USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 67
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OVERTON, F. C., attorney, Bloomfield; was born September 22, 1844, in Fulton county, Ill. While an infant, his parents moved to Mahaska coun- ty, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, on a farm, educated in the common schools and Oskaloosa College. He is enlisted in company C. Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Was with Sherman, to the sea, and was never off duty a day during his service. He was a non-
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commissioned officer, and was taken prisoner at the assault on Atlanta, July 22, 1864, but in about an hour, succeeded in making his escape. In Feb- rnary 1866, he came to Davis county and located in Bloomfield, where he began studying law with Trimble & Carruthers, and was admitted in No- vember, 1868, by Judge Tannehill, but has never entered actively into the practice. In 1867, he was princial of the public schools in Bloomfield, and has once been mayor of the eity. In 1868 he took up fire insurance, in the capacity of general adjusting agent. In 1374, he formed a partnership with Mr. Steckel, in the loan and real estate business, and in a general banking business on January 1, 1881, which they still continue. Ile was married in July 1866, to Miss Mattie J. Hardin, of Oskaloosa, a native of Indiana. They have two children, Fred H. and Harry C. Mr. O. was appointed A. D. C. in 1880, to Gov. Gear, with rank of Lientenent Colonel. His mother died in 1853, and lies in the Quaker Cemetry at Oskaloosa. His father is still living in Arkansas.
OWSLEY, M., wholesale and retail grocer, Bloomfield; was born Novem- ber 18, 1834. in Indiana, and at the age of eight years, his parents moved to Pike county, Illinois, and there he grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. When about eighteen he went into a sawmill, where he worked seven or eight years, and in 1856, he moved to Macon county, Missouri, where he remained till 1861, when he located near Ottumwa, Iowa, for two years, and then in Soap Creek township, this coun- ty, where he ran a saw and grist mill, until 1867, when he went back to Macon county, Missouri, and went into the grocery business till May 1879, when came to Bloomfield and opened out a wholesale and retail grocery house, which he is still running. He has just completed and moved into the finest store room in the city, being on the southeast corner of the pub. lic square, where he carries by far the largest stock of groceries in the city, which he always sells at the lowest cash prices. Here can be found every. thing in the grocery and provision line, and gentlemanly clerks to attend to your wants. Mr. O. was married July 4, 1859, to Miss Amanda White, who died in April 1864, leaving three children, all now deceased. He mar- ried again April 13, 1866, to Miss Syntha Lester, and they have had three children, John R. living, and two daughters deceased.
PAINTER, J. V., M. D., physician and druggist, Bloomfield; was born February 11, 1820, in Ohio; attended the common schools, and at the age of fourteen went to learn the tailoring business with Joseph Repler, in Urbana, Ohio, and followed it until 1842, studying in the meantime, while plying the needle. In 1839 he commenced learning the drug business also, staying in the drug store in the summer, in tailor shop in the winter. In 1842 he went into the drug business, as clerk for Henry Wheeler, of Kesanqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, and after working a few months with Dr. Loring, druggist in St. Louis, he located at West Point, Iowa, in the practice of medicine. tailoring some at the same time. In February, 1847, he com- menced clerking in Ilamlin and Ayers drug store, in Keokuk, and studied medieine abont two years with Dr. Knowles. In 1852 he located in Farm- ington, in the practice, and in 1864 came to Bloomfield, and clerked for J. B. Glenn, for Glenn Brothers, and for Mitchell Brothers, until December 25, 1877, when he put up his present building and commenced the drug business for himself, which he still continues. He was married September 7, 1854, to Miss Polly Stare, a native of Indiana, and they have three chil- dren: Emma V., Francis F., and Joseph M.
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PAINE, J. N., proprietor of Paine's book store, Bloomfield; was born in. Middlesex county, Massachusetts, July 12, 1849, where he resided for six- teen years, receiving his education at Charlestown, Mass., and in 1865, came to Linn county, Iowa. In December 1869, he went to California, and re- mained three years, engaged in mining, and in the fall of 1872, returned home, then went to St. Louis to attend telegraph school for three months, then came to Bloomfield and took charge of the telegraph office, a situation he still holds. In 1874, he bonght the news business of A. Johnson, and now carries a large stock of books, stationary and notions. Feeling the need of more room, he is now building a fine brick store on the east side of the square, which he will ocenpy as soon as completed. He was married December 13, 1876, to Miss Ella Hagan of this city, and they have two children, Edith Jane and Della Kate. Mr. P. is a worthy gentleman, de- serving of success.
PALMER, WM., carperter and contractor, Bloomfield; was born in New York, September 11, 1828, where he grew to manhood, educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen, learned carpentering with D. D. Adams, in Sharon, where he remained three years, he then worked as mill- wright about three years. In 1853 he moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, and lived there about twelve years, engaged in carpentering, then moved to Mis- souri, where he lived till the fall of 1869, when he came to Bloomfield, where he has since resided. He was married December 15, 1857, to Miss Imogene Hamlin, of Michigan. They have had ten children, Bessie, Hamlin, Lnella, Henrietta, Arthur, Sylvanus, Willard, Mary, David, and a babe. Mr. P. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Since coming here, by doing good work and by fair dealing, he has secured a large trade, and is well worthy of it.
PARKER, JOHN, Bloomfield; was born in Park county, Indiana, in 1846, where he lived till he was seventeen, then went to California; arriving there withont money, he worked on a farm at fifteen dollars a month for a while, then mined, and soon after purchased a team, and commenced team- ing, being quite successful. In 1857 he went to farming for himself, which he has since continued. He owns 310 acres of land in California, and 260 acres in this county, all under fine cultivation, besides one of the finest honses in Bloomfield. He was married in 1869, to Miss H. E. Jones, a native of Ross county, Ohio, a daughter of John Jones, one of the early settlers of this county. Mr. Parker makes periodical trips to California to look after his large property there.
PATTERSON, J. J., postoffice, Bloomfield, was born in January 1814, in North Carolina. When quite yonng his father, Joseph E., moved to Overton county, Tennessee, and when he was sixteen, came to Sangamon county, illinois. In the spring of 1837, coming to Van Buren county Iowa, then known as the Black Hawk Purchase. In the spring of 1851, he came to Wyacondah township, this county, and in 1879, coming to Bloomfield. Mr. P. owns two fine farms, consisting of 700 acres, with a nice residence, good barns and orchards. Mr. and Mrs. P. live in this eity, in a nice cottage, where they enjoy every comfort. Mr. P. was married in December, 1840, to Miss Frances E. Taylor, of Lee county, daughter of J. Taylor. They had eleven children, Harriet V., Angeline F., John T., Kate, L. T., Jesse, Jehu, Frank, Albert, and two deceased, Alfred and Louisa. Mr. P. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and has the confidence and re- spect of all who know him.
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
PAYNE, D. H., attorney, of the firm of Payne & Eichelberger, Bloom- field, was born August 7, 1847, in Wappello county, Iowa. In 1854 his parents moved to Henry county. Here he grew up and finished his educa- tion in the Iowa Wesleyn University at Mt. Pleasant, where he took a full classical course, and gradnated in 1869 receiving the master's degree in 1872. He began reading law immediately after graduating, with General Weaver, and was admitted to the bar in 1870 by Judge Williams, and after spending one year in Little Rock, Arkansas, he returned and formed a part- nership with General Weaver, July 4, 1871, which continued till 1879. The firm then changed to Traverse, Payne & Eichelberger, which continned till January, 1881, when Mr. Traverse went upon the bench, leaving the firm as it now is. While in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was appointed dep- uty State School Superintendent. Was the candidate of the anti-fusion ticket (greenback) in 1880, but failed of an election, on account of a lack of votes. He was married October 17, 1877, to Miss Susie, daughter of Abram Weaver, one of the oldest settlers of the county, and who was long identified with its interests. They have two children, Larne and Pauline. Ilis father and grandfather came from Virginia, and located in Henry county, Iowa, and entered their land as soon as the Indians left them. His father died when he was one year and a half old, and his mother when he was seven.
PLANK, JOHN II., general insurance agent, Bloomfield was born Sep- tember 14, 1833, in Wayne county, Ohio. There he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common schools. While yet a boy, he learned cabinet- making with his father, at which he worked about five years. He then ran a steam saw-mill for several years. In 1856 he came to Iowa and located near Pulaski, in this county, where he ran a saw-mill, and worked at car- pentering for several years. In 1874 he went into the insurance business in this county, and has done more or less of it ever since. In 1877 and 1878 he was salesman in Higby and MeCarty's hardware store, but for the last three years has devoted his entire time to the insurance business. He was married April 4, 1858, to Miss Lydia L. Saner. a native of Stark county, Ohio, and they have had four children, Curtis E., Elva A., Mary L. and one deceased.
PRESSON, CHAS. A., of the firm of Nulton & Presson, Bloomfield; was born in Massachusetts, Angust 9. 1847. His father, Win. B., died when he was about one year old, and at the age of three, he moved with his mother, Sarah A. Presson, to this county. He has grown to manhood here, his early youth being spent mostly on a farm. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Company E., Third Iowa Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. He was married in 1870, to Miss Mary E. Robbins, a native of this State, and they have had four children, Grace, Otis, Burt and Winona, deceased at three of age. Mr. P. is a member of the I. O. O. F., Bloom- field Lodge No. 23. Mr. P. is a fine business man, and has been wonder- fully successful; having now entered the field for himself, with Mr. Nulton, they have before them a bright future.
PRIEST, G. AND SON, millers, Bloomfield. Mr. Priest, Sr., was born in 1820, in Norfolk, England; was raised there and edneated in a select school. While a boy he learned the miller's trade and has followed it ever since. In 1844 he came to New York, and in 1857, came to Davenport, Iowa. IIe went to Cuba in 1858, in the employ of the government, and in 1861, came back and located in the milling business, in Washington county,
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Iowa. In 1872 he and his son came to this county and rented the Cook mill, and in July, 1875, built and equipped their present Bloomfield mills, which they are still running. Mr. Priest was married in 1845, to Jane Rid- dulph, a native of Ireland. They have had five children, Samuel J., Mary, Elizabeth, Jennie, Sophia, and one deceased.
PRIEST, S. J., miller, Bloomfield; was born January 8, 1847,in Medina, New York. Hewas raised mostlyin the State of Iowa, and while young he learned the miller's trade with his father, and has always followed it since. He was mar- ried in February, 1874, to Miss Mary MeAtee, a native of Davis county. They have had four children, George, Bessie, Samuel, Jr., and one deceased. The mill owned by Priest and Son was built July 3, 1875, and has three run of burrs. They do a custom trade and run a store in connection.
PUGH, DAVID B., retired farmer, Bloomfield, was born July 4, 1820, in Shenandoah county, Virginia. In 1824, his parents moved to Hamp. shire county, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and never went to school until nearly grown, when he determined to educate himself, which he did to a liberal extent. In 1846, he came to Iowa and located in Van Buren county, and came to Davis county in the spring of 1847, and taught school that winter at West Grove, being the first school taught in the town- ship. In the spring of 1848, he enlisted as a recruit for the Santa Fe Bat- talion, and went to Santa Fe, where they were detailed as escort to Gen. Price, and after a service of eleven months, was discharged and came home. With the money earned in the army, he entered a half' section of land, in sections 28 and 34, in West Grove township, where he has lived ever since, until January 1, 1881, when he moved to Bloomfield, to spend the remaind- er of his days. In 1861, he enlisted in the Second lowa, but was rejected, and in 1862, he went into the Missouri State Militia, and furnished the same horse "Grackus," that he rode in the Mexican war, to a young man who went with him, but poor old "Grackus" never got back again. Mr. Pugh was married in June 1849, to Mrs Sarah W. Traverse, a native of Kentucky, and they have one child, Bush. His wife had four children by her first husband, Nancy J., wife of James Hunt, of Illinois; Jas. J .; H. Clay Traverse, now circuit judge, and Louisa, wife of Geo. W. McMurray, of this eounty.
RANDOLPH, F. M., eity marshal, Bloomfield; was born January 14, 1827, in Shelby eounty, Indiana, and there grew to manhood, educated in the common schools, and following the plow, until the war broke out, when he enlisted, March 6, 1862, in company G., Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and served till March 6, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and never missed a days duty on account of sickness. Since returning home to Bloomfield, from the army, he has been engaged in public duties, as constable and city marshal, the latter he is now holding, in his sixth term, which shows how he is esti- mated by his neighbors. He was married in October 1851, to Miss Ruhan- na Owens, of Indiana, who died October 9, 1856, leaving him three chil- dren, Nathaniel F., and two now deceased. He married again December 24, 1865, to Miss Hettie E. George, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have . one child, Francis M. On November 15, 1880, he met with the misfortune of losing his right eye, by being shot with a shot gun, while out turkey hunting with Mr. Daniels, who mistook him for a turkey.
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SAUNDERS, WM. M., livery and transfer, Bloomfield; was born Janu- ary 4. 1848, near Pulaski. Davis county, Iowa, and here he grew to manhood. After he grew up he farmed and elerked in a store; then became a partner- in the drug business with his brother, and at the same time was dealing and trading in stock. In 1877, he opened ont a new livery stable in Bloomfield, and has continned in the business ever since. Healso runs a transfer. doing most of the freight and dray business of the city. He is a man of great perseverance and untiring energy, and by close attention to business has ac- quired a good deal of property. Ile was married Jannary 17, 1867, to Miss Julia Hill, a native of this county, and they have three children: Olive, William and Eddie.
SELMAN. DR. J. J., was born January 17, 1818, in Franklin county, Alabama, and there grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated at Per- ryville Institute, near St. Genevieve, Mo. In 1834 he began to study med- icine with his brother, Dr. S. H. Selman of Columbus, Ind., and graduated at the Ohio Medical College in 1837. In July, 1838, he began the practice of his profession at Rushville, Ind., where he remained three years, in 1841 coming to Jackson township, Van Buren county, Iowa. In 1844 in the spring, he came to this county and located a claim about three miles west of Bloomfield, and went to practicing, which he has followed ever since. He is the oldest resident physician now living in the county, and has seen. the ups and downs of pioneer life. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1846, and in 1848 was elected to the State Senate from Davis and Appanoose connties. IIe drew the short term and was reelected in. 1848, and was elected president of the Senate. He was also elected one of the presidential electors and cast one of Iowa's four votes for General Cass, for president. Although this was about the last of his political career, he has always been closely allied with the public interests of the county. He was married in 1840 to Miss Mary A. Morris, a native of Indiana, who died a few months after their marriage. He married again April 17, 1844, to Clarissa Cassady, a native of Indiana; they have had fourteen children, Saralı, wife of W. E. Forker, Mamie, wite of Stock IIubert, of Des Moines; Andrew J., Cora, wife of John Frazier, of Keokuk; Thomas, John J., Ben- jamin F .. Samuel II., William, and five deceased.
SHELTON, DR. E. J., Bloomfield; born October 20, 1831, in Decatur county, Ind., and there he was raised on a farm and educated in common schools. In 1549 he commenced studying medicine with Dr. Wood, of Milford. Ind., and in 1856 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and in 1864 from the Keokuk Medical College, and in 1874 from Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York. In 1869 hie estab- lished his infirmary in Bloomfield, which he now runs. In 1877 he asso- ciated with him his son E. K., who had spent four years in the study of medicine, and graduated in March, 1876, at Cincinnati, O., in the College of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. E. J. S. was married March 4, 1853, to Miss A. J. Fenton, a native of Columbia, Mo .; they have six children, Dr. E. K., Lucy, wife of Dr. J. W. Caldwell, Eddie, Charley and Mand. For a des- cription of the doctor's infirmary, see Bloomfield, in the chapter on town- ship history.
SHELTON, DR. EBERLE K., of the firm of Shelton & Son, Bloom- field; was born in Davis county, September 10, 1854. He has been reared. in this county and attended the public schools of the county until 1869, when he entered Shurtleff College, Alton, Ill., where he attended till June
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1872, then went to the College of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1876, and then going to Bellevue Hospital, N. Y., and the three following winters he spent there and at the St. Louis Hospi- tal, where he studied surgery and diseases of the eye, which he now makes a specialty. He has been associated with his father since 1876. He was married in this county AApril 23, 1880, to Miss Kissie S., daughter of Anson Hayes, of Allen county, O., and they have one child, Helen E., born Oeto- ber 8. 1881. Dr. S. is a member of Bloomfield lodge No. 23, of Odd Fel- lows; K. of P. Calantha lodge, and Franklin lodge A. F. and A. M. For a partienlar description of Shelton and Son's Infirmary, see Bloomfield city in the chapter on township history.
SLOAN, JOHN M., retired farmer, Bloomfield; was born March 2, 1833, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and was there raised on a farm, and educated in common schools. While a young man he taught school a short time, but has made farming his business all his life. He came to lowa with. his parents in 1853, and located in Salt Creek township, where he has lived ever sinee, till the fall of 1875, when he was elected county treasurer, on the dem- oeratie tieket, and reelected in 1877, holding the office four years. He was elected a member of the board of supervisors in 1861, and held it till 1866, and again in 1870, during which time he was president of the board four years. He has held the office of justice about eight years, and town asses- sor one term ; showing the high estimate that has been placed upon his abil- ity as a business man, and the confidence reposed in him by his friends and neighbors. He was married Jannary 29, 1857, to Miss Mary E. McClure, a native of Indiana, and they have seven children: Naney J., wife of Rev. J. B. Edmondson; Henry A., Harvey S., Robert F., Charles S., Mary A., and J. A .- all living. Mr. S. owns a fine farm in Salt Creek township, of 270 aeres.
SPENCER, CAPT. II. A., Bloomfield; was born in New Hampshire, in May, 1813, where he lived sixteen years. At an early age he commeneed to learn blacksmithing with his father, Benjamin, near where the city of Manchester now stands. He then worked in the shop of Dan. Moak for two and a half years, then moved to Springfield, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1838. to Pittsfield, Illinois, and three years later to Mt. Ster- ling. In 1849, he came to Bloomfield, and built two blacksmith shops, and the first frame building east of the square, and engaged in making plows. He enlisted August 17, 1861, in Company E, Third Iowa Cavalry, went out as second lieutenant. Was at Tupelo, Mississippi, and Little Rock; was taken prisoner at White Water river in Missouri, held a month, then paroled; returned to Benton Barracks, was taken with inflammatory rheuma- tism, and came home on a furlongh. Was promoted first lientenant, April 3d, 1862, and captain, September 5. Resigned August 31, 1864, and re- turned home on account of disability.
As soon as he could. he took charge of the shop, and carried on an extensive business till 1880, when he retired from active business. He was married in Springfield, Pennsylvania, to Miss Eveline Rudd, of that place, and they have had eight children; O. B., born in Pennsylvania; Theresa, born in Illinois; Louis, born in Illinois; Emma; Clarence A .; Ella, and two diseased, Mary and Estevilla. Mr. Spencer has been a Mason since 1838, and has been master in the lodge. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and is an active worker in the greenback party; being one of three who organized the first Greenback club in the county, organized in captain Spencer's shop in the summer of 1876. He comes of
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good stock, his great grandfather being Brigadier General Spencer, in the revolution, and his grandfather being an aide on his staff. Two of his uneles were killed in the war of 1812; his son (). B., was one of the 100 day men in the late war.
STARK, JOSIAHI, retired farmer, Bloomfield; was born January 28, 1819, in Henry county, Ky. When eight years old he moved with his parents to Decatur county, Indiana, where his father died. He obtained a little education in the subscription schools, and in the fall of 1843 he came to Lick Creek township. Davis county, Iowa, and bought the claim of Dan - iel Woodin, in section 20, of 160 aeres. Lived on it seven years, and then moved down Cheqnest creek, on the ne qr of section 29, where he farmed and ran a earding machine for six years, using a small steam engine, which was the wonder of the whole country. lle then moved over into Perry township, in January, 1853, and bought the sw qr of section 2, from Benja- min Brooks, where he lived until August, 1881, when he came to Bloom- field, and bought a nice residence and a fine, large lot, where he intends to spend the remainder of his days. Mr. S. has been a farmer and stock raiser all his life, coming to this county when "Injans" and deer and wolves were plenty. He has a tame red fox, which is quite a curiosity. Mr. S. passed through all the privations and hardships of the pioneer life, and knows how to appreciate the comforts and pleasures he is now enjoying. He was mar- ried August 17, 1840, to Miss Charlotte D. Rose, of Henry county, Ky., born June 17, 1817, and they have had two children, daughters, one the wife of J. N. Reetor, of Perry township, and the other the wife ofT. B. Turpin, of Bloomfield township.
STEEL, SAMUEL, Sen., retired merchant, Bloomfield, was born in Greene county, Indiana, Jannary 1, 1814; at the age of seven, his parents, Samuel and Sarah Steel, moved to Park county, Indiana, where he was raised a farmer and miller, receiving a common school education. His mother died there, and he with his father moved to Warren county, Illinois, in 1835 or 1836. From there to Van Buren county, Iowa, settling in Keo- sauqua, in mercantile business with his father. In June 1845, they came to this county where he has lived ever sinee. About fourteen years of that time he was engaged in mercantile trade, the balance of the time farming. He was married in Illinois in 1840, to Miss Stratton, and they had six children, one living, William, of Bloomfield. His wife died in 1876, and he married again Oet. 12, 1877, to Isabella Brewster, whose maiden name was Frame; a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born in 1831; she had six ehild- ren by her first husband; Ellen, wife of Wm. Rhinebarger; Amanda, wife of Thos. Robb; Alice, wife of Oscar Mccrary; Julia, wife of Jesse Patter- son; Jennie June; and Lena Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Steel are members of the Congregational church.
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