The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 72

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004

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ATTERSON, THOMAS-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, town- C ship 78, range 16, P. O. New Sharon. Was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1833, where he continued to live until 1865. . While residing in Pennsylvania he engaged in farming exclusively. In 1865 he re- moved to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, near Iowa City, where he engaged in farming and sheep-raising for about two years, and then re- moved to this county and purchased the farm which he now occupies. He has been married three times. In 1860 he was married to Margaret A. McCurdy, who only lived about two years, and by whom he had one child which died in infancy. He was married a second time to Angeline Hanen, in the later part of 1863, with whom he lived about eleven years. As the result of this union they had five children, whose names are: Sherman, James Elmore, Frank, Mary, and Rozetta. He was married a third time to Miss Mary Stewart, in the year 1875, who is still living, and by whom he has two children: Clarence and Nancy. He has eighty acres of splen-

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did farm land, and one of the handsomest building spots in this section of the county, situated upon a gently sloping eminence, sloping both north and south, and from the summit of which one has a beautiful view of the Skunk River valley, both up and down. Lynnville, six and one-half miles distant, is plainly visible from the north slope. His residence is sur- rounded on the north by a beautiful natural grove of oak, hickory elm, and basswood. A creek passes through the east side of his farm, making it. one of the best stock farms in the country.

CLINE, W. A .- Druggist in Searsboro. Born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in the year 1859, where he lived with his parents, laboring on the farm in summer and attending school in winter, until he was sixteen years old, when he entered Denmark Academy, where he remained nearly three years, after which time he came to Searsboro in February, 1880, and engaged in the drug business, purchasing the store formerly owned and run by Dr. J. H. Palmer. He has a fine stock of drugs of about sixteen hundred dollars and enjoys a fine trade.

COOK, THOMAS C .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 7, P. O. Lynn- ville. One of the most intelligent and interesting gentlemen whom we have met in this township is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 27th of March, 1814, where he continued to live until he was twenty-one years of age. While he lived in Ohio he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the summer and attending school in winter. At the above mentioned age he removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business for about twelve years. He then became engaged in farming in the same county, which business he followed in one place for twenty-nine years, when he came West and set- tled on the place where he now lives, which is beautifully located on the Searsboro and Lynnville road, about equal distance from each place. He was married on the 26th of February, 1840, to Martha Unthank, who is a lady of refined taste and very intelligent and interesting. She is a woman of strong mind and has decided opinions of her own on all subjects of mor- ality, and especially on the subject of temperance. She was born in Guil- ford county, North Carolina, on the 14th day of September, 1821. By this union they have five children living: Robert H., Elizabeth (now the wife of Prof. Grigg, of Muscatine; she was formerly the wife of John W. Risk, who was a soldier in the Thirty-sixth Indiana, and who died shortly after returning from the army), Eli Unthank Cook, (son of Thomas C., is a practicing attorney in the city of Muscatine, with a good practice), Ellen (who is now the wife of Daniel C. Bundy, and lives near her father's family), and Mary L. (now the wife of Robert W. Patten, of Rushville, Indiana).

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Mr. Cook was the first postmaster of Spiceland, Indiana, which position he held for about twelve years, to the entire satisfaction of his neighbors. Mr. Cook has a fine cabinet of geological and rare and valuable specimens from South America, which he took pleasure in showing, and which the historian took great pleasure in examining. These specimens were sent to Mr. Cook by Archillas Unthank, who was sent by President Lincoln, at the request of the government of South America, to survey a railroad over the mountains of South America, and consist of some of the finest and largest agates, of different varieties, which we ever seen, besides many relics of the Incas, a tribe who long since became extinct, leaving no one to tell the story of their history. These relics consist of water-pots of curious and ingenious pat- terns, a beautiful woven sling, supposed to be similar to the one which David used in his fight with Goliath, besides some beautiful pointed sticks, evidently used for spinning purposes, and a knotted cord, such as we read of in the history of South America, and evidently used to convey in- telligence in the same way our cipher dispatches do in this age.

COOPER, T. C. S .- Attorney at law, farmer and stock-raiser, section 5, P. O. Searsboro. Among the many citizens of this township who are worthy of notice none deserve special mention more than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 2d day of June, in the year 1831. His parents removed when he was but four years old to Henry county, Indiana. Here he was brought up and educated at the Greensboro Academy, in Henry county. During his young manhood he was engaged in the mercantile business until he was about twenty-seven years of age, when he commenced the study of law in the office of Col. Edmund Johnson, in the city of Newcastle, Indiana, finishing his studies and being admitted to the bar of Henry county in April, 1857, and to the bar of the Supreme Court of Indiana in February, 1859. He engaged in the practice of his profession in Henry county until the year 1864, when he came to Iowa, since which time he has been more or less en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, only practicing his profession when his neighbors insist on having his services. While he lived in Indiana he was elected District Attorney of the district composed of Henry, Madison and Hancock counties, Indiana, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, as evidenced by the fact that he held his position for four years. When the war broke out he received a ·commission as second lieutenant, and was placed on recruiting service in the State of Indiana, which he made his only business for three years, rendering very efficient service, having recruited and brought into camp in a single week 110 men. He was married in February, 1851, to Miss

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Louisa Morris, who is still living, and by whom he has four children: Mor- ris J., Florence A., Ella J., and Carry A., all of whom are still living. He belongs to the society of A. F. & A. M., holding his membership at Anderson, Indiana. Has served the township of Sugar Creek as trustee for four years and assessor two years.

CRAVER, JOSEPH-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, township 78, range 16, is one of the most intelligent farmers in this part of the country. Was born in Gloucester county in the State of New York, on the 18th day of June, 1820, where he continued to live until he was twenty- two or twenty-three years of age, when he removed to Middletown, Penn- sylvania, where he remained about three years. Thence he removed to Trumbull county, Indiana, and remained for about four years, and then re- moved to this county, settling in Jackson township, from which place he removed to the place where he now lives. Before Mr. Craver came west he followed the business of a house-carpenter, which he learned while yet quite young, which fact accounts for the neatness of all his buildings, house, barn and out-buildings. Since he came to this country he has been engaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits, and his farm is a model of neatness. His fences, consisting of boards in places and nicely trimmed hedges in others, are as good as the county affords. He has two hundred and twenty acres of land gently sloping to the south, facing the Skunk River. He has a splendid orchard and has his farm well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. He was married in Pennsylvania in the year 1846 or 1847, to Susana Givens, by whom he has six children, whose names are: Hannah, Joseph A., Francis M., Elinus, Leonidas, and Chas. T.

E VANS, VESTUS-Of the firm of Terrell & Evans of Searsboro. Was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, on the 11th day of March, 1834, where he continued to live until he was about seven years of age, when he removed with his parents to Medina county, in the State of Ohio, in which county he continued to live about four years, at the end of which time he removed to Lorain county, in the same State, where he remained about four years, when he removed with his parents to Canada West, where they remained about four years, or perhaps five, when he removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, in the year 1855, and located in Montezuma, and followed the business of carpenter and joiner, which trade he learned while quite young. Mr. Evan's took the contract of furnishing and placing on the ground all the material for the present court-house in Montezuma, which was built in the year 1856. He continued to live at Montezuma for about six years, when he removed to Wilton Junction, Muscatine county, where he was employed by what is now the C., R. I. & P. R. R. Co., then the Mis-

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sissippi and Missouri River Company, in the capacity of a bridge buil- der, in which capacity he remained seven years, when he again returned to Montezuma and engaged in the drug business, remaining until 1873, when he removed to this place. July 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Mary L. Jones, of Montezuma, who was a lady of refined tastes and a congenial companion, which union was blessed by the birth of two chil- dren, both daughters: Miss Ida M. (now Mrs. Terrell), and Miss Rusha Evans (now a young lady refined and pleasing in her appearance). Mrs. Evans died on the fourth of July, 1878, and since that time Rusha has been the only housekeeper and companion of her father. The firm of Ter- rell & Evans has been prosperous and succeeded in accumulating con- siderable wealth. Its members are both gentlemen of good business tact. G AUSE, AARON C .- Section 8, P. O. Searsboro. Was born in Pre- ble county, Ohio, on the 25th day of November, 1828, from which place his parents removed, when he was about five years of age, to the State of Indiana and settled in Henry county. His father was a physician, and after removing to Indiana, in addition to his practice, he conducted a farm and owned and run a grist mill. Here Mr. Gause was brought up to manhood, laboring on the farm of his father. In the fall of 1856 he re- moved to the place which he now owns and occupies, being then but twen- ty-seven years of age, and having been lately married. The country at that time was very new, Indians being quite plentiful in the spring and fall of the year. The land on which he settled was then in a wild state, some of which had to be cleared in order to reclaim. Mr. Gause, being young, had no family able to assist in this labor and was obliged to do this heavy work alone, a task from which young men of to-day would shrink, but hav- ing come from a timber country the task did not look so great to him, and it was undertaken and finished, and to-day one can hardly realize that this beautiful farm twenty-five years ago was wild woods. His farm is well cal- culated for grain-raising, as also for stock-raising, his land being rich, partly bottom and partly upland, with the Sugar Creek passing through the western side, and the groves of natural timber furnishing the finest shelter. He was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Parker, on the 22d day of November, 1854, who is still living, and by which union they have six children living, whose names are Amos O., Cyrus C., John E., Minnie Bell, Emma L. and Charles S .; besides two who are dead: Marietta and Abbie M. Mr. Gause has a splendid home on the road from Searsboro to Lynn- ville, surrounded by natural trees, and ornaments placed there by his own hands.

GORDIN, RICHARD A .- Hotel-keeper, Searsboro, Iowa. Born in

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Fountain county, Indiana, on the 16th day of September, 1834, from where his parents removed, while he was quite young, to Clark county, Ohio, where they remained until he was sixteen years of age, when they removed to Orgrune county, Ohio, where they lived about seven years, and removed to Iowa, settling in Pleasant township, in this county, in the fall of 1857. After living in Iowa about one year he went back to Ohio and was there at the breaking out of the war, where he engaged in buying horses for the government until 1863, when he again came to Iowa and settled in this county. Since his last removal to Iowa he has been constantly engaged in buying stock, and serving as deputy sheriff of the county. In the year 1878 he became a hotel-keeper, starting in the Montezuma House, in Mon- tezuma, which he continued to conduct for about one year, and then re- turned to this place and took charge of the Central House, where he still is mine host. " Dick" is quite a success, full of sport, and always accom- modating. Mrs. G. is also a good landlady, always prompt and good-na- tured. He was married on the 16th day of November, 1853, to Miss Mary Sheely, who is still living, and by whom he had four children: Samuel E., Jerry J., Clark W. and Emma E. Heis a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows.

H AMBLETON, OSBORN-Section 11. One of the neatest and best farmers in this section of country is the subject of this sketch, Os- born Hambleton, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 13th day of June, 1818, at which place he lived with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, when he was sent to the West Town Boarding School, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, which school was under the management of the Society of Friends. After remaining there about two years he re- turned to his home in Ohio, where he remained until the year 1855. Du- ring the greater part of his younger life in Ohio he engaged in the milling ; business; but for about two years he was engaged in peddling, which bus- iness did not prove congenial to his disposition, and he returned to his for -. mer business, and rented the mill property of his father, which consisted of a grist and saw mill, turning lathe and carding machine, all of which was run by water and steam. He continued to run the business for about thirteen years; after which he came West and settled in Forest Home, in this county, where he erected a steamn saw-mill, which he continued to run for about three years, until the spring of 1858, when he removed to the farm which he now owns and occupies. His farm is a model of neatness, good fences and good buildings, and everything kept in good repair. He has his farm well stocked with horses, hogs and cattle, and has a portion of his

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farm seeded to grass, and has a good bearing orchard. He was married on the 24th day of March, 1842, to Miss Phitena Cooper, who is still living, and is a woman of intelligence and fine taste and a most excellent housekeeper. By this union they have had two children, who are both living: Angeline H. (who is now the wife of the Hon. Samuel Craver, of Grinnell) and Lorilla A. (who is still single and lives with her parents). Mr. Hamble- ton is a man of very decided opinions of his own, and during the early excitement in regard to human slavery in this country he adopted the sen- timents of the Abolition party, and suffered many indignities at the hands of some of his neighbors who held different opinions. Notwithstanding Mr. Hambleton has but one arm, he has accomplished more than most men of his age who have enjoyed the use of all their limbs.

HAMMER, MILTON P .- Teacher in the school at Searsboro. Was born in Hancock county, Indiana, January 2, 1856. His parents were farmers, and he was brought up to labor on the farm, and all the advantage of education accessible was the district school, where by close application he acquired sufficient education to teach school by the time he was nine- teen years old, when he commenced teaching. He taught about one year in his native State, and thinking that there was a wider field of labor for young men in the West he removed to Missouri and there engaged in the same business for about thirteen months. He then removed to Iowa, set- tling in Jasper county, where he again engaged in teaching for about one year-from which place he removed to Searsboro, and engaged in teaching in the graded school of this place. As an evidence of the superiority of this young man as a teacher, it is only necessary to say that the board at this place have hired him time after time for nearly two years.

HAMBLETON, JOEL G .- Among the many pioneer settlers of Sugar Creek township who are still living, none deserve a special mention more than the subject of this sketch. He is one of the oldest, as well as one of the best known of the settlers of this township, having resided in the township since 1857. He has always been closely connected with the business and business interests of the township, having been called on frequently to hold offices of trust in the township, such as trustee, etc., and having held the office of treasurer of the school board for nearly ten years in succession. He has by his industry and economy secured for himself and family a good home, consisting of 120 acres of land, in section 11, township 78, range 16 west, besides a fine, large residence in the town of Searsboro. Mr. H. was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1824. He remained at the place of his birth, laboring on the farm, until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he removed to Lorain county, of the same

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State, where, in March, 1851, he was married to Miss. P. A. Cooper, who is still living. They have two sons now living: Orlando L., and Linden. Orlando is now twenty-eight years old, and is still on the farm of his father before mentioned. Linden is twenty-six years of age, and is at present employed in the header factory of Cramer & Steel, of Grinnell. Mr. Ham- bleton, aside from his farming business, has conducted the grain and lum- ber business in the town of Searsboro for several years, and, by fair dealing and his accommodating disposition, has gained an enviable reputation.

HARKER, LEMUEL -- Section 7, P. O. Searsboro. Born in the State of New Jersey, on the 15th of May, 1827, where he continued to live for a time, laboring on the farm during the summer months and attending school in the winter. He removed with his parents to Orange county, New York, where he engaged for a short time in running a canal boat, and then en- gaged in railroading, first as a fireman and tlien as engineer, which business he followed for seven years. In the year 1854 lie removed to Iowa, settling near Muscatine, where he became engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed for a short time, and then engaged as an engineer, in which business he continued until the war broke out, when he enlisted in com- pany E, Twentieth Iowa volunteer infantry, being mustered in on the 15th of August, 1862, at Clinton, Iowa, and started immediately South via St. Louis, Rolla, and Springfield. He participated in all the princi- pal engagements in which his regiment was engaged -- Prairie Grove, Bos- ton Mountains-from which place they drove the rebels, and returned to Rolla and to St. Louis. After this his regiment started South via Pilot Knob, Cape Girardeau, and Cairo, to Vicksburg, where he participated in the siege of that city. His regiment traveled from Vicksburg south to Port Hudson and New Orleans, and from thence to Fort Morgan. His regiment was engaged in all the principal engagements in that ill-fated ex- pedition under Banks up the Red River, and traversed the entire States of Louisiana and Alabama, and was mustered out in August, 1865. Mr. Harker never received a gun-shot wound, but was hurt in the battle of Prairie Grove by the falling of a fence, which compelled him to lay off duty for some time. He was married in 1855 to Miss Rachel Washburn, with whom he lived five years, and by whom he had five children: Wil- liam W., Gehile A., Charles, and two unnamed. He was married a second time, on the 5th of July, 1874, to Miss Mary G. Carr, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, who is still living, and who is a woman of refine- ment and taste, and who devotes her time and energies to make home attractive and happy.

HUSTON, AUGUSTUS O .- Stone-mason, Searsboro, Iowa. Was born

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on the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin, on the 18th day of April, 1845. He made his home at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, until he was about fourteen years of age, where he was engaged in cooking for lumbermen. At the age above mentioned he went to Cook county, Illinois, where he engaged in teaming for about two years, and then removed to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he continued to live until the war of the Rebellion broke out, when he enlisted from Chicago, in battery M, first light artillery, in which battery he served his country for three months, being stationed in Cairo, Illinois. At the end of this time he returned to Whiteside county, and in August, 1862, enlisted in company C, Seventy-fifth Illinois volun- teer infantry, with which company he served but a short time, and was- transferred to company H, in the same regiment. The regiment was inus- tered in at Dixon, Illinois, and were sent immediately to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where they halted for one night, and then started South after Bragg, under Gen. Jeff. C. Davis. Followed Bragg through Kentucky and Tennes- see, and participated in the battles of Percysville and Stone River, after which Mr. Huston was taken away from his regiment, and went to Chatta- nooga, where he was detailed for a teamster for the purpose of furnishing general supplies, after which he was taken to headquarters as a teamster. Though he was under no obligation to fight, when Hooker called on volun- teers to ascend Lookout Mountain he was one of the brave fellows who stepped out and made the ascent, and he was in several skirmishes while he was a teamster, and received a charge of shot in his leg on one occasion. He was married on the 18th of August, 1862, to Miss Phebe E. Peck, who is still living, and by whom he has four children, whose names are: Wil- liam F., Orville A., Emmit O., and Edward L.

K EENER, H. T .- Carpenter and painter, at Searsboro. Was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 21st day of January, 1855, where he continued to live with his parents until October, 1878. During his boy- hood, and until he was twenty-four years of age, he attended school at Har- risburg, in Stark county, Ohio. He learned the trade of a painter at Berryville, Ohio, and worked at that trade and that of a carpenter, which trade he learned at an early age. He is a handy and useful citizen, being able to work at both trades; besides, he is now engaged in the business of a cabinet-maker, which he appears to understand well, and at- tends store for Palmer & Williams, furniture dealers, in Searsboro. He was married on the 10th day of October, 1878, at Louisville, Ohio, to Miss Josephine Baileet, a lady of taste and refinement, born in France, March 3, 1853. They have but one child, Charles Eward (born February 14, 1880). Mr. Keener taught school for two terms in Berryville, Ohio; is a man of

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more than ordinary intelligence; is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Searsboro Lodge, No. 335, and is at the present time recorder of the incorporation.

L IVEZEY, GEORGE H .- Lumber dealer, in Searsboro. Was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 14th day of May, 1836, where he lived with his parents until he was about three years of age, when his parents removed to Henry county, Indiana, and resided on a farm. Young Livzey was, therefore, brought up to labor on the farm, and continued to follow this business until he was about seventeen years of age, when he commenced to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in company G, Eighty-fourth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, August 15, 1862. He served the entire term for which he was en- listed. His regiment was engaged in many of the decisive battles of the war. Mr. Livezey was detailed most of the time in the pioneer corps, en- gaged in building bridges; and scarcely were the rebels driven away from a burned bridge, until, as by magic, these industrious pioneers had another in its place. He was honorably discharged on the 30th day of June, 1865, and returned to his home, and removed to Iowa in 1869, settling in Wash- ington township, in this county, where he engaged in farming until the year 1875, when he removed to Searsboro and engaged in the lumber trade. He still owns his farm in Washington township and his home in Searsboro, besides the lumber yard, where he carries a stock of about twenty-five hun- dred dollars. He may safely be classed among the successful business men of the place. He was married in the year 1865 to Miss Mary McBride, by whom he has two children: Edwin and Earl, both living. Mr. Livezey is an industrious, intelligent and public spirited citizen, and one of Searsboro's very best men.

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The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 72

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1004

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004