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 74
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CREE, ROBERT, farmer, section 1, P. O. Clarinda; born in Warren county, Ohio, February 28, 1826. Lived in that county until 1859; went thence to Henry county, Illinois, and moved to Page county in the spring of 1867, purchasing and improving 141 acres of excellent farming land. Mr. Cree was married to Miss Mary E. Piper, of Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, February 20, 1862. They are the parents of five children, three of whom are living: Anna May, Robert D. and Olepha E. Mr. Cree is deeply interested in the common schools of his township, and is at present one of the board of directors. His worth as a man and bearing as a gen- tleman have won for him the unlimited confidence of his fellows.
DYSART, W. B., farmer, section 23, P. O. Clarinda; was born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, June 14, 1838, and lived there until he moved Wash- ington county, Iowa, in the spring of 1870. Lived there four years, and then rented his farm for two years. From there he moved to Page county, Iowa, in the spring of 1876, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Jennie More, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, February 2, 1870. She died October 16, 1874, leaving two children: Anna E. and John C. Mr. Dysart was married the second time June 14, 1876, at College Springs, Iowa, to Miss Elenore Simpson, a native of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of two children; Boyd, deceased, and Thomas McBride, living. He owns 160 acres of well-improved land. Mustered into service in fall of 1861, in company E. Fifteenth Ohio infantry, and served two years.
EDMONDS, A., farmer, section 20, P. O. Clarinda; born in Clermont county, Ohio, April 12, 1830. At the age of ten years he went with his parents to Clay county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. Came to Page' county in 1856. Was married in September of the same year, to Miss P. F. Sampson, a native of Virginia. They have four children: Seth W., Amanda, Almira and Charlie. He now owns a farm of 193 acres, ac- cumulated from nothing when he came to this county.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
EDMONDS, THOS. A., farmer, section 21, P. O. Clarinda; born October 30, 1838, in Ohio. Came to Page county when eighteen years of age. He grew to manhood a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools. When thirty years of age he was married to Miss Sarah J. Wallace. They have four children: Florence M., Joy B., Effie B. and Della. Owns 160 acres of land, all under cultivation.
FISHER, FREDERICK, farmer, section 24, P. O. Clarinda; born in the Kingdom of Baden, Germany, November 20, 1820. When he was eight years of age his parents came to this country, finding a home in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. When thirteen years of age he was apprenticed to a gunsmith for a period of five years, remaining in the em- ploy of his patron until the expiration of his term of service. He went to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, following various occupations until 1846, when, becoming convinced that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," came from Crawford county, Ohio, to Page county in 1854. He has been an honored resident of Nodaway township ever since he came to Iowa, save some three years in Hepburn, following, while there, the mercantile business. When Mr. Fisher came to this county, he came under the pressure of a four thousand dollar debt. By sterling integrity he has cleared the debt, and owns two of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Fisher was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Palmer, a native of England. From this marriage there has resulted a family of seven children, of whom all but two are now living: George F., Mary E. (now Mrs. John Mudge), William A., Laura (now Mrs. Knox Alexander, of Clarinda) and Charles, still living at home.
GORDON, SAMUEL, farmer, section 20, P. O. Clarinda; born in England in 1821, where he grew to manhood, following the occupation of a miner. He came to America in 1849, leaving behind him his wife and children. In 1851 he returned to England, remaining until 1852, when he again came to America, bringing with him his family, and locating in Pennsylvania. In 1853 he moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1855. He then went to Illinois, in which state he resided until coming to this township in 1874. He was married in England to Miss Mary Wandless. They have eleven children living: James, Joseph, Elizabeth, John, Isa- bell, William, Thomas, Samuel, George, Margaret, and Mary J.
HULL, GEORGE, farmer, section 27, P. O. Nodaway; born in Ad- ams county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1835. He moved to Knox coun- ty, Illinois, at the age of thirty-two years, and lived there four years; from there to Taylor county, Iowa, and lived six years, and then moved to Page county, Iowa, where he has resided since. He was married to Miss Nancy C. Larvar, August 4, 1858. They are the parents of six children, the old-
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est a daughter: Sallie E., Fannie L., Elmer M., Lida; the other two de- ceased. He was mustered into the service of the United States in the fall of 1861, in company C, 209th Pennsylvania infantry, and mustered out in the winter of 1862. Mustered in second time in the spring of 1863 for three years or during the war, in company C, 211th Pennsylvania infantry, and mustered out at the close of the war. Fought in the battles of l'eters- burg and in all the battles of the regiment.
HOOPER, L. H., farmer, section 13, P. O. Clarinda; born in Athens county, Ohio, February 13, 1840, following the business in which heis now engaged until the fall of 1859. Mr. Hooper then came to Page county, became the owner of forty acres of excellent land, of which he has made a comfortable homestead. He was married June 17, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Tucker, of Des Moines county, Iowa. They are the parents of six children: Celestia, Richard, Belle, Calvin, Scott, and Cora, all at home. Mr. Hooper has had excellent success as a grower of small fruits, one of his three fine orchards being almost solely devoted to that class.
KILE, W. E., farmer, P. O. Clarinda; born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 6, 1837, and moved at the age of fifteen years. to Mount Pleasant with his father, and then to Jones county, and from there back to Mount Pleasant, where they lived three years and a half. Then his father moved to Ohio, and he came to Page county, Iowa, March 27, 1856, and settled in Clarinda, and has lived here ever since, following farming, and has re- sided on this farm ever since the year 1868. He was married to Miss Parmelia R. Britt, a native of Canada West, January 1, 1861. They are the parents of two children, Alice L. and Hattie N. He owns 160 acres of well improved land, two houses with nice groves and springs, one barn and two orchards. Mr. Kile came to this county with less than $50, and has built himself up to his present standing.
LAPORT, E. J., farmer, section 16, P. O. Clarinda; born in Logan county, Ohio, November 9, 1843. In 1846 he moved with his parents to Knox county, Illinois, and from there he went to Indiana in 1851; thence again into Ohio, and finally again to Indiana, settling in Jay county. Sub- sequently he went to Michigan, locating in Cass county. He came to Iowa, Taylor county, in 1868, and in 1871 came to Page county. He married Miss Eliza Laport in November, 1873.
LOY, HENRY, farmer, section 33, P. O. Clarinda; born in Ohio, Oc- tober 1, 1828. He there grew to manhood as a farmer and received his education in the common schools of that state. In the fall of 1853 came . to Page county where he has since lived. He located on his present farm
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
in the spring of 1857. He was married February 3, 1866, to Miss Louisa C. Reasoner, a native of Ohio, but an old resident of this county. They have three living children: Martha A., George H. and Lillie E. Mr. Loy owns a farm of 120 acres on section 33.
OWEN, E., farmer, section 8, P. O. Clarinda; born in Brown county, Ohio, April 2, 1817, in which county he married, and followed the busi- ness of farming until 1855; he then removed his family to Madison county, Indiana, living there until 1861. The following four years were spent in Bureau county, Illinois, or until the fall of 1865, when he came this county. In his twenty-second year Mr. Owen was married to Miss Margaret Lan- don, of Kentucky. Mrs. Owen died in 1863, leaving a family of twelve children. He again married, this time to Miss C. Hosie, in 1864, his sec- ond wife being a native of Rush county, Indiana. He is the father of ten children by his second wife. Of the entire family eleven are now living, all residents of this county: George W., America, James R., Sarah Ann, Nehemiah, Sherman, Idella, Alice, Belle, Peter and Clyde.
OWEN, G. W., farmer, section 12, P. O. Clarinda; born in Brown county, Ohio, July 22, 1843. In 1855 went to Madison county, Indiana. In the fall of 1865 came to Page county, of which he has since been an esteemed citizen. Enlisted July 22, 1862, in company G, Seventy-fifth Indiana infantry; mustered out January 22, 1865. Was engaged in many of the severest battles of the war, and participated in Sherman's memora- ble march to the sea. He was married on September 22, 1867, to Miss Mary A. Edmond, of Brown county, Ohio. Their's has been a life of wedded bliss; five children have been born to them, of whom four are now living: Thomas G., James M., Harvey and Ida May. For fifteen years Mr. Owen has been an honored citizen of this township, and has been an active worker in all projects calculated to promote the interests of his community.
OWEN, J. R., farmer, section 12, P. O. Clarinda; born in Brown county, Ohio, December 10, 1845; in 1855 moved with his parents to Madison county, Indiana, living in that county until 1863, when his parents moved to Bureau county, Illinois, and two years later came to Page county, Iowa. In the spring of 1865 he enlisted "for one year or during the war " in company A, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois infantry; was mustered out in the fall of the same year. Mr. Owen was married to Miss Mary Welch, on the 14th of March, 1866, and the second time to Miss Febia M. Hosier, of Madison county, Indiana, on March 14, 1872. Mr. Owen is the father of four children: Olive, Perry W., James M. and Eugene. On his farm is one of the most approved sorghum manufacto-
.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
ries in the county. As a man and neighbor, as well as in his business re- lations, Mr. Owen stands among the first in his township.
PFANDER, JACOB, farmer, section 27, P. O. Clarinda; born in Ohio, December 28, 1845. Moved to Page county, Iowa, in the fall of 1853, and has lived here ever since, engaged in farming. Was married to Miss Ida Ruchel, a native of Wisconsin, on the 9th of September, 1874. They are the parents of three children: Minnie May, Charles and William. He owns seventy-six acres of land, well improved and in a good state of culti- vation.
PFANDER, JOHN, farmer, section 36, P. O. Clarinda; born in Miami county, Ohio, October 25, 1835. Moved at the age of eighteen years to Page county, Iowa, in the fall of 1853. Was married to Miss Elenore Loy, a native of Dark county, Ohio, April 21, 1859. Are the parents of two children: William E. and Martha M. He came to this county with nothing, and has built himself up to his present standing.
ROSS, ROBERT, farmer, section 24, P. O. Clarinda; born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, February 22, 1845, and reached his majority in the place of his birth. His early years were divided between farming and at- tending school. The opportunity to attend the latter was given him only in the winter, and his education confined to that given by the common schools. Came to Page county, Iowa, in the fall of 1874, and settled upon the farm he now owns. There is an abundance of small fruit on his farm -a business to which Mr. Ross has given the closest attention. He was married to Miss Mary A. Duff, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, on the 2d of October, 1868. They are the parents of seven children, of whom six are now living: Lula D., Mary B., Maggie J., Anna B., Eliza M. and an infant. Mr. Ross is held in the highest esteem in his community, is a liberal-minded, open-hearted man.
CLARINDA.
AUSBACK, M. R., of the firm of S. M. Crooks & Co .; born July 11, 1845, in the province of Lorraine, France. The larger part of his educa- tion was received at Cologne. He has been engaged in the mercantile business nearly all his life. When nineteen years of age he enlisted in the French army, as first lieutenant in the "chevaux leger" (light horse), and was stationed at Strasbourg. After nearly a year's military experience he resigned his commission and came to the United States, in 1867. The first year after his arrival was spent in traveling. His business life in America began as a clerk in the retail department of A. T. Stewart's X
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
great business house, in New York City. In 1869 he visted the celebrated "oil region" of Pennsylvania, remaining there a short time only, when he came to Iowa, locating at Sidney, Fremont county. He entered the em- ploy of Thomas Malloy, as manager of his general store and pork-packing establishment. The year 1874 finds him at Riverton, engaged in business enterprises in his own name. In 1877 he disposed of his business at the last-named town, and coming to Clarinda, purchased his interest in the firm of which he is at present a member. Mr. A. was married January 4, 1870, to Miss Helen L. Jewett, of Illinois. Three children have been born to them: Mollie, Guy and Pearl. He not only enjoys the confidence and esteem of the citizens of his town, but is a leader among the people. His executive ability is great, and indicative of a strong will and great force of character.
ALEXANDER, WM. M., county auditor; born October 18, 1837, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he received a common school education. In 1855 he came to Iowa with his parents and located in Jack- son county. In 1860 he returned to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and took a regular course in Duff's commercial college, where he graduated the same year. He then returned west and located in Harrison county, this state, where he engaged in teaching. In 1861 he came to this place and enlisted in company F, First Nebraska infantry, and served two and a half years, when they were equipped as a cavalry regiment. In 1863 the regiment was veteranized, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged July 1, 1865. He enlisted as a private, and was promoted to fifth sergeant, then to first sergeant, and afterward to first lieutenant, in November, 1865, and was detailed as post-adjutant at Omaha, which position he held to the close of the war. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Cape Girardeau, Village Creek, and all the skirmishes and engagements in which his regiment participated. He received a slight wound in the left arm at Fort Donelson. The next day after his discharge from the service he went into the house of O. P. Hurbert & Bro., of Omaha, as book- keeper, with whom he remained a few months, and then returned to Cla- rinda and clerked in Mr. Burrows' dry goods house. He was afterward bookkeeper for the woolen factory, then bookkeeper for the Page County bank, where he remained until 1869. In the fall of 1868 he was elected to the office of auditor, the first ever elected in the county, which position he has ever since occupied. He has been frequently re-elected without oppo- sition, and has the state-wide reputation of being one of the very best county auditors in the state. His efficiency is only surpassed by his oblig- ing and genial disposition, and to show the esteem in which he is held by the citizens of the county, it is only necessary to say that when before the people for their suffrage his majority is usually the largest on the ticket.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
He was united in marriage July 22, 1867, to Miss Flora A. Enam, a native of Springfield, Ohio. They have five children: William C., James S., Hadley A., Lillian and Frank B.
BROWN, JAMES L., recorder of Page county, P. O. Clarinda; born October 10, 1845, in Adams county, O. At the age of about two years his parents moved to Highland county. There he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1865 he came with his parents to Iowa and settled in Adams county, and in 1866 he came to this county, and farmed for one year. He then moved to Clarinda and clerked for J. R. Hinchman in a clothing store for about one year, then clerked for Patten & West until 1869, when he went to work for Loranz & Son, where he remained until 1870, at which time he engaged in the boot and shoe business on his own ac- count. He continued in that business until 1873 when he clerked a while for J. D. Hawley. In 1874, he was elected county recorder, which office he now holds with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. He is the nominee of his party for re-election this fall and will no doubt, as usual, be elected by an overwhelming majority. He is a man highly respected by all acquainted with him. He was married Novem- ber 2, 1871, to Miss Boyle, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children: Edith M., Mary E. and Lewis, all living. He was not in the army on account of being under size.
BERRY, W. B., P. O. Clarinda; born April 5, 1827, in the state of Virginia. His parents moved in the fall of that year to Madison county, Ohio, where he received a common school education. He came to Iowa in 1849, settling in Des Moines county. In the spring of 1850 he went overland to California, with ox teams, leaving Burlington, March 5, land- ing in Ringgold, California, August 10 following, being five months on the road. He at once went to mining and followed that until the spring of 1854, when he returned to the states by water, via New York. On his return he settled in Lewis county, and engaged in the dry goods business at Columbus City, until 1868, when he came to Clarinda and em- barked in the hardware business with William Rimer. This firm con- tinued in business until 1873, when they sold out their stock in trade to McDonald Bros. They immediately bought their present site and built the fine store room he now occupies, and put in a general stock of dry goods. The firm continued until February, 1880, when he bought out his partner's entire interest in the business. He has made all his estate by his own efforts, and a strict attention to business. His stock is one of the largest in town. He was married June 22, 1859, to Miss Elmira Bennett, a native of Ohio. They have a family of seven children: Anna I., Mary E., Arthur L., Charles L., William D., Sallie E., Leonidas V., all living.
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BURNS, MAJ. G. W., proprietor of livery and feed stable, P. O. Clar- inda; born February 14, 1833, in Highland county, Ohio. His father died in 1845 and he, with his mother, came to Canton, Illinois, in 1850, where he grew to manhood, and was educated in the old-time log school house, with one log cut out and the space covered with greased paper for a win- dow. At the age of seventeeu he commenced learning the saddler and harness trade with J. W. Swearingen, in Lexington county, Ohio, which trade he followed until 1857, when he went on to a farm, where he re- mained about two years. In September, 1860, he came to Iowa and lo- cated in Clarinda, where he opened a harness shop, which he carried on until the spring of 1861, when he turned his business over to R. W. Schott, and at the breaking out of the rebellion he buckled on his armor, and enlisted the first man from Page county, in the late war, he being John P. Murphy. Mr. Burns was full of patriotism, and went forward, and by hard work succeeded in filling up the company, and started for the front with eighty-five men, and was mustered into the service at Omaha, Nebraska, in company F, First Nebraska Infantry, he being mustered in as first lieutenant, and served as such until January, 1862, when he was promoted to captain of his company, and served in that capacity until the fall of 1862, when it became necessary, on the account of failing health, to resign and recuperate. In 1863 he raised a company of cavalry, and went to Davenport, where, on account of their proficiency in drill, though they had but ten days to prepare and others had thirty days, they were mus- tered in September 30, as company A, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, he being mustered as captain of the company. There they were mounted and equipped and sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Nashville. He was taken prisoner July 30, 1864, in the rear of Atlanta, and was moved to Macon, Georgia, and from there to Charleston, and placed under fire, and was kept there for two months, to keep the gunboats from shell- ing the city. He was from there taken back to Macon prison, where he was exchanged in November, and returned to his company, just in time to command it in the fight with Hood against Gen. Thomas. At the close of that fight he was appointed provost marshal on the staff of Gen. E. M. McCook, which position he held to the close of the war, he having the honor of paroling all the rebel prisoners in Florida and his military dis- trict. He was mustered out of the service as major in August, 1865, when he returned home with all the honors of a brave and efficient soldier and officer. He at once resumed his former business, and followed it until 1870. In 1865 he was elected sheriff of Page county, and was re-elected in 1867, serving one year of his last term, when he resigned. He is said to be the only man that ever resigned a fat office. In 1869 he built his pres- ent barn and started a livery and feed stable, which he still carries on. He was married September 13, 1855, to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Can-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
ton, Illinois, they have three children: Fannie (wife of John Harrell, of Page county), Joseph P. and Mollie.
BURK, L., drugs and medicines, P. O. Clarinda; born October 6, 1818, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to Jefferson county, Ohio. There he grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. When twenty-six years of age he moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, following farming for eight years, when he moved to Jay county, Indiana, remaining there nineteen years. He then came to Iowa, locating in Clarinda. In 1878 he purchased his interest in his present business. He was married November 25, 1842, to Miss Eliza Williams, a native of Ohio, by whom he had nine children, three deceased: T. W., M. E., N. J., S. A., W. A. and A. M.
BERRY, F. M., contractor and builder, P. O. Clarinda; born in Ohio in 1838. He grew to manhood as a mechanic. When fourteen years of age he began to learn his trade with his father. He came to Iowa when thirty years of age, where he has since continuonsly resided. Was mar- ried in Ohio in 1859, to Miss M. J. Tuttle, a native of Ohio. They have three children living: Francis E., Mary O. and Elsie.
BROWN, J. P., dentist, P. O. Clarinda; born January 16, 1844, in Highland county, Ohio. His early education was received in the common schools. He followed the occupation of a farmer until he was twenty-two years of age, In August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, Eighty-ninth Ohio infantry, serving fourteen months, when he was discharged for disa- bility. He returned home to re-engage in his former occupation. In 1870 he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Sanborn, at Tabor, Iowa. Two years later he opened an office in Clarinda. He is unusually successful in his profession, and enjoys a most extensive dental practice. He was mar- ried in July, 1868, to Miss Anna Jones, who died in February, 1870. Mar- ried to Miss Mary Loranz, in May, 1873, by whom he has two children: Walter A. and Helen.
BEAM, JOHN, proprietor of Clarinda House, P. O. Clarinda; born January 20, 1831, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In 1832 his parents moved to Dalton county, Pennsylvania. He was denied the advantages of most youth, receiving his education, not in the schools with other lads of his age, but around the iron works and in the fence corners. In 1853 he came to Iowa, locating in Louisa county. In the year following he went to Muscatine, landing in that city almost penniless, with poor clothes and the ague, but full of that indomitable energy which has proven of such use to him in subsequent years. He sought employment and found it for sixteen dollars per month, until he had secured sufficient means to purchase
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
a dray and equipage, when he entered upon that business. He followed this occupation until 1861, when he again moved to Louisa county, enter- ing upon farming. In 1865 he went to Nodaway county, Missouri, re- maining one year, when he came to Clarinda and purchased the hotel property then known as the Delevan House. This he entirely refitted, and after three years of occupancy enlarged. This hotel stands on the site of the original first hotel ever opened in the city, which was a log structure. The traveler while satisfying the wants of the inner man, little realizes that the very room in which he is sitting is the old log hotel of other days; but such is the fact. The massive thickness of the walls is entirely unseen, and their real nature wholly unknown to many, because of the modern methods of hiding defects and making the old to be new. such was the Clarinda Hotel of other days. Mr. Beam has made it what it is. In 1873 the addition that makes the northern half was erected to accommodate the increasing traffic. Besides his hotel business Mr. Beam owns a fine farm of 240 acres near Clarinda. All of this he has accumu- lated by his own untiring industry and perseverence. Mr. Beam was married February 26, 1856, to Miss Sarah Shoemaker, a native of Ohio, by whom he has four children: Eliza B., Charles W. and John Irwin, liv- ing, and one deceased.
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