The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 101

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807

USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its. > Part 101

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

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and economy, he has now a beautiful residence finely improved, and a fortune variously estimated at from $25,000 to $50,000.

C. N. CHRISTIANSON, farmer ; P. O. Elvira ; he lives in Sec. 30, and owns 715 acres of land. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, Jan. 4, 1820, where he was educated; in 1852, he emigrated to this country ; came to Iowa and settled in Clinton County, where he has lived since. He landed in New Orleans June 29, 1852. after a hard and stormy passage of seventy-one days from Liverpool. He married Seckoe Piason in Schleswig, Germany, Jan. 7, 1840; had nine children; five are liv- ing-Anna (married H. Schroeder, of Clinton County) ; Hans Peter (who married Emma Weise, of Clinton County) ; Martin Henry, Charles Julius and Carstan Nicoli. All members of the German Lutheran Church. Has been Township School Director and Road Supervisor; he is a Republican. On Mr. C.'s trip from the old country, two of his daughters died of ship fever, caused by poor accommodations, poor food, no medicines and no physicians. When he first located in Clinton County he had but a scanty capital, which he immediately invested in a small farm, which he rapidly improved and enlarged, until now he has a good homestead and a fortune estimated at from $50,000 to $60,000, besides having given homes to all of his children, who all live around him.

PAT CLARKE, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Elvira; owns 310 acres of land; he was born in County Mayo, Ireland. April 29, 1803, where he was educated; in 1864, he emigrated to this country and located in Clinton County, Iowa, where he has lived ever since. He married his first wife, Margaret Rooney, in Ireland, in 1826, and had six children, one only now living-Mary, wife of James Dolan, of Clinton County. His second wife, Mary Dolan, he married in Ireland in 1839, and had ten children, eight now living-Margaret, Ellen, Bridget. Ann, Patrick, Mike, John and Jim ; all members of the Roman Catholic Church. He has always been a stanch Democrat. He first commenced life by dealing in stock in Ireland, and, having some success, he came to this country and invested his money in lands and located as a farmer in Clin- ton County, on the property mentioned above.

GEORGE CRONE, farmer, Section 3, Township 82, Range 5 east ; P. O. Elvira ; he owns 240 acres of land ; born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 5, 1824, where he lived until he was 5 years old, when his family moved to Richland Co., Ohio, where he was educated ; in 1856, he left Ohio and located in Camanche Township, where he lived for seven years, when he moved to Center Township, where he has resided ever since; since his residence he has held for several years the offices of Justice of the . Peace, Township Trustee and Township School Director. He is a true Democrat of the Jacksonian stamp, and has always been an expounder of " Old Hickory " principles. He married Zeruiah McBride, of Richland Co., Ohio, Oct. 21, 1847, and had six chil- dren ; four are living-Emily Ann, Archibald, Thomas J. and George W. ; Emily and Archibald are married. He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira. When he first commenced in Clinton County he had no means whatever, but by hard work and economy he has been able to comfortably provide for all his children, erect a beautiful homestead, and amass a fortune of from $25,000 to $30,000.

WILLIAM W. CRONE, farmer, Section 4; P. O. Elvira; was born in Clinton Co. Aug. 16, 1855, and has lived there al his life. He married Myrtie I. Allison, of Clinton Co., March 15, 1877; has one child-Myrtie Ethel. He is a Republican of the old stamp. He and his family are all members of the Baptist Church.

CHARLES CROSSBY, blacksmith ; P. O. Elvira; he owns four town lots in Elvira ; he was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., April 10, 1833, where he was eda- cated; in 1857, he left his native country and settled in Center Township, Clinton Co., Iowa, where he lives at present, and works at his trade. Democrat ever since he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. He married Martha Fatobitt, a native of Lincolnshire, Eng., May 28, 1859 ; had five children, three still living- Sarah Ann, Helen and Hannah, all members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. H.

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was a very poor man when he began life in Clinton Co., but by perseverance and hard work has a homestead and a fortune of about $5,000 to $7,000.

THOMAS EAST, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Elvira; he owns 120 acres of land ; he was born in Lincolnshire, England, Dec. 23, 1803, where he was educated ; on the 8th of April, 1852, he emigrated to this country, and has resided ever since in Center Township; for several years he has been Township Road Supervisor ; he has been a Democrat since he was naturalized. He married his first wife, Mary Evison, in Cadney, Lincolnshire, England, in 1827, and had six children ; one is living-Henry. He married his second wife, Ann Evison, April 25, 1848, in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England, and had six children, three now living-Thomas, Jr., John and Almy Jane. Thomas East, Sr., and his family were originally members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, but, a few years back, changed their belief and united themselves with the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira, of which they are now members. During the war, he had two sons who joined the Union army and went out to battle for their country. When he commenced in Center Township, he had but small capital, and since his residence here he has built a beautiful residence, given his children homes, and has a fortune of from $8,000 to $10,000. Mr. East's second wife, Ann Evison, was a widow when he married hor; she was the relict of Joseph Evison, of Lincoln- shire, England, and had five children, three of whom are living-Emily, who married J. S. Dannatt, of Camanche Township ; Clark, who is married and lives in Crawford Co., and Robert, who is also married and resides in Crawford Co.

JOHN ENGLER, hotel-keeper; P. O. Elvira ; he owns cighty-two acres of land ; born on the river Rhine, in Prussia, Sept. 2, 1827, where he was educated; in 1852, he came to this country, and after spending some years in the States of New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, he moved to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1856, and in 1862, to the property now owned by him in Elvira. He married Eva Polser, a native of Prussia, in Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 24, 1858, and had eight children, five now living-Kate, Lizzie, John, Regina, Adam ; all members of the Catholic Church ; Dem- ocrat.

R. J. GIBSON, farmer ; P. O. Elvira; he lives on Sec. 32, and owns eighty acres of land ; he was born in Butler Co., Penn., Feb. 10, 1844. where he lived until he was 8 years old, when his parents moved to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he received his education ; in 1876, he removed and located on the property now owned by him, leaving his father and mother in Jackson Co .; he has always advocated the principles of Republicanism. He married Melissa Hamilton, a native of Mercer Co., Penn., Oot. 10, 1872, in Jackson Co., Iowa, and had two children, one of whom survives-William Bruce; he and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira.

REV. G. W. HAMILTON, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira ; he was born in Mercer Co., Penn., March 1, 1848, and when but 6 years old, his family removed to Jackson Co., Iowa; he was educated at Monmouth, Ill .; he received his theological education in Zenia, Ohio, and the Presbyterian University of Chicago. He married Anna Young, of Center Township; has always been a stanch Republican.

A. B. HAMMOND, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Lyons; owns 250 acres of land he was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., June 26, 1818, where he lived until he was 14 years old, when his family emigrated to Oakland Co., Mich .; resided until 1850, when he removed to Center Township, on the property where he now resides. He has been School Director and Road Supervisor. He is an old and tried Jacksonian Democrat, which, also, are his family for several generations. He married Caroline Ryman, of Saxony, Germany, April 23, 1860, in Center Township, Clinton Co., Iowa; had three children, two still living-Charles R. and Earl Willis. He and his family are attend- ants of the Presbyterian Church. When he started in Clinton Co. he had a capital of about $300, which has been increased by economy and hard work to from $15,000 to $20,000.

OLUF JANSEN, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Elvira; owns 120 acres of land ; he was born in Schleswig. Germany, April 24, 1836, where he was educated ; in 1859,

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he emigrated to Clinton Co., Iowa, where he has lived ever since, except a short absence in 1865, when he returned to his native country, and married Caroline Nickel- sen, returning with his bride during June, 1865; they have had five children, four now living-Ulrich, Annie, Charley and Julius. He has always been a Republican. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church. When he first. started in Clinton Co., he had but little capital, and, by hard work and economy, he has earned a beautiful home, and has a fortune of from $8,000 to $10,000. Before Mr. Jansen concluded to make Clinton Co. his home, he went to California, and was a sailor on the Pacific Coast for about three years, during which time he made his first start in life, and enabled him to buy a small place to begin with in Clinton Co., which he has continually improved, with the above result.

ADAM KELLY, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Elvira; owns 160 acres of land ; he was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1814; in 1851, removed to this township, where he has lived since. He married Elizabeth Sagar, of Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1839; had six children-Robert, Richard Gaily, Albert Merchant, Samuel, Mary Margaret and Mary. He was formerly an Old-Line Whig, but latterly a stanch Republican. He and all his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Elvira. He started in Iowa with a capital of $400; since has accumulated a fortune of from $65,000 to $75,000.

LUTHER KELLOGG, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Elvira ; owns 400 acres of land ; he was born Feb: 25, 1825, in Hadley, Hampshire Co., Mass., where he lived until 1835, when his family removed to Kenton, Hardin Co., Obio; December, 1851, he started out on his own account, and settled in Camanche Township, Clinton Co., where he remained until 1854, when he removed to Center Township, where he lives at the present time; he landed in Center Township without any means, but, by industry and economy, he has 400 of the finest acres of land in the county, a fine house and a fortune ranging from $15,000 to $18,000. He has held the offices of Township Trus- tee, School Director" and Road Supervisor ; Republican since the decline of the Old- Line Whig party. He married Deborah E. Shear, of Westmoreland Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1854; have eight children-Joseph I., John Edwin, Charles Elmer, Albert Boss, Chester W., Mary Abbie, Rosaline W., Nelly J. He and his family are all members of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira.

JOHN KINKAID, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Elvira; owns 160 acres of land ; he was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Jan. 9, 1826; he removed, in 1848, to Scott Co., Iowa, remained four years, then removed to Center Township, Clinton Co., where he now lives. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Constable, Township Trustee and School Director. He married Mary Burneyham, of Queen's County, Ire- land, in Center Township, March 7, 1858; have six children-John H., David A., Kate I., Elizabeth B., Mary V. and Francis A. During the war, he was a member of Company K, 14th Iowa V. He is a stanch old Jacksonian Democrat ; always has voted a Democratic ticket since he reached his majority. He and his family are all attendants of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elvira.

ROBERT LEE, mechanic, Elvira; he was born in Lincolnshire. England, Oct. 23, 1819 ; June 6, 1856, he emigrated to this country and settled in the town of Elvira, in Center Township, where he has lived ever since. During the war, he was drafted, but not being a naturalized citizen, was honorably discharged. During his resi- dence, he has filled various offices in the county and township, such as Constable, Road Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, which latter office he holds at present. He was the first resident of the town of Elvira who was awarded the contract of carrying the United States mail between Low Moor and his own town. This was a work of pure right and justice on the part of Mr. Lee, as a former contract had been badly abused, and his interest was awakened to the fact that the citizens must and should have their mails regularly. He married Sarah Croft, of Binbrooke,- England, Nov. 20, 1847 ; had eleven children, eight still living-Mary Elizabeth, John Thomas, Louisa, Henry, Lewis Eugene, Almy Jane, Ella Belle and Robert Westfield. He and his family are attendants upon the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elvira. Digitized by Google

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RICHARD A. LYONS, farmer, residence Sec. 34; P. O. Elvira ; he owns 600 acres; he was born in Inverness, Scotland, Nov. 26, 1822 ; in 1833, he emigrated to Boston, Mass .; he was educated at Inverness, Scotland, Greenwich, England, and Port- land, Me. After leading a seaman's life for eighteen years, he removed, in 1848. to Camanche, where he lived till 1862, when he removed to Center Township, Clinton Co., where he lives at present. He was a man of only fair means, when he reached Elvira, and, by hard work and economy, has amassed a fortune of about $75,000. 'He is a life-long Democrat, and, although many county and township offices have been offered him, he persistently refused them all. He is a widower, and lives alone with his two children, a son and a daughter-Charles A, and Hannah B .; his wife died on Feb. 22, 1879. He was brought up in the Scotch, or Old School Presbyterian Church, which his family all attend.

J. C. McCONNELL, farmer; P. O. Elvira ; he lives on Sec. 1, and owns 104 acres of land; he was born in Richland Co., Ohio, March 13, 1835, where he was educated. He removed to Iowa in 1856, and located in Clinton Co., where he has since resided. In the fall of 1865, he left Clinton Co. and located in Boone Co., where he lived for seven years, when he returned to Clinton Co. and took up his permanent residence. He held the position of Township School Director for one year. He has always been a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont. He married Catherine Bohart Feb. 9, 1859 ; she was the daughter of Jacob and Susan Bohart, of Clinton Co., and was born in Hardin Co., Ohio, April 12, 1840; they have one child- Susan Elizabeth. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira. He was a poor man when he started in Clinton Co., now he has a homestead and a fortune, estimated at from $15,000 to $20,000. Have a son, adopted when 5 years old-Harry S. McConnell.

THOMAS J. McGUIRE, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Elvira; owns 310 acres of land; he was born in the city of New York Nov. 7, 1838, where he lived until 5 years of age, when his parents removed to Upper Canada, near Hamilton, where he was educated. In 1851, he removed to Scott Co., Iowa, where he resided until 1873, when he removed and permanently located in Clinton Co., where he has lived since, Served one term as Road Supervisor. He is a Democrat. He married Mary Cassady, a native of Ireland, in De Witt, Iowa, Nov. 26, 1865; has five children-Ann Gene- vieve, Mary Philomena, Josephine Rozella, Thomas Francis, Bridget Clara, and an adopted son, Michael Brown, all members of the Roman Catholic Church. When he commenced labor in Clinton Co., he had limited capital, and has, by hard labor, indus- try and economy, built a good homestead and amassed a fortune of about $20,000.

GEORGE MAHAN, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Elvira; owns 567 acres of land; he was born on the 10th of May, 1821, in County Wicklow, Ireland; in 1847, he emigrated to this country and located in Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he remained for two years, when he removed to Clinton Co., Iowa., and located upon the land which he now owns; he has held for several years the offices of Township School Director and Road Supervisor. He married Mary Smith, of Center Township, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1862, and have five children, one boy and four girls-Roger, Maria, Luella, Minnie and Katie. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Elvira. When he landed in America, he was a poor man and had nothing ; but, by hard work, has a beautiful homestead and a fortune aggregating from $40,000 to $50,000.

DANIEL MANLEY, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Elvira. Owns 280 acres of land. Born at North Bridgewater, Mass., March 4, 1831, and educated there. In the spring of 1855, he removed to Center Township, where he has lived ever since. When he reached Iowa, he had just enough money to purchase his land and a team, and thus began the battle of life, which has proved a success, as he has a beautiful homestead, and can now be said to be worth from $12,000 to $15,000, thus showing the fruits of honest industry and economy. He has served for several years in various county and township offices, Township School Director, Wood Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Road Supervisor. During the war, he went into service, but was honorably discharged

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on account of disabilities. He married Fanny F. Spear, of West Randolph, Vt., June 17, 1855, who died on Oct. 2, 1872. He married again on the 1st of December, 1874, Charlotte Einwichter, a native of Boston, England. He has six children-Cassius M., Daniel, Solomon, Charlotte I., Lizzie N., Fanny Alice. He and his family are regular attendants of the United Presbyterian Church of Elvira.

JACOB MAIER, farmer, P. O. Lyons. He lives in Sec. 26, and owns 280 acres of land. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Feb. 2, 1823, where he was educated. In 1854, he came to the United States, settled immediately in Clinton Co., where he has lived since. He is a Democrat of the conservative stamp, always voting for the best man in local elections, but, in Presidential or Gubernatorial, standing by the nominations of the Democratic Party. He married Lizzie Ammer in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 2, 1850, and had eight children, seven are living. His wife died Sept. 27, 1877. His children are-Jacob, Frank, John, Barbara, Dora, Lizzie and Mathilda. Family are attendants of the German Lutheran Church. He had but small capital when he first started in this country ; and now, by hard work and economy, he has a fine homestead, and a fortune estimated at from $25,000 to $30,000. In addition to the property owned by Mr. Maier in Clinton Co., be owns 640 acres of fine land in Crawford Co., Iowa; this property is valued at about $20 per acre.

E. D. MOREY, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O. De Witt. Owns 360 acres of land. He was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., July 22, 1830, where he lived until 7 years old, when his parents removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio. In 1853, he removed to Clinton Co., where he has lived since. He has served as Clerk, Justice of the Peace, School Director and Township Trustee. He is a stanch Jacksonian Democrat. He married Charlotte J. Mathar, a native of Ohio, in 1848, and had nine children, five are living- Nathan Monroe, Emma Anna, Edward A., William Albert and Minnie Francis. His family are inclined to the Baptist belief. He was very poor when he started in Iowa, and has by industry secured a fine homestead and a fortune of from $35,000 to $40,000. In 1855, the second year of his stay in Clinton Co., he lost nearly everything he had by a prairie fire which swept over an area of the county ten miles long, and about two miles wide, carrying everything before it. Nothing daunted by his loss, he immediately commenced work, and in a short time had everything in as flourishing condition as before.

NICHOLAS NAEVE, farmer; P. O. Lyons. He lives in Sec. 24, and owns 400 acres of land, 160 in Clinton Co., and 240 in Crawford Co. He was born in Schleswig, Germany, Aug. 23, 1831, where he was educated. In 1849, he emigrated to this country and located at Davenport, where he lived for twelve years, when he removed to Clinton Co., where he has lived ever since. He has been a Republican since he took out his papers as a naturalized citizen of the United States. He married Eliza- beth Hoenecke, of Schleswig, Germany, Oct. 10, 1854, and has eleven children, all living-William (who married Mary Schneider, a native of Germany), Henry, Mary (who married Peter Bodhold, of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk Co., Iowa), Louisa, Frederick, Christian, Annie, Nicholas, John, Caroline and Albert. Family all members of the German Lutheran Church. When he first started in Clinton Co., he was very poor, without capital, but, by hard work and economy, he has built a beautiful homestead, and amassed a fortune of about $15,000.

HENRY PAYSON, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Elvira ; owns 118 acres of land; he was born in Schleswig, Germany, Feb. 10, 1837 ; in 1860, he emigrated to the United States and settled in Clinton Co., where he has lived since. He has served his township as Road Supervisor. He has always been a stanch Republican. He married Mary Katherine Peters, a native of Schleswig, Germany, in Clinton Co., November 6, 1866,- and has one son, Peter Martin, born in Clinton Co., Jan. 4, 1869; came to this country with no capital ; hired out as a laborer. saving his earning and putting it into a little farm, which he has yearly increased until he has a fine homestead and a fortune of from $8,000 to $10,000.

JOHN C. RICE, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Elvira; owns 160 acres of land; born in Center Township, Indiana Co., Penn., May 11, 1817; brought up and educated there; removed in 1849, and located in Scott Co., Iowa, in 1850, after looking over the

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county for a few months, but becoming dissatisfied, moved to Clinton Co., and located in Lyons, now Hampshire Township, where he lived for three years, when he bought the property on which he lives at the present time. He has held for several years the offices of Township Assessor, Township School Director and Road Supervisor. He mar- ried Elizabeth Kinkaid, of Cumberland Co., Penn., on the 19th of October, 1864, and, not having any children, adopted a son and a daughter, Francis Xavier Albert and Mary A. Shambaugh. He and his whole family are members of the Evangelical Luth- eran Church of Elvira. When Mr. Rice landed at Davenport, on his first arrival in the State, he had only 50 cents, and, by strict economy and hard work, he has succeeded in making a fine home and amassing a fortune of $5,000.

JOHN F. RICE, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Elvira; owns eighty acres of land ; he was born in Indiana Co., Penn., on the 15th of September, 1825 .; he was educated there; he removed from his old home and located in Center Township, where he now lives, on the 4th of March, 1863. When he landed, he had only enough money to buy a team and some farm implements, when he rented and went to farming, since which time he has bought the tract on which he lives, built a good homestead and is worth about $8,000 to $10,000. He has held for several years the offices of Township School Director and Road Supervisor. He married Eliza Hice, of Indiana Co., Penn., on the 13th of February, 1851, and had six children, four boys and two girls-George C., Will- iam S., Harry S., Albert E., Maria C. and Mary J .; he and his whole family are mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elvira.

WILLIAM F. RICE, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Elvira ; owns eighty acres of land ; born in Indiana Co., Penn., March 15, 1833, and educated there ; in 1854, he removed to Freeport, Ill., and located, but in 1856, becoming dissatisfied, he removed to Center Township, where he has lived ever since. He has held during his residence, for several years, the offices of Township Trustee, Township Assessor and Road Supervisor. During the war, he was a stanch Union man, and assisted in raising several companies who went out and battled for the Union. He always voted the Republican ticket. He married Maria A. Schott, of Indiana Co., Penn., on the 5th of February, 1863, and had three children-John C., Mary C. and Bella M. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elvira. When he first came to the county, he had not a dollar, but by perseverance and energy, he managed to buy the place he now lives upon, and has also accumulated about $25,000.

CHARLES C. SCHRADER, farmer, Sec. 21, Center Township ; P. O. Charlotte; born in Holstein, Germany, in 1836; he came to the United States in 1862 ; he first purchased a farm in Sec. 19, Center Township; settled on his present farm about 1865. His present wife was Charlotte Schrader ; he has four children by a for- mer marriage. He has 200 acres of land. Mr. Schrader has just completed a house at a cost of about $3,000.

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The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 101

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 807

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807