USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
C. B. WYSONG.
C. B. Wysong, living on section 22, Clayton township, is one of the thrifty and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Clayton township. His home is sit- uated about four and a half miles east of Bedford and his energies are con- centrated upon the cultivation and development of a tract of land of one hundred and 'sixty acres. Few residents of the county can claim a longer connection with its interests, for Mr. Wysong arrived here in 1855. He had previously lived in Monroe county, Iowa, for two years, having been brought by his parents to this state in 1853, when but two years old. His birth occurred in Coles county, Illinois, January 4, 1851, his parents being William and Eliza (Webb) Wysong, natives of Floyd county, Virginia, and of Kentucky, respectively. The father was reared in the place of his nativity and then removed westward to Put- nam county, Indiana, where he married Miss Webb. He afterward took up his abode in Coles county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for four years, and on his arrival in Iowa in 1853 he established his home in Monroe county, where he lived until 1855. when he came to Taylor county. Here he preempted land-a tract of virgin prairie-on which he turned the first furrow. After the breaking plow came the planting and in due course of time harvests were gath- ered. Year by year he carefully tilled the fields until his property was trans- formed into a . valuable and productive farm. Upon this place he reared his family and spent his last years, making the farm his home for forty years and two days, or until the time of his death, which occurred in September, 1895. He survived his wife for two years, her death occurring in December. 1893.
C. B. Wysong was brought to Taylor county by his parents when in his fifth year and was here reared, remaining with his father until he attained the . age of twenty-two. He then completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the. Ist of January, 1873. to Miss Amy J. Marshall, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois, and there spent her girlhood days. After their marriage they took up their abode on a farm in Benton township, Mr. Wysong renting land for two years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings so that he was then enabled to purchase eighty acres of the farm upon which he now makes his home. He broke the land. planted his crops. built a house and has caried on the work of general improvement to the present time, the excellent results of his labors being manifested in the attractive apearance of the place. He has also made other investments in property and now has one hundred and sixty acres in the home farm. In the midst of well tilled fields stands an attractive residence and large barn, while an orchard yields its fruits in season and shade and ornamental trees add to the attractive appearance of the
378
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
place. In addition to this property Mr. Wysong also has an adjoining tract of land of forty acres. He annually gathers good crops which he rotates that the soil may be kept in rich condition, and in addition he raises the cereals adapted to soil and climate and likewise raises high grade short horned cattle and good horses and hogs, annually fattening a large number of hogs for the market.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wysong have been born two children: Frank E., who is married and resides in Bedford ; and Harry Elmer, who met death by accident July 24. 1905, when twenty-six years of age. He left a son, Charles Glen Wysong, who is now living with his grandparents.
In his political views Mr. Wysong is a republican but though he always supports the party at the polls he has never sought nor desired office for him- self. He was reared in the faith of the Christian church and his wife is a member of that denomination. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Bed- ford, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. He has also attended the grand lodge of the state and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah Lodge. Mr. Wysong is also a member of the encampment and a patriach and is in thorough sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the order. He is well known in Bedford and Taylor county as a prosperous farmer and good business man and merits and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. He has lived to see remarkable changes in the county where he has now made his home for more than a half century. With the family he shared in the hardships and privations of pioneer life, assisted in the arduous task of de- veloping new farms and as the years have gone by has done splendid work in business lines, attaining success which placed him with the substantial agriculturists of the county.
GEORGE DUGAN.
George Dugan, a resident of Taylor county since 1882, is now living in Bedford. He is, however, closely associated with agricultural interests being numbered among the prominent farmers and stock raisers of this part of the state. He owns and cultivates one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Washington and Benton townships, a well improved, modern and valuable farm which he personally conducted for twenty years. A native of Illinois, he was born November 27, 1843, in McDonough county, but was reared in Stark county. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood and youth. He acquired his early education in the public schools and afterward attended Toulon Seminary, but when eighteen years of age put aside his text-books and all other considerations that he might respond to the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 12th of June, 1861, as a member of Company B, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, this company being com- prised mostly of Stark county men. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee in Cumberland, and the first battle in which he participated was that at Stone River, where he was wounded, his right hand being pierced by a bullet from an enemy's rifle. He was later discharged on account of this in-
379
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
jury at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned home but as soon as he had suffi- ciently recovered he again offered his services, reenlisting in 1863, at which time he was assigned to duty with the boys in blue of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He went south to Cairo, doing guard duty and scouting. He returned home to be mustered out, but decided to remain in the service and was sent to Missouri to do guard duty. Subsequently he was mus- tered out at Peoria, Illinois, and returned to his home in 1865. Once more he enlisted during the closing year of the war, joining the One Hundred and Fifty- first Illinois Infantry. He went as far as Dalton, Georgia, but became ill and was unfitted for duty. He marched, however, from Nashville to Murphrees- boro, but the exposure and hardship which he suffered made him ill. Later he was sent south to Dalton, but was not fit for duty any of the time and was mus- tered out and honorably discharged at Camp Butler. He then returned home and spent a year or so in recuperating, for his health had become greatly im- paired through the exposure and hardships which he had suffered at the front.
After he had recovered his health Mr. Dugan was married in Stark county, Illinois, on the 20th of October, 1868. to Miss Appalona Parish, who was there born and reared. They located on a farm south of Toulon, and there Mr. Dugan carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1882. He owned a tract of land there of two hundred acres and carefully cultivated his fields year by year until he finally sold out and came to Iowa, making investment in two hundred and ten acres of land in Washington and Benton townships of Taylor county. In the spring of that year he removed his family to his new home and at once began to farm and further improve the property, continuing to successfully cultivate his fields there until 1901. He brought from Illinois some pure bred shorthorn cattle and for several years made a business of breeding and selling shorthorn cattle. He also engaged in breeding and dealing in Poland China hogs for several years. In 1901, content with what he had acquired, recognizing that his means were sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and com- forts of life he removed to Bedford and purchased a good residence together with a six-acre tract of land. Here he is now living practically retired, giving his supervision to his invested interests. He owns a sixty-acre farm in Benton township, also eighty acres in Gay township. Since starting out on his own account he has been a successful farmer, trader and business man and his efforts, directed by sound and intelligent judgment, have brought him the gratifying measure of prosperity which he now enjoys.
Mr. and Mrs. Dugan have a family of five children. Their only son, Thomas, is married and follows farming on the home place. The daughters are: Cyn- thia, the wife of Harry Timberlake, a resident farmer of Mason township; Alice, the deceased wife of M. M. O'Dell, of New Market, Iowa: Mary, the wife of Ed. Holmes, now of Canada ; Grace, the wife of P. C. Miller of Conway, Iowa; and Theo Bell, the wife of George E. Masters of Polk township. They also lost a son, Archie, who died at the age of five years, and three children who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Dugan are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bedford, and Mr. Dugan also belongs to the Masonic lodge, while he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Mr. Dugan likewise
380
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
belongs to the Grand Army Post at Bedford. He is one of the most prosperous and well known business men of Taylor county and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he supported first in 1868, when he probably cast his ballot for General Grant. He has been officially identified with the schools and has served as road supervisor for several years. His record has at all times been com- mendable and his labors have brought him gratifying and well merited reward.
HON. WILLIAM COBB.
The life work of William Cobb has been far-reaching and beneficial in its effects. He has been closely associated with the material, political and moral progress of the community and is equally well known as a prominent business man and farmer, as a legislator and as one who has devoted much of his time to the work of the ministry. The forces of his life are thus nicely balanced. mak- his a well rounded character, while his life work has been one of general useful- ness. He is numbered among the old settlers of Iowa, dating his residence in the state from 1845, when he made his way to Keokuk. Later he went to Delaware county in 1854 and in the year 1855 arrived in Taylor county. The history of this part of the state is therefore largely familiar to him and he has been no unimportant factor in molding its policy and shaping its destiny.
Mr. Cobb is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Park county, November 17, 1839. He is a son of Thomas Cobb, who was born in Owen county, Kentucky, but went to Indiana when a lad of about eight years. He was there married in Park county and turned his attention to farming, which he followed in that locality for several years, during which time two of his sons and four of his daughters were born. Removing from Delaware county to Taylor county he here opened up a farm with the help of his sons and spent his last years in this locality, the evening of his days being passed in the home of his son, William Cobb. He was one of the respected and honored pioneer residents of this part of the state and is yet remembered by many of the early settlers.
William Cobb arrived here when a youth of about sixteen years. He had to some extent attended the common schools but is largely a self-educated man, gaining practical and valuable knowledge by reading, investigation and through experience. He assisted in opening up his father's farm and remained there until his marriage. He was a young man of twenty years, when on the 5th of November, 1859, he wedded Miss ida Agler, who was born in Carroll county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Daniel Agler. Mrs. Cobb arrived in Taylor county when a maiden of fourteen summers and was here reared.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cobb located on the place where he now resides. He commenced with a tract of land of eighty acres and continued its cultivation and improvement until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country he offered his services to the
WILLIAM COBB AND FAMILY
383
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
government, enlisting on the 9th of August, 1862, as a member of Company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Trans-Mississippi department and Mr. Cobb with his command participated in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, later in the engagement at Memphis Ferry and subsequently in the siege of Mobile, Alabama. He was afterward in various running fights and continued in active service until after the close of the war, being mustered out at New Orleans, Louisiana, August 10, 1865. He was then honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, and reached home on the Ist of Sep- tember. Immediately he resumed farming and was closely identified with gen- eral agricultural pursuits until 1891. He bought more land from time to time and also bought and sold land both in Kansas and Missouri. In 1866, he re- moved to Lawrence county, Missouri-the Ozark mountain country-where he improved a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, continuing its cultivation for two years, after which he sold that property and returned to Taylor county.
Mr. Cobb put aside his agricultural interests when in 1891, he was elected county treasurer of Taylor county, taking charge of the office in January, 1892. He served as treasurer for four years, being reelected on the expiration of his first term of two years. The public found him a faithful custodian of the funds and he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He then returned to the farm and resumed the active work of the fields. He has, however, served in other local positions, acting as assessor, trustee and in other offices of trust. In 1903, he was elected to repre- sent his district in the state legislature and proved an able working member of that body, connected with much important constructive legislation. While a member of the house, he did duty on committees of ways and means, roads and highways, military, suppression of intemperance, the agricultural and industrial schools, the orphans home and the soldiers home committee. After his duties at the state capitol were ended he returned to the farm and in connection with the raising of grains he is engaged in raising stock. He now owns two hundred acres of land, including one hundred and twenty acres in the home place, which he has cleared and developed, making it a valuable property. He now makes his home in town. however, where he has erected a comfortable residence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have been born four sons : Charles S., who is mar- ried and follows farming in Ringgold county, Iowa; Thomas E., who is married and carries on general farming in Ross township; Floyd M., who is married and is a farmer of Ross township ; and Leslie R., who is married and also carries on general agricultural pursuits in the same township. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb also lost two children : Margaret S., who died at the age of five years; and Harvey B., who died in his second year. Mr. Cobb belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs of the local lodge. He is a past grand and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. That he is prominent and popular among his brethren of the fraternity is indicated by the fact that they have six times sent him as representative to the grand lodge. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ and Mr. Cobb is one of the official board of the church and an active worker in the Sunday-school. In fact he is untiring in his efforts to promote the church work and for years has been connected with the ministry, preaching and holding services through-
384
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
out Taylor county, lowa, and in Nodaway county, Missouri. He has been tire- less in his efforts to extend the influences of the gospel through the teachings of his church and all of his labors have been without remuneration.
JAMES H. DAUGHERTY.
James H. Daugherty is the junior partner in the firm of Churchill & Daugh- erty, proprietors of a livery, feed and sales stable in Bedford. He is one of Taylor county's native sons, his birth having occurred within the borders of the county December 21, 1861. His parents were Abner N. and Ellen (Harris) Daugherty, natives of Indiana and Tennessee respectively. The paternal grand- father, Robert Daugherty, lived and died in Orange county, Indiana, there pass- ing away when about eighty years of age. He always carried on agricultural pursuits as his life work. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Daugherty, lived to be about eighty years of age. They had a large family, including: Warden; Gideon ; John ; Abner ; Joseph ; James ; Samuel ; Hannibal ; and Sarah, the wife of Samuel Mahan.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Shelton Harris, who with his wife removed from Tennessee to Indiana and settled in Orange county, where he died. His wife was born in Tennessee and in her maidenhood bore the name of Lucinda Childers. Mr. Harris died about 1840, when in middle age, and his widow afterward came to Iowa about 1856 and died in Bedford in 1884, when more than seventy years of age. They were the parents of seven children who lived to maturity, namely : Samuel, William, Thomas, Ellen, Margaret, Elizabeth and Caroline.
Mr. and Mrs. Abner N. Daugherty removed from Indiana to Iowa in 1856 and settled in Taylor county, where the former purchased a farm of one hundred acres. Subsequently he sold that property and took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Benton township. This he improved and from time to time he made further investment in property until his landed possessions ag- gregated five hundred acres. Upon the home farm he passed away in 1887 and his widow still survives and now resides in Bedford. They were Baptists in religious faith but not identified with any church. Mr. Daugherty served as a soldier in the Mexican war and was always loyal to the best interests of citizen- ship.
James H. Daugherty was reared on his father's farm in Taylor county and has always made his home within the borders of the county, attending the dis- trict schools in his youthful days, while the vacation periods were devoted to work in the fields. After attaining his majority he engaged in farming for him- self on the old homestead for a few years, having been appointed executor of his father's estate. There he lived until he was married, while subsequently he removed to Bedford; where he made his home for two years. He then returned to the farm, where he lived for four years, after which he again went to Bedford and engaged in the livery business, which he conducted alone for two years. He then admitted William Churchill to a partnership and they
385
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
not only conduct a livery business but also engage largely in the purchase and sale of horses and conduct a feed stable. Their business is extensive and is profitably managed, intelligent direction of the owners bringing to them grati- fying success.
On the 8th of March, 1888, Mr. Daugherty married Miss Cyrena A. Rockwell (called at home "Pink"), a daughter of Robert B. and Jane (Ballou) Rockwell. There are two children of that marriage, Clara R. and Lena G. Mrs. Daugherty, who was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady, passed away in June, 1896. She was born in Taylor county, where her parents located at an early day. Their family numbered six children of whom three are now living: Mary, the widow of Bert Hedley; Ruth, the wife of Ed- ward Trotter; and Ursula, the widow of John Vosburg.
Mr. Daugherty belongs to Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Eastern Star, while his political allegiance is given to the democracy. Mr. Daugherty is now serving as sheriff of Taylor county, having been elected in November, 1908.
JOHN W. BECK.
The ranks of the old soldiers are fast becoming disseminated as one by one they answer to the last roll call. Among those who are still living in Taylor county is John W. Beck, who was a lad of nineteen years when he offered his services to the country in defense of the Union cause. Through a long period he was closely associated with the agricultural interests of this locality but is now living retired, deriving a substantial income from his investments in farm lands. He was born in Washington county, Ohio, February 4, 1843. His father, Vivian Beck, was a native of Kentucky and a son of Edward Beck, who was born in New Jersey and became an early settler of Kentucky. Subsequently he removed to Ohio and afterward to Owen county, Indiana, where he died at an advanced age. He devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming and also participated in the life of the community, especially in movements relative to the general good. He took part in the muster days, when such were a feat- ure of every locality, in his early manhood. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Smith, died when a comparatively young woman. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters: Nancy, the wife of Moses Williamson ; Tabitha, the wife of Aaron T. Price ; Vivian ; John and Elizabeth, who died unmarried.
Vivian Beck was reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit as a life work. In 1869, he came to Iowa, settling in Ross township, Taylor county, where he and his son John purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres. He made his home on that property until 1892 and then removed to Bedford, where he died in 1897 when nearly eighty-five years of age. He is .. still survived by his widow, who has now passed the eighty-ninth mile- stone on life's journey. Both were members of the Methodist church and earn- est and consistent Christian people. Mrs. Beck bore the maiden name of Sarah
386
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Price and is a native of Ohio. Her father was Daniel Price who was born and reared in New Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade. He married Salome Fair- child and in 1839, they removed to Indiana, settling in Owen county, where Mr. Price died at the age of eighty-eight years, while his wife was nearly seventy- three years of age at the time of her demise. His parents were Isaac and Easter Price.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Beck were twelve children: Lydia, who has passed away; Tabitha, who became the wife of John Foster and later of Samuel Denney, but is now deceased; John Wesley; William E .; Salome J., who is the widow of Bluford Treadway ; Prudence, the wife of Eldridge Duling ; Theodore, who has departed this life; Elizabeth, the wife of Albert S. Dresher ; Susanna, deceased; Aaron Thomas; Margaret V., the wife of William I. McEl- roy : and Vivian Kimball.
John W. Beck was only seven years of age when the family removed from Ohio to Indiana. There he remained up to the time of the Civil war when on the 6th of August, 1862. at the age of nineteen years he enlisted as a member of Company F, Sixth Indiana Cavalry. It was also called the Seventy-first Regiment. He served for three years lacking a few days and was in many of the hard fought battles which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. He was with Sherman at Atlanta, after which the northern army was divided and under General Thomas he went to Nashville. While carrying orders during the Atlanta campaign he was under fire many times. He was an orderly, carrying orders for Major General Schofield and was near Major General McPherson, when he was killed. Mr. Beck was twice taken prisoner but was released on parole. He made a creditable military record by his unfaltering fidelity to duty on every occasion. After the war Mr. Beck returned to his Indiana home and was engaged in farming for three years. He then removed to Iowa and has since been a resident of Taylor county, covering more than forty years. He and his father purchased two hundred and twenty-six acres of land which they afterward sold and he is now the owner of two hundred and thirty acres in Livingston county, Missouri, from which he derives a substantial income. He likewise owns a fine home in Bedford and all of his business affairs have been capably managed, bringing him substantial success.
On the 22d of August, 1866, Mr. Beck married Miss Rachel A. Runyon, a daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Mangun) Runyon and a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born February 20, 1843. Her paternal grandparents were Robert and Mary Magdalene Runyon. The latter was born August 19, 1774. They were married in 1792 and lived happily together as man and wife for fifty- nine years. In 1817, they removed to Tuscarawas, now Carroll county, Ohio, where Mr. Runyon died August 1, 1849, at the age of eighty-four years, while Mrs. Runyon died April 23, 1868, at the very advanced age of ninety-three years, eight months and four days. She had seventeen children, eighty-three grandchildren, one hundred and fifty-five great-grandchildren and eight great- great-grandchildren. Her immediate family included Benjamin Runyon, who was born in Pennsylvania, while his wife was a native of Maryland. They re- moved to Owen county, Indiana, where the mother of Mrs. Beck passed away when seventy years of age. Mr. Runyon afterward came to Bedford, Iowa, and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.