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 61
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On March 11, 1855, Mr. Montgomery was mar- ried to Rachel, a daughter of Hopkins and Winnie (Jones) Williams, natives of Wales, who were early settlers of Henry County, coming here from Tus- carawas County, Ohio, where Mr. Montgomery was born. The family settled in Jefferson Township, where Mr. Williams became well known, and where he acenmulated a fortune, leaving a large estate at his death, which took place in 1862. He was a man of integrity of character, possessing in a marked de- gree those sterling eliaracteristics which distinguish the race from which he sprung. His wife survived him, dying in 1877, at the age of eighty-one years.
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This couple had eight children, two of whom, Mary and John, are deceased. Those now living are: Ann, wife of Evan Evans; William, and Elizabeth, wife of Evan Davis, all living in Jefferson Town- ship, Henry County; Rachel, widow of our subject ; Jane, wife of Solomon Cavenee, in New London Township, this county ; and Benjamin, a resident of Page County, Iowa.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery was blessed with seven children : Mary, the eldest daugh- ter, is the wife of Jasper Dutton, of Marion Town- ship, Henry County; Donna is the wife of Isaac Johnson, of Seott Township; Kate, James II., Frank B., Lizzie and Guy, live with their mother on the homestead on section 11, in Trenton Town- ship, where they have one of the best farms in the county, comprising 570 aeres, on which they carry on general farming and stock-raising. The death of Mr. Montgomery was felt as a great loss not only by his family, but by the general community. IIe was an enterprising citizen, who was always fore- most in all works for the advancement of society. He took an active interest in the Henry County In- stitute of Science, of which he was one of the pro- moters and original members, a member of its Board of Managers until the beginning of the year 1877, when he was elected its President, filling that position with honor until death, and always discharg- ing with fidelity all duties imposed upon him. On his decease the society published a eulogy on his character, speaking of him in no stinted terms of praise. Mr. Montgomery was a man of fine busi- ness capacity, a thorough manager, and of excellent judgment, and the result is apparent in the splendid property bequeathed to his family. Ile was of a genial and hospitable disposition, and was never better pleased than when surrounded by his friends, to whom those qualities greatly endeared him. His home was always open, and was ever the scene of healthful pleasure, in which the true-hearted host himself bore a prominent part. He believed in get- ting from this life all the rational enjoyment pos- sible, and his death left a vacancy which will not easily be filled. Young and old alike enjoyed his society, and the name of Amos B. Montgomery will be remembered for many years with tender regret by hosts of friends. In life he was loved by a de-
voted wife and loving children, who in his death lost a kind husband and indulgent father, but his example and teachings remain to them as a price- less heritage. In politics Mr. Montgomery was a supporter of the Democratic party, and he took a warm interest in public affairs, in which he was un- usually well informed, and his voice will be missed in the councils of his party. Ile was manly, hon- est, upright and true, and it is but meet this tribute to his worth should appear in this record of the citizens of Henry County, of whom he was one of the foremost. The warm sympathies of the entire community were extended to his family on their bereavement, which was a mitigation of their afflic- tion, but the void left in the family circle can never be filled. But they have the consolation of knowing that in life, he was ever faithful and upright, and his death was but an introduction to the life to come, in which husband and wife, father and chil- dren, will be reunited, never again to part.
On an adjoining page appear the portraits of Mr. Montgomery and his wife, equally entitled to an honorable place among the best citizens of the county.
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LFRED DOAN, deceased, was born in Or- ange County, Ind., Aug. 16, 1831, and was a son of Mahlon Doan, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. On the 19th of August, 1853, Alfred Doan was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Melton, a native of Warren County, Ind., and a daughter of John and Phobe (Ileston) Melton, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Doan's union was blessed with three children : Sarah Luella, born Sept. 1, 1856, the deceased wife of Zimri Brown, of Salem Township; she left three children-Michael Devillo, Frank Ebert and Sarah Jane, who is an adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Faulkner, of Salem, Iowa; Mahlon Harlan. born Jan. 15, 1860, wedded Miss Mary Ellen Ste- venson, a native of Henry County, and by their union there is one child, Myron Alfred; and Perry Albert, born April 29, 1872. Both sous live with their mother. Mr. Doan was among the gallant
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boys in the 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862, and serving three years. He was engaged in the following battles: Arkansas Post; the siege of Vieksburg; the Chattanooga campaign; Ring- gold, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, the battles around Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Ship's Gap, Bentonville, and was with Sherman on his march through Georgia and the Carolinas, to Rich- mond and Washington. The capture of Columbia, the capital of the chief disloyal State, was effected by lowa troops, among which was the 25th. On the 10th of February, 1863, Mr. Doan was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant. The regiment was mustered out at Washington, D. C., June 6, 1865. Mr. Doan then returned home, engaging in farming until his death, which occurred Oct. 19, 1880, when fifty-one years of age. He never had his usual health after he came out of the army, dying from the effects of the exposures endured in the service, in which he proved himself a brave and gallant soldier. Socially, Mr. Doan was a member of the I. O. O. F., at Salem. He was a stalwart Repub- liean, and took great interest in all political affairs. He was an influential and industrions citizen, mak- ing all that he possessed by his own hard labor, good management and fair dealing. He was a man always in advance of the times, and his farm of ninety acres was one of the best improved jin the county. By his death Henry County lost a good citizen, his acquaintances a noble friend, and his family a loving husband and father. His widow still resides on the old farm.
ANIEL MORLEY, residing on section 20, Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, is one of the pioneer settlers of the county. Where now stand cities and villages, and where are fine farms upon which are elegant resi- dences, then as far as eye could see stretched a vast prairie. In 1839 there was an abundance of wild game, and even deer were plentiful, but now the progress of civilization has changed all this, and Henry County ranks among the first of the State. At the time when Daniel Morley took up his resi- dence in this county he was but fourteen years old.
His birthplace was Washington County, Pa., the date of his birth being May 12, 1825. His father, John Morley, was of English descent though born in Maryland, and his mother, Grace (Smith) Mor- ley, was born in Pennsylvania of Dutch and English ancestry. The whole life of John Morley was spent as a tiller of the soil. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and received his Master's summons to the heavenly home Sept. 20, 1885, when eighty-six years of age. The mother was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in October, 1877. They reared a family of six children: Joseph, born in Decem- ber, 1820, died in Wayne County, Iowa, in January, 1887; Sarah, wife of George W. Brummit, a shoe- maker of Rooks County, Kan .; next our subject; then Rhoda B., widow of John E. Linn, of New London, Iowa; Eliza D., wife of L. R. Chandler, of Center Township, and Mary F., who married Samuel Clough, of Union, Iowa.
Daniel Morley, with his parents, went to Wayne County, Ohio, where they lived until the fall of 1839. They started for Henry County in that year, stop- ping through the winter near Ft. Wayne, Ind., and the next spring completed the journey in a wagon. They settled three miles southeast of Mt. Pleasant, where John Morley bought a farm, upon which he resided until he made his home with his son Daniel. Until twenty-eight years of age Daniel Morley made his home with his parents, working at various occupations. He engaged in breaking prairie for eleven years with an ox-team, using from five to eight oxen. The first piece of land he owned was 160 acres in extent, situated on section 23 of Seott Township. This he improved, residing there from 1852 until 1858, when he sold and purchased eighty acres on section 20. This was but raw land upon which was a rude cabin, but he made many improvements, and added to the original purchase until he has a fine farm of 170 acres. On the land an elegant country residence has been erected at a cost of $1,600, and also a tenant house worth $500.
In June, 1853, the marriage of Daniel Morley and Sarah I. Myers, a native of Virginia, was cele- brated. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Rog- ers) Myers, the father born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch deseent, and the mother, a native of Green-
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brier County, Va., born of Irish parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Morley have been the parents of three children : Eliza A., wife of William MeGlade, and by their union five children were born; Sarah, wife of Alonzo Eddingfield, a farmer of this township, became the mother of two children; and John M .. who has charge of the home farm, married Alice Snelson, and one child was born to them. An adopted daughter, Phæbe F. Morgan, their niece, still resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Morley are members of the Presbyterian Church at Winfield, as is their eldest daughter. He has held the office of Constable of the township for two years, and in polities holds liberal views. Mr. Morley is one of those men who have made their own way in the world since boyhood. His father was a poor man, and no financial assistance was received from him. What education he obtained he paid for himself. By hard work, good management and habits of in- dustry, he has reared and educated his family, cared for his aged parents, and accumulated a competency for himself. Ile is a man well known and univer- sally respected by the people of Scott Township and Henry County, and well deserves this mention in his county's history.
B D ENJAMIN LAZENBY is a native of Vir- ginia, born Feb. 13, 1810, and a son of Joshua and Ruth (Guthrie) Lazenby, who were also natives of Virginia, though of Welsh descent. When he was but a lad of six his parents emigrated to America, where he was reared on a farm near Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1838 Mr. La- zenby decided to go West, and being pleased with Henry County, he came here, locating on what is known as the Joseph Short Farm, which place he en- tered and there resided until 1844. At that time he bought a traet of land, 280 acres in extent, on section 26, Tippecanoe Township, living on this purchase until July 11, 1887, at that time remov- ing to Los Angeles, Cal., where he still resides. Mr. Lazenby, in 1840, was united in marriage with Editha Sanderson, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John and Isabel (Gilbert) Sanderson, the father
of Irish descent .- To this worthy couple were born six children, two of whom are now living: Melissa, who is living with her father, and Mary C., the honored wife of Courtland Milner. Mrs. Lazenby was called to her final home July 22, 1886, at the age of sixty-seven. Mr. Lazenby was among the pio- neer settlers of Henry County. Ile held the office of Township Clerk for a number of years in Tippe- canoe Township, and was univerally respected. IIe still owns a fine farm of 101 acres in Tippecanoe Township, besides his place in California.
HOMAS JONES, a retired railroad man, and a resident of Mt. Pleasant since 1862, was born in County Wicklow, near Dublin. Ire- land, Feb. 15, 1833, and is the son of James and Mary (Keough) Jones. He emigrated from Ire- land to America in 1851, and located in New Jer- sey, where he served his time at the millwright trade. In 1856 he came to Iowa, and engaged in railroad work with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company. He was employed in bridge-building from Burlington to what is now known as Gladstone, III. He worked at first as an employe, but soon began taking contracts, and con- tinned in that way, sometimes working for wages, and sometimes on contract, till 1886, when he re- tired from active duty. Ilis connection with the company continued without interruption for a pe- riod of thirty-one years. During all these years he never had an accident resulting from his work, and proved himself a capable and faithful man in whatever duty he undertook. He has probably built more bridges than any other man in the com- pany's employ, and it is only fair to Mr. Jones to say that this assertion is not based on any infor- mation given by him.
Mr. Jones was married, in the autumn of 1862, to Miss Kate Maekinson, daughter of John and Mary Mackinson. Mrs. Jones was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1852. They have five children, one son and four daugh- ters-Mary A., Theressa V., Ettie E., James C. and Kate L. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Jones is a Democrat in pol-
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ities. He came to this country in very limited cir- cumstances, and unaided and without influence, beyond that of intelligence, persevering industry, and a thorough knowledge of his business, he has acquired a fine property, consisting of three city lots and a fine residence, situated on one of the finest streets in the city, and twelve lots situated in the northwestern part of the city.
AMES K. CLARK, editor and proprietor of the Mt. Pleasant Herald, was born in the city of Waterford, Ireland, May 10, 1846, and is a son of John and Anna (Jennings) Clark. His father was likewise a native of Water- ford, and his mother was born in Dublin, in which city she died. His father is now a resident of New York. James K. was reared and educated in Dub- lin, and came to America in 1863, living in New York City until 1866, when he removed to Chicago, where he was married, in June, 1869, to Miss The- resa Titus, daughter of Henry Titus. Mrs. Clark was born in Chicago. Their union has been blessed with two sons and three danghters: Ida was born in Chicago, and is now aged seventeen; George W. was born in Kansas, and is fifteen; the rest were born in Mt. Pleasant, and are: Iola, aged eight; Carrie, aged four, and Titus J., one year old. Mr. Clark was a resident of Chicago at the time of the great fire in 1871, and was one of the sufferers. After that he went to Iola, Kan .. where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and the following year removed to Topeka, where he was in the same trade for abont a year, when he returned to Chi- cago, and became a wholesale manufacturer of boots and shoes, under the firm name of Reed & Clark. In 1874 the firm met with severe financial reverses, and the business was closed out, Mr. Clark coming to Mt. Pleasant, where he again engaged in the boot and shoe trade, carrying it on until 1880, when he took up the newspaper business. The paper of which he is the editor and proprietor was estab- lished as a "Greenback" paper in 1880 by Brown & Clark, Mr. R. C. Brown being the senior partner. That connection continued until 1884, when a stock company was formed to carry on the business. This
was in force until the fall of 1886, when Mr. George H. Spahr hought the property, which he put under the management of Mr. Clark. Other changes had however intervened. In November, 1885, the paper was removed to Ft. Madison, where it was published under the name of the Lee County Republican Herald. In February, 1886, Mr. Clark had started the Herald in New London, this county, but had removed it to Mt. Pleasant in March, 1887. It is now conducted solely by him, as editor and proprietor, and is a Union Labor or- gan, a seven-column quarto, published Fridays.
Mr. Clark has led an active, stirring life. He has met with misfortunes but has risen superior to them, and being yet a young man, full of energy and ambition, will undoubtedly make for himself an honorable name and position. Bright and tal- ented, he has already been called to important public trusts. During his short residence in Kansas he was a member of its Legislature, and in 1885 received the honor of a nomination for Lieutenant Governor of this State on the Greenback ticket, on which was the name of Elias Doty for Gover- nor. A man of probity of character, he commands the respect of those who know him.
E LIJAH JAMES, EsQ., a farmer residing on section 32, Wayne Township, Henry Co., Towa, was born in Roundhead Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1834, and is the son of Josiah and Drusilla (Richardson) James. She was a native of Eastern Maine, and a danghter of Elijah Richardson, who removed near Portsmouth, Ohio, and engaged in farming during his life. But little history can be given of either of these families. The paternal grandmother reached the ripe age of ninety-three. The mother of our subject was married in Ohio, and there her seven children were born, only three of whom are living: Elijah ; Margaret E., who wedded Edmund C. Upton, of Trenton Township; and Josiah, of Brighton, Wash- ington County, a wagon and carriage maker, and the husband of Martha J. Nason. After the death of Josiah James, in 1839, bis widow wedded Will- iam W. Rodgers, a mechanic of Roundhead Town-
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ship. Two children were born there prior to coming to Iowa in 1846, Thomas W. and Sarah M., both now deceased. Thomas was a soldier of the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and died at Memphis, Tenn., from disease. Josiah James was also in the service, en- listing in Company E, 1st Iowa Cavalry, from which he was discharged at the close of the war, having served in all the battles and engagements participated in by his regiment. He never received a wound, was not in the hospital and was never off duty except on furlough, from the day of his en- listment. Mr. Rodgers and his family located in Trenton Township in 1846, and resided there until his death. His wife survived until April 24, 1882, reaching her seventy-fifth year, and was a lady well known and largely missed by a great cirele of acquaintances. She became the mother of two children in this county : Rebecca A., deceased, wedded to John Beery, and Mary M., the wife of Jacob Beaver, of Trenton Township.
Our subject was a lad ten years of age when he became a resident of this county, and, with the exception of one year, has sinee never known any other home. Here he grew to manhood, and was married in 1854 to Miss Emily M. Nason, and the young couple began domestic life in Trenton Town- ship on a farm. The parents of Mrs. James, John W. and Rebecca ( Pepple) Nason, were married in Virginia, and the former was a native of Maine, the latter born near Wheeling, W. Va. They be- came residents of this county in 1844, locating in Trenton Township, and were among the first set- tlers of this part of the county. Their five eldest children were born in Ohio, the sixth in Trenton Township, this county. Sarah died ummarried; Mary A. wedded William Murphy ; Emily M., wife of our subject; Rebecca A., wife of Henry Schuster; Martha J., who wedded Josiah James, a brother of our subject; John W., the only son and the young- est child born in Ohio, died in that State before the removal. Martha J. was born in Trenton Town- ship and the others in Ohio.
Mr. James has been for many years a farmer. Ilis first purchase of land was made before the war, consisting of forty acres on section 16, Trenton Township. On this he built a hewed-log house and fenced the land. From that he purchased in Octo-
ber, 1870, his present farm, and here in ease and comfort the parents reside, ripe in years, and enjoy - ing the respeet of all. Since their married life began six children have blessed their home: John W., now the husband of Lney Mullen, is a graduate of Howe's Academy, and for years has been a teacher in this county, and is also a graduate of the law department of the Iowa State University ; Josiah J. resides at home ; Charles HI. wedded Mary E. McKee, and resides in Thomas County, Kan .; Henry E. wedded Emma A., daughter of Samuel Cantwell, whose family are fully mentioned else- where; Ilenry and his young wife are the parents of twin boys, Othel E. and Orville II., born Nov. 22, 1886. Oscar E. is the youngest son living, and Ora D. died in infancy. Elijah James was elected Justice of the Peace of Wayne Township in 1885, to fill a vacancy, and in October, 1886, was elected his own successor. Ile has served as a member of the School Board for years, and in numerous other official positions. The father of Mrs. James died in the service of his country. He was a member of the famous Graybeard Regiment, and his death occurred at Roek Island in the autumn of 1864. The subject of this sketch bears an honorable record as a self-made man and good citizen. Ile never received a dollar from his parents' estate, and be- ginning poor he has accumulated a fine property, and won for himself a place among the best citizens of Ilenry County.
IIOMAS KNOX, one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Ilenry County, re- siding on section 15, Center Township, was born in Washington County, Pa., on the -1th of December, 1816, and is the son of John and Mar- garet (MeKay) Knox, who were natives of Ireland. They were married in 1811, and immediately set sail for the United States. Arriving after a long and tedious voyage. they concluded to make their home in Washington County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. John Knox were the parents of nine children. four sons and tive daughters, six of whom are now living: Jennie, wife of Dr. Edward Milligan, now residing in Parker County, Tex. ; Naney, wife of Alex Gabby ; both died in Clarksville, Butler Co., Iowa. Thomas,
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a resident of Henry County, Iowa; Robert, a farmer of Washington County. Pa. ; Jane S., wife of Jacob Alter, died near Danville, Iowa; William, still re- siding on the old homestead in Washington County, P'a .; Elizabeth, wife of John Donnelly, died in Washington County, Pa .; John, also of Washing- ton County ; Margaret married George Smith, also a resident of Washington County, Pa. Politically, Mr. Knox espoused the cause of the Democrats. Mr. and Mrs. Knox were both members of the Se- ceder Church, of which they were earnest, faith- ful workers for many years. The death of Mr. Knox occurred in 1865, and that of his good wife in 1833.
Thomas Knox, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Washington County, Pa., and obtained his education in the subscription schools of early days. He was married, Oct. 2, 1845, to Miss Sarah Ely, who was born in Washington County, Pa., June 3, 1826. In the spring of 1846 they loaded their household goods into wagons, and emigrated to Ilarrison County, Ohio, where they remained until 1866, when they decided to go further west. this time locating in Henry County, Iowa, where Mr. Knox purchased the farm on which he now lives. This farm, consisting of 280 acres, is only a mile from Mt. Pleasant. In addition to general farming Mr. Knox is extensively engaged in stock- raising, and has one of the finest and best stock farms in the county. Twice he has suffered loss by fire, once in Ohio, before coming west, and again in this county, where his residence was destroyed. Mr. and Mrs. Knox are the happy parents of eight living children : John M., of Noble County, Ohio; Robert, a resident of Henry County; Margaret married Ed S. Chenoweth, a resident of Rush County, Kan .; Martha J. married James Davis, who died in 1883; she with her three children now re- sides at home with her parents; James F., still at home; Nettie, wife of J. D. Forbes, of Dawes County, Neb .; Ellen married Allen Chandler, a resident of Henry County; William still resides at home.
Mr. Knox and his estimable wife were reared in the Presbyterian Church, and have always lived in accordance with that faith. In all educational matters Mr. Knox has taken a great interest, be-
lieving that to be successful in life one must not only have a knowledge of books, but of all local and National affairs. It may be truly said that Mr. Knox is a self-made man, making the most of every opportunity that has presented itself to him. He is an exemplary and energetic farmer, a shrewd busi- ness man, and few men in the county enjoy more of the confidence and esteem of the people than does Mr. Knox.
C IIARLES PRINCE, a machinist of Mt. Pleas- ant, Iowa, was born in Warwickshire, En- gland, Aug. 30, 1822, and there received a common-school education. When but thirteen years of age he was apprentieed to learn the trade of a machinist. working for eight years. For all of bis hard labor he received no compensation but his board and clothing. Ile then worked at journey- work until coming to this country in 1853.
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