Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 173

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

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J OHN R. McELDERRY, Auditor of Jefferson county, Iowa, and an es- teemed resident of Fairfield, is num- bered among the early settlers of this locality. He was born in the town of Carroll- ton, Carroll county, Ohio, October 16, 1840, descending from one of the Revolutionary heroes. His great-grandfather, who was a soldier in the Colonial army during the strug- gle for independence, died at Valley Forge. The grandfather, Jonathan McElderry, was of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of our sub- ject were John and Margaret (Hanna) McEl- derry, the former a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occu- pation. The latter was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, as was her father, Robert Hanna, who was of German lineage.

Our subject was the fourth in order of birth in the family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity and are now residing in Iowa excepting one brother, James L., who is a res- ident of Nebraska, and another brother, who is living in Texas. The third brother, Henry, resides in Harris county, Iowa, and the sisters are all living in this State. Our subject spent

the days of his boyhood and youth in the State of his nativity, and attended the public schools until seventeen years of age. In 1857 he ac- companied his parents on their emigration to Jefferson county, Iowa, the family locating on a farm in Fairfield township. There he re- mained, assisting in the cultivation of the fields until 1861, when aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the Gov- ernment in defense of the Union.

Mr. McElderry was assigned to Company E, Second Iowa Infantry. The regiment, commanded by Colonel S. R. Curtis, was ordered to Missouri, and spent the winter in and near St. Louis, while in the spring of 1862 it was ordered to Fort Donelson, and partici- pated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth. For nearly two years following Mr. McElderry was engaged in active service in Tennessee. In 1863 he veteranized in the same company, with which he continued until after the close of the war. During the last eighteen months he was clerk in the quartermaster's department with headquarters at Pulaski, Tennessee.

When the war was over and he received an honorable discharge, Mr. McElderry returned to his old home in Jefferson county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1878. He then left the farm and took up his residence in Fairfield, where he was employed as clerk in a law office for nearly three years. In 1892 he was elected Auditor of Jefferson county for a term of two years, and in 1894 was re-elected, so that he is now serving in that position. In politics he is an ardent Re- publican, unswerving in his support of the prin- ciples of the party, which recognizes in him an able defender. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and of Jeffer- son Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F.

On the 27th of January, 1864, Mr. Mc- Elderry was united in marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Isabella Frush, a daughter of Henry Frush, of Fairfield township, Jeffer- son county. By their union eight children have been born, five sons and three daughters, who in order of birth are named as follows :

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Georgia, now the wife of John Brown, a resi- dent of Nebraska; Edward E., deputy Auditor, of Jefferson county; Bruce R., who follows farming; Hubert, Daniel A., Arthur, Grace and Helen,-all yet at home. The family is both widely and favorably known in this lo- cality, and their friends are many. Mr. Mc- Elderry is faithfully and capably discharging the duties of his office and the fact of his re- election indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He is as true to his duties of citizenship in time of peace as in time of war, and all who know him appreciate his genuine worth and the nobility of his character.

0 ANIEL J. STORM, who has taken a prominent part in developing the wild land of this region into a tract of fertility, and thereby aided in pro- moting the material welfare of Dallas county, was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, October 22, 1844, and is a son of Daniel Storm, a native of Ross county, Ohio. The paternal grand- parents were George and Francina Storm, and their last days were spent in Keokuk, Iowa. The father of our subject, having attained to years of maturity, was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Bedwell, a native of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a daughter of James and Rachel Bedwell, who in an early day left their home in the Hoosier State and took up their residence in Iowa, their last days being spent in Louisa county.

Our subject was therefore a worthy repre- sentative of two honored pioneer families, and early became familiar with the hardships and trials that fall to the lot of the early settler, for amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared to manhood. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he began work in the fields and throughout life has carried on agricultural pursuits, giving his father the benefit of his services through his boyhood and youth. He continued at home until twenty-seven years of age, when was celebrated an important event

in his life, -his marriage to Miss Anna Jones, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. J. and Mary (Cruett) Jones, who were also born in the Buckeye State and came to Iowa about 1860. The father died in Louisa county, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife died in the same county, when forty- six years of age." Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Storin: Albert M. ; Nellie E., who is married and has one child; Mary M., George C., Minnie L. and Ollie F. With the exception of the eldest daughter, all are still under the parental roof.

For a year after his marriage Mr. Storm lived in Muscatine county, and then came to Dallas county, where he purchased 160 acres of wild land, and with characteristic energy began the development of a farm. He plowed and planted the tract, and in course of time the once almost useless prairie was trans- formed into highly cultivated fields, while the boundaries of the farm were extended by the additional purchase of 190 acres, making in all a valuable place of 450 acres. His first home was a little frame dwelling 16 x 24 feet, to which he afterward added a 22-foot addi- tion. He has now good improvements upon the place,-well kept fences, the latest im- proved machinery, and his home is a valuable property. In connection with general mixed farming he is also successfully engaged in stock-raising.

Mr. Storm, after attaining his majority, cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley, and has since allied himself with the Democratic party. His fellow citizens, appre- ciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office, and he has filled various local positions in a most creditable and acceptable manner. He contributes to the support of both the Baptist and the Methodist Churches. Both Mr. and Mrs. Storm are charitable and benevolent people, and no worthy one is ever turned from their door empty-handed, while the poor and needy recog- nize the fact that in this worthy couple they have a stanch friend. The Storm household

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is a cultured abode, where hospitality and good cheer reign supreme. Mrs. Storm is a refined and estimable lady, and with her husband shares in the high regard of many friends.

a® ILLIAM WILLIAMS is a native of England, yet among the adopted sons of this fair land of ours none are more loyal to its interests than he. His present home is now on a well-de- veloped farm in Union township, Lucas county, where he has resided since 1881. As far back as can be traced his forefathers were natives of England. His parents were William and Sarah (Lewis) Williams, who resided in Mon- mouthshire, where on the first of April, 1829, our subject opened his eyes to the light of day for the first time.

In 1849 the entire family crossed the At- lantic to America, sailing from Liverpool on the Mary Pleasant, which after a voyage of thirty days dropped anchor in the harbor of Philadelphia. From there they directed their course to Cincinnati, Ohio, near which place the father rented a large farm which he oper- ated for five years. At the end of that time he moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and pur- chased a farm, where he spent the closing years of his life, his death occurring at the age of eighty-two years. His wife lived to the ad- vanced age of ninety-two. Their family in- cluded the following named children: John, William, Ed, James, Ed, Richard and Thomas, the first Ed having died in infancy. Three of the sons, James, Richard and Thomas, were soldiers in the Union army during the late war. The parents were members of the Bap- tist Church, were people who stood high in the several communities in which they resided, and reared their children to occupy honorable and useful positions in life.

Mr. Williams of this sketch was a young man of twenty years when he came to Amer- ica. Nearly his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He remained in Ohio until 1852, when, attracted by the discovery

of gold on the Pacific slope and the rumors of fortunes there to be easily secured, he sought that far distant State, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. For three years he was engaged in ranching and mining in the Golden State, and then returned to Ohio. Soon after this he went to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where for two years he was engaged in teaming, sawmilling and farm work. His next place of residence was in McLean county, Illinois.

While living in that county Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Roberts, who has ever since shared life's joys and sorrows with him and has in every way proved a true helpmeet to her husband. She, too, was born in England, a daughter of Rich- ard and Anna (Harris) Roberts, also natives of that land. In the Roberts family were eight children, three of whom died in early child- hood, the others being Amy, William, Anna, Richard and Elizabeth.

Mr. Williams continued to reside in Illinois for four years, then disposed of his property in that State and returned to Ohio, where he spent the succeeding four years. His next re- inoval made him a resident of the Hawkeye State, with whose interests he has since been identified. He went first to Wapello county, whence he came to Lucas county and located in Warren township, where he made his home until 1881. In that year he purchased his present home and is to-day the owner of 480 acres of rich and arable land, constituting one of the best farms of the township with its well-tilled fields and many excellent improve- ments, including a two-story residence, large barn, orchard and beautiful grove. In con- nection with his agricultural pursuits Mr. Will- iams is also largely engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and hogs, and in his operations is meeting with uniform success.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of five children, namely: Charles, a resident of Union township, Lucas county; Frank, who is living in Cass county, Nebraska; Sarah, wife of John Voris, of Clark county, Iowa; John, a .

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resident of Humeston, Iowa; Nettie, who died at the age of seven years, and Lewis, seven- teen years of age, now attending school.

The parents are active members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Williams is a Republican, and has served as a member of the School Board. He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and is a public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen.

ILLIAM BARBER BROWN, a prominent and representative ag- riculturist of Dallas county, Iowa, is numbered among the honored pioneers of this section of the State. His identification with the interests of this locality covers a period of twenty-seven consecutive years, dating from the time when the greater part of the prairie was still in its primitive condition, unreclaimed by civilized man and put to the uses which yield excellent reward for labor. Mr. Brown has borne an active part in improving and developing this region and is numbered among the most highly es- teemed citizens as well as early settlers of Dal- las county.

Born in Chautauqua county, New York, on the Ioth of July, 1838, he traces his ancestry back to early days in Colonial history, when Samuel Brown lived in Rhode Island, before the period of the Revolution. He had two sons, Charles and Elijah. The former aided in the long struggle which brought to this coun- try her independence and died in Rhode Island when more than ninety years of age. The latter removed to Massachusetts when a young man and married Miss Hannah Townsend, also a representative of one of the old families of the East, her parents being Martin and Rhoda (Ingham) Townsend, who were married April 29, 1753, and trace their ancestry back to the year 1 100 A. D.

By the marriage of Elijah Brown and Miss Hannah Townsend there were two sons and

two daughters : Elijah, Nathan Townsend, Hannah and one of whom no record can be found. After the death of his first wife Elijah Brown married a Miss Jewett, who bore him four children, -Stephen, Sedgwick, Betsey and Olivia. The father died in Peters- burg, Rensselaer county, New York, in the fall of 1823, aged sixty-nine years. His son Elijah married and reared a family. The sec- ond son, Nathan Townsend, was the grand- father of our subject; Hannah, or her sister, married a Mr. Thurber; Stephen married and had two daughters; Betsey became the wife of Green Clark; and Olivia married Caleb Clark, brother of her sister's husband.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Nathan Townsend Brown, was born in Lanes- boro, Massachusetts, March 19, 1778, and dur- ing his early years removed to Petersburg, where on the Ist of January, 1800, he mar- ried Willoughby Phillips, who was born March 29, 1780. Her father, Thomas Phillips, mar- ried a Miss Jones and had two sons and five daughters, namely: Samuel, who married Miss Allen; Thomas, who wedded Polly Green; Betsey, who became the wife of a Mr. Bar- ney; two sisters who married Caleb Wells and Joel Stewart, respectively; Abigail, who mar- ried Clark Waite; and Willoughby.

To Nathan T. and Willoughby (Phillips) Brown were born five sons and three daughters. Ada, the eldest, born September 29, 1800, married Abel Peckham, in 1821, and died in June, 1894. Their children were John, Sally, Rhoda, Scott, Nelson, Ada, Joshua, Lucy, Polly, Obadiah and Halsey. Belinda, the second of the family, born March 6, 1802, be- came the wife of David Wager and died in De- cember, 1832. Her children were Henry, Ezra, Franklin and William. Daniel Gray, the third, was the father of our subject. Cor- nelia, the fourth, born in April, 1806, became the wife of Stephen Peckham, and died July 25, 1891. Their children were Dorcas, Wil- loughby, Robert, Nathan, Ellen, Clark and Arminda. Orsamus Phillips, the fifth, born July 22, 1808, was a Methodist minister and

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died in February, 1856. He was married, in April, 1835, to Orilla Ames and had one child, Mary, who became the wife of a Mr. Birchard. Martin Townsend, born March 21, 1810, and died about 1885, was married September I, 1836, to Mary Rowley, and their children are Amelia, Fred, Albert and Marcus. Josiah Quincy, the seventh of the family, born March 7, 1812, married Ursula Keith, June 9, 1836, and her death occurred December 4, 1848. He was again married April 6, 1851, to Nancy E. Waite, who died December 20, 1891, in Lee county, Illinois, where he is still living. The children of his first marriage are Nathan Lewis, residing at Long Beach, Mississippi; Albert Delos, who died at Danville, Kentucky, in the United States service during the Civil war; Henry Elverton, an engineer on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, residing at Kansas City, Mis- souri; George Riley. of Elberon, Iowa, who married Inez Clark, by whom he has two chil- dren, Franklin Quincy and Curtis. The chil- dren of the second marriage of Josiah Quincy Brown are Althetta, who married Charles Os- trander; and Adda, deceased wife of Roscoe Keith. Nathan Ingham, the eighth and young- est member of the family, was born March 17, 1822, and, in 1849 married Sophia Harte, their home being now in Albion, Iowa. The names of their children are Malvina H., Ben- jamin F., Charlotte E., Martha B., Seward F., Norman A. and Nelly A., twins, and Delie M.

The maternal ancestry of our subject can be traced back to Abel Jones, the great-grand- father, a man of Welsh origin. He married Ruth Phillips and had the following children: Samuel, who married Polly Allen, and their children were Betsey, Ruth, Mercy, Nancy, Samuel and Ida; Zolman, who married Han- nah Vorce, and their children were Lucy, Ze- riah, Anna, Susan, Delilah, Peleg, Zolman, William, Russell and John; Timothy married Lottie Vorce and their children were Ruth, Eunice, Phœbe, Nancy, Caroline, Hannah, An- nan, Luther, Garver and Russell; Josephus married and had three children, -Belinda, Barber and Ida; Abel married Nancy Emerson

and their children were Barton, Anna and Angeline; Ollins never married; Rescomb is the maternal grandfather of our subject; Han- nah became the wife of Thomas Jones and their children are Nicholas, Josiah, John, Ray, Sallie, Ruth and Margery; Nancy, the young- est of the family, married Luther Clark and had no children.

Rescomb Jones, the maternal grandfather of Willianı Barber Brown, married Susan Bailey, and their children are: Orphia, who never married; Levina, who became the wife of Oliver Jordan and had three children, - William, Perry and Aaron; Zernah, who be- came the wife of Barton Allen and the mother of six children, -Burton, Mary, Jones, Calvin, Warren and Lydia; Olive, wife of William Barber, by whom she has two children, Darius and Betsy; Emilia, the mother of our subject; James, who wedded Mary Allen and has one child, Lorenzo; Major, who married Betsey Green, their children being Marcus, Esther, Mary, George, Jane, Enoch and Charles; Schuyler, who married Polly Maxon and had several children; Norris, who married and had several children; Ebenezer, who removed to Bradford, Pennsylvania, after which all trace of him was lost; Orrin, who is also married; and Benjamin, who married Matilda Whipple and reared a family.

Susanna Bailey was a daughter of Jeremiah Bailey, who married Mercy Jones, a sister of Abel Jones. Their children were Thomas, who married Anna Whipple and has one child, Anna; Charles, who married Luna Treadwell and has three children, Ager, Aciph and Philo. Aciph, who never married; Hannah, who be- became the wife of Jacob Thurber; Abigail, who married Benjamin Crandall; Mercy, wife of Stephen Jones; and Ruth, wife of Daniel Clark. Aciph Bailey, son of Charles Bailey, married Phoebe, daughter of Timothy Jones, and their children were Jet; Mary, who became Mrs. Doren; and Zernah.

Daniel G. Brown, the father of our sub- ject, was born May 21, 1804, and having ar- rived at years of maturity was married, in

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Petersburg, New York, December 31, 1825, to Emilia Jones, a native of that place, born May 3, 1807. About five years after their marriage they removed to Chautauqua county, where they remained until 1855, when they emigrated to Warren county, Pennsylvania. They lo- cated in the pine forests and having built a mill the father operated it for two years in the manufacture of pine lumber. To this industry and the sale of his products he devoted his en- ergies until 1857, when he removed with his family to La Salle county, Illinois. He later purchased a farm near Pontiac, Livingston county, that State, and thereon spent his re- maining days, his death occurring August 21, 1876, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a cooper by trade and followed that pur- suit in early manhood, but afterward gave his entire attention to his farming interests. His wife died in La Salle county, October 27, 1890. Of their nine children, Luther Clark died in early childhood, seven have followed agricul- tural pursuits, and the remaining member of the family is engaged in railroading.

Lucinda Matilda, the eldest, born Decem ber 24, 1827, in Petersburg, New York, mar- ried George Keith, who is now deceased. Her children are Roscoe, who married Adda Brown; Edwinna, who first married Herbert Dolph and had two children, Harry and Grace, and afterward became the wife of Joseph Hathron.

Lillian became the wife of Melvin Hathron and seven children were born to them: Nellie, who became the wife of a Mr. Kembler; Lill- ian, now Mrs. Hulbert; Wayne; Inez; Orfie; Murvin and Vera. The mother of these chil- dren resides in Freedom, La Salle county, Illinois.

Charles Henry, born December 14, 1829, in Trenton, New York, married Rachel Beam and resides in Ottawa, Illinois. Their chil- dren are: Elmer, who died February 27, 1865; Sarah; Ida E., wife of James L. Lea- son; Benjamin B., who wedded Mary Hum- bert; Viola E., wife of Elmer H. Fredricks; Albertie G., who married Cora Kilgore; Rachel E., wife of C. A. Leach; and Hannie.

Emily Jane, born August 13, 1832, is the widow of Naaman Pierce and resides in Corry, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Her children are Effie, Ida and Luther, all deceased; Nellie, widow of Frank Kennedy; and Gertie. Ida also was married, becoming the wife of E. J. Brown.

Hannah Maria, born June 12, 1835, is the widow of Joseph Francis and resides in May- ville, Chautauqua county, New York. Her eldest daughter, Flora, became the wife of Charles Whitford and had one child, Ida Belle. At her second marriage she became the wife of Ernest Hitchcock. Belle is the wife of George Keith. George Francis mar- ried Loie Rolph. Charles wedded Mary An- drews. Elmer married Jennie Payne. Mary is the wife of William Dearing; Josie the wife of William Cady; and Frank is the youngest of the family.

William B., whose name introduces this article, is the fifth in order of birth in his father's family.

Orsamus Phillips, born March 25, 1843, married Susan Garrison, and makes his home in Dallas county, Iowa. Their family includes the following named children: Dora, wife of Emil Gatlin; Nora, wife of Samuel Rhodes; William, Effa and George.

Luther Clark, born November 25, 1844, died March 25, 1848, at the age of three years, in Stockton, Chautauqua county, New York.

Millard Fillmore, who was born November 7, 1851, married Sarah Gourley, and resides in Ottawa, Illinois.

Marcus Jones, born March 31, 1853, mar- ried Fanny Curry and makes his home in Man- hattan, Montana, being a station agent on the Northern Pacific Railroad. Their children are Fay and Mabel.

All the foregoing, except the two eldest, were born in the town of Stockton, Chautau- qua county, New York.

On the homestead farm the boyhood and youth of William Barber Brown were passed, his time being devoted to the labors of the field and to study in the district schools of the

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neighborhood, thus acquiring his education. At the age of seventeen he accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, and when twenty- two years of age, in Livingston county, Illi- nois, was united in marriage to Mattie Setzer, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Van Camp) Setzer, both natives of the Keystone State. Mrs. Brown was born in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, and when a child of three years was taken by her parents to La Salle county, Illi- nois. Later her father purchased a farm near Cornell, Illinois, and it was there that Mr. Brown formed the acquaintance of his future wife, to whom he was married January 30, 1861. Her father was born April 20, 1790, and her mother March 30. 1799. Mr. Setzer died at Cornell, Illinois, October 20, 1859, while his wife passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Brown, July 5, 1886. In their family were eleven children.

Elizabeth, the eldest, born September 13, 1817, married Barker Brown, reared four chil- dren, and died in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania.

Abram, born September 30, 1819, for many years followed the sea, but met his death while serving the Union in the Civil war, his death occasioned by a gunshot wound.

Isaac, born August 1, 1821, was also a sea- faring man, and while in command of the San Francisco was shipwrecked off the coast of France. At his death he left a widow and daughter in New York.

Rachel, born December 27, 1823, is the wife of Stephen Long, and has five children: Haydee, wife of W. H. Hayden, by whom she has two children, -Eugenia and W. H., their home being in Hastings, Nebraska; Robert; Lillian, wife of Calvin Hersome, of Boston, Massachusetts, and the mother of three chil- dren,-Frank B., Haydee C. and John C .; Minnie, wife of Curtis D. Bird, auditor of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, resid- ing in Hinsdale, Illinois, and the mother of four children,-Claude, June, Rachel and Helen; Albert, who is married and resides in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 173

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