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 45
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Alexander Henderson is indebted to the public schools of his native state for his educational privileges and as a young man of nineteen year- accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He remained at home until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a member of Com- pany C, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged after a service covering more than three years. He saw much active service and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, in the Atlanta campaign and in several skirmishes, winning for himself a creditable military record. After leaving the army he returned to his home in Oregon town- ship, Washington county, Iowa, and here remained until his marriage in 1874. He then removed to his present location, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits. As the years passed he prospered, his rich fields yield-
MR. AND MRS. ALEXANDER HENDERSON
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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ing abundant harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon them, and in the course of time he was able to put aside the active duties of farm life and enjoy in retirement, the comfortable competency which he had earned. His farm consists of two hundred and eighty acres of land, all highly cultivat- ed and supplied with substantial buildings and all improvements to facilitate the work of tilling the soil. The air of thrift and prosperity that pervades the entire place is indicative of the careful and progressive methods employed by the owner.
The year 1874 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Henderson and Miss Sarah Maude Shaw, a native of Blount county, Tennessee. At the age of five years she removed with her parents to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, settling in Louisa county in 1855. She is the only surviving member of a family of four children, the others being Martha, Nancy Jane and William Franklin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have been born five children: a child who died in infancy; John H., deceased; Samuel Harvey, with his father at home ; David Franklin, who married Myrtle Morland; and Mary Ethel, at home.
Mr. Henderson is a member of the United Presbyterian church, while in politics he is a republican. Although the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, he nevertheless does all in his power to ex- tend the growth of his party and to further its influence. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and lends his influence to those measures which have for their object the upbuilding and improvement of Washington county. For more than a half century he has resided in this county and during this period he has gained a wide circle of warm friends, and that he is most respected where he is best known is indicative of the fact that his personal qualities are those which in every land and clime command respect and confidence.
AARON BEAUCHAMP.
A well improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres, lying in Crawford township, is the home of Aaron Beauchamp, who is numbered among the pioneer residents of Washington county. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, April 11, 1833, a son of John and Nancy (Wilson) Beauchamp. The father was likewise a native of the Buckeye state and in 1835 removed to White county, Indiana, there remaining until 1852, when he journeyed by wagon to Washington county, this state. He established his home in Craw- ford township and followed farming until the time of his death. The mother, also born in Ohio, died in Washington county. Their family numbered twelve children but Aaron of this review is the only surviving member, the others being Mary Ann, James, Risdon, Moses, Margaret, John, Andrew, William, Sarah Jane, Nancy Jane and Francis Marion.
Aaron Beauchamp, the ninth in order of birth acquired his education in the common schools of Washington county and of Indiana, being a youth
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of nineteen years at the time of the parents' removal here. When starting out to make his own way in the world, he broke raw prairie, breaking in all six hundred and thirty acres. This he cultivated six years and then came to his present home, his first dwelling being a log cabin, in which he lived three years. He then replaced this crude structure with a more modern and com- fortable dwelling which he has since occupied and also built substantial out- buildings. He owned in one body three hundred and forty acres but has since disposed of some of this and now retains possession of but one hundred and fifty acres, located in Crawford township. In addition to general farming he raises stock, keeping only the best grades, and in both branches of his busi- ness he is meeting with success. It has been through the inherent force of his nature and the utilization of opportunities that has placed him where he today stands, for he started out with no capital, depending entirely upon his own labors in acquiring a competence.
Mr. Beauchamp established a home of his own in 1859, by his marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Zickefoose, a resident of Henry county, Iowa. Unto them have been born eleven children, as follows: Benjamin Franklin, who died in infancy: Francis Harvey, who follows farming in Crawford town- ship : Ura Ulysses, also a farmer of this township; Charles, who makes his home in Gas City, Kansas : Christy, of Lucas county, Iowa ; Clara, the wife of William Crosley, of Wapello, Iowa ; Laura May, the wife of Frank Green, of Missouri : Clyde, a farmer of Louisa county, Jowa ; Rosa Jane, who has departed this life; Ollie, the wife of Scott Welsh, of Crawford township ; Jesse, who passed away when seventeen years of age.
In politics Mr. Beauchamp is a republican and has served as road super- visor but otherwise has not filled public office. Both he and his wife are devoted and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Unlike other pioneers, it was a long and strenuous task that presented itself to Mr. Beauchamp in carving out a home in an undeveloped region but he met it with a steady resolution that has been characteristic of his entire life. He has seen Washington county, during the fifty-seven years of his residence here, develop from a wild and unsettled district into one of the prosperous com- munities of this commonwealth and not only has he witnessed this change but he has been an active participant in much that has been accomplished in this direction. He has just passed the seventy-sixth milestone of life and now in the evening of his days, owing to former years of toil, is supplied with all the comforts of life and can now spend his remaining days in com- parative ease.
SAMUEL A. ENGLAND.
Samuel A. England, a native of Lime Creek township, Washington county, lowa, was born November 25, 1871, a son of G. W. and Jennie ( Danley) England. The parents were born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county at an early date. They still survive and make their home in the city of Washington, Iowa. In their family were two children: Sam-
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uel A., the subject of this record ; and Estella, the wife of T. J. Neiswanger, residing at Harvey, lowa.
Samnel A. England acquired his education as a pupil of the common schools, while the periods of vacation were devoted to the work of the farm, in which he early learned lessons concerning the value of perseverance and industry. He remained at home assisting his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm until twenty-nine years of age, when he rented the home place of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has since made his home. It is a well improved property, the fields being under a high state of cultivation, while annually they yield rich harvests in return for the labor and care expended upon them. Aside from his general agricultural pur- suits he makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs, and this branch of his interests is proving a source of substantial profit to him.
In January, 1894, Mr. England was united in marriage to Miss Calla Davenport, who was born in 1876, a daughter of George and Myra Davenport. who are now both deceased. In their family were five children, including Mrs. England, who, by her marriage became the mother of a son and daugh- ter, George E. and Dorothy E.
In his political affiliations Mr. England is a stanch republican and on that ticket was elected by his fellow citizens to the position of constable, remaining incumbent in this office for fourteen years, while he also served as school director for three years. Public-spirited in citizenship, he is at all times desirous for the substantial growth and progress of the community, while his duties as a public official were at all times discharged with a prompt- ness, faithfulness and fearlessness that won for him the approval and en- dorsement of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is allied with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows at Wellman, and his life record is a worthy exem- plification of its spirit of universal brotherhood.
F. W. HARDING.
F. W. Harding is one to whom fate has vouchsafed rest from labor. He labored diligently for many years in tilling the soil but is now retired, enjoy- ing the competence which came to him as the years passed by. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, February 22, 1835, his parents being L. G. and Mary (Brannon) Harding. At an early period in the development of this state the father came with his family to Iowa and settled in Oregon town- ship, where he lived until his death, being numbered among the respected and worthy farmers of that locality.
F. W. Harding was educated in the common schools of Ohio. He re- mained at home until twenty years of age and then started out in life on his own account, learning the shoemaker's trade at Lyttleburg, Ohio, where he was employed for four years. On the expiration of that period lie came west to Bureau county, Illinois, where he engaged in buying horses for a year and then continued on his way across the Mississippi, establishing his home in
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Washington county, Iowa. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and today it is a valuable property as the result of the im- provements he has placed upon it and the care and labor which he has be- stowed upon it in the cultivation of the fields. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here he has also given consider- able attention to raising horses and hogs. He was for many years actively interested in the county fairs, recognizing how valuable such undertakings may become as a stimulus to the residents of the county in the production of high grades of live stock and farm and other products. He also took a deep interest in the Grange and was one of its organizers. In fact he gave his attention and support to every movement calculated to promote the progress and upbuilding of the county in agricultural lines.
On the 3Ist of December, 1870, Mr. Harding was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Dye and unto them were born eight children: Elmer, de- ceased : Alta, living in Rock Island, Illinois; Laura, the wife of Hugh Newell, of Denver Colorado; John D., a farmer residing near Mexico, Missouri : Emma, the wife of Harry Caple, of Muscatine, Iowa ; Edward, who is conducting a restaurant in Des Moines; Mary, the wife of Allen Gaines, of Ainsworth ; and Cora Ellen, who died in infancy.
Mr. Harding is an unfaltering advocate of the republican party, inflex- ible in his support of its principles. He believes so firmly in its purposes that he does everything in his power to secure its success and it is told that he rose one time at midnight in order to influence two men to give the party their allegiance. Both he and his wife are consistent and faith- ful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Washington but took a demit from the lodge. He is a forceful, convincing talker and a man of considerable local influence, highly esteemed throughout the com- munity for what he has accomplished and the honorable life he has led.
THOMAS HARDING.
Thomas Harding is one of the venerable citizens of Washington county, having passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, in the fall of 1828 and is a son of Lewis G. and Mary (Brannon) Harding. The father was a native of West Virginia but in his boyhood days went to Ohio and after three years spent in Illinois he re- moved to Iowa in 1860. He continued a resident of this county through- out his remaining days and died in 1878. In his youth he had been his father's assistant in a hotel but with that exception he always gave his at- tention to general farming. The Hardings are of an old American family, originally from England, and representatives of the name lived for some time in Delaware before a removal was made to West Virginia. It was William Harding, the great-grandfather of our subject, who came from England in pioneer times. The mother of our subject was born in West-
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moreland county, Pennsylvania, and was married in Ohio, while her death occurred in Iowa in 1885. The family numbered ten children: Benjamin and Mary Jane, both deceased ; Thomas, of this review; Lyddie Anne, the widow of Washington Dye; Nancy Ellen, deccased; Eliza, the wife of George Bailey, of Rock Island, Illinois; Josiah, of Ainsworth; F. W., a retired farmer living in Oregon township; John B., of Kansas; and one who died in infancy.
Thomas Harding acquired a common-school education and remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming in Ohio. In 1858 he became a resident of Rock Island county, Illinois, where he lived for three years and then came to Washington county, Iowa, locating where he now resides. He has witnessed the development of the county, noting with interest its growth as the wild land was reclaimed for the purposes of civilization, as churches and schools were built, manufactories and in- dustries established. He lived in the county for five years before a school was organized in this neighborhood, after which a third of the township was struck off and a school established with fifteeen pupils. Mr. Hard- ing has always given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land which is well improved. He does not personally carry on the farm, however, but rents his land and from it derives a substantial income.
In 1850 Thomas Harding was married to Miss Alvira J. Sears, a resi- dent of Morgan county, Ohio, and they had seven children: Browning H., a telegraph operator of What Cheer, Iowa; Mary J., the deceased wife of T. J. Glaze, of Houston, Texas ; Minnie T., the wife of F. B. Jackson, a farmer of Oregon township; Charles O., who died in infancy; Ella, the wife of Andrew Hofer, of Solon, Iowa; Lewis, who is engaged in the gen- eral practice of medicine at Solon : Margaret E., the wife of Dr. J. T. Hay, a general practitioner at Lincoln, Nebraska, and superintendent of the in- sane asylum.
Thomas Harding votes with the republican party, to which he has given his support since its organization, while previously he voted with the whig party. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church all his life and his family are connected with the same organization. He is now well advanced in years and receives the respect and veneration which is usually accorded to a ripe old age.
ALVIN C. HASTY.
Prominent among the substantial farmers and extensive landowners of Washington county is Alvin C. Hasty, who is, moreover, well known as a raiser and breeder of fine stock. He was born in English River township on the Ist of July, 1859, on the farm which he now owns and operates. He is a son of C. C. and Sarah P. (Arnold) Hasty, who came to this county in 1841, where the father entered the farm upon which his son now resides.
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They make their home in Kalona, Iowa, and are the parents of two chil- dren, one of whom has passed away.
Alvin C. Hasty was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his early education in the country schools of that vicinity. He later supplemented this training by a course of study in the high school, from which he was graduated in due time, thus being well equipped for the practical and responsi- ble duties of life. He remained at home assisting his father until he had attained his majority, when he took active charge of his father's farm, con- tinuing to operate the same to the present time. In the meantime he has extended his possessions until his holdings now include five hundred and thirty-nine acres of fine farm land, all situated in English River township, making him one of the extensive landowners in this locality. The place has been improved with all the necessary equipments of a model farm and Mr. Hasty has erected upon it one of the finest residences to be found in the township. In addition to engaging in general agricultural pursuits, he also makes a specialty of raising and breeding Duroc Jersey hogs and owns many fine specimens of that animal, having exhibited at all of the county and state fairs.
In 1884 Mr. Hasty was united in marriage to Miss Sophia M. Smith, a native of this township, who is a daughter of Frederick E. and Barbara M. (Kessler) Smith, natives of Germany. They came to America in 1851. The father passed away January 9, 1909, while the mother, still surviving at the very venerable age of ninety years, makes her home in Johnson county, this state. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hasty has been blessed with ten children, namely: Charles F., residing in Nebraska; Henry E., de- ceased ; Carl E., also of Nebraska : Edna L., a school teacher : R. W .: Irvin; Eda M. ; Celestia A. ; Earl A. : and Glenn S.
Mrs. Hasty is a member of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Hasty holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes with the republican party and is a stalwart supporter of its principles, but has no desire for public office as a reward for party fealty. His entire life has been passed in Washington county and through the years he has steadily advanced in harmony with the spirit of modern business methods and ideas, and that he has been enabled to pass others on the highway of life is due to his close application, his watchfulness of all the details of his business. his keen discernment and his untiring industry-which, after all, consti- tutes the real basis of prosperity.
J. G. MAXWELL.
An excellent farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Crawford township pays tribute to the care and labor of J. G. Maxwell, who also has other hold- ings in the county including a tract of land of two hundred anl forty acres in Dutch Creek township. While he is now classed with the representa- tive and successful agriculturists of the community, his life has not always
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been devoted to farming, but has brought into it varied experiences that have broadened his views and given further understanding of life, its pur- poses and its possibilities.
Mr. Maxwell is one of the native sons of Washington county, his birth having occurred in Crawford township on the 21st of January, 1861. His parents were John W. and Martha (George) Maxwell. The father was a native of Ohio and his parents came to Iowa in 1850, the family home being established in Crawford township, this county, where John Cannon now resides. John W. Maxwell has since lived in this county and now resides in the city of Washington. He was for many years closely associated with agricultural interests but is now living retired, his activity in former years bringing to him the success which enables him to rest without further re- course to labor. His wife was born in Ohio but they were married in Har- din county, Iowa, where her death occurred. In their family were eight children : Robert, deceased : J. G., of this review; Ina, who is the wife of George Jacobs of Seattle, Washington ; Howard, deceased; Etta, the wife of Albert G. Douthitt, also of Seattle, Washington; Clyde, who occupies the old homestead farm west of Crawfordsville; Carl, deceased; Ollie, the wife of John Springer, an attorney at law of Zamboanga, Phillipine Islands.
The public schools afforded J. G. Maxwell his educational privileges until he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught, subsequent to which time he spent two years in the Washington Academy. He then remained at home until twenty years of age, after which he attended the Burlington Business College and was thus qualified for the practical duties of a commercial career. He first sought employment in the Gilbert & Hedges lumberyard and remained in that service and in other business con- cerns for three years. He next went to Council Bluffs, where he was em- ployed in the freight office of the Wabash Railroad Company for eighteen months. Following his return home he operated the farm for his father for six years and then purchased his present farm, now comprising two hun- dred and fifty acres of land in Crawford township. This is well improved land, the work of the farm being conducted along the most modern and progressive lines. The rotation of crops is practiced, a study is made of the condition of the soil and those things which are needed for its fertiliza- tion and that the methods adopted are practical is indicated in the excellent success which attends the efforts of Mr. Maxwell. He has erected all of the buildings upon the place except the residence, and in ad- dition to his home farm he owns two hundred and forty acres of well im- proved land in Dutch Creek township, so that his holdings now comprise four hundred and ninety acres. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also does an extensive business in feed- ing cattle.
In 1884 Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Emma Anderson, a sister of Dr. Anderson, and they have one child, Lena Martha, who is a graduate of the high school of Washington. The parents are members of the United Presbyterian church in which Mr. Maxwell is serving as trus-
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tee. His political allegiance is given to the republican party which finds in him a stalwart champion, although not an aspirant for office. He pre- fers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and that he has met with signal success is indicated in his extensive holdings and the finely improved appearance of his place.
R. H. AND A. H. YOUNG.
R. H. and A. H. Young, who are well known in Washington county as the Young Brothers, were long associated with the farming interests of Cedar township but are now living retired, although they still own valuable farming property from which they derive a substantial annual income. The former was born June 24, 1831, and the latter on the 13th of August, 1834. Their parents were Alexander and Mary (Davis) Young, both of whom were natives of Fleming county, Kentucky. The father was born April 20, 1792, while the mother's birth occurred March 1, 1793, and in the year 1829 they removed to Indiana, settling in Rush county. That was still a frontier district in which comparatively few homes had been established and Alexander Young there entered land from the government and with char- acteristic energy began its development, continuing its cultivation for ten years. In 1839, however, he left the Hoosier state and established his home in Washingon county, Iowa. Here he entered a claim on what is now section 34, Cedar township, and built a log house which is still standing on the farm. They occupied that pioneer dwelling until 1876, when a more commodious and comfortable residence was erected. Year by year the father tilled the soil until he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, gathering therefrom good crops which enabled him to supply his family with the com- forts of life. His death occurred June 18, 1869, while his wife, surviving him for several years, passed away on the 18th of October, 1877. In their family were eight children butt the only ones now living are the brothers whose names introduce this review. The other members of the family were Nancy S. ; Jane C .; Martha A. : John D .; and James ; while Mary M. was the youngest member of the household.
R. H. and A. H. Young, born in Indiana, accompanied their parents on their removal to Iowa in 1839 and have since resided in Washington county. The first school in this locality was held in a log house that is still standing on the farm where they now reside. They acquired a common school educa- tion and were closely associated with other features of pioneer life in this district. The journey westward was made with three yoke of oxen and one horse team, driving through from Rush county, Indiana. They got stuck in the Wabash and with some difficulty extricated themselves.
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