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 72
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John Galt, an old settler of Buckingham township, came here in 1856, directly from Ayeshire, Scotland, where he was born in July of 1810. He lived on a farm until fifteen years of age and then began learn ing the blacksmith trade. After serving an apprenticeship of three and a half years, he worked as journeyman two years and then set up in business for himself at Ponnd land, Colmonell Parish. There he remained in business until 1856, when he left his native land for America. He landed in New York city on the 4th of July, and from there came directly to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Buek- ingham township. Mr. Galt was married, in 1834, to Miss Janet Wilson, who has borne him six children, three of whom are now living: David, Jane and Elizabeth. The eldest, David, was born in 1836. He received his education in the public schools of Scotland, and at fifteen years of age began learning his father's trade, which he afterwards worked at there until he left that country with his parents. In 1857, he opened a blacksmith shop in Bucking- ham township, but a year later, el sed it, and embarked in farming, which occupa-
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tion he followed until 1863, when he went to Manchester, Iowa, where he worked in a machine shop seven years. At the end of that time he returned to Buckingham township and settled on a farm, which he had previously purchased, on section 32. He now owns three hundred acres of land and is extensively engaged in stock rais- ing. His marriage with Miss Mary McCormick occurred in 1869. They have been blessed with five children-Neil, Grace, Esme, Flora and Archibald.
John Hankerson came from Illinois, in 1856, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 3. In 1866, he sold out and returned to Illinois. Ile now lives in Kansas.
Adin Antrim, a native of Clinton connty, Ohio, came in 1856, from Illinois and purchased land on section 34. He came here with a two-horse team, five extra horses and eighteen head of cattle. Ile lived for some time in a sod house using his wagon cover for a roof. Ile im- proved the place and lived there until 1880, when he retired from his farm and purchased a residence in Traer, where he now lives.
John D. Lutzo, a German, came here in 1856, from Wisconsin and settled on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section fourteen. In 1870, he left for parts unknown. He used to ride on the back of an ox when making a trip to any place.
Dan Burmison came this season from Indiana and located on the northwest quar- ter of section 13. In 1860, he sold out and moved away.
Onesiphorus Gravatt was a pioneer of
1857, locating in Buckingham during that year. He was born in Surrey, England, October 20, 1826. Ile lived on the farm and went to the country school until thir- teen years old, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith. He served two and a half years and then worked as a journey- man about two years; then finding that it affected his lungs, he quit the business. At twenty years of age he went to the city of London, where he was employed by an asphalt company one year, and then re_ ceived a commission as a police officer of the city. In February of 1850, he re- signed, and the following April set sail for America. IIe landed in New York city, and immediately proceeded to Mercer county, Ohio, where, in August, 1851, he bought a piece of timber land which he cleared and cultivated. In 1856, he vis- ited lowa to see the country and selected Tama county as his future home. Ile then returned to Ohio, and in 1857, sold his farm in that State and came to Tama county, arriving on the 23d of September. Ile purchased a house and lot in Bucking- ham village, and rented land of Jonas Wood which he began farming. In 1860, he bought eighty acres on section 27 and the following year settled on it. Since that time he has added about five hundred acres to the first farm and has greatly improved the whole. During 1877, he erected the residence in which he now lives. In 1850, Mr. Gravatt was united in marriage with Miss Sarah How- ick, who was born in Sussex, England, September 23, 1825. Nine children were born to them-Albert, Basilia, Carlisle, Mary A., Florella, Luella, Laura May, Cornelia and William V. The husband
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and children were called to mourn the loss of the wife and mother December 22, 1877.
In 1859, Thomas Cummings, in com- pany with his four sons, became a settler of Buckingham township, coming from Penn- sylvania. The father, and son Anthony, lived here until the time they died, and two sons, Martin and John are still re-i- dents of the township. They were promi- nent factors in the development of this vicinity, and sketches of each are here presented.
Thomas Cummings, deceased, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, 1794. lle was married in 1821, to Miss Mary Caffery, also a native of county Mayo. They were blessed with seven children, six of whom grew to manhood. The wife and mother died in Ireland, in 1848. In 1852, Mr. Cummings joined three of his sons who had come to America some years previous. Ile settled in Luzerne county, Pennsylva- nia, where he lived until 1859, then came in company with his sons, to Tama county, Iowa. He settled in Buckingham town- ship and there lived until his death, which occurred in December of 1866.
His eldest son, Anthony Cummings, deceased, was born in county Mayo, Ire- land, April 27, 1822. His education was partially acquired in the public school, and afterwards completed by six terms at a select school in his native parish. In 1848, he emigrated to America. The ship landed him at Quebec and he remain- ed in Canada until August of the follow- ing year, when he crossed over to the United States, and located in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. There he was em- ployed by a Pennsylvania coal company
as weigh master. In 1850, he sent suffi- cient money to Ireland to enable two of his brothers to join him in America ; two years later, the three sent back money that their father and three remaining brothers might cross the ocean. In 1850, Anthony's employers opened a union store and selected him to take charge of it. Ilis marriage with Miss Ann Neiry occurred in 1851. During 1859, in company with his father and three brothers, he came to Iowa for the purpose of making a perma- nent home. They settled in Tama county, buying land on sections eleven and four- teen, of Buckingham township. Until 1860, they all lived together in a log house, on section eleven. However, dur- ing that year, they erected a frame house on the same section, and into it his father and two brothers moved. The subject of this sketch continued to live in the pioneer log cabin until 1861, when he removed into a frame house which he had built on section 14. Three years later he erected another frame house on the same section, to which he made additions and in which his widow now lives. Of his family, there are nine children living : Thomas, Mary A., Rose D., Francis, John, Kate, Eunice, Albert and Lizzie. His widow owns five hundred acres of land, all of which is under improvement. Mr. Cummings enjoyed the confidence and respect of the community and held several offices of trust in the township. Ile died at his home in Buckingham township, Tama county, on the 16th of April, 1883. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father O'Brien, in the Catholic Church at Lincoln, Black Hawk county, this State. The
A Cummings
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funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Scallan, of Waterloo. The deceased was a member of the church at Lincoln, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at that place.
Martin Cummings, son of Thomas Cum- mings, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, in 1830, and was there raised to agricul- tural pursuits. In 1852, Mr. Cummings came to America, landing at New York eity on the 4th of July. Ile went from there to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining one year; then went to Illinois, where he was em- ployed in laying track on the Rock Isl- and railroad and later on the C., A. & St. L. railroad. In 1855, he started for Cali- fornia. Ile left New York city March 5, went by way of the Isthmus of Panama and arrived in San Francisco on the 28th day of the same month. He followed . mining in California until November, 1858; then returned to New York; thenee to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until January, 1859. At this time he came to Tama county, Iowa, with his father and brothers and located land in Buckingham township, where he now lives on a finely improved farm. Mr. Cummings was married, in 1865, to Miss Jane Eagan, who has borne him eight children: Mary J., Catharine E., Thomas, · Rosa A, Margaret, Elizabeth, John J. and James M.
John Cummings, fourth son of Thomas Cummings, was born in Ireland, March 4, 1853. Mr. Cummings made his home in his native country until 1850, when he came to America and joined his brother Anthony in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining near Seran-
ton. Here he remained until 1854, when he went to Illinois and engaged in laying railroad iron near Joliet. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Cummings went to New York city, from whence he started to Cal- ifornia by way of the Isthmus. There he followed mining until the fall of 1858, when he returned to the Eastern States. In 1859, in company with his brothers he eame West, and located land in Bucking- ham township, Tama county, Iowa, on see- tions 11 and 14. He now lives on section 11 and like his brothers has been very snecessful as a farmer, owning four hun- dred acres of improved land. Mr. Cum- mings was married, in 1870, to Miss Ilan- nah Barrett, a native of Ireland. They have been blessed with seven children: Mary, Ann, Ellen, Barbara, Kate, Thomas and Eunice.
J. V. B. Greene, a native of the Empire State, became a settler of this township in 1861. Ile is still a resident of Bueking- ham, residing on section 34. He was born in Rensselaer county, New York, Febru- ary 22, 1833. When he was but three years old his parents removed to Jeffer- son county of the same State. He was reared on a farm and received an academ- ic education at the academy at Rodman village, and at Dexter Academy in Madi- son county. In 1858, he was nnited in marriage with Miss Philinda Hosmer, of Jefferson county. During 1861, he came to lowa and settled in Tama county, buy- ing land on seetion 34 of Buckingham township, as stated. Mr. Greene's farm is now under a high state of cultivation and much beauty is added to the whole place by a large number of shade and or- namental trees which have been set out
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
by himself. A large barn and other nec- essary farm buildings have been erected, including his present residence, which was built in 1874. He has two children, Fred. J. and Emma L.
After this year, 1861, the arrivals came in more rapidly, and in this connection, it is only possible to give a few of the most prominent of those who came, and are still here.
During the year 1864, among the ar- rivals were Norman Draper and John G. Nichols, who are both still living in the township.
Norman Draper settled in Tama county during 1864, and from the time of his settlement until 1867, he lived in township 86, range 15, now known as Grant town ship. In that year, 1867, he settled on his present location, having previously pur- chased 80 acres of land there. He has since bought land adjoining his original purchase, and at present owns a farm of 240 acres, which is improved and contains a fine grove and apple orchard. Hle is a native of Ohio, having been born in Sum- mit county of that State, February 19, 1832. His youth was spent on the farm and his education was received in the distriet schools. In 1852, he removed to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he lived until his settlement in Iowa, in 1864. Mr. Draper was married on the 4th of July 1859, to Miss Catherine Noll, a native of Pennsylvania. They have been blessed with five children-Alma J., Elmer N., Lewis E., Bertie H. and Willis N.
John G. Nichols is a native of New York, born in Rensselaer county, May 10, 1820. He remained in his native county until he was twenty-five years of age,
then moved to Jefferson county and pur- chased a farm in Adams township, where he lived but a short time, then bought property in La Fargeville and moved to that place. In 1857, he came west to sell machinery, and the same year purchased land in Geneseo township, Tama county, Iowa. He then traveled for two years through Iowa, Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, returning at the expiration of that time to New York, where he resumed farming. In 1867, he returned to Tama county, purchasing land in Buckingham township, on section 27, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. Ilis farm is well improved, and he has erected a good set of buildings, hanling the lumber from Cedar Falls. Mr. Nichols was mar- ried January 30, 1846, to Miss Cornelia Green, daughter of Joseph Green, of Jefferson county, New York. They have but one child living-Horace. A daugh- ter, Ilelen M., born to them September 30, 1853, died October 5, 1876.
James Philp settled on his present farm in the northwestern part of Buckingham township in 1865, at which time that section of the county was one unbroken prairie. He was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, December 20, 1827. His youth was spent in school and on the farm until seventeen years of age, at which time he became engaged in mining. lle followed . that occupation in his native country three years, and in 1848, emigrated to America. lle spent the first year in this country in working in the lead mines of Hazel Green, Wisconsin, after which he removed to Illinois, and spent two years in the coal mines, situated seven miles east of the city of St. Louis. Mr. Philp then pro-
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ceeded to Canada, where he followed farming until his removal to this county, in 1865. His farm lies on section 8, and is now well improved and contains a fine grove. The subject of our sketch was married, in 1857, to Miss Ann Harper, a nat ve of Whitley county, Canada. Nine children have been born to them-Walter, Elizabeth A., Maggie, Mary L., Stephen J., Effie M., George F., Joseph J. and Bessie M. Maggie was born October 28, 1862, and died September 20, 1869. Joseph was born March 19, 1874, and died March 27, 1875.
Eber C. Farnham also settled in Buck- ingham township in 1865. His first pur- chase was 80 acres of land on section 13, a part of which had been improved; he has since added largely to it, owning at the present time 400 acres all of which is under improvement. In May, 1881, his dwell- ing house was destroyed by fire, therefore the following summer he erected his pres- ent residence. Ile is a son of Elisha and Sarah i arnham, and was born in Thomp- kins county, New York, October 27, 1816. While yet a small boy Mr. Farnham's parents removed to that part of New York State, which is now known as Genesee county. There his father cleared a farm and continued to improve it until 1833, when he sold all of his property and re- moved to Lapeer county, Michigan, where they were also very early settlers. The subject of this sketch lived with his par- ents but two years in Michigan, when his health failed and he returned to New York, where he resumed his trade, that of a carpenter, which he had learned in that State previous to going west. Five years later he went to Michigan again, and was
there married in 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Cavel of Monroe county, New York. During 1857, he removed to Wisconsin and purchased a farm in Walworth county. In 1859, he sold his home in that State, and made the journey to Minnesota, buy- ing government land in Utica township of Winona county, which he improved and sold just previous to his settlement in Iowa. Ile has four children-Carey C., Ward M., George L. and Laury A. Mr. Farnhams' parents are still living in Lapeer county, Michigan, where they settled fifty years ago.
John Fleming, one of the early land owners of Tama county, was born June 29, 1800. Ile was joined in wedlock, April 26, 1826, with Miss Mary Wills. Eight children were born to them, seven sons and one daughter. The youngest son died in infancy ; the daughter is mar- ried and lives in Kansas ; three of the sons are residents of Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, and three of Tama county, Iowa. Mr. Fleming made his first visit to Tama county, in May of 1854, at which time he bought land in township 86, range 14. He continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1861, though from the time of the first visit here until his settlement in this State, he made Tama county a yearly visit. In 1861, his son James accompanied him west, and together they completed the erection of a house on his land, on section 23, in the neighborhood of what is ealled Five Mile Grove. The same summer, the subject of our sketch with two others, organized the first Sabbath school in this vicinity, of which he was superintendent until the time of his death, May 25, 1868. His remains were carried back to Ponn-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
sylvania by his son, and interred in Kish- acoquillas cemetery, in Mifflin county. llis son, John W., is a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade. Ile was born in Mithin county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1837. His early life was spent on a farm, but when fifteen years of age his knee was accidently injured to such an extent that he was unfitted, for the time, for farm work, and therefore, about a year later, was apprentieed to an uncle who was a carpenter and cabinet maker, to learn that trade. Ile worked with him a few months and then went to Ohio, when he followed his trade four years. From that State, he removed to Philadelphia, where · he received lessons in wood carving, draft- ing and finishing for some time, and then proceeded to Wooster, Ohio, where he continued his lessons. Later, he re- turned to his native county, where he started in business for himself, as cabinet maker and builder of fine carriages. While pursuing that occupation his health became precarious and his physician ad- vised a change; therefore, he sold his property and business in that county, and in 1866 came to Iowa, settling in Grant township on land belonging to his father. lle was one of the commissioners ap- pointed to organize the town, and the first two years after said organization was County Supervisor from there. In 1876, he came to Buckingham township, pur- chasing a farm on section 26, and three years later erceted the house in which he now lives, doing the work himself and also manufacturing the furniture in it. In 1882, he built his barn. Ilis marriage with Miss Jane E. Fleming occurred in 1866. They have been blessed with six
children : William R., Mary J., Annie W., Joseph M., Mabel and John L.
Tlenry E. Davis, eldest son of Ilenry W. Davis (deceased), was born in Delaware county, New York, December 25, 1846. llis father died January 19, 1855. During 1861, his mother, with her two sons, re- moved to Ogle county, Illinois, where they lived until 1866, when they came to lowa. They settled in Buckingham township, Tama county, and bought land on section 2, which had been entered by William MeKelvey. The subject of this sketch has since improved the land and erected on it good farm buildings. ITis marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Isaac Stater, of Ogle county, Illinois, occurred in 1868. Four children blessed the union : Lena May, Homer II., Nellie J. and Elmer I. Mr. Davis' mother lives with him.
Henry A. Owens, the second son of William and Phæbe Owens, is a native of Indiana, having been born in Columbus, Bartholomew county, of that State, Sep- tember 20, 1844. Ilis father was a farmer and died when Henry was but ten years old. In 1866, the family came to Iowa and settled in Tama county. Shortly after, Henry bought some wild land on seetion 22, of Buckingham township, and immediately began making improvements. During the years that have intervened, he has set out shade and ornamental trees, as well as a large number of apple trees, from which he gathers a liberal supply of fruit every year. In 1875, he built his present frame residence. On the 29th of March, 1876, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Elvisa Jaqua, a daughter of
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Gamaliel Jaqua. They have three chil- dren : Clinton R., Gamaliel W. and Lucretia.
Anthony Staveley was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1832, and remained there till he was twenty-four years old. His youth- ful days were spent in school and on the farm. He left England in 1857, and set- tled in Canada, where he engaged in farm- ing, and after an experience of several years of failure in crops he become dissat- istied, and sold his farm. Ile came to Iowa in 1866, and settled in Tama county, Buckingham township, and purchased a small farm of eighty acres. Since then he has been very successful, and has added other lands, making a total of two hun- dred and eighty acres. He married Janie Bee, of Peterboro county, Canada. They have five children born to them, Fannie A., Charles A., Annie M., John W. and Her- bert A.
James Dinsdale, son of L. P. Dinsdale, is one of the most extensive farmers and stock raisers of Tama county. He was born in Yorkshire, England, October 10, 1839. When he was but six years of age, his parents emigrated to America, settling in Peterboro county, Canada, where the subject of our sketch was reared on a stock farm. He made his home in that county until 1869, when he came to Tama county, Iowa. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 19, of Buck- ingham township, and at once engaged in stock raising. There he lived until early in 1883, when he removed to section 18, where he had previously purchased a farm of Alexander Nicoll. He now owns six hundred and forty acres of excellent land as well as many head of stock. Mr. Dins-
dale was married in 1861 to Miss Ann Nicoll, of Canada. They had ten children, eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Dins- dale died May 29, 1878, and Mr. Dinsdale was married again in March, 1880, to Eliza- beth Atkinson, from Westmoreland, Eng- land.
Daniel Tierney is a native of county Limerick, Ireland, and was born in 1836. When he was but six years old his father died. At the age of sixteen he came to America and immediately proceeded (after being landed at New York city) to Utica, New York, where he was employed in a livery stable. There he remained six years, and then removed to his cousin's, and en- gaged in farming in Monroe county one year. From there, he located in the State of Illinois, when in May of 1864, he enlist- ed in the 146th Illinois regiment, and with it, went south. He was honorably dis- charged in July of 1865, and returned to Illinois. During 1869, he came to Tama county, Iowa, and purchased land in the south half of the southwest quarter of section 12, Buckingham township. Upon it he erected a house and continued to live there until 1882, when he sold out and removed to the southeast quarter of the same section, settling on land which he had previously purchased. His marriage with Miss Honora Creagan, took place in 1865. They have been blessed with five children: Catharine, Maggie, John O., Nellie and Honora.
William Philp was one of the settlers of the northwestern part of the township. Ile was born in Cornwall, England, Jan- ary 9, 1829, and spent his younger days on a farm. In 1847, Mr. Philp came to America, landing at Quebec, from whe nc
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he went to Cavert, where he followed farming until 1869. He then came to Tama county, Iowa, and purchased wild land on section 8, Buckingham township, where he has since made his home. His nephew, Thomas Philp, who came to Buckingham township at the same time, was born in Cornwall, England, April 9, 1847. He was married in 1873, to Miss Betsy IIall, a native of Vermont. They have three children-Lucinda M., Fred- erick and George. On coming to Buck- ingham township, Thomas purchased land on section 8, which he has since improved and made his home.
William Tomlinson is a native of York- shire, England, where he was born April 12, 1847. Until fifteen years of age his time was spent in school and on the farm ; however, at that date, he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn the trade, but after about eight months decided to re- sume farming again. In 1865, he left his native country for America. After land- ing in New York, he went directly to Wisconsin, and there engaged in tilling the soil until his removal to Tama county, Iowa, in 1872. Ile purchased land on sec- tion 20, of Buckingham township and im- mediately began improving it. During the year 1880, he erected his present resi- dence. Mr. Tomlinson was married in January of 1870, to Miss Sophia Axon, a native of New York State. Two children -Alice Belle and Joe West-bless their union.
Alexander Speirs settled in Buckingham township in 1874, on land which he had purchased several years previous He was born in the parish of Colmonell, Ayer- shire, Scotland, September 13, 1838. Ilis
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