USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 72
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WILKINS, WILLIAM, recorder of Taylor county, was born in Wis- consin, July 14, 1845. When about three years of age his parents came to Taylor county, and here our subject was raised, and educated in the schools of Bedford. At thirteen he commenced the printer's trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the rebellion. He then enlisted in the Missouri State militia, in which he served three months, and August 9th, 1862, enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry volunteers,
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and served three years. He participated in the battles of Helena, Little Rock and Camden; was in the engagements at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely; also, at the capture of Mobile. Was mustered out August 9, 1865, at Davenport, since which time he has been engaged at printing in various places in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. In the fall of 1880, he was elected recorder of this county, and has since filled that position to the satis- faction of all. Was married October 14, 1866, to Miss Clara J. Snow, a lady of intelligence and high social standing. They have three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic frater- nity.
WALKER, L. A., Bedford, a native of Ohio, was born in Bellville, Richland county, May 25, 1853. When about three years old his parents came to Iowa and located where now stands the city of Bedford. Here our subject spent his days in attending school. He finished his education in the Bryant Business College, at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he graduated . with honors in the spring of 1873. He then devoted his time to teaching school, until engaging in his present business. He now carries a large stock of light and heavy harness, and in fact everything belonging to his line. As a workman, Mr. Walker has gained an enviable reputation. His place of business is on Water Street. Mr. Walker has always been closely identified with the growth and development of Bedford, and has gained the esteem of the people and is numbered among her most successful citizens. He was married May 28, 1879, to Miss S. E. Brown. They have one child, Leroy B.
WALKER, W. F., merchant, Bedford. Among the many pioneers of Taylor county who have been indentified with its growth and development, no one is worthy of more special notice than Mr. Walker. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1837, and there remained until his nineteenth year. His early youth was spent in acquiring an education and learning the tinner's trade, at which his father was engaged. In September, 1856, he went to Minnesota, locating near Red Wing, at a place called Central Point, and there remained two years working at his trade. He then came to Bed- ford and commenced business while it was yet a mere trading-post and pre- sented few promising features, but recognizing its many natural advantages he determined to make it his home and lend his efforts in its upbuilding. He embarked in the tinware business with R. H. Patrick, with whom he continued until the close of the rebellion. He then purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business by himself for some time. Subsequently he moved to Kansas and remained about one year and a half, then to Hopkins, Missouri, where he was appointed assistant cashier in the Hopkins Bank,
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which position he filled efficiently until 1880; he then returned to Bedford and resumed his former tin trade, and has since been closely indentified with the development of this county and town. In 1862 he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Snow, a native of Pennsylvania. From this union are two children living: Edwin Bruce and Carrie Edith; three are deceased. During his residence here he has held many positions of trust, was the first recorder of the city of Bedford, was appointed to fill the office of county treasurer during a vacancy, has been mayor of the city, and has also filled the office of county auditor one term. Mr. Walker has always enjoyed the full confidence of all who know him.
WALKER, F. E., hardware and lumber merchant, Bedford. Mr. Wal- ker, a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Richland county, Janu- ary 17, 1841. In the summer of 1858 he came to Bedford and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he has since continued. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry, and was with his company in the battle of Helena, Akansas, Jenkins's Ferry, Spanish Fort, and in other minor engagements. He served as quartermaster-sergeant during a part of his service; was mustered out in the fall of 1865, and en- gaged in the banking business in which he continued about four years. He is now extensively engaged in the real estate, hardware and lumber business and is numbered among the most substantial business men of Bedford.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
BRISTOW, SAMUEL P., farmer, section twenty-three, post-office Bedford, a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was born August, 8, 1818, and resided in his native county until fourteen years of age, employed on the farm and at- tending school. In 1834 his father moved to Warren county, Indiana, where our subject remained until 1850; he then came west, locating in Jef- ferson county, Iowa, remaining in that place about one year, he then moved to Keokuk county, and in the spring of 1860 came to Taylor county, locat- ing near Honey Creek, four miles east of Bedford. In 1878 he moved to his present location where he is the possessor of a desirable farm of one hundred and forty-five acres. Mr. Bristow has alway been a firm believer in the old maxim, "the hand that holds the plow is the hand that feeds the world," and has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. He has been twice married, first in Warren county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Thomas,
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who died in 1848; and again in 1851 to Miss Nancy Kockenbush. This union brought them ten children, eight of whom are now living. Mr. Bristow has been an active member and zealous worker in the Baptist Church and has led a very exemplary life.
BEAL, B. J., farmer, section fifteen, post-office Bedford, a native of the Hoosier State, was born August 27, 1831, and was raised and educated in Ham- ilton county. He devoted most of his time to farming, but taught school several terms. He was married in his native county, in 1860, to Miss Mary Caro. From this union there are four children : Welsy E., William J., Elmer and Edwin. Mr. Beal came to Iowa .in 1869 and settled in Taylor county, where he has since resided. He now owns a fine farm of eighty acres well improved, good buildings, etc. He is a wide awake farmer and possesses the requisite amount of energy to make a success of life.
COBB, REV. WILLIAM, section thirty-four, post-office Bedford, a native of the Hoosier State, and was born November 17, 1859. When about six years of age his parents came to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county, and in 1854 moved to Delaware county. In 1855 they came to Taylor county, where our subject was brought up on a farm. He attended the common schools and succeeded in acquiring a liberal education. He was brought up in the Christian Church and early became a close student of the Bible. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres well cultivated and beautifully situated near Bedford. Subject was married in 1859 to Miss Melinda Agler, a native of Indiana. This union has brought them three children: Charles S., born December 25, 1860; Thomas E., born November 9, 1869; and Floyd born March 16, 1881. They have lost two: Margaret, born April 21, 1863, and died October 1, 1868; and Harry B., born May 29, 1866, and died April 17, 1868. Mr. Cobb is a man who has done much for the cause of Christianity, having been long engaged in the ministry.
COBB, J. M., farmer and stock-raiser, born in Indiana in 1822, where he grew to manhood. In 1846 he moved to Iowa and settled in Keokuk county, where he made his home until the autumn of 1854. He then came to Tay- lor county and settled on his present farm. Being among the first settlers of that neighborhood, he endured many of the privations and hardships consequent upon the early settlement of a new country. In 1847 he was married in Keokuk county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb are active members of the Christian Church, and command the esteem of all workers in the cause of Christianity. They own a fine farm of 260 acres, and are exten- sively engaged in stock-raising.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
DOUGHERTY, A. N., farmer, section thirty-two, post-office Bedford, is a native of the Hoosier State-born August 3, 1821. He there grew to manhood and received a liberal education. Was married May 9, 1846, to Miss Ellen Harrison. Three days after marriage he enlisted in company B, Second Indiana, and served through the Mexican War; participated in the battle of Buena Vista, and others of equal importance. He was dis- charged in 1847, and returned to his home in Indiana. Came to Taylor county in 1856, and settling on the raw prairie commenced to improve his present farm, which consists of 510 acres of as good land as Taylor county affords; is well improved, with fine house and commodious out-buildings. His family consists of six children: Sarah J., Elizabeth, Lucinda E., James H., Alice E. and Andrew Johnson. Mr. Dougherty is a man of ability, takes great interest in public affairs, and is one of the substantial farmers of Taylor county.
DUNNING, O. M., farmer, section seven, post-office Bedford, was born August 1, 1823, in Erie county, New York. Remained there until ten years of age, when he moved with his parents to Cass county, Michigan, and there received a liberal education and taught several schools. He was married in 1844 to Miss Martha M. May, a native of the Empire State. From this union there are nine children living: Milton O., Leonard H. (now a doctor at South Bend, Indiana), Eva, Hulda, Martha M., Sunday S., Mary S., Mildred and Mr. Dunning came to Iowa in 1869 and lo- cated in this county where he now lives. He owns a large farin of 520 acres, well adapted to raising stock, and is one of the most successful farmers in this county.
FAIRBANKS, L. W., farmer and stock-raiser, sections seventeen and twenty, post-office Bedford, was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 23, 1836; moved with his parents to Knox county, Illinois, when but nine years of age, where he grew to manhood and received a liberal education. He was married in October, 1857, to Miss N. A. Champion, a native of Illinois. On the day of his marriage he started for Kansas, where he re- mained three years during the " Kansas troubles,"-"would plough a while, and fight a while," as he puts it. Crops during that time were of no profit- being "jay-hawked " by one party or the other. He returned to Illinois, and in August, 1862, enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Illinois in- fantry, serving until May, 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. He came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1869, and located where he now lives and owns a fine farm of 492 acres, nearly all in cultiva- tion, good buildings, orchard, and about four miles of osage orange fence. His farm is beautifully situated, well watered, and admirably adapted to
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stock-raising-in which business he is now quite extensively engaged, having sold over $6,000 worth of stock from his farm during the year 1880. Mr. Fairbanks is a man of unquestionable integrity, liberal culture, and is respected as a citizen. His family consists of seven children: Joseph, Andrew J., James M., Lestina J., John, Sylvia and Eva.
JOHNSTON, J. T., farmer, section twenty-four, post-office Bedford, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1830. When fourtene years of age he began the tailor's trade and served an apprenticeship. In 1850 he went to Coshocton county, Ohio, and in the following year came to Iowa, locating in Iowa City. In the spring of 1852 he moved to Fairfield, Jefferson county, remaining until the fall of 1854; then went to Chariton. While there he married Miss Anna Long, a very estimable and intelligent lady. Subject came to Bedford in 1857 and engaged in the mercantile bus- iness. At the beginning of the late war he espoused the Union cause, and in March, 1862, enlisted in company G, Fourth Missouri cavalry. After a short service, however, he was discharged on account of physical disability. In 1865 he moved to his present location, where he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, nearly all in cultivation, with comfortable buildings. They have seven children: E. O., Mary Alice, Charles, James E., Grace, Pearl and Willie.
LARISON, E. B., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-six, post-office Bedford, is a native of Shelby county, Indiana, born in 1827. His youth was spent on a farm, and his education obtained in the common schools. Was married in his native county, to Miss Catharine Smith, also a native of Shelby county. In December, 1854, subject came to this county, locating near Honey Creek, and engaged in farming. Came to his present location in the fall of the following year. Mr. L. now owns one hundred and six acres of well improved land, with a large, thrifty orchard, good dwelling, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, and other buildings neces- sary to perfect a comfortable home. Their family consists of six children: William W., Robert, David J., George W., John and Margaret M. One (Hezekiah) died in 1878, aged about twenty-three years, and a very esta- mable young man. Mr. and Mrs. L. have been for years consistent mem- bers of the Baptist Church.
MCCRACKEN, JAMES, farmer, section twelve, post-office Bedford. Sub- ject is a native of Indiana, born December 8th, 1836, in Hendricks county. He there arrived at man's estate, and received his education. Was mar- ried in 1861 to Miss Sarah A. Fleming, also a native of the " Hoosier " State. From this union there are three children: Ida, Emma and Jessie. In 1863 he went to Nevada and engaged in mining; remained there for six
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years and had great success. He then returned to his former home, and in 1869 came to Taylor county, locating where he now resides. His farm con- sists of two hundred and ten acres in good cultivation, with excellent build- ings. He is at present extensively engaged in stock-raising, and is num- bered among our most successful farmers.
SALEN, R. J., farmer, section thirty, post-office Bedford. Subject is a native of Missouri, born February 17th, 1844. Came to Bedford with his mother when twelve years of age and made this his home until 1863. He then enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry, and served until the insurgents laid down their arms. Was honorably discharged in 1865 and re- turned to his home. He then engaged in plastering and bricklaying, which business he followed until 1875, when he concluded to try farming far awhile, and accordingly located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has well improved, and acquired a pleasant hom e. Was married in 1866 to Miss J. Howe, a native of Illinois. From this union there are three children: Alice M., Mary E. and Robert K.
TAYLOR, CHARLES, farmer, section two, post-office Bedford, is a native of England, born in 1837. Crossed the Atlantic when twelve years of age and stopped at Chicago, where he made his home three years. He then moved to Grundy county, Illinois, remained a half decade and came to Taylor county in 1858. Resided here a short time then went to Texas and settled in Grayson county, where he remained until the commencement of the civil war. Came north at that time and enlisted in company L, Third Missouri cavalry, and served faithfully through the entire rebellion. During his service he participated in many spirited engagements and proved con- clusively that though living in a Southern State he was not lacking in de- votion to the Union cause. July 17, 1865, he was honorably discharged and at once started for this county. On reaching Corydon he was taken sick from exposure while in the field and lay prostrate for a time. When convalescent he resumed his journey and soon arrived at Bedford. After a short residence in this county he moved to Chautauqua county, Kansas; re- sided there nearly five years, then returned again to Taylor county and set- tled on his present farm of eighty acres. In 1869 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy Jane, daughter of William A. Webb, of Bedford. From this union there are three children: Effie Mabel, William Leslie and an infant. Subject and lady are courteous, intelligent and obliging and command the esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
WYSONG, W. A., farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, post-office Bedford. Mr. W. is a native of Floyd county, Virginia, and was born February 27th, 1827. His father, Henry Wysong, was also a native of the Old Dominion,
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and a member of a prominent Virginia family. During childhood our subject moved with his parents to Franklin county, Virginia, where they remained until he was twelve years of age. They then became resi- dents of Western Virginia, locating near Kanawha salt works, where our sub- lect grew to manhood. In 1846 they moved to the Hoosier State and loca- ted in Putnam county, where he made his home for about two years. While there he married Miss Eliza Webb, a native of Kentucky. He next moved to Coles county, Illinois, engaged in farming and remained the re until the autumn of 1854, when he came to Iowa and settled in Monroe county. In 1855 he came to Taylor county and settled on his present farm, being among the first settlers of this county. He suffered many privations and endured hardships which are only experienced by those settling in new countries. Our subject first erected a log cabin sixteen feet square, and for a few years enjoyed in comparative solitude the grandeur of pioneer life; yet during these primitive efforts he never became discouraged but struggled on, determined to have a home. He is now the possessor of a valuable farm of two hun- dred and fifty-five acres, nearly all in cultivation, including twenty acres of good timber. He has also another farm of eighty-seven acres, situated in Clayton township. A handsome dwelling, surrounded by a beautiful grove, a commodious barn and numerous lots give his place a fine appearance. His family consists of seven children: Sarah Jane (now Mrs. Norman Payne), Charles, Martha (wife of Jasper Johnson), Manda (wife of Jerry Wood), Sarah Isabella (now Mrs. Clay Singleton), Harvey and Eliza. Mr. Wysong is now largely interested in stock-raising; has some fine specimens of blooded cattle and horses, which are admired wherever shown. He is the owner of "Pilot Granger," a valuable young horse of the Norman- Napoleon stock.
WOOD, L., farmer, section thirty-six, post-office Bedford, is a native of the Keystone State, born February 17, 1832. Was raised and educated in Crawford county, of that State. Engaged in the saw-mill business for a time. On the third of July, 1856, he arrived at the post where now stands the flourishing city of Bedford. The next day might have been seen ox teams winding their way over the hills in every direction, all coming toward the gerin of this city. It was the fourth, and the pioneers were gathering to celebrate the anniversary of our nation's independence. Fully three hundred peo- ple were present on that occasion. In 1861 Mr. Wood enlisted in com . pany K, Fourth Iowa infantry; served one year and was discharged on ac- count of sickness, and has not enjoyed good health since. In 1869 he moved to his present location, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, which he has improved and made one of the nicest in the county. In Oc-
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tober, 1851, he married Miss H. E. Speer. They have five children: James G., now in Oregon; Leslie D., Mary E., May A. and George H. A. Two, William F. and George M., are deceased.
WAKEMAN, A. B., farmer, section fifteen, post-office Bedford, is a native of New York State, born in 1843; spent his youth in acquiring an educa- tion. Although but a boy at the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in company D, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth New York heavy artillery; participated in many hotly contested engagements, including Cold Harbor, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Returned home, then moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1868, at which time he came to Iowa and located in Ringgold county. Re- mained there six years, then came to this county, and has improved a farm of 240 acres and has erected first-class buildings. . Was married in Ver- mont, in 1868, to Miss Jennie M. Fort, a native of that State. They have two children: Frank E. and Kinnie J. They now have a pleasant home and ample means to enjoy life.
WHEELER, JNO. O., farmer, section six, post-office Bedford, is a child of the Buckeye State, born in July, 1831. There attained his major- ity and acquired a liberal common school education. Moved to Knox county, Illinois, in 1854, and three years later came to Iowa. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry and served until the close of the war. Married Miss C. C. Capebell, of this State. Have two children, Emma and Allen. Mr. Wheeler now has a farm of 260 acres and is one of Taylor county's most successful farmers and worthy cit- izens.
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP.
CALHOUN, ALEX., farmer and stock-grower, post-office Conway, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 1, 1840. While quite young his parents moved to Mercer county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming until the breaking out of the rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted in company H, Eighty-fourth Illinois infantry volunteers, and served three years. He participated in some of the most hotly contested battles of the war, among which were Chickamauga, Misson Ridge, Look- out Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Texas, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and sieges of Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered out on the 8th and discharged on the 24th of June, 1865. He then returned to
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his home and engaged in farming until 1868, when, owing to bad health he retired from the farm and commenced trading. In 1874 he came to Taylor county and purchased a farm which he hires worked and spends his time in teaching school. He was married in 1868 to Miss Lizzie Emerson, a lady of excellent qualities. They are the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter. Our subject is a member of the Right Angle Lodge A. F: and A. M., and is secretary of the order.
COLE, W. H., farmer, section sixteen, post-office Bedford, born June 6, 1843, in Parke county, Indiana. His early days were spent in acquiring an education. He attended the Indiana State University three terms, came to this county in 1860, remained two years then, returned to his native State and enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Indiana infantry. He was in the service but a short time when he was taken prisoner. He was paroled and returned to his home in the Hoosier State, remained there a short time settling some business for his brother, then again came to Iowa. He taught school in Bedford and several other places, went to Missouri and engaged in farming nine years, after which he returned to Bedford and embarked in the mer- cantile business with his brother. In 1880 he moved to his present loca- tion where he owns an excellent farm of one-hundred and sixty-five acres. He was united in marriage in 1864, with Miss N. R. Newkirk, a native of the Empire State. They have three children: James C., Williamn P., and Maud.
GRIFFITH, DAVID, farmer, section four, post-office Conway, is a na- tive of Ohio, born in August, 1827. While in his minority he learned the carpenter and joiner trade, which he followed for several years. In 1855 he traveled over Indiana and Illinois, and the following year came to Taylor county where he has since made his home. He was married in 1858 to Miss Adaline Johnson, also a native of the Buckeye State. From this union there are six children: Mary C., Iowa L., Sheridan D., Lenni M., Macus A. and -. Mr. Griffith has a farm of 120 acres. He came to this county when it was new and has witnessed its growth and development. He has a pleasant home.
HESS, C. C., farmer, section eight, post-office Bedford, is a native of Germany, born in 1832, and came to America with his brother when about fourteen years of age, stopped at Rochester, New York, and engaged as a milk peddler for four dollars per month. He remained in that business ยท several years, then tried to collect the inoney due him but failed. He re- ceived thirteen dollars of the amount. He then concluded to "row a boat of his own " and engaged in selling pens, pencils, etc. His friends scoffed at his new enterprise but he persevered. He came to Bedford in 1854 and
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