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 17
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Mr. Gillis was married at Mt. Pleasant, Aug. 4, 1868, to Miss Sophia E. Whiting, daughter of Timothy Whiting (see sketeli). Mrs. Gillis was born at Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y. Four children were born of this union, three sons and a daughter: James Timothy, now aged eighteen; Sarah Cecilia,
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aged fifteen; Robert Henry, aged four, and tough Claudius, aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. Gillis are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gillis is a member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. Personally he is regarded as a gentleman of unblemished char- after, thoroughly upright in all business transactions, and a straightforward man and good citizen.
RANKLIN T. KINNEY, residing on section 33, Trenton Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born June 16, 1857, on the farm where he now lives. His education was received at the district school. He was married, April 19, 1877, to Emma Mickey, a native of Jefferson County, Iowa, and a daughter of Bryson and Harriet ( Berlin) Mickey, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Kentucky. They came to lowa at an early day, settling in Jefferson County. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are the parents of two children: Myrtle Beele, born July 21, 1883; and Frederick Johnson. born April 6, 1886. Politically he is a Demoerat. Ile owns 285 acres of land, which constitutes one of the best farms in the county. The lessons of thrift and industry taught by Mr. Kinney's father have never been forgotten, and among the enter- prising citizens of Henry County none more truly deserve a place in this volume than does Franklin Kinney.
G ARDINER & ROTH are dealers in hard ware and agricultural implements at Wayland, tienry Co., lowa. Desiring to make men- tion of the respective families of these gentlemen in connection with their business we speak first of the senior member of the firm.
Benedick Gardiner was born in New Hamburg, Canada West, in 1839, and is the son of Christian and Anna ( Roth) Gardiner. Christian Gardiner came to Washington County, lowa, in 1857, being at the time the husband of Phobe Roth, a relative of his first wife, who died in Canada, and was the mother of seven children, and Phobe (Roth) Gardiner was the mother of three children. The
death of Christian Gardiner, Sr., occurred in lowa, and Place, his widow, now resides in dohn- son. Benedick Gardiner came to lowa three years prior to his father, and when he was but fifteen years old. He worked on a farm in Lee County for a year and a half, when he went to Washington County, where he remained about the same length of time. Thence he went to Davis County, and a year later, in 1855, came to Henry County. On his marriage he rented a farm for a year, and a year later bought a farm in Trenton Township, on which he lived for nineteen years, and until his removal to Wayland, in 1881. He was married to Nancy A. Roth, of this county, in 1861. They have three children living: Ella, wife of Ed. H. Farris, the Station Agent at Wayland; Idla and Guy, who are unmarried, and live with their parents. One son, William Edward, died in 1880, aged twelve years.
On his removal to Wayland, in 1881, Mr. Gardiner engaged in a general mercantile business, which he later disposed of, and purchased a half interest in the hardware stock of Charles Bergh. This he later sold to Mr. Bergh, and for some time did an exclusive business in agricultural implements; but in 1886, with Joseph Roth, purchased the hardware stock and good-will of Mr. Bergh, and they have since done a large business in that line, besides dealing largely in all kinds of agricultural imple- ments. They carry a $2,000 stock of hardware, and their sales the past season of buggies and agri- cultural implements alone amounted to over $4,500. Both the gentlemen named are enterprising business men, and their integrity and courtesy have drawn trade remote from their legitimate business center. Such men are valuable factors in any community, and to such the growth and prosperity of Wayland are due.
Joseph Roth, the junior member of the firm, is the brother-in-law of Mr. Gardiner. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1819, and is the son of John and Katie (Grever) Roth, who came to this country in 1849. Several children who were born in Ohio came with their parents to Iowa-Michael, John, Peter, Joseph, Nancy A., Mary and Lydia. After their arrival in this State Katie. David and Elizabeth were born. The family reside on a farm near Trenton, and are highly spoken of.
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Joseph Roth wedded Miss Nettie MeCray, of Trenton, lowa, Sept. 5. 1876. She was born Feb. 11, 1855. Their domestic life was begun upon a farm in Trenton Township, but in March, 1884, they removed to Wayland. Mrs. Roth engaged in the millinery and fancy goods business, and to her is the honor due of having a large and well-selected stock, and the only one in Wayland. Everything in ladies' goods is to be found there, and the store does a fine trade. Mr. and Mrs. Roth are parents of three children, all born in this county-Lulu, Earl and Clark. The parents of Mrs. Roth, Frank and Hester (Van Voast) MeCray. reside near Tren- ton, upon the same farm where for forty years a happy married life has been enjoyed. They were the parents of eight children. six living : Orlando, unmarried, a bookkeeper in the bank of Sioux City; Nettie, wife of Joseph Roth; John, unmarried, a farmer in Dakota; Mary, wife of Prof. William Hart, a resident teacher of Iloldrege, Neb., where she is also a teacher; Joseph and Frank, unmarried. reside on the old homestead.
ACOB S. KINNEY, a prominent farmer residing on section 30, Marion Township, was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 15, 1817, and is the son of John and Betsey (Hnnt) Kinney. Ilis father was a native of Pennsyl- vania and his mother of Germany, and by their union there were four children: David, who came to llenry County in 1855, died near Rome, Iowa, in March, 1883; Elizabeth, wife of William Cass- ner, both died in Greene County, Ohio; Aaron, a farmer near Red Oak, Iowa: our subject was their second child. Mrs. Kinney died in Greene County, Ohio, in 1823. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kinney was again united in marriage, in 1825, to Margaret Boren, and by this union there were twelve children. all of whom grew to man and womanhood. Mr. Kinney was a public-spirited man. and always cast his vote with the Democratic party, taking a lively interest in all that pertained to the same. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was called to his final home in 1864.
Jacob Kinney, our subject, remained at home until 1830, at which time he led to the marriage altar Miss Susan Glasgow, a native of Maryland. He rented a farm, for which he gave half that was raised in payment of rent, and also had to thrash the grain and deliver it at the mill. Mr. Kinney lived on a rented farm in Ohio until 1851, when he decided to go west. He accordingly loaded his effects into a wagon and started for Illinois, but passed through that State and located in Tippeca- noe Township, Henry Co., lowa. Here he rented a farm for three years, and in 1853 purchased 100 acres of land, on which he now resides. Mr. Kinney now owns 216 acres in all, and has given 155 acres to his children. What this worthy couple possess they have obtained by hard labor and close economy. Mr. Kinney brought to Henry County some of the finest horses seen in this part of the State, and now owns a number of fine horses, which sell at good prices. Mr. Kinney received his education in a log-cabin school-house in Ohio. Ile is a pioneer of both Ohio and lowa. and takes an active interest in all public affairs. He cast his first vote for the Democratic party. and has ever since favored the same. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is much interested in the welfare of humanity. The union of Jacob Kinney and Susan Glasgow has been graced with five children: Robert .I. married Emeline Gaston, who died about 1876. when he subsequently married Mary Loganstein, and lives in Marion Township, having four children living and one deceased; George married Martha Allender; Martin L., a sketch of whom appears in this work ; Franklin P., at home; Nancy JJ. married Asbury Allender. and resides in Marion Township.
OHN G. KOCH, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes, Mt. Pleasant. Fowa. was born in the village of Hoefingen, Oberamt. Leonberg, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Oct. 25, 1849, and is the son of Frederick and Anna Mary (Etzel) Koch. In his youth our subject served a regular apprenticeship to the shoc- making trade in his native country, first serving
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three years and then spending one year in travel as a journeyman. He emigrated to America in 1867, coming directly to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he engaged with William Timmermann & Co. as a jour- neyman, and continued to work with them for ten years. In 1878 he formed a partnership with Mr. William Schnurr in the boot and shoe business, under the firm name of Koch & Schnurr. This connec- tion continued five and a half years, since which time Mr. Koch has conducted the business alone. Mr. Koch was married at Mt. Pleasant, Feb. 8, 1874, to Miss Catherine Schmitt, daughter of Peter and Katherine (Bardo) Sehmitt. Mrs. Koch was born near Augsburg, Germany, Dec. 24, 1850, and came to America in 1855. Five children were born to their union-one son and four daughters-all born in Mt. Pleasant: Clara M., born Jan. 26, 1875; Anna M. Helen, born April 13, 1876; John Frederick, born Jan. 31, 1878; L. Julia, born Nov. 14, 1879; L. Katie, born Jan. 10, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Koeh are members of the German Presby- terian Church, of which he is a Trustee, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school; at present he is Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Koch is a Republican in his political views, with a tend- eney to being independent in local elections. He has built up a fine trade, and has made a reputation for good work and fair priees. Repairing receives his special attention. His store is situated on the south side of the Public Square.
UDGE JAMES L. GILLIS, who died in Mt. Pleasant JJuly 8, 1881, was, during his residence in that city, one of the most pron- inent figures in its business and social life. He was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1792. When eighteen years of age he went to Ontario County, in the same State, and two years later, in 1812, enlisted in the volunteer serv- ice in the war with Great Britain, and was com- missioned as Lieutenant of Cavalry. He participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, and among others was engaged at the battles of Ft. George, Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, under Gen. Winfield Scott, and in the latter engagement was severely
wounded. He was taken prisoner near Ft. Erie, Aug. 7, 1814, and was confined in jail at Toronto, Kingston, Prescott and Montreal, in Canada. Making his condition known to the Governor Gen- eral of the colony, that official released him, and gave orders that he should be well eared for, and near the close of the war he was exchanged at Quebec. Returning to New York he was, in 1816, united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Ridgway, of Philadelphia, and in 1821 removed to Jefferson County, Pa., then on the frontier. Here he got a tract of timber land many miles away from any neighbor, and set about elearing his land and build- ing a sawmill and a gristmill on the Clarion River. In two years he had 200 acres of land eleared and both his mills running, his being the first lumber rafted down that river. This energy and enter- prise was ever a distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Gillis. In 1825 his wife was in ill-health, and he took her to his old home in Ontario County, N. Y., for medical treatment, but her health was under- mined, and she died at Vietor, N. Y., June 29, 1826, leaving two sons and one daughter. The daughter, Jeannette C., is the widow of J. V. Houck, and is living at Ridgway, Pa. The sons, Ridgway B. and Charles B., both died in Mt. Pleasant. It was while Mr. Gillis was in New York, after his wife's death, that the celebrated Morgan abduction case took place, with which he became identified, and of which more will be said hereafter.
Returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Gillis continued his lumber manufacturing interests until 1862, and became a leader in that part of the State. In 1828 he was married to Cecelia Berry, of New York State, who died in April, 1855, leaving seven chil- dren, as follows: Mary B., wife of Samuel Porter, residing in Chautauqua County, N. Y .; Augusta E., wife of James V. Noxon, of Volusia, N. Y .; James H., a Commodore in the United States Navy, now temporarily residing in Binghamton, N. Y. ; Bosanquet W., in Washington, D. C .; Claudius V., in Kane, MeKean Co., Pa .: Cccclia, wife of Henry Whiting, now in Melbourne. Fla .; and Robert S., of Mt. Pleasant. (See sketch of Robert S. in an- other part of this work.) One of the sons, James IT., made a brilliant record in the navy during the war of the Rebellion. Ile was commander of the
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LEN X TILDEN FOLATA
C.V. amold
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iron clad, "Milwaukee," which was blown up by a rebel torpedo at the siege of Mobile. Being among those saved, he continued in active service there, commanding a battery until the surrender of the city, and handled it in such an able manner as to be highly complimented by Gen. Canby in general orders. At the close of the war he was placed in command of a vessel at Norfolk, Va.
While in Pennsylvania, Mr. Gillis was appointed, by Gov. David R. Porter, Associate Judge of Elk and Jefferson Counties. IIe was three times chosen Representative in the State Legislature, and three times was elected to the State Senate. In 1856 he was elected to Congress, serving two years. A man of marked ability, he made an honorable record in every position to which he was called, and was a friend of such men as Gen. Jackson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Silas Wright, John C. Cal- houn, and other leaders. During President Bu- chanan's administration he was appointed Indian Agent at the Pawnee Reservation, discharging the duties of that position for three years. In 1862 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he resided until his death.
The Morgan abduction was an unpleasant episode in Judge Gillis' life. For a supposed connection with that affair he was twice arrested and tried, but was finally acquitted. His was the last trial, and he was the last survivor of those accused of com- plicity in that mystery, which can now never be solved in this world. When the indictment was first found against Mr. Gillis he was attending to his business in Pennsylvania, and knew nothing of it for some time. But when he learned of it, through the slow and infrequent mails of that day and region, he at once set out for New York and de- manded a trial. He was jointly indieted with John Whitney, one of the men who took Morgan from the jail at Batavia. The latter had not been found, and the District Attorney refused to give Mr. Gillis a separate trial, but agreed to notify him when he was wanted, and he therefore returned to Pennsylvania. In May, 1829, the joint trial was had in the absence of Mr. Gillis, and Whitney was found guilty, but the jury disagreed as to Mr. Gillis. The rabid anti-Masonic feeling of the times, however, had to be pandered to, and the Sheriff was
sent to rearrest Mr. Gillis at his Pennsylvania home, over 200 miles distant through a wild and mount- ainous country. lle returned to New York, pro- cured a trial in November, 1830, and was honorably acquitted, and with that the celebrated Morgan trials were ended.
Judge Gillis was a life-long Democrat, and had lived under the administration of every President from Washington (during whose second term he was born) to the time of his death. His first Pres- dential vote was cast for James Monroe; his last for Gen. Hancock. During the visit of Kossuth to this country, he was Chairman of the committee appointed to escort the distinguished Hungarian patriot from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. After taking up his residence in Mt. Pleasant, Judge Gillis became one of the noted men of the young city. Of a lofty and stately carriage, his dignified form was noticeable whenever he appeared upon the streets. Elis stirring and eventful life had made him familiar with all classes of society, and his urbanity endeared him alike to all. He took an especially warm interest in educational matters, and was earnest in his support of all measures tend- ing to the advancement of the city. He was a liberal patron of the Ladies' Library, to which he made many valuable donations. Ilis advanced years did not impair his faculties or dull his interest in the society of his neighbors or friends, whom he liked to have around him, and his death, although he had reached the ripe age of nearly eighty-nine, was mourned by a large cirele of friends. After religious services at the house, his remains were taken in charge by the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been an honored member for nearly seventy years, and interred with impressive cere- monies. and a life full of stirring and eventful experiences, and rounded out with more honors than fall to the lot of most men, was brought to a fitting close.
C V. ARNOLD, Treasurer of the lowa State Hospital for the Insane, and senior partner of the firm of Arnokl & Lyons, druggists of that city, was born in Morristown, Belmont Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1830. His parents, James
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II. and Sarah (Ewing) Arnold, were natives of Fayette County, Pa., who moved to Obio in early life. The subject of this sketeh learned the tinner's trade in his youth, and in 1853 removed to Henry County, Iowa, locating at Salem, where he engaged in a stove, tinware and drug business, in which line he continued until 1863, when he was elected Treasurer of Henry County and removed to Mt. Pleasant. Ile entered upon the duties of his office Jan. 1, 1864, and serving the people faithfully, he was twice re-elected and continued in office until 1870. Returning to Salem he en- gaged in general merchandising, and continued in that business until 1873, when he accepted the position as cashier of the First National Bank, of Mt. Pleasant, and served as such until the fall of 1874, when he resigned and again engaged in the drug business at Salem. On the 1st day of Janu- ary, 1876, he removed the drug-store to Mt. Pleas- ant and entered into partnership with Dr. Lyon. At the same time he accepted the Deputy Treasurer- ship of the county under Addison Roads, and served in that capacity with Mr. Roads and his successors, Samuel I. Shaner and George S. Gass, until Jan. 1, 1888, making the period in the County Treasurer's office eighteen years in all. In October, 1879, he was appointed Treasurer for the State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, and has served in that position for more than eight years.
On the 23d day of November, 1854, Mr. Arnold was united in marriage with Miss Amanda 1). Richey, whose parents were among the early settlers of Henry County. She was born in Pike County, Ill., Dec. 31, 1835. Five children were born to them, one son and four daughters: Marcellus O., born in Salem, lowa, Sept. 7, 1855, is living in Talladega, Ala .; Nellie, born in Salem, June 16, 1860, is the wife of T. J. Pittinger, of the same place ; Effie L., born in Salem, Sept. 8, 1863, is the wife of Alfred HI. Williams, of Arcadia, Fla. : Mabel, born Jan. 12, 1866, and Sarah Agnes, born Sept. 15, 1868, reside at home. One son, James B., born April 3, 1858, died at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Arnold died Feb. 11, 1874.
Mr. Arnold was again married, at Mt. Pleasant, May 12, 1875, to Miss Addie E. Howard, daughter
of Horton J. Howard, and a granddaughter of Elijah Bates, the eminent Quaker divine of Ohio. She was born at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 25, 1844. Two children were born of the latter marriage: Mary Eliza, born in Salem, Iowa, Feb. 29, 1876, and Harold, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, May 12, 1877. Mrs. Arnold is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Arnold is a stalwart Republican, and an acknowledged potent factor in local politics. Ile is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Jerusalem Command- ery No. 8, of Mt. Pleasant; of Henry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M .; of Salem Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. M., and of Salem Lodge No. 48, I. O. O. F. Of the latter body he was the first actual Noble Grand thirty-four years ago.
Mr. Arnold has been a resident of Henry County for thirty-four years, more than twenty of which have been spent in public positions of trust and responsibility. During this time he has formed a more extensive acquaintance throughout the county than probably any other man. His methodical habits and fine executive ability, supported by a reputation for the strictest integrity. and close attention to details, have made him a most popular officer. A conscientious discharge of the duties devolving upon him, even to the smallest detail of business, has become a habit of his life. His long continuance in the responsible position he holds speaks in no uncertain tone of the high estcem in which he is held in the community where he has spent more than half his life.
A fine portrait of Mr. Arnold is herewith pre- sented to the readers of the ALBUM, which will be appreciated as the years go by.
C HARLES B. PANGBORN, a farmer, and Township Trustee, residing on section 14, Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1840, and is the son of Cyrus and Annie (Mulkins) Pangborn. Cyrus was born in Vermont, and his wife in the town mentioned, in which village she
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was married to Mr. Pangborn, and all their children were born in Cazenovia. The marriage was cele- brated April 10, 1839. The parents lived upon a farm until the removal to this county in September, 1856, loeating on a farm in Tippecanoe Township. Cyrus died while in the United States service, be- ing a member of the celebrated "Graybeard " regi- ment, which mainly did guard duty and was com- posed of lowa men fifty years of age and over. From illness contracted during his service, the death of Mr. Pangborn occurred in 1864, while coming up the Mississippi from Memphis, and his remains were interred at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., below St. Louis. He was the father of three children : Charles B .; Nellie M., wife of James Rouse, of Mt. Pleasant; and James, who died in infancy.
The first husband of Miss Annie Mulkins was Marara Lewis, of French ancestry. He was the father of three children by this marriage: John S., husband of Adeline Bates, is a resident of Oswego County, N. Y. : Edward A. became the husband of Kate Driver, and is a resident farmer of Jefferson County, lowa; and Adeline, deceased, who married Daniel Ilopkins, a resident of Alamakee County, lowa. All the sons of Mrs. Pangborn were soldiers during the war, as well as her devoted husband. Coming from patriotic blood on both sides, the father a Whig, and later a Republican, he advo- cated the sentiments which have made this a grand country, and his sons were taught thus from in- fancy. John S. Lewis was a member of a New York regiment, serving the last two years of the war; Edward of the 12th Iowa, and our subjeet, a member of the 4th lowa Cavalry, of which he was Sergeant of Company M. He enlisted in 1861, and in 1862 was discharged on account of disability. While his regiment was in camp at Camp Ilarlan, near Mt. Pleasant, Charles Pangborn was married to Miss Cassandra L. Richardson, of this county, born in Clarke County, Ohio, and a daughter of Elijah and Delia A. (Bishop) Richardsou, who came to this county in 1856. The parents are both dead, and three children only are living: Edward, a resi- dent of Fair Play, El Dorado Co., Cal. ; Emeline, wife of John Brown, a resident of Mt. Pleasant; and Cassandra, wife of our subject. Her father was a large manufacturer of boots and shoes in Spring-
field, Ohio, but lived a retired life in this county, dying in his sixty-ninth year.
After his return from the service Mr. Pangborn began farming near Rome, and excepting one year, has been a resident of this county from 1856 up to the present time. His present farm was purchased in 1883, although being a resident farmer of this neighborhood for several years. Three children have graced their union : John H., husband of Mary E. Stone; Freddie H., deceased; and Annie C., now in her eleventh year. Onr subject, Charles Pangborn, has filled for a long term of years various offices in this township, a member of the School Board, Supervisor, and in 1886 was elected one of her Trustees, and is the present incumbent. In all the business enterprises of his county Mr. Pangborn is an important factor. His mother, now in her seventieth year, finds with her son and kindly daughter a home, known far and wide as one of the most hospitable and cheery in the neigh- borhood." As a representative family, we welcome the Pangborns, and are pleased to present their sketch to the good people of Henry County.
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