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 42
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eling roads, which saves fully seventy-five per cent of the cost of working roads in the old way. In 1887 they added two new features to their factory, one being a reversible grader. which promises still farther to reduce the cost of grading, and work a revolution in the work, by largely increasing the capacity and efficiency of the machine. The other new department added to the work is the mannfaet- ure of the "Western Farm Wagon," which em- braces several novel and improved features, never before embodied in the manufacture of any wagon, such as a new improved thimble skein, new style of loek, an improved manner of ironing, and espec- ially a new patent dump end gate, which has already proved itself greatly superior to anything of the kind heretofore invented. These wagons, which promise hereafter to be a prominent part of their trade, will be made in the thorough manner which has been a characteristic of all of the work turned out at this establishment. They will be painted in a superior and artistic manner. and no pains will be spared to make them superior to any wagon of the kind ever put on the market, and the achievements of the company in the past are a guaranty that what they undertake they will carry out.
To accommodate their largely increased and con- tinually increasing trade, the buildings and grounds occupied by the company have been added to from year to year. Instead of the one small building used in 1877 their works now cover two entire blocks of ground, in which employment is given to nearly 300 men, which force will be largely in- creased next season. The operations of the com- pany have been conducted with such shrewdness and business ability, and their manufactures have acquired such enviable fame for their practical utility, and the honest and thorough manner in which they are made, that the business is on a sure and stable foundation. While other manufacturing establishments are usually closed during a part of the year these works have never been shut down since they started, except for necessary repairs. Their valne to the city of Mt. Pleasant is very great, bringing a large addition to its population, and distributing much more money in it than any other industry or business in the city or county. The Directors of the company are Capt. Warren
Beckwith. Dr. A. W. MeClure and Charles H. Smith. The latter has sinee the inception of the works been their efficient manager and controlling spirit, and his energy and good judgment have done much to produce the great success attained by the company. His associates recognize this fact. and leave the entire management in the hands of Mr. Smith, with gratifying results to themselves.
ELSON B. ANDREWS, wholesale and retail dealer in queensware. crockery, glassware, etc., at Mt. Pleasant. Iowa, was born in New London Township. Henry Co., Iowa, Dee. 7, 1843. His parents, Wells and Laura (Brockway) Andrews, were among the pioneers of that county, and his father is still a resident of New London Township. His father was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in April. 1810, emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, in 1837, and located in New London Township, where he is known as one of the wealthiest and most highly respected citizens. Nelson B. was reared on the farm, and educated in the district schools of his native town, and in Prof. Howe's private school at Mt. Pleasant. Ile began business as a teacher of country schools, doing chores before and after school hours. After follow- ing that occupation for three years, he had, by economical habits, saved up a capital of $300. lle then formed a partnership with Mr. D. 1. Holcomb, at Mt. Pleasant, as jobbers and dealers in erockery and glassware. Their customers were located principally along the line of the Chieago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad, through Iowa and Ne- braska. At the end of five years he closed out his interest in the business and found himself pos- sessed of a good farm of eighty-four aeres, situated in Center Township, and a small cash capital. He then went to Salt Lake City, California, and the Pacific Coast. Starting in June, 1873, he spent nearly a year in travel, and brought up in Washington. D. C., where there was a peenliar attraction in the person of Miss Maggie .J. Van Voast, to whom he was united in marriage April 14, 1874. Mrs. An- drews is a daughter of Nicholas Van Voast, and was born in Trenton Township. Henry Co., Iowa.
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Her people were among the pioneers of that region. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Andrews returned to Henry County, Iowa, and Mr. Andrews engaged in the cultivation of his farm in Center Township. He carried on the farm for five years, when he rented his farm, and again engaged in the crockery and glassware trade at Mt. Pleas- ant, this time with his father-in-law as partner. That connection continued for three years, when he bought his partner's interest, and has since con- dueted the business alone, and still does a jobbing trade.
Mr. Andrews is a thorough business man, active, prompt and systematie. He began business with a capital of only $300, and has, by strict attention to the details of business, and fair dealing, built up a fine trade and a prosperous business, and is recog- nized as one of the leading business men of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Andrews served three years as Treas- urer of the Henry County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, was Secretary for two years of the Center Township School Board, and is the present Secretary of the Henry County Old Settlers' Association. He was Treasurer of the Old Settlers' Association for three years, and is a member of the Executive Board of the Henry County Agricultural Society. Mr. Andrews is a Republican in politics, but has never been a politician in the office-seeking sense of the word. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has for the past five years been a Trustee.
W ILLIAM FOSTER, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a son of Charles and Margaret (Trimmel) Foster. The family moved to Washington County, Ohio, where Charles Foster purchased a farm, and there our subject grew to manhood, and wedded for his first wife M. Phobe Scott, and by this union two chil- dren were born: Amanda, who married Harlan Jameson ; and Brownhill, who became the husband of Jennie Dutton. The first resides near Cherokee, Kan., and the latter near Hastings, Neb. Their mother died in August, and Miss Elizabeth Harter, born in Franklin County, Pa., became William
Foster's second wife. She is a daughter of Christian and Katie (Ullum) Harter, both born in Pennsyl- vania, and of their children, also born in that State, only one is now living, the widow of our subject. Her father died when she was a child, and her mother married a Mr. Shorts, and after his death William Seiferd became her third husband, and they removed to Ohio, where the marriage of Mr. Foster and Miss Harter occurred. A few years later the latter couple removed to this county, and the pres- ent home of Mrs. Foster was their first and only abiding-place. The mother of Mrs. Foster, with her husband, came later to Henry County, and Mrs. Seiferd made her home with her daughter until her death; the husband went to Ohio and died there while visiting.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster in Ohio: George L. and Jonathan, both of whom died in infaney. In this county were born: Mary C., wife of Emory Smith : Charles, who wedded Minda Brown; Edmund, who became the husband of Lydia Holloway; James married Mattie Steven- son ; Phobe E. died in infancy ; Estelle is the wife of Charles L. Crabtree; and Harlan J., yet un- married, is the manager of the home farm. The good name which has followed the Foster family during their residence here, entitles them to a place in the history of Henry County. The devoted husband died in the spring of 1882, he and his good wife having been residents of this county for thirty- four years, and all their children living were born, reared, educated, and were happily married in the roomy farmhouse. Mr. Foster, during his lifetime, was a provident man, a kind father, and one of the best of husbands, and his death was deeply regretted by hundreds of friends, who had known him long and well. He had been connected with the School Board for several years, and was foremost in the work of advancement in every sense. Ilis good wife is an honor to his name, and has carefully reared her children, of whom she has reason to be proud. William Foster was also an honored soldier, who served more than three years in the army. He was a member of Company K. 4th Iowa Cavalry, and was Quartermaster Sergeant during the time. He faced the rebel shot and shell at Vieksburg, Look- out and Kennesaw Mountains, Atlanta, Missionary
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Ridge, and with Sherman on the march to the sea, and during all that time was on duty every day. Ilis wife and children managed the farm during the time Mr. Foster was absent. Brownhill, then only fifteen years of age, being the eldest. After his return from the army, Mr. Foster remained on the farm during the remainder of his life, and lived to see the principles for which he fought duly estab- lished. He and all his sons were Republicans.
ASPER N. DUTTON, of Marion Township, residing on section 22, was born in Henry County, Iowa, Nov. 4, 1850, and is the son of George and Dorcas (Ramsey) Dutton. llis father is a native of Connecticut, and his mother of Indiana. Their family consisted of nine children, two of whom died in infancy ; of those living D. Webster married Miss Amanda Bealer, a daughter of Samuel Bealer, of Pennsylvania; they now live near Mt. Union in this county. Louisa, wife of Capt. George W. Barr, a farmer, resides near Spring Branch, Neb. ; Frank B., married and lives in New- ton, Kan .; Williard G., a farmer and stock-raiser of Udilla County, Neb., married Miss Kate Turner ; Jasper is the fifth child; George W., married and lives at Coleridge, Neb. ; Charles is a resident of Bennet, Neb., and wedded Miss Mary Smith, daughter of John Smith, of Henry County. The father and mother of this family came to this county at a very early day, where they became acquainted and were married. As Mr. George Dutton came to Henry County in 1835, he may truly be called a pioneer, for at that time there was only a solitary log cabin where the beautiful and prosperous city of Mt. Pleasant now stands, and the deer and the red man roamed the plains at pleasure. He located on the farm on which his son Jasper now resides, and constructed his log cabin home where now stands a beautiful and commodious two-story dwelling. He took a claim of 160 acres of raw land, which he soon converted into a fine farm, and it was on this farm that all his children were born. George Dut- ton is truly one of the representative men of the county, and has always taken a firm stand for law and order. He remained in Henry County until
1869, when the desire for pioneer life again took possession, and be accordingly left his farm in Henry County and moved to Montgomery County, Kan., where he bought and entered 320 aeres of wild land and turned the sod with his favorite team, oxen. On this land he built a log cabin, and here he remained until about 1884 when, wishing to be nearer his son George, he moved to Pierce County, Neb., and bought 320 acres of wild land, where he still resides. Thus Mr. Dutton has been a pioneer of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. He and his good wife have always been leading members of the Bap- tist Church in whatever community they lived, and stood high in the love and esteem of all who knew them.
Jasper Dutton, the subject of this sketch, has spent his life upon a farm and has received a good common-school education. At the age of twenty- one his father gave him forty aeres of land, and he has added to it from time to time until he now has 100 acres in one body, the old homestead of 160 acres being included in this. Mr. Dutton is a well- to-do farmer and a first-class business man in every respect, and no man in the county stands higher in the respect of its citizens than does he, and though comparatively a young man he has done much toward its development. In December, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Montgomery, who was born Jan. 6, 1856, and to them have been born four children: fra. born Oct. 1, 1876. and died June 5, 1883; Clyde, born Aug. 5, 1878; Fred, May 8, 1881 : Art, Oct. 8, 188.1.
ATRICK O'CONNELL. fireman at the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, has been connected with that institution longer than any other per- son, having worked on the construction of the first building of the hospital. He helped put in the boilers and machinery in 1860, built the first fires in the furnaces, and has been retained in charge of the furnaces continuously since, covering a period of over twenty-seven years. Mr. O'Connell was born in County Cavn, Ireland, parish of Laara, township of Lisnaglee, in the year 1822. IIe is a son of
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Michael and Bridget (Rudan) O'Connell; was reared on a farm and emigrated to America in 1850, land- ing in New York on the day of the funeral of President Taylor, July 30, 1850. He went directly to Sullivan County, Ind., where he was variously employed for the next four years. He had his liv- ing to earn and worked at anything he could turn his hand to, be it railroading, farming or any other work. In 1854 he came to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he engaged in brick-making and quarrying for a year. In April, 1855. he engaged with Capt. MeMahon, preparing for the building of the Iowa State Hospital, as before mentioned.
Mr. O'Connell was married, Feb. 1, 1853, in Sul- livan County, Ind., to Miss Rebecca Govan, a (laughter of William M. Govan, of Kentucky. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and partic- ipated in the battle of Tippecanoe under Taylor. Mrs. O'Connell was born in Sullivan County, Ind. Six children were born of this union, of whom five are now living : Isabella, the eldest, died at the age of twenty-two; Wilbur. assistant fireman at the State Ilospital, wedded Sarah Melcher, and resides at Mt. Pleasant; Charles P. married Sadie Millispei, and lives at Chariton, Iowa: Cora, residing at Topeka, Kan., is a stenographer, and is employed by the Rock Island Railroad; French E. is married, and resides in Missouri ; Ollie, residing in Kankakee, is an attendant at the Hospital for the Insane at that place. Mrs. O'Connell died July 16, 1877. Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a Democrat in politics.
S TEPIEN WILLIAMS, a prominent farmer and early settler of Henry County, Iowa, residing on section 13, Baltimore Town- ship, was born in Union County, Ind., May 17, 1824. and came to Iowa in March, 1843. Ilis parents, Nehemiah and Cynthia (Bowden) Williams, were natives of Maryland. The father was born in 1787, and died in 1839, and the mother was born Oct. 7, 1788, and died Oct. 14, 1877.
Our subjeet spent his early life in his native county in Indiana, and when fifteen years of age
removed with his parents to Montgomery County, in the same State. In March, 1843, he emigrated to Iowa, and located in Baltimore Township, where he staid for two years. The following twelve years he spent in Des Moines County, then coming to his present home, where he has since resided. He purchased the farm he occupies in 1861, or a part of it, and has since added to it, having now a well-improved and valuable farm of 302 acres, 100 acres of it being in Des Moines County. His trad- ing town and post-office is Danville, Des Moines County. Mr. Williams was married, Oct. 7, 1849, to Miss Sarah A. Demoss, daughter of Elijah and Margaret (Watkins) Demoss. Mrs. Williams was born in Union County, Ohio, July 7, 1833. Iler father was born in Ohio, and her mother in New Jersey, and the family emigrated to Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1847. Both died in Louisa County. Of their children Mrs. Williams is the only survivor. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, three sons and three dangh- ters, of whom two only are now living: Margaret was born July 16, 1850, and is the wife of Rev. John Shepherd, a minister of the Christian Church, and a resident of Danville, Des Moines Co., Iowa, and has two children-Druzella and Nellie; Cyn- thia J. was born July 26, 1853, and died Aug. 15, 1855; George, born Dee. 30, 1854, married Eliza Ilowe, and is a farmer of Baltimore Township, and has three children-Lennie Cline, Stephen and Lutie Della; Daniel M., born July 22, 1837, died Feb. 8, 1877; he was the husband of Catherine Krekel, who resides in Baltimore Township. Two died in infancy.
While Mr. Williams was a resident of Des Moines County he for five years ran a sawmill in this county, keeping his home, however, in the former. He was also for a year in the same business in Des Moines County, principally engaged in getting out ties for the. Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Rail- road Company.
Mr. Williams has served several years as Town- ship Trustee, and has held other minor offices. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the Danville Lodge No. 48, A. F. & A. M., and has taken the Master's degree. Mrs. Williams is also a
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member of the Christian Church, and is highly estéemed for many excellent qualities of head and heart. Mr. Williams is widely and favorably known as an upright, industrious man, whose whole course of life has been free from reproach, and whose honest and kindly way has won him hosts of friends.
ASPER CHIANDLEE, a farmer of Henry County, Iowa, resides on section 13, Wayne Township. We desire to make individual mention of each of the family, as all are well known. The three youngest children were born in Henry County. Our subject was born near Brookeville, Montgomery Co., Md., Oct. 1, 1827, and is the son of Mahlon and Catherine (Frame) Chandlee. She was a daughter of David Frame, of Bucks County, Pa., who late in life purchased a farm near Brookeville, Md., and attended the Washington markets with his vegetables. At the time of his death he was a resident of his market garden farm. George Chandlee, the paternal grandsire of our subjeet, was a native of New Jersey, born at Mt. Holly, and married his wife, Miss Gainer Brooks, in Maryland, and during his lifetime was a large land-owner and speculator in real estate. His father was William Chandlee, a native of England, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. By trade he was a cutler, and opening a forge at Mt. Holly, he made sickles and swords for Washington's army. Mahlon Chand- lee was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Frame at Sandy Spring, Md., near which place he owned a large plantation. By birth the Chandlees and Frames were Quakers, and the great Sandy Spring Quaker Church yet stands near the ok! ancestral manor. Mahlon Chandlee was born in 1790, and is yet living in the same old manor and in the same house he erected before marriage, and in which his seven children-Sarah, Edwin. Eliza, Sarah M., Casper, William G. and Albert-were born. All are deceased but Casper and Albert. The eldest son was a doctor of dental surgery, and practiced for twenty-five years on Howard street,
Baltimore, Md., in which eity his death occurred. His wife was Cassie Turner, of Baltimore, and she is also deceased. Eliza died 'unmarried; Sarah, the deceased wife of Samuel Pidgeon, of Wadesville, Clarke Co., Va. ; William, deceased, married Mar- tha Sutton, of Baltimore. Albert is the only one living, except our subject, and is a resident on the ancestral homestead. His wife is Sarah A. Bran- son, of Hopewell, W. Va.
Casper Chandlee became the husband of Miss Mary B. Mount on the 2d of May, 1855, and at the residence of the bride's parents, John and Eliza (Thomas) Mount, of Waterford, Loudoun Co., Va., the ceremony was performed. In their marriage a courtship was completed that lasted for four long years, Casper living forty miles away, and in going to see the lady of his choiee a mountain range and river had to be crossed. His visits, however, were made annually, and the result was a union that has been one of the most pleasant. The father of Mrs. Chandlee was a cabinet-maker of Waterford, and for sixty consecutive years operated a shop, be- giuning in 1816, and ceasing at the time of his death, in 1876. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mount: William T., the husband of Betty Castleman, of Clarke County, Va., now re- sides in Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Chandlee.
After her marriage the young couple began life on a part of his father's farm, and there the eldest chikl, a son, Elliott, was born. Ile is now the hus- band of Carrie Hunter, a native of this county, and resides in Holt County, Neb., where he owns a quarter section of land. In 1860 Casper Chandlee and his young wife left Maryland and came to Clinton County, lowa, reaching Eden Township in the spring of that year. Shortly after arriving in this county the family narrowly escaped death. be- ing in the track of the cyelone of June 3, 1860, which swept across the country, carrying away many houses and other buildings. Their house was a one-story frame building. Supper was just finished when the blow came, which demolished their house, and left nothing but a few boards and the debris of furniture, ete. Strange to say, only a few bruises were received, and Mr. Chandlee and wife, thankful for their miraculous escape, each clasped a child in their arms, and crawling along
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the ground to a neighboring straw stack, found temporary shelter from the pitiless storm that fol- lowed. As Mr. Chandlee looked from their place of refuge a feather bed was blown past them, which was almost the only thing saved from a well-furnished home. Their clothing was found scattered over a wide extent of country. House, barns and fences shared a like fate, Clara Chandler, deceased, who wedded Alfred Cooper, of this county, was born in Clinton County, Iowa; she was mar- ried on her eighteenth birthday, Sept. 5, 1877, and the 20th of that month her spirit passed from earth. Eliza, wife of Benjamin Deyarmon, of Uniontown, Pa., and Edwin, now deceased, were also born in Clinton County, Mr. Chandlee had purchased a piece of land which he improved and resided upon for several years, In 1864 this was sold, and a traet of wild land purchased in Henry County, to which they removed the same year. Every stiek, every tree, and all the improvements which add beauty to this now valuable farm, were placed there by Mr. Chandlee. In 1883 the first house built was consumed by fire, but from its ashes rose a handsome country residence, To their Henry County home came their three children- Mollie B., William and Pearl. This trio are quite accomplished vocalists, and the eldest daughter is a musician of note. Their home is made attractive by music and social pleasures. In the sitting-room is an easy chair, made by the father of Mrs. Chandlee, that has been in constant use for more than half a century, and is a relie highly prized as a gift from her father.
AMES T. DAVIDSON is a farmer residing on section 23, Scott Township. Kentucky bas furnished numerous families well known in IIenry County, who, from its first settle- ment to this date have been most actively engaged in her business growth and prosperity. Mr. David- son, although not one of the first settlers of the county, has for the past thirty years been one of the best known men of Scott Township, and his family has always been considered a prominent one. Our subject was born in Nicholas County, Ky.,
Jan. 23, 1828, and is the son of Judah and Mary S. (Parks) Davidson. The father, who was of old Puritan stock, died when James T, was six months old, and his widow afterward married Samuel Thompson, who came to this county in 1858. She died in the fall of 1860, and her remains were the first interred in the Winfield Cemetery after it was laid out. Mr. Thompson returned to Ohio soon after her death, and remained there the rest of his life. Mrs. Thompson by her first husband had two children-R. P. Davidson, a leading lawyer of Lafayette, Ind., and James T. The former wedded Jennie Claybaugh, a daughter of Dr. Claybaugh, who was a professor and President of the Oxford Theological Seminary in Ohio, and was one of the best known theologians of that region,
James T. Davidson was reared in the State of Kentucky, and being energetic and industrious, was of great assistance to his mother. Farming was his greatest delight, and while his brother was attending college James remained with his mother, contented in having her days brightened by the happiness which his success brought as he grew in years. He was eleven years of age when his mother married Mr. Thompson, who was a merchant while in Kentucky and also in Winfield for a few months. Until fourteen years of age James resided with his grandfather, James Parks, and having nothing to do but hunt, fish and swim, became proficient in these arts, and grew to manhood a perfect physical specimen. His first work for himself was prior to his marriage, he taking charge of the estate left by his father.
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