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 89
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JOHN E. ADAMS, proprietor Maple Avenue farm, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, September 15, 1833, and is a son of Capt. John E. and Belinda Adams, they being natives of Maine and also pioneers of Ohio, where the subject of this sketch spent his early life and followed farming and the dairy business, selling milk in Cleveland for several years. In 1863 he removed to Putnam county, Ohio, and invested in wild lands and buying and selling stock, and remained there nine years, and in 1873 came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, and now owns 359 acres of fine land, a fine residence and improvements, having a beautiful location. He pays special attention to raising and feeding stock, and also breeds thoroughbred Short-Horns. He was married, December 1, 1859, to Jemima Powell, a native of Portage county, Ohio; she is a daughter of Henry and Cynthia Powell. Mrs. Powell, whose maiden name was Crooks, was the first white child born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and the second on the Western Reserve, being born in 1799. They had six children, three now living: Cora J., Ethie L. and Harry D. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Church of God.
MOSES ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, Cedar township, post- office, Solon; was born in Oxford county, Maine, November 2, 1815. When eleven years of age his parents, John E. and Sarah Adams, emi- grated to Ohio and settled in Cuyahoga county, where they lived eleven years, and in the fall of 1838 moved to Illinois, and came to Johnson county in April, 1839, moved into Cedar township the spring of 1841, and has since then lived in the township. He has, a fine farm of 366 acres and a comfortable home. He raises considerable stock and some thor- oughbred Short-Horns. Mr. Adams was married January 9, 1859, to Sarah J. Keislar, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to John- son county in 1851. This union has been blessed with six children: Cora, Mary, J. Quincy, Myron D., Otto M. and Harriet E.
CIPERIAN AICHAR, farmer, Newport township, post-office, Iowa City; was born September 26, 1827, in Wittemberg, Germany. Settled
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in Johnson county in the fall of 1854. He was married, November 4, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Englebert. This union is blessed by three child- ren: Josephine, Frank and Henry. He is a democrat in politics; voted against the amendment; is a member of the Catholic Church.
GEORGE ALBIN, Scott township, farmer and stock raiser; born in Harrison county, Virginia, in 1805. Moved to Ohio 1815, and in 1827 moved to Indiana, where he lived until 1842, when he came to Iowa and settled in Cedar county on Sugar creek, and lived there ten years; he then moved to Iowa City, and lived there three years, and from there he moved to Scott township, where he now lives. Mr. Albin was married in 1848, in Cedar county, to Miss Anna Messick, of Cedar county, daugh- ter of Geo. Messick, of Indiana. Has nine children living, five boys and four girls, three of which are married. Mr. Albin carried the first mail between Davenport and Iowa City in 1851. He at first carried it on horseback, and after he established a stage line and carried by team; carried it until after the C. R. I. & P. R. R. was finished. There was at that time but two houses between Cedar river and Iowa City. He afterward carried mail between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
IRA J. ALDER, was born July 15th, 1844, in Union county, Ohio; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Iowa City in September, 1863. Ad- mitted to the bar in January, 1869, and has practiced law in Iowa City since. Studied law under Judge W. E. Miller, of Iowa City. Left the State University and read law one year under the Hon. Rush Clark, and then went into Judge Miller's office. He was married June 8th, 1882, to Miss Julia Buttles, youngest daughter of the Hon. J. B. Buttles of Iowa City. A member of the Episcopal Church of Iowa City; a republican in politics.
SAMUEL ALLOWAY, a farmer, residing in Madison township, post-office, Shueyville. Was born July 20, 1849, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania; came to Johnson county in 1856, and settled in Madison township on section 33, and owns a farm of 120 acres of land and the Anderson stone quarry, in Jefferson township, near the Roberts ferry bridge. He built a new lime kiln with a capacity of 300 bushel. He furnishes the Amana colonies with lime and they buy their stone at his quarry. He was married July 20th, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Vonstein. They are blessed with four children: Samuel J., Francis M., George W .,and Oscar H. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a member of Penn Lodge No. 289, I. O. O. F., at North Liberty, and is a democrat in politics. The Anderson quarry was opened up 1862; it was first opened up near McCollister creek; it contains seven acres. Some beautiful fossil specmens are found at this quarry.
JACOB H. ALT, farmer, post-office North Liberty; was born April 19, 1813, in Jefferson county, Virginia; from there his father moved to Clark county, Ohio, where he died. In 1837 Jacob H. Alt went to Hen-
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derson county, Illinois, where he was married September 28, 1837, to Miss Mary Wein, daughter of George Wein. Their family consists of ten children, seven of whom are living: Sarah, Eliza J.,'L. W., Milton H., Charles D., and Arthur E. Those dead are, Maria, George W., and May E. Mr. Alt moved to Iowa in the fall of 1840 and settled in Johnson county, where he now resides, on section 17. His farm consists of 330 acres, well adapted for stock raising and producing crops of all kinds. On his farm is located the Wein burying ground. Mr. Alt and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Church, he being the class leader for many years at North Liberty church.
JOSEPH A. ALT, farmer, post-office North Liberty. The subject of this sketch was born February 12, 1817, in Jefferson county, Virginia; the son of Jacob and Mary Alt, from whence his parents, when he was only three months old, moved to Ohio, where he was raised on a farm. He came to Iowa in 1839, then a single man, and settled in Johnson county, where he now resides; on section 8, township 80, range 6. On the 25th day of January, 1848, he married Miss Eliza Kepford, daughter of John Kepford, and to them have been born seven children; six of whom are now living: Alice M., (wife of Maj. J. A. Pickler, of Muscatine), Albert J., Kate E., George J., Elly M., and Rolly H .; John W., deceased. Mr. Alt and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and are always ready to lend a helping hand in any good cause. A man well informed; and by his industry and economy, is possessed of a splendid farm of 218 acres. He came near being killed in 1840 while felling a tree. Has a splendid orchard, and everything around him to make home comfortable.
ROBERT ANDERSON, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1813, where he spent his life until 1855, when he came to Johnson county, and settled in Fre- inont township, where he now resides, and owns 120 acres of land. He has been married three times, first to Hannah Beazel, in February, 1834; she dying, March 1, 1849. The second time to Polly Budd, in April, 1850; she dying September 21, 1864. He was married to his present wife, Mary Dick, September 1, 1865; all three being natives of Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania; there is one boy, Charles E., by the last mar- riage. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1830, and a very hard and earnest worker for the cause of Christianity. He was one of the first to organize a church in the south part of this county.
LEVI ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1815. Was the son of Samuel and Mary Anderson. Was raised on his father's farm and educated in the common schools. March 2, 1840, he was married to Miss Permelia Clapper, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jacob and Mary Clapper; to them were born twelve children, seven now living: Mary E. Evens,
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William C., Susan, George C., Martin, Levi Jr., and Margaret J. He fol- lowed milling two years, and then farming in Pennsylvania, taught school in winter a term or two. In 1853 he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, first in Penn township; he then purchased 240 acres in Jefferson township, in section 21, 162 acres in section 22, in all 402 acres, where he followed farming and stock-raising until 1878, when he divided his land with his children, except 40 acres, on which he resided until his death, which occured August 13, 1881, aged 66 years, 11 months, and 26 days. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. Held the office of clerk, assessor, justice of the peace, and county supervisor from his township. His widow lives on the old homestead, with her son Martin. She was born May 10, 1819, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania.
GEORGE ANDERSON, farmer, Madison township, post-office North Liberty, son of John A. and Catharine Anderson; was born in Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1847. When he was six years old his parents came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where he was raised on a farm. April 12, 1871, he married Miss Sarah E. Green, daughter of David and Rachael Green, now residents of Cass county, this State. They have four children living: John E., Charles J., Iva M. and Fern O. Mr. Anderson owns 160 acres of well improved land in section 15, where he is engaged in farming and raising stock. He and wife are members of the Church of God, he being one of the present deacons; he is a Democrat in politics, and a strictly temperance man.
JOHN A. ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1823; was the son of Samuel Anderson. He learned the carpenter trade, and worked at that and cabinet making. While in Pennsylvania, June 22, 1845, he was married to Miss Catharine Hoover, daughter of John and Anna Hoover. To them have been born six children, four of whom are living: Ann, George, Joseph W., and Susan J. In 1853 he came to Iowa, and settled in Johnson county. He worked at his trade for ten years; from that time up to his death farmed most of the time, working some at his trade. He died May 3, 1879, aged 55 years, 4 months, and 7 days. Mr. Anderson was a faithful member of the Church of God; served as deacon several years; filled the office of county supervisor, township trustee, and other offices of trust. His widow resides in the old homestead, with her son Joseph.
GEORGE W. ANDERSON, Jefferson township, post-office Shuey- ville; was born in Washington county, Maryland, May 13, 1816. His parents moved to Burday county, Virginia, when he was quite young. When he was six years old his father died, and he went back to Mary- land. At the age of twenty-one he went to teaming across the Alleghany Mountains, followed that for four years. On the 3d day of August, 1843, he was married to Miss Delila Trout of Washington county, Virginia. To
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them have been born ten children, nine of whom are living: Albertis, William R., Sylvester, Oburn, Elizabeth V., Oterbin, Theodore B., George W. and Iowa. In 1848 he moved to Augusta county, Virginia, lived there until 1863, when he came home to Iowa, where he has since that time lived. He owns a farm where he resides in section three, also owns land in Dakota. He embraced religion forty years ago, and united with the U. B. Church, of which he is still a member. He has held the office of trustee and other offices of the township.
GEORGE ANDREWS, a citizen of Iowa City, born April 3, 1807, in parish of Keith, Scotland; came to America in March, 1841, and settled in Iowa City the same year in April. He was in the mercantile trade for a number of years, and in 1855 opened the Clinton House, that stood on the lot upon which now stands the stately opera house of Iowa City. He run that hotel about seven years and sold the hotel to the banking com- pany, and it then passed into the hands of Clark & Hill in 1866, and they built the opera house. He was married in 1830 to Miss Jannett Skinner, of Scotland. She died in 1855. They had a family of ten children, and those living are Jessie, the wife of H. Kelley; Robert, G. M., George L., Lizzie and John S. He married his second wife April 3, 1857, a Miss C. B. Barker, of Fredonia, New York, and by this marriage they have three children living: Frankie, Isabella R. and Charlie K. He is indepen- dent in politics, and an old abolitionists. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and retired from business.
O. ANDREWS, farmer, section 9, Graham township, near Morse sta- tion, post-office, Morse; was born in 1826, in the State of New York. Came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled in Newport township (now Graham) in 1854, and has made that same place his home since. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Sheppard, of Pennsylvania. This union is blessed with three children; one child married.
WILLIAM ANDREWS, farmer, Graham township, post-office, Morse; was born in 1849, in Pennsylvania. Came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled in Graham township in 1860. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Charlotte L. Morse, a daughter of E. K. Morse, an old settler and founder of Morse station in Graham township. This union is blessed with three children; two are dead and one living.
JOHN W. ANDRLE, saddler and harness maker, post-office, North Liberty; was born Dec. 6, 1856, in Bohemia, is the son of John and Chris- tina Andrle. He came with his parents to America in August, 1867. They reside in this county. John W. worked on a farm a few years, learned his trade in Cedar Rapids. He then came to North Liberty, January, 1881, and started in business. In the summer of the same year he bought of H. B. White, a half interest in a grocery store; he continued in this business, working at his trade until this last spring, he sold his
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interest in the store to Mr. White, and bought of Mr. J. F. Price his interest in the North Liberty steam saw and sorghum mill, known as the George & Price Mill, now George & Andrle, doing sawing and making molasses and grinding feed. He still runs his harness and saddle buisness, has a good trade, often employs two workmen. He is also of the firm of Andrle Bros., inventors and manufacturers of the three horse draft equalizer, which was patented 15th of March, 1881; which is said to be the best. He was married October 18, 1881, to Miss Katie B. Zak, of Cedar Rapids. John is energetic and we predict for him a brilliant future.
ORVILLE G. BABCOCK, farmer and postmaster, post-office, Chase; was born on the 16th day of May, 1822, in Springfield, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Is the son of Joab and Mary Babcock; he was raised on a farm. In 1842 he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county on section 32, where he now resides. May 14, 1848, he was married to Miss Julia A. Steele of this county. To them have been born thirteen children, twelve are living: John S., Mary E., Amanda, Alice V., Milton, Orville L., Ellen, Eleanor, William H., Charles W., James G., Daniel W. Mr. Babcock owns 600 acres of land where he lives, well improved and well stocked, with seventy head of cattle, 17 horses, sixty-five hogs and over 200 sheep. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a republican in politics, a member of White Marble Lodge, No. 238, A. F. & A. M., holds the office of township trustee, and is the first and present postmaster of Chase.
CHARLES BAKER, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the practice of law as senior member of the firm of Baker & Ball, office on Washington street; was born January 18, 1843, in Saratoga county, New Jersey. He was married in 1867, to Miss Caroline Blackwell. He began the practice of the law in Marengo, Iowa, in 1866, and came to Iowa City that year, at the May term. He was a soldier in Co. I, 4th regiment, Wis- consin volunteer infantry, enlisting April 15, 1861, and was discharged in 1865. He was in the secret service in command of a company of scouts the last year of the war; was taken prisoner and sent to Fort Tyler, Texas, where he was when he was discharged. He is a democrat in politics.
GEORGE T. BAKER, a resident of Iowa City, and the junior mem- ber of the firm of Tanner & Baker, hardware merchants, doing busi- ness on College street. Was born July 9th 1857, in Iowa county, Iowa. He graduated from Cornell College in 1879; came to Iowa City that year He was married march 27th, 1879, to Miss Clara J. Poole, of Ithica, N. Y. This union is blessed with two children, Ethiel and Geor- gia. He is a member of the College Society, called the "Beta Theata Phi." This firm is composed of young men of wonderful energy, good business qualifications, and very popular with all classes. It is evident that their united efforts are being crowned with success.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
WILLIAM H. BAKER, farmer, Monroe township; post-office, Homestead, was born November 26, 1826. Is the son of Squire S. Baker, one of the early settlers of Iowa, a native of Marion county, Ohio, where William was born. From there they went to Indiana, thence to Michigan, and from there they came to Iowa in 1837, and first settled in Muscatine county. Seven years later he moved to Johnson county, and settled in Monroe township, in section 20, where William now resides. On the 24th day of April, 1862, he was married to Miss Olive J. Barnes, of Johnson county, Iowa. To them was born six children, four living; Bertha J., Charles E., Myrtle E., and Grace M. Mr. Baker owns 188 acres of land, and follows farming and stock-raising; is a republican in politics; voted for the amendment, and is a member of the Evangelical Church.
MARION BAKER, merchant, Lone Tree; was born in Cedar county, Iowa, January 10, 1843. Is a son of Nathaniel Baker, who came to Iowa from Ohio in 1836. Martin Baker, grandfather to the subject of this sketch, was the first preacher in the central and western part of the Black- hawk purchase, and held the first meeting in his cabin in July, 1836, near where Rochester is now situated. Never before had the sound of prayer and praise broken the stillness of the forest, unless it was the songs of the birds that was offered as a tribute to the glory of the Great Architect. Marion's father being a druggist, he also learned that business, and has since followed it exclusively until the last few years. In 1877 he came to Pleasant Valley township and lived on his farm one year, but owned a store in Lone Tree in partnership with his brother, and moved here in 1878, and has since bought out his brother and is now carrying a fine stock of dry goods, groceries and drugs, and is also engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and still owns 130 acres of well improved land. He was married October 10, 1867, to Sarah E. Harding, of Keokuk, Iowa. They have five children: H. Ulysses, Carrie R., Proctor T., Preeda N. and Cecil H. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Reform Church.
GEORGE W. BALL, attorney-at-law, Iowa City, was born June 17, 1847, in Jefferson county, Iowa. He graduated from the Law Department of the State University of Iowa in the class of 1870. He began the practice of law in December, 1870, at Des Moines, and came to Iowa City in August, 1871. He was married January 1, 1880, to Miss Estelle E. Walter of Indianola, Iowa. He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City. He is alderman from the fifth ward, chairman of the finance committee, and takes a very active part in the welfare of the city. He was the demo- cratic candidate for judge in the judicial circuit and district in 1882.
JAMES W. BANE, farmer, post-office, Iowa City; the son of Robert and Sarah Bane; was born on the 11th day of November, 1839, in Mer- cer county, Illinois. His parents came to Iowa when he was two years
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old and settled in Johnson county, four miles below Iowa City, from there moved to the city and lived one year and a half; then moved to this town- ship, where they have lived to the present time. James W. has followed farming all his life, with the exception of three years that he spent in defense of his country. On the 5th day of August he enlisted in the 22d Iowa, under Capt. Robinson, company I. He was engaged in the follow- ing battles: Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, assault on Vicksburg, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. At Vicksburg he received a slight wound on the right shoulder; he also, while charging the enemy, in jumping a ditch fell and injured his back, from which he is troubled ever since. On the 28th day of January he was married to Miss Nancy A. Stewart, daughter of Robert and Anna T. Stewart. They have three children living: Mandie M., Burt S. and Earl T. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., also of the Legion of Honor.
JOSEPH BARBORKA, made a watch 18₺ pennyweight, in a solid gold ring, stem winder and stem setter, plate of silver, full jewel, a perfect watch, { of an inch in diameter and a No. 12 ring, the depth of the watch from dial plate base of works } of an inch, the same number of pieces as in any watch; was made in Bohemia in 1872. He made a clock that ruus one year without winding up but once in the year. He made the clock on Dos- tal's brewery. Mr. B. is a practical silversmith, and was born Sept. 2, 1839, in Bohemia. Came to America in 1874, lived in Chicago two years, then settled in Iowa City and opened a jewelry store on Dubuque street, No. 21; he also keeps organs and pianos. He was married, June 15, 1863, to Lydia Dusanek, of Bohemia. They have six children living: Augusta V., Thomas, Rosa, Joseph, Minnie, Bertie. He is a member of Kos- ciusko I. O. O. F. lodge No. 6; is independent in politics, and voted against the prohibitory amendment. Made a town-clock.
LYMAN BARTLETT, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 24, 1826, and is a son of Seth and Rebecca Bartlett. He spent his early life in his native county on a farm, and also worked at the carpenter trade. In May, 1854, he came to Iowa and settled on the farm he now owns, paying $2.25 per acre for it. His farm consists of 166 acres of fine improved land. He enlisted in company D, 24th Iowa, August 6, 1862; was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864, and held a prisoner until the following March. He was married, October 23, 1849, to Francis A. E. Clark, a native of Massachusetts. They have four children: William, Lyman S., Edwin and Frank S.
JAMES BEECHER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, Graham township, post-office, Morse; was born in 1832, county Cork, Ireland, son of Patrick and Margaret Beecher, of Cork county, Ireland. Came to America in 1856, and lived six years in New York; settled in Graham
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township in 1861. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Mary Riley, of John- son county, Iowa. This union is blessed with six children: three boys and three girls. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a democrat in politics.
JOHN K. BERANEK, Iowa City; was born May 9, 1842, in Bohe- mia, Europe. He came to America in 1856, landed in Baltimore, Mary- land, and came to Iowa City in October of the same year. He went to Oregon in 1860, and returned to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1866, and farmed there until 1869, when he came to Iowa City and engaged in business. He was a traveling salesman in 1877 and '78. He was married, March 22, 1871, to Miss Mary Vyvoda, of Iowa City. This union is blessed with three children: Premis O., Bozena B. and Libusa. He is a demo- crat in politics. He was elected alderman, March 5, 1877, from the third ward, and was trustee of Iowa City township in 1871, '72 and '73. He is now first assistant chief of the fire department. He helped organize the Protection Fire Company, and has been ten years a member of the said company. He is a recognized leader among his Bohemian friends as well as enjoying the confidence of a large circle of friends.
JAMES BERRY, a resident of Iowa City, and engineer of the State University ; was born in Ireland in 1824; came to America in 1854; settled in Johnson county in 1858. He has been engaged at his present occupation of engineer since he came to Iowa City, and has been the engineer at the State House for seven years. He was married Thanksgiving day,, 1856, to Miss Sisk, a native of Ireland. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Church of Iowa City. They have four children living: Daniel, William, Lizzie and Hannah.
A. W. BEUTER, farmer; postoffice, Solon; was born in Muskinghum county, Ohio, May 16, 1836, where he lived until 1848, when he emigrated to Iowa with his parents, Joseph and Anastsia Beuter, and settled in Big Grove township, where his father died January 24, 1873. Here he has spent his life, with the exception of two years he was in Missouri. He now owns 132 acres of fine land. Mr. Beuter was married May 3, 1870, to Margaret A. Williams, a native of Chester county, Pa. They have two children living: R. Wayne and Mary G.
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