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 23
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Within the pages of this volume will be found a fine engraving of the brickyard spoken of above and belonging to Mr. Day.
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C APT. WILLIAM DRAPER was born in Rupert County, Vt., and was married, Oct. 19, 1806, to Miss Mary Richmond. Mr. Draper was one of the brave men who fought so gallantly to free the Colonies from the British yoke of oppression, and served during the Revolution- ary War, first as Second Lieutenant, then as First Lieutenant, and later as Captain, beloved and esteemed by the men under him and admired and respected by his superior officers. Mr. and Mrs.
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Draper were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters: Charles L., Allanson B., Leonard L., Prudence, Susanna, John L. and Samuel W., all of whom are now dead with the exception of Mrs. Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Draper emigrated to Dearborn County, Ind., in the year 1819, and the following year removed to Ripley County, the same State. Mr. Draper was called from earth to his heavenly home Sept. 5, 1827, and his beloved wife survived him many years, dying Feb. 25, 1878, at the advanced age of eighty- seven. Mr. and Mrs. Draper were members of the Baptist Church. They were highly esteemed by all who knew them, always ready to help those in need, and were truly Christian workers in the church and elsewhere, and when the final summons came they were ready to enter into the joys pre- pared for the just by their Heavenly Father.
C IIARLES B. RUKGABER, Clerk of the Dis- triet Court of Henry County, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 14, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Baur) Rukgaber. He was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1857 emigrated from Germany to America in company with his mother and sister, his father having died July 6, 1845. The latter was in his youth a door and sash and cabinet-maker, but after his marriage became a farmer. Ile was a Town Councilor of Felldorf, in Wurtemberg, a position of trust and responsibility. He was a man of in- tegrity, a good husband and father. He was born in 1800, and was therefore forty-five years old at the time of his death, which was caused by the fall of a tree he was felling, by which he re- ceived injuries from which he never recovered, dying in less than a year afterward. His wife was also a native of Wurtemberg, born in 1798. Since her emigration to America she has made her home mainly with her son Charles B., with whom she is now living, in exceptionally good health, al- though in her ninetieth year. One brother, Jolm, had preceded the others to this country. He lived first in Richmond, Va., and in 1857 removed to Washington, D. C., and the following year came
to Mt. Pleasant, where he has since resided. Another brother, David, of whom see sketch, came to America in 1858; Christian emigrated in 1869, and is also a resident of Mt. Pleasant. The sis- ter was named Rosa. In 1859 she became the wife of Charles Williams. and died in that city in 1876. leaving a son Charles, now living in Kansas. Mr. Williams also died in Mt. Pleasant.
On coming to America Charles B. made his home first in Washington, D. C., where he resided one year, and in 1858 removed to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in company with his brother David, arriving in this city August 16. Here he engaged in the boot and shoe business until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when on the 18th of August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 1th lowa Cavalry, Ile was promoted Orderly Ser- geant, and re-enlisted as a veteran Dec. 12, 1863, and served four years, or to the close of the war, being mustered out with his regiment at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 10, 1865. Ilis regiment was attached to Grant's army during the siege of Vicksburg, and during his term of service did some hard work. The following is a list of the principal battles and engagements in which Mr. Rukgaber participated : White River, Helena, Brown's Ford, and Red River, in Arkansas; at Fourteen-Mile Creek, Raymond, Mechanicsburg, first and second Missis- sippi Springs, first and second battles of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, at Canton, Brandon, Browns- ville, Meridian and Coldwater, all in Mississippi; at Memphis, Tenn. ; at Guntown, Ripley and Tupelo (Old Town Creek), Miss. He was mustered out in August, 1865, after four years of hard cam- paigning, in which he won the reputation of a brave and gallant soldier.
On his return from the army Mr. Rukgaber engaged as elerk for J. B. Shaw, hardware merchant of Mt. Pleasant, continuing in that capacity from 1866 to 1872, when he bought an interest in the business, the firm being Shaw & Rukgaber. This connection continned till the death of Mr. Shaw in 1875, when Horace Clark bought the interest of the Shaw heirs, and the new firm became Rukgaber & Clark. Four years later Mr. Clark went out, and J. S. McGregor and Edward Baines bought in, forming the firm of Rukgaber, McGregor & Baines,
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which connection continued till Mr. Rukgaber's election in the fall of 1886 to the office lie now holds, when he sold out to give his entire time to his official duties, which he performs in the most thorough and satisfactory manner.
Mr. Rukgaber was united in marriage at Mt. Pleasant, April 11, 1861, to Miss Joanna Mueller, daughter of Vietor and Amelia (Fehrenbach) Mueller. Mrs. Rukgaber was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1843, and came to America with her par- ents in 1845, and to Henry County, Iowa, in 1855. Her parents landed in New Orleans, where they lived for nine years, and in 1854 entered some land in Putnam County, Mo., on which they lived for a year, when they came to Mt. Pleasant. In 1859 Mr. Mueller and a brother, like thousands of others, crossed the plains to Pike's Peak in search of gold. Disliking the country, he went to Cali- fornia, where he was joined by his wife the follow- ing year. In 1867 he returned to Mt. Pleasant, and soon after went to their Missouri farm, where both died, the husband in 1878, and the wife in 1876. Mr. Mueller served his time in the army in Germany, and was by trade a carpenter. He was an industrious man, and in his labors in the mines con- tracted rheumatism, from which effects he died. An upright, honorable man, he was hell in esteem by his neighbors.
Mr. and Mrs. Rukgaber are the parents of five children, four of whom are living, all born in Mt. Pleasant. Louisa, born Oet. 25, 1866; Emily, born March 27, 1868, died Sept. 13, 1887 ; Mina, born Nov. 23, 1869; Carrie, born June 16, 1871; and Vietor, born March 11, 1873. The daughter Emily, who died, was a beautiful and highly accomplished young lady, possessing rare musical talents, and had been the organist of St. Michael's Episcopal Church for a long time. She was a great favorite in society, and her untimely (leath was a sad blow to her family and numerous friends. The members of the church of which she was an ornament, and in which she was universally beloved, decided to erect a testimonial to her mem- ory, which has taken the form of a beautiful stained glass window.
Mr. Rukgaber has borne an active part in local public affairs. He has served one year as Secretary
of the Henry County Agricultural Society, and six years as a member of the Mt. Pleasant Board of Education. He is a member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M .; Henry Lodge No. 10, I. O. O. F., and of MeFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R., of which he is one of the charter members, and has been Junior Vice Commander. In politics he isa Republican, and has been active in all party affairs. Religiously he is a member of the Episeo- pal Church, his wife and children being also mem- bers of the same society. He is an honorable gen- tleman, courteous in his intercourse with the public, and capable and attentive in the discharge of the duties of his office, and is justly held in high esteem for his upright and manly character.
AVID RUKGABER, of Mt. Pleasant, a son of Joseph and Mary (Baur) Rukgaber, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 30, 1830, and is one of a family of five ehil- dren. The family history is given under the name of Charles B. Rukgaber. Joseph Rukgaber de- parted this life in 1845, in Germany, and in 1857 Mrs. Rukgaber emigrated to America, locating in Mt. Pleasant, at which place she still resides. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
David Rukgaber is a well-educated man, having received a liberal education while in Germany. At the age of twenty he enlisted in the German army, serving for six years. After being discharged he immediately came to America in 1858, and located at Mt. Pleasant, and in 1859 he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Magdalene Ruprecht, who was also a native of Germany, born in Hohenzollern in 1830. He farmed until 1861, when at the break- ing out of the Rebellion, Mr. Rukgaber enlisted in the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered into serv- ice at Mt. Pleasant. The regiment then went to St. Louis, where they were armed and equipped, remaining there three weeks. It then proceeded to Springfield, Mo., was in the raid after Price, and was in several skirmishes and fought in the engage- ments at Guntown, Tupelo, Holly Springs, and other places. The regiment was afterward made a part of Grant's army, and was at the siege of Vieksburg.
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Mr. Rukgaber served four years, but was mustered out at Memphis, before the remainder of his regi- ment, on account of losing his sight. He was a brave soldier, always at his post, never shirking his duty though danger threatened on every side. The Government has awarded him a pension of $30 per month for the injuries he sustained. Ile is a member of the MeFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R., taking an active interest in all work pertaining to the order.
Mr. and Mrs. Rukgaber have the respect and good-will of all. They have a family of five chil- dren : Mary, now the wife of Lewis Scheuneman, a resident of Mt. Pleasant; Amelia, Bertha, Otto A. and Willie. The parents are members of the Cath- olie Church. In politics he is a Republican.
OHIN T. NORTH, residing on sections 26 and 27, Seott Township, Ilenry Co., Iowa, is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stallings) North, both of whom were natives of Maryland, though the father was of German parent- age. They emigrated to Ohio in about 1831 and there developed a farm in the timber. In 1841 they emigrated to Henry County, and settled near New London. There were six children in the family, the two eldest, Christian, now the wife of Peter Orn, a carpenter of New London, and Susan, wife of William Wilson, residing in Harrison County, Mo., were born in Maryland. While residing in Ohio three other children were born : Matilda J., wife of J. D. Byers, of New London Township, died in 1872; John T., our subject, and Martha, wife of Charles B. Weller, residing near Kent, Adams Co., lowa. Emma B., the youngest child, was born in Henry County, married John Wright, and died at Powhattan, Ohio, in 1875. The father resided on his farm in this county until the time of his death, which occurred July 27, 1817, when forty-seven years of age. He was an earnest, sincere Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owned at the time of his leath 140 acres of land, which was a part of the
original claim. The mother was born in 1804, and now resides with her daughter near Kent, Adams Co., lowa. She is an active worker in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and took great interest in the pioneer organizations of the county, and was a member of the first church organized in New Lon- don Township. Her father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
Our subject was reared on a farm in New Lon- don Township, receiving his education at the district schools. Being the only son, he was obliged to help his father upon the farm, and after his death had the whole control of it. Ile formed the sole support of his mother and two single sisters, but when the war broke out he left home and enlisted in Company E of the Ist lowa Cavalry, June 22, 1861, as a private. Ile was mustered out March 16, 1865, as Quartermaster Sergeant. Ile participated in the following battles: Meradozine. Mo. : Lone Jack, Fayetteville, Mo .; Jenkins Ferry, Prairie Grove, Bymerta and Little Rock, Ark. Hle was on the scout for forty days, during which time he participated in numerous engagements. In the Camden campaign, under Steele, they fought a hard battle at Saline River, and were under fire for ten days in a running fight with Gen. Price.
After returning home Mr. North resumed his occupation of farming on the old homestead, having bought the shares of the other heirs in the same, continuing this until March, 1882. He was united in marriage, April 11, 1867, with Maria L. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Ruth ( Whitlatch) Smith, the former a native of Maryland, of English parentage, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, though of Scotch descent. The father departed this life in Pennsylvania in 1860, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a blacksmith by trade, and served as Colonel in the State Militia of Pennsylvania. lle was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a prominent man in the neighborhood where he resided. llis wife died in JJune, 1884. She was also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. and Mrs. North are the parents of four children-Charles S., James 11 .. Frank R. and Mabel, all still inmates of the paternal home.
In November, 1882, Mr. North sold his farm in
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New London Township, purchasing 160 acres of land on sections 26 and 27 of Scott Township, where he still resides. This farm is one of the best in the county, and a glance is suficient to show that thrift and enterprise are characteristics of its owner. An elegant residence has been erected, at a cost of $4,000, and the barn is valued at $600. Mr. North is a practical farmer, and one of Henry County's best citizens. He is numbered among the pioneers of the county, and is respected alike by old and young, rich and poor. He is a stalwart Republican, and has held various township offices.
ON. LEROY GRIFFIN PALMER, a prom- inent attorney of Mt. Pleasant, lowa, was born in Christian County, Ky., Nov. 3, 1821. llis parents were Lewis G. and Ann II. (Tutt) Palmer. His father was born in Spott- sylvania County, Va., in June, 1781, and was the son of Isaac Palmer, who was a prominent Fed- eralist and a soldier of the Revolution. Judge Palmer's mother was born in Culpeper, Va., and emi- grated to Kentucky with her father in 1805, or about the same time that the Palmers settled in that State.
Our subject accompanied his father to Madison County, Ill., in the spring of 1831. Ile received a common-school education, and not having collegi- ate advantages he entered upon a course of self- instruction and qualified himself for the vocation of a teacher and taught several terms of school. While thus employed at Carlinville, Ill., he en- gaged in the study of law, under the direction of his brother, John M., then an eminent attorney of Macoupin County, and since Governor of Illinois. He was admitted to the bar at Hillsboro, Mont- gomery Co., Ill., in 1846, and formed a law partnership with his brother, John M., under the firm name of J. M. & L. G. Palmer. That connec- tion continued but a short time, on account of our subject's enlistment in the volunteer service for the Mexican War, which occurred May 26, 1846, at Springfield, Ill., where he became a member of Company B, 4th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was assigned to the Quartermaster's department,
and served in Mexico until April 27, 1847, when he was discharged at Ft. Polk, Point Isabel, for physical disability. ITis condition was such at the time of his removal from the fort to the transport that he was not conscious of being carried on ship- board. Ile returned to Illinois in May following, where he recruited his health, and in November, 1847, came to Iowa and opened a law office at Mt. Pleasant. He has pursued the practice of his pro- fession at that place continuously since, and has been called to fill various public positions of honor and trust. He has served two terms in the City Council of Mt. Pleasant, and was a member of the State Senate from 1861 to 1864, and served one term, from 1862 to 1864, as County Judge of Henry County.
Judge Palmer was married at Mt. Pleasant, Ang. 7, 1850, to Miss Orphia Bowen, a daughter of Isaac Bowen, a worthy pioneer of Henry County. Mrs. Palmer was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to Henry County, Iowa, with her parents in childhood. Five children were born of their union, four sons and a daughter: Leroy A. was born at Mt. Pleasant in August, 1857, and was educated in the common schools of the city and at Howe's Academy in same city, under the care of its founder, the late Samuel Ilowe, and studied law with his father, and in an office at Keokuk, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar at Mt. Pleasant in 1878. He married Miss Lucy McCarty, and is now in Govern- ment employ in the Patent Office at Washington, D. C. Charles F. was born at Mt. Pleasant in June, 1853, and is now engaged in mining with his uncle, Senator Bowen, at Summitville, Col. ; Horace LaMont was born at Mt. Pleasant in April, 1857, and is a musician of marked talent and superior culture; Jessie L. was born at Mt. Pleasant in May, 1864, and is the wife of Dr. D. D. Robinson, a druggist of Burlington, Iowa; George L. is em- ployed in the United States Mail Service, with head- quarters at Burlington.
Judge Palmer is a Democrat, but opposed his party and voted for Abraham Lincoln both in 1860 and 1864. As a Democrat, he is earnest and pronounced in his views, especially in his hostility to the States meddling with the rights of the indi- vidual citizen, and has borne a more or less prom-
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inent part in political affairs. The Democracy al- ways in the minority in both county and State, his personal popularity has induced his party to place him in nomination for various offices a greater number of times than almost any other man in the State. At every election in which he was a candi- date he succeeded in polling a vote many times over his party strength. In 1874 he was the Demo- cratie nominee for Congress against Hon. George W. MeCray, and succeeded in cutting the Repub- liean majority down from about 5,000 to 1,500. He has been the most determined and persistent opposer of the building of railroads by means of a publie tax, and of every scheme of the Government engaging in business in any way.
Judge Palmer has always been of studious habits, and is well versed in his profession, as well as in his- tory and general practical information. He is gifted as a conversationalist, and is a companionable man, whose superior attainments command respect and esteem.
R OBERT T. CANFIELD, a prominent farmer of Jackson Township, was born in Randolph County, Va., in 1826, and is the son of Titus and Phobe Canfield, who died when our subjeet was a mere lad. They were the parents of seven children-Elizabeth, Johnson, Sarah, Mary, Nancy, Robert T. and Keturah. All were left or- phans while yet children, and as the parents were poor they became scattered and their later history is not fully known. Some went West, part became residents of Kansas and some of Wisconsin.
Our subjeet when five years of age was taken by his father to Ohio, and in that State the father died, leaving his boy to the care of George Harmon, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he began life's battle for himself. Leaving Seneca County, Robert went to Clarke County and later to Miami County, Ohio, then in 18-19 to Jef- ferson County, Ind. In the year 1853 he was united in marriage with Miss Mirey Swager. Mr. Canfield was at that time in the employ of the Madi- son & Indianapolis Railroad Company. In 1866 the death of his wife occurred and the next year he removed to Jowa, locating in Henry County. Ilis
four children eame with him, namely: Elma, now the wife of Archie Ross; Clinton, also married ; James and Ida, the latter now deceased.
After a residence of two years in this county, Mr. Canfield was again married. to Mrs. Margaret (Maupin) Chaney, the widow of Andrew J. Cha- ney, a well-known resident of this county, who with his good wife settled here in 1849, coming from Jefferson County, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Chaney were the parents of eight children, all now dead ex- cept Flora B., wife of Fred Huxley, and Edward, yet unmarried. The deceased are: William, Sarah E., Mary Jane, Ellis C., Leonard F. and Carrie. Mr. Chaney resided upon a farm near Lowell, and after his death his widow purchased the farm upon which she and her present husband reside. The father of Mr. Chaney owned a large plantation in Tennessee, and also owned a number of slaves, but prior to his death liberated them, thus show- ing his sentiments regarding the rights of man. After a few years, Mr. and Mrs. Chaney decided to move to Texas, but after trying the country, they removed back to Henry County, and for years were identified with her business growth and prosperity.
In 1867 the death of her husband occurred, and her marriage to Mr. Canfield was celebrated in March, 1869. In a cosy farmhouse the couple live, beloved by their neighbors, and in the enjoy- ment of a ripe old age both Mr. and Mrs. Canfiekl find themselves blessed by such associations as their position in life entitles them to. Both are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Canfield was born in Blount County, Tenn., and reared in Jefferson County from her fifteenth year. Her father, Morgan G. Maupin, was born in France and married Elizabeth Collins in Ten- nessee. He was a Revolutionary soldier and had a family by another wife prior to that war, but no definite history can be given of them. With the blood of a patriot, and his grandsire a Revolution- ary soldier, Edward may well feel a pride that few have reason to boast of. The father of Andrew J. Chaney was a native of Ireland, who came to America a poor man, but accumulated a large prop- erty. For a quarter of a century he owned and conducted a large hotel near Morristown. Tenn.,
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and owned a large plantation adjoining. He reared a family of fourteen children, of whom Andrew J. was the youngest.
C HARLES NILSON, a farmer residing on section 26, Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Southeastern Sweden, near the small village of Westerwik. Ile is a son of Neils W. Swenson and Charlotte Swenson, who were both born, reared and married in Sweden, and after a long lifetime were buried in that far-away land. They were parents of four children-Charles, Gustoph, Orfried and Anna. The second and third sons are still residents of Sweden, married, and are stonemasons in Westerwik. Anna fol- lowed her brother Charles to America, coming alone in 1882. Two years later she became the wife of Fred Johnson, a farmer of Wayne Town- ship, who was also born in Sweden, near the birth- place of our subject.
Charles Nilson came to this country in 1869, and after a few months spent in Burlington went to Prairie City, Ill. His marriage was celebrated in Sweden, in April, 1869, and the bridal tour was the voyage made by the young couple across the broad Atlantic. They brought nothing with them but strong arms and willing hearts. The first year Charles fonnd work on the C. B. & Q. R. R. the year 1870 he began farming rented land, and for thirteen years tilled the same soil, and when the couple came to Ilenry County, in 1884, they brought money enough that had been earned and saved to buy a nice little farm of eighty acres, and they have a beautiful home one and a half miles southeast of Swedesburg. On the farm in Illinois their children were born-Axell and Gus- tave.
Onr subject became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1878, and became a member of the Republican party of Illinois, and is now promi- nently identified with the same in Henry County, Iowa. At Prairie City, Ill., Mr. Nilson was made a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 205, in 1875. To this organization he still belongs, and is one of the only three Swedes in Wayne Township who belong to any secret organization. Both himself
and his wife love American institutions and the laws and customs which prevail. They came to stay, and as they grow in years and prosperity their sons take their rightful places in the busi- ness world. For them they have lived, have toiled, and to them they give a heritage of honor, truth and enterprise.
Mrs. Nilson is a daughter of Jonas and Anna (Peterson) Johnson. They have nine children- John, Christina, Gustophi, Clara, Louisa, William, Charles, Mary and Augusta. In America live Clara, wife of our subject; William, who married Nellie Johnson, and lives in Illinois ; Charles, who married Lotta Johnson, and lives in Illinois. The other children, of whom John and Christina are living, remained in Sweden.
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