USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 68
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STEELE, S. II., attorney, of the firm of Jones & Steele, Bloomfield; was born September 23, 1852, in this county, about five miles northeast of Bloom- field, and was edneated in the public schools. In December, 1875, he began the study of law with M. H. Jones; was admitted to the bar in February, 1877, by Judge Knapp, and went to David City, Neb., and practiced there till September, 1880, when he sold out, returned home, bonght out the busi- ness of M. H. Jones, and associated himself with Samuel Jones, his present partner. They are a young and rising law firm, who are destined in the near future to stand high, if not at the head of the profession in Davis coun-
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ty. They merit the confidence of the general public. Mr. S. is unmar- ried.
STECKEL, AMOS, banker and attorney, of Bloomfield; was born July 20, 1833, in Lehigh county, Pa., and there he grew to manhood and finished his education in a select high school. At the age of fourteen he went to learn the tailor's trade with John Neleigh, of Allentown, Pa., and worked at it about four years, and then taught school about three years. When about twenty-one he began the study of law with James S. Reese, of Allen- town, and in November, 1856, was admitted by Judge MeCartney, and soon after came west and located in Council Bluff's in the printing business with A. P. Bentley. In the spring of 1858 he located in Bloomfield, this county where, in connection with Mr. Bentley, he published the Democratic Clarion he being the editor. In 1861 he severed his connection with the paper and was appointed deputy clerk of the District Court,and in the fall of that year was elected clerk. Soon after the expiration of his term he began the prac- tice of law, which he has continued since. Ile has been mayor of Bloom- field one term. and member of the city council. In 1874 he formed a part- nership with F. C. Overton, under the firm name of Steckel & Overton for the purpose of conducting a loan business, and soon after added real estate. In January, 1880, they established the present banking house of Steckel & Overton, and began a regular banking business. In 1878 he was appointed by Gov. Gear as one of the commissioners to the Paris exposition, which he attended. He was married August 13, 1861. to Miss Nannie II. Druet, a native of Ohio, by whom he had one child, W. J .; his wife died of con- sumption in 1867. in Indianapolis, and Mr. S. married again January 27, 1870, to Miss Ellen V. White, a native of Vermont, by whom he has fonr children, Helen W., Stell M., Edith A., and Mildred. Mr. S. began a poor boy and has now by hard work and industry secured a competency for his declining years.
STEVENS, WM. S., county auditor, Bloomfield; was born in Vigo conn- ty, Indiana, April 12, 1824. While very young, his parents moved to Fountain county. Indiana, and there he grew up on a farm and was educated in the common schools and Franklin College, Indiana. He followed farm- ing and teaching, nutil 1846, when he came to Davis county, and located on a farm one mile east of Bloomfield, until 1850,when he moved into town and has lived there since. In August 1847, he was elected county treasurer and recorder, which office he held eight years. In 1856, he commenced clerking in the store of Calvin Taylor, and in one year went into partnership, the firm being Taylor, Stevens & Co., in which he remained three years. In 1861, he sold out. He then elerked for Mr. Woodward, and then for Mr.
Johnson. In 1863 and 1864, he was appointed deputy treasurer, which office he held two years, but only worked about two months during the winter seasons. In 1867, he again went to clerking for Mr. Taylor, where he continued for several years. In 1870, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which he held four years. Was secretary of the school board sever- al years, in the early days. In February 1876, he was in charge, for the assignee, of Mr. Taylor's business, until a settlement was made. In 1879, he was elected county auditor, and reelected in 1881. He is one of the old- est settlers in the county. He was married April 21, 1850, to Miss Marga- ret Evans, a native of Indiana, and had five children, Harry C., and three deceased. Ilis wife died August 5, 1848, and he married again May 6,
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1860, to Catharine Evans, a sister of his deceased wife. They have had four children, Mary Effie, and three deceased, in infancy.
SWIFT, FREEMAN, school-teacher, Bloomfield; was born in Lick Creek township in this county, March 16, 1861, a son of Washington S. Swift. His early youth was spent in agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the normal school at Bloomfield. He is now teaching his first school in distriet No. 1, Roscoe township. He will finish his eourse and graduate in 1882. He is a young man of great energy, and has laid the foundation in his character for a useful and happy life. His pleasant man- ner will make friends for him wherever he goes.
TAYLOR, WM. II., clerk of the courts, Bloomfield; was born in De- catur county, Ind., February 8, 1847. At the age of eleven his parents came to this county, and located in Pulaski in the spring of 1859; there he grew to manhood. At the age of thirteen, his father died and left him to care for and support an invalid mother and three sisters. This he did by farm- ing and teaching. He began teaching at the age of eighteen; soon after, his mother died, which left him the sole care of his sisters, whom he has lived to see educated and ocenpying honored positions in society. He was a member of the State militia during the war, and in 1870, he began mer- chandizing with Z. Cannon. In 1872, Cannon sold out to Mr. Milligan, who is still in business in Pulaski. They built a fine store building, a half interest in it still belongs to Mr. T. In 1876. he was elected elerk of the courts. a position which he still holds. He was married at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 21, 1871, to Miss Sarah L. Truitt, a native of Van Buren county, and they have two children, Alma Pearl, and William Bert. Mr. T. has twice been a city councilman, and city treasurer, in Bloomfield. and now holds those offices, and is also a member of the school board. He owns a fine residence where he resides, and a house and lot of seven acres, which he rents, and also a half interest in a fine brick block being built on the south side of the square. All of which he has made by hard work. He was one of the organizing members of the Masonic lodge at Pulaski, and was chosen W. M .; was also the first master on charter organization. IIe is also a member of the I. O. O. F., at Pulaski. Mr. Taylor has the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
TOOMBS. J. P., blacksmith; was born in Davis county, December 21, 1845, and educated in the Bloomfield public school. When the war came on though only 18, he enlisted in Company D. Forty-fifth lowa Infantry. After going through the war, he was honorably discharged, returned home, and attended school for a time, and then farmed for two years, after which he went into the shop of O. B. Spencer to learn blacksmithing, and after working two years as apprentice, he remained three years longer as a jour- neyman. then started in business for himself. and being industrious, and a good workman, he has gained a large patronage and the confidence of the community. His place of business is located near the southwest corner of the publie square, in a large two story brick shop, where he is assisted by the best of workmen. He is an active and zealous worker in the temper- ance canse, being for two years elected a member of the city council by the temperance party. He was a candidate for sheriff, on the republican ticket, in the fall of 18St, and received more votes than any other candidate on that ticket, being defeated by only three votes.
TOWNSEND. ELISHA B., retired farmer and mechanic, postoffice Bloom - field, was born in Virginia, May 10, 1812; and at the age of five, moved
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with his parents, Enoch and .Hannah T., to Franklin county, and soon after to Johnson county, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. In 1847 he came to this county, where he still resides. In 1853 he went to California, and returned in the fall of 1856. Hle learned the carpenters trade in 1845, and followed it off and on for twenty-five years. He was married in Indiana in 1835, to Miss Sarah Fix, a native of Ohio. They have had nine children, Caroline, wife of Jesse Akin; Antha, wife of Albert Smith; Aaron and William, twins; Alexander, Millard, and three deccased, one in infancy, and two, Milton and Madison, of company A., Third Iowa Cavalry; Milton dying from gunshot wound at Pea Ridge, and Madison, murdered by bushwhackers at same place. Mr. T. was teamster in the same company, and was allowed to come home, by Gen. Curtis, after his sons were killed. Mr. T. is a member of the Christian Church, and has been a Mason for sixteen years.
TRIMBLE, HENRY HOFFMAN, is of remote German descent. his parents, John Trimble and Elizabeth Hoffinan, having Teutonic blood in their veins. His grandfather was a soldier of the revolution. During his boyhood, his father, who was a carpenter and farmer, lived successively in Rush, Decatur and Shelby connties, Indiana, where Henry farmed until sixteen years old. He received his education in Franklin College, in the State University at Bloomington, and in Asbury University at Geencastle, graduating from the last named institution, July 21. 1847. He defrayed all his own expenses, by teaching and other work. From college he went directly into the Mexican war, serving one year in the Fifth Indiana Vol- unteers, James H. Lane, Colonel. On his return he read law, first with Eden H. Davis, of Shelbyville, then with Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks. His father came to lowa in 1848, and he followed, a year later, coming to Bloomfield, and was admitted to the bar April 29, 1850, by Hon. J. F. Kin- ney, at Keosangna, and in a very few years taking a high position in the
profession £ He was county attorney from 1851 to 1855, and State Senator from 1855 to 1859, being at the last session held at Iowa City, and the first held at Des Moines. In July 1861, he entered the army as lieutenent colonel of the Third Iowa Cavalry, and served till the 9th of September 1862, when he was discharged on account of wound in the face, at battle of Pea Ridge. In October 1862, Colone! Trimble was elected district judge .of the second distriet. and served four years. Indge Trimble was president of the St. Lonis and Cedar Rapids R. R. Company during the building of the road north to Ottumwa, and also assisted in building the Burlington and Southwestern. Judge Trimble has a National as well as State reputation, as a democratie politieian.
He was twice a candidate for the Supreme Court, onee before the legislature, and once before the people, in 1863. Was a candidate for congress, in the first distriet, against Gen. Curtis, re- ducing the usnal republican majority more than 1,200 votes, and in 1872, ran for the same office, against Win. Longhridge, and ran 5,000 votes ahead of Horace Greeley, presidential candidate. Judge T. has been president of the State Bar Association, and -stands at the head of the profession in Iowa. He was the democratie candidate for governor, in 1879, against John H. Gear, republican The Judge is a member of the Masonic order, and is a beliver in christianity, although not belonging to any church. He was married at Shelbyville, Indiana, April 5, 1849, to Miss Emma M. Carruth- ers, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. They have five children, all liv- ing, Palmer, the eldest, is married, and a member of the firm of Trimble,
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Carruthers & Trimble. Mr. Carruthers being a brother-in-law of the Judge, and his partner since 1867. The second son, Frank K., is studying for the profession.
VAN BENTHUSEN, JUDGE WM., Bloomfield; is a native of Orange connty, N. Y .; born Angust 30, 1813. At the age of six, his parents, James and Susan Van Benthusen, moved to Clermont county, Ohio, and in 1828, to Shelby county, where he grew up and received his education. His father was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1851, and died with cholera, while serving as such, at the age of seventy-three. His mother. died in 1862. In 1853, he settled on a farm near Drakeville, until 1865, when he was elected county judge and moved to Bloomfield. He enlisted,. September 22, 1861, in Company A, First Cavalry, and was elected captain. of that company. He resigned in 1862, on account of failing health, and in 1864, enlisted again, in Company D, Forty-fifth Infantry, and was elected captain. Served four months; was in the battle of Pea Ridge. He now owns 500 acres of land, and lives in Bloomfield, having one of the finest res- idences in the city. He was married in Indiana, May 6th, 1831, to Miss Francis Clark, a native of England, and by this union had fifteen children; four are living, Eliza, wife of 1. W. Clayton; Barbary. wife of John Curl; Frank, wife of John Demuth; and Will. now editor of the Leavenworth Times. Mrs. V. died July 24, 1871, and he again married, September 10, 1872, Mrs. L. E. Watson, whose maiden name was Merritt; a native of Posey county, Indiana. Judge V. is a member of the M. E. Church, is also- a Mason and Odd Fellow, and a member of St. John's Commandery, K. T., at Centerville, Iowa.
WALKER, T. O., editor and proprietor of the Bloomfield Democrat; was born June 3, 1844, in Claremont, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. In the. spring of 1859 his parents removed to Iowa, settling near Mitchelville, in Polk county. Two years later young Walker was teaching school in Greene. county, and the two following winters in Polk and Warren counties. In 1863 he entered the preparatory department of the State University, com- pleted a two year's conrse in one, and until 1866 pursued an eleetive course- in that institution. Forced to abandon the completion of his collegiate. education through lack of funds, he studied law in the office of J. Y. Black- well doing elerical work meanwhile for his board, and was admitted to the. bar in 1867. In December of the same year he began journalistie work npon the Iowa City State Press, continuing here until January, 1869, when. he took the position of city editor of the Des Moines Daily Statesman, now Leader. In the following July he severed his connection with the Statesman to arrange for the publication of the Democrat in Bloomfield, which was begun September 15, 1869. In October, 1870, he married Miss Henrietta A. Iloyt, of Koshkonong, Wis. The remarkable voice possessed by Mr. Walker led to his selection as secretary and reading elerk of the Democratic State Convention of Iowa in 1868, and for each succeeding year since. It also secured for him the position of reading clerk at the National Democratic Conventions of 1876 and 1880, where at the former he earned his national sobriquet, "Alabama." In 1880 he was made the nominee of his party for the State senate from the district composed of Van Buren and Davis counties, and in 1881 was nominated for the lower honse of the leg- islature. In both these contests he was unsuccessful, the opposition polling more votes than his own party. In October. 1881, he was offered and ac- cepted the position of editor, of the Burlington Daily Gazette, retaining ..
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however, editorial control of the Bloomfield Democrat. In Jannary, 1882, he was tendered the managing editorship of the Ottumwa Daily Democrat which place he now holds. Mr. Walker is essentially a self-made man, one. of the representatives of our western civilization. His education gotten in the intervals of hard work, has been largely supplemented by an exhaustive reading, for he is still a student, and his pleasing address, genial manners and musical voice canse him to be in frequent demand for lectures and pub- lic addresses. For the last twelve years no man has done more to make history for Davis county than T. O. Walker.
WALLIS, J. D., of the firm of Wallis & Langenstin, wagon and carriage makers, Bloomfield; was born in Indiana, in November 1839. When three years of age he came with his father to Van Buren county, Iowa. His fathers' name was Logan L. Wallis. Mr. Wallis grew to manhood in Van Buren county, and after receiving his education, he went into mercan- tile business, which he continued for eleven years, at Milton. In January 1880, he came to Bloomfield, and in company with his son-in-law, Langen- stin. started the shop where they are now doing business. They employ ten good workmen, and turn ont wagons, buggies and phaetons, that can't be beat. His sales last year amounted to 812.000. They have a demand at home for all the work they can turn out. Mr. Wallis served in the army, in company K. Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. being in all of Sherman's cam- paigns. JJOnN LAUGENSTIN was born in Germany in September 1855, and came to America in 1867, settling in Fort . Madison, Iowa; receiving his education in Germany and in Fort Madison. He commenced to work at blacksmithing in 1870, with C. Baker, as apprentice, for four years, then as journeyman then went to Burlington for a season, then to Milton, where he worked till January 1880. He is an expert workman and oversees all the work of the shop. Mr. Wallis was married March 3, 1859, to Nancy Swiney, of Troy, Iowa. They have one danghrer, Flora F., now Mrs. Langenstin. Mr. Langenstin was married September 12, 1878, to Miss. Flora F. Wallis, and they have two girls, Hattie E. and Augusta.
WEINY, .I., contractor and carpenter, Bloomfield: was born in Leba- non county, Pennsylvania. November 5, 1832. When two years old he came with his father. John, to Franklin county, Ohio, at the age of fourteen, he commenced working at carpentering with his father, which he continued most of the time till 1852, when he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, and in October 1854, came to Bloomfield, which he has since called home. In the spring of 1864, he went to Montana, and for three years engaged in mining, then returned home, then went to Drakeville a few years, and then settled here. He was married in March 1856, to Mandy Lane of this county, and they had one child, Cordelia. Mrs. Weiny died in 1862, and he married again in October 1868, to Mary E. Klingler of this county. Mr. Weiny is one of the pioneer mechanics of this county. By doing good. work he has secured the custom of the best city and country trade.
WILKINSON, JOIIN R., lumber dealer, east of northeast corner square, Bloomfield; was born in New Jersey, January 13, 1830; and at the age of twelve, came with his mother to Lee county, Iowa. He came to this county about April 1, 1869; his early youth was spent on the farm, and acquiring a common school education at the age of sixteen, commencing life for him- self, with a mother and sister to support; he farmed till he came to this county ; since when he has been engaged in the lumber business. His father died in Louisville, Kentucky, when John was only six years old. His
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mother is now living in this city at the age of 77. Her name was Rogers, descended from Wmn. Rogers, who came to America with Wm. Penn. Mr. Wilkinson was married in Lee county, in 1860, to Miss Louisa A. Ander- son, and they have two children. Fannie and Stellie. Mr. Wilkinson is an Oddfellow, member of Bloomfield Lodge, No. 23.
WILSON, ASA, retired farmer and merchant, Bloomfield; is a native of Oneida county, N. Y., born in 1811. Here he grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. At the age of twenty he commenced honse joining, which he followed about twenty years. IIe came west in 1863, landing in Bloomfield the last day of that year. He is now the owner of 203 acres of improved land in this county, besides very valuable town prop- erty. He was married in Buffalo, N. Y., to Miss Catharine Morgan, a na- tive of Germany, who died in Bloomfield June 28, 1878. He married again Jnne 12, 1879, to Eliza Baer. a native of this county; they have one child, Asa L., born April 9, 1880, being nearly seventy years younger than his father. Mr. W. is a member of the Universalist church.
YOUNG, DR. J. W., Bloomfield, was born June 21, 1841, in Bartholo- mew county, Indiana. In the spring of 1843. his parents came to Davis county and located where they now live, in Prairie township. He was de- veloped on the prairies. and was educated in the common schools. In 1885 he commenced teaching, and after teaching three years, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Greenleaf of Bloomfield, and attended the Medical College at Keokuk, from which he graduated in 1871, and the same year formed a partnership with Dr. Greenleaf, which continned for five years, and he has occupied the same office ever since. In 1868 he was elected
.county superintendent, and held it one term. Ile enlisted in the fall of 1861, in company A, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served three years; was pri- vate secretary to General Bussey for two years. He was slightly wounded in the head, at Svlamore, Arkansas, and had his horse shot from under him at Pea Ridge. Was assistant ajntant in the State Militia, at the close of the war. He was married, March 11, 1865, to Miss Eliza Ferguson, a native of Van Buren county, and they have three children: Lillie, Clay and Wray. He owns the mineral spring known at Forest IIome, which he intends to improve soon.
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.
BALDRIDGE, JOHN .. retired, was born in Murray county, Tenn., Feb- ruary 20, 1800. He was there reared and educated in the subscription schools. At the age of thirteen, he was appointed drum major under the late Gen. Reynolds, then colonel in the recruiting service, for the war, in 1813. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. Being driven ont of Penn- sylvania by the British, he joined the Continental army under Gen. Green, and served till the war was over. Quite a romance is connected with the marriage of his parents, his mother having also tought in the war of the revolution, was driven from home by the British, and took refuge in the American forts, where she remained during the war, and in action would load while the men fired. At the age of nineteen, the subject of this sketch became apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, and served three years. In
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1840, he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, and became a resident of this county in 1843, and has lived here ever since. He worked at blacksmith- ing four years, and the rest of the time has been a farmer. During the war, thonghi an old man, he went to Keokuk and Davenport, and helped recruit for the army, beating the drum in camp for the boys. He was married in 1825, to Miss Rebecca Pnekett, a native of Virginia. They have raised a family of eight children; Martha J., Edward L., Win. T., Michael K., Eben- ezer K. (died in the service, in Company D., 30th lowa Infantry), John A., Belle, Eliza. Mrs. B. died, July 25, 1874. Mr. B. lives at present with his son-in-law, John Bronghard. He has in his possession a casket brought from Scotland by his great-grandfather, which has been in the family 200 years.
BARKER, J. S., farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice Bloomfield, was born November 7, 1845, in Van Buren county, Iowa. His father was one of the pioneers of that county, where he still lives at the age of eighty-one. Here Mr. B. grew up and acquired his education. Ile visited the Black Hills, Dakota, in 1877, but not being satisfied, returned to Iowa, and bought the farm he now owns in this county, consisting of 120 acres, with good build- ings and bearing orchard. He keeps enough cattle to feed all his erops. He was married November 21, 1867. to Miss Artie Johnson, who died May 17, 1875, leaving two children, Harvey M., and Archie J. He was married again Jannary 21, 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Franklin, of Bentonsport, Van Buren county, and they have one child; Katie F. Mrs. B. is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.
BELL, D. H., farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice Belknap, was born, Nov- ember, 1825, in Trumbull county, Ken., where he grew up on the farm, and was educated in the subscription school. While quite young he moved with his parents to Hendricks county, Ind .. where he lived till the fall of 1840, when he came to this county and entered the farm he now lives on containing 240 acres, with good buildings and a nice orehard. Ile was married December 6, 1842, to Miss E. Ellis, a native of Ohio, and they have nine children, Cashur, Celantine, Ahinta, Parker, John, Walter, Orine, Cora and Victor. Mr. B. and family are members of the M. E. church, and in politics is a Democrat.
CAMMACK, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 21. postoffice Bloom- field; was born in Park county, Ind., October 24. 1825, where he grew to man- hood and acquired his education, and helped his father on the farm. In 1849, he came to this county and intended to settle here, but returning home, he caught the gold fever, and started for California, by the overland ronte, being five months on the way; he mined one year, and then returned home by way of Panama and New Orleans. He became a resident of Davis county, April 7, 1852, and located where he now lives. His farm consists of 282 acres, well improved, with a good orchard, well watered by a living spring. His farm is fenced in lots for stock management. He feeds, and puts on the market annually, three car-loads of stock. He also owns thirty- two acres of good blue grass woodland pasture. He was married April 1, 1844, to Miss Catharine Hawkins, a native of Indiana. She lived but three years after their marriage, dying, January 1, 1847, leaving one child, now deceased. Ile was married again, March 20, 1848, to Miss Nancy Iligh, also a native of Indiana. She lived one year after their marriage, dying, March 9, 1849, leaving one child, Tilman A., now a resident of Kansas. He married again. March 1. 1853, to Miss Albina French, a native of Indiana.
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