The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 84

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 84


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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enterprise of its owner, Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis also owns other property, including Davis' addition to Clinton, and the limekilns and stone quarries on the river below the mills, embracing twelve acres of valuable property. Mr. Davis is emphatically a self- made man, being an orphan from a child, with no education only what he obtained study- ing nights, and he never had a dollar given him ; he worked his way unaided and alone. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one daughter-Laura Margaret, now attending the high school.


W. E. DRAKE, proprietor of the " Chicago Store," Opera House Block, corner Sixth avenue and Second street ; dealer in dry goods, trimmings and notions ; native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; upon reaching manhood, he went to Chicago, where he was connected with mercantile business for nine years ; he came to Clinton in 1877, and engaged in his present business, and is building up a good trade.


JAY H. DUNHAM, of the firm of Leslie, Dunham & Co., dealers in gro- ceries and provisions, Fifth avenue; is a native of Kalamazoo, Mich ; born July 17, 1849; when 9 years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa; they located at Lyons; he received his education there; engaged in the grocery business, and has since con- tinued it. The firm of Leslie, Dunham & Co. have built up a large and leading trade. Mr. Dunham is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the A. O. U. W.


ADAM DUNN, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Clinton ; is a native of County Antrim, near Belfast, Ireland, and emigrated to America when only 14 years of age. He lived in Monroe Co., N. Y., until the fall of 1839, when he and his brother came to Iowa, to Clinton Co., and bought a claim. The following summer, he returned to New York State, and came out here again in the fall; the next summer, it being very sickly, he again went to York State, and remained two and a half years; then came back to this county and located where he now lives, near Clinton. He is one of the early settlers of this county ; there are few here now that were here when he came. He had nothing when he began life ; by industry and good management, he now owns 500 acres of good land. He married Elizabeth Crawshaw, a native of England, in 1845 ; she came to America with her parents when only 7 years of age ; they have three children-William, who is married and living in this county ; Alice Ann, who married Reuben Huntoon, of Evanston, Ill., and lives in this county ; Elizabeth Frances, at home.


JOHN EDEN, firm of Eden & Hansen, manufacturers of vinegar, Second avenue; was born in Germany, in 1833; came to America in 1853, and in the follow- ing year, came to Clinton Co .; worked at brick-making until January, 1878, when he engaged in manufacturing vinegar. He is the oldest German settler in Clinton. He married Dora Heide, a native of Germany, in 1864; they have three children- Lizzie, John and Emma.


A. G. EWING, Superintendent of W. J. Young & Co.'s lumber-yards ; is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., and was born Feb. 11, 1838; he was brought up and attended school there, and completed his education at Jefferson College, Cannons- burg, Penn., where he graduated in 1860; he came to Iowa and located in Clinton in 1865, and engaged in mercantile business, the firm being Ewing & Young ; for the past three years, he has been connected with W. J. Young & Co., holding the position of Superintendent of the yards. He is a member of the City Council, and is serving his second term. He married Miss Stella C. Coan, daughter of W. F. Coan, President of the Clinton National Bank, Dec. 21, 1871 ; they have two daughters-Kate and Sarah. GEORGE W. EYRE, of the firm of Leake & Eyre, proprietors of the Central Market, Fifth avenue; is a native of England, and emigrated to America in 1858; he lived in Pennsylvania ten years, came to Iowa and located in Clinton, in 1868; he has been associated with Mr. Leake, in his present business, for the past five years, and they have built up a large trade; he was in the army in Pennsylvania when that State was invaded during the war. Mr. Eyre married Miss Maria Stephens, of Schuylkill Co., Penn. ; they have one daughter-Mary E. D. Eyre.


P. J. FARNSWORTH, physician and surgeon, Sixth avenue ; is a native of Burlington, Vt .; he received his education there; he studied medicine and gradu- ated in Vermont, in 1857; he graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the city of New York, in 1860; he came to Iowa and located in Clinton Co., and since has practiced here; only one practicing physician here now was here when he came; since 1870, he has been one of the Professors of the State University, and fills the


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chair of Materia Medica. Dr. Farnsworth has given much attention to geology, and has the nucleus of a fine cabinet of specimens. At the annual meeting of the State Medical Society, at Davenport, Dr. Farnsworth was appointed a delegate to the Inter- national Medical Congress, to be held in Amsterdam, Holland, in September, 1879. Dr. Farnsworth married Elizabeth D. Eaton, a native of Maine; they have one daugh- ter-Florence.


J. D. FEGAN, abstracts and dealer in real estate, Fifth avenue; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., July 26, 1831 ; he learned the tailor trade when 18 years of age; he came to Iowa in 1849; after spending a short time in Scott and Jefferson Cos., he came to Clinton Co. June 7, 1850, and located in Elk River Township; engaged as clerk in a store and worked at his trade. He married, on Aug. 26, 1851, Miss Ann M. Potts, a native of Wisconsin ; her parents were among the early settlers, and came here in 1839. Mr. Fegan took up land and made a farm; after two years, removed to Lyons. where he served as Deputy Sheriff and County Assessor; in the spring of 1858, he removed to Wheatland and engaged in the lumber business, and buying and shipping grain ; he enlisted in Co. I, 26th I. V. I., and was appointed Ser- geant Major ; he was appointed Adjutant, was promoted and commissioned Captain of Co. B; afterward, by recommendation of Gen. Charles R. Wood, of the regular army, was promoted to Assistant Adjutant General of the First Brigade, First Division, Fif- teenth Army Corps, commissioned by President Lincoln; he was in a great many battles ; though not wounded, had several narrow escapes; he was mustered out Sept. 19, 1865; after his return, in the fall of 1866, he was elected County Recorder, and held that office four years, and since then has been engaged in abstract business and buying and selling real estate; when he came to this State, he only had one five-franc piece, and his success in life is owing entirely to his own efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Fegan have three children-Charles P., Bessie (now Mrs. Ben C. Wilkins), and Maggie, at home.


C. C. FENLON, manager of the feeding and stock-yards; is a native of Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y .; after reaching manhood, he came West in 1852, and entered the employ of the construction company engaged in building the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, which, at that time, was completed as far as Turner Junction ; the following year, he came to Chicago and entered the train-service of the company, and continued on that line of railroad until the fall of 1864, when he came to Clinton and continued in train-service, and was yard master for a time. He was conductor of the mail and express train for nine years, and ran from Clinton to Boone until Oct. 1, 1874, when he resigned his position, and took the active management of the stock-yards here, having had an interest in them since they were removed from Fulton, and established here. When he left the railroad, he was one of the oldest employes of this extensive corporation from Chicago to Omaha. He had nothing when he began life, and owes his success to his own efforts. On the 4th of July, 1858, he married Miss L. W. Stedman, from Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; they have two children, one son-Charles E., telegraph operator, and one daughter-Anna Maud, at home.


CHARLES E. FISHER, bill clerk in the freight office of the C. & N. W. Railroad, and also senior member of the firm of Fisher & Co., dealers in staple and fancy groceries, No. 1008 Fourth street; is a native of Princeton, Bureau Co., Ill., and was born April 1, 1854; he was brought up there until 14 years of age, when he came to Mechanicsville, Iowa. He came to Clinton April 1, 1874, and since then has been connected here with the C. & N. W. Railroad. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Pierson, of Crystal Lake, McHenry Co., Ill., Sept. 12, 1876.


J. M. FLANAGAN, of the firm of Peck & Flanagan, manufacturers of carriages ; born in Albany, in 1845; he came to Clinton in 1868; for the past three years, he has been associated with Mr. Peck in his present business. He married Marian Dickenson, of Wisconsin, in 1873; they have three children.


J. H. FLINT, attorney and counselor at law, Opera House Block ; is a native of Somerset Co., Me .; born Sept. 12, 1826; he attended school there, read law, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1850; in the fall of the same year, went to California ; spring of 1854, he returned to Maine, remained a short time, went to California again, and returned East in 1855; he came to Iowa the following year, located at Lyons, May 3, 1856, and engaged in the practice of law ; he was commissioned Quartermaster of'


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the 26th I. V. I; he was Quartermaster of the Post, Black River Bridge, rear of Vicks- burg, and also Quartermaster of the First Brigade, in the First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps; went with Sherman to the sea, and was with him in his campaign through the Carolinas, then to Washington, where he was mustered out in June, 1865 ; after his return from the service, he located in Clinton, and since then he has practiced his profession here ; he has held the office of City Attorney for five years, and is Chair- man of the Clinton Co. Republican Committee. He married Miss Ada Rowe, a native of Somerset Co., Me., Oct. 25, 1855; they have one son-Fletcher Ware Flint, born July 22. 1868.


WILLARD P. FOOTE, conductor of passenger train on the Iowa Division of the C. &. N. W. R. R .; residence, No. 626 Tenth avenue; is a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and was born Oct. 9, 1842 ; he grew up to manhood in that State ; when the war broke out, he entered the army, in the 16th N. Y. V. I .; he was afterward transferred to 121st N. Y. V. I .; he was in the service three years ; he came to Iowa in 1867, and has been connected with the C. & N. W. R. R. since July, 1868-over eleven years ; is conductor of passenger train from Clinton to Boone. Mr. Foote married Miss Julia McComber, of Watertown, N. Y. She died, leaving one son-Henry Herbert. He married Miss Gertrude E. Thompson, from Michigan, in 1877 ; they have one daughter-Florence H.


BID GAGE, cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Saving Bank ; is a native of Canada, and was born Aug. 25, 1837 ; when 18 years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa ; they located in Jackson Co., and lived there until 1861, then came to Lyons, and was engaged in mercantile business for some years. He has held the position of cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank since its organization. He has held town offices, and is connected with the Order of Masons, and the Knights of Honor. He married Miss Agnes Graham, a native of Canada; they have four children-Mary, Frank, Carrie and Myra.


HENRY GERHARD, proprietor of the Gerhard House, corner Front street and Sixth avenue ; was born in Germany, in 1832 ; he emigrated to America in 1853, and came to Iowa and located in Clinton in the spring of 1865 ; he bought the Mississippi House, which was entirely destroyed by fire June 8, 1865; he immediately rebuilt the hotel; moved into the new hotel and occupied it the following 3d of July, less than one month from the time the fire occurred ; in 1869, he bought the Clinton brewery, and ran that for two years, which was a losing investment; he then returned and opened the Gerhard House again, and he has continued in the business since. The Gerhard House is one of the most convenient and best-arranged hotels in the State, being well kept, well furnished and comfortable in all of its appointments. When Mr. Gerhard began life, he had nothing, and, notwithstanding his losses, by attending to business, he owns the hotel and the brick building adjoining it, and half a block on Sixth avenue, from Front street. He is a man of strict integrity. In 1864, he mar- ried Louise Heiser, a native of Germany ; they have three children. He also has three children by former wife.


J. GLATTS, of the firm of J. Glatts & Co., furniture dealers, Fifth avenue; is a native of Newcastle Co., Del .; he learned the furniture business at Wilmington, in that State; after reaching manhood, he came to Fulton, Ill., in 1858, and engaged in the furniture business; in 1865, he removed to Clinton, and since then has been engaged in the same business here. The firm of J. Glatts & Co. are the oldest furni- ture dealers in Clinton; they also carry on the undertaking branch of the business; their best hearse is the finest west of Chicago. Mr. Glatts married Miss Sarah Ann Hitchen, a native of Newcastle Co., Del .; they have no children.


HENRY GODE, dealer in groceries and provisions, corner Fifth avenue and Second street ; was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1826; he there learned the bak- ers' trade ; he emigrated to this country in 1849, landed in Texas; he came to Daven- port, Iowa, in 1850, to Clinton Co., and located at Camanche May, 12, 1853; he started a bakery ; afterward engaged in the mercantile business, and continued there until 1868, when he came to Clinton, and engaged in the same business here, on the corner where he is now located ; he was here when the town was dedicated, in August, 1855 ; he afterward bought the lot and built the store he now occupies. There are


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very few men in this county that have been in business as long as he has. In 1853, at Davenport, he married Miss Elizabeth Mandler ; she was born in the Rhine Province of Prussia ; came to America in 1835, when only 4 years of age; they have eight chil- dren, two sons and six daughters.


SENIUS GODSKESEN, of the firm of Ries & Godskesen, dealers in groceries and provisions, corner of Second street and Seventh avenue ; a native of Den- mark ; came to America in 1859, and lived in Ohio until the war broke out; enlisted , in the 1st Obio Light Artillery ; he was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perry- ville, Tullahoma, and all the Georgia and Atlanta campaigns, and the battle of Nash- ville; was in the service four years, then returned to Ohio; afterward visited his home in Denmark ; he returned to this country, and came to Clinton Co. in 1868; he was engaged as traveling salesman for six years, and has been engaged in his present busi- ness for the past four years.He married Miss Barbara Metzger, a native of Frankfort on the Main, Germany, in 1870; they have four children-Botilda, Annie, Selma and Otto.


L. P. HARADON, manufacturer of windows, doors, blinds, screen-doors, and dealer in paints and oils ; is a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., and was born Nov. 16, 1834 ; when 20 years of age, he came to Wisconsin, and came to Iowa in June, 1860, and located in Buchanan Co .; he came to Clinton in October, 1867, and engaged in his present business ; he built his factory in 1868, with a capacity of employing twenty- five to fifty hands. Mr. Haradon married Miss Hannah M. Pierce from Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1856 ; they have four children-Ida, Edwin, Hattie and Nathaniel ; they have lost one daughter.


H. W. HARRISON, foreman of the machine-shops of the Chicago & North- Western Railway, at Clinton ; is a native of England, and was born in 1842; his parents came to this country when he was only 4 years of age, and lived in the city of New York, where he began learning his trade. He came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1857, and came to Clinton in February, 1863, and since then he has been connected here with the Chicago & North-Western Railway, and has held the position of foreman of the machine shops since 1868. He had charge of the Fire Department of Clinton for a long time, and he assisted in organizing the new department, and was its chief for a short time. In 1866, Mr. Harrison was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Brown, from Dutchess Co., N. Y .; they have three children-Edns., Estella and Benjamin.


CHARLES C. HARROUN, of the firm of Harroun & Cole, black- smiths, Fifth avenue; was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1826; he lived in Michigan, learned his trade in Albion; he came to Iowa in 1852; he was in the army, enlisted in the 31st Regt. I. V. I., Co. I; he was in a number of battles ; served three years. He came to Clinton in 1865, and has been in business here since. He married Helen J. Bucklin, of New York; they have three children-Mary, Jennie and Frank.


E. S. HART, Vice President of the Clinton Bridge Company ; is a native of Rochester, N. Y., and was born Oct. 20, 1832; he was brought up and attended school there, and entered Hamilton College; he completed his collegiate education there, taking the law course, and graduating at the Hamilton College Law School in 1855; he came to Iowa and located in Lyons in June, 1856; he associated with J. H. Flint, and engaged in the practice of law, and continued until 1861 ; he then removed to Chi- cago, where he practiced his profession about ten years ; on account of failing health, he returned to Clinton Co. in 1870. Mr. Hart is Vice President of the Clinton Bridge Company, and gives his attention to the active management of the business of the com- pany. In 1861, Mr. Hart married Miss Olive M. Williams, the eldest daughter of Ward W. Williams, one of the early settlers of this county ; he came here and bought a claim in the spring of 1842; Mr. and Mrs. Hart have three children-two daughters and one son ..


J. T. HARVEY, apothecary and chemist. Second street ; is a native of Dover, County Kent, England, and was born Aug. 22, 1816; he there learned the business of apothecary and chemist ; he lived in London and various other places until 1851, when he came to America; he lived in New York and Cincinnati, and was · engaged in business in Sterling, Whiteside Co., Ill., for eight years; he came to Clinton July 6, 1865, and engaged in the drug business ; he holds the office of City Assessor,


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and is serving his seventh term ; he built the first store south of Lee's drug store, on Second street. He married Emily J. Smith, a native of Massachusetts; he has one son by a former wife.


WALTER I. HAYES, Judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Iowa; is a native of Marshall, Mich., and was born Dec. 9, 1841, and is the son of Dr. Andrew L. and Clarissa Selden Hayes; he was brought up and attended school there, and, at the age of 19 years, he entered the law office of Hughes & Woolley, at Marshall, and commenced reading law. He subsequently graduated at the Law School of Ann Arbor, Mich., and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1863 ; the following year, he became a member of the firm of his late preceptors, which was changed to Hughes, Woolley & Hayes. In 1866, being offered a desirable partnership by Gen. N. B. Baker, late Adjutant General of Iowa, he removed to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in the practice of law, the firm being Baker & Hayes; this partnership continued until Gen. Baker removed permanently to Des Moines; he remained without a partner until 1872, when he became associated with Hon. George B. Young, then Circuit Judge, which position he resigned in order to resume his practice; the firm of Hayes & Young continued until August, 1875, when, upon the recommendation of the bar of the Sev- enth Judicial District, he was appointed by Gov. Carpenter to complete the unexpired term of Judge Brannan, resigned, and, in October following, was elected to the same position by the people, without opposition, and since then has filled this honored posi- tion. He was United States Commissioner for the Eastern District of Michigan, from 1864 until coming to Iowa, and was City Attorney for his native city in 1865. He was appointed United States Commissioner for Iowa in 1867, and held the office until he went upon the bench. He was elected City Attorney of Clinton in 1869, and was City Solicitor in 1870 and 1871, and again in 1875. He is a stockholder and also a Director in the Clinton National Bank. On the 28th of June, 1865, Judge Hayes was united in marriage with Miss Frances L., daughter of William F. Coan, Esq., President of the Clinton National Bank ; they have no children.


GEORGE HAYWOOD, of the firm of George Haywood & Son, bank- ers, Fourth street ; is a native of Columbia Co., N. Y., and was born June 19, 1823; he grew up and lived there until coming to Iowa in 1857; he located in Louisa Co., and was connected with the railroad there; he came to Clinton in 1871, and was engaged in buying and shipping grain until 1874; he engaged in banking in 1875. Mr. Haywood is one of the organizers of the Fourth Street Building Association, and is Treasurer of the Association, which has its office in his bank. His son, Murray Haywood, who is associated with his father in the bank, is Secretary of the Associa- tion. Mr. Haywood has held the office of Assessor. He married Miss Margaret M. Murray, a native of Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1847; they have three children-Murray, who is associated with his father; George, Jr., attorney at law in Minnesota ; William, at home.


DANIEL HESS, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Lyons; was born in Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., 1807; in 1824, he, with his parents, removed to Oxford Co., or District of the Province of Upper Canada, where they resided about fourteen years; removed to Michigan, tarrying there about one year; in 1839, they crossed the Mississippi River at Camanche, to the part of Iowa that was then known as the Black Hawk Purchase. They laid claim to quite a large tract of land, and, when it came into market, entered the same. Mr. H. still resides on some of the same land; his farm consists of 120 acres. In 1839, he was appointed Deputy Postmaster at Lyons, under Mr. C. A. Hoag, who had been appointed to the office, but, owing to failing health, did not accept the office, and, before his commission came, left the State, appointing Mr. H. as his deputy and recommending him for the office; in the same year, he received his appoint- ment and commission from Postmaster General Niles, so that he was the first acting and appointed Postmaster of Lyons, and the third in the county; he held the office for some seven years, when he resigned and moved on his farm. He married, in 1843, Miss Frances Wright, of Pleasant Valley, Scott Co., of this State. She was a native of Union Co .. Ind .; born in 1821. They have had seven children ; three are still liv- ing-Elvira A., Louie O. (now Mrs. Kerr) and Elmer A. Mr. H. and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty years. His parents,


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Frederick and Mary (McDougal) Hess, were natives of New York, and raised eight chil- dren-Katharine (Mrs. Calvin L. Dutcher), Daniel, Eve, Eliza (Mrs. Stephen Tripp); Frederick, Margaret (Mrs. John Sloan), Charles and David. The mother departed this life in 1852, in the 70th year of her age. The father died in 1870, in his 86th year. Mr. H. was formerly a Democrat, but, at the breaking out of the war, joined the Republican party, and has acted with it since.


DR. A. J. HOBART, physician and surgeon, Fifth avenue; is a native of Yates Co., N. Y., and was born July 15, 1829; when 8 years of age, his parents removed to Michigan, where he attended school and completed his education at Oberlin College ; he studied medicine and graduated at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1859; he also took the Ad eundem degree at Bellevue Hospital College, New York, in the spring of 1873, taking a special course in Normal and Pathological His- tology ; he came to Clinton in the fall of 1866, and since then has practiced here ; dur- ing the war, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 1st Mich. V. I .; after serving fifteen months, he was commissioned Surgeon of the regiment, and served two years ; he is connected with the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Med- ical Association. Dr. Hobart married Miss Alice G. Holmes, in October, 1864; she was born in Cleveland, but was brought up in Detroit, Mich .; they have three children.


ABRAM P. HOSFORD, President of the Clinton Lumber Company ; is a native of Orange County, Vermont, and is a son of John and Lydia (Perkins) Hosford, and was born Dec. 8, 1811 ; he attended the common schools of the neighbor- hood, and afterward received a thorough and practical course of instruction, both liter- ary and scientific, in an academic institution intermediate between the common school and college; when 19 years of age, he engaged in teaching, and continued for five years; in the fall of 1836, he left home and started for Chicago, coming from Buffalo by lake ; owing to the lateness of the season, he could come no further than Toledo, or where the city now stands; from there, he continued his journey on foot to La Salle Co., Ill., where he determined to settle; he walked back to where Toledo is now located, and, taking twenty-eight pounds of baggage on his shoulders, returned to La Salle Co. on foot, averaging thirty-five miles daily for the entire distance and requiring some seven days to accomplish the journey. He began making a farm, built a log house, and, in 1837, married Miss Julia C. Carter, daughter of Joel Carter, of New York; she died Jan. 24, 1844. He continued in agricultural pursuits, adding to his original purchase until he owned between seven hundred and one thousand acres of land, finely improved ; in 1853, he disposed of his interests in Illinois, and, in 1854, he came to Iowa and located in Black Hawk Co .; in 1857, he established himself in Lyons, Clinton Co., and built a saw-mill ; in 1859, he removed his saw-mill to Clinton, and the firm of Miller & Hos- ford continued until 1866, when he purchased his partner's interest, and, the same year, organized the Clinton Lumber Company, a majority of the stock being held and owned by himself, the mill having a capacity of manufacturing, annually, 15,000,000 feet of lumber, independent of a large amount of lath and shingles, employing 125 men and boys. Mr. Hosford, in addition to his extensive lumber business, is President of the Union Iron Works, which do an extensive business, and is also President of the Clinton Paper Company ; he is actively identified with the interests of the city and county. He is a Republican in politics, and is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. On the 10th of September, 1844, Mr. Hosford, while living in La Salle Co., Ill., married Priscilla N. Davis, a native of Maine; she died Feb. 13, 1863. He was again united in marriage to his present wife, Lucy M. Bonney, from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 10, 1864. He has three children living, two daughters and one son.




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