USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Page County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 64
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BERRY, WILLIAM F., farmer, section 12, P. O. Clarinda; born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 28, 1843. Went to Indiana, Adams county, when four years old, with his parents. In March, 1861, came to Page county, where he has since continuously resided. Married November 10, 1867, to Miss Rachel Kunkel, of Page county, by whom he became the father of five children, all living: Martha L., Effie S., Johanna, Clara E. and Sarah E. During the late war was a member of the home guards, and rendered excellent service on the border.
BIRCHARD, JAMES, farmer, section 5, P. O. College Springs; born April 10, 1837, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of the county and in Meadville Academy. Mr. Birchard enlisted, September 2, 1861, in com- pany E, Eighty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. He was in the battle of Gaines' Mill. On June 27, 1862, he was wounded, taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison; on July 25 was exchanged and on Oc- tober 25, same year, was discharged from Chester hospital, on account of his wound. In April, 1865, he moved to Hancock, Illinois, where he re- mained until 1876, when he came to Page county and located on the farm where he now resides. Was married April 25, 1865, to Miss Louisa Grubb, who died December 25, 1867. On April 18, 1869, he married Miss Alice Ingersol, of Lee county, Iowa, by whom he has two children: James D. and Louisa.
CORNFORTH, L. C., farmer, lot No. 16, P. O. College Springs; born in Maine, April 26, 1829; passed his youth on a farm, received a liberal education at Waterville Classical Institute and in Colby University. Came to Iowa and to Page county in the fall of 1855, being among the first set-
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tlers in this township. Mr. Cornforth is a man of singular industry and noble character. He came here without means, but frugality and care have brought out of his labor a pleasant home and a beautiful farm of 107 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth M. Phelts, a native of Ohio, Septem- ber 3, 1863. He is the father of two children: Carroll C. and Martelle L. A communicant of the Congregational church.
CROSS, JOHN, merchant, P. O. College Springs; born in Massachu- setts, June 1, 1797. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to New York, in which state he resided until 1839. He then removed to Illinois, remaining until the year 1857, when he became a resident of Amity. His interest in and connection with the college of learning at, and colonization of College Springs is quite fully given in the history of Amity College, to which Mr. Cross has sustained official relations for a number of years. When thirty-six years of age Mr. Cross entered the ministry of the Congregational church, and has had charge of a congre- gation the greater portion of the time since until within five years ago. During the war Mr. Cross united with the Wesleyan church. He was a strenuous anti-slavery advocate, spending many years in propagating his views; he enforced them in an active manner, since he was connected with the famous "underground railway," and aided many fugitives to reach the north. He was married on January 1, 1818, to Miss Lucinda Hulbert, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who was born in the year 1800. They are the parents of seven children, of whom two are now living: Mary A., wife of J. H. Beach, and John A. Mr. Cross lost his wife by death, Oc- tober 8, 1875, after a long and happy married life of fifty-eight years. . Mr. Cross is a man of influence and worth, a genial gentleman and a firm friend.
DONALDSON, J. P., farmer, section 9, P. O. College Springs; born January 1, 1861, in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, following both the occupation of a farmer and teacher. He came to Iowa, locating at College Springs April 11, 1856. Mr. Donaldson is one of the very oldest residents of Amity township. When he came to his present home College Springs existed only on paper, and with an entirely different name. He was the first settler in the colony, and built the first house ever built in Amity. Ida, his second child, was the first child born in Amity, which event occurred October 15, 1856. Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Sarah J. Eckles, a native of Pennsylvania, September 11, 1853, by whom he is the father of six children living: Irving M., Ida T., Arthur F., Luella N., Annetta E., and James H. He owns a fine farm of 173 acres, 13 of which are timber. The rise and growth of his township have been carefully and gladly observed by Mr. Donaldson, who, having tested all
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that the word " pioneer " implied, welcomed civilization and progress when it came to his very door. An energetic, faithful man, he is eminently de- serving of all the confidence his friends and neighbors unhesitatingly place in him.
DUNCAN, JOHN, farmer and stone-mason, section 14, 90 acres of land, P. O. College Springs; born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1807, In April, 1867, he came to Page county with his family. Volun- teered June 27, 1863, in Company H, Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. Was one of the company which captured the famous Morgan, at Liver- pool, Ohio. He was married to Miss Lettie Reid, of Alleghany county; Pennsylvania, in February, 1832, by whom he has eight children, of whom only two are living: Belle and John R. His wife died February 20, 1867. He married Miss Mary A. Duncan, of Clarinda, September 14, 1869; this wife died on February 27, 1879. For fifty-three years of his life Mr. Dun- can has been a member of the U. P. church. His integrity has never been questioned, and his genial qualities are worthy of all imitation.
DAVISON, GEORGE, farmer, section 23, P. O. College Springs; born in Derby county, Ireland, November 17, 1823. Remained in his native land until 25 years of age, when he came to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, in July, 1848, engaging in gardening. Came to Page county 'in March, 1870. Was married to Miss Mary J. McElwin in December, 1850. They are the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living: Joseph, James, Mary, Fanny, Thomas, and Annie. His wife died in November, 1869. In March of the following year he was married to Miss Margaret Fulton. Mr. Davison is a member of the M. E. church and has been since coming to America.
FINNEY, JOSEPH, farmer, section 15, 160 acres of land, P. O. Col- lege Springs; born in Hamilton county, Ohio, December 4, 1822. Forty- four years later moved from the home of his boyhood to Clarke county, Ohio, and in March of 1880, came to Page county, Iowa. Mr. Finney and wife have been members of the United Presbyterian church for forty years. He married his wife, Miss Susan O. McMahan, of Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, on the 15th day of October, 1859. They are the parents of six children: Edith S., Willie A., Venora O., Ida May, Mary E., and Edna Gracie.
HOAG, HON. E. B., farmer, section 29, P. O. and residence College Springs; born in New York, March 23, 1830. Atthe age of 15 his parents moved to Knox county, Illinois, in 1845. Here young Hoag grew to man hood a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools of that state
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and at Knox college, in which latter school he remained 18 months. In June, 1867, he came to Iowa, and to Page county, locating in Colfax town- ship. He improved a farm in that township, residing there until 1874, when he purchased his present farm in Amity. Mr. Hoag has twice been representative of his county, having been first elected in 1876, and re- elected in 1878. This attests not only the esteem in which he is held, but his personal worth and ability as well. He was married September 24, 1854, to Miss Rachel A. Newman, a native of Ohio, by whom he has one child: Casius O., a member of the class of 1881, Amity college.
HILL, JAMES H., farmer, section 13, owns 90 acres of choice land, P. O. Shambaugh; born in Highland county, Ohio, January 16, 1841. Came to Page county in October, 1877, bringing with him his mother and his family. In October, 1861, he enlisted in company F, 60th Ohio In- fantry, and served in Virginia under General Fremont. Was discharged in November, 1862. Re-enlisted in February, 1864 in company H, 1st Ohio cavalry. Mr. Hill was in numerous battles and skirmishes, in every one of which he acquitted himself as a soldier and a brave man. Was finally discharged at Hilton Head, South Carolina, September 13, 1865. Mr. Hill was married December 31, 1868, to Miss Emma Morledge, of Clarinda, Iowa, by whom he has six children, four of whom are now liv- ing: Charlie T., William R., Mamie M. and Edward.
HENRY, THOMAS, farmer, section 23, 218 acres of land, P. O. Braddyville; born in county Down, Ireland in December, 1827. In 1853 came to America, locating in Boone county, Indiana, and six years later in 1859, moving to Johnson county, Kansas. In 1861 came to Page county, of which he has since been a continuous resident. Was married December 5, 1854, to Miss Rachael E. McIntosh, by whom he is the father of thirteen children, all but four now living: John, Thomas, Wil- liam, Annie E., Andrew J., Robert, Sarah, Rebecca J. and Maggie M. Mr. Henry has been a member of the United Presbyterian church for 13 years. He enjoys the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, as it is fit a man of strict integrity of motive and act should.
HENDERSON, JOHN, merchant, of the firm of Henderson Bros. & Cobb, hardware and groceries; born in Pennsylvania, 1840, November 26, where he grew to manhood, a farmer. Enlisted July 4, 1861, in com- pany D, 62d Penn. infantry volunteers, serving for three years. He partici- pated in the battles of Yorktown, Gaines' Mill, where he was wounded, Fredericksburg, Chambersville, the second battle of Bull's Run, the bat- tle of Gettysberg, where he was again wounded, in the battle of the Wilderness, again wounded, in North Arm and Coal Harbor
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He was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. In the spring of 1865 came to Page county, where he has since resided. He was married 1868 to Miss Mary H. Wright, a native of Illinois, by whom he has two children, one living: Samuel R. Member of the United Presbyterian Church. He has been postmaster since 1878. Is honored and respected as few men are by those whose intimate friend he is.
JOHNSON, C. M., manufacturer of and dealer in sadlery, harness, etc., P. O. College Springs; born December 1, 1847, state of Pennsylvania, Erie county. When two years old his parents moved to Boone county, Illinois. The family lived there until 1858, when he, with his parents, moved to this county, where he has grown to manhood on a farm. He commenced his present business in 1868 in this place, and has followed it to the present day. He was married September 6, 1868, to Miss L. T. Bullock, a native of Pennsylvania. Four living children: Mahlon D., James B., Hollis M. and Gracy M. Lost two: Jesse May died when three years old; one died in infancy. Members of Congregational church.
JOHNSON, WM., pastor of the United Presbyterian church in Col- lege Springs, Iowa, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 18, 1831. Entered Madison college, Antrim, Ohio, at twelve years of age, and after working his way through, mainly by his own exertions, graduated in 1850. Spent two years in teaching, one year of the time as a professor in the college where he graduated. Entered the theological seminary of the Associate Reformed church in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1852, and completed the prescribed course in the spring of 1856. Immediately on leaving the seminary he settled as pastor of the Associate Reformed churches of Washington and North Salem, in Guernsey county, Ohio. With his congregations entered the union, which in 1848 formed the United Presbyterian church, and remained pastor of these congregations until the 1st of April, 1866. In July, 1866, by ap- pointment of the general assembly he was sent to Des Moines, Iowa, as a supply to that mission, but during the following winter received a call to Monroe, Jasper county, Iowa, where he settled in April, 1867. In the spring of 1871 he received a call to Spring Hill, Indiana, where he settled, remaining until January 1, 1877. His wife having died, and his own health being somewhat impaired, he removed to his present field, begin- ning his labors in the month of May, 1877, and being installed as pastor in the month of August.
JOHNSON, CHARLES T., farmer, section 7, P. O. College Springs; born in Sweden in 1833. Grew to manhood as a farmer and mechanic, in
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his native country. In 1868 came to America, finding his way to Page county in September of that year. Married in Sweden in 1855, to Miss Charlotta Johnson. They have a family of four children: Charles F., Sophia, Anna and Emma. He has a fine farm of seventy acres of land. They are members of the Lutheran church.
KUNKEL, HENRY, farmer, section 12, 130 acres of land, P. O. Shambaugh; born in Knox county, Ohio, August 29, 1844. Moved to Page county, June 8, 1855, of which he has since been an honored citizen. Married September 26, 1867, to Miss Mahala Beery, of this county. They are the parents of four children: Sarah M., James M. and Jesse L. liv- ing, one deceased. Mr. Kunkel has been a resident of the county for twenty-five years, and has not only noted its remarkable growth and prosperity, but has largely contributed to the same. A stirring, active man, to whom appeal was never made in vain; kind, charitable, and strictly honorable.
LYMER, R. H., physician and surgeon, P. O. College Springs; born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1844. He resided in the county of his birth until 1867, when he came to Iowa, locating in Page county. In August, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 100th Pennsylvania infantry volunteers, serving with that regiment for fifteen months. He was dis- charged for disability, but re-enlisted in June, 1863, in company A, 139th Pennsylvania volunteers, with which he served until the close of the war. He served as assistant surgeon nine months at Fort Wayne, then at Win- chester, and finally at Cedar Creek. He began the study of medicine in 1862, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1866. In 1867 he commenced to practice in College Springs, and enjoys a most successful practice. He was married in Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah A. Bagnall, April 29, 1867, by whom he is the father of six children: Anna E., Mary A., Sarah F., John C., George H. and Sidonia J. Dr. Lymer is also engaged in the drug business, and is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. lodge No. 228, and is doing his share in disseminating the grand doctrines of fraternity among men.
LAUGHLIN, J. G., farmer and pomologist, section 7, P. O. College Springs; born in Anderson county, North Carolina, in 1805. When still a child his parents moved to Brown county, Ohio. In 1819 his parents moved to Bond county, Illinois, where they remained ten years; thence they moved to Putnam county, same state, in which county the subject of this sketch lived for twenty-nine years. In the fall of 1858 he came to this county and settled on the farm he now owns. He was married in 1829, October 1, to Miss Ruth Russell, a native of Ohio, by [whom he
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is the father of three children: William R. and James B., living, and John J., deceased. The last named was a member of company K, Fourth Iowa Infantry. Died at Halance hospital December 14, 1862. His re- mains now rest at Rolla, Tennessee, in the national cemetery. As a fruit grower Mr. L. has been most successful, and has been instrumental in se- curing to the people of this county some of the best varieties of fruit to be found in the whole state of Iowa. He commenced the nursery busi- ness at an early day, and to him the county is indebted for whatever ad- vance it has made in this direction.
McLARMAN, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-dealer, section 9, P. O. College Springs; born in Antrim county, Ireland, March 25, 1825. Learned the trade of a linen-finisher, and mechanic. In August, 1847, was mar- ried to Miss Jane Mehaffey, a native of Antrim county, Ireland. They are the parents of six children: Hugh, Maggie, William, Sarah J., George and Annie. Came to America in 1857, settling on his present farm in July of that year. He has also been interested, to a large extent, in the growth of the township and county. He is a man of industry and great perseverance; of integrity and singleness of character. Himself and wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.
McKINNLEY, J. W., farmer, section 8, P. O. College Springs; born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1825. He there grew to manhood a farmer. At the age of twenty-one went to learn the plaster's trade, following that and teaching for about seventeen years. In 1853 he moved to Columbus, Ohio, remaining five years. In 1858 came to Amity township, and the following year was elected justice of the peace, which office he has held ever since, with the exception of four years. He has been a trustee and the treasurer of the colony since 1864. Married in 1856 to Miss M. A. Maughlin, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has four children: M. Eva, Joseph A., Maggie L., and James M. They are members of the United Presbyterian church.
McLAIN, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, P. O. Col- lege Springs; born in Ireland, in February, 1821, in Antrim county. His education was received in his native country. Immigrated in the spring of 1845, settling in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, remaining for two years. He then moved to Montgomery county, residing there until 1857, when he came to Iowa, and to Page county. Was married in Ireland in the spring of 1845, to Miss Rachael Clark. They are the parents of seven children: Samuel C., William, Thomas, James F., Isaac, Robert J., and Joseph W. They are members of the United Presbyterian church, and Mr. McLain is at present treasurer of the school board. His fine farm of 509 acres is all under cultivation.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
McGREGOR, ALEXANDER, merchant, P. O. College Springs ; born in Glasgow, Scotland in the year 1838. When he was three years of age his parents immigrated to Canada West, where he grew to man- hood as a farmer, which occupation he followed for about ten years. In 1862 he went to California, in which state he remained seven years, en- gaging for a portion of that period in the mining business. Came to Page county and to College Springs in 1870. He entered upon his present business in 1875. Mr. McGregor was married in November, 1878 to Miss Loys Bridges of Mahaska county, Iowa. They are the parents of two children, Walter D. and an infant unnamed. Members of the United Presbyterian church.
McKEE, WILLIAM, farmer, section 24, 191 acres, P. O. Braddyville; born in Todd county, Kentucky, June 29, 1819. Ten years later moved with his father's family to Preble county, Ohio. In 1847 moved to Scott county, Indiana, and in 1864 came to Page. He was married in Scott county, Indiana, on the 2d of March, - to Miss Martha Murphy, by whom he had seven children: John, Jennett, James M., George W., Mat- thew G., Nannie C. and Samuel K. This wife died June 30, 1862. He was married to Eliza Hall, June 30, 1863, by whom he became the father of six children: Flora J., Frank, Maggie, Joseph H., Mollie E., and Martha A. For more than 40 years he has been a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church. Is a most successful farmer, and a ge- nial whole-souled gentleman, respected and venerated by all who know him.
MCCULLOUGH, GEORGE, farmer, section 26, P. O. College Springs; owner of 482 acres of land. Born in Chester District, South Carolina, July 3, 1826. Moved with his father's family in October, 1830, to Scott county, Indiana. Came to Page county in 1858, bringing besides his own family his parents. Was married October 15, 1850, to Miss Sarah A. Mc- Kee, at her home in Preble county, Ohio. They are the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living: John M., Margaret I., George A., Nan- nie J., Martha E., James W., Joseph, and Mary. During the war Mr. Mc- Cullough was orderly sergeant of a company of volunteer militia. He was elected justice of the peace in 1861, serving for fifteen years in succes- sion-a record of which he may well be proud. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church and a ruling elder of the same.
NICHOLAS, J. J., farmer, section 25, P. O. Braddyville; born in Pike- ton, Pike county, Ohio, May 28, 1823. In 1826 moved with his father's family to Vermillion county, Indiana, encountering extreme hardships on the journey, there being no wagon roads at that early day, and many swamps to be crossed. His father, John Nicholas, helped build the first
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cabin in Perryville, Indiana. In 1855, moved to Vermillion county, Illi- nois, with his mother, his father having died; here he reached manhood. In 1844 went to Greene county, Wisconsin, and ten years later, in 1854, came to Page county, in which he has since continuously resided. As will be seen by the date last above mentioned Mr. Nicholas is one of the earliest settlers in the county, and has endured privations such as but few of us know anything of. He was married March 2, 1848, to Lucinda Lewis, by whom he has eight children: Catherine, John A., Alice, Marian, Mary, Nannie, Oscar, and Charles M. His wife died in March, 1868. In March, 1870, he was married to Eliza Jett; by this marriage he has one child, Joseph A.
POLLOCK, D. R., merchant, P.O. College Springs; born in the state of Ohio, in the year 1823. He attained the age of manhood on a farm, living in that state until 1848, when he removed to Warren county, Illi- nois, remaining about four years. From here he removed to Oregon, and continued to reside in that state for seven years, at the end of which period he returned to Warren county, Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1861. He then became a resident of Iowa, and of Amity township, Page county. In the fall of 1863 he commenced his present business, in which he has been since continuously engaged. He was married in Illinois to Miss A. E. Harper, a native of Ohio, on July 22, 1859. They are the parents of six children, four of whom-Annie A., wife of Wm. A. Leslie, Ida May, William H. and Edgar A .- are living. Mr. Pollock is one of the early settlers of this township, and has witnessed almost the entire growth of the township and city. All the church edifices and the college buildings have been built since he came to the place. He has just closed his busi- ness, preparatory to removal to Coin; a fact that, while a loss to his former home, is a decided gain in point of business energy and integrity for his newly-adopted city. Mr. Pollock and his companion are respected mem- bers of the United Presbyterian church.
PREST, T. A., farmer and stock-raiser, section 9, P. O. College Springs; born in England, in 1823. He reached maturity in that country, and followed the occupation of a mechanic until 1849. His education was received at night-schools, after the labor of the day had ended. He came to America with his parents in 1849, settling first in Massachusetts; after a year's residence in that state he went to Connecticut. He again moved to the Bay State in 1852, entering the employ of the Boston & Albany R. R. Company, with whom he remained two years. He then went to Wor- cester county, Massachusetts, engaging in the cotton manufacturing busi- ness for six years. At the expiration of that time he came to Iowa, locat- ing at College Springs in 1863. Mr. Prest is an active worker in the in-
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terests of education. He has been identified with the interests of Amity College for nine years as a member of the board of trustees, and is at present secretary of the board. His commendable zeal in the interests of mental training is finding a rich return in the prosperity of the college in which he takes so great an interest. He was married in 1851, to Miss Harriet A. Ransom, a native of Connecticut, by whom he has two chil- dren, one living: John R. Mr. Prest is a member of the Baptist church.
REID, JOSEPH A., farmer, section 19, owns 220 acres, P. O. College Springs; born in Ohio, May 1, 1823. Grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools of that state. In April, 1857, he purchased his present farm, finely improved, and with fine buildings, fruit orchard and all the evidences of frugality and prosperity. Mr. Reid was married April 9, 1852, to Miss Margaret Long, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of seven children, all living: James H., John F., Annie L., Edward H., Julia E., William L. and Jesse W. Mr. Reid has been a resident of the county from a very early day, and has marked with interest its rapid growth. In- deed, he has contributed to the same in no small degree. He and his fam- ily are members of the United Presbyterian church.
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP.
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