History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 63

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 63

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

to the mountains with his family. He was there engaged in mining a short time, and in building saw mills and quartz mills, until 1872, when he returned to his farm in Cass county. He now owns three hundred and forty-five acres of nice land near Lewis, on sections 9, 15 and 16, his residence being on section 9. Mrs. Stan- ley died on the 10th of July, 1868, leaving six children-Mary IIelen, born in May, 1854, and died in November, 1857; Me- langthon, born in May, 1864, and died in 1883; Horace M., now living in California; Charles I., born in 1858, also in California; Frank S., now in California; Betty, at home. Mr. Stanley was married again in July, 1875, to Mrs. Nancy Everly, a widow of Leonard Everly, who died in 1871, leaving seven children, whose names are -Milton P., now in California; Milvon, now in Kansas; Sarah, who died 1876; Charles, living in Omaha; Edward, resid- ing in Lewis; Sophronia, who died in 1867; John, who died in 18:5; and William, who died in 1874. Mr. Stanley has served as deputy sheriff two years, and as a mem- ber of the school board. He is an honest and upright man, and has received the re- spect and trust of the people.

Mrs. Nancy Stanley was a native of Vermilion county, Indiana, and lived in that county until she married Leonard Everly. She then came with her husband in the fall of 1854, to Cass county, Iowa. In the fall of 1855 her husband purchased a farın in Pottawattamie county, and moved on it, their nearest neighbor being two miles away. They owned a number of farms in Cass and adjoining counties. IIe was a noted trader, and was drafted into the army, and remained in service till

he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

Iliram Smith located on sec'ion 30, during the year 1855, where he lived until his death, which occurred November 9, 1858. Ilis widow and son are still resi- dents of the old homestead.

Cornelius M. McClintock was brought into Cass county by Charles Baldwin, a relative, in December, 1856, and spent the winter in Lewis. He is still a resident of the county.

Cornelius M. Mcclintock was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 29th of October, 1849. In the spring of 1850, he started with his parents for Iowa, and at Keokuk his father died of cholera. IIe, with the rest of the family, came on to Mahasha county, and started a hotel at Oskaloosa, but not liking that business, they began farming in the same county. In the winter of 1856, the family was brought into Cass county by Charles Bald- win, a relative, and as that was the winter of the heavy snows, there was much suf- fering from cold and fatigue, by the wearied travelers. They reached the Nodaway Valley, where they became lost in a snow storm, but later in the evening they reached a small log cabin, which was occupied by John Dyer. They were obliged to remain in this rude structure until the storm ceased, which was abont three days, when with six yoke of oxen they started for Lewis, where Charles Baldwin was then keeping a hotel, and there the family remained that winter, and in the spring moved to a dwelling, which was constructed in Lewis. Cor- nelius helped earn the living with his mother, and renting a few acres of land,

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IIISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

began farming, and making a success of their occupation, they purchased a tract of land in Cass township, and one in the township of Atlantic. They sold all but eighty acres, north of Lewis, which they improved and in later years sold. Mrs. McClintock is now living with ber daughter, Mrs. Smith. Cornelius was married, on the 11th of September, 1878, to Miss Ida Upson, a daughter of one of the early settlers of the township. They have three children-Mabel, Philip P. and Neil Clayton. Mr. MeClintock owns 190 acres of land in Cass township, his land being the pioneer farm of Cass county, being the old residence of Jere- miah Bradshaw.

Samuel Upson made a settlement at Indiantown in 1858, and is one of the prominent men of the township.

Samuel Upson came to Cass county, in 1858, and purchased a fine residence in what was then Indiantown. Ile bought at first forty acres of land on section 4, and has since added seventy acres on section 14, and fifty-eight acres on section 9. Ile was born in Summitt county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1833, his parents being Asa and Chloe Upson. They moved to Bureau county Illinois, in 1854, where the old folks died. Samuel then bought a farm and began to cultivate the land, and make general improvements, but not liking the country, he sold his farin and came to Cass county. Mr. Upson was united in marriage with Miss Jane R. Herrick, on the 15th of January, 1855. She was born in Tompkins county, New York, on the 15th of February, 1837. They have been blessed with six children -Ida, wife of Cornelius Mcclintock;

Sarah Jane, wife of Ilorace Stanley, a resident of California; Frank, Fred, Way and Burt. Mr. Upson has been hon- ored with the position of township treas- urer, which he has held six years, and has also been a trustee of the township. Samuel Davis purchased a farm on sec- tion 18, on coming to Cass county, in 1859, and put up a house thereon. Ilere he lived until the day of his death as re- lated below. Samuel Davis, born in 1828, was a native of Herkimer county, New, York. Ile was married in Madison coun- ty, New York, in 1852, to Miss Amanda Eastman. She was born in New York State, in January, 1833, and when an in- fant, came with her parents to Madison county. Mr. Davis worked at the trade of wagon and carriage making, and was so engaged until April, 1859, when he came to Cass county, Iowa, and purchased a farm of eighty acres of fine land on section 18, Cass township. He built a nice house and was succeeding on his farm, when, in Angust, 1859, he was instantly killed, by lightning. He had been thresh- ing with his neighbor, Mr. Strong, and in the evening when returning home, was instantly killed about forty rods from the house. His wife supposing he had re- mained at Mr. Strong's, on account of the storm, was not worried, and in the morn- ing, sent one of the boys to inquire if he had became ill. Thus his body was found and taken to the house. Mrs. Davis now resides at the old homestead with her children, who are not married-Samuel, a resident of New York; Neil, a resident of Cass township; Amanda, wife of James Griffith, of Whitneyville; Franklin, a resident of Pottawattamie county; Dela-

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van, now at home ; Lillian, wife of John C. Connor, and Philip.

Henry L. Sampson, son of Jonathan and Lois Sampson, was born in Cass connty, Michigan, August 28, 1840. Jonathan Sampson died in that county in 1868. His widow is now living at the homestead with her son Lafayette Sampson. Henry L. left home at the age of eighteen years, in the fall of 1858, and came to Iowa. He spent one winter in Jasper county, and the following spring in company with his elder brother, Edson Sampson, went to Kansas, where they remained less than two months, and then went to California, crossing the plains with ox teams and three cows. They made a leisurely and pleasant trip, consuming six months of time. They spent five years in that State, engaged in mining and transportation business. The two were together the greater part of the time. They went from that State to Nevada, where they kept hotel and boarding house, nine miles from Austin. While in this business they made and lost money. Henry L. Samp. son was married in Nevada, January 2, 1865, to Maggie Perkins, a daughter of E. G. and Rachel Perkins, who were at that time residents of that State, but now live in this township. The marriage cere- mony was performed by the Rev. J. P. Cul- ver, who was the only elergyman known of in that vicinity, and who proved to be an old acquaintance of Mr. Sampson's. Mrs. Sampson was born in Bureau county, Illinois, September 16, 1844. They left Nevada and returned to the east, via San Francisco, Panama and New York city. They spent two months at Mr. Sampson's old home in Michigan, then went to

Bureau county, Illinois, and remained four years, engaged in farming. In 1869, they . removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in the agricultural implement trade at St. Cloud, also worked a rented farm. Two years later they came to Cass township, Cass county, Iowa, purchasing then (December, 1871,) their present farm, which contains forty aeres, located in section 12. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson have eight children-Elijab, Rachel, Mary, William, Carrie, Viola, James and Isaac.

Henry Miller was born in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 17th of August, 1829, and is the son of Martin and Mary Miller. Henry left his home wben twen- ty-one years of age, and went to Mont- gomery county, Indiana, where he re- mained about five years, and during that time was engaged in operating a steam saw-mill, built and owned by himself. In 1855, he sold his property, and moved to Warren county, Illinois, and was there engaged in manufacturing wagons and carriages. He continued in that business eleven years, when he erected a planing mill, and began operation. He continued in that work about two years, when he sold out, and was engaged in the furni- ture business about two years, when he came to Cass county, and located in the eity of Atlantic, and built a house where the Park hotel now stands. He remained in that eity until 1871, when he moved to his present location in Cass township, where he owns two hundred acres of land, forty aeres on section 20, and one hundred and sixty acres on section 21. He bas some fine stock, and is known as one of the best farmers in the county. Henry

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

was married in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the 22d of March, 1853, to Miss Sarah Davis, a native of Vigo county, in that State. They have four children, Anna Eliza, a resident of Har lan, Iowa; George W., now living in At- lantic; Benjamin D., at home; and Stella, at home. Benjamin D. was married on the 24th of October, 1883, to Miss Ella Haworth, a native of this county. He now resides on his father's farm, but has a separate house.

Holton G. Cotton is a native of Wyom- ing county, New York, and was born on the 8th of June, 1836, his parents being Owen and Laura (Adams) Cotton. His father was born in Vermont, and died in Wyoming county, New York, on the 5th of September, 1872, while his widow survived him two years. Holton G. left his home in 1856, for Omaha, Ne- braska, and worked the first season at general labor, but being later engaged in farming until 1860. He then crossed the plains to Colorado, and was there engaged in lumbering and mining until the winter of 1863, when he returned to his old home in New York for a month's visit, when he returned to Omaha and was there em- ployed as surveyor for the Union Pacific railroad, and was afterwards engaged in the government transportation service, delivering goods from the Missouri river, west, to forts and Indian agencies. In June, 1865, Holton came to Lewis, and has since been a resident of Cass county. He was married on the 4th of March, 1866, to Miss Luella M. Tefft, a daughter of Samuel H. Tefft, one of the pioneers of this county. IIolton commenced his mar- ried life on a rented farm, owned by Dr.

Carey, and in the fall of 1868 he moved to the place he now owns and occupies, on sections 2 and 3. This farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres was first improved by Mr. Tefft, but he soon sold it to his son-in-law. Mr. Cotton is a member of the Lewis Lodge, No. 137, A. F. and A. M., and is the secretary of the school board. He is a prominent and substantial citizen, and has been a candidate for county clerk. While in Colorado, he was the first justice of the peace, and also the first clerk and recorder of Douglas county, Colorado, and in the fall of 1863 run for the State Legislature on the Dem- ocratic ticket, being beaten by a small Republican majority. Mr. and Mrs. Cot- ton have had three children: Laura, born in November, 1868, and died in Decem- ber, 1868; Cora, born in October, 1870, died in 1878; and Harlow, born in 1877.

Samuel H. Tefft was born in Ilopkin- ton, Rhode Island, on the 28th of October, 1821. Ile learned the trade of harness and carriage making, which he followed for some time. IIe was also employed in a cotton mill, but this being about the time of the war, he was discharged on account of political preference. In 1848 he left his family, and embarked for Cali- fornia, arriving in San Francisco on the 4th of April, 1849. He was engaged in mining until 1851, when he returned home with the intention of removing his family, having a claim of 160 acres of land near the city of Oakland. He returned to the great mining district and sold his claim, keeping only his stock ranche, which, if remaining now, would be right in the center of the city of San Francisco. He at last sold all his shares in the mines,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

and returned east in 1855, and soon located in the Hawkeye State. He went to Mont- gomery county, and erected a mill at Stennett's Grove, and in the spring of 1867 sold out and came to Lewis, and has since made it his home, with the exception of a few months' visit to Colorado. In the spring of 1863 he bought 480 acres of land on sections 2, 3, 4 and 10, and has given his sons-in-law, H. G. Cotton and F. C. Jones, forty acres of land each. Mr. Tefft was married in 1841 to Miss Maria Johnson, and by their union four children have been born-Luella, wife of II. G. Cotton; Addie, wife of Charles Buel; Georgia, wife of F. C. Jones; and Ida, now living with her father, their mother having died in May, 1863. Mr. Tefft bas been a member of the school board, and has also been trustee.

Henry Norton, a native of Derbyshire, England, was born on the 29th of March, 1831. When twelve years of age he commenced the tailoring trade, and so continued until March, 1865, when he came to the United States, and directly settled in Henry county, Illinois. He bought eighty acres of land there, and was a resident of that county and State until the fall of 1868, when he came to Cass county, Iowa, and bought a farm on section 34, Cass township, where be has be- come one of the prosperous and successful farmers. Ile has since added to his origi- nal purchase 800 acres, which he has also nicely improved, beside a farm in Potta- wattamie connty, of eighty acres. He is devoting his attention to the raising and purchasing of cattle and hogs, having some of the finest in the township. Mr. Norton was married in Sheffield, England,

on the 30th of November, 1851, to Miss Jane White, a native of that country. Their union has been blessed with nine children-Anthony, a resident of this township; Anna, wife of E. S. Jones, and a resident of this township; Mary, wife of J. Merritt, of Pleasant township; John, married, and now living with his father; Clara, wife of G. F. Scar, a resident of Montgomery county; Charles, Edward, Matthew Furmis and Winfred, at home.

F. C. Jones, horn in Jefferson county, New York, on February 19, 1856, is the son of K. W. and Rowena Jones. F. C. came to Cass county with his parents in 1872, and made his home with them until his marriage, which occurred in 1877, with Miss Georgia Tefft, a daughter of S. H. Tefft, one of the prominent men of this township. Mrs. Jones was born in this county on the 19th of September, 1817. They have had three children, whose names are-Erma B., born in December, 1877; Clarence P., born in March, 1879, and Carlisle L., born in October, 1881. Mr. Jones has a farm of eighty acres on sections 3 and 10, his resi- dence being situated on section 3. He is setting a good example to farmers and other citizens of this township, by showing them his integrity and honesty, and has gained their confidence in work and deed.

James Dunn, born in Ingham county, Michigan, on the 27th of May, 1847, is the son of John and Mary Dunn, both of whom died when James was a boy. When fourteen years of age, he began to pro- vide for himself, while the younger chil- dren were to be cared for. He fought his way through the world, and when sev-

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

enteen years of age, enlisted in company A, Twenty-eighth Michigan Volunteers. He joined Sherman's army at Raleigh, and served in that capacity until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharg- ed. Ifis brother, Ezra A., who was a member of the Eighth Cavalry, died in the Andersonville prison. James came to Cass county in 1873, and worked five years for William Ilopley, of Atlantic township, and a few years later bought the farm he now occupies, of eighty acres on section 1, and seventeen acres of timber on section 2, Cass township, where he is among the enterprising and intelli- gent farmers. Mr. Dunn was united in marriage in March, 1878, with Miss Helena Hopley, a daughter of John Hop- ley, a resident of Atlantic township. They have been blessed with three chil- dren-Earl Tennimore, Ina Louise and Grace Alma.

Jeremiah Murnan, a native of Hancock county, Indiana, was born on the 16th of June, 1846, and is the son of John and Sarah Murnan. When about ten years of age, he moved with his parents to Stark county, Illinois, and was there reared to manhood. He was married in Stark coun- ty, on the 8th of January, 1868, to Miss Emma Orr, a daughter of F. G. Orr. Her mother died when Emma was young, and until her marriage, she resided with her father, who now lives in Woodbury county, Iowa. Mr. Murnan brought his family to this county in October, 1873, and settled in Cass township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 20 and 29, and later, bought eiglity acres on sections 19 and 30. He was engaged in stock raising until the

fall of 1882, when he sold his farm and located on section II, and has since made that his home. He owns two hundred and fifty-six acres at his residence, one hun- dred and sixty acres in Woodbury county, and three hundred and thirty-four acres in Plymouth county. He at one time owned a stage line from Atlantic to Lewis, and thence to Red Oak, and in connection with his stage, run a livery stable at Lewis. He raises a large number of fine stock, and is continually buying and sel- ling. Mr. and Mrs. Murnan have six chil- dren-Lora, Charley, Ilarry, Clifton, Bertie and Josie.

Merritt E. Hotchkiss was born in Mex- ico, Oswego county, New York, on the 9th of August, 1842, his parents being Stephen and Tryphena Hotchkiss. On the third day of May, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-fourth New York Volunteers. Ile was with Mcclellan at Bailey's Cross- roads; was in the engagements at Freder- icksburg, Cedar Mountain, and many others. On the ninth day of May, 1863, he was discharged, and soon returned to his home in Oswego county, New York, where in January, 1869, he was married to Miss Helen E. IIenyon, of that town. They have had five children, none of whom are now living: Willie, born in 1870, died in March, 1872, and four died in infancy. He remained at home until September, 1863, when he again enlisted in Company A, New York Infantry, and thus served until the close of the war. IIe then returned to New York City, and there remained until the spring of 1867, when he removed to Olmstead county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1868, when he

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came to Cass county, and the spring fol- lowing purchased a farm in section 5, Cass township, where he now resides. His farm contained one hundred and twenty acres of land, a nice residence, and many other farm buildings. Mr. Hotchkiss is a prominent and substantial citizen of this township, and his high standing in the community is chiefly owing to his ambi- tion and successful management. He is a Mason of high degree, and is Worshipful Master of the Lewis Lodge, No. 137, A. F. and A. M., and also a member of the Ophir Chapter, No. 84.

I. W. Baker was born in Jersey county, Illinois, February 22, 1843, his parents being Ira and Sarah Baker. The family, when I. W. was about seven years old, removed to Chicago and there remained one year, and then removed to Lee county, Illinois. The most of the life of the sub- ject of this sketch was spent in the coun- try, and he received a limited education in the common schools of the "Sucker State." He was possessed of natural business tact, and in 1868 went to LaSalle county and engaged in mercantile trade, handling groceries, dry goods, etc. In 1877 he returned to Lee county, and there remained until coming to Iowa in Jan- uary, 1881. IIe was married in LaSalle county in November, 1878, to Miss Anna E. McDonnell, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children-Charles E., Bertha A. and Willie M. Mr. Baker is a member of the Baptist church at Lewis, and a man who has the respect of the community in which he lives. He en- listed in Company K, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry, on August 9, 1862, and during a service of nearly three years was always

found at the front, except a few months while suffering from a gun-shot wound in the right thigh, received at the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864.

In Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of November, 1828, Henry B. Ros- sell was born. At the age of eighteen years he entered an apprenticeship to learn the carpenter trade. He continued working at his trade in Washington coun- ty, about three years, and in 1858, came to the Hawkeye State, and purchased a tract of wild land on section 29, Bear Grove township, Cass county. He brought with him to his new home fifty standard apple trees, and planted them, thus making the pioneer orchard of Cass county. He improved his farm of 120 acres, kept his infant orchard in a good condition, and there suffered the hardships of our pio- neers. He soon saw that his labor was successful, and remaining there about ten years he sold his farm and bought 232 acres of land at the old settlement of Iraniston. His farm is now nicely laid out with sufficient trees, farm buildings, and is now one of the finest places in the town- ship. He is engaged in general farming and is obtaining a good reputation as a fine farmer. Mr. Rossell was married in Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah A. Stocking, on the 28th day of April, 1854. She was born in New York, in 1833. They have three living whose names are-Mary B., wife of Jos- eph Leonard, a resident of Pleasant town- ship; Charles, now in Pottawattamie county; Frank, now at home.

Harrison Bruce, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 16th June, 1816. In 1856 he came to Hamilton county, Iowa,

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

where he buried his wife, Mrs. Eliza Ann Bruce. By her he had one child, Sam- uel, now a resident of Fremont county, Iowa. Mr. Bruce was again married in 1859, to Mrs. Mary Woodward, of Web- ster City, Hamilton county. Her hus- band died on the 16th of August, 1855, in Jefferson county. Mrs. Bruce was born in Fayette county, Illinois, on the 7th of November, 1852, and by her first marriage two sons were born to her-Iven, now a resident of Atlantic, and John A., now living in California. Mr. Bruce owned and operated the pioneer mill of Hamil- ton county, and in an early day, people from several neighboring counties came to his mill, some having to travel a dis- tance of sixty miles. In 1861, the high water and ice in the Boone river carried the mill away, and Mr. Bruce, not wish- ing to rebuild it, came to Cass county, and bought a homestead of 160 acres, on sec- tions 27 and 28. Mr. Bruce, in the prime of life was carried away by the angel of death, leaving his family and friends to mourn the loss of their loved one, from their circles and fireside. Mrs. Bruce now resides at the old home purchased by her husband, and with her, now are living her sons, who are her only companions in her declining years.

George S. Brown, one of the prominent citizens of Cass township, was born in Lee county Iowa, on the 16th of February, 1848. His father was a native of Massa- chusetts, and in former days was a mer- chant, and was so engaged many years, when he became a farmer. He was one of the pioneers of Lee county, settling there in 1846. He died in Lee county, in 1877. His widow is now living on the

old homestead with her daughter Lucy H. Their. Eight children are all living, all married but one. George, the subject of our sketch, became identified with Cass county in November, 1872, and the follow- ing spring bought 120 acres of land on section 14 and 23, Cass township. He has since purchased 665 acres of land, and has built a fine set of frame buildings. He pays particular attention to the raising of stock, and buying them for the market He has received the confidence and re- spect of the people, and as a farmer and stock dealer he is numbered among the first. Mr. Brown was united at Lewis, on the 24th of February, 1870, to Miss Sophia Mills, a daughter of IIon, Oliver and So- phia Mills. Mrs. Mills died in December, 1876, at Lewis, where her husband still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been blessed with four children: Fred Oliver, born in 1871 ; William G. and Edward F., twins, born in July, 1875; and Edith, born in December, 1879.

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918