old Jacksonian democrat, his first vote being cast for Andrew Jackson. Mr. Sewell had three sons, (one an adopted son), and a son-in-law in the Union army. Mr. Sewell died late in the fall of 1882.


Charles Leverich, a pioneer of Bremer county, is a native of Richland county, Ohio, born March 24, 1813. When he was


nineteen years old his parents emigrated to LaGrange county, Indiana, and thence in 1838, to Cedar county, Iowa .. Subse- quently they removed to Linn county, and afterwards to Butler, where the father died. Charles was reared on a farm, and obtained his education in the pioneer dis- trict schools. The first school he attended being taught in an old log cabin, whose windows were simply holes cut through for the purpose of light and air. At the age of twenty-one he learned the cooper's trade. He was married in Indiana, to Miss Lucy Heam, who died in less than a year after becoming his wife. In 1838, he re- moved to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Jane E. Adair, who bore him ten children, three of whom are now living- George, Martha and Julia. In 1841, he removed to Linn county, Iowa, and thence, in 1854, to Butler county, where lie re- mained about one year, and then settled on his present place in Washington town- ship.




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