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 81

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 81

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).

William Jarvis was a soldier in the Union army. IIe enlisted August 15, 1862, in company B, Twenty-third Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, went south and participated in the battle with Kirby Smith, also with Morgan's forces in Ken- tucky, and was in thickest of the fight in many other engagements. He was dis- charged in the spring of 1863 on account of disability, the result of a wound receiv- ed at Arkansas Post. In August, 1864, he re-enlisted in company E, of the Forty- third Wisconsin and served until July, 1865. After his discharge from the ser- vice, he returned to his home in Lafay- ette county, Wisconsin. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 25, 1830, where he grew to manhood, and received bis education in the public schools. At the age of eighteen he engaged with a carpenter and joiner to learn the trade and served two years, then went to Fair- mount, Pennsylvania, and worked under instructions one year, then went to work in a cotton factory for an uncle and re-

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

661

mained in his employ until 1856. He then moved to Lafayette county, Wiscon- sin and farmed rented land for a time, then purchased a farm in company with H. B. Commings, in Kendalltown, La- fayette county, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Cass county, Iowa and bought a farm in sections 31 and 32 of Noble township where he now lives. He was married in 1851 to Mary Jones. They have seven children -Elizabeth, Mary J., William H., Viola, John R, Clara and Frank G.

John Larry came to Cass county in June, 1870, locating in Noble township. The first two years he rented land. In 1872 he purchased wild land in section 30, and immediately commenced improvements. He now has one hundred and twenty acres under a good state of cultivation. He was born in Ireland in April, 1832. When he was but three months old his parents emigrated to America and settled in La Salle county, Illinois. When five years old his parents died, and John then found a home with Samuel Milliken in Rutland township of that county. Moved by a .love for his adopted country, he enlisted at the first call for troops in the war of the rebellion in the Tenth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served until the ex- piration of his term of service. In No- vember, 1861, he re-enlisted in the Three Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois for three years. He veteranized in January, 1864, and served until July, 1865, when he en- gaged in farming in LaSalle county. He was married in September, 1865, to Miss Gochanour, who was born in Ohio. They have ten children-George, Edwin, Lucy,

Frank, Annie, James, Orilla, Jolın, Clara Bell and Willie.

Charles A. Hully came to Cass county in 1872, and bought land on section 31, Noble township. He is a native of Vigo county, Indiana, and was born on the 18th of November, 1838. His parents were both natives of Germany, but came to America before their marriage. When Charles was about eight years old his pa- rents came to Missouri and settled in St. Louis county, and remaining there about six years, they moved to DesMoines county, Iowa, where he enlisted August 9, 1862, in company C, Thirtieth Iowa In- fantry. He served about three years, and was discharged on account of disability. He returned to DesMoines county and farmed until 1872, when he came to Cass county. He now owns three hundred and thirty acres of improved land, has built a nice frame building and is engaged in dairy and stock raising. Mr. Hully was married on the 8th of March, 1860, to Elizabeth Zion, a native of Iowa. They have been blessed with eight children- William J., Edwin D., John B., Mary, Henry, Clara, Walter and Charlie. Mrs. Hully died on the 25th of March, 1881, and her death was greatly mourned by all who knew her. Mr. H. was again mar- ried June 14, 1882, to Ophelia Bennett, the widow of Edward P. Bennett. Her maiden name was Selby. She was a na- tive of Knox county, Ohio. By her first marriage she had three children-John and Hettie, (twins) and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hully are the happy parents of one child, a sunny, winsome girl, whose name is Maud M.

662

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

J. I. Pritchard was born in West Vir- ginia, on November 25, 1829. He was reared on a farm. His father being a blacksmith as well as farmer, J. I. worked in shop and on farm until nineteen years of age, then went into the mercantile business in Clarksburg. Working at that trade about ten years, his store and stock were burned, and he then purchased an . interest in a steam saw mill, which he re- tained until 1867, when he sold out and came west, locating in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and was there engaged in farming and blacksmithing until 1870, when he came to Iowa, spending the win- ter in Montgomery county. In 1872 he came to Cass county and settled in Noble township, purchased one hundred and twenty acres on sections 29 and 30, and lias improved and is now living on same. He was married in 1870 to Felicia Selby. She was born in Knox county, Ohio, but was reared and educated in Wisconsin. She has taught twenty-eight terms of school in Wisconsin and Iowa.

Thomas C. Evans settled in Noble township, October 1, 1871. He had pre- viously purchased the southeast quarter of section 25, upon which was a log house and a few acres broken. He now has the land all improved, and has erected a good frame honse, planted a grove, and set out a great variety of fruit trees. He now owns two hundred and ninety acres, all improved except ten acres of timber. Mr. Evans was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, January 17, 1833. When he was thirteen years old, his parents moved to Wisconsin, and settled in Lafayette county, where they were early settlers. His father entered land in Kendall town-

ship. Thomas E. remained with his par- ents until bis marriage, in 1856, to Ann Maria Olmstead, a native of New York. He then bought land in Belmont town- ship, and improved a farm. In 1859 he went to Colorado, passing through Cass county on the way. He stopped only a short time in Colorado, and went on to California, making the whole trip over- land with an ox team, He remained in California until January, 1863, and then returned home. In 1866 he went to Helena, Montana, where he was employed in a quartz mill, and remained two years, after which he returned to his home. The following year he went back to Montana. He went to Salt Lake valley in the first railway passenger coach that ever entered the valley. He returned from Montana the second time in 1871, and soon after came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have six children, Frank E., Edith M., Fred. L., Maggie A., Charles N. and Jen- nie M.

Nelson Read was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, February 1, 1815. When fourteen years old he, in company with his mother and an elder brother and others, emigrated to Ohio, going over- land. His father remained in New Jersey to close up his business, and died there soon after. The family settled in Cincin- nati, which was then a town of some fif- teen or twenty thousand population, and remained there a little more than a year. They then went to Warren county, where Nelson grew to manhood. In 1832 he engaged as clerk in a store in Franklin, continuing there until August, 1839. He then engaged in farming in Montgomery county, and remained there and in Darke

663

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

county until 1855. In 1854 he visited Iowa with a party prospecting for a loca- tion. In 1855 he left Darke county, accompanied by his family, and came to Jasper county, Iowa, driving the entire distance with a pair of horses and wagon. They were on the road from May 10 to June 14. He settled on government land, which he improved and lived upon till 1881, when he sold out and removed to Cass county. He purchased an improved farm on section 25, Noble township, which is now his home. He was married Jan- uary 12, 1837, to Sarah M. Johnson. She was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 7, 1818. Eleven children were born to them, eight of whom are living-William T., John H., Rebecca H., Julia A., Sarah J., Ellen E., Amanda J. and James A.

William T. Read came to Noble town- ship in June, 1873, at which date he bought unimproved land on section 24. He removed to this place September 26, of that year. He now has the land im- proved and fenced, and has erected good substantial buildings, planted trees, and otherwise improved the place. He has purchased more land, and now owns two hundred and forty acres. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 19th day of April, 1838, and is a son of Nelson and Sarah (Johnson) Read. He re- sided with his parents in Ohio until 1855. In that year they removed to Iowa and settled in Jasper county, where he remain- ed with them until twenty-one years old. He then went to Le Grand in Marshall county, and was there employed in teach- ing. He had previously attended four terms at Iowa college at Grinnell. He was married in Marshall county, in 1860,

to Josephine Bibb, a native of Amherst county, Virginia. He bought land in Le Grand township and engaged in farm- ing, also taught school. In 1866 he sold his land in that county and bought a quar- ter section in Hickory Grove township, Jasper county. In 1872 he sold and went to Missouri where he spent one year, then came to Cass county, after spending the summer in Marshall county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Read have eight children- Charles Edward, William Harvey, Byron J., Anna L., Arthur, Nellie, Edith and Howard.

William Smith is a native of Greene county, Indiana, having been born in Feb- ruary, 1837, and is the son of Stafford and Nancy Ann Smith, both natives of Vir- ginia. He moved with his parents to Ed- inburg, when quite young, where his father died, leaving a wife and nine chil- dren. William then moved with his moth- er to Kendall county, Illinois, where he remained two years, when he came to Mad- ison county, Iowa, and located at Winter- set, in 1849. He left home when twenty- one years of age, and went to Andrew county, Missouri, where he was married in October, 1859, to Margaret Jane Davi- son. He remained in Missouri until 1861, when he bade his friends good-bye, and joined the Confederate army leaving many sad loved ones behind. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, and many of the hard fought battles. He received three wounds, but recovered from each without much diffi- culty, and again took his place on the bat- tle-field. He was imprisoned about six months, and when released, he returned to his family, who were then living in Missouri. Soon after his return, his wife

664

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

and infant died, leaving him alone in the world with his little daughter, Mary Ellen, at that time about four years of age. He came to Cass county, Iowa, in 1866, and moved to Edna Grove, and improved three farms, two in Edna township and one in Noble township, the latter upon which he lives. He first built a log cabin, and lived there about a year, when he replaced his rude dwelling with a fine house, in which he now resides. In 1867,he was married to Martha A. Keith, who died in 1875, leav- ing three children-George W .. James W., and Martha A. In 1880 he was again married to Elizabeth Keith, by whom he has had one child-Louisa.

Thomas Ely, was born in Lincolnshire, England, on the 16th of April, 1851. He is the son of Benjamin and Ruth (Atkin- son) Ely, and when four years of age he moved to America, and located in Wis- consin, and there grew to manhood. He remained at home until 1871, when he came to Cass county, Iowa, and settled in Noble township. In 1873 he purchased forty acres of good land on section 28, and one year later he purchased eighty acres of the adjoining land. He now has his farm nicely cultivated, and has built a commodious house. Mr. Ely was married on the 15th of September, 1878, to Grace V. Christopher, who was born July 2, 1853, in La Salle county, Illinois. Her father, J. M. Christopher was a native of North Carolina, and her mother, E. J. Christo- pher, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ely have had three children-Lizzie M., Cook A., and Beulah.

John L. Smith is a native of Indiana, born in Dearborn county, February 8, 1837. When he was nine years old his

parents moved to Canada and settled in Kings county, where they lived eight years, then moved to Winnebago county, Illinois. The subject of this sketch went to De Witt county and engaged in farm- ing one year, thence to Clay county, Iowa. Two years later he returned to Winnebago county, and carried on his father's farm until 1870, when he came to Cass county, and bought land in section 22, of Edna township, where he lived until later, when he sold out and removed to Noble township, purchasing land in section 26. Mr. Smith was married in 1863, to Henri- etta Whitman. Nine children have been born to them. Mr. Smith's farm contains two hundred acres of well improved land.

GERMAN SETTLEMENT.

The first German settlers of Noble township were Joseph Weirich, Henry Ackerman and Henry Schwarzenbach, with their families. They came from Illi- nois in the fall of 1869, journeying over- land, their household goods packed in their wagons.

Henry Schwarzenbach took up his resi- dence on the northeast quarter of section 8, where he lived a few years, and then removed to Shelby county.

Joseph Weirich settled on the northeast quarter of section 15, and resided there till September, 1884, when he removed to Griswold.

Joseph Weirich, the first German set- tler in Noble township, was born in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, March 29, 1821. He attended school from the age of six to fourteen years. At the age of fifteen he began mining. He was united in marriage, October 31, 1844, with Eliza- beth Boher, also a native of Bavaria. He

665

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

continned mining in his native country until 1846, when, accompanied by his wife, he emigrated to America, landing in New York June 11th, of that year. They re- mained iu that city with friends, one year, then went to Schuykill county, Pennsylvania, where he found employ- ment in the coal mincs and lived there four years, then removed to Columbia county, of the same State, and there en- gaged in mining some years, when he re- moved to Illinois, and settled in Eagle township, La Salle county, where he, hav- ing but little money, bought land on time. He commenced building a log house, but before its completion, he was taken sick, and the family lived in it for one and a half years without a roof. When he finally regained his health, he purchased coal in the ground, paying for the same one cent per bushel, and engaged in min- ing. In war times coal was high and he made, with the assistance of his boys, from four to twenty-five dollars per day, thus accumulating money rapidly, enabling him to pay off the mortgage on his farm. His sons had carried on the farm while he was engaged in mining. They lived there a few years, when they sold the farm and bonglit another in Otter Creek township. At this time, on account of failing health, he abandoned mining and lived with his family on the farm. In 1869, he sold bis place and come to Cass county. He pur- chased two hundred acres of unimproved land on section 15, township 74 north, 36 west, now known as Noble. The country about here was then unbroken prairie, with no houses or groves in sight. He at first built a small frame house, which he soon after enlarged, built a barn and

planted a grove, making this his home until September, 1884, when he removed to Griswold, where he bought a honse and lot and is now living in prosperity and comfort, reaping the reward of his past industry, surrounded by those things which make life desirable, and in the enjoyment of the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. His success in life is an example to young men, of what may be accomplished by honesty, industry and perseverance. Mr. and Mrs. Weirich have six children living-V. Joseph, George, Henry, Frank, John and Peter.

Henry Ackerman paid $6 per acre for 160 acres in section 27, in the fall of 1869 and removed to the place from Atlantic, January 1, 1870.

Henry Ackerman was born July 20, 1839 in Germany. He received his edu- cation in his native country, and when sixteen years old came to America, bor- rowed from his brother to pay his pass- age. He located in LaSalle county, Illi- nois, where he engaged in farming. The first year he earned eighty-six dollars, with which he paid the sum borrowed from his brother. The second year he earned one hundred dollars. He enlisted in August, 1862, in company F, of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged with the regi- ment, at Chicago, in June, 1865. He participated in many important battles, and was severely wounded at Huntsville, Alabama, in consequence of which he was disabled for eleven months. He then joined the regiment at Chattanooga, and started with Sherman's army for the sea. He was soon after taken sick and sent to

666

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

the hospital for a short time. He joined his command at Kenesaw Mountain, and proceeded with Sherman's army to the sea and through the Carolinas to Wash- ington, taking part in the battles of that memorable campaign. He was present at the grand review at Washington. After his discharge he resumed farming in La- Salle county, where he purchased eighty acres of land located in Otter creek town- ship. In 1869 he sold his land there, and came to Cass county, Iowa, in November that year. He stopped in Atlantic until January 1, 1870, then moved to the place where he now lives. He purchased at that time, one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in section 27, Noble township, for which he paid six dollars per acre. He has built a good frame house, and planted a grove and fruit orchard. In 1883 he built a barn 62x20 feet, having a stone basement. He has added to his original purchase and now owns four hun- dred and forty acres, all improved land. He is largely engaged in stock raising. He was married in 1862, to Candace Mc- Kernan, who was born in LaSalle county, Illinois. They have eight children : El- mer H., Ellsworth P., Amanda M., James F., Samuel L., Charles, Mand and Wil- liam B.

V. J. Weirich, came with his parents in 1869, and received from his father a farm on section 15, in 1870. V. J. Weirich, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Weirich, was born in New York, on the 16th of Octo- ber, 1846, and when quite young his par- ents moved to Pennsylvania, and remain- ing there a short time, they moved to Illi- nois, and settled in La Salle county. He made his home with his parents until

1869, when he came to Cass county, Iowa, and improved forty acres of land on sec- tion 15, Noble township. V. J. was mar- ried in 1870, to Miss Caroline Knoke, by whom he has had four children-George Edward, Albert, Emma and Bessie. In 1884 Mr. Weirich sold forty acres of land which his father gave him, and purchased his pleasant farm on which he now lives.

John Weirich also came with his par- ents, in 1869. John Weirich, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Weirich, of Noble township, was born in Eagle township, LaSalle county, Illinois on the 20th day of January, 1859. Ile lived on a farm in that county, and attended school in the district school, until ten years of age, when he came to Noble township, and was here educated and reared to manhood. He has always been engaged in farming, and being greatly adapted for that occu- pation, he has learned no trade, but is probably one of the best farmers in the township. In 1884 he purchased a farm of his brother, on the northwest quarter of section 11. He has improved the land and is intending to have a fine farm and numerous head of stock. He still makes his home with his parents, who are among the pioneers of this township.

Henson S. Liston came to Noble town- ship in 1869, and took up eighty acres of wild land on section 1, which he has im- proved and still retains.

Henson S. Liston settled in Cass county in October, 1869, at which time he bought eighty acres of wild land on section 1, Noble township. He has erected good substantial buildings, including house, cattle barn, horse stable, granary and corn-crib, planted an orchard of three hun-

667

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

dred trees, also small fruits and a grove of four acres of forest trees, of different varieties, maple, cottonwood, catalpa, mulberry, ash, elm and linn. Mr. Liston is a native of West Virginia, born in Preston county, December 10, 1838. His parents were John and Nancy (Smith) Liston, natives of West Virginia. The subject of this sketch was reared to agri- cultural pursuits. He enlisted in the Union army, June 28, 1861, in company H, of the Third West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service until August, 1864. This regiment was re-or- ganized in 1863, and called the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry. He participated in the following battles: Romney, Win- chester, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, White Sulphur Springs and Droop Moun- tain. He was with General Seigel on the Rappahannock river, where he was en- gaged in battle nineteen days. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run and many others. He was married in 1864, to Candace Pringey. She was born in Som- erset county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Prin- gey. After his marriage, Mr. Liston pur- chased the old homestead of his wife's parents and lived there until 1867. He then sold out and came to Iowa. He set- tled in Muscatine county, where he re- mained until the fall of 1869, when he came to Cass county, as previously stated. Mr. and Mrs. Liston have eight children- Joseph B., Amelia J., Francis M., John, Ray S., Charlie R., Luru M. and Blanche A. Mr. Liston's farm contains two hun- dred and forty acres, all improved.

Herman Pringey is a settler of 1869. He made his home on section 2, which

was then wild prairie, where he still resides.

Herman Pringey came here in 1869, and bought eighty acres of land in the southeast quarter of section 2, Noble township. He has since erected good buildings, planted fruit, shade and orna- mental trees, and otherwise improved the place. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1842. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret Pringey, natives of Pennsylvania. When he was four years old, his parents moved to Vir- ginia, (now West Virginia,) and settled in Preston county, where he.grew to man- hood, being reared upon a farm. June 28, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, in company H, of the Third West Vir- ginia Infantry, and served until August, 1864. This regiment was re-organized and afterwards known as the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry. He participated in the following battles: Romney, Winchester, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, White Sul- phur Springs, Droop Mountain and second battle of Bull Run. He was with Siegel on the Rappahannock campaign, where they were in battle the greater part of the time for nineteen days. He re-enlisted in February, 1865, and was discharged with the regiment. He returned home and resumed farming. In 1866 he came to Iowa, and lived in Muscatine county until he came to Cass, in 1869. Mr. Pringey was married December 23, 1869, to Sarah Kirby,a native of Morgan county, Ohio. They have five children-Orie, Charlie, Frederick, Emma E. and Carrie Belle.

John Pringey came in the same year, and also located on section 1, where he

668

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

bought eighty acres of wild land. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. His parents removed to West Virginia in 1847. Here he grew to man- hood, and in August, 1862, enlisted in company D, Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, serving until July, 1865, when he returned home. In 1869 he came to this county, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1873, to Anna C. Green. They have two children-Alvin and Maude. Mrs. Pringey died March 2, 1881, aged thirty-one years. In March, 1882, he was married again, to Esther L. Lewis.

Levi and N. W. Mountain purchased land in sections 1 and 2, in 1869, and took up their residence on it. N. W. sold out his interest in the-land in 1872, and went away, but Levi still remains.

John Westfall came in 1869, and took up land in sections 29 and 30. He was born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1813. In 1827 he went to Alle- gheny county, New York. In 1833 he went to Olean Point. He stayed there some time, and then came west, spending considerable time in Des Moines county, Iowa, before coming to this county. He was married, in 1833, to Hannah Bodine. They have three children living-David H., Charles H. and James O. Mrs. West- fall died in 1864.

Lewis Pray came to Noble township in 1869, but did not buy land until the spring of 1870, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in sections 2 and 3. He was born in Ohio, in 1846. When he was eight years of age his pa- rents removed to Preble county, Ohio, and in 1857 removed to Muscatine county,

Iowa. He enlisted, in the fall of 1862, in company D, Thirty-fifth Iowa, in which he served until the close of the war, when he was discharged at Davenport. After his return from the war, he lived in Mus- catine county until 1869, when he came to Cass county. He was married, in 1866, to Diana Pringey, daughter of Jonathan Pringey. They have two children-Net- tie and Lyman.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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