Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 21

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

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EONARD SETH SPENCER, one of the well-known and highly-respected citizens of Warren county, is a de- scendant of the old Pilgrim stock of New England, his ancestors having done noble service in the Revolutionary and later wars. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, Octo- ber 17, 1826, one of six children of Jehiel and

Elizabeth (Blackburn) Spencer, four of whom are now living, namely : Leonard Seth, the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of John Woodruf, of Marengo, Illinois; Hannah, widow of Charles St. John, of Perry, Ohio; and Na- than, of Lyons county, Iowa. Jehiel Spencer, the father, was born in Rutland county, Ver- 'mont, October 16, 1800. He resided there until seventeen years of age, when the family removed to New York State, remaining there five years. From 1822 until 1845 he resided in Ohio, moved thence to Illinois, and in 1860 came to Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1863, at the age of sixty- three years. He was a farmer by occupation, was an earnest and conscientious man, and was a strong adherent of the Methodist Church. His father, Seth Spencer, was born in Hart- ford county, Connecticut, in 1779. The lat- ter served for two years as a soldier in the war of 1812. Later in life he moved to Vermont, afterward to New York, and next to Ohio, dy- ing in the latter State in 1832. His father, John Spencer, was a native of New Hamp- shire. In early life he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, having participated in the historical battle of Bennington, as well as in many others. Mr. Spencer served through nearly the entire struggle, and was at the bat- tle and surrender of General Burgoyne. He departed this life in his native State, at the age of ninety years.

The mother of our subject, nce Elizabeth Blackburn, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1798. She was a daughter of Leonard Blackburn, a native also of that State and a descendant of one of the earliest families there. Mrs. Spencer died in 1838, at the age of forty years.

Leonard S. Spencer, the subject of this sketch, remained in his native State until twen- ty-six years of age, and in 1854 settled in Jef- ferson township, Warren county, Iowa, taking up Government land in this then new and wild country, one among the few settlers of that region. Living in log houses and enduring many privations, these men laid the founda-

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tion for the magnificent development which to-day makes Iowa the wonder of the world. Surely they builded better than they knew. During the first six winters of his life here, Mr. Spencer taught school in the old log school- house. He subsequently engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising, following that occupation for many years.

In political matters, Mr. Spencer was for- merly an old-time Whig, but has been an ar- dent Republican since the formation of that party. He was an active member in the Leg- islature of 1863. In local matters, Mr. Spen- cer has always been on the side of progress. For eighteen years he was Postmaster of Lynn, and during eight years of that time his house was a post station, before the days of rail- roads. He was raised in the Presbyterian faith, but associated with the Methodist Church of his neighborhood.

Mr. Spencer was married in March, 1855, to Clarrinda C. Wheeler, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Hannah Wheeler, natives of Maine. They were the parents of eight children. In 1853 the family left Ohio for Iowa, where they were among the early pioneers. The mother died here in 1877, and the father in the fall of 1888. Mrs. Spencer departed this life April 8, 1892, leaving three children, -Charles R., of Cass county, Iowa; Paulona A., at home; and Annie M., wife of H. H. Stoner, of Shel- by county, this State. Mr. Spencer is a close student of affairs, keeping abreast of the ad- vanced thought of the times. Widely known and highly respected, he is recognized as one of the landmarks of this region.

M. FEE, M. D., is numbered among the progressive young physicians of Warren county, Iowa. He is a grad- uate of the Keokuk College of Physi- cians and Surgeons with the class of 1888, has been engaged in the practice of his profession at his present location, New Virginia, since May, 1890, and during the five years of his

residence here has by his gentlemanly bearing and his ability as a physician won the confi- dence of the people of the town, and estab- lished himself in a good practice, which is constantly increasing. In this connection we are pleased to present some personal mention of him.

Dr. Fee is a native son of Iowa. He was born in Dallas county, March 25, 1863, being fourth in order of birth of the thirteen children of Isaac and Lovisa A. (Slaughter) Fee. Ten of this large family survive, namely: Lovina, wife of W. C. Pugh, Guthrie county, Iowa; John H., Beatrice, Nebraska; Carrie, wife of Jesse Thornburg, St. Maria, Colorado; R. M., the subject of this article; William, Van Meter, Iowa; Alfred H., Adel, Iowa; Abby, wife of F. Maulsbey, McPherson county, Kan- sas; Thomas, Redfield, Iowa; Sarah A., wife of Frank Bosdeck, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Ella, wife of Robert B. Shaver, Guthrie county, Iowa. Isaac Fec, the father, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, in the year 1823, son of Jacob Fee. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the carly settlers of Ohio; reared a large family in Ohio, and spent the rest of his life and died there. In Ohio Isaac Fee grew to manhood and married Miss Lovisa A. Slaughter. He was engaged in farming in that State until 1851, when he emi- grated to Iowa, locating on the present site of East Des Moines, where he remained about six years, removing thence to Dallas county, where he has since lived, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. The Doctor's mother is likewise a native of Gallia county, Ohio, the date of her birth being 1834; she is of Scotch origin. Her father, Joel P. Slaughter, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died of starvation in Libby prison, having entered the Union service as a member of an Illinois regiment. Grandmother Adna Slaughter spent her clos- ing years and died in Fulton county, Illinois.

Dr. Fee owns one of the most attractive homes in the town, which is presided over by his charming and accomplished wife. He was married February 15, 1892, to Miss Elsie A.

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Reed, daughter of Jacob A. and Charlotte Reed. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company K, One Hun- dred and Second Illinois Regiment. He died about three years ago. Her mother resides in New Virginia.

In his political views Dr. Fee harmonizes with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

a OLONEL ORION A. BARTHOL- OMEW is a successful attorney-at- law of Chariton, Iowa, and an honored veteran of the late war. He is respected by all who know him and is well worthy of representation in the history of the Hawkeye State.

He was born in Danville, Indiana, Septem- ber 4, 1837, and is a son of Dr. B. and Harriet T. (Ward) Bartholomew, residents of Danville, where the father's life has been spent in the practice of medicine. The family is of En- glish origin, having descended from William Bartholomew, who came to this country from England in 1634 and settled at Boston, Massa- chusetts. Dr. Bartholomew was born in Ver- mont in 1804, and is yet living, hale and hearty. His wife, a native of Indiana, is also living. To this worthy couple were born three sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of our sketch was the eldest.

He acquired his education in DePauw Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Indiana, pursuing the classical course and graduating in 1859 with the degree of A. B., and afterward receiving the degree of A. M. He studied law in the office of Colonel J. M. Gregg, of Danville, was ad- mitted to the bar in the fall of 1860, and immediately began practice; but when the war broke out he laid aside the pursuits of civil life to enter his country's service. In April, 1861, he became Second Sergeant of Company A, Seventh Indiana Infantry, being mustered in on the 17th of the month.

Mr. Bartholomew participated in the first

regular battle at Philippi, Virginia, June 4, 1861, at Carrick's Ford and Rich mountain. The regiment had been mustered in for three months' service and was discharged in August. He re-enlisted in August, as a private soldier, in Company K, Seventieth Indiana Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Col. Ben- jamin Harrison, afterward President of the United States. He was made Second Lieuten- ant and afterward First Lieutenant, and re- mained with the regiment until October, 1863, doing service in Kentucky and Tennessee. In October, 1863, on examination, he was ap- pointed Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the Fifteenth United States Colored Regiment, which he organized at Columbia, Tennessee. This regiment did guard duty at Nashville, Columbia and Shelbyville, Tennessee. In the spring of 1864 he received orders from the War Department to take charge of the recruiting station at Nashville, where he remained until June, 1864, and organized the One Hundredth and the One Hundredth and First United States Colored troops, when he received a commission as Colonel of the One Hundred and Ninth United States Colored Infantry, and ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. There he found 1, 600 recruits, and, selecting 1,000 of the best, or- ganized his regiment. It was found that the officers of the regiment represented every bat- tle of the war up to that time with the excep- tion of Pea Ridge.

A band was organized and twenty-five silver instruments were purchased by the officers of the regiment, which band was in de- mand on all occasions when good music was desired. This was the first colored regiment organized in Kentucky, and its organization caused a great deal of excitement. The col- ored people of Louisville made a flag for the regiment and presented it in the presence of several thousand people.

After remaining at Louisville for a time, the regiment was ordered to Louisa, Kentucky, whence it was transferred to the Army of the James, and became a part of the Twenty-fifth Army Corps, serving under General B. F. But-

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ler, and was with the Army of the Potomnac at the surrender of Lee. His regiment took part in a number of skirmishes and battles, from Bermuda Hundred until the surrender, and went from Petersburg by way of the Gulf to Texas, where it remained until March, 1866, when it was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was inustered out and the flag re- turned to the donors. The band also remained at Louisville, and its organization was main- tained for many years after the war. Colonel Bartholomew was brevetted a Brigadier Gen- eral for his meritorous and valiant service.

When the war was over he came to Des Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, but afterward purchased a farm in Lucas county, which he still owns, and upon which he lived for four years. In 1871 he formed a partnership with T. M. Stuart, Esq., a leading lawyer at Chariton, Iowa, and the partnership still continues.

He is a member of the Odd Fellows so- ciety, and is Past Commander of Iseminger Post, No. 18, G. A. R. In his political views he is a Republican, and has served for two terms as Mayor of Chariton; was Prosecuting Attorney of Lucas county from 1890 until 1895, and has been honored with other posi- tions of trust and responsibility.

A LEXANDER W. GUERNSEY, special examiner of the United States Pension Bureau, has been an honored citizen of Tama for more than a quarter of a century. In early Colonial days the Guernsey family was founded in America, and the grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes of the Revolution.

Joseph Guernsey, the father, was a native of New York, born October 5, 1799. During his early boyhood the family removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in 1813, when in his fourteenth year, he entered the service of the United States as a drummer boy and continued with the army until the close of the second war with England. In after years his widow

received a land warrant and pension in recog- nition of his services. In his youth he learned the trade of shoemaker, but after he had reached man's estate and married he engaged in hotel-keeping and mercantile pursuits. He also took quite an active part in political life, and was a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democracy in his county. His fellow towns- men, appreciating his worth and ability, fre- quently called him to public office, and he served as Sheriff of Tioga county, Pennsylva- nia. In 1849 he was strongly talked of as candidate for Congress, but death ended his career on the 18th of July, of that year. He was a self-educated and self-made man, and obtained a comfortable competence through his earnest and industrious efforts and his ever honorable dealing. The last years of his life were passed on his large farm in Tioga county. Wherever he went he made friends, and hardly a man living ever incurred less enmity than he. His religious faith was that of the Universalist Church.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ann Brewster, and was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1803. She too shared in the high esteem of all who knew her and passed away in 1881. Ten children called her by the name of mother, and of this number eight reached years of maturity. Henry A., the eldest, was a soldier in the Mexican war, served as Sheriff of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, was Collector of Internal Revenue under President Johnson, and died in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Jonah B. , for fifteen years a farmer of Mitchell county, Iowa, now resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Alonzo T. is a druggist of St. Paul, Minne- sota. Joseph W., a commercial traveler, died in Steuben county, New York. Alexander W. is the next younger. Catherine A. became the wife of Henry Brubecker, and died at Middle- town, Pennsylvania. Charles B., a conductor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road, died at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ann B. became the wife of Frank Wiswell and died in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Guernsey, whose name begins this

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sketch, was born in Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, May 14, 1834. His boyhood days were passed in his native county, where he attended school and assisted his father in carrying on the farm. At the age of sixteen he left the parental roof, and went with a whaling expe- dition on a two-years cruise. On leaving the . ocean he engaged in railroading, serving in the capacity of conductor until 1862, when he laid aside business cares, feeling that his duty was to his country, and that his services were needed in the preservation of the Union. Don- ning the blue, he became a member of Com- pany D, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and on the IIth of August, 1863, was commis- sioned Second Lieutenant. £ For meritorious conduct on the field of battle he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant September 6, 1863, and thus served till January, 1865, when he resigned on account of ill health, and on a surgeon's certificate of disability was honorably discharged and returned home. As a soldier he participated in thirty engagements, includ- ing sorne of the most important battles of the war. Among the number were Gettysburg, Mine Run, the hard-fought battle of the Wil- derness, Shepherdstown, Yellow Tavern and Petersburg. A fearless and brave soldier, he inspired and encouraged his men and led them in many a gallant charge. He was once wounded by a sabre on the forehead, the skull being fractured, and he received two other slight wounds.

After the war Mr. Guernsey resumed rail- roading and continued this until 1867, when on account of failing health he was obliged to abandon manual labor. He therefore took up the study of law, and in 1869 he went to Tama, Iowa, where he worked in a lumber-yard dur- ing the day, while at night he prosecuted his studies. His application and thorough research soon fitted him for admission to the bar, and on the 2 1st of September, 1870, at Toledo, he was admitted to practice in the district and circuit courts. He at once entered upon the prosecution of his chosen profession, and on the 7th of June, 1876, was admitted to the

United States courts, while two days later he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Iowa. Although he was retained as counsel on various cases, he was offered and accepted the position of paymaster in the employ of Lewis Carmichael, an extensive railroad contractor. He handled more than $2,000,000 for Mr. Carmichael, and was never asked to give bond or any security whatever, for his honesty is above question and upon his name there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

The lady who has for many years been his faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey was in her maidenhood Miss Harriet J. Cran- dall, a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Guernsey was celebrated in 1856, and of their union three children have been born. The daughter, Clara M., is now the wife of Frank Gedbury, of Tama, and they have two children, -M. W. and Bertha C. Wallace C. married Fannie Wilson, and resides in Clinton, Iowa. They have one son, Harold W.

In politics Mr. Guernsey has also been a Democrat and has done effective service in the interest of his party, which has also honored him with several offices. He has served as Mayor of Tama, for many years was Justice of the Peace, and has also been a member of the School Board, doing effective work in the cause of education. His public duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity, and in 1884 he was appointed to his present responsible position, that of special examiner of the United States Pension Bureau, and was among the first to receive an appoint- ment under civil-service rules. At one time he resigned on account of ill health, but at the expiration of a year, his health having im- proved, he was re-instated. His duties have called him to New York and Pennsylvania, and have been discharged with a most commend- able faithfulness.

When Mr. Guensey located in Tama there was but one brick building in the town and not a rod of sidewalk. He was without a dollar when he reached Iowa, and was often hardly

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able to supply the necessaries of life. Although he has never attempted to accumulate wealth, believing that there is far more to life than money-getting, he has secured a comfortable property, and by his straightforward dealing has secured the unqualified confidence of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact. His public and private life are alike above reproach, and his example is indeed exemplary, yet he is free from ostentation, and unassuming in manner. Socially, Mr. Guernsey is a prominent Mason, having served as Past Master of the blue lodge and Past High Priest of the chapter. He is both a Knight Templar Mason and a thirty-second degree member of the consistory. For thirty years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows society. He be- longs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as a member of the staff of Department Commander J. J. Stedman. He has also for many years been connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a member of the finance committee of that society in Iowa.

a OLONEL BARLOW GRANGER is one of the oldest and most honored residents of Des Moines. He was born in Cayuta, Tioga county, New York, May 31, 1816, and is a son of Erastus and Betsey (Gillet) Granger, the former born November 18, 1787, the latter December 16, 1787; she died June 24, 1840. His grand- father, Daniel Granger, was born August 14, 1765, and made farming his life work. He married Sarah Searles and reared a large family. His death occurred March 29, 1814. The maternal grandfather lived and died in Connecticut.

Erastus Granger was a farmer and tavern- keeper. He was married February 4, 1813, to Miss Gillet, who was born December 16, 1787. They became the parents of four chil- dren,-Barlow, Sallie, Locke and one who died in infancy. The father held various pub- lic offices and was a prominent and influential

citizen. He died in Woodhull, Steuben coun- ty, New York, when about seventy-three years of age, and his wife, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church, passed away in Green, Chenango county, New York, June 24, 1840.

Colonel Granger was reared in Cortland, New York, and during his boyhood was ap- prenticed to Hon. Henry S. Randall, serving on the first newspaper published in that place, called the Cortland Advocate. He had ac- quired a limited education in Rochester, New York, to which place his father had removed in 1823 from Newtown, now Elmira. The printing office proved to him a school in which he learned many valuable lessons, and remained with Mr. Randall until 1835, when he began work as a journeyman printer. He found himself in Albany with only twelve cents in his pocket, and, leaving his trunk as. security for his dinner, he started by steamboat, paying half his shilling for fare, for Troy, New York, where he succeeded in obtaining employment. During the few succeeding years he worked in New York, New Haven, Hudson, Ohio, Cleve- land and Detroit. ' In the last mentioned city he worked on the first statutes of Michigan. In 1838 he was again in Albany, where he helped to "set up" the first statutes of Wisconsin. The next year he went to Colum- bus, Georgia, and finally to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was employed on the Courier for two years. One of the owners of that paper was Mr. King, between whom and our subject there sprang up a very warm friend- ship. When Colonel Granger was first in Charleston, Mr. King lent him $60 to enable him to get to Columbus, although he was a total stranger and had no security to give. From that time forward the two gentlemen were warm friends, the Colonel ever gratefully remembering the gentleman who proved to him a benefactor in the early days when he was trying to gain a start in life. He afterward returned to Albany, where he remained until the spring of 1847, and then went to Buffalo and started on a trip up the lakes. He visited Chicago, pushing on through to Wisconsin and

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St. Paul, Minnesota, which was then but an Indian trading-post. In the fall of that year he boarded a steamer at St. Paul and went down the river to St. Louis with the intention of returning to Albany, but instead secured work on the St. Louis Republican.

The next summer Colonel Granger, with a friend from Albany, James B. Jones, made a trip into Iowa, and followed the valley of the Des Moines to Fort Des Moines, then a ham- let consisting of a few log cabins erected for the soldiers and one or two frame buildings. He was much pleased with the situation, and though he took the trip with no such intention in view, he determined to remain here. His friend was a son of Nathaniel Jones, a prom- inent politician of the Empire State. They reached Fort Des Moines in August, 1848, having traveled by boat to Keokuk, and from there by stage to Fairfield, where they hired a horse and buggy and drove to their destination. They were not altogether suited with the pros- pects of Des Moines and determined to seek another location, but the road which they took on leaving the fort led them past the site of the Colonel's present suburban residence, where such a magnificent view of the Des Moines valley met their gaze that they were charmed, and at once changing their determination they decided to remain. The Colonel declared that he would have the tract of land upon which they stood as the site of his future residence, and Mr. Jones chose the place where B. F. Allen afterward erected his mansion. Having settled this important matter these gentlemen returned to the fort and established themselves in the real-estate and land-warrant business, then the most important and promising field of operation. Having a strong credit they suc- ceeded in negotiating a loan of $5,000, and entered upon the new field of undertaking. The Colonel was also admitted to the bar in the suinmer of 1848 and began the practice of that profession.

In 1849 he established the first paper pub- lished at Des Moines, which he called the Iowa Star, and now for forty-seven years he has been

actively interested in and identified with the development of the capital city of Iowa. He was appointed a member of the staff of Gover- nor Hempstead, with the rank of Colonel, and has held other positions of honor and trust. He was for a time Prosecuting Attorney for Polk county, afterward served as County Judge, was elected as Mayor of Des Moines, and sub- sequently filled the same position in the subur- ban town of Sevastopol. He made extensive and judicious investments in real estate, and the growth of the city and the consequent rise in land values has made him independently wealthy. His farm is now comprised within the limits of the city, and faces the State capitol.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 21

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