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 104

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

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 104

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Wm. Lockard was born near Williams- port, Va., March 24, 1814. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Miles) Lockard, who cmi- grated .to Ohio, Champaign county, when William was a small boy. The subject of this sketch married Elizabeth Steenberger, a daughter of George and Nancy Steen- berger, who emigrated to Ohio when it was a territory. The country was then occu- pied by Indians, and often were the family forced to leave their homes and go to forts

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

for safety. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 24, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard were the parents of eight children-Mary Ann, John, who enlisted in the 6th Iowa Infantry, and was shot at the battle of Shiloh, and died while on his way home; Philander, who was a mem- ber of the same regiment, and died with typhoid fever at St. Louis, Missouri; Philip, George, Thomas, Isaac, Ira. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Lockard and family left Ohio with teams, camping out and doing their own cooking. They stopped in Benton county, Iowa, while Mr. Lockard looked up a home. They remained there a year and a half, when they moved to Hardin county, where they still reside. Mrs. Lockard says they moved into a log cabin, in which they could not stand up straight, and where she did her cooking for eight to ten years, in an old-fashioned fire-place. While in Benton county they lived in a log cabin without any windows, and often covered the roof with carpets to protect them from the storm. Mr. Lockard has hauled wheat to Waterloo and sold it for 30 cents per bushel. In 1860, at the time the cyclone passed over this county, the storm blew out every window and the roof from their house. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard came to the county in limited circumstancs, but to-day are reaping their reward of a life of toil. They have 260 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. They are members of the United Brethren Church.

George W. Lockard was born in Cham- paign county, Ohio, July 25, 1844. He was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the pioneer log cabins of Hardin county. When eighteen years of age he attended the Albion Seminary for a year and a half.

On July 4, 1867, he married Miss Jennie Hauser, a daughter of T. N. Hauser. She was born in Owen county, Indiana, October 16, 1841. Two children are the fruits of this marriage-Theodore E., and Nellie E. Mr. Lockard came to the county when a boy, and has since been identified with its interests. Mr. Lockard has 360 acres of beautiful prairie land, under a high state of cultivation, which is valued at $40 per acre.

Daniel Spurlin was born in North Caro- lina, March 1, 1807, and in 1841 married Miss A. J. Swift, a daughter of Peter Swift, of Pennsylvania, where she was born May 20, 1818. Her parents emigrated to Holmes county, Ohio, when she was four years of age. When she was twenty-two years old they removed to Owen county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Spurlin were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, -William Swift M., who enlisted in the 9th Iowa Cavalry, and was killed while on duty at Ashland Station, on the Red River Expedition; Zachariah, Ellen J., Jeremiah, Samuel, Andrew, Daniel, Delilah and Mary, E., who died young. In 1846 the family left Indiana and went to Mercer county, Illinois, where they remained five years, and in the spring of 1851 came to Hardin county, coming with teams over roads almost impassable, at a time well remem- bered by the early settlers as the wet sum- mer. They moved into a claim shanty 16x18 feet, with a four-light window. Mr. Spurlin had, at the time of his death, a comfortable property, consisting, in part, of 320 acres of beautiful prairie land. In 1869 he was killed while returning from a religious meeting, by a runaway team, Mrs. Spurlin being badly injured at the same

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

time. £ Mr. Spurlin was a member of. tlie Baptist Church; was a kind husband and an indulgent parent, and was loved and respected by all. An account of the sad affair in which Mr. Spurlin lost his life will be found in the Miscellaneous Chapter.

Peter Lepley was born in Knox county, Ohio, January 31, 1826, He is the son of John and Mary (Carmery) Lepley. In 1859 he married Elizabeth Hardinger. She was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 3, 1833, Three children blessed their union-May, wife of Albert Rowan; John and Joseph. In 1854 Mr. Lepley emigrated to Hardin county, Iowa, where he took up 120 acres of land, and com- menced to make a home, since which time he has added 80 acres, making 200 acres of farming land, and also 20 acres of timber, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Lepley is a practical farmer, and has succeeded in ac- cumulating a fine property, and to-day is one of the well-to-do farmers of the town- ship.

M. V. Sayers was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 10, 1812, and was educated in the Old Log Shool House of the eariy day. His parents, John and Jane Sayers, were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, ten of whom lived to be adults. His father died in 1836, and M. V. took charge of the farm. In March, 1838 he married Jane Saylor. She was born in Clark county, Ohio, September 13, 1818. Five children blessed this union, four of whom are living, viz .- Anzoletta, John C. who enlisted in the 32d Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and contracted disease and died at Little Rock, Arkansas in 1863; and Mary J., Lydia and Rebecca. In the fall of 1840 the family left Ohio in

a Prairie Schooner, locating in Rock Island county, Illinois, where Mr. Sayers opened up a farm, and where they lived in a log cabin 16x16, of the rudest kind. July 21, 1851, Mrs Sayers died. She was highly respected by all who knew her. December 10, 1854, Mr. Sayers again married, taking as a wife Lonisa McMullen. She was born in Connorsville, Indiana, March 15, 1821. In June, 1862 they came to Hardin county, Iowa and located on the place where they now live. Mr. Sayer has a beautiful home which he has worked hard to secure. He has 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Sayers has lived to see seven generations. His great- grand-father, his grand-father, his mother, himself, his children,his children's children, and his children's children's children.

J. Q. Adams, who is among the oldest settlers of Hardin county, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 29thi day of June, 1820. His parents were David and Jane (Caruthers) Adams, father of Irish and mother of Scotch descent. Her * grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, and served seven years. He was honorably discharged, and lived to be nearly one hundred years old. When ninety-nine he made a speech at a Fourth of July celebration. In 1839 his father emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, where he remained until 1854, when he came to Hardin county, and settled on the farm where Gifford now stands. Mrs. Adams died in 1870, and Mr. Adams in 1874. They were members of the Presby- terian Church. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a liberal education. In the fall of 1844 he went to Galena, Illinois, at the time of the

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

great mineral excitement, where he married Jane Patterson, a widow of Dr. James Armstrong. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living-Louisa, Nellie, Ed- mund, William P., John W. and Lewis. In about 1854 he came to Hardin county, where he engaged in farming near Gifford. In 1862 he sold his farm aud purchased land in Grundy county, and in 1882 en- gaged in the livery business. In April, 1882, his first stable was burned to the ground, nine horses perishing in the flames, besides buggies and harness, being a heavy loss. He is at present doing a good busi- ness.

John Moore was a native of Kentucky, and came to Hardin county and settled in Union township. In 1840 he was engaged in the lead mines in the vicinity of Galena and Dubuque. Three years later he mar- ried Eliza J. Adams, daughter of David Adams, of Warren county, Illinois. She was born in Ohio, May 26, 1824. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living-Samantha R., born June 30, 1844; William H., born Septem- ber 26, 1846; John D., born April 7, 1849; Oscar, born August 21, 1852; Lucius, born April 20, 1855; Etna F., born May 10, 1858; Albert O., born June 4, 1860, died October 28, 1879; George F., born June 3, 1867, died June 22, 1871; Emma J., born January, 1869. About 1850, in company with James H. Drain, he went to Califor- nia, crossing the plains and Rocky Moun- tains by the slow, tedious and dangerous · mode of travel of those days, in search of golden fortune. He returned like many others, to his family the next year, and sought other employment until 1855. Dur-

ing the first and early years of his life here, he spent the time not necessarily employed on the farm at the trade of carpenter and joiner. He was always characterized as an honest and industrious man, always tem- perate and mild in his habits, a good neigh- bor, a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a true and sympathizing friend. Mr. Moore died on the farm which he originally settled, June 13, 1880.

Lyman H. Lockwood, one of the ener- getic, go-ahead American type, and an early settler of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, January 21, 1821, son of Oliver and Lydia (Maynard) Lock- wood, who were the parents of eight chil- dren. The elder Lockwood emigrated to Marshall county, Iowa, in April, 1855, where he purchased wild land and made a home, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1872. Lyman H. was reared on his father's farm. When eighteen years of age he commenced the mercantile business, clerking until he was thirty years old. On March 9, 1850, he married Miss Theresa A. Tait, a daughter of Francis Tait, of Virginia, who was born Septem- ber 25, 1825. They had eight children, seven of whom are living-James A., - Ella A., Clara M., Eliza, Angie, Frank M. and Florence. Mr. Lockwood came to the county poor, but by good, judicious man- agement, has accumulated a fine property and home, and to-day is among the large and well-to-do farmers of the county. He has 160 acres of valuable prairie land, val- ued at $50 per acre, and 80 acres in section 19, valued at $30 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people.

S. W. Lounsberry.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. 929

William Martin, a pioneer of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, January 27, 18:8. When he was ten years old his parents emigrated to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he became acquainted with Miss Lucinda Parish, a daughter of Meredith Parish, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. She was born in Franklin county, Ohio, February 20, 1827. They were mar- ried July 21, 1841. There was a family of nine children, eight of whom are living- Martha J., Celinda A., Sarah E., Angie L., William B., Edward P., Mahlon C., and Minnie L. In 1855 they left their home, with teams, and started for Hardin county, Iowa, locating in Eldora, where he engaged in the grocery business for one year, when his health failed him, and his physician advised him to go on a farm. He rented for a couple of years, but in March, 1859, purchased the place where Mrs. Martin now lives. Mr. Martin died at his home, July 4, 1872. In early life he was a mem- ber of the Christian Church. Mr. Martin was a man with a large heart, always found on the side of the down-trodden, and was liberal to a fault. He was a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and was universally respected by all who knew him. At the time of his death he had accumulated a fine property, thus leaving his widow in comfortable circumstances.

James Reed, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1819, When a small boy his mother came to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education. In October, 1844, he married Miss Isabel Hartinger, a daughter of John and Susan

(Waters) Hartinger, of Pennsylvania, She was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 12, 1826. Eleven children blessed this union, nine of whom are living-John, Catherine, Susan, Mary E., Margaret, Eliza- beth, Martha I., Frank, and William. Mr. and Mrs. Reed emigrated, with teams, in 1855, to Hardin county, Iowa, locating on the place where they now reside, moving into a log cabin 16x18 feet, without any window glass, with a clapboard roof, and a mud-and-stick chimney. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 32d Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following engagements: Cape Girar- deau, Missouri; Ft. DuRessy, Louisana; Pleasant Hill, Louisana; Tupelo, Missis- sippi, and many others, among which was the capture of Fort Blakely, the last battle of the war. He was mustered out with honor at Clinton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Reed came to the county, poor, commenc- ing at the lower round of the ladder; but by hard work they have accumulated a fine property and home, and to-day are among the well-to-do farmers of the county. They have 120 acres in the home farm, valued at $40 per acre; also eight acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Christian Church.

John Benson, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Saratoga county, New York, on the 18th day of April, 1796. In early life he followed the lumber business and building mills. On the 4th day of March, 1830, he married Miss Almeda Green, a daughter of Job Green, of Herkimer county, New York, where she was born March 3, 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Benson were the parents of ten children, nine- of whom are living-three

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

sons and six daughters. In 1844 Mr. Ben- son left Ohio with his family, coming through with teams; Mrs. Benson driving one team. They stopped one year in Mus- catine county, Iowa, and in the meantime Mr. Benson was locking up a location. In 1845, removed to Jackson county, Iowa, where he embarked in manufacturing fan- ning mills. In 1852, removed to Delaware county, Iowa, where he built a saw-mill and again embarked in the lumber trade, which business he followed for nineteen years. Mr. Benson in 1855-6 came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased a large tract of land and built a saw-mill, one of the first in the county. In 1865 the family removed to this county, where Mrs. Benson and a portion of the family still reside. In politics he was an Old Line Whig, but at the time of the organization of the Republican party, united and affili- ated with it until the time of his death, which occurred August 29, 1866. While in Delaware county he was elected County Judge in 1841, which position he filled with honor. He was also elected School Fund Commissioner in 1849. Mr. Benson died, leaving a widow and large family to mourn his loss. He was an upright, hon- est man, and was universally respected.

William Bates, a retired farmer and one of the early settlers of Union township, was born near Herfordshire, England, April 30, 1834. William was educated in his native country, attending school nights and Sundays. In 1849, then a boy of six- teen, in company with his brother Benja- min, he left home and came to America, where he spent a few months at Glehams in a woolen factory, when he went to Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, where he was

employed in farm labor. In March, 1853, he started for California, arriving on the 24th day of August. He was there em- ployed in the mines, and driving pack teams, making his home at Little York, Nevada, or Bear river. On the 5th day of October, 1855, he left California via Isth- mus, coming via New York to Morris, Illinois, and the following March came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased land. March 14, 1858, he married Miss Minerva J. Valentine. She was born in Henry county, Indiana, September 23, 1839. By this union there are twelve chil- dren, seven of whom are living-Rosa, wife of Herschel H. Barnes, Elizabeth, Ad- die, Hattie, Nina, William H. and Seth. William Bates purchased 215 acres in Union township, the place where Green- berry Haggin first settled, valued at $40 per acre. In 1860, at the time of the cyclone, his house was blown away, and himself with two children escaped by getting into the cellar.

A. F. Wood, one of the prominent farmers of Hardin county, was born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 6th day of January, 1829. He is a son of Elijah Wood, who was born in Westches- ter county, New. York, December 19, 1803, and Roxana Bouchton, born June 30, 1804. They were the parents of five chil- dren, four sons and one daughter. In 1844 the family emigrated to Carroll coun- ty, Illinois, where Mr. Woods remained until his death, which occurred in 1848. Mrs. Woods is still living. The subject of this sketch was married January 8, 1851, in Carroll county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Wilcox, a daughter of Daniel Wil- cox, of New York. She was born on the

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31st day of August, 1833. By this union there are nine children, viz .:- Mary J., wife of A. J. Pelham; Adelbert and Ellen, now Mrs. Melvin Craig; Oscar E., James M., Nettie, Nellie G., Charles W., Wil- liam W. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Wood came to Hardin county, and being favor- ably impressed with the country, he con- cluded to bring his family. They located at Berlin, where they remained until the spring of 1859, when they removed to the present place, adjoining Union Village. In 1860 Mr. Wood took a trip to Pike's Peak, crossing the plains, remaining one year. In August, 1862 he enlisted in the 22d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany F, and participated in several en- gagements, among which were Cape Gir- ardeau, Pleasant Hill, and in all the en- gagements of the regiment. In April, 1863, he was promoted to sergeant, and on the 23d day of August, 1865, received the commission of Second Lieutenant. After coming from the war he was nominated for Sheriff of Hardin county and elected. In politics he is a republican and has held several offices of trust. Mr. Wood came to the county in limited circumstances, but by fair dealing and judicious man- agement has accumulated a fine property and home. He has 342 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre-280 acres in Sher- man township, valued at $16 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Congregational Church of Union.

George Whitney was born in Duchess county, New York, September 12, 1822. When a child his parents emigrated to Upper Canada. His father was Crosby Whitney, a native of Maine; his mother, Mary Cameron. By this union there were

two children-George and Lydia. The latter married Samuel Row. Mr. Whitney died when George was four years old. Mrs. W. subsequently married Caleb Tompkins. By this union there werc four children, two sons and two daughters, -Eliza J., Sarah, Samuel and Caleb. The subject of this sketch was married in, 1846 to Miss Maria Row. Seven children blessed this union, six of whom are living -Martha E., Crosby, Henry, George H., Jane and Ulysses G. In about 1834 Mr. Whitney left Canada and came to Stephen- son county, Illinois. In 1850 he made a trip to California, crossing the plains, and there engaged in mining and farming. In 1854 he returned to Illinois, and in April, 1856, arrived in Hardin county and located on the east side of the river, in Union township. They moved into a cabin 16x18, of the rudest kind, with a four-lighted window, clap-board roof, and puncheon floor; the door being hung on wooden hinges, and a dry goods box for a table. Mr. Whitney is now living in Union village. He has a beautiful farm of 275 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre.

Joshua W. Lounsberry was born in Broom county, New York, on the 18th day of February, 1809. In 1831 he mar- ried Ruth (Guernsey) Lounsberry. She was born in the same county. By this union there were three children-Mary, Joel G. and Nathaniel L. In 1835 he emi- grated to Trumbull county, Ohio; moving with teams. He there remained a short time, and finally settled in Loraine, Rich- land county, where he became personally acquainted with Governor Kirkwood, and Clark, a brother-in-law. Mr. Lounsberry by trade is a millwright. He built some

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

of the large steam saw and grist mills in Ohio, and followed the business up to 1852, when he was employed by Hall & Allen, of Mansfield, Ohio, as general agent for portable engines and mill gearing. In 1854 he came West, traveling through the different States looking at the land, and finally selecting the place where he now resides. In the spring of 1855 he went to Iowa City, where he built a mill for Kirk- wood & Clark. In the following fall he moved his family and resided there until 1856, when he came to Eldora, remaining one year, when he built his present hom", into which they moved and have lived for twenty-six years. Mrs. L. died in Trum- bull county, Ohio, in February, 1836. He subsequently married Percella Gayer. By this union there were seven children. His second. wife died January 1, 1855, and he afterwards married Sarah Bird. One child blessed this marriage-Ella. Mr. Louns- berry has been identified with the county for many years, and has lived to see the broad prairies transformed into beautiful farms. Coming to the county a poor man, by judicious management he has accumu- lated a competency. Mr. and Mrs. Louns- berry are members of the Congregational Church.

Robert Campbell was born in Perry county, Peunsylvania, on the 9th day of October, 1827. He is a son of James and Rebecca (Gardner) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania, and who were there mar- ried. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, six sons and three daughters, seven of whom are living, viz .- William K., James, Robert, Leah, wife of Jacob Kline; Josiah R., Elizabeth J., wife of Geo. Kline; Sarah A., wife of Eli Heckard, and Benj. F.

In 1832 Mr. Campbell emigrated from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, where he made a home and remained until his death, which occurred in 1852. His widow is still living on the old homestead. Robert received his education. in the Pioneer School. In 1850 he married Mary David. She was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1827. By this union there were four sons and four daughters, viz .- Albion L., Samantha J., Rebecca E., James R., Wm. A., Sarah D., Andrew C. and Sidney J. In the fall of 1855 the family came to Cedar county, Iowa, and the following spring to Hardin county. Mr. and Mrs Campbell came to the county poor, being $30 in debt. He has now a beautiful farm of 265 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre.

A. A. Lounsberry was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 5th day of October, 1841. He is a son of J. W. and Percilla (Gayer) Lounsberry, and was thirteen years old when his parents emigrated to Iowa City, where they lived until 1856, when they removed to Eldora, Hardin county. Mr. A. A. Lounsberry worked on the farm un- til he was of age, when he saw the neces- sity of a more thorough education, and therefore attended Albion Seminary two terms. He was married to Miss Martha Whitney, a daughter of George Whitney, By whom he liad five children, two sons and three daughters, viz: Emma, May, Rosa, Rufus and an infant. Mr. Louns- berry has 150 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Lounsberry are members of the Congregational Church.

O. D. Wood is one of the enterprising business men of Hardin county, born in

Jane Reed.

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Cayuga county, N. Y., November 11, 1836. When eight years of age, his parents re- moved to Carroll county, Illinois, where he was reared on a farm. In 1857 he came to Hardin county, and, with his brother, pur- chased a steam mill at Berlin. He re- mained there two years, when, having traded his mill for land, he came to this township, where he has since resided. In November, 1859, he married Hannah His- erote. By this union there were born four children, three sons and one daughter, viz: Elizabeth, Frank, Fred. and Dick. Mr. Wood came to the county with nothing but a good constitution and a strong arm, and went manfully to work to make a home, and, by good management, has ac- cumulated a fine property and home. He is one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, having 80 acres of land adjoining Union village, valued at $50 per acre; also 160 acres in Wright county, valued at $15 per acre; also 80 acres in New Providence township, valued at $50 per acre.

William H. Carter was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, April 15, 1840. He is a son of William and Martha (Chipman) Carter, natives of North Carolina. His father emigrated to Marshall county, Iowa, in the fall of 1857, where he purchased a farm, and remained until his death. The subject of this memoir came to the State when he was seventeen years old, and has grown up with the State. In 1865 he married Miss Anna Sawin, a daughter of David Sawin, of Hardin county, Iowa. She was born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1849. By this union there were seven children, six of whom are living-Joseph G., Litta M., Annie J., Hattie E., Rutherford H., and Ida W.

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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 104

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002