USA > Iowa > Lucas County > History of Lucas County, Iowa containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc > Part 81
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GASTON, JOHN H., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office, Russell. Born October 31, 1839, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools. He enlisted August 19, 1861, in company I, first Pennsylvania reserve cavalry, and was at the battles of Drumsville, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Bristol Station, and all other engagements in which his regi- ment participated. He was discharged at Fairfax Seminary, for general disability, and returned to his home in Pennsylvania. In 1867, he came to this county, locating near Russell, where he engaged in farming. He now owns a well-improved farm in Benton township. He was married September 24, 1863, to Miss Sarah A. Fry. They are the parents of three children: Mera, West F., and Ella (deceased).
HANLIN, JOHN M., whose portrait appears elsewhere in this work, was born July, 16, 1839, at Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, where he resided with his parents until about twelve years of age. He then went to Meigs county, same state, and when seventeen years of age he was sent to attend an academy, where he remained two years, and then went to the Ohio University, at Athens, and after remaining there one year, went to Cincinnati, and remained about eight months, employed as a clerk in the office of the Adams Express Co. He returned to Meigs county and taught school until the summer of 1861. He enlisted July 21, 1861, in company H., 36th Ohio infantry volunteers, with which he served until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private and in a short time was promoted to second lieutenant. He was engaged in the battles
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of Lewisburg, Virginia; Green Briar Bridge, Staunton, Virginia; Tala- homa and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was wounded by a piece of shell at Rich Mountain, Virginia; and with a buck-shot in the left side, at South Mountain; and by a shot in the face at Chickamauga; and in the left forearm, foot and back at Lexington, Virginia. He was sent to the hospital at Parkersburg, Virginia, where he remained several months, and when able returned to his regiment. From this time until the close of the war he acted as assistant acting commissary. Was mustered out at Wheeling, West Virginia, in the spring of 1865, and went immediately to Cincinnati, where he was engaged with the Adams Express Co. until the fall of 1866, when he came to this county and engaged in. farming until 1874. He then came to Russell and taught school until the spring of 1880. He owns a farm of eighty acres, one mile north of Russell, and also a residence in the village. Was married March 3, 1866, to Miss M. Jolley. They are the parents of two children: Harriet E. and Nellie E.
HILL, GEORGE W., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-three and thirty-four. Born June 17, 1841, in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he resided about twelve years, and then went to Coles county, Illinois. He remained in this county until 1856, and then came to Iowa, locating in Jef- ferson county. He was engaged in farming in Jefferson and Van Buren counties until 1861, when he enlisted in company B, 3d Iowa volunteer cavalry. He participated in the fight at St. Charles, Missouri, and twenty days in the saddle in pursuit of the enemy. During this campaign he con- tracted the measles and was discharged. He returned to Iowa and farmed in Wayne county until 1868, when he came to this county, where he has since resided. He was married in 1867, to Miss Angeline Hixenburg, of Appanoose county. Their children are named Charles B., Elma, Elmira, George R., Elmeda and Albert.
HIXSON, E., inventor, post-office, Russell. Born November 26, 1846, in Guernsey county, Ohio. At an early age he came with his parents to Iowa, locating in Jackson county, in 1849, and in 1852 came to Lucas county. He learned the trade of a gunsmith, with his father, and worked at that trade until twenty-one years old. He then went to Chariton and learned the trade of a blacksmith. After learning his second trade he went to Indiana, worked a short time, then returned to this county, and commenced business for himself. In 1877, Mr. Mixson invented the " Boss" pruning knife, which the firm of Hixson, Boggs, Plotts & Mar- shall are now manufacturing on an extensive scale. They have a neat little shop, with a large amount of machinery, all operated by steam. Mr. H. was married March 12, 1868, to Miss Cornelia E. King, of Cedar towriship. They are the parents of four children: Cora, Rozella, Raldo E. and Ellen M.
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HOWELL, NEWTON, harness maker, post-office, Russell. Born March 5, 1822, in Logan county, Ohio, and was reared and educated in the village of West Liberty. When sixteen years of age, he was appren- ticed to learn the trade of a harness maker, and after serving four years, started in business for himself at Canton, Ohio, where he remained until 1854. He then came to Iowa, and was engaged in business at Waterloo, until 1865. He then went to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he was elected street commissioner, and served in that capacity six years. He came to this county in 1871, and opened a harness shop in Russell, where he has been ever since. He was married October 26, 1845, to Miss Nancy J. Wilmoth, of Canton, Ohio. They have seven children: Lydia V., Julia A., Lemuel S., William C., Mary A., Hattie J. and George E. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Presbyterian Church. He takes an active interest in educational ·matters, and has been a member of the school board of his city seven years.
JACKLEY, JOHN, farmer; section five, post-office, Russell. Born in Germany; in 1839, and came to America in 1847, with his parents, locating in the the town of Sand Lake, New York. Went to school one year in Germany and six months in United States. At the age of nine years, began work in a glass factory at seventy-five cents per week, boarding himself. At the end of two years his wages were increased to seventy-five cents per day, on which terms he continued until nearly four- teen years of age, when the burning of the factory threw him out of employment. Thence he went to Massachusetts, where he obtained fourteen dollars per month, where he learned the business of flattening and blowing also. Remaining there thirteen years and then went to Bos- ton, and then to New York, staying one year; then to Chicago one month, thence to New Bedford, Massachusetts, working four months; thence to Ottawa, Illinois, and worked two years, where he was disabled by an accident. Came to Iowa and bought a farm in Lucas county. Returned to Illinois, and worked in the Rock Island glass works, where he quit the business on account of drinking propensities of his fellow workmen. He was married in 1870, to Miss Henrietta Hickerson, of Illinois, by whom he has six children: Charles F., John J., Emma A., Luke E., Mark O. and and Albert M. After learning the glass business, he never earned less than $100.00 per month and has earned as high as $267.00 in a month. Has a farm of 120 acres near Russell.
JOHNSON, JAMES S., farmer; post-office, Russell. Born in Ohio in 1832, where he was raised and educated in the common schools. His father died when he was eleven years of age. Lived with his mother until twenty-one years old, and then learned the carpenters' trade, but has engaged in farming the principal part of his time since. Came to Iowa in 1856, locating in Mahaska county. Married in 1858, to Miss
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Hannah J. Dewees, of Ohio, by whom he had three children; two of whom are living: Frank M., now in Chicago; Dora B., teaching. Mrs. Johnson died in January, 1865, and in 1866, he married Miss M. K. Wright, of Mahaska county, by whom he has had five children, only one of whom is living, Howard W. He owns a farm of two hundred acres, well improved. He came to Iowa with only four hundred dollars. Has been school director most of the time since coming to Lucas county.
KENNEDY, JOSEPH, retired farmer, post-office, Russell. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, it 1801, where he grew to man- hood, a farmer, receiving only a common school education. He was married in 1836, to Miss Eliza Matthews, a native of the same state, by whom he has eight children: James E., Margery C., wife of J. R. Lari- man, of Kansas; Samuel M., agent American . Express; William M., James T., Joseph W., Louisa, wife of H. W. Elliott, and George F. Mr. Kennedy moved from Pennsylvania to this state and county in 1870. He is the owner of two hundred acres of land. Is elder of the Presbyterian Church.
KENDALL, N. W., farmer, post-office Russell. Was born in 1842, in Indiana, and brought to Lucas county in 1850, by his father, and raised on the farm now owned by him. In 1862, he enlisted in the Eighteenth' Iowa infantry as private soldier, but soon after was transferred to the band, where he served till the close of the war. He was in all the battles and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged. He was discharged in August, 1865. In 1868, Mr. K. married Miss I. Thompson, of Illinois, by whom he has had three children, of whom Ernest R. and Stella A. are living. Mr. Kendall owns a nice little farm of sixty acres, which he keeps in trim order.
LITZENBERG, B. F., blacksmith and manufacturer of sulky plow attachments, post-office, Russell. Born March 26, 1842, in Green county, Pennsylvania. At an early age he learned the trade of a blacksmith at Belleville, Pennsylvania. He enlisted August 14, 1861, in an independent company of cavalry, in which he served two and a half years, when the company was regularly organized with the 22d Pennsylvania cavalry, commanded by Colonel A. J. Greenfield, in which he served until his term of enlistment expired. His regiment then re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, participating, with but one exception, in all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley. Was discharged in May, 1865, and returned to Pennsylvania, from where he immediately came to Iowa, locating in Henry county, where he was engaged in farming two years, and then came to Lucas county. In 1875 he came to Russell and commenced blacksmithing. On February 3, 1880, he received a patent on a sulky plow attachment, and January 11, 1881, a second patent on the same inven- tion, and is now engaged in manufacturing the same, one hundred and
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twenty-six having been put out on trial, none of which have been returned. Mr. L.'s name is destined to become famous in the west for this inven- tion. Was married June 22, 1871, to Miss Alusia Allen, of Russell, Iowa, by whom he is the father of two children: William R., and Frank E.
LOGAN, JOHN J., farmer and stock raiser, section twenty-nine, post-office, Russell. Born September 28, 1845, in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he resided about eleven years. His youth was passed at farm labor, and in attending the common schools. In 1856 he came with his parents to Iowa, and located in Wapello county. Considering his surroundings and opportunities, he acquired a good education, and after coming to this state, taught several winter schools in Lucas, Wapello and Wayne counties. He served his township in the capacity of assessor, from 1873 to 1878. Mr. Logan enjoys the possession of a well improved farm of ninety-two acres. He was married October 1, 1871, to Eliza Miller, who is still living, and by whom he is the father of three children: Nellie M., Lorena A., and Artie M.
MARSHALL, ABNER, G., proprietor of Marshall House, post-office, Russell. Born April 27, 1833, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the common schools. When sixteen years of age, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and served an apprenticeship of four years. After learning his trade he worked two years as a journeyman, and was then engaged in farming a few months. In 1855, he came to Iowa, remained a short time, and returned to Penn- sylvania, and was three years engaged in the manufacture of railroad picks. He then commenced business for himself in Alleghany county, where he remained one year, and then returned to Washington county. A few years later he went to Pittsburg, and was employed in the tool works in that city twelve years. , He next came to this county, located on a farmear Russell, and was engaged in farming two years; he then went to Russell, and took charge of the Marshall House, which he has since conducted to the entire satisfaction of the traveling public. He was married February 26, 1859, to Miss Louisa Murray. They are the parents of four children: William J., Elmer E., Annie N. and Edwin A.
McKINLEY, J. N., farmer, post-office, Russell. Is a native of Indiana, born in 1840. In 1848 he came with his parents to Iowa, and settled on the farm which he now owns. Here he was raised and educated. He was married in 1878 to Miss Annie Mahan, of this county. She died in 1880, leaving one child, Sylva. Mr. McKinley's mother, now seventy- eight, is living with him. She is a native of Kentucky. Her son, J. N. has 100 acres of fine land, which was entered by his father.
MORGAN, SAMUEL G., miller, post-office, Russell. Born October 8, 1851, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was reared and edu- cated in the village of Finleyville. At an early age, he learned the trade
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of a miller, and that has been his occupation ever since. He came to Russell in 1869, and went to work in the mill of which he is now the man- . ager. In 1871, he returned to his native place, resided there two years and came again to Iowa. He located for a short time in Melrose, and soon after came again to Russell. He is doing an excellent business and is making a very superior quality of flour. There is a steam corn-sheller in connection with the mill, where all corn to be shipped from this point is shelled. Was married May 15, 1876, to Miss Hannah Comstock. They have three children: Bessie May, Charles Ray, and Rose A. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., in which order he has passed the chair.
McNEELEY, GEORGE, farmer and stock raiser, section 21; born October 16, 1840, in Highland county, Ohio, where he resided with his parents until 1848, and then started for Iowa, but was overtaken by win- ter in Livingston county, Illinois. In the spring of 1849, he came to Iowa, locating in Henry county, where his father purchased a farm, on which George labored until August, 1861. He then enlisted in the Iowa state militia, and was assigned to duty in northern Missouri, under Colonel Moore. Enlisted September 14, 1861, in company G., Eleventh Iowa In- fantry volunteers, and participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, among others, those of Shiloh, the siege and capture of Corinth, Iuka, the siege and capture of Vicksburg. He was also with General Sherman on his Meriden march, and on his return veteranized, and in the spring of 1864, joined the army of General Sherman on his Georgia cam- paign at Big Santee, Georgia, and participated in all the battles of the Georgia campaign. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was taken prisoner and transported to Andersonville, where he was confined two months. While en route from Andersonville to Florence he jumped from a moving train, and was a free man for nine days. He was then recap- tured and taked to Charleston, and later to Florence, where he was im- prisoned nearly five months. He made his escape February 21, 1865, and reached Union lines at Wilmington, North Carolina. Was discharged at St. Louis, June 15, 1865. He came to Lcuas county in March, 1871, and has since been engaged in farming. Owns a fine farm of 120 acres, well improved. Was married May 17, 1865, to Miss Ann E. Neel, of Henry county. They are the parents of six children, five of whom are now living: Martha E., Emily O., George H., Mertie and Ellis B. Mr. McNeeley is at present one of the township trustees.
McKINLEY, T. D., farmer and stock-raiser, section seventeen, post- office, Russell. Born March 28, 1836, in Indiana, where he remained until about twelve years of age. He came with his parents to this county in 1849, and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. In 1860 he went to the Rocky mountains, where he worked in the mines,
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and at carpentering about nineteen months, returning again to this county. He now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, well improved, with an abundance of timber. He was married, March 27, 1864, to Miss Dartha Gearhart, of Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, by which union he is the father of three chil- dren: Ira J., Edwin, and Eugene. The father of Mr. Mckinley was one of the earliest settlers in this county, and erected the first house in the western part of Washington township.
MURROW, T. A, grocer, post-office, Russell. Born June 5, 1839, in Parke county, Indiana, where he remained until eleven years of age, work- ing on the farm, and attending the common schools. In 1850 he came to Iowa, located in Mahaska county, engaged in farming, and resided there until 1864. He then went to the gold regions of the west, where he visited all points of interest, and returned to Mahaska county. He next moved to Poweshiek county, farmed there four years, and returned again to Mahaska county. He came to Lucas county in 1878, farmed two years, and then purchased business property, and a stock of goods in Russell, where he is now having a splendid trade. He was married June 15, 1862, to Miss Eveline King, of this county. Six children have been born unto them: Cary L., Iowa A., David L., John R., Jessie L., and Nellie E.
NOBLE, CHAS. F., farmer, post-office, Russell. Was born in Canada in 1836, and there grew to manhood, being educated in the com- mon schools. Learned the blacksmith trade in the state of New York, Washington county, with Morris Meade, and came to Iowa in 1857, set- tling at Lagrange this county, and opened a shop. He had but three five dollar gold pieces when he came there. Purchased a set of tools on time (a friend going his security). About a month after his arrival he was refused credit for two dollars worth of dishes, which so enraged him that he resolved to never ask for credit again, and has rigidly adhered to his promise. His father died in 1860. He remained at Lagrange ten years. Commenced buying real estate in 1859, and now has a farm of 706 acres, all under cultivation, with a good house, and the largest barn in the town- ship. He was married August 11, 1861, to Mary C. Long. From this union they have three children. Ira C., Sevey C., and Mileta, all at home. Mr. Noble never was a citizen until after the emancipation proclamation, as he never would take the oath as long as he was not allowed to feed a fel- low man. Good will to all men is his motto. His success is attributed to his honesty, economy and industry. His father was a native of the High- lands of Scotland, his mother of Edinburg.
O'HARE, BARNEY, farmer, section fourteen, post-office, Russell. Born in New York in 1838, where he was raised until nineteen years of age, then came to Illinois, and remained until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in the 93d regiment, and served until the close of the war.
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Was engaged in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, siege of Vicksburg, and the battles around it, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, campaign of Atlanta, and from Chattanooga to the sea. From there with Sherman to Raleigh, thence to Washington. Was wounded at Mission Ridge, up to which time he had never lost a day. Was exempt from duty about six months on account of his wound, when he returned to his regiment and was con- tinuously in service until discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. Was orderly to General John E. Smith about eighteen months. Long may he live to enjoy the liberties of a country in whose defense he acted so faith- fully. After the close of the war he came to Iowa, settling in Linn county. Came to Lucas in 1868. Was married in 1867 to Miss Martha Hunter, of Michigan, by whom he has three children living: John H., Emma, Viola and Mary. Owns a farm of 160 acres, acquired by his own efforts, forty acres at a time. Incurs no debts and is a systematic farmer.
OSMUND, REV. JONATHAN, pastor Presbyterian Church, Rus- sell. Is a native of the good old Keystone state, born in 1820. He was reared in the land of his nativity, receiving an academic course, then graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1848. Was licensed at the presbytery of New Castle, and ordained and installed pastor of Newton in 1849: He was married in 1848 to Miss M. F. Murdogh, of Pennsylvania. This union brought to them eight children, all living: Margaret (teaching), William (practicing law), Mary, Anna, Caroline L., Louisa, Robirta, and Francina. Mr. Osmond came to Iowa in 1863, and labored as supply in the presbytery of Cedar Rapids for five years; also acting as county superintendent for two years in connection with his min- istry. In the spring of 1868 he took charge of the Osceola and Afton congregations, and afterward confined his labors to Osceola and Clarke county. In the spring of 1875 he came to Russell, and in 1878 was installed pastor there. Mr. O. is now acting as clerk of Des Moines Presbytery, and spends every fourth Sabbath in missionary work. He has a pleasant home of ten acres, nicely improved, where he proposes to remain and rest from his life of labor.
PENDLETON, H. E., farmer and doctor, section four, post-office, Russell. Is prominent among the enterprising citizens of his township. His natal state is New York. He was born in 1843, and received his pre- liminary education at Norwich Academy, then studied medicine at Geneva Medical College, graduating in 1867. The doctor practiced two years in Pennsylvania, then came to Illinois. He there married Miss Julia McAboy. He has no children of his own, but has adopted five. Settled on his present farm in 1869, and has followed farming since. He has a well-improved farm of 240 acres, with an orchard of 500 trees, besides forty-six kinds of forest trees and shrubbery. The doctor is an amateur
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farmer, taking special pleasure in horticulture, landscape gardening, and fine stock. Is a correspondent of the Farmers' fournal, and obtained the premium for the prize essay on swine in 1876. The prize was sub- stantial, taking the form of a gang-plow, which the doctor runs with five horses.
PALMER, W. A., M. D., physician and surgeon, post-office, Rus- sell. Born April 8, 1850, in Highland county, Virginia, where he resided until 1864, spending the greater portion of his time in attending Clarks- burg Academy, where he received the greater part of his literary educa- tion. When fourteen years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa, locating in Monroe county, where he attended school for several months. He received his scientific education at the Burnett Medical College, in Chicago, where he attended lectures during the winter of 1872-'73. He then came to Russell and entered into practice as an under graduate, and during the winter of 1875-'76, he took his second course of lectures, and graduated in the spring of 1876. He has succeeded in building up a fine practice, and has gained the esteem and confidence of all who are acquainted with him. He makes the diseases of children a special study, and has been very successful in this department. Was married October 12, 1876, to Miss H. M. Powell, of Russell. They have two children: Lettie G., and an infant, unnamed.
PLOTTS, GEORGE W., grain dealer, post-office, Russell. Born February- 13, 1836, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1850, he moved with his parents to McDonough county, Illinois. In 1861, he commenced work in a grist mill, and continued in that business four or five years. He came to Lucas county in 1866, locating near Chariton. In 1868, he went to the new town of Russell, and conducted the first meat market opened in that city. He continued in this business about two years, then sold agricul- tural implements one year, and then entered into a co-partnership with Mr. George C. Boggs, in the grain trade. The grain house now occu- pied by this firm was the first house erected in Russell. Mr. Plotts is a thorough business man, and has the confidence of all who deal with_him. Was married April 3, 1873, to Miss Lydia Howell, of Russell, By this happy union they are the parents of three children: N. W., Howard H., and an infant, unnamed.
. PLOTTS, M. L., carpenter, post-office, Russell. Born January 2, 1844, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until he was about eight years old. He then moved with his parents to McDon- ough county, Illinois, where he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He enlisted August 2, 1862, in company H, One hun- dred and nineteenth volunteer infantry. He participated in the Red river expedition, at Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort, and in all
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