The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., Part 110

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Lee County > The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 110

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

CRAIG, D. T., far., Sec. 24; P. O. Fort Madison; was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1833; there he received

832

DIRECTORY OF LEE COUNTY :

his education by attending the subscrip- tion schools three months in the year ; at 16, he began to provide for himself by working as a farm laborer; in the fall of 1856, he came to Lee Co., where he followed his former occupation, and jobbing. Dec. 23, 1858, he married Miss Sarah Jane Hilmick, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, October, 1837 ; after that he farmed by renting until 1874, when he purchased his pres- ent place of residence, containing sixty- four acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; they have eight children-James, born Oct. 17, 1850; Sarah H., Aug. 5, 1861; Mary Eva, Sept. 6, 1863 ; John F., Dec. 17, 1866; Hannah E., Nov. 6, 1869; Angeline, Feb. 13, 1871 ; Alvina, Feb. 9, 1874; Charles, Oct. 22, 1876. Democratic ; has held various township offices. and takes great interest in educational matters ; has accepted various school offices.

Cutler, Otway, Jr., far., Sec. 35; P. O. Fort Madison.

D AVIS, GEORGE H., far., S. 35; P. O. Fort Madison.

DAVIS,"JOHN F., far., Sec. 3; P. O. Denmark ; son of Wm. and Ann Davis, nee Jenkins, natives of Wales ; in 1815, early settlers of Cincinnati, Ohio ; his father helped to launch the first steamer built at Cincinnati. They had ten children, five sons and four daughters still living; the second son John, was born in Cincinnati in 1819 ; when 8 years of age, his parents removed to Dearborn Co., Ind., where his mother died April, 1866, at 77 years of age ; his father in 1867, at the age of 82; five of the sons came to Lee Co., one daughter became a resident of Davis, the others remained in Indiana ; J. F. remained at home until in his 26th year ; then mar- ried Miss Jane Williams, daughter of Benjamin Williams and Annie Dodge ; he of New York and she of Vermont, but married and settled in Indiana. Mrs. Davis was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1824 ; there married March 4, 1845 ; they came to Iowa by water via Cincin- nati, Cairo and St. Louis to Fort Madi- son, making the trip in two weeks; first settled in Green Bay Tp .; moved in 1851 to present residence, where they own 155 acres of land, valued at $30 per

acre ; he was a Henry Clay Whig; hav- ing no children of their own, in 1873 they adopted the daughter of Uriah and Emily Skinner, of Ohio, who died near Denmark, leaving five children ; this was the youngest, born 1868. Mr. and Mrs. D. are believers in universal salva- tion.

DAVIS, WM., farmer and stock- grower, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Denmark ; son of Ebenezer Davis, who was born at Canaan, Grafton Co., N. H., 1780, and married Sarah Scales, who was born in the same county 1790; had four sons and four daughters; the youngest of the sons, William, was born in Grafton Co., N. H., 1814 ; had a common-school educa- tion ; at the age of 16, began life as a farm laborer ; remained in his native county until 1836, then came to Ohio, and in the fall of 1838, to Lee Co .; the following spring, he returned to Ohio, Athens Co., where he purchased a team, and with a load of fifteen cwt., returned to Lee, Co., com- pleting the drive in fourteen days. Sept. 9, 1840, he married Hannah, daughter of Ira Houston, one of the pioneers of Lee Co., from New Hamp- shire ; she was born in Lyndeborough, N. H., March 28, 1820, and died Oct. 9, four weeks after her marriage. He worked two years for Parson Turner ; returned to his native State, thence to Lowell, Mass., where he married Laura, daughter of Deacon John Houston (she was a cousin of his first wife) ; was born at Lyn- deborough, N. H., 1813 ; returnedimme- diately to Lee Co., and settled on the farm where he now resides, having pur- chased a claim of 200 acres before re- turning to New Hampshire, which he has since continued to cultivate and im- prove, and to add to until he now has 565 acres of land, with convenieut and well-arranged buildings, valued at $60 per acre. Democrat. Both of his wives were members of the Congrega- tionalist Church. Mr. Davis held the office of County Supervisor for five years. DAVIS, WM. M., pioneer, carpen- ter and farmer ; P. O. Fort Madison ; son of John Davis, who was a son of Basi! Davis, born near the Potomac River in Virginia, and while still a young man, on foot and alone, emigrated

833

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

to Pennsylvania, then in its infancy. There he married Mary Mattox and settled in Beaver Co., where they raised a family of five sons and four daughters, of whom John was the third son, born in Beaver Co., Nov. 25, 1791. There he married Sarah Moore in April, 1816; she was born in Centre Co., Penn., April 21, 1791. A few weeks after their marriage, he placed a feather bed upon his horse, upon which his wife mounted and with their cooking utensils, including a Dutch oven, strapped upon another horse, and walking beside, he journeyed to Muskingum Co., Ohio; there they settled in a heavy body of timber, which he proceeded to reduce to ashes and the land to a state of cultiva- tion ; they cleared up a large farm there, then removed to Morgan Co., Ohio, where they cleared up another, and, in October, 1838, again became pioneers of the West and settled in Lee Co., where his son William now resides, and re- mained until their death, which oc- curred, the mother's in September, 1869, the father's March 21, 1877, at the age of 86 years, leaving a family of twelve children, of whom William M. was the eldest; born Feb. 25, 1817, in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio; received all of his education at a log schoolhouse; at 18, in company with George Herring and family, emigrated West ; arrived in Ap- panoose in June, 1835, where they worked, making fans for fanning-mills until the following September, when they crossed the river; he remained with his uncle Herring until 1838, and, having entered a claim in 1837, he be- gan to improve and now owns 270 acres, valued at $30 per acre. In 1859, he married Miss Sarah G., daughter of James Anderson, of Crawford Co., Penn. ; she was born in Meadville, Penn., Oct. 30, 1823; they have five children-Alma L., born August, 1860 ; Kate May, March, 1862; George E., June, 1864; William H., April, 1867 ; Sarah J., July, 1868. Of his father's family, the second was Basil E., now of Missouri ; James C., at Fort Atkinson, Wis., a physician ; Joseph, who died at Dallas, Tex., 1876; John W., of Marion Co., Iowa; Elisha, now of Texas ; Geo. H., of this township ; Sophia A., whose

biography appears in this work ; Mary A., wife of A. L. Rice, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Densmore, of Arizona ; Nancy J., wife of Zeno F. Hopkins, of Kansas, now deceased, and Sarah L., of Fort Madison ; the youngest had grown to manhood be- fore a link was broken by death among the children. Mr. D. is a Jeffersonian Democrat ; says that he never voted in any State but Iowa; members of the Christian Church ; Mrs. Davis was formerly a member of the M. E. Church at Meadville, Penn.

Degen, John A., far., Sec. 23; P. O. Ft. Madison.

Deighton, Wm. J., Sec. 14; P. O. Ft. Madison.

DEWEY, GEORGE H., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Fort Madison ; was born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1816; in 1838, he came to Iowa ; attended the first land-sales at Burling- ton, and purchased the land on which he has since resided, consisting of 320 acres, which he now values at $25 per acre ; he remained one year, erecting his cabin and making improvements, then returned to Massachusetts ; walked to Peoria, from which he started to walk to Chicago, but the stage overtak- ing him, took passage in it. In Massa- chusetts, he married Miss Chloe B. But- ler, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1817. Soon after returned to Lee Co., via Chicago, Galena and Mississippi River, being four weeks making the re- turn trip; since which time, he has been steadily engaged in cultivating and improving his farm, which he has made one of the first in the county, with sub- stantial and commodious buildings and fences. They had ten children-George H., Jr., born Feb. 7, 1841, who en- listed in 1863, as private in 19th I. V. I., for one year, then detailed as Hospi- tal Steward and served for two years; died in 1871 ; Eunice S., born Dec. 8, 1842, the wife of N. F. Butler, of Missouri; Asaph C., April 8, 1844, a resident of Cahoka, Mo., who was in the 19th I. V. I .; married Miss Mary Riggs, of Missouri, July, 1874; Sarah E., born April 10, 1845, the wife of Wm, A. Tade, of Van Buren Co., who served during the war as Captain of a

834

DIRECTORY OF LEE COUNTY:

colored regiment ; James B., born Nov. 29, 1846, died at the age of S months; Nancy W., born Feb. 4, 1848 (at home) ; Kate M., born Aug. 11. 1850, wife of John Tade, of Mills Co .; Howard M .. born Jan. 23, 1852, on the home farm; Siar B., born July 27, 1853, also at home, and Frank M., born April 22, 1855. Republican ; Mr. and Mrs. D. and their daughter Naney are members of the Congregational Church ; the other members of the family are Bap- tists. Held the office of Justice of the Peace and Assessor for ten years.

Dobson, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Fort Madison.

DOW, W. W., farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O. Denmark ; born in Canaan, Grafton Co .. N. H., in 1816; at 24 years of age, went thence to Vermont. There he married Miss Sally Metcalf, who was born in Grafton, N. II., April 17. 1820; four years after, they came to Van Buren Co., Iowa ; resided in Cedar Tp. sixteen years, where, April 17, 1855, his wife died, leaving five chil- dren-Jane W., born Sept. 26, 1842, died Sept. 9, 1858; Lydia M., born May 1, 1845, the wife of Stephen Vass of Utah Territory ; Frank W., born Jan. 12, 1849; Wyman E., born April 17, 1852; and Ira V., born Nov. 18, 1854, who married Miss Lily Rice, and is a farmer of Lec Co. June 10, 1857, Mr. Dow married Jerusha Waterman, who was born in Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 27, 1825; they have two children-Mary E., born March 7, 1858, and Arthur W., born Feb. 13, 1860. Republican ; has held the offices of Township Trust- ee, Township Clerk and various school offices.

Duncan, H. W., Scc. 3; P. O. Denmark. DYE, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Fort Madison ; was born in Miami Co., Ohio, in 1814. In 1837, married Miss Nancy Dye, daughter of Andrew Dye, who was born in same county, in 1819; she died within a year after their marriage, leaving one child-Andrew, born June, 1838, who enlisted in the 2d Mo. Inf. at the breaking out of the late war, and died at St. Louis, in 1862; The year following the death of his wife, Mr. Dye came to Lee Co., lo- cated in Cedar Tp., where he soon after

married Jane, daughter of Willoughby Meckelwaite, now deceased, who was from the North of England, and came to Morgan Co., Ill., resided for ten years, and, in 1839, came to Lee Co .; she was born in England, in 1822; aft- er spending six years in Van Buren Co., he came to this township, and pur- chased the farm now owned by W. F. Snapp; thence to his present residence. Owns 280 acres valued at 840 per acre ; in IS61, he was again left a widower with . a family of eight children ; the eldest, Sylvester, born May 22, 1843, was also in the late war; enlisted with 19th Iowa Inf .; participated in many of the heaviest battles, and was a prisoner for ten months at Morganza, Texas, but participated in the last battle of the re- bellion ; now a farmer of Pottawattamie Co. ; Mary A., born Feb. 25, 1845, the wife of Robt. Gilmer, of California ; John, boru Aug. 29, 1847, a farmer of Pottawattamie Co .; George S., born Aug. 29, 1847, who is now conducting the home farm ; Willoughby, born April 14, 1852, a dealer in general merchan- dise at Macedonia, Pottawattamie Co .; Charles H., born Aug. 23, 1856, a grad- uate at Denmark Academy, now in Oberlin College ; Lottie, born Sept. 22, 1859, died Oct. 27, 1866. Has been Justice of the Peace for several years, and has held various township offices as well as school offices, having always taken an active part in educational mat. ters ; is a member of the Claypoole Lodge of the A., F. & A. M., at Fort Madison. Democrat.

E BERLING, CONRAD, far .. Sec. 33; P. O. Fort Madison.

EATON, GEO. C., farmer, See. 4 ; P. O. Fort Madison ; born in Worces- ter Co., Mass .. November 9, 1805 ; son of Jonas and Sally Eaton, nee Powers, of New England nativity, dating back to the Mayflower; at the age of S, his father died, and he was educated by a cousin. In 1828, he married Mary Goodrich, who was born in Worcester Co., Mass., in 1795, and died in 1832, leaving two children-Julia, born in 1829, died in 1843, and Lucian, born Sept. 24, 1831. During the late war, was Captain of a company : participated with Frank Blair in the taking of Camp

835

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Jackson, then a commissioned officer stationed at St. Louis, that being the headquarters of the department. He was an active worker in the Temperance cause ; he took Gen. Grant's deposition in the Babcock whisky case, at Wash- ington, as counsel of the Government in a whisky case; now a prominent lawyer of St. Louis, a Register in Bank- ruptcy and U. S. Commissioner. Mr. Geo. Eaton afterward married Abigail Nichols, who was born in the State of New York Feb. 28, 1803; she died in January, 1860, leaving three children Mary A., born Aug. 18, 1836, a suc- cessful teacher, with an experience of thirty-two terms in school; Louisa M., born July 19, 1839, the wife of Wm. Vanhyning, of Des Moines ; Helen S., born Aug. 19, 1841. Mr. E. was an Old-Line Whig, then active in original Republicanism, now a Liberal Demo- crat ; liberal in religion ; his first wife was a member of the Unitarian, and his second, of the M. E. Church. After the death of his first wife, he removed to Denmark, N. Y .; there he married his second wife; thence to St. Law- rence Co .; in 1846, to Lee Co .; re- mained two years in Denmark, thence to his present place of residence ; has held the office of Justice of the Peace twenty years ; has also been Assessor. Eoff, Leonard, far., Sec. 9; P. O. Fort Madison.

Eoff, William S., far., Sec. 15 ; P. O. Fort Madison.

H RASSMEYER, M., far., Sec. 31 ; P. O. Fort Madison.

FIELD, CHARLES, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Denmark; born in Peter- boro, N. H., in 1817; he received an education at the common schools of the day, with two terms at the acad- emy ; at 21, he went to Lowell, Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of cot- ton for the print works; in 1837, he came to Lee Co., purchased a claim where he now resides, and owns 100 acres of land, valued at $55 per acre. In 1842, he married Miss Electa Brock. way ; her parents, Titus, of Vermont, and Nancy B., nce Wilson, of Herki- mer Co., N. Y., were married in Trum- bull Co., Ohio, in 1838; came to Lce Co., Washington Tp., where her mother

now resides ; her father died in 1853; Mrs. Field was born in Hartford, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, in 1824; they have three children-Hattie A., born May 25, 1846, the wife of Elijah F. Cowles ; Henry S., born Jan. 6, 1853; C. F., born Sept. 10, 1859. An Old-Line Whig, now a Republican. Has held the office of Township Trustee and school offices ; a member of the Anti- Horse-Thief Association.

Fraune, Henry, far., Sec. 32; P. O. Fort Madison.

G ELDNER, L., far., Sec. 25; P. O. Fort Madison.

Gedney, Win., far., Sec. 12; P. O. Fort Madison.

Gibbs, B. F., Sec. 29.

Gillan, Isaac, far., Sec. 35; P. O. Fort Madison.

GREGG, SILAS, far., Sec. 14 ; P. O. Fort Madison ; of English origin ; his great grandfather was born in En- gland ; emigrated to America, and set- tled in Southwestern Virginia; there his grandfather, Gregg was

born. Married Miss Comber, and settled near Knoxville, Tenn., where his father, Thomas Gregg, was born in 1798; when young, was taken by his father to Edwardsville, Madison Co., Ill., where they remained until the death of his parents, soon after which he re- turned to Sangamon Co., near Spring- field, Ill., and in the spring of 1822, married Miss Keziah Roberts, born in Kentucky Nov. 23, 1806; had ten children ; two sons and four daughters grew to manhood and womanhood, the most of whom are settled in the West ; Silas, the eldest, was born near Spring- field, Ill., July 25, 1823; at 4 years of age, moved, with his parents, to Adams Co., Ill., thence to Wisconsin, near Mineral Point; the fall of 1829, to Quincy, Ill .; the spring of 1837, they came to Lee Co., and settled at their present place of residence ; he received his education at the common schools, with six months at Denmark Academy ; the winter of 1844 and 1845, he taught the first school-a business he has fol- lowed in his own and adjoining dis- tricts, without intermission during the winter months, and has taught several terms of summer school by request.

S36

DIRECTORY OF LEE COUNTY:

In November, 1848, he married Miss Abby A. Hornby, daughter of John H., whose biography is to be found else- where; she was born in Maine Sept. 17, 1823; he owns 110 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre ; they have three sons and one daughter : Sarah E., born March 3)-1851-the wife of D. W. Bean, a farmer of this township; Os- var, born March 4, 1854; S. W., born April 18, 1859 ; George W., born Sept. 12, 1861. Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg, their daughter and eldest sons, are members of the Christian Church ; has held office of Justice of the Peace for ten years ; Township Clerk, and was Assessor for Denmark, Washington and Green Bay Townships; also took the United States census for Washington Township in 1865; Secretary of the Board of Education for a number of years; in 1870, was elected School In- speetor, in which he served until that office was abolished by law.

GREGG, WM. C., far. and carpen- ter; was born in Washington Tp., this county, on the farm where he now resides Oct. 17, 1838; he received his education at Brush College. August, 1862, he married Miss Adelia G., daughter of Dr. Johnson and Hannah H. Phares ; she was born at Ft. Madison Feb. 17, 1838; her father was one of the first physicians of Ft. Madison, and erected the first frame house in the city; he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio; his wife at Watertown, N. Y., where they were married ; he had in New York a good practice, but almost abandoned his profession on coming to Lee Co., where he was the first to start a store for the exclusive sale of dry goods ; he died in 1842; her mother in 1876, at 69 years of age. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Gregg enlisted in the 30th I. V. I., Co. I; participated at the battles of Arkan- sas Post, Vieksburg, all through Look- out Mountain, Atlanta, Savannah and Sherman's march to the sea, with eigh- teen months' hospital duty ; was mus- tered out at Davenport, Iowa, May, 1865. They have three children- Hannah May, born May 5, 1866; Wal- do, Aug. 2, 1869; Gladyes, May 17, 1874. Neutral in politics. Owns the farm where he was born, contain-

ing ninety acres, valued at $45 per acre.

GUTHRIE, ELIZA ANN, far .. Sec. 6; P. O. Denmark ; Mrs. Guthrie. is the daughter of Aaron Van Pelt, who was born in Sussex Co., N. J., June, 1780, where he married Elizabeth Gilliland, also born in New Jersey, Jan. 2, 1787 ; they afterward removed to Marietta, Ohio, and subsequently to Meigs Co., in that State, where her father died Sept. 2, 1862, and her mother Sept. 11, 1870. Mrs. G. is one of nine children, six still living-Maria. born Feb. 28, 1809 ; Jacob, born Dec. 8, 1810, died Oct. 1, 1852; Eliza A., born Sept. 25, 1812 ; Daniel, born Aug. 31, 1814, died Nov. 9, 1824; Catha- rine was born Nov. 2, 1815 ; Susan was born Sept. 7, 1817, died March 7, 1856; Charlotte was born Sept. 1, 1821; Aaron was born July 17, 1823 ; Patience M. was born Feb. 20, 1827, died Sept. 22, 1868. Eliza A. was 5 years of age when her parents removed to Ohio, where, March 2, 1834, she married Milo Guthrie, son of Joseph Guthrie, who was born in Athens Co., Ohio, March 5, 1809; after marriage, they commeneed the battle of life in the house on the farm where they were married, and where they remained thirty-two years ; in 1866, they removed to Iowa and settled on the farm now occupied by Mrs. G., consisting of 165 acres, valued at $50 per acre; had three children- Annie M., born Feb. 12, 1835, and, on her 23d birthday, Feb. 12, 1858, mar- ried Joel E. Cowdry, of Denmark Tp .: Edwin N. was born Jan. 29, 1840, and died Jan. 21, 1846 ; Annie L. was born Sept. 24, 1847, and married, Feb. +, 1869, Robert Peoples, of this township. Mr. Guthrie was a consistent and re- spected member of the Christian Church for thirty years previous to his death on the 13th of August, 1874, leaving many friends and but few enemies. His first vote was cast for Gen. Jackson for Presi- dent in 1832, and he adhered to the Democratie faith throughout his life. Mrs. G., both her daughters and Mr. Cowdry, her son-in-law, are members of the Christian Church. The parents of Mrs. Guthrie's husband, Joseph Guth- rie and his wife, were born in Connecti-

837

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

cut; moved to Ohio in 1790; settled in Hayes, Omer T., far., Sec. 9; P. O. Fort Madison.

Carthage Tp., Athens Co .; they died, he at the age of 81. she at 96. He was a minister of the M. E. Church ; she a member. Had eight children-Wm., Chas., Amy, Harriet, Sophia, Milo, Aurilla and Joseph ; four are still living, two in Meigs Co., Ohio, the others in Monticello, Lewis Co., Mo. His oldest brother, Truman Guthrie, sowed the first bushel of wheat in Ohio in 1795 on the Ohio River, in Washington Co., Newburg Tp., about twenty-five miles below Marietta. At that time, Indians were the inhabitants and the first set- tlements of whites were made.

H AYES, ISAAC D., far., Sec. 2 ; P. O. Fort Madison.

HARRINGTON, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Denmark ; born in Rut- land Co., Vt., in 1812; and, when 2 or 3 years of age, his parents removed to Washington Co., N. Y. ; there he lived until 14 years of age, when his parents moved to Oswego Co., N. Y., where his father soon after died ; when 21 years of age, John left home and came to Medina, now Summit Co., Ohio, where he re- mained for two years; in 1836, paid a visit to Lec Co., and wintered at Warsaw, Ill. ; the following July, returned to Medina Co. Married Elizabeth McNeil, daughter of John McNeil, of that county ; she was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1820; remaining two years in that county ; removed to Logan Co., Ohio, and the fall of 1843, to Lee Co., and settled on land now owned by Alex. Lanther ; in 1847, moved to pres- ent residence, where he now owns 120 acres, valued at $40 per acre ; they have five children- Mary, born in Lawrence Co., Ohio, June 7, 1838, the wife of Josiah Brockway, of Des Moines Co., Iowa ; Ozro, born Sept. 26, 1840, in Logan Co., Ohio, a resident of Kan- sas ; Alvina, born in Logan Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1842, the widow of Chauncey W. Eggleston, formerly of Denmark Tp .; Alonzo, born in Lee Co., March 20, 1844, now of Marion Co., Iowa ; Sylva A., born July 4, 1852, died March 7, 1861 ; Elizabeth A., born Sept. 14, 1855, the wife of Harvey Newby, of Dakota, Turner Co. Republican ; men- bers of Baptist Church.

HAYES, SAMUEL F., farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Fort Madison ; his father, Job Hayes (of Swedish and English an- cestry), was born in Pennsylvania in 1791 ; his father (S. Fs'., a grandfather), a Revolutionary soldier, came to America about the year 1750, and his mother, also of English birth, about the same time; her father was also a Revolution- ary soldier ; Mr. Job Hayes, when 16 years of age, came with his parents to Ohio, Hamilton Co., where his father was killed by the Indians. He there married his second cousin, Joanna Hayes, born in Brownsville, Penn., 1799; they were married June 29, 1820; they had ten children, six still living ; Samuel F., the youngest, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1841, and, with the family in 1846, came to Lee Co., first settling at West Point ; moved thence to his present place of residence, where his father died in Feb- ruary, 1868; his mother Nov. 25, 1873 ; their family settled in Lee Co., except one brother and one sister, who remained in Ohio. Jan. 1, 1866, he married Miss Elizabeth M. Marsh, daughter of Benj. J. M., whose biography appears elsewhere ; she was born in this county, near Brush College, Nov. 2, 1845. He is a Democrat. Mrs. Hayes is a member of the Christian Church ; his parents were members of the M. E. Church ; he is a prominent member of the Red Ribbon Club at Fort Madison. On the 17th of March, 1862, he en- listed in the 17th I. V. I., Co. C; dis- charged on account of disability the fol- lowing November. Mr. Hayes has in his possession a cane eut by his father in 1820, near New Orleans, on Jack- son's battle-field, from a crooked crab- trec.

Hansman, F., far., Sec. 25; P. O. Fort Madison.

HERRING, JOHN R., farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Ft. Madison ; son of Geo. Herring, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 17, 1781, his parents being early settlers of that State; when 14 years of age, he was sent by his father to Bea- ver Co., near Pittsburgh, to hold a claim purchased there soon after the

838

DIRECTORY OF LEE COUNTY :

treaty with the Indians ; he passed his time in hunting, etc .; he was visited by Mike Fink, a noted pioneer hunter and trapper, whose history has since been published. May 1, 1806, he married Fanny Rowland, who was born Oct. 5, 1782 ; had nine children. In 1813, they became early settlers of Morgan Co., Ohio, where he engaged in hunting, his wife following him with a horse, carry- ing in the pelts and hind-quarters of the deer, with which they paid for their land, on which they remained until 1835, when they came to Appanoose Co., and the following fall to Lee Co., settling near the line of West Point and Wash- ington Tp., where, in 1841, Mrs. Her- ring died, and in 1843, Mr. Herring married Nancy Hamilton, with whom he lived until his death, Dec. 10, 1867, at the advanced age of S7 years. But three of his children are now living, John R., the youngest, was born April 2, 1824, in Morgan Co., Ohio. remain- ing at home until his father's second marriage; then, for a time, attended school at Ft. Madison, after which, his father having given himself and sister each 40 acres of land, they erected a cabin and began to improve the farm. After raising a crop, he loaded a flat- boat and took it to New Orleans, which proving successful, he made thirteen successive trips, employing a man to conduct his farm in the mean time; in 1849, he resumed farming, threshing during the season for that branch of in- dustry ; in 1852, in company with Jef- ferson Hopkins, of this township, took the overland route to California ; ar- rived at Sacramento the last of July ; went thence to Nigger IIill, where he joined a company in putting a flume in the American River, which proved unsuc- cessful ; he left and visited Forbestown ; thence to Gibsonville, the Yuba and Feather Rivers, the first two years in mining, then in a store, elerking for a year ; thence to the Mikora and Scotch Rivers, mining for a time; thence to Cottonwood, near the Oregon line; thence to Beaver Creek; then went to Eureka and purchased a claim which he worked for a time, but not proving a suc- cess abandoned it and worked by the day for the balance of that season. Oct.

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

The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., Part 110

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 898

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 898