USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 18
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ROBERT MARSHALL.
Robert Marshall, who is now living retired on his valuable and well improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 14. Jackson township, was formerly for many years identified with the agricultural and live stock interests of Washington county. He was born in County Down, Ireland, February 27, 1832, his parents being John and Mary ( Brown ) Marshall, who were also natives of the Emerald isle. In 1870 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and continued to make their home with their son Robert until called to their final rest. Their family numbered nine children, namely : Michael, who is a resident of Ireland ; Robert, of this review ; William, who lives in Smith county, Kansas; Mary A., who is the wife of James McConnell and also lives in Ireland ; and five who are de ceased.
Robert Marshall obtained a good practical education in the common schools of his native land and remained under the parental roof until twenty- two years of age, when in 1854 he emigrated to the United States, first locating in Philadelphia, where he resided for three months. On the expira- tion of that period he went to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he was married in 1858 and subsequently made his home in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, until 1867. In that year he came to Washington county. lowa, and for two years was engaged in the operation of a rented farm. after which he took up his abode in the city of Washington and conducted a bakery for five years. At the end of that time he sold out and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Cedar township, which he disposed of after a time and then operated a larger farm as a renter for two years. He then bought the farm where he now resides on section 14, Jackson township, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. flis daughter ani son-in law, Mr. and Mrs. Levi N. Shuman, also live on the place, which is now being conducted by Mr. Shuman, as Mr. Marshall has put aside the active work of the fields in order to enjoy his remaining days in well merited
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rest. During the past twenty years, however. he was extensively engaged in feeding and shipping stock and in both his agricultural and live stock interests met with that measure of prosperity which is ever the reward of earnest and untiring effort when directed by sound judgment and keen discrimination.
In 1858 Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Jane Ferguson. whose birth occurred in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1825, her parents being William and Margaret (McCoy) Ferguson, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, who reared a family of nine children, both passed away in Baltimore, Maryland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were born two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other, Margaret K., whose natal day was September 14, 1861, completed her education in the academy at Washington. Iowa, and is now the wife of Levi N. Shuman, by whom she has three children, as follows: John W., born July 27. 1885, who is now attending medical college at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Ralph M., born January 4, 1889. who is at home ; and Margaret J., born January 6, 1893, who is now attending the high school at Washington, lowa. Mrs. Marshall passed away October 16, 1898, in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian church, her remains being interred in Elm Grove cemetery. Mr. Marshall likewise belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian church and is well known and highly esteemed throughout this county, where he has now resided for more than four decades. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America. for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way upward, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determina- tion and well directed energy.
E. W. GODLOVE.
E. W. Godlove, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits on his well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty actes in Iowa township, was born in that township on the 4th of October, 1867. his parents being Benjamin J. and Eliza ( Webster) Godlove, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In childhood days they accompanied their respective parents on the removal to Washington county, Iowa, and after attaining years of maturity were married. They located on a farm in Iowa township, where Benjamin J. Godlove engaged in general agricultural pursuits until about 1900, when he put aside the active work of the fields and has since lived retired in Riverside, being well known and highly esteemed as a most substantial and respected citizen of the community.
E. W. Godlove was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the common schools, by a course in the Iowa City Business College, from which institution he was graduated in 1891. Subsequently he served for about six months as a clerk in the
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State Bank at Iowa City and then returned home, taking charge of his father's farm. In the year 1899 he purchased the place from his father, who went to live in Riverside. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land and in its cultivation and improvement Mr Godlove has met with a creditable measure of prosperity, being practical and progressive in the conduct of his agricultural interests.
On the 26th of December, 1895, Mr. Godlove was united in marriage to Miss Laura Brown, of Iowa township, Washington county, by whom he has one child, Marion W., who is at home.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Godlove has given his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as a member of the school board for about fourteen years, acting as treasurer of the board at the present time. He is widely and favorably known through- out the county in which he has spent practically his entire life and has gained recognition as a leading and representative citizen.
WILLIAM W. WELLS.
William W. Wells, a prominent and influential citizen of Washington County, was born in Connecticut, October 26, 1820, and was a son of Curtis and Wealthy ( Warner ) Wells. His mother died when he was but two or three weeks old and about 1824 his father married Harriet Russell, also a native of Connecticut. There were nine children of that marriage: Curtis, Franklin, Russell, Jared, Donnell, Harriet, Wealthy, Henry and Maria. In the spring of 1839 William W. Wells came alone to Fowa, reaching Mount Pleasant, Henry county, with but nine dollars in his possession. He was a very homesick lad as he looked about him and saw only the faces of strangers and knew that he was separated by many days' travel from old friends. He would have returned home but did not have enough money for the trip and though this seemed a direful condition of affairs at the time it afterward proved fortit- nate for in this state he found good business opportunities which eventually led him to success. Necessity rendered it imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he began working for Dr. Payne for fifteen dollars per month. He was afterward employed for two years at a hotel as a man of all work and later engaged in blacksmithing and farming in the employ of David Brown near Fairfield, lowa. Ambitious, however, to engage in business for himself he rented a mill on the south fork of Skunk river and operated it for a year, after which he invested his earnings in horses and cattle. In 1843 he came to Washington county and entered forty acres of land near Paris in Dutch Creek township, where he began to make a home for himself. From this time on prosperity attended his efforts and to his original purchase he added from time to time until he became one of the most extensive land- owners in the state, his possessions aggregating twenty-four hundred and fifty acres.
On the 24th of October, 1844 Mr. Wells wedded Rebecca Jackson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel Jackson. Unto this marriage were
W. W. Wells
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FLUIDATION
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born eight children, five of whom lived to mature years : Marie W., the wife of Wesley Smith; Curtis R. ; Edgar, who died at the age of nineteen years ; William P. ; and Inez Adell, the wife of Seymour Martin.
Mr. Wells died ou the 14th of August. 1908, when almost eighty- eight years of age and his wife passed away at the early age of thirty- six years. He was for a long period one of the representative citizens, leading farmers and progressive business men of Washington county. In addition to carrying on extensive agricultural interests he became a stock- holder in the Washington National Bank at its organization and remained financially interested therein, acting as its president at the time of his death. He was honored and respected not only for what he accomplished, but for the straightforward business methods by which he attained his prosperity. His political allegiance was always given to the democracy.
WILLIAM R. HAMILTON.
William R. Hamilton, who is now devoting his energies to stock-raising in Washington township, this county, has met with splendid success in his business ventures and has surrounded himself with that measure of pros- perity which makes him worthy of honorable mention as a substantial and worthy citizen of this county. He was born in Menard county, Illinois, March 11, 1849, a son of William and Margaret (Berry) Hamilton. The father was a native of Augustå county, Virginia, and located in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1833, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land for which he paid one dollar and a quarter an acre. He remained upon the farm but a few years when he disposed of his possessions and went to Menard county, Illinois, where he invested in land, which he sold in 1853 owing to the ill health of the family. During that year they started for this state in a wagon, coming by way of Columbus City, where they spent the winter. in the following spring resuming their journey. Upon arriving in Washington county Mr. Hamilton settled upon the farm where the subject of this review resides and here remained, pursuing the occupa- tion of farming until his death in 1881, when he was laid to rest in the old city cemetery. Politically he was a whig and upon the dissolution of that party became a republican and was always loyal to its candidates. His wife, whom he married in Indiana, was also a native of Augusta county, Virginia, and departed this life in 1881, the same year in which occurred the death of her husband and beside whom her remains were laid. She gave birth to five children : John C., who is living in retirement in Pasadena, California ; James B., deceased ; Mary J .. deceased ; and Sarah M., who re- sides with her brother William R., of this review.
The district schools and an academy afforded William R. Hamilton his educational advantages and he remained on the home farm pursuing agriculture until 1883, when he removed to Indianola, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the general merchandise business for three years. At the expira-
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tion of that time he disposed of his interests in the enterprise and returned to the home farm, where he has since devoted his energies to husbandry. His farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land located two and one-half miles from the square in Washington and is highly improved, heing provided with a modern residence and substantial outbuildings. Every- thing about the premises being kept in excellent repair, the farm presents a fine appearance and is indicative of the aggressiveness of its owner. General farming commands his attention and he also raises a great deal of stock. particularly cattle and hogs for which he always finds a ready market. His sister Sarah M. acts as his housekeeper and they have always lived together since their parents' death and to her he attributes much of his success, for she has encouraged and aided him in every way.
Mr. Hamilton is a stanch republican, early in life becoming convinced that the principles of the party were wisely framed to promote the commer- cial, industrial and financial interests of the nation and during his long years of experience under many administrations he has never found cause to change his views. He has never permitted his business affairs to usurp the time and attention which should be given to the performance of his religious obligations and, as a member of the Presbyterian church, he has always been a faithful attendant upon its services. His life being in accord with the faith he holds, his citizenship is of the highest type and he has done much toward the moral and spiritual betterment of the community and, as well toward its financial worth by his untiring energy and enterprise.
JOHN D. BYERS.
John D. Byers is numbered among the survivors of the Civil war who are now living in Washington county, and for a long period he has been closely associated with agricultural interests in this part of the state. He was born in Pennsylvania. December 9. 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Martha (Hiney) Byers, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and died there. In their family were eleven children, but only five are now living : Elizabeth, the wife of A. Sawyer, a resident of Pennsylvania; Barbara, the wife of Ben Warfel. also living in the Keystone state: Martha, the wife of John Minnek, of Washington county, Iowa : Jacob, living in Nebraska : and John D., of this review. The parents passed away many years ago.
John D. Byers spent the days of his childhood and youth in the state of his nativity and pursued his education in the public schools. He was but sixteen years of age when he offered his services to his country in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, in which he served for nine months. During that time he participated in one hard fought battle. He afterward reenlisted as a member of Company I. Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and partici- pated in several skirmishes. With that command he continued for six months and later he again offered his services to the government and was as-
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signed to duty with Company G, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years. He marched with Grant from City Point to Petersburg and was there for some time when he suffered a sun stroke and was taken to the hospital, where he remained for two months. He then returned home on a thirty days' furlough, after which he rejoined his company with which he continued until the close of the war in 1865. He was still but a boy in years when the long and sanguinary struggle was ended, but he was a man in his experiences of the hardships and privations which are meted out to the soldier upon the tenting field.
Returning to his old home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Byers there remained until the spring of 1866, when he came to this county and worked as a farm hand for three years. On the expiration of that period he was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Bartholomew, who was born September 25, 1852, and was a native of New York. She came to this county at an early day in company with her parents, Jeremiah and Altha ( Raney ) Bartholomew. Her mother is now deceased, but the father is still living, making his home in Well- man. łowa, at the age of eighty-six years. He was born in the state of New York and on his removal westward first located in Illinois, while fifty-four years ago he came to Washington county and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government in Cedar township. Later he purchased another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, and improving the same, he lived thereon for a number of years, after which he removed to Richmond, where he resided for a few years. He next took up his abode in Wellman where he now makes his home, being one of the most valued and highly respected citizens and pioneer residents of the county. In his family were five children, namely: Mary, now the widow of C. Durst, a resident of Iowa : Mrs. Byers : Cornelius, deceased : Jane, living in Kansas City, Mis- souri : and Frederick, of this county.
Following his marriage Mr. Byers rented a farm for two or three years, and when he had saved from his earnings a sufficient capital to enable him to purchase property, he invested in forty acres on the English river, where he lived for five years. He then traded that property for the farm on which he now resides and has lived upon it ever since. His place is located on sec- tion 3. Cedar township, and is equipped with all of the conveniences and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. It was on the 14th of August, 1870, that Mr. and Mrs. Byers were married and as the years have gone by nine children have been added to their family: Martha L., born March 15, 1872, is the wife of Charles Myers, now of Wilson county, Kansas, who for several years was a school teacher of this county ; Vinion, born January 15, 1873, is now in Jefferson county, lowa; Altha L., born October 15, 1874, is the wife of Michael Burner, of Wellman, Iowa ; Orville D .. born June 23, 1876, died on the 6th of September of the same year ; Clara J., born March 27, 1878, is now living in Wellman with her grand- father : Frederick E., born February 3. 1881. is in this county : John D .. born May 25, 1883. is now professor in Chanute College at Chanute, Kansas ; Grace F., born August 14, 1885. is the wife of Mead Sigman, of this county ; and Bessie Fern, born July 22, 1887, is a dressmaker and still resides at
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home. Mrs. Byers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Byers belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Wellman and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served as a school director for several years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and to its progress along material, intellectual, social, moral and political lines. He has lived in this county for forty-three years and is there- fore one of its old settlers, having not only witnessed its growth and progress throughout this period but also assisted materially in its upbuilding. He is today as true and loyal to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields.
E. W. H. ASHBY.
E. W. H. Ashby is an extensive landowner, having seven hundred acres in this county. In all of his business affairs he manifests a spirit of keen discrimination and undaunted enterprise which has led him into important relations with agricultural interests. From time to time he has increased his holdings by judicious investment until today he derives a very substantial and gratifying income from his property.
His birth occurred in West Virginia. December 1, 1834, and he was one of the seven children born unto Jesse and Elizabeth Ashby, who were like- wise natives of the same state. They came to Iowa in 1839 when it was still a territory and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Washington county. This region was then largely wild and unimproved, much of its land being still in possession of the government, while over the broad prairies grew the native grasses, giving little indication that the district would soon be transformed into fine farms bringing forth rich crops of marketable products. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ashby continued residents of this county until called to their final home.
The subject of this review was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. He started out in life for himself at the age of sixteen years. Ile had previously shared with the family in all of the hardships, privations and trials incident to frontier life and later he entered upon the arduous task of providing for his own support when he was still but a boy. He commenced dealing in stock and as soon as he had accumulated a little money he purchased a tract of land, becoming owner of eighty acres near the city of Washington. He further completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage when twenty-six years of age. The lady of his choice was Miss Elizabeth A. Ihrig, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio. August 21, 1840, and was a daughter of Peter and Christina ( Billman) Ihrig. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania, while her father was born in Germany. He came to America in his boyhood days and established his home in Ohio, where he continued to reside until his death. Unto him and his wife were born six children.
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Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ashby began their domestic life upon a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, where they lived until 1861, when he sold that property and invested in a farm on which they are now residing in Lime Creek township. Mr. Ashby now owns seven hundred acres of land in Lime Creek and Cedar townships, constituting a splendidly improved property. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to his holdings until he became one of the extensive landowners of the county, deriving a most gratifying annual income from his farms. He has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, handling good grades, so that they bring high prices on the market.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born seven children, five of whom are still living: Viola M., the wife of Ezra Gardner, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Jessie J., the wife of Don Brimley, living in Cedar town- ship; Ralph M., who resides in Lime Creek township; Eleanor and Esther, who spent two years at the Iowa State University and are members of the Delta Gamma Society, while Esther was also a member of the Iowa Lane Society. Eleanor is also a professional nurse and for a time was a visiting nurse in Chicago. These two sisters are now at home and are operating the home farm of two hundred and seventy acres, known as the Pilot Grove farm. They conduct business under the firm name of E. & E. Ashby and deserve great credit for the manner in which they are carrying on the business, displaying excellent management and keen discernment in the conduct of their interests. They are now making a specialty of raising and breeding the Red Bacon Tanworth hogs, which are today considered the finest on sale.
Mr. Ashby gives his political support to the republican party but has never desired office. He is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age and largely leaves business cares to others while he is enjoying well earned rest. He has ever been a man of resolute spirit, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action, quick in perception and stable in purpose. His is the record of a strong individuality and a strenuous life which has gained and merited its own just reward.
DANIEL ARTHAUD, D. O.
There has been no more important discovery concerning health and its restoration in recent years than that brought forth by the osteopathic school -the worth of this discovery being manifest in the large number of its practitioners at the present time and of those who employ their services. With thorough understanding of the scientific principles that underlie this school of healing Dr. Arthaud is now enjoying a gratifying and constantly growing patronage in Washington. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, January 6, 1853, and is a son of Emile and Susanna ( Ebersol) Arthaud, who were natives of France, the father having been born about seventy-five miles from the city of Paris, while the mother's birth occurred in Alsace.
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When a boy Emile Arthaud learned the cutlery trade and in early manhood he crossed the Atlantic to America attracted by the enticing reports which he heard concerning business opportunities and advantages on this side the Atlantic. He first made his way to Canada where he lived for about six years and then established his home in Indiana where he also spent a few years. In the fall of 1852 he arrived in Jefferson county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1853 came to Washington county, which was still a frontier district largely undeveloped. There were yet many evidences of pioneer life here but the county was being settled by a class of substantial and progressive citizens who were bringing all of the wisdom and experience of the east to the promoting and upbuilding of the western states. Mr. Arthaud located in Marion township where he purchased land. clearing and improving a tract of forty acres. He afterward sold that property and went to Henry county, Iowa, his last days being spent about a quarter of a mile south of Olds, where his death occurred in 1888 when he lacked but two weeks of being eighty-one years of age. His wife survived him for about eighteen years and was nearly eighty-three years of age at the time of her demise. They were both consistent members of the Mennonite church and their many good qualities of heart and mind won them the esteem and confidence of all who knew them. In their family were fifteen children, twelve sons and three daughters including the following: Christian, a resident of Taloga, Oklahoma; John B., living in Chillicothe, Missouri; Leo, who is located in Dallas county, Iowa ; Lena, the wife of Egbert Van Scoy, of Stewart, Iowa ; Enos, of Olds. Iowa : Daniel, of this review; Benjamin, living in O'Brien county, Iowa ; Frank L., who is a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri ; Mary, the wife of Alof Anderson, of Olds, Iowa ; and Joseph, also of Chillicothe, Missouri.
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