USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume II > Part 2
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
sixty acres in Allen county, that state. His birth occurred in Farmers Creek township, Jackson county, Iowa, on the 28th of November, 1865, his parents being Perry T. and Mary (Welsh) Nabb. The father, who was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, there grew to manhood and then took up his abode in LaFayette, Indiana. Subsequently he lived in Princeton, Missouri, for a time but eventu- ally came to Iowa and here continued to make his home until called to his final rest on the 4th of November, 1892. He was a plasterer by trade and successfully followed that occupation throughout his active career. During his early man- hood he supported the democracy but in later years became a republican. It was in Indiana that he wedded Miss Mary Welsh, whose birth occurred near Terre Haute, that state. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: . R. C., who is a plasterer by trade and resides in Baldwin, Iowa; Sarah Elizabeth, Henry, Mary and Matilda, all of whom are deceased; William T., an agricultur- ist of Brandon township; Emery, of this review; and Amasa, who wedded Miss Meda Dubert and follows farming in Fairfield township, this county.
Emery Nabb obtained his education in the common schools of Jackson county and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of seventeen years. He then started out in life on his own account as a farm hand, working by the month until twenty-four years of age, when he began the operation of rented land and was thus identified with agricultural pursuits until 1899. In that year he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Brandon township and was actively engaged in its further cultivation and improvement for a period of ten years or until the time of his removal to Allen county, Kansas, on the Ist of January, 1910, He owns a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in the Sun- flower state and there intends to continue his career as an agriculturist. The prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own well directed industry and indefatigable energy and, though now a resident of Kansas, he well deserves mention in this volume as one who for many years was numbered among the enterprising farmers and representative citizens of Jackson county.
In 1888 Mr. Nabb was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary M. Shields, who was born in Perry township, Jackson county, on the 22d of January, 1871, her parents being John and Louisa (Myers) Shields. The father, whose birth occurred in Ireland on the 27th of July, 1831, was reared in England and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1849, when a youth of eighteen, he crossed the ocean to the United States, landing at New York city. After becoming a resident of America he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in this county and his demise occurred in Farmers Creek township on the 16th of December, 1896. His wife, a native of Germany, was twenty-two years of age when she emigrated to the new world in 1864. She still survives and now makes her home in Fulton, Iowa. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, namely: John William, who follows merchandising and farming in Fulton, Iowa; Mrs. Nabb; Mary L., who is the wife of Marion Hawyard, an agricul- turist of Maquoketa; Martha E., who gave her hand in marriage to William Carter, a farmer of Fulton, Iowa; and Minnie F., at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nabb have been born eight children, as follows: Charles E., whose birth occurred September 1, 1889, and who is at home with his parents; Oscar E., who died on the day of his birth-September 7, 1890; Theodore Edgar, whose natal
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
day was January 1, 1892, and who passed away on the 12th of January of the following year; Louisa Mabel, who was born September 13, 1894, and is at home ; Wallace and William, twins, who were born June 5, 1897, and died on the same day ; one who was born and died September 20, 1900; and John Perry, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 31st of July, 1907.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Nabb supports the men and measures of the republican party but at local elections casts an independent ballot, voting as his judgment dictates. He held the office of township assessor for three terms and acted as trustee for two years, while for three years he served on the school board. He was likewise elected to the position of road supervisor. Both he and his wife belong to the Church of the Latter Day Saints. They are people of genuine personal worth and gained an extensive circle .of friends during the long period of their residence here.
ROBERT E. WATTS.
Robert E. Watts has lived upon the same farm in Van Buren township for the past fifty-seven years and the success which he has gained from the care- ful conduct of his agricultural and stock-raising interests places him among the substantial and representative citizens of Jackson county. He was born on the place whereon he is now living June 9, 1853, a son of John and Hannah (Ashcroft) Watts. The former was born in England, August 18, 1810, his parents being James and Sarah (Pierce) Watts, who were also natives of the "merrie isle." At the age of ten he emigrated to Canada and after living for a short time in Ontario came into the States. For a time he traveled through the west in the employ of the Chouteau Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, and then returned to Canada, where he married Miss Hannah Ashcroft, who was born in England in 1818. In 1847, with his wife, he again crossed the boun- dary line and came to Iowa, making the journey from Chicago to Van Buren township by oxteam. In that township he took up a claim of government land, to which he added as he prospered in his labors until he owned three hundred and twenty acres on section 24. This homestead remained his place of residence until his death, January 15, 1893. His wife had passed away many years before, her demise having occurred in 1855. Six children were born to them, of whom Robert E. is the youngest. The others are: Parmelia, who became the wife of W. S. Kellogg and died in 1888; Melissa, who is the wife of Henry Garland, of Greene county, Iowa; Sarah, who married J. D. Overholt and passed away May, 1883; Sylvester, who is a resident of Mason City, Iowa; and a son who died in infancy.
Born and reared upon the home farm Robert E. Watts has lived thereon continuously since. He availed himself of the educational opportunities af- forded by the district schools, and subsequently attended school in Sabula and later matriculated at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where his general education was completed. Thereafter he returned to the home farm, of which he came into full possession after the death of his father, for he secured by
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
purchase the shares of the other heirs, and has since devoted his time to the further improvement and cultivation of the place. The land is now valuable and productive, the fields responding to his care in generous harvests which find a ready sale upon the market. In addition to growing the cereals most adapted to the soil and climate he is engaged extensively in the stock business, making a specialty of registered shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Nor- man horses. He is widely known as a breeder of horses and the fine animals he has handled have won him general recognition among the stockmen of his section of the county. Energetic and persevering in his labors and progres- sive in his methods, conspicuous success has crowned his labors and has gained for him a prominent place among the substantial agriculturists of Van Buren township.
On the 28th of November, 1878, Mr. Watts wedded Miss Apama Wells, a daughter of Seymour Wells, of Jackson county. Two sons have been born to them: Ralph N., who is at home with his father, and Seymour A., who wedded Miss Catherine Bartlett and resides near his father. Formerly Mr. Watts was a democrat in his political sympathies but recently he has given allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the Ma- sonic lodge of Miles, of which he is a charter member, and with Lodge No. 572, I. O. O. F., also of Miles. He is a man whose sterling worth and capa- bility have made him a valuable citizen, and he has the high regard of all who know him, being especially esteemed by those who have known him from boyhood.
MORRIS S. ROUND.
Although Morris S. Round is among the more recent arrivals in Jackson county, he has won for himself a place among the substantial and enterprising citizens and is highly esteemed in business circles because of his energy, deter- mination and reliability. He owns a valuable farm adjoining the city limits of Maquoketa and is extensively engaged in dairying. He was born in White- side county, Illinois, October 17, 1867, and is a son of Arminius S. and Helen (Adams) Round. The father was born in Richfield, Otsego county, New York, February 23, 1836. His parents were in straitened circumstances and at the early age of fourteen years he started out to earn his own livelihood and made good use of his opportunities to earn an honest living. He was still quite young when he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1856. The follow- ing year he entered a farm in Kansas, but remained there only one summer, after which he returned to the Empire state. A year later he went to Grundy county, Illinois, where he engaged in teaching school for two years, and thence went to Missouri. He was afterward in Memphis, Tennessee, and in 1859 he returned to Illinois, settling in Whiteside county. At the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to his native state and, thrilled with the spirit of patri- otism, he enlisted for active service at the front, becoming a member of Com- pany G, Thirty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
the battle of Antietam, being shot through the right lung in the first volley. Before he left his position a canister shot passed through his left leg. He lay on the field for twenty-six hours and the rebel line passed over him three times in charging and recharging, and when the fight finally ceased he lay midway between the two lines. Five months later, when he had sufficiently recovered from his wounds, he rejoined his command at Falmouth, Virginia, and was commissioned second lieutenant of his company, serving with that rank until mustered out of service June 30, 1863. On the Ist of January, 1864, he reenlisted as a member of Company L, Second New York Heavy Artillery, as a private, but was promoted to the rank of sergeant on the Ist of March. His regiment joined the Army of the Potomac after the battle of the Wilder- ness, leaving their siege guns at Washington and going to the front as infan- try. Later Mr. Round was promoted second lieutenant, first lieutenant and eventually was commissioned captain of the company. He was a brave and valiant soldier and officer, his reputation fully sustaining the honor of the fighting blood of his ancestors. His grandfather, Barthrum Round, was a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war with the rank of ensign. Enlisting in the north- ern army, Mr. Round thus fought to defend the republic which his grandfather had aided to establish, and well might he have been proud of his military record, for he did faithful duty on many of the hotly contested battlefields of the south.
When the war was over Captain Round was married, December 28, 1866, and located on a farm, where his remaining days were passed. He died in January, 1890, at the age of fifty-four years, and the community mourned the loss of one of its representative and honored citizens.
Morris S. Round, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, acquired his education in the district schools and in the Lyndon high school, with a commercial course in the Sterling Business College at Sterling, Illinois. Hav- ing arrived at years of maturity, he made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 3d of September, 1890, to Miss Adelia Ed- wards, of Jones county, Iowa. They began their domestic life on the old home farm in Whiteside county, Illinois, which Mr. Round continued to cultivate for seven years. In the spring of 1898 he removed to Jackson county and purchased his present farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, adjoining the corporation limits of Maquoketa on the south. He makes a specialty of the dairy business, milking from eighteen to twenty cows, and in his undertakings has been very successful, being now recognized as one of the substantial and influential men of Jackson county. He is diligent and persevering in his busi- ness and the prosperity which he enjoys has come to him as the reward of earnest labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Round were born four children, of whom three are living: Glen E., who is a graduate of the Maquoketa high school and now a teacher in the district schools; Helen Elizabeth, a senior in the Maquoketa high school; and Morris Leon. They also have an adopted child, Richard Paul. In his political views Mr. Round is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He belongs to Helion Lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M .; Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M .; Tancred Commandery, No. 40,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
K. T .; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Davenport. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take active and helpful part, while Mr. Round is serving as a churcli trustee. He is one of the highly esteemed and influential residents of Jackson county, at all times advocating public progress and improvement and giving his aid for the benefit of many matters of general interest.
JOHN S. THOMPSON.
John S. Thompson, a retired agriculturist of Farmers Creek township, was for many years actively identified with the farming interests of Jackson county and as the result of his capable management and untiring industry won the competence that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of March, 1830. In 1854, when a young man of twenty-four years, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, coming here by boat. While enroute, the father, William Thompson, fell a victim to cholera and died at Keokuk, his remains being interred in a cemetery there. The widowed mother and her five children then continued their journey, arriving at Belle- vue, Jackson county, in the month of April. The youngest of the children was a little maiden of but six years and the care of the family largely devolved upon John S. Thompson, who was the eldest son. The youngest son died while serving as a soldier in the Union army, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. It had been the intention of William Thompson to pur- chase a farm in this county and after arriving here our subject carried out his father's plans, coming into possession of a tract of four hundred acres in Farmers Creek township. He was identified with general agricultural pur- suits throughout his active business career and in the conduct of his farming interests won a gratifying and well merited measure of success. Following his mother's death he sold a portion of the farm, and at the present time is living retired, having gained a competence that enables him to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor.
On the 30th of June, 1859, Mr. Thompson was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha A. Sutton, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March, 1837, her parents being James and Martha Sutton, who made the overland journey to Iowa in 1851. They purchased a farm in Farmers Creek township, Jackson county ,and lived thereon throughout the remainder of their days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born four children, namely : Isaac W., whose birth occurred September 12, 1860; Mrs. Mattie J. Jewell. whose natal day was November 19, 1866; Mrs. Lillian Rockwell, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 19th of September, 1876; and James Tilden, who was also born September 19, 1876. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 29th of January, 1908, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
In his political views Mr. Thompson has always been a stalwart democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. While still living in the Keystone state he was the democratic nominee for the position of assessor and notwithstanding the fact that the township usually gave a large republi- can majority, he was elected to the office by a majority of nine. This was an honor which he highly appreciated as an evidence of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. Since coming to Jackson county he has acted as school director for several terms and has also held the positions of school collector, township assessor and township collector. In 1864 he was elected supervisor of Farmers Creek township and of the eighteen mem- bers who comprised the board at that time he is the only survivor. In 1890 he was appointed to again serve in the fourth district in order to fill a vacancy. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian. Having lived in this locality for fifty- six years, Mr. Thompson has won for himself an extensive circle of friends, and that he is most liked where best known is indicative of the fact that his salient characteristics are such as to gain him a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. He has now almost reached the eightieth milestone on this earthly pilgrimage and can look back over an active, useful and honorable life.
H. P. RYAN.
Washington has said that farming is the most useful as well as the most hon- orable occupation of man, and it was to this occupation that H. P. Ryan devoted his energies during the greater part of his business career. A native of Penn- sylvania, he was born in Mercer county on the 23d of February, 1861, a son of Patrick and Mary (Delany) Ryan, both of whom were born in Ireland. Coming to the United States, they first located in Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1862, which year witnessed their arrival in Jackson county, Iowa, where their re- maining days were spent.
Under the parental roof H. P. Ryan spent the period of his boyhood and youth, attending the common schools in the acquirement of a good education, and when not engaged with his text-books he assisted in the work of the fields. Amid the busy activities of rural life he learned lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance which served as a firm foundation upon which to build his future success. Reared to agricultural pursuits, his entire life was devoted to that line of activity with the exception of about five years, one year of which was spent in the butcher business in Maquoketa, while the other four years were de- voted to the performance of his official duties as sheriff of Jackson county. He not only carried on general agriculture on a valuable farm of six hundred and seventy acres in Fairfield township but made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, enjoying a very substantial income from the fact that both branches of his business, the raising of grain and the raising of stock, proved most profitable. His sound business judgment, his close application and his untiring perseverance all proved salient characteristics in his life record, and the success which he en-
HENRY P. RYAN
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
joyed came as the legitimate and logical result of well directed effort and in- telligently applied energy.
It was on the 20th of December, 1899, that Mr. Ryan was united in mar- riage to Miss La Maude Miller, who was born in Perry township, Jackson county, and was one of twelve children born unto David and Emma (Sisler) Miller. Her mother passed away on the 30th of March, 1906, while the father, who still survives, makes his home on a farm in this county. Since her husband's death her brother, Ora Miller, has assisted her in the management of the farm and to him is due in a large part the success met with in its operation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were born two children, namely: Roswell Morris, who was born De- cember 9, 1902 ; and Ethel Bernice, born on the 28th of June, 1904.
In February, 1908, Mr. Ryan was called to his final rest, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Preston, Iowa, and with his passing Fairfield town- ship lost one of its representative and valued citizens. He was ever deeply in- terested in all matters relating to the public welfare and cooperated in many meas- ures which had for their object the upbuilding and growth of the community. A stanch democrat in his political belief, he did all in his power to further the in- fluence of that organization in the district where he made his home, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to office, serving in the capacity of sheriff of Jackson county for four years. He made an excellent of- ficial, performing his duties in a manner most satisfactory to all concerned, and Jackson county profited through his efforts in her behalf. Fraternally he held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Maquoketa and also with the Knights of Pythias, of which organizations he proved a most worthy exemplar. He lived his life to good purpose and it was crowned not only by suc- cessful activities but by the unqualified esteem and regard of his fellowmen.
Mrs. Ryan continues to reside upon the old homestead and her excellent busi- ness ability is indicated by the capable manner in which she is conducting the in- terests left to her by her husband. The farm has been kept under a high state of cultivation and she is one of the largest stock feeders and raisers in Fairfield township, shipping on an average of ten to twelve carloads each year. She is a lady of good education, who began teaching school at the early age of sixteen years and was identified with educational interests in Jackson county for six years. She holds membership with the Rebekah lodge at Maquoketa and is a lady of many excellent traits of character who is not only popular with a large circle of warm friends but also holds a high place in the respect and esteem of all with whom she has come in contact.
EUGENE SULLIVAN.
Eugene Sullivan, whose demise occurred on the 10th of August, 1900, was actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson county for about a third of a century and at the time of his death owned a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Fairfield town- ship. He was a native of County Cork, Ireland, but emigrated to the United
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY
States in 1849, locating at Bedford, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the gas works for some time. Removing westward, he worked in the mines of Michigan for a year, on the expiration of which period he returned to the east. In 1867 he came to Jackson county, Iowa, and took up his abode on a farm of eighty acres which he purchased in Fairfield township and which was his place of residence throughout the remainder of his life. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced one hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and productive land. He won a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity in the conduct of his agricultural interests and was widely recognized as one of the substantial and respected citizens of the community.
In 1857, at Bedford, Massachusetts, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Dora Sullivan, likewise a native of the Emerald isle. Their family numbered ten children, five of whom are still living, namely: Joseph M .; Hanna, the wife of Rodney L. Smith, of Wolbach, Nebraska; Sarah, who is the wife of William Fleming and resides in Amboy, Illinois; and Dorothy and Elizabeth, who make their home with their brother, Joseph M. The mother of these children was called to her final rest on the 23d of April, 1883, while the father passed away on the 10th of August, 1900.
Joseph M. Sullivan was born on the old homestead farm in this county on the 17th of September, 1880. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and has always devoted his time and energies to the work of farming. In 1903 he purchased one hundred and fifty-five acres of land adjoining the home place and the following year took up his abode thereon. He has since given his attention to its further cultiva- tion and improvement and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the 17th of February, 1909, Mr. Sullivan wedded Miss Anna Riordan, of Chicago, who passed away on the 23d of March, 1909. He gives unfalter- ing allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, and is a Cath- olic in religious faith. As he has spent his entire life in Jackson county, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a young man of genuine worth.
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