History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 108

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980

USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 108

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DAVID TOWNLY; was born April 2, 1835, in Essex county, New Jersey; came to Johnson county and settled in Union township in 1859, on section 16, and began farming. He is a stone mason by trade, but carries on farming also. He was married in May, 1862, to Mrs. Bridget Welsh, of Union township. They have four children: Sarah S., Daniel, Annie and Mary. He was burned out once by a prairie fire, both house and barn, and lost every thing, but by his energy and industry has made fair headway after all misfortunes. In politics he is a democrat, and voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

PETER P. TRIMBLE, poultryman, post-office, Ladora, Iowa county ; was born in Tennessee, November 23, 1806; at the age of six he went to Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days, and came to Johnson county in 1842, and lived in Iowa City, and he and Wm. May furnished the lime to build the capitol building; the lime costing a little over $600. He lived in and near the city eleven years; he and his brother built the first jail in Iowa City. He has traveled extensively; having lived with his family in eighteen States; he is a cooper and cabinet maker by trade, and now owns a farm of forty acres at Ladora, Iowa county, and has been engaged in the poultry business thirteen years. He was married in Indiana, January 1, 1840, to Huldah A. McGuire, a native of Kentucky. This union has been blessed with ten children, nine living: Andrew J., William, Charles, deceased; Elizabeth, Nancy, Peter F., George H., Jane, Mathew, and Arthur.

GEORGE TRUMBO, publisher of Oxford Democrat; was born at Rockport, Ohio, June 3, 1844; at the age of thirteen he commenced to learn the printers' trade, and worked in the Gazette office, at Lima, Ohio, seven years; he then went to Van Wert, Ohio, and May 1, 1864, enlisted in company C, 151st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and received three wounds near Washington, and was discharged on account of being poisoned. He then continued in the printing business, and also engaged in the dry goods trade about a year and a half, at Beaver Dam, Ohio; he then sold out and came to Cedar county, Iowa, in January, 1869, and farmed one season ; he then bought a half interest in the West Liberty Enterprise, in Octo- ber, 1869, and continued in that office until January, 1875, when he sold out, and in October, 1876, started a paper called the Reporter, at West Liberty, which he published until November, 1877, when he removed his office to Riverside, and published the Riverside Times, then sold out and came to Oxford, and started the Oxford fournal, May 10, 1878, and con- tinued its publication until April, 1879; he sold out to Wilson & Tem- pleman, and January 26, 1881, he started the Oxford Democrat, which paper he is still publishing. He was married November 7, 1868, to Miss Martha W. Read, a native of Allen county, Ohio. They have three children: Jessie, Kate and Glenn, and two deceased.

COL. S. C. TROBRIDGE, a resident of Iowa City, living in a pleas- ant home on lowa Avenue, and the present librarian of the State Histor- ical Society. He was the first sheriff of Johnson county, and has held several responsible positions of honor, profit and trust. He has been a constant witness to all the important passing events in Iowa City from its infancy; he is a man of wonderful memory. He was engaged in the drug . business in Iowa City from 1846 to 1854, since which time he has lived rather a retired life. It is impossible to write the life of this old pioneer, his his- tory is so interwoven in all the early history of Iowa City and Johnson county, that hardly a chapter of this history can be written without his

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

being identified with some of its facts. We have urged in vain for a per- sonal biography from his own lips. He has always declined on the grounds that he did not desire to appear too conspicuous in history. He has lead a blameless life, doing all the good that he could, living honestly, hurting nobody, and always rendering unto everybody their just dues, and no person is under more obligation to him for kindness shown, than the historian of Johnson county. Col. T. is a republican in politics, and a prominent member of the Masonic bodies in Iowa City. Every Wednes- day and Saturday of each week he is found at his post of duty in the State Historical Society rooms on Washington street, obliging and atten- tive to visitors. He has always proved faithful to all trusts in his care.

NATHAN H. TULLOSS, M. D. The subject of this sketch was born March 24, 1826, in East Fairfield, Columbiana county, Ohio, and died in Iowa City, April 11, 1882. He was married April 1, 1847, to Miss Amy Williamson, of Fairfield. He settled in Iowa City, May, 1861, and practiced dentistry until his death. He graduated in dentistry at Phila- delphia, Pa., in 1860, and graduated from the Medical College of the State University of Iowa in 1871. He was the senior member of the Hawkeye Machine Works of Iowa City. His two sons, Frank and Ira, learned the machinist trade in one of the largest firms in Ohio, where they were trained into such proficiency that now proves their greatest pride. He bought the Jones foundry and established his two sons in bus- iness, and watched the development of the business with the keenest interest. He was eminently public spirited, active in all enterprises for the good of the city. He was for a long time a member of the city coun- cil, and of the city school board.

FRANK TULLOSS, a resident of Iowa City, and one of the proprie- tors of the Hawkeye machine shop of Iowa City. Was born Aug. 5, 1857, in Salem, Ohio. He learned the trade of machinist in the Buckeye Engine Works of Salem, Ohio. He came to Iowa City in May, 1861. He was married Sept. 5, 1876, to Miss Annie Cooper, of Iowa City. They have one child, Fredrick. He is a republican in politics.

IRA E. TULLOSS, a resident of Iowa City, and one of the proprie- tors of the Hawkeye machine shops of Iowa City. Was born January 10, 1855, in Ceder county, Iowa. Settled in Johnson county, Iowa City, in May, 1861. He learned the trade of a moulder in the Buckeye Engine Works of Salem, Ohio. He was married Dec. 9, 1874, to Miss Belle McMillan, of Salem, Ohio. They have one child, Carrie P. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge, No 153, of Iowa City. He is a repub- lican in politics.

EDWARD TUDOR, a resident of Iowa City, and interested in the pork packing-house, and other public enterprises in the city; was born March 6, 1825, in Wales; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in April,

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

1845, on Old Man's creek; has been engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing. He was married September 16, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Baxter, of Sharon township. They have four children: Mary J., Elizabeth Ruth, wife of Evan Rowland of Union township; Cyrus and Richard B. He is a republican in politics, and a member of the board of supervisors of John- son county in 1869; has been trustee of township, and secretary of the school board. He is a stockholder and one of the directors of the pack- ing-house in Iowa City. He is a member of the Congregational Church on Old Man's Creek.

J. C. ULUM, stock-dealer, Solon; was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 24, 1845. At the age of ten he emigrated to Iowa with his parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Ulum, and settled in Big Grove township. Here the subject of this sketch has spent the greater part of his life. He was in the army a year and a half and in Ohio two years. He is now engaged in buying, feeding, and shipping stock, which he has been engaged in for the past ten years. He was married in Ohio December 25, 1867, to Miss Helen M. Horton, a native of Licking county, Ohio. They have two children, Grant and Luella.

GEORGE ULCH, Cedar township, son of James and Lindmaley Ulch; was born in Bohemia, April 19, 1850, and emigrated to America with his parents, and came direct to Johnson county, and settled in Cedar town- ship, where he has since resided, and now owns 128 acres of land well improved. He has held several township offices, and the fall of 1881 was elected member of the board of county supervisors, a position he fills with honor. He was married October 10, 1871, to Anna Krob, a native of Bohemia. They are members of the Catholic Church.

ADAM UNRATH, a resident of lowa City, doing a general grocery business on the corner of Linn and Market streets; began business August 28, 1878. He is a blacksmith by trade, having learned his trade in Europe; was born February 15, 1830, at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany; came to America in March, 1852; landed in New York ; worked two years on the state-house in Columbus, Ohio, and came to Iowa City in the spring of 1855. He was married in October, 1861, to Miss Barbara Mel- fold of Iowa City. She died of consumption July 14, 1882. They had four children: Mary, John, Philip, and Frank. The family are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics.

JOHN R. VANFLEET, was born December 6, 1818 in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; died October 6, 1881, in Iowa City, of typhoid fever. He came to and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1839. He was married September 22, 1848, to Miss Ellen Smith, daughter of John Smith, who settled in Liberty township in April, 1840. Miss Smith was born Novem- ber 5, 1828, in Butler county, Ohio. Her father was born in Harrisburg,

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Pennsylvania. They had four children: Hattie, wife of W. E. Crum of Bedford, Iowa; Ella V., wife of H. M. Hadley of Davenport; Morgan M., married and residing in Bedford, Iowa, and Maude, a daughter residing with her mother. A democrat in politics; served his party in several offices of honor, profit and trust. He served as a member of the board of supervisors; a member of the city council, 1859, 1862, and 1865; served on the Iowa City school board a number of years. He was a Mason, and a member of the Christian Church in Iowa City.

PETER VONSTEIN, a resident of Penn township, post-office, North Liberty; was born December 28, 1819, in Germany; came to America, 1825, lived in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, until 1850, visited Johnson county, and bought some land and went back east, settled in this town- ship in 1SốS. He married April 5, 1858, to Miss Mary F. Roessler. They have four children: Hanie, Mary, Sarah, and a boy dead. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Penn township, and a demo- crat in politics. He has a fine farm, lives well and takes great interest in church and school matters.

JOHN WAGNER. The subject of this sketch was born 1795, and was eighty-seven years of age at his death, in July, 1882. A typical Ger- man from Allendorf on the Lawn, Germany. He came to America in 1856, landed in New York city; he had a family of ten children: two died in Germany, and John. Louis, Peter, Philip, Katie, wife of J. B. Schaedler, of Iowa City; Annie E., wife of J. B. Baumer, of Iowa City, and Antone. He was mayor of Allendorf twenty-one years, and a custom house officer for seven years at Meinz on the Rhine; he came to America to get lands for his family of boys, and lived to see all his children well settled in life. His daughter, Mrs. Baumer, was born December 11, 1842, in Germany, her husband, J. B. Baumer, was born in April, 1823, in Switzerland, and came to America in 1843; her first husband was Christian Haas, a brewer in Iowa. City, to whom she was married August 7, 1860. This union was blessed with two children: Hannah K., wife of Fred Grandrath, and Josie E., single and living with her mother; her husband died March 20, 1864; she married Oswald Swere November 28, 1865; he was killed at State Center, June 7, 1872, by a falling stone. She married Mr. Baumer November 28, 1876. By this union she has two children: John B. and August A. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church of Iowa City. Mr. Baumer is a Mason and Odd Fellow. He is a democrat in politics.

GEORGE W. WAGNER, a farmer, residing in Sharon township, post-office, Iowa City, a son of George W. Wagner, deceased, of Wash- ing ton township; was born May 24, 1859, in Washington township, John- son county. He was married December 23, 1880, to Miss Jennie Shaver, only daughter of Capt. P. E. Shaver, of Washington township. A democrat

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

in politics. The people of Sharon township made him a justice of the peace in 1882, and that in a republican township speaks well for a young democrat's popularity. He went to California in 1880, and after sight seeing a short time concluded to settle down in Johnson county; he bought a farm in Sharon township of 300 acres, upon which he now resides, and upon which is two fine orchards of about three acres each, a fine brick dwelling, a barn 30x80, and he built in 1882 a barn 38x76, and now has sufficient room for his farm products, and shelter for his fine Spanish Merino sheep, his Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. We can safely say he is a successful farmer, and not far from being a successful politician. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 149, at Dayton, Washington county.

JOHN P. WAGNER, a farmer, residing in Washington township, post-office, Frank Pierce; was born May 11, 1845, in Licking county, Ohio; came to Iowa in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Washington township, on the farm upon which he now resides. He was married Octo- ber 15, 1870, to Miss Carrie Van Meter, of Iowa City. By this union they have two children: Thomas M. and Ella J. The family are mem- bers of the Christian Church, at Frank Pierce, Iowa. A democrat in politics, and he is one of the successful farmers in Washington township, a fine farm with a splendid dwelling house and barn, and plenty of good stock of all kinds.

JOHN L. WALDRON, a farmer residing in Lincoln township, post- office, Iowa City; was born May 24, 1818, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; came to Iowa in 1855. He was married in 1844, to Miss Isabella Steward of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1856 his wife and eldest son were frozen to death on the prairie near his home in Pleasant Valley town- ship. While on their way home from meeting they got lost in a heavy snow storm, and Mr. W. got out of his wagon to find the road, and could not find his team again, wandered around and came to a farm-house nearly frozen. The party set out in search of the team and family, and found his wife and child frozen to death. Mr. W. had his feet so badly frozen that he has been practically disabled since. He has seven children, four from his first wife and three by his second wife. He married for his sec- ond wife a Miss Julia Kelley of Iowa City, in 1860. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, and all his family are members of that church. He is a republican in politics. He was elected township clerk in 1860, and held that office four years; he also held the office of school director.

HENRY WALKER, farmer, post-office, River Junction; was born in Portage county, Ohio, March 9, 1829, and is a son of James and Sarah (Barnett) Walker, who came to Pleasant Valley, this county in 1841. The subject of our sketch was the youngest of nine children, five boys

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

and four girls. He was reared on a farm, and early became accustomed to the hardships of pioneer life. In 1849 he took the gold fever and went to California with the company from Iowa City, being about six months on the road, driving four yoke of oxen to one wagon. He remained on the western slope four years, and followed mining, then started home with $2,600. He then bought 220 acres of land in section 12, where he now resides, and has, by industry and economy, been enabled to purchase more land, and now owns about one thousand acres, and has a fine brick resi- dence and a very pleasant home. He was married March 14, 1854, to Harriet McComas, a native of Ohio, she dying January 7, 1878. By this marriage there are two children: Laura, now Mrs. William Fairall and Mary, now Mrs. Charley Shelledy. He was again married May 15, 1880, to Miss Martha Sweet, daughter of David and Lydia Sweet, who came to Fremont township in 1838. He raises and also buys considerable stock, feeding during the winter, and generally ships his own stock to market, and is one of the most enterprising farmers in this part of the county.

JAMES WALKER, farmer, post-office, River Junction; was born in Portage county, Ohio, March 3, 1816, where he spent his early life. In the fall of 1837 he came with his brothers, Joseph and Samuel, to Johnson county, and settled in Pleasant Valley township, where they staked out their claims and each improved farms. The subject of our sketch lived there about eight years, then came to Fremont township, where he has since resided, and owns 200 acres of land, all well improved. He was married May 2, 1858, to Mary Fountain, daughter of John and Hannah Fountain. They have eight children: Henry, Jane E., now Mrs. Jerry Canott, John, Joseph, Ella, James, Daniel and Charlie.

J. R. WARD, physician, Oxford, Iowa; was born on the Isle of Man August 31, 1846, and is of English descent. He is a son of Francis and Mary A. (Wilson) Ward, Francis Ward being a Methodist minister, and engaged on the Isle of Man as local preacher and also in what is known as an "iron-monger." In 1852 they went to Texas, but only remained a few weeks. They then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and bought a farm a few miles from the city, and in 1856, came and settled in Madison town- ship, this county, Mr. and Mrs. Ward dying the winter of 1880. The subject of our sketch never went to school until he was thirteen years of age, having been taught at home. He then went to the Model School at Iowa City; then to the academical department of the State University three years, and in 1870, began the study of medicine with Prof. J. C. Schrader of Iowa City, and graduated at the medical department of the State University March 3, 1873. In 1874 he located in Oxford, and has been one of the most successful practitioners in the county. In 1880 he attended the practitioner's course at Chicago Medical College, and the spring of 1882 he attended a course and graduated at Bellevue Hospital

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Medical College, New York City, March 15, 1882. He is a member of Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, also of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, and of several other lodges. He was married September 30, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Doty, daughter of Lewis and Hannah Doty of Oxford, and has one girl, Clara Edith, six years old.

A. P. WALKER, the present mayor of Solon, Big Grove township; was born'September 26, 1854, in Tioga county, New York; settled in John- son county, Iowa, October 22, 1865. He was married March 19, 1859, to Miss Jennie True of Solon. They have seven children: Charles T., Mertie W., Iva F., George A., Jesse K., Martha A., Annie M. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and voted for the prohibitory amend- ment. He is a greenbacker in politics, and was their candidate for sheriff of Johnson county in 1881. He met with an accident in 1877, his arm being broken by falling from a loaded wagon upsetting.

JOSEPH WALKER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Pleasant Valley township, post-office, Iowa City; was born September 19, 1819, in Por- tage county, Ohio; came to Iowa and settled on Buck creek, in Pleasant Valley township, September 1, 1837, and took up the first claim on Bear Creek, the farm upon which he now resides, of 320 acres. His brothers, Samuel and James, took up claims near him, and lived upon them for eight or ten years. He was married June 25, 1850, to Miss Jane Powel- son, of Washington county, Iowa. They have five children: Mary, Henry A., Joseph L., Callie, Emma. He is a member of the Universalist Church at Iowa City, and a republican in politics, and voted against the prohibitory amendment; has held several township offices, trustee and school director. He is a stockholder in the Johnson County Savings Bank, and one of its directors. He is one of the Johnson county farmers who have made a success in life, and accumulated a sufficient amount of wordly goods to live comfortably.

B. P. WATSON, farmer, post-office, River Junction; was born June 3, 1816. His granfather, Samuel Watson, was a soldier of the Revolution from the first until its close, and also in the war of 1812. At an early age the subject of our sketch was left fatherless, and was the fifth of seven children, and when a little over five years of age he commenced work in a cotton factory, and only got three months schooling afterward. He worked there the greater part of the time for thirty years. In 1857 he emigrated to Illinois, LaSalle county, and followed farming, and in 1865 came to Johnson county, and bought the farm he now lives on of 200 acres, and has it well improved. He was married at Plainfield, Connec- ticut, September 4, 1843, to Miss Hannah Cole, a native of that state. They have one son, Chancey L., who is still at home, and has charge of the farm. He raises some fine horses and cattle.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

LEWIS H. WATSON, carriagemaker, Oxford, Iowa; was born in Ireland, January 16, 1835, and came to the United States in 1849, and the same year commenced his trade in New York City, where he remained three years; then went to West Chester and lived until 1873, when he came to Iowa, and settled in Oxford, where he has since resided. He was mar- ried April 8, 1856, to Louisa Stanton, a native of New York, but of English descent, she dying March 29, 1882, leaving five children: Annie M., now Mrs. Estabrook; Benjamin L., Francis L., Ella L., and William S. Mr. Watson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, A. O. U. W., and A. O. H., and is present assessor of Oxford.

PETER J. WEBER, farmer, residing in Union township, on section 9; was born March 3, 1828, in Prussia. Came to America in August, 1852, and settled in Iowa City, the same year with his father's family. He being the eldest was compelled to share the largest part of the respon- sibility of supporting the family. He was married in August, 1854, to Miss Rosa Schunka. They have ten children: Henry, John, Peter, Wil. lie, Mary, Annie, Lizzie, Frank, George and Eddie. The family are members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics, and has held several township offices at the hands of his party. He began life a poor boy, and now owns 370 acres of land in Union township, a fine orchard, 800 stands of Concord grapes, and plenty of all kinds of small fruit, good farm buildings and plenty of good stock of all kinds usually kept on a farm.

ISAAC S. WEEBER, a farmer and resident of Sharon township: post-office address Iowa City; was born Feb. 26, 1841, in Crawford county, Ohio. He came to Johnson county, Iowa, with his parents in 1847, and settled in Sharon township. He was married Dec. 25, 1865, to Miss Jennie Clark, of Sharon township. They have eight children: Net- tie, Lizzie, Artie, Carrie, Willie, Minnie, Annie and Walter. His father was born Dec. 30, 1806, in Germany; is still living, and with his son Isaac. Mr. W's. mother died in November, 1868. He has held several township offices, and is the present township clerk of Sharon, elected in 1882. He is a stockholder and director in the Sharon creamery, also the treasurer of the company. He is one of the successful farmers of Sharon township, and keeps fine stock. He has the only herd of Devonshire cows in the county ; a fine lot of Spanish merino sheep, plenty of Poland China hogs, and makes a specialty of fine horses, draft and roadsters. His horses are from an imported Belgian thorough-bred.

JOHN C WEISER, hardware, post-office Lone Tree; was born in Germany, Feb. 2, 1850, and came to America when about two years of age, his parents first living in Buffalo, N. Y., then came to Muscatine, where the subject of our sketch learned the tinner's trade, and had a tin shop, and in March, 1881, came to Lone Tree and put in a general stock

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of hardware and has a tin shop, and is doing a flourishing business. He was married Aug. 15, 1870, to Miss Virginia F. Freeman, of Muscatine, and have had five children, four still living: Lillie C., George W., Hattie May and John J. Mr. Weiser is a member of the United Order of Honor at Lone Tree.

WILLARD J. WELCH, a merchant on Dubuque street, proprietor of the "star grocery". Was born Aug. 12, 1855, at Oshkosh, Wis. Settled in Iowa City in October, 1878. He graduated from collegiate department of the State University of Iowa, in the class of 1875. He was married Oct. 23, 1878, to Miss Lillie L. Patterson, only daughter of the Hon. Lemuel B. Patterson, of Iowa City.

ALBERT WESCOTT, JR., resident of Scott township on section 16, and the owner of 220 acres of land; a farmer and stock raiser. Was born March 17, 1833, in the State of New York. At the age of fifteen years he went to Lake county, Ohio, and remained until the fall of 1854, when he settled in Iowa City, and for four years was engaged in the drug busi- ness. In 1859, he moved on the farm upon which he now resides. He was married in Scott township, this county, in 1866, to Miss Mary Par- rott. She was born on section 9, in Scott township in 1844. They have five children: Adda A., Minnie S., Katie E., Albert L. and Wallis.

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History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 108

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa. Number of Pages: 980

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980