USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt counties, Iowa : together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 76
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Charles C. Coyle was born in Renss- elaer Co. N. Y., Nov. 5, 1829. His father, Daniel, and mother, Margaret (McAleer) Coyle, were natives of Ireland and came to to this country in 1826. In 1836 the fam- ily removed to Erie Co., N. Y., where Charles grew to manhood and learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1855 he emigrated to Iowa Co., Wis., where he resided until 1862, then came to Dakota, and engaged in blacksmithing, which business he still follows. He was married Sept. 25, 1851, to Matilda A. Franklin, a native of New York. They have one child living. Mr. Coyle is a member of the Roman Catho- lic Church. Mrs. Coyle is a member of the Methodist Church. He has held the office of coroner and justice of the peace two years each, and has always taken a prominent part in temperance work. He is an active member of the I. O. G. T.
A. D. Bicknell, attorney at law, was born in Westmoreland, Oneida Co, N. Y. Dec. 30, 1838. His parents were Rev. James
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Bicknell, who was born in 1795, and Rebecca R. (Brooks) Bicknell, born in 1812. Mr Bicknell died Jan. 24, 1884, in Oneida county, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He was a Baptist clergyman and preached for more than forty years. The subject of this sketch obtained his educa- tion in the common schools and at the Rome Academy, from which he graduated. At the age of twenty-one years he en- tered the office of Carroll & Ellwood in Rome, N. Y., and read law. In 1862 he came west and was admitted to the bar in Humboldt county. The year follow- ing, he went to Fort Dodge, where he fol- lowed his profession five years. He then returned to Humboldt, and has continued to practice law here since that time. In 1879 he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the Legislature, and in 1880 was mayor of Humboldt. Mrs. Bicknell was formerly Sarah A. Mills, daughter of Al- len Mills, of Westmoreland, N. Y. They are the parents of three children-Frank W., Clara R. and Charles M. Mr. Bick- nell is a fine advocate, and ranks high in the legal profession. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., SpringvaleLodge, No. 394.
William J. Taft, a rising young lawyer of Humboldt county, is the oldest living son of S. H. and M. A. (Burnham) Taft. He was born at Pierrepont Manor, Jef- ferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1855. When two years old his parents removed to Mar- tinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., where they resided five years. The family came to Humboldt county in the spring of 1863, where William attended the public schools until the fall of 1872. He then entered Humboldt College, and taking the classical course, graduated from that institution in
1879. He next entered the law depart- ment of the Iowa State University, grad- uating with the class of 1881. He was one of the ten commencement orators chosen from a class numbering nearly 100 graduates. Returning to Hum- boldt he engaged in the practice of law, forming a partnership with J. N. Prouty .. In 1876 he spent three months in Penn- sylvania, New York and Massachusetts. He was in Philadelphia seven weeks in attendance at the Centennial exposition as correspondent of the Humboldt Kosmos. He helped pay his way through college and the university by teaching several terms of school. In theory and practice he is a prohibitionist, using neither liquor nor tobacco. In politics he is a republi- can; in religion, a Unitarian. Nov. 15, 1883, Mr. Taft was married to Alice E. Tibbetts, daugliter of Thomas J. and Helen L. (Harkness) Tibbetts, who are prominent and enterprising farmers of Dodge county. Miss Tibbett was a grad- uate of the State Normal school at River Falls, Wis., and a successful teacher, which occupation she followed several years.
A. W. McFarland was born in the town of Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y., March 13, 1835, where he received a good education. After leaving school he was for a time engaged in mercantile business in New York city. During the financial crash of 1857, the firm in whose employ he was failing,he returned home and subsequently studied law with Judge Parker. His health failing, under advice of physicians, he went west in the fall of 1862 and was for a time engaged in teaching in Iowa Co., Wis. After being in all the western
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States east of the Rocky mountains he eventually settled in Humboldt county in the spring of 1864. In the fall of the same year he was elected clerk of the courts and clerk of the board of supervisors, and continued to hold the latter office un- til 1870, when the office of county auditor was created, to which office he was duly elected and continued to hold the same until 1876, when he entirely deserted political life and engaged in the practice of his profession. He has represented all railroads running through the county and has always resided at Dakota City.
J. N. Prouty, one of the leading lawyers of Humboldt county, was born in Brad- ford Co., Penn., Feb. 9, 1837. He is the oldest son of Jeptha and Jane (Wheeler) Prouty, who are the parents of nine sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living except one son. In 1856 they set- tled in Stephenson Co., Ill., where they engaged in farming and where they are still living. Mr. Prouty went to Illinois in limited circumstances,but by hard labor and good management has accumulated a competency, and is now among the largest and most prosperous farmers of that sec- tion. In early life he was an old line democrat, but affiliated with the repub- licans in the Fremont campaign, and has since remained with that party. The subject of this sketch was reared and received the foundation of his education in his native State, moving with his parents to Illinois when nineteen years of age. There he attended Rock River Seminary, at Mount Morris, two years, and Clark Seminary, at Aurora, one year. In 1862 he entered the army, enlisting in the 92d Illinois Infantry, company A, in which he
served until March, 1863, when he was transferred to the Mississippi Marine Brigade, company I, from which he was honorably discharged in the fall of 1864. Previous to entering the army he read law in the office of Bright & Brawley, in Freeport, Ill. After his discharge he en- tered the office of Bailey & Brawley, in the same city, and was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of that State, at Ottawa, in April, 1866, Judges Breese, Lawrence and Walker presiding. In Sep- tember, 1866, he married Irene Henry, daughter of James D. Henry, of Laurel, Ind. They have three children-Edith, Florence and Helen. Mr. Prouty con- tinued practicing law at Freeport until May, 1869, when he moved to Humboldt, Jowa. Since coming to Humboldt he has taken an active part in advancing the in- terests of the place financially, morally and intellectually, not ouly sympathizing with all movements in this direction, but being among the leaders in such enter- prises. In politics he is a republican; in religion, a Unitarian. Besides his large law practice he has an extensive real estate and abstract business, having the most complete set of abstracts in the county. His office, which he built ex- pressly for his business, is a handsome two story stone building, centrally located, with plate glass front and a large fire-proof vault.
Parley Finch, attorney-at-law and dealer in real-estate, is a son of James and Lucia (Johnson) Finch, and born Sept. 24, 1844, at Windham, Bradford Co., Penn. He was brought up on the farm and received his education in the common schools of the county. Mr. Finch commenced teaching
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school in 1862 and tanght several years. He commenced to read law in 1866, and in 1868 to study law with his brother, Ira Finch, and was admitted to the bar in 1871 at Waterloo, Iowa. In 1872 he came to Humboldt and commenced the practice of his profession. By close attention to business and uprightness in his dealings with the people he has acquired a large and Incrative practice and considerable property. Mr. Finch met with a very sad bereavement June 12, 1882, in the death of his wife, who was an excellent woman and one who was very highly respected by a large circle of acquaintances.
G. H. Shellenberger, attorney-at-law, is a native of Mansfield, Ohio, and a son of David and Sarah (Naile) Shellenberger, who were the parents of six sons and five daughters. In October, 1878, David Shellenberger came to Humboldt county, where he has since resided. He took a trip to California in 1849, crossing the Isthmus. He worked there in the mincs two years and then returned by the same route. The subject of this sketch was ed- ucated in his native State. He came to Humboldt county in 1876 and taught school the following winter. In the spring he became associated with F. H. Taft in publishing the Humboldt Kosmos, which he continued until 1879. In the spring of 1880 he attended the literary department of the Iowa State University, and in the fall entered the law department, from whence he graduated in June, 1881. He returned to Humboldt county and was soon after appointed deputy recorder, in which position he gained much useful in- formation. He has a full and complete set of abstract books of all lands and town
lots in Humboldt county. Mr. Shellen- berger is a young man of good moral character, reliable in every respect, and is rapidly gaining a position both honorable and profitable.
W. W. Quivey, attorney-at-law, was born in Coles Co., Ill., July 19, 1842, and is the son of Addison M. and Theresa (Olmstead) Quivey, who were among the very earliest settlers of Coles county. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom attained an adult age. Mr. Quivey was one of the organizers of Coles county, and took an active interest in politics and held several local offices of trust. In 1845 he removed to Dane Co., Wis., near Madison, where he spent a few years. In 1850 he purchased land near West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa, and there spent the remainder of his days. The subject of this sketch was eight years old when his father removed to Fayette county, where he spent his childhood and youth in attending the common schools. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 12th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, company C, known as the University recruits. He par- ticipated in the following engagements: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Corinth and Helena, besides several skirmishes und raids. He was wounded at Fort Donel- son, returned home on furlough, and spent a few months, after which he joined his command. In 1863 he was transferred to battery K, of the Missonri artillery, . and was discharged at Little Rock, Ark., in August, 1865. After returning from the war he attended school two years, fit- ting himself for a teacher. In November, 1867, he was married to Jennie C. Bab- cock, of West Union. He had charge of
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the graded schools at Auburn one year, and Clermont for four years, and in 1873 was elected superintendent of schools of Fayette county. In the fall of 1876 he went to Sumner, Bremer county, where he was principal of the graded schools. He was admitted to the bar in 1879, and in 1880 removed to this county, where he has since followed his profession. Mr. and Mrs. Quivey have had four children- Arthur L., Grace G., Clande, who died in 1878; and Mary Zoe. Mr. Quivey is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the A. O. U. W.
G. S. Garfield, attorney at law, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., June 11, 1856. His education was obtained in the common schools and at the State Normal, at Ran- dolph, from which he graduated in 1874, after which he engaged in teaching school. In 1876, he went to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he followed the same busi- ness, and also read law. In 1878, he had charge of the graded schools at Concord, Penn. In 1879, he attended the law de- partment of the lowa State University, graduating in June, 1880. He came to Humboldt in September, 1880, and formed a partnership with C. A. Edwards, of New Hampshire, who, on account of failing health, was obliged for a time to abandon his profession and return to New England. Mr. Edwards was a talented and agreea- ble young man, and during the short time that he remained in Humboldt won many friends. Mr. Garfield is a young man
of no ordinary ability, and by close atten- tion to business has earned a reputa- tion, of which he may be justly proud.
A. R. Starrett, one of the prominent lawyers of Humboldt City, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, April 14, 1833. His parents settled in that county in 1829, being among the first settlers. His father has lived on one and the same farm for fifty-five years, and still lives there. The subject of this sketch was educated in the log cabin school houses of Ohio, supple- mented by a course of instruction in Hiram College, where he well remembers reciting lessons to James A. Garfield. When twenty years old he commenced reading law in the office of Judge William Ball, of Zanesville, Ohio, where he studied hard for two years. He then abandoned temporarily the pursuit of law and en- gaged in farming and other pursuits. In 1869 he went to Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa, and resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. Mr. Starrett was married to Eliza Wood, of Detroit, Mich., in 1874, by whom he had three children. In 1882 be settled in Hum- boldt City, where he has since been en- gaged in the practice of law and dealing in real estate. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. During the war he held a commission as captain of a militia company in Ohio, and was engaged as such in a skirmish with the guerrilla, John Morgan, and his men, while they were raiding Ohio.
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CHAPTER XI.
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
It is the general impression that no | post; and again, as the steady tread of ap- community could well get along without proaching death is heard, while the eyes dim, and the clammy mantle of that awful messenger covers its victim, carrying the humble life into the great blaze of eternity, the physician is still there, ex- erting his utmost knowledge to prolong the spark or to ease the suffering. God bless the physician-if honest and sincere he is a blessing to the world. physicians, and the impression is well founded, although in one sense a little exaggerated. Yet it would be trying and sorry work for any community to attempt to get along entirely without the aid of those who have made the work of healing, curing and administering comfort to the afflicted and allaying their suffering, a life study and a life object. Their worth, when they are needed, is not measured by dollars. Their long years of study, pre -. paring for emergencies where life and death are struggling for supremacy at such times, are above value.
The physician, associated as he is with life and death, is a subject for study. He is present when members of the human race are ushered into existence, allaying pains, lessening danger; is also there at the bed of the child as it grows upward, and expands toward manhood or woman- hood, warding off disease, sustaining the health, and conquering deformities; at middle age he is present, for, along life's pathway are strewn for all, a large share of the ills that flesh is heir to; and while old age has set in, and the once rosy youth or maiden passes rapidly down the plane of declining life, as grandma's and grandpa's, the physician is still at his
As to progress, the medical world has made wonderful strides, and, in the future, will undoubtedly keep up its onward march. In this respect, that able man Prof. I. H. Stearns, health officer of Mil- waukee, and for many years surgeon of the Soldiers' Home, at that place, once said: "It is doubtful whether it is won- derful that medical doctrine has advanced the way it has, in the past fifty years, or stupidity that the advancement was not made years ago. * * * *
* * For instance, years ago-but while the practice of medicine was as old as Rome-the discovery was made that boiled oil was not good for gun and pistol shot wounds. What a discovery! It is handed down to us that on a certain bat- tle field the surgeon ran out of boiled oil, and so as not to discourage his patients he used cold water, pretending it was oil. It is not strange to us that the water patients
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speedily recovered with little pain, while the oil patients, if they recovered at all, did so in spite of the oil." Prof. Stearns continued at length, relating the present mode of treating a fever, the giving of plenty of water, which, but a few years ago was absolutely forbidden, and many others which would be of in- terest, but space forbids.
As one of the earliest settlers of Hum- boldt county, the first physician, and a prominent citizen, the name of Dr. Dear- man Williams claims a place in this His- tory. The subject of this biographical sketch was born near Mt. Pleasant, Jef- ferson Co., Ohio, according to "family record," Nov. 12, 1804. His parents, Richard and Sarah (Stanton) Williams, came to Ohio from Newberne, N. C., in the year 1802, and settled at the place already given as his birthplace. He had five brothers and five sisters. Two sisters and one brother still survive him. Thronghı his mother he was related to the great War Secretary Stanton, she being a sister to Dr. David Stanton, Secretary Stanton's father. In their childhood they often played together, being not far from the same age. Circumstances, however, kept them apart for a number of years, until some time · after they were settled in business, when they accidentally met in the following manner: "Dr. Williams had been down the Ohio river on business, and was return- ing on one of the river steamboats. It was at a time when great political questions were being agitated between the North and South, and the doctor became en- gaged in conversation with a prominent Southern politician. As they talked an- other gentleman sat by, apparently very
much interested in the discussion. So absorbed was the doctor in the topics under consideration, that he failed to no- tice when they neared his landing-place, Wellsville, and the boat swept past with- out the usual warning. When he awoke to a sense of the situation, he found him- self some distance on the way to the next landing, at which place the captain, a Southern sympathizer, proposed to stop with him. While he was talking with the captain, urging the necessity of his being landed at the proper place, and claiming that no signal was given, the gentleman who had been the attentive listener before referred to stepped up, and speaking like one who knew what he was talking about, told the captain he must land the gentleman at Wellaville, or it would be the worse for him, as he had not given the lawful signal, and conse- quently would be liable to prosecution for damages. Thus persuaded, the captain seemed to think best to turn about and land at the proper place. As Dr. Williams gratefully offered his hand at parting he asked the gentleman's name. "My name," said he, "is Edwin M. Stanton." "And mine," said the doctor, is "Dearman Wil- liams, so we are cousins." In the spring of 1812 his father moved from Jefferson to Clark county, settling in a new home near where Massilon stands. They arrived there the day war was declared between England and the United States. Among his childhood's recollections were inci- dents connected with that war. Reinforce- ments of Hull's army passed in sight of his father's cabin, and after the treach- erous surrender of that general,and at the close of the war, several of the straggling
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soldiers,on their way home, sick,tired and hungry, called for refreshments and to rest. He, with the rest of his father's family, heard the sound of the cannon in Perry's battle on the Erie. They supposed at the time it was thunder, yet wondered at it,as there were no thunder clouds visible. He was brought up to farming, which occu- pation he followed until about the year 1825, when he commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Benjamin Stanton, of Salem, Ohio. He finished his medical course, and was examined by, and received a diploma or certificate from Stark county Medical Board at Canton, Ohio, in the year 1828. This board was legally authorized to grant certificates or license to practice, before the founding of medical colleges in that State. Accord- ing to the testimony of many, he passed an excellent examination, graduating with honors. In the common branches he was almost entirely self-taught; educational ad- vantages being quite limited in those days. Hle never attended sehool but six months in his life. He had a deep, comprehen- sive mind, his intelectual powers were above ordinary, and his memory unus- ually accurate and tenacious. He com- menced the practice of medicine at Pennsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, in a few months after his graduation, where he be established an excellent practice, and made miny strong and firm friends. He was married to Mary Farmer, danghter of John and Mary Farmer, of Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, at Sandy Spring, Mo., "Meeting of Friends," Nov. 27, 1830. His wife was a superior woman, a true helpmeet, and a faithful and loving com- panion until her death, which occurred
Oct. 4, 1851, in the forty-third year of her age. Although he survived her six- teen years, he always felt her loss very deeply. In a tribute to her memory, written soon after her death, appears the following:
" She's gone! she's gone! and I am left alone, To tread life's weary road,
Where briars and thorns are thickly strewn, I bear my heavy load.
"Alone! alone! but not for her, 'Tis for myself I mourn,
And for those babes and children dear, To whom she'll ne'er return."
Both himself and wife were birthright members of the Society of Friends, and 80 remained during their lives. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters. John F., the oldest, whose name appeared among the very earliest settlers of this county, has been for a number of years in the employ of the Government at Darlington, Indian Ter., Cheyenne and Arrapahoe Agency. Ben- jamin, the second son, also one of the early settlers here, went during the great rush to Colorado in 1859-60, to that "land of gold," and on his way home enlisted in the army for putting down the rebel- ion, in 1861. Ile belonged to company B, 5th Iowa Cavalry. He served during the first three years, then enlisted for three years more, or to the end of the war. Soon after he re-enlisted, he was taken prisoner by the rebels near Atlanta, Ga., having gone there with Sherman, in his "march to the sea." After enduring the horrors of those loathsome prisons for six months he came home, barely escap- ing with his life. For a number of years he has resided in the Pan Handle of Texas; cattle raising being his business.
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James, the third son, whose boyhood days were spent in this county, also served a short time in the late war. He served also a number of years as minister and presiding elder, in connection with the Northwest Conference of the M. E. Church, and was sent by that Conference as superintendent of the Methodist Mis- sion in the Black Hills, Dak. Ter., in 1876, where he still remains. Edwin F., the youngest, who spent many of his early years here, went when quite young to Kentucky to acquire a knowledge of on- gineering. He was always of a mechan- ical and inventive turn of mind, and soon became a successful engineer. He fol- lowed that business a number of years, in connection with the mines in Colorado, and while there invented a clutch for doing away with pulleys, which was ex- hibited at the Centennial exhibition. He is now in Philadelphia, Penn., in mechan- ical business. Rebecca P. Gidley, the oldest daughter, has been, since 1855, a resident of Marshall and Winnesliek counties, in this state. Sarah W. Collins, was, with her husband, T. E. Collins, one of the earliest settlers in this county, and is known to many of its residents. Kate A. Collins, who many of the older set- tlers will remember, resides with her hus- band, Rev. M. D. Collins, in Corning, Adams Co., Iowa. Their marriage was among the earliest in the county. Mary E., the youngest daughter, died of heart disease at the house of Hiram Flemming, near Lott's Creek, March 23, 1863, in her twenty-first year. She was a sweet,amia- ble girl, a faithful Christian, and beloved by all who knew her. Her early death was mourned by many. To her father, es-
pecially, it was an irreparable loss. After this digression, we will return to the prin- cipal subject of this sketch. Intending to quit the practice of medicine, which was wearing on his health, Dr. Williams left Pennsville in the year 1843, going to Sa- lineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio. There, with his brother-in-law, James Farmer, he engaged for a time in a woolen factory and oil mill, but this not proving a finan- cial success, he removed, in 1850, to Me- chanicstown, Carroll Co., Ohio, again en- tering into practice, in partnership with Dr. J. Lindsay. It was at this place in the following year that his wife died, and in 1852 he removed with his family to Lew- isburg, Champaign Co., Ohio, not far from the place where his brother, Asa Williams, had settled many years before. There he followed farming on a small scale, and also practiced some; but his health again failing, he determined to abandon the medical practice altogether; and in order to do so, concluded to emi- grate to a new country, where he would not be known as a physician. Three of his children had already come to Iowa, and settled near Bangor, Marshall county, and in the spring of 1855 he, with the re- mainder of his family, moved in wagons to the same place, from which place in the fall of 1856 he came to this county and settled near the mouth of Lott's creek, on the place now occupied by Mr. Goddard, having purchased of the Government a quarter section of land, on a part of which the town of Livermore now stands.
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