The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 111

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

USA > Iowa > Polk County > The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 111

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YOUNGERMAN, F. W .- Cigar manufacturer, and dealer in tobacco and smokers' articles, was born in Germany, on the eighth day of July, 1845, and lived there until seventeen years of age when he emigrated to the Uni- ted States, in 1862, and settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he learned the cigar maker's trade. In 1867 he came to Des Moines, and in 1868 engaged in business for himself. He married Miss Julia Lehman, in 1874; she was born in Lancaster, Ohio. They have one son, Harry.

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YOUNG, MADISON-The subject of this sketch was born in Stewarts- town, Coos county, New Hampshire, June 3, 1813, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31, 1873. In early life his time was divided between attend- ing schools in winter and working on a farm in summer until eighteen years of age. Early in life he manifested a desire for literary attainments, and no discouragements were sufficient to deter him from accomplishing his purpose. He was prepared for college at the academies in Lancaster, St. John, Vermont, and at Kimball Union Academy, Plainfield, New Hampshire. He entered Union College, Schenectady, New York, and graduated in July, 1840. After graduating he went to Georgia and en- gaged in teaching. In 1842 he returned to New York and was admitted to the bar. He located at Cato, Cayuga county, and commenced the prac- tice of law, remaining there until 1849, when he came to Fort Des Moines. He was elected a justice of the peace and served until 1856. While hold- ing that position he made some very judicious investments in real estate, and every dollar he could obtain he invested in land, at the same time took an active part in public improvements, especially in public schools. He was a liberal subscriber to the Des Moines University, and with Rev. Thompson Bird, Dr. Grimmell and others, became individually liable for a large sum of money, agreeing to pay thirty per cent with which to continue the enterprise. He purchased ten acres of land north of the city limits for the purpose of improving it with fruit. While waiting for this to grow he visited Europe and spent two years, then returned to his ten acres with renewed energy and vigor. A few years later he made another trip to Europe and after his return erected a very imposing and substantial brick residence. Owing to ill health, he, in April, of the following spring, sold his place to Conrad Youngerman and went to Colorado, spending some six weeks, but without beneficial results. He executed a will, bequeathing his property to relatives, $1,000 to Union College, New York, and a lot in South Des Moines to a colored man named Murry. His health not im- proving, by the advice of a physician he went to the Cincinnati Hospital, where he remained until his death. He was eccentric in character, but honest in all his dealings with his fellow-man.

Z INSMASTER, WILLIAM-Proprietor of the International Hotel, was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 11, 1842, and there he grew to man- hood on a farm; his education was received in the common schools, also Greensbury Seminary and Mount Union College. He was engaged in teaching for several years, and in 1864 he came to this county, locating in Washington township. There bought a farm which he continued to keep until 1875, at which time he sold out and came to this city. He opened the " Buckeye House" which stood where his present hotel stands, and in 1878 he tore that building down and upon the same ground built his pre- sent large and commodious three-story brick house, which he still owns. Everything is new and in good order, and he keeps a fine hotel. February 15, 1876, Miss Mary A. Kirkman of Tennessee, became his wife. They have five children: Louisa, Clara, Laura, Rosa and Marcellus.

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A SKEW, JOSEPH-Farmer, section 5, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Lecestershire, England, October 21, 1837, and emigrated to this county in October, 1848, settling in Providence, Rhode Island. He lived there about five years and then moved to New Hampshire, residing there for about the same length of time. In 1858 he came to this county and set- tled on this farm, which was entered by Jesse Askew, in 1852, on a war- rant. He has since resided here and now owns 120 acres of land improved. He was married June 6th, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Taylor, who was born in New York City, April 29, 1846. They have three children: Martha E., Mary E. and Edward J.

B AYLIES, HON. NICHOLAS-This gentleman has been a resident of Polk county for upward of twenty years, and well deserves more than passing notice. He was born on the 9th of April, 1809, at Wood- stock, Vermont, and moved the same year to Montpelier, which was his home until 1836. After preparatory studies he was admitted to the State University, from which he graduated with high honor in 1827. He began the study of law at once under the direction of his father, who was subse- quently a judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. For the further pursuit of his law studies he entered the office of Joseph Blunt, Esq., of New York City. He remained here about one year when failing health drives him back to the hills of his native State. Here he forms a law partnership with Col. J. P. Miller, who had recently returned from Greece, where he had distinguished himself in the Greek revolution. Then he opened an office at Montpelier in 1832. In the fall of the next year he goes to Brazil as companion of a sick brother. They arrive safely after a memorable voyage of eighty-seven days. He is absent about eight months, and with renewed vigor applies himself to the practice of his profession. The esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best was indicated by his being selected to deliver the oration before the survivors of the Revolutionary War in the State on the fourth of July prior to his leaving the State, on which occasion he had the pleasure and rare honor of addressing sixty-seven veterans of that war. In 1836, with the restless Yankee enterprise which has done so much to develop the re- sources of our country, we find him established at St. Helena, Louisiana. The next year he is appointed government clerk to look up and correct irregularities which had occurred in the Land Office at Greensbury, in the same State, and in the following year is appointed Register of the same office. He resigns this office at the end of the year to devote himself to his law practice. In 1844 he is elected to the Legislature, and was re-elected the ensuing term without opposition. He served but one year in this term when he resigned, having been appointed District Attorney in the Eighth district, which office he held until 1853. He was married in 1842 to Miss Harriet Cahoon, of Lynden, Vermont. The office of District Attorney and District Judge he held continuously until his removal with his family to Griggsville, Illinois, in 1853. Here he resided on a small farm declining positions offered him by the the Governor of the State. The Judge had reached a political crisis. His long and intimate acquaintance with leading men of the South, and of the spirit of Calhounism had convinced him that the latter was determined to rule or ruin, and our stalwart Jackson

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Democrat comes out of the crisis a staunch Republican. He came to Des Moines in 1858, and the next year moved on to his farm in Walnut town- ship where he has since resided. He was the Polk county member of the Tenth General Assembly in 1864, enrolling officer in five townships west of Des Moines river and outside of the city in 1864. He has served several terms on the Board of Supervisors, and has been prominent for zeal and good judgment in public affairs in all these years. He has raised a family of seven sons and one daughter. Four of these were born in Louisiana, three in Illinois, and one in Iowa. Most of them are now living in this State and the others in Kansas. He has been for over twenty-one years a member of the M. E. Church, much of the time in official position, where his wise counsel has done much for the cause of religion. He is now in the evening of life, a worthy example of the virtues that ennoble manhood and make old age honorable. Through all his public life he has preserved a spotless reputation, an unsullied fame, worthy the imitation of the young.

BRAINARD, SAMUEL-Farmer, section 5, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Essex county, Massachusetts, April 13, 1809, and in the year 1867 came to this county and settled on the place upon which he now resides, owning a farm of eighty acres, well improved. On the 3d of June, 1833, Miss Abigal Sawyer became his wife. She was born in Hamstead, New Hamp- shire, October 3, 1803.

BENNETT, CALVIN-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Commerce. Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, July 25, 1822, and at the age of five years moved with his parents to Parke county, Indiana, residing there until 1840, when they came to this State, locating in Des Moines county. After a residence there of about six months they moved to Jef- forson county, remained there for a number of years, and then returned to Parke county, Indiana. In June, 1857, he started for this county; came by wagon and was one month and four days on the road. He first settled on Walnut Creek, near the place where Mr. Clegg now resides. He now owns 524 acres of land all under cultivation, and finely improved. It is one of the best farms for raising grain to be found in the township. Jan- uary 28, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss H. W. Wilson, a native of Ross county, Ohio. She was born on the 30th day of April, 1827. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett belong the honor of being the first couple married in the township. They are among the early settlers of the county, and to such as they is the township particularly indebted. Their family consists of two children living: Lincoln, and Winfield Scott (who was married to Miss Lizzie Wallace, October 17, 1877, a native of New York). She died September 22, 1879, leaving one child, Harry Francis. Mr. and Mrs. B. have lost two children: Lettie and Henry Clay.

BENNETT, BENJAMIN-Farmer, section 16, P. O. Ashawa. Was. born in Mason county, Kentucky, February 4, 1825, and when but three years of age was taken to Parke county, Indiana, where he lived until he came to this county, in the summer of 1847. He has since resided here and now owns 420 acres of land, all in cultivation. Besides this he owns a farm of 300 acres, one of the best stock farms in the township. He was married in February, 1860, to Miss Martha E. Howard, a native of Vigo county, Indiana. They are the parents of five children: Mary H., Ada Florence, John H., Marseilles C. and Cora A.

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BENNETT, PRESLEY -- Farmer, section 11, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, May 30, 1827, and when only an in- fant was taken by his parents to Parke county, Indiana. From there he came to this county in the spring of 1848, and has made it his home since. He owns 500 acres of land, the most of which is improved, but he has some timber. He is a self-made man, starting in life without money, and alone he has built him a home and gained for himself a place that any one might well be proud of. He was married January 22, 1865, to Miss Louisa C. Rollins, a native of Maine; born March 22, 1847. They have five chil- dren: William P., George. O. and Musette, living, and two deceased: Ben- jamin E. and Bessie E.

ALKINS, D. S .- Farmer, section 26, P. O. Des Moines. Was

C born in Chenango county, New York, August 14, 1824, and re- sided there until about eight years of age, when he moved to Wellsborough, Pa. He lived there until the fall of 1850, and then moved to Baraboo, Sauk county, Wis. In the fall of 1852, he went to Kenosha, and thence to Geneva, Walworth county. From there he moved to Buffalo, Wright county, Minn., in the fall of 1857, and resided there until 1862, then going to Monticello, same county. In the spring of 1867 took up his residence in Minneapolis, and then came to this county in November, 1868, and with the exception of a short time spent in Waukee, has resided here since. He 'owns 40 acres of well improved land, with about 18 acres of small fruit. He was married January 18, 1846, to Miss Mary J. Graves, of Tioga county, Pa. She was born January 20, 1828. They have six children living: Mary T. (now Mrs. Chas. N. Enos, of Minnesota), David I)., James L. G., Clarence C., Clara A. and Bonnie F. Lost three: Fannie M., Carrie C. and Grace I. Fannie M. was married to Henry C. Helm, of Minneapo- lis. She left two children: Egbert and Roy.

CAMPBELL, R .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Gallia county, Ohio, December 28, 1831. After leaving there he went to Van Buren county, Iowa, and resided there about three years, and from there came to this county in the spring of 1848, and has since resided here. In 1870 he moved upon his present farm, and now owns 78 acres of land, all under cultivation and improvements. December 27, 1855, he married Miss Euphemia Fagin, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born November 10, 1836. They have eight children: Clarence E., Runey C., Joseph, Lilly T., Willie E., Charlie, Frank and Clara V.

CAMPBELL, E. M .- Farmer, section 30, P. O. Ashawa. Was 'born in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 13, 1848, and in 1853 he came to this State, settling in Guthrie county. He resided there until 1872, when he removed upon his present farm, and has since resided here. Owns 248 acres of land, well improved, good buildings and well located. It is one of the best grain and stock farms in the township. He was married in Guthrie county, December 30, 1869, to Miss Mary C. Roberts, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, November 1, 1853. They have four children: Eva T., Thomas H., William H. and Ella R.

CLEGG, ABRAHAM-Farmer, section 2, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in England, near Rockdale, November 28, 1824, and in 1846 em- igrated to this country, settling in New Hampshire. Resided there until he came to this county, with the exception of about six months spent in Cass county, Illinois. He came here in August, 1851, and has resided here most of the time since. Owns 200 acres of well-improved land, under

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good cultivation, with an orchard of about 500 bearing trees. He married Miss Ann Nuttall, a native of England, in September, 1849. They have four children: Xerxes, Mollie A., George (married to Dora Fisher, a na- tive of Jasper county, this State), and Edward. Mr. Clegg is strictly heter- odox in his religious belief.

CORBIT, E. P .- Of the firm of Corbit & McClees, grain dealers, Com - merce, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1849, and in the spring of 1870 came from there to Des Moines, this county, and has been a resident of the county since. For a time he was engaged in teaching school in East Des Moines, and in July, 1876, he came to this place and commenced the grain business. The firm has been very successful, as they shipped for the year ending June 4, four hundred and sixty cars containing two hundred thousand bushels of grain. Mr. Corbit has been twice married; first, August 15, 1871, to Miss Mary Chamberlain, a native of McComb county, Michigan; she died February 24, 1876, leaving three children: Frank P., May M. and Emily. Was married again in Bureau county, Ill- inois, to Abby N. Dennis, January 16, 1878.

CROW, JOHN-Farmer, section 4, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Lin- coln county, Kentucky, November 11, 1812, and when ten years of age moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, where he resided about seven years; then removed to Warren county, same State, where he made his home until the fall of 1850, when he came to this county. In 1849 he en- tered seven hundred and five acres of land in a square, and the year follow- ing moved upon it. With the exception of eighty acres he has given all his land to his children and wife, the latter owning the homestead of one hundred and seventeen and one-half acres. He was married November 24, 1835, to Miss Medina Mace, a native of Ross county, Ohio; born March 13, 1819. They have twelve children: Harrietta (now Mrs. S. H. Lewis), Edward M. (now in Louis county, Missouri), William (now at Grand Junction, Iowa), Daniel, Jacob H., Walter S., Erasmus D., Ida S. and Alice M. living, and three deceased. Benjamin died while in the U. S. service; John L. died while in the army, and Emily M. when 21 years of age. Mr. Crow had not one dollar with which to start in life, but has builded himself to what he now is, and is spoken of in the highest terms by all who know him,

CRUM, W. H .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, October 9, 1840, and in the fall of 1853 came to this county and has lived here since. Owns fifty-six acres of land, all well im- proved and cultivated. He was married December 26, 1861, in this county, to Rosetta Campbell, a native of Van Buren county, Iowa, born October 16, 1843. They have one child, Lillie A., aged seventeen years. They have taken one child, a boy, two years old, to raise.

CRUM, A. H .- Farmer, section 35, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, February 28, 1843, and in the fall of 1853 came to this county where he has since resided. He is the owner of one hundred acres of land on Walnut Creek, good house and barn, with a quantity of small fruit besides. He married Miss Lucy J. Mosier, a native of Clay county, Missouri. She was born May 7, 1842. They have four children: Hattie E., Oscar O., Florence A. and Ollie G., all living and at home.

D ELANO, W. J .- Owner of Commerce Mills, Commerce. Was born in Or-

leans county, New York, and when twenty years of age moved to Indi- anoplis. He returned to New York and spent the winter, and in 1860 went to California where he resided until July, 1864, when he returned to Terre

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Haute, Indiana. About a year and a half later he moved to Cass county, same State, and lived there until he moved here in the spring of 1871. He resided three years in Des Moines, then moved on a farm in Saylor town- ship, staid there two years, and after spending the winter in Des Moines, he came to this place and has since resided here. Owns a house and lot in this town. Was married in St. Louis, Missouri, July 9, 1872, to Miss Maud Kroeger, a native of Hamburg, Germany; born January 26, 1843. They have four children: Maud F., Fanny A. and Fred W. living, and one Emma Julia, deceased. These mills were built in 1872 by A. J. Jack of Des Moines, and sold to S. F. Spofford about five years ago. Mr. Delano bought them about the year 1876 and has been the owner since. Are now leased to S. D. Henry, who is making a success of them, and is doing a good bus- iness.

DORR, J. W .- Farmer, section 20, P. O. Commerce. Was born in Athens county, Ohio, August 13, 1829; when six years of age he accompanied his parents to Porter county, Indiana, and from there he went to Warren county, this State, in 1854. For three years he resided there and then came to this county and has resided here since. Owns two hundred and twenty- six acres of land, improved and under cultivation. On the eighteenth of April, 1861, he enlisted in Porter county, Indiana, in company C, Fif- teenth Indiana infantry, and served until June 24, 1862, when he was mus- tered out on account of disability. Mr. Dorr has been twice married: first, November 30, 1865, to Miss Mary Jones, a native of Indiana; she died September 20, 1874, leaving one child, Cora M. (now living at home.) He was married again December 30, 1875, to Miss Inas J. Arnold, a native of Cayuga county, New York. She was born December 18, 1841. Have lost one child.

E LLIS, DR. A. J .- Physician, section 12, P. O. Des Moines. Was born July 18, 1818, and is a native of Chenango county, New York. In 1845 he moved to Seneca county, New York, and practiced medicine there for about twelve years; thence to Thompson, Huron county, Ohio, and was there engaged in following his chosen calling, and was also pastor of the Baptist church most of the time. From there he moved to Plover, Portage county, Wisconsin, practiced there for eight years and then returned to Seneca county, New York. Three years later, in the fall of 1869, he came to this county and has practiced more or less ever since. He is of the homeopathic class of physicians, and although it has been for some time his intention to retire from business, he finds it almost impossible to do so. He owns eight and a half acres of land with a good residence. July 23, 1846, he was married to Miss Antoinette Rappleye, a native of Seneca county, New York; she died June 26, 1870, leaving three children: Sam- uel H. (now living in Mainstee county, Michigan), and Rosie I. A. living; and one Mary N., deceased.

F ISHER, JOHN-Grain dealer, Ashawa. Was born January 7, 1835, and is a native of Parke county, Indiana. In 1849 he moved to Ma- haska county, this State, resided there for three years and then removed to Jasper county, living there for four years. From that place he came to this county in 1861, and has since resided here, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 9. He is doing a very large business in his line, and during last year he shipped one hundred thousand bushels of grain. It is his intention to do more than that the present year. Was married October 17, 1856, to Miss Rebecca Parker, who was born in Wap-

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ello county, this State. They have four children: Dora, Ida A., Albert D, and Elmer (twins).

G RINNELL, S. M .- Farmer, section 32, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in

Montgomery county, New York, February 22, 1827, and at the age of ten years moved to Monroe county, New York, where he lived for ten years. Thence to Green county, Wisconsin, and lived there until the spring of 1860 when he came to this county, and has lived on his present place since. Owns seventy-eight acres in this place and also two acres in Waukee. Has 'a good house and barn, large orchard, small fruit, etc. Was married Au- gust 25, 1850, to Miss Fanny M. Allen, a native of Rochester, New York; born May 26, 1837. They have five children: Selina M. (now Mrs. F. A. Shafer of this county), May (now Mrs. W. A. Flinn of this county), and Montgomery, living; and two deceased: Martin and Clara Belle.

GRINNELL, A. L .- Farmer, section 30, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Montgomery county, New York, December 15, 1822, and at the age of four- teen years moved to Monroe county, same State. Lived there for ten years and then moved to Green county, Wisconsin, where he remained un- . til the fall of 1858. He then came to this county and settled on his present place, where he has since resided. He owns, in his home farm, one hun- dred and thirty-six acres, well improved and in a good state of cultivation; and eighty acres across the line in Dallas county. April 3, 1870, he was married to Mrs. Lucinda Baker, a native of Kosciusko county, Indiana, born September 24, 1832. She had four children by her former marriage: Frank E., Fannie E. (now Mrs. E. J. Reynolds of Des Moines), Lillie D. (now Mrs. Wilson), and Gibson (living in Webster township).

H ELMBRECHT, D .- Farmer, section 32, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Hessing, Germany, March 31, 1806, and in the year 1858 emigrated to this country, came at once to this county, and settled on his present homestead. Has since resided here, and now owns a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres improved and under fence. He was married December 29, 1829, to Miss Gertha Hovadich, a native of the same place as himself, and born July 10, 1814. She died leaving four children: Henry J., Fred- erick (both married and living in Webster township), Kate (now Mrs. Fred- erick Engelbrecht, living at home); she has one son, William; and a daughter, Mary (now living in Des Moines).

HENRY, S. D .- Proprietor of Commerce Mills, Commerce. Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, October 10, 1854, and after living there for a time he moved to Ottawa, Kansas, where he resided about five years. He then came to this county and two years later he came to Commerce. He is a miller by trade and has followed that business for eight years past. He was married October 3, 1877, to Mary E. Stevenson, a native of Warren county, this State, born February 3, 1854. These mills are owned by W. J. Delano, and leased by Mr. Henry. They are situated on the 'Coon river, have an excellent water-power, and are doing as good work as any in the county. The leading brands of flour made are Henry's New Process, and Extra Standard. They have a capacity of about 400 bushels, or eighty barrels per day.

HIMES, J. W .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in High- land county, Ohio, April 24, 1826, and lived there, following farming, until he came to this county in the fall of 1869. During the war he was mus- tered into company A, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio infantry and participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, being mustered out

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The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 111

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Union Historical Company, Des Moines, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines, Iowa : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1074