USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc. > Part 57
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latter Territory she died of consumption Sep- tember 4, 1878. In 1879, Mr. MeDonald lo- cated in Neola, and established the " Exchange Mills Flour and Feed Store," which his son now conduets. Mr. MeDonald sold his property in Neola; established a similar business in Marne, Cass Co., Iowa; conducted it six months; sokl out and came to Oakland in December, 1880, where he has since conducted a flour and feed business. Our subject has, by his first wife, four children-Jennie, Ella, William and Thomas Thompson. April 1, 1880, at Neola, Iowa, Mr. McDonald married Margaret Gallup, born in Harrison County, Iowa, in 1861, daugh- ter of Jasper and Sarah (Wood) Gallup, early settlers of Pottawattamie County-he a native of New York State. and she of Ohio. This second union has been blessed with one child -Frederick Samuel. Mr. McDonald is a Mason and a member of the V. A. S .; he is a member of the City Council and a Republican. J. L. McMURRY, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in Indiana April 9, 1853; son of John and Elizabeth (Wilson) McMurry ; he was born in North Carolina, was a farmer by occupation, and died about 1859 in Davis County, Iowa ; she, born in North Carolina, is now living at the age of sixty-four, in Davis County, Iowa. Mr. McMurry worked at home till December 24, 1874, when he was married, near Drakesville, Davis County, to Mary E. Wood, born in Davis County, Iowa. Septem- ber 17, 1848, daughter of John G. and Mary (Vaugh) Wood ; he was a farmer by occupa- tion, and died in Davis County, Iowa, in Octo- ber, 1880 ; she, born in Ohio in July, 1805, is living in Davis County. After his marriage, Mr. McMurry farmed for himself for two years in Davis County, then moved to Mills County, Iowa, where he worked two years for L. W. Tubbs. In 1879, Mr. McMurry left Mills County and came to Pottawattamie County. where he has since been engaged in farming.
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GEORGE H. NASH, agricultural imple- ments, Oakland, was born in Weymouth, Norfolk County, Mass., December 13, 1846. He is the son of Abner P. and Silence (Humphrey) Nash, both natives of Weymouth, Mass. His father was born July 24, 1803. He was a wholesale leather merchant in Boston, Mass. He is now living a retired life in his native town, and is an unusually vigorous old gentleman. His (subject's) motlier died in her native town in 1846. Our subject lived with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to this State, locating on his present farm of 640 acres, situated in Sections 23 and 24, Township 75, Range 39, in Center Township, this county. He lived here till January, 1882, when he went into his present business in Oak- land. He was married in Center Township, March 8, 1873, to Louisa L. Russell, born in Middlebury, Addison Co., Vt., December 9, 1846. She is the daughter of Samuel and Laura (Drake) Russell, both natives of Addi- son County,. Vt. Her father died in Middle- bury, Vt., in 1855, at the age of forty-seven. He was a horse dealer and grocer. Her mother was born January 16, 1816, and is still living with her son, E. S. Russell, of Center Town- ship, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Nash have three children-Fred A., born February 21, 1875; Russell, born January 18, 1878, and E. Ernest, born February 14, 1882. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.
J. C. NORTON, hardware and furniture, Oak- land, was born in Livingston County, N. Y., June 13, 1836, son of William C. and Harriet (Thayer) Norton ; he, born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in January, 1811, is a carpenter, living in Oak- field, Audubon County. Iowa; she, born in Oneida County, N. Y., in September. 1813, is the mother of three sons and four daughters. - The girls received sufficient education to en- able them to teach, but Mr. Norton, being the oldest child, was deprived of school advantages,
till he became twenty-three years old, when he attended school two years, and one year later he obtained a certificate for teaching. Mr. Norton early learned the trade of carpentering, and worked at home till twenty-one years of age. In October, 1856, Mr. Norton's parents migrated to Audubon County, Iowa, where our subject worked at his trade summers and en- gaged in trapping, winters. In 1867, Mr. Norton opened a mercantile business in Oak- field, Audubon County, Iowa ; there he con- tinned two years, and in 1869 came to Avoca. Pottawattamie County, when there were but two houses in the place. He was engaged in merchandising in Avoca, till 1875, when he sold out and started West for his health, spend- ing a year and a half in California and Oregon ; while in the latter State he engaged in the sew- ing machine business, which he sold in 1876, and then returned to Avoca, After returning to the latter place, Mr. Norton retired from business till 1880, when he erected the first building in the new town of Oakland, where he has since conducted a mercantile business, the firm name being Norton & Bryant. Mr. Norton was married in Oakfield, Iowa, February 2. 1868, to Susie Ostrander, born in Illinois in 1846, daughter of James Ostrander, a native of New York State, and a farmer by occupa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have four children -Elmer D., born November 1, 1871 ; Arthur. June 28, 1876; Jessie, June 28, 1878, and Clarice, born September 9, 1881. Mr. Norton is a member of the Congregational Church and is a Republican.
M. T. PALMER, physician, Parma, was born in Fayette County, Ind., March 22, 1822. His father, William Palmer, was born in South Carolina about 1774; he served in the war of 1812; was an early settler in Fayette County, Ind., and subsequently settled in Rock Island County, Ill., where he lived about two years. and then died October 25, 1840. Subject's mother, Jane (Gill) Palmer, was born in Vir-
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ginia about 1780, and died August 25, 1846. The parents had ten children, eight of whom, three sons and five daughters, grew to maturity. Mr. Palmer's school advantages were very lim- ited, his education being mainly self-acquired; he being the youngest son, remained at home engaged in farming and taking care of his par- ents till their death; then, he being in delicate health, lived for three years with an older sis- ter at Yellow Banks, Ill. While at the latter place, Mr. Palmer studied medicine; he also there met Caroline Tuel, whom he afterward married in Rock Island County, Ill., November 30, 1848; her parents were Presley and Mary (Bell) Tuel, he a native of Virginia, died in Ohio; she a native of Ohio, died at the resi- dence of her daughter in Iowa. After mar- riage, Mr. Palmer spent a year on the home- stead in Rock Island County, Ill .; then sold out and moved to Sugar Grove, Mercer County, where he farmed and learned carpentering. October 31, 1853, he moved to Council Bluffs, where he helped to build the first steam saw- mill erected on the bottom west of that place; he also took the contract for the first frame building erected in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Palmer engaged in farming near Council Bluffs from 1854 to 1856. when he came to Big Grove. then a new settlement, and located on the farm where he still lives. After studying medicine for about six years, and receiving much instruc- tion from Dr. Barrett, a graduate of Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Palmer began to practice medi- eine about 1861, and since then has been active and successful in the profession. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have had nine children-Marion, born April 5, 1851; Sumner Steven, April 28, 1853; George, May 6, 1855, died February 4, 1876; Minor T., Jr., May 21, 1857, died August 17, 1857; Mary Matilda, December 30, 1859; Abraham Lincoln, April 26, 1861; Alexis Presley, July 28, 1864; Hiram Thomas, January 16, 1868; and Lucy Adella, July 9, 1872. Mr. Palmer has been School
Director, and has twice been Postmaster. He and wife are Missionary Baptists; he is a Re- publican.
L. F. POTTER (of Potter & DeGraff), gen- eral merchandise, Oakland, was born in Mil- waukee. Wis., March 27, 1855. He is the son of L. B. and Hitty (Wenzell) Potter. His father was born in Fitzwilliam, Cheshire Co., N. II., December 15, 1815, and was a school teacher in his native State. He afterward kept a meat market and packed pork in Fitchburg, Mass. In 1839, he came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged in the manufacture of butter, and later in the manufacture of cheese. He is now living a retired life near the latter city. His (subject's) mother was born in Framing- ham, Mass., July 26, 1820; she died in Wis- consin October 27, 1864. Our subject received a common school education, and for one year afterward was a student in the English depart- ment of Ripon College, Wis. At the age of seventeen, he was sufficiently advanced in all English branches to enter college, and so began the study of Latin and Greek in the prepar- atory department of the Beloit College, Wis. After pursuing his studies at this place for one year, he was compelled to leave, together with many of his fellow-students, on account of an eye-sore which appeared to come in the form of an epidemic. From the effects of this dis- ease, our subjeet never sufficiently recovered to resume his studies. He subsequently taught school for four or five years in Wisconsin and this State. He came to this county in 1876, and after teaching for a time, he took halt-in- terest in business with J. L. Caldwell. In May, 1880, Mr. Caldwell sold his interest to M. J. DeGraff, a brother-in-law to our subject, being married to his sister. Our subject was married in Council Bluffs, November 29, 1881, to Miss M. J. Wood, born in 1856. She is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Potter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in poli- ties is a Republican.
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J. I. REED, farming, P. O. Oakland, was born in Rushville, Rush Co., Ind., November 26, 1830. His father, Zenas Reed, was born in South Carolina March 9, 1795 ; was a stock- dealer and farmer. When twenty-three years old, he moved to Indiana, where he lived till 1840. About 1830, he became County Judge of Rush County, Ind., which position he held a number of years ; he held several other civil offices. In 1840, he moved from Indiana to Mer- cer County, Ill., where he farmed till his death. March 6, 1845. Subject's mother, Elizabeth (Rishiling) Reed. was born in Pittsburgh, Penn .. March 10, 1805. She is the mother of eight children. four sons and four daughters. Two sons and one daughter are dead. Mr. Reed re- ceived his educatiou mostly iu a subscription school, the building for which was erected by subject's father and three other men. When Mr. Reed was fifteen years old, his father died, and the care of the stock and farm devolved on our subject and an older brother. They conducted the farm till they were of age. This brother, George, was afterward the first Postmaster of Big Grove. October 21, 1851, our subject was married, in Mercer County, Ill., to Hannah Jane Sherer, boru in Lawrence County, Penn., February 27, 1832; daughter of Robert and Mary (Adair) Sherer, he born in Lawrence County. Penn., in 1803, was a far- mer by occupation, and died December 25, 1854, in Mercer County, Ill. When Mrs. Reed was one year old, her mother died. After his marriage, Mr. Reed farmed in Mercer County, Ill., till 1855, when he came to Council Bluffs. After remaining a short time in Council Bluffs engaged in teaming, Mr. Reed returned to Mercer County, Ill., where he remained till 1861, when he came back to Iowa, and bought prairie land. The latter he improved and ex- changed for a farm in Big Grove ; there he lived from February, 1863, to October, 1881, when he sold his farm and bought nine acres on the northern limits of Oakland. In 1882,
Mr. Reed bought 200 acres two and one-half miles south of Hancock. This is very fine land. For the last three years, Mr. Reed has dealt in hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have ten children-Adaline (Mrs. MeMartin), Mary (Mrs. Larue), Maggie (Mrs. Russell), Robert, George, Johu, Albert, Irwin, Harry and May. Mrs. Reed is a Presbyterian ; Mr. Reed is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Republican.
S. S. RUST, grain-dealer, Oakland, was born in Henderson County, Ill., February 23, 1848. His father, Jacob Rust, was born in Frederick County, Va., May 27, 1795. Subject's grand- father, George Rust, was born about March 20, 1767, and had four brothers in the Revolution- ary war. One of them, Vineent, died in the service ; John was a Captain, Peter a lieuten- ant and Jerry a private ; the last three were in the battles of Brandywine, Cowpens, and at the surrender of the British at Yorktown. In 1829. Jacob Rust left Kentucky and emigrated to the militray traet now called Warren Coun- ty, Ill. He boarded Maj. Butler and Capt. Jennings while they were surveying the site for the town of Monmouth, Warren County. After Warren County was organized as such, Jacob Rust served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He afterward moved to Henderson County, Ill., then to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, locating at Big Grove, where he was one of the first settlers. There he fol- lowed farming till retiring from business. He now lives at Oakland, and is eighty-eight years old. He was first married, in Hardin County, Ky., to Frances McDonald, born in Virginia ; this union was blessed by fourteen children, of whom three survive-Mrs. W. E. Brunk, Mrs. C. E. Chastain and Mrs. Louisa Ward. Sub- ject's father next married, in Illinois, Mrs. Eda E. Morris, by whom he had three children- Mrs. Reuben Morris, Steven Sumner (our sub- ject) and Larue, who died at the age of four years. Subject's early education was limited to two years in the common schools, but he has since
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studied much by himself. Mr. Rust worked out from the age of fourteen till he was seven- teen, when he began farming for himself; this he continued till the fall of 1879, when he be- gan buying grain at Parma, two and one-half miles north of Oakland. In the fall of 1880, he sold his farm and came to Oakland, Potta- wattamie County, where he has since been en- gaged as a grain-dealer. Mr. Rust was married at Council Bluffs, September 2, 1865, to Mary Anne Strong, born in Ohio February 18, 1845, daughter of J. M. and Nancy (Barker) Strong, natives of Ohio, who came to this county in 1863, and now live near Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Rust have one child-Bertie. Mr. Rust was for five years Treasurer of the school fund of Centre Township, and he is now Treasurer of the Oakland School Board. Heis a Mason and an Odd Fellow ; in politics, he is a Republican.
JAMES R. SLOAN, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in IIenderson County, Ill., June 4, 1854. He is the son of Workman and Pearl Ann (Roberts) Sloan. His father was born in Zanesville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, January 12, 1824. He was a farmer, and came to Illinois when a young man. His (subject's) mother was born in Greene County, Penn., December 10, 1831. His grandmother Stoan still lives in Henderson County, Ill. She has never seen a .
railway car, though she is living at present within four miles of the depot. Our subject received a good common school education, and lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he made a start for himself. He was married near Terre Haute, Henderson Co., Ill., June 10, 1875, to Analine L. Showalter, born in Lancaster County, Penn., October 14, 1853. She is the daughter of John Sho- walter, born in the same county October 19, 1823, and died November 23, 1879, in Hender- son County, Ill. Her mother was born in Montgomery County, Penn., December 24, 1831, and is still living in Henderson County, Ill., where she and her husband moved Novem-
ber 19, 1869. After his marriage, our subject lived and farmed in Illinois for six years. October 12, 1881, he came to this county on a prospecting tour, and, finally, made a purchase of land, the northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 75, Range 40. He left Illinois and moved on to his land in this county March 3, 1882. September 5, 1881, he was in a railroad disaster while going to visit some friends in Page County, this State. Thomas Leecox, the great inventor, was killed. Mr. Sloan sustained a dislocation of his right shoulder, and also received injuries in the back and bowels. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have two children-William Oscar, born October 26, 1878, and Cora Emma, born September 13, 1880. They are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Sloan is a Republican.
S. SLOCUM, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in Huron County, Ohio, December 24, 1835 ; son of G. A. and Mary (Harroune) Slo- cum ; he was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., May 10, 1811, is a shoemaker by trade, but has been engaged in farming in Belknap Township, Pottawattamie County, since August, 1854. Subject's mother was born in New Hampshire December 17, 1811, and died December 13. 1878. Our subject was named by his grand- father Slocum after one of the latter's com- rades in the Revolution. Until twenty-one years of age, Mr. Slocum worked at home, then, after farming two years, he went to Council Bluff's and learned the carpenter trade, at which he began to work in 1860. He built the second log house and the third frame house in Bel- knap Township. Mr. Slocum continued to work at his trade till 1870, when he came to his present farm of sixty acres, situated 100 rods from the Oakland depot. He devotes the most of his time to gardening, occasionally working at his trade. He was married, in March. 1857, to Marilla Belknap, born September 21, 1836, died September 21, 1863. Her father, Orin Belknap, born in Kentucky, was the first settler
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in Belknap Township, which was named after him. Her mother, Anne Draper, was born in Ohio, and died in this county about 1836. Mr. Slocum has by his first wife one child-George Orin, now in Las Vegas, New Mexico, engaged in the coal and coke business. Mr. Slocum was again married, in Center Township, January 3. 1867, to Emeline Reed, born in Mercer County, Ill., January 23, 1843, daughter of Enos and Elizabeth (Rishling) Reed ; he was born in South Carolina March 9, 1795, and died in Mercer County, Ill. ; she was born in Pitts- burgh, Penn., March 10, 1805 ; is now living in this county with her children. This second union has resulted in two children-Fred and Hattie Grace. Mr. Slocum is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and believes in prohibition.
J. S. WHITE, farmer, P. O. Carson, was born in Fulton County, III., June 3, 1845. IIe is the son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Rist) White; his father was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1820; he is a farmer, and lives on Section 22, Wash- ington Township, this county; he came from Henderson County, Ill., in 1867, to Mills Coun- ty, this State, and has lived in this county for the past two years. His (subject's) mother was born in Allegheny County, Penn., in 1823, and died in Fulton County, Ill., in 1858. In 1863, our subject joined the Union army, but was taken sick, and returned home on that account; he enlisted a second time, in Company H, Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He was in the siege of Mobile, under Burnside, and at Forts Gains and Blakely. He was then trans- ferred to Brownsville, Texas, under command of Steele and Canby. He was mustered out of service at this latter place on March 25, 1865. Ile was married in Terre Haute, Ill .. June 11, 1867, to Mary Spencer, born in Perry County, Ohio, September 29, 1848. She was the daugh- ter of Edward and Elizabeth (Fowler) Spencer, both natives of Ohio. Her father was a farmer; went to the war in 1861; he was taken prisoner
at the time of Bank's retreat at Winchester, and died in Andersonville Prison in 1862; her mother died before the war. After his mar- riage, our subject farmed two seasons in Illi- nois, and then came to Mills County, this State. He has resided in this county about four years; his residence is situated in the northeast quar- ter Section 31, Belknap Township, where he farms 200 acres in and owns 160 acres else- where. He conducted a real estate office, hand- ling land all over this county; he was once elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve; he has served as School Director ever since coming to this county; he has five chil- dren-John E., born May 3, 1868; William, born November 25, 1870; Mary J., born Octo- ber 25, 1872; Sarah, born October 20, 1874, and Charles W., born May 12, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is Independent.
JAMES II. WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in Henderson County, IN., January 25, 1855. He is the son of James and Lucretia (Hammond) Wright. His father was born in Nelson County, Ky., February 17, 1812. He was a farmer, and emigrated to Illinois about 1848. He is still living in this county. His (subject's) mother was born in the same county as his father, in 1817, and is still living. Our subject lived at home until he was twenty- two years of age, when he began farming for himself; he left Illinois with his father in the fall of 1868, and came to this county, locating in Center Township. Ile was married in Adair County, this State, in 1879, to Rosa Jennings, born in that county January 18, 1863. She is the daughter of Robert and Nancy (Sny- der) Jennings, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died in Warren County, Ill., in 1864; her mother lives with subject, who, since his marriage, has been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one child, Lisle Claude, born March 26, 1881. In polities, Republican.
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BOOMER TOWNSHIP.
EDWIN BURBRIDGE, farmer, P. O. Coun- cil Bluffs, was born in London, England, in 1812. He was raised a farmer and has followed that almost his entire life. He was raised in Buckinghamshire, and farmed there till he was twenty-one and then went to London, and into the dairy business, and continued living there till he came to America in 1849. IIe was educated in Aspley and Rugby Schools. After leaving school he farmed largely under the Duke of Buckingham. After coming to America he followed farming in Pennsylvania for two years, and then moved to Dubuque, Iowa, followed farming and cattle dealing. Moved into Pottawattamie County in 1865 ; has followed farming and stock-raising ever since, feeding from three to five car loads of cattle for shipping each year. IIe has nearly 100 cows now, and has built a creamery for his own use. Ilis farm consists of about 800 acres, all under fence, and his farming is stock-raising mostly. He has only been on his present farm for about eight years. While in England he was largely dealing in stock, and has traveled a great deal on the continent attending to his business. Soon after coming to America he was in Iowa, when there was not a railroad in the State, and when Indians and buffalo roamed over the prairies. Mr. Burbridge was married in England in June, 1844 or 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Downs. They have seven children living and four dead-four sons and three daughters living. Two are married and farm- ing for themselves, the others are at home. His boys all follow farming, and intend that shall be their future occupation. Mr. Burbridge's life has been one which shows what a man with a determination can do, for he has had his reverses as well as his successes, but has
never been discouraged. He is now one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers in Boomer Township.
WILLIAM DARRINGTON, farmer, P. O. Council Bluffs, was born in England in 1839, son of Charles Darrington. Mr. Darrington ar- rived in New York May 1, 1860. He crossed on a sailing vessel ; there were 600 on board ; they were four weeks on the ocean. After coming to America, he went to Nebraska, where he lived for three years, and then went to Utah. where he lived for nine years, and then came to Pottawattamie County, Boomer Township, April, 1872. He bought his present place at that time and has been on it since. He has always followed farming. His father also fol- lowed the same occupation. His parents never came to America; both are now dead. He was educated in England. He was twenty-one years old when coming to America. He was married in Utah in 1866 to Miss Mary Ann Sabey, born in England. They now have nine children-seven boys and two girls. When first buying in Boomer Township he paid $20 per acre for 120 acres. It was improved. But since he has bought land that cost about $10 per acre. His farm now consists of 360 acres. His farm is well improved. His farming is mostly raising corn, cattle and hogs. When Mr. Darrington came to America in 1860 it was with nothing and alone, but by energy and perseverance he has made a success of his life. He has always voted the Republican ticket, but does not trouble much about politics. Mr. Darrington has no relations in America, but has three sisters living in England.
JOSEPH DEUR, farmer, P. O. Missouri Valley, was born in France, in 1830, near the Switzerland line. He came to America when
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he was nineteen years old, and first settled in Oswego County, N. Y., after staying in the city of New York for about a month. He lived in Oswego County till 1859, and then came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and settled on his present place in the fall of the same year, and has been on it ever since. Most of his life has been spent in farming. His father died when he was two years old, and mother when he was twelve; from that on he had to make his own way. When he landed in New York. he had only $15. Mr. Deur had one brother, who came to America two years first, but Mr. Deur did not know anything of him for some time. This brother was killed in a coal mine near East St. Louis, Ill., by the mine caving in. Mr. Deur has four sisters in the old country. He was married in New York, in 1857, to Miss Jeannette Mohat. She was born in New York. but her parents were from France. They have eight children-five boys and three girls. One of the daughters married, and one son in the lumber business in Missouri Valley, Harrison County, the remainder are at home. When buying land he bought 100 aeres and paid $S per acre. There was not a house between his place and Harris Grove at that time. What settlers that were near him were on Honey Creek; none had got ont into the prairie. His farm now consists of 580 acres, and farm well improved. When first coming he had to buy a yoke of cattle on time, getting them of Dr. George McGavern. Everything that they had to buy then came from Council Bluff's. Every pound of butter or meat, unless they could make it, they had to get from Conneil Blutf's. No horses to work, but all cattle, and Mr. Deur did not know much about it. but had to learn. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and votes the Democratic tieket. His farming is mostly stock, and has about seventy- five head of cattle and horses, besides hogs. About 340 acres of his farm are in cultivation, the rest in meadow and pasture. Besides his farm
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