USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 77
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YOAST, PETER W., farmer and stock-raiser, section 17, postoffice Pu- laski; was born May 23, 1807, in Belmont county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood, receiving a limited education. When sixteen he entered a woolen factory as apprentice, learned the business, then became foreman in a factory at Steubenville, Ohio, and four years later went on a farm he owned in Rich- land county ; he eame to Iowa in 1852, and located where he now lives, the next February; he owns 320 acres of fine land, and raises a good deal of stock. He was married May 1, 1828, to Miss Temperance Foster, of Ohio,
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born April 16, 1807. They have raised seven children, six living: Mary J., wife of Elias Loney; Susan, wife of Frank Ellis; Sarah, deceased, wife of James Fulton; John M. a doctor in Van Buren county; Martha, wife of Prof. Sam T. Ballard; Amanda, wife of William Corriek; and Emily, wife of William H. Boyd. Mr. Y. has always taken great interest in education; has been a school director over twenty years, and justice of the peace seven- teen years, nine years in his native State.
ROSCOE TOWNSHIP.
ADKINS, K. B., was prominent among the early pioneers; born at Mil- ton, Sussex county, Del., October 18, 1820, son of Bagwell and Julia Ann Adkins of Delaware. Mr. A. was raised there and received his education at the subscription schools. When he was eighteen, he became apprentice to Hiram Brown of Philadelphia, to learn the carpenter's trade, His wages were twenty four dollars a year, buying his own clothes; he remained two years, then worked five years at the business near home, and in 1845, came to Milton, Van Buren county, he himself entering the land upon which that town stands. Two years latter he moved to Prairie township, in this county, and three years latter, to Galesburg, Ills., and in one year returned to Prairie township, and three years later eame to his present home, enter- ing 360 acres of land in seetion 24. He was married December 22, 1840, to Miss Naomi Lank, daughter of Jas. and Nancy Lank, of Sussex county, Del. They have had twelve children, ten living; Jas. B., Peter L., Josiah H., Wi. H., Alfred A , Jno. W., Mary Jane, David C., Chas. F., Geo. W. (Julia Ann and Benj. F., deceased). Mr. A. has a well improved farm. and has given 400 acres to his children. Ile is engaged in stock-raising, feed- ing and dairying. Mr. A. is a member of the M. E. Church and of Masonic Lodge No. 50. In politics he is a democrat.
ANDERSON, WM. W., lives on section 5, in Roscoe township, post- office Pulaski; was one of the pioneers of Roscoe. He is a native of Cum- berland county, Va., born June 6, 1828. When quite young his father em- igrated to Pike county, O., where Mr. A. lived until 1856. He was reared a farmer and edneated in the subscription schools of early days; moved to Iowa, and settled in Roscoe township, Davis county, where he has since re- sided. He was married November 25, 1852, to Miss Susan M. Bristol, of Pike county, O. They have five children: Reuben W., now ex-eonnty su- perintendent : Mary E., now Mrs. A. J. Pinnell; Catherine M., now Mrs. H. C. Powers; Wm. M. and Florence S. Mr. A. has a farm of 358 acres, a nice residence surrounded with ornamental trees, also a fine orchard of 150 trees. He is now engaged in stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. A. are members of the M. E. Chureli, and are foremost in any effort to raise the morals of the community,
BELL, GEORGE W., a prominent business man of this township. was born in Van Buren connty in June 1840, His father, Jos. Bell, came from Kentucky, and settled there in 1837. Mr. Brown was raised there, a farmer, and educated in the common schools. In December 1863, he started for the land of gold, by way of Panama. After remaining one year in California and Nevada, he returned by steamer, by way of Graytown, in June 1865.
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
One year later he came to this county settling on his present farm. He was married, January 5,1861, to Miss Malvina Frazee, of Van Buren county, daughter of William and Mary Frazee, a lady of culture and refinement. They are the parents of eight intelligent children, James Emery, Mary, Ida, Barbara Alice, Angie, Sadie, Jenny and Willie. Mr. Bell owns a farin of 560 acres, and one of the best orchards in the county of 1,000 trees of choice fruits; a fine residence, and commodious barn. He is engaged in stoek-raising, and is a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 50. Mr. and Mrs. Bell and two daughters are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, Mr. Bell is a democrat. He lives on section 13; postoffice Milton.
BREWER, RICHARD, is the owner of a good farm of 160 acres, in section 14; he was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1834, where he remained until he was 17, when he went to Hamilton, Ohio. One year later he eame to Van Buren county, Iowa, and in 1854, went to Cali- fornia overland, engaged in farming and mining in California, Oregon and Idaho, until 1868, then returned to Van Buren county. In the spring of 1871 he came to this county. He was married February 15, 1869, to Emeline F. Arnold, of Van Buren county, and has two child- ren, Mary Ella and Mattie Mary. He has a good house and barn, and or- chard of 200 trees. In polities he is a republican.
BROWN, S. R., one of the pioneers of Roscoe, is the subject of this sketchı He was born in Blunt county, East Tennessee. When quite young his father, Sanmel, who was a son of Thomas Brown, moved to Washington county, Indiana, where Mr. Brown resided about twenty-five years, In 1852 he moved to Henry county, Iowa, and after remaining there two years, in the spring of 1855, he came and settled on his present farm in this county. Mr. Brown was raised a farmer and received his education in the subscrip- tion schools of the early days. He was married June 6th, 1847, to Miss Lydia Ann Peugh of Washington county, Indiana, formerly of Bartholo- mew county, Kentucky. There were born to them four sons, Augustus Walter, Charles Franklin, Thomas Weldon, and Samnel Burr. Mr. Brown owns 240 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, with an orchard of 250 trees. The grove known as Round Grove, is on his farm. He is engaged in stock-raising. Is a member of the M. E. Church and the Masonic order. He is in politics an independent republican. His postoffice is Pulaski, Mr. Brown is well respected wherever he is known.
CORRICK, W. C .. lives on section eight, postoffice Pulaski. Born in Randolph county, Virginia, March 17th, 1828. His parents moved to Hawkins county, Ohio, where he lived until 19 years of age, when he came to Wyacondah township, this county. He was raised a farmer, and edu- cated in common schools. In 1852, he went to California, mined for two years, then returned to this county, settling on his present farm ; was married in October, 1855, to Miss Francis Ann Dunkin, of this county, and became the father of three children, Theodore, Jasper and Mandy, deceased. His wife died in 1862, and in 1863 he married Miss Sarah Duckworth of this county who also died in 1864. He was again married in 1865, to Amanda A. Yost, who is the mother of nine children : Mattie, Herman, Emma, Clara, Willie, Mary, Albert, Charley and a babe not yet named. Mr. Corrick owns a fine farm of 220 acres, and plenty of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Corrick are members of the M. E. Church, and are highly respected.
FAGG, S. W., farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice Pulaski; was born Jan- uary 4, 1860, in Fountain county, Ind., he there grew to manhood, helping
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
his father in his flouring mill and in acquiring an education which he fin- ished at the Wabash College. He came to Iowa in 1879, and located where he now resides. He owns a nice farm of 110 acres, finely improved, with good substantial buildings, orchard, etc., well fenced and calculated for a good stock farm. He is a young man of splendid business capacity, with fine prospects.
GRIFFEATH, D., was born in Perry county, Penn., July 10, 1828, and at ten years of age he went with his mother to Van Buren county, Iowa, near Birmingham, and in 1866, he came to his present home in Davis county, which was then wild land. Mr. G. received a common school education. He was married June 20, 1850, to Miss Nancy Wilfrong, by whom he had one child, Win. W. His wife having died February 20, 1852, he was mar- ried again October 4, 1356, to Miss Delilah Bivins of Jefferson county, by whom he has seven children: Nancy Alvira, David Fremont, Marion M., Madison M., Susan D., Washington Jefferson and Clinton Clay. He has 172 acres of good land, comfortable buildings and an orchard of 200 trees. He is engaged in stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. G. and their eldest daughter are members of the M. E. Church. In polities Mr. G. is a democrat; his postoffice is Milton.
HANEY, J., the subject of this sketch was born in Alleghaney coun- ty, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1832. When six years of age, his father being dead, his mother came to Ripley county, Indiana, where he resided until 1854, receiving his education in the common schools. While in Ripley county he engaged in selling goods. In the fall of 1854, he came to Van Buren county, and the next spring to this county, settling on his present farm, of 145 acres, in section 13, on which he has a good residence, plenty of shade trees, and orchard of 324 trees. His postoffice is Milton. He was married in August 1853. to Eliza Wildman, of Ripley connty. Indiana, and had eight children, Jas. P., John F., Luella, Jos. A., Rhoda, Mary E , Sarah M., and Clara M. He was married the second time to Elizabeth B. Knight, of Davis county in November. 1869, and had four children. Alvy F., Orr D., Orrin W., and Ira L. In politics he is a greenbacker.
HARTZLER, ENOS, the son of Joseph and Fanny Hartzler, was born January 27, 1824, in Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived until he became of age. He was raised a farmer, and obtained a common school education. In the autumn of 1872, he came west and settled on his present farm of 200 acres in section 12. Ife was married, September 7, 1831, to Miss Nancy Burkholder, of Wayne county, Ohio, daughter of John and Barbara Burk- holder. They have five children: Catherine, now Mrs. E. D. King; Alfred J., John II., Josiah P. and Leander E. Ile has good buildings and a fine orchard of 500 trees, one of the best fruit farms in the township, and an apiary of fifty stands of bees. In polites he is a republican, and a member of the Mennonite Church. He is a genial gentleman and a good citizen.
HOFFMAN, ISAAC, is the son of Thomas Hoffman. IIe was born in Salem county, New Jersey, December 30, 1825. When ten years of age, his parents emigrated to Quincy, Ilinois, where, in 1846, he enlisted for the Mexican War, in the First Illinois Volunteers, under Capt. James D. Morgan. Mr. II. was in the famous battle of Buena Vista, and for five days after the battle was held near it, which brought on a sickness, from which he has never fully recovered. In June, 1847, he returned home, and in 1853 started. for California on horseback, traveling 900 miles alone. After mining two years and a half, he returned to the scenes of his boy-
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY,
hood; after remaining there one year, he removed from Quincy to Carroll county, Mo., and five years after, in the fall of 1861, he came to his present home in Davis county. Ile was married to Miss Mary Jane Collins, of Adams county, Ill., October 18th, 1856. They have been blessed with twelve children : Olivia K., Olive Mary, Leola Belle, Maryetta (deceased), Anna, Charley, Elnora, Rosa T., Ida, Alice, Delberry and Walter. IIe has a fine farm of 245 acres, a good residence, and 560 fruit trees. He also has a res- idence and ten acres in Bloomfield. He belongs to the M. E. Church and to. Masonic lodge No, 50. He has some fine stock, and having traveled exten- sively, is well versed in the ways of the world. He lives on seetion 32, and his postoffice is Pulaski.
HUBBARD, C. SYLVESTUS L., deceased, was one of the early pioneers, born in Middlesex county, Connectient, Angust 29th, 1818, and there grew to manhood; was in the employ of a Hartford publishing house for three years, and lived in Rushville, Indiana, one year; then in 1839, eame to Van Buren county, Iowa, and two years later moved to the west part of this. township; then came to the home farm, where he passed away October 15, 1870. MRS. HUBBARD, widow of S. L. Hubbard, whose maiden name was Helena Gleason, was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, New York. She was married to S. L. Hubbard, in Van Buren county, in December 1840. She is the mother of seven children : Margery, Clarissa, Margret, Matilda, Leverett, Mary E., Edward, Wallace, and Nancy, deceased. Mrs. Hubbard is located on a good farm of 120 acres, with a brick residence, a barn and good orchard. The farm is conducted by Wallace, the youngest son, a jolly bachelor, and a young man of good business capacity.
KING, JAS. F., was one of the early settlers in the county. Born November 5, 1837, in Sussex county, Delaware. When five years of age his- father, Win. R. King, came to Van Buren county, and one year later to. Davis, where Mr. King was raised and received his education. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Nineteenth Infantry, Company H, com- manded by Col. Crabbe, taking an active part in the battles of Prairie Grove, seige of Vicksburg and Sterling farm. Near Morganza Bend he was taken prisoner, and was held ten months at Tyler, Texas; was exchang- ed at the mouth of Red River, July 21, 1864; went to New Orleans, from there to Pensaeola; in November went to Fort Morgan, then to P'ascogoola; was at the fight at Spanish Fort. Mr. King went through the service without a scratch, was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, in July 1865, and paid off at Davenport, Iowa. He married Miss Sarah E. Daughters, of Scotland county, Missouri, December 21, 1865. They have had two child- ren, Letty F. and Vernitia. deceased. Mr. King owns a farm of 140 acres. In politics he is a democrat, and like most democrats, a gentleman.
LIKES, GEORGE, deceased; was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1814, where he lived for ten years, then resided twelve years in Cincinnati, O., then in Ripley county, Ind., until 1855, when he came to this county March 5, where he lived until his decease, August 30, 1868. MRS. B. E. BAKER; was born in Pike county, O., in 1832, In 1853, her father John Bromley came to this county, where, in January 28, 1858, she was married to Geo. Likes, and by this marriage had three children: Sarah Catharine, Geo. Washington and Columbus B. She was again married September 22, 1872, to B. E. BAKER of this county, who was born in Decatur county, Ind., in July, 1843, where he lived twenty-one years; then went to Richland county, and one year latter, back to Decatur county, remained there one year; then
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
in St. Joe one year; then to Washington county, Kan., until 1869, when he came to this county. They are the parents of two boys. John Wm. and Jas- per Franklin. They are located on a good farm of 130 aeres, with comfort- able buildings, an orchard of 130 trees, and a peach orchard. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church, and highly respected.
MILLER, THOMAS, lives on section 32, postoffice Pulaski. He is one of the oldest pioneers now living in the township, having settled on his present farm in 1847. He was born in Hardin county, Ky., September 6, 1825. When he came to this connty, there were only two houses between his and Bloomfield. He was married in December, 1854, to Miss Sarah McMillan of this county. Nine children were born to them: Amanda, Robert, David, T. Ellen Nora, Almeda, Albert, Minnie, Clyde, and Thomas, deceased. Mr. M. owns a farm of 350 acres, with good house, barn and or- chard, with plenty of fine stoek. When Mr. M. came to this county he was poor, but now, by his industry, he has acquired quite a property.
PINNELL, FRANCIS C. P., farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, post- office Milton ; was born June 6, 1817, in Kanawha county, Va., and while quite young came with his parents to Ohio, and seven years latter went to. Logan eonnty, West Va., on the Wyandotte river, where he assisted his father to build a flat boat eighty feet long, cutting and sawing the lumber with a whip saw. Loaded it with corn and chesnuts, and with five families of emigrants on board, started down the river to Cincinnati, where he sold the boat and cargo and bought teams and started for the wilds of Michigan. At Indianapolis, his father died after a brief illness, and one month latter his mother also died, leaving a family of nine children, seven being girls. The next year they continned their journey, arriving in 1835, and lived there two years, when the death of his only brother broke up the family, and he, with others, started in a sleigh in midwinter, for the territory of Iowa, and made the first location in that part of this county where he how lives. He built a cabin, made improvements, and went to Burlington for fruit trees, and planted the first orchard in the county. He now owns 604 acres in a high state of cultivation, with a fine house, barn and orchard. He was married December 24, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Hawley, a native of Canada, who died in 1847, leaving two children, Mary A., wife of Henry Harrel of Milton, and Isaae H. He married again November 9, 1849, Miss Rebecca L. Powell, a native of Virginia. They have seven children: Benj. F., Jas. S., Amanda C., Thos. S. and Eldrag S. Mr. P. was a lieutenant during the "border war," in Capt. Hawley's company of Col. Selsby's regi-
ment. Was called ont and camped near Farmington, and dispersed withont bloodshed. Was one of the club officers of the Hairy Nation" division of regnlators, before the State was organized. He has been a member of the board of supervisors, and school treasurer for many years. Ile is an old line democrat, and takes great interest in polities.
WRAY, T. J., lives on section 6. postoffice Stiles; was born in Giles county, Tenn., October 18, 1827. When he was four years old, his father moved to Adams county, Ills., where he lived five years, then came to Van Bnren county, Iowa, where they lived about nine years. In the spring of 1845, he came to Wyaeondah township, and in the spring of 1852, he went to California, being five months on the way. After mining three years, he returned and purchased his present farm, and moved on it in 1857. He was married to Miss Rebecca Radee of this county. Eight children have been born to them, six now living: Effie Jane, Emma A., Ida May, Clara Francis,
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Mary Elizabeth, J. Win., and two deceased, Geo. B. and Minnie. Mr. Wray has a good farm of 183 acres, a good house, barn and orchard. He was raised a farmer and educated in the common schools. Ile is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 217 and of the M. E. Church.
WRAY, G. W., lives on section 7, postoffice Pulaski; was born in Giles county, Tenn., March 7, 1830. When he was quite young, his father moved to Adams county, Ills., where they lived five years: then moved to Van Buren county, Iowa. In 1845, they came to this county, settling in Wya- condah township. He was raised a farmer and received a common school education. In 1852, in company with his brother, he went to California, returned to this county in 1855, and moved on his present farm in 1857. He was married February 14, 1857, to Miss Louisiana Miller. They have six children: Henry Frank, Mary E., Martha J., Reuben, Albert and John. He has a fine farm of 140 acres, all in cultivation. Mr. W. is a Mason, be- longing to Quitman Lodge, No. 217, and also one of the standbys in the M. E. Church.
SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
BUCHANAN, WM., ferryman at McClure's ford, postoffice Eldon; was born November 30, 1823, in Juniatta county, Pa. At the age of ten years he came with his parents, Alexander and Margaret, to Perry county, Ohio, where he lived till 1846. He was reared a farmer and there acquired a lim- ited education. In 1846 he went to Pickaway county and worked for J. O. Renick, dealer in blooded stock. In 1856 he came to Ottumwa, lowa, and run a ferry four years; then went to Piatt county, Ill., and for twelve years engaged in farming and stock-raising; then went to Lyon county in freight- ing business, and whilethere had his leg broken. In 1875 he returned to Ohio, and in September, 1881, he settled here in his present business. He was married July 20, 1846, to Harriett E. Whitmore, of Perry county, O., and they were blessed with ten children, seven now living, John J., Alex- ander, Sanford Allen, Walter W., Ezra M., Drusilla F., Iliram J. Mrs. B. died in 1881. Mr. B. owns one of the best ferry boats on the Des Moines river and is very obliging and accommodating.
DEBURN, F. G., farmer and stoek-raiser, section 16, postoffice Eldon; was born July 5, 1838, in Monroe county, N. Y., and in 1845 came with his parents to Davis county, Iowa, and though quite young, he helped his father stake out his claim of 40 acres. He was married in April, 1855, to Miss M. Johnson, a native of Iowa, and had one child, Hiram. His wife having died, he was married again October 16, 1867, to Miss Levina Strang, a na- tive of this county. They had six children: Mary A., Nancy J., Ida A., Louisa, Joe G., and Anetta. Mrs. D. having died, he was married again May 31, 1881, to Miss Auna Christina Helmina Amelia Low, a native of Germany. HIRAM DEBURN, a brother of the above named, was a soldier in the late war. in the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, and was wounded at Vicks- burg. Mr. F. G. Deburn is the owner of a good farm of 121 acres, and is engaged in stock-raising. In politics he is a greenbacker, and a member of the Christian Church. He is a hospitable gentleman, and has the respect of all who know him. FREDERICK DEBURN, father of the above, was born
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
April 2, 1796, in Germany, and came to New York in 1838. He ran a gov- ernment mill for some time, and was very badly injured by being caught in the drive wheel. When he first came to this territory the deer were so plen- ty he could kill them with an axe. In 1858 he fell into a cellar and broke three ribs, and in 1873 he broke his leg in the thigh. He died March 29, 1877.
DEBURN, WM., farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, postoffice Eklon; was born July 5, 1830, in Monroe county, N. Y., and emigrated with his parents to this county in 1845, and although quite young, he helped his father stake out his claim of 40 acres. He was educated in the common schools of this county. He has a fine stock farm, well improved, and has lived here and seen the wilderness around him blossom as the rose. Ile was married in April, 1855, to Miss Martha Johnson, a native of this county, and had one child, Iliram. He was married again October 16, 1867, to Miss Sebina Strong, also a native of this county, and had six children: Mary A., Nancy, Ida A., Susie, Joseph G., and Anrthie. He was married a third time to Miss Anna Christiana William Helmena Amelia Susie Keines, a native of Germany. We don't see how Mr. D. ever managed to pop the question to such a long name as that. Keno?
DUCKWORTH, W. C., whose portrait appears elsewhere. is a humber man- ufacturer and dealer, postoffice Eldon; was born May 31, 1837, in Putnam county, Ind., where he lived for seventeen years, assisting on the farm and attending school. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to a mill- wright, with whom he remained four years. He enlisted during the war in company G, Second Iowa Ianfantry, serving three years as a private; then reënlisted in the Tenth Colored Infantry as a lieutenant and served one year, being a prisoner for fifty-two days, and was discharged April 6, 1865. He then came home and has since been one of the county's most successful bus- iness men. He was married in 1859 to Miss R. C. Eavens, daughter of Wm. Eavens one of the old settlers of this county. They have had six chil- dren, A. L. and H. E., twins, Rachel E., L. S., and two deceased. Mr. D. is a member of the K. T., St. Johns Commandery, at Ottumwa.
DYE, ELI, farmer, section 8, postoffice Eldon; was born September 11, 1823, in Morgan county, Ohio. Here he grew to manhood and received a good education in the subscription schools. In the fall of 1847 he arrived in this county with his family and settled on his present farm, buying it wild from the government. It now consists of 160 acres well improved, with a large two story residence, a good barn and orchard. He was married June 17, 1847, to Miss Nancy Tener, of Morgan county, ()., and they were blessed with three children, Mary S., Emma G., and one deceased, Erastus. Mrs. D. died Angust 27, 1852, and Mr. D. was married again February 3, 1858, to Miss Melissa Vinton, daughter of Bradley and Catharine, of this county. They have had six children, Florence R., Lney C., Katy M., and three de- ceased, Edgar, Olive and Lily. Mr. and Mrs. D. and two daughters are members of the M. E. Church, In politics he is a greenbacker. Mr. D. has given his children a good education, and four of his daughters have been teachers.
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