Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 103

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > Iowa > Memorial and biographical record of Iowa > Part 103

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).

Dr. Whitney continued the successful prac- tice of his chosen calling until his life's labors

647

RECORD OF IOWA

were ended. He passed away July 14, 1894, at the age of thirty-nine years, respected by all who knew him, but he left to his family a com- fortable property and the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Mrs. Whitney is now living with her two children: Floyd Eugene, born . September 1, 1883; and Cora Finell, born February 21, 1886. Their home is the most attractive in the town. The children are being provided with excellent educational priv- ileges, both in literary work and music. In addition to the residence property Mrs. Whit- ney also owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $40 per acre. A most estimable lady, she has many friends and occupies a high position in social circles.

ICHAEL F. RIORDAN, M. D., who has a large and extensive patronage as a medical practitioner, and a reputation that places him among the highly capable members of his profession, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in county Kerry, November 19, 1851, and in that country the family had lived for several generations. The grandfather, Patrick Rior- dan, was there born and spent his entire life. The parents, Michael and Catherine (Donahue) Riordan, were there born, reared and married, and as a means of livelihood followed farming and school-teaching. For seven generations the family had been represented by school- teachers in the same parish, the position seem- ing to be handed down from father to son, Michael being the last. In 1855 he resolved to try his fortune in America and with his fam- ily sailed for Massachusetts. In Berkshire county, that State, he followed farming, pur- chasing a tract of land in that county, on which he made his home until his death in 1890. His wife survived until 1892. They were the par- ents of nine children: Mary, who is living in Williamstown, Massachusetts; Patrick H., a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa; Timothy, who married Miss Julia Maloy, and is living in North Adams, Massachusetts; James, who

married Miss Kate Driscoll, and makes his home in Providence, Rhode Island; Richard F .; Nora, who is living in Williamstown, Massa- chusetts; and three who have passed away.

The Doctor was only four years of age when brought by his parents to the United States. He began his literary education in the public schools of Massachusetts, and subse- quently attended the State University of Iowa, in Iowa City, at which institution he was grad- uated in 1874 with the honors of the class, de- livering the valedictory address. On leaving school he became an assistant physician at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he served as assistant physician until January, 1878. In that year he came to Melrose, where he has since suc- cessfully engaged in practice, and is now at the head of a very extensive business. He is serv -. ing as medical examiner on the Pension Board at Albia. By study and investigation he keeps thoroughly abreast with the times and is one of the best informed physicians in this part of the State. Steadily he has worked his way up- ward, until he has secured a most enviable reputation, and also won prosperity. In ad- dition to his business he now owns a drug store, also the Western Exchange Hotel and his beautiful home property.

On the 2d of May, 1866, Mr. Riordan was united in marriage with Miss Delia Sullivan, a native of New York. Both are members of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics the Doctor is a stalwart Democrat, and in 1887 he was elected to the City Council, where by con- tinued re-election he has remained since, -a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.

J OHN P. CURRIER .- There is proba- bly in all Monroe county no citizen who is held in higher regard than this gentleman, a well known farmer and grain dealer of Melrose. A well spent life has gained him the esteem of all, of young and old, rich and poor. The life record of such a man

648

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

can not fail to prove of interest and it is with pleasure therefore that we present this sketch to our readers.

A native of the old Granite State, he was born in Rockingham county, New Hampshire, on the 19th of December, 1820, a son of George and Elizabeth (Pillsbury) Currier, both of whom were natives of Rockingham county. The father was a farmer by occupation, and on the old homestead there reared his four children, who in order of birth were named as follows: John P., of this sketch; Martha A., wife of James M. Goodwin, a resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Polly J., widow of Jeremiah W. Eaton, a resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts; and James M., who died leav- ing a wife and three children.

John P. Currier, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the State of his nativity, and there followed farm- ing until 1838, when he turned his attention to railroading, and was thus engaged until 1856, working in various capacities-as con- tractor, civil engineer, etc. He was princi- pally employed in the States of Maine and Kentucky, but a portion of his contracting was done in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Since 1856 he has been a resident of Melrose Iowa, and is numbered among the honored pioneers of Monroe county. When he located here there was but one house in the town, and much of the surrounding land was still wild and uncultivated. He erected the first saw and grist mill in the western part of the county, but followed farming during the greater part of the time for about ten years. In 1866-7 he was engaged in constructing eight miles for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Monroe county, and when all the terms of the contract had been complied with and his task was completed he began dealing in grain, being the only grain dealer at this place. He now owns good elevators here and is the owner of 350 acres of land,-his possessions being the just reward of his own labors.

Mr. Currier has been twice married. In Massachusetts, May 24, 1849, he wedded Miss

Martha A. Cox, a native of the Bay State, born July 4, 1824. She died in Kentucky, July II, 1853, leaving one son, George C., who was born April 12, 1850, and who resides in Mal- den, Massachusetts, where he is employed as city engineer. On the 24th of May, 1855, Mr. Currier led to the marriage altar- Miss Lydia A. Prindle, and their union has been blessed with seven children : John F., who was born August 14, 1857, married Rilla Whaley, and resides in Monroe county; Ida, born October 17, 1859, died August 25, 1860; Eddie, born October 27, 1878, died the same day; Alice E., born December 14, 1868, died September 18, 1876; Charles A., born April 10, 1866, married Miss Maud Kinmoth, and is living in Monroe county, Iowa; Elmer H., born November 24, 1870, is at home; and Mabel F., born March 27, 1880, is also under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Currier hold membership with the Methodist Church, and take an active interest in its work and upbuilding. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as County Surveyor. Following closely in the path of duty and of right, his career, both public and private, has been above reproach.

LFRED O. LEE, who is engaged in business in Melrose, as an undertaker and dealer in lumber and furniture, was born on his father's farm, near New Lisbon, Ohio, April 16, 1830. His par- ents were George and Mary (Kissner) Lee, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Maryland. The father entered land near New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1818, and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1872, at the age of eighty years, for he was born in 1792. His wife, who was born in 1799, passed away in 1889, at the very advanced age of ninety years. They were parents of twelve children: Sarah A., deceased, was the wife of Amos Hamilton, and after his death married Mr. Vogle; Elizabeth married Samuel Early, and after his death became the

I. S. Baingrover.

Mrs. f. S. Barngrover.

649

RECORD OF IOWA.

wife of Jason R. Stock, with whom she is now living in Kansas; William A. was married and at his death left a family; Henry K. died un- married; George was married twice, and is now deceased; John P. married a Miss Garri- son, and is now living in Salem, Ohio; Alfred O. is the next younger; Ezra is the eighth in order of birth; Harvey W. resides near New Lisbon, Ohio; Mary J. is the widow of George Chandler, and makes her home in New Lisbon, Ohio; Catherine is the wife of a Mr. Lewis; and Alvin resides in New Lisbon, Ohio.

Upon the old family homestead in the Buckeye State Alfred O. Lee was reared, and the district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. He was married on the 14th of February, 1853, to Miss Eliza- beth Glass, a native of Ohio, and to them were born eight children named as follows: Ellen, who became the wife of Albert Hancock, and died leaving two children; John P., a merchant of Pearland, Texas; Ida B., wife of C. S. Wood, who is living in Fremont county, Iowa ;. Mary J., wife of S. C. Warfield, an agricultur- ist of Fremont county; Henry M., who wedded Miss Lizzie Loche, and is operating a farm in Nebraska; William L., who died in childhood; Harry A., who married Miss Maud Davis and follows farming in Monroe county, Iowa; Albert G., who wedded Mary Guthrop and is his father's partner in the lumber and furniture business in Melrose.

Mr. Lee dates his residence in Iowa from 1857. During the first three years he lived in various parts of the State, and in 1860 located permanently in Monroe county, where for a time he carried on agricultural pursuits. He then engaged in carpentering, and established a furniture and undertaking business in Mel- rose. In the spring of 1880 he also embarked in the lumber trade, which he still carries on. He has a well stocked furniture store, which is filled with goods of modern design, and in the various departments of his business is receiving a liberal patronage. His reputation for straight- forward dealing is above question and his business career is in this respect very exem- 41

plary. He has won the confidence of the com- munity and the respect of all who know him, for his life has been well spent. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and is a friend to every re- form movement that has for its object the up- lifting of humanity.

J OHN SMITH BARNGROVER is num- bered among the pioneer settlers of Dal- las county, Iowa. He has seen the wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, the log cabins replaced by substantial residences, while churches and schools have been built, villages and towns established, industries and enterprises in- troduced, while the work of progress and civ- ilization has been carried forward until the county of to-day bears little resemblance to that of a third of a century ago. Mr. Barn- grover has borne his part in the work of de- velopment and well deserves mention among the leading and influential citizens.

He was born in Highland county, Ohio, September 26, 1822, and is a son of George and Sarah (Badgley) Barngrover. The family is of Swiss origin. The grandfather, Six Barn- grover, emigrated from Switzerland to Amer- ica, and after reaching this country was bound out for a time to pay for his passage money. The father of our subject was born in Ken- tucky, October 18, 1789, and when a young man removed to Highland county, Ohio, whence he afterward went to Johnson county, Indiana, and later to Howard county, that State, where he died at the age of sixty-two years, his death occurring on the 2d of May, 1851. His wife, who was born January 10, 1794, died February 13, 1835. Of their fam- ily of eleven children, four sons are yet living. The father of this family was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was present at Hull's sur- render. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Barngrover, the grandmother having died sev- eral years previous. They were natives of

650

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Canada, whence they came to the United States.

The gentleman whose name heads this re- view spent his early boyhood days on the old home farm, and at the age of sixteen started out to make his own way in the world, serving a four-years apprenticeship to the tanner's trade. He then entered the employ of Jesse R. Grant, father of Ulysses S. Grant, and was working for that gentleman when the future general and president returned from West Point. Mr. Barngrover left for Ohio in 1843 and went to Indiana in time to vote for James K. Polk the following year. He remained in the Hoosier State until 1846, when he enlisted in the serv- ice for the Mexican war as a member of Company C, First Indiana Infantry, under Colonel James P. Drake. He remained at the front for a year, and now receives a pension in recognition of his service.

After his return Mr. Barngrover was united in marriage, on the 13th of April, 1848, with Sarah A. Kinnick, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (Clark) Kinnick. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and when a young man removed to the Hoosier State, where he made a farm. He had visited the site of In- dianapolis before a house marked the place and continued agricultural pursuits in Johnson county for some years, but at length came to Iowa. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Barngrover were natives of Maryland and North Carolina, respectively. The maternal grandparents, Alexander and Sarah (Glenn) Clark, were natives of Kentucky and early in life removed to Indiana, where they spent their remaining days, the former dying at the age of sixty-five, while his wife survived until eighty-two years of age.

By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Barn- grover became the parents of ten children, of whom a daughter died at the age of two years, and one son in his twentieth year. Eight of the family are now living: George, who mar- ried Elizabeth Butler, resides in Crawford, Nebraska, and has one child; Sarah, who is

living in California; Mary E., wife of W. W. Rudrow, a farmer of Dallas county, and has one son; James A., a resident of Montana; Charles E., who married Bertie May Gosling, is farming in Nebraska, and has two children; Harvey M., who married Lucy A. Lyle and resides in California; Nettie, who married Dr. E. E. Emerson, a resident of Brown county, Kansas; and Frank, who manages the old home farm.

Upon his marriage, Mr. Barngrover rented a farm in Indiana, and lived in Johnson county for about six years. In 1854 he sold all his property in that State, and in the month of June came to the West, making the journey by team. On reaching Illinois, he went to the home of his brother James, with whom he re- mained until August, and then drove across the country to Fairfield, Iowa, where he stopped one week with his brother, William J., and then came to Dallas county, where a week later he purchased eighty acres of land upon which his present home now stands. He was accompanied by his wife and two children who had been born in Indiana. They took up their abode in a little log cabin, and the fol- lowing year Mr. Barngrover purchased forty acres of land on which a better cabin stood. It was the birthplace of four of the children and continued to be the residence of the family until 1867, when the present house was erect- ed. They went through all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life, for Dallas county was an undeveloped region when they here lo- cated. Our subject performed the arduous task of developing a good farm from a tract of wild land, as no improvements had been made upon the place save about ten acres cleared and the little cabin built when it came into his possession. He soon had richly cultivated fields and good buildings, while the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicate his careful supervision.

Since casting his first presidential vote, Mr. Barngrover has been a stalwart advocate of the principles of Democracy, but has never sought or desired political preferment, giving his entire

651

RECORD OF IOWA.

time and attention to his business interests. He was formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributed liberally to its support and to all matters pertaining to the public welfare. Socially, Mr. B. has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for many years, having obtained the Royal Arch degree.

EVITICUS T. RICHMOND, an at- torney at law of Albia, Iowa, is one of the younger representatives of the bar of Monroe county, but has at- tained a reputation that many an older prac- titioner might well envy. The profession of law is an open field and its favors are won not through the help of influential friends, or by purchase, but as a result of earnest applica- tion, perseverance, and the exercise of natural and acquired ability. Mr. Richmond has to- day a large clientage, which plainly indicates his skill and his devotion to the interests of his patrons.

Our subject was born in Monroe county, Iowa, June II, 1860, being a son of Samuel and Sarah A. (Bell) Richmond. The father was born in Trimble county, Kentucky, in No- vember, 1822, and was both a millwright and farmer. Believing that he would have better opportunities of securing a good home in the new West, he came to Iowa in its Territorial days, taking up his residence in Des Moines county. After a time he located in Davis county, and in the spring of 1846 came to Monroe county. Numbered among the hon- ored pioneers, he has taken a prominent part in the development and upbuilding of this lo- cality and is a valued citizen. He served as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and for many years held the office of Justice of the Peace. He is now living in Cedar township, Monroe county, where he successfully carries on farming and stock-raising. The Richmonds are of Irish descent. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Bell, and was born in Ken- tucky; her father however was a native of Ire- land, and her mother's birth occurred in Penn-

sylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Richmond were born the following named children: Byron, who died from a wound received in the battle of Marks' Mills during the Civil war; William P., who carries on farming in Monroe county; James H., who was engaged in the Govern- ment service for thirteen years, and died in Texas, in March, 1884; Cratus, a resident farmer of Monroe county; John A., who fol- lows carpentering, and resides on a farm in Monroe county; Franklin D., who carries on agricultural pursuits in the same county; Ezra C., who makes his home with his parents; Jennie, wife of Samuel Phipps, a farmer of this county; Leviticus T., subject of this re- view; and Cyrus A., who owns and operates a tract of land in this locality.

In the public schools near the old farmstead Mr. Richmond began his education. After mastering the common branches, he entered the Central University, at Pella, Marion county, Iowa, where he pursued his studies from 1877 until 1880. He then engaged in teaching in this county until 1882, when, in the month of March, he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He is now one of the leading and influential attor- neys of Albia, and has also been prominent in official life in Monroe county.

On the Ist of January, 1884, Mr. Rich- mond was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and the following year was elected Sheriff, in which position he served until the Ist of January, 1888. Since that time he has engaged in the prosecution of the legal profession, and is cer- tainly one of its most able representatives in this locality. He was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Industrial Home for the Blind at Knoxville, Iowa, by the Twenty-fourth General Assembly; for five months served as Mayor of Albia, filling out an unexpired term, and for four years has been a member of the City Council.

On the 18th of November, 1885, Mr. Rich- mond was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie W. Malone, a native of Maryland and a daughter of James and Mary (Coughlin) Ma-

652

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

lone, natives of Ireland. Three children have been born of their union: Francis H., born October 14, 1887; William T., born May 7, 1890; and Thomas B., born July 8, 1895. The family is one of prominence in this com- munity, and the home is a pretty cottage on East Benton street, Albia. Our subject and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, in which Mrs. Richmond was reared, and which her husband joined in 1885. He has acted as attorney of the Wapello Coal Company in Hiteman since 1888. He has been prominent in the public affairs of the city, and is a most wide-awake and progressive man, who in public office and in private life has been an important factor in promoting the welfare of his native county.

0 ON C. ANDERSON .- A history of the business enterprises of Albia would certainly be incomplete with- out mention of that of which our sub- ject is at the head, he being senior member of the well known grocery firm of Anderson & Hollingshead. While a practical and typical representative business man, he also finds time to give to the advancement of all enter- prises which are calculated to promote the county's welfare. Churches and schools and charities receive his support, and he has been an important factor in promoting the material welfare of his native city.

Mr. Anderson was born in Albia when it was a mere village, on the 4th of December, 1855, being a son of Hon. Daniel and Amanda (Harrow) Anderson. Here he was reared to manhood, attending the public schools until eighteen years of age, when he entered upon his mercantile career as a salesman. He was employed in that capacity by various firms in the city, and then turned his attention to hotel-keeping. Later however he resumed clerking, and in 1887 he embarked in business on his own account, having acquired the neces- sary capital through his own industry and fru-

gality. He opened a grocery store on a small scale, but his previous experience and sound judgment made him a successful merchant and his courteous treatment won him the good will and patronage of the public. After conduct- ing the business alone for five years, he ad- mitted to partnership George H. Hollingshead, under the firm name of Anderson & Hollings- head. The reputation which this firm sus- tains in the world of trade is a most enviable one. They are doing probably the largest grocery business in Monroe county, and have a commodious establishment, complete in all its appointments, and stocked with an excellent grade of everything found in their line. They are men that stand four-square to every wind that blows, thoroughly reliable and honorable in all things, and the success that is attending this enterprising establishment is well merited.

Mr. Anderson was joined in wedlock in 1875 with Miss Ada R. Webb, of Albia, and her parents were John and Julia Webb. Her death occurred in 1891. The following year Mr. Anderson married Miss Carrie E. Martin. They have a pleasant home, tastefully fur- nished and noted for the hospitality and good cheer which there abounds. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are charitable, benevolent people, ready to extend a helping hand to those in need of assistance.

ARKINGTON S. LOWER, a repre- sentative farmer of Monroe county, was born in Rush county, Indiana, on the 29th of July, 1830, and is num- bered among the pioneers of this State, where he located in Territorial days. His parents were John and Prudence (Grissom) Lower, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1784. By occupation he was a farmer, carrying on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest, on the 7th of September, 1861. His wife, who was born in Virginia in 1799, died January 21, 1872. Their children were : James, Michael, William, John, Catherine,

653

RECORD OF IOWA.

Eliza, Mahala, Joseph, Jane, Louisa, Wesley and Tarkington S.

Our subject spent the first twelve years of his life in the State of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the Territory of Iowa, the family locating in Van Buren county in the fall of 1842. In 1844 they came to Monroe county, locating on a farm which is now the home of Mr. Lower. To his father he gave the benefit of his serv- ices until 1852, when, wishing to see more of the country and advance his business interests if possible, he made a trip to Oregon, spending three years in that State. In 1885 he re- turned to his farm and has since made it his place of abode.

On the 24th of January, 1856, Mr. Lower was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. . Smith, daughter of Hayden and Emmaranda (Rowles) Smith. They have had nine chil- dren : Ella O .; Eva E .; Charles E., deceased; Jennie R .; William S .; Cora M .; James H .; Nellie M .; and John W. The parents hold membership with the Methodist Church, and the children adhere to the same faith. Mr. Lower takes a prominent and very active part in church work, doing all in his power for the promotion of the cause of Christianity and the uplifting of his fellow men. His career is an honorable and upright one, and his fellow townsmen give him their confidence and high regard. He is a successful farmer, and has a good home a mile and a quarter northeast of Albia, in Troy township, Monroe county.

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.

Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 103

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1360

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360