The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 96

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 96

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DAVIS, MISS EDNA-School teacher, Grinnell, Iowa. Was born in Sweetland Center, Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 23d of April, 1850. While she was yet very young her parents removed to Muscatine, where they remained only one year, and removed to this county and settled in the city of Grinnell, where she has been principally raised and educated in the excellent schools of this city, graduating from the high school in the year 1877. After graduating she took a normal course at the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa, since which time she has been engaged in teaching, having taught four terms in this county. She also taught one term in Cass county, this State. She intends to enter Iowa College this winter term, and continue her studies. Miss Davis is a fine teacher and deserves to succeed in the profession which she has labored so hard to pre- pare for.

E ATON, W. J .-- Dealer in butter, eggs, and poultry, Grinnell. Was born in Connecticut, April 15, 1847, and when ten years of age re- moved with his parents to this State and settled in Grinnell, where his ed- ucation was obtained at the Iowa College. He graduated from that insti- tution in 1871, and became engaged as a railroad contractor, which he con- tinued until 1873, and in 1874 commenced his present business. He has a large and flourishing trade. During the late war he enlisted, in the spring of 1864, in company B, Forty-sixth Iowa volunteers, and served about four months, when he was honorably discharged.

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EDSON, REV. HENRY K., A. M .- Professor of the theory and prac- tice of teaching, in Iowa College; residence on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa. The subject of our sketch was born October 5, 1822, in Hadley, Massachusetts. He received his early education while living at home. He fitted for college at Hopkins Acad- emy and entered Amherst College at the age of eighteen. He graduated with honor in 1844 and was immediately called to the principalship of Hopkins Academy and remained at the head of this school till 1849. He had chosen the Christian ministry for his profession and in pursuance of that end entered Union Theological Seminary, New York, in the fall of 1849. From ill health was obliged to discontinue study there for the year. Afterward spent two years in Andover and East Windsor theological sem- inaries. He, however, finished his studies at Union Theological Semi- nary of New York. He then preached a short time in 1852, at West Hamp- ton, Massachusetts, but was soon called to Denmark, Iowa, where he took charge of the academy striving for influence in that place. With unusual energy and tact Prof. Edson built up the school and gained for it a great name. During the twenty-six years of his administration over 2,400 stu- dents passed under his care, and as a reward for well-done service he can now find hundreds of his former pupils in professions and other useful avocations. His untiring labors prostrated his health and he was com- pelled to take a year's recreation in Europe. When he returned he was called to his present position in Iowa College. He married Mrs. Celestia K. Maynard at Utica, New York, on the 30th of August, 1852. Carrie M. Edson, an adopted daughter, is the other member of their household. Prof. Edson has a fine residence and is surrounded with well-earned comforts in his professional career.

ORBES, DARWIN-Money loaner and dealer in real estate, Grin- nell. Was born in the town of Hill, in Grafton county, New Hamp- shire, in the year 1800, in which country he was brought up and educated. He became engaged in the meacantile business quite early in life and fol- lowed it for about forty years in one place. He was successful as a mer- chant and accumulated a considerable fortune and in the year 1869 he re- moved to Iowa and settled on a farm in this township, where he lived three or four years and removed to this city, where he has ever since resided. He was married about 1833, to Miss Emeline Cass, who is a lady of refined tastes and who is still living. This union has been blessed with two chil- dren: Proctor and Mary. Both of whom are now dead.

FREE, ALBERT T .- Superintendent of the schools of Grinnell. Was born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, on the 18th day of June, 1851, and

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while very young his parents removed to Westerville, Franklin county, and after a residence of but one year removed to Iowa and settled on a farm in Tama county, where he continued to live until 1865. He attended the high school of Toledo and graduated at the age of sixteen years, after which he was engaged for two years with his brother, who was a dry goods merchant, most of the time as a clerk in the store. In 1869 he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City as a representative of Tama county, at which time he attended one year and one term, and then taught one term at Downey in the winter of 1870-1, and during the entire year of 1871 he attended the University and engaged as a teacher in one of the ward schools of Iowa City. During 1872-3 he attended the University and finished a course in civil engineering and was one of the party of engineers who surveyed the old Chicago, Omaha and St. Louis Railroad from Clinton to Oskaloosa. In 1874 he was elected principal of the grain- mar school in Iowa City, which position he held for one year, when he resigned to enter Oberlin College, Ohio, to prepare for his present pro- fession, after studying the Latin and Greek languages one year. During the summer and fall of 1876, for the purpose of resting from his studies, he visited in the southern and eastern States and returned home to enter the land, loan and insurance business, which he continued to follow for one year, when he was elected principal of the schools of Brooklyn, Iowa, which position he ably filled for one year and was elected principal of the schools of Victor. He remained there one year and was elected to the superintendency of the schools of this city, where he is now in his second year. Mr. Free is an able teacher and is fast gaining a State acquaintance and reputation. He is a thorough student and scholar, very energetic, and determined to succeed in any and every undertaking. He has taken a thorough normal training under Professor Fellows and Miss Loughridge, of Iowa City.

FRISBIE, DR. D. G .- Grinnell. Was born in Delaware county, New York, October 4, 1822; was there reared until eleven years of age, when he, with his parents, moved into Onondaga county. Here he resided until 1851; received the advantages of a geod academic education and also graduated from the Geneva Medical College. He commenced the practice of his profession in Onondaga county. In 1851 he removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1854, when he came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River on the day James W. Grimes was elected Governor of Iowa. He located in Mitchell county, and here continued successfully in practice and represented Mitchell and Howard counties in the Legisla- ture in the Ninth General Assembly. He came to this county in the fall

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of 1874 and located on a farm near the city limits of Grinnell, since which time he has given his attention principally to agricultural pursuits. Is now justice of the peace. Was married in Onondaga county, New York, to. Miss Mary E. Bulfinch, November 12, 1845. They have one son, Oren T. RINNELL, HON. J. B .- Was born in New Haven, Vermont, in 1821. G His paternal ancestors were Huguenots who iminigrated to Rhode Island in 1710, his grandfather settling in Vermont. His maternal grand- father was from Scotland, and, as a soldier, was wounded at the battle of Plattsburgh. Mr. Grinnell was an orphan at ten years; a school teacher at sixteen; a college graduate at twenty-cne, with the honorary degree of A. M. at twenty-three; a graduate in theology, at Auburn, New York, at twenty-five: first preaching in Union Village, New York, three years; one year at Washington City, preaching the first sermon heard in that city against slavery; then three years in New York, leaving on account of throat trouble to come to Iowa in 1854, taking up 6,000 acres of land and planting, with others, the town of Grinnell for temperance, education and religion. The deeds of lots and a public sentiment have prevented the sale of alcoholic drinks openly for twenty-five years. The giving of town lots for Grinnell University, of which Grinnell was president, and passing all to Iowa College, secured its removal to Grinnell from Davenport, greatly increasing its endowment. The finest stone church in the New West, and largest Protestant membership in Iowa, is found here, a part of the plan, and a success. As a public man Mr. Grinnell was State Senator in 1858, securing the first free school law; then regent of the State University, urg- ing and securing co-education of the sexes; a delegate to the National Re- publican Convention of 1860; holding appointments from President Lin- coln as Special Mail Agent for the Northwest for two years; then member of Congress for four years; Commissioner, in 1868, of the Treasury De- partment, to classify wools under the tariff at the port of New York; ref- eree, in 1869, to settle claims, and author of supplemental treaty for Chero- kees in Kansas, involving millions of dollars; director of the Rock Island Railroad -- being influential in securing its location at Grinnell; was first president of the Central Railroad; and later, receiver under Judge Dillon, and after bitter litigation finds peace and his policy adopted; and as presi- dent of the Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad and an extension to State Center, turns over the road to the Central. He has laid out a number of towns in Iowa and Kansas; managing several farms upon which he has placed stock, leading at one time in sheep, and now in heavy draft horses. At present president of the Iowa Fine Stock Breeders' Association and mayor of the city of Grinnell; occasionally practicing in the State and

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Federal Courts-coming to the bar in 1858; quite out of politics, and once lacking but a few votes of an election as U. S. Senator; now the ad- mirer of Garfield-once the devoted friend of Greeley. Mr. Grinnell was from the first politically a friend to the bondman, and all persons coming to him in need have found a friend. His tireless energies have never flagged, but, as a most indefatigable business man, has accomplished more than a score of ordinary men. He is a strong reasoner and fluent speaker on all questions of public interest. He was married, February 5, 1852, to Miss Julia A. Chapin, of Springfield, Massachusetts. They have two daughters: Mary Chapin and Carrie Holmes (one a graduate of, the other a senior in, Iowa College). They celebrated their silver wedding February 5, 1877, and a large concourse of friends gathered, not only from Grinnell, but from all parts of the State, making in all near 1,000 guests. Speeches, poems, toasts, responses and a gorgeous banquet were among the evening festivi- ties. Silver testimonials were given the worthy pair, costly and profuse. From among the many richly deserved compliments we select the follow- ing "Voluntary Toast," sent by John W. Cheshire, Esq., of Montezuma: " Here is to the citizen that gave a town for education, ground for a college green and cemetery for the dead; a preacher without pay; a university and bank president without salary; president of the State Society of Wool Growers, with the honors of a competitive sheep-shearer at the festival, and paying the awards; of the State Horticultural Society, chief officer, gather- ing, by proxy, the fruits of the orchard, securing the National Medal and Award for Iowa, and meeting the bills; a lawyer, waiving fees to make settlements and friends of litigants; lecturer and occasional orator, as a merry pastime; projector and president of railroads-only reward given, cheers, resolutions, and occasional walking-cane; spurning combinations to gain entrance to the National Senate or a Governor's chair; a liberal orthodox in church; an enigma in politics; a devotee to pure blood in ani- mals; a pardonable weakness for the Fair, and a teetotaler in habits. From silver goblets, on this silver wedding day, here's to your health in the cloud-distilled, fashionable beverage of Grinnell!" Our brief sketch fails to do justice to his noble christian character and large-hearted generosity, which will be a lasting monument to his numerous friends. His elegant residence stands on the east side, facing the park, near the union depot. Mr. Grinnell may well feel an honest pride in Iowa College, in the growing city and warm place he holds in the hearts of his neighbors.

GOODRICH, A .- Farmer, section 23, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Vermont, October 1, 1822, and after leaving school he became engaged in the wholesale gunpowder business, supplying and filling contracts for blasting

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purposes, to the railroads throughout all the New England States. In this he continued until the spring of 1849 when he went into the Middlesex Corporation and was engaged in running a stationary engine for about a year. Thence to California where he commenced gold mining and contin- ued this until the spring of 1853, then returning to his place of birth. He was employed in farming with the exception of one year, until the spring of 1864, when he came to this county and now owns a farm of ninety acres; is well located, being but two and one-half miles from Grinnell. He was married, in the State of New Hampshire, April 24, 1854, to Miss Harriet Cass. By this union they had three children, of whom Joseph C. is living. Two are deceased: Neal M. and May E.

GRINNELL, E. H .- United States Express agent, was born in New Haven, Addison county, Vermont, February 27, 1825, where he was raised and educated. In 1844 he came west locating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided two years, after which he returned to Vermont and after a short sojourn went to Washington county, New York, where he re- mained four years. In 1851 he removed to New York City where he re- sided five years. From New York he came to Grinnell, arriving here November 28, 1856; the town liad been located two years previous and named after his brother J. B. E. H. tendered his services to his country June 22d, 1861, enlisting in the Fourth Iowa infantry as musician; was honorably discharged in 1862 and returned to his home where he has since resided. Mr. Grinnell has been twice married; first, May 14, 1844, to Miss Sarah L. Hermace, of Nassau, New York. She died September 25, 1860. Was again married, November 27, 1862, to Miss Carrie L. Yest. By his first wife he had two children: Cornie (now Mrs. Dillon), F. B. (killed on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad). By his second marriage two children: Minnie E. and Kate Y. For a number of years Mr. Grinnell was agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Has been express agent for the past eleven years. With the ex- ception of some years in Kansas he has been a resident of Grinnell. Being one of the pioneers he has seen all of its growth and prosperity.

GRINNELL, L. P .- Farmer, section 9, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in New Haven, Addison county, Vermont, where he was educated and raised. After completing his schooling he engaged in farming until the spring of 1856 when he came to Iowa, settling at Grinnell. He resum- ed farming and now owns eighty acres of well improved land. On the 8th of February, 1862, he took for the partner of his joys and the sharer cf his ills Miss Harriet Knight. They were married in New Hampshire.

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Their family consists of two children living: Josiah B. and Harriet P. Have lost two: Lucy R. and George W.

AINES, R. M .- The subject of this sketch was born in Columbiana

county, Ohio, December 29, 1838. In October, 1856, he came to Iowa Falls, and the spring of 1860 removed to Poweshiek county, where he entered Iowa College, from which he graduated in 1865. After leaving college he became a tutor in Troy Academy, Davis county, for two years. Thence he returned to Iowa College and was employed as a tutor for two years, when he entered the law department of the State University and graduated in 1874, but leaving the university a few weeks before commence- ment, he did not receive his diploma with the class. He immediately began the practice of law, which he has since continued. In 1877 he was elected Senator from the Forty-fifth district and still holds the office. AB a lawyer he has acquired an enviable reputation for ability and probity of character. As a legislator he has proved a wise counselor, and was hon- ored with a place upon important committees, which were filled with great fidelity and honor to himself and his district. He is of nervous sanguine temperament, positive in his convictions, which when once fixed are not easily changed. He is courteous and affable, possessing those traits of character which tend to make him popular without subserviency. What- ever he undertakes he does with his whole might, which is a good thing for a client. He was married at Grinnell, August 19, 1867, to Miss Joanna H. Harris, daughter of Capt. James Harris. She was also a graduate of Iowa College, graduating at the same time with himself. By this marriage they have had five children: Mary, James H., Sarah A., Robert M. and Charles H.

HANLIN, JAMES-Foreman of the wood-work machinery of the Header Works. Was born in Pennsylvania, October 13, 1838, and when thirteen years of age came with his parents to Iowa, locating in Lee county. There remained for two years, when he moved to Davis county. There learned the carpenter trade and followed it until July, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in company A, Third Iowa cavalry. In July, 1862, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and in July, 1863, to captain. He resigned in December, 1864, on account of disability, and returned to his home in Davis county. In the summer of 1865 he went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he continued his trade, and in November, 1869, moved to Wapello county. He came to Grinnell in May, 1873, and followed the contracting and the butchering business until June, 1879, then went in the header works of Craver & Steele as foreman of the wood-work machinery, which position he now holds. Mr. H. has been twice married. First in

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Davis county, Iowa, March 10, 1864, to Miss Charity Elliott. They had three children, two of whom are living: Frank E. and Nellie. Lost one, an infant. Mrs. H. died October 24, 1870, and he married again in Grinnell, December 31, 1874, Miss Maggie A. Leibee. They have one child, Mer- ton L.

HARRIS, DR. E. H .- Physician and surgeon. This gentleman is the oldest resident physician now in practice in this city. He was born in Harrisville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1827. He was there raised and educated. He lived on a farm until he was eighteen years of age; he then clerked in a store of general merchandise for two years and the year following he attended the Allegheny College, teaching alter- nately to pay his tuition. When about twenty-three years of age he com- menced to read medicine with Dr. Henderson, of Harrisville, and after- ward with Dr. Swan, of Clintonville, Pennsylvania. After the usual length of study he commenced the practice of his profession in Pennsylvania, where he continued one year. He then came to Iowa and practiced one year in Farmington, Van Buren county. He came to Grinnell in March, 1855, and the following spring he went to New York and grad- uated from the New York Medical College, which is now called Bellevue Hospital. After graduating he returned here, and with the exception of one and one-half years in Newton and while in the army, has been in con- tinuous practice here ever since. The Doctor was in the Government em- ploy from 1862 to 1867. In 1862 he went to Keokuk, where he remained one year, when he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Twenty-first Iowa, but the regiment not being full he was placed in charge of the Nine- ty-ninth Illinois, where he continued for some time, when he was trans- ferred to the hospital boat and afterward to the hospital in New Orleans, remaining there until the close of the war, at which time he took charge of the Freedman's Hospital in 1865. During the riot of 1866 the wounded were all placed under his charge. The Doctor was married in Warren, Lee county, Iowa, on the 17th day of February, 1854, to Miss Rachel Hamlin, who was born in Washington, Pennsylvania. She is also a practicing phy- sician, who attended lectures at the New York Hygienic and Hyclopathic institute in the years 1855 and 1856. She is also a graduate of the Hah- nemann Homeopathie College of Chicago; graduated during the winter of 1869-70. In 1877 she had an honorary degree passed upon her by the Chi- cago Homeopathic Medical College of Chicago. They have raised a family of four sons, the eldest, Luther C., is now a student of the Iowa College; W. H., the second, is a promising medical student and is now taking a course of lectures at the Bennet Medical College of Chicago; Arthur C.,

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the third son, is in the preparatory department of the Iowa College; Clin- ton, the youngest, five years of age. This in brief is the history of one of Grinnell's most enterprising men.

HARTZELL, JOHN W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 7, P. O. Grinnell. Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1839, where he resided until he attained the age of twelve years, then moved with his parents to Hancock county, Illinois, in 1851, at which place he resided until October 25, 1875, when he came to his present loca- tion. He was married, November 28, 1861, to Miss E. M. King, a native of Pennsylvania. Their family consists of four children: Loyal B., Harry C., Mary J. He owns a farm of 182 acres, and his wife has one-fourth in- terest in 240 acres in Illinois. He is an active member of the M. E. Church, and always among its liberal contributors and supporters.

HATCH, GILBERT M .- Merchant, Grinnell. This gentleman is a son of Gilbert and Martha Royce Hatch, early settlers of Northfield, Vermont, where the subject of this sketch was born on the 1st day of January, 1822. He lived on a farm until he was fifteen, when he served an apprenticeship to learn the harness making trade, which business he followed until he came West in 1866. He made no permanent location until 1867, when he came to Grinnell and here embarked in the mercantile business, and by degrees enlarged his business with the growth of the place and the demands of his customers. Three years ago he built his large and elegant store, which would do honor to any city, and by close attention to business and good management, has succeeded in building up a large trade. Since com- ing to this city, he has been closely identified with Grinnell's best interests, and was mayor two years. He was also postmaster in his native place twelve years. Was married to Miss Anna M. Woodward, July 15, 1862. She is a native of Windsor county, Vermont. The other member of the family is a nephew, Frank S. Montgomery.

HATCH, G. M. C .- Dealer in general merchandise, Grinnell. Was born in Orange county, Vermont, July 25, 1827, where he was educated and raised. While young he learned the trade of harness-making, which he continued until the fall of 1872. Then came to this county and became engaged in his present business, which he has since followed successfully under the firm name of G. M. Hatch & Co. He was married in Norwich, Vermont in December, 1852, to Miss E. M. Sawyer. By this union they have one child, Katie F.

HEDGES, T. M .- Physician and surgeon, Grinnell. Was born in Bell- ville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 15th day of January, 1838, and was educated in that place. In the spring of 1855 he went to Sheridan,

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Lucas county, this State, where he was engaged in reading medicine with Dr. Isaac Kneeland for about eight months. Then went to Keokuk and continued his studies, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in company B, Sixth Iowa infantry, serving for three years, when he was honorably discharged. Was at the battle of Shiloh. After his discharge he returned to Keokuk, where he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the spring of 1865. Then came to Grinnell and engaged in the practice of his profession. He has also a fine drug store. Dr. Hedges was married in In- diana, August 14, 1864, to Miss Lois McCoy. The complement of their family circle are: Florence L., Mary, Grace and Mertie.

HERRICK, REV. STEPHEN L .- Says the Independent: "No com- munity can afford to forget its wise and true benefactors if it would encour- age the young to follow in the ways of the ' good fathers.' In this view we give some facts relative to the history and public service of one of our most venerable and esteemed citizens. Mr. Herrick was born in Rutland Vermont, in April, 1880. He graduated in Burlington, at the University of Vermont, in the class of 1824. Like most of the New England students he taught theology. He studied with Dr. Hopking, of New Haven, Ver- mont, and was settled over the Congregational Church at Crown Point, New York, for twenty-five years, and later preached four years for the Con- gregational society at Fair Haven, Vermont. Removing to Grinnell in 1855, Iowa has employed twenty-three years of his activities in business, religious counsels, preaching and college engagements. The church man- ual reports that, in connection with others, he rendered gratuitous service in the pulpit for five or six years, and this indicates but a small part of his labors. A sojourn for a year on the Pacific coast was a pleasant stay, and of interest to those perusing his valuable letters. We learn that in preach- ing, he was methodical, concise and instructive, and spoke with emotion. On all matters of public concern he is practical and concilatory, and wins the highest regard for cordiality of manner and strict uprightness in busi- ness. The town has had no warmer friend of education, he giving not only of his money, but acting as an instructor for only that pittance which the early days allowed. Afterward chosen trustee of Iowa College, and secre- tary of the board, it had no wiser counsellor, or more correct auditor of its accounts. The munificent gift of several thousand dollars to the college by the late C. F. Dike, Esq., is associated with the friendly interest of Mr. Herrick, his father-in-law, confidant an co-administrator of the estate with his daughter. Few persons have been so fortunate in their social relations, only just deprived of the companion on whom the anniversary golden

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The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 96

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