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 20
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Smith County, Kan .; Lydia is married to John Bangham, a resident of Wilmington, Ohio: William HI., who enlisted in the 4th lowa Cavalry and served four years, now resides in Dallas County, Iowa, and Barton C., the subject of this sketeh. Edward Chandler was a shoemaker by trade, and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which body his wife was also a member. They are both now reaping the reward of a righteous life. Ile was born in Mulberry, Vt., Oct. 23, 1799, and died at Smith Center, Kan., Oet. 10, 1878. His wife was born at Niles, N. Y., Oet. 28, 1810, and died in New London Township, this county, Nov. 28, 1853: their marriage was celebrated Jan. 10, 1828, in Scott, N. Y.
The subject of this sketch, not unlike thousands of others at that time, received but limited eduea- tional advantages. In 1849 he came to Henry County, settling in Mt. Pleasant, where he was employed as a carpenter and stonemason. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Chandler (see above), born June 19, 1839. By this union there are three children: Vincent K., educated at the Burlington Commercial College, is now a book-keeper at Perry, Iowa; Eliza J. was educated at Ilowe's Seminary, Mt. Pleasant, and at the Business College of Burlington, Iowa; Carrie May was educated at the University of Mt. Pleas- ant. Religiously, Mr. Chandler is a Seventh-Day Adventist, and he takes an active interest in all educational matters. He has lived in Henry County since early times, and has witnessed the changes which transformed its natural wilderness to beanti- ful farms and elegant homes. In his life Mr. Chandler endeavors to live in faithful obedienee to all the commands found in the Word of God, and in so doing feels that comfort and satisfaction not enjoyed by those who do not believe.
G RAFTON KIRBY, of section 3, Center Town- ship, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, May 20, 1813. and is a son of Thomas and Rebecca Ann (Grafton) Kirby. Their marriage was celebrated in Morgan County, Ohio, and to
them was born a family of six children, four sons and two daughters: Mary J., wife of Isaae Thomas, a resident of Wilmington, Ohio; Isaae, a resident of New Mexico: Martha E. married Stephen Livzy, of Keokuk, Iowa; Grafton, the subject of this sketeh; Milton S., of Des Moines County, lowa : Melvin C., deceased. In 1866 Thomas Kirby re- moved to Ilenry County and purchased the land on which Mr. Backus now lives. In polities he was a Demoerat, and a great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas. He and his estimable wife were mem-
bers of the Congregationalist Church of Mt. Pleas- ant. Mr. Kirby took great interest in all matters pertaining to education, and was always well in- formed on the affairs of the county and nation.
Grafton Kirby, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Morgan County, Ohio, until eighteen years of age, receiving a common-school education in his native State. IIe eame to Henry County in 1836, and in 1869 was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth J. Barclay, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Barclay, natives of Greene County, Pa. Henry Barclay was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1799, and in the year 1828 formed a matri- monial alliance with Elizabeth Armstrong, who was born in 1809. In 1858 Mr. Barclay eame to Henry County and purchased the place where Mr. Kirby now resides. They were the parents of nine ehil- dren : Helen, wife of James Davidson, of Chariton, lowa; Mary, wife of Jolin Biddle, deceased, now resides in Shenandoah, Iowa; Henry A., of Bird City, Kan .; Elizabeth, wife of Grafton Kirby, of Henry County, Iowa; Laura, widow of Melvin C. Kirby, resides at Council Bluffs. Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay were members of the Presbyterian Church, and always ready to advance the cause of their Master. Mr. Barclay was called to his final home in 1862, preceding his wife twenty years, she dying in February, 1882. In early life he held the politieal views of the Whigs until the organization of the Republican party, when he cast his vote with that body.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are the happy parents of two daughters: Lena, a graduate of the High School of Mt. Pleasant, is now in Chieago studying short- hand and type-writing; Laura, the other daughter, is at home. In 1882 Mr. Kirby suffered quite a
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loss by the cyclone of June 17, his loss being valued at $1,000. His business is that of a farmer and general stock-raiser. He owns eighty acres of land, situated two and a half miles from Mt. Pleas- ant, valued at from $50 to $75 per acre, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby are earnest Christian people, and are members of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant. In polities Mr. Kirby is a Democrat.
ON. SAMUEL L. STEELE, manager of the Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company, and present Representative in the Iowa Legisla- ture from the Twentieth District, resides on section 36, Marion Township, Henry Co., Iowa, and does business in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Steele has been a resident of Henry County since 1847, and was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 8, 1836. His parents, James and Mary H. (White) Steele, were natives of Virginia, and were born in Berkeley County, now West Virginia. They were of the old orthodox Quaker faith. On the father's side the family was of Irish origin, but residents of America from Colonial days. Gen. Steele, of Revolutionary fame, was a distant relative of our subject. Mr. Steele's parents moved from Virginia to Clarke County, Ohio, in 1826, and from there to Henry County, Iowa, in 1847, arriving in Jefferson Town- ship, where they located Oct. 25, 1847.
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Samuel L. was reared on a farm, and in August, 1862, enlisted for the late war. He was elected Second Lieutenant of Company B, 25th Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, and was promoted to a First Lieu- tenancy in August, 1863, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, June 6, 1865. His regiment was assigned to the 15th (Gen. John A. Logan's) Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Miss. ; Arkansas Post, Ark. : siege of Vicksburg. Miss. ; Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Goldsboro, N. C., and Sherman's historie march to the sea. The official history of the regiment
shows that it participated in thirty-seven dis- tinet engagements. In almost all of these Lient. Steele was a participant, and showed himself a brave and gallant soldier. On his return from the war Mr. Steele engaged in the mercantile and lumber business at Sedalia, Mo., which business occupied his time for four years, at the end of which he returned to Henry County, Iowa, and engaged in farming on section 6, Marion Township. In 1873 he purchased a farm of 280 acres on section 36 of the same town- ship, where he still resides. He has lately sold 120 aeres, leaving his present farm 160 acres in extent. Mr. Steele was married in Jefferson Township, Henry County, May 27, 1866, to Miss Sarah Mar- garet, daughter of Lawrenee M. and Margaret L. Everts. Mrs. Steele was born in the State of New York, and came to Iowa in childhood. One child, a danghter, Mary E., was born to them, who is now the wife of Guy Norton, of St. Panl, Neb. Mrs. Steele died Oct. 26, 1868. He was again married Dee. 24, 1872, in Henry County, to Miss Martha D. Oaks, a daughter of John S. Oaks, who was born in Lycoming County, Pa. Five children, four sons and a daughter, were born of their union: John Oaks, now aged eleven; James Arthur, aged nine; Edna, aged seven; Charles C., aged three, and Fred, an infant.
Mr. Steele is an out-and-out Republican, and has voted with that party since its organization. He has been chosen to various offices of public honor and trust, and was elected as a member of the County Board of Supervisors in 1868, and was sub- sequently re-elected and served six years. Prior to that he had served as a member of the Town- ship Board of Trustees, and for fourteen years has been a member of the District School Board. He was elected Nov. 8, 1887, on the Republican ticket, as Representative to the State Legislature from the Twentieth District, by a majority of 596 over his competitor. In every position to which he has been chosen he has borne the reputation of a competent and upright official, and has earned the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Steele is a member of the MeFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church his first wife was also a member, while his present wife is a
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Presbyterian. In August, 1887, he was instru- mental in organizing and incorporating the Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company, of which he is general manager. (See notice of business elsewhere in this work. ) Mr. Steele is an energetic, sagacious. business man, a most indomitable worker, possess- ing superior executive ability and great force of character. The enterprise upon which he has so lately entered promises to develop into an impor- tant industry, and already orders are flowing in faster than the company, with their present facili- ties, can fill them. Mr. Steele is a man of un- questioned integrity, and justly ranks among the leading business men of Henry County.
B ENJAMIN W. SPRY, now deceased, was a native of Ohio, and was born in Zanesville, Oct. 23, 1817. He remained in that city until after his marriage, which occurred in March, 1844, to Miss Ivy Johnson, who was also a native of Ohio. He was engaged in the mercantile business until the time of his death, which occurred July 6, 1827. Ilis life throughout was an entirely upright one, and he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His devoted wife preceded him to the better world, her death occurring June 25. 1875. After the death of his wife Mr. Spry made his home with his son-in-law, G. W. Burton, of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Spry were the parents of seven children: Ilattie J., born in 1845, is now the wife of E. D. Anderson, whose sketch appears else- where in this work; Annie E., born in 1846, is the wife of J. W. Burton, of Mt. Pleasant; Charles W., born in 1847, is a farmer in Marion Township; he married Miss Flora B. Moford. J. W. died in in- fancy; Mary E., who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. J. W. Burton; Emma C., who died in 1873, at the age of twenty : Homer J., born in 1857. is a farmer in Marion Township; his wife was Miss E. L. Anderson.
Mrs. Harriet Boyce, now deceased, was a native of Washington County, Md., and a grandmother of Mrs. Anderson. Her maiden name was Thompson. She was born Dec. 7, 1792. Her first husband was Jacob Johnson, and to them were born thirteen
children. of whom twelve grew to man and woman- hood. At the time of her death she had seven children, forty-eight grandchildren. and twenty- seven great-grandchildren. Her second husband was Mr. Boyce. She was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
OHN HANNAH, farmer, in Jackson Town- ship section 15, was born in the year 1831, in Brown County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Fulton) Hannah. The Ilan- nah ancestors were of Irish origin. and the Ful- tons were probably of Scotch descent. Both James Hannah and his wife were born in Pennsylvania, and were married in Washington County of that State. James was by trade a shoemaker, but after his marriage engaged solely in agriculture, remov- ing at a very early date to Brown County, Ohio, where he entered lands, built a house, and had a family of eight children before he removed to Clermont County in the same State. The children were as follows : Thomas, who died unmarried, had gone to New Orleans with a flatboat loaded with sundries, and on arriving there contracted yellow fever, and as he was returning home on a steamer died, and was buried at Cairo, Ill .. more than fifty years ago. Margaret wedded John McCarty, who during his lifetime was a farmer of Jackson County, Ind., and after his death married George Hampton, of Illinois, and is now his widow : Fulton married first, Almeda Bryant, and after her death wedded Mrs. Lewis, and is a farmer in Brown County, Ohio; James wedded first, Margaret West, and after her death married a Miss Thompson, and also resides upon a farm in Brown County; Ann, deceased, became the wife of Matthias Freedman, a farmer of Jackson County, Ind .: David is wedded to Naney J. Richards, of Clermont County, Ohio. and resides in Edgar County, Ill., on a farm; Jo- seph wedded for his first wife Eliza Ketcham, and after her death married again, and resides also in Brown County, Ohio.
John Hannah, our subject, was married in Cler- mont County, Ohio, in 1851, to Miss Catherine Seton, daughter of Ebenezer and Barbara (Bush-
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man) Seton. The Seton family were of Irish ex- traction, while the Bushman family were of Ger- man and English origin, although born in Virginia. Both families were early settlers of Ohio, and were among the first to take up claims in that part of the country. A great-uncle of Mrs. Hannah, Thomas Seton, was a Captain in the army during the War of 1812. Great-grandfather Seton was a weaver in Ireland. but very little history can be obtained, as all the elder members of the family who could have furnished it are now dead. Grandfather Bushman purchased 1,300 acres of land. which was left to his children, and his descendants yet own it. He died at Point Pleasant, Ohio, which his land adjoined.
Mrs. Hannah was one of a family of twelve: Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca, Martha, William, John, Benjamin, Sarah, David, Catherine, Sippy A. and Ebenezer. The latter was born after his father's death. One son, John, was suffocated by damp in a well in Shelby County, Ohio, and of the entire family only Mrs. Hannah, Ebenezer and Benjamin are now living. Ebenezer is a farmer of Washing- ton County, Iowa, and Benjamin, wedded to Nancy A. Donnelly, is a farmer near Blue Rapids, Kan. After the marriage of our subjeet and his young wife. they remained two years in Ohio, and then removed to Jackson County, Ind., near Seymour. They only remained there one year, and in Novem- ber. 1854, emigrated farther west and located in this township, on lands now owned by Alexander Kudobe. Benjamin Seton was a partner in the purchase of the 120 acres, and later Mr. Hannah sold his interest to Mr. Seton and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, on section 15, Jackson Township. One who looks at his tine im- provements to-day would scareely think that in thirty years such a farm could be made. In March, 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Hannah moved into a little cabin which stood upon this tract, of which only three-fourths of an acre was then broken. Mr. Ilannah was not a holder of United States bonds at that time, but he possessed a wealth of muscle and industry, and his good wife was ready to share in every undertaking. While her husband was at work getting out rails and grubbing brush, she was doing her share to aid in the work, and as children came to bless their home, the labor of love was
lightened. Their first-born was Martha E., now deceased, who was the wife of Van Jackman; she was born in Ohio, and all the others in this town- ship. Benjamin F. wedded Angelina Bunker; George died in infancy : Mary is deceased; Jane is the wife of lIarlan Pickard; Owen W., John W., and Margaret A., deceased, and Robert F., complete the family. The three unmarried sons reside with their parents in a handsome cottage on the hill overlooking a wide expanse of country, and the site furnishes a view unsurpassed from any point in the township. Mr. Hannah came to this county a poor man, but by economy and hard labor he has realized a nice fortune, and his meager purchase of 1854 has grown to 235 acres, purchased as he was able. The good wife still superintends her house- hold, and Mr. Hannah can take his ease if he de- sires, as they have already a competenee, and the boys are skilled in farm work. Mr. Hannah has served in numerous official positions, his first elec- tion as Trustee occurring in 1860, since which time he has been frequently re-elected to the same office, and has also served upon the School Board for sev- eral years. B. Frank, the eldest son, served two years as Township Clerk, and is the only son of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hannah are members of Donaldson Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has often served in an official capacity. We add this sketch with pleasure to the number of repre- sentative families in this county, and none are en- titled to or will receive a more cordial greeting.
Ebenezer Seton, father of Mrs. Hannah, removed from Clermont County, Ohio, to Shelby County, Ohio, and while digging a well there, and leaving it for dinner, heard a noise below. Supposing water had broken in he sent his young son, John, down in the bucket to bring up the tools. The cause of the noise was damp, and the boy fell out of the bucket suffocated. The father, not knowing the cause, went down to rescue his child, and he also fell a victim, both being dead before they were got out by the neighbors. The mother. with her remaining children, returned to Clermont County, where she lived a widow until her death, dying in 1877, nearly seventy-nine years of age. She spun, wove, and worked in every way to keep her family together, and bring them up properly, as
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she did, and her children have cause to revere her memory.
Another of the family, William, also met an accidental death. Ile was a resident of Jackson Township, having become a citizen of Henry County. Nov. 9, 1874, while digging a cistern for Stephen Booth it caved in upon him. When the attempt was made to resene him he was barely able to speak, but was dead before he was extricated.
OHN Z. NUGEN, a farmer residing at New London Village, has 120 acres of land. 1Ie was born in New London Township, April 25, 1845, and is the son of Jarrett and Melinda (Butler) Nugen, of whom a history is given elsewhere. He was reared on the farm, and received a common-school education, and when nineteen years of age enlisted. May 1, 1864, as a private in Company G, 45th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and served four months in the Army of the Tennessee. On his return from the war he engaged in farming in New London Township. He was married in Des Moines County, Iowa, Sept. 25, 1870, to Miss Zora Belle Newell, daughter of Albert and Martha Newell. Mrs. Newell was born in Pleasant Grove Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa. Six children have gathered round the hearthstone of thiis worthy couple, five of whom are now living: Aria, born Nov. 1, 1871 ; Jarrett, deceased; Eliza- betli, William II., Ethel, and an infant daughter, unnamed. Mr. Nugen moved to the village of New London in 1887. Mrs. Nugen is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Nugen is a member of Charity Lodge No. 56, 1. O. O. F., and of J. W. Hardin Post No. 384, G. A. R., and in politics is a Democrat.
E DWARD L. PENN, a leading merchant and old settler of Mt. Pleasant. Iowa, and one of the most prosperous business men of that thrifty city, was born in the good old city of Broth- erly Love (Philadelphia), which was founded by
his namesake, William Penn. His father, Abraham Penn, was a Quaker, born in Chatham, England, and descended from an old Quaker family of that locality. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Livingston, was born at Philadelphia, and was a daughter of Capt. John Livingston, who was killed at the battle of Brandywine. She was also a niece of Robert R. Livingston, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The subject of this sketch while a youth removed with his parents to a point near Chillicothe, Ohio. He was trained to mercantile pursuits early in life, and was engaged in merchandising in various places South and West, lle spent twelve years in that line at Lafayette, Ind., and came to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in October, 1856. On coming to this city, he engaged in the dry-goods and boot and shoe business, having a double store. Mr. Penn devoted his whole attention to his business, which he con- ducted so successfully that he acquired a comfort- able fortune. For the past twelve years Mr. Penn has retired from active participation in the details of the business, though still retaining his interest there- in. In 1878 he formed the existing partnership with Mr. C. A. Holwick, under the firm name of Penn & Holwiek. This house carries an extensive stock of staple dry-goods, carpets, boots and shoes.
Mr. Penn was united in marriage at Lafayette, Ind., Aug. 12, 1851, with Miss Amelia A. Weaver, daughter of Dr. JJacob Weaver. Mrs. Penn's father was a Trustee of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., and Professor of the art of elocution. He leetured and wrote extensively on the subject, and was the author of text books on elocution which are the standard authority among students and elocution- ists. He was a man of superior ability, and enjoyed a wide and flattering reputation. Mr. and Mrs. Penn were blessed with three children, daughters: Ella A. and Lulu B. were born in Lafayette. Ind .; Katie Alma, the youngest, was born in Mt. Pleas- ant, lowa. Mr. Penn, his wife and daughters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, but in no sense a politi- cian in the way of seeking for office, which he would not accept. Ile has never coveted political preferment, desiring the more quiet and unpretend- ing life of a man of business. He has taken an act-
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ive interest in educational matters, and for twenty years has served as a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the Towa Wesleyan University, and for the past fifteen years has been President of the Execu- tive Board of that institution. He was one of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Mt. Pleasant, of which he is a large stockholder, and has served as member of the Board of Directors since the establishment of the bank.
Mr. Penn has been a resident of Mt. Pleasant for the past thirty-one years, during which time he has been prominently identified with the mercantile in- terests of the city. and has always been recognized as one of its leading merchants, and most highly respected citizens. He is now living in the quiet enjoyment of well-earned influence. His residence on North Jefferson street, surrounded by extensive and tastily arranged grounds, is one of the finest and most attractive in the city.
C ADAM BROTHERS, James and William A., photographers, have been established in business at Mt. Pleasant since 1875. James, the senior partner, and active member of the firm, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Oct. 20. 1845, and is a son of George and Ann (Moore) McAdam, both of whom were also natives of Harri- son County, Ohio. Our subject went to Wenona, Marshall Co., Ill., in the spring of 1857, and in that place learned the art of photography. In the winter of 1869-70 he commenced business for him- self at LaSalle, Ill., but gave it up after six months. and engaged in ranching in Colorado for another six months, when he returned to Illinois and again began business, this time at Wenona, where he re- mained in business until 1875. In that year, in company with his brother George, he started his present gallery at Mt. Pleasant, and has been con- tinuously engaged in business here ever since, and has made many friends, both in business and socially. In his business he is materially assisted by his wife, who is a lady of talent and business capacity. His brother and partner takes no active part in the busi- ness, which is successful, and constantly increasing,
owing to the fine class of work done, and reason- able prices charged.
June 27, 1877, James McAdam was married to Miss Agnes S. Phillips, daughter of Lient. William Phillips, who was killed in the famous "battle of the Wilderness." Mrs. McAdam was born at Pitts- burgh, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. McAdam have been the parents of three children, two of whom died in in- fancy. The survivor is a daughter, Mary A., now nine years of age. Mr. and Mrs. McAdam are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. Both are respected members of society. who are held in esteem by all who know them.
C AREY D. SHELLEDY, a farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 29, Baltimore Township, was born in Jennings County, Ind., in 1822, and is the son of George and Isabella (Graham) Shelledy. Edward, the paternal grand- father of our subject, was born in Virginia, and the ancestors are supposed to be of Irish origin. He married Miss Bovell, and later moved to Ohio, from thence to Jennings County, Ind., and lastly to Edgar County, Ill., where both himself and wife died. They had seven children: Margaret, de- ceased, who wedded William Moore, of Lowell, Iowa, and died in that village; George, father of our subject, who married Isabella Graham in Indi- ana, where his death accidentally occurred while clearing up his farm; Stephen married Elizabeth Vance, and both are dead ; Alfred, Gillen and Alex, who died unmarried, and John, married to Mary A. Milton, completed the number of children.
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