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 71
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McELHOSE, ROBERT, farmer and blacksmith, section 9, P. O. Cla- rinda; born in Ireland, June 1, 1844. At the age of three years he came with his parents to America. His father having died, he came with his mother to Marion county, Illinois, in 1866, where they remained one year. They moved afterward to Cain county, Illinois, remaining five years; thence to Henry county, remaining two years, and came to Page county in 1877. He enlisted in company D, One Hundredth Illinois volunteer infantry, August 1, 1862, and served until July, 1865, when he was honor- ably discharged. He was in the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Stone river, and all the others in which his regiment took part. At the last named battle he was transferred to the Eleventh veteran reserve corps. He has been twice married. First to Miss Lotta Wicks, November 1, 1867. She was a native of Michigan. By this union they had two chil- dren, Ira, who is living, and one dead, Roy. This wife died May 24, 1870. Mr. McElhose was again married September 7, 1876, to Miss Alice Monfort, a native of Illinois. They have one child: Bertha. Mr. M. owns 120 acres of land.
MARTIN, J. T., farmer, section 29, P. O. Clarinda. He was born in Germany in 1845. When he was eight years of age his father, Frederick Martin, immigrated to America, in 1852, his mother having died when he was a child. They first came to a halt in Illinois, where the subject of this sketch lived until 1868. In the spring of that year he moved to this county. He is a successful farmer, careful and accurate. He married Mary Pollock, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1871. They have four chil- dren: Robert J., Walter G., Frank T. and Bertha M. Mr. M. is the owner of 160 acres of as good land as there is in the county, under a high state of cultivation. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
McNUTT, JOHN, farmer and stock dealer, section 15, P. O. Clarinda;
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born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1824, and resided there until 1854. He then came to this county, and has since resided here, except. the year 1858, which he spent in Nebraska. He was married in Ohio in 1852 to Miss Livina Rager. She was also a native of Ohio. They have had nine children, of whom seven are living: Eli, Mary E., Henry, Franklin, Rhoda and Lovila. Levina and William are deceased. Mr. M. is one of the pioneer settlers of this county, and in his younger days was very fond of hunting and fishing, having chased the wolf and the deer over the prai- ries of this county when but few white men were to be seen. He im- proved seven farms in this county before he found one that just suited him. His present farm is a good one, being well watered and fitted for stock raising. He is the owner of 392 acres of land, mostly under cultiva- tion.
MCKEOWN, ALEXANDER, farmer, section 23, P. O. Clarinda, the owner of 210 acres of improved land, all in cultivation; was born Decem- ber 12, 1830, in the state of Ohio-Harrison county-where he matured to manhood a plow-boy, and lived until 20 years of age. He moved to Washington county, Iowa, in 1855, and improved a small farm in that county. In 1858 he made his settlement on his present farm. He has been twice married; first November 16, 1854, to Miss H. J. Alexander. By this union he had three children: John A, and James W. are living, and Mary R. deceased. This wife died December 2, 1862. He was married again November 29, 1864, to Miss Jane Clark, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. By this marriage they have one child: Henry E. They are mem . bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. Mckeown is one of the early settlers of this county, and had but little means to start with, but now has an abundance in store to make himself and companion comfortable in their old days.
McLEAN, WM., farmer and stock dealer, section 36, P. O. Shambaugh, owner of 280 acres of splendidly-improved land, also dealer in general merchandise: born in 1822, in the state of Maryland, where he grew to monhood, following the occupation of a painter, which trade he followed until 18 years ago, when he laid down the brush, and chose the plow for his future companion. He is one of the early settlers of this township, com- ing here in 1863, and settled on his present homestead. He was married in 1858, to Eliza J. Lusk. They have two children living: Wm. L. and Jennie; and two deceased. His son William has charge of the store, and is a young man of steady habits and a No. 1 business man. Mr. McLean deals extensively in stock and grain, besides superintending his farm. Mr. and Mrs. McLean are members of the United Brethren church.
V
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
MORELAND, WM. G., farmer and stock raiser, section 14, P. O. Clar- inda, owns 175 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation; born Jan- uary 14, 1821, in Grundy county, Ohio. When ten years of age his parents moved to Randolph county, Illinois, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood a farmer's son, and lived until 1851, when he turned his course westward, and settled in Louisa county, Iowa, where he remained until 1854; thence to Des Moines county, Iowa, remaining there until the spring of 1856, when he settled on his present farm. He was married in Madi- son county, Iowa, in 1855, to Miss D. J. Newton, a native of Ohio, born Jan- uary 21, 1834. They have a family of ten children: Harriet G., Ada M., Martha J., Phœbe E., Jesse M., Flora, James N., William M., Emma and Arthur are living; and Mary E., deceased. They are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church.
McKEE, REV. D .; was born in Ireland in the year 1822. His parents emigrated to this country in the year 1825, and settled in Westmoreland county, state of Pennsylvania. They removed to Mercer county, same state, in the spring of the year 1839. He entered Mercer academy in the spring of 1843, and Jefferson college in the fall of 1845. This institution was in the zenith of its power. R. J. Breckinridge, D. D., was president, assisted by a corps of thirteen professors. He graduated in a class of sixty, and was awarded the Greek salutatory. In the fall of the year 1847 he entered the theological seminary, and having completed the four years' course of study, was licensed to preach the gospel, on the 9th day of April, 1851, and was ordained and installed pastor of the Fourth Re- formed Presbyterian congregation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 5th day of July, 1874. On the 3d day of September, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Gregg, eldest daughter of Mr. D. Gregg, merchant of the city of Pittsburg. The following are the names of their children: David G., Mary M.,Jane E., James M., Martha, Eda E. M., John A. and Anna K. Six are living and two dead. He accepted the call to the Clarinda congregation in the spring of 1861, and began his pas- toral labor on the 17th of March, 1861.
PIKE, L. L., P. O. Page city, farmer, section 7, owner of 77 acres of land; born July 12, 1851, in the state of Indiana. He is the son of Wm. and B. Pike, who moved from Indiana in 1856 and settled in Page county when the subject of this sketch was but a mere school boy, and where he has grown to manhood on the farm he now owns. He was educated partly in the common schools of this county and afterward at College Springs and the Western Iowa College at Glenwood. His father died on the present farm November 29, 1874, and left a family of nine children. Their names are Joseph W., Wm. W., Thomas J., Solomon D., Alonzo,
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Lucretia A., Sarah J., Susan P. and Elsie E. Mr. Pike is unmarried, and a young man of excellent character, industrious and economical. He is highly respected by all who know him.
PFANDER, CHARLES, farmer, section 2, P. O. Clarinda; was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 25, 1829. Came to the United States at three years of age and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lived there one year, then moved to Middletown, Ohio, remaining three years, then moved to Montgomery county, O., remaining ten years; moved thence to Preble county, where he resided about nine years, then to Page county, Iowa, in May, 1854, and permanently settled in this township by en- tering the first sixty-eight acres of government land. He was married to Miss Sarah Baker, March 19, 1853. They are the parents of eight chil- dren: Perry, Nancy A., (now Mrs. Milton Knox,) John W., Mary E., Harry, George W., Alice May, and Horace C. His farm, a fine one, now covers two hundred and seventy-five acres.
PETERSON, B. A., P. O. Clarinda; proprietor of the Clarinda brewery located three-fourths of a mile east of the public square. The brewery was established in 1870 by J. P. Barrows and purchased by Mr. Peterson in 1878. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany in 1833; became a sailor in 1849, and followed the sea until 1869, the year in which he came to America. He went to Maryville, Missouri, in 1870; in the same year he came to Clarinda. He was married in 1864, to Miss Ellen Peterson, a native of Germany. They have one child, Ellen. He is an honorable, unassuming man, a member of I. O. O. F.
PINKERTON, SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser and proprietor of coal banks, section 27, P. O. Clarinda; born in Antrim county, Ireland, September 1, 1825. He there grew to manhood and lived until 1836. In the spring of that year he emigrated to America, made his first settlement in Washington county, New York, where he remained for about two years. From there he came to this county in 1847 and settled on his present farm in 1848. He was married February 8, 1838, to Miss Margaret J. Smith. She is also a native of Ireland. They have six children living: Samuel J., Martha, Robert W., Wm. A., Margaret J. and Rachel and one deceased, his oldest son James. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton and the five oldest children are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, as was also his de- ceased son. Mr. Pinkerton and his good wife have both realized the full meaning of the word " Pioneer." When they started here they did so without means and were compelled to work in and out of season to ob- tain means to buy and improve their farm. He hauled a part of his lum- ber from Ottumwa to build his house. By industry, honesty and economy
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he has acquired a good farm of 440 acres; is energetic and ventursome and stands among the respected men of the township. He is entitled to great credit for his efforts in sinking a coal shaft on his place. He is now down some 400 feet and is still at work delving in coal. As an energetic and in- dustrious man he has few equals, always planning some public or private improvements and never resting until he sees his plan completed.
STEEVES, JOHN C., farmer and dealer in fine stock, section 18, P. (). Page City; born March 3, 1840, in the state of Ohio. When he was about seven years old his parents moved to Van Buren county, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools of that county, and was married in 1859, to Miss Mary Knox, a native of Ohio. They have five living children: Wil- liam, Ella, Elizabeth, Ina, and Charles; have lost two, a son and daughter. In 1862 Mr. Steeves enlisted in company H, nineteenth Iowa volunteer in- fantry, and served three years. During the whole time he was off duty but twenty-four hours. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Vicksburg, Mobile, and others. Mr. Steeves is the owner of 2653 acres of good land, all under cultivation. He has a good dwelling and the larg- est and best arranged barn in the township. He has stabling for twenty- four head of horses and facilities for several thousand bushels of grain and a vast amount of hay. The barn is 38x50, with stone basement and a good well of water in the hallway of the basement. Mr. Steeves is a model farmer. He and his family are members of the United Presbyter- ian church.
SOUDERS, GEORGE B., farmer, section 9, P. O. Clarinda; born in 1845, in Pennsylvania, and was educated in the public schools. Moved to Illinois in 1868, and to Page county in 1874. He enlisted in company H, Third Maryland cavalry, September 15, 1863, serving until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was in the battles of Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan and Mobile, and all the other engagements in which his regiment participated. Was Married August 6, 1879, to Miss Sarah Bishop, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child: Lizzie. Mr. S. has a good record as a soldier, and is highly respected by his neighbors.
STOOPS, I. W., farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Clarinda; born Octo- ber 15, 1839, in Putnam county, Indiana. Moved with his parents to this county in 1857. He reached his majority as a farmer, which occupation he still follows. Was married January S, 1863, to Miss Martha B. Mc- Crory, who was born March 30, 1844, in Ireland, but has lived in America since 1857. They have a family of six children: Mary B., Sarah M., Eliza J., Martha, William J. and Susana J., all living. They are members
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
of the Reformed Presbyterian church, of which they have been consistent communicants for a number of years. They are good neighbors and kind parents. Owns one hundred and forty-five acres of good land, mostly in cultivation.
TURNER, J. W., farmer and stock dealer, section 25, P. O. Clarinda; the owner of 118 acres of well improved land, adapted to stock raising; born in Ohio in 1854. At the age of six years his parents moved to War- ren county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood a farmer and stock dealer, living there until 1872, when he moved to Ringgold county, lowa, where he remained until 1876, when he came to this county. He was married May 13, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of the Rev. David McKee, of this township. They are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. T. is one of Page county's most enterprising young men, and has a first-rate prospect in life.
TAGGART, JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, section 28, P. O. Cla- rinda; owner of 200 acres of land and one of the best residences in the county, built in 1878. He was born in Ireland in 1834, but has been a resident of America since he was twenty-eight years of age. He settled where he now lives in 1850. He was married in this county in 1863, to Miss Mary Whitehill, a native of Vermont. They have a family of six children living: William, James, Mary J., John and Hattie. They are members of the U. P. church. Mr. T. is a neat farmer, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father. Mrs. T. is one of the kindest of women, ever ready to help her neighbors in sickness or distress, and has done much toward purchasing the homestead.
TONER, THOMAS, farmer, section 13, P. O. Clarinda; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, where he lived until eighteen years of age, then with his parents moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch matured to manhood a farmer, and lived until 1847; he then moved to Lee county, Iowa, where he lived until 1854, when he settled on his present homestead. He was married in 1832, to Eliza Mccluskey; she was also a native of Pennsylvania, born February 12, 1806. They have a family of six children: Charles, Esther J., Rosana and Mary E., living, and Robert W. and Henry, deceased. All the family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church.
WHITEHILL, THOMAS R., farmer section 33, P. O. College Springs; owns eighty acres of land; he was born in 1834, in the state of Vermont, where he lived until about ten years of age, when his parents moved to the State of Pennsylvania. The family remained in that state
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
for some four years, then moved to Lee county, Iowa, in 1852, where the subject of this sketch remained until he came here in 1854. In 1861 he answered his country's call, and on September 7, he enlisted in company C, Fifth Iowa cavalry volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his enlistment, October 11, 1864. He participated in the battles of Ft. Donaldson, Shiloh, Jonesboro and some forty skirmishes; often having his clothes pierced by the enemy's. bullets. At the close of his three years service for "Uncle Sam " he returned home and chose his former occupation, that of farming. He has been twice married; first, on May 8, 1868, to Miss Phebe Newton, a native of Ohio. By this union he has one child: William N. This wife died in 1871; and in September, 1872, he was again married to Miss Sarah McCrory, a native of Ireland. By this union they have three children: Thomas, John and Jesse. They are members of the U. P. church.
WALKINSHAW, HUGH W., farmer and stock raiser, section 32, P. O. Clarinda; born in 1842, in Ohio. Moved in 1855, with his parents, to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he remained for fifteen years. He came from there to this county in 1872, and settled on his present farm in 1874. He was married in that year to Miss Elizabeth Glasgo, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children: Sarah M., Mary L., John C. and Clarence G., the two latter being twins. Mr. Walkinshaw enlisted in 1862, in company G, 39th Iowa infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in a number of hard fought battles. Was taken pris- oner at Altoona Pass, and was confined in the southern prison pens for over five months.
YOUNG, ROBERT, farmer, section 21, P. O. Clarinda; born in Ire- land, March 19, 1830. Emigrated to America in 1847. He first settled in Pennsylvania, and came to this county in the fall of 1855, where he has since resided. Was married in this county in 1857, to Miss Sarah G. Whitehill, a native of Vermont. They have a family of six children: Wm. A., Edward N., Thomas R., Robert M., Hugh H. and Mary M. They are members of the U. P. church. He was a member of the Cov- enanters for a number of years, but being deprived of his right of suffrage in that church, he demanded a letter, and united with the U. P. church. When he came to America he had no means, but had that which was worth more than gold-good health, honesty and industry, and with the help of his good wife, has won for himself and family a good home and a comfortable living. Of late years his health is failing, but he hopes in the near future to be able to again work at his favorite business-that of stock raising and farming. He is the owner of 160 acres of improved land.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
AUSTIN, NELSON, proprietor of grist mill, section 29, P. O. Coin; born in Sciota county, Ohio, April 1828. Remained at home until twenty- eight years of age; then came to Iowa City, Iowa, and engaged in mill- wrighting and building for thirteen years. In 1869 he moved to Page county, Lincoln township, where he purchased the mill property of Phifer & Davison, and has since been engaged in the mill business. Has re- cently been extending and improving his mill property. Before leaving the state of his nativity he was married in 1850 to Mary Yonker, of Stock- ton county, Ohio. By this union they have two children: William and Sarah (wife of Jacob Basaker).
BOARDMAN, A. E., section 29, P. O. Coin; born in Otsego county, New York, January 25, 1832. Removed at the age of thirteen years to Cattaraugus county. Lived on the farm and with his grandparents. At the age of twenty-three was married to Miss Phebe Bennett, a native of N. Y. Moved to Livingston county, N. Y., and there farmed for six years, then moved to Dupage county, Ill. and remained six years. Here he was be- reft of his wife. In 1865 enlisted at Chicago, served six months and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. In June, 1871 settled on a farm in Section 29. Was married to Miss Susan Foster a native of Pennsyl- vania. Has six children: Willie, Alice and Frank by his first wife, Mary, Pearl and Viola by his second wife. Is an industrious farmer, such as make substantial citizens.
BASAKER, J., section 29, P. O. Coin; born in Miami, county, Ohio, December 28, 1838. In 1855 came to Mason county, Illinois, and lived there four years. Came to Washington county, Iowa, and was there mar- ried to Sarah A. Austin, a native of Ohio. In 1869 he moved to Page county and settled in Lincoln township. Engaged first in the mill busi- ness, and subsequently purchased a farm of 120 acres in section 29. Now owns the same and has it in good farming condition. His farm is well located, watered, and suitable for either grain or stock. Has a fam- ily of two children: Philora May, Clara Eva, both at home. One child deceased.
BALDWIN, W. L., section 20, P. O. Coin; born in Henry county, Illinois, January 1, 1857. Came with his parents to Page county, in the fall of 1869. His father purchased 200 acres of good land in section 20. Here was his home after 12 years of age, occupied as most boys are on the farm-attending school in winter and working on the farm in sum- mer. At his father's death he was placed in charge of the home place,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
which he now conducts. He was married on February 19, 1879, to Retta Martin, a native of Illinois. He is capable of doing much toward aug- menting the interests of Page.
BAKER, F. M., section 19, P. O. Coin; born in Fulton county, Illinois, May 2, 1839. Spent his early life in Fulton and Knox counties. In 1865 he came to Washington, Washington county, Iowa. Here he was en- gaged until 1877, in the livery business. Was married to M. J. Clancy, a native of New Jersey. In 1877 he removed to Shenandoah, Iowa, and had charge of livery business for one year. At that time he purchased the east one-half of the southeast quarter of section 19, in Lincoln town- ship. The last purchased place is now his home, well-improved and suit- able for either grain or stock. Mr. Baker is one of the thorough, driving farmers of Page county. He has two sons: Roy, the elder, and Johnnie, at home, and one deceased.
BOYLAN, T. C., farmer, section 30, P. O. Coin; born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 13, 1840, remaining until 1858, when he moved to Knox county, Ill. In 1871 he came to Page county, where he now re- sides. Entered the army in the fall of 1862, enlisting in company C, 78th Regiment Illinois infantry, and was mustered out at the close of the war, having rendered gallant service in his country's cause. Was captured by the celebrated Morgan, in 1862, by whom he was paroled. Was married to Miss Martha A. Reinhart, February 1, 1866. They are the parents of five children: Don Carlos, William O., Walter, Everetta and Letta-the last being twins.
BASAKER, DANIEL, billiard hall, P. O Coin; was born in Mary- land, February 27, 1835. When two years of age he went with his parents to Miami county, Ohio, remaining until he reached his majority, when he moved to Macon county, Illinois. Came to Page county in 1879, settling in Coin in November of the same year. Mr. Bssaker was married to Miss Emma Carver, October 26, 1879.
BOARDMAN, T., farmer, section 29, P. O. Coin; born in Catta- · raugus county, New York, February 21, 1847. Lived on the homestead, attending school and working the farm for twenty-five years. Came to Page county in 1871. Was married to Miss M. E. Hill, February 18, 1872. Mr. Boardman is an influential citizen of his township; a man whom all respect, and in whom they confide.
CHESNEY, W. C., wagon-maker, P. O. Coin; born in Knox county, Illinois, May 2, 1845. Came to Fremont county, Iowa, in 1873, and to
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Coin in 1880, engaging in his present business. Enlisted in company K, 55th Illinois infantry, October 22, 1861, and was mustered out July 31, 1865. Was in many severely fought battles, among them Shiloh, Vicks- burg and Mission Ridge. Was married to Miss Sarah E. Roberts, a na- tive of Ohio, September 6, 1866. They are the parents of six children: Alonzo, George M., Robert M., Wallace C., Florena I. and " Baby."
CROOKS, S. M., of the firm of S. M. Crooks & Co., P. O. Clarinda; born December 25, 1828, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. When fourteen years of age came with his parents to Jackson county, Ohio, there en- gaging with his father in the milling and farming business in Jackson and Meggs counties. Was married in Jackson county, at the age of twenty- four, to Miss Lucy Fate, a native of Ohio. In 1855 came to Fillmore county, Minnesota Territory, where he engaged in the milling business until the spring of 1862, when he went to Dakota, and remained during the summer, improving land. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the service, and was with General Sully in all his Indian campaigns. Held the rank of sergeant during his term of service. Was mustered out at Sioux City, in the fall of 1865. Returned to Yankton and engaged for a short time in the provision business. Moved in the fall of 1866 to Page county. Stopped at Clarinda, and began as dealer in provisions and stock. In 1871 formed a partnership, making the firm of Butler & Crooks, dealers in stock and grain. In 1875 he opened an extensive mercantile house in Clarinda, to which he gave his attention for two years, when M. R. Aus- bach came into business with him, making the firm of S. M. Crooks & Co. In 1877 the firm established a branch house at Snow Hill, and at the location of Coin, removed the branch business house to that place. To this Mr. C. gave his personal attention. In the spring of 1880 erected an elevator at Coin, with a capacity of from ten to fifteen thousand bushels, which he also superintends. Mr. C. has a family of six children, four of whom are at home: Mary, Theodore, Clara, Lulu, Phill. S. and Jessie. Owns a fine residence in Clarinda, and is one of the substantial business men of Page county. Has been since his settlement here closely allied to its interests.
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