The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 67

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 67

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CLARK, A. M .- County auditor. Is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was born February 22, 1832, and lived in his native State until 1851, and then came with his parents to Des Moines county, Iowa, and remained there until 1853 and then removed to this county. His time until 1861 was occupied in agricultural pursuits, working at the carpenter's trade and teaching school. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in com- pany E, Eighth Iowa infantry, as a private and was with the regiment in all its raids and marches until the battle of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner and confined in various southern prisons (among them may be named Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Macon and Richmond), and after being held over six months was paroled. After his exchange he returned to his regiment and was with it until May, 1866, lacking only three months and three days of serving his country five years. He passed the various grades of non-commissioned officers and received a commission as second lieuten- ant, first lieutenant, brevet-captain and captain. His popularity as a soldier and an officer is evinced by the tokens of respect and mementoes presented by the regiment. After his return to his home he engaged in the mercan- tile business and continued that until 1871 and then went on a farm. In 1879 he was elected to his present position. As a business inan he has been honorable, as a soldier brave and as a public official attentive and ob- liging. He was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah J. McMillan, daughter of Hon. Thomas McMillan. She was born in Ohio. Their family consists of five children: Samuel W., Thomas M., Mary M., Maria W. and Charles M.

CLARK, A. B .-- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Marion county, Ohio, January 29, 1832. His parents were Garry and Salina Clark. They were natives of Hartford, Connecticut, and among the pioneers of Ohio. His grandfather located and raised a crop of corn on the land where now is situated the town of Mt. Vernon. A. B was raised to manhood and educated in the Buckeye Stato. His boyhood days were spent in the farming district. His father was a prominent arch- itect and builder in that country, which trade A. B. learned and pursued

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

for a number of years. In 1852 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Decker, native of Marion county, Ohio, daughter of James and Clara Decker. By this union they have two sons: James Barrett and Garry. In the automi of 1854 he emigrated to Marshall county, Iowa, and engaged in agriculta- ral pursnits for a time; thence to Humboldt county, locating twelve miles north of Ft. Dodge. At his house seventy-five of the citizens were fet when returning from the pursuit of the Indians, after the memorable ma- sacre at Spirit Lake. The Indians, during his sojourn in the county, went very troublesome, and it was requisite to be continually on the alert. Is 1859 he moved to Knoxville, and was closely identified with the architects and builders of that town until 1868, when he removed to his present home. The Clark estate consists of 255 acres in Marion county and 190h Missouri. His residence is a model of neatness and indicates taste. The interior, under the skilled management of Mrs. C., is inviting and com- fortable. Mr. Clark is a man of clear judgment and well developed per- ceptive faculties. Politically, in the days of Whigs, his sympathies wen with that party, and upon the organization of the Republican party he wa found in their ranks, where he has since been solid. Himself and family are members of the Methodist Church.

CLARK, D. M .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. Knoxville This sturdy tiller of the soil, who for thirty-two years has breathed Marice county atmosphere, was born in Tennessee in 1841, and is the son of Thomas and Emeline Clark, who were natives of that State, and removed to Indiana in 1844. In 1848 Mr. Thomas Clark emigrated to Iowa with his family, locating in Marion county, being among the first settlers, and since that time has been closely identified with the agricultural interests d the county. D. M. was here raised to manhood, receiving the benefits d the Knoxville school, which, in his boyhood days, as is in all new countries, was rather meager. His early days were spent in farming, and he has closely adhered to that profession. In 1866 he married Miss Nancy Wat- kins. She is the daughter of Henry and Hannah Watkins, who were among the pioneers of the county. By this union they have two children: Ho mer B. and Elmer D. His estate consists of 143. acres, on which is sit uated a pleasantly located residence. He does considerable in stock-rait ing; keeps a good average grade. Mr. Clark is numbered among the ₪ spected and solid agriculturalists of Knoxville township.

CLARK, JAME'S-Farmer, Sec. 27, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Warren county, Tennessee, the third day of October, 1817. He remained in his native county, on the farm with his parents, until he was about seven- teen years of age, when they moved to Dade county, Georgia, where he re mained until 1849, when he became a new citizen of Marion county. Mr. Clark being one of the pioneers of the new county has had many hard- ships to contend with, but being a man of energy and enterprise, he bu made his occupation a success. He owns 160 acres of land. Has been twice married; first, to Miss Minerva McKaig, of Tennessee. By this union they had seven children, six of whom are living: Samuel, Frank, Sarah O., Elizabeth, Thomas and Louvina; one deceased, John. Second, to Mrs. Marinda Sunderland; maiden name, Marinda Millet, of Patnan county, Indiana. By this union they have five children: Howell C. James L. R., Mary A., Loubell, Harriet; and two deceased, Lanra E. and an infant. Mrs. Clark, by her first husband, has two children: Julia A. and Martha J. Sunderland.

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KNOXVILLE.

OLOE, JAMES H .- County treasurer. Was born in Clark county, Kentucky, February 2, 1827, and in 1831 was taken by his parents to Ver- million county, Illinois, where he was principally raised. From the age of seventeen until twenty-four he was employed in a pork-packing establish- ment, and during the last few years he was compelled to make a trip each year to New Orleans to attend to the unloading of pork that was shipped, as was then customary, in flat-boats. It was during these trips that he conceived the idea that in his present occupation he was circumscribed and that he was competent to manage for himself instead of devoting the best period of his life to building up the fortunes of others, and with the promptness characteristic of the man, he made a prospective tour in Iowa in company with his brother, in 1851, and entered land in Marion county, and in 1852 came to make it his home, and his means at this time were in- vested in thirty-six head of calves, and after they matured, were fattened and driven to Burlington, and were the second lot of cattle fattened in Marion county and sent to the eastern market. Froun that time until about 1873 he followed stock-buying. Since that period he has devoted his farm, comprising 360 acres, to raising Short-Hornis, and he has the largest herd of thorough breds, embracing strains of the best families, in the county. In 1879 he was elected county treasurer, an office he has filled to the entire satisfaction of those with whom he has had business relations. He has been married three times; first to Elizabeth Keenan, in 1852; she was born in Vermillion county, Illinois. She died in 1856, leaving one daughter, Charlotte N. (now Mrs. James Rice). His second marriage occurred in 1860 to Miss Thursa Conrey; she was a native of Edgar county, Illinois. Mrs. C. died in 1874, leaving seven children: Frank, Amanda, Eddie, James H., John, Sylvia and Bertha. His third wife was Miss Elizabeth McKern, born in Henry county, Iowa. By this marriage they have one son, Ancil.

COLLINS, A. W .- President of the Knoxville National Bank. Was born in Richland county, Ohio, in October, 1821, and was raised on a farm until nineteen years of age. In 1841 he went to Muskingum county and for four years was engaged in the manufacture of stone-ware, thence to Newcastle, Coshocton county, and was engaged in selling goods until 1852, when he removed to Knoxville, which has been his home for twenty-eight years as one of its principal business men and most successful financiers. He was one of the organizers of the Knoxville National Bank and was chosen vice-president, and two or three years later became its president. As a business man he has been straightforward in his dealings and as a citizen he is public-spirited, ever identified with the best interests and sub- stantial progress of the city. But few men have a better private record, or have achieved a better financial record. He has never sought or held a pub- lic office, nor is he a candidate for popularity or public fame. He is plain and unassuming in manner, social and obliging as a neighbor, and warm-hearted as a friend, and in character as well as in purse he is one of the substantial men of the county. He has been twice married; first to Miss Susan C. Olive, in 1844; she was born in Ohio. She died leaving five children: Chester L., Mina E., Emma J., David O. and Susan M. He married for his second wife Miss Sarah Lewis, of Madison county. Ohio. By this union they have three children: Wilson L., Bertha L. and Prudence N.

COLLINS, D. O .- Attorney. Of the legal fraternity of Marion county the subject of this sketch stands among the most promising. He was born

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

in Knoxville November 1, 1854. When four years of age he accompanied his father to Zanesville, Ohio, where he resided two years, after which he returned to this county, where he has since made his home, his father, L W. Collins, being among the early settlers of the county. He received th full benefit of the Knoxville schools, his boyhood days being spent prind pally in Knoxville. In 1871 a serious misfortune befel him by which was deprived of his right arm. On the twenty-fifth of May of that you he was out in pursuit of game, on horseback; by an unlooked for mon ment of the animal, the gun was discharged, which caused the above n sult. In the autumn of 1871 he entered the Iowa Wesleyan Universityd Mt. Pleasant, graduating in January, 1876. In the autumn of 1876 M commenced his law studies in the office of Stone & Ayers, Knoxville, and was admitted to the bar at the January term, 1878. passing a very credit able examination. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, and has attained considerable celebrity thronghont Marion and al joining counties. In April, 1878, Miss Vic Thompson, a native of Evanston, Illinois, became his wife. Their union has been blessed by one son, Werd O. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

COLLINS, C. C .- Bridge-builder. Was born in Richland county, Ohis on the 24th day of January, 1849, and while very young caine with bi parents to Marion county, Iowa. He early formed a taste for the trade d carpenter, and has followed it from youth as an avocation. For the past three years and a half he has devoted the principal part of his time to bridge building, and has had charge of all work in this line in the county durix this period, and at the present time is constructing the bridge over the Des Moines River. He thoroughly understands his business and has made it a success. He married Miss Jennie Savage, a native of Massachusetts, in 1875. They have two children: Ada, aged four years, and Nellie, aged eighteen months.

COLLINS, S. L .- Farmer, Sec. 6, P. O. Knoxville. Among those who. for twenty-eight years, have been identified with the interests of Marion county is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Richland county, Ohio on the 12th of December, 1830. His early life was spent on a fara. His education was received in the common schools, supplemented by one term in the high school of Bellville, Ohio. When eighteen years of age he removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, and commenced his mercantile experience as clerk in the store of Collins & Lee, with whom he remained until 1850. Then, in company with his brother, A. W. Collins, came to Jowa on a visit and prospecting tour. They landed at Keokuk. Here they separated, the brother going west and he north to Muscatine and thence to

Tipton, Cedar county, where two of his brothers-in-law resided.

remained here one year, working on a farm at fifty cents per day splitting rails, making fence and breaking prairie. During the harvest season be was afflicted with rheumatism, which unfitted him for work, and in Sep tember following returned to Ohio (this was in the year 1851, remembered by the old settlers as the year of high water), and remained during the winter, and in 1852 returned to Iowa.in company with his brother, A. W. Collins, and settled in Knoxville and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother A. W., who furnished $500 capital to offset the experience and time of his brother; the balance of capital was hired of A. W. Collim. They did a large business and were well known throughout the county. In May, 1856, they opened a branch store in Gosport in company with All

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KNOXVILLE.

Pearson, the relation continuing for eighteen months, netting four thou- jeand dollars. At this time Mr. Collins disposed of his interest in the Knox- ville store, still retaining an interest in the Gosport branch till the winter of 1857-8. when the Gosport store was sold to Burdick & Co., and Mr. Collins again became a partner with his brother,. A. W., in Knoxville. This partnership existed about one year, when A. W. Collins sold his inter- jest to Allen Pearson, Mr. S. L. Collins continuing as manager of the firm of Collins & Pearson for two years; at this time Mr. Pearson becoming fear- ful that the interest of the firm was being jeopardized by the extended credits given customers, was anxions to change their system to a cash basis. To obviate the necessity of forced payments, Mr. Collins proposed purchas- ing Mr. Pearson's interest; a bargain was made and Mr. Collins became sole proprietor in January. 1860, and in the settlement of the firm's affairs it was done at a loss of less than twenty-five dollars. Mr. Collins con- tinned in business till the fall of 1865, when he retired, his health having failed him. He is an active member of the M. E. Church, and one of its most liberal contributors as well as staunch supporters. He purchased the farm on which he now resides in 1864, and in character: as well as in purse, may be termed one of the solid men of the county. He has been twice married; first, in 1854 to Miss Lavina M. James, a native of Ohio. She died on the 4th day of November, 1860, leaving two children: Clinton A. and Alice E. His second marriage was to Miss Anna M. Thomson on the 4th day of October, 1864. She is a native of Centre county, Pennsylvania. Their family, by this marriage, is six children: Lafayette S., Grant, May, Jane, Hope and Belle.

CONRY, JOHN-One of Marion county's first settlers is the sub- .ject of this sketch. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 2, 1811; was there raised to manhood and educated. For a number of years he was a resident of Illinois, and in 1839 came to Henry county, Iowa, where he followed farmning until 1844, when he came to Marion county, where he has since been a resident, being closely indentified with its growth and general development. He married in Illinois, in 1830, Miss Nancy Lowery, by which union he has had twelve children, two of whom died in infancy: William P., Percilla J., Thersa A., Frances M., Mary E., Edward, Nancy M., John W., Abraham F., James L.

COOPER, J. M .- Sec. 6, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, January 4, 1828. His parents were John and Diantha Cooper. He was a resident of Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1854, when Iowa attracted his attention and that year he came to the State, locating in Marion county. For ten years .he was engaged in freighting goods from

L Keokuk to Knoxville, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1852 Miss Mary L. Jackson of Ohio became his wife. They have had six children, four of whom are living: Harry C., Wm. M. (deputy post- master at Knoxville), J. P. and Mattie E. They lost two: Edward A. and

. Henry B. On the eighth of August, 1863, he enlisted in company A, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry and was mustered in as first sergeant. At the end of six months was promoted to second lieutenant, and the au- tumn of 1863 to first lientenant. Was at the engagements of Helena, Ar- kansas, Jenkins' Ferry, Spanish Fort and others. Was honorably dis- charged July 17, 1865, at New Orleans. His farin consists of fifty acres adjoining the corpration; has an orchard of 170 apple trees. He is nun bered among the enterprising and honorable citizens of the county.

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

COOPER, WILLIAM M .- Deputy postmaster, Knoxville. Of the exemplary and promising young men of Knoxville, there is no more popa- larly known than the subject of this biography. He was born in Koox- ville township March 99, 1858, and is a son of Lieutenant J. M. Cooper, one of the pioneers of the county. Win. M. was gaised to manhood in the township, receiving full benefits of the Knoxville graded school. Sino 1875 his genial " phiz " has been gazed upon by thousands through the de livery apertures of the post-office, and when he says " nothing," Pinka. ton's full company, backed by the Knoxville police force, equipped with iron-clad search warrants, could not scare up any mail for the expectust enquirer. On the thirteenth of November, 1880, Miss Mollie F. Dam, an estimable young lady, daughter of James and Permelia Dana, of Knox- ville, became his wife.

CORNELL, NORMAN R .- Physician and surgeon. The oldest prie ticing physician in Knoxville is Norman R. Cornell, who settled here is 1850. He was born in Steuben county, New York, on the eleventh day d September, 1824. He was raised on a farm, and his time divided between attending school and assisting his father. Having early made choice of the practice of medicine as a profession, he commenced reading with Dr. W.H. Thomas as preceptor. When seventeen years of age went to Kentucky, He pursued his medical studies at the Geneva Medical College, New York, graduated in 1848, and commenced practicing in Ohio, Kentucky. In 1850 be came to Iowa and settled in Mariou county, where he has since pro ticed. His practice at that time extended not only through Marion county, but his. rides extended into Warren, Lucas, Monroe and Mahaska. Du- ing the war he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Twenty-third Iom infantry, and the following Jannary was appointed, by Governor Stoos surgeon of the Fortieth Iowa Infantry, serving until the regiment mustered out in 1865. The last year he served as brigade-surgeon. His experience in the army increased his reputation, particularly as a surgeon. Of late years he has made a specialty of the eye and ear in connection with a general practice. He was married in 1847, to Miss Mary F. Timmons,s native of Ohio county, Kentucky. Their family circle consists of seven children: Corwin W. (a graduate of Rush Medical College, and associated with his father in the practice of medicine), Lindley P. (a practicing physi- cian of Pleasantville, Iowa), B. (now Mrs. C. M. Whitemore), Landon H, Annie C., Mary R. and Don D.

CRAVENS, JAMES H .- Farmer, Sec. 31, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Randolph county, Indiana, January 25, 1825, and lived there until 185%, when he moved to Iowa, locating in Mahaska county, where he resided : few years and then came to this county and engaged in farming, in which he has been very successful and has gained a fair competency. Mr. C. hu been identified with the interests of Marion county for some twenty-fin years, and properly constitutes a part of her history. He has passed through many difficulties and hardships incident to the settlement of new countries. By pursuing a straightforward and upright course has gained considerable property, and secured the esteem and respect of all who know him. By the aid of a faithful and industrious wife has successfully brought up a large family, respected by the community in which they live. Mr. C. was married February 20, 1847, to Miss Louisa Seegar, of Logan county, Ohio. They have eight children: Amos M., Joseph, Francis M., Edwin A., James A., Eliza Jane. John E. and Jay S.

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KNOXVILLE.

CRADDICK, W. W .-- Postmaster. Was born in Owen county, Indiana, on the eleventh day of November, 1836, and lived there until eight years of age and accompained his parents to Hendricks county, in the same State, where they lived three years, and in 1848 came to this county which has since been his home. He engaged in the drug business and followed this business for sometime. He enlisted in the Thirty-third Iowa infantry dur- ing the late war and served in the capacity of hospital warden. After his discharge from the United States service he returned to his home. In 1868 became connected with the post-ofice as deputy, and two years later was appointed postmaster, a position he still retains. Politically he is a stalwart Republican, and has served as chairman of the county central committee for six years. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Jane Hickman, in 1857; she was born in Muncie, Indiana. She died in 1876, leaving two children: Mary Belle and May. His second marriage was to Mrs. Sue E. Fetrow, of Chicago, Illinois. By this union they have one child, Bertie. Mrs. Craddick has one son by a former marriage, Thomas Fetrow, aged seven years.

CRADDICK, J. W .- No man within the boundaries of Marion county is more popularly known than Father Craddick. He was born in Bourbon, Kentucky, October 24, 1812. His parents, John and Sarah, were natives of West Virginia. The family, when J. W. was in his tenth year, emigrated to Owen county, Indiana, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the subject of this sketch was raised to manhood, educated and learned the trade of blacksmithing. On the thirtieth of April, 1835, Miss Kazia A. Woods became his wife. She is a native of Tennessee, daughter of William and Kazia Woods, born September 16, 1813. In 1849 Mr. Crad- dick left the Hoosier State, and on the twentieth of October located at Red Rock, Marion county, where he sojourned until the spring of 1850. when be removed to Pleasantville, opened a blacksmith shop and resided until 1860 when he took up his abode in Knoxville. During his residence he has been closely identified with the building interests of the town, giving most of his attention to carpenter work. Mr. and Mrs. Craddick encoun- tered all the drawbacks of the pioneer, which were current when they came to this county, and can look back with complacency, knowing that they. took an active part in its development. They raised a family of nine chil- dren: W. W. (postmaster, Knoxville), Lonisa (wife of M. Moore), Fannie (wife of C. Scoles), America (wife of L. Tucker), Mattie (wife of Wmn. Young), Woodford, Mattie (wife of W. Myers), Samuel M. and Jessie F. (wife of P. K. Bonebrake). Mr. and Mrs. Craddick are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Craddick, in the days of Whigs, united with that party, and his sympathies have been with the Republican party since its organization.

CROUCH, B. F .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec: 28, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Mason county, Virginia, November 20, 1849. His parents, William and Emily, were among the early settlers of that State. B. F. was there raised until he attained the age of seven years, when his family removed to Iowa, locating in Marion county. In 1871 Miss Sarah Everett, of Marion county, a lady of refined tastes and domestic habits, became his wife. Their union has been blessed by two children: Harry A. and Ein- mett E. Has farm of 100 acres will compare favorably with any in the township. He makes stock ruising and feeding a speciality and does in this particular branch a thriving trade.

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

CUNNINGHAM, DR. A. C .- Deceased. One of the most worthy eiti- zens who ever made his home in Knoxville. Was born in Rock bridge, Vir- ginia, on the sixth day of December, 1813, and transplanted early to Hill boro, Highland county, Ohio, and thence to Waveland, Indiana; through the influence of his uncle Dr. J. S. Cunningham, a physician of note,! was induced to make choice of the practice of medicine as a profession, with his uncle as preceptor and after preparing himself attended lectures at the Saint Louis Medical College. In 1844 he removed to Iowa and set- tled at first in Ottumwa, and thence to Oskaloosa, where he remained two years; then made his home in Marion county. The practice of medicine not being congenial to his taste, he abandoned it. In 1850 he was elected clerk of the courts. At the expiration of his term of service he was ap- pointed postmaster and held the office ten years; after which he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He opened and operated a coal shaft on his farm, in- cluded in the city limits. His home in the county covers a space of thirty- two years, and his going ont and coming in have been known to all. Politi- cally he was a Democrat of the old school and while no politician, in the worst sense of that term, he was one of those rare men whose interest in public affairs, never flagged and who neither sought nor refused official trust His life was more than of average length and a peaceful one. He had as even temper, refined taste, prosperous fortune and public respect. At though not a member of any church organization, his sympathies were with the Presbyterian and his life was a daily witness of the true man. At last at the age of nearly sixty-seven with mind unclonded, his work done, he passed from the presence though not from the memory of men. His death occurred July 20, 1880. It is true there were nothing sensational about his life. It was quiet, unobtrusive, useful and happy, it illustrates the dignity not less than the happiness of an honest man, a patriotic citizen and a Christian gentleman. His character was the steady growth of years; it grew. like the trees, invisibly but continually higher with every new se- son, spreading wider their branches with every recurring year. He was twice married; first, to Miss Martha Phillips, in November 9, 1848. She was s native of Kentucky; she died in 1862. leaving three children: Florence (now Mrs. Gamble), Alice (now Mrs. Culver) and Lola. His second mar- riage was to Miss M. A. White of Greenfield, Huron county, Ohio, in 1866, a lady whose graces of mind and person have endeared her to all who know her.

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The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 67

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