USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 54
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Mr. Parr is a Republican, but does not aspire to political preferment. He is a public- spirited man, and his friends in the county are niany.
Philip Williams came of Revolutionary stock and was born near Clarksville, Montgom- ery county, Tennessee, July 15, 1797. In 1812 he enlisted in the army to fight against the Indians, January 8, 1815, he sounded an alarm on his drum in one of the regiments at- tached to General Jackson's army at New Or- leans. His discharge from the army that drove the British from American soil, for the second ; time, is now in the family, and prized as a
" NASHVILLE, May 13th, 1815. "I certify that Philip Williams, a drummer in my division of Tennessee Militia, has performed a duty of six months in the service of the United States, that his good conduct, subordination and valor under the most trying hardships entitle him to the gratitude of his country, and he is hereby honorably discharged.
" WILLIAM CARROLL .. " Major General Second Division, "Tennessee Militia."
Mr. Williams returned to his home and in 1849 was united in marriage to Nancy Will- iams, who was born September 28, 1820, and in January, 1822, was taken to Calloway coun ty, Kentucky, by her parents. Two sons and three daughters blessed this union, all of whom are dead but Richard M. By a previous mar- riage with a Miss Henderson, who later died. there were several children, of whom ex-Sheriff W. H. Williams is the only one now living. Mr. Williams moved to McCracken county, Kentucky, with his family, and was there elect- ed a magistrate, and later, sheriff of the coun- ty. He was afterwards a pilot on the flat-
R ICHARD M. WILLIAMS, one of the most successful farmers of Pleasant township, Wapello county, lowa, has a fine farm of 105 acres, located in section 22. He was born in MeCracken coun- ty, Kentucky, April 1, 1850, and is a son of boats until he became too old for service. He Philip and Nancy Williams. died August 11, 1868.
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Richard M. Williams was reared in Mc- Cracken county. Kentucky, and at an early age located in Wapello county, lowa. No other ambition actuated him than to succeed in his chosen vocation of farming, and it may safely be said he is satisfying his desires in this re- gard. Ilis farm is fertile and well managed. and is stocked with cattle and horses, whose conformation indicates that their origin is in the best strains of bloed.
Mr. Williams was united in marriage Au- gust 10, 1885, with Clara B. Ilill, a daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Hamlet) Hill. Two children have blessed their union, namely : Euna A. and Lettie M. In politics Mr. Will- iams has always been a Democrat. He has not endeavored to be an office-seeker, and only to . meet the requirements of good citizenship has he consented to run for a political office. Ile has, however, shown his personal popularity by being elected township trustee and clerk and school director of his district. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Ma- sonic order.
RS. ELIZA B.(LYONS ) PICKEN. widow of James E. Picken, of Richland township. Wapello coun- ty. lowa, was born near Pittsburg. Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1847, and is a daughter of Robert Lyons.
Robert Lyons was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1833. lle land- ed in New York City and located in Pennsyl- vania, where he resided until 1852, when he
moved to Niles, Ohio. There he remained until 1857, and then moved west to lowa. Hle and his family came here by boat from Ohio, going down the Ohio River, thence up the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers, to Ottumwa, the voy- age consuming three weeks. He later moved to Albia, Iowa, where he resided until 1862. He enlisted in that year, in the 37th Reg., lowa Vol. Inf.,-known as the "Graybeard" regi- ment,-and died a short time after enlisting. He was a Democrat in politics. lle married Sarah Wray, who was born in Ireland, and they reared eight children, as follows: James and Mary, twins: Samuel, Esther, Eliza B .. Katherine, Robert. and Willam, deceased. After the death of her husband. Mrs. Lyons and a son purchased a farm in Richland town- ship, Wapello county, on which she located with her children. She is still living and re- sides in Ottawa, Kansas, aged eighty-nine years.
In 1869 Eliza B. Lyons was united in mar- riage with James E. Picken, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1837. His father. Alpha Picken, was born in Harrison county. Ohio, and married Jane Anderson, who was also a native of that county, and they reared the following children : Mathew. Malilah, Su- san, Nancy, James E., Matilda, Benjamin .A. and Alpha. James E. Picken came to Wapello county, lowa, with his parents in 1846, and located in Richland township. After his mar- riage with Eliza B. Lyons they continued to live in Richland township, where he carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1886 they located on the northwest quarter of sec-
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tion 24. where he resided until his death, on his native state. He enlisted in 1861, in Com- September 15, 1892. He was a Republican in pany C. 42nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served his country until the close of the war. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Franklin and Nashville and other engage- ments. In 1865 he received his discharge from the army and afterward moved to lowa, in 1866. He bought his present tract of 200 acres, and is engaged in cultivating a well stocked farm, whose general appearance speaks well for its owner's thrift and energy. politics. Mrs. Picken now resides on the okl home farm in Richland township, and owns 240 acres of valuable land. She is a business woman of considerable ability, and a good man- ager. She became the mother of 12 children, of whom four are living. Her children were: Eugene, deceased : Nellie and Fred, twins, both deceased ; Mary and Esther, deceased: Grace. who is at home: Helen and James, deceased ; Robert and Beulah, twins, both of whom are at home: Matthew, who is also at home ; and Irma, deceased. Nellie lived to be twenty-six years old. She married Eugene Harp, of Illi- nois, and left two children,-Helen and Nellie .A. Mrs. Picken and her children are members of the Presbyterian church.
J B. HIELM.AN, one of the leading ag- riculturists of Pleasant township, Wa- pello county, Iowa, lives in section 36, where he owns and cultivates 200 acres of land. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of David and Eliza- beth ( Smith ) Helman.
David Helman was a native of Center coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. Ile married Elizabeth Smith, who was also a native of Center county. and they had nine children, of whom four are now living. namely: Mary, Irene. David, and J. B., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Helman was united in marriage with Lydia Smalley, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1840. She died in January. 1873. Six children resulted from this union, namely: Frank O., deceased: C. E., who is a Methodist minister at Caldwell, Idaho; W. W., deceased : David, who lives at Warren, Ohio: and Benjamin and Mary E., deceased. Mr. Helman married, as his second wife, Maggie A. Grenland, who for many years prior to her marriage was the efficient postmistress at Batavia. She is a native of Pennsylvania.
In politics Mr. Helman is a Republican and takes an active interest in local affairs. Ile is always willing to assist in any public undertak- ing and is a man who commands the respect of all who know him.
Z T. KNIGHT, who is extensively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Wa- pello county, lowa. has a fine farm of 328 and one-third acres, in Washing J. B. Helman was reared and schooled in ton township, where he lives in section 13. 11e
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was born in Agency township, Wapello county, lowa, on what is now known as the old Rail farm, March 18, 1847, and is a son of G. W. Knight.
G. W. Knight was born in Maryland and moved west to Agency township. Wapello county, lowa. in 1843. He remained here until 1849. when he went to Indiana. He was united in marriage with Maria Miller, who died when Z. T. Knight was a youth. They reared four children, as follows: Henry, who died in the army during the Civil War: Mary E .: Jane. deceased: and Z. T., the subject of this sketch.
Z. T. Knight was about two years of age when he was taken by his father from AAgency township to Indiana, where he received his mental training and grew to maturity. He lived there until the fall of 1868, when he re- turned to Wapello county, lowa, and located in Washington township, where he has since re- sided and followed farming. He has lived on his present excellent farm in section 13 for the past twenty-seven years. He follows gen- eral farming and stock raising on a large scale. and handles only a high grade of stock. His farm is well watered, highly cultivated and equipped with all the outbuildings necessary to successful farming. He has a comfortable residence, and his place presents a neat and at- tractive appearance.
Mr. Knight was united in marriage with Susan Flint, who was born in Washington township. Wapello county, lowa, May 31. 1853, and is a daughter of Joseph Flint, de- casal. Mr. Flint was an early settler of Wa-
pello county. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: Olaetta ( James ), of Jefferson county, lowa; Grace; George; Everett : and Raymond. Politically Mr. Knight is a Democrat and takes an earnest in- terest in party affairs. Religiously he favors the old school Primitive Baptist church.
R EUBEN HODSON, who is among the foremost agriculturists of Wapello county, Iowa, resides in section 3, Washington township. He was born in Washington township March 4. 1849. and is a son of Jesse Hodson.
Jesse Hodson was born in Indiana and in 1848 located in Henry county, lowa. One year later he settled in Wapello county. He formed in Washington township, and also fol- lowed the occupation of a miller. His death occurred in 1857, and he was sincerely mourned by all who knew him. He married Anna Bales and they reared three children, whose names were Penina. Mary Jane and Dayton. Mr. llodson married, secondly, E. J. Vass, who was born in North Carolina, and they reared : Louisa : Ruben: John, who is also a farmer in Washington township: Eunice; Ruth: and Mary.
Reuben Hodson lived on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then bought his present farm in section 3. and has lived there since that time. Ile en- gaged in the stock business for three years in Missouri, but with that exception has never
W. H. DIMMITT.
MRS. CLARA M. DIMMITT.
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been in any business other than farming. Ilis farm consists of 120 acres of fine land, which he keeps in a splendid state of cultivation. He has a thorough knowledge of agricultural matters and that, coupled with great energy, has brought him much success.
In 1887 Mr. Hodson was united in mar- riage with Mary E. Nicholson. She was born in Lee county, lowa, and her death occurred in 1807. Two children resulted from this union and their names are : J. Lynn and Edna. Politically Mr. Hudson is a Republican and takes a deep interest in local affairs. Relig- iously he is a member of the Methodist church.
ILLIAM IL. DIMIAHITT, an exten- sive land owner in Dahlonega township, Wapello county, Iowa, lives in sections 14 and 15, on a farm of 276 acres. He was born in Wapello county in 1851, and is a son of William 31. and Matilda ( Padgett ) Dimmitt.
William M. Dimmitt is a native of Indiana. and located in Dahlonega township, in 1848. Ile bought a farm in section io, and there farmed for several years. He now lives a re- tired life in the city of Ottumwa. He married Matilda Padgett, who was a native of Indiana. They reared the following children, namely : William 11., whose name heads these lines ; Robert C .: Mary B., who married John Long ; John: Philana : Clidena, deceased ; and Fred.
William 11. Dimmitt lived on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven
years. He then rented his present farm in sec- tions 14 and 15, and later on purchased it. He has carried on general farming, and is highly successful. He is also engaged in stock raising. Mr. Dimmitt is a conscientious worker, and takes great pride in the care and management of his large farm. The general appearance of the place speaks well for its owner's thrift.
Mr. Dimmitt was united in wedlock with Clara Belle Miller, who was born in Dah- lonega township in 1857. They have reared the following children: Norman, who is at home: Irene, who is attending high school at Ottumwa, Iowa; and Ernest H. Politically, Mr. Dimmitt is a Republican, and has served as trustee of the township two terms ; he is now serving on the school board. Mrs. Dimmitt is a member of the Methodist church, in which she is an active worker. In 1890, Mr. Dim- mitt erected a comfortable two-story house, of seven rooms. Ile is well known in Wapello county, and is one of the county's leading citi- zens. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Dimmitt ac- company this sketch.
11.1.1.\31 M. ALL.BAUGH, a resi- dent of Columbia township, Wa- pello county, lowa, is one of the progressive farmers of the western section of the county. He was born December 9. 1854, in Louisa county, lowa, and is a son of Samuel and Mary ( England) Allbaugh, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
Samuel Allbaugh received a thorough train-
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
ing in agricultural matters. He followed this pursuit in Carroll and Vinton counties, Ohio, where he rented land. He removed to Louisa county, lowa, in 1852, where he purchased a farm of 135 acres of land. This he operated until 1860, when he sold out and removed to Mahaska county. He resided in that county until his death, which took place in 1897, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife died one year later, aged sixty-seven years. They were members of the United Brethren church. To them were born the following children: Will- iam M .: James L. : Mary E., who married Il. C. Martin and lives in Tacoma, Washington : and Harvey C.
William M. Allbaugh attended the common schools of Louisa and Mabaska counties. He remained at home until he reached his ma- jority. From that time until he was twenty- seven years old he worked during the summers and remained under the parental roof during the winters. In 1881 Mr. Allbaugh purchased So acres of the land which now forms a part of his farm, and later added 421/2 acres. This last piece was bought from John L. Anderson. of Sheridan, Iowa. Mr. Allbaugh has greatly increased the value of his property by erecting a large, nine-room house, of modern style. He has made extensive improvements on the place. and has one of the handsomest homes in the township. He devotes his time and energy to general farming and stock raising. He has over 75 head of Poland-China hogs, and pre- fers Shorthorn cattle.
In 1882 Mr. Allbaugh was united in wed- lock with Lorena L. Webber, daughter of Jacob
Webber, a pioneer contractor of Ottumwa. Two children have blessed this union: Loren and William 1. In political belief Mr. . \II- baugh is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Allbaugh is a member of the M. W. of .1., and of the Knights of Pythias.
RED J. FINK, a prosperous farmer of Wapello county, Iowa, is located on the southwest quarter of section 24. Richland township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1861. and is a son of Jacob Fink.
Jacob Fink was born in Germany in 1831. and while a resident of that country followed weaving. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Christina Schweigert, who was born in Germany. They came to the United States in 1870, on a boat with 1,000 passengers, the voyage consuming three weeks. They landed at New York and then went to Tazewell coun- ty, Illinois, where he and his family have since resided. They reared five children, as follows : Fred J .. Kate ( Davis). Henry, Jacob and Anna.
Fred J. Fink lived at home until he was fifteen years of age, since which time he has carned his own way in the world, always fol- lowing farming. He resided in Illinois until 1896, when he moved to Wapello county, Iowa, where he purchased his present farm in the southwest quarter of section 24. He carries on
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general farming and has raised some stock. Hle has always been a hard worker and well merits the success which he has gained.
Mr. Fink was married in 1887, in Illinois, to Maggie M. Young, who was born in Taze- well county, Illinois, in 1870, and is a daugh- ter of David Young, who was born in Illinois, and follows farming. Seven children have re- sulted from this union, as follows: James, Minnie. Ruth, Charles, Harry. Mabel and George. They are all living at home. Mr. Fink is a Republican in politics. He belongs to Lodge No. 103. M. W. of .... of Ottumwa. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
HOMAS K. ARMSTRONG, an ag- riculturist well known to the resi- dents of Richland township. Wapello county, lowa, has an excellent farm of 120 acres in section 22. He was born in West Virginia in 1838, and is a son of John . I. Armstrong.
John AA. Armstrong was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, and was a carpenter by trade. He died in 1861, at Wheeling, West Virginia. His union with Mary Simpson, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, resulted in the birth of nine children, of whom those now living are: Margaret (Gibson ) and Wil- iam, residents of West Virginia; Thomas K. and AAndrew, who resides in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Thomas K. Armstrong lived in his native state until he reached the age of twenty-eight
years. He came to lowa in 1856 and located on his present farm in section 22. Richland township. Wapello county. In 1862 he en- listed in Company D, 12th Reg .. Va. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. Ile saw hard service throughout the conflict and was present when General Lee surrendered to Gen- cral Grant. Hle is possessed of a sturdy con- stitution, and the hardships endured and priva- tions suffered did not impair his health ; he was not sick a single day. He has carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising with much suc- cess, and has a well improved farm. In 1891 he built his present 11-room, two-story frame dwelling, provided with all the conveniences known to the modern farmhouse.
Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Mary Terell, who was born in West Vir- ginia in 1837. and they reared six children. as follows: Jeremiah, deceased: John, a farmer in Richland township: Thomas H .. a farmer in Agency township: Emma : Bert, who lives at home: and an infant. deceased. Politically Mr. Armstrong is a stanch supporter of the principles promulgated in the Republican plat- form.
ILLIAM Z. D.AVIS, a highly re- spected farmer of Richland town- ship, Wapello county, lowa. lives in section 18, where he owns 165 acres of land. He was born in South Wales in 1836, and is a son of John Davis.
John Davis was born in South Wales, and followed farming until his death, at the age
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
of eighty-seven years. He was the father of five children: Elizabeth (Davis), deceased : William %. ; An ; John : and Henry, deceased.
William Z. Davis came to the United States in 1803. landing at New York City. He then located in Mahaska county, lowa, where he purchased land and lived until 1887. when he moved to Wapello county, and settled on his present farm of 165 acres in section 18, Rich- land township, where he has since remained. He was a coal miner until he located on this property, and now gives his attention exclui- sively to farming. However, there is a mine on his farm, which is operated by his sons. The vein is five and a half feet thick, and the shaft is 43 feet deep. Mr. Davis has made a success of farming, and is well thought of by the citizens of the community.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Margaret Phillips, who was born in South Wales, and is deceased. They were married in Wales, and their union was blessed by the birth of nine children, as follows: John ; Le- titia: Daniel: Henry : Willie: David ; Albert : Frank : and Margaret, deceased. Mr. Davis is a Republican in politics, Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
RS. REBECCA J. CREMER, who is located on a fine farm in Wash- ingyen township. Wapello county. lowa, was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, and is a daughter of D). P. Cremer. D. P. Cremer was born in Pennsylvania,
where he lived until 1844. During his early life he was a blacksmith by trade, and later a farmer. He came to Wapello county, Iowa, with his family in 1844, and located in Wash- ington township, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He was first married to Elizabeth Yonkin, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1845, at the age of twenty-six years. They were the parents of four children : Adela, deceased : Theodore, who died while serving in the army, as a member of Company 1, Ist Reg .. lowa Vol. Cav .: Rebecca J .: and Eglinton. Mr. Cremer's second wife was Nancy MeClara ( deceased ), by whom he had one child, Eliza- beth. By his third marriage he had two chil- dren,-Lincoln R .; and J. Harry, of Eldon.
Rebecca J. Cremer has lived in Wapello county, lowa. since 1844. On November 20. 1865, she was united in marriage with Richard Cremer, who was born in Cook county, Illinois. January 11. 1840. He was brought to Wapello county by his parents in 1840, and located in Washington township. He was a farmer by occupation, and was very successful. He served three years in Company 3l. 3rd Reg .. le wa Vol. Cav., during the Civil War, and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa. He returned to Washington township after the war and lo- cated on the farm now owned by Mrs. Cremer, where he resided until his death, in 1881. He was a Republican, and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He and his wife reared four children, as follows : Charles A., who lives at home: Leonora, who married George W.
ALFRED CARR.
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Warren, a farmer of Washington township, and has three children,-David, Ilarold and Raymond; Blanche, who married W. Morri- son; and Ethel, who married a Mr. Monroe, and lives in Washington township. Mrs. Cre- mer owns 200 acres of excellent farming land, and has met with much success in conducting it. Religiously, she is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
EORGE RYERSON, who is engaged in farming and mining in Richland township. Wapello county, Iowa, is a native of Schuyler county, Illinois, and was born in 1858. Ile is a son of George and Wealthy ( Tigert ) Ryerson.
George Ryerson was a farmer by occupa- tion. He died when his son George was but two years old. His wife was Wealthy Tigert. who was a native of Illinois, and they were blessed with five children, namely : Mrs. Clara (Beckwith) : Asenath: John; Orilla; and George.
George Ryerson, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, lived in Illinois until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then moved to lowa and located in Monroe county, where he lived until he settled in Wapello coun- ty, in January, 1882. In 1889 he rented the Waddell farm of 120 acres in section 16, Rich- land township, and leased the Waddell mine for a period of fifteen years. The mine which Mr. Ryerson operates is called a dry mine : there is a shaft 140 feet deep, and the vein is
five and one-half feet thick. The output is about 25 tons per day. Mr. Ryerson employs from 12 to 14 men to assist him at the mine and in the timber. In addition to mining. Mr. Ryerson carries on general farming, and also raises cattle, horses and mules. He has been very successful, and employs every minute of the day in performing duties of some kind. Ile is a self-made man, and has just cause to be proud of his success.
Mr. Ryerson married Sarah Runnion, who was born in Knox county, Ilinois, in 1859. They have three children, namely: Elsie : Ber- tha: and Orville. Mr. Ryerson is a Democrat in politics. Hle belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, Tribe No. 19: Odd Fellows. Lodge No. 47. of Kirkville ; and to the Forest- ers Court, Wapello, No. 14.
LFRED CARR, one of the most pro- gressive farmers of Washington township. Wapello county, lowa. whose portrait is herewith shown. is engaged in general farming and stock rai- ing, and has a fine farm in section 25. He was born in Washington township. in 1850, and is a som of Alfred Carr, Sr.
Alfred Carr. Sr., was born in England in 1820. and came to the United States, when twenty-eight years of age. He married Lucy Reed, who was born in England, and they lo- cated in Wapelle county, lowa, where both died when the subject hereof was young. He was a farmer by occupation.
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IIISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Alfred Carr was reared in Jefferson coun- 11. lowa, by Joseph Burbage, and lived with the latter until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Wayne county, lowa, " here he rented land and farmed for four years, and afterward spent one year in Eldon, lowa. Ile bought his present farm of 80 acres in 1887. and has since then resided on it. Ile is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, keeps only a high grade of stock, and has met with great success.
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