Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 99

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

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In politics Mr. Applegate is a Republican, but has never sought or desired official prefer-

ment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he contrib- utes liberally to its support.

UBERT HERRINGTON .- There is no man in all Monroe county who has done more for the advancement of its agricultural interests than our subject. A practical farmer himself, he has made a close study of all matters pertaining to farm life, and his progressive methods have done more to promote the material prosperity of this locality than the work of any other indi- vidual. His own efforts have been crowned with success, and his career entitles him to a leading place in this volume, for his life is an example of the power of steadfast, honorable purpose and indefatigable labor, and illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina- tion form the keynote of a man's life.

Hubert Herrington was born in Geauga county, Ohio, near Cleveland, on the 5th of December, 1840, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the Buck- eye State. His grandfather, Arnold Her- rington, removed to Ohio with ox teams at a very early day, and settled in the forests of Portage county, where he opened up and im- proved a farm, making his home thereon until his death. The father of our subject, Seth Herrington, was a native of New York, and after emigrating to the Buckeye State met and married Miss Olive Merriman, a native of Hartford, Connecticut. The greater part of his boyhood had been passed amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and his education was acquired in the common schools. The farm on which he located at the time of his marriage he made his home throughout his remaining days, and there his wife also died.

No event of special importance marked the childhood and youth of our subject, who aided in the arduous task of transforming the old homestead into richly cultivated fields. In the public schools he became familiar with the

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common English branches of learning. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-one years of age, when, the Civil war having broken out, he responded to the coun- try's call for volunteers and became a member of Company B, Forty-first Ohio Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Colonel W. B. Hazen. It was assigned to service in the army of the Cumberland and took part in several engagements, among the most important being the battles of Nashville, Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Pickett Mills and the siege of Atlanta. After the fall of that city his command returned to Tennessee, and he participated in the battles of Franklin, Columbia and Spring Hill. After the reorganization of the army by General Sherman, the corps of which the Forty-first Ohio Infantry was a member was sent to Texas, and there remained until November, 1865. The troops then returned Northward, and on the 3d of December Mr. Herrington was mustered out. Few men can boast of a longer or more honorable war record. Through the long years of that bloody struggle he was always found at the front, faithfully perform- ing the task allotted to him, and the country owes her preservation to the valiant service of such men.

Resuming the pursuits of civil life, Mr. Her- rington engaged in the manufacture of cheese in Geauga county for two years. In October, 1867, he came to Monroe county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Monroe township, pur- chasing eighty acres of land. He at once be- gan general farming and stock-raising, and as his financial resources increased, he added to his property until he was the owner of 228 acres, pleasantly located five miles south of Albia. He paid considerable attention to the raising of horses and cattle, and in 1871 de- veloped in Albia a new industry, the manufac- ture of cheese. He erected a cheese factory and no enterprise has been of greater benefit to the farmers of Monroe county than this. Mr. Herrington was a progressive farmer, always improving upon his own and other's methods, and a study of conditions and surroundings

taught him that dairy farming would prove profitable in this county. Grass is here very easily raised and he saw that dairy farming would therefore yield quick returns and would involve less risk than the raising of grain. He therefore undertook the business himself and induced others to do so and thus established what has proved a most profitable industry. He owned the first creamery in Bluff Creek township, and after carrying on the business himself for a number of years he sold it to a stock company composed of farmers, and the factory is still in active and profitable oper- ation. In May, 1895, he practically retired from business life, and is now enjoying a well earned rest at his pleasant home in Albia. He yet owns considerable realty, the rental from which adds not a little to his income. He now occupies the J. H. Drake homestead, a part of which lies within the corporate limits of Al- .bia, and comprises fifty-five acres of choice land which he still operates, for his energetic nature will not permit him to entirely lay aside business, though no one is more entitled to an honorable retirement than he.

Mr. Herrington, while living on the farm, served as School Trustee and School Treas- urer, and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. In politics he is a stal- wart advocate of Republican principles.

In February, 1866, Mr. Herrington was united in marriage with Miss Mary Babcock, a native of Geauga county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of David and Emily (Wright) Babcock. They have two children, a son and daughter: Orlo C., who is conducting a store owned by a coal company at Laddsdale, Davis county, Iowa; and Bertha, at home.

J OSEPH W. FINARTY, M. D., a suc- cessful medical practitioner of Knox- ville, who has spent the greater part of his life in Iowa, and is one of the worthy adopted sons of the State, was born at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, January 16, 1848. He is descended from Scotch ancestry,

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his grandfather, Joseph Finarty, having been a native of Scotland. He was the only child of Joseph and Emily (Day) Finarty, and being left an orphan at a very early age he went to live with his grandparents in Pella, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He was sent to the public schools, and after completing the course there entered the Iowa Central University at Pella, where he pursued his studies until six- teen years of age.

The Doctor then went to the front in re- sponse to the country's call for aid. Although but a boy he felt that he must render the na- tion all the assistance possible, and his military career was one worthy of a man many years his senior. He joined Company D, Sixty- third Illinois Infantry, under Colonel J. B. McCown, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, taking part in some of the most important battles and engagements of that sanguinary struggle. He participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge and the engage- ments at Atlanta, Marysville (Tennessee), Sa- vannah, Columbia and Jacksonville, and was one of that column of blue-coated soldiers who followed Sherman on the victorious march to the sea, after which he participated in the grand review in Washington. In 1864 he was transferred to the commissary department, in which he continued until after the cessation of hostilities. In July, 1865, at the close of the war, this brave soldier boy was honorably dis- charged at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned to his home.

When he again reached Pella, Iowa, the Doctor resumed his studies in the Central University, and later took up the study of medicine with Dr. R. D. Wilkin, of Pella, now of Atlantic, Iowa. In the fall of 1869 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, where he was graduated in 1873, on the completion of the four-year course. He entered upon the practice of his chosen calling in Dallas, and there remained for twelve years, building up an excellent business and demonstrating his skill and ability by his suc- cessful practice. Embracing every opportunity

possible for his further advancement in his chosen calling, he took a post-graduate course at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in 1882, and has always been a close student of med- ical literature, thereby keeping fully abreast with the times. In 1884 he returned to Knoxville, where he has since conducted a successful practice. In the same year he en- tered into partnership with Dr. A. D. Weth- erell, under the firm name of Wetherell & Finarty, and the connection has since been continued. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Capital City Medical Society, of Des Moines, and the Marion County Medical Society.

In 1872 Dr. Finarty was joined in wedlock with Miss May Auld, a sister of Dr. Auld and a daughter of James Auld. They have four children: Clyde is a student in the Barnes Medical College, of St. Louis, Missouri; Carl is a druggist, and Roy and Harry are attend- ing school.

The Doctor is a prominent Mason, hold- ing membership with Orella Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M .; Tadinore Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., of which he is High Priest; and has advanced in the Scottish Rite to the thirty- second degree. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and to John Ferguson Post, G. A. R. He and his wife hold mem- bership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is an unfaltering Republican, recognized as a wise leader and able counselor in the ranks of his party. He takes an active interest in everything calculated to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, and has served as chairman of the Republican county central committee.

LLEN BURROUGHS TAPLIN, a member of the Board of Supervisors of Tama county, Iowa, and a well-to- do patron of industry, was born in Corinth, Vermont, November 22, 1829. His parents, Guy C. and Rebecca (Burroughs)

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Taplin, were both natives of Vermont, the former hailing from Corinth and the latter from Newbury. The Taplin family is of En- glish ancestry and was established in New England prior to the Revolutionary war. The Burroughs family are also of English descent. Our subject is one of a family of two sons and four daughters, as follows: Adeline, widow of John H. Brown, who was killed in the Civil war, resides in Waterbury, Vermont; Eliza- beth, now Mrs. James Coffin, residing in Pepperill, Massachusetts; Harriet, who mar- ried Mr. Hiram Brown, of Williston, and died about 1844; Flora, who died in April, 1858, two years after her union with her husband, Mr. Luther Henry, of Waterbury, Vermont; Allen B., the direct subject of this sketch, and Henry, who died when twenty-three years of age.

Allen B. Taplin attended the public schools and an academy of his native State. When nineteen years of age he went to Summerville, Massachusetts, where he took charge of the McLean Asylum farm for six years. This was a private asylum for the demented, and the farm was an extensive one. At the expiration of this time, Mr. Taplin returned to Vermont, where, on the 21st day of February, 1856, he was married to Miss Mercy Eastman, of Ver- shire, Vermont. Investing in a farm, he took his bride there and for two years cultivated it successfully, after which he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and worked on the railroad for about one year. Farming, however, was his fate and his mind turned longingly to the wholesome freedom of country life. Resigning his position, he removed to Indian Village township, Tama county, Iowa, and has been prominently identified with the agricultural in- terests of this country ever since. His pos- sessions include 500 acres in this county and 240 acres in Shelby county, Iowa. This land is divided into three farms, which are improved and in a fine state of cultivation, the nearest being located about one mile from the city of Montour. Mr. Taplin came to this place with $1,200, but on his arrival was almost immedi-

ately stricken with a fever which incapacitated him for work for some time. His wife, too, fell ill, and by the time he was able to resume business his savings had diminished down to $800. This he invested in land and improve- ments, which with careful management and continued industry has increased to his present possessions.

Mr. Taplin has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party. He has served for many years as Township Trustee and School Director, and in 1892 was elected a member of the county board of Supervisors, this year (1895) closing his third year of service in that capacity. One year he was president of the board. It has been customary for some time with Mr. Taplin to visit his friends in Vermont, Massachusetts and Michigan once in two years. This suminer found him enjoying that pleasant recreation. While absent his name was introduced for renomination to his old place on the board, but, uncertain as to his wishes in the matter, his friends decided to go no further.

As a business man Mr. Taplin is keen, far- sighted, and sound in judgment. A careful observer of human nature, he rarely fails in reading character correctly; hence is not often deceived in his business dealings. In social circles he is a welcome adjunct, his genial na- ture being elicited for the entertaininent of his friends.

S AMUEL VANCE DUNCAN, a well- known medical practitioner of Pleas- antville, Iowa, belonging to the Eclec- tic school, is numbered among the native sons of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in Sullivan county on the 5th of October, 1840. In pioneer days the family became connected with that county, for within its borders at an early period in its history there located Joseph Duncan, the grandfather of our subject, a gentleman of Scotch descent. The Doctor's father, George Rice Duncan, was born and reared there, and, having at-

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tained his majority, married Ellen Snapp, daughter of John Snapp. He was of English descent and a native of the Shenandoah valley, of Virginia, whence he removed to Tennessee during pioneer days. In the family of six children, five sons and one daughter, the Doc- tor was the second in order of birth. Three of this number are still living. All of the brothers were in the Civil war, but they were divided in their allegiance, one being a mem- ber of the Union army, while three of the number wore the gray. Our subject served in the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry under Colonel John W. Rankin, of Keokuk, Iowa. William served in the battle of Chickamauga with the Confederate forces. Another brother was a surgeon in the Confederate army, and William, who was also in the Southern ranks, died soon after the close of the war.

Dr. Duncan of this review spent his child- hood days in his Southern home and attended a private school, his time being divided between his studies and farm work until his twentieth year, when, in 1860, he came North, locating in Pleasantville, Iowa. Here the question of · the trouble between the two sections of the country was presented to him in a new aspect. He learned the Northern views and resolved to stand by the Union. In April, 1861, he offered his services to the Government, and joined Company G, of the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, for three years' service. The regi- ment proceeded to the South and he took part in battles of Shiloh and Iuka. At the latter he sustained a severe gunshot wound in the leg and was taken to the hospital, where his in- juries proved so serious that he was honorably discharged on a surgeon's certificate.

Mr. Duncan at once returned to his home, and when he had recovered his health he took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. William Covington, of Pleasantville, with whom he remained for some time. Later he pursued a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1872. He then returned to Pleasantville

and established an office, and for the past thirty years he has devoted his talents and energies to the relief of suffering humanity. He was soon well established in his profession, and from that time has enjoyed a good patronage, which at once attests his ability and the confi- dence reposed in him by the public.

In 1868 the Doctor led to the marriage al- tar Miss Melissa, the eldest daughter of Miles Jordan, president of the Pleasantville Bank, and one of the oldest as well as one of the most prominent citizens of the place. They have two children, a son and daughter,-Miles J. and Lenore. The former is a graduate of the Keokuk Medical School, of Keokuk, Iowa, and also of the medical department of the Uni- versity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is now engaged with his father in general prac- tice in Pleasantville. The daughter is a cul- tured young lady, numbered among the grad- uates of the Visitation Academy, of Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Doctor keeps fully in touch with his profession, its improvements and progress through his perusal of the best medical litera- ture of the country and his connection with the Eclectic Medical Society of the State. So- cially he is a prominent Mason, holding mem- bership with Pleasantville Lodge, No. 128, F. & A. M .; Knoxville Chapter, R. A. M .; and Des Moines Commandery, K. T. He is a stock- holder in the Citizens' Bank at Pleasantville, and also in the Iowa State Bank at Prairie City, Iowa, having assisted in organizing the former.

e MERSON S. BRAMHALL, a farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln township, Warren county, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, September 11, 1838, a son of John and Elona (Smith) Bramhall. The father was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1806. When twenty-seven years of age he emigrated to America, locating in Ohio, where he was among the early pioneers. He pur- chased a farm of timber land, built a log cabin,

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and immediately began clearing his place. In 1850 he sold his property and removed to Iowa, locating on school land on Scotch Ridge, War- ren county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-four years. He was a member of the Methodist Church, as was also his wife. The latter, a native of Massachusetts and a member of a prominent old family, died at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Bramhall were the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Betsey, now Mrs. William Buxton, of Indianola; Joseph, of Ohio; Eleazar, a resi- dent of Oregon; Emerson S., the subject of this sketch; Maria, now Mrs. Finch, of Carl- isle, Iowa; Hannah, wife of William Pasley, of Des Moines; Ellen, now Mrs. Anderson, and a resident of Omaha; and John A., a master mechanic of Des Moines, Iowa

Emerson S. Bramhall spent the first twelve years of life in his native State, when he came with his father's family to Iowa. July 17, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, Company E, under Colonel G. M. Dodge. He was sent to Camp Kirkwood at Council Bluffs, from there went to Jefferson Barracks and Rolla, Missouri, and took part in the battle of Springfield and Pea Ridge, the regiment having lost 120 men at the latter en- gagement. They formed a part of General Carr's division, Colonel Dodge commanding the brigade. They next marched 450 miles to Helena, Arkansas; took part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, where the regiment lost 140 men; was afterward under General Sherman; and next participated in the engagement at Arkansas Post, where they took about 5,000 rebel prisoners. Their next movement was to Young's Point, in front of Vicksburg; from there they came around in the rear of that city, and took part in the entire siege there, the regiment meeting with heavy losses. After the fall of Vicksburg, Mr. Bramhall returned to Jackson, Mississippi, from there again marched to Vicksburg, went thence to Memphis and Chattanooga, participated in the Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Ringgold cam-

paigns, and at the last engagement the loss ag- gregated about one-half of the command! Fol- lowing this the regiment went into winter quarters at Woodville, Alabama. January 3, 1864, Mr. Bramhall re-enlisted for service, but shortly afterward returned home on a month's furlough. Rejoining his command, they went to Buzzard Roost, were with Sherman in the At- lanta campaign, participated in the memor- able march to the sea, and went through the Carolinas to Washington, where they partici- pated in the grand review. Mr. Bramhall received his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, August 8, 1865, having rendered more than four years of arduous service for his country, and during that time was but twice wounded- at Ringgold and before Atlanta. His army record will be a priceless heritage to his de- scendants.

After returning home Mr. Bramhall spent one year in Indianola, and then, in 1866, pur- chased a farm of unimproved land on section 16, Lincoln township. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 320 acres, and his place is considered one of the best in Iowa. His present residence was erected in 1876, his former home having been destroyed by a cyclone.

Mr. Bramhall was married September 28, 1865, to Isabel Cummings, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of David and Priscilla (Mugg) Cummings. To this union have been born three children: William, on the home farm; Perry, of Oregon; and Vivian, also at home. In political matters our subject has been a life- long Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He is a mem- ber of and an active worker in the Methodist Church.

J UDGE JOHN S. TOWNSEND was identified with the history of Iowa for more than forty years, having taken a prominent part in formulating the policy of the State and having been a leading factor in its judicial circles. His career from

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first to last, in public and private, was that of an honorable, high-minded gentleman of no- ble qualities, painstaking and conscientious in the discharge of his duty, and ever an advo- cate of progress and improvement. His name is inseparably connected with the history of Monroe county, and stands conspicuously high on the roll of her eminent citizens.

The Judge was born in Morgansfield, Ken- tucky, August 21, 1824, being a son of Janies and Catherine (Davis) Townsend, who removed with their family to Putnam county, Indiana, when our subject was a child of six summers. There he acquired his education and the busi- ness training which afterward turned him toward his chosen profession, -the law. He came to Iowa in 1850, for his foresight taught him that the new but rapidly developing West would prove an excellent field for labor. His first location was at Chariton Point, in Lucas county, but in the spring of 1851 he came to Albia, where he made his home until his death. Opening an office, he at once entered upon the practice of law. He had been favored before coming here with good opportunities in the courts of Putnam county to become famil- iar with the practice, which experience greatly aided him in its commencement in Iowa. He had a more thorough knowledge how records should be kept, how court business should be transacted and how to formulate entries than any lawyer who ever practiced in Albia. He was also the most careful, thor- ough and active business man at the bar. The moment he attenipted to argue a case it was seen that his preparation was thorough and painstaking. He marshaled his facts as a general would his troops, carefully weighed the evidence and produced it at the most telling point. He was quick to note and attack the weak points in an opponent's plea, was a forcible, logical speaker and his high reputation as a member of the Monroe county bar was justly deserved. In 1864 he entered into partnership with T. B. Perry, and the connec- tion continued for twenty consecutive years, terminating in 1884.

Judge Townsend was again and again called to public office. In August, 1851, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe coun- ty, and served in that position until his elec- tion to the State Legislature in August, 1852. His service in the House was a most credita- ble one. In April, 1853, he was elected Judge of the District Court of the Ninth Judicial Dis- trict, comprising Appanoose, Monroe, Lucas, Wayne, Warren, Madison, Union, Ringgold, and Decatur counties, but the district was changed by the new constitution of 1857. At the April election of 1857 Judge Townsend was re-elected, and in October, 1858, at the first election for judge under the new constitution, he was chosen Judge of the new district for the term of four years, expiring on the Ist day of January, 1862.

Judge Townsend was twice married. He first wedded Miss Mary Brooks, of Indiana, who died in Albia, July 15, 1852, leaving one son, Rufus B., who is now living in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1853 he married Miss Annie Elbert, daughter of Dr. John D. and Achsa (Hitt) Elbert, of Van Buren county, Iowa, her father being a very prominent citizen at an early day. Unmistakably a lady of high cul- ture and refinement, Mrs. Townsend has ex- erted a beneficial influence on the social life of Albia. She is still living with her son Fred at the old homestead. Three of her children survive, namely: Judge James Elbert Town- send, of El Paso, Texas; Fred, a practicing attorney of Albia; and Wilber, who is now at- tending the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. The only daughter, Mrs. W. J. Car- nohan, of Parker county, Texas, died in 1893.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 99

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