The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 83

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

USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 83

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DODGE, WILLIAM-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 3, P. O. Malcom. Was born in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, May 30, 1833; was there raised and educated. His father, Moody I)odge, was an agriculturalist in that State. In 1851 the family moved to Bureau county, Illinois, and in 1865, the subject of this sketch came to Poweshiek county, locating where he now resides. He was married, May 30, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Keller of Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois. By this union they have four chil- dren: Edward W., Ida E., Della M., William Worth. His farms consist of 320 acres in section 3, and 320 acres in section 22 of this township. Mr. Dodge makes a speciality of stock-raising, and has some of the finest breeds of stock in the county. He is closely identified with the educational interests of his district.

DONNAN, JAMES-Section 20, P. O. Ewart. Born in Rock Island county, Illinois, September 13, 1854. Was there raised to manhood and educated. He attended the Davenport Business College and secured a commercial education. In March, 1876, he came to Poweshiek county with his mother and sisters and located where he now resides. He was married October 20, 1879, to Miss Ella D. Cummings, of Pleasant town- ship (formerly of Cedar county, Iowa). Mrs. Donnan makes a specialty of dairying, and her choice brand of butter has attained considerable reputa- tion. Mr. Donnan has started in life under very favorable auspices, and being a man of tact and industry his success is inevitable. He is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church of Ewart and is one of its elders.

DRYDEN, JOHN F .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 24, P. O. Mon- tezuma. Was born in Adams county, Ohio, September 25, 1841. Was there, and in Highland county, raised and educated. His father, S. M. Dry-

776

BIOGRAPHICAL.

den, followed the pursuits of agriculture. At his country's call in 1863 Mr. Dryden tendered his services, enlisting in company A, Second Ohio heavy artillery, Col. Gibson commanding. He was honorably discharged May 12, 1865, on account of injuries sustained while discharging his duties. He returned to Ohio and remained two years, when he came to Poweshiek county, locating in Jackson township, where he engaged in farming. Came to his present location in 1870. His farm consists of eighty acres, well stocked. Mr. Dryden was married March 28, 1870, to Miss M. F. Hunni- cutt, of Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of Abel and M. H. Hunnicutt. By this union they have had three children: Bertie C. (born February 12, 1871; now deceased), Eva D. (born January 1, 1872), and Fred. (born July 16, 1875).

DRYDEN, H. B .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, P. O. Monte- zuma. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, July 13, 1841. His father, J. J. Dryden, was a farmer. The subject of this sketch was there raised, educated and resided until 1863, when he tendered his services to his coun- try, enlisted in company G, Eleventh Ohio cavalry, participating in many of the leading skirmishes on the plains with the Indians. He was honor- ably discharged July 19, 1866, and returned to his home in Ohio, where he resided a few years, after which he made a tour of the western country, re- turning again to Ohio, where he resided until 1874. In that year he came to Iowa, locating in Poweshiek county, where he now resides. He was married January 27, 1876, to Miss Keziah A. Morisson, of Jackson town- ship. By this union they have had three children: Anna B., Edna and an infant.

DUFFUS, ALEX., SR .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 2, P. O. Mal- com. This enterprising citizen was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, De- cember 26, 1818. Was raised on a farm and received his education at the common schools. He was married December 10, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Henderson of the same place where he was raised. She is a lady of re- fined tastes who devotes her time to making home comfortable and attractive. They have raised a family of eight children: Alex- ander, Elizabeth, John, George, William, Gordon, Albert and Mary. He early conceived the idea that Iowa offered extra inducements to men of energy, more so than did the sunny fields of old Scotland. He left his native country in 1854 and came to Poweshiek county in 1855, and located in Union township, being among the first settlers. His debut as a pioneer was fraught with hardships, deprivations, etc., which are consequent upon the early settlement of a new country. But being a man of vigorous con- stitution, indomitable will and energy, he overcame those difficulties which

777

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

looked insurmountable to many of the new-comers. He now owns a well- cultivated farm of 640 acres. His buildings are among the finest in the county; the furnishing of his house is suggestive of ease, luxury and taste, and is a striking contrast to the small dug-out without a win- dow, which was his first abode in this county. His farm is also stocked with a large number of fine horses, cattle, hogs, etc. Mr. Duffus is the architect of his own fortune, as he accumulated what he now enjoys by industry, perseverence and honesty, and is a living illustration of what can be accomplished when there is a will to execute. He is no political aspi- rant, preferring the peace and quiet of his legitimate pursuits. Heis a warm friend and contributor to all religious associations. Himself and wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church and are among its liberal sup- porters.

DUFFUS, ALEXANDER, JR .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, P. O. Malcom. Was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, September 12, 1849. Came to America with his parents in 1855, his father, Alex. Duffus, Sr., locating in Poweshiek county, where the subject of this sketch has since re- sided. He was married November 26, 1874, to Miss Margaret Conner, of Poweshiek county. By this union they have three children: Arthur L., Charlie A. and Olive Gertrude. Mr. Duffus' farm consists of eighty acres.

DUFFUS, GEORGE-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, P. O. Mal- com. Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, March 19, 1826; was there raised and educated. Came to America in 1871, locating in Poweshiek county, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was mar- ried December 26, 1847, to Miss Jane Benzie, of Scotland. By this union they have had seven children: Jane Ann, William, Margaret, Jessie (deceased), Mary, George, James. Mrs. Duffus died June 20, 1873. Mr. Duffus is among the enterprising and progressive agriculturalists of Pleas- ant township. He is an industrious farmer and promises in the near future to be numbered among the solid ones of the county.

E WART, MATT-Of the firm of Ewart Bros., agriculturists and stock- raisers. Was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1839, and came to this county in 1866. Himself and brother Robert own about 2,500 acres of land in Poweshiek county; the town of Ewart, on the Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad, was laid out by them, and their lands surround it. Ewart Bros. are well and popularly known throughout this district, and are numbered among the leading stock-men of the West.

F ARLEY, JOSEPH-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, P. O. Ewart.

Born in County Caven, Ireland, March 8, 1838, and came to this country in 1855, locating in Clinton county, New York, where he was en-

778

BIOGRAPHICAL.

gaged in various pursuits until 1869, when he came to Iowa, and located where he now resides. He married April 28, 1864, Jane Nelson, of Dutchess county, New York, and a native of Ireland, by whom he had five children, two of whom are living: Sarah Jane and Joseph Serilis. Deceased: Annie Mary, Thos. Corneilus and William Edgar. Mrs. Farley died June 3, 1877. Mr. Farley is numbered among the self-made men of the county, as he came here with very limited means; yet by untiring industry and a faithful attention to his legitimate pursuits he has secured a comfortable compe- tency. He owns 333 acres of choice land, mostly under cultivation, and well stocked. His house is pleasantly situated, and surrounded by an or- chard that will compare favorably with any in his township.

FARMER, A. M .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, P. O. Monte- zuma. Son of J. W. Farmer, of the law firm of Redmond, Carr & Farmer, Montezuma. Was born in Kosciusko county, Ohio, April 23, 1856, and came to Poweshiek county whith his parents that year, and has since re- sided in Iowa, with the exception of one year and a half spent in Indiana while his father was in the army. He secured a good education at the public school in Montezuma, and in 1875 took a course at the Commercial College at Davenport, graduating in 1876. Returning to Montezuma, he was appointed jailer under his father, who at that time was sheriff, which office he filled until January 8, 1878; he was then for a time in the abstract office of Redmond, Carr & Farmer, after which he was elected constable. The duties of this office he discharged creditably to himself and to the sat- isfaction of the public, until June 8, 1879, when he resigned and accepted a situation on the Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad as fireman. It took him but a short time to learn the mechanical workings of a locomotive, and in a few months he was promoted to engineer, and remained with the company until January 7, 1880, when he removed to his present location. He was married, December 5, 1877, to Ella M. Holcomb, of Washington, Washington county. They have one child, Blanche. Mr. Farmer superin- tends 240 acres, well stocked.

G RAY, R. G .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P. O. Malcom.

Born in Delaware county, Ohio, June 7, 1839, and lived in Delaware and Morrow counties until thirteen years of age, when with his parents he came to Mahaska county, Iowa, where his father (Robert) engaged in farm- ing, and where the subject of this sketch resided until 1862, when he ten- dered his services to his country. He enlisted in company C, Fortieth Iowa volunteer infantry. His company was on guard duty at Columbus, Kentucky, and other points, the greater portion of the time. Mr. Gray was honorably discharged in March, 1863, on account of sickness contracted

779

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

while discharging his duties. He returned to Mahaska county, where he resided one year, after which he came to Pleasant township, locating on section 9. In 1873 he located where he now lives. He married, August 25, 1862, Miss Mary E. Burns, of Mahaska county. They have one child living, Jennie Belle. Mr. Gray's farm consists of forty acres, compara- tively well stocked. He makes a specialty of raising hogs.

GREGSON, AMOS-Farmer, section 30, P. O. Ewart. Was born in Owen county, Indiana, in 1829. At an early age he moved with his parents to Morgan county, Indiana, where his father, Eli Gregson, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and where he was educated and raised. In 1854 the fam- ily moved to to Pauffman county, Texas, and followed farming one season, from which place they came to Poweshiek county and located in Union township. In the fall of 1855 the subject of this sketch located where he now resides. He was married, December 14, 1856, to Miss Mary E. Harris of Poweshiek county, formerly of Warren county, Indiana. By this union they have four children, three of whom are living: Tillie (now Mrs. James S. Myers, Jr.), Sarah A., Eli William, Sylvia (deceased). Mr. Gregson's land consists of 115 acres in Union township, and 160 acres in Pleasant township. He has a fine orchard on his home farm. Mr. Gregson is one of Poweshiek's pioneers, and endured many of the hardships subsequent to the early settlement of a country. He has, however, overcome those obstacles, and in his ripe old age placed himself in comfortable circum- stances. Himself and family are identified with the Baptist Church of Union township.

H AMETT, A .- Farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Ewart. Born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania in 1838, moved with his parents, when quite young, to Ohio, where he was raised and educated, and then followed agricultural pursuits until he moved to Iowa in 1868. He first located at Grinnell, and was there engaged in the stage business between that place and Newton. After residing in Grinnell a short time he moved to Newton, as it was more convenient for his business. Becoming tired of the stage business, he went to Kellogg, Jasper county, and engaged in farming. He now owns there, eighty acres of choice land under cultiva- tion. He moved to his present location the spring of 1880; is farming 120 acres of land well stocked, and has a fine orchard. He was married in 1860, to Miss Samantha Bonham of Jeromeville, Ohio. They have four children: Leroy, Ida May, Forrest R. and Charlie.

HARRIS, W. H .- Ewart. Born in Grinnell, Poweshiek county, in 1859; son of E. H. and R. H. Harris. Was raised and educated at Grin- nell. In 1879 he attended the medical and electic college in Chicago.

780

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Came to Ewart the fall of 1879, and since that time, has been engaged in the drug business. Mr. Harris is preparing himself for the medical pro- fession, and being a close student, and already well versed in medicine, his future is promising.

TONES, ALVIN-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, P. O. Malcom.

Was born May 14, 1826, in Dorchester, Suffolk county, Massachusetts. Was there raised and educated. His father, Edwin Jones, followed farming in that county. In 1855 the subject of this sketch went to Vermont and engaged in agricultural pursuits until May 14, 1861, when, at his country's call, he enlisted in company G, Third Vermont infantry, participating in most of the hardest engagements of the Rebellion, such as Lee's Mills Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, St. Mary's Heights, Antietam, Gettys- , burg, Battle of the Wilderness, Seven Days Fight at Richmond, Malvern Hill and many others. Was promoted to second lieutenant in November, 1863. Was honorably discharged July 27, 1864. In 1865 he came West, locating in Osceola, Stark county, Illinois, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Poweshiek county and located where he now resides. Was married May 14, 1851, to Miss Isabelle Blanchard, at Peacham, Caledonia county, Vermont. Mrs. Jones is a lady of refinement and officiates over the household affairs in a manner that indicates attention and experience. Their family consists of seven children: Nellie B. (now Mrs. Geo. Royce), Carrie D. (now Mrs. E. A. Wheeler), Edward H., Mary Josephine, Addie Boyd, Herbert Alvin, Elsie Belle. Mr. Jones cultivates eighty acres, com- paratively well stocked. He is also treasurer of the county and district agricultural societies. .

L UCAS, H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, P. O. Ewart. Was born in Washington county, Virginia, in February, 1811. Was born in slavery and was as a slave until 1848, when he bought himself free at a cost of $700. During the Mexican War he was a servant to Captain John Preston, and at the battle of Buena Vista was forced into the ranks. After securing his freedom he went to California and remained three years, after which he returned to Arkansas, where he had seen many of his slavery days. He was married in 1843 to Miss Lotta Smith, of Virginia. By this union they have had four children: Walter, John Brown, Charles Theo- dore, Caine (now deceased). When Mr. Lucas returned from California his family were still in slavery. He bought them off at a cost of $1,900. He resided for about seven years at Helena, Arkansas, with his family, after which he came North, locating in Poweshiek county, a short distance from Montezuma. Moved to his present location in 1866. He owns 320 acres

781

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

of land in Pleasant township and twenty acres of timber land in Union. He is numbered among the successful agriculturalists of the township.

M cCORMICK, W. H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, P. O. Montezuma. The subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, No- vember 27, 1854. Came to Powesliiek county in 1855 with his father, A. J. McCormick, who located in Montezuma, where W. H. was raised and educated. Mr. McCormick is an industrious, persevering young man, and in this respect he is a fac simile of his father, who, being one of the pioneers, had all the difficulties of a farm-opener to contend with, but being a man of an iron constitution and indomitable will these obstacles soon sank into oblivion. Mr. McCormick's farm consists of 200 acres, well-stocked. His son, W. H. lives with him. The McCormicks are numbered among the respected and successful farmers of Pleasant township.

McKEAG, JOHN-Section 19, P. O. Ewart. Born in County Down, Ireland, July 12, 1844; was there raised to manhood and educated. Came to this county in 1867 and followed agricultural pursuits in Rock Island county, Illinois, for a couple of years. In 1869 his father, Mr. James McKeag, and his mother, Mrs. Jane McKeag, of County Down, Ireland, came to this country, and the family, including John, came to Poweshiek county and located where they now reside. Mr. James McKeag owns eighty acres of land in Washington township, which is under cultivation. He is a resi- dent of pleasant township, residing, with his wife, with their son, John. Mr. John McKeag farms 250 acres. His individual real estate is ninety acres, well stocked. He was married in November, 1879, to Margaret Jane Rutherford, of Pleasant township. From this union they have had one child, James.

MORRISON, W. R .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 6, P. O. Grin- nell. Was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, March 20, 1832. Moved with his parents, when four years of age, to Allen county, Ohio, where they resided for a time. Lived in different portions of the State for eighteen years. The subject of this sketch followed the trade of shoemak- ing. Came to Poweshiek county in 1854, locating near Montezuma, where he resided eight years, when he moved to his present location. Was mar- ried May 1, 1859, to Miss Catharine Barnes, of Pleasant township. By this union they had four children: Alonza, George, Emeline and Frank. Mrs. Morrison died in 1869. He was again married in 1871, to Miss Mary Ann Gross, of Jackson township. By the latter union they have two children: John and Margaret Jennette. Mr. Morrison's farm consists of 215 acres, all under cultivation, well stocked. He has a fine orchard connected with his farm.

782

BIOGRAPHICAL.

MUNGER, JOSEPH-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 25, P. O. Mon- tezuma. Was born in Chautauqua county, New York, April 4, 1825. Was there raised and educated. His father, Joseph Munger, Sr., was an agri- culturalist in that county. In 1846, Mr. Munger came West, locating in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, where he resided six years, when he came to Poweshiek county and located in Montezuma. After a residence in Montezuma of six years he moved onto section 28, Pleasant township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and remained until 1864, when he returned to Montezuma and resided two years, at the end of which time he located where he now resides. He was married, April 15, 1851, to Miss Phoebe B. Risley, of Lake county, Illinois, formerly of New York. She is a lady of refined tastes, and makes home attractive. By this union they have three children: Milton (born August 14, 1853), Henry Clay (born June 12, 1856) and Lucy Ellen (born January 18, 1859). Mr. Munger's farm consists of 400 acres, all under cultivation and well stocked. His orchard is one of the largest in the county, consisting of 1,100 apple trees, all bearing, and pears, plums, etc., in abundance. Mr. Munger is among the pioneers of the county; has seen its growth and gen- eral improvements from an early period. He is closely identified with many of the commendable enterprises of the county, being among the original members of the Central Agricultural Society, and was honored by being its president for ten years; has held various offices of trust, the duties of which he discharged creditably to himself and to the satisfaction of the public.

MURPHY, JAMES-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 5, P. O. Malcom. Was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, October 11, 1850. He moved with his parents, at the age of five years, to Bureau county, Illinois, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits five years, from which place they came to Iowa and located in Madison township, Poweshiek county, where they resided six years. In 1866 the family moved into Malcom township, where they have since resided. He was married on January 23, 1876, to Miss Ella Ford, of Washington township, this county. Mr. Murphy is an energetic worker, and has secured a fair start in life by a faithful applica- tion to his legitimate pursuits.

MEYERS, J. S. JR .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, P. O. Ewart. Born in Jefferson county, Ohio, October 27, 1855; was there educated and raised. He came to Iowa with his parents in 1869, his father, J. S. Meyers, Sr., locating in Pleasant township, section 21, where he still resides. The subject of this sketch was married, February 10, 1880, to Miss Stella Greg- son of Pleasant township, a young lady of taste and refinement. Mr.

783

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

Meyers cultivates 160 acres, comparatively well stocked. He is a hard working young man, and his success as a tiller of the soil is assured.

N UTTING, GEORGE L .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P. O. Malcom. Was born in Washington, New York, March 2, 1849. Came to Iowa with his parents in 1854. They located in Scott county, where the subject of this sketch resided until 1869, when he came to Poweshiek county. After residing in different parts of Pleasant and Mal- com townships, he came to his present location in 1877. His farm consists of eighty acres, comparatively well stocked. Mr. Nutting makes a spe- cialty of Jersey cattle, of which he has quite a number. He was married, September 1, 1870, to Miss Nettie Royce of Pleasant township. By this union they have four children: Florence G., Amy M., Lucius R. and Bruce Lowell. Mr. Nutting is classed among the successful and enter- prising agriculturalists of the township.

P ORTER, J. A .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 22, P. O. Ewart. Was born in Carroll county, Ohio, April 15, 1845; was there raised until he attained the age of nine years. In 1854 his father, Alex. Porter, came to Iowa with his family, among which was the subject of this sketch. They located in Poweshiek county, at Montezuma. Mr. Porter has been a resident of the county since that time. He came to his present location in the spring of 1863. He was married, October 15, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Farmer, of Pleasant township. By this union they have one child, Ernest. Mr. Porter farms 160 acres of land well stocked. He is among the pion- eers, and is identified with the growth and prosperity of the county.

R OYCE, H. B. SR .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. Malcom. Born in Wash- ington county, Vermont, May 7, 1806, where he resided until 1834, when he moved to Genesee county, New York, where he resided four years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1838 he came West, locating in Ra- cine county, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1845, when he located in Rock county, Wisconsin, and after five years of successful farming there, moved to Marquette county, where he resided until 1860, when he came to Poweshiek county. He was married, September 25, 1831, to Miss Sarah Judd, of Irasburgh, Vermont. By this union they have five children, who are all residents of Poweshiek county. H. B., Enoch Ladd, G. W., Leonidas and Nettie (now Mrs. George Nutting).

ROYCE, H. B., JR .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. Malcom. Son of H. B. Royce, Sr. Was born in Irasburgh, Vermont, July 9, 1832; lived with his father in New York and Wisconsin, and came to Poweshiek county with the family in 1860; resided for a number of years in Sheridan township; moved to his present location in 1864. Mr. Royce's farm consists of 310

784

BIOGRAPHICAL.

acres, all under cultivation and well stocked. He married, January 1, 1866, Miss Mary S. Okey, of Arlington, Bureau county, Illinois. They have six children: Sidney, Ada, Caroline, Maria, Horace and Edna. Mr. Royce owes his success in life to untiring industry and perseverance.

ROYCE, L .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. Malcom. Son of H. B. Royce, Sr. Was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, January 26, 1841; moved with the family to Rock and Marquette counties, Wisconsin; came to Pow- eshiek county in 1860 with his parents. He married, July 2, 1873, Miss Phebe Coghlan, of Keokuk county, Iowa. By this union they have two children: Sarah Stella and Leon. Mr. Royce located on his present farm, which consists of 280 acres, in 1864. His home is pleasantly situated, and denotes comfort and prosperity; his orchard consists of 250 apple trees, and other fruits proportionately, and he is a successful tiller of the soil.

ROYCE, G. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, P. O. Malcom. Son of H. B. Royce, Sr. Was born in Genesee county, New York, No- vember 7, 1837; moved with the family to Racine county, Wisconsin, when quite young; was raised and educated in the Badger State; moved with his parents to Rock county, thence to Marquette county, and came with them to Poweshiek county in 1860. He married, December 24, 1874, Miss Nellie B. Jones, of this county, formerly of Massachusetts. They have one daughter, Lillian M. Mr. Royce owns 256 acres of choice land, well stocked, and his buildings are comfortable, and his home attractive and in- viting. He is an industrious, go-ahead farmer, and is a member of both the district and county agricultural societies, and takes an active part in their advancement. '

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 83

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