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 75
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ana. They are the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living: Martha A., wife of R. Woolly; Lucinda J., wife of Lewis Phillips; Mary E., wife of W. C. Elles, Leander J., Laura, now engaged in teaching; William, Edward, Miles M., and Avea.
GREEN, G. W., farmer and stock-raiser, section sixteen, post-office Con- way; born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1840, and there remained until sixteen years of age. His father died when he was a mere child. In 1856 his mother immigrated to Iowa and settled in Lee county, where our subject grew to manhood, received a common school education and learned the carpenter trade. In the spring of 1861 he crossed the plains but returned, and in the following February enlisted in company A, First Iowa cavalry, and served eighteen months. Took part in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Silent Creek and Lone Jack, where he was wounded, re- ceiving two balls, one of which he still carries in his right leg. He was dis- charged in 1863, at Keokuk, on account of his wounds and returned home, remaining under the physician's care nearly one year. He first received a pension of five and a half dollars per month but it has since been increased to eighteen dollars per montlı. In September, 1863, he was married to Miss Rachel Beaty, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of five chil- dren: Sarah, Horace Buller, Mary J., George E., and Nellie A. Mr. and Mrs. Green are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1868 he came to Taylor county and has since been engaged in farming, and working at his trade. He purchased his present farm by borrowing money of a bank in Bedford which loaned to him on account of his having been a Union soldier. He now has a pleasant home.
GARRISON, GEO., farmer and stock-raiser, section four, post-office Lenox, was born in .Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. When ten years of age his parents died. He was then taken to Virginia, and there grew to manhood, receiving his education in Morgantown College, where he gradu- ated in 1856, after five years' attendance. He then learned the cabinet maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of five years. He enlisted May 29, 1861, in the Third Virginia infantry as a musician, serving in that ea- pacity until 1862, when the band was disorganized. He then shouldered his musket and entered the ranks, participating in the battles of Cropney, Mc- Dowell, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, etc., having his left eye shot out at the last named place. He went to New York at his own expense and was operated upon at Bellevue Hospital by Dr. Parker, who charged him $300. Returning to his regiment he took part in several engagements, was wounded in both arms, in the ankle, in the back by a guerrilla's hall, and finally discharged at Grafton, Virginia, on account of physical disability.
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He then returned home and engaged in steamboating between Pittsburgh and New Orleans about six months, after which he went to Kansas City, Missouri, and engaged in the carpenter business. He was employed as boss carpenter by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, and remained in that position six years. While in the employ of the Kansas Pacific Rail- road he had three span of mnules stolen from him by the Indians. He was at one time surrounded by that noble race and held nine hours, but fortun- ately effected an escape. In February, 1871, he married Miss Amanda Maple, of Denver, Colorado. They have three children: Willit, Frank and Jesse. Mr. Green came to Taylor county in 1876, and located where he now lives. He has a nice little farm of eighty acres and is prospering.
HASKINS, G. B., farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-four, post-of- fice Conway, is a native of Ingham county, Michigan, born in 1840, and there grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. In 1859 he came to Iowa and stopped for a time near Agency; went from there to Pike's Peak, where he followed mining and prospecting. Returned to Iowa in 1861, engaged in farming and in 1863 returned to his native State. Three years later he again came to Iowa and located in Marion county; re- mained until 1868. He then moved to Ringgold county and improved a farm, on which he remained until 1877. He then came to Taylor county, and has since improved a farm of eighty acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Sylva C. Andrews, also a native of Michigan. They are the parents of eight children: Clara B. (wife of O. F. Fatch), Alva J., Chas. W., Ele- nora, Sarah L., Minnie V., Stella P. and Ira.
JONES, J. H., farmer and stock-grower, section one, post-office Lenox, is a native of Kentucky, born in 1832. He there grew to maturity and re- ceived a good education. In 1850 his parents emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, where our subject engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he enlisted in company C, Eighty-third Illinois, and served until the close of the rebellion. At the battle of Fort Donelson subject fell into the hands of the enemy, but was finally exchanged and remained with his regiment until mustered out at Chicago, in 1865. He then returned to Warren county, Illinois. Came to Iowa the following year and located in Union county, where he remained until 1873. Came to Taylor county in the last named year and has since made it his home. Was married in 1867, to Miss Lucy B. Bliss, a native of the Empire State. Of their children six are liv- ing: Alice, Willis, Edwin, Francis, Alfred and Harry. One is deceased. Mrs. Eleanor Jones, mother of our subject, lives with him. She is probably the oldest person in the county, born in 1795, in the Palmetto State. She retains her intellect, has an excellent memory, and reads the news of the
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day without the aid of glasses. Mr. J. now owns a fine farm of eighty acres and has a pleasant home. Is a member of the Baptist Church.
KNOX, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section three, post-office Lenox. Born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania. Emigrated with his par- ents to Bureau county, Illinois, when but a youth and there attained his major- ity, receiving a liberal education. In February, 1863, he enlisted in company J, Ninety-third Illinois, and served faithfully until the war was over. Par- ticipated in the engagements at Altoona, was with Sherman on his march to the sea and around to Washington. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned home. Remained in Bureau county until 1869, then came to Taylor county and located where he now resides. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Etta Sargeant, a native of New Hamp- shire. They have four children: Elbert P., Howard L., Clara E. and Blanche. Mr. K. is engaged in shelling corn and threshing grain, being equipped with the necessary machinery, which he runs by steam.
PAYNE, J. L., farmer and stock-raiser, section sixteen, post-office Con- way. Born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1833. When a child his parents emigrated to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and received his education. While there he learned the mnason's trade and has followed that work most of the time since. In 1855 he came west and worked at his trade in Burlington and other Mississippi River towns for two years. He then located in Appanoose county and remained there until the fall of 1860. He then returned to Illinois and the following year enlisted in company K, Eighty-fourth Illinois, and served one year. Par- ticipated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River. Was discharged at Nashville, July, 1863, on account of physical disabilities. Returned to Illinois and remained there until the spring of 1866, when he again came to Iowa and located in Appanoose county. In 1874' he came to Taylor county and located on his present farm of 130 acres. He was married Oc- tober 19, 1857, to Miss Susan Wilkinson, of Illinois. They have a family of eight children: Levi B., Lucinda A., wife of W. F. Lovett; John L., Walter, Susan L., Baxter Fred and Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Payne are mem- bers of the M. E. Church.
ROBINSON, SQUIRE, farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty, post-of- fice Conway. Born in Genesse county, New York, in 1832. At an early age went to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and edu- cated. Came to Taylor county in 1854, located at Bedford and engaged in the carpenter business. Six years later he became a resident of this town- ship. In 1862 he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa, and served until the war had ceased; took part in the engagements at Little Rock,
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Jenkins's Ferry, siege of Mobile and numerous others in which his regi- ment participated. Was mustered out at Davenport and returned to his home. He then commenced improving the farm on which he now resides. It contains two hundred and fifteen acres of excellent land and is well im- proved. Was married in 1857 to Miss Desdemonia A. Jenks, a lady of broad culture and refinement. From this union there are four children: Squire, George, Hugh M. and Melvin S. Mr. R. has served several terms as justice of the peace and is prominently identified with all measures pro bono publico. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
GROVE TOWNSHIP.
ALLEN, ANDREW M., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office, Lenox. Born in County Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch parents in 1810. He was ap- prenticed when but a youth to a tailor for five years. At the expiration of that time he enlisted in the British army, serving eleven years, six years of his service being in the West Indies. Three of his brothers in the United States bought his discharge, and he joined them at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1842. He was married that year to Miss Jane Davis, a native of Pennsylvania. He soon opened a tailor shop and carried on that business until 1854, when he moved to Illinois and engaged in farming. In October, 1861, he again took up arms, this time under the stars and stripes. He en- listed in the Fifty-seventh Illinois volunteers, and served three years and three months, all the time in active service. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Kenesaw, Snake Creek Gap and Mari- etta. He was in the forced march from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and many other wearying marches and hotly contested engagements. He came to Taylor county in 1870, locating where he now lives. He has a fine farm of 468 acres, well improved, with all necessary conveniences. He has seven children: George L., Mary J., Eoline, Ann Eliza, John W., Orville and Cora Ellen. All married but one. His son, John W., manages the farm, Mr. A. turning his attention entirely to stock.
BACON, DAVID T., farmer, section thirty-six, post-office Lenox, was born in New York in 1843, where he grew to man's estate and received an education. Was married in 1865 to Miss Mary E. Wright, also a native of the Empire State. The following year he started west and located in Illi- nois, where he remained three years. In 1860 he again took his march toward the setting sun, and located in Grove township, of this county. He
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was with the second family that settled in that part of the county. Mrs. B. taught the first school that was opened in the township, the first term in her own house. Subject came to his present residence in 1877. He has a nice farın, well improved, and in a good state of cultivation. They have two children : Jennie M. and Arthur James. Mr. Bacon is known as a hard- working industrious man, of good habits, and takes great pride in educat- ing his children, who are naturally bright and promising.
BEACH, GEO. (see portrait), farmer and stock-raiser, sections thirty- five and thirty-six, post-office Lenox, was born in New York in 1853. While an infant his father died. When ten years of age he moved with his mother to Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois. Was there educated in the com- mon schools and Monmouth College. Is also a graduate of the Chicago Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. Preferring to be a "tiller of the soil," he came to Iowa in 1876 and located in Taylor county where he now resides. He bought and improved 360 acres of land, erected an elegant residence, and now has one of the finest farms in Taylor county. He is admirably situated for raising stock, and intends soon to engage ex- tensively in that business. Was married in 1875 to Miss Louella E. Cowan, a native of Illinois, and a very accomplished lady. They have two children: George H. and Nellie M. Mr. Beach is a young man of extraordinary ability, highly educated, and possessed of sufficient energy to make a suc- cess of life. He has held various offices of responsibility, and is at present assessor of his township.
BOYDEN, W. H., farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-eight, post- office Lenox, is a native of New York, born in 1820. Subject is a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed until he became a resident of this county. He was married in 1841 to Miss Phoebe Rathbourne. From this union there were two children: Mary E., who died in 1848, aged two years, and Frances M., died in 1878, aged thirty-six years. Mrs. B. also departed this life in 1850. Two years later subject was married to. Miss Susan L. Smith. Of their children three are now living: Charles, William and Ellen. Mr. B. moved to Wisconsin in 1866, lived there four years and came to Taylor county in 1871. While the country was yet new he had many interesting experiences. Being unused to the prairie he would frequently get turned around and lost while hauling lumber to build his house, and would necessarily have to remain out all night. He now has a farm of 120 acres, well improved, and everything about his place is arranged in a tasty manner. His great pride, however, is in his vineyard.
BRANDT, CLAUS, farmer, sections ten and fifteen, post-office Lenox. Born in Germany in 1845, and immigrated with his parents to this country
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in 1851, locating in Scott county, Iowa. There young Brandt grew to man- hood. He came to Taylor county in 1874, and bought and improved a farm of 160 acres of fine land-since which time he has added to his possessions, and now has 200 acres all in good cultivation and well improved. His land is in two farms, with good buildings on each, and sheltered with groves, etc. Mr. Brandt is a young man of good habits and he has been emi- nently successful in his chosen vocation.
BURRELL, WASHINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Lenox. Among the many old settlers of this county our subject is worthy of mention. He was born in 1836 and is a native of the Buckeye State. While but a child his parents died, and at the age of six he left the person with whom his guardian had placed him, and after a series of wanderings became a " tow path " boy on the Wabash Canal, which business he fol- lowed four years. He then came west and engaged in mining until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted at Buckskin Joe, Colorado, in the First Colorado cavalry and served three years and three months. His service was mainly in Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. After his discharge from that regiment he reënlisted in the Ninth United States vet- eran volunteers, with Hancock's veteran reserve corps, served one year and was discharged. He then came to Taylor county and was married to Miss Loretta Baker, daughter of one of Taylor county's first settlers. Came to Grove township in 1873 and bought the farm on which he nowr esides. It consists of eighty acres of well improved land, with all the conveniences necessary to a pleasant home. His family consists of five children: Rich- ard, Morning Ann, Mary E., Elihu and Dora. Two are deceased: John and Andrew.
CADE, HENRY, farmer and stock-raiser, section thirteen, post-office Lenox, is a native of Michigan, born in 1841. When twelve years of age his parents moved to Wisconsin, where he attended the common schools. He finished his education at Valparaiso College, Indiana. In 1863 he was married to Miss Sabrina Henry, a native of Indiana. He came to Taylor county in 1872, and since then has made all improvements on his present farm. He now owns 125 acres of well improved land, and has a beautiful home. They have four children: Emmet, Ervin, Belle and Grace. Mr. Cade has taken great interest in the schools since coming to this county, and is now treasurer of the school board.
CARTER, J. T. and W. M., farmers and stock-raisers, post-office Lenox. Subjects are natives of the Buckeye State. W. H. was born in 1838; J. T. in 1840. They were reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1858 they moved to Indiana where they engaged in agricultural
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pursuits. They remained there until 1879, when they came to Taylor county, Iowa, and are now engaged in farming and stock-raising. J. T. was married in 1863 to Miss S. F. Lovitt, of Illinois, but a native of Ohio. They have three children: Olive, Darwin and Claud. One, Alta, deceased. Subjects are owners of 800 acres of land, beautifully situated, and are counted among the most enterprising and successful of Taylor county farm- ers. They are members of the Christian Church.
COLGROVE, W. H., farmer and stock-raiser, section fifteen, post-office Lenox, is a native of Tompkins county, New York, born December 7, 1836. His youth was spent in agricultural pursuits and attending the common schools. He completed his education in Schuyler county of that State, graduating from the Havanna high school. When twenty-one years of age he purchased a farm and commenced business for himself. In 1873 he came to Taylor county (having previously sold his farm in the Empire State), and made the first settlement in Holt township, where he remained one year and then removed to where he now resides-three miles west and two south of Lenox. His farm consists of eighty acres, all in cultivation, good buildings and fences, etc. He has been honored by the people of his town- ship with almost every office of its government, and at present is one of the board of supervisors of this county. He was married February 10, 1858, to Miss Charlotte Council, a native of New York. They have had two children: William Arthur, aged nineteen, and a daughter, who died February 24, 1873, at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Colgrove is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and takes great interest in public affairs.
DAVIS, G. W., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Lenox, is a native of Ohio and born in 1841. At the breaking out of the war he espoused the Union cause, and in September, 1861, enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Milliken's Bend, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Ridge, a bayonet charge at Vicksburg, and was also in the Banks Red River expedition. He was discharged in October, 1864, and returned to Ohio. The following year he emigrated to Illinois where he remained ten years. He was married in 1871 to Miss Emma B. Johnson, a native of Essex county, New York. They are the parents of five children: Blanche A., Eleno M., Lenore M., Willie M. and George Arthur Garfield. Mr. Davis came to Taylor county in 1875, and settled on his present farm, which is an improved one of 120 acres with good house and barn, and, in fact, all the conveniences of an excellent home.
GORDON, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Lenox, a na- tive of North Carolina, was born in 1829, and came with his parents to In-
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diana when five years of age, and from there moved to Peoria county, Illinois, where he resided until 1879, at which time. he became a resident of Taylor county, Iowa. He now owns what is known as the "Blue Grove" farm, con- sisting of 440 acres well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Gordon is still making improvements and is determined to make his a "model" stock farm. He intends fencing it in eighty acre lots for conve- nience in feeding and handling stock. At this writing he has a fine and commodious house, large barn, bearing orchard, yards neatly fenced and about three miles of osage orange hedge on the farm. Mr. Gordon served his country in the trying hours of the rebellion, enlisting in August, 1861, in the Forty-seventh Illinois veteran volunteers, and participated in the battles Madrid, Missouri, Farmington, Corinth, siege and capture of Vicksburg, and Richmond, Louisiana. He was discharged in August, 1863. In 1856 Miss Susan Stokes, a native of Kentucky, became his wife. They have six children: Hannah J., Mary F., A. Lincoln, J. A. Logan, Evan and Fred.
GREEN, WARREN, farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-two, post- office Lenox, was born in Pennsylvania in 1843, and moved with his parents to Illinois when twelve years of age. He came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1865, and a decade later he came to this county, locating where he now lives. He commenced his farm on the raw prairie, and where once the deer, wolf and wily savage " chased the winds," now waves the ripening fields of corn. His home place contains eighty acres, mostly taken up in building lots, orchards, meadows, pastures, etc., and is tastily arranged with fine residence, surrounded by poplar and other trees. He has also a farm of 120 acres in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight, all in good cul- tivation. He was married in 1868 to Mrs. Margaret Howard, a native of Ohio. They have two children: Juna Maud and Erissa May. Mrs. Green has one son by her first husband, who is now in Colorado. Subject is a man of excellent mind; has held many offices of trust and responsibility, and is considered one of the most successful business men in Taylor county.
GRISINGER, J. W., farmer, section ten, post-office, Lenox, is a native of York county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1853. Came to Taylor county in 1877 and located where he now lives. He has a fine little farm of forty acres in good cultivation with young orchard, shade and ornamental trees. Commencing without means he has succeeded in securing for himself and family a pleasant home. He was married in 1876 to Miss Jennie Bryan also a native of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of two children: E. W. and J. C. Mr. G. has always taken an interest in the schools of his
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vicinity and at present holds the office of school director, supervisor and constable.
HENRY, A. A., farmer, section twenty-four, post-office Lenox, is a na- tive of Wisconsin, born April 24, 1849. Grew to manhood in his native State and received his education in the common and high schools. Came to Taylor county in November, 1872, and settled where he now lives. Was married in Illinois in the last named year to Miss Dollie Ingraham, a na- tive of that State. She was born May 24, 1850. They are the parents of four children: Nellie R., Effie M., Jessie M. and Sadie A. Mr. H. is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved with a large bearing orchard. Has also seven acres of forest consisting of about five thousand trees of soft timber and six hundred walnut. Mr. Henry is a good farmer and is awake to interests public and private. He is at present township clerk.
HENRY, ANDREW, farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-four, post- office Lenox, was born in the Empire State in 1817. When six years of age his parents moved to Michigan, where they remained eight years, then went to Indiana and resided in that State eighteen years. Was married in 1839 to Miss Laura Wisel, also a native of New York. In 1842 he re- moved to Wisconsin and engaged extensively in farming. Nearly a quar- ter of a century later he came to Lenox and in 1876 settled on his present farm which contains eighty acres nicely situated with fine house and barn, good orchard, etc. They have two sons and three daughters: Sabrina, Albert, Otis W., Julia and Anna. All are married and useful members of society.
HOUCK, WILLIAM M., farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty, post- office Lenox, born in the Keystone State in 1849. When five years old his parents came west and after a long wearying journey located in this county. In 1868 he came to Grove township with the family of Mr. Ed. Houck, who erected a cabin where now stands the beautiful residence of William Gordon on the Blue Grove farm. Mr. H. was married in 1875 to Miss Ida Greenlee, also a native of Pennsylvania. Built a good house and otherwise improved his farm the year after his marriage. It consists of eighty acres of well improved land nicely situated in the very garden of southwestern Iowa. Their family consists of three children : Lilian E., Chas. E. and William A. Mr. Houck is a man of excellent judgment and industrious habits, holds the office of school director, also that of justice of the peace.
JOHNSON, SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-eight, post-office Lenox, a Buckeye by birth, was born in 1815. In 1853 he
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was married to Miss Margaret Simmons, a native of Pennsylvania. From this union there are five children living: James T., John W., Man- andrew M., Josephus and Esbon. John W. served during the war in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio volunteers and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. Mr. Johnson came to Iowa in 1869, locating in this county where he now lives. Has a nice farm of one hundred and fifty acres well improved, good buildings, fine orchard and vineyard, and well fenced with osage orange hedge. He has also fifty acres of excellent timber. At the time of his settlement only one cabin had been erected in that neighborhood and that one was on the Blue Grove farm, where now the commodious residence of William Gordon stands.
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