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 63
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The second wife of Caleb Russell, Sr., was Eliza- beth Matthews, daughter of Thomas Matthews, a farmer of Harford County, Md. The marriage was celebrated in 1843, and their children are: Sarah A., now the wife of William II. Camby, a farmer of Wayne Township; Theodore, also a farmer of the same township, and the husband of Hannah M. Brown; and Harriet, who died at five years of age; who were all born in Virginia. In 1851 Mr. Rus- sell and Mr. Hurst went to California, and ran a sawmill near Nevada City. After that new city was destroyed by fire, their mill manufactured the lumber which rebuilt it. In 1854 Mr. Russell re- turned to Virginia, and the next year made a pros- pecting trip to this county, and was so well pleased that he decided to bring his family and make a home in the new Northwest. After the family ar- rived a quarter section was selected on section 24, a part of which is now in possession of our subject. Every improvement bas been placed upon this land by the Russells. The first house occupied the site on which Theodore Russell's mansion now stands, but was destroyed by fire Dec. 19, 1875. From that date a marked decline was noticed in the physique of Caleb Russell, Sr., who worked heroic- ally, but saved only a part of his personal property. He rebuilt in 1876, and until his death in Jannary,
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1880, was happily domiciled in the new home in which his son Theodore now resides. Caleb reached the mature age of seventy-six years, and his widow, born in 1804, is yet living with her son Theodore, but is now very feeble.
Mr. Russell was one of the early officials of Wayne Township, and for many years was the Assessor, and when the new law was passed creating a Board of County Commissioners, he was the first member elected from Wayne Township, and as long as it was in force, was regularly eleeted his own suc- cessor. A Friend by birth and profession, he was an ardent promoter of every enterprise, in not only a social, but a political sense. Mr. Russell was one of the first to establish the Society of Friends at Prairie Grove, and was the first clerk, and served for many years. The death of that good man was deeply regretted, and he is oft quoted as being a man who did great honor to his county. Two of his sons were soldiers, Llewellyn and Theodore. The first was a member of an Indiana regiment, a elerk in the commissary department, and the latter of an Iowa regiment.
Our subject, Caleb Russell, Jr., was born in Prince William County, Va., Feb. 13, 1837. Being a lad thirteen years of age when his parents came to Iowa, he took an active part from that time in the development of the same. Most of his education was obtained here, and he has made himself a een- tral figure in its business circles for many years. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Phobe Fenton of this county, whose father, John Fenton, came from Frederick County, Va., to Iowa, in 1855, and set- tled near the Russell home. At the time of his marriage Caleb Russell, Ir., purchased a part of his father's farm, and made fine improvements. Here the young bride began housekeeping, and for almost a quarter of a century a happy domestic life has been hers. Here their children were born : Oscar, deceased; Upton, deceased; Mary B., Liz- zie E., Jesse and Emmet P'. The two eldest sons died in childhood. The eldest daughter is a stu- dent of Howe's Academy, and intends teaching as her profession. In 1864 Caleb Russell began the business of public auctioneer, and for almost a quarter of a century he has been the leading auc- tioneer in the northwestern part of the county. No
man in the neighborhood enjoys a wider repution than he. At a low estimate, Mr. Russell has dis- posed of over $300,000 worth of property at public sales. He has also served several terms as Trustee of his township, and for almost twenty years has been a member of the Agricultural Board of Henry County. He was one of the organizers of the Eastern lowa District Agricultural Society, and a member now of the Board of Directors. Mr. Russell is a member of "Good Faith" Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M., Winfield, Iowa, of which he is at present S. W. Both himself and wife are members of the Society of Friends, as are also the heads of the other Russell families.
AMES DORSEY ROBERTS, one of the most substantial and respected farmers of New London Township, Henry Co., Iowa, resides on section 2, where he has a valuable and well-improved farm of 165 acres. Mr. Roberts was born in Ohio County, Va .. now Marshall County, W. Va., July 25, 1823, and is the son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Barton) Roberts, who were born in Maryland, and were of Welsh descent. They emi- grated to Iowa in 1838 and settled in Danville Township, Des Moines County. The father was engaged in farming, and made his home in that township during the remainder of his life.
James D. was reared on the farm in Danville Township, and was married in that township, March 4, 1845, to Miss Susan McDonald, daughter of Alexander and Mary (King) McDonald. Mrs. Rob- erts was born in what is now Marshall County, W. Va., June 14, 1826. Her parents were natives of Butler County, P'a., her father of Scotch-Irish de- scent, and her mother of German origin. Her par- ents settled in Danville Township Nov. 11, 1837. Mr. Roberts was engaged in farming in Danville Township until October, 1855, when he removed to New London Township, Henry County, and pur- chased his present farm. He and his wife have four children, three sons and a daughter: William Barton, born Dec. 22, 1846, married Luella Rogers, and resides at Plattsmouth, Neb., where he is rail- way yardmaster, and has two sons and two dangh-
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ters; Alexander Holt, born Aug. 26, 1848, wedded S. Elizabeth Pritchard, and lives in Audubon, Iowa, engaged in the drug business, and to them were born two sons; Theodore Lane, born Sept. 26, 1850, married Olive Bridges, and lives in New London Township, where he is engaged in farming ; Mellie was born Nov. 6, 1855, and is the wife of William L. Weller, a farmer of New London Town- ship, and has one son and a daughter; William B., the eldest son, was a soldier of the late war and enlisted in the 1st lowa Battery, in January, 1864, serving until the close of the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and the three younger children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Roberts is a Democrat, and is a worthy, honorable man, whose word is as good as his bond.
M NEWELL PERCIVAL, harness-maker and dealer in grain, Hillsboro, Iowa. New England has furnished quite a number of the men who do the business of Henry County, among whom is the above-named gentle- man, who was born in Campton, Grafton Co., N. II., Dec. 16, 1832. He is a son of William and Priscilla (Holmes) Percival, both natives of the same State. In the war of the Revolution the Per- civals took an important part, having emigrated from England prior to that time. One was a Cap- tain, and others were also engaged in the war, among whom was Roland Percival, the grandfather of our subject. Roland married Silence Gates, to whom Gen. Gates of historic fune was related. Roland Percival was in his day a noted surgeon, and practiced his profession in New Hampshire dur- ing his lifetime. He was a native of Connecticut, but settled in New Hampshire when a young mar- ried man. William, father of the subject of this sketch, was his third son. He was born in New Hampshire, May 28, 1800, and died in Van Buren County, Iowa, April 25, 1886, lacking but a month of having completed his eighty-sixth year. In November, 1859, he removed from his native State to Harrisburg Township, Van Buren Co., Iowa, where he lived until his death. Ilis wife, Priscilla,
was born in June, 1802, and died on the Iowa farm in May, 1882, aged nearly eighty years. They were the parents of eight children: Emma J., who wed- ded Charles Colby, one of the city officials of Man- chester, N. II .; M. N., our subject; William S., who enlisted during the late war and lost his life from disease contracted in the service; Catherine was accidentally killed in childhood; Warren O. is a resident of Hoxie, Sheridan Co., Kan., by trade a carpenter, and the husband of Sarah Eaton; Josiah B., a farmer of Van Buren County, Iowa, and the husband of Lottie Tade; Mattie A., deceased, wed- ded Dixie Smith, a resident of Plum Creck, Neb .; Ellen L., deceased, married Henry McCoy, a farmer of Sheridan County, Kan. ; Laura wedded Willis J. Barnes, a well-known citizen formerly of this town- ship, but now a resident of Sheridan County, Kan.
M. Newell, the subject of this sketch, was married in New Ilampshire to Sarah Davis, whose death occurred three months after she and her husband came to the new country, he having in May, 1860, followed his parents to Iowa. From that date for two years Mr. Percival was employed at the Asylum for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, assuming charge of Ward No. G, after which he returned to New Hamp- shire, engaging in the manufacture of harness at the town where he was born. While a young man he had gone to Canada in the employ of a railroad company, and learned that business in detail. He was employed by the Government in 1864, after having been for some time engaged in business at Campton, and was sent South on the Georgia & Chattanooga Railroad, remaining five months. The malarial climate caused an illness which forced him to return North, and he came to lowa with the in- tention of again going South after recuperating his health. In 1865 he began farming in this county, having in 1864 been married to Miss Hannah Pick- ering, at Mt. Pleasant. She was a native of Zanes- ville, Ohio, and with her mother came to lowa and settled in Mt. Pleasant. Later, the remainder of the family moved further West.
On New Year's Day, 1866, Mr. and Mrs. Percival removed to Hillsboro, where Mr. Percival estab- lished himself in the harness business, and has con- tinued manufacturing harness to this date. After five years of wedded life, his wife's death occurred,
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and she was laid to rest in the village cemetery. In 1870 Miss Ophelia Eaton became his wife. Miss Eaton was born in Washington Township, Lee County, and is a daughter of Ebenezer A. and Eliza- beth (Rice) Eaton, who were early settlers of that county, emigrating from Boston, Mass., in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were married four years prior to coming to Iowa. Mr. Eaton entered lands in Lee County, and in 1852 went to California, was taken violently ill, and died in February, 1853. Ile was the father of eight children-Jonas A., Ophelia, George, Edward, Sarah A., Julia, William and Eugene. The eldest son was a member of Company 1, 30th lowa, of which regiment he was color-bearer. He was wounded in the grand charge at Vicksburg, his arm being shattered by a rebel bullet. After his discharge he studied law, was ad- mitted to the Lee County bar, and practiced law for several years in Boone County. The wound received was the indirect cause of his death in De- cember, 1876. Ophelia graduated in classics at the Denmark Academy, and for several years was a teacher in the public schools of Lee County, con- tinuing in the profession until her marriage to Mr. Percival; George is a farmer of Hamilton County, Neb., and is the husband of Margaret Wood, for- merly of Mansfield, Ohio; her father was a lawyer of that city. Sarah wedded Warren Percival, a car- penter of Hoxie, Sheridan Co., Kan., and a brother of our subject; Julia taught school for several years, but died unmarried in 1869; Edward died in childhood; William was a graduate of Denmark Academy, and is an attorney at Sidney, Fremont County, this State, a partner of Congressman An- derson; he wedded Miss Anna Grundy, of Chris- tian County, Il., a native, however, of England. Eugene married Etta C. Fligg, of Van Buren County, and is a resident farmer of Hamilton County, Neb. The widowed mother finds a cor- dial welcome at the homes of her children. She is now in her seventieth year.
Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Percival, four children have gladdened their home. The first, Clyde, died when two years of age. Later came Leo C., Ruby J. and Agnes E., all bright, beautiful children. fitted to grace the home of parents who lavish upon them a wealth of love and care. En-
terprising in every sense, we are pleased to aceord to Mr. Percival a place among the business men of his village, and his family their proper station among the best families in the land. Early in his business experience in Hillsboro, Mr. Percival became a dealer and manufacturer in boots and shoes, engag- ing three men in that line. Later, and after the railroad was completed, he began the purchase and shipment of grain, and is also a dealer in flour, feed, etc., carrying on that and his barness business at the same time. Mr. Percival is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
R OLIN R. GRANT, an early settler of Henry County, Iowa, and a prominent farmer of New London Township, residing on section 7, and post-office at Mt. Pleasant, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Fleming County, Sept. 18, 1827. His parents, James and Sarah (Saunders) Grant, were natives of the same county, and were descended from old Virginia families, of Scotch descent. Mrs. Grant was a double cousin of P. and A. Saunders.
Our subject, Rolin Grant, was reared on a farm, and when a young man was employed as a mer- chant's clerk. He emigrated to lowa in 1848, where he spent two years as salesman with Presley and Alvin Saunders. In 1850 he purchased a small farm near Mt. Pleasant, and began life as a farmer. He was married, Nov. 4, 1852, to Miss Eliza A. Tolle, a daughter of William and Sarab Tolle, resi- dents of Center Township. Mrs. Grant was born in Fleming County, Ky., and bas borne to her husband six children, only three of whom are now living : Lena D. ; Emma; Walter D., who died at the age of three and a half years; Willie, who died when but fifteen months old ; Florence, wife of Charles Leedham, residing in Mt. Pleasant, who has one daughter, Olive May; Rector, the youngest child of Mr. Grant, died when but a babe of six monthis.
Mr. and Mrs. Grant and daughters are devoted members of the Christian Church. About the year 1854 Mr. Grant bought a sawmill, which he oper- ated for two years, during which time he sawed the
PROPERTY IN NOBLE.
DRUGS
HARNESS
SHOP
BIALES
RESIDENCE OF E.C.NOBLE.NOBLE, SEC.36, MARIAN TOWNSHIP WASHINGTON COUNTY.
THE A44821: 41730d
A
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first timber used in building the State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant. In 1856 he traded the farm on which he resided in part payment for 162 acres of raw land, situated within three miles of Mt. Pleasant. Though there was nothing upon the land when Mr. Grant bought it, he has by energy and industry transformed it into one of the finest farms in the county, with good farm buildings and well stocked. In early life Mr. Grant was a Whig. but later a Republican, and is now a Greenbacker. He is a member of Hurricane Grange No. 385, and is one of the most highly respected and influential farmers of Henry County.
E DWARD C. NOBLE came to Washington County, Iowa, in the fall of 1853, and settled on section 36, Marion Township, where he bought eighty acres of unimproved land, and where he still resides, although the 80-acre farm has grown to be a magnificent farm of 392 acres, all of which is under excellent cultivation. He was born in Litchfield, Hartford Co., Conn., in 1826, and is the son of Oren and Catharine (Prescott) Noble, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The family emigrated to Franklin County, Ohio, when Edward was but three years of age. He was there reared on a farm, and remained at home until twenty years old, receiving his education in the log school-house. When twenty-two years of age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, in Blendon Township, Frank- lin Co., Ohio, and worked at that trade for nine years. After his three years' apprenticeship he took his boss's place and commenced contracting and building.
While still engaged as a carpenter Mr. Noble came to this county in the year stated and bought eighty acres in Marion Township, and at once commenced its improvement, breaking twenty acres at that time. He then went back to Ohio and worked at his trade for about three years, and then returned with his family to this place in 1856, and has since made this his home, going back to Ohio during dull times and working at his trade. Usually, when working at his trade he ran a gang of about
ten men. lle was considered one of the best con- tractors and builders in Franklin County, Ohio.
On the 8th of May, 1856, Mr. Noble was married to Sarah J. Schroch, a native of Ohio, and daughter of George W. and Rachel Schroch, natives of Hamp- shire County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Noble are the par- ents of three children, all living: Clara Belle, the wife of William Riley, an attorney-at-law, residing at Sidney, Neb .; William F. now resides at Noble, and is engaged in the agricultural implement trade ; Ida Luella is at home. Mr. and Mrs Noble are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Simon-pure Republican. In 1883 the Railroad Company laid out the village of Noble upon a por- tion of his farm. All the vacant lots in the village are now held by Mr. Noble.
The father of Edward Noble was one of the first settlers of Franklin County, Ohio, and there had a farm cleared ont of the heavy timber. As soon as physically able, Edward and his next younger brother were required to do most of the farm work, from time to time clearing away some of the heavy timber, and thus adding to the farm much tillable land. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and by disease had been crippled, thus making it abso- Intely necessary that others should do the hard work on the farm. There were in the family nine children, four of whom are now living: Edward, the subject of this sketch; John, living in Werter- ville, Ohio, near the old home, is a saddler by trade ; Luther resides in the same place; Ora is the widow of William Wiley. The father died in 1844, aged forty-four. After his death Edward had to look after the family, and was the principal support for some years. Ilis mother died in 1874, aged sev- enty-five. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Edward Noble is a self-made man, all the prop- erty that he now owns being the result of his own labors, having no means to begin life. Ile has been industrious and economical in his expendi- tures, and by close attention to business has accu- mulated a fine property. His farm is regarded as one of the finest and best improved in Washington County. On the place is a handsome two-story dwelling-house erected at a cost of $2,000 in addi- tion to his own work, besides which there are three
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good barns, one of which was erected at a cost of $2,800, and is in size 40x66 feet. Another barn is 33x42, and another 22x50. The tool and carriage house is 24x32 feet. Ile also has a granary 35x36 feet. In addition to his general farming, for twen- ty-two years Mr. Noble was engaged in buying and shipping stock. He now turns his attention to the raising of fine stock, in which business lie is quite successful. There are few farmers who are more practical than Mr. Noble. Ile is a man well read in the current literature of the day, and in general news always keeps well posted. A view of Mr. Noble's handsome residence is shown in this connection.
R OBERT S. COLE, deceased, a prominent citizen of Henry County, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., Nov. 23, 1822. His parents were Solomon and Sarah (Remy) Cole. His father was a native of Maryland, born of English parents. his mother was of French descent. Solomon Cole was a practical farmer and teacher, and was a man of superior ability and culture. His family consisted of a wife and nine children, of whom our subject was the third. They came to Iowa by teams, in 1851. The father was a confirmed invalid at the time, and the elder sons took all the responsibility and care of the family. On coming to this county the family purchased 250 acres of land, situated about twelve miles north of Mt. Pleasant. The title of one-half of this prop- erty was vested in the parents' name, and one-half in the names of James W. and Robert S., the elder sons. There the sons prepared a home for their parents, and cared for them during the remainder of their lives. They conducted the business of the farm and raised stock until .1849, when they re- moved to the city of Mt. Pleasant, and engaged in the lightning rod and pump business. Their first order was for $50 worth of lightning rods. The remittance of $50 was lost, but they received the rods. This business was established by J. W. and R. S. Cole. They soon added the manufact- ure of pumps to their trade, the work being done at Greencastle, Ind. Their venture was successful
from the start, and they rapidly extended their line of operations. Two younger brothers, William and John, were admitted to the partnership, and in 1865 they formed and incorporated a company for the continnance of the business, with a paid-up capital of $30,000. They formed a limited part- nership with their employes, establishing branch sale stations extending through lowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and other States, having in all at one time fourteen branch stations, and employing from 150 to 200 men. At the expiration of the limit of the first corporation, in 1875, they formed a new corporation with a paid-up capital of $200.000. The Cole Brothers built up an immense business, and enjoyed a reputation for fair dealing and good work that marked a new era in the pump and lightning rod business. The elder brothers, J. W. and R. S., were associated in business twenty-five years before they had a settlement. During all that time their business relations were so harmoni- ons and satisfactory that they had no unpleasant- ness whatever. They had everything in common, and although each of them had families, they had no separate accounts.
Robert S. Cole, the subject of this sketch, was married near Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Dec. 24, 1846, to Miss Mary Jane Hutton, daughter of Rev. Samuel Hutton, an early and highly respected pioneer of Henry County. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Levi. She was born in North Carolina, and was of German descent. Mrs. Cole's father was born in Pennsylvania, and he was also of German descent. He was a minister of the Baptist Church, and did much preaching in the West. Mrs. Cole was born in Sangamon County. Ill., Sept. 27, 1827. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, five daughters and three sons: Anna E. is the widow of Edward O. Boone, and is a teacher in the In- dian Territory ; she has one child, a son, Victor C. Sarah J. is the wife of Wilham Ridpath, an attorney of Brazil, Ind. ; they have three children. Laura M. resides with her mother; Hayden R. died Oct. 6, 1876, aged twenty-one years; William T. married Annie Maxwell, and resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jay S. is engaged in the lightning rod business at Greencastle, Ind .: Mary and Minnie reside with their mother.
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Mr. Cole continued to reside at Mt. Pleasant until 1880, when he removed to Council Bluffs, where he purchased the interest of one of their branch partners, and carried on the business at that point until the time of his death, Feb. 28, 1884. After his death his heirs parted with their interest in the business to Mr. Cole's brothers, Jan. 1, 1887.
Mr. Cole united with the Baptist Church when he was a youth, and was a zealous Christian during his life, prompt and liberal in support of the church and of missions, and charitable and kind to the poor and distressed. He was a philanthropist in the broadest sense of the word. He contrib- uted liberally to the erection of the Baptist Church at Mt. Pleasant, and after having removed to Coun- cil Bluffs he made a liberal donation to repair the church after it was wrecked by a cyclone. He also took an active part in behalf of the church at Council Bluffs, and was foremost in all good works. A man whose word was regarded as inviolate, he enjoyed an enviable reputation in the community. After his death his widow and three daughters resided in Council Bluffs until July, 1887, when they returned to Mt. Pleasant, to the home which Mr. Cole had made in that city, which they had never parted with, and which is a commodious and com- fortable residence.
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BNER LANE is a farmer, living on section 4, Trenton Township, Henry Co., Iowa, where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres, all improved. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, May 29, 1824. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Emler) Lane, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1841, settling on section 10, Trenton Township, where the father bought 160 acres of land, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in October, 1876, at the age of seventy-six years. His widow, still residing in Trenton Township, is eighty-five years of age. Politically Abraham Lane was a Democrat. He spent his whole life upon the farm, and was a kind, considerate man.
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