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 96

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 96

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QUEBEC.

· The year 1856 was a good year for lay- ing out towns in Hardin county, but, as shown by the sequel, a very poor .one for building them up. Among the towns so

James M. B. Gratis.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

laid out was one by D. B. Blair, to which was given the name of Quebec. This town was situated on section 32, township 87, range 20, Pleasant township. At one time there were some half dozen houses in the place, with one store. The first house built in the place was by Marcus Blair, and the first store opened by D. B. Blair.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

James Smith was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, October 17, 1842. His parents, Robert and Jennie (Stinson) Smith, were natives of Scotland, the father being born in Paisley, and the mother in Edinburgh. They came to this country in 1849, and settled in Green Lake county, Wis., being among the first settlers of that county, it being two miles to the nearest neighbor. Of their seven children, James was the third. He came to Hardin county with his parents in the fall of 1864, set- tling in Eldora, where his father still resides. On November 4, 1865, he was married to Mary L. Stibi, daughter of Christian Stibi, of Eldora township. Of their nine children, five are still living- Jennie S., born July 20, 1866; Caroline S., born June 30, 1869; Nellie, born April 13, 1878; Thomas R., born December 7, 1879; James Henry, born June 1, 1882. Mr. Smith has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has held some offices of trust in the township, being Town Clerk two years, and at present Township Trustee. Farming is his busi- ness, and he has a good farm of 120 acres of prairie adjoining the property of the Iowa State Reform School, and 16 acres of timber. The prairie land is valued at $30 to $35 per acre.

James D. Lundy, of Lawn Hill, hotel proprietor and real estate agent, was born January 25, 1839, in Lafayette, Stark county, Ill. His parents, John Lundy and Rachel (Hodson) Lundy, were natives of Clinton county, Ohio. In 1835 John Lundy moved to Illinois, and settled in what was then Knox county, but now Stark county. In 1837 he was married, and soon thereafter laid out the town of Lafayette, where the subject of this sketch was born. James' early life was passed amid the hardships and difficulties incident to pioneer life in Illinois, On July 3d, 1860, he was married to Mattie A. Matthews, daughter of the Rev. J. Matthews, of Lafayette, Stark county, Ill. Mrs. Lundy has no need to be ashamed of her family connections, being a first cousin of Commodore Matthews, and a second cousin of Major-General Cook, of the reg- ular army; Dr. Cook, the proprietor of the celebrated remedy " Wine of Tar;" and of ex-Vice-President Schuyler Colfax. John Matthews, Mrs. Lundy's grandfather, was a Major in the war of 1812. A year after his marriage Mr. Lundy enlisted in Com- pany B., 37th Illinois Infantry, serving on the frontiers of Arkansas and Missouri. He was badly wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, also on the Vicksburg and New Orleans campaigns. He was mustered out of the service at the close of the war, arriv- ing home in February, 1864. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Iowa, settling in Providence township, Hardin county, where he followed farming, and kept the Midland Postoffice for several years, and was for fourteen years the Justice dispenser for his neighborhood, and has, in fact, been active in all matters of public interest, as well as religious and educational matters, two of

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

his daughters now being school teachers. Himself and wife have been for years members of the . Methodist Church, of South Providence. There have been born to them nine children, seven of whom are living-John A., born June 25, 1861; Flora A., born February 11, 1863; Clara R., born October 1, 1865; John M., born April 28, 1867; Clarence E., born December 22, 1868; Cora E., born August 13, 1874, and Mabel, born June 13, 1880. As will be seen in the Lawn Hill directory, Mr. Lundy is engaged with his son in the harness and boot and shoe business, and also runs a butcher shop and stable in connection with the hotel business; with all these varied interests he is the owner of 80 acres of good land in Providence township, and 80 acres in Pleasant township. He is a mem- ber in good standing of New Providence Lodge, No. 169, A. O. U. W., and I. O. O. F., of Eldora.

Charles W. Strother, one of the most suc- cessful farmers of Hardin county, was born in Hardy county, Virginia, June 17, 1821. His parents were natives of Virginia. His father died while he was quite young; his mother re-married while on a visit to friends in Ohio, to Mr. James Ward of Muskingum county, and coming back to Virginia, she brought him, at five years of age, to his new home in Ohio, making the trip of over 200 miles on horse- back. As that was long before the days of railroads, they thus became pioneers of that county. At the age of fourteen he went to live with a Mr. Cooper, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age. On the 15th of February, 1849 he was married to Miss Caroline Predmore in Hancock county, Ohio, a daughter of the

Rev. Moses Predmore, a well-known Methodist Episcopal Minister of that county; her mother's maiden name - was Jane Caton, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father died in Clayton county, Iowa, December 27, 1860, and her mother in Cass county, Iowa, February 25, 1879. Mr. Strother, after his marriage, remained in Ohio one year, and then removed to Clayton county, Iowa, living there a short time. In 1855, having sold out his farm, he removed with his family to Olmstead county, Minnesota, and from there, he in August, 1864, removed to Hardin county, Iowa, settling in Pleasant township, sec- tion 17, where he now resides. There has been born to them seven children, six of whom are living-Thomas W., born De- cember 28, 1849, of whom mention is elsewhere made; James B., born Novem- ber 10, 1851; Etna J., born October 16, 1853; Moses H., born March 19, 1855; Bruce W., July 26, 1856; Mary M., born November 20, 1859, died October 24, 1862; Effie I., born June 11, 1863. Of these the oldest was born in Hancock county, Ohio; the next two in Clayton county, Iowa, and the last four in Olmstead county, Minnesota. Mr. Strother has been generally identified with the Democratic party, but is conserva- tive in his views. While devoting his whole life to farming, he always has de- voted some time and attention to the rais- ing of fine stock, and has raised some fine specimens of Short Horos; he intends hereafter to pay more attention to the raising of horses and hogs, believing them to be more profitable. He is the owner of one of the best watered and stock farms in the county, being well provided with barns, sheds, etc. His

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

farm consists of 2762 acres of good land, nearly all under fence, there being now over six miles of fence on the place. The land is valued at $40 per acre.

Luther A. Devendorf was born in Onondago county, N. Y., November 30, 1845. His father, Oliver Devendorf, was born in Montgomery county, N. H., July 20, 1815; his mother, Louisa (Furman) Devendorf, was born in the same county, where they were married in 1837. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of their nine children. In the spring of 1854 he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and from there to Wisconsin, where they resided until the spring of 1865, when they removed to Hardin county, settling in Eldora in May, 1865. Mr. Devendorf enlisted in Company G, 141st Illinois Infantry for 100 days at Rockford, Ill., serving in Kentucky. At the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted at Belvidere, Ill., in Company G, 9th Illi- nois Cavalry, serving until the close of the war, and was discharged. at Springfield, Ills., November 20, 1865. On October 20, 1871, he was married to Miss Anna J. McCall, daughter of John W. McCall, deceased, and Louisa A. McCall of Berlin, Hardin county. There has been born to them five children, three of whom are living-Katie P., born November 8, 1872, died July 23, 1874; Minnie L., born June 28, 1875; Wm. O., born October 29, 1877, died November 15. 1880; Frank M., born September 20, 1880; Charles W., born December 14, 1881. Mrs. Devendorf is a member of the M. E. Church of Eldora. Mr. Devendorf has followed farming and stock raising, in which he has been very successful, his farm of 160 acres of prairie

being well stocked and finely improved, worth at least $35 per acre.

According to tradition in the families of the Voorhees name, some time in the latter part of the sixteenth century, there came to the shores of New Jersey from Amster- dam, Holland, three brothers in the prime of life, by the name of Van Voorhees, who settled near Brunswick. From these three emigrants from Holland it is pretty certain that the numerous families scattered over the United States, who write their names Van Voorhees, Van Vorhes, Van Vorhies, Voorheis, Voorhis, have a common origin.

S. W. Van Voorhis was born in Belmont county, Ohio, November 2, 1844. His father, Rev. C. E. Van Voorhis, was born in Duchess county, New York, October 11, 1809. His mother was born January 7, 1812, in Wayne county, Ohio. They were married in 1831, becoming-the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living; the mother died in Ohio, September 19, 1870; the father is still living in Knox county, Ohio, where he has lived for 37 years; and been a preacher of the Chris- tian Church since his twenty-first year. The subject of this sketch was married December 28, 1865, to Miss Kate Simons at Milford, Knox county, Ohio, with whom he lived until her deatlı, which occurred May 28, 1870. She left one child who is still living-Alla Dell, born December 19, 1867. They removed to Iowa in March, 1866, settling in Union township, Hardin county; from there he moved Octo- ber 1, 1868, to Pleasant township, section 14, where he still resides. He was married the second time, September 28, 1871, to Louisa E. Lewis of New Castle, Knox county, Ohio. There have been born to

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

them four children, all living-Encell B., born April 18, 1873; Bruce E., born June 19, 1875; Clyde Randolph, born January 15, 1877; Fred, born February 8, 1881. Although having only the advantages of a common school education, both Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorhis have been wielders of the birch both in Ohio and here, having taught several terms. Mr. Van Voorhis enlisted February 25, 1864 at Newark, Ohio, in the 6th Independent Company, Ohio Volunteer Sharpshooters, serving in the Army of the Cumberland. After the capture of Atlanta, the Company was detailed as Headquarter Guard for General Geo. H. Thomas, serving in that capacity at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and until the close of the war, being dis- charged July 19, 1865. He has always been identified with the Republican party in politics. Himself and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church of Eldora. He has always followed farming, and has a fine farm of 80 acres quite well improved.

Joseph B. Weaver was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 1, 1840. His father, Samuel Weaver, was born in Baltimore, Md., November 13, 1818, and his mother in Philadelphia, Pa., November 11, 1814. They were married in Holmes county, March 16, 1837. Of their children, seven in number, Joseph was the second. His inother died April 22, 1872, and his father re-married July 31, 1873, to Martha A. Well, of Geneseo, Il1. Mr. Weaver's early life was spent in Holmes county, Ohio. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss Mary J. McFarland, on December 25, 1866, near Cambridge, Henry county, Ill., where they lived until in 1868, when they moved to

Hardin county, settling in Pleasant town- ship, where he now resides on section 4. There have been born to them four chil- dren, all of whom are living-Martha L., born June 26, 1869; Nellie D., December 4, 1871; Howard Edwin, May 26, 1875; Samuel K., August 25, 1877. Mr. Weaver was a soldier for the Union during our late civil war, enlisting August 9, 1862, in Com- pany D., 112th Illinois Infantry, serving in Tennessee and Kentucky until the At- lanta campaign, when he took part in that undertaking, until the battle of Resaca, where he received a wound in the hip, which disabled him from active duty, and he thereafter served in hospital duty at Springfield, Ill., being discharged June 16, 1865. He has always taken an active in- terest in educational and religious matters, being a Director in his school district for several years. Himself and wife are active members of the M. E. Church. He has always followed farming. His farm con- tains 160 acres, worth $25 per acre. He also has 10 acres of timber-land.

Robert Holt, carpenter and joiner, was born in New Jersey, on the 9th day of May, 1829. He is a son of James B. and Annie (Huzlam) Holt, natives of England, who emigrated to this country in about 1816. There was a family of eight chil- dren, one of whom was buried in the ocean while on their voyage to this country. There are at present five sons and two daughters living-Martha, wife of Robt. Hurt; Sarah, now Mrs. Wm. Drummond; John, William, Peter, Robert and Thomas. The subject of this sketch married Eliza- beth Brightwell. She was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 7, 1831. By this

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

union there are three living children, viz: Joseph W., Irvine B. and Catherine A. In 1868 Mr. Holt came to Eldora, Hardin county, where he remained nine years,

when he moved to Pleasant township. Mr. and Mrs. Holt are members of the Chris- tian Church. He has 68 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre.

CHAPTER XXXI.

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

Providence township is one of the finest and wealthiest townships in the county, and comprises Congressional township 86 north, range 20, west of the fifth principal meridian. It was first settled in the fall of 1851. Levi Reece, William Dobbins, E. I. Reece, and John J. Thornton landed here on the first day of September, of that year, located their claims, and commenced erecting their cabins. William Reece also located a claim at the same time, with a view of making it his home in the near future. In the following winter James L. Tulburt, William Hobson and Samuel Dil- lon were also numbered among the settlers of this fine township. In the spring of 1852 Joseph Dillon, the father of Samuel Dillon, and James Fitzgerald joined the settlement, each of whom erected a cabin and commenced to improve a farm which was to be to them a home. This was the beginning of the settlement, and to these pioneers the credit is due of having en-

dured the privations of frontier life and smoothing the way for those who came in at a later day. In connection with this chapter will be found sketches of many of these early settlers, as well as some who came later, to which the reader's attention is invited.

The first to settle here in 1853 was Wil- liam Reece, who located his claim in the fall of 1851, as already stated. He was followed the same year by Levi Reece, Jessie Allgood and E. J. Reece. In 1854 David Bennett, Thomas Bennett, and others, located here. David Bennett and a son of Thomas Bennett subsequently lost their lives, being struck by lightning while breaking prairie. John Allen Hay- worth come in 1854; also, J. A. Allgood and William Flemming.

William Reece, one of the first settlers of Providence township, was born in Surry county, N. C., September 16, 1814. In 1839 he married Miss Mary Ann Dobbins,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

a daughter of William Dobbins, who emi- grated to Hardin county in 1851, and died in 1852. She was born June 15, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Reece were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now liv- ing - Martha, now Mrs. L. Armstrong; Keziah, widow of Zimri Lundy; Elkanab, Miles, Sarah, now Mrs. L. Baldwin; Wil- liam S., Ruth, now Mrs. Frank Lewis; Eli and James L. In 1851 Mr. Reece, in company with about forty, left North Carolina for Iowa, coming through with teams; being two months in making the trip; arriving in Henry county, Iowa, in June, where they remained a short time; and in the meantime looking up a place to locate, and finally settling in Providence township. The first land located was by Mr. Reece, who walked to DesMoines and entered the land for Daniel H. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Reece came to the county in limited circumstances, when there was not in Providence township a mark of civiliza- tion, but, being young and vigorous, went to work to make a home, and by hard work and good management, have accumulated a fine property. They have 2932 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

E. W. Lundy, one of the enterprising farmers and stock feeders of Hardin county, was born in Grant county, Ind., May 6, 1844, and is a son of Levi and Sarah (Wickersham) Lundy. E. W. is a practical farmer, a business which he has followed all his life. November 10, 1867, he married Miss H. L. Moreland, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Moreland, of Ohio, who emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, in the fall of 1853, and to Marshall county in 1854. She was born in Columbiana county,

Ohio, April 19, 1848. By this union there are three children-Ellward, Lela and Johnny. Mr. Lundy came to the county, when it was new, a poor boy, but, by close attention to business, has succeeded in accumulating a fine property and home. He has 420 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre.

John S. Bond, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Wayne county, Ind., on the 23d day of May, 1828. He is a son of Darius and Betsy (Hockett) Bond, who were married in Randolph county, Ind., in 1827, and who were the parents of five children, four of whom are living-John S., Reuben, Eunice and Matilda. John S. was raised on a farm, and is principally a self-made man. In 1849 he married Miss Elizabeth Collins. She was born March 3, 1827. Seven children blessed this union, six of whom are living-Sabina, Annie, Hannah, Amanda, Emma and Eunice. Mrs. Bond died March 20, 1868, and he again married Mrs. Mary J. Hammer, a widow of Hiram Hammer, by whom she had six children, four of whom are living-Nettie, Annie, David V. and Melissa. By this union there were three children-Libbie, Sadie and Hattie. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Bond came to Hardin county and located on the place where he now lives. He has 140 acres of land under cultivation, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Bond is an acknowledged minister in the Friends Church.

William Bona, one of the large stock growers and farmers of Providence town- ship, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 17, 1822. When twenty-one years of age, he learned the trade of a car- penter and joiner, which he followed for a

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

number of years. In 1841 he married Miss Sarah Hunt, of Ohio, by whom he has two children-Josiah and Lucinda. Mrs. Bond died in 1847. She was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and respected by all who knew her. Mr. Bond after- wards married Hannah Pressnell in 1876, by whom he has three children-William, Mary A. and May. He has 640 acres of land, 600 under cultivation, valued at $25 per acre. He has 150 head of cattle, 14 - head of horses, and turns off 75 head of hogs yearly. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

A. M. Mulford, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Ontario county, New York, October 25, 1827, and is a son of M. D. and Mary (Munson) Mulford. A. M. was reared on a farm, and received a liberal education. In 1850 he attended the East Bloomfield Branch of the New York State Normal School, of Ontario county, receiving a certificate as Normal teacher. After leaving school, he taught several terms. In 1853 he married Miss Harriet Beckner, of Laporte, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph and Malinda (Crook) Beckner. She was born in Monroe county, Virginia, October 11, 1830. By this union there were three children, two of whom are living-Wm. C. and Mary E. They lived in Laporte for three years. April 4, 1855, they emigrated to Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 5, Providence township. Two years later settled on sec- tion 2, where he now resides. In April, 1856, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for eighteen years. He has represented the county in the Board of Supervisors, four years. Mr. and Mrs. Mulford came to the county in limited

circumstances, commencing at the lower round of the ladder, but, by good manage- ment, have succeeded in making them- selves a comfortable home, and to-day are among the well-to-do farmers of the town- ship. He has 120 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre. . The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

E. Andrews, one of the early settlers and enterprising farmers of Hardin county, was born in Virginia, on the 25th day of February, 1824, his parents removing to Columbiana county, Ohio, when he was three years old, remaining there until the spring of 1836, when they removed to the southern part of Illinois, about twenty- five miles from St. Louis. In the fall of 1840 they came to Jefferson county, Iowa. In 1855 E. Andrews came to Hardin county, locating on the place where he now resides, where he embarked in farming, erecting a fine residence, which was blown away at the time the cyclone passed over this county, Mr. Andrews sustaining a loss of $3,000. After the storm had passed, he looked around and saw the results of his five years' work swept away as in the twinkling of an eye. No wonder he be- came disheartened and thought strongly of leaving the county. Traveling extensively over the State in search of another loca- tion, he finally came back, threw off his coat and manfully went to work. By ju- dicious management, he has accumulated a fine property, and to-day is among the well-to-do farmers of the county. He has 100 acres of land, valned at $75 per acre. In May, 1850, he was united in marriage with Catherine Bedell, of Greene county, New York, where she was born March 5,

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1827. By this union they had seven chil- dren, three of whom are living, viz: Edna J., wife of Aaron Roberts; Dillwin C. and Estella. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the office of County Surveyor and other local offices. Mr. Andrews was elected by the General Assembly one of the Trustees of the Reform School. He also had charge of the Mi chellville School. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

James Lundy is a pioneer of Hardin county, and was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 10th day of April, 1811. His parents, James and Elizabeth Lundy, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, emigrating to Ohio in an early day. They had a family of twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters. Mrs. Lundy died in 1823. Mr. Lundy married Sophia Hollingsworth for his second wife, by whom he had one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. Lundy died, when he mar- ried Sarah Schooley, a widow of Nathan Schooley, by whom he had one child, which also died in infancy. Mr. Lundy died in Clinton county, Ohio. He was an active member of the Society of Friends. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, receiving his education in a log school house of his native State, at the time when they ruled with a hickory rod. Mr. Lundy was married in Clinton county, Ohio, September 22, 1833, to Lucy Gage, and was blessed with three children-Levi, Zimri and Cyrus. In 1840 he emigrated to Grant county, Indiana, where he settled in the wilderness; built a log cabin, moving into it before the doors were hung. He first purchased 80 acres, afterwards adding 80 more, of which he cleared 110 acres,

when he built a comfortable residence. Three children were born in Indiana, viz: Susannah, Charles and Eliza Jane. In the spring of 1855 he sold his property in Indiana and emigrated to Hardin county, Iowa, locating on the place where he now resides. He has 1882 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. In 1878 Mrs. Lundy died. She was an esteemed member of the Society of Friends, and a sincere Christian. He then married Fannie Kinzer, a widow of Jacob Kinzer, of Ohio, and a native of Pennsylvania.

T. D. Hinshaw, one of the enterprising farmers of Providence township, and an early settler of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in East Tennessee, August 5, 1835. He is a son of William and Matilda (Doan) Hinshaw, who emigratedt o Morgan county, Indiana, in 1837, where they purchased a farm and remained until the spring of 1849, when they removed to Henry county, Iowa, and shortly after removed to Keokuk county, and, in the spring of 1855, came to Hardin county, in Providence township, where he is at present living. T. D. Hinshaw was reared on a farm, and re- ceived a liberal schooling in Keokuk county. In 1858 he married Miss Anna Lundy, a daughter of Levi Lundy. She was born in Marion county, Indiana, June 17, 1842. Nine children blessed this union, eight of whom are living, viz .- Mary E., Lydia F., Levi E., William W., Sarah M., Marion V., Grace, and Dick A. Mr. Hin- shaw has 160 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and is valued at $40 per acre. He makes a spe- cialty of feeding stock, and turns off two car loads of cattle per year, besides forty head of hogs.

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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 96

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