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 73
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The fathers of both Mr. and Mrs. Shane were in the War of 1812, the father of Mrs. Shane being
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wounded in the hip, carrying the bullet to his grave.
Mr. Shane came to Henry County a poor young man, and while not numbered among the more wealthy, fortune has yet favored him. Ile has a comfortable home in the city, with twelve acres of land, together with eighty acres on section 7. To- gether with his good wife, he enjoys the respect and confidence of friends and neighbors among whom they have lived for more than forty years.
G EORGE S. GASS, who for the past four years has filled the ottice of Treasurer of Henry County, was born in Gallia County. Ohio, March 12, 1838, and is a son of Elias and Permelia, (Topping) Gass. His father and mother were born and reared in Greene County, Pa., of which county his parents were also both natives. They were residents of Ohio for about sixteen years, when he returned to Pennsylvania. There the mother died, the father coming to lowa with our subject and dying in Mt. Pleasant in 1886. His father's people were old residents of the State, and his mother's had originally come from New Jersey.
The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Washington County, Pa .; from there he went to Illinois and from there to Columbia, Ark., where he was at the breaking out of the war of the Re- bellion. He returned North, and wishing to give his services to his country, he enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, in the Ringgold Cavalry, an independent company which afterward saw much active service until after the close of the war, not being mustered out until the last of October, 1865. Successive promotions had raised Mr. Gass to the rank of First Lieutenant, and he made an honorable record as a brave and gallant soldier. During the war the company was merged into other organizations, and at the time it was mustered ont was a part of the 3d Provisional Pennsylvania Cavalry. Its service was principally with the army of West Virginia, and took part in all the hard-fought battles and skirmishes in the valley of the Shenandoah, the theatre of the hardest cavalry service of the entire
war. It did general cavalry duty under Gen. Phil Sheridan, with all that implies, scouting, skirmish- ing, fighting and raiding. Under Gen. Shields it took active part in the famous battle of Winchester, and in all this severe duty Lient. Gass bore himself gallantly. He returned to his home from the army in November, 1865, and in the following month came to Iowa, looking for a permanent location. Being pleased with the country, he settled here in the spring of 1866, on a farm near Mt. Pleasant, where he engaged in farming until he was elected Treasurer of the county in 1883.
During his army life he took a furlough and went home to till a more agreeable engagement, and was married on March 22, 1863, in Greene County, Pa., to Miss Charlotte Morton, daughter of Robert and Mary Morton. Mrs. Gass is also a native of Greene County, and was born in 1845. They are the parents of six children, one of whom, a daughter named Anna, died at the age of sixteen. Those now living are-John T., Olive II., Rachel, William and Harlan, all making their home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Gass are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1Ie is also a member of Mystic Lodge No. 55, 1. O. O. F., and of MeFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R. Ever since he came of age, Mr. Gass has been a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, by whom he has twice been elected to the respon- sible office of Treasurer of the county. the duties of which he has discharged with fidelity to the in- terests of the people, and credit to himself. As an officer and as a private citizen, he has the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and is highly respected for his integrity of character.
R EV. M. 11. HARE, deceased, a prominent minister and Presiding Elder of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and a pioneer of Iowa of 1815, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Dee. 23. 1818. Ilis parents, Daniel and Sarah Hare, were natives of Kentucky, who settled in Ross County, Ohio, in the pioneer days of that region. The subject of our sketch received his primary education in the public schools, and com-
M. M. Hare
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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pleted his studies at Hillsboro Academy. IIe mited with the Methodist Episcopal Church when thirteen years of age. He was engaged in school teaching, and was married near Hillsboro, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1840, to Miss Matilda Parkinson. Three children were born of their union, two of whom died in childhood ; and one son, Joseph, born Jan. t, 1844, was a soldier of the late war, served as a member of the 6th Regiment lowa Volunteer In- fantry, and died at Mt. Pleasant, Dec. 4, 1870, from disease contracted while in the service. Mr. Hare emigrated to Iowa in 1845, and made his home in Farmington, Van Buren County. He was a student of the Scriptures from boyhood, and a zealous worker in the cause of religion. He was admitted to the lowa Conference immediately on his arrival in Iowa, and engaged in ministerial duties in the Farmington Circuit, which included Keokuk, West Point, and the region adjacent. Mr. Ilare was next assigned to White Breast Mission, which ineluded the most of Marion, Monroe and Wapello Coun- ties, and was very sparsely settled. Ile labored in that field one year and was then appointed to New London Circuit, where he served two years. Mrs. Hare died Aug. 7, 1849, at the close of the second year. His next appointment was Keosauqua for one year, and then Ft. Des Moines Mission. While laboring here he visited the new settlements and arranged appointments over a large seope of coun- try, taking in all the country then settled between the Des Moines and Coon Rivers and extending some sixty miles toward the Missouri River. . From this charge Mr. Hare was sent to Iowa City, then the capital of the State. The next four years he was Presiding Elder over the Keokuk Distriet. IIe was then appointed to Mt. Pleasant, and served the church two years at Asbury and one at College Chapel. In the fall of 1859 he was made Presiding Elder of the Albia District. At the same Confer- ence he was elected a delegate to the General Con- ference which met in Buffalo, N. Y., in May, 1860. Mr. Hare was ordained Deaeon at Mt Pleasant in 1847, and Elder at Ft. Madison in 1849.
On the outbreak of the great Rebellion he dedi- eated his serviees to his country, and by voiee and pen did all he could to sustain the Government. The war having continued a year and a half he de-
eided that for him the eall for personal service was imperative, and on Nov. 18, 1862, entered the Union army as Chaplain of the 36th Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. Ilis enthusiasm did much to ani- mate the men, and he speedily acquired the love and confidenee of the command. His words of cheer raised the spirits of the despondent, and many a halting spirit was sustained and helped by his wise counsels. He, with a large mimber of his comrades, was captured at Mark's Mills, Ark., and sent to the stockade, at Tyler, Tex., where he was confined for three months, enduring unusual hardships and pri- vations, and contracting the disease which finally ended his useful life. He had long been noted as a singer of the songs of Zion. While preaching it had been his practice to lead the singing in his church, both in the pulpit and on the floor, and his sweet and powerful voice had such an influence over his hearers that often they listened entraneed, each for- getting his own part, and leaving him to sing alone. In the prison-pen this gift was exercised to its ntmost to sustain and cheer his fellow-prisoners, and day after day and night after night the good old Methodist tunes rang out over the pen, telling of the better land where all would be reunited. Many a fellow-prisoner, for whom the last bugle eall had been sounded, passed over the dark river hokling the hand of his beloved Chaplain, and to whose ear, dulled by the near approach of death, the last sound was the voice of Michael Hare telling of the hap- pier home beyond the skies, where beyond the great silence there is peace. Not only inside the stock- ade but outside did his voice penetrate, and when it eame his turn to be detailed for outside work, as in bringing in wood, ete., many a little present seeretly found its way to his hand, and was secreted and kept for the benefit of his suffering comrades. Being exchanged he rejoined his regiment, and served until the elose of the war, being discharged at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., Aug. 24, 1865, when he returned to Iowa. Ile spent the succeeding year in charge of the old Zion Church of Burlington, and then went to Mt. Pleasant, where he served one year. Then, in the hopes of improving his health, he accepted an appointment to the Keokuk Distriet, where he would have to travel more than usual. But a mortal disease had fastened upon his
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system, and he was cut off before the close of the first year, his death occurring July 27, 1868.
Mr. IIare was united in marriage at Keosauqua, Iowa, Aug. 3, 1850, to Miss Hannah J. Tylee, daughter of Edward and Rebecca Tylec. Mrs. IIare was born in Wayne County, Pa. Iler father was born in Vermont, and her mother in Pennsyl- vania. Seven children were born of their nnion, six of whom are living at this writing, three sons and three daughters: Ella, the eldest child, is the wife of M. M. Taylor, a prominent merchant of Tacoma, Wash. Ter., and Treasurer of that city ; Edward R. married Miss Winnifred Beattie, and is engaged in the clothing business at Tacoma; Ida II. is the wife of B. W. Coiner, Prosecuting At- torney of Tacoma, and a prominent lawyer of that city ; May has been a teacher of the Mt. Pleasant city schools for several years, and resides with ber mother in that city ; llarlan T. is a civil engineer, and at present is in Wisconsin with the Burlington & Northwestern. Ile married Miss Mary Furman, of De Soto, Wis. Charles H. is a dentist, of Knoxville, Iowa, and is married to Miss May Craddick, of that city.
Mr. Hare served three terms as Presiding Elder, twiee of the Keokuk District, and once of the Albia District, and was Presiding Elder of the Keokuk District at the time of his death. He was elected, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Iowa Wesleyan University, from 1850 till his death, and was an influential member of that body. In his political views he was a Democrat in early life, but of strong anti-slavery sentiments. On the formation of the Republican party he joined that organization, and was a consistent advocate of its principles during the remainder of his life. HIe took a warm interest in the cause of temperance, and while not an extremist in his views did much toward encouraging publie sentiment in favor of temperance legislation, and in building up a health- ful popular opinion in opposition to the liquor traffic. He was patriotic and earnest in the support of the Government, and sympathised with the un- fortunate victims of the slavery laws. He was never fanatical in his views, but practical and earnest. so much so that it is said of him that any enterprise or project that Michael II. Hare had endorsed must
be all right, and worthy of favorable consideration. During the many years that he was associated with the Iowa Wesleyan University he was a leader in its management, and aided materially in its devel- opment and progress. He was prominent in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Iowa, and his wife's counsel in the settlement of difficul- ties, or in the advancement of measures, was always received with respect and consideration. In his social and domestic relations he was kind, affable and entertaining. He lived a useful and righteous life, and died sincerely lamented, not only by those naturally endeared to him by family ties, but by a host of sincere friends throughout the State. Mrs. Hare, a lady of high social standing, and possessing many estimable qualities, survives her husband, and resides at Mt. Pleasant.
An excellent portrait of this worthy minister and patriot appears on an adjoining page, and will be regarded with respect and love by the many friends he has left behind.
SRAEL W. MARTIN, a farmer of Canaan Township, Hemy Co., lowa, residing on sec- tion 28, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 21, 1837, and is a son of Israel and Sarah P. (Welker) Martin, both natives of Ohio, he of Columbiana, she of Stark County. Simeon Martin was the grandfather of our subject, and his great- grandfather was also named Simeon. The latter resided in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was there once visited by our subject. Simeon Martin, Sr., was a sailor during his earlier years and was a man of great information and of a very retentive mem- ory. His second wife was a Blackburn. He died in Columbiana County in his eighty-fifth year. Simeon Martin, Jr., the grandfather, was a son of the second marriage. Ile was a farmer, and mar- ried Achsah Dye, most likely in Meigs County, Ohio, as her people resided there. They later removed to Carroll County, Ohio, from Columbi- ana County, and there resided during their life- time. He was a farmer in that county and died in
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1847, at the age of fifty-three. His wife reached the extreme age of ninety. Their children were; Israel, the father of our subject, who married Sarah P. Welker; Wesley died unmarried; Harrison A. wedded Elizabeth Dolvin; Albert S. became the husband of Mary A. Downs; Matilda wedded Amasa Shaffer : Eli L. married Catherine Wheador; Achsah A. first married George W. Worley, and is now the wife of Robert Jackman, and Elinor A., wife of Adam II. Erskine. After the marriage of Israel Martin, and also prior to that time, he taught school and had acquired a fine practical as well as a technical education. Ile had mastered surveying, and was spoken of for the future surveyor of Car- roll County at the time of his demise, which came most unexpectedly about six months after his mar- riage. Ilis son, Israel W., was never seen by his father, who died several months prior to his birth. Of Israel Martin, Sr., we may say that his was a life full of promise, which was cut off ere his twenty-first birthday was reached. Ilis widow, true to his memory, never married again, but gave to her son a wealth of love and care. His education was carefully attended to, and at the age of eight- een he began teaching. His first school was in the winter of 1855-56 in Stark County, Ohio, which was followed by a three years' continuous service in Carroll County, Ohio.
At the expiration of that time Mr. Martin's marriage was celebrated, that event occurring June 17, 1859, when Miss Sarah E. Bonbrake became his wife. She was a daughter of Henry and Sarah Bonbrake, of Carroll County, Ohio. She was of American birth but of German origin, and at the time of her marriage could speak the German or English languages with equal fluency. ller parents resided on the farm until the death of the father. His widow yet lives in Stark County with her daughter, Letitia Hawkins. Mrs. Bonbrake is the mother of a large family of children, namely : Urich, who married Eliza J. Hardin, is a merchant of Eureka Springs, Ark .; Isaac, who was the hus- band of Elizabeth McDowell, died during the war, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., at which time he was a Lieutenant in an Ohio regiment of sharpshooters, and prior to his enlistment was a merchant of Waynesburg, Ohio; Lewis had charge of a store at
Waynesburg, Ohio, but died at the age of twenty ; Samuel, a farmer in Indiana, wedded Carrie Sillan- ders; Hannah married William Dunlap, and after his death John Woy, of Decatur, Ind. ; Lydia is the wife of George W. Jackman, of Whiting, Kan .; Lovina wedded George A. Bowman, of Alliance, Ohio; Amanda J. died at the age of eighteen; Cora C. resides with her mother; Ella wedded Harry Kin- zie; both were expert telegraph operators, and she died at their home in La Otto, Ind., in 1880; Letitia C. is the wife of Alvin Hawkins, a farmer of Stark County, Ohio.
In 1859 Israel W. Martin and his young wife left their native county, their wedding tour being a trip to the West. They stopped in Illinois and located in Fulton County, near Lewistown, on a farm, remaining there until the spring of 1866. During the winter season Mr. Martin engaged in teaching, and spent the summer in farm work. All their chil- dren were born in Fulton County. They are : Cora A., wife of D. M. Holland, a farmer of Canaan Township, who has one son, Clayton M., now in his fifth year; Olive M. attended Howe's Academy, and is now engaged in teaching in this county, and is an artist of merit; she was a pupil of Miss Pet Walton, of Mt. Pleasant. Lewis W. finds a home with his parents on the farm, which is the one first occupied by them on their arrival in Henry County. Ile has received a fine business education at Elliott's Business College at Burlington, but prefers the farm to all other occupations.
In 1866, Mr. Martin with his family removed to Henry County and purchased the northeast quarter of section 28, at that time unimproved. To this he has added eighty acres, and has made many im- provements. His mother found a home with him after his marriage, and her death occurred beneath his roof in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of New London Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and an ardent Republican, and cast his first vote for President Lincoln. After coming to Ilenry County, the first ten winters were spent by Mr. Martin in teaching. He was elected Township Clerk in Illinois, and served in the same position a number of years after coming to Henry County. He was the trusted Assessor of Canaan Township
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for six consecutive years, prior to which he served as District Township Secretary for a number of years.
Since becoming residents of this county the fam- ily have become endeared to all who know them, and are highly respected in the community.
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G EORGE E. FERRIS, of Mt. Pleasant, is one of the pioneer settlers of Henry County, Iowa, and was born in Devonshire, England, on the 3ist of March, 1823, and is the son of Ed- ward and Mary (Knighton) Ferris, both of whom were also natives of Devonshire. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daugh- ters: Mary, wife of Benjamin Harvey, deceased, is now residing at Weymouth, England; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Mr. Holmwood, now deceased, also resides at Weymouth ; Anna, the wife of Charles Woods, resides at St. Albans, England ; George E., the subject of this sketch, and William, a resident of Dawlish, Devonshire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ferris were members of the Congregational Church in England for many years. Mrs. Ferris departed this life Jan. 25, 1832, her husband sur- viving her for many years, and dying April 15, 1854.
George E., our subject, received but a common- school education, being apprenticed at the age of fifteen to the carpenter trade for six years, in re- turn for his services receiving only his board. IIe was married to Miss Sarah C. Champ, in 1849, who was the daughter of Sammel R. and Mary (Hooper) Champ, of Dorsetshire, England. Mr. and Mrs. Champ were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living: John, of England; Edwin, a resident of Montgomery County, Iowa; Alfred, Stephen, Henry, Frederick, and Mary, wife of Mr. Wearham, all live in England. Mr. and Mrs. Champ are members of the Congregational Church.
Mr. Ferris, in 1849, embarked with his young wife for America in a sailing-vessel, the voyage lasting seven weeks. lle settled at Pittsburgh, where he remained but a short time, being obliged to leave on account of sickness, removing to Brownsville, and three years subsequently removing
to Marion County, W. Va. In the month of April, 1857, he came to Henry County, working at his trade until the breaking out of the Rebellion, en- listing in the 4th Iowa Cavalry Nov. 16, 1861. IIe was mustered into service at Camp Harlan. The following March the regiment was sent to Benton Barracks at St. Louis and from thence to Rolla, Mo., and subsequently to Springfield, Mo. Mr. Ferris was detailed as assistant nurse at llelena, Ark. On the 14th of March, 1864, he re-enlisted, serving until the close of the war, and was discharged Aug. 18, 1865, since which time he has been living in Mt. Pleasant.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are the parents of three liv- ing children : Mary E., wife of Samuel W. Siberts, I.L. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now in mission service at the city of Mexico; he at- tended school at Mt. Pleasant and completed his education at the Boston Theological University. Ida C. is the wife of Rev. J. E. Corley, a Methodist minister, who was also educated at Mt. Pleasant and Boston Theological University ; Carrie H., who is the wife of Park Kauffman, the superintendent of the schools of Red Oak, Iowa; he is a graduate of Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant. There is also an adopted son, Francis M., a graduate of the High School, who has taken a partial course in the Uni- versity at Mt. Pleasant, and is now an attorney-at- law in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are active members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high esteem by all who know them.
BADIAII HARRIS COOK, a resident of sec- tion 36, Salem Township, was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1834, and is a son of Nathan and Sarah (Denny) Cook. The paternal ancestors were of English origin, and the maternal of Irish, The union of the couple named was cele- brated in Ohio, but Nathan and his second wife, the mother of O. II., came from the Carolinas, where both were born. They cleared a farm in Preble County and upon that farm their children were all born. The first wife, who was a Miss Comer, bore two children : Jonathan, who is wedded to Susannah Beason, and Martha, the wife of Samuel
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Maddock. After the death of the first wife Nathan married Sarah Denny, who in that State bore Eliza- beth, now wife of Henry Lamm; William, who wedded Lucinda Bales; Susannah, wife of Wheeler Davis; Isaac, husband of Mary J. Bishop; Hannah wedded first to Cyrus Coffin, and after his death, married Jabez B. Smith; Charity married David Thatcher; Eli, unmarried, finds a home with our subject; Ilenry W., deceased, was married to Laura Davis; then came our subject, followed by the birth of Louisa, deceased; Elihu, who is married to Mary Pope, and Eliza and Amos, who died unmar- ried. In 1839 the parents came to this county, and made a location upon the same farm now owned and tilled by his son. This was then in its virgin state, but the Quaker family soon made it a fine farm, and upon the new land splendid erops grew. Nathan paid Gideon Frasier $7 per acre at that early day for part of the farm, entering the east eighty acres. Upon this farm both the father and mother died, she at the age of seventy, and he at eighty-six. The historian has learned much of their goodness, and finds it only necessary to state that their children have proved themselves worthy of such parents. From the age of five years our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and at the age of twenty-two Miss Elizabeth Fisher became his wife. She was the daughter of John and Esther Fisher, who emigrated from New Jersey to this State in 1842, and made a location at Ft. Madison. J. Fisher, Jr., a brother, was for a number of years engaged in business in Salem, leaving that village in 1887 for Clarinda, Iowa. Another brother, Alexander, is still in business in Salem. There was a large number of children born to Mr. Fisher, who was twice married. The second wife was Eliza Jane Alterman, both bearing children to him.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Fisher was celebrated April 17, 1856. Their domestic life was begun and has been continued upon the old home, and their children have all been born in the roomy old mansion : Amos E. wedded Florence Rice; Edwin W., Clifton H. and Cora B. are unmar- ried. The two eldest children are now in business. Amos graduated in law at Iowa City, and is a practicing attorney at Malvern, Iowa; Edwin graduated in medicine at Iowa City, and is a resi-
dent physician of Plattsmouth, Neb; Clifton graduated in stenography at Iowa City the winter of 1887; Cora is completing her education, and makes the old home cheerful by her presence. Mr. Cook has served his township in positions of trust for several years. He has been one of the ener- getie men who have aided in making this one of the noteworthy counties of Southeastern Iowa. Through the endeavors of Mr. Cook, George W. Tyner and X. H. Arnold, the Salem District Fair has been made a success, and in 1887, the third year, was largely attended. The premium list awarded was $250, and Mr. Cook is now upon his second term as President of the society. The grading and breeding of stock are largely due to such enterprise, and to such men we are pleased to give proper credit. As a man and citizen Mr. Cook justly holds a front rank in Salem Township.
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