USA > Iowa > Warren County > History of Warren County, Iowa : from its earliest settlement to 1908; with biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 45
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From his native state Thomas Reed removed to Ohio, making his home in Athens county for some time. In 1834 he became a resident of Lake county, Indiana, settling there when that locality was on the western frontier. His second son. Thomas V. Reed, was the first white child born in that county.
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James S., the oldest being born in Ohio. The other children of the family were William B., Harvey M., Elias M., Louisa M., Elizabeth J., Nancy A. and Cynthia M., all born in Lake county, Indiana, where the parents continued to make their home until 1853, when they brought their family to Iowa, traveling with two two-horse teams. The father entered a tract of land in Palmyra township, Warren county, and continued to reside thereon until called to his final rest in 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. After his death his widow made her home with their son Harvey until she, too, passed away in 1894, at the age of eighty years. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of farining and by his ballot he supported the democratic party.
Harvey M. Reed began his education in the country schools of his native state but was not quite fourteen years of age when the family came to Iowa. At that time Warren county was but sparsely settled, the land was wild and uncultivated and school privileges were poor so that the children of the Reed household acquired but limited educations. The Indians had already left for the reservation farther west but wolves were quite numerous and made the night hideous by their howling round the house. Thus amid pioneer sur- roundings Mr. Reed grew to manhood, becoming thoroughly familiar with farming in all its details as he aided his father in the cultivation and improve- inent of the home place.
At Hartford, Warren county, he was married August 18, 1861, to Miss Ruth A. Proetor, who was born in Darke county, Indiana, on the 31st of August, 1843, a daughter of Joseph and Luey Proctor. Four children blessed this union : Henry L., born July 1, 1862, married Olive Robertson; Ida V., born May 10, 1866, married Doran H. Goodale; Hulda E., born May 2, 1868, died on the 23d of the same month ; and Carrie F., born May 16, 1869, married Thomas L. Long. The mother of these children died on the 27th of March, 1882, and Mr. Reed was again married, September 18, 1884, his second union being with Harriet E. Trotter, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, October 20, 1853, and is a daughter of Hamilton and Lucy Trotter. By this marriage there are two sons: Thomas A., born October 8, 1885, and Harvey E., born November 20, 1888. Both are still at home.
Feeling that his country needed his services during the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Reed enlisted November 4, 1861. in Company G, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after serving for two years reenlisted in the same company and regiment, November 6, 1863. for three years or during the war. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; the siege and capture of Corinth ; the battle of Inka; and the battle of Corinth, October 3-4. 1862. His regiment belonged to what was known as Crocker's Iowa Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and he took part in all the engagements in which his command participated. They aided in the capture of Vicksburg. July 4, 1863. and remained in that vicinity during the following fall and winter, being there when he reenlisted. In March, 1864, he returned home on a veteran's
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furlough and at the end of thirty days rejoined his command. They were with Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, participated in the capture of Atlanta and the march to the sea. From Savannah, they proceeded to Raleigh, North Carolina, and on through Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, D. C., where they took part in the grand review with Sherman's Bummers, as his army was often called at that time. The war having ended Mr. Reed was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 24, 1865, and was mustered out with the rank of sergeant.
Mr. Reed then rejoined his wife and three year old son in Warren county and with the money which he had saved from his pay as a private soldier, he purchased one hundred acres of wild brush land in Otter township, where he at once began to make a home for his family. He chopped, split and hauled rails to fence his land and as time passed made many other improvements until he had a well cultivated farm on which were good and substantial buildings. To his original purchase he added another one hundred aere tract, also forty aeres and twenty aeres, making in all two hundred and sixty acres of valuable farming land. He raised considerable stock, feeding both cattle and hogs for the eastern market and in his farming operations met with most excellent and well deserved success. He purchased the eighty acre tract of land which his father had entered from the government on coming to this state but later sold this to his son Henry who now lives upon it. In 1900 Mr. Reed bought ten acres of land in the town of Milo and has since practically lived retired, enjoy- ing the fruits of former toil.
In 1880 he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as treasurer, vice grand and noble grand of his lodge. He has also affiliated with the Masonie order since 1897 and has been officially connected therewith, serving as junior warden, senior warden and worthy master. He attended the Grand Lodge at Sioux City, Iowa, in 1905; is a member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs; and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious faith he is a Methodist and in polities he is an ardent republican, taking a deep interest in public affairs, as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battlefields. For fifty-five years he has now been a resident of Warren county and it is safe to say that no one within its borders is held in higher esteem than Harvey M. Reed, of Milo.
CHARLES A. WILLETT, M. D.
Among the leading and representative citizens of Norwalk is numbered Dr. Charles A. Willett, now successfully engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at this place. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his natal day being December 14. 1876, and the place of his nativity Peoria county. His father. Eli L. Willett, who is a well-to-do retired farmer living in Norwalk, was born in Indiana and is now sixty-one years of age. In early
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manhood he was married in Illinois to Miss Sophia Moss, a native of London, England, and they made their home in the Prairie state until 1890, which year witnessed their arrival in Warren county, Iowa. Mr. Willett purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Linn township, a half miles west of Norwalk, and there followed agrienltural pursuits until his retirement from active labor. His political support is given the republican party and he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of American. His religious connec- tion is with the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs, and both have the respect and esteem of all who know them. In their family are six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: Dr. H. C., who is engaged in practice in Des Moines ; F. S .; O. P .; Charles A .; Mrs. Maud Berry, and Ethel.
Charles A. Willett passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and acquired his early education in the publie schools of Norwalk, later attending the high school of that place. He took a preparatory course at Drake Uni- versity and then took up the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of this institution in 1902. He commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Whitten, Hardin county, Iowa, in June, 1902, and there remained until coming to Norwalk in October, 1906. Here he has already built up a good practice, which is constantly increasing and he is ranked with the leading physicians of the county.
Dr. Willett was married in 1902 to Miss Jennie Pilmer, a native of Warren county and a daughter of Robert Pilmer, whose father, David Pilmer, came here from Scotland at an early day. They have one child. Wilma C., now four years of age. In politics the Doctor is an ardent republican. He is a promi- nent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Yeoman, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, and in connection with his profession holds membership relations with the county and state medical associations. His professional brethren hold him in high esteem and wherever known he is universally respected.
J. E. HOUGHTALING.
J. E. Houghtaling, well known in Indianola and throughout Warren and Polk counties as dealing in shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Poland China hogs, resides on section 29, Lincoln township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, located within four miles of Indianola. He was born in Peoria county. Illinois, July 13. 1861, the son of William and Isabella (Stewart) Houghtaling.
His father was a native of New York state and came west to Illinois while yet a young man. He located in Peoria county, where he engaged in farming. While residing there he met and married Isabella Stewart, also a native of New York. He followed farming in Illinois for some years when in 1874 he removed to Towa. where he first rented land for a few years. In 1879 he bought the place which is now the property of our subjeet, moving
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on it in the spring of 1880. Here he spent his remaining years in the full contentment and enjoyment of an independent livelihood and the companion- ship of his wife and children. He died in Illinois while on a visit to that state. His wife survived him for a few years. They were the parents of four sons and six daughters, of whom but two sons and two daughters are now living.
J. E. Houghtaling was born and reared in the country and received his education in the common schools. He aided his father in the conduct of the farm up to the age of twenty-one years, when he was married to Miss Martha E. Chew, July 13. 1882. Mrs. Houghtaling is a native of Warren county. After his marriage, Mr. Houghtaling rented land for a few years and engaged in farming in his own behalf. He was quite successful and the exeelleney of his judgment and management was indicated by the fact that in a few years' time he was able to buy the home place. Since acquiring this property he has built a large barn on it, added improvements to the house and feneed in a large part of the land. thus dividing it off into the necessary fields and pastures for the proper maintenance of his farming and . stock-raising interests, the latter being his partieular pride. He has been a member of the county fair association for about thirteen years, in which he . served as chief marshal for a number of years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Houghtaling have been born five children, four sons and a daughter, Ruth, who died at the age of three months. Of the sons. Walter W .. is married and resides on a farm in White Oak township; Frank. Gerald A., and John A., reside at home with their parents. Politically, Mr. Honghtaling is a democrat in matters of national import, though on questions and issues pertaining to local affairs he gives his support to the candidate whom he deems most worthy. He has never aspired to public office, though he ever gives his hearty support to all educational matters and has served on the school board for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church of Indianola. Mr. Houghtaling is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal insurance society, and is widely and favorably known as one of the most popular and influential men of his community.
JOHN BRYANT GUY.
John Bryant Guy is a retired farmer who has reached the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. He is now living in Milo and has been a resident of the county for fifty-six years, so that he is numbered among its pioneer settlers, and can remember the time when most of its homes were such as are seen upon the frontier in a newly developed region. He has lived to see remarkable changes as the work of transformation has been carried forward by the band of sturdy men and women who established homes here and have converted the wild land into rich, productive farms or promoted business
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enterprises which have led to the growth and upbuilding of the towns and cities.
Mr. Guy was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, March 10, 1830, his parents being William and Keziah (Wellman) Guy, who were also natives of North Carolina. During the infancy of their son, John, however, they left the south and removed to Indiana, where they spent their remaining days. The father was killed by being thrown from a horse in 1842, while the mother survived until 1865.
John Bryant Guy was only about ten years of age at the time of his father's demise. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and assumed the responsibilities of life for himself. He has since been dependent upon his own resources and as the years have passed he has made a ereditable name and place for himself in business circles. In 1851 he arrived in Iowa, at which time he took up his abode in Polk county, there living until 1856, at which time he settled upon a farm about two miles north of Milo. With characteristic energy he began the develop- ment and cultivation of the place. fenced the fields, tilled the soil, cultivated the crops and raised his stock, working on, year after year, until 1905, when he resigned the management of the farm to his sons and secured a comfortable home in Milo, where he is now living a quiet. retired life. Indolence and idle- ness, however, have been utterly foreign to his nature. He has lived a busy. active life and now, in his declining years, he does not surrender the "bless- ings of labor," but is oeenpied with the care of his garden and his home, and his place represents a most tasteful and well kept appearance.
Mr. Gny was married in 1853 to Miss Matilda Emmons, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Emmons. who were natives of Ohio, where they spent their entire lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guy have been born eight children, but the second born is deceased. and Laura, Florence and Blanche have also passed away. Clarence is a farmer living at Guide Roek, Nebraska, while Albert is an auctioneer of Indianola ; Sherman resides upon the old homestead in this county, and John is engaged in buying and selling stock and is also the leading auctioneer in Indianola.
At the time of the civil war, Mr. Guy responded to the country's call for aid and in September, 1862, joined Company C. of the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Iowa Infantry, under command of Colonel Clark, with General Steele's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. He participated in many battles, including the siege of Vicksburg, and the last battle of the war at Fort Blakeley. He was mustered out at Houston, Texas, August 15, 1865, and was discharged at Davenport. Iowa, returning home with a most creditable military record, making him worthy of the gratitude which the country owes to its old soldiers who preserved the Union through the darkest hour in its history. He is now a member of the Grand Army post at Milo. He was long a sup- porter of the republican party but now votes with the prohibition party. because it embodies his ideas upon the temperanee question. For about thirty-eight years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life, honorable and upright in all intents, purposes and actions. has
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been in harmony with his professions. He is one of the well known citizens of the county, owing to his long residence here, and well deserves mention among the representative pioneers.
M. H. WILSON.
M. H. Wilson is one of the few remaining members of that "old guard" who were the founders of the civilization in this great and fertile region; a member of that band of sturdy pioneers who had all of the courage to do and dare in the western wilderness; who suffered the hardships and met the trials that always constitute a feature in the settlement of the frontier; who has borne his part in the work of general improvement, being particularly active along agricultural lines, and as the years have gone by, the value of his service has been widely recognized. It might be said that he had hereditary rights to pioneer life, for he was born in a hewed log house in Belmont county, Ohio, August 27, 1833, at which the the work of civilization had not been carried forward to a great extent in that section of the country.
His father, J. N. Wilson, was a pioneer there. He was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and in 1832 became a resident of Belmont county, Ohio. The grandfather was Moses Wilson; the grandmother, Tamah Burson, was of English descent and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years. Having for some time made his home in Belmont county, Ohio, J. N. Wilson removed to lowa with his family. In early manhood he had wedded Lydia Duncan, who was a native of Loudoun county, Virginia. The reports which they heard concerning lowa and its rich lands attracted them and they decided to try their fortune beyond the "Father of waters." The journey was made in a large covered wagon, a "prairie schooner," and four weeks were spent in travel ere they at length arrived at Fairfield, Iowa. The roads were often in poor condition and at night they camped out along the way. They were ae- companied by the maternal grandmother. Mrs. Duncan, who was then past ninety years of age. She was long a member of the Society of Friends but in her later life united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was a worthy Christian woman. The Wilson family established their home in Warren county and J. N. Wilson spent his last days in Belmont township. He was born October 6, 1803, and died January 25, 1883. when in the eightieth year of his age, his remains being interred in the Quaker cemetery, where a monu- ment has been erected to his memory. His early political support was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republi- can party, which he continued to support until his death. His wife passed away several years before. She was born December 27, 1805, and died in 1872. at the age of sixty-seven years. Her religions faith was indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family numbered nine children: John William, who was born December 12. 1831. and died November 20. 1875; M. Hartley, of this review; Lucinda, the wife of Matthew Milliean.
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Libera Hilson
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who resided near Hammondsburg, Iowa; Mrs. Virginia Gregg, who married Samuel Gregg, and she died June 10, 1884; Angelia, the wife of Lindley Bowles, a resident of Belmont; Joseph Leander, who married Maggie Davis and is now deceased; James M., who wedded Ruth Harlan and is living in the state of Washington; Stephen, who married Nancy Millican and has also passed away ; and Mary A., who is living in the state of Washington.
M. H. Wilson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, where he was reared to general agricultural pursuits, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He was twenty-two years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa, and being strong and energetic, he was well fitted to cope with the conditions of pioneer life. There was something sublime and inspiring about this wild region, with its great level prairies stretching away for miles, starred in June with millions of wild flowers, while in midwinter it was covered with one unbroken, dazzling sheet of snow. No one can ever forget, who has experienced it, the stillness that broods over the broad prairies ere the work of the settlement has begun. However, the Wilson family recognized the possibilities for development here and bravely met the conditions of pioneer life in order that they might enjoy the fruits that should follow their labor in years to come. On the journey to Warren county Mr. Wilson drove a number of cows that forded the Des Moines river, and he also swam that stream. The market of the family was at that time in Knoxville, Marion county. Mr. Wilson aided his father in making a start here and then completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage.
On the 2d of March, 1858, was celebrated the wedding of Mr. Wilson and Miss Cilicia Gregg. a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and a daughter of Abner and Areadia (McElvein) Gregg, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father died in his native county. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson : Gregg, who was named for his maternal grandfather, was born August 21, 1860, and now resides in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He married Edith Dennis and they have two children. Ethel and Eunice. Jennie, the daughter of the family, born November 29, 1868, is the wife of T. F. Wright, a resident of Milo, by whom she has one son. William Hartley, named in honor of her father.
In the year of his marriage Mr. Wilson took up his abode upon the farm which is now his home and where he has lived continuously since 1858 with the exception of six years' residence in Indianola, removing to that city in order that he might educate his children. The old homestead'is a well cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres, devoted to the raising of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and also the raising of stock. It is situated six miles due east of Milo and is an attractive property, indicating in its neat and well kept appearance the general supervision and careful management of the owner. In 1902 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of October amid the deep regard of many friends who had learned to esteem and love her.
Mr. Wilson was a resident of Belmont township before its organization and served as clerk of the first election in 1856. He has also filled the office
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of justice of the peace for many years, being the present incumbent in the office, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He has also been a delegate to the county conventions of his party and is a stalwart republican. earnest and unfaltering in his allegiance. For ten years he has served as a school trustee and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart advocate. Fraternally he is connected with Milo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Indianola chapter, R. A. M. No history of this county would be complete without men- tion of M. H. Wilson. who for more than a half century has lived within its borders. His name is synonymons with all that is upright in citizenship and honorable in one's relations with his fellowmen. He has been straightforward as well as active and energetie in business, and has won not only a comfortable competence, but also an untarnished name. He is, therefore, classed among the representative residents of the county and one for whom his fellow citizens have most sincere respect and regard.
JOSEPH M. BROWNE.
Joseph M. Browne is now living retired in Indianola, but for forty years was closely associated with agricultural and mercantile interests in St. Charles. The rest which has come to him is well merited, being the direct result of close application and indefatigable energy in former years. Now in the evening of life he is living at ease in the midst of many friends who entertain for him the kindliest regard and good will. He was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, July 11. 1820. and has therefore passed the eighty-eighth mile- stone on life's journey. His father, Mather Browne, was a native of county Tyrone. Ireland, and came to the United States in 1798. taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming. In his busi- ness affairs he prospered, becoming quite well-to-do. He married Miss Jean- nette MeCaskey, also a native of Ireland. Both were members of the Reformed church and Mr. Browne gave his political support to the democracy. He died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife has also passed away. They were the parents of nine children.
Joseph M. Browne. the youngest of this family, spent his youth as do most farm boys and in the public schools he acquired his education. He afterward engaged in teaching for three or four years and later elerked for a time in stores. He afterward embarked in merchandising on his own account in Pennsylvania, and in 1855 he came to lowa, settling at St. Charles, where he established a store, which he conducted for more than forty years. In 1895 he retired and removed to Indianola, where he now resides. As the years passed he won a gratifying measure of success and made judicions investments in real estate, now deriving a good income from two farms in Madison county. while he also owns property in Indianola.
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