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 92
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Dexter W. Dean was born in De Kalb County, Ill., Nov. 17, 1856,. where he resided till 1881. He had previously made several visits to Iowa, and at one time, 1865, remained some time. Finally, in 1881, he moved to Floyd County, and settled on section 27, Scott Township, where he and Franklin Keith own 650 acres of fine land in partnership. He was married in Illinois, June 8, 1878, to Phœbe Riddle, who was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 3, 1856. They have one child-Ellsworth, born in Illinois, Nov. 14, 1879. Politi- cally Mr. Dean is a Republican.
Daniel Duncklee, one of the prominent farmers of Scott Town- ship, was born in the State of New Hampshire, June 22, 1829. His father moved with his family to New York in 1841, and Daniel resided there until 1856, when he came to Iowa. He located in Freemont Township, Benton County, remaining there until 1878, when he came to Floyd County, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 33, Scott Township, where he is at present residing. His farm is under excellent improvement and well stocked. He was married in 1866, to Elizabeth Stackhouse, who was born in Illinois, April 6, 1840. Their union has been blessed with two children-Ida Marian, born Dec. 11, 1866, and Almira,
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
April 26, 1872. Mr. Duncklee is a member of the Christian church and in politics he is a Republican.
E. W. Ellis is a native of Wales, born Jan. 23, 1839. He emi- grated to America in 1856, landed at New York City, and from there went to Utica, where he spent two years. In 1867 he moved to Dubuque County, Ia., thence in September, 1873, to Sac County, where he resided four and one-half years, and in 1877 came to Floyd County. He owns a finely improved farm of 105 acres on section 31, Scott Township, and is one of the prominent farmers and stock-growers of the county. He married Charlotte Jeffry, who was born on the Isle of Man, March 22, 1843. In May, 1861, Mr. Ellis enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, participating in many a hard-fought battle. He served in the Army of the Potomac, under Generals Mcclellan and Pope, and was wounded Aug. 30, 1862, at the second battle of Bull Run. He was honorably discharged with his comrades at Madison, Wis., July 16, 1864. In politics he is a strong Republican.
Andrew J. Esser was born in Prussia, Feb. 28, 1842, and emi- grated with his parents to America in 1851. They landed at New York, and from there went at once to Dodge County, Wis., where Andrew lived seven years, then went to Missouri, and worked as a farm laborer two years. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served thirteen months. He participated in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Black River, Canton ; was in the siege of Vicksburg forty-seven days, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Upon leaving the service he returned to Wisconsin, remained six months, thence to Kendall County, Ill. He followed farming there four years, and May, 1868, came to Rockford, Ia. He at once engaged in farming, and in 1874 purchased 200 acres of land on section 31, Scott Town- ship, and in 1878, 160 on section 32, making a splendid farm of 360 acres of finely cultivated land. He was married in 1871 to Martha De Wolf, who was born in Wisconsin in October, 1853. They have three children- Anna, born July 29, 1872 ; Albert, May 26, 1876, and Leonard, July 22, 1878. In his political views, Mr. Esser is a Republican ; he has held many of the township offices, and is the present School Director and Road Supervisor.
William Galbraith, one of the prominent farmers of Scott Town- ship, is a native of Scotland, born in the town of Slates, in 1804. He emigrated to America in 1850, landed at New York, and from there went direct to Marquette County, Wis., where he engaged
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
in farming eleven years, and in 1861 disposed of his land and came to Floyd County, Ia. He settled on sections 10 and 11, Scott Township, where he owns a valuable farm of 320 acres, under excellent improvement and finely stocked. He has twice married ; his first wife, Jeannette Stephenson, was a native of Scotland, where she died in 1842, leaving two children - Jeannette, born April 30, 1838, and David, March 11, 1841. The second marriage occurred Jan. 25, 1849, to Agnes Thomson, likewise of Scottish birth, born in Ayreshire in 1829. The fruit of this union is ten children, viz .: William, born Oct. 11, 1850; James, Aug. 26, 1854 ; John, March 1, 1856; Andrew, Aug. 22, 1858 ; Robert, Feb. 21, 1860 ; Samuel and Alexander (twins), March 21, 1863 ; Rachel and Hugh (twins), July 7, 1864, and Agnes, April 2, 1869. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Galbraith gives the Republican party his support.
Thomas Garber, one of the representative citizens of Scott Town- ship, was born in Shelby County, O., Dec. 6, 1835. He came from Ohio to Clayton County, Ia., in 1854, and lived there until March 13, 1865, when he settled in Floyd County, purchasing land in Union Township. Three years later he moved to Scott Township, having previously bought eighty acres of land on section 12, and has since resided there. He has made farming his life business, and is now one of the practical and successful farmers of Floyd County. He is a strong supporter of the Republicans, and has been elected to the office of Constable, and is the present Road Supervisor. He was united in marriage with Josephine McCrum, on March 18, 1862. She was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Dec. 22, 1844. Four children have blessed this union, viz .: Sel- don, born April 18, 1865; Edmund, Jan. 25, 1867; Dora, Feb. 24, 1870, and Alice, July 7, 1878. Mr. Garber is a member of the German Baptist church.
J. W. Jeffrey was born on the Isle of Man, May 19, 1837, and emigrated to America when in his boyhood; he landed at New York and went at once to Jamestown, Wis., where he resided until Aug. 12, 1862, and on that day he enlisted in Company I, Twenty- fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Nash and Colonel Montgomery, and was mustered out with his comrades when the war closed at Washington, D. C., and discharged at Madison County. He was with the Army of the Cumberland, and engaged in many a hard-fought battle. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Kennesaw Mt.,
-
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SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
Atlanta, Dallas, Ga., Decatur, Ga., was in front of Atlanta under fire for about six months, and was also present during the siege- and battle of Savannah, Ga. After the capture of that city, he with his regiment shipped on board a steamer and went to South Carolina, and took the town of Columbia, reducing it to ashes. This regiment was detailed as provost guard and sent to North Carolina, thence to Richmond, Va., and from there to Washington, and was in the grand review. He returned to Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1866 crossed the plains to Montana, and resided near Helena City two and one-half years. He came to Rockford, Ia., in the fall of 1869, and bought 120 acres of fine farming land on section 31. Scott Township, and has resided here since. He was married Dec. 27, 1869, to Rosa S. Collogan, who was born in Wisconsin, and died July 14, 1880, leaving five children-James N., Mary E., Abbie B., George and Frank L. Mr. Jeffrey was again married on April 16, 1882, to Aurelia Lowrenz, who was born in Freeport, Ill., April 26, 1852, and came to Rockford, Iowa, in 1876. In politics Mr. Jeffrey is a strong Republican.
Hiram Losee. Prominent among the pioneers and representative citizens of Floyd County stands the subject of this sketch. A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., he was born March 3, 1834, and resided there until 21 years of age, when he came to Marble Rock, Ia., at that time called Beelar's Grove. Settlers were few in that region and Mr. Losee was among the first. He opened a farm on section 30, Union Township, which he cultivated and afterward rented until 1870, when he sold it and moved to Scott Township. He is one of the largest land-owners in the county, his possessions amounting to 1,233 acres of fine farming land. The farm upon which he resides is located on sections 12 and 13, and consists of 700 acres, well improved and thoroughly stocked. He has a herd of 208 head of stock. He has been elected to the offices of Township Clerk, Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and County Treasurer, serving in each instance with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Sept. 8, 1859, he was united in marriage with Phobe Smith, a native of Ohio. They have eight children-John K., born Feb. 18, 1861; Charles D., June 16, 1863; A. Sheridan, Aug. 19, 1865; Frederick R., Dec. 25, 1868; James B., May 26, 187); Amelia J., Feb. 11, 1874; Sarah M., Apr. 2, 1877, and Florence M., Apr. 18, 1882. Mr. Losee is neutral in his political views. His mother is spending her declining years with him, and is seventy-five years of age.
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1006
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
E. D. Montrose was born in Ulster County, N. Y., and from the time he was four years of age until he was twenty he lived on the banks of the Genesee River, Livingston County. In 1836 he emigrated to St. Joseph County, Mich., thence to Dane County, Wis., in 1848. In 1865 he came to Floyd County, Ia., and in 1866 bought 250 acres of fine land on section 35, Scott Township, where he has resided since, one of the most honored and respected citi- zens of this county. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1867, holding that position ten years. In 1868 he was elected County Superintendent, and has held at various times nearly all of the township offices, serving with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Dec. 19, 1839, he was united in marriage with Harriet L. Star, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1817. Their union has been blessed with seven children, viz. : Henry W., born Dec. 27, 1840, enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on July 24, 1861, and served four years, participating in all the battles of this regiment except one; he was wounded at Corinth, Miss., and at Fort Donelson; he was with Sherman on his march to the sea and with Grant at Belmont; he was discharged with his comrades after much brave and daring fighting at Louisville, Ky .; Catharine, born Aug. 14, 1843, married W. H. Porter; Emily, Oct. 27, 1845, is the wife of T. E. Teape; Marion, Dec. 22, 1847, married Austin Russell; Addie, Jan. 24, 1849; Lucy, May 8, 1856, married Fred- erick Morrill, and Sarah, Mar. 28, 1861. In his political views Mr. Montrose is a strong Republican.
1. W. Nicholson was born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 19, 1847, where he lived till five years of age, then went with his parents to Pittsburg, Penn., where they lived three years; from there came to Delaware County, Ia., in 1855. He worked on a farin with his father, in Delaware County, until 1871. Jan. 1, 1871, he married Sarah C. Stones, born in La Porte, Ind., March 5, 1850. They have four children-Elsie M., born May 13, 1875; Robert G., Nov. 30, 1876; Frank H., Dec. 18, 1878, and Nora G., Jan. 27, 1881. Mr. Nicholson is a Democrat in his political views. He owns 160 acres of good land on section 17, Scott Township, Floyd County.
Cyrus II. Ouks was born in the State of Maine, Jan. 21, 1835, and emigrated from there to Illinois when twelve years of age. Ilis parents settled on a farm in Boone County, where he was reared and educated, remaining until 1871, and in that year he came to Floyd County, Iowa. He located on section 8, Scott Township,
1007
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
where he owns 260 acres of finely cultivated land, and ranks with the prominent and successful farmers of the county. He has held the office of Township Clerk since 1874, and that of Justice of the Peace four years. He was elected County Supervisor in January, 1876, and still retains the position. As an officer he is capable and efficient, and discharges his duties with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. Politically he is a pronounced Republican. On Jan. 30, 1861, he was united in marriage with Alida A. Vorce, a native of Henderson, N. Y., born Aug. 26, 1835. The fruit of this union is two children-Albert J., born Nov. 13, 1861, and Earle, Ang. 16, 1865.
J. B. Schermerhorn was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 1, 1840, and came to Galva, Henry County, Ill., in 1858, where he lived one year, and then came to Iowa, going to Delaware County; remained there till the spring of 1869, and then came to Floyd County, settling on section 23, Scott Township. He has 160 acres of fine land, which he has under good cultivation. Polit- ically he is a Democrat. He has held the office of Township Treasurer for eight years, and is the present incumbent ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, and still holds that office ; he has served on the Board of Township Trustees for several terms. He was married to Rebecca M. Bowman, July 23, 1861. She was born near Dayton, Ohio, April 20, 1845. They have six children - Frank, born April 9, 1862 ; Eugene J., March 24, 1865 ; Sarah, July 11,1872 ; John T., Feb. 22, 1875 ; Wayne H., Sept. 22, 1877; Susannah, May 19, 1879.
Isaac Sharp, was born near Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1830, and when he was three years old his father emigrated to Chau- tauqua County, that State, where he remained until thirteen years of age. His father then removed to Kane County, Ill., and died there in 1880. Isaac Sharp came to Iowa, Sept. 17, 1854, resided in Benton County one year, then came to Floyd County, purchas- ing 160 acres of land on section 2, Scott Township, and in 1873, he added 160 acres to that purchase, and now owns 320 acres of as fine land as there is in the State of Iowa. He was married to Agnes Cornelie in La Salle County, Ill., on July 19, 1853. She was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1836. They have nine children, viz .: Hattie, George, Calvin, Emma, Fred, Nellie, Charles, Lulu and Willie. Mr. Sharp votes the Republican ticket, and has held the offices of Township Trustee, School Director and
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Assessor, serving acceptably in each instance. He ranks with the prominent and influential farmers and stock-growers of Floyd County.
Puxson Shultz was born in Columbia County, Penn., in October, 1826. He moved to Lee County, Ill., in 1856, where he resided till 1874, when he came to Floyd County, Ia., where he has 229 acres of good, well-improved land. He was married in Pennsyl- vania in 1851, to Hannah Temple, a native of that State, born in 1827. They have five children - H. R., Philip, George, Jane and Elmeda. He raises stock and all kinds of grain. Politically he is a Republican.
Charles D. Smith was born in Erie County, O., Nov. 12, 1853, and emigrated with his father to Floyd County, Ia., in June, 1856. They settled on section 6, Union Township, and Charles D. remained at home assisting on the farm and attending school until 1879, when he purchased eighty acres of rich land on section 4, Scott Township, and moved upon it. He built a house, which was completely demolished by a storm that visited this region June 1, 1879, and made a complete wreck of all his improvements. With unfaltering energy and determination he went to work to rebuild his fallen home, and to-day he ranks with the prominent and influential farmers of Scott Township. He was married Jan. 29, 1879, to Emma J. Smith, a native of New York, born Dec. 23, 1859. Two children have blessed this union - Nellie, born Feb. 16, 1880, died March 10, of that year, and Cassie, born June 28, 1SS1. Mrs. Smith came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith, from New York in 1878, and met and married her present husband. Her parents reside near Marble Rock, Ia. In politics the subject of this memoir is a Republican.
David Stoner was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 22, 1825, and lived there until he was twenty-five years old, when he removed to La Porte County, Ind., and lived four years ; then went to Delaware County, Ia., and followed farming till 1874, when he came to Floyd County, settling on section 15, Scott Township, where he has 160 acres of fine, well-improved land. He was married in Wayne County, Ind., in 1847, to Sarah Bow- man, a native of Dauphin County, Penn., born in 1828. From this union there are five children -Sarah (now Mrs. Thomas Nicholson), born in 1851 ; Emeline (now Mrs. Allen Kates), born in Indiana in 1853 ; Genlanstone, born in Iowa in 1855 ; Augusta,
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born in Delaware County, Ia., in 1863 ; and Ada Melvina, born in 1868. Mr. Stoner is neutral in his political views.
John R. Waller was born in Rockford, Ill., Oct. 28, 1841. He moved to Charles City, Ia., in 1855, where he lived till 1864, when he went to Montana Territory and engaged in mining, mer- chandising and handling live-stock till 1868, when he returned to Charles City. He then speculated in live-stock, land, etc. In 1871 he moved on his farm on section 23, Scott Township, where he still resides. He has been raising trotting and thoroughbred horses, and is now handling and shipping horses, mules, cattle and all kinds of grain to Northern Dakota. He was married Jan. 9, 1870, to Mary E. Stearns, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., July 13, 1843. They have five children - Edwin S., born Dec. 20 1873 ; Richard R., Aug. 16, 1875; Wayne F., May 16, 1878 ; Oliver Randolph, Aug. 2, 1880 ; Helene B., Oct. 16, 1881. Mrs. Waller is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Waller is a member of the Red Mountain Lodge of Freemasons in Mon- tana. Politically he is a Republican. He graduated from Iowa College, and was probably the first to graduate from Floyd County. He owns 900 acres of land.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
THE TERRITORY.
St. Charles was first set off as a township Sept. 4, 1854, by John M. Hunt, County Judge. It was then one of the four composing the county, and comprised congressional townships 94 and 95 north, in ranges 16 and 17. Since that time the following alter - ations have been made: March 5, 1855, sections 25 and 36, and the south half of sections 26 and 35, of township 96, 16, and a strip two miles wide from the south side of township 96, 15, were added from Floyd, by David Wiltse, Acting Judge. July 21, 1855, the west half of township 94, 16, and sections 29 to 32, inclusive of township 95, 16, were transferred to Union Town- ship by Judge Ball. March 6, 1856, sections 25 to 36 inclu- sive (except 31) were transferred from St. Charles Township to Niles, by S. B. Starr, Acting Judge. March 25, 1856, the north half of section 26, and all of section 24 of township 96, 16, were transferred from Floyd to St. Charles Township, by Judge Collins. Also, by the same, on the same day, sections 29 to 32 inclusive, of township 95, 16, were transferred from Union to St. Charles. March 2, 1857, congressional township 94 north, in range 15 west, and the east half of township 94, 16, and sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36, in township 95, 15, were detached from St. Charles and made into the township of Riverton. Dec. 31, 1858, by S. B. Starr, Acting Judge, sections 28 and 33, in township 95, 15, were transferred from St. Charles to Riverton Township. The same were set back to St. Charles Township by Judge Ripley, Jan. 3, 1859. Jan. 11 following, by same, the south half of section 31, township 96, 15, and the north half of sections 1 to 5 inclusive, of township 95, 15, were transferred from St. Charles to Niles, and the south half of the north half of section 31, township 96, 15, was transferred from Niles to St. Charles.
At various times since the organization of the township at- tempts have been made to sub-divide it, and to set it off indepen- dently from Charles City. Some are in favor of independence in school matters only. and some in other respects. The first election
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ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
for township officers was held in April, 1855, which resulted as follows: Trustees, John Blunt; John Kellogg, R. W. Humphrey; Clerk, Milo Gilbert; Justices of the Peace, Joshua Jackson and Alanson Lambert; Assessor, Sanford Harwood. In 1882 the Amendment vote was 365 for, and 458 against.
FIRST SETTLERS, ETC.
Ambrose W. Story was the first settler within the bounds of St. Charles Township, also in the county. He located on section 20, about three miles south of Charles City, in 1850, and did the first breaking in the county. Joseph Kelly, at the point where Charles City now stands, in 1851 was the second in the township and county. For further particulars see chapters I and XVII, where also nearly all the "first events" and things in this township are given. After reading over the sacred list of names in those chap- ters, we should pause to study the energetic character of those pioneers who through so great self-sacrifice have made happy homes for the present generation. As about all the religious or- ganizations of this township have their services in Charles City, the reader is referred to Chapter XVII for an account of the churches. St. Charles Township is not a whit behind any of the others in benevolence. For example, during the year 1866 alone it contributed in the aggregate the sum of $25,610 for benevolent and other public enterprises.
EDUCATIONAL.
Below is a tabular view of the condition of all the schools in this township during the spring term of 1882:
NO. OF DISTRICT.
ENROLLED
NO. PUPILS
ATTENDANCE
AVERAGE
TEACHER.
1.
27
23.7
Fannie Humphrey.
2
19
12
Mary Korinkee.
3.
22
18.3
Emma E. Lash.
4.
19
14.5
Anna Rider.
5.
25
19
Hattie Hutchinson.
6.
10
9.5
Laura Warn.
8
23
18.7
R. D. Capron.
9
10
7.7
Ella F. Salmon.
10.
20
15
Effie A. Trenholm.
11.
30
23
Marian L. Davidson.
20
15
Mary Stocks.
12.
13.
15
12.5
Adda Gray.
25
19.7
Lillie B. Lloyd.
7.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
The remainder of the history of St. Charles Township is essen- tially contained in the history of Charles City, Chapter XVII.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Josiah Billings, born in Lancaster, Worcester County, Mass., Aug. 11, 1820, is a son of Josiah Billings, a native of Lunenburg, Mass. He was educated in Groton Academy, Mass. His father was a tanner, and he worked at the same trade thirty years. He went to Maine in 1845, and in 1869 came to this county. He owns 320 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising; resides on section 10, St. Charles Township. He was married to Ellen Monroe. They had one child-Edward. In 1862 Mrs. Billings died, and in 1866 he married Marsha Tibbitts.
Ezekiah Blunt, farmer, section 31, was born in Green County, Wis., Oct. 14, 1843. His parents were John and Maria (Wells) Blunt, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Wisconsin. His father was for many years a farmer in Wisconsin. In the spring of 1852 he removed with his wife and seven children to Floyd County, and located in St. Charles Township. Here he re- sided till his death, April 26, 1880, respected by all who knew him. Ezekiah, our subject, received only a common-school education. He attended the first school taught in Charles City; the teacher was Miss Lydia Palmer. Dec. 31, 1863, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Macauley, of Pennsylvania. They have six children- Mary C., Charles R., Ezekiah, Jr., Ernest E., Walter C. and Barney. Mr. Blunt is the owner of 293 acres of farming land in Floyd County, most of it under cultivation. Politically he is a Democrat.
C. H. Clark, farmer, section 19, was born in Gallia County, O., June 20, 1833, and was the son of Samuel and Mary A. (Roberts) Clark. His father was born in Giles County, Va., in 1799; his mother in the same county in 1803. After their marriage they re- moved to Gallia County, O., where they lived till 1852, at which time they moved to Chickasaw County, Ia. Here they located a farm and resided two years, when they removed to Pleasant Grove Township, Floyd County. Here they resided until their death, that of the father occurring in 1861, and that of the mother in 1868. The subject of this sketch received a limited education in the common schools, residing with his father on his farm. At the time the family came to Floyd County the only families residing in Charles City were the Blunts and the Kellys. Mr. Clark en- tered a farm in Pleasant Grove Township. Sept. 13, 1857, he was
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ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
married to Nancy De Witt, of Gallia County, O., whom he had known in early youth in that State. In the spring of 1882 he pur- chased his present farm in St. Charles Township. Mr. Clark has been a Democrat all his life.
A. W. Cook, farmer and fine-stock raiser, section 20, was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 11, 1811, son of Jesse and Lucretia (Parker) Cook, who were natives of Vermont. His father died while on a voyage to Canton, China, in 1817, his mother soon after, leaving him to care for himself. He resided in Boston, Mass., for a number of years with his uncle, Cephas Parker, after which he went to Rutland, Vt .; and there resided some six years; then went to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he remained until nineteen years of age, at which time he went to New Orleans, and from there to Alabama, residing there some three years; afterward went to Lincoln County, Ky., where he was married to Martha S. Owsley, who was born in Kentucky. They have been blessed with four children, viz .: William H., Jessie, Mollie O., now Mrs. G. W. Bennett, and Dora D. He engaged in farming and dealing in stock in Kentucky for a number of years, after which he moved to Sangamon County, Ill., and engaged in the stock business and farming until 1869; he then sold out and moved to Floyd County, Iowa, where he purchased a beautiful stock farm on Cedar Creek, and has now one of the finest stock and brood farms in Northern Iowa. He was the first to introduce into the State of Iowa the Norman Percheron stock in 1870, and in 1874 he made a trip to France, and imported some of the finest ever brought to America, and has continued each year to renew the stock. In 1882 he imported twenty head, sixteen stallions and four mares, all thor- ough bred, and now has some seventy-five on his farm, and also has forty head of fine thoroughbred short-horn cattle, which he carefully breeds, and is ready to supply at any tinie the same to parties wishing good stock. He is the owner of 600 acres of well-improved land where he resides. Politically he is a Democrat.
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