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 2
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James M. Wilson, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof, accompanying his parents on their various removals in Ohio. He acquired his education in the common schools and in the Martins- burg College at Martinsburg, Ohio. Subsequently he engaged in teaching
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
school through eight or ten winter terms, while the summer months were devoted to work on the farm. Carefully saving his earnings, Mr. Wilson eventually was enabled to purchase property, investing in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Licking county, Ohio, in 1859. He then settled on that farm and with characteristic energy began to till the fields and improve the property. He made it his home until 1865, when he sold out and re- moved to Champaign county, Illinois, where he lived for three years. In 1868 he arrived in Washington county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, lying in Seventy-Six township. Upon this property he has since made his home with the exception of a short period of three years spent in Keota. In 1895 he purchased eighty acres adjoining his home farm, having in all two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land which responds readily to the care and labor he bestows upon it. Here he breeds and raises shorthorn cattle and since 1901 has been feeding all of his grain. In his stock-raising interests he has been quite successful and is now numbered among the substantial farmers ot the county.
In 1858 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Saunders, of Licking county, Ohio, and unto them were born five children, of whom two are living: Jennie A., who is assistant principal of the Keota (Iowa) schools ; and Robert O., living on the home farm. The wife and mother passed away in 1888 and in 1895 Mr. Wilson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Randolph, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Reed, of Webster, Iowa.
Mr. Wilson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. so that he is ever able to support his position by intelli- gent argument. He served for twelve years as township trustee and his frequent re-election to that office is proof positive of the capability which he displayed in discharging his duties. He and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the United Presbyterian church, doing all in their power to promote its growth and Mr. Wilson has been an elder in the church for more than a quarter of a century. His integrity is above question and if there are mistakes in his life it is not a matter of intention. He has always endeavored to live peaceably with his fellowmen and to do right on all oc- casions and his record may well serve as an example for others.
HORACE STEEL.
Horace Steel is now living retired in Riverside, having won a handsome competence through the careful conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests in former years. He was born in Delaware county, Indiana, on the 18th of December, 1835. his parents being Justin and Eliza A. (Pugs- ley) Steel, who were natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively. In 1828 they took up their abode in Indiana. the mother passing away in that
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
state in 1838. Justin Steel came to Washington county, Iowa, in 1856, and entered a tract of land in Highland township, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1891, at the age of ninety-one years. He had long been numbered among the most substantial and respected citizens of the community and his demise was the occasion of deep regret to all who knew him. Unto him and his wife were born five children, but the subject of this review is now the only surviving member of the family.
Horace Steel received only meager educational advantages in youth, his attendance at school being limited to nine months, but through reading, observation and experience he has learned many lessons of practical value and is a well informed man. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-two years and then began learning the miller's trade, working at that occupation for eighteen months. At the end of that time, on account of failing health, he abandoned the trade and secured em- ployment as a farm hand, being thus engaged until 1861. Having carefully saved his earnings, he then purchased a farm in Highland township, in the cultivation and improvement of which he was busily engaged until the time of his retirement from active business life in 1904. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also fed and shipped stock on an extensive scale, both branches of his business returning to him a grati- fying annual income. He is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in Highland township and likewise has a tract of one hundred and fourteen acres in lowa township. On putting aside the active work of the fields he purchased a commodious and attractive residence in Riverside, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his well directed and profitable labor in former years. He was the organizer and is now the president of the Union Dale Telephone Com- pany and is widely recognized as a most prosperous, enterprising and repre- sentative citizen.
On the Ist of June. 1862, Mr. Steel was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Green, whose birth occurred in Ohio, in 1841, her parents being Wilson and Emily ( Frazy) Green, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1845 they removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where the father bought a tract of land and built a log cabin. It was a primitive structure and characteristic of those pioneer times, having a clapboard roof, stick chimney and sod floor. Wilson Green was called to his final rest in 1856 and his wife, surviving him for more than four decades, passed away in 1898. Their family numbered seven chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Steel have also become the parents of seven children, the record of whom is as follows : Alonzo J., a resident of Mexico, Missouri; Fannie E., the wife of George Grecian, of Highland township, Washington county : Ira C. and Milo M., who make their home in this county ; Charles B., who is deceased ; Henry F .. likewise a resident of Washington county ; and Grace E., the wife of Alex McCreedy, of this county.
In his political views Mr. Steel is an unfaltering republican but the hon- ors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. His wife is a de- voted member of the United Brethren church. His influence is ever on the side of right and improvement. Having resided in this county for more than
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HISTORY OF WASINGTON COUNTY
a half century, he is most widely and favorably known within its borders, while his many excellent traits of character have gained him the warm re- gard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
WILLIAM PORTER GARDNER, M. D.
Dr. William Porter Gardner is now living retired but his investments include bank stock and farm lands which are valuable and return to him a gratifying annual income. He is a man of resolute purpose, successfully accomplishing what he undertakes and as the years have gone by his intelli- gent appreciation and utilization of opportunity have brought him to the enviable position which he now fills in the life of Wellman and the county.
One of the native sons of Washington county he was born in Seventy- Six township, October 30, 1858. llis father, Abel M. Gardner, was a native of Madison county, Ohio, his life covering the intervening days between the 24th of July, 1830, and the 30th of April, 1903. He was of German lineage and a farmer by occupation. Coming to Iowa in 1853 he located in Washington county and entered a tract of land in Seventy-Six township. With characteristic energy he began to develop the place which he converted into rich fields, remaining thereon until 1863 when he traded that property for a farm adjoining Lexington on the north. There he lived until 1891 when he retired from active business life and removed to the city of Washington, where he spent his remaining days, being called to the home beyond on the 30th of April, 1903. He was eminently successful as a farmer and stock- raiser, and when he retired, was in possession of a handsome competence. At the time of his death he owned over three hundred acres of Iowa's best farming land and derived therefrom a substantial annual income. He built a beautiful residence in Washington, where he spent the evening of his days in quiet and contentment for he could look back over the past without regret as he had made good use of his opportunities and in seeking his own success had wronged no man. He was a lifelong Methodist and for years was a steward and trustee of the church. In politics he was a staunch republican, but had no aspiration for office. A firm believer in the worth and advocacy of education, he gave all of his children ample opportunity to secure good mental development through the medium of schools and thus become equipped for life's practical and responsible duties. He was very charitable and a great lover of children, finding in their innocent prattle and sports a constant source of delight and interest. He was very firm in his convictions, his position ever being an unequivocable one and though men might differ from him in opinion they never questioned his honesty and ever respected his fidelity to his belief. He stood high in the estecm of his neigh- bors and friends and on the whole was a man of many admirable qualities of heart and mind. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Martin, was born in Madison county, Ohio, July 15, 1829. and is now living with her son William. She is a lady of marked physical strength and vigor. Her
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
girlhood days were spent in the home of her father, William Martin, who was a farmer by occupation and in September, 1853. she gave her hand in marriage to Abel M. Gardner, coming to Iowa in a wagon on her wedding trip. She has been a lifelong member of the Methodist church and her Christian faith has been a dominating influence in her life. In the family were five children : Charles C., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume : William P. : Mary Ellen, deceased : John. who died in infancy ; and Frank P., a shoe merchant of Newton, Iowa.
Dr. Gardner, whose name introduces this record, was reared to farm life and in the country schools acquired his early education which was supple- mented by study in the Washington Academy and State University of Iowa. He was graduated from the medical department of the latter institution on the 3d of March. 1886, and at once located for practice in Lexington. After a year's practice there, he removed to Wellman and enjoyed a growing patron- age that made him one of the most successful physicians of the county through the years of his active connection with the profession there up to the time of his retirement, which occurred in Angust. 1906. He lives in a beautiful home in Wellman, enjoying the fruits of his years of honorable activity. He has valuable invested interests, owning farm lands in this county, a busi- ness block in Wellman and stock in the Wellman Savings Bank, of which he is a director, having thus been officially connected with the institution from the time of the organization of the bank.
On the 9th of September, 1886, Dr. Gardner was married to Miss Nettie Josephine Gassner, who was born in Birmingham, Iowa. December 21, 1861. a daughter of Joseph Gassner, who was a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal church and died in 1889 at the age of seventy-seven years. He occupied pulpits in connection with the lowa Conference for a long period and was well known in connection with the moral development of this section of the state. He married Harriet Housel, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1876 at the age of fifty-four years. They were the parents of eight chil- dren of whom Mrs. Gardner is the youngest. She was graduated from the Mount Pleasant high school in 1880 and the Iowa Wesleyan University, at Mount Pleasant in 1884. Dr. and Mrs. Gardner had three daughters: Susan Harriet, the eldest, born June 17, 1887, is a member of the junior class at Iowa Wesleyan University. She had graduated from the Wellman high school with the class of 1904 and from the Musical Conservatory of Iowa Wesleyan University in 1906 and is now pursuing a classical course there. Lavanda, born February 10, 1889, graduated from the Wellman high school with the class of 1905, and is a junior in Iowa Wesleyan University, and both daughters are members of the Pi Beta Phi sorority with which their mother became connected when she was a student in the same institution. Ellen, the youngest daughter, born September 15, 1898, is now attending the home schools. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Gardner belongs to the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal organizations. He was at one time president of the Washington County Medical Society and occupied an honored place
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
in the ranks of the profession. In politics he has long been a stanch re- publican and has served as county coroner, as a member of the school board and of the town council. In these connections his work has been gratifying. as an effective force in the advancement of the best interests of the commun- ity. While he stands today as a splendid representative of the prominent and successful business man and physician, his business interests were ever but one phase of life to him and have never excluded his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human ex- istence.
HIRAM WALLINGFORD, JR.
Hiram Wallingford, Jr., who is energetically and successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising on his farm of eighty acres in Jackson town- ship, was born in Washington county, Iowa, on the 23d of December. 1859. His parents, Hiram and Eveline Wallingford, who were natives of Ken- tucky, came to Washington county in 1849, locating first in the city of Washington, where the father worked at the tailor's trade. Subsequently he conducted a general store and also served as sheriff of this county for one term, being elected on the whig ticket. In 1865 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, at the close of hostilities. On returning to this county he became identified with agricultural pursuits in Jackson township, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest on the 20th of June, 1894. His wife passed away on the 8th of January, 1905, and thus the community lost two of its most respected and esteemed early residents. Their family numbered nine children, namely: Susan J., who has followed the profession of teach- ing for thirty-two years and makes her home with her brother Hiram ; Dulla A .. deceased : Mary E., the wife of Joseph A. Hetherington, of Colorado : David H., who is a resident of Washington, Iowa; James, who has also passed away ; Hiram, of this review ; Sarah E., the wife of J. E. Glasgow. of Nebraska ; one who died in infancy; and Clara O., the wife of C. K. Warren, of Henry county, Iowa.
Hiram Wallingford obtained his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had reached adult age. He then took charge of the old homestead farm of eighty acres in Jackson town- ship and has since been engaged in its cultivation and improvement, also making a specialty of raising horses, cattle and hogs. He owns this place in association with his sister, Susan J., who lives with him and they are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, while Mr. Wal- lingford is numbered among its progressive, prosperous and enterprising citizens.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Wallingford has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
and is now serving his fellow townsmen in the capacity of school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. Both he and his sister belong to the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. During the half century of his residence in Washington county, covering his entire life, he has so lived as to win the regard and friendship of all with whom he has been associated, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken admiration and respect.
COLONEL DAVID JAMES PALMER.
Colonel David James Palmer, whose long years of capable public service well entitle him to the high regard in which he is uniformly held, is now serv- ing as state railway commissioner with residence in Washington, lowa, but with office in Des Moines. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1839, and is of Irish lineage in both the paternal and maternal lines. His grandfather, James Palmer, was a native of the Emerald isle and was prominent in public life there. Coming to America he established his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his last years were passed in Carroll county, Ohio, where he died when about seventy-five years of age. His wife, Mrs. Betty Palmer, also lived to an advanced age.
They were the parents of five children including Samuel Robert Palmer, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and in his youth was brought by his parents to the new world. He was a wagonmaker by trade, yet devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. About 1843 he removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and in 1856 became a resident of lowa, settling in Washington township, Washington county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added a tract of forty acres. As a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Margaret Munce, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Joseph Munce. Her father was born in Ireland, but in early life became a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming. Ile married a Miss Bradford, who died in middle life, while he reached his one hundred and first year. They were the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters, including Margaret Munce. who, as stated, became the wife of Samuel Robert Palmer. From the time of their arrival in Washington county, Iowa, in 1856, they remained residents of this locality until called to their final rest. Mr. Palmer passing away in 1886 when about seventy-five years of age, while his wife survived until 1891 and was in her eightieth year at the time of her death. They were members of the United Presbyterian church and were earnest and consistent Christian people.
Their only child. Colonel David James Palmer, was reared in Ohio to the age of sixteen years, his youthful days being spent on the home farm there while in one of the log schoolhouses of the locality he pursued his education.
DJ. Palmer
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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HHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
He then came with his parents to this county and continued his studies in the Washington United Presbyterian College. When not occupied with the duties of the school-room his time was largely given to the development and cultivation of the home farm until, in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted in July, 1861, becoming a member of Company C, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Although he joined the army as a private in a month he was made a corporal. He served through the battle of Shiloh on the 6th of April. 1862, on which occasion he sustained a very severe wound and was taken to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained until the middle of June, when he was granted a furlough and returned home although yet unable to walk. He became convalescent in July and began recruiting a company in response to the call for three hundred thousand troops that came in that month. He then returned to the front as captain of Company A, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry on the ist of September, 1862. They reported first at Helena, Arkansas, and were in Grant's first expedition up the Yazoo in Sherman's Fifteenth Army Corps. Captain Palmer with his command also participated in the siege of Vicksburg until its surrender, was at the capture of Arkansas Post and in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca and Dallas. As the Union troops advanced toward Atlanta he also participated in the engagement at Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain and Marietta and in the final investiment of Atlanta and its capture. After the march to the sea Captain Palmer also participated in the campaign in the Carolinas and was with the First Brigade, First Division (Stone's Iowa Brigade) with the Fifteenth Army Corps at Columbia, South Carolina. From that point they turned northward toward Raleigh, where Johnston and Sherman negotiated peace terms, and then marched on to Washington by way of Petersburg and Richmond, passing the grave of George Washington at Mount Vernon, and participated in the grand review at the national capital. There Colonel Palmer and his men were mustered out. returning to Iowa to receive their pay. In the meantime he had been promoted on the 9th of June, 1863, to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was ever a brave and fear- less officer, his own loyalty inspiring his men to deeds of valor. On the IIth of January, 1863, he was wounded in the left foot at Arkansas Post, and was also slightly wounded in the left knee at Ringgold Station or Taylor's Ridge.
When the war was over Colonel Palmer resumed agricultural pursuits on his father's old home farm in Washington county, giving several years to that work, but in 1876 was called to public office, having been elected county auditor, which position he creditably filled for four years. In 1892 he was once more called to serve in an official capacity, representing the tenth sena- torial district composed of Henry and Washington counties in the general assembly from 1892 until 1898. During that period his record was at all times an embodiment of prompt, faithful and commendable service, in which he labored for the interests of his constituents and for the welfare of the state at large. He was connected with considerable constructive legislation and served on a number of important committees. In 1898 he received the ap- pointnient of railroad commissioner from Governor Leslie M. Shaw, and
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
three times since has been chosen to the office. He is a stalwart republican, supporting the party which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war, and has always been the party of practical reform and sub- stantial progress.
On the 25th of October, 1866, Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Letitia Helen Young, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of James Harvey and Margaret M. (Henry) Young. Colonel Palmer and his wife are members of the Second United Presbyterian church and he belongs also to I. G. White Post, No. 108, G. A. R. He is one of the past department commanders of Iowa and also belongs to the Iowa Commandery of the Loyal Legion. A resident of the county since 1856, in the years which have come and gone since his arrival, he has proven ever a loyal citizen devoted to general progress and cooperat- ing in many tangible and substantial ways to those things which relate to local advancement and national welfare. He is a broad-minded. public-spirited man, who has long wielded a wide influence.
GEORGE MOOTHART.
George Moothart was for some time identified with industrial interests, although for a considerable period he has concentrated his energies upon general agricultural pursuits. He is now engaged in farming in Cedar town- ship, having eighty acres of land on section 8. He was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1848, and is a son of Solomon and Esther (Moore) Moothart, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. In the year 1865 they came to Iowa and in 1868 took up their abode upon the farm where the subject of this review now lives. The father then devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, giving his attention throughout the remainder of his life to the further development and improve- ment of this place. He died in the year 1890, having for a few years survived his wife, who passed away in 1886. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, but only four are now living : Edwin, a resident of O'Brien county, Iowa ; George, of this review ; Lydia, who makes her home with her brother George ; and Sarah, the wife of John V. Hoeford, of English River town- ship.
George Moothart was reared in the usual manner of farin lads and re- mained at home until twenty-five years of age. His father trained him in the work of the fields, while his intellectual training was received in the common schools. At length, however, he believed he would find other pur- suits more congenial and profitable than farming, and took up the painter's trade, which he followed for three years in Washington. On the expiration of that period he learned carpentering and was employed in that way for about twelve years. After his father's death he purchased the home farm, whereon he now resides and is today the owner of eighty acres on section 8, Cedar township. This is a good property, the soil of which is carefully tilled, as he produces the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here.
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