Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 36

Author: Acme Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Acme Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 702


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 36


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).


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Mr. Wiegand is a successful business man and has accumulated a fine property, educated himself in language and business methods, and intends hav- ing his son graduate in a commercial college. Mr. Wiegand is a member of John L. Jordan Post 246, G. A. R., and is at present Post Quartermaster. He is also a member of the 1. O. O. F. and of the Baptist Church, Mrs. Wiegand is a member of the Society of Friends.


ILLER MESSER is a farmer and stock- raiser of Henry County, Iowa, residing on section 17, Trenton Township, where he owns 120 acres of land, all under a fine state of cultivation, He is a son of ITiram Messer, and was born in this county in 1818, His father came to Henry County in 1839, locating on the farm where Miller now lives. The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon the farm on which he now resides. Ile received his education at the distriet school, and in 1870 was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Miller, She is the daughter of William Miller, and is a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Messer have been the parents of two chil- dren : Henry, who was taken from them by death at the age of three; and Layura May. He is one of the stalwart supporters of the Republican party, and has never swerved in his allegianee to the same. His business is that of general farming and stoek- raising, and among the young business men of the county, Mr. Messer ranks with the first.


OIIN T. MESSER, residing on seetion 17, Trenton Township, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1834, and is the son of Hiram and Barbara (Miller ) Messer. ITis father was a native of Fayette County, Pa,, and was the son of Job and Sarah (Green) Messer. He was one of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls-Israel, Hiram, James, John, Reason, Mariam, Harriet and Jane, and was reared on a farm. With the exception of a few years, when he


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was engaged in running a still for Andy Craig in his native State, he spent his entire life in farm- ing. In 1839 he emigrated with his family to Henry County, Iowa, settling on section 17, Tren- ton Township, where he resided till his death, which occurred April 12, 1871. His farm originally con- sisted of 371 acres.


John T. Messer was reared on the farm on which he now resides. He was married, Jan. 28, 1855, to Senith Black, a native of Champaign, Ohio. Her father was Samuel Black, one of the pioneers of Henry County. By this union six children have been born: Samuel Hiram, a farmer of Trenton Township; Albert Mitchell, also a farmer residing in Trenton Township; Anna Bell married George Black and lives in Trenton Township; James W., at home; Geneva Frances, born July 8, 1871, died at the age of three; and an infant. Assisted by his good wife Mr. Messer has made all he possesses. By good management and close attention to busi- ness he has gained a competence, and now owns 200 acres of finely improved land. He is a practi- cal farmer, and everything on the farm denotes thrift and enterprise. Mrs. Messer's father, Samuel Black, departed this life July 22, 1865.


OSEPH T. PATCH, attorney-at-law, has been a resident of Mt. Pleasant since De- cember, 1869, and has been engaged in prac- tice since February, 1876. He was born in Rutland County, Vt., Sept. 25, 1838, and is a son of Abram and Lydia (Tucker) Patch. His father was born in Groton, now a suburb of Boston, Mass. His mother was a native of Rutland County, Vt. On the paternal side, the family had been residents of New England since the advent of the "May- flower," on which historie vessel the first Patch came to the New World. His mother was also a descend- ant of one of the old Colonial families of Massachu- setts. In his father's family there were two sons and three daughters. Ilis brother is Joel V. D. Patch, a portrait painter living at Monroe, Iowa; the oldest sister was Lydia J., who died at the age of seventeen ; Arethusia is the wife of Hon. E. C. Calkins, a prominent attorney of Kearney, Neb. ;


the youngest, Orvilla, died aged sixteen; the sub- ject of this sketeli was the eldest of the family. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to Erie County, N. Y. Ile attended the Ellington Academy, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., for two years when he entered Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., then under the presidency of the celebrated Dr. Nott. After completing his junior year he left college and engaged in teaching school, following the profession for several years in the States of New York and Ohio. In 1863 Mr. Patch entered the law department of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and graduated thence in 1865. That sum- mer he went to Polk County, Mo., and was for one year Principal of the academy at Bolivar. in that county. The following year he practiced law in Hickory County, Mo., and in 1867 took a trip which led to his settling in Mt. Pleasant. In 1869 Mr. Patch began working at carpentering, at which he continued until 1876, when he resumed the practice of his profession in Mt. Pleasant, following it to the present time and also making a specialty of Government claims, at which he has been very successful.


September 28, 1869, Mr. Patch was married at Mt. Pleasant to Miss Mary E. Vernon, only daughter of Rev. J. B. Vernon, a pioneer of Henry County. She was born in Montgomery County, Ind. They have three children living, one boy and two girls, and have lost a daughter, Olivia M., who died at the age of seven years. The other children are: Mary Edna, aged thirteen ; Leroy Vernon, twelve; and Alline L., four. Mr. and Mrs. Patch are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant. In politics he is a Republican, and socially is a worthy and estimable gentleman.


W ENGER BROS., general merchants. The most enterprising firm of young men in the village of Wayland are the brothers, Joseph and Christian C. Wenger, both born in Washington County, Iowa, and are the two eldest sons of Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Wenger. Christian was born in Switzerland and is a son of Christian and Mary (Roth) Wenger, who emigrated from


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Germany to Hamburg, Canada, and thence to Washington County, Iowa, making the journey with a team, passing through Chicago when that now great eity was a village but a trifle larger than Wayland. Settling in 1832, in Marion Township, Washington Co., Iowa, the grandsire of our subjeet purchased a claim, upon which stood a small cabin and later entered the lands. This family were among the first settlers in that county, and both lived and died upon the farm which they had put in fine cultivation. His wife reached sixty, and Christian Wenger, Sr., the ripe age of eighty-three years. All their children but the three eldest were born in Canada, and came with them to Iowa, and perhaps no better family has ever settled in her boundary. We are pleased to make separate men- tion of each: John married Mary Ernst; Christian, father of our subject, wedded Elizabeth Goldsmith ; Nicholas died unmarried ; Joseph wedded Elizabeth Roth ; Benjamin became the husband of Lena Gen- gerich ; Annie married Christian Eicher; Mary wed- ded .Joseph Rich; Lena wedded Christian Ernst, a brother of John's wife; Katie became the wife of Jolm Miller, of Davis County ; and Barbara became the wife of Christian Schlatter, the proprietor of the Wayland sawmills. Under the name of Chris- tian Wenger the further history of the family is given. Ilis five eldest children were born in Wash- ington County and are: Joseph, Christian, Samuel, Jacob and Lizzie, the latter the wife of Jacob Kabel. On the farm in Henry County, John, Daniel, Ilenry, Ella and Levi. were born. Samuel was educated at Howe's Academy, and has taught in the public schools of this county. The two eldest sons were educated in the schools of the township, but are brilliant business men, and their retail trade is suc- cessfully managed.


In 1881 Christian (. left the farm and in 1882, in company with Benjamin Gardiner, engaged in the mercantile trade. Their new store building was erected in 1883, but prior to its completion Joseph purchased the interest of Mr. Gardiner, and the firm was changed to Wenger Bros. The firm carry a full line of general merchandise and the largest stock in the northern part of the county, their stock invoicing over $6,000. Everything is of the best, and selling goods at the lowest living


profit has given these young men a trade of over 810,000 per annum, and located as they are in the midst of an excellent agricultural region, their trade is constantly inereasing. They are an honor to their parents. their village and their country. and to men of such business enterprise the growth and pros- perity of Henry County is due.


The wedding of Joseph. the elder member of this firm, was a brilliant affair. and was celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 27, 1887. the bride being Miss Katie. the handsome danghter .of Mr. and Mrs. William Henss. the veteran wagon-maker, and one of the wealthy men of Wayland. The young couple took a pleasant bridal tour. and are now cosily set- tled in Wayland, the birthplace of the bride. who has one of the best of husbands and a man in whom the publie repose confidence.


Christian C .. the younger member of the firm. but the original partner of Mr. Gardiner, is also happily married, having, on Dec. 8, 1887. been united to Miss Ella. daughter of Isaac and Keziah Allen. of Wayland, of which place she is a native. She was educated in the schools of the village, and has always been regarded as one of the brightest and best of its daughters. as her husband is known as one of its most honorable and enterprising mer- chants.


h ENRY CLAY WEIR, residing on section 29, Marion Township, was born in Wash- ington County, Pa., June 24, 1835. His parents, Adam and Mary (Carter) Weir, were natives of Pennsylvania, though of Scoteh descent. They were the parents of ten children : Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Abel Evans, resided in Washington County, Pa. ; Sarah, wife of George McKanna, neither of whom are now living; Jane, the widow of J. N. Ringland, resides in Keokuk, lowa; Maria, deceased ; Charlotte, deceased, was the wife of Daniel F. Humphrey, who still resides at Saginaw, Mich .; John B. is living at Wymore, Neb., and is engaged quite extensively in the grain and stock business at that place; William C .. deceased ; Henry Clay, subject of this sketch; Caleb B., who when his country called for men to defend her, enlisted in the 11th lowa Infantry, and was First


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TID N FOUNDATIONS.


E. Brane


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Lieutenant of Company G, but acted as aide to Gen. MePherson. Returning home on a sick fur- lough he was seriously injured in a railroad acei- dent at Chattanooga, Tenn., which, together with his impaired health, caused his death in August, 1861; James P. and family live in Marion Town- ship.


Adam Weir, with his family, moved to Lee County, Iowa, in 1851, and settled near Pilot Grove. In 1854 he bought eighty acres of land in that township, and added to it from time until he owned 120 acres of splendid land and in a good state of cultivation. He died Dee. 1, 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, having been born in 1790; his wife died in 1868. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an Elder, and always took an active part in matters pertaining to the church, and those of gen- eral interest to the community. They were highly respected by the citizens of both Washington County, Pa., and Lee County, Iowa, where they resided.


Henry Clay Weir, the subject of this sketch, continued at home with his parents, working on the farm and attending the district school. On the 12th of June, 1862, he was married to Maggie Potter, who was a daughter of Andrew and Katharine Potter, being born in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1842. Her father was a native of Ireland, and died about the year 1881, at Mt. Pleasant, lowa. Ilis wife is still living in Mt. Pleasant.


Mr. and Mrs. Weir are the parents of five chil- dren : William, who died in infancy ; Edward, May, Charles F. and Adam. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weir, they still remained at the old home- stead until 1866, when he bought 130 acres in Ma- rion Township, Lee Co., Iowa, and moved on to it. Ile added to his first purchase until he owned 280 aeres. In the fall of 1875 he sold his farm in Lee County, and bought 262 aeres in Marion Township, Henry County, where he now resides, and has from time to time added to his original pur- chase until he now owns 500 acres, and it is not only one of the largest and finest but it is also one of the best cultivated farms in the county, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made it all by his own industry. In polities he is a Repub-


liean, and was elected, in 1886, by the party as a member of the Board of Supervisors. Although a man of reserved habits, he is always willing to lend a helping hand to promote all publie enter- prises.


R EV. EBER CRANE, deceased, was a well- known and highly respected mission minis- ter of the Baptist Church, and a resident of G, Henry County from 1853 to the time of his death, which occurred at Mt. Pleasant in 1884. The subject of this memoir was born in Clinton, Con., near Long Island, May 3, 1808. His ances- tors on his father's side were among the earliest colonists of New England. The history of the family dates back to early in the seventeenth cen- tury, soon after the establishment of the Plymouth Colony of Massachusetts. Two brothers, Benjamin and Henry Crane, emigrated from England and settled in Southeastern Connecticut, and were the founders of the family in America. One of their descendants, Col. John Crane, was a prominent officer of the war of the Revolution. A meeting of representatives of the Crane family was held at the Elliott House, New Haven, Com., Sept. 8, 1880, to consider the advisability of compiling a genealogieal record of the family. An association for that purpose was organized, which held a second meeting in New York City, Oet. 5, 1881. The President was Zenas M. Crane, of Dalton, Mass .; Vice Presidents, Gen. Nerom M. Crane, of Hornells- ville. N. Y., and Phineas M. Crane, of East Boston. Plans were perfected for the work in hand.


The parents of our subject removed to Ohio when he was but four years old. Both died within a week of each other when Eber was in his sixteenth year, and this sudden double bereavement turned his thoughts to religious matters, and he was sin- cerely converted, and resolved to devote his life to the ministry of the Gospel. Returning East he began his studies in Newton Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts. Love for his fellowmen. espec- ially for the poor and afflicted, which became such a marked characteristic in later life, developed early in him. While still a student, and before his


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ordination, he gave much of his time to the poor and the destitute. IIis heart overflowed with love for suffering humanity, and in imitation of the Divine Master he had elected to follow, he sought out the lowly and despised and "them who were in bonds," visiting almshouses and prisons, ministering to their inmates with love for their immortal souls and sympathy for their afflictions, trying earnestly to guide them into leading better lives.


Mr. Crane was an earnest thinker and a strong advocate of human liberty. He was one of the original Abolitionists, and while still a student was a member of William Lloyd Garrison's little band. When he offered to join the society Mr. Garrison happened to have just received a very threatening letter (nothing unusual). in which he was advised to cease his agitation of the anti-slavery question or suffer the consequences, which it was plainly as- serted would be the loss of his life. Ile asked Mr. Crane if he knew what he was about to do, and the probable consequences, at the same time giving him the letter spoken of. Mr. Crane assured him that he had given the matter due consideration, and was ready to take all risks in a cause so holy. He became one of the most earnest workers in the then unpopular cause of abolition.


After his ordination as a minister of the Baptist Church, Mr. Crane was engaged in the home mis- sion work of the church in the then Western State of Ohio. While engaged in this field he became convineed of the great evils of intemperance, and with characteristic zeal espoused the cause of total abstinence, at a time when it required great courage and indomitable will to join in the crusade against liquor, which in that day was in universal use, among church members and the clergy almost as much as among others. In this cause he was an earnest laborer until his death. His labors in Ohio were productive of much good, and he filled many Important pastorates in that State, remaining there until 1853, when in consequence of impaired health he came to lowa, settling with his family in Mt. Pleasant. He pursued his holy calling in this county and vicinity until the inexorable reaper, Death, closed his useful career on April 4, 1884, at the ripe age of seventy-five years, eleven months and one day.


Mr. Crane's sympathies were always with the op- pressed and in favor of human freedom. During the border war in Kansas begun under President Pierce's administration, he took an active part in favor of the free State men, making many eloquent speeches, and doing much to mold public opinion. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he was of course a champion of the cause of the Union, amd freely gave to the ranks of his country's de- fenders the two of his sons who were of sufficient age to become soldiers. True to his anti-slavery prin- ciples and instincts, he was from the first a believer in the truth that the war could never be ended un- til the curse of human slavery was wiped from the country. He was an early and earnest advocate of the public school system, and was a member of the School Board of Mt. Pleasant when it was adopted, and it was by this board the new school buildings were erected, which marked such an important ad- vance in public education.


Mr. Crane was twice married, first in Methuen, Mass., to Caroline Nevins, who died at Akron, Ohio, leaving no issue, her only child being buried with her. Ile was again married. at Kent, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1837, to Nancy A., daughter of Deacon William Knowlton. Mrs. Crane was born in Bran- don, Vt., Jan. 5, 1817. They were blessed with eight children, five sons and three daughters : Baron II. is a merchant in Mt. Pleasant (see sketch) ; Ilervey N. married Ellen May, daughter of Maj. Lyman. of Museatine. fowa, and is also a merchant at Mt. Pleasant; Carrie E. is the wife of Josiah P'. Brenholtz, of Mt. Pleasant; JJulius A. is a practic- ing physician at Santa Ana, Cal., and is married to Minnie, daughter of Hon. O. H. Schenck, of Bur- lington, Iowa; Ella W., Mrs. Leib. died in 1884, aged thirty-four; Mary F. met a tragic death by drowning at Marengo, lowa, July 29. 1875, at the age of twenty-four; Eber K. is married to Nettie, daughter of Gen. George A. Stone, of Mt. Pleas- ant, and resides at Humboldt. Neb .; Willie K., the youngest, lives with his mother in Mt. Pleasant.


The life of Mr. Crane was until its close one of usefulness and honor. In his age, as in his youth, he was the friend of the poor and the afflicted, and the miserable and neglected ever found in him a true friend and consoler. It might truly be said of


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him as of Abou Ben Adhem, of old, he was "one who loved his fellowmen," and death found him ready to meet that Master to whose service his life had been consecrated, and the upright man was laid to his last rest amid the tears and prayers of a large concourse of sorrowing friends, who yet do not mourn " as those without hope," knowing he is but gone to meet the reward promised by Him who said : "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."


The portrait of Mr. Crane on a preceding page is one eminently fitted to grace the pages of this volume. He was truly a representative of one of the highest types of humanity, and our readers will thank us for preserving his lineaments to future generations.


B ARON H. CRANE, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the eldest child of Rev. Eber and Nancy A. (Knowlton) Crane, was born in Kent, Port- age Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1838. llis father was born at Clinton, Conn., near Long Island Sound, May 3, 1808. He was descended from one of the oldest families of New England (see sketeh). Baron II. spent his boyhood in his native State, and in 1853 came with his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he completed his schooling. He was engaged in farming until he enlisted, in August, 1862, as a private of Company B, 25th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. He was regularly promoted through all the non-commissioned officers of his company, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant and detailed as aide-de-camp at headquarters 3d Brigade, 1st Divis- ion, 15th Army Corps, where he served till the close of the war, and was mustered out after three years' service, in June, 1865. He participated in twenty-seven distinct engagements, and was wounded at the battle of Chattanooga by a gunshot. He participated in the capture of Columbia, S. C., and received honorable mention in the official re- port of his Colonel (Stone) for gallant eonduet on that occasion. After his return from the war he spent the succeeding four years in farming, at the end of which time he engaged in the hardware busi-


ness in Mt. Pleasant, in 1869, and has carried it on continuously since that time. He was married at Quiney, Ill., Jan. 2, 1866, to Miss Abbie E. Mellen, daughter of Wilder J. and Abigail K. (Van Doorn) Mellen, of that city. Mrs. Crane was born at Quincy, Ill., July 18, 1843. Her father and pater- nal grandfather were both born in Massachusetts, and were of Scotch-Irish descent. On her mother's side she is descended from the Ingrams, her forefather, Timothy Ingram, having married a lady who was the only heir to the great estates of Joseph Wilson, of Leeds, England, and which were entailed to the fourth generation, which is the present in the history of the family. The Ingrams and their kin have arranged to prosecute this claim to the estate, which is very extensive and valuable. Mr. and Mrs. Crane have nine children, five sons and four daughters, all born in Mt. Pleasant, and in the fol- lowing order-Anna M., Herbert W., Laura E., Frederick B., George E., Julius H., Ralph K., Helen Van D. and Edith Allison. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Crane is a Republican in politics, and is a mem- ber of McFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R.


Mr. Crane has been a resident of Ilenry County for nearly thirty-five years, and an active business man of Mt. Pleasant for more than eighteen years. He has proved himself an upright, honorable citizen, a patriotic, brave and gallant soldier, and kind hus- band and father. He has an elegant home in the eastern part of the city, where he passes much of his time in the genial company of his wife and ehildren.


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Since the above was written the silent reaper Death has invaded this happy home, and the family circle has been broken by the loss of its honored head, who passed from this life Dec. 20, 1887. Mr. Crane's health was somewhat impaired by hard- ships endured while in the service of his country, and he was never afterward very robust, but did not consider himself an invalid until about five years since, when it became evident that an incur- able disease had fastened itself upon him. Since that time he had gradually failed, but though knowing he could never recover, he attended cheerfully to his business until a week before his


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(leath. The end, though not unlooked for either by himself or friends, came rather suddenly, as he was not confined to his bed until less than twenty- four hours before his death. ITis remains were fol- lowed to their last resting-place by a large con- course of sorrowing friends, by his comrades of McFarland Post, and by the members of James A. Harlan Post No. 34, Sons of Veterans. In his death society lost a useful and honored member, his com- rades a brave and generous associate, and his family a loving husband and devoted parent.


S OL CAVENEE, farmer, also importer and breeder of thoroughbred Norman horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, residing on section 5, New London Town- ship, is the only importer in that township of blooded horses. Ilis post-office address is Mt. Pleasant. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of New Lexington, Perry Co., Ohio, May 20, 1841, and is the son of Patrick and Jane (Montgomery) Cavenee. Ilis father was born in Bedford County, Pa., in 1812, and was of Irish descent. His mother was born in North Carolina, Dec. 2, 1811. The family emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, in 1856, and settled in Center Town- ship, where the father purchased a farm and con- tinned to reside until the time of his death, which occurred Ang. 28, 1855. The mother survived her husband and resides at Mt. Pleasant.




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