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 99
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Our Country's Defenders was the name of an organization some what similar to the Grand Army of the Republic. Its membership comprised ex-soldiers, and the society was designed to promote the interest of those who took up arms in defense of their country. It was a secret organization, with a regular ritual and paraphernalia. An encampment was organized at Marble Rock, June 9, 1880, but no charter was received, so that no meetings have been held since.
The following officers were duly elected: W. D. Lamb, Com- mander; John Goodmiller, Lieutenant; Willard Bucklin, Adjutant; H. Garber, Quartermaster; H. S. Waist, Sergeant-Major; James Conner, Quartermaster-Sergeant; A. A. Egnew, Chaplain; Smith S. Boon, Officer of the Day; Milon Hubbard, Officer of the Guard ; Horace Hawks, Drum Major; Wiley Boon, Chief Musician.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
C. T .. Ackley was born in Pittsfield, Otsego County, N. Y., July 25. 1833. He was the sixth child of James and Nancy Ackley. Mr. Ackley made New York his home till 1855, when he came to Iowa, arriving in Union Township, this county, on the 24th day of November. The same fall he pre-empted the farm of 160 acres, where he still resides, on section 20, township 94, range 17, about two miles southwest of Marble Rock. The year follow- ing his arrival he built the first residence in Aureola, and was the first white resident of that place. Here they lost a child, Marian, at about the age of four months; this was the first death of the place. The high water caused considerable malaria, and Mr. Ackley and his wife were both afflicted with the malady, which caused them to change their location. He then moved to his farm, where he had just completed the building of a fine large frame house. This home they enjoyed till April, 1860, when it was destroyed entirely by fire; the building was not the only loss. Having no granary he placed in this house all his grain, which was also lost, as well as the greater portion of his furniture. Though Mr. Ackley has furnished us much interesting matter, we believe he could have furnished even more had he not lost in this fire a diary which he had kept since coming to this country. He a once erected a log house that served as a home till the year 1879, when he built one of the best residences in the county. His surroundings are beautified with shade and fruit trees, so that he has one of the finest homes and farms in the Northwest. On the 15th day of January, 1861, he started with his family for New York; on account of snow blockades, it took them seventeen days to get to Dubuque; they shoveled snow most of the way. They returned in November, 1862, to this county. In December, 1863, Mr. Ackley enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Judge Reiniger, Captain. Served his country till the war closed, being discharged in July, 1865. His life as a soldier was an active one, participating in many hard engagements; a few of the most prominent ones we give below. We can group them by saying he was in all the battles near Atlanti, Pe ich Tree Creek and Sherman's march to the sea, Pumpkin Vine, Dillas, Jones- borough ; here the color-bearer was wounded, and Mr. Ackley carried the colors till the close of the war. He was never wounded, but has stood touching elbows with men who were shot. A marvelous incident is related by Mr. Ackley, that we make note of
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here, illustrating how often death's missiles, though their numbers are legion, are ineffective: At Jonesborough they were ordered to charge upon the enemy double quick; during this act the shot and shell and rifle balls rained down upon them like hail, and not a single man was wounded. They had scarcely made this charge till they were ordered to make a similar charge in another direc- tion; this they did under as heavy a fire as before, and not a single man was hit with a missile of death. Of course this is not the rule but a marvelous exception. At the battle of Ray's Ferry, Georgia, there were sixty-three men killed and wounded in his regiment in less than thirty minutes. The last three months of Mr. Ackley's service he was in the rear, on account of sickness contracted by the exposure of army life. Part of this time he was in the hospital; we are sorry to have to add that he has never recovered fully from those troubles; it seems almost cruel in nature to furnish men with disease the balance of their lives, who have contracted it in the defense of their country. Since Mr. Ackley's return from the army, he has resided upon his farm with the exception of three years, when he rented his farm and lived in Marble Rock. Mr. Ackley was married in New York State in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Thayer, a native of Otsego County, N. Y. They have a family of three children-Leonora E, now the wif of Charles Morrison, and resides in Phillip County, Kas. ; Elborn D., now twenty-one years of age; Merton I., twelve years of age. The sons are both residing at home. Mr. Ackley has been a life long Republican and Prohibitionist, voting first for J. C. Fremont. Has held the office of Assessor and Township Tru -tee several times, being among the first elected.
G. C. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1827. He was the third child of James and Nancy Ackley. Here Mr. Ackley made his home till 1853, when he came to Floyd County, Ia., where he remained only a short time, when he went to Illinois and remained three or four months ; then he returned to this county, staid about six months, when he again returned to Illinois and staid till 1855, when he and the rest of the family came to this county, and have since resided. G. C. Ackley resides where he first settled with his parents, situated on section 20, Union Town_ ship. Mr. Ackley was married in this county in 1869, to Miss Lucinda Vanduzen. Their family consists of four children - Wm. Henry, Lilly Elmer, Charles E. and George M. Mr. Ackley is
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not only first among the citizens of this county in point of time, but in point of citizenship. Though not an aspirant for office he has always taken an active interest in the success of the Repub- lican party. Mr. Ackley is another man who, by his life, has demonstrated that it requires a man of energy and pluck to face these pioneer hardships.
James Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 12, 1799 ; married Nancy Brightman in New York, April 18, 1822. She was born in Rhode Island, Aug. 18, 1797. Moved to Illinois in 1864. Came to Iowa Nov. 24, 1865, driving from Illinois with a team, and settled upon the farm where G. C. Ackley now resides, on section 20, township 94, range 17. Here he made his home till his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1870. Mrs. Ackley is still living. Both were members of the Free-Will Baptist church. James A kley's family consisted of eleven children ; nine grew to man and womanhood, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are still supposed to be living. Their relative positions with regard to age follow as their names are given below - David, died at the age of ten, by falling from a tree and severing the jugular vein on a suag that had been cut sharp with an ax ; Nancy died at the age of two, accidentally scalded by pulling a kettle of hot water onto herself; J. M. and G. C.'s sketches we have already in this work ; Wm. H. came to Iowa in 1853, returned to New York in 1857 ; after visiting there a short time he took the train for the West again, as his friends supposed, but since that day has never been heard from ; Sally E. married Henry Schermerhorn in New York State and came West in 1855; Mr. Schermerhorn died in February, 1832 ; the widow resides in Scott Township with her daughter, Mrs. Henry Montrose ; C. T. and Russel's sketches are also in this work ; Fannie married Egbert Davis, whose sketch will also be found here ; Judson, whose sketch will also be found in this work ; Mary Jane married Sam Rex, whose sketch will be found in this work.
J. M. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1825. He is the oldest living child of James and Nancy Ackley. Mr. Ackley made that State his home till he came to Iowa, which was in the winter of 1853, locating in Union Township, Floyd County. The first two years he was scarcely settled in this county, bat spent a portion of it in Illinois visiting friends and working. The second year he returned to New York, and remained only about ten months, when he returned to lowa in company with his brother
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C. T. and his wife, and his own wife. At that date they could not go on the cars further than Dunliff'; from there to Cedar Falls they staged it. From there they had to hire a conveyance, paying $12 for the pleasure of riding over the wild prairie. In 1855 Mr. Ackley and his brother C. T. pre-empted 320 acres of land, and built a long shanty. They had a partition through this building, each amily living upon his own land, thus securing the clear title to the land under the law. Upon this land Mr. Ackley still resides, being situated on section 29, range 94 west, Union Town- ship; has added to his first purchase, so that now he owns in all 215 acres. In the year 1872, or thereabout, he built himself a fine residence, being one of the best in the county. His home is nicely situated and presents a fine appearance. Mr. Ackley is now en- joying the fruits of a life of ambition and energy and industry. He began at the stump, as some term it, and has raised himself to a position of independence. His start in this county was dis- couraging. On the way he and his brother C. T. each lost a large box of clothing, supposed to be burned up in the Chicago depot, the most of which was new and badly needed, for they were without a change of clothes and nearly out of money. These were indeed dark days. But for these stout-hearted pioneers the grand West, now swarming with busy people and waving with rich harvests, would be a desert still. Mr. Ackley was married in 1855 to Miss Julina Thayer, a native of New York. They have no family living; lost two children in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ackley have been members of the Free-Will Baptist Church for the past twenty- five years. Mr. Ackley was never an office-seeker though he has been a life-long and solid Republican.
R. J. Ackley was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1835. He was the sixth child of James and Nancy Ackley. When Mr. Ack- ley came to Iowa he was twenty years of age, it being in 1855. He located in Marble Rock, where he still resides. He spent the summer of 1855 traveling in Minnesota looking at the country; afterward clerked in a store nearly a year in Marble Rock; the year following worked at the carpenter's trade. The winter of 1860 he taught school in Rock Grove, where he made the acquaintance of Mr. Gaylord. From this date till 1870 he was principally engaged in farming, though he worked at the trade of carpenter some of the time. In 1870 he went into the hotel business and ran the Marble Rock Hotel nearly a year. The year following he clerked for Shep- ardson & Beelar, dry-goods merchants. The year following he
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resumed farming, at the expiration of which time he assumed the management of the elevator and continned at it three years. Ho again engaged in farming and continned at it until 1879, when he took charge of the Beelar House and ran it nearly two years. At this date we find him still a resident of Marble Rock, enjoying a fine home and the society of his many friends. Mr. Ackley was married July 6, 1861, to Miss Maria J. Baltimore, daughter of Ash- bury Baltimore, They have a family of six children-Ella Irene, Viva Estell, Nancy Isabel, Ashbury J., Bertha May and Nellie Ethel. Mr. Ackley is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. Politically he is a Republican and Prohibitionist; has held the office of Town Clerk one year, Trustee two years, and Constable four years, and is at present a member of the Town Council.
S. J. Ackley was born in New York State in 1840. IIe was the youngest son of James and Nancy Ackley. At the age of twelve he came with his parents to Iowa, locatingin Floyd County. He made his home with his parents abont six years after coming to the connty. In 1859 hevnarried Miss Emily Rex. At this date he commenced for himself by renting land. In 1866 he lost his wife who left him three children-Ida V. makes her home with her grandmother; Garrison, married and a farmer; Desdemona A. makes her father's house her home. Mr. Ackley married his sec- ond wife, Sarah J. Asper, in 1870. They have three children- Arminta P., Nellie Ann and Joseph H. Politically Mr. Ackley is a Republican.
J. D. Anthony was born in New York State, March 30, 1833. Here he made his home till he was about twenty years of age, when he went to Illinois, where he remained about ten years, in White- side County. About six months after going to Illinois, his father, Peter, and mother, Nancy Anthony, joined him and made his house their home while he remained in the State. Mr. Anthony came to Floyd County in 1864, locating in Marble Rock, where he has since resided. Shortly after he left Illinois his father died, and bis mother made her home with her son, A. P. Anthony, in Chicago, for abont eleven years, when she came to Iowa, and again made her home with her son. J. D. Anthony, till her death, which occurred in 1878; her remains lie in the Marble Rock Cemetery. In New York he learned the heavy brace carpenter's trade. After going to Illinois he turned his attention almost absolutely to farm work, at which he worked most of the time while in the State, and since coming to Iowa has turned his attention principally to carpenter-
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ing, doing the most of the building in Marble Rock. The fine school-house is a grand monument to his memory. He has built for himself one of the finest residences in the county. His sur- roundings are naturally beautiful and embellished without so that he has one of the grandest homes on the Shell Rock River. The house presents a grand view from its commanding position, over- looking some of the finest beauties of nature's art up and down the Shell Rock. Mr. Anthony deserves great credit for the pluck and energy in his pioneer life, and its conflicts with hard times. He has raised a family of five children and keeps them in school con- stantly, and means to furnish each with a good education. Mr. Anthony was married Nov. 16, 1862, to Miss Magdaline Clay: The names of the children are-John J., Clara C., Albert A., Nancy Bell, and Anna Edith.
W. H. Ash was born in Wisconsin, in 1852. He is a son of W. D. Ash, a resident of Wisconsin. W. H. Ash made his home in Wisconsin till the spring of 1881, when he moved to Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, where he remained till September of the same year; at this date he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating upon the farm of 164 acres, where he still resides, on the Shell Rock River, about three and a half miles south of Marble Rock. He is at present cultivating about eighty acres. Mr. Ash was married Jan. 27, 1872, to Miss Martha Hales, a native of England, being born there in 1850, and coming to America at about the age of one year. She was a daughter of James Hales, who resided in Wisconsin. He died in 1864. They have one son-Leland, nearly three years of age. Politically he is a Democrat, though his wite's influence is in favor of the Republican party. Mr. Ash is a mem- ber of the order of Freemasons.
A. J. Asper was born in Summit County, O., in 1836. At the age of thirteen he commenced to do for himself by running a retail patent-medicine wagon in Ohio. At this he was engaged about four years. At the expiration of this time he went to Plainfield, Ill., and worked in a drug store with E. G. Wright about five years. In 1858 he became a citizen of Floyd County, locating in Marble Rock, Union Township, where he engaged in farming till 1863. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry; served on the Atlanta campaign as far as Big Shanty, Northern Georgia; then was put into detached service with the Western Sanitary Commission, headquarters at St. Louis; operated at the front till Atlanta was vacated, when he re-
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turned to St. Louis and remained in the same avocation till he was mustered out in July, 1865, when he returned to Marble Rock and engaged in the grocery business; this he continued about two years, when he sold out and engaged in buying and shipping grain, at which he continued about eight years. In 1880 he purchased an entire new stock of drugs, and is still engaged in that business. A word of comment being admissible, we wish to say he has a fine store and is doing a very good business. In Marble Rock, March 13, 1860, he and Miss C. S. Hawks were united in marriage. She was a native of New York State. They have a family of five chil - dren-Roderic R., Cora E., Nora M., Edith I., Blanche E., Carl J.
Russell Z. Bailey was born in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, O., July 27, 1838. He was a son of David and Ehnira Bailey, both natives of New England. Mr. Bailey lived in Ohio till he was twelve years of age, when he moved with his parents to DeKalb County, Ill., where he resided till August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Second Illinois Light Artillery; served his coun- try three years and was mustered out in September, 1864, at Springfield, Ill. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner, though he was in some of the hardest-fought battles of the Rebellion, among the inore prominent of which were the siege of Vicksburg, battles of Coffeyville and Hickman, besides a host of sharp skir- mishes. Immediately after his return from the army he came to Floyd County, Ia., and remained about six months, when he re- turned to Illinois and remained about a year, when, in the fall of 1866, he returned to this county to make his home. His first pur- chase was on section 21, consisting of 160 acres, where he lived three years, when he sold to Isaac Shultz, and bought the farm of 160 acres where he now resides, on section 27, about three miles sontheast of Marble Rock. The railroad cutting off about forty acres on the west side, he has since purchased eighty acres on sec- tion 30, about three miles southwest of Marble Rock. He also owns 200 acres six miles west of Marble Rock, in Scott Township, making in all 440 acres, besides some property in the village of Marble Rock. He puts in crop yearly about 150 acres, besides keeping from thirty to forty head of cattle and horses, and from forty to fifty hogs. In 1870 he built one of the best farm houses in the county, the other buildings and surroundings being in keep- ing with the house. Mr. Bailey was married in Sycamore, Ill., in 1865 to Cora Robison, a native of New York State. They have four children-Loey R., Elroy B., Leon A., and Earl R., ages,
T.S. Clark
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fifteen, ten, eight, and three respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey and their eldest son are members of the Baptist church.
Ashbury Baltimore was born in Montgomery County, O., near Dayton, June 16, 1807. At about the age of twelve, he went with his father, Philip Baltimore, to Wayne County, Ind., where Mr. Ashbury Baltimore farmed for about thirty years, when he went to Michigan and farmed about five years. At the expiration of this time he returned to Indiana and farmed four years. June 29, 1853, he became a citizen of Floyd County, Iowa, locating in what is now known as Marble Rock, Union Township. Has been inter- ested in farming principally ever since coming to the county. He was the second man who settled in the township. In those days he had to go to Cedar Rapids for provisions, and haul grain to Independence, Waterloo and McGregor. The price of wheat some- times was as low as thirty-five cents a. bushel, but usually ranged from seventy-five to eighty cents, while pork was from three to five dollars. He got one dollar for his first wheat and fifteen cents for his first pork, dressed. Mr. Baltimore owns 200 acres of land three miles from the pleasant village of Marble Rock, which he superintends still. He owns also a pleasant home in the village besides ten town lots nicely situated, that will soon be occupied as village homes. He was the first man in the county who ever got a premium on a wolf and wild-cat scalp, which he received in 1856. The first school in the township was taught in his house. Mr. Baltimore was married in Wayne County, Ind., Nov. 4, 1830, to Miss Sarah Ritter. She was also a native of Ohio, being born there Sept. 3, 1812. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom are now living. They all reside in Union Township except one son, who resides in Nebraska-Loniza, born Aug. 16, 1838, now the wife of Peter Vorhes; Maria, born Dec. 25, 1840, married R. J. Ackley; Sarah, born Feb. 7. 1843, married Liban Vorhes; John, born Dec. 5, 1844, married Tilla Palferd; Diantha, born Oct. 4, 1848, married Charles F. Beelar; Mary, born June 28, 1850, married William Bucklin. Of this large family we can but remark they are well worthy the pride of their father, since they are all acting well their parts in life, and are well to do. And they in return can be proud of a father who had the courage to face all the hardships of pioneer life in order to secure homes for his children. Mr. Baltimore is one of those few men who has by his own exertions wrung from the hard hand of toil a property that makes him independent. He is one of those men, too, who has
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helped lay the foundation to Floyd County's successful history. It the coming generation maintain the good order and society these stont-handed men did, they will be doing more than is expected of them. Mrs. Baltimore's mother is still living with them at the advanced age of ninety-eight. An incident that will long be remembered by his family, who were nearly all present at the time, we make note of here, as almost a miraculous draft of fishes. One of the severe winters not long after coming to this county, he con- ceived the idea that there might be some fish canght by cutting through the ice. This was done with great success, securing about a wagon-load of beautiful fish. While they were engaged in this they heard the dogs running a deer, and presently a large one came sliding and slipping on the ice, and fell not far from them. Mr. Baltimore seized the grand opportunity and slaughtered him then and there. Venison and fish were a plentiful article of food at the Baltimore house for some months afterward.
George Barth, deceased, was born in Canada, Aug. 12, 1836. He remained in Canada, engaged in farming, till the 9th of of March, 1872, when he came to Floyd County, Ia., and bought the farm where the family still resides, on section 2, Union Township, about three miles northeast of Marble Rock. His first purchase was three eightys; he afterward bought the balance of section 2, making the only full section farm in Union Township. Upon this farm was a small building. This he added to and rebuilt, so that now it is a large farm-house. This farm was all wild land except 150 acres. It has since all been cultivated, except 160 acres, which is kept for pasture and timber. Upon this farm Mr. Birth lived till his death, which occurred March 20, 1878. He was mar- ried in Canada, July 9, 1863, to Mary Harbert, who was born in Germany, Feb. 29, 1843, and went to Canada with her parents when she was about four years of age. The family consists of seven children-Mary, Margaret, George, Lydia, John, Daniel and William. Mr. and Mrs. Barth were members of the Lutheran church, and Mrs. Barth is still a member of the same.
C. F. Beelar was born in Missouri, Nov. 13, 1838; came to Iowa with his father, Jacob Beelar, when a mere child, and has since made this State his home, stopping in Lee County about six years, and about six years in Bremer County. At about the age of thir- teen he became a citizen of Floyd County, and has since that time resided here upon the bank of Shell Rock River, where the pleasant little village of Marble Rock now stands. He has been
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more or less identified with its growth, though he has given considerable attention to farming. He in company with Mr. Shepardson engaged in the mercantile business two years in Marble Rock, it being about the year 1870. In 1871 he engaged in the hotel business, at which he remained about eight years. Since then he has rented it part of the time. He built the hotel and barn himself, which reflects considerable credit upon the town and upon his own enterprise. In 1880 he and N. H. Ostrander built a creamery in the village, which is quite an accession to the village. It is run by the water-power of a lively little brook, through the auspices of a livelier eleven-inch turbine wheel, which furnishes an abundance of power. Its capacity for making butter is, easily, 800 pounds. per day. He owns in addition to his town . property about 230 acres adjoining the village, which occupies a portion of his attention. Politically we find Mr. Beelar a Repub- lican, and awake to the live issues of the day, as his bold energy in behalf of the Amendment will illustrate; has held the office, of Constable and Town Clerk, and is now filling the office of Justice of the Peace. In 1868 he and Miss Diantha Baltimore were united in marriage in Marble Rock. She was a native of Indiana. They have two children-Oscar and Maudie, ages thir- teen and ten respectively. Of Mr. Beelar we beg leave to say he is not only one of the first men of his township in point of time of set- tlement, but in point of citizenship.
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