USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
ed in the winter of 1858. Mr. Dysart was chosen at the special election, in April, County Superintendent, without opposition. At the end of two years, he deelined a re- election, as the duties were incompatible with his law business. Hon. Thomas Drummond, State Senator, from Benton and Tama counties, in March 1861, resign- ed to accept a Lieutenaney in the Regular army A special election was ordered in April to fill his unexpired term. The Republicans nominated Mr. Dysart for his sneeessor. Ile was elected, and took his seat at the extra session of the Legislature in May, convened to arm the State. He was in Des Moines all the long session of 1862, and the extra one, called in Septem- ber to accept the Agricultural College land grant, and appropriate money to equip ten more regiments of Iowa soldiers to help erush the rebellion. Litigation almost ceased during the war. Lawyers had to turn their attention to other matters. A good portion of the summer of 1862, he spent working on his Tama county farm, which he commenced to improve in 1858, expecting some day to settle thereon, per- manently. He and family concluded to move thither in June, 1863, and have resided there ever since. That fall, his neighbors decided he must represent them on the Board of Supervisors. He served six years in succession on the Board of 21 members. In 1876, he was put on the Board of three members, and served four years more. He is now on another three years term. At the October election of 1869, he was chosen State Senator for Poweshick and Tama counties for four years. In 1873, on a ticket with Gov. Carpenter, he was elected Lieut-Governor of Iowa. He pre-
G
457
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
sided over the Senate of the 15th General Assembly in 1874, and in January 1876, returned to Des Moines to organize that of the 16th, and pass the gavel to his successor, Lieut .- Gov. Newbold.
Gov. Dysart was married in Pickens county, Alabama, in October, 1849, to Miss Esther E. Wayne, born in Georgetown, South Carolina. They have four children alive- Wayne J., Paul Ivan, Estella V. and May Alberta Dysart. The last named is the youngest and now in her fifteenth year.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
Isaac L. Allen, of Tama county, was elected to this office November 8, 1864. ITis term commenced January 2, 1865, and he resigned one year later. Prior to this he had been District Attorney for this district for a long time. He was a native of Vermont, locating at Toledo, Tama county, in an early day, and engaging in the practice of his profession. For a number of years he was in partnership with Hon. George R. Struble, the present Speaker of the House. Shortly after his resignation as Attorney-General he went to Marion, and finally, his mind having become affected, was placed in the insane asylum, where he died. He was a man of great ability, a sharp, shrewd lawyer, a powerful speaker and a true friend.
SUPREME COURT REPORTER.
At the general election in the fall of 1882, IIon. E. C. Ebersole, of Toledo, was elected Reporter of the Supreme Court of Iowa. Mr. Ebersole is a member of the law firm of Ebersole & Willett, Toledo and Tama City, and is among the leading attorneys of the county. (See bar chapter.)
COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE.
Col. John Connell, who was Revenue Collector for the Fourth District for many years, is a resident of Toledo and is among the earliest settlers of Tama county. John Connell is a native of Paisley, Scot- land, born on the 16th of March, 1823. His father was a manufacturer of shawls and like goods, and in 1831, the whole family removed to America, the father engaging in the manufacture of carpets in Norwich, Connecticut. A few years later Mr. Connell, Sr., commenced work for Gov. Buckingham, of Connecticut, and continued in his employ until 1852, when the family removed to lowa and located in Tama county. John located upon a quarter section of land in Buckingham township. He was here a prominent factor in the organization of the county, and was instrumental in having the township named Buckingham in honor of the Gov- ernor of that name, who came to Iowa to visit the family. In 1854, John was elected to the lowa Legislature by the Whigs, but on reporting at Iowa City, found that party defunct, and from that day he has acted with the Republicans. He remained upon his farm in Buckingham township until he had spent what money he had, and then, in 1855, he removed to Toledo. Before leaving Wolf Creek, however, in company with Jonas P. Wood and William D). Hitchner, he erected one of the first saw mills in Tama county ; but to him it did not prove a financial success, Upon his arrival at Toledo, with John Zehrung, he followed mercantile pursuits for about one year ; was interested in the erection of a grist mill, and finally, went into the
458
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
real estate business, which he followed until the breaking out of the war, when he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 28th Infantry on September 16, 1862 ; and on the 14th of the following March was promoted to full Colonelcy of lis regiment, Colonel W. E. Miller having resigned before reaching the field. Col. Connell participated with his regiment in all their principal engagements, as will be seen by reading the history of it in the war chapter. In the engagement at Sabine Cross Roads, Col. Connell was wounded, losing his left arm; while he was falling back with his regiment they came to a battery blocked up in the road, and stopping, they tried to extricate it, but the enemy pressed them so closely that nearly all the men retired, leaving the Colonel still at work. He did not observe his men when they left, but looking up an instant after, saw them retiring and prepared to follow. Before starting, he turned round, and stooping, looked through the brush to see how near the enemy had approached. That instant a shot struek him. As he stooped his left hand was resting on his hip, which threw his elbow up. The ball struck him above the elbow and passed down through the joint, fracturing it severely. lle then tried to run, but be- came so faint he was obliged to rest, when the enemy coming up captured him. He was retained a prisoner until the following June, when he was paroled and sent within our lines. lle never went back to service with his regiment, but met them at C'arrol- ton, Louisana, and his reception is thus recorded : "The . Colonel stepped from the car with an armless sleeve hanging from his left shoulder, wnich but too plain-
ly suggested the past. Ile was introduced to the regiment by Major Meyer, and was received by the regiment with an expres- sion of that unmistakable affection and enthusiasm with which soldiers always regard a true man."
After this unfortunate loss of an arm, Col. Connell went to Washington and was engaged on Court Martial duty from November, 1864, until March, 1865, when he resigned and returned to his family in Toledo. Hle declined a number of other government appointments offered him, and in November, 1865, accepted that of As- sessor of Internal Revenue, which he held until May, 1873, when that office was abol- ished by law, and he was then retained as Collector of the Fourth Revenue District, which position he filled until May, 1883. The district embraced seventeen counties in the southern part of the State, and the headquarters of Collector were at Burling- ton.
Col. Connell was married in 1856 to Sarah C. Graham. In personal appear- ance, the Colonel is fine looking. He has a large, good form, sandy hair and florid complexion. llis countenance wears a frank, intelligent and unassuming expres- sion, and his manners are gentlemanly and always courteous.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
IIon. James Wilson, of Tama county, held the position of Railroad Commission- er of Iowa for a number of years. Hle is a native of Scotland, but came to America when young, and at an early day settled in Tama county. He still lives upon a farm a short distance from Traer. He has served the Fifth Congressional District two terms as Representative in Congress,
459
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and was nominated for a third. Ile is a ready and fluent speaker, and a sound and honorable man of whom the county may well be proud.
GOVERNMENT CLERKSIIIP.
T. J. Staley who is mentioned frequently in this volume, was for a long time a clerk in the Treasury Department of Wash- ington.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
Tama county has furnished two Speakers of the Lower House of the General Assem- bly of Iowa. Hon. James Wilson, of Traer, occupied the Speaker's chair from 1871 to 1873.
Hon. George R. Struble, of Toledo, occupied the Speaker's chair during the years 1882 and 1883.
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Fourth General Assembly convened at Iowa City, December 6, 1852, and ad- journed January 24, 1853. At this time Tama county though unorganized, with Linn and Benton counties constituted one district and was represented in the Senate by Isaac M. Preston, and in the House by A. F. Stedman and John McArthur.
The Fifth General Assembly convened at Iowa City, on December 4, 1854, and adjourn d January 26, 1855; also con- vened in extra session July 2, 1856, and adjourned July 16, 1856. Isaac M. Pres- ton was still Senator. The Representa- tive was Hon. John Connell, of Bucking- ham township, he being the first Assem- blyman that Tama county ever furnished. Ile still lives in the county and is noticed at length under the head of " Revenue Col- lector." At this time the Senatorial Dix- trict embraced the counties of Tama, Linn
and Benton ; and the Representative Dis- trict the counties of Tama, Poweshiek, Jasper and Benton ; the latter being num- bered 23.
The Sixth General Assembly convened at lowa City December 1, 1856 and ad- journed January 29, 1857. At this time Tama county wa. in Senatorial District No. 26, comprised of the counties of Tama, Poweshiek, Jasper and Marshall, represented by Josiah B. Grinnell, of Poweshiek ; a sketch of Mr. Grinnell appears in connection with the Congres- sional article. The Representative Dis- trict comprised Tama, Benton and Mar- shall counties and was represented by Delos Arnold. Arnold still lives in Mar- shalltown, and was the State Senator from that district, in 1883.
The Seventh General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines January 11, 1858, and adjourned March 23, 1858. At this time Tama county, with Poweshiek, Jasper and Marshall was represented in the Senate by Josiah B. Grinnell. Tama and Marshall were together as the 18th Representative District, and were Repre- sented by T. Walter Jackson, of Toledo. Mr. Jackson was a lawyer practicing in Tama county, and is noted in the Bar Chapter. He was recognized as the most able speaker in the House.
The Eighth General Assembly convened at Des Moines January 8, 1860, and ad- journed April 3, 1860 ; also convened in extra session May 15, 1861, and ad- journed May 29, 1861. Tama and Benton counties made up the 35th Sena- torial District and were represented by Thomas Drummond, of Vinton, who had been elected in 1859 for the full term of
460
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
four years. Ile was an editor and lawyer, and made a good representative. He re- signed in March 1861, went to the war as Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and was killed. In the Lower House, Tama county was well represented by Abram Tompkins, who is still a resi- dent of Otter Creek township. A sketch of Mr. Tompkins is appended :
Abram Tompkins is a native of the State of New York, born on the 23rd day of September, 1811. His parents, Cor- nelius and Catharine (Brown) Tompkins, were also natives of the same State. Abram being the son of a poor man he received but a limited education. When only twelve years of age he left the paren- tal roof and hired to some of the neigh- bors, and although he received but small wages, he supplied his necessary wants, and saved a portion of his earnings. In 1831, he went to Michigan and enlisted in the Black Hawk war as a private. After being discharged from service, on the 20th day of November, 1833, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Eaton. He con- tinued to reside in Michigan until 1853, when considering the opportunities in the west, he concluded to take up his journey toward the setting sun. He therefore started out in search of a location, and in the month of August made selection where he now resides, and soon afterwards brought his family to the new home. Mr. Tompkins h's always been considered one of the most prominent and influential men of his township, always taking an inter est in any public enterprise. In politics he was first a Whig and since the organi- zation of the Republican party he has
been one of its number. Hle has often held local offices. Mr. Tompkins is a man who makes friends, always pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with all, being a loving husband, a kind father, a faithful friend and a good neighbor, he has the respect of all who know him. He has brought up a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living, viz: C. M. B. F., Catharine J., now Mrs. Morris Hennessay; Sophronia M., now Mrs. Lathrop Meeker; Almira E., now Mrs. Samuel Meeker; N. Matilda, now Mrs. W P. Soth; A. E. Sumner, and Zelpha 1., now Mrs. E. W. Richards.
The Ninth General Assembly convened at Des Moines January 13, 1862. It also convened in extra session September 3, 1862, and adjourned September 11, 1862. Tama was now in the 35th Senatorial Dis- triet with Benton county, and was repre- sented by Hon. Joseph Dysart of Tama county, who has since been Lieutenant Governor. Tama county constituted the 38th Representative District, and was rep- resented by Hon. Leander Clark.
The Tenth General Assembly convened at Des Moines January 11, 1864. Tama and Benton counties were still together as a Senatorial District, and were represented by William B. King. Tama county at this time comprised the 39th Representa- tive District and was represented in the House by Phineas Helm.
William B. King, who was State Senator at this time, still lives in Gladbrook. le is a native of Genesee county, New York, born May 12, 1812. His parents were Stephen and Hannah (Brown) King, the former being a weaver by trade, and son
1
461
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of David King, of Dutchess county, New York. William's parents moved to Cayuga county, in that State, where they engaged in farming, thence to Genesee county, and from there to Erie county, where the mother died. In 1855, W. B. and family, with his his father, came to Tama county and settled in Spring Creek township. There were nine children in the family- Maria, wife of Briggs Alden ; Ilarriet, wife of Joshua Mitchell ; Sallie, now Mrs. Helam Taber ; Mary, second wife of E. Blakeley ; Hannah, now Mrs. Gordon ; Charlotte, deceased, first wife of E. Blake- ley ; Rosanna, Orpheus, William B. and Samuel T. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Orangeville, New York, and was afterward principally engaged in tilling the soil in summer and lumbering in the winter. In 1855, Mr. King came to this county, as stated, locating on section 32, of Spring Creek township, where he has had 320 acres and now owns a fine farm. Mr. King was a member of the Board of Supervisors during the war, and İH 1864 was elected State Senator from his district. He has always taken an active part in politics, casting his first vote for President for Andrew Jackson, and voting with the Democratic party until the campaign of 1856, when he joined the Republican party, voting for John C. Fremont. He now affiliates with the National Greenback party. In 1839, JIr. King was married to Louisa Knapp, a daughter of Daniel Knapp, of Genesee county, New York. They have had four children-Alanson T., Angeletta, wife of Frank Mechum ; Sarah, now Mrs. James Robie ; and John W. S.
The Eleventh General Assembly convened at Des Moines, January 8, 1866, and adjourned April 3, 1866. The 39th Senatorial District was then com- posed of Tama and Benton, and was still represented by William B. King, of Tama. Leander Clark represented the county in the Lower House.
The Twelfth General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines in January, 1868. James Wilson represented Tama county in the House.
The Thirteenth General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines in January, 1870. James Wilson still represented this county in the House. Joseph Dysart represented this and Poweshiek county in the Senate.
The Fourteenth General Assembly con- vened at Des Moines in January, 1872. James Wilson, who again represented this county, was elected Speaker of the House. Joseph Dysart was still Senator.
The Fifteenth General Assembly con- vened at DesMoines in January, 1874. At this time W. G. Malin was represent- ing Tama county in the House, and Dr. Conaway of Poweshiek, in the Senate.
William G. Malin is still a resident of Columbia township. Hle is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, where he was born March 7, 1833. His parents were Minshall and Julia A. (Barton) Malin, both natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Wil- liam's early life was spent on his father's farm, and his edneation was received in the district schools of that county. August 30, 1861, he enlisted in company E, 15th Ohio infantry, serving as a non-commis- sioned officer. Ile participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, and battle of Stone River; and during the
X
462
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
latter engagement, was wounded so severely in the hip by a fragment of a shell, that he was compelled to remain in a hospital five months before being again fit for duty. Subsequently he participated in the battle of Liberty Gap; and Septem- ber 20, 1863, the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded and taken pris- oner. He spent five months in the prison at Richmond, seven months at Anderson- ville and a month each at Savannah and Miller. He was then paroled, afterwards exchanged and January 12, 1865, honora- bly discharged from service. In the fall of that year he came west to Tama county, Iowa, and for a number of years was engaged in teaching during the winter months and farming in Columbia township the balance of the year. During the term of 1874, he represented his district in the Legislature, having been elected on the Anti-monopoly ticket. He has held several of the local offices of trust. On the 30th day of Janu- ary, 1868, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna E. Hutchison, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of William T. Ihitchison, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Malin, three of whom are living : William II., George N. and Lizzie E. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The Sixteenth General Assembly con- vened at DesMoines in January, 1876. Dr. Conaway, of Poweshiek, was Senator from Tama and Poweshiek counties. G. Jaqua, of Traer, represented Tama county in the House.
The Seventeenth General Assembly con-
vened in January, 1878, at DesMoines. Tama with Poweshiek was represented in the Senate by Robert M. Haines, a lawyer of Grinnell. G. Jaqua, of Traer, was again serving Tama in the House. He is noticed at length in the Press Chapter.
The Eighteenth General Assembly con- vened at DesMoines in January, 1880. Robert M. Haines representing Tama and Poweshiek counties in the General Axsem- bly, and George R. Struble served Tama county in the House.
Tha Nineteenth General Assembly con- vened at DesMoines on the second Mon- day in January, 1882. At this time Tama county was in the 45th Senatorial District, associated with Poweshiek, and was repre- sented by Hon. A. N. Poyneer. Tama constituted the 45th Representative Dis- triet and was represented by George R. Struble, who was elected Speaker of the Ilonse. Ile made one of the best presid- ing officers the General Assembly has ever had.
Hon. A. N Poyneer, was elected Sena- tor to represent Tama and Poweshiek counties in 1881. Hle is a native of Salis- bury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, was born on the 29th day of July, 1831. Ilis father, David R. Poyneer, was a native of Columbia county, New York, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Ile sub sequently resided at Salisbury, Connecti- eut, until about 1860, and in 1862 he came to lowa to spend his remaining days with his son, the subject of this sketch. Ifis death occurred in January, 1881, he having reached the advanced age of ninety-two years. Polly (Moore) Poyneer, the mother of A. N. Poyneer, was a native of Salisbury, Connecticut, where
6
46
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
she resided until 1860; then came w est and after 1862 lived with her son. Her death took place in 1873. She reared three chil- dren, Edward M., Hannah S., now Mrs. Dr. Clinton Helm, of Rockford, Illinois; and Alfred N., who is the subject of this sketch. Alfred was reared on a farm, was given advantages so that he ac- quired a good common school education, then taught school for a few years, after which he acted as traveling salesman and collector for an eastern manufacturing house natil 1861, when he came to Iowa, and at once settled on section 5 of Iligh- land township, where he had previously purchased nearly 400 acres. He made this his home until the spring of 1877, since which time he has lived in the vil- lage of Montour. Mr. Poyneer now owns 800 acres of land and is extensively en- gaged in stoek farming. In politics he was reared a Democrat and adhered to that faith until the breaking out of the re- bellion, since which time he has been an active worker in the Republican ranks. He has held various local offices and for many years was a member of the County Board of Supervisors. During this time he formed a large acquaintance and as he was an efficient officer he was held in the highest esteem throughout the county. He makes an active worker in the General Assembly and is making a record honor- able to himself and satisfactory to his con- stituents. Mr. Poyneer has been twice married. In August, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy J. Todd, daughter of Alfred and Mary A. Todd, of St. Joseph county, Michigan. She died in February, 1878, leaving two daughters, Gertrude A. and Lucy May. In June,
1880, he married Miss Lizzie Frantz, daughter of Joshua and Matilda Frantz, of Highland township, Tama county. Mr. Poyneer is a gentleman with unblemished character, who is courteous to all. Ile is a good financier and an excellent manager in public as well as private affairs. lle takes a great interest in educational mat- ters and in fact anything tending to better the welfare of man. His home, situated in the south part of the village of Mon- tour, is surrounded with all conveniences.
COUNTY JUDGE.
This was the principal office of the county in early days. The Judge had charge of many matters which are now attended to by the Auditor, the Circuit Court, Clerk of Court and Board of Super- visors. At the time the county was tem- porarily organized, while preparing for permanent organization, an election was held and the first Judge of Tama county was elected in the person of Dr. Tall- man Chase. This election was held in March, 1853. Tallman Chase was a native of Ohio and came to Tama county in 1853, settling with his large family upon a farm in the northwestern part of Toledo township. He was a fairly educated man, and was by profession a physician, having practiced in his native State, and com- menced it soon after his arrival in Tama county. He was a follower of the teach- ings of the old Whig party, yet did not take much interest in political matters, and even after being elected to the office of County Judge did not qualify. Ile was quite an old man at the time and only re- mained in the county three or four years when he returned to Ohio, where he has since died.
26
464
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
In August, 1853, at the election which permanently organized the county, John C. Vermilya was elected County Judge and was the first to qualify and serve in that capacity. In 1855 he was re-elected and served until January, 1858. His house was used as a court house, until one was prepared, and travelers coming through would always stop there; but he never charged them anything. A per- sonal sketch of him is appended:
Judge John C. Vermilya, is a native of the Empire State and was born in Dela- ware county on the 11th day of Septem- ber, 1803. His parents were Ed- ward and Johanna (Wright) Vermilya, natives of New York. Shortly after his birth the family removed to Duchess county, New York, and in 1818 to Wash- ington county, Indiana, settling at Salem, the county seat of that county. About six months after their settlement the father and mother died, leaving John C. to pro- vide for himself. During the early part of this century the common schools did not afford the advantages for learning that they now possess, and as the subject of our sketch was unable to attend any other schools than those, his education was necessarily quite limited. At the age of sixteen he began learning the hatter's trade, which occupation he followed until 1834, when he turned his attention to agriculture. Although his early life was spent in villages, he nevertheless bad a short experience in farming. Upon one occasion while visiting his grandfather, John was induced to help the old gentle- man hoe corn; while at work the dinner- horn sounded and they started on a race for the house. Although the grandfather
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.