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 73
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Mr. Chamberlain was born in Genesee County. N. Y., November 20, 1822, and is the son of Cyrus and Pluma (Burton) Chamberlam, natives of Ver- mont, where they were reared and married. Cyrus Chamberlain removed with his family to New York in 1812. and later on removed to Ogle County, HI .. where he lived until his death, which took place in
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December. 1882. Hle was born January 11. 1791. and was a farmer until he settled in Illinois, but in the latter locality put up a mill, which he operated for years. Although in excellent circumstances he was a hard worker. and public-spirited to a great degree, building a church at his own expense at Grand Detour. The mother of our subject died in December, 1813, having been the mother of some nine children.
Eber B removed to Illinois with his father, whom he-helped around the mill. and remained at home until his marriage, March 10, 1844, to Miss Lodiey Chamberlain, a native of Genesee County, N. Y .. born October 29, 1822. For some four years after this event he was engaged in the milling business, when, his father having received the contract for the erection of the Elgin College, he, with his father, removed their families to that city, and for about four years was engaged in its construction, remaining in Elgin eight years altogether. ITe then returned to Ogle County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until coming to Mo- nona County, as stated.
Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are the parents of six children, of whom the following is a record: Alice A., who was born in Lee County, Ill., January 9, 1846, died March 2, 1852; Olia A. was born in Lee County, Ill., January 20, 1818; Frank O., at Elgin, Ill .. October 27, 1851; Eva E., August 28, 1854; Fred L .. October 8, 1857 ; and Charles C .. June 30, 1862.
ETER REILY, a pioneer business man of Blencoe, and one of the leading dealers in general merchandize in that section of the county, is an old settler of the county, having come here March 25, 1865, and purchased a farm on seetion 8, in Sherman Township. On this place, which embraced some two hundred and ten acres, he carried on farming until 1881, when he sold out to James Cook and invested his money in the mercantile trade.
both born in Ireland, but had come to America in their early days. Peter was reared upon a farm, receiving in the common schools of his native county a good education, and in 1858. following the advice of Iloraee Greeley, came West. Ile located some land upon which he filed a claim in Wright County. this State, but rented a farm south of it in Hamilton County. upon which he was en- gaged until the breaking out of the war.
Filled with the patriotism that called so many of our gallant young men to a death on Southern bat- tle fields, Mr. Reily enlisted early in 1861, in Com- pany F, Second Iowa Cavalry, and was made Orderly Sergeant. November 1, 1861, he was pro- moted to the rank of. Lieutenant, and April 1862. to that of Captain. On their organization the regiment was forwarded to the front. and with it he participated in the battle at New Madrid, where they passed through their "baptism of fire." At Farmington, Booneville, Rienzi, Inka, Corinth. Wolf Creek Bridge, Oxford, and on the terrible raid under Gen. Ben Grierson, he took an active and gallant part with the regiment that so often distinguished itself as to become well known throughout the nation. Like many others of the cavalry arm of service, Capt. Reily participated in many sharp and severe engagements, that while known as skirmishes, would in a less gigantic war be classed among pitched battles. Resigning his commission August 21, 1864, at Memphis, Tenn .. Capt. Reily received his discharge and came back to lowa, locating in Webster City.
Mr. Reily's parents had followed him to Hamil- ton County, in 1860, where his father rented a farm, but in March, 1865, a number of families made up their minds to come together to Monona County, among them those of Patrick Reily, Peter Reily, A. Jones, John Martin, Dewitt Wilson and Orlin Wright, who all came and settletl in Sherman Township that spring. Of these. Wright removed to Washington Territory in 1877, Jones to Oregon in 1879, Martin to Kansas in 1870, and Wilson to one of the Southern States about 1879. Patrick Reily died here in 1866, and his wife in 1882.
Mr. Reily is a native of the State of New York, born in Livingston County, January 1, 1839. Our subject had always taken a prominent part IIis parents. Patrick and Jane (Quinn) Reily, were | in the public affairs of the township, which he was
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instrumental in having organized as a separate one, and to which he furnished the name, and was elec- ted its first County Supervisor.
Mr. Reily was married October 31. 1859, to Miss Mary A. Dilworth and has been the parent of twelve children, seven of whom are living; they are-Annie, George A., Ella. Kittie, William, Mary Ann, Ralph B. Annie is the wife of William Rosseau of this township. Those deccased are, Eliza, who died in October, 1868; Thomas, in August 18SI; Florence in July, 1888; Jennie, in February, 1862, and an infant that died unnamed.
ON. ELIJAH PEAKE. ex-County Judge, ex-Member of the Legislature, and now a resident of Sherman Township, was one of the prominent men in the earlier annals of the county, and contributed his share toward its development and improvement. Ile is a native of llerkimer County. N. Y., and was born JJanuary 6, 1819. His father, Eleazer Peake, was of Old Puri- tan stock, and first saw the light at New Canaan. Conn., in 1774. His mother, Mary (Vorhees) Peake, was born four years later, in Montgomery County, N. Y., where she was married in 1796.
Judge Elijah Peake, the ninth child, and only living son in a family of eleven children born to his parents, made his home beneath the parental roof until he was some twenty-three years of age, moving with the family in childhood, to Monroe County, in the same State, and received an excel- lent education. He remained a resident of the Em- pire State engaged in farming. In 1848 he was appointed warden of the State Penitentiary at All- burn, N. Y., in which capacity he served until 1852.
In 1866 he came West and settled in Onawa, pur- chasing the Onawa House, the pioneer hotel of that village, which he rebuilt and made additions to. In connection with his son-in law, David J. Rock- well, he presided over this place of entertainment for travelers for some ten years, and made a popu- lar and efficient landlord. At the same time he was engaged in running the livery stable in the same
place, and carrying on a farm, where he paid great attention to stock interests. In appreciation of his abilities, he was nominated in the fall of 1867, to the office of County Judge. and elected over one of the most popular men in the district, Charles E. Whiting. Ile filled the position for a term of two years, to the satisfaction of the people, and with eredit to himself.
In 1878 Mr. Peake, after a spirited contest, was duly elected to represent this district, then con- sisting of the counties of Ida. Crawford and Mo- nona, in the Lower House of the Seventeenth General Assembly. In all the political movements of his time, he has taken considerable interest, and his influence in the couneils of his party, has made itself felt at all times. With increasing years, how- ever, he has retired comparatively from the active cares of life. and the confusion of political cam- paigns, and is going down the hill of life in peace and comfort.
In Cayuga County, N. Y., on the 8th of Feb- ruary, 1842, Judge Peake and Mrs. Angeline Hunt, the latter also a native of the Empire State, were united in marriage. They were the parents of three children : Hiram E., deceased; Alice L., Mrs. D. J., Rockwell, now residing at Council Bluffs, lowa; and Warner IL., a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
ARNER H. PEAKE, one of the most ex- tensive as well as intelligent and progres- sive farmers of Sherman Township, is engaged in attending to the interests of his magni- ficent farm of seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Sherman Township, residing upon section 21. He is the only surviving son of Elijab and Angeline (flunt) Peake, the former one of Monona County's most prominent men. and who at one time filled the important office of County Judge.
Warner Peake was born in Cayuga County. N. Y., September 6, 1855, and came to Monona County with his father in 1866. Reared to man- hood in Onawa, he there received the rudiments of his education. Ile attended the State Agricultural College, at Ames, Iowa, during the sessions of
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1869. '70 and '71. and the State I'niversity at Iowa City during 1873-71. He remained at home until his marriage. This, the most prominent event in his history, took place March 26, 1879, when he led to the altar Miss Martha A. Hand. a native of Col- umbia County, N. Y., and daughter of Frederick and Harriet ( Young) Hand, residents of Columbia County, N. Y. The young couple at once removed to the farm where they now live, and commenced housekeeping, and bave there continued ever since. enjoying the peace and comfort of domestic life. Their home has been brightened by the advent of four children, three of whom are living, the other Fred E., having been translated to his heavenly home in childhood. Those living, are Warren E .. Frank Il., and Stewart R.
Mr. Peake, a Republican in polities, has had no aspiration for office, being compelled to devote bis entire attention to the operation of his extensive farm. where he carries on a large stock business.
LAI'S O. MOEN is the owner of eighty acres of fine land on section 18, Willow Township, where he has diligently labored since the spring of 1880. He is comparatively young in years, having been born in Norway, September 27. 1858, and possesses in common with the men of his race the industry, perseverance and economy necessary to success. He remained in the land of his birth until attaining his majority, re- ceiving in his youth a fair share of education. and about the 17th of October, 1879, being dissatisfied with the state of affairs in the land of his birth, which allowed but little chance for a man to rise in his condition, and where wages were extremely small. he borrowed the money with which to pay his fare. and crossed the ocean to America in search of better fortune. He came at once to Monona County and for about a year worked out by the month on the farms of Nels Clemon and others, and then commenced to improve the place upon which he now lives. At first he had but a squat- ter's right to the farm, but in 1881 he purchased it
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and has brought it to a high state of cultivation. Ile las about one hundred acres of land, most of which is under cultivation and despite his poverty on starting in life, has already placed himself in easy circumstances. His father, Ole Amunson, died in Norway, and in 1880 his mother. Mrs. Carrie (Christopherson) Amunson, came to this country, and is now keeping house for her son, our subject.
AMES W. POLLY, an active and energetic farmer of Lake Township, living on seetion 28. was born in. Clarke County, lowa, No- vember, 28, 1854. and is the son of William and Jemima Polly. He was reared upon a farm receiving such education as was afforded by the distriet schools, and lived with his parents until attaining his majority. In the fall of 1876, in company with his parents, he removed to Monona County and settled in Lake Township, where he rented a farm. Ile remained on this, engaged in tilling the soil, until August, of _that year, when, having in company with his brother, purchased some eighty acres of timber land. in Lincoln Town. ship, he moved thither. They engaged at once in hauling wood to Whiting and saw logs to the mill, elearing up the land. Cord wood at that time was very cheap, and they delivered over one hundred cords in the town of Whiting, for $1.90 a cord, hauling it seven miles.
Having purchased a farm on section 30. Lake Township, James Polly moved to it in the spring of 1877, building him a house and engaged in farming during that summer. The following winter he was again engaged at the saw mill, and the next spring moved to his father's place, which he rented and where he remained until the spring of 1879. In the latter year he moved back to Clarke County, and, renting a farm, made a stay there until February, 1880, when he again returned to Monona County. After living on his own place on section 30, until the spring of 1883, he then sold out and purchased his father's place on section 28, where he has lived ever since.
March 28, 1876, at Adell, Dallas County, this
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State, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Atha, and they are the parents of six children: Lula M., Charles C., William P., Agnes L., James E., and May M.
SA V. HICKEL, the leading grocery dealer of the village of Whiting, settled at that place in March, 1888, and opened his present stand. Ife was born in Clay County, Ill., January 19, 1858, where he was reared and educated. Brought up upon a farm he re- mained with his parents, Samuel and Mary Hickel, nntil attaining his twenty-second year. Removing to Cass County, Neb., he there spent the summer and in the fall went back to Illinois, only to return to Nebraska two months later. In the spring of 1883 he started for Dakota, but stopping off at Whiting, on his way thither, was so favorably im- pressed with the town and its surroundings and the pleasant social qualities of its people. that he remained there that summer, and was married there October 16, 1883. With his young wife he moved to Keith County, Neb., where he took np a homestead and after remaining upon it four years, sold out and came to Whiting as above stated. Hle has been since then identified with its business and social circles and is rapidly building up a large and lucrative trade, and has won the esteem, and respect of the whole community.
The ceremony that united the destinies of Mr. Hickel and Miss Carrie Clark occurred on the 16th of October, 1883. The lady is a daughter of Ed- ward E. and R. J. Clark, old settlers of this county, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere. Of this union have been born two children: Mark and Blanche.
ENRY HARVY, one of the intelligent and enterprising farmers of the town of Lake, is a native of Wapello County, Iowa, boru May 5, 1851, and is the son of Nicholas and Harriet Harvy. His parents were natives of
Virginia. the father born March 14, 1812, and the mother April 26, 1812. They removed to Iowa previous to the birth of our subject and settled in Wapello County.
During the childhood of Henry the family moved to Mahaska County and three years later to Monroe County, this State, remaining in the latter until the spring of 1874. They then removed to Mills County where they made their home until February, 1882, when they came here and settled on a farm in Fairview Township. In the spring of 1884 Henry rented a farm in Lincoln Township. living in that precinct until March, 1887, when he bought the place on section 20, in Lake Township, where he now lives, and moved to it. His parents have always lived with him and do at the present time, as does his brother John. The latter was born in Monroe County. Ind .. July 15, 1840.
Mr. llarvy was united in marriage, while a resi- dent of Mills County, Iowa, May 8, 1877, with Miss Mary A. Eperson, and by this union they have a family of four children: William, Charles, George, and Stella, all of whom are living. Mr. Harvy is an energetic and conscientious worker. always striving after the best results for his labor, and is meeting with a deserved reward in his suc- cess. The family are among the most esteemed and respected people in the township, and are well known for their kindly manners and hospitality.
ICTOR P. DUBOIS, a young, enterprising and thorough going farmer, of Fairview Township, lives upon section 14. Hc is a native of France, was born December 17, 1855, and is the son of Victor Dubois, a prominent resi- dent of the same township, a sketch of whom ap- pears in the pages of this work. When only about four months old he was brought to the United States by his parents who settled at Menasha, Win- nebago County, Wis. There our subject lived un- til he was nine years old and attended school. but moved with the family to Harrison County, Iowa, in the fall of 1864, and to Monona County the following spring. Our subject was here reared to
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manhood, receiving every facility for acquiring an excellent education, of which he availed himself to the greatest extent. and assisted in carrying on his father's farm.
On April 2, 1873, Mr. Dubois was united in mar- ringe with Miss Lillie Holmes, the eldest daughter of George and Carrie (Sands) Holmes, both of whom were natives of New York. By this union there have been born seven children as follows: Walter R., January 30, 1871; Winnie G., January 15. 1875; Della May. February 5, 1878; Callie Ray, April 28, 1880; Bern Leon. September 21, 1883; Elsie Ruth. December 30. 1885, and Flora Belle born September 30, 1888, and died December 21, following.
John Holmes the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Dubois, was a native of England and his wife. nee Harriet Gould, of Vermont. Iler maternal grand- father, Zachariah Sands, was born in Maine.
Mr. Dubois, has a fine farm of two hundred and forty-five acres, one hundred and five of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, the bal- ance being chiefly in grass. lle has about three acres of grove and a small orchard, a beautiful and tasty residence, 24x42 feet in size, and a well finished barn 28x30 and other good outbuildings.
NDREW BALLANTYNE, a well known and prominent farmer having his home on section 2. Spring Valley Township, was born upon the banks of the river Tweed in Selkirkshire, Scotland, September 13, 1815, and is the son of John and Janet ( Turnbull) Ballantyne, also natives of the "Land of lleather." Our sub- jeet received a limited education in the land of his birth, and was there reared to manhood on his father's farm. The family having been converted, under the missionary labors of one of the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, came to the United States in 1841, arriving in Hancock County, Ill .. November 27, and there re- mained for some three years. A month after the assassination of Joseph Smith, which took place June 27, 1844, in company with a number of co- religionists, our subject, with his father's family,
went to La Crosse, Wis., and thenee, March 27, 1815, removed to Coffee Bend, now Preston, Tex., where they remained until the summer of 1846. Going to Austin, the State capital, he and the company erected a grist and saw mill. and there his father died in October, 1846, aged sixty-two years. Removing to Gillespie County, Mr. Ballantyne and others there erected a saw and grist mill, and a machine shop, etc., but soon after lost their entire property, some $10,000, by a flood. Going to Burnet County, they there ereeted another mill, which they sold for $5,000 shortly after, and re- moved to Medina. Bandera County, where he has a brother and sister living at the present time. May 26, 1855, Mr. Ballintyne came to Harrison County and bought one hundred and sixty acres of laud a short distance south of Little Sioux, and engaged in farming at that point until April, 1875, when he came to this county and settled where he now lives. Ihis mother, who was born in May, 1784, died in Bandera County, Tex., April 26, 1870.
Mr. Ballantyne was united in marriage Mareh 6, 1853, with Miss Rebecca Jane Connyers, a native of Perry County, Tenn., born October 17, 1836, and the daughter of George W. and Sarah ( Brad- ford ) Connyers, natives of Tennessee, and Fulton County. Ill., respectively. In 1837 she was brought by her parents to Jefferson County, lowa, where the family lived until 1844, when, having united with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they removed to Nauvoo, Ill. At the time of the removal from that city they started for Salt Lake, but stopped in what is now Clarke County, and helped lay out the town of Osecola, her father naming that place. From there they went to Texas, but returned to this State, to the neighborhood of Little Sioux, Harrison County, in July. 1855, where the father died August 7, 1885. HIer mother still makes her home there, having been the mother of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Ballantyne is the second.
Mr. and Mrs. Ballantyne have had a large family of children, of whom the following is a record: John W. was born July 7, 1854, and died August 22. 1884; Sarah J. was born August 19, 1856 ; Janet A .. born January 26. 1859, died September 3, 1866;
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Joseph M., born April 19, 1860, died in infancy; Margaret MI was born May 16, 1861, and died Jannary 18, 1863; Mary IL. born March 14, 1863; George A., January 1, 1866; William R., born May 29. 1869, died September 5. 1869; Gideon, born July 21. 1870, died in infancy; Henry A. was born July 29, 1871; Mark, August 25, 1871; and Guy, whose birth took place February 21. 1877.
W ILLIAM KOONTZ, of Soldier Township. residing on section 19, came to Monona County in the spring of 1869, and settled on section 9, purchasing a piece of land of the rail- road company, the title of which was in dispute, which he had to vacate, losing his labor but not his money. A year later he purchased a neighboring farm on the same section, npon which he lived some six years, and then sold out and removed to the State of Washington. Ile made his home there at Toledo, for about a year, but having been stricken down with the rheumatism, removed to Bartlett Springs, Lake County, Cal., where he received much benefit to his health. IIe then returned to Monona County and settled on the place where he now lives, building a neat and commodious house. When he first came to the county there were but few settlers in what is now Soldier Township, at! like most of the people he had his residence in a dug-out. There were no school-houses, school being taught at one or two of the residences of the citizens.
Mr. Koontz was born in Bedford County, Pa., May 31, 1824, and is the son of John S, and Eliza- beth (Winegardner) Koontz. He resided with his parents until some twenty-three years of age, and then established himself in the same county on a farm. There he remained until about 1858, when he removed to Iowa and located among the bluffs in Jackson County.
August 14, 1862, Mr. Koontz enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and with his regi- ment was engaged in train and guard duty until the fall of 1863. ITe participated with this hand of heroes in the second battle of Ft. Donelson, the engagements at Wartrace, Duck River Bridge,
Sugar Creek, Newman, Camp Creek, ('umberland, Jonesboro, Ebenezer Church, Lockbridge's Mills, Pulaski and Cheraw, and in many of the most famous raids in the Southwest. The gallant Fifth was in many situations requiring the greatest cool- ness and courage, and always acquitted itself with high honor. After the Wilson raid and the battle of Nashville, with his regiment he was ordered to Clinton, Iowa, having been mustered out of the service at Nashville, August 11, 1865. and was discharged at Clinton. He had entered the service as a private, and was mustered out as Duty Sergeant. With him had been his three brothers: James was killed in action; John died shortly after the war, from the effects of army life ; and Peter is now living in the State of Washington.
After his discharge Mr. Koontz returned to Jackson County, and engaged in farming, and there remained until coming to Monona County, as above stated. In Cambria County, Pa., William Koontz and Miss Tryphena Loomis were united in marriage. The lady is a native of the Keystone State and the daughter of Roland Loomis. They are the parents of six children: John I., James R., Lucius, George, Emma and Richard Z.
ARRY E. COLBY, JR .. the senior member of the general merchandise firm of Il. E. Colby & Co., the leading merchants of Turin, and one of the rising young business men of the county, was born in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. April 20, 1861, and is the son of larry E. Sr., and Sarah ( Eldridge ) Colby, sketches of whom will be found in their proper place in this work. As a child, in the schools of his native city, he received an excellent education, and at the age of sixteen, after having been in the store of George E. Warner for about two years, entered the high school of Onawa. Hle prosecuted his studies there, working at the same time in Timothy E !!- iott's store, and at the age of eighteen went to Smithland. where he was engaged as a clerk. From there he removed to Danbury, and as a member of the firm of Woodward & Co., purchased stock ard grain. Six months later he returned to
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Onawa, and to his old place in Mr. Elliott's store. where he remained about a year. Going to Quincy. Ill., he entered the Gem City Business College, after which he returned to his home and entered the establishment of Maj. Warner. with whom he remained until 1887. Going to California in the fall of that year, he was employed as a clerk in the store of W. R. Stone, at Ventura, for some four- teen months, but returning to Onawa, and after working a short time in the lumber-yard of his father and brother, May 18 settled at Turin, open- ing his present business. Thoroughly understand- ing the wants of the trade, and having a large ae- quaintance throughout the county, he is already drawing to himself a large and lucrative trade.
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