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 79
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BIRKLEY, JOHN, farmer, section 15, P. O. Sidney; born in Macou- pin county, Illinois, September 27, 1842. Remained there until twenty-
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two years of age. Was married March 29, 1864, to Miss Mary M. Yowell, by whom he has five children living. Farm contains 93 acres, all well improved.
BURT, SILAS, farmer, section 11, P. O. Sidney; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1831. In 1846 moved to Athens county, Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1856 when he came to Fremont county, Iowa. Was married October 10, 1850, to Miss Nancy Daius, of Athens county, Ohio. He has a family of four children-two of whom are married: Mary Jane, wife to J. W. Sanders; Sarah Frances, wife to R. B. Briney; Denia and Ocel. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
CHAMBERS, EZEKIEL, retired farmer, P. O. Sidney; born June 4, 1801, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. Moved in infancy, with his parents, to Ontario county, New York, from which place they moved to Lewis county, Kentucky, when young Chambers was about fifteen years of age, where he remained until grown to manhood. In the fall of 1836, he moved to Warren county, Illinois, where he remained, being en- gaged in farming, until the fall of 1856, when he moved to Fremont county, Iowa. He located on a farm in Prairie township, remaining until the spring of 1857, when he rented out his farm and entered upon the milling business. The mill was brought here by Mr. Chambers. While he was absent on the trip to purchase it, his wife was burned so severely as to cause her death in a few weeks. This mill supplied much of the timber used in the county until 1860, when it was burned to the ground. In 1868, he came to Sidney and purchased a residence, still retaining his farm, which he rented out. Mr. Chambers was married twice; his first wife was a native of Kentucky, to whom he was married June 5, 1822. . By her he had eleven children, six of whom are now living: Rebecca, George, Harlow, Clarissa, Caroline and William. This wife died May 31, 1857. In December, 1857, he married Miss Polly Radican, of War- ren county, Illinois.
CHORN, ABRAM B., farmer, section 10, P. O. Eastport; a son of James K. and Sarah Chorn of Kentucky, who was of Irish origin. He was born October 29, 1849, in Clay county, Missouri. His youth was passed in the usual manner of farmer boys. When seventeen years of age, in 1866, he came to this county with his parents. He was married in 1874, to Miss Mary Ellidge, a native of Illinois, by whom he has four children: Fernando C., Orrin M., Sarah L. and Elmer.
COWELS, GILES, merchant, P. O. Sidney; born September 25, 1858, in Gallia county, Ohio. He received his education in the common
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schools of his native state, and at Gallipolis Academy, Ohio. In the fall of 1852 he moved to Fremont county, Iowa, locating on a farm at Mc- Kissick's Grove-the one now owned by John Black. He superintended his farm and taught school for seven years, and in 1858 was elected super- intendent of schools, which office he held for four years. In 1865 he was elected county treasurer, when he moved to Sidney. He served the county as treasurer for two terms-four years in all. He remained in the treasurer's office the major part of the time until the spring of 1875, being engaged in the land agency business, and assisting the treasurer. He then engaged in the mercantile business, which he still follows. In connection with his business he manages over 1200 acres of land. His connection with certain affairs in the history of the county may be gleaned from another page. He was married August 23, 1848, to Miss Lyda Dorener,. a native of Ohio. They have four children living: Perry G., born March 28, 1852; Annie, born March 21, 1855; Wesley R., born December 5, 1857, and Sarah, born July 15, 1860.
CHANDLER, SAMUEL, sheriff of Fremont county, P. O. Sidney; born June 17, 1841, in Vermillion county, Indiana. When fifteen years of age he moved with his parents to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was engaged as clerk in the city post-office. When twenty-one years of age he became deputy clerk of the United States court, at Indianapolis, occupying and acceptably filling that position for several years. In 1867 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, being employed by the Adams Express company, with which he remained until 1869, when he came to Fremont county, and located at Hamburg. He engaged in the lumber business until 1878, when he assumed the management of his farm in Fisher town- ship. In the fall of 1879 he was elected sheriff of the county, and remov- ing to Sidney, the county seat, entered upon the duties of his office in January, 1880. His official acts have been marked by prompt decisive action, and his official life, thus far, one of sterling integrity. Mr. Chand- ler married Miss Jennie Page, of Indianapolis, December 10, 1862, by whom he has one child living. His wife dying January 11, 1875, he mar- ried Miss Helen Nervi, a native of Kentucky, November 25, 1877.
CRABBS, FREDERICK, P. O. Sidney, joint proprietor Cromwell House; born July 9, 1837, in Carroll county, Maryland. He there grew to manhood, employing his time in farming. Mr. Crabbs came to Cedar county, Iowa, in the year 1868, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Sidney. From the time he came to Iowa until 1874, he followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1875, formed his present partnership with Mr. Scyoc, and entered at once upon the conduct of the Cromwell House. January 17, 1869, he married Miss Margaret E. Scyoc, the daughter of his business partner, by whom he has two children: Frederick and John.
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CHAMBERS, HARLOW C., farmer and lumberer, P. O. Sidney; born October 18, 1829, in Lewis county, Kentucky. Moved to Illinois, with his parents when he was about seven years of age. Came to Fre- mont county in 1856. Came to Sidney in 1880, having previously fol- lowed farming and lumbering until that time. Some years of his life was spent on the plains, in business and hunting. He was married in Decem- ber, 1857, to Miss Mary E. Ripley, by whom he has six children: Mary E., Elizabeth E., Adaline, William H,, Samuel and Pemina.
CANTWELL, WILLIAM B., livery, feed, and sale stable, P. O. Sidney; born March 12, 1837, in Delaware county, Indiana, where he resided until he attained his majority. In 1857, he came to Fremont county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In the following year he started for the plains, remaining on the plains and in the mountains until 1869, when he returned to Indiana, to leave that state for Texas in 1870. Came again to Sidney in 1871. Mr. Cantwell is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W.
COPELAND, HUGH W., farmer, section 7, P. O. Sidney; born in Putnam county, Indiana, March 10, 1831, where he resided until 1836, when he removed with his parents to Illinois, and thence to Missouri in the following year. In 1851, he came to Fremont county, and in the fol- lowing year went to Wapello county. Here he was married, Decem- ber 1, 1853, to Miss Sarah C. Turberille, by whom he has three children living: James H., Walter R. and Carrie H .; and two deceased. In 1855, he returned to Fremont county, and has since resided here. He enlisted August 15, 1862, in company E, twenty-ninth Iowa, and in August of the following year, on account of disability, was transferred to the veteran corps, and ordered to Indianapolis, where he remained until mustered out. He was one of the lay delegates to the M. E. Conference at Des Moines, in 1879, of which church both he and his wife are members.
CHESNEY, A. M., farmer, section 26, P. O. Plum Hollow; born October 16, 1846, in Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, receiving his educa- tion in the city schools, and at Hedding College. Enlisted in company B, Eighty-ninth Illinois infantry, October 12, 1863, and followed that regi- ment through all its changing fortunes. " He was mustered out Decem- ber 9, 1865 at New Braunfalls, Texas. Came to Fremont county, Iowa, in 1870. He was married March 1, 1868, to Miss Caroline Baylor, by whom he has five children; three living: Stella W., Bertha W. and Ross E. He has a fine farm, well improved, and showing his excellent man- agement. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years, and has been a justice of the peace.
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HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY.
CLAIBORN, JAMES M., farmer, section 22, P. O. Riverton; born in Elkhart county, Indiana, March 11. 1841. When nineteen years of age removed to Saline county, Nebraska, whence, after four months, he removed to Holt county, Missouri. Enlisted in company E, Twenty-fifth Missouri in November, 1862; remaining in the army a little over three years. Came to Fremont county, Iowa, in January, 1865. Was married February 12, 1865, to Miss Matilda Beckstead. She was born in Atchin- son county, Missouri, March 8, 1849. They have seven children; five living: Mary M., James E., Dora M., Caroline M. and Archibald.
CROZIER, CHARLES R., proprietor Central House, P. O. Sidney; born August 27, 1850, in Brown county, Ohio. From 1873 to 1875 was a traveling salesman for a carriage and wagon manufactory. In 1876 entered the hotel business at Washington court house, Fayette county, Ohio. In 1879 came to Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business at Red Oak. In August, 1880, came to Sidney to engage in his present business. Married November 16, 1876, to Miss Anna Maddox, of Ripley, Ohio. They have one child: Mary Page, born December 18, 1877.
DRAPER, GEORGE E., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born March 28, 1847, in Oakland county, Michigan. When but four years of age moved to Tompkins county, New York, where he grew to man's estate. He was educated in Courtland Academy, Courtland county, New York, and at Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1869. He then engaged in school teaching for a time, after which he began the study of law. In 1871 he came to Iowa, at Council Bluffs, where he was admitted to the bar in the same year. Soon after he moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where he engaged in the practice of law with George S. Smith. In the fall of 1872 he cameto Sidney, forming a partnership with J. M. Cornish, with whom he remained until 1876. He then practiced alone until 1878, when a new partnership was formed with A. B. Thornell. Mr. Draper was married October 23, 1873, to Miss Ada B. Loose, of Sidney, by whom he has one child: Otho E.
DAY, JAMES GAMBLE, judge of the supreme court, P. O. Sidney; born June 28, 1832, in Jefferson county, Ohio. He is a son of George Day and Sarah Gamble. He is of English descent on his father's side, while the Gambles were of Irish descent. He comes from a line long noted for its superior mental traits, and of high standing in the legal and political histories of some of the older eastern States-notably Maryland and Pennsylvania. Young Day passed his youth, until eighteen years of age, on his father's farm in Ohio. He then attended Richmond College, in his native county, remaining nearly three years, and devoting his atten-
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tion principally to the mathematics and ancient languages, both of which were eminently calculated to aid in the development of those marked powers of discrimination which became so necessary to him at a later day. From Richmond College he entered upon the busy life of teacher, which he followed for some three years, teaching in both graded and dis- trict schools. His law studies were largely pursued in private, until the year 1856, when he entered the law school of Cincinnati, from which he graduated the following year. He came to Iowa the same year, locating at Afton, where he entered at once upon the practice of his profession, serving as prosecuting attorney the first year. He came to Sidney in 1860, and formed a partnership with L. Lingenfelter, Esq. When the war came over the land, calling for the bravest and best of its sons, Mr. Day went to the front as first lieutenant, company F, Fifteenth Iowa infantry. He was soon after promoted to the captaincy of company I. At the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, he received a severe wound, which necessitated his resignation. While still in the army his constituents at home nominated him for judge of the third judicial district, to which position he was elected, and began a most serviceable term January 1, 1863. Four years later he was re-elected, and served until August, 1870. Governor Mervill then appointed him to the supreme bench of the State. He was elected in 1871 and again in 1877 to the same honored position, and is still on the bench. He has been twice chief justice of the supreme court, a position he has filled with distinguished ability and marked dig- nity. At home he is known as a most estimable man, of sterling integrity, and possessed of great influence. Among his legal associates his stand- ing is the very highest, and those best qualified to judge pronounce him a most able jurist-the highest compliment that can be paid a member of the legal profession. Judge Day was married December 1, 1857, to Miss Minerva C. Manly, of Stubenville, Ohio. They are the parents of seven children. In politics Judge Day is republican, but does not enter into the heated political contests so many seem to court. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. His connection with the legal history of Fremont has been of the most exalted character, and to it the reader is referred for a fuller account of the legal doings of this deservedly eminent gentleman.
DYE, REV. HENRY B., pastor Presbyterian Church, P. O. Sidney; born December 4, 1832, in Washington county, Ohio, where he reached man's estate. His collegiate course was taken at Marietta College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1859. Immediately after graduation he began to read theology, and was licensed to preach in 1860 by the Congregational conference of Marietta. In 1862, he was called to the pastorate of the Gustavus Presbyterian church in Trumbull county, Ohio,
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since which year he has fellowshipped with that denomination. In 1865 he resigned his pastorate at Gustavus to accept a call to the Presbyterian church of Huron, Ohio, with which he remained until the spring of 1871. A call from the Presbyterian church of South Toledo, Ohio, led him to resign his charge at Huron, on which he accepted the call, remaining with the church until 1878, when he came west, locating at Brownsville, Ne- braska, as stated supply until June, 1879, when he was called to his pres- ent pastorate. Mr. Dye was duly installed as pastor of the Sidney Pres- byterian church, November 3, 1880. He is an able and earnest minister, and a good pastor, enjoying the full confidence of his parishioners. He is alive to all the questions of the day; takes strong ground against intem- perance, and is in the van in every work of reform. Mr. Dye was mar- ried to Miss Theba A. Griggs, September 9, 1856. She was born Decem- ber 9, 1833, in Marietta, Ohio, and died March 2, 1873. She was the mother of four children living: Carrie E., born January 23, 1858; Levi, born December 4, 1860; William, born April 4, 1862; and Marietta, born March 8, 1866. Mr. Dye married as his second wife, Miss Martha M. Brodley, of South Toledo, Ohio, May 12, 1874. She is the daughter of E. J. Brodley, and was born in Vermont, May 12, 1837.
DUNCAN, ROBERT, farmer, section 5, P. O. Plum Hollow; born April 22, 1818, in Highland county, state of Ohio. In 1851 moved to Knox county, Illinois, and in 1854, came to Fremont county, Iowa. Was married to Miss Mary Murray, May 11, 1843. They have eight children living: James, William, Mary, John, Oscar, Sarah, wife of Eli Reeves; Emma, and Samuel C. Mr. Duncan came to Iowa at so early a date that his life has been filled with hardships, and what pioneer life really is none know better than he. The saddest blow he has ever known was the death of his wife, Mary, November 12, 1878. She had been the companion of all his trials, and had helped him bear the burdens of the dark days when first they came to Fremont.
EATON, WILLIAM, attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born October 9, 1849, in Lee county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. Was educated at Denmark Academy, from which he graduated in June, 1872. He graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University in June of 1874. He located in Sidney in October of the same year, forming a partnership with Col. Anderson. In the fall of 1880 he was appointed district attorney to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Col. Anderson. He was married August 4, 1874, to Miss Annie Grundy, of Illinois, by whom he has two children: Elmer E. and Lillie E. Mr. Eaton is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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ETLING, THOMAS, farmer, section 21, P. O. Sidney; born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1833, where he received his education in the common schools, and learned as a trade that of brick-mason and builder. Came to Sidney township, Fremont county, in 1855, and has made this his home ever since, though he has ofteen been a resident of other states for brief periods as contractor and builder on public buildings and manufacturing establishments. Mr. Etling enlisted in company B, Sixteenth Pennsylvania cavalry in September, 1862, and for faithful per- formance of duty was promoted to a first lieutenant. He was in all the engagements in which his regiment participated. He was wounded, July 27, 1864, at Malvern Hill, and again at Chancellorville, in the nose. He was mustered out at Lynchburg, Virginia, at the close of the war. He was married January 4, 1870, to Mrs. Josephine Bugher, widow of Wil- liam Bugher. She was born November 1, 1851, and was a teacher. Her maiden name was Hickly. They have three children living: Nellie A., Henry M. and Josephine P.
GAGNEBIN, HENRY F., county surveyor, P. O. Sidney; born Jan- uary 3, 1826, in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, where he grew to man- hood and was finely educated. He came to America in the year 1847, locating on a farm near Alton, Illinois. In 1855 he became a resident of Wisconsin, and in 1857 moved to De Witt, Carroll county, Missouri. In January, 1862, he enlisted in company L, Seventh Missouri cavalry. He was discharged on account of disability March 15, 1863, when he returned to his home in Missouri. In September of 1863, he came to Fremont county, and located at Sidney, the county seat. In 1877 he received the appointment of county surveyor. In the fall of that year he was duly elected to that position, and again in 1879. He was married November 15, 1856, to Miss Eliza A. Winfrey, of Carroll county, Missouri. They have eight children living: Sarah L., William T., Kate, Annie, Harriet M., Clara, Walter H. and Geneva.
GORDON, JOHN, farmer, section 15, P. O. Sidney; born in Frank- lin county, Ohio, May 12, 1818. In 1820 he removed with his father's family to Henry county, Indiana, remaining until 1821. In 1843 he came to Iowa and located at Pleasant Grove-then containing but four or five houses. He was married April 30, 1840, to Miss Martha Cummins, of Delaware county, Indiana. He has one son living, Andrew M. He lost a son, William G., October 7, 1872. He was a young man of great promise, and at the time of his death was practicing law at Dardanelle, Arkansas. William graduated at the State University, at Lexington, Kentucky, and his life, a most useful one, was suddenly closed in a strange state. Mr. Gordon's fine farm contains 107 acres, fifty of which are
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woodland. He has an orchard of nearly nine hundred apple trees, and has done much to introduce fruit growing in the county.
HOOP, PHILIP H., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born April 23, 1840, in Highland county, Ohio. He here grew to man's estate. For a number of years he engaged in teaching and study. Mr. Hoop came to Fremont county in 1871, and located at the county seat. Until the spring of 1877, he was engaged in teaching, an occupation for which he was well fitted. Having been admitted to the bar in 1874, when he ceased teach- ing in 1877, he entered upon the practice of his profession. He has served the people as justice of the peace three terms, and is now, (1880), entering upon a fourth term of service. For two years he filled the posi- tion of mayor of Sidney to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the town. Mr. Hoop was married December 29, 1864, in Highland county, Ohio, to Miss Rachel C. Donohue, by whom he has two children: Lizzie and Russell M. This wife died July 24, 1869. He was married to Alice Mason, December 29, 1875. They have one child: Maud Gertrude.
HEDGES, ELIAS S., real estate broker, P. O. Sidney; born October 21, 1807, in Saratoga county, New York, where he grew to manhood. In 1830, he went with his father's family to Chautauqua county, New York, being employed with his father until 1856, when he came to Fre- mont county, and located at Sidney. In August of 1857, was elected county judge, which office he held for two and a half years. In 1863, he was appointed commissioner of the board of enrollment for this congress- ional district, with headquarters at Des Moines, which position he held to the close of the war. He engaged in his present business in 1865, and through his hands has passed a large portion of the lands of the county. Before leaving New York, Colonel Hedges was a member of the New York state militia. During the war with the Confederacy Mr. Sears held the same position in the state militia of Iowa, a further history of which may be found under the Southern War Brigade in a preceding por- tion of this volume. Colonel Hedges was married January 18, 1832, to Miss Rebecca Parker, a native of New York; they have two children: William H. and Samuel P. The wife of Colonel Hedges died November 18, 1872, He was married September 10, 1879, to Amelia Elifritz.
HATTEN, CHARLES S., mechanic, P. O. Sidney; born May 20, 1826, in Nelson county, Virginia; moved to Holt county, Missouri, in 1852. In August, 1865, he came to Sidney, Iowa, of which city he has since been a resident. He was married May 18, 1848, to Miss Nancy Dudding, of West Virginia, by whom he has five children: George T., Annie H., Margaret D., Celeste V. and Albina W.
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HANLEY, DR. RICHARD R., P. O. Sidney; born July 17, 1829, in Tompkins county, New York, where he attained man's estate and was educated. Finishing his course in the classical school of his native state, he at once began to read medicine, and entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in March, 1852. After complet- ing his course he began to practice in Hector, New York, remaining until August, 1856, when he came to Fremont county, Iowa. Dr. Hanley was an active member of Baptist church, and minister in the same. In 1864 he moved to Tabor, Iowa, and was regularly ordained as a minister of the Baptist persuasion. During his residence at Tabor he was made a mem- ber of the board of trustees of Tabor College, which institution he assisted to organize. In 1877 he engaged in the newspaper business, at Riverton, publishing the Riverton Advocate until the fall of 1878, when the paper was moved to Sidney and published until 1880. It was then transferred to its present proprietors, and published under the name of the Sidney Union-Advocate. Dr. Hanley was a member of the first board of supervisors in the county, and at an early day a justice of the peace. He was married December 30, 1852, to Miss Mary Beadsley, of Tompkins county, New York, by whom he has five children: Charles S., Emma J., Lilly D., Flora D. and Bertie M.
HODGES, R. C., farmer, section 18, P. O. Sidney; born in Fayette county, Indiana, April 6, 1833, where he remained until 1857, when he came to Fremont county, Iowa. Married Margaret Mann, March 3,1856, by whom he has five children: George F., Louie, Iola, Gertrude, and Ray. Mr. Hodges is the son of James A. and Sarah Hodges. His father was born in Abbeville district, South Carolina, May 2, 1810. In 1832 he removed to Indiana, and in 1856 to Iowa. He was the county judge of Fremont county one term. He was the father of five children, beside the subject of this sketch: Nancy A., Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, and John. Mr R. C. Hodges is a member of the A. O. U. W.
HUTCHINSON, W. W., farmer, section 6, P. O. Anderson; born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 1, 1832. In the year 1858, came to Fremont county, Iowa. Mr. Hutchinson has been engaged in various kinds of business, but has devoted the most of his attention to farming. Was mar- ried in May, 1872, to Miss Melissa Morgan, of Marion county, Indiana, by whom he has two children: May L. and William T.
HENDERSON, LOREN R., farmer and merchant, section 18, P. O. Sidney; born in Vermillion county, Indiana, March 24, 1831; came to Iowa in 1855. Married to Miss Martha E. Lawrence, April 9, 1856. They are the parents of five children: Jessie A., William L., Ralph, Charles,
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