History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 90

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 90

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ISAAC BEEM, the only hotel keeper in Tiffin, was born June 15, 1817, in Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio. He settled in Johnson county in Tiffin, in 1879, and erected the building in which he now resides, and has kept a hotel ever since. He was married Nov. 7,1839, to Miss Elizabeth Shineberry, of Knox county, Ohio; she died December 10, 1853, of con. sumption; this union was blessed with three children: William, who died at thirteen years of age, Mary R., wife of Rufus Stinger, she died of consumption August 21, 1870, leaving four children, Cora E., Elnora, Myrtle K., and Isaac N., who have been under the watchful eye of the

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grandfather and mother ever since. The third child of Mr. Beem, Miss Jennie M., married Charles Brooks, of Tiffin, Iowa, and she died of con- sumption May 27, 1876. Mr. Beem married for his second wife Miss Katherine Stinger, December 11, 1856. Is a democrat in politics, and voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment.

MARTIN BIRRER, a farmer, residing in Liberty township; post- office, Bon Accord. Was born November 12, 1842, in Alsace, France, [now Germany]; came to America in 1845, and settled in Liberty town- ship the same year. He was married November 12, 1867, to Miss Kris tenia Brockman, of Liberty township. They have eight children: Mary S., Romaine F., Agnes G., Frank P., Mary M., Pelayia A., Josephine C., Mary H. They are members of the Catholic Church at Riverside. Mr. Birrer is a democrat in politics; has held the office of justice of the peace from 1866 to 1874; was on school board from 1874 to 1881, and is the present township clerk.

T. H. BLACK, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 4, 1830, where he spent his early life on a farm. In 1858 he went to Coles county, Illinois, where he lived two years, then returned to Ohio, and in 1865 went to Peoria county, Illinois, and lived two years, then came to Johnson county, where he now owns 95 acres of land. He was married March 19, 1862, to Ellen George, also of Ohio. They have seven children: Mary R., William S., Milton G., Joseph R., Ida E., Alvin G. and Jesse S.

WILSON BLAINE, the present efficient Superintendent of the Schools for Johnson county, whose post-office address is Iowa City; was born March 27, 1848, in Jefferson township, Johnson county, Iowa. He attended school and acquired his education in Iowa City. He was elected Super- intendent and entered upon his duties as such in January, 1880, and has held that position continuously ever since. He held the office of assessor of Monroe township for six years; has been clerk of that township a num- ber of years; also secretary of the school board. He married the daugh- ter of Graham Thorn, an old settler of Monroe township. He is a demo- cratic in politics.

LEON BLOOM, a clothing merchant in Iowa City, doing business on Clinton street; was born January 3, 1841, in Westhoffen, France. He was a soldier in the French army, by draft, and served two years as a non-commissioned officer. He bought the last five years of military duty for $500, and came to Iowa City in July, 1864. He was married Oct. 20, 1874, in Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the firm of Hon. M. Bloom & Co., and is perfectly devoted to his business and helps to regulate and control the largest clothing house in Iowa City, and always keeps con- stantly in stock the finest line of goods in the market, and is gentlemanly. fair and honest in his dealings.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

HON. M. BLOOM, merchant, South Clinton St., Iowa City; was born March 28, 1833, in Alsace, France. He came to America in June, 1849, landed in New York, and finally settled in Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa in November, 1857, and engaged in the mercantile business in the same block in which he is now doing business. His first office was alderman from the second ward of Iowa City, elected April 2, 1860; he was a can- didate for Mayor in 1871, and was defeated by fourteen votes; was a candidate in 1872 and was defeated by seven votes; he made a visit to his native land in 1873, and upon his return from Europe was elected mayor of Iowa City the spring of 1874, by a large majority, and was solicited to be a candidate for re-election and declined; he was a candidate for the legisla- ture in 1875, and was defeated by C. W. McCune; in 1877 he was a candidate and was elected, and re-elected in 1879. In all the offices of honor, profit and trust that he has been called upon to fill he has been faithful and hon- est in performing his duties, and was always to be found at his post of duty. During his first term in the legislature he took an active part in opposing the repeal of the railroad granger tariff bill, and also, with Hon. George Paul, was instrumental in securing to the State University a per- manent annual endowment of $20,000, a thing often attempted, but failed. He was active in his opposition to the prohibitory constitutional amend- ment, and was a member of the committee on temperance, and a member of the executive committee of the state anti-prohibition organiza- tion. He was nominated for lieutenant-govenor on the democratic ticket at the Council Bluffs convention, but promptly declined. He was appointed on the committee to investigate charges of fraud against the warden of the State Penitentiary at Fort Madison, but declined, because it was necessary for him to be present all the time to aid in securing necessary legislation for the interest of his constituents. He has always taken a lively interest in all public improvements in the city, and is one of the leading and substantial financial men of the city. He is a member of the Masonic bodies in the city, also a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. in the city, being one of the charter members of Lutonia Lodge I. O. O. F. He was married in 1860, and his first marriage was blessed with four children: Benjamin, born 1861, and died June 21, 1882, of consumption, and buried in Cincinnati, Ohio; Laura, Addie, Edward; and by his second marriage there are four children: Julia, Blanche, Charles and Myra. He is a director in the Johnson County Savings Bank and a member of the executive committee. He is president of the Iowa Alcohol works of Iowa City; a member of the Board of Trade of Iowa City, and is a heavy stockholder in the new organization for loan- ing money and receiving funds in trust. Words of praise are unneces- sary; Mr. Bloom has worked hard and his efforts have proved a success, and he enjoys the confidence of a large circle of social, political and finan- cial friends.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

GEORGE T. BORLAND, a resident of Lucas township; post-office Iowa City. Was born May 27th, 1852, in Evans, Erie county, Penn- sylvania. He came with his parents to Iowa City, and attended the ward schools in Iowa City, and also the State University. He is a son of John Borland, and succeeds to the large landed estate and stock business so successfully established by his father. He was married April 5th, 1882, to Miss Smith of Iowa City. He was president of the Johnson County Agricultural Society in 1882. He is a republican in politics.

GEORGE J. BOAL, a resident of Iowa City, and a member of the Johnson county bar; was born Oct. 4, 1835, in Center county, Pa. He settled in Iowa City in 1857, and was admitted to practice law, and began in that profession in January, 1859, and has continuously resided and prac- ticed law in Iowa City since. He was married August 21, 1861, to Miss Mattie A., daughter of Judge Buttles, of Iowa City. He is a member of the Episcopal Church; a democrat in politics, and takes an active part in the affairs of his party. A man of acknowledged legal ability, faithful in his profession, and devoted to the interests of his legal business.

ABNER BOONE, a merchant in Kalona, Washington county, Iowa, but for many years a resident of Washington township, Johnson county, was born October 17, 1828, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He settled in Johnson county the spring of 1846. He was married Sep- tember 1,1853, to Miss Almira A. Simington, near Hollidaysburgh, Penn- sylvania. This union is blessed with six children: William, Marcellia, Mary J., Alonzo, Alford and Beimia, living; Arissia, Elanora, and Ida, dead. He is a Republican in politics.

JOHN BORLAND: was born November 5, 1806, in Manchester, Ver- mont; died January 8, 1878, in Iowa City. He married Miss Catharine Tupper, of Troy, New York, who died June 12, 1875. This union was blessed with seven children: Hattie E., wife of Dr. Sanford Huff, died February 22, 1863; John J., died in Chicago, in September, 1881; Sarah M., died December 27, 1856; Charles E., died January 24, 1867; Martha J., wife of Ernest Irwin, of Richfield, Minnesota; Catharine A., living in Chicago, and George T., living near Iowa City. Mr. B. came to Johnson county in November, 1856. His second marriage was with Mrs. Louisa Hoyt, January 31, 1877, whose maiden name was Smith; born June 26, 1829, at Madison, Indiana; her husband, Walter Hoyt, died in Iowa City, Febru- ary 12, 1869. The union with Mr. Hoyt was blessed with six children: Francis L., born October 9, 1849, died August 10, 1850; Albert, born May 8, 1852, died in August, 1853; Charles L., born June 10, 1855, and lives at Bismarck, Dakota; Addie B., born October 2, 1857, wife of Edward C. Finkbine, of Des Moines, Iowa; Frank W., born November 13, 1860, lives at Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa, and Nellie M., born January 31, 1867. Mr. B. was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Hoyt and wife

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. was a Republican in politics. Mr. Hoyt was a Republican in politics. Mr. B. and Mr. H. were partners in business for many years in New York State.

JAMES E. BOWERSOX, (deceased); Jefferson township. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 19th day of October, 1817. At the age of nine years his parents died, and James was thrown upon the world alone, "so to speak." He worked on a farm in the summer, and went to school in the winter. He learned the carpen- ter trade, though he never made a speciality of it. In 1839 he attended York Academy, then taught school. In 1843 he was licensed to preach for the United Brethren Church, by Bishop Erb. On the 9th of February, 1846, he was ordained elder, by J. J. Blossbrener. Having been received in the Virginia Conference in 1841, then in 1856 he was transfered to the Iowa Conference. On the 19th day of October, 1843, he was married to Miss Margaret M. Shuey, daughter of Jacob Shuey; to them was born eight children: Jacob S., Elizabeth, died August 20, 1880; William H., Clay, Laura, Markwood, Virginia, and James E. Mr. Bowersox was a man of unswerving integrity, loved and respected by all who knew him. He came to Iowa in an early day, and through his industry amassed con- siderable of property, which his widow and children own now; was school treasurer for ten years.

JOHN J. BOWLES, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the abstract, real estate and loan business, on South Clinton street, over Allin & Wil- son's book store; was born May 22, 1846, in Greenbrier county, West Vir- ginia. He moved to Ohio in the spring of 1863, and came to Osceola, Iowa, October 17, 1866, and entered the State University in 1874, and spent five years in the State University. He was married April 22, 1880, to Miss Emma A. Morgan, of Iowa City. A member of the Baptist Church of Iowa City. A Republican in politics. September 1, 1882, he bought J. W. Cone's abstract books, and is successor to his business.

JACOB BOWMAN, farmer, post-office, North Liberty; was born on the 6th day of January, 1814, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, is the son of Abraham and Martha Bowman. He was raised principally on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He learned two trades, those of carpenter and blacksmith. In 1836 he went to Louisiana, and while there followed bridge-building and carpentering, until 1838, when he returned to Pennsylvania, and went into the merchandizing business at Blosserville. December 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Giffin of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. To them have been born five chil- dren, four of whom are living: Martha J., Catharine C., John F. and Mary E. In 1846, he came to Iowa and settled in this county, where he has since resided. He owns 331 acres of land, including timber; his residence is on section 19; follows farming and stock-raising. Mr. Bowman was

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

among the early settlers here, and has by industry and economy accumulated considerable of this world's goods; is a member of the Luth- eran Church, as is also his entire family.

CHARLES H. BRADLEY, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1852, and is a son of H. W. and Emma Bradley, who came to Johnson county in the spring of 1856. Mrs. Bradley dying March 17, 1873, Mr. Bradley is now living with his son, the subject of this sketch, who has followed farming the greater part of his life, and now owns 40 acres of land. He was married January 28, 1880, to Alice Lovejoy, a native of Michigan. They have two children: Myrtle and Herbert.

STEPHEN BRADLEY, the present efficient district and circuit clerk of Johnson county, was born December 26, 1850, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He came to Iowa City in 1856, and in 1869 settled in Hardin township in John- son county, and engaged in farming and teaching school. A democrat in politics; was elected clerk in the fall of 1880, and was re-elected in November, 1882; his majority was 137 in 1880, and 1055 in 1882. He was married March 4, 1878 to Miss Mary Cusack. This union is blessed with one child, Mary. He was educated at the Iowa City high- school. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He has filled the offices of township clerk, assessor, secretary of school board, and treasurer of school board of Hardin town- ship. He has made many warm friends by his kind and courteous man- ner during his first term of office as clerk and the people spoke in his favor at the ballot-box by a handsome majority.

J. C. BRAKEL, blacksmith, post-office, Solon; was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1845. When he was one year old his parents, John and Margaret Brakel, emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Big Grove township, where they still live. Here the subject of our sketch spent his early life, and learned the blacksmith trade with his father. In 1867 he started a shop of his own in Solon, and is now doing a good busi- ness of a general shop, and keeps two and three men working for him. He was married February 14, 1868, to Miss Catharine Grover, a native of Iowa. This union has been blessed with five children: George F., Emma, Mary A., Nettie and Clara.

JAMES BRIDENSTINE, farmer, Madison township, post-office, North Liberty; was born March 5, 1829, in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania; is a son of Jacob and Sophia Bridenstine. James was principally raised on a farm. At the age of fourteen years he learned the trade of wagon-maker. March 1, 1851, he was married to Miss Susan Hoover of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born six children, five living: Sylvester J., who is practicing medicine in Nebraska; Martin 50

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C., John W., James S., and Elmer H. His wife died August 4, 1872. He was married the second time to Mrs. Mary J. Bane of this county. To this union have been born five children: Burton V., Minnie B., Nettie S., Walter L. In 1852 Mr. Bridenstine came to Iowa and settled in John- son county, on section 14, where he now resides; he owns 170 acres of prairie in Penn and Madison townships, 120 acres in Nebraska, besides timber land. He is a member of the Church of God; is a republican in politics, and voted for the amendment.

MICHAEL BRIERTON, farmer and merchant, post-office Windham; was born in county of Meath, Ireland, May 22, 1824, and followed farm- ing until he was twenty-five years of age. He then came to America and lived in the State of New York about three years and a half, and then in 1853, went to California and followed mining and ranching for three years and a half. He came to Johnson county in 1857, and bought property in Windham, and has since lived there, being engaged in the real estate business ; also kept a general stock of merchandise. He is one of the most influential men of Hardin township. He was married Aug. 11, 1857, to Ellen Dowd, a native of Ireland, and who came to America in 1850, They had but one child, Matthew, who died when small. Mr. Brierton is at present engaged in stock dealing, and owns 140 acres in this county, and 120 in Iowa county. He has served as township clerk for twelve years.

JOHN M. BROWN; the subject of this sketch resides in Cedar town- ship, and his post-office address is Solon. He is a farmer and stock raiser; was born May 18th, 1848, in Cedar township, Johnson county, Iowa. He was married August 16, 1875, to Miss Nellie Brown. They have one child, Mattie, born September 9, 1878. A republican in politics, a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Solon. He is a son of Edwin A. Brown, of Cedar township. He has a fine lot of Short-horn cattle; raises the Poland China hogs, and the Clydesdale stock of horses. He is one of Cedar township's successful farmers.

J. G. BROWN, stock breeder and proprietor of Cedar Park farm, Cedar township, post-office Solon. Was born in Erie county, N. Y., April 22d, 1818, and when about ten years of age his parents, John and Harriet, removed to Quincy, Illinois, and in 1839 he came to Johnson county and staked out a claim, where he now resides. He hadano means but a yoke of oxen; he commenced braking prairie at $1.50 per acre, in this way paying for his first quarter section of land, and by industry and economy added more from time to time until he now owns 1285 acres of fine land. His home farm of 900 acres is one of the finest in the State, beautifully located, well watered and splendid buildings, and has a beauti- ful cedar park of several acres. He is paying special attention to breed- ing thoroughbred Short-horns, and is the most extensive breeder in the

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

county. He was married June 15, 1844, to Amaretta Nicholson, a native of Ross county, Ohio, but having spent her early life in Montgomery county, Indiana. This union has been blessed with nine children, seven now living: Jennie H., born January 28, 1840, now Mrs. Craven Stream; Annette, born August 23, 1847, now Mrs. W. S. Beebe; Ambrose S., born July15, 1849; John W., born January 11, 1852; Lauren, born April 23, 1854; Laura, born September 12, 1856, and Jared, born July 5, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Baptist Church. Ambrose and Jared are in partnership with their father in raising and breeding stock.

E. A. BROWN, farmer, Cedar twnship, post-office, Solon; was born in Troy, N. Y., August 29, 1819, and came to Illinois, near Quincy, in 1831, that then being a new country. He afterward went to Warren county, and came to Johnson county in March 1839 and took a claim in what is now Cedar township, where he has since resided. Came here poor, and has by his industry made quite a fortune; he now owns 600 acres of fine land, with good substantial improvements, and raises consid- erable stock, making a specialty of good horses. He was married April 20, 1846, to Martha McClelland, a native of Maryland. This union has been blessed with four children: Edna B., now Mrs. Wilson; John M., Alonzo, and Cuyler, deceased. Religiously, he holds to the Methodist faith.

HENDERSON BRUNSON, a farmer residing in Liberty township, post-office, Bon Accord; was born March 10, 1836. He was married in 1852, in Ohio, to Miss Mary Jane Wellars. He settled in Johnson county in 1862. He is a democrat in politics. He never held any office and is liberal in his religious views, not being a member of any church.

ALEXIS BUSHNAGLE, a resident of Iowa City, and a baker by trade. Was born July 18, 1836, in Baden, Germany, came to America in June, 1862. Settled in Iowa City, and worked at his trade until 1864, when he opened a shop of his own on the corner of Linn and Market streets. He was married February 7, 1864, to Miss Katharine Moltale, of Iowa City. They have six children: Frank, Ellen, Cecelia, Louis, Joseph R., and Mara. Mr. Bushnagle is a democrat in politics, and voted against the prohibitory amendment. He is the owner of the fine ice cream restaurant on Capitol Avenue, near the post-office, which is pre- sided over by his wife and daughter.

W. F. BUCK, a farmer, residing in Union township, post-office address Iowa City; was born Aug. 24, 1826, in Germany, came to America in 1844, landed in NewOrleans. Settled in Johnson county, Iowa City, in April, 1844. He was a faithful soldier in the Mexican war, served in Captain Morgan's Independent Cavalry Company, the first company raised in Iowa, and he served three years and six months. He was married in 1851, to Miss Mary J. Thomas, of Union township, Johnson county. They are blessed with eight

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living children: Henry A., WilliamF., Ed ward O., Jane, wife of Mathew Howell, Elmer S., Charles S., May and Herbert. He is a republican in poli- tics; was a justice of the peace six years in Hardin township, Johnson county, and for sixteen years a justice of the peace in Union township, and served on the school board and as assessor and trustee of Union township, and was a member of the board of supervisors of Johnson county, for one term, and served on the last board under the law that elected one member from each township; he was sent from Union township, and in all of his official duties he made a record as an honest and faithful public servant.

E. W. BURGESS, physician, post-office, Solon; was born in Oakland county, Michigan, March 14, 1840, and spent his early life in that State, and attended school at Grand Rapids. He enlisted December 2, 1861, in Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry; was quartermaster of regi- ment, and also ranked first lieutenant; was mustered out in August, 1865. He then resumed his study of medicine, which he had commenced before he enlisted, and attended the McDowell College at St. Louis, and gradu- ated in March, 1869. Practiced three years in Jefferson county, Mis- souri, and came to Solon in August, 1875, and now enjoys a large practice in Solon and vicinity.

JOSEPH BURESH, farmer, Jefferson township, post-office, Shuey - ville; was born April, 1838, in Bohemia, Austria; came to America July, 1864; settled in Johnson county, in March, 1874. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for ten years, during all that time worked for the glass company in that city. He was married December 25, 1869, to Miss Mary Kahoun, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have been blessed with five children: Emma, Mary, Frank, Helena, and Caroline. Mr. B. is a democrat in politics, and has held the office of township trustee for five years. He voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. Since writing the above we learn that Mr. Buresh accidentally shot and killed himself while hunting.

MARTIN VAN BUREN BUTLER, a resident of West Branch, Cedar county, Iowa; was born February 14, 1837, in Henderson county, Illinois. Came to Iowa City in September, 1839; the family has resided here ever since. Served three years in Company F, Fifth Iowa Regiment Volunteer Infantry. Enlisted in Keokuk, Iowa. His father died in 1844; his mother is still living, aged 76. He was married January 30, 1861, to Miss Emily P. Brady, of Sigourney, Keokuk county, Iowa. They have had ten children: those living are: James, Thomas, Albertus, Henry, New- ton C., Cora, Elma, and Elizabeth. Mr. Butler learned the shoe-maker trade in Iowa City, with the father of our present postmaster, Thomas Ricord.

ROBERT W. BYINGTON, attorney-at-law, residing in West Lucas township, with a law office on the corner of Washington and Dubuque

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streets; was born April 3, 1854, in Iowa City. He graduated at the State University in the class of '76, and of the law class of '77. Opened an office and began the practice of the law December 1, 1879. He has been a member of the school board in West Lucas township; is a democrat in politics, and is the senior member of the law firm of Byington Bros., Otto A. Byington being the junior member; was born December 1, 1859, in Jowa City, and graduated from the State University in the class of '80, and in the law class of '81. He is a democrat in politics; he formed a partnership with his brother, Robert, July 1, 1881.

OWEN T. CALAGY, a farmer, residing in Hardin township; post- office, Oxford; was born March 22, 1848, in New York City; left there March 19, and arrived in Johnson county and Iowa City March 22, 1866. He was married February, 1873, to Miss Sophia J. Bradley. They are blessed with a family of five children; Julia A., John D., Owen T., James C., and William T. A democrat in politics, and voted against the pro- hibitory constitutional amendment.

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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 90

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