History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 134

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 134
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 134

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).

John Wile, one of the pioneers, was born in the Province of Bavaria, on the 4th day of June, 1828. In 1844 he left his native country for America, and, upon his arrival, located in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, working as a laborer in the timber. During 1856 he removed to Bre- mer county, Iowa, and purchased land in Lafayette township, which he immediately began improving. There he continued to live until 1872, at which date he settled near Waverly, where he now has a beauti- ful home. In 1851 he was joined in wed- lock with Judith Leas, a native of Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, born in 1830. Two children blessed the marriage-A. J.

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and Frederick. Mr. Wile came to this county a poor man, but since his residence herc has, by hard work and close attention to business, accumulated a fine property. His land consists of 290 acres, valued at $40 per acre. In politics he is a republi- can. The family are members of the Evangelical Association.

E. I. Bussey, born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 22, 1825, is a son of Edward and Dorcas (Parish) Bussey. He remained on the old homestead, assisting his father with the farm work, until 1856, when he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on section 18, of Washington township, where he now owns 130 acres of land. In 1853, he was united in marriage, in his native county, with Miss Sarah Jane Sin- clair, who also was born there. They have three children living-Martin, Jarett F. and Elizabeth. Mrs. Bussey died in August, 1860. In April, 1862, he was again married, choosing for a companion Elizabeth Sinclair, a sister of his first wife. Of eight children born to them, William, Edward, Sarah, Nealie and Cyrus McClel- lan, are living. His father died at his (E. I's) residence on the 19th day of Au- gust, 1864, and his mother, during the year of 1869.

. A. M. Winner, an excellent farmer of Bremer county, was born on the 2d day of February, 1827, in Courtland county, New York. He is a son of Frederick and Anna (Keator) Winner, who are natives of New York. He remained in his native State : until eighteen years of age, and then came west with his parents, settling in Belvi- dere, Boone county, Illinois, where he spent twelve years, engaged in merchan- dising and buying grain. In the year 1858

he came to Iowa, locating in Bremer county, near the town of Waverly. Previous to his settlement here, Mr. Winner had purchased 640 acres of land in the county; of this, he improved 160 acres and disposed of the balance; afterwards, he disposed of the improved 160 acres. At the present date he owns 150 acres one mile northeast of Waverly. In politics, Mr. Winner is a staunch Republican. He has held several of the town and school offices, and always did all in his power to further the interests of education. On his farm arc a large number of fine fruit trees, in the care of which he spends much time and labor. During the season of 1882 he marketed about 1,000 bushels of fruit. In 1854 he was joined in matrimony with Miss Miranda Campbell, a native of Lockport, New York. Ten children have bcen born to them, eight of whom are now living: Alice, now the wife of J. W. Tibbetts, of this county; Effie E., Earl, Kittie, Herman, Florain, Carl and Max. Frank died in the ycar 1858, and Leslie in 1868.

Edward N. Perry, an early settler of Bremer county, was born in Orleans county, New York, April 9, 1830. He is a son of Nathaniel W. and Lockey (Ferguson) Perry, who removed to Fulton county, Illi- nois, in 1840, and in July, 1858, came to Bremer county, Iowa, where the husband and father had previously entered land. He died in 1875. His wife is still living at the advanced age of 81 years. Edward N., one of the family of five children, who lived to be adults, was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Miner, a daughter of James Miner, who was a pioneer of Fulton county, Illinois. She was born in Jefferson

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county, Indiana, October 3, 1827. They have one child living-Clara. Mr. Perry owns 75 acres of land valued at $40 per aere.

Orlando Babcock, born in Onondago county, New York, January 13, 1837, is a son of Russell and Susan (Ouderkirk) Bab- coek. His youth was passed on his fath- er's farm, while he obtained his education in the common schools of the county. In 1856 he removed to Ogle county, Illinois, where he worked as a laborer for two years and then engaged in stock dealing. His marriage with Miss C. L. Taylor oc- curred in 1866. They have five children- Landy B., Charles, Guy, Emma and Ollie. The year of Mr. Babcock's marriage he came to Bremer county and settled in Washington township on a part of his present farm of 85 acres, which he pur- chased at that time. Since then he has added many acres to it, owning to-day, 557 acres, which, being under such excellent cultivation and containing so many com- fortable farm buildings, may be called a model farm. Mr. Babcock is extensively engaged in stock raising, and owns at the present time, 260 head of horned cattle, 150 head of hogs and a large number of horses. His cattle are grades from a blooded short horn bull, and his horses are the Abe Downing, the Membrino and the Clydesdale. His barns are large and well arranged and of the following dimensions. The main building of his cow stable is 38x84, and the ell 28x80, his shedding and henery 18x180; his corn-erib and feed- stable 22x150, and another corn-crib and pig-pen 36x50.

One of the enterprising farmers of Bre- mer eounty, Willard Chandler, was born

in Canada East, May 15, 1827. When lie was seventeen years old, his mother died, 1 and he was left alone. Subsequently he removed to Vermont, and there resided for some time. In 1849 he settled in Potter county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in lumbering for the space of nineteen years. He came to Bremer county, Iowa, in 1867, and purchased his present farm, in Washington township. In 1847 Mr. Chandler was joined in wedlock with Miss Lovina Briggs, who bore him three chil- dren, two of whom are now living-Edwin, and Willard W. He owns 100 acres of land in this county, and 320 aeres in Floyd county, in connection with his sons.

H. R. Wells was born in Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York, October 4, 1828. He is a son of Jesse and Acenith (Bennett) Wells, both natives of New York. In 1836, his parents eame west to Geauga county, Ohio, where they remained until 1842, when they moved to Stephenson county, Illinois. In 1854, he came west to Floyd county, Iowa, and re- mained two years at Marble Roek engaged in milling. In 1856, he traded his mill for a farm near Waverly; on this farm he remained eleven years, and then settled on section 36, Washington township, where he now owns. 95 acres, and is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising. In 1853, he was married to Miss Lavina Price, a native of Canada, who came to Illinois with her parents when four years of age. They have nine children living-Mettie, wife of Bennett Youmans; Wayne W., Addie, Jesse, Grant, Delia and Frank Olah.

W. L. Stockwell was born in Windom county, Vermont, December 28, 1827. Ile

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

is the second son of Lot and Nancy (Talbot) Stockwell, both natives of Ver- mont. In 1835, his parents moved to Liv- ingston county, New York, where they re- mained eight years, and thence to Boone county, Illinois, where his father died in June, 1863, his mother in November, 1858. His educational advantages were common school, with an attendance one year at the Belvidere Academy. He was married at that place May 3, 1854, to Miss Tripp, who was born in De Ruyter, Madison county, New York, July 16, 1830, and eldest daughter of James D. and Angeline (Moxon) Tripp, both natives of that State. They are still living in Belvidere, Illinois, where they settled in 1850. In 1868, W. L. moved his family to one mile north of Waverly, where he now resides, and owns a fine farm of 200 acres. Five children have blessed this union-William Whil- ford, Carrie C., May A., Katie and Stephen.

John Rosencrans, born in Sussex county, New Jersey, January 1, 1809, is the fourth son of Simeon and Sarah (Shoemaker) Rosencrans. His father was a practicing physician in that county. Until 16 years of age, John attended the common schools. He then engaged in clerking and fol- lowed it for three years, then went to Vermont, and at the age of 21 engaged in mercantile pursuits at Burlington. He remained six years, when, in company with his brother Chadwick, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and was engaged in the dry goods trade three years. He then came to Troy, Walworth county, Wis., and engaged in trade, remaining a few years, when he moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, to educate his family. In 1865 he re- moved to Butler county, Iowa, but located

only temporarily, and the following year he settled on section 34, Washington township. He was married in Dover, Ohio, in 1838, to Mary Johnson, who bore him seven children: Helen, now the wife of D. W. C. Duncan, of Charles City; Florana, now the wife of Frank Sterling, of Helena, Montana; Henry J., now engaged in stock raising in Texas; Lucia and Lucien, twins; Milo, now at Fort Benton, Montana, and Amelia, now the wife of Calvin Smalley, of Waverly. His wife died in 1848. In 1850 he mar- ried Mary M. Perkins, who died in 1854. In 1866, he married his present wife, then Mary Ann Stewart.

Daniel A. Long, born in Woodford county, Kentucky, March 13, 1825, is a son of William Long, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who emigrated to Virginia in an early day, where he became acquainted and subsequently married Miss M. Wheat. He afterwards moved to Kentucky, where Mrs. Long died, and he married Susannah Martin. Mr. Long subsequently removed to Lawrence county, Indiana, where he died. Daniel A., the youngest of the two families, was reared in a new country, attending his first school in the primitive log cabins. He afterward attended an academy, receiving a good academic cdu- cation. Danicl remained in Indiana with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to Howard county, Indiana, where he purchased land and com- menced farming, remaining there four years. March 12, 1848, he married Mar- garet Darraugh. She was born in Harri- son county, Kentucky, February 22, 1832. By this union there was a family of seven children who lived to be of mature age.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY.

In the fall of 1852, Mr. Long purchased land in Buchanan county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1853, he moved his family to that county. The same year he came to Bremer county and purchased land in Jack- sou township, where he remained until 1855. He then returned to Buchanan county, making it his home until 1865, when he again removed to Bremer, and in 1869, moved to his present place. Mr. Long has 940 acres of land near the city of Waverly under a high state of cultiva- tion, valued at $75 per acre. He has a beautiful brick residence with plenty of choice fruits.

Jeremiah C. Messenger, superintendent of J. H. & W. R. Bowman's stock farm, born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, November 3, 1842, is a son of Peter and Ann M. (Miller) Messenger. In 1852 his parents emigrated to Winnebago county Illinois, where they took up gov- ernment land, and made a home. His father still resides there. His mother died in 1858. J. C., in August, 1861, enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and participated in the following engagements: New Madrid, Island No. 10,second battle of Corinth, Iuka, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Sherman's march to the sea, and Jackson, Mississippi. He was in the Grand Review at Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. Messenger never had a sick day; but was always ready to do his duty. After the war he returned to Winnebago county, and in 1868 came to Waverly, where his time has been occupied in handling fine horses. He broke and fitted Abe Downing, who has made his record in 2:203. In 1869 Mr. Messenger

married Miss Sarah E. Fobbs, who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois.

John Carey, farmer and fruit grower, was born in Quebec, Canada, September 15, 1842, When he was nine years old, his parents died, in the city of Quebec, and - shortly after, in company with his brothers and sisters, hc removed to Toronto. There John worked on a farm a couple of years, and then concluded he would try his for- tune in "York State." He went by way of Niagara Falls, to the city of Rochester, and there continued to live for a number of years. In 1859, he removed to Evans- ville, Missouri, where he attended school for five years. In 1866, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Emma L. Palmer, a daughter of Stephen Palmer, of Allegheny county, New York, where she was born February 24, 1847. Three children were born unto them, one of whom, Stephen E., is now living. In 1870, Mr. Carey came to Bremer county, Iowa, locating in Wash- ington township, where he has since re- sided. He owns 50 acres of land, under a high state of cultivation, and worth $60 per acre. In politics, he is a republi- can, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

C. E. Egleston owns 400 acres of culti- vated land in Washington township, Bremer county, He settled here in 1872. His birth took place April 2, 1811, in Rensselaer county, New York: When a young man he removed to Columbia county, New York, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Betsey Barden, who was born in Massachusetts, December 1, 1818. Eleven children have been born to them, of whom the following ten are now living-George H., Lucretia D., Ros-

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well W., Alpheus C., Abbie J., William E., Nancy M., Charles A., Silas M. and Sarah A. In 1857, Mr. Egleston and family left the State of New York, for Boone county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until his settlement in Bremer county. Mrs. Egleston is a botanic physi- cian, having followed her profession for the past thirty years.

H. W. Goodsell was born September 12, 1809, in Wayne county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Amasa and Experience (West) Goodsell, who emigrated to Pennsylvania from Hartford county, Connecticut, their birth place, in 1805. In 1836 they re- moved to Lycoming county, New York, and thence, in 1841, to McHenry county, Illinois, where Mr. Goodsell afterward died. The subject of this sketch early learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, his father being a carpenter and joiner before him. In December of 1839, he was joined in the holy bands of matrimony with Miss Sarah Sherwood, a native of Livingston county, New York, born Aug- ust 29, 1819. Three children-Marquis, James Earl and Hiram H. were born to them. The wife and mother died in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, September 16, 1863. . During July, 1864, Mr. Goodsell came to Bremer county, Iowa, and pur- chased a farm in section 7, Washington township, where he now resides. He owns 274 acres of land in the counties of Butler and· Bremer. In politics, he is a green- backer.

Jesse Leverich was born in Onondago county, New York, March 15, 1818. He is a son of Richard B. Leverich, who was born in the State of Connecticut, but when quite young removed with his parents to

Long Island. In 1816, he shipped on board a sloop to Albany, and thence by team to Onondago county, where he pur- chased land and embarked in farming. There he continued to reside until his death. The subject of this sketch was reared in a new country and obtained his education in the district schools, which were at a distance of two and a half miles from his home. During 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Case, who was born during 1812, in Onondago county, New York. She is a daughter of Rufus Case, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and lived to be nearly one hundred years old. Mr. and Mrs. Leverich are the parents of six chil- dren-Mary, wife of Levi B. Raymond, now editor of the Hampton Recorder, Homer, Ella, Adelle, wife of John Haskett, Bayard T. and Willie. In 1840, Mr. Leverich removed from New York State to Racine, Wisconsin, and thence, after a short time, to Clinton Junction, where he purchased land and soon had a comfortable home. He belongs to the republican party, and while living in Wisconsin, held several offices of trust. For the past forty years he has lived in the west, and many and rapid have been the changes he has wit- nessed. In 1867, he came to Bremer county, Iowa, purchasing property in the town of Waverly, where he now lives a retired life.

H. B. Harriman was born in Merrimac county, New Hampshire, on the 5th day of July, 1819. When 20 years of age he went to Lowell, Mass. In 1843 lie was married to Miss Hannah Q. Bailcy, a daughter of Thomas Bailey, a native of Hopkinton, New Hampshire. She was

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born in Hopkinton in 1821. By this union there was a family of two daugh- ters, viz .: Margaret, now the wife of Dr. Z. Z. Bryant, of Sumner; and Helen, wife of George Ellis, one of the prominent merchants of Waverly. In 1863, Mr. Harriman was elected to the State Legislature, where he proved a useful member. Besides holding this honorable position, he served in several local offices in his own town. In 1868, Mr. Harriman turned his face westward, locating in Bremer county, where he purchased prop- erty and has since remained.

Charles McCormack was born in Wash- ington county, Virginia, on the 14th day of May, 1811. He is a son of John and Margaret (Stapleton) McCormack. His parents were married in Virginia, and there twelve children were born to them-six sons and six daughters. Charles passed his early life on a farm, and during his young manhood was married to Miss Mary Hamilton, a daughter of James Hamilton, of South Carolina. Eleven children blessed their union, eight of whom are now living. In 1855 Mr. McCormack left the State of Indiana, where he had resided for some years, emigrating to Dane county, Wis- consin, where he continued to live før ten years. At the expiration of that time, he came to Bremer county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Washington township. In 1877 he removed to Waverly, where he still resides. Mrs. McCormack died in 1867, leaving a large family to mourn her loss. The subject of this sketch again married, choosing for a wife Mrs. Emily Buckmaster, widow of Alexander Buckmaster, who came to the county in 1855. One child has been born to them. Mr. McCormack has always

taken a deep interest in the politics of the county, aud was one of the prime movers in the organization of the republican party; to which he adhcred until the passage of the resumption act. He is now a staunch greenbacker.

Seymour Goodspeed, a farmer and nurs- eryman, came from Niagara county, New York, to Bremer county, Iowa, in 1866. Upon his arrival here, he settled on a farm in Washington township, where he now does a good business, and is known as an enterprising nurseryman and farmer. His land consists of 75 acres, which is under an excellent state of cultivation, being valued at $50 per acre. He was born in Niagara county, March 1, 1834, and is a son of Herman and Louisa ( Albright) Goodspeed. His mother's father emi- grated to Niagara county with onc horse, which carried all his worldly effects; and for six weeks the family had nothing to eat but different kinds of roots. His daughter, Louisa, was the first white child born in that county. Seymour's early life was passed on a farm, and lie obtained his education in the district schools of his native county. During the year of 1862, he was married to Miss Mary J. Furguson, who has born liim nine children, seven of whom are living Luella, Bertha, Jennie, Nellie, Nettie, Almeda and Ray.

Henry A. Thies, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schild) Thies, natives of Lippe- Detmold, Germany, was born on the 9th day of February, 1855. His parents moved to Benton county, Iowa, when he was one year old, and lived on a farm near Belle Plain until 1867, when they came to Wash- ington township, Bremer county, Iowa.

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His parents both died in 1873, leaving Henry A. with six younger sisters and brothers, on a farm, and the management of both farm and the younger children was chiefly left to him. At the age of 21 years he became the owner of the valu- able farm, consisting now of 260 acres of land and timber. In 1877 he was married to Miss Hattie S. Weber, daughter of An- drew Weber, of Warren township, now Waverly, Iowa. In politics he is a repub- lican. He is a member of the Evangelical church of Warren township.

STOCK FARM.

Among the many farms and enterprises worthy of special mention, is the stock farm of J. H. and W. R. Bowman. It is called "Willow Lawn Stock Farm." An adequate idea of this farm and the stock upon it, can only be gained by personal visit and inspection. Among thie fine ani- mals to be there found, may be mentioned " Abe Downing," a magnificent horse, sired by Joe Downing; dam by Hattison. He has a trotting record, made at Buffalo, New York, of 2:202. This animal pos- sesses not only speed, but is a well formed creature, of many excellent points, and a breeder of rare merit. The proprietors not only have this remarkable horse, but also about one hundred head more, to- gether with six hundred head of hogs and five hundred head of cattle.

Among other horses may also be found, " Membrino Paris," number 1,337, sired by "Membrino Patchen;" roadster brood

mares by " George Wilkes," "Almont Har- rold," "Membrino," "Abdallah," etc.

Norman Horses-"Arcola," number 850, weight, 1,650 pounds; " Boobdil," number 852, weight, 1,760 pounds; "Black Prince," number 52, weight, 1,650 pounds; and others.

Roadsters- "Tennant," number 1968, two years old; by Abe Downing. "Phan- tom," number 1969; sired by Membrino Paris. "Alphonso," number 1970; by Abe Downing. "Ensign;" by Abe Downing. All these mentioned are well-bred and from desirable strains. Among the cattle may be found well formed representatives of the best blooded strains. The build- ings on this farm are numerous, extensive and well adapted to the work of success- fully handling stock.

Benjamin Archer, superintendent of Bowman Lone Tree Farm, was born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, on the 18th day of November, 1828. He was reared on his father's farm, and received a common school education. In 1855, he was married to Miss Mary J. Stevens, a daughter of Samuel Stevens of Hartford county, Connecticut. Two children blessed this union-Bell and Fannie. In 1867, Mr. Archer emigrated to Clayton county, remaining one year, when he removed to Bremer county, purchased a farm in La- fayette and Warren townships, where he remained until the spring of 1880, when he was employed by the Bowman Brothers to superintend their Lone Tree Farm. Mr. Archer is a practical farmer, and thor- oughly understands his business.

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HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY. .

CHAPTER XXXI

"CITY OF WAVERLY.

This beautiful and enterprising city originated about a third of a century ago, when the beautiful valley of the Ceder river was just beginning to attract the at- tention of those in search of homes, and the surroundings were as free and wild as the time when the stars of the morning sang anthems of joy at nature's dawn. The changes from the primitive to the devel- oped state have been constant and rapid. It has been one continual change from the moment of its projection, until Waverly of to-day stands forth one of the brightest jewels in the diadem of a noble State. While there may have been nothing really remarkable in the development of the past, or nothing peculiarly striking in the present, still there is much that cannot fail to be of interest to those who have been closely connected and identified with the city in all the various changes that have occurred from year to year. To those who have watched its progress from its earliest origin-when Bremer county was a wilderness-until the present time, the accomplishment of by-gone days would seem now like a herculean task, but are in reality the sure and legitimate results of an advanced state of civilization. En- dowed with many natural advantages aided by the strong arm of enterprising hus- bandry, Bremer county has assumed a po-

sition among the best and wealthier of her sister counties throughout the State; and Waverly, as the first town within her boundaries, has kept pace with the im- provements and advancement.

Waverly is situated in the southwestern part of Bremer county, on the banks of the Cedar river, and is about eighty miles from the Mississippi at the nearest point of landing. Two lines of railway pass through the city limits, connecting it with the leading markets; they are the Illinois Central and the Dubuque and Dakota, the former from north to south, the latter from east to west, affording excellent marketing facilities. The city is sur- rounded by some of the finest and most productive agricultural and stock raising lands in the State, which is a guarantee of a permanent and ever increasing trade. In addition to these advantages, the Cedar River, upon the banks of which the city rests, is one of the finest streams in the west, often being termed the "Gem of Iowa Waters." It furnishes a most desir- able water power which, although it has already been improved to a certain extent, is not fully utilized, for the power is capa- ble of propelling a vast amount of machin- ery. A substantial iron bridge spans the river, uniting the eastern and western di- visions of the city.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 134

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