History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county, Part 12

Author: Chapman, Samuel D
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: [Toledo] Printed at the Toledo Times Office
Number of Pages: 308


USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 12


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When Jasper reached his 16th year, boy that he was, decided on leaving his adopted home and henceforth to do for himself. In his twentieth year Mr. Scott was married to Miss E. Hawkins. The young couple though poor in this world, but rich in faith. and with a will and determination to dare to do, shortly after mariage moved to Illinois and settled on a small farm in Ogle County, where they remained until the year 1859, when Mr. Scott and family moved to this County settling in Grant township where they have since resided.


As a citizen Mr. Scott stands high in the estimation of the communities in which he has lives or resided, being a good neighbor and a kind hearted, benevolent man, one who wonkl be well received and trusted implicitly by stranger and friend.


In Isto be united with the Methodist Episcopal Church: up to the present time, a period of thirty-eight years, has ever been a constant member of that branch of the Christain Church. We believe it will be written of him in that great day like one of old "lle hath done what he could." No better epitaph could be placed upon the monument of any one than this.


JAMES B. MERRITT.


One of the leading and most highly respected farmers of High- land township, as well as the first settler, is James B. Merritt. who was born in Orange County. New York, on the 5th day of Aug .. 1814. His father Daniel M. Merritt was a farmer. James spent the first nineteen years of his life at home attending school and helping to carry on the farm, after which he left his parents and learned the mason trade, at which he worked until the year 1855, when he came west and settled in this County.


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Highland township. As already stated Mr. Merritt, was the first settler in the township. Without neighbors, with nothing but the tall prairie grass for miles around, and the prairie wolves to sing him to sleep night after night, for a number of years still remaining making for himself and family a home in this beautiful township, which to-day is thickly settled.


Ilis farm is located near the center portion of the township and is nearly all under cultivation with all the conveniences of the modern farmer. In the year 1839, Mr. Merritt was married to Miss Laura Wing of Shram, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. Since their marriage he has been blessed with ten children, three of . whom are still living and hold a high position in society. .


J. G. HULL.


J. G. Hull, a pioneer settler in Tama County as well as a lead- ing farmer, is a native of New York, and was born in Rensselaer County and town of Burling, on the 29th day of October, 1815. Here J. G. was reared, receiving a common school edenation and at the same time assisting his father to carry on the farm.


In the year 1854 he removed from that state and settled in this County, on section 13, Spring Creek township. He was among the first settlers in the township hauling his first load of lumber, provisions etc .. from Waterloo, a distance of nearly forty miles. Mr. Hull still resides upon his farm, located upon the beautiful stream of Wolf Creek where he has all the conveniences necessary for a comfortable and happy home. He has always been a straight-forward, square dealer, early securing and steadi- ly retaining the confidence of the community. He has seen this County slowly expand from a mere wilderness to a thickly settled and prosperous County, and never shown any backward- ness in trying to encourage its growth and assist in its prosperity. He has served in the various township offices, and has proven himself prompt, perfectly reliable and very efficient.


In the year 1845, he was joined in wedlock with Miss J. L. Thomas with whom he lived until 1873, when Mrs. Hull died.


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HION. S. S. MANN.


The subject of this note was born in Sussex County, New Jersey December 13th, A. D., 1830, and moved to Delaware County, Ohio with his parents in the fall of 1834. He was raised on the farm and inured to hard toil. Received a normal and academic education and afterwards studied for the profession of law, but owing to the deleterions effect produced upon his constitutional health from sedentary habits he abandoned the idea and never made application for admission to practice. During many con- secutive years subsequent to his twentieth year he worked on the farm during the spring, summer and fall months and taught school during the winter.


On April 6th, 1852 Mr. Mann started on a six months journey from Columbus, O., with an ox team across the plains to the golden lands of the Eldorado of the far west. Arriving at the mining camps in Navada, on the South fork of the Eula River on the 6th day of Oet., 1852. At that time it was a great undertaking because it was a long tedious, tiresome and heart sickening journey. His return was in the winter of 1855, on steamers, by way of the Isthis of Panama.


In the spring of 1865 he came viewing through Iowa. After traveling by foot and stage from Gelena Ill., arrived, on March 7th, at an uncle's by the name of John Mills, twelve miles North of Cedar Rapids. Through his uncle's solicitation and the loan of a horse Mr Mann was induced to view Tama County, coming by the way of Yankee Grove, G. Taylor's and Mr. Felter's, the latter living about nine miles farther west and up Wolf Creek from Mr. Taylor's. From these gentlemen he learned of Union Grove and to visit it was the desire of our tourist. The journey to the grove was one which is often experienced by the frontier traveler. The prairie over which the traveler passed was beauti- ful, and was the pleasure grounds of the deer, antelope and oth- er species of quadrupeds. Our tourist was led from his road by the desire to give the wild deer a chase which he per-chanced to meet and when he realized his whereabouts he was in the


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darkness of the western horizon withont shelter or even a compan- ion; but soon he came to a small log cabin in Union Grove and on inquiry found it to be the home of a hospitable pioneer, Mr. Fredricks', whose house he had sought through the dark and stormy night.


Mr. Mann purchased the land he now lives upon of the Gov- ernment, on the 15th day of January, "A. D. 1855, situated near Union Grove. Since that time he has added thereto 210 acres 1 making in all 530 acres. On this land he has erected a fine, it not the finest farm residence in the County, at a cost of $5,000. IIe is the architect of his own fortune; never expecting anything from any man only that for which he gives a full and satisfactory equivalent. Through economy and incessant toil he has manag- ed to keep out of debt.


Mr. Mann was married in his 21st year, on the 15th day of Angust, A. D., 1851 to Miss Sarah Allen, of one of the most re- spectable families of Muskingum County, Ohio. He emigrated to Jackson County, Iowa, in April. 1856, and was elected to the office of Magistrate two consecutive terms. He moved into this County and settled on the land where he now lives, in the spring of 1866. Was elected to the office of Magistrate and served two terms.


On January 19th, A. D., 1877, he met with the sad misfortune of loosing an affectionate and confiding companion.


Ile was nominated as representative in the State Legislature in the fall of 1877, by the National Greenback and Democratic parties jointly. He made a strong and vigorous campaign and although ran against eleven-hundred majority it was reduced nearly seven-hundred He has always been found a defender of the interests of labor.


HON. W. G. MALIN.


The subject of this sketch was born in Bellmont County, Ohio, March 7th, 1833. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native County, his time being employed chiefly as a farm laborer.


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His education was such as the common schools of the State afforded at that time.


At the outbreak of the rebellion he enlisted as a private soldier under Captain Frank Askew. The company was assigned, a place in the 15th O. V. T., then forming at Mansfield, Ohio.


Ile was with his regiment in all of the campaigns of Buell and Rosecrans, commanders of the army of the Cumberland, and was slightly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and severely wounded at the battle of Stone River, and at Chickamanga. At the latter place he was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Rich- mond, from thence to Andersonville. Savannah and Milan sue- cessively. At the latter place he was released on parol after hav- ing been held a prisoner of war fourteen months. Returned home and was discharged from the service at Columbus O., Jan. 12th, 1865.


He emigrated to Iowa in the fall of 1865, settled in Tama County and engaged in farming. Was married in Jan., 1868. Was placed in nomination by the Anti-Monopoly party for the office of Representative in the State Legislature in 1873, and elect ed a member of the 15th General Assembly of the State of Iowa. Was renominated in 1875. and defeated by the Republican candi- date. He was nominated by the Greenback party for the office of State Senator in 1877, and again defeated.


He still resides where he first settled in the state, four miles south of Tama City.


JOIN W. FLEMING.


John W. Fleming was born in Mitlin, County Pennsylvania January 12th, 1837. His parents. were John and Mary (Wills) Fleming's natives of that State. They were poor yet rich in faith and in their intercourse with the world ever endeavored to observe the golden rule. IIis father was a farmer, and when John was but 18 years of age he left home that he might learn the carpenter and cabinet business. For a number of years he followed his chosen trade acquiring considerable skill in the work.


His education was limited to that of common schools; poverty


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was the obstacle that prevented him from becoming an eminent scholar. John was not that kind to yield to trifles but im- proved every spare moment in acquiring knowledge.


On February 15th, 1866, Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Jane E. Fleming, his cousin, and in a short time after marriage moved to this County, settling on land belonging to his father in Grant township, where he remained until after the death of his father, May 25th, 1868, when he removed to Buckingham town- ship settling upon a farm formerly occupied by P. Wilbur, near the town of Traer. He is well known to all residents of the Connty especially the older settlers, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all alike. Like the rest of the family, in politics, he is a Democrat of the old school, the principles of that party are dear to him. Although never attaining any special prominence in political affairs, yet Mr. Fleming has been chosen at different times to represent his community as Supervisor, and other offices within the township. In every position he has endeavored to preform his duty faithfully.


MAJ. T. S. FREE


Among those who have been prominently identified in the his- tory of Tama County none deserves more honorable mention than Thomas S. Free. Ile was born in Ohio, were he resided with his parents until the spring of 1853, when his father and family came west and settled in this County, near Toledo. At this time Thomas was a lad of but thirteen, and coming to a new country where schools were "like angels visits" few and far between, his opportunity for education was somewhat limited. Though by hard work he managed to keep himself at school, and in 1860 entered the Iowa State University. While attending school the Pres- ident issued his call for one hundred thousand men to go to the front. Mr. Free, was among the first to respond to this call and immediately left school, came home to Toledo, and in Ang ust 1861, enlisted in company C, 10th Iowa as a private, and was immediately off for war. While in the service, we can safely say


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that not many young men were promoted to positions of honor as was Mr. Free. He was firstappointed Sergeant Major, of the 10th Iowa, afterwards, in order, to first Lieutenant Adjutant and Major of the 49th U. S. C. I. Served on staff duty, as Judge Ad- vocate of the district of Mississippi, afterwards assigned to duty by order of the Secretary of war, as Assistant Inspector General of the State of Mississippi. Discharged March 22d. 1866, after being in the service of the United States over five years, engaging in all the battles with the 10th Iowa, up to the battle of Champion Hills, besides numerous others.


Two years after, Mr. Free, returned home he was elected to the office of County Judge which he filled with honor. And afterwards the office of County Auditor two and one half terms For a number of years Mr. Free. has been in active law practice and is now. besides doing a large business at law, acting as United S ate Indian Agent for the Sac and Fox Indians, which appointment dates back to 1875. Mr. Free is liberal, enterpris- ing. and consequently successful, and stands among the leading men of the County.


DR. H. WELTON


Was born in the State of Connecticut, town of Walcott, New Haven County, and while quite young, become a member of the Episcopalian Church. Here he resided with his parents until the year 1814 when they moved to Harpersfield, New York, Delaware County, where they remained until the year 1817, when they again moved going to Austinburg. Ashtabula County, Ohio. After a few years his father changed in religious belief to that of the Methodists and became a class leader. His house was a house of plenty for ministers, which gave his son Hiram an op- portunity to inform himself concerning this branch of the Church of Christ and together with the religious decipline of his parents their son was taught the salvation of his soul.


When Hiram was 18 years of age he left home and spent three years traveling in New York and Connecticut, and returned


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home to Ohio. After a few years Hiram thought there was work for him in the vineyard of the Lord and accordingly devoted several years to this work.


In 1855 he moved to Coles County Ill .. and remained sever- al years near the head of the Little Wabash, six miles west of Mattoon. In the year 1857, moved to the State of Iowa and set- tled in Carlton township, Tama County, on section 34.


Mr. Welton has always been a hard working man, and is now carrying ou a large farm. at the same time following the profes- sion of a doctor. By economy and energetic labor he has placed himself in comfortable circumstances, so that in his declining years he can pass quietly along, and when the summons shall come he can answer "here Lord am I."


JACOB W. LAMB.


Among the successful young men ot Tama County may fairly be placed the name of Jacob W. Lamb. It will be generally found that similar cases lead to like results in whatever branch of human activity a man's genius and enterprise may be employ- ed. The essentials of success are courage, patience and persever- ance. Success brings honor in every honest occupation, and when it is achieved by a young man it adds new pleasure.


The subject of this sketch was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1849. and is the son of D. C. and Reberci ( Walters) Lamb, who came to Tama County from Ohio, in the spring of 1856 when there were few inhabitants and but little expectation that Tama County would be what it now is. Jacob's early life was that of a farm boy, and he attained only a common school education until 1869. when he developed a taste for study and the acquirement of knowledge and shortly after entered the Iowa State University. where he remained six years, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, June 30th, 1875. After receiving his diploma his ambition led him to choose law for his profession, and to this end commenced his studies in the law department at Iowa City, re- maining one year. June 20th. 1876. he received his degree of


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bachelor of Law, and was admitted to practice in all the courts of the State at the State House in Des Moines. From that date Mr. Lamb has been in the law practice at Toledo, Tama County Iowa, and has built up a fiae business. His office is located on High Street over W. A. Fee's dry goods store, where he has nicely fitted up rooms and a large library. Mr. Lamb is known as a man of sterling integrity, decided character and untiring en- ergy, and has every promise of a prosperous and honorable career.


ANTHONY WILKINSON.


One of the oldest families in the County is that of the Wilkin- sons-living in the south eastern part. Although none have ever occupied high official positions, they still have traits of character which distinguish them from others and are as highly respected as any living in the County. Anthony Wilkinson, with his par- ents, emigrated to this County in 1849, having left his native country in 1834. Ile was born in Ireland, Donegal County on July 28th, 1817. He resided with his parents until he was 14 years of age then left and went to Maryland. Here he obtained a situation as clerk in a dry goods store, serving a number of years and from there went to Coshocton County, Ohio, and was appren ticed to the carpenter trade which he learned and followed until the spring of 1845, when he went sonth and while there enlisted in the Mexican war, was taken prisoner by the Mexicans at En- cornation, and lay in captivity eight months; was liberated at Frankford. In 1849 he came to this State, stopping at Iowa City. Anthony and two brothers purchased an ox team and wag- on, laid in a supply of provisions and come to Tama County, and settled in Salt Creek township. . Here they entered a tract of land in section 20, and immediately set to work making for themselves a home.


In 1851, he returned to Ohio, and was married to Miss Sarah A. Graham, by whom he had seven children. The members of the family all fill honorable positions in society.


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Anthony Wilkinson is a self-made man in every respect. With a very limited education obtained, from a common school, but with a determined will and strong heart and hands, he has pressed forward overcoming every obstacle that arose in his way. How- ever great the difficulties with which he may be surrounded, he knows no such word as fail, and his example is worthy of emula- tion by the young men of to-day without a cent of capital. Through his own individual exertions, he has amassed a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable him to live at ease until called away to join the loved ones that have gone before. Ile has always been a hard working, industrious man, having excel- lent physical powers and being capable of great endurance.


Farming has been the principal occaption of Mr. Wilkinson, and in this work he has been eminently successful. Through hard work and careful management he has from time to time added to his possession, until he now owns as nice a tract of land as can be found in Tama County. For many years he has devoted con- siderable attention to raising fine stock and in this has met with the same good success as in other operations of the farm. Al- though he may not have obtained the prominence of many others, Anthony Wilkinson is well known through out the County espe- cially by the older settlers, while none know him but to respect the sterling worth of his character.


IION. WILLIAM HARTSOCK.


Early biographical history is largely filled with the struggle of farmer's sons in procuring an education and laying the foundation for future usefulness. The brief History of Willian Hartsock, is a fine illustration of what self-reliance can accomplish under dis- couraging circumstances. He was born in Knox County, Ohio on the 20th day of May, 1825, his parents being Henry and Ama (Cox,) Hartsock. They were both natives of Pennsylvania, and moved into Ohio at an early day, settling in Knox County, upon a farm. When William was twelve years of age his father real- izing the fact that an old settled country is not the place for a


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poor man, very wisely concluded to emigrate to Ilinois and settlein Green County of that State. William remained with his parents upon the farm, aiding in clearing and cultivating it, hav- ing only edneational privileges of very inferior district schools dur- ing the winter months until the year 1841, when he came to this State and settled in Johnson County. Here he remained until the year 1853, when he sold out and moved to Keokuk County, and settled upon a farm.


While a resident of Keokuk County Mr. Hartsock made many friends, and in the fall of 1867, was elected by the Republican party to the office of Representative by a large majority; a position which he held one term, giving satisfaction to his supporters.


In the spring of 1870, Mr. Hartsock and family came to this County and settled in Columbia township. Since that time he has been engaged in farming.


Throughout his life he has maintained a high standing as a man of high moral tone, and in his habits have been strictly temperate and moderate having used neither tobacco or intoxicating liquors.


Mr. Hartsoek, was first married to Miss Catherine E. Heaton, with whom he lived until Nov. 24th, 1868, when she died; and in 1869, he was married to Mrs. A. A. Biggs, a widow, who is his present wife. Mr. Hartsock has a happy home with all the con- veniences of the modern farmer.


D. C. LAMB.


Among the early settlers of Tama County is D. C. Lamb a heavy farmer and stock raiser of Otter Creek township. Ohio is Mr. Lamb's native State having been born in that State on the 4th day of March, 1820. Ile remained there assisting his father in business and attending school until the year 1841. When he had attained a majority he quit home to attend school at Grand- ville, Ohio. Here he remained for several years after which he followed teaching.


In 1844 Mr. Lamb was married to Miss Rebecca Walters, with whom he lived until the year 1863, when she was called away


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by death. Four years after this Mr. Lamb was again married; Miss Mary Shenheit became his wife with whom he is now living.


In 1856. Mr. Lamb came to this Connty and settled in Otter Creek township where he has a beautiful farm of over one thou- sand acres, the most of which is under improvemnet.


Such farmers and citizens as Mr. Lamb are a credit to any County and with pride we note the success which he has attained through economy and good management. His dealings with men are of a strictly honest character, which has attained for him a wide and creditable reputation, such that none but the honest and upright can boast.


JAMES II. BROOKS.


James Harper Brooks comes of good patriotie fighting stock, both grandfathers were in the revolution. His grandsire Har- per was a colonel; his grandsire Brooks a private. His parents were James Brooks, farmer, steamboat owner and contractor, and Mary Harper, industrions, well-to-do people residing at the time of the son's birth on the 3d of April, 1829, at Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio. His father was a private under Gener- al Harrison during the second contest with the mother country. James Harper made Ashtabula County his home until past age, although he was absent, more or less, nearly every year after sixteen. He finished his education at Kingsville Academy, in his native County.


In his seventeenth year his father sent him to Illinois with two thousand sheep, the only assistance he had was a boy one year younger than himself. His eighteenth year he spent mainly on the farm at home.


During the seasons of 1848 and 1849 he acted as clerk on the steamer Ohio, owned by his father, and run on Lake Erie.


In the spring of 1851 Mr. Brooks moved to Kane County, Illinois; there farmed for three years, then took a contract on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, furnishing the ties and some other wood-work for the track from the Junction to Dixon.


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In the spring of 1856 he removed to Iowa, settling in Otter Creek township, Tama County, alternating between farming and railroading for ten or eleven years; most of this time, wheu off the farm, he was an employee rather than a contractor.


In the spring of 1866 Mr. Brooks moved his family into the new village of Tama City, then springing up on the Northwest- ern railroad, two miles south of Toledo. He went on the Union Pacific railroad and spent fourteen months there as a contractor, in company with Lewis Carmichael, the work done being largely between the Black Hills and Ogden. The operations of Mr. Brooks at this period were very successful.


Since leaving the Union Pacific Mr. Brooks has done some heavy work on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad in Monroe County, Wisconsin, on the Baraboo division.


Meantime he was also farming, merchandising and banking. mainly by proxy, and, strange to say, making a success of every branch. He has a thousand acres of land in this County, all ยท under good improvement, most of it cultivated by renters. He is of the firm of Brooks & Hohes, dry goods merchants at Tama City; the business being managed principally by his partner, Ryland A. Holmes, a promising young man, son of Rev. O. A. Holmes. This firm was formed two years ago, and is one of the largest and best in the place.




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