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 14
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HOMAS MOREHEAD, one of the early settlers of Butler County, Ohio, was born in Westmoreland County. Pa, in about 1786. Ilis father, Robert Morehead, was a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and went to Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1801, and settled in Butler County, where Thomas was married to Hester Ann Shields, a native of Ireland, by whom he had a family of seven chil- dren: Mary Ann married George P. Graft, of Butler County, and died in that county; Jane. wife of Dr. Joseph Waterman, a celebrated Meth-
odist preacher, died in Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio; Eliza, born in 1811, resides in this (Henry) county : Thomas married Miss Ann Bevis; Hester Ann, wife of William Pottenger, of Preble County, Ohio; Caroline, wife of William Lytle, came to this county where she afterward died; her husband was sup- posed to have been murdered near Hamilton, Ohio, and his body thrown into the Miami River. John, who settled in this county in 1846. Thomas More- head and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for some years he was a Class- Leader. Ile was a man highly respected in the county where he lived. In polities, he was a stanch Jackson Demoerat.
John S. Morehead was an early settler of Henry County, lowa. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, Ang. 12, 1820, and there grew to manhood and received a liberal education. In the fall of 1846 he married Miss Charlott Forbes, a native of Butler County, Ohio, born Jan. 1, 1827. Soon after their marriage they came to Henry County and located in Centre Township, where they re- mained until their death. Six children were born unto them, four of whom are living: Ilester, wife of Erskine Becker, residing in New London Town- ship: Mary, wife of Nelson Cornick, of this eounty ; Callie, residing on the old homestead: Annettie, wife of Cornelius Smith, of Jefferson County, lowa. The deceased are John and an infant daughter. Mrs. Morehead died in 1865. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a sincere Christian woman, loved by all. Mr. Morehead eame to lowa in the same year it was admitted into the Union of States. The greater part of the country at this time was in a wild state, and in common with the pioneers generally he had but little capital other than a brave heart and willing hands. He went immediately to work and soon had a splendid farm under a high state of cultivation. He was a man of marked ability. one calculated to make friends wherever known. Religiously, he was eon- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a member of that body did all in his power to advance the Master's cause. Politically, he was a stanch Demoerat, a firm believer in the principles advocated by Jefferson and Jackson. A friend of education, he gave each of his children opportunity
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sufficient to become well versed in the various sciences of the day. June 21, 1887, Mr. Morehead was trampled by a frightened horse, which caused his death June 26, 1887. Hle was a kind husband and an indulgent parent, and no man could say aught against him. His death was universally mourned alike by his family and friends.
Miss Eliza Morehead, the sister of John, has al- ways made her home with the family. She is a woman of superior ability and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Of a family of seven children she is the sole surviv- ing one.
LFRED J. CAMPBELL is among the oldest and best known citizens of Henry County. He was born in Sussex County, Del., April 2, 1816, and is a son of Rob- ert and Hannah (Hazard) Campbell, both na- tives of the same State, where their whole lives were passed. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters who grew up. Besides the sub- ject of this sketch, one other member of this fam- ily is now living, a brother, John S., who is now in his seventy-seventh year and is a resident of Passa- dena, Cal. Both of his parents died when Alfred J. was six years old, and he went to live with older brothers and sisters. He received such education as the schools of that day afforded, and was reared on a farm until he was fourteen years old, when he came West with an older brother, William H., who kept a general store at Shelbyville, Ind. He was in his brother's employ for eight years, when he began on his own account in the same town. Two years later he began trading in the South, and some- times clerking, usually spending the summers in the North.
On the breaking out of the Mexican War, Mr. Campbell enlisted in the 3d Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Sullivan, their Colonel being the after- ward celebrated Gen. James Il. Lane, of Kansas border war fame. He participated in the battle of Buena Vista, fought by Gen. Taylor against tre- mendous odds, and which was one of the most brilliant victories of that war. On his return to peaceful pursuits he again settled in Shelby County,
Ind. Mr. Campbell was married in September, 1839, at Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Mary Sullivan, who died in July, 1848. The fruit of this union was one child who died in infancy. In September, 1849, Mr. Campbell was married to Mrs. Prudence Lockhart, widow of Benjamin Lockhart, of Ripley County, Ind., who died July 15, 1818. This couple had no children.
In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Campbell emigrated to lowa, settling on a farm in Ilenry County, on which he lived for twenty years, and on which, by the aid of his industrious and thrifty habits and good judgment, he accumulated a competence. In 1873 he retired from active life on the farm and removed to his present home in Mt. Pleasant. In early life Mr. Campbell acted with the Democratic party, but on the breaking out of the Rebellion joined the ranks of the Republicans with whom he has ever since affiliated. In his religious views he is a be- liever in Christianity and a liberal supporter of churches, but not a member of any denomination. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. A man of sound judgment, well informed as to public matters, and of undoubted probity of character, Mr. Campbell commands the respect of his fellow- men.
W ILLIAM SMITH, born Oct. 5, 1833, is a native of Beaver County, Pa. He resides on section 20, Trenton Township, where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres. When but a lad of twelve years he emigrated with his parents, Robert and Nancy (Bryarly ) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, to Indiana. In that State William was reared on a farm and received his education at the district schools. He came to this county in the fall of 1855 with his parents, who subsequently re- moved to Decatur County, where they both died. The father departed this life in August. 1877, and the mother in August, 1885. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Republican, always taking a lively interest in political affairs. They reared a family of eight children : Sarah S., wife of John Jones, now resides in Decatur County, Iowa; Jane M., widow of John Bouse, now living in Tipton County, Ind .; Will-
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iam. our subject; Agnes, wife of Isane Dick, resid- ing in Indiana; Margaret. widow of John Stone, of Decatur County, Iowa; Robert, a soldier in the 34th lowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisted in August, 1862, and died at Helena, Ark., when fighting for his country ; Mary A., wife of Preston Creveling, of Decatur County, lowa; Louisa Ann died in infancy.
William Smith, our subject, went with his par- ents to Decatur County, Iowa, in the spring of 1856; remaining but a short time, he returned to Henry County, engaging as a farm hand, then rent- ing farms until October, 1861, when he responded to his country's call for troops. He enlisted in Company D, 4th lowa Cavalry, and served until Ang. 9, 1861, as Corporal. Ilis eyes became sore and he suffered from other disabilities, from the effects of which diseases he has never fully re- covered. After his discharge he returned to Henry County, and was united in marriage, in February, 1865, with Rhoda Ann Messer, a native of Henry County. and a daughter of Hiram Messer. He made his home upon a rented farm on section 20, Tren- ton Township, until 1873, when he made a home on a farm of eighty acres which he had previously bought, and has developed a good farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of two chil- dren-W. G. and E. M. His first wife died April 14, 1870, and he was again married in 1873, to Margaret Messer, a sister of his former wife, and by their union eight children have been born-Will- iam Sherman, Robert Hiram, John Miller, Ann Eliza, Rosa Blanche, Maggie Luella, Nancy Ade- line and James Harlan. Mr. Smith has held the office of Township Trustee for six years. Politically he is Republican. He is one of the stanch sup- porters of the party, and takes great interest in all political affairs. Mr. Smith commenced life a poor boy, and has made his own way in the world with- out assistance.
OB CODNER, a farmer residing at New London Village, has a finely improved farm of 205 acres adjoining the east city limits, another of seventy seven acres in the same township, besides forty aeres of good timber. Mr.
Codner was born at Athens, Athens Co., Ohio, in December, 1820. Ilis fatber, John C. Codner, was a large land-owner in that county, but was born in - Rhode Island, his parents being of French descent. The name originally was Cadnea, but was changed to Codner by the founder of the family in America. John Chaplin Codner, our subject's father, was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1823, when his son Job was in his fourth year. His wife, Job's mother, was Fanny Tillinghast before marriage. She was also born in Rhode Island, and was of En- glish descent. Her death occurred in 1828. Left an orphan at the age of eight years, Job was placed in the care of a widow, Mrs. Esther Miller Ming- ham, a Connecticut woman of sterling practical sense and kind heart, and under her judicious care Job was reared to industrious, frugal habits, and taught to be truthful, upright and honest. Mr. Codner still reveres the memory of his foster mother as one who did much to lay the foundation of a character that has aided him materially in his successful business career.
Mr. Codner was married at Athens, Ohio, to a "maid of Athens," Miss Hannah Raynor Graham, daughter of Josiah and Clarissa (Raynor) Graham, a native of Athens. Mrs. Codner's father was born in Scotland during a brief sojourn of his parents in that country wbile refugees from the North of Ire- land during the Irish rebellion. His people were Scotch-Irish of the old-school Presbyterian sort. He emigrated to America in his youth, and married Miss Clarissa Raynor on Long Island. Mrs. Gra- ham was born on Long Island and was of Scotch parentage.
Mr. and Mrs. Codner have two children, sons : Henry Hayes, born near West Point, Lee Co., Iowa, Nov. 17, 1850, who is a farmer of New London Township: the younger son, John C., was also born near West Point, lowa, on the 6th of April, 1855, and is married to Lillie Biesen, and is a farmer of New London Township, where he has a well-improved farm of eighty-one acres. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Codner have three children, two daughters and a son: Irena Maude, born Sept. 16, 1882; Mabel May, born Dec. 5, 1884, and Leroy Champlin, born Sept. 3, 1887. Mr. Codner came to lowa in 1817, purchasing a farm in Lee County
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and then returning to Ohio. Ile sold his land soon afterward, but returned to Iowa with his family in 1850, and purchased another farm near West Point, Lee County, which he improved and cultivated until 1864. He then came to Henry County, lo- eating in New London Village, and one year later purchased a farm in New London Township and again engaged in tilling the soil. Having a turn for speculation, and possessing a good knowledge of values, he sold and bought several farms in rapid succession, making money by every transfer. In 1878 he purchased the farm of 205 acres near the east village limits which he still owns, and the ele- gant residence in the village, his present home. Mr. Codner has not confined himself strictly to farm life, but has traveled over the world more or less. In 1856 he made a trip to Texas, going overland through the Indian Territory. He left home in September, 1856, spent the winter in Texas and re- turned via the Red River, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. While in North Missouri he was stricken with Spanish or yellow fever and came near dying. He reached home on the 25th of May, 1857. On the 16th of September, 1869, he started with his family for a cruise to the Pacific Slope, spent two months in California, visiting San Francisco and other chief points of interest, and then returned to Iowa. In his younger days he was an old-line Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party, joined that organization, and has since been an earnest supporter of the party. Mr. and Mrs. Codner are members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected by that society and by the entire community in which they make their home.
G EORGE SHANER, merchant, New London, lowa, a pioneer of Henry County of 1844, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Jan. 15, 1840. His parents, George and Juliana (Bricker) Shaner, were Pennsylvanians by birth and of German descent. The family originally settled in-Maryland, and went from there to Westmore- land County, Pa., where the father was born. George came to Iowa with his parents in 1844, when but a child. They spent a short time in Burlington and then came to New London.
The subject of our sketch was educated in the village schools of that place, and on the breaking ont of the Civil War he was among the first to enter the service in defense of the Union. He enlisted in June, 1861, and was sworn into the United States service July 17 following as a private of Company H, 6th lowa Infantry, under command of Col. John Adair McDowell, who was succeeded by Col. John M. Corse, late Major General. His regi- ment was assigned to duty in the Army of the Ten- nessee, under Gen. Sherman. The history of the 6th Iowa Infantry was one of hard-fought cam- paigns in which the regiment made a brilliant rec- ord for brave and efficient service, and during which time it sustained a loss of 140 men killed outright in line of battle, and 349 wounded. The first important battle in which the regiment engaged was the battle of Shiloh, where they entered with a force of 600 men and sustained a loss of 284 in killed and wounded. Our subject participated in the following-named engagements: Battles of Shi- loh, March 16, 1862; siege of Corinth, May, 1862; siege of Vieksburg, winter of 1862-63. At the battles near Jackson, July 16, 1863, the regiment covered itself with glory and was highly compli- mented in the reports of the general officers. In the month of November, 1863, it was engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge. In December follow- ing, the regiment took part in the famous expedi- tion for the relief of Knoxville, Tenn. Early in 1864 the regiment veteranized and became the 6th lowa Veteran Volunteers, and was granted a thirty- days furlough. Returning at the expiration of the furlough, about the last of April, 1864, it rejoined Sherman and fought the battles of Resaca, May 14 and 15; Dallas, May 28; New Hope, June 1 to 4: Big Shanty, June 15, and Kennesaw on the 27th; then in all the great battles before At- lanta, July 21, 22 and 28, and at Jonesboro, in the rear of Atlanta, on the last of August and first of September. The roster at Dalton showed not more than 400 men when the regiment returned from veteran furlough, and on the campaign before At- lanta the casualties numbered over 200. When the regiment started with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, it numbered but little more than one full company. It took part in the battles of
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Griswoldville, Ga., Nov. 22, 1864, where they suf- fered severely. It participated in the battle of Bentonville, March 20, 1865, the last battle of Sher- man's campaign. In addition to the battles enumer- ated, Mr. Shaner took part in numerous skirmishes and many minor engagements. During all of this active and perilous service he fortunately es- caped without a seratch or a wound, but hardship and exposure in a hot climate impaired his health seriously, producing a chronic complaint peculiar to the soldiers of the late war, but he kept to his post, driving ambulance when he could not march, until he was finally discharged, April 13, 1865, just at the close of the war. On his return from the war, and partial recovery of his health, he engaged in milling at New London. Ile was employed at that work until 1868, when he went to Oregon, Linn Co., Iowa, where he spent three years in a mill at Harrisburg. He then returned to New Lon- don, and in 1872 engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Shaner carries a fine stock of general merchan- dise and has built up a good trade.
Ile was married at New London, Oet. 3, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Lyman, daughter of Ambrose Ly- man, Esq. Mrs. Shaner was born near Columbus, Ohio. They have four children, three sons and a daughter: Ambrose L., born Sept. 17, 1873; Charles Ira, born Jan. 24, 1875: Aria Belle, born Jan. 23, 1878. and Ora J., Dee. 22, 1884. Mr. Shaner is a Master Mason, a member of New Lon- don Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., also a member of Charity Lodge No. 56, 1. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Republican, having always voted with that party.
E DWARD HI. STEPHENSON, druggist, New London, lowa, and a pioneer of Henry County of 1836, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., April 27, 1830. His parents, John S. and Elizabeth ( Archibald) Stephenson, were among the early pioneers of Henry County, lowa. His father was born in Wood County, Va., April 11, 1800. He came to Henry County, lowa, in 1836, and was prominent in the early history of that county, at one time representing his distriet
in the State Senate (see sketch elsewhere in this work).
Our subject removed with his parents in early childhood to New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, and from there to Henry County, Iowa, in 1836. He was brought up on his father's farm, and in the spring of 1819, in company with his elder brother, Edmund J., he started overland for California with ox-teams for conveyance. The long and tedious journey was accomplished in safety after encounter- ing numerous adventures and hardships incident to crossing the plains in those early days. llis party was fortunate in not finding the Indians so hostile as they became a few years later. The experience, however, was peculiar and attractive to our subject, who was but a boy in his teens. Arriving in Cali- fornia, young Stephenson engaged in placer min- ing, washing the precious metal by hand with the traditional rocker. Later he engaged with the Government at Benieia, building doeks and ware- houses, spending three years in that line. Mr. Stephenson remained in California five years, and was quite successful in his various ventures. He returned home via Panama and New Orleans. His brother Edmund had been failing in health for some time before they started on their return voyage. He succeeded in reaching New Orleans, where he died May 2, 1851. After burying his brother, Mr. Stephenson returned to Henry County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 1857 he went to Lowell in the same county, where he engaged in milling and general merchandising in company with Dr. E. Archibald. He was married at Lowell, Henry County, in April, 1859, to Miss Permelia Smith, daughter of lliram Smith. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Lee County, lowa, where her people were pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have two daughters, Clara and Nora. Mr. Stephenson continued in business at Lowell until 1873, when he removed to New London and engaged in the dry-goods trade in company with Mr. Stoddard, under the firm name of the "Stoddard Company." That connec- tion continued till 1877, when he sold out and lived retired until 1884, when he commenced the drug business at New London, which he still carries on.
Mr. Stephenson is an earnest Democrat in his political views, and a cordial supporter of the pres-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
As Drake the
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ent National administration. He is a Master Mason and a member of New London Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M. He was made a Mason in Lowell Lodge No. 48, in 1858. The lodge was removed to Danville in 1864. Mr. Stepbenson is one of the oldest settlers of Henry County, and is widely known and highly respected. His mother, a lady who was held in high esteem by all who knew her, survived her husband and lived to the good old age of nearly eighty-six years. She was born Oct. 28, 1801, and died April 7, 1887.
H. DRAKE, M. D., the most prominent and successful practicing homeopathic physician of Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in St. Thomas, Canada, Dec. 28, 1845. His ancestors were of Scotch and English descent, and came to America prior to the Revolution, settling in Northern Vermont. His paternal grandfather espoused the cause of the British during that struggle and removed to Canada, where his family were reared. The parents of the subject of this sketch were William and Eliza (Malott) Drake. The former was by occupation a builder and con- tractor, but later in life became a farmer, owning a large tract of land in Essex County, Ontario, Can- ada. He was a prominent and well-known citizen, and a leader in the public affairs of that county and Province, and had held many local offices. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, and de- servedly stood high in the estimation of the com- munity. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and for seventeen years was Treasurer of the lodge in Kingsville, where he lived. Ile was also an ardent and consistent friend of the cause of temperance, and abstained not only from the use of intoxieating liquors but of tobacco in every form. He and his wife were life-long com- munieants of the Episcopal Church, and were known as zealous and efficient church workers. Mr. Drake died Feb. 4, 1882, aged seventy-six, his wife preceding him to the grave twenty years, dying Feb. 3, 1862, aged forty-five. Of their ten children, the following six are now living: James W., Thomas and Benjamin, contractors and
builders, residing at Kingsville, Canada ; Margaret, wife of David Fuller, of Amherstburg, Canada; Kenneth M., a farmer at Meston, Canada, and Dr. J. H. The latter received his primary education in the common schools of his native place, and when seventeen years old came alone to Sandusky, Ohio, where he entered the graded school. Having from boyhood an ardent desire to become a phy- sician, he read all the medical works he could find, and in that way obtained a good general knowledge of the healing art. Ilis means were limited and he was compelled to work his way through college, which he did successfully, graduating with honor in 1874. That same year he went to Linn County, Iowa, engaging in practice at Mt. Vernon, and acquiring a large and paying clientage and an ex- cellent reputation. Owing to his arduous labors in his extensive practice his health failed, and for a time he was compelled to rest. In the winter of 1879-80 the Doctor attended Ilahnemann Medical College, Chicago, where he gave especial attention to the study of diseases of the eye and ear, in which specialty he has been exceptionally successful. In 1880 he settled in Mt. Pleasant, this county, where from the first he has had a large and lucra- tive practice, and has gained a reputation as a skillful, kind and painstaking physician and surgeon, of which he may justly be proud.
In 1871 Dr. Drake was married to Miss Mary E. Boyington, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., born in September, 1853. Their union has been blessed with four children-Frank J., Leon D., Carrie G. and William B. Dr. Drake is a member of the Hahnemann Medical Society of this State, and filled the office of Treasurer in 1885 and 1886. He is also a member of the Cedar Valley Medical Association, of which he was Secretary for three years. Ile is essentially a self-made man, and no person living in Henry County to-day is entitled to greater credit for raising himself from a compara- tively humble position to one of eminence in his profession, of which he is a leading member. He is still a student, as is every first-class member of the profession, and keeps abreast of all the latest discoveries in medical seience. He possesses by far the finest collection of instruments and appli- ances of any physician in the county, and has
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apartments fitted up for the administering of Turkish, Russian and vapor baths, and for electrical treatment and the practice of dentistry. Ile and his wife are active workers in the cause of temper- ance, Mrs. Drake being now Grand Superintend- ent of Juvenile Templars, having charge of the juvenile work under the auspices of the State Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and the Doctor is Grand Deputy Chief Templar for this district. Both are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Pleasant, the Doctor filling the office of Steward. IIe is also a Master Mason, a member of Xenium Lodge No. 108, A. F. & A. M., and politically is a warm supporter of the Republican party, and in every way an honored citizen of the county.
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