USA > Iowa > Fremont County > History of Fremont County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistic, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Fremont County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 71
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FINLY, WILLIAM, farmer, P. O. Walkerville, section 26; born in Stark county, Illinois, in 1856; educated in the common schools; spent his youth on a fam. Mr. Finley was married in 1877 to Miss Sarah Snider, of Butler county, Ohio. They have one child: Edith. Mr. F. removed to his present farm in 1879. He is comfortably situated, his farm being in an excellent state of cultivation with a good house and other buildings, a young orchard, grove, etc.
FLETCHER, JOSEPH, farmer, P. O. Shenandoah; born at Berwick Warren county, Illinois, in 1855; educated in the common schools; spent his early lite on a farm; came to Iowa in 1875, locating at Shenandoah, where he remained two years and then went to Oregon, engaging in fruit-drying, and was for a time connected with a government surveying corps. Mr. F. returned to Iowa in the spring of 1880, and was married shortly after his return to Miss A. B. Sloan. They live on a fine little farm of 80 acres, and their prospects for future happiness and prosperity , are very glowing indeed.
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
FEIL, HENRY E., section 15, P. O. Walkerville, farmer; born in 1853 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where he was educated; emigrated to America in 1869, locating in this county, near Riverton. He went to California in 1873, but returned after an absence of one year, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He was married in 1876, to Miss Ma- tilda Borchers, a native of Nebraska. They have two children: Oscar and Rosa. Mr. F. has always been a farmer and now owns an excellent farm of 160 acres. He lives in a good house, surrounded by a beautiful grove, orchards, etc.
GARNER, J. T., section 5, P. O. Farragut, farmer and dealer in blooded stock; born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1851. His parents died when he was quite young. He was reared in Henry county, Illinois, receiving his education in the common schools. His youth was spent in working on a farm, and he has always followed the profession of farming. Mr. Garner was married to Miss Lydia M. Himes, a native of Stark county, Illinois, in 1872. They have one child, Della M. Mr. Garner came to his present location in 1878. He is a farmer at present, owning a good farm. He also has a fine orchard containing ten acres.
GARDNER, R. T., farmer, section 14, P. O. Walkerville; was born in 1846, in Van Buren county, Iowa, and remained there during his early life, receiving an education in the common schools. In 1873 he moved to Riverton township, Fremont county, and settled at his present home in 1878. In 1872 was united by the bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah E. Campbell, a native of Ohio, and has four children: Musa L., Leon, Nel- son A., and Hugh A. Owns eighty acres of well improved land. Is the oldest living son of Aaron and Clarissa Gardner, natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa when the country was first settled. The father died in 1865, and the mother came west with her sons in 1873. They had nine children: Sarah E., Lucinda J., Wm. H., Robert T., John H., Mary M., James M., Clara A., and Louisa A. Is a member of the Baptist church.
HAMBLIN, JOHN, farmer, P. O. Walkerville; Mr. Hamblin was born on an island in the Missouri river, near Nebraska City, which has now washed away. His parents removed to Illinois, when he was quite young. His youth was spent in farming, which has always been his chief occupation.
HAMBLIN, JACOB, proprietor of sample room at Walkerville; born in Michigan in 1855; removed with his parents to Henderson county, Illi- nois, where he grew to young manhood. In 1879 he came to Iowa, locat- ihg first in the township, and removing to Walkerville the same year.
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
Mr. Hamblin was married in 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Wheatley, a native of Illinois. They have one child, Florence. Mr. Hamblin is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F. Wm. V. Hamblin was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, in 1847. After living in various places he settled at Walkerville in 1879; has always been a farmer. In 1871 he married Miss Amanda Darwin, a native of Illinois. They have two children, Mary and Jacob.
HAYWARD, EDWARD P., section 4, P. O. Farragut, farmer; born in Ohio in 1850. Removed at an early age with his parents to Knox county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. Educated in the common schools and at Kewaunee Seminary and Abingdon College. Mr. Hay- ward was married in 1877 to Miss Emma Fuller, a native of Henry county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. H. are now members of the M. E. church, and have been from their youth. Mr. Hayward has always followed farming as a vocation, and has a nice farm of 80 acres, with a good house, barn, orchard, etc.
HOWARD, C. T., farmer, section 11, P. O. Shenandoah; was born at Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, March 25th, 1844, and remained there until 1870, when he removed to Fremont county. His boyhood days were spent in farming and securing an education, which was com- menced in the common schools and finished at the Abingdon high school, Knox county, Illinois. He enlisted March 18th in the Thirty-seventh Illi- nois cavalry, and was discharged at Nashville after eight month's service. Was married in 1866 to Miss Clara A. Day, a native of Illinois. They have six children: Della L., Mamie I., Edward E., Cora M., Clara G., and Laura E. Owns 80 acres of good land well improved, with a fine orchard.
HAMANN, CHRIST, farmer, section 5, P. O. Farragut; was born in 1824 at Hessen, Germany, after receiving his education at a private | school, he emigrated to America and located in New York City in 1865. . In 1868 he started for a new home in the great west and located in Sid- ney township, Fremont county, removing from there to his present home in 1873. In 1847 on the 4th day of December he was married to Miss Catherine Fuchs. They have one child: Catherine. After the death of his wife Catherine he married in 1852 Miss Catherine Dorr, a native of Germany, by this union he has two children: Mirie and Henry. He owns 160 acres well cultivated land, and has accumulated wealth by hard work and patient industry.
JOHNSTON, ANDREW, farmer, section 14, P. O. Walkerville:
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
born in Henry county, Iowa, in 1848, removed to Appanoose county in 1858; to Mercer county, Mo., in 1860; to Decatur county, Iowa, in 1865; from thence to Madison county ; to this county in 1869. In 1873 he went to California, remaining only one year. Mr. Johnston was married in December, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Krout, a native of Taylor county, Iowa. They are the parents of three children: Arthur W., Minnie L., and Orville. Mr. Johnston came to Fremont county with but limited means, but now owns a good farm of 140 acres, fenced with hedge, and containing an orchard, excellent buildings, etc.
KEASEY, JOHN, farmer, section 2, P. O. Shenandoah; was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Here he passed his early life and received a common school education and devoted his time to farming. In 1861 at the first call of his country he enlisted in the three months service. At the expiration of this term he re-enlisted in company G, 126th Pennsyl- vania infantry, served until the expiration of this term of service and re- enlisted for the third time in company I, 201 Pennsylvania infantry and served until the close of the war, and was discharged with the rank of second sergeant in June 1864. He participated in the battle of Chancellor- ville and other engagements. In 1860 he was married to Miss Judith A. McElhaney, a native of Pennsylvania and has seven children living: Will- iam B., Jennie A., John F., Mary C., Nannie B., Thomas W. and Addie A .; has lost two by death. In 1878 he located on the farm he now occu- pies, which contains 80 acres of fine land and is well improved, and orna- mented with shade trees, and a good orchard.
LUSH, GEORGE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. High Creek; born in London, England, in 1850; educated in Westminster parish normal school, spent his youth in a store and in attending school; engaged in the china and glassware trade on his own account for some time. Upon the death of his parents in 1867, Mr. Lush emigrated to America, locating in this county in 1871. He was married in 1873. His wife is a native of Sweden. They have three children: James, Frederic and Hattie. Mr. Lush has held several township offices, and enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of his fellew-citizens. He has a good farm, residence, two agres of orchard, etc.
MEWHOR, JOHN, farmer, section 8, P. O. Riverton; was born in Ireland in the year 1830, living there until he became fifteen years of age, when he emigrated to America, and settled in the state of New York. After spending three years in California he turned his footsteps eastward again and located at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, remaining there until 1872, from which place he moved to Fremont county, locating at his present
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home in 1875. In 1873 he married Miss Sarah Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children: Ellen, James, Mary and Sarah, and are members of the M. E. church. He received a portion of his education in his own country and the remainder in his adopted, America. Has 80 acres of fine land, with a good orchard and a grove.
PUTMAN, G. M., farmer, P. O. High Creek; born in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1835, removed to Davis county, Iowa, in 1847; after living in Mercer county, Missouri, and again in Davis county, he came to this county in 1869, locating on his present farm in 1877. Mr. Putman was married in 1854 to Miss Mary Kelsey, a native of Indiana. They have been blessed with eleven children, living: Franklin H., Jane E., Tilford L., Clara M., Sarah F., Omer, Emma, Mattie, Cora, Nellie, Maggie, and one-Freddie-dead. Mr. P. has always followed farming for a liveli- hood, occasionally working with a threshing machine.
POULSON, THOMAS, section 21, P. O. Farragut, farmer; born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1852; came to America twenty years later, settling in Farragut. Mr. Poulson was married in 1873 to Miss Jane Greedy, a native of England. To them have been born three children: Emily M., Minnie F. and Nellie J. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Church of England. When Mr. Poulson came to America he had noth- ing, comparatively, but by industry and careful economy he is now in comfortable circumstances, owning a farm of 160 acres, whereon are situ- ated a good house and other buildings, and from which he reaps a bounti- ful harvest each year.
RICE, REVILLO, section 30, P. O. High Creek, farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Rice was born in 1833 in Ashland county, Ohio. At the age of 16 he went to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he followed contin- ously for ten years, and which he has pursued at intervals since. He en- listed in the 182d Ohio infantry in 1864 and was discharged at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, in 1865. During his term of service he was engaged in the construction of a fort at Cedar Point, Ohio, and for good conduct was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Mr. Rice was married October 16, 1859, to Miss Frances A. Clark, a native of Caledonia county, Vermont. Six children have been given them: Lucy L., Chas. H., Wal- ter A., Ambrose C., Francis A., and Grace. The first named, Lucy, is married to A. S. Lytle, and resides in Madison township. Mr. Rice removed to his present farm-one of 160 acres-in 1866. His farm is , made doubly valuable by reason of a splendid orchard situated thereon and by its excellent state of cultivation. The house is surrounded by a beautiful grove of four acres in extent. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been consistent members of the Free Will Baptist church from youth.
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
THAYER, GEORGE W., farmer and mechanic, P. O. High Creek; born in Livingston county, New York, in 1817. Learned the trade of wagonmaker at the age of twenty-three, and pursued that vocation for seventeen years, and has engaged in it at intervals throughout his life. He has also worked at carpentering, blacksmithing, broom-making, and other trades. He removed to Knox county, Illinois, in 1855, and to where he now lives in 1858. Mr. Thayer was married January 1, 1841, to Mrs. Candace Hayward, originally Miss Rising. They are the parents of two children: George H. and Eloise, both of whom are married. The latter is married to Geo. Wolf and resides in this township. Mr. Thayer is the oldest settler in his neighborhood. He settled where he now lives when the country was new, and endured many privations. At one time he lost his farm through his desire to accommodate his friends. G. H. Thayer, son of the subject of the preceding sketch, was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1842, and has shared his father's fortunes since that time. He was married in 1867, to Miss Isena M. Weaver, anative of New York. They have five children: Chas. E., Mary C., Josephine, Ada, and Harry. Mr. Thayer enlisted in the United States army in 1863, and served a year and a half. He was engaged in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and shared the fortunes of his regiment generally.
TULL, B. C., residence section 16, occupation farmer, P. O. Walker- ville. Mr. Tull was born in Hancock county Illinois, where he was edu- cated in the common schools and grew to manhood. Removed to this county in 1873, settling first at Riverton, and coming to where he now lives in 1876. He was married December 14, 1867, to Mrs. Lucinda Wal- ler, who was born in Indiana. They have had three children: Bert., Frank., and Edith E. Mrs. Tull's maiden name was Gardener. She was married first to J. K. Waller, by whom she had two children: Clara E., and Wm. C. The former is now married and resides at Walkerville. Mr. Tull spent two years in mining in Montana territory; three in the grain business at Riverton, and the rest of his life has been spent in farm- ing. He has a farm of 160 acres in a good state of cultivation, a good house and outbuildings, an orchard, plenty of meadow land, and is quite comfortably situated generally .
WHISTLER, J. M., farmer, section 5, P. O. Farragut; born in Indiana in 1849. Removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, when two years of age, where he grew to manhood. He spent his early life in working on a farm, attending common school in the winter. Mr. Whistler came to Fremont county in 1874, locating at first in Fisher township; afterwards, in 1875, removing to where he now resides. He was married in 1870, to Miss Maria C. Gunter, a native of Monroe county, Iowa. Five children have
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been born to them: Charlie E., Frank E., Henry A., Willie E., and Dora B. When Mr. Whistler first came to the county he had almost nothing but his stout heart, his strong hands, and his faithful wife. He now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, and in a good state of cultivation, with an orch- ard, grove, etc., all of which has been acquired by industry and economy.
WHETSTONE, JAMES E., farmer, section 7, P. O. Farragut; was born in Harrison county, Iowa, in 1841. Moved with his parents when quite small to Henry county, Iowa. After serving his country from No- vember 14, 1861, in company H, 5th Kansas cavalry, and participating in the battles of Helena, Little Rock, Pine bluff, and other minor engage- ments, he was honorably discharged December 18, 1864. In 1873 he located at his present home in Fremont county. On the 19th of April, 1866, he was married to Miss Littie Springer, of Ohio, and has three chil- dren: Charles, Edwin and Emma. Has followed the business of farm- ing from his youth, and owns forty acres of good improved land and a good orchard. Has served as township clerk and school director. Was educated in the common schools.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
ALLEN, EDWIN W., farmer, section 20, P. O. Hamburg; born in Morgan county, Illinois, February 7, 1846. When three years of age he moved with his father's family to Sangamon county, same state, and in 1867 came to this county. He was married April 7, 1880, to Miss Ella L. Taylor. His farm comprises 640 acres of excellent land, largely devoted to stock raising. He has been financially depressed and lost heavily, but has met every obligation manfully.
BROWN, D. S., ranchman; born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, Sep- tember 11, 1828, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools of his native place, and spent his youth on a farm. He is an old settler of this county, but now resides in Texas. He was left an orphan when fifteen years of age. When eighteen years of age he went to Indiana, where he remained until 1852, when he moved to Clay county, Illinois. In 1856 he came to Fremont county and located at Fisher's grove, and resided in various parts of the county until 1877, when he went to Texas, where he now resides. He was married November 6, 1846, to Miss Younger. They have had four children, one of whom is living: Daniel Joseph. This wife died November 9, 1869. Mr. Brown
Jannel Holmes
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was married a second time on May 18, to Mrs. Martha A. Pierce, a native of Pennsylvania. She was the wife of Samuel Pierce and by him the mother of two children: Wallace and Walter. They are members of the Presbyterian church. He owns about five thousand acres of land, which constitutes a ranch devoted to raising sheep.
BULL, JAMES F., physician and surgeon, P. O. Hamburg; born in Lexington, Kentucky, July 4, 1822. When sixteen years old entered the Louisville American Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1842. He at once went to Hannibal, Missouri, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he continued in that place for twenty- eight years. He was a democrat and at the close of the war disenfran- chised by the radicals in that state. In 1870 he came to this county; in 1877 went to his farm, having previously engaged in the dry-goods busi- ness in Sydney. He married Miss Hattie E. Peck, November 3, 1870. He is a member of the Episcopalian church, and his wife of the Christian church.
BIRKHIMER, JOHN, farmer, P. O. Hamburg; born in Perry county, Ohio, August 4, 1834. In the spring of 1854 he removed to Washington county, Ohio. The four winters following were passed in teaching school in Jefferson county. In 1858 he moved to Ringgold county, and in the autumn of the following year he was elected county treasurer. In 1861 he returned to Jefferson county, where he resided until the spring of 1874, when he came to this county. Mr. Birkheimer has held a number of township offices since coming to this county, all of which he has filled with great acceptability. In 1880 he was the census enumerator for Madison township. He was married while a resident of Jefferson county, to Miss Amanda Van Ostrand, by whom he had six children, four now living: Edwin, born September 13, 1859; William, born February 11, 1861; Charles, born December 13, 1863; and Alice, born August 26, 1874. Two are dead: Eliza, died October 29, 1859, and Mary, died November 2, 1871. Mr. Birkheimer is an extensive farmer, and deals in stock on a large scale.
CORBIT, J. N., farmer, section 2, P. O. Riverton; born in Jackson county, Ohio, September 26, 1826, where he grew to manhood, working on a farm; was educated in the private schools. He lived there on a farm until the fall of 1844, when he moved with his parents to Henry county, which was then a pioneer county, where he lived for twelve years, and then went to Mercer county, Missouri, and remained there until 1861, and then went to Wayne county, Iowa, and remained until 1864, and then came to this county and located at Fisher's grove, and located on his pres- ent farm in 1868. Married to Miss Rebecca Beam, a native of Jackson 22
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county, Ohio, December 23, 1847. They are the parents of twelve chil- dren, nine of whom are now living: Valentine W., Jasper, Lusetta, Mar- garet J., Loretta, Lorinia, Harlin, Ira A., and Virinda. Mr. and Mrs. Corbit are members in good standing in the Wesleyan Church, of which Mr. Corbit is a class leader. Before becoming a Wesleyan he was a member of the U. B. Church, and also of the M. E. He owns a good farm of eighty acres.
CALKINS, JAMES W., farmer, section 4, P. O. Riverton; he is a native of the town of Fredonia, Cattarugus county, New York, and when quite young moved with his parents to Ohio, and remained but a short time when he went to Missouri. He soon after went to Pike county, Illi- nois, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the subscription schools. His youth was passed in working upon a farm, which has been his vocation until the present time. He came to Iowa in 18-, and imme- diately enlisted in the Mexican war, at Council Bluffs, and served fifteen months. After being discharged went to Missouri, where his par- ents lived, and shortly after came to this county. Was married in this county, May 15, 1852, to Miss Eliza Jane Gilimore, a native of Tuscarora county, Ohio. They are the parents of nine chil- dren, eight of whom are living: Mary E., Miron R., Fred W. Luman, Lucinda, Chancey, Charles E., Alvah and Willard; James M. (deceased). He is a member of the Latter Day Saints, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. He has at different times been elected to the various township offices. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, in a fine state of cultivation. He is an old settler and cast his first vote in 1850, which was the first vote cast in the county. He was assessed for taxes for a time by both Iowa and Missouri, but Missouri failed to collect the levy. He is a man highly respected by his neighbors, and is an elder in high standing in the church to which he belongs.
COWLES, HENRY, farmer, P. O., Riverton; born February 10, 1850, in Madison township, in this county, where he grew to manhood, and was educated in the public schools. Spent his youth in farming, which has been his occupation through life. He came to his present habitation in 1876. Was married April 14, 1872, to Miss Ellen Mckean, a native of this vicinity. They have three children: Bert, Best and Robert H. Mr. Cowles' father was one of the very earliest set- tlers of this county. He came here in 1842, and is, probably, the oldest man now living, who was born in this county. Has several times served the county officially.
CARMAN, CHARLES F., farmer, section 22, P. O., Hamburg; born
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in Thompkins county, New York, September 10, 1824, residing there until 1832. He then moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, of which he was a resident until 1853, when he went to Missouri, and in the following year came to this county. He was married June 15, 1849, to Miss Nancy Dew. They are the parents of six children: Sidney, Charles W., Annie, Elsie, Stephen D., and Laura. Mr. Carman and his wife are members of the Advent church. Mr. Carman is the pioneer preacher of that denom- ination in this county, and has charge of three churches. He is a Royal Arch Mason.
DIXON, ISAAC P., farmer, P. O., Riverton; born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1854. He attained man's estate on a farm, and received only a common school education. He is of English descent, and traces the blood of his ancestry back to "Old England." He came to Fremont county in January, 1874, and located on his present farm, which consists of some eighty acres of fine land.
EDGERTON, SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser, section 4, P. O. Riverton; is a native of Logan county, Ohio, and was born February 24, 1825. He moved with his parents while yet young to Wayne county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. His youth was passed in working on a farm. He was educated in a school conducted under the auspices of the society of Friends. When 16 years old he went to Grant county, In- diana, and lived there until 1852, when he came to Iowa and located in this immediate vicinity. Was married January 25, 1844, to Miss Minnie Lytle, a native of North Carolina. They have had nine children: Thomas, William, Richard, Francis, Mary A., Erastus, Elmer, Samuel, Winnie E., John A. and Daniel, the latter two being deceased. He enlisted in com- pany E., 29th lowa volunteer infantry, at Sidney in August, 1862. Was in all the battles in which his regiment participated except that of Saline. He ranked as corporal for two years. He was sick for some time, and finally after more than two years service, was discharged at New Orleans, and mustered out at Davenport. He owns 120 acres of land, well improved. Mr. Edgerton is one of the pioneers of this county, and is respected by the people as a worthy citizen and christian gentleman.
EDGERTON, OWEN, farmer, P. O. Hamburg; born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 7, 1822. In 1824 he moved to Wayne county, Indiana; in 1837 resided in Grant county, same state, and in 1844 came to Iowa, locating in Mahaska county. Resided in Warren county until 1851, when he became a resident of Polk county. In 1867 he came to this county, of which he has since been a continuous resident. He was married February 3, 1843, to Miss Mary Rich. They are the parents of six
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