Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 67

Author: Acme Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Acme Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 702


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 67


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Mrs. Miller, an estimable Christian Indy, and de- voted wife and mother, died May 9, 1887. She


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was a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church nearly all her life. Her husband and all her children, except the youngest, are members of the same denomination. Mr. Miller was a Whig in early life, and in 1855 helped to organize the Republican party in Henry County, of which he has since been an active supporter. Mr. Miller moved to his farm one-half mile southwest of New London in the spring of 1848. With the exception of three years spent in New London, he made that his home until the spring of 1865, when he moved to his present farm, which is located on section 13, New London Township, where he has 162 acres of well-improved and valnable land. llis post-office address is New London. Mr. Miller is a man of broad views and ripe experience, and is liberal and public-spirited, and most highly respected. He has always taken a warm interest in everything relating to the early history of Henry County and its people, and was the unanimous choice for President at the last meeting of the Old Settlers' Association of his township.


ILLIAM B. EUSK, a pioneer among pio- neers, and one of the few who yet remain to tell the story of the hardships endured by the early settlers, lives on section 1. Tippecanoe Township. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Carter County, April 4, 1803, and is a son of John and Jane (Boyd) Lusk, both of whom are also na- tives of Tennessee. Ilis paternal grandfather, Robert Lusk, was a native of Ireland, who came to this country when a mere boy and who served through the Revolutionary War. His maternal grandfather, William Boyd, was a native American and also served through the Revolutionary War. Both were early settlers in Tennessee. In his father's family there were fourteen children, all of whom lived to be adults. Of that number William was second in order of birth, and is the only surviving one. lle remained at home on his father's farm until seventeen years of age, when he engaged as a drover, buying stock, principally horses, and driv- ing them to Georgia and other States in the South, where he disposed of them. In this business he


continued about ten years and was very successful, accumulating in that time about $15,000. He then started a packing-house in Augusta, Ga., and dur- ing one season was engaged in pork packing. By reason of an unfavorable season his pork spoiled and he lost heavily. His misfortunes did not sour him, but thinking he might better himself in so do- ing, in 1834 he emigrated to Greene County, Ill., and squatted on a piece of land and there engaged in farming. In the winter of 1835 he came to Henry County, Iowa, and settled in Center Town- ship, where he remained one year and then moved to section 1, Tippecanoe Township, where he en- tered 160 acres of raw land, built a cabin in fron- tier style, and there he has since continued to reside. From time to time he has added to his possessions, until he now owns 1,700 acres of land, mostly under cultivation. In addition to general farming he has engaged extensively in feeding and shipping cattle and other stock, and has been one of the leading farmers of Ilenry County.


Mr. Lusk has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy Dixon, a native of Tennessee and daughter of Samnel Dixon. By that union was one child. Jasper, who now lives in Trenton Township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Nancy Lusk died in 1834. The second wife of Mr. Lusk was Sarah Jones, a native of Kentucky and daughter of Claybourn Jones, also a native of Kentucky. They were married in 1835. As hus- band and wife they lived happily together a period of fifty-two years, Mrs. Lusk dying July 15, 1887.


Few men have led a more active life than Will- iam B. Lusk. In every sense of the word he is a self-made man. Commencing life a poor boy he has twice made an independent fortune, while at the same time he has ever been liberal with relatives and friends. All that he has he has made by his own hard labor and habits of industry. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California and there en- gaged in mining for one year, being reasonably successful. Returning home he remained until 1852, when he once more made the overland trip to that new Eldorado, where he remained four years engaged in the stock business, adding greatly to his possessions. In 1860 he made the trip to Idaho, where he remained eight months engaged in the stock


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business. Ile has crossed the plains four times to the Pacific Coast and once made the trip by water. Politically he is a Jackson Democrat, and his first Presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson. As a citizen few men are better known and none more universally respected than William B. Lusk, the subject of this sketch, and a pioneer in Henry County for more than a half century.


L EWIS C. SCOTT, farmer, was born in Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, in 1824, and is the son of. William and Abigail (Cowgill) Scott, both of whom were born in Virginia, he in Lou- doun, and she in Hanover County. The parents of both moved from Virginia to Ohio as early as 1800, where both took claims in Columbiana County, improved farms, and there lived and died. William Scott, whose ancestors came from England with William Penn, and were among the first set- tlers of Pennsylvania, was a Friend, and his chil- dren, seven in number, were reared in that faith, He died in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 16, 1847. His children were Hiram, who wedded Elizabeth Gilbert, and came to lowa in 1848, and afterward went to Ohio and died; Margaret mar- ried first Gilbert Bailey, and after his death George Carlock, with whom she resides in Harrison County, Mo .; Lemuel N. wedded Priscilla Fouty, who after his death married Benjamin Cowgill; James C. be- came the husband of Margaret A. Cobb, and resides in New Waterford, Columbiana Co., Ohio; Rachel, deceased, was married to Isaac N. Hanson, who resides in California; Jehum, the youngest, married Maria Hanson, and also lives in California.


Our subject, who completes the list, with his mother and five of the younger children, came to this State in 1849, and first settled in Lee County, near Pilot Grove, and in 1850 the family removed to Salem, Henry County. They remained in Salem only one year and then removed to Mahaska County, where the mother died in 1867. Two of the children returned to Ohio, and two went to California, but our subject liked the fine climate, soil and society of Iowa well enough to continue a resident of this State, He returned to Salem and 1


purchased a farin of Joshua Cowgill in 1868, and since that time Mr. Seott has been actively em- ployed not only in agriculture, but also carrying on a harness and shoe shop, having learned that business in Salem before the removal of the family to Mahaska County. June 20, 1867, Mr. Scott became the husband of Mrs. Ann ( Montgomery) Dewitt, the daughter of John and Ann (Heward) Montgomery, who settled in Henry County in 1839, coming originally from New Jersey. Gen. Montgomery of Revolutionary fame was an nncle of John Montgomery, and four of the Ilewards were commissioned officers during the war of the Revolution. The grand-uncle of Mrs. Scott was a Captain in the War of 1812, and her first husband, Marion Dewitt, was a member of Company D, 14th Iowa Infantry, in the Civil War, and contracted disease in the service which ended his life. Lewis C. Scott is a man in whom his fellow-citizens place the utmost reliance, and his word has ever been as ' good as his bond. Born and reared a Friend, he has always affiliated with the society at Salem. His wife is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. One son was born to Mrs. Scott by her first mar- riage, Lorenzo B. Dewitt, yet unmarried. The last marriage has been blessed by the births of William, Rosetta, Annette and Abigail, all bright, intelligent children. It is pleasant to meet with intelligent people. and the public morals and social habits of a community are formed by just such people as these of whom we write. This sketch of Lewis C. Scott and family will be warmly welcomed by the pioneers and best people of Henry County, and it is with pleasure that we present it.


C HARLES C. SWAN, a farmer and breeder of Poland-China hogs, residing on section I, New London Township, Henry Co., Iowa, post-office address New London, is a native of Henry County, Iowa, and was born in Tippecanoe Township, July 13, 1849, and is the son of Hugh and Martha (Burson) Swan. His father, Hugh Swan, was an honored pioneer of Henry County, Iowa, of 1841, and was born in Greene County, Pa., Aug. 22, 1809, a son of Ilenry and Elizabeth


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(Bowan) Swan. His grandfather, Henry Swan, was born in Virginia, March 12, 1774, the family being of Welsh and English origin, established in Amer- ica in Colonial times. Hugh Swan was a hatter by trade, and carried on that business at Clarksville, Pa., where he was also engaged in hotel-keeping. He was married in his native county to Miss Mar- tha Burson, a daughter of Judge Thomas Burson, of Waynesburg, Greene Co., Pa. Seven children were born of the union of this worthy couple, six sons and one daughter: Thomas, born Aug. 20, 1832, who died March 11, 1835; Henry, born Sept. 1, 1834, died April 19, 1881 ; Elizabeth, born Sept. 15, 1836, died June 10, 1851 ; Thomas Rittenhouse, born Aug. 24, 1838, married Esther Winslow, by whom he had one child, a daughter, Lydia A., now Mrs. Leedham, of Colorado; Thomas R. was acci- dentally killed June 22, 1868; George Price was born Jan. 31, 1841, died Oct. 13, 1842; John Sam- ple, born Nov. 17, 1847, died Sept. 16, 1863, and Charles C., our subjeet. The five older children were born in Greene County, Pa .. and the two younger in Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Swan emi- grated to Henry County, Iowa, in 1841, and settled in Tippecanoe Township, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred June 8, 1851, of cholera, and his daughter Elizabeth died two days later of the same disease. Ilis wife sur- vived him several years, dying Oct. 5, 1865. Mr. Swan was a Whig in politics, and was one of the earliest Justices of the Peace of Tippecanoe Town- ship. He and his wife were earnest and devoted Christians, and members of the Presbyterian Church, and were held in high esteem in the com- munity in which they lived.


The early life of Charles C. Swan was spent on the farm until September, 1867, when he engaged as elerk with Mr. Reuben Eshelman, of Mt. Pleas- ant, and continued with that gentleman until Feb- ruary, 1873. He was married in Marion Township, Henry County, Feb. 13, 1873, to Miss Sarah Litzen- berg, a daughter of William and Amelia (Teagar- den) Litzenberg. Mrs. Swan was born in' Wash- ington County, Pa., Sept. 18, 1855, and came to Iowa with her parents in the fall of 1865, and re- sided in Marion Township, Henry County. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 25, 1811, and


is a farmer of Marion Township, and her mother was born in the same State and died in December, 1858; both were of German descent.


Mr. and Mrs. Swan have three children living, all sons, and lost an only daughter. Charles W. was born Dee. 13, 1873; Clark L., born May 16, 1877; Cora Grace was born May 11, 1879, and died July 8, 1881 ; Simeon Howard, the youngest, was born May 14, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Swan took up their residence on their present farm immedi- ately after their marriage, and have 269 acres in two farms, owned severally. Mr. Swan is exten- sively engaged in breeding and selling pure blood Poland-China hogs, in which he has been employed for the past fourteen years. He is a Republican in polities, and a member of Henry Lodge No. 10, I. O. O. F., of Mt. Pleasant.


h ENRY SULLIVAN. deceased, was a pioneer settler of Illinois, going to Knox County, in that State, from Ohio in the fall of 1836. In 1874 he removed to Henry County, Iowa, of which he was thercafter a resident, until his death, which vecurred July 20, 1885. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1815, whence he emigrated to Illmois in 1836, loeating first on the Rock River, in Henry County, but removing the following year to Knox County, settling near Gales- burg, where he engaged in farming until he came to Henry County, Iowa. Ile was married, Nov. 3, 1840, in Mercer County, Ill., to Miss Susannah Bruner, daughter of Rev. David Bruner, au earnest and devout pioneer Methodist preacher of Illinois. Mrs. Sullivan was born in Lawrence County, Ind., Feb. 12, 1819. Their union was blessed with four children, of whom but one is now living. Christie A. died at the age of eighteen; David A. was a Union soldier, enlisting in Company F, 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861, at the very beginning of the war, though but sixteen years old. Notwithstanding his youth, he proved himself a brave soldier, and was killed in the last assault made on Vicksburg under Gen. Grant, on May 22, 1863, giving his life for his country at the early age of eighteen. For a year previous to his death he


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had been orderly to Col. Momburg. The next child, James II., died at the age of three years. The only survivor of the family is the youngest, William R., who was born in Knox County, III., Aug. 12, 1854, and who is now Secretary of the Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company. le mar- ried June 5, 1877, at Mt. Pleasant, Anna M., daugh- ter of Hon. John B. Drayer, a former prominent resident of Mt. Pleasant, who was for many years County and Probate Judge of Henry County. Mrs. Sullivan was born in Butler County, Ohio, and was but three years of age when her parents came to Iowa. They have two children: William J. 11., born July 27, 1879, and Sue Zetta May, born June 11, 1881. Mr. Sullivan is, in politics, a Repub- lican, and personally and as a business man is justly held in high esteem in the community.


The elder Sullivan was a plain, straightforward man, thoroughly upright in character. In his youth he had been a Whig, but on its formation joined the ranks of the Republican party, with which he thereafter acted. He was an advocate of the cause of Prohibition, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than forty-five years, of which his widow has also been a member since childhood.


C ORRIDON PECK, one of the prominent stock-dealers of Scott Township, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1810. His parents were David and Elinor (Stockey) Peck, both of whom were natives of Belmont County, Ohio. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: John T., a resident of Mt. Pleasant, lowa, is engaged in stock-shipping; Corridon, of this sketch; Susan, wife of John W. Willis, of Louisa County, lowa; Jennie married Moses Hutchinson, of Belmont County, lowa; Mary A., widow of John Cameron, who was a sol- dier in the late war, taken prisoner and confined in the Libby, where he underwent all of the hard- ships of prison life, and died soon after being sent home; Elinor married Mr. Berry, of Belmont County, Ohio; Angeline, who is still single; George W., of Henry County, lowa, and William C., who is a school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Peek were noted


for their honesty and fair dealing and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. They were con- sistent members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Peck was a Jefferson Demoerat.


The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm and received a liberal education in Duff's Academy, at Pitsburg, receiving a diploma from that institution. On the 28th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany G, and was mustered into the United States service at Steubenville, Ohio. He was sent to Rich- mond, Ky., to reinforce Nelson, and while on the road to Louisville, was fired upon at Cynthiana. Ile participated in the battle of Perryville against Gen. Bragg, and was there detailed in the hospital. lle was mustered out of the service on account of disa- bilities.


lle first entered Iowa on the 8th of February, 1866, crossing the river on the ice at Burlington. When he left Ohio he intended going to California, and going to Omaha, he offered his services as a teamster, only asking his expenses to be paid. Not obtaining any chance to make the desired trip, he procured a situation as clerk in the Herndon House, at $50 per month. Soon after securing this situation it was reported that there was smallpox in the city, so Mr. P'eck left, going to Louisa County, where he had a brother living. Mr. Peck was engaged as a teacher in the Washington school for eight years during the winter, and during that time he spent his summers in farming. lle subsequently purchased land, and has been engaged in farming and stock- raising ever since. lle is one of the most exten- sive stock-buyers in this part of the county, and his farm, a fine one of 250 acres, is well stocked with the best grades of horses and cattle. In poli- tics, Mr. Peck casts his vote with the Democratic party.


MOS MCMILLAN was born in York Coun- ty, Pa., in the year 1805, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Cutler) MeMillan. George MeMillan was born and married in Pennsylvania, and during his lifetime was a farmer in York County. The MeMillans were Friends, and their ancestors came from England.


Anies Mimillan


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, 'E' ٢١١


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Their children were George, Eli, Susan, Amos, Jesse and Elisha. All the children came to this State and county, and all except the youngest and Jesse were married in Pennsylvania. George and Eli came first to Iowa about 1837, settling near Franklin, Lee County. They each entered lands, and were followed by the brothers Elisha, Jesse and Amos. All the sons entered lands, and they were purchased at the first land sale held at Burlington, by Eli, for the entire party. George was the first one married, Elizabeth Brunton becoming his wife. They brought with them to Iowa several children, and Eli, who was a bachelor, returned to Pennsyl- vania after they had located, and was married to Miss Caroline Vail. When they returned to Iowa Elisha, then a single man, accompanied them, IIe subsequently became the husband of Caroline Brown, of Franklin, Lee County. Her father was an early settler of that county, and a well-known and prominent man. Susan became the wife of Edward Wickersham, in Pennsylvania. Ile was for many years a farmer in Lee County, where he reared a large family of children. At the time of his death he was worth $100,000. Jesse also mar- ried a Brunton, Lydia, a cousin to his brother's wife. Amos was first wedded to Hannah Armitage, who bore ten children-Charles, George, Eliza, Jesse, Henry, Susan, Mary, and three who died in infancy. Four of these are living, and are all mar- ried except Charles. Jesse became the husband of Elizabeth IIill, and resides at Primrose, Iowa. Henry wedded Mary Hoover; they are both deceased, having left one son and two daughters. Susan is the wife of John Lewis, a farmer. Mr. Lewis was educated for the priesthood, but later determined to be a farmer. The death of Mrs. McMillan, mother of the children mentioned, oc- eurred in Lee County. At that time they resided on a fine farm, and the future was bright before them, but sorrow and bereavement come to all, but Mr. McMillan found comfort in the love and care of his children. Sevilla Andrews became his second wife, and was the mother of ten children : Elizabeth I., wife of Sylvanus Bonnal, a soldier during the Civil War, now a farmer of Lee County ; Sarah K., wife of Alexander Kreger, who died from the effects of wounds received at Pittsburg Land-


ing. She was the mother of one son by him, and afterward became the wife of Watson S. Kester, of this county. Arthur wedded Annie Carpenter ; Lydia A. is the wife of Levi Gregory, a minister of the Friends in Salem; Hannah died at the age of seventeen; Eunice is the wife of William Ilagan, of Keokuk County, and Florence wedded Albert Banta. Five children died in infancy. The death of his second wife occurred in Lee County, and he selected for his third wife Mrs. Sylvia Garretson, who was the daughter of Abijah and Elizabeth (Bailey) Johnson, of Oskaloosa. Her father was a merchant of that city, and was formerly in busi- ness at Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio. His father, Micajah, was a very wealthy and noted man in Warren County, Ohio, of which he was one of the first settlers, and David Bailey, her maternal grand- father, was equally well known, and was one of the earliest settlers of Clinton County, Ohio. On both sides the families were Friends, and were in their respective neighborhoods the first of their religion. David Bailey for more than forty-eight years never missed a quarterly meeting, and both men were exhorters and active members of the Society of Friends. Abijah Johnson had five sons and three danghters. All received their education in Lafay- ette, Ind., Mr. Johnson for several years being a resident of that vicinity. All these children have become noted. J. Kelly Johnson is District Judge, and resides in Oskaloosa; Eliza, daughter of Dr. J. P. Gruwell, became his wife. M. D. Johnson is a wholesale merchant of Los Angeles, Cal., and is married to Miss Sue Avery, a native of Boston, Mass .; Overton A. Johnson. a dry-goods merchant at Oskaloosa, lowa, wedded Lida Kemper, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Warren C., unmarried, also resides in Oskaloosa, where he owns and operates a machine-shop. Henry is a merchant of Los An- geles, Cal., and is married; Rebecca is the wife of William Ransom, of Salem, one of the wealthy men of this county ; for many years she was a teacher in the city schools of Oskaloosa, Annie is unmarried and resides with her brother in California, and has been for some time engaged in teaching music.


Mrs. Sylvia McMillan is a cultured lady, and received her education at Earlham College, Ind. In becoming the wife of Amos MeMillan she as-


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sumed the duties of a wife and mother, and nobly has she fulfilled for sixteen years her trust. The children of the first and second wives have been eared for as tenderly as if they were her own, and in return she is the recipient of their love and affec- tion in the highest degree, and is proud of the grandehildren and great-grandchildren of her hus- band. Our subject is the only one of his name now a resident of this county. lle has been a lib- eral father to his children, and in the pleasant mansion where we now write are assembled four generations of his family. Ile lives at ease, sur- rounded by all that comes to those who have diligently labored to earn a competenee for old age. Each of his children were presented by him with $2,000 eash, and some of them have become very wealthy, and Charles is a large land-owner. The children are all well educated, Charles and Jesse at West Point, Iowa, and the children of the first wife at Earlham College, near Richmond, Ind. The children of the second wife were educated at Whittier's College, in Salem. The family with one exeeption are members of the Society of Friends, and all who are in reach of it attend the Salem Monthly and Quarterly Meeting.


The portrait of Mr. McMillan, on a preceding page, shows him at his advanced age to be a man of more than ordinary capacity, both physically and mentally, and a true representative of the best class of Henry County's citizens.


HIEODORE SCHREINER, Grand Tyler of all the Masonic bodies in lowa, and for twelve years door-keeper of the Iowa State Senate, was born in Grosenbach, Bavaria, known as Rhenish Prussia, near the ancient historie city of Worms, June 18. 1811. llis father, the Rev. Carl Julius Schreiner, was a popular minister of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of his native town at the date of his son's birth, and continued so until death closed his earthly career, in 1818. By this sad event young Theodore, at the age of seven years, was eonsigned to the care of an uncle, who treated him with kindness, and provided for his


education at the village academy, where he received a fair German education with rudiments of Latin and French, and enough English so as to be able to read it readily, though he could not speak the lan- guage. When of suitable age he was apprentieed to a cabinet-maker, where he served the usual term, and by zeal and punctual attention to business ae- quired a thorough knowledge of his trade. In accordance with an old established custom, he then set out to travel and see the world, and fit himself for actual business. Young Schreiner in his travels wandered over Germany, Austria, Italy; Switzer- land and France. In 1830 (an eventful year in the history of Europe) he found himself in Paris, then the focus of the political world. It was during this, his first visit to the French capital (July, 1830), that the Revolution occurred that drove Charles X. from the throne. Our subjeet, then nineteen years of age, found himself with several young German students enrolled in the National Guard, and lis- tened to Lafayette while he harangued his troops from the saddle, in favor of liberty.




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