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 82

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 868

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 82

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longing in the neighborhood to such an extent that during that time he has lost at least fifty per cent of his sheep; consequently he is a strong advo- cate of a tax on dogs sufficient to diminish their number and stop the pres- ent destruction of property.

HALL, W., farmer, section thirteen, post-office Bedford, is a native of the Buckeye State, born January 4, 1837. When ten years of age he came to Indiana, remained there seven years, and in 1855 came to the Hawkeye State. Settled first in Johnson county, remained there six years, then went to Hardin county. Became a citizen of this county in the fall of 1874. Was married May 31, 1863, to Sarah J. Pryor, a native of Illinois. Has four children: Delpha May, Charles A., Mary E. and Miria E. Mr. H. has a good farm of one hundred and eighty acres, well improved and stocked. He is a man of public spirit, of enterprise and popularity.

HANSHAW, REV. J. W., section twenty, post-office Bedford, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, May 21, 1831. His father was of English and Irish descent, and a native of the Old Dominion. Subject remained at home until twenty-one years of age, farming and attending the common schools. His education was completed at the Georgetown (Ohio) Academy and Mt. Pleasant University. In 1850 he removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming four years. He then went to Keokuk county, remained a short time, when he returned to Van Buren county, and engaged in the ministry. Labored there seven years, established churches and advanced the cause of Christianity in that county. * He was next sta- tioned at Oskaloosa, and has since labored in Taylor, Marion and Lucas counties. Came to Taylor county in 1877. Has been stationed in Mason township until the present year, when he retired from active duties for the present. Was married September 5, 1855, to Miss Emaline Arrington, a native of Illinois. They were the parents of two children: Mary P. and Joel E,, both deceased. Mrs. H. died May 11, 1859, of consumption. Subject was again married October 3, 1861, to Miss E. A. Limes, of Ohio. Of their children, James, William, Dora M., Emma J., A. M. and George A. are living. One, J. F., is deceased. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

KELSO, BENJAMIN H., farmer, section thirty-two. The subject of this sketch was born in Dubois county, Indiana. His father was a farmer. Subject remained at home until nineteen years of age, attending the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, and working on the farm during that time. On the sixth day of July, 1861, he enlisted in company E, Twenty- fourth Indiana infantry. Was with generals Grant, Rosecrans, Banks, Fremont and Curtis. Under Fremont he was on the march from Tipton to

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pringfield, and under Curtis his regiment was engaged most of the time scouting in Missouri. He joined Grant's command directly after the king of Fort Donelson, and was at Shiloh and Fort Henry, also in Grant's xpedition against Curtis. Soon after this his regiment was sent to [elena, where he remained until the spring of 1863. On the march to icksburg was in the engagements at Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black liver, and after the taking of Vicksburg he was taken sick and laid in hos- ital at Garrison Barracks until the following spring, when he again joined is regiment at New Orleans. Shortly after this he was in the engagement t Olive Creek, Louisiana. Was mustered out of the service July 30, 1864, nd was honorably discharged August 17, 1864. He then returned to ndiana, where he remained until the following November, when he moved to Taylor county, Iowa, and settled in Polk township. There he urchased eighty acres in section five, and also eighty acres in section hirty-one, Mason township, of partly improved land. He at once moved his land in Polk township, built and commenced making other improve- ents. Here he remained until the fall of 1870, when he sold his farm ad spent one year in Indiana and Kansas, returning to Taylor county the allowing fall, and settled in Mason township, on section thirty-two. He urchased one hundred and sixty acres of improved land, on which he now sides. Mr. Kelso was married on the 16th day of March, 1865, to Miss [ary E. Turner, a native of Ohio. By this union they have had nine chil- ren, as follows: Sanford T., August 21, 1866; Samuel L., March 29, 1868; dgar E., February 16, 1870, deceased; Benjamin F., August 25, 1871; harles O., March 26, 1873; John F., June 30, 1875; Elfie, July 9, 1877; ertha, November 9, 1878, deceased; Bertie, January 30, 1880. Mr. Kelso ad wife are members of Siam Grange No. 531. He has been justice : the peace eight years in this township, and township clerk three years. same at present. Is now secretary of the school board in this district wnship. Mr. Kelso now owns 160 acres of fine land, 100 of which are nder cultivation. Farm is well stocked and well improved with good hildings.

LEWELLEN, FRANCIS, farmer and stock-raiser, section ten, post-office edford. Born in Guernsey county, Ohio, September 15, 1842. Moved ith his parents to Missouri when four years of age, and five years later me to Iowa, locating in Page county; became a resident of Taylor unty in 1852, locating in Mason township, one mile south of where he now ves. Was married in May, 1860, to Miss Delilah Mickler, a native of In- ana. They were the parents of four children: Mary E., Rosanna, Loren ., and William. Mrs. L. died September 5, 1879. Subject married Mrs

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Nancy C. Eighmy. He has a nice little farm of thirty acres with good buildings, orchard, etc. Is a carpenter by trade, and has engaged constantly in that business fifteen years.

LINDSEY, JOHN, farmer, section eight. The subject of this sketch was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, Angust 16, 1828. His father was a minister in the Christian Church, and a native of Kentucky. When Mr. L. was only two years old his father moved to White county, Indiana, being one of the first settlers in the county, and the first postmaster and justice of the peace. The subject of our sketch remained at home until twenty-two years of age, being engaged in various employments, and attending the com- mom schools of his neighborhood during that time. He remained in White county, with the exception of being two years in Minnesota, until 1864, be- ing engaged in mining iron ore for several years, and during the latter part of his stay was engaged in farming. In July, 1864, he removed to Taylor county, Iowa, and resided in Mason township, on section eight. Here he purchased 206 acres in sections eight and five, Mason township, and forty acres in section thirty-three, Dallas township, of partly improved land, there being a small house on the place and about seventy acres improved. In the following August he moved on and commenced further improvements. At that time Mr. Lindsey says the general improvements were very poor, there being scarcely any fences or bridges to be seen. At that time there were only three laid out roads: the State road, another running east and west, and one running north and south. Most of his supplies were obtained from St. Joseph, and his milling was done at Hawleyville, Page county. Mr. L. now has a farm of 246 acres well improved, 200 acres being under cultivation; 126 acres of his present farm was the first improved land in Taylor county, and at the time of its purchase by Mr. Lindsey had on it the first house built in the county. Instead of the old-time log house of the pioneer, Mr. Lindsey has one of the finest houses in the county, erected in 1878. Mr. L. was married September 5, 1857, to Miss Margaret Alkaire, a native of Hickory county, Ohio. By this union they have had seven chil- dren, as follows: Mary Ann, born July 27, 1852, married to H. K. Hawkins, and living in Laramie county, Colorado; Frederick B., July 28, 1857, teach- ing school in this county; John R., September 8, 1859, living at home; Adam T., October 6, 1861, and died June 12, 1862; Sarah R., August 11, 1863; Willard O., Feb., 4, 1868, died April 2, 1869; Elvin, April 12, 1871, died September 6, 1871.

LONG, ALLEN, farmer, section seven, post-office Memory, born in Han- cock county, Indiana, October 31, 1832. His father was a farmer and our subject remained at home until twenty-one years of age, aiding on the farm

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nd attending the common schools. In 1852 his parents moved to Page ounty, Iowa, locating on a farm. Four years later his father visited the old fields of California, and engaged in mining several years. He then re- arned to Page county, and followed farming for a half decade. In 1863 e again crossed the plains, stopped in Montana fifteen months employed mining, then returned a second time to Page county. Came to Taylor ounty in 1865 and settled in Mason township on section seven, where he urchased forty acres of land and set to work to improve the same. Has ow seventy five acres of a farm, all in good cultivation, comfortable build- ags and moderately well stocked. Mr. L. was married November 18, 1860, Miss Elizabeth Cunning, a native of Indiana. From this union there ere four children : Arlando V., born October 26, 1861, now attending school Kirkville, Missouri; Erastus, born March 9, 1866, now deceased; Minora, orn December 26, 1868, and Alice J., born August 16, 1871. Mr. Long ne of the model farmers of Mason township. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

MASON, JAMES, farmer, section fifteen, post-office Bedford, was orn in Clay county, Missouri, February 11, 1827. His father was a na- ive of Kentucky. Came to Iowa in 1847 and settled in what is now Taylor ounty, but then unorganized, a wild expanse, perfectly devoid of any im- provement. The father entered eighty acres of land in what is now ection four, and built thereon a log cabin fourteen by sixteen, with slab loor. He then fenced eight acres and commenced life on the cold, un- riendly prairies of southwestern Iowa. In 1850 our subject went to Cali- ornia and engaged in mining two years; returned to Iowa via Central America and' Cuba. Came to Taylor county and entered two hundred cres of land in Mason township, and lived with his father several years. He then erected a cabin and commenced improving a part of his present arm. He now has four hundred and forty acres of fine land, nearly all in cultivation, and is unquestionably one of the most industrious, ener- getic and successful farmers in Taylor county. He is extensively engaged n stock-growing. Was married July 14, 1852, to Miss Margaret Thomas, i native of Morgan county, Ohio, and a lady of German and Irish descent. They have nine children: Belle J., Rufus, Robert, Montzella, Arizona A., Elroy Clifton, Lillie May, deceased, James H. and Drusilla M. Mason township was named for our subject.

MEREDITH, T. A., farmer, section twenty-four, post-office Bedford, was born in Rush county, Indiana, July 13, 1850. When five years old he came to Iowa with his parents, who located in Van Buren county. Came to Taylor county in 1856, and here our subject has grown to manhood

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

and received his education. His father, W. G. Meredith, was among the first settlers of the county, and took an active part in public affairs. Mr. M. has a good farm of one hundred and thirty acres, and is engaged in till- ing the soil and growing stock. In 1870 he married Miss Louella Parks, a native of the Hawkeye State. They have had four children: Jesse E., Archie O., Joseph M. and an infant.

MILLER, JAMES, farmer, section twenty six, post-office Bedford, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1821. Remained with his father on the farm until twenty-eight years old. Was educated in the common schools and Ellsworth (Ohio) Academy. In the fall of 1850 he removed to Rush county, Indiana, where he engaged in teaching in win- ter, and in summer worked at the carpenter trade. Came to Iowa in 1856, stopped in Van Buren county during the winter, and in the following spring came to Taylor county. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mason township, and at once commenced . making improvements. His first house was made of sod. Subject was married January 4, 1855, to Miss Margaret G. Meredith, a native of Kentucky. Six children have blessed their union: John T., Mary Frances, Kate, F. M. and James War- ren (twins), the latter dece ased, Jessie M. and William A. The Millers seem to be a "family of teachers," which appellation we think highly com- plimentary. Subject has a fine farm of two hundred and forty-seven acres, well stocked and in a high state of cultivation. He has held many offices of the township and county government.

RAYNOR, HENRY, farmer, section eighteen, post-office Memory, is a native of Orange county, New York, born January 6, 1822. His father was of German and Irish descent, and raised our subject on a farm, teach- ing him to use the plow and hoe. When thirteen years of age his parents moved to Perry county, Ohio, where young R. arrived at man's estate and finished a liberal education. At twenty-three he became a resident of Hawkins county, same State, and in the spring of 1856 came to Taylor county, settling in Mason township. Soon after coming to this county he entered forty acres of land and purchased six hundred and forty in this and Page counties. At that time every man had his own road over the prairies, and it was no uncommon thing for one to get lost. Bedford con- sisted of one log cabin, with a limited stock of goods in one end and a family in the other. Game, too, at that time was plenty. Where now wave the ripening fields of grain, then roamed the deer, wolf and other animals whose empire is the wild expanse. Milling was done at Savan- nah, and supplies were brought from St. Joseph, Missouri. Subject was married December 20, 1844, to Miss Mariam Westenhaver a native of the

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

Buckeye State, whose parents were also of Dutch and Irish descent. From this union there were twelve children: William Henry, born October 17, 1845; Marquis DeLafayette, born September 27, 1847; David Lewis, born July 25, 1849; Mary A., born January 22, 1852, died February 11, 1863; Thomas Parker, born August 12, 1854; Ferdinand Victor, born July 17, 1857; Weasner Elisha, born February 6, 1859, died in infancy; Harvey A. Winn, born November 12, 1861; Wesley Austin and Minerva J. (twins), born May 19, 1864, and Ulysses Grant, born August 8, 1867. Minerva died when four months old. Mr. R. has a farm of four hundred acres, and is one of Mason township's most successful and respected citizens.

SNOW, W. B., farmer, section twenty-eight. The subject of our sketch was born in Clark county, Illinois, on the 1st day of May, 1822. Was raised and educated in Parke county, Indiana, where his parents had re- moved when he was but eighteen months old. His father was a farmer of English extraction, with whom he remained until attaining the age of twenty-four, being engaged in farm work and attending the common schools of his neighborhood. Mr. Snow finished his education in the As- bury University, located at Greencastle, Indiana, and during the remain- der of his stay in Parke county was engaged in teaching in the common and graded schools; and also a part of the time in farming. In 1857 he re- moved to Taylor county, Iowa, and located in Mason township, section twenty-eight. Here he entered 120 acres of raw prairie, on which he at once moved and commenced improving the same. Mr. Snow endured all the hardships of pioneer life, coming here, as he did, when there was noth- ing but an open prairie for miles around. Lumber, supplies, etc., were hauled from St. Joseph, Missouri, a distance of sixty miles. Mr. Snow owns 160 acres of fine farming land, 120 of which are under cultivation. Has one of the best of locations for his dwelling, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. Is engaged in farming and has his farm well stocked. Mr. Snow was married on the 24th day of February, 1846, to Miss Mary Cook, a native of Jefferson county, Kentucky. By this union they have eight children: Rosalie, born March 7, 1847, living at home; Warren G., born July 29, 1848, deceased-this son was a young man of great prom- ise, cut down, as it were, in the very bud and blossom of maturing man- hood; his education was received at the Mt. Pleasant University ;- Albert C., born October 20, 1850, married and living in Colorado; his wife, Eliza Jackson, was a native of Mason township ;-- M. C., born September 17, 1852, teaching and studying medicine; Sarah, born August 21, 1855, liv- ing at home and teaching; M. H., born December 15, 1858, living at home and teaching; Minerva A., born September 19, 1862; Geo. L., born August

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24, 1866, died in infancy. In the winter of 1881 Mr. Snow met with a great loss in the death of his wife and helpmate, who departed this life on the 27th day of January, 1881. Both were members of the M. E. Church, to which Mrs. Snow had belonged for forty years. Mr. Snow was county super- intendent of Taylor county for six years, from 1861 to 1867. Is a mem- ber of the board of supervisors, and takes a great interest in educational matters, having held the first teacher's institute in the county, and was one of three who voted the first school tax in Mason township.

TURNER, ALBERT, farmer, section twenty, post-office Bedford; born in Bedford county, Virginia, March 20, 1819. When about ten years old his parents moved to Preble county, Ohio; remained eight years then went to Clinton county, same State. At the age of fourteen our subject com- menced for himself and was engaged in farming until 1859 in the Buckeye State. In the last named year he came to Iowa and settled in Page county. Came to this county four years later and settled in Mason township. There he purchased 120 acres of partially improved land with small house into which he moved and commenced business. At that time there was an abundance of game. Built his present house in 1873. Mr. T. was married in October, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Hiatt, a native of Clinton county, Ohio. Of their children: Narcissa, Rosena, Mary E., Asher, Alice, Emma and Damarius are living; Harrison F., Ida B. and David A. are deceased. Mr. Turner's farm consists of 100 acres well improved and nearly all in good cultivation. Mrs. T. is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. They have a beautiful home.

WININGER, SAMUEL, farmer, section twenty nine; was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, October 3, 1818. His father was a farmer and removed to Dubois county, Indiana, when the subject was eighteen years of age. Here Mr. W. was raised and educated and was engaged in teach- ing and farming until the year 1852 when he removed to Taylor county, Iowa, locating in Mason township on section twenty-nine. Here he entered 200 acres of prairie and timber land which were but little improved and on which was a small log cabin. Mr. W. moved on and commenced improv- ing his farin at once. At that time there were plenty of deer, turkeys, wild cats and wolves to be seen on the prairie and in the timber, and wolves were so plenty as to do great damage to sheep and hogs. He lived in a log house until the year 1868, when he built his present substantial frame dwelling. Mr. W. has experienced all the inconveniences and pleasures of pioneer life, such as are to be found in the settlement of a new country. Has his farm of 200 acres in good cultivation with good improvements and well stocked. He was married on the 24th of September, 1840, to Eliza-

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

beth J. Hankins, a native of Dubois county, Indiana. From this union there have been nine children: Rebecca, born February 1, 1842, deceased; Rachel, born January 10, 1844; Margery, born March 6, 1846; Mary, born February 13, 1848; Martha, born April 25, 1850; Elizabeth, born April 11,. 1852, deceased; George W., born January 26, 1854; Samuel L., born Aug- ust 17, 1856; Columbus J., born December 7, 1858, and John A. Crittenden born April 2,1861. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church, also of Siam Grange No. 531.

NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.

ARBUCKLE, CELIA J., born in Madison county, August 23, 1830. Moved with her father, Benjamin Heaton, to Greene county where she lived several years and received a common school education. Was married May 13, 1850, to Lathan Edwards, a native of the Empire State. Resided in Greene county until 1855 when they came to Taylor county. Mr. Edwards departed this life January 16, 1866, leaving a family of five children: Wil- liam, Benjamin, Lydia, Stillman and Charles; William is now deceased. Mrs. Edwards was again married in December, 1876, to John Arbuckle, a native of Scotland. They are located on a good farm of ninety acres, well improved, comfortable buildings, orchard, etc. Mrs. A. has been a church member nineteen years.

BURNSIDE, GEORGE, farmer, section twenty, post-office Villisca, was born in the Valley of Melhue, Scotland, March 8, 1833. His youth was. spent in attending school and working in the coal mines of his native coun- try. He sailed for America June, 1868, and in July following arrived on the shores of the western Atlantic. Was married December 13, 1855, to. Elizabeth Bryson, of Arondale parish, Scotland. From this union there are seven children: Jesse, Margaret, Lizzie, William, Ella, Belle and May. In the summer of 1868 subject came to Taylor county and located on a farm of eighty acres. He now has a fine little farm, comfortable house, good orchard, etc. He opened the first coal mine in this county. Is a practical miner, having worked in the mines in Scotland from his youth. Mr. B. is- a Presbyterian.

COMBS, J. T., farmer, section thirty-five, post-office Holt, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, September 7, 1835. When six years old his par- ents moved to Morgan county, Ohio, where our subject grew up on a farm: and received a limited education. Removed to Henry county, Illinois, in

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1863, and a decade later came to Taylor county. Was married January 22, 1858, to Miss Keziah McDonald, of Morgan county, Ohio. They are the parents of six children: Sarah Jane, now Mrs. A. C. Davis; Joseph E., Sevilla, Francis Marion, Edward, and Melvin. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved, fine house, commodious barns and an excellent orch- ard. He is engaged in farming and stock-growing. Is a member of the Lodge 254, I. O. O. F., Hawleyville.

COPLAIN, WILLIAM, farmer, section thirty, post-office Villisca, was ushered into this life January 20, 1818, in Perry county, Ohio. While quite young his father, William Coplain, emigrated to Decatur county, In- diana, resided there about twelve years, then moved to Shelby county, where our subject attained his majority. His early days were spent on a farm and in attending the common schools. He commenced the carpenter's trade when sixteen and followed that business in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri, for twenty-five years. Was in the hotel business at Waynesville, Illinois, four years, during which time President Lincoln was his guest sev- eral days. In the fall of 1852 he came to Taylor county. His farm was the first one improved in this township. Clarinda at that time had but one cabin. Bedford was unknown. Where now wave the ripening fields of grain there was a wild waste, pressed only by the wolf, deer and other ani- mals of this climate, and the smoke of the red man had not ceased to as- cend from the valleys. . After Mr. C. bad paid for his claim he had just ten cents left and had considerable family to support, but with a stout arm and imperturbable will, he braved the hardships of pioneer life and is now reap- ing the reward. He was married May 15, 1845, to Miss Rosanna Baker, of Shelby county, Indiana. They were the parents of nine children. Five are living: William M., Sarah Missouri, Alice, Charles and Arabella. Mrs. C. died November 20, 1876. Subject was again married June 21, 1877, to Miss Amanda E. Stonebreaker, of Page county, this State. He is now lo- cated on a fine farm of 200 acres and is one of the most substantial farmers of the county. Is a member of the Christian Advent Church.

· DAVIS, LEVI, farmer, section thirty-six, post-office Holt, was born in Noble county, Ohio, November 22, 1866. His youth was passed on a farm, and when eighteen he commenced carpentering, and has engaged in that business most of the time since. He enlisted in September, 1862, in com- pany E, Ninety-second Ohio infantry, and served until the close of the war. Participated in the battles of Chickamagua, Mission Ridge, Atlanta and others of minor importance. Was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in July, 1865, and at once returned to his home in Noble county. In the spring of the following year he moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, and four years later

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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.

came to this county. Miss Deliah Hickle, of Noble county, Ohio, became his bride in January, 1859. Four children have blessed their union: Em- ma V., Eli A., Alma Anna and Daisy Olive. Mr. Davis is the owner of 160 acres of land well improved, good house and barn, an orchard of 150 trees. He is connected with the Masonic order.

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Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : State Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 868