Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 57

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

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Since the age of twenty-two Mr. Cline has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church. In politics he has been a Republic- an since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has served as Road Supervisor and School Director. The Cline

family is one of prominence in this county, and its representatives in Indianola are num- bered among the leading residents of the city.

S TEPHEN D. HICKMAN .- Among the prominent and representative citi- zens of Chariton, Lucas county, none is more worthy of a place in this vol- ume than is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph. His birth occurred in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of July, 1836, and he traces his lineage to hardy old German and Scotch ancestors, who established themselves in the Keystone State in the days of its pioneer history. His parents were like- wise natives of Pennsylvania, the father, Solo- mon Hickman, having been born December 30, 1807, and being still a resident of his native State, where he is revered as one of the patri- archs of the community in which so many years of his life have been passed. His life work has been that of a successful farmer in Greene county, and he now lives on the old homestead, near Jefferson. His wife and de- voted companion for more than three-score years still remains by his side. Her maiden name was Eliza Dougherty, and she was born in Pennsylvania, on the 6th of April, 1812. Together they have passed the milestones which mark the flight of years, and in calm repose they can look in retrospect over the long period which represents nearly twice the average duration of human life. That their sojourn together has been a pleasant one need not be said: such unusual longevity only goes to prove that their habits of life have been regular, temperate, kindly and free from con- tention. This aged mother is descended from Scotch ancestry. Their marriage was sol- emnized in Greene county, in the year 1834, and they became the parents of six sons and one daughter, the immediate subject of this review being the second in order of birth. Of the others we offer brief record as follows: Charles was an active participant in the late war of the Rebellion, serving with the Wash-

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ington (Pennsylvania) Independent Cavalry. This was an arduous service, largely devoted to scouting and border work, which was fraught with much danger and almost constant duty. Within one engagement he was shot six times and received one saber cut and a bayonet thrust. He was taken from the field by a Southern woman and was by her secreted until she was able to communicate with his brother, Stephen, who succeeded in removing him to the Union lines, where he recovered, though badly crippled: he died, in St. Louis, Missouri, in middle life. Annie became the wife of Michael Redlingshafer, and died in her native county, leaving eight children. Solomon G. is a farmer and stock-raiser, living near Albia, Monroe county, Iowa. Archibald served in the same company of cavalry as did his brother Charles, and after the close 'of the war he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, being now one of the prominent farmers in the vicinity of Adrian, Lenawee county, Michigan. Abel C. is engaged in mining in Oregon; and Williamn Mc C. died, after reaching the meridian of life, in Greene county, Pennsylvania.

The early life of our subject was passed on the paternal farm and in attendance at the common schools. He acquired a thorough education and devoted a number of years to pedagogic labors, proving a very capable and successful teacher. When about eighteen years of age he went to Coles county, Illinois, but on account of the pernicious effects of the malarial conditions existing there, he soon re- turned to his native county, where he taught a school and enforced himself the better for his work by private study and attendance at the academy then located in that county. It was his desire to enter the army with his brothers and friends, but he was rejected upon the physical examination, and then turned his attention to buying horses, which he sold to the military authorities; also buying wounded or worn-out stock from the army, fitting the animals up and selling them to private pur- chasers.

Mr. Hickman came to Iowa in 1864, settling

in Appanoose county, where he was soon in- stalled as principal of the Unionville school, his wife being also employed there as an instructor. In the fall of the succeeding year he returned to the parental home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until the following year, when he once more came to Iowa, stopping for a few months at Albia, Monroe county, and thence coming to Chariton, where he has ever since retained his residence. His first engagement here was as principal of the public schools, his wife being his capable coadjutor as assistant in the high-school department. The marriage of our subject should be referred to more specifically ere we proceed farther. At Albia, Monroe county, on the 7th of March, 1868, was consummated the union of Mr. Hickman and Miss Elizabeth L. Teas, who was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, December 30, 1840, the daughter of Hon. Joseph B. Teas, who was one of the first settlers in the Territory of Iowa and a member of its first Legislature. The Teas family traces its lineage back to the revolution which followed upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1620, at which time its founder in America escaped from France in company with other Huguenots and found a temporary refuge in Ireland. He and his mother tarried on the Emerald Isle, there to await the coming of the husband and father. In the meantime this lad was inveigled on board a ship and there detained until the vessel sailed. At the end of a seven-years voyage he returned, only to find that all trace of his mother had been lost. He thereupon returned to the sea and followed it until late in life, when he abandoned it for a home in the New World, settling in North Carolina, whence the family ultimately went to Virginia. At the beginning of the Revolutionary war Charles Teas, the grandfather of Joseph B. Teas, at- tached himself to the cause of the Colonists, was an Aide-de-camp to General Washington and rose to the rank of Colonel. In recogni- tion of his loyal and valiant services he re- ceived a grant of land near where the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, now stands. His

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son, G. W. Teas, was an active participant in the war of 1812, returning home, wounded and incapacitated for service, in 1813. Upon his recovery he made ready to rejoin his com- rades in arms and was accompanied by his youngest son, Joseph B. (the father of Mrs. Hickman), who was then but thirteen years of age, but a well grown lad and an excellent driver. The boy pleaded so earnestly to be allowed to accompany his father that at last a reluctant consent was given, and he was en- listed as teamster and served until the close of the war. For this service he received a land warrant from the Government and finally a pension, under the act of Congress pensioning the survivors of that war.

Coming to Illinois, Joseph B. Teas located at Beardstown and later removed to Fort Ed- wards (now Warsaw, Illinois, ) where he was connected with the civil engineering corps which conducted the survey of Illinois and Wis- consin. He served in the Black Hawk war with the rank of Major. He came to Iowa when this State was as yet a part of the Terri- tory of Wisconsin, and he was a member of the first Territorial Legislature, which met at Green Bay, and also of the second, which con- vened at Burlington. After the organization of the Territory of Iowa he served two terms as a member of the Legislature, and he also held a similar distinction after Iowa had been admitted to Statehood, being recognized as one of her foremost citizens.

In the year 1836, in Des Moines county, Iowa, Joseph B. Teas was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Edwards, the daughter of Joseph and Letitia (Buford) Edwards. Her grandfather, Colonel Thomas Buford, served through the entire war of the Revolution and died at its close, when within a day's journey from his home, near Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Teas came with her parents to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi on the memorable 1st of June, 1833, when the Black Hawk purchase was first thrown open to settlers. She is still living, having attained the venerable age of seventy- six years (1895), and being in full possession

of her mental faculties, and active and strong. The family came to Albia, Iowa, in 1852, and there the father died, in the year 1872, hon- ored as one of the most talented and upright men and as one of the most prominent of the pioneers of the State.

Mrs. Hickman is the fifth in order of the twelve children who survived the father and all of whom are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Emily Morgan, resides near Kansas City, Mis- souri; Mrs. Mary Stark at Lamar, that State; Mrs. Kate Edwards at Elsinore, California; Mrs. Pauline Hester at Lincoln, Nebraska; Mrs. Mrs. Juliette Clark at Box Elder, Nebraska ; Mrs. Ida Berge, at Indianola, that State; and Mrs. Olive Waugh, at Omaha. The youngest son, C. R. Teas, has been for several years connected with the Wells-Fargo Express Com- pany, and is now general agent for the com- pany at Kansas City, Missouri. Joseph B., Jr., is a prominent contractor and builder in Chari- ton. Thomas C. resides at Albia, where he is engaged in blacksmithing. Joseph B., Jr., served nearly five years in the Union army dur- ing the late war of the Rebellion, having en- listed in 1861, at the age of eighteen years, as a member of the First Iowa Cavalry. George W. enlisted two years later, also at the age of eighteen, and served for two years as a mem- ber of the same regiment of cavalry. An older sister, Mrs. Louisa Van, died at Fort Des Moines, in 1852. Lorenna and Laura pre- ceded the father to the "Better Land," and their remains repose in the cemetery at Albia. Mrs. Teas now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Waugh, of Omaha.

Reverting to points more specifically con- nected with the life of the immediate subject of this sketch, we find that after teaching school for nine months in Chariton Mr. Hick- man engaged in other business for a time, in the meanwhile devoting himself to the study of law and preparing for admittance to the bar. In 1873 he passed the required exami- nation and has since been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in this place. In addition to retaining a representative clientage in his

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general legal practice, he also deals quite exten- sively in real estate. He has been prospered in his undertakings, and is a just and honorable business man, one who demands what is justly his due, but who has never been known to in- fringe the rights of others, his sense of justice al- ways causing him to accord whatever the high- est principles of ethics dictate. He owns a number of dwelling houses in Chariton and also the Hickman block, which is one of the finest in the city, the same having been built, in 1894, to replace the one which had been destroyed by fire the year previous, together with valuable books. He also owns a fine farm of 560 acres in Lucas county.

Mrs. Hickman is a lady of culture and re- finement, and is an advocate of the modern principle of universal suffrage, with which every intelligent woman ought to coincide. Six chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hickman, namely: Stephen C., now a student in the sec- ond year's course of the law department of Iowa State University (1895); Bessie, wife of Edward Wetzel, of Monett, Missouri, who is traveling auditor of the Wells-Fargo Express Company; Charles V., James, Ida and Harry, who are still under the parental roof, Charles being a student in the Capital City Commer- cial College.

Mr. Hickman and all the members of his family are stanch Republicans, and in his re- ligious views he adheres to the doctrines ad- vanced by the Universalist Church, while the others of his family are Episcopalians in their belief. Our subject has held various official positions, having been Notary Public, Treas- urer of the city school district, and Clerk of the township. In all the relations of life he has been an honorable, upright man, living in such a way as to merit the high regard in which he is held.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hickman are life mem- bers of the Children's Home Society, and they take a most active interest in its work. Their spacious home is always open to the little way- farers, who, with the society workers, find a welcome and assistance on their way to and fro.

E. PLOTTS. - Among the well known families of Lucas county, per- haps none deserve more honorable mention than the Plotts line, and especially is this true of the neighborhood in which the pretty and prosperous city of Russell has found lodgment. To members of this family and Mr. Maple are due the timely loca - tion of the depot, and on the consequent wis- dom of securing thirty acres of land which had been long the bone of contention between the Burlington Company and the settlers of this section was achieved by the intervention and wise counsel of these families, when about all available resources had been resorted to in order to bring about this transaction. This occurred in the year of 1867. Though several of the principals in this transaction, which has redounded with so much good to the future of this city and its present inhabitants, have long since been called to that world from which no traveler returns, some are still here, in whose minds this important negotiation is still vivid. On these thirty acres, which were of absolute necessity to the Burlington road, has sprung up a thriving city of beautiful homes, with much refinement and culture, and soon the little hamlet which had at its head the charac- ter of such men as spoken of above developed into a prosperous business and residence town, and this transformation and development has taken place under the eyes of the heads of this family which have played no small part in its history.

Thomas Plotts was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, a son of Alexan- der Plotts, also a native of that State. His ancestors came from Germany and founded a home in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania. The early life of Thomas was spent there, amid the active scenes of agriculture, attending in his boyhood the subscription school. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his removal to McDonough county, Illinois. There also located the mater- nal grandfather of Russell's popular Postmas- ter, Joseph Crawford, who emigrated from

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New Jersey. Thomas Plotts erected a small frame cabin on the barren prairie of McDonough county. He witnessed the "prairie schooner" of the daring emigrants anchor in the high grass, and extended a hand of fellowship to the settlers who soon became a part and par- cel of the county. Although never physically strong, his labors in the field had for him his greatly earned reward, and soon his acres de- veloped into fields of waving grain. Where he never expected to see his beautiful acres un- dergo so great change, he witnessed, through the efforts of his sons, a beautiful fruit-bearing orchard. In connection with his labors in the field, Mr. Plotts found time to attend to the large landed interest of the Ayers, of medical fame, for whom he was sole sponsor. A Presbyterian of the old-school type, he was a zealous worker in maintaining a standard of good morals in the community, and in this he had the assistance of his most estimable wife.

Coming to Iowa with the tide of emigration in the '6os, Mr. Plotts rented the small frame structure on the farm of a Mr. Skidmore. two miles west of Chariton. In the meantime the sturdy sons of this deceased and honored pio- neer sought a location for their future home, and decided on a purchase in Washington township, Lucas county. In the following September, after a residence of about four months, they removed to their purchase of 200 acres on section 8, which becanie one of the well developed farms of the county, and under their hospitable roof the pilgrims and neigh- bors always found a warm welcome. The home in which the family first resided has now found a page in history, the site having been purchased by the county, and is now the County Poor Farm. Mr. Plotts was a mem- ber of the board from Washington township. Through a long life of Christian fortitude Thomas Plotts again lived to see a beautiful orchard spring up from the prairie. He also lived to see a church of his creed rear its spire heavenward, and the present generation recog- nize as its founder and faithful workers Thomas Plotts, his most estimable widow, George and

Harriet Crawford, and Hugh McGee. This temple of worship was to him a haven of rest. He obeyed the summons of his Master fear- lessly, but not until having passed the eighty- second mile-post. On the lovely farm which was for so many years graced by his presence now resides a tenant, and in the quiet little churchyard of Russell rests the pioneer.

Though years have made great furrows on the brow of the pure Christian widow, who shared so many of the joys and sorrows, trials and tribulations incumbent on pioneer life in the West, Mrs. Thomas Plotts is still in full possession of all her mental faculties, and her Christian fortitude and genial manners have won for her the laurels of a well earned es- teem. Upon another anniversary of Wash- ington's birth, if she lives, she will have reached the eighty-fifth milestone.

T. E. Plotts, more familiarly known to his friends as "Ed " Plotts, was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1846. His early days were spent on his father's farm, at- tending the common schools, and also the Hedding Seminary at Abingdon, Illinois. After coming to Russell, Iowa, he embarked in the business of farming and stock-raising, con- tinuing until July 24, 1893, when he was ap- pointed Postmaster of Russell.

Our subject had three brothers in the late war,-Joseph C., in the Twenty-eighth Illi- nois Infantry; John C. and M. L., in Company H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry. Joseph died in the service, and was buried with military honors in McDonough county. Our subject's maternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle, and was at one time taken prisoner.

Mr. Plotts was married October 1, 1873, to Miss Alzina McCurdy, born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 18, 1856. Her parents located in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Plotts have had four children, namely: John W., who was born January 18, 1875, and is employed as clerk by Hazelquist & Company; Edith, who was born March 14, 1876, is at- tending the school for the deaf at Council

Jed Lake.

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Bluffs, and will graduate with the class of '96; Joseph, who was born February 7, 1882, is an able assistant of his father in the post-office; and Waldo H., born April 19, 1894. Polit- ically, Mr. Plotts acts with the Democratic party. In his social relations, he is a member of the Odd Fellows order, No. 331. The family are members and active workers in the Presbyterian Church.

EORGE WASHINGTON WHITE, who owns and occupies a fine farm in White Breast township, Lucas coun- ty, Iowa, and who is ranked with the leading farmers and stock men of his vicinity, was born on the farm on which he now lives, June 17, 1857, son of David Franklin and Amanda White. His father, the late David F. White, was one of the prominent early pio- neers of this county, and was a man who was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. More extended mention of him will be found on another page of this work. George W. grew up on the farm and by his worthy parents was early taught that honesty, industry and good habits formed the foundation of all true success. His education was received in the public schools, he has always been of a studious and observing nature, and has thus kept himself well posted on current topics. His fine farm, comprising 260 acres, is located on section 22, of White Breast township. His commodious and attractive residence is beauti- fully located on a natural building site, is sur- rounded with a pretty lawn, orchard and grove, and is, indeed, a typical rural home. The large barn is 40x 50, with twenty-foot posts. Near by is a modern windmill, stock scales and feed lots, and every thing about the premises is conveniently arranged for successfully carrying on both farming and stock-raising. Mr. White is a fine judge of stock and has been success- ful in this business.

He was married in March, 1880, to Miss Amanda Margaret McFarland, a lady of edu- cation and culture and a member of one of the

best families in the county, her father being A. McFarland. Mr. and Mrs. White have three children, namely: Harry B., born May 31, 1882; Ethel May, January 31, 1888; and Edna Ina, June 13, 1891.

Mr. White is an ardent Republican and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those pertaining to his own locality. He has rendered efficient service as a member of the School Board and at this writing is serv- ing as Township Trustee. Fraternally, he is identified with the I. O. O. F. and maintains a membership in Lodge No. 64, at Chariton. Chariton, Iowa, is his post-office address. Honorable and upright in all his business deal- ings and of a frank and genial nature, he is a man who has many friends, and all who know him esteem him for his many sterling qualities.

OLONEL JED LAKE won the title by which he is now known in an honora- ble defense of the starry banner which floats so proudly over the united na-

tion. Through many of the most important battles of the Civil war he followed the old flag and made for himself a military record of which he may justly be proud. He was born in Cortland county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1820, and is a son of Jedediah and Patience (Church) Lake, the father a farmer by occupation. They lived in a farming com- munity of pious people and the father and the maternal grandfather, Malachi Church, were Deacons in a congregation of the Baptist de- nomination, of which an uncle of our subject, Phips W. Lake, served as pastor.

When the Colonel was three years old his father died, but the mother carried on the farm and kept the family together. In the winter months he attended the district school of the neighborhood, while in the summer he worked on the farm until seventeen years of age. His elder brother then took charge of the farm and Jed started out in life for himself. His first enterprise was to drive horses on the Erie Ca- nal, and the next season he went to the New

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York Central College, a manual-labor school that had been established at McGrawville. By working during haying and harvesting seasons and by teaching in district schools in the win- ter he managed to continue his studies until he was ready for college in all branches except Latin. He then attended Cortland Academy at Homer, New York, where he pursued Latin under Professor Sanford, and German under Professor Maasburg, who was a graduate of a German university and had been educated as a physician in Germany.

In the spring of 1854 Colonel Lake suf- fered an attack of typhoid fever, accompanied by paralysis. On the advice of his physician he left school and in the fall of that year went out with William Swift on a tour giving lec- tures on electricity and electro-magnetism, and with that an exposé of the spirit rappings that at that time were making a great excitement in the world. While thus engaged he traveled over the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Ohio.

In the fall of 1855 Colonel Lake came to the West, locating in Indiana, where he took up farming. He also became interested in sawmilling, but during the financial panic of 1857 farming did not pay and one day the boiler of the sawmill blew up. Then he took np the study of law, and in the month of April, 1858, was admitted to practice in the courts of Iowa, in which he was fairly successful. In 1860 he was elected to represent Buchanan county in the House of Representatives, and while a member of the General Assembly laws were passed providing for putting the quota of troops from Iowa into the field to aid in crush- ing out the rebellion. It also passed a law to take the vote of the soldiers in the army.

In August, 1862, Mr. Lake enlisted in what was afterward Company C, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry. When the regiment was or- ganized Governor Kirkwood commissioned him Lieutenant Colonel. During the time he was at the front he wrote to the home paper a num- ber of letters on the condition of the regiment and the subject of the war. One of them

breathes such pure patriotism and loyalty to the cause that we gladly insert it in this work. HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA INFANTRY. CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, March 23, 1863 ..

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 57

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