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 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
On the 26th of April, 1882, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Engenia M. Canier, whose birth occurred in Jackson township, Washington county, Iowa, in 1856, her parents being David and Sarah E. (Clark)
364
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Canier, natives of Ohio. In 1856 they came to Washington county, locating in Jackson township, where they purchased land and continued to reside until the time of their demise, David Canier passing away in September, 1889, while his wife's death occured in September, 1884. Their remains were interred in Pleasant Plain cemetery. In their family were three children, namely : Mrs. Smith, who for six terms prior to her marriage was a suc- cessful school teacher ; Orlanda S., of Longbeach, California ; and Walter H., who is a resident of Boone, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, as follows: Earl L., whose birth occurred February I, 1883, and who is on the home farm ; one who died in infancy : Walter E., born June 26, 1889, who is at home ; and Paul R., who was born April 28, 1894, and died on the 19th of March, 1896.
Mr. Smith is a stanch democrat in his political views and has served on the school board for several years. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed, occupying an en- viable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence serve as passports into good society. Throughout their entire lives, now covering more than a half century, they have lived in this county and have long been numbered among its most prosperous, respected and worthy residents.
FRANK CRITZ.
Frank Critz, cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank of Riverside, was born in France, April 12, 1839. a son of Joseph and Magdaline Critz, who were also natives of France. They came to America in 1848, first locating in Lee county, Iowa, and later removed to Washington county, where the father entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Iowa township. Here he built a little log house, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. In their family were six children, namely: Mary Ann, the wife of Frank A. Rose, of Iowa township; John F., deceased; Joseph, residing in Iowa City ; Sylvester, of Clarke county, Iowa ; Catharine, the wife of G. F. Wieland, a resident of Riverside ; and Frank, of this review.
Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Frank Critz ac- quired his education in a log school house near Richmond, Iowa township, Washington county, and remained on his father's farm until seventeen years of age. He then went to Richmond, where he clerked in a store for two and a half years. At the expiration of this period he went to Iowa City, where he was employed as a clerk until 1861, when he returned to Richmond and purchased a half interest in a mercantile enterprise there. He was thus con- nected until 1862, when he put aside business and personal interests to aid his country in her hour of need. He enlisted as a member of Company K. Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, and served for three years. He saw much active service and participated in several hotly contested engagements, including the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Chatta- nooga. It was at the last named place that he was promoted to the rank
FRANK CRITZ
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
367
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
of lieutenant under General Hooker and during the winter was placed to guard a railroad in Alabama. On the 6th of April, 1864, he was made aide- de-camp on the staff of General Woods and on May ist started on the Atlantic campaign. He was also with Sherman on the march to the sea and participated in the campaign immediately following, marching northward through the Carolinas to Raleigh, where they stopped for a time, and thence to Washington, where he was mustered out on the 5th of June, 1865. He was then sent to Davenport, Iowa, where he received his final pay. During his term of service he had been severely wounded in the hand.
After the close of hostilities Mr. Critz returned to Richmond, where he became identified with mercantile interests, being thus connected until 1893. The following year witnessed his arrival in Riverside, where he accepted the position of cashier of the Citizens Savings Bank, in which office he is today incumbent. In this position he is proving most capable, discharging the duties that devolve upon him with promptness and faithfulness.
In 1861 Mr. Critz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dunkel, a native of Iowa City, whose parents were of German lineage. In their family were five children, namely: Albert, traveling for Darts Sons, of Rock Island ; Charles H., residing in Washington, Iowa ; Eda, deceased; Helen, who has also passed away ; and Nettie, the wife of Charles C. Hahn, of Belle Plaine. this state. In 1873 Mr. Critz was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was laid to rest in the Richmond cemetery. In the following year he wedded Miss Helen Fettweis, a native of Iowa City and a daughter of An- thony and Elizabeth Fettweis. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, namely : Estella, a graduate of Richmond high school, who is now engaged in teaching school ; Leo C., assistant cashier in the bank with his father ; and Erma, also teaching school.
The family are members of the Catholic church and are well known in the community where they have an extensive circle of friends. In politics Mr. Critz is a republican and served four years as treasurer of Washington county. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and in matters of citizenship is as loyal to his country as when fighting in her defense upon southern battlefields. Though born across the water he is thoroughly American in spirit and interests and the town of Riverside numbers him among its substantial and valued residents.
S. E. BISHOP.
S. E. Bishop, deceased, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Washington county, owning and operating an excellent farm in Cedar township. His birth occurred in In- diana on the 19th of March, 1828, his parents being William G. and Rebecca (Briggs) Bishop. In 1867 he came to Washington county, Iowa, purchasing a farm of one hundred acres on section 8, Cedar township, where his widow resides, though she now owns one hundred and eighty acres. Here he was
368
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
engaged in the work of general farming until the time of his demise, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings by reason of his capable management and untiring industry.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Bishop chose Miss Mary E. Livingston, who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, Sep- tember 12, 1833, her parents being A. D. and Elizabeth (Durham) Livings- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, who passed away in Illinois and Missouri respectively, had a family of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Bishop is now the only surviving member. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bishop were born nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: A. D., a resident of Denver, Colorado ; George W., at home ; J. A., who makes his home in New Hampton, Iowa; Warren L., of Wellman, Washington county; Katherine L., who is a nurse at Washington, Iowa ; and Agnes E., the wife of Robert Reardon. of this county.
The death of Mr. Bishop occurred on the 22d of August, 1901, his re- mains being interred in the Lexington cemetery. His loss was the occasion of most deep and widespread regret throughout the community where he had lived for so many years and where all who knew him honored and respected him. Mrs. Bishop is a devoted and valued member of the Methodist church and has the warm regard and esteem of many friends, her excellent traits' of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact. She is a well preserved woman for one of her years, still retaining many of her faculties unimpaired.
D. J. EICHELBERGER.
A soldier at eighteen years of age, a representative farmer and merchant for many years, and now living retired in a pleasant home in Washington, the salient points in the life record of D. J. Eichelberger have been such as to win for him the good will and confidence of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Eberly) Eichelberger, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was an engineer and died while in the prime of life, leaving a widow and five small children. Mrs. Eichelberger was born March 6, 1816, in Pennsylvania. Some time following the death of her first husband she gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Cocklin, the wedding being celebrated in March, 1859. On the 7th of April following, they removed to Washington county, Iowa, first locating in Brighton township, where they lived for a time, while later they removed to Marion township, where they resided until the death of Mrs. Cocklin on the 2d of October, 1883. She was a member of the Chris- tian church and a lady of splendid qualities, her sterling traits of heart and mind endearing her to all with whom she came in contact.
By her first marriage she had the following children : John C., who was born August 3, 1837. and is now in the Soldier's Home in California : Wil-
369
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
liam H., who was born September 27, 1838, and died in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, January 3, 1892 ; Mrs. Catharine Bishop, who was born February 6, 1842, and is living in Washington, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah J. Donevan, who was born December 10, 1843, and is now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa ; and David J., of this review. Three of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war. John C. enlisted in May, 1861, as a member of Company H. Second Iowa Infantry, in response to the call for three months troops, but the time of en- listment was later changed to three years. He afterward reenlisted in Han- cocks' Reserve Corps, in May, 1865, and served for one year. William H. Eichelberger joined Company H, of the Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves for three years and was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, in Vir- ginia, in May, 1864, a few days before the expiration of his term. He was incarcerated in Libby prison and also at Salisbury, North Carolina, and was paroled in February, 1865.
D. J. Eichelberger, whose name introduces this review, pursued his edu- cation in the common schools in Pennsylvania and completed the course in this county following the removal of the family to the west. Later he engaged in teaching school for twelve terms, but in the meantime, in February, 1864, when President Lincoln issued a call for more men Mr. Eichelberger, although a youth of but eighteen years, offered his services to the government, becom- ing a member of Company I, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He re- mained with that regiment until the 22d of July, when he became ill and was sent to the hospital, where he remained for three months. He was then granted a furlough and returned home to recuperate. While he was at home Sherman started on his march to the sea and when Mr. Eichelberger was able he reported to General Thomas, at Nashville, and participated in the hotly contested battle near that city, where the Union troops won a notable vic- tory over the Confederate forces under General Hood. From Nashville Mr. Eichelberger proceeded to Morehead City, North Carolina, and parti- cipated in the battle of Kingston, in that state. He rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and with that command moved on to Raleigh and was afterward at Durham Station, where Johnston surrendered. From that point the regiment went north to Washington and participated in the Grand Review in that city, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere. The regiment was then sent to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where it was mustered out July 20, 1865. Mr. Eichelberger received his honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa, on the 28th of July.
Returning home at the close of the war Mr. Eichelberger resumed the occupation of farming in Washington county and was continuously identified with general agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1883, when he was elected county auditor. His prompt and faithful discharge of his duties during his first term led to his reelection in 1885. The people always found him an accommodating official, systematic in his work and loyal to the trust reposed in him. In politics he has ever been a stalwart republican although not a radical partisan, and at local elections he frequently casts an independent ballot. At the close of his second term as county auditor he turned his atten- tion to commercial interests, establishing a grocery store. which he conducted
370
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
until a recent date when he retired to private life and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest.
In 1867 Mr. Eichelberger was united in marriage to Miss Annie 1 .. Essley, who was born in this county, September 20, 1848, and is a daughter of Wil- liam L. and Estavilla (Custer ) Essley. Her father is still living in Wash- ington at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eichelberger have been born three children : William L., now living in Wash- ington ; Kitty Irene, deceased : and Bessie May, who is now the widow of Antony Fritz and resides at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eichel- berger and their daughter occupy a fine residence in the city of Washington and he also owns a valuable farm of eighty acres on section 36. Washington township, and also a residence in the village of Kalona. His life of well directed activity has brought him substantial success as the years have gone by, his energy and careful management of his affairs gaining for him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is an influential and representative citizen of the county and one who merits the high regard in which he uni- formly is held.
A. L. WHITE.
A. L. White is the owner of one of the fine farms of Lime Creek town- ship, his land covering portions of sections 17 and 18. He now has two hundred and forty-two acres of lowa's rich and productive soil, in the midst of which stands a beautiful country residence, commodious in its dimensions and of an attractive style of architecture. In the rear and to the side of the house are three large barns and upon the place are all other necessary out- buildings in which to protect grain, stock and machinery from the inclement weather. The farm altogether presents a most attractive and well kept appearance and Mr. White is, therefore, numbered among the progressive agriculturists of this region.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Sciota county on the 22d of December, 1847, and is the eldest in a family of four children, whose parents were Columbia and Jerusha (Emery) White, both of whom were also natives of Ohio. Thinking to enjoy still better business opportunities west of the Mis- sissippi river, the father brought his family to lowa in 1853 and, choosing Washington county as the place of his residence, he settled in Lime Creek township, where he entered a claim of forty acres from the government, Franklin Pierce signing the deed, and he also purchased of William Mied three hundred and twenty acres, which Mied had entered. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place. He at once built a little log cabin in which to shelter his family, occupying that primitive dwelling for four or five years when a more commodious residence was erected. Upon the original forty-acre tract A. L. White still lives. With characteristic energy the father began tilling the soil and in course of time brought his fields under a good state of cultivation. He passed away in 1892 at the age
371
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
of sixty-six years, his birth having occurred in 1826. His wife, who was born in 1829, died in 1868. In their family were four children : A. L., of this reivew ; Oliver and Madoria E., both of whom are now deceased ; and Ira, who is in Idaho.
A. L. White is indebted to the public-school system of this county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youthful days and which prepared him for the practical and responsible duties of life. lle was mar- ried at the age of eighteen years to Miss Rebecca Lewis, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 28. 1846, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Hill) Lewis. Her mother was a native of Maryland, while her father was born in Ohio. After living for some years in the latter state, they came to Iowa in 1851 and took up their abode on a farm eight miles north of Washington. Two years later they removed to Jefferson county, but eight vears thereafter returned to Washington county and spent the rest of their days in the county seat, where both died and are buried. Their family num- bered nine children. The father gave his attention to farming in order to support his family, but in 1864 was called to his final rest. His widow survived him for about fifteen years and passed away in 1879.
For a year after his marriage A. L. White rented and cultivated the old homestead and at the end of that time his father gave him one hundred acres. To this he subsequently added by purchase a tract of eighty acres and now has an excellent property of two hundred and forty-two acres, which he has greatly improved until the place today displays all of the conveniences, accessories and equipments of the modern farm of the twentieth century He has erected a fine residence, good barns and sheds and his farm, which is pleasantly and conveniently located on sections 17 and 18. Lime Creek township, five miles west of Wellman, is regarded as one of the attractive and valuable properties in this portion of the county. Mr. White practices the rotation of crops that he may keep his soil in good condition and make it bring forth rieh harvests. He also is engaged quite extensively in breeding Galloway cattle and has had some of the finest stock of this kind in Iowa. The farm is known as the Waver Lawn farm.
While Mr. White has carried on his farming interests in a manner lead- ing to success Mrs. White has carefully managed the interests of her own household. In her younger days she engaged in teaching school and is a lady of liberal culture. She has carefully reared her family of seven chil- dren, who are now a credit and honor to their name. The record of the family is as follows : Lily M., now the wife of Louis Mattess, who is located in Des Moines, lowa ; Olive E., the wife of Henry Mattess, a resident farmer of this county ; Agnes E., the wife of Clark Wakelee, who is hving in the state of Washington : Laura, deceased; Bertha I., the wife of John Glanz, of this county ; Guy C., now an attorney-at-law in Hammond, Indiana ; and J. E., at home.
The parents are both members of the Christian church and endeavor to shape their lives in accordance with its teachings and its ideals. For forty- three years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Taking all in all,
372
IHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
the joys and the prosperity have exceeded the other and they have reason to feel content with what they have accomplished. The hospitality of the best homes of the community is accorded them, but it is no greater than the hospitality of their own home which is graciously extended to their many friends.
J. N. EYESTONE.
J. N. Eyestone, owning a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 10, Cedar township, was born in Indiana on the 18th of August, 1841, his parents being John and Alice ( Armarost) Eyestone, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a merchant, removed to Indiana at an early day and in 1845 came to Wash- ington county, Iowa, entering land in Cedar township. Here he continued to reside until called to his final rest in June, 1876, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife, surviving him for nine years, passed away in June, 1885. Their family numbered fourteen children, four of whom are still living, namely: Martha J., the wife of Julius A. Heider, of East Chicago ; J. W., who is a resident of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of J. W. Moore, of Des Moines, Iowa ; and J. N., of this review.
J. N. Eyestone obtained his education in the common schools and re- mained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. He then purchased a part of the old homestead farm, which he has since continued to cultivate and improve, meeting with a most commendable and well deserved measure of success in his agricultural interests. His holdings now comprise two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land in Cedar township, and he is widely recognized as a substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen of the community.
In 1882 Mr. Eyestone was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Crum- packer, whose birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1858. her parents being J. R. and Katherine (Boston) Crumpacker, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The year 1863 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Crumpacker in Jackson township, Washington county, where he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 19th of March, 1888. The demise of his wife had occurred on the 2d of October, 1884. They had two children : C. B., living in Taylor county, Iowa ; and Mrs. Eyestone, who taught school for six terms prior to her marriage. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Winn W., whose birth occurred February 7, 1884, and who is now married and lives in Washing- ton county ; Charles L .. born May 17, 1887, who operates the home farm ; Alice, born October 22, 1890, who is attending school at Mount Vernon : Arthur B., whose natal day was July 14. 1892, and who is also attending school at Mount Vernon : and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Eyestone is a stanch republican and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He has served as constable, super- visor and also as school director for a period of twenty years, ever discharg-
373
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
ing his official duties in a most capable and efficient manner. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has acted as steward for twenty-five years. Almost his entire life has been passed in Washington county, and the spirit of enterprise and rapid accomplishment which has been dominant in the upbuilding of the middle west has been mani- fest in his career, making him an able and successful farmer of the com- munity. He is interested in all that pertains to general progress and improve- ment and has given his cooperation to many movements for the public good.
JOHN EDWIN BOVEE.
John Edwin Bovee, who is conducting a profitable drayage and transfer business in Washington, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, about six miles from Iowa City, July 16, 1866, and is the younger of two children, his sister being Lottie H., now the widow of G. H. Norton. Their parents were Henry and Rachel Ann (Huskins) Bovee, the former born near Rochester, New York, and the latter in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The Bovee family is of French origin and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject who, on coming to the new world, engaged in farming about six miles from Rochester. His family numbered eleven or twelve children. The maternal grandfather of John E. Bovee was Richard Huskins, a native of Pennsyl- vania who, during the greater part of his manhood, was actively connected with public office. For many years he acted as clerk of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. Coming to Iowa he entered land from the government in Johnson county and improved a farm upon which he reared his family of thirteen children. His wife bore the maiden name of Charlotte Wells and they celebrated their golden wedding while visiting in Washington. Their last years, however, were spent in Johnson county, Iowa, where they passed away at an advanced age.
Henry Bovee, the father of our subject, came to Iowa prior to the Civil war and settled in Johnson county, where he was living at the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south. Responding to the country's need he enlisted as a member of Company F, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He went to the front as a private and returned as a sergeant. In the siege of Vicks- burg his company was the first that passed the walls of the fort when it surrendered. He participated in the battle of Cedar Creek, was at Lookout Mountain, Pittsburg Landing and in the Atlanta campaign, after which he went with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea and later participated in the grand review in Washington, D. C. After the war he returned to Johnson county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for several years and then removed to Washington, Iowa, in 1872. For about thirty years he was here engaged in draying and his death occurred in May, 1903, when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife died November 25, 1907, at the age of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.