USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 64
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On the 24th of November, 1859, in Gay township, Mr. Hickenlooper was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza King, a daughter of John King, one of the early settlers of that township. She was born in Lee county, Iowa, but reared in Taylor county, and by her marriage became the mother of nine chil- dren, one of whom has passed away. Those who survive are : Mary I., the wife of Cleveland King, of Oklahoma; Flora, the wife of William Ewart, a resident farmer of Gay township; Thomas Sherman, a resident of Blockton; Nathan O., the postmaster of Blockton for a number of years; George C., a business man of Blockton; Ernest T., engaged in business in Des Moines, Iowa; Maud, who married Professor G. A. Chaney, of the State University of Wisconsin; and Carl B., pursuing a medical course at the St. Joe Medical College. A daughter, Rosalie D., died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Hickenlooper are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is active in the church and Sunday-school work, having charge of a Bible class and serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school at Platte- ville in Gay township. His life has at all times been in harmony with his pro-
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fessions and his influence for good has been a power in the moral upbuilding and development of the communities in which he has lived. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Odd Fellows lodge of Blockton and for several years served as secretary of the lodge in this city. In politics he is a republican. He cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and since that time has supported every presidential nominee for that party. He has filled several public offices, serving as assessor, justice of the peace and also as township trustee in Gay township for some years. In this county, where he has resided for more than a half century, he has become widely known as an honorable and upright gentleman, and that his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the large circle of acquaintances which he has gained throughout the county is indicative of the fact that his salient characteristics are such as have won for him the honor, respect and good will of all with whom he has been associated.
WILLIAM L. DORR.
William I .. Dorr, living on section 24, Ross township, owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres which is well improved. The fields are carefully cul- tivated and as the soil is rich and productive substantial harvests are annually gathered. Mr. Dorr is also well known as a breeder of and dealer in Duroc Jersey hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle. Moreover, he is numbered among the old settlers of the county, dating his residence here from 1874, and is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Cedar county, June 19, 1869. He comes of Teutonic ancestry. His father, Leonard Dorr, was a native of Germany and when a young man sailed for the new world, settling first in Warren county, Illinois. He was afterward married there to Amelia Ann Osborn, a native of Warren county, and they began their domestic life upon a farm in that locality. Two children were born unto them ere their removal to Iowa. On coming to this state they took up their abode in Cedar county, where they lived for a few years, and where three more children were added to the family, namely: W. L., J. W. and C. A. About 1876 they removed to Taylor county and Mr. Dorr purchased land in Ross township and there developed a farm upon which he reared his family and made his home for a number of years. His wife died upon this farm in 1896 and Mr. Dorr has since spent his time among his children, being now with a son in Oklahoma.
William L. Dorr was reared on the home farm in this county, his youthful days being spent in the usual manner of farm lads who divided their time be- tween the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the du- ties of the fields. He acquired his education in the district schools and also in the public schools of Bedford, and when he started out in life on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared. He rented land and thus engaged in farming for several years, after which he removed to Kansas, where he carried on farming for two years. Subsequently he went to Oklahoma and later he returned to Taylor county. He has always carried on general farming and is now the owner of two hundred acres of rich and productive land on sec-
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tion 24, Ross township. Mr. Dorr purchased eighty acres of his present place soon after his marriage and as his financial resources have increased has extended the boundaries of the farm. He has also rebuilt and remodeled the house, has put up two new barns and has added many other modern equipments. He has fenced and cross-fenced the farm, has planted a good apple and peach orchard and in connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he is extensively and successfully engaged in raising Duroc Jersey hogs. He also has a herd of fifteen head of Aberdeen Angus cattle which are high- grade stock.
In Ross township in January, 1898, Mr. Dorr was united in marriage to Miss Laura Jones, who was born in Bedford and is a daughter of Taylor Jones. They now have two children: Carrie and Carl. Politically Mr. Dorr is a stanch democrat where national issues are involved but locally he casts an independent ballot. He was elected township clerk and served for three years, after which he was elected township trustee and filled that position for two years. He was next chosen assessor and has remained in public office altogether for ten years. He holds membership in the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are consistent Christian people, whose well- spent lives have won for them the high esteem, confidence and regard of all who know them. Mr. Dorr is widely recognized as a man of tried integrity and worth.
S. B. OVERMIRE.
S. B. Overmire, who is well known in the business circles of Lenox through his connection with real-estate and insurance interests, has also figured prom- inently in public affairs since his residence in this city and is recognized as one of the representative and influential citizens of the community. He dates his residence in Iowa from 1851, his parents being numbered among the very first settlers of Tama county.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Overmire was born in Sandusky county on the 25th of November, 1844, and came to Iowa with his parents when about seven years of age. He was reared to manhood in Tama county, remaining under the parental roof until twenty years of age when, actuated by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted on the 15th of February, 1864. as a member of Company F, Twenty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment went south to join General Banks in the Red River expedition. During this expedition he took part in a fight while on a transport, and almost miraculously escaped death, being in the thickest of the fight, with bullets and shells whistling all about him. Later his regiment joined General Sheridan in the Shenandoah campaign and during that time he saw much active service. He participated in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Old Oaks, was in the engagement at Opequon Creek and continued on through to Winchester. Subsequently the regiment stormed the heights of Fishers Hill and then fell back to Cedar Creek, where one of the greatest battles of the war was fought, and where they remained one month, from September 19 until October 19. For one month Sheridan's losses
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were nineteen thousand men, either killed, wounded or lost. Mr. Overmire then went to Baltimore, where he took ship for Savannah, Georgia, the regiment being sent to relieve Sherman. He marched back to Morehead City, and on to Newberne, North Carolina, and from there to Sherman's base of supplies. He was never wounded but became ill with measles and was in a hospital for a short time. Otherwise he lost no time whatever from his regiment and throughout his entire term of enlistment served with a courage and bravery that won for him a most creditable military record. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, and honorably discharged on the 12th of August, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his assistance Mr. Overmire returned home and at once became connected with agricultural pursuits. For six years he was thus identified as a renter, at the same time operating a threshing machine, and then he purchased a farm of eighty acres located in Tama county. This he later sold and then came to Taylor county, locating in Platte township. He invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land and immediately directed his efforts toward its cultivation and improvement. He broke the sod, converted the land into productive fields and built a dwelling and substantial barns and out- buildings, so that the farm, under his careful management, became a well- improved property. He continued to make this his home for several years and then withdrew from agricultural pursuits and removed to Lenox. Here he took up the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in early life, and for a number of years was engaged in erecting barns and houses throughout the community. Since about 1901, however, he has been identified with the real-estate and insur- ance business and has already gained an extensive patronage, which is constantly growing. He deals largely in farm and town property, handling considerable real estate, and he also writes a large amount of insurance annually. He has since sold his old homestead and purchased another well improved farm of eighty acres. He owns his home in Lenox and has also wisely invested his money in other real estate, being the possessor of valuable business property in this city. He is a man of good judgment, keen discrimination and excellent business ability, and through the exercise of these qualities has won for himself a most creditable place among the leading business men of Lenox.
It was on the 12th of March, 1868, in Tama county, Iowa, that Mr. Overmire was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Crawford, a native of Pennsylvania. She was reared, however, in Tama county, where she acquired a very good edu- cation. Mr. and Mrs. Overmire have become the parents of four children, one son and three daughters, namely: M. M. Overmire, a farmer of Platte township, who is married and has four children, three daughters and one son; Mary E., the wife of C. M. Frame, a farmer of Platte township, who also is a stock- breeder and dealer, making a specialty of pure blooded shorthorn cattle and Duroc hogs ; Edna D., who married Lewis Hewitt, also carrying on agricultural pursuits in Platte township; and Nellie M., the wife of Louis Crittenden, of Rivera, California.
Mr. Overmire is widely recognized as an enterprising and successful business man, but he is better known, perhaps, for the active and helpful interest he has taken in community affairs. In politics he gives his allegiance to the democracy when national questions are involved, but in local matters he is independent,
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reserving the right to vote for the men and measures which in his estimation will best conserve the general good. He served as assessor for a number of years and has also filled the office of road supervisor, while for many years he has been a member of the school board. Higher official honors came to him in his selection, by the people, as mayor of Lenox. He filled the office of chief executive for two years, and during that time gave to the city a businesslike, progressive and beneficial administration, in which he inaugurated various needed reforms and improvements, nor did he fail to check those movements which he deemed inimical to the best interests of the city. He has served as a delegate to various county and state conventions and is recognized as one of the leading and influential factors in the local ranks of the democratic party.
Fraternally Mr. Overmire is connected with the Odd Fellows, holding mem- bership in Lenox lodge, while he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He held the office of commander in the latter body for a time and is now serving as adjutant. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and are people of excellent standing in the community. In his business affairs Mr. Overmire has ever displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination and at the same time has ever been straightforward and honorable, basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integ- rity. In every relation of life, whether at home, in business or before the public, he has ever been guided by principles of upright and honorable manhood and has gained the unqualified respect and regard of his fellowmen.
H. L. CARR.
H. L. Carr, who is now serving his first term as mayor of Blockton, is showing himself well qualified to fill the position to the satisfaction of the public and with credit to himself. Spending his life here from his childhood days, he is well known to the people of this section, who have chosen him for the responsible posi- tion which he is now filling. Born in Worth county, Missouri, March 9, 1862, he was but an infant when brought to Taylor county by his parents, Thomas and Mary (Williams) Carr, the former a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was reared. He came as a young man to Taylor county, Iowa, and it was here that his marriage to Miss Williams was consummated. Following his marriage Mr. Carr removed to Worth county, Missouri, where he remained for a time but eventually returned to Taylor county, where he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry under Captain Flick. Going south with his company he was there taken sick and died in a hospital at Benton Barracks about 1864. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Red- ding, Ringgold county, Iowa.
H. L. Carr of this review was but a child when he was taken to Clinton county, this state, and was there reared on a farm, while his education was ac- quired in the common schools. He was a young man of twenty years, when, in 1882, he returned to Taylor county and sought employment at farm labor. He
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was married in October of the following year, 1883, to Miss Sarah Allen, who was born in Ohio but they were married in Buchanan county, Iowa.
Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm situated near Blockton and Mr. Carr gave his attention to general farming for about four years, when, believing that other pursuits would prove more con- genial, as well as profitable to him, he removed to Blockton and for several years was engaged in various lines of business. Always of a public-spirited nature, he has many times served in local official positions and on the republican ticket was elected mayor of Blockton, now serving his first term in that responsible position. Although he has served but a short time he has already demonstrated that he is the right man in the right place for he at once undertook the work of having the streets cleaned, walks laid and in other ways has made needed improvements which have added not only to the comfort and convenience of Blockton's residents but to the attractive appearance of the city as well. On all public questions where the best interests of the community are involved he is ever to be found on the right side and stands firm in support of his honest convictions.
Prominent in fraternal circles, Mr. Carr is a member of the Knights of Pyth- ias lodge, in which he has served through all the chairs and is now a past chan- cellor. He has also served as a delegate to the grand lodge seven years and has been instrumental in framing the by-laws with the Pythian committee. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Carr has been blessed with three children but their first- born, Vanna V., died when three years of age, the surviving members being Cul- len B. and Beulah May. The family are prominent in social circles in Blockton and as an official Mr. Carr stands high in the community, having the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact, while as charter members of the Christian church both Mr. and Mrs. Carr take an active part in the various organizations of that denomination.
HOWARD HENSLEY.
Earnest, persistent and intelligently directed labor constitutes the basis of all legitimate and honorable success. More than a century ago Thomas Jefferson said: "The hope of the nation lies in the tillers of the soil," while George Wash- ington said: "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable oc- cupation of man." To that work Howard Hensley devoted his energies until he had acquired capital sufficient to enable him to put aside further cares and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He is, therefore, now living retired in Bedford but for many years was a leading rep- resentative of the farming interests of Taylor county.
Mr. Hensley was born in Bloomington, Indiana, May 9, 1844, and is a son of Nathan and Mary (Moshur) Hensley. The father was born in Kentucky and was a son of Samuel and Jane Hensley, the former of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. He became one of the early settlers of Kentucky, afterward removing to Bloomington, Indiana, and for many years followed farming. spend- ing his last days in Monroe county, Indiana. The maternal grandfather of How-
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ard Hensley removed from Tennessee to Indiana at an early period in the de- velopment of the latter state and he, too, made farming his life work. He was of German lineage and both he and his wife died when well advanced in years, after rearing a large family. The children of Samuel and Jane Hensley were twelve in number: James, Sally, Richard, Joseph, Martha, Mary, Jane, Nancy, Rachel, Nathan, John and Catharine.
Of this family Nathan Hensley was reared to farm life and always carried on general agricultural pursuits. He removed from Kentucky to Indiana, later to Illinois and eventually to Washington territory, but in the fall of 1874 returned to the Mississippi Valley and settled in Iowa. He lived in Bedford until 1879 when he took up his abode in Hopkins, Missouri, his death there occurring in 1880 when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife survived him until 1900 and was eighty-five years of age at the time of her demise. Both were members of the Baptist church and their many good qualities made them people of the highest respectability. Their family numbered four sons and seven daughters : Byers, Henry and Mrs. Elizabeth Ferris, all now deceased; Eliza, the deceased wife of David Alexander; Martha, the wife of Uriah Mullikin, of Franklin, Indiana; Howard; Mary, the widow of Theodore Risser, of Maryville, Mis- souri ; Celia, the wife of Isaac Helton, of Chicago; Richard, who died when four years of age; Mrs. Winnie Mustine, deceased; and Sarah, who became the wife of Charles Bagby and after his death married Charles Ramsay, now deceased. She now resides in Clarinda, Iowa.
In taking up the personal history of Howard Hensley we present to our read- ers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Bedford and Taylor county. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads, for he was upon his father's farm near Bloomington, Indiana, and attended the district schools there. At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in response to the country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in the south, becoming a member of Company F, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He. joined the army on the 5th of March, 1862, and was mustered out on the 5th of March, 1865. At the battle of Antietam on the 17th of September, 1862, he was wounded and lay for three days and three nights on the battlefield. So many were the wounded in that engagement that the army surgeons and their assistants could not attend to him before that time. He was then taken from the battlefield to the hospital at Germantown, Philadelphia. He had participated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam and a number of small engagements in Virginia and in the vicinity of Washington. There were eighty men in his company whose height ranged from six to seven feet, Captain David Van Buskirk being seven feet tall. Captain Copp who was killed at Antietam, was the first commander of Company F, while General Mans- field commanded the corps and was also killed there.
Mr. Hensley never faltered in the performance of any military duty whether it called him to the thickest of the fight or stationed him on the lonely picket line. When the country no longer needed his aid he returned to his home in Indiana and soon afterward removed to McDonough county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1868. He then went to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he re- sided until 1873 and in that year arrived in Taylor county, Iowa, settling in Ross
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township. At one time he was the owner of an extensive and valuable farm of five hundred and twenty-five acres and he still has two hundred and ten acres of rich and productive land. He improved his property according to modern methods, continued the cultivation of his fields for thirty years and reared his family upon his farm. He then removed to Bedford, where he purchased a beautiful home that he now occupies and amid pleasant surroundings he is enjoying the comforts and some of the luxuries that go to make life worth living. In addi- tion to the tilling of the soil he was formerly engaged extensively in the raising of stock, making a specialty of horses.
On the 27th of December, 1868, Mr. Hensley was married to Miss Susanna Wingard, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Zook) Wingard. She was born at Camden, Carroll county, Indiana, July 26, 1846, while her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. They became early settlers of Indiana, however, and there they reared their family of seventeen children, of whom ten are now living : Abraham; Catherine, the wife of Morgan A. Dewey; Susanna, the wife of Howard Hensley; Jacob Z .; Alexander; James; Elizabeth, the wife of Felda Runk; Rosanna, the wife of Samuel Van Horn; Mellie, the wife of Christ Van Nett; and Emily, the wife of William Yager. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hensley were John and Catherine Wingard. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and of German lineage. He died at an old age, while his wife passed away when well advanced in years. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hensley was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hensley was blessed with twelve children. Su- sanna L., the eldest, is the wife of J. F. Miller, of Los Angeles, California, and they have two children, Galon R. and Flossie. Tilman H., a farmer of Taylor county, married Ella E. Spencer and they have seven children : Hazel I., Burrell H., Lela R., Ora R., Wayne, Ralph and Opal. Leah R. is the wife of T. F. Allen, of Ross township and has two children, Cecil E. and Russell. Jacob N., a farmer living three miles southeast of Bedford, married Miss Bertha J. Jones and they have four children, Ethel, Dewey, Clay and Nell. Mary C. is the wife of Lewis McClernon, of Page county, Iowa, and they have three children, Howard and Gale and an infant. Phebe E. is the wife of C. A. Ferrell, of Missoula, Montana. Blanche E. is the wife of A. E. Beauchamp, of Butte, Montana, and they have one child, Eula. Winnie M. is the wife of E. E. Tondo, residing near Bedford, and they have one son, Kenneth H. James A., who married Chloe Griffith, resides on the home farm. Lillian F. is the wife of H. A. Stephens, living at Missoula, Montana. Ruth T. and Ruby C. were twins and are deceased.
In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Hensley spent two months in the west, visiting Mon- tana, Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Denver. They are members of the Christian church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the confidence, good will and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Hensley belongs to Sedgewick Post, No. 10, G. A. R., and at the polls gives earnest endorsement to the republican party and its principles. He has served as school director and for a number of years was township trustee. The duties of these positions he discharged with promptness and fidelity and at all times has been an advocate of public progress and improvement, being as loyal to his country in days of
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peace as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south. His business record, too, is equally commendable, his success being honorably won in legitimate fields of labor.
CHARLES FRANKLIN DRESHER.
Charles Franklin Dresher, living retired in Bedford after a long, close and successful connection with farming interests in Polk township, Taylor county, where he still owns a large tract of valuable land, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1833. He is a son of Stephen and Louisa (Sneaybarger) Dresher, the father also a native of Berks county, and of German descent. The mother was born in Switzerland. Samuel Dresher, the grandfather of Charles F. Dresher, was a native of Pennsylvania and followed farming as his life work., He was survived by his wife for about twenty years, her death occurring when she had reached quite old age. Their family consisted of two sons and five daughters. The mother of our subject accompanied her father, mother and brother on their emigration from Switzerland to the United States, being but two years of age at the time. Stephen Dresher was also a farmer and a soldier of the Civil war. He died in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, when seventy-seven years of age, after which his wife removed to Page county, Iowa, where she passed away at the age of seventy-five years. Both were consistent members of the German Lutheran church. In their family were twelve children, namely: Charles Franklin ; James Jefferson; Mary Matilda, the wife of John Stroup of Max, Nebraska; Hannah, of Red Bluff, California; William, who was killed in the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil war; Samuel and John, both deceased; Lydia, the deceased wife of James Border; Catharine Lucretia, deceased ; Stephen Albert, of Denver; George Howard, of Omaha; and Christian, who has also passed away.
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