USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 90
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ID assuming editorial management of the paper, June 18, 1880, Mr. Bell published the following salutatory:
"Just entering on an enterprise, which, owing to the many changes from its original may be looked upon as new, we deem it proper to inforin our readers, briefly, the course we mean to pursue, as well as the object aimed at. On all questions, political, religious or social, we shall stand inds pondent. And when we say independent, we mean that we are owned by no political party, no church creed and no social faction. Realizing that to God, whom we adore, and society for whose welfare we labor, we are respon- sible for our own conduct, we will be guided alone by our own sense of
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luty. We will submit to no dictation, and seduced by no bribe, terrified y no threat, onr effort for good will be measured by our ability to compre- lend and perform. We are not ignorant of the many difficulties to be en- countered in conducting a paper on so high a plane, but we are also aware hat it lifts us above many absurdities.
" The party press knows no liberty of expression. Her sentiments are 'eady coined and the 'organs' must scatter them to their readers. Our ›pinions, religious, political and social are our own, and we shall force them on no one. We shall fearlessly condemn every evil, and without hope of avor, applaud every good. Our effort will be to furnish to our readers a reliable, spicy, readable paper. We will studiously avoid wounding the feelings of any, but intend to furnish every article of news, and if the ruth hurts, we are not to blame. While we shall allow our correspond- ants the widest latitude, no personal spite or bitter feelings shall be allowed nonr columns. Our whole aim and object is to please our patrons, to educate the young, to elevate the old, to rebuke vice, to encourage virtue ind-earn our bread and butter."
Mr. Bell has followed the plan here marked out, has kept all the prom- ses here made, and has given the people of Pleasantville and vicinity a paper of which they may well be proud.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A GARD, EUGENE D .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20, P. O. Pleas- antville. Mr. Agard is a native of Licking county, Ohio, and was born on the 12th day of August, 1823. All his life he has been an ac- ive farmer. When he was twelve years old his father, James S. Agard, 'emoved to Indiana, and soon after to St. Louis, Missouri. Here 'he re- nained a short time and then took up his residence in Adams county, Ilinois, where E. D. resided until 1865, when he came to Pleasant Grove ownship, Marion county, Iowa. On the 21st day of June, 1846, he was married to Joanna Jordan, from which union they have six children: Gidcon W., William V., Elias G., E. A., A. E. and Annie. Mr. Agard's ather was a native of Connecticut and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Was with W. H. Harrison at the battle af Tippecanoe. He died in Adams county, Illinois in the year 1855, at the age of sixty-six years.
B' ROWN, T. R .- Of the firm of W. Jordan & Co., Pleasantville. Is a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, and was born on the 17th day of May, 1849, and lived there until ten years of age and then removed to Marion county and settled in this township. His early life, until fifteen years of age, was divided between farm duties and attending school. In 1864 he commenced his mercantile experience. In 1877 he was elected sheriff of Marion county, and at the expiration of his term of office pur- ;hased an interest in the firm with which he is now associated. He is a nan of sound understanding and for one so young, of large practical ex- >erience, and in the official position which he has filled the universal ver- lict is, that he was attentive and obliging as an officer, but inflexible, inswerving in the discharge of his duty, which was performed with scru- ulous care and fidelity. He married Miss Sarah Silvers in 1870. She is native of Virginia.
C NORNELL, L. P .- Physician and surgeon, Pleasantville. The subject of this sketch was born at Knoxville, Iowa, in 1854, and is a son of Dr.
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N. R. Cornell, of that place. Dr. O. for a time attended the Rush Medi- cal School at Chicago, and graduated at the Louisville Medical Institute, and from the Kentucky School of Medicine, and holds certificates and diplomas from these various schools. He was for a time engaged io li profession at the hospital at Louisville. He has now been three years as- gaged in the practice of medicine in his native county, with flattering se cess. He has the deserved honor and confidence of the community i which he lives, and his future life promises to be one of eminent success.
CONN, RICHARD R .- Farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Pleasantville. Was bon in Jefferson county. Kentucky, the twenty-fourth day of May, 1820. In eark life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and on the twenty-sixth dat of April, 1845, he was married to Miss Harriet Richardson. He has & children living: Julia, H. T., Indiana, Margaret, Richard S. and S. C. Coming to the county in 1851, Mr. Conn and family, in common wid many of the early settlers of that day, experienced many hardships and po vations incident, to the settlers in those days. He is a man who is & teemed by a large circle of acquaintances.
D AVIDSON, DANIEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18, P. O. Pleasantville. Was born April 28, 1820, and is a native of Butler county, Ohio. At the age of thirteen, with his father, Moses Davidson, le removed to Maconpin county, Illinois. Here he remained until he emi- grated to Iowa in the spring of 1848. He came to Marion county and set- tled in Pleasant Grove township, where he has ever since lived with the exception of a few years spent in California and the West. He was mur ried October 15, 1843, to Miss Mary Caudill. From this marriage the have seven children: Moses, James, Eliza Jane, Margaret, Julia E., Wi- liam D. and Samuel R.
DEWITT, M. K .- Merchant. Was born in Fayette county, Ohio, July 25, 1846, and lived there until 1859, when he came to Marion county. Iowa. He early commenced his mercantile experience, and engaged in his present business July 27, 1880, and his is the only exclusive dry goods store in the town. In a business point his life has been a success, and he is securing a large patronage by honor, integrity and fair-dealing. He has held various township and city offices. He married Miss Margaret Jorda October 7, 1874. She is a daughter of Hon. Miles Jordan, one of Marice county's oldest and most respected citizens. Their family consists of three children: Musa, Pearl and Roxy.
DUNCAN, S. V .- Physician and surgeon. This popular gentleman is a native of Sullivan county. East Tennessee, and was born on the fifth of October, 1840. He came to Marion county in 1860, and on the twenty- eighth day of March. 1862, he enlisted in the service of his country, and contributed actively in putting down the Rebellion. On his return from the war he commenced the study of medicine, and in the year 1866 gradn- ated at the Elestic Medical College of Cincinnati. His industry and ap plication is rewarded by a large and constantly growing practice. On No- vember 5, 1868, he married Miss Mellissa Jordan, daughter of Hon. Mile Jordan, and now have two children: Tommie D. and Miles J.
LSON, R. T .- Postmaster and editor of the Pleasantville Nevos. This E genial Faber driver is indebted to Marion county of the Hoosier State for his nativity, where he commenced his career on the fourteenth of March, 1843. His youthful days were spent in his native State tilling the soil and attending the common schools. In 1855 he emigrated with his
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parents to his present home. During his long sojourn in the county his ability has been recognized fully by his fellow-citizens, he having been elected to various township offices. A kind-hearted and smiling postmaster is .an ornament to any town, and Pleasantville, in this respect, takes a premium. He was married June 5, 1877, to Miss Julia A. Thompson.
F OREMAN, GEORGE-Miller. Is a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was born July 18, 1828. His father, William Foreman, emigrated to Marion county, Ohio, the next year, 1829, where he spent his youth. He was raised a farmer, and received a good common school education. In the year 1857 he removed from Ohio to Mahaska county, Iowa, and engaged in a mercantile business in Oskaloosa. In Au- gust, 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-third regiment, company C, Iowa volunteers, and participated in many of the leading events of the war. Mr. F. was married on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1852, to Miss Mar- garet L. Johnson, a native of Licking county, Ohio. She died August 4, 1857, leaving one son, William J. On the twentieth of Angust, 1861, was again married to Miss Rachel W. Lafferty, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, born April 6, 1836. This union has been blessed by three children: Mary L., John L. and Edgar.
FOSHIER, J. E .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19, P. O. Pleasantville. Native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born September 18, 1836, where he resided, working on the farm and attending school, until 1850, when he emigrated with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa. His father, David Foshier, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, in 1804, married to Eliza- beth Brewington in 1834, born in Maryland. He enlisted August 17, 1862, in company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa. Was mustered out June 5, 1865. Has been twice married; first, March 8, 1855, to Miss Frances Miller. His present wife was Mrs. Triphena Bare, widow of Robert C. Bare, who was wounded at the battle of Saline, and being taken prisoner died at Camden, in September, 1864. He has ten children: Willie and Lillie (born May 11, 1867), James E. (born November 18, 1869), Charles L., Robert W., John O., Thomas P., Ralph A., Orin H., Elmer A., Makes a specialty of Cots- wold sheep and has thirty-five head; also has horses, hogs, cattle, etc. Mr. Bare was one of the old settlers having come about 1853.
G EBHARDT, M. C .- Station agent and telegraph operator, Pleasant- ville. Was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 29th day of April, 1846, and lived there until eight years of age, and in 1856 he came to Van Buren county, lowa. His education was obtained in the common schools and at the college in Mount Pleasant, and after a mercantile experience of two years and a half, in December, 1866, commenced railroading, first in the employ of the K. & D. V. R. R., at Pella, and a year later as station agent at Otley, where he remained until he formed his present connection with the C. B. &. Q. R. R. at this place, in which position he has well earned the respect and confidence of those with whom he has had business transactions. He married Miss Mary Rowley, daughter of the Rev. L. T. Rowley, of Mount Pleasant, in 1869. Their family consists of three children: George, Maggie and Bertha.
GOSE, J. J .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 8, P. O. Pleasantville .. The subject of this sketch is a brother of Hon. S. Y. Gose, and is a native of Russell county, Virginia. He was born on the 4th of March, 1828. After living for some time in Indiana he came to Iowa, and entered
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
land in Section 7, of Pleasant Grove township. He was married . May &d, 1860, to Miss Amanda Mills. They have five children living: Carl Elma (born November 5th, 1862), William A. (born April 8th, 1866), Charla Orson (born December 10th, 1867), Kate (born September 11th, 1869), Earl (October 26th, 1876). Lost two: Cornelia (born March 87th, 1861, died September 16th, 1862), Cora (born Jannary 24th, 1865, died October 8th, 1876).
H ALE, N. P .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30, P. O. Pleasantville Is a native of Tennessee, Granger county, and was born on the Ssd day of July, 1823. There he resided until three years of age, when he mu taken by his parents to Washington county, remaining there until the age of twenty-two years. Then with his wife came to Henry county, this State, and to Marion county in October, 1850. He located on the Des Moines River, in the township now known as Swan, where he made his home until the spring of 1851. Everything was looking prosperous, and there was a good prospect of large crops, when the wet weather came and the water fell in such abundance that in a short time the land on the bottoms was ml merged. Mr. Hale was obliged to leave his cabin and take refuge with Mr. Brand, whose cabin was under water to the depth of four feet, the family being obliged to live up stairs. An attempt was made to find dry land, ba it proved futile, and for ten days they remained in the house without seeing a person. During this time the principal articles of diet and drink want corn bread, pork and river water. There were also in the house four stand of bees, twenty-five hens and five head of sheep. Help came at the end of this time in the persons of Messrs. Eli Coal, John Butcher and Lon Res- nels, and the two families were removed to Simon Runnels. He has bem twice married; first, December 20, 1848, to Miss Martha E. Cross, native of Tennessee. Her death occurred, May 26, 1866, and she left cur children: Sarah, Mary (Mrs. W. Mormon), Martin V., Indiana (Mrs. Cal- len), John W. and Nancy C. (Mrs. John Prater). Two children, Elizabeth J. and Ellen H., are dead. His second marriage was on the 4th of March. 1874, when Temper J. Wright became his wife. They have one son, Henry U.
HORTON, J. C .- Jeweler, Pleasantville. Among the enterprising, gen. ial business men of Pleasantville, the subject of this sketch deserves specia' mention. He is a native of Allegany county, New York, and was born the twenty-sixth of October, 1840. In the year 1858 his people emign- ted to Erie county, Ohio. In this year his father, Roswell Horton, died in the month of June. At the age of sixteen Mr. Horton left his home to go to Michigan, where he served an apprenticeship of five years at the jeweln trade, after which he went to the State of Kentucky, after which he worked in several of the large cities of the Union. Came to Pleasantfille in the spring of 1880 and has already a large and increasing patronage, which is: sufficient proof of the superior execution of his workmanship. Mr. H. has twice been married, the first time to Miss Anna Bell, a native of Clay county, Indiana. She died leaving one child, Lottie, whose death occurred subsequently. He was again married to Miss Lida Woodruff, a very esti- mable lady, a native of Warren county, Ohio. Their family consists of two children, Lizzie and Ella. In connection with her husband, Mrs. Horton is running the most popular millinery establishment in Pleasantville.
HAYNES, W. S .- Merchant, Pleasantville. Son of Silas Haynes, one -^ the earliest settlers of the county. He was born May 5, 1853. Engaged
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in the hardware business in 1874. He is now the senior member of the fir of Haynes & McDaniels, hardware. merchants, Pleasantville. He marri Miss Manda E. McGhel and has two children: Affee S. and Oma J. M business man in Pleasantville has been more successful in obtaining tl confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
TSHAM, C. M .- Merchant. Born in Dane county, Wisconsin, July 2 1853, where he was raised on a farm. Came to Iowa in 1875 and loc ted in Pieasantville, where he engaged in teaching school. In March of tl year 1877 he engaged in the hardware business, where his genial qualiti and strict business integrity have won for him deserved success. In tl year 1878 he was married to Miss Litchfield, an estimable lady born in tl State of Ohio. They have one son, Chester R.
ACKSON, J. H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. Pleasantvill J Is a native of Fayette county, Ohio, and was born February 16, 1838. I early life his time was occupied in farming and going to school. In 18! he came to Pleasant Grove township, Marion county, and was soon aft married to Miss Mary V. Hicks. from which marriage his family consis of five children. The fifteenth of August, 1861, he enlisted in company ( Tenth Iowa infantry. The principal battles in which he was engaged wer Iuka, the first battle of Corinth, Port Gibson, Baker Creek, Jackson, Chan pion's Hill, Chattanooga, the sieges of Vicksburg and Savannah.
JOHNSON, ELEAZER-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 14, P. ( Pleasantville. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the twelfth day ( June, 1824, where he was raised and educated. Came to Iowa in 1858. I early life he was a blacksmith but afterwards engaged in agricultural pu: suits, in which he has been very successful. On the sixteenth day ( December, 1845, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Jane Chamberlain They have nine children living and one dead: Chas. R., Mary E., Hanna C., Albert, William E., Emma, John F. (dead), James, Smith L. and Minni JOLLY, LAFAYETTE-Retired physician and surgeon, Pleasan ville. Is a native of Licking county, Ohio, and was born February 16, 182' At seventeen years of age he commenced teaching school and for ten year devoted his attention to that occupation and in his leisure hours engaged i the study of medicine. He attended lectures and graduated in the cit of Philadelphia at the Philadelphia University. He commenced the pra tice of medicine in Effingham county, Illinois, in the year 1853. In 185 .he emigrated to Sandyville, Warren county, Iowa. In 1871 he removed 1 Pleasant Grove township and continued the practice of medicine until 187/ He now owns a fine farm in Pleasant Grove township and is one of its moi respected citizens. He was married September 22, 1853, to Miss Elizabet M. Rhodes, also a native of Licking county, Ohio, born in 1829. By th: union they have ten children: Rosalia A. (now Mrs. Gillaspie), Lafayette C Francis M., Florence E. (now Mrs. Allen), Emma J., George W., Lottie M Laurence C., Frederick P. and Altie C.
JORDAN, HON. MILES-Retired merchant, Pleasantville. Was bor in Jefferson county, Illinois, December 5, 1821, and lived there until 183( and then removed to Quincy. His early life was spent on a farm. At th out-break of the Mexican War he enlisted in the First regiment Illinoi infantry, and was at the battle of Buena Vista under Gen. Taylor. Afte his discharge from the army he returned home, and in 1847 came to low and settled in this township, and he was the first school teacher in " township after the passage of the school law. The school building was
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typical school building of the pioneer days, built of logs with puncheon floors and seats and openings covered with greased paper to admit the light He was one of the county commissioners, and. one of the first justices of the peace, and while holding this office performed the first marriage cer- emony in the county, the contracting parties were Jesse B. Glenn and Sarah Johnson. He has represented the county in the General Assembly of the State Legislature .. He was for many years a partner in the first store opened in Pleasantville, and few men have seen more years of active ser- vice than Mr. Jordan. He came to the county with limited means, his worldly effects consisting of a horse and a land warrant received for his services in the Mexican War, and he is a good illustration of what an indus- trious man can accomplish by industry, economy and honesty. As a cit- izen he has always taken an active part in whatever has had a tendency to pro- mote the interest of the township, and the rising generation have but a faint idea of how much they are indebted to such sturdy pioneers as Mr. Jordan. He married Mary Sheppard, a native of North Carolina, in 1848. Their family consists of six children: Millie (now Mrs. Dr. Duncan), Melissa A. (now Mrs. Prince), Emma (now Mrs. Evans), Margaret (now Mrs. De Witt), Winfield S. (a student in the Iowa State University), and Sadie L.
JORDAN, W .- Merchant, Pleasantvillle. The oldest merchant in point of residence in Marion county is the name that heads this sketch. He was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, on the 9th of October, 1823, and is the son of W. F. and Isabel Jordan, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Illinois at an early day and settled in Jefferson county, and afterward removed to Adams county, where the subject of our sketch was principally raised. His early life was that of a farmer boy. He enlisted in the First regiment of Illinois infantry during the Mexican War, and participated with his regiment in the memorable battle of Buena Vista. After his return from the army the family, in 1847, removed to Marion county, and with land warrants received for service in the Mexican War located land. He soon after engaged in general merchandise, and is the pioneer in his line in the county in business. He was associated with his brother Miles, who recently retired from . the firm, and at the present time is associated with his brother W. R. Jordan and T. R. Brown, under the firm name of W. Jordan & Co. This business dates from the first settlement of the county, and at the present time are doing the largest business in their line in the county, and what is mnost remarkable, thirteen years ago they changed their method of doing business from a credit to cash basis, and since that time have not kept a credit book in the house, and in this have not only been favored themselves, but have conferred a lasting benefit on the community. He is a self-made man. Commencing life in straightened circumstances he has, by his energy and perseverance, made for himself a competency, meriting and receiving the confidence and respect of his fel- low citizens. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Susan F. Brown, in 1851. She was a native of Jefferson county, Iowa. Mrs. Jordan died in 1862, leaving four children: George W., Mary C. (now Mrs. Cheetham). Win. C. and Riley D. His second marriage was to Miss Lovina Fisher in 1863. She is a native of Ohio. By this union they have three children: Cora, Elmore and Thomas E.
JORDAN, W. R .- Of the firm of W. Jordan & Co., dealers in general merchandise, Pleasantville. Is a native of Jefferson county, Illinois, and was born on the 6th day of March, 1827, and was principally raised in
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Adams county on a farm. In 1847 removed with his father to Marion county, Iowa, where his father entered the land on which the town of Pleas- antville is now located. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent seventeen years. Most of this time he was engaged in the stock business. In 1867 he returned to Marion county, and with his brothers engaged in his present business in which they have been eminently successful. He married Miss Mary Young, in 1852. She was born in Iowa. Their family consists of four children: William L., Lizzie (now Mrs. Dean), Jackson and Alta.
K. EEFER, J. K .- With C. H. Baker, grain dealer, Pleasantville. Is .. a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Keefer came to Iowa in 1875 with his father, David Keefer. In the month of October, 1879, he began buying grain for C. H. Baker, of Knoxville, at this place, where his business qualities and his tried honesty have made him personally one of the most popular young business men in the place.
L ITCHFIELD, A. N .- Druggist, Pleasantville. Was born in New York, Ontario county, April 20th, 1843. His parents were Horace and Cynthia, nee Hill. Mr. Litchfield enlisted in the Second Ohio cavalry, company H; was in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war, among which were Cedar Creek and the battle of the Wilder- ness. He was at the side of General Custer, his division commander, when the gallant General Sheridan rode up from Winchester and turned the tide of battle on that day. After the war Mr. Litchfield received a medal of honor from the State of Ohio in commemoration of his gallant services on the field of battle. Mr. Litchfield re-enlisted as a veteran on the 1st of January, 1864. After his honorable discharge in 1865 he came to Marion county, where he married Mahala Thompson, on the 24th of December, from which union there are three children: Bertha, Articie and Amon Q. When Mr. Litchfield first came to Iowa he engaged in wagon manufactur- ing. In 1878 he went into the drug business. Mr. Litchfield has once been honored by the people of Pleasantville with the office of mayor; has held several other offices and fully enjoys the confidence and respect of the citizens of this township.
LOGAN, GILMORE P .- An old and respected citizen of Pleasant Grove township is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, the 17th of February, 1820. At eight years of age he einigrated to Putnam county, Indiana, where he remained until he came to Iowa in 1846. His early life was spent in agricultural pursuits. His mother, Mrs. Margaret Logan, was born in 1792 and is still living. In 1843 Mr. Logan married Miss Mary J. Stratton and now has seven children: W. T., Mar- garet, Victoria, George, Chales, Albert and Uberta.
LOGAN, JAMES A .- Merchant, Pleasantville. Was born January 17, 1825, in Montgomery county, Kentucky, Left there with his father, Samuel Logan, at the age of thirteen and emigrated to Putman county, Indiana. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Came to Marion county in 1847, and in 1849 returned to his native State. In 1856 he loca- ed permanently in this county. His father was a native of Bath county, Kentucky, and was born the nineteenth of March, 1796. His grandfather, William, was born in Virginia and was one of the pioneers of Kentucky. He died in Indiana at a very old age. Mr. Logan has been twice married. His first wife's maiden name was Susan Cortley, to whom he was married in August, 1857. She died in the year 1864. He was married to Miss
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