USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 83
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HURD, JOHN, farmer, section 34, postoffice Orleans; was born Febru- ary 24, 1821, in Adams county, Ohio, and here grew to manhood. His father, Caleb, died when he was a babe, and he lived with his mother on the farm, and received a liberal education. In 1845, he came to Des Moines county, Iowa, and engaged in farming till 1857, when he went to Appanoose county two years; then to Anderson county, Kansas, for five and a half years; then returned to Appanoose county for eight years, and, in the spring of 1873, he came to this county and located on his present farm, where he has since resided. He owns a snug farm of 60 acres, well improved. He was married March 16, 1844, to Miss Sarah A. Shelton, of Adams county. They have had ten children: Elizabeth F., Martha J., Lney, Lanra, Charles H., Flora E., Samnel W., John W., and two deceased. Mr. H. is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a democrat.
HUTCHINSON, E. R., deceased, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Ohio in 1820, where he resided until fifteen years of age. Ile was among the Sionx Indians, a number of years as an interpreter, employed by the government, being among most all the Indian tribes in Iowa, Mis- sonri and the Red River country. About the year 1841, he settled in Du- buque, and engaged in lead mining. In 1846, he settled in this county,
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
where he resided until his decease. He was married in Haneoek county, Ill., to Miss Mary J. Scott, and they were blessed with seven children, five now living: Martha E., May I., H. P., J. C., A. L., and Eliza and Edmund, deceased. Mr. H. died March 16, 1874. Mrs. H. is still living, in Califor- nia. H. P. HUTCHINSON, second child of E. R. and Mary J., was born August 8, 1851, in Fox River township, Davis county, and here spent his youth, assisting on the farm, and acquiring an education in the common schools. Hle spent the winter of 1872-3 in the pineries of Minnesota and British America, Iumbering. Ile was married December 27, 1875, to Miss Mollie E. Burton. They have been blessed with three children: Chas. C., Mills and Dell. Mr. H. is located on a fine farm of 220 acres, with a fine residenee, good barn, and an orchard of one hundred and forty trees. IIe is one of the most substantial farmers in the township.
HUTCHINSON, J. C., farmer, seetion 36, postoffice West Grove; fourth child of E. R. and Mary J .; was born August 12, 1856, in Fox River town- ship this county. His early life was spent on the farm and acquiring a common school education. In 1875 he went to California, Oregon and Washington Territory, and engaged in various kinds of work for eighteen months, then returned to this county June 28, 1876. He has a fine farm of 120 acres, well improved, with an orchard of 208 trees. He was married August 2, 1872, to Miss Mary L. Farris, daughter of Rev. John Farris, of Troy. They have one child, Phineas. Mr. H. is a man highly respected by every one.
KARNS, WILLIAM J., farmer, section 16, postoffice West Grover; was born June 19, 1817, in Ohio, and there grew to manhood, on the farm with his parents, Lewis and Susanna, until he was sixteen, when he went to work with M. Karns, to learn wagon-making, and worked there five years; then went to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then to Bureau county, Illinois, and worked at his trade seven years; then traded for a farm in the same county. In the fall of 1857, he came to Bloomfield, this county, where he. lived till 1873, then came to his present farm, in this township, consisting of 120 aeres, with good improvements. He was married in December, 1843, to Miss Delia Richards, of Princeton, Illinois, and they have seven children: William R., was in company I, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, wounded at Atlanta and died in hospital at Jeffersonville, Indiana; Lewis T., Orcelia B., Emily, Eme- line, John T. and Ella, and Martha Ann. Mr. K. is a republican, and is highly respected in this community.
LANG, WILLIAM, farmer, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in Indiana, a son of William and Nancy Lang. His early life was spent attending school and helping on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he came to this county, and the land not yet being in market, he left money with his brother to pay for his elaim. He was here six years, then returned to. Indiana, and made several trips back and forth. He settled on his farm in 1849, where he has since called home. During the year 1862, his health failing, he returned to his native place, where he remained about three years, then returned to his farm. He has a fine farm of 130 aeres, with a good two-story residence, a good barn, and orehard, of four acres, of bearing trees. He was married in December, 1848, to Mrs. Emeline Goss, of this county, formerly of Tennes- see, and they have had cleven children: Mary, Sarah P., Laura D., Jolm F., Emily, Charley, Anna, Marietta, and three deceased; George, Samuel and Watson. Mr. L. is a member of the Christian Church, and of the Good Templars.
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
MATHEWS, A., farmer, section 11, postoffice West Grove; was born April 10, 1823, in Bracken county, Kentucky, and at the age of twelve years moved with his parents to Marion county, Indiana. His parents were Theodore and Franees, natives of Virginia. In the fall of 1856 he came to this county, first settling in Fox River township for three years, then in Wyacondah township nine years, and during that time was engaged in mill- ing. In 1868 he moved on his present farm, in this township, where he has since resided, his farm consisting of ninety acres of finely improved land. He was married in September 1845, to Elizabeth Higgins. They have ten children: Nancy Ellen, Maria F., George W., William A., Mary J., John, James T., Nettie B., Minnie and Edward. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and in polities is a greenbacker.
NOBLE, F. F., farmer, section 34, postoffice West Grove; was born Oc- tober 26, 1818, in Howard county, Missouri. When he was a year old his parents, Mark and Rachel Noble, formerly from Kentucky, moved to Ran- dolph county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools, and by hard application at home. In 1843 he con- meneed teaching school, and tanght one term in Missouri, then, in 1845, came to this county, where he has since resided. He commenced teaching again in the spring of 1847, in Fox River township in a log cabin built by subscription, being the first school taught in that part of the county. The average attendance was thirty. He continued teaching for sixteen years, part of the time in Wappello and Union counties. He is now located on a good farm of 510 acres, 210 in fine cultivation and the balance in pasture, with a comfortable home, out-buildings and an orchard of 340 trees. In polities he is a greenbacker.
PARKER, GEORGE, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15; postoffice West Grove; was born in September, 1840, in Burslen, Staffordshire, Eng- land. When quite young he emigrated with his parents, Edward and Sarah, to America, and settled in Columbiana county, Wisconsin, and soon after came to Van Buren county, Iowa, and three years later went to Illinois, then to Muscatine, Iowa, then returned to Van Buren county, where he lived in 1856, when he moved to Lee county, and lived till 1865, then to Douds Station, Van Buren county, and two years later came to this county. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres, with a nice residence, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. He was married in 1865, to Miss Jane Hover, of Dover, Lee county, Iowa. They have been blessed with five children : Rosa Belle, Ada A., Urban, John H. and Sarah A. Mr. Parker is one of the model farmers of West Grove township, and in politics is a republican.
PIRTLE, J. W., county sheriff, stock-raiser and farmer, section 7, post- office Bloomfield; was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, November 26, 1833. His early life was spent on the farm and going to the common schools. In 1850 he moved to Schuyler county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1852, settled in the north part of this township, and settled on his present farm in 1871, where he has since resided. When the war came on, he en- listed May 2, 1861, in company G. Second Iowa Infantry, Col. Curtis, be- ing in the battle of Fort Donelson, receiving a wound reported as mortal, and was discharged July 22, 1862, on that account. He recovered, however, and commenced the butcher business, in 1864, which he continued till 1871, when he moved to his farm, which contains 187 acres of well improved land. He has been engaged in raising short-horn cattle, having as fine stock as
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
there is in the county. He was married June 29, 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Kinniek, of this county. They have nine children: Laura A., William L., Grant, James D., May Ettie, Arthur G., Stella, Elijah B. and Nellie. Mr. P. is an Odd Fellow, and has been a member of the school board for eleven years. In the fall of 1881 he was elected sheriff of Davis county on the greenback tieket.
PIRTLE, J. D., farmer, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in Washington connty, Kentucky, June 6, 1812; where he resided until 1836; his early life was spent on the farm, and receiving an education in the common schools. In the fall of 1836, he moved to Sullivan county, Indiana, and in May, 1850, to Schuyler county, Illinois, and in October 1852, came to his present home in this county consisting of 120 acres, mostly nnder enltivation, which he entered from the government. Ile was married January 19, 1833, to Ln- cinda Jackson, of Washington county, Kentucky. They have had seven children : J. W. Pirtle, now county sheriff ; Susannah, Henry I., Mary E., James D., Charles K., and Lucinda. Mrs. Pirtle died February 8, 1866, and Mr. Pirtle married again in June 1867, Mrs. Eliza Morton, of Scotland county, Missouri, formerly of Clinton county, Ohio. Mr. Pirtle has been constable two terms, and has always taken great interest in the eause of education. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church; in politics is a republican. Mr. Pirtle has the respeet and confidence of all who know himn.
POTTER, RYLE, postoffice West Grove, was born January 10, 1859, in Lee county, Iowa, the second child of J. B. and M. K. Potter; his father being from Indiana and his mother from Kentucky. When four years of age, he moved with his parents to Van Buren county, near Birmingham, and in the fall of 1867, he came to Fox River township. His early life was spent on a farm and in acquiring a limited edneation. In 1876, he moved to Appanoose county, and in 1877, came to West Grove township, this conn- ty, where he has since resided. IIe is engaged with Mr. J. D. Pirtle, in the manufacture of brick, in which they are very successful. Mr. Potter is a genial bachelor. and a young man of industrious habits and untiring energy.
RAWLINGS, JOHN H., farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born in Greene county, Penn., twenty miles north of Washington, June 23, 1814; the second son of Daniel and Mandy, his mother's maid- en name being Truman. His father was of English deseent, his ances- tors having come over in the "Mayflower." He resided in Greene county till he grew to manhood; his early life was spent in assisting on the farm, and receiving a limited education. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Indiana, where he lived fifteen years, being one of the early settlers, In the spring of 1850 he came to his present home in this county, buying his land of the government. He now owns 566 acres in this county, his home farm consisting of 235 aeres, with good house. barn, etc. He was married December 20, 1840, to Sarah Hazzard. They had two children: Anna E., now Mrs. John W. Carey, of Centerville, and one deceased. Mrs. R. died December 4, 1844, and he was married again October 12, 1848, to Miss Zer- elda Cameron, a native of Jackson county, Ind. Mr. R. is a zealous mem- ber of the M. E. Church at West Grove, and a man given to hospitality and kindness to everybody.
RUSSELL, H. L., farmer and stock-raiser, seetion 12, postoffice West Grove; was born in Greene county, Pennyslvania, October 4, 1826. He was the oldest son of William and Charlotte Russell, natives of Penn
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
sylvania. Here Mr. Russell lived fifteen years his early life being spent on a farm, and going to school. In the spring of 1841, he and his father moved to Athens, Ohio, where he lived till the spring of 1854, when he came to this county, first settling near where he now lives, in West Grove township, and in the fall of 1856 he moved on his present farm, where he has sinee resided. He has a fine farm of 320 acres, under good cultivation, with a good brick residence, large barn, and orchard of twelve acres. He is also engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of shecp, "Spanish Merino." His sales of wool in the past year amount to $1,500. Ile was married August 9, 1847, to Miss Rhoda Love, of Athens county, Ohio. They had two children, James E., and John L., deceased. Mrs. R. died December 9, 1851, and Mr. R. was married again May 24, 1853, to Mary E. Kurtz, of Pittsburg, Pa. They have had eight children: Lotta, now Mrs. C. E. Smith: Anna A., May Ida, Jenny L., now Mrs. W. D. Bar- nett; Etta B., William, Harry L., and one deceased. Mr. R. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; he is also a Mason, and in politics is a demoerat. Mr. R. stands high in this community.
RUSSELL, W. M., farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born in Jackson county, Indiana, September 19, 1825; a son of William and Polly R., of Virginia. When a year old he moved with his parents to Bartholomew county. Here he grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a limited eduea- tion. In the spring of 1848 he came to this county and settled where he now resides, on a fine farm of 240 acres, which he entered from the govern- ment. He now owns 487 acres, with a good house and barn, and an orchard of 270 trees. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising, amounting to over $2,000 in the last year. He was married January 6, 1848, to Miss Sarah Jane Ilumphreys, of Bartholomew county, Indiana, and they have eleven children: Sarah Lucinda, John J., William H1., Titus D., Alfrida, Florian A., Louis M., Aquilla W., Francis N., Laura E., and Mary S. Mr. R. is a member of the M. E. Church; and with the exception of about $300, has accumulated his wealth by hisown industry and economy.
RYAN, L. H., farmer and stock raiser, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in New York State, May 15, 1849, and at two years of age went with his father, John Ryan, to Syracuse. N. Y .; and at the age of seventeen, to Iroquois county, Ill. His early life was spent mostly in town, where he received his education in the common schools. In the fall of 1873 he came to this county, remained a few months, then went to Kansas and remained about six years; then returned to this county, where he has sinee resided. Mr. R. owns a fine farin of 240 acres, under a good state of enltivation; one of the best barns in the county, 44x80, and 24 feet high, with brick basement, costing $3,000. Hle is extensively engaged in raising grain and stoek, his sales in cighteen months past amounting to $4,500. He was married in August, 1875, to Mrs. Margretta Stokes, of this township. They have two children, Flora Maud and Olive May.
SHINN, BENJAMIN, farmer, section 7, postoffice Moulton; was born May 26, 1807, in New Jersey, oldest child of Daniel and Mary Shinn. At the age of seven years, he moved with his parents to Clermont county, Ohio, and about eight years later to Pike county, Illinois, being one of the first settlers of that county. His early life was spent on the farm, and attending the common school. In the fall of 1853, he arrived in this county, and settled on his present farm, a portion of which he bought from the government. He was married in 1827, to Miss Charlotte Cooper, a native of Pike county, Ili-
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
nois, and they had twelve children: William, Mary J., John, Elizabeth, Ra- chel, James, David, Benjamin W., Charlotte, Henrietta, Sarah and Isaiah. Mrs S. was born in 1810, and died March 13, 1852. Mr. S. married again in October, 1853. Rebecea Jackson, of Pike connty, Illinois, and they have had eight children: Nancy, Henry, Jacob, Thomas, Preston, Daniel, Steven A. D., Jesse, and a babe, deceased: John enlisted in the Sixteenth Illinois In- fantry, and died soon after coming home. Mr. S. is located on a good farm of 210 acres, mostly improved. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics is a greenbacker. Three of the children are living at home, Dan- iel, Steven and Jessie.
SHORT, J. M., farmer, section 11, postoffice West Grove; was born June 29, 1832, in Switzerland county. Indiana, the third child of Joseph and Frances. At the age of five years, he moved with his parents to Madison, Indiana, and in 1846, moved to Ripley county where he lived till 1861. His early youth was spent in town and receiving an education, at Madison. In 1861, he moved to Decatur county, Indiana, and engaged in farming about eight years, and in the spring of 1869, he came to this connty and purchased his present farm in West Grove township, which he has since made his home. It contains 180 acres of fine land, with good residence, barn, and orehard of 250 trees. He was married October 23, 1856, to Miss Mary Chester, of Ripley county, Indiana. They have had nine children : Charles T., Joseph W., James T., Ira N., Fanny, Nettie, Edgar L., Jenny, and one deceased. Mr. Short and wife and three eldest sons, are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a republican.
SMITH, ABRAHAM, farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born in Le- roy, Genessee county, N. Y., November 20, 1816; and when gnite young moved with his father, John Smith, to Mercer county, Penn., where they lived abont five years; then moved to New Hampshire for seven years; then to Kennebeck county, Maine; and eight years later returned to Mereer eonnty, Penn .; then to Ritchie county, Virginia, until 1865. In the spring of that year he came and settled on his present farm in this county. He was raised a farmer, and when he reached twenty-one, he engaged in the milling business, and followed it for twenty-seven years. Mr. S. is now lo- eated on a good farm of 320 acres, well improved. He was married in July, 1838, in Mereer county, Pa., to Emma H. Arnold. They had four children: Lydia, Levi, Emma and a babe. Mrs. S. died April 29. 1850, and Mr. S. was married again in March, 1852, to Rosanna Stuart, of Ritchie county, Virginia They had six children: Mandy, Ann, Abraham, Chauneey, Mary, and Renanna. In the latter part of June, 1863, his family was taken with small-pox, his son bringing it home from the army. He remained with his family alone during this time, seven days and nights, no one coming near, not even a doctor; the neighbors leaving food at his saw mill, not far away. His wife and son Channeey died. Mr. S. married again April 10, 1867, Lotisa Jane Montgomery, of Schuyler county, Mo. Mr. S. is a member of the M. E. Church; he is a good neighbor and commands the respeet of all.
SMITH, D. D., farmer, seetion 11, postoffice West Grove; was born An- gust 16, 1820, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Here he grew to manhood, his early life being spent on the farm, and obtaining a common sehool edu- cation. In 1842, he moved to Eayette county, Ohio, where he lived twelve years, then, in the fall of 1854, came to Van Buren eonnty, Iowa, where he resided eleven years; then came to this county, and bought the farm he has sinee called home; consisting of 260 aeres, under good cultivation. He was
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
married September 11, 1842, to Miss S. A. Bryson, and they have had eleven children; Anna E., wife of J. B. Henry ; James A., Charles E., Mary F., David N., Sherman S. and five deceased; William H., born August 31, 1845, enlisted in November, 1864, in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, and died at Huntsville, Alabama, January 25, 1865. Mr. S. and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and in polities, he is a greenbacker.
STOCKBARGER, F., stock-dealer, postoffice West Grove; was born November 30, 1845, in Knox county, Ohio, where he lived about nine years, when his parents, John and Mary, moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where they resided till 1875. His youth was spent helping on the farm and acquiring a common school education. In the spring of 1875, he came to West Grove, Iowa, and engaged in farming about three years, then moved to West Grove station, and began buying stock; and during the last year he has bought 8,000 or 10,000 hogs besides cattle and sheep. He was married November 6, 1864, to Miss Hannah Herring, of Fulton county, Ohio. They have two children: Minnie and May. Mr. Stockbarger is an Odd Fellow, a member of West Grove Lodge, No. 239, and a man highly respected.
STOKES, SAMUEL, deceased, was born in Cumberland county, Penn., December 2, 1821, where he resided till 1849, when he moved to Marion county, Ohio. In 1865, he came to this county and settled in West Grove. He learned the cooper trade and followed it a number of years, then engaged in farming. He was married in April, 1847, to Miss Cathie Eekard, of Pennsylvania. They had five children: John, deceased, S. G. W., Maryetta, Emma, and Maria L., deceased. Mr. Stokes died June 13, 1877. S. G. W. STOKES, second son of the above, was born in Marion county, Ohio, January 11, 1853, and came to this eonnty in 1865. His early youth was spent in assisting on the farm, and getting an edneation. Mr. S. is located on a fine farm of 385 acres, most of it under enltivation, and has one of the best resi- dences in the township. He was married December 25, 1877, to Miss Ken- ella Goddard, of this county. They have one daughter, Mamie Lenore. Mr. S. is a member of Odd Fellows lodge No. 239, and in polities is a greenbacker.
STONER, EDWARD, farmer, section 22, postoffice West Grove; was born May 5, 1833, in Pennsylvania. When quite young he moved with his parents, to Ashland county, Ohio, where he lived till 1850. He was raised on a farm and received a limited education. In 1850, he came to Jefferson county, lowa, where he lived about eleven years, when he came to this county and settled on his present farm in 1870. He enlisted in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, company H, in 1863; was in Sherman's army in Tennessee from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and was captured and taken to Andersonville prison and held a prisoner seven months; then exchanged and returned home. In 1870 he came on his present farm where he has since resided. He is located on a good farm of 220 aeres, well improved. He was married in February, 1870, to Miss Mary Colliver, daughter of Andrew Colliver. They have two children: Jefferson P. and Salena.
TORRENCE, S. G., farmer, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in what is now the District of Columbia, March 24, 1816; and while quite young moved with his father, John, to Fleming county, Ky., where he lived four- teen years, his early life being spent on the farm and receiving an education in the common schools. On the 24th day of September, 1850, he arrived in Davis county, settling on his present farm in a log cabin, with thirty acres broke. Ile now owns 150 aeres under good cultivation, with comfortable
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
house and barn. He was married in November, 1839, to Miss Matilda D. Dugand, of Hendricks county, Ind. They have had eleven children: Sarah, John, Amanda, James, George, Ellen, Samuel P. and four deceased: Ada- line, Wm., Chas. W. and Marion. Mr. T. is a member of the M. E. Church, and of the Grange. In polities he is an independent democrat.
WHITE, ANDREW, deceased, was born December 28, 1808, in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, and when twelve years old moved to Franklin .county, Indiana, where he lived till 1857, in the spring of that year coming to Iowa, and settling on the home farm in this township, where he resided till his decease, July 2, 1872. He was a member of the M. E. Church. DE- LIAH WHITE, widow of Andrew; was born June 24, 1809, in Franklin coun- ty, Indiana, and was married to Andrew White July 4, 1829, and they had eleven children: James M., Charles C., David O., Albert R., Hiram E., In- diana, and five deceased. Mrs. W. is a member in good standing in the M. E. Church. II. E. WHITE was born July 25, 1853, in Ripley county, Indi- ana. In 1857, he came to Iowa with his parents, and settled in this county; being reared on a farm, and receiving a common school education. He was married August 14, 1873, to Miss Allie J. Mach, of this county, and they have three children: John A., Ernest L. and Bertie F. Mr. W. is located on a fine farm of 100 acres. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics, is a greenbacker. He is well respected and highly esteemed, wherever he is known.
WILSON, B. F., farmer, postoffice Bloomfield; was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1832, the eldest son of James and Jane Wilson, who moved to Steubenville Ohio, when he was quite young. At the age of six- teen his father died, and about two years after, he removed to Richfield, Ohio, and at the nineteen to Bellville, and two years later to White Pigeon. In the summer of 1855, he came to Bloomfield, and one year later to Perry township, where he lived eight years, working at his trade, and in 1869. came to his present home. He has a good farm of 160 acres well improved, with good residence, ete. He was married in September 1858, to Miss May Atkinson, of Ringgold county, Iowa. They had one child, Harry. Mrs. W. died December 24, 1859, and Mr. W. was married again March 7, 1862, to Miss Mary J. Place, of this county. They have had nine children: Web- ster W., Frank, James, Henry, Anna, Charles, Edward, Fred, and one de- ceased. Mr. W. has been assessor and member of the school board, he is a member of the masonic order, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in polities is a greenbaeker.
WORKMAN, JOSEPH, deceased, was born March 28, 1823, in May- nard county, Illinois, a son of John and Melinda. He there grew to man- hood on the farm, and received his education in the common schools; Feb- ruary 23, 1845, he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and two years later came to this county, there being only four settlers in this township when he arrived. He was married February 23, 1845, to Sarah Harding, a native of Kentucky, born June 1, 1823, who, when she was three years old, came to Illinois, with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. W. were blessed with eight chil- dren; Martin H., Joseph A., William, John M. C. L., Sinah, S. J. and Levi. Mr. W. lived in this township till his death; living and dying an humble Christian.
WORKMAN, MARTIN H., son of the above, farmer, postoffice West Grove; was born June 23, 1848, in this county; his youth being spent on the farm and in acquiring an education. He was married April 12, IS65, to
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HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Miss Martha Pryor, daughter of John Pryor, and immediately started over land for the Pacific coast; being on the road six months and five days, and after residing some time in California and Oregon, he returned home to this township, where he now resides. He is an enterprising farmer, having bought the first self-binder and the first steam thresher in the county, and made a great success with them. He is the father of six children: Joseph, Ida May, Mary J., John W., James M. and Barton.
WRAY, W. M., farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice West Grove; was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, December 3, 1840. When five years of age, his father, Hon. J. M. Wray, moved to this county. Here he has since re- sided, being raised a farmer, and edneated in the common schools. He is. the owner of a nice farm of eighty aeres, well improved. He was married March 20, 1864, to Miss Cinta Reeves, of this county. They had two ehil- dren, Minnie C. and James R. Mrs. W. died August 3, 1867, and Mr. W. was married again October 16, 1870, to Angeline F. Patterson, of this eoun- ty. They have four children: Almy J., Lola H., Lovina J. and Rose Olive. Mr. and Mrs. Wray are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. W. is an Odd Fellow, and in politics is a democrat. He has been township. treasurer, and gave entire satisfaction; being upright and square in his deal- ings, he has the respeet of every one.
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