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 37
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 37
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Elmer E. Morehouse, dealer in groceries and boots and shoes, was born in West Fork township, Franklin Co., Iowa, in August, 1861, being the first white child born in that township. In childhood he was made a eripple for life by an attack of spinal meningitis. This necessitated his fitting himself for a position in life that could be filled by . the unfortunate. Hle therefore sought and obtained a good educ ition. After completing it, he taught school for some years. He then clerked in a store at Hampton for about two years, and then in 1881, he came to Sheffield and engaged in his present business. He is a rising man, of fine culture, good business qualifications, and is highly respected by all who know him.
. II. Morehouse, farmer and partner of E. E. Morehouse, is one of the settlers of 1860 and was born in the district of London, Canada, in 1832. He is a son of John and Clarissa Morehouse, and came to the United States with them in 1838, first set- ling in Oakland Co,, Mich., where he spent his boyhood on a farm, receiving but a common school education. In 1856 he went to Illinois, where he followed farming until 1860, when he came to Iowa, purchasing a farm on section 3, West Fork township, Franklin county, where he continued to live until 1881, when he came to the village of Sheffield and opened a store connected with his son Elmer, but has led a quiet retired life since his settling here. He was among the first settlers in West Fork township, and took quite an active interest in the matters of the township, having filled many of the offices from time to time. For two year, 1863 and 1864, he was. mail carrier from Hampton to Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the present time he is a member of the Sheffield city council. He was married in 1855, to Harriet M. Davis, and they have four children-Frank, Lorenzo, George and Elmer.
The first furniture dealer was S. E. Spaulding, who opened a store in 1876. He continued two years, and was succeeded in 1881 by R. J. Churchouse, who erected a building 22x44 feet two stories high.
R. J. Churchouse, proprietor of Sheffield furniture store, was born in England, in 1845. In his childhood he came to America with his parents and settled in Waukesha Co, Wis, remaining two years, when his mother died. Ile and his father then re- turned to England, but after a lapse of
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three years returned to the United States and were two years in York State, from thence again to Wisconsin. He was brought up on a farm, but received a liberal educa tion. He enlisted, in 1861, in the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company D, as a private, but two years served as a non-commissioned officer, and was in many of the heavy battles of the war, having been with Grant and Sherman four years. At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in lumbering and farming until 1872, when he came to Iowa and located in Cerro Gordo county for ten years, where he followed farming. In the spring of 1882, he came to Sheffield, Frank- lin county, building a store and engaging in the furniture business, which he has since successfully followed. He was mar- ried, in 1872, to Phebe Thayer, and they have two children- George and Harvey. They are members of the M. E. Church, and he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The first livery stable in Sheffield was run by Wesley Hall. The next to engage in the business was William Ritter, in February, 1880, who sold to Ford & Gear, the following year.
G. L. Gear, of the firm of Ford & Gear, was born in 1858, in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and came to Franklin Co., Iowa, settling at Sheffield, Clinton township, in the spring of 1881. He was the son of William T. and Eliza (Day) Gear. He grew up in his native county, was educated at the common schools, and re- mained at home until the death of his father in 1880. He then came west and spent six months in Minnesota, and in 1881 came to Sheffield, where, in company
with Mr. Ford, he bought the livery sta- ble, in which business he is now en- gaged. In politics he is a republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. at this place. Hle was married in 1883 to Susie Ford.
George J. Ford, of Ford & Gear, was born in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., Ang. 9, 1855. His parents, Richard and Eliza (Richards) Ford, were natives of Cornwall, England, and were among the early settlers of Jo Daviess Co., Ill. George remained at home on the farm until the age of twen- ty-two, when he struck out in life for himself. In February, 1879, he went to Leadville, Col., remaining there seven months. He was engaged as waiter in a boarding house for three weeks, when he took full charge of the house, until the 1st of May, and then engaged in the charcoal business with a large contractor, as fore- man. In August he was taken siek and returned to Illinois, and in 1880 came to Iowa for his health. In February, 1881, he engaged in the livery business with Mr. Gear, which business he has since continued with success. Mr. Ford mar- ried Eliza V. Gear, June 9, 1881, at Shef- field. They have one daughter, Millie, born May 17, 1883. Mr. Ford is a member of the Sheffield Lodge of Odd Fellows.
The first to engage in the harness business was J. W. Winship, in 1874. He carried a small line of boots and shoes, also. In 1882 he sold to A. S. Abrams.
A. S. Abrams, proprietor of the Shef- field harness shop, was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1850. When seven years of age, his parents moved to Lee Co., Ill., where he grew to manhood on a
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farm, receiving but a common school education. At the age of twenty-one years, he commenced to learn his trade, which he has followed the greater part of the time since. In 1875 he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on a farm, with his father, in Richland township, where he remained until September, 1882, then came to Sheffield and engaged in his present business. His shop is the only one in the place, and he is do ing a good business. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and is one of the officers. He is also a member of the encampment at Mason City. He was married in 1870 to Mary Gorton, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. She died in 1879, and he was married in December, 1882, to Irene Couch. One child was left him, by his first wife, named Winnie.
The first blacksmith was Joseph Perrin, who opened a shop in 1874. Ite is a na- tive of England, born in 1835. He came to America with his parents in 1849, set- tling in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. When he was seventeen years of age he learned the blacksmith trade and followed it in Illi- nois until 1861, at which time he enlisted in the 3d Missouri Cavalry, serving nearly three and a half years, a good part of the time being spent at his trade. At the close of the war he was honorably dis- charged, came home with his regiment and turned his steps towards Illinois, where he followed his trade until he came to Iowa, in 1870, and settled in Clinton township. Here he farmed until Sheffield was started, then came to the village and built the first blacksmith shop. His busi- ness is large and lucrative. He owns 120 acres of land near the village, also eighty
acres adjoining the village, ten aeres of which he has platted into lots as the Per- rin addition to Sheffield. Mr. Perrin was a member of the school board two years, and has held other minor town offices. He is a member of the Masonic order at Shef- field, of which he is an officer, and signed . its charter; is also an officer in the G. A. R. He was married in 1865 to Maria M. Wilde. They have five children-Bertha, George K., Ada M. Florence W and Frank E.
The first to engage in wagon and car- riage work was A. F. Crosby, who opened a shop in 1874, and in 1883 was still in the business. In 1882, John Treganza started a wagon shop.
A. F. Crosby came to Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1859, and settled in. Clinton town- ship in 1860, engaging in farming. He was born in Wayne Co., N. Y. in 1818. He is the son of E. Y. and Abigail (Frank- lin) Crosby, the former of New York, the latter of Pennsylvania. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved to western New York, and when he was fourteen, they went to Ohio. There A. F. Crosby was brought up on a farm, re- ceived a common school education, and followed farming till he was twenty-seven years of age. In 1845, he went to work at the trade of carriage making in Penn- sylvania, and after two years there, went to Ohio and worked at wagon making, until he went to Wisconsin, in 1855. Here he worked at his trade till he came to Franklin Co., Iowa. Mr. Crosby started the first shop in the county in 1860, and has been in the business more or less ever since. He was married in 1841, to Sophro- nia Squire, a native of Ohio. They are
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
the parents of five children, two living; one died in infancy. Elemuel enlisted in com- pany H, 32d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864, at the age of nineteen. Their eldest daughter died of consumption in 1873, leaving a family of three children. She was the wife of Charles Smith- Squire E., a farmer in Nebraska, and Adalaide, the wife of A. Dailey, who is Mr. Crosby's partner. Mr. Crosby is the oldest resident settler in the town. He and his wife have lived together for forty- two years. Their oldest daughter, Maria, was the first child married in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are both active mem- bers of the Baptist Church, he having been a member for thirty-two, and his wife forty-six years. He has been justice of the peace, trustee of the township, assessor, and president of the school board. In politics, he is a republican, and a strong temperance man.
John Treganza was born in England in 184], and came to America in 1843, with his parents, who settled in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. He lived on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he commenced to learn the wheel wright trade, and also that of stone cutter; the latter he followed for four years, and since that time has fol- lowed wagon making. In 1879, he came to Iowa, working at his trade at Hampton until the spring of 1882, and then moved to Sheffield, engaging in the wagon busi- ness. He was married in 1864 to Eliza- beth Mills. They have four children- Joseph, Emma, Marcus M. and Henry.
C. E. Willhelm established a restaurant at Sheffield in 1878, and was succeed by J. W. Hall. J. W. Hall came to Franklin
Co., Iowa, about 1863 or 1864. He was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., 1841, came, when a child, with his parents to Illinois, and his father being a railroad conductor, went with him as teamster at the age of twelve, which he followed until he came to Iowa, in 1863. In 1864 he bought a farm in West Fork township, where he farmed till 1868, then went to Mason City as foreman on the C., M. & St. P. railroad, with fourteen teams in his charge, and re- mained there four years. In 1872, he was on the Illinois Central R. R., spent the two summers of 1873 and 1874 on the Central Iowa R. R., and and returned to Mason City as drayman for five years. He then went to Missouri as foreman on the K. C. N. R. R,. running two seasons, after which he came back to Sheffield and bought the billiard hall and ran it six months. He then spent one season as foreman on the C., M. & St. P. R. R., and a few months as engineer in the mill, and finally settled in Sheffield where he still lives.
The first meat market was operated by S. E. Baker, who continued but a short time.
James Ormrod opened the next market, in April 1881. He came to Franklin Co , in March, 1876, and leased 480 acres of land in Clinton township, where he engaged in stock and grain raising until April, 1881, when he opened a meat market in Shef- field, which business he still continues. He is extensively engaged in shipping stock to the Chicago market, having shipped last year about $50,000 worth. He is a native of England, born in November, 1850, and when two years old came with his parents to America, living for seven years in Newport, R. I. He then went
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HISTORY OF FRANKIN COUNTY.
to Warren, JoDaviess Co., Ill. He was brought up on a farm and received a com- mon school education. Mr. Ormrod is a republican in politics, and is an active member of the M. E. Church. He was married in December, 1874, to Miss E. L. Farnham,a native of Wisconsin. They have two children living-Jimmie and Leone.
The Bank of Sheffield was established Jan. 1, 1880, with T. B. Taylor, as presi- dent; W. D. Evans, vice-president, and L. B. Carhart, as cashier and business manager.
L. B. Carhart, in the spring of 1873, came to Hampton, Iowa, and in company with T. B. Taylor, started a book and music store. He purchased Mr. Taylor's interest the following spring and continued the business alone till the fall of 1877, when he sold out and went to Grinnell, Iowa, where he engaged with his father and brother. in the lumber business for two years. In the fall of 1879, he sold his interests at Grinnell and moved to Shef. field. Iowa, where, in company with T. B. Taylor and W. D. Evans, of Hampton, he started the Sheffield bank, of which he is the cashier and business manager. Mr. Carhart is one of the trustees,and also treas- urer of the M. E. Church, of which he is a member. In politics he is a strong re- publican and a thorough temperance man. He was born Jan. 1, 1850, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. With his parents, John and Angelina Carhart, he came to Iowa and settled near Davenport, in 1855. His boy- hood days were spent on the farm, where he was not a stranger to hard labor. In 1868, he entered Cornell College, Iowa, at Mt. Vernon, and graduated in June, 1872. He was married in August of the same
year to Addie M. Wright, and soon after came to Eldora, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching, being principal of the graded schools of that place. Here he taught for two terms, and in the spring of 1873, came to Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Carhart are the parents of four children-Edward, Herman, Charles and Harry.
O. C. Zimmerman, proprietor of the- Sheffield billiard hall, was born in Clay- ton Co., Iowa, in 1853. Soon afterward his parents went to Pennsylvania, but in less than two years returned to Clayton county, where they remained for ten years and then came to Franklin county and settled on the farm adjoining Shef- field, where his father still lives. During his younger days, O. C. Zimmerman spent some time in a store, but was on a farm the most of the time, receiving such an education as the district schools af- forded. In 1877, he was married, bought a farm and started out for himself. He now owns in all 280 acres of land in different places. During the winter of 1882-3 he moved into Sheffield and fitted up the billiard hall which he now runs. Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities. He is father of three children- J. J., Clara May and Effie.
The first physician who practiced at Sheffield was Dr. J. M. Potter, who came in 1875. In 1883, this profession was rep- resented by Drs. G. W. Lee and H. R. Floyd, both locating here in 1882.
The first drug store was started by Dr. J. M. Potter, in 1875, who, in 1880, sold to Anderson & Nichols. This partner- ship continued until 1882, when Mr.
0
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Anderson sold his interest in the business to Mr. Nichols.
William E. Nichols was born in San- dusky Co., Ohio, in 1854. When quite young, his parents moved to northern Indi- ana. Here he received a liberal academic education. At fourteen years of age he started out for himself. He posted him- self in pharmacy and has followed it with success ever since. He opened his first store at Wyoming, Iowa, remained there one year, then sold out and in the fall of 1880 came to Sheffield, Iowa, and in com- pany with Mr. Anderson, bought the drug business then owned by J. M. Potter. This partnership continued till the spring of 1882, when Mr. Nichols bought out his partner. He has built up a good business and is very popular with all classes. In the spring of 1883, he rented another store and has put in a large stock of mu- sical instruments, and being a fine musi- cian himself, he will hereafter give his per- sonal attention to this branch of his large business. In September, 1881, he was married to Collin Skinner, at Manson, Iowa.
The butter and egg business is carried on by A. H. Bird, Hockett & Slade, and Thomas Bros.
Sheffield supports one newspaper-the Sheffield Press, edited by F. P. Morgan.
A. B. Carter, the popular barber at Sheffield, came here in 1878. Ile was born in Floyd Co., Iowa, in 1853, and was the first child born in that county, where his parents settled in 1852. There he grew up, receiving a common school educa- tion, and remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he commenced to learn the barber's trade at
Nashua, Iowa, following it there and other places until he came here. When he came here he built a small shop, and later a larger one, and by strict attention to busi- ness has secured and holds a very lucra tive custom. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, was one of the charter members, gave much assistance in starting the order here, and has passed all the chairs. He was married in 1876 to Sophronia Baum- gardner.
D. N. Byerlee, station agent at Sheffield, was born in Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa, in 1855. He is the son of A. J. and Mary J. Byerlee. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education at the Albia High School. In 1876 he went on the C., B. & Q. R. R., on the middle Iowa division, as agent and operator; this he followed until the fall of 1882, when he gave up railroading and commenced to study short hand at Albia. He worked there for a time, and then came to Sheffield as agent of the station, in May, 1883. He was married in 1877 to Belle Hickey, a native of lowa. They have one child-Libbie E.
A. C. Whitney, contractor and builder, came to Franklin county in 1878, and lo- cated at Sheffield, where he formed a partnership with L. S. Bullard, and has since been engaged in the business; they having built many of the houses in this thriving little city. He was born in New Hampshire in 1837, and learned his trade from his father, who was also a carpenter. He left home, going to Winnebago Co., Ill., remaining three years; then to Kane county, where he remained twelve years, following his trade and farming; from thence to Lake county, remaining until
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
341
1878, when he came to Clinton township. He was married in 1861 to Clara J. Cary, who died in 1876, leaving four children- George, Lizzie, Adell and Anna. He was again married in 1881 to Martha Wilhelm, and has one child by his present wife- Freddie. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Sheffield, and is present tyler of the lodge.
J. W. Bruce, of the firm of Bigg & Bruce, contractors and builders, was born in Dodge Co., Wis., in 1856, and came to Sheffield, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1878. He worked for Mr. Bigg two years and since that time has been in partnership with him. When he was nineteen years years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, and in 1876, came to Iowa settling in Rockwell, Cerro Gordo county, where he followed his trade until he came here. Mr. Bruce owns a fine house and lot, and in company with Mr. Bigg owns the shop where they do busi- ness. In politics he is a republican; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1882, he was united in marriage with Tillie Hall, of Illinois.
D. E. Bigg was born in England in 1848. He came to America in 1862 and settled in Fon du Lac, Wis., where he commenced to learn his trade when he was quite young. He received a common school education. In 1878, he came to this place and worked at his trade-that of con- tractor and builder-until 1881, when he formed a joint partnership with J. W. Bruce, under the firm name of Bigg & Bruce, and thus they have.continued. He . is a member of the school board; also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of which he has been an officer. He is a republican
in politics. Mr. Bigg was married in 1873 to Lucinda Thayer, of Wisconsin. They have four children-Maude, Ethia, Johnnie and Grace.
John L. Borst, coal dealer in Sheffield, Iowa, came to Franklin county in 1876, and after farming for about five years, located in Sheffield. He was born in Fon du Lac, Wis., in 1852, where he grew up and followed farming with his parents until he was twenty years of age. He then went into the drug business in connection with a livery stable and bus line. He also spent a few years, during the time he was engaged in farming, in speculating in stock. His parents were James and Millica Borst. He was mar- ried Feb. 20, 1873, to Ella P. John, a na- tive of Ohio. They have two children- Frank L. and Arthur Earle.
W. F. Mckenzie, grain dealer, was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, in 1849. In his native county he grew to manhood on a farm, receiving a good education, spending two years at the State University of Iowa, finishing in 1874. He came to Franklin Co., Iowa with his parents in the spring of 1868, settling in Clinton township, and when only eighteen years of age, he com . menced teaching school; taught several terms before entering the university, also four terms while in that institution. In 1875, he went into the stock business, buying and shipping to the Chicago market; this he continued until one year ago. In the fall of 1878 he formed a part- nership for the purpose of buying grain, and is now doing a fine business. His father, Roderick and mother, Rachel, both died about a year ago. Mr Mckenzie is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, be-
23
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
ing one of the charter members. In poli tics he is a republican. Mr. MeKenzie was married in October, 1880, to Maggie Winchell, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child-Alma. He has held many of the town offices; is school treas- urer at this time, also a member of the city council
Among other prominent men of Shef- field are James Borst, John H. Richer and Joseph Gilchrist.
John H. Richer came to Clinton town- ship, Franklin Co., Iowa, in 1870. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 21, 1837, and at ten years of age went with his parents to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio « His father being a shoemaker, at the age of thirteen John began to learn that trade, afterwards working at it in Dayton, Ohio, until 1854, when he settled in Tou- lon, Ill., then in Henry county, thence removed to Atehinson, same State, where for two years he was in business for him- self He then sold out, went to Osceola and worked as a journeyman. May 2, 1862, he enlisted in company G, 65th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the Scotch regiment, being largely composed of men of Scotch descent. He enlisted as a private, but for faithful duty the first night he was on guard, he was promoted to second corporal by Colonel Mulligan, of the 23d Illinois. On Sept 19, 1862, di- rectly after the battle of Antietam, he was made second sergeant. Here he was wounded in the head by the fragment of a shell which left him for some time un- conscious, but in a week he was in his place again. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, but at once paroled He had his right shoulder broken in a rail-
road collision during the war, contracted heart disease and rheumatism in the army, and now draws a pension of $18 per month. He was in the battles of Antie- tam, Harper's Ferry and others, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. After the war he returned to Osce- ola, Ill., and followed his trade until he came here in 1870, in search of health. He settled in Clinton township till Shef- field was started, then came to town and worked at his trade. In 1876, he was ap- pointed postmaster and held the office un- til Mr. Bowen was appointed. . In 1881, he went into business in company with H. Morehouse, where he continued until the spring of 1883 He signed the charter and was instrumental in the organization of the G. A. R here, of which he is ser- geant. He was married, March 8, 1858, to Mary E. Milden, a native of Ohio, They have had three children-Corrilla Louisa, Ransom Dudley and Ione Effie, who died when five years of age.
James Borst is a prominent resident of Sheffield, having come here in 1877. He was born in Sehoharie Co., N. Y. When sixteen years old he went to Laporte Co., Ind., going from there to Missouri, thenec to Wisconsin in 1856. His advantages were very limited. When he was mar- ried he commenced life without a dollar, but by hard work and close economy he began to accumulate property, and when he went to Wisconsin, in 1856, he bought a small farm, and from that day onward he has made rapid advancement in the acquisition of wealth, far surpassing the dreams of his boyhood. Ile is now sixty- seven years of age, hale and vigorous, and possesses a large fortune. In 1867
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he moved into the village of Fox Lake, Wis., and for ten years he retired from active labor. In 1877 he c me to Shef- ffeld, Iowa, where he invested a large amount of his fortune. He owns 280 acres of land in Clinton township, ad- joining the town, a part of which is in the corporation. He owns the finest resi- dence in the town, built by himself in 1877, also the finest business block built in 1882, at a cost of $7,000. He also has several other business houses and four tenement houses, and is doing much in building up the town. He has platted Borst's addition to the village, and sells lots at prices to encourage settlers. For fifteen years Mr. Borst has been an active member of the Baptist Church, and a life-long republican. He is a very liberal man and joins heartily in every- thing that tends to build up the town, and his efforts are appreciated by the people. He was married in 1843 to Me- lissa Culver. They have four children -Bethone, Wm. D , Joseph B. and John L.
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