Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 152

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

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For a number of years Mr. Sines was iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but now has his membership with the Presby- terians. He casts his franchise with the Re- publican party, has always taken an intelli- gent interest in public affairs, and by his sup- port of worthy enterprises has shown himself to be a public-spirited man, but has never sought or held office.

ILLIAM D. MILLIGAN, attorney and counselor at law, Guthrie Cen- ter, Iowa, is a young man who has but recently identified himself with the interests of this place, but is one who is fitted, both by education and natural ability, to become a prominent factor in its legal ranks.

Mr. Milligan was born at Albany, Wiscon- sin, December 12, 1867, son of William H.

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and Mattie (Dolsen) Milligan, and lived in his native State until August, 1876. At that time he accompanied his grandmother to Iowa, lo- cating first at Cedar Rapids, and removing soon after to Shellsburg, Benton county. The most of his life has been spent among strang- ers. At Shellsburg he learned the trade of harness-maker, working for the same man five years, a part of that time attending school. He also attended school there before he began to work at that trade. From Shellsburg he returned to Cedar Rapids, where he did jour- neyman work for one year. Then he accepted a position as traveling salesman, and for three years was on the road, representing the house of John Thomas, dealer in saddlery and hard- ware, Cedar Rapids.

His inclination, however, was toward a professional life, and he chose the law. In the office of Pascal & Armentrout at De Witt, Iowa, he began the study of law, and subse- quently entered the law department of the State University of Iowa, where he graduated with the class of 1891. Immediately after his graduation he practiced one year at Cedar Rapids, and then became associated in prac- tice with his former tutors, Pascal & Armen- trout, at Clinton, the firm having offices at both Clinton and De Witt. After two years this partnership was dissolved, but he remained in their employ a year longer. In May, 1895, he opened his present office in Guthrie Center. He has a valuable library of both standard and professional books, does a general law and col- lection business, and has established a fair practice for the few months he has been located here. Mr. Milligan is a talented young man of pleasing address, has an excellent command of language, and is a speaker far above the aver- age. He starts out with fair prospects for success in his chosen profession.

Fraternally, he has a membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Guthrie Center, and the Royal Arcanum at Cedar Rapids. Also he is a member of the Sons of Veterans. Politically, he acts with the Republican party. While in De Witt he served as City Attorney,

resigning that office on his removal to Guthrie Center. September 3, 1893, he was married in De Witt, to Miss Georgia Williams, a native of Iowa, and a graduate of the De Witt high school. Both Mr. Milligan and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have been active workers in the same for several years. While in De Witt he was Sab- bath-school Superintendent and she a Sabbath- school teacher.

In conclusion, we would refer briefly to Mr. Milligan's grandparents. His paternal grand- father, Dr. Samuel Milligan, was for many years one of the prominent physicians of Cedar Rapids, he having removed to Iowa from Ohio in the year 1856. Late in life he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he died. The Milligans are of Irish origin. Grandfather Dolsen, the father of Mr. Milligan's mother, was a native of Canada and of French descent. He witnessed the building of Commodore Perry's fleet on Lake Erie during the war of 1812. He was one of the first settlers of De- troit, Michigan, and subsequently removed from there to Janesville, Wisconsin, in Mich- igan and Wisconsin being for many years en- gaged in civil engineering and contracting, also doing some work in Illinois. He built the first dam across Rock river in Illinois, and in payment of a balance due for his service at that place received 3,000 silver dollars. Late in life he went out to western Kansas and took a homestead claim, which he improved, but returned to Wisconsin, and at Albany spent his last days, dying there at the age of eighty- seven years. In his religious belief he was a Spiritualist.

J OHN HENRY CARTER. -- He who makes a visit to the town of Waukee, Iowa, and has the pleasure of a drive through its streets, is sure to have pointed out to him the handsome and com- modious residence of John Henry Carter, one of the most enterprising and influential men of the place.

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RECORD OF IOWA.

He was born in Monck county, Canada, July 19, 1857, and is of English origin, being a descendant on his mother's side of Ann Body, a native of London; and on his father's, of Christopher Carter, who was born in Notting- ham, England. His parents moved to Canada when young and settled on a farm in Monck county, where he was born, he being the fourth in a family of six. All of this number are liv- ing and in well-to-do circumstances, John H., however, being the only one residing in the United States. The father died at the old farmstead in Monck county, April 30, 1895, and was buried within a mile of his late home. The mother, now seventy years of age and in the enjoyment of good health, still resides there.

When a young man Mr. Carter learned the trade of brickmason, at which he worked and prospered on first coming to the United States. It was in 1876 that he came to Dallas county, Iowa, and at that time he took up his abode in Dallas Center, where he began contracting in brick work and made money rapidly. The following year, 1877, he invested his savings in one of Dallas county's best farins, and a few years later bought an adjoining farm, the two together comprising 240 acres. He con- tinued contracting until 1884, when he sold his business and moved to his farm, and the next four years gave his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, in connection with which he also bought and sold stock and grain. In the meantime he increased his landed estate by the purchase of eighty-nine acres in Marion county, and now has a total of 409 acres, divided into four farms. On one of these farms he owns a half interest in the stock. In 1888 he rented his home place and moved to Waukee, and here he built for himself and family their beau- tiful home, which is the pride of the good peo- ple of the town as well as its fortunate owner. It is modern throughout, and its finishings and furnishings and all its surroundings give evi- dence of the culture and refinement of Mr. Carter and his family, for wealth alone can not supply what a refined taste does.

After moving to town Mr. Carter increased and extended his deals in grain and stock until now he is rated among the heaviest buyers and dealers in this part of Dallas county. It is his intention to erect this fall a large elevator at Waukee and thus afford facility for the han- dling of a larger amount of grain. An enter- prise of this kind would be of untold value to the people of the town and surrounding country. Mr. Carter has always taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the town, and any enterprise or movement which he believes to be for the good of the commu- nity is sure to find in him a hearty supporter. Politically, he is an intelligent and enthusiastic Republican, well posted in the doings of his party, but in no sense of the word is he a poli- tician. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, maintaining a membership in Lodge No. 401, of which during 1894 he served as Keeper of Records and Seals. His church relation is with the Methodists, and in this faith he is rearing his family.

Mr. Carter was married January 24, 1883, to Miss Susan C. Wills, who was born and reared in Monck county, Canada, the date of her birth being May 19, 1861. Her parents, George Wills, Esq., and Catherine, nee Dunn, were likewise born and reared in Monck coun- ty, Canada, where they spent their lives. Mr. Wills was a born huntsinan, was a prominent man in his day, having served as Consul for nine years, and after three-score years of act -. ive and useful life passed away July 29, 1880. His wife died December 11, 1891, at the age of sixty-four. Both are buried within three miles of the old home in which they had lived so long and happily. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have four children living, namely: Alva Bur- ton, born February 21, 1884; Annie Catha- rine, October 3, 1886; George Christopher, May 5, 1887; and John Wills, November 17, 1893. They have two deceased, viz .: Roy, born August 15, 1888, and Letha, March 14, 1890, the date of the former's death being June 7, 1889, and that of the latter December 14, 1 890.

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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL

3 OHN J. MORAIN, a retired farmer and mnuch respected citizen residing in the village of Adel, Iowa, is a native of Ohio. He was born April 26, 1832, son of John and Betsey (Outon) Morain, and the second in their family of five children. His ancestors were among the early settlers of this country and his grandparents were natives of Virginia. When only thirteen years old he was bereft of a mother's loving care, her death occurring in Illinois; and his father, who was born February 28, 1808, died in Henry county, Iowa, May 31, 1861.

His father a farmer, the subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days on a farm. Soon after his mother's death he left home to make his own way in the world, and as soon as he was old enough he secured employment as a farm hand, being thus occupied for about six years. In the fall of 1854 he came to Iowa and settled in Dallas township, Dallas county, where he entered 200 acres of land. Here he built a house, broke about ten acres of the soil, and then sold out. In the mean- time he was married. After disposing of this place he lived on rented land about ten years, five years of this time in Illinois. Returning to Iowa in October, 1866, he bought fifty acres of land in Dallas township, which, two years later, he exchanged for another farm near by, in the same township. After an- other two years had passed he bought seventy- « five acres still nearer Adel, to which by subse- quent purchase he added eighty acres more, making a fine farm. Here he lived and pros- pered, carrying on general farming and stock- raising, until the present year, 1895, when he rented his land, bought a home in Adel and retired from the active labors of the farın.

Mr. Morain was married April 13, 1856, to Miss Nancy A. Ganoe, a native of Cham- paign county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Mary (Adkins) Ganoe, pioneers of Illinois and also of Iowa, having come to the latter State in 1854. John Ganoe died October 21, 1887, and Mary Ganoe died August 22, 1881, both in Dallas county. They had one child

that died in infancy and four of their sons and five daughters are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Morain have had three children, only one of whom is living, -Mary E.,-who was born March 19, 1868, and was married March 18, 1885, to Mr. A. Loehr, a real-estate dealer of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Loehr have two children, Lela Mere and Leon Lexas. Of the two deceased, we record that their names were Arminda and Alice. Arminda was born March 26, 1857, and died at the age of three years, six months and sixteen days. Alice was born March 28, 1859, and died July 31, 1891. She was the wife of R. T. Williams, a farmer of this county, and left two children, Joseph Vernon and Thomas S.

Mr. Morain cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and has ever since given his sup- port to the Republican party. He takes an interest in local affairs and has filled some minor offices. For ten years he has been a member of the County Agricultural Society, most of the time serving as Marshal of the day. He and his wife attend the services of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

3 AMES P. STEELE, County Attorney of Madison county, Iowa, and a resi- dent of Winterset, is one of the leading citizens of this place. He comes of good old Irish stock and is a native of Ohio, the State which has furnished many of the most prosperous and enterprising men in our Western towns and cities.

Mr. Steele was born near West Union, in Adams county, Ohio, March 13, 1848, son of William L. and Anna (Johnson) Steele. His father was a native of the Emerald Isle and his mother of Ohio. William L. Steele was a farmer by occupation, and continued to reside in Adams county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1854. The mother of our subject still survives, and at this writing re- sides in Galesburg, Illinois. James P., the eldest of their three children, passed the first eleven years of his life on a farm in his native

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county, and at that age accompanied his mother and family to Sparta, Illinois. After attend- ing the Monmouth high school for a time he entered Monmouth College, at which institu- tion he graduated with the class of 1873. Fol- lowing that he took up the study of law, and in the fall of 1875 was admitted to the bar at Winterset, Iowa. Here he immediately after entered upon the practice of law, for three years being in partnership with Byram Leon- ard, and after that for one year with Hon. Frederick Mott. In 1889 he became asso- ciated in practice with C. A. Robbins, under the firm name of Steele & Robbins, and con- tinues to do a large business, practicing in all the courts of the State. In 1894 he was the choice of the Republicans of Madison county for the office of County Attorney, was duly elected, and January 1, 1895, assumed the duties of this position, having been elected for a term of two years. As a lawyer he has gained an enviable reputation, and the people of Madison county have displayed good judg- ment in their choice of him for the important office of County Attorney.

Mr. Steele is the owner of a fine farm within three miles of Winterset, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. On this farm he has for some years made a specialty of fine stock, keeping registered shorthorn cattle and a high grade of sheep.

Mr. Steele was married in 1878 to Miss Clara L. Whitmore, daughter of Hamilton Whitmore, and they have two children, Anna L. and Byram W. Both Mr. and Mrs. Steele are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Winterset.

HOMAS STEVENS .- Among Dallas county's leading agriculturists and prominent citizens none are more closely identified with the growth and best interests of the county than Mr. Stevens. He is one of the honored pioneers of this sec- tion, having arrived here when the country was still in its primitive condition, wild game of all

kinds abounding; and, settling in the timber at the edge of the prairie, he developed a fine farm. He suffered all the hardships and pri- vations incident to life on the frontier, and to the early settlers the present generation owes a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. Mr. Stevens started out in life for himself without financial aid, and secured a start by entering land for his father-in-law, who gave him half of the same for his labors.

Our subject was born in Washington county, Ohio, on the 14th of December, 1822, and is a son of Hanson and Elizabeth (John- son) Stevens, the former a native of Virginia. During the war of 1812 the parents removed to Ohio, where they passed away at about the age of eighty years .. In their family were thirteen children, eight sons and five daugh- ters, but our subject and one brother are now the only survivors.

Reared to manhood in the usual manner of farmer boys, Thomas Stevens assisted in the labors of the fields, and in the common schools received a very limited education. At the age of eighteen years he left the parental roof, going to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was em- ployed there for five years. At the expiration of that period he returned home, and during the following winter attended a private school. He first set foot in Iowa in 1849, at which time he located in Des Moines, where he worked at his trade in a sawmill, the first in that city, though there was one other on the river. Eighteen months later Mr. Stevens came to his present home, taking up 160 acres of Government land. His first home here was a little log cabin, 12 x 14 feet. He has since carried on agricultural pursuits with the ex- ception of one year, when he worked at his trade in Adel. He has now one of the best improved places of the county, its neat ap- pearance indicating the thrift and progressive spirit of the owner.

On the 4th of April, 1850, Mr. Stevens was married to a lady who was born in Illi- nois, July 5, 1833, and died in Dallas county,

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April 3, 1862. Six children were born of that union, four of whom yet abide: George, who is married and has five children; Melisa Stevens, who is married and has three children; Will- iam, who is married and also has three chil. dren; Alonzo Stevens, who also is married; Ida Stevens, deceased, whom two children still sur- vive; and Porter Stevens, deceased. Mr. Ste- vens was again married October 8, 1863, his second union being with Nancy Henderson, a daughter of Robert and Letty Henderson. They became the parents of six children: Olis Stevens, now deceased; Thomas, who is mar- ried and has two children, one now deceased; Mary Stevens, who is married and has four children, one deceased; Letty and Maud, both married; and Charles, the youngest.

Since casting his first presidential vote for James K. Polk, Mr. Stevens has supported the men and measures of the Democratic party. In all his relations he has shown rare good judgment, and by his fine personal qualities and his straightforward deportment he both merits and receives universal esteem. He is a consistent member and faithful worker in the Christian Church.

ZRA W. MILLER, one of the highly esteemed agriculturists of Dallas coun- ty, was born in Fountain county, In- diana, October 25, 1839, and is a son of John and Catherine (Blaine) Miller. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject died on the ocean while crossing the Atlantic to the New World. The grandfather, John Miller, was a native of Germany, and during his boy- hood came to the United States. His death occurred in Ohio at a very advanced age. The father of our subject, John Miller, was a na- tive of Pickaway county, Ohio, and had one uncle, who served in the war of 1812 as a cav- alryman. In the State of his nativity John Miller married Catherine Blaine, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, and came of the same family as the eminent statesman, James G. Blaine. In an early day they removed to In-

diana, and in the fall of 1856 to Iowa, locating in Polk county, where the father had purchased a partially improved farm, and continued its cultivation during the greater part of his life. His death occurred there when he was aged eighty-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are yet living.

Mr. Miller of this review accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He re- mained at home until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when on the 31st of July, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops and joined Company B, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, under Captain C. J. Clark. He was in all the engagements and skirmishes in which his command participated until after the battle of Mobile, with the exception of about ten days, when he served on detached duty, having charge of some prisoners. He served as Color Guard during the last eighteen months of his service. He was always faithful to the trust reposed in him and loyally defended the old flag until after the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Galveston, Texas, and received an honorable discharge at Davenport, in 1865. Seven buckshot holes through his coat constituted all the touch of Rebel lead he ever received.

Mr. Miller then returned to his old home in Polk county, Iowa, and in 1869 was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Leggett, a na- tive of Licking county, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Younger) Leggett, the former born in Virginia, the latter in Ken- tucky. In 1854 they cast in their lot with the early settlers of Polk county, Iowa, where their remaining days were passed, the father dying at the age of forty-nine, the mother when seventy-five years of age. Of their seven children, six are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a family of ten children, of whom nine are now living and are yet under the parental roof.

Upon his marriage, Mr. Miller purchased in Beaver township, Dallas county, a half sec-

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RECORD OF IOWA.

tion of land, in connection with his brother. He now has 160 acres of rich and arable land, constituting one of the finest farms of the county. He first built upon it a one-story frame house, 14 x 20 feet, which he made his hone until 1885, when he erected his present commodious residence. He planted the seed from which have grown the fine trees upon his place, and all the improvements seen there stand as monuments to his thrift and enter- prise. He deserves great credit for his success in life and may well be termed a self-made man.

In politics, Mr. Miller was first a Repub- lican, afterward joined the People's party, and is now an independent Populist. He was a candidate on that ticket for the office of County Treasurer. Socially, he is connected with Guthrie Post, G. A. R., of which he is Past Commander. He takes an active part in all good work, and he and his wife and six of the children hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodward. He is a man of sound judgment and good business ability. who has won success as the result of earnest labor and honest dealing, and with his family he is held in the highest regard by all.

e DWARD L. NESSELROAD, the popular Postmaster of Guthrie Cen- ter, is a native of Jackson county, Virginia, born at Ravenswood, August 17, 1854, and in his native State was reared to manhood. His parents, Israel and Mar- garet (Durrenberger) Nesselroad, were born in the Old Dominion in 1820, the father on the Ist of July, and the mother on the 4th of the same month. The former is of Russian de- scent, though the family was established in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, over a century ago; and the latter is of German lineage. They now make their home in West Virginia. In their family were seven sons and two daugh- ters, but three sons and one daughter are now deceased. Shelton, the eldest, is a farmer of Jackson county, West Virginia, and also op-

erates a blacksmith shop. In early life he was

Deputy Sheriff. Our subject is the next in

order of birth. Franklin was a steamboat- man by occupation, following the Ohio river, but while temporarily employed on a traction engine was killed in a wreck August 28, 1894. Christopher has for several consecutive years been employed as a teacher at Nesselroad, which station was named in honor of the family, of which he is a representative. Peter is a farmer of his native county. Melissa, the youngest of the family, is now the wife of E. R. McGugin, a hardware merchant of Ravens- wood, West Virginia. The children were all liberally educated and compose a highly re- spected family.

Mostly at the schools of his native county did Mr. Nesselroad of this sketch pursue his studies, and in 1877 came to Guthrie county, where he engaged in farming in Seeley town- ship. He first worked as a hired hand for two years and a half for one man without losing a single day. This was his first experience at ag- ricultural pursuits, and though the business was entirely new he soon developed into a suc- cessful tiller of the soil. He later attended school for a year in Wisconsin, completing a commercial course, and remained in that State a year after his graduation. In 1881 he re- turned to his former employer, and in August of that year married his daughter, Miss Jennie Nesselroad, who though bearing the same name was no relative of our subject. Her parents are C. C. and Lavina (Ivers) Nesselroad.

Mr. Nesselroad took a trip through the West, visiting Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, but finding nothing more satisfactory than Iowa he re- turned to Guthrie county and rented a farmn. After four years' cultivation of that farm he had acquired sufficient means to purchase it, and now has a fine tract of 160 acres of splendid farming land in Seeley township. Besides the operation of his own place, he leased 300 acres of speculators, froin which he derived a good revenue, all conspiring to his financial success. In 1891 Mr. Nesselroad met with an accident,

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which prevented his longer engaging in agricul- tural pursuits, though he still continued the management of his farm and made his home there. He then entered journalism and gen- eral politics, becoming correspondent for the Democratic press generally, among which was the Council Bluffs Globe. In this way he spent about four years, taking an active part in polit- ical campaigns as they occurred, and helped organize the Democracy of Guthrie county during their campaigns.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 152

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