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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
P ETER SMITII, a stock-raiser and farmer residing on section 28, Marion Township, was born July 12, 1830, in Switzerland County, Ind., and is a son of Abraham and Eleanor (Van Dorin) Smith, the former a native of North Carolina, born May 19, 1794, and the latter Aug. 10, 1800, in Pennsylvania. They have had a family of twelve children: John, who died in 1836: William and Sarah died in infancy ; Jabez, a plasterer and brick-layer of Villisea, lowa : Mary A .. widow of Abram Osborne, now a resident of Omaha, Neb. : Cheney, a farmer in Crawford County, Kan. : Peter, the subject of this sketch, is the seventh child; Marens K., a farmer in Jefferson County, lowa; James C., a resident of Omaha, Neb. ; Nancy L., deceased wife of Walter F. Crew, a resident of Mankato, Jewell Co., Kan .: lliram, a farmer in Jefferson County, lowa; Phabe C., wife of Rufus
214
HENRY COUNTY.
Van Tassal, a farmer in Jewell County, Kan. Mrs. Smith went to Switzerland County, Ind., in 1804, and Mr. Smith in 181 1. Here they became ac- quainted and friendship ripened into love, and the marriage was celebrated in 1815. They remained in Switzerland County, Ind., until 1833, and here their seven oldest children were born. In that year they emigrated to Hancock County, Ind., at which place the five youngest children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Smith made Hancock County their home until 1849, when they came to Henry County, Iowa, locating near Rome. Here he bought 120 acres of raw land and developed a fine farm, residing here until his death in July, 1871. Mrs. Smith died Aug. 3, 1875. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of their death, but had formerly belonged to the Baptist Church before coming to Iowa. They were devoted members of the society, and no couple in the county were more highly esteemed than they were.
The earlier years of our subjeet were spent in attending the common schools in the State of In- diana and doing his part of the farm work. Born upon a farm, the greater part of his life has been spent in the peaceful avocation of a farmer. He remained with his parents until 1853, when he made the overland trip to California. where he re- mained but a short time, then went to Oregon, and for two years was there engaged in farming. Re- turning to California, for about fourteen months he engaged in mining, and then went to freighting in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington Ter- ritory, but later engaged in stock-raising in Oregon, and for a time in merchandising. He was very successful in the far West, remaining there until 1868, when he returned to fleury County and pur- chased eighty acres of land, a portion of the farm on which he now resides. In 1883 he bought ninety acres more, making 170 acres, which is now under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Smith is a successful stock-raiser, his stock consisting prin- cipally of fine Poland China hogs and Durham cattle.
Everything that he has was made by his own in- dustry. On the 26th of April, 1869, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Lucy B. Crew, daughter of Walter and Sarah ( Rice) Crew. She was born Aug. 18, 1811, near Richmond, Va. Five
children have been born to them: Annie L. was born Jan. 27, 1870; Nellie M., born Feb. 25, 1871, died May 28 of the same year; Charles S., born Ang. 16, 1873; Mary J., born Jan. 30, 1875 ; John, born Jan. 28, 1877, died Jan. 18, 1879. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a Democrat. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of all. He is always ready to ad- vance any interest for the publie good.
AMES H. SCARFF, one of the leading far- mers of Trenton Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1840. His parents, John and Laura (Osler) Scarff, were natives of Maryland, and came to this county in 1844, settling in Trenton Township, where on a farm the boyhood days of our subject were spent. James enlisted in the war for the Union, Aug. 27, 1862, in the 25th Jowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until the elose of the war-almost three years. IIe participated in the following bat- tle :: Arkansas Post, Vieksburg, Jackson, Miss., Resaca, Marietta, and was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. At Peachtree Creek he was wounded in the heel. He was at Washington, D. C., on grand review, and was mustered out June 25, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa. Returning home he resumed farming, which ocenpation he has ever since followed. He was married, May 6, 1866, to Mary A. Messer. a native of this county. Thir- teen children have graced the union of this worthy couple: Charles Henry, born March 9, 1867 ; John A., born July 2, 1868; James W., born June 2, 1869; W. Edmund, born Sept. 29, 1870, died when nine months old: Asbury, born Feb. 28. 1874, also died when four months old; Martha Jane, born Feb. 16, 1872: Calvin, born May 20, 1875, died at three Years of age: Mary E., born Feb 11, 1877: Anna died when two years of age: Iona, born Jan. 26, 1879; Ida Marietta, born May 7, 1883; Florence, born Feb. 15, 1885, and Eva V., born Feb. 19, 1887.
Mr. Scarff owns one of the finest farms in Trenton Township, 179 acres in extent. He and
215
HENRY COUNTY.
his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically Mr. Scarff affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a pioneer of 1844, and one of those to whom the county owes her prosperity.
b AROLD E. CLEMENT, M. D., of Trenton, Iowa, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Racine in 1853, and is the son of the Ilon. Charles Clement, a native of Newburyport,
Mass. Ilis mother was Miranda (Crosby ) Clement, a native of New Hampshire. Charles Clement was one of the first editors and publishers at Racine, Wis., having established the Racine Journal, which paper he edited until 1868. At that time his health failed, and he moved South with the hope that a change of climate would benefit him. Ile settled in MeMinnville, Tenn., where he died Jan. 11, 1885, when seventy years of age. He was a lead- ing man in political affairs in Racine for a number of years, was elected Superintendent of Public Schools of Racine County in 1851, filling that office for several years. He was afterward elected by the Republican party to the State Legislature, serving as Senator for several terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Ile was a well-read man, a college graduate and a thorough scholar. Mr. and Mrs. Clement were the parents of seven children, all of whom survive them. They are named respectively : Charles F., engaged in a railroad office in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Florence M., residing in New York City; J. S., residing in Ra- cine, Wis., is in the Manufacturers' National Bank of that city; George E., a locomotive engineer, lives in Minnesota; Mary S. is the wife of Frank S. Strong, a merchant of Chicago; Harold E., the subject of this sketch, and Lewis R., residing in Racine, Wis., engaged in the Union National Bank, in that city.
course in the medical department of that institution. Afterward he attended the Medical College at Keokuk, lowa, graduating there in 1884. He lo- cated first at Richland, Iowa, where he practiced successfully for a year, and next located at Lowell, Henry County, in 1881, and here also enjoyed a good practice. In 1884 he came to his present lo- cation at Trenton, where he has since remained and has an extensive practice, which many an older doctor might well envy. Dr. Clement is a thorough physician and a polished gentleman, and his worth is appreciated by the people of Trenton and vicin- ity, among whom he deservedly stands high.
Dr. Clement has been twice married, first in 1875, to Miss Willie A. Hopkins, a native of McMinn- ville, Tenn., and a daughter of Samuel A. and Martha (Scales) Hopkins. By this union two chil- dren were born-Minnie M. and Louise E., the mother dying in August, 1880, at the age of twen- ty-two. On the 11th of December, 1884, Dr. Clement was again married, his wife being Miss Manche Miller, a native of Iowa.
-do-
88 Bi
W ILLIAM BLACK, one of the early settlers of Henry County, was born in Greenbriar County, Va., in 1805. Ile was married to Miss Rebecca Benson about 1832. In an early day he moved to Knox County, Ill., and in 1840 re- moved to this county, and settled near Trenton, in what is now Jefferson Township. Here he pur- chased 160 acres of prairie and forty acres of timber land, and made many improvements on his farm. He was compelled to haul his flour and lumber from Burlington with an ox-team. In early life Mr. Black was an okl-line Whig. Mr. and Mrs. Black are parents of seven children: Joseph, now of Kearney, Neb., enlisted in the war of the Rebel- lion, was elected Captain, and after serving eighteen months resigned; John, who now resides in Mt. Pleasant; Samuel, of Kearney, Neb. ; William, who enlisted in the 25th lowa Regiment, died in this
Harold E. Clement was educated at the public schools of Racine, Wis., and at a private school in Tennessee. He also attended for one year the Van- derbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., taking a . county in 1870; Asbury, of Mt. Pleasant; Charles,
216
HENRY COUNTY.
of Kearney, Neb. ; Emma, wife of G. C. Wilson, of Wayne Township. Mr. and Mrs. Black were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were widely known, and no conple were more highly respected.
ACOB ARTHAND. a farmer residing on sec- tion 15. Wayne Township. Henry Co .. Iowa, was born in Upper Canada, near Hamburg. Sept. 2. 1843. and is a son of Emile and Susannah (Ebersole) Arthand. both natives of France, he born near the central part, she in Alsace. The parents of Emile Arthand both remained and died in France. By trade. Emile was a cutler, but after emigrating to Canada purchased a farm or rather woodland which he made into a farm later. While single he made a prospecting trip over part of the United States, making the journey on foot from the Dominion of Canada to the city of New Orleans, and thence back to his first location in Canada. after which he sold his land. It was in about 1827 that he came to America. and his marriage was celebrated at the age of thirty-three. This union was productive of a family of fifteen children. only three of whom are deceased. The eight eldest were born in Canada-Christian. John. Jacob. Leo, Magdalena, Jonathan : Samuel. deceased; and Enos. In 1850 the family left Canada and located in Porter County. Ind., near Valparaiso. where a farm was purchased, but fifteen months later it was sold, and the family moved direct to lowa, locating permanently in Washington County in 1853. where the family resided until 1868, when the father purchased a farm in Henry County. a part of which is owned by his son Ben- jamin. The death of Emile Arthand occurred Jan. 26. 1887. having reached his eighty-first year. In lowa. Daniel : Martin, deceased : Benjamin ; Barbara, deceased : Mary. Frank and Joseph, were born. The mother resides in a cottage near our subject, with her son Joseph and daughter Mary. losoph and Frank are teachers by profession, having received their education at Howe's Academy: Leo also taught some in Muscatine County, but is now, as |
well as the others, engaged in farming; John is the husband of Anazelle Odell. and resides in Taylor County; Leo wedded Diantha Moffett, of Musea- tine Connty. and now resides in Dallas County : Jonathan married Sarah Welch, of Sherman County, Neb., where they reside; Christian is also a farmer in Sherman County, Neb. : Lena is the wife of Egbert Vanseoy, a farmer of the same county; Daniel wedded Mary Henry. of Lee County, and resides in Taylor County; Benjamin became the husband of Stella Beriman, and they reside on the old home- stead.
Jacob Arthand, our subject, is the husband of Miss Christinia Conrad, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Klopfenstein) Conrad. She was born in this county, Dec. 29, 1852. and deserves special recognition as one of the daughters born on Henry County soil. On the 30th of October, 1870, the nuptials were celebrated at the home of the bride's brother Daniel in Washington County, and the young couple began their domestie life. the first year in Henry County, and the next six months in Washington County, where Mr. Arthand had pur- chased a farm. Later this was sold, and his present farm in Wayne Township was purchased in the autumn of 1872. when they removed to the same and since that day have been identified with the business and prosperity of Henry County. Here their children-Clara Lillian, William W. and Bertha-were born.
Possessing the characteristics of his race, Mr. Arthand has led a life of enterprise, which has brought large returns in a financial sense. With his citizenship came the confidence of his townsman in his capabilities as an official, and he has been thrice elected Trustee of Wayne Township, and is now his own successor in that capacity. Since 1871 he has been connected with the School Board, several years of which time he was Treasurer. llis fino farm house was completed in 1882, one of the nicest in the northern part of the county, and over- looks the growing village of Olds, which furnishes school and railroad facilities. Not only has this been done, but many of the most important im- provements of the county have been completed since the family first became residents of Henry County. The Arthands are not only well known,
217
HENRY COUNTY.
but are by virtue of a long and honorable citizen- ship entitled to representation in the pages of her history. The parents of Mrs. Arthand are both deceased. They were parents of thirteen children, nine living and all married: Christinia, wife of our subject; Marin wedded Anna Klopfenstein; Bar- bara is the wife of Christian Bachler: Catherine wedded John Rich; Daniel married Catherine Zeigler, now deceased: Fannie is the wife of Mi- chael Klopfenstein ; Peter married Carrie Kapferer; John is the husband of Mary Ferdamwalt, and Saralı wedded Peter Augspergur. Those deceased are Hannah, wife of S. B. Wyse, a merchant of Wayland; Lydia, Mary and Anna.
OHN BECKER. a prominent and wealthy farmer of New London Township, on section 18. post-office Mt. Pleasant, has a well-im- proved farm of 333 acres of prairie land. His farm is a beautiful place, formerly known as the homestead of the late Prof. Howe, situated on the Mt. Pleasant and Burlington wagon road, four miles east of the former city. Mr. Beeker was born in the town of Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N. Y., March 15, 1817, and is the son of Peter A. L. and Helen (Van Wie) Becker. His father was born in Albany County, N. Y., and was a descend- ant from the early Ilolland emigrants of that region. and his mother was born in the same locality, and was also of Holland descent.
Our subject grew to manhood on a farm and was married in his native county, July 5, 1840, to Miss Christina Silvernail, a daughter of Andrew and Helen Silvernail. She was born in the same county and town as her husband, on the 5th of September. 1820. Nine children were born of their union. six sons and three daughters, all of whom are living at this writing. John F., the eldest, was born in Middleburg, N. Y., March 25. 1841, and married Louisa Morrison, and is now residing in Southern Florida : William was born in Geneva, N. Y .. Nov. 19, 1842, and married Catharine Rhodes, and re- sides in Smith Center. Smith Co .. Kan .; George
was born in Geneva. N. Y .. Oet. 23. 1844, and married Lethe Graham, and resides in Sarpy County, Neb., and has six children: Erskine was also born in Geneva. N. Y .. Oct. 12, 1846, married Hester Morehead, has four children, and lives on the old homestead in New London Township. Henry County : Mary was born Oct. 21, 1851, and is the wife of W. S. Wright, of New London Township, and has four children: Jacob was born Ang. 30. 1853. married Maria Hedge, has four children, and resides on a farm in New London Township; Elizabeth was born Sept. 14. 1856. is the wife of Clifton Clarke. has one child, and resides in Jefferson Township. Henry County; Wriley was born July 22, 1859. and is living in Western Kan- sas : Della was born June 17, 1862, and resides with her parents. The five younger children were born in Huntington County, Ind.
Mr. Becker removed with his family to Geneva. N. Y., in 1842. and from there to Huntington County. Ind .. in 1851, where he engaged in farm- ing until 1865. when he came to Towa and located in New London Township, where he still resides. Two of Mr. Becker's son> served in the late war for the Union. John F. was a member of the 34th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and enlisted in 1861 and served until the close of the war. George was a member of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861 and served until the elose of the war. Mr. Becker and all his sons are Re- publiean in politics. The family are descended from a rugged, hardy race, noted for their longevity. Mr. Becker is a courteous gentleman of superior mental and physical force, and is held in high es- teem by his neighbors and acquaintances.
-
W ILLIAM BATES, a representative and in- fluential farmer, residing on section 23, Trenton Township. Henry Co .. Iowa. is a native of Saxony. Germany. born Aug. 18. 1838. His parents, Christian and Margaret (Panser) Bates, also natives of Saxony. came to America in the fall of 1854, locating in Henry County.
218
HENRY COUNTY.
where the father bought a farm on section 23 of Trenton Township, consisting of 320 acres of par- tially improved land. and still lives on the old home- stead.
Our subjeet, William Bates, was reared upon the above-mentioned farm, and was married, Oct. 1, 1866, to Elizabeth Ginkel, a native of Hesse, Ger- many. Iler parents were Conrad and Catharine (Kanft) Ginkel. who came to America in 1871, making Trenton Township their home. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been the parents of five children : Louis, born July 11, 1867: Neil, born Sept. 27, 1868, and Minnie, born Inly 19, 1872, are still inmates of the parental home; the other two children are dead: Ida, born Sept. 3, 1874, died when four years of age, and Amiel, born March 18, 1870, died when about seventeen months old.
Mr. Bates is one of the well-to-do farmers of Henry County, and is a large land-owner, owning 260 acres of finely cultivated land in Trenton Township, and 640 acres in Pratt County, Kan., and also some property in Pratt Center. Every- thing about his farm denotes thrift and enterprise. The ont-buildings are models of convenience, the barn alone being worth $1,000, and his stock is of the best grades. The hospitable host and hostess of a fine country residence, which was erected at a cost of $2,500. they deserve a place in the history of their county. Mr. Bates in his political views is liberal, voting for the man whom he thinks will best fill the office.
S AMUEL CHANDLER, a soldier of the War of 1812, was born Feb. 18, 1795. He was married to Miss Eliza Kenyon, who was born in 1805. They were the happy parents of six children, four of whom are now living, viz: James K. is a resident of Los Gatos, Cal .; Thomas B., a Sergeant in the late Re- bellion, was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and confined at Macon, Ga., and is now living in Burlington, lowa ; Ilon. Joseph 11. was in the Mieh- igan Cavalry, and served through the war and drilled a company of colored men, of which he was
Captain : Mary M. is the wife of B. C. Chandler and lives in Mt. Pleasant. Two, Edwin and Martha. are deceased. The mother finished her work on earth Nov. 19, 1851. Mr. Chandler still resides in Mt. Pleasant, and is a man worthy of the deepest respeet and love of all. Though ninety-three years of age, he is in full possession of all his faenlties.
OHN GOTTLIEB SCHUBERT, a farmer re- siding in Baltimore Township, was born in Schlasean, Germany, in 1830, and is the son of John G. and Elizabeth (Douffle) Schubert. Both parents were also born in or near Sehlasean, where they were married and reared a family of three children : Christiana, deceased wife of Gott- fried Sehermell: Mary, wife of Aug. Kudabe, a wealthy farmer of Jackson Township, and our sub- jeet. The parents came to America in 1853, locat- ing in Green Bay, and the next year purchasing land in Henry County. They remained in this county until their death, the father departing this life in 1875, and the mother in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-eight.
Our subject was married, in 1859, to Anna Muschick. a lady born in Germany, whose parents were Martin and Lizzie Muschick, residents of Marshall County, lowa. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Baltimore Township, upon rented land, but two years later Gottlieb purchased the farm of his father and removed with his young wife to their present location. Their children, five in number, were all born in this township, namely : Martin. born May 13, 1861, died Ang. 14, 1863: Charley, born April 20, 1863; Frank, born Nov. 22. 1865: Mary, born .Jan. 31, 1868, and Emma. born Dec. 12, 1874. All are yet under the paternal roof except Charles, who was married Jan. 19, 1888, to Rose A. Lee. Mr. Sehubert, aided by a good wife, has become one of the wealthy men of Balti- more Township, in a comparatively short lifetime. farming upon his present farm. The broad acres are highly cultivated, and the elegant country home is one of the most attractive to be seen in
219
HENRY COUNTY.
the south part of the county. The large barns give shelter to many head of fine cattle, and every- thing betokens a prosperons life. All the children are well educated in the English language, and are such as give a high moral and intellectual tone to the community in which they reside. There is no family [living in this part of the county more favorably known to her citizens than that of Gottlieb and Ana Schubert, and as Germany has contributed many valuable citizens to the grand State of lowa, we gladly give them a place in the history of Henry County.
B ENT CAULK, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Henry County. He was a native of Guilford County, N. C., born in 1828. In 1834 he went with his parents to Georgetown, Ill., and in 1836 came to Henry County. His parents were Robert and Jane (Hem- pill) Caulk. In this county Bent grew to manhood, and received his education in the pioneer log school- house. Bent was married on the 17th of Oe- tober, 1852, to Miss Jane Moore, born in Sangamon County, III., Aug. 1, 1832, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Cooper) Moore, the former being a native of Indiana and the latter of Tennessee. Both were among the early settlers of Sangamon County, Ill., where they became acquainted and were united in marriage. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are now living. They were as follows: Calvin, who died in Ringgold County, Iowa: Rebecca, deceased; Jane, widow of Bent Caulk; Amanda, wife of Daniel Biddlecom, of Cass County, Ill .; Ephraim, a carpenter of Mt. Pleasant ; John, residing in Buffalo County, Neb. : Edward, also living in that eounty, who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; and James, residing in Bates County, Mo. In 1835 Mr. Moore came to Henry County with his family, and located on section 6, Center Township. Mrs. Moore was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in her early life, but afterward affiliated with the Christian Church. She was a sincere Christian woman, highly respected
by all who knew her, and died in August, 1882, mourned by a large circle of friends. In the spring of 1849, Mr. Moore, in company with a party con- posed of old settlers of IIenry County, went to California, and there remained engaged in mining until 1851, when he took passage on board a vessel bound for New York. The ship was never after- ward heard from, and all on board are supposed to have been lost. His oldest daughter, Rebecca, wife of Aldred Lotspeich. was also on board the lost vessel.
Mr. and Mrs. Caulk grew to manhood and woman- hood on adjoining farms; by their union two sons were born, Charles and Frank, both of whom yet reside in this county. Mr. Caulk died in February, 1883, leaving a widow and two sons, and many relatives and friends to mourn his loss. He was a kind husband and father, and was well and favora- bly known throughout the county as an honest, upright man, who had the confidence and respect of the entire community. Politically he was a Demo- crat. At the time of his death he was owner of 249 acres of land, 200 of which was under cultiva- tion, and which was valued at $75 per aere. Mrs. Caulk still resides upon the home farm, where she has lived a period of thirty-four years. At the time of their settlement upon this farm, they were the farthest north of any family in the county, and Indians were frequent visitors at their cabin. To- day all this is changed, and the farm is one of the best improved in Henry County.
B ARTON C. CHANDLER, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, is the son of Edward and Jane E. (Marsh) Chandler, who were natives of Vermont, but who removed to Spafford, N. Y., where, on the 19th of May, 1829, Barton was born. In 1832, while Barton was yet a child, they moved to Huron County, Ohio, and subsequently to Knox County in the same State, and then to Ripley County, Ind. In 1851 they came to Henry County. Of their family of seven children four are now living: Nancy, wife of Milo Chandler, of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.