Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 131

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

USA > Iowa > Memorial and biographical record of Iowa > Part 131

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).

H. T. Reed was reared in Morgan, Noble and Washington counties, Ohio, and received his education in the district schools of those counties, his schooling being limited to about three months each winter. In 1864 he came West to Guthrie county, Iowa, and purchased 240 acres of land where the town of Monteith is now located. This tract was then but par- tially improved. Indeed, its only improve- ments consisted of a few acres that were broken and a log cabin 10 x 12 feet in dimensions. With the exception of five years, from 1878 to 1883, while he was in Leadville, Colorado, en- gaged in mining and mercantile pursuits, Mr. Reed has ever since made his home in Guthrie county. From time to time he has added to his original purchase until now his landed es- tate consists of 640 acres, with excellent im- provements thereon. The log house has long since disappeared. On its pleasant site, a gentle elevation, commanding a view of the surrounding country and adjacent to the town of Monteith, Mr. Reed erected his present

A. Alocaland.

825

RECORD OF IOWA.

modern residence in 1893. This residence was built at a cost of $4,000, is provided with all the latest improvements in the way of finish- ings and furnishings, and is heated by hot water. In connection with his farming opera- tions, Mr. Reed has given considerable atten- tion to stock-raising and is regarded as one of the pioneer stock men of the county. He raises thoroughbred Polled-Angus cattle and Chester White hogs. He has three barns, one 24 x 80 feet, another 24 x 64 feet, and the third 24 x 68 feet. His land is well watered by Coon river and several small streams, thus being ex- cellently adapted for a stock farm. Mr. Reed, however, has not confined his operations en- tirely to farming and stock-raising, but has at different times been interested in mercantile, grain and lumber business.

He was married in Noble county, Ohio, October 24, 1858, to Miss Louisa Jordan, who was born and reared in the Buckeye State, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Legg) Jordan, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. Her paternal grandfather, Jacob Jordan, was a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent, while her maternal grandfather, George G. Legg, was of Kentucky birth. Elijah and Mary Jordan were the parents of fourteen children, -seven sons and seven daughters, namely: Phoebe Hughes, George N., Mary A. Tillton, John, Sydney, Jacob, Louisa Reed, Francis Marion, David, Caroline Roney, Sarah E. McCoy, Nancy C. Fowler, Lloyd and Clar- issa Hook. John and Lloyd are deceased. The mother died in Noble county, Ohio, at the age of fifty-five years, and the father survived her a number of years, his death occurring in Guthrie county, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-two. In their religious creeds they dif- fered, she being a Methodist and he a Univer- salist. His occupation throughout life was that of farming, and politically he was a Dem- ocrat. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have five children living, viz .: Sydney R., for a number of years a school-teacher, is now engaged in the grain and stock business; Wellington L., Postmaster and a merchant of Monteith; Clarissa E., wife 52

of Albert Epperson, Denver, Colorado; Chloe, wife of Wesley Branson, of this township; and Priscilla, wife of Andrew J. Branson, also of this township. They had three children that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have taken pleasure in giving their children the best of educational advantages. Their sons are successful business men and their daughters are women of culture and refinement.

Personally Mr. Reed is a man of strong physique, and in manner is frank and cordial. Politically speaking, he is a Democrat. For twelve years he has served as Treasurer of his township.

LFRED MCFARLAND, residing in White Breast township, near Chari- ton, is another one of the pioneers of Lucas county, Iowa, the date of his arrival here being October 28, 1851.

Mr. McFarland was born on the Marysville pike near Uniontown, in Muskingum county, Ohio, January 17, 1827, his parents being James and Mary (Watt) McFarland, the fa- ther of Scotch-Irish descent; the mother a native of Maryland. James McFarland died January 10, 1841, leaving his widow with six children: Alexander, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Al- fred, David and Thomas. The mother . lived to the age of seventy-three years and died in Muskingum county, Ohio. Alfred is the only representative of the family now living. His father a farmer, young McFarland was reared to farm life in his native county, and the only educational advantages he had were those of the public schools. He was early taught that honesty and industry underlie all true success. His parents were strict Presbyterians, and in addition to honesty and industry he was also taught a strict observance of the Sabbath. Until he was twenty-one he remained a mem- ber of the home circle and assisted in the farm work, and at that time he married and settled down in life for himself.

In the fall of 1851 Mr. McFarland removed from the "Buckeye" State to Iowa, making

826

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

the journey across the country in a wagon drawn by horses, bringing his wife and their one child and also their household goods. The first winter they spent in Chariton. In the spring of the following year they took up their abode at their present location. Here he built a log cabin 16x 16 feet, moved his family into it, and with the assistance of his good wife he entered upon the work of making a home and developing a farm on what was then a frontier. The result is that he now owns a beautiful rural home. He has now 160 acres in his farm and twenty acres in timber land. A modern frame cottage has long since taken the place of the primitive cabin and is surrounded with a beautiful lawn and shaded and ornamented with trees, shrubs and flowers, and near by is an orchard of two acres and also a grove, all of his own planting. Everthing about the farm from the barn and other buildings, fences, pastures and cultivated fields to his fine stock, is well kept and gives evidence of his prosperity. Among other at- tractive features of this place is the excellent spring water, there being five good springs here.

Mr. McFarland was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Mary Catherine Mouk, who has been his helpinate and loving companion for nearly half a century. She was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, March 25, 1831, daughter of Anthony and Sarah (Price) Mouk, both natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Mouk were among the early settlers of Ohio, and passed the greater part of their lives in that State, where they died, he at the age of sixty- four and she at sixty-three. They had fourteen children, of whom eleven reached adult age, namely: John, Eliza, George, Anthony, Sarah Ann, Joseph, Julia A., Hamilton L., William, Mary and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have children as follows: Sarah E., who was born in Ohio, and who came in the wagon with her parents to Iowa, is now the wife of H. M. Blair of Humeston, Wayne county, this State; Mary E., wife of George Howard, of Elliott, Iowa; Wilmer W., a resident of Union town-

ship, Lucas county; Amanda, wife of George White, of White Breast township, this county; Miller, of Marshalltown, Iowa; and Frank, at home. All have received good educational ad- vantages, and those who have launched out in life for themselves are occupying honorable and useful positions.

Mr. McFarland takes a commendable in- terest in public affairs, and casts his ballot and influence with the Republican party, but he has never sought office, nor has he ever filled any save that on the School Board, where he has served efficiently. For forty years he and his wife have been active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he has for many years served as Class-Leader.

McBRIDE has during the past three decades figured as one of the representative farmers of Jefferson township, Madison county, Iowa, his home being on section 22. The history of Mr. McBride is that of a Scotchman who landed on American soil before he had yet emerged from his 'teens, and who through his own manly efforts has acquired a nice prop- erty and comfortable home.

Mr. McBride was born in Renfrew, Scot- land, November 30, 1828, youngest in the family of eight children of Neil and Agnes (Kelley) McBride, both natives of Scotland. There he spent the first eighteen years of his life, his boyhood days being passed in farm work and in peddling milk, and at nine -. teen he left his native land and made the At- lantic voyage to this country, landing in due time at New York city. From New York he went to Vermont, where he had a brother and where he remained until the spring of 1850, at that time coming west to Des Moines, Iowa. Shortly afterward he went up into Minnesota, and in the pine districts of that State spent seven years, two years at work in the woods and the rest of the time in a sawmill. In 1857 he returned to Iowa and located on a farm in Clayton county, about this time taking to him-

827

RÉCORD OF IOWA.

self a wife, and in Clayton county he continued farming until 1866, the year he became iden- tified with Madison county. On settling at his present location, he built a log house, 18 x 24 feet, which for some time served as his home while he cultivated his land and increased his holdings. At one time he owned as much as 400 acres of choice land here, but has given 160 acres to his son and retains in the home place 240 acres, well improved with good buildings, etc. All these years his attention has been given to general farming,

Mr. McBride was married in Clayton county, Iowa, to Miss Eleanor Hazen, a native of that county, who was for more than twenty years his faithful and loving companion, and who departed this life in August, 1879. She bore him five children-Lawrence, Carrie, Nellie, Cora and Hattie-and all are living ex- cept Cora.

Both in his political and religious views Mr. McBride is independent and liberal.

E LBERT M. POTTER. - It falls to the lot of few young men to gain the suc- cess which Mr. Potter has already achieved. If one has through a life- time of effort gained a place among the suc- cessful few it is generally conceded that his career is an enviable one; but Mr. Potter has already won a foremost place among the mem- bers of the bar of Waverly, and his determina- tion and abilities will undoubtedly win him still further advancement. He is now a member of the well known firm of Long & Potter.

A native of the city which is still his home, he was born December 15, 1868, and is a son of Millard F. and Sarah A. (Babbage) Potter, the former a native of New York and the lat- ter of Illinois, born near Chicago. The ma- ternal grandparents, Salvenus and Mary E. (Taepe) Potter, were natives of New York and England respectively, and during the childhood of their son Millard emigrated to Bremer coun- ty, Iowa, locating on a farm. There the father of our subject grew to manhood, and for

many years followed farming and stock-raising, but is now living retired in Waverly. He was married in this city to Miss Babbage, who in her early girlhood days accompanied her par- ents to Bremer county, where she was edu- cated. She is a member of the Methodist Church and a most estimable lady. In the family were six children: Albert M .; Arthur S .; Flora B .; Fannie, who died at the age of two years; Guy .E. and Nellie M.

Our subject attended the public schools of his native county and continued his education in the Waverly high school. Afterward he pursued a course in the Iowa Commercial Col- lege at Davenport, at which institution he was graduated on the Ist of June, 1888, meeting the tuition and other necessary expenses with money which he had himself earned. He clerked for a part of the time in a hotel and previously worked as a farnı hand for a time. His high standing in the school is well indi- cated by the fact that upon his graduation he . was retained in the institution as an instructor in bookkeeping and mathematics, being thus employed during the winter of 1888-9. On the 15th of March of the latter year he began keeping a set of abstract books for Attorney E. L. Smalley, of Waverly, at a salary of $3 per week. He wrote accident insurance and otherwise earned money, which together with his small salary, enabled him to complete his law studies. His evenings were devoted to the study of law under the direction of Mr. Smalley, with whom he remained for two years and one month.

On leaving the office of that gentleman, Mr. Potter went to St. Paul, Nebraska, in April, 1891, and on the 29th of that month was ad- mitted to the bar. He began practice in Gree- ley Center, Nebraska, and purchased a set of abstract books, remaining there for two months. On selling out he returned to Waverly and again entered the office of E. L. Smalley, with whom he continued until the Ist of October, 1891. At that time he went to Geneva, Ne- braska, and accepted a position as secretary and attorney for the South Platte Land & Loan

828

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Company, continuing there until May 1, 1892, when he again came to Waverly and entered into partnership with Dan A. Long, the con- nection having since continued. In politics, Mr. Potter is a stalwart Democrat, unswerving in his support of the principles of that party. He has always taken quite an active interest in political affairs, is well informed on the issues of the day, and is now serving his second term as City Attorney of Waverly, notwithstanding that Waverly is Republican by about 150 ma- jority.

His career is a most creditable one for de- termined effort, laudable ambition and well directed enterprise have brought to him his success. In addition to his good practice, he now owns a farm of 120 acres near Waverly, together with some town property.

On the 7th of June, 1893, Mr. Potter was united in marriage with Jessie M. Long, his partner's sister. She is a native of Iowa and · a daughter of Dan A. and Margaret (Darragh) Long, of Waverly.

INCENT PERRONETT GRAY is a man whom to know is to honor. As a soldier of the late war, he made an enviable record; his business career is without a blemish, and while leading an active life he has found time to devote to holier du- ties. Recognizing the brotherhood of man- kind, he is earnest in his support of all that is calculated to uplift humanity and throughout the community where he resides he is held in the highest regard.

Mr. Gray is a native of London, England, born April 1, 1835. When only six months old he was brought to America by his parents, Richard and Elizabeth (Kirshaw) Gray. The voyage was made in an old sailing vessel, for it was some years previous to steam navigation. From London they sailed to New York, where they arrived after several weeks, continuing at once by canal and rail to Ohio, where they made a settlement. The father had engaged in merchandising in London, and while there

was persuaded by Bishop McIlvaine to come to this country and study for the ministry of the Episcopal Church. He followed out the proposed plan and became an intinerant preacher, traveling over one-half of Ohio for twenty-one years. He then removed to Cin- cinnati, where he made a permanent location, and passed away at the age of seventy-six. His wife died a short time later, at the age of seventy-two, and both were buried in the same grave. They had always said that they would go together, and it was their heart's desire, after a long life of usefulness devoted to the good of humanity in this world, to receive their reward together in the world to come. They had twelve children, of whom four sons and a daughter are yet living. The eldest brother, who was a medical practitioner, served as assistant surgeon during the Civil war for three years.

Vincent P. Gray received but meager school privileges and from an early age has been de- pendent entirely upon his own resources for the necessaries of life. When a lad of fourteen he began working as a farm hand and was thus employed until after the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1856, on attaining his majority, he came to Iowa, casting his lot with the early settlers of Tama county, and was living in the village of Eureka when he offered his services to the Government, joining the "boys in blue " of Company C, Tenth Iowa Infantry. The company was commanded by Captain Albert Stoddard. He served with great valor and distinction and received honorable mention from his officers. He was discharged at Hunts- ville, Alabama, and re-enlisting as a veteran served until the close of the war, when he was again discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 15, 1865. He was wounded five times in the battle of Champion-Hills, one time se- verely enough to confine him to the hospital for months; but, contrary to the advice of the physician, after only two weeks in the hospital he took the field again, at his own risk, -and that a very serious and hazardous one, too, - so anxious was he to have a hand in taking

829

RECORD OF IOWA.

Vicksburg. He participated in many hotly contested engagements and was always found at his post of duty as an able defender of the Union cause. His bravery was above question and his war record is one of which he may justly be proud.

Upon his return to Tama county, Iowa, Mr. Gray purchased sixty acres of wild land, and at once began its development. He chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Desdemona Wessell, and their union was celebrated May 27, 1869. The lady was born near Argusville, Schoharie county, New York, in 1842, and is a daughter of Isaac and Phœbe (Scott) Wessell, who spent their entire lives in the Empire State and have now passed away. Her parents, grandparents and great- grandparents were all natives of New York. In their veins flowed the blood of the Hugue- nots, and Mrs. Gray is also a direct descendant of King William, her mother being of the fifth generation. Her ancestors lived and died in the adjoining counties of Montgomery and Schoharie, and her parents were wealthy farın- ing people, widely known and very highly re- spected. The word of Isaac Wessell was as good as his bond, and his honorable, upright life won him the confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. He died in 1882, at the age of seventy-two, and his wife passed away in 1891, at the age of eighty-one. She was loved by all who knew her for her kind- liness and exemplary Christian character. For twenty-five years she kept a diary, in which she wrote the day preceding her death. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wessell retained their mental and physical faculties unimpaired. They had a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, who were trained to habits of in- dustry, economy and honesty, and became useful and respected members of society.

Mrs. Gray received a thorough English education, and began teaching school when about eighteen years of age. In September, 1866, she came to Tama county, Iowa, to visit her sister, Mrs. Rector, and in October began teaching in that neighborhood, where she was

employed for two years. She then returned to her old home. She followed teaching in all for eight years and was most successful. Her abilities in that direction being widely recognized. She then remained at home until her marriage in May, 1869, and in June she again came to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one son, -Vincent V., who was born in Tama county, Iowa, August 27, 1871, and is a grad- uate of the high -school of Adel, and a student in the Indianola College. He was baptized in his infancy and was reared in the church, and became a member when only twelve years of age. He has always remained a consistent Christian, active and prominent in church work and is a member of the Epworth League, the Young Men's Christian Association and the In- dependent Order of Good Templars. He has been a most earnest worker in the Sunday- school, and served as its secretary and treasurer when his father was superintendent.

In the fall of 1874 Mr. Gray sold his prop- erty in Tama county and purchased 160 acres of wild land in Colfax township, Dallas county, -the farm upon which he now re- sides. He has, however extended its bound- aries by the additional purchase of eighty acres, and is to-day the owner of 240 acres of very valuable and productive land, constituting one of the fine farms of this section of the State.

Mr. Gray zealously advocates the princi- ples of the People's party. He has filled vari- ous local offices in the township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all con- cerned, and is widely recognized as a public- spirited and progressive citizen. He holds a membership in the Grand Army Post, and is actively interested in school and church work, doing all in his power to advance the cause of education. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are very prominent and active in its work. Mr. Gray has served as Sunday-school superintendent, and his life has been filled with good deeds that are worthy of emulation. Mrs. Gray is a refined and cultured woman, and, like her

830

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

husband, delights in doing good, especially ready to extend a helping hand to the poor, the needy or distressed. She early became a member of the church, and her consistent life is a strong argument in favor of Christianity.

ICHARD CONLAY KENNELLEY, the popular Sheriff of Guthrie county, Iowa, is a native of the Keystone State, born in Mifflin county on the 6th of April, 1845, to Alex and Rosanna (Con- lay) Kennelley, both of Irish lineage. The parents also were born in Mifflin county, where they passed away, the father in 1882, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother in 1892, at the age of eighty-one. Of the nine children born to them only three now survive, namely : John, the eldest of the family, lives in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and is filling the position occupied by his father until his death, -that of repairing the turnpike and keeping the toll-gate; Daniel is a farmer and carpenter of Clarion county, Pennsylvania; and Richard Conlay completes the list of those living. Mary Jane, Sarah Elizabeth and Doubaline are all deceased; Samuel, who was a Lieuten- ant in the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsyl- vania Regiment, died from the effects of service; Alexander, who was an invalid all his life, died at the age of twenty-six; and James J. died at the age of nineteen years. Daniel was also a soldier during the Civil war.

Mr. Kennelley, whose name introduces this review, learned the ax-maker's trade, at which he worked for about four years. He was thus employed when his brother John was drafted for service in the Civil war, when our subject, recognizing that he could be spared more easily than his married brother, promptly offered himself as a substitute. He became a member of Company K, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving with the Ninth Army Corps under General B. F. Butler. He was stationed in the vicinity of Petersburg and at Berinuda Hundred, and participated in the battle of Fort Steadman and Petersburg,

where he received a severe wound in the head, in consequence of which he was unconscious for three days, but finally recovered. He was unable, however, for further military service, and as his term of service was for one year he was mustered out in June, 1865. He witnessed the grand review of the armies at Washington after the close of the war. On account of the injuries sustained, he now receives a small pension.

Soon after returning home, Mr. Kennelley went to Clinton county, Pennsylvania, where he resumed work in an ax factory located at Lock Haven, but being unable to stand the work in the shops he decided to come West, reaching Stewart, Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1880. There he served for nine years as City Marshal, holding that position at the time of his election to the office of Sheriff in 1893, and was renominated by acclamation for a second term on the 15th of June, 1895. The county being strongly Republican, a -nomina- tion by that party is almost equivalent to an election. As a public official he gives gen . eral satisfaction, and as a citizen is held in the highest regard.

In his native State, in 1866, Mr. Kennelley was united in marriage with Miss Catherine E. Trevilyan, also born in Pennsylvania. Her father was a native of England, while her mother's birth occurred in the Keystone State. Mr. and Mrs. Kennelley have one son, William A., who was born January 16, 1868, and mar- ried Miss Maggie Mckay, a native of Illinois, whose parents now reside at Atlantic, Iowa. One child has been born of this union,- Richard Hugh, -who is now eighteen months old.

Mr. Kennelley is identified with several civic societies, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic, the first and last of which he joined in Pennsylvania. He has served as Past Chancellor Commander of Lin- coln Lodge, No. 59, K. of P .; Past Commander of Maxwell Post, No. 14, G. A. R .; and Past

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 131

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