USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 70
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the first summer lost his summer's work, and was obliged to work the following winter for his board. He fol- lowed farming the next summer, and in the fall he engaged in the manu- facturing of sorgham sirups, in which business be became an expert, and has since been extensively engaged in, and became general traveling agent of Blymiers, Bates & Day, of the city of Mansfield, Ohio, for the sale of their sorghum machinery, in which business he continued for a number of years, besides manufacturing a large amount of sirup himself which busi- ness he has continued ever since. He has been engaged in it about eigh- teen or nineteen years, and has sent sirups to nearly every State in the Union, and has not lost a single premium for which he has competed. During much of the time he was engaged in traveling and setting up machines for the company above mentioned. In the year 1879 he came to Iowa and settled in Deep River township, in Poweshiek county, where he became engaged in the manufacture of sorghum, which he followed for four years. Then removed to this place where he commenced dealing in har- ness, in connection with the manufacture of sorghum sirups, which he has followed ever since. He was marred in 1863, to Miss Louisa D. Austin, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, a lady of refinement and taste, and devotes herself to the care of her family. They have but two children: Kittie M. (a young lady of fifteen summers and a mem- ber of the high school at Victor) and William Blair (a young lad of thir- teen years, also a member of the graded school). Mr. Crisman is a promi- dent member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Royal Arch degree
CURFMAN, WILLIAM-Was born near Frederick City, Maryland, January 3, 1815. His parents both dying before he was thirteen, he was at that age thrown upon the world to care for himself. He learned the trade of shoemaking of one Nathaniel Weller, at Mechanicstown, Mary- land, living with him two years when he died. Then he went to Lighters- burg, Washington county, and was employed in the saddle and harness business by John Martin, staying with him two years. In 1834, after liv- ing a while with his sister at Mechanicstown, he went to Baltimore, where he was employed in a wholesale grocery house until 1836. Then began business in the same city as a grocer, where he did business until 1857 when he moved to Kaufmansville, Maryland, and engaged in the general mercantile business until 1859, when he went to Hagerstown, Maryland, and carried on the produce business until 1861. Then he went to Dayton, Ohio, and purchased a small farm, and lived until 1862. He went to West Dayton and again went in the grocery business. In the winter of 1863 and 1864 the War of the Rebellion causing a great demand for saddles and harness, he was induced to abandon the grocery business and to again work at his trade of saddler, which he did until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Iowa and settled near Koszta, in Iowa county and farmed as a renter. In 1875 he bought the farm on which he is now living, containing 80 acres, all improved. He has a very neat and comfortable home with pleasant surroundings. In 1843, he married Har- riet A. S. Brewer, of Baltimore, Maryland. They have four children living: Emma (widow of John B. Daily, of Mansfield, Ohio). Daniel I. S. (of La- dora), William H. P. (living at home) and Flavid (living with her sister in Ohio). Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
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D ARR, DAVID B .- Physician and druggist, Ladora. Was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 27th of March, 1847. He lived in that county until he was eight years of age, when his parents removed to Iowa and settled in this township on a farm. Here young Darr was brought up and attended the common schools in the winter, until he became a young man, at which time he entered Iowa College, where he attended two years and then went to Iowa City and entered the Iowa State University, where he finished his education, after which time he became engaged in teach- ing, which business be followed for some time, but during his vacations from school and the time he was teaching, he studied medicine under the tutorship of Dr. John Bricker, finishing his studies about the year 1870. He entered Rush Medical Institute in the city of Chicago, in which insti- tution he continued, attending lectures and practicing in the hospital for two years. He returned and went into the practice of medicine in the same township where he has been brought up, and notwithstanding the proverb that, " the prophet is not without honor except in his own county and among his own kin," the Doctor has done an extensive practice in his chosen profession. Besides his practice he has a nice drug store in the town of Ladora, in which he is doing a nice business. He was married in November, 1872, to Miss Emma L. Huston, of Koszta, Iowa, who is still living, and by whom he has three children: Fred. H., Bertha F. and Bon- nie M. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order.
DRUMMOND, A. N .- Grain-dealer, Victor. The subject of this sketch, though a young man, is one of the substantial business men of Victor, owning a splendid elevator on the north side of the railroad track, and is doing a general grain business. He also deals in coal, and, in company with Mr. Philo Lowery, buys and bales hay and straw for shipment. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, on the 8th day of November, 1850, but while very young removed with his parents to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where his parents settled on a farm, and here young Drummond was brought up and educated. In the year 1875 he removed to Victor and be- came engaged in the business which he now follows and has continued ever since. He is a fine business man, and has worked up a good trade in his line.
DUNLAP, J. M .- Physician and surgeon, Victor. Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 3d day of June, 1835. He con- tinued to live in this and Highland county until he was grown, and was educated in the common and high schools of the county. His father was a physician before him, having practiced in Ohio, Iowa and Illinois for forty years, so that the subject of this sketch was brought up a physician, and practiced in partnership with his father, before starting for himself, for eight years in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In the year 1861 he commenced the practice of medicine at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he continued in the practice until 1875, when he removed to Victor and entered into a partnership with Dr. W. W. Orris, which firm has had an extensive practice ever since. He was married on the 1st day of January, 1855, to Miss Emily Inman, who was born in Liberty, Missouri. By this union they have six children living: Z. B., Rilla, William O., Belle, Frankie May and Bertie.
F OSTER, WM. S .- Mayor and postmaster, Ladora. Though a young inan, he has had a varied experience. He is a native Hawkeye, having been born in the city of Muscatine, Iowa, on the 2d day of November, 1842, but only lived there until about ten years of age, when his parents
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removed with him to Winona, Minnesota, where, however, they only lived about two years, and removed to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and here, principally, was young Foster brought up and educated. He remained here until the war broke out in 1861, when he enlisted in company A, First Wisconsin cavalry, and was mustered into the service on the 10th day of August, 1861. In the spring of 1862 his regiment went south and en- camped for a short time at St. Louis, Missouri, and then were sent out on scouting service in Missouri and Arkansas, with headquarters at Cape Girardeau, and from here to Helena, Arkansas, from which place they were transferred to east Tennesee, and took part in Rosecrans' famous cam- paign, and in all the engagements until the disastrous battle of Chick- amagua. After this they were sent to Knoxville, then being besieged by Longstreet, and assisted in driving him out of the State. On the 9th of May, 1864, they joined Sherman's army on its memorable campaign, and took an active part in all the engagements to Atlanta, among which were the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and many others. Mr. Foster was captured on the Stoneman . raid, in the rear of Atlanta, and taken to Andersonville, remaining there and at Florence, about six months. He tells us many stories of prison life, one or two of which we will give: At one time the prisoners undertook to make their escape by means of a tunnel, which they had nearly completed, when the authorities got wind of it but could not find it. Then Capt. Wirtz, the fiend in human form who was in command, in- formed the prisoners that their rations would be shut off until the tunnel was discovered, but the prisoners were so determined that they would not reveal it, and for three days they were entirely without food. Mr. Foster says that at the end of the second day the scene was terrible in the extreme; dead and dying men lay in all parts of the camp. . At another time the prisoners were about to make their escape by means of a tunnel which started in the tent where five men were encamped. The tunnel was finished and the men only waited a rainy day on which to escape. In a short time the authorities were seen probing in the neighborhood of the tunnel, which they continued for about two hours, and finally discovered it, This proved to the prisoners that there was a traitor in their own camp. The five men in whose tent the tunnel started were put in the stocks and were compelled to remain and suffer for several days. After a time it was found that for a considerable amount of tobacco a prisoner had revealed the whereabouts of the tunnel. The prisoners came in for their re- venge, and they secured some pieces of tin, which they manufactured into a branding-iron in the shape of the letter T, when they caught the traitor, heated the iron, and branded him on the forehead, and ever after as he would be passing from place to place in the camp, the prisoners would kick, cuff and hammer him until, from a stout, hearty man, he became a walking skeleton. After the war, Mr. Foster returned to Wisconsin, but was unable to do business for nearly one year. Then he went to Rochester, New York, and attended school for one winter, and then returned to Wis- consin and engaged in farming for about three years, and then removed to Missouri and became engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed for about five years in the town of Bedford, from which place he removed to this place and engaged in the same business, which he has followed ever since. He was married, in April, 1867, to Miss Sarah A. Hutson, who was born in Wisconsin, is a lady of intelligence and culture, and who devotes
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her energies to making.her family comfortable. They have four children: Clara B., William E., Edith and Bessie L.
G ARRETSON, H. F .- Attorney at law, Victor. Having entered into business for himself very early in life, and been actively engaged, Mr. G. has occupied many positions of importance and trust. He has traveled extensively and attended some of the first institutions of learning which the country affords in preparation for his profession. He was born in the town and county of Tioga, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of May, 1843, where he continued to live, attending the graded school of that place, until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Elmira, New York, and en- tered a store as a salesman. There he continued in the same business for about a year and a half, when he returned home and entered school, which he attended until he was seventeen years of age, then enlisting in company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, with which regiment he served ten months, participating in both the battles of Fredericksburg, and several small skirmishes. He entered the army asa private soldier and was promoted to second sergeant. At the expiration of his term of service, he connected himself with the "Pioneer Corps," was transferred to the department of the Mississippi, and was a member of that very energetic branch of the army which repaired the bridges after Sher- man from Chattanooga to Atlanta. After his discharge he entered East- man's Business College at Rochester, New York, where he took a regular course. Returned home and commenced the study of law with Mr. F. E. Smith at Tioga, Pennsylvania, which he continued until December 25, 1866, when he received an appointment as clerk in the office of the second auditor of the treasury of the United States, which position he filled for three years, at the same time attending Columbia Law College, from which he graduated in June, 1868, receiving the degree of LL. B. He removed immediately to Victor, and commenced practice where he has since remained. He was married, in the city of New York, on the 29th day of September, 1867, to Miss Ella M. Hayward. She was born on the 15th of October, 1849, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is a lady of re- finement and culture. Though born in New England, she was educated in the cities of New York and Buffalo. By this union they have three children: Carrie H. (aged twelve years), Ellis L. (eight years of age), and Stella (born July 4, 1879). Mr. Garretson is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's fraternities. Has been the mayor of the city of Victor for two years, and is the treasurer of the school district, which position he has held for eight years.
GENZLEY BROTHERS --- Blacksmiths, Victor. These two brothers have been associated in business in this place since the year 1870. They are of the higher class of German citizens, and were both born in Prussia, in Germany. Jacob was born on the 14th day of September, 1843, and John on the 20th day of September, 1850. Their father was a nail-smith in Germany. In 1853, he, with his family removed to America, landing at New York, but settling at Monroe, Michigan, where he (Michael Genzley) lived until the war broke out in 1861, when he enlisted in company B, Fif- teenth infantry volunteers, and, like so many of his patriotic country- men, sacrificed his life for his adopted country, being killed at Black River Bridge, near Vicksburg, on the 3d of July, 1863. Jacob, the elder of these brothers, remained at home until he was fifteen years of age when he went to Hillsdale, Michigan, and there learned the trade of a blacksmith and con-
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
tinued to live there until the war broke out when he enlisted in company D, Eighteenth Michigan, with which regiment he served three years and was engaged at Athens, Alabama, and also at Decatur, against General Hood in the fall of 1864. He was mustered out of the United States ser- vice at Nashville, Tennessee, and was discharged at Jackson, Michigan, in July, 1865. He was married in the year 1867 to Miss Mary E. Arch at Elkhart, Indiana, who is still living and by whom he has three sons: Frank, Charles, and Clarence. John, the younger of these brothers, continued to make his home at Monroe, Michigan, with his widowed mother until he was about twenty years of age, while he worked at his trade a portion of the time in his own city and a part of the time at Toledo, Ohio. At the age of twenty he came here and associated himself with his brother where he has ever since remained. He was married about 1872, to Miss Matilda Kibby, who is still living, and by whom he has two children: Flora and Martha. The mother of these young men is still living and is here with her children and draws a pension of $8 per month from the government. The Genzley brothers, by honesty and fair dealing and reasonable charges, have worked up a good business.
GRIDLEY, JAMES C .- Hardware dealer. Is one of the oldest and most substantial business men in the city of Victor, having come here in the year 1866. Was born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1836. When he was very young his parents removed to Pekin, Illinois, where young Gridley was brought up and educated in the schools of the city. He engaged in business for himself in partnership with a Mr. Aydetolt in which he continued for about one and one-half years, when he engaged for five years as a salesman in the store of a Mr. Bergstresser. At the end of that time he removed to and settled at Victor (in 1866) where he became engaged in business with Mr. J B. Tracy in the hardware trade, and with whom he continued until Mr. Tracy, owing to the failing of his health, was obliged to sell out and go to the mountains, since which time Mr. Grid- ley has continued the business alone. He is a fine business man and by fair dealing, honesty and integrity has worked up a fine business. He was married on the 26th day of November, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Howard, who was born in Kewanee, Illinois, May 25, 1843, of New England parent- age. Her parents came to Illinois at an early day with a large colony of highly educated Christian people from New England. Her father and un- cle employed a graduate of Mt. Holyoke to instruct their children at home until they were fitted to enter the academic course in Kewanee. After finishing the academic course, Mary was sent to Oberlin College, Ohio, to continue her education. After two years of study in college she received a very eligible offer to teach in the high school in Pekin, Illinois, which she accepted, fully intending to return to Oberlin and graduate. After teaching one year she was married to Mr. Gridley, but continued her stud- ies with a clergyman, who boarded in the same house with herself and husband, until she had completed the course of study as laid out at Ober- lin. Mrs. Gridley says: "I still continue studying and never expect to complete my education until life is completed." In 1866 she removed with her husband to Victor, Iowa, and soon after became one of the charter members of the Presbyterian church, bringing with her a letter from the Congregational church at Kewanee, Illinois, of which she had been a mem- ber since she was thirteen years of age. She was for many years both sec- retary and treasurer of the different societies in the Presbyterian church
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in Victor, and had the pleasure, in behalf of these ladies' societies, of making the first payment on the church building which the Presbyterian society now occupy. She was also, at one time, superintendent of the un- ion sabbath-school, a position which she filled with great credit until fail- ing health compelled her to resign. Mr. and Mrs. Gridley have but one child, Minnie E., a young lady of thirteen years, who is now a member of the grammar school. She will enter the high school next year.
H ALL, F. O .- Dealer in coal, lime, cement, etc., Victor. Was born at North Grattan, New Hampshire, on the 16th of October, 1854, where he remained until he was about eight years of age, when he re- moved with his parents to New York. There he was brought up to labor at various occupations and attended the common schools until the year 1874, when he removed to Iowa and settled near Victor, where he engaged in farming for two years and then came and went into his present business in company with his brother E. P., which he has followed ever since. They deal extensively in coal, lime, cement, salt, and besides they have a pair of out-door scales on which they weigh for the public. They sell to- bacco, cigars, crackers, cheese, etc. Mr. F. O. is a prominent member and the present secretary of the Odd Fellow's lodge in this place.
HALL, E. P .- Justice of the peace, Victor. Born in Grattan, New Hampshire, on the 27th of July, 1842, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age. Spent his boyhood in laboring on the farm and at- tending school. At the age of seventeen he labored one year in a cotton factory at Manchester, New Hampshire, and in the year 1861 he entered the army, enlisting in company I, of the Fourth New Hampshire infantry. He went immediately to Washington, Annapolis, and thence to Port Royal, and continued to skirmish and travel all along the entire southern coast to Fernandina, Florida. Had several engagements at different places, at Jacksonville, Pocoloyligo, James Island, Morris Island and Filly Island. They were one year besieging Morris Island, which they finally took after a terrible engagement. After re-enlisting, they returned to Fortress Mon- roe, thence to Bermuda Hundred. On the 16th and 17th of May they were in a terrible engagment at Downy's Bluffs, from thence to Cold Harbor, City Point and Alexandria, which they besieged, and were engaged three different times. Were also engaged at Deep Hollow and again at Peters- burg, and in the engagement there the magazines were blown up and the place taken. Was present at the taking of Fort Fisher, and in March, 1865, went to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they first met Sherman's bummers. Remained at Raleigh until August, when they were discharged. Mr. Hall returned North, spent one winter in New Jersey, returned to New Hampshire and studied. telegraphy, at which he worked in several different places in the East and West until 1869, when he was appointed agent of the C., R. 1. & P. R. R. at Victor, which position he retained for five years. He was elected justice of the peace of this township in 1876, a position he still holds. He was married in 1871 to Miss Josephine Guild, of New Hampshire, who died in 1876. Married a second time on the 1st of May, 1878, to Miss Laura V. Cushen, of Victor, by whom he has one child, Robert O. Mr. H. is a member of the A. F. and A. M., also of the A. O. U. W.
HARPER, J. T .- Hotel-keeper, Victor. Was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 29th day of May, 1838, where he lived until he was about
36
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
fourteen years of age, when he lost both his parents and went to live with his uncle in Guernsey county, where he remained about two years, then came to Iowa in the year 1854 and settled in Poweshiek county near Dresden, where he lived, laboring on a farm, until the war broke out. Then enlisted in company H, Second Iowa cavalry, and was mustered into the United States service on the 14th day of August, 1861, at Davenport. He served with this regiment for the term of his enlistment; re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. His regiment did more travel, more fighting, captured more prisoners and saw more real service than any regi- ment from Iowa. It would be impossible to mention all the engagements in which they took part; suffice it to say that they scouted the entire coun- try from the Ohio River on the north to Mobile Bay on the south, and from the Mississippi on the west to the Cumberland Mountains on the east, and were in numberless skirmishes. Some of its important engagements were Farmington, first and second Corinth, Iuka, Coffeville, the celebrated Grierson raid and in October, 1863, the terrible battle of Collierville. Dur- ing the entire year of 1863 they were actively engaged in scouting duty, during which time they many times met the enemy. They took part in the battle of Tupelo and engaged Hood from the Tennessee River to Nashville and back; were in the battles of Columbia and Franklin and were mus- tered out at Selma, Alabama, in September, 1865, where they had been on garrison duty for some time after the war closed. He was married Jan- ury 28, 1869, to Miss Mary A. McVey, who is still living. By this union they have three children: Mattie C., Lula E. and Harrie H.
HIBBS, S. A .- Tonsorial artist, Victor. Was born in Noble county, Ohio, on the 20th of July, 1845, where he continued to live with his parents until he was about ten years of age, then removed to Iowa, settling in Honey Creek township, this county, hence Mr. Hibbs is one of the early settlers of this county. He was brought up here on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He continued to live in the county until the war broke out. His father opposing his enlistment, he ran away and enlisted in company A, Seventh Iowa infantry, doing garrison duty at Davenport, Iowa, for three months. His father, becoming apprised of his whereabouts, secured his discharge from the service. He then entered the employ of the government at a salary of forty dollars per month and was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was employed as an overseer of blacks in the transfer of freights. After about eight months in this ser- vice he was discharged on account of sickness, and returned home. The next summer he went across the plains as a herdsman, made two trips, and in the fall returned to Marengo, where he remained one year, then traveled a year with Yankee Robinson's circus as a tumbler. Returned to Marengo and engaged with Mr. A. J. Morrison in the Clifton House, where he re- mained two years, then went to the mountains and was employed one win- ter in the railroad hotel belonging to the Union Pacific company; then re- turned to Iowa and worked a short time for Morrison; then rented and run the Marengo House one winter; then engaged as clerk for Sheuerman Bro., where he remained about six months; then removed to Shell Rock, Iowa, and became engaged in the tonsorial business, following it there for about three years; then sold out and removed to Victor, where he has been ever since. He was married on the 6th of October, 1869, to Miss Minnie Amic, of Waterloo, Iowa. She died at Shell Rock in the fall of 1873. By this union they had one child, Frank, who now resides at Shelby, Iowa.
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