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 64
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Our subject was reared upon a farm in Henry County, and in 1848 was united in marriage with
Miss Barbara Waitman, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of J. L. Waitman. Mr. and Mr. Lane have been the parents of nine children : Oscar, the eldest, died at the age of nineteen years; Franklin died in infaney ; Cordelia, wife of W. L. Turner, resides in Madison County, Iowa; Ophelia, wife of William Maleroy, is a resident of Audubon County, Iowa; Lucy, wife of William Hollems, of Warren County, Iowa; Isidora, wife of William Maguire, of Jefferson County, Iowa; Asbury, Elma and Carrie still reside at home. Socially Mr. Lane is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a P. G. Ile has held the offices of Trustee and Assessor of Tren- ton Township, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
ASPER LUSK, a farmer and stock-raiser, re- siding on section 36, Trenton Township, Henry Co., Iowa, is a native of Greene County, Ill. He was born March 17, 1832, and is the son of W. B. and Sarah (Diekson) Lusk, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Jasper, after his mother's death, which occurred when he was two years old, lived with an uncle and aunt in Illinois for six years, but in 1839 his father took him to live with himself, bringing him to Henry County. He was reared upon the home farm in Tippecanoe Township, and at the age of twenty made an overland trip to California, where he re- mained for two years engaged in farming and min- ing. With his father, he returned home by water, by way of Panama and New York. After his re- turn he obtained 240 acres of land on section 36, Trenton Township, which at that time was raw land, and upon this farm he still resides.
In 1857 Jasper Lusk was united in marriage with Annie Costlow, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. She was born Aug. 3, 1837, and is a daughter of James and Delia (Hildrith) Costlow. On the pa- ternal side she is of Irish descent, her father being a native of that country, and her mother a native of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Lnsk have been born three children: James W., still residing at home; Florence, wife of Luther Gayer, of Kokomo, Ind .; Myrtle Elnora, at home. In 1863 Mr. Lusk
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again crossed the plains with an ox-team, and reach- ing Montana, he engaged in mining for two years, returning home by the way of the Missouri River. After his return he again resumed his occupation of farming, which he has continued ever since. Mr. Lusk is an excellent farmer, understanding the busi- ness thoroughly. He has 500 acres of land, mostly under cultivation. and his stock is of the best grades in the market, and he ships from one to three car- loads of cattle per year. He believes that stock to yield a good income must be well kept. Upon the farm is a fine country residence worth $1,500. Mr. Lusk takes great interest in all educational matters. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is liberal in his views.
ACOB M. LANE, residing on section 21, Trenton Township, Henry Co., lowa, is one of the pioneers of this county since 1841. lle has witnessed the many changes which have transformed the county from its state of nat- ural wilderness to one of great cultivation. Jacob was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1822, and is a son of Richard and Amelia (Jackson) Lane. The father was of Irish descent, though born in Pennsylvania, and the mother of French origin, born in Virginia. They were early settlers of Mus- kingum County, Ohio, and in 1841 emigrated to Henry County, renting a farm on section 1, Tren- ton Township, where they lived many years. Mr. Lane then purchased eighty aeres of school land on section 16, Trenton Township, which was in a wild state, and upon which he made many improve- ments. He built a dwelling, and resided upon this farm for ten years, and then removed to Trenton Village, where he lived a retired life. His death occurred in 1877, when seventy years of age. IIe was a Republican in politics, and was a conservative man. His widow still resides in Trenton Village. They reared a family of ten children, six of whom are now living: Jacob, our subject, is the eldest; George, a resident of Trenton; John Q., who was Colonel of the 97th Ohio Volunteer Infantry dur- ing the late war, now resides in Philadelphia, Pa., where he is a practicing lawyer; Lucinda, wife of
George Wilson, a resident of this county; Eliza Ann, residing with her mother; Richard was a soldier in the 25th Iowa Volunteers, served until the close of the war, but his place of residence is now unknown. Those deceased are Samuel, Charles, Elizabeth and Jane.
Our subject was reared on a farm in this county. IIe was married, in 1849, to Lydia Pratt, a native of New York, and a daughter of Louis and Ellen (Robins) Pratt, both of whom were natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are the parents of seven children : Martha died at the age of fourteen years; George died in infancy ; Orvil L. and Oliver, twins, the former living in Audubon County, Iowa, and the latter in Trenton Township; John Charles, Frank and Josephine are still inmates of the paternal home. Mr. Lane has held all the offices of the township that its citizens ean give, and is at present one of the Board of County Supervisors. He takes great interest in all political affairs, and is a stal- wart Republican, believing that the party has not yet finished its work. Mr. Lane has a good prac- tieal education, and is ever ready to aid in the ad- vancement of educational interests.
L B. PIERCE established the Winfield Tile Works in 1881. In 1884 C. B. Pierce pur- chased a half interest in the same, and the firm is known as Pierce Bros. They have a fine building, consisting of the main building and two wings. The main building is 32x36 feet, and three stories in height; one wing is 48x30, and two sto- ries high; the other is also two stories in height, and 40x20 feet, while under the whole building is a good basement. This factory turns out about 400,000 feet of tile per year, valued at $6,000. The works are run by a 20-horse-power engine. The first tile factory in the State was started in Kossuth, Des Moines County, by Isaiah Messenger, now proprietor of the Fairfield Tile Works. Mr. Pieree soon after became a proprietor in that fac- tory, and has been engaged in tile-making for thirteen years.
L. B. Pierce was born in Windsor County, Va., Jan. 14, 1835, and is the son of Edmund and Louisa
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(Stone) Pierce, who emigrated to Des Moines County, Iowa, in the spring of 1856. In 1872 they removed to Manhattan, Kan., where they both died. Mr. Pierce was an old-line Whig. He was well informed on all political affairs, and several times was candidate for the Legislature. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are liv- ing : Catherine F., wife of Judge Harper, of Riley County, Kan .; C. B., a retired merchant of Leaven- worth, Kan .; Nellie L., wife of George Coleman, a grain dealer of Shenandoah, Iowa, and our subject. Those deceased are Henry and Edward.
L. B. Pierce during early life attended the com- mon schools, and afterward took a six-years course in Yellow Springs College. In 1861 he enlisted with the other brave boys of the 2d lowa Cavalry, being a member of Company K, and participated in forty-three engagements. He entered the serv- ice as a private, but was promoted to the rank of color sergeant. The battles participated in by him were: Farmington, New Madrid, Booneville, Rienzi, Inka, Corinth, Holly Springs, Ockaloma, Palo Alto. Collierville, Saulsbury, West Point, Prairie Station, Pontotoc Roads, Ripley, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creck, Shoal Creek, Crawfordsville, Mt. Carmel, Franklin, Nashville, where he was made color bearer; Little Harpeth, Rugersford Creek, Andersonville, and others. He received a compli- mentary furlough, signed by Col. Horton, Gens. Coon, Hateh and Thomas, for gallant conduct in the battle of Nashville, in carrying the colors after the color bearer was killed. He has now in his possession the original application to Gen. Thomas signed by the three first-named officers. He was mustered out at Selma, Ala., Sept. 19, 1865, and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in October. He re-enlisted at Memphis, March 1, 1864, serv- ing in all four years and two months. During his whole army life he was never on the sick list, but always ready for duty.
In June, 1865, in Des Moines County, Iowa, L. B. Pierce was united in marriage with Leah A. Bandy, a daughter of John Bandy, who came to Des Moines County in 1839 from Indiana. Seven children have blessed their union-Claude H .. Gracie May, John E., Mary L. and Katie W., liv- ing, and Georgie and Nellie, deceased. Mr. Pieree
is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church. They eame to Winfield in 1881, and throughout the community where they reside they are universally respected.
OSEPHI P. KERR, residing on section 31, of Center Township, was born in Butler County, Pa., May 18, 1829, and is the son of Andrew and Sarah (Porter) Kerr, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Kerr is of Irish descent; his great-great-grandfather, Thomas Kerr, was born in Ireland in 1721, as was also his great-grandfather, Thomas Kerr, Jr., who was born in Ireland in 1743, and who married Margaret Clerk, a native of Ire- land, and by this union there were ten children: Mary, who married William Steward; John, who married Jane Porter, was drowned; Thomas, whose first wife was Ann Williams, and whose second wife was Elizabeth Douglas; Ann, who was united in marriage with Thomas Parks; David, who married Rebecca Kennedy; Rebecca and Ella died when children; Margaret, who married Thomas Walker; Jonathan, who formed a matrimonial alliance with Mary Bradin, and Joseph, who married Naney Bra- din. Our subject's grandfather, John Kerr, was a native of Pennsylvania, being born near Emlenton, in 1767, and united in marriage with Jane Porter in 1791. By this union there were also ten chil- dren: Sarah, who was born in 1792, and who mar- ried Andrew Sloan, died of consumption March 24, 1821; Thomas, who was born in 1793, was united in marriage with Isabel Stewart, and died Sept. 14, 1857; Margaret, who was born in 1794, and who married Mathew McDowell, died in 1848; Rebecca, born in 1796, married Daniel Spicer in 1812, and died of typhus fever in 1815; John, who was born in 1798, and who married Mary Berry, died in 1830; Jonathan, who was born in 1799, and was the husband of Nancy Keifer, died in 1876, from a third stroke of paralysis; Jane, who was born in 1801, was united in marriage with Robert Crawford, and died from a cancer in 1858; David, who was born in 1803, was united in marriage with
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Mary Zigler; Andrew, the father of our subject; Ann P., who was born in 1807, was married to Jack Zigler, in 1827.
Andrew Kerr, the father of Joseph P., was born Jan. 11, 1805. lle was a pioneer of Venango County, Pa., where his parents moved when he was but a lad, and where his early days were spent. He was married, on the 2d of September, 1828, to Miss Sarah Porter, born May 13, 1804, who was the danghter of Joseph Porter. They were the par- ents of three children: Joseph P., our subject; David, who was born June 5, 1832, was united in marriage with Nancy Black in the year 1852, and resides in Missouri; John, who was born June 9, 1835, was married, Dec. 25, 1860, to Philena Alden ; three children were born to them. He was drowned in the Des Moines River on the 13th of April, 1867. Andrew Kerr died March 5, 1839.
The early life of our subjeet was spent upon the farm in Butler County, Pa., receiving his education in the district schools of his native State. He emi- grated with his mother to Henry County in 1856, settling on section 31, of Center Township, where his step-father, Mathew McDowell, had purchased 130 acres of land, partially improved. Here the family still reside, and here on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1859, Mr. McDowell departed this life. Mr. Kerr purchased 130 acres of land on section 31 of Center Township, and now has a finely improved farm. On the 22d of October, 1863, Mr. Kerr led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza Ann Nicholson, a native of North Carolina. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; her parents, John and Sarah (Brooks) Nicholson, were natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the par- ents of eight children, all of whom are living: Andrew John, now in Missouri; Sarah, the wife of Albert Smith, of Center Township; Joseph Byron, Charles M .. Ira N., Leander B. and Mahlon A. are still at home.
Mr. Kerr's business is that of general farming: he is a well-educated man, having been a teacher in Pennsylvania for many years, and has taught ten terms in this county. He has held various town- ship offices, and his success in life has all been due to his own efforts. Though never enjoying good health, Mr. Kerr has worked on and now has the
reward due to those who help themselves. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are always ready to help those in need. They have the confidence and respect of the whole community. Mr. Kerr always casts his vote with the Republican party.
G EORGE W. LAIRD, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Henry County, lowa, is a native of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, Aug. 26, 1842. He resides on section 22, of Tippecanoe Township, where he has one of the finest cultivated farms in the county, 310 acres in extent, and the improvements alone which he has put on it have eost over $3,000. His parents were John and Susan (Ilooks) Laird, the former a native of Washington County, l'a., of Scotch and Irish ancestry, and the latter a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, of German and Welsh parentage. John Laird was born in 1813, and died Jan. 28, 1875. Ilis whole life was spent upon a farm, and at the time of his death he owned a handsome place of 160 acres in Athens County, Ohio, where he died. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his life was in accordance with the religion he espoused and consistent with the rules of the church with which he was connected. Politic- ally he was a Republican, and took great interest in all that pertained to his party. Since the death of her husband, Susan Laird has made her home a great part of the time with our subject. She was born Feb. 13, 1816, and for her age is a wonder- fully preserved lady, and she likewise is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The boyhood days of George W. Laird were spent upon a farm in Ohio, and in attending the district schools of his native State. At the age of twenty, on the 12th of September, 1862, he bade his friends good-bye, not knowing when, if ever, they should meet again, and responded to his country's call for troops. With the many brave boys in blue, he enlisted in Company 1, 7th Iowa Cavalry, serving till July 4, 1865. He participated in the following battles : Dutton Hill, Ky. ; Mt. Ster- ling, Ky .; Jonesboro, Tenn .; Bristol, W. Va .;
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New Market, Bull's Gap, Knoxville, Bean Station, Marysville, Morristown, Rogersville, all in Tennes- see; Cynthiana, Ky., where they fought against Morgan ; the seige of Atlanta, Duck River, Frank- lin and Nashville, all in Tennessee ; Mill's Bend, and in a battle with the rebel General, Forrest. The regi- ment then went on the Wilson raid, and were under fire at Valley Forge, Plantersville, Selma, Ala., Columbus, Ga., and in many other skirmishes. He served as orderly for Gen. Beard for two weeks at Danville, Ky. After his discharge he returned to his home at Athens, Ohio, where his parents had moved when he was but five years old, and com- meneed working on the farm of his father, continu- ing there for four years. Ilis first purchase of land, in 1868, was a farm of twenty acres in Hoeking Valley, Athens Co., Ohio. His marriage with Lydia Bowers was celebrated in Ohio, Nov. 27, 1869. She was the daughter of Abram and Fannie (Hamilton) Bowers, who were natives of Virginia, but she was born in the Buckeye State. Mr. Laird and his young bride commenced their domestic life on the farm which he had purchased, residing there nutil the fall of 1874. They emigrated to IIenry County at that time, where Mr. Laird purchased the place where he now lives, which then consisted of 120 aeres, to which he has since added, making his present farm of 310 aeres. In connection with gen- eral farming and stock-raising, he ships hogs and cattle to Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Laird reared a family of four children-Flora Alpha, John, Aliee, and Louida, deceased. The mother was called to her final home in 1878, and Mr. Laird was again married, his second wife being Margaret E. Under- hill, widow of Elisha Underhill. Her parents were John and Sanira (Clark) Johnson, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Tennessee. Mrs. Laird was born in Lee County, lowa. Two chil- dren have graced this second union-George Howel and Sherman lloward. Mr. Laird has been honored with the office of Justice of the Peace. For two years he was Township Clerk and is now Assessor, having held that office for four years. Reared in the political faith of the Republican party, he has never swerved from or lost sight of the fundamental principles of government as taught by it, and does not think that the " grand old party " has yet out-
lived its usefulness. Mr. Laird commenced life as a poor boy, but by hard labor, economy and hon- esty, has gained a competence, and among the peo- ple of Henry County none are more worthy of a place in this volume than George W. Laird and his family.
OHN B. LASHI, a retired merchant and pio- neer of Mt. Pleasant, of 1837, was born in Frankford, Hampshire Co., Va., June 8, 1808. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Barns) Lash, were also natives of the same State. The family had resided in Virginia since the Colo- nial days. His father was a saddler and harness- maker by trade. Our subject learned the trade with his father and worked at it until he reached manhood, when he engaged as a merchant's elerk, continuing in that capacity until 1836, when he went to Indi- ana, and the following year came to Mt. Pleasant. He was married in his native town to Mrs. Sarah Keller, a lady of brilliant accomplishments and great artistic talent. Her paintings, still in the pos- session of her family, are held by competent crities to be worthy of high praise. Mrs. Lash had two children by her former marriage: Serena, wife of Mr. Mohler, of Pennsylvania, and Martha, who was the wife of John Robertson. Both are now de- ceased. One child, a daughter, was born of the second marriage and died in infancy. Mrs. Lash died June 20, 1878.
In 1836 Mr. Lash left his native State and spent a short time in Indiana, where he arranged to bring a stoek of goods to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and to act as agent in their disposal for A. B. Hughes. IIe arrived at Mt. Pleasant in April, 1837, and opened the second store in that place, then consisting of a collection of log shanties with stick and mud chim- neys. Mr. Lash erected the first frame house upon the town site, put up the first brick chimney, im- ported the first brick, and built the first brick house in town. He continued to act as agent for Mr. Hughes for a few years, then bought the stock and began business for himself. After continuing the business for a short time alone, he, in 1849, formed a partnership with Samuel Smith and William Thompson, which relation continued until 1856;
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he was then out of business until 1860, when he took his brother Thomas as partner, which con- neetion continued until 1873, when he sold out to his brother, and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Lash, next to Presley Saunders, is the oldest pioneer merchant in Mt. Pleasant. For a period of fifty years he has been a prominent character in this eity, and few men are better known or more univer- sally respected, he having always borne the character of an upright man and good citizen.
Mr. Lash was a prominent man in the affairs of Mt. Pleasant and in Henry County, and his influ- ence was always given in favor of measures which were for the benefit of the county. In 1840 he was elected Representative in the Second Territorial Legislative Assembly, and re-elected in 1841. In the affairs of the town and city of Mt. Pleasant he took a leading part. In 1852 he was elected to the Council, re-elected in 1856, '57, '58 and '59, and again in '68, '69, '70 and '71-the latter being his last public service. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and independent in forming bis own opinions. An instance is given of this trait: When he reached his majority, it was naturally supposed, he having said nothing to the contrary, that he would vote the Whig ticket, as did his father, who was a warm supporter of that party. He surprised his friends, however, by voting the Democratie ticket, believing, he said, that was the better party. Since that time his allegiance has never wavered.
E DWIN A. LYMAN, editor and proprietor of the New London Eclipse, was born at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, April 30. 1864, and is a son of William and Mary (Hotchkiss) Lyman. IIe came with his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1872, and was educated in the common schools of that place. He learned telegraphy, and worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was engaged in operating about eight years. Ile came to New London in 1884, and in company with W. S. Dover, started the New London Sun, April 30, 1887, but sold his interest in August following, and on Aug. 13, 1887, issued the first number of the Eclipse, which is a seven-column folio, neutral in
politics, published on Thursday of each week. Mr. Lyman was married, Sept. 4, 1883, to Miss Minnie Philpott, daughter of Dr. Philpott. Mrs. Lyman was born in New London.
C HARLES E. MAGERS, one of the most popular young business men of New London, a dealer in staple and faney groceries, flour and feed, gloves, mittens and gents' furnishing goods, has been in active business in his present situation at New London since May 12, 1883. He was born in New London, Henry Co., Iowa, Jan. 8, 1863, and is the nephew and adopted son of Thomas II. Magers, a blacksmith of New London, who has worked at his trade since 1851 and has run a shop since 1854, and has the oldest shop in town.
Thomas II. Magers came to Burlington, Iowa, In 1849, and was born in Knox County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1815, and is the son of William and Drusilla (Sapp) Magers. Ile learned his trade in Mt. Ver- non, Ohio, and there was married, Jan. 18, 1844, to Miss Elvina Shopbell, daughter of Jacob and Cath- erine Shopbell. She was born in Westmoreland County. Pa., and by this union they have one child, Lewis M., who married Ella Fowler at New London, April 12, 1874, and has one child, Thomas Fred, born Jan. 13, 1877. Mr. Magers came to Iowa in October, 1849, worked at his trade two years, and in the spring of 1851 became a journey- man, working until 1854, when he opened his shop. His father was born in France, and came to Amer- ica just after the Revolution, living in the South, but finally settling in Ohio. His mother was born in Knox County, Ohio, and was of German and English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Magers are mem- bers of the Protestant Methodist Church. He is a member of Charity Lodge No. 56, I. O. O. F., of New London, and is respected alike by old and young, rich and poor. In politics he is a Demo- erat.
Charles E. Magers, the subject of this sketch, and adopted son of Thomas H. Magers, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native town, and served a regular apprenticeship to the blacksmith
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Prace I Gibson
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trade with his adopted father. After three years spent in the shop he concluded to make a change, and engaged in his present business. Mr. Magers is a young man of sterling qualities and business capacity. During his short career as a merchant he has built up a flourishing and rapidly increasing trade and established a gilt edge credit. Socially he is a courteous, genial gentleman, and is justly popular among the best citizens of his life-long home. He has been reared with the care and ten- derness of an own son by his foster-parents, who took him to their hearts and home while an infant in arms, and cared for him as their own. While they regard him with all the affection of real par- ents, they have the gratifying satisfaction of know- ing that the object of their regard is worthy of their love and care, and that he reciprocates their kindly sentiments in the fullest degree. In polities, he is an uneompromising Democrat.
SAAC T. GIBSON, farmer, was born in Greene County, near Oldtown, Ohio. in 1831, and is a son of Montelian and Sarah (Embree) Gibson, the former a native of Loudoun County, Va., and as both his parents died in that State, he came, in 1805, an orphan lad, to the Buckeye State. He learned the trade of milling at Ellicott's Mills, Va., and after he came to Ohio, hired to Thomas Embree, whose mills were situated on the Little Miami River, near Oldtown. For many years he managed the mill, and later married Sarah, the daughter of his employer.
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