USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 26
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in the state of Washington; Susan, the wife of John Herron, of Perry, Iowa; Melissa, the deceased wife of Lewis Field; Martha, who married Joseph Ruth and has passed away; Bell, who gave her hand in marriage to Thomas Stark, a resident of South Dakota; Henrietta, who died in childhood; and Clara, the de- ceased wife of Howard Sellers.
Francis M. Bruce was but seven years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to this county and here he grew to manhood. At the time of the Civil war he felt that all other considerations were insignificant as compared with the need of his country and enlisted in the Union army on the 24th of October, 1861, just one day after his eighteenth birthday. He was enrolled as a member of the company known as The Lancers but later joined Company I, Fourth Iowa Vol- unteer Cavalry at Mount Pleasant. He was with that regiment during all of the engagements in which it participated and was mustered out at the end of his term of enlistment at Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to Madison county and began farming. His first purchase was an eighty acre tract of raw prairie land in Doug- las township and he continued to own it until about a year ago. In time he added eighty acres to his original farm and also became the owner of two other farms in Douglas township, one comprising one hundred acres and the other eighty acres. The latter place is improved with a good set of buildings. He resided upon his original purchase until thirteen years ago, when he retired from active life and took up his residence in a fine home just west of Winterset. He was a thoroughly efficient farmer, keeping his property in excellent condition, conserving the fer- tility of the soil and using the most approved methods and machinery in his work.
Mr. Bruce married Miss Harriet Templeman, a native of Ohio, who accom- panied her mother to this county from Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have been born the following children : Lillie, who gave her hand in marriage to T. G. Niblo, of Jackson township; R. F., a resident of South Dakota; Annie, who be- came the wife of R. S. Niblo, of Dallas county ; Robert, living in Texas; Edward, a resident of Des Moines; one who died in infancy; Pearl, now Mrs. Ray Sage, of Lincoln township; and Della, at home.
Mr. Bruce is a republican and has held some township offices, although never an office seeker. He continues his association with his comrades in blue through his connection with John A. Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., of Winterset. He is entitled to honor as a veteran of the Civil war and in all the relations of life he has proved himself a man of honor and integrity, while his personality is one that attracts and retains friends.
D. A. GRIFFITH.
The retired farmers living in Winterset are highly esteemed and contribute not a little to the advancement of the community. Among them is D. A. Griffith, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1841, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Archibald) Griffith, the former born upon the ocean in 1808 while his parents were crossing to this country from Wales and the latter born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1816. Isaac Griffith was a miller and shoemaker and
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followed those trades in Holmes county, Ohio. In 1843 he removed to Ports- mouth, Ohio, where he ran a mill until he removed to Scioto county, that state, which was his home for ten years before his death. He died in 1848 and was survived by his wife for three years.
D. A. Griffith at the usual age entered the city schools of Portsmouth, Ohio, and there laid the foundation of his education. When he was eleven years of age, however, his parents died and he was taken by a family who mistreated him and he accordingly ran away. He became a farm hand and thus provided for his support and was so engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war. On the 15th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Dan Parnell. The command rendezvoused at Columbus, Ohio, and Mr. Griffith was made first duty sergeant. After being three months with Company C he was transferred to Company D, of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant in that command for a year, after which he was made first lieutenant. He was under fire in Virginia, at the battle of Charleston, Maryland, at Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the siege of Chattanooga and accompanied Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He was wounded by a bayonet thrust at South Mountain, Maryland, and lost his hearing at the battle of Antietam, as his regiment was for hours in the midst of eight hundred pieces of artillery. His regiment, which in that engagement lost five hundred men, together with the Eighteenth Pennsyl- vania, charged the Burnside bridge and took it. Colonel Coleman, who led the charge, fell pierced by seven bullets. Lieutenant Griffith succeeded in capturing some rebel cannon and his record throughout the war proved him a fearless and an able officer. He has a medal presented him by the state of Ohio for continuous and meritorions service. He was mustered out on the 3d of July, 1865, in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and later in that year removed to Fairfield, Iowa.
In 1870 he came to Madison county and began farming in Jefferson township, where he lived for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Union town- ship and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1893. In that year he pur- chased two hundred acres of land in Douglas township on North river and gave his time and attention to the operation of that farm. He was very successful in all that he attempted, his energy, determination and knowledge of the best methods of agriculture making him one of the leading farmers in his township.
On the 4th of March, 1866, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Hester E. Miller, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, December 27, 1847, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Hillis) Miller. Her father was born in Germany in 1822 and upon emigrating to this country settled in Cincinnati, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until his health failed. He then removed to Brown county, Ohio, which remained his home until 1865. In that year he migrated westward and settled in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Fairfield. Nine years later he home- steaded land in Buena Vista county, where his death occurred in 1875. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, passed away in Buena Vista county in 1904, having survived him for almost three decades.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are the parents of seven children: Anna B. gave her hand in marriage to Elias Van Scoy, of Logan county, Colorado, by whom she has four children. U. Grant, who was born May 7, 1868, died January 20, 1907. Isaac, born on the 5th of September, 1869, is a well-to-do farmer who is mar-
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ried and has three children, David A., Winifred and Hester. Jerome is repre- sented elsewhere in this work. David T., whose birth occurred on the IIth of July, 1879, is engaged in the implement business at Van Meter, Iowa. Linnie E., born November 11, 1880, passed away February 4, 1890. Robert S. was born on the 16th of October, 1888.
Mr. Griffith is identified with the republican party and has always been as true to the best interests of his country in times of peace as he was when he led his command upon the battlefields of the south. None begrudges him the competence and the leisure which are now his, as they were won by industry and sound judgment.
G. H. KINNAIRD.
G. H. Kinnaird, a retired farmer residing in Union township, has made his home in Madison county for over fifty years and there are very few living in the county today whose arrival here antedates his. He was born in Kentucky on the 28th of May, 1842, a son of Joseph and Cornelia ( Munday ) Kinnaird, who were lifelong residents of the Bluegrass state. His paternal grandfather was from Virginia.
G. H. Kinnaird grew to manhood in his native state and there acquired a com- mon-school education. When in his twentieth year he drove across the country with a cousin to Madison county, Iowa, and found work here as a farm hand. On the 9th of August, 1862, however, he put aside all personal interests and enlisted at Winterset in Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Cap- tain James E. Goolman and Colonel William Dewey. He participated in the bat- tles of Pittman's Ferry and Milliken's Bend, and also took part in the siege of Vicksburg. He was then on detail duty as orderly, carrying dispatches. Having contracted typhoid fever, he was in the hospital at New Orleans for a month, but he was never wounded. He was mustered out in Harrisburg, Texas, on the 26th of July, 1865, and then returned to this county, again working as a farm hand. After his marriage he purchased forty acres of land in Scott township and began its operation. When it came into his possession it was but little improved and there was no house of any sort on the place, but he erected a residence, in which the family resided until the spring of 1914. He added forty-five acres to the original tract and his industry, thrift and careful management enabled him to accumulate a competence. Since selling his land he has lived with his children, spending most of his time with a son in Scott township.
Mr. Kinnaird was twice married, his first union being with Miss Sarah Eskew, who was born in Kentucky. Her parents, however, were numbered among the early settlers of Scott township, this county, and the family name has long been an honored one here. She died leaving a son, Robert L., who is married and lives in Wyoming. Mr. Kinnaird chose as his second wife Miss Cynthia Young, who was born in Pennsylvania but was brought by her parents to this county when but two years old. She died in 1907, leaving three sons: James H., who is married and lives in Oregon; Joseph L., who is married and resides in Scott township; and C. A., a farmer of Winnebago county, Iowa, who is also married.
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Mr. Kinnaird is a republican and for four terms held the office of township trustee. He was also school director and has always taken a great interest in the cause of public education. He has belonged to the United Brethren church since 1868 and his wife was also a member of that organization. He holds member- ship in Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., and is justly proud of the fact that in the time of his country's need he did not fail her. During the fifty years and more that he has resided in Madison county he has not only witnessed a great change and development but has also done his part in bringing them about, and he is justly held in high esteem by those who know him.
ALFRED F. HIBBARD.
Alfred F. Hibbard is the owner of a valuable and productive farm embrac- ing one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Madison township, and in its oper- ation has won well merited success. His birth occurred in Wisconsin in Octo- ber, 1856, his parents being Samuel and Margaret ( Finley ) Hibbard, who were of Irish and German descent respectively, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania. Samuel Hibbard, who was a millwright by trade, went to Ohio in an early day and there worked at his chosen occupation for several years. Subsequently he followed farming in Wisconsin for ten years, on the expiration of which period he came to Iowa, locating in Guthrie county and pur- chasing and improving a farm near Casey, which he operated until his demise in 1874. His wife passed away July 18, 1913, having survived him for nearly four decades.
Alfred F. Hibbard was reared and educated in Ohio and Wisconsin and re- mained with his mother until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he operated a gristmill for his grandfather for three years and on the expiration of that period turned his attention to railroading, firing an engine for the Chicago & Alton Railroad out of Bowling Green for six years. He then removed to Stuart, Guthrie county, Iowa, and entered the service of the Rock Island as fire- man, while a few years later he was promoted to the position of engineer, being employed as fireman and engineer altogether for a period of twenty years. In March, 1901, he came to Madison county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 19, Madison township, which he has cultivated contin- uously since and on which he has made extensive improvements, his residence being one of the finest in the county and thoroughly modern in every respect. In connection with the production of cereals he devotes considerable attention to live stock, raising high grade Aberdeen Angus cattle and thoroughbred Poland China hogs, and in both branches of his business has met with success.
In May, 1893, Mr. Hibbard was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Gres- ham, who was born in Boone township, Dallas county, Iowa, in June, 1869, her parents being David and Rebecca (Hubbard) Gresham, the former a native of Dallas county, Iowa, and the latter of Lee township, this county. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hibbard took up his abode in Dallas county in 1847, when Des Moines had not yet sprung into existence, there entering a tract of land which he cultivated until 1887, when he moved to Lee township, Madison county,
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ALFRED F. HIBBARD. HIS FAMILY AND HOME
TILET K
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where he passed away in 1908, when he was in his ninetieth year. David Gres- ham turned his attention to agricultural pursuits as soon as his age and strength permitted and throughout his active business career operated the farm in Dallas county which had formerly belonged to his father. His demise occurred in Stuart, Iowa, in April, 1891, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard have an adopted son, Ira A., who is now eleven years of age and is attending school.
In politics Mr. Hibbard is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He also has membership relations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. He is rec- ognized throughout Madison county as a progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen and commands the confidence and respect of the entire community.
JOSEPH CARTER.
Joseph Carter, who passed away in Winterset in 1908, was for many years a prominent and successful farmer. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, April 12, 1832, and was orphaned when but twelve years of age. He was bound out for a number of years but left the man before his time expired. In 1851 le came to Iowa, locating in Tama county, where he remained until 1859, when lie removed to Madison county. Three years later he was married and took up his abode in Tama county, where he resided for eighteen months. At the end of that time he returned to this county and purchased forty acres of land in Douglas township. Upon the death of his father-in-law he bought one hundred and sixty acres of his estate and operated the farm for many years, proving very successful in the cultivation of his fields and the raising of stock. At length he accumulated a competence that enabled him to retire from active life and he took up his abode in Winterset, where he passed away on the 10th of April, 1908. Two days later, or on the anniversary of his birth, he was laid in his last resting-place. In early manhood he made three trips across the plains, the first time going to Pike's Peak with his brother on foot and drawing a handcart in which were their effects. The next time he drove an ox team. As the claims had all been taken in the section to which he went he only made his expenses but never regretted the trips, as he gained much valuable experience.
Mr. Carter was married in 1862 in Douglas township, this county, to Miss Adela Evans, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1838, of the marriage of Robert and Elizabeth (Shumaker) Evans, natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respectively. In 1841 they came overland to lowa, crossing the Mississippi river at Burlington. At that time Burlington had but a few houses and there were no towns of any size in the whole state of Iowa. They located upon a farm in Des Moines county, where they remained for a decade, but in 1851 they came to Madison county and settled on government land in what subsequently became Douglas township. Mr. Evans and his daughter camped on North river while he cut and sawed logs for the new cabin that was to be the family dwelling. He had but few tools and was obliged to make the shingles for the roof with a drawing knife. At last the house was completed and the family
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were preparing to move in on Monday but the day before the structure was destroyed by fire. Later a new cabin was built and it remained the family home for some time. Mr. Evans first entered one hundred and sixty acres of govern- ment land but later added to his farm until he became the owner of three hun- dred acres. He passed away in 1880 and was survived by his wife, whose demise occurred in Winterset. They were the parents of twelve children, namely : Hugh, who died in Adair county ; Mrs. Carter ; William, a resident of Oklahoma ; Joseph and Benjamin, twins, who died in childhood; Nancy, the wife of Andrew Spear, a resident of Jackson township; Alexander, who is living in Oklahoma ; Amanda, who died when fourteen years old; Sarah Ellen, deceased ; John, who is living in Nebraska; Sylvania, the deceased wife of Harry Gutchall; and Andrew J., who resides in Montana.
Mr. Carter was never a member of any church although he favored the Baptist denomination. His ballot was cast in support of the democratic party but he did not take further part in public affairs. He concentrated his attention upon his farm work and became the owner of a valuable property. He made many loyal friends, although of a somewhat retiring disposition, and his demise was sincerely mourned. His widow, although almost seventy-eight years of age, is in quite good health and lives alone in Winterset and does her own housework. She owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Douglas township and derives a good income therefrom. She can recall many incidents of pioneer times and derives satisfaction from the thought that she has aided in the great work of transforming Iowa from a wild though rich territory into one of the greatest agricultural states of the Union.
FRED F. MARDIS.
Fred F. Mardis, who is successfully engaged in dealing in coal, lime and cement and who is also a general contractor of Winterset, was born here on the 25th of September, 1874, a son of Thomas F. Mardis, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The subject of this review received excellent educational advantages in his youth and after completing the public-school course he entered the high school of Winterset and supplemented the knowledge there acquired by one year of study in a commercial college at Des Moines. He learned the brick- mason's trade under his father and with his brother John worked in Des Moines at that trade for about ten years. Upon returning to Winterset he engaged in contracting in partnership with his father until the latter's death in 1908. They established a coalyard in 1901, which is now one of the leading establishments of that character in the city. Fred F. Mardis is conducting the business alone and has a good trade. His business dealings are always above question and it is known that he gives good value for money received. As a contractor he has taken high rank in Winterset and its vicinity and has erected a number of excel- lent buildings here.
On the 14th of April, 1897, Mr. Mardis married Miss Jessie Snyder, of Win- terset, a daughter of Samuel Snyder, a pioneer grocer of this city, who was
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engaged in business here for a half century. Mr. and Mrs. Mardis have two daughters, both at home, namely: Josephine and Helen.
Mr. Mardis is a republican and has done not a little to secure the success of his party in many local elections. Fraternally he is connected with Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M. ; Lebanon Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M., of Winter- set; and the commandery, consistory and Shrine of Des Moines. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and he attends the services of that church. He has been successful in his business undertakings and has many excellent quali- ties of character, which have won for him the warm regard of his friends.
GEORGE H. ORR.
George H. Orr for the past ten years has lived retired in Winterset, enjoying a life of ease made possible by assiduous labor in earlier life. He was born in Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio, on the 19th of January, 1841, a son of James and Martha C. (Thompson) Orr. The father was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 11, 1811, and the mother was also a native of that county and was born in 1807. Mr. Orr farmed in Ohio, living successively in Huron, Crawford and Wyandot counties. In 1879 he removed to Madison county, Iowa, and settled upon a small farm in Scott township, where his death occurred in September, 1898, when he was almost eighty-seven years of age. His wife also exceeded the Psalmist's three score years and ten, as she passed away when seventy-five years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and most worthy people. He made two trips across the plains to California and delivered horses to the wheat fields of that state, and also bought and shipped horses, cattle and hogs extensively. He was the father of five children : William C., who died in Crawford county, Ohio; Helen Elizabeth and Jennie, both of whom died in young womanhood and but a month apart; George H., of this review ; and James D., a resident of Des Moines.
George H. Orr was reared upon his father's farm in Ohio and when twenty- two years of age began farming on his own account, having in his boyhood and youth learned practical methods of agriculture. For two years he operated his brother's farm and for four or five years his father's and then purchased two hundred acres of land in Wyandot county, Ohio, which he cultivated until the family removed to Madison county, Iowa. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Scott township, which was but poorly improved, and at once began re- modeling the buildings and bringing the land to a higher state of cultivation. When he retired from active life in 1905 the property was one of the valuable farms of this locality, the fields were well fenced, the barns and other buildings were commodious and well adapted to their purposes, and the residence was substantial and comfortable. He found farming congenial and also lucrative and has a competence which enables him to live retired in his comfortable home on East Court avenue, Winterset.
Mr. Orr was married in Ohio to Miss Kate Gray, who was born February 22, 1840, a daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Myrtle) Gray, both of whom were born in New York. They were married in Steuben county, that state, and both
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passed away in Goodland, Indiana, where the father farmed for many years. In early life he took quite a prominent part in public affairs and was a representa- tive to the New York legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have seven children. Jennie is the wife of A. L. Foster, of Winterset, and they have two children : Nellie, who married Herman B. Gates, treasurer of the state of Wyoming; and Lloyd, a veterinary surgeon at Greenfield, Iowa. William C. married Myrtle Feeley and they have two children, Guy and Clifford. He and his family reside upon his father's farm. Clara is the wife of Elmer Feeley, a farmer of Scott township, and they have two children : Beulah, who will graduate as a trained nurse from the State University of Colorado at Boulder ; and Josephine, who is attending the Winterset high school. Frank, a farmer in Scott township, married Miss Cora Foster and they have one child, Gerald. Edna gave her hand in marriage to Melvin Foster, a farmer of Monroe township, and they have a son, George, who is named for both of his grandfathers. Harry, a farmer of Scott township, married Miss Mabel Wilson and their children are Mildred and Claude. Robert, a stockman of Winterset, married Miss Louise Green and they have a daughter, Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Orr celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 12th of March, 1912, when they received the felicitations of their many friends.
Mr. Orr is a republican and is stanch in his allegiance to that party, whose principles he believes to be based upon sound conceptions of political and eco- nomic science. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are at all times eager to cooperate in movements that seek the moral betterment of the community. He is a man of magnificent physique, six feet tall and well proportioned, and although he is seventy-four years of age seems yet a young man. He is not only in excellent health and very active but has the spirit of youth, being intensely interested in all that is occurring and believing that the world is better than it was in years gone by.
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