USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 29
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Eddyville, and all freight was carried overland. as far west as Omaha, as far north as 150 miles, and as far south. He took a great interest in any movement likely to advance the prosperity of the community.
Dr. Nosler was united in marriage, in In- diana, with Jemima Moore, a native of Ken- tucky. To this union the following children were born who lived to maturity: Martha . \. : Thomas M .; Mary J. : Jrene ; Armilla C. ; and Sarah E. and Henry C., twins. All are now living but the first named. There were two children, not here named, who died in their in- fancy. In religions belief, they were Method- ists. Mrs. Nosler died, and the Doctor formed a second union, Sarah Nelson, who is also de- ccased, becoming his wife. Dr. Nosler was first a Whig, in politics, and later a stanch Re- publican. While living in Indiana, he served in the capacity of sheriff of Putnam county.
Henry C. Nosler, the youngest son of Dr. James Nosler, was born in 1843, and was but three years of age when he was brought by his parents to Wapello county, lowa. He re- ccived his early educational training in the common schools, and was attending college at Mount Pleasant, lowa. when the Civil War broke out. He left the class room and en- listed in Company 1. 7th Reg. lowa Vol. Inf .. under Captain Irvin. The regiment was as- signed to the First Brigade of Grant's army. and was engaged in the first battle fought by that general, at Belmont, Missouri. Hle was di-charged because of disability, in 1862, but reenlisted in Company F. 18th Reg., łowa Vol. Inf., serving as second lieutenant. lle re-
signed in November, 1862, and returned to Wapello county, where he entered the employ of the United States Express Company, as messenger on a stage route. He was trans- ferred to Illinois, where he remained for ten years, and then, in 1875, went into the ice business, which he carried on for a period of seven years. In 1882, he returned to the em- ploy of the United States Express Company. is agent at Ottumwa. Ile joined the Masonic fraternity in 1873, becoming a member of Em- pire Lodge at Pekin, Illinois. He joined (t- tumwa Lodge. No. 16, of the same order. and belongs to Malta Commandery No. 31. of (t- tumwa. He is a member of the G. A. R. Po- litically, he is affiliated with the Republican party.
HARLES A. BOSWORTH, a well known educator of Wapello county, Jowa. is the principal of the High- land Center schools, an official posi- tion he has maintained in a most creditable manner since 1897. He was born in Jay coun- ty. Indiana, August 1, 1870, and is a son of Augustus and Keziah W. ( Mills ) Bosworth. Augustus Bosworth was born in Gallia county, Ohio, in 1820, and now lives on his farm near Portland, Indiana. He married Keziah W. Mills, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1827, and was a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Mills. They were married in 1843, and to them were born nine children, as follows: Marcus, Laura and Ruth. deceased : Sarah : Eli: Homer: Anthony :
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Cyrus, deceased : and Charles. Mrs. Bosworth died in 1898, at the age of seventy-one years, and she lies buried in the cemetery at Sala- monia, Indiana.
Charles A. Bosworth attended the Eastern Indiana Normal School two years, and taught school in Indiana for some time. le came to Wapello county, lowa, in March, 1800. Hle completed the Wapello County Teachers' normal course, and received his diploma, in 1897. The first examination he took in Iowa was under Superintendent George Phillips, at which he received a first-class certificate, and has held a certificate of that grade since that time. Ile took a course in the Ottumwa Business College, in 1893, and then accepted a position with John Morrell & Company, Ltd., as assistant cashier and paymaster. He continued in that capacity for a year and a half and then, in the fall of 1895, resigned to accept the position of principal of the Dahl- onega schools. In 1897, he was tendered the position of principal of the Highland Center schools, which he accepted. He has held this position for four years and is now serving his fifth year, which closes in 1902. His wife is his able assistant in the Highland Center schools, having charge of the primary depart- ment. She is a graduate of the normal depart- ment of the Ottumwa Business College, hav- ing received her diploma in May, 1897.
Of the eight children comprising the Bos- worth family who reached maturity, there is but one who has not been a teacher, and all have been successful in their chosen vocation. Three of them have gone into the ministry.
viz: Homer, pastor of the Christian church at Salamonia, Indiana; Anthony, pastor of the First Christian church at Montpelier, In- diana : and Cyrus, a minister of the Congrega- tional church, who, while finishing a course in college at Merom, Indiana, became sick and ‹lied in June, 1894. Marcus, the oldest brother, enlisted in the Civil war, in 1863, at Portland. Indiana, and was a member of Company B. with Reg .. Ind. Vol. Cav .. in which he served until the close of hostilities. He spent the re- mainder of his life in school work, and, prior to his death, conducted a private school in one of Denver's suburbs. He died in 1895.
Charles A. Bosworth was united in mar- riage June 10, 1894, with Nancy E. Reinier. a daughter of Thomas and Rhoda ( Cobler ) Reinier : they have one child, Thomas .A., aged four years. They are members of the High- land Center M. E. church. Mr. Bosworth is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and is a charter member of Camp No. 0873. Highland Center. Mrs. Bosworth is a charter member of Cedar Camp. No. 2327. Royal Neighbors of America, and has been one of its officers since its organization. Politi- cally, Mr. Bosworth is a Republican.
AMES R. GREEN. This gentleman has been prominently identified with the growth and development of Wa- pello county, Iowa. He was born in Wapello county in 1855, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Rollins) Green.
W. H. MILLER.
MRS. EADY C. MILLER.
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John Green was born in Kentucky in 1808, and came to Iowa in 1851. He was a man of very large stature and attained the weight of 286 pounds. He followed the occupation of a farmer most of his life, but in 1856 opened a hotel in Agency City, called the Quiet House, which he conducted for a period of ten years. In 1866 he sold his hotel and bought 176 acres of land a mile and a quarter southeast of Agency City, where he lived until 1878. He then sold his farm, and located in Clyde, Kan- sas. Hle married Elizabeth Rollins, who was a native of Indiana. They reared the follow- ing children: James R., the subject of this sketch: Marion, who is engaged in the hotel business in Colorado: Addison, who conducts a shoe store in Kansas City, Missouri ; Willie E., who is engaged in the grocery business in Nebraska: and Amanda L., deceased.
James R. Green, the subject of this biog- raphy, lived in Kansas eleven months and then returned to Wapello county, where he bought his present farm in AAgency township, one mile south of Agency City. He now owns 70 acres of land in section 2. where he carries on general farming and poultry raising. His farm is well managed and kept in a very good condition and he has a thorough knowledge of agricultural matters. Mr. Green is always deeply interested in any movement which is for the good of the community in which he lives.
Mr. Green married AAmanda Ridings, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1854. They have reared the following children, name- ly: Minnie, Mattie, Ida and Ray, who is an adopted son. Politically Mr. Green is a mem-
ber of the Republican party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 1800. of Agency City. Mr. Green and his fam- ily are members of the Congregational church.
Il. MILLER, a well known resi- dent of Ottumwa, Jowa, owns a valuable farm of 322 acres in Pleasant township, Wapello coun- ty. He was born in Union county, Indiana. December 1. 1837, and is a son of Caleb and Mary ( Bedell ) Miller.
Caleb Miller was born in Union county, In- diana. October 15. 1815, and followed farm- ing throughout his entire life. In 1839 he moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he re- sided seven years, when he located in Dahlone- ga township. Wapello county, Iowa, in the fall of 1846. Entering a claim, he followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred in 1874. Ile was a Republican in politics, served as justice of the peace for some years, and was on the school board of Dahlonega township for a number of years. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ile was united in marriage with Mary Bedell. who was born in Indiana, in 1817, and died in 1897. They reared six children, as follows : W. H., the subject of this biography : Sarah E. : John B .: B. F .: Mary C .; and Clarence B.
W. H. Miller was a child of two years when his parents moved to Darke county, Ohio. and had attained the age of nine years when they located in Wapello county in 1846. He
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resided with his father in Dahlonega township until 1864, when he moved to Pleasant town- ship. Hle engaged in agricultural pursuits with a great deal of success, and became the owner of 322 acres of fine farming land in that town- ship. Ile followed this occupation until 1899. when he moved to Ottumwa, leaving the farm to be worked by his two sons, L. E. and C. E. Miller, and son-in-law, E. L. Giltner. He was a careful manager, led an industrious life and accumulated a handsome competence, which will permit him to spend the remainder of his days in case and comfort. .
Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Eady Cobler, who was born in Indiana in 1839 and came to Wapello county, Iowa, with her parents in 1843. She is a daughter of the late Louis Cobler. This union resulted in the fol- lowing offspring: Louis E., Caleb E. and Mary J. (Giltner). Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church.
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are shown on preceding pages of this book. in proximity to this.
M. EASTBURN. This gentleman is an extensive land owner, and a well- known farmer and stockbreeder, of Green township. Wapello county, lowa. Ile has a farm of 200 acres of land in scetions 7 and 18, township 71, range 14. Mr. Eastburn was born in Tippecanoe county, In- diana, August 20, 1848, and is a son of Benja- min Eastburn. Benjamin Eastburn was of English descent, and all his life followed the P
occupation of a farmer. He owned (40 acres of land near Fremont, Iowa, which he pur- chased in 1852. He was highly respected by all, and his death was much mourned.
B. M. Eastburn received more than an or- dinary education. He attended the Central University, in Marion county, Indiana, after finishing his studies in the common schools of his native county. In September, 1892. Mr. Eastburn purchased his present home-farm of the llendricks heirs. This lan I had been en- tered by Daniel Saunders, on a military land warrant issued in 1850. In 1855, the Ilen- dricks heirs became possessed of the land and they in turn sold it to Mr. Eastburn. It was in a very poor condition, and the new owner set to work to bring it to its present state of cultivation. Hle secded down the major por- tion of the land, bestowed upon it much care, and it was not long until great improvement was noticed. Most of the farm is fenced in with woven wire, and the houses and out- buildings are all large and convenient.
Mr. Eastburn has always had a fancy for fast horses, and at one time owned a string of horses that became well known in lowa for their trotting records. In 1804. Mr. East- burn and his son, Jesse, under the firm name of Eastburn & Son, began the collection of a stock of fine thoroughbred Chester-White hogs. These hogs have taken first and second pre- miums at the state fair and at the fair held in Eldon. The finest hog in his stock is named "Good Enough," its registered number being 10.233: it is three years old, and weighs 835 pounds. It took the first premium at the lowa
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state fair in 1950. Mr. Eastburn had one hog which weighed over one thousand pounds. He sells his three-month and four-month-old pigs at from $15 to $25 cach, and last year sold $1.700 worth of this stock. Mr. Eastburn and his son also own a flock of 225 Shropshire sheep, (a good portion of them being registered ), which they are placing on the market. Mr. Eastburn is a man of much ex- centive ability, and has met with the great sie- cess which he has merited.
Mr. Eastburn chose for his first wife, Anna E. Barnes, whom he married in 1868. She died in April, 1871, leaving one son, Fred B .. who resides in Adams township. For his sec- ond wife, Mr. Eastburn married, in 1872, Amelia F. Baitsell, who was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio. She is a daughter of John Bait- sell. who was born in New York City, and was a cooper by trade. 1'_ removed to Cincinnati, where he continued at his trade for some time. and came to Iowa in 1856. He then took up farming near Oskaloosa and remained there until 1864, when he sold his farm and pur- chased Jand near Fremont. He died there at the age of seventy-one years, honored by all who knew him. Jane Watkins Baitsell, the mother of Mrs. Eastborn was born in Wales. in 1812, and was a highly educated and accom- plished woman.
Mr. and Mrs. Eastburn have been the par- ents of the following children, namely: Jesse O., born in 1874, who assists his father in operating the farm: Ora Pearl, born in 1876. who is at home: Walter B., born in 1878, who died in 1804: and Emma Letha, born in 1879.
who is also at home. The children have all received university educations, and the dangh- ters are accomplished musicians.
Mr. Eastburn is a Republican in politics, and notwithstanding the fact that the neigh- borhood is Democratic, he was elected a school director four terms. He also served as town- ship trustce. The family attend the Baptist church in Ottumwa.
ILS ABRAHAM, a native of Sweden. was born in 1836. He owns three farms in Green township, Wapello county, lowa, the first one being lo- cited on section 17, township 71. range 14, and consisting of 80 acres; the second being located in section 16, township 71, range 14. and consisting of 40 acres ; and the third be- ing located on sections 17. 19 and 20, town- ship 71, range 14, and consisting of 100 acres. He makes his home on the first named farm, and is engaged in diversified farming.
Nils Abraham's father owned a small farm in Sweden, and as soon as Nils was old enough he was apprenticed to a man who ran a flour mill. Hle remained with him seventeen years, saving his wages. When he decided to come to this country, he was not obliged to come permiless, Mr. Abraham arrived in New York in 1868, and entered the employ of a railroad company. In 1876, he purchased the home farm of 80 acres. This was entirely covered with brush and timber, and a little log house
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stood on the place. This log house now stands by the side of the fine residence which Mr. Abraham erected. The barn and outbuildings are large and modern, affording ample shelter for his cattle and grain. By dint of hard work and much frugality, Mr. Abraham has reached his present goal of success, each year marking an increase in his income. His three farms in Green township consist of 220 acres and are kept in splendid condition.
Mr. Abraham was married, in 1870, to Anna Kunston, and they have three children, namely : Alfred. Selma and Emma. Politi- cally, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran church.
E. PECK, who has one of the most commodious homes to be found throughout the country, in Wapello county, lowa, lives near the race- track in Center township, and also owns the tract on which the track is located. He was engaged successfully in general farming and berry raising for many years, but at the pres- ent time rents his land to his son, Franklin. He was born October 7. 1832. in Westport. Connecticut, and is a son of Dennis H. Peck.
Dennis H. Peck was born in Connecticut, and died at the age of seventy-three years. llis grandfather was also a native of Con- necticut. On the side of his mother Mr. Peck is also descended from Eastern people, her ancestors having been located there for several generations.
HI. E. Peck was reared at Westport, twenty- two miles from New Haven, Connecticut, until he reached his thirteenth year, when he ran away from home. He became a sailor before the mast, and rose in a comparatively short time to a trusted position,-one which some men never reach in the work of a lifetime. After one of the severe storms which are so frequent on the ocean, he was reported drowned, and when he finally landed he was sought out by his mother and induced to quit so hazardous an occupation. After these many years of ocean life he obtained a position as engine-wiper, and through strict attention to business and natural ability was rapidly pro- moted. He was first made fireman, and then engineer, on the New Haven Railroad. Soon his services were sought by the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Company, for which he worked thirteen years. lle was their most trust- ed man, and when any quick or extra hazardous run had to be made he was the choice for en- gineman. This confidence in his ability was never misplaced. Strange as it may seem, he never met with an accident, but his carefulness and prudence in an emergency have saved the lives of mary. In 1870 he was offered the position of foreman of the engine department of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Rail- road, which he held until he resigned and took up farming. This he did not so much as a matter of business as to enjoy for the remainder of his days a more retired and quiet life. The homestead comprises 27 acres, and the tract on which the race-track is located contains 80 acres. Both of these farms are now rented to
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his son. Five years ago he built one of the largest and most commodious farm-houses in the county-two and a half stories high and 47 by 68 feet in dimensions. Ile has also erected a large barn and all outhouses neces- sary for successful farming.
November 5. 1855. Mr. Peck was united in marriage with AAdeline Pratt, who passed away March 6, 1897, having given birth to eight children, as follows: Harry A., born March 6, 1857: Emma C., who was born Jan- uary 26, 1860, and died February 1. 1897: Ada C., born December 20, 1864: W. 1 .. born August 20, 1866; Franklin K., born October 2. 1868: Phebe S., born December 27, 1870; Hiram P., who was born October 14. 1876. and died August 10. 1888; and James G., born August 31. 1878. Mr. Peck has always been a Republican in politics, and is very liberal in religious views.
FORGE W. HATCHI, the owner of 200 acres of valuable farming land in Center township, Wapello county, Iowa, and about 65 acres within the city limits of Ottumwa, is one of the most pro- gressive farmers in his section of the county. He was born of English ancestry, his father. George Hatch, having been born in Hull, Eng- land. in 1820. His mother was born in Pen- sylvania in 1827. George Hatch came to America in 1833, and settled in lowa in 1844. The mother settled in this county in 1837. They had HI children.
Mr. Hatch carried on farming on this land many years before buying it. He cultivated it with 500 or 600 acres of other land, and hav- ing been very successful in several money- making projects, he decided to buy the 200 acres above mentioned. It was formerly the estate of Charles F. Blake. In 1898 he pur- chased 200 acres in section 33. township 72, range 14. At present he is erecting one of the largest and finest barns in the county, and also has a fine residence. He has been an extensive stock-raiser, often having several hundred head of cattle and hogs. At present he has but few cattle, but is running what is known as the "Quaker Dairy," and supplying cream and milk to the citizens of Ottumwa. Ile prefers Shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Hatch was married to Ada C. Jeffries, February 16, 1881. She is of English descent. Nine children have resulted from this union, whose names are: Jennie E., born March 15, 1882; Blaine, who was born October 15. 1884. and died November 23. 1884: Mary E., boro January 1, 1886; Harry, who was born No- vember 24, 1888, and died in December, 1889; Vera H., who was born March 17, 1890. and died in December, 1802: Lela A., born June 9. 1892; George W., born August 14, 1805: Luella, who was born November 5. 1897, and died February 13. 1899; and Lucille, born August 12, 1899.
Mr. Hatch is a Republican in politics, and. although he has taken a deep interest in local politics, he has never sought political prefer- ment. He is much interested in educational conditions in his township, and lends his sup-
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port to that cause. It was greatly through his influence and assistance that the handsome school-house in the district was erected. Mr. Hatch is a member of the Odd Fellows order. lle is very liberal and broad-minded in his views on religions subjects.
m RS. SAR.VI W. (ATWELL) Me- COY, a highly esteemed resident of Agency township. Wapel. county. lowa, is the widow of John W. AMcCoy. She was born in England, August 27, 1836, and is a daughter of John . irwell.
Jolm Atwell was born in England. Feb- ruary 20, 1812, and was first a baker by trade. buit later applied himself to agricultural pur- suits. lle now resides in Kansas. Ile mar- ried Mary F. Doughty, who was born in Eng- land, and is deceased. They became the par- ents of the following children: Sarah W .; Anna : John; Nancy: William ; Frances; Har- riet : Richard: Ellen: George: and Lizzie.
Sarah W. Atwell was first united in mar- riage with Mr. Erridge, who is deceased. They had four children: Sarah; Elizabeth ; Mary, deceased : and William. After the death of her husband she came with her four children to Wapello county, Iowa, and located in Agency township, on the Evans farm. She settled on her present farm in 1864, and has since resided upon it. She has a fine property of 100 acres in section 24. township 72. range 13. which is conducted by her two sons, Otis and Frank.
She formed a matrimonial alliance with John W. McCoy on September 2, 1866.
John W. McCoy was born in Pennsylvania in 1843, and came to Wapello county, Iowa. in 1850, with his parents. He served three years in the Civil War, in the 220 Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and won an honorable record. He was engaged in farming throughout his entire ac- tive career, and died March 20, 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. McCoy reared the following children: Dora, deceased, who was the wife of William Wilder, by whom she had two chil- dren,-Nellie and Rosa; Frank, who is a farmer and resides about a mile north of the home farm: Oscar, deceased; Otis; and Ella. Mr. McCoy was a Republican in politics, and was a trustee of Agency township at the time of his death. Mrs. McCoy is a woman of many estimable traits of character, and enjoys the respect and friendship of every one with whom she is acquainted.
D R. MORRIS L. DAVIS, who has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Agency City and Ot- timmwa. Wapello county, lowa, for the past fifteen years, is very successful, and enjoys the patronage of the leading citizens of the community.
Dr. Davis was born in London, England, July 14, 1845, and is a son of John and Ann Davies, and a nephew of Sir William Pugh and the lawful heir of his estate. He first visited the United States in 1859. His early
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education was pursued in the Branch, Charter House, Welsh and St. Bartholomew schools at London, England, the course in the latter institution embracing the classics, general sci- ence, pharmacy and medicine. He graduated from Wyoming College, at Kingston, Pen- sylvania, in 1874, from the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, in 1879. and the medical department of New York University in 1884. Hle was a student of Dr. G. S. Bailey at Chicago, who was at one time pastor of the Baptist church at Ottumwa, Jowa. Dr. Davis was a private student of Prof. Alfred L. Loomis, in physical diagnosis, histology and pathology: Prof. William H. Thompson, in physical diagnosis; Prof. William Draper, in chemistry: Professor Wright, of New York University, in surgery ; and Professor Janeway, of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City. in physical diagnosis. He matricu- lated in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, of New York City, in 1803. He served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. in the ist Reg .. Delaware Vol. Inf .. 3d Brigade, Sec- ond Division. 2d Way Corps. liter the Army of the Potomac had returned to Arling- ton Heights, Virginia, he was taken with ty- phoid fever, and remained at Washington. D. C., three months after the regiment was mus- tered out. He then returned home and began to work so as to be able to support a widowed mother, two sisters and two brothers and pre- pare himself for his different studies and col- luge courses. He has practiced medicine in New York City, Youngstown, Ohio, and Ot- · tumwa and Agency City, Iowa. He has prac-
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