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 43
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On the 4th of September, 1851, Mr. Davidson wedded Nancy A, Glenn, and their domestic life was begun on the homestead where he was born. Mrs. Davidson is the daughter of Moses F. and Elizabeth (Cowan) Glenn, who were early settlers of Nicholas County, Ky. Moses Glenn was of Irish descent, but was born at a fort in Bourbon County, Ky,, known as the Irish Station, and erected when the Indians were troublesome, Under the old constitution of Kentucky, Mr. Glenn was created a magistrate of Nicholas County, and later was thrice elected as her Representative to the General Assembly, serving with that faithfulness which had always characterized his administration
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as magistrate and High Sheriff, which position he also held. He died full of years and honors, and was buried in Kentneky, at the age of threescore and ten. Judah Davidson was also a High Sheriff of his county, and history records it that he adjusted the rope that hung the first man ever executed in Nicholas County, Ky., for a crime committed after its organization.
Three children were born to James T. Davidson and wife in Kentucky, before their removal in 1858 to this State. They are: Mary, wife of Calvin Darnell, a dealer in real estate in Carlisle, Ky .; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. E. B. Ringland, a resident physician of Keokuk, lowa, who erected the sani- tarium at Hamilton, III., and Charles E., a dealer in stock and real estate at San Angelo, Tex. Five children were added to their family circle after becoming residents of lowa, of whom one is de- ceased, Jennie, who died when two years of age. The survivors are: M. Glenn, who wedded Clara Smith, of Mt. Vernon, lowa, and is a partner with his brother Charles in San Angelo, Tex .; Robert P., Sally P. and James are with their parents on the home farm. The two eldest daughters were graduates of college in this county, and the youngest gradu- ated in music at Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Davidson has spared no expense in the edu- cation of his children, and since their residence in Henry County the family have become endeared to all who know them. Since their arrival in 1858, the splendid farm upon which Mr. Davidson resides has been put under cultivation. A part of this large tract was traded for before he came to this county. His first visit was made in 1856, and the future of lowa looking so bright, he purchased in partnership with his mother a half section of prairie. Scarcely a house was in sight between Big Creek and Winfield, and the outlook promised plenty of hard work and small returns. Mr. Davidson pushed on to Warren County, and entered 200 acres which he later traded to Daniel Morely for a partly im- proved 80-acre farm upon which a small house stood, occupying the exact site of his present fam- ily home. Mr. Davidson returned to Kentucky for his family, bringing them to Towa in the spring of 1858. His wife had never seen a prairie, and the waving grass and sparsely settled region were
anything but a pleasure. Accustomed to society, to all that brought comfort at home in Ken- theky, it required the greatest sacrifice on her part to remain, but as emigration brought other families to the neighborhood, and the years went by, she became accustomed to the change, and her home is now the dearest spot on earth. The magnificent pines and maples that line the avenues leading to their house were planted since their arrival, and the fine barns and outhouses, the miles of fenee and the broad acres owned by Mr. David- son, represent years of labor and prosperity.
To James T. Davidson is largely due the build- ing of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, known as the Burlington & Northwestern. Several attempts had been made to organize a company, and to get an appropriation from the towns along the proposed line, but after several ineffectual attempts had been made and abandoned, Mr. Davidson, full of enter- prise and publie spirit, determined to put his shoulder to the wheel, and upon the organization of the new company. of which he was elected Vice President, the several towns were canvassed for subscription. Seott Township was assessed $25,- 000, as estimated by the engineer, and Dr. Wertz, Sam Clarke and James T. Davidson, composed the committee on subscription. Mr. Davidson gener- ously offered to pay 81,000 if 824,000 additional was raised, and this liberal offer was a direct means of securing the amount; $26,000 was raised, of which $24,000 was paid in. The road was built and equipped, and this will ever remain a monument to the generosity and public spiritedness of the citizens, chief of whom in this neighborhood is the man of whom we write.
As an advocate of Democratic measures, Mr. Davidson has always been one of the most ardent. He became identified with that party in his early manhood, and has never seen reason to change his views. He was the choice of his party for Repro- sentative in 1872, and in a county polling 1,700 Republican majority, he reduced it to forty-two majority on the popular vote, llon. 1I. R. Lyons being his competitor. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Winfield, and also their daughters. Their home has ever been noted for hospitality, good cheer, and everything which gives
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
.
PRINCE ALBERT.
RESIDENCE OF E.D. ANDERSON
G.W.SALISBURY , DEL. ELGIN, ILL.
JOE
BILLY. STOCK FARM OF E. D. ANDERSON & S01
CRYSTAL ABDALLAH REG.No 1052
YOUNG LOUIS NAPOLEON.
SEC. 24.MARION TOWNSHIP, HENRY COUNTY, IOWA.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LENDX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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such a charm to the life of a farmer of thrift. The little Kentucky farm is now superseded by a section of fertile prairie land, unsurpassed for productive- ness, an evidence of thrift and economy. We pre- sent this sketch with pleasure to the people of Henry County, with whom for thirty years the Davidsons have been associated in social and busi- ness life.
E D. ANDERSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Marion Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born Dec. 10, 1828, and is the son of Rev. Benjamin and Rhoda (Diuratt) Ander- son. The former was born in 1791, and the latter in 1797. He was one of a family of eight children : Daniel D., a resident of Highland County, Ohio; Malinda, now the wife of Morris Ellis, resides in Plainfield, Ind .; Rachel married Dr. David Tay- Jor, of Hamilton County, III. ; they have both gone to their final home. Benjamin B., Ir., deceased ; Louisa, the widow of Hiram Rush, now resides in Washing- ton, Fayette Co., Ohio; James C. is a farmer in Highland County, Ohio; Lucinda is the wife of Ilugh Fishback, a resident of Kokomo, Ind .; Hannah, who is the widow of Mr. Hall, is residing in St. Louis, Mo. ; her husband was killed while gallantly fighting for the Union. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in 1853, and was buried in Highland County, Ohio. Of her the highest praise bestowed on woman can be said ; she was a true mother, an earnest Christian, a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and was ready when the final summons came, Her husband was a local minister, and began preach- ing at the age of twenty-two. He died at the age of eighty-six, in Plainfield, Ind., having been in the service of his Master for sixty-six years.
The subject of this sketch comes of old Revolu- tionary stock, his grandfather Anderson and four of his sons being regularly enlisted soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Most of the family lived to a very advanced age, the father being one hundred and six years of age when he was called to his rest; his son John lived to be nearly one hundred; Jes-
sie to be eighty-six; David was nearly ninety ; and Mr. Anderson's father was eighty-six. Mr. Ander- son remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty-two. His early life was spent upon the fam, and in attending the common schools. On the 16th of January, 1851, he led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza. J. Smith, who was a native of Ohio, born in Fayette County, Dee. 8, 1831. She was a daughter of Adam and Lyda ( Bruce) Smith, the father being a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were the happy parents of four children: Carrol was born on the 30th of November. 1851, and he died Nov. 21, 1859, being buried at Hickory Grove, Henry Co., Iowa; Lyda E., born Nov. 17, 1860, was united in marriage with Homer Spry, a farmer of Marion Township; Frank L. was born Nov, 8, 1861, and died Sept. 21, 1872; Clifford C. was born May 1, 1868, in Henry County, where he still lives. In 1856, Mr. Anderson with his young wife and child removed from Fayette County, Ohio, to Henry County, lowa, where he bought forty aeres of land, now owned by Thomas Campbell, living upon his purchase for six years. In 1862 he sold his farm and bought forty acres on section 24, where he has since resided. He added to the original farm un- tilat one time he owned n farm of 320 acres, under a tine state of cultivation. Being a lover of fine horses, ffe, in 1859. turned his attention to the rais- ing of those animals, in which business he has been very successful. He started with the Morgan En- glish draft, but is now turning his attention to the famous Hambletonian stock. Wishing to give all of his attention to the raising of fine stock, he sold all his farm land with the exception of forty aeres. No man in Henry County has done more for the improvement of fine stock than has Mr. Anderson. He is well posted on all matters pertaining to the breeding and raising of horses, and to him much credit is due for the fine grade of stock in Henry County.
E. D. Anderson commenced breeding horses about 1863, and has been engaged quite extensively in the business ever since. The first horse owned by him was Champion, known as the "Stone horse." On his sire's side he was from Black Hawk Morgan, and on his dam's side he was from Canadian. In
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color he was a black, weighing 1200 pounds. He was a good mover in his day, and a first-class stock horse. Champion died the property of John Winters, of Mt. Pleasant. While still the owner of Champion Mr. Anderson had also a noted Hamble- tonian horse known as Red Bird, a dapple-grey, weighing 1450 pounds. On the dam's side he was from Eclipse and Bacchus. Red Bird took more first premiums than any horse in the county, of any age or breed. A graded Norman was his next pur- chase, and in connection with bim he owned Col. Thayers, a fine roan, weighing 1200 pounds. IIis sire was the noted horse California, who had a record as a trotter of 2:26, and as a pacer of 2:20. Gen. Grant, sixteen and one-half hands high, weigli- ing 1450 pounds, next came into his possession. lle was purchased in February, and died three months later. Gen. Grant was of Morgan and Canadian stock, and had a mane four and one-half fect long. John Ball, a brown, seventeen hands high, and Gen. Sherman, the latter a graded Nor- man, in color a chestnut sorrel, weighing 1700 pounds, were among his next purchases. Then came Capt. Bismarck, a Morgan, now owned by Dr. T. A. Simmons, of Belmont, N. Y., followed by Bob, a dark mahogany color, of the Messenger breed, and a full-blooded Norman, imported by Norris & Co., of Delaware, Ohio, in color a light grey, and weighing 2000 pounds. A beautiful brown horse, of the Morgan breed, weighing 1350 pounds, a good mover, was sold to Nathan Nichol- son in the fall of 1887.
At the present time, in the spring of 1888, Mr. Anderson has in his stables five horses old enough for service, in addition to several colts. lle is justly proud of the quality of his horses, and the success attending him in the business. Normad, known as the Bush horse, is a Percheron Norman, in color a beautiful white, and is sixteen hands high. Ile was sired by imported Normad. known in Madison County, Ohio, as Old Bill or Valley Horse. His dam was a Norman imported by Wilkins G. Grey, of Ohio, while his grand-dam was by one of Old Napoleon's colts, making him one of the best bred horses in the West. Young Napoleon is a dark roan, sixteen hands high, weighing 1400 pounds, with a big head, of rangy type, long in | than E. D, Anderson, of Marion Township.
the neck, with fine throttle, beautifully rounded body, full loin, long hips of perfect formation, very wide, flat and cordy legs, with best of feet, and when in motion his fine form is a model, doubly attractive by the rapidity of step and elegance of action. Young Napoleon was foaled in June, 1883. Ile was sired by Normandy, imported by John Re- ber, of Lancaster County, Ohio, in 1869. His grand-dam was sired by Ajax, imported by the Delaware Importing Company, in 1863. His great- grand-dam was sired by Old Bill or Valley Horse, imported by Dr. Marcus M. Brown, of Circleville, Ohio, in 1857. His great-great-great-dam was sired by Louis Napoleon, imported by Fullington & Martin, Union County, Ohio, in 1857. Proba- bly the most noted horse in the collection is Prince Albert, purchased of ex-Gov. Newbold, who bought him at Quincy, Ill. He is a dapple-grey, sixteen hands high, his sire being a full-blooded Clydes- dale named Grey, while his dam is a thoroughbred racing mare, brown in color, sixteen hands high, weighing 1200 pounds. Prince Albert is as nearly perfect as any horse in the State, his weight being 1400 pounds. For beauty, none excel, and as a stock horse, for his class, he is not ex- celled. Crystal Abdallah, Wallace's Trotting Reg- ister, 4th Vol., No. 1052 Pedigree, is a blood bay, with black points, stands sixteen hands high, weight 1150 pounds, six years old, long and rangy, very stylish, good worker, gentle disposition and a good stepper ; think with age and training he may be made very fast; has a long stride and goes without a click. Having the blood of the best and fastest trotters on American soil coursing in his veins, there is no good reason why he may not become the sire of many winners. Joe, the Banter, comes next. He is a beautiful dapple-bay, three white feet, blaze face, was sired by C. Winger's noted horse, Duke, an imported Clydesdale. He is seven- eighths Clydesdale, and weighs 1700 pounds; is short-legged, high-headed, and for a horse of his size is a good mover. and a first-class stock horse.
For the accommodation of his patrons who de- sire to raise mules, Mr. Anderson has a fine Jack. To no man are the farmers of this country more in- debted for the fine breed of horses now here in use
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In connection with this is a fine lithographie view of the residence of Mr. Anderson, and drawings from life of some of his fine stock.
On the 14th of February, 1872, Mrs. Anderson was called to her last rest. She was a kind wife, an indulgent mother, and a sympathetic neighbor. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Nov. 17, 1872, Mr. Anderson was again married, his second wife being Miss Hattie J. Spry. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Johnson) Spry. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1845. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife. IIe is a true, earnest Christian, con- tributing liberally to the support of the church, and is a friend to the poor and needy, ever ready to lend a helping hand to the afflicted. Ile stands in the front rank as a public-spirited man, always ready to advance the interests of the community. None more truly deserves the respeet and esteem of all than does Mr. Anderson. In polities he favors the Republican party.
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AHILON DOAN, a prominent citizen of Henry County, lowa, residing in Center Township, was born in Orange County, N. C., April 7, 1804, and is the son of Ebene- zer and Elizabeth (Stout) Doan, both natives of North Carolina. After his mother's death, which occurred when he was a child, they emigrated to Orange County, Ind., in 1813, when Mahlon was about nine years old. Here he helped his father clear the land for a farm, and on this farm his younger years were spent. Mahlon is one of a family of eight children; his sister Nancy, now the wife of James Tomlinson, of Plainfield, Ind., and himself are the only surviving ones. His father died in the year 1860, at a very advanced age. He and his wife were members of the Society of Friends, and were very estimable people.
As before stated the early life of Mahlon Doan was spent upon the home farm, and all the educa- tion he received was obtained at a subscription school. At the age of twenty-three he commenced working for himself, sometimes as a wood-cutter
and sometimes as a farm laborer, and in this way earned his first money. Mr. Doan has twice been married, the first time, when he was twenty-five years old, to Jane Freeman, a native of Orange County, Ind., and whose parents were John and Charity Freeman, natives of North Carolina. By this union there were three children: Alfred, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Julia Ann, who died at the age of nineteen, and John, who lives in Tippecanoe Township. Mrs. Freeman was called to her final home while in Parke County, Ind. He was again united in marriage, with Alice Davis, a native of Orange County, Ind., and a daughter of Warner and Millie (Hudson) Davis, who were natives of North Carolina. Four chil- dren have been born to them : Sarah Emeline, who is now the wife of John Burton, of Taylor County, Iowa; William, now residing in Poweshiek County, lowa; Zachariah, now living in Salem Township; Mary E., who died at the age of four. Mrs. Doan is a member of the Society of Friends.
Mr. Doan is one of the earliest settlers of Henry County, having moved here in the year 1837, and buying 200 acres of land on section 11, of Center Township, which he improved and where he still lives, and also owns forty aeres adjoining in Tip- pecanoe Township; subsequent sales make his farm 150 acres of finely cultivated land. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican, working always for the best interests of his party. Mr. Doan is entirely a self-made man, commeneing life a poor boy, mak- ing his first money by cutting wood at twenty-five cents a cord, yet by hard labor and economical living, he has gained a competency. Ile is well known and greatly respected by all.
L. KINNEY, residing on section 23, Tren- ton Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and is the son of Ja- cob S. and Susan (Glasgow) Kinney, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio. M. L. Kinney came to Henry County, Iowa, with his parents when but a small lad, and here has resided ever since. He was married, in March, 1875, to Miss Laura Neice, who is a native of this county,
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and a daughter of Morgan Neice. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have been born five children-Jesse Omer, Anna Belle. Susan Jane, Morgan and Rosa. In Trenton Township Mr. Kinney owns a fine farm of 170 acres, all of which is under cultivation. llis general business is that of farming and stock-rais- ing. Ilis stoek is of the best grades, and his farm is well improved. Mr. Kinney holds the political views of the Demoeratie party, yet is liberal.
R EASE ALLEN is a farmer residing on seetion 10. Jefferson Township, Henry Co .. Iowa. In connection with the Allen history we furnish many facts connected with other families into which they have married, that were it not for this means would necessarily be omitted from this work. Our subject, Rease Allen, was born June 15, 1841. in Clarke County, Ohio. The carly history of the family will be found in the sketch of Isaac W. Allen, a brother of our subject, and his history from boyhood is identical with other mem- bers of the family. As noted in that sketch, the family settled near Wayland. Henry County, and when a boy Rease Allen plowed corn upon the south half of the village plat. What great changes have come since that time! A handsome village has been built, the contignous territory developed, and the pioneer lad has developed into a strong man of sterling worth, and is now the father of an interesting family. He was married, Feb. 22, 1866, to Melissa J. Warren, a daughter of William A. and Elizabeth G. (Edwards) Warren. Her mother was born in Maine, Dec. 2, 1839, and her parents later moved to MeLean County, III. William A. Warren was a native of Connecticut, and was mar- ried in Ohio. in which State their children were born: Wesley, who died in the United States Army, Jan. 31, 1863; Erastus F., who died Jan. 12, 1863, was the husband of Maria Allen; Elmira is the wife of John Iones; and Melissa the wife of our subject. Mr. Warren, father of Mrs. Melissa Allen, was generally known through the county as " Uncle Billy " Warren, and was one of the foremost men in all public enterprises, being remarkable for his energy and push in whatever he undertook. He
was largely instrumental in advancing the cause of religion, and being a good singer generally took the lead in this exercise, having a remarkably strong voice, which many old settlers will remember. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of six to form the first class in Jefferson Township, the members holding meetings weekly at the various houses of the class. His wife, Eliza- beth, was a helpmeet indeed, seconding her worthy husband in his every endeavor, and like him was remarkable for her perseverance, energy, benevo- lence and piety, being also a member of the class of six who first organized.
The family came to Ilenry County in the autumn of 1845. locating in the neighborhood of Wayland. Both parents lived, died and were buried in Jeffer- son Township; William died Nov. 16, 1863, and his wife Aug. 5, 1880. After they came to llenry County other children were born: Jesse P. was a soldier, a member of Company H. 7th lowa In- fantry, and died during his term of service, un- married, Dec. 1, 1861 ; Belinda died in childhood ; Landon, the husband of Mary York, removed to California; and Dennis, who wedded Sarah E. Allen, a sister of our subjeet, died Feb. 11, 1885. Of the whole Warren family only three are living : Melissa, wife of onr subject; Almira, wife of John Jones, of Clay County, Ill. ; and Landon, a resident of Eureka, Humboldt Co., Cal.
Rease Allen and his wife have always since coming to. Iowa lived within sight of the present village of Wayland. They were married after his return from the army, in which he served three years, as a member of Company 11, 25th Iowa In- fantry, and participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Resaca, Atlanta, and with Sherman to the sea, thenee back through North Carolina, and was with Sherman until the last engagement at Bentonville, N. C. Although twice struck by rebel bullets he was never seriously disabled. Hle participated in the great military review at Washington, D. C., and was in that eity mustered out of the United States service, and discharged from State service at Davenport, June 12, 1865. Since his marriage Mr. Allen has been a farmer. Ile purchased his present farm in 1885, and is eosily settled in a pleasant home, pre-
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sided over by a lady of taste and culture. Two children, both unmarried, have been born io them : William Jasper, Jan. 8, 1867; and Nellie, Nov. 16, 1870.
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OIIN FRANCY, a farmer of Jackson Town- ship, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1816, and is a son of John and Agnes (Carly) Francy. The children of this conple were all born in Ireland, and were twelve in number-Ellen, William, David, Robert, Mary. George, Margaret. Agnes, Jane, Rose, John and Alexander. John Franey, Sr., and his wife Agnes, resided upon a farm in Ireland and were of that industrious and enterprising class that keep the business world moving. He was a great lover of fine horses, and his stables never contained an inferior animal. During their lifetime the parents remained on the homestead, and both reached a ripe age. They were of the Protestant faith, and their children all followed the Christian teachings of their parents.
In 1839 our subject was married to Miss Joyce Richey, born in 1819, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and their eldest son, Timothy, was born in the Emerald Isle. In May, 1840, Mr. and Mrs. Franey bade adieu to home, friends and kindred, and with their meager possessions, embarked at Belfast for Liverpool, and from there took passage to New York, arriving in that city in July, having spent ten weeks upon the ocean, during which time three of the sailors were buried in the sea. Sailing fifty miles up the North River, they stopped for a few months in Newburg, Orange Co., N. Y., Mr. Franey securing work there on a farm. After deliberation the young couple decided to try their fortune in Virginia, and in September, 1840, located in Wheeling, where Mr. Franey secured employment at the tile and fire-brick manufactory, at which business he was an expert. In the city of Wheel- ing their children, William J., George and Eliza, were born.
Carefully hoarding his earnings, Mr. Francy fomid himself possessor of enough eash, at the end of seven years, to purchase a small farm if they should remove to the West, and deciding to remove
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