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 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
+
194
BIOGRAPHICAL:
about twelve years, when he removed to this county, and after renting for two years, bought forty acres, which he improved and sold six years later; after renting land three years, he bought eighty acres, which he sold after farming one season; he rented three years more, and then, in 1880, bought his present farm, situated two and one-half miles north of Neola. Mr. Roush was married, in Marion County, Iowa, in 1858, to Amanda M. Hughes, born in Iowa about 1839, daugh- ter of Asa and Sarah (Parker) Hughes. This union has been blessed with twelve children, two of whom are dead. Those surviving are Sarah J., William, John, Martha P., Robert. Chester K., Harlow, Harry, Jennie L. and George. Mr. Roush is a Democrat.
H J. SCHIERBROCK, blacksmith. Neo- la. was born in Lee County, Iowa, March 29, 1859; his father, Christian Schierbrock, was born in Germany October 10, 1809; he came to America in 1857, and settled in West Point, Lee Co., Iowa, where he has since fol- lowed the carpenter trade, being a hale, hearty man, despite his age: he was married, in Germany, about 1817, and his wife has blessed him with nine children-Catharine, Adolph, Mary, Herman, William, Henry J., Lizzie, John and Annie; seven of them are living, of whom our subject is the youngest son. The latter left home when twelve years of age, and went to Missouri, where he worked two summers in a brick-yard; then worked two years with his father at carpen tering. At the age of sixteen, he began as an apprentice at blacksmithing, serving his time with George Vandahar, at West Point, Iowa. He worked at his trade for seven months at Quincy, Ill., then came to Neola March 5, 1878, and after working as a jour- neyman for ten months, opened on his own account and has since conducted the leading blacksmith shop of the place, having all the
appurtenances of a first-class shop. He owns 320 acres of land, in Dakota; he is a Catholic in religion and a Democrat in politics.
LEVI W. TODD, physician and surgeon, Neola, was born in Jennings County. Ind .. in September, 1854. The family originated in Scotland, but subsequently removed to Ireland, where a man by the name of Todd (his first name believed to have been David) married Hannah Owen, and came to this country with other members of the family previous to the American Revolution. They settled at Pequea, Lancaster Co., Penn., and had three sons-John. Robert and Levi-who were educated by their uncle, Rev. John Todd, who conducted a literary institute in Virginia. About 1778, the three brothers emigrated to what became Fayette County, Ky. They were influential in forming the institu- tions of the State, and took an active part in the Indian wars of those days. John Todd. under commission from Patrick Henry, Gov- ernor of Virginia, was authorized to establish the county of Illinois. In the commission. dated December 12, 1778, at Williamsburg, then the capital of the State, he was styled County Lieutenant Commandant, and as such organized the county, and thus became in fact, though not in name, the first Governor of Illinois. At the outbreak of the Indians west of the Ohio, he was commissioned Colonel, and was slain at the battle of Blue Licks, August 18, 1782. Robert Todd, the second brother, acquired the title of General. in connection with the Indian wars and later military operations in Kentucky. One of his daughters became the wife of Gen. Will. iam O. Butler, of Carrollton. Ky. Levi Todd. the youngest of the three brothers, was engaged in the early Indian wars in Ken- tucky, and was a Lieutenant under Col. Clark in the expedition that captured Fort Gates and the village of Kaskaskia July 4, 1778.
195
NEOLA TOWNSHIP.
Lieut. Todd afterward acquired the title of General. He was Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette County, Ky .; spent the most of his life at Lexington, Ky., where he died. His daughter Hannah was the mother of Hon. John T. Stuart; his son, Robert Todd, was the father of Mrs. N. W. Edwards, Mrs. Dr. William S. Wallace, Mrs. C. M. Smith and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, all of Springfield, Ill. Gen. Levi Todd, the third son, before mentioned, was the head of the family of our subject, Dr. Levi W. Todd, youngest son of Levi W. and Demia (Butler) Todd. he born in Ohio in 1807. was Treasurer of Jennings County, Ind., for fourteen years, during which time he studied medicine, afterward graduated at Cincinnati, and is now practic- ing at Litchfield, Minn. Our subject's mother was born in New York State in 1812. and died in 1876; she was the mother of ten children, one of whom is dead. Our subject began his education in the common schools of Jennings County, Ind., and afterward spent two terms in Franklin College. Jolin- son County, Ind. He came to this county in 1870, and, after teaching school for two years, returned to Indiana and read medicine with his father. He graduated in 1879 at Hahne- mann Medical College, Chicago: then located in Neola, where he has since practiced medi- cine. Dr. Todd was married, in Couneil Bluffs, Iowa, in 1878, to Fannie Foot, born in Connecticut July 4, 1855, daughter of Reuben M. and Nancy (Taylor) Foot, natives of Connecticut. Dr. and Mrs. Foot have one child-an infant daughter. Demia. Mem- bers of the Christian Church. The Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F., of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and is a Republican.
J. A. UPSON, farming, P. O. Neola, was born in Ohio August 10, 1837, son of Reuben A. and Jane (Furber) Upson; he, born in Con- nectient about 1508, emigrated from there to
Ohio, where he was occupied as a farmer and raised his family; he is now living in Henry County, Ill. Subject's mother was born in England about 1810, and when ten years old came to America with her parents; she had seven children, three of whom are dead. Mr. Upson was engaged in farming; rented land in Illinois till he joined the army, in 1862: he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteers, and served three years. He was taken prisoner by Hood's forces, near Nashville, Tenn., and after about seventeen days he escaped from the enemy and returned to the Union lines. The faith- fulness of the negroes to the Union eause is illustrated in the following incident: In De- cember, 1864, some Federal soldiers, among whom was our subject, were confined in an old court house in Columbia, from which Mr. Upson escaped while after water; he was taken in by a colored family and secreted for eight or nine days in their garret. Gen. Thomas then took the town, and Mr. Upson was restored to his regiment. After return - ing from the war, Mr. Upson settled in Hampton, Ill., and worked in a mill one year, then engaged in farming two years. after which he spent two years farming in Iowa; thence to Nebraska. where he spent five years on a homestead and timber claim; sold this and returned to Iowa: spent five years in Harrison County, and in the fall of 1881 came to Pottawattamie County. Mr. Upson was married, in Rock Island County, Ill., in 1861, to Delia Richardson, born in Rock Island County, III., in 1838, daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Deby) Richardson; he, born in Connecticut in 1809. lives in Illinois: she, born in Pennsylvania, died some years since. Mr. and Mrs. Upson have eight chil- dren-George, Ida MI., Nellie L., Sarah J .. Bennie L., Minnie, Lily N. and Kate. Mr. Upson is a Republican.
196
BIOGRAPHICAL:
J. H. WATKINS, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in London, England, February 18, 1838, son of William and Maria (Gypp) Wat- kins, natives of London, England: he was born about 1801. and died in Brigham City. Utah, in 1865; he came to America in 1842; while in England. he worked as a brick-layer and plasterer; also a cabinet-maker; in this country, he was mostly occupied as a farmer. The mother of our subject was born about 1802, and died in Brigham City, Utah, in 1867: she came to America with her husband. whom she blessed with thirteen children, four of whom are living. Mr. Watkins' father first settled in Illinois, and in 1847 removed to Iowa. near Crescent City, where he remained until 1852, when he went to Utah; there our subject was employed as a trader till 1858, when he returned to Iowa and rented a farm in Fremont County, till 1863. During the summer of the latter year, he drove team to Denver City, making two trips; during 1864, he farmed, and the fol- lowing year lumbered and mined in Montana Territory. After a short time spent in Utah. he returned to the Montana mines, thence back to Iowa, where he rented a farm till moving to Pottawattamie County, where, after renting a farm of Mr. H. Rishton, Sr., for four years, he bought 120 acres, where he now lives. Mr. Watkins was married, in Utah, in December, 1858, to Mary E. Ettle- man, born in February, 1840, in Illinois, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Smith) Ettleman. he, born in Pennsylvania, was a hotel-keeper and died at the age of eighty- six: she is still living, at the age of eighty- two. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins' children are Joseph H .. Margaret M .. Roxy E .. Eudora, Hiram A., Lney E., Nettie A., Perry J. and Jessie. Mr. Watkins is a Democrat.
H. S. WATKINS, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in London. England, January 2.
1840; his father, William Watkins, was born in England about 1801, and came to America about 1842, settling first in Hancock County, Ill., thence to Iowa, where he lived near. Crescent City till 1852, when he emigrated to Utah and located in Brigham City, where he died in 1865. He was a plasterer, brick- layer and cabinet-maker, but farmed in this country. Subject's mother, Hannah M. (Gypp) Watkins, was born in London, Eng- land, in 1802, and came to America with her husband and three children; she died in Brigham City, Utah, in 1867, and was the mother of thirteen children. Mr. Watkins began as a day laborer in Utah, in 1859, and was employed in various places in that Ter- ritory and Montana until 1860, when he mar- ried and came to this county, and was en- gaged in farming until 1863, when he again turned westward and for two years engaged in mining and freighting in Colorado, Mon- tana and Utah. In the fall of 1865, Mr. Watkins returned to Iowa, and bought a farm in Pottawattamie County, and remained upon it till 1SS1. when he bought the farm of 320 acres where he now lives. It is situ- ated about four and a half miles northwest of Neola. Mr. Watkins was married, in Utah, in 1860, to Sarah T. Jones, born in Wales in 1844; her father. John Jones, was born in Wales, and came to America in 1849, settled first in this county. and then went to Utah in 1852; her mother, Jane (Taeharn) Jones. was born in Wales and came to America with her husband: she was the mother of seven children. Mr and Mrs. Watkins have four children-Estella E .. Maria J., Mary A. and David A. Mr. Watkins is not a partisan in politics.
G. J. WILLIAMS, farmer. P. O. Neola. was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 14, 1855; his father, Thomas Williams, living on a farm in Pottawattamie County, was born in
197
NEOLA TOWNSHIP.
England about 1827; is a blacksmith and farmer; also a musician: he came to America in ISol with his father, who lives with our subject; his mother, Anna (Jones) Williams, was born in Wales about 1832; she came to this country with her parents, who, after spending one year in Council Bluffs, located in Salt Lake City, where they still reside. Mr. Williams attended the common schools of Pottawattamie County, where he is now an active farmer and stock-dealer. He first en- gaged in stock-dealing, by which occupation he cleared enough in four years to purchase his present farm of eighty acres, situated two miles south of Neola. Mr. Williams was
! 1 married, in Norwalk Township, this county, year; then, in 1879, he came to Neola, Iowa, December 25, 1877, to Sarah E. Minturn, born in this county September 13, 1862, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah A. (Pickets) --- Minturn; he, born in Illinois in 1812, is a farmer by occupation, living in this county; she. born in Prince Edward Island in 1821, died in Iowa in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Will- iams have one child-Clara S., born June 12, 1SS1. Mr. Williams is an Odd Fellow and a Republican.
CHARLES M. WITT, merchant, Neola, was born in Prussia January 2, 1853; his father and mother were natives of Germany, the former born in 1853 and the latter in 1856. Subject's grandfather, Frederick Witt, was a soldier in the allied army of Blucher's Division, and in the battle of Waterloo was taken prisoner. About 1856, Mr. Witt came to America with his parents, who, after spending two years in Newark, N.
J., removed to Chicago, where they still re- side. Mr. Witt has five brothers and five sisters, all living in America. Our subject obtained his education by attending night school in Chicago, while in the employ of Sinclair & Moore, proprietors of a planing- mill. He commenced working for them when ten years of age, and finally became foreman of the mill, which position he held for two years, or until the mill changed hands, when Mr. Witt went to Ottawa, Ill., where he was foreman of a large lumber yard for two years. From Ottawa, Mr. Witt returned to Chicago, and entered the hardware firm of George Rehm & Co., with whom he remained one
and opened a hardware and furniture store, to which he has since added farm implements; he has built up a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Witt was married, in Ottawa, Ill., to Miss Adeline Jacob, born in Lancaster Coun- ty, Penn., February 11, 1S5S, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Machedance) Jacob, who came to America from Germany in 1840; he is a dyer by trade, born January 10, 1823; they are now living on a farm in Illinois. This union has resulted in two children- Frederick H., born November 24, 1878, and Adeline E., born August 12, 1880. In 1880, Mr. Witt erected one of the finest houses in the town of Neola; he also has a fine double store in which to conduct his business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Legion of Honor; in politics, he is a Repub- lican, and in religion, Methodist Episcopal.
198
BIOGRAPHICAL:
NORWALK TOWNSHIP.
JEREMIAH ANEY. farmer, P. O. Neola, | in Massachusetts about 1816; he was a stone was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y., and brick mason and an early settler of Ohio. His (subject's) mother was born in Ohio in 1818. Our subject had a limited common- school education: he worked at home on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married in Logan County. III., May 20, 1860. to Martha N., daughter of William and Elizabeth D. (Alsop) Shirley. She was born in Scott County. Ky., July 19. 1837. Both of her parents were natives of Kentucky. Our subject's parents moved to Logan County, Ill., in 1857. After his mar- riage. Mr. Ashley farmed in that State for about sixteen years; he then came to this county, March 8, 1876, and has been engaged in farming ever since. He has made a spe- cialty of raising corn, but contemplates going into the stock-raising business. He has six children - Frank. born March 15, 1861: Rose, born February 26, 1864: Dolly, born March 1, 1866: Lena, born November 2S. 1869; Cora, born September 11, 1871, and Birch, born July 27, 1874. Mr. Ashley is a member of the Christian Church. He votes the Republican ticket. July 17, 1832; he is the son of Jacob and Angeline (Putnam) Aney; his father and mother were both born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., he September 6, 1798, and is still living in New York; she about the year 1803. Our subject received a common school education and lived at home till he was twenty-one years of age; he was married, December 7. 1854, in Otsego County, N. Y., to Ellen Pear- son, born in Cherry Valley July 14, 1835. She is the daughter of John Pearson, who was born in Mohawk. Montgomery Co .. N. Y., September 16, 1804; he is still living in Otsego County, N. Y. Her mother, Mary Keeling, was born in Staffordshire, England, October 15, 1806. Our subject lived and farmed in Otsego Connty, N. Y .. until 1874, when he came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Here he lived for four years, after which he came to this county. He owns 200 acres of land in Section 11, Norwalk Township, and en- gaged in general farming. He has one child -Elmer F., who was born in Roseboom, Ot- sego Co., N. Y., November 9, 1857; he was married, in Council Bluffs, September 5. 1880, to Mary Charles, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 3, 1863. They have one child-Jeremiah Atwood, born May 9, 1881. Our subject is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics. he is a Democrat.
E. B. ASHLEY, farmer, P. O. Weston, was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 1. 1839; he is the son of Joel L and Mary Annie (Martin) Ashley: his father was born
C. BRADFIELD, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in Newberry, Berkshire. England. about 1842; he is the son of George and Sarah (Vockins) Bradfield, both of whom were natives of England, the father of Berk- shire and the mother of Wiltshire. Our subject was raised in England and received his education in the common schools of that country. He came to the United States in 1861, and after living in New York for one year, he went to Utah. From Florence,
199
NORWALK TOWNSHIP.
Neb., he traveled by ox teams. He lived at Salt Lake for eight years, at the end of which time he came to Council Bluffs by rail. Here he stayed for one year, when he came to the eastern part of Norwalk Township, where he has eighty acres of land. He has been en- gaged in farming and blacksmithing for nearly the past twelve years. He was mar- ried. in Newberry. England. in 1860, to Maria Cuin, who was born in Hampstead, England, about 1840. They have had four children-all sons, of whom but one is living -- Franklin Thomas, born in Utah November 22. 1867. In religion, Mr. Bradfield is a Mormon, and in politics a Greenbacker.
F. L. CHILDS, farmer, P. O. Neola, is one of the most enterprising farmers of this township, born in Jacksonville. Windham Co .. Vt., February 26, 1843; he is the son of L. J. and Betsey (Bassett) Childs; his father was born in Windham County, Vt., March 16. 1815; his mother was born June 9, 1821. . His father was a farmer, but was engaged at different times in various other occupations. He was a merchant, tavern-keeper and baker. While engaged in the latter capacity, he founded, in connection with his four brothers, the Mechanical Bakery of Chicago. Our subject's parents emigrated from Wilming- ton. Vt., to Chicago. when he was a small boy. From this place, they moved to St. Charles. Kane Co., Ill., where they lived for nine years. They then came to this county, locating in Norwalk Township in 1856. A brother and sister of our subject's mother ac- companied them. The brother enlisted as a volunteer in an Iowa regiment and was killed at the battle of Pea Ridge. When our sub- ject first came to this county, the country was wild and unsettled. Deer, elk. buffalo and lynx held full sway on the prairie. while catamounts, wild cats and wolves prowled about. While cutting timber. our subject
killed a large catamount, and at one time, while coming home from school. he was fol- lowed by a lynx for a mile. Mr. Childs' farm now consists of 400 acres, all of which is under cultivation. He makes a specialty of feeding stock, for which he raises tame hay. This spring (1882). he has the credit of ship ping the fattest cattle that were shipped from this county. He has always lived on his present place since coming to Iowa and is forward in improvements. His early edu - cation was received at Tabor, Fremont Co., Iowa. March 16. 1865. he was married, in Norwalk Township, to Margaret G. Dewey, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England. November 5. 1844. They have had five chil- dren, four of whom are living, viz., Ellen Dewey, born May 18, 1869; Bradford F., born July 27. 1874; George S., born Jan. 19, 1877, and Naomi Emily, born December 8, 1879; Charlie L. is dead. In religious matters, Mr. Childs is not denominational, and in politics, he is a Republican Green- backer.
WILLIAM CLEARY, farmer, P.O. Downs- ville, was born at Shawbridge, Terre Bonne Co., Canada, December 28. 1859; he is the son of William and Ann Jane (Shaw) Cleary: his father was a farmer and was born in the northern part of Ireland in 1810; his mother was born in Shawbridge, Canada, in 1826. Her father, William Shaw, built a bridge over the North River, from which circum- stance the place was named Shawbridge. Our subject's parents had seventeen children -nine sons and eight daughters. Of these there are sixteen at present (1882) living. Our subject received a very limited education in the common schools of Canada. He
worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years of age. In 1878, he came to Conncil Bluffs, and was engaged in team- ยท ing for two years. He then worked at the
200
BIOGRAPHICAL:
creamery of C. H. Wheeler for one year. In January, 1882, he bought eighty acres of land in Norwalk Township, where he now re- sides. He was married, April 4, 1882, to Maggie 1. Tindele, who was born at Shaw- bridge, Canada. Mr. Cleary is a member of the MI. E. Church.
HENRY G. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in York County, Penn .. June 18, 1837; he is the son of Robert and Catha- rine (Gatrost) Fisher. His father was a na- tive of New York, and his mother of Hazen, Germany, and she was born about 1812. Our subject's education was wholly acquired in that practical school which has experience for its teacher. While a boy, he lived with his grandfather, who taught him the butcher's trade. At the age of sixteen, he apprenticed to a carpenter for three years, named Charles Neff, of Dallastown, York Co., Penn. He came West in 1856, traveling by rail from Harrisburg to Iowa City; at the latter place, he paid out his last money for a passage by stage to Des Moines. At this place, he was compelled to part with a good watch, in order to secure a stage ticket to Council Bluffs. He arrived at the latter place on a very stormy winter day. December 19, 1856. The balance of that winter he spent with his un- cle, Philip Gatrost. For several years fol- lowing, he worked at his trade-carpenter- ing. September 25, 1862, six miles east of the Bluffs. he was married to Hannah Gray- bill, who was born in Hancock County, Ill., August 3, 1842. She is the daughter of George and Mary (Smith) Graybill. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother was born near Indianapolis, Ind. They were among the first settlers in Pottawattamie County, coming here when Mrs. Fisher was only three years old. Shortly after his mar- riage, our subject began farming. He rent- ed land for four years of Dr. Phillips. One
year, he sub-rented the farm, and 500 bush- els of corn, along with the stable, was burned by the carelessness of the renters. He then purchased part of his present farm, and im- proved it. In 1867, he was engaged in butchering for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad while it was being construct- ed through this county. This adventure proved to be very successful to our subject. He owed at times as high as $3, 000 for cat- tle, and held accounts amounting from $5. - 000 to $6,000. Part of this was lost, how- ever, by the dishonesty on the part of one of the contractors. The next year, he moved to Neola and engaged in the grain business, which he followed for three years. He lost two car loads of wheat and the same of corn in the great Chicago fire. In the spring of 1873, a fire destroyed his house and effects in Neola. He went back to his farm, and after living there for two years, was again burned out, on July ' 3. 1875. He then bought an addition to his farm, and built the house in which he now resides. In 1881. he butchered for the. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad while it was in course of con- struction through this county. The present year. he has completed a canal for the same railroad through a portion of his own place. This vas undertaken and made a success after the failure of seven other contractors. Mr Fisher has six children - George E., born November 15, 1863; Manuel D., born Febru- ary 15, 1865: Lucinda E., born June 18, 1868: Mary C., born June 20, 1870; Massa Anne, born October 4, 1873, and Stephen Ira Isaac, born August 23, 1881. In politics, Mr. Fisher is a Republican Greenbacker.
CORDOVA FLECK. miller, Downsville, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in No- vember, 1843: he is the son of G. W. and Elizabeth (Hedrick) Fleck; his father was born in Pennsylvania in 1820; his mother
-
201
NORWALK TOWNSHIP.
was a native of Ohio, born in 18IS, and died J. Mr. Gatrost is a member of the Latter. Day Saints Church. In politics, he is a Re- publican. in 1860. Our subject owns and operates a mill on Mosquito Creek at Downsville. He is also Postmaster. He was married, in Greene FRED S. GROTE, farmer, P. O. Weston, was born in Germany September 10, 1850; he is the son of Fred and Eureka Grote: his father was a brick-maker, was born in County, Iowa, October 30, 1864, to Matilda A .. born in Putnam County, Ind., the daugh- ter of L. N. and Tabitha Wright. They have four children-Warren M., Elizabeth /Germany about 1819, and is now dead; his E., Jennie F. and Ida I.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.