USA > Iowa > Mills County > History of Mills County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 70
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DELAVAN, ALFRED, JR., farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, P.O. Malvern; born December 18, 1852, in Indiana. Moved with his parents when very young to Cass county, Missouri, and came to Mills county, Iowa, when eleven years of age. Here he grew to manhood, and spent his youth attending the public schools and working on his father's farm. He also took a course in Tabor College. Was married December 25, 1873, to Miss Nancy Estes, a native of this county. They are the parents of two children: Ada and Desda. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved, and with superior facilities for stock-raising, in which en-
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terprise he is extensively engaged. Mr. Delavan is a young and enter- prising farmer, and his efforts have thus far been crowned with success.
DOBNEY, R., farmer and stock raiser, section 22, P. O. Tabor; born September 15, 1824, in Lincolnshire, England, where he grew to man- hood. His youth was passed in working on a farm. He emigrated to America in 1855, and located in Ohio. Soon after he went to Adams county, Illinois. Came to this county in March, 1864, and has lived here ever since. Was married August 1, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abram and Susan Bell. She was a native of Stanford, England. They are the parents of five children, four of whom are now living: Frank, Mary E., Sarah and George Wm. Mr. Dobney offered his services to his country during the rebellion, but was rejected on account of disability. He came to this county a very poor man, but by industry and patient toil, and by the help of his good wife has amassed considerable property. He owns a farm of 200 acres in Rawles township, with an excellent dwell- ing house and other substantial improvements. This farm is especially adapted to stock raising, in which he is largely engaged. He also owns twenty acres of timber in Lyons township, and a farm of 160 acres in Cass county, Nebraska.
DELAVAN, H. A., farmer and stock raiser, section 20, P. O. Tabor; born January 14, 1845, in Morgan county, Indiana, where he lived until twelve years of age. He then moved with his parents to Cass county, Missouri, where he remained until he reached his majority, and then, in 1863, located in Mills county, Iowa. Was married September 1, 1870, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Estes, and a native of this county. They have by this union two children: Richard C. and Edward C. They have been members of the Christian church for the past twelve years. Mr. Delavan received his education principally in pri- vate schools. His youth was passed working on a farm, which occupa- tion he has since been engaged in continuously, with the exception of fif- teen months, when he was employed as a school teacher. He has several times been elected to the offices of his township, which he has filled to the entire satisfaction of his constitutents. He owns 240 acres of land, well improved, with good facilities for stock raising.
DELAVAN, REV. ALFRED M., farmer, section 18, P. O. Tabor; born near Jersey City, New Jersey, July 27, 1808, where he attended school until fifteen years of age. He then entered a store in New Jersey as a clerk, and remained there for four years; after which he served a two years' apprenticeship as a carpenter, which trade he followed until 1839. In this year he went to Ohio and afterward to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1840 he bought a farm in Morgan county, Indiana, where he resided for nineteen years. While there he was elected to both branches of the State Legislature, serving one term in the lower house and two in the State
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Senate. He was afterward appointed by Governor Wright, commissioner of swamp lands in Morgan county, and was otherwise identified with the interests of his county and state. In 1850 he went to Cass county, Miss- ouri, and lived in different sections of that state until 1863, when he came to Mills county, where he has since resided. Was married July 9, 1834, to Miss Olive Shaw, a native of Dayton, Ohio. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: Lydia, Edward C., Hiram A., Horatio N., Samantha E. and Alfred M., jr. Mr. and Mrs. Delavan have been members of the Christian Church since 1835. Mr. M. was or- dained as a minister of that denomination at Indianapolis in 1839, and con- tinued preaching until 1875, when his health failed. He owns a good farm of eighty acres.
GRAY, W. A., farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, P. O. Malvern; born June 16, 1847, in Knox county, Illinois, where his youth was passed in agricultural pursuits and attending the public schools. He came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1872. He owns two hundred and forty acres of land, well improved, and with superior facilities for stock-raising. Since coming to this county he has been largely engaged in raising blooded hogs, and now possesses some of the finest stock in the county. Was married October 4, 1871, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of John and Sarah Stout, of 'Fulton county, Illinois. They have four children: Bertha M., Minnie E., Nellie G. and Sarah L. Mr. Gray is a member of the ma- sonic order, and has held various offices to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He began life with nothing and has made what he owns by hard work and good management.
GLYNN, JOHN W., farmer and stock-raiser, section 25, P. O. Tabor; born May 29, 1845, in County Carlow, Ireland, where he attended school and worked on a farm until he grew to manhood. Emigrated to America in 1857, and first located in New York. Came to Iowa in 1870, and set- tled on the farm where he now lives in 1871. Was married in 1872 to Miss Betsy King, daughter of Carlos and Betsy West. They are the parents of one child, Walter W. Mrs. Glynn was married previous to the time mentioned, to Lewis A. King, an account of whose tragical death appears in the criminal department of this book. By this marriage she was the mother of five children, two of whom are now living: Marcly R., and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Glynn own a 'fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres, with good dwelling house and many other substantial improvements, which farm is admirably adapted to stock raising, in which he is extensively engaged. Mr. Glynn is a member of the I. O. O. F.
GOODE, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 32 ; born in the town of Bricksworth, Northamptonshire, England, and was educated in the schools under the supervision of the Church of England. When seven-
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teen years of age he commenced to learn the trade of a general mason, and followed that occupation at his native place until thirty-eight years of age, and then went to London, and remained there eleven years. In 1852 he emigrated to America, and first located at Chester, Ohio, where he remained until April, 1867. He then came to Mills county, Iowa. He was married in July, 1838, to Miss Elisheba, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Thompson, of Northamptonshire, England. They are the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom are now living : Lucy E., Charlotte A., Anna M., Mary P., Wm. Henry, Frank L., John T., Joseph, Edward T., Flora L., and Charles F. Mr. Goode built the first brick building in Tabor, and is one of the most skillful mechanics in the county. He is a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. He owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, with good house, barn and other improvements.
GROSSE, THOMAS, section 36, P. O. Tabor, farmer and stock- raiser, born December 19, 1821, in Lincolnshire, England, where he grew to manhood, his youth being passed as a shepherd boy. He immigrated to America in 1865, arriving here on the 15th day of April of that year. He came immediately to the town of Tabor, and was engaged in the care of sheep, and in other farm labor for about four years. In 1870 he located on the farm where he now lives, and engaged in farming and sheep- raising, and has now some of the best sheep in the county. Was mar- ried May 29, 1849, to Miss Catharine, daughter of William and Rebecca Spencer of Lincolnshire, England. They are the parents of three child- ren : Lettia, William and Spencer .. They are members of the Wes- leyan church. He owns eighty acres of good land. He has also been engaged as a veterinary surgeon since coming to the county.
GASTON, JAMES K., farmer and stock-raiser, section 27, P. O. Tabor; born in Richmond, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, April 17, 1832. Moved with his parents to Lorraine county, Ohio, when he was six years of age where he remained until he grew to manhood, working on a farm. He received his education chiefly in the common schools, but attended Oberlin College several terms. He arrived in Iowa November 27, 1852, and worked as a farm laborer for some time, and in the summer of 1853 taught school at Pleasant Grove, near Sidney, in Fremont county. Was married in Tabor, Fremont county, Iowa, November 23, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Cummings, who was born in Lorraine county, Ohio, Sep- tember 12, 1839. They are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Emily C., Ellen M., Willard E., Burton C., Vernon L., Lillie J., Lucy May and George R. He has been a member of the Con- gregational church since 1854, and has always been identified with the work of temperance. He has filled various township offices with credit to himself, and has been school treasurer since 1873. He owns a fine
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farm of 280 acres, which is well improved and especially adapted to stock- raising, in which business he is extensively engaged. He has a very fine building upon his farm, which is a model of neatness and convenience.
GRAVES, E. R., fariner, P. O. Tabor; born February 22, 1820, in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he grew to manhood. At an early age he commenced working at the carpenter trade, and later learned the trade of a millwright. He lived in Tennessee until 1855, when he came to Iowa and located in this township. He remained here but a short time, and then went to Nebraska City and worked as a carpenter for one year and then returned to Tennessee. In 1875 he came again to Iowa and located where he now lives. Was married July 24, 1845, to Miss Alice J. Sinter, a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now living: Salathiel V., William T., Joan M., Laura B., Ten- nie M., Marquis D. L., Adda L., Ulysses R. and Edward C. During the war he was employed by the government as a workman in the machine shops at Kingston, Tennessee. Mr. Graves afterward owned a foundry in Kingston, but owing to his strong Union sentiments, was compelled to abandon it. He then moved to the country, in the vicinity, and engaged in farming, but his crops were destroyed by Confederate troops, and him- self taken prisoner, and only escaped being hung by the intervention of some relatives, who were themselves Confederates.
HALE, PETER, farmer, section 6, P. O. Glenwood; born February 4, 1824, in Laurence county, Kentucky. When thirteen years of age he moved with his parents to Des Moines county, Iowa, and there grew to manhood, and received his education in the common schools. His boy- hood was passed in farming, in which occupation he has continued to the present time. From Des Moines county, Iowa, he went to Henry county, and afterward lived in Jefferson, Mahaska and Lucas counties. Came to Mills county in 1877. Was married in 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Shoe- maker, of Dearborne county, Indiana. They are the parents of six chil- dren: Sarah, Mary, Caroline, Harriet, John and Trevanian. Mr. Hale is a member in good standing of the Dunkard church.
HAINS, JOSEPH, farmer and stock raiser, section 28, P. O. Tabor; born January 1, 1828, in Champaign county, Ohio. When twelve years of age he moved with his parents to Henry county, Iowa. His youth was passed in working on a farm and attending school. Was married in June, 1851, to Miss Jane, daughter of James and Elizabeth Lloyd. Mrs. Hains was born in North Carolina. They are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living: W. Alonzo, Martha E., James W., Samantha J., Job J., Cyntha A. and Jerusha S. They are members of the Protestant Methodist church. He arrived in Mills county September 20, 1871, and located where he now resides. He came to this county a
19
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poor man, but by industry and strict integrity, has become possessed of a fine farm of 327 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and well improved.
HOWARD, JOEL L., farmer and stock dealer, section 33, P. O. Tabor; born March 9, 1842, in Dover, Windham county, Vermont, where he lived until fifteen years of age. His youth was passed in working on a farm and attending school. He arrived in Iowa May 9, 1857, and located in Fremont county. Was married December 12, 1878, to Miss Electa, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Miller. She was born in Green county, Ohio. They are members of the Congregational church of Tabor. He is well esteemed by his neighbors as a christian man, a good school teacher and a quiet, unpretentious citizen. He owns a good farm of 154 acres, and a separate ten acres of timber land. His farm is well adapted to feeding and raising stock, in which business he is largely engaged.
KLINE, JOHN M., P. O. Malvern; born in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania. When eight years of age he went with his parents to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he remained until twenty-two years of age. He then came to this county, rented a farm and commenced farming. In 1877 he purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Rawles township, where he now resides. He now owns a fine farm of 120 acres, which he has procured solely by his individual efforts. His farm is well stocked with cattle and hogs, and he is now feeding a large number of cattle for market. Was married October 13, 1872, to Miss Ella A. Whitfield, a native of Michigan. They are the parents of three children: Otto, John and Ruth.
MADDEN, JOHN H., farmer and stock raiser, section 14, P. O., Malvern; born May 1, 1833, in Muskingum county, Ohio, where he re- mained until about eighteen years of age, and then moved with his parents to Putnam county, same state. He arrived in Iowa, June 29, 1864, after a weary journey of thirty-three days, and located in White Cloud township. Two years later he came to Rawles township, and set- tled on the farm where he now lives. Was married November 5, 1857, to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Rachel Fickle, of Perry county, Ohio. They have had four children, three of whom are now living: Rachel, Emma L., Mary E. and Lydia (deceased). He is a member of the M. E. church and has always been identified with the school interests of his community. He has served his township officially almost con- stantly since his arrival here. He owns a farm of 160 acres, with good dwelling house, fine orchard and other substantial improvements. Mr. Madden is a man of strict integrity and has the confidence of all his neigh- bors.
MADISON WILLIAM W., farmer, section 22, P. O., Tabor; born November 1, 1839, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he lived
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until eleven years of age, when he moved with his parents to Lorraine county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood. He attended the public schools of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and later attended the Tabor schools, in which he received the principal part of his education. After coming to this county he learned the carpenter trade, and followed that occupation until the beginning of the late war, when he enlisted November 17, 1861, in company F, 15th Iowa volunteer infantry. He participated in the bat- tles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg and Grand Junc- tion, and was with Sherman on his " March to the Sea." He veteranized in 1863, and was discharged July 25, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa. On the 4th of July, 1866, he met with an accident which caused the loss of his right eye. In company with a party of young men, he was preparing to celebrate the fourth, by " shooting a log," and while he was arranging the fuse with an auger, the log exploded and the end of the tool struck him in the eye. Was married in February, 1876, to Mrs. Sarah Busenbark, of New York. Previous to this Mrs Madison was married to Mr. May- nard Busenback, by whom she was the mother of three children, two of whom are now living: Earnest W. and Maynard. Mr. B. died at this place from disease contracted while in the army. Mr. Madison owns a good farm of 130 acres, well improved.
MOON, T. J., farmer and stock-raiser, section 34, P. O. Tabor; born January 22, 1830, in Cortland county, New York. When seven years of age he moved with his parents to Steuben county, where he grew to man- hood, attending school and working at farm labor. Went to Lee county, Illinois, in the spring of 1852, and in the spring of 1857 went to southern Kansas and participated in the border warfare, which at that time was at its height, and acted with great credit in the interest of freedom. In 1859 he moved to Madison county, Iowa, and remained there until 1864, when he came to Fremont county, and one year later located in Mills county on the farm where he now resides. Was married November 8, 1860, to Miss Emma, daughter of Franklin and Lucy Jane Bosworth, of Trumbull county, Ohio. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Mary E., George W., Lora B., Ura G., Myrtie E., Lydia L. and Emma P. Mr. Moon and family are members of the Congrega- tional church. He has been several times elected to the various township offices, and at present is acting in the capacity of constable. He served in the state militia, and was for two years captain of a company of home guards. He owns a good farm of 120 acres, well improved.
. MUNSINGER, CHARLES, farmer and proprietor of Pleasant Hill nursery, section 27, P. O. Tabor; born near Hamburg, Germany, De- cember 17, 1820. His parents immigrated to America when he was five years old, and located in Lorraine county, Ohio, where his youth was passed attending school and working on a farm. When twenty-one years
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of age he learned the trade of a tanner and currier, which occupation he followed for about fifteen years. He arrived in Iowa May 28, 1855, and located in Fremont county. In the year following came to Mills county, and in 1858 settled on the farm where he now resides. Was married October 23, 1849, to Miss Electa daughter of John W. and Alvira North- rop; she was born in Livonia, Ontario county, New York. They have one child living: Evangeline; and two deceased. Mr. M. has been several times elected to the various township offices, which he has filled to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has been a member of the Congregational church since his arrival in the county. He owns a fine fruit farm of forty acres, and has now one of the most complete nurseries in the west. He also owns a good tract of timber land in Lyons town- ship.
McPHERRON, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Tabor; born November 18, 1815, in Knox county, Tennessee, where he worked on a farm and attended school until he grew to manhood. In 1836 he came to Henry county, Iowa, and remained one year and a half, and then returned to Tennessee. He again emigrated to Iowa and settled on his present location May 31, 1851. Was married February 21, 1839, to Miss Mary A. S. Graves, a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Caroline T., Asbury S., John Melville, William S., Henry A., Nancy E. and Alfred Monroe. His two sons, Asbury and John, served in the war of the rebellion, and were honorably discharged. The family are members of the .M. E. church, and Mr. McPherron has been for a number of years identified as church steward and class leader in that denomination, and has also been superin- tendent of the Sabbath school. He was for a time engaged in teaching school and was one of the pioneer teachers of the township, and has held numerous township offices. He owns a good farm of 160 acres, well improved.
McPHERRON, ALFRED B., farmer and stock-raiser, section 17; born in Knox county, Tennessee, April 22, 1820, where he grew to man- hood and was educated in the private schools of that county. His youth was passed in working on a farm, which occupation he has continued until the present time. He came from that place to this county in 1852, and has resided here ever since. He was married September 7, 1872, to Mrs. Eliza King, daughter of Benjamin and Matilda Utterback. She was married to Mr. Geo. W. King, by whom she was the mother of two children. In 1863 he enlisted in the 8th Iowa Cavalry, and later in the Fourth Artillery. He remained in the service about two years and was discharged at Davenport in July, 1865. Mr. M. has been elected from time to time to most of the township offices. He owns a well- improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
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OSBORN, JOHN F., P. O. Malvern, farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, born August 11, 1815, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. His youth was passed in working on a farm and attending the private schools of his native county. When eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. He followed that occupation exclusively for fifteen years, and has worked at his trade in connection with farming, all his life. He went to Saline county, Illinois, in 1837, and remained there about eight years, and then moved to Fayette county, Wisconsin. Came to Iowa in 1865, and purchased the farm where he now lives, which consists of two hundred and forty acres of good land, which is well improved. Was married March 10th, 1841, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of James and Mary Dunlap. She was born in Dearborn county, Indiana. They are the parents of four children : Sylvester C., Clara, Cora L. and Jennie L. They are members of the Congregational church, and have been closely identified with the interests of that denomination.
REASONER, JAMES P., farmer. section 1, P. O. Hillsdale; born in Coshocton county, Ohio, November 2, 1839; moved with his parents when very young to Muskingum county, where he grew to manhood, working on his father's farm and attending the common schools. Came with his parents to this county in 1863, locating near Glenwood, and set- tled on the farm where he now lives in 1872. Was married to Miss Mary S., daughter of Dr. John S. and Abigail W. Haldeman, of Hamilton county, Ohio, October 20, 1870. They have had six children, four of whom are now living: Lucy A., Abby E., Florence J. and Olive A. He is a member of the M. E. church; has held the office of justice of the peace, and enjoys the fullest respect and confidence of his neighbors. He owns an improved farm of two hundred and fifty-five acres, which is the result of his indomitable will and patient toil.
RUSSELL, ORLONZO B., farmer and stock-raiser, section 25, P. O. Tabor; born January 21, 1838, in Hastings, Oswego county, New York, where he remained until eleven years of age, and then moved with his parents to Fulton county, Illinois. He received his education in the common schools of his native state, and in the graded schools of Farming- ton, Illinois. He came to Iowa in 1855, arriving in this county June 6, and camped on Elm creek, near where Hillsdale now stands. He shortly after entered eighty acres of the farm where he now lives, and purchased the remainder as his means would admit. Was married July 3, 1862, to Miss Josephine Hammond, a native of Fulton county, Illinois. They are the parents of five children: Edward S., Junita, Robert B., Julia and John. Mr. Russll is a member of the Northwestern Mutual Life Association, and has held the office of township trustee and other local offices. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all suitable for cultiva- tion, and forty acres of timber land adjoining. His parents, John and Lucy
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Russell, were natives of New York, where his mother died. His father died shortly after locating in Illinois.
RUSSELL, HENRY, farmer, section 26, P. O. Tabor; born Decem- ber 5, 1853, in Fulton county, Illinois. Came with his parents when four years old to Iowa, and immediately located in Rawles township, where he has since continuously resided. His youth was passed in attending the public schools and working on the farm. Was married July 4, 1875, to Miss Margaret, daughter of James and Jane Bannister, of Hamilton county, Ohio. They have one child, Nettie E. Mr. Russell is one of the oldest settlers, the greater portion of his life being passed in the township where he now lives. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, well improved, with a good orchard and an abundance of small fruit.
RUSSELL, HIRAM, farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, P. O. Ta- bor; born August 30, 1832 in New York, where he remained until thir- teen years of age, when he went with his parents to Fulton county, Illi- nois, and there grew to manhood. His youth was passed in farming, which occupation he has followed continuously to the present time. He attended the public schools of his place, and received an education com- mensurate with his surroundings. He came to Iowa in 1856, arriving October 25, and shortly after entered eighty acres of the farm he now owns, and purchased the remainder from time to time as his hard earned accumulations would permit; amounting at the present time to 256 acres, making one of the finest farms in the township. Was married August 21, 1851, to Miss Harriett E., daughter of Elias and Arpha Prosser, of Albany county, New York. They are the parents of eight children: Henry E., Emma A., Lucy A., Mary E., Jennette O., Harriett B., Hiram E. and Elizabeth. Mr. Russell is an old and worthy citizen, and has been several times elected to the various township offices.
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