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 78
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Mr. Atherton was married May 2, 1880, in Har- rison County, this State, to Miss Louisa M. Grout, a daughter of Otis and Louisa ( Lee) Grout, and by this union they are the parents of one child-Ed- ward A., born February 10, 1883.
When Mr. Atherton emigrated to Ameriea his brother James and sister Elizabeth came with him and the former is now a resident of Harrison County, Iowa, and the latter of Brown County, Dak. The father, who came to this country in
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1882, makes his home with his son James. Two brothers of our subject. Henry and Charles, are also residents of Willow Township, the former coming to this county in May. 1882, and the latter in 1867. Charles for some years resided in La- Crosse County, Wis., whence he came to this local- ity. All are in prosperous circumstances and are valuable and esteemed citizens.
EV. IRA. B. KILBORNE, the late Pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Onawa, commenced his pastorate in that village October 1, 1888. He is a native of Ontario, Canada. born in Leeds County, Septem- ber 21, 1828. He is a son of the Rev. Asahel G. and Sophia R. (Elmore) Kilborne, natives of New England, of English descent, who trace their an- cestry back to the Colonial days of 1700. The father of our subject was born in October, 1800, and is still living in Ontario. The mother, born in January, 1803, died in Ontario in April, 1889.
Our subject was brought up on a farm, his fa- ther being engaged in agricultural pursuits as well as being a local preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Ile received the foundation of his educa- tion in the ordinary district schools, but at the age of eighteen, having received his time of his father, be repaired to the Normal School at Toronto, where he finished his education. Both before this time and afterward he was engaged in teaching school, but experiencing religion in 1842, he gave some attention to theological studies, and entered the ministry in 1855. About a year and a half later, owing to failing health, he was obliged to abandon partially the work of the Master, and engaged in the mercantile trade at Winfield, Ontario. 1n 1871 he came to lowa and carried on the mercantile business at Otley and the grain business at Ft. Dodge for several years, but two years later dis- posed of his interest and again took up his mission, preaching at Manson, Calhoun County, one year, and Elk Point, S. Dak., some six months. After a visit to his native home, which covered some eiglit- een mouths, he returned tothisState, and was placed
in charge of the church at Correctionville. At that place, Smithland, Marcus, Akron and Aurelia, he was engaged in this work until he came to Onawa.
Mr. Kilborne was married, June 19, 1855, to Miss Azuba A. Gankel, a native of Waterloo, On- tario, born February 28, 1837, and who is a daugh- ter of Emanuel and Mary (Smith) Gaukel. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, of German de . scent, and her mother. a native of Ontario, was of Irish ancestry. Of this union there have been born six children, of whom the following is a record: Byron K., born the 21st of October, 1856, is the station agent at Parkersburg, Iowa; Clarenee P., born June 29, 1858, is the present Postmaster of Akron, Iowa; Ida E., born August 8, 1860, died March 2, 1879; Willie E., born October 21. 1868, died December 29, 1868; J. Melancthon, born De- cember 29, 1872, is now in the office of the Sioux Valley Record at Akron, Iowa, and Katie born April 22, 1879, died July 2, 1879.
AVID CHRISTMAN, who is engaged in farming and general stock-raising in St. Clair Township, is one of the pioneers of that portion of the county, which was not settled to any extent until a late date. Ile came to Monona County in the fall of 1873, and renting a place, lived in a dug-out that winter. The next spring he purchased the land where he now lives. on section 36, and broke about forty-five acres. and at the same time put up a frame building in which to install his family. He lived in this about three years, and then erected his present commodious and tasty cottage.
Mr. Christman is a native of the Keystone State born November 6, 1843, in Armstrong County, l'a., and when about eight years of age was taken to Lee County, Ill .. by his parents, John and Lydia Christman. He received his education and grew to manhood in the latter locality, making his home beneath the paternal roof-tree until attaining his twenty-fourth year, when having married. he rented a farm in the neighborhood where he was
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reared and carried it on for five years. This was previous to his coming to this section of Towa. With his family he drove through from Illinois to Mo- nona County with his team. spending some sixteen days on the pleasant journey, and since his arrival has been a contented citizen of this place, the gar. den spot of Western Iowa.
The marriage of Mr. Christman took place Au- gust 29, 1867, in Ogle County, Ill., at which time he led to the altar Miss Elizabeth Artz. The bride upon the occasion was born in Washington County. Md .. February 18, 1845, and died in Monona County, June 6, 1883, having been the mother of seven children, of whom the following record is preserved : Albert W., who was born June 23. 1868, died May 6, 1885; William R., was born November 3, 1869; George II., June 17, 1871; Viola M., October 17. 1873; Lydia D. and Carrie B., December 5, 1877; and Osear W., born Septem- ber 29, 1879. Mr. Christman occupies an impor- tant place in the community, as one of its most respected and esteemed members, and is highly spoken of by all who are acquainted with him.
ILLIAM J. HUDGEL, who is engaged in farming in an extensive manner on the southwest quarter of section 25, and the southeast quarter of section 23, Fairview Township, makes his residence, at the present time, in the vil- lage of Sloan, Woodbury County. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 25, 1840, and is the son of Thomas and Ellen Hudgel. When he was about ten years of age the family removed to Anglaize County, in the same State, where William J. helped work upon the farm and attended the district school. Late in the fall of 1856 he came to lowa with his parents, and settled in Clark County.
Our subject followed farming at home until April 20, 1860, when, in company with his brother, he fitted out a wagon with ox-teams and joined a train bound for Pike's Peak. They arrived at that Eldorado of their hopes June 10, following, and opened a claim on Clear Creek in company with
several partners. On washing up and dividing at the end of six weeks' work it was found that each man's share was only about $2.50 worth of gold and feel- ing disgusted they quit, and selling their interests in the claim for a yoke of oxen the brothers com- menced hauling logs to the sawmill. Here the same luck befell them for the mill company failing, they lost about $600, getting for their work only a yoke of cattle and about $40. Being discouraged. Will- iam J. immediately started for home with two yoke of cattle and one wagon. When half way home one of the fore wheels of the latter breaking down, he rigged up a sort of cart on the hind wheels and in this rode the balance of the way to his home.
In the spring of 1861, Mr. Hudgel entered the employ of his father and toiled that summer upon the farm. August 22, 1861, he married Miss Pris- cilla V. Polly, only daughter of Dr. Samuel Polly, now of this county, and in the following spring rented the farm upon which he took up his home. Angust 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company D. Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, at Osceola, and started for Des Moines on the 25th of September follow- ing, his twenty-second birthday. Soon the regi- ment was forwarded to the front, going to Jackson. Tenn. In the race after Forrest, Mr. Hudgel was taken sick and left at camp with one hundred and four comrades with orders to return at once to Trenton, but stopping for dinner when within seven miles of that place they were surrounded and captured by the Confederates. The next day they were paroled and sent into the Union lines at Trenton, where our subject remained some two weeks on extremely short rations. Stealing away, he and a comrade, Jacob Smith, went to Columbus, Ky., to the Soldiers' Home and two weeks later to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and then home. After remaining at the latter two months he returned to the Barracks and after the exchange, on October 23, was forwarded to his regiment, then with Sherman.
Ile participated in several of the minor engage- ments near Buzzard's Roost, being chietly detailed with foraging parties and employed in tearing np track and bridges. After the evacuation of Atlanta the regiment was ordered to Rome, Ga., and put on guard at a railroad bridge and mill, some eight miles distant from that city. While here Mr. Hnd.
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gel and twenty-four others were surprised, while foraging, by two hundred and fifty "Johnnies" and were compelled to swim the river. On Sherman's famous march to the sea, this regiment followed that matchless leader and our subject participated in all its battles and skirmishes. While near Cam- den, S. C., on a foraging expedition, he was sur- rounded by a force of rebels, to whom he was forced to surrender, and after robbing him of a gold watch and about $40 in money, they shot him through the neck with a revolver ball and left him on the field for dead. He crawled away into the swamp and the next day was found by some Union soldiers and taken to his regiment on a mule. The balance of the marchi he made in an ambulance and on recovery from his wound was forwarded to Davenport, Iowa, where he was discharged May 25, 1865.
Our subject returned to his home and bought eighty acres of land, but rented a building and entered the mercantile trade. He remained there engaged in business, and in farming until the spring of 1872, when he came to Fairview Township and purchased his present farm. This he has under good cultivation, but having accumulated consid- erable of this world's goods, prefers to rent his land and lives in the village of Sloan, where he has a very handsome residence and some five acres in garden, fruit and grove.
Mr. and Mrs. Hudgel have a family of five chil- dren : Austin E., born October 14, 1867; Anna E., July 3, 1871; Dickey, May 1, 1876; Jessie E., March 11, 1881, and Maud B., October 28, 1885.
P RANK M. GILLILAN, the proprietor of a livery stable at Mapleton, was born in Jones County, Iowa, January 3, 1859. He grew to manhood in that county, receiving his education in its common schools, and at the age of twenty engaged in dealing in horses. In March, 1886, he came to Monona County and carried on farming and dealt in horses until December, 1888, at which time he removed to Mapleton and estab- lished his present business.
Mr. Gillilan was married in Jones County, Iowa,
February 14, 1884, to Miss Anna Fell, who was born in 1860. They are the parents of three chil- dren : Lary, Floyd and an infant. Mr. Gillilan is a member of Monte Cristo Lodge, No. 205, K. of P., of Mapleton, and a highly respected and es- teemed citizen. Although young in years, his large experience with stoek has peculiarly fitted him for the business in which he is engaged, and he is meeting with a deserved success.
W ILLIAM W. HAMILTON, a member of the firm of Hamilton Bros., the leading hardware, lumber and agricultural imple- ment dealers at Mapleton, and one of the most prominent business men of that prosperous village, was born in Cornwall Township, Henry County, Ill., March 14, 1848, and is the son of James S. and Mary E. Hamilton. Receiving the advantages of education in the common schools of the neigh- borhood in his youth, he was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and there remained until March, 1870, when, at the age of twenty-two years, he entered the employ of the McCormick Harvest- ing Machine and Agricultural Implement Company and was by that corporation placed at Cedar Rapids, lowa, in charge of a branch of their busi- ness in that locality. In the spring of 1874 he was transferred by the same company to Blooming- ton, McLean County, Ill., where he remained until April, 1878. In the meantime, in the fall of 1877, in company with his brother, he had established the lumber and farm machinery business at Maple- ton, which was under the direct supervision of Porter Hamilton. In September, 1878, our sub- ject, still in the employ of the McCormick Com- pany, was placed in charge at Council Bluffs, from which place, in April, 1879, he was trans- ferred to Peoria, IN., where he made his home until January, 1885, at which date he located permanently at Mapleton. Besides their exten- sive hardware institution, lumber yard and imple- ment depot, Mr. Hamilton is financially interested in several other business enterprises in the village, and is a stockholder in the Monona County State Bank at that place. He is a member of the Masonic
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fraternity. lle became a member of the Chapter in 1871, at Cedar Rapids; was mustered into the Commandery at Bloomington, Ill .. in 1875, and re- ceived the consistory degrees at Peoria, Ill., in 1881. In the former city, in 1876, he. also, united with the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Mapleton Lodge and of the Uniformed Rank in the same order.
Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage, Decem- ber 15, 1881, with Miss Josie L. Alsop, a native of Alton, Madison County, Ill., who was born De- cember 5, 1857, and is a daughter of William Ingle and Mary L. Alsop. By this union Mr. and Mrs. llamilton are the parents of two children : Mary Louise, who was born October 28, 1882. and Jane Steele, born January 16, 1886.
The Hamilton family has for several generations been representatives of the best class of American citizenship, and that of our subject in no way de- tracts from so worthy a history. Throughout the castern part of the county he is much esteemed. and, as a business man, enjoys an excellent reputa- tion. In society, both he and his wife are well re- ceived, and are accorded the sincerest regard.
- IDNEY C. HOADLEY, a progressive, en. ergetic and enterprising farmer of Belvi- dere Township, has his present home on section 25. where he owns 160 acres of land, all well-improved and under fence. and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He came to Monona County in the fall of 1867. lo- cating at Onawa, where he made his home until the spring of 1874, and then removed to Belvi- dere on a farm on section 11, from which he moved, in 1882, to his present place, selling the the older farm to O. M. Morse. His father, Enoch Hoadley, was born in Windsor County, Vt .. . Jan- uary 2, 1800. and was there educated and grew to manhood. June 20, 1822, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Samantha Flagg, who was born at Orweil, Addison County, Vt., November 22, 1802. In 1854 he removed to Ogle County, Ill., where he died April 16, 1882. He was a carpenter, joiner
and millwright by trade. ITis wife died March 29, 1849, in Vermont, having had a family of "nine children.
Sidney C. Hoadley, the fourth child of his par- ents, was born at Richmond, Vt., February 20, 1822, and there received his education. At the age of sixteen years he left his home, and was en- gaged in the carpenter and joiner business in Ogle County, Ill., until 1855, after which he came to Iowa, and locating in Butler County, carried on the same trade. Ile also took up a piece of land near what is now the town of Applington, but only remained until [the spring of 1857, when he returned to Ogle County. In 1866 he returned to this' State, and after passing several years in Boone, Jefferson and Missouri Valley, came to Monona County, as detailed above.
Mr. Hoadley was married, February 25, 1855, to Miss Eliza A. Wiley, a native of Lowell, Mass., born September 5, 1834, and daughter of Hiram and Hannah (Wright) Wiley. Her father was born at Hillsboro, N. II., and died in Boston. HIer mother, a native of Woodstock, Vt., died at Grand Detour, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoadley have had a family of nine children, of whom the following is a rec- ord: Flora J. was born August 11, 1856; Artemus F., born July 26, 1859, died April 4, 1861; Eflie M., born February 6, 1861; Leon E., May 23, 1864; Belle V., October 10, 1865; Agnes V., Au- gust 10, 1868; Clarence C., born November 20, 1870, died June 27, 1879; Josephine, born Novem- ber 19, 1872; and Berniee, June 17, 1874.
Mr. Hoadley filled the position of Postmaster at Hiawatha until the discontinuance of that oflice, in 1886.
W ILLIAM HIENRY WILEY, a prominent agriculturist of the town of Center, resid- ing on section 20. came to Monona County in the fall of 1876, and purchased eighty acres of land on seetion 29. Upon it he erected a house and engaged in tilling the soil for some three years, but, having purchased some more land on section 20, he removed the building to its present
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site, adding to it considerably. He has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres of excellent land. of which about seventy are under cultivation, the balance being devoted to pasture and meadow.
Mr. Wiley was born in Chester County, Pa., Oc- tober 26, 1853. Ilis father, William Wiley, a na- tive of the Keystone State, died there, in York County, July 1, 1889. He had come to Mills County, this State, about 1870. and from 1878 to to 1888 made his home with our subject, but ro- turned to the East the latter year, previous to his deatlı.
When William H. Wiley was about three years of age, his mother, Elizabeth (Kinzie) Wiley, a native, also, of Pennsylvania, died, and he grew up without a mother's loving care. Ile eame to lowa with his father, and in 1873 commeneed working out by the month in Mills County, and by this means earned a team, wagon and $10 in eash, with which he came to Monona County, and has sinee made his home here.
Our subjeet, November 22, 1876. in Mills County, Iowa, was united in marriage with Miss Laura Counts, a native of Missouri, who was born Octo- ber 7, 1856, and by this union they have had a family of six children : Tennyson C., born August 29, 1877, died November 9, 1884; Marvin A., born June 10, 1879; Mabel Clare. born April 10, 1881, died August 4, 1882; Maude, born May 1, 1883; Era, August 24, 1885 ; and Charles, Septem- ber 10, 1887.
E DWARD COLLISON, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Township, came to Monona County in the fall of 1879 and, for two years, was engaged in carrying on a rented farm in Fairview. In December, 1881, he removed to the place on seetion 27, Lincoln, where he now resides, having bought the improved place in September previous.
Mr. Collison was born in England. April 7, 1834. and is the son of Thomas and Mary Collison. natives also of that kingdom. lle was reared at home and there remained until he had attained bis
twentieth year when, with the idea of bettering his condition in life, he came to the l'nited States, landing in New York in November, 1851. Turning his steps immediately Westward, for some two years lie was employed in farm labor in Dearborn County, Ind., but in 1856. removed to Apanoose County, lowa. There he rented a farm for about three years, but gave it up to work in a saw mill. Having purchased a mill of this character in Davis County. this State, he operated it about eighteen months with considerable success. On land which he had leased and on a farm which he had bought, he was then engaged in agricultural pursuits in that section of the State until the fall of 1879, when he sold out and eame to this county.
Mr. Collison was united in marriage, in Dear- born County, Ind., March 9, 1856, with Miss Mary A. Cameron, the daughter of Henry and Nancy A. Cameron. There have come to them to consummate the happiness of their home, eight children. as follows: Mary J., who was born August 6, 1856; Nancy A .. August 7, 1858; Eliza E, January 16. 1861; John E., May 16, 1863; Emirata, January, 18. 1866; Lneinda, August 27, 1869; Sarah E .. August 13, 1871; and William T., October 21. 1873. All are living with the exception of Eliza E., who was taken from them by death, October 8, 1888.
OHN R. RHODES, a prominent and influ- ential farmer of St. Clair Township, having his residence upon section 28, first eame to the county in the spring of 1878, and worked by the month for M. I. Riddle, in Soldier Town- ship, for about nine months. In Boyer and Charter Oak Townships. Crawford County, he was employed in the same class of work and in breaking prairie until the summer of 1880, when he returned to this county and for two years carried on agricultural pursuits on rented lands in St. Clair Township. In the spring of 1882, having accumulated some capi- tal, he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres upon which he now lives, and out of which he has wrought a splendid and prodnetive farm. When he came to this country he had but little capital
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besides a pair of strong arms and an ambitious spirit, and his present well-to-do condition has been brought about entirely by his own efforts.
Mr. Rhodes was born in Blair County, l'a., July 28, 1859, and remained with his parents. John and Matilda (Forshey) Rhodes, until be had attained his eighteenth birthday, receiving the elements of a practical education in the public schools of his native county. lle then commenced the battle of life on his own account and, after working in that neighborhood for about a year, struck out for the West. "to grow up with the country," and came directly to Monona County.
Our subject was united in marriage February 16. 1881, in St. Clair Township. with Miss Dora F. Patrick, the daughter of George and Emily ( Hern- don) Patrick. By this union there has been born a family of four children, upon the following dates: Emma K .. November 23, 1881; Orlando R., August 22. 1883: Laura B., December 4, 1856, and Marcellus R., December 25, 1888.
Mr. Rhodes occupies a high place in the estima- tion of the people of the township and has been intrusted with the office of Justice of the Peace in and for the same, since the fall of 1882 and is the present administrator of justice in that vicinity. He is identified with all movements, accruing to the benefit of his neighbors, or the people of the county and town, and is one of the public spirited and enterprising members of the community that is rapidly bringing Monona County to a front rank among the brilliant galaxy of sister counties of our noble State.
IIARLES E. ROSS, who has his residence and farm on section 9, in the town of Lincoln, came to this county in the fall of 1882. and carried on agricultural pursuits on both rented land and property of his own, for several years in Ash- ton and Lincoln Townships. In the spring of 1886 he rented the farm upon which he now lives. and, after raising one crop upon it and finding that it suited him, bought it.
Charles E. Ross is a native of Vermont, born in Newark, Caledonia County, January 14, 1841.
When about five years of age his parents. Elijah and Clarissa Ross, moved to New Ilampshire, where the family resided for some years. At the age of nine years Charles went to live with his sis- ter, in Vermont, where he grew to manhood.
In the early days of the war, September 21, 1861, Mr. Ross enlisted in Company F, Fourth Vermont Infantry, and with that gallant regiment. participated in many of the engagements that oc. eurred in Northern Virginia, the principal of which were the siege and capture of Yorktown, the battles at Williamsburg, Gaines' Mill, Seven Pines, and others of the seven days battle in the Chicka- hominy Swamp. Savage Station, White Oak Swamp and others. His time of service having expired, he was discharged at Fortress Monroe, Va .. Septem- ber 21, 1864, from which time until January 12, 1865, he was engaged in driving a team in the neighborhood of the latter fort.
Returning to New Hampshire, he there made his home for about two years, removing thence to Ver- mont, and in the latter Stato remained until the fall of 1879. After a short time spent in Boston, he started for the West and landed in Jefferson County, Kan., January 18, 1880. lle remained there until October, 1882, when he came to Monona County as related above.
Mr. Ross was united in marriage September 12, 1866, at Springfield, Mass., with Miss Julia 11. Dan- forth, and by their union they are the parents of three children-Ada C., Walter C. and Hattie E.
ILLIAM L. RING, a well-known pioneer of Monona County, and one of the fore- most citizens of Cooper Township, of which he was an early settler, is a man whose prac- tical ability, prompt and methodical business habits and self education, justify the confidence and esteem with which he has inspired his fellow citizens. Ile was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., May 7, 1815, and is the son of Lewis and Eleanor (Duboise) Ring. His father, a native of the same county, was born in 1787, and was a physician, and died in that portion of the Empire State, as did his wife.
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