USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 100
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D.B. miller
883
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
J. L. Hornung was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 16, 1828; came to America in 1852, landing in New York April 24; soon after he went to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he learned the trade of cracker baking, remaining four years; thence to Stephenson county, Illinois, work- ing in a distillery two years; thence to Brownsville, Missouri, working at cracker baking a year and a half; he then came to Hardin county, and in June, 1861, he bought a farm on section 35, and in Septem- ber, 1861, moved his family here. Mr. H. has held the office of School Treasurer and Director. He was married in 1856 to Mary A. Bach, born in Wurtemburg, April 4, 1828, came to America in 1854. They have four children-Charles N., Wm. G., Margaret and John L., Jr.
M. C. Gettis was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of Ira E. and Mary (Daniel) Gettis. In 1839 his parents moved to Pike county, Ohio, and in 1847 went to Stephenson county, Illinois, where they remained one year, and in 1848 came to Scott county, Iowa, where they spent two years, and then went to Clinton county, and afterward to Cedar county. The sub- ject of this sketch was married in Ohio, March 4, 1853, to Miss Sarah Randall, a Lative of Carroll county, Ohio. In 1855 he settled in Tama county, and built a steam saw-mill, which he run until 1867, when he came to Hardin county, and set- tled in Pleasant township, where he was engaged in milling, and in 1876 settled on section 4 of Tipton township, where he still remains. His wife died April 7, 1877, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Gettis was after- ward married to Miss Malissa Williams,
June 20, 1877. She was born in Dubuque county, Iowa. They have had three chil- dren, all of whom are living. The father of Mr. Gettis was born in Kent county, Maryland, March 22, 1799, his grandfather being a native of Ireland, and his mother born in Trumbull county, Ohio, De- cember 10, 1804, of English origin. They were married October 9, 1823, and have five children living, of whom M. C. is the youngest. They have been members of the M. E. Church over sixty years.
P. P. Cady was born in Steuben county, New York, October 24, 1817. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good common school education with an attend- ance at Franklin Academy, New York. In 1839 he moved to Oakland county, Michigan, and remained there about five years. From 1842 to 1851 he spent in the western part of Michigan, teaching at the Indian Mission, at the present site of Grand Rapids, excepting 1846 and 1847, which he spent. in Chicago, engaged in the lumber trade. In 1848 he was married to Miss Olive B. Prescott, a native of Maine. In 1851 he settled in Alamakee county, Iowa, taught school the first winter, and in 1852 he entered land in that county, re- maining until 1865, when he came to Tip- ton township, Hardin county, and settled on section 26. While in Alamakee county he was Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk. From 1869 until 1870 he was Post- master of Tipton Grove postoffice, when it was discontinued. They have been blessed with five children-Ellen M., now the wife of the Rev. Matthew Wing, of Union township; James F., now an at- torney at Union; J. Judson, living on a farm near Hubbard; Jessie A., and Frank
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
living at home. They also have an adopted daughter named Mary A., now the wife of O. Crandall, now living at Cresco, Howard county.
Mrs. Olive B. Cady, the subject of this sketch, descended from the Prescott family, who was the original emigrant from England to America, (See Prescott Genealogy) and is a distant relative of the noted. William H. Prescott, of Massachu- setts, the great historian. If she had pos- sessed the privilege of selecting her ances- tors, she could not have hit upon a better family than that from which she descended, as there is no record that any one of them ever did a mean, base, or vicious act. Into whatever they undertook they threw the whole energy of their natures. Olive was singularly blessed in having been as for- tunate in her mother as in her father. She was remarkable for good sense, energy, and beneficence. Olive was born in New- port, Penobscot county, Maine, April 24, 1825. She was educated at Newport Academy, and commenced teaching school at the early age of fifteen years, always commanding the highest wages-$1.00 and $1.50 per week-and boarded around; but amply supported herself. In the year 1845 she emigrated to the then Far West, found employment on the third day after reach- ing Chicago, and with her needle, from the first day earned $1.00 and $1.25 per day on piece work, taking her dinner, and seldom leaving her seat the whole day long. In 1848 she became acquainted with and was married to Mr. Perley P. Cady, of Michigan. She was always a keeper at home, living in peace and plenty, had five children, and always practicing the traits of character inherited from her parents,
she early taught them industry, honesty and sobriety. She is now fifty-seven years of age and still finds her happiness in pro- moting the happiness of her family and friends.
J. H. Mingle was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, town of Stillwater, July 18, 1819, remaining until 1828, when his parents moved to Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, where he remained until 1852, when he settled in Carroll county, Illinois, and was there engaged in blacksmithing until the spring of 1865, when he came to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. He lived in Clay township eight years, one summer in Concord, and then spent four years in Union. In August, 1878, he located on section 9, Tipton, where he has since re- sided. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1841, to Miss Catherine Holly. She bore him six children, and died in 1855. He was afterwards married, in Whiteside county, Ill., August 9, 1857, to Rachel J. Briggs, who was born in Windsor county, Vermont, June 28, 1834. She bore him six children, five of whom are living.
John M. Mitchell was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1830, re- maining until the fall of 1856. He received a limited common school education. In the fall of 1856 he came to Tama county, Iowa, and worked at the carpenter trade until 1858. He then moved to Marshall county, where he was engaged in farming until 1863, when he enlisted in Company E, 3d Iowa Infantry, serving until the close of the war, in 1865. He was de- tached from the 3d Iowa to the 1st Mis- souri Light Artillery, but was discharged with the 3d Iowa. In the fall of 1865 he
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
settled on section 11, Tipton township, Hardin county, and in 1866 he bought a farm on section 13, where he remained two years. In 1877 he moved to his present location, on section 9. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Anna Frayer, a native of Pennsylvania. They have eight children, all living-Jennie, Alice, George, Jessie, Emma, William, Alfred and Elizabeth Ann.
J. B. Chadwick was born in Cayuga county, New York, June 20, 1813. At the age of thirteen years he began an attend- ance at the Academy at Fredonia, New York. At fifteen he began learning the saddler's trade in Tompkins county, New York. This he followed as an apprentice until the age of twenty. He then married Eliza Tooker, of Cayuga county, New York. He then embarked in the harness trade in that county, and afterwards in Steuben county, and while in that county he began the study of law, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in Chatauqua county. In 1859 he emigrated to Kent county, Michigan, and practiced law in that and in Jackson counties until 1864, when he came to DesMoines, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the wholesale harness and leather trade. In 1866 he was engaged as Super- intendent of the County Poor Farm, and also built the county buildings. In 1867 he moved to Hamilton county, and began farming on an extensive scale, and also gave considerable attention to dairying. In 1870 he located on section 36, Tipton, where he has since lived a retired life. While in Steuben county, he took an active part in the politics of that county, and was nominated for the Legislature by the Whigs. During the past four years he has made three trips to Europe. They have
four children living-Sarah A., Abiather, Eliza and M. T.
Geo. R. Lohr was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 12, 1839. In 1846 his parents moved to Knox county, Ohio. His educational advantages were limited. Com- ing West he settled in Fulton county, Illi- nois, on a farm, on which he remained until 1870, when he settled on section 13, Tipton township, and, in 1871, settled on his pres- ent location, section 21, where he has re- mained since, excepting while engaged in the hotel business, in 1881, at Hubbard, having built the Hubbard House. He has held the offices of Town Clerk and Asses- sor. He was married January 1, 1860, to Miss Allie McBroom, a native of Illinois. They have had seven children, three of whom are living.
George Smuck was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1836, where he remained until 1860. He then settled in Lee county, Illinois, on a farm, remaining ten years. In 1870 he located in Tipton township, Hardin county, Iowa, where he has since resided, owning at the present time a fine farm of 240 acres. He was married in 1856 to Miss Barbara Ann Butt, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1841. They have eight children -- Henry, born June 22, 1857; Emma, born February 29, 1862; Jacob, born February 21, 1864; George, born May 23, 1866; Katie, born March 2, 1868; Lucetta, born July 23, 1870; John, born April 2, 1877; Mary A., born September 16, 1879.
August Boeke was born in Germany, in. 1852. He came to America in 1871, and located on section 25, in Tipton township, remaining one year; thence to Minneapolis,
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886
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Minnesota, where he remained two years, working at the butcher's trade. From there he went to Eldora, remaining one year. He then bought 120 acres of land on sec- tion 33, where he now lives. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Mary Groncona, a native of Germany. They have one daughter-Minnie.
Asias Bucy was born in Allegheny county, Maryland, April, 1833. In 1834 his parents settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. In 1838 they removed to Holmes county, Ohio, remaining on a farm until Asias was twenty-three years of age; thence to Fulton county, Illinois, where he re- mained twelve years; thence to Stark county, Illinois, remaining six years; thence to Polk county, Iowa, remaining there five years; thence came to Hardin county and settled on section 27, Tipton township, where he now owns a fine farm of 160 acres. In 1856 he married Miss Eliza Jane Lohr, a native of Ohio. They have ten children living-Martha A., George P., Jesse F., Sarah Olive, Samuel A., Alice M., Norman A., Charles N., Franklin T., Cora M.
James McBride was born in county Antrim, Ireland, Townland of Tulegraley, July 23, 1827. He came to America in 1847,and soon after located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in car- pet manufacturing, remaining there seven years. In 1858 he located in Stark county, Illinois, remaining until 1860, when he fol- lowed the business of farming, he remained here until 1867, when he went to Bureau county, Illinois; then went to Clinton county, Iowa, where he remained three years; when he went to Tama county, remaining five years; in 1872, he located in Eldora township, Hardin county, where he
remained three years; then he spent one year at Point Pleasant; and in 1876 he bought the farm where he now lives on section 9, Tipton township; he was mar- ried July 23, 1850, to Miss Martha Alexan- der, born in county Derry, Ireland, April 6, 1832. They have eight children-Jane, born January 25, 1852; Martha, born May 24, 1854; Annie, born April 21, 1856; Robert, born Feb 28, 1858; William, born April 4, 1860; Sarah, born August 12, 1865; Thomas, born August 10, 1867; John, born April 2, 1869; an adopted daughter, Mary, born January 28, 1850.
A. M. Drake was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1832. In 1852 he moved to Knox county, Ill .; received a com- mon school education, with an attendance of two years at Hiram College, being a student eighteen months at the time of the attend- ance of the late James A. Garfield. Re- maining until 1865 he engaged in farming. In 1865 he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, remaining two years. In the fall of 1870 he settled in Powesheik county, Iowa; and in 1874 settled on the South Fork, Tipton township, and in 1877, settled on section 29, where he owns a farm of 160 acres; was married in 1857, to Miss Eliza- beth Shrimplin, a native of Knox county, Ohio. They have six children, four living -Addison N., William A., Margaret J., Frank E .; died: Thomas W. and John M.
H. D. Hoover was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1852. In 1854 his parents moved to Cedar county, Iowa, Eli Hoover, his father, being one of the pioneer settlers, and is still a resident of that county. Here Mr. Hoover remained until he at- tained his majority, going thence to Mar- shall county, where he remained two years.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Soon afterward he went to Benton, and in 1875 he bought a farm adjoining the pres- ent village of Hubbard, and has since made two additions to the village. In the spring of 1881 he settled here. He is a member of the town council. He was married September 5, 1873, to Miss Hannah M. Plummer, a native of Ohio. Her father, Joseph Plummer, being one of the early settlers of Marshall county. They have one child-Mary Lillian.
John P. Fox was born in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, remaining there until about twelve years of age; thence to Clinton county, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until twenty-two years of age, when he removed to Freeport, Illinois, engaging in the carpenter's trade, and in 1878 he went to Tipton, Hardin county, Iowa, set- tling on land, which he had entered in 1854. He was married in April, 1850, to Miss Margaret J. Demmick, a native of Illinois. They have four children living -Mace, Olive, Ella, and William.
George Marshman was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1828. In 1842 his parents moved to Rich- land county, Ohio, where he remained until 1879, engaging in farming and stock deal- ing. In 1867 he went with a drove of sheep to Illinois, and traded for land in Tipton township, Iowa. In 1879 he moved his family to this town, and now lives on section 19. In politics he is a staunch Republican, having cast his first vote with the Whig party, for General Scott. He was married in 1863 to Miss Lydia Ann Roberts, a native of Morrow county, Ohio. George Gordon, Charles Albert, James Arvine, Mary Agnes, and Grace Elizabeth, are their children.
S. O. Ridout was born in Delaware county, Indiana, May 23, 1850. In 1852 his parents moved to Black Hawk county, Iowa. His father, Isaac R., took a claim in that county. Here S. O. remained until 1856, and then removed with the family to Kansas and Missouri, and in 1860 returned to Iowa, settling in Jasper county. In 1872 he was engaged in teaching in that and Marshall counties until 1880, since which time he has followed cabinet mak- ing. August 6, 1881, he located at Hub- bard.
Frank M. Reese was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1847, where he remained until 1857, and then came with his parents to Cedar county, Iowa, remaining until 1865. He then removed to Boone county, where he learned the mason trade, which he followed while there. In 1869 he left there and spent his time until 1875 in the Western States, being two years at To- peka, Kansas. In 1875 he returned to Boone county and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company until the spring of 1881, when he located at Hubbard, and in July opened a restaurant. He was married August 8, 1876, to Miss Anna Emerson, a native of Vermont.
TOWN OF HUBBARD.
The town of Hubbard presents almost phenominal attractions. Less than two years ago, where now stands a flourishing place of 700 inhabitants, was an open prai- rie, the property of A. J. Hunter, who deeded it to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company, who had it surveyed by A. K. Harvey, and filed the plat of the town in the office of the Recorder, Octo-
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
ber 12, 1880. The description accompany- ing the plat describes it as being situated "on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 33, in township 87, range 21." An addition was made and filed for record October 26, 1880, embracing a part of the east half of the southwest quarter of sec- tion 34, in the same township and range. E. P. Stubbs was the surveyor, and the plat was made for the proprietor, H. D. Hoover.
In the spring of 1881 Mr. Hoover made his second addition, embracing in all about 14 acres which he has added to the town plat.
The first sale of lots made in the town of Hubbard was on Monday, October 11, 1880. Mr. Bliss, agent for the company, was present on the town site on that day, remaining about two hours, during which time he sold 16 lots. Among those pur- chasing were, T. W. Strother, J. C. Moor- man, DeRoy Ellsworth, Webb & Christie, J. L. Marshall, Z. L. Martin, T. J. Hunter, Geo. Lohr, Asa Bushnell, Vinton & Law- ton, R. Rilling and J. J. Parsons. The prices ranged from $100 to $175. Each purchaser bound himself to erect a build- ing on the lot purchased, within six months, worth $400.
The village was named in honor of Judge N. M. Hubbard, of Cedar Rapids, the at- torney of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
The first building erected in the place was a wooden structure, built by Lawton & Vinton, of Belle Plains. It was used for a boarding house. It is still standing, and is used by John B. Rush as a grocery and dwelling.
J. M. Christy opened the first store in the place, on the 27th of October, 1880, in a building 22x50, one story high. It was a hardware store. He has since added to it a shop 22×20.
The second store in the village, but the first for general merchandise, was opened by J. L. Marshall, November 17, 1880.
The first wagonmakers were the Reeves Brothers, in the fall of 1880. They re- tired from business in the summer of 1882.
The first blacksmith was Charles Clancy, who is still in the business.
The first shoemaker was John W. Mc- Nabb, from Eldora, who began business here in March, 1881. He is still pegging away.
Hubbard, which, on the 20th day of October, had not a house upon the town site, on the 1st day of January, 1881, had several stores, representing various lines of trade, and a population of nearly 300 people.
E. B. Gard opened a harness shop on Maple street in January, 1881, being the first in that line of trade.
POSTOFFICE.
A town without a postoffice would be an anomaly, so almost as soon as the village was laid out, a petition was sent to the proper authorities at Washington, which at once gave orders for the discontinuance of Tipton creek postoffice, and the establish- ment of Hubbard. J. J. Parsons was ap- pointed Postmaster of Hubbard; and on the 3d day of December, 1880, the first mail was received at this point. The population of the town increased so rapidly that the Postmaster-General ordered a money order department in connection, July
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
1,1881. The first order drawn was by E. B. Gard, of the Gard House, in favor of J. E. Simpson, of Dubuque, Iowa, for $3.75. The first order paid was to John W. Sweet, the amount being $15. The amount of business transacted the first year was about $12,000.
SCHOOL.
In educational advantages Hubbard is abreast with the times. The first school was taught by Harvey Slack in a school building just northeast of the village limits, in the fall of 1881. A new school house has just been completed at a cost of $3,500, capable of accommodating 150 pupils; and the school is to be thoroughly graded and made equal to the best in the county or State.
Henry Slack, principal of the Hubbard Schools, was born in Lee county, Iowa, in 1849; remaining here until six years of age, when he went with his parents to Hardin county; his father, Daniel Slack, locating on section 5 of Providence town- ship. His educational advantages were good, having completed his studies at "Whittier College," Salem, Iowa. At the age of nineteen he began teaching, which he has since followed, and is, although a young man, one of the best instructors in this part of the State. December, 1881 he took charge of the Hubbard Graded Schools, and is the present Principal. He was married in 1872, to Miss Tamar Hobson of Henry county, Iowa.
INCORPORATION.
The continued steady growth of the village was such as to render it necessary that it should be incorporated as a town
under the general laws of the State. At the October term, 1881, of the Circuit Court, Judge Miracle appointed, as incor- poration commissioners, J. L. Marshall, J. M. Christie, E. B. Gard, Mark J. Kelley and Pliny Fry. The incorporation elec- tion was held November 1, 1881. There were 76 votes cast for incorporation, and 5 against. Articles of incorporation were filed in November, 1881, and the first elec- tion for town officers was held February 8, 1882, resulting in the election of the fol- lowing named: Madison Slack, Mayor; J. L. Marshall, G. S. Clift, D. M. Shellen- berger, J. K. Milner and H. D. Hoover, Council; Rufus A. Johnson, Recorder; Irvin Mills, Treasurer; Charles W. Whit- ney, Marshal; and S. F. Hammer, Assessor. The following were all re-elected March 6, 1882, receiving the following vote:
Mayor.
Madison Slack
79
Recorder.
Rufus A. Johnson 86
Treasurer.
Irvin Mill's
82
Assessor.
A. F. Hammer
87
Trustees.
J. K. Milner
82
J. L. Marshall 85
D. M. Shellenberger
62
George A. Clift
84
H. D. Hoover
77
RELIGIOUS.
There are seven religious denominations represented here in the summer of 1882, thus showing that the religious and moral
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
welfare of the community is well cared for. Those represented are the German Luth- eran, German Evangelical, Methodist, Epis- copal, Orthodox, Friends, Presbyterians, Christians and Baptists. There are but three church editices, however, belonging to the three first. The German Lutheran Church was the first built in the place. It was completed early in the spring of 1881, and received a present of a fine bell from Judge Hubbard, who had made an offer of one to the church edifice first completed. The Evangelical Church was the second oule completed, it being ready for occu- pancy but a few weeks later. It was dedi- cated by Rev. Mr. Brower, the presiding elder of the district.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was completed in the spring of 1882, at a cost of $1,100. It was dedicated in May, by Elder Lee, of Belle Plains, and its organi- zation perfected at this time. The society was composed of a portion of the class that met at the Hunter school house, in Tipton township, the first members of which were G. R. Lohr and family, M. Boylan and family, W. W. Boylan and family, T. J. Hunter and family, James Meeker and wife, A. Bucy and wife. Rev. Safford is the pastor in charge; G. R. Lohr, class leader; Moses Boylan circuit steward. Rev. Safford came from Missouri and was trans- ferred from the Missouri Conference. The church is out of debt, with provisions made for a parsonage in the near future.
A Union Sunday School was organized in 1881 with Pliny Fry as Superintend- ent. It now holds its sessions in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and is in a prosper- ous condition, with the following named officers: G. S. Clift, Superintendent; Eli
G. Swain, Assistant Superintendent; Miss T. E. Hunter, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Orthodox Friends of Hubbard were organized into a congregation in March, 1882, by order of Honey Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends. The members at the time of organization were: S. F. Hammer and family, J. L. Marshall and child, Z. L. Martin and family, Pliny Fry and wife, H. D. Hoover and family, J. H. Bales and family, Mrs. Mahala Middleton and family, J. F. Haworth and family, S. B. Wood- ward and family, Irvin Mills and family, Harvy Slack and wife, Robert Trout and wife, Dr. Isaac Ridout and wife, and Mrs. L. J. Trout. In all about forty. Pliny Fry was appointed Leader. They held their services at first in Hadley & Webb's Hall; but now occupy the Methodist Epis- copal Church. They have never yet had a resident pastor. A revival was held in the name of the Society of Friends at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Decem- ber, 1881; and in January, 1882, by B. P. Newell, of Legrand, Marshall county, Iowa, which resulted in much good and several additions to the church. The congrega- tion is in a healthy condition, with the prospect of being able to do much good in the community.
SOCIETIES.
The civic societies represented in Hub- bard are the Odd Fellows, the Legion of Honor, the V. A. S. Fraternity and the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
The Women's Christian Temperance Union of Tipton Township was organized June 17, 1881, with the following named officers: President, Mrs. Frances J. Kel- ley; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Mary C. Fry,
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