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 75
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In 1871 Mr. Jones was appointed Postmaster of Boylston, his commission bearing the signature of Postmaster-General Cresswell. 1Ie has been con- tinned in this office to date, and is now in his seven- teenth official year. In all the relations of life, as a brave soldier, a capable official and an estimable citizen, he has ever held the respect of his fellow- men.
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AVID W. ROBINSON, M. D., one of the most eminent physicians of Henry County, was born in Harrison County, W. Va., June 14, 1826, and is a son of David R. and Sarah (Walmsley) Robinson, both natives of the same county, the former born in 1789, and the latter in 1791. The elder Robinson was a farmer, in connection with which he ran a flouring-mill for many years. He was a Whig and an ardent ad- mirer of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, whom he strongly supported. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, a reader and thinker, who wielded considerable influence in that locality, but attended closely to his own affairs. Mr. Robinson died in 1853, his wife in 1832. Of their nine children but two are now living, the Doctor and a brother, Fer- nando, who is a resident of Clarksburg, W. Va .. engaged in the jewelry business. On its organiza- tion he joined the Republican party, and when it gained the ascendancy he was elected Clerk of the District Court of Harrison County.
When the subject of this sketch was a boy there were no public schools in his native State, and he was educated in subscription schools, but is mainly self-taught, with the exception of three months that he spent with a private tutor. In his youth he wished to go to West Point, but was persuaded that if he did so he would become the property of the United States, and therefore relinquished the idea. Ile was always a great reader and student,
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and read all the miscellaneous books in his father's library, and as many more as he could obtain. He decided upon the practice of medieine as his life work, and in 1848 began reading and studying with that end in view. Later he took up the study of theology, and in 1850 joined the Methodist Church, and his friends were desirous that he should enter the pulpit, but he felt then that he had no eall to the ministry, and continued the study of medicine. In 1852 and 1853 he attended the Eelectie Medical College at Cincinnati, whence he graduated in the latter year. Returning to Virginia he remained there until 1855, when he emigrated to Iowa, land- ing at Muscatine, where he engaged in practice. While there, in 1857. he was licensed to preach, and was recommended to Conference and given a charge at Pella, Iowa, and in 1858 was appointed to Montezuma, Poweshiek Co., lowa, to which place he removed. In that year he married Miss Sarah Dudley, of Mainville, Ohio. He continued to fill the pulpit until the meeting of the Conference in the fall of 1858, but had previously resumed the practice of medicine, and had built up a lucrative practice, in which he was engaged until Angust, 1862, when he decided to take part in the struggle for National existence, and in connection with Wesley Carr, then a student in his office, enlisted 204 men. Part were enrolled as Company B, 40th Iowa Volunteers, with the Doctor in command as Captain; and part were made a company of the 28th Iowa, with Capt. Carr in command. While at Camp Post, at Iowa City, Gov. Kirkwood came to him and asked him to resign as Captain, and he woukl immediately commission him as Surgeon, efficient surgeons being at that time very mueh needed. Willing to give his services where they eoull be most effective, he accepted, and went to the field as Surgeon of the 40th Iowa. The regi- ment was ordered to join the Army of the Tennes- see, and were sent to Vicksburg, where they re- mained until its capture. They were then sent to Helena and Little Rock, Ark., and later took part in the Red River Expedition. In 1864 Dr. Robin- son resigned his commission, and the following year located in Mt. Pleasant, where he has since lived continuously, buikling up a large practice, and ac- quiring an excellent reputation as a physician and
a citizen. Still a student, he is continually adding by reading and experience to his knowledge, and his advice is eagerly ought by a large elientage at home. Abroad his reputation stands equally high. Ile is a member of the Henry County Medical So- ciety.
Dr. Robinson was reared in a belief in the doc- trines of the Whig party. He was always an anti- slavery man, but a great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas. In 1860 he cast his vote for Abraham Lincoln, and in 1864 again voted the Republican ticket .. Since then, however, he has affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1869 he purchased the Henry County Press, which he conducted as a. Democratic newspaper, but in 1872 sold it to Messrs. Throop & Van Cise. The Doctor has three sons: Edward H., the eldest, is a druggist, and has begun the study of medicine, attending two courses of lectures at the University of Iowa and a term in Rush Medical College, Chicago. The sec- ond son, David D., is a druggist in Burlington, Iowa, and the youngest, Charles, is yet with his parents. Dr. Robinson is a member of McFarland Post No. 13, G. A. R., of Mt. Pleasant, and is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., of Ilenry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., and Jerusalem Commandery No. 7, K. T.
b ON. FRANK HATTON, ex-Postmaster General of the United States, formerly a prominent journalist of Iowa, and resident of Mt. Pleasant, now editor of the New York Press, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, April 28, 18:16, and is the son of Richard and Sarah (Green) Hatton. Ilis father was a journalist of considerable prominence in Ohio, and it was in his oflice (the Cadiz Republican) that Frank, while a mere lad, got his first " take," learned the rudi- ments of the printer's trade, and laid the founda- tion of his subsequent brilliant career as editor and publisher. On the breaking out of the late war (1861), when but fifteen years of age, he ran away and enlisted as drummer boy in the 15th Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. Captain Bostwick telegraphed
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Frank's father to know whether he should send him home, or swear him in. The reply, prompted by pure patriotism, was " Swear him in." It was done, and 'the boy soldier went to the front. He was pro- moted to a lieutenantey before he was twenty, and served till the close of the war. He participated in many hard-fought campaigns, and made the his- toric march with Sherman to the sea. On his return from the war he went to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where, having found the Journal of that city for sale, he induced his father to sell out the Cadiz Republican and purchase it, which was done, and the family removed to Mt. Pleasant. Frank served as local editor of the Journal till his father's death, which occurred Nov. 5, 1869, when, in company with his brother-in-law, Rev. G. W. MeAdam, he purchased the office. He was appointed Postmas- ter at Mt. Pleasant in February, 1873, and served till May, 1874. He continued his connection with the Journal till June 1, 1874, when he sold out to Mr. McAdam, and bought a half interest in the Burlington Hawkeye, of which he assumed editorial charge. A little later he purchased his partner's interest, and became sole proprietor and editor-in- chief.
Mr. Ilatton's brilliant talents and political sagac- ity soon brought him into prominent notice through- out the State. Ile was chosen delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1876, at Cinein- nati, where he worked zealously for the nomination of Ion. Roscoe Conkling for President. While he · did not get his choice of candidates, he labored just as earnestly in support of the ticket in the ensuing campaign. Under his able management the Burlington Hawkeye became the leading Repub- lican paper of the State. Mr. Hatton was appointed Postmaster at Burlington, Iowa, in 1878, and proved an efficient officer.
In 1880 he espoused the cause of Gen. Grant for a third term as President. He was aggressive and stalwart in the extreme in his political views, and made the Hawkeye conspicuous throughout the country for its stirring and eloquent advocacy of the justice of giving the old warrior a third term. While not a delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1880 at Chicago, he was there, and a power behind the throne. The historic 306 were
encouraged and abetted by him, in their persistent support of the General. Disappointed again in get- ting his choice, he as ably, if not as cheerfully, sup- ported Garfield. The Burlington Hawkeye had rapidly grown in favor under his judicious manage- ment, and Mr. Hatton's influence in the political councils of the State and Nation was recognized and courted. His friends sought his appointment as First Assistant Postmaster General, under Presi- dent Garfield, but the assassination of the President prevented the appointment being made at that time. Ile was appointed under President Arthur to that position Oct. 29, 1881, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office.
Mr. Hatton's superior executive ability, energy and integrity, soon won the admiration and confi- dence of the nation. He proved a most efficient officer; indefatigable in his efforts to improve and perfect the mail service, sagacious in his appoint- ments and rulings, and uncompromising in his en- forcement of discipline. It is largely due to his efforts that the fast mail system was adopted, that has so materially shortened the time of transporta- tion of the principal mails of the country.
Mr. Hatton succeeded Mr. George C. Gorman as editor of The National Republican, of Washing- ton, D. C., in December, 1882, and by his superior ability as a journalist made that paper one of the most prominent political journals in the country. He had now won a national reputation, and was of sufficient importance to excite envy and malice in the minds of some who had not been so fortunate. Consequently he had his share of abuse and misrep- resentation, but he kept the even tenor of his way all the same, and when a vacancy occurred in the Cabinet, by the promotion of Mr. Gresham to the Treasury portfolio, he was appointed by President Arthur to fill it, and on the 14th day of Octo- ber, 1884, he was sworn in as Postmaster General of the United States, being the youngest man ever called to a Cabinet position in the history of the country. Ilis administration of the office justified the expectations of his most sanguine friends, and won most flattering mention from the press of the country, and especially from his brother journal- ists of Iowa, who are proud of the distinction acquired by their talented representative.
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In recognition of Mr. Hatton's popularity a large number of post-offices have been named after him throughout the country.
Mr. Hatton severed his connection with the Bur- lington Hawkeye, and also with The National Re- publican, and in 1886 he bought the Chicago Mail, which he conducted successfully till September, 1887, when he sold out, and in October following pur- chased the New York Press, which he now edits.
Mr. Hatton was united in marriage at Mr. Pleas- ant, Iowa, Nov. 19, 1867, to Miss Lizzie Snyder, daughter of Henry M. and Susan A. Snyder. Mrs. Hatton was born at Mt. Pleasant. They have one child, a son, Richard, born at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Nov. 30, 1872.
10.
R ICHARD HATTON, deceased, was born in Virginia, March 5, 1808, and was the son of Boland and Margaret (Keller) Hatton. His family were residents of Virginia for several generations. He removed with his parents to Noble County, Ohio, in his youth, and began his business career as a publisher and editor of the Guernsey Times. Ile subsequently published the Carrollton Free Press, and later the Cadiz Repub- lican. Ile was married at Barnesville, Ohio, May 26, 1834, to Miss Sarah Green, daughter of Allen and Mary (Nieklin) Green. Mrs. Hatton was born in Virginia, and went to Ohio in childhood with her parents. Ten children were born of their union, six daughters and four sons: Mary A., born May 22, 1836, is the wife of J. L. McGregor, a hardware merchant of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Mar- garet E. was born June 21, 1838, is the widow of the Rev. E. W. Brady, and resides at Mt. Pleasant; Sarah Jane, twin sister of Mrs. Brady, died in infancy, July 12, 1838; Lavina, born in 1839, died in August, 1811 ; Caroline, born March 16, 1842, is the wife of G. W. McAdam, of the Mt. Pleasant Journal; Alcinda, born in 1844, died in September, 1816; Frank, born April 26, 1846; Allen was born Dec. 27, 1850; Harry, born in December, 1852, married Nellie Stickney.
Mr. Hatton removed with his family from Cadiz, Ohio, to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1866, when he
bought the Journal office. He continued to edit and publish the Journal up to the time of his fatal illness. llis death occurred Nov. 5, 1869. Mr. Ilatton was an earnest Republican and labored faithfully in the advocacy of the principles of that party. He was a man of positive convictions, upright and honorable, whose aim was to encourage that which was good in the world.
G ENIUS WHITE, residing on section 5, Tip- pecanoe Township, Henry Co., lowa, is a native of Crawford County, Ind., born Nov. 16, 1821. His parents, Richard and Barbara (Harmon) White, the father a native of Bullock County, Ky., and the mother of Virginia, were pio- neer settlers of Indiana. They reared a family of ten children, all of whom grew to man and woman- hood. Five are still living and five are deceased : Ravie, born Dec. 28, 1815, was the deceased wife of Granville Rouse ; she died Sept. 20, 1844. Susan, born Sept. 20, 1817, is the wife of Luther Benham, now residing in Kentucky; Abraham, born Dec. 18, 1819, is a resident of Iowa; Genius, our subject; John S., born March 25, 1824, died April 28, 1848, in Van Buren County, Iowa; William II., born June 28, 1827, died April 20, 1848, in the same county ; Eliza, born March 27, 1830, is the deceased wife of Elijah Redman, of Missouri; Nancy, born Dec. 6, 1832, is the wife of Elisha MeCall, now residing in Republic County, Kan. ; Columbus, born Aug. t, 1835, died in California, and James H., born July 9, 1840, is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. The father, Richard White, was born Jan. 25, 1792, and was called to his final home April 8, 1847. Mrs. White, born Feb. 12, 1794, died March 1, 1883. They were both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His whole life was spent upon a farm, and he was a pioneer of Van Buren and also of Henry County. He was a zealous worker for any cause which he favored. In early life he voted with the Whig party, and after its organization with the Republican. Although reared in a slave State he was greatly opposed to that institution and did all in his power for the advancement of the cause of
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freedom. At the time of his death he owned a farm of 240 acres and was in good circumstances.
Our subject, Genius White, was reared upon a farm in Indiana, and at the age of twenty-one re- moved with his parents to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he remained until the fall of 1852, at which time he crossed the plains with an ox-team to Cali- fornia. In that State he remained for eleven months engaged in mining, in which he was reason- ably successful. He returned by water to New York City, thence to Rock Island, and down the river to Burlington, and by stage to this county, and in 1853 purchased 120 acres of land on section 22, Tippecanoe Township. Mr. White improved that farm, residing on it until 1865, when he bought 160 acres on section 6 of the same township, mak- ing that his home until 1871. He then bought 120 acres on section 5, where he still resides and has a fine farm. He has added to this until at one time he liad over 300 acres, 160 of which he has given to his children.
Genius White was married, June 29, 1849, to Mary Ann Grant, a native of Harrison County, Ind. She was born July 16, 1826, and is a daughter of Wilkinson and Christiana (Ward) Grant, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of North Carolina. They came to this county in 1843 and settled in Tippecanoe Township on sec- tion 7. Here Mr. Grant died July 24, 1872, at the age of seventy-eight. He was a Republican in politics, held various township offices, and was a well-known citizen. Nine of his children survive him, two living in this county, Harvey B. and Mrs. White, and the remaining seven reside in Kansas. Mrs. Grant, who was born Aug. 4, 1804, makes her home with our subject. She has long been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. and Mrs. White have been the parents of seven children : Clarissa Jane, born April 26, 1850, is the wife of J. H. Ginn, of Republic County, Kan. ; George W., born Sept. 3, 1851, died in California, Sept. 4, 1879; Columbus, born Aug. 21, 1854, died April 26, 1856; Emily, born April 21, 1856, died April 22, 1881 ; Richard W., born Feb. 1, 1858, now resides in Tippecanoe Township; Maria, born April 23, 1860, died May 23 of the same year, and Pleasant Genius, born April 26, 1867, is still re-
siding at home. Mr. and Mrs. White are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are carnest workers in the vineyard of their Master. He is a Republican in politics, taking an active interest in local elections, also in educational mat- ters, and is always ready and willing to take his place in all public enterprises. Mr. White is a kind and indulgent husband and father, and over his hospitable home a most estimable lady presides, and the children do honor to the name of White.
SAAC PIDGEON, a farmer on section 25, in Salem Township, is a son of Isaac and Phæbe (Kester) Pidgeon, who were both natives of North Carolina. His great-grandparents were Isaac and Sarah (Millhouse) Pidgeon, who were born in England, and died in North Carolina, he in 1783, and she in 1814. On both sides the ancestors were residents of America prior to the Revolutionary War. They were Friends and, as is well known, never engaged in military service. The authentic history of the Pidgeon family dates from the grand- father, Charles Pidgeon, who with his wife resided on a plantation in North Carolina, and both died in that State. Their children were Elizabeth, who married Raddock Mendenhall; Isaac, father of our subject; Sarah, wedded to Joseph Hiatt; Jane mar- ried Levi Buckingham; David and Charles were also married ; Prudence married John Harney, and her second husband was James Ballard; Achsah became the wife of Solomon Stanley, after whose death Samuel Ballard became her husband; Mary wedded a Mr. Stephens; and Susannah died unmar- ried. Only three of these children came West; first came Prudence and her first husband, John Harney, and located near Rushville, Schuyler Co., Ill., in 1829. Their encouraging letters regarding the fertile soil of the West was one inducement which led Isaac to leave the South, and slavery, that curse which cast its blight for many years upon the entire South, was to him so odious that he deter- mined to leave the home of his boyhood and seek a residence in a State where the rights of every man were acknowledged, and slavery in any way had no existence. Isaac owned a small plantation
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which he sold for $400, and with his wife and fam- ily, accompanied by his sister Achsah and her hns- band, formed a party who journeyed from North Carolina to Ilinois in wagons drawn by horses. The trip was made in fifty-two days, traveling a few miles every day. It was completed without any particular incident or accident, but when the party arrived at Rushville, they learned that Prudence and her husband had gone to Indiana, having had hard times in the new country. They remained in Indiana, where Mr. Harney secured a position as a teamster between Richmond and Cincinnati, and upon one of these trips it is supposed he was mur- dered, as the team was found standing and no trace of Harney was ever discovered. Prudence subse- quently married James Ballard, reared a family, and died in Indiana.
The party of emigrants remained one year near Rushville, and raised a crop on rented land. Isaac then took a claim in Hancock County, Ill., the tract adjoining the site of the present town of Plymouth on the southeast, and Achsah and her husband oc- cupied a claim adjoining that of Mr. Pidgeon. Both families remained there three years, and in the summer of 1835 Isaac came to Iowa, located a claim, made some improvements, built a cabin and made ready for removal, which was done in Decem- ber, 1835. Achsah and her husband went to Indiana, where Solomon Stanley died, and she sub- sequently went to North Carolina and was married to Samuel Ballard, and they located permanently in Ohio, where her death afterward occurred. Isaac, Jr., had taken a claim in the new country yet un- surveyed, and as he was a Friend and none of his faith resided in his neighborhood in Illinois, he and Aaron Street, Sr., conceived the idea of building up a settlement of their own people in Iowa. Aaron Street might be considered the prime mover in this enterprise, and he had previously made a trip to this neighborhood in company with his widowed sister- in-law, Polly Pugh, and her four children, then almost grown. They remained in camp on Little Cedar while Mr. Street returned to Hancock County for his family, and the same year the Streets, Pidg- con and Peter Byer families located here and made claims in the same neighborhood. Isaac Pidgeon and his family were the first members of the Friends'
society in Salem Township, and the first actual cabin honse, not a bona fide shanty, was the one built by Mr. Pidgeon. Several cabins were com- pleted the same autumn, and quite a settlement was made. The first religious services of the Society of Friends were held in the cabin of Mr. Pidgeon, and he was largely instrumental in the erection of their first church building, where the Whittier College building now stands.
Isaac and Phæbe Pidgeon were parents of eleven children: Ruth was the wife of Stephen Hockett, after whose death Benjamin Knight became her husband ; Orpah wedded Elihn Frasier; Elizabeth was the wife of John Hockett; William wedded Peninah Trueblood; Mary died unmarried ; Phoebe also died nnmarried ; and Achsah wedded Stephen Thatcher; Isaac has been thrice married; Jane wed- ded Nathan Cammack; two other children died in infancy.
Isaae Pidgeon, Sr., and his wife, were prominent factors in the settlement of this county, and dur- ing a long lifetime they were looked upon as a model couple. Their family grew to maturity, were married to good men and women, and lands which were a part of his original claim are yet in the possession of his children, William and Isaac Pidgeon, Jr. The death of the father ocenrred in his eighty-fourth year, and of his wife in her seven- ty-third year. They both lived to see the lands which were covered with wild flowers in the early days, under the most advanced cultivation, and the log cabins replaced by handsome dwellings of mod- ern architecture. Across their original claim, and near where the first cabin stood, the heavily loaded trains now thunder past. Cities and towns have been built in the county, and all traces of a pioneer life are vested in a few cabins which skirt the streams. All the children remained in the neigh- borhood, and the last days of the parents were spent amid peace and plenty. Only four of the children are yet living-Orpah, Jane, Isaac and William. The last named is the father of twelve children, all born on the okl homestead. The Pidgeons are proud of their record as business men and citizens, and to such men and women are we indebted for the high state of morality and culture that abounds in the township. From the beginning their names
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have been linked with every prominent enterprise, and to-day they are in easy circumstances, and oe- enpy a most enviable position in the business world and in society.
Isaac Pidgeon, Jr., was the first white child born inside the boundaries of Salem Township, his birth occurring Sept. 2, 1836. As before stated, he resides upon the original tract entered by his father, and his modern farmhouse, stately trees, commodious barns and out-buildings, all point toward the easy circumstances which come to the prudent and suc- cessful farmer.
His first wife was Mary E. Ables, who bore Walter G., Harry C. and Hennie O. After her death Alazan- nah Alexander became his wife, who was the mother of one daughter, Alazannah. The death of the second wife occurred, and for the third time Mr. Pidgeon was married, Miss Nancy Montgomery, born in Putnam County, Mo., March 22, 1845, becoming his wife in 1875. She is the mother of five chil- dren-Angeline, Julia, Evaline, Annie M. and Car- oline. All the children are under the parental roof. Mrs. Pidgeon's parents were natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Missouri nearly fifty years ago. The father died there in 1862, and the mother in 1885.
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