USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 10
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his appointment to the office of Secretary of the Interior by President Lincoln, just before his death, but had withdrawn from the cabinet soon after the accession of Mr. Johnson to the Presi- deney. In this way it happened that the Legisla- ture had two terms of United States Senator to fill, a short term of two years, to fill llarlan's unexpired term, and a long term of six years to immediately succeed this; and Harlan had now become a candi- date for his own successorship, to which Kirkwood also aspired. Ultimately, Kirkwood was elected for the first and Harlan for the second term. Dur- ing his brief Senatorial service, Kirkwood did not hesitate to measure swords with Senator Sumner, whose natural egotism had begotten in him an ar- rogant and dictatorial manner, borne with humbly until then by his colleagues, in deference to his long experience and eminent ability, but unpalata- ble to an independent Western Senator like Kirk- wood.
At the close of his Senatorial term, March 4, 1867, he resumed the practice of law, which a few years later he relinquished to accept the Presidency of the lowa City Savings Bank. In 1875 he was again elected Governor, and was inaugurated Jan. 13, 1876. lle served but little over a year. as early in 1877 he was chosen United States Senator. lle filled this position four years, resigning to be- come Secretary of the Interior in President Gar- field's Cabinet. In this office he was succeeded, April 17, 1882, by Henry M. Teller, of Colorado,
Gov. Kirkwood returned to Iowa City, his home, where he still resides, being now advanced in years. He was married in 1843, to Miss Jane Clark, a na- tive of Ohio.
In 1886 Mr. Kirkwood was nommated for Con- gress by the Republicans of his district. Consider- able interest was manifested in the contest. as both the Labor and Democratic parties had popular ean- didates in the field.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
r. M. Stone
131
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
DOilliam Hi Stone.
ILLIAM M. STONE, the sixth Governor of Iowa, was w! born Oct. 14, 1827. His parents, Truman and La- vina (North) Stone, who were of English ancestry, moved to Lewis County, N. Y., when William was but a year old. William's grandfather, Aaron Stone, was in the second war with En- gland. When our subjeet was six years of age his parents moved into Ohio, lo- eating in Coshoeton County. Like many other self-made men, William M. had few advantages. He never attended a school of any kind more than twelve months. In boyhood he was for two seasons a team-driver on the Ohio Canal. At seventeen he was appren- tieed to the chairmaker's trade, and he followed that business until he was twenty-three years of age, reading law meantime during his spare hours, wherever he happened to be. Ile commenced at Coshocton, with James Mathews, who afterward became his father-in-law; continued his reading with Gen. Lucius V. Pierce, of Akron, and finished with Ezra B. Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1851, by Peter Hitchcock and Rufus P'. Ranney, Supreme Judges, holding a term of court at Ravenna.
After practicing three years at Coshocton with his old preceptor, James Mathews. he, in November, 1854, settled in Knoxville, which has remained his home since. The year after loeating here Mr. Stone purchased the Knoxville Journal, and was one of the prime movers in forming the Republican party in Iowa, being the first editor to suggest a State Convention, which met Feb. 22. 1856, and completed the organization. In the autumn of the same year he was a Presidential elector on the Re- publican ticket.
In April, 1857, Mr. Stone was chosen Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District. He was elected Judge of the Sixth Judicial District when the new Constitution went into operation in 1858, and was serving on the bench when the American flag was strieken down at Fort Sumter. At that time, April, 1861, he was hokling court in Fairfield, Jefferson County, and when the news came of the insult to the old flag he immediately adjourned court and prepared for what he believed to be more important duties-duties to his country.
In May be enlisted as a private; was made Cap- tain of Co. B, Third Iowa Inf., and was subse- quently promoted to Major. With that regiment he was at the battle of Blue Mill, Mo., in Septem- ber, 1861, where he was wounded. At Shiloh, the following spring, he commanded the regiment and was taken prisoner. By order of Jefferson Davis
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132
WILLIAM M. STONE.
he was paroled for the time of forty days, with orders to repair to Washington, and if possible seenre an agreement for a cartel for a general ex- change of prisoners, and to return as a prisoner if he did not succeed. Failing to secure that result within the period specified, he returned to Rich- mond and had his parole extended fifteen days; re- pairing again to Washington, he effected his pur- pose and was exchanged.
In Angust, 1862, he was appointed by Gov. Kirkwood Colonel of the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, which rendezvoused and organized at He was nominated in a Republican convention, held at Des Moines in June, 1863, and was elected by a very large majority. He was breveted Brig- adier-General in 1864, during his first year as Gov- ernor. He was inaugurated Jan. 14, 1864, and was re-elected in 1865, his four years in office closing Jan. 16, 1868. His majority in 1868 was nearly 30,000, and in 1865 about 16,500. llis diminished vote in 1865 was due to the fact that he was very strongly committed in favor of negro suffrage. Camp Pope. Iowa City, the same month. The regiment was occupied for several months in guard- ing supply stores and the railroad, and escorting supply trains to the Army of the Southeast Mis- souri until Jan. 27, 1863, when it received orders to join the army under Gen. Davidson, at West Plains, Mo. After a march of five days it reached its destination, and was brigaded with the Twenty- first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments, Col. Stone commanding, and was designated the First Brigade, Gov. Stone made a very energetie and efficient Executive. Since the expiration of his gubernatorial term he has sought to escape the publie notice, and has given his time to his private business interests. Knoxville, in legal practice. First Division, Army of Southeast Missouri. April 1 found Col. Stone at Milliken's Bend, Las, to assist Grant in the capture of Vicksburg. He was now: in immediate command of his regiment,which ?? Hesis in partnership with Hon. O. B. Ayres, of formed a part of a brigade under Col. C. L. Harris. of the Eleventh Wisconsin. In the advanice? upon- f .:: Hejwas elected to the General Assembly in 1877. "and served one term.
Port Gibson Col. Harris was taken sick, and .Col. Stone was again in charge of a brigade. In the battle of Port Gibson the Colonel and his com- mand distinguished themselves, and were successful.
The brigade was in the reserve at Champion Hills, and in active skirmish at Black River.
On the evening of May 21 Col. Stone received Gen. Grant's order for a general assault on the enemy's lines at 10 A. M. on the 22d. In this charge, which was'unsuccessful, Col. Stone was again wounded, receiving a gunshot in the left forearm. Col. Stone commanded a brigade until the last of August, when, being ordered to the Gulf Department, he resigned. He had become very popular with the people of Iowa.
In May, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet Mathews, a native of Ohio, then residing in Knoxville. They have one son-William A.
THE ILI TORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
Stam mene
135
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
Samuel
Merrill.
AMUEL MERRILL, Governor from 1868 to 1872, was born in Oxford County, Maine, Ang. 7, 1822. lle is a de- scendant on his mother's side of Peter Ilill, who came from England and settled in Maine in 1653. From this aneestry have sprung most of the Hills in Ameri- ea. On his father's side he is a de- cendant of Nathaniel Merrill, who came from England in 1636, and lo- eated in Massachusetts. Nathaniel had a son. Daniel, who in turn had a son named JJob, and he in turn begat a son called Thomas. The latter was born Dee. 18. 1708. On the 4th of Ang- ust, 1728, was born to him a son, Samuel, who was married and had a family of twelve children, one of whom. Abel, was taken by his father to Boston in 1750. Abel was married to Elizabeth Page, who had five children, one of whom, Abel, Jr., was the father of our subject. He married Abigail Hill June 25, 1809, and to them were born eight chil- dren. Samuel being the youngest but one. At the age of sixteen Samuel moved with his parents to Buxton, Maine, the native place of his mother, where his time was employed in turns in teaching and attending school until he attained his majority. Having determined to make teaching a profession, and feeling that the South offered better opportu- nities, he immediately set out for that section. HIe
remamed, however, but a short time, as he says "he was born too far North." Suspicion having been raised as to his abolition principles and finding the element not altogether congenial, he soon abandoned the sunny South and went to the old Granite State, where the next several years were spent in farming. In 1847 he moved to Tamworth, N. II., where he engaged in the mercantile business in company with a brother, in which he was quite successful. Not being satisfied with the limited resources of North- ern New England he determined to try his good fortune on the broad prairies of the fertile West.
It was in the year 1856 that Mr. Merrill turned his face toward the setting sun, finding a desirable location near MeGregor, lowa, where he established a branch house of the old firm. The population in- ereased, as also did their trade, and their house be- came one of the most extensive wholesale establish- ments on the Upper Mississippi. During all these years of business Mr. Merrill took an active part in politics. In 1854 he was chosen on the abolition ticket to the Legislature of New Hampshire. The following year he was again returned to the Legis- lature, and doubtless had he remained in that State would have risen still higher. In coming to Jowa his experience and ability were demanded by his neighbors, and he was here called into publie serv- ice. He was sent to the Legislature, and though assembled with the most distinguished men of his time, took a leading part in the important services demanded of that body. The Legislature was con- vened in an extra session of 1861, to provide for
136
SAMUEL MERRILL.
the exigencies of the Rebellion. and in its deliber- ations Mr. Merrill took an active part.
In the summer of 1862, Mr. Merrill was commis- sioned Colonel of the 21st Iowa Infantry, and im- mediately went to the front. At the time Marma- duke was menacing the Union forces in Missouri, which called for prompt action on the part of the Union Generals, Col. Merrill was placed in com- mand, with detachments of the 21st lowa and 99th Illinois, a portion of the 3d Towa Cavalry and two pieces of artillery, with orders to make a foreed march to Springfield. he being at the time eighty miles distant. On the morning of Jan. 11, 1863. he came across a hody of Confederates who were advancing in heavy force. Immediate preparations for battle were made by Col. Merrill. and after brisk- ly firing for an hour, the enemy fell back. Merrill then moved in the direction of Hartville, where he found the enemy in force under Marmaduke, being about eight thousand strong, while Merrill had but one-tenth of that number. A hot struggle ensued in which the Twenty-first distinguished itself. The Confederate loss was several officers and three hun- dred men killed and wounded, while the Union loss was but seven killed and sixty-four wounded. The following winter the regiment performed active service. taking part in the campaign of Vicksburg. . It fought under McClernand at Port Gibson, and while making the famous charge of Black River Bridge. Col. Merrill was severely wounded through the hip. He was laid up from the 17th of May to January, when he again joined his regiment in Texas, and in June. 1864, on account of suffering from his wound, resigned and returned to Me- Gregor. In 1867 Mr. Merrill was chosen Gov- ernor of the State, being elected upon the Repub- - lican ticket. He served with such satisfaction, that in 1869 he was re-nominated and accordingly elected.
Under the administration of Gov. Merrill, the movement for the erection of the new State House was inaugurated. The Thirteenth General Assembly provided for the building at a cost of $1.500,000, and made an appropriation with which to begin the work of $150,000. With this sum the work was begun, and Nov. 23, 1871, the corner stone was laid in the presence of citizens from all
parts of the State. On this occasion the Governor delivered the address. It was an historical view of the incidents culminating in the labors of the day. It was replete with historical facts, showed patient research, was logical and argumentative, and at times eloquent with the fire and genius of American pa- triotism. It is a paper worthy of the occasion, and does justice to the head and heart that con- ceived it.
During the gubernatorial eareer of Gov. Mer- rill, extending through two terms, from Janu- ary, 1868. to January, 1872. he was actively en- gaged in the discharge of his official duties, and probably no incumbent of that office ever devoted himself more earnestly to the public good, stand- ing by the side of Gov. Fairchild, of Wisconsin. The two were instrumental in placing the slack- water navigation between the Mississippi and the Lakes in the way of ultimate and certain success. The Governor treated this subject to great length and with marked ability in his message to the Thir- teenth General Assembly, and so earnest was he in -behalf of this improvement, that he again discussed it in his message to the Fourteenth General Assem- bly. In the instigation of the work the Governors of the different States interested, called conventions, and through the deliberations of these assemblies the aid of the General Government was secured.
Samuel Merrill was first married to Catherine Thomas, who died in 1847. fourteen months after their marriage. In January, 1851, he was united in marriage with a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine. She became the mother of four children, three of whom died young, the eldest living to be only two and a half years old.
After the expiration of his publie service he re- turned to MeGregor, but shortly afterward removed to Des Moines, where he is now residing, and is President of the Citizens' National Bank.
Thus briefly have been pointed out the leading features in the life of one of lowa's most promi- nent citizens, and one who has made an honorable record both in publie positions and private enter- prises. Ile is highly esteemed in the city where he resides and is regarded as one of the faithful rep- resentatives of the sons of New England. In stat- ure he is fully six feet high and finely proportioned.
THE NEW YORK. PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEI. OX A TILDEN FOUNDA .S.
139
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
Cyrus Clay Carpenter.
YRUS CLAY CARPENTER, Governor of Iowa from 1872 to 1875, inclusive, was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., Nov. 24, 1829. Ile was left an orphan at an early age, his mother dying when he was at the age of ten years, and his father two years later. He was left in destitute circumstances, and went first to learn the trade of a clothier, which, however, he abandoned after a few months, and engaged with a farmer, giving a term in the winter, however, to attendance upon the district school. When eighteen he began teaching school, and the fol- lowing four years divided his time between teaclı- ing and attending the academy at Hartford. At the conclusion of this period he went to Ohio, where he engaged as a teacher for a year and a half, spending the summer at farm work.
In the year 1854 Mr. Carpenter came further westward, visiting many points in Illinois and Iowa, arriving at Des Moines, then a village of some 1.200 inhabitants. This place, however, not offering a favorable location, he proceeded on his journey, arriving in Fort Dodge June 28, 1854. Owing to his being without funds he was compelled to travel on foot, in which way the journey to Fort Dodge was made, with his entire worldly posses- sions in a carpet-sack which he carried in his hand. He soon found employment at Fort Dodge, as as- sistant to a Government surveyor. This work be-
ing completed, young Carpenter assisted his land- lord in cutting hay, but soon secured another position as a surveyor's assistant. In the early part of the following January he engaged in teach- ing school at Fort Dodge, but in the spring was employed to take charge of a set of surveyors in surveying the counties of Emmet and Kossuth.
On his return to Fort Dodge he found the land- oflice, which had been established at that place, was about to open for the sale of land. Being familiar with the country and the location of the best land, he opened a private land-office, and found constant and profitable employment for the following three years, in platting and surveying lands for those seeking homes. During this period he became extensively known, and, being an active Republican, he was chosen as a standard-bearer for his section of the State. He was elected to the Legislature in the autumn of 1857. In 1861, on the breaking out of the Rebellion, he volunteered and was assigned to duty as Commissary of Sub- sistence, much of the time being Chief Commissary of the left wing of the 16th Army Corps. In 1864 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and assigned to duty on the staff of Gen. Logan, as Chief Com- missary of the 15th Army Corps. He continued in the service until the close of the war, and in August, 1865, was mustered out.
Upon the close of his service to his country he returned to his home at Fort Dodge, but, owing to so many changes which had taken place, and such an influx of enterprising men into the city, he found his once prosperous business in the hands of
140
CYRUS CLAY CARPENTER.
others. He turned his attention to the improve- ment of a piece of land, where he remained until his election, in the autumn of 1866, as Register of the State Land-Office. He was re-elected in 1868, and refused the nomination in 1870. This position took him to Des Moines, but in 1870 he returned to Fort Dodge. During the summer of the follow- ing year he was nominated by the Republican party for Governor. He was elected, and inaugurated as Chief Executive of Iowa Jan. 11, 1872. In 1873 he was renominated by his party, and October 14 of that year was re-elected, his inauguration taking place Jan. 27, 1871. Gov. Carpenter was an able, popular and faithful Executive, and was regarded as one of the most honest, prominent and unselfish officials the State ever had. Plain, unassuming, modest, he won his publie position more through the enthusiasm of his friends than by any personal effort or desire of his own. Everywhere, at all times and upon all occasions, he demonstrated that the confidence of his friends was justified. Ile took an active part in the great question of monopolies YORK and transportation erAs, Which during his adminis- tration were so h BRAmuch to secure wise legislation in these respects ..
Gov. Carpenter LAST Jedi Nfegaled as a public BEN FUNDAPION! speaker of more than ordinary ability, and has upon many occasions been the orator, and always appreciated by the people.
At the expiration of his second term as Governor Mr. Carpenter was appointed Second Comptroller of the United States Treasury, which position he resigned after a service of fifteen months. This step was an evidence of his unselfishness, as it was taken because another Bureau officer was to be dis- missed, as it was held that Iowa had more heads of Bureaus than she was entitled to, and his resigning an office of the higher grade saved the position to another. In 1881 he was elected to Congress, and served with ability, and in the Twentieth General Assembly of lowa he represented Webster County.
Gov. Carpenter was married, in March, 1864, to Miss Susan Burkholder, of Fort Dodge. No chil- dren have been born to them, but they have reared a niece of Mrs. Carpenter's.
During his entire life Mr. Carpenter has been de- voted to the principles of Reform and the best
interests of all elasses of citizens who, by adoption or by birth-right, are entitled to a home upon our soil and the protection of our laws, under the great charter of " Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Hap- piness." In an address in 1852 he took advanced views upon the leading subjects of public interest. Ile had already laid the foundation for that love of freedom which afterwards found an ample field of labor with the Republican party. There was noth- ing chimerieal in his views. IIc looked at every strata of human society, and, from the wants of the masses, wisely devined duty and prophesied destiny. Ile would have the people of a free Republic edu- cated in the spirit of the civilization of the age. Instead of cultivating a taste for a species of liter- ature tending directly to degrade the mind and deprave the heart, thereby leading back to a state of superstition and consequent barbarism, he would cultivate principles of temperance, industry and economy in every youthful mind, as the indispens- able ingredients of good citizens, or subjects upon whose banner will be inscribed Liberty, Equality. Fraternity.
Thus early in life Mr. Carpenter saw the destined tendeney of our American institutions, and the ad- vancing civilization of the age. He saw it in the peace congress, whose deliberations have made the Rhine thriee immortal. He saw it in the prospect- ive railway, which he believed would one day . unite the shores of the Atlantic with those of the Pacific-a fact realized by the construction of the great continental railway.
It was thus early that he began to study the wants of the world, and with what clearness and directness may be seen by the correctness of his vision and the accomplishment of what he eonsid- ered an inevitable necessity. .
Thus, growing up into manhood, and passing on- ward in the rugged pathway of time, disciplined in political economy and civil ethics in the stern school of experience, he was prepared to meet every emergency with a steady hand; to bring order out of discord, and insure harmony and prosperity.
Gov. Carpenter is now engaged in the quiet pur- suits of farm life, residing at Fort Dodge, where he is highly esteemed as one of her purest minded and most upright citizens.
ORK FJCLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDAT UNS.
2.8. hanbold
143
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
Goskua
Newbold.
OSIIUA G. NEWBOLD, the ninth Governor of lowa, is a native of Pennsylvania. HIe comes from that excellent stock known as the Friends, who very early settled in New Jersey. Joshua G. is the son of Barzilla and Catherine (Honse) Newbold, and was born in Fayette County, May 12, 1830. Ile was born a farmer's boy and was reared in the vigor- ous employment of farm work. When he was eight years of age the family moved to Westmoreland County, Pa., where, in the common schools and in a select school or academy, young Newbold received his education. When sixteen years of age he accompanied the family on their re- turn to Fayette County. Ilere for the following eight years he assisted his father in running a flour- ing-mill as well as devoting much of his time to teaching school. When about nineteen years of age our subject began the study of medicine, de- voting much of his time while teaching to his med- ical books. Ile, however, abandoned the idea of becoming a physician and turned his attention to different walks in life.
In the month of March, 1854, Mr. Newbold re- moved to Iowa, locating on a farm, now partly in the corporation of Mount Pleasant, Henry County.
At the end of one year he removed to Cedar Township, Van Buren County, there merchandising and farming till about 1860, when he removed to Hillsboro, Henry County, and pursued the same callings.
In 1862, when the call was made for 600,000 men to finish the work of crushing the Rebellion, Mr. Newbold left his farm in the hands of his family and his store in charge of his partner, and went into the army as Captain of Company C, 25th Regiment of Iowa Infantry. IIe served nearly three years, resigning just before the war closed, on account of disability. During the last two or three months he served at the South he filled the position of Judge Advocate, with headquarters at Woodville, Ala.
His regiment was one of those that made Iowa troops famous. It arrived at Helena, Ark., in November, 1862, and sailed in December following on the expedition against Vicksburg by way of Chickasaw Bayou. At the latter place was its first engagement. Its second was at Arkansas Post, and there it suffered severely, losing in killed and wounded more than sixty.
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