USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 46
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While in Utah, in 1855, our subject was located at a village called Palmyra, sixty miles south of Salt Lake City. The Utah Indians were on the war path and killed a large number of the whites and drove off six hundred head of stock from the herds. It was then that Col. Conover called for volunteers to go after the In- dian thieves. The volunteers were to find their own horses and fire-arms and receive $5 per day. Mr. Chambers was one of nearly two hundred who went on such an expedition. They crossed the Utah Lake on the ice, the distance across being about twelve miles. Onward they pressed and finally overtook the Indians and recovered the stolen stock. The trip consumed thirty-two days and the party
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were assured that as soon as proper papers, reports, etc., could be sent to Washing- ton all should be paid. But our subject, for one, has looked for all these passing years and has never seen the promised paymaster !
ANIEL P. MINTUN, of section 19, Taylor Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since January, 1874, when he rented a farm for two years, after which he returned to Madison County, Iowa, remained one year, then went to Washington County, where he worked at the trade of a plas- terer. He lived there and worked at his trade until the autumn of 1878, when he again removed to Harrison County, and rented the farm which he now occupies. At the end of three years he purchased this farm.
He was born in Hendricks County, Ind., October 16, 1837, and in 1838 his parents removed to Lee County, Iowa, where his father claimed land. Our subject remained with his parents until he was nine years of age, during which time they removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, and remained four years, then removed to Washington County Iowa, and in 1856 went to work at the mason's trade, which he has followed nearly ever since.
Mr. Mintun was united in marriage in Brighton, Washington County, Iowa, March 1, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Donovan, the daughter of George and Ann (Hicks) Donovan. The father was a native of Ken- tucky, and the mother a native of Ireland. Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children: Ardivan W .; Ida B.,
Mrs. Turner; George M .. Josephine, Mrs. Hayes; Edward P. and Mary A., all of whom are living. Mary J. (Donovan) Mintun was bo"> in Clark County, Ohio, March 30, 1838, and in 1849 came with her parents to Washington County, Iowa.
John Mintun, our subject's father, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1809, and died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 8. 1874. His mother was Mary (Cox) Mintun, born in Ohio in 1811, and passed from the scenes of this life September 8, 1864, at Brighton. Iowa. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, six sons and three daughters, our subject being the third child. The mother was a member of the Christian Church. Our subject's wife's father was George Donovan, born in Kentucky, December 26, 1807, and died in Washington County, Iowa, February 24, 1882. The mother is still living in Washington County. She was born in Ireland, in 1811, and came to America with her parents when she was a baby. Mr. and Mrs. George Donovan were the parents of fourteen children, nine daughters and five sons, Mrs. Mintun be- ing the third child.
Ida B. (Mintun) Turner, daughter of our subject, was born in Washington County, Iowa, October 6, 1862, and was married in Taylor Township, Harrison County, at her father's home, March 1, 1885, to George W. Turner, by whom she had two children-Daniel B. and Georgie A. George W. Turner died at Daniel P. Mintun's February 4, 1833; he was born near Valparaiso, Ind., April 4,[1853. Mrs. Turner, since the death of her husband, follows school teaching as she had done before her marriage. She has taught twelve terms in all. Josephine (Mintun) Hayes, another daughter, is married and lives at Appleton, Minn.
George M. Mintun, a son of our subject,
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was born in Marion County, Iowa, Au- gust 10, 1864. He remained at home un- til he was seventeen years old, and then worked out by the month on a farm. He spent a part of the years 1886-87 in Dakota and Wyoming, teaming for the railroad company, after which he returned to Har- rison County, and worked two years for Col. Cochran. He was married February 12, 1890, to Miss Louisa Farber, by whom one child was born, Addison M.
After Mr. and Mrs. Mintun (our subject and his wife) were married, they lived in Washington County three years, then re- moved to Marion County, remained two years and then removed to Leavenworth, Kan., where they remained a short time and returned to Washington County, Iowa, where they remained until 1874, at which time they came overland to Harri- son County.
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Z IBA W. PEASE, blacksmith and wagon-maker, at Dunlap, who also deals in agricultural implements, is one of the enterprising mechanical and business factors of that place. He found- ed his business in July, 1870, in a shop 18x24 feet, and two stories high. Here he carried on his trade until 1880, when he erected his present shop, which is 25x100 feet and two stories high. Here he carries on a general blacksmithing busi- ness, operating three forges and manu- factures all kinds of farm, spring and road wagons, also does carriage work. He built the first wagons and carriages ever made in Dunlap.
Our subject is a native of Michigan, and was born November 10, 1842. He is a son
of H. C. and Louisa (Turner) Pease, natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. They are descendants of the early settlers of the Eastern States, who trace their ancestry back to English origin. The grandfather of our subject was Oliver C. Pease, of Massachusetts. The father of our subject was born in Massachusetts, July 5, 1808, and was reared in the Empire State upon a farm, and also followed sailing on the lakes for a short time. When a young man he went to Adrian, Mich., where he was united in marriage to Louisa P. Turner, who was born in New York State. After they were married they settled in the town of Blissfield, where they resided until about 1863, and about the year 1868, he removed to Bert County, Neb., having resided in Benton County, Iowa, for about five years. In the spring of 1880 or 81 he returned to Iowa, locating at Dun- lap, where he died May 19, 1890. The wife is still living. They had a family of nine children, Rebecca R., widow of Jonathan Osborne, a resident of Jeffer- son, Iowa; J. W., our subject, born November 10, 1842; H. E., a resident of Dunlap; Oliver C., living in Pittsburg, Kan .; Hampton A., living in Mankato, Kan .; Alfred L., a resident of Washing- ton ; Louisa R. (deceased), wife of Cyrus Mansfield, Jefferson, Iowa; Vienna A., wife of William Ayles, a resident of Blair, Neb .; Ella W., wife of Frank Court- wright, a resident of Garden City, Kan.
Ziba W. was reared in his native state midst the scenes of rural life, and was educated in the old log school houses common to pioneer days. At the age of nineteen he went to Palmyra, Mich., and learned the wheelwright and blacksmith- ing trades, mastering both branches. He completed his trade in Adrian, Mich.,
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remaining in the Wolverine State and working at his trade some eleven years, and in 1870, located at Dunlap, Iowa, where he has done a large business ever since. He employs three skilled men, and at times has use for more. It may be said of him that he is a thorough mechanic, and purely a self-made man, having worked himself up the financial scale, until to-day he is one of the well-to-do men of Harrison County, owning several valuable pieces of property.
Politically, he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Golden Rule Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 178, having been a member of that fraternity for twenty-five years, and has taken the Encampment Degree and passed most of the chairs in that lodge.
He was married November 12, 1867, to Elizabeth Francisco, a native of Michigan, born February 9, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Pease are the parents of five children.
It only needs to be added that Mr. Pease is an active, leading citizen, always ready to assist, and is held in high esteem by his friends, who number legion.
S AMUEL BAIRD, a liveryman do- ing business at Dunlap, established his business there in 1869, com- mencing with ten horses, and accompany- ing outfits. He now carries a stock of ten horses for livery purposes, together with good turnouts. He also drives a fine hearse, and attends most of the funerals in that locality. In connection with his livery business he also owns some very fine track horses, among which is
"John Sherman," a fine standard
bred stallion, that has a record of 2:46, and is the sire of three colts in the "thirty" class. He is a "Bashaw," sired by "Wapsie," whois by "Green's Bashaw." "Adrian's Harry" is another fine specimen of a horse, four years of age, sired by "Adrian Wilkes." "Samuel Sherman," sired by "John Sherman," is a magnificent fine bred black horse. "Bashaw Sherman," a brother of "Sam Sherman," "Clemmie C.," sired by "John Sherman," have a record of 2:394.
His stable is among the best in the country for fine strains of blood. He commenced to handle a superior grade of horses in 1881, since which time he has put on the market some splendid trotters, ranging in price from $500 to $2,500.
Personally, it may be said of Mr. Baird, that he is a native of British America, be- ing born at Sidney, January 14, 1847. He is the son of Robert and Jane (McDougall) Baird, and when our subject was six months of ago the family removed to Pennsylvania. He spent his earlier years in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and in 1862 he started out in life for him- self, locating in Knox County, Ill., where he remained until 1869, except sixteen months of army life. He enlisted in April, 1864, as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois In- fantry, which was for one hundred days' service. After which he re-enlisted in the . Eighth Illinois Cavalry, for one year. After leaving the service he returned to Illinois and engaged in the milling busi- iness. In 1869 he came to Dunlap, Iowa, where he has devoted his time almost ex- clusively to livery business and the breed- ing of fine horses.
He was united in marriage in October, 1866, to Miss Lottie Sears, a native of Illinois, born February 11, 1850, and the
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daughter of William and Caroline (Valie) Sears, who were natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are the parents of four children-Carrie, born November 16, 1867, died July 16, 1883; Charles, born February 16, 1872; Helen, born December 24, and Fred, born May 30, 1885. Charles was married in November, 1890, to Hattie Howeth, daughter of Daniel Howeth.
Politically, Mr. Baird is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, O. Shields Post, No. 83. He is also a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 178, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He lias officiated in his town and township, having held all the city offices, from Mayor down. He was a Justice of the Peace for six years, during which time he served with much credit to himself and his constituents.
OHN A. TRAVER, an attorney at law, at Dunlap, Iowa, is a native of the Hoosier State, born March 6, 1848, at LaPorte, Ind. He is the son of John R. and Mary (Drew) Traver, of English and Scotch extraction. The mother died in Indiana in 1858, and in 1853 our subject came to Pottawattamie County with his father, locating at Wheeler's Grove, where he made it his home until 1878. He died December 9, 1880.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age, and October 6, 1863, he enlisted as a member of Company M, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, and was discharged February 12, 1866, after
which he returned to the farm, remained a short time, and then attended Tabor College for two years. He then taught school for two years in Pottawattamie County, and entered the law office of Hale & Stone, of Glenwood, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1873. The following autumn he returned to his old home, in LaPorte, Ind., where he practiced law until 1878, and returned to Iowa. In 1880 he located at Dunlap, and in 1882 was admitted to the practice of his profession in the supreme court. He now has a lucrative practice in Harrison, Shelby, Crawford and Monona Counties.
Politically, he is a stalwart Republican, a strong party worker, and was one of the two men in Dunlap who was counted a "stalwart" in the Garfield -Conklin fight in 1880.
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Shields Post, No. 83, also of Red Oak Lodge, No. 57, of the A. F. & A. M.
He is a single man, and is the only bachelor in the family lineage, for two hundred years.
Concerning his father, it should be said that he was a pioneer at Wheeler's Grove, where he entered Government land. The family experienced all the hardships co- incident to pioneer life.
Our subject received his education principally after he was twenty years of age. His war record is one to be proud of. Going to the front as he did, when a boy of but fifteen years of age, he pos- sessed all of the courage of a man of mature years, and was never found want- ing when duty called. The foe had no terror for him, and it is said by those who were in his company, that he was a brave one among thie brave. Upon his return from the service, it seemed like one had
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come back from the dead, as his friends had long before mourned him as among the departed.
He had an especial reverence for his father, owing to the fact perhaps that he had to take the part of both father and mother, as the latter was deceased early in his life. His father possessed unusual business ability, having lost and retrieved several fortunes, the losses coming from a combination of circumstances over which he had no control.
ILLIAM R. GRIFFIN, of the firm of Griffin & Jensen, Dunlap, Iowa, who are the proprietors of one of the finest meat market establishments in Western Iowa, will form the subject of this notice. This business was established Oct- ober 1, 1890. They have worked up a large trade, slaughtering five head of cattle per week. Our subject, who is the senior member of the firm, was born in New London, Canada, May 9, 1869. He is the son of Charles P., and Elizabeth (Piper) Griffin, natives of Devonshire, England, and who are now residents of Stewart, Iowa. The father being a butcher by trade is still engaged at such work. William R., of whom we write, was reared in his native country, up to the time he was four years of age, when the family moved to Eldora, Iowa, where they lived three years and then went to Stewart. Here our subject was reared and educated and when old enough en- gaged in the butcher business. At the age of nineteen he opened a shop of his own in Stewart, Iowa, where he operated for about one year, and then spent a year
in the West, chiefly in Denver, Colo. Upon his return to Iowa, he re-purchased luis former business and continued to operate it until he came to Dunlap.
Politically, Mr. Griffin is identified with the Republican party. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias Order, and is what may be termed an enterprising young business man, who is almost sure to win success as the years shall come and go. He is a fine musician, as was every member of his father's family. The children are Albert C., a resident of Denver, Colo., a printer by trade, who is also the leader of the Alpha Band; William R., our subject; Ethel, at home a music teacher, also a member of the family band; Arthur H., at home, a butcher by trade and teacher of band music; Frank, at home, a member of the family band; Fred, at home and a member of the farrily band ; Edgar, at home and a member of the family band. The family constitutes a full band, both brass and orchestra music, each member handling an instrument of some kind. It is a re- markable family in this respect, their musical talent being a gift of nature, none of them ever taking lessons outside of their home circle.
C HRISTOPHER M. JENSEN, jun- jor partner of the firm of Griffin & Jensen, proprietors of a meat market at Dunlap, Iowa. Hej was born in Europe, July 23, 1863, and when six years of age, he in company with his parents and two sisters came to America, and located at Dexter, Dallas County,
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HARRISON COUNTY.
Iowa, where he was reared and received his education at the public schools, and also took a thorough course in German. When he was twenty-one years of age he embarked in business for himself, at the town of Dexter, where he operated a meat market for two years, and then removed to Stewart, Iowa, where he worked a short time at his trade and then purchased an interest in the meat market. After about eighteen months he removed to Denver, Colo., spent four months and returned to Iowa, and spent his time at various places until 1890, when he located in Dunlap.
His parents were Julius and Dorothy (Clausan) Jensen. The father resides at Dexter, Iowa, his good wife dying when our subject was but seven years old. The family consisted of four children-Anna, wife of J. Abbott, a resident of Creston, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Wilt, of Earlham, Madison County, Iowa; our subject, Christopher; Ida, deceased.
Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias order, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he affili- ates with the Democratic party.
OHN A. BENJAMIN, of Dunlap, one of the pioneer settlers of West- ern Iowa, came from Du Page County, Ill., in 1857, and located at Galland's Grove for a time, where he pur- chased a tract of timber-land and rented a farm near the Village of Manteno, Shelby County, where he made his home until 1862, and August 18, of that year (the second year of the Civil War), he en- listed in Company C, Twenty-ninth Iowa
Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, by a rifle-ball, in the leg; he was taken prisoner of war the same day, April 30, 1864, and was held at Camden, Ark., three months. He was at Shreveport, La., and Camp Ford, Tex., and was paroled February 25, 1865. He participated in the battles of Helena, Ark., in 1863; Little Rock, Ark., the same year, and Jenkins' Ferry. The last named was one continuous fire of rifle and cannon- shot. Our subject was honorably dis- charged June 3, 1865, after which he re- turned to Shelby County, and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1867, when he moved to his farm, on section 12, Harrison Township, which consisted of eighty acres, to which he has added a hundred acres, including timber-land in Shelby County. He improved and resided on this place until 1880, when he removed to Dunlap, in order to educate his children. He has retired from active service, and is enjoy- ing the fruits of his long years of toil.
To go back earlier in his life, it may be stated that he was born in Warren County. Ind., February 26, 1831, and when three years of age his parents removed to Du Page County, Ill. He was reared and educated in the Prairie State upon a farm, attending the district school. He re- mained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-four years old. October 1, 1854, he was married to Margaret Bil- lings, a native of Warren County, Ind., born January 27, 1834. After his mar- riage his family remained in Illinois until 1859, when they came to Iowa. His fam- ily consists of eight children : Wilson, a resident of Colorado : Alice, wife of H. S. Runnalds, of Council Bluffs; Robert; Al- len, a resident of Dunlap; Lillie, wife of George Clark, of Crawford County, Iowa ; Frank, (deceased); James and Benton,
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(twins). James resides at home and Ben- ton in Utah.
Our subject is a stanch Republican, and is a member of Shields Post No. 83, of the Grand Army of the Republic ; also a mem- ber of Golden Rule Lodge No. 178, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, is Past Grand, and has filled all the chairs in his lodge.
The father of our subject is still living in Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty- three years. The mother died in 1862. They reared a family of eight children :--- William, John A., Nathan and Daniel, (twins) ; Elizabeth, George, Walter and Elva.
The father was a farmer by occupation, and one of the leading citizens of the county in which he lives. His son, our subject, a "chip of the old block," when he came to this county only possessed ten dollars in money, a span of horses and a wagon, and a little household furniture, but to-day he is counted a well-to-do citizen.
P HILIP A. STERN, a clothing mer- chant at Missouri Valley, came to the place in 1868, and engaged in the clothing business on Sixth Street, continuing two or three years, when the firm was known as Stern & Altschuler, when they removed to Erie Street and there conducted a store until 1880, when Mr. Stern removed to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he is still engaged in trade as · well as at Missouri Valley, doing a busi- ness of about $60,000 per annum in cloth- ing and dry-goods. In September, 1891, lie opened his present clothing house in the Herm Block.
Philip A. Stern came from Prussia, Germany, in 1866, directly to Missouri Valley, and has been identified with the business interests of the place ever since. He is a son of Abraham Stern, of Ger- many.
Philip was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Altshuler, a native of Germany, in 1871,and their home has been Marshall- town, Iowa, ever since removing from Missouri Valley in 1880.
Mr. Stern is noted for his business en- terprise and sagacity, as well as for his liberality, in all that goes for the upbuild- ing of Missouri Valley and Marshalltown.
IRAM B. ENNIS ranks among the early pioneers of Harrison County, arriving as he did June 10, 1856. His father was a gunsmith, and ran a gun-store at old Calhoun, and remained there until 1877. The mother died at Little Sioux, in 1874, but the father lived until 1879, and they were both buried in the Little Sioux cemetery. Their family consisted of seven sons and three daugh- ters. Of this number our subject was the ninth child, only two of whom are living, our subject and a sister, the wife of Wal- ter Richardson, living near Mondamin.
Our subject was born October 5, 1844, near Dixon, Lee County, Ill., and at the age of nine years came to Harrison County, with his parents ; so his education was received both in Illinois and Iowa. After he was grown to manhood he en- gaged in farming in Calhoun and St. John's Townships. In 1876 lie gave up farm-life and removed to Missouri Valley,
Hewhen Mahony
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where he has since resided. He ran a corn-sheller for about three years, and was elected Constable, which office he has held continuously for twelve years. He is now the owner of eight handsome dwell- ing houses, which he rents. In political matters, Mr. Ennis belongs to the Demo- cratic party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 170, and has been a member of the Missouri Valley fire depart- ment for fifteen years. He was married October 8, 1863, in Calhoun Township, to Nancy Earnest, the daughter of B. Earn- est, a farmer living three miles north of Calhoun. Mrs. Ennis was born in Potta- wattamie County. The family came from Kentucky at a very early day. Her pa- rents are both dead. She has three broth- ers and two sisters living in this county, and one sister residing at Council Bluffs. Mr. and Mrs. Ennis are the parents of three children - Albert, born March 13, 1867, living at home, and is a railroad man in the employ of the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad; Harry, born February 22, 1879, living at home; Lewis, born in December, 1883.
Our subject is active in all that goes to- ward the advancement of Iowa in general, of Harrison County in particular, but more particularly is he interested in Mis- souri Valley.
S TEPHEN MAHONEY, (deceased), was born in Elkton, Md., February 13, 1809, and remained in that lo- cality until the month of April, 1850, when, in company with numerous other emi- grants, he, with his family, started for the far West, and in due time they reached
the Missouri River. They stopped at Council Bluffs, then known as Kanesville, their company numbering about one hun- dred and thirty in all. He had buried his companion about three months before leaving his old home in Maryland, but his family of eleven children started with him, one of whom, Lucinda M., died before reaching Council Bluffs. Mr. Mahoney, for his second wife, married Martha Bea- ver, in Council Bluffs, April 5, 1851; she was one of a party who started from Phil- adelphia to make the trip to Utah. By this marriage six children were born- Hyrum S., December 27, 1852; Benjamin F., August 20, 1854; John T., July 4, 1856; Margaret A., May 12, 1858; Elisha, October 18, 1860; and Saralı E., Septem- ber 2, 1868.
They came to Harrison County in the spring of 1852, and entered a piece of land on section 33, township 80, range 43, the farm that the widow now lives upon. They built a log cabin sixteen feet square and moved into the same before the puncheon floor was laid. They lived in this house, with one attached to it, until about 1858, and then built a frame house one story and a half high. Mr. Mahoney built a saw-mill at this time, which was the first one to cut lumber in Harrison County, and a large throng gathered to see the first slab, which some of the men carried off as a relic. People said when this mill was started, "Now we can have tables and doors." Prior to the saw-mill being started he had operated a small grist-mill, to which he added the saw-mill and a lath and shingle mill. Judge Jonas Chatburn, now of Harlan, Iowa, a sketch of whom appears in this work, was a part- ner of Mr. Mahoney's for sixteen years, both in farming and milling. They started the first mill (saw and grist) in the county,
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