USA > Iowa > Lucas County > History of Lucas County, Iowa containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc > Part 74
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McFARLAND, JAMES H., post-office, Chariton. Born April 24, 1840, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. When only six months old, he moved with his parents to Trumbull county, Ohio, and resided in that county until 1861. He then enlisted in company D, 6th Ohio cavalry, for three years. He was under command of General Sheridan, and participated in all the battles on the Potomac, in which Sheridan's cavalry figured. He was at the battles of Winchester, Antietam, second Bull Run, the battles of the Wilderness, Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, as well as all the engagements before Richmond. At the expiration of his first enlistment, he veteranized and was appointed provost marshal, of Charlotte county, after Lee's surrender, and was also provost marshal of a sub-district of the Roanoke. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, and assisted in escorting General Grant from Appomattox to Petersburg. About twenty minutes before the surrender of Lee, the horse on which Mr. M. was seated had a leg shot off by a grape shot .. He entered the army as a private, and was regularly promoted to the rank of captain. He came to this county in 1866, farmed four years, clerked six years, and the remainder of the time has been in the clothing business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Knights of Pythias. He was mar-
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ried in Trumbull county, Ohio, August 30, 1865, to Almira O. Strock. They are the parents of three children: Eugene E., Eddie E. and Maude M.
PHENIX, A. J., fruit-grower, post-office, Chariton. Born, April 3, 1823, in Nashville, Tennessee. At the age of nine years, his parents moved to Kentucky, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and was edu- cated in the common schools. After he had reached his majority he learned the stone-mason and plasterer's trade, which he followed about twenty-five years. In 1851, he came to Iowa, and located in Albia, Monroe county, where he followed his trade. April 1, 1877, he came to this county, and located in Chariton, where he has done little at his trade, having made arrangements with Mr. Mallory, to grow him eighty acres of orchard, within six years. In 1877, he began the job, and has now got out 6,000 trees, covering sixty-eight acres of ground, and they are already beginning to bear. He will have the entire eighty acres fully planted and off his hands by 1883. Married, November 10, 1853, to Miss Jane Porter, a native of Ohio, who died February 14, 1877, leaving a family of one child, Anna J., who is a teacher living, and three deceased. The orchard he set in alternate rows, which are straight. He is an author of a work, entitled "Lessons on Fruit-growing," which is fast being copied by the best fruit-growers of the state.
PRESSLY, DR. JOSEPH, magnetic physician, post-office, Chariton. Office and residence opposite Haskin's lumber yard, Chariton, Iowa. Dr. Pressly was born in Sheby county, Indiana, October 18, 1842, where he resided until 1856. In June of that year, in company with his parents, he moved to Indianola, Warren county, Iowa, at which place he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools and seminary at Indianola. Located in Chariton, February, 1880. Was married in Wash- ington county, Iowa, in 1863, to Jennett A. Miller, a native of Ohio. Their union has been blessed with five children, all living: Minnie L., Leoti M., Mertie L., William K. and Mary E. The doctor commenced his practice in 1876, and has treated over two hundred cases. The prejudice existing in the public mind against this new method of treating diseases, is fast subsiding in this community, and as a natural result, he is building up quite an extensive practice, having performed some remarkable cures here and elsewhere. He is at present associated with a Dr. Felshaw, of New York, who has also acquired an enviable reputation in the heal- ing art.
RAGSDALE, G. H., was born in Owen county, Indiana, December 13, 1844. Came to Iowa with his parents in 1850, and to Lucas county, in 1851. His father, Daniel Ragsdale, is one of the oldest and highly re- spected farmers in Benton township. His mother died when he was about eleven years old, and from that time, until his sixteenth year, he
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lived with different families farming, and driving a prairie team, and mak- ing brick. In October, 1861, he decided to make one of the "300,000 more." A company was being recruited at that time by James Baker. He was not only too young, but too small to fill the regular measure. He insisted, however, and was allowed to go with the company to Davenport, and when the mustering officer came to the little fellow, he said: " I know you are not old enough, step aside;" others were rejected for various reasons The boy's purpose, however, was to go to the front, and he had little re- gard for the obstacles in the way. He requested the captain to leave his name on the list, and give him another chance. This was done; and when the company was called out to be mustered into the United States service, Colonel Chambers, supposing that all the " kids "had been picked out and sent home, was not sharply on the lookout, and our subject was duly en- rolled. He was three times wounded in the battle of Shiloh, and was one of the first three crippled soldiers seen in this county. After two months' furloughs, he returned to his command, and was present for duty in the ranks through all the campaigns of Grant's army, until May, 1864. While at Huntsville, Alabama, May, 1864, he received a conditional appointment to the United States Military Academy, and was relieved from duty by order of the secretary of war. He left at once for West Point, impressed not so much with gladness as with a fear that it would be impossible for him to pass the necessary examination, because of his lack of preparatory education. This appointment was secured by Hon. Jno. A. Kasson, at the instance of friends at home.
Before his examination for admission, he studied for preparation, passed and was admitted to the class. However, the second examination was more than the studies of a brief five months term could prepare him for, and he failed with twelve others. Young Ragsdale had made many warm friends in his class during his stay with them; and regretting his failure, they all-sixty-two-joined in a testimonial to Congressman Kas- son, asking that he be re-nominated for another trial for success; in reply to which Mr. Kasson made the following answer, which explains itself:
WASHINGTON, January 26, 1864.
DEAR SIRS: I am very much gratified by the testimonials you and your asso- ciates were so courteous as to send me, in favor of my young friend, Ragsdale. If the law permitted it, I should certainlyrenominate him, but General Delafield finds the prohibition positive. I shall send your testimonial to the family of young Ragsdale, who will preserve it as a memorial, not only of friendship bestowed upon him, but of the names of young gentlemen who will hereafter share in the history of the country, please God.
JOHN A. KASSON.
To Cadet James B. McKall and others, etc., West Point, New York.
Such a request on the part of his class, and the reply thereto, in a great
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measure compensates for a failure which was not through the fault of the student, but the result of a want of sufficient preparation before entering upon the difficult task.
Young Ragsdale returned to his military command and did faithful service until the close of the war. He then entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where he was a faithful student for three years. Returning to his old home in August, 1868, he purchased a half interest in the Chariton Patriot, and before the end of the year he purchased the entire establishment which he still owns and conducts. In May 1869, he was appointed postmaster at Chariton, which he held until 1872. He was then only twenty-four years old. After retiring from the post-office, Mr. Ragsdale was appointed a special agent of the Pension Bureau, which position he held for six years, serving with credit. January 1, 1878, he resigned, and re-purchased the Chariton Patriot, which he sold prior to his appointment as postmaster. September 18, 1871, he married the accom- plished daughter of Rev. S. Guyer, of Indianola. Two bright boys glad- den the household of this pleasant and prosperous family.
REED, RICHARD, county recorder, post-office, Chariton. Born March 25, 1819, in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm and educated .in the common schools. He early acquired a good education, and taught several terms of school. He resided in his native county until 1866. He came to Iowa on a prospecting tour in 1850, and passed several days in Chariton. In the fall of 1865, he came again to Lucas county, purchased the farm he now owns, and in the spring of 1866 located permanently in this county. Almost the whole of his life has been passed on a farm. He now owns a fine farm of 120 acres, in the immediate vicinity of Chariton. His orchard, consisting of 240 trees, has borne fruit the past eleven years without a failure, and is one of the best in the county. He has been a member of the M. E. Church since child- hood, and his actions have ever been those of a consistent Christian. His neighbors have frequently shown their confidence in him by electing him to fill the various township offices, and at the November election, 1880, he was chosen county recorder. He was married in Muskingum county, Ohio, March 23, 1848, to Lucinda Stover. They are the parents of five children: Mary C., Albert A., Emma E., John W., and Ida E.
SIMMONS, T. J., M. D. Is a native of Pennsylvania where he was born in 1838. He acquired a good education, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in 1863. He came to Iowa in 1864, and pursued the practice of his profession. In 1877, he came to Chariton where he has since resided and given faithful and skillful attention to his pro- fessional duties. Since his graduation he has attended lectures in eastern-col- leges nearly every three years; has a fine library of standard works, and a large collection in surgical instruments. He keeps up with the times in
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medical literature. Has acquired a large practice in Lucas county, and stands unrivaled as a successful practitioner. In 1866, he married Miss E. J. Martin, daughter of an early day merchant of Centerville, Appa- noose county. . Three children gladden their household: Charlie, Lura and De Laskie.
STANTON, JAMES E., M. D. The subject of this sketch was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 15th of May, 1828, passing his boyhood and his early manhood days in his native place until twenty-eight years of age, when he removed to Indiana, remaining in that state until the year 1862, at which time he came to Chariton. He received his early educa- tion at the common schools. His professional education was obtained at the Keokuk Medical College, from which he graduated. He began the practice of medicine in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1852, and has continued in that profession ever since. Having been born in Ohio, and of Quaker descent, he early imbibed a dislike of slavery, and on arriving at years of discretion, became an abolitionist, and has ever since been consis- tent with that idea. He is an active member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He is also a prominent Mason, having passed through all the degrees, from the Blue Lodge to that of Knight Templar. Being a son of eminent members of the Quaker Fraternity, he is, as he puts it, a "Quaker by inheritance." He was married on the 14th of November, 1850, at Sumerton, Belmont county, Ohio, to Mary Jane Hubbs. Five children: Arminda W., Theo P. P., Almeda B., Ruthana, and John M., are the heritage of their mar- ' riage.
STEWART, GEORGE JUDSON, is a native of Mercer county, Illi- nois, where he was born November 13, 1840. In his young boyhood, his parents moved to Rock Island, where they remained until 1846, when they came to Iowa, locating on a farm near Agency City, Wapello county. Here they remained until the winter of 1848-9, when they moved to Monroe county. In 1851, they went to Knoxville, Marion county, to live, when George J., was eleven years of age, and where he grew to manhood. He received a common school education. In early boyhood, habits of industry and economy were observed in him, and at an early age he acquired an ambition for speculation, and was not slow to improve opportunities in which he saw money. This desire for speculation, for dealing with men, has controlled his business all through his life thus far. After remaining at Knoxville for a time, young Stewart returned to Monroe county, and at the age of twenty-one years he entered into the dry goods trade at Albia, Iowa, which he continued for eight years, until 1865, when he changed his residence to Chariton, and continued the dry goods busi- ness, until 1873. In 1867, Mr. Stewart formed a co-partnership with Daniel Eikenberry in which they handled live stock in connection with
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the dry goods trade until 1874, when he sold the goods and trade to D. D. Waynick. Since that time he has mainly been engaged in the live stock and grain business, in the firm of D. Eikenberry & Co. Though at different times, Mr. Stewart has had interests in various other kinds of business. The drug trade for a time, the livery business, etc. The present company of Eikenberry & Co., now operate in grain and stock to a larger extent than any other parties in this section of the state, having elevators at Milo, Indianola, on the Chariton, Des Moines & Southern Railroad, and operate largely at Chariton. Besides, they have several farms in Lucas county, upon which they graze and feed large numbers of cattle and hogs. Mr. Stewart married Miss Amanda C. Cramer, of Albia, Monroe county, about 1863, to which place she came with her parents many years prior. Her parents were old and respected citizens of Monroe county, and her father was prominent in the material affairs of that county. They have two children: Zora, of young ladyhood, and Harry, a bright young lad budding into young manhood. The efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart in the accumulation of this worlds goods, have been fairly rewarded.
TEMPLE, EDWARD AMES, banker, post-office, Chariton. Born . September 23, 1831, in St. Clair county, Illinois, where he resided until 1837, and then moved with his parents to Burlington, Iowa. From 1851 to 1857 he was a member of the firm of Henn, Williams & Co., dealers in real estate and land warrants, having offices at Fairfield, Chariton, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, and Fort Dodge. In 1853 he located at Char- iton, and took charge of the company's office at this place. In 1860 he went to Ottumwa and went into the banking business with the Bonnefield Bros., which firm was succeeded by the First National Bank of Ottumwa. In 1862 he went to the Pacific coast, and was engaged in prospecting, trading and mining until 1866, when he returned to Chariton and estab- lished the banking house of F. W. Brooks & Company, the firm consist- ing of F. W. Brooks, of Burlington, and W. F. Coolbaugh, of Chicago. After the death of Mr. Brooks, the business passed into the hands of Lyman Cook & Co. In 1870 this firm was succeeded by the First National Bank of Chariton. During all these changes, from the time of organization of the bank to the present, it has been under the control of Mr. Temple, and no greater evidence can be given of his business capac- ity, his adaptability to the position he occupies, and to the claim of being a " financier," than exists in the fact that since its organization the bank has sustained a smaller percentage of loss than any similar institution in the state, and the confidence of the people in its management is so great that, in a place where one-half the amount would be considered a large business, the amount of deposits reach the sum of $200,000 annually. Mr. Temple is the author of a system of life insurance inaugurated under
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the title of " The Bankers' Life Assurance Company," containing features of equity and security, which entirely do away with all the objections to the co-operative system. He was married at Fairfield, Iowa, May 2, 1857, to Elizabeth Jane Sweet, of Jefferson county, who died December 6, 1880. She was a lady of culture and taste, and the home made desolate by her death stands as a monument to her energy and love of the beauti- ful, the very trees in the grove having been taken from their native wilder- ness with her own hands to adorn the home her presence made happy.
WAYNICK, DAVID D., merchant; post-office, Chariton. Born March 13, 1827, in Guilford county, North Carolina. When three years of age he moved with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana, and resided in that state until 1849. He then came to this county and located on the present site of Chariton, although it then had neither a local habitation nor a name. He was employed as salesman in one of the first stores ever established in Chariton, owned by B. Searcy. When he arrived in this county his capital consisted of $45.00, but by economy and strict atten- tion to business he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. The crisis of 1857-8 caught his firm with an indebtedness of $12,000, and they were obliged to sacrifice property to the amount of $25,000 to meet their obligations, which they did without a murmur. This action only established their credit the more firmly, and since that time Mr. Waynick has prospered, and is now one of the substantial business men of Chariton. He has always enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, having been elected to the offices of county assessor, superintendent of education and city alderman. He was postmaster during the war, and acted as distributing agent for the soldiers who went from this locality. He was married at Osceola, Clarke county, Iowa, September 2, 1852, to Martha E. Sherer. They are the parents of a large family of children, seven of whom are still living: Orilla A., Inez M., Nellie J., Fred McG., Frank D., Stella and Carl R.
WILLOUGHBY, MRS. SARA J. A native of Richland county, Ohio, born February 6, 1845. She is the daughter of Isaac and Salome Edgington. At the age of fifteen years she moved with her parents to this county. Returned to Ohio in 1859, where she resided until 1864, when she came back to this county, and has lived here since that time. Married April 24, 1866, to R. B. Willoughby. From this union two chil- dren were born: Leroy B., February 15, 1868, and Leota W., July 4, 1870. When the last named child was but two weeks old, her husband deserted her, leaving her homeless. Mrs. Willoughby is now the owner of some $4,000 worth of property, which she has accumulated by her own . energy and industry.
WOODWARD, EMMETT B., attorney at law and real estate agent, post-office Chariton. Born October 1, 1830, in Wayne county, Pennsyl-
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vania, where he remained until thirteen years of age. He then went to New York state, and passed the greater portion of his time until twenty- four years old, in New York city. He next moved to Ligonier, Indiana, where he completed the preparation for the law which he had begun in New York city, and was admitted to the bar. He came to Chariton in 1860, and formed a partnership with Mr. J. D. Sarver, in the practice of his profession. In the spring of 1861, he assisted in raising the first com- pany for the sixth Iowa infantry, and upon the organization of the regi- ment at Burlington, was commissioned adjutant, and in May, 1862, was promoted to the rank of captain. From November, 1863, until Novem- ber, 1864, he was provost marshal of Memphis. In 1864, owing to ill health, he was compelled to leave the army. He then practiced law in Memphis until 1866, and then returned to Chariton. The popularity of Mr. Woodward among the citizens of Chariton is evidenced by the fact that he has been mayor of the city seven years, and has also held the office of justice of the peace. Was a candidate for lieutenant-governor in the republican state convention of 1867, and beaten by only four votes by John Scott. Was the democratic candidate for lieutenant-governor in 1875. Was a prominent candidate for clerk of the supreme court before the republican state convention in 1869. He was married at Ligonier, Indiana, November 29, 1859, to Laura E. Crist, of Columbus, Ohio. They have three children: Harry, Marcus and Ernest.
WORMLEY, DAVID, proprietor of the C., B. & Q. railroad eating house, post-office, Chariton. Born February 23, 1832, in Ontario county, New York. His parents, in 1844, moved to St. Joe county, Michigan, where he grew to manhood a farmer, receiving a common school educa- tion. Went to Marshall, Michigan, in 1851, and was steward for his brother, S. P., in the Michigan Central railroad eating house, until the spring of 1855. Was there married November 4, 1854, to Miss Mary Stevens, a native of New York. This union has brought them four chil- dren: Henry E. and Willis, living; Fred P. and Emma, deceased. In 1855, he engaged in the fancy dry goods and millinery business in Mar- shall, until the spring of 1859, when he engaged with the American Express Company, until 1865, thence to Cedar Rapids, and run an eating house for the Chicago & Northwestern, until the fall of 1870. From 1870 to 1875, was farming. In 1876, he opened out his present building, and the first year his gross receipts amounted to more than twenty thous- and dollars. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and K. of P. He also owns a farm two miles west of Chariton, containing two hundred acres.
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ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.
BALLARD, DAVID, farmer, section fifteen, post-office, Chariton. Among the pioneers of English township, none are better known, per- haps, than the subject of this sketch, who was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, in September, 1821. When nine years old, his parents moved to Kentucky, remaining five years. Mr. B. then went to Adams county, Illinois, then to Muscatine, Iowa. Was next in Missouri two years; then in Minnesota, and lastly in Lucas county, since 1854. Married in April, 1853, to Ellen Jacobs, of Illinois. They have eight living children: Pru- dence Ithema, H. A., G. D., J. A., M. E., James A., S. H., and Mary A. Mr. Ballard has a good farm of 325 acres, well improved, with good house, barn, and orchard. He is a good neighbor, and respected by all acquaintances.
BRANAMAN, ABRAM, farmer, section twenty, post-office, Chari- ton. Was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1822, where he passed the first twenty-seven years of his life, attending school, assisting on the farm, and working at the carpenter trade. In 1847, he came to Iowa, located in Jefferson county, and remained ten years. In 1857, he came to Lucas county, and has resided here since. Married March 27, 1851, to Harriet Violett, of Pike county, Ohio. The fruit of this union is ten children: John M., Clay, George, Hardin, Samuel V., Grant, Henry Sherman, Clara, Elmer Q., and Stella B. Mr. B. has a good farm of 280 acres. He is a good farmer, a successful stock-raiser, and a genial gentleman.
BROWNLEE, O. F., farmer, section twenty-eight, post-office, Chari- ton. Is a native of Illinois, born in Mercer county, June, 1840, where he resided until 1869, going to school and farming. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 36th Illinois infantry. He took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, and Chickamauga. He was twice wounded. All honor to the soldier who has stood at the gates of death to strike for his country. He was honorably discharged, October, 1864. Came to Lucas county in 1869. Was married in November, 1860, to S. J. Thompson, of Massachusetts. They have four children: Elida O., Leeman N., Willie F., and Frank W. He has a good farm of 230 acres, well improved, and admirably adapted to stock-raising, in which he is largely interested.
DAVIS, EDMUND, farmer, section twenty-four, post-office, Chariton. Is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Alleghany county, February 18, 1825, remaining till he was thirty-one years of age, passing his early life on a farm and at school. In the spring of 1856 he came to this county, where he has since resided. Was married September, 1848, to Susan Willoby, of Alleghany county, Pennsylvania. They had eight children: Caressa,
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Luella, Mary E., Emma W., Leticia, Matilda, Charley, and one babe, deceased. Mrs. Davis departed this life in March, 1878. Mr. Davis is a gentleman of great enterprise and industry, owning a farm of 480 acres, on which he combines farming, stock-raising and feeding. By the hand of toil has he thus accumulated ample store of comforts for his declining years.
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