USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading events in Johnson County, Iowa history, biographical > Part 57
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various affairs of the neighborhood. Their early molded candles furnished them light in the evening, and the women of the family spun and wove the goods for the family clothes.
Mr. Gross became an influential citizen and had many friends. He died on his farm, March 11, 1892, having lived retired for several years. His widow then assumed charge of the farm, which was at that time some six hundred dollars in debt, and by her energy and foresight has acquired a compe- tence. She has a farm of 184 acres, clear of debt, and owns a comfortable residence, also five lots east of St. Joseph's church. She had her present home erected in 1904 and has occupied same since 1905. She is a woman of high attainments and stands high in the estimation of her family and friends. She is a great-grandmother and proud of her numerous de- scendants. She and her husband had the following children : Rose Matilda and Levina Kate. Rose Matilda Gross married Isaac W. Wright, M. D., a graduate of Iowa State University in the class of 1882, and they reside at Salida, Colorado, and have children as follows: Kate, Margaret, Lillian, one who died in infancy, Robert Wright, and Mary. Lillian, of the above children, is married and lives at Montrose, Colorado, and has children as follows: Emuel, Eugene, F. Alexander, and an infant. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Gross, Louise Kate, married Eugene Gross, of Chippewa Falls, and they have four children: Lulu; Eugene, deceased; Leo, married and living in St. Cloud, Minnesota, has one daughter, Rosa ; Loretta, married, lives in Portland. Mrs. Gross purchased forty acres, comprising the soldier's claim of J. K. Gross, for the sum of $50.
MICHAEL McINNERNY
The nativity of Michael McInnerny is indicated by both his Christian and his surname. Of course, he might have been born in America, and that would have been an honor; but, be- ing a native of Ireland, he has always considered the place of his birth to be both an honor and a distinction. His Irish parentage brought Mr. McInnerny another quality, and that is
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good plain common-sense. This began to manifest itself early, and culminated in a most admirable demonstration when he reached the age of twenty-one years, for at that period of his life he bade goodbye to the green hills of Erin and set sail for the paradise of all progressive Irishmen, America. Not that he loved Ireland less, but that he loved liberty more, was the inspiration which moved young MeInnerny to "Westward, Ho." That was in 1845; hence it is simple arithmetic to reck- on that he was born in 1824. February 29 was the day, there- fore Michael McInnerny only has a birthday celebration every four years, which may in part account for his longevity and extraordinary vigor of mind and body ; for be it known that he
THE MC INNERNY HOME
is very much alive and in evidence as a citizen of Iowa City to- day, at the honorable age of eighty-eight, having celebrated twenty-two birthday quadrennials.
Michael McInnerny landed in Boston in the year 1845, above mentioned. Later he drifted to Angusta, Maine, from which place he enlisted for the Mexican War, serving five years in the Federal Army. He was wounded at the battles of Chepulte- pec and Mexico City. (Note by Ed. - Mr. McInnerny being one of very few survivors of a war of which many people know but little, was asked to give a more detailed sketch of the war, which follows this sketch.) In 1854 he settled in Iowa City, engaging in the mercantile business and continuing in the same
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line for thirty-six years. Following this he engaged in the grocery business for a period of twelve or fifteen years.
Mr. McInnerny was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Dohney, of Iowa City. Their family consisted of the following chil- dren : Elizabeth, Frank J., Thomas J., George, Ella, John and Mary. Of these, Elizabeth, Ella and Frank J. survive. Mrs. McInnerny died September 10, 1882.
In politics our subject is an independent. His church affilia- tion is with St. Patrick's Roman Catholic.
Texas was originally a portion of the Mexican Empire. It lies to the northeast of the other parts of Mexico and is a solid block of territory, 700 miles in length from north to south and 800 miles broad where the land is at its widest. Its area has been estimated as nearly equal to the united areas of Great Britain and France.
Texas was in the first instance claimed by the American gov- ernment as part of Louisiana but the claim was abandoned in favor of Mexico. Nevertheless in 1821 and the following year a colony from the United States made a settlement on both sides of the river Colorado, in what was then Mexican terri- tory. Emigration in great numbers flowed into the province and 10,000 Americans were domiciled there in 1833.
The leader of these movements was General Sam Houston, a man who had already served in Congress and been governor of the state of Tennessee and who, as early as 1830, mentioned at Washington that he had in his mind a grand project for wresting Texas from Mexico and setting her up as an inde- pendent republic.
Hostilities broke out in 1835. Every nerve was strained by the Mexican government to suppress the Americans. General battles were fought with the Americans always victorious.
On March 2, 1836, a convention declared Texas independent and Santa Anna, the president of the Mexican republic, under- went a crushing defeat at San Tacinto on April 21, on which oc- casion the Americans were commanded by General Houston.
The province remained for some years a perfectly indepen- dent republic, ruled by a dominant class of Americans. Gen- eral Houston became the first president of the republic and was reelected for a second term.
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President Houston's administration was conducted in right- eousness and he was eminently useful to the people over whom he presided for nine years under the Lone Star republic of Texas.
On March 1, 1845, Congress resolved in favor of receiving Texas into the Union as a state and President Tyler gave his assent the same day the resolution was considered by a con- vention of delegates called for the purpose of forming a state constitution for Texas and approved by that body on July 4th. Thus this province of the far southwest became one of the states of the Union, the largest state in point of size. Houston was immediately elected to the United States Senate.
June 4, 1845, the Mexican president issued a proclamation declaring war, dated May 23, 1845.
President Polk was beforehand with his adversary in taking military measures. In July, 1845, he ordered General Zachary Taylor, then in command of troops in the southwest, to pro- ceed to Texas and occupy position as near the Rio Grande as might appear prudent. The force was about 1,500 strong. Santa Anna after his defeat by Taylor at Buena Vista on the 22d and 23d of February, 1847, took up a position at Cerro Gordo.
General Scott collected his forces at Labos Island, 125 miles north of Vera Cruz, and thence sailed in the squadron of Com- modore Connor for his place of destination. On March 9, 1847, he landed near Vera Cruz with an army of 13,000 men. He was invested on the 13th, and five days later the town and fortress were summoned to surrender, and this being refused, the trenches were at once completed and on the 22d, the first batteries opened fire at a distance of 800 yards from the city. Vera Cruz surrendered after great destruction of property and the loss of many lives. At the same time Commodore Connor opened fire from the battery of the squadron on the castle of St. Juan.
General Scott on April 8th sent forward the advance guard of his army under General Twigg, leaving a garrison at Vera Cruz. Scott himself followed with the main body of the army, 8,500 strong, to Cerro Gordo. Where Santa Anna took up a strong position was a narrow pass at the foot of the eastern Cordilleras. The assault was made on the morning of April
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18th, when, after much hard fighting, every one of the Mexican positions were taken by storm and 3,000 prisoners, 43 pieces of bronze artillery and 5,000 stand of arms.
The victorious army entered Jalapa on the 19th and on the 22d the castle of Perate surrendered without any resistance, together with a large number of cannon and many stores of war.
Scott again pushed on and on May 15, 1847, the advance under General Worth entered the City of Puebla which, though walled and fotified, made no opposition to the conquering hosts. The invading army was now to the southeast of the capital and the reduction of the city had yet to be effected.
It was necessary to allow the soldiers some rest for their labors had been extreme and they had in the course of two months gained a series of brilliant victories and carried dismay into the very heart of Mexico. In that brief period they had captured several fortified places, scattered the ranks of the en- emy, made 10,000 prisoners and taken 7,000 pieces of artillery, 10,000 stand of arms and 30,000 shells and cannonballs.
Santa Anna had concentrated the large numbers of his troops at El Penon and there he had a line of fortification which it would not have been easy to carry.
Scott verged from the main road and by the 18th the entire army had reached St. Augustine, ten miles from the City of Mexico.
General Worth established himself on the evening of the 18th, near Contreras. The following morning, however, the batteries in the vicinity of Contreras were carried by assault and after only seventeen minutes' fighting. The Mexicans lost 700 killed, numerous pieces of artillery and 15,000 pris- oners.
At the same time, Scott himself, in prolonged and sanguin- ary action, carried the heights of Churubusco. The main body of the army now pushed on towards the capital. Worth was ordered to remain behind and effect the capture of St. An- tonio. The place was held by 15,000 Mexicans while Worth had only 6,000 troops at his disposal. Nevertheless the posi- tion was taken after two hours of fighting.
On September Sth, Scott attacked the position called El Molinosdelvey, the King's Mills, near Chepultepec. The post
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
was one of much strength and is said to have been held by 14,000 Mexicans under the immediate command of Santa Anna, while the attacking force consisted of scarcely 4,000. In the first instance we were driven back with great slaughter. But on rallying, we carried the position after a desperate conflict of an hour. The Mexican loss was nearly a thousand; our own loss was over eight hundred. On the same morning the Casa De Matta, another of the principal outer defenses of Chepulte- pec, was also stormed and carried and the Castle itself, situ- ated on a rocky height 150 feet above the adjacent ground, was now the only obstacle which remained to be overcome before the victorious legions should plant their flag within the capitol itself.
General batteries were raised by Scott against the castle of Chepultepec on the night of September 11th, and a heavy bom- bardment was opened on the 12th. This was followed on the 13th by an assault in which the attacking forces drove the de- fenders from all their positions and obtained complete posses- sion of the fortress. The Mexicans fled towards the city pur- sued by Generals Worth and Quitman. They moved forward along two of the chief causeways and planted the flag of the United States upon the national palace of the Montezumas.
General Scott entered at the head of his staff accompanied by a squadron of cavalry, at ten o'clock in the morning of Sep- tember 14, 1847, and in the Grand Plaza or large public square in the principal part of the city, took formal possession of the conquered metropolis, where the Stars and Stripes were wav- ing in triumph over the palace of the Montezumas. It was a moment of pride and exultation for all concerned.
Peace negotiations terminated on February 2, 1848. This treaty was proclaimed in the United States on the 4th of July by President Polk, and the long quarrel between the two re- publics was brought to an end. Among the chief stipulations of this agreement were the evacuation of Mexico by the Amer- ican armies within three months; the payment of three mil- lions of dollars in hand, and of twelve millions more in four an- nual installments, by the United States to Mexico, on account of the ceded territory and the assumption by the former of cer- tain debts due to their citizens to the amount of three and one- half millions of dollars. Fresh boundaries between the coun-
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tries were determined on; New Mexico and upper California were handed over to us, and the free navigation of the Gulf of California and of the River Colorado up to the mouth of the Gila, were guaranteed to the United States forever.
By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States ac- quired all that country which we now call the great West, in- cluding the treasures of California and the Sierras. The northwestern frontier was fixed at the 49th degree of north latitude, and the administration closed with the largest acces- sion of land that had yet been made to the republic.
The people from all the crowded cities of the East came in great numbers overland in their prairie schooners to the land of gold. Capitalists came and laid the cornerstone of the towns and cities. Railroads from the East cross the great con- tinent of the United States to the Pacific ocean. Ships from the East came around the Horn to California with cargoes of merchandise and on the return trip took cargoes of quartz rock back to those Yankees to extract the gold from them. The great steamships came from all parts of Asia with valuable cargoes of merchandise and on the return trip to China those great steamships tooks cargoes of grapes, brandies and wines. From the El Pinal vineyard, the greatest vineyard in the world, the largest brandy still on earth turns out 14,000 gallons of brandies every twenty-four hours. One of the steamers on its return trip to China carried a cargo of wine and brandies valued at $2,000,000. The flour, corn-meal, beans, barley, wheat, hams, bacon, Kentucky whiskies exported annually to China are valued at millions of dollars. China has a popula- tion of 480,000,000.
The Mexican War secured the independence of Texas and extended the boundaries of the United States to the Pacific ocean; gave homes to the thousands and employment to the millions; opened to the United States the greatest market in the world.
The Mexican War lasted two years, 1846 to 1848, and cost $66,000,000. In that war there were killed in battle or died of wounds and disease, 1907.
The Civil War lasted four years, 1861 to 1865, and cost $6,500,000,000, and there were killed in battle or died of wounds and disease, 280,000 men. The South lost in those killed in
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battle or died of wounds and disease, 200,000. The number of slaves liberated was 3,979,700.
D. L. DRAPER
D. L. Draper is one of the solid, substantial citizens of John- son county who have won success in agricultural operations there. He is a native of Canada, born October 9, 1843, a son of William and Rhoda (Reeve) Draper, natives of England. William Draper was born in the County of Kent, was married in his native country, and soon thereafter came to Canada,
RESIDENCE OF D. L. DRAPER
where the remainder of his life was spent. Rhoda Reeve was born in Devonshire. There were seven sons and five daugh- ters born to this couple, of whom five sons now survive: Wil- liam, Thomas, D. L., James, and Richard. They all reside in Canada except D. L.
In boyhood D. L. Draper attended the schools of his native place and there grew to maturity. When he reached his ma- jority he began life for himself in the line of lumbering, first in Canada and later in Michigan. He came to the United States in 1864 and has since lived here. After spending but a few months in Michigan he lived about a year and a half in Wisconsin, after which he came to Johnson county, Iowa. He
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took up the occupation of farming and soon after his arrival in Iowa purchased an eighty-acre farm near Lone Tree. He operated this a few years, then sold out and purchased a traet of sixty acres south of Lone Tree which he farmed for some twenty years, after which he sold out and bought his present fine farm of 160 acres in Fremont township. He has contin- ued to make improvements on his place and has one of the most pleasant homes in the neighborhood. He is much inter- ested in local affairs and performs the duties of a good citizen in all ways. He is a member of the Methodist church and helps in its good work. Mr. Draper has won many friends in var- ious circles, by whom he is held in high regard. He is a self- made man, having won his way in the world by industry and good business management, and is therefore deserving of much credit.
Mr. Draper married, in October, 1868, Rosa Ann Constant, born in Canada, and the following children were born to their union : Charles, Albert, Elmer, Bertie, and Rosa, of whom but one survives, Elmer, of Lone Tree, Iowa. Mrs. Draper died - September 5, 1881. Mr. Draper married, as his second wife, Miss Mary Porter, born in Iowa, daughter of John and Louisa (Marvin) Porter. To this union three children were born: one died in infancy ; Marvin, who died when eight months old; and Myron, now fifteen years of age, living with his parents.
SAMUEL HINKLEY (Deceased)
The Hinkley family were early settlers of Johnson county, where they have taken a prominent part in affairs. Samuel Hinkley was born at Brookfield, Madison county, New York, December 20, 1818, son of Luther and Eunice (Burdick) Hink- ley. He lived in his native place until 1855, when he and his brother H. L. emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled on farms nearly adjoining each other, in Fremont township. The brothers helped each other during busy seasons and were very close to each other in their friendship and sympathy. On this farm Samuel Hinkley spent the remainder of his life. He was married on April 22, 1857, to Miss Adeline A. Per- kins, also a native of New York. She was born near Skanea-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
teles, and when she was about one year old her parents moved to Pennsylvania and later to Erie county, New York. In May, 1853, the Perkins family removed to Johnson county, Iowa. The parents, Elihu S. and Sarah (Dubois) Perkins, had six children, namely: Mrs. Hinkley, Sarah L., John Thomas, William Gordon, Caroline M., and Lucretia Ann. The only ones of this family now surviving are Mrs. Hinkley and her sister Caroline, Mrs. Palmer, of Corry, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley had two children, Wiot R., a sketch of whom appears in this work, and Julia Z., Mrs. Jessie Holde-
OLD HINKLEY HOMESTEAD
man. They also had an adopted daughter, Jessie, Mrs. Charles Patten, of Fremont township. Mr. Hinkley passed away January 30, 1908, sadly mourned by the entire com- munity where so many years of his life had been spent. He had made his good influence felt in local affairs and had made a large number of friends. Mrs. Hinkley now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Holdeman, and Mrs. Patten. On April 22, 1907, less than a year before the death of Mr. Hink- ley, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding, a memor- able affair, where they were surrounded by their children and
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grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Mr. Hinkley was al- ways a republican in politics and served some time as school director.
J. M. HOFFMAN (Deceased)
Among the old settlers of Johnson county who helped make its early history, J. M. Hoffman was held in high respect and honored as a rugged pioneer. He won success in life and de- veloped a fine farm, which is now the home of a daughter. The house he erected on this place is an old landmark, a view of which appears in the text of this history. Mr. Hoffman was born in France, March 15, 1836, son of Michael and An (Welch) Hoffman, also natives of that country, the latter born in Lorraine, since ceded to Germany. The parents set sail for America in 1840, in an old sailing vessel which took several weeks to cross, and upon landing they located in Monroe coun- ty, Ohio, their home until 1846. In that year Iowa was ad- mitted to the Union as a state and they decided to make their home here. They came down the Ohio river and up the Mis- sissippi, to Muscatine (then Bloomington), whence they drove to their final destination, Newport township, Johnson county. Michael Hoffman died soon afterward, on August 7, 1846, and his widow survived him many years, passing away February 14, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, ten months and fourteen days. They were parents of seven sons and daughters - a typical pioneer family - and J. M. was the third child in order of birth.
Mr. Hoffman was a boy of ten years of age when his parents came to Johnson county. He grew to manhood in Newport township, receiving his education in the public schools and being reared in primitive surroundings. He early helped with the work on the home farm, being left fatherless at a tender age. He was of valuable assistance to his mother and thus received training which fitted him well for the battle of life on his own account. He was united in marriage with Sarah Henyan on May 20, 1860. She was born in Newport township, daughter of Bradford and Mary A. (Costley) Henyan, na- tives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Iowa. Mr. Henyan and wife were married at Muscatine and later moved to John-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
son county, where they made a permanent home. They lived for a time in Iowa City and then moved to Newport township, where he died in the latter seventies. They were prominent farmers and it was at their Newport township farm that Mr. Hoffman met his future wife and they found favor in each other's sight. She was the third of twelve children, born De- cember 4, 1842, and her death occurred in Graham township, June 9. 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman moved to Graham town- ship in 1865 and located on the farm that is now the home of their daughter, Mrs. Rennolz. The old home is located on the southwest corner of Section 15, and there Mrs. Hoffman spent her last days, receiving the loving care and ministra- tions of her daughter. Mr. Hoffman was active in every meas- ure affecting the best interests of his community and held various local offices with credit and ability. He kept abreast of the times, being well informed on the events and issues of the day, and being much interested in local, state, and national politics. He and his wife reared a fine family of children, who are a credit to their parents and their home training. The family has always stood well in the estimation of friends and neighbors, and its members have become well known and pop- ular.
The seven children born to Mr. Hoffman and wife were: One died in infancy; Emma C., married William Cisne and is deceased; Mollie E., is the wife of John Rennolz, and they live on the historic farm already mentioned; Anna H., is the wife of E. J. Porter, of River Junction : Ora C., married Miss Maggie Noonan, of Graham township; Zena C., married Elmer J. Draper, of Lone Tree, Iowa ; Effie, married Paul F. Wyjek and they farm a part of the home place adjoining that of Mr. and Mrs. Rennolz. Mrs. Emma Cisne left three children : Bert, the eldest, married Miss Ferne and died, leaving two children, Ruth and Helene; Clarence, and Mabel. The Hoff- man farm was recently divided among the heirs and Mrs. Rennolz occupies the old home, for which she has a strong affection. She has a pardonable pride in her ancestors and their influence on the history and development of their part of Johnson county, and appreciates the trials and hardships they withstood to make a home for their children in the wilder- ness and help to pave the way for the present prosperity of
MRS. J. M. HOFFMAN
J. M. HOFFMAN
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that region. She has spent her life in the neighborhood and is there well and favorably known. Mr. Hoffman died July 22, 1911, and Mrs. Hoffman on June 9, 1898.
JOHN RENNOLZ was born in Big Grove township, north of Solon, Johnson county, son of Jacob and Frances (Auld- man) Rennolz, natives of Germany and early settlers of Iowa. The father was first employed on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road between Davenport and Iowa City, working there until 1853. In the early days he purchased forty acres of land
RESIDENCE OF JOHN RENNOLZ
in Big Grove township and later added twenty acres, and still later another twenty acres. At his death he was possessed of eighty acres of fine farm land, which is now the home of his son, Benjamin. He was married in 1856 in Iowa City and died in Greene county, Iowa, August 12, 1907, his wife having died there February 1, 1907. . They had moved to Greene county in 1884. They had nine children, of whom five now survive: Mary, the wife of John Watterson, of Davenport; Katie, unmarried; John, mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph; Benjamin, on the old farm; Mathias, deceased; Frances, married Thomas Smith, and died, leaving three children; Jacob, deceased; George, of Jefferson, Iowa; and Annie, deceased.
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