Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 148

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

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Mr. Farnham was first married in 1872 to Miss Phoebe F. Johnson, a native of Maine and a daughter of Horace C. Johnson, a farmer of that State. She died in Charles City, De- cember 5, 1881, leaving an only child, Ralph Horace, who is now attending high school. In May, 1893, he wedded Mrs. Emma B. Coffin, nee Lower, a native of Mitchell county, Iowa, a graduate of a leading seminary, and a lady of rare culture and prominent in liter-

ary circles. She has one of the best selected and largest miscellaneous libraries in Charles City.

In his political views Mr. Farnham has ever harmonized with the Republican party. While he has never sought official honors, he has frequently been called upon to fill local positions of trust. For several years he has been Treasurer of Charles City and fifteen years has served as a member of the School Board, thirteen years of this time officiating as its president. It was under his directions that both the school buildings of the city were erected; and, indeed, too much cannot be said in praise of him for the manner in which he has pushed forward the educational interests of the town. Fraternally, he is associated with both the Knights of Pythias and the Ma- sonic order. In the former he is Past Chan- cellor. In the latter he has taken the higher degrees, including the Royal Arch and Com- mandery, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine.

J. ABBEY, the efficient County Re- corder of Fremont county, now re- siding in Sidney, is numbered among Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Manchester, Delaware county, on the 16th of November, 1866. His father, L. H. Abbey, is a native of Ohio, having been born near Cleveland about sixty-three years ago. The grandfather, George Abbey, was born in Vermont, but for many years has followed farming in Ohio, and is now living at Wilson's Mill, that State. He had a large family, but his children are now widely scattered, living in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. L. H. Abbey was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth McManus, who was born in New York city. After seven years' residence in Manches- ter, Iowa, he removed to Fremont county, and established a mercantile store in Knox, where he still carries on business. To the parents of our subject were born five children: Henry W .; Stella E., wife of W. M. Neeley; Carrie B.,

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wife of E. Drew; L. J., of this sketch; and Kittie M., now the wife of Grant Yates, of Atchison county, Missouri. With the excep- tion of the last named all are still living in Fremont county, as are the parents.

In his father's home our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth. The first seven years of his life were passed in Delaware county, and he then came with the family to this county, where he has since lived. He ac- quired his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and completed it by a course in the Normal School in Holton, Kan- sas. He laid aside his text-books in 1889 and with them the freedom of boyhood, and entered upon the sterner duties of life that come to all when they have passed the thresh- old that leads from boyhood to manhood. In 1889 he joined his father in business and con- tinued to aid him in the store for the next six years. He also served as Postmaster of Knox during that time. In the fall of 1894 he was nominated for the position of County Recorder against two competitors, and was triumphantly elected with a majority of 205, although for the past two years the county had been Demo- cratic, and Mr. Abbey is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the party princi- ples. The confidence reposed in him is not misplaced, for he is faithfully and conscien- tiously performing his duty and is a capable official.

On the 26th of June, 1885, Mr. Abbey was united in marriage with Miss Jessie E., daugh- ter of C. H. Polk, a prosperous farmer of Fre- mont county, whose family numbered three children, the others being Jennie and Wayne. Mr. Abbey is a valued mamber of the Odd Fellows Society, and is now serving as District Deputy Grand Master.

J OHN H. PORTER. - This gentleman is one who stands well to the front ainong the leading farmers of central Iowa. He was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, April 4, 1844, his parents being

James A. and Ann (Johnson) Porter, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom is still living and the latter is deceased. His father is a stone-mason by trade, but has been engaged in agricultural pursuits the most of his life. In the Porter family were thirteen chil- dren, of whom four sons and two daughters are yet living. John H. was reared to farm life and remained with his parents until attain- ing the age of twenty-one years, at which time he went to Illinois. There, a year later, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda F. Stewart, who was born and reared in the same county in which he was, she being a daughter of Alexander H. and Sarah (Sherrick) Stewart. Her father died in Pennsylvania and her mother is still living in Stark county, Illinois. January 30, 1895, she was eighty-three years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter six children have been born, five of whom are yet living, namely: Mansell B., Cynthia B., Ola M., Ada K. and Sarah E. All are married and settled in life except the youngest. Mansell B. and his wife have one child, a daughter, and each of the other married children has a son.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Porter settled down to farming in Illinois and the following year came out to Iowa, locating in Boone county, where he purchased 160 acres of wild prairie land, the place upon which he has since maintained his residence. His first home was a small frame house, 18 x 20 feet, in which they lived until 1882, when he built his present modern and commodious residence, at a cost of $2,000. This is one of the prettiest rural homes in all the country round, and its surroundings and furnishings at once give evi- dence of the culture and refinement as well as the wealth of the owner and his family. Mr. Porter has added to his original holdings until now his farm comprises 240 acres, and is as fine a country place as there is to be found in the State.

Politically, he casts his franchise and influ- ence with the Democratic party. He has been the choice of his fellow citizens for numerous

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township offices, and to whatever position he has been elected he has responded with prompt and faithful service. Mrs. Porter is a zealous and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J ACOB JENNINGS, an enterprising ag- riculturist of Dallas county, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of February, 1851. His father, Henry Jennings, became one of the honored pioneers of the Hawkeye State, having entered land in this section in 1854, and nine years later took up his abode in Dallas county. His birth occurred in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1806, and he was a son of Zebulon and Rhoda (Leslie) Jennings, who were natives of New Jersey, but early became residents of Pennsylvania. Besides being a general farmer, the father also engaged in teaching and accu- mulated quite a considerable fortune. His landed possessions at one time amounted to 1,380 acres. He endured all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier. At the age of thirty-five years he married Miss Cath- erine Brownfield, who was born in 1816, and was a daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Hitch) Brownfield, natives of the Keystone State, where they departed this life. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jen- nings, ten are still living. The mother died in Dallas Center in 1894. The father was quite prominent in public affairs, and his counsel was often sought by his many friends and ac- quaintances who esteemed him highly for his sterling worth and integrity. He passed away in Dallas county, in 1890, at the age of eighty- four years.

At Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, Jacob Jennings received a school education, while his physical training was obtained on the home farm, of which he now owns 260 acres, under a high state of cultivation and well im- proved. He carries on general farming, in which he meets with excellent success.

On the 29th of October, 1884, was cele-

brated the marriage of Mr. Jennings and Miss Lizzie Adams, a native of Peoria county, Illi- nois, and a daughter of William and Sarah Adams, who met with excellent success as a teacher in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa for several years before this alliance. Three children have come to bless this union, - -Ida Bernice, Catherine and Sarah W.

Mr. Jennings cast his first vote for General Grant when he ran for his second term, and has ever since supported the Republican party. He avoids politics generally and endeavors to live so as to win the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He takes quite an active part in church and Sunday- school work, being a member of the Presbyte- rian Church.

NDREW MILLIGAN is the owner of one of the finest farms of Dallas county, Iowa. It contains 240 acres of rich land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and yields to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. In appear- ance it is neat and thrifty and well indicates the supervision of Mr. Milligan. On the place is a large orchard, containing all of the varie- ties of fruits that are raised in Iowa. The grain which he raises he feeds to his stock, for he raises high grades of cattle, horses and hogs, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, Poland- China hogs and road horses. His shipments are extensive and a profitable source of income to him. His business affairs are managed with ability and dispatch and his perseverance and energy have brought to him a good reward in the shape of a handsome competence.

Andrew Milligan was born on the 23d of July, 1853, in Wigtonshire, Scotland, which was the birthplace of all of his ancestors. There his early childhood was passed and he attended school until seventeen years of age, when he bade adieu to his native land and crossed the Atlantic to America. He made his way direct to Iowa, and at once sought

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work, which he obtained on a farm near Brooklyn, in Poweshiek county. He had to borrow the money which brought him to America and when he left his native land it was his intention to seek a home in Australia; but his funds being exhausted he secured work as before stated and for four years was em- ployed as a farm hand. During that time he had become warmly attached to the United States and cared not to leave it. Out of the small salary which he earned he paid off all in- debtedness and saved enough to purchase a farm of eighty acres. For seven years he con- tinued its cultivation and improvement and then sold out, removing to Brooklyn, where for nine years he was engaged in the purchase and sale of horses, making this a profitable business. He then bought his present fine farm, of which he may be justly proud, for the property and its improvements are as a monu- ment to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Milligan exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the Republican party, but has never had aspirations for political office. He is now serving, however, as president of the School Board and has taken a deep inter- est in the cause of education. His home life has been very pleasant. He was married on the 28th of December, 1875, to Miss Rebecca C. Miller, who was born in Delaware county, Indiana, and reared in Poweshiek county. Her parents and grandparents were all natives of Virginia. Their union has been blessed with two children: Genevra Blanche, born August 10, 1877; and Clifford Raymond, born July 19, 1889.

ARTIN W. VARNER, a highly re- spected citizen of Colfax township, Dallas county, who for some years has been connected with the agricultural interests of Iowa, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 12th of July, 1824, and descends from German and English ancestry. The members of the fam- ily were farming people, successful and pros-

perous, and well spent lives won them high re- gard. The grandfather, Martin Varner, was a native of Virginia, as was his wife, and on leaving that State they emigrated to Ohio, casting their lot among the pioneer settlers of the State. The father of our subject, John Varner, was born in the Old Dominion, and accompanied his parents on their removal to the Buckeye State. There he entered a claim and transformed the wild land into a well de- veloped farm, upon which he spent his re- maining days, dying at the age of eighty-four. He wedded Mary Weekly, who was born in Ohio and died on the old home farm when about seventy-three years of age. In their family were nine children, all living except the youngest, who was killed at the battle of Champion Hill while supporting the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, knowing that it will prove of in- terest to many of our readers, for he has a wide acquaintance in his adopted State. His educational privileges were meager. He at- tended the district and subscription schools, pursuing his lessons while sitting on a rough wooden bench in an old log school-house. He was reared to habits of industry and frugality on the old home farm and remained with his parents during the greater part of the time until his marriage. In 1846 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Maloney, and by their union were born six children, three of whom are deceased. The mother was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and died in her na- tive State, after which Mr. Varner was again married, his second union being with Miss Lu- celia R. Prosser, a native of Ohio, who died in Tama county, Iowa, in 1891. Four chil- dren were born of that marriage.

Mr. Varner carried on agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye State until the spring of 1865, when he sold his property there and came to Iowa, purchasing a farm in Tama county, which he owned and operated until 1891. He then sold out there and purchased a small tract of land on which he now lives retired, en-

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joying the fruits of his foriner toil. He has a fine home and valuable property, and has ac- quired a competence which will supply his de- clining years with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. On attaining his majority he allied himself with the Whig party, in 1856 supported John C. Fremont, and has since been a stalwart advocate of Republican prin- ciples. He and his family attend the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is a man of domestic tastes, fond of his home, and has high regard for all with whom he has come in contact. His life is unmarked by events of thrilling interest, but is that of a man who has done his duty by himself, his neighbor and his country, and valuable lessons may be learned therefrom.

J AMES G. BRIGGS is one of the most prominent residents of Dallas county, Iowa, a recognized leader in political circles, and a progressive farmer, living on section 12, Walnut township. His parents were Lemuel and Mary Ann (Watterman) Briggs. The father was reared on a farm in Morgan county, Ohio, and in the year 1845 removed with his family to Peoria county, Illi- nois, where our subject was born. The family numbered nine children, of whom he was the. youngest. When he was a youth of eight years his parents came to Dallas county, Iowa, mak- ing the journey with four other families in prairie schooners. This was the spring of 1855. In the fall of the following year the Indians went upon the war path and the peo- ple in this section of the State were obliged to flee to the fort of Des Moines for protection.

When Mr. Briggs was a lad of five years his mother died, and when he was eleven years old his father broke up housekeeping. Thrown thus upon his own resources he began life's battles unaided. His life has been one of in- dustry and enterprise, and the success that he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. He attended the public schools in Illinois for some time and completed his literary educa-

tion by study in the College of Sheffield, Illi- nois. He then laid aside his text-books and took up life's practical duties, there to learn the harder lessons in the school of experience. His resolute purpose and indomitable energy have overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path, and he is to-day the owner of a very valuable farm on section 12, Walnut township, Dallas county. It is highly improved and is well stocked, a specialty being made of the raising of Hereford cattle, of which he has a large herd.

On the 8th of March, 1870, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Lucy E. Carpenter, a native of Vermont. They now have four liv- ing children, the eldest of whom is Marshall R., born January 30, 1872; Frank W., born June 14, 1873, was married May 2, 1894, to Miss Beulah M. McLain, of Polk county, Iowa; Dorcas C., born February 16, 1875, is attend- ing Drake University, of Des Moines; and Lucy E., born April 13, 1878, completes the family. They also lost one son, James G., who died February 9, 1888.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Briggs hold a member .. ship in the Methodist Church. In politics he takes a very active part, and is the recognized leader of his party in Dallas county. He was born a Democrat, but was reared a Republican, and supported that party until after the second election of General Grant, when he joined the Populist party, or what was then known as the Granger party. In fact, he was one of its organizers, and is proud of having taken an active part in the "landslide " of 1873, when his party had control of the Iowa State Legis- lature. Principle, not party, was their motto, and this sentiment Mr. Briggs has ever fol- lowed in his political life, placing the country and its best interests above personal prefer- ment. He was nominated by the Greenback party for County Supervisor, and though he ran far ahead of his ticket his party was too greatly in the minority to win the election. . He was also its candidate for the Legislature in 1891, but again met defeat, owing to the same cause. In June, 1895, he was tendered the

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nomination of Lieutenant Governor on the Populist ticket, but on account of failing health, which unfitted him for campaign work, he was obliged to decline the honor. He served as Justice of the Peace during 1872-3, was Township Trustee, and for seventeen years was Township Treasurer. His long continued service well indicates his fidelity to duty. He has ever been true to duty in all the relations of life, whether political, public or private, and is a man of thorough reliability, of sterling worth and very popular, being highly esteemed by a large circle of 'friends, which is limited only by the circle of his acquaintances.

a HARLES G. MARTIN, who for twenty-two years has been numbered among the merchants of Bedford, is one of the most progressive and en- terprising citizens in this section of the State. He has been a liberal contributor to all enter- prises calculated to benefit the community, and has been the promoter of various under- takings which have advanced the material welfare and the interests of education and morality.

Mr. Martin is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, his birth having occurred July 19, 1854, in that city. His parents both died during his infancy, the family was therefore separated and our subject was adopted by E. C. Martin, now a resident of Bedford, whom he will ever gratefully remember for the care shown him in his youth. His father was James Gray, a gentleman of Irish birth, who followed book- keeping as a means of livelihood. His mother bore the maiden name of Mary McDonough, and was. also a native of the Emerald Isle. Their living children are Thomas Gray, of Cincinnati; Mrs. Mary Glasby, also of that city; Charles G., of this review; and P. B. Gray, of Minnesota.

Our subject was given the name of his benefactor on his adoption, and in 1865, when eleven years of age, he accompanied his foster parents to Illinois, the family residing near 59

Peoria for about three years. They then came to Iowa, settling in Taylor county. In the public schools of Peoria and Bedford, Charles Martin acquired his education and was thereby · fitted for the practical duties of business life. At the age of fifteen he began making his own way in the world, securing a clerkship with E. Sweeney, of Bedford, with whom he remained two years. Possessed with the spirit of ad- venture, characteristic of most boys, he then left home and joined a party that was about to cross the plains. After thirty-five days of travel he reached Pueblo, Colorado; but life in the West furnished not the attractions that he supposed. He was sorely disappointed when he could find no steady employment save that of shoveling on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, then in process of construction, and consequently, with the next wagon train, he started to return with four others, one of whom was F. E. Lewis, of Bedford. On reaching Lawrence, Kansas, he had but twenty-five cents remaining; so he secured a clerkship in the hardware store of C. A. Pease, for whom he worked for a year. On the expiration of that period he again came to Bedford and en- tered the employ of the popular firm of Evans & Goodsill, in whose service he remained for five years. During that time he thoroughly mastered the business in every detail, and was therefore well fitted to carry on operations along the same line in his own interest.

In 1882 Mr. Martin became a member of the firm of Martin & Turner, which did an ex- tensive business as hardware merchants until January, 1893, when he entered into partner- ship with Mr. Moody, that connection continu- ing until his retirement from the trade on the ist of March, 1895. He was one of the most successful and best known hardware merchants in southwestern Iowa. He always carried a large and well assorted stock, and his straight- forward dealings, courteous treatment and earnest desire to please his patrons secured him a very liberal patronage.

There is no citizen in Bedford who has taken a more active or beneficial interest in the

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upbuilding of this part of the State. He has been very liberal in his donations to enter- prises effecting the public welfare, beginning · with the raising of a $10,000 fund to secure the location of the county seat at Bedford; he also aided in the erection of every church from Bedford to the Missouri State line. Up to the time of his retirement from mercantile pursuits he never sought or desired public office; his support, however, was given the Republican party, and when he was free from business cares he was chosen by its members to the office of County Treasurer, to which he was elected in November, 1895. The confidence reposed in him will never be misplaced, and he is discharging his official duties with the same commendable uprightness that won him so many friends during his business career.

On the 27th of August, 1887, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Con- nett, a most estimable lady, and in this con- nection it will be interesting to note something of the life history of her father, Dr. M. C. Connett. He was born in Madison, Indiana, in 1837, and fitting himself for the practice of medicine in early life by a course of four years in Cincinnati, being graduated there in 1858, he was for thirty-four years an eminent and successful member of the profession.

On the first call for troops he responded and joined the "boys in blue " of Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry. He was in the first battle of the war at Phillippi, Virginia, and later the battle of Carnick's Ford, where the first rebel general, Garnett, was killed, and where he captured the rebel flag, July 14, 1861. When his first term of three months had ex- pired the Doctor returned to his home, but it was only for a short time. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism that he would not and could not resist, he again joined the army, raising a company, which was mustered in as Company E, Thirty-seventh Indiana Infantry, with the Doctor in command, holding the rank of Captain. He led his troops in many a gal- lant charge, inspiring and encouraging them by his presence and his words. In 1862 he was

badly wounded while guarding a bridge in Alabama with fifty of his men. The enemy far out-numbered his own troops, many of whom were wounded while seven of the num- ber were killed. At length the valiant little band was forced to surrender, but after two months of captivity Captain Connett was ex- changed. He served in the battle of Stone River in the winter of 1862, at which time his old wounds broke out afresh on account of the exposure, and he was obliged to resign. He was then commissioned by Governor Morton as Assistant Surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry,-afterward the Eighth Indiana Cav- alry. He acted, however, most of the time as Surgeon, for his superior officer was captured and held prisoner for nearly a year. He was always with his regiment which formed a part of Kilpatrick's cavalry division, and served in the great battles of Chickamauga, Liberty Gap, through the Atlanta campaign, went with Sher- man on the celebrated March to the Sea, and on through the Carolina campaign, the cavalry being always in advance, and participated in the battles of Bentonville, Lovejoy, Raleigh and Durham Station. The Captain was pres- ent in the escort at the surrender of Jo John- ston to General Sherman at Bennett's House, North Carolina. His division was continued in the South until September, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge and returned home.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 148

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