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 87
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The parsonage was enlarged in the summer of 1882 by the addi- tion of a wing. It is situated just east of the church.
German Branch of the M. E. Church .- This society was organ- ized in 1870. The first members belonged previously to the Flood Creek Circuit, and were as follows: Conrad Krug, Anna L. Krug, Christian Berlin, Sophia Berlin, Edward Pribbenow, Maria Pribbe- now, Herman Krueger, Christian Weitze and Johanne Weitze. All these were received into the membership of the new organization Sept. 26, 1870.
The first pastor of this congregation was Rev. Wilhelm Koerner, who began his duties Sept. 26, 1870. He came directly from New- burg, Mitchell County, but had previously lived in Ulster Town- ship. This was Mr. Koerner's first charge, but by faithful devotion to the interests of his congregation he became well liked by all. He remained two years, and was then followed by Rev. Gottlieb Haefner, who came from Giard, Clayton County. Mr. Haefner was also two years in this pulpit, and preached his last sermon Oct. 4, 1874. Mr. Haefner was a faithful worker for the church, though this was his first pastorate. He was succeeded by Rev. Christian Gebhard, who came from Minnesota. Mr. Gebhard was at Nora Springs three years, and was then followed by Rev. August Krienke, from Spencer, Ia. He served this congregation two years, and then left for Fort Dodge. He is now at Clear Water. Rev. Philip Hummel was next invited to the pulpit, and he is the present pastor. He came here from Traer, Tama County, and is now nearly finishing his third year at Nora Springs.
The first Trustees of the church were: J. C. Ell, Philip Goetz, Christian Ladwig, Christian Berlin and John Kraus. Conrad Krug and Edward Pribbenow were chosen members of the board July 26, 1873. In 1875 the board consisted of Edward Pribbenow, Christian Berlin, Conrad Krug, Solomon Tuerk, Carl Meier and Henry Weitze. The present Trustees are: Edward Pribbenow, Christian Berlin, Conrad Krug, Charles Meier and Henry Weitze.
The present membership of the society is about fifty, and there are also ten probationers. The Sunday-school contains about thirty- five members. The congregation has no church edifice, and holds services in the English church. They meet in the afternoon, while the English congregation meets in the morning and evening. The two Sunday-schools meet one after the other.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
SOCIETIES.
Rock Lodge, No. 294, A. F. & A. M., was organized Oct. 18, 1870, by O. Humiston, of Plymouth. The lodge started with a membership of nine, as follows: Z. C. Trask, E. W. McNitt, J. A. Hewitt, J. Coykendall, Samuel Means, A. J. Brundage, D. C. Wickersham, J. A. Wilson and Conrad Goeler. The officers elected at this first meeting were as follows: Z. C. Trask, Master; E. W. McNitt, S. W .; J. A. Hewitt, J. W .; D. C. Wickersham, S. D .; J. A. Wilson, J. D .; C. M. Allen, Tyler; Samuel Means, Sec- retary. The office of Master Mason has been held successively by Z. C. Trask, E. W. McNitt, H. L. Benedict, F. M. Hubbard and A. J. Brundage. The present membership is fifty-eight, and the lodge is in sound condition, financially and otherwise. The pres- ent officers are as follows: A. J. Brundage, W. M .; C. W. Weeks, S. W .; W. W. Miner, J. W .; L. A. Snow, Secretary F. H. Gage, Treasurer; G. M. Hubbard, S. D .; Elmer Loree, J. D .; W. H. Baldwin, Tyler; A. A. Sullivan, S. S .; L. H. Peilm, J. S. The lodge meets the Wednesday evening on or before the full moon of each month.
Granite Rock Lodge, No. 200, I. O. O. F., was instituted Aug. 5, 1870, by Past Grand B. F. Cheeney, of Charles City, a member of National Lodge, No. 165, and then D. D. Grand Master of the district composed of Floyd and adjacent counties. The charter members were, H. A. Parmalee, F. M. Hubbard, T. E. Bryan, H. C. Brock, T. B. Hayes, S. R. Hewett, S. B. Elder and J. W. Shores, a part of whom were initiated for the purpose of chartering this new lodge by Pioneer Lodge, No. 194, then located at Rudd, but afterward it was removed to Rockford. S. G. Blythe, A. J. Brundage and I. S. Brundage, now members of this lodge, were then N. G., V. G., and Secretary of that lodge, and assisted in the initiation of these candidates. W. H. Gonser, L. D. Kidder and James Arnold were initiated ou the night of institution. A. W. Burgess joined by card.
The first officers of the lodge were as follows: H. A. Parmalee, N. G .; T. E. Bryan, V. G .; W. W. Blood, R. S .; F. M. Hubbard, Treasurer; T. B. Hayes, P. S.
From the time of its institution until the present time, the lodge has passed through some dark days common to most all lodges in a new country, but the principal part of its life has been prosper- ous. Twice during this time there were serious thoughts in the
J. J. Gaylord
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minds of the brothers of surrendering their charter. At one time there was a motion before the lodge for]that purpose, but it was not carried. This motion awoke the members to renewed energy, and they put their shoulder to the wheel. It began to move in earnest, and has continued so to do ever since.
There have been three District Deputy Grand Masters appointed from this lodge: H. A. Parmalee, F. M. Hubbard and S. G. Blythe, the present District Deputy. Mr. Blythe is also the representative elect to the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
During the twelve years of its existence, its books show that 150 members have signed the roll; of these there are now, in good standing, seventy-two. Its sick and funeral benefits have always been paid without any assessments, and its financial affairs are in good condition. In connectionwith the Masonic lodge, it owns the real estate on which the lodge now stands. The lodge is now receiving rent instead of paying it out, as it has done in the past.
Of the eight charter members, there are now but three remain- ing: Messrs. Hubbard, Parmalee and Bryan, who are now active members and all Past Grands; the others have all removed from the place. The lodge holds its regular meetings, on Friday even- ing of each week.
The present officers are as follows: J. S. Brundage, N. G .; T. M. Blythe, V. G .; J. L. Wallace, R. S .; S. G. Blythe, Treasurer; Zina Roberts, P. S .; T. E. Bryan, R. S. to N. G .; J. A. Hardman, L. S. to N. G .; Charles Darling, W .; A. W. Burgess, C .; O. B. Allen, R. S. S .; Fred Ghering, L. S. S .; L. J. Keys, O. G .; F. M. Meade, I. G .; L. L. Benedict, R. S. to V. G .; F. M. Pardee, L. S. to V. G.
Surety Lodge, No. 184,.A. O. U. W., was organized March 19, 1879, at what was called Good Templars' Hall, by P. W. Burr and others from Charles City. The lodge started with a member- ship of twenty-eight, and elected officers as follows: D. A. Wheeler, P. M. W .; S. G. Blythe, M. W .; A. J. Brundage, Foreman; F. M. Mead, Overseer; R. M. Wilson, Guide; T. M. Blythe, Recorder; A. W. Burgess, Financier; William F. Stewart, Steward; George A. Heintzleman, I. W .; William J. Stewart, O. W .; Trustees, C. H. Johnson, A. J. Brundage, A. B. Tredway. The office of Master Workman has been held successively by S. G. Blythe, D. A. Wheeler, F. M. Mead, G. A. Heintzleman, A. W. Burgess and A. B. Tredway. The present membership of the lodge is thirty
58
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
six; and the present officers, elected June 26, 1882, are as follows: A. W. Burgess, P. M. W .; A. B. Tredway, M. W .; T. E. Bryan, Foreman; G. Miller, Overseer; T. M. Blythe, Recorder; W. H. Gonser, Financier; W. F. Stewart, Receiver; S. G. Blythe, Guide; J. M. Sheets, I. W .; D. A. Wheeler, O. W .; Trustee to Jan. 1, 1884, A. B. Tredway ; Trustee to July 1, 1883, S. G. Blythe; Trus- tre to Jan. 1, 1883, J. M. Sheets. The lodge has had no deaths since organization. It meets the first and last Mondays of each month over the store of Burgess & Stone. The lodge is finan- cially sound, and has good prospects for an increase in member- ship in the near future. Surety Lodge has the honor of containing among its members the Grand Medical Examiner for Iowa-S. G. Blythe.
Rock Grove Collegium, V. A. S., was organized at the armory of Company K, Sixth Regiment I. N. G., at Nora Springs, on the evening of Aug. 9, 1882. Eleven members united in effecting this organization. The charter has not yet been received. The follow- ing officers were elected: Rector, S. G. Blythe; Vice-Rector, B. H. Britton ; Chaplain, H. B. Shaw; Scribe, J. L. Wallace; Quaestor, A. B. Tredway; Usher, Harry H. Britton; Speculator, R. M. Gish; Curators, S. G. Blythe, Horace Gage and B. H. Britton. The meetings are to be held the first Saturday of each month. The purposes of the organization are similar to those of the A. O. U. W. and I. L. H .- mutual insurance.
Nora Chapter, No. 55, O. E. S., held its first regular com- munication in Union Hall July 14, 1874. The various offices were filled that evening by members of the order from Rockford. The officers regularly elected and installed this evening were as follows: Helen Britton, W. M .; B. H. Britton, W. P .; Katie Birney, A. M .; Lydia A. Snow, Con .; Watie M. Kidney, A. C .; C. C. Birney, Sec .; H. Gage, Treas .; Carrie Britton, Adah; A. Burlingame, Ruth; Martha Hemphill, Esther; Mrs. Tyler Blake, Martha; Mrs. Brooks, Electa; W. Baldwin. Warder; J. C. Burlingame, Sentinel. It was decided to hold two communications per month, on the first and third Mondays. This rule is still the one in force.
The office of Worthy Matron has beon held successively by Helen Britton, Carrie Britton, Lydia A. Snow, H. C. Birney, Abbie Gardner, Lydia Snow.
The office of Secretary has been filled successively by C. C. Bir- ney, H. A. Britton, M. A. Birney, Matilda Snow. The present officers are as follows: Lydia Snow, W. M .; C. C. Birney, W. P .;
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ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Nancy Gage, A. M .; Matilda Snow, Sec .; Sarah Cole, Treas .; Abbie Gardner, Con .; H. C. Birney, A. C. The present membership in good standing is eighteen. The chapter is under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, which was organized at Cedar Rapids, July 30, 1878, under a call from Mrs. Jennie E. Mathews, District Deputy for Iowa.
Nora Lodge, No. 86, I. O. G. T., received its charter March 15, 1876, from Elias Jessup, G. W. C. T., and David Brant, G. W. S. The charter members were seventeen in number, as follows : Ladies, B. V. Gaylord, A. Valiet, A. Geary, Britton, C. Britton, Waterbury, Watson, Graham, Davison ; Gentlemen, H. Britton, A. Sweet, O. P. Waterbury, G. Bushnell, A. C. McNitt, Fuller- ton, Knapp and Parmalee. The following were installed as offi- cers for the first term : Z. C. Trask, W. C. T .; Mrs. G. Bushnell, W. V. T .; B. H. Britton, W. Sec .; A. McNitt, W. A. S .; G. A. Heintzleman, W. F. S .; F. B. Harnish, W. Treas .; W. F. Gage, W. M .; H. F. Davison, W. O. G. The lodge met regularly for five years and a half, and ceased to meet in the fall of 1881. The lodge had an average membership of about forty, and at one time had fully eighty. It was a very strong society in its day.
Gardner Post, No. 79, Grand Army of the Republic, was insti- tuted July 13, 1882, by Chief Mustering Officer Gen. Horace G. Wolfe, of Jessup, Ia. At this meeting thirteen comrades signed the roll, which number has since been swelled to seventeen. There is a prospect of a still larger membership ; but ultimately, of course, the organization will become weaker and weaker in num- bers, unlike other organizations, for one by one the boys who wore the blue are answering to the roll call "beyond the river." The society is an honorable one, and the members are held together by peculiar ties. The post is named in honor of George H. Gardner, formerly of Nora Springs. The following officers were elected : S. G. Blythe, Commander ; L. R. Funston, Senior Vice-Commander ; L. D. Powers, Junior Vice-Commander ; T. E. Bryan, O. D .; O. P. Waterbury, O. G .; C. R. Belauski, Adjutant ; J. C. Chambers, Quartermaster ; L. J. Keyes, Sentinel ; C. F. Greenman, S. M. The regular meetings of the post are on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month.
Company K, Sixth Regiment, I. N. G .-- This company of militia was mustered in in July, 1878, with about forty members ; it now contains nearly fifty, most of whom are in Rock Grove Town- ship. The company meets regularly for drill at their armory in
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Nora Springs, on the evenings of the first and third Thursdays of each month. The following are the officers : Leroy A. Snow, Captain ; C. S. Tredway, First Lieutenant ; Second Lieutenant, W. W. Miner. The company have uniforms, and uniforms sup- plied by the State. They have attended encampments as follows : Regimental, at Osage, October, 1878 ; Regimental, at Charles City, October, 1879; Brigade, at Des Moines, October, 1881 ; Brigade, at Waterloo, June 19-24, 1882.
Nora Springs Cornet Band .- A band was organized at Nora Springs in 1874, under the leadership of Israel Turner, then depot agent at Nora Junction. It contained about nine members, and continued in existence for three years. It had the reputation of being one of the finest cornet bands in the Northwest. It played at the Centennial Celebration at Charles City, July 4, 1876, and a number of other towns in Floyd County and vicinity. Since this band was broken up, two cornet bands have been organized, both of which had but a brief existence.
Hook and Ladder Company .- The Nora Springs Hook and Ladder Company was organized in 1875, and continued in exist- ence about two years. . There were about thirty members of the company. They were never needed for actual service but once, and that was when William Workman's barn was burned, in 1876. At this time the whole company turned out promptly, but they were unable to do much toward saving the barn. The town authorities purchased a wagon and several good ladders for the company, which drilled regularly once a month until it was dis- banded, not receiving sufficient encouragement from the citizens. The last officers were V. W. Albee, Foreman; W. R. Poulton, 1st. Assistant; O. B. Allen, 2d Assistant; F. M. Mead, Secretary; L. A. Snow, Treasurer.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Allen Adams was born in Mercer County, Penn., Nov. 26, 1843. He resided on a farm till he was fourteen years old, when he learned the trade of a shoemaker. He came to this country in 1861, and in the spring of 1862 enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry; was transferred to the Twenty-first Regiment in the fall of 1862; went in as a private, was promoted to Sergeant, and during the siege of Vicksburg, June 17, was mustered in as Second Lieutenant, which he held till the close of the war. When his time expired he was tendered the commission of Captain in order
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to keep the company together till the balance of the regiment's time was out and they discharged, but declined. He was in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Jackson, Span- ish Fort, Fort Blakely, and others. He was on detached service during the charge at Black River Bridge. Took part in the charge on Vicksburg and saw Colonel Dunlap killed. He was married in 1868 to Mary S. Kilborn, who was born in 1842. Her father, E. B. Kilborn, was born in New York State in 1807, and died in Feb- ruary, 1881, in Otsego County, N. Y. Her mother, Mary (Fitch) Kilborn, was born in 1810 and died in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have two children-Mertie L. and Gracie Belle. He owns ninety- three acres on section 17, Rock Grove Township, and is engaged in both farming and stock-raising.
John R. Adams, farmer and stock-raiser, section 9, Rock Grove Township, was born in Bedford County, Pa., March 19, 1824. He is a son of John Adams, of the same county. His Grandfather Adams was a native of Germany. John R. moved to Knox County, Ohio, with his parents in 1836, where his father died in 1876. He came to this county in 1865 and settled on wild prairie land; hauled lumber from Cedar Falls to build his house and took all his wheat there and sold it for forty cents a bushel. He owns 1,900 acres, all under cultivation. He is no office seeker. He was married in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, April 5, 1860, to Ellen Miksch, a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio. They have five children-Ilo, Rankin, Asa, Clara and Ida.
Cyrus M. Allen (deceased) was born in Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., May 4, 1822, and in 1833 he moved with his parents to Ber- rien, Mich., and subsequently to Chicago. He was married in the latter place, in 1850, to Lucy J. Judson, daughter of Henry Jud- son (deceased). She was born in Huntington, Crittenden County, Vt. Seven children blessed their union, viz .: Lucia, Oscar B., Alonzo, Carrie, Cyrus, Walter and Bertie. In 1856 Mr. Allen became a resident of Nora Springs, where, in company with John West, he owned and operated a saw-mill a number of years. He afterward worked at the blacksmith's trade. He died Feb. 11, 1874, and sorrow fell upon many hearts when to the list of the dead was added the name of this honest and upright man. He was a consistent member of the Congregational church, as was his wife, who afterward became the wife of Elder D. B. Mead, a Baptist minister.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Oscar B. Allen, an enterprising young business man of Nora Springs, is a native of Cook County, Ill., born July 1, 1855, a son of Cyrus M. Allen (deceased), whose sketch appears in this work. He came with his parents to Nora Springs in 1856, and was here reared and educated. He served an apprenticeship at the harness- maker's trade under G. W. Hall, and is still in his employ. He went to Dakota Territory in 1878, and was bookkeeper for the contractors who were building the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and division, for some months. He returned to Nora Springs, and has since resided here. He is Secretary of the City School Board, and has been a member of the Old Settlers' Association for the past four years. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity.
Jacob Ankeny, farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Rock Grove Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 25, 1822. His father, George Ankeny, of Westmoreland County, moved to Knox County, Ohio, in 1830. Jacob came to this county in 1855, where he owns 120 acres of fine land. He was Town- ship Trustee at an early day, and at that time built the first bridge across Flood Creek. He was married in Knox County, O., to Susannah Adams. They have had thirteen children-Mary (de- ceased), Olive, Rebecca and Elizabeth, born in Ohio; Thomas J., Wallie F., Joseph L., Normandy, James P. and four deceased, born in this county. Two daughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, are prominent teachers in this county. When Mr. Ankeny settled here, there were very few families in the township, and it was a wild prairie.
George Apel, farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, Rock Grove Township, was born in Hesse, Germany, March 22, 1846. His father, George Apel, was also a native of Germany. George, Jr., came to America, and to Osage, Iowa, in 1860. He enlisted in the late war in Company K, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and served three years, being in the battles of Little Rock, Nashville, Spanish Fort, Tupelo, and many others. He came to Floyd County in 1874, where he owns 160 acres of fine land. He was married in 1868 to Katie Lohn, and has three children-Conrad G., Anna C., and Willie F. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Abner A. Babcock, farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, Rock Grove Township, born in Otsego County, N. Y., July 22, 1822, is a son of Sanford Babcock, also a native of New York State. His
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early life was spent on a farm, and his education was received in the common schools of New York. In April, 1863, he came to this county and bought land, and the following fall moved his fam- ily here. He owns 170 acres and a half interest in 120 acres of fine land. He was married Sept. 19, 1852, to Nancy, daughter of Nicholas Quackenbos. They are the parents of six children, five living-Amos M., Isaac T., Ira J., George L., and Estella. He has served his county as Supervisor and his township as Clerk and Assessor.
Isaac T. Babcock, son of the above, was born in Otsego County. N. Y., April 26, 1858. He came to this county with his parents in 1863, and has received his education in the schools of this place, residing on the farm with his parents. He was married Feb. 7, 1882, to Ella Baker, a daughter of George A. Baker, who came to this county in 1870. Isaac T. resides on section 14, where he owns 120 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock- raising.
George A. Baker, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, was born in Knox County, Ohio, May 18, 1833, a son of William Baker, a native of Pennsylvania, who was brought to Knox County, Ohio, in 1812, when one year old. Geo. A. grew up on the same farm as his father; was educated in a subscription school, the first one he attended being held in the loft or attic of an old log milk- house. He came to this county in 1870 and now owns 192 acres of finely cultivated land. He was married. in the fall of 1854 to Mary Robison. They have eight children-William W., John B., Ella, Clifford M., Jacob H., Sarah, Louis and Walter.
Francis L. Benedict was born in Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1825; a son of Lewis Benedict, a native of Connecticut, and Lydia (Packard) Benedict, a native of New York. Both are living; the father eighty-three and the mother eighty-one years of age. Francis L. was educated in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he went with his parents when a small boy. In 1852 he came to Linn County, Ia., and in 1856 to this county, where he owns 200 acres on section 18, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married March 21, 1848, to Abigail Snow, a native of Massa- chusetts. They have seven children, five living-James L., Ly- man L., Elmer A., Harrison and Bertie. He has been Township Trustee and School Director several years; County Supervisor one year, and was Postmaster two years.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Henry L. Benedict was born in Coventry, Chenango County, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1834. His father, Lewis Benedict, a native of Con- necticut, moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1846 to Dodge County, Wis. Henry L. was educated in Ohio and Wis- consin. He came to this county in the fall of 1867 and settled on section 11, where he owns 160 acres of fine land and eighteen acres of timber. He is both farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1855 to Sarah A., daughter of Martin L. Blair. They have had four children, three living-Sumner A., Charles F., and Lettie S. Marsha E. died at the age of eight years. He is Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace; is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
Smith G. Blythe, M. D., Nora Springs, was born in Middlesex County, N. J., Nov. 6, 1841, and was one of a family of nine children. His father, Joseph M. Blythe, was a native of Kentucky, and a minister in the Presbyterian faith. In 1856 he was placed in charge of a pastorate at Vincennes, Ind., where Smith remained one year, then returned to the East, and entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., from which he graduated in the spring of 1860. He took charge of a classical academy at Belvidere, N. J., in the following fall, and began reading medicine. He was one of the first to enlist in the late Rebellion, becoming a member of Company D, First Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and in a month after enlistment was made Commissary Sergeant. In February, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of Company A, and at the battle of South Mountain was made First Lieutenant of Company F, and in November of 1862, was promoted to the Cap- taincy. He was wounded four times, and so severely at the battle of the Wilderness that he was mustered out for physical disability on June 24, 1864. Upon leaving the service he taught school at Hopewell, Ind., some time, and in the meanwhile continued the study of medicine. He attended the Ohio State Medical College at Cincinnati, during the sessions of 1866-'67, and located in the practice of his profession, in the spring of 1867, at Vinton, Ia. He successfully practiced there until December, 1869, when he moved to Rudd, Floyd County; thence, in January, 1873, to Nora Springs. He graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City, in 1878, and since his residence here has built up a large and lucrative practice, being recognized as one of the leaders of the medical profession in the State. Dr. Blythe was married July 8, 1863, to Miss Emily G. Sharp, daughter of Judge
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Wm. R. Sharp, of New Jersey. Of nine children born of this union three survive-Emily M., Hannah L., and Redford V. The deceased were-Ellen H., William S., Jessie C., Elizabeth G., Jean M., and one who died in infancy. Dr. Blythe was the Presidential Elector for the Fourth Congressional District in 1880, and has effi- ciently served in various local offices. He is on the Governor's staff as Surgeon General, with the rank of Brigadier General of the Iowa National Guards. His mother, Ellen Henrietta (Green) Blythe, was a sister of the Hon. Chief Justice Green, of New Jersey.
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