The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 85

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 85

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The Sunday-school in connection with the church has an average attend- ance of seventy-five; J. T. Hendershott, superintendent, and Miss Lottie Keeler, secretary.

Methodist Episcopal Church -- The first M. E. Church was organized by Rev. R. B. Allender, in 1855. The following persons constituted the class: W. B. Keeler and wife, Boyd Donnel and wife, Thos. Honnold and wife, Eli Pendroy, Jacob Pendroy and wife, Jacob Honnold and wife, John Young and wife and Win. Donnel and wife.

The first regular pastor was R. B. Allender; the second was Rev. Flem- ming; third, E. Woods; fourth, Austin Coleman; fifth, A. Lanbach; sixth, R. Holland; seventh, Ira O. Kemble; eighth, T. J. O. Wooden; ninth, Marcus Carrier; tenth, Rev. King; eleventh, J. H. Armstead; twelfth, T. J. Myers; thirteenth, E. Sampson; fourteenth, A. Kersha; fifteenth, A. J. Belknap; sixteenth, J. A. Cooke; seventeenth, A. H. Shaffer; eighteenth, F. M. Slusser; nineteenth, L. M. Hartley; twentieth, Rev. Cowen.

A frame church was erected during the summer of 1870. It is 30x40 feet, will comfortably seat 250 and cost $2,500.

The church when first organized used the Summit school-house as a place of worship.

There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church, with an attend- ance of about forty. The superintendent is Wm. Durose.

Dutch Reformed-This church was organized in 1871. In the same. year the organization was effected a frame church building was erected at cost of $2,200. Rev. A. G. Lansing, A. G. Zigler and J. A. Meuland

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

have been the pastors. The present membership numbers about one h dred.

There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church. John Brass, superintendent; William Lille, secretary.

The population of Otley is about 300.

AMERICAN CITY.

In July, 1848, a town was laid out on the west half of section 15, al called American City. James D. Putnam, S. S. Mangrum, Isuse X Crum and G. F. Hendry were the four proprietors of this pretentions tom Nothing but the stakes driven by the surveyor ever indicated the existen of American City.

BIOGRAPHICAL ..

BAKER, A .- Blacksmith and farmer. Is a native of Ohio, and born in Highland county, July 15, 1S26. When an infant he was brought by his parents to Belmont county, where he remained about two years then removed to Wayne county, Indiana, living there for two years. went to Cass county, Michigan, and in the summer of 1845 he took upl" residence in St. Joseph county. His father being a blacksmith, young Baker learned that trade. In 1850 he went to Berrien county, Michign where he was engaged at his trade till 1853, when he moved to Iowad settled in Red Rock, Marion county. Was there employed in blacksmith ing for fourteen years, when he located on a farm, where he now resides Now owns 100 acres, mostly improved. Was married to Miss Paties Garrett, October 29. 1850. She was born in Canada, January 28, 1831 They have seven children living: Flora M., Esther G., Martha P., Willet G., A. J., Louis and Nathan. Lost five.

BALDWIN, JNO. F .- Deceased. One of Marion county's most teemed citizens, was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1821, E came while quite young with his parents to the northern part of Obia That portion of the State at that time was a wilderness, and his father hel to cut a road and mark it, by blazing the trees, froin what is now Akros, Ohio, seven miles, to Yellow Creek, and was one of the first white familia to settle on that stream. The father died after a few years, leaving the care of the family to John F. In 1850 John, with a brother, made the tri across the plains to California, and was moderately successful. In winter of 1852-3 he returned to Ohio and sold his property, and removed with the family early in the spring of 1853, to Iowa, crossing the river Keokuk, and with an ox team they set out for the west, going as far Winterset, and not liking it as well as some they had passed, they returnd as far as what is now Summit township, Marion county. Here som of the family being taken sick, they were detained a few days, and liking the country better as days passed away, and the. sick recovering, they con- cluded to remain, and made a purchase of lands. From that time to the time of his death, Mr. Baldwin was prominently connected with the transactions going to make up the the history of Summit township Marion county, being one of the first to move for the organization of the township. It was named "Summit" for Summit county. Ohio, from whence he came. He, at various times, held township offices. During the late war he, being unable to go to war, did more than his share in cut-

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SUMMIT TOWNSHIP.

ng for those around him, who were left at home while their husbands or Orothers went. After the construction of the Des Moines Valley Railroad the was one of the first parties concerned in getting the station located here, zat what is now "Otley," donating for the purpose a large sum of money, and a part of the station ground, giving also several hundred dollars to assist in building the three houses of worship at this place. Mr. Baldwin Svas for several years a member of the Congregational Church, and a Consistent Christian. In politics he was Republican. Mr. Baldwin was never married, having devoted his whole life to the care of his widowed amother, who still survives him at the age of eighty years. Mr. Baldwin "was always planning and making improvements around him. and had planted and cultivated several fine groves of trees, both native and foreign; ad a comfortable residence, that was a home in every sense of the word. He died suddenly of congestion of the brain, attend by paralysis of the right side, November 27, 1880.

RUM, I. N .- Of the firm of Crum & Son, dealers in dry goods, gro- ceries, etc., Otley. Is one of the pioneers of Marion county and one worthy of special mention. He was born in Clarke county. Indiana, March 1 5, 1820, and moved with his parents to Morgan county, Illinois. Was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1845, when, having an attrac- tion for the Territory of Iowa, he came to Marion county in the spring of that year. In 1857 he moved to Red Rock and erected what was known as the Buckeye House, being engaged in the hotel business until 1865. He then purchased a store which he operated in Red Rock until the fall of 1 868, when he moved stock and building, including residence, to Otley. Here Le and his son have been doing a leading business. In connection with their @ tore they have the post-office, the duties of which they have discharged Since the spring of 1869. The subject of this sketch is also engaged in agricultural pursuits and deals extensively in stock. His landed estate con- @ists of 460 acres. Miss Sarah M. Harp, of Tennessee, became his wife, January 3, 1844. She was born January 16, 1824. Have two children liv- ang: John P. and William S. JOHN P., a member of the firm, was born in Marion county, Iowa, September 28, 1849. Has been raised and educated in his native county, and is now considered one of its prominent business men. He was married to Miss Allie Rowley, December 21, 1877. She was born in Wapello county, Iowa, October 20, 1853. They have one -child, Maud (born November 16, 1878).

CRUM. S. G .- Farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Otley. Was born in Morgan county, Illinois, February 14, 1854, and when about 5 years of age his mother brought him to Marion county, Iowa. She remained but a short time and then returned to Illinois, S. G. being left in care of an uncle, I. N. Crum, by whom he was raised and educated. He owns over 96 acres of land, on which is situated a good house. Has about 150 bearing apple trees. Miss Phebe A. McComas, of Union county, Indiana, became his wife June 25, 1875. She was born May 26, 1853, and remained in har na- tive county till twelve years of age, when, with parents, she moved to Marion county, Iowa. They have two children living: Charles W. and Effa M. Lost one.

D EN BESTE, C .- Of the firm of Wielenga & Den Beste, dealers in dry goods and groceries, Otley. Is a native of the Netherlands, and was born March 1, 1853. He came to America in the spring of 1863. His occupation was farming until December 24th, 1880, when he embarked in

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

the mercantile trade. He is a man honorable and upright in all his des ings. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Mack, March 1, 1878. was born in Marion county, Iowa, in 1857. Her ancestors were natives the Netherlands. They have one child living, Frank (born November 1, 1880). One deceased.

DONALDSON, T. M .- Railroad agent and telegraph operator, Otley. The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June SI 1855. When about two years of age he, with parents, moved to Ottam Illinois, remaining about six months, when they located on a farm in Loom county, Iowa. There he was mostly raised and educated. In March, 18%. they moved to Marion county. June 2, 1873, he began to learn the antd telegraphing at Otley, where he assisted in the office till May 1, 1875, and since that time has been in the employ of the Western Union Telegryt Company and the K. & D. M. Railway. He has discharged his duties as agent to the satisfaction of the company, and also to the people of this vicinity.

E THERINGTON, R. J .- Farmer, Sec. 32, P. O. Otley. Was born in Marion county, Iowa, December 25, 1850, and is a son of Robert Etherington, who came to this county in an early day, and was here ct- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise. August 8, 1875. R. J. l been raised and educated in this county, has adhered closely to his occupe- tion, and now owns 160 acres of land, most of which is improved. Mis Martha Emerson, of Georgia, became his wife November 27, 1873. She was born January 14, 1855. Have four children: William, Nora A., Job and Julia.

F INLEY, MRS. C .- Sec. 12, P. O. Otley. Whose maiden name was Cath- arine Neal, was born in the State of Vermont, June 7, 1824. Wha quite young, she moved with her parents to Pennsylvania, locating is Philadelphia county, at which place she was deprived of the care of ha father by death. She resided here until. grown to womanhood, and on the 8th day of April, 1840, became the wife of James Finley, a native of Pena- sylvania, and was born in Washington county, June 10, 1806, and wa there educated at the common schools. When he attained manhood he es- gaged in mercantile business, which he successfully followed until his death, which occurred on the 12th, day of January, 1858. In 1860 Mrs. Finley came to Marion county, settling upon her present farm, which contains & acres. She is a lady of culture and fine domestic habits. The family numbers seven children, five of whom are living: John B., Byron S., Ro- land W., Florence E. and Robert F. One son, William P., was a sergeant in company E, First regiment, Excelsior brigade of New York, and wu mortally wounded at the battle of Williamsburg, dying May 5, 1862; um acting as captain at the time of being wounded. He was a graduate of Duff's Mercantile College of Cincinnati, and a young man of more than usual business tact.

G IBBONS, LEVI M .- Sec. 20, P. O. Otley. His paternal grand-

mother was from Ireland, where she was raised and married to Mr. Dobbins, who died, and she settled in Pennsylvania, where she married Joseph Gibbons, who was raised in that State, but born in Maryland. He (Joseph Gibbons) was of English-Irish extraction. Ashel was born to them in l'ennsylvania, January 10, 1799, and married Mary Satterfield, who was of English-Dutch descent. Her mother was from the Steidmas stock known to early American history in connection with Harper's Ferry

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and Winchester. To Ashel and his wife were born five boys and three girls, one of the former being the subject of this biography, who was born May 21,. 1821, in Belmont county, Ohio. He was raised in Kentucky, and attended school but nine days, having acquired what practical education he has without assistance. He came to this county in August, 1855, and three or four years subsequently bought forty acres of unimproved land, to which he has since added sixty-five acres more. He married Sarah Hoops, a lady of Dutch lineage, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio. The fruits of their union have been: Mary (married to Samuel Low), Pleasant, Annie (dead), Joseph, and Nimrod (died in extreme infancy). Mrs. Gibbons died in March. 1871. Mr. Gibbons owns 105 acres of excellent farming land, in splendid condition, well stocked and entirely free from debt.

GRAY, JOHN B .- Farmer, Sec. 3, P. O. Monroe. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Allegheny county, January 11, 1832. He spent his boyhood days on a farm in his native county. In the year 1864 be volunteered his services in company C, of the Fifth Pennsylvania heavy artillery, and was discharged in abont ten months, when he returned to his home in Pennsylvania. In 1866 he moved to Iowa and located in Marion county. He is a model farmer and owns 120 acres of well im- proved land; his house and surroundings are pleasant and inviting. Was married to Miss Minerva Howell, October 25, 1855. She was born Decem- ber 9, 1835. They have seven children: Sarah L., George O., Jane H., Catherine M., Annie L., John H., Lottie M. Mr. and Mrs. Grey are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church.

H AMMOND, GEORGE M .- Otley. Is a dsecendant from Thomas Hammond, who was one of the first settlers in Hingham, Massachu- setts, where land was granted him in 1636. He took the freeman's oath March Dth, 1637. His (Thomas') wife was named Elizabeth Cason, of Lavenham, England. This story is told of her: When young, she took a walk with other youths to the Bank of England to see how money was made. The master of the mint was pleased with her appearance and chat, and gave her an invitation to try her hand in making money. She had made some im- pression upon him, and he was desirions of knowing if she could make an impression on the coin. He placed a piece of silver upon the die, about the size of a half crown. She came forward and grasped the lever, and stamped a fair impression on the coin. He presented her with the piece. It is now possessed by Stephen Hammond, of Roxbury. whose son William, of the eighth generation from her, is expected to inherit the treasure. Two of his children were baptized in Hingham. He moved to Newton after the birth and baptism of Elizabeth, in the year 1640, September 13th, and Thomas was born March 12th, 1643. In Newton two others were born, Sarah and Nathaniel. The father died September 30th, 1675. His estate was appraised at £1,139, 16s. and 2d. His wife, Elizabeth, was executrix. Four children are named in the will: Sarah. who married a Steadinan; Elizabeth, who married George Woodward; Thomas and Nathaniel. To Thomas he gave the homestead and the barn. The following items are in the will: Nathaniel was to have one-third part of the fruit of the orchard, year by year, till he have an orchard of his own; and the use of the barn till his brother Thomas helped him build one. The subject of this sketch was born April 2, 1829, and was raised partly on a farm and educated in Summit county, Ohio. At the age of ten years he moved with his father

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

to Licking county, Ohio, where he finished his education at Gruen Academy. He started for California, but stopped in Oregon, where into fall of 1853, he engaged in Indian skimishes, under General James Les. and where, during the winter of 1854-55, he was engrossing and enrolling clerk in the Territorial Legislature, the preceding summer having be occupied in surveying government lands, under Colonel Ford. During the summer, fall and winter of 1855 he was again engaged in the Indian mr In the spring of 1856 he went to California and engaged in gold mining with moderate success, until the following October, when he returned in: steamer by way of the Isthmus of Nicaragua to his family, who had mond to the present site of Otley. He platted a portion of Otley, and was the means of securing its location at this point. "In 1860, with others, be todt a trip to Pike's Peak, and returned the following fall and engaged in tad ing until the spring of 1861, when he went to farming. In June, 1861.5 enlisted in the Jasper Grays, of Jasper county, which afterward becas company B. of the Fifth Iowa volunteer infantry. Serving two mond more than the time of his enlistment he received his honorable discharge i August, 1864. He opened one of the first coal mines of this townes Mr. Hammond married, May 5, 1851, Annie Baldwin, who was boa November 19, 1829. His children are Llewellyn B., and John Ben (dead). Mr. Hammond was the first notary public in the township, recen ing his appointment from Governor Stone.

HENDERSHOT. I. B .- Dealer in grain and live stock, Otley. Was ton in Greene connty, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1834. His youth was spent z. a farun and his education received in the common schools. In 1865 be be came a citizen of Marion county, and on arriving at his newly adopter home, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He dealt largely in young stod until 1868, when he moved to Otley, and since that time has hes engaged in the grain and live stock trade. His elevator has all the moder appliances to facilitate business. Mr. Ilendershot was married Febras. 28, 1866, to Miss M. E. Harp, a native of Marion county. By this unie they have four children: Laura, E., Charles L , Clara B., and Ethel. La one, a twin of Charles L

HONNOLD, WILLIAM S .-- Farmer, Sec. 9, P. (). Otley. Is of Germe English extraction, and was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. April 1: 1833. Was there raised and educated, and served an apprenticeship # three years in New Philadelphia, as a printer. Came to this county mi entered land in December, 1855, but did not settle until the spring of 1 *** During the next winter, in company with S. U. Hammond, he revived the Pella Gazette, but in March, 1860, he abandoned that enterprise at moved to Knoxville. where he became associated with Win. Horner in the publication of the A'narville .Journal. This was continued until the ful of 1-61, when they sold out, Mr. Horner entering the army. Mr. Honnold worked in Cincinnati, Chicago and other places until the fall of 1864. via he entered company I, Sixty-seventh Ohio volunteers, and went in front d Richmond, where they wintered. The company participated in the captured Petersburg, and also of Lee at Appomattox Court-house. Was honorati discharged at Richmond, June 24, 1865. Worked at his trade in Chies until the fall of 1867, when he returned to this township. He owns It acres of land well improved. Mr. Honnold was married in Ohio, November 11, 1858, to Martha C. Timmerman, of German ancestry, born Noreale 19, 1836, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. She died April 30, 1878, karin

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tree children: William H. (died August 13, 1860), Claude Edgar (died ptember 27, 1878) and Forrest Belle. This young lady is keeping house r him, she having had the care of the household since the death of her other.

ARNAGIN, H. A .- Farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Otley. Was born in High- - land county, Ohio, June 2, 1832, and was raised and educated in his stive county, remaining there until the fall of 1855. Then moved to War- n county, Illinois, where he remained one year; thence to Marion county, wa. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company H, Fortieth Iowa, for three ars and was discharged in August, 1865. Was married to Miss Elizabeth ashburn, of Highland county, Ohio, December 30, 1852. She was born ovember 20, 1820. They have had nine children, seven of whom are liv- g: John W., Mary F., Henry A., Sarah .M., Nora T., Jasper S. and Oak- y H. Mr. J. and family are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHNSTON, CAPT. G. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Ot- y. Was born in Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 32. He was raised and educated in his native town and was engaged in e mercantile business until he attained the age of twenty-one, when he igaged as clerk on a steamer. of which he was soon captain, holding the sition until 1868. He drifted westward, locating in Marion county. He igaged in the raising of stock and tilling the soil, and is numbered with e most popular and enterprising men of the county. Miss Mary J. Ew. g, of Columbiana county, Ohio, became his wife September 30, 1862. She as born March 19, 1837. Six children were the fruit of their union: John George A., William E., Mabel B., Mary J. and Thomas C.

JOHNSON, JACOB-Farmer, Sec. 10, P. O. Otley. Was born in shland county, Ohio, December 29, 1827. He lived in his native county itil February, 1864, when he moved to Iowa and located in Marion county, here he has been since that time, engaged in agricultural pursnits. Was arried to Miss Elizabeth McClellen, of Ohio, June 1, 1862. They have e children living: David, Mary E., Ellis E., Jacob M. and Arminda M. ley have lost two.

ARR, JOHN MARION-Otley, where he keeps the only first-class hotel in the city. His grandfather was born and raised in Ireland, d in early manhood came to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where married Miss Hannah'Peas, a lady of American parentage. Their son, sorge W., was born in Pennsylvania, in 1812. He was a farmer and mar- id Eliza Dickey, a lady of American birth, who bore him ten children, one whom was John, who was born September 9, 1837, in Bartholomew anty, Indiana. When ten years old his father emigrated to this county, iding at Red Rock, in September, 1847. Here he was raised on a farm d educated. The father entered 180 acres of land, upon which the fam- · settled and have lived ever since. He enlisted in company H, of the rtieth Iowa volunteers, August 16, 1862. He participated in the siege Vicksburg and all skirmishes in the war-record of that company. He re- ived his honorable discharge Angust 26, 1865, and returned home and commenced farming. In 1871 he bought a saw-thill and ran it success- ly for nine years. He sold his mill November 1, 1880, and bought the tel at Otley, of which he took possession the twentieth of the same month 1 where he is now keeping a good house. He married January 14, 1866, niliza Moon, who was born February 13, 1847, in Kentucky. They have ee children: William, Nellie and Minnie. Mr. Karr, an honest, frugal

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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.

and industrious gentleman, owns besides the hotel in Otley, about two thousand dollars in personal property.

P LETTE, LUBBERTUS Of the firm Plette & Papma, dealers in ga- eral merchandise. Is a native of the Netherlands, and was bon September 26, 1850. Came to America in 1857, locating at Pella, when he was raised, and followed farming. until February, 1880. Then he entard into his present business. He is a man of sterling business qualification, and one well respected by the community. He was married to Miss Hes- drika Klein, October 5, 1869. She is a native of Marion county, but d Holland extraction, born March 12, 1851. They have five children living. Edward, Katie, Bauchie, Lennis and Garrett. Have lost one.

PLOEG, R. VAN DER-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Otley. h a native of the Netherlands and was born December 5, 1837. H. . came to America in 1857, locating in Marion county, Iowa, and engage! in farming and raising stock. He came to the county in very meager cir- cumstances, and his success can be inferred from the fact that he now ows 605 acres of land which will compare with any of the county. Hem first married to Miss Hannah P. Vandid, of the Netherlands, September 15, 1864. By this union they had two children: Mary C. and Delia. B married Miss Pechey Terpestra, his present wife, April 21, 1872. They have four children: Annie, P., Charles L. and Phelina P.

PRICE, F. P .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 27, P. O. Otley. Is am tive of Marion county, Iowa, and a son of James Price, one of the pioneen of the county, and now a resident of Michigan, where he is engaged in agi cultural pursuits. His landed estate in Michigan consists of 160 acres, al in Iowa 583. The subject of this sketch was born October 3, 1853, and raised and educated in his native county. In the spring of 1872 he had a attraction for the mountainous country, and spent four years in Idaho, Ar- izona, Utah and Nevada, most of the time in Utah and Nevada. In 18% he returned to his home in Marion county. He was married to Mary E Phillips, of Terre Haute, Indiana, April 24, 1880. She was born December 25, 1861.

R IBBLE, JOHN-Farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Otley. Was born in Mont- gomery county, West Virginia, March 6, 1821, and when about nine years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Delaware county, Indiana There he was raised on the farm, and remained till 1851, when he moved to Iowa and settled in Warren county for the winter. He located in Marion county the following spring, and since that time has been engaged in til- ing the soil. His farm consists of 160 acres well improved. Was married to Miss Rufina Guthrie, of Montgomery county, West Virginia, May 18. 1843. She was born February 10, 1826. They have one child, John N. (born May 9. 1844). Lost one.

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The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C., Part 85

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