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 77
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the parents of one child: Hugh Webster. The firm of McPherrin Bros. is a most successful one. The genius of "Genesee" is honored in the elder member of the firm, while both embellish their chosen profession.
MCGHEE, GEORGE F., farmer, section 30, P. O. Clarinda; born in Lake county, Ohio, May 24, 1842. When the lad was three years of age his parents moved to Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. In 1853 they moved back to Ohio, remaining until 1859. From Ohio they came to Iowa. The father of Mr. McGhee was born in Ireland in 1795, and died August 30, 1880, on the presentfarm. His mother, born Dec. 25, 1808, is living with her son, who is still unmarried. Mr. McGhee owns a farm of eighty acres, all under a most excellent system of cultivation.
OLSTON. N. A., architect and builder, P. O. Clarinda; born April 16, 1849, in Wisconsin. When sixteen years of age he went to Darlington, Wisconsin, to learn carpentry. Came to Iowa in 1869, locating at Red Oak, following his trade in that town. In 1872 he went to Chicago for the purpose of studying architecture. While there the great fire occurred, in which he lost everything except the clothing he wore. In the fall of 1873 he returned to Red Oak, busying himself at his trade, and superin- tending the erection of buildings. It was not until the spring of 1875 that he began to make contracts and build business or other houses. Many of the substantial buildings of that town testify to his skill and taste as an architect. In July, 1876, he built the first bank building in Clarinda. In the following year he moved to Clarinda as his future home. During the same year he built the magnificent public school building at Clarinda, justly the pride of this portion of the state. In the spring of 1878 he began the erection ot the residence of N. B. Moore, the finest building in south- western Iowa. He is the main architect and builder in this section of the state, and many residences in and about Clarinda, and public buildings in this and other counties, bear evidence of his masterly skill. The opera house of J. D. Hawley, at Clarinda, now nearly completed, is the last of his more extensive operations in this city. Mr. O. was married December 25, 1875, to Miss M. Thompson, a native of the state of Pennsylvania.
ORTH, C. J., of the firm of Wolfe & Orth, grocers, P. O. Clarinda; born October 12, 1845, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. In January, 1864, he enlisted in company L, Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, receiving a promotion as a non-commissioned offi- cer for meritorious conduct. After his discharge from the army he came to Illinois, in 1865, locating at Keithsburg, Mercer county, where he
I'M. Janish.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
engaged in farming. In 1869 he came to Clarinda, forming his present business partnership. Was married October 6, 1872, to Miss Ida J. Noble, by whom he has had two children, one living: Hattie N.
PARISH, F. W., P. O. Clarinda; born June 11, 1846, in Iowa county, Wisconsin. His parents moved to Grant county when he was about six years old. There he matured to manhood and was educated in the com- mon schools of that state. His father having died when he was about six years old, he was left to the cold charities of the world, and was en- gaged in almost all kinds of business until the breaking out of the rebel- lion when he enlisted September 28, 1862, in the sixth Wisconsin battery, and re-enlisted in 1864, serving until the close of the war, and was dis- charged August 26, 1865, at Madison, Wisconsin. He was promoted to sergeant of the battery for gallant service in defending his guns at the battle of Corinth, when the company lost thirty-two out of sixty-three in less than six minutes. In this engagement he received a saber cut in the head and also in his left arm, and was carried from the field in an insensi- ble condition. After his return home he went to Madison, Wisconsin, and went through Worthington & Warren's commercial school, where he graduated in 1866. He then worked on a farm for a few months and then went to Boscobel, where he got a situation in the grain house of Palmer & Cotes, with a salary of $20 per month. He remained with them about eighteen months in various capacities. In 1868 he came to Decorah, Iowa, and engaged with the Commonwealth Insurance company of that place, as general agent. He remained there but a short time as the company soon failed. He then came to Marshalltown, where he was employed as clerk in the Williamson house; there he remained until the fall of 1869, at which time he became the manager of the new Willard house of that place, but as this house soon changed hands he, in February, 1870, went to Council Bluffs where he was employed in the Ogden house as clerk, and in May of that year he went to the Pacific house, and from there to the Barrott house, at Burlington, in August, 1870. He returned to Coun- cil Bluffs in October, 1870. He went into the Ogden house again as clerk, where he remained until the spring of 1872, at which time, on account of poor health, he gave up the hotel business and engaged with the C. B. & Q. railroad as brakesman, and then was baggage master, which he fol- lowed one year, during which time he was thrown from the train when running thirty-five miles an hour, without serious injury. In March, 1873, he opened the Ogden house at Council Bluffs for the proprietors, and stayed with them until June of the same year, when he went to Long View Junction, Texas, and opened the railroad hotel at that place. He was there during the quarantine against the yellow fever, remaining there un- til May, 1874, when he returned to Council Bluffs, and in connection with
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Mr. Porterfield, leased the Pacific house, which they run until October 6, 1875, when he sold out and came to Clarinda, where he purchased the drug stock and good will of N. L. & A. S. Van Sandt, which business he is still engaged in. He was married September 12, 1869, to Miss Jennie Wicken, a native of Wisconsin. They have had three children: Charles O., living, and two deceased in infancy.
PARK, O. H., photographer, P. O. Clarinda; born April 18, 1853, in Van Buren county, Iowa. When fifteen years of age his parents moved to Ottumwa, where the subject of this sketch attained his majority, re- ceiving his education in the common schools. When seventeen he began to study the art of photography with H. L. Shaw, of Ottumwa, with whom he remained, as apprentice and operator, about eighteen months. In 1871 he opened a gallery in Elden, remaining until the fall of 1873. He then returned to Ottumwa and purchased the business of his former preceptor, continuing the same until the fall of 1874, when he came to Clarinda, forming a partnership with Mr. E. B. Hinman. In March, 1877, he sold his interest to his partner, and went to California, to return to his native state at the end of a year. Coming again to Clarinda he pur- chased the business of his former partner, which he has industriously fo !- lowed since. As an artist Mr. Park has no superior in southwestern Iowa. His work is a model of neatness and beauty of design. Married October 4, 1880, to Miss Mollie Kittle, a native of Indiana, born May 25, 1860.
POWERS, J. H., retired farmer, P. O. Clarinda; born in West Vir- ginia September 24, 1807. At the age of sixteen years he moved with his parents to Wayne county, Indiana, in which state he grew to manhood, re- ceiving his education in the common schools. In 1854 he came to Clar- inda, making this city his home since that date. In that year he pur- chased a log cabin, which stood on the spot now occupied by the Central hotel. In 1856 he engaged in the mercantile business, carrying on a trade in general merchandise until 1864. Mr. Power's land operations have not been confined to the vicinity of Clarinda, but he has purchased, and now owns land in Texas, Kansas and Florida. He was married Jan- uary 15, 1835, to Miss G. S. Tomlinson, a native of North Carolina, by whom he had seven children, four living: Amanda (wife of Harvey White), Sarah E. (wife of C. Linderman, banker), N. Olive and Thomas E.
PORTER, JOHN T., grain merchant, P. O. Clarinda; born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1836. His education was received in the common schools, and the university in that county. In 1859 he moved to La Salle county, Illinois, following stock-raising until 1868, when he moved to Livingston county, Illinois, remaining until the fall of 1869. He
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
then returned to La Salle county, engaging in the grain business until 1877, when he came to Clarinda. He was married September 1, 1858, to Miss Jennie Finley, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. They have five living children: E. F., Jr., partner of the firm of E. F. Porter & Co., Maggie W., Albert L., Lulu B. and John W.
RIDENOUR, D. W., harnessmaker and saddler, P. O. Clarinda; born November 19, 1841, in Tennessee. In 1861 he enlisted in company C, Twentieth Ohio infantry, serving four months, re-enlisting September 5, 1861, in company E, Twenty-second Ohio infantry, serving until Novem- ber 19, 1864, and again February 13, 1865, in company I, 187th Ohio, serving until January 29, 1866. In April, of the year following, he came to Iowa, locating at Clarinda, and learned the harness and saddlery trade with Burns & Rounds. He was married May 3, 1872, to Miss A. O. Saw- yer, a native of Maine, by whom he is the father of two children: Myrtie and Bruce. Mr. R. has built up an extensive business, and his premises are among the best in the city.
RUSSELL, W. W., abstracts, loans and real estate, P. O. Clarinda; born February 22, 1835, in Fayette county, Illinois. His early life was filled with the uninspiring vicissitudes of the farmer's boy. Besides the common school, he enjoyed the educational advantages of Granville acad- emy, Putnam county, in his native state. Three years of his life spent in teaching. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating at College Springs. The following seven years were given to farming, until July, 1863, when he enlisted in company A, Eighth Iowa cavalry, serving until the close of the war. Mr. R. was taken prisoner on the 29th day of July, 1864, near At- lanta, Georgia, and remained in the hands of the confederates for nine long months. The experiences through which he passed were essentially those of so many other brave men, the story of which is now familiar to every intelligent citizen. After his liberation, at the close of the war, he went to Hilton Head, New York, and thence to his home in College Springs, arriving there in August, 1865. His summers were now occu- pied in the care of his farm, and his winters as a teacher. In 1868 he was elected clerk of the courts, holding this office for three terms. At the ex- piration of his clerkship he went on a farm in Fremont township, remain- ing about two and one-half years. In December, 1878, he came to Cla- rinda, and purchased the abstract business of H. A. Morseman, in which he is now engaged. He was married August 18, 1857, to Miss Laura A. Phelps, of Illinois. They are the parents of seven children: Herman, Nettie, Elmer, Norman, Clem, Dill, and Baby.
RIBBLE, MAJ. GEORGE, retired farmer, P. O. Clarinda; born
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
May 10, 1796, in Montgomery county, Virginia, on top of the Alleghany mountains. He drank water from springs, whose waters flow into the Ro- anoke and Ohio rivers. There he grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools of that state, and as they were somewhat limited, he did not enjoy the educational advantages of to-day. In 1830 he came to Delaware county, Indiana, where he lived until 1855, when he came to Iowa and located on the ground where the Clarinda House now stands, where he lived about two years, when he located where he now resides. He is one of the oldest men now living in the county, and has followed farming for over fifty years and has been so successful that he, several years since, retired from active business, having an abundance laid up for himself and family in his old age. He has braved all the hard- ships of a pioneer life and now at his advanced age, though having been a hard worker all his life, has all his faculties and does not look or appear more than sixty. He served six years as captain of state militia in Vir- ginia, and was also elected captain of a company in Indiana, in 1831, which position he held until 1847, when he was promoted to major of his regiment, which position he filled until he moved from the state. He was also elected justice of the peace in 1831, in Indiana, and filled that of- fice for twelve years. He was elected justice of the peace in Page county in 1855, serving in that capacity for six years, when he refused to accept the office again. He was also elected county supervisor which he held for six years. Thus have the people of his county shown their high ap- preciation of his many manly and superior qualities as an honest, upright and capable business man. He was married March 19, 1819, to Miss Sa- rah Surface, a native of Virginia. She died May 14, 1869, after having lived with him for sixty years, and shared all his hardships with a stout and joyous heart. She left thirteen children: Emeline, (wife of Samuel Widner), Sarah, (wife of Isaac Van Ansdol), David, Harriet, (wife of William Ribble), Mary, (wife of Gilbert Lyons), Eliza, (wife of Hutch- ing, deceased), Nancy, (wife of Ross Hinchman), Henry, and Abella, (wife of Samuel Farlow). Mr. Ribble's portrait shows him to be a man of en- ergy and character.
RIDENOUR, N. C., editor and proprietor of the Page County Demo- crat, P. O. Clarinda; born July 13, 1836, in Campbell county, Tennessee. His education was limited to that afforded by the common schools of Ten- nessee; but by far his best teacher has been experience, than which none is so well calculated to bring out native energy and strength of character. In 1855 he went to Maysville, Missouri, engaging in various pursuits until 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating at Clarinda. He found employment for the year following as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. Kridlebaugh, after which he became a stage-driver, carpenter and dry goods clerk, succes-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
sively, until 1862, when he returned to Missouri, going to St. Joe, as a clerk of a Mr. Wilson. In July of the same year he returned to Clarinda, and on the 18th day of that month he enlisted in company F, Twenty-third Iowa infantry, serving until the close of the war. His record as a military man was more than ordinarily brilliant. He was successively promoted from second sergeant to second lieutenant, and, in July, 1864, to first lieu- tenant, having command of the company until September of the same year, when he was on staff duty with Col. M. C. Dye, with whom he served about three months. He was then transferred to the staff of Gen. Black, as assistant inspector-general, serving in that capacity until April, 1865. He was then detailed on court-martial at Fort Morgan, Alabama, serving until May following when the army was re-organized. General Granger then detailed him assistant inspector-general of Bertram's independent brigade. In June he was ordered to New Orleans, as aid-de camp on the staff of Brev. Brigadier-General Glasgow, remaining one month. He was mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, below Houston, returning to Daven- port, Iowa, at which place the company was disbanded August 18, 1865. He was in the battles-among others-of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jack- son, Champion Hills, Edward Station, Black River and the Siege of Vicks- burg. On returning to Clarinda he clerked four years in the drug store of Dr. Conine, since which time he has been editing and publishing the Page County Democrat-elsewhere mentioned. Mr. Ridenour was married on March 25, 1866, to Miss E. T. Smith, a native of Springfield, Illinois, by whom he is the father of two children: Eva F. and Clyde.
ROGERS, O. A., cashier, P. O. Clarinda; born January 1, 1850, in Watertown, New York. His parents went to Aurora, Illinois, in 1854. He there passed his youth and received a common school education. When sixteen years of age he went to learn the turner's trade with the firm of Rising & Kendall, of Aurora, with whom he remained two years. Among his other occupations he was messenger boy in a telegraph office. When he came to Iowa he went to Hamburg, Fremont county, remaining only a short time. He then went to Manti, in the dry goods house of O. S. Ride & Co. In 1870, when Shenandoah was laid out, the firm last named moved their stock to that town, and Mr. Rogers went as salesman, opening the first stock of dry goods in the city. In 1872 he went into the bank of Moore & Webster, as book-keeper, with whom he remained until 1875, At that time Messrs. Rogers & Webster opened a bank in the new town of Essex, under the style of B. M. Webster & Co., he being the junior member of the firm. In January, 1879, he disposed of his interest to his partner, and coming to Clarinda entered the banking house of Webster, Linderman & Co., as the junior member of the firm, assuming the duties of the cashier.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Mr. Rogers was married September 1, 1872, to Miss S. E. Tiperry, a na- tive of Illinois. They have two children: Rock G. and Pearl M.
ROUND, J. J., city marshal, P. O. Clarinda; born December 19, 1833, in Dearborn county, Indiana. In 1842 his parents moved to Illinois, locat- ing in Knox county; there he grew to manhood, passing a portion of his time on a farm. When ten years of age he was apprenticed to a Mr. Roundtree, whose narrow-mindedness deprived young Round from even a common school education --- all he possesses having been obtained through his own unaided efforts. In 1855 and 1856 he clerked in the dry goods house of C. W. Yound, West Jersey, Stark county, Illinois. In 1859, he came to Clarinda, thus making him one of the oldest settlers. Was elected constable, which office he held for ten years; was deputy sheriff under sheriff Hatton for four years, and also four years under Captain Burns; was elected sheriff in the fall of 1869, and served for two years. In 1871 he opened a dry goods and grocery store, which occupied his at- tention until 1874. In 1876 he was again elected constable, and in March of 1879, was elected city marshal, which office he now holds. Mr. Round was married to Miss Columbia A. Riggen, a native of Stark county, Illinois, October 2, 1856, by whom he has nine children: C. W., Parley F., Julius C., Willie W., Guy U., Frank F., Estella and Hulda, living, and one deceased.
SHOEMAKER, C. B., editor and publisher; born in Muncie, Pennsyl- vania, February 13, 1830. The history of Mr. Shoemaker is familiar to nearly all the people of the county. In 1859 he established the Herald, and conducted it until September, 1862, when he entered the service of his country as major of the Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry, remaining with his regiment until the 7th of January, 1865, when he resigned and returned home. After leaving the service he removed with his family to Brooklyn, New York, where he resided a few years, when he went to Connecticut. There he resided until the latter part of 1866, when he returned to Cla- rinda and purchased the Herald, remaining as editor and proprietor of the same until his decease, which took place October 23, 1877. The Demo- crat, at the time, gave the following particulars in regard to his demise: "On the 15th he and his wife, in company with the editorial association of this congressional district, went to St. Louis. The trip was a pleasant one, and up to Thursday morning Mr. Shoemaker enjoyed good health, and appreciated the trip and recreation very much. On Thursday morn- ing it was announced that he was unwell, but nothing serious was antici- pated. On Friday morning the party left St. Louis, and Mr. Shoemaker came as far as Burlington, where he had some friends living, and he, being feeble, stopped off; but he grew worse, and Tuesday morning he passed
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
to that better land where he will await the coming of a loving and inter- esting family, and a host of true and good friends." His remains were brought to Clarinda for interment, where they were gently laid to rest in the cemetery, mourned by all." Although Mr. Shoemaker was not one of the first settlers of the county, he probably did as much as any other one man toward developing its early resources. His first years in the county were far from being years of ease, as the county was then thinly settled, and running a newspaper was of necessity attended with a great deal of trouble and inconvenience. But when he returned, in 1876, he found things materially changed. The newspaper business was not what it was when he first commenced the publication of the Herald, in 1859. It had kept pace with the times, and was not attended with the difficulties as in the past, and it must indeed have been a pleasure to him to be ena- bled once more to preside over the columns of a paper which he had spent so much of his early vigor in establishing. But he was not permit- ted long to enjoy the fruits of his former labor, and in the full vigor of manhood he was suddenly called into the presence of his Maker.
SIMONTON, JACOB, billiard hall keeper, P. O. Clarinda; born July 19, 1810, in Preble county, Ohio. When thirteen years of age was ap- prenticed to a carpenter, learning the trade and following it for nine years. He then learned the gunsmith's trade, working at it for nearly ten years. In 1835 he went to Wabash county, Indiana, working at the gunsmith trade for some years. He next engaged in the mercantile business at Liberty Mills, continuing the business for twelve years. In the spring of 1856 he came to Iowa, locating at Clarinda, and engaging in farming. In 1857 he became deputy sheriff of the county, and in the following year was elected county judge and ex-officio judge of probate. This office he held for two years, or until the repeal of the law creating it. In 1861 he received the appointment of drainage commissioner for the county, and was elected justice of the peace, holding the latter office without inter- mission for six years. From 1865 to 1873 he engaged in various branches of business, clothing, drug, and farming. He bought his present business in that year. He is a man acquainted with many of the ups and downs of life, and has experienced all that the name "pioneer" can convey to the mind of the people of to-day. One of the oldest settlers of the county, and has always taken a lively interest in its public affairs. He married Miss Leah Calhoon, October 29, 1829, who died in 1851, leaving a family of nine children: Martha (wife of Jacob Butler), Robert, Susannah (wife of C. T. Haskins), Jane (wife of S. P. Ward), Allen C., Olive (wife of H. M. Moore), and Alice (wife of H. D. Townsend), and two deceased. He was married again in 1851 to Miss Margaret Brown, a native of Maryland. By this union they have thirteen children: Richard, Annie,
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HISTORY OF. PAGE COUNTY.
Phoebe C. (wife of R. E. Callicott), Henry, Sarah, Ellenore, John F., Charlie S., Eva R. and Maggie L., living, and three deceased. Judge ยท Simonton organized the lodge of A. F. & A. M., and was the master for the first eight years: Was also a charter member of the lodge of I. O. O. F.
SHAMBAUGH, JAMES, proprietor of the Clarinda and Nodaway mills, on the Nodaway river, P. O. Clarinda; born October 15, 1825, in Coshocton county, Ohio. His education was received in the common schools of that county. At the age of nineteen years he entered the dry goods house of B. B. S. Cone & Co., of Conesville, Ohio, remanining in their service as clerk for eight years. He went to Missouri in 1853, as clerk in the store of Gale & Crow, of Oregon, remaining until Novem- ber, when he returned to Ohio. Came to Iowa in March, 1854, and en- tered 240 acres of land near Tabor, Mills county. In the same year he purchased a portion of the stock of R. B. Townsend, a merchant of Glen- wood, and moving the same to Clarinda, opened a store in a log cabin, and sold the first merchandise ever brought to the place. In the fall of 1856 he built a flour mill, and in it made the first flour ever "bolted " in the county. In the same year he formed a partnership with Thomas B. Gor- don in the Clarinda mill. He disposed of his mercantile business in 1865, to J. H. Powers, and devoted his whole attention to the milling business. As Mr. Shambaugh is one of the oldest settlers of the county, he has been closely identified with its business interests, and his enterprise has largely aided in bringing the county to the foremost rank. He was married May 2, 1858, to Miss Julia Jaycox, of Greene county, New York. By this union he is the father of two children, both boys: Ira W., now living, and Charles, accidentally shot by a playmate, November 16, 1879. Mr. Sham- baugh has filled various positions of trust in the county. In September, 1854 he became deputy treasurer and recorder of the county, and post- master at Clarinda. The educational interests of the county have re- ceived from him an impetus second to that of no man living; and for the past six years has been a member of the Clarinda school board. He is of the class of men every community needs, and whom to have means rapid and permanent growth. He is a man of large sympathies and great liber- ality. During the dark days of the grasshopper plague, when men were without the means to purchase the necessaries of life, Mr. S. loaned barrel after barrel of flour, taking no security whatever. None ever applied to him in vain, and many citizens of this county have reason to remember him with gratitude.
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