USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 66
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
623
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Hill, and Black River Bridge, in which last engagement he was severely wounded (on the 17th of May, 1863), which disabled him for about five months; at the end of which time he returned to his post and continued until the close of the war, when he returned to Iowa and settled in Van Buren county, and commenced the practice of his profession and continued until 1873, when he assumed control of the Davis County Republican, at Bloomfield, which he managed with such skill as to attract universal attention, and bring its young and accomplished editor into universal notice and favor. And was undoubtedly the immediate cause of his nomination and election to the exalted enviable position of Secretary of the great and proud young com- monwealth of Iowa. However, prior to this time. by reason of his valna- ble service as a soldier, he had gained some notoriety, and as early as 1868, he was elected first assistant secretary of the senate; and in 1870 was re- elected to the same position, and 1872 he was elected to the position of sec- retary of the senate, which position he filled until 1878, never having one vote cast against him. In 1876 he aspired to the position he now fills, but was defeated in convention by Mr. Young, the then incumbent. by only 17 votes, in a convention numbering nine hundred votes. In 1878 he was nom- inated and elected without opposition, and in 1880 was reelected and polled the heaviest vote ever receivad by a candidate on the Republican ticket. Ile was married on the 17th of July, 1868, to Miss Emma G. Gregory, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, who is a very intelligent and cultured lady. Their married lives have been happily spent, and their union blessed with four children, three of whom are still living, Annette, Albert G., and John A. Little Dazie is deceased.
IIULETT, CHARLES E., blacksmith, Bloomfield; was born Angust 24, 1826, in Portage county, Ohio. At five years of age he came with his father, Francis. t › Jackson county, Missouri, where they lived about five years, then went to Illinois,and in 1841 came to Van Buren county, Iowa, and in 1849 came to this county. He enlisted in July, 1846, in the Mormon Battallion, and served one year. He began to work at his trade in 1847, and in 1849 came to Bloomfield. He learned his trade with L. Spencer, of Stringtown. He was married in July, 1853, to Miss Josie Waddle, of this county, and they have ten children, eight now living: Byron F., C. E., Allie, W. S., Fred, John C., Artlınr, J. C. and two deceased, Pierce and Hattie. Mr. Hallett is situated sonth-east of the square, where he does a good business in black- smithing and job work. Ile is a mason, and is a man highly respected.
HULETT, S., blacksmith, Bloomfield; was born in Portage county. Ohio, Angust 24, 1826, where he lived abont five years, then, with his father, Francis Hulett, came to Jackson county, Missouri, and five years later to Adams county, Illinois, then to Hancock county, and then to Warren .county. In 1841 he came to Van Buren county, Iowa. In 1846 enlisted in the Mormon battalion for the Mexican War, and after serving one year, he returned home and worked at his trade with L. Spencer at Stringtown. In 1849 he moved to this place and worked with H. Spencer three years. and then commenced for himself. He was married in July, 1853. to Jane Waddle, of this county, and they have had ten children: Byron F., C. E., who is now in business with his father: Allie, W. S., Fred, John C., Ar- thur, J. C., and two deceased, Percy E. and Hattie. Mr. H. is located sonth- east of the public square, where he is doing a good business at general blacksmithing and job work. He is a Mason, a member of Franklin lodge No. 14. In politics he is republican.
-
-
624
IIISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
HUMPHREY, B. C., manufacturer and dealer in fire arms, Bloomfield'; was born September 25, 1850, in Van Buren county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common schools of the county. At the age of thirteen he commenced to learn his trade, gunsmithing, with his father, who was a native of Virginia, and came to Iowa in 1838, where he married Miss Permelia Stanley, a native of Illinois. The subject of this. sketch, being quick to learn, his father gave him the use of his tools at an. early age, and at twenty he was master of his trade. At twenty-one he left it and went to blacksmithing for the next eight years. In 1879 he came to. Bloomfield and resumed his trade, in which he has been very successful ever since. He was married March 28, 1879, to Miss Mary F. Giles, of Pulaski, this county, and they have two children, Earnest and Guy B. Mr. II. is a republican in polities, and is a wholesouled gentleman.
JOHNSON, NEWTON S., grocer, Bloomfield; was born October 4, 1843, in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. There he grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools, in Milwaukee Academy, and in Beloit Hall, Beloit, Wisconsin. He enlisted May 17, 1861, in com- pany B, First Wisconsin Infantry, three months men, and enlisted again, in October, 1861, in company E. First Wisconsin Cavalry, and in the spring of 1863 was honorably discharged for disability, returned home until fall, when he clerked in a dry goods store in Raleigh, Illinois, about a year, then formed a partnership with Mr. Hale in the same business, and was also ap- pointed postmaster, receiving his commission unsolicited and without his- knowledge until it came. In the fall of 1866, he sold out and returned home to Wisconsin, on account of his father's death, and three months later. came to Bloomfield, Iowa, December S, 1866, and elerked for M. Monheimer for about eight months, when he went into a commission house in Keokuk, where he remained till May, 1868, and then returned to Bloomfield, and soon after went into the grocery business, and has remained in it ever since .. His is the oldest grocery house in the county, although he has occupied dif- ferent buildings. He owns his store building and a nice home, as the re- sult of industry and perseverence, although at the time of the panie he lost from five to six thousand dollars, by the banks and other sources. He is president of the school board, and always takes a lively interest in education,. and the general upbuilding of the community. He was married September 27, 1867, to Miss Galena Jones, a native of Springfield, Mo., and they have- four children: Edgar B., Marian B., Ivy E., and Daisy E.
JONES, M. H., reformed attorney, Bloomfield: was born January 7, 1828,. in Putnam county, Indiana, (no milk sickness.) and there grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the fence corner and in the highway, except what he received at Asbury University, at Greencastle. In 1849 he began the study of law, with Delane B. Eckles, of Greencastle, and was admitted at Terre Haute, in 1851, by Jndges Eckles and Naylor. He came to Iowa in 1851, taught school one year, and starved ont. Then began the practice. of law, with Harvey Dunlavey, until they dissolved in 1856; he then formed a partnership with William J. Hamilton until 1861, and from 1866 to 1869 it was Jones & Traverse. He was then alone until 1872, when it became Jones & Moore, until 1874; then alone until 1878, when he took his- son into partnership until 1880, when he retired, and turned the business over to his son and Steel. He was township clerk, member of the board of supervisors, and was district attorney from 1870 to 1874, and declined a renomination. He was married June 17, 1852, to Miss Emeline Spencer ..
625
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
a native of New Hampshire, and has four children: Charles B. S., Samuel, Alice, and Maston A.
JONES SAMUEL, attorney, of the firm of Jones & Steele, Bloomfield, was born in Bloomfield, May 10, 1857, and has lived here all his life. He was educated in the lowa Wesleyan University, at Mt. Pleasant, from which he graduated in 1877. At the age of seventeen, he began studying law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1878, by Judge Sloan of the Cirenit Court, and at onee commenced practicing in Bloomfield, and is now associated with Mr. Steele, under the firm name of Jones & Steele. Al- thongh a young firm, they already stand high in the confidence of the peo- ple, and bid fair soon to outstrip some of their older colleagues. Mr. Jones was married August 11, 1881, to Miss Sarah Young, a native of this eounty.
KELSO. J. B., carperter and contractor, Bloomfield; born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 8. 1825, When six years of age he moved with his father. William, to Richland county, Ohio, where he resided till 1850, his early youth being spent on the farm and attending the common schools. In 1845 he commeneed to work at carpentering with Samuel Beaty of Mansfield, Ohio; worked there two years, then one year with O. Black, after which he worked at different places. In 1850 he started for California. overland, and remained two years engaged in mining, then re- turned to Richland county, Ohio, and soon after, went to Noble county, Indiana, where he worked at his trade three years, then in the fall of 1866, came to Bloomfield. He was married March 11, 1855, to Miss Catharine S. Bonar, of Noble county, Indiana, and they had five children, Effie J., Emma, William C., James E. and Mary V. Mrs. K. died July 17, 1866, and Mr. K. married again March 20, 1868, to Miss Josephine Elms, of this city, and they have had three children, Ama M. Katie, and Winnie. Mr. K. is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an Odd Fellow. By good work and honerable dealings he has secured the confidence of the entire. community.
KINNICK, ELIJAHI B .. stoek dealer, Bloomfield; was born in Davis county, North Carolina, and at the age of abont ten years, he came with his parents, John and Sarah K., to Johnson county, Indiana, and four years later, they came to this county; was born Jannary 25, 1839; was raised a farmer, receiving a common school education. Hle now owns a fine farm six miles southwest of Bloomfield, all in cultivation, except thirty acres of timber. He was married in this county in 1860, to Miss E. E. Carson, a native of Indiana, and they have had twelve children, Amanda A., May C.,. Etta O .. Minnie E., Ida. Jennie, Robert B., Lovey and Lewie, twins; John, Agnes B. and Carcie, his eldest son, deceased at the age of sixteen months. Mr. K. enlisted in in 1861, in company G. Second Iowa Infantry, and served nine months, being discharged, on account of gun shot wound in the head and shoulder, received at Donelson. He was also in the battle of Shi- loh. Mr. K. is a member of the Bloomfield Masonie Lodge No. 23.
LAW, WM. J., cashier of Bradley's bank, Bloomfield, was born Marel 19, 1826, in Frederick county, Virginia. When three years of age, his parents moved to Perry connty. Ohio, and there he grew up and received his edneation. At ten, he went into the saddler shop of his father to learn the trade. In 1845, he went into the tanning business with his father, and learned that and followed it until 1855, when he came to Fairfield, Iowa, and went into the Jefferson house as proprietor. In the fall of 1857, he came to Bloomfield, and went into the American House (now the Wilson),
$26
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
which he ran till 1862. In 1864, he was elected clerk of the courts, and served two years, and in January 1867, he was appointed by Gen. Weaver, chief clerk of Internal Revenue Assessor's office, which he held until it was done away with in 1872. He then went into mercantile trade until March 1877, when he assumed control of Bradley's bank, which position he now occupies. It has a capital of $25,000. He married Miss C. C. Bruner, Oct. 16, 1845, and they have had six children, Florence M., wife of C. L. Pen- nington, Effie C .; W. J., Jr .; and three deceased.
LESTER, A. C, county recorder, Bloomfield; was born July 6, 1847; in Pike county, Illinois. At the age of nine, his parents came to Bloomfield, and here he has grown to manhood; edneated in the public school, and teaching for ten or twelve years, mostly in this county. In the fall of 1876, he was elected county recorder, and reelected in 1878, and also in 1880. He was married June 16, 1878, to Miss Linnie Corrick, a native of Ohio. They have one child, Eva L. Mr. Lester is highly esteemed by every one, and has the respect and confidence of all political parties.
LOGAN, J. M., station agent, Bloomfield; is a native of Connellsville, Indiana, born in November 1850. When two years old he came with his father to Hancock county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, on a farm, and attended the common schools. Then in the telegraph office at Lomax, Illinois, some nine months. Then employed by the C., B. & Q. for two years and five months, then returned to Lomax, about eight months, then to Lee county, Iowa, about eighteen months, then came to this city with the Burlington and Southwestern; four years and eleven months, as agent, then taking charge of the Wabash office. June 21, 1881. He was married in February 1873. to Anna McAdair, of Ursa, Illinois. She died March 6, 1874. He was married again April 11, 1875, to Levina J. Simmons of Dallas, Illinois. They have had two children. Edgar Harris, and Andrew Wesley. Mr. Logan is a mason, and belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter, and the Knights of Pythias. He was elected a member of the city council, on the temperance ticket, in March 1879, for three years. Mr. Logan is one of the most obliging agents on the Wabash road. Mr. Logan is also a member of the M. E. Church.
MCCARTY, J., of the firm of Highee & MeCarty, dealers in hardware, implements, stoves and tinware: was born February 3; 1826, in Morgan county, Ohio. There he grew up and was educated in the common schools and Alleghany College, Meadville Pa., where he gradnated in 1854after which he taught one year in Marietta, Ohio. In 1855 he came to Iowa and located in Drakeville, where he taught about two years and a half, when he came to Bloomfield and taught four years, and then six months in Agency City, and then went to Oskaloosa, where he took charge of the public schools about four years. In 1866 he went to the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant where he taught two years, and in 1868 was appointed to take charge of the State Reform School in Lee county, which was moved to El- dora, Hardin county, in 1873, and he was continned in charge until 1875, when he resigned and returned to Bloomfield, where he formed a partner- ship with Mr. Higbee in the hardware business, which they have continued since. In 1867 he was elected county superintendent of schools but re- signed the position. He was married July 7, 1856, to Miss Mary B. Lock- man, a native of Indiana. They have no children.
MCCORMICK, W. F., teacher room No. 5, Bloomfield high school; was born January 16, 1858, in Bloomfield, Davis county. Here he has grown
627
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
to manhood and received his education in the public school, graduating in 1878. He has since taught three terms of school, one in Bloomfield town- ship, one in Wyacondah township, and is now teaching in the Bloomfield high school. Ile was brought up a brick maker, which business he has fol- lowed a number of years. He owns half of a nice tract of land on the north side of the city. He was married on the 6th day of March, 1880, to Miss Dora E. Mendenhall, of Bloomfield, who was also educated in the same school. They have one child, Grace Elinore. Mr. MeCormick has been obliged to give up in a measure his brick business, by reason of an injury received from a runaway team. He is a fine educator and has the confidence of the entire community.
MENDENHALL, A. W, of the firm of Mendenhall & O'Neal, mer- .chants, Bloomfield; was born November 20, 1841, in Indiana. In 1843 his parents came to Fairfield, Iowa, and in 1844 came to Davis county and lo- cated about two miles north of Bloomfield where they still reside, and here he grew to manhood on the farm. At the age of eighteen he went to Fair- field and clerked in a store about two years, then he went to California where he freighted for two years, and then went into the dairy business for three years. In 1869 he returned to Bloomfield and followed the brokerage business until 1872, when he went into mercantile trade, in which he still remains. He was married, February 22, 1871. to Miss Ella M. Hawkins, a native of Indiana. They have had five children, Charles, Nellie, Willie and two deceased. This firm carry a heavy stock of goods and enjoy a good trade, which they have established by striet integrity and square dealing with their customers.
MILLER. JOHN A., insurance agent, Bloomfield; was born Angust 26, 1852, in Mechanicsburg, Ill., and there grew to manhood on the farm, and was educated in the common schools, Mechanicsburg Academy and Rut- ledge & Davison's commercial school, at Springfield. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, and followed it most of the time till 1879, since when he has worked at insurance, and is now considered a boss insurance man. He came to Iowa, and located in Adams county in May, 1874, and was mar- ried in June, 1874. to Miss Margaret E. Prather, a native of Marion county. They have three children: Eustice M., Julian A., and Rose E. His father- in-law, Pleasant Prather, was shot down near his house in Adams county, in February, 1864, by a copperhead neighbor, on account of politics. The assassin was taken from jail and hung to a tree, by an infuriated community. Mr. M. came to Davis county in 1879.
MOORE, F. W., deputy auditor, Bloomfield; was born December 13, 1846, in Bartholomew county, Indiana. In 1854 his parents came to this county, locating in West Grove township, and here he grew to manhood, educated in common school and Troy Academy. He learned the printer's trade while a boy, and in 1866 he worked in the Register office in Des Moines about nine months, then on the Gute City at Keokuk a while, then in St. Louis on the Evening Despatch, and in other offices. He came home in 1869 and worked on the Bloomfield Republican, and in the fall of that year commenced the study of law with M. H. Jones; was admitted to the bar in May. 1870, by Judge Williams, and formed a partnership with M. H. Jones, which was continued till August, 1874, when he bought a half interest in a paper called the Granger's Advocate which he changed to the Commonwealth. In March, 1877, he rented his interest to his partner and about a year later sold it and entered into the practice of law. In January
628
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
1880, he was appointed deputy auditor. He was mayor of Bloomfield in 1878 and has been town elerk three terms, and recorder and attorney for the city. He was married August 27, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Wallace, and has three children, Nora, Eva and Wm. W.
MOORE, COL. SAMUEL A., postmaster, Bloomfield ; was born in Law- reneeburg, Dearborn county, Ind., December 16, 1821,. The oldest of three. children; his father dying in August, 1827; at the age of eight years, he was apprenticed to David V. Calley, editor of the Indiana Palladium, to learn the printer's trade; served four years, and then ran away because overtaxed and abused by older apprentices. Worked in a store, and at type-setting, till March, 1835. when he moved with his mother, who had married again, to. Bartholomew county. Worked one year in an office in Columbus, Ind., and then went on a farm till the spring of 1849, when he started a whig newspaper, called the Spirit of the West, which he continued until ap. pointed postmaster, at Columbus, by President Fillmore. Was a member of the Indiana legislature, session of 1850-51. Resigned the postmaster- ship and came to Davis county, Iowa, in March, 1853. where he farmed until he was elected County Judge, in Angust, 1855, which office he held two years, and then went back to the farm, where he ran a small saw and grist mill in connection with it. Being afflicted with opthalmia, and fear- ing total blindness, he sold the farm and moved to Bloomfield and purchased a stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and was running the store when the- war broke ont. He enlisted April 20, 1861, in Company G, Second Iowa Infantry, and was mustered in-as second lieutenant of the company; was promoted captain November 25, 1861; was in command of the company at Fort Donelson, and in storming the rifle pits, February 15, 1862. and at Shiloh, April 6, until late in the afternoon, when he was shot three times, two wounds being very severe. totally disabling him. He was carried off the. field to the hospital at Pittsburg Landing, and arrived home thirteen days. after. Was ordered to the hospital at Columbus, Ohio, in July. 1862, and returned to his regiment in Angust, 1862, at camp near Corinth, Miss., on. a cruteh and a cane, wholly unfit for duty. He resigned September 15, 1862, and returned home, his family having continned his mercantile business. In 1863 he was elected senator from this county, and served in the Tenth. General Assembly. May 10, 1864, he assisted in the organization of Com- pany D), Forty-fitth Iowa Infantry, one hundred days men, and was elected captain, and was mustered into the United States service, May 25, 1864, as. lieutenant colonel, and served with the regiment until mustered out of ser- vice. When he accepted his commission in the Forty-fifth Infantry, his- seat in the Senate became vacant, and a special election was held to fill it. He was elected again a member of the Eleventh General Assembly. Janu- ary 20, 1868, his store and dwelling were consumed by fire, and many things- of great value to him, which money can never replace, were destroyed. He rebuilt his store in October, 1868, and his dwelling in 1869. He carried on his store, selling goods, till 1873. Was appointed postmaster, at Bloomfield, in January, 1879, and took the office February 11, 1879, still holding the position. Mr. M.'s full name is Samnel Alphonso Moore. IIe is a Universalist in faith, and a republican in politics, being one of the wheel-horses in the party in southern Iowa. No man ever lived in Davis county who so completely has the confidence and love of the people, regard- less of seet or polities, as Col. Moore. He was married in Shelby county .. Ind., March 14, 1844, to Miss Ellen Clark, and they have raised a family of
629
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
six children: Mary E., wife of J. B. Findly, Fred. W .; Laura F., wife of J. E. Cooper; Thomas Dick, Henry C., and Emma, at home.
MYERS, T. B., merchant, Bloomfield; was born May 30, 1843, in Wash- ington county, Ind. In 1832 he came to Iowa with his grandmother and uncle, his parents having died when he was quite young. They located in Ilenry county, and in 1855 came to Davis county, in Roscoe township, and in 1857 he went to Pulaski, where he remained till 1864, when he returned to Roscoe, and soon after went to school at Troy Academy, and after teach- ing a short tme, in April, 1866, came to Bloomfield, and clerked for Ilill, Duffield & Co., till September, 1868. when he became a member of the firm of Hill, Myers & Co. until March 1, 1875, when he sold out to Mr. Hill, and then took nearly a year traveling over the country, visiting the eenten- nial and other places of interest. In January, 1876, he opened a new store. under the name of Myers & McConn, which continued till February, 1880, when he bought out Mr. MeConn, and has since run it himself. He carries a large, wel !- selected stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, ete., and has a good trade. He was married October 3, 1872, to Miss Mattie T. Paxton, of Van Buren county, a native of Virginia, who died September 15, 1873. He married again November 21, 1878, to Miss Belle Walker, a native of Des Moines county, and they have one child, T. B., Jr.
NELSON, E. M., retired farmer, Bloomfield; was born October 22, 1809, in Henry county, Ky. At the age of thirteen his parents moved to Barthol- omew county, Ind .; there he grew up and was educated in the old log school house. In 1841 he came to Iowa, in Van Buren county, and in 1843 to Davis county, loeating on a farin in Bloomfild township just as soon as the Indians left, making a claim on section twelve about two miles north of town, and entering and living on the land until 1873, when he sold out his farm and retired. He helped lay out the town of Bloomfield, and was at the raising of the old log court house and many of the first dwellings. Has been township trustee several times.
NULTON, HENRY, of the firm of Nulton & Presson, dealers in groe- eries, northwest corner of the square, in the Nulton block, Bloomfield; was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 26, 1842; and at the age of eight years came to this county with his parents, James and Lueinda Nul- ton, who are now residents of Hardin county, lowa. In this county Mr. N. grew to manhood on a farm, receiving his education at Oska- loosa College. In September, 1861, he enlisted in company I, Fourteenthi Iowa Infantry and served three years, participating in the battles Fort Don- elson, Shiloh, with Sherman to the sea, and was wounded at the battle of Pleasant Hill in the Red River expedition in A. J. Smith's command. He was struck with a shell on the left arm, which was amputated at the shoul- der. He was married in this county in 1868, to Mrs. Isabel M. Kerr, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. N. is a charter member of the Universalist church. Ile was elected county treasurer in 1867, and was reëleeted in 1869, 1871, and 1873. While holding this office he gave complete satisfac- tion to everybody.
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.