USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 81
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J JENKINS, SAMUEL S .- Section 2, P. O. Victor. His ancestors, on his father's side, came from Wales, and on his mother's, from Ireland. His father, who was born in Wales, December 16, 1805, came with his father to America about 1810, and settled in Morgan county, Ohio, in the fall of 1812, traveling all the way from New York on a flat-boat. He married Is- abel Murry (originally McMurry), a lady of Irish extraction, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 10, 1806. Samuel, one among several children, was born November 7, 1833, in Morgan county, Ohio, where he was raised a farmer boy and educated. He ceased working for his father when seven- teen, and went into the employ of his older brother, William. He immi- grated to this county in 1864, arriving at Victor September 2d, and im- mediately began farming, in which occupation he has been engaged ever since. He married, November 15, 1855, Mary A. Grier. She was born March 17, 1833. The fruits of their union have been: Lettie Jane (born February 26, 1857) and Charles Richard (born December 28, 1858). Mr. Jenkins is a general reader, a man of broad intelligence and information, and has traveled quite extensively. His home is a pleasant and cheerful one, echoing constantly with the voice of musical genius, marked by neat- ness, taste and refinement, and characterized by the purest, fullest and most congenial hospitality.
JOHNSTON, JOSEPH-Section 36, P.O. Deep River. His ancestors were natives of Ireland, but his parents married into the United States, and settled on a farm in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Joseph was born April 25, 1836, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he was raised on a farm and partly received his education. When he was fourteen years old his father moved his family to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he worked at home until twenty-two years of age, when he married and settled in Marion county, Indiana, where he bought a saw mill, and in the spring of 1871 moved it to Allegan county, Michigan, where he operated it until he im- migrated to this county. Having spent one year on a rented farm he bought his present place in July of 1874, and moved to it in April, 1875. He mar- ried, September 1, 1859, Mary J. Wherry, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 27, 1837. The result of their union has been: Rose E. (born October 15, 1860; died October 18, 1874), James W. (born August 1, 1862), Susannah R. (born July 8, 1865; died November 3, 1874), Mary M. (born September 22, 1869; died March 19, 1870), Mary Minta (born September 17, 1873) and Jennie M. (born July 3, 1877). Mr. J. owns eighty acres of good farming land, in fine condition, besides one acre of timber in Deep River township. He is at present serving his township as school di- rector.
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M cCAW, HUGH-Section 31, P. O. Brooklyn. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish. His father (Hugh) was born in County Down, Ire- land, in December, 1796. Was a shoemaker. Immigrated to America in 1849. Worked for a few years at his trade in Rock Island, Illinois, and finally bought eighty acres in that county, on which he farmed until his death in July, 1857. His mother's maiden name was Jane Ewart; was a native of County Down, Ireland, and died in Rock Island county, Illinois. Hugh's nativity was the same as his parents, and his birthday February 22, 1839. He was educated, in most part, in Ireland, and followed his father and brothers, with his mother, and three sisters, to the United States in the spring of 1850. He worked at home until his father died. Bought his present place in 1871; improved it, and settled upon it in the spring of 1874. He married, February 23, 1874, Agnes Jeffrey, of Rock Island, Ill- inois, who was born in her husband's native county, June 28, 1852, and immi- grated to America with her sister, Sarah, in April, 1869. They have three children: Elizabeth (born January 1, 1875), Wm. J. (born December 13, 1876) and Hugh Thomas (born November 27, 1878). Mr. M. owns a good farm of ninety and a half acres, well-stocked and entirely out of debt.
MILLER, GEORGE W .- Farmer, P. O. Verona. Was born in Warren county, Ohio, January 4, 1827, and resided in that State until March, 1855, when he removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and from there came to this county. He had no means with which to commence life and worked for three dollars per month. Has always made farming his occupation. Dur- ing the late war he enlisted in company C, of the Fourth Iowa cavalry and never received a wound. He was married March 29, 1873, to Miss Susie M. Woodward, a native of Canada; born in 1841. Mr. M. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Has held the office of justice of the peace for a number of terms.
ICKERSON, GEORGE J .- Section 33, P. O. Deep River. His
N grandfather was probably born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1760. Was a farmer. Served in the Revolutionary War and died in 1852, at the ripe old age of ninety-two. His father was born in Hampden, Maine, September 30, 1795. Was a farmer and married three times. Served in the War of 1812. Was captured during a skirmish at Hampden, and died January 28, 1878. His second wife, whose maiden name was Susan Elling. worth (George's mother), bore him six children, and died January 22, 1841. George was born February 7, 1838, in Hampden, Maine, where he was raised on a farm and educated. He enlisted in company F of the Eighteenth Maine volunteers, at Bangor, July 23, 1862, and became ser- geant of the company. January 1, 1863, his whole regiment was transferred
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to the First Maine heavy artillery. He participated in the battles of Spott- sylvania, North Ann River, Hanover, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Vir- ginia, near Petersburg, Deep Bottom, before Petersburg, Second Deep Bot- tom, Second Petersburg, Squirrel Lane Road, Virginia, Hacher's Run, Virginia, Raid on Weldon Railroad, Second Hacher's Run, and all the other engagements of the Army of the Potomac, up to the close of the Re- bellion. He received a wound in his thigh, on account of which he spent three months in the hospital, and was honorably discharged June 6, 1865. He immigrated to Iowa county in the spring of 1866, and moved to his present farm in November, 1868. He married, September 3, 1865, Mary A. Pickard. She was born May 19, 1842, in Hampden, Maine, where she was raised and educated and taught school. The fruits of their union have been: Winnifred (born December 30, 1866), Francis W. C. (born March 1, 1869), Aubrey (born November 17, 1870), unnamed male (born Decem- ber 23, 1872; died January 14, 1873), Florence S. (born November 29, 1874) and Mary P. (born October 14, 1877). Mr. Nickerson owns eighty acres of good farming land, and five of timber. His farm is well stocked, in fine condition, and free from debt. His residence is new and commodious, and one of the best appearing in the township.
S AUNDERS, JAMES A .- Section 33, P. O. Deep River. His ances- tors, on both sides, were, remotely, from Scotland, but settled many years ago near Belfast, Ireland. They were of the class of people known as the "Scotch Presbyterian Descendants." His father, Robert Saunders, was born August 23, 1806, near Belfast, Ireland, where he was raised and educated, followed his trade as weaver, and married. He immigrated with his wife and two children to Canada in 1840; where, for the next thirteen years, he farmed in summer and worked at his trade during the winter. He then moved to Morrow county, Ohio, where he farmed until the spring of 1869, when he immigrated to this county ; his wife having died February 14, 1869, he came out alone. He is now making his home with his son James, with whom he has lived ever since the death of his wife. The subject of this sketch was born September 10, 1841, in Beauharnais, Lower Canada. When twelve years old he moved with his father to Ohio, where he was raised on a farm and educated. He preceded his father to this county one year, and engaged in the mercantile business at Dresden with Mr. Jesse Axtell, at which he continued for three years. He then sold out to his partner and bought his present place. Mr. Saunders married in Dresden, December 22, 1870, Miss Martha E. Sanders, daughter of George E. San- ders. She was born September 13, 1850, in Harrison county, Ohio. This
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lady bore him: Elmer Warren (born November 27, 1872; died May 12, 1877). He re-married in Montezuma, November 27, 1878, Mrs. C. P. Churchill, whose maiden name was Mary Adell; she was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 3, 1846. She has one child by her first husband: William Lorain (born November 24, 1872). The fruit of this union is one child: Josie Alma (born July 10, 1880). Mr. Saunders owns 320 acres of excellent farming land, besides five acres of timber. His farm is in good condition, well stocked and unembarrassed. He is at present entering into preparations for extensive sheep raising. He is a member of the Board of County Supervisors, and takes an active interest in local and general poli- tics. He is very popular, and a gentleman of remarkable force of charac- ter and broad influence.
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THOMPSON, MRS. GEORGE-Section 9, P. O. Brooklyn. Her an- cestors, on her father's side, came from Denmark. Her grandfather, Thomas Chambers, was a personal associate of John Wesley, and was re- lated to William Chambers, the publisher of Chambers' Encyclopedia and editor of Chambers' Journal. Her mother's ancestors were Scotch, and settled in Ireland many years ago, where both her parents were born, raised, married and died; her mother died during Mary's infancy, and her father about June, 1840. The subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Chambers, was born in Ireland, April 26, 1830, and was married in New York City, July 4, 1853. Mr. Thompson's father, William, was of pure Irish descent; he married Catharine Buchannan, whose an- cestors, remotely, were Scotch. They raised twelve children. Mr. Thompson was born in Ireland, September, 1828, where he worked for his father until twenty-five years of age, and crossed the ocean in April, 1853; the follow- ing October he leased a farm for five years in Bureau county, Illinois. In October, 1867, he immigrated to and settled upon the present family estate, having bought and commenced its improvement one year before. Mrs. Thompson's children were born as follows: John (born June 29, 1854; died July 1, 1854), Catharine J. (born February 5, 1857), George R. (born August 25, 1860) and William A. (born February 27, 1864). Mr. Thomp- son died May 10, 1879, from injuries received by being thrown from a wagon to which a pair of frightened horses were attached. His sudden death was a severe blow, not only to his family, but to the entire commu- nity, in which he was a man of great influence. He was a gentleman in every respect, kind hearted, profoundly sympathetic and generous to a fault. He was a leading member of the United Brethren Church. He was buried by the Orangemen, of which order he was an active member, and his great popularity among his neighbors was attested by the largest procession at
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his funeral ever known in Lincoln township. His entire estate, consisting of a farm of 120 acres, well stocked and in fine condition, and two acres of timber, was left unembarrassed to the disposition of his widow.
THOMPSON, J. W .- Section 2, P. O. Victor. His great-grandfather Thompson was born in 1776, in Ireland, where he was educated, and where he followed farming until his eighteenth year, when he sailed for America, and settled in Belmont county, Ohio, where he taught school. Here he married Jane Lundy, who bore him six children, one of whom was John, born June 3, 1802. He was a farmer; married, January 31, 1828, Sarah Mc Williams, who was born October 17, 1805, in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather Samuel came from Ireland at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania. Her husband died February 13, 1854, and she, a pleasant and kindly old lady, lives with her son John William, the subject of this biography, who was born February 3, 1845, in Belmont county, Ohio, where he was raised and educated. He immigrated to Iowa when twenty- two and settled on an improved farm for three years, when he sold out and moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, remaining there one year, when he again came to this county and commenced improving his present property, to which he moved in the spring of 1871. He married, September 19, 1865, Mary A. McElwain, who was born June 1, 1844, in Belmont county, Ohio, where she was raised and educated. The fruits of this union have been: John Andrew (born November 24, 1866), Samuel T. (born September 30, 1868), Maggie S. (born September 13, 1870), James H. (born October 2, 1872), Rachel Lulu (born March 13, 1874) and Mary E. (born June 24, 1876). Mr. Thompson has improved the farm upon which he lives, which comprises 240 acres, in splendid condition and well stocked. Mrs. Thomp- son is a lady of excellent quality, whose foresight has placed an insurance upon her life of $5,000 for the benefit of her children. Mr. Thompson is at present serving the county as constable, and he is a gentleman of very large acquaintance and influence.
W EATHERBE, GEORGE W .- Section 1, P. O. Victor. His grand- father was a general in the British army. His father was born in Maine, and was a merchant in Prince Edward's Island until he came west to Madison, Wisconsin in 1854, and died from the effects of a fall in Kansas City, Missouri, about 1868. George, one among fifteen children, was born February 9, 1844, on Prince Edward's Island and was raised and educated in Madison, Wisconsin. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in company H, Sixth Wisconsin infantry, and a few months afterward was discharged on account of impaired health; but, prompted by his restless patriotism, he re-enlisted November 10, 1863, in company B, of the Second
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Wisconsin volunteers, and participated in the battles of Yazoo City, Missis- sippi, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Champion's Hill, Egypt Station and numerous skirmishes, and received his final honorable discharge in Austin, Texas, November 15, 1865. He married, March 2, 1871, Mrs. Sarah A. Gaurmer. Her father's name was George Carroll, and he was born in County Donnegal, Ireland, in 1822. Mrs. Weatherbe was born in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, April 6, 1848, and came to this county when six years old. She was married, April 1, 1866, to George G. Gaurmer, to whom she bore Wm. Norman (born July 24, 1867) and George C. (born January 3, 1869). Mr. Gaurmer's ancestors came from Germany and settled in Penn- sylvania during the colonial days. He was born in Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 8, 1835, and came to this county, a poor man, about 1855, and by fru- gality and industry accumulated some property, upon which he settled soon after his marriage. He died November 23, 1868, leaving 160 acres and other property, all in good condition and free from debt, to his widow and children. He was a quiet man, and highly respected for his honesty and thrift. The fruits of Mrs. Weatherbe's second marriage are: Mollie B. (born August 2, 1872), Eva J. (born February 21, 1875) and Bertha L. (born August 11, 1877).
WHERRY, DAVID J .- Section 11, P. O. Victor. His great-grand- father was born in Scotland, where he attained some distinction, and emi- grated (from Downe) to America in 1747, and settled in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania. Probably from him sprang all the Wherrys in the United States. His son David, born in Pennsylvania, December 8, 1757, was a farmer and teamster; married, March 23, 1790, Ann Hall and settled in Brandy Camp, Ohio, about 1799, where he kept public house in a log building which still marks the spot, a monument of the time. To him was born, March, 1805, Joseph, who married, December, 1834, Rebecca Johnson, and died in this county, among his children and grandchildren, August 27, 1879. His son. David, the subject of this sketch, was born November 29, 1835, in Guern- sey county, Ohio, where he taught school when twenty, and after marrying took a trip to the Rocky Mountains. He immigrated to this county in July, 1861, and after hauling his lumber from Iowa City, built his present home under great disadvantages, and moved to it in May, 1862. He married, April 8, 1858, Martha F. Thompson, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, October, 1838. The children of this marriage are: Emma C. (born September 20, 1859; died January 6, 1861), Joseph T. (born February 22, 1861; died September 6, 1861), Sarah R. (born July 22, 1862), James A. (born September 22, 1864), Margaret A. (born April 6, 1866), Mary L. (born February 4, 1868), Martha N. (born July 27, 1872) and Cora L.
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(born February 5, 1874). Mr. Wherry owns 456 acres of good farming land and four of timber. His farm is in splendid condition, and unem- barrassed. He is a raiser of fine stock of all kinds, on a large scale, and owns the fine thorough-bred horse, Young Sampson, of the English draft and Clyde stock. Mr. Wherry has served one term on the Board of County Supervisors, and is a very popular gentleman.
WHERRY, JOSEPH P .- Section 10, P. O. Victor. Was born No- vember 5, 1843, in Guernsey county, Ohio, where he was raised a farmer boy, educated and taught school when twenty. He came to this county with his father in the spring of 1865, and received a deed from his father for his present property at that time. He married, March 23, 1865, Mar- tha Ann Henderson, who bore him Sarah Ellen (born July 11, 1866; died April 19, 160) and an unnamed (born September 1, 1868; deceased). She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 10, 1842, and died July 29, 1870. He re-married, March 5, 1864, choosing for his second wife, Mrs. Eliza Ann Sankey. She was the daughter of Nathan and Lillie Ann Mc- Kinnie, of Iowa county, was born in Guernsey, Ohio, August 23, 1848; came to this State when five years old, and married, December 25, 1866 to Robert J. Sankey, who was born July 26, 1840, and died September 16, 1867. She has one child by her first husband, Lillie R. (born October 6, 1867). The children of Mr. Wherry by his present wife are: Walter Wilson and Wil- lie Wilkins, twins, (born January 21, 1875; died, Willis, July 27, and Walter, July 29, 1875), Ada Estella (born December 1, 1876) and Joseph McKinnie (born January 28, 1878). Mr. Wherry owns 120 acres of good farming land, in excellent condition, well stocked and unembarrassed.
WOLFE, JOHN D .- Section 23, P. O. Verona. His great-grandfather was born in Germany and came with his wife to the United States during the colonial days and settled in New Jersey. His grandfather on his mother's side (Rineheart) was probably born in Germany; married Mary Douglass; farmed in New Jersey until about 1812, when he moved to or near Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he farmed until he died, in January, 1842. His father was born in Morris county, New Jersey, July 10, 1791; married Phebe Rineheart, and moved with her people to Ohio, where he still lives in Knox county. John was born, one of eight children, November 13, 1818, in Knox county, Ohio, where he was raised and educated. He came to this county, entered 120 acres, and bought 200 more of raw prairie, June 6, 1855. His son Christopher, having preceded him four years for the purpose of building on and improving the land; he immigrated to his place March 18, 1865. He married July 1, 1841, Margaret E. daughter of Samuel and Hen- rietta Tucker, of Knox county, Ohio. She was born May 6, 1823, near
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Florence, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The children of this mar- riage are: Christopher C. (born December 12, 1842; married Mary E. Bar- ker, July 4, 1864), Samuel H. (born January 22, 1846; married, Jane But- ler, January 22, 1872), Wm. B. ( born June 15, 1849; died September 10, 1852), Melinda A. (born December 21, 1851; married Thomas Finnel, Sep- tember 25, 1873), Martin W. (born July 18, 1854), John W. (born Decem- ber 28, 1856), Phebe H. (born March 30, 1860; married Frank Pierce, March 2, 1880) and Mary M. (born June 3, 1867; died September 25, 1868). Mr. Wolfe owns about 2,700 acres of land, 1,700 of which are in this town- ship, and the remainder in Iowa county, except fifty of timber in Johnson county. His property is all under cultivation, and his farms are in good condition, and well stocked.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
B RYAN, A. A .-- Section 31, P. O. Montezuma. Born in 1843; is & native of Greene county, Ohio, where he received an ordinary educa- tion and followed farming till 1860, when he came with his parents to Ma- haska county. In 1867 he settled on his present farm, which he had pre- viously bought, and to which he has since added making in all 130 acres, which is all under good cultivation. May 1, 1870, Mr. Bryan was married to Miss Harriet, only daughter of Andrew and Sarah Harner, of Jackson township, this county; from this union they have one son, Ray, eighteen months old. The subject of this sketch enlisted in 1861, in the Tenth Iowa, and served till April, 1864, when he was discharged on account of a wound received May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg. Was in the battles of Champion's Hill, Corinth, 1862, Iuka, Mississippi, and many minor battles. Mr. Bryan is a respected citizen in his neighborhood, having been repeatedly called upon to hold some office of trust; he has been school treasurer three times, which position he now fills with entire satisfaction.
BRYAN, D .- Farmer, section 31, P. O. Montezuma. Was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1832, where he lived with his parents, receiving an ordinary education, working on the farm in the summer. In 1849, young Bryan accompanied his parents to Mahaska county, Iowa, where his mother died, and in 1855 he settled on his present farm, a part of which his father had bought, at that time all prairie, but now one of the best im- proved farms in the county. He now has more than 200 acres, with a very good house, barn, fine orchards and miles of No. 1 hedge fence and 6,000 forest trees. He is now the oldest settler in the township. In 1852 Mr. Bryan was married to Miss S. A. Pearson, of Mahaska county, who was a
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native of Ohio; from this union they have six children, two boys and four girls; two girls have since died and two married and live in New Sharon; buried his first wife in 1868, who died very suddenly. In 1870 Mr. Bryan married for his second wife Mrs. C. Martin, of Montezuma, who had one child at that time. He has been school director three terms, road supervi- sor two terms, township trustee two terms; was one of the first directors of the Central Railroad; called the first meeting in the interest of this road in Montezuma. Subscribed $1,000 for the C., R. I. & P., in case it was built on the first survey, which was through his farm; the first survey of the Central was through his farm; he now owns stock in the G. & M. R. R. to the amount of $300.
ARLY, JOHN-Carpenter, section 8, P. O. Montezuma. Was born E
in West Chester, Chester county, Penn., Jan. 14, 1809. When three years old went with his parents to Fayette county, Penn., where he lived till nineteen years of age, in the meantime attending the district school. Then learned the carpenter's trade. In 1828 he moved to Flushing, Bel- mont county, Ohio, where he remained five years working at his trade, then removed to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where he worked on steamboat building three years, then went to Harrison county, Ohio, where, at the age of thirty-eight, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of James and Hester Ran- kin. After living there nine years, Mr. Early and family removed to Tus- carawas county, Ohio, where he bought a farm on which he lived, but worked at his trade till 1857, when he, with his family, came to Montezuma. His first work here was on the court-house. While living here he bought his present farm of forty acres, and after building a house mnoved into it, and five days after this his house was moved six feet by the wind. Seven chil- dren are the result of this marriage, five boys and two girls: James (forty years old), Thomas (died in 1875, in Indian Territory, age thirty-one years), Eliza Ann (thirty years), Hester Matildia (twenty-nine years), Wesley (died in Ohio, 1855, eleven months old), William (died in Montezuma, in 1859, age ten years), Joseph (twenty-seven years). Mr. Early has also taken a boy to raise, ten years of age.
G ARNETT, WILLIAM G .- Farmer, section 32, P. O. Montezuma. The subject of this sketch is a native of Barnes county, Ohio. His father was a carpenter. Young Garrett received a meager education. In 1837, he went to Linu county, Iowa, and with his parents remained there till 1860, farm- ing for a living. There he was married to Miss Rachel M. Kramer, of the same place; Miss Kramer was born and raised in Linn county, near where Marion now is. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer came from Pennsylvania and set- tled in Linn county, when there was but one house east of them in the
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