USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 70
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 70
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Charles M. Ransom is a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1840. In 1850 the family migrated to Carroll county, Illinois, where the subject of this sketeh helped till the soil until 1867. He then eame to Butler county, and in 1873, settled where he now resides. In 1869, he married Miss Ellen Beetle, daughter of Andrew Beetle, and they now have seven children-Elsie, Andrew, Orval, Susan, Lydia, Mary and Angelina.
John Boyd is a native of Knox county, Ohio, born July 20, 1834. His father, Hugh Boyd, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Jane (MeClain) Boyd, of New Jersey. He was reared on a farm, and resided in his native county until 1857, in which year, on the 7th day of April, he married Miss Maria Stevenson, daughter of John and Sarah Stevenson, and at once, accompanied by his bride and her parents, started westward. On the 24th of May they arrived at Clarksville, and at once settled on section 36, Jackson township, where Mr. Boyd still resides, and now owns 140 aeres. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have four ehildren-James, Albert, Salena, and Flor- enee.
John Stevenson was born in Pennsyl- vania, on the 23d day of September, 1787. He learned the trade of mill-wright. In 1814, he married Miss Sarah Donovan, a native of Baltimore, born Mareh 19, 1795. In about 1820, he removed with his fam- ily to Ohio, and settled in Knox county, where he erected a flouring mill, and run the same until February, 1857, when he traded his mill property for 400 aeres of land in Butler county, Iowa. He therefore
eame west, and resided in Jackson town- ship until his death, which took place July 11, 1876. His wife died April 12, 1879, They reared a family of ten children, but only two survive - Josiah and Maria. Mr. Stevenson was an elder in the Presby- terian church for about sixty years. He was evenly tempered, and one of those straightforward men who are always highly respected.
F. M. Russell resided in his native State until the fall of 1855, then came west as far as Illinois, where he stopped a short time with his brother. Here he made the acquaintance of J. W. Davis, and early in the year of 1856, the two started for Iowa. When they arrived at Dubuque they bid farewell to railroads and continued their journey on foot, and after several days of this mode of travel, they arrived in Butler county. Here Mr. Russell at once resumed his trade-that of a earpen- ter-and followed the same until the fall, then returned to the Empire State, and in December, 1856, married Miss Sarah A. Caswell. In May, 1857, they eame- to Iowa and settled at Clarksville. When they commenced life in their new home, their worldly goods amounted to $147.60, but Mr. Russell worked hard at his trade and by being moderately economieal, he met with sueeess. He now owns 390 aeres of land and is in eircumstanees which per- mit him to enjoy life. Mr. Russell is a very ambitious man, and is strictly honest and highly respected. He was born in the State of New York, August 9, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have one daughter- Mary M., now the wife of J. E. Biekley.
A. C. Wileox first came to this county in 1860. In said year he also went to the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
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Rocky Mountains and spent about three months. He' then returned to the county, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until April, 1864, when he was discharged on account of physical dis- ability. In 1866, he married Miss Martha E. Champlain, and for a few years was engaged dealing in live stock in Black Hawk county. He now resides on section 25, Jackson township, and owns 340 acres of land. Mr. Wilcox was born in Broome county, New York, December 26, 1840. His parents were Austin and Hannah Wilcox. In 1849, the family came to Iowa and settled at Dubuque, where the parents . died within a few weeks after coming to their new home. A. C. Wilcox afterwards lived six years with Gregory Berkus, of Jones county. Mr. and Mrs Wilcox have five children -- David, Cora, Inzie, and Jay and Jennie, twins.
J. E. Bickley was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Jannary 4, 1857. He is the youngest of the fifteen children of John A. and Anna (Good) Bickley. In 1863 the family emigrated to Iowa and settled at Waterloo, where the mother still resides. The father died in July, 1874. J. E. Bickley was educated at Wa- terloo, and subsequently taught school. In
1877 he came to Butler county and has since been engaged in farming. He now resides on section 3, Jackson township. Mr. Bickley is an industrious, honest and upright young man, who has good pros- pects before him. October 25, 1876, he married Miss Medora Russell, daughter of F. M. Russell, and they now have three children-Dora B., Daisy, and Revenell.
A. N. Leet came to Butler county Octo- ber 26, 1864, and, as he is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, is now one of the most prominent men of the county.' He was born in Oneida county, New York, April 24, 1825. His parents, Charles W. and Adaline (Loomis) Leet, were both natives of Connecticut. A. N. Leet learned the carpenter's trade. In 1850, married Miss Abby Button. In 1856 he emigrated to Wisconsin, first lived in Dodge, but afterwards in Dane county, where he con- tinued his trade until he came to Butler county. He is a republican in politics, having associated with said party since its infancy. Has often held local offices, and is at present serving his sixth year as a member of the county board of supervi- . sors. The children are-Charles N., A. Jennie, now Mrs. G. W. Wattles; Addie, now Mrs. Dan. McDonald; Hurley, L. Nellie, Mary E., and Harry.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVI.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the center townships of ! Butler county, its contiguous surroundings being Jackson township on the north, Shell Rock on the east, Albion on the south, and Ripley on the west. It em- braces township 91, range 16.
TOPOGRAPHY.
From a Sketch by Van E. Butler.
This township corners with the center of the county. The land is rolling, slop- ing as a whole to the south and east. Only one stream of importance passes through it-the West Fork-entering on section 36. All the timber in this town- ship lies along the stream, and this is not of much importance, except the many arti- ficial groves that have sprung up about the pleasant farm houses that dot the up- lands and valleys. Twenty years ago the major portion of Jefferson township was a splendid specimen of Iowa sloughs. Then a man would hardly have dared to cross it without first making his last will and tes- tament and bidding a kind adieu to his family. How the first settlers ever con- ceived the idea of founding a city, and the manner of construction of the primitive abodes, will come to light when, like Her- culaneum and Pompeii, future generations will exhume from their deep sepulchre all
the evidence necessary to a correct conclu- sion. But what we looked upon as an almost irredeemable portion of the county has become one of the most productive. It takes a longer time to subdue the rich, dark, loam soil, but it makes returns for the extra labor. Much of the land is now under subjection, and the Iowa slough sends its thousands of bushels of cereals to the market towns. No trouble is now experienced in traversing any portion of it. The township is well adapted to stock raising, yet the rich, dark loam, when once subdued, is equal to any locality in the county in the production of cereals.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
In 1857, the only settlers between Butler Centre and Shell Rock were N. A. Thomp- son and Henry Trotter. The first house between Butler Centre and Shell Rock was erected, in 1856, on section 14, by Henry Trotter.
The first death in the township was that of Mrs. Fred Berlin, in 1856.
The first birth, was William Marquand, on the 7th of October, 1858.
The first marriage united the future des- tinies of Noble A. Thompson and Christi- ana McGregor. The ceremony was per- formed by Justice Bailey. The couple set- tled on section 13.
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S, M, Baldrim.
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Cornelia Baldwin.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ORGANIC.
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When, in February, 1855, Butler county, was first divided into townships by the county judge, the territory now comprising Jefferson was embraced in the organization of Beaver. In March, 1856, the latter town was cut in half, and Jefferson was made a part of Shell Rock, which was or- ganized at that time. Thus it remained until 1857, when it assumed its present boundaries.
The first officers, as far as can be ascer- tained, were as follows: Hugh Mullarky and Albert Cook, trustees; H. A. Shaw, clerk.
Below we give a list of the township officials so far as it is possible to obtain them:
1858-Hugh Mullarky, T. H. Graves and James D. Taylor, trustees; John Braden, clerk.
1859-P. E. Dunson, T. H. Graves and S. L. Scott, trustees; John Braden, clerk; L. P. Mills, assessor.
1860-Hugh Mullarky and Tracy Scott, trustees; John Braden, clerk; Henry Trot- ter, assessor.
1861-James McGregor, Rawson Owen and P. E. Dunson, trustees; John Braden, clerk; Henry Trotter, assessor.
1862-H. Trotter and William Van- Vlack, trustees; D. H. Cook, clerk; James McGregor, assessor.
1863-H. Trotter, William Van Vlack and Rawson Owen, trustees; Samuel Wil- liams, clerk; W. H. Hoxie, assessor.
1864-W. A. Lathrop, Noble A. Thomp- son and Louis- Rothe, trustees; Samuel Williams, clerk; E. D. Button, assessor.
1865-P. E. Dunson, Fred. Hahn and Noble A. Thompson, trustees; Charles Hyde, clerk, James McGregor, assessor.
1866-W. W. Olmstead, Fred. Hahn and P. E. Dunson, trustees; C. B. Hyde, clerk; E. D. Button, assessor.
1867 -- N. B. Hendrix, George Van Vlack and Louis Hovey, trustees; James McEach- ron, clerk; Samuel Williams, assessor.
1868-C. M. Allen, N. B. Hendrix and N. A. Thompson, trustees; Samuel Peck, clerk; C. M. Allen, assessor.
1869-N. B. Hendrix, N. A. Thompson and M. J. Upright, trustees; W. H. Fargo, clerk; Lewis Hovey, assessor.
1870-James McEachron, James Mc- Gregor and W. H. Beckwith, trustees; F. H. Playter, clerk; Lewis Hovey, assessor.
1871-N. B. Hendrix, S. M. Baldwin and Christopher Rice, trustees; J. W. Jones, clerk; Lewis Hovey, assessor.
1872-N. B. Hendrix, S. M. Baldwin and Christopher Rice, trustees; J. W. Jones, clerk; Lewis Hovey, assessor.
1873-N. B. Hendrix, L. Hovey and Wm. Van Vlack; Geo. M. Craig, clerk; Geo. T. Thompson.
1874-Wm. Van Vlack, H. Mullarkey, trustees; G. M. Craig, clerk.
1875-S. M. Baldwin, E. F. Mettlen, Levi Elliott, trustees; Wm. Van Vlack, assessor; J. M. Jones, clerk.
1876-G. M. Craig, L. Hovey, justices of the peace; Wm. Van Vlack, assessor; H. N. Walker, clerk; Ross Lawrence, Geo. Martin, N. B. Hendricks, trustees.
1877-Geo. M. Craig, R. Gonzales, jus- tices; C. B. Hyde, assessor; H. H. Sikkema, clerk; H. Mullarkey, Geo. Martin, T. Mc- Carty, trustees.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
1878-Geo. M. Craig, W. H. Irving, (elected but did not qualify and M. Bailey as appointed in his stead,) justices; C. B. Hyde, assessor; H. H. Sikkema clerk; H. Mullarkey, for three years, P. Dunson, for two years, Wm. Van Vlack, for one year, trustees.
1879-Martin Bailey, justice; Wm. Van Vlack, assessor; H. H. Sikkemma, clerk; John Costar, trustee.
1880-Martin Bailey, J. W. Davis, jns- tices; Wm. Van Vlack, assessor, for two years; H. H. Sikkema, clerk, for two years; Noble A. Thompson, trustee. H. H. Sikkema resigned and J. D. Anderson was appointed.
1881-C. B. Hyde, H. Mullarkey, trus- tees; J. A. Trotter, clerk. December 21, J. A. Trotter was appointed justice of the peace, in place of J. W. Davis, removed.
1882-Martin Bailey, W. C. Thompson, justices of the peace; J. A. Trotter, clerk; Bert Chapman, Harry Trotter, constables; A. G. Fellows, assessor; John Costar, trustee.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settler was H. C. Dawson, who came here in the fall of 1854 and settled on section 33. He afterwards removed to Marshalltown. James D. Taylor also came about the same time, and settled on section 31. He was strongly opposed to the war, and when hostilities commenced, he sold out his property, converting all his earthly possessions, as nearly as possible, into "gold"-having a decided aversion to the "greenback," seemingly quite confident they were not worth "two cents a bushel," as he expressed it -- he removed to Illinois, since which time nothing has been heard from him.
William Hays took up his place of abode on section thirty-six, where we now find him, in October 1854. Mr. Hays was born in the State of Virginia, October 17, 1824. He was left motherless when only eight years of age, and in 1840, emigra- ted with the balance of the family to Illi- nois, and settled in LaSalle county, where his father died in about 1844. In 1845, Mr. Hays married Miss Rachel White, a native of New York, and in 1854, accom- panied by his wife and four children- Robert Olmstead and family, Marshal Kelley and wife, James Hair and family, Myron Hair and his parents, started for Iowa. At Cedar Falls they were joined by Gilbert Knights; they then turned their course up the river and soon arrived in Butler county, where they all settled. Mrs. Hays died in 1863, leaving six chil- dren-Elizabeth, Nancy, Calista, Sarah, Tina and Benjamin.
Wm. Mason came to this township dur- ing the fall of 1855, and settled on section twenty-eight, where he remained six years; then he removed to Charles City Mr. Whitehead eame near the same time and located near what was called New Albion and removed to Missouri in 1863.
A. J. Case came also, in the fall of 1855, and settled near the river, on the north- east quarter of section 30. After a few years, he sold out and went to Waverly.
Robert Armstrong was a settler of 1855, in the same locality, where he remained until his death, which occurred April 1, 1882.
Mr. Stewart was a settler of 1856, and died at Webster City, in 1881.
Joe Santee came to Jefferson township in 1856, and assisted in building the first
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
house in Butler Center, which was of logs. He afterward removed to Ripley township.
Mr. Pennock came near the same time, and built the second log house in Butler Center, which still stands.
O. S. Levis arrived in Jefferson town- ship, and built the first store in the town- ship at Butler Center, and opened up on the 4th of July, 1856, having a stock of general merchandise. He managed the business a few years, when he took in a partner (Dan Mason), to whom he after- ward sold, and moved to Shell Rock. This same structure now stands in Butler Center.
H. H. Marsh came to Butler Center in 1856. He was a dentist, and the first in the township. He built a residence, being the third in the place; remained a few years, and removed to Cedar Falls.
Hugh Mullarky was one of the pioneers who came to the county in 1855, and set- tled at Butler Center in January of that year .. Mr. Mullarky is a native of Ireland, . born in 1827, his parents being Edmund and Elizabeth (Holliday) Mullarky. In 1839 the family emigrated to the United States, stopping one year in the State of Ohio, thence removing to La Porte county, Indiana, and two years later to Stephenson county, Illinois, where the pa- rents both died, leaving six children, five of whom are now living-Owen, Daniel, Ellen, Anthony, and Hugh, who is the subject of this sketch. In 1857 he mar- ried Miss Margaret Giblin, and soon came to Iowa and settled in Butler county, as above stated. Mr. Mullarky has been very successful as a farmer, and now owns 800 acres of land. He is a democrat in poli- tics, and in religion Roman Catholic. The
children are-John, Frank, William, Ellen, Margaret, Hugh, Eugene, and Alloisus.
In 1857, C. H. Chamberlain, Dr. Shaw and Enoch George came together, from Ohio, and built a house each in Butler Centre. Chamberlain started a store, but after a few years returned to Ohio. Dr. Shaw was the first practicing physician and after a short time returned to his native State. Enoch George was a house carpen- ter. He returned to Ohio in about three years.
Thomas Bird arrived and built a store in Butler Center, in 1857. He opened up a general stock, remained three or four years and went to Waterloo. The build- ing still stands.
O. H. Peabird built a residence in But- ler Center, soon after his arrival, in 1857. After removing to other points, from which he several times returned, he finally removed to Franklin county, where he now . lives. The house still stands.
H. M. Martgretz came in 1856; drove stakes at Butler Center, built the first hotel, where he remained until he enlisted in the army and was killed. The building has since been torn down.
Geo. A. Richmond, a lawyer, put in his appearance in 1857, and bought a one-half interest in the town of Butler Center; was the first lawyer in the township; re- mained a number of years; removed to Dubuque, and afterward enlisted in the army. He built a large residence, which has been used for a hotel, until the re- moval of the county seat. It is now occu- pied as a residence.
F. Digman was first seen in the town- ship in 1857. He bought the Joe Santee building and opened a shoe shop, to which
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
he afterward made additions, and kept a general assortment of dry goods and groceries. He also built a hotel, and finally died here in 1879. The build- ing was moved to Allison, where Mrs. Digman, at this writing, is keeping hotel. Mr. Digman was a live, energetic man, and worked hard for the development of the town.
Other settlers came during and immedi- ately following the foregoing, among whom were Thomas Thompson and two brothers, prominent men in the township.
Thomas Thompson was born in Ireland, December 7, 1799. He learned the shoe- maker's trade, and married Miss Phæbe Coulson. In 1850 he emigrated to the United States, following his trade in New York city until 1857, when he came to Iowa, and has since been a resident of Butler county. He still resides on the land he entered. His wife died in 1865, leaving seven children, six of whom are now living- Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Trotter; Mary Ann, Irvina, now Mrs. James Trotter; William C., Noble A., and George T.
N. C. Thompson was born in Ireland, September 3, 1834. He came to the United States in 1853. He first engaged as a clerk in mercantile trade, and afterward carried on a tea, coffee and spice trade until 1×63, when he came to Butler county, and settled on section 13, Jefferson township, where he now resides. In February, 1864, he was appointed deputy county treasurer, and served in that capacity until January 1, 1872. In the fall of 1871 he was elected county treasurer, and held that office four years. He then followed farming one year in Jack- son township, when he again returned to
his farm in Jefferson. He owns 240 acres, and is engaged in stock farming. In 1860, in the city of Brooklyn, New York, he mar- ried Miss Nannie Reiley, a native of Ire- land. She died, in July, 1882, leaving five children-John W., William C., Launcelot, Jane, and Mary.
Noble A. Thompson resides on section 13. He was born in Ireland, June 29, 1839. He came to the United States in 1852, and to Butler county in 1855. The following winter he spent at Cedar Falls, but since that time he has resided in this county. In 1861 he married Miss C. McGregor, a daughter of James McGregor. They have had nine children, six of whom are now living-Alexander, Pierce C., Phæbe, James, George and Charles.
John Braden located, in the spring of 1856, one-half mile from Butler Center. He enlisted in the army and was killed. His body was brought back and buried in the grove west of the house, where all that is left of the earthly nature of John Braden still remains.
S. Williams, a highly respected citizen, came later and is now living on his same place.
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Orson Rice; a lawyer, established him- self in Butler Center in 1857, where he practiced his profession for several years, when he removed to Clay county and was elected county clerk. -
Jule Hale was also an early settler, and the first county treasurer after the county seat was located at Butler Center. IIe moved to Peterson, O'Brien county.
Albert Cook and others followed. Most of the early settlers in this townsliip re- mained but a few years when they remov- ed to other parts. The present settlement
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
was made at a later day. Some, however, of the first settlers still remain.
Frederick Berlin, who is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1820, came to the United States in 1852, and first settled in DuPage county, Illinois. There, in 1852, he married Miss Amelia Weber, a native of Hanover, Germany. He at once started with his bride for Iowa, making the trip with an ox team, and after a three weeks journey, settled where he now re- sides. His wife died soon after arriving at her new home. In 1859, Mr. Berlin married Miss Theresa Berger, and they now have two children-Louisa, now Mrs. Fred. Kothe, and John. Mr. Berlin is a successful farmer, a good citizen and is highly respected.
P. E. Dunson, who came to the county February 7, 1856, entered 160 acres on sec- tion 29, Jefferson township, and has since resided on the same, making farming a business, and has met with marked success, as he now owns 273 acres. Mr. Dunson was born in Virginia, December 7, 1825. His parents, Abraham and Margaret (Hud- low) Dunson, were both natives of Penn- sylvania. In 1833, the family emigrated to Ohio and settled in Shelby county. In 1837, the father died. The mother still resides in Ohio, in said county. Of her eight children, seven are now living- Sarah, P. E., Margaret, Adison, Minerva, Ellen and Amanda. P. E. Dunson was bred to farm life, and in 1847 married Miss' Rebecca Skillen. In 1854, he came to Iowa, and resided at Cedar Falls until he came to this county. The children are -Mary E. and Samantha J. Mr. Dunson has been a successful farmer, is a perfect
gentleman, and a valuable acquisition to any community.
Henry Trotter, who now lives in Ripley township, owned in an early day consider- able land here.
From time to time other settlers came in during these years, many of whom were men of influence and worthy of mention in these pages. Jefferson township has had representative men of the best class, and in this connection a few are men- tioned:
Samuel Williams was born in Lewis county, New York, June 7, 1824. In 1844 he emigrated with his parents to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where, in 1851, he married Miss Mary Sewell, a danghter of Jonathan Sewell. In 1855 Mr. Wil- liams came to Iowa and entered 160 acres of the land he now owns. In 1859 he emigrated to Kansas, and from there to Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have three children-Arthur S., Herbert L. and Ada C. Mr. Williams was early taught the principles of democracy, and adhered to the same until he went to Kan- sas, where he joined the republican ranks and has since voted with that party. He is well known in the county, as for several years, while residing at Butler Center, his house served as a hotel where the hungry could feed and the weary find rest.
James A. Trotter, son of Henry and Jane (Brown) Trotter, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, August 27, 1830. He came with the family to the United States, and until 1862, served as clerk in a mercan- tile business in the city of New York. He then came to Butler county, and in 1864, enlisted in Company B of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, and served until the regi-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ment was mustered out of service, since which time he has been engaged in farm- ing in Jefferson township, where he now owns 160 acres of land. Mr. Trotter is a republican in politics. He served as deputy county treasurer nearly eight years, besides holding numerous local offices at different intervals. He was united in marriage, in 1857, with Miss Irvina Thompson, daugh- ter of Thomas Thompson, and they now have eight children-Henry, Lizzie, Mamie, Phoebe, Irvina, Jane, Frances and Mabel.
S. M. Baldwin, one of the largest land owners and leading farmers in Butler county, came here in 1854, and entered land where he now resides. He, however, remained liere but a short time, and then retnined to Ohio. In 1861, he enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and six months, during which time he saw much hard service. In 1868, he again returned to Butler county, and has since resided on section 8, Jefferson township. S. M. Bald- win was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 11, 1825. He is the son of William and Almy (Smith) Baldwin. In 1869, he married Miss Cornelia Baldwin, a native of Massachusetts. . They now have two children-William S. and Maro G.
M. B. Speedy was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, March 18, 1838, where he resided until eighteen years of age; then came to Iowa, and first stopped at Shell Rock. In December, 1864, he married Miss A. E. Coats. He followed farming in Shell Rock until 1870. IIe then carried on a drug and grocery business at Shell Rock until 1878, since which time he has resided in Jefferson township, and now ownis a fine farm of 170 acres. The chil-
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