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 68
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Gideon G., Ralph R., Dan Q. and Dessa M. Since coming to Hardin county, Mr. Rathbone has been quite successful, in a business point of view, and now owns 240 acres of land in Clay township, all of which is under cultivation. In politics, he is a Republican. Mr. Rathbone has made several trips to Florida, and, while there, wrote a series of articles for the Eldora Ledger, which the readers of that paper will remember as being very interesting.
William Ranesberger was born in Kos- kiusko county, Ohio, August 31, 1839. His parents, George and Catherine (Myers) Ranesberger, were among the early settlers of Hardin county, settling here in 1853, where they subsequently died. William remained at home until eighteen, attending now and then the district school, and as- sisting on the farm. In 1857 he went to Clear Lake, where he. worked in a saw mill two years, and then went to Missouri, where he was united in marriage, in 1860, with Elizabeth A. Eargood, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., in 1831. She is the daughter of John and Sarah (Hark- rader) Eargood. Mr. Ranesberger re- mained in Missouri until 1860, when he returned to Hardin county, and purchased the farm of 120 acres on which he has con- tinued to reside until the present time. His family consisted of six children-Mary E., now Mrs. John Robinson; George W., Rosetta, Joseph C., John H. and Martha B. Mr. Ranesberger has been identified with the School Board for some years.
Henry Isebrands was born in Holland, Dec. 2, 1831, and is the son of Isebrands H. . and Gertrude Isebrands, the maiden name of the latter being Kamminge. The for. mer died in Germany, and the latter was
subsequently married to Benjamin Smith. They emigrated to America in 1854, and settled in Hardin county. They moved to Grundy county in the spring of 1882. Henry preceded his parents one year to the United States, stopping for a while in Illinois, and from thence to Etna township, in September, 1854, where he resided until 1869, when he moved to his present place of residence, on section 2, Clay township, where he owns 429 acres of land. In 1858 he was married to Gertie Johnson, who was born in 1832. They have had five child- ren, four of whom are now living-Minnie, John, Elsina, Matlje; one deceased, Gert- rand. Mr. and Mrs. Isebrands are mem- bers of the German Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican.
Willian Leverton came to Hardin county in the summer of 1854, locating on section 3, Clay township, erecting his cabin on the southwest quarter, where he remained some years, and then moved to his present place of residence on the south- east quarter of section 4. Mr. Leverton was born in England, June 15, 1812. His parents were William and Mary (Tolbert) Leverton, natives of the same country. William remained in England until 1831, when he realized that it was no place for a poor man and therefore determined to emigrate to America. He first came to Canada and worked as a common laborer on the public works of that country. From Canada he made his way into Michi- gan, and from thence to Illinois working for a time on the Illinois and Michigan canal. While in the neighborhood of Joliet, he concluded that it was not good for man to be alone, and therefore pro- posed and was united in marriage with
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Mary Lyon. Soon after marriage they moved to a small farm about twenty-five miles south of Chicago, where they resided about three years, and where Mrs. Lever- ton died. Three children were born unto them, all of whom died in infancy. Mr. Leverton was again married, taking as a companion Mary A. Kelly. They had ten children-Elizabeth, Harriet, Mary A., Margaret J., George, Francis, Caroline, John, Albert and Sarah A., all of whom are now living. Mrs. Leverton died in 1873. Soon after this second marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Leverton came to Hardin county as already stated. Success has here crowned his every effort, and he has been recognized as one of the successful farmers of Clay township. In politics he has been a Democrat of "the strictest sect of our religion."
Charles H. Rockwell was born in Portage county, Ohio, April 23, 1828, son of Elijah and Euphenia (Austin) Rockwell. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and mother of New York. His parents were married in New York, and moved to Ohio, in 1826, where they resided until death. His father died in 1857, and mother in 1882. Charles received a common school education, and remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age, after which he came to Iowa, arriving here in the spring of 1854, entering 240 acres of land in Clay township. He returned to Ohio soon after, and in the following spring came to Clinton, Iowa, and remained there until 1857. In 1855 he was married to Nancy Woolworth, a native of Canada, daughter of Joshua and Philecta (Worley) Woolworth, native of New York. In the spring of 1857, he moved on to the place
entered, in 1867, when he sold out and moved to section 26, where he now resides. Eight children have been born unto them- Hattie A., Euphenia P., Edith B., Alice, Maud, Charles F., Elizabeth and Elijah J., the two latter being deceased.
Henry Johns came to Iowa and located in Clay township, Hardin county, in 1854. He is a native of England, and was born in London, March 7, 1829. His father was George, and mother Maria (Savage) Johns, also natives of England. They emigrated to the United States and located in DuPage county, Ill. They had seven- teen children, all of whom died in Eng- land, save Henry and John, who came with their parents to this country. The family all came to Hardin county at the same time. The elder Johns located on section 4, where he died December 6, 1864. Mrs. Johns, the mother of Henry, still lives on the old homestead. Until 28 years of age, he remained with his parents, and during his youth obtained the rudi- ments of an English education in the com- mon schools. On the 17th of July 1858, he was united in marriage with Martha Ranesberger, daughter of George and Catherine Ranesberger. Eleven children were the fruits of this marriage, ten of whom are now living-William, Sarah J., James, Edward, Clara, Frank, John, Jesse, Myrtle May and Harvey. Soon after mar- riage, he began farming on 80 acres of land. In 1877, he moved to his present place of residence on section 4. Mr. Johns has been a fortunate man, and has accumu- lated a large amount of property. He Owns about 1,200 acres of land in Hardin county, and in Lyons, Osceola, Grundy, Wright, Franklin, Butler and Clay, he
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owns 7,000 acres more. In township affairs he has taken great interest, especially in school affairs and in the improvement of the public high ways.
Granville Arnold is one of the pioneers of Hardin county, arriving here in the fall of 1854, and locating on section 10, Clay township. He here built a log cabin, which has long since been displaced by a more substantial and comfortable resi- dence. Mr. Arnold was born November 10, 1827, in Monroe county, Indiana. His parents were John and Eliza P. (Ellis) Arnold, natives of Franklin county, Ky., who moved to Indiana in a very early day, and from there to Woodford county, Ill , in 1837. His father died in 1874, and his mother still resides on the old homestead, in Woodford county. Granville was reared on a farm, and began work at an early age, receiving only a good common school edu- cation. He remained at home until 1850. In 1851 he was married to Abigail Brewer, who was born in Ohio. After their mar- riage, they resided in Illinois till they came to Hardin county, as stated. He has added · to his possessions, from time to time, until he now owns 282 acres of land on sections 6, 10 and 11. Three children blessed this union, only two of whom are now living --- Martha, now Mrs. Herbert L. Kelso; Clara, now Mrs. James H. Stephenson. Eliza E. is deceased. In politics, Mr. Arnold is a Democrat. His farm is all under good improvements, and he has over four miles of fence.
Elijah Hayden is one of the pioneers of Clay township, removing here with his parents in 1854. He was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania. His parents were George and Parsena Hayden, who
were likewise natives of Allegheny county. They resided in that county until 1832, when they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., where they lived until 1852, when they moved to Cedar county, Iowa, remaining there until 1854, when they came and located in Clay township. The father died here June 20, 1881. His mother yet lives in Clay town- ship. The family of the father consisted of nine children, four deceased. The living are Elijah, Abbie C., Ann, married Charles Culver; Mary E., now Mrs. Wil- liam P. Lord; Parsena and Zerah G. Elijah owns 100 acres of land where the family reside, besides a considerable amount elsewhere.
Isaiah Frost came in 1854, and located at Steamboat Rock. He built a small blacksmith shop, and worked at his trade. His was the first blacksmith shop. He subsequently moved on a farm three miles from the village, and there died.
John Kelso was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 17, 1822; came to Hardin county in the fall of 1854, and yet resides on the old homestead in Clay township.
Sidney Ellis is a native of Ohio, and came to this county in 1855, and located on section 12, Clay township, in 1867. He was born July 29, 1832. His parents were John S. and Jennette (Williams) Ellis, who were natives of New Jersey. When Sidney was three years of age, his mother died, and his father subsequently married Mrs. Rebecca (McArthur) Rankin. He remained with his parents nntil twenty- one, assisting his father on a farm, and attending the district school as opportunity offered. The family moved to Illinois in 1853, and from there to Hardin county, as already stated. His father died in 1878,
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and his stepmother yet resides near Eldora. Sidney Ellis and Naomi Hall were united in marriage in 1867. Mrs. Ellis, nee Hall, was a native of Ohio. Two children have been given them-Eunice B. and William A. Mr. Ellis has a farm of 60 acres. Mrs. Ellis is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Ellis is a Republican.
John Trickey, a native of England, was born in Devonshire, December 26, 1833. He is the son of John and Mary (Webber) Trickey, natives of England, where they resided until the time of their death. In the fall of 1849, John, in company with an uncle, came to America, and spent a year and a half at Milwaukee, Wis .; then several years in Northern Illinois, and in the spring of 1855, came to Clay township and located his present farm of 120 acres. In 1866, he built his present house and moved to his present residence, having lived the intervening time at Steamboat Rock. He has always taken a good deal of interest in the educational affairs of the township. He was united in marriage in 1861, to Miss Martha Ellen Frazier, daugh- ter of S. H. and Rebecca Frazier, of Indiana. This union has been blessed with eight children, four of whom are now living - Alice Belle, Sarah Elizabeth, Thomas Benton and Mina Adeline.
Daniel Bates is an Ohioan, born in Ash- tabula county, November 19, 1833. He is the son of Joseph and Dorinda (Learnard) Bates. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of New Hampshire. His parents moved to Fulton county, Ill., in 1836, and from there to Mercer county, in the same State. In the spring of 1855 he came to Hardin county and located on the South Fork, leaving his family there
and improving a farm in Clay township, on which he moved with his family the fol- lowing fall. In 1864 he sold his farm to his son, Daniel, and moved to Steamboat Rock, where he died, November, 1876. His mother died in 1847. Daniel Bates lived with his parents until after he reached his majority, coming with them to this county. In 1859 he was married to Isa- bella Livingston, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, March, 1836. She was the daughter of Hugh and Isabella (Rose) Livingston, who were among the early set- tlers of Dubuque county. Her father died in 1848; her mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been blessed with four children-Edward Louis, Mary Fran- ces, Anna Isabella and Joseph D. Mr. Bates has 160 acres of land in the farm on which he resides.
Porter Estabrook is one of the settlers of 1855, locating on section 22, where he erected his cabin. He was born in Wind- sor county, Va., August 20, 1807. About 1811 he removed with his parents to New York, where he spent his youth and early manhood. In 1827 he was married to Margaret Vedward, a native of New York. In 1833 he removed to Ohio, and from there to Rock Island county, Ill. In 1840 he moved to Linn county, Iowa, and from there to Hardin county, as already stated. The family consisted of five children, three of whom are now living-John V., James E. and Sarah A. Mrs. Estabrook died February 1, 1855, and Mr. Estabrook lives on the old homestead.
John V. Estabrook, son of the preceding was born in Linn county, Iowa, August 9, 1842; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Linn and John-
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son counties. He came with his parents to Hardin county, in 1857. John V. Estabrook and Delia Ranesberger were united in marriage. Five children have blessed their union-Sarah E., Eunice T., John L., Ada A. and Nora B. In 1872 he moved into Grundy county, returning to Hardin in the spring of 1882, and locating on section 3. In politics, Mr. Estabrook is a Democrat.
John Wright was born in Jefferson county, New York, December 24, 1823 His parents were natives of Vermont, and located in Jefferson county, New York at a very early day. His father was Reuben Wright, and mother Polly (Hollenbeck) Wright. The old gentleman cut out two farms in this county. He died in 1848. The mother died in 1872 in Hardin county. The educational advantages of John were obtained in the select schools of his native place In 1844 he married Elizabeth Finster, who was born August 7, 1823. She was the daughter of John and Nancy Finster. Her parents both died in New York. After their marriage they lived with the parents of Mr. Wright until the death of his father. They still continued on the farm, until 1855, when it was sold, and Mr. Wright with his family. and mother came to Iowa, and spent the first winter in Delaware county among friends, and in the spring of 1856 came to Hardin county, locating at Steamboat Rock, where he entered and purchased a large tract of land. In the spring of 1857 he opened a store in Steamboat Rock, and continued in the mercantile business three years. He then sold out and commenced farming, and has continued in that busi- ness till the present time. They have one
child-Carrie E, now Mrs. L. E. Campbell. Mr. Wright has two hundred acres of good land in Clay township.
Ebenezer B. Wilcox was born in Cayuga county, New York, January 13, 1836, and is the son of James R. and Anna M (Peck- ham) Wilcox. His parents were natives of New York, where they resided until September, 1836, when they removed to Branch county, Michigan, where they resided until death. His mother died in 1858, and his father in 1880. He resided with his parents until twenty years of age, attending the common district schools in the winter, and assisting on the farm in the summer. In 1856 he removed to Har- din county, locating for a time in Union township, working on the old Sanderson & Hammond mill, until finished in the fol- lowing December. He then worked in the mill for three years, at the same time starting a nursery in Union township. This nursery was destroyed by the great tornado that swept through the township in 1860. He felt considerably discouraged at this loss, and went to work on a rented farm. In 1863 he moved to Clay town- ship, where he rented one year and then purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land. In 1858 Mr. Wilcox and Charity R. Adams were united in marriage. Mrs. Wilcox is a native of Ohio. She was one of Mr. Wil- cox's pupils, while teaching in Union township. Five children have blessed their union-Anna J., Myron D., Louis E., Charles B. and Eva M. Mr. Wilcox has been prominent in township affairs, having held nearly all the various town- ship offices. His first vote was for John C. Fremont. He is a Republican in politics.
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William F. Pence came to Hardin county and located in Clay township, in 1856. Mr. Pence is a native of Ohio, being born in Champaign county, February 15, 1830. His parents were Martin and Susan (Maggard) Pence, the former being a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. William resided with his parents in Logan county, where they re- moved shortly after his birth, and where the parents both died. William F. Pence and Eliza J. Fuson were united in marriage in 1853. They have had nine children, seven of whom are now living-James M., Etna E., William D., Ellen M., Minnie E., Oliver B. and Cecil. The deceased are Margaret A. and Jessie. Mr. Pence has 170 acres of land on section 20. He has been prominently identified with the town- ship since his arrival. Mr. and Mrs. Pence are members of the Baptist Church at Steamboat Rock.
J. W. Higenbotham was born in Jack- son county, Ohio, January 28, 1820, and is the son of James and Susan (Chapman) Higenbotham, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ten- lessee. They removed to Green county, Ohio, where they remained until the fall of 1856, when they came to Clay township and located on section 31. Mrs. Higen- botham died June 29, 1859; Mr. Higen- botham July 11, 1871. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and was married June 22, 1839, to Jane January, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, November 27. 1816. She was a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Wadman) January, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of England. They are both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Higen-
botham remained in Ohio until 1856, when he came to Hardin county. When he crossed the Mississippi, he had only $40. Since coming to this county, he has been very prosperous, owning at one time over 700 acres of land. Nine children were born unto them-Joseph H. H., James M., Mary, now Mrs. Z. Jones; Robert M., William H., Amanda J., now Mrs. David Wright; Susan M., now Mrs. J. Picket; Sally M. and Florence J., the two latter being deceased .
William Robertson was born in Hamil- ton county, Tenn., May 14, 1837. He is the son of Anthony and Melinda (Witten) Robertson. His father was a Virginian by birth, and his mother a Tennessean. His father came to Hardin county in the fall of 1856, and in the spring of 1857 moved his family of seven children, the subject of this sketch being the only one now living. His mother died in 1876. William received the rudiments of an English education in Tennessee in the select schools. In 1863 he married Nancy J. Quinn, who was born in Warren county, Ill. She was the daughter of John and Rachel (Nash) Quinn. Five children have blessed their home, three now living -John Q., Frank H. and Myrta Mable. On their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Robert- son moved into their present place of residence, where they have continuously resided. The farm now consists of 295 acres of well improved land. Mr. Robert- son is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Steamboat Rock. In politics he is a Democrat.
James D. Fuson was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 6, 1815. He is the son of Joel and Bethany (Branus) Fuson.
If m Leventón.
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James remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age. He then made a trip through Michigan, Wisconsin, and then by way of Chicago to his home in Ohio, where he was married to Lucinda N. Hoover, a native of Logan county, Ohio. After their marriage they moved to Michi- gan, where they remained two years, and from there to Koskiusko county, Indiana, remaining there two and a half years, at which place Mrs. Fuson died. One child was born to them-Elizabeth J., who mar- ried William F. Pence. In 1840 he mar- ried Sarah Rouse, daughter of James M. and Mary (Everett) Rouse, natives of Ken- tucky. Mrs. Fuson was born March 6, 1823. After residing in Ohio until 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Fuson came to Hardin county and located on section 20, Clay township, where they yet reside, on a tract of 113 acres. They have one child-Mary Caroline. Mr. Fuson has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1840.
William Haynes is a native of Massa- chusetts, and was born June 29, 1826, in Franklin county. He is the son of Charles B. and Sarah (Mead) Haynes, who were both natives of Massachusetts. His parents moved to New York in 1834, where they resided until death. William first attended the district school, and then an academy, where he remained one and two terms a year for about four years, which completed his education. He remained with his parents until 1849, when he went to Bos- ton and went into the drug business, where he remained nine months. He then re- turned to his father's farm, where he re- mained until 1857, and then came to Har- din county and located on section 15, Clay
township, where he yet resides, the owner of four hundred acres of well improved land. He was married September 15, 1858, to Ursilla G. Turner, daughter of Simon and Amanda (Wells ) Turner. Three children were born unto them-Jennie A., George W. and Daniel T. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes are both members of the Presby- terian Church, at Steamboat Rock. In politics he is a Republican .
William Scott came to Hardin county in 1858, and located in Clay township. He is a native of Tazewell county, Ill.
John C. McConkie came to Clay town- ship in 1858, and located on an eighty-acre farm. He now resides in the town of Steamboat Rock.
Martin Snider is a native of Germany, who came to Hardin county in 1857, and resides in Steamboat Rock.
SETTLERS OF A LATER DATE.
Meno Harms is a German by birth, born in Hanover, February 20, 1818. He is the son of Brown and Nancy (Dressman) Harms, both of whom died in Germany, their native land. Meno was reared on a farm, in his native country, and in Febru- ary, 1850, he was married to Jessie Albertis, Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Harms emigrated to the United States, locating in Stephenson county, Ill., where he remained until 1861, when he came to Hardin county and located on section 3, Clay township, where he now resides, on a farm of 180 acres of land. Seven children have been born unto them, four of whom are now living-Susan, Brown, Fanny and Hulbert. Mr. and Mrs. Harms are mem- bers of the German Presbyterian Church,
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in Etna township. He is a Republican in politics.
George Hathaway is a native of Ohio, born January 8, 1816. His parents, Rob- ert and Mary (Smith) Hathaway, were na- tives of New York and Pennsylvania re- spectively. They moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, at, an early day, where they resided until death. George remained with his father until twenty-five years of age, assisting in work upon the farm, and attending the common district schools as opportunity offered. In 1840 he was mar- ried to Caroline Nelson, a native of Ohio. After marriage, he began farming for him- self, upon rented land, subsequently pur- chasing a farm which he continued to cul- tivate until 1864, when he sold out and removed to Hardin county, locating on section 10, Clay township, purchasing a farm of 200 acres, to which he has subse- quently added sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway have had nine children, four of whom are now. living-Elsia, George, Ma- rilla and Thomas. Mrs. Hathaway died July 16, 1872. In his early life he was an Old Line Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party he became identified with, and has acted with it since that time.
Samuel W. Stewart is a native of Ireland, and was born May 12, 1804. He is the son of John and Jane ( White) Stewart. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1805, and located in Washington county, N. Y., where they resided until 1818. They then moved to Steuben county, N. Y., where they resided until their death. His mother died in 1825 and his father in 1829. Samuel was educated in the district school, and remained with his parents on the farm until after reaching maturity. In 1826, he
married Mary R. Stewart, daughter of James and Jane (Clark) Stewart, natives of Ireland. After marriage, the subject of this sketch and family resided on a farm in Steuben county until 1853, at which time they moved to Carroll county, Ill., where they remained until 1864, when they moved to Hardin county, locating on section 30, Ciay township. In 1880, he sold his farm and went to Nebraska, re- turning to this county in about a year, and is now living a retired life in Steamboat Rock. He is the father of eleven chil- dren, six. of whom are now living-Charles, Sarah, now Mrs. B. F. Bear; Henrietta, now Mrs. H. P. Hughes; Mary, now Mrs. Lucius Clough; Samuel J., Lydia, now Mrs. R. N. Higenbotham.
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