USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 51
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R. S. Henderson is one of a family of three sons and four daughters, who survive. He was quite young when taken by his parents from Guernsey county, Ohio, to Mercer county, Illinois. His boyhood and youth were spent in much the usual manner of farm lads of that period, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he trudged his way to the district school, there to become fitted for the more practical and responsible duties in his later years. He remained with his father until he reached years of maturity and when about twenty years of age, the Civil war having been in progress and his patriotic spirit becoming more and more aroused, he enlisted as a member of Company A, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, joining on the 17th of March, 1864. Going south with his command he participated in the Atlanta campaign and later marched with Sherman to the sea. He took part in all the principal engagements along the
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line of march, going from Richmond to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. From that city he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out, and he received an honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois.
Returning to his home in Mercer county, Illinois, Mr. Henderson there re- mained for several years. In 1874, he made a trip to Taylor county, Iowa, and being pleased with the country and its possibilities, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Platte township. He erected a house and broke the land and then returned to Mercer county and resumed his farming operations until 1876. On the 21st of September of that year he wedded Miss Frances H. Brown, who was born in Washington county, New York, a daugh- ter of Jonathan Brown, who had located in Mercer county about 1852. There the daughter was reared and educated. Following his marriage Mr. Hender- son and his bride came to his farm in Taylor county, which has since been his home. He first erected a small house and at once began to break the land and put it in shape to plant his crops. Later this crude dwelling was transformed into a more modern and commodious country residence and Mr. Henderson has also built two good barns, granaries, and, other buildings which are always found on a model farm and his place is now one of the valuable tracts of this section of Iowa. He follows general farming and also raises considerable stock, both branches of his business bringing him a gratifying and substantial income.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have a son and daughter, Fred M. and Hattie C., both at home. Mr. Henderson cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868 and he has voted for each nominee of the republican party since that time. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church at Lenox and they are active in church and Sunday-school work, and he holds membership with the G. A. R. Post at Lenox. More than three decades have passed since Mr. Henderson came to Taylor county to cast in his lot with its pioneers. In the years which have since passed he has not only witnessed a most wonderful transformation but has largely aided in the labors which have transformed this district into one of the best counties of the commonwealth. His loyalty to his country when he went to the Civil war at the age of twenty years is a chapter in his history. There is no blot or stain of dishonor upon his name and this can be stated after a long, useful and busy life, covering sixty- five years.
J. L. MOTHERSHEAD.
The ranks of Civil war veterans are fast becoming disseminated and it be- hooves us to pay all merited honor and respect to those who remain. Among the residents of Taylor county who fought for the Union in the dark days of the Civil war is numbered J. L. Mothershead, who is now living on section 28, Ross township, where he owns and cultivates a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. The place is neat and well improved and constitutes one of the attractive features in the landscape.
MR. AND MRS. J. L. MOTHERSHEAD
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Mr. Mothershead is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Lee county, April 9, 1841. His father, Barzillai Mothershead, was born and reared in Scott county, Kentucky, and in early manhood went to Illinois, where he became acquainted with and married Martha Yeedenberg, a native of New Jersey. The father was a tailor by trade and followed that pursuit in early life. After living for some time in Illinois, he crossed the Mississippi river into Iowa and became numbered among the pioneer settlers of Lee county when the state was still under territorial rule. He located there about 1836 and entered land from the government, securing a tract upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. Upon that property he reared his family and for a con- siderable period was numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the community. His wife died in Lee county about 1858. In their family were eight children, five sons and three daughters, all now deceased with exception of J. L., of, this review ; and Alvin, of Osborn county, Kansas.
J. L. Mothershead was reared to manhood in Lee county and was only about twenty years of age at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He was greatly interested in the political situation of the country and the results involved therein and in the fall of 1861 he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union, joining Company E of the Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. With that reigment he went to the south after spending the first winter in drill in camp at Keokuk, Iowa. In the following spring they proceeded to the seat of hostilities and the first engagement in which Mr. Mothershead participated was the battle of Shiloh, in which he was knocked senseless by a spent ball but not disabled. He afterward participated in the second battle of Corinth and also in the siege of Vicksburg and was in numerous lesser engagements, continuing at the front until honorably discharged. At Vicksburg he served on detached duty for eleven months, being employed in the bake shop of Hospital No. 3.
After his return to Lee county, Mr. Mothershead remained with his father for about two years. He then made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage in that county in December, 1866, to Miss Harriet W. Redman, a native of Indiana, who was reared near Jeffersonville. The young couple began their domestic life on his father's place where they remained for four months and then settled in Knox county, Missouri, where they continued for eighteen months, Mr. Mothershead raising two crops there. Selling his property in that state, he returned to Lee county but afterward removed to Harvey county, Kansas, settling near Newton, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, securing it through a soldier's warrant. He proved up the land and there carried on general farming for eight years, after which he sold the property and came to Taylor county. Here he invested in one hundred acres where he now resides. On this he took up his abode and with characteristic energy began the further development and improvement of the place. A fine two-story resi- dence which he erected stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. He has also built a large barn and good outbuildings and among the attractive features of the place is an orchard, together with many cedar and ornamental trees, which make this one of the beauty spots of the locality. Saving his money for further investment, he purchased twenty acres adjoining the home place and also eighty acres on section 29 and now has a highly improved farm devoted to
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the raising of grain and stock. Both branches of his business are proving profit- able and the success which he has achieved is the merited reward of his earnest, persistent labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mothershead have been born four sons and three daugh- ters : Charles, who is now a resident farmer of Ross township ; Harmon, who also follows farming in the same township; Jesse, who is living in New Mexcio; George, who is also in New Mexico, both he and his brother having taken up claims there; Bertha, the wife of Grant Johns, who follows farming in Ross township; Grace, the wife of Frank Keith, a resident farmer of Ross township; and Edith, the wife of Robert Poagne, who is likewise engaged in tilling the soil in Ross township.
The family is one widely and favorably known in this part of the county, the hospitality of the best homes being freely extended to its members. The parents belong to the Berea Christian church and Mr. Mothershead originally gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, casting his first presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden in 1878. He continued to vote for the men and measures of that party until recent years but at the last elections he supported Roosevelt and Taft. Locally he is independent, voting for the candidate without regard to his party affiliation. He has for years been officially identified with the schools and is a stalwart champion of the cause of public education. He has been a resident of Iowa during the greater part of his life and for twenty-eight years has made his home in Taylor county. He has wide acquaintance throughout this part of the state and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community. Wher- ever known he is held in high regard and his warmest friends are those who have known him longest, a fact indicative of an honorable and upright life.
HENRY H. PUTNAM.
Among the esteemed residents of Bedford who are now living retired is num- bered Henry H. Putnam, who for years was actively associated with farming interests in Taylor county. He owned and cultivated a good tract of land in Benton township, having two hundred acres which he transformed into one of the fine farms of the locality. He has been a resident of the county for thirty-six years, having arrived in 1873.
He is far separated from the place of his nativity, for he was born in Windham county, Vermont, August 20, 1840, and there he was reared to manhood upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the New England farmer. In response to the country's call for troops he enlisted in February, 1862, in defense of the Union, joining Company H. of the Eighth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. The regiment went south, joining the Department of the Gulf. At New Orleans Mr. Putnam was taken ill and sent to the hospital, where he was later discharged for disability. Returning to Vermont it took two or three years for him to recuperate from the effects of his military experience.
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Mr. Putnam made his first trip to Iowa in the spring of 1865, going to Dubuque, after which he worked on a farm and in a dairy for one season. Re- tracing his steps eastward as far as Whiteside county, Illinois, he was there engaged in farming for two or three years and. also carried on general farming near Sterling, Illinois, for one summer.
While living in Whiteside county, Mr. Putnam was married on the 10th of November, 1869, the lady of his choice being Cordelia Chamberlain, who was born in Steuben county, New York, where she remained until a little maiden of seven years. She then accompanied her parents to Whiteside county, Illinois, and was reared and educated there and at Amboy, Lee county, Illinois. After completing her own education she became a teacher and was engaged in this occupation up to the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam began their domestic life in Lee county, Illinois, near Amboy, where he engaged in farming for four years. He came to Iowa in 1873 after previously visiting the state in the fall of 1872, at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land lying in Benton township, Taylor county. Only a few acres of this tract had been broken, while a small house was upon the place. With characteristic energy he at once began to turn the sod and the fields were harrowed and then planted, while in other directions the work of general improvement was carried forward. He built his fences, erected a good house and there engaged in farming for twenty-two years, after which he sold that property and bought another farm one and a quarter miles west of Bedford. It comprised two hundred acres of fairly improved land, which he rented. He bought twelve and a half acres at Bedford, built a com- fortable and attractive residence in the city and now has a good home here. In connection with general farming in the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also engaged in raising and feeding stock. His business affairs were capably conducted, bringing him a gratifying measure of success that now classes him with the men of affluence in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have five sons and three daughters: Jason P., who is married and follows farming in Benton township, owning one of the best im- proved farms in Taylor county ; Rev. I. E. Putnam, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church who is now in the Theological College at Evanston, Illinois ; Rev. Charles H., who is a graduate of Cornell College, who is now attending the Theological College at Evanston ; Clyde, who is a graduate of Cornell College and is principal of the schools at Armour, South Dakota; Leslie R., who was formerly engaged in teaching and is a graduate in music at Cornell College, having already won considerable fame as a soloist; Flora, who formerly engaged in teaching but is now the wife of William Fitch, a farmer of Benton township; Etta E., who taught for ten terms in this county and was in the county superin- tendent's office with Mr. Crosson for four years and is now the wife of Morgan Mason, a farmer and auctioneer of Wakeeney, Kansas; and Stella, who has re- cently completed the high school course in Bedford, and is now teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam also lost two children: Harry H., who died at the age of five years; and Elmer, who passed away when three months old.
In his political views Mr. Putnam is a republican where national issues are involved, but in local elections does not consider the party affiliations of candidates as an essential question. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln
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in 1864 and has since supported every presidential nominee of the party. He has served as justice of the peace and has been officially identified with the schools, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. For the past thirty- two years Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have sent from one to five pupils to the public schools. They are members of the Bedford Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Putnam belongs to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mr. Putnam holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and delights in its camp fires and in recalling the scenes and incidents of war times. He was a loyal soldier but has been equally faithful to his country in days of peace and has the strongest attachment for the stars and stripes.
A. E. KING, M. D.
He whose name introduces this record has gained recognition as one of the best known and ablest physicians of Taylor county, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and general public.
Dr. A. E. King was born in Coffey county, Kansas, May, 31, 1858, a son of Thomas and Louise J. (Moore) King. The former, who was born in Ohio in 1836, came with his father, Isaac King, to Iowa in 1839, when three years of age. a settlement being made in Lee county, this state. Later he removed to Appanoose county and still later to Taylor county, locating in Jefferson township. It was while residing in this county that he was married to Miss Louise J. Moore, who was born and reared within its borders. In early life he had been a teacher and taught the first term of school in Platteville, Jefferson township. In 1856 he removed to Kansas, where he became identified with agricultural interests, operating a farm there for a few years. Subsequently he spent a winter in Clay county, Missouri, but in the spring of 1860, returning to Taylor county, Iowa, and engaging in business as a merchant in Platteville. Later he removed to Hawley- ville, then to Platteville and in March, 1867, to Mormontown, now called Block- ton, where he became known as the pioneer merchant, conducting the first store in that place. Here he spent his remaining years, passing away in 1904, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred October 18, 1862, in Platteville.
Dr. A. E. King arrived in Taylor county in 1860, when but two years of age, and passed the years of his boyhood and youth in Jefferson township, acquiring his early education in the common schools of that locality. Later he decided to make the medical profession his life work and consequently pursued a course of study in a medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He immediately opened an office for practice in Redding, Ringgold county, where he remained until 1894, in which year he came to Blockton, where he has since been engaged in the general practice of medicine, with the exception of a few years spent in further study. He attended the Hospital Col- lege of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1894. while he also pursued a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic in 1908. He is thus well equipped for the practice of his profession and is ranked among
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the able physicians of Taylor county, being well known as one of the oldest practitioners of Blockton and that locality, his circle of acquaintances, friends and patrons extending for a radius of fifty miles. 'He has built up a very large practice, his extensive patronage coming to him as an expression of the trust and confidence reposed in him by the general public. He is constantly broadening his knowledge by study and research, recognizing fully the obligations that fall upon the physician, and he keeps abreast of the progress being made in the medical world through his membership in the State Medical Association, the Missouri Valley Medical Association and the Taylor County Medical Society. He is often called upon to prepare articles to be read before these assemblies. He conducted a drug store in Blockton and was very successful in this under- taking, but after five or six years was compelled to withdraw from that business to devote his entire time and energies to his constantly growing private practice.
Dr. King has been twice married. In 1878 he wedded Miss Ida May Castor, a native of Missouri, where she was reared. She passed away February 4, 1891, leaving, besides her husband to mourn her loss, one son, Dr. T. W. King, a practicing physician of Meloy, Iowa. They also lost one son, Joseph D., who died at the age of three years. In November, 1893, Dr. King was united in mar- riage to Lydia J. Shuff, a resident of Worth county, Missouri, and unto them were born three children, but the eldest, Alberta Belle, died at the age of two years. The others are Cecil Valentine and Ruth Madeline. The family reside in a beautiful home in Blockton, which has just been completed by Dr. King and is one of the fine, modern residences of this city.
Mrs. King is a member of the Christian church, while the Doctor holds mem- bership in the blue lodge of Masons, at Blockton, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought nor desired public office. He is not, however, unmindful of his duties as a citizen, but gives earnest support to all measures which have for their object the substantial growth and development of the community. His ability and skill have been demonstrated in the successful handling of a number of complex medical problems and he is highly esteemed not only as a professional man but also as a citizen and friend of humanity, who lives for the good he can do his fellowmen.
OTIS M. BROWN.
Among the native sons of Taylor county who are seeking their fortune in agricultural lines, is Otis M. Brown, who has also won considerable distinction throughout the community as a well known and successful stockdealer. His birth occurred in Grant township on the 4th of October, 1875, and he is a son of David and Martha (Freeman) Brown. The father, who is now living re- tired in Sharpsburg, is numbered among the old settlers of Taylor county, within whose borders he carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years, and from an early day was thoroughly identified with its growth and development. He was a soldier of the Civil war and gave valuable aid to his country during
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her hour of need. He is now serving as a member of the town board of Sharps- burg, is an efficient trustee of Marshall township and is one of the county's honored and respected citizens.
Upon his father's farm in Taylor county Otis M. Brown was reared to man- hood, and amid the scenes and environment of rural life laid the foundation stone for a future successful career. He received liberal educational advantages in the common schools near his father's home, and the periods of vacation were devoted to the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Remaining under the parental roof, he con- tinued to give his father the benefit of his assistance until he reached man's estate, when he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account, operating a farm in the capacity of renter for some years. It was his desire, however, that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, and so, when he felt that his capital justified such a step, he invested in a farm of two hundred acres, known as the old Fisher farm, to which he removed and to the cultivation and develop- ment of which he directed his attention until 1895. In that year he traded that property for his present farm, upon which he has since continued to make his home. The place at first consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, but he later purchased an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that he now owns two hundred acres, located on section 18, Marshall township. When it came into his possession the property was in a neglected condition and greatly out of re- pair, but his energy was untiring, his diligence unfaltering and his persever- ance indefatigable, and he at once set himself to its improvement. With the passing of the years he wrought a great change in the appearance of the farm and today, due entirely to his well directed efforts and wise and careful manage- ment, the place stands among the best improved and valuable properties of the locality. In its midst he has erected a good, substantial dwelling and commo- dious barns, and outbuildings, all of which stand as monuments to his industry and thrift. He has enclosed the fields with good woven wire fences and has a fine orchard and grove of his own planting, and everything about the place indi- cates that he has kept in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is mani- fest in agricultural lines. In connection with his general farming he has, for the past three years, made a specialty of breeding and dealing in Belgian and Percheron horses, having sold some very fine animals of those breeds. He also raises Duro Jersey hogs and has been most successful in his stock interests. He enjoys a gratifying income from the fact that both branches of his business-the raising of grain and the raising of stock-are proving most remunerative, and he is numbered among the substantial, progressive and successful business men of the community.
It was on the 19th of January, 1898, that Mr. Brown was united in marriage in Sharpsburg to Miss Mary Richey, who was born and reared in Taylor county and is a daughter of Isaac Richey, one of the early settlers in this district. Five children have come to bless this union, namely: Oma W., Roy M., Charles O., Grace A. and Daisy M., all of whom are still under the parental roof.
The parents hold membership in the Sharpsburg Presbyterian church and occupy a very high place in the social circles of the community. Politically Mr. Brown has given stalwart allegiance to the republican party since age con-
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ferred upon him the right of franchise, although he has never held nor been an aspirant for public office as the reward for party fealty. He was one of the promoters of the Sharpsburg & Gravity Telephone line, serving for two years as its treasurer, and he has also cooperated in many other movements which have been a source of substantial benefit to the community at large. He has a large circle of friends in Taylor county, within whose borders he has spent his entire life, and those who have been acquainted with him from his boyhood know him as a man of the highest principles and most honorable manhood, whose dealings with his fellowmen have ever been such as to inspire the confidence, trust and respect of all with whom he has been associated.
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