USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 101
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 101
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Thomas Drummond was a young lawyer who remained but two years and moved to Vinton, Iowa, from which place he en- listed, serving in the army of the Potomac, and was killed during one of the first bat- tles of the war. Prior to the rebellion he had been State Senator from his district.
A. B. Miller, who was in company with Thomas Drummond in law and real estate, was also killed in the service. These gentleman are treated at length in the Bar and Representative chapters.
958
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
F. J. Turnure is one of the pioneers of April, 1855, at which time he located at Mason City, working at his trade of car- penter, as well as engaging in other em- ployments and land speculations. In 1862 he enlisted in company B, 32d Iowa Vol- unteers, serving three years. He was taken prisoner and kept in Tyler prison thirteen months and nineteen days. After his discharge he resumed his trade, and in 1876 moved to his present home. He has met with some financial reverses, but has always retained the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men. He was mar- ried in 1868 to Miss Helben. They have three children-Hattie May, Frank N. and Fred P.
John West, one of the early settlers of Cerro Gordo county, was born in York- shire, England, Dec. 3, 1825. When eleven years old his parents emigrated to America and located in Cook county, where his parents shortly after died. The subject of this sketch was then thrown upon his own resources, working by month and day as he could get work. When seventeen years old, having accu- mulated a little money, he attended school, receiving a good liberal education. In 1845 Mr. West was married to Mary M. Allen. She was a native of New York. By this union there were two children- A. S. West and Olive Elizabeth, who married A. J. Burlingham. She died in 1880 at the age of thirty-four. Mr. West was the first boy who hauled water into the city of Chicago, and the first to sprinkle the streets of that city, under a contract. In 1847 he commenced grading on the N. W. plank road. He also graded the principal streets south of Randolph.
In 1851 he commenced railroading, which business he has followed, principally, up to 1882. In 1854 Mr. West came to Iowa and traveled extensively over the State. In 1855 he moved his family to Portland township. During the same year he built a saw mill at Nora Springs, where he re- mained for two years. In 1856 he went to his farm and commenced its improve- ment. In 1862 he enlisted in the 32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company B, aud was kept principally on guard duty. He suffered much from sickness, and was con- fined in the hospital for many months. He was discharged at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. West commenced life a poor boy, but by fair dealing and good management he has accumulated a fine property, and to- day is one of the well-to-do business men of Mason City In polities he is a republi_ can, and while on the farm was elected as justice of the peace. He is a member of the G. A. R. and K. of P.
J. H. Valentine was born in Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1821. His parents, John C. Valentine, born in New York and of German descent, and Abagail Holmes, born and reared in Scotland, were married in Saratoga Co., N. Y., where twelve children were born to them, seven of whom are living. In 1837 they removed to Onondaga county, and in 1844 to Henry Co., Ill., where they lived until 1849,going from thence to Marquette Co., Wis., where the father engaged in farming. He died in 1854. He was a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church and an heir to the Trinity church property of New York city. He was a miller, by trade, which trade J. H. also learned and followed in connection with farming. Mrs. J. H.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Valentine is a native of Columbus, Wis. They have two children-Richard, a resi. dent of Mason City, and Lucy, wife of I. P. Whitney, of Mason City. Mr. Valen- tine came to Mason City in 1860, when it was a small village and the country sparsely settled, and associated with J. C. Cowles in general merchandise, but in a year purchased his partner's interest and continued alone six years, then embarked in agricultural implements, handling Buford goods, Moline plows, Minnesota chief, etc. He is a member of the Epis- copal Church, and a charter member of the Masonie Lodge at Mason City.
Daniel J. Farrell was born in Nova Scotia, Sept. 27, 1843. His parents were William and Catharine (Walsh) Farrell. When he was fifteen years of age his parents emigrated to New York, where Daniel learned the tinsmith trade, but abandoned it and took up that of a stone mason. He came to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1864, but the same fall removed to Mason City, where he embarked in the stone and lime business. In June, 1871, he was married to Eliza Powers, by Father Feely. She was a daughter of William Powers. By this union there is a family of three children-Mary, William and Daniel. Mr. Farrell has been identified with Cerro Gordo county for many years, and has seen the gradual development of the surrounding country, from its wilder- ness like state to a country made beautiful by its well tilled farms, schools and church edifices.
Wm. H. Foster was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 1838. He is the son of Ransom and Lydia ( Coffin ) Foster. In 1853 the family emigrated to Ogle Co.,
Ill., where Mr. Foster engaged in farming. In 1869 he came to Mason City. William was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In March, 1862, he en- listed in the 65th regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, company A, and partici- pated in the engagement of Martinsburg and Harper Ferry, when he was taken prisoner but soon afterwards was paroled and sent to Chicago, where he was ex- changed Jan. 14, 1863, when he again joined his regiment in Kentucky, and par- ticipated in the siege of Knoxville In April, 1864, he re-enlisted,received a thirty days furlough and afterward joined Gen- eral Sherman's command near Atlanta. They were left to look after Hood while Sherman went to the sea. He was mus- tered out in July, 1865, at Greensborough, N. C. After leaving the army he re- turned to Ogle county. In 1869 he came to Mason City, where he has since resided He was married, in 1867, at Dixon, Ill., to Anna Freer, by whom he has had five children-William H., Samuel S., Lydia A. and Theodore. Mr. Foster is a mem- ber of the G. A. R.
Rodolphus Babcock has been a resident of Mason City since the spring of 1870, when he established the first gentlemen's furnishing store in the city. He was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1831. His parents, Rouse and Lucinda ( Gilbert ) Babcock, had four sons and four daugh- ters. The father was a Baptist clergyman and spent his life in earnest Christian work. He came to Henry Co., Ill., in 1856, and afterwards went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he died in 1863. Mr. Babcock, of this sketch, acquired a substantial education and was a teacher
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
a number of years. He has been of late years engaged in insurance business, and was elected secretary of the Farmer's In- surance Company of Cedar Rapids, in 1861, and in 1868, secretary of the Fire and Tornado Insurance Company, of Clin- ton, Iowa, and so remained until 1871. He has been in insurance business, either as local or general agent, since 1859. Mr. Babcock was married Nov. 22, 1857, to Mary E. Schermerhorn, born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1837. They have two children -Willis A. and Arthur R.
James Gibson, a settler of 1863, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in January, 1844. He is a son of John and Rachel ( Vinton ) Gibson, and was trained to the pursuits of a farmer's son. In Novem- ber, 1861, he enlisted in the 81st regi- ment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He was in some severe service at Fair Oaks and other engagements, and was dis- charged, in 1862, on account of physical disability. He returned to Herkimer county, and in 1863 came to Cerro Gordo, locating at Lime Grove. Ile was mar- ried Dec. 25, 1869, to Frances Wilson, of Owen township, but formerly of Chica- go. They have four children-Minnie, Maggie, Milton and Morton. The family located at Mason City in 1864. Mr. Gib- son is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
J. O. Prichard has been a resident of Mason City since 1869. He was born in Wales, June 22, 1835, but was left moth- erless when an infant. When sixteen years of age, accompanied by a friend, he emigrated.to the United States, first stop- ping at Racine, Wis., where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since
followed. In 1862 he went to Cambria, enlisting in company H, 36th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. . He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was dis- abled seven months. After his discharge he returned to Wisconsin, resuming his trade, and in 1869 came to Mason City. He has been twice married. In 1864, to Margaret J. Williams, who died of con- sumption in 1866. In March, 1868, he married Florence Dayton, by whom he had three children, two of whom are liv- ing-Charles E. and Arthur. Mr. Prich- ard is a member of I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R.
J. H. Van Wie has resided in Cerro Gordo county since 1869, and has since been engaged in following his vocation. He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1844. He is son of Henry and Lavinia Van Wie. His parents went to Wiscon- sin in 1850, where he was reared to man- hood and received a common school edu- cation. At twenty years of age he fitted himself for the duties of his present call- ing. In 1862 he enlisted in the 19th Wiscon- sin Volunteers Co. E. He was stationed at Newbern, N. C., and was in the service twenty-three months, when he was dis- charged on account of illness. He re- turned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1883 he formed a partnership under the firm name of Van Wie & Kisner. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and in political faith is a republican. Mr. Van Wie was married Jan. 8, 1879, to Addie Case, a native of New York. Their three children are-Arthur, Mary and Gertie.
Horace Vinton settled in Cerro Gordo county in 1870. In company with Mr. Fitch he engaged in the sale of agricul-
961
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
tural machinery, under the firm name of Vinton & Fitch, which soon after became Vinton, Ensign & Dougan. This busi- ness connection continued a few years, and, in 1873, Mr. Vinton bought 160 acres of land in Lime Creek township, where he lived two years and returned to Mason City. Mr. Vinton was born Aug. 27, 1809, at Willington, Conn. His father, Seth Vin- ton, was one of the minute men of the Rev- olution, who marched from Stoughton at the Lexington alarm. The; father settled in Willington in 1781, where his father and friends were located. He died at Rockville, in Vernon township, Conn., at the residence of Mr. Vinton of this sketch, aged ninety-two years. His wife, Polly (Ruder) Vinton, died in the same house in 1853. Horace Vinton was reared on a farm and acquired a good education. At the age of twenty he left home and found employment at $10 per month in a fac- tory. He had to buy his time paying from his wages. He bought a site and built a mill at Rockville, which is now the site of one of the largest factories in Con- nectieut. He remained in Rockville twenty years. In November, 1831, he was married to Lucretia Johns. He left the land of wooden nutmegs in 1854 and set- tled at Rockford, Ill., where he was inter- ested in a planing mill and sash factory. Mr. and Mrs. Vinton are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is deacon
C. E Crane was born in Bridport, Vt., June 1, 1818. Ile was reared in his native place, trained to agricultural pursuits, and acquired his education in the common schools. He was married in 1842 to Ellen Adams. Of their six children but one is
living-Delia. Mrs. Crane died in Mid- dlebury, Vt., where Mr. Crane was en- gaged in mercantile business about six years. In 1854 he came to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he married Frances Parish. They had two children-Will E., a gradu- ate of Iowa State University and now as- sistant professor in that institution, and Edith, wife of F. C. Patton, of Minneap- olis, Minn. Mrs. Crane died in Fond du- Lae in 1864, and Mr. Crane was married a third time, in 1866, to Alice S. Fitch. They have six children -- Flora, Charles, Fred, Eva, Harry and Mary. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Crane moved to Green Bay, Wis., where he was interested in Imbering. Ile became a resident of Mason City in 1870. He was an old time whig in political faith, in early manhood, and joined the ranks of the republican party on its organization.
George H. Harding has been a resident of Mason City sinee 1871, with the excep- tion of a single year, when he lived on his farm in Lime Creek township. Mr. Hard- ing was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1836. His parents, David H. and Fan- nie (Reeves) Harding, were both natives of the same county. The mother died in 1864; the father died at Mason City in December, 1880, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Harding was raised on his father's farm, and acquired his education in the winter terms of the public school. He learned his trade at the age of twenty-two, and made it his active pursuit until he came west. He was mar- ried in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., to Cynthia Brightman, who died in March, 1874, leaving one child-Fannie. The charae- ter of Mrs. Harding is held in loving re- membranee by her family as a consistent
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Christian and a faithful wife and mother. The present wife is a sister of the former Mrs. Harding. She is the mother of two children-Edna and Charles H. The farm of Mr. Harding contains 240 acres, valued at $7,200. In politics he is a democrat, and is posted on all the issues of the times.
J S. Wheeler, one of the enterprising stock men of Cerro Gordo county, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., May 15, 1821. His parents were Joseph Wheeler and Sally (Shelton) Wheeler, natives of New York State. They were married in Con- necticut and emigrated to Madison Co., N. Y., where he embarked in farming. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were ardent supporters of the Baptist Church, of which they were members. In 1855 the family went to Boone Co., Ill., near Belvidere, where Mr. Wheeler embarked in farming, and where he remained until his death, which oc- curred in 1859. Mrs. Wheeler died ten years later. J. S. Wheeler, the subject of this sketch, was reared as a farmer boy, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1855 he removed to Illinois with his parents, where he became ac- quainted with and married Nettie Catton. In 1871 they came to Cerro Gordo county, settling in Mason City, where he has been largely engaged in shipping and raising stock. Mr. Wheeler is among the largest stock shippers and growers in northwest- ern Iowa. In 1883 he had 800 head of stock on his farms, his shipments amount- ing to 900 car loads of stock and about fifty car loads of hogs. He has 2,300 acres of land in Cerro Gordo county, valued at thirty dollars per acre; 440 acres in Ben-
ton county, valued at thirty-five dollars per acre. He has a beautiful residence in Mason City, valued at $7,000. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are the parents of one child -May, wife of James E. Moore. They are members of the Baptist Church of Mason City.
Hathorn McCulloch was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1838. His parents, John H. and Sarah F. (Wells) McCulloch, were the parents of three children- Hathorn, William and John Allburt. The father died in 1845, and the mother was afterward married to Luther Buxton. They had three children-Emma J., Francis G., deceased, and Henry L. Mr. McCulloch received a good education, and in 1859 went to Wisconsin, locating at Oshkosh, Winnebago county, where he was occu- pied with farming. He was married there to Charlotte M. Brown, a native of Penn- sylvania, born March 24, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch have five sons-Frank H., William A., Alfred H., Jesse H. and John R. In 1872 the family removed to Cerro Gordo county, where Mr. McCulloch again interested himself in farming until the spring of 1883, when he established his present business, and is proprietor of the Mason City Dairy. He has twenty-five fine milch cows, and is doing a good busi- ness.
L. S. Eager became a resident of Mason City in 1876. He was a citizen of Falls township for many years, and has seen the development of Cerro Gordo county from its earliest settlement. He was born in Windham Co., Vt., Oct. 31, 1827. He is a son of Nathan and Theda (Sherwin) Eager, natives of Vermont. Their family included seven children, six of whom
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 965
lived to mature years. Mr. Eager grew to manhood in the Green Mountain State and obtained a fair education. In the fall of 1852 he came west and entered a business house at Buffalo Grove, Ogle Co., Ill. In the winter of 1854 he went to Cedar Rapids in the interests of his employers, and during the following sum- mer traveled through Cerro Gordo county. The promise of the country allured him, and in 1866 he established a dry goods store at Shell Rock Falls. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Lydia Wiltfong, and the family household includes three children -Jessie, Nahum HI, and Arthur. Mrs. Eager is a member of the Methodist Church.
George W. Brett was born in Boone Co., Ill., Oct. 13, 1849. His parents, Wil- liam and Ellen Brett, were natives of England. They came to America about the year 1843 and located in Illinois. Their children included three daughters and one son. Mr. Brett, Sr., went to Bre- mer Co., Iowa, in the fall of 1866, and took up his residence at Waverly, since which time he has been interested in land specu- lation, and is one of the largest holders of real estate in northern Iowa. Mr. Brett, of this sketch, settled in Mason City in 1878, chiefly for the purpose of superin- tending his father's business at this point. He graduated from the International Busi- ness College of Chicago, July 2, 1874. Ile was married in Brandon, Wis., to Alice, daughter of Ezra Sheldon, a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y., born in March, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Brett have two chil- dren-Bert HT. and Hattie R. Mr. Brett is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
G. T. Burgess was born in Blue Earth Co., Minn., March 12, 1856. His parents, J. L. and Miranda (Bell) Burgess, were natives of Indiana. They went to Minne- sota in 1854, and were among the earliest settlers of Blue Earth county. Mr. Bur- gess went to school in the log school houses of the pioneers, and at fifteen learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed some years. He was married in 1880 to Mary A. Davidson, of Janesville, Minn. They have one child- Nellie. In 1882 Mr. Burgess came to Mason City. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order at Mason City.
John Russell has been a resident of Iowa since 1853. In that year he came to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, to enter land, and in 1855 moved his family, settling in Lime Creek township. He came to this county in company with David and Edward Wright. He built a log cabin in which his household resided a few years. It had a shed roof and no floor, and the fire place extended across one end of the building. In common with pioneer testimony, both Mr. and Mrs. Russell say they never ex- perienced happier days than there, when everybody tried to make the best of every- thing. The nearest trading post was In dependence, 150 miles distant, a trip to which, made with an ox team, occupied two weeks, and the family left behind were in a region infested with Indians. Mr. Russell walked to Des Moines to en- ter his land, carrying with him $4,000 to enter land for other parties. The houses on the route were few and far between, and Mr. Russell had several times to sleep in the brushwood. He was born in West- moreland Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1809. His
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
father, John Russell, was a native of Scot- land and emigrated to America early in life, with his parents. The grandfather of Mr. Russell was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and died at the age of 104 years. His father was a pioneer of Ohio, and he received his first rudimentary edu- cation in a log school house in the Buck- eye State, which building was lighted through an aperture cut in the logs and shaded by greased paper. Slabs were used for floor and seats Mr. Russell was mar- ried in 1831 to Matilda Ferguson. Her fa- ther was a native of England and her mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Russell was born in Ohio. She became the mother of ten children. Four of her sons were soldiers for the Union, and two gave their lives defending their flag. Following is the list-McCollum, of Polk Co., Oregon; Harrison P., Jacob, Joseph A., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; William, died near Vicksburg; Emily, wife of Dr. Harris; Sarah O., Mrs. Thomas Hodges, and Sa- mantha.
Capt. E. D. Doud, a prominent citizen of Mason City, located here in 1869, buy- ing a large tract of land-1,440 acres-in Cerro Gordo county. He was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., Oct. 11, 1837. He is a son of Calvin and Rebecca (Danielson) Doud, and one of a family of three sons and four daughters. His parents died when he was a boy and he was bound to a man named Anthony Overacker, who deserves kindly mention for the manner in which he discharged his obligations. The latter settled in McHenry Co., Ill., where Mr. Doud grew to manhood and obtained a good education. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cav-
alry, (Jack Farnsworth's big abolition reg- iment), company H. His command was sent to the army of the Potomac, then under the leadership of Gen. McClelland, where his regiment was in much active service. It was in the advance at Gettys- burg and drew first fire from the rebels. He was commissioned first lieutenant, and promoted to the command of his com- pany in August, 1863. He was on the staff o Gen. Davis three months, and de- tailed to a command just before the fight at Beverly Ford. Capt. Doud won his laurels by meritorious conduct, and was honorably discharged in October, 1864, at the end of his term of enlistment. He was married in May, 1875, to Clara E. Cole, of Maine. He has two children-Grace E. and Ardine C. Capt. Dond has always been actively interested in educational matters.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The first marriage was that of William Willson to Abigal Gardner, who were mar- ried by Judge Long, in 1855.
The first death was Mrs. James Stewart. Her remains were buried near where Card's block was erected, and were never removed.
The first school in Mason City was taught by Mrs. Lizzie Thompson, in 1856.
The first birth was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfonzo Garner.
The first store was opened by John L. McMillen in 1854.
The first millinery in Mason City was opened by a Miss S. E. Hartshorn, now wife of J. J. Russell, in 1864.
Telephonic communication was effected between Mason City and Algona, in May, 1878, a distance of over sixty miles.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
At the first election in Mason City a cigar box served as a ballot box; it was se- cured by an iron padlock, nearly as large as the box itself, as the law provided it should be locked.
Perhaps the club dancers of to-day may be interested in knowing when the first "dress ball" was held in Mason City. In March, 1856, J. B. Long dedicated his new store building by a dance. That the party was a success, may be inferred from the fact that there were seventy-five couples in attendance. Mrs. McMillen got the supper for over 150 persons. They came from far and near, and had a royal time.
In July, 1876, the little daughter of Mr and Mrs. William Burge was fatally burned by a kerosene explosion, occasioned by the child's trying to rekindle a fire to play ironing with, her mother having just fin- ished her week's ironing and calling on a neighboring lady. She only lived four hours.
In the spring of 1876 an ice gorge was suddenly formed in Willow creek, result- ing in much damage. After the gorge, which caused the high water at the Com- mercial street bridge, gave way, it carried the heavy mass of ice farther down into Parker's mill pond, where the ice had not before been broken, piling it up several feet above the level of the pond. As the heavy mass was forced by the flood upon the thick ice of the pond, it was broken up and piled higher yet, making a most formidable appearance. It was thought at one time that Parker's mill must surely go down stream with this fearful tide of surging, trembling icy mass. Large blocks of ice were thrown upon the embankment on the west side of the pond, and against the
heavy earth and stone embankment or ice- breaker of the flume, which caused another gorge before the mill was reached. Here it remained until about 11 o'clock at night, when it again broke away, taking a large share of the central portion of the dam, and materially damaging the ice guard and flume The huge blocks of ice grazed the mill, breaking the weather boards and window sills, which must have been all of seven feet above the ordinary level of the mill pond. The heavy oak timbers twelve inches square, over the flume, fully seven feet high, were struck by a cake of ice and they snapped like a brittle pipe stem or a dead reed. The damage done to Mr. Par- ker, upon the occasion, was figured at $500.
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