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 89
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MOODY, MRS. M. J., maiden name Elliot, widow, farmer, was born in Indiana in 1841. Came to Jasper county with her parents when but ten years old; was married in 1858 to Stephen West, who enlisted in the Twenty-third regiment Iowa volunteers in 1862, and died in the service February, 1863, on his way home from the front. From that marriage there are two children living, W. H. and Ella J. West. Married David Moody in 1864. Mr. Moody was also in the service during the war of the
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rebellion, in the Nineteenth Iowa veteran volunteers, and contracted a dis- ease which ultimately caused his death in 1869. Of this union there are also two children living, Franklyn Moody and Edgar Moody. Mrs. Moody resided in Jasper county up to 1878, when she bought the farm she now owns and manages, consisting of 160 acres, well improved. This lady is entitled to much credit, as she has reared and educated her family, and by judicious management, has increased her store of this world's goods, and now has a nice property. She has demonstrated that women under such circumstances are as capable as the lords of creation. She has been a member of the Christian Church since the age of sixteen, and takes a great interest in its welfare.
MOORE, J. G., deceased, father of the Moores, well known citizens of Taylor county. One of the first settlers of Taylor county; was born in Davis county, Tennessee, in the year 1800. Came to Iowa in 1850, and Taylor county in 1856, locating on section twenty-seven, Washington town- ship, on the stream known as Middle One Hundred and Two. They en- dured all the hardships incident to frontier life. Their. nearest post-office being Maryville, Missouri, thirty-six miles distant, as may be supposed, letters were not very frequent in those days (and cost twenty-five cents post- age). The wife of Mr. Moore, whose maiden name was Miss Allie Baker, was also a native of Tennessee. They were the parents of ten children, eight boys and two girls: F. G., deceased, J. D., E. J., T. M., E. W., ยท D. A., J. G., R. B., D. O. and M. The old couple spent a life of usefulness and lived to see their children honored members of the community. Mrs. Moore died in 1875, and the old gentleman followed his wife to the better , land two years later, 1877.
MOORE, E. W., farmer and stock-raiser, section sixteen, post-office Bed- ford, was born in Tennessee in 1835. Came to Iowa with his parents in 1850, to Taylor county in 1857; went to Davis county the following year, and there married Miss Emma R. Ogden. Bought a farm and commenced housekeeping. Returned to Taylor county, Clayton township, in 1863, and in 1868 came to Washington township, locating where he now resides. His farm consists of 160 acres improved land, ten acres of timber. Has a fam- ily of seven children living; John D., Greenberry, Ira, Mary E., Frederick G., Harriet and Frank; and three died while young; James M., Elisha and Adaline. Mr. Moore is one of Taylor county's old settlers and pros- perous farmers. He came here when this county was a comparitive wild- erness, and commenced without means. He now has considerable of this world's goods, and yearly adds to his possessions. Has a fine lot of healthy boys who take great interest in working the farm and accumulating some-
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thing for the winter of life. Mr. Moore visited Colorado the summer of 1880, traveling overland, and saw no country he thought as good as Taylor county.
MOORE, J. D., farmer and stock-raiser, sections fifteen and sixteen, post-office Bedford, was born in Tennessee in 1825. Came to Iowa in 1851, and to Taylor county in 1857, locating on section twenty-three, Dallas town- ship. Removed in 1860 to Marshall township, locating where he now lives in 1863, engaged at stock-raising and has been very successful. Has a well improved farm of 240 acres and twenty acres of timber. Was married in 1850 to Miss Mary Brown. From this union there are seven children liv- ing: Esther E., Allie, J. G., Lizzie J., Deliah, Mary and Edward. Mr. Moore has had much experience as an early settler, and says his rifle in the old days was his and his family's best friend, as it supplied them with meat -large game, deer, etc., being very plentiful. Was a member of Colonel Croner's "Border Guard" during the war of the rebellion, and was called out several times: once into active service in the State of Missouri, Nearly all his children are residents of Taylor county. He is known as a good cit- izen and an excellent man. Is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
MCCRACKEN, A., farmer, section four, post-office Holt, was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, June 3, 1838. When about ten years of age his parents moved to Davis county, Iowa. His youth was spent on a farm and attending the common school. Spent the season of 1857 on the plains engaged in freighting. Came to this county in 1860, broke out his pres- ent farm, and three years later moved here and settled upon it. Remained here one year then went to Nevada where he lived eighteen months, after which he returned to Iowa and again settled upon his farm; since then he has made it his home. February 8, 1863, Miss Mary A. Hough, of Davis county, this State, became his wife. This union has brought them six chil- dren: Alice, Mina, Eva, Elbert, Earl and Otis. Mr. Moore is located upon an excellent farm of 160 acres, with all necessary improvements to make it a convenient, pleasant home. He is a man of good business qualifications, and is prominently indentified with the interests of Taylor county.
NELSON, J. E., farmer, section thirty-three, post-office Bedford, was born in Illinois in 1842. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1875, locating where he now lives. He has a good farm of eighty acres in good cultivation, orchard, plenty of shade trees, etc., and everything about his place has a neat appearance. Was married in 1870 to Miss Camelia Kern, a native of In- diana. They have one child, a boy, Oran, born in 1873. Mrs. Nelson is a member of the Christian Church, in which she takes a lively interest.
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Mr. Nelson served during the war in the Sixteenth regiment Illinois vol- unteers, and was with it in all its campaigns, etc. Enlisted in May, 1861, and veteranized with the regiment. Was with the famous "Acorn Corps" in all their trials and triumphs. "Marched down to the sea" with Sherman, and back to Washington, participating in the grand review of the victorious armies, where the Fourteenth army corps were gathered together for the last time. Was discharged in July, 1865.
PARKER, FRANK E., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Holt; born in Wisconsin in 1856; there reared to manhood. Educated at com- mon schools and Union high school of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (received business education). Came to Taylor county in 1876, and located where he now lives, on land belonging to his father; a fine farm well improved, good house, orchard, fences, etc .; intends going into the dairy and creamery busi- ness this present season; a big thing for that part of the county, of benefit to the people in general; first in the county. Two sisters: Lillie and Ione, educated and accomplished young ladies, make their home with him; Parents live in Wisconsin. Very nice young man, enterprising, intelligent and speculative.
PAUL, J. W., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-five, post-office Bed- ford; born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1833. Moved to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1853; removed to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1856. Married in 1861 to Miss S. J. Chandler. Enlisted in June, 1862, in the Ninety-first regiment, Illinois infantry volunteers, serving the first year in the State of Kentucky; was taken prisoner by John Morgan at Bacon Creek, Kentucky, and released on parole the next day. After his exchange he went to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and served out the remainder of his time in the South. Was discharged in 1865, and came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1869, and located where he now lives. Has a finely improved farm of 170 acres, in a splendid state of cultivation, with good buildings, fine house, good orchard, etc., in fact, all modern improvements. They have four interesting children: Willis A., born in 1862; Rachel O., born in 1869; Osa E., born in 1874; and Clark E., born in 1880. He is known as a good citi- zen. Has served his township in various capacities as township officer, etc.
PRICE, JOHN W., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-two, post- office Bedford; born in Indiana in 1844. His parents moved to Wayne county, Illinois in 1854; and removed to Edgar county, Illinois, in 1861; became a resident of Taylor county, Iowa, in 1871, and bought and improved the farm upon which he lives, consisting of 210 acres all under good culti- vation, fenced with osage orange hedge, and well arranged for feeding
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stock. Is at present feeding quite a number of good steers, and has a good herd of young stock cattle. Was married in 1869 to Miss Keleida Baker, a native of Illinois. They have six children: Gertrude, Elsey L., Clayton S., Sciota P., Archie P., and an infant. Family are members of the M. E. Church.
RATCLIFF, CHARLES, farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty-four, post-office Bedford; born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1839. Moved with his parents to Morgan county, Ohio, in 1843. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1869, locating where he now lives; has a well improved farm of 100 acres in high state of cultivation. Was married in 1877, to Miss E. K. Davis, a native of Morgan county, Ohio. His parents located in Taylor county at the same time. His mother died in 1868. His father owns the adjoining farm.
ROGERS, JEROME B., farmer and stock-raiser, section eight, post- office Holt; was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1835; learned the trade of a miller which business he followed until 1863. Enlisted June 29 of that year, and was discharged after a short term of service for disabil- ity. Married, in 1864, to Miss Almira Masker, a native of New Jersey. They have one child, Emily Maud. He entered the land he now owns by mili- tary land warrant (War of 1812) in 1860. Moved here in 1865. Has a nice farm of 120 acres, well improved; good new house, buildings, orchard, etc .; also owns sixty-six acres improved land in section six. A member of the Missionary Baptist Church. A good man and good citizen. His wife's mother, aged sixty-three years, well preserved, is a member of his family.
RUTLEDGE, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, post-office Bedford; one of the oldest of Taylor county's old settlers. Born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1832, and there grew to manhood, and obtained a common school education. Was married in 1856, to Miss Mary E. Carlyle, a native of Pennsylvania. The next month started with his young wife for what was then the far west, locating in Clayton township, Taylor county, Iowa, on east One Hundred and Two River (at that time locations were described by streams, points of timber, etc.), and has since been a resident of Taylor county. After various removals and experiences he located where he now lives in 1860, and made all the improvements now to be seen. Has a fine farm, in a splendid state of cultivation, with orchards, groves of shade and orna- mental trees, good substantial buildings, etc., and fenced into forty-acre lots. Mr. Rutledge has seen Taylor county in its infancy. Is familiar with the organization of its churches, schools, etc. Is a gentleman of re- fined tastes, and occupies a high place in the hearts of his neighbors and
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friends. Is a consistent member of the M. E. Church; assisted at the or- ganization of the first class in that locality, known as the Fairview class of Bedford circuit; afterwards changed to the Harmony, what is now known as the Conway circuit. Has three children living: Cyrus F., Fannie E. and Anna M.
SMITH, JAMES G., farmer, section thirty-three, post-office Bedford, was born in England in 1838, and emigrated to this country with his parents in 1852, locating in Illinois, where his father bought a farm and still lives on it. He subsequently went to New Orleans and was there at the breaking out of the rebellion, when troops were being raised for the Confederate army by every known means, but chiefly by the "bulldozing" process. Young Smith escaped north, and (there being at that time no call for volunteers) enlisted at Newport, Kentucky, January 19, 1861, in the Second United States infantry, and served through the campaigns in Missouri under Gen. Lyons. Was at the battle of Wilson Creek where that officer fell. Shortly after was sent with his regiment to Washington, where the famous " Regular Brigade," in which Gen. Meade took such pride, was organized, serving through the campaigns of Virginia, and was with the Army of the Potomac in all their battles and experiences under Mcclellan, Mead, Pope and Burnside, up to his discharge from the regulars, which occured in January, 1864. Returning to Illinois, he visited for a while his friends whom he had not seen since his residence in New Orleans. Being determined to see the play to the close, he again enlisted. This time as a volunteer in the Elgin, Illinois, battery, Capt. Woods. Went to the West- ern department and served under Pap. Thomas. Was engaged several times under that officer, and was at Raleigh, North Carolina, where the rebel Gen. Johnstone surrendered. Shortly afterwards he received his final discharge, at Chicago, in 1865; having served through the entire war, and where the fighting was the hardest, and no doubt has been under fire more times than any man in Taylor county. He is now suffering from palsy, the effects of long service and exposure. Was married in 1866, to Miss Jerusha Duffield, a native of Illinois. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1869, locating where he now resides. He has a well improved farm. His family consists of four children: Cyrus, Willie, Lena and Mary,
SLAWSON, CHARLES I., farmer and stock-raiser, section sixteen, post- office Bedford, was born in Schenectady county, New York, in 1831, and there grew to manhood, and obtained his education in the common schools. Was married in 1865 to Miss Phoebe E. McMinn, also a native of the Em- pire State. Started west the same year, going to Illinois where he lived five years. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1870. Bought the farm he
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now owns the following year. It is now well improved and in a good state of cultivation, and contains 120 acres nicely situated, laying nearly in a square block, with good orchard, and all modern conveniences. It is fenced with osage orange hedge, and divided into convenient fields, yards and lawn, and adorned with shade and ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers. He is still making many improvements. They have two children living: Allie L. and Edith P .; two are deceased. The family are members of the Hayden Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Slawson is a member of the Union sabbath-school in which he takes an active interest.
SOWLES, T. M., farmer, section thirty-one, post-office Bedford, was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1840. When a child his parents moved to Indiana. They came to Iowa, locating in Taylor county, in 1857 (were in Wapello county, Iowa, two years previous). Married in 1860 to Miss Sus- annah Wagoner. Enlisted in August, 1862, in the Twenty-ninth Iowa volun- teers, and served till December, 1865. He participated in nearly all the experiences of that command. In 1866 his wife died. His present wife's maiden name was Mary E. Adams. They have six children: Ulysses S., Elizabeth J., Lydia E., Constantine, Ella and Charles. His farm contains eighty acres of improved land. Commencing without means he has been quite successful. Has held the offices of justice of the peace, and nearly or quite all the offices in the township, consecutively, and evidently has the confidence of the people.
STEARNS, WILLIAM H., farmer and stock-raiser, section seventeen, post-office Holt. Among the many old settlers of Taylor county none are more worthy of mention than the subject of this brief sketch. Born in New Hampshire in 1808 he spent his youth on his father's farm. Moved in 1829 to Underhill, Vermont, where he bought a farm and lived upon it twenty-five years. He managed a dairy farm three years. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1856, when neighbors were very scarce. Entered land in the vicinity of the school-house which now bears his name, and traveled to Council Bluffs on foot for that purpose (the land-office being located there). Bought the farm he now owns in 1870 consisting of eighty-five acres, well improved, with good buildings, fine bearing orchard of choice fruit, small fruit in abundance, well fenced, hedged, etc. A beautiful grove of natural growth hickory and oak flanking the buildings north and east. Was married in 1832 to Miss Betsey Clough, also a native of New Hampshire. Of this union there are eight children living: Venilla, wife of A. W. Awney; Sarah A., wife of Mortimer S. Blanchard; Byron H., now of Cloud county, Kansas; Sally, wife of C. G. Straw; Geo. A., Edwin, Laura, wife of Bryant Siebolt and Benj. C .; also, two deceased. Mr. Stearns has had much ex-
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perience as a frontiersman, is the father of a fine family, has always led an exemplary life, and at this day has a fine patriarchal appearance; he has as done much for the common weal, has always taken an active interest in organizing and keeping up the schools of his township, is hale and hearty after his long life of usefulness and at this writing has members of the three generations of his offspring visiting the family.
SWANDER, HARRISON, farmer, section twenty-six, post-office Bed- ford, was born in Senaca county, Ohio, in 1838. Came to Iowa in 1857. Was one of the pioneers of Pleasanton, Decatur county, where he engaged in the mercantile business, was burned out in 1874, and the following year traded a house and lot (all he had left from the fire) for a pony team, and with these and his family came to Taylor county, locating where he now lives. Broke and improved his farm, consisting of eighty acres in a good state of cultivation. Was married in 1860, to Miss Ellen Fairley, who died in December, 1867, leaving two children: Edward A., and Harry E. Mar- ried Miss Christena Bessey, the following year. From this union there are two children: Clara May and Clarence F. Served his country during the war of the rebellion. Enlisted in August, 1861, in the Third Iowa cavalry, serv- ing to the close of the war and participating in all the battles of that regi- ment, among which we make mention of Pea Ridge, Brownsville, Little Rock, Arcadia, Hot Springs; Independence, Missouri, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Elyton, Selma, Columbus, and many skirmishes, forced marches, etc. Was wounded in action at Tupelo, Mississippi. Had his horse shot under him at Big Blue, Missouri. Guarded the president of the defunct Confederacy after his capture, at Augusta, Georgia; veteranized in 1864; served until after the close of the war.
VING, J. R., farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-eight, post-office Bedford, was born in Louisiana in 1852. His parents died while he was very young, leaving him with an older brother, with whom he lived till some time during the war of the rebellion. While the Union troops were occu- pying the country adjacent to Morganza, a bend in Louisiana, the subject went into the Federal camp for rations and while there the pickets were re- lieved and colored men put in their places. These refused to allow him to pass through the lines and he returned to camp. There he met with H. F. Crutchfield, a private of company G, Sixty-sixth Indiana volunteers, who took charge of him and he (boy like), becoming infatuated with the life of a soldier, followed the fortunes of the regiment about eight months, making no effort to get back to his people. Mr. Crutchfield sent him north to Ind- iana where he subsequently made his home in that gentleman's family, and with them he came to Taylor county, Iowa in 1872. Mr. Ving was married
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in 1875 to Miss Allie Moore, daughter of J. D. Moore. Of this union there are two children: Gasland and Artemisia. Has been remarkably prosperous, as at this writing he is the owner of 200 acres of well improved land besides a herd of seventy head of cattle. His people discovered his whereabouts in 1876, since which time he has been in communication with them. Previous to the war his father owned a cotton and sugar plantation in Louisiana near Morganza bend.
WAGONER, CY., farmer and stock-raiser, section nineteen, post-office Bedford, born in Ohio in 1852. Came with his parents to Iowa when but two years old, in 1855. Came to Taylor county in 1858, and has been a resi- dent of this county, as boy and man since. He now owns and occupies the old Wagoner homestead, originally settled by his father, Mr. John Wag- oner, a pioneer of Washington township, who died in 1871. A good farm of eighty acres well improved. Was married in 1880 to Miss Charlotte Severns. They have one child, John. Mr. Wagoner's mother, an aged lady seventy-seven years old, and still hearty, is a member of his fam- ily.
WAGONER, DANIEL, farmer and stock-raiser, section nineteen, post- office Bedford; born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1833. Was married in 1852 to Miss Mary Bowers, also a native of Ohio. Came to Iowa in 1856, locating in Taylor county, where he now resides, two years later, in 1858; has a well improved farm with good buildings, orchard, fences, well arranged for keeping stock. Has a family of five children living: Christian, Michael, John, Samuel and Jemima, all grown. His sons are doing for themselves, and are residents of Taylor county. Mr. Wagoner is a member of the Free Methodist Church. Takes a lively interest in sabbath-schools, and more than a passing interest in 'public affairs.
WALKER, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, section nine, post-office Holt; born in England, in 1829. Immigrated to America in 1857. After trying various places and occupations he settled in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1858, where he remained till 1871, when he came to Taylor county, Iowa, locating where he now lives, taking up his farm from bare prairie, and by perseverance and industry he has succeeded in making a nice farm of 126 acres, well improved, good fences, fine orchard, shade trees, etc. On every hand is evidence of thrift and prosperity. Feeds out nearly the entire product of his farm on the ground. Was married in England in 1854, to Miss Ann Leverick; by this union they have five children living: Miles, Alfred, William, Mary and Emma. Elizabeth died, aged nine. Mr. Wal- ker has traveled extensively in this and other countries, and thinks Iowa is A 1; and is a great admirer of American institutions.
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WILSON, A. W., farmer and stock-raiser, section nine, post-office Holt; born in Ohio, in 1836. Married, in 1861, to Miss Leoanche Mead, a native of Louisiana. Served during the war of the rebellion, in company F, Eighty-eighth regiment Ohio volunteers. Came to Iowa in 1865, and lo- cated where he now lives; his farm consists of 120 acres, was timber land orig- inally. Cleared it up and broke it himself. Started with no means but a team, wagon and harness, and $5.00 in cash. Has a good farm, situated in a nice little valley; natural timber on north and west. Good orchard, also owns twelve acres of timber. Has a family of six children: Ellsworth, Merry, Myra, Nora, William and David.
WILSON, T. O., farmer and stock-raiser, section nine, post-office Holt; born in Ohio in 1832, and there grew to manhood, and obtained his edu- cation. Was married in 1862 to Miss Melissa A. Morton, also a native of Ohio. Became a resident of Taylor county in 1865, locating where he now resides. Built a good house, and cut off the young timber from his farm of seventy acres; beautifully located and in a good state of cultivation, with fine orchard of apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes and small fruit in abundance. Raises quite a number of cattle and swine, but takes the geat- est pleasure in Norman and Clydesdale horses, of which he has a fine stable. Takes great interest in schools and public affairs, and regards his politics as sacred as his religion. Has two children living: Elsie and Edna; and two gone before to that better land: Ella died at twelve years of age and Emma at two.
YOUNG, GERSHOME, farmer and stock-raiser, section one, post-office Bedford; was born in Knox county, Illinois, in 1845, and there grew to manhood. Was educated at the common schools. Married in 1869 to Miss Mary A. Lang, also a native of Knox county, Illinois. Came to Tay- lor county, Iowa, in 1870, locating in Holt township. Removed to his present location in 1873, and owns eighty acres of finely improved land, well fenced with orchard and shade trees, with beautiful groves of maples, wind-breaks etc. Has a splendid view of some beautiful country from his yard. Has three children living: Chas. M., Susan and Grace. He is a man of strict integrity and moral habits.
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