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 70
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
b A. GILMAN, M. D., Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was born at Gilmanton Center, Belknap Co., N. H., Jan. 15, 1845. His parents were William Henry Gilman and Sarah A. Gilman, nee Otis. The latter is still living. The father, William Henry Gilman, died Dec. 31, 1877.
Dr. Gilman received a classical education, and graduated from Gilmanton Academy, after a four years' course of study, in 1860, and was valedic- torian of his class. At the age of eighteen he commenced the study of medicine, under the tuition of Nahum Wight, M. D., and at the age of twenty-one, in October, 1866, gradnated at Dart- mouth Medical College. In December of the same year he received the appointment as Second Assist- ant Physician to the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane at Jacksonville, III., which position he held for a year and a half, when he was promoted to the position of First Assistant Physician, and in that capacity served the State of Illinois for fourteen and a half years.
July 25, 1882, Dr. Gilman was elected Superin- tendent of the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Early in life he manifested an earnest desire to obtain a liberal education, and was fond of literary and scientific pursuits. He had a hard struggle for an education, and is entirely self-made. Politically he has always been a stanchi Republican, descending from the old Whig and Federal stock. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, viz: Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Com- mandery of Knights Templar. He is also a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid and the Knights of Honor. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association of Jack-
sonville, Ill., and for four years its President. To him is largely due the credit of erecting a com- modious and cheerful home for the association, he having himself contributed liberally and secured a large portion of the $14,000 required to complete and furnish it. He is an active member of the Congregational Church.
The same indomitable perseverance that charac- terized his early years, and by which he mastered the situation, is manifest in his more mature life. In his profession, as indicated by his promotion. he has achieved eminence and distinction, and among the unfortunate class to whom his life-work is devoted, he is looked upon with that feeling of confidence and affection which can only result from the unselfish kindness and ever-watchful care of a true physician.
Upon assuming the superintendency of the hos- pital at Mt. Pleasant he immediately commenced active operations to repair the old building, intro- ducing a complete and effective system of ventila- tion, renewing the plastering, woodwork, floors, and repainting throughout, also refurnishing all the wards for patients with comfortable beds, and cheerful accompaniments.
During this period he informed himself of the number and condition of the insane in the State, and persistently agitated the importance of further accommodations, under State care and supervision. Showing the sad condition of the hundreds unable to be thus cared for, he appealed to the humanity of the people, and the legislatures as they con- vened. As a result, with the aid of others who were interested in this philanthropic work, aecom- modation for 400 more has been made at the Mt. Pleasant Hospital, and 200 at the Independence Ilospital, and a third hospital partially completed at Clarinda, which, when the plan is executed, will accommodate 1,000.
On the 29th of November, 1866, he married L. Amanda, widow of the late Lewis J. Gale, and daughter of the late Capt. George W. Moody, of Gilmanton, by whom he has had four children : Es- telle Amy, born Aug. 18, 1868, died Jan. 23, 1871 ; Frederick Albert, born Jan. 22, 1872. died July 1, 1876; Nahum Wight, born July 1, 1877, and Ju- lian Sturtevant, born March 8, 1882.
589
HENRY COUNTY.
This brief sketch of Dr. Gilman would be incom- plete without further reference to his work sinee his taking charge of the Iowa Hospital for the In- sane, at Mt. Pleasant. Under his judicions and able management the usefulness of the institution has been largely increased. Not only in the reme- dial measures taken for the benefit of the unfortn- nate class for whom the hospital is designed, but in matters of administration has his good judg- ment and executive ability produced most excel- lent results. The appropriations made by the Leg- islature for enlargement of the buildings have been wisely expended, and the capacity of the institu- tion increased beyond the most sanguine expecta- tions of its friends. In the report of the Trustees, of July 1, 1887, the following acknowledgment is made of the services of Dr. Gilman in this respect:
"The money was expended as directed nnder the supervision and direction of Dr. Il. A. Gilman, Superintendent, and was completed, furnished, heated and lighted within the $100,000 appropriated, and was ready to receive patients by March 1, 1887, and is now almost filled, and has furnished great relief when it was so much needed.
" The structure is built of stone, is of the most substantial character, and contains ample aecommo- dations for 200 patients and their attendants, as provided in said aet; and we have no hesitancy in saying that it is not only one of the best constructed buildings in the State, but that in point of econ- omy in its ereetion, we will challenge comparison with any similar structure anywhere. This is due to the active vigilance and perfeet knowledge of just what was needed, possessed by Superintendent Gilman, who had charge of its construction; and in employing, when it could be done, the labor of the patients, many of whom are physically able and willing to work, and who were much benefited thereby."
In the management of the internal affairs of the hospital Dr. Gilman has shown equal efficiency. Under his care, a large number of patients have been discharged, relieved or cured, and the condi- tion of those deemed incurable, greatly ameliorated. The report of the Superintendent, incorporated in the Trustees' report already mentioned, shows that during the preceding two years, in addition to those
already in the hospital, 767 patients had been ad- mitted, and 604 discharged. Of the latter, 235 had entirely recovered; 131 were much improved; 124 were unimproved, and 114 died. These results are gratifying to Dr. Gilman, and to all humanita- rians, who have at heart the amelioration of the con- dition of those unfortunate human beings suffering from that worst of all disorders-brain disease and mental aberration. To the relief and eure of this class of diseases Dr. Gilman has dedicated his life, and his success in his chosen vocation is the legiti- mate result of his untiring zeal, constant study of the best modes of treatment, and personal care in insuring that the measures devised for the relief of those under his charge shall be carried out as directed.
Since removing to Mt. Pleasant, Dr. Gilman has acquired the confidence and respect of its citizens in an eminent degree, and the hope is widely ex- pressed that he has become a permanent resident of Henry County.
W ASHINGTON MULLIN, Mayor of Win- field, Iowa, and one of the prominent farmers of Scott Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 30, 1838. His parents were Nathan and Mary A. (Borton) Mullin, the former a native of Warren County, Ohio, and the latter born in New Jersey. Isaac Mullin, the grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Warren County, and at the time he went there he had to eut his way through the heavy timber for miles. The marriage of Nathan Mullin and Mary Borton was celebrated in his native county, and there two sons and six daughters were born unto them: Washington, the subject of this sketch; Marietta, wife of David Bomgardner, of Los Gatos, Cal .; Lucinda, wife of Truman Schenk, of Park City, Utah; Harrison, a resident of Ogden, Ohio; Emma, wife of Calvin Hadley, of Harveysburg, Ohio; Esther, who married Jacob Ilale, of Ogden, Ohio; Ada, wife of Crispin Lippincott, of Harveysburg; Ohio; Lola, born in Trenton, Henry Co., Iowa, married Theodore Lawrence, and is now living in
590
HENRY COUNTY.
Harveysburg, Ohio. In April, 1856, Nathan Mul- lin left his home in Ohio and came to Ilenry County, first settling in Mt. Pleasant. Remaining there but a short time he removed to Trenton, where he pur- chased property with the intention of making a home, but Mrs. Mullin being dissatisfied, he returned to Ohio, where, during the remainder of bis life, he resided. Politically, Mr. Mullin in early life was an old-line Whig. There was no man in that sec- tion of the country who was better posted on all political questions than he. Both he and his wife were reared, lived and died in the Friends' faith. Naught could be said against such people, and they were everywhere known and respected for their honesty and integrity. Mr. Mullin was called to bis final home in 1882, and by his death a happy union of nearly half a century was broken. His wife still survives him, and resides in Harveysburg, Warren Co., Ohio.
Washington Mullin, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to Henry County when eight- een years of age. His early education was limited, he receiving but three months' schooling in the winter, while he was compelled to work upon the farm in summer, but by reading and the aid of experience he has gained a good practical educa- tion. In the fall of 1859 Mr. Mullin led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth L. Felgar, a native of Ohio. She came with her parents to Henry County in 1846, they being pioneers of the county. Mrs. Mullin is a lady who is highly respected for her many good qualities. In the winter of 1859-60 Mr. Mullin was engaged as a teacher near Trenton, and in the following spring he moved upon his present beautiful farm adjoining Winfield. Here be embarked in farming and stock-raising, and for five years during the winter, as the work upon the farm was finished, he taught school. In 1881 Mr. Mullin laid out what is known as Mullin's second addition to Winfield, his father having previously laid off an addition. Mr. Mullin has a fine farm of 100 aeres under a high state of cultivation, which is stocked with a fine grade of Short-horn cattle and English draft horses. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has held several local offices in the township, has been Mayor, and has been Justice of the Peace for four years. Socially, Mr. Mullin is a
member of the I. O. O. F., has filled all the large offices, and has been representative to the Grand Lodge several times.
Mr. and Mrs. Mullin are the parents of four liv- ing children : Lucinda V., wife of Wesley James, of Iowa City; Alberta L., wife of George Kepper, farmer of Scott Township; Mary A. and Virgie L., at home. Mr. Mullin has been an ardent worker for the Agricultural Society of Winfield, and to him much eredit is due for its prosperity. He is at present Mayor of Winfield, and is favorably known throughout the community as a man of enterprise and integrity.
AVID PARKINS, farmer, was born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, July 22, 1812, and is a son of Stephen and Catherine (Ogan) Par- kins. Both families were natives of Vir- ginia, near Winchester, and both emigrated to Ohio about the same time, settling in the same locality, when the Ohio country was new and undeveloped. Onr subject thinks it was prior to 1800, and in the adjoining county west the Indians held undisputed possession. Only a small settlement was made at Cincinnati, a small one at the mouth of the Mns- kingum River, and only a few men had taken claims or entered land along the Ohio. Stephen Parkins lived to see almost ninety-three years of life, and both himself and wife lived and died in Ohio. They were Friends, and Mr. Parkins would not take up arms during the War of 1812; but after being drafted and still refusing to serve, officers came and took all his hogs, his cow, and whatever else they could find, which were sold to pay his fine. This, coming in the dead of winter, made it hard for the family to subsist; yet they managed to recover the loss, and at the time of his death Ste- phen Parkins was in prosperous circumstances. They were the parents of fourteen children, thir- teen reaching maturity, and all are living except one daughter, Phemy, who was the wife of Jesse Hart- sock. The others were named respectively : David, our subject; Ann, Hannah, Peter, Stephen, Eliza-
DAVID PARKINS.
THE NEW YORK FIK BRAK .
593
HENRY COUNTY.
beth, Jonathan, Lewis, John, Catherine, Martha and Mary. Six of these children came to Iowa, and are now residents of this State. All were married in Ohio, except our subject, and the families are well settled in life in their respective localities.
David Parkins was married in Henry County, Ind., in 1837, to Miss Mary Burk, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Burk, who were natives of Vir- ginia. They were also early settlers in Belmont County, Ohio, but prior to the death of her parents all removed to Indiana. David intended entering land further west before his marriage, but after securing the lady to whom his troth was plighted. before the Burks left Ohio, he rented a little farm, and the young couple settled near her parents; and about four years later he purchased land upon which they remained until their removal to Iowa. Children blessed their union, all born in Indiana. William H., who wedded first Eliza J. Hobson, and after her death another Iowa lady ; Stephen, a resi- dent of Fairfield, wedded Mary, a sister of Eliza Hobson; Levi, who manages his father's farm, wed- ded Hannah Tribby. In 1854 Mr. Parkins and family removed to this State, settling four miles north of West Point, in Lee County, where he pur- chased an 80-acre farm. In 1856 he sold that land and removed to Henry County. purchasing the farm upon which he now resides. Ile purchased a 130-acre tract, and his successes in life are due to his own energy, for when he was first married he was worth only $100, but his wealth to-day is esti- mated by thousands. His wife, who was a true helpmeet during their married life, died in 1869, and one year later he was wedded to Miss Rhoda Comstock, of Wisconsin, born in New York State, who came to this county in order to be in a neigh- hood of the Society of Friends. She found favor in the sight of our subjeet, and became his wife. For some time her health has been failing, but her devoted husband lightens every care, and she is provided with all the comforts that wealth brings, and in their roomy house all attention is given to her that is possible to bestow.
In his seventy-sixth year, our subject finds him- self a retired farmer, with the esteem of his fellow- men, with abundance at his command, and within fifteen minutes' ride of village, church and railway.
Ilis farm has increased from 130 to 250 acres of land.
We are pleased to give him a place among those of his fellow-townsmen, and this sketch will be welcomed by all readers of the ALBUM.
The portrait of Mr. Parkins, on the adjoining page, will be welcomed by his many friends in the county, who justly regard him as one of its most upright and conscientious citizens.
IIILIP SUMMERS, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, flour, feed, etc., Mt. Pleas- ant, Henry Co., Iowa, has been established in business in that place since 1870. Ile was born in Shelby County, Ohio, near Sidney, Nov. 7, 1831, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret Summers, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Philip was reared in his native State, and remained in Shelby County until April, 1850, when he and his brother Robert followed his father to Iowa, locating in New London Township, Henry County, where he engaged in farming on a place near his father's. In the spring of 1864 he assisted in organizing a party for a trip to California. His father, brothers John and George, and sister Mary A. were of the party. They had an outfit com- posed of three wagons, four yoke of oxen, a pair of horses, two cows, and several loose horses. On reaching Omaha the elder Summers went to visit a neighbor, Thomas Johnson, who was with a large party camped not far off. He stopped with them all night, and the next morning his own train started without him, and he did not find it again until they all arrived at Boise City, Idaho. The Summers party escaped collision with the Indians, while the larger train, with which his father was then traveling, was attacked, their stock stampeded, and one man killed. On reaching the South Pass they learned there was but little grass for their stock on the direct route, and they struck off north- ward into Idaho and Washington Territory, and thence through Oregon to California. They left Mt. Pleasant in April, and arrived in California the following September. Our subject walked every. step of the way, and waded or swam all the rivers
594
HENRY COUNTY.
in his zeal to make the most of the trip. On reach- ing the Pacific Coast the party first stopped at Yreka, Siskiyou County, thence to Sacramento City, and from there to Nevada City, Cal. Mr. Summers explored the coast country pretty thor- oughly, and was one of the party who explored the celebrated Mt. Shasta, on which they reached a great altitude. For five years our subject engaged in mercantile pursuits in Nevada City, and in the fall of 1869 returned East. Jan. 20, 1870, he was married at Sidney, Shelby Co., Ohio, to Miss Re- becca E. Lemon, daughter of Hector Lemon, of that place. She was born in Dinsmore Township, that county, Jan. 29, 1838, her parents being from Chester County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Summers have one child : Harry R., born at Mt. Pleasant, Nov. 28, 1871.
In April, 1870, Mr. Summers returned to Iowa, and the same spring embarked in his present busi- ness at Mt. Pleasant, in which he has since been continuously engaged. Prior to going to Cali- fornia he had purchased a number of land warrants, which he located in Kansas, Missouri and lowa, and spent considerable time in traveling back and forth in that business, and in visits to his old home in Ohio. He and his wife are regular attendants at the Pres- byterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. In polities he has always been a strict Demoerat, and is at present Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Ilenry County, but he has never sought or wished for office. He has now been in business in Mt. Pleasant for eighteen years, and is classed among the prosperous and respected citizens of Henry County.
ASON BAYLES, a farmer residing on sec- tion 21, Canaan Township, Henry Co., lowa, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1833, and is a son of Joseph and Ann ( Arrowsmith) Bayles. Joseph was a na- tive of Monongalia County, Va., the wife of Ohio, but her parents removed from Maysville, Ky., to Champaign County, in 1806, probably about the date of her birth. The Bayles also arrived in But- ler County, Ohio, about the same time, remaining
two years, when a permanent location was made in Champaign County. David Bayles, the paternal grandfather, wedded Sarah Thornton, and reared a large family of children, all of whom were born in Virginia. After coming to Ohio David entered a large tract of land near Tremont, which he im- proved, and upon this both he and his wife lived, and he died there at the advanced age of eighty-six. Ilis widow removed to Lexington, Ky., and died there two years later, also aged eighty-six years. With John, his eldest son, David Bayles was instrumental in the formation and organization of Mad River Township in Champaign County, each being one of its first Trustees. David and his three eldest sons, John, Coats and David Bayles, Jr., were soldiers during the War of 1812. The two eldest sons were present and included in Hull's surrender. Coats was Captain of a company. David Bayles, Jr., was a member of the army operating at that time in the East, thereby escaping capture. William, the fourth son, wedded a daughter of Moses Corwin, of Urbana, studied law and practiced in the courts of the county and State for several years prior to his death. Jesse, the sixth son, was appointed Colonel of the Ohio State Militia by the Governor in 1825, and was known by that title during the remainder of his life. Ile was an active politician, and widely known. He later removed to Lexington, Ky., and during the late war organized and was in command of the 4th Kentucky Cavalry. He was an ardent Whig, and was Chairman of the Clay Committee during the Presidential campaign of 1844, and the entire family of Bayles are to-day members of the Republican party.
Joseph, the fifth son, was the father of our sub- ject, and one of the leading citizens in that county in every enterprise. He received his education in Urbana, and wedded Miss Ann Arrowsmith when twenty-six years of age. About that time Ezekiel Arrowsmith gave his daughter a portion of his farm, and there the young couple began their do- mestic life. All their children were born there, namely: Celenira, wife of Joseph Hixon; Sarah A., wife of JJames Mickelwaite; John M., husband of Sylvia Waterman; Smith, husband of Sarah Mendenhall. Then came our subject, followed by Elizabeth, who married James Turner, and Jesse W.,
595
HENRY COUNTY.
who was wedded in California to Mamie Ford. All these children are living and happily married. In 1845 Joseph Bayles with his family removed to Iowa, settling near Hillsboro, this county. He purchased 200 acres, partly improved, and there those good people resided for many years. Both he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Ohio. After coming to Iowa they were equally ardent in Christian work, and aided in the organization of the early churches in their neighborhood, in Lee, Ilenry and Van Buren Coun- ties. Both died regretted, he at the age of eighty, she in her fifty-sixth year.
Our subject was educated in Mt. Pleasant, gradu- ating in the classical department of the Iowa Wes- leyan University in 1859. On the day of his grad- nation, June 22, 1859, his wedding was celebrated, Miss Maggie Corkhill becoming his wife. She was a daughter of William H. and Mary A. (Baker) Cork- hill, of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Corkhill was a large land-owner in this county, and offered his son-in- law an opportunity for engaging in the cattle busi- ness upon his lands in Canaan Township, which offer was accepted, and for three years that enter- prise was conducted upon an extensive scale.
With the first call to arms, after the firing upon Ft. Sumter, came a desire to enlist and lend his aid in upholding the old flag. Enlisting as a private in the first company formed in this part of the country, he was soon afterward made an officer, and rose from rank to rank, filling every position, except Orderly Sergeant, and becoming Captain of the company in two months. The company was known as the Canaan Home Guards, but was never assigned to any regiment. Six months later the company was disbanded. and was never re-or- ganized. In July, 1862, Capt. Bayles was ap- pointed by the Commissary General, J. P. Taylor, to a place in the Subsistence Department, Army of the Potomac, with headquarters at the 2d. Brigade, 2d Division, of the 2d Army Corps, then in front of Richmond, remaining in that depart- ment until December, 1863. He was then appointed Inspector of the Subsistence Department of the 2d Corps by the command of Gen. Warren, and Feb. 23, 1864, he was again promoted, receiving from the United States Senate confirmation as
Captain and Commissary of Subsistence, United States Volunteers. After this confirmation by the Senate Capt. Bayles was invited by the Commis- sary General to come to Washington, and upon his compliance his commission was presented in person by the General, A. B. Eaton, who upon its presenta- tion remarked that "it did not often occur that com- missions were either given or received personally. Upon you is bestowed a work of great responsibility, and I hope you will fully appreciate the magnitude of its importance. Return to your division, report to Col. Wilson, who will assign you to duty." The Colonel had been notified by telegraph, and upon his return Capt. Bayles found orders awaiting him. Hle was assigned to duty with the 2d Brigade, artillery reserve, Army of the Potomac, Maj. John Bigelow, of the 9th Massachusetts Artillery, in command. On the route to Richmond this eorps was disbanded, and the Captain was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac, Gen. John F. Hartranft in com- mand. His next assignment was in August of the same year, as Chief Commissary of the second di- vision of the same army corps, Gen. Wilcox in command. In December Capt. Bayles was tempo- rarily assigned Chief Commissary of the 9th Corps. The following March his first leave of ah- senee was granted. He returned to his wife and boy at Mt. Pleasant, finding them in the best of health, and to add to his pleasure, his ten days' leave of absence was inereased to fifteen, and an accompanying order from the Secretary of War appointing him Commissary of Subsistence, United States Volunteers, with the rank of Major, and an assignment to duty as Chief Commissary of Cav- alry of the Army of the Potomac, awaited him. On the eighth day after leave of absence was granted Maj. Bayles hastened to the front, re- maining with his command until the close of the war. He was present at every engagement in which his command participated, from and including the second battle of Bull Run to the surrender of the rebel army at Appomattox, except the battle of Bristoe Station, Oct. 14, 1863. After Lee's sur- render, the command having returned to Peters- burg, they were moved in great haste to the border of North Carolina, to aid in the capture of John-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.