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 97
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 97
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919
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
father, Horace Felt, was born in Leba- non, N. Y., Ang. 19, 1795, and died in the same house where he was born, Nov. 2, 1851. Mrs. Felt, the mother, (Snsan Maria Weaver before her marriage), was born in Stonington, Conn., Jan. 22, 1798, and died in Providence, R. I., July 27, 1873. Their family included besides Mr. Felt of this sketch, eight children, six of whom are yet living-William J., George J., Polly A., John J., Cynthia A. and James H.
Henry Senior, in July, 1855, erected a log cabin on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 2, Portland township, the flooring of which was sawed at Rock Falls, the first saw-mill in Cerro Gordo county being located there. He improved his land until 1863, when he rented it and removed to Mason City, where he followed his trade, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade until 1873, when he returned to his farm. He now owns 615 acres, giving his princi- pal attention to stock and grain raising. Ile is a native of Yorkshire, England, born June 22, 1826. He learned the shoemaker trade, and followed it there until 1850, when he emigrated to Kenosha, Wis. He was married Ang. 5, 1853, to Mary Brown, also a native of England. In October, 1882, he returned to his native country and remained seven months, visiting old scenes and old friends. He is regarded as a man of the strictest honor, and one of Cerro Gordo's best citizens. The children are-Joseph, Frank and Eliza.
Other early settlers were John and Samuel Brown, with their families, who located in the summer of 1855 on section 2 The same year David Reed and his
family settled on section 3 and there
resided until 1882, when they moved to Dakota territory.
During 1856 among the number who came to the township for settlement were Amos Pardee, John and Samnel Jeffords, John M. Hunt and John Ford.
John Jeffords settled on the southeast quarter of section 7, and his . brother Samuel on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 8. They built a log cabin and lived there about a year and then sold out. Samuel died at Forest City, Iowa. John is a carpenter and builder by trade, and in 1883 was living at Mason City.
John M. Hunt, a native of Indiana, located on section 1, in the spring of 1856. He came from Floyd county, where he had served as county judge. In 1865 he sold and removed to Kansas, and later to Oregon.
John F. Ford settled on section 2. He was a single man at the time, but married soon after. He was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill.
Amos Pardee first came to Cerro Gordo county in 1855. He was accompanied by John West. He purchased 200 acres of land on section 34, Portland township, re- turned to Chicago and brought his family in 1856, settled on his land and commenced improving it, but as his health was poor and the county but sparsely settled, he returned with his family to Chicago, in 1858, and in 1861 he enlisted in company D, 8th Illinois Cavalry, and served three years, after which he returned to Chicago, and soon after came to Iowa and again settled on his land where he has since lived. Mr. Pardee was born in Michigan, Sept. 25, 1834, but when a small child re- moved with his parents to northern Illinois.
920
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Im 1856 he married Jane Hewitt, born in Cook Co., Ill., March 30, 1838. They have two children-Frank M. and Orrin A.
In 1857 Isaac Trevett and family settled on section 15. Frank and George Trevett, sons of Isaac, who were married, also set- tled in this township. James Clark, who was a son-in-law of Isaac Trevett, also came with the family. In 1858 Demos Cutler settled on section 25, resided there a few years and then moved to Floyd county.
Benjamin Frost settled on section 27, Portland township, in 1861, purchased about 500 acres and cultivated the same untill 1871, when he rented his land and removed to Kansas. In 1874 he returned and again had charge of his farni until 1882. He now resides in Wilson Co., Kan. He was born in 1814 in Massachusetts, where he lived with his parents until he was seventeen years of age, then for sev- eral years was engaged in the lead mines in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. In 1845, in Dubuque Co., Iowa, he married Eliza- beth Filbric, and then engaged in farming in the same county, until he came to Cerro Gordo. They have had three chil- dren, two now living-William F. and Benjamin T.
William F. Frost came with his parents to Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, in 1861, and has since been a resident of Portland township, with the exception of three years spent in Kansas. He was born in Dubuque Co., Iowa, Dec, 12, 1846. On the 23rd of May, 1868, he was married to Sarah J. Frost, a daughter of Frederick and Adaline Frost. By this marriage they have three children-Eva E., Flor- ence D. and Frank E.
S. Meacham became a permanent set- tler of Iowa in 1864, and lives on section 34, Portland township, where he owns 135 acres of good land. He was born in Os- wego Co., N. Y., Oct. 26, 1834, his par- ents being Sylvester and Eliza E. (Knowl- ton) Meacham. The father died shortly before he was born and the mother eight years subsequent, and the son lived with his grandfather, James Knowlton, until he was seventeen years of age, when the family emigrated to Cook Co., Ill. In 1855 he married Martha Pardee, daughter of Stephen and Olive (Stilson) Pardee, who was born in McHenry Co., Ill., on the 9th of April, 1838. In 1857 they came to lowa and settled at Nora Springs, Floyd county, but the fall of the same year re- turned to Illinois. In September, 1861, Mr. Meacham enlisted in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, and served three years, at the end of which time he returned home, then came to Iowa, and has since resided here.
John G. Bailey is an early settler of Cerro Gordo county. He resides on sec- tion 33, Portland township, and now owns 160 acres. He was born in Cambridge- shire, England, May 22, 1838. His parents were John and Phæbe Bailey. About the year 1853 his father's family came to the United States, and settled in McHenry Co., Ill., where the father died in 1866, and the mother in 1881. There were eleven chil dren in his father's family-Phæbe, now Mrs. Andrews; Amelia, now Mrs. James Coleman; Ruth, now Mrs. John Sutton; John G., Mary Ann, deceased; Richard, who enlisted in company H, 95th Illinois, was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, and was afterwards killed in the battle of Guntown, Mississippi; Frederick, Hattie,
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
now Mrs. Abner R. Stilson; Emma, now Mrs. C. R. Franklin; Charles and Fuller. John G. Bailey enlisted in 1862 in com- pany H, 95th Illinois, and served three years. On his return from the war he married Miss L. L. Stilson, daughter of S. S. and Eleanor Stilson. They have two daughters-Lillie and Ella.
Samuel Buckingham came to Iowa in 1865, locating on section 26, Portland township, and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he was visiting at the time. He was born in New York, on the 22d of February, 1802. His parents dying when he was very young, he lived with his grandmother, who lived to the age of 105 years. When she was 100 years of age she could read without the aid of glasses, having obtained her second sight. He received a common school ed- ucation. He seemed, as the phrase goes, a natural born mechanic. He learned the blacksmith's trade at an early age, and for a number of years was engaged in the manu- facture of edged tools. He also acquired the trade of mill-wright, which he followed in Pennsylvania from 1841 until 1865, when he removed to Iowa. He was thrice married. In 1824 to Persie Fairchild, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living-Lucinda, Eliza, Esther and Andrew J. ITis wife died in 1867. His sec- ond wife died in three weeks after marriage. He subsequently married and was living with his third wife at the time of his death. He was successful in business, leaving at his death an estate of 200 acres of land and considerable personal property. He was a republican in politics, but took interest enough only to vote.
A. J. Burlingham, a resident of Port- land township since 1865, is the possessor of a fine stoek farm of 320 acres. He was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 11, 1836. His parents removed to Pennsyl- vania, where he was bred to farm life, but received a good education, remaining there until 1863. He then went to Wisconsin and two years later came to Iowa. He married in September, 1868, Olive E., a daughter of John West. She died Aug. 5, 1880, leaving one daughter-Mary May.
Abner R. Stilson resides on section 33, Portland township, where he purchased and settled on 160 acres of land, in 1866. He now owns 280 acres and has good im- provements. He was born in McHenry Co., Ill., June 9, 1838. His parents were Sylvester S. and Eleanor E. ( Bishop) Stilson, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. There were eight children in his father's family, six now living-James M., W. B., A. R., O. H., Laura, now Mrs. J. G. Bailey; and Ellen, now Mrs. John A. McMullen. Abner Stilson, in 1861, enlisted in com- pany A, 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infant- ry, and served fifteen months, when he was discharged on account of disability caused by a gun shot wound received at the battle of Gainsville. In 1866 he was married to Harriet Bailey, daughter of John and Phebe Bailey. They have four children -Carrie, Lincoln, Scott and Arthur. Mr. Stilson is a republican in politics, also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
M. E. Bitterman is a prominent and reliable citizen of Portland township. He is closely associated with the progress and best interests of the community of which he is a member ; has held most of
922
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
the local offices of trust, such as township trustee, treasurer, assessor and school director. He has been a resident of the county since March, 1870, when he settled on section 11, of this township, on eighty acres which he had purchased fifteen years previous. He has added to his posses- sions until he now owns a tract of 280 acres under a good degree of cultivation, where he is operating to a considerable extent as a stock farmer. He was born in Ohio, Ang. 26, 1843, and is a son of Frederick and Margaret Bitterman. At the age of seventeen years he went to Illinois and engaged in farming, and also bought and shipped hay-at that time a prominent article of traffic. In 1866 he was married at Lockport, Will county, to Sarah, dangh- ter of George and Catharine Heinselman. They have six children-J. Calvin, Ed- ward, Jennie, Trullie, Mary and Clinton. Mr. Bitterman is a republican and is con- nected with the Evangelical Association.
Daniel W. Haynes, whose vocation is farming, has been a resident of Portland township since the fall of 1870, residing on section 13, where he owns 120 acres of fine land. He was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1838, his parents being William and Phebe ( Webster ) Haynes. He was bred to farm life, and in 1857 was married to Jane Alice. In 1860 he emi- grated to Olmstead Co., Minn., where he engaged in farming, then removed to Cerro Gordo county, where he has since lived. He has three children-Albert, Frederick and Belle. Politically he is a republican, and is a member of the Evan- gelical Church.
John Bishop has resided, since March, 1870, on section 14, Portland township,
where he owns eighty acres of land. He was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1842, being the son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Weaver) Bishop. His mother died when he was three years of age and he lived with his sister, Elizabeth, wife of Solomon Miller. At the age of seventeen he commenced the world for himself, and in 1862 enlisted in company I, 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving one year, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. He then returned to Ohio and in 1865 went to Will Co., Ill., where he remained until he came to Iowa, in 1870. In 1872 he married Lucinda Spotts, daughter of Samuel and Sophia (Beltz) Spotts. They have six children -- Nathaniel, Frank, Alice, Edward, Mary and Laura. Mr. Bishop is a republican in politics, and in religion is an Evangelical.
A. W. Mullan, postmaster and justice of the peace, is the pioneer merchant of Portland. He was born in Boston, Mass., April 14, 1839. He is a son of Martha and Mary (Whelan) Mullan, and being deprived of his mother, by death, when he was two years of age, he was cared for in the family of his maternal uncle, John Whelan. In 1842 the latter removed to Waukesha Co., Wis., where Mr. Mullan was occupied with agriculture until eigh- teen years old, when he learned the car- penter's trade. On the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Mullan enlisted. He was enrolled in August, 1862, in company B, 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service of the Union about three years, receiving an honorable discharge in June, 1865. On his return to Wisconsin he resumed his trade, and in 1867 was married to Melvina McCormick.
0
923
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Mrs. Mullan was born in Dodge Co., Wis. In 1870 Mr. Mullan eame to Iowa and pur- sued his trade at Mason City until 1877, at which date he established his present business at Portland. He has one son- Charles Mullan. He is a republican in politieal sentiment, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
H. S. Sabin is a son of New England by birth and descent. His father, Daniel Sabin, was a Baptist clergyman, and the influences of scholarly culture which sur- rounded the son have in a sense directed the chief object of his life, the education and material development of his own sons. They are in honorable and lucrative posi- tions which they gained and retain through their pre-eminent abilities and learning. Arthur C. Sabin is accountant in the First National Bank, of Glenwood, Iowa. Alva Horton Sabin is a professor in the State University, of Burlington, Vt., and holds the chair of chemistry. Mr. Sabin was born in Franklin Co., Vt., April 17, 1821. He received a good education, and has al- waysmaintained his familiarity with books, and kept pace with the times in knowl- edge of current events. In 1844 he was married to Zaida Vernal, and went to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming, four years. 'He sold out and went back to Vermont, and afterwards, accompanied by his parents, went to Ripon, Wis. His father died there in July, 1882, aged eighty-seven years. His mother is yet residing in that place, and is ninety years old. Mr. Sabin came to Iowa, in 1871, and purchased the farm where he now lives. During the ten years follow- ing his purchase he made many improve- ments on his place, when failing health
compelled him to abandon active life and he returned to Wisconsin. In the mean- time he lost his wife. In February, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Phebe Ann (Smith) Delong, a native of Canada West. He has returned to and occupies his farm.
Samuel Spotts has been a resident of the township since November, 1871. He is located on section 15, owning 185 acres of land. He was born in Summit Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1822. His parents were Ludwig and Susan Spotts. He was reared on a farm, but also learned the miller's trade. In Summit Co., Ohio, he married Sophia Belts, in March, 1845. She died in December, 1854, having had six children, but one of whom survives-Lucinda, the wife of John Bishop. In 1855 Mr. Spotts married Mrs. Margaret Bitterman, a na- tive of Stark Co., Ohio,born June 23, 1821. Her parents, Abraham and Elizabeth Bair, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they lived on a farm. Margaret Bair was mar- ried to Frederick Bitterman, by which union there were two children, one of whom was living in 1883-M. E. Bitter- man. By the present marriage three children are living-Abraham L., Mary E. and Samuel N., who was born in Will Co., Ill., Jan. 1, 1880. Abraham L. mar- ried Emma Heinselman, of this township, and Mary E. married Levi P. Henrickson, of Mitchell county. Politically, Mr. Spotts is a strong republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Spotts are members of the Free Methodist Church, while their children are Evangelical.
L. M. VanAuken has been a resident of Portland township since June 1, 1872. He purchased his present farm of 160 acres in 1870, a d now has the same well under
924
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
cultivation. He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 5, 1835. His parents were Moses and Eliza Ann (Dennis) Van Auken, also natives of the Empire State. Mr. VanAuken received a common school edu- cation, helped till the soil, and, March 12, 1857, married Mary J. Lawrence. She was born in the city of New York, being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Crosby) Lawrence. He followed farming most of the time, although he was for a time en- gaged in running a hotel, and for a few years did a large life insurance business. They have had seven children, five now living-Lawrence, Elmer, Grant, Julia and Harriet. Mr. VanAnken is an active worker in the ranks of the republican party. He is a member of Cato Lodge, No. 141, of the Masonic fraternity.
John Harroun, one of the solid men of Portland township, is located on section 19. His handsome and spacious brick dwelling is a decided ornament to the township, and gives evidence of the good taste and home instincts of the proprietor. Among many improvements may be named a bearing orchard of 350 fruit trees, set out in 1876, which he increased in 1883 by setting out 250 more. He hopes to prove further that fruit can be grown successfully in Iowa, and has every en- couragement from success already attained. Mr. Harroun was born in Meadville, Penn., Feb. 24, 1828; is a son of Russell and Alvira (Sizer) Harroun. In 1847 he left the Keystone State and went to Wis- consin, where he remained several years. He went back to Pennsylvania in 1856 and was united in marriage to Lydia B. Greenlee, born in that State, and daughter of Maxon and Catharine (Comptou)
Greenlee. Soon after Mr. Harroun and wife joined the pioneer corps of Olmstead Co., Minn., and engaged in farming, in which they? were eminently successful. They disposed of their possessions there in 1875, when they came to Cerro Gordo county and purchased the homestead they now occupy. Park B., Alma E., Lizzie D., Archie and Carrie are the names of the sons and daughters of Mr. Harroun's interesting household. He takes little ac- tive interest in po itics but votes with the republican party on all general issues. In religious views he is a Christadelphian.
Thomas Stanbery settled with his mother on section 33, Portland township, in 1877, and has since devoted his time to farming. He came, however, with his parents to Cerro Gordo county when he was very young, and was educated in the schools of Mason City. When he was nineteen years of age he engaged in a con- fectionery and tobacco store in Mason City, and continued in this for one year, then having no regular business until 1875, when he settled on the farm where he now resides. He was born in Vinton, Iowa, Jan. 4, 1854, and was the son of W. C., and Eliza (Stutler) Stanbery.
Jacob Baner came to the county and purchased his present farm and has since been a resident of Portland township, where he owns 160 acres of land which he has changed from the raw prairie to a well improved farm. Mr. Bauer was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Jan. 1, 1855, his parents being John and Barbara Bauer. He helped till the soil, and in 1876 mar- ried Minerva Hake. She was also born in Wisconsin. They at once came to Iowa. They have one son-Arthur. In
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY. 927
politics he is a democrat; in religious views, Evangelical.
A. J. Barker, manager of Rock Rest Farm, has been a resident of the estate thus designated since April, 1878. It in- eludes something over 200 acres of land, and is the property of Mrs. Harriet Cra- mer, wife of the well known William E. Cramer, of Milwaukee. It is located on sections 7 and 18, Portland township, and was purchased in April, 1878, with the purpose of getting it in proper condi- tion for a stock farm of the most approved character, which project has been devel- oped, Mrs. Cramer sparing no expense in accomplishing her purpose. The attrac- tive, simple style of Rock Rest Farm was contributed by some young ladies, who found rest and happiness in the shadow of a large boulder lying on the farm. The year following her purchase, Mrs. Cramer expended upwards of $5,000 in the con- struction of a suitable dwelling and barn, and since that time much time, labor and money has been consumed in placing the farm in the best possible condition. Mr. Barker is a brother of Mrs. Cramer. He was born in Marquette Co., Wis., in 1857, and is the son of C. G. and Alice (Doyle) Barker. He was brought up on a farm, and was a resident of Wisconsin until the purchase of the farm he occupies, by his sister, when he took possession as man- ager. Mr. Barker was married in October, 1874, to Mary, daughter of L. T. and Mary A. Price.
James Parker, proprietor of the Port- land Cheese Factory, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1833. His parents, David and Esther (Hoag) Parker, were both natives of Vermont. The family in-
cluded eight children, seven of whom yet survive. The death of one took place in the spring of 1883. They emigrated in 1845 to Lake Co., Ill., where the parents died. Mr. Parker was reared as the sons of farmers commonly are, but later, was engaged in a general store where he was in business twelve years. In 1877 he es- tablished a cheese factory in Lake Co., Ill., which he operated until February, 1879, at which date he sold out and founded his business in Portland. In February, 1870, Hattie L. Griswold be_ came his wife, and they now have three children-Jennie, Andrew J. and Edwin. C. A. Hawley, a resident of Portland since 1882, by trade a blacksmith and wagon maker, who is now working at his trade, was born in Dane Co., Wis., May 18, 1855, his parents being Thomas and Marion (Ford) Hawley. In 1865 he went to Fillmore Co., Minn., then to Osage, Iowa. He was married July 3, 1879, to Anna M. Everson, also a native of Wis- consin, her parents being Oley and Jane (Tupper) Everson. They experienced re- ligion in 1880. They have two children -Arthur H. and Clayton E.
ORGANIC.
As now constituted, Portland township was organized in 1869. The first town- ship officers were: J. J. Ford, A. J. Bnr- lingham and Joseph Forbes, trustees; F. C. Trevett, clerk; H. G. McGregor and George Fish, justices of the peace. The officers of 1883 were: M. E. Bitterman, Philip Dennis and S. Meacham, trustees; D. W. Haines, assessor; Arthur Pickford, clerk; A. W. Mullan and Henry Goude, justices of the peace.
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928
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
TWO MEN FROZEN.
A. J. Abbott came to the county in June, 1855, and located on section 32, and com- menced making the necessary improve- ments preparatory to sending for his fam- ily, who were still in Vermont. Abbott and Charles Wicks boarded with Abiel Pierce. On Dec. 22, 1855, Abbott and Wicks went to what is now Geneseo township, with three yoke of oxen, to get some logs with which to build a stable. When they left in the morning the atmos- phere was mild, and a pleasant day was expected; but while they were in the timber, a violent storm came up, and it is supposed they left the timber for home about three or four o'clock in the after- noon, and at one time must have been within two miles of home. But they evi- dently had become lost and bewildered, probably on account of the wind having changed its course. It seems, however, that the animal instinct taught the oxen to even face the piercing blast and make directly for their home, while the men urged them in an opposite direction, against an almost uncontrolable determin- ation upon their part to go home. At last they abandoned the cattle and started from the sled on foot, taking a southeas- tern course. Mr. Wicks being the weaker of the two soon became exhausted. He was no doubt, assisted, and perhaps dragged along for some distance by his com- rade, Abbott, but at last had to succumb. Mr. Abbott marked the fatal spot by sticking his ox goad in the deep snow drift, and hanging an old sack, in which was left the remains of their lunch, upon it, which could be seen at quite a distance. Abbott then proceeded alone until he be-
came exhausted. No doubt, when he laid down, he evidently fully realized that he was about to sleep the long sleep of death, as he straightened himself out upon the snow and folded his arms in order, over his breast, as if conscious of the awful fact that a terrible fate had overtaken him. He was found in this position by Alonzo Willson about three days afterward. From facts soon ascertained, it was found he had wandered fourteen miles from home, and at one time was within 200 yards of a turnpike road, which had he been fortu- nate enough to have gained, would have guided him homeward. The following day the storm abated about 10 o'clock, A. M., when Owen, Willson and Pierce started out in search of their friends, Abbott and Wicks, and by following the trail of the sled, left perceptible in the snow, they finally found the sled. This was just at sundown the first day of the search. This proved to them beyond doubt that the men had been lost and turned the oxen loose. They resumed their hunt the day following and succeeded in finding Wicks, who was sitting with his face upon his arms, leaning against a bunch of frozen weeds and grass. The sight, as described by Mr. Willson, who was one of the first to discover him, was terrible, indeed, as he evidently had been bitterly weeping, and his face had frozen in a manner that put this beyond doubt in the minds of those who saw the frozen form. His body was taken to his boarding place and home of Mr. Pierce. It was with the utmost ex- ertion that his limbs could be straightened sufficiently to get his form into a coffin. On the third day after the storm, the neighborhood again went forth to find
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