USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 82
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SANDERSON, DAVID, was born in Highland county, O., May 8, 1833, and at six years of age, his father having died, he went to live with an uncle for three years, then lived with Robert Adam's of Fayette county, O., for ten years. At nineteen he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade with Peter Wendle of Washington, where he worked three and a half years until he was master of the trade; he then went to Greenfield with his brother and carried on blacksmithing for a time, then returned to Washing- ton, stayed one year, then went to Buena Vista, and in 1859, came to this county, settling near where he now lives and engaged in blacksmithing and farming. IIe now owns a fine farm of 140 acres, in section 34, with a good house, barn and orchard. He was married May 23, 1855, to Miss E. D. Fagan of Fayette county, O., and had three children: Elisha M., E. C. and one deceased, Olive. Mrs. S. died April 28, 1865, and he was married again in August, 1865, to Miss Tempa Inskeep of .this county. They have six children: A. F., Eva, Saml. D., Clayton F., Abby and Phrona. In Octo- ber, 1864, he was taken prisoner by bushwhackers, with his neighbor Capt .. Bence, and taken about twelve miles into Missouri, where Capt. B. was shot while riding on the same horse with Mr. S. In politics Mr. S. is a greenbacker, his postoffice is Bloomfield.
SEABURY, HION. W. A., farmer, section 14, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in Bristol county, Mass., October 28, 1847, where he lived eleven years, when his father, A. S., came to this township. Here Mr. S. spent his youth on the farm and going to school. He now owns a good farm of 160 acres, well fenced with hedge, with good house and barn. He was married Feb- ruary 19, 1878, to Miss M. J. Wray, daughter of Hon. J. M. Wray of this county. They have one daughter, Anna Laura: In politics Mr. S. is re- publican. He is a successful farmer and well thought of.
SWIFT, J. F., farmer, section 23, postoffice Bloomfield; was a native of Indiana, born February 3, 1845. When two years of age, his father, C. E. Swift, settled in Perry township, this county. Here he grew to manhood, his youth being spent on the farm and in attending school. Mr. S. now
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
owns a fine farm of 200 acres, under good cultivation, with comfortable buildings. He was married September 20, 1866, to Martha J. Campbell, daughter of G. C. Campbell. They have five children: Ada C., Ida M., Oda E., Willie C. and Mabel M. In politics Mr. S. is a democrat. He is one of the substantial farmers of the township although still a young man.
WRAY, HON. JAMES M., farmer, section 2; was born in Davidson county, Tennessee, October 28, 1800, and there he resided until the fall of 1836, when he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, and came to this county in April, 1845, where he has since resided. He was in Quincy, Illinois, during the Black Hawk War, and was in Burlington, Iowa, when there was only one store there. When he staked out his claim in Van Buren county, there were 500 Indians camped on the claim. Mr. W. is now located on one of the best farms in the county, consisting of 520 acres, under good cultivation, with good residence, barn and orchard. He was married June 3, 1826, to- Jane Birdwell, of Giles county, Tennessee, and they had eight children: Thomas J., George, James Madison, William M., Mary Ellen, John, Albert and one deceased, Franklin. Mrs. W. died in August, 1848, and Mr. W. married again June 12. 1849, to Edie Somerland, of this county, and they have had four children: Otway, Margaret, Harvey and Anna. Mr. W. has held several offices; was a member of the board of township trustees, in Van Buren county, and was elected to the legislature, in 1843, on the democratic ticket; the district being composed of Van Buren, Davis and Appanoose counties, where he served with entire credit to himself and to the perfect satis- faction of his constituents. By an upright, honorable life, he has secured the love and esteem of every one. Ile has been a successful farmer, and has lived to see his children grow np, honored and respected men and women.
YORK, GEORGE E., is one of the successful farmers of this township, living on a fine farm of 156 acres, with a good house and barn, and an or- chard of eighty trees. He was born in Vigo county, Indiana, November 25,. 1834, where he lived sixteen years, and was educated a farmer. At sixteen he came to Grove township, this county, where he lived until in 1861, when he enlisted for three years in the Third Iowa Cavalry, Colonels Bassey and Trimble, was in the battle of Cotton Plant, fighting bushwhakers in Mis- sonri for six months, in the scouting expeditions near Helena, for six months, and from there to Jefferson Barracks. Was discharged in Febru- ary 1862, and returned home. Ile came to his present farm in 1864; was married March 8. 1863, to Miss Sarah M. Noblett, of Kirksville, Missouri, danghter of L. D. Noblett. They have had nine children, Sherman, Clara Belle, B. Myrim, George D., Clarence A., Elmer L., Francis E., Thomas E. and Bertha, and two deceased, Theodore and Truman. Mr. York is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, in politics, a greenbacker, a good citizen and respected by everybody. His postoffice is Savannah.
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
WEST GROVE TOWNSHIP.
BALDRIDGE, E. L., farmer was born in Murray county, Tenn., April 7, 1829; when quite young he moved with his father, Jolin, to Schuyler county, Ill., and in 1842, removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, and Janu- ary 8, 1845, arrived in this county, where he lived till 1860. He was raised on a farm and received his education in common schools. In 1860 he moved to Appanoose county, and two years later returned, and in 1867, moved on his present farin where he has since resided. He owns a good farm of 120 acres, most all under eultivation, with a good house, surrounded by shade and or- namental trees, and an orchard of one hundred bearing trees. He was mar- ried May 22, 1853, to Mrs. Mary Berry, formerly Miss Mary Warford, a na- tive of Randolph county, Mo. They have had six children: David, Levi, Vica, and three deceased. Mr. B. is a member of the Christian Church of West Grove, and in politics is a republican. He has given his children a liberal education, two of them being teachers.
BEARD, WM., farmer, seetion eight, postoffice West Grove; was born October 16, 1825, in Mainard county, IH., where he grew to manhood. His parents were Andrew and Sallie Beard. In 1849, he came to Iowa, settling in this township, and moved on his present farm in 1856, where he has since resided. He owns 130 aeres of splendid land, under a high state of cultiva- tion. He was married in October, 1844, to Miss Nancy Jane Bell, a daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth Bell. They have been blessed with ten children: Sarah E., James H., Andrew, William, Isaac, Ellie, and four deceased. In polities Mr. B. is an independent democrat.
BEAUCHAMP, DR. J. W., physician and surgeon, West Grove; was born November 7, 1851, in this county, the eldest son of Levi and Mary Beanchamp. His early life was spent assisting on the farm and attending school in Troy Academy. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, and taught about five years. At the age of twenty he commenced studying medicine under Dr. Shelton, of Pulaski, and about three years later he attended the medical college at Keokuk, attending two years, and received his diploma February 17, 1875. He practiced with Dr. S., in Pu- laski, about six months; then, in June, 1875, located in West Grove, where he has since followed his profession. Ile is the only physician in the town, and has a fine practice. He was married December 7, 1880 to Miss P. Ewing, daughter of William Ewing, deceased. The Doctor is pleasantly situated in a neat little cottage, with a happy home. Ile is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a democrat.
BLAKLEY, HON. ISAAC, farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born January 31, 1814, in Warren county, Tenn., and here grew to manhood, liv- ing with his parents, Alexander and Sarah, on the farm, and attending school. At the age of twenty, he moved to Morgan county, Ill., and a year or two later to Jefferson county, lowa, being one among the first settlers of that county, where he lived some fourteen and a half years, then moved to Appanoose county for three years and seven months, and in June 1854, set- tled in this connty, which he has since made his home. He owns a fine farm of 378 acres, most of it nuder cultivation. He was married December 1, 1836, to Ellen Lanman, of Jefferson county, and they had five children: R. L, Margaret, Elizabeth. Ellen, and Lyenrgns, Margaret being deceased.
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Mrs. B. died in 1851, and Mr. B. married again March 18, 1852, to Cather- ine Stoner, of Ohio: and they have been blessed with four children : Effie, . Visa, C. M., and J. C. Mr. B. was elected to the legislature, as a demo- crat, in 1871, by a good majority, and served with great eredit. In 1853, he was ordained a minister in the Old School Baptist Church, and had charge of several Churches, as many as four at one time, and is a zealous worker in the cause of religion and temperance. In politics he is a democrat.
BRYANT, REV. HI. W., Pastor of Presbyterian Church, West Grove; was born June 2, 1842, in Ohio county, Kentucky, being the seventh child of II. T. and Naney Bryant. At the age of seven he came with his parents to Gibson county, Ind., where he grew to manhood, his young days being spent on the farm and in acquiring an education. He enlisted September 1, 1862, in Company A, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and was mustered ont May 16. 1865; returned home, and entered Asbury University, at Green- castle for three years; then spent six months traveling. He was ordained a minister, in September, 1867, and in 1869 located in Carroll county, Ind., for three and a half years; then to Hopewell; then to Macon county, Ill., for two and a half years; and in the fall of 1875 he located in West Grove, this county, in charge of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he has since remained. Ile was married May 26, 1870, to Miss S. E. Wallace, and they have six children: Edith D., Mary J., Nettie, Lee, Hattie W., and E. R. Mr. B. is highly respected in this community, and is a strong advo- cate of the temperance cause.
CAMRON, JOSEPH A., farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born in Jackson county, Ind., Feb. 11, 1837, where he lived for thirteen years, then came to this county in June, 1849, where he has since made his home. May 2, 1865, he started overland for the Golden State; was on the way six or seven weeks; remained there two and a half years, farming and freighting, then returned to this county, arriving home December 14, 1868. He was married in November, 1870, to Mrs. Martha Bell of this county. They have two children, J. W. and Thomas B. Mr. C. has a fine farm of 277 acres. He is a Mason and in polities is a greenbacker. He was the eldest son of John and Jane Camron.
CARSON, W. T., farmer, section 17, was born in Miami county, Ohio, August 29, 1817. His parents, John and Sallie Carson, were pioneers of that county. They came to Shelby county, Ind., in 1827, where he lived till 1851, when he came to his present home in this county. Ile crossed the Des Moines River ou a ferry managed by some drunken men and lost some of his stoek. Mr. C. is located on a farm of 320 acres, which he en- tered from the government; it is well improved, with a fine residence eon- taining all modern improvements. Ile was married October 16, 1839, to Miss Sarah Corler, of Montgomery county, Ind. They have had ten chil- dren, Jas. E., Rob. B., Elvina, Florence A., Kate, John W., Alice J., Jos. D., and two deceased, Margaret K. and Sarah E. Mr. C. has held the of- fice of justice for six years. Ile is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In poli- tics he is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Ile is the only member of his father's family now liv- ing. He has always been identified with the interests of the county, and takes pride in its advancement.
CASE, D. H., farmer, section 6, postoffice Orleans; was born October 27, 1840, in Geneseo county N. Y., and at eleven years of age, moved with his parents. Daniel and Sally, to Niagara county, where he lived till he was
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
seventeen, his early life being spent on the farm and acquiring an education at the Lockport schools. At seventeen he went to work for the Oil Creek Railroad Co. and was in their employ as flagman and conductor eight and a half years. He then came to Iowa in the winter of 1869, lived one year in Appanoose county, then came to Davis county and in the fall of 1871 went to Kansas, where he resided till June, 1880, engaged in farming. He then returned to this county and finally settled on his present farm in July, 1881 where he owned 130 acres of. good land, in a state of good cultivation. He was married November 9, 1870, to Miss Joan Siler, daughter of B. H. and Jane Siler, of this county. They have had three children, Mary M., Carrie B., and Benny, deceased November 15, 1880. Mr. C. is a Mason and a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and in politics is a democrat. He is one of the best farmers in this township.
COLLIVER, ANDREW, farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born Jan- nary 30, 1845, in Montgomery county, Ky., and here grew to manhood, his early youth being spent on the farm, and receiving his education in a log school house. His parents' names were Richard and Mary. In 1835 he moved to Rush county, Ind., where he lived till 1854, opening up a farm in the heavy timber of that county. In the fall of 1854 he arrived in Davis county and bought the farm where he now resides, then only partly im- proved, consisting now of 500 acres with good buildings and orchard. IIe was married December 22, 1829, at Grassy Lake, Ky., to Miss Perlina Mas- terson. They have been blessed with eleven children, Phineas, Elizabeth, John, Aaron, Mary, Richard, Rollin, Caroline, Salena, and two deceased, Thomas and Samuel. Thomas enlisted in 1861 in Second' Iowa, company G .; was wounded at Donelson; commissioned captain in Fifty-seventh U. S. Regulars, company 1; was mustered out in 1866, and died October 22, 1872. Mr. C. is a greenbacker in politics and has been a member of the school board, and been a justice for over six years.
COLLIVER, PIHINEAS, stock-raiser and shipper, section 35, postoffice West Grove; was born October 4, 1830, in Kentucky. At the age of six years he moved with his parents, Andrew and Perlina Colliver, to Rush county, Ind., and in the fall of 1854 he came to Davis county. He enlisted three days after Sumter was fired on, in company G, Second Iowa Infantry, and took an active part in the war, and returned home a sergeant. In 1859 he had visited Colorado and engaged one season in mining. Hle moved on his present farm in 1865 where he has since resided, consisting of 240 acres under good cultivation. He was married December 23, 1864, to Miss Ros- ena Scott, of this county. They haved tive children, Mary, Martha, Perlina, Andrew and Maria. Mr. C. is an Odd Fellow, a member of West Grove lodge, and in politics is a greenbacker.
COLLIVER, JOHN, farmer, section 3, postoffice West Grove; was born January 2, 1834, in Montgomery county, Ky. When ten years old his father. Andrew, moved to Rush county, Ind., where he grew to manhood; his early life being spent helping his father on the farm and acquiring a common school education. He came to this connty in 1854 and settled in this township, where he has since resided. Ile owns a fine farm of 610 aeres most all under cultivation. He was married November 8, 1871, to Miss Mattie Sawyer, daughter of Allen and Martha Sawyer, of West Grove. They have been blessed with five children, three now living. Pearl, John R. and Samuel. Mr. C. is a democrat in politics, and by upright conduct and
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
square dealing has secured the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is one of the substantial and reliable farmers of Davis county.
CUNNINGHAM, A. T., stock-raiser, section 36, postoffice West Grove; was born September 8, 1834, in Giles county, Tenn .. where he lived till he grew to manhood. His early life was spent on the farm and attending the common schools. In the spring of 1853, he arrived in this county, settling in West Grove township, then ealled Fox River township. He came on his present farm in 1864, which he has now finely improved. It consists of 330 acres of prairie and 65 of timber. He is engaged in stock-raising. He was married in September, 1857, to Mary A. Ramsey, of Appanoose county. They were blessed with five children, Walter R., Chas. J., Jessie M., Frank, and Arthur. Mrs. C. died September 3, 1876, and Mr. C. was married again August 28, 1877, to Mrs. Mary Jones, of Marion township. They have two children, Edith M. and John T. Mr. C. is an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a republican.
FLEMING, JAMES, farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice West Grove; was born May 18, 1833, in Moultry county, Ill., and in the spring of 1843 he came to Iowa and located in this county, with his parents, Jacob and Violet, formerly of Tennessee. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. After coming to this county he lived thirteen years in Drakeville township; then, in 1856, moved on his present farm, where he resided for nine years; then spent two years in Chariton, Lucas county, in mercantile business, and then returned to his farm in this county, which con- sists of 151 acres of good land. Ile is quite extensively engaged in stock- raising. He was married January 28, 1855, to Mrs. H. V. Young, of this county. They have one daughter, Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. F. is a democrat. He has been a member of the school board for five years; is township trustee, and is on his second term as justice.
FULK, CHARLES, druggist and general merchant, West Grove; was born October 17, 1837, in Licking county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, liv- ing with his parents, David and Sarah. In 1855 he located in Lee county, Iowa, where he lived ten years; then came to this county, locating in West Grove township, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1873, when he came to West Grove station and engaged in his present business. He carries a large stock of everything in his line, and by his genial ways and square dealing has received the confidence of the entire community, and the patronage of both town and country. He is a member of West Grove I. O. O. F., No. 239. He is a jolly bachelor, and has more friends than any man in town.
GLEASON, C. K., farmer, section six, postoffice West Grove; was born August 22, 1842, in Fox River township, this county. His early life was spent on the farm, with his parents, James and Margaret, and attending the common school. In 1870, he moved to Scotland county, Mo., where he re- sided two years, then returned to this county, and in October, 1873, came on his present farm, where he has since resided. He owns a nice farin of 165 acres, in good cultivation. He was married January 17. 1864, to Miss S. F. Martin, daughter of John and Evaline, of Roscoe township. They have had five children: Edwin Wallace, Hattie F., Nora D., Cyrus Guy, and Frankie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the C. P. Church, of West Grove, and in politics Mr. G. is a greenbacker, and is one of the sub- stantial men of the county. JAMES GLEASON, deceased, father of C. K., was
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
born in 1823, in New York, where he resided till he reached the age of man- hood. He was married to Miss Margaret Downing. They had eleven chil- dren: C. K., Mary E., Wallace, James, Roman, Fisher, Friend, Elsie, Belle, Eddie, and Thomas. Mr. G. died in 1869.
HARRIS, N. M., farmer, section 8; was born in Todd county, Kentucky, June 8, 1822; when three years old, he moved with his parents, to Sanga- mon connty, Illinois, and one year later, to Macoupin county, and in the spring of 1836, came to the territory of Iowa, settling six miles east of Fair- field. He was with the government surveyors when they surveyed that. county. There were more Indians there at that time than whites, neighbors being from five to ten miles apart. In the spring of 1853, he came to Ap- panoose county, and in 1863, to Wayne county, and in the spring of 1865, came to West Grove, in this county, and one year later came on his present farm, where he has since resided. He was married in Jefferson county Oc- tober 4, 1842, to Nancy Hickenbottom, and they had two children; Joseph and Samuel. Mrs. II. died in February, 1844, and Mr. H. married again in November, 1846, Miss Lonisa Beach, of Jefferson county, and they have four children; Rhoda, William, Nancy and Frank. Mrs. H. died in No- vember, 1859. Mr. Harris was married the third time in January, 1860, to Miss Phebe Cox, of Appanoose county, and they have three children : Mary, David O. and Willis. He courted and married his first wife, in a pair of buckskin breeches, which were considered stylish at that time. Mr. H. is. an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a greenbacker.
HARTWICK, N. W., farmer, section 15, postoffice West Grove; was born February 3, 1853, in the Wolverine State, being the third child of Frederick and Mary Hartwick. In 1861, he moved to Defiance, Ohio, where he lived two years; then to Burlington, Iowa. In 1869 he came to this county. At the age of fourteen, he worked in a woolen factory, and did so in Ohio and Ottumwa. Iowa. He is now located on a good farm of 130. acres. He was married February 7, 1877, to Miss Francis Pooler, of West Grove. They have two children; Ira Albert, and Harry Warren. Mr. H. is an Odd Fellow, member of West Grove lodge, and is a man very highly respected.
HEADRICK, DANIEL, SR., deceased; was born in June, 1807, in Hardin county, Ky. He was a son of Rev. Walter and Sarah H., and lived in Hardin county about thirty years; then moved to Spencer county, Ind., where he lived eight years; then to Bartholomew county until October, 1848, when he came to this county. HIe settled in Wyacondah township, where he lived till 1872, when he moved to Bloomfield. He was married when eighteen years of age to Miss Mary A. Harris, and they were the par- ents of ten children: John, George, Charles, DANIEL, Joseph, Nancy, Sarah, Levina, Mary A. and Elizabeth J. Mr. H. was a member of the Christian Church. He died November 21, 1879, at the house of his son Daniel, Jr.
HEADRICK, DANIEL, farmer, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in In- diana December 24, 1839, and at the age of seven years came with his father Daniel H., to this county. He was the seventh child of a family of ten. His early life was spent assisting on the farm and getting an education. In 1863 he went to California overland, being ninety-one days on the road. Lived in California and Nevada, most of the time making brick, until 1869, when he returned and began farming where he now lives, which was then all wild land. He has a good farm of 180 acres with comfortable buildings
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
and an orchard of 115 trees. He is now a justice of the peace, is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a democrat. He was married April 11, 1869, to Miss Mary Lane, of this county. They have had six children: Julia, Clarissa, Daniel W., Alice. Rosa H. and one deceased, Frankie G. Mr. H. is highly respected in the community where he lives.
HENDERSON, J. C., farmer, section 15, postoffice West Grove; was born December 18. 1826, in Blunt county, Tenn., and when eight years old moved with his parents, William and Elizabeth, to Putnam county, Indiana, where they lived till 1837. when they moved to southwestern Missouri, and three years later to Jackson county. He was raised a farmer and received a limited education. In 1849, he came to Davis county, to Fabius township, where he resided till 1865, when he purchased his present farm, in this town- ship, where he has since lived. It contains 320 acres of splendid land. He raises a good deal of stock. He was married in March, 1851, to Miss Ellen Stanley, of this county. They have seven children: Letitia E., George W. May E., Unity E., John C., Minnie E., and Henry Harrison. Mr. H. is a democrat in politics, and is considered one of the substantial citizens of this township.
HENRY, J. B., station agent B. & S. W. R. R., West Grove; was born June 29, 1841, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. At the age of ten he moved with his parents to Keosanqua, in Van Buren county, Iowa and three years later to Burlington, and three years later to Missouri, and after two and a half years residence there, came back to Van Buren county, where he enlisted May 21, 1861, in the Second Iowa In- fantry, the first three year regiment mustered into the U. S. service. He was at Donelson, Shenandoah, Corinth and Atlanta; was discharged July 12, 1865, at Louisville. He then returned to Van Buren county and in December, 1874, came to West Grove. He was married April 10, 1863, to Anna E. J. Smith, of Birmingham, Van Buren county. They have four children, Lena G., Wm. H., George A., and Ola. Mr. B. is an Odd Fellow and member of G. A. R .; in politics a republican. Only seven of his orig- inal company who enlisted in the army, ever returned. He became station agent April 6, 1875.
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