USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 55
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Mr. Carr was united in marriage with Millie J. Finney, who was born in Jefferson county, lowa, and they have one child,-Arthur Mckinley,-who was born October 11, 1950. The subject of this sketch is a Republican, and served as president of the school board. He was also road supervisor for six years.
RS. MARY A. ( CARR) AARNOLD, who is well known to the residents of Richland township, Wapello county, Jowa, is the widow of George W. Arnold. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1823, and is a daughter of John and Ruth ( Bell ) Carr.
John Carr was born in Kentucky, and at an carly age applied himself to agricultural pur- suits. He came to lowa during the latter part of his life, and subsequently located in Kansas, where he died. He married Ruth Bell, who was born in Maryland, and they became the parents of 13 children, of whom those living are as follows: Samuel, a well-known farmer of
Wapello county, Richland township; William ; John ; Alexander ; Frank ; and Mary . 1.
Mary A. Carr was united in marriage with George W. Arnold, in Union county, Indiana, in 1845. Hle was born in Union county, Indi- ana, in 1825, and shortly after their marriage they came to Iowa and settled on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Arnold. Ilere he farmed until his death. He was a valued member of the community in which he lived, and his death was a loss sadly felt by his fellow citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold reared the following chil- dren: Elizabeth and David M., deceased ; James M1., of Ottumwa, lowa; John C., de- ceased; Thomas J., deceased: George W., of Ottumwa, Jowa; Ruth, the wife of John 11. Fugate, who resides on the old homestead, which he farms; and William F., deceased. Religiously, Mrs. Arnold is a member of the Christian church. She is a woman of many estimable qualities, and during her long resi- dence here has established numerous warm friendships.
HARLES L. SMITH. This gentle- man is descended from one of the pio- neer families of Wapello county, lowa, and is now one of the leading farmers of the county. He was born in Green township, Wapello county, Iowa, in 1874, and is a son of A. W. and Mary Ann (Brown) Smith.
A. W. Smith was born in Kentucky in 1852. Early in life he located in Wapello county, and is now a prominent farmer of
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Adams township. He married Mary Ann Brown, who was born in Van Buren county, Jowa. They were blessed with five children. namely: Fred; Minnie: Willie; Luther; and Charles L.
Charles L. Smith attended the public schools of his native township, and later as- sisted his father on the farm. With the excep- tion of three years spent in Kansas, he has lived in Wapello county all his life. March 1. 1901. he located on his present home farm, which is the north half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 33. He is engaged in general farming. Mr. Smith was married to Nettie Shepherd, a native of Wapello county, who was born in 1873, a daughter of William Shepherd.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church. Although Mr. Smith is one of the young farmers of the township, he is very well known and is held in high esteem by all. A man of much business ability, active and of strong determination, he promises to become one of the foremost men in the county.
ASHINGTON J. WARREN, a vet- eran of the Civil War, in which he bore an honorable record for serv- ice, is a highly respected farmer of Washington township. Wapello county. lowa. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1828, and is a son of David and Sarah ( Jones ) Warren.
David Warren was born in Pennsylvania
in 1795, and went to Ohio when a young man. He followed farming throughout his life, and was a very prosperous man. Ile was united in marriage with Sarah Jones, who was born in Ohio, and had one child,-Wilsey,-by a for- mer marriage. This union resulted in the fol- lowing offspring: Margaret; Mary; Eliza; Sarah ; Washington J. ; Marion ; Jane : Simon; Joseph : Jane : and . Alice.
Washington J. Warren resided in Ohio until he was twenty-one years of age, and was quite young when he applied himself to agri- cultural pursuits. He moved to lowa in 1850, and in June of that year settled in Pleasant township, where he lived for one year. He then purchased a farm in section 10. Washington township, where he lived until he entered the army. He enlisted in 1862. in Company E. 22nd Reg., lowa Vol. Inf .. and served two and a half years, when he was discharged because of disability from a wound received in the left knee. He participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Black River Bridge; Jackson, Missis- sippi; and in the siege of Vicksburg, and saw much hard fighting. He was discharged at Davenport, lowa, and returned home. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and keeps a high grade of cattle, hogs and horses. His farm is well improved and equipped with good, substantial farm buildings. Ile is now living a retired life, and makes his home with his son George.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Warren was united in marriage with Miss B. New- honse, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1828, and they are the parents of six chil-
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dren: Anna, wife of Peter Henks: Emma, wife of Andrew Giltner; Eva, wife of George Cremer : Mbert : John: and George. Mrs. Warren died in 1894. In politics, Mr. Warren is a strong supporter of the principles advo- cated by the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OIIN C. V.A.S.S. a well to-do farmer of Washington township, Wapello coun- ty, lowa. came to this county in March. 1849, and has since resided on his present farm. He was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, in 1832, and is a son of Vin- cont and Mary ( Cosoner ) Vass.
Vincent Vass was a blacksmith by trade, although he followed farming all his life. Hle came to Wapello county, Iowa, in March, 1849, and purchased the farm now owned by his son, John C., on which he lived until his death. Hle married Mary Go sener, who was born in North Carolina, and they reared the following chil- dren : Garriah and Parthenia, deceased ; Lydia ; Emily, deceased : Mary : Reuben, deceased ; Mary : John; and Themas.
Je Im (. Vass attended the common schools of Hendricks county. Indiana, and at an early age legan farming. He moved west to lowa in 1849 with his parents, who settled on the farm which he now owns. He succeeded his father in the ownership of this farm, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Hle is a good business man, and is meeting with success. Honest and upright in all his dealings, he has gained the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Vass was united in marriage in 1855. with Sarah Bearden, who is deceased. By her he had one child, Mary J., wife of Edward Hendrickson. He married a second time in 1867, wedding Mary Sullivan, who was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1840. They were the parents of 12 children, of whom those living are as follows : Mrs. Augusta ( Israel) : Henry ; Oscar; Erastus: Cora; Laura; William; Ma- mie ( Inard ) : Frank ; and Bessie. Edward and Charles are deceased. Mr. Vass is a Republi- can in politics, and in religious attachments is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OSEPH JEWETT, a prosperous farmer living in Richland township. Wapello county, lowa, on a farm of 97!5 acres in section 30, was born in Yorkshire. England, November 1, 1824. He is a son of James and Mary ( Lether ) Jewett, both natives of England.
Joseph Jewett worked in a worsted factory from the time he was eight years old until he was twenty two years of age. In 1854 he emi- grated to the United States, and located in Sadsburyville, Pennsylvania, where he lived for five years. Hle then removed to Canada, u here he made alpaca dress goods for ten years, after which time he returned to Pennsylvania. Ile took up his residence in Philadelphia, which
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place was his home until his removal to Wa- pello county, lowa, in 1880. After removing to lowa he settled on his present farm. Mr. Jewett is a successful farmer, and is highly re- spected in Wapello county, where he takes an active interest in all local affairs.
Mr. Jewett was united in wedlock with Leah Jenkinson. November 4, 1848. She is a native of England. Mrs. Jewett worked in a wersted factory for 17 years, for a firm in Hali- fax, Yorkshire, England. She began at that place when a little past eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett have reared one child, Will- iam, who lives at home. Mr. Jewett and his wife attend the Methodist church. Politically. the former is a Republican.
E NOCH L. DEAN is a prosperous and influential farmer of Washington township, Wapello county, Iowa. where he owns a fine farm in section I, on which he has resided since 1878. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. and stands high in the esteem of the residents of his community. He was born at Fairfield, Jefferson county, kwa. in 1849, and is a son of Elijah and Harriet ( Chilcott ) Dean.
Elijah Dean was born in Huntingdon coun- ty, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1807, and lived there until he removed to łowa, in 1840, and located in Jefferson county. He was joined in hymeneal bonds, in Pennsylvania, with Har- riet Chilcott, who was a native of Huntingdon county, in that state. They became the par-
ents of six children, as follows: Marshall, de- ceased : Ageline: Melissa J. ; Miriam C .. de- ceased ; Amanda; Enoch L .: and Ruth. Elijah Dean died May 10, 1879, aged seventy-two years, and Harriet ( Chilcott ) Dean died Feb- ruary 13. 1990, aged eighty-four years.
Enech L. Dean was one year of age when his father removed. in 1850, from Jefferson county, to Wapello county, where he received his intellectual training. He lecated upon his present farm in 1878. Ulis place is highly im- pre ved, well fenced, and supplied with good outbuildings.
Mr. Dean was united in marriage February 18, 1878, with Frances Ella Riggs, who was bern in Belmont county, Ohio, in February, 1841. and is a daughter of R. H. and Jane ( llare ) Riggs, the former a native of Mary- land, and the latter of England. This union resulted in the birth of the following children : William Il .; Eliza: James 11 .; Richard Il .; Ella: Sarah Ann; and Isaac H. Mr. Dean is a Republican in politics, and in religious views a Baptist.
ILARLES M. D. SILARP. a promi- nent farmer of Washington town- ship. Wapello county, lowa. has a fine farm in section 26, and follows general farming. Ile was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1846, and is a san of John J. Sharp.
John J. Sharp was born in West Virginia, January 12, 1816, and was a miller and black- smith by trade. He came to Iowa in 1837, and
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located in Wapello county in 1843. He settled 11 Dahlonega township, and later in Jefferson county, lowa. He moved to Ottumwa in 1849. and kept a hotel there until 1853. He was united in marriage with Catharine Parsons, who was born in West Virginia in 1817, and died in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp reared the following children : Celia Ann : J. H. ; Charles M. D .; John E. and Penelope, deceased ; and Amanda MI.
Charles M. D). Sharp was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, but attended the public schools of Wapello county. Hle resided with his par- ents until he was twenty-two years of age. Hle then went to live in Worth county, Mis- souri, and later moved to Mercer county, where he followed farming for eight years. He re- turned to Eldon, lowa, where he spent two years and then located on his pres- ent farm in sections 25 and 35, Wash- ington township, where he owns 120 acres. He carries on general farming, and also operates a coal mine located on his premises, the coal being as fine as any to be found in the county. The shaft is 39 feet deep, and the vein is three and a half feet thick. He sells his coal at Eldon, where there is a good demand for it.
Mr. Sharp was united in marriage in 1869 with Julia A. Cummins, who was born in Wa- pello county, lowa, in 1847. on the former's present farm. She is a daughter of E. M. Cummins, deceased, who entered the old heme- stead farm and came to Wapello county in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp became the parents of two children, namely : Rachel M., who mar- ried George Myers, and lives in Eldon, lowa ;
and Robert J., who lives at home. E. M. Cum- mins, the father of Mrs. Sharp, married Rachel Stapleton, who was born in Kentucky, and they reared eight children: Elizabeth; Daniel ;
1 John, deceased; Ephraim I .: Robert; Julia; Emma L. ; and Mary B. Mr. Sharp is a Demo- crat, and was trustee of his township six years. He served on the school board for a number of years, and is now its secretary. Fraternally, he is a member of Eldon Lodge, No. 28, 1. O. O. F. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist church.
EORGE W. GOFF, one of the pro- gressive citizens of Washington township, Wapello county, lowa, is engaged in farming, and owns a fine farm of 130 acres in sections 13 and 14. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1846, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca ( Brownfield) Goff.
Peter Gioff was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early age applied himself to agricultural pursuits, which he followed in his native state until 1849, when he removed with his family to Wapello county, fowa. He was joined in marriage with Rebecca Brownfield, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of the following offspring : Ruth, wife of A. N. Cain, of Washington township, Wa- pello county ; Margaret, wife of M. W. Strick- land : Mary E., of the same township ; Charles, who lives in Mississippi : and George W .. the subject of this sketch.
George W. Goff was but three years of age
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when brought by his parents from Pennsylva- nia to Wapello county, where he has lived practically all his life. Ile began tilling the soil when a young man, and located on his present farm of 130 acres in Washington township in 1871. Ile carries on general farming and stock raising, and keeps a high grade of cattle, hogs and horses. Ilis farm is modern in all its ap- pointments, and is excellent condition for prof- itable operation.
Mr. Goff was united in marriage with Lu- cetta P. Hland, who was born in New Jersey in 1846, and both have many friends throughout the township in which they live. They are members of the Missionary Baptist church. In politics, Mr. Goff is a strong supporter of the principles set forth in the Republican platform. and has served efficiently as trustee of his town- ship. Fraternally, he is a member of the New Hope Lodge. A. F. & AA. M., of Eldon, lowa.
EORGE W. CREATH, a prominent farmer of Wapello county, Iowa, owns 500 acres of land in Washing- ten township, and folows general farming. He was born in Madison county. Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of George Creath.
George Creath was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, and moved to Ohio when a young man. Ile was there married to Nancy West, who was bern in Ohio, and they moved to Henry county, Indiana. in 1841. They came to Iowa in 1850. and settled in Jackson township. Van Buren county. He followed farming until his death. in 1853. He and his wife had twelve children.
namely: Margaret; William H .; Martin C .: Elizabeth .A. and Mary J., deceased ; John W. : George W .; Lucy; one who died in infancy : Nancy A. ; Sarilda; and Elsie.
George W. Creath came to Wapello county. lowa, when nineteen years of age, and in 1858 located on his present farm. He enlisted in 1861. in Company F. 4th Reg., Jowa Vol. Inf .. and served until the close of the war. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, and participated in many hard-fought battles, sharing in all the engagements of his regiment. He was dis- charged at Davenport, Iowa, and then returned to his home farm in Wapello county. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. although he rents a considerable portion of his land. He is very successful in a business way. and is regarded as one of the most substantial and influential men of the township.
In 1865 Mr. Creath was joined in wedlock with Melissa J. Myers, a daughter of Reuben Myers, who came to Wapello county in 1843 and entered the farm now occupied by Mr. Creath. Hle died in 1900, at the age of eighty- four years. Mrs. Creath was born in Wapello county, and by her union with Mr. Creath has had the foll wing offspring : Iona (. wife of Andrew Acton: the B., wife of Themas Black : William E .. a physician at Ottumwa: and Thomas M., who lives at home. The sub- ject of this sketch is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than forty years. Fraternally. he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
HARLIS V. SPRINGER, who was engaged in railroad work for many years, located on a farm in section 4. Washington township. Wapelle county, lowa, in 1899, and is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Agency City: Wapello county, lowa, in 1861, and is a son of George Springer.
George Springer was born in Baltimore. Maryland, and came to lowa about 1850. locat- ing in Wapello county. He was united in mar- riage with Jane Conaway, who was born in West Virginia, and they reared six children. namely: John: Julia and James, deceased: Ella : Fred, deceased : and Charles V.
Charles V. Springer lived in Agency town- ship, where he was born, until he was eleven years of age. Since that time he has made his own living, his father having died when the son was young. He located in Eldon, and was employed in the firm of Hard & Myers for five years. He then went to Ottumwa and worked for the Cooper-Hammond Company, and was afterward empk yed as a brakeman on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for three years, He ran a train for twelve years on the Middle Division of that road, and enjoyed the good will of the officials above him. In 1800 he located on his present farm in sections o and 1 . Washington township, where he is meeting with good results in general farming and strek raising. He has a handsome, two- Story. 12 room house, which he built in 1800. and which compares favorably with any other farm house in this section.
11 :889 Mrs. Springer was united in mar-
riage, in Wapello county, with Belle Foster, who is a daughter of Thomas Foster, de- ceased. Mr. Foster was an early settler in Wapello county and entered land in Washing- ton township. This union resulted in the fol- lowing offspring: Foster: Benjamin : Ruth ; James; and Daniel. Mrs. Springer is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
D R. S. H. SAWYERS. a gentleman well known in professional circles in Wa- pello county, lowa, has been engaged in medical practice at Eldon, Iowa, since 1890. He has a thorough mastery of the science of medicine, and has displayed such skill in the treatment of cases as to gain the confi- (lence and patronage of his fellow citizens. He was born in Unionville, Iowa, April 16, 1861, and is a son of Dr. S. Sawyers.
Dr. S. Sawyers was born in Tennessee, in February, 1836, and when a young man came to Jowa. He married Mary Miller, also a na- tive of Tennessee, and they reared 11 children.
Dr. S. 11. Sawyers attended the public schools of Unionville, and supplemented his carly mental training with a course in Parsons College, at Fairfield. He attended Rush Medi- cal College, in Chicago, Illinois, and was gradu- ated with the class of 1887. He then practiced for two years in Centerville, Iowa, and in 1890 located in Eldon, where he has since resided. and has established a lucrative practice.
Dr. Sawyers was united in matrimony with Miss M. Rizer, who was born in Illinois. Janu-
SMITH M. HANSHAW.
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ary 28, 1873, and they have reared two chil- dren,-Alice E. and Ray L. Dr. Sawyers is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of New Hope Lodge, No. 224, A. F. & A. M.
MITHE ME. HANSILAW. a gentleman of considerable prominence at the bar of Wapello county, whose portrait is herewith shown. is engaged in prac- tice at Eldon, Iowa. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1833, and is a son of Smith Hanshaw.
Smith Hanshaw was born in Virginia, and went to Ohio about 1823. where he engaged in farming. He married Mary Stewart, who was born in Virginia, and they reared the fol- lowing children: Lovinia: Harriet : William R .: Elizabeth .\ .: John: Richard H .: Smith M .: Vail: Stewart: and Eliza J.
Smith M. Hanshaw attended school in Ohio, and came to lowa in 1854, locating in Van Buren county, and later. in Jefferson coun- ty. In 1865. he came to Wapello county, where he has since lived. Ile first made his home at Eldon. During the early part of his life he followed farming and later studied law. He first engaged in practice at Ashland, lowa, and was justice of the peace in Washington town- ship for five years. He was admitted to the bar at Otumwa, and located on his present farm in 1800. Hle rents his land. He has a law office at Eldon, where he is a member of the well known firm of Hanshaw & Daugherty. Tle has great natural ability as a lawyer. is
well read, and has established a large clientage. Ile has the utmost confidence of his clients, and is a highly respected member of the community.
Mr. Hanshaw was united in marriage in Belmont county, Ohio, with Mary Creighton. who was born in that county, in 1835. and is deceased. By her union with Mr. Hanshaw she had the following children : Mary E .: Sarah O .: Eliza J .: Emily G .: Harriet E. : Harrison V .. deceased; Thomas E. : William R. ; and Lorena. Mr. Hanshaw's second wife was Sarah ( Wiley) Baker, who was born in Indiana, in 1853. By her union with Charles Baker ( deceased ), she had one child .- Charlie Baker, of Ottumwa. The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in politics, and has served on the school board of his township for a num- ber of years.
OSEPH EARL LANGFORD, who is now living on a farm near Ottumwa. in Center township. Wapello county. lowa, was engaged in various branches of business for many years, and has led a life of stirring activity. He was born February 10, 1826, in Tioga county. New York.
Mr. Langford attended the public schools of his native county, and at an early age began assisting a cousin in business. continuing thus until 1846. He then became associated with others in construction work on the Erie Rail- road. In 1849 he turned to a seafaring life. and shipped on board a whaler. He crossed the Equator several times and went around the
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
world, by way of the Cape of Good Hope : on coming home he rounded Cape Horn. The life on the whaler was one of the greatest ex- citement, as whale catching is always attended by great danger. When a whale was sighted he was always the one called to man the boat when they set out for its capture. Their voy- age was very successful, as they captured 35 whales during the season, the produce being 3,600 barrels of oil and 45,000 pounds of whalebone. Their largest catch was in Behring Strait. the whale measuring go feet in length. and yielding 180 barrels of oil. They re- turned home in the latter part of 1851, after an absence of almost eighteen months. He re- turned to railroad work and took contracts for the construction of new lines in New York State. He came west and built the road from Racine, Wisconsin, west to the Mississippi River. After he completed the road to the Mississippi he built a levee in the American bottom, on the Illinois side. His next venture was the construction of a road in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy construction began he took a contract to build a part from Ottumwa to the Missouri River. He also worked on the line from Fort Madison to Farmington. He next engaged in the manufacture of artificial stone, and put in most of the trimmings on the best houses built in Ottumwa at that time. He remained at this business for five years, and then had the misfortune to lost his entire plant by fire. He did not rebuild. but instead set- tled on his present farm, to enjoy the remainder of his life in peace and comfort in the com-
panionship of his family. He is a man of sterling qualities, and has many stanch friends throughout the county.
Mr. Langford was united in marriage, in 1867, to Nettie Graves, whose father. . I. L. Graves, came to this county at a very early day and whose life's history is recorded else- where in this work. The following children blessed this union : J. E., Jr., thirty-three years of age, who is a mechanic by trade and lives in Ottumwa: Estella, wife of L. L. Anderson, of Trinidad, Colorado: Earl L., aged twenty- three years, who is married and lives in Ot- tumwa; Leola, who received a good education and is now occupying a position as teacher in the grade schools in Ottumwa; and Nettie. who has just graduated from the Ottumwa High School. Mr. Langford is a Democrat in politics, and in religious views favors the Methodist church.
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