USA > Iowa > Decatur County > History of Decatur County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
Mr. Rew is a democrat and is stanch in his support of the principles and candidates of that party. Fraternally he is quite well known, belonging to the local organizations of the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are members of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day
215
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Saints and they take a helpful interest in its work. From boyhood Mr. Rew has been an indefatigable worker and his present prosperity is due to his own industry and good management. His business deal- ings have always been straightforward and honorable and he holds the respect and good will of all who have come in contact with him.
GEORGE O. JOHNSTON.
George O. Johnston, of Richland township, has served as a teacher in the rural schools of Decatur county for twenty-seven years, a record not equalled by any other teacher of the county. He is widely known and holds a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens. His birth occurred in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 25, 1859, and he is a son of Peter and Susan (Pigman) Johnston. His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but in 1841 emigrated to the United States, making his way to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He gained financial prosperity and was also quite influential in public affairs. His political belief was that of the republican party and he held membership in the Baptist church. During the Civil war he served in the Fifty-first Iowa Infantry and was at the front for four years, participating in a number of important battles. His colonel was Judge Stanley Matthews, of Cincinnati. Mr. Johnston died in 1880 when fifty-two years of age. His wife was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Rebecca Pigman, natives respectively of Connecticut and of Coshocton county, Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was celebrated on the 16th of March, 1858. Twenty-one years later she passed away at the age of forty-two. To their union were born six children: George O .; James Riley, who died in 1878; Rachel Luella, the wife of Tully Moorman, a resident of Ashland county, Ohio; Gilbert H., who is living in Davis City, this county; Cora May, who became the wife of William Thomas, of Ashland, Ohio, and who was called to her last rest in 1910; and David L.
George O. Johnston passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and attended the district schools in the pursuit of his education. In 1886 he removed to Decatur county, Iowa, and for four months was employed upon a farm. At the end of that time he began teaching in Iowa county but in the spring of 1887 returned to Decatur county, where he has since taught for twenty- seven years. He has taught in eleven townships of this county and Vol. II-13
216
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
for one year taught in Ringgold county. He is a very enthusiastic worker, taking commendable pride in his excellent record as a teacher, and expects to continue in the profession until he has taught for three decades. He has found much pleasure in his work and derives satis- faction from the knowledge that he is serving his community well in instructing its boys and girls, in guiding their mental development and in aiding them to form habits of industry and accuracy.
On the 20th of March, 1887, Mr. Johnston married Miss Lydia A. McMorris, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1868 and came to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1880, with her mother, the family settling on a farm south of Leon. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have a daughter, Nora, who was born in Eden township, November 26, 1892, and is engaged in teaching.
Mr. Johnston is a republican but has never taken an active part in politics. He has served as clerk of Eden township and as secre- tary of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he is a deacon, and they take a prominent part in the work of that organization. They are highly respected by all who know them.
MALAY McDONALD.
Malay McDonald, who was one of the most prominent and influen- tial of the early settlers of Bloomington township, was at one time the owner of one thousand acres of fine land. His birth occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on the 16th of May, 1823, and he was a son of James C. McDonald, who was in turn a son of Thomas McDonald. The last named was born in Scotland and on emigrating to the United States settled in Botetourt county, Virginia, where his son James C. was born. The latter was married in Tennessee to Miss Mary Ann Melvin, also a native of the Old Dominion, and they took up their residence in Kentucky, whence, about 1806, they removed to Ross county, Ohio. Three or four years later they settled in Madison county, that state, where they lived for many years. They had a large family, of whom seven grew to maturity.
Malay McDonald, who was the youngest child, was educated in the subscription schools in Madison county and early in life became familiar with agricultural pursuits. He continued to reside in his native county until 1850, when, with his family, he removed to Iowa. The first winter was spent at Muscatine, but in the following spring
217
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
the family removed to a farm, where they resided for four years. On the 22d of May, 1855, they arrived in Bloomington township, Decatur county, and the father purchased several hundred acres of land from Matthew McClain. At that time there were only about seven families in that township and the greater part of the land was yet unbroken. Mr. McDonald acquired more land and accumulated altogether about one thousand acres, upon which he engaged in stock- raising and feeding on an extensive scale. He owned a fine farm adjoining Kellerton and at length he took up his abode in that town. He passed away September 8, 1895, and his demise was sincerely regretted by all who knew him.
Mr. McDonald was married on the 9th of March, 1843, to Miss Mary Ferguson, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1824, and who is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Biggert) Ferguson. To this union were born the following children: Margaret Ann; George, who was a soldier in the Civil war and who died while at home on furlough from the effects of a wound received in battle; E. W .; and one who died in infancy. Mr. McDonald was an independent republican and served for one term as county supervisor and for three terms as township trustee and assessor. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Decatur City. He was a man of much force of character and energy and also possessed excellent business ability, and it was but natural that he should be one of the foremost citizens of Decatur county. After removing to Kellerton he was recognized as one of the leaders in Ringgold county and his death was the occasion of much sincere grief.
HON. ELIJAH BANTA.
Although Hon. Elijah Banta of Lamoni passed away in 1889, there are many who remember him well and the influence of his life is still felt in Decatur county. He was for one term a representative in the state legislature of Iowa and was prominent in local political affairs. He was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, of Holland Dutch descent, on the 5th of January, 1823, a son of Peter A. and Mary (Voorhies) Banta, natives of Ohio. The mother died in 1828 and on the 29th of November, of the following year, the father removed with his family to Johnson county, Indiana, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his demise in 1851. .
218
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Elijah Banta was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children who grew to maturity, six boys and four girls. He grew to manhood in Johnson county, Indiana, but was married in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1846. A year or two following his marriage he returned to Johnson county, Indiana, and remained there until 1865. In 1864 he was elected to the general assembly of In- diana on the republican ticket and was the first republican elected from his district to the legislature. Moreover when elected county auditor he was the first successful republican candidate. In the spring of 1865 he removed to Sandwich, Illinois, leaving Indiana one year before his term in the legislature expired. He resided at Sand- wich until he came to Decatur county, Iowa, where he continued to live until his demise. He was the first president and manager of the Colonization Society, which was incorporated in 1871, and in the fall of that year he visited Decatur county, Iowa, with the late David Dancer and I. L. Rogers. The three men were agents for the First United Order of Enoch and purchased thirty-three hundred acres of land in Decatur county, the object being the founding of a colony of Latter Day Saints. In 1872 members of that church began to settle upon the tract of land purchased by Mr. Banta, Mr. Dancer and Mr. Rogers, and the colony soon became an important factor in the life of Decatur county. The further history of the development of the settlement is given in the historical volume of this work. Mr. Banta erected a number of houses on the company's lands and re- mained in charge of the interests of the company as president until 1876, when he was succeeded by David Dancer. Mr. Banta became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 12, Fayette township, which he cultivated and improved and on which he resided until 1882. He then built a fine residence in Lamoni, which is now the Children's Home, and continued to live there until his demise. He also owned a stock farm comprising eight hundred acres in New Buda township and was one of the men of wealth of Lamoni.
Not long after his removal to Decatur county Mr. Banta became recognized as an important factor in local political circles and in 1872 took an active part in the campaign as a liberal republican, support- ing Horace Greeley for president. In 1876, however, he avowed himself a democrat and in that campaign supported Tilden and Hen- dricks. Without his consent or knowledge he was nominated by the greenback party for the office of county supervisor and, as this nomination was indorsed by the democrats, he was elected by a fair majority, running ahead of the state ticket. Although he was not in full accord with the liquor policy of the democratic party, which
219
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
had not then adopted the local option plank, in 1883 Mr. Banta was nominated as the democratic candidate for state representative. He was elected to that office, leading the state ticket in Decatur county by one hundred and eighty-nine votes. Upon the expiration of his term he wished to retire from political life, but against his will was almost elected mayor of Lamoni in March, 1886. In all of his public service he placed the general welfare before personal aggrandize- ment and his record was highly creditable.
Mr. Banta was married in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of October, 1846, to Miss Emeline Campbell, a sister of Mrs. Marietta Walker, of Lamoni, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Banta passed away in Decatur county on the 14th of May, 1876, when forty-nine years of age. On the 29th of Novem- ber, 1877, Mr. Banta married Miss Hattie E. Crosby, who was then living near Chatfield, Minnesota, although she was born in the state of New York. They became the parents of four children, as follows: William Elijah died when nine months old. Mary Crosby is residing in Lamoni. Ethel Margaret is a critic and training teacher for kindergarteners in the State Normal School at Moorehead, Minnesota. Albert Jefferds, a graduate of the State University of Iowa, is a civil engineer residing at Houston, Texas. He married Miss Jessie Pit- kin, of Lamoni, Iowa, and they have two sons, Albert Maurice and William.
Mr. Banta was one of the most prominent and influential mem- bers of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints in this part of Iowa and for years was treasurer of the board of publication of the Saints' Herald. He also held the office of bishop's counselor and the work of the church felt the impetus of his enthusiasm and intense interest in everything pertaining to moral advancement. As an agri- culturist and business man he was very successful, as a man of public affairs he was characterized by devotion to the welfare of the people and by sound judgment, and in the private relations of life he mani- fested traits of character that endeared him to those who knew him intimately.
WILLIAM BIGGS.
Among the prominent citizens of Leon is William Biggs, retired farmer, merchant and minister of the gospel. His birth occurred in Licking county, Ohio, May 24, 1844, and he is a son of James W. and
1
-
220
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
Susan Ann (Stewart) Biggs, the latter being a descendant of the royal house of Stewarts of Scotland. The birth of the father oc- curred on the 15th of January, 1814, in Fauquier county, Virginia, and there the mother was born on the 7th of April, 1809. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject, James Biggs, was born in England but soon after the Revolutionary war emigrated to America and set- tled in Fauquier county, Virginia. His brother, William Biggs, who also lived in Virginia for some time, returned to England and is thought to have left a large estate there.
The marriage of James W. Biggs and Susan Ann Stewart was solemnized in Fauquier county, Virginia, on the 24th of February, 1834. Subsequently they removed to Licking county, Ohio, where Mr. Biggs engaged in farming and preaching, being a minister of the Primitive Baptist church, serving without compensation. He passed away at his home on the 14th of May, 1862, but was survived by his widow until November 20, 1893. They were well known among the pioneers of central Ohio and were highly esteemed and respected. To their union were born seven children: Lucy A., who has passed away; Rebecca, residing at Pleasanton, Iowa; William; Phylena, de- ceased; James, a resident of Marion county, Ohio; and Mary E. and Sarah C., both of whom are deceased.
William Biggs attended the public schools in his native county and received a good education. He at one time thought of fitting himself for teaching, but as his father died when he was but eighteen years of age it was necessary for him to give up that plan. He re- mained at home with his mother and had charge of the farm of ninety-four acres, about half of which was under cultivation when his father died. It being timber land there was a large sugar camp of hard maple trees which was used to supply sugar and molasses for the family. There was an abundance of fruit on the farm and with the practical application of mind and muscle there was a good liv- ing provided on this small piece of land for the family. When in his twenty-first year he left home and came to Iowa to visit a sister. He met Miss Caroline Clark, and after a brief courtship they were engaged to be married.
Mr. Biggs left Decatur county and during the summer of 1865 lived in Des Moines. Returning in November he was married on the 30th of that month to Miss Caroline Clark, daughter of John and Margaret Clark of Morgan township, Decatur county. This mar- riage was solemnized at Leon, Iowa, by Elder J. C. Porter, of the Christian church, in the old Brown Hotel. As life in a new country did not suit Mr. Biggs he took his bride to Ohio, but her parents
221
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
desired to have her closer to them and offered to give the young couple eighty acres of land just north of the Clark homestead if they would return. In 1866 Mr. Biggs came again to this county and lived for a time with the parents of Mrs. Biggs. He worked in the woolen mill operated by his father-in-law. 'There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Biggs: Edmond, who resides in Leon, Iowa; Cora Biggs Custer, who resides in Bethany, Missouri; Nora, who resides in Los Angeles, California; Dora, who died aged two months and twenty-one days.
In the fall of 1866 Mr. Biggs erected a three room house on his eighty acres and began clearing his land. He also purchased ten acres of white oak timber land and personally split from six to seven thou- sand rails, which he had to haul home three miles. With these rails he fenced his land and in time his place was well improved and under cultivation. For a number of years he rented land from his father- in-law, which he farmed, and in the meantime cleared and developed his own place. Subsequently he purchased another eighty acres of land adjoining, and with the aid of his son Edward began stock- raising extensively, but poor health made it necessary for him to give up farming. In 1889 he purchased thirty-nine acres adjoining the town of Leon, which he improved and upon which he located. In 1899 he bought and built his present residence in Leon. Since giving up agricultural pursuits he has concentrated his attention largely upon the work of the ministry, having made a confession of his faith in Christ when he was twenty-three years old. He belongs to the Primitive Baptist church and has preached over a large section of country and without receiving any salary. He has an extensive Bible reference library and is recognized as a thorough student of the Bible and a deep thinker along religious lines. He has made a care- ful study of theology and is a contributor to the Messenger of Peace, published at St. Joseph, Missouri, and Spiritual Law Counsel, pub- lished at Salem, Virginia.
Mr. Biggs has had much to do with the commercial and financial growth of Leon and everything he has undertaken has prospered. In 1895 he erected a two story brick building upon a lot which Mrs. Biggs owned on the north side of the public square and opened a gen- eral store known as C. Biggs & Company, with G. W. Custer as general manager, who three years later was succeeded by Mr. Biggs' son Edward as manager.
In 1899 Mr. Biggs purchased a lot on the northwest corner of the square and erected a fine two story brick building, fifty by ninety feet in dimensions, and the following year the store was moved to that
.
222
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
building. In 1909 the business was sold to Wasson & Company, who sold to F. N. Hansell, who still rents the building from Mr. Biggs. In 1907 Mr. Biggs built adjoining this structure a building fifty by ninety feet, now occupied by the Stewart Furniture & Undertaking Company. Mr. Biggs owned a lot on Commercial street in Leon, and the city being in need of water for public use, he hired a well driller and drilled to the sandstone formation over eight hundred feet, at a cost of over two thousand dollars, and got an abundance of water. He sold one-half interest to Mr. Dorn of Leon and they dug a cistern sixteen by thirty feet, installed a pressure tank, then Mr. Biggs sold all of his interest to Mr. Dorn at a loss of about fifty per cent of the cost, which was about three thousand six hundred dollars, including the cost of the lot. The city purchased the lot and drilled a larger well, which affords an abundance of the best water. What Mr. Biggs lost the city gained.
In 1911 Mr. Biggs went to California purchased a lot fifty-three by one hundred and fifty-two feet in Los Angeles, and erected a two- story flat thereon, where he and is family live when in the Golden state. In 1914 he erected an apartment house containing six suites on the same lot.
In the late '90s Mr. Biggs sold out his entire interests in Morgan township and invested in farm land on the Leon and Davis City road, three miles from Leon. In 1895 his wife fell heir to her father's estate and the money which she received was invested in mercantile business and in one hundred and twenty acres of land in Center town- ship, adjoining the corporation of Leon. In the fight to remove the county seat of Decatur county from Leon to Decatur city, Mr. Biggs took an active part in the contest, was influential in retaining the county seat for Leon and was the originator of the movement to build the fine new courthouse.
In his political belief he is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment rather than at the behest of a party leader. He has accomplished much in his life along material lines and is one of the prominent men of Decatur county, while his activities have also resulted in the growth and development of Leon.
He has also achieved much as a minister of the gospel and his work has been a potent force in the building up of the kingdom of Christ. His has been indeed a well balanced life and financial suc- cess has gone hand in hand with religious zeal and loyalty to the teachings of Christ and Christianity.
This sketch will not be complete without mentioning Mrs. Biggs as a true helpmate in doing her part faithfully during almost fifty
223
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
years of their married life. The reader should read the thirty- first chapter of Proverbs, beginning at the tenth verse to the close of the chapter. This teaches the possibility of a true woman. Also the first Psalm tells us of the possibilities of a man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. Mr. Biggs has never joined any secret order, as he believes he is under obligations to be just and fair to all men without respect of persons. The only protection is in the God that he serves.
CAPTAIN JEFFERSON MILLER.
Captain Jefferson Miller devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and won a gratifying measure of prosperity. He was born in In- diana on the Ist of January, 1826, a son of Valentine and Elizabeth Miller, who were pioneers of the Hoosier state, where the father car- ried on farming. He passed away during the Mexican war. Our subject was reared and received his education in his native state but in early manhood removed to Harrison county, Missouri, when this region was still largely a frontier district. Subsequently he came to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1881, and purchased land, which he operated for many years. He bought ninety acres in Hamilton township, a part of which tract is now within the city limits of Pleasanton and the rest adjoins the town. He continued to follow agricultural pur- suits until his demise, which occurred on the 19th of March, 1909, when he was eighty-three years of age. He was industrious and prac- tical and his labors yielded him a good income.
Captain Miller married Miss Cleopatra Scott, a daughter of Mar- tin and Elizabeth (Samuels) Scott, natives of Kentucky, who became pioneers of Indiana, where the father farmed until his death, March 19, 1910. Captain and Mrs. Miller became the parents of eight chil- dren, three of whom are deceased, the others being: F. Pierce, at home; Eveline, the wife of Charles Burnau, a resident of Kansas; Hattie, who married George W. Sample, of Mercer county, Missouri; Mintes, who is living in Harrison county, Missouri; and Philip Sheridan, a resident of Clinton, that state.
Captain Miller was a republican and was loyal in his support of that party but never sought public office. His patriotism, however, was manifested by his service in two wars, for on the 19th of April, 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican war, being assigned to Company D, Third United States Dragoons. Later when the country became in-
224
HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY
volved in Civil war he enlisted in Company M, Third Iowa Regi- ment, and subsequently became captain of Company E, Twelfth Mis- souri Cavalry. He was a gallant and fearless officer and was a man who commanded the respect and esteem of those with whom he came in contact. He held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and in days of peace was as true to his country's interests as in time of war.
JESSE A. MILLIGAN.
Jesse A. Milligan has laid much of the cement walk in Davis City and still takes contracts for such work occasionally. He was born in La Salle, Illinois, on the 19th of April, 1846, a son of John and Mary (Groves) Milligan, natives of Ohio. They became residents of Illi- nois in an early day in the history of that state and the father, who was a Methodist Episcopal minister, had much to do with the estab- lishment and development of that denomination in the Prairie state. He passed away in Livingston county, Illinois, in 1852 and in 1853 his wife followed him to the great beyond.
Jesse A. Milligan was thrown upon his own resources at a very early age and although he attended school in Illinois to some extent the greater part of his education has been acquired outside of the schoolroom. In 1860 he came to Decatur county and was employed as a farm hand until August 22, 1862, when, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted at Garden Grove in Company C, Ninth Iowa Vol- unteer Cavalry. He served until February 28, 1866, when he was given his honorable discharge from the service. On the 10th of June, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Gum Springs, Arkansas, and was held for six months, being exchanged on the following Christmas. He rejoined his regiment and continued with that command until dis- charged. He then returned to Decatur county and was employed as a farm hand for some time. At length he rented land which he operated until 1883, but in that year he removed to Davis City and went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He was in the track department of that company for twenty years but at the end of that time abandoned railroading and accepted the posi- tion of caring for the school buildings in Davis City. He has laid most of the cement sidewalks in Davis City and still occasionally does work of that character.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.