USA > Iowa > Mills County > History of Mills County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 79
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SPRAGUE, IRA A., of the firm of Sprague & Co., Glenwood Iron Works. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1820. There he spent his early youth in the pursuits of agriculture and acquiring a liberal common school education. In 1843 he went to Massachusetts to learn the trade of an iron worker, devoting about two years to its pur- suits there and in New York, returning to Ohio at the end of that time, having spent his time in some of the best shops in the country. In 1863 he turned his course westward, arriving in Adair county, Iowa, in June of that year. The following spring he went to Adams county, where he purchased and improved a farm which he still possesses. In 1869 he went to Des Moines and took charge of the iron works of Tidrick & Vorse, which he conducted for several years. In 1873 he came to Glenwood, and with the assistance of its citizens erected his present shops. He was married in New York state, in 1845, to Miss Mary Colville, a native of that state. Their family now consists of three children, Charles and Robert, who are in business with him, and a daughter Jessie. Mr. Sprague is a man virtually self-made and self-educated, as he began busi- ness for himself with very limited means, and through his habits of con- tinued industry and close attention to business has succeeded in surround- ing himself, as well as providing his children, with all the necessaries and
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many luxuries of life. As a mechanic he stands at the head of his trade, and in his shops can be seen many samples of his work, which are a standing credit to his skill. He is a good citizen and has done much toward the development of the business resources of the town in which he resides.
HEAD, THOMAS H., agent Hawkeye Insurance, Co .; is a native of of Kentucky, and was born September 18, 1825. At the age of seven years his parents moved to the state of Ohio, where he was raised to manhood, and educated in the common schools. In 1844 he came to Illi- nois, where he remained until 1857, when he came to Mills county, loca- ting at Glenwood, where he has lived to see the barren spot grow to the flourishing town now his home. He has devoted most of his time as a millwright, in which trade he is very proficient. Of late years he has been following lighter employment, and now represents one of the staunch- est insurance companies doing business in the state. He was married in 1850 to Miss Sophronia Crosswait, a native of Tennessee. By this union they have four children: Wm. P., Lula M., Carl and Vesta, living, and one deceased. He enlisted July 1, 1861, in company A, Fourth Iowa infantry, where he served about eleven months, and then was given a recruiting commission in which he continued to the close of the war.
STARBUCK, E., attorney, of the firm of Starbuck & Ivory, attor- neys, P. O. Glenwood; was born in Belmont county, Ohio, the 9th day of April, 1842. When he was about twelve years of age, his parents brought him to Iowa, locating near Osceola on a farm. There his early youth was spent in the pursuits of agriculture, and acquiring an educa- tion. When he was about eighteen years of age he engaged in school teaching, devoting about nine months in the year to its pursuits, and the balance of his time to the duties of the farm. He began the study of law in Osceola under the tuition of Messrs. Scovill & Clark, of that place, in 1862. In the autumn of 1862 he enlisted in company K, Thirty-ninth Iowa infantry. He participated in some of the severest contested battles of the war, among which were the battles of Dalton, Georgia, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Altoona and others. He was on detached duty during a part of his service; was taken prisoner at Parker Cross Road, and after being kept a season of six or eight months was exchanged. He was pro- moted to orderly sergeant during his service. On the 5th day of June, 1865, he was mustered out at Washington, and in the autumn of that year he returned to Iowa, resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Mills county the spring of 1866. He was married October 1866, to Miss Sallie L. Delashnutt; she is a native of Jefferson county, this state. Their family consists of three children living: Gertie, Essie and Frankie. Mr. S. is now associated with Mr. T. W. Ivory. They practice in all Iowa courts; are also engaged in real estate and loan and trust business, and
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have identified themselves as among the leading attorneys of Mills county. They have carried many prominent litigations to successful endings.
STEPHENS, T. L., postmaster, Glenwood; the subject of this sketch was born in Carroll county, Ohio, the 20th day of October, 1838. When he was about six years of age his parents brought him to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he made his home until 1860. He then entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, which institution he attended five years, graduating in the classical course in the spring of 1865. He was then employed as a tutor in that college for about three years. He then went to Nebraska City, where he remained about one year, when he came to Glenwood. In the spring of 1869 he was appointed principal of the Western Iowa College, which he conducted about one year. He was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, which position he held until the close of that institution, and its change to the asylum for feeble-minded children. He then conducted the Glenwood Opinion about six months as its editor. He was oppointed postmaster the 23d of Feb- ruary, 1876, which office he still holds. He was married at Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1865, to Miss Lizzie Prior. She is a native of Worthington, Ohio. She is a lady of refinement and culture, and was a teacher in the musical department of Cornell College previous to their marriage. From this union they have one child living, Thomas L .; they lost three. In May, 1864, Mr. Stephens was enrolled as second lieutenant in company D, Forty-fourth Iowa infantry, and was mustered out with the regiment in 1865. In 1856 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has since been an active worker for the cause of christianity. He has been a local preacher in that body for the past eighteen years, and local deacon since 1879. Mr. Stephens is a man who is highly esteemed as a citizen, has done much for the elevation of his fellow beings, and has made an efficient postmaster.
SCOTT, B. W., section 36, P. O. Glenwood; is a native of Tyler county, Virginia, and was born March 18, 1826. At the age of eight years he moved with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, which was then a territory and sparsely settled. He witnessed the great changes made in that county in twenty-one years, and in 1855 came to Mills county, arriving in October of that year; at first locating in Glenwood and engaging in hauling goods from the Missouri river, then the only thoroughfare by which the comforts of life were obtainable. He was then elected by the people to the office of drainage commissioner, and served four years. He also served as sheriff and acted as U. S. marshal. After serving as sheriff for one year he resigned, to enable him to give his attention to his farm, which contains 155 acres, is well improved, with good buildings, an orchard, and is well stocked. He was married in June, 1852, to Miss Cynthia McCammon, of Van Buren county, who was born
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in 1829. The fruits of this union are nine children: Charles B., Francis M., Willard S., George B., Romain, R. F., Bert and Ada A. Mrs. Scott is probably the oldest resident of Iowa in Mills county, dating her resi- dence from 1834.
TERRY, ALBY, farmer, section 10, P. O. Glenwood; born in May, 1836, in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he remained until sixteen years of age, spending much of his time in company with the Indians, who thickly infested that country. In 1852 he moved to Warren county, Illinois. A few years later he came to Iowa, locating in Madison county, where he remained until 1863. He then went to Denver and engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, returning to Madison county, Iowa, in the following year. In 1866 he came to Glenwood, and in 1867 located on the farm where he now resides. Was married February 7, 1857, to Miss Sarah Ann Ludwick, of Pennsylvania. Six children have been born to them-five now living: Harriett A., Van Doren P., Rosetta, John Francis and Hazzard P. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has served two years as a policeman in Glenwood. He owns seventy-seven acres of land, on which are good buildings and a fruitful orchard. His life has been uneventful and unromantic. He is a man of strict integrity, and has proven himself a valuable citizen.
TIPTON, THEODORE D., farmer and fruit grower, section 10, P. O. Glenwood; born October 1, 1841, in Allen county, Ohio. When thirteen years of age he moved with his parents to Atchison county, Mis- souri, where he resided until 1856, and then came to this county. In 1859 he went to Denver, Colorado, and was engaged for three years in freighting. In December, 1863, he enlisted in company F, First Nebraska cavalry. While in this company he participated in many skirmishes with the Indians, including the noted battle of White Stone Hill. During the evening on the day of this battle the commander called for a volunteer to carry a message to the general camp. Mr. Tipton responded promptly, and set out late in the evening. He had not proceeded far when he found himself pursued by Indians, and during the heat and excitement of the chase he became lost. After four or five days' search, utterly exhausted, and almost at the point of starvation, he reached his friends. He was discharged at Omaha, after fourteen months' faithful service. In 1864 he was employed by Judge Brown, who lived in Montana, to take his wife and daughter from Nebraska City to that territory. He started in May, in company with several others, who accompanied him until reaching Soda Springs, on Bear river. Here they separated, and Mrs. Tipton and the two ladies continued their journey alone. On reaching Crow Foot river they encountered a band of about seventy desperate charac- ters called "road agents," who seemed determined to get possession of the ladies under his charge. Mr. T. and the ladies were some distance on
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their way before the desperadoes missed them. They were hotly pur- sued, and would have been overtaken, but just as they were about to despair they descried a wagon train in the distance, and the road agents seeing assistance at hand, abandoned the chase. Mr. Tipton delivered his charge to Mr. Brown at Virginia City in safety. He remained in this wild country about six years, engaged in various occupations, and then went to Salt Lake City and engaged in the livery business. While in this city he was disabled by the fall of a horse, and was compelled to walk on crutches nearly three years. He has been engaged in the real estate and mining business in various places in Iowa, Nebraska and Colo- rado. Was married December 14, 1873, to Miss Sadie E. Strair, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. They are the parents of four children: Emma May, Homer Jasper, Orville DeLoss, and Elvira Leora; the two latter deceased. Mr. T. has been an active member of the M. E. church since childhood. He was the first commissioned officer in Nebraska, and the first justice of the peace in Montana. He owns the Pacific Hill fruit farm, consisting of one hundred and ninety-five acres, with an elegant house and commodious barns.
WILLIAMS, JUDGE J. F., farmer and proprietor of Phoenix Mills, section 22, P. O. Glenwood; born July 22, 1822, in Franklin county, West Virginia. While yet a child he moved with his parents to Clay county, Missouri. He attended the pioneer subscription schools, and when large enough assisted his father in operating a ferry on the Mis- souri river. He remained in Clay county until nineteen years of age and then went to St. Louis, and obtained a position in a lumber yard, remaining one year and then went to Holt county, Missouri, and took up a claim in the district known as the Platte Purchase. He enlisted July +, 1847, in company C, of the Oregon battalion, Captain James Craig, and under command of Col. Ludwig Powell. He did faithful service during the war with Mexico, until November 8,1848, when he was discharged at Ft. Leavenworth. April 29, 1849, he started on an overland trip to Califor- nia. While on this journey he measured the distance by means of a roadometer attached to the wagon wheel, and collected other valuable information, with the view of publishing a guide book, but sold his man- uscript to Captain Belknap, who published it with success. He came to Iowa in 1862, locating in Fremont county. In 1864 he went to Nebraska City and engaged in the mercantile business, where he remained one year, and then came to this county, locating in Lyons township. In 1867 he purchased the Phoenix Mills, and one year later settled on the farm in connection with the mill. He owns two farms, consisting of 360 acres, both well improved. Was married February 16, 1845, to Miss Sarah Keeney, a native of Tennessee, by whom he is the father of one child, Sarah. Mrs. Williams died in December, 1847. He was married a sec-
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ond time, March 6, 1852, to Miss Nancy Minerva Dodge, of Marietta, Ohio. Six children have been born to them, four of whom are living: Lethy E., Mary A., Elvira E. and John F. Mrs. Williams died in De- cember, 1867. Judge Williams is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Christian church, in which denomination he has been an elder for the past twelve years. He has filled numerous official positions, being three times elected county judge of Holt county, Missouri.
WILSON, I. N., there are many men who have attained influence and are entitled to be remembered, and among them is this gentleman. He was born in the year 1837, in Cambridge, Gurnsey county, Ohio. Ten years afterwards his parents moved to Gibson county, Indiana. His father was a skilled cabinet maker, and this trade Mr. Wilson acquired, guided by the experience of his father. In 1857, the whole business of the establishment devolved on him, owing to the death of his father. In 1865, he became a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in the furniture business in company with a Mr. Behu, the firm name being Behu, Wilson & Co. In 1873, he disposed of his interests in Ne- braska and went to Vincennes, Indiana, to take charge of a chair manu- factory. This he conducted a few months and then returned to Omaha. In 1876, he came to Glenwood and became established in his present busi- ness, with a stock of goods valued at $5,000. In addition to his business he conducts and owns a farm of something more than one hundred acres, and raises on it some very fine blooded stock. The farm is under an ex- cellent state of cultivation, improved with orchards, a dwelling and other necessary buildings.
WHEELER, HON. WILLIAM, retired farmer, Glenwood; was born August 18, 1810, in Bristol, Hartford county, Connecticut. At the age of seven years he was bound out to work on a farm until fourteen years old; all of his early life was passed as a farm hand except about six months, when he was going to school, this being all the schooling he ever received. In 1827, he, in company with a brother, went to Onondaga county, New York, and engaged in farming until 1831, when he purchased a farm in St. Joseph county, Michigan, residing on it for thirty-three years. Mr. Wheeler was a delegate to the state convention which met in Michigan in 1854, having for its object the formation of an anti-slavery party and was a member of the committee which adopted the resolutions and plat- form of what afterwards was known as the republican party. Besides having held a number of minor public offices he served from 1860 until 1864 as member of the legislature and was instrumental in securing the passage of many bills of public interest. In the latter year he removed to Mills county, Iowa, locating at Glenwood, where he has ever since en- joyed the respect of his neighbors. On July 16, 1831, he was united in matrimony with Phebe D. Makyers of Ononda county, New York.
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As a result of this union they have ten living children: Daniel H., Wil- liam B., C. S., Sibyl J., Clarrissa, Thede M., Mary P., Rhoda H., Zara R., Jessie F. As a business man he has been very successful having given each of his children good farms besides retaining a competency for himself in his old age.
WALKER, CARSON, P. O. Glenwood; a prominent early settler, who was born April 27, 1829, in Morgan county, Indiana. At an early age he moved with his parents to Hendrick county. His youth was spent in farming and accquiring an education. At the age of twenty-two he commenced teaching which he continued three years. In 1855 he came with his father, Robert Walker, to Mills county and located where he now resides. The following winter he taught school where the Mick- elwait school house now stands. He engaged in teaching the greater portion of twelve years, since which he has followed agricultural pursuits. He was married October 19, 1879, to Sally E. Phipps, of Mills county, who was born October 25, 1845. Mr. Walker owns a well improved farm, with good building and an orchard. He has served as township assessor, and is at present an efficient treasurer of the school board, and is esteemed as a good citizen.
INGRAHAM TOWNSHIP.
ALLISON, JAMES R., farmer and stock-dealer, section 13, P. O. Silver City; born December 28, 1841, in Pennsylvania. In 1851 he came with his parents, Henry and Nancy Allison, to this county, locating in Ingraham township, where James labored on the home farm, and attended the common schools. He was married March 9, 1865, to Miss Cynthia Moffatt, a native of North Carolina. They now have a family of six children: Elvira J., Nannie M., Mary A., Sadie, Clara, and James Clyde. Mr. Allison possesses a beautiful farm of 450 acres, all under cultivation, or in meadow. He is largely engaged in raising, feeding and shipping hogs and cattle, and is one of the most successful farmers in Mills county. Mr. Allison is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and of the M. E. church. He is always foremost in advocacy of all schemes tending to the advancement and improvement of his community and county. Mrs. Allison is a zealous worker for the cause of christianity, and is a member of the Baptist church.
ARMSTRONG. J. T., physician and surgeon, is a native of Colum- biana county, Ohio, where he was born December 28, 1856. During his childhood his parents moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, and here he attained his majority. His education, commenced in the common school,
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was completed at Parson's College, Fairfield, Iowa. In 1876 he began to read medicine with Dr. O. W. Archibald, of Glenwood. He attended medical lectures at the Iowa State University from 1877 to 1879, and graduated, finally, from that institution. He came to Silver City, and locating began a practice which is daily increasing, and testifies to his skill as a physician.
BURNHAM, Z. W., farmer, section 30, P. O. Silver City; born in the state of New York, in 1799, where he grew to manhood, attending the common schools and working at farm labor. In 1821 he enlisted in the New York state militia, under Captain Lyons. At the expiration of four years he was promoted to a captaincy, and served four years. He afterward reached the rank of colonel. In 1822 he was initiated in Came- ron (N. Y.) Lodge of Masons. He served one year as W. M. of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 58, in McHenry county, Illinois. He then organized McHenry Lodge, No. 234, with which he was connected about four years. He also organized lodges at Richmond, Nunday, Rising Sun, Wacondy, Dundee, Kane County, Algonquin, Silver Creek, No. 234, and Silver Light Lodge, of Silver City. He was married in 1823 to Miss Polly Goff, a native of New York. They have eight children: Harriet R., William G., Abigail, Potter D. H., James H., Mary, Elizabeth and Zemry W.
BURKET, JACOB, farmer, section 25; born in 1811, in Pennsylva- nia, in which state he grew to manhood and acquired his education in the common schools. He came to Mills county in 1852, and located on the farm he now owns in 1857. This farm consists of 250 acres, and has superior advantages as a fruit and stock farm, to which branches his labors are chiefly directed. He was married November 4, 1836, to Miss Sarah Stiffler, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he was the father of seven children, of whom four are living: Maria, John, Henry and Francis S. Mrs. B. died in October, 1874. He was married a second time to Mrs. Uker, a native of Germany, who lived but a few months after her mar- riage. Mr. Burket came to this county a poor man, but by industry and economy has succeeded in securing a comfortable home in which to spend his declining years.
BANISTER, E., section 17, P. O. Silver City; is a son of one of the first settlers of Henry county. Iowa, where he went in 1845, and was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 27, 1840. After remaining in Henry county about twenty-four years, and obtaining his education in the com- mon schools; he moved to Madison county, where he remained eight years, coming to Mills county in 1877. August 12, 1862 he enlisted in company K, twenty-fifth Iowa infantry, and participated in the battles of Chicasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Taylor Ridge, Mission Ridge, and minor engagements. He was married Aug-
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ust 16, 1864, to Miss Mary J. Rowe, of Ohio, who was born in December, 1845. This union has brought them four children: Marietta, Allena, Edwin D. and Delbert. Mr Banister is located on a good farm of eighty acres, and is a member of the Society of Friends.
CROSBY, A. W., postmaster, Silver City; was born in Medina county, Ohio, February 28, 1837. In 1840 he moved with his parents to Fulton county, Indiana, where he passed the earlier years of his life. In the spring of 1854 he came to Iowa located in Marion county, and engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits until the breaking out of the late war. In the autumn of 1861 he enlisted in company G, Fifteenth Iowa infantry. At the battle of Shiloh he was taken prisoner, and taken to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, thence to "Montgomery, and held a prisoner of war until May, 1862, when he was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks. He was honorably discharged in January, 1864. Returning to his home in Marion county, he remained until 1879, when he came to Silver City. His was the first store erected in Silver City, the object of his coming having been to engage in business pursuits. On August 5, 1879, he received the appointment of postmaster, and retains the office still. In 1860 he married Miss Mary L. Auten, a native of New Jersey. They are the parents of four children, now living: Ida E., born in 1864; Alva, born in 1868; Alice, born in 1872; and Clyde, born in 1878. Mr. Crosby has built for himself not only a fine trade, but good reputation as a busi- ness man and an exemplary citizen.
DAVIS, CORADON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 31, P. O. Silver City; born in Ohio in 1833. When eighteen years of age he went to Quincy, Illinois, where he remained about seven years. He then came to Mills county, and with the exception of three years spent in Mon- tana Territory, has since resided here. He was married January 17, 1853, to Miss Martha McCoy, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 23, 1838. they are the parents ot three bright and intelligent children: Mar- garet Jane, Thomas B. and Nellie M. He is one of the most successful and enterprising farmers in the township. He owns a beautiful farm of 155 acres, on which are many modern improvements, all obtained by his own individual exertions.
EMERICK, DAVID, farmer and stock-raiser, section 31, P. O. Mal- vern; born in 1810, in Ohio. In 1824 he moved with his parents to Mor- gan county, Illinois. In the autumn of 1840, he came to Iowa, locating in Henry county, remaining there until the spring of 1852 when he came to this county and located on the farm where he now resides. His farm consists of 570 acres, over 400 of which are in cultivation. He is exten- sively engaged in stock-raising, and is enumerated among the leading farmers of the county. He was married in 1835 to Miss Ann Eliza Rob- ertson, a native of Ireland. They are the parents of eleven children seven
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of whom are living: George, Columbus C., David, Annie, Martha, Wil- liam, Frances A. and Ada. Mr. Emerick began life without means and without an education, and never attended school a day. He received a fair education by his own exertions, sufficient to manage his large and in- creasing estates.
HAWLEY, C. D., section 7, P. O. Silver City; an enterprising farmer and a native of Ontario county, New York, where he was born February 2, 1826. At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to School- craft, Michigan, where he remained, engaged in farming and attending school. In 1849 he located in Will county, remaining until 1864, when he moved to Linn county, Iowa, where he remained one year. After re- turning to Michigan, he came in 1873 to Mills county. In 1852 he visited California, returning after two years absence. In April 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss H. Campbell, a lady of culture and a native of Quebec, Ontario, who was born July 22, 1836. They have two chil- dren: Alice Belle and George W. The father and mother are both members of the Baptist church, and enjoy a comfortable home on a good farm of 120 acres.
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