Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 25

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

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Coming now to the immediate subject of our sketch, Brice Jackson, we learn that he was reared in his native county and that his early life was not unlike that of other farmer boys of that period. His education was re- ceived in one of the typical log school-houses, with its puncheon floor and slab seats, which has so often been described in connection with the early history of the West.

June 17, 1857, Mr. Jackson was married, in Monroe county, Ohio, to Miss Hannah Jane Brown, who has since shared the joys and sor- rows of life with him. They have had no children of their own but they reared a little girl, Delilah Lowe. Mrs. Jackson was born and reared in the county in which she was mar- ried, her parents being Alexander and Anna (Windle) Brown, her father born near Browns-

ville, Pennsylvania, and of Dutch parentage, her mother of Irish origin. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Jacob, Margaret (deceased), John, James, and Benjamin. Both parents have been dead for several years, the father having died at the age of fifty-seven. The inother's death occurred in Iowa in 1886. They were members of the Protestant Meth- odist Church, and by occupation he was a farmer and in politics a Democrat. James A. Brown, aged seventeen years, has been living with Mr. Brice Jackson as one of his family ever since the death of his (James') mother, which occurred when he was two years old.

Mr. Jackson is a veteran of the Civil war. When President Lincoln made a call for "300,000 more," Mr. Jackson enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment being in August, 1862. He was in active service for two years and ten months, or until the close of the war, and participated in many of the prominent engagements of that sanguin- ary struggle, among which we mention those of Winchester (three battles), New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Martinsburg, Perry- ville, Cedar Creek and Petersburg. During the whole of his service he acted the part of a brave, true soldier, came out without in- jury, was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Ohio.

The year following his return from the army Mr. Jackson removed to Iowa and set- tled on a tract of wild land in Warren town- ship. Here he has 183 acres, a nice cottage home, a large barn, and good grove and or- chard, and here he is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, prosperity attending his efforts from year to year.

In all the relations of life Mr. Jackson is honorable and upright, is fair and square in his business dealings, and frank and jovial in his intercourse with his fellow men. He takes a commendable interest in local affairs and has served on the School Board. A veteran of the Civil war, he is, of course, identified with that popular organization known as the G. A. R.,

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his membership being in Post No. 18, at Char- iton. Mrs. Jackson is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM H. HOLMES, as a native of Lucas county, Iowa, and as one of its representative farmers and esteemed citizens, is entitled to spe- cific recognition in this work, which aims im- partially to portray the lives of the men and women who settled up this part of Iowa and of those who are to-day among its leading people.

William H. Holmes first saw the light of day in Benton township, Lucas county, Iowa, January 1. 1857, his parents being Daniel and Mary (Hamilton) Holmes, pioneers of Iowa, the former having died many years ago and the latter still residing at the old home place. Daniel Holmes was born in Jackson county, Indiana, February 3, 1814, and died February I, 1864, in Iowa, his last resting place being in the Waynick cemetery, where a monument has been erected to his memory. He was one of a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, and only one of that number is now living,-Gresham, of Benton township, Lucas county. Grandfather Fergus Holmes was a native of North Carolina, the great-grandfather Holmes having emigrated from his native land, the Emerald Isle, to North Carolina, at an early period in the history of this country, and some years later removing to Indiana, where he died. Fergus Holmes was a farmer and passed his life in Indiana. The father of our subject, Daniel Holmes, was married in Jack- son county, Indiana, December 2, 1841, to Miss Mary Hamilton, the ceremony being per- formed by her brother, Esquire Hamilton, and at her father's residence, which was about eighteen miles from where the Holmes family lived. Ten years after their marriage they re- moved from Indiana to Illinois and settled in Warren county, and about the middle of Sep- tember, 1854, came to Iowa. This journey from Illinois to Benton township, Lucas coun-

ty, Iowa, consumed about five days, and was made with two wagons, in which they brought their household goods and in which the family rode, their children numbering five. They also brought along five head of cattle. Arrived here, Mr. Holmes purchased a tract of land from the Government and settled on it. Sub- sequently he rented a farm of Mr. Samuel Ragsdale, who resided just across the river from where William Holines now lives. In the public affairs of this pioneer settlement he took an active and commendable part, serving on the Board of Supervisors and also as School Director. Politically, he was first a Whig and from the organization of the Republican party was one of its supporters.

Daniel Holmes and his wife were the par- ents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, as follows: Oscar F., born Feb- ruary 10, 1843, was a Union soldier and died of disease at the battle of Shiloh, his remains being interred in the national ceme- tery at that place; Deliah H., born March 10, 1845, died July 4, 1864; Leonidas, born May 13, 1848, resides in Hutchinson, Kansas; Erad- na L., born May 23, 1851, is the wife of John Pierce, a farmer of Washington township, Lucas county; Sarah A., born December 13, 1853, is the wife of George Parsons, Wash- ington township, this county; William H., born January 1, 1857, was the first of the family born in Iowa; Doneta A., wife of M. Arnold, a farmer of Benton township; and Ida N., born December 23, 1862, is the wife of Franklin Mckinley. The venerable mother of this family is still living and in the enjoy- ment of comparatively good health, her home being at the old farmstead. Besides the chil- dren above named, she has fifteen grandchil- dren. Of her people, the Hamiltons, we further record that they are Irish. Her father, James Hamilton, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and when young accompanied his father to America, their location being in the State of Virginia, where he grew up and married Miss Rebecca Robinson, who was of English de- scent. They became the parents of eight

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children, four sons and four daughters, of whom two are living, -Mrs. Holmes and her brother Mortimer, the latter residing on the old homeplace in Indiana.

We come now to William H. Holmes, whose name heads this article. His birth has already been recorded. On the home farm he grew up and received his education in the public schools, his first teacher being Miss Liz- zie Umpscher and the school-house a log struc- ture. He was small when his father died and has always remained at home with his mother, having charge of the farm since he was old enough. The estate now comprises a fine tract of land 360 acres in extent, and under his able supervision is being successfuly con- ducted.

September 30, 1879, Mr. Holmes was mar- ried to Miss Phœbe M. Arnold, who was born February 22, 1862, in Marion county, Iowa, daughter of Ed and Sophia (Barnhard) Ar- nold, pioneers of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have six children, namely: Edward, born April 29, 1881; Jennie, March 23, 1883; La Bernie, March 14, 1885; George A., August 21, 1890; Elma Vivian, January 7, 1892; and an infant, January 23, 1895.

Mr. Holmes has always kept himself thor- oughly posted on all public issues and stands solidly on the Republican platform. His first presidential vote was cast for Grant. He is an advocate of good schools and in various ways has given his support and influence to advance the best interests of his community, and here where he has resided all his life he is an esteemed and honored citizen.

D E. CASS is the efficient and well known cashier of the Bedford Bank, of Bedford, Iowa. The circumstances attending upon the childhood of an individual and the manner in which he is reared do not always shape his future, nor do they emphasize it to the extent that natural ability, education and experience invariably do. To form an estimate of his success it is neces-

sary to know what he has accomplished, and success is not measured by the heights which a man holds, but the depths from which he started. · One who begins life's journey with the aid that wealth and influential friends can bring deserves not the credit that is due one who must depend entirely upon his own efforts. Of the latter class, Mr. Cass is a representa- tive.

He was born in Wiltshire, England, Janu- ary 18, 1853, and is a son of Neville and Maria (Boulton) Cass. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in the family were six chil- dren, of whom our subject is the eldest, and the only one who has left the mother country. He acquired a liberal education in the land of his birth, and entered upon his business career there as a clerk; but, not liking the situation, he resolved to come to the United States, seeking a broader field of labor in the New World. He took passage on a White Star steamer, Scandanavia, landed at Portland, Maine, in 1871, and went direct to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he secured a clerkship in a dry-goods establishment, and continued for three years.

The year 1874 was that in which Mr. Cass arrived in Bedford. He came to the West in company with some acquaintances and has since remained in Taylor county. During the first two years after his arrival, he was en- gaged in farming five miles north of the city, and then put aside agricultural pursuits to en- ter the service of F. W. Van Linda, a grocer in Bedford, with whom he continued for a year. He was next employed in the Bedford Mill as exchange man and bookkeeper, serving in that capacity for three years, after which he spent a similar period with J. M. Thompson, a general merchant. On the Ist of October, 1887, began his connection with the Bank of Bedford as bookkeeper, and on the Ist of June, 1891, he was promoted to the responsible posi- tion of cashier.

On the 23d of October, 1879, in Taylor county, Mr. Cass was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Gould, a daughter of William

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and Mary E. (Price) Gould, both of whom were natives of Prince Edward's island. Three of the six children of the Gould family reside in Taylor county, where they located in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Cass have six children : William G., aged fifteen; Helen, aged thirteen; Arthur, aged eleven; Harrison, eight years of age; Nina, five years old; and Mary, a little maiden of three summers.

In his political views, Mr. Cass is a Repub- lican and has frequently served as delegate to the conventions of his party. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Bedford Fire Company, served as its secretary, after- ward as president, and was a charter member of the Bedford Light Infantry, and its First Sergeant. He filled the office of City Re- corder for three years, and is at the present time the custodian of the city's funds. Dur- ing his connection with the bank and his resi- dence in Taylor county, Mr. Cass won the utmost confidence of those with whom he has come in contact by his integrity and sound judgment. He is a courteous and affable gen- tleman, and his pleasant and affable manner has won him a host of warm friends. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and I. O. O. F.

HOMAS DANIELS NEFF. - Among the leading agriculturists of Dallas county, none stands higher than does the gentleman whose name introduces this review.

He is of Swiss descent, the family having been founded in this country by two brothers who left Switzerland; but later one returned to his native land, 'and the other devoted his entire life to farming in this country. Our subject's birth occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1833, and he is a son of Benjamin Neff, who also was born in the Buckeye State. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Neff, came to Ohio from Virginia in 1 800, being one of the earliest settlers of that section of the country, and in the midst of the

wilderness developed a fine farm, on which he died at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Kauffman, also was born in Virginia, and on the old Ohio farm died at the age of eighty years. Benjamin Neff died on the farm where our subject was born, at the age of fifty years. He had married Sarah Daniels, a native of Chenango county, New York, who died at the home of her daughter in Henry county, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four. Her father, Thomas Daniels, served for four years in the Revolu- tionary war. His death occurred in Dayton, Ohio, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife, Elizabeth, who was a native of Scotland and came to the United States with her parents when but eight years old, also died in Dayton, at the age of seventy years. Two uncles of our subject participated in the war of 1812, while one was in the war between Texas and Mexico.

On the old home farm Thomas D. Neff passed the days of his boyhood and youth, during which time he received his literary edu- cation in the district schools and at Dayton, Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until the fall of 1857, when he came to Iowa, settling first in Van Buren county, where he ran a nursery for about two years, and in 1859 removed to Henry county, where he purchased wild land and developed a good farm.

Mr. Neff was married on the 13th of Octo- ber, 1859, to Miss Mary Campbell, who was born in Shelbyville, Indiana, and is a daughter of John and Minerva (Cotton) Campbell. The following children grace their union: Alfred J., Mary F., Henriette G., John B., Gerty, Harry L. and Hattie K. They lost their eldest child in infancy. Henriette G. was united in mar- riage with O. R. Woodward, March 7, 1895. The father of Mrs. Neff was a native of Dela- ware, and he departed this life in Pasadena, California, at the age of eighty-two years, while her mother was a native of Ohio, and died in Indiana at the age of sixty-five.

After his marriage Mr. Neff continued to live on his farm in Henry county until about

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1870, when he sold and removed to Polk county, where he again bought raw prairie land and made a fine farm, on which he resided un- til 1887. In that year he disposed of that place and purchased his present farm of 160 acres, which was partially improved; but he now has it under a high state of cultivation, with over five miles of tiling and all the im- provements and accessories of a model farm of the nineteenth century.

Mr. Neff has ever been quite prominent in the localities where he has made his home, and by his fellow citizens who recognize his worth and ability has been elected to many local offices, the duties of which he ever discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned. His first presidential vote was cast for Winfield Scott, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, voting for John C. Fre- mont in 1856, and has since continued to fight under its banner. During the war he was compelled to stay at home on account of being a cripple, but no man in the entire State did more good or was more active in the support of the Union cause than Thomas D. Neff. He and his family are consistent and faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and do all in their power for the welfare of their fellow men.

a HESTER F. PLIMPTON is another one of the prominent early settlers and representative farmers of Lucas county, Iowa, he having settled in White Breast township in May, 1864, and having since maintained his residence here.

Mr. Plimpton is of Eastern birth. He was born in Brookfield, Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, October 28, 1832, and is a descend- ant of early settlers of New England. Jabez Plimpton, his father, was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, was a son of Henry Plimpton, also a native of that State; he (Jabez) was a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Jabez Plimpton married Miss Eliza Bridges, like him- self a representative of one of the old New

England families. She was reared by Deacon Phillips, a prominent citizen of Massachusetts, who lived to the extreme old age of 104 years. Jabez and Eliza Plimpton had eight children, viz. : William H .; David B., Chesterfield, New Hampshire; John A., Warren, Massachusetts; Oliver J., of Brimfield, Massachusetts; Ches- ter F., subject of this article; Mary E., a res- ident of Maple Plain, Minnesota; Catherine West, Brookfield, Massachusetts; and Isaac G., wounded July 1, 1863, in the battle at Malvern Hill, Virginia, and died on the 4th afterward. John A. also was a participant in the Civil war.

Chester F. was reared in his native State and remained there until 1854. That year he came west to Minnesota, making the trip by rail to Warren, Illinois, the terminus of the Illinois Central, thence by stage to Galena, and finished the trip by steamboat on to St. Paul. Minneapolis at that time could boast of but one store. At Minneapolis Mr. Plimpton was employed by Joseph H. Kenny, one of the first settlers of that place. He was a New Hamp- shire man and was the owner of ten acres in what is now the heart of the city. Soon after this Mr. Plimpton purchased a claim in Scott county, Minnesota, forty miles from Minneap- olis, and on this claim he kept "bach" the two following winters and farmed in summer and made shingles until 1856. That year he returned to Massachusetts, and the following year was married. After his marriage he came back to his claim and continued to make his home on it until 1860, when he sold out and again returned to Massachusetts. Four years later he came to Iowa and settled on wild land in Lucas county, where, as already stated, he has since made his home. Here he owns 100 acres of land, a part of it timber and the rest prairie, and has a good residence and other farm buildings, and is comfortably situated.

Mr. Plimpton was first married in April, 1857, to Miss Laura Ann Chickering, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of William and Harriet (Adams) Chickering, her people being among the old and prominent families of

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Massachusetts. This union resulted in the birth of two children, namely: Elmer Ellsworth, of Elk Mound, Wisconsin, who married Miss Lillie V. Bryant, of Hennepin county, Minne- sota, and hasfour children, -Mary E., Warren Bryant, Laura and Chester M. ; and Ina, a suc- cessful teacher of Lucas county, Iowa. The mother of these two children departed this life in November, 1868. For his second wife Mr. Plimpton married Mrs. Rebecca Bell, nee Hob- son. She was born in Clark county, Indiana, and was reared and educated in Monroe county, that State. Her first marriage was to Nelson Bell, October 6, 1859. Mr. Bell was a mem- ber of Company B, Sixth Iowa Infantry and lost his life while in the service of his country, his death occurring in Mississippi, December 20, 1862. By him she had one son, Cyrus Nelson Bell, who married Miss Florence Rob- bins, and they have four children, -James Nel - son, Floyd F., Edna and William McKinley.

Mr. Plimpton casts his ballot and influence with the Republican party, and as a generous and public-spirited man has done much to pro- mote the welfare of his community. He has served as Township Trustee and for years has been a member of the School Board, a portion of the time serving as Treasurer of the Board.

Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life of one of Lucas county's representative citizens.

S TEWART PIERCE MELICK, one of the leading merchants of Dallas Center, Iowa, was born in Light- street, Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, August 5, 1844, and is a son of Jacob B. Melick, an old resident of Lyons, now North Clinton, Iowa, who was born on the 7th of October, 1820. The latter's father, Peter Melick, was born February 27, 1794, and died in August, 1867. He was a farmer of Lightstreet, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and by his marriage to Margaret, daughter of Jacob Best, became the father of thirteen children, of whom Jacob B. was the eldest. Peter Melick was the fourth son and child of

Peter M. Melick, Sr., who was born April 18, 1752, and died February 1I, 1830. He mar- ried Rachel, a daughter of John F. Klinge- man, and granddaughter of Jacob Klingeinan, who came to this country from Germany in a very early day. Peter Melick, Sr., lived on his father's land near Espy, Pennsylvania, until 1778, when his house was destroyed by the Indians. He was the son of Johann Peter Moelich and grandson of Hans Peter Moelich, of Bendorf on the Rhine, Germany. The latter was born in that place, October 12, 1715, and probably came with his brothers to America when a mere boy in 1735. Our sub- ject has a valuable work published by his cousin, Andrew D. Melick, entitled "Story of an Old Farm," which carries the family back to the time when one Moelich, a native of Greece, first settled in Germany. The word Moelich is of ancient Greek origin, standing for lyric verse, and is one of the most historic names in print. One of England's sweetest singers had immortalized the name in song,-" From the mead where the melick groweth." The evolution of the word down to our subject is Moelich, Malick, Mellick and Melick.

Jacob B. Melick, the father of our subject, was twice married, his first union being with Mary, a daughter of Adam Hilliard, and their wedding was celebrated June 16, 1842. To them were born three children, of whom Stewart P. is the eldest. The mother died September I, 1851. On the Ist of February, 1854, Mr. Melick married Martha Reeser, a daughter of Benjamin F. Reeser, and they became the parents of three children. The father was a medical practitioner and opened a drug store in North Clinton, which he conducted in con- nection with the practice of his profession until his death on the 27th of March, 1893.

In the usual manner of farmer boys Mr. Melick of this sketch passed his early life, and in connection with the labors of the fields at- tended the district schools. He accompanied his father to Iowa in 1855, locating in North Clinton in June of that year. In 1871 he ar-

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rived in Dallas Center, where he opened a gen- eral store in connection with John M. Hoopes, which they conducted for five years, when the firm was changed to Melick & Fox. Two years later our subject bought out his partner's in- terest and for the next five years was alone in business, but at the end of that time sold a half interest to S. Ineson. In 1894 this con- nection was dissolved and now the firm is com- posed of Mr. Melick and one of his sons, under the style of S. P. Melick & Son. At the age of fourteen our subject had entered the office of the old Lyons Mirror, as an apprentice, and for seven years followed printing. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and was discharged at Memphis while in the Fort Pickering Hospital. When he had recovered he went to Virginia in the Quarter- master's Department, in which he remained until the close of the war. On returning home he again took up the printer's trade, which he followed until his marriage.

On the 18th of February, 1869, Mr. Melick wedded Augusta H. Partridge, who was born in Sycamore, De Kalb county, Illinois, April 11, 1847, and to them were born five children, one of whom died at the age of two years and three months and another died in infancy. Those living are Louis Earl, born December 27, 1871; Martha Augusta, May 5, 1876; and Charles Stewart, February 3, 1879. On the 17th of April, 1895, Louis Earl Melick married Nellie V. Townsend, who was born in Dallas county, August 6, 1873, and is a daughter of Nathan and Victoria (Darling) Townsend. Her father was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1847, and when but four years of age accompanied his father, Nathan A. Townsend, Sr., to Cali- fornia. The latter was of English parentage and during the '50s kept an old-time frontier hotel in Muletown, California. In early man- hood the son returned to Iowa, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 1870 wedded Victoria Darling, who was born in Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and is a daughter of Luke and Mary Darling, who were. of Scotch descent and about 1864 came to

Iowa, where the mother died. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Townsend also carried on merchandising until 1893, when he removed to Clay county, Nebraska, where the family still resides. After the death of her mother, Mrs. Townsend lived with her brother Stephen and taught in the public schools of this section until her marriage.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 25

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