USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume II > Part 72
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
714
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
was born August 24, 1838, and died in Audubon county, Iowa, June 28, 1907. Lida Black, born May 31, 1844, died in Orono township, April 10, 1906. Mar- tha M. Black was born January 2, 1846. At Muscatine, Iowa, December 24, 1868, she was united in marriage to Alfred M. Wilkins. To them four children were born: Anna Belle, Rhoda, Minnie and Maude. The three latter are dead. The mother passed away at Muscatine, October 12, 1882.
Benjamin Black, and all his children were born in Boone county, Kentucky. His mother, Margaret Connely, was of Scotch descent. She was born in the fort at Lexington, Kentucky. Her father was a surveyor in the employ of the United States government. Her husband, James Black, died January 16, 1833. He was a farmer and kept his business very straight. His death occurred after a short illness. The only debt he owed was thirty-seven and one-half cents, and he would not have owed that but the blacksmith could not make the change. She died December 11, 1848. Benjamin Black was a large man physically and men- tally and an honorable, honest man in all the relations of life. His tender min- istries to the little wife in her long invalidism was most beautiful. She passed away January 15, 1884. Had she lived till October 23, 1884, they would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. After her departure he wanted to be reunited with his companion of almost fifty years. And after tarrying here one year, three months and three days, his spirit was released from the earthly tabernacle. He died April 18, 1885. He came to his "grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season."
John W. Black came to Iowa with his parents at the age of five years. The father, mother and six children came from Kentucky with a team and covered wagon. They crossed the Father of Waters at Muscatine, November 26, 1852. He has lived in Muscatine county continuously since then, except one and a half years, the family spent in Cedar county, immediately after coming to Iowa. Although he is now in his sixty-fifth year he has never drunk a glass of liquor of any kind, never took a chew of tobacco or a smoke, or ever played a game of cards. He and his sister never left their parents, and after their death, they continued to live together till she answered the summons, "Come up higher."
On the 17th of January, 1883, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. B. McKenney, at Maquon, Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Black was married to Miss Alice Tem- pleton. Rev. Joseph E. Williams was the officiating clergyman.
One child, Elmer Wesley, came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Black. He was born April 12, 1885, and on December 18, 1907, married Miss Bertha Foster, who was born at Letts, Iowa, September 24, 1887. A son, Arthur, was born to them January 17, 1911.
Mr. Black and family located on the one hundred and eighty acre farm in Orono township in February, 1889, to which he has devoted much time and energy, making it one of the highly desirable properties of the township. The prosperity which he has attained is the result of wisely directed effort, and he now has the satisfaction of knowing that he and his family have abundant re- sources upon which to draw in case of emergency. Although he has not sought political office, Mr. Black has ever since arriving at manhood voted with the democratic party, believing that in so doing he is performing his duty as an American citizen. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
715
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
church at Conesville, and they have many friends not only in that denomina- tion but throughout the section where they are widely recognized on account of their excellent traits of mind and character.
John Wesley Templeton and Miss Mary Frances Crittenden were married at the home of her parents, Pryor and Nancy Jackson Crittenden, in Wilson county, Tennessee, May 13, 1852. Five children blessed this union : Alice, now Mrs. John W. Black, was born March 6, 1853, near Nashville, Tennessee; Blanche was born at Silver Springs, Tennessee, November 2, 1854; Joseph Crit- tenden Templeton, May 6, 1858; Mollie Browder Templeton, September 12, 1862; William McMurry Templeton, June 6, 1861. He died in infancy. The three last mentioned were born in Gentry county, Missouri, near where Stan- berry now is. Blanche became the wife of Morton Hayden Rogers, Novem- ber 27, 1873, and to them ten children were born. She died April 26, 1905. Mollie B. was married to Porter Johnson, December 24, 1885, and to them were born four children. Joseph Crittenden Templeton, was united in marriage to Miss Margaret D. Enlow, at Bridgeport, Ohio, August 17, 1886, and to this union nine children were born. He is now superintendent of the public schools of Palo Alto, California. One son, Eugene C., is an instructor in Leland Stan- ford Jr. University. Joseph C. Templeton, taught at Nichols, Iowa, in 1881- 1882.
The father of Mrs. John W. Black was born in Iredell county, North Caro- lina, January 9, 1820. He was the youngest of eight children born to his pa- rents, John and Ann (Claywell) Templeton. In 1844 he went to Elkton, Ken- tucky, making the trip on horseback. After remaining there a while, he en- gaged in mercantile business at Winchester, Tennessee. In April, 1857, he and his family went to Gentry county, Missouri. He lived on a farm till November, 1858, when he again became a merchant. In May, 1863, he with his family re- turned to Kentucky. He lived near Greenville for twenty-four years. After the children all left the old home, they grew lonely and went to reside with their daughter, Mrs. Blanche Rogers, near Auburn, Kentucky. There he passed away June 20, 1889, at the age of sixty-nine years, five months and eleven days. The mother accompanied her daughter, Mrs. Black, home. On July 26, 1890, she departed, with her son, for his home, at the Montana Wesleyan Univer- sity, Helena, Montana, he being an instructor in the school. There on March 16, 1892, she died, aged sixty-five years and two months. She was born in Nottoway county, Virginia, January 16, 1827. She went with her parents to Wilson county, Tennessee, in 1831. They were intelligent, honorable and up- right people. Her father, Pryor Crittenden, died in Wilson county, Tennessee, in April, 1854, aged seventy-three years. Her mother, Nancy (Jackson) Crit- tenden, was the only child of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Jackson, of Nottoway county, Virginia. She died at her home near Greenville, Kentucky, June 4, 1865, aged seventy-three years. To her and her husband were born thirteen children. Three sons, Robert M., Thomas P., and Daniel W. Critten- den, were medical doctors. One son, Colonel John Jackson Crittenden, was a military man. The great-grandparents of Mrs. Black were Peter Claywell and Jemima Arthur, who were married August 28, 1777. To them were born twelve children. Elizabeth Blankinship, born October 30, 1778, died February 2, 1861.
716
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Solomon Claywell, born February 16, 1780, died March 11, 1848. Ann Temple- ton, born August 1, 1781, died August 27, 1853, while her husband, John Tem- pleton, who was born January 18, 1782. died September 17, 1852. These were Mrs. Black's grandparents and they died in Buchanan county, Missouri. Mil- dred Edson, the youngest of the family, was born November 3, 1782, and died November 21, 1855. Shadrach Claywell, born February 4, 1784, died June 20, 1867. Jemima Fitzgerald, born August 26, 1785, died in February, 1862. Peter Claywell, Jr., born February 8, 1787, died April 30, 1878. Mary King, born April 16, 1789, died January 29, 1874. Margaret Tomlinson, born August 22, 1790, died in August, 1865. Jane Holland, born June 27, 1792, died March 31, 1883. Sarah Browder, born April 26, 1796, died May 13, 1875. William A. Claywell, born January 19, 1799, died April 24, 1873. Peter Claywell, Sr., the father of this family, died May 17, 1842, and the mother, Jemima (Arthur) Claywell, died June 7, 1842.
NORRELL T. HAFNER.
Beginning at twelve years of age, Norrell T. Hafner, now a well known farmer of Muscatine county, has won a responsible place for himself and is recognized as a man of unusual energy and enterprise. He is a native of Orono township, this county, born March 2, 1861, and is a son of John and Sarah P. (Ferry) Hafner. The father was a native of Germany and the mother of Bur- lington, Iowa. They were married in Muscatine and began their wedded life upon a farm in this county acquired by Mr. Hafner, who later developed it until it became a highly improved place of one hundred and sixty acres. The father passed away in 1895 but the mother is still living on the old homestead. Their family included twelve children, of whom ten are now living, namely : Charlie, Frank, Rudolph, Oscar, Ernest, Clarence, Effie, Orena, Edith and Norrell T.
After spending the first twelve years of his life under the parental roof, re- ceiving such education as the district school afforded, the subject of this re- view began working by the month for his uncle, thus continuing for twelve years. Having married at the age of twenty-four, he began farming on his own account by renting land and after eight years of systematic labor he purchased eighty acres of timber land, which was the nucleus of his present farm of one hundred and ten acres. The eighty acres was covered with timber but it has been en- tirely cleared off and has made one of the most valuable tracts in the region for agricultural purposes. Mr. Hafner cultivates the cereals and also raises a high grade of stock, from which he receives a handsome revenue. He gives to his business intelligent and thoughtful attention that produces gratifying results, as are to be witnessed in the ample barns, sleek animals and the well filled cribs.
On January 1, 1884, Mr. Hafner was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Ellen Bedwell, of Louisa county, Iowa, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Storms) Bedwell. The parents were both natives of Indiana and came to Louisa county many years ago, where Mr. Bedwell was closely identified with the farming in-
717
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
terests until his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife departed this life in 1899. Eleven children were born to them, of whom two died in infancy and George and Mary passed away later in life. Those still living are Daniel J., Chester, Elizabeth, Henry J., Amanda Ellen, Margaret and Rosa. The following children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hafner: Hubert C., born August 31, 1884, now living on a farm in Orono township; Lester H., born October 29, 1886, living in Cedar township; Gertrude B., November 27, 1888, at home; Mary P., July 25, 1890, also at home; Hazel B., born October 31, 1892, a graduate of Leverich Normal School of Muscatine and now teaching school; Guy B., born January 15, 1895; Elve M., February 4, 1896; Vesta A., February 16, 1898; Laura A., who was born October 27. 1901, and died Sep- tember 26, 1902; and Opal P., born February 1, 1904. The family also com- prised one pair of twins, deceased, and one child who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Hafner gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has never devoted much time to politics but has served to the general satisfaction of the community as township trustee. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Letts. His life has been an extremely busy one. He has used his brains as well as his hands and his prosperity is due to well directed effort along lines strictly legitimate. By intelligent industry he converted the wild, rough land into productive fields, and the good fortune he enjoys has been rightly won and is thoroughly merited.
HENRY F. BABBITT.
The road to success leads through numberless difficulties, each of which must be overcome by the aspirant who finally reaches the goal. The man who fal- ters or turns back has little possibility of becoming a leader in the strife, but he who forges bravely ahead and is willing to deny himself smaller gratifica- tions for the sake of the final reward is almost absolutely sure of victory. Henry F. Babbitt, a prosperous farmer of Orono township, belongs to the class last named.
Born in Knox county, Illinois, October 23, 1846, he is a son of David and Mary (Dorman) Babbitt, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They were married in Illinois and in 1868 came to Iowa, settling in Appanoose county, where the father continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1898 at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother now makes her home with her youngest daughter and is eighty-four years of age. There were nine children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. David Babbitt, namely: Amanda, the widow of Sidney H. Williams, of Nebraska; Henry F., the subject of this review; Will- jam, Marion and John, all of whom are deceased; Jacob, who is now living at Gainsborough, Saskatchewan, Canada; Florence, who married Harland Marsh, of Livingston, Iowa, and is now deceased; Arminda, who married E. O. Cole- man, of Seymour, Iowa: and Richard, deceased.
Henry F. Babbitt received his early education in the district schools and as a boy applied himself industriously to everything he undertook, thus acquiring
718
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
a habit which has been of great practical benefit to him through life. He re- mained with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then married and began business upon his own account by buying, selling and feeding stock, in which line he continued upon an extensive scale for twenty-five years. He then accepted a position as solicitor for a commission and grain firm of Chicago and was identified with this line of business for seven years, subsequently pur- chasing the farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Orono town- ship, where he now lives. He is a good judge of stock and handles standard grades with results that have added materially to his financial resources.
On the 6th of July, 1870, Mr. Babbitt was united in marriage to Miss Alida Pettit, who was born in Saratoga county, New York, November 27, 1850, a daughter of Noah and Juda (Angle) Pettit. The parents were born in New York state and married there, coming in 1857 to Appanoose county, Iowa, where Mr. Pettitt engaged in farming. He died in December, 1893, at the age of sev- enty-three years. Five years later, on April 14, 1898, his wife was called away, being then in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pettit : John H., of Appanoose county; and Alida, now Mrs. Henry F. Babbitt. Mr. and Mrs. Babbitt became the parents of nine children : Fannie, who was born April 9, 1871, and is now the wife of Edwin Stanton, of Nichols, Iowa; Ralph E., born August 17, 1873; Nellie, who was born Sep- tember 6, 1875, and is the wife of Joseph Guthrie, of Lone Tree, Iowa; Madge, who was born July 21, 1881, and is the wife of C. W. Bangs, of Paullina, Iowa ; Glen R., born March 26, 1883; Lloyd H., born June 24, 1888; Lazelle C., born August 14, 1890; Verne Leon, born March 17, 1893; and Grace M., born June 21, 1897. The five children last named are all living at home.
Ralph E. Babbitt, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Babbitt, was educated in the common schools of Orono township and grew to manhood under the parental roof, continuing at home until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming upon his own account by renting land. In November, 1909, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, Orono township, upon which he has placed many improvements, so that it is now highly productive. On March 28, 1900, he was married to Miss Cora E. Beatty, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, March 2, 1879, a daughter of John and Eliza (Kirk) Beatty, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. They were married in Muscatine county and Mr. Beatty devoted his attention successfully to farming until his death, which occurred in 1885. Mrs. Beatty continued upon the home farm until 1903, when she removed to Lone Tree, where she is now living, having arrived at the age of sixty-six years. She is the mother of eleven children, namely : William, now deceased; Emma, the wife of Howard Betts, of Colorado; Robert, of Lone Tree; Jolin, deceased; Maggie, now Mrs. Thomas Thompson, of Platte, South Dakota; Mattie, the wife of Carlos Briggs, of Fort Collins, Colorado; Stuart, deceased; Charley, of Fairport, Iowa; Elizabeth, now the wife of John Healy, of Muscatine; Cora E., now Mrs. Ralph E. Bab- bitt ; and Arthur, of Lone Tree. Two children have brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Babbitt : Helen, born January 28, 1902; and Mildred, born July 23, 1906. Mrs. Babbitt received the advantages of a good common school education and was a successful teacher previous to her marriage. Mr. Babbitt
719
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
is politically identified with the republican party and fraternally is a valued member of the camp of Modern Brotherhood of America, at Conesville. He and his family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Henry F. Babbitt is a stanch believer in the Christian religion and he and his wife and children are active workers in the Methodist church. As head of a large and interesting family he has set a noble example of perseverance and industry, instilling habits of prudence and economy into his children which have had a controlling influence on their lives. Today in the midst of comfort and plenty he looks back on a life well spent and can view the future with a seren- ity known only to those who have attempted to perform their duty.
JOSIAH FRY.
Among the natives of the Keystone state who have established a home and attained a competence in Muscatine county is Josiah Fry, a well known farmer of Cedar township. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 4, 1842, a son of Henry and Mary (Fitzgerald) Fry, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father came to Iowa in 1855 and later purchased land in Muscatine county, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of this region and at one time owning four hun- dred and twenty acres of valuable farming property. He departed this life May 14, 1897, at the age of eighty-three years, the mother passing away May 9, 1902, after she had reached the age of eighty-four years, and both were laid to rest in Letts cemetery. There were thirteen children in their family, namely: Josiah, our subject; Cyrus, now of Muscatine county; Eliza, the wife of John Coder, of this county; Franklin, also of Muscatine county; Sarah, the widow of Jos- eph Morrison, of Muscatine; Harriet, the wife of Alonzo Eperly, of St. Paul, Minnesota ; Mary, now Mrs. C. W. Harvey, of Myrna, Iowa; Eva, the wife of N. C. Herrick, of Muscatine county ; John, of Waterloo, Iowa; Matilda, now Mrs. P. Brookhart, of Muscatine county; Noah, who died at the age of twenty- three years; William H. Henry, who died at two years of age; and one who died in infancy.
Josiah Fry came with his parents to Iowa when he was a boy of thirteen years. He was just preparing to enter upon the active duties of life when the Civil war threw its shadow over the land and, responding to the call for de- fenders of the Union, he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company F, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was soon sent to the front and Private Fry participated in many of the great movements and engagements af the war. He was present at the celebrated sige of Vicksburg and took part in the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Henderson Hill, Pleasant Hill, Kenesaw Mountain, Yellow Bayou, Old River Lake, and Tupelo, Mississippi, and Spanish Fort, Ala- bama. He valiantly performed his duties at all times, as his heart was in the cause, but no man was happier than he when peace was declared and the great armies were disbanded. He received his honorable discharge August 9, 1865, and returned to Muscatine county, where he began farming upon part of his father's place. Here he continued for two years and then purchased forty acres,
720
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
the nucleus of the beautiful farm of one hundred and ninety acres which he now owns and which is located on section 24, Cedar township, and section 9, Seventy-six township. He has succeeded admirably in raising grains but has devoted a great deal of time to live stock, being a successful breeder of black polled cattle, Percheron Norman horses and Chester White hogs.
In 1866 Mr. Fry was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Eperly, who was born in Indiana and came to Iowa with her parents when she was about seven years of age. Mr. Eperly entered land in Muscatine county which he cultivated until 1868, being then called to his final rest. The mother departed this life in 1873. Their remains were interred in Wagoner cemetery, Musca- tine county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Eperly included ten children, six of whom are now living, namely : George, of St. Paul, Minnesota; John, of Port- land, Oregon ; Mary, the widow of Levi Ellison, of Letts, Iowa; Albert, of Ore- gon; Nancy Jane, now Mrs. Fry; and William, of Muscatine. Five children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fry: Gertrude May, born June 3, 1867, now the wife of Frank Runyon, of Muscatine county; Phenia B., born April 9, 1869, the wife of Jud Eperly, of Oregon; Estella F., who was born De- cember 12, 1871, and is now the wife of Elmer Furnace, of Louisa county, Iowa; Grace, who was born December 8, 1874, and died July 14, 1883; and Rolly C., now in charge of the homestead, who was born December 1, 1880, and was married December 12, 1900, to Opal Wells, of Muscatine county.
The honorable record which Mr. Fry made in the army was a prophecy of the enterprise and ability he has displayed during the forty-five years that have elapsed since the war. While his success as a farmer is clearly demonstrated, he has also assisted in promoting the general welfare of his neighborhood and county. Politically he has since arriving at voting age been an adherent of the republican party. He and his family are affiliated with the Methodist church and give it their conscientious support. Owing to his wide experience and proven ability Mr. Fry occupies a responsible position in the locality where he lives and is justly regarded as one of its best citizens.
BENJAMIN EMMONS LILLY.
Among the successful merchants of Muscatine none is more respected than Benjamin E. Lilly, who for many years has been actively connected with the business interests of the city. He was born at Bloomington, now Muscatine, September 23, 1842, and is a son of Jolin H. and Susan P. (Howland) Lilly, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter at Montpelier, Ver- mont. The father was a tailor by trade and was one of the early settlers of Muscatine, continuing here until his death. The mother departed this life at the age of forty-four years. They were both members of the Methodist church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lilly: John H., Jr .; Edward and Charles W., deceased; Benjamin E., our subject ; William W., of Burlington, Iowa; Mary B., the wife of James Frame; Caroline S .; and Harriet, who died in infancy.
721
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Benjamin E. Lilly was educated in the public schools of Muscatine and upon attaining manhood, feeling that the country needed his services in its hour of extremity, he enlisted in Company G, Second Iowa Cavalry, serving for four years and three months. He was in many of the great battles of the war, among which were the battles of Corinth, Nashville and Coffeyville, and in numberless skirmishes, performing his duty at all times in such a way as to receive the hearty approval of his superior officers. With his regiment he participated in many charges and was often stationed in the front of the line but was never wounded, escaping injury as if by a miracle.
After receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Lilly returned to work in a sawmill and later became a clerk in a dry-goods store, in which position he continued for about fourteen years. In 1881 he became associated with N. H. Hine and established a dry-goods store at No. 103 East Second street. The business flourished and in 1896 he acquired Mr. Hine's interest and has since conducted the store under his own name. It is one of the flourishing institu- tions of the city and has doubled in size under the efficient management of the subject of this review.
On the 14th of October, 1873, Mr. Lilly was united in marriage to Miss Rose L. Fitchner, a native of Burlington, Iowa, whose parents came from Ger- many and were early settlers of Burlington. Five children have been born of the union : John W., of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, of Comanche county, Oklahoma, who married John W. McKee and is the mother of one son, Robert L .; Ben- jamin, who is identified with his father in business; and Ellen and Mabel, who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Lilly are members of the Presbyterian church and are liberal contributors toward its support. Politically Mr. Lilly is an adherent of the democratic party. He holds membership in Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; De Molay Commandery, No. I, K. T .; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. He is also identified with Norman Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Muscatine. This post was named in honor of the first man from Iowa killed in the Civil war. Mr. Lilly was a brave soldier when the life of his country was assailed and not less manfully has he per- formed the duties of citizenship. By his sagacity, perseverance and good judg- ment he is now at the head of a flourishing business which is highly creditable to himself and to the community.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.