History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 104

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 104

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

1849, married Orlando B. Grisswell, Jan. 24, 1877; they llave one child, Sydney), Henrietta (born April 21, 1852, married Edgar Warner, Feb 11, 1875, and has three children -- Gertrude, Lottie and Mattie). Mr. Jabez Birchard was a weaver, which occupation he followed until his removal to Pennsylvania in 1800. He then purchased land and engaged in farming. In 1847 he came to lowa and located in Pleasant Valley Township, where he remained until his death, which occurred Dec. 18, 1848. His wife died Nov. 22, 1830. Mr. George Birchard has been identified with Scott County for 40 years, and is one of those pioneers who can look with satisfaction on the result of their labors in bringing this county to its present prosperous condition. He owns a fine property and beautiful home as the reward of years of industry and toil.

George M. Boyd, attorney at law, Le Claire, Iowa, was born in Allegheny Co., Pa., on the 7th of October, 1846, son of Robert H. and Rebecca (Mc Connell) Boyd. They were married in Alle- gheny Co., Pa . in 1844. By this union there were three children born in Pennsylvania-George, Jennie (now engaged in teaching in Colorado), Joseph (a minister of the gospel and located at Long- mont, Col.). Mr. Boyd by occupation was a farmer. IIe came to Scott Co., lowa, in 1857, and located in Le C.aire Town- ship, where two more children were born-Samuel R. and Mary E. In 1867 removed to Monmonth, Ill., where he still resi les. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a classical education. When 23 entered the office of Judge Porter, of Mon- month, Ill., where he remained about a year and a half. He then returned to Scott County, where he was engaged as the principal of the school at Princeton. In October, 1878, was admitted to the bar, and has prosecuted his profession since in Le Claire. Feb. 28, 1874. he married Flora L. Hale, a daughter of H. L. Hale. She was born in New York, July, 1855. The fruit of this mar- riage is three children-Gertrude M., Robert H., Jr., and Mary E.

Cupt. D. F. Durrence, Le Claire, was born in Rock Island Co., Ill., Oct. 5, 1843, son of Pascal and Betsy (Clark) Darrence; his father a native of Rhode Island, and mother of Massachusetts. They were married in Rhode Island where three children were born-Delos, Du Boyce and Amy. In 1842 embarked on a steamer for New Orleans, and then came up the Mississippi River, his father working his passage to Rock Island, where he followed farming. He afterward located at Le Claire where they both died. The captain when a boy worked at anything he could get to do. He went on the river first on a raft to pull an oar, and by working on barges and rafts he soon learned the rapids, and in 1864 had succeeded so well he was licensed as a pilot, commencing at the time of the low water in 1864, the lowest ever known on the river. With his long experience he is conceded one of the most trusty pilots on the rapids, and has made it a financial success. Is at present engaged in building a boat in company with Capt. Me

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Caffery, of Le Claire. Capt. 'Darrance has a beautiful home in Le Claire, besides a farm in Fillmore Co., Neb., of 320 acres, under cultivation, valued at $15 per acre. Married Eliza Lancaster in 1867, a widow of Silas Lancaster (deceased). She was born in Indiana. By this marriage there were four children, two of whom are living, viz. : Irena and Ilerchel.

Joseph Coe, farmer and stock-raiser. postoffice, Le Claire, was boru in Allegheny Co., Pa., on the 2d of November, 1820, son of Benjamin and Nancy (Shields) Coe. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and married there abont 1814, where 10 children were born, eight of whom lived to be adults, viz .: Rebecca. Mar- garet. Joseph, Benjamin, Eliza J., John, James, Sarah, Mary died in infancy. Mr. Coe was a farmer and stock-raiser and died in 1873, in Allegheny County. Mother died in 1862. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a limited educa- tion. When 26 years of age he left his father's home, came out and located in Scott Co., Iowa, in the year of 1846. The following spring he purchased 160 acres of wild land, and commeneed to make a farm. In May, 1847, married Elizabeth Jaek, a daughter ot James Jack, one of the early settlers of Scott County. She was born in Pennsylvania; she died in 1848. On Ang. 24, 1854, married Catherine Moyer, a danghter of John Moyer. The fruit of this marriage is four children, viz .: Benjamin F., Sarah J. (now the wife of Mathew Wilson) John A. and Joseph C. In polities is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Coe came to the county in limited cir- cunstances, with $350 ready money, but by good management has accumulated a fine property and is one of the prosperous farmers of the county. He has 398 acres of land in Scott County, valued at $55 per acre; also has 400 acres of land in Jasper Co., Ia, valued at $40 per acre.

James H. Davenport was born on Credit Island, May 4, 1838. Married Miss Sevilla Reynolds, a daughter ot Louis Reynolds, of Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport have been blessed with five children, viz .: Wintried. Harrison, Otho, Lewis, MeCoy. In 1867 lie engaged in the mercantile business and carries a full line of groceries, queen's-ware, wooden ware and everything usually kept in a first-class store.

W. A. Davenport, one of the enterprising grocery men of Le Claire, and a son of one of the pioneers of Scott County. was born in Le Claire on the 10th day of June, 1856. In April, 1878, married Miss Kate Henderson. She was born in Le Claire, Ang. Sth, 1861. By this nnion there were two children, both of whom died in in- fanev. Member of Howard Lodge, No. 55. A. O. U. W., of Le Claire. Mr. Davenport carries a full line of groceries. crockery, hardware of $2,000.

Cuptuin Daniel V. Dawley, Postmaster, Le Claire, was born in Burlington Co., Vt., Ang. 3, 1811. He was a son of Daniel and Hannah (Vary) Dawley, the former a native of Berkshire Co.,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Mass., born June 29, 1771; the latter of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., born in 1780 or 'S1. They were married in 1801, and were the parents of nine children. In 1818 Daniel Dawley, Sr., moved to Otsego;Co., N. Y., near Cooperstown, where he engaged in farm- ing. Mrs Hannah Dawley died in Vermont in April, 1815, and Mr. Dawley married Mary Brimmer, of German descent; by this union there were two children. Mr. Dawley, Sr., died Oet. 15, 1831. When the subject of this record was 16 years of age he was em- ployed in a wholesale grocery store in Troy, N. Y., where he re-

mained four years. Then went to New York City and kept books for three years. His health failing he was advised to go West. In December, 1834, started for St. Louis by boat, eanal and stage; mak- ing the trip in 15 days. He landed in St. Louis on Christmas day. He went to Jacksonville, III., where he purchased a horse and rode to New York City. The trip proved very beneficial as he gained 45 pounds. The summer following he returned to Illinois and engaged in the mercantile business in Schuyler County for two years. Ile then sold his interest and was employed as clerk of the steamer "Hero," and followed the river for 38 years, in the capacity of clerk and captain, doing business on nearly every navigable river in the West and Sonth. In 1841 he married Sabina, daughter of Robert Carlton, a native of Maine, where she was born, Jan. 24, 1822. They had nine children, of whom Daniel C., Albert L., Arthur H., Henrietta A., S. Larma, Ganion B. and Gertrude W. are living. In the spring of 1881 Capt. Dawley was appointed postmaster of Le Claire.

Capt. L. A. Day, Le Claire, was born in Portage Co., Ohio, on the 6th day of September, 1837, son of Alva O. and Minerva (Iligby) Day. They were married Dec. 25, 1821. By this union there were three children. In 1854 his parents emigrated to Wisconsin, and located in Winnebago County, where they followed farming, and remained there until 1866, when they removed to Dodge Co., Minn., where they still reside. The Captain, when 16 years of age, commeneed river life, and for the last 15 years had charge of a boat, principally running between St. Louis and Stillwater, Minn. In 1861 enlisted in the three months' service. At the expiration of this term of service, he re-enlisted in the First Wis- consin Cavalry, and was discharged before the regiment left the State, on account of disability. He again enlisted in the Fifth Wis. Infantry, Co. K, and participated in the battles of Win- chester, Cedar Creek, and saw Gen. Sheridan the morning he came in on his 20-mile iide; also was at surrender of Gen. Lee, and the grand march to Washington and grand review. Was mustered out at Washington, and discharged at Madison, Wis. In February, 1863, married Matilda Noble. a daughter of W. A. Noble, of Wisconsin. She was born in Walworth Co., Wis., in 1844. She died July, 1863. He again married, Miss Sarah Me- Intyre, in 1865. She was born in' Madison Co., Ohio, June, 1837. By this union there were five children, four of whom are living-

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Alva O., Lewis A., George and Alice. Emma died June, 1881. The Captain is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and a member of the A. O. U. W., of Le Claire, and Rodman's Council, No. 580, R. A., Moline, Ill.

J. A. De Armond, M.D., Le Claire, Iowa. Among the young practicing physicians of Seott Co., Ia., is Dr. J. A. De Armond, a self-made man, who, by his own exertions, has secured a position in the noble and humane calling he has chosen, such as justly to entitle him to great praise, and at the same time his position serves as an example for young men who are not the possessors of wealth, but who do desire to make for themselves a name among men of professional worth. The Doctor was born in Blair Co., Pa., on the 7th day of March, 1852; is the son of James D. and Catherine (Al- baugh) De Armond, who are natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married and six children were born, four of whom are now living-David A., now an attorney at law of Dade Co., Mo., and at present a member of the State Legislature; James M., principal of Grammar School No. 5, Davenport; Wm. W., a law student of Iowa City. In 1866 Mr. De Armond left Pennsylvania, and with his family emigrated to Seott Co., where he stopped a short time in Pleasant Valley, and the following year removed to Davenport, where he resided until 1874, when he again removed to Dade Co., Mo., where he at present resides. After coming to Davenport, the Doetor attended the common schools for a few years, when he en- tered the High School. During the two years previous to gradu- ating therefrom, the Doctor, being short of means, was compelled to teach night school in order to purchase books and defray other expenses connected with his schooling. In June, 1872. he gradu- ated from the Iligh School, being valedictorian of his class. After graduation he entered the office of Drs. French and Grant, remain- ing with them for two years, and in the meantime taught school to pay for his collegiate course, which he entered upon in 1874 at Philadelphia, in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors in 1876. The Doe- tor then returned to Scott County, and immediately commenced his profession at Le Claire, Iowa, where he has remained since. The Doctor is still a comparatively young man, with a reputation for all the good qualities of a thorough physician. From the be- ginning of his professional career he has met with flattering sneeess in the treatment of all diseases, and enjoys a reputation not com- mon for one of his years as a successful practitioner of medicine. In the Doctor's life, young men ean find much to emulate with advantage. By his own unaided exertions he schooled himself, and while pursuing his professional study he practiced the strietest economy, and was thereby able, by teaching school, to pay his way through college and procure needed books. A large and increasing practice has rewarded the Doctor's Jabors. In August, 1878, he was married to Miss Alice M. Doughty, daughter of Thomas and Mary Doughty, of Le Claire. She was born April 5, 1859. By

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this union there was one child, Lonis Grant, born in Le Claire, March 14, 1880. The Doctor is a member of the A. O. U. W ., and has been medical examiner for the order in Le Claire since its organization. He is also a medical examiner for the U. O. A. T., an insurance order having a large membership in Le Claire.

Charles P. Disney, coal dealer and steamboat agent, Le Claire, Iowa, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1824, son of Mordecai and Sarah (Tudor) Disney, natives of Baltimore, Md., where they were married and three children were born-Mariah, Elizabeth, and one died in infancy. In 1818 he left his home in Maryland, coming with teams across Pennsylvania to Pittsburg, and not being able to get transportation by steamboat, he, in com- pany with another man, built a flat-boat, and embarked their fami- lies and made for Cincinnati, Ohio, landing in the fall. Was by trade a painter, but was employed. shortly after landing, in a wholesale paint store. Four more children were added to the family, Edward, Charles, Alice, Clarence. In 1841 came to Iowa to look up a home, and being favorably impressed with the location around Davenport and vicinity, returned to Cincinnati, and the following year, in company with his family, came to Scott County, loeating in Davenport, where he remained until 1843, when he purchased land in Le Claire Township, where he moved and opened up a farm, remaining on the same until 1851, when he sold out and moved to Le Claire, where he died in 1863, his mother died in 1866. The subject of this sketch came to the State when he was 18 years old where he took up the carpenter's trade, and made the window frames for the first Methodist Espicopal church that was built in Davenport, and was at work for L. J. Center, a car- penter and contractor. A young man by the name of Ewing and his brother Edward gave two days work laying briek, and when six o'clock came they quit, and a man by the name of Shaw asked them where they were going, and they said they were going home. Thus started the ten-hour system in Davenport with the brick- layers. He came to Le Claire Township with his father, and worked on a farm until he came to Le Claire, when, in company with W. F. Gault, built a cabinet shop, and embarked in cabinet business, which he followed until 1854, when he embarked in the mercantile business, as the firm of Disney & Stonebraker, and continued until 1860, when he sold his interest to W. II. Hewitt, and embarked in the livery business; in the meantime was employed by the steamboat line, which position he has held since. In 1854 married Elizabeth Wilson. She was born in But- ler Co., Ohio, June, 1835. There were two children - one dying young and Charles W. Mr. Disney has held several local offices of trust in the township. Held the office of mayor for seven years.

T. J. Dodds, Le Claire, Iowa, was born in Butler Co., Pa., May 4, 1830, son of Jam's Dodds, who was born in 1796, and Elenore Sproll in 1803. They were married in Butler County, in

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1819, where a family of 14 children were born. Mr. James Dodds in early life was a farmer, and in after years engaged in the tanning business, which he followed until his death, which oc- eurred in 1855. Mother still living at the advanced age of 78 years. The subject of this sketch commenced his trade when 14 years of age, which he has virtually followed since. In the year 1860 he took a trip to the Rockies, where he spent one year pros- pecting. and partly for his health. In 1857 married Sarah Van- aken, of Erie. Pa., where she was born in 1830. By this union there were two children -- W. V. A. Dodds (who is taking a scientific course in Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa) W. V. A. I am pleased to mention in this sketch as an intelligent, indus- trions boy, who. by his own exertions paid his college expenses, by teaching through vacations, never receiving a dollar from any source, and Hattie, who died when seven years old. Mrs. Elonore died in April, 1865. June 10, 1867, Mr. Dodds married Almira Graham. She was born in Butler Co., Pa., in 1830. By this marriage there were four children, three of whom are now living-Harry J., Lola B., and Aggie. Mr. Dodds is a member of the Masonic Snow Lodge, No. 44, having joined the lodge in 1860, and carries a policy in the Mutual Aid Association of lowa; and also a member of the A. O. U. W., in which he carries a policy of $2.000. Mrs. Dodds also is carrying a policy of $1,000 in the Mutual Aid Association, of which she is a.charter member.

James Dulin, a retired farmer and one of the early settlers ot Scott County, was born in Londoun Co., Va., Sept. 14, 1812, son of John and Rebecca Dulin, who were married in Loudoun County, where a family of six children were born, four sons and two danghters, all of whom have passed away with the exception of James. Mr. Dalin died when James was 14 years old, and was left with nothing but a good constitution. He engaged on a turn- pike driving cart, and afterward was employed by Stogden & Stokes in the stage business, driving in the Allegheny Mountains, between Ft. Cumberland, Wheeling and Washington. In 1833 he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained a short time, then to Cinein- nati. Ohio, where he remained five or six years. March 17, 1838, married Elmira Danforth, a daughter of Simeon Danforth, of New England, who emigrated to Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1817. By this union there were 11 children. In the spring of 1843 he left Cincin- nati, Ohio, for Seott County, coming by water to Keokuk, where they found the ice, and from there by team. Being in the spring the roads were very rough. Mrs. Dulin got so tired riding over the rough roads, would lay her boy baby in the feed box and walk behind the wagon. After a hard journey lauded in Le Claire Township, where Widow Carpenter now resides. Sold out soon after and purchased land on section 15. Their first cabin was a rude structure made out of sols covered with broad boards, which would warp up after a rain, leaving large cracks. At one time Phillip Suiter came to his cabin in a storm, and Mr. Dulin placed him under a broad

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

board. Mr. Dulin came to the county empty-handed, but with a strong arm went manfully to work to develop his farm, and by judicious management accumulated a competency, and to-day is liv- ing at ease on his hard-earned gains. Mr. Dulin has been identi- fied with the county for nearly 40 years, and has seen its many changes.

James Gamble, M. D., Le Claire, was born near Londonderry, Ireland, March 6, 1821. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was a mere child, and settled near Wilmington, Del., where they remained until 1836, when they removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. An older brother being engaged in the printing business, James and a younger brother, Dr. Thos. D. Gamble, were early initi- ated into the mysteries of that art. In the spring of 1840 he re- moved to Warsaw, Ill., and in connection with the Hon. T. C. Sharp, published the Warsaw Signal. The paper was an ardent supporter of Gen. Harrison and the Whig principles of that ex- citing campaign, though being under age he could not vote at the October election of that year. When the Mormon troubles began in Hancock County he sold his interest in the Signal to his part- ner, and removed to New Orleans, where he commeneed the study of medicine under the direction of the celebrated Dr. Warren Stone. In 1844 he came to St. Louis and entered the office of the late Prof. Joseph N. M'Dowell, where he remained until his graduation in 1847, in the medical department of the Missouri University. In July of that year he came to Le Claire, and at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, in the active duties of which he is still engaged.

Dr. Gamble is a member of the American Medical Association, and of the Iowa Medical Society, of which he was treasurer in 1857, and president in 1870. He is also one of the oldest members of the Scott County Medical Society, having united with it in 1857. He is by many years the oldest practicing physician in Scott County. In 1862 he served as assistant surgeon in the Third Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry in Tennessee and Mississippi. Dr. Gam- ble has held many public offices in Le Claire, and is at present president of the School Board; is noted for liberality and the inter- est he has ever taken in promoting the cause of education, as well as many other public enterprises. In July, 1848, he was married at Springfield, Ill., to Eliza, daughter of Robert Gondy, Esq.

George L. Gast, one of the enterprising farmers of Scott Co., Ia., was born in Huntingdon County, now Blair Co., Pa., son of George and Susan (Leamer) Gast, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They were married in Huntingdon County in 1820, To them was born a family of 12 children, 10 of whom lived to be adults, nine of whom are now living, viz .: Henry C., George L., John L., William, Samuel, Jane (now the wife of James Clark), Sarah (wife of Michael Sorick), Margaret, Polly (wife of John C. Leamer, deceased), Matilda (wife of C. B. Jones). Mr. Gast was a farmer by occupation. He left his home in Pennsylvania, and

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with his family emigrated to Scott County, where he purchased wild, nubroken prairie lands, and opened up a farm, where he re- mained until 1868, when he removed to Le Claire, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred March 27, 1872. Mr. Gast died Jan. 19, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Gast were life long members of the Lutheran church, and were among the original members of the Salem Lutheran church of Princeton. In politics was an old-line Whig, and at the time of the organization of the Republican party joined them, and affiliated with them up to the time of his death. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. He married Mary Clark, a daughter of J. W. Clark, of Pennsylvania, who came to the county in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Gast have been blessed with four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Eila J. (now Mrs. William Haves), Sarah A., James W. (deceased), and George C. Mr. Gast up to a few years has been extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising, but of late has turned his attention to bee and fish-culture.

William S. Glass, farmer, section 13, Le Claire Township; was born in Cambria Co .. Pa., May 18, 1810. His parents were William and Martha (Smith) Glass; they were members of the Catholic church. William, the subject of this sketch, was the only child. When he was some three years of age he went to live with his unele on a farm, where he remained until he was 19, when he worked at the wagon-maker's trade at Watersburg. Pa., eight years ; he then worked at Pleasant Valley, Pa., 12 years, when he came to Davenport, Iowa, and soon after began farming in Pleasant Valley Township. One year after he purchased his present farm in Le Claire Township, where he has since remained. Mr. Glass married Miss Mary Glass, Dec. 3. 1835, she was born in Pennsylvania; her parents were James and Annie (Frampton) Glass. Mr. and Mrs. William S. Glass have had nine children, six living, viz .: Minerva; wife of William L. Scott; James, who married Miss Julia Shiminel, Mary, wife of Richard Thompson; Maria, wife of William Metten, and Miss Hazeltine and Nancy residing on the old homestead with their parents. Mr. Glass owns 160 acres of land on section 13, Le Claire Township, where he and family reside. He is one of the enterprising representative men and farmers of Scott County.

David Hawthorn, LeClaire, Ia., was born in Concord Co., N. H., Jan. 13, 1795, a son of Peter and Tamison (Cornor) Hawthorn, natives of New Hampshire, who emigrated to Rutland Co., Vt., in 1795. In 1516 Peter Hawthorn removed to Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, where he condneted a hotel until his death. The subject of this sketch mar- ried Annis Eddy, a native of Rhode Island. Her grandfather, Peter Eddy, moved to Rutland Co., Vt .. at the time of the Revolutionary war, but was shortly after driven off by the Indians. Mrs. Hawthorn was born Oet. 13, 1797. The fruit of this marriage was 11 children, six of whom are living-Temperance (now the wife ot Ebenezer Seofield. deceased), John, Willis ., Wales, Robert B. Joseph M. after marrying moved to Cincinnati, Ohio; from thence

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

to Chatanqua Co., N. Y., where he followed farming and re- mained 15 years. Thence to Erie Co., Pa., where he lived until 1850, when they removed to Kendall Co., Ill .; remained there until 1856 when they came to Scott County, where they have re- sided since. Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorn are the oldest married couple in the county, if not in the State, having lived together nearly 63 years as man and wife, and are both hale and healthy and good for many years. Mrs. Ilawthorn has done her own house work for a family of three; besides that, in the last 10 years has woven 5,000 yards of carpet. Mr. Hawthorn is 86 and Mrs. Hawthorn 84 years old. In politics was an old-line Democrat and gave his first vote for Jackson.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 104

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280