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 106

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 106

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he was wounded, causing the amputation of one of his legs. After being wounded he lay on the the field from 9 o'clock till 2 the following morning before being found. In August, 1865, Captain Devine married Laura H. Hall, by whom there was three children-Edward T., Clara May and Estella J. In the spring of 1857 he came to Hardin county, Iowa and located on the place where he now resides. Captain Devine has traveled extensively over the western country, visiting Pike's Peak twice, and was the first man who struck a pick in what is now known as Leadville. The Captain has 211 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. In politics he is a Republi- can, and the family are members of the M. E. Church.

James Madole, one of the.early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Man- chester, England, April 29, 1831. In 1845, when a boy fourteen years of age, he came to America, stopping at Plainfield, New Jersey, where he was employed driving coach for Captain Tucker for some time. He then was engaged in the butcher busi- ness, which he followed for a number of years. From Plainfield he went to Kings- ton, Canada, in 1855, where he was em- ployed by a man by the name of Campbell, an Attorney-at-Law, to drive coach. He subsequently went to Toronto, where he drove coach for the Clerk of the Crown. From there he went to Sandwich, Illinois, where he embarked in the butcher business. In the spring of 1860 he came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he was initiated by being visited by the cyclone which passed over the county in that year. In Decem- ber, 1860, he married Miss Lois Gifford. She was born in Madison county, New

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York, June 23, 1840. Six children blessed this union-Flora Bell, Matilda J., Thomas R., Albert E., Mary E. and Sylva C. Mr. Madole has a fine farm of 140 acres, with a comfortable home.

T. M. Middleton, who came to the county in an early day, was born in North Carolina, December 31, 1824. When quite young he removed to Green county, Indiana, where he subsequently became ac- quainted with Mary J. Littlejohn, and was married in 1849. She was born in Green county, Indiana, December 16, 1831. Eight children blessed this union, seven of whom are living-Harriet, born May 9, 1851; Eliza E., born February 22, 1853; Charles, born September 20, 1855; Caro- line M., born January 16, 1858; William P., born August. 7, 1861; John A., born June 17, 1865, and Paulina E., born March 23, 1868. In 1863 Mr. and Mrs. Middleton with their family came to Grundy county, Iowa. He died February 25, 1871. He was a member of the Christian Church, and always took an active interest in sup- port of the same. He was a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and was respected by all who knew him. Mr. Middleton died, leaving his family in easy circum- stances, with 145 acres of land und er cultivation, valued at $50 per acre.

Milton H. Worden, one of the early set- tlers of Union township, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, January 13, 1842. He is a son of Thomas and Maria (Nichols) Wor- den, natives of Delaware county, New York, who emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois, at an early day, being among the pioneers of that.county. There was a family of four children-Ira, William, Henry and Jane- who were born in Delaware county, New

York, and eight born in Ogle county, Illi- nois-John, M. H., Ann, Sykes, Mayhew, Wayne, Harriet, and Newton W. John, who enlisted in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, was taken prisoner, and was incarcerated in Andersonville prison for eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Worden are at present living in Ogle county. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm. In 1862 he married Miss Jane Wilcox, a daughter of Stephen and Mary (Smith) Wilcox. She was born in Cayuga county, New York, September 4, 1840. There are three children living-Lillie, Nellie, and Edward. In the fall of 1863 the family left Ogle county in a prairie schooner, and wended their way to Hardin county, Iowa. Mr. Worden has 80 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.

George Pierce was born in East Tennes- see, on the 24th day of November, 1847, where he remained until he was sixteen years old, when he came with his parents to Hardin county, Iowa. His parents located in Providence township, where his father died, in December, 1879. His mother is still living, George, at the age of seventeen learned the trade of carpen- tering. In 1871 he patented the Hawkeye Seeder, which proved a success.

J. B. Parish, one of the energetic and prosperous farmers of Union township, was born in Clark county, Kentucky, June 4, 1833; son of Barnett J. and Tacy (Cum- mings) Parish, who were of Scotch de- scent, their grand-parents coming from Scotland and settling near Alexandria, Vir- ginia, in about 1799. There was a family of ten children-four sons and six daugh- ters. J. B. was reared on his father's farm, and received a liberal education. In 1859

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

he married Miss Lydia Parish, a daughter of Meredith Parish. She was born Jan- uary 12, 1840. They have one child-Lulu. In 1863 Mr. Parish came to Hardin county, Iowa, and in 1876 purchased his present farm of 165 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He has also 200 acres in Wright county, valued at $20 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local offices.

David Ingrum, farmer and stock-grower, was born in Wayne county, New York, November 24, 1834. He is the son of Eliphalet and Maria (Doggett) Ingrum, who were the parents of five children. David was reared on his father's farm, and received a common school education. When nine years of age his parents emi- grated to Elkhart, Indiana. In 1858 he married Miss Eliza Jane Mabie. She was born in Huron county, New York, October 27, 1831. There were nine children, four living-Zipporah, Rosilla, Ona and Sarah In January, 1862, the family left Indiana and came to Marshall county, Iowa, locat- ing in Liberty township, and in 1864 came to Hardin and settled on the place where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Ingrum came to the State in limited circumstances. They have now 227 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Ingrum are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ingrum was a soldier in the 13th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

E. M. Lepley, one of the enterprising farmers of Union township, was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 13, 1844. He is a son of John and Mary Lepley, who were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are living. His father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Knox county. The

subject of this memoir married Miss Katy Cramer, a daughter of John Cramer, one of the pioneers of Hardin county, who was killed in 1873 by being run away with by a team. She was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Lepley are the parents of six children, viz: Elliott, Irwin, Samuel, Rosa, Eddie and Peter. In 1864, Mr. Lepley came to Hardin county, where he remained a couple of years, returning then to Ohio, where he remained until 1868, when he again came out and purchased his present place, which was then wild prairie land, and commenced to make a home. He has now 115 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre, and also 4 acres of timber.

N. Hallett was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 11th day of December, 1825. He is the son of Elijah Hallett, who was born February 2, 1793, and Elizabeth (Moore) Hallett, born February 1, 1796, who were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, three of whom are living-Nelson, Lorenza and the subject of this sketch. His father died February 21, 1832, and his mother March 27, 1873. N. Hallett was married in 1850 to Miss Harriet Smith, a daughter of T. J. and Margaret (Gilchrist) Smith. She was born February 14, 1831. Their children were, Estella J., born May 23, 1852; died April 16, 1880; Myra E., born April 1, 1861; died January 12, 1864; Vinnie E., born September 27, 1867; and George S., born October 26, 1870. In the fall of 1852, Mr. Hallett left Steuben county, New York, and emigrated to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he en- gaged in farming. In 1865 he came to Hardin county, lowa, and located where

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the town of Gifford now stands, remaining there until the fall of 1867, when he pur- chased his present place. Mr. and Mrs. Hallett came to the West in an early day in limited circumstances, but by industry and economy, have secured a pleasant home. They have 80 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $35 per acre. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Philip J. Wilcox was born in Cayuga county, New York, April 2, 1826. He is the son of Daniel and Betsy (Burgduff) Wilcox, who were married in Cayuga county, New York, where a family of nine children was born, five of whom are living - Mary E., wife of A. F. Wood; Jacob, Lafayette, Daniel and P. L. In 1844 his parents emigrated to Carroll county, Illi- nois, and there Philip was employed on a farm by the month. In 1857 he married Lucy Danes. By this union there were four children, three of whom are living- Clarisa, Charlie and Rosa. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Wilcox came to Hardin county, purchased land, and, by hard work and economy, has made a comfortable home. He has 85 acres of land, well improved, valued at $35 per acre.

D. B. Miller, one of the large and influ- ential farmers and stock growers, was born in Williams county, Ohio, June 17, 1843. He is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are living-William, Sabina, Harriet, Herman L., D. B., Lydia and Ellen. The subject of this memoir was reared on his father's farm, and was edu- cated in his native State. In the fall of 1865 he left Ohio and came to Hardin county, his father having previously pur- chased a large tract of laud, which he pre-

sented to him, on condition he would come out and open it up. Mr. Miller has broken and brought under cultivation one of the best farms in the county, which is finely located. His dwelling house is a beautiful structure; his out-buildings large and commodious. His main barn is 80 by 40 feet, with an addition of 20 feet, and a hay barn 25 by 100. His granary has a capacity of 5,000 bushels. Mr. Miller has 660 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre. He . feeds a large number of head of stock. In 1867 he married Miss Amanda Lancas- ter. She was born in Boone county, Indiana. Two children blessed this union, one of whom is living-Evaline. Mrs. Mil- ler died in 1877. Mr. Miller married Miss Elva Coffin in October, 1879, a daughter of Jesse and Emily Coffin. She was born in Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, Jan- uary 4, 1855. They have one child-Cle- ment C.

Amos Story, farmer and stock grower, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, January 1. 1823. He is the son of Nehemiah and Nancy (Kitteridge) Story, natives of New Hampshire. In about 1819 or 1820 his parents emigrated to Ohio, then a Terri- tory. Amos was reared in the wilds of Ohio, where he received his education in the log cabin. In the fall of 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth David. She was born in Center county, Pennslyvania. By this union there was a family of seven chil- dren, six of whom are living-David L., Reuben P., Stephen A., James R., Charles T. and Amos C. In the summer of 1850 he emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, and in 1866 came to Hardin county. He has 260 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Mr. Story has been identified with the State for 32 years, and has seen the wild prairies transformed into beautiful homes and farms.

Jacob Claus, one of Hardin county's energetic and prominent farmers, was born in Hesse Damstadt, Germany, October 3, 1833. He is the son of Ernest and Eliza- beth Claus. His mother died at the age of thirty-two, leaving a family of eight children to mourn her loss. In 1847 his father came to the United States, locating at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1860, Jacob Claus located in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm as a laborer. In 1861 he returned to Pennsylvania on a visit to his friends. On the 12th day of August, 1862, he enlisted in the 102d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company C. He participated in the battles of Ressaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek and battles around Atlanta. He was also with Sher- man on his March to the Sea, and in Grand Review at Washington. He was always found on duty, never spending a day in the hospital. After being discharged he went to Mercer county, Illinois. December 27, 1866, he married Miss Ellen Davis. She was born in West Virginia. By this union there were four children, three of whom are living-John M., Edwin V. and Maud M. In 1867 he left Illinois and came to Hardin county, where he pur- chased some raw prairie land, which he has transformed into one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Claus started out with one dollar in his pocket when twenty-one years of age. He is now one of the well- to-do farmers of the county. He has now

160 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $65 per acre, and 10 acres of timber, valued at $30 per acre. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

A. H. Morris, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Wayne county, North Carolina, August 19, 1818. He is a son of Zachariah and Rebecca Morris. When A. H. was five years old his mother died, and his father married his first wife's sister. In 1833 his father left his home in North Carolina, and emigrated to Park county, Indiana, where he is still living at the age of eighty-four; but his step-mother died in Indiana in 1850. His father again married, taking as a wife a widow of David Lewis of Illinois. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm, and received a common school edu- cation. In 1841 he married Miss Martha R. Morris. She was born in North Caro- lina, May 22, 1827. Seven children blessed this union, three of whom are liv- ing-Elizabeth, Zachariah and IIarriet. In 1842 the family emigrated to Henry county, Iowa, where they lived in a log cabin 14x15, made out of round poles with mud chimney. He remained in Henry until 1851, engag- ing in farming and merchandizing, when he returned to Indiana, where he was en- gaged in the merchandize and milling bus- ness. In 1867 he came to Hardin county, where he has since followed various occu- pations. In politics he was originally an Abolitionist and a Conductor on the under- ground railroad. He was instrumental in giving many a poor negro his liberty. He is at present a Republican, has held several local offices of trust in the county.

Willis Newby was born in North Caro- lina, September 9, 1808, and is a son of

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Nathan and Leah Sanders, who were mar- ried in North Carolina, where seven chil- dren were born. His father died in North Carolina, and his mother subsequently mar- ried Jacob Lamb. In 1831 Willis removed to Ohio, where he spent a short time, and then went to Jackson county, Indiana, where he made a claim in the heavy tim- ber. In 1832 he married Miss Milicent Newby, but no relation. She was born in North Carolina, November 11, 1814. This marriage was blessed with eleven children, nine of whom are living, viz: Samuel, Joseph W., Jacob L., John H., Leah E., Martba J., Thomas R., Benj. P. and Mica- jah H. In August, 1867, Mr. Newby came to Hardin county, and purchased a farm in Union township, on which he remained until 1877, when he came to Union village, where he has since remained. He has 152 acres of beautiful land in Union township, valued at $40 per acre. He also has 20 acres of timber, valued at $15 per acre. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Willis Steenberger, one of the early set- tlers of Union township, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 27, 1810. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the log cabin of a new coun- try. January 8, 1834, he married Maria Anderson, who was born in Orange county, Virginia, January 21, 1816. There were twelve children born to them, eleven of whom are living-Elizabeth Joseph, Mary, Nancy, Sarah, Emeline, Harrison, Amanda, Philander, Samantha and Delilah. Mr. and Mrs. Steenberger have lived together as man and wife for forty-eight years. Mr. Steenberger always takes his station in the harvest field, and the present season (1882)

tended 24 acres of corn. In the fall of 1852 he emigrated to Iowa and located near Albion, in Marshall county, coming through with teams, being seven weeks making the trip. He there took up 160 acres of prairie land and 40 acres of tim- ber. He moved into a log cabin, 14 by 12, which had been used as a chicken house and calf pen. There was no floor or place for a window. It being wet and sloppy, they gathered up some slabs and put down for a floor, to keep them out of the mud. The family remained in this hovel until Mr. Steenberger built a log cabin on the land he had taken up. In 1868 he sold his place in Marshall and came to Hardin county to his present home. Mr. Steen- berger has a beautiful home, with 185 acres of land under cultivation, worth $40 per acre.

.Levi Marshall, farmer and stock grower, was born in Henry county, Indiana, July 22, 1835. He is a son of Jesse and Mary Marshall, natives of Tennessee, where they were married and two children were born -Jane and Wm. In 1832 they emigrated to Indiana, where ten children were born, five of whom are living. The father died in Indiana, but the mother is still living. Levi was educated in the pioneer schools. September, 1857, he married Arrena Pear- son. She was born in Henry county, Indi- ana, October 17, 1841. Ten children bless this union, five sons and five daugh- ters-Jesse W., Eunice E., Francis E., Charles V., Orpha J., Albert S., Annie L., Minnie M., Fred R. and Estella M. In 1861 he removed to Iowa, locating in Winneshiek county. In 1868 he came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased his present place. He has 160 acres of

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

land, valued at $40 per acre. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

William G. Wilson, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lewis county, Ken- tucky, September 2, 1814. When a boy, his parents emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, where they remained five years, and then removed to Logan county, Ohio, where his father died in 1835. His mother died in the same county in 1852. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, under General Harrison. Wm. G., in 1854, mar- ried Miss Milicent Davis, a daughter of Thos. Davis. She was born in Ohio in 1822. By this union there were three children-Alma, Christina and John M. In 1867 the family emigrated from Ohio to Rock Island county, Illinois, and in 1869 came to Hardin county, where they now reside. Mr. Wilson has 127 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre.

Mark Barnes, a son of Grant and Mary Barnes, of Union, was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, October 14, 1850. In 1869 he came to Hardin county. In 1870 he married Annie Knudson. She was born in Wisconsin in 1851. By this union there are two children-Orvie and Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

H. H. Barnes was born in Iowa county, Iowa, January 6, 1856. In 1879 he mar- ried Miss Rosa Bates, a daughter of Wm. Bates, of Minnesota. She was born in Hardin county, March 10, 1861. Опе child has been born unto them-Cady B.

Jason W. Pickett, liveryman, of Union, Iowa, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, October 20, 1848. He was one of seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters. His mother died when he was three

years old. His father married Miss E. Peck, by whom there are five children. In about 1853 his father emigrated to Geauga county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of blacksmithing until his death, which occurred January 1, 1878. The subject of this memoir when a boy ten years old, started out for himself, working on a farm for $3 per month for the first few years. When fifteen years of age he came to Grundy county, Iowa, where he was employed by George Wells on a large farm in that county. In 1869 he located at Steamboat Rock, where he was employed in getting out timber and railroad ties with his ox teams, and continued in that until, in 1871, he came to Union, and embarked in the livery business, trading his oxen for a portion of the stock. In 1872 he mar- ried Miss Susan M. Higenbotham. She was born in 1851. By this union there are three children-Lena, May Florence, and Abbie. Mr. Pickett came to the county a poor boy, but by close attention to business has met with good success in life.

Edwin Peat, one of the founders of the village of Gifford, was born in Otsego county, New York, on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1822. He is the son of Isaac Peat, born September 29, 1788, and Ruth (Shore) Peat, born January 6, 1797, who were married in Otsego county, New York, November 23, 1815. They had a family of ten children, eight sons and two daugh- ters, nine of whom lived to be adults, and five of whom are now living-Benjamin S., Edwin, John T., Emma Ann, and Caro- line. Edwin Peat is a self-made man, and taught school a number of years. On Feb- ruary 7th, 1850, he married Miss Charlotte

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Winchell, a daughter of Ephraim and Lola Winchell. She was born in Greene county, New York, July 1, 1831. By this union there were three children, one of whom is living-Charles H. In politics Mr. Peat is a Republican, and has held several local offices of trust. Mr. and Mrs. Peat are members of the Presbyterian Church of Gifford. Mr. Peat has a farm of 80 acres, adjoining the town of Gifford, which is valued at $50 per acre. In 1875 he lost his home by fire, burning every- thing but the furniture in his parlor. The loss was about $3,000, with an insurance of $2,000.

William D. Cundiff, farmer and stock grower, was born in Stark county, Illinois, September 28, 1844; son of John and Ruth (Stiles) Cundiff. He is one of a family of eleven children, seven living -William D., John B., Ellen M., George A., Jacob H .. Ada E. and Sidney S. His parents were among the early settlers of Stark county. His father died in Hardin county in 1873, while his mother is still living. William D. enlisted, in 1864, in the 148th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was stationed on the Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad, remaining there until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and discharged at Springfield, Illinois. In September, 1868, he married Miss Lettitia Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born December 2, 1840. Four children blessed this union-Arthur H., born July 14, 1869; William Frederick, born July 7, 1871 ; Ella M., born March 24, 1874; Jesse D., born October 2, 1880. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Cundiff, with his family, left Illi- nois and came to Hardin county, where he

purchased his present place. He has 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Cundiff is a member of the M. E. Church; Mrs. C., of the Christian Church.

Rev. T. F. Babcock was born in Otsego county, N. Y., September 27, 1836. He is the son of Sandford and Desire (Spencer) Babcock, natives of New York, who were the parents of seven children, who lived to be adults. In 1853, in company with his parents he emigrated to Minnesota, locat- ing near Winona, where his father pur- chased land and made a home; also erect- ing a mill where he did coarse grinding. His father died in 1804, but his mother is still living in Minnesota at the advanced age of eighty-two. T. F. Babcock is a self- made man. When twenty-two years of age he commenced his ministry, and in 1861 was ordained. October 5, 1859 he married Miss Cordelia Peat, a daughter of Benj. S. Peat, born in Otsego county, New York, April 22, 1842. By this union there are two daughters-Rosetta, wife of Edison Green of Filmore county, Minnesota; and Flora May. The Reverend gentleman is an ardent worker in his Master's cause.

Isaac Harris, one of the prominent farmers and early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Henry county, Iowa, February 18, 1848. He is the son of Cornelius Harris of North Carolina, who, in an early day emigrated to Indiana where he formed the acquaintance of Patience Pearsons, to whom he was married, and by whom he had two children in Indiana-David and Hannah. In about 1839 his father left Indiana and removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he remained a few years, and where three more children were born- Isaac, Mary and Maria. In about 1850

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the family removed to Marshall county, Iowa, where the father of Isaac took up Government land and made a farm, and where he lived for a number of years, when he sold out and removed to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, selling out there he removed to Marshall county, where he died March, 1865. There were two children born in Marshall county-Isom and Patience. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were members of the Society of Friends. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm, and received his education in the Pioneer School Houses of this new country. In 1864 he enlisted in the 45th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company E; after being discharged from the army he returned to Iowa. He married Miss Loram Humphrey. She was born in Trum- bull county, Ohio, April 1, 1855. Two children bless this union-Minnie L. and Guy F. Mr. Harris has 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre;

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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 106

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