The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 76

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

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whom sprang seven sons and six daughters, all of whom lived until they at- tained an average age of about seventy-two years. One of the sons, Elisha D., graduated from Williams College in the same class with the late Amer- ican poet, Wm. Cullen Bryant, and is now ninety-one years old. His son Lysander, the father of Edward, was born the 6th of November, 1800, and still lives, vigorous in body and intellect, and able to read without the use of spectacles. The subject of this sketch was born in Hampden county, near Westfield, Massachusetts, on the 14th of January, 1833; raised a farmer, and first attended the Academy at Glade Run, Pennsylvania, and when nineteen years old started to Kittanning Academy; taught public school when twenty; emigrated to Iowa in 1856, and sold tombstones in Keosauqua, Van Buren county, for two years. He then returned East, and taught school in Pennsylvania until he married. He again taught school, in the intervals of his business as a farmer, both in Pennsylvania and Van Buren county, Iowa, until he moved to Montezuma, in 1864, where he lived for the next six years. In 1870 he bought and moved to his present farm home. Mr. Barrett married, in Indiana county, Pennsyl- vania, April 29, 1859, Miss Annie Tomlinson, of Granville, Ohio, who was born in Granville, November 21, 1840. He owns 120 acres of good farm- ing land, and is free from debt.

BLIESENICK, AUGUST F .- Section 3, P. O. Deep River. His an- cestors were all Germans. His father was born in Prussia, about 1796, was a weaver, and died about 1867. August was one of nine children, and born eight miles north of Berlin, Prussia, August 8, 1827. He crossed the Atlantic in 1854, and after being in New York City one year, went to Pennsylvania, where he remained nearly three years, when he moved to Ohio, and worked at his trade, tailoring, in Cleveland, until September, 1864, when he emigrated to his present place, which he bought in 1861. He married, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1857, Levina Biddle- man, of Pittson, Pennsylvania, who was born in Warren county, New Jersey, May 24, 1820. The result of their marriage has been as follows: Augusta E. (born January 21, 1858), Leonard (born November 29, 1859, deceased), Romelia J. (born September 28, 1861) and George R. (born May 25, 1863). Mr. B. owns 104 acres of good land, including ten acres of timber, and he is an honest, unassuming gentleman, and hard-working farmer.

BURDINE, REV. DR. HUGH-P. O. Deep River, and resides in the village of Dresden. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, February 22, 1831, and raised a farmer boy. He conceived an early ambition to make

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something of himself, and especially aspired to a good education. Being poor, and having his mother as well as himself to support, in spite of his hard struggles, at first he could make but slow progress. By untiring effort he won the privilege of attending two terms at the high school in Delaware, Ohio, and five months at the Martinsburg (Ohio) Academy. Besides this he enjoyed no school advantages, but wore out many books in his pocket, which he kept constantly with him for study in the intervals of his work. His studies at this time were all directed toward fitting himself for the ministry, and he entered the Ohio Central Christian Conference in the fall of 1860, having been converted when sixteen years of age in the M. P. Church, from which he transferred his membership in the spring of 1853. His first appointment was to Veil's Church, in Delaware county, Ohio, where he spent a successful year. After serving other charges he left that Conference, and is at present connected with the Iowa Conference. He was regularly ordained in September, 1863. Dr. Burdine acquired his medical education by his own unaided efforts, save only enjoying the brief privilege of reading medicine with Dr. Ira Brown, of his native county. In 1868 he left Ohio, and, after stopping three montlis in Crawford county, Illinois, where he was detained by an accident which resulted in the loss of his right eye, he arrived in Keokuk county, Iowa, about the 20th of March, 1869. He lived there for the next five years, when he moved to his present place, and immediately entered upon the practice of his medi- cal profession. The doctor married Miss Rhoda A. Harris, of his native place, September 20, 1853. Mrs. Burdine was born April 6, 1833, and was converted when but thirteen years old. Their children are as follows: Ira C. (born April 24, 1855, and married Miss Anna Richey, of Deep River township), John H. (born November 7, 1856), Rachel E. (born November 7, 1858), Hugh P. (born March 20, 1861), Wm. E. (born December 7, 1864), Charlotte O. (born March 17, 1870), and Luella (born September 1, 1874), besides three dead.

BUTCHER, WILLIAM-Section 10, P. O. Deep River. His grandfather Butcher was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America in the colonial days. Was a soldier in the Revolutionary Warand was drowned in the south branch of the Potomac River, while on a retreat with the American army. Wil- liam's father was born in Virginia, in February, 1800, and William was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, March 11, 1824. He was raised a farmer boy and educated by his mother, who was a lady of culture. His father was crippled, and he being the oldest son, much of the support of the family devolved upon him until he was twenty-four years old. He then married, and receiving some assistance from his father in the shape of a few sheep,

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and a sow and pigs, with some stock of his own, consisting of two cows, two horses and a wagon, he set up in the business of farming for himself in Winnebago county, Illinois, his father having moved to that county in 1844. In 1875 he emigrated to this county, arriving at Malcom on the 24th of February. Then he rented a farm about three miles north of Mal- com for one year, when he bought and moved to his present place, taking possession on the 3d of March, 1876. He married the 9th of January, 1848, Miss Ann A. Dillsaver, of Winnebago county, Illinois, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, November 18, 1827. Four children have been born to them: Almon G. (born January 5, 1849, married June 31, 1878), Wil- liam O. (born January 17, 1851, married January 1, 1878), Alfred M. (born April 18, 1856), Sarah E. (born October 22, 1858; died in March, 1861). Mr. Butcher owns 240 acres. Has been elected to the offices of school director, road supervisor and township trustee, the duties of which posi- tions he has discharged with fidelity and acceptability.

ARL, AUGUST-Section 21, P. O. Deep River. His ancestors were all C born and raised in Germany, where, in Prussia, he was born, May 21, 1835. He emigrated to America when twenty-three years old, and farmed the first year in La Salle county, Illinois, when he went to Kansas, where he enlisted in the Missouri Home Guards, September 6, 1861. After serving as scout he received an honorable discharge February 5, 1862. He then came to this county and worked ten months for old Robt. Taylor, during which time he was rendered a cripple by the falling of a tree. After work- ing one summer for Thos. Harris he spent three years breaking prairie through the neighborhood. He came to this county with very little money, but by frugality, self-denial and industry he had in the meantime bought eighty acres of prairie in Lincoln township, which he broke and cultivated. He sold this and bought and moved to his present place in the fall of 1870. He married in Montezuma, October 11, 1866, Manda Newcomer, of Deep River township, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, October 29, 1844. Their offspring are: George C. (born December 18, 1867), Henry Martin (born August 14, 1869; died October 7, 1870), Marcus M. (born September 29, 1871), Mary Ellen (born September 6, 1873), Millie Ann (born Septem- ber 1, 1875), Herman L. (born July 28, 1877) and Chas. E. (born October 7, 1879). Mr. Carl owns 160 acres of excellent farming land, in splendid condition, well stocked and free from debt.

COCHRAN, MRS. WILLIAM-P. O. Deep River. Her maiden name was Mary Jane Cox, and she was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 29th day of August, 1828. On the 14th day of March, 1861, she was married to Wm. Cochran, of Montezuma. To herself and husband were born three

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sons: John (born January 22, 1862), Ephraim C. (born April 28, 1863) and Samuel F. (August 28, 1864). Mr. Cochran's parents were of Irish descent, and his mother, who has survived her husband, is now living, at the ripe age of eighty-five years, in Wellsville, Ohio. He was born in Pennsylvania, the 30th day of June, 1822. He was raised a farmer and immigrated to this State in the fall of 1854. He spent the following winter at Oskaloosa, working in a saw mill, after which he went to Montezuma, where he remained in the employ of Mr. Kilburn for the next six years. At the expiration of this time occurred his marriage, when he and his bride moved into a house in the neighborhood of her present residence, on a farm of eighty acres, deeded to the young couple by the wife's father. This property was afterward traded for the present family home and subse- quently repurchased, and is now held in Mrs. Cochran's own name. Mr. Cochran died of consumption on the 21st of July, 1877. The following appeared in the Montezuma Republican a few days after his death: " Mr. Cochran was an old and highly respected Christian gentleman, who was much honored and beloved by all his many friends. After a brief illness he has been called away to scenes beyond the river. He leaves a devoted wife and three children, who have the deep sympathies of their entire circle of acquaintances in this dark hour of their affliction." Mr. Cochran left an estate of 253 acres of splendid farming land, well stocked and entirely free from debt, to the disposition of his widow until the sons shall have attained their majority. Mrs. Cochran is an estimable Christian lady, whose life is devoted to her boys, in the faithful discharge of her duties as a mother.

CONN, SAMUEL-Section 31, P. O. 'Tilton. His father (Robert) was born in County Armagh, Ireland, March 31, 1792, and his mother in the same county May 12, 1792. They emigrated to America about 1833, when they took up their residence in Wayne county, Ohio, where Samuel was born, June 26, 1845, and raised on a farm. When he was eight years old the family moved to Paulding county, Ohio, where he attended school. On the 16th of July, 1868, a portion of his father's family, including himself, arrived in Iowa county, Iowa. After living in that county four years Samuel commenced improving his present place. Upon coming here to begin his breaking he was invited by one of the little pupils of a neighbor- ing school to the hospitalities of her father's home. Here he made his board- ing place for the next six weeks, and the following fall invited the little girl's older sister to board with him the rest of her life, in consequence of of which they were married, November 14, 1872. Mrs. Conn's maiden name was Jennie E. Lester, and she was born October 26, 1854. The fruits of

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their union have been: Robert A. (born August 28, 1873), Effie Ann (born July 10, 1874), Frank E. (born November 27, 1875), Bertha E. (born February 5, 1877; died July 13, 1878) and Maggie (born December 7, 1878). Mr. Coun owns eighty acres of good farming land, which is well stocked, and he is a thrifty and industrious farmer.

CONAWAY, DR. H. OLIVER-P. O. Deep River, and resides in the village of Dresden. In Harrison county, Ohio, on the 27th day of January, 1848, he began a most remarkable life. Raised on a farm, dur- ing the winter terms he attended a district school until he was fifteen years old. In the winter of 1864, he left home and went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he enlisted in the Sixth Independent battalion. This disbanded, and in 1865 he went to Virginia, where, feeling that his education was exceed- ingly limited, he attended the institution known as Rural Seminary, in Wood county, working for his board and tuition, night and morning, be- sides walking three miles daily to and from school. Although his studies were pursued under these disadvantages, besides being compelled, in most part, to study in the night by the uncertain light of an ignited pine knot in the woods, where he would often fall asleep until morning, at the ex- piration of three months he passed a searching examination before the County Superintendent, and received a teacher's certificate equal in grade with that of his preceptor. This procured him employment as a teacher in a district school known as Oak Grove. He had taught but two terms when his father, learning of his whereabouts, went after him and took him home. He then attended New Market College one terin, after which he went to Hopedale College. Determined to educate himself by his own un- aided efforts, he refused all proffered assistance from his father, and with the money he had earned in Virginia rented a small room and boarded himself, while he rung the college bell in payment for his tuition, for which he was derisively called by the more fortunate students, the "bell-boy." His means being exhausted, he left this institution in the winter of 1868, and went to Cincinnati. He arrived at that city an entire stranger, with but seventy-five cents in his pocket. The next morning he obtained employ- ment in a chemical laboratory. The proprietors of this establishment, H. M. Merrill & Co., soon resolved to put him upon the road as traveling sales- man. He accordingly spent the next six months driving a team through Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, over a distance of 4,850 miles, can- vassing the route thoroughly for the sale of drugs and medicines, besides advertising four articles of patent medicine with a paint brush on all the fences, trees, bridges, etc. While in Indiana, he continually shook with ague, and during the spring and summer of 1869 he was in the rain for

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thirty-one consecutive days. Many times he was compelled to lay all night on the prairie, unable to reach village, settlement or private house, and he, sometimes, would become mired in the bogs, where he would have to re- main until accidental assistance reached him. On such occasions he would improve the time and entertain himself and team by playing upon his vio- lin. In October, 1869, he returned to Cincinnati, resigned his position and after a short visit to his home, started for Oskaloosa, Iowa, to visit some friends, including a young lady with whom he had been corresponding. While here he was employed in an art gallery, retouching negatives and sketching landscapes, a business for which he was instinctively adapted, and in which he soon attained remarkable proficiency. In the spring of 1870 he went to Sioux City, Iowa, where he remained but a few days, when he shipped on board the steamer, North Alabama, for Virginia City, working his passage as pantryman. Upon making application to the clerk for a berth, the question was asked if he ever had steamboated before, which he answered affirmatively. The next morning, after the boat had left the dock, he inadvertently exposed his unfamiliarity with his new situation, wlien the clerk turned toward him and sharply said: "I thought you said you had steam-boated before!" To which he replied: "I did, sir." "Where?" in- quired the clerk. "In Ohio." "On what boat?" "A canal-boat." "What position did you fill?" "I curried the mules, sir," was the the unhesitating reply. The clerk simply remarked "you 'll do," and turned away to smile. No further objections were ever offered, and he was, thereafter, evidently considered a first-class steamboat-man. After an absence of about six weeks, during which he traveled 1,380 miles, visiting Yankton, Forts Ran- dall, Sulley, Rice, Buford and Grand River Agency, he returned to Sioux City. Prompted by a spirit of romance and adventure, he started, in com- pany with a young man from Boston and a half-breed boy, for the Rocky Mountains on foot. They slept, during the night of the 3d of July, 1870, on a high bluff, in sight of Yankton, and on the morning of the 4th were awakened by the cannonading of the citzens of that city in the celebration of the nation's birthday. Realizing that it would be unsafe to travel in daylight, on account of the hostile Indians, they decided to confine their future traveling to night-time. Their nocturnal journey, in about ten days, brought them to Fort Randall. Here the Boston boy enlisted in the regu- lar army, and the half-breed somehow disappeared. After purchasing a small amount of rations and a revolver, on the 18th of July young Cona- way again started upon his journey, alone. He had traveled about 150 miles, when he accidentally came upon an Indian village. He was imme- diately discovered and captured, and compelled to submit to the most re-

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volting indignities for the next three days. On the night of the third day he effected his escape by some shrewd strategy. He succeeded in convincing the Indians that he had voluntarily left the whites, and come to be adopted into their tribe. They, consequently, initiated him by performances around his person as disgusting in some respects as they were amusing in others, after which the vigilance of their watch was relaxed, and he made good his escape about eleven o'clock in the night. He continued a hurried march for the next three days, and was almost exhausted by excited exertion, and famished for food, when, on the morning of the fourth day, he was taken up by the Twenty-second United States regular infantry more dead than alive and scarcely sane. Upon recovering his strength, he enlisted in the Fourteenth regular infantry for five years. He served but one year and twelve days,when he was discharged by the Secretary of War, who had been influenced to the act by the earnest intercessions of a good sister. Upon reaching home, he resumed the study of medicine, which had occupied much of his time while in the army. In about one year after leaving the army, he went to Virginia, and returned home with one of his former pupils as his bride. He continued his studies-laboring by day and studying by night-until he had acquired means sufficient to enable him to attend the Electic Medical Institute. He entered in 1874, and graduated in 1875, and immediately afterward commenced the practice of his profession in Jeffer- son county, Ohio, and on November 29, 1878, emigrated with his family to his present field. He married, on the 16th day of May, 1872, Miss Frances S. Hoover of Parkersburg, West Virginia, who was born April 25, 1852. Three children have been born to them, as follows: Nannie B. (born April 19, 1873, and died December 12, 1873), Josie (born October 20, 1874) and Clement A. (born April 23, 1879). Dr. Conaway entered his practice at Dresden, two years ago, a poor man. By his moderate charges and success- ful treatment, he soon won the esteem and confidence of the people, and now owns, besides his dwelling, ten horses and forty acres of good farming land near Dresden, and enjoys an extensive practice and popularity not in- ferior to that of any physician in the county.

COOK, RALPH P .- Section 23, P. O. Deep River. Two brothers came to America, probably from England, in an early day, and one of them settled on the seashore and the other in New Hampshire, thus becoming separated forever. The latter was the great-grandfather of the subject of our sketch, whose grandfather was born and raised on a farm in New Hamp- shire, and died about 1809, leaving thirteen children, all of whom grew up and raised families. The youngest son (Sears) was born August 28, 1802, in Grafton county, New Hampshire, where he was raised on a farm. When

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twelve years old he served his brother, Major James Cook, as body servant in the War of 1812, and died July 3, 1875. His son Ralph, one among ten children, was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, April 30, 1832, raised on a farm, and received his primary education in the district schools of his native place, and afterward attended the high schools of Lebanon, New Hampshire, St. Johnsbury and Johnson, Vermont, where he commenced studying the languages, and was shortly afterward forced to discontinue his educational pursuits by impaired health. In the spring of 1852 he went to Elyria, Ohio, where he clerked in a store for two years, when he came to Iowa, and, in co-partnership with J. C. Cutting, entered 760 acres in this, and 160 in Cedar county, and the next year bought Cutting's interest. Af- ter securing his land he was employed by the contractors of the Muscatine and Washington Railroad, sent to Pond Creek station, Illinois, after horses and carts, and upon his return the first Irish shanty was built, and the first railroad grading was accomplished west of the Mississippi River under his supervision; he also shipped the first freight on the Mississippi and Mis- ouri (now Chicago and Rock Island) Railroad, December 31, 1861, from Victor to Marengo. During his subsequent clerkship at the Oglesby House, in Muscatine, he first met with J. B. Grinnell, who had just ar- ved with his colony. He then returned East, entering into various kinds of enterprises until 1862, when he again came to Iowa, bringing a drove of sheep, which he herded on his land until 1869, 3,000 of which were lost by disease. In the fall of 1862 he was burned out of stables, feed and lumber, sustaing a loss of about $500. In 1865 he commenced improving his land and built his house. Mr. Cook married, July 9, 1863, Margaret L. Evans, of Goshen, Indiana, who was born in Flinchire, England, March 6, 1835, and came to America, with her father's family when fourteen years of age. Their children are as follows: Sears Carroll (born September 16, 1864), William D. (born March 23, 1867), Nellie (born September 29, 1869, died April 2, 1872) and Frank E. (born June 16, 1873); besides these an adopted child, Louisa Ellen (born February 23, 1878). Mr. Cook owns one of the most beautiful farms in the State, comprising 480 acres, unsurpassed in quality, besides eighty acres of excellent pasturage in Lincoln township, section 23. His property is in excellent condition, and he has the reputa- tion of handling more stock of all kinds of his own raising than any other man in his township. He is a wide-awake man of enterprise, whose ener- gies are ever active, and a gentleman of wide acquaintance and great influ- ence.

COOK, GEO. C .- Section 23, P. O. Deep River. His father (Jas. L.) was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, May 19, 1828, married, June 7, 1849, Eliza

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Cutting, of Lyme, who was born in Shoreham, Addison county, Vermont, March 4, 1828. George (their only child) was born near Lyme June 3, 1851. His father having emigrated to this county when he was four years old, he was raised a farmer boy, and educated in Deep River township. His first term of schooling was in the old Cohoe House, his second in his father's dwelling. He worked for his father until he was of age. He went to Floyd county, Iowa, March 11, 1878, where he was employed until the following October, when he returned and rented a farm from his father, where he now lives. He married, December 21, 1871, Jennie Merwine, of this county, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, March 27, 1856. The fruits of their union are: Floroetta (born December 30, 1872, died March 15, 1873), James Albert (born May 14, 1874), Myrtle Iona (born August 3, 1875, died October 12, 1876) and Cora Adella (born May 8, 1878). Mrs. Cook is one of the heirs of the Merwin estate. They own the stock upon their present place of abode and are free from debt.

CORRELL, REV. WILLIAM W .- Section 11, P. O. Deep River. He was born in Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1812. His father being poor he was compelled to work during his boy- hood and procure an education as best he could. While living in Higgins- port, Ohio, to which place his father moved in 1829, he learned the trade of plastering, and also spent considerable time in flatboating on the Ohio River. He returned to his native place in the summer of 1834, where he married, and remained until he immigrated to this State, on the 14th of No- vember, 1842. He first located in Des Moines county, and in the follow- ing November moved to Libertyville, where he entered forty acres of land. Here he lost his first wife. In the fall of 1844 he returned to Des Moines county, locating at Burlington Mission, where he married. In 1853 he moved to his present place. Mr. Correll married, July 2, 1837, Miss Ro- sana Gearhart, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His children by this marriage were: Mary A. (born April 11, 1838, and married to Nich- olas Carr, of Montezuma, November 20, 1856), Frances G. (born March 25, 1840, and married to George Hollingsworth, of Deep River township, April 27, 1867), John G. (born January 9, 1842, and married Miss Sallie Tout, of Deep River township, in February 18, 1863, who died, and he married again, January 2, 1869, Miss Belle Bower, of Boone county, Iowa), and Helen R. (born November 23, 1843, and died May 15, 1844). Mrs. Correll died November 8, 1844, and Mr. Correll chose for his second wife Eliza- beth Smith, of Des Moines county, Iowa. The result of this union is as follows: Adaline J. (born June 12, 1849, and died January 1, 1863), Eliza- beth J. (born May 27, 1852, and married in August of 1872, to John Pine

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The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 76

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