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 49
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Oxen were used as a means of travel in those days and Mr. Nutting bought his team of oxen in Warren county and ferried them across the Missouri river, hitched them to a wagonload of goods in Lexington and set out from there with his family to travel to his new home. The hardships were undoubtedly many, but who shall say that the pleasures were not also great to these adventurous young people, and let us hope that on the occasion of the oxen getting loose and running away from the camp the sense of the ludicrous came to their rescue and that mixed with the excitement of the chase and the satis- faction of the recovery of the runaways no small amount of amusement was afforded them. They arrived at their new home in the latter part of August 1855, when they began life in true pioneer style. At that time there were but two stores in Indianola, no sidewalks excepting a footpath and but one hotel- the Barnwell. Mr. Nutting began the work of improving his farm, dividing it into fields and building fences, preparatory to its cultivation the following year. The educational advantages of the community were very poor at that time and in the spring of 1856 Mrs. Nutting. doubtless prompted thereto by the require- ments of her own children, opened a subscription school, and many of the now prominent men of the county began their education under her able instructions. In his spare hours Mr. Nutting also assisted, for both were deeply interested in the cause of education. In the meantime the work of improving the farm was going on and it was beginning to yield substantial returns. Mr. Nutting combined with general farming the industry of stock-raising, which proved a ready source of income and, with an eye to the future, the proceeds of his sales he invested in additional land. For this he paid various prices, as the value of the land was increasing all the time, owing to the rich returns which the soil yielded. On his first coming here he secured about two hundred acres of land at five dollars per acre. Following the war and the coming in of new settlers the surrounding land rose in value to seventeen dollars per acre ; later it advanced to twenty-two dollars and twenty-three dollars per acre. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Nutting bought the southeast quarter of section 25. Otter town-
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ship, for twenty-five dollars per acre. Four hundred acres which he owned in Squaw township he secured at prices ranging from ten to eighteen dollars per aere. In all, during his lifetime he acquired about seventeen hundred aeres of valuable land, enelosed by over forty miles of fences. He also erected a modern home and equipped the farm with comfortable buildings and up-to- date machinery.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nutting were born three children, namely : William P. and Frank O., both of whom are engaged in farming in Otter township; and Sarah L., the wife of S. J. Burnett, who now resides on the home farm in section 15, Otter township, where she was born.
In national polities Mr. Nutting was a republican, though in local affairs he voted for men and measures rather than for party. He served as trustee of Otter township, but never cared for office. During the dark days of the Civil war he enlisted on September 28, 1864, in Company E, Fourth Iowa Infantry. He was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., May 31, 1865, participating in the grand review at the national capital.
On February 12,1907, David H. Nutting was called to his eternal rest, having survived his wife, who passed away on March 14, 1904, a little less than three years. As a citizen, a soldier, a pioneer and a business man Mr. Nutting deserved and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all, and his death left a void in the community that will be felt for many years to come. His funeral was conducted under the auspices of the Presbyterian church of Milo, of which himself, wife and family were members.
SMITH J. BURNETT.
Smith J. Burnett, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 15, Otter township, was born in Logan county, Ohio, August 12, 1850, a son of John and Anna (Vanness) Burnett. His parents came to lowa in November, 1851, and located in Cedar county, where they purchased a farm. His paternal grand- father, John Burnett, Sr., also came to Cedar county, Iowa, from Ohio, together with Governor Kirkwood. He and his wife resided there until the time of their deaths, which occurred during the Civil war. Mrs. Burnett, the mother of our subject, died in early womanhood. her death occurring in 1856 when she was but twenty-eight years of age. Her husband survived her for five years. passing away in 1861 at the age of forty-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burnett were born six children. Thomas died in Pottawattamie county, Iowa. in 1888, aged forty-two years. Katie married William Winterstein and resides in Griswold, Cass county. Iowa. They are now retired from farming. George, also a retired farmer, resides at Anita, Cass county. Smith J. is the next of the family. Charles is a farmer of Wheaton. Pottawattamie county, Kansas. Mary was the wife of a Mr. Dobbins. She died in Kentucky some fifteen years ago.
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SARAH L. (NUTTING) BURNETT
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Smith J. Burnett passed the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof until ten years of age, and began earning his own living at the age of thirteen years. He received his education in the public schools. In his young manhood he removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he bought a farm, near Griswold. Here he made his home for several years. Later he removed to Oregon and spent nine years on the Pacific coast, conducting a railroad eating house on the Oregon Coal & Navigation line. He then returned to Iowa and has since sold his farm and town property in Griswold. He spent one year in Colorado, where he operated a farm, after which he was in the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway for some time. He also engaged in cement work, having been connected with a large contracting company in this line.
On June 26, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Smith J. Burnett and Miss Sarah L. Nutting, the daughter of David H. and Mary (Fitts) Nntting. Mrs. Burnett was born and reared on the place which is still her home, which consists of a farm of about five hundred acres. Up to the time of their death her life was devoted to the care of her aged parents and Mr. Burnett is to be congratulated on having won this loyal heart, whose strong affection has been so amply proven in the case of her parents. In the care of the farm Mr. Burnett finds plenty of opportunity for the exercise of his ingenuity and skill as a farmer, and the broad experience he has gained in other lines stands him in good stead in applying the same business principles to his farming opera- tions. Mrs. Burnett is a member of the Presbyterian church at Milo.
DANIEL JACKSON KNOUF.
Daniel Jackson Knouf. more familiarly known as Jackson Knouf, is one of the representative farmers of Linn township. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurring in Benton county, May 28, 1857. His father was Henry Knouf, who was born in Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March, 1822. and on first coming to this state located in Iowa City but subsequently re- moved to Benton county. In 1866 he became a resident of Warren county, loeating on the farm in Linn township where our subject now lives, and here he continued to make his home until called to his final rest in October. 1896. Throughout his active business life he always followed farming and he gave his political support to the democratic party. In early manhood he married Maria Cook, who was also a native of the Keystone state, and she died in Sep- tember, 1896, at the age of seventy-two years. Their children, who are still living are John, Samuel, Matilda C., Majors. George, D. Jackson, Au- gustus Bell and Martin.
D. Jackson Knouf was only nine years of age when the family came to Warren county and took up their residence upon his present farm. As soon as old enough to be of any service he began to aid in the cultivation of the land, and during the winter season he attended the country schools of the
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neighborhood. From 1888 until 1900 he was engaged in farming in Madison county, Iowa, and the following year was spent in Polk county, after which he returned to the old homestead in Warren county. Here he has fifty-nine acres of well improved land in Linn township, devoted to general farming.
In 1884 Mr. Knouf was united in marriage to Miss Dora Mclain, a native of Warren county, and to them have been born two children who are still living, namely : Earl and Pearl. In politics Mr. Knouf is a democrat and he is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community.
WILLIAM H. SCROGGS.
One by one the soldiers of the Civil war are answering to the last roll-call and the ranks are fast becoming decimated but the hearts of the American people will always thrill with the story of those who followed the stars and stripes, and fought in defense of the Union in the darkest hour in the history of our country.
William H. Seroggs, of Indianola, made a splendid military record and has every reason to be proud of the fact that he marched loyally to the front in defense of his country's interests and aided in crushing out the rebellion in the south. In days of peace he has largely given his attention to farming, but is now living retired. He was born in Greenfield, Highland county, Ohio, November 24, 1835. His father, Alexander Scroggs, was a native of Ross county, Ohio, and was of Scotch deseent. His father, Alexander Seroggs. Sr., served as a soldier of the war of 1812.
The father of our subjeet was a farmer by occupation and his business affairs were capably conducted, so that he won success. He married Lavinia Rogers, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, and was of Welsh lineage. Her father was an officer of the war of 1812. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Seroggs. Jr., were members of the United Presbyterian church, and were ear- nest, consistent Christian people. His early politieal allegiance was given to the whig party, and when the question of slavery became a paramount issue he advocated the abolition movement and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery into northern territory he joined its ranks and voted for its candidates. He was a man of sterling integrity who stood high among his neighbors. He died in 1862, at the age of fifty-eight years, while his wife survived until 1885. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, of whom Thomas and one other died in infancy. The other members of the family are : James, who enlisted as a musician in the Civil war. passed away in 1903. William H., of this review, is the next member of the family. John G. enlisted as a soldier of the Union army on the 19th of Septem- ber, 1861, becoming a member of Company C. Eighty-first Ohio Infantry. and was mustered out at the expiration of his three years' term, having been engaged in the battles of Shiloh. Corinth and numerous skirmishes. He is now
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a retired agriculturist of Warrensburg, Missouri. Josephine became the wife of Samuel Lundbeck, of Chillicothe, and after his death wedded Captain W. C. Mallatt, a retired merchant of Warrensburg, Missouri. Alexander R., who follows farming in Independence, Oregon, was a member of the Ohio Home Guards, serving in Kentucky. Mary L., residing in Greenfield, Ohio, is the widow of Captain J. C. Crawford, who commanded Company I of the Eighty- first Volunteer Infantry. Sarah, who was the first wife of Captain Mallatt, is deceased. Elbert E., follows general agricultural pursuits in Warrensburg, Missouri. The family has furnished several ministers to the United Presbyter- ian church, and their influence has always been on the side of righteousness, truth and justice.
William H. Seroggs as a farm boy early became familiar with the work of the fields. In his early youth he attended the country schools and later pursued his studies in the South Salem (Ohio) Academy, and in the Monmouth (Ill.) College. He also engaged in teaching for five terms in early manhood. He wax twenty-five years of age, when on the 19th of September, 1861, he responded to the country's call for aid and joined the ranks of those who were flocking to the standard of the Union from the farms, the counting-houses, the shops and the professions. He became a member of Company C. Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of his three years' term was mustered out with the rank of first sergeant. He then accepted the captaincy of Company B. of the One Hundred and Eleventh regiment of colored troops, and for meri- torious conduct on the field of battle, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel for the regiment, thus serving until the command was mustered out. He was then retained by General George Thomas to serve on court martial, first at Nashville and afterward at Louisville. General Shafter, later of Spanish war fame, was also a member of the same court. Mr. Seroggs was finally mustered out on the 1st of November, 1866. having served for over five years in military duty, during which time he made a splendid record. He was brave and loyal and inspired his men with much of his own valor. He was present at the battles of Shiloh. Corinth and Athens, Alabama. At Corinth he was wounded by a bullet entering the right arm and coming out at the shoulder. At Athens he was taken prisoner by troops under General M. B. Forrest and was sent to Meridian, Mississippi, where he was held as a prisoner of war from the 24th of September until early December. He was then taken to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where he was exchanged, after which he rejoined his regiment.
On leaving the military service Mr. Seroggs entered the employ of the government in a eivil capacity as superintendent of construction of national cemeteries, and was thus employed until 1867. On leaving the government ser- viee he went to Illinois, settling on a farm in MeLean county, where he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1891. In that year he came to Indianola and after looking over the country for a favorable investment he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Lincoln township. This property now returns to him a good ineome. He looks after his farming interest but is practically living a retired life.
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On the 3d of January. 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Seroggs and Miss Harriet Barbour, who was born in Niagara, New York, in 1840, and was of Welsh lineage in the paternal line and of Scotch-Irish descent in the maternal line. Her father was Robert Barbour, while her mother belonged to the Starke family of which Admiral Starke, of Revolutionary war fame, was also a representative. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seroggs have been born seven children: Charles R., who follows farming in North Dakota ; Alice, the wife of Dr. H. M. Dale, of Los Angeles, California; Richard E., who is a dentist of Indianola; William C., deceased; Edwin, who has also passed away ; John H., a carpenter of Des Moines; and Ira, who is deceased.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Seroggs are loyal to their professions as members of the Presbyterian church, and in the community are highly esteemed. In politics he is a stalwart republican and he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of James Randolph Post, G. A. R. Through days of peace he has been as loyal to his country and its welfare as he was in times of war and his interest in local advancement and national progress has always been a salient feature in his career.
SAMUEL SHAW.
Samnel Shaw is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Milo. where he is now practically living retired, superintending his affairs but leaving the active management to others. He was born at Salein, Columbiana connty, Ohio, March 18. 1842, and during his childhood removed to Logan county, that state, with his parents, Benjamin and Barbara Shaw. They were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1811 and the latter in 1820, and in early life removed to Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. There the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred when he was forty- eight years of age, and the mother died at the age of sixty-four years.
Samuel Shaw grew to manhood in Logan county, Ohio, and received a good common-school education at Zanesfield. His father died leaving a large family dependent upon him for support and thus early in life he was called upon to take up the burdens which usually come to one later in their career. He at once turned his attention to farming and stock-raising and continued to follow those ocenpations throughout his active business life. On leaving Logan county, Ohio, he came to Warren county, Iowa, in December, 1867, and located on a farm in Belmont township, where he made his home until coming to Milo in the spring of 1893. He has dealt quite extensively in real estate and has been actively engaged in the banking business, and is at present the owner of fifteen hundred acres of land. Starting out in life in limited circum- stances, his success is due entirely to his own industry, sound judgment and good management in business affairs, and he well deserves the prosperity that has crowned his efforts. The most envious could hardly grudge him his success, so honorably has it been won.
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yours Truly Lamuel Shaw
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On the 21st of January, 1864, in Warren county, Mr. Shaw married Miss Emily Gilbert, who was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 26th of January, 1842, and is the oldest of a family of thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters. She was only six years of age when brought to America. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are the parents of four children: William A., who married Virginia A. Dunn; Cora Edna, who married Dr. J. T. Fellows, of Des Moines, and died leaving a daughter, E. Josephine, who is a graduate of the Milo high school and makes her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw ; Nellie, the deceased wife of Lon Dunn; and R. A., who is a graduate of Simpson College and is now bookkeeper in the Citizens Bank of Milo, making his home with his parents. The older son lives in Arkansas, where he has fourteen hun- dred and forty acres of land, and is engaged in raising rice.
During the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. Shaw entered the United States service from Ohio, enlisting about the 1st of May, 1864, as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served four and one-half months. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as commander of Milo Post, No. 275, Department of Iowa, for several years. Religiously he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and gives liberally of his means for the advancement of all church work, never withholding his aid from any enter- prise which he believes will promote the moral, intellectual or material welfare of the community. The republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he has filled various municipal and school offices, including that of mayor of Milo. He has always been found true to any trust reposed in him, whether public or private, and he is justly ranked among the leading and representative citizens of his adopted county.
J. E. SANDY.
This well known and honored citizen of Union township, now residing on section 33. is familiarly called Uncle Joe by numerous friends throughout the county. He is one of the early settlers, dating his residence here from 1853, and for many years he was actively identified with farming, but is now practically living retired although he still owns one hundred and sixty acres in Union township and oversees its cultivation.
Like many of our best citizens, Mr. Sandy is a native of Indiana, born near Gosport, in Owen county, June 22, 1836, and is a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Goss) Sandy, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina respectively. The father was one of the pioneers of Owen county, Indiana, there still being a great many Indians in that region when he located there, in fact, sixteen hundred red men encamped near his home the first winter. In 1848 he came to Towa and entered land in Warren county, but did not move his family to this locality until 1853. He owned about three hundred and forty acres of land where the village of Sandyville is now situated and here he spent his
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remaining days. Throughout life he made farming his occupation, and in business affairs he prospered.
J. E. Sandy attended the common schools of his native state and was about seventeen years of age when the family removed to this county. On reaching manhood he was married in Sandyville to Miss Marietta Burges, who was born in Canada but was reared in Illinois and came to Iowa in 1854. They began their domestie life on a farm and on the 15th of April, 1865, Mr. Sandy purchased his present place on seetion 33. Union township, which at that time was all wild land. He broke it with ox-teams and a twenty-four inch breaking plow, and for several years engaged in breaking land for others, thus preparing five hundred acres for cultivation. His farm was first fenced with rails. it requiring eighteen hundred. He set out an orchard and made many other useful and valuable improvements, including the erection of a large residence and good outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. For some years he engaged in shipping cattle and hogs which he had fattened for market. Besides his farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in this county, he owns a quarter section of land in North Dakota. which he has improved and now rents. There he has spent his summers for eight seasons.
Mr. Sandy lost his first wife. who died in this eonnty, in June, 1880. Unto them were born the following children: Charles, who died in 1888, at the age of twenty-four years; Elbert J., who died in 1884, at the age of twenty-two; Henry B., whose sketeh follows this; Elizabeth, the wife of John Trotter, a farmer of Belmont township. by whom she has six sons; and Julia F., the wife of J. H. Trimble. of Westhope. North Carolina, by whom she has five daughters and one son. Mr. Sandy was again married at Indianola in 1896 to Mrs. Margaret Darnell, a widow, who died in 1900. and he has since made his home with his son most of the time while looking after his farming interests.
The republican party has found in Mr. Sandy a stanch supporter of its principles since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he has filled the offices of township trustee and school treasurer, serving in the latter capacity for eight years. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Union Christian church, and is a charter member of Sandyville lodge. A. F. & A. M .. of which he is past master. and the only one of the original members now living. He is connected with the Eastern Star, to which his wife also belonged, and he has filled all the offices in his lodge.
HENRY B. SANDY.
Henry B. Sandy, one of the representative farmers of Union township. has spent his entire life in the locality where he now lives. for he was born on the old Sandy homestead in that township. November 22. 1874. a son of J. E. Sandy, whose sketch is given above. During his boyhood and youth he attended the publie schools of Milo and Ackworth, and also assisted his father in the labors of the farm. thins acquiring a good practical knowledge of the occupation
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which he now follows. He was married on the 1st of March, 1894, to Miss Agnes Reeves, a native of this county, and a daughter of Robert Reeves. They now have two children : Frank J. and Goldie M.
After his marriage Mr. Sandy engaged in farming on rented land for six years and then purchased eighty acres of his present farm on section 33, Union township. Later he went to North Dakota, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he proved up and cultivated for two years. He then sold that place and bought eighty aeres adjoining his original traet in this county. He has since remodeled the house and made many other improve- ments upon the place and has added to it until he now has a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres under excellent cultivation. He raises and feeds considerable stock, usually shipping from two to three carloads of cattle and hogs annually. He is a very wide-awake and energetie young farmer and is meeting with excellent success in business affairs. His political support is given the republican party.
W. H. CAIN.
Since 1851 W. H. Cain has been a resident of Warren county and through- out the years of his manhood he has been prominently identified with its development especially along agricultural lines. He was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 15th of October, 1845, and was only four years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, two years being spent at Ottumwa before they located in Warren county. Here his father followed both farming and carpentering and both he and his wife died in this county.
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