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 38
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While engaged in mining the second time, Mr. Mason was married to Miss Adelia Clark, whose death occurred soon afterward. He remained un-
married until after his return home, having been absent for almost twenty-three years. Boys had become men of mature years, had married and reared families; elegant farms and great houses stood upon commanding sites, over which he had hunted and played in childhood; villages dotted the prairies, and in fact the transformation was almost, to him, without a parallel. Ilis father had died, his brothers and sisters had married, and the family circle was to him completely disorganized. Ile purchased a farm, the old Kurtz homestead. but the next year returned to California and disposed of his property there, and in 1876 came back to the home of his boyhood. On the 13th of December, 1877, William Mason was married to Miss Susanna Kurtz, and upon the farm and in the same house that had been for years her home, they began their domestic life. They remained there three years, and then purchased their present farm near the village of Wayland, where they live as contentedly as if their married life had begun forty years ago instead of ten. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have no heirs, but are rearing an orphan lad, Willie Woods, who finds with them a home, and in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Mason feels no need of father or mother, brother or sister.
OSEPH A. TAGUE, a prominent farmer re- siding on section 7, Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Baltimore Township, Sept. 12, 1842. Ilis parents were Joseph and Lucinda (Kees) Tague, the former a native of Kentucky, of German and Scotch ancestry, and the latter born in Pennsylvania, though of Welsh and Dutch parentage. Joseph Tague, Sr., emigrated to this county in 1837, settling in Baltimore Township, where he and his wife died, the mother when our subject was but a child. Ilis father died in Au- gust, 1884, at the advanced age of seventy years. Ile was a life-long farmer, a member of the Moth- odist Episcopal Church, and had served his country during the War of 1812, and was a Democrat in polities. Hle had been thrice married. his first wife being Malinda Glassby. Four children were born of this marriage, all of whom are living: George, a
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farmer residing in Des Moines County, Iowa; John, proprietor of a hotel in Fremont County ; William, a resident of Mills County, Jowa, was a soldier in the 16th Iowa Volunteer Infantry ; and Nancy Jane, wife of William Weater, of Missouri. Joseph is the only living child of the second marriage.
Mr. Tague, after the death of his second wife, was united in marriage with Eliza Gott, and by their union four children were born : Martha and Otis, who died in childhood; Lorenzo Dow and Francis M., residents of Baltimore Township. At the time of his death Mr. Tague owned a farm of 230 acres of land, on which his widow still resides.
Our subject was born and reared upon a farm, and his whole life has been spent as a tiller of the soil. He was one of the brave boys in blue, being a member of Company A, 4th Iowa Cavalry. He enlisted Dec. 3, 1863, and was discharged at the close of the war, March 20, 1865. He participated in the battles of Ripley and Memphis, Tenn., and in numerous other skirmishes. After his discharge he returned to this county, remaining two years engaged as farm hand, and then went to Mills County. There he rented a farm for one year and then purchased forty acres of land, upon which he resided for three years. Selling his farm in Mills County he bought eighty acres in Fremont County, but later removed to Baltimore Township, where he rented a farm for two years. He then bought eighty acres of land on section 7, of Scott Town- ship, his present home. This farm was partially improved, yet he has made many more improve- ments. He has a nice home which was erected at a cost of $1,200, and good out-buildings for the use of his stock and grain. Everything about the place denotes thrift and enterprise, showing that Mr. Tague well understands the business of farming.
On the 11th of December, 1866, Joseph Tagne brought to his home his young bride. Deborah Kerr. She is one of Henry County's daughters, and was born in Baltimore Township. Her parents were Bernard and Sarah (Dillingham) Kerr, her father a native of England and her mother born in New York. They were among the carly settlers of llenry County. Mr. Kerr was drowned in Skunk River, June 1, 1851, when forty-five years and eleven months old. His wife survived him sev-
eral years, dying at the age of sixty-three years, in 1862. Mrs. Tague was a member of the Society of Friends. There are four of her father's family yet living: Mary, widow of Joseph Baneer; William R., a resident farmer of Grant County, Wis .; Ed- ward, residing in Baltimore Township, engaged in farming, and the honored wife of our subjeet.
Mr. and Mrs. Tague have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Festns, upon whom they bestow all the love and care that would have been given to their own children. Mr. and Mrs. Tague are devoted members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Winfield. He is liberal in his views, voting for the man whom he thinks would best fill the office. Having lived in this county all their lives, Mr. and Mrs. Tague are universally known, and of such citizens Henry County is justly proud.
P AXTON FITCH, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Henry County, resides on section 20, Trenton Township. lle was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1827, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Pax- ton) Fitch, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Maryland. James Fitch eame to this county in 1854, and remained here until his death, which occurred in 1857 at the age of sixty- four, his wife dying in 1882 when ninety years of age. They reared a family of nine children, two only of whom are now living-Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Sprouts, of Noble County, Ohio, and Pax- ton. The latter learned the shoemaker's trade in Ohio, and followed it for five years. In the spring of 1852 he came to Henry County and settled in Center Township, where he rented a farm and lived for two years. Ile then purchased seventy acres of land on section 20, of Trenton Township, where he still resides, but has added to the original pur- chase until he now owns a well-improved farm of 103 acres.
In 1856 he was united in marriage with Sarah Messer, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Hiram Messer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Four children have been born to them: Hiram
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Oscar, a farmer residing in Trenton Township, was married, Nov. 18, 1886, to Laura E. Searff ; Wil- bert J., Margaret Ann and Dora Aliee still reside with their parents. Mr. Fitch is of Irish descent on his father's side. Politieally, he is a Republican, and has held the office of Constable of the town- ship. In connection with general farming Mr. Fitch still works at his trade of shoemaking. Ile is one of the men who have helped to build up IIenry County, is always ready to aid in any pub- lic enterprise. and has the esteem and confidenee of all.
LEXANDER RUTH, a prominent farmer residing on section 6, Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., Nov. 7, 1833. Ilis father, Daniel Ruth, was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1794. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Baltimore. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah E. Imboden, who was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1800. The marriage was celebrated in her native county at Waynesboro. Eleven children blessed their union, seven of whom grew to man and womanhood: Henry, a resident of Warren County, lowa; George was a soldier in the Mexican War, and died from disease contracted at Matamoras; Benjamin F., who has been a resident of Washington Territory, residing near Puget Sound since 1855; Elizabeth is the wife of John Webb, of Warren County, Iowa; Alexander is our subject; Mary E., wife of John Loring, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died in Indianola, Iowa, in 1858; David is a resident of Helena, Mont .; Samuel and Daniel are deceased, while two died in infancy. In 1810 Daniel Ruth emigrated with his family to Mc Lean County. III., settling near Bloom- ington. The county was but sparsely settled, and Bloomington was but a small village. Mr. Ruth cast his last vote for William Henry Harrison while on his way to Illinois. He died in the fall of 1841. She kept the family together, and seeuring eighty acres of land, made a home for herself and children. In 1857 she came to Iowa, settling in Indianola, where she died in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. She was a woman of more than
ordinary ability, and much credit is due her for the admirable management and energy shown in the manner in which she provided for her large family. She was a relative of Colonel and General Imboden. She and her husband were both members of the Presbyterian Church.
The subject of this sketch was but seven years old when his parents removed to Illinois. There he received his education in a log school-house. He was united in marriage in 1862, in Scott Town- ship, Ilenry Co., Iowa, with Miss Rilla J. Myers. a daughter of George and Jane (Lyneh) Myers. She is a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., born in 1844. Seven children have gathered round the hearthstone of this worthy couple: Lois, the wife of George Brown, of Louisa County, Iowa: Minnie Ila, who wedded Harvey Beauchamp, of Scott Town- ship; Sarah J., Mary E., Colin, Marie and Frank are still inmates of the parental home.
Mr. Ruth was poor in this world's goods when he eame to Henry County, but by economy and enter- prise, assisted by his good wife, he has accumulated a comfortable property. He owns a farm of 115 acres, most of which is timber land. but seventy-five are under cultivation. In politics Mr. Ruth is a Greenbacker, though liberal in his views. Of the good people of Henry County, none stand higher or more truly deserve a place in her history than do Mr. Ruth and his interesting family.
ILLIAM WAUGII is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of New London Township, and resides on section 30, where he has a well-improved and valuable farm of 235 aeres; his post-office is Mt. Pleasant. Ilis father, David B. Wangh, a worthy citizen of Henry County from 1864 until his death on May 15, 1881, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb. 17. 1801, and was the son of William and Sarah ( Boyd) Wangh. his ancestors being of Scotch-Irish descent, and resi- dents of America from Colonial times.
David B. Waugh was married in his native county. Feb. 18. 1830. to Miss Maria Moore, daugh- ter of William Moore. Mrs. Waugh was born in the same county in which her husband was born.
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Eight children were born of this union, seven of whom lived to be men and women: Jane was born Dec. 6, 1830, and is now the widow of Thomas Dodds, of Mt. Pleasant. Łowa; Sarah was born Oct. 1, 1832, and is the wife of O. 11. P. Buchanan, of Nebraska; John M. was born Aug. 20, 1834, mar- ried Miss Jane Waugh, and resides in Shenandoah. Page Co., Towa; William is the subject of this sketch; Robert, born March 3, 1838, married Eliza- beth Shiveley, and is a farmer of Center Township, Henry County : Caroline, born May 14, 1840, in Virginia, is the wife of A. W. Shelton, of De Kalb County, Ill. ; Richard, born in Brooke County, Va., Oet. 3, 1842, married Anna MeDonald, and resides in Furnas County, Neb .; James R., born June 12, 1846, died in infancy. All of the children older than Caroline were born in Washington County, Pa.
Mr. Waugh moved to Brooke County, Va., now West Virginia. in 1840, where his youngest children were born and where his wife died July 29. 1846. Mr. Waugh was married again, Oet. 2, 1849, to Mrs. Jane B. Miller, nee Blair, and emigrated from Virgina to Henry County, Iowa, and located in Center Township, where he was engaged in farming until his death. His oldest son, Robert, served in the late war as a member of Company B, 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry. U. S. A. In early life Mr. Waugh voted with the Whig party, and on the organization of the Republican party became a warm supporter of that body, and his sons followed his example. Ilis two wives and himself were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, as are several of his children. Mr. Wangh was an upright, industri- ous man of unquestioned integrity and morality. His life was a bright example for his children, who have profited well by his teachings.
William Waugh, the subject of this sketeli, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb. 16, 1836. He received a liberal education and was reared to the vocation of a farmer. He was united in mar- riage in his native county in Pennsylvania, Oct. 26, 1865, to Miss Rebecca Hamilton, daughter of Alex- ander and Matilda (Thompson) Hamilton. Mrs. Waugh was also born in Washington County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Waugh have four children, all sons, born in New London Township, and named respeet-
ively : William Howard. born Dee. 6, 1866: Charles Hamilton, born Dec. 26, 1868: Harry Buchanan, born Aug. 8, 1871, and Herbert Tappan, born Aug. 6, 1873. The parents and three sons belong to the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Waugh has been an earnest Republican since the organization of that party. His first vote was east for Abraham Lincoln, and he has never wavered in his allegiance to the party since. He is one of the substantial farmers of Henry County, and does an extensive business in stock-raising and dairying. He is held in good repute as a neighbor and citizen, and is eminently worthy of the highest respect and confidenee.
G REGORY BONNIFIELD, one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, residing on seetion 1, Tippecanoe Township, was born in Ran- dolph County, Va., Feb. 11, 1821, and is a son of Rhodham and Naney (Menier) Bonnifield, both of whom were also natives of Virginia. There were thirteen in his father's family when they emigrated to Towa. They located in Jefferson County, in the spring of 1836, and during the third winter fol- lowing three of the children and also the father and mother died, the father at the age of fifty-two and the mother at the age of fifty. Both of the parents were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Three of the family have. since died and seven are now living: Samuel, engaged in the mercantile business in Nevada; Gregory, our subject ; Wesley B., a banker residing in Ottumwa, Iowa ; MeCaska, a lawyer in Nevada; Ellis, a farmer residing in Mitchell County, Kan .; Martha, widow of V. Chandler, residing near Fairfield, lowa, and Catherine, wife of William Ross, a resident of Reno County, Kan.
After his father's death, our subjeet managed the home farm until the spring of 1852, when he removed to Henry County, settling on section 1, Tippecanoe Township. Ile purchased 380 acres of partially improved land, which he has trans- formed into a beautiful farm, and on this he still resides, now owning 340 acres. He was united in marriage, on the 9th of November, 1848, with Miss
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Lydia Shuman, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Len- ington) Shuman, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of New Jersey. Her parents settled in Henry County in the fall of 18-10, locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Bonnifield. Her father died in June, 1851, at the age of forty-nine, from an attack of cholera; his wife departed this life in April, 1864. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and always ready to aid with time or money in the Master's service. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now living: JJane, widow of Lineus Fairchild, who was a farmer of Tippecanoe Township, where she yet lives; Mrs. Bonnifield ; Thomas died in Corning, lowa, in 1884; Moses, now a resident of Corning, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Ables, now residing in Santa Maria, Cal .; John, also a resident of Santa Maria; Sarah, wife of II. Davis, residing in Cheyenne County, Kan .; Clarissa, wife of John Inglebright, residing in Marion Township; William, now residing in the State of Oregon; Maggie, wife of Elias Ogg, of Ilenry County, and Phebe, who was the eldest of the family, and was the wife of Thomas Jackson, then of Tippecanoe Township, died of cholera at the same time as her father. Mr. Bonnifield is en- tirely a self-made man ; he commeneed life a poor boy, and all that he has he has made by hard work. good management and fair dealing. They lived in a little cabin in true pioneer style until 1869. when he built a fine and commodious dwelling at a cost of $3,000. llis farm is under a fine state of cultivation, and the out-buildings are models of convenience, the barn alone costing $1,000. Polit- ically, Mr. Bonnifield is a Democrat. Six children have come to make glad their parents' hearts : Mary, who was the wife of J. F. Kinney, of Tippe- canoe Township, died Sept. 29, 1881, at the age of thirty-two; Augustus died Dee. 7, 1877, at the age of twenty-five: Allen is a farmer of Tippecanoe Township, and is married to Miss Ellen D. Day : Martha J. is at home; Thomas W. died June 9, 1875, at the age of sixteen, and Frank lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnifield are earnest Chris- tian people, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are always ready to lend
a helping hand to the needy, and none more truly deserve the respect of the community, which they enjoy in a marked degree.
E DWIN G. VAN CISE, M. D. The late Dr. Van Cise, an eminent physician of the Eclectic school of practice, and a resident of Mt. Pleasant since 1857, was born in York County, Pa., Feb. 25, 1810. His father. Daniel Van Cise, was a native of Holland, hut came to America in carly life and settled in York County, Pa. His mother was Elizabeth Griest, who was born in Pennsylvania.
The advantages for an edneation were limited in those primitive days, yet our subject acquired a liberal education and qualified himself for his pro- fession of a teacher. Ile was a poor boy and had his own way to make in the world, but he was studious, and possessed a laudable ambition to per- fect himself in his profession. Hle was eminently successful as a teacher, and never lacked for a good situation. During an illness contracted while teach- ing, he became impressed with the superior advan- tages of the then new system of medical practice, known as the " Reformed School." and determined to qualify himself for practice in that branch of the profession. With this end in view, he purchased books and studied nights, saving in the meantime money from his earnings to defray his expenses at college. Ile also had to contend with the prejudice of friends and acquaintances, who had only scorn, or what was harder to bear, pity, for his supposed folly in taking up with a system that was only an experiment, and which was being persecuted and ridiculed by the "Old School " practitioners and their friends. He entered the Reform Medical College of New York City, and after a regular course of study, graduated in the class of 1835. lle at once established himself in practice in York County, Pa., near his native place, and in spite of the general truthfulness of the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor except in his own country," he built up an extensive practice, in the face of much opposition and prejudice, and became prominent in his profession. His success was so
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marked that patients from a hundred miles distant sought his services.
He was married in March, 1837, to Miss Maria Martha Garretson, daughter of the Rev. Joel Gar- retson, a popular Quaker minister. Mrs. Van Cise was born in Adams County, Pa. They were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daugh- ters: Elizabeth G. was the wife of Dr. W. Roberts, and died March 29, 1873; Lavinia was the wife of Isaac Phillips, and died Sept. 11, 1874; Edwin. a prominent member of the Deadwood (Dak.) bar, is married to Ada McBrine; Joel G., married to Laura Marsh, resides at Summit, N. J., and is Assistant Actuary of the Equitable Life Insurance Society in New York City; Maria L. is single, and resides at the old home in Mt. Pleasant; Orson F. married Minnie Colby, and resides at Clear Lake, Iowa; he has adopted the profession of eivil en- gineer, and is a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University, and of the Canton Theological School, of Canton, N. Y. He was ordained a minister of the Universalist Church, and was engaged for several years as pastor, till his health became im- paired, and he temporarily took up the business in which he is now engaged, in hopes of becoming benefited. Isaac, the next younger, married Mary E. Howard, and is engaged in the drug business at Mt. Pleasant; Theresa is single, and resides at home; Martha I'. is the wife of Frank W. Hamilton, of Deadwood, Dak.
Dr. Van Cise took an active interest in the cause of education, and his long experience as a teacher led him to a knowledge of the defects of the system and text-books then in use. He was elected a member of the School Board in Adams County, Pa., and naturally exercised a more than usual influence. Under the old custom the line of text-books consisted of the following: Webster's Speller, Murray's Grammar. Pike's Arithmetic, and the New Testament. the reading of the latter six times a day being the principal exercise in reading. Dr. Van Cise took the ground that the Testament was not adapted for school exercises, and that a graded set of readers should be substituted ; that the reading by the teacher of a chapter of the Scriptures ouce a day would be sufficient relig- ious instruction; in fact, took advanced grounds
in the way of reform in school matters. He sue- ceeded, in a measure, in having his views adopted, and the effect was to produce a marked improve- ment: still there were those who elung to the old way, and so much bitter feeling resulted that lie determined to seek a new home among people of broader views and more advanced ideas. Acting on that impulse, he came to Iowa in 1852, and finding at Mt. Pleasant a field that promised good educational advantages, he decided on making this his future home. This he did in 1857, when he re- moved his family to that city, where he resided until his death, and where for thirty-one years he successfully pursued the practice of his profes- sion. Some of his children were educated under the direction of Prof. Samuel Howe, a gentleman distingushed for his ability as an educator; the others were educated in various schools.
Dr. Van Cise died in March. 1888, in his seventy-eighth year. He continued in active prac- tice, with mental powers unimpaired, up to the last year of his long and useful life. An accident to one of his feet, which happened recently, caused him much annoyance and suffering.
While not professing to be a specialist, Dr. Van Cise made the treatment of chronic diseases an im- portant part of his practice. His reputation was widespread as a skillful and successful physician, and patients consulted him and were treated by mail from hundreds of miles distant. As a citizen he was highly esteemed, and he had the satisfaction of seeing his children grown to be men and women of superior intelligence, and good and respected citizens. IIis estimable wife died April 5, 1886.
ETER ROTH is the proprietor of a hotel and livery stable in Wayland. The history of Wayland would be incomplete without a sketch of the genial landlord and land- lady of the Central Ilouse, which under their com- bined management has become one of the most popular inns along the line of the Iowa Central Railroad. In connection with the hotel is a barn and livery stable, which furnishes accommodations to commercial travelers, and brings a good income
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to the proprietor. The table is well furnished, and Mrs. Roth makes the house a model of neatness, and guests find better accommodations than at many houses of greater pretensions.
Peter Roth, the owner and proprietor, was born near Mombelier, France. March 9, 1847, and is the son of Christian and Catherine ( Wittmer) Roth. The father was born in France and his wife in Switzerland, and their seven children were also born in France, three of them dying after coming to America. As the family have been favorably known to the people of Henry County since 1855, we are pleased to make special mention of each member. The father, Christian, died Nov. 28, 1887, in his eighty-first year, and the mother is now living on the old homestead, near Wayland, in her sixty-seventh year. Christian Roth, Sr., was an enterprising farmer, and purchased on his arrival in Henry County 160 acres of land, to which he made large additions later in life. He erected a brewery on the homestead the next year after coming to the county, which was completed at a cost of over $4,000, and until its closing by the laws passed in the State of lowa, in 1884, did a prosperous business, and had a capacity for ten barrels a day. In the distribution of his estate among his children, Peter, who was a . practical brewer, took the brewery in lieu of real estate, and its closing has entailed upon him a severe loss.
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