History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 56

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990

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 56
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 56

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John C. Jones, by occupation a con- tractor and house builder, is the son of an old settler of Franklin county, and was born in West Virginia, July 30, 1835. They moved to Indiana, and from thence to Reeve township. John C. enlisted in company E, 12th Iowa, in October, 1861, serving until July 26, 1865. He was promot- ed to the captaincy in the militia service, afterwards commissioned Ist lieutenant in the 88th regular United States colored troops. He participated in many of the prominent battles of the war, including Jackson and Vicksburg. On receiving his discharge, he returned to his home, where he remained one year, then went to southern Nebraska and Kansas, prosecu- ting his business. He was married to Mary J. Creighton, Nov. 16, 1856, born in Shelby Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1839. Seven children children have been born to them, five of whom are now living-William R., Mar- garet A., Christena R., Schuyler C. and Hattie A. He has held offices of trust, and is a republican in polities.

Jacob Kurtz came to Franklin county in 1866, locating on section 25, where he . still resides. He is the second son of four- teen children, and was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, in 1838. His parents were natives of Germany, where they died. He emigrated to this country when fourteen years of age, stopping a few months in Cleveland, Ohio, then going to Crawford county, where he remained

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

eight years. In 1861 he went to Indiana, and remained until coming to Reeve town- ship. He was married Sept. 24, 1878, to Mrs. Jennie (Anderson) Sanderson, born in Stephenson Co., Ill., March 3, 1855. By her first marriage she had one child- Minnie L. ; by the present marriage three children-Charles O., James W. and Ma- bel A. Previous to coming to the town- ship, Mr. Kurtz was a democrat, but now votes the republican tieket.

David H. Vankirk is the present town- ship clerk of Reeve. His parents came to Franklin county in 1866, where he has since resided. He is the eldest son of William Vankirk, and was born in Ohio in 1854.' He was married in 1877 to Cath- erine Way, born in Wisconsin in 1856. She is the daughter of a prominent citi- zen of the township, and is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Vankirk takes an active interest in politics- and is a republican. He has acquired a good liberal education, and has followed teach- ing nine years. They have three children -Rosa M., Leonard M. and Leona.

Among the number who came in be- tween 1866 and 1876 were : W. B. Tim- erman, M. D. Latham, Robert Bird, W. S Nobles, H. Z. Tucker, C. B. Green, Amos B. Hudson, Garrett W. Luke, John G. Hicks, Theodore Thomas, Isaac T. Way, J. M. Goble, G. II. Hyndman, Thom is Fox, Henry J. Millard, James M. Bailey, James Hunt and John Vincent.

W. B. Timerman, in the fall of 1872, came to Franklin county and purchased the farm where he now lives. He i- of German descent, and his great grand- father's, on both his father's and mother's side, were soldiers of the Revolutionary

war. W. B. Timerman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., 1833, and was the son of Adam and Eve A. (Smith) Timerman, natives of that county. The family removed to Jeffer- son Co., N. Y., and engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Timerman was married in January, 1866, to Elizabeth Graham, then of Franklin Co., Iowa. Her father, John Graham, a native of Ireland and her mother Sophia (Miller) Graham, of French and German extraction, were born and reared in New York city. They were among the pioneers of Jefferson Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Timerman are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He is a steward and class leader. They have four children-Melvin R., Percy G., Alida E. and Mary B. Mr. Timerman is a good republican and takes great interest in pol- itics.

Amos Shepherd purchased and moved to his present. home in 1873 He was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1817, where he grew to manhood, had good school ad- vantages and followed teaching several years. He was married, in his native county, in 1840, to Isabel Moore, born in Ohio, in 1815. In 1853, he moved his family to Cumberland Co, Ill., and, in 1862, to Marion Co., Iowa. The follow- ing year he came to Franklin county, tak- ing a homestead of seventy-one acres upon . which he lived for some time, then re- moved to Maysville, and from there to his present home. His wife died April 3, 1863. By this marriage he had seven chil- dren-Leander C., Levica C, Mary B., Anne E., David A., James W. and Thayer F. He was again married, March 16, 1865, to Mrs. Elizabeth Sparling. She

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

was born in Indiana Co., Penn., in 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mays ville. Mr. Shepherd is a republican and has held the office of justice of the peace about fifteen years.

H. Z. Tucker was born in the town of Stafford, Orange Co., Vt., in 1837. When thirteen years of age, his parents came to Jo Daviess Co., Ill , where H. Z. grew up, and was educated in the common schools. He enlisted, May 24, 1861, in company E, 15th Illinois Infantry, and served till 1864. He was a brave soldier and took part with his regiment in the battle of Shiloh and several other engagements. When he received his discharge he re- turned to Jo Daviess county, and on the 25th of October, 1864, was married to Jen nie Townsend, born in the same county, in 1843. Here he engaged in farming un- til 1876, when he came to Franklin coun- ty, and located on section 36, Reeve town- ship, where he still resides. They have one child-George A. Mrs. Tucker is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Tucker is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, is a republican in politics and has held several local offices both here, and in Jo Daviess county, prior to his coming to Iowa.

Milton D. Latham was the fourth of a family of six children, and came to Frank- lin county in 1874, locating on section 26, in Reeve township, where he now resides. His farm consists of eighty-five acres, un- der good cultivation He was born in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., in 1849, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common school education, and was married, in 1874, to Emily Buss, born in England, in 1852.

They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Geneva, and have three children-Carrie, Edith and Jessie. His father was born in Vermont, his mother in Ohio. They were pioneer settlers of Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where they both died. The parents of Mrs. Latham were born in England, where the mother died in 1868. The father then emigrated to Stephenson Co., Ill., where he is still liv- ing, having had a family of eight children.

Robert L. Bird removed to Reeve town- ship, on section 21, in 1874. He was born in Fulton Co., Ill., and when a small child his parents moved to Lee, thence to Mad- ison and then to Butler, Iowa. His par- ents were natives of Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1855. The father now lives in Madison county; the mother died at But- ler Centre, Butler county. He enlisted at Butler Centre, Oct., 1, 1861, in company E, 12th Iowa Infantry, serving until January, 1865. He took part in many of the battles of the war. He was disabled in the army, from the effects of which he now draws a pension. After being dis- charged he returned to Butler county, where he was married, June 10, 1866, to Nancy J. Oxford, born in Indiana in 1848. They have six children-Mabel R., Flor- ence M., Grace, Laura B., David L. and Dora J. Mrs. Bird is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Bird is a staunch republican and has held lo- cal offices. The parents of Mrs. Bird are old settlers of Butler county, where the mother still lives, the father having died there Jan. 1, 188.1.

William S. Nobles was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, in 1853; was reared upon a farm, attended a common district school,

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

and also the public school at Middleport two years. In 1875 he came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and entered the employ of E. L. Clock. After remaining in his employ for two years he married Sept. 27, 1877, Ella M. Clock, born in Warren, Jo Daviess Co., Ill , in 1856. After this he engaged in farming on shares until the fall of 1881, when he purchased the farm in Reeve township, where he now resides. .He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Maysville. They have one child-Fannie A.

C. B. Green was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1835. When twelve years of age his parents emigrated to Dodge Co., Wis,, where he grew to manhood and received a good education. In 1867 he came to Franklin county and located on section 33, in Reeve township, where he has since lived with the exception of two years spent in Kansas. He was married in 1860 to Mary D. French, born in New York in 1842. They have seven children -Nettie L., Richard C., Ulysses, Jennie M., Mabel, Bessie and Guy V. (twins). Mr. and Mrs. Green are members of the M. E. Church at Maysville. Adam C. and Thankful (Ayers, Cook) Green, parents of C. B., were natives of St. Lawrence, N. Y., moved to Wisconsin, then to Frank- lin county, thence to Kansas, where the father died in 1878, having been a faith- ful minister of the gospel in the M. E. Church. He died in the triumphs of a living faith and has gone to his reward. The mother is still living in Kansas.

Amos B. Hudson was born in Vermont, in 1829. He went to Wisconsin and set- tled in Dodge county, where he followed teaching, and on the outbreak of the re-

bellion, enlisted as a private in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, and was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant and captain, and served till the close of the war. He is a self-made man, and has succeeded well. He came to Iowa in 1867, and took up his residence in Reeve township, engaging in teaching and farming. At the general election of 1868, he was elected sheriff of the county, which office he held several terms. He removed to Kansas in 1878, where he is now living. He married Laura Green, a native of Oswego, N. Y., born in 1832, by whom he had a family of six children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F.

Garrett W. Luke was born in Albany Co., N. Y., May 22, 1842. When he was about twelve years of age, his parents moved to Boone Co., Ill., and resided there five years. They then moved to Jo Daviess county, where young Lnke en- listed, August, 1862, in company K, 96th Illinois Infantry, serving till the war closed in 1865. He took part with his regiment in twenty-seven battles and skirmishes including Chickamauga, Look- out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Frank- lin, and was with Sherman as far as Atlanta, and at Nashville, at the surren- der of Hood. On being discharged, he returned to Jo Daviess county, and in Jannary, 1868, was married to Harriet F. Turner, born in Jo Daviess county, August, 1842. The next June, the young couple came to Franklin Co., Iowa, and settled on section 26, Reeve township, where they still reside. Six children have been born to them-Harry E., George F., Cora J, Edwin, Effie and Alice. Mr. Luke is a staunch republican, and is a

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A Sheppard:

Ovo E. Sheppard.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

member of the township board of trus- tees.

John G. Hicks came to Franklin county in 1868, and purchased the farm where he now resides, on section 13, Reeve town- ship. He was born in Cornwall, England, Ang. 15, 1839, and when ten years of age, emigrated with his parents to Canada, where the family remained two years, and then removed to Illinois, and settled in Jo Daviess county, where the father still lives, the mother having died there May 1, 1866. Here John G. Hicks spent his young days, being educated in the com- mon schools. In December, 1863, he en- listed in company F, 17th Illinois Cavalry, and served till Dec. 26, 1865, being mus- tered ont of the service at Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas. While at home on a fur- lough, he was married, April 10, 1864, to Josephine Carpenter, a native of Wash- ington Co., N. Y., born Oct. 1, 1840. They have three children-Edwin A, born April 5, 1869, Cornetta, born June 20, 1873, and Marvin, born Dec. 9, 1881. Mr Hicks is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Theodore Thomas, a native of Ogle Co , Ill., was born Oct. 2, 1844. He is the son of Elias and Susan (Rice) Thomas, natives of Washington Co., Md .; the father born Jan 27, 1813, the mother in 1817. They were married in Ogle county, in 1837, where the mother still lives, the father having died Jan. 3, 1881. They had a family of six children, Theodore being the fourth. He enlisted July 1, 1862, in company B, 92d Illinois, serving till July 7, 1865. He took part with his regiment in thirty-two battles, among which were Stone river, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, and was with Sherman on his

march to the sea. On receiving his dis- charge he returned to Ogle Co., Ill., where he was married, March 21, 1867, to Eliza- beth Wagoner, also of Ogle county, born May 5, 1844. Four children were born to them-Olin W., Elias W., Edna E. and Theodore L. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Masonic lodge at Geneva, and is a republican in politics. He came to Frank- lin county in the spring of 1868 and set- tled first in Osceola township, remaining there until 1876, when he removed to Reeve township.

Isaac T. Way, although not one of the oldest settlers, is one of the prominent men of the township. He was born in Randolph Co., Ind., April 28, 1820, but reared in Wayne county. His early life was spent on the farm, but he acquired an excellent education, and afterwards learned the mason's and bricklayer's trade, which he has followed at different times. He was married in Indiana in 1839, to Catherine Amburn, a native of Virginia, born in September, 1818. In 1852, he went with his family to JoDaviess Co., Ill., engaging in farming. His wife died there in Feb- ruary, 1854. By this marriage he had six children-Isaac C., William H., (deceased), Lucy A., Angeline, Orange T, (deceased), Mary E. and Charles O. Ile was again married, Dec. 28, 1854, to Jane Brown, born in Ohio in 1823, by whom he had three children-Catherine J., Sarah A. and John L. In 1869, Mr. Way came with his family to Iowa and settled on section 29, Reeve township, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. . Way are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In politics he was formerly an abolitionist, taking an active part in the interests of that party,

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

afterwards a free soiler, but at present a staunch republican, and is a member of the present board of township trustees and a justice of the peace. During the war he was a strong Union man. Two of his sons were in the service, the oldest being severely wounded. The second one, Wil- liam H., died of pneumonia in the hospital at Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Way is a worthy citizen and is held in high esteem.

J. M. Goble settled in Geneva township, Franklin county, in 1871, and in the spring of 1872, settled in Reeve township on section 36, where he now resides and makes farming his occupation. He was born in Perry township, Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1833. He was educated at the common school, and was the third child of a family of fifteen. His parents, now deceased, were natives of Ohio. He followed brick- making in the summer, and went to school in winter until 1855, when he went to JoDaviess Co., Ill. In 1857, he married Diadema Warne, born in Southwood, Canada West, in 1838. Her father was a native of Digby, Nova Scotia; her mother of Canada. They are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Goble have three children- Laura B., John L. and Lucy R.

John H. Adams came to this county in 1871, and located on section 12, Reeve township. He was born in England in 1838, and when six years old emigrated to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where his mother was still living in 1883; the father died in that county in 1853. John H. grew to man- hood there and received a common school education. In his youth and early man- hood he worked at lead mining, in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in company C,140th Illinois Infant-

ry for six months, after which he re-en- listed in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, serving until the war closed. He was married in Jo Daviess county, Nov. 27, 1867, to Ma- tilda Tressider, who was born in South Carolina, in 1848. In 1869 they went to Iowa Co., Wis., and remained until they came to Iowa in 1871. They have three children-Bertha, Mary and R. Henry. Mr. Adams and wife are both members of the Methodist Church and Mr. Adams is a prominent man in the I. O. O. F. lodge.

G. C. Hyndman, in 1872, came to Frank- lin county, and located on section 4, Reeve township, where he now has a good farm. He was born in Canada in 1838. His par- ents were natives of Ireland. He re- mained in Canada until nineteen years of age, when he removed to Illinois, remain- ing for a time in each of the counties of Ogle, Stephenson and Boone. He then moved to Iowa. He was married at Free- port, Ill., June 15, 1865, to Carrie A. Shout, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1848. Her parents were also natives of Pennsylvania. They have four children- Dixon G., Aurie S., Clyde J. and John A. Mrs. Hyndman is of German descent.

Thomas Fox is a resident on section 9. His farm consists of 113 acres in a good state of cultivation. He was born near London, England, March 21, 1851, and grew to manhood in Newton. His educa- tion was limited having to labor to main- tain himself. When eighteen he emi- grated to the United States, stopping in La Fayette Co., Wis., seven years, when he came to Franklin county, and rented land in Reeve township for a time, when he bought a farm on section 20, where he lived three years, then sold and purchased

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

his present home. He was married Jan. 17, 1876, to Mary Muxlow, a native of La Fayette Co., Wis., born April 21 1856. They have two children-George M., born Nov. 7, 1876, and William H., born Aug. 28, 1879. Mr. Fox is a republican in polities, and has held offices of trust.

Henry J. Millard has been in Reeve township since 1873. He was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1833. His parents emigrated to Jefferson Co., Wis., when he was ten years of age. He remained there until manhood, and had good educa- tional advantages. In 1858 he went to Winnebago Co., Ill., and remained until he came to Franklin county in 1870. He first settled in Osceola, remaining there three years. He was married in Richland Co., Wis., in 1855, to Martha J. Beemer, a native of New Jersey, born in 1837. They are the parents of six children- William HI., Mary E., Alice J., Frank E., James Y. and Clarence E. They are members of the M. E. Church at Mays- ville.

James M. Bailey was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 12, 1843, and was the fifth of six children. He was the son of John A. and Elsie Bailey, natives of New York, where they were married in 1848, and emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Rock county, and engaging in farming. In 1871, they removed to MeHenry Co., Ill., where they are now living. James is the possessor of a good education, and has chosen the vocation of farming. He was marrried Dec 24, 1863, to Hannah E. Beemer, born in Ohio, Aug. 17, 1840. They have three children-Mary E., Wil- liam A., and James E. In 1871 they re- moved to Winnebago City, Ill., where

they remained until 1873, when they came to Franklin county, and settled in Grant township, remaining one year, when they chose the farm where they now live, on section 33, in Reeve township. Mr. Bailey has held local offices, and is a repub- lican in politics. The parents of Mrs. Bailey, were natives of New Jersey, where they married. They removed to Ohio, thence to Wisconsin, and from there to Illinois, where the mother died in 1875, aged fifty-six years. The father died in Reeve township, May 4, 1881, aged seven- ty-nine years.

James Hunt, a resident on section 35, Reeve township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1830, where his parents, John and Phæbe (Stark) Hunt, were born and died ; the mother dying April 5, 1880, aged seventy-nine years ; the father Aug. 12, 1882, aged eighty-two years. His school advantages were very limited, but by reading and observation, he has ae- quired a good practical education. He emigrated to Rochester, N. Y., in 1851, where he remained one year, then removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., but not being sat- isfied, he moved to LaFayette Co., Wis., making it his home until the spring of 1875, when he came to Franklin county, and bought a farm on section 5, Ross township, which he retained until 1883, when he sold out, and purchased his pres- ent home. He was married in 1858, in Wisconsin, to Caroline Redfearn, a native of Ohio, born in 1841. They have eleven children-Mary J., Elizabeth A., Lucy L., Sarah A., James W., Francis R., deceased Feb. 20, 1882, aged thirteen years and fif- teen day ; Effie C., Mattie E., deceased Sept. 10, 1873, aged sixteen months ;

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Phobe E., Hattie O. and Josie Dell. Mr. Hunt a republican in politics, and has held the office of justice of the peace. He is also a member of the 1. O. O. F.

. John Vincent came to his present home in Reeve township, in 1875. He was for- merly a merchant, but is now engaged in farming. He was born and reared in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., where he received a good common school education. He is a son of Henry and Sarah (Mitchell) Vin- cent, natives of Cornwall, England, who emigrated to the United States, in 1833, and were among the pioneers of Jo Da- viess county, where they made their home until their death, the father dying in 1851, the mother in 1864. They reared a fam- ily of eleven children, John being the tenth. He enlisted, in 1862, in company A, 96th Illinois, serving three years. At the battle of Lookout Mountain he re- ceived a gun-shot wound, the ball enter- ing near the right eye and ranging down- ward, came out just back of the ear. From the effects of this wound he is on the pen- sion list. He served as color-sergeant. On receiving his discharge he returned to Jo Daviess county, remaining until 1875, when he came to Iowa. Mr. Vincent has been three times married. He first mar- ried Augusta Langdon, Dec. 24, 1864, born in 1841. By this union there was one child, which died in its first year, the mother dying Jan. 3, 1866. His second wife, Adelaide Miller, to whom he was married on March 27, 1868, was born in Jo Daviess Co., Ill., July 4, 1855. They had two children-Alfred H. and Charles J. His wife died July 22, 1882. Mr. Vin- cent was again married, Dec. 24, 1882, to Lillian Lamore, born in Hampton, III., in

1861. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Maysville.

J. M. Stout came to the township in 1881, and purchased a farm on section 15, of Reeve township. He was born in Meigs . Co., Ohio, in 1847, where he grew to man- hood, receiving a common school educa- tion. His parents were natives of Ohio. The father died in 1874, aged fifty-seven; the mother was still living in Ohio, in 1883. They had four children,and the subject of this sketch was the third child. He en- listed in company D, 140th Ohio National Guards, and served 100 days. He was married, in Meigs county, in 1876, to Mrs. Florence A. (Nobles) Plummer, born in Meigs county, in 1847. She had one child by her first marriage-Winfield S. Mr. and Mrs. Stout are members of the Metho- dist Church. Mr. Stout is a great reader and possessed of much intelligence. His wife is highly esteemed by all who have made her acquaintance.

Among the early settlers of the town- ship was E. L. Clock, who settled on sec- tion 27. Mr. Clock is a well-to-do farmer and a man who is well known and highly esteemed throughout the county. He has from time to time held many of the local offices of his township.

ORGANIC.

Reeve township was organized in 1855, and the first election held at the log school honse on section 23, October, 1855. C. M. Leggett was elected as the first justice of the peace and John S. Mitchell as clerk.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

The first marriage in Reeve township was that of Alex. Arledge and Julia Springer.

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

The first birth was early in the spring of 1854, a son of Daniel Farmer, who af- terward removed to Butler county. The next birth, occurring but a few days later, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Sturms, who, in 1883, were living in Kansas.

The first death in the township was a child of Mr. Crouts, who died in the spring of 1854. A little later in the sea- son Mr. Webb, a settler of the township, who had been at work in Hardin county, died. His remains were brought to Reeve township for burial.

The first cemetery was located on the northwest corner. of section 23, and was called Mayne's Grove cemetery. The first burial in this cemetery was the wife of Dr. Arledge, in 1854.

The first store in the township was started by T. H. Baker, who kept his goods in a log house a mile east of Mays- ville. He afterward went to the army and died in the service.

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History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, Part 56

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company Number of Pages: 990

Author: Union Publishing Company (Springfield, Ill.) pbl
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 990