USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 32
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
John Wesley Cochran, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Union township, where he owns a farm of sixty-eight acres, was born in Jackson township, Poweshiek county, on the 4th of November, 1860. He is the eldest son of Hiram and Mary Jane (Saunders) Cochran, the father a native of Indiana, having been born in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, and the mother of Ohio. Hiram Cochran was reared and educated in his native state, where for a time he engaged in farming. In his early manhood he removed to Iowa, lo- cating upon a farm in Jackson township, Poweshiek county, and here he met and subsequently married Miss Saunders. He later disposed of his land in this county and bought a farm in Union township, Mahaska county, where he passed away on the 24th of August, 1874. Mrs. Cochran survived him until 1882, continuing to reside upon the homestead in Union township. Five chil- dren were born of their marriage, those beside our subject being: Frances Elmira, deceased; Selkirk Saunders, who is a resident of Jackson township ; William A., who is living in Union township; and Mary Alfretta, the wife of Elliott Bryant, of Montezuma. The father voted the republican ticket and served one or two terms as school director. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The education of John Wesley Cochran was begun in the district schools of Poweshiek county and completed in those of Mahaska county. Although he was only a lad of fourteen years when his father died he was assisting in the cultivation of the home farm, and being the eldest of the family naturally his duties became quite heavy during the early widowhood of the mother. After leaving home he worked for an uncle for a time, but being desirous to engage in farming for himself he later rented land in Jackson township, which he cul-
334
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
tivated for years, and also ran a threshing machine. In 1891 he bought his present place in Union township and has ever since continuously resided there. He has remodeled and built additions to many of the buildings and effected various other improvements, all of which have added greatly to the appearance as well as value of the property.
Mr. Cochran established a home by his marriage on the 24th of January, 1882, to Miss Fannie Howard, a daughter of James and Martha (Barber) Howard, of Mahaska county. Her parents were both natives of England, who emigrated to the United States and located south of Oskaloosa. There the father, who was a traveling man, passed away, but the demise of the mother occurred in Union township, Mahaska county. In politics Mr. Howard was a republican. Mrs. Cochran is also a native of England, her natal day being the 2d of May, 1862. By her marriage she became the mother of six children : William E., who is a resident of Colorado; Vergie Jane, the wife of Calvin Cutler, also of Colorado; James Hiram, who is living in Colorado; Charles Edwin, who is at home: Frederick, deceased; and Ernest La Verne, at home. They also have one grandchild, Theron John, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Cutler.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Cochran is a member, and fraternally Mr. Cochran is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, being identified with the lodges of Montezuma. His right of franchise he exercises in support of the candi- dates of the republican party and for the past four terms has been township trustee. He as well as his wife, is favorably known in Union township among whose citizens they have many friends.
JOHN T. ROUDABUSH.
John T. Roudabush, a well known and successful agriculturist of Bear Creek township, owns and cultivates a highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section II. His birth occurred in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 14th of September, 1848, his parents being Jacob and Malinda ( Andes) Roudabush, who were likewise natives of that county. The father, who was a farmer by. occupation, there spent his entire life, passing away about 1872. At the time of the Civil war he went to the front in defense of his beloved southland. His wife was called to her final rest about 1871.
John T. Roudabush remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. On attaining his majority he was employed by the month as a farm hand by an uncle, Noah Beery. for whom he worked for a year and a half. On the 26th of February, 1870, he took up his abode in Warren county. Illinois, there working on a farm by the month for five and a half years. On the expiration of that period he came to Iowa, locating in Bear Creek township, Poweshiek county, where he resided for eighteen months and then returned to his native state and was married. After returning to this county with his
கலை
JOHN T. ROUDABESH AND FAMILY
-
On
-
337
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
young bride he rented a farm in Bear Creek township, one mile east of Brooklyn, being busily engaged in its operation for six years. At the end of that time he purchased eighty acres of the farm on which he has resided continuously since and which now embraces a quarter section of land. He likewise owns another tract of one hundred and sixty acres one mile north, in Bear Creek township, which is the home of his son, Gordie G. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Roudabush also feeds hogs to some extent. He likewise has good orchards and there is no waste land in his farm, all of it being well improved and tiled. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity, being numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 6th of February, 1876, Mr. Roudabush was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Rhoades, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and a daughter of Jacob C. and Sallie (Berry) Rhoades. The father, who was also born and reared in that county, was a carpenter by trade and spent his entire life in the Old Dominion. During the period of hostilities between the north and south he was a member of the same regiment to which Jacob Roudabush belonged. His demise occurred in 1884, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Roudabush are the parents of two children. G. G., who lives on a farmi on section 1, Bear Creek township, wedded Miss Gertrude Doty, a daughter of Abel Doty of Madison township, and has one child, Johnnie E., a little lad of three years. Mamie E. Roudabush is still under the parental roof.
Mr. Roudabush is a democrat in politics and for two years has served as director of school district No. 1, Bear Creek township. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Brooklyn. The period of his residence in Poweshiek county covers more than a third of a century and he is well and favorably known within its borders.
PETER SCHNEEKLOTH.
Among the residents of Malcom township who are now living retired, their present comfortable financial position being the direct result of former activity and enterprise along agricultural lines, is numbered Peter Schneekloth. As the name indicates he is of German descent, his birth occurring in Holstein, Ger- many, on the 19th of January, 1841. His parents, Clause and Mary (Gotsch) Schneekloth, spent their entire lives in the fatherland, where the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming. Peter Schneekloth, their only child, was reared and educated in his native land. After attaining manhood he decided to seek the opportunities of the new world. Consequently the year 1864 witnessed his arrival in the United States and, making his way direct to Iowa, he located first in Davenport, where he was employed in a malt house for about three years. He next engaged as a teamster for one year, after which six years were devoted to agricultural pursuits in Scott county.
In 1873 he came to Malcom township, where he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, and to the operation of which he gave
338
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
his close attention until fifteen years ago, when he sold it to his elder son, who still makes it his home. He then invested in one hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant township, five miles south of Malcom, and there he resided for four years, when he sold that farm to his younger son and again came to Malcom township. He did not again take up agricultural pursuits, however, but with- drew from the active work of the farm and is now living retired, enjoying a well merited rest after a life of industry, perseverance and close application to business affairs. Preferring the scenes and environment of rural life to those of the town, he erected his present home on the old homestead and he and his son each have a most comfortable and attractive dwelling on that place. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Wilkin county, Minnesota.
In 1863, in Holstein, Germany, Mr. Schneekloth was united in marriage to Miss Thriena Schneekloth who, although of the same name, was no relative. Her birth occurred on the 17th of January, 1844, and ere their removal to the United States Mr. and Mrs. Schneekloth became the parents of a son, John N., now owning and operating the home farm. Two others have since been added to the household, however, namely: Louis, who passed away at the age of five years ; and Henry T., of Montezuma, Iowa.
Mr. Schneekloth was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, although he is not at present a member of that denomination, and fraternally he is iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is an in- dependent democrat, supporting the democratic party where national questions are at issue, but at local elections voting for the best man and most desirable measures. In his life he has exemplified many of the sturdy traits of the Teutonic race and some of the best qualities of his adopted country, a combina- tion which has won him a place among the substantial and representative cit- izens of Poweshiek county.
LAMBERT L. WOODS.
A highly improved and carefully cultivated farm of sixty acres in Grinnell township pays tribute to the agricultural skill of Lambert L. Woods, who was born in Chester township, Poweshiek county, in August, 1867. His parents, Abner and Maria (Lightner) Woods, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Mercer county and the mother in Huntingdon. Mr. Woods, who was always identified with general farming and stock breeding, removed to Powe- shiek county in 1864, locating upon a quarter section of land in Chester town- ship. He continued to reside there until 1877, at which time he removed to Grinnell township, where he passed away in 1893, his wife surviving him for a year. They were among the early settlers of the county and had been com- pelled to endure many of the hardships and privations which ever fall to the lot of those who undertake to settle in a new country. Mr. Woods was a man of sterling worth and integrity and possessed many friends who accorded him the esteem he well merited.
339
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
The boyhood and youth of Lambert L. Woods were spent under the paternal roof, his time being largely devoted to the acquirement of an education. Fol- lowing his graduation from the Grinnell high school in 1884 he decided to become a chemist, so he entered the Iowa College, being awarded his degree in 1890. He subsequently entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Company, serving as chemist in both their Chicago and Joliet plants for two years. From there he went to Pueblo, Colorado, where he accepted a position with the Col- orado Fuel & Iron Company, which he relinquished in order to return to Iowa and engage in farming. Mr. Woods enjoys country life and is meeting with most gratifying success in his ventures. Although he is doing general farming the greater part of his time and attention is devoted to the breeding of Duroc- Jersey hogs and buff Plymouth Rock chickens, both of which he has found to be most lucrative. His is one of the model farms of the township; the im- provements are all good and kept in excellent repair, the lawn carefully mowed, the trees and hedge well trimmed and, in fact, everything about the place be- speaks that careful regard for details which invariably indicates the capable supervision of the competent and successful agriculturist. The property is located just outside of the city limits and the residence is large, comfortable and homelike in appearance and thoroughly modern in all of its appointments.
Mr. Woods is a progressive, public-spirited, but thoroughly practical man, and although he takes much interest in the commercial and political advance- ment of the community his energies are very largely concentrated upon the «levelopment of his personal interests.
MRS. TALITHA HARNER.
Mrs. Talitha Harner is a representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Poweshiek county and has lived in this part of the state since a little maiden of eight summers, having for sixty-two years been a wit- ness of all the changes that have occurred in transforming the wild prairie land into productive and fertile farms dotted here and there with thriving towns and prosperous villages. She was born in Greene country, Ohio, No- vember 22, 1841, a daughter of Alanson and Easter (Mendenhall) Bryan, of whom extended mention is made in connection with the history of Bedy Bryan on another page of this volume.
The family arrived in Iowa in 1849, settling about three miles northeast of Oskaloosa, and upon the home farm there Mrs. Harner resided until her marriage. She was carefully trained in the duties of the household and was, therefore, well qualified to take charge of a home of her own when in March, 1857. she became the wife of Samuel S. Roberts, who was born in Indiana in 1834 and in early manhood came to Iowa with his brother, settling in Ma- haska county. They began their domestic life in Poweshiek county, settling on a farm which her father had entered and gave to her. It was a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Pleasant township, seven miles northwest of Montezuma. Mr. Roberts continued the cultivation of that place until Decem-
340
HISTORY OF POWESHIER COUNTY
ber, 1863, when he felt that his first duty was to his country and enlisted from Montezuma under Captain Campbell in Company B, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Okolona, Arkansas, April 3, 1864, and was taken prisoner. Later he was recaptured by his own company, but was again taken prisoner at Camden, Arkansas, all this occurring within twenty-four hours. As he was unable to ride horseback he could not get away and his brother was obliged to leave him. The lack of attention and the treatment which he received in prison as well as his wounds caused his death on the 29th of June, 1864. His comrade, Conrad Blewer, who was also a prisoner at the same time, reported to his widow the circumstances and details of his demise. They were the parents of four children : Andrew M., now of Oregon ; Dennis M., of Pleas- ant township; Pertzell E., who died at the age of one and one-half years ; and Ruth A. J., the wife of John E. Gregson, of Grinnell. Mrs. Harner has eleven grandchildren living and six great-grandchildren.
After the death of her first husband she left the farm in Pleasant township in March, 1864, and removed to Montezuma where she spent one year. She then went to her father's farm in Oskaloosa and resided there until 1869. In that year she returned to Poweshiek county and in 1877 again took up her abode upon the old home farm in Pleasant township. In December, 1879, she was again married, becoming the wife of Andrew Harner, who was born in Vir- ginia, June 16, 1814, and when three years of age was taken by his parents to Ohio where he was reared and educated and began farming. In the spring of 1837 he went to Indiana where he also carried on agricultural pursuits, and in 1855 he arrived in Poweshiek county, Iowa. By a previous marriage he had six children. After he married Mrs. Roberts they lived upon his farm, which was situated two and one-half miles from Montezuma. He died Decem- ber 26, 1883.
After being again left a widow Mrs. Harner returned to her old home in Pleasant township, and for twenty-one years she made her home with her children and friends. Seven years ago, however, in February, 1904, she pur- chased her present home in Montezuma and sold her farm to her daughter. She is comfortably situated in life and not only has a sufficient amount of this world's goods to supply her with the necessities but also with the luxuries of life, and, moreover, has a large circle of warm friends who regard her most kindly.
WILLIAM P. JOHNSON.
William P. Johnson, who is engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres of the homestead farm upon which he was born on the 18th of April, 1854, is also devoting his attention to the real-estate business. His parents, the late Virgil Harrison and Mary (Wilson) Johnson, were natives of Ohio, the father's birth occurring in Highland county on the 16th of September, 1813, and that of the mother in Greene county, her natal day being the 8th of May, 1816. They were reared, educated and married in the Buckeye state, where Mr. Johnson engaged in farming until his thirty-sixth year. In 1849 he and his family migrated to
341
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Iowa, locating in Poweshiek county. Upon his arrival here he filed upon one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Union township, which he im- proved and placed under cultivation. He continued to operate this until he passed away on the 5th of April, 1893. His wife survived him for five years, her demise occurring on the 9th of June, 1898. He had met with more than average success in his work and in addition to his homestead, upon which he had made very good improvements, he owned thirty acres of timber land. Both parents were active members of the Baptist church, Mr. Johnson being one of the trustees, and he was also an ardent republican. He always took an active in- terest in all township politics and served in both the capacity of school director and road supervisor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Virgil H. Johnson were born the following children : Lorenzo D., who was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1842, and is now a resident of Union township; Carey A., whose birth occurred on the 20th of November, 1845, in Greene county, Ohio, and is now deceased ; Harvey P., also a native of the Buckeye state, his birth occurring in February, 1849, and now a resident of Montezuma : Joseph A., who was born on the 15th of April, 1851, and is living in Maryland ; William P., our subject ; Merritt U., who was born on the 20th of June, 1856, and is deceased; and Mary Angeline, the widow of O. M. McNeal, of Union township.
The life of William P. Johnson has thus far been spent in Union township, in whose schools he obtained his education. He remained at home with his parents, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until after the demise of his father. Subsequently he purchased eighty acres of the homestead, where he has ever since continuously resided, engaging in general farming, and also in the real-estate business.
On the 10th of October, 1888, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Mackie, a daughter of Jesse Stanford and Wealthy Jane (Skeels) Mackie, residents of Union township, and of this union there has been born one child, Lettie Mae, whose birth occurred on the 9th of May, 1895.
Ever since age conferred upon him the full rights of citizenship Mr. Johnson has supported the republican ticket, but he does not actively participate in politics. He is well and favorably known to the citizens of Union township, numbering among his friends many of the comrades of his boyhood, which fact is a tribute to his character.
MORTON MONROE GREGSON.
Although Poweshiek county owes much to settlers from other parts of the state and country for its high reputation as one of the richest agricultural sec- tions of the Union, there are many young men assisting in its advancement who are natives of this county. Growing up under favorable conditions, they be- came highly efficient, and the effect of their application is to be seen in farms whose appearance to the traveler as he rides through the county is evidence of a high degree of prosperity.
342
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
Mr. Gregson of this review is a native son of Poweshiek county, and was born on a farm in Union township, February 23, 1871, his parents being Martin and Eliza (Carpenter) Gregson. The father was born in Morgan county, In- diana, July 11, 1832, and the mother in the same county April 11, 1841. He engaged in farming and also became a minister of the Baptist church. Arriving in Poweshiek county, Iowa, he located in Union township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he made additions as his resources permitted until he became the owner of two hundred and thirty-four aeres. After many years of effective labor on the farm and also in the pulpit he sold his place and moved to Searsboro. He is now living retired at Marshalltown. Mrs. Gregson was called from earthly scenes May 28, 1898. The father gives his support politically to the democratic party and served several terms as member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. There were fourteen children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gregson, namely : America J., Theodore, Commodore and Florida Jane, all of whom are deceased; Mabel. who is the wife of William Pilgrim, of Grinnell; Dayton P., of Searsboro; Amos B., of Sugar Creek township: Morton M., the subject of this review : Eli M., who is living at Oskaloosa, Iowa; Leon L., of Marshalltown, Iowa : Nellie, the wife of Ray Butler, of Marshalltown: Sarah Alma, who married Frank Faulkenburg, of Montezuma: Clarence A., of Ames, Iowa, and George T., of Cedar Rapids.
Morton Monroe Gregson received his preliminary education in the district schools of Union township. He assisted upon the home farm until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years and then for seven years rented land on his own account in Washington township. In 1901 he purchased eighty acres and later acquired forty acres more, which he has developed into a beautiful place. having made many improvements, greatly enhancing its value. He is highly successful as a farmer, especially in raising and feeding stock for the market.
On the 24th of November, 1892, Mr. Gregson was married to Miss Dolly Viola Evans, who was born in Washington township, October 22, 1872. a daughter of James Daniel and Anna Eliza (Farmer) Evans. The parents were both born near Jamestown, Ohio, but were married in Poweshiek county, Iowa. Mr. Evans located in Washington township, where he engaged in farming for many years. He is now living retired with his wife upon the home place. He served faithfully for the Union in the Civil war for a period of four years as a private in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In politics he ad- heres to the republican party and has served as township trustee. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and is also a consistent mem- ber of the Christian church.
Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gregson, namely : Velma Pearl, who was born September 20, 1893; Bertha Grace, born July 16. 1897, and who died December 30, 1909; Agnes Irene, born September 9, 1901 : Ada Bernice, born January 16, 1904: and Helen Mabel, born August 19, 1906.
In politics Mr. Gregson supports the candidates and principles of the dem- ocratie party, but has never sought the honors of public office, save that of school director. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Searsboro. He early made a choice of farming as his life work and gives his best thoughts and
343
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY
energy to his calling, thereby meeting with the reward which always attends wisely directed application. As the head of a promising and happy family and engaged in a prosperous and successful business he may be designated as one of the fortunate citizens of Poweshiek county.
ALANSON BRYAN.
Six decades have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Alanson Bryan became a resident of Montezuma. Great have been the changes that occurred within that period and with the work of progress and improvement he has been associated. A native of Ohio, he was born in Greene county, April 27, 1843, his parents being Neri and Sarah (Mendenhall) Bryan, who were also .natives of the same county, the father having been born there March II, 1820. while the mother was born November 18, 1822. They were married May 21, 1840, and lived for several years in the Buckeye state, but in 1846 became res- idents of Jefferson county, Iowa. On the 25th of January, 1850, they arrived in Montezuma, where their remaining days were passed. The father's death occurred December 2, 1903, while the mother died on the 27th of March, 1868. He had followed farming during much of his life but also worked at the car- penter's trade and engaged in the manufacture of brick, continuing in that business from 1860 until his retirement a few years before his death. He made the first brick in the county. His farm was a tract of eighty acres a mile north of Montezuma, in Scott township, and this he entered from the govern- ment.
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.