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 71
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Politically, Mr. Stearns is identified with the Democratic party.
2 ELS PETERSON, located on sec- tion 20, of Allen Township, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty-one years. It was in the au- tumn of 1860, when he located in Raglan Township, where he worked for his uncle the first year. He worked for various ones for ten years in Harrison County, and then went to California and worked at farming and mining for six years, and then returned to Iowa and bought the farm he now lives upon, consisting of a quarter section of well improved land. Among the improvements he has placed upon his farm may be mentioned a good granery, a fine grove of trees, whose tow- ering branches doubtless, oft remind him of his native land beyond the sea. His place also is provided with an orchard of
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one hundred trees, which adds much to its value.
The man for whom this sketch is writ- ten, was born in Sweden, February 17, 1851, and is the son of Peter and Breta Christena Larson, who reared a family of seven children, our subject being the eld- est. They were named as follows: Nels, Carl, August, Gustave, Alfred, Elizabeth, deceased, and Emma. All of these chil- dren who are now living are residents of America, except Emma.
Our subject came to America when nineteen years of age, and from New York harbor came direct to Harrison County, Iowa. He was married Novem- ber 26, 1885, to Sylvia Streeter, daughter of Ransom and Sarah Streeter, natives of Vermont and Iowa respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been blessed in their home by the birth of three children-Julia, Eve and Alfred.
Politically, Mr. Peterson votes with the Alliance party.
OBLE W. YOUNG, a farmer living on section 5, of Allen Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1881, and first rented land in Monona County. That fall he sold his crop and rented land of John Dick, in Allen Township, and the next year bought the farm he now occupies, the same con- sisting of one hundred and thirty-four and one half acres of wild land, upon which he has put substantial improvements, includ- ing a good farm house 14x24 feet, good stables, cribs and hog house. He also set out a fine grove, and now has fifty acres under the plow, while the balance of his farm is in meadow and pasture land.
Our subject was born in Johnson County, Ind., in Angust, 1845. He is the son of Jesse and Sarah Young, natives of Indiana, who had five children-William S., Joseph - B., Noble W., Rachel C. (de- ceased), and Archibald A.
Our subject's father married a lady who was a widow, having formerly been mar- ried to Jacob Banta, by whom she had one son-David D., who is now a resident of Indiana.
When seven years of age our subject accompanied his parents to Iowa, and re- sided with them until he was ten years of age; then his mother died, and he made his home at his uncle's until he was about fourteen years of age. Consequently his school advantages were quite limited, for when fourteen years old he commenced working out by the month to support himself. After two years he went to Illi- nois, where he worked by the month for five years, then came back to Fremont County, Iowa, remained over winter, and in the spring went to Jefferson County and worked through that season. The next two years he worked in Illinois, after which he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Page County, Iowa, remaining on this farm until he came to Harrison County. He has always had to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and hence knows how every dollar's worth of his property has been made.
Mr. Young was united in marriage April 7, 1879, to Delia Stearns, the daugh- ter of M. C. and M. F. Stearns, native of New York, who reared a family of six children, of whom our subject's wife was the second child. The children were: Edwin D., Delia L., Mary G., Carrie, de- ceased, Parley C., deceased, and Henry M., deceased.
Our subject and his wife are the parents
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of two children-Vera A., born January 3, 1882, and Virnie E., October 11, 1885.
Not being fully satisfied with the con- duct of either of the two great political parties in this country, our subject be- longs to the People's party.
B ENJAMIN F. CROASDALE, a merchant doing business at Little Sioux, will form the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Bucks County March 4, 1837, and is the son of Benjamin and Agnes (Harding) Croasdale, both deceased .. They were also natives of the Keystone State, of English descent, who came to America with William Penn. Our sub- ject's early life was spent in Pennsylva- nia, where he received his education in his native county and at West Chester, Pa. He taught school in 1856 in Bucks County, continuing for one year, then spent two years in a lumber office.
He enlisted May 20, 1861, the month after the breaking out of the Civil War, becoming a member of Company C, Third Pennsylvania Reserves, in the Army of the Potomac. He was at the seven days' fight in front of Richmond, Bull Run, South Mountain, and at Antietam, where he was wounded, placed in the hospital, and discharged for disability. June 25, 1863, he returned to Pennsylvania, re- mained until 1865, and then came to Council Bluffs, where he was engaged as a clerk in a store until the fall of 1866, and then came to Little Sioux and clerked for J. B. Tabor for two years, after which he went into business for himself and con- tinued until 1887. In the fall of that year he was elected Auditor of Harrison
County at a closely contested election, in which he received a majority of forty-five over W. H. Wood, of Logan. He served in this capacity for two years, to the sat- isfaction of the whole county.
He was married June 1, 1872, at Little Sioux, to Miss Alice E. Hale, daughter of R. C. and S. (Basset) Hale. The father died in 1868; he came from Erie County, N. Y., in 1857.
Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale are the parents of two children-Inez, aged fifteen years, and Clara, aged eight years.
Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to both the Masonic Lodge and Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a Republican.
Upon coming to the county our subject was a poor man, having a very small cap- ital, but gradually advancing, by his own efforts, he is now comfortably situated.
C ONRAD WAKEHOUSE, a farmer residing on section 29, of Allen Township, came to Harrison Connty in the spring of 1878, and purchased forty acres of the farm he now lives upon. The place had some improvements, and he built a house 14x18 feet, with an addition ; also a barn and granery. He set out an orchard of forty trees, and has since added to his farm until he now has one hundred and twenty acres, eighty of which is under a fine state of cultivation, while the remainder is in meadow and pasture land, all enclosed by a good fence.
Our subject was born in Germany March 7, 1853, the son of Conrad and Catharina Wakehouse, both natives of Germany. The fruit of this union was
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five children-Martin, Phillip, William, John and Conrad. The mother and all the children are living in America. Our subject come to America when fourteen years of age, landing in New York, and came with his mother and brothers from that city to Indiana and lived there sev- eral years, and then exchanged the Hoosier for the Hawkeye State. He was married October, 1874, to Elizabeth Houshou, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Houshou, natives of Pennsylvania, who reared a family of nine children-Amanda, Reuben, Emma and William, Aaron, who died in infancy, Elizabeth, and Annie, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Wakehouse are the pa- rents of six children, named as follows : Amanda, John, Martin, William, Charles and Elizabeth.
Mr. Wakehouse is a member of the Lutheran Church, and politically votes with the Democratic party.
AMES W. MARTIN, liveryman at Woodbine, is a native of Harrison County, and was born in St. John's Township April 14, 1863, and re- mained on his father's farm until 1884, when he bought a farm in Lincoln Town- ship, the same being a hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, on section 8. He improved this land. and lived upon it for four years at the end of which time he traded it for a livery business at Wood- bine, which he is still conducting. His barn is 22x100 feet with an annex 33x50 feet.
Our subject was married March 20, 1884, to Julia Legan, in St. John's Town- ship, who was born December 25, 1864, in
Indiana, and accompanied her parents, when she was thirteen years of age, to Harrison County, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of five children - Vernia, Lester. Pearl and Baby, twins, the latter dying in infancy; their last born was Floyd.
Politically Mr. Martin exercises his right of franchise by voting with the Republican party.
It should be added in this connection that our subject's father was . William Martin, and that he died in the United States service.
G EORGE A. MATHEWS, of the firm of Mathews & Kling, agricul- tural implement dealers at Wood- bine, was born at Walworth County, Wis., April 26, 1843, the son of George and Fannie (Jones) Mathews, who died in Walworth County, Wis., in January 1843. George A. remained on the old homestead acquiring his education at the common district schools of the Badger State, and when seventeen years of age, went to Stoughton, Dane County, of that State, where he worked for two years for others, and then went into business with L. M. Kellogg, now of Missouri Valley ; they were engaged in the manufacture of brooms, in which they continued for about three years, when Kellogg sold his interest in the concern to H. B. Kling, our subject's present partner, with whom he continued until their coming to Wood- bine 1877.
Mr. Mathews was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Kling, a native of Wiscon-
52
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sin, born November 19, 1843, their wed- ding occurring April 16, 1867. Four chil- dren have blessed their home-lsarl, Clif- ford, Grace and Lynn. Earl died October 2, 1870; Clifford, works in the Postoffice at Woodbine.
In addition to the extensive agricul- tural implement and lumber business carried on by the firm of Mathews & Kling, they also operate a steam grain elevator (having a capacity of twelve thousand bushels) which they bought September 9, 1886.
P ETER J. SCOULAR, a farmer living on section 11, of Raglan Township, came to the county in the fall of 1891, and located on eighty acres of his present farm, which at the time was partly improved. He completed the breaking, erected a house 16x24 feet, built a barn, dug wells, set out an orchard of four hundred and fifty trees, and planted out an artificial grove. His farm now comprises two hundred acres, one hundred and forty being under the plow, while the balance is in pasture and meadow land. The whole tract is surrounded with a sub- stantial fence.
Our subject was born in Canada, May 28, 1850, the son of Thomas and Margaret Scouler, natives of Scotland, who had a family of six children, as follows :-- Jane, Sarah; Belle, deceased; Thomas, Peter, Isabelle. Three of these children live in America. Our subject remained in Can- ada until he was fourteen years of age, at which time the family moved to Illinois, where they farmed three years, and then came to Wayne County, Iowa. Here our subject remained until twenty years of
age, at which time the family moved to Putnam County. Mo., where they engaged in farming and milling, continuing for three years in that locality. We next find the family in Appanoose County, Iowa, where they remained two years, then moved to Wayne County, and from there to Harrison County.
Our subject was united in marriage in the month of July 1869, to Rebecca Dod- drill, the daughter of William and Amanda Doddrill, natives of Ohio, whose nine children were as follows-George, deceased ; James, Emily.deceased ; Rebecca, William, deceased; Reuben, deceased; Elizabeth, Daniel and Sarah.
Mr. and Mrs. Scoular have been blessed by seven children, in the following order : -Margaret, Isabell M., Thomas W., Amanda J., Anna B., Della, deceased, and James P.
Politically, our subject votes with the People's party. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
G EORGE W. SMALL, located on section 26, of Raglan Township, came to Harrison County in the autumn of 1879. The first two years he rented land in Taylor Township. He bought eighty acres of land in Magnolia Township which was partly improved, upon which he built a house and lived there for two years, then sold his place and rented land for six years, after which he bought eighty acres of his present farm, which was partly improved at the time.
He was born in Knox County, Ind., in October 1855; the son of Abraham and Catharine Small. The former, a native
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of North Carolina ; and the latter of Ken- tucky. They reared a family of thirteen children, our subject being the twelfth. Our subject remained with his parents in Indiana until twelve years of age, when the family moved to Otoe County, Neb., where the father took a homestead near the city of Lincoln, and followed freight- ing for three years. He was taken sick and compelled to give up his claim, and after living in the town of Wyoming, Neb., for five years he moved to Fremont County, Iowa, remained two years and then moved back to Nebraska, where he remained until the date of his death, March 26, 1878.
Our subject has worked for himself since thirteen years of age. He was married in March 1880, to Rachel Messer, daughter of William and Hannah Messer, natives of Pennsylvania, who reared the following children-Barney, Jessie, Elizabeth, Rachel, Polly, Caroline, Rebecca, Mentel L., and Hannah R.
Our subject and his wife have five children-Joseph, Myrtle, Bertha, George, and Abraham, deceased.
AJ. H. P. KIDDER, a resident of Morgan Township, came to Harrison County, in 1875. He is a native of New York State, born October 13, 1844, and is a son of John and Mary A. (Payne) Kidder, natives of the County of Kent, England, who came to America in 1842, and located in Pittsfield, Otsego County, N. Y., where the father engaged in farming. Our subject's early life was spent in the Empire State, where he obtained a common-school education. The parents are both deceased. They
reared a family of nine children, Salinie Elizabeth, born March 1, 1828, and died November 2, 1856; John S., born Febru- ary 20, 1830, now a resident of New York City; George T., born June 2, 1831, killed in the battle of the Wilderness, dur- ing the Civil War, May 6, 1864; Francis A., born December 23, 1832, died Febru- ary 9, 1877; William Samuel, born No- vember 15, 1834, now in Ono, Shasta County, Cal .; Mary A., born October 24, 1836, now married and living in Otsego County, N. Y; Phillip Edward, born June 16, 1839, a resident of Little Sioux ; Charlotte S. (Stenson), born October 24, 1841, now residing in Gilbertsville, N. Y. Our subject was born October 13, 1844.
When Mr. Kidder was old enough to venture out into the world for himself, he began the milling business, and was fire- man in a saw mill for one year, and sub- sequently learned the carpenter's trade. He enlisted, during the Civil War, in New York City, as a member of Company E, Sixty-ninth Infantry, and was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the following battles : Petersburg, Hatchie's Run, Jones Farm ; Richmond, Appomattox; and was dis- charged June 5, 1865, and returned to Morris, N. Y., where he resumed carpen- ter work, which he still follows. In 1875, he came to Harrison County, Iowa, and located on the farm which is a part of section 25, Morgan Township. He owns one hundred and one acres, all well fenced and improved. He carries on general farming and stock raising.
He was married November 23, 1868, to Miss Emma Jannette Mickel, the daugh- ter of Ira and Mianda (Johnson) Mickel, natives of New York State, but who now livein Mondamin, Iowa. Our subjectand his wife are the parents of two children,
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Gertrude, born February 10, 1871, and Anna, born February 7, 1876.
Mr. Kidder, in his political choice, affil- iates with the Republican party, and has been assessor of his township for seven years. He is a member of Post No. 103, G. A. R., at Mondamin.
OSEPH W. REILLY, deceased, of Jackson Township, came to Harri- son County in 1865, just at the close of the Civil War, and located on section 3, after having rented land a short time near Missouri Valley, of Robert Mc- Gavren. He bought eighty acres of land in Cincinnati Township, the same being county swamp land. Here they built a log house and made other substantial im- provements, and lived for about seven years, when he moved to Sioux City, and remained three years, at the end of which time he purchased the farm, his widow now occupies in Jackson Township. The first year they lived in a dug-out, and then moved into a log cabin, 12x16 feet, to which was added a frame structure, 12x14 feet. They commenced on this place poor, not having one dollar in money. From time to time, more land was bought until his wife now possesses two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twen- ty-five of which are under the plow. The place contains a good orchard, a barn, 30x40 feet, graneries, cribs, etc.
Mr. Reilly was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Edward and Susan Reilly, na- tives of Ireland and Virginia respectively, who had a family of seven children, three of whom are still living: Edward, Will- iam, deceased; John, Mary, deceased; Anna and Eliza.
Our subject lived in the Keystone State until twenty years of age and came to Iowa, at the commencement of the Civil War. He enlisted at Missouri Valley, un- der Capt. Acker, and served three years and three months until the war closed, when he was mustered out at Sioux City.
He was united in marriage December 25, 1864, to Margaret Long, the daughter of Patrick and Mary M. Long, natives of Ireland, who were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Thomas D., Walter, de- . ceased; Patrick, deceased; Anna, de- ceased; Bridget, Margaret, Julia and Walter, (No. 2).
Mr. and Mrs. Reilly were the parents of ten children-Edward, born July 7, 1866; Robert, September 13, 1867; Thomas, April 24, 1869; Eliza, April 22, 1870; Susan, September 29, 1873; Maggie, August 15, 1874; William, February 22, 1875; Burney, July 30, 1876; John, April 25, 1878 and Anna, November 7, 1880.
Our subject and his estimable wife were both devout members of the Catholic Church.
RCHER C. ROSE, located on sec- tion 14, of Jackson Township, came to Harrison County in the fall of 1876, and first located at Missouri Valley. He hauled wood the first winter, and worked for his parents, farming for about four years, then bought the farm he now occupies in 1880. It was partly im - proved, and he paid $20 an acre for it. He removed the house to another location, and built an addition to it; also built a barn, granary and cribs. He set out an orchard of fifty trees, and a grove of shade trees.
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He was born in Bradford County, Pa., November 1, 1853, and the son of Amos and Phobe A. Rose, natives of New York, who had a family of eight children-Will- iam N., Truman, deceased ; Alice, Archer, Emaline, Melvin, Ellam and Clarence, deceased.
Our subject lived in Pennsylvania until he was two years of age, and then his par- ents moved to Illinois, and from there to Iowa, when he was fourteen years of age. They lived at Independence, one year and then moved to Dakota Territory, where they remained nine years, then came to Harrison County.
Our subject was united in marriage in April, 1878, to Matilda Clapper, daughter of Mathias and Diana Clapper, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively, who had a family of eight children - Oliver, Saphrona, Emma J .. Matilda, Rebecca, Albert, Jeanette and Olinda.
Mr. and Mrs. Rose are the parents of two children-Gertrude, born August 3, 1885; Clifton, November 3, 1887.
Mr. Rose is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and has been Constable and Road Supervisor of his township.
C APT. GEORGE W. CHASE, Postmaster at River Sioux, has been identified with the inter- ests of Harrison County people long enough to entitle him to a notice in this connection, coming as he did, to the county at the close of the Rebellion.
He is a son of John S. and Diantha (Palmer) Chase,natives of New Hampshire. The grandfather was Isaac Chase, and his wife was Mary (Hunt) Chase, both na- tives of New Hampshire, but whose an-
cestors came from England. Our subject's mother's parents were Timothy and Elizabeth Palmer, whose ancestors lived in London. Mr. and Mrs. John Chaseare the parents of eleven children, our sub- ject being the oldest. Eight of the fam- ily still survive. George W.'s early life was spent in the Old Granite State, noted for its rock-ribbed hills and fertile valleys. Here he received his education, which was completed at the High School. In August, 1861, when New England was responding to the President Lincoln's call for more troops, to put down the Civil War, which had just fastened itself upon the United States a few months pre- vious, our subject enlisted in Company I, of the Fourth New Hampshire Infan- try as a Private. He was discharged from that regiment, and in August, 1862 re- enlisted in Company E, Tenth New Hampshire Infantry. Was elected Or- derly Sergeant, was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company A, then First Lieutenant of Company H, and finally Captain of Company F. Was first in the Army of the Potomac and later of the Army of the James. Among the engage- ments he took part in, may be mentioned Fredericksburg, Waterloo, Va .; the second fight at Fair Oaks, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Chapin's Farm, Proctor's Run and numerous other engagements, and was discharged June 21, 1865, at Rich- mond, Va., the capital and stronghold of the Southern Confederency. He returned to New Hampshire and in February, 1866 came to Chicago and to Harrison County the same year, and engaged at farming, which he followed for ten years. He was appointed Postmaster by President Arthur in February, 1883, and has held such po- sition ever since.
He was united in marriage April 27,
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1853 to Charlotte Bean, daughter of Dan- iel and Mary (Powell) Bean. The Powell family came over in the "Mayflower" and our subject's wife, is a second cousin of Daniel Webster. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have no children. Mr. Chase is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife is an Adventist. Capt. Chase is identified with the Republican party, casting his first ballot for John C. Fremont.
AMES WATSON JAMISON, M. D. (deceased), was a native of Ireland, and first came to this county in 1871, locating in Mondamin,. he being the first resident physician of the township.
He was born in the County of Armagh in the North of Ireland, May 13, 1845. He was the son of William and Anna (Bailey) Jamison, both deceased. The mother died January 21, 1860; the father October 26, 1864.
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Dr. Jamison. our subject, passed his earlier life in Ireland attending school there and finally graduated at Queen's College, Belfast, 1866. In October of the same year, the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on him at a public meeting of the Queen's University in Dublin. He also received a diploma from Belfast General Hospital, before coming to this country.
Soon after coming to this country in 1868, he began the practice of medicine in New York City, where he remained some time, and from there went to Columbia University, Kittanning, Pa., where he re- mained one year as professor in mathe- matics and natural science. At the close
of the year he again took up his chosen profession and after receiving a diploma from Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio came west to Yankton, S. D., and practiced one year, then came to Mondamin, where he remained, stand- ing high as a physician, and highly re- spected as a citizen.
Dr. Jamison was married March 11, 1872, to Miss Ruth A. Williamson, who ded shortly after, and September 28, 1874, the Doctor was married to Miss Lou Robinson, of McConnelsville, Ohio, daughter of Thompson and Rebecca (Lahew) Robinson, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia. Three children blessed - this marriage union-H. Stuart, born Jan- mary 25, 1875; Paul B., July 12, 1877, and Anna R., November 9, 1879.
The Doctor was a member of the Con- gregational Church, and belonged to the Masonic fraternity.
He died August 27, 1881, by accidental poisoning after conducting a post mortem examination at Mondamin.
L OWERY WILSON, of section 16, township 79, range 42, came to Har- rison County in April, 1854, and located on one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he held about three years, built a small house near the railroad and attended Reel's mills until August 17, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Twenty- ninth Iowa Infantry, serving ten months, receiving his discharge June 17, 1863, on account of disability. After coming out of the service, he was in no particular business, for one year, but then went back into Reel's mills again, where he remained until the fall of 1865, at which time he re-
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