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 72
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snowstorm came. This shanty was built by nailing sheeting-boards to posts set in the ground, but these afforded but little protection from the inclement weather. The first visitor that came to the shanty was a lean, gaunt wolf, and these brutes often prowled about the place in the night-time. A
neighbor of Mr. Ratliffe gave him a dog. but the acquaintance between the cur and his owner was far from confiding, and when his master urged him to chase the hungry wolves, the hound would crawl under the shanty and howl. Soon, however, the new frame house was completed, and the greater part of the winter of 1839 was spent in it. After fairly opening his new farm. Mr. Ratliffe sold it and pur- chased a claim in Keokuk County, near timber. This he entered and improved, but three years later returned to Henry County and purchased his present farm on section 32, Jackson Township, which has been his home to date. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ratliffe: Emily, married to Joseph Hliatt, is the mother of Albert. Samuel and Minnie, the latter being educated at Whittier College and graduating at the Normal School, has taught twelve consecutive terms of school in this and other counties, and during the winter of 1887 taught school in District No 7, Jack- son Township. Albert, Mr. Ratliffe's eldest son, was a volunteer soldier, and belonged to Company E, 14th Iowa Infantry, and died of disease while in camp at St. Louis; George died in childhood; William. unmarried, was three years a soldier in the 30th Illinois Infantry, and passed unharmed through some of the most desperately fought bat- tles of the war; Tamar is the wife of J. H. Taylor, of Red Oak, Iowa, a prosperous farmer; Thomas, also a farmer, resides in the same neighborhood, and is the husband of Alice McAllister; he is a student of Whittier College, and taught school for several years in Montgomery County, Iowa. Mary L. became the wife of Joel Stewart, a farmer of Richland, Keokuk Co., Iowa: Laura is the wife of A. J. Butler, of Sherman County, Kan .; Oscar is unmarried and resides at Red Oak ; Huldah married James Ilall, a resident farmer of Sherman County, Kan .; and Charles died unmarried, at the age of twenty-two years. Mrs. Ratliffe died March 3, 1874. Hler husband has remained true to her mem-
ory. and has for his housekeeper his daughter. Mrs. Hiatt, who in the care of her aged father, now an invalid, finds an opportunity to repay in part the attention given her when a favorite danghter under the paternal roof.
Forty-eight years spent in this county, with their toil and care, have whitened the hair of our subject, and made him an aged man. His congeniality has, however, not diminished. and his pioneer friends of the early days still find pleasure in his companion- ship. An old and well-known citizen, he has in a marked degree the respect of his friends and neigli- bors, and not only they but future generations will look with interest upon his portrait, which we take pleasure in presenting as the fit embellishment of this sketch.
OHN C. BOWMAN. a dairyman and farmer residing on section 21, Center Township, Henry Co., Iowa. was born in Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, July 13, 1835, and is a son of John and Zilpah (Hull) Bowman, now resi- dents of California. He came with his parents to Mt. Pleasant in 1844, when but a lad of nine years, was educated at Farr's private school at that place. and was married, Jan. 7. 1862, to Miss Eliza A. Saunders, daughter of Presley Saunders, the founder of Mt. Pleasant. She was educated at Howe's Academy. at Mt. Pleasant, her instructor being the same person who taught Gen. John Sherman and Chief Justice Chase. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are the parents of three living children : Flora S., wife of Charles A. McCloud, of York, Neb .: Roscoe P., who was one of the pioneer settlers of Greeley County, Kan., married Emma Laird, of Mt. Pleas- ant. and has one son, Barney : Myrtle E. died at the age of five : Everett N. resides at home. In 1864 Mr. Bowman went to Petaluma, Cal., where he was engaged in the hardware trade, being also interested in the gas works. he putting in gas works in many of the towns and principal residences. Remaining in California until 1882, he then returned to Henry County, since which time he has been engaged in farming. Mrs. Bowman is a member of the Chris- tian Church, and there her family attends. This
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worthy couple have always been identified with the improvements and publie enterprises of the county, and Mr. Bowman, politically a Republican, is always ready to aid in the advancement of his party's interests.
John Bowman, Sr., was born in Sharon, Mereer Co., Pa., Dec. 25, 1802, and in that county grew to manhood, receiving a liberal edneation. He married Zilpah IIull, daughter of Beshara and Rhoda Hull, the former a Captain in the Revolutionary War. John Bowman, of this sketch, has one brother, James, of Mercer County, Pa. Nine chil- dren have been born to this worthy couple, six of whom are yet living; Besharer, who died in San Francisco, Cal., was the husband of Lillie Baldwin, by whom he had one child, Jennie; Rhoda, wife of Henry C. Saunders, resides in Mt. Pleasant, and has a family of six children, two of whom died in infancy ; those living are Monte, Ona, Frank and Anna; Frank M., of Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., married Belle Dodson, who died, leaving one child who is now dead, and he was again married, to Ella Me- Cash, three children gracing their union-Bell, Willie and Charles. John C., a resident of Henry County, married Miss Eliza A. Saunders; Philo Newton resides in Petaluma, Cal .; Anna, deceased wife of Frank Jacobs, of Ohio, was the mother of one child, now dead; Jerome F., of Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., married Josephine Cameron, and to them four children have been born; Henry C. mar- ried Jennie Pugh, and to them has been born one child, a daughter.
In 1844 Mr. Bowman came to Mt. Pleasant, where he embarked in the hatter's trade, his principal bus- iness being among the Friends who wore tall white hats, but he always kept the latest styles of hats in stock. In 1846, having sold out that business, he purchased and became the proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, which he kept until 1851, but selling out during that year, he removed to West Union, Fay- ette Co., Iowa, and there purchased a farm of 160 aeres on which he remained three years, then returned to Mt. Pleasant, and engaged in the dry-goods busi- ness until 1866, when he removed to Petaluma, Cal., where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Dec. 1, 1887. In polities he formerly voted with the Whigs, but subsequently was a
Republican. He was a man of good business abil- ity, a great Bible student, and a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife also belonged. They stood high in the community where they resided and were greatly esteemed wherever they were known.
C HRISTIAN WENGER, a farmer residing on section 10, Jefferson Township, was born in Switzerland in 1833, and is a son of Chris- tian and Mary (Roth) Wenger. In 1852 he became a citizen of Washington County, Iowa, his father at that time being a man of limited means, who had worked hard in Canada to make a home. He reared a large family, and his descendants are worthy and most highly respected.
Christian Wenger was married in this county to Elizabeth Goldsmith, in 1850, and at that time he had only money enough to buy what was needed to furnish his home, and pay the wedding expenses. His first farming was done in Washington County on rented land, and the next year he purchased 100 acres, going in debt for the whole amount, $1,600. Eight years he remained on that tract, paid for it and saved $1,000 more, with which he bought the eighty aeres on which he now resides. From 1858 he has accumulated, by the hardest labor, 605 acres in this county, and the same farm in Washington County, upon which his first start in life was made. Mr. Wenger knows what hard times are, having sold wheat for forty cents, taking one-half in trade, hogs for $2, and corn by the thousands of bushels, at fifteen cents per bushel. His lands were bought at from $20 to $40 per acre, and the farms averaged $33 per acre. He began to raise stock soon after he commeneed farming, but the first two years he had not enough to sell to pay the interest on his debts. Now all this is changed; on one of the best farms in the township he has erected fine buildings, and his farm almost resembles a village in itself from the number of barns and out-buildings, and the briek mansion was ereeted in 1875. Mr. Wen- ger is a large breeder of horses, and now owns thirty head. His stallions are all imported and are four in number, three of them prize winners. They are
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valued at $6,000. Prefer, a four-year-old gray, took at the exposition in France, when one year old, the gold medal, which Mr. Wenger has in his possession. Duke, a Clyde stallion, likewise took the medal in Canada, from which place Mr. Wenger brought him. In fact, he is owner of more fine stallions than any farmer in Henry County.
Mr. Wenger is the largest land-owner, and the heaviest taxpayer in Jefferson Township, which is saying much for a man who came a few years ago from Switzerland without a dollar, and his sons are rapidly developing into the best of business men. A new daughter was recently welcomed into the family, Katie Henss, who wedded Joseph, the eld- est son, mention of whom is elsewhere made.
To complete the history of the family, we add the sketch of Joseph Goldsmith, the father of Mrs. Wenger. Rev. Joseph Goldsmith was one of the first ministers of the Mennonite faith in Iowa, and was the second in Lee, and the first in this county to organize a church. The Trenton Church is made mention of in the sketch of the Rev. Sebastian Gerig, and no man was more widely known in this part of the State, during his lifetime, than Rev. Goldsmith. For more than a half century he was an active and faithful member in the cause of re- ligion, mueh of which time was spent as an itinerant minister. In Canada West he began preaching, having united with the church in Lancaster County, Pa. Both himself and his wife were born in Germany, were married in Lancaster County, Pa., and were the parents of twelve children, of whom one is now deceased. Elizabeth Miller be- came the wife of Joseph Goldsmith in 1823, and for fifty-three years she was to him a lov- ing and devoted wife. The death of Rev. Joseph Goldsmith occurred in April, 1876: his widow, yet surviving, is now in her eighty-first year. The family first left Pennsylvania and located in Canada : from thence they removed to Butler County, Ohio. From that county and State they came to lowa, making first a home in Lee County, settling there in the spring of 1837. The last residence of the family was in Trenton Township. The Rev. Gold- smith made a fine farm in Lee County, placing every stiek upon it, and erected fine buildings.
As the children grew to maturity, they aided
largely in the work. The farm in Trenton Town- ship was partly improved, and the removal made in the spring of 1845. Their children were named : John, now husband of Barbara Slonecher; Catlı- erine, who wedded Joseph Oxlenger, of Butler County, Ohio, is the only child deceased; Lydia yet unmarried, resides with her widowed mother at Wayland; Benjamin married Martha Houder, and resides in Trenton : Joseph married Magdalene Kin- singer, and resides in Butler County; Elizabeth is the wife of Christian Wenger, Sr .; Christian is married, and resides in Butler County, Ohio; Peter married Eva Summers, and resides near Cheyenne, Wyo .; Jacob married Lena Sehontz, and resides in Wayne Township, Henry County; Naney mar- ried Michael Roth, a resident of Jefferson Town- ship; Magdalene is the wife of Rev. Sebastian Gerig, whose history appears elsewhere in this work; Fannie is the wife of Rev. Joseph Gen- gerieh, of Johnson County, Iowa.
W ILLIAM HARRIS, residing on section 28, Center Township, Ilenry Co., Iowa, is a farmer and stock-raiser, and was born in Devonshire, England, on the 24th day of September, 1840. Ilis parents were Thomas and Maria (Weeks) Harris, both of whom were also natives of Devon- shire, England. They emigrated to America in 1850, settling in Stephenson County, III., subse- quently removing to Olmsted County, Minn., loeat- ing near Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living-Samuel, William, Thomas, John, Rosa E. and Maurice. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harris are still living, and are members of the Seventh-Day Ad- ventist Church.
The subject of this sketeh was but ten years old when his parents came to this county, and received but a common-school education. William Harris was united in marriage with Miss Estella A. Pieree, in Olmsted County, Minn., Dec. 30, 1869. She was born in Washington County, Vt .. July 27, 1850, and is the daughter of Stephen and Almira (Tarbell) Pierce, both of whom were natives of Cavendish, Vt. Mr. Pieree was a stonemason by
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trade, and helped to build the capitol at Mont- pelier, Vt:, Augusta, Me., and also the forts of Boston Harbor. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were the par- ents of three children: Benjamin T. died at the age of eighteen; Oliver W. died when thirty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce removed from Vermont to Mower County, Minn., in 1865. From there they came to Henry County, lowa, in De- cember, 1874. He was a Seventh-Day Adventist, sometimes preaching for that church, and always taking an active interest in the church work. On the 21st day of September, 1883, in Dakota, Mr. Pierce was called to his last rest.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris stand high in the com- munity where they live, and have the respect of all. They are the parents of four children: Maria E. was born Sept. 25, 1870; Laura was born Dec. 6, 1871 ; Hattie R. was born Jan. 26, 1875; Howard W. was born Dec. 10, 1879.
G EORGE W. McADAM, senior proprietor, and editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal, was born in Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1832, and is a son of James and Nancy (McDowell) MeAdam, the former a native of Ire- land, who came with his parents to this country when an infant. James McAdam was a farmer, living the greater part of his life after coming to this country near Cadiz, where he died in 1858, at the age of fifty-six. His death was the result of an accident, his team running away with a loaded wagon, and in the attempt to stop thiem he was thrown under the wheels and the horses' feet, and was instantly killed. His wife Nancy survived him many years, dying at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of eight children, all but one of whom are now living. They are named : Samuel, now a farmer in Muskingum County, Ohio; Eliza, deceased, who was the wife of George Roberts, of Cadiz, Ohio; W. Moreland, who lives on the old homestead in Ohio; H. Parks, a minis- ter of the Presbyterian Church, residing in Utica, N. Y .; Jennie, who has been twice married, and is now the wife of John Knox, a farmer of Cadiz,
Ohio; Sally unmarried, and living in the old home with her brother; James, a resident of Mt. Pleas- ant, Henry Co., Iowa; and George W., our subject, who was third in order of birth. Until he was twenty years of age the latter lived on a farm, but at that time entered Franklin College, whence he graduated in 1857 with the honors of his class, being the valedictorian. After teaching for a time, he entered the Theological Seminary at Allegheny College, where he completed a theological course. and for two years was engaged in preaching in the United Presbyterian Church. In 1864 Mr. Mc- Adam removed to Newark, Ohio, and became the publisher of the American, of that place. In 1866 he removed to Iowa, locating at Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, where for the ensuing two years he was engaged in the clothing trade. Retiring from this business, he in 1869 associated himself with his brother-in-law, Frank Hatton, in the publication of the Mt. Pleasant Journal. The latter subse- quently became well known in National affairs, having as Postmaster General been a member of President Arthur's Cabinet. He is now editor of the New York Press, an ably conducted Repub- liean journal. In May, 1874, Mr. McAdam bought Mr. Hatton's interest, and conducted the paper alone for a time; and for a short period thereafter had a partner. Jan. 1, 1880, he sold a portion of his interest in the Journal to his present asso- ciate, John W. Palm, the firm being MeAdam & Palm since that date.
For twelve years Mr. MeAdam held the position of Postmaster of Mt. Pleasant, being appointed in April, 1874 ; for six years he was a member of the School Board of the city, and in every position to which he has been called he has borne the reputa- tion of an upright and conscientious official.
On May 12, 1864, Mr. McAdam was married to Miss Carrie Ilatton, who was born in Cadiz, Ohio, March 17, 1842, and is a daughter of Richard Hat- ton, one of the best-known newspaper men of Ohio, and for fourteen years editor of the Cadiz Repub- lican, one of the most influential papers of East- ern Ohio. Mrs. McAdam was educated at the Steubenville (Ohio) Female Seminary, and is a lady of culture, who well sustains the reputation of the gifted family from which she is descended. The
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union of Mr. and Mrs. McAdam has been blessed with three children-Frank H., Richard HI. and Jessie.
During the more than twenty years that the sub- ject of this sketch has been a resident of Henry County, he has ever borne the reputation of a thor- oughly honest and trustworthy man, and has ae- quired the confidence and respect of its citizens, with a majority of whom he has been brought into contact in his official, business and private relations.
W ILLIAM L. HAMILTON, residing on sec- tion 24, Canaan Township, Henry Co., lowa, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, May 31, 1817. He is a son of William Brice and Sabina (McMichael) Hamilton. His father was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch descent, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Hamilton was of Irish parentage.
William Ilamilton was left in charge of an uncle and aunt, James H. and Margaret Gates, at the death of his mother, which occurred when he was but six years old. He remained with them until nearly twenty-one years of age, when he engaged to teach a district school in his native county. Ile taught for nine months, during which time he laid up enough money with which to enter Carey's Academy, situated near Cincinnati. Attending one term Mr. Hamilton then went to Clermont Acad- emy, near New Richmond on the Ohio River. Hle attended school there for several terms, teaching in his vacations in order to raise money to pay the tuition. Completing his education he engaged in teaching for eleven years, but his health failing him he was obliged to give this up, and so purchased a small farm. Mr. Hamilton then, during the sum- mer time, took charge of the farm, but in the winter again taught school. In the spring of 1856 he emigrated to Iowa, settling at Mt. Pleasant, where he lived a short time, and then rented a farm on which he resided for two years. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Hamilton purchased forty acres of un- improved land on section 24, Canaan Township. This has been his home ever since, and he has
added to his possessions until he now owns 120 acres, comprising one of the best farms in that sec- tion of the county.
Mr. Hamilton was married, in 1842, to Eliza Ann Duncan, a native of Maysville, Ky., and a daughter of Ennis and Hester (Bloxsom) Duncan, Kentucky being also their native State. Mr. and Mrs. Ham- ilton have been the parents of seven children: William E., now President of Simpson College at Indianola, Iowa, is a graduate of Mt. Pleasant Uni- versity ; Eliza Jane, also a graduate of the Wesleyan University at Mt Pleasant, is the wife of Rev. Ed- ward H. Sawers, now pastor of a church at Wilton Grove, Ontario, Canada; Mary, residing at home; Melissa, who is engaged as a teacher in the graded schools of Panama, Iowa; Charles Wesley, who died when only nineteen months old; James K. died at the age of five years; John Bloxsom, who died while yet an infant nineteen months old. Mr. Hamilton and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He united with the church over half a century ago, and has always been instru- mental in the building of churches, and aids largely in church work. For forty years he has been a local preacher in that faith.
Among the prominent pioneer settlers of Canaan Township, we are pleased to mention the name of William L. Hamilton, who is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Henry County. Politically, he is a Republican. His son, W. E., was a soldier in the war for the Union, a member of the 45th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
B ARTLEY M. SAUNDERS, an honored pio- neer of Henry County, lowa, of 1839, was born in Claiborne County. Tenn. His par- ents were of Scotel-Irish descent, and origi- nally from Maryland. They both came to Mt. Pleasant, lowa, in 1839, and died in this city. Our subject was married in his native county to Miss Annie Caulk, and three children were born to them, a son and two daughters: llenry C., now a promi- nent real-estate agent of Mt. Pleasant; Angeline, residing at Lincoln, Neb., and Amanda M., widow of Israel Putnam, also of Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Saun-
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ders was a farmer and merchant. He left Tennes- see in early life, resided for awhile in Virginia and Georgia, and removed to Georgetown, Vermilion Co., Ill., in the pioneer days of that region. In 1839 he emigrated to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Saunders were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church from early life. Mr. Saunders was an old-line Democrat of the Jackson type, and never swerved from a firm belief in the correctness of the doctrines taught by Jefferson and Jackson. He was an upright, honorable man, of earnest con- viction and correct habits, and his memory is kindly cherished by his old-time comrades of pioneer days.
OHIN T. SHANE, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, is numbered with the pioneers of 1845. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., March 13, 1825, and is the son of George and Mary ('Tuttle) Shane, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Fayette County, Pa., and reared a family of six children, all dead except our subject. Ilis father died in 1852 and his mother in 1833. On the death of his mother John was placed in the family of Iliram Hughes, with whom he remained until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Browns- ville, where he was employed on a farm, and later upon the pikes in that vicinity. In the fall of 1840 he went to Beaver, Pa., and had the pleasure of hearing Gen. Harrison, who was then a candidate for President, make a speech. In the fall of 1844 he went to Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1845 came to Henry County, Iowa, where he has since continued to reside, and for some time was engaged in black- smithing.
On the 24th day of September, 1846, Mr. Shane was united with Miss Margaret Jack, a daughter of Milton H. and Elizabeth (Smith) Jaek, and a native of Tennessee. There were three children in her father's family: Mary, who married L. W. Bus- sey, now deceased, and who resides in Washington County, Ark .; Amanda, wife of Patterson Martin, of Mahaska County, Iowa; and Mrs. Shane. IIer mother died in 1826 and her father in 1827. Mrs.
Shane came to Henry County in 1841 in company with an unele, John Tolle, who located in New London Township, but who, in 1843, removed to Mt. Pleasant, at that time but a small village. Mrs. Shane well remembers being in Keokuk when there was not a church in the place, the first class- meeting being held at the house of the friend she was visiting.
Mr. and Mrs. Shane are the parents of five living children : George M., now in Arkansas, was a sol- dier in the regular army over seven years; Sarah J., wife of John Crabb, resides in this county ; Margaret E., wife of Moreland Ritchie, also resides in this county ; John W. W., of Mt. Pleasant; and Philip E., in railroad service in the Indian Nation.
In 1861 Mr. Shane enlisted in Company C, 4th Iowa Cavalry, under command of Capt. Beckwith. He was mustered in at Camp Harlan and partici- pated in the first battle of Jackson, Miss., was in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, second battle of Jackson and the battle of Canton, Miss. After the last engagement in company with the regiment. he went to Vicksburg, veteranized and returned home. On his way home he caught a severe cold, and starting back to camp after the expiration of his furlough he grew worse, was examined at Keokuk, sent to the hospital, and was subsequently discharged
In 1852 Mr. Shane crossed the plains and was four months in making the trip to Salem, Ore., where he engaged as a laborer, but in the fall started to the mines. The snow falling blocked the way, and he in company with others, was com- pelled to remain in the valley till the following spring. He arrived in the mines March 4, 1853, where he remained till September, 1854, engaged in mining. While in the valley in the winter of 1852-53, he paid $1 per pound for flour, and for poor meat thirty-five cents per pound; for board, $4.50 per day. The sufferings of the company were terrible, and some of their number dug up the feet of cattle that had been killed in the fall, that they might pick the flesh from the bones. Leaving the mines in the fall of 1854, he returned home by water, by way of New Orleans, thence down the river to Burlington.
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