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 26
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Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong reared a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, all of whom grew to man and womanhood, and lived to rear families of their own, and eight of them are still living. They were as follows: Nathaniel, our subject : William F., who now resides in Missouri, and is a miller by trade ; John R., also a miller, re- siding in Illinois; Hannah Ann, wife of John C. Webb, of Hamilton County, Ohio, both deceased; Harriet, the wife of John W. Millspaugh, a car- penter of Winfield, Kan. ; Philomelia, wife of Thomas Spellman, a resident of Kansas; Selina, wife of An- drew Riggs, residing in Eddyville, Iowa; Frances
V., wife of Alfred Riggs, of Mahaska County, Iowa; Amanda, wife of John Stemmons, residing at Coun- eil Bluffs, Iowa; Zelia Jane married B. K. Pharr, a citizen of this county, and departed this life in Salem, in 1868, he dying in the same place in 1865; Clayton W. died in Winfield. Kan., at the age of sixty-five.
Our subject passed his youth on a farm and worked in a mill. He was educated at the public schools and at Parker's Academy in Clermont County, Ohio. At the age of twenty-seven, in 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Char- lotte Millspaugh, who was born in 1826, in Cler- mont County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James and Cynthia (Corwin) Millspaugh. The latter was a cousin to Thomas Corwin, the distinguished orator and Statesman of Ohio. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Armstrong emigrated with his young wife to Warrick County, Ind., there purchasing eighty aeres of land in the forest, with but a few acres cleared, on which was a log cabin. In this cabin he lived happily in true frontier style for four years. Selling this, Mr. Armstrong purchased a traet of land of seventy-six aeres in the suburbs of Boonville, Ind., residing there for ten years en- gaged in farming and running a mill. In 1858 he emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, purchasing the Oakland Mills and 320 acres of land in connection with his three brothers-in-law, Messrs. Riggs, Spell- man and Millspaugh. Mr. Armstrong still owns his interest, his partner being John P. Stringer, the husband of his danghter Eugenia.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are the parents of six children, namely : Marcellus, who resides in Cen- ter Township in this county ; Sarah Belle died at the age of fifteen ; Alice died at the age of eighteen ; T. N., who resides with his father; Eugenia, wife of John P. Stringer, of this county : Milton, residing in Colorado, is engaged in the mercantile business, and Josephine, who makes her home with her par- ents, is an artist of considerable ability.
Mr. Armstrong is very liberal in his political views, believing in political reform, and at present heartily indorsing the principles of the Union La- bor party. In religion he is a free - thinker. He has held many township offices with credit to him- self and satisfaction to the community, and has held
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· the office of Township Treasurer for twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are among the pioneer set- tlers of this county, and are well known and highly respected by all who know them.
Le EVI L. BEERY, a farmer and dairyman of Baltimore Township, is prominent among the agriculturists and business men of Henry County, and his name has been for years a familiar one. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1814, and is the son of Isaac and Mary (Cridle- bangh) Beery, who came to this county in 1842. Isaac Beery was born in Rockingham County, Va., and his wife in Reading, Pa., their marriage being celebrated in Ohio. Mr. Beery built a flatboat for the purpose of emigration, and on it made the jour- ney to Ohio, where he was one of the first settlers. He was a minister of the Dunkard faith, also a farmer, and after living for many years lives worthy of emulation, the parents were called to their final home. They reared a family of twelve children: Delilalı, Catherine, George, Andrew, Elizabeth, Levi L., Maria, Elijah, Jesse, Isaac, Enoch and Priscilla. Eight of these children are now living, but our sub- ject is the only one residing in this county. In Ohio Levi L. Beery was wedded to Miss Margaret Short, in 1839. lle came to this county, as before stated, in 1842, and the next year brought his young wife, selecting this for a permanent home. He was present at the treaty made with the In- dians, at the time of the second purchase, and the land selected by Mr. Beery was upon the Black Hawk purchase, and the fertile valley that produces sueli bountiful crops was the favorite hunting-ground of the Indians, who had two considerable villages not far from his present homestead. Mr. Beery made a first purchase of 162 acres, which was ocen- pied by a squatter who had built a small cabin upon the site of his present home. With his young wife, Mr. Beery moved into the cabin, and after twelve months of pioneer life he erected a more commodious house.
Mr. Beery is an example of a typical self-made
man, and was in straightened circumstances when he first came to this county. Ile erected a mill in 1844, which he operated for perhaps a score of years. Later, putting in an engine and boiler, he added a gristmill, and this was also operated for several years, Mr. Beery having learned the miller's trade while engaged in the business. The ruins now serve as a landmark. This mill was the prin- cipal source of Mr. Beery's good fortune, and from that investment his possessions have increased with his years, until he now owns nearly a section of the finest land in Baltimore Township, stocked with floeks and herds, and the bottom lands are of the most productive character. Ilis buildings are in keeping with his enterprise, and in addition to his farming interests he has a cheese factory with a capacity of 700 pounds weekly. His own cows sup- ply the milk, and the products find a ready sale in the home markets; in fact, the demand is greater than the supply. Aside from the industries men- tioned, Mr. Beery has done a large business for years in both grain and stock, which has been also a source of profit and pleasure.
Mr. and Mrs. Beery have seven children : Jane, now the wife of A. L. Micksell, a resident of Cov- ington, Miami Co., Ohio: William H., wedded to Lizzie Briton: Isaac, husband of Nellie Moul; Enoch, married to Susie Rains; Mary, Delilah and Angeline, at home with their parents. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Beery are rearing as carefully as their own, a niece, Gertie Beery, a daughter of Jefferson and Martha Beery.
This household has ever been noted for its cour- tesy and kindness, and as host and hostess the names of L. L. Beery and his estimable wife are known far and wide. The first family reunion occurred Oct. 15, 1887, at which all the children were pres- ent with their respective husbands and wives. Mr. Beery has lived a life worthy of emulation, and as his years increase, his love and veneration for the Republican party increase, and although not a candidate for official position, he is an ardent worker, and at the last county convention, held at Mt. Pleasant, he was Chairman. His children have been carefully educated, and all have certificates enti- tling them to teach. and some of them have taught in this county; Delilah and Angeline have been
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teachers in Nebraska, and Jane in Ohio. The same teacher that was preceptor when Mr. Beery was :1 student, was the instructor of his children-Prof. S. L. Howe, who founded the academy which bears his name, and which has given an education to many people of note from this and other States.
Mr. Beery was a schoolmate with Gen. W. T. and John Sherman, Tom Ewing and other noted men, and in their boyhood days their debates grew ardent in their literary societies. Men grow old in years, but their good deeds and their virtues are left for examples for future generations, and to such men as Mr. Beery Henry County owes much of the fame she possesses as a leading county in the State of Iowa.
AVID BURDEN, merehant and Postmas- ter, Salem, Iowa, was born in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, in 1833, and is the son of James and Ann (Sales) Burden. Both parents were natives of England, and James for many years was a stone-cutter and mason. They reared eleven children, seven of whom are now living, and four are deccased. Those living in England are: Ann married Mr. Kench; Har- riet wedded her cousin, William Burden; Han- nah is married to William Kerry ; Sarah became the wife of Job Tolley, and William is also married. John is the only unmarried one, and is a teacher in Oxfordshire, England, in which locality all the children except David reside. He left his native home in 1854, and landed in America before he had reached his twenty-first year. He was full of the enthusiasm that tills the breasts of enterprising young men, and expected to better his condition in life, although he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness before leaving England. His academie educa- tion was completed in Europe and he was well fitted for any occupation. His first experience was in An- rora, N. Y., he taking a position with the mercan- tile house of E. B. Morgan & Co. The senior pro- prietor was then a Member of Congress. During his residence of ten months in Aurora, our subject
became acquainted with Miss Rosa Savage. After the family left New York and emigrated to Iowa, he followed them, and Jan. 1, 1857, he became the husband of Miss Rosa Savage, the wedding being celebrated beneath the paternal roof, Rev. L. J. Rogers, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, per- forming the ceremony. One mile east of Salem the young couple began their domestic life, which has been continued under the most happy circum - stances. Until the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Burden farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter, and was at that time teaching in Southern Illinois. IIe was one of the first to vol- unteer in a company raised in Richland County, Ill. Their services were proffered the State, but the quota being full and a regiment then partly organized in St. Louis being ready to start to the front, they be- came Company E, of the 11th Missouri Regiment of the noted Eagle Brigade. They formed a part of the western army, and their first engagement was at Fredericktown, Mo., followed by that of Point Pleasant, Mo., below Island No. 10. He then partici- pated in the siege of Corinth and the battles following. lle was then detached from the regiment and assigned to special duty at Gen. Grant's headquarters. He re- mained at the exccutive part of headquarters, and at Holly Springs was taken prisoner and escaped three times during the day. The last time, however, he was paroled and returned to headquarters, where he was in the service of the medical department. Following this, the transfer of Gen. Grant to Commander-in-Chief of the United States armies, placed Gen. Sherman in charge of the department in which our subject was serving. His abilities secured his retention, and during his entire service he remained with the executive headquarters of Sherman's army. After the battle of Vicksburg he was discharged from the volunteers and made a member of the regular army. He was selected by the Secretary of War, and retained by him with in- creased work and salary. Ilis appointment bears the signature of Gen 11. W. Ilalleck, dated Aug. 1. 1863. While lying at Vicksburg the smallpox broke out, and our subject vaccinated most of the ofli- cers at headquarters, among whom was Gen. Grant, and has the lancet still in his possession with which he performed the operation. Among his numerous
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war relics is a receipted bill from Claghorn & Cun- ningham, of Savannah, Ga., Sept. 7, 1864, for a pound of tea, price 840, bought by Charles C. Jones, Secretary of the Georgia Historical Society. He was discharged from the service Sept. 18, 1865, having served over four years. His discharge bears the signature of Dr. John Moore, now Sur- geon General of the United States Army. We quote from the certificate given in writing by that distinguished surgeon : "Hospital Steward Burden, United States Army, has been in my office for more than two years. He is a man of spotless moral character, and one of the most efficient clerks I have met in the army in a service of thirteen years."
After his return from the army, Mr. Burden pur- chased a farm near Salem. remaining there until 1877. He took an active part in the organization of the Grange store at Salem, and was placed in charge, and under his management, from 1874 until its incorporation expired, it was successfully con- ducted, and its stockholders realized in the ten years one hundred and forty per cent in dividends on their investment, and received their stock back in full. Prior to the fire that destroyed Union Block, Mr. Burden had sold his farm and invested his cash in that business, but the accumulation of years was in one short honr swept away. Hle secured another stock of goods, and has remained in business to date. In local politics he has been an important factor, and has frequently been a delegate to District and State Conventions, sent by the Democratic party. April 1, 1887, he took charge of the post-office at Salem; his appointment, dating March 1, bears the signa- ture of Postmaster-General Vilas. He has fitted up an office in the rear of his store, with improved boxes, and there is no better office in any country town in the county. Five children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Burden-Charles F., Lena L., Oliver W., Sidney W. and Victor E. The eldest son is a graduate of Whittier College; he is by profession a teacher. Mr. Burden, his wife and two children, are members of the Congre- gational Church, and he was a member of the Congregational National Council hekl in 1886 at Chicago, representing the Denmark Association, and in the Church Board of officials he is one of the Trustees. Feb. 6, 1855, he took out his first papers,
and by the act of Congress admitting all soldiers of the late war to citizenship, became a citizen of the United States. Later, he secured full naturaliza- tion papers, and expeets to live and die in the country and under the flag for which he fought. He is a member of Salem Lodge No. 48, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the Chairs, and has been Dis- triet Deputy and representative to the Grand Lodge. As a gentleman and citizen he stands high in the estimation of all his acquaintances.
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J. MARTIN, inventor of the reversible Monitor or Roadgrader, of Mt. Pleasant. was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., on the 16th of February, 1848. His father, John L. Mar- tin, the first stonemason and contractor of Mt. Pleasant, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother was Carrie (Bird) Martin. They were mar- ried in Pennsylvania, and in 1856 emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, settling in Mt. Pleasant, where he embarked in his business, residing here until his death, which occurred in 1880. Mrs. Mar- tin resides at Des Moines, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were the parents of five children, two of whom are dead; the living are: William, who is a stone- mason, of Brighton, lowa, and Wellington .I .. the subject of this sketch, and Clementine E., wife of W. H. Penn, a postal clerk, residing in Des Moines. John L. Martin held the political views of the Whigs until the organization of the Repub- lican party, always since then voting with that party.
Our subject received his education at the com- mon schools. He is a carriage-maker and mechanic by trade. In the year 1877 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Picking, daughter of C. Picking, of Nebraska. By this union there are four children-Pearl P., Harry, Florence and Lydia.
In the year 1877 Mr. Martin patented the road grader, of which mention will be made in another part of this book ; the thought flashing across his mind all in an instant, he set to work to invent that
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most useful machine. He has now another machine under consideration which he hopes soon to com- plete. As a machinist, he has more than ordinary ability, having no superiors and few equals in this region.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are highly esteemed by all who know them, and have the confidence and love of the whole community. Mr. Martin is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also the Knights of Labor. Politically he is a Democrat.
R. J. B. ALLEN, Hillsboro, lowa. Few men in a business or professional life re- main for a quarter of a century in one city or village, but the subject of this sketch has been a continuous resident and physician of Hillsboro for almost twoscore years. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1822, and is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Green) Allen. The death of Thomas Allen occurred when his son, our sub- ject. was one year old. Thomas Allen was a Major in the War of 1812. and died at the age of thirty- five years, leaving a widow and five children. The mother owned a small farm upon which they lived for a few years, and all was harmonious and the children were happy in the love of their mother and the companionship of each other until the death of the mother in 1833. The children were named respectively-Jane, Alfred A., Thomas G., Joseph B. and Calvin. The eldest daughter wedded Julius Beach. a farmer of that county, about a year after her mother's death, and the eldest son be- came an inmate of the family of David Bacon. Later he taught school in Ohio, and afterward prac- tieed medicine in Elizabethtown, Ind., later in Mercer County, Ill., and is now a practicing physi- cian in Dakota. He was twice married; the first wife was Sarah Heal, who bore one daughter; the deaths of both mother and daughter occurred in Illinois, and in that State Nancy Maloy became his wife. She bore several children, one of whom, Austin B., is a physician and surgeon of promin- enee in Missouri.
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The death of Calvin occurred in infancy, and the two younger surviving sons, Thomas and Joseph B., were eonsigned to the care of Deacon John Hammond, by the loving mother upon her dying bed. lle was a father to the two orphan boys and they were given all the opportunities for an educa- tion that the Deacon's children enjoyed. All were reared upon a farm. Thomas remained a bachelor, and at one time was a merchant of Hillsboro, Henry Co., Iowa, but is now a resident of Nebraska. Our subject, Dr. Joseph B. Allen, always desired to become a physician, and having secured all the edu- cation afforded by the common schools, his foster- father, the good Deacon mentioned, sent him to an academy in Guernsey County, Ohio, he being at that time eighteen years of age. At twenty he began the study of medicine with Dr. Welcome Ballou, of Cumberland, and his first practice was in partnership with his brother in Indiana. In 1844 the Doctor came West and located in the country in Mercer County, Ill., and a few months later set- tled in Little York, Warren County, where he re- mained ten years. While a resident of that village, in 1845, he wedded Dorothy M. Hammond, a niece of the Deacon mentioned. She bore four children, two of whom are yet living: Richard E. and Mary A., the latter the wife of Cyrus Newbold, a brother of ex-Gov. J. G. Newbold. After the death of Mrs. Allen the Doctor removed to Iowa, and located in Hillsboro, Henry County, in 1854. He purchased the practice of the resident physician, Dr. Weir, and eighteen months later was wedded to Miss Sarah J. Kimes, a daughter of Dr. Royal P. and Priscilla (Hull) Kimes, who were residents of Hills- boro, where Dr. Kimes had practiced, but at the time of his death was in St. Louis, whither he had gone for the purpose of graduating. His widow later wedded John Billingsley, whose death oc- curred afterward, and she now resides in Van Buren County, near Hillsboro. Two children were born to the second marriage-Mary and Samuel. Dr. Allen has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine for thirty-three consecutive years, and also has engaged in mercantile business in Hills- boro. During his residence in that village and since his last marriage five children have graced his home: William S., a lawyer of Birmingham, Iowa,
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the husband of Ella MeCormick; Louis B. is a practicing physician of Humboldt, Neb., the hus- band of Queen V. Gaylor; he was formerly a part- ner of his father in Hillsboro, and after three years spent with him removed to his present location, and is now the principal physician of that city. Louis is a graduate of Keokuk Medical College, and William is a graduate of the law department of the State University. Emma was the first daugh- ter, followed by Anna B., now the wife of John W. Harper, of Ravenna, Garfield Co., Kan., where he is in part proprietor of the probable county seat. Flora, the youngest daughter, died in infancy. During a long lifetime of honorable management our subject has earned and saved a competence. He is one of the most widely known physicians of his county, and among society and in publie he and his family enjoy a most enviable reputation. Dr. Allen is a graduate in medicine from New York City and belongs to the regular school. Forty years of active practice have made him an expert in diagnosis. We are pleased to give him a place as a deserved one among the professional men of his county.
AMUEL WALLACE GARVIN, Mt. Pleas- ant, lowa, is a dealer in dry-goods, carpets. notions, etc., and is also a partner of the firm of John Moroney & Co., dealers in staple and fancy groceries, of the same city. He was born in Fleming County, Ky., Sept. 28, 1836, and is the son of James and Margaret (Saunders) Garvin. In 1848, when he was but twelve years of age, the family emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, and settled upon a farm in Center Township. In the public schools of his native and also of his adopted State, Mr. Garvin received his primary education, and then took a course of study at the celebrated academy of Prof. Samuel L. Howe, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In 1858 he made his home at Mt. Pleasant and commenced business as a mer- chant clerk, in which capacity he served until Au- gust, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company
B, 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Before going to the front he was appointed Sergeant of his company and was promoted Commissary Sergeant of the regi- ment, and faithfully served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in June, 1865. The 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry was assigned to the 15th Army Corps, and made a glorious record dur- ing the war, participating in the battles of Chicka- saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, bat- tles of Raymond, Champion Hill, Lookout Mount- ain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Kennesaw Mountain, the battles of July 22 and 28. 1864, at Atlanta, and the siege of Atlanta, battles of Jonesboro, Sherman's march to the sea, capture of Savannah, march through the Carolinas, battle of Bentonville, N. C., and other minor engagements.
On his return from the army, Mr. Garvin en- gaged as a clerk at Mt. Pleasant for three and a half years, then, in September, 1868. he formed a part- nership with T. II. Garlick in the mercantile busi- ness, which partnership existed for one and a half years. Ile was next in partnership with William G. Saunders in the same line of trade for six years, since which time he has carried on the busi- ness alone. As a merchant he has been quite snc- cessful. and has a reputation far and wide for the good quality of his goods. In addition to his ex- tensive dry-goods business, Mr. Garvin is a part- ner in the grocery house of John Moroney & Co., which connection dates sinee April, 1877.
Mr. Garvin was married at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Sept. 5, 1867, to Miss Emma Fitch Franklin, a daughter of William and Lydia Franklin, both of whom were from the State of New York, locating in Iowa at an early day. Mrs. Garvin was born in Toolsboro, lowa. Five children have been born to them, two sons and three daughters: Will- iam F., aged eighteen years; Nina S., aged fifteen years; Mamie S., aged thirteen years; George W., aged nine years, and Emma, an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin are members of the Christian Church and have ever taken an active interest in all church work. For several years Mr. Garvin was an Elder in the Mt. Pleasant Church and also served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Politically he is a Republican and a firm believer in Prohibition. Socially he is a member of the MeFarland Post No.
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TENANT PROPERTY OF S.W. GARVIN IN REAR OF RES.
RESIDENCE OF S. W. GARVIN, MI. PLEASANT, IOWA. CORNER OF MONROE AND VAN BUREN STS.
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20. G. A. R. In addition to his other business Mr. Garvin is a member of the Comstock Seale Com- pany and Machine Works, of which he was Vice President for several years.
As a means of relaxation, Mr. Garvin made a trip to Colorado in the spring of 1860, and re- mained in the mountains, mining, ranching and hunting, until the fall of 1861. He made another trip to the same region in the summer of 1887. He is one of the leading business men of Henry County. is a genial gentleman, methodical and ex- act in his business habits, and is held in high esteem as a business man, neighbor and friend. In con- nection with this sketch a fine portrait of Mr. Gar- vin is given on the opposite page.
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