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 71
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twenty-five head of horses and about five hundred head of cattle. His barns and outbuildings are of a very high character.
Mr. Reese first came to the county in 1856, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land. the nucleus of his present estate. upon which he did not settle, however. until four years later. The youngest child of his parents, Edward and Martha Reese, he was born near Grandville, Licking County, Ohio, August 20. 1831. His father, a native of Wales, was born in 1797. and followed farming in the valleys of his native land. In 1827 the latter crossed the ocean to America and settled in Lick- ing County, Ohio, where for thirty years he made his home. In 1857 he went to Casey ville. St. Clair County. Ill., and took up his residence with his son until 1860, when he came to Monona County, and died at the home of our subject, September 19 of that year. Ile was married in Wales about 1820, to Miss Martha Humphrey, a native of that country. born about 1798, who crossed the ocean with her husband and died in Licking County, Ohio, in the fall of 1843, having been the mother of five children-Edward (deceased ). Evans, Han- nah, Ann and Richard T.
Reared in the county of his birth, where he re- ceived a practical education, at the age of seven- teen Richard Reese went to Columbus, Ohio, where he commenced learning the saddler's and harness- maker's trade. After finishing an apprenticeship of three years he worked at his trade in Detroit and Jackson, Mich., and Dodgeville and Mineral Point, Wis., until the summer of 1855, when he came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, arriving there in June. Following his trade at that point, he there made his home until coming to Monona County, as above related. Success has attended his efforts bere, and growing and prospering with the county, he is now numbered among the most affluent and well-to-do citizens of to-day.
On the 14th of September, 1854, took place the ceremony that united the destinies of Richard T. Recse and Miss Henrietta Nordyk. The lady was born near Cincinnati. Hamilton County. Ohio, September 5, 1841, and is the daughter of Abram A. and Henrietta P. Nordyk. Eight children have come to bless their home, whose births are as fol.
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lows: llenry B., born July 15, 1855, near Council Bluffs; Augusta E .. February 3. 1857, in Monona County; Marietta, September 20, 1861 ; Francis A .. August 19. 1863; Nellie A .. February 27, 1867; Frederick A .. May 9, 1869; Richard, June 21, 1871; and Howard. August 29. 1881.
OSEPH D. COUNTS, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Center Township, re- siding on section 19, first came to this county in the spring of 1876. landing here on the 9th of April. For about a year he rented a farm, and then made a purchase of one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, where he now lives. Only about forty acres of this was fenced and broken, but he has now about one hundred and eighty acres of his fine farm of two hundred and forty acres under a high state of enltivation, and has a thrifty orchard of some two and a half acres. 'The balance of his land is devoted to meadow and pasture.
Mr. Counts was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 22, 1826. His father, Joseph Counts, was born in Pennsylvania about 1782, and when abont a year old was taken by his father. JJacob Counts, to Virginia, and later to Kentucky, and in the latter State grew to manhood. Ile was there united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Groom, the daugh- ter of William Groom, who bore him eleven chil- dren-Hulda D., Rachel, William, Nancy, Sallie, Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary, Aaron, Susannah and Jo- seph D. JJacob Counts. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of the Keystone State, born about 1710, and married Miss Hulda Davis. Ile died in Miami County, Ohio, about 1829, hav- ing been the parent of five children : Joseph, Jacob, Elijah, Rachel and Sallie.
Shortly after the birth of our subject the family removed to Montgomery County, Mo .. where Joseph D. was reared to manhood. On attaining his majority he removed to Osage County, the same State, where he engaged in farming. Seven years he resided in the latter locality, and then re-
moved to Schuyler County, Mo., but June 22, 1865, came to this State, and at Council Bluffs was engaged in teaming. Two years later he entered into the butchering business and ran the Cresson Hotel at the same time. One year after he returned to Mills County and resumed agricultural pursuits. Removing to Montgomery County, this State, in 1868, he purchased a farm, from which in 1876 he came to Monona County as above stated.
Mr. Counts was united in marriage October 10. 1848, with Miss Jane L. Huston, a native of New York, born June 26, 1831, who was one of a fam- ily of eleven children born to her parents, Francis and Catherine Huston, the others being: Lucinda, Clark, James, Richard, Amanda, Eleanor, Nancy, David, Mary A. and Marion.
Mr. and Mrs. Counts are the parents of eleven children, as follows: one who died in infancy ; Arreta E., William F., Laura A., Jewett M., Davis F., Ele B., Estella M., Charles, Iva C. and Emma L.
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AVID W. BOWERS, one of the old time residents engaged in farming on section 32, Lake Township, is a native of Frank- lin County, Pa., born March 1, 1848. Ile is the son of Jacob and Anna M. (Aglouf) Bowers, natives of France, who moved to Indiana about 1854.
David W. Bowers came to Monona County in March 1871, and settled in Badger. Lake Circle, Lake Township, where he bought a farm. After two years spent in other work, he commenced the improvement and cultivation of his own land and carried it on until about 1875, when he left it and went to Berrien County, Michigan. He remained in the latter place about a year and at Lisbon, Noble County, Ind , for about the same length of time, and then returned to this county. Four years later he sold out and removed to Saunders County, Neb., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. At the expiration of that time he came back to Monona County and pur- chased a farm on section 35, Lake Township. This was in June 1887. On this piece of land he made
THE NEW FULLIC LIMA A. T
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ASTOR, LENOX AID TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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J. A. HEISLER.
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his home until December 1888, when he purchased a farm on section 32, where he has since lived.
Mr. Bowers was reared to manhood in Noble County, Ind., where his parents had settled when he was about six years of age, and in the district schools of that locality acquired such education as the time and place afforded. His father dying when David was eight years old, he was thrown upon his own resources at a very early age. He remained in the last mentioned locality until he attained the age of twenty-three years when he came to this State as above noted.
Mr. Bowers was married at Magnolia, Harrison County, Iowa, October 21. 1874, to Miss Mina Lash, daughter of David and Miranda (Dawling) . Lash and by this union there have been born : family of six children as follows: Rozila M., Freddie F., Bertha A., Charles II., Adrian L., and Carl D.
OHN ADAMS HEISLER, who is well and favorably known throughout this part of the country, was one of the pioneers of Monona County,and still actively engaged in the sup- port of its great agricultural interest, as one of the leading farmers of Cooper Township. He has a wide spreading estate of one thousand and eighty acres of land lying in Maple and Cooper Town- ships,some five hundred of which are under cultiva- tion, the rest being in meadow and pasture.
Mr. Heisler was born in Harrison, County, Ohio. February 2, 1832, and is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Steffey) Heisler. Frederick Heisler, his father, was a native of Westmoreland County. P'a., and was born April 6, 1799. When about a year old he was taken by his parents to Harrison County, Ohio, then a vast wilderness, a new country to be developed, where his parents took up a tract of land well known since as the Heisler section. There he grew to manhood, receiving a common-school education, and became an excellent financier and mathematician. At the age of twenty-seven years he started in life for himself, clearing up a farm out of the heavy timber in the neighborhood, upon which he carried on farming until November 11,
1849, when he died. He was married about 1826, to Miss Elizabeth Steffey, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, who was born in 1811, and had a family of sixteen children, of whom the following eight are living : Henry, Solomon. George F., C'ath- arine H. T., John A., Samuel, Charlotte and Sarah. The mother died at Newton. Jowa. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Day, April 16. 1875.
John A. grew to manhood in the county of his birth, and his father dying when our subject was but seventeen years of age, he took charge of the home farm which he carried on until attaining his majority. For some two or three years after that he farmed the homestead on shares, at the expira- tion of which he went to Crestline, in the Western part of Ohio, where he was engaged as book-keeper and manager for a lumber company. Two years later, after a visit to his home, he started for Kan- sas, but on his arrival at Leavenworth, found the political situation in such a condition, that he de- cided not to settle there, and took a steamer for Omaha. In the latter city he formed a partnership with Peter W. Herman, and engaged in farming about three miles south of Council Bluffs, in Potta- wattamie County. The early frost, which occurred September 3, 1856, cut off their corn, and in com- pany with his partner in the latter part of October, he came north to Monona County, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 7, Cooper Township, under the pre-emption laws. He spent that winter at William's Mills, Mills County, and the next spring removed to his farm, where he built a log cabin and made some improvements. Returning to Mills County, he worked that summer at carpentering, and in the fall located permanently upon his place. He has made great improvements upon his farm, and besides his elegant residence. has two tenant houses upon the same. Mr.Heisler de- votes considerable attention .to stock-raising, hav- ing some nineteen head of horses, two hundred cattle, and over one hundred swine, and is noted for his success in that line. Ile also has cultivated some sixty acres of artificial timber, consisting of black walnut, grey ash, soft maple. red elm and cottonwood, all of which are in a thriving con- dition.
Mr. Heisler was married June 16, 1861, at
MONONA COUNTY.
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Mapleton. to Miss Clarissa Wilsey, who was born January 22, 1816. and is the daughter of that old pioneer. W. H. Wilsey. They have had a family of ten children : Ida May. who was born May 6. 1870. and was married December 25. 1886, to Ambrose Zediker; Fannie A., born Angust 13, 1871; Mary Charlotte. March 5, 1873; Annie P., August 1. 1874, died September 20, 1875; Genivieve E., born May 12, 1879; Lulu, May 29. 1886; Witliam HI., Solo- mon, Alfretta, and one unnamed, that died in infancy.
A portrait of this pioneer and representative citizen of Monona County is given elsewhere in this ALBUM.
HARLES M. CASSADY, who is engaged in farming in West Fork Township, came to this county with his brother E. M. Cassady, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, with whom he remained until the marriage of the latter, when Charles assumed charge of the old homestead. After the death of his mother. which took place May 16, 1884, he removed to Whiting and embarked in the harness-making business which he followed for two years. Since that time he has made his home upon the farm where he now lives, except about eight months that he spent in Cum- ing County, Neb.
Mr. Cassady was born in Panesville, Lake County, Ohio, and while an infant was taken to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and a short time afterwards baek to Panesville, Ohio. Ilis father died at Kirt- land, Lake County, in that State, when our subjeet was about four years of age, and the latter re- mained with his mother until coming to Monona County, as above stated.
URTIS C. POLLY, a member of the firm of Blair & Polly. dealers in general mer- chandise, in the village of Whiting. made his first appearance in Monona County, September 9, 1872. Having purchased a farm on section 26,
Fairview Township, he took up his residence there. but two years later removed to another farm on section 36, upon which he spent the time in im- proving and cultivating until July 1882, at which time he came to Whiting and, in company with .1. Q. Wiles, engaged in the mercantile trade in the same building in which he is now located. The firm of Wiles & Polly remained in existence for about fifteen months, when the present firm was formed.
Mr. Polly was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 12, 1848, and is the son of Dr. Samuel and Anna (Mote) Polly, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this ALBUM. When he was about eight years of age he was brought by his parents to Clarke County; lowa, where he grew to manhood. On attaining bis majority he went to Warren County and renting a farm carried on its cultivation for about two years, and for another year was engaged in farming in Clarke County, previous to coming to this section.
Our subjeet was united in marriage February 25, 1868, with Miss Lizzie J. Farley, daughter of Thomas J. H. and Lueinda Farley, the ceremony taking place in Warren County, Iowa. Having been blessed with no children of their own, in March, 1880, they adopted a little girl Fannie M. Hamilton. then about three years of age, upon whom they lavish all their affection.
ILLIAM HATT, a well-to-do farmer liv- ing on seetion 11, Franklin Township. is a native of Prussia, born April 11, 1853. and is the son of Fredrick and Caroline ( Witt) HIatt. both natives of the same kingdom. Ilis fa- ther was born in July, 1825. and was a laborer in the Old Country and came to Monona County in the fall of 1877. locating in Franklin Township, where he is still living. The mother of our sub- ject was born February 2, 1825. and died lere March 12. 1887, having had a family of four chil- dren: Fredreika, wife of William Kraft, a resi- dent of the same township; William, Fredrick and
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Charles, all of whom are citizens of Franklin. Both parents were members of the German Luth- eran Church.
William Hatt received his education in his na- tive land and in 1871 started for America, for the betterment of his fortune, landing in New York City in October. He proceeded to Niagara County, N. Y., where he made his home until April 1887, when he came to Monona County and for a year worked out by the month at general farm labor. In the spring of 1878 he returned to Niagara County where he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Maria Caroline Warner, and with his bride returned to this county. He rented a farm of Hon. Addison Oliver which he worked for three years on shares, thus accumulating some little capital. Ile then purchased the tract of eighty acres on which lie now lives, for the sum of $1,320 to which, in March, 1888, he added eighty acres on section 11, for the latter he paid $1,500. Here he has made his home ever since.
Mrs. Hatt was born in Mecklenburg, Germany. 1 January 8, 1861, and was confirmed in the German Lutheran Church April 6. 1874. She eame to the United States in early life and settled in Niagara County, N. Y., where she was married. Mr. Hatt is also a member of the same communion, being confirmed April 4, 1867.
E LI S. STRAUB, who is engaged in carrying on his professional duties as dental surgeon at Mapleton, is a native of Lewisburg. Union County, Pa., and was born January 23, 1854. HIe is the third in a family of six children born to his parents, Elisha and Elizabeth (Diboney) Straub, both of whom were also natives of the Keystone State. His father, who was a ship carpenter and boat-builder by trade, removed to St. Joseph Connty, Mich., and is now engaged in the ice and coal business at Constantine. in that county.
Our subject was reared and educated, partly in his native State, and partly in Michigan, whither he removed with his parents in 1874. He learned
and followed the trade of millwright until 1885. but in the fall of 1887, after studying for some time the science of dentistry, entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended lectures and clinies for one term. From there he came to Mapleton in March, 1888. and commeneed the practice of his profession. Shortly after this he went to Chicago, and Septem- ber 1888, entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in that city, from which he was graduated March 26, 1889. Returning to Mapleton he again commenced practice, which he still continues.
Mr. Straub was united in marriage, July 13. 1883, with Miss Lydia J. Menges, a native of Elk- hart County, Ind., who was born September 1. 1861. Of their union there is one child, Leo Ray, whose birth took place May 9, 1886.
ARRY E. COLBY, the leading lumber dealer of Onawa, is one of the early pioneers who broke the way for civilization into these western wilds, coming to Monona County, June 1, 1856. After a short time spent in the village of Ashton he took up a claim on section 24, in what is now Franklin Township, where he engaged in farming for about a year and a half. At the expiration of that time he removed to Onawa where he was engaged in various avoca- tions until 1861 and then moved to a farm on sec- tion 16, 83, 15. having disposed of his other place it not being suitable for his purpose. In the peace- ful but laborions duties attendant upon agricul . tural pursuits he spent his time meeting with more than a usual success, for many years, but in August. 1888, again removing to Onawa, in com- pany with his son, Frank, engaged in the Inmber and coal trade, under the firm name of F. E. Colby & C'o .. the son having founded the business previ- ously. He has to a considerable extent been iden- tified with the politieal field in this county. having held besides many minor offices, that of member of the board of county supervisors.
Mr. Colby is a native of Genessee County. N. Y., and first opened his eyes in this world Decem -
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ber 15. 1822. Ilis father, Daniel Colby, a native of New Hampshire grew to manhood among the hills of the Old Granite State, and was there united in marriage with Miss Electa Deane. In 1814, they removed to the wilds of Western New York, then in the Far West, where Daniel died in August. 1858. His wife had preceded him "to the pale chamber of death" in June, 1825. They had a family of five children, four girls and our subject, who was the youngest. The father married Miss Susan Hill, after his first wife's death, a lady who was born in Vermont, who became the mother of one child. Daniel Colby was a millwright by trade and carried on that vocation in connection with farming.
larry E. Colby grew to man's estate upon the old homestead in the beautiful valley of the Gen- essee, and received his early education in the log school houses of the period, rude cradles of learn- ing that marked the early pioncer days in that region. Entering a store in that locality in the capacity of clerk, he there remained until October, 1848, when he came West in search of his fortune. At St. Charles, Kane County, Ill., he was for some years employed as a elerk in a store, but hearing of this locality from friends from that region who had come on here, he followed in their tracks.
Mr. Colby was united in marriage, January 1, 1819, with Miss Susan Eldridge, who was also a na- tive of the Empire State, born May 19, 1820, and by this union there have been born three children ; Helen A. the wife of Stephen B. Myers, the Deputy Auditor; Frank E., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume, and Harry E. Jr .. a merchant of Turin, this county, also represented in these pages.
able success, as he brings to their assistance con- siderable energy and industry, and his estate manifests to the most casual observer the care be- stowed upon it.
Mr. Barcus was born near Newark, Licking County, Ohio, February 3, 1854, and is the second child in a family of five born to his mother, the others being Sarah, Mary, Howard and Hattie. HIe was reared upon his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of this county.
Early in life Mr. Barcus had instilled into him the correct principles of agriculture, thus laying the foun lation of his present success. At the age of eighteen, with the natural adventurous disposi- tion of the young men of this country, he left his home and went to Yankton. Dak., and while there hired out as a teamster in the transportation de- partment of that portion of the United States Army then under command of Gen. George Custer. For about four months he followed this life, but growing disgusted left it at Ft. Rice, and returned to his father's home in this county.
August 20, 1874, Mr. Barcus was united in mar- riage with Miss Ellen Reily, and purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land, commeneed the cultivation of its soil, and upon this farm he has made his home ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Barcus are the parents of but one child, Jennie.
ANS L. WINGATE. one of the self-made men of Monona County, of foreign birth, came to this county in April, 1874, and set- tled in Soldier Township, where he now lives. Ile had just money enough to buy a team and wagon, and for several years rented land in that section of the county. In 1878 he purchased tion 20, upon which he now lives, and built a small house, breaking about seventy-live acres. Ile has made additions to his residence, erected barns, etc., and has added to his jand from time to time until he now owns three hundred acres, a large part of which is under cultivation. His position
ESLEY BARCUS, a prosperous and in- ! eighty acres of land in an unimproved state on sec-
telligent farmer of the town of Sherman, having his residence on section 8, came to Monona County with his parents, John and Fidelia (Buck) Bareus, a sketch of whom is given else- where in this ALBUM, and has made his home here with but slight exception ever since. llis efforts in the way of agriculture have met with a consider- of ease and comfort is entirely owing to his own
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exertions under the free and beneficent institutions of our fostering Government, and compares most favorably with the lot of his countrymen who have remained in indigence in their native land.
Mr. Wingate was born in the Kingdom of Nor- way, January 18, 1852, and is the son of Lars and Maria (Hanson) Wingate. In 1868, when he was bnt sixteen years of age, in company with an aunt, he set sail from his native land on the 10th of April, and after two months spent in a tedious voy- age across the ocean, landed on Columbia's shore. He went at. once to Wisconsin, arriving in Rock County July 28. and found he was some $82 in debt for his fare and expenses. For ninety days he was engaged at farm labor for $10 a month, and then took up work by the day. In this man- mer he was employed, working for his board in the winter, and going to sebool, varied by a spell of siekness, which lasted one season, until 1869. when he paid the debt he owed, and in 1870 earned enough to bring over his two brothers. In 1872, like a good son, he sent money enough to the old country to bring over the balance of the family, his father, mother, and four children. He rented a farm in Illinois, where he was at that season, having gone to Ogle County, where he had an unele living, and there made his home until coming to Monona County in 1875.
Mr. Wingate was married in Logan, Harrison County, Iowa, March 15, 1876, to Miss Helen Han- sen, a native of Norway. who was born March 25, 1847, and is the daughter of Ilans and Maria Han sen, and they are the parents of four children, born upon the following dates: Ada M., March 24, 1878; Lizzie H., November 24, 1879; Hilda K., October 20, 1882; and Oscar William, October 12. 1885.
C HARLES HI. HOLBROOK, of the firm of Holbrook & Bros., bankers, at Onawa, was born at Somerset, Somerset County, Pa .. June, 21, 1830, and is a son of Henry L. and Mary (Connelly ) Holbrook, a sketch of whom ap- pears in this work. Reared to manhood in his na- tive county, our subject laid the foundation of his
education in its common schools, and while help- ing his father in the labors attendant upon farm life, studied civil engineering and for several win- Lers taught in the district schools. In the spring of 1853 he came to Jowa and taught a school in Johnson County during the summer. In the fall of the same year he became one of a party of surveyors employed by the lowa Central Air Line Railroad Company, with whom he remained until May, 1854. Returning to Iowa City he spent a short time in locating settlers and then moved to Cedar County where he was employed by the County Surveyor. In November of the same year he moved to Marengo, Iowa County, and on his arrival there was appointed to the office of County Surveyor to fill a vacaney caused by death and in August, 1855. was elected to the same position.
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