The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 66

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company
Number of Pages: 915

USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 66

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BOYDSTON, C. B .- Justice of the peace. Was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st day of October, 1831, and was raised in his na- tive State. His early education was in the common schools until nineteen years of age, when he entered Allegheny College. After completing his college course he engaged in teaching. In 1852 he came to Iowa and lived for a time in Jefferson and Mahaska counties, and in 1856 came to this county, which has since been his home. Heeding the call of his county for troops to assist in putting down the rebellion, he enlisted in the Thirty- third lowa infantry, and did good service in enlisting company A, of which he was commissioned captain. He participated with his regiment in all of its principal engagements, and was promoted major of the regi- ment. Perhaps no man in the county is more familiar with all the de- tails of its clerical duties than is the subject of our sketch, and his marked social powers have gained for him the esteem of friends and acquaintances. He has held the office of county surveyor, mayor of the city, etc., and jus- tice of the peace. He was married in 1856 to Miss Sarah A. Wallace, a resident of Greencastle, Indiana, but born in Ohio. They have a family of six children; Lillian, Mattie, Mellie, Frank W., Fred S. and Bertha.

BOYD, S. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 22, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, September 25, 1849. His father, James Boyd, was an agriculturist in that State. When S. W. attained the age of three years the family came to Iowa, locating in Mahaska county, where they resided three years, when they returned to Ohio, and after eighteen months sojourn returned to Mahaska county, where S. W. resided until 1877, when he came to Marion county. He was married March 29, 1877, to Miss Hannah M. Robb, a lady of superior tastes, who devotes her time to developing home attractions. The Boyd's are of Scotch-American lin- eage. He is closely identified with the educational interests of the township and takes an active interest in its advancement. Himself and family are members of the U. P. Church and are among its liberal patrons and sup- porters.

BRADLEY, E. P .- Sheriff. Is a native of Hancock county, Illinois,

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and was born July 15th, 1841, and lived there until seven years of age. In 1848 he came with his parents. to . Mahaska county, Iowa, where he spent his youth on a farm. He enlisted in company E, Sixth Iowa infantry, in 1861. In 1864 he was wounded severely at Kenesaw Mountain, and after remaining in the service four years was mustered out and returned to his home. In 1865 he settled in Marion county and engaged in farming, which he continued until 1872, when, on account of his injuries received in the army, he was compelled to abandon the cares of the farm, and engaged in the stock trade, which he continued until 1879, when he was elected to the position he now fills. He married Miss Mary E. Gushwa in 1865. She was born in Lee county, Iowa, and came with her parents to this county when an infant. Their family consists of four children: Willie S., Lillie A., Annetta and Albert L.

BRADY, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, in 1837, and is the son of Isaac and Lidden Ann Brady, pioneers of Marion county. The family came to this county when John was in his ninth year. He was raised to manhood and educated in the county and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which profession he followed for a number of years. In 1862 enlisted in com- pany K, Fifteenth Iowa volunteer infantry. Was at Shiloh, seige of Corinth, seige of Vicksburg, and others. At Corinth he was severely wounded, two minie balls taking effect on his person. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1865. He married, in 1867, Miss Elizabeth Conry. She was born July 26, 1845, and is the daughter of the pioneer John Conry. They have four children: Olive, Lavella, William, Franklin. His farm consists of forty- eight acres.

BRECKENRIDGE, SAMUEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 13, P. O. Durham. Was born in Scotland on the 9th day of June, 1822, and lived there until seven years of age and then emigrated with his parents to the United States and settled in Washington county, Ohio, where he was raised on a farm. He lived here following his chosen occupation until 1852, when he settled in Marion county, Iowa. His farin consists of 275 acres, and he devotes his attention to stock-raising and feeding. Although no political aspirant, he was elected to represent the county in the State Legislature of the Fifteenth General Assembly, and served with credit to himself and with honor to his constituents. He has been the architect of his own fortune and stands prominent among the self-made men of the county. He was married on the 6th day of March, 1851, to Miss Sarah M. Dunlevy, a native of West Virginia. Their family consists of eight chil- dren: Ella J. (now Mrs. D. C. Herrington), Lizzie (now Mrs. N. Williams), Andrew C., Maria, Lillie A., Bertha, James T., and Alva."

BREES, TIMOTHY-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 27, P. O. Knox- ville. Was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 25, 1830. His parents were Jesse and Martha. They were among the early settlers of the Buck- eye State. Timothy's early life was that of a farmer-boy. He received the benefits of the common schools of Ohio and resided there continually, with the exception of a few years in Indiana, until 1852, when Mr. Jesse Brees removed with his family to Iowa, locating in Lee county, residing seven years, came to Marion county in 1859, where the family has since resided. The subject of the sketch was married in the autumn of 1859 to Miss Charlotte Brooks. They have a family of seven: Martha J. (now Mrs. Orr), Isaac, Ellioda, La Fayette, Jesse P., Nona, Cora O. His farm con-

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eists of 160 acres; has also five acres of timber detached. Stock-raising his specialty; in this line he keeps cattle, horses and hogs that will compare favorably with any in the township. Mr. Brees is one of Marion county's self-made men. He began life for himself without means, and in the pioneer days endured hardships and privations, and has by his industry and perseverance reaped that reward which invariably follows.

BRIDGES, THOMSON-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. At- tica. Was born in Claiborne county, Tennessee, February 23, 1828. When Thompson attained the age of nine years his father, William, moved with the family to Brown county, where he was educated, raised to mu- hood and resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1842, when he em- igrated to Jackson county, Missouri, where he made his home until 1851. when he came to Marion county. His landed estate consists of 262 acres. His home, which is one of the finest in the township, is pleasantly lo- cated and indicates comfort and prosperity. Mr. Bridges was twice mar- ried; first, November 2, 1842, to Miss Nancy Gibson, of Missouri. She died in 1853. He was again married April 2, 1854, to Miss Mary Ander- son, a native of Illinois. By this union they have nine children: Nancy, Sarah, Thomas Jefferson, Lucinda, Raphael, Anna, Elizabeth, Thompson, and James. By his first wife he had three children, one of whom is living, William. Mary Ann and Joseph deceased. Mr. Bridges makes a specialty of stock-raising and is numbered among the pioneer agriculturists and stock men of the county.

BRIGGS, A. J .- Cashier of the Knoxville National Bank. Was born in Van Buren county, lowa, January 13, 1846. His early life was spent in acquiring an education. In 1864 he enlisted in the Third Iowa cavalry and served until the close of the war. After he was mustered out of the United States' service he spent some years in St. Louis and in 1870 com- menced his banking experience in Ottumwa, and from there came to Knox- ville and no man in Marion county has a more enviable reputation for hon- esty and integrity, and he merits the esteem in which he is held. He mar- ried Miss Alice C. Brooks, of Mt. Pleasant, in 1867. They have one son, George A.

BROBST, HON. JOSEPH-Deceased. Was born December 16, 1793, in Pennsylvania. In early life he learned the milling business, which he followed for a number of years. Came to Marion county in 1848. In 1850 he was elected county judge, also served the people as county auditor and was prominent as an official and public man to the time of his demise, in April, .1878. In 1811 he married Miss Nancy Hartman, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. By this union they had eight children: William, Josiah, Sarah, .Heister, Mary, Jane, J. F. and Martha. Mr. Brobst was numbered among Marion county's public spirited and respected citizens and few men in the county were more popularly known or had a more extended acquaintance.

BROBST, C. G .- One of Knoxville's most respected citizens as well as thoroughly educated business men. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1818, and raised there with a mercantile ex- perience. In 1855 he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Marion county, which has since been his home. Since his residence here there is probably no one in the county who has been a closer observer of its growth and de- velopment and who has noted and kept a more correct record of its events. He is a man of sterling integrity and has sustained an enviable reputation

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F for his business capacity and well merits the esteem in which he is held by those who know him best. He married Miss Louisa Brewer in 1841. She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. They have three children: Albert, Arthur, and Florence (now Mrs. C. H. Baker).

BROWNLEE, M .-- Was born in Augusta county, Virginia, February 8, 1795, where he was raised to manhood, educated and learn the tanner's trade which he principally pursued in his native State until 1832, when he emi- grated to Greene county, Ohio, engaging in agricultural pursuits and re- sided until the spring of 1866, when he became a resident of Knoxville. Father Time has scored eighty-six years of usefulness for Mr. B. who has always been found on the side of right, and an active worker in movements for the advancement of morals; in the temperance cause he has been and is a stalwart worker; religiously is a Presbyterian. In his twenty-fourth year he married Miss Margaret Kirkpatrick, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. Her death occurred August 24, 1870. They had a family of ten children, four of whom are living: S. J. (wife of W. B. Carruthers, a prominent attorney of Warren county), John (resident of Arizona), A. C. and M. Lost six: Mary, N., J. M., J. K., H. E. and W. L.

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BRUETT, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. Knoxville. One of the most prominent stock-men and agriculturists of Marion county, is. the subject of this sketch. He was born in the State of New York, August 4, 1832. His parents, John and Beckie Bruett, were natives of Ger- many. John, Jr., was raised to manhood, educated and learned the cabinet trade in New York City. When he attained his twentieth year emigrated to Adams county, Illinois, and for three years worked at his trade in Quincy. In 1856 located in Decatur county, Iowa, where he pursued bis trade until 1861, when he came to Knoxville. In 1862 he enlisted in com- pany I, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry; participated at the engage- ments of Helena, Arkansas and Jenkins' Ferry, where he was taken prisoner and held at Camden, thence transferred to Magnolia, returned to Camden, and subsequently lodged at Tyler, Texas-in all he put in thirteen months in the rebel prison pens, being released at the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Returned to Marion county; for a time was en- gaged in the furniture trade in Knoxville, after which he embarked in agricultural pursuits. His landed estate consists of 640 acres, 280 of which are in Franklin township, the balance in Knoxville township; he deals extensively in stock and keeps good grades. Is one of the largest real estate owners and stock-shippers in the county. Has made himself promi- nent in the county by his sterling business qualificationsand enterprise. In 1856 he married Miss Amelia Koneke, a native of Germany. They have a family of seven children: Elizabeth, George Henry, Eva, Gertrude, Char- lie, Jennie and Emily. Mr. Bruett's parents died in New York City.

BURNETT, W. F .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 8, P. O. Knoxville. This enterprising agriculturalist was born in Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, July 10, 1858; his parents were C. N. and Martha J., the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. W. F. is of American and German lineage. He received the full benefits of the common schools, and for two terms attend the Chambersburg Academy, in Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa in 1877 and since that time has been a resident of Marion county. On the fourteenth of December, 1880, W. F. concluded that the web of bachelorhood would no longer retain him in its coils, and he mar- ried Miss Laura M. Marsh, a very estimable young lady of Marion county.

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His estate consists of 210 acres. He is making stock-raising his business and being proficient in that trade is destined in the near future to become one of the leaders of the township. On account of his genial and afable demeanor he counts his friends by the score.

BURDICK, G. L .- Saddler and harness-maker. Was born in Philadel. phia on the first day of Jannary, 1839, and when very young was taken by his parents to Ohio where they lived four years, and thence to Indiana, and after a residence of four years in this State, he in 1853 removed to Lee county, Iowa, and in 1855 settled in Marion county. His father was a har- ness-maker, and at this occupation the subject of our sketch was raised. During the late war he enlisted in company A, Thirty-third Iowa volen- teer infantry, and served three years, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. After he was mustered ont, he returned to his home in Attica, and in 1867 removed to Knoxville, where he bes since been engaged in his chosen occupation, and has a high standing = s man of integrity and honesty, and his manufactures find not only a reedy sale, but give good satisfaction. He was married to Miss Kate E. Paul in 1866. She was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. They have three children: Lilian, Ida and Olyde.

BURCH, P. H .- Farmer, Sec. 22, P. O. Lucas Grove. Is a native of Barren county, Kentucky. He was born September 2, 1893, and we raised and educated in his native county. Having an attraction for the State of lowa, he emigrated in the spring of 1852, and located in Marios county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursnits until the spring. of 1874, when he moved to McPherson county, Kansas, and he returned to Marion county the same year. He owns 140 acres of land, 120 of which are in cultivation, the balance timber. He has been twice married; first, October 1, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Key, of Kentucky. By this union they had nine children, seven of whom are living: Nancy A., Hezekiah, Je mima E., Sarah E. C., Mary R., Marshall and Martha F .; lost two in infancy. Miss Emilia Leak, of Montgomery county, Indiana, beame his second wife November 11, 1868. She was born August 81, 1833.

BUSH, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 31, P. O. Knoxville Was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 20, 1845. Is the son of John and Ann Bush, who were natives of Maryland. John Jr. was raised to manhood and educated in his native county, his avocation being that of a farmer until 1862. In August of that year he enlisted in company F, Second Ohio artillery, and was at the Vicksburg engagement; was taken prisoner at Sweet Water, Tennessee, and for a time was confined at Colum- bas, thence to Saulsbury, and eventually transferred to the notorious Libby, where he remained until the close of the war. After the war he located in Fulton county, Indiana, engaging in farming, until 1875, when he removed to Iowa, locating in Marion county, where he now resides. His estate con- sists of 100 acres, one and a half miles north of Knoxville. At the fall election in 1880 he was elected to the office of township assessor by the Republican party. In Fulton county, Indiana, he married Miss Mary E. Adams, a native of Ohio. By this union they have two children: Echo S. and Floyd.

BUSSING, ROBERT-Among the many enterprising business men of Knoxville, no one has a better standing than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Washington county, New York, on the twelfth day of January, 1841, and while an infant was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he lived

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until eleven years of age, and then removed to Indiana. He was raised a farmer and followed it as an occupation until the outbreak of the Rebellion and enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana infantry, and served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged, and he re- turned to his home and was engaged in farming and the milling business, and in 1867 came to this county and became one of the proprietors of the City Mills, which he operated for thirteen years. He married Miss S. A. Campbell in 1869. She was born in Ohio. They have three children: Robert C., Earl C. and an infant. They have lost three: Mary A., Eliza- beth and an infant.

BUZZARD, G. F .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 25, P. O. Knoxville Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1832. His father, Jacob, was a tailor. G. F. was raised to manhood, educated and learned the carpenter trade in his native State. In 1856 he came to Iowa, arriving in Knoxville, December 17, and for thirteen years was identified with the interests of the town. For a number of years he has divided bis time between working at his trade and farming. He enlisted in com- pany G, Fortieth Iowa volunteer infantry, in 1862, participating in many of the stirring engagements; was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He married, in 1854, Miss Sarah Keefer, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They have by this union nine children: Jonnie, Lizzie, Will, Frank, Charlie, Dock, Fred, Dell and George.

BYE, CAPT. E. P .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 22, P. O. Knoxville. Of the prominent agriculturists and stock-men of the county, there are none more deserving of special mention than the subject of this sketch, who was born in Columbiania county, Ohio, April 27, 1827. His parents were Redelon and Sarah, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. He traces his lineage to German and English ancestry. E. P. received the benefits of the common schools of his native county, as his limited opportunities permitted, for his early life was that of a farmer boy. When he attained his thirteenth year the family removed to Jay county, In- diana, where they engaged in farming, and where the subject of this sketch resided until 1851, when he came to Marion county, arriving in Knoxville November 27. Being a man of close observation, he had become proficient in the art of mechanism, his father being a cabinet-maker, although E. P. had never learned the trade. The demand for mechanics in Knoxville st that time was good, and he made his departure as an architect. Many of the old land-marks at the present time are specimens of his handiwork. During the memorable cholera plague he furnished the greater portion of the burial cases. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, and in 1861 he returned to Knoxville, and enlisted as private in company G, Fifteenth Iowa vol- unteer infantry. During his military career he participated in many of the stirring engagements, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta Campaign, was with Uncle Billy on his famous march to the sea, and vari- ous others. He was mustered into the service as private, promoted to corporal; immediately after the battle of Corinth, in 1862, was promoted to sergeant; and in October, of the same year, to second lieutenant; and on March 7, 1863, to first lieutenant, the duties of which office he discharged until August 27, 1864, when he was commissioned as captain of company G, in which capacity he was honorably mustered out, at Louisville, Ken- tucky, July 24, 1865, and discharged at Davenport. He returned to Knox-

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ville, residing there until 1869, when he removed to his present home, Capt. Bye has been twice married. His first wife was Levena Palmer. married in 1855. She died January 23, 1860. By this union he has one daughter, Emma. On the fourteenth of October, 1865, Mrs. Elmira Eld- rige became his wife. She was born October 7, 1841. Her parents were Richard and Susan Brewer. May 14, 1861 she married Rufus H. Eldrige He was a native of Ohio, and removed to Iowa with his parents, at an early day. He went into the army, in 1861, as lieutenant of company K, Fif- teenth Iowa volunteer infantry, and was killed at the battle of Corinth, October 2, 1862. Albert Brewer, her brother, went out at the first and served all through the war. Mrs. Bye's parents at present are residents of Marysville, Marion county. She has one son by her first husband, . promising young man, E. R: Eldrige, now a student at the Iowa State University. Their family consists of three children: Delbert, George and William. Mrs. Bye is a lady possessed of those winning ways that make ber s ray of sunshine to the home. She is a skilled managress of house hold affairs, and her husband's best counselor. The captain's estate com- prises 200 acres. Stock-raising is his principal business, and he is making a success of it, by his discreet management. He is closely identified with the educational interests of his district. As a soldier, Capt. Bye standi foremost among the patriotic veterans of the late war.

C ARROTHERS, LEVI (or CAPT.)-Was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 10, 1833. Is the son of John and Nancy Carrothers. The for- mer is a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. They were among the early settlers of Richland Co. When Levi was quite young the family removed to Coshocton county, where he was raised to manhood, receiving the benefits of the common schools. His early life was spent on the farm. In the spring of 1856, Mr. John Carrothers, with his family, emigrated to Iowa, locating in Marion county, where the son now resides. Mr. John Carrothers, after an active agricultural career in the county, died in 1860. The mother, well advanced in years, at present resides with her son. On August 9, 1862, Mr. Carrothers enlisted in company I, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, passing through many of the notable events of the late war, Helena, Arkansas; Jenkins' Ferry, and others. June 14, 1864, he was promoted from sergeant to first lieutenant, and July 21, same year, to captain. in which capacity he was at the engagement of Spanish Fort, and minor engagements. Was honorably discharged at Davenport, in August 1865. Since the war he has been engaged in farming in Marion county. His estate consists of 160 acres. Stock-raising is his principal business, and he keeps grades that will do justice to the average in the county. He married, October 11, 1855, Miss Liddie Davis, of Knox county, Ohio, daughter of Aaron and Rebecca Davis. They have four children: Mary E. (Mrs. But- terfield), A. W., Annie M. and Carrie B. As a soldier and a citizen, fow men have a better record than Captain Carrothers, he is enterprising, pub- lic-spirited, and has been identified with all affairs pertaining to the public good. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

CART, ANDREW-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Uniom county, Virginia, October 22, 1822; is the son of George and Margaret Cart. When quite young he removed with his parents to Greenbrier county of that State, where they resided until he attained his twelfth year, when they emigrated to Elkhart county, Indiana, engaging in agricultural pursuits, and Andrew was raised to manhood, receiving the

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benefits of the common schools. In 1847 he enlisted in the Fifth infantry regular troops of Pennsylvania and served eighteen months in the Mexican War; was with General Scott at Vera Cruz. In 1852 he went to California and for five years was engaged in mining, returning to Indiana in 1857, where he resided until 1865, when he came to Marion county. His estate consists of 120 acres. He is a man of untiring industry and a close ob- server; those elements combined with skillful management have secured him a neat competency. In 1857 he married, in Indiana, Mary Slife, a native of Pennsylvania. They have eight children: Frederick, Leora (Mrs. Caf- fery), Margaret Ann, Ella, William, Benjamin, Wesley and Thomas. His father died in Indiana and his mother in Marion county, Iowa.

CHERRIE, M .- Proprietor of the Home Flouring Mill. Was born in Ireland in 1820, and was raised on a farm until eighteen years of age and then emigrated to the United States, and settled in Ohio; thence to LaFay- ette, Indiana, and in 1856 came to Marion county, where he has since lived. During the late war he enlisted in the Third Iowa cavalry as a private and was mustered out as captain. His mill is the pioncer mill in the city, has three run of burs and does both a custom and merchant business and has a good reputation for the quality of its manufacture. He was married in 1863 to Miss Agnes Breckenridge, a native of Scotland. Their family con- sists of four children: Mary, Milla (now Mrs. Whiting), Martin and George.

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The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 66

Author: Union Historical Company Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company Number of Pages: 915

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Company
Number of Pages: 915