USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Mr. Bertholf was married in Grand River township to Miss Rachel Harriet Murphy, who was born in Davies county, Missouri, a daughter of John Murphy, an early settler of Grand River township. To Mr. and Mrs. Bertholf have been born three children: Ada, the wife of B. L. Thrift, an agriculturist of Lincoln township; Nelson, cashier of the Madison County Bank at Winterset ; and Armina, the wife of F. D. Brownell, who is operating the farm belonging to our subject and living with Mr. and Mrs. Bertholf.
Mr. Bertholf is a democrat and has served as assessor of Lincoln township for seven years, but has supported that party without thought of reward. In religious matters he is liberal in his views. Although but three years of age when he left Indiana he often imagines in the early morning that he can hear the pound- ing in the iron works in South Bend that he heard so often in his earliest child- hood. In a residence covering more than six decades Mr. Bertholf has thor- oughly identified his interests with those of his adopted county and his life has been a factor in the progress and advancement of Madison county. Those who have been associated with him recognize his value as a citizen and honor and esteem him as he deserves.
SAMUEL C. HEACOCK.
The veterans of the Civil war are justly entitled to honor, as it is to their valor and unselfish devotion to the country's good that its greatness today is in a large measure due, for it was only through their sacrifice that the Union could be preserved. Among those still living in Madison county who fought in the Union army is Samuel C. Heacock, a retired farmer, now living in Truro, whose birth occurred on the 17th of April, 1836, in Jackson county, Indiana. His father, Dunlap Heacock, was a native of Vermont, of Yankee descent, and his mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Holmes, was born in Kentucky, of Dutch lineage. They were married in Jackson county, Indiana, and the father died there when our subject was but eighteen months old. He was a farmer by occupation and was highly respected in the community in which he resided. His widow remarried and continued to live in Indiana for a number of years, but in 1855 came with her children and her second husband, Abraham Compton, to Iowa, the family locating west of Peru in Walnut township, Madison county. Mr. Compton purchased land which he operated for a number of years. After the close of the Civil war the farm was sold and the family removed to Old Peru. Subsequently, however, they went to O'Brien county, Iowa, where Mr. Vol. II-15
332
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Compton again engaged in agricultural work. Mrs. Compton died in 1875, while visiting the subject of this review.
Samuel C. Heacock received a common-school education and remained with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age. In addition to helping with the work on his stepfather's farm he freighted one summer with an ox team from Winterset to Keokuk. On starting out upon his independent business career he began farming upon rented land in Scott township and was so engaged when the Civil war began. As time passed and there was still no sign of the close of hostilities he decided that his paramount duty was the defense of the Union. Accordingly on the Ist of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Dewey. The command rendezvoused at Des Moines, on the site of the new fair grounds and thence was sent to Keokuk and then to St. Louis. Mr. Heacock participated in the battles of Pittman's Ferry ; Jackson, Mississippi; Fort Esperanges, Texas; and Spanish Port and Mobile, Alabama; and also took part in the famous siege of Vicks- burg. He also saw much service in Texas as he went with the army of occupa- tion whose task it was to reestablish law and order and it was only after a great deal of trouble that the bands of outlaws that terrorized the country were broken up. For about two years of his term he served as ward nurse at the brigade hospital. On one trip by boat from Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans he had only one hour's sleep out of the twenty-four for four days and nights, and he underwent many hardships that were very trying and that tested severely his physical endurance. Although he was under fire many times and although there was never any question as to his intrepid valor he escaped without injury. He was mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, and returned to Madison county in August, 1865.
Mr. Heacock again turned his attention to farming upon the restoration of peace and operated land in Scott township until the spring of 1867, when he removed to Ohio township, where he purchased forty acres of land. Two years later he traded it for eighty acres which he farmed until 1883, when on account of the state of his health he sold the land and removed to Truro. He purchased residence property here and has since lived retired, having accumulated a compe- tence by his labor in former years. While actively engaged in farming he was alert, progressive and industrious and was successful both as a general farmer and stock-raiser.
In 1866 Mr. Heacock married Miss Elizabeth Holmes, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (De Long) Holmes, pioneer settlers of Madison county arriving here in 1857. The father was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Heacock became the parents of four children, as follows: Hattie married George Caskey, by whom she has two children, Jesse and Amsey, and she resides in Blue Ridge, Missouri. Nellie became the wife of Ed Scott and passed away two decades ago, leaving a son, Ray. Lillian is the wife of Ed Smith, a farmer of Warren county, Iowa, and they have two children, Leah and Earl. Ida married Frank Rankin, a farmer of Ohio township, and passed away June 18, 1905, leaving two children, Garry and Geraldine. Mrs. Heacock departed this life at Truro on the 20th of June, 1896. She was a devout member of the Christian church, to which her husband also belongs.
333
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Mr. Heacock's political views coincide with the policies of the republican party where national issues are at stake but in local affairs he generally votes for the man rather than the party. He is a strong temperance man and does all in his power to overthrow the liquor traffic, which he believes to be the cause of many of the evils of our modern life. When a boy he was a member of the Sons of Temperance. He was an enthusiastic member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Truro during the entire time that it was in existence and his wife belonged to the Woman's Relief Corps. She was also a member of the Band of Good Hope. From his earliest boyhood his life has conformed to high moral principles and he is given that respect which is always accorded to genuine worth. At all times public-spirited to a marked degree, he cooperates in many movements for the public good and is one of the most valued citizens of his township.
GEORGE ALBERT BARDRICK.
George Albert Bardrick, a prominent farmer and stockman of section 27, Douglas township, is a native of this county, born May 3, 1874. His father was George Bardrick, George being the family name for several generations back. He was born at Laten-Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England, in July, 1816, and passed away in this county in September, 1889. On the day that he entered school he unconsciously broke one of the rules, for which he was punished, with the result that he never attended school again. He began his independent career as a gardener and huckster, traveling over all parts of the country, and in that way learned all of the country dialects of England. His mother was an expert at braiding hats and he sold those as well as produce. When twenty-one years of age, in 1837, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York. \ year later he came west with his brother and settled in Sangamon county, Illinois, which district was then little more than virgin prairie and it was necessary to break the sod before crops could be planted. He did that and built a residence, continuing to improve his property until 1852. He then came to this county and purchased land near Winterset, paying therefor the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. In 1864 he was married to Miss Rebecca Lovelace, who was born in Smicksburg, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Her natal day was the 3d of August, 1848, and she is still living in Winterset. Mr. Bardrick added to his original holdings from time to time and as he was an indefatigable worker and a good business man he eventually held title to nearly one thousand acres of excellent land in Madison county. He kept large herds of cattle, which ran upon the open prairie with a herder to watch them to see that they did not stray too far. He also raised large numbers of draft horses. In the early days of the county he bought and sold land extensively, taking gold in payment, and he then bought greenbacks with the gold, realizing considerable profit in his financial transactions. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His success was noteworthy in itself and was remarkable when one considers that he had no education and that he started out in life empty-handed, depending entirely upon his own resources. He was one of the
334
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
best known citizens of this county in the early days of its history and left his impress upon its development.
George Albert Bardrick attended the Winterset schools and when twenty years of age began farming on his own account on land obtained from his father. After living upon that place for seven years he sold and bought land in Lincoln township, which he operated for seven years. For the past six years he has made his home on one hundred and twenty acres in Douglas township, which he owns and operates. The residence was one of the first frame houses erected in the township and is built of black walnut which was taken from tim- ber upon the place. The farm is named Oak View and he was the first in the county to register a farm name. Everything about the place is kept in excellent repair, there is a good barn and a large silo, and the value of the property is further enhanced by an orchard which provides the family with an abundance of fruit. Mr. Bardrick is concentrating his attention largely upon stock-raising and feeds many head of young cattle annually, shipping them as "baby beef." He also buys, sells and ships hogs and is prospering in his undertakings, as he devotes his entire time to his business and personally sees that all details are properly taken care of.
Mr. Bardrick was married on the 13th of February, 1895, to Miss Cora Reed, a daughter of Z. S. and Hester (Bishop) Reed. She was born in a log cabin near Peru, this county. Her father was born in 1845 in Bedfordshire, England, near the birthplace of the father of our subject, and they knew each other there. Mr. Reed came to the United States with his parents when but ten years of age, the family settling in Madison county. He worked in his father's sawmill on Middle river in Lincoln township and remained at home until eighteen years of age. He then ran away and joined Company D, First Iowa Cavalry, with which he served in the Civil war for two years, being mustered out February 15, 1866, at Austin, Texas. Returning home he assisted his father, who was engaged in fruit growing, and he also worked at the carpenter's trade in Winterset, as the farm was very close to town. When he began farming on his own account he removed to Scott township, in the vicinity of Peru, and lived there until 1870. He then located near Pawnee City, Nebraska, where he took up a claim, residing in a building part cabin and part dugout. He obtained money to buy the neces- sary material for his cabin by selling his right to additional land. He set out six hundred fruit trees and when not busy upon his land worked at the carpenter's trade. There were many obstacles and discouragements, and it was often neces- sary to fight prairie fires, but he remained in Nebraska until 1873, when he returned to Lincoln township, this county, and was associated with his father in the conduct of a sawmill on Middle river. In 1884 he went to Adair county, Iowa, and bought raw prairie land near Greenfield. He at once set to work to break the sod and in so doing plowed up twenty-three rattlesnakes in one small plot of ground. In 1890 he returned to Madison county and took up his residence upon a fruit ranch, where he raised large quantities of berries and fruits. In 1891 he built a home in Winterset and moved to that city, where he resided until his death. After taking up his abode there he continued to work at his trade to some extent. He passed away on the 7th of November, 1911, and is survived hy his wife, who was born in 1847 in Indiana. Mr. Reed was throughout his life active in Sunday school and church work and for many years was superintendent
335
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
of two Sunday schools, one meeting in the morning and the other in the after- noon. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom Mrs. Bardrick is the oldest. She was but sixteen years of age when she began teaching in the country schools but later continued her education, attending the high school at Winterset and the normal school at Dexter, Iowa. She is keenly interested in all that is happening in the outside world and is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband is also a member. Both are very hos- pitable and their kindness is well known, many having received help from them in a time of need.
Mr. Bardrick is prominent in the local circles of the republican party, has hield offices in both Lincoln and Douglas townships and has been a delegate to county and state conventions. He is one of the most valued citizens of Madison county and is not only making valuable contribution to the development of the county along the lines of agriculture and stock-raising, but is also doing much to further its moral and civic advancement.
MARTIN ROWE.
Martin Rowe is honored as an old soldier, who also has the distinction of being one of the early settlers of this county and for many years was an active and progressive farmer. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of April, 1838, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Glassburner ) Rowe, further mention of whom occurs in the sketch of Henry Rowe.
Martin Rowe gave his parents the benefit of his work until he was twenty- one years of age and then became a hired hand, thus beginning his independent business career. In 1863 he came to Madison county, Iowa, and in that same year enlisted at Davenport in Company L, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Rittan and Colonel John Sully. He served for two years and eight months and proved an excellent soldier, being mustered out at Sioux City. After the close of hostilities he went to Davis county, Iowa, and a year after- ward again came to Madison county and bought eighty acres of improved land on section 15, Grand River township. He continued to reside there until Janu- ary, 1914, when he retired and removed to Macksburg. He was very successful as an agriculturist and accumulated a competence which enables him to enjoy not only the comforts but also such of the luxuries of life as he desires. He has one of the finest homes in Macksburg and is vice president of the Macksburg National Bank. He added to his original holdings and acquired title to over a half section of excellent land, all of which he has sold or given to his sons. He was the first man to make a business of feeding cattle in Grand River township and his success in that line was instrumental in inducing many others to turn their attention to that business.
Mr. Rowe married Miss Becky Gray, a native of Ohio, who passed away about three years ago. To them were born five children: William, who is living in Macksburg; Elizabeth, the wife of W. P. Love, of Macksburg; A. H., who is residing on the home farm; Delia, the wife of George Bodyguard, of Denver, Colorado; and Della, who married Harry Glenn, a veterinary surgeon of Okla-
336
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
homa City, Oklahoma. Mr. Rowe's present wife was Miss Bertha Bonham, a daughter of David Bonham.
Mr. Rowe is a republican and has taken considerable part in the direction of public affairs. For many years he was township trustee ; for twelve years served on the city council of Macksburg; and for nine years was school director. He has always discharged his official duties with ability and conscientiousness, and his record is a distinctly creditable one. His wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and was much interested in everything relating to its welfare. Mr. Rowe has at all times manifested a keen sense of his community obligations and his public spirit is one of his most marked characteristics. He has con- tributed liberally to the support of the church, and when the railroad was built to Macksburg made generous contributions toward the fund for securing it. He has done all within his power to further the welfare of the public schools and there is no good cause which he has refused to aid. His life has been a suc- cessful one, as he has not only gained a large measure of material prosperity but has also at all times proved himself a man of honor and integrity, and the respect and goodwill of his associates are freely accorded him.
JOHN C. FOSTER.
John C. Foster, who is living retired in Winterset, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1835, a son of Moses Foster, whose birth occurred in Virginia in 1802. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Foster, who was probably born in Maryland, was a son of Samuel Foster, who emigrated to the United States from England and was in turn a son of Benjamin Foster, like- wise a native of England. When Moses Foster was two years of age his parents removed to Cadiz, Ohio, and when he was twelve the family home was estab- lished on Little Stillwater in Tuscarawas county, where he grew to manhood and became familiar with farm work. In 1855, when John C. Foster was twenty years of age, the family went down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river to Keokuk and thence by wagon to Madison county, Iowa, settling in Monroe town- ship, where Moses Foster entered forty acres of land. He purchased other land at six dollars per acre and engaged in farming in this county until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-nine years of age. He was a member of the Christian church, which he joined while living in Ohio, and in his early days gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, although later he sup- ported the republican party. He married Miss Peree Kale, who was born in Ohio in 1807 and they were married in her native state. She passed away in Monroe township when eighty-three years of age. To their union were born twelve children: Sarah, the deceased wife of James Iler, the man who brought the first printing press to Madison county; Mary Ann, the deceased wife of John Huston ; Reuben, who resides in St. Charles, Iowa ; Rachel E., the wife of Benjamin Reed : George K., deceased; Rebecca, who gave her hand in marriage to David Lyons; John C., of this review; Peree, who died in childhood; Moses B. and Jesse Millard, who also died in childhood; David F., who resides in
MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. FESTER
339
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Tacoma, Washington; and Luella, the wife of O. P. Ross, of Kossuth county, Iowa.
John C. Foster was twenty years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county and a year or two later he bought fifty acres of unimproved land on section 1, Monroe township. He built a small frame house, where he reared his children, but later erected a larger residence. For several years he and his brother, David F., engaged in the nursery business, but our subject devoted more time to carpentering and cabinet-making than to the nursery business. He purchased additional land, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres, from which he derived a gratifying income. He lived upon the farm until 1902, when he retired and moved to Winterset, where he is now residing. He still owns a quarter section, although he has recently sold the homestead.
Mr. Foster was married in this county to Miss Harriet Lake, who was born in Ohio on the 30th of June, 1839, of the marriage of Ashford and Susan (Hann ) Lake, the former born in Ohio in 1818 and the latter a native of Maryland. In 1855 they came to Madison county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Walnut town- ship, where both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have become the parents of eight children. George Alden, born September 3, 1858, wedded Miss Anna E. Carroll, now deceased. He resides in Des Moines and has two children, Carl and Mae. Ashford Lake, born December 4, 1859, is residing in Winterset. He married Jennie Orr and has two children, Nellie and Lloyd. Etta was born October 27, 1861, and her death occurred in 1863. Minnie L., born Septem- ber 24, 1864, is the wife of Elmer Whiting, of Des Moines, and they have two children, John and Garnita. Heber N., born January 20, 1866, is residing in Spokane, Washington. He married Callie Dunlap and has six children : Elsie, Glenn, Charles, Frank, Eugene and Archie. Emma M., born October 20, 1869, is the wife of Elmer Hubbell, of Des Moines, and they have one child, Bessie. John Denton, a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, was born May 24, 1872. He married Minna Sheffer and has three children: LaDena, Lowell and Robert. Darwin W., who was born March 5, 1874, and resides in Douglas township, wedded Miss Myrtle Groves, by whom he has one child, Earl.
Mr. Foster is a republican and while living upon the farm served as justice of the peace and as school director. He is especially interested in everything relating to the welfare and advancement of the public schools, as he believes that they are the greatest force working for progress. He and his wife are both well educated and insatiable readers and are liberal in their religious views, although he was at one time a member of the Christian church. He places great stress upon justice and right dealing between men, and the rectitude of his life has gained him the sincere respect of all who know him.
A. B. CHAMBERLAIN.
A. B. Chamberlain, who owns and operates a quarter section of excellent land on section 9, Douglas township, is a native of Coudersport, Potter county, Penn- sylvania, born on the 9th of February, 1857, of the marriage of D. W. and Eliza (Campbell) Chamberlain. The father was born in New York on the
340
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
6th of January, 1836, and is now living at Scotland, South Dakota, but the mother, whose birth occurred in Virgil, New York, April 14, 1837, passed away on the Ioth of September, 1888. D. W. Chamberlain was a Methodist Episcopal min- ister and also devoted some attention to farming. In 1863 he removed from Pennsylvania to Nora, Illinois, where he concentrated his attention upon the cul- tivation of the fields. He next went to Pontiac, Michigan, where he remained for a year, but in 1865 became a resident of Raymond, Black Hawk county, Iowa, and for seven years followed agricultural pursuits. During that time he helped to organize the Methodist Episcopal church at Raymond and was also quite active in public affairs. In 1872 he sold his land and removed to Emmetsburg, this state, where for three years he engaged in general merchandising. In 1875 he severed his connection with that business and entered the Methodist Epis- copal conference, thereafter holding pastorates in various places in South Dakota, including Vermillion and Scotland. In 1904 he retired from active church work and has since engaged in the agricultural implement business in Scotland. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party since its organization and in ante-bellum days, while living in Pennsylvania, he was prominently con- nected with the underground railway and had some exciting experiences while aiding refugee slaves to Canada and freedom. A love of justice and courage which he manifested in that trying time has characterized his deeds throughout his entire life and has gained him the sincere respect of his fellowmen.
A. B. Chamberlain received his early education in the district schools and later attended the Methodist Episcopal College at Algona, Iowa, for a year. When twelve years of age he earned some money by working as a chore boy and for a number of years was in the employ of others. One year was spent in Colo- rado and there he worked in mines, sawmills and on railroads, seeing much of the country and gaining much valuable experience. In 1876 he began farming for himself in Jones county, Iowa, and resided there for ten years, but in 1886 removed to the vicinity of Manchester, Delaware county. He owned land there which he cultivated until 1893, when he returned to Jones county. Seven years later he removed to Douglas township, this county, where he has since lived. He owns a one hundred and sixty acre tract of fine land on section 9 and his resi- dence is an attractive and commodious home. His methods of farming are prac- tical and as he is energetic and efficient in the management of his business in- terests his capital is increasing from year to year. He does general farming and also takes considerable interest in the raising of fine horses.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.