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 53
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only those can spend them who love and revere each other, and the remembrance of such people became dear to those of their name and kindred. As pioneers we welcome them, as citizens we praise them, and as Christians we are pleased to do them honor.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews on adjoining pages are of two of the best known and most respected people who ever made Salem their home.
C HARLES E. BERGH, a hardware merchant and tinner, of Wayland, came like many of the citizens of this and other States, from across the broad Atlantic. Ile arrived here in 1864, and from that date until the present has been actively engaged in business. Learning the trade of coppersmith in Sweden, at which he became expert, the young man found his services in demand upon his arrival in America, and he has realized a fine business, and has made a successful and useful citizen.
Charles E. Bergh, Jr., was born in Orebro, Sweden, Dec. 31, 1838, and is a son of Charles E. and Catherine (Dahm) Bergh. His mother bore three sons, the second of whom died in infancy. John, the eldest, married, and his widow remains in his native village in Sweden. Charles E., our sub- ject, was left an orphan when two years of age, and was eared for by his uncle, Andrew Didrickson, and his good wife, who gave him all the love and care parents usually bestow upon their own ofispring. By this uncle he was taught the trade of copper- smith, and remained with him in the village of As- kersund until his departure for America in 1864. After the death of his mother his father married again, and by that union became the father of two other sons, Andrew G. and Peter J., the first of whom is a carpenter by trade and resides in Texas. The other still resides in Sweden, and with him the widowed mother makes her home.
Chieago was the home of our subjeet during his first three years' residence in America. Thence he started West on a prospecting tour, and traveled extensively through the States and Territories. Ile become a resident of Henry County in 1870, locat- J
ing at Mt. Pleasant, from which city he went to Crawfordsville, Washington County, where he made the acquaintance of Mrs. Caroline E. (Bennett) Berry, who became his wife in 1871, and their re- moval to Swedesburg, Wayne Township, Henry County, was made four years later. Mr. Bergh es- tablished there a hardware and tin shop, but after a comparatively short residence there, returned to Crawfordsville in 1879. During his residence there Mr. Bergh was the first Noble Grand of Winnemac Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Crawfordsville, and has been Noble Grand of Wayland Lodge. Three years later the family became residents of Wayland, where Mr. Bergh engaged in the hardware trade. In 1886 he sold his stock to Joseph A. Roth, and again began business in shelf-hardware, tinware and groceries, and is accounted one of the successful merchants and enterprising business men of Way- land. The first marriage of Miss Bennett was graced by the birth of a son, D. F. Berry, resident, operator and agent of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, at Noble, Iowa. To bless their home four children came after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bergh : John C., an expert telegraph operator; Carl, de- ceased; Samuel and Lyman, all bright, intelligent lads, full of promise, who, under the care of their parents cannot fail to develop into good young men.
Mrs. Bergh was born in New Jersey, and is the daughter of Elmer and Luey Bennett, pioneers of Crawford Township, Washington Co., Iowa. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are prominent citizens. Mrs. Bergh has been a fre- quent contributor of poems to the press of this State and of Ohio, and her productions have re- ceived many well-merited compliments.
ILLIAM H. BEERY, farmer and stock-rais- er, residing on section 14, Center Town- ship, is a native Hawkeye, born in Henry County, March 12, 1846, and is the son of L. L. and Margaret (Short) Beery, who emigrated to this county in 1842. Here the subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and educated in the com- mon schools, supplemented by an attendance at Howe's Academy, at Mt. Pleasant. In 1869 he
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went to California, and there remained until 1872, in the mining district. In that year he went to Eureka, Nev., and engaged in business, remain- ing there until 1876, at which time there was great excitement in consequence of the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. In company with others he went to that new Eldorado, and there remained four years, going from thence to Colorado and New Mexico. In 1881 he returned to Henry County, and purchased his fine farm on sections 13 and 14, which consists of 200 acres of well-improved land. Although purchasing the farm in 1881, he did not settle upon it until 1885. On the 3d day of February, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Britton, a daughter of Robert and Margaret Britton, who were among the pioneers of this county. Mrs. Beery was born in this county, Sept. 30, 1861. By this union there is one child, Agnes.
With the exception of the time spent in the far West Mr. Beery has been a resident of Henry County. In the various changes that have taken place in developing the county from its wild state to its present prosperous condition he has been an eye-witness, and at times an active participant. He is a man well posted in State and county affairs, and as a citizen is well respected by all who know him. Politically, he is a Republican.
C IIARLES A. BURKE, a farmer residing on section 23, Wayne Township. Henry Co., Jowa, was born in Central Sweden, near Vadstena, which is a prominent village in Swedish history. Andrew and Christina (Petersen) Burke were the parents of our subject. Mr. Burke's name prior to entering the army was Andrew Johnson, but on entering into service it was changed to Burke. Ile was a farmer in early life, but later became the owner of a sawmill on the Tranes. Mr. Burke and his wife both died in Sweden. They had a family of nine children, one of whom died in their native country, and there one yet resides, Mary, the wife of Peter Petersen, a farmer.
Our subject, accompanied by his brother, John P., now a resident of York County, Neb. ; Gustoph,
who was a soldier during the war. and died while in service; and Hattie, now the wife of Louis M. Johnson, of Hitchcock County, Neb., came to America in 1857, settling in Galesburg, Ill. John P. was the husband of Charlotte Petersen, and Gustoph, the husband of Gustava Glattie. The others members of the family were Adolph, Johanna and Eva. Adolph brought his wife, Mary, and five children from Sweden in 1865; they reside in Stanton. Iowa. Johanna wedded Gust Anderson of this township, before they left Sweden, and in that country five children were born. Eva was the wife of Peter Almgren, both of whom died in Swedesburg, his death occurring the next year after coming to this county, she surviving one year, dying in 1871. Our subject is the youngest of the family and is, with the exception of Johanna, the only one of the family now residing in Henry County. His courtship with the lady who after- ward became his wife was begun on the ocean as the voyage to America was made. Charlotte Erick- son, accompanied by her parents, Charles and Eva Erickson, went to Burlington in 1857, locating there for only a short time. They later moved to Min- nesota, where they both died. After a courtship begun in 1857 and continued for a period of six years, Charles Burke and Miss Charlotte Erickson were married, the ceremony taking place in the city of Burlington, March 19, 1863, Rev. S. G. Larson, a Swedish Lutheran minister, performing the ceremony. The young couple at once went to Galesburg, Ill., where for the first year they resided. In 1864 Mr. Burke rented a farm near Andover, Henry Co., Ill., and five years later came to Henry County. Iowa. purchasing his farm the same year. Upon this farm the family have for nineteen years resided. Edwin and Juvey, the children born in Henry County, Ill., are both unmarried. The death of Mrs. Burke occurred March 10, 1881, since which time the daughter JJuvey has acted as housekeeper for her father. When Mr. Burke left Gottenberg he had only $1 left. From his own muscle have grown his broad acres, and it seems almost incredible that in such a few years a man could rear a family and make such investments as have been made by our subject. Both himself and his wife were members of the Swedish Lutheran
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Church of Swedesburg, and their children were carefully reared in the same faith. To these chil- dren also is given a place in the history of Henry County. Both were well educated in Wayne Town- ship, in both the Swedish and English languages.
From the lad who crossed the ocean in 1857, without serip in his purse, is found a man possessing a beautiful farm, upon which hundreds of dollars have been spent in improvements. The modern farmhouse, and the roomy barn and out-buildings have been erected since his ownership began, and among the numerous Swedish families of Wayne Township none have a wider friendship than the family named. Mr. Burke became a naturalized citizen of the United States, Oet. 10, 1865, and is a man possessing all the good qualities necessary to be one of the best of citizens.
W ILLIAM J. HANNUM, a farmer residing on section 11, Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Madison, Ind., al- though his parents were natives and residents of Washington County, Pa., where our subject was reared. Ilis father, James Hannum, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and reared a family of nine chil- dren in that State, all of whom were sons: John A., Alexander, Samnel, William J., James, Joseph, Finley, Hugh and Thomas. The eldest was mar- ried in Pennsylvania to Miss Hannah Hayes, before the family removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, but later he, too, with his young wife settled in Des Moines County. In 1851 the family became citizens of this State, settling eleven miles north of Burlington, on a farm. When the war broke out five of the sons enlisted: John, deceased, became a member of the 6th Iowa; Alexander, deceased, of a Colorado regiment; Samuel, in the 30th Iowa; Joseph, in the 14th, and Finley also in the 30th Iowa. With the exception of Alexander, all served until the elose of the war and were in the most noted and hotly contested battles. John became a veteran and was killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and his body was laid to rest by the side of many other brave comrades who had fallen
piereed by rebel bullets. The three others are liv - ing, and with our subject complete the family, except the aged father, who yet resides in Des Moines County. Samuel wedded Lydia Hannum, his cousin, and resides near America, Nemalia Co., Kan .; Joseph became the husband of Elizabeth Robbins, and lives in Des Moines County ; Finley wedded Mrs. Adelia (Shallehammer) Wilson, of Concordia, Kan., where they reside, and our subject became the husband of Elinor Wright, Dec. 19, 1867. She is the daughter of Alexander and Hannah (Marshall) Wright, of Des Moines County, who came from Brown County, Ohio, about 1837, and purchased a claim of perhaps half a section, nine miles northwest of Burlington, upon which a log cabin stood, but he later improved his lands, and entered a large tract at the land sales held in Burlington.
Mr. Wright was a very enterprising man and was one of the best known men of his day, and at an early day was elected Justice of the Peace. He lived to a mature age and both himself and wife were buried side by side in the "Old Stone Church" Cemetery. Her death occurred first, and he re- mained trne to her memory. They were parents of nine children, four living, all of whom are married : John C. is a resident of Oskaloosa, Kan., and is the husband of Miss MeCullough ; Wellington mar- ried Mary Heizer, and is a resident of Kansas; Al- exander became the husband of Roxalena Hobson, and resides in Greenwood, Mo .; Wellington is a United Presbyterian minister, and is stationed at Winchester, Jefferson Co., Kan. Those deceased are Benjamin M., William and Robert J. Benja- min was a soldier and belonged to the Ist Missouri Cavalry, and was killed accidentally at the battle of Pea Ridge; Robert enlisted, and before being assigned to any regiment died.
After the marriage of our subject, he moved upon a good farm, which was previously purchased, and later sold this and bought the Wright home- stead, and subsequently another farm in Des Moines County. In 1883 Mr. Hannum purchased the farm in Henry County upon which the family now re- side, removing to it soon after the purchase. Eight children have graeed the union-James A., John W., Joseph W., Mary L., Robert, Lavara, Roy F.
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and Elinor. The family circle is unbroken. The long cribs of corn and numerous out-buildings show to the traveler the productiveness of the broad acres, and the family are heartily welcomed by the best people of Wayne Township and are counted a valuable acquisition to the business and social world in which they enjoy a deserved place. The birth of our subject occurred May 25, 1837, and Mrs. Hannum was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, April 24, 1842. Both are members of the Winfield United Presbyterian Church.
ETER BECKLER, a farmer residing on sec- tion 29, Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa, was born in Nanchich, Germany, in 1812, and is a son of Christian and Lizzie Beckler. The former was a farmer in the old coun- try. Three children were born there-Peter, Jo- seph and Christian. The children were all small when the death of the father occurred. The widow remained true to his memory, and resided in Ger- many until after Joseph was married. His wife was Kate Summer. All the sons came later to America, and the two youngest were married in this country. Joseph and Peter came together in 1836 and located at Cincinnati. Joseph being mar- ried began farming, and our subject secured work by the month. He made that his home for eight years and during this time made several trips to New Orleans, being engaged for some time in fish- ing at Natchez during the interval. In 1848 he came to Lee County, Iowa, and in 1852 made a journey to California across the plains, the trip tak- ing seven months to complete. lle later went to Oregon and for his board during the winter split 200 rails per day. M. Beckler then went to the California gold mines and later purchased a team of oxen, and for twelve years did teaming for the miners. From the mines he went to Washington Territory, and teamed for eighteen months, saving carefully his money, and when he returned to lowa, in 1864, a snug sum in cash was invested in lands in this county and upon them his family reside. Peter had reached by this time the age of fifty-two, and had never felt the influence of a woman's love,
but time brought great changes later in the old bachelor's heart. Jonas Beight, with his wife and four children moved to the country from Holmes County, Ohio, and settled in Washington County, four miles north of where our subject lived, the same year he returned from California. Her hus- band died in the spring of 1866, and Peter took a kindly interest in the widow and her children, so much so that he proposed and was accepted in marriage the same autumn, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. Benjamin Eicher, of Washing- ton County. When married the lady had but three children-Moses, David and Minno-of a family of six, one having died in Ohio, and two in Iowa. A new house was built on the Beckler farm and the old bachelor's hall was soon forgotten. Children of their own came to grace their home: Elizabeth, John, who died in infancy, and Emma C. The daughters have both reached a good position in the social world, and the younger is a graduate of the Swedesburg school.
Peter Beckler has grown rich as his years have sped, and yet in his seventy-fifth year, he is jolly and social and able to do much labor about the farm. His wife is a daughter of Joshua and Nancy Yoder, who were married in Holmes County, Ohio, and whose parents both came from Somerset County, Pa. She is one of eleven children. The family are widely scattered and some of them were noted men. Noah, Moses and Jacob were sokliers. Moses was killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mount- ain, June 28, 1864 ; Jacob was accidentally drowned, and Noah was severely wounded at the battle of Stone River, Jan. 2, 1863. After his discharge. he practiced his profession, that of medicine, at Berlin, Ohio. He was first a Lientenant, then Captain of the 51st Ohio Infantry. Samuel is now a Member of Congress from Ohio, and prior to his election was first a teacher, then a practicing physician of Pluffton, Ohio, later the Probate Judge of Allen County, Ohio, and was the contractor who erected the grand court-house at Lima, Ohio. His wife was Miss Minerva Maxwell, a native of Ohio.
Christian Beckler was for several years a resi- dent of Wayne Township, and wedded Barbara Conrad. He owns a fine farm in this county, but is a resident of Stuttgart, Ark. Joseph is not liv-
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ing, having died March 11. 1877, but his widow re- sides near Flemington, Ill. No nicer family or happier home can be found than the cosy quarters our subject has in which to spend his ripe old age.
The following particulars of the death of Dr. Yoder, of Shanesville, are taken from the Iron Val- ley Reporter: "The people of Shanesville and surrounding country were horrified on Friday afternoon of last week to learn that Dr. N. W. Yoder was drowned. The particulars are very brief. The Doctor started to visit a patient a few miles in the country, accompanied by a gentleman named Schen. In attempting to cross the bridge at Barr's mill, where the road is very narrow and covered for some distance with water, he drove a little too far to the right, and the front wheel of his buggy went over the bridge, throwing himself and companion into the stream. The current was strong, and the Doctor being a cripple could not help him- self. After a brief struggle he sank to rise no more, and the community lost one of its best and most honored citizens. His companion, more fort- unate, succeeded in making his escape. Dr. Yoder was born near Berlin, Holmes Co., Ohio, and was about forty years of age. He was in every respect a self-made man. He had a liberal education pro- cured by his own exertion; he studied medicine with Dr. Pomerine, of Berlin. In the latter part of 1861, on the recommendation of Gen. Ankeny, he was commissioned by Gov. Todd a First Lienten- ant, and recruited a number of men for the army. These he brought to Camp Meigs and had them assigned to Company G, 5Ist Ohio Infantry. When the regiment was ordered to the front Lieut. Yoder accompanied his command, taking with him two of his brothers, one of whom was killed in battle, and the other drowned while assisting to transfer the wounded from boat to hospital. At the battle of Stone River Lieut. Yoder was wounded eight times, and while lying on the field helpless, had his foot crushed by the wheels of a cannon wagon running over it; as a result of these wounds his right leg was amputated. When recovered he was assigned to hospital duty at Lexington, Ky. As a hospital surgeon he was one of the most valuable agents of the Government, and many a poor soldier is indebted to him for the life he to-day enjoys.
Returning home at the close of the war, he resumed itis profession and located at Berlin, and soon became popular as a physician. In 1871 he and S. Sharp bought out the drug business and medical practice of Dr. Sheldon, and removed to Shanes- ville, where he remained until his tragic death. Dr. Yoder was recognized by the medical fraternity, and by the people, as one of the foremost physi- cians of the State. He had a large practice and was very successful in the treatment of disease. He was the kindest of men and the most steadfast of friends."
HOMAS H. BARTON, a prominent farmer of Henry County, residing on section 29, Tippecanoe Township, was born in Tuscara- was County, Ohio, July 1, 1837, and is the son of William and Christiana (Beaber) Barton, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They emi- grated to Ohio at an early day, and from there removed to Indiana, and subsequently to Southern Illinois, where they remained for three years. Re- solving to emigrate to Iowa, on the 4th of July, 1844, they settled in Henry County, in Center Township. William Barton erected a sawmill on Big Creek, south of Mt. Pleasant, engaging in mill- ing until the time of his death, which occurred in 1845.
Thomas Barton, our subject, during his boyhood days lived upon a farm. In 1858 he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Elizabeth Hars- barger, a native of Virginia, born Aug. 17, 1840, and a daughter of William Harsbarger. After his marriage, Mr. Barton rented a farm for three years, at the expiration of which time, in 1862, he pur- chased a farm of forty acres in Salem Township, residing on this farm for about a year; then selling it he purchased forty acres on section 29, Tippe- canoe Township. On his last purchase Thomas Barton still resides, having added more land until he has a fine farm of 122 acres. His home, an elegant and commodious residence, was erected at a cost of $1,600. Seven children have blessed the union of this worthy couple: Mary L., born March 11, 1859, is the wife of A. Jay, of Tippecanoe
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Township; William H., born July 25, 1861, married Minnie Rogers, and is a resident of Tippecanoe Township; Sarah C., born Oct. 23. 1863, is the wife of Walter Stewart, of Jefferson County, Iowa; Rebecca J., born Nov. 6, 1865, wedded Nathan Elliott, also a resident of Tippecanoe Township; Harriet Ann, born March 27, 1869, is the wife of Charles Cooper, of Salem Township; Samuel and Annie A., twins, born Oct. 1, 1871, reside at home.
Politically, Mr. Barton affiliates with the Repub- lican party. He has held the office of Township Trustee, Constable, and is at present Justice of the Peace. Mr. Barton is a pioneer of forty-three years' standing, coming to this county in 1844. He passed through many of the hardships and privations of the early settler, but is glad to live to see the grand improvements in our fair country. Mr. Barton is a man of considerable intellectual capacity, and is much respected by the citizens of Henry County.
L EVI HIGGINS. Among the early pioneers the name of Levi Higgins stands out promi- nently. He is engaged in farming and gen- eral stock-raising on section 22, of Tippecanoe 'Township, and is a native of Milton County, Vt., born May 5, 1835. His parents were James and Emily (Wait) Iliggins, the father a native of Can- ada, and the mother of Vermont. James Higgins was a sailor, and a farmer in his younger days, and during the War of 1812 he fought against the British. lle and his good wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, In 1837 the family emigrated to Ohio, locating at Painesville, where they remained two years, and then came to Henry County, Iowa. and made their home in Mt. Pleasant, where the father died in 1865. The mother survived him eleven years, dying in 1876, at the age of seventy-five. To them were born cleven children : lleman died Feb. 14, 1852; Alva is a sailor; Jane married Wallace White, and lives in Tippecanoe Township; John married Mary Ellen Coburn, and lives in Mt. Pleasant; Moses L. died in April, 1833; Rodolphin and Rodolphus, twins, born March 22, 1833, died in infancy ; Levi is our subject; Caroline and Cornelia, twins; the former
married Jesse Smith, and lives in Russell County, Kan .; the latter married Dr. S. D. Cook, and lives in Sigourney, Iowa.
Levi Iliggins, the subject of this sketch, was but four years of age when the family came to Henry County. He spent his early days in Mt. Pleasant, and there learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the Civil War. Responding to the country's call for troops, he enlisted on the side of the Union in the 4th Iowa Cavalry. Company C. The company was under fire during the following engagements: Guntown, Helena, Memphis, Columbus, Mechanicsburg, Lit- tle Blue River, Brownsville, Ripley, Tupelo, Yazoo River and St. Francis River. He was boss black- smith of the regiment. and served four years. After the war Mr. Higgins returned to Mt. Pleasant and resumed blacksmithing, continuing in this until 1867. Ile then bought a farm near his present one, residing there for three years, at the expiration of which time he sold that farm, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 22. Tippecanoe Township, where he still resides. In connection with general farming Mr. Iliggins is engaged in blacksmithing, and is one of the best blacksmiths in the country round. Politically, he affiliates with the Repub- lican party, for which he is an indefatigable worker, and takes an active interest in all political affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins celebrated their marriage in 1866. Her maiden name was Naney Ghalson, and she was a native of Iowa, and was born in Appa- noose County, Jan. 5, 1843. Seven children have blessed the union of this worthy couple-Charley, John, Fred, Erwin, and Emma, the only daughter of the family, are still living. Those deceased are Carrie and Clarence.
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