USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 90
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UMPHREYS, L. N .- Farmer, Sec. 30, P. O. North English. Was born in Washington county, Tennessee, July 12, 1831, resided there until he came to Iowa in 1869, lived in Johnson county two
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years and then came to this township. Was first married to Cath- erine Morlock, of Tennessee, November 25, 1852. She was born Febru- ary 18, 1834. By this union they have four children: Rachael T. (born September 27, 1853), John W. (born May 4, 1856), Geo. A. (born Septem) ber 21, 1865) and Louisa A. born February 23, 1869). Mrs. Humphrey's died May 8, 1874. He was married the second time to Mrs. Celia Clevi enger, July 8, 1876. She was born in Randolph county, Indiana, January 13, 1838, being at the time of this marriage the widow of Samuel Cleven- ger, late of Keokuk county, Iowa. She had three children by her first hus- band: Thomas H. (born October 26, 1857), Alma E. (born October 26, 1860) and Tally M. (born April 5, 1863). Mr. and Mrs. H. have one child, Albert P. (born August 10, 1877): He has a fine farm of one hundred acres. Mr. Humphreys enlisted as a member of company K, Sixtieth Ten- nessee Confederate volunteers. Served with his regiment at the battle of Champion's Hill, Edward's Station, Black River and Siege of Vicksburg, and from what we learn from others he was a brave and valiant soldier.
TAYNES, JOSEPH W .- Mail-carrier and proprietor of stage line from
Marengo, Iowa county, to Keota, Washington county. Was born in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, April 14, 1855, and lived there twelve years, then moved to Millersburg, Iowa county with his parents, where he lived until he attained. his majority. He is the son of Wm. Jaynes a man well and favorably known in Iowa county.
JOHNSON, ALEXANDER P .- Farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Lytle City. Born in Peoria county, Illinois, February 22, 1837, lived there until 1856, then came to Iowa and located on the farm on which he now lives, and has ever since been engaged in farming, except when serving in the army dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in company L, Eleventh Illi- nois cavalry, commanded by Col. R. G. Ingersoll, in January, 1862, and on account of sickness was mustered out at Memphis, in October, 1862. Was married September 16, 1861, to Mary F. Wade, of Iowa county. They have five children: Thomas F. (aged sixteen years), Frank M. (aged fourteen years), Helen F. (aged twelve years), Lucy (aged ten years) and Albert S. (aged seven years). Mr. Johnson has never sought public office bnt is well known as a public spirited man and highly thought of by all his neighbors, and a man who by strict attention to his farm has secured for himself and family a desirable home. Eight years of his life were spent in farming in Marshall county, Illinois.
K ELLY, M. J .- Merchant, Lytle City. Was born March 22, 1850, in County Tipperary, Ireland. His parents emigrated to America in 1852, and located in Port Byron, New York, and when eight years of age he came with his parents to Iowa and located in Muscatine, Muscatine county. He remained until 1868, and there received his education and learned the tinsmith trade. At the age of eighteen he came to Lytle City and worked at odd jobs and carpenter work for one year, then went to Des Moines and worked at his trade of tinsmithing until 1874, when he re- turned to Lytle City and became junior member of the large mercantile firm of Grimes & Kelly, where he still remains in business. He has been notary public for four years, also a member of school board four years and is now justice of the peace and postmaster, all of which positions he is well qualified to fill, having within a few years spent one term in the law de- partment at Iowa City. February 13, 1870, he was married to Margie Lytle, a daughter of B. F. Lytle, one of the founders of Lytle City. They
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have six children: Harry (aged ten years), Gus (aged eight years), Bert ( aged six years), Joe (aged four years), Johnny (aged two and one-half years) and Allie (aged seven months).
KING, GEORGE W .- Deceased. Was born in Kentucky, June 7, 1832. Lived there ten years then moved to Indiana and remained two years, then with his parents came to Washington county, Iowa, and lived there till he moved to Keokuk county, in 1855, and lived there until his death, October 27, 1879. He was married on the first day of December, 1859, to Mary Jane Greenlee, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, born on the fifth day of August, 1842. They have seven children, John W. (born March 13, 1861), Greer M. (born October 21, 1862), Emma E. (born May 30, 1865), Ada L. (born August 17, 1867), George W. (born December 8, 1870), Charlie Leslie (born October 23, 1873), and Mary E. (born March 4, 1878). John is married and lives in Keokuk county. Mrs. King is now living in this township on Sec. 30. Mr. King left an estate of two hundred and fifty acres of well improved land, forty of which are in Iowa county and which Mrs. King has made her home farm. Mr. King was an honored member of society, and by his death the family lost a kind and loving hus- band and father, and the community a useful citizen.
KNIPFER, G .- Proprietor of grist mill, merchant and postmaster at Carter. Was born at Altenburg, Saxony, Germany, August 9, 1830. Re- mained there till April, 1856, and then emigrated to America and lived in Buffalo, New York, until 1859, then came to Iowa and located in Cedar county, and remained there till 1865 when he came to Iowa county. Was married May 1, 1860, to Wilhelmina Nottshall. She was born in Stuttgart, Prussia, June 24, 1832. . They have six children: Julia (born April 20, 1861), Rosa (born June 26, 1863), Matilda (born August 26, 1864), Mary (born March 10, 1866), Clara (born October 1, 1869), Frank (born Septem- ber 13, 1877). Mr. Knipfer has been unfortunate in having his mill-dam and the foundation of his mill washed away; but being a man not easily discouraged he has overcome all obstacles and is on the road to success. In connection with the grist mill he keeps a store well stocked with general merchandise, which is attended to by his daughters.
L AYPORT, JOHN-Lytle City. Was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1831, and lived there until three years of age. Then moved with his parents to Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, where he received the advantages of a common school education. In 1852 he was united in mar- riage to Isabell McConkey of Hopedale, Hardin county, Ohio. The marriage taking place in Bethany, Brooks county, Virginia, the marriage ceremony being pronounced by the celebrated Rev. Alexander Campbell. In 1855 he moved from Ohio and located in Iowa county, Iowa, where he was en- gaged in farming till 1861, when he enlisted as private, October 2, of said year, in company I, Thirteenth Iowa infantry. At Corinth, Missis- sippi, July 1, 1862, was promoted to second lieutenant of his company; was in all the numerous engagements with regiment, including Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Battle of Corinth. Was with Grant in his first march to the rear of Vicksburg, in the latter part of 1862. Was all through the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863, and immediately afterward in the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi. Re-enlisted as a veteran January 1, 1864, and was elected captain, but owing to the active service in which his regiment was engaged, and a misunderstanding with the mustering officer, he never was mustered in as captain but served as lieutenant, and often had charge
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of several companies. Marched to Meridian and back on what is known as the "Meridian Raid." Was then furloughed for thirty days. The regi- ment was then re-organized at Cairo and joined in the march with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, and participated in all the various engagements of that memorable march ; not, as he says, in any particular battle, because, as he frequently observes, " at that time we were not fighting by the day but by - the month." At a charge on the rebel works at Atlanta his regiment went in four hundred strong and left ninety-nine dead and wounded on the field, and the next day lost two hundred and thirty of the remainder. In these engagements Mr. Layport gained the unbounded admiration of his com- rades for his kindness and courage. Was mustered out at Chattanooga, November 2, 1864, and it must be said that few men left the army with a better war record than Mr. Layport. Since returning from the army he has visited Dakota, Texas and other parts of the West. but is now located at Lytle City, and is engaged as mail-carrier, having charge of several mail routes in this and adjoining counties. His family consists of seven chil- dren: Nancy Jane, Levi N., John, Mary, Wilson W., Sherman and Char- lie F. His father, Geo. Layport, aged 80, and his mother, Jane Layport, aged 78, reside with him, and certainly if aged parents ever had a staff for their declining years they have it in John Layport and his estimable wife. As a school officer Mr. Layport has always taken an active part in the ad- vancement of education in his neighborhood.
LEAHY, WILLIAM-Farmer Sec. 11, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Galway, Ireland, March 10, 1824, and lived there twenty-seven years. Then emigrated to America, and May 2, 1851, landed in the United States, locating in New Jersey, where he followed farming for six years. He came to Iowa, and in August, 1857, located on the farm on which he now lives. Was married to Bridget Gallagher August 1, 1851, who was born in County Galway, Ireland, December 4, 1836. They have ten chil- dren: Edward (born September 17, 1853), John (born November 20, 1855), Patrick (born November 21, 1857), Mary (born March 17, 1860), Celia (born December 3, 1863), Bridget (born September 4, 1865), James (born October 4, 1869), William (born September 20, 1871), Catharine (born February 10, 1877), and Joseph (born January 12, 1880.) Mr. Leahy has for a number of terms served his township in the capacity of trustee and school director. When he first settled in Iowa he was of quite limited means, but now owns two fine farms of 160 acres each, besides 30 acres of timber. His farms are well stocked.
M cKINSTRY, ALEXANDER-Farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. North English. Was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1818, and lived there about thirty-two years, engaged in farming. Was there married to Rebecca Backus, October 1, 1850; she was born October 8, 1825. In 1850 he moved to Ogle county, Illinois, and lived there and in Mercer and Stark counties until 1858, when he went to Kansas and remained there until he came to this county in the fall of 1866. Their family consists of five children: Laura E. (born August 29, 1851, and now engaged in teaching), Samuel C. (born November 9, 1855), Margaret E. (born October 4, 1857, and now in the milling business), Ina (born May 16, 1860, now the wife of W. Claypool) and Ambrose L. (born July 13, 1866). Mr. Mckinstry has an improved farm of 132 acres well stocked. Laura E. Mckinstry commenced teaching May 23, 1870, and is now engaged in teaching the
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twenty-eighth term, and during all this time has never had a harsh word with either parents or pupils.
MASTERSON, HENRY-Farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Caven, Ireland, in September, 1838, and lived in that country. about sixteen years. Then went to New York and worked one year, when he came to Iowa county. Was married to Margaret McGraw, October 8, 1861. She was born in Kane county, Illinois, January 10, 1842. The family consists of nine children: James (born January 19, 1862), William (born March 23, 1866), John (born February 21, 1868), Henry (born March 9, 1870), Mary A. (born July 19, 1872), Julia (born March 17, 1874), Mi- chael (born March 9, 1876), Bernard (born January 9,1878) and Patrick (born April 15, 1880). Mr. Masterson started a poor boy in Iowa City but now owns 160 acres of land well stocked and improved. He has been road su- pervisor in his district for a number of terms. A member of the family is the aged father of Mrs. Masterson, Dennis McGraw, who was one of the earliest settlers in Iowa county, and who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1807.
MOORE, G. W .- Farmer, Sec. 21. P. O. North English. Was born in Ho- mer, Licking county, Ohio, January 18, 1820, and lived there until twelve years of age. Then moved with his parents to Logan county, Ohio, where he remained three years and then went to Hardin county, Ohio. He moved to Iowa in 1852 and in March, 1853, located in this townshp, he being one of the first settlers. He was married August 5, 1841, to Abigail Randol, of Hardin county, Ohio. She was born June 4, 1820. They have seven children: John W. (born July 11, 1842), Mary C. (born July 5, 1844), Al- mira C. (born December 11, 1846), Sarah A. (born February 11, 1849), Lydia C. (born April 28, 1851), William W. (born November 2, 1855) and Charles L. (born October 14, 1858). Lost one, Mary C. (died August 1, 1850). Mr. Moore has served as township trustee for a number of years and as school director. He endured all the privations and hardships of a pioneer's life, but now owns two hundred and twenty-two acres of land all under cultivation and well stocked.
O RGAN, FRANK-Farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Clare, Ireland, October 28, 1847, and at the age of two and one-half years came to America with his parents, settling in Oneida county, New York. In 1858 he came to Iowa and settled in Fillmore township. Was married in 1877 to Johannah Murphy, of Greene township. The family consists of three children: John, Frank and William. Mr. O. at- tended school in Fillmore township until he was twenty-two years old. Has been elected for seven successive terms as township clerk. His future looks bright and he will undoubtedly hereafter be heard from as a representative man in the county.
P OPHAM, WILLIAM-Farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Lytle City. Owns a farm of 350 acres. Was born in Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, June 27, 1819, and at an early age removed to Amity, Knox county, Ohio, remaining there until the fall of 1843. Received a common school education. Then removed to Kociusko county, Indiana, and engaged in farming thir- teen years and afterward as a hotel-keeper in Warsaw, Indiana, for three years. Then came to this township and in the fall of 1858 located upon the farm on which he now resides. Was married February 4, 18 -- , to Mary J. Shipley, of Knox county, Ohio. She moved with him to Indiana and died February 28, 1853. There were three children by this marriage:
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Rebecca (died at the age of two and one-half years), Mary Ellen (lives in Polk county, lowa) and Samantha Geneva (lives in Nebraska). Was mar- ried the second time to Rebecca Shipley, on November 26, 1853, she being a sister of his first wife. They have eight children: Almond (died in in- fancy), Charlie (died in infancy), Elias (died when three and one-half years old), Lucy (aged sixteen years), Jose (aged fourteen years), Frank (eleven - years), R. G. (aged nine years) and Jesse (aged six years). Mr. Popham has been county commissioner for two terms under the old system of town- ship supervisors and is now serving the second term under the new system. and is also bridge commissioner of five townships. Has been a member of the school board and has done much toward making the Popham school one of the best in the county. During the war Mr. Popham was noted not only for his personal assistance in money but for his public labors in procuring aid for the families of soldiers. Mr. Popham owns a fine farm well improved and well stocked. Few men have lived more exem- plary lives or done more for the public good than William Popham.
R OCK, PATRICK-Farmer, Sec. 22, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Mayo, Ireland, January 1, 1814, and lived there until twen- ty-one years of age, then came to America. He remained about two years and then returned to Ireland in 1846, and remained six years. He again canie to America and worked at farming in New York State for three years, Then worked as a laborer on a railroad for a short time and then com- menced contracting, in which he was very successful. In 1854 he came to Iowa and located in this township, where he entered about twenty-two hundred acres of land. He purchased a saw and grist mill, erected on English River, what was known as Rock's Mill, and one of the first in this part of the West. Has also been heavily engaged in shipping stock. He was married in 1856 to Sarah McManamna, of this township. They have six children: Sarah (born July 31, 1858), Martin (March 16, 1870), Jimmie (August 15, 1863), Ann (March 28, 1865), Joe (March 13, 1867) and Henry (October 4, 1873). Mr. Rock served as county supervisor for two terms. He brought four families to this State with him, furnishing them teams and money and locating them on his own land and now they are all well-to-do farmers.
ROCK, A. D .- Farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 22, P. O. Foote. Was born in County Mayo, Ireland, August 15, 1837, and resided there nine years. Then emigrated with his parents to America, locating in Orange county, New York, where he resided for five years. He lived in Fair, mount, Virginia, two years and then in Ross county, Ohio, for four years, then coming into this township April 5, 1855. Was married March 25, 1866, to Catharine Mullaney, who was born in County Sligo, Ireland, July 25, 1842. The family is composed of Martin F. (born February 27, 1873) and the aged mother of Mrs. Rock, Margaret Mullaney, aged seventy-two years, she being the widow of James Mullaney, one of the first and most honored citizens of Fillmore township. Mr. Rock has secured a fine farm of 240 acres, all well improved and stocked and is considered one of the solid stock-dealers of Iowa county. Has served his townshipas trustee and in other minor offices. He helped run the first threshing machine owned in Iowa county, also assisted in hauling the Rock Mill from Keokuk and af- terward helped build the same on English River.
1 .. ROWE, MARION-Farmer, Sec. 13, P. O. Lytle City. Was born Jan- mary 23, 1810, in Rochester, New York, and lived there about thirty years,
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receiving a common school education. In the fall of 1840 he moved to Peoria county, Illinois, and lived there, engaged in farming until Novem- ber, 1856, when he moved to Iowa and settled on his present farm. While residing in Peoria county, Illinois, he was married May 14, 1843, to Lucy A. Johnson, of the same place. There were born to them five children: Florence A. (April 7, 1845, now widow Rock), Thomas J. (September 23, 1848, died September 11, 1849), Edward J. (September 23, 1848, twin brother of Thomas J. deceased), Fred M. (September 24, 1853) and Anna G. (May 5, 1856). Mr. Rowe has filled the offices of school director and township trustee for a number of years, and during his residence in Iowa has gained the esteem of his neighbors. He has secured a beautiful and pleasant home.
RYAN, PATRICK-Farmer, Sec. 30, P. O. Carter. Was born Sep- tember 27, 1834, in County Roscommon, Ireland; lived there until seven- teen years of age, then emigrated to America and landed in New York in March, 1852, and remained there about two years, then moved to Otsego county, New York and lived there until 1862, and then came to Iowa county. Was married April 14, 1861, to Margaret Larvell. She was born in County Mayo, Ireland, December 20, 1841. There are ten children: Mary (born June 22, 1862), Peter (born September 14, 1863), John (Feb- ruary 22, 1865), Anthony (born October 7, 1866), Maggie (born June 8, 1868), Henry (born February 28, 1870), James (born September 8, 1871), Thomas (born August 20, 1875), Ann (born February 1, 1878) and Catha- rine (born August 15, 1879). Mr. Ryan has served and is still serving as justice of the peace and has also been an active member of the school board. He came to Iowa with limited means, but by his industry and care has secured a good home of one hundred and forty acres of land.
S EARS, RUFUS B .- Farmer, Sec. 32, P. O. North English. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, March 31, 1848, lived there two years, and then came to Iowa county, with his parents, on the first day of May, 1851, and has ever since lived on the farm on which he now resides. He was married January 8, 1867, to Mary E. Truax, who was born in Indiana, March 22, 1845. The family consists of seven children living and two dead: Romanzo, Delpha, Francis, Anna, Denver, Effie, George, Mary and Elsie; Anna died September 5, 1872 and Francis died December 1,1873. The aged parents of Mr. Sears live with him .. Curtis Sears, his father, was born in State of New York, April 3, 1793, and Nancy Sears, his mother, was born in Ohio, April 22, 1803. Both of them are still in excellent health and en- joying a pleasant home with their son. Mr. Sears, Sr., states that he at- tended the first election held in Fillmore township, and that there were scarcely voters enough to fill the offices. He says that the first year or two it was almost impossible to get any milling done, on account of the high water and great distance to mills, and they had to live on corn first boiled and then grated. The subject of our sketch is nicely fixed on a farm and everything indicates a successful farmer.
SIMMONS, C. R .- Farmer, Sec. 31, P. O. North English. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, January 16, 1846. Lived there two years, then moved to Howard county and lived there six years, then moved with his parents to Iowa county, and has lived near the same place ever since, en- gaged in farming. He was married, to Maria A. Rock, of Fillmore town- ship, October 8, 1868. She was born in the State of New York, August 15, 1849. By this marriage there are two children living and one dead:
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Thomas Ernest (born December 8, 1868), J. Burton (born March 10, 1876) and Andrew D. (born August 10, 1872, and died May 27, 1874. Mr. Sim- mons came and settled in Iowa county, a poor boy, but now has a beauti- ful farm of about 100 acres.
T IERNEN, JAMES-Farmer, Sec. 5, P. O. Lytle City. Was born in County Galway, Ireland, August 12, 1828. Lived there until twenty years of age, and on the 21st day of January, 1849, came to America and landed in New York March 31, 1849. Lived in Monmouth county, New Jersey, three years; moved to Dutchess county, New York, lived there nine years; then came to Iowa, and on the 6th day of April, 1861 landed and settled in this township, where he has since lived. While living in Dutchess county, New York, he was married to Ann Powers, on the 15th of January, 1854. She was born in County Waterford, Ireland, April 15, 1831. The family consists of eleven children: Lawrence (born March 26, 1855), Katie (born April 14, 1857), Ellie E. (born June 21, 1858), Sarah A. (born May 11, 1860), Maggie (born September 24, 1861), Mary A. (born September 24, 1864), John (born February 27, 1866), Martin P. (born August 26, 1867), Bridget (born March 5, 1871), James (born April 29, 1875) and . Winnie (born April 29, 1875)-the two youngest are twins. Mr. Tiernen came to Iowa with very little means, but now owns 100 acres of land, well-improved and stocked. He and his family are noted for their hospitality. He has held various township offices.
W ARNER, JOSIAH-Farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Foote. Was born in Amherst, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, June 30, 1818. Lived there nine years, then to Windham, Connecticut, for one year; then in Springfield, Ware and Hardwick, Massachusetts, for four years; then to Amherst and lived in and near there for four years; then to Marion county, Missouri, for two and one-half years; then to Ohio and traveled over most of the State four years; then to Cass county, Michigan, for two and a half years; thence to Wayne county, New York, for one year; thence to Massachu- setts for six months; then to Wayne county, New York, for one year; thence to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, for six months; then to Wayne county, New York, for six months; then to Indiana, for six months; thence to Cass county, Michigan, for one year; thence to Carlisle, Michigan, one year; then to Madison, Indiana, and back by way of Michigan, to Wayne county, New York, where at the age of thirty-two years, he was married to Sally Ann Braymer, on the 10th day of October, 1850. He then moved to La- peer county, Michigan, lived there five years; thence to La Salle county, Illinois, for eleven years, and from there to Iowa county, where he has ever since lived. They have five children: Julian (born August 25, 1851), Ellen (born August 14, 1854), Ida B (born January 26, 1857), Frank (born September 22, 1862), Owen (born July 22, 1865). His wife died October 6, 1874. Mr. Warner was engaged as broom manufacturer for ten years, then as a carpenter and at farming the rest of his life. He has served as school director for quite a number of terms and has taken more than an ordinary interest in the building up of good schools in his district.
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