USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 103
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
1122
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
John Mills was born in New Jersey, in 1825. At the age of seventeen he moved with his father, John Mills, Sr., to Pennsyl- vania, where he made a stay of about seven years. From there he came to Floyd County, Iowa, in 1851. He took a claim of 300 aeres where he still resides, one mile and a half west of Marble Rock. He owns 400 acres of Floyd County's best land. Has his farm all under the best of improvements and cultivation; it is all fenced and spaced into fields with board and wire fencing. About the year 1864 he built himself a fine barn. In the year 1875 he built the best house in the township, if not in the county; it is 30 x 36, two stories high, ten feet between floors, containing ten fine large rooms. He has not neglected the inside of his house, as is sometimes the case, but has it furnished entire with choice furni- ture. His surroundings are ornamented and beautified with shade trees and ornamental shrubs, so that it presents one of the finest scenes to the passer-by that can be met with in a month's travel. When we take into consideration the beautiful location of the land, the number of acres and quality of soil, anl pleasant residence, we fearlessly proclaim it one of the grandest properties in all the Northwest. Mr. Mills crops yearly about 180 acres himself, besides what he rents out. In addition to his extensive farming, he deals quite extensively in hogs and sheep. Mr. Mills was mar- ried in Butler County, Feb. 19, 1857, to Miss Eliza Phillips, a native of Ohio, but a resident of Iowa. They have a family of seven children living-Patience, married Samuel C. Kide, and resides in Scott Township; Katic, U. S. Grant, Tilla E., Truman A., Asa and Mamie.
Moore & Puddleford .- The firm of Moore & Paddleford was organized Sept. 1, 1878. Mr. William Moore and J. F. Paddle- ford purchased of Shepardson Brothers the yard and lumber, which amounted to about 250,000 feet of lumber, and 300,000 shingles, and 100,000 of lath. They have found the business rather pleas- ant and tolerably lucrative. They sell about 600 car loads a year, 10,000 feet to the car, besides about from 3,000 to 5,000 shingles, and abont 400,000 lath, doing a business of about $40,000 a year. Mr. Paddleford, the junior partner of the firm, was born in Dodge County, Wis., in 1855. In 1865 he came to Floyd County with his father, Charles Paddleford, who was by avocation a farmer, and made his home at Nora Springs four years, when he moved to his farm in Union Township and remained till his death, which oc- curred in 1874. From this event till the date of his partnership
1123
UNION TOWNSHIP.
with Mr. Moore, J. F. Paddleford was engaged in carrying on the farm and settling up his father's estate. On the 4th day of June, 1878, Mr. J. F. Paddleford met with an accident that is not only a life-long sadness, but a harrowing thought to him still, as his mind reverts to it. He was placing a strap upon a fast-running wheel, in a grain elevator, when his right hand was caught by a projecting set screw and wound round the shaft backward, crush- ing the bones of the hand and arm as it went. When rescued his right arm was severed from his body almost up to the elbow. Similar accidents have almost universally discouraged young men of his age, who have drifted, as it were, out to sea. But he has manfully made the best of all circumstances and schooledhimself to write with his left hand, having already a good business educa - tion, and we find him to-day among the first business men of Mar- ble Rock.
W. M. Moore was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Ang. 11, 1830. He was a son of Wm. and Catharine Moore. At the age of twenty-five he went to Dodge County, Wis., where he engaged in the milling business, and remained about twelve years, running a saw and grist mill about ten years of the time. In the year 1867 he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in Nora Springs, where, in company with Charles Paddleford, he bought the town site of Nora Springs, and erected the grist mill which is still extant and in good order. The year following they built a double store, and rented it to parties who engaged in the mercantile business. Prior to the erection of these buildings the town contained only three or four residences, but after this event the town began to grow rapidly, and soon became a lively village, the railroad soon pass- ing through the place. In this project Messrs. Moore & Paddle- ford were deeply interested, being among the chief donators to the county. In 1869 they sold the mill, and Mr. Moore moved to Marble Rock, where we find him a citizen at this writing. The first four years in Marble Rock were spent by him in the mercan- tile business. The three years following were spent at Moose Lake, Minn., in the manufacture of shingles. At the expiration of this time he returned to Marble Rock and engaged in the lumber busi- ness, in company with Fredric Paddleford, a son of the Mr. Pad- dleford with whom he was in partnership in Nora Springs. An account of their business will be found in this work. In connec- tion with the lumber business, Mr. Moore formerly owned 1,000 acres in Floyd County, but has sold the most of it, reserving about
1124
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
160 acres adjoining the town of Marble Rock. He owns a beauti- ful town property. He has for the past four or five years been interested in the elevator company. Mr. Moore is a man of large business experience, and his business career has had a decided effect upon the town of Marble Rock, as well as the county. He has been one of the drive wheels of the business community. He was always ready to invest his money wherever it promised a good in- vestment for the advancement of the town and community. In a word, we may say Mr. Moore deserves the credit of being the prime mover in the best interests of the pleasant village of Marble Rock, and as he bids the town good-bye, and takes up his abode in California his loss will be deeply felt by his fellow townsmen, and his labors be fully appreciated by those who remain behind. Mr. Moore was married in New York State, in 1851, to Christine Harroun, a na- tive of New York State. She died in 1854, leaving no family. He married his second wife, Cynthia Sweet, in 1857. They have only one child-Charles, now twenty years of age. He has been a life-long Republican and is a sound Prohibitionist.
A. Moore was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1836. About the year 1838 his parents moved to Du Page County, Ill., where they remained till their death. At about the age of twelve Mr. Moore commenced to do for himself, his parents both being dead. When about nineteen years of age he went to Nebraska in company with Ralph Mathews, where they took up a claim, which they soon after released and returned to Iowa, locating in Rockford in 1856. In 1857 he clerked in a store for a Mr. Mathews of that place, and worked some on his farm. In 1858 he purchased eighty acres in Rockford Township, which he afterward farmed for about four years, when he came to Marble Rock and engaged in the mercan - tile business, which he followed two years, when he took J. B. Shepardson in as a partner. The style of the firm remained Moore & Shepardson for two years, when Mr. Moore bought his partner's interest, and has since been conducting the business alone. Besides the store business he owns four cultivated farms, consisting in all of 320 acres, which he superintends, though worked by renters. He has recently sold eighty acres, breaking a nice block of 400 acres. For twelve years he was Postmaster, and has held several township offices, though he has never aspired to office, having always a good business of his own to look after. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Freemasons. He was married in Delaware County, Iowa, to Miss Margret Baldan, a native of
1125
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Indiana. They have had eight children, seven living-Jennie E., Ralph Mathews (deceased), Hattie E., Oscar E., Frank B., Fred I. and Henry Arthur. Mr. Moore has one of the grandest homes in the State. They have not neglected the inside of the house through extravagant outside improvements, but Mrs. Moore, with her natural ability as an artist, has adorned the walls and beautified their home.
Henry Neel was born in 1821, in Greene County, Pa., on the Monongahela River. Here he lived till he was about thirteen years of age, when he moved with his father, Thomas Neel, to Knox County, Ohio, in 1834. Here he remained till 1849, when he moved to Lee County, Ill., and remained there till the spring of 1882, when he became a citizen of Floyd County, moving upon the farm he purchased of Mr. Bucklin, the old Baltimore farm, March 13. Mr. Neel was married in 1845 to Margaret Austin, a native of England, but a resident of Illinois, where her father still resides, at the advanced age of eighty-three. Mr. Neel's family consists of eight living children, two died when nearly man and woman grown-Mary Jane, now the wife of Phil. Shultz, and a resident of Union Township; Martha Ellen, married William Daers, and lives in Saline County, Neb .; Sarah Ann, married Frank Bemar, and resides in Adams County, this State; Matilda Nora, married Robert Barr, and resides also in Saline County, Neb .; Adel, married James Barr, a resident of Union Township; John Henry, Margaret Elizabeth and Louella are single and reside at home. Mr. Neel hasrecently been introduced as a citizen of our county, but we welcome him heartily, and feel already an acquaint- ance through his representatives, his children, married and scattered through the West and in this county. Mr. Neel has been a pioneer all his life. In Ohio log huts greeted him, and many were extant at his departure. In Illinois the broad wild prairie with wide- stretched arms offered him a home. And now in this county, while in its infancy as it were, we find him joined hands and interests with those who in future years shall be known and read of as the strong-handed men of early days.
Mathias Nixt was born in Germany in 1831. He was a son of Paul and Susan Nixt, both born in Germany. At about the age of twenty-seven Mathias Nixt came to America, locating in Dubuque, Ia., where he spent about seven years; a part of the time he was in Clayton County. In 1865 he became a citizen of Floyd County. The first two years he rented land in Pleasant Grove Township.
1126
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
In 1864 he and his brother John bought 160 acres on section 1, Union Township. Upon this he moved in 1867, dividing it at about the same date. He built a good house and barn, and has changed the farm from raw prairie to a well-cultivated place. To this first purchase he has added different purchases, making in all 240 acres of Floyd County's best land. He has by his own exer- tions made his own property. He has wrung from the hard hand of toil an independence that places him among Floyd County's well-to-do and sound farmers. He was married in 1831 to Margaret Spelis, a native of Germany. They have five children-Anna, John, George, Katie and Maggie, all of whom are at home, except Maggie, who lives with his brother John. Mr. Nixt lost his wife in 1871, and married Terrace Adolph in 1875. They have a family of five children-Lena, Joseph, Simon, Nicholas and Mathias.
James O'Ilair was born in Dumfries, Scotland, Feb. 11, 1836. When a mere child he moved with his father, John O'Hair to Glas- gow, where the family remained till 1849, when they came to America, spending the first four months in New York City. From there they went to Utica, N. Y., where John O'Hair went into the dry-goods business, and James O'Hair clerked for him about two years. In the fall of 1851 they moved to Michigan, and bought a farm, where they lived about two years. At the expiration of this time the family again moved, this time to Illinois, near Rockford, where they bought a farm, and made that their home only about two years, when James O'Hair and his father came to Iowa, and bought the Eaton farm in St. Charles Township, this county, now owned by A. W. Cook. Here the family made their home till 1861, when they moved to Charles City. Here James O'Hair commenced to do for himself by engaging in the mercantile busi- ness, which avocation he pursued about five years, when he sold out and engaged in the saloon business, at which he continued about two years in Charles City, where his family still reside. In 1871 Mr. O'Hair opened a saloon in Marble Rock, where he is still in business. Mr. O'Hair was married in June, 1857, to Miss Eliza- beth Hill, of Rockford, Ill. They have a family of seven children living-Belle, a school-teacher; James, Jr., also a school-teacher; Mary Etta; Charles, a barber in Charles City; Anna, Lizzie and George. The younger children and Mary Etta are attending school. Mr. O'Hair believes firmly in education, and has fur- nished his family with the same, so that they are abundantly able to take care of themselves as soon as grown up. Politically Mr.
1127
UNION TOWNSHIP.
O'Hair is a Democrat, and takes a live interest in the politics of the day. His influence is strong, but not prevailing in a country so thickly settled with members of the opposite party.
A. Palmateer was born in Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1817. Here he made his home till he was about thirty-eight years of age, principally engaged in farming. Those were early days even in New York, and his school advantages were very much limited, though those who are acquainted with Mr. Palma- teer would never think but he was well educated. But unlike many men, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to inform himself, and is to-day[in advance of many who started out with fine opportunities. While in New York State he worked in a saw- mill quite a good deal, which required considerable writing and figuring. This gave him quite an opportunity in the way of a business education. From New York State he moved to Buffalo Township, Ogle County, Ill., where he resided about seventeen years. From there he came to Iowa and became a citizen of Floyd County in 1871. On the 15th day of May, the same year, he bought the fine farm of 160 acres where he still resides, about two miles northwest of the pleasant village of Greene, in Butler County. Upon this farm he has since lived, and has indeed a pleasant home. Mf. Palmateer was married in Delaware County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1842, to Miss Henrietta McKeel. Their family consists of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all still living - Electa married O. C. Roberts and resides in Butler County, near Greene ; Emeline married Jacob Potter, and resides in Butler County, also near Greene ; Horace is married, and resides in Kansas ; Salvenus, married and resides in Todd County, Minn .; Ransom is married, and resides in Butler County, east of Greene ; Sarah is the wife of Leet Buts, who is farming Mr. Palma- teer's place on shares ; Eva married Lewis Hart and resides in Butler County, about a mile and a half southwest of Greene ; Jesse and Mary, the two youngest children, are both single and at home. Politically he is a sound-headed, and life-long Jackson Democrat. Is morally opposed to all secret societies. Of Mr. Palmateer we wish to speak, as he is known to be a man of solid worth and substantial principles ; has broad and clear views upon all live issues of the day, and is not afraid to advance and defend them. He was what might be called a pioneer all his life, beginning in New York, through seventeen years in Illinois, and the remainder in Iowa.
1128
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
John B. Pooley, an Englishman, was born in Davenport, Dev- onshire, England, Jan. 23, 1854; his parents' names were John and Mary (Blake) Pooley. His early life was that in common with all English working lads, and when old enough, longings for a new and free country, where a poor man has equal rights with a rich. And so, in 1870, when in his seventeenth year, he came to the United States, and staid for eight years in Rockford, Ill. ; he moved to Floyd County in 1878, to this present locality. He married a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fiddick, her son marrying his sister, Rebecca Pooley, and all living on adjoining farms. A pleasant life must be theirs. Mr. Pooley is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Greene. He is cropping an average of corn, oats and tame grass, and we see no reason why Mr. Pooley may not regard his emigration in the light of a wise and profitable move- ment upon his part.
E. A. Rosenkrans was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1846. When about seven years of age he moved with his father, Abram Rosenkrans, to Illinois, where E. A. made his home, spending the most of his time as a dry-goods clerk. In the spring of 1869 he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in Marble Rock, where he has since resided. In the fall of 1870 he formed a partnership with J. W. Darland in the dry-goods business. They continued in business eighteen months, when Mr. Rosenkrans sold his interest in the stock to his partner and bought a stock of goods from Will- iam Moore, and was alone in the business about two years, when he formed a co-partnership with his father, who had just come from Illinois; this partnership still exists, under the firm name of E. A. Rosenkrans & Co. They keep a general store, complete in all departments. Mr. E. A. Rosenkrans was married July 12, 1870, to Miss Frankie Bissell, a native of Ohio; came to Iowa at an early date. They have two children-Harry and Gracie. Politically he is a Republican. Though not an aspirant for office, he has had to serve as Town Recorder after the incorporation of the village of Marble Rock, and is at present Street Commissioner. Is a member of the order of Freemasons.
N. Rosenkrans was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. When about twelve years of age he moved from that State to Illinois with his father, Abram Rosenkrans. Here N. Rosenkrans made his home till 1869, when he came to Floyd County, Ia., locating in Marble Rock. He purchased, in Union Township, 160 acres of land. Of this we sold eighty acres, and bought afterward forty acres, so
1129
UNION TOWNSHIP.
that he now owns a farm of 120 acres, which he farmed till the year 1881, when he rented it and formed a partnership with Samuel Rex in the butcher and meat-market business, in which avocation we find them still engaged. Mr. Rosenkrans was married in Floyd County in 1870 to Miss Emeline Comstock, a native of New York State. They have no family of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Hattie, who is now eighteen years of age and has made her home with them for the past ten years.
S. Rex was born in Summit County, O., in 1834 ; made his home with his father, Rudolph Rex, till he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Floyd County, Ia., in the fall of 1856. He came into possession of 160 acres of land through the gift of his father, who had purchased, in 1856, 1,200 acres in Union Township, this county. This he exchanged for 115 acres near Marble Rock, which he still owns and is farming. The first year after coming to this county he worked for his father; the next twenty years he was either a township or county officer, holding the positions of Constable and Deputy Sheriff. During this time he managed his farm and carried on quite a stroke of agriculture through kind help. In 1858 he purchased a half interest in a steam saw-mill in Marble Rock, and ran it two years, when he sold out, and turned his attention principally to farming, till the railroad came through, when he bought and shipped stock two years. Since then, and, in fact, we may say since 1857, he has been engaged in farming, but has coupled with it various branches of business. In November, 1881, he formed a partnership with N. Rosenkrans in a meat market, in which business they are still successfully engaged. Mr. Rex was married in Marble Rock, October, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Ackley, a native of New York State. She is a daughter of Mr. Ackley, who came to this county in an early day. Their family con- sists of nine children, four sons and five daughters. Politically Mr. Rex has been a Republican since his first vote, which was for John C. Fremont, in favor of temperance and approved the Amendment.
S. K. Shafer was born in Union County, O., in 1835. He was a son of Lemmiel and Jane (Kearney) Shafer. At about the age of sixteen he left the State of Ohio and went to Illinois, where he remained five years engaged in farming part of the time, and a while there was engaged in the manufacture of wagons and car- riages, which trade he learned in that State. From Illinois he went to Missouri where he purchased a farm and made his home thirteen
1130
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
years. From thence came to Iowa, locating in Floyd County, purchasing the farm of 160 acres where he still resides, in Union Township, on section 23. Upon this farm he has made many im- provements. Hle has turned it from a wild prairie to a pleasant home and fine farm. Built himself a fine house and has beantified his surroundings so that he has one of the finest homes in the Northi- west. Mr. Shafer has not only been what might be called a life- long pioneer, but has had his experience with the people of Mis- sonri at the breaking out of the war. For a time they did not dare say their souls were their own, but finally the appearance of sol- diers quieted matters to some extent, though fighting bushwhackers was a matter of daily occurrence. He has also had his experience on the plains with the red skins; was with one of Kit Carson's comrades for awhile. For about eight months Mr. Shafer was one of the Missouri home guards, one of the most dangerous positions a man was ever called upon to fill. He enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-seventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry ; served his country about eight months, when he was taken sick and sent to the hospital and soon afterward discharged on account of disa- bility. Mr. Shafer was married Jan. 28, 1864, to Miss Clementine Kendell, a native of Indiana. She died in 1876, leaving four children-John I., A. J., Robert A. and Sarah C., all residing at home. Mr. Shafer married his second wife in 1878. Her name was Martha Maxon, a native of Ohio. They have two children Helen R., and William H. Mr. Shafer has about all his life been a member of the United Brethren church. His first wife was a member of the same church. His present wife is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Shafer is a member of the order of Odd Fel- lows. His first vote was for James Buchanan, but has since voted the straight Republican ticket. He was a warm friend and earnest supporter of the author of this work.
J. B. Shepardson was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1830. When about fourteen years of age he moved with his father, William Shepardson, to De Kalb County, Ill., where he resided till his death, which occurred July 24, 1882. J. B. Shep- ardson called Illinois his home for about eighteen years, though he spent three or four years in the lumber business in Wisconsin; while in Illinois he turned his attention principally to farming. For the past twenty-four years he has been identified with the interests of Floyd County, though he did not move into the county till 1864. The two years previous he spent in Butler County, six
1131
UNION TOWNSHIP.
miles south of Marble Rock, where he moved in 1864, and is still residing. The first ten years in this place were spent in no regular line of business, though he to some extent engaged in several, and employed most of his time at something. He kept store and hotel and bought and sold lands, and might be considered a frontier spec- ulator. In 1873 he opened the Marble Rock Bank, which he is still running very successfully. He is also extensively interested in the grain business. The firm of J. B. Shepardson & Co. have been controlling the grain business of Marble Rock for the past three years. They handle some years as high as $300,000 worth of grain.' In addition to Mr. Shepardson's businesses of various characters, he owns about 3,000 acres of improved land that requires considerable attention. The land is situated in Cerro Gordo, Butler and Floyd counties. He also owns a grist-mill on Shell Rock River. Mr. Shepardson was married in Wisconsin, July 22, 1860, to Miss Julia D. Bucklen, a native of New York State. Their family consists of two children-Helen E. and William, ages twelve and ten respectively. Mr. Shepardson has for the past twenty-five years been a member of the order of Freemasons. Is a sound Republican and a Prohibitionist. Though not an aspiring politician, he has held many years different offices of trust; was a member of the County Board of Supervisors for about eight years; Justice of the Peace about four years; Postmaster and Supervisor, represented the county in 1876-1877, and is the present Mayor of the village of Marble Rock. It is with a great deal of frankness that we speak of Mr. Shepardson as a philanthropist and public benefactor. He is the friend of the poor man, and always stands ready to help an honest man and one who is willing to help himself. Mr. Shepardson has hosts of friends and but few enemies. Those who might be termed his enemies are invariably of that class who, in dealings with him, have either imposed upon the rules of decency in business, or have maliciously attempted to take advantage of the leniency extended to them, through the good heartedness of Mr. Shepardson.
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.