The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 95

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 95

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BIXBY, T. H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Maine, August 11, 1833, where he was educated, and then moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, and engaged in the mercantile business till July, 1856, when he came to this county, engaging in farming and teaching school. He now owns a fine stock farm of 160 acres, well fenced with wire, and about 300 rods of hedge. He is one of the large stock-raisers in this section of the country, and his place is situated just one mile east of Grin- nell. He was married, September 17, 1860, in Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Armstrong, by whom he has five children: Alson A., Iona B., Luella M., Willie S. and Ray T.

BLAKELY, A. J .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, P. O. Grinnell. Was born on the 20th of June, 1834, in Rutland county, Vermont, and re- ceived his education at Union College, Schenectady, New York, gradu- ating from there in 1859. Also attended the Albany Law School until 1861, when he went to Fort Henry, New York, and engaged in the prac- tice of law with A. B. Waldo, one of the most prominent lawyers in the State. Upon the call for troops, in 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Fourteenth Vermont volunteer infantry for nine months, and soon after entering the service was promoted to first lieutenant of company B, and after serving for one year was honorably discharged. He was in the battle of Gettysburg, at which battle one-fourth of the men in his company were killed, he, himself, being slightly wounded. After his discharge he re- turned to Vermont, and became engaged in the live stock and wool busi- ness, following that until 1867, when he came to Poweshiek county. He

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is the owner of 225 acres of well-improved land and is an extensive breeder of Durham cattle and thorough-brod Merino sheep and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Blakely has been for three years secretary of the Farmers' Fire Insu- rance Company, and also holds the position of president of the Farmers' Exchange.

BODLE, F. S .- Physician and surgeon, Grinnell. Was born in Orange county, New York, February 2, 1838, and when one year of age removed with his parents to Pennsylvania and remained until nine years of age when he went to Wisconsin. There attended school and after completing his freshman year went to Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, and finished the junior years. He enlisted, April 19, 1861, in company C, Seventh Ohio infantry regiment as private, and served one and one-half years. Was taken prisoner at Cross Lanes, West Virginia, August 26, 1861, and held at Libby, Newlines and Salisbury. Was paroled in June, 1862, and discharged in October of the same year. He returned to Ohio and com- pleted his medical course, graduating at the Cleveland Charity Medical Hospital College, February 4, 1864. Then enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio infantry as assistant surgeon and served until Octo- ber 26, 1865. Was then discharged and went to Minnesota, where he prac- ticed until 1870, when he was appointed contract surgeon in the Indian service for the United States, serving in that capacity until 1878. Then came to this county, and although he has resided here but two years, already has won a good practice. Dr. Bodle was married in Minnesota, February 10, 1867, to Miss Minerva L. Strong. They had one child, Fan- nie M. (born October 2, 1869; died January 4, 1874). He has taken two children to raise: May and Laura.

BRAY, H. M .- Farmer and stock-dealer, section 1, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Canada, January 10, 1843, and when ten years of age removed with his parents to Vermont, where he was raised and educated. While a youth he commenced farming, which has been his occupation through life. In the winter of 1863 he enlisted in company G, Seventeenth Vermont in- fantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably dis- charged. Participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court-House, Cold Harbor, and two battles in front of Petersburg, where he was captured and taken to Libby Prison, being held there for two months. After his discharge he returned to Vermont, and until 1867 worked with the Fairbanks Scale Company, at the end of which time he engaged in farming and in the spring of 1869 came to this county. Is one of the largest stock-dealers in the township and his farm of 430 acres is well adapted for stock purposes. Mr. B. was married, in St. Johnsburg, Ver-

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mont, March 4, 1867, to Miss Ellen J. Hughes. They have four children : Florence (born January 11, 1872), Eddie (born August 6, 1873), Katie (born December 15, 1874) and Willie (born January 29, 1878).

BRANDE, THOMAS-Baptist minister, Grinnell. Was born in Les- tershire, England, on the 1st day of July, 1810, where he resided until he was thirteen years of age and where he acquired a complete English education. At that early age he came alone to America to live with his uncle, John Yates, of Lansingburg, New York, with whom Mr. Brande learned the trade of a jeweler and continued to live with and labor for liim until his death, in the year 1830. After the death of his uncle he went into the ministry, which calling he has followed for fifty years. After he left school he acquired an education in the classics, which has enabled him to sustain himself as a minister in such a town as Grinnell without any difficulty, and this he got by the side of his work-bench and without assistance from any one. He preached for eleven years in northern New York, at Ticonderoga and other places, one year in the city of New York. In 1859 he came West; spent one year in this city in the early settlement of the place and was the first pastor of his denomination in this place. He then removed to Wisconsin, where he preached in different places until 1868, when he returned to Oskaloosa, where he was permitted to stay but one year, when he was called upon to take charge of the college of his church at Des Moines. After one year's labor there he was called to the pastorate of this church, which place he has ever since filled, except one year. Mr. Brande is emphatically a self-made man. Has been a man of great energy and industry. Has broad and liberal views on all subjects re- lating to the welfare and happiness of mankind and is the friend of the poor. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Parly Bruister, by whom he had one child, Mary. He married a second time in 1858. She is still living, is a lady of refinement and culture and devotes her time to the care of her family and making home comfortable. By this last union they had one child, Edmon P., who is now in the high school of this city.

BROWN, JOHN-Stock and grain dealer, Grinnell. Was born in Wyke, Champflower, in the parish of Bruton, Somersetshire, England, in September, 1814, where he was raised and educated. He engaged in farm- ing while young and continued it until March of 1852, when he immigrated to America, landing in New York. He immediately went to Kenosha, Wisconsin, resumed farming, and in July, 1854, came to this county. In the summer of 1859 he located at Grinnell and became engaged in the butchering business and farming. He is the owner of 500 acres of well-

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improved land. He was married in England, June 18, 1836, to Miss Maria J. Grant. By this union they have nine children.

BROWN, H. E .- Farmer, section 32, P. O. Grinnell. Was born on the 24th of September, 1842, and is a native of England, where he was partly edu- cated. When ten years of age he immigrated with his parents to America, landing in New York, and from there went to Wisconsin remaining for two years. Then came to Poweshiek county and attended school, after which he engaged in farming which he has since continued successfully. His marriage was in this county, September 14th, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Keggy. The complement of their family circle are: Louis H., Verner E., Adelbert J. and Homer.

BROWN, JERRY-Farmer, section 10, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, on the 5th of December, 1829, and upon arriving at the age of 18 years went to Vermont where his education was completed. While young he learned the carpenter's trade and engaged in working at the same until the spring of 1860 when he commenced farming. On the 12th of January, 1865, he came to Iowa, settling in this county and is now the possessor of 240 acres of land. His place is entirely surrounded by shade trees, and well located. He was married in Danville, Ver- mont, March 3d, 1860, to Miss Martha A. Thompson. Their family con- sists of five children: George L., Edgar C., Walter C., Samuel J. and Harry E.

BUCK, PROF. S. J .- Prof. S. J. Buck, of Iowa College is one of the best known, if not the very best known, of any educational man in the county, having been connected with the institution almost all the time since the location of the college in this county and having served the county in the capacity of County Superintendent and labored in many difficult ca- pacities among the people of this county and adjoining counties. He was born in Herkimer county, New York, on the 4th of July, 1835, but while he was very young his parents removed to Ohio and settled in Trumbull county where young Buck was brought up and received a comon school ed- ucation in the schools of the county and then entered an academy and re- ceived an academic education. In the year 1854 he entered Oberlin Col- lege and took the regular course and graduated in the year 1858. In the year 1862 he graduated from the theological course in the same school. Between the two courses at the college he was engaged in teaching. He was principal of an academy in Buzetta, Trumbull county. Also princi- pal of a high school at West Liberty in Logan county. After his gradua- tion in 1862 he was principal of an academy at Orwell in Ashtabula county one year and in 1863 was ordained a minister of the gospel in the Congre-

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gational Church. He continued to teach and had charge of a church for the remaining part of the year and then resigned his duties as a teacher and took charge of another church and devoted his entire time to the min- istry while he remained in that country. In 1864 he was invited to this place to take charge of the preparatory department of Iowa College, which invitation he accepted. He at once took a prominent position not only as a teacher but as a citizen. He was at once elected captain of a company of home guards and did valuable service in suppressing the "Sugar Creek Rebellion." He was elected County Superintendent in 1866, and re-elected in 1868, and did much for the public schools of this county. He resigned his office as County Superintendent, however, at the end of the third year to take charge of the Congregational Church in Chester township which he served for two years. He served the Congregational Church at Gilman seven years and the Congregational Church at Toledo, in Tama county, two years. He was elected professor of mathematics in Iowa College in 1869 which position he has ever since filled with ability. In 1871 he was elected President of the Iowa State Teachers' Association and presided over that body at its session in Council Bluffs. He has been employed in the normal institutes of this and other counties in this State either as instruc- tor or as lecturer every year since the Institute was a part of our school system. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Jane Cary, a lady class-mate and a graduate from Oberlin of the class of 1858. She is a lady of refinement and taste and devotes herself to the care of her house and her family. By this union they have three children: Miss Edith C. (a young lady of fine mind and ability, now, 1880, a menber of the junior class in Iowa College), Samuel C. (a bright lad of fourteen years is now a member of the excellent high school of which Mr. A. Z. Fru is superintendent and Miss Southard is the principal), Irving J. (now eleven and a member of the graded school). Professor Buck is a man of superior ability in his profession and it is only his love for the Institute which he has been so long connected with that keeps him here; having been invited three different times since he has been here to other positions some of which are more lucrative than the one occupied here.

BUCKNAM, SAMUEL-Retired, Grinnell .. Was born on the 11th of April, 1812, and is a native of Falmouth, Maine. Was there raised and educated and for seven years followed a seafaring life, at the end of which time he removed to Eastport, same State, and there became engaged in the grocery business which he continued until 1854. Then went to Baltimore and commenced the commission business and in the spring of 1857 returned to Falmouth where he engaged in farming. In October, 1874, he

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came to this county, locating in Grinnell, where he has since lived having retired from the active pursuits of life. His marriage was in Falmouth, January 25th, 1836, to Miss Olive Moody. They had four children one of whom is living: Eliza E. (born in September, 1836). Lost three: Eben- ezer (born in September, 1838), Rachel (born in June, 1841) and Rachel (born in November, 1842).

BUSWELL, H. C .- Grinnell. Was born in Peoria, Illinois, on the 5th of April, 1836, and was there partly educated. In the fall of 1856 he went to Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, remaining for one year when he commenced farming, and continued the same until 1860. Then became engaged in buying horses for the government, which business he followed until 1865, when he commenced dealing in stock. In 1867 he came to this- county and resumed farming, and in the spring of 1876 came to Grinnell, owning a fine residence, and 10 acres of land in the city. Mr. B. was mar- ried in Bureau county, Illinois, October 3, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Pratt. The complement of their family circle are: Charles P. and James.

HAMBERLAIN, REV. J. M .- Treasurer of the Iowa College, of Grin- C nell. Is a native of Wooster county, Massachusetts; he was there reared and educated at Dartmouth College; he graduated in 1855, and in 1858 at the Theological Seminary, at Andover. He took charge of the Congregational Church at Des Moines in 1859, where he continued for six years; he was then appointed agent of the American Missionary Associa- tion for the Northwest, traveling most of the time for three years, and part of the time was agent for the Iowa College; he was then pastor of the Congregational Church at Eddyville, Iowa, for one year. He came here in 1868, and accepted his present position which he has since filled with satis- faction to all.

CHAFEE, M .- Justice of the peace, and manufacturer of the Hawkeye Fanning Mill. Is a native of Springfield, Erie county, New York. Was born on October 18, 1821. Was raised a farmer boy, and received the ad- vantages of a good academical education, and at the age of seventeen years he commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed until he was twenty-seven years of age, his health then failing, he had to give up his school. He then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1855 he removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, working at his trade, and manufacturing fanning mills. In De- cember, 1868, he came to Grinnell, since which time has been one of Grin- nell's most honored citizens. Mr. C. lias succeeded in working up a large reputation and trade for his fanning mill, and it is conceded by good judges to be the best mill now in use. Mr. Chafee has been chosen by his

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friends to numerous office of trust, and has been one of the pillars and trea- surers of the Congregational Church for eight years. He was married, to Miss Caroline E. Miner, October 24, 1847, at Springfield, New York. By this union they have one son and two daughters: Addie G. (wife of John C. Walker), Charles M. and Susie Mabel.

CHILD, J. & SON-Proprietors of livery and feed stable, Grinnell. This firm is composed of J. and A. W. Child. The former was born in Bath, New Hampshire, February 10, 1821, and was there raised and educated. He engaged in farming until the spring of 1868, when he came to this county, located at Grinnell, and commenced the livery business, which he has since followed. His marriage was in Bath, March 4, 1846, to Miss Martha H. Walker. They have four children: Chloe W., Aldace W., Arthur L. and Hattie M. Aldace W. Child, the junior member of this firm, was born in New Hampshire, January 11, 1852, where he was edu- cated. At the age of sixteen years, he removed with his parents to this city, and is now engaged with his father in the livery business. He was married in New Hampshire, September 7, 1875, to Miss Alice B. Weeks. They have one child : Clinton C. (born July 4, 1876).

CHILDS, C. F .- Farmer, section 22, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Madi- son county, Ohio, September 8, 1838, and there attended school. After finishing his education, he commenced teaching, and farming, and was thus employed until the spring of 1863, when he went to Benzonia, Michigan. There resumed his former occupation, and in the fall of 1867 he came to Iowa, settled in Cedar county, where he remained until the spring of 1876. Then came to this county, and now owns a farm of 192 acres, well im- proved. Mr. Childs was married in Medina county, Ohio, April 12, 1863, to Miss Mary J. Chapin. Their family consists of five children, four of whom are living: Ella V., Arthur C., Mary E. and Thomas E. Lost one son, Charles H.

CHRISTIAN, GEORGE M .- Proprietor of the Chapin House. This gentleman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 19th day of June, 1847. When a lad he learned the business of telegraphy, which occupation he fol- lowed more or less very successfully until 1870; that year he was selected by the C., R. I. & P. R. R. Company; three months later he resigned his position to engage in the hotel business; he was mine host of the Grinnell House until 1878. On the first day of March, 1877, he bought the Snyder House, which had been built but three months. He then changed the name to its present name (Chapin House). Asa hotel man Mr. Christian is a per- fect success, as hundreds of his patrons and friends can testify; this social qualities give him pre-eminent fitness to preside over a public house, and he

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has succeeded in building up an enviable reputation. He was united in marriage, to Miss Maggie Rowse, of Davenport, Iowa, September 3, 1869. By this union they have three children: Bertie, Jessie and Alma.

COAKLEY, W. W .- Was born in Lebanon, New York, September 9, 1841; was there raised until he attained the age of nineteen years. His father was J. T. Coakley, of that place. W. W. resided in New York until September, 1862, when he enlisted in company G, One-hundred and Four- teenth New York, participating in many of the notable events of the Re- bellion, among which was the Port Hudson engagement, where he was for forty-two days under fire, was in the Shenandoah Valley and others, was slightly wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek. Was honorably discharged June 19, 1865. After a residence in Elmira, New York and other points, he drifted westward in the spring of 1880, locating at Grinnell.

COOPER, SAMUEL F .- The subject of this brief notice was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on the nineteenth of December, 1826. He at- tended the Oberlin College, Oberlin Ohio, graduating from that institution in the class of 1851. Five years later, in 1856, he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, and that same year was admitted to the bar. In 1858 was honored by the people by being elected a member of the State Board of Education, under the new constitution; was re-elected in 1860, and had a large share in framing the present school law of the State. Mr. Cooper en- listed as a private in company E, Fourth Iowa cavalry; was mustered out of the service at the close of the war as lieutenant colonel of the Fortieth Iowa infantry. Served as clerk of the United States District Court for Arkansas. for three years; during this same period he was Collector of Internal Reve- nue and United States Commissioner. He returned home to Grinnell in 1868, and for several years was the publisher and editor of the Grinnell Herald. In 1876 Mr. Cooper was appointed United States Consul at Glasgow, Scotland, and served four years, when he was recalled and is now in private life. His marriage was to Miss Margaret J. Loughridge, of Mansfield, Ohio, whom he married on the twenty-eighth of August, 1851.

CRAVATH, DR. S. A .- Grinnell, senior editor of the Grinnell Herald. Was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1836, and was- left an orphan when very young. He was but seven months old when his- father died, and at the age of eight years lost the best friend on earth, his. mother. The subject of this sketch was reared in Gainsville, Wyoming county, New York, by his grandfather on the mother's side. In 1852 he entered Oberlin College and graduated from that institution in 1858. After graduating he was honored with the principalship of the Madison Seminary, Lake county, Ohio, which position he filled about three years, when he ac-

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cepted the position of superintendent of the public schools of Marion, Ohio, in the meantime reading medicine. After due course of study he took a course of lectures at the Sterling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1864. He commenced the practice of his profession in Springfield, Ohio. Three years later he moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he continued to practice, also publishing and editing the Mitchell County News until 1872, when he sold his paper and came to Grinnell and bought an interest in the Her- ald. (See history of Herald elsewhere.) Since coming to Grinnell the Doctor has given up medicine and has devoted himself entirely to his favorite calling, journalism, for which he is eminently fitted. He was mar- ried in Philadelphia on the 11th day of July, 1860, to Miss Mary Raley, by the Rev. Dr. Albert Barnes, author of Barnes' Notes, a most estimable woman, possessing those graces of mind and heart which endear her to a wide extended circle of friends. One son and one daughter constitute the family circle: Elazan B. and James R. They have lost two daughters.

CRAVER, HON. CHARLES F .- Of the firm of Craver & Steele, man- ufacturers of the The Randolph Header. Was born September 3, 1844. Comparatively speaking a young man, but of large business experience. He has spent more than half of his years in Poweshiek county. Here his esteemed parents died but a few years since. The late war deeply en- listed the patriotism of this family, two of the sons entering the ser- vice as privates, one of whom was buried with all the honors of war on the enemy's soil. The surviving brother, returning, at the close of the war, came to Grinnell, engaged in the lumber business, having as ac- tive or silent partners Messrs. J. M. Wells and Alonzo Steele, who set their capital against the energy and capacity of the junior partner, who now heads the firm of Craver & Steele, the lumber business being put aside for the manufacture of grain headers. This establishment requires a large force of men. The city schools have long enjoyed the services of this gentle- man. He is also a member of the M. E. Church. In 1876 his county made him a representative to the Legislature. Such, in brief, is the history of one of Grinnell's best business men. He was married, June 21, 1866, to Miss Angetine Hambleton. His family consists of two children: Arthur H. (born June 4, 1870) and Frank S. (born August 6, 1877).

D' ECAMP, E .-- Farmer and stock-dealer, section 3, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Pennsylvania, November 3, 1845, and at the age of seven years removed with his parents to Davenport, Scott county, this State, where his education was obtained. He engaged in farming there until the spring of 1877, when he came to this county and is now the owner of 338

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acres of well improved land. Is one of the largest stock-dealers in the county, having 107 head of cattle on liis farm. Also has a good residence. In 1865 he enlisted in the government service as teamster, and served un- til the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. On the 22d day of February, 1871, Miss Anna Benson of Moline, Rock Island county, Illinois, became his wife. The fruits of this union are three children: George, Ida and Nellie.

DAVIS, MISS LIZZIE. - Teacher in the graded school of Grinnell. Was born in Sweetland Center, Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 8th day of March, 1858, and when six years of age her parents removed to the city of Muscatine, where they remained for one year, and removed to this county and settled in the city of Grinnell, where she has been brought up and ed- ucated, graduating from the high school in the year 1877, after which time she took a course of normal training in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa, since which time she has been a teacher in the graded schools of this city, and as an evidence of her success we only need mention that she is teaching her third year in a city where school teaching is an exact science.

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The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 95

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