History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 69

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666

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 69

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burdens of life, and leaving the parental roof tree, removed to Madison County, in the Northern part of Alabama, where, engaged in the dry goods and cotton trade, he remained until 1850. Reports from the golden lands of the West induced him to make the trip to California, by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus of Panama, and in that "land of the summer sun," remained until the spring of 1853. Returning, via Panama and Aspinwall to New York, and thence fo Ohio, to visit his parents, he returned to Alabama. but closing up his affairs in that locality, a few weeks later came to Iowa, and locating in Iowa County, purchased a large tract of land known as the Old Homestead Place, formerly the reservation of the Musquakie Indians. Returning to Alabama for a short trip, he came back to this State, reaching Keokuk the morning of March 1, 1854. When he left his "sunny southern home" the air was balmy and sweet, and the grass and trees wore their summer colors, but when he arrived at Keokuk, he found everything covered with snow and ice, and the biting chill of winter's breath filled the air. On July 1, 1855, Mr. Whit- ing disposed of his place in Iowa County to its present owners, the Amana Society, a colony of German socialists, and investing his money in land warrants in Alabama, to which he took a trip for the purpose, came to Monona County, and with them. in company with his brother, Newell A., purchased some 7500 acres of land. Here he had the usual experience of pioneer life, for there were then but few settlers within the limits of what is now Monona County, and in common with them suffered all the hardships attendant npon frontier life.

At the April election in 1857, Mr. Whiting was elected to fill the then very important office of County Judge of Monona County, and for two years presided at the head of its government. In 1864 he was elected member of the board of super- visors, and the next year chosen Chairman of that body. From that period until the close of 1870, he was found in his place upon the board, and most

of the time in the chair. In 1874, receiving the nomination of the Democratic party for the position of Member of C'ongress, he made the race with lion. Addison Oliver, and although suffering defeat in

Judge Whiting, September 7. 1848, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Criner, a native of Madison County, Ala., and daughter of Isaac and Nancy (McCain) Criner. They have been the parents of six children: Julia C., the wife of M. B. Pullen, of Onawa; Ida, ( Mrs. E. M. Cassady) of Whiting; Will C .. who married Miss Mamie Elliot. and lives in Whiting; Ella and Woodson, at home ; and Edwin C., who married Miss Helen Waldron, and still makes his home with his parents.

RS. MARY A. MAPLE, one of the pio- neers of Monona County, is engaged with her two sons in general farming and stock- raising. on section 34, Kennebec Township. She came to this section of the State in May, 1856. among the earliest settlers, and purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land where she now lives, and where she has now some two hundred acres. While she has never graduated from any college, she has had great success in the practice of medi- cine, and receives many calls in that profession from both Polk and Monona Counties.

Mrs. Maple, nee Goodhue, first saw the light in Groton, Grafton County, N. H., October 8, 1837, and is the daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Ord- way) Goodhue. Of her ancestry we have the fol- lowing account: William Goodhue, a member of the church at Assington, Suffolk, England, came to this country in 1636, and settled at Ipswich, Mass. He was a deacon in the church, and died in 1699 ot 1700, much respected and lamented. He was mar-

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ried three times and had three children: Joseph, | 11, 1866; Frank G .. April 7, 1869; Morton C .. William and Mary. Joseph,a man of eminent respec- December 29, 1871; and Mary L., June 14, 1874. tability, died shortly before his father, in Septem- Mis. Maple divides her time between her home farm in Polk County and this county, where she is working in the interests of her sons. ber, 1697, leaving three sets of children, for he was likewise married three times. His youngest child. Samuel, the child of his third wife. Mercy Good- hne, married Abigail Bartlett and settled at Strat- ham, N. II. He afterward removed to Nottingham, and for his second wife was united in marriage with Rebecca Caldwell, and removed to Hollis, the same WOHIN F. OLIVER. attorney, a member of the law firm of Oliver Bros. & Tillson, of Onawa, was born in Washington County, Pa., June 15, 1855, and is a son of Ilon. Addison and Ilannah (Towne) Oliver, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Ile came with his parents to Monona County in 1858. and received his early education in the graded and Iligh School of Onawa. Entering the Law De- partment of the lowa State University. at Iowa City. he was graduated from that noble institution in 1879. and engaged in the practice of law at Wapello County, this State, being a member of the bar of that county. In 1888 he returned to Onawa and the present partnership with his brother and Stephen Tillson Ir., was formed. State. Ilis third wife, with whom he lived twelve years, was Mrs. Sarah Parham. Ile died Novem- ber 7. 1785. in his ninetieth year. The names of his children, all by his first wife, were: Samuel, lo- seph. Nathaniel, Abigail, Merey. Josiah, Mary and John. The latter, the youngest of his children, married Olive Taylor. and resided at Groton, N. II., where he died in 1818. aged eighty-four, leaving six children: John, Samuel, Jonathan, Ephraim, Joseph and Mary. Joseph, the grandfather of our subject, married Sally Gove, and made his home in Groton. Ilis children were: David, JJonathan, Jo- seph W., the father of Mrs. Maple; Moses C. and Sally. Joseph W. lost his wife, the mother of our subject, and married for his second wife Miss Louisa Puleifer, a native of Campton. In 1855 he came West and purchased land in lowa County, this State. but as his wife would not come here, returned to his Fastern home, where he died in March, 1859. His wife departed this life in 1879.

Miss Mary A. Goodhue was united in marriage, JJanuary 2. 1858, with Homer Kelsey, a native of Vermont, born January 31, 1831, but five months and two days after the wedding she was left a widow, he dying at Castana, JJune 4, 1858. May 13, 1860, at Des Moines, she married Isaiah Maple, a native of Ohio, born May 18, 1828, and the son of Robert and Hannah ( Miller) Maple, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in Cleveland, Ohio, May, 1873, the mother in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Maple have had a family of six interesting children of which the following is a record: Charles II., boin December 13, 1861, who died at Des Moines, Iowa, April 27, 1878; William Warren, born Sep- tember 19, 1863, who married Miss Minnie Carritt, May 24, 1887, and is studying medicine with E. H. Cotter, M. D., at Des Moines; Aaron O., born JJuly

To him is due the credit of the organization of the K. P. Lodge at Onawa, of which he is still a member. Ile was married August 8, 1883, in Jefferson County, Iowa, to Miss Fannie Wilherns- dorfer, who was born at Monmouth. Ill., January 1, 1862. They have a family of three children- Marcus, born January 6, 1885 ; Ralph A., born July 30. 1886, and an infant born June 15, 1889.

GDICTOR DUBOIS, one of the largest land owners and cattle-raisers and dealers in Fairview Township, has a beautiful resi- dence on section 14. He came to Monona County in May, 1864, and took up one hundred and sixty aeres of land under the homestead law, to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns five hundred and ninety-five acres, about one-half of which is under the plow. Most of the remain- der is in tame grass and pasture, and he has some

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twenty acres of timber, half of it being black wal- nut. I'pon his place he retains about two hundred head of high grade Short-horn cattle and one hun- dred hogs. When he first came bere be built a primitive log cabin, but in 1880. this was replaced by & beautiful cottage, 24x28 feet in size, two stories high, which is one of the best in this section of the county. Mr. Dubois was born in the south of France, July 22, 1832. In his youth he never had the opportunity of attending school, but, by observation and reading, has managed to attain a fair education and has taken partienlar pains to educate his children well. In April, 1855, he came to America, bringing with him his mother, his father having died some time before, and landed in the city of New York. Coming immediately West, he located at Menasha, Winnebago County, Wis., where, for eight years, he was employed in farm labor. at the end of which he removed to this county, in May. 1864. He had at that time a team of horses, a wagon and about $500 in money. From this small beginning he has, by the exercise of business tact and judicious investments, ac- cumulated an easy competency, and is ranked among the well-to-do people of the county. He takes a great interest in all educational work and in all movements likely to accrue to the benefit of this his adopted home, and is altogether one of its most public-spirited citizens.

Mr. Dubois was married in 1852, and is the par- ent of two children-Emily, Mrs. Jepson, residing in California, and Victor ,Ir .. who is married and re- sides in Fairview Township.

AJOR GEORGE E. WARNER, a leading citizen of Fremont. Neb., an:l the late County Treasurer of Monona County, came to that county in March. 1867, with M. A. Freeland and engaged in the general mer- chandise, lumber and grain trade, in co-partnership with that gentleman. In the spring of 1869 the firm was strengthened by the admission of E. A. Chapman and the business was carried on by the

three until 1871, when they divided. Mr. Freeland taking the lumber and agricultural implement branches, Messrs. Warner and Chapman continuing the store. In August. 1875, Mr. Warner purchased the interest of his partner and carried on the busi- ness alone until April, 1889, when he closed out the stock.

George E. Warner was born in Acworth, Sulli- van County, N. Il .. July 8, 1843, and is the son of George M. and Sarah H. (Merrill) Warner. Ilis father, a native of Acworth. also was born May 10. 1817, and the mother, born in Dracnt, Middlesex County, Mass., now a part of the city of Lowell, first opened her eyes in this world February 23, 1822. The latter was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Merrill, a Congregational minister who had charge of the church at Aeworth. George M. Warner, was a farmer in early life but in 1856 removed to Boston, where he was a member of the police force until 1869. In that year he came West, resigning his position. and settling at Onawa where he still makes his home. He is the parent of two children -- Nellie, wife of E. A. Chapman, now of Meriden, Conn., and George E.

The subject of this epitome remained at home for twelve years upon the farm during which time he laid the foundations of his education in the dis- triet schools, and until he was sixteen, in the city of Boston, where he attended a high grade acad- emy. Entering a dry-goods store at Boston as clerk he was there employed at the outbreak of the Civil War. His paternal grandfather had served in the United States army during the War of 1812-15, and attained the rank of captain, and the same generous, patriotic blood flowed in the veins of our subject, and in his country's need he could not falter. June 6, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Massachusetts Battery, Light Artillery and served for six months in the army of the Potomac, that being the term for which the company was raised. lle returned home and for one year acted as a clerk in a hotel. Entering the United States ser- vice again, he received a commission as First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the Tenth United States Colored Heavy Artillery, the same being dated December 31. 1863. August 12. 1865, he was promoted to a captainey and given his brevet

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as Major of the regiment March 13, 1865. During his service with the Eighth Battery he participated in the second battle of Bull Run. Chantilly, South Mountain, and the fearful carnage of Antietam's bloody fiekl. With the Tenth Heavy Artillery he was employed in garrison duty at New Orleans, and took a part in the various incidents, that marked the closing of the War. He received his final and honorable discharge from the service February 22, 1867. and came to Onawa as above mentioned.

Maj. Warner is a member of Vesper Lodge, No. 223, A. F. and A. M. in which he held the office of Master during the years 1883 and 1881. lle is also a member of Sioux City Chapter, No. 23. R. A. M. ; Columbian Commandery. No. 18, and of Sioux City Consistory, and of Hanscom Post, No. 97. G. A. R. of which he is the present Adju- tant, and was one of its organizers and first Com- mander.

Our subject was united in marriage September 1, 1868, with Miss Mollie E Morrison, the daughter of J. E. Morrison, one of the pioneers of the county. a sketch of whom is given elsewhere. Mrs. Warner was born in Sanbornton, Belknap County, N. H., March 28, 1847, and is the parent of one child, Zada M , whose birth occurred June 24, 1869.

ERVEY E. MARR, M. D., of the city of Onawa. was born at Pleasant Grove, Oli- stead County, Minn., July 7, 1857, and is the son of ,John II. and Catherine N. (Ross) Marr. In 1862 the family removed to Norfolk County, Canada, where they made their home un- til 1871, and then emigrated to Winnesheik County, Iowa. One year later they came to Mon- ona County and settled at Onawa, Hervey mov- ing each time with his parents. He received his early education in the district schools, both else- where and here, and at the age of sixteen years commenced running the engine for Maughlin & Marr and continued with them for about two years. After a short time in the same trade with Baxter Whiting, in the City Flouring Mill, he entered the Homeopathic Department of the Iowa State Univer-

sity at lowa City, and after a severe course of study was graduated from that institution, Febru- ary 28, 1882. He entered upon his career as a practitioner of medicine at Victor, Iowa County. in the fall of the same year, and continued there for two years. At the expiration of that time, he re- moved to What Cheer. Keokuk County, and con- tinued in practice at that point until December 18, 1886. On the latter date he came to Onawa. where he has been engaged in the duties of his chosen profession ever since. Previous to entering col- lege, in 1879, it may be of interest to note that the Doctor spent several years in teaching school in this county.

The Doctor was united in marriage November 15, 1882, with Miss Carrie M. Prather, who was born in Iowa City, this State, April 18, 1864. She is the daughter of Washington and Rose E. (Brig- ham) Prather, natives of Iowa, who are still resi- dents of Iowa City. Mrs. Marr is the eldest of a family of three children, all girls. The Doctor and Mrs Marr have had their home brightened by the birth of two children; Irving E., born February 12, 1884; and Ivan W., March 6, 1886.

Doetor Marr was one of the charter members of Monona Lodge, No. 184, Knights of Pythias, whose Castle Hall is located at Onawa, and with which he is still identified. Since coming to this place he has built up quite a practice, and by strict adherence to the duties of his profession and keep- ing abreast of the times in his reading, has been eminently successful. In November, 1888 he was appointed a member of the board of insane com- missioners and still holds that position. Mrs. Marr is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and a concientious christian woman.

ETER ALEXANDER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Cooper Township, who has his finely located and handsome resi- dence on seetion 5, Cooper Township, while his farm of two hundred and eighty aeres is located in that town and on sections 30 and 32, Liston Township, Woodbury County, has been a

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resident of this section for over twenty years. Ile was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 18, 1840. llis father, William Alexander, a native of Union County, Pa., born in April, 1811, came West on horseback, on attaining his majority and settled in Franklin County, Ind., where he engaged in farming. There, and in Butler County. Ohio, he carried on this business until 1852. when he pur- chased a farm in Decatur County. Ind. upon which lie passed the remainder of his days, his death oc- curling May 16, 1884. He was married about 1827 to Miss Auna Updyke, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Peter Updyke. They had a fam- ily of seven children, of which the following six are living: Catherine ( Mis. James Patrick ) : Peter, George W., Thomas J., William and Sarah E., ( Mrs. Frank Armstrong); Nancy ( Mrs. George Proctor). died in Adair County, Iowa.

Our subject received, in youth, a common- school education, and at the age of twenty-three years left home to engage in life's battle on his own account. For about two years he was employed at farm labor in Franklin County, Ind., after which, on a rented farm in Decatur County. in the same State, he carried on agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1869 he came to Woodbury County. traveling by team, spending about thirty-two days on the road. ITe located in Liston Township on eighty acres of land, which he took up as a home- stead on section 32, which he immediately com- meneed the improvement of. He has prospered greatly since coming here, and has now about one hundred and fifty aeres under cultivation. the rest being seeded to grass, as he devotes a considerable share of his attention to stock-raising.

Mr. Alexander was united in marriage Novem- ber 24, 1864, mn Decatur County, Ind, with Miss Rebecca J. Proctor, a native of Butler County, Ohio, born August 2, 1818, and a daughter of Enoch W. and Mary J. Proctor. Of this marriage there were born seven children as follows: Anna, born December 6, 1865, in Decatur County, Ind., who married John Quincy Armstrong, January 27. 1889; Mary Adeline, born September 17. 1867, in Decatur County, who married Calvin Graybill. October 18, 1883; Ida Belle, born in the same place February 21, 1869, who married Wilbur

Earlyaine. March 10, 1885; Enoch F., born in Woodbury County, June 2. 1872, and died June 16, 1885; Clara M. E., born September 30, 1878. and died July 29, 1888; Cirtie, born" April 7, 1885, who died the 18th of the same month; and Albert L .. born in Monona County, February 21, 1887.

OHN DINGMAN, one of the earliest settlers in Monona County, now a resident of Onawa. was born in Otsego County, N. Y., June 18. 1821, and is the sou of John and Dorcas (Wright) Dingman. Ilis father was a native of Holland, who came to America with his parents when a child and settled with them in Montgomery County, N. Y. There he was married, and shortly after moved to Otsego County, where he resided for several years. Removing to Oswego County, in the same State, he there made his home until overtaken by death. He had a family of nine chil- dren, of whom our subjeet was the fifthi.

John Dingman, Jr., was reared at home upon a farm until his nineteenth year when he commenced to learn the wagon-maker's trade. Some two years he was engaged in joiner work, after which he fol- lowed millwrighting until the fall of 1843. In the latter part of 1852 he came to Council Bluffs. In February, 1853, he came to Monona County and helped to erect the house of J. B. Gard and others, and here remained until April following, when he returned to Council Bluffs. He then crossed the plains to California by the overland route, con- suming some five months in the trip. In that golden land he engaged in placer-mining until March, 1856, when he returned to the East via Nicarau- gua. This was at the time of the famous Walker expedition and he stopped at the fort at the foot of Nicaraugua Lake on his way home. Remaining a short time with friends in New York, he went to Michigan, but in the spring of 1857 came back to Monona County in company with A. C. Mosher. and engaged in carpentering, both here and in Sioux City. Building a skiff, he and Mr. Mosher went down the Missouri River to Council Bluffs in the fall of the same year, and from there went to

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Michigan by the way of St. Louis. In the autumn of 1858. the two partners went to Pike's Peak, where they engaged in prospecting for about a a year, and then returned to Michigan. Owning some two hundred acres of the Gard property, they returned to Monona County in the spring of 1862, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, in part- nership, until March 19, 1880. On the latter day, Mr. Dingman purchased the interest of Mr. Mosher in the farm. which he ran about two years. He then sold out and removed to Onawa, where he now makes his home.

Mr. Dingman is a stanch Democrat in politics. easting his first vote for James K. Polk, for Presi- dent, in 1844. Ile has been highly successful in financial matters since coming to the county. and is respected and esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.

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G IDEON M. WELLS. an old resident and one of the most extensive and successful farm- ers and largest land-owners in Grant Town- ship, has his residence most beautifully situated on the northwest quarter of section 27. where it is sur- rounded by his farm of five hundred and sixty acres, over two hundred of which he has under cultivation. His dwelling house is one of the most commodious and best in this section of the county, and the barns and outbuildings are of a high char- actor. He is engaged extensively in stock-raising. having on hand at the present writing 16 head of horses, 150 hogs and 200 head of cattle, 50 of the latter being cows, which he milks. He has also a fair orchard which yields considerable rovenne.

Mr. Wells was born at Clinton, Kennebec County, Me .. August 19. 1833. and is the son of Richard and Louisa (Cain) Wells. Ilis father was born in the same county. June 25, 1799, and was one of the most prominent people in that section of the coun- try. Ile had a good business education and, between eighteen and twenty-eight years of age assisted in the support of his mother and family. his father dying when quite young. Richard Wells was

farming all that time on the old place, striving to clear off a mortgage which was on it, and worked in the pinery and on the river. Attaining his twenty-eighth year he found employment in the Dominion of Canada, after which he returned to his native eonnty and was there engaged in farming and buying and selling cattle until his death, which took place August 4, 1879. lle served in the Maine Legislature in 1845-16 and again in 1855-56, and held other offices. He was married about 1827 to Miss Louisa Cain, who was born in Kennebee County, Me., December 1, 1804, and was the daugh- ter of the Rev. M Cain, one of the most prominent Baptist preachers of that section. She died No- vember 26, 1886. Of their family of fourteen chil- dren, the following nine grew to manhood and wo- manhood: George II., Richard M., Gideon M., Mephibosheth, Thankful C., Mrs. Ezra MeIntyre; William E., Louisa E .. deceased; Sarah E. and Ruby Vesta.

Gideon Marshall Wells grew to manhood in his native State and received his education in the com. mon schools and at St. Albans Academy. at Hart- land, Me. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced life as a farmer and drover, purchasing a portion of the old home farm. In December, 1857, he removed to Bureau County, Ill .. and was engaged in farming until 1865, when he removed to Monona County and located where he now resides. ITe lacked means enough to purchase in that portion of Illinois to snit him land fit for the stock business.

Mr. Wells was married at Clinton, Me., January 31. 1866, to Miss Carolina Woodsum. a native of that village, born December 7, 1842, and the daughter of Abiather and Betsy (Newbegin) Woodsum. Her father, a native of Parsonsfield. Mc., born 1781, was a well educated man and was en- gaged in farming and merchandising at Clinton, where he settled when a young man. He was a Captain in the service during the War of 1812-15, and died in Maine December 30, 1847. Mrs. Wells was one of a large family of children, the others being Susan, George M., Mary A., Abiather C., Elizabeth, Oliver P., Sarah JJ, and Lettice M.

Mr. and Mrs. Wells have had eight children, as follows: Eva, born September 28. 1866; Richard M., February 7, 1868; Franklin, January 11, 1870;

EW YORK

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XAD

NATIONS.

W. H.WILSEY.

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MONONA COUNTY.

Vennie L. August 9, 1871 ; Caroline B., November 28, 1873; Gideon, August 5, 1875; Edna, March 1, 1878, who died September 20, 1885; and Nora B., born January 10, 1881, who died September 25, 1885.

W ILLIAM H. WILSEY, who was the pioneer settler in the town of Maple, and for many years its most prominent citizen, came to this section and made a settlement August 1, 1855. Shortly after he laid out a town site upon his land to which he gave the name of Mapleton, of which village he was afterwards the merchant and Post- master. Being an energetic man of good business tact, he prospered in life and became one of the largest land owners in the county, owning at one time some fifteen hundred acres in Maple Town- ship. Ile remained in the locality of his first settle- ment until 1876, when he made a trip to the "Mountains" and remained in Colorado five months, after which he settled in Harrison County. Four years later he came back to the scenes of his pioneer days in Maple Township, which he made his home for about two years. Hle then removed to his present residence, Little Sioux Township, IIarrison County. Mr. Wilsey is still a large land owner, having now one thousand acres of land lying in the two counties.

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History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 69

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 666

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, National Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666