USA > Iowa > Monona County > History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 51
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ILL O. MARR, was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, and came to Onawa with his parents John H. and Catherine N. (Ross) Marr, in 1872, when but five months old. Ile received an excellent education in the schools of the latter place, being graduated by the lligh School, May 31, 1889. June 3, following, he en- tered the office of the Monona County Gazette as an apprentice to the "art preservative of all arts." in which he is making rapid progress.
2 EAL McNEILL. one of the old settlers of the county, now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Franklin Township, has his res- idence upon section 16.
Mr. McNeill was born in Somerset County, Pa., April 2, 1826, and is the son of Laughlin and Sarah (MeClintock ) McNeill. llis father was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and a representative of that shrewd and hardy rare known as the Scotch- Irish, and came with his mother to America when about twelve years of age, his father, James Mc-
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Neill, having immigrated to this country the year previous, and settled in Somerset County. The grandfather of our subjeet was killed in that sec- tion of the Keystone State by the falling of a tree. llis wife resided in the okl home until her death at the age of eighty years, having had a family of five children, two boys and three girls. Laughlin MeNeill was a very industrious man, and became one of the largest land-holders in that portion of the Keystone State. His wife, formerly Miss Sarah MeClintock, was born in Somerset County, Pa., and was the daughter of Robert and Rachel ( Wil- key) MeClintock, both of whom were natives of the same State. Thei. immediate ancestors were na- tives of the Emerald Isle, who had settled in Penn- sylvania in Colonial days. Laughlin McNeill passed to that land from whose bourne no traveler ever returns, in the fall of 1853.
The subject of this biography was reared to man- hood on his father's farm in the beautiful valley of the Monongahela, and received his education in the subscription and public schools of the noble com- monwealth in which he was born. Though the buildings in which schools were held were but rude log cabins at that date, the principles taught were of a high character. He remained at home until the spring of 1850, when the excitement attendant on the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill ir. Cali- fornia, drew him to those golden shores. Travel- ing by way of New York and Nicaragua he reached the promised land and engaged in placer and gulch mining in Nevada and Grass Valley, with an abun- dant success. Six years of that mode of life sat- isfied him, and yearning for home he returned to Pennsylvania in 1856, and in the latter State made his home until the summer of 1859. Starting out for the West he arrived at Onawa on the 10th of June in search of a home, and put up at the Onawa House, then kept by J. E. Morrison, and in a few days purchased the southwest quarter of section 16, Franklin Township, upon which he has since lived. The land was totally unimproved, and his first work was to put up a residence. This he erected of brick, the first one of the kind in the county, and which still stands a part of his present handsome dwelling house. To his original pur- chase Mr. McNeill, who is extensively engaged in
stock-raising, has added from time to time, until he now owns a magnificent estate of fifteen hundred acres. In the early days of the county's history he, in common with the other pioneers, suffered many hardships and inconveniences, and has been often compelled to go to Reeb's mill, thirty five miles distant, with an ox-team for flour.
Mr. McNeill was married iu Somerset County, Pa., March 30, 1858, to Miss Ann Youkin. The lady was born in the same county, September 7, 1832, and is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Weimer) Youkin, natives of the same place. Iler grandparents were natives of Germany, and early settlers of Pennsylvania.
By their union Mr. and Mrs. McNeill are the parents of seven chiklren, as follows: Hattie, born December 6, 1859; Emily, October 30, 1861; llenry L., September 20, 1863; Mary, January 25. 1864; Levi, June 5, 1866; John K., November 18, 1867; and Sarah E., February 20, 1869.
EONARD C. SEARS grew to manhood in Onawa, receiving his education in its High School, and in a commercial course at the Wyman Business College, at Omaha. After leav- ing school, for about a year he traveled for J. C. Hoffmayr & Co., of Council Bluffs, after which he engaged in business with his father, in which he still retains an interest. Ile is now traveling as special agent for the Provident Savings Loan and Building Association, of Omaha, and organized a local branch of the same in Onawa, in September, 1889, with $18,300 worth of stock, since which time he has been doing business for the Association in Western lowa and Eastern Nebraska.
Leonard Sears was married November 27, 1888, at Republic City, Kan .. to Miss Kittie M. Ingram, a native of Jones County, Iowa, who was born August 23, 1868. Ile is a member of both Ma- sonic and Knights of Pythias lodges at Onawa.
Melvin L. Sears, second son of Stillman F. Sears, is a student of the State University, having grad-
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Chickamauga, in storming the heights of Mission Ridge, or in the dreadful rain of fire at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Bentonville, Rome, Buzzard's Roost, or the capture of Atlanta, with its many stricken tields, he was always present at the colors, and did his duty nobly. With the invincible hosts 'hat marched through the heart of the Confederacy " their matchless leader, Sherman, he was found
and after participating in all its hardships, ON and engagements. and in the grand review ashington, which closed the war, was mustered t of service, June 6, 1865, at the Capital, receiv- beng his discharge at Chicago, June 21, the same yyear. Returning to Stark County. Ill., for four v years he was engaged in cultivating the soil upon a rented farm, and then removed to Mills County, this State. Farming in the latter locality until the spring of 1882, he then removed to Monona County, and purchased the place where he now lives, one hundred and twenty acres of which he has brought under cultivation.
1 Mr. Woodward was married February 14, 1870, I to Miss Sarah Ann Scott, a native of Canton. IH., ofand is the parent of ten children, of which the fol- a owing is a record: May, born February 17, 1871; the za, October 9, 1872; Laura, born October 5. 187 1, Mr. d died October 3, 1879, in Mills County; Lulu, dren, . May 26, 1877 ; a child unnamed May 29, 1878, Sears idied in infancy; Edmund, born October 9,
The IFrank, July 7, 1882; a child unnamed. born traction, av 15, 1885, who died in infancy; Charles, and Iowa inary 25, 1886; and Pearl, June 10, 1888. stant Searle, V,
his wife. former.
man ancestry.
RRITT. one of the okl and s of Monona County, came ' 1860, from Walworth
S TILLMAN FOOTE Skire trip in a wagon business man and an old sempanied by two was born at Canton, St. Lawreheep. With N. Y., June 29, 1842. He came Lthey all with his parents in 1854, and attended school-hos Council Bluffs, and removed to Monona County in 1856, finishing his education at the " old red school- house " at Onawa. When about seventeen years
J. M. Kelsey land, which he rented, ant there he remained for about two years and a half. During this time he had filed a pre-emption claim on the eighty acres of land on section 26, upon which his house is now located, and April 22, 1863, settled upon it. The season was so advanced that year that he found the grass well grown at the time of settling upon the land. Shortly after, on going to Council Bluffs that year, to prove upon his claim, he changed it from a pre-emption to a homestead, under which he acquired title. This was the twenty- seventh claim registered, under the law, at the Council Bluffs Land Office. Of the early days of the county Mr. Carritt tells many amusing inci- dents.
Thomas R. Carritt was born in Winthorp, Lin- colnshire, England, February 19, 1830, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah Carritt. He attended school in his native land for some seven years, studying constantly, there being only three weeks vacation in each school year. He grew to man - hood on his native soil, but, on attaining his u.a- jority, determined to come to the United States. and accordingly sailed from Liverpool, May 28. 1852, and landed at New York City on the 28th of June following. From the latter place he went directly to Walworth County, Wis., and found work on a farm at $12 a month, and was thus engaged for about four years. He made it a point to save $100 each year out of his wages, which he put out at interest, and in that manner had a small start in 1856. In the spring of that year he rented a farm of Christopher Wiswell for four years. but owing to the elements, his adventure proved a failure, so, October 7, 1860, he started for the newer country of Monona County.
In October, 1856, Mr. Carritt and Miss Mary M. Perrin, the latter a native of Washington County. N. Y., plighted their mutual faith at the marriage altar, and by this union they have had a family of six children: Emma, Joseph M., Sarah C., the wife of F. W. P. Daniel, residing in Woodbury County,; Judson E .; John C., who married Miss May Peabody; and Minnie, Mrs. Warren Maple.
Mr. Carritt has now a magnificent farm of six hundred acres of land, an orchard of five hundred trees, about half an acre of grove composed of Eu-
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ropean larches, and a great quantity of small fruit. Hle is giving considerable attention to stock inter- ests, and has a herd of one hundred and fifty head of cattle, mostly Galloway and Polled-Angus, and a flock of twenty-five sheep.
OSES JACKSON RIDDLE. Among the families identified with the pioneer history of the eastern part of Monona County, and of those who have been constant, earnest and active throughout the period of its develop- ment. is that of the gentleman whose biography is here sketched. He came to Monona County in the spring of 1865 in company with his brother, Isaac, walking most of the way from Story County and, after looking over this section of the State, settled upon section 4, in Soldier Township, where he now lives, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He made no other improvements that season than breaking up about ten acres of the sod and. as there was a cabin on the east side of the Soldier on his place, took up his residence there. Three years later he crossed to the other side of the river and occupied a cave or "dug-out" for some three years longer, when he moved into a small frame house which he had built in the summer of 1872. In the summer of 1884 he erected the elegant cottage in which he resides. one of the finest farm residences in the county, a view of which is given in this ALBUM. Having pros- pered in his undertaking he has added to his property until it now contains four hundred and forty-seven acres, all of which is under cultivation, except about fifteen acres which is covered with native and ten with artificial timber.
Mr. Riddle was born in Holmes County, Ohio, September 12, 1838, and is the son of Mathew B. and Eleanor (Underhill) Riddle. He received an excellent education in the common schools of his native land and in his twenty-first year removed with his parents to Story County, lowa, where he made his home until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, Third Towa Infantry. With his heroic comrades. one of the most famous regi
ments that carried the State flag of lowa to the front in many a stricken field, he passed through "the baptism of fire" at Blue Mills, Mo. Campaign- ing along the line of the Hannibal & St Joe Rail- road, he spent the winter of 1861 2, and was then transferred to the Army of the Tennessee. They arrived at Pittsburgh Landing. March 17, 1862, and were assigned to the noble Fourth Division, commanded by Gen. Stephen A. Hurlburt, under whose orders they fought so gallantly on Shiloh's bloody field and gained immortal glory. In the siege of Corinth, which resulted in its fall, and in the second battle at that place in 1862; at Meta- mora, the Hatchie River, at the siege of Vicksburg, he took a prominent part and spent several days in the convalescent camp, after the surrender, being overcome toward the close of the siege. In the attempted capture of Jackson, Miss., his regiment lost heavily, but had its revenge on the evacuation of that place sometime thereafter. In the famous Meridian expedition with its various engagements, and up the Red River, on that disastrous campaign with Gen. Banks, Mr. Riddle marched in the lines of his regiment and suffered all the hardships and privations, and while so engaged helped to take Ft. DeRussey. The regiment returned in an al- most destitute condition to Memphis, Tenn., and went into camp. Without being much relieved they were ordered home, that is, those who did not veteranize, among whom was our subject, and were inustered out and discharged at Davenport, June 22, 186-4.
Mr. Riddle returned to his home in Story County. on receiving his honorable discharge, and was en- gaged in farming for his father until the spring of 1865. when, not being able to use to advantage the savings, amounting to some $500, which he had made while in the service, he came to Monona County as above stated. He is one of the earliest settlers in what constitutes the towns of St. Clair and Soldier, the Agens family, John Ward and J. L. Swinburne, being the only other persons there when he settled in the place, and the two latter did not remain long. Between him and the Minnesota line there were no settlers at that time. Ile and his brother, Isaac, built about two hundred and eighty rods of fence, in 1866, the first in the town-
RESIDENCE OF M. J. RIDDLE, SEC.4. SOLDLER TP.
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ship, and he has been identified with the growth and development of the township since its earliest time.
October 19, 1866, Mr. Riddle was united in mar- riage, in Soldier Township, with Miss Mary L. Agens, a native of St. Clair County, Mich., born August 16, 1850, and daughter of Henry A. and Mary (Kenyon) Agens, who settled in Soldier Township in June 1858. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have a family of ten children : Matthew S., Mary A., Ida B., Olive, Carolus, Maggie, Martha, Ammie, Florence and Frances.
As a euriosity and relic of pioneer days, Mr. Riddle has among his papers specimens of the tickets voted at the first election held in St. Clair Township, then including that of Soldier, in 1866, when there were but thirteen votes cast in a terri- tory six miles wide by twelve long.
OHN N. TEMPLETON. Among the intelli- gent and well-educated gentlemen who are identified with the farming interests of Mon- ona County, the subject of this narrative occupies a prominent position. He is a resident of the town of Ashton, living on section 21, where he owns a compact and well-tilled farm of about eighty acres, forty-five of which are under cultiva- tion.
Mr. Templeton was born in Jersey County, Ill., May 10, 1855, and is the son of John N. and Emma (Collins) Templeton, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. llis father died quite suddenly in Illi- nois in the fall of 1857, and some years afterward, his mother married Edwin Bernard. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton had a family of but three children: John N., W. J., and one who died in infancy.
When our subjeet was about eight years of age, he went to live with his grandfather, Benjamin S. Templeton, a native of Pennsylvania, and son of John Templeton, Sr., who was born in the same State, and was reared in his native county on a farm. His grandfather was noted as a fine vocalist, and taught this branch of music from the age of nineteen until he was forty years old, and
until his death, his voice retained its quality. Hle died in Jefferson County, Iowa, in the summer of 1884. With his wife, Margaret (Ilill) Templeton, a native of Virginia, whom he had married at the age of nineteen, she being then twenty-four, he lived happily for some sixty-two years, rearing a family of ten children, and losing two, who died in childhood.
John N. Templeton, at the age of twelve years, commeneed life for himself, working on neighbor- ing farms in the summer, and attending school dur- ing the winter months, and in this manner accumu- lated the means to attend the High School in Henry County, this State, whither he had moved in 1871. When within a year of graduation, he left the school, making, as he says, his greatest mistake in life, and commenced teaching school. In 1874, after having removed to several counties, he came here from Henry County, Iowa, and taught a school in Franklin Township, in District No. 3. This profession he has followed ever since, carry- ing on his farm at the same time during the sum- mer months. He purchased the farm in May, 1883.
March 22, 1877, Mr. Templeton was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Ilart, a native of Pennsylvania, a State in which ber parents, Nelson and Frances ( Vance) Hart, were also born. Four children have come to bless their home: Buena. de- ceased ; Lula, Merrill, and Leo.
UDGE LEONARD SEARS, deceased. a prominent citizen of the long ago, and one of the pioneers of the county, came here in the spring of 1856, entered some thirteen hundred acres of land, built a log house on section 8. Franklin Township, and took up his residence here. Ile was a native of Vermont, born May 12, 1802, and after receiving the elements of his edu- eation, was bound out to an elder brother to learn the carpenter's trade, but the latter proving too strict our subject ran away. and located at Canton. St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he engaged in carpentering and contracting. Entering into the
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mercantile trade in the same village he was engaged in that line until 1854, when, selling out he trav- eled around until he finally reached Council Bluffs, in which city he ran the old Robinson House, and afterward the Pacific Hotel, both in connection. It was during this time that he entered his land. In the fall of 1855 he bought lumber and fixed up his house, and built a barn 30x50 feet in size, which was probably the first in the county.
Mr. Sears was interested in the Monona Land Company, and in public affairs held a very promi- nent part, filling the positions of County Judge. Justice of the Peace, etc. He remained upon the place where he settled until his death, which took place February 2, 1859. He was an active member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow organizations, and a most exemplary citizen. His wife, formerly Miss Delia Foote, was born in Canton, N. Y., No- vember, 25. 1813. After coming to this county she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1872 she removed to Omaha, where she made her home until called away by death. February 21. 1887.
Silas Sears, the father of Leonard, was born Oeto ber 26, 1762, and died January 23, 1838. Ilis wife, Elizabeth, was born May 29, 1762, and died March 27. 1813. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Leonard was the sixth. After his wife's death Silas Sears married again, and had one child, Elizabeth.
The Sears family is said to be one of the oldest in this country, and can trace their ancestry back for many generations.
ILLIAM II. DALEY, an enterprising far- mer of Sherman Township, who, in part- [nership with his father, is carrying on their large and well cultivated farm on sections 4. 9 and 10, is the son of Chester W. and Susan E. ( Hunt) Daley. Ile was born at Preble. Cortland County, N. Y., August 15, 1855. Ile was reared and_educated in the schools of his native town,
until he was about sixteen years of age, when he adopted farming as his vocation in life. In 1875, he came to Iowa with his father's family and settled where they now live, in Sherman Township, where he has made his home ever since.
Mr. Daley. July 20, 1881, at Blencoe, was united in marriage with Miss Luella C. Knight. a native of Dallas Comity, Iowa.
Mr. Daley is one of the enterprising and intel- ligent young farmers of the township, and takes an active interest in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lives. Actively engaged in the arduous duties of farm life, he still finds many opportunities for the improvement of his mind and for the enjoyment of the innocent pleasures of the family fireside. In company with his father, he is carrying on a farm of some two hundred and sixty aeres, giving a large share of his attention to the raising of stock, which is bringing them a sufficient financial renumeration. In the spring of 1889, William II. purchased some eighty acres of land on section 4, but having purchased property in the village of Blencoe, moved into that place October 25, 1889. and there makes his home.
ONIN R. MURPHY, a prominent and exten- sive farmer of the town of Ashton, and "one of that fast vanishing line of blue that held back the tide of insurrection in battle's lurid front," is a native of Ireland, having been born in County Limerick, June 24, 1845. He is the son of Timothy and Ellen (Ryan) Murphy, natives also of the Emerald Isle, who were the parents of one other child, Timothy. In 1852, the family came to the United States, where for two years the father was engaged in farming. At the end of that period they came to lowa, and after a short stay in Dubuque, located in Poweshiek County, where the father of our subject purchased a farm and engaged in its tillage. In October, 1857, Timothy Murphy came to Monona County, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 12, Franklin Township, which is still owned by the family, the father having departed
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this life, September 12. 1879, after a life of useful- ness. He was the son of Michael and Margaret Murphy, both of whom died in their native land, Ireland.
John R. Murphy remained at home with his parents, receiving in youth such education as the time and country afforded, and assisted in carrying on the paternal acres until the breaking out of the late Civil War. Being determined to enroll himself among those who "marched beneath the flag and kept step to the music of the Union," he enlisted in Company HI, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, and served for three years and seven months, having been mustered into the United States service at Keokuk, April 16, 1862, and discharged at Daven- port in August, 1865. He participated with that gallant and heroie regiment in the siege of Corinth, the second battle at that place, at Iuka, Jackson, Raymond, Champion Hills, Ft. Hill, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, at Mission Ridge and at Til- ton. At the latter place most of the regiment was taken prisoners. In the Atlanta campaign, with all its numerous engagements, and in the March to the Sea, succeeded by the surrender of Johnston, the last hope of the Confederacy, he still followed the flag of his noble regiment, enduring all the hardships attendant upon the life of a soldier.
On the close of hostilities, having been mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and discharged at Daven- port, Iowa, Mr. Murphy returned to his home in this county, and, after attending school one term, in 1866 went to Colorado. For three years he was engaged in freighting in that Territory and in Wyoming, after which he returned to this county, and, January, 1870, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, upon which he now resides. Ile has now about six hundred acres, all of which is fenced, and two hundred acres of which he has under the plow, the balance being grass and meadow land. Forty head of Norman horses, two hundred head of cattle and other stock make up his herds upon this place, which is one of the finest in the township. Mr. Murphy has been eminently successful in the pursuit for wealth, al. though occasionally suffering from the devastations of the elements and the failure of crops.
John R. Murphy and Miss Margaret O'Neill, the latter a native of Ohio, born October 5, 1854, were united in marriage June 14, 1871, and are the par- ents of eight children: Mary E., Margaret, John E., William IL., Helen, Charles S., Mark and Har- old.
OHIN C. CARRITT. In the rapidly "lapsing of Time's winged flight," many of the young men who first saw the light in this county, are coming to the front among its ablest business men, and are showing that their race has rather gained by its transplantation to the newer and freer land of the West. Among them few as- sume a more prominent place than the subject of this epitome, the Postmaster of Castana, who is en- gaged in the retail grocery business at that point.
Jolin C. Carritt was born in Monona County, Iowa, about a mile south of old Castana, on section 36, May 14, 1864. He is the son of Thomas R. and Mary M. (Perrin) Carritt, the former a na- tive of England, and the latter of New York State, a sketch of whom is given, in detail, in another part of this work. The young man received his education in the district schools of Kennebec Town- ship, and, to the extent of his powers, assisted in carrying on the parental farm. As lie outgrew his youth, and attained the years of manhood, he took upon himself more and more of the farm labor, and would have doubtless made his mark in that line, had he not chosen to embark in the mercantile busi- ness. While residing at home, May 18, 1886, Mr. Carritt was appointed Postmaster, the post-office being then located at his father's residence, and took possession June 10. In the fall of the same year he removed to Castana, and erecting a builling 22x40 feet on the ground, stocked it with an ample supply of groceries, and opened business in time for the holiday trade of that year. By strict atten- tion to the wants of a growing trade, an affable and genial manner, and good business tact, he has built up a very considerable business which is rap- idly extending.
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