History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa, Part 50

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 50
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 50

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).

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ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.

most valuable acquisition to the pioneer settlement. His services as surveyor were sought far and wide, and two years later he was made assessor, continuing to serve as such by successive re-elec- tions for about ten years. In 1854 he was also chosen as Presi- dent of the County Agricultural Society, organized in 1853, and nearly all the time from that day to this has been connected with the society in one capacity or another. In the fall of 1854 also, in company with Ed. Whitney, he began the erection of the firs and only steam saw mill here, which was completed the fol- lowingtspring and continued in successful operation for many years. It was burned.down in '56 or '57, after which he disposed of his interest therein, although the mill was re-built. In 1856 Mr. Adams entered upon the work of horticulture, in which he always found great pleasure, and in after years the "Iron Clad Nursery" of Waukon became famous for its success where others failed. There were ten or fifteen other nurseries sta ted in Alla- makee County at about this time, not one of which proved profit- able, and all were abandoned amid the almost universal opinion that fruit could not be grown in northern Iowa. During the 20 years he continued in this business, however, Mr. Adams established the fact beyond a doubt [that it can be very successful, with judicious selection and proper management, and points with just pride to his achievements in this direction under the adverse circumstances of climate and public opinion. For instance, in 1871, at an exhi- bition of the State Horticultural Society (of which, by the way, he was for five years the Secretary), he took the sweepstake prize, with one hundred varieties, for the best and largest display of apples. Again, at the State Fair in 1879, he took the sweepstakes with 172 varieties of apples. About 1858, Mr. Adams was chosen chairman of the County Board of Equalization. Again, in '65 or '66, he accepted an appointment to a place on the Board of County Supervisors, to fill a vacancy, not without reluctance, how- ever, as at that time there was the thankless task to undertake of building up the county finances, which were in a very bad way, county warrants at that time selling at only 45 per cent. The board was evenly divided politically, and to complicate matters and add to the responsibility of the situation it was also divided equally on the then strongly local feeling between Lansing and Waukon on the county seat question. Upon the expiration of his short term Mr. Adams was elected to represent his township again, was chosen Chairman of the Board; and on his re-election as a member, two years later, was again selected as chairman, without a dissenting vote. It is but justice to add that during these times he represented the interests of his constituents in local matters most successfully; and it was not long ere careful manage- ment and economy restored the full credit of the county, which has ever since been maintained In 1869 the first brick block in Waukon was erected, Mr. Adams being a part owner in this, as in

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the first frame store in the village. Together with his neighbors, in 1869, Mr. Adams effected the organization of Waukon Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, the third in the State. He discharged the duties of Master, Overseer, Lecturer, and Secretary of this grange, at various times, and upon the perfection of a State or- ganization in 1872, he was elected Master of that for a term of two years, in the middle of which he was made Master of the National Grange, whereupon he tendered his resignation to the State Grange, then comprising over one thousand members representing eight hundred subordinate granges which he had or- ganized, a fact which serves to illustrate the energy and zeal of the man who was called upon to preside over the national body. At that time there were but about 1,200 subordinate granges in the United States, but at the expiration of his term of three years there were nearly 23,000 granges spread over nearly all the States and Territories. His industry and tact are still fur- ther exemplified in his persistent advocacy of the establishment of rail communication with the outside world for Waukon, by the Paint Creek route; his active participation in the organization of the company; and, upon his election as its president in 1875, his energetic propulsion of the work to a successful realization of the hopes of the community during the twenty years preceding. Of late years Mr. Adams has passed his winters in a home he has es- tablished in sunny Florida, where he made his first purchase of land in 1875. In Jan., 1876, he re-engaged in his favorite occu- pation of horticulture in his winter home by setting out a small grove of orange trees. Now he is the fortunate possessor of about a thousand acres in that state, of which 37 acres are in orange grove. Mr. Adams was married Jan. 31, 1856, to Miss Hannah Huestis, who has been an able co-laborer in his horticul- tural avocations, and an associate in his honors, having occu- pied the position of Ceres in the National and State Granges, as well as various offices in the gift of her home subordinate grange.

John Bakewell (deceased), whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Worcestershire, England, in 1820. When he was thirty-four years of age he emigrated to America. The first year he spent in the eastern portion of the U. S., and then came to Illinois, where he lived until January, 1850, when he came to Allamakee Co., immediately procured lands and engaged in farm- ing, which he continued until the time of his death, which oc- cured April 29, 1879. His first year in Allamakee was a rather unfortunate one, as he lost the greater part of his stock by their straying away the first winter, and he was unable to recover them until the following fall; but by hard work and good management he became one of the wealthiest farmers of Allamakee Co., and highly respected by all who knew him. He married Sarah A. Hunt

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the same year he left England. She was also born in England. They have seven children, who have all reached maturity, and who are well situated, financially.

Samuel Baumann, P. O., Lansing, was born in Switzerland in 1828, came to America in 1851 and settled in Lansing, and is now engaged in farming and burning lime. He married Christine Sideler in 1858, and they have twelve children.

J. D. Brennan, merchant, Village Creek, is a native of Allama- kee Co., and son of Eugene Brennan, one of the old settlers of the township. Mr. B. was born in 1855, received a good educa- tion, and taught school until engaging in his present business in 1882. In July of the same year, D. J., a younger brother, became a partner in the business. Mr. B. was married in 1880 to Miss Mary J. Mooney, of Lafayette tp., they have one son, Eugene.

F. Barthold, Village Creek, born in Germany in 1828, came to America in 1847, and settled in Ohio; thence to Iowa in 1854, set- tling in Linton tp., moved to Lafayette tp. in 1859, and located at Village Creek. Mr. B. has held the office of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. In 1852 he married Miss Summermann, of Cleveland, O .; they have six children living.

Hilon Belden, blacksmith, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1829. At the age of thirteen he commenced work at his trade with his father. In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary Quick. In 1856 he came west, and after residing two years in Fillmore Co., Minn., came in 1858 to Waukon. He followed farming three years, when he again resumed his trade, and has since continued the same. The children are Florence, Cora, Kate and Julia.

Wm. Burton (deceased), farmer, was born in Rhode Island in 1813. Came to Makee tp. in 1853, and bought a farm of 80 acres on Makee Ridge, 33 miles from Waukon. The following year he brought on his family, comprising the following children: Theo- dore W., Lewis, and Fred A., the two latter of whom are now liv- ing. In 1868 he became a resident of Waukon, where he re- mained until his death, 1879. Mr. Burton was married in 1837 to Miss Marcella Nicholas, who was born in Rhode Island in 1815, and still resides in Waukon.

Peter Beiber, farmer, sec. 29, Makee; P. O. Waukon; a native of France, born November 3, 1835, emigrated with his parents to the U. S. in 1854. He first lived at Freeport, Ill., eleven months, then came to Allamakee Co., and settled in Center tp. Here he worked at the blacksmith trade for several years, and Dec. 26, 1865, was married to Sophia Krumme. In 1868 he purchased a farm and commenced tilling the soil; removed to his present farm in 1874. The children are Sophia, Lena, Emma, Katie, Peter and Philip.

D. H. Bowen, M. D. This promising young physician was born in Green Co., Wis., in 1850. His youth was spent in rural life, during which time he received an academie education, also ·

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tauglit school, and at the age of 22 turned his attention to the study of medicine, first reading with Dr. R. Broughton, of Brod- head. He subsequently entered the Rush Medical College, where he graduated in Feb., 1876. He then came to Allamakee Co., where he practiced until 1880; then attended a course of lectures, and in the fall of said year came to Waukon, and has since been in partnership with Dr. J. B. Mattoon. Dr. Bowen was married in Feb., 1877, to Miss Hettie Burns. They have one child, Albert Sidney.

L. O. Bearce, dealer in harness. etc., is one of the early pio- neers and prominent business men. He was born in Maine in 1840, and in 1852 came to Allamakee Co., and lived on a farm until fourteen years of age, when he commenced work at the shoemaker's trade. This he followed three years, when he turned his attention to harness making. In 1864 he formed a partner- ship with G. H. McClasky, and has since been engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness, saddles, etc., being associated with several different 'partners at different intervals until January, 1882, since which time he has conducted the business alone. Mr. Bearce was married in 1871 to Miss Fannie E. Hall, of Evansville, Ind. They have two children, Leslie R. and Roger.

C. D. Beeman is known by all as one of the leading business men of Allamakee Co. He established his present business in November, 1874, erected his large and commodious store building (which is located in the west part of Waukon) in 1879 at a cost of $5,000, and now carries a stock of general merchandise to the amount of $18,000. Mr. B. was born in Madison Co., Vermont, in 1827, came to Allamakee Co. in 1849, and settled in Jefferson tp., where he was engaged in farming until he engaged in his present business. Oct. 6, 1853, he married Sarah A. Martindale, a native of New Hampshire. The children are C. M., C. A., Irvin, Fred L., and Bertha.

T. H. Barnes, M. D., a pioneer physician of 1855, is a native of the Buckeye State, where he was born in 1832. He was reared on a farm until the age of 20, when he turned his atten- tion to medicine, graduating at the Iowa State University in 1855, He then settled in Allamakee Co., and has since been a citizen of said county, with the exception of a few months, when he re- sided in Clayton Co. In 1861 he organized Co. K, 5th Iowa, which was the first company of Allamakee Co .; and in July, 1861, Co. K, 1st Cav., with which he served until Dec. 16, 1864. when he resigned on account of physical disability, and was mustered out with the rank of captain. He then returned to Waukon, and has since continued his profession. He has also spent some time and considerable money in experimental farming. In 1881 he built the first silo for the State of Iowa, which he has proved a success. He has also represented his district in the legislature one term.

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Dr. Barnes was married in 1854 to Miss Julia A. Orr, who died in 1859, leaving one daughter. In 1862 he married Marion E. Ferris, and now has one son and two daughters.

John M. Barthell, farmer, sec. 19, Makee tp .; P. O. Waukon; a pioneer of Winneshiek Co., and at present one of the most prominent farmers of Allamakee Co. He was born in Germany in 1830, emigrated to the U. S. in 1848, and lived in Rensellaer Co., N. Y., until 1851. He then came to Iowa and settled in Glenwood tp., Winneshiek Co. In 1856 he was married to Miss Martha Page. He then continued farming in said county until 1866, since which he has resided in Allamakee Co., and now owns over one thousand acres of land. The children are Sarah, John and Jonathan (the two latter being twins), Anna. (now Mrs. Louis Steinbach), Charley, George, Michael, Minnie and Bennie.

James Bentley, one of the oldest resident preachers, was born in England in 1816, emigrated to the U. S. in 1842, and soon entered Jubilee College, near Peoria, where he was ordained as an Episcopal minister in 1847. His first parish was at Warsaw, Ill. In the spring of 1857 he came to Iowa and located in Allamakee Co. He was the first preacher at Lansing. In 1859 he founded the Waukon parish, of which he had charge for many years. Rev. Bentley has been for a number of years in the employ of the American S. S. Union, first as district agent. then as State agent of Iowa, and afterwards as State agent for Kansas. He is at present missionary-at-large in Allamakee Co. He was married in 1850 to Miss Cox, and they have two children, Henry J., of Waukon, and William C., of New York City.

Chas. Barnard, proprietor Waukon Nursery. This well known gentleman was born on the Isle of Wight, and on the farm now occupied by Queen Victoria's summer residence; but when he was about eighteen months old his parents (Thomas and Mary Bar- nard) emigrated to the U. S. and settled on Wheeling Island, in the Ohio river. Here Thos. Barnard started a nursery, and soon commenced teaching his son the rudiments of fruit growing. About 15 years subsequently the family removed to Belmont Co., Ohio, and then run a market garden for the city of Wheeling. Here the subject of this sketch, in 1845, was married to Miss M. Balderston, who died in 1856, leaving three children, Mary G., now Mrs. W. R. Hanscom, of Monona Co., Ia .; Emma J., now Mrs. R. O. Manson, of Sibley, Ia., and Chas. O., of Monona Co., Ia. In 1857 Mr. Barnard was married to Narcissa P. Newport, and in 1865 removed to Iowa and settled in Waukon, where he at once engaged in the nursery business. In 1868 his wife died, leaving two children, Thomas N. of Miles City, M. T., and Elizabeth. In 1869 he married Deborah D. Spaulding. Mr. B. having spent his entire life in growing trees and fruit, is one of the best posted men to be found in his line of business. He is what may be called a strictly practical

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man. His views differ greatly from most nursery men, but his success proves that his judgment is in the main correct. He does not believe in pruning trees, and to substantiate his belief he can show many trees in his nursery which have been allowed to grow according to the dietates of nature's laws. He has a Concord grape vine planted in 1863, but which for two years was trampled down by cattle, since which time it has been cared for by Mr. B., and although it has never been touched by a pruning knife, or fertilized, it now has five branches, each forty feet in length. It has stood the weather at 44 degrees below zero, and for a number of years has grown from 200 to 1,000 pounds of grapes annually. He now has about twenty-five acres of nursery, and the largest stock of fruit and ornamental trees in this section.

H. J. Bentley, dealer in jewelry, watches, clocks, etc., was born in Freeport, Illinois, in 1853. He came to this county in 1858 with his father (Jas. Bentley, whose biography appears elsewhere). He married Jennie Reed, a native of New York. They have one son ..

L. M. Bearce, Clerk of the Courts, was born in Maine in 1837. He removed from there to Massachusetts, thence in 1852 to Iowa, and settled near Waukon in this county. He subsequently en- gaged in the mercantile business in Waukon. In 1880 he was elected to his present position. He married Maria Israel, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, a son and daughter.

George H. Bryant, County Treasurer, was born in Otsego coun- ty, N. Y., in 1837, came west in 1863, and located in Lansing, and for five years was employed as clerk. He subsequently en- gaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued until elect- ed to his present position. He married Martha Dennis, a native of Indiana. They have one son and three daughters.

James W. Burhans, of the firm of Burhans Brothers, proprie- etors of the Burlington House, Postville, was born in Nov., 1824, in New York, came to Rock County, Wisconsin, in 1845, remain- ing till 1865, when he returned to New York, and in 1868 moved to Camden, Missouri, where he engaged in farming six years; af- ter which, in company with a brother, he engaged in general mer- chandising. In the winter of 1882 he came to Postville and en- gaged as above. He married Miss Mary M. Davis, of New York, in 1846. She died in Missouri in 1873, leaving one daughter, Ella E.

J. H. Burhans, of the firm of Burhans Bros., proprietors of the Burlington House, Postville, was born in 1831, in Otsego Co., N. Y .; emigrated with parents to Rock Co., Wis., in 1845, fron there to Ossian, Winneshiek Co., Io., in 1855, and in April, 1857, moved to Clayton Co., the roads being blocked with snow, it hav- ing been a very severe winter. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Co. L, 6th Io. Cav. Their operations were confined to the northi- west, protecting the frontier from the Indians. He was discharged

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in October, 1865, returned home, and was mostly engaged work- ing at his trade, carpenter and joiner. In 1876 he came to Post- ville, still following his trade. In the winter of 1882 he pur- chased the Burlington House in company with his brother, J. W. Burhans. He married Sarah A. D. --- , a native of Connecti- cut, in 1854; they have one son, John D. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic Order.

M. Beucher, Postville, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, also proprietor of billiard hall; born in 1830 in Germany, emi- grated to the U. S. in Aug. 1854, and located in Allamakee Co., following farming for nine years; thea came to Postville and en- gaged in brewing beer, continuing four years, after which he en- gaged in his present business. He married Miss Louisa Koevenig, a native of Germany, in 1861; they have one son, Joseph. Mr. B. is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W.

H. T. Ballman, P. O. Postville; farmer, sec. 8; owns a farm of 270 acres, valued at $25 per acre. He was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1835, his parents emigrating to this county in 1855, re- maing here till their death. His father died in 1870, and mother in 1874. Mr. B. was married to Miss Adaline V. Minert in 1859. She was born in Indiana. Their children are Benjamin F., Emma L., Daniel G., Lillie E., Henry S., Jennie A. and Harry B. They have lost two, Alice L., and Charles E. He is a member of the M. E. church.

W. N. Burdick, editor and publisher of Review, was born in New York in 1837, and in 1839 his parents immigrated to Kane Co., Ill .; thence to West Union, Fayette Co., Io., in 1852, where he followed farming till 1856, when he engaged in a printing office at Decorah, and subsequently at Cresco for a short time, when he again resumed farming for two years, and then engaged in the mercantile business. He served as postmaster at Cresco nearly seven years. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the Winne- shiek Register, at Decorah, and soon after the whole interest. In 1875 he sold out and purchased the Review, at Postville. He mar- ried Amy E. Halsted in 1860. She was born in Ohio. They have three children, Edward L., Albert E. and Arthur S. They have lost two sons.

N. J. Beedy, mayor of Postville, was born in New York in 1826; learned the carpenter and joiner trade in early life, emi- grated to Winnebago Co., Ill., in 1850, and in 1852 to Allamakee Co., Ia., engaging in farming and working at his trade. In 1865 he came to Postville and engaged in the grain and produce busi- ness till the spring of 1881, when he retired from active business. He has served as councilman, and is now serving his second term as mayor and county supervisor. He married Mary E. Barnes, of New York, in 1850. She died in 1867. He was again married to Lucy Hall, also a native of New York, in Nov., 1869. He has

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three children by his first marriage, Fred., Ida M. and Carrie F., and one by his second marriage, Mabel. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

Charles C. Blumm, postoffice, Rossville, dealer in general mer- chandise and manufacturer of harness, was born in Germany, April 29th, 1848, near the River Rhine. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1850, stopping at Toledo, Ohio, where his father died of cholera in 1854. The following year, 1855, the family came to this county, locating at Rossville. In 1865 he went to Prairie du Chien and engaged to learn the harnessmaker's trade, working at that till the latter part of 1866, when he re- turned to Rossville and opened a harness shop, continuing but short time, when he closed out his business and spent about year traveling and working at journey work. He returned to Rossville and purchased the homestead of his mother and again opened a harness shop, soon after adding groceries, and, in 1873, dry goods. In December, 1876, he formed a co-partnership with Jas. M. Ross, adding drugs, which continued till February, 1880, when he purchased Mr. Ross' interest. He was married to Miss Mary Sencebaugh, May 30th, 1875. She was a native of West Virginia. Their children are Charles A. and Daisy P. They have lost one son, Robert H. Mr. Blumm is a member of the I. O.O. F.

W. H. Burtis, retired farmer, postoffice, Rossville, son of. Hen- ry and Mary Burtis; was born October 11, 1825, in the district of Prince Edwards, Canada. He learned the shoemaker's trade in early life, at which he worked principally, till.1847, when he came to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade during the winters, and farmed during the summer. In the fall of 1859, he went to Lake County, Illinois, where he remained till 1868, when he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, stopping in Ludlow town- ship till 1876, he came to Rossville, where he now resides. He was married to Miss Louisa Ross, October 5, 1869. She is a sister of O. A. Ross, and was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Burtis owns a farm of 120 acres three miles from Rossville, also seven acres within the village of Rossville; his wife also owns a farm of 80 acres some three miles from Rossville.

Jeptha Beebe, postoffice, Waukon; farmer, section 8; son of Hezekiah and Sarah Beebe; born in Chemung County, New York. His parents moved to La Grange County, Indiana, in 1837. In 1850 he emigrated to Crawford County, Wisconsin, where he en- gaged in lumbering till in 1853, he came to Allamakee Coun- ty, Iowa, locating at Waterville, and purchased the corn cracker mill of Riley Ellis, to which he added a saw mill the same year. His brother, N. A. Beebe, building a grist mill in 1854. Soon after it. was completed, he became a partner in the grist mill with his brother, but soon sold his interest to Mr. J. Spooner, continuing the saw mill till the fall of 1857, when he sold out

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his brother, N. A. Beebe, and purchased a farm two miles and a half west of Rossville. Soon after he engaged as contractor of a stage line, from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to Chatfield, Min- nesota. The route being discontinued in 1858 by order of James Buchanan, through the Postmaster General, which left him with a large amount of stage property on his hands which he then took to Kansas, and securing another stage line soon after traded his interest for a steam saw mill, some fifteen miles south from To- peka, which took fire and was burned in 1860 with quite an amount of lumber and logs, all being a total loss. He re-built the mill and sold to other parties, and came back to Allamakee Coun- ty and rented the saw mill at Waterville one year; then rented a farm near Rossville for one year, and then bought a saw mill on Yellow River, which he ran till 1867, then sold out and turned his attention to farming. In the spring of 1869 he purchased his present farm. Mr. B., upon his return from Kansas to this county, found himself $3,700 in debt, all of which he has paid. He was married to Miss Mary A. Coffman, in 1854. She was also a native of Pennsylvania. They have six children: William E., Henry H .. Leon E .. Laura M., Edith A. and Edna E., and have lost two-Lottie S. and Alden S. Mr. Beebe has served as Jus- tice of the Peace in his township and is a Greenbacker in politics.

James Briar. P. O. Rossville; farmer, sec. 27; son of James and Margaret Briar; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1839, where he remained till, in 1855, he came to Iowa, stopping in the northern part of this township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 27th Ia. Inf., participating in most of the battles in which the company was engaged, till the close of the war. He then re- turned home, and was married the same year to Miss Sarah Gates. She was born in Decatur Co., Ind .; they have seven children: Wm. H., Samuel D., Joseph A., Julia A., James E., Charles S. and Delia M., and have lost one daughter, Eliza. Mr. B. moved to his present farm of 160 acres in 1876. It is a good farm, well im- proved, with good buildings upon it, and worth $40 per acre.

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History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa, Part 50

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Alexander, W. E; Western Publishing Company (Sioux City, Iowa)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Sioux City, Ia. : Western Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 772