Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 112

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

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from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1816, and in 1824 settled in Johnson county, Indiana. His ancestors were all Presbyterians, and at an early date, went to Maryland to enjoy religious liberty, Lord Baltimore having given access to all denominations. There is now in the family a keepsake, an old-fashioned skillet, at least 150 years old, which passed through the Indian wars of 1756-7.

His grandfather Young was a man of very superior intellect and for forty-three years an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-five years. His mother was born before the Revolution, and lived to be over one hundred years old. Josiah was early influenced by the study of the char- acter of his grandfather, who inspired him with ambition and an incentive to work for noble ends. He first attended school in the winter of 1843-4, for twenty-five days in War- ren county, Illinois, going two and one-half miles to a log cabin, where he studied reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling. During three months of the following winter he attended school at Swan Creek. In 1846 his father moved to what was then called Kishkekosh county, Territory of Iowa, the same being named in honor of Kishkekosh, chief of one of the tribes of the Sac and Fox Indians. The name, however, was changed that same year, and the county has since been known as Mon- roe county. Here the family lived in a log cabin, bravely enduring the hardships of fron- tier life, and opened a farm. Josiah attended school three months in a log cabin adjoining his home, under the instruction of Mr. W. H. Potts, who afterward became his brother-in- law. This completed his education in the school-room; but being fond of study, he bor- rowed whatever books his neighbors could sup- ply him, and by extensive reading became well versed in many branches of study.

He remained upon his father's farm until nearly twenty-one years old. On the 14th of November, 1851, he was married to Christina B. Potts, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (nec Wiley) Potts. Mrs. Young was born in

Jackson county, West Virginia, on the 16th of October, 1831.

After his marriage Mr. Young entered a claim and worked it two years, teaching the district school during each winter. Going then to Albia, he spent about a year clerking in a store; and in 1856 purchased an interest in a carding machine, to which he added im- provements until he had a fine establishment. In the early part of 1857 he admitted his brother to the business as a partner, and was meeting with good success, when, in 1861, the establishment burned, without insurance, leav- ing him about $3,000 in debt. In 1860, in company with T. B. Gray, Esq., he purchased the office of the Albia Weekly Republican and started a paper which he called The Monroe County Sentinel, and advocated the election of Stephen A. Douglas to the Presidency. Near the close of that year he purchased his partner's interest, and in February, 1861, by reason of illness, suspended the publication.

In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Thirty-sixth Regiment Iowa In- fantry, and in November went to Benton Bar- racks, St. Louis, where he was sick for three weeks, his disease developing into diphtheria, and his life being despaired of. He, however, recovered, and when able to walk to the boat went with his regiment to Columbus, Ken- tucky, and Memphis, Tennessee, and camped on the bluff overlooking the river, and just above where General Jackson built entrench- ments in 1814. After about three weeks he was sent to do duty as clerk at the headquar- ters of General Asboth; but afterward, his ambition to be a clerk being satisfied, he was excused at his own request and went with his regiment to Helena, Arkansas. On New Year's day, 1863, the regiment went into quar- ters near Fort Curtis, and Mr. Young per- formed picket duty and guard duty from the Ist of January till the 24th of February, when they were sent on an expedition across Moon lake and the Tallahatchie in front of Fort Pemberton, on which they made several un- successful attacks. Returning up the river

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about two days' journey, they met General Quimby with a reinforcement of 10,000 men, and going back, made another unsuccessful attack upon the fort. On the 8th of April, 1863, the fleet of transports and gunboats, with infantry on board, returned to Helena. During this expedition Jonathan P. and David W. Potts, brothers-in-law of Mr. Young, sick- ened by reason of exposure and hardship, and died, the latter on the 11th of April, and the former on the 15th of May, 1863, and were buried on the top of a high hill overlooking Helena. Mr. Young also was taken ill, and after the death of his brothers-in-law obtained a furlough of thirty days and remained until the 5th of July, and thus was not able to par- ticipate in the battle of Helena, which was fought on the 4th of July. On the 11th of August, under General Steel, of the Seventh Army Corps, his regiment marched across the country to capture Little Rock, which place they entered in triumph on the 10th of Sep- tember. During this time the captain of his company and several other members had died of sickness. Remaining in camp until the 23d of March, 1864, they set out on the ill-fated Red river expedition, marching about a month and being engaged almost daily in fighting. It was during this time that were fought the battles of Spoonville, Elkin's Ford, Prairie De Anne, and Camden. At the last named place they rested a few days, and on the 21st of April, 1864, Mr. Young's brigade was sent to a mill-stone about six miles distant to shell and grind corn for the soldiers. That day occurred the battle of Poison Springs. At evening a messenger from headquarters or- dered them in, and marching all night they reached Camden on the following morning. About two days later the brigade was ordered to Pine Bluff for provisions. After going about eighty miles in the direction of Pine Bluff they were surrounded and attacked by an overwhelming force of rebels, at Marks' Mills, Bradley county, Arkansas, and the whole brigade either killed or taken prisoner. The fight lasted from nine o'clock in the morning

until half past two in the afternoon, and Mr. Young was slightly wounded in the right arm above the elbow. Leaving Camden to the right, they marched all that night and the next day until sundown, when they reached the Washita river and obtained a little corn to eat, the first they had eaten since their break- fast before the battle. Thence they crossed the river and marched by a circuitous route, at the rate of fifteen to twenty miles a day, to Camden. There they were searched for con- cealed weapons, the rebels robbing them of all the possessions they had on their persons. Af- ter about three days of harsh treatment, they were taken in the direction of Shreveport, Louisiana, under promise that they would there be exchanged; but instead of stopping there, they marched through the place, crossed the Red river, and camped about four miles out on the Texas road. On the 15th of May, 1864, they reached Camp Ford, where they remained until the 15th of February, 1865, enduring horrors exceeded only by those of Libby and Andersonville. They were now paroled and sent to Shreveport under rebel guards, thence on rebel steamboats to the mouth of Red river, where they were exchanged: Thence they were sent to New Orleans, and there were furnished with clothes, blankets, and knapsacks, and from there came North, having been prisoners for ten months, and at the expiration of that time returned to the remnant of their regiment at St. Charles, Arkansas. On the 24th of August, 1865, they were sent down the White river and thence up the Mississippi to Davenport, Iowa, where they were discharged on the 7th of September following.

Returning to his home Mr. Young remained on the farm with his family until the autumn of 1866, when he was elected Clerk of the Dis- trict Court of Monroe county. He entered upon his duties on the Ist of January, 1867, and by successive re-elections held the office in all six years. In the fall of 1872 he was elected on the Republican ticket Secretary of State, of Iowa, by a majority of 57,000; was re-elected in 1874, and again in 1876, by a

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majority of 60,056. In the year 1880 Mr. Young was the able and popular incumbent as Mayor of the city of Albia, and in 1890 he was the nominee of the Republican party and was elected to the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly of Iowa, in which he served on several important commit- tees, and otherwise took a prominent part in the deliberations and councils of that body, lending effective aid in insuring wise legisla- tion.

In political sentiment Mr. Young had for- merly been a Democrat, as had also his father and grandfather. After the opening of the Civil war he changed his views, and in the fall of 1862, while with his company at Camp Lin- coln, Keokuk, voted the Republican ticket. He then thought that the emancipation of the slaves would be injudicious, but after being in the South saw that it was necessary as a means of putting down the rebellion and heartily fa- vored it. In religious communion his ances- tors as far back as he can trace them have been Presbyterians, and he himself is identified with that denomination.

In his business affairs Mr. Young has been eminently successful and lives now in the en- joyment of a pleasant home, surrounded with all that is needed to make one happy, and en- joying the confidence and high esteem of a very large circle of true friends.

Of his nine children five are now (1895) living: Fletcher Webster, born on the 9th of January, 1853, became Deputy Secretary of State on the Ist of January, 1876. He was ed- ucated at the Iowa State University and grad- uated in the law department. Rachel Eliza- beth was born on the 25th of September, 1856. She is now a cripple, having lost the use of her spinal column. David Whitcomb, born on the 2d of November, 1858, was a clerk in his father's office while the latter was Secretary of State. Ellsworth was born on the 8th of July, 1866; and Edward Baker on the 19th of May, 1868.

Such is an outline of the life history of one who has risen by his own untiring energy from

comparative obscurity to a position of honor. His has been a varied career, but bravely meet- ing every opposition he has moved steadily on- ward, adhering strictly to principles of integ- rity, and enjoys now the reward that comes of persistent and honorable effort.

a ILLIAM RICHARDS, a retired farmer now living in Pleasantville, was born in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, July 19, 1811, and comes of one of the old families of the Keystone State, which was founded there by German ancestors. His grandfather, John Richards, was a Pennsylvania farmer. His father, Will- iam Richards, was born in Maryland, Novem- ber 27, 1781, and after arriving at years of maturity married Miss Anne Rose, who was born September 18, 1784, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of eight children, namely: John, deceased; Will- iam, of this sketch; Julia Anne, Josiah, Samuel J., Melinda, Ruann, all of whom have passed away; and Selena L., wife of Thomas Dunfee, a farmer of Wabash county, Indiana.

When a child of three years our subject was taken by his parents to Coshocton county, Ohio, the family locating on a farm which was their home until 1848. They then removed to Wabash county, Indiana, where five years later the mother of our subject died. Mr. Richards and his father three years later came to Iowa, locating in Marion county, in 1856; but the latter was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring on the 13th of December, 1857. He was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics was a stanch Republican, but never aspired to office.

Mr. Richards of this review acquired his education in Ohio, and was reared there amid the wild scenes of frontier life. On the 23d of December, 1830, he was united in marriage with Miss Margery Thompson, who was born May 7, 1808, in Pennsylvania, and within three miles of her husband's home. Her par-

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ents were Joshua and Jane (Frazier) Thomp- son, the father having been a farmer by occu- pation. In 1848 Mr. Richards removed with his family to Wabash county, Indiana, where, in 1853, he purchased a farm of 320 acres, continuing his residence thereon for three years. In 1855, as before stated, he purchased land in Marion county and forthwith came to his new home. Successfully cultivating this property, his financial resources increased and he made other purchases until he had accumu- lated more than 600 acres in Pleasant Grove and Swan townships. The greater part of this he placed under a high state of cultivation, making many improvements thereon and trans- forming it into one of the valuable farms in this section of the State. He has now placed it in the care of his children, while he is living retired in Pleasantville, enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

To Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born a large and honored family of ten children, namely: Eleanor, now deceased; Ann Jane, wife of David Forest, a farmer of Marion county; William T., who married Miss Lavina Terwilliger, and carries on farming in Adair county, Iowa; Joshua T., who wedded Miss Fannie Shunkwiler, and is engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Marion county; Samuel V., deceased; Julia Ann, wife of Harmon Caffery, of Pleasantville; Josiah, who died during the Civil war; John, who married Miss Matilda De Haven, and is a farmer of Marion county; James A., who married Miss Fleck, and is liv- ing on the old homestead; Uriah H., who mar- ried Miss Isabel Hunt, and is a farmer of Swan township, Marion county.

In his political views Mr. Richards is an unswerving Republican, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office. He and his wife are faithful members of the Christian Church, and their children belong to the same organization. This worthy couple have trav- eled life's journey together as man and wife for sixty-five years, and have lived to see the third generation to the number of one hundred and nine members. Born during the presi-

dential administration of James Monroe, Mr. Richards has lived through the inost important epochs of American history, and has seen the marvelous development and enterprise which have placed this country on an equal footing with the old nations of Europe, whose boasted civilization covers several centuries. Through his own well directed efforts he has won success in business, and is therefore enabled to live to- day in the enjoyment of the fruits of his for- mer toil.

S IMON WALKER, an honored veteran of the late war and a highly esteemed citizen of Pleasant Grove township, Marion county, residing on section 32, Swan township, was born in Boone county, Indiana, on the 11th of August, 1829. His father, Robert Walker, was a native of North Carolina and was of Irish descent. He was twice married and by his first union had three sons. After the death of his first wife he wedded Mary Emmert, a native of the Key- stone State, and they became the parents of six children, of whom Simon was the third in order of birth. The father passed away in 1836.

Our subject at that time was only six years of age. When still a boy he assumed the inanagement of the home farm and cared for his mother and sisters. He has two sisters yet surviving: Elizabeth W., who was born December 24, 1834; and Rachel, who was born in October, 1825, and who is the widow of S. F. New, by whom she had four children, her home being in Kansas.

Mr. Walker, of this review, continued the management of the old home farm one year, then farmed other land until he came to Iowa. This was in 1855. He located in Swan town- ship, where he remained for a year and a half, but becoming discouraged he sold out and returned to his Indiana home. A few months later, however, he removed to land he had pre- viously purchased in Clarke county, Iowa, resid- ing thereon for a year. He then traded his 240

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acres of land for 160 acres in Swan township, Marion county, and still owns 157 acres of this tract, the same being valued at $45 per acre.

In 1850 Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Osborn, who died June 19, 1876, leaving six children to mourn her loss, namely : John C., a railroad employee, living in Creston, Iowa, born May 7, 1853, is married and has four children; Sarah Eliza, born November 9, 1856, is the wife of John W. Sutherland, a farmer of Hall county, Nebraska, by whom she has five children; Eldora, born May 21, 1860, became the wife of J. T. Hardin, of Marion county, and died in February, 1882, leaving two children, but her husband and children have since passed away; George I., born May 9, 1866, a farmer of Marion county, is married and has four children; Carlin, born December 16, 1868, married Della Osburn, and is a railroad em- ployee at Creston, Iowa, having two children; William, born April 8, 1872, is connected with the wholesale cigar trade in Des Moines. After the death of his first wife Mr. Walker was mar- ried, February 10, 1887, to Louise Smithson, who died February 5, 1889, leaving one child. For his third wife our subject chose Nancy E. Ballard, widow of J. Ballard, of Marion county, and the wedding took place on the 15th of September, 1889.

During the late war Mr. Walker manifested his loyalty to the Government by enlisting, in August, 1862, as a member of Company A, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, but on the 10th of February, 1863, he was discharged on account of disability. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, and in 1856 supported John C. Fremont for the presidency, from which time he has been a stalwart Republican. He has served as Road Supervisor, School Director and Township Trustee, and has taken a very active part in the work of public im- provement. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church, has served as Trustee and has been one of its leading members for several years. He is now living retired, for by indus-

try and enterprise in former years he has accumulated the capital that thus enables him to lay aside all business cares.

LMER A. JOHNSON has won suc- cess through enterprising efforts and an adaptability which has enabled him to take advantage of surrounding op- portunities and of creating them if none ex- isted. He is now engaged in banking in Bus- sey, and is also a stockholder in the O. K. Coke Company. Among Marion county's na- tive sons he is numbered, his birth having oc- curred in Liberty township, on the 9th of March, 1867. The family is of Irish lineage, and the grandparents of our subject, Joseph and Nancy (Beal) Johnson, are now residents of Bussey. Four generations of the family are now living, and the descendants number one hundred and five. Throughout his active business career the grandfather carried on farm- ing, but at the age of eighty-six is now enjoy -. ing a well earned rest. His wife is seventy- eight years of age, and both are in good health.

John B. Johnson, father of our subject, is a native of Athens county, Ohio, and in the schools of that State acquired his education, subsequently following farming in Harrison county, Ohio. Ere leaving the State of his nativity he was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Schee, a native of Harrison county and a daughter of Alexander and Alice (Brind- ley) Schee. In 1854 her parents emigrated to the Hawkeye State, and for some time Mr. Schee followed farming in Marion county. Later, however, he removed to Warren county, where his death occurred in May, 1893. His widow still survives, and is now living in Des Moines, Iowa. John B. Johnson continued his residence in Ohio until 1862, when he also cast in his lot with the citizens of Marion county, making his home upon a farm. For many years he carried on agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, but in 1894 embarked in mer- chandising in Bussey, and is now successfully carrying on business along that line. With the

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United Brethren Church he and his wife hold membership, and in his political views he is a Democrat. Their children were five in num- ber, namely: Elmer A .: Minta E., wife of Dr. Sanders, of Alta, Iowa; Viola, deceased; Charles A., and Lettie, both at home.

Thus from a family of worth and promi- nence our subject is descended, and his own honorable business record has added new lau- rels to the worthy name he bears. After ac- quiring his elementary education in the com- mon schools, he entered Penn College, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1884, and there pursued his studies for three years. When his col- legiate course was completed he returned to the old home farm, resuming his labors there and aiding in its cultivation until 1892. In that year he became cashier of the Bank of Bussey, and not a little of the success of that institution is due to his capable management.

On the 12th of January, 1889, Mr. John- son was united in marriage with Miss Anna B. Knapp, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Wright and Ophelia A. (Shope) Knapp. Three children were the offspring of their union, of whom two are now living-Nora A., born January 6, 1890, and Joseph A., born in April, 1892. The third child, Raymond B., born September 3, 1893, died the following January. The parents are members of the United Brethren Church, and take quite an active interest in its work. Their pleasant home is the abode of hospitality and good cheer, and the hearty welcome is ever ex- tended to their many friends. They hold a high position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and' measures of the Republican party, and does all in his power to insure its success, but has never sought or desired office for himself. He has a reputation for honorable and straightfor- ward dealing and for uprightness in all the walks of life. He is a fine business man, and his pleasant, genial manner has made him very popular with all classes of citizens.

AVID HAMILTON SCOTT, a prom- inent and influential citizen of Mon- roe county, now following farming in Troy township, is recognized as a leader in political and church circles, and is also an honored veteran of the late war. He was born on a farm in Fleming county, Ken- tucky, June 27, 1825, and is a son of Alexander and Martha (Wills) Scott, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather, John Scott, was born in Scotland, and in his early manhood crossed the Atlantic to the New World, taking up his residence in the Keystone State, where also lived his brother, who served as State Sen- ator of Pennsylvania.

Alexander Scott lost his father when he was a child, and shortly after removed to Ken- tucky, where he was reared to manhood and learned the trade of a wheelwright, which he followed in connection with farming. In 1821 he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Wills, and several years later they removed to Putnam county, Indiana, locating in the midst of the forest. They lived in a camp until a log cabin could be erected and there the family experienced the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life. After some years the father sold his first farm, but purchased another in the same county and continued its cultivation un- til his retirement from active business life at an advanced age. He died February 7, 1881. He and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was serving as one of its Elders when called to his final rest.

In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children: David H .; Samuel, deceased; John M., a carpenter of Indianapolis, Indiana; Alexander, James T. and Margaret J., triplets, the last named now the wife of John Evans, of Putnam county, Indiana, while James is living in Montgomery county, Indiana, and Alexan- der died in youth; Thomas N., an agriculturist of Franklin county, Kansas; Alexander M., a banker of Ladoga, Indiana; Martha A., de- ceased; William H., deceased; and Mildred E.,

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wife of Wallace Hamilton, a resident farmer of Franklin county, Kansas.

Mr. Scott of this sketch was educated in Putnam county, Indiana, and taught school there for a number of terms. He also carried on agricultural pursuits and learned the trade of a wheelwright, which he followed for a time. On the 16th of October, 1845, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wills, a native of Fleming county, Kentucky, and a daughter of David and Sarah (Ramsey) Wills, who were born in the same locality, their marriage having been celebrated in Flein- ing county, Kentucky, and their union having been blessed with ten children, namely: Emily; Mary (Mrs. Scott); Margaret, deceased; Martha; Evaline; Samuel A., deceased; Will- iam W .; Robert H .; James H., who died in the war; and Daniel H. Four of the sons were soldiers during the late Rebellion.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 112

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