USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. II > Part 38
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FRANKLIN UNANGST.
Franklin Unangst in 1900 became a resident of Iowa and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on sections 10, 11, 14 and 15, Waveland township, all in one body. In the midst of this farm stands one of the finest residences in this section of the county, while beau- tiful shade trees, a good orchard and substantial outbuildings, as well as
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highly cultivated fields, are features of the place. From the property Mr. Unangst derives a good income but does none of the active work of the farm himself, leaving this in charge of his son-in-law.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Northampton county on the 13th of January, 1841, a son of Philip and Leah (Hahn) Unangst. The father's birth occurred in the same county, April 4, 1807, and the grand- father, John Unangst, was also a native of the same county, his ancestors having come from Holland to the new world at an early period in its coloniza- tion. The mother of Philip Unangst, however, was a Miss Lillick of Ger- many. John Unangst was a veteran of the war of 1812 and lived and died upon his farm in Northampton county. It was in that county that Philip Unangst was reared and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Leah Hahn and purchased a farm in Plainfield township, Northampton county, where he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until 1856. He then sold his property in Pennsylvania and removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he resided up to the time of his death. His political support was given to the democracy, while his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. His wife, who was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 2, 1814, was a daughter of George Hahn, also a native of that county. Her death occurred May 2, 1890. They were the parents of nine children : Rebecca A., the wife of Levi Erwin, of Stephenson county, Illinois; John, deceased; Franklin; William J, deceased; George W., of West Point, Iowa; Joe L., of Denver, Colorado; Emma L., the widow of Isaac Fry and a resident of Dillei, Nebraska; Jacob D., who is living in Davenport, Iowa; and Eliza- beth S., the wife of Charles Shoemaker of Corning, this state.
Franklin Unangst was a youth of fifteen years at the time of his parents' removal to Illinois. He attained his majority there and learned the miller's trade, with which he was identified for thirty-five years in Illinois and Wis- consin. In 1900 he removed from Stephenson county to Iowa and invested in the farm of three hundred and twenty acres which he now owns in Wave- land township. When he took up his abode here there were no buildings save some old dilapidated ones and few improvements of any consequence on the place. His labors and enterprise, however, wrought a marked transforma- tion. He has planted orchards, set out shade trees and built one of the hand- somest farm residences in this section of the county. He has also put up two fine and commodious barns and today his farm is one of the best improved farms of western Iowa. His residence is supplied with all modern conven- iences, including hot and cold water, bath, and other accessories which con- tribute to the comfort and to the beauty of the dwelling. In all that he has done Mr. Unangst has been actuated by a spirit of progress and he endorses the most modern methods in connection with agricultural development.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Unangst offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company D, Ninety-third Illinois In- fantry, on the 6th of August, 1862. He served in that command for almost three years and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 23d of June, 1865, while on the 5th of July he was honorably discharged. He took part in the following engagements: Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black
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River, the siege of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Allatoona Pass, Savan- nah, Columbia, Bentonville, and the famous march to the sea under General Sherman. The usual experiences of the soldier in actual warfare were his: he met the enemy on many a hotly contested field, went with his regiment on long, hard marches and endured the discomforts of winter quarters but was always loyal to the cause which he espoused and is today a valued and active member of Worthington post, G. A. R., of Griswold.
It was not long after his return from the war that Mr. Unangst was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Jane Moyer, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Beihler) Moyer, both of whom were natives of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. After their marriage the parents removed to Center county, Pennsylvania, and about 1863 became residents of Stephenson county, Illinois, where Mrs. Moyer died. In the '80s Mr. Moyer removed to Kansas, where he resided up to the time of his death. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Unangst was John Beihler, a native of Pennsylvania, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The paternal grandfather was Michael Moyer, a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Unangst was celebrated May 26, 1868, and has been blessed with one child, Mabel, the wife of Charles Rockwell, who cultivates her father's farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Unangst hold membership in the Presbyterian. church and his political allegiance has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His activity and energy in busi- ness affairs have constituted the measure of his success, which is most gratify- ing. his fine farm being the visible evidence of his close application and capable management. Today he is practically living retired, leaving the active work of the farm to others, but he still maintains his residence on the property which he purchased on coming to this county, being most comfortably and pleasantly situated in one of the finest country homes of western Iowa.
HERMAN M. SARR.
Herman M. Sarr, deceased, was for many years an honored resident of Pottawattamie county, his home being in Garner township. He was born in Fallsburg, Sullivan county, New York, August 11, 1824. His father was a native of Germany, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Hall, was also born in Sullivan county, New York, and was a daughter of John Hall, a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Sarr passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm and on reaching man's estate was married in Wawarsing, Ulster county, New York, September 25, 1852, to Miss Lorinda Childs, who was a well educated young lady and had successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools. She was born in Rockland, Sullivan county, New York, November 19, 1825, and is a daughter of Obadiah and Charity (Thompson) Childs, the former a native of Connec- ticut and the latter of Sullivan county. Mr. and Mrs. Sarr became the parents
MR. AND MRS. HI. M. SARR.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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of two daughters still living: Viola, who was born in Sullivan county, New York, and is now the wife of J. B. Mathews of Washington township, this county ; and Ellen, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, and is the wife of Fred S. Childs, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Two children died in infancy: Mary Alice, the oldest, was born July 19, 1854, and died September 21. 1855; and John, the youngest child and only son, was born March 28, 1856, and died December 7, 1866.
Mr. Sarr always followed farming, renting land in the state of New York after his marriage until 1856, when he removed with his family to Illinois. A few months later he took up his abode in Polk county, Iowa, which was then the western terminus of the railroad, and there he bought a partially improved farm, adding other improvements and modern equipments. Some years later he sold that property and in 1869 located in Hardin township, Pottawattamie county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, which he improved, erecting good buildings thereon and bringing the fields to a rich state of fertility. He did not sell the place when, in 1876, he removed to Garner township and purchased the one hundred and sixty acre farm on which his son-in-law, Fred S. Childs, now resides. It was at that time a tract of wild land but his labors transformed it into productive fields, while the improve- ments he made upon it converted it into a good farm on which he resided until his death. After his removal to Garner township he bought an additional tract of one hundred and twenty acres, so that at the time of his death he owned two hundred and eighty aeres in Garner township and one hundred and sixty acres in Hardin township, his possessions therefore aggregating four hundred and forty acres.
After a useful and well spent life Mr. Sarr passed away in Garner town- ship, June 16, 1891, and his widow now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Childs at the age of eighty-two years. She is an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist church and a most estimable lady. In politics Mr. Sarr was a republican and in 1888 was a delegate to the state convention of his party in Des Moines. He served for two terins as township trustee and for several years as justice of the peace.
HION. GEORGE M. PUTNAM.
Hon. George M. Putnam, residing on section 3, Grove township, is one of the prominent, leading and influential residents of the county. Three times has he been called to represent his district in the state legislature and in all matters of citizenship he is progressive and public-spirited. Moreover, he is a veteran of the Civil war, his record in this regard being in harmony with the example of his paternal great-grandfather. Thomas Putnam, who served in the Revolutionary war, being a stalwart champion of the colonial cause.
The birth of Mr. Putnam occurred in Jefferson, Coos county, New Hamp- shire, August 22, 1836, he being the third in a family of nine children whose parents were George and Elizabeth (Perkins) Putnam. of New Hampshire.
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Both died here at the home of their son L. R. Putnam. They came to Pot- tawattamie county in 1871 with him, and the father, who devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, died in 1872 at the age of seventy-three years. his birth having occurred in 1799. His wife, who was born in 1808. departed this life at the age of eighty-five years. Their children were as follows: Augustus D., now deceased, who served for about four years in the Civil war as a member of Company D, Third Missouri Cavalry; Mrs. Mary E. Storrs, deceased ; George M .; Mrs. Jane Naigle. deceased; Lucius R. and Mrs. Sarah Morris, who have both passed away ; Mrs. Ellen Morris, of Carson ; Belle, of Center township: and Charles W., of Oklahoma.
During the first ten years of his life George M. Putnam was a resident of the old Granite state and then went with his parents to Orange county, Vermont, where they lived for six years. Their next removal took them to Dixon. Lee county, Illinois, where Mr. Putnam continued until August, 1862. He then offered his services to the government. believing firmly in the justice of the Union cause and joining Company A, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Ryan. The regiment was assigned to the Depart- ment of the Cumberland, Army of the West, and he took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain. Missionary Ridge, all of the movements and engagements of the Atlanta campaign and the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. He was present at every engagement in which the regiment took part and in fact was never off duty for a day during his three years' service, which continued until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of first sergeant and honorably discharged. His valor and loyalty were never called into question and he is now numbered among the honored veterans to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
Mr. Putnam returned to Illinois, his parents having in the meantime located in Ogle county, where he remained until the spring of 1873, when he came to his present farm on section 3, Grove township, where he has since resided. He began here with the northwest quarter of the section-a tract of raw prairie which stretched for miles around him, there being few homes or other indications of modern improvement. Adding to his farm as op- portunity has offered, Mr. Putnam has become the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land in his home place, together with valuable farming property on section 27, Center township. All of the im- provements upon his farm have been placed there by himself and there are now good buildings. fine shade trees and all of the modern accessories of a model farm property. He raises both stock and grain but feeds all of his grain and buys more in order to be used in his stock-feeding interests. Through- out his business career he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and has so directed his labors and energies that prosperity has followed.
In politics Mr. Putnam has been a life-long republican, and his position upon the questions and issues of the day is never an equivocal one. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and since that time he has been loyal to the interests of the party. His fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability. have frequently called him to public office. He
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has held all of the township and school offices and has been school treasurer of Grove town-hip for twenty-nine years. He was also township trustec for a number of terms and has frequently been sent as a delegate to the state conventions. Higher honors, however, awaited him, for in 1895 he was elected to the state legislature and that he discharged his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity and to the general satisfaction of his constituents is indicated by the fact that he was twice re-elected, serving for three consecutive terms. He left the impress of his individuality upon legislation enacted during those sessions and was recognized as an active working member, connected with much of the important constructive work that is accomplished in committee rooms. He belongs to Carson post. G. A. R., of which he is a charter member and he also affiliates with the Masonic lodge of Carson.
It was not long after his return from the war that Mr. Putnam was mar- ried. Miss Emily Jackson becoming his wife in 1868. She was born in Days- ville, Ogle county, Illinois, December 16, 1841, and died upon the home farm in Grove township. July 26. 1905. Her parents were William and Mary (Moulton) Jackson, natives of Massachusetts, who spent their last years in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam became the parents of seven children: Fred E., of Grove township: Mrs. Edith M. Killinger of Center township; William G., at home: Myrtle E .: Blanche, the wife of L. N. Cleveland, of Clarinda, Iowa: Frances. the wife of Henry W. Lehmann, living at home; and Edna, who completes the family.
Such in brief is the life history of George M. Putnam and over the record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, for in business life he has been diligent, persevering and upright. in political circles has been loyal to his party, yet never forgetting that he owes a still higher allegiance to his . country. He is well known throughout the state and everywhere commands respect. while in his home locality he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from geniality. deference for the opinions of others and genuine . personal worth.
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FRED E. PUTNAM.
Fred E. Putnam. the eldest son of Hon. George M. Putnam, was born near Oregon. Illinois. December 26. 1868. and was but five years of age when brought by his parents to Pottawattamie county, since which time he has lived in Grove township, while from the time he attained his majority to the present he has carried on general agricultural pursuits. Seven years ago he bought his present farm and during this period it has continuously been his home. He has one hundred acres on section 4. Grove township, constitut- ing a well improved tract of land. The fields bring forth rich harvests of grain best adapted to soil and climate. while high grades of stock are found in the pastures and indicate the progressive spirit which actuates Mr. Putnam in all of his business undertakings.
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In January, 1901, occurred the marriage of Fred Putnam and Miss Carrie - J. Wilson, who was born in Glenwood, Iowa, November 15, 1869, a daugh- ter of H. E. and Mary E. (Otis) Wilson, both now deceased. The union of the young couple has been blessed with two children, Helen D. and George M. The parents are well known socially, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially extended them. Mr. Putnam is a republican, well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day and for three years he has served as township trustee. His membership with the Sons of Vet- erans indicates that he has reason to be proud of the record of the father, who loyally defended the interests of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war.
GEORGE CARSON.
George Carson is numbered among the earnest men of his time who adhere to the principles they believe to be right. A review of his life work indicates as among his most salient characteristics a loyalty to country and a fidelity in public service that have made his name honored throughout the county of his adoption, and elsewhere has gained him the respect of those who know aught of his career. He was born near Seipio in Jennings county, Indiana, on the 5th of February, 1841.
His great-great-grandfather, Robert Carson, crossed the Atlantic from Ireland to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventeen years and located upon and cleared a farm near the Horseshoe Tavern in Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 1740. His great-grandfather, David Carson, was born on that farm about 1741; the grandfather, Hiram Carson, was born there on the 24th day of February, 1785; and his father, David Carson, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1819. In 1838 Hiram and David Carson located on a farm near Scipio, Indiana, and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. The wife of the former was in her maidenhood Miss Hess and was of Welsh and German parentage. David Carson married Han- nah Bennett, who was the first white child born in Jennings county, Indiana, her natal day being June 9, 1822. In 1817 her parents came to America from Derbyshire, England, where the birth of her father, Samuel Bennett, occured July 8, 1776. He served the crown for ten years as exciseman and ten years as supervisor of excisemen. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Bennett, who was some years his junior, courageously took up the work of pioneer life and in addition to her household cares made all the clothing for her family during the twenty years following their settlement in Jennings county, Indiana. The marriage of David Carson and Hannah Bennett was celebrated on the 8th of August, 1839, at the old Bennett homestead.
Their son, George Carson, in his boyhood days, attended school during the three months of winter, and throughout the remainder of the year worked on the farm. In 1859, however, further educational advantages were afforded him when he became a student in an academy at Sardinia, Indiana. In 1860
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he attended an academy at Milford, Indiana, conducted by Professor Powner, and during the winter of 1860 he taught a district school near Seipio, Indiana.
When Fort Sumter was fired upon Mr. Carson enlisted in a company in the Indiana Legion. at Scipio, Indiana, worked on the farm and drilled on Saturday afternoons and at noon hours studied Hardie's Tactics. In Septem- ber. 1861, he commenced school teaching in his home district and continued until an alarm on the border caused his command to be called into active service. While this alarm was unfounded, he had determined that the time had come when it was the duty of every able bodied young man to go into active service. On the 7th day of October, 1861, he enlisted as a recruit in Company K, Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, then on duty at Dam No. 4. abont four miles from Sharpsburg, Maryland. He joined his company there about November 1, 1861, when he found drill with the militia and his study of tactics very helpful in the ranks with veterans of six months drill. Soon after he joined his company he was greatly surprised to hear his name announced one Sunday evening at dress parade, making his corporal. This assignment made him first man on the right of his company, height taking precedence over seniority. During that winter he was on duty nearly every other night. picketing along the Potomac river, and with a detachment of his company was engaged on the 27th day of November, 1861, with Ashby's men near the canal lock, while the enemies musket balls whizzed close to their ears. They were soon silenced by the Yankee Springfield rifles. Again on the 11th day of December. 1861, he was on duty with his squad of three piekets at the lock. They were attacked by Captain Burke with twenty-five men. and he fired about twenty-five rounds before the enemy was driven off and had a number of close calls while exposed to the firing. His company and regiment joined the army at Martinsburg, Virginia, in its advance upon Jackson's army at Winchester, Virginia, and on the 11th day of March, 1862, his command attacked Jackson's lines and during the night Jackson retreated south, and the following morning his command was in line at daylight and advanced, capturing a few stragglers. His regiment was first in the city of Winchester, and stood for about two hours at "present arms," receiving the army as it marched through the city. His command remained there until about March 18, 1862, when General Abercrombie's brigade, composed of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Indiana, Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts and Ninth New York Regiments, was detached and ordered to Warrenton Junction, Virginia, and arrived at the Bull Run battle ground on the 1st day of April. 1862. reaching their destination. Warrenton Junction, about April 4. 1862, and remaining there until about May 10, when they were ordered to Washington, D. C., and discharged on the 20th of the same month.
Mr. Carson then returned home and worked on the farm until August 10, 1862. when he re-enlisted for service in Company I, Sixty-eighth Indiana Infantry, then being organized by his former teacher, Rev. R. F. Patterson, at Sardinia, Indiana, by whom he was appointed first sergeant of the com- pany, after sharp competition with Frank Showalter, in preparation of report to Governor Morton of the election of company officers and roll of the com- pany. He drilled the company both in evolutions and manual of arms for
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some time after organization. Second Lieutenant William Breheny resigned in March, 1863, on account of failing health, and Orderly Carson was elected to succeed him. In April, 1863, his regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. Army of the Cumberland, and continued to serve with that command until October, 1863, when his regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Corps. The Chattanooga campaign commenced June 24, 1863, and made a forced march of eighteen miles by four o'clock in the afternoon and went under fire, supporting the battery at the battle of Hoover's Gap, and were also under fire the following day, when Russell Swope of his company was wounded.
Mr. Carson was in the two days battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, and had many narrow escapes. On the 19th of September a ball passed through the hair of his head and on the following day a cannon ball passed over his left shoulder so close that he was stricken to his knees. His command was at Chattanooga, Tennessee, from September 22. until November 28, 1863, and had the usual routine of picket and other duties, on half rations, until November 23, when his command was ordered to attack the enemy's lines at Orchard Knob, and was under fire until the night of November 25. He was severely wounded in the charge upon Mission Ridge by a fragment of a shell, being felled to the ground and his lower extremities were paralyzed for some time. As soon as he recovered. he overtook his command, and, being at that time the only man of his command on that part of the field that was on his feet, became a target for the enemy's rifles, and many shots were fired at him, one of which tore the end of his rubber blanket in ribbons between his left arm and side.
Soon thereafter a general shout of "forward" was given and they scaled the enemy's rifle pits. As he was in the act of swinging over their works a ball from the left cut off a snag on the head log which struck him over the left side of the face, the blow nearly felling him. He gained the summit with his comrades and directed the fire into the enemy's lines on the left, and he formed a company of about eighty men of those near him, of whom only one belonged to his company or regiment. He commanded his com- pany from that time until about February, 1864. On the 28th of November his command was ordered to Knoxville. Tennessee, and made a forced march. The head of the column broke camp before daylight and the rear of the column went into bivouac long after dark. They had no tents until about January 20, 1864, and during that winter campaign they at times bivouaced on the snow.
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