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 56
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was eighty-six years of age, he put young Vermilya to the blush, by reaching the house first. In 1849, in company with Rezin A. Redman, Mr. Vermilya made a trip to Tama county, Iowa, and located land in Tama township. Shortly after, he returned to Indiana, where he remained until 1852, at which time he again came to this county, settled on his farm, and im- mediately began the erection of a log stable, which, when completed, his family lived in for a couple of months. During the first season here, he raised twenty- eight acres of sod corn and turnips. In politics Mr. Vermilya was originally a Whig and joined the Republican party upon its organization. Since 1858, al. though taking a deep interest in political affairs, he has cared to figure but slightly in polities himself. During his official career, he did much towards building up and organizing the county, and for his time and labor received but small recompense. In 1878, the Judge built a fine residence east of Tama City, at a cost of $8,000, which is one of the sub- stantial farm residences of Tama county. He is one of those men whom to know is to esteem; he has a large and admiring cirele of friends in Tama county; and of his kindness and benevolence all speak in the highest terms of praise. Many of the early settlers will ever cherish in their hearts a warm place for him, who so kindly aided them in their pioneer life. Ile has long been a member of the Masonic fraternity. His first marriage was in 1823, with Miss Catharine Murphy, of Jackson county, Indiana. She died and Mr. Vermilya subsequently married Miss Mary Ann Carter, who bore
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IIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
him four children, two of whom are living. One is the wife of J. G. Strong, of Britt, lowa, and the other, the wife of A. L. Brooks, of Tama county. His second wife died in 1870. During 1871 he was joined in wedlock with his present wife, who was Miss Mary Ann Carpenter, a native of Devonshire, England.
At the August election, in 1857, Leander Clark was elected County Judge, to succeed John C. Vermilya. After serving his term of two years, he was re-elected, and filled the office until he resigned, and was succeeded by John Allen in 1861. Judge Clark made an able, careful and efficient officer, and has been one of the most promi- nent factors in aiding the development and progress of Tama county. The follow- ing is a brief sketch of his life :
Colonel Leander Clark was born in Wakeman, Huron county, Ohio, on the 17th of July, 1823. Ilis parents, Dr. HIar- mon M. Clark and Laura (Downs) Clark, emigrated to Wakeman in 1818, coming with teams fr in Connecticut. They were the fourth family who settled in Wake- man township, the whole country at that time being an unbroken wilderness. Dr. Clark practiced medicine in Huron county for over forty years, and while practicing his profession, owned a farm and here his family were reared, Leand r being the second in a family of three boys and one girl. Leander attended the common schools, doing what work he could on the farm until about twenty, and completed his education in the preparatory depart- ment of Oberlin College. lle remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, went to Port Washington, Wis- consin, in 1846, spending nearly three
years there in surveying, and in a drug store owned by his elder brother, Dr. P. 11. Clark, besides occupying the position of Deputy Sheriff for a time. In 1849, he started across the plains with the great rush of gold seekers. His party started early in April with ox teams, and did not arrive in Sacramento City until late in November. They drove their oxen through as far as Salt Lake City, and there traded them for horses, with which the journey was completed. The trip was very hard, and they were at times almost destitute, living much of the way on game, and when they could find no game, were compelled to fast. Indeed, so desperate had their condition become, that many a poor fellow would have been left in the mountains to perish, had it not been for the timely aid sent out by the government to assist them over the Sierras. While in California, Mr. Clark was engaged in mining, and packing and trading with varied success, his busi- ness being conducted in the vicinity of " Shasta City and Yreka, and between those places. In a few years he accumulated between three and four thousand dollars, and in July, 1852, returned to the States by way of Isthmus of Panama. He then traveled and prospected for sixteen or eighteen months, and in the spring of 1854, entered land in Geneseo and Buckingham townships, Tama county, Iowa, building a saw mill in the latter township, four miles from the village of Traer, although the greater portion of his land was in Geneseo In 1855, Mr. Clark was elected Justice of the Peace of Buckingham township, and was re-elected in April, 1857. This same year he was elected County Judge of Tama county, and resigning his township office
,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
he removed to Toledo, the county seat, to enter upon the duties of the higher office.
After hokling the office of County Judge,
by re-election, nearly four years, he resign- ed and returned to the farm. In 1861, he was elected to the Lower House of the
General Assembly, and served in the regu-
lar session in the early part of 1862. In
the following August, he resigned, and
enlisted as a private in the 24th Iowa
was at that place, Mr. Clark attended the voused at Mnseatine. While the regiment Captain of company E, which rendez- Infantry, and was soon after elected
extra session of the Legislature, heartily
endorsing and supporting every war measure of that body. In October, the
Clark accompanied it for nearly three regiment went into the field, and Capt.
years, participating in all its engagements
but one or two. In September, 1864, he
was promoted, and, as Major, continued
with his regiment until January, 1865, ยท when he was made Lieutenant-Colonel.
At the battle of Champion Hill, Missis-
proved nothing serious however. He was at the battle of Winchester, Virginia ; it extracted. He was also slightly wounded face by a small ball, which has never been sippi, May 16, 1863, he was wounded in the
Persons who served under Col. Clark in in August, 1865, at the close of the war. mustered out of service with his regiment
a brave officer, never absent from duty, the gallant 24th, give him credit for being
elected to the Lower House of the General Autumn of 1865, Mr. Clark was again fight. Returning to Tama county in the and never quailing in the thickest of the
Assembly, serving one term. lle was chairman of the committee on claims, and
"did important work on other committees, faithfully performing all the duties laid upon him, and remembering always his duty to his constituents. On the Ist of July, 1866, he was appointed Indian Agent of the Sac and Fox Indians, serving in this capacity until relieved by Lient. Frank D.
Garretty, U. S. A., July 10, 1869. He was again appointed to this position, October 5, 1870, and held the same until September, 1872, when Rev. A. A. Howbert was appointed to take his place. Mr. Clark is the President of the Toledo Savings Bank, having been re-elected to that position at every annual election since the organiza-
tion of that institution. The Bank is organ-
ized under the State laws, and is becoming
he owns large tracts of land in Tama, the bank, and other property in the city, very popular. Aside from his interest in
Franklin, Buena Vista and O'Brien counties, owning a considerable part of the town plat of Sioux Rapids, in the third named county. Ile was also one of the original proprietors of the towns of Glad- and other operations, and is one of the Clark has been quite successful in his land brook and Garwin, of Tama county. Mr.
largest land owners in the county. He has
one of the finest residences in Toledo, lot, which has an abundance of shade and centrally located on an acre and a quarter fruit trees, and other arboreal adornments. In politics, Col. Clark was originally a
Whig, but has been a Republican since
the formation of that party. Ile is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Frater-
nity, of Toledo Blue Lodge. In religious sentiments he inclines towards Congrega- tionalism. He is generous hearted, kind to the poor, obliging to all classes, cordial
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and gentlemanly, and a liberal entertainer. His wife was Miss Maria A. Baker, of Toledo, their union dating February 14, 1867. Colonel Clark has seen his share of pioneer life, has "roughed it" in Wisconsin and Iowa, at an early day; "roughed it" over the Bison's home and in California ; "roughed it" nearly three years in the "tented field" in the defense of his country; yet he has always taken good care of him- self, and is to-day one of the best preserved men in Tama county.
As stated, John Allen was appointed to fill the unexpired term, and was elected in the fall of 1861. Allen was a native of Vermont, and came west in 1855, settling near the Redman Four Corners with his family, and engaged at farming. About 1860, he removed to the county seat and followed merchandizing, and made his home there until he left the county in June, 1862. He was a man of very fair education ; was naturally smart, quick witted and intelligent, and made a genial and popular officer. He came of a good family, and from 1864 to 1865 his brother, Isaac L. Allen, was Attorney-General of this State. John Allen is now living in Medina, N. Y., having left Tama county in June, 1862, before his term of office had expired.
In June, 1862, T. F. Bradford was ap- pointed by the Board of Supervisors, to fill the vacancy, occasioned by the removal and resignation of Allen. He served until the ensuing general election. He was a lawyer by profession, and is noticed at length in the chapter upon the bar.
At the general election in October, 1862, T. A. Graham was elected County Judge, and served for one year.
In October, 1863, T. F. Bradford was elected to the office of County Judge. Ile only served a few months, when he re- signed, and went to Tennessee to enlist in the army.
T. A. Graham was appointed the succes- sor of Judge Bradford, in 1864, was elected to the office and served until Jan- mary, 1868. The following short sketch of his life he wrote at the request of his wife :
" I was born in the town of Kortright, in the State of New York, on the, 13th day of January, 1819, of Seotch parent- age ; raised on a farm. My father was a farmer of small means. In the spring of 1831, my parents moved to West Meredith, same county, and resided there three years, thence to the town of Erie, New York, where I followed the family in the fall of 1834. In the winter of1834-35 { commenced teaching in the public school, and followed it for a livelihood in winter for six or seven winters. In 1840, I learned the carpenter trade, and followed carpentering almost exclusively in sum- mer, until the fall of 1844, when I moved west, to Aurora, III. I stayed in or near Aurora about eight months, and then pur- chased a piece of government land about four miles from Plainfield, Ill. I lived on this farm three years, when I sold it, and bought a grocery in Plainfield, and was postmaster under General Taylor's admin- istration for a few months. The business not agreeing with my health, I sold out, and resumed the carpenter trade, until I moved to Iowa, in September, 1853. Soon after coming to Toledo I was much sought after as a carpenter. I assisted in build- ing the first frame house in Tama county,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and lived in it one winter. I built a log cabin on Salt Creek, about a mile north of Irving, which is still standing. In 1854, I built the court house in Toledo, which is still standing, and used as a dwelling and a meat market. We then hauled all our finishing lumber and shingles a distance of 105 miles. At that time, our nearest express office was Muscatine, and our nearest postoffice at Marengo, thirty-five miles distant. At Toledo I opened a real estate agency in 1854, and continued in that business until 1867. I omitted to state in the proper place, that I was mar- ried in March, 1844, to Katherine D. Neish, of Erie, N. Y., and lived with her until March 4, 1863, when she departed this life. On the 28th day of January, 1864, I was married to Luey Ellen Farrar, who is still living. In May, 1861, I was ap- pointed postmaster under Abraham Lin- coln, and held the office about nine years, when I resigned. In 1864, I was appointed County Judge, by the Board of Supervisors, to fill a vacancy, and afterwards twice elected to the same office, having held the position about six years.
Judge Graham died at his residence in Toledo, December 13, 1882. The Toledo Chronicle thus speaks of him :
Some two years previous, and up to the time of his death, he was actively engaged in the Land Loan Agency. Having come to Toledo at an early day, he assisted greatly in laying the foundation of Tama county, in whose interests he labored untiringly. He was recognized through- ont the county as one of its most promi- nent and useful citizens. Being a man of such large public spirit, universal esteem kept equal pace with notable popularity.
His hospitality, his generosity, his kind- ness of heart, were characteristics which marked him as a man. His door was always open. Ilis table always free to those especially who might have occasion to apply to him for assistance in any way -which kindness is best appreciated by strangers in a strange land ; by those who battle with privation and hardship in the first settlement of a new country and inei- dental to frontier life. Ile was generous to the extreme. His hand was ever ready to assist in any worthy enterprise, and where money was often needed, while the poor have often been the benificiaries of his unlimited benevolence, in many cases ignorant of the giver, and left only to thank the Father of Love. The testi- mony of many is, "He has been kind to me. " He possessed the peculiar faculty for making a place in his heart for every one, and all could go to him and feel that in him they could find a friend. There was no want of sympathy for any who might be in trouble or bereaved. The little children in the community know well what it was to receive his notice and attention.
Another trait in his character, was his forgiving spirit. No matter how severe the injury directed to him, it was passed over or forgotten, and not one thought of malice remained, nor a cherished ill toward any body. He was a consistent christian, ever faithful in his religious
duties ; always at the prayer meetings, whenever health would permit. One significant fact in connection with his death is, that just as the church bells were to announce the hour for the usual weekly evening prayer-meeting, his spirit took its
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
flight to the church on lligh, there to worship a visible Savior, and join in an everlasting song of praise around the throne.
In October, 1867, Maj. Thomas S. Free was elected County Judge, and served until the office was abolished by law in 1869. At this time the office of COUNTY AUDITOR
was created, and the County Judge was made ex-officio Auditor. Thus Thomas S. Free was the first. Auditor of Tama county. In October, 1869, he was elected to the office, was re-elected in 1871, and served until January, 1874. Thomas S. Free was born in Ohio, where he resided with his parents until the spring of 1853, when his father and family came west and settled near Toledo, in Tama county. At this time Thomas was a lad of but thirteen summers, and coming t, a new country where schools were few and far between, his opportunity for education was some- what limited. By hard work, however, he managed to keep himself at school, and in 1860, entered the Iowa State Univer- sity. While attending school, the Presi- dent issned his call for 100,000 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 August, 1861, enlisted in Company C., 10th Iowa, as a private, and was immedi- ately off for war. While in service, not many young men were promoted to posi- tions of honor as was Free. He was first appointed 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 .Fudge Advocate of the District of Miss-
issippi, afterwards assigned to duty by order of the Secretary of War, as Assist- ant Inspector General of the State of Mississippi. Discharged March 22, 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, beside numerous others. Then Mr. Free returned home, and as stated was elected to office. After the expiration of his term, he engaged in the practice of law, which he continued for some time. In 1881, he removed to Sioux Falls, D. T., where he still remains. The last few years of his resi- dence in Tama county, he acted as U. S. Indian Agent for the Sac and Fox Indians.
In October, 1873, J. A. Bowdle was elect- ed to succeed Mr. Free. In 1875, he was re- elected, and served until January, 1878. Bowdle came here from Ilinois about 1855, and settled upon a farm in Crystal township, where he engaged in farming. Upon being elected he moved into Toledo. He was a man of fair education and a good deal of integrity and ability. Socially he was rather peculiar, appearing gruff to those not acquainted, but after the acquaintance was formed he was very genial and pleasant. In appearance Bowdle was tall and slim, and while walking, bent his head to one side. lle was a single man ; some of his relatives still live in the county, he having removed to Ne- braska.
In 1877, R. G. MeIntire was elected County Auditor. In 1879, and 1881, he was re-elected. He is a thorough, careful and correct official, and is giving excellent satisfaction. By profession be is a law- yer, and is noted in the Bar chapter.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
TREASURER AND RECORDER.
When Tama county was organized, these two offices were merged together, and the business of both was transacted by one official. According to the records there was no Treasurer and Recorder elected at the March election in 1853, for the tem- porary organization of the county. In July, 1853, David F. Bruner, was ap- pointed by the county court, to fill the office until the ensuing election in August. lle was therefore the first Treasurer and Recorder of Tama county.
D. F. Bruner, one of the pioneers of Tama county, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, August 28, 1825. He is a son of Christian Bruner, who emigrated with his parents from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county, Ohio, when he was six years old. His mother was Rebecca Foust, a native of Ohio. Her parents settled in Fairfield county before the location of the State capital. Mr. and Mrs. C. Bruner were the parents of six children, four of whom lived to be adults-David F., Jacob, Mary A., Margaret, Samuel and Rebecca, now deceased. Mrs. Bruner died in De- cember, 1832. Mr. Bruner was again married to Sophia Lance, widow of John Lance. They have had five children, four of whom are living-Sophia, Benjamin F., Adam and Solomon. In the fall of 1851, Christian Bruner emigrated to Iowa, and spending his first winter in Johnson county, the following spring came to Tama county, locating on section 33, of Howard township, where he built the first saw mill in the county. Here he remained until his death, which occurred September 13, 1858. D. F. Bruner, the subject of this sketch, was married in Sandusky
county, Ohio, February 3, 1850, to Miss Catherine Hill, a daughter of George Hill, of Maryland, and Margaret Youst, of New Jersey. Mr. Bruner came to this State and located in Tama county with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have been blessed with a family of seven children- Benjamin F., Anna E., teacher in the Toledo schools ; Emily E., wife of A. M. Moore, attorney at law, Toledo ; Laura J., Orpha K., Edgar D. and Harry L. M. In politics, Mr. Bruner is a Republi- can. He was appointed the first County Treasurer of Tama county previous to the organization of the same, and, as he says, carried the office in his hat. He also had the office of Assessor and had to travel over what is now embraced in nine townships. He was Justice of the Peace of Toledo township, and at different times has held all the other township offices. He is at present a trustee of the township. Ile has been engaged in the nursery business for twenty-one years, and has the largest orchard in the county.
In August, 1853, John Ross was elected and duly qualified. He was a native of Ohio, from which State he came in 1852, and with his family, settled in Toledo. He remained in the township until 1875, when he removed to Howard township, where he died. A number of his sons are still residents of Tama county. Mr. Ross was a genial and popular officer, and a man of unimpeachable integrity.
T. J. Staley was the successor of John Ross. Ile was elected in Angust, 1855. Staley came to Tama county, from Ohio, with his parents, at an early day, and settled in Otter Creek township. About 1863, the family removed to Missouri, he
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Jolm Life.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
remaining here for some years thereafter, until he received an appointment as clerk in one of the government departments at Washington. Subsequently, he followed the family to Missouri.
Andrew J. Wheaton was elected Treas- urer and Recorder in the fall of 1857 ; re- elected in 1859,1861,and 1863, serving eight consecutive years. Andrew J. Wheaton came to Tama county in 1855, locating on section 2, township 83, range 15, now Toledo township, where he entered 261 acres of land. Mr. Wheaton was born in Fleming, Cayuga county, N. Y., Septem- ber 9, 1829. His parents were Andrew and Content ( Davis ) Wheaton, the former a native of Connecticut ; the latter of Massachusetts. His father was a farmer in Cayuga county, where the subject of this sketch was reared, receiving his early education in the district schools. The father died in 1836; the mother in Febru- ary, 1839, and the family, consisting of three sons and one daughter, remained on the old homestead. Andrew J. lived there until eighteen years of age, then attended Auburn Academy at Auburn, N. Y., and Red Creek Academy in Wayne county. After he was twenty, he taught during the winter terms and attended school in the summer until he was twenty- two; then followed the profession of teaching in Cayuga county, until 1855, at which time he came to Tama county. In 1876, Mr. Wheaton sold a portion of his land to the Board of County Supervisors, to be used as a Poor Farm, and the balanee to a brother and sister. lle tben purchased seventy-three acres of land on section 23, adjoining the town of Toledo,
where he now lives. Aside from this, he owns eighty acres of timber land about one and a half miles west of Toledo. On the 18th of March, Mr. Wheaton was joined in marriage with Miss Rebecca P. Carpenter, daughter of Isaac and Ann ( Parkin ) Carpenter, both natives of Eng- land. ller father died in Missouri, in 1839 ; her mother at Auburn, N. Y., in the fall of 1856. Mrs. Wheaton was born January 1, 1836. They have had three children, one daughter of whom is living, Mary Gertrude, born February 2, 1860. Andrew Garrow, a twin to Mary G., was killed by the cars at Kellogg, on the 10th of January, 1880, while he and some fellow students were on their return to the college at Grinnell. Rebecca Grace, died November 26, 1876, lacking but seven days of being eleven years of age. In politics, Mr. Wheaton is a Republican ; has held the office of township Assessor and Trustee, and for eight years and five months was Treasurer of Tama county as stated. lle is a member of Toledo Lodge No. 118, A. F. & A. M., being the present Secretary of that Lodge. lle was also Worshipful Master of the Lodge for a number of years. Mrs. Wheaton is a member of the Congregational Church of Toledo.
In the winter of 1863-4, an aet was passed by the General Assembly, dividing the two offices, and providing for the election of an officer to attend to the duties of each separately.
COUNTY RECORDER.
In November, 1864, Jacob Yeiser, Jr., was elected, and was the first Recorder of Tama county. In 1866, he was re-elected, and again in 1868, serving six years in all,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and making a correct, reliable and satis- factory official. The following sketch of him was published in the papers at the time of his death :
"Jacob Yeiser, deceased, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, November 23, 1841. He came to Toledo, Tama county, with his parents, in about 1861, which was his home, until his death, which occurred on the 14th day of December, 1877. When 16 years of age, he gave his heart to the Savior, at Pleasant Valley, Johnston county, this State, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Stryker, by whom he was received into the M. E. church, in which he remained a faithful, useful and honored member. On the 7th of September, 1861, he entered the volunteer service of the United States as a member of Company F., 10th Iowa Infantry. In the battle of Mission Ridge, he received the wound, which resulted in the loss of his limb, and in consequence of which he was discharged, November 23, 1864. Early in life, Mr. Yeiser gave evidence that he possessed in a great degree many of the finer and better traits of our human nature, and these excellences he retained in Fis maturer years, and they won for him the respect of all who knew him. Ile was a man of strong convictions, of strict business, social and Christian integrity ; as a citizen he was always amongst the foremost in his efforts to do for the inter- ests of our town and county. No worthy publie enterprise failed for want of his help ; he was always liberal, and generous to a fault. As a Christian, he was ever ready with his means, his influence, his counsels and his prayers to do all that lay
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