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 79

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 79

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

W. Wait, born May 27, 1823, in Albany, N. Y., where he received a common school education. In 1844 he went to Kane county, Illinois, where he remained until 1850; went to Columbia county Wisconsin, and remained until 1865, and then came to Ellis township, Hardin county, Iowa, and now lives on section 9. He was married May 3, 1849, to Caroline R. Pratt, born in Columbia county, New York. She attended Chase's Columbia College one term. When eighteen years of age she accompanied her parents to DeKalb county, Ill., where she taught school until she was married. She is the last of her father's family.

Rev. A. Carpenter was born January 3, 1824, in Windsor county, Vt., where he received an academic education, at West- ford. In 1846 he went to Stevenson county, Ill. He experienced religion in 1848, and joined the Baptist Church, at that time known as the Yellow River Church ; the name has been changed to Lena Church. In 1852 he was ordained minister of the Gospel, in the Lena Church, which calling he still follows, and is at the pres- ent time pastor of the Baptist Church, at Eldora. In 1866 he bought a farm on sec- tion 24, Ellis township, where he went with his family to live. After remaining here about nine months, he was called to take charge of the Xenia Church, remaining three years. Eighteen months of this time he preached one-half the time in Grundy Center, Grundy county. After finishing his labors in the Xenia Church, he was called to Grundy Center. He organized the church at that place, and the church building was built under his labors. After remaining here seven years, he returned to

his farm in Ellis township, where he now lives. He was married in September, 1850, to Rebecca Shrader, who was born in Union county, Pa. In 1847 she came to Carroll county, Ill., where she was married. They are the parents of eight children, three living-Lowell, Edson E. and Mary E.

F. E. Bunce, a farmer, was born May 10, 1844, in Litchfield, Conn. When 12 years of age, his parents moved to Winnesheik county, Iowa. He remained here until Aug., 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, 9th Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He was with his company in the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Bayou Metre and Little Rock, Ark., besides other skirmishes; and in the latter part of his service, he was on detached service at division headquar- ters, in the Qartermaster's Department. He received his discharge May 10, 1865. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Winnesheik county, and in the fall of the same year he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, where he still lives. He was married in 1868, to Louisa Kent, born in Chicago. When fourteen years of age, her parents moved to Stephenson county, Ill., remaining here until 1866, when they came to the town of Ellis, Har- din county, where she was married. Mr. Bunce's wife died March 12, 1881, leaving him four children-Alice, Lucy,. Mary and Jimmy.

George H. Ross was born December 15, 1837, at Ludlow, Windsor county, Vt. At the age of fifteen, he went with his parents to Exeter, Green county, Wis. He received a common school education. He enlisted, March, 1865, in Company G, 49th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, and was discharged December, 1865, by rea-

HISTORY, OF HARDIN COUNTY. 667

son of the close of the war. After receiv- ing his discharge, he returned to Wiscon- sin, remaining here until the spring of 1866, when he came to the town of Hardin, Hardin county, Iowa, where he remained one year. He then went to Grundy Cen- ter, Grundy county, remaining there one year, when he returned to Hardin county, Buckeye township. ' He remained there until 1870, when he came to the town of Ellis, and located on section 16, where he now lives. Mr. Ross has held the office of Road' Supervisor in Buckeye township, also in Ellis. He has also held the office of School Director six years. He was married January, 1862, to Caroline Wilson, born in Michigan. She came to Greeu county, Wis., when sixteen years of age, where she was married. Eight children were born unto them. 'Those living are, Edgar A., David A., Jesse J., Annie, Al- vord and Clarence.

L. W. Lord was born July 12, 1835, in Stonstad county, Canada East. When three years of age, he came with his pa- rents to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Mr. Lord received a common school educa- tion. In 1856, he went to the town of Decatur, Green county, Wis., remaining there until 1866, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 16, where he still lives, and at the present time holds the office of Road Over- seer. Mr. Lord was married November 25, 1862, to Adeline Walters, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio. When a child, she went with her parents to De- catur, Green county, Wis., where she was married. They have eight children living -Vina, Chloe, Charles W., William P., Harry, Mabel, Laura and Lorin.

Walter Carpenter was born September 6, 1840, in Alegheney county, N. Y. He came with his parents to Jefferson county, Wis., in 1847. He remained here until August 27, 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany L, Ist Wisconsin Cavalry. He re- mained in the service until July 22, 1865, when he was discharged by special order from the Department of War. He took part in the battle of Cape Girardeau, in Missouri. He went from there to Ten- nessee, and took part in the battles of Chattanooga and Chicamauga, and from there he went to Knoxville, Tenn., and was with Sherman nntil after the taking of Atlanta, Ga. He was also at the taking of Selma, Ala., in 1865. On April 14, 1865, he was in an engagement near Mont- gomery, where he received a wound in the head, from the effects of which he now draws a pension. After receiving his dis- charge he returned to Wisconsin, remain- ing until the spring of 1866, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, arriving here June 11th, and bought the farm where he now lives. Since coming to this town he has held the office of Trustee, Clerk and Assessor. He is Trus- tee at the present time. He was married September 14, 1867, to Sarah E. Bump, born in New York State. She came to Wisconsin in 1850, thence to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, in 1863, where she was married. She is the mother of six children, four of whom are living: Orval S., Walter E., Lavern B. and Irvin D.

W. C. Jackman was born January 1, 1825, at Enfield, Grafton county, N. H. He received a common school education. He was married March 20, 1850, to Lydia B. Brownell, born in Saratoga county, N. Y.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Her parents moved to Jefferson county, where she was married in 1854. She went with his family to Sauk county, Wis. While on their way his wife took the measels, from the effects of which she died, May 29, leaving two children. Mr. Jack- man remained in Wisconsin until 1856, when he returned to New Hampshire with his children, and thence to Boston, Mass., where he remained until 1862, and then returned to Sauk county, Wis. He re- inained here until 1867, and thence to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, where he still lives. Mr. Jackman was again married March 28, 1876, to Ellen M. Sowl, born in the town of Collins, Erie county, N. Y. When a child she went with her parents to Hamburgh, where she was mar- ried. They have one child, Abram Tibbits, born February 24, 1878.

Joseph Barber was born April 2, 1819, in Essex county, N. Y. His parents moved to Otsego county when he was seven years of age, where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing a common school education. In 1865 he went to DuPage county, Ill., remaining until 1868, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 10, where he still lives. Since coming to the town he has held the office of Road Supervisor. He was married June 25, 1843, to Hannah Pettingil, born in Otsego County, N. Y., where she was mar- ried. They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Mary Elizabeth, Homer Eugene, Anna Manning, and Joseph.

William Caverhill was born July 28, 1838, in New Brunswick. When eight years of age, he came with his parents to Oxford county, Canada, where he grew to

manhood, and received a common school education. He remained here until 1861, when he went to Adams county, Wis., re- maining there until 1868, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa. He now lives on section 29. Mr. Caverhill was married, July 13, 1868, to Mary Ten- ney, who was born in England. When four years of age, she came with her parents to New York State. After remaining there a short time, she went to Beaver Dam, Dodge county, Wis., where she remained until 1867, when she went to Adams county, where she was married. Their children are: Hattie May, Nellie Mabel, and Mary Myrtle.

Ira B. Stuart, farmer, was born April 24, 1837, in Erie county, N. Y., where he re- ceived a common school education. He remained in Erie county until 1868, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 6, where he still lives. On the outbreak of the rebellion, he took up arms in defense of his country, enlisting in Company A, 64th New York Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battle of Fair Oaks, where he received a wound in the side from a minnie ball. He went to Canada in 1862, return- ing in 1865. He was married April 4, 1866, to Harriet Elizabeth Seely, born in New Brunswick. When a child she went to Canada, where she was married. Cyn- thia, Edith G., Isabella, Emma, Ida G., Nathan B., Louis A., Ira B. and Thaddeus S. are their children.

L. M. Stuart, farmer, was born March 13, 1807, in Onondaga county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and received a common school education, He remained here until 1868, when he came to the town

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. 669

of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa. Ile is now living on section 5. Mr. Stuart was mar- ried January 7, 1830, to Cynthia Beal, born in Wayne county, N. Y., where she grew to womanhood and received a com- mon school education. She remained in this county until 1839, when she went to Erie county, where she was married. She is the mother of ten children, eight of whom are living-Hannab, Emeline, Ira, Martha, Anson, Sarah, Matthew and Alice.

A. B. Baxter was born August 8, 1843, in Lamoille county, Vt. At the age of nine years he went with his parents to Green county, Wis., where he received a common school education. On August 7, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 38th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of close of the war. He took part in the battle of Hatch's Run, also Pittsburg, besides other skirmishes. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin, remaining until June, 1869, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 16, where he still lives. He was married April 28, 1866, to Mandana Adams, born in Green county, Wis. He received a good, liberal common school education, and also at- tended a graded school at Monticello, Green county, Wis. He commenced teaching school when fourteen years of age, which profession he followed until seventeen years of age. Eva C., Henry and Mamie are their children.

J. R. Chatfield was born November 17, 1844, in Lisle, DuPage county, Ill. He attended the Naperville Graded Schools, at Naperville, DuPage county, Ill., one

term. In the fall of 1867, went to Mineral Point, Wis .; taught school that winter, re- turning to his home in Illinois in the spring. In the winter of 1868, he taught school at Lisle. In September, 1869, he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 4, where he now lives. He has held the office of Clerk of his town and Director of his School Dis- trict. He was married August 5, 1869, to Euphemia Howell, who was born in the town of Franklin, Luzerne county, Pa. She attended the Naperville Graded Schools two years. She was married at Kingston, Luzerne county, where her pa- rents then lived. Guy Alonzo and Levi Howell, are their children.

John Hutchinson, farmer, was born in 1832, in Ireland. He came to New York State with his father, when fourteen years of age, and received common school edu- cation. He remained in New York until 1848, when he removed to Illinois, and thence to Minnesota. In 1869, he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, lo- cating on section 7, where he still lives. He was married November 22, 1860, to Mary Giltrap, who was born in Ireland. When fourteen years of age she came to New York, and thence to Illinois. They were married in Chicago.

Robert Marrow, farmer, was born Aug- ust 8, 1837, in Belfast, Ireland. When thirteen years of age he came with his uncle to the United States, landing in New York City. He entered the employ of the Manhatten Gas Company, corner of Four- teenth street and Avenue "C." He re- mained here until 1862. when he went to Chicago, working for the Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company. Remained in

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the employ of this company until 1870, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, locating on section 9, where he still lives. Mr. Morrow was married in 1860, to Jane Twible, who was born in Ireland. When a child she came to New York City, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have each received a good common school education.

A. P. Jensen was born April 17, 1851, in Denmark, where he learned the black- smith trade. When sixteen years of age, he came to New York; worked at his trade here and in New Jersey, six months, when he came to Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa. He worked at his trade here until 1874, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, where he is now engaged in the blacksmith business. He received a common school education. He was mar- ried in 1874, to Mary L. Bronson, who was born in Wisconsin. She came to the town of Ellis, where she was married. Adeline, Frederick and Andrew, are their children.

E. D. Thayer was born March 27, 1841, in the town of DeKalb, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he received a common school education. April 27, 1861, he en- listed in Company F, 60th New York Vol- unteers. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run, was with General Banks on his retreat from Port Royal to Harper's Ferry, and was also in the battles of South Moun- tain and Antietam. He had the thumb shot off his left hand while on guard. He was discharged November 28, 1862, by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. After receiving his discharge, he returned to New York, and, in Septeniber, 1863, came to Winnebago county, Ill. August 6, 1864, Mr. T. re-enlisted at Beloit, Wis.,

in 'Company H, 42d Wisconsin Volunteers, serving until June 28, 1865, when he was discharged by reason of close of the war. He then returned to Illinois, where he re- mained until 1876, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locat- ing on section 27, where he still lives. At the present time he is Trustee of his town. Mr. T. was married October 27, 1867, to Minerva H. Chandler, who was born in the town of Rumney, Grafton county, N. H. When six years of age she came with her parents to Illinois, where she was married.

K. C. Curtis was born March 25, 1856, in Olive township, Clinton county, Iowa. He attended the common schools, and also in 1872, he attended Wilton Collegiate Institute, at Wilton, Muscatine county, fifteen months. After leaving school he turned his attention to farming, which business he still follows. In 1876 he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, locating on section 22 where he now lives. At the present time he is Assessor, which office he has held three years. He was married June 5, 1877, to Miss M. J. Curtis, born in Erie county, N. Y., when fourteen years of age she came with her parents to Clinton county, Iowa, where she was married. She received a common school education. They have one child, named Ada Viola.

C. E. Gilbert was born April 9, 1853, in the town of Guilford, Winnebago county, Ill., where he grew to manhood and re- ceived a common school education, and attended a graded school one term, remained there until March 14, 1878, when he came to the town of Ellis, Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 4, where he still lives. He was married January

A A Naujas

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

12, 1876, to Ella Teeple, born April 19, 1857, in Belvidere, Boone county, Ill. She attended Professor Lounsburg's Academic Classical Institute, at Rockford, Ill. After finishing her studies, she taught school both in Winnebago and Boone counties, which profession she followed until she was married. At the present time she is. Librarian of Ellis Library.

B. F. Orr, farmer, was born January 21, 1840, in Canada East. When eighteen years of age he went to Lapere county, Mich; received a common school education;

remained there until 1877; then came to Masonville, Delaware county, Iowa, remain- ing until 1879; then to the town of Ellis, locating on section 7, where he still lives. When a resident of Michigan, he held the office of Constable. He was married January 1, 1878, to Susan Haven, born in Illinois. When a child she came with her parents to Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa. Her parents subsequently went to Buchanan county, where they still live, and where she was married. They have three children-Clinton Franklin, Lewis Mervin and Charles.

CHAPTER XXVII.

ETNA TOWNSHIP.

The township of Etna is situated in the northeastern part of the county, and com- prises all of Congressional township 89, range 19, west of the 5th principal meridian. It is a beautiful rolling prairie, watered only in the southwest corner by the Iowa river. Three railroads now traverse the township-the Illinois Central, formerly the Dubuque and Sioux City; the Burling- ton and Cedar Rapids, and the Central Iowa Railway, historical sketches of which are found in the chapter on railroads.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first permanent settlement made in the township, was in 1853, when Thomas Humphreys, Ichabod . Lathrop, Daniel Richardson, David Hawk and Thomas E. Shumway made claims and built cabins. Of the four, only one is now living-Ichabod Lathrop.

In 1854 came William P. Hays, Adam Frantz, Michael Ryan, Amos Sawyer and Augustus Leiser. The latter met his death June 9, 1882, from the kick of a horse.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

In 1855, A. G. Barnum, J. Barnum, Samuel Smith, Joseph Strahorn, John Albertis and John Stotser, located in the township. After this, settlers began to come in more rapidly, until to-day it has a greater number of inhabitants than any township in the county.

Ichabod Lathrop settled on section 34, where he now resides, in July, 1853. His father, Isaac Lathrop, was a native of Con- necticut, and his mother, Lois (Sawyer) Lathrop, of New York, and it was in Gen- esee county of that old Empire State that on the 13th day of August, 1814, the sub- ject of this sketch was born. In 1818, the family removed to Jefferson county, Ind., and in 1822, they removed to Illinois, when, in February, 1823, the mother died, leaving a family of ten children, of whom Ichabod is the youngest. He returned to Jefferson county, Indiana, and there lived with his brother, Lyman G. Lathrop, until 1833. He went to Tippecanoe county, where, in 1836, he married Miss Catherine Hum- phreys. In 1839, they removed to Muncie, and from there, in 1853, to Iowa. Mr. Lathrop now owns 234 acres of land, which he has well improved. He is an enter- prising farmer, honest and conscientious in his dealings, well known and highly re- garded throughout the county. He is a Republican in politics, and, in religion, is a member of the M. E. Church. Of their nine children, six are now living-Eliza- beth H., Warren D.,Emily, Martin, Stephen E. and Harrison B.

S. E. Lathrop was born in Delaware county, Ind., May 14, 1852, and came with his parents to Hardin county. He was educated at Cornell College, in Mt. Ver- non, and has since been engaged in teach-

ing during the winter and farming during the summer seasons.

Thomas Humphreys, one of the first permanent settlers of the township, was a native of Mifflin county, Pa., born on the 24th day of January, 1805. In 1813 he removed with his parents to Green county, Ohio, where he helped till the soil, and on the 16th day of February, 1826, married Miss Catherine Ann Hawk, then of Clark county, Ohio, but a native of Pennsylvania. In 1829 they moved to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and seven years later to Delaware county, of that State, from which place, in 1853, they came to Hardin county, and, with the friends who came with them, formed the first settlement of Etna town- ship. When they first arrived. at their new hone they lived in a tent; but Mr. Humph- reys soon erected a double log house, 16x36 feet, and covered the same with shingles made by himself, but was unable to pro- cure anything that would answer for floor- ing. Although there was no floor except the bare ground, on the 29th day of Octo- ber, while taking up quarters in the new house, the family was happy, and agreed that " there is no place like home." But they had just got into their new place of abode when the first snow storm of the season came upon them, and as there were large crevices between the legs, the snow was soon as deep on the inside as on the outside of the building. On the 2nd day of November, Mr. Humphreys started for Dubuque, to procure provisions for the approaching winter. During the eighteen days occupied in making this trip, Mrs. Humphreys and two children remained alone; but she was not idle, for, when Mr. Humphreys returned, he found that the

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

snow could no longer enter their dwelling, as his faithful wife had chinked all the crevices with mud. One Sunday morning, in 1854, they were somewhat startled by a visit of twenty-six well-armed Indian war- riors. To these they gave a breakfast of bread and milk, after which they departed. It appears that these warriors were in search of some Indians, who had com- mitted some crime. Mr. Humphreys was successful as a farmer; accumulated 240 acres of land, which he improved, and provided his family with a home, supplied . with all the comforts of the best farm life. He was an honest, upright and enterpris- ing citizen, and an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, but would not accept any public office. His death took place March 11th, 1881, after fifty- five years of happy married life. Mrs. Humphreys still resides on the homestead. She has had five adopted children: Thos. H. Pitgengee, Mary A. Shafer, now Mrs. Augustus Lieser; Henry Humphreys; Christina Hawk, now Mrs. George W. Wilson, and Eldora Lee.

J. H. Steenblock, one of the pioneers who came to the county in 1853, is a native of Germany, being born in East Freisland on the 2d day of February, 1837. In 1851, with his parents, Wirtze and Tobke (Park) Steenblock, he came to the United States, lived two years in Stephenson county, Ill., then came to Iowa and located near where he now resides. His father died in 1867, and his mother still resides on the home- stead. There were nine children in the family, six of whom are now living. Of those living, the subject of this sketch is the second youngest. He, in 1862, en- listed in the United States service, went

out with Co. A of the 32d Iowa Infantry, and served three years. He then returned to his home and purchased his father's farm, which contained 120 acres, but he now owns 240 acres. He was married in 1862 to Miss Louisa Saverin, then of Cedar Falls, but a native of Germany. They have had nine children, seven now living- D. T., W. W., Louis, John, Clara, Win- thrope and Helen. Mr. Steenblock is a Republican, and is at present a Justice of the Peace. His religious connection is with the Evangelical Association.

Amos Doan is the man who opened the first blacksmith shop at Hardin City, as he came to that place in May, 1854. - He re- mained a resident of Hardin county until 1878, then went to Kansas, but, as this trip proved a misfortune, he returned to Hardin county, and, in the fall of 1881, opened a shop at Robertson, where we now find him engaged in a general black- smith business. Mr. Doan was born in Lycoming county, Pa., May 27, 1828. His father was Henry Doan, who came to Hardin county in 1862 and died in 1871, and his mother, Hannah Doan, who now resides in Jackson township. There were five children in the family, four now living -Amos, Sarah A., W. S. T. and Daniel. Amos Doan, in 1853, married Miss Caroline M. Baker, and they now have four children -Crawford W., Luella A., now Mrs. G. H. Crippin; Sarah Florence and Amos W. In 1862, when our Nation was trying to suppress the rebellion, Mr. Doan enlisted in Company A of the 32d Iowa, and served three years. He was taken prisoner at Pleasant Hill, La., and confined in Tyler Prison, Texas, for thirteen months ..

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Abraham G. Barnum is a prominent representative and a pioneer, who came to Hardin county and purchased his land in the fall of 1854, and settled on the same the following spring. Mr. Barnum is a son of Jabez and Anna L. Barnum, and he was born in Green county, N. Y., De cember 26, 1826. He removed with the family to Michigan, where he resided until 1854, when he started out in search of a location, and thus came to Hardin county and purchased his present property. In 1860 Mr. Barnum married Miss Nancy Southard, daughter of Levi W. Southard. They have had twelve children, eleven of whom are now living-H. W., Eugene G., Olive S., Edwin A., Elga, Jabez W., Clara, Margaret, Elbert S., Rosalie and Melinda.

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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 79

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