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 112
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in June, 1865. He was married November 4, 1858, in Ohio, to Miss Sarah V. Heller, a native of Pickaway county, that State. She was born April 24, 1836. They have a family of four children: John W., Emma, Sarah E. and Anna Mary, all living at home.
RWIN, R. Y .- Farmer, section 17, P. O.Ashawa. Was born in Guilford,
1 North Carolina, September 18, 1822, and at the age of ten years moved to Preble county, Ohio, settling there in 1832. He remained there for four years and then removed to Huntington county, Indiana, where he resided until 1850. From there he went to Adel, this State, and for two years was engaged in practicing medicine there. He then returned to Indiana, and in the spring of 1870 came upon his present place. He owns a farm of 175 acres, well improved, good buildings, orchard, water, etc. He was married May 14, 1846, to Miss Angeline A. Alexander, a native of Preble county, Ohio, born August 9, 1829. She died August 22, 1877, leaving seven chil- dren: Emmet A. (married), Felix E., Mary L., John O., Clara B. and Ed- win G., living, and one, Sarah Ada, deceased.
L AMONT, REV. D .- Retired. Section 11, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Delaware county, New York, January 25, 1828, and resided there until nineteen years of age. Then moved to Tompkins county, New York, and after living there for three years went to Ohio, where he fol- lowed teaching. He also joined the Ohio M. E. Conference, and engaged in preaching there for four years and then came to this State. He has been engaged in the ministry here for sixteen years. Bought his present farm in 1871 and has made it his home for about six years. Retired from farm- ing some three years ago, but still attends to the keeping up of the same. He owns forty acres of good land with an orchard of about 400 apple trees and an endless variety of small fruit. Was married to Miss Jane E. Finley, March 22, 1855, a native of Delaware, Ohio. They are members of the Fifth Street M. E. Church at Des Moines.
LEWIS, S. H .- Farmer, section 3, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Rush county, Indiana, May 11, 1835, and when two or three years old moved to Henry county, Indiana, living there until he moved to this county in the spring of 1848, settling on the land that Martin Flinn now owns. Mr. Louis now owns ninety-five acres of land all well improved. He has been twice married, first to Miss Mary Clay, February 15, 1855, a native of Henry county, Indiana, who died in March, 1870, leaving four children: Sarah (now Mrs. Albert Jackson, of Guthrie county), Samuel W., James R. and Elizabeth. Was married again February 15, 1873, to Mrs. Harietta Evans, daughter of John Crow. She is a native of Indiana. Has four children by a former marriage to John C. Wheeler: Emma B., Laura Y., Horace T. and Charles, and one child by a former marriage to John Evans, Harriet. Mr. and Mrs. W. L. have four children : Ollie, Alice M. and Laura J. (now Mrs. Frank Myers), living, and one, Emma B. (wife of Chas. R. Denning), deceased.
M ARTIN, DR. J. B .- Physician, Commerce. Was born in La Porte, Indiana, March 1, 1845, and when twenty-two years of age moved to Chicago, where he began the study of medicine. He attended the Ben- nett Medical College and graduated from that institution on the 21st of February, 1877. He remained in that city until October 1st of that year, when he came West and located in Commerce, and since that time has car- ried on the practice of his profession here. November 11, 1868, Miss Almira J. Cranmer, a native of St. Joseph county, Indiana, became his wife. She
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was born June 8, 1848. They are the parents of two children, both of whom are living: Florence M. and Edith. Dr. Martin owns a fine piece of property in Commerce, situated upon the hill.
MORRIS, CYRUS-Farmer, section 31, P. O. Waukee, Dallas county. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, September 9, 1839, and when seven- teen years of age came to Iowa, settling in Keokuk county, where he lived until he came to this county in the spring of 1878. Before he came to the .. county he was engaged in shipping stock and dealing in grain. He now owns 171 acres in this county and eighty acres in Dallas county, all of which is under cultivation. He was married January 25, 1860, in Jeffer- son county, Iowa, to Miss Rachel Ecroid, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1840. They have ten children: Catharine (now Mrs. N. B. Nash, of Wash- ington county), Charlie, Edgar J., Bertha, Lewis, Cyrus, Stella and Mabel. Lost two: Frank and Ollie.
MOTT, D. B .- Farmer, section 36, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 3, 1847, and in the fall of 1851 came to this county, and has resided on his present farm of eighty acres ever since. Although a Buckeye by birth he is a Hawkeye by adoption, and is a son of J. H. Mott, one of the first settlers of the county. He was married in March, 1873, to Miss Julia Houston, a native of Indiana. They have one child, Carl.
TEWELL, REV. C. H .- Pastor of the four churches of the M. E. de- N nomination adjacent to Des Moines on the west. Was born at South- bridge, Massachusetts, 1835, educated for the ministry in the schools of the East, and beginning his life work there he was compelled by failing health to seek a more congenial climate or abandon his calling. He came to Iowa and took charge of the church at Lewis, in Cass county, in 1870. His fields of labor have since been Glenwood, Grand Junction and his present charge. His labors have been interrupted in this time by feeble health, during which he has been of service to the cause of education as County Superintendent, and was for a time in the employ of the government. In war time he rendered valuable service. Having declined a captain's com- mission, he gave voluntary service to the work of the Christian Commis- sion, and was exposed to the perils of battle without pay or the possibility of pension. Many are the wounded officers and men who could bear testi- mony to the service thus rendered-service that in several cases stood be- tween them and death. We learn that the first sermon he tried to preach was in the cabin of a fugitive slave, on the farm of a Democratic politician in Connecticut, and to a congregation in part of fugitives. It is said that while the politician referred to would defend the fugitive slave law on the stump, yet it would have been a dangerous thing for any one to undertake to return these men, who had found their strange refuge. Mr. Newell has a versatile pen, and has been an editor, and is a contributor to the press. An article full of quaint and telling humor of which he would hardly be suspected found its way from a small country paper to some of the leading journals of the land, but no amount of favorable criticism could draw the author from his reserve. His marriage to Mary E. Doeber, of Candia,. New Hampshire, bears date of February 17, 1864. His children are Mary P. and Walter S., aged respectively twelve and nine. His services are held in high esteem by his parishioners. He is well posted and thoroughly in- terested in all the leading questions of the times.
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WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
O SBORN, WILLIAM-Farmer, section 5, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Pickens Districts, South Carolina, October 23, 1833, and at the age of six years moved to Boone county, Indiana, residing there until 1856. He then came to this county and has remained here since, follow- ing farming; owns 160 acres of well improved land. He is a son of James Osborne, a native of Massachusetts, who has represented his district in the State legislature for a number of terms, and is one of the leading politi- cians of the State. Mr. Osborne was a candidate for Representative of this county in 1877 on the Democratic ticket. December 23, 1858, our subject was married to Miss Maggie Pierce, a native of Montgomery county, Indi- ana; born March 20, 1838. They have nine children: Henry T., Elisha H., James T., Eva O., Wilbur A., Benjamin F., Leota I. and Maggie M., living, and one, Charles, deceased.
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DIERCE, J. A .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in But- ler county, Ohio, September 27, 1820, and at the age of eight years moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he lived until the spring of 1849. He then came to this county and entered the land on which he has since lived. He has always followed farming, and is now the owner of a farm of eighty acres, well improved, and has one of the nicest places in the neighborhood. December 15, 1859, he was married, in Dallas county, this State, to Miss Sarah W. Mitchell, a native of Vigo county, Indiana, born may 23, 1837. She died March 13, 1870, leaving four children: Abraham L., Viretta and Jennie A., living, and one, Olive I., deceased.
ANDOLPH, JOHN-Farmer, section 31, P. O. Ashawa. Was born
R in Warren county, Ohio, July 16, 1845, and at the age of twenty- three came to this State, settling in Des Moines. He has resided in this county since, and eleven years ago he moved on the place he now occupies. Owns a farm of eighty acres, improved, good orchard, etc. Was married March 21, 1867, to Miss Naomi Bundy, a native of the same place as him- self, born December 9, 1849. They have five children: Charlie T., Ada E., Bertha and John F., living, and one, Nora J., deceased.
RICE, DR. U. A .- Physician and dealer in drugs, Commerce. Was born in Clermont county, Ohio, September 27, 1843, and in the spring of 1867 came to this State, locating in Marion county. On the 24th of De- cember, 1874, he moved to Waukee, Dallas county, and lived there until December 3, 1874, when he came to this place. March 1, 1867, he gradu- ated from the America Health College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and immedi- ately commenced the practice of his profession. In December, 1874, he opened his present drug store, which he has continued successfully. His business property is the best in the place. He and his sons are engaged in the manufacture of some of the leading medicines of the country; such as Throat and Lung Balsam, Silver Tonic Bitters, Magic Oil, Ague Specific, etc. August 21, 1861, he was married to Miss Delila J. Wells, born in Marion, Indiana, August 4, 1837. Have five children: Francis B., Melissa A., Flora B., Harry A. and Frederick G.
RINEHART, ALEXANDER-Gardener, section 12, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Germany, June 21, 1821, and in 1852 emigrated to this coun- try and settled in Delaware county, New York. In 1857 he moved to Wisconsin, locating in Sack county, and resided there until he came to this county, in 1869. He settled on his present place about three years ago, and owns about fifteen acres of land. He makes gardening his principal occupation, and also raises some small fruits. April 20, 1847, he was
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married to Miss Elizabeth Rinehart. They have five children: Lena (wife of John Lewis, of this county), Sophia, Elizabeth (wife of William Dip- pert, of Des Moines), Fred and Alexander.
HAFFER, S. T .-- Farmer, section 7, ]'. O. Ashawa. Was born in
S Athens county, Ohio, June 12, 1851, and in the spring of 1856 came to this county with his parents and has since resided here, following farm- ing. He owns a farm of forty-two acres, improved and under cultivation. He was married, February 15, 1876, to Mrs. Mary E. Shaffer, who was born in Monroe county, Illinois, March 27, 1840. She was first married to Jacob Shaffer, who died March 11, 1871, leaving one son, Denver C. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child, Cora E.
SHAFFER, RICHARD-Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 3, 1824, and at the age of twenty-five years moved to Athens county, same State, where he lived until 1857. He then came to this county and has since resided here, following farming, and he now owns a farm of 160 acres, well improved and in good condition. Feb- ruary 27, 1845, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Wilson, a native of Brooks county, Virginia, born December 21, 1825. They have a family of nine children: William C. (married and in Dallas county), Francis A. (married and living in this county), Mary E. (now Mrs. Clark Smith, of Dallas county), Solomon T. (married), Levi S. (married and living in Ne- braska), Charles L. (of Dallas county), Harriet C., R. C. and George W.
HURTLE, R. P .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Ashawa, is a native of T England, and was born in the county Norfolk. At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to the United States, settling in Orleans county, New York, and resided there until 1873, when he came to this county. Has since resided here, following farming, and now owns 235 acres of land, well improved. The home place consists of 160 acres in good cultivation. On the 23d of September, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Cannon, a native of the same place as himself, born February 14, 1846. They have four children: Robert P., Albert M. and Lona S., living, and one deceased, Herbert E.
W ILSON, T. P .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 29, 1830, and at the age of fifteen years moved to Monroe county, same State, residing there for some time. Then removed to Guernsey county, lived there and in Athens county a short time. In the fall of 1854 he came to this county and has since lived here. Owns a well-improved farm of 160 acres, adapted to the raising of stock. Has been twice married. First to Miss Lucinda Ellis, July 17, 1853, a native of Morgan county, Ohio. She died August 10, 1861, leaving three children: Charles H., Levi S. and George W. He was married the second time, April 11, 1866, to Miss Rebecca Crum, born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 8, 1830. They have four children: Irving E., Nellie M., Nettie J. and Carrie S.
WILSON, A. J .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 25, 1827, and when twenty-five years of age moved to Peoria county, Illinois, where he lived for three years. In the fall of 1854 he came to this county and settled on this place, entering 240 acres all in a body. He now owns 129 acres of land, good house and barn, plenty of water and is one of the best prairie farms in the township. He was married, March 16, 1854, to Miss Mary A. McCrady, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 1, 1832. They have four children: Homer V., Charlie W. and Laura, living, and one, Laura J., deceased.
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WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
WOODBURY, A. B .- Farmer, section 12, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Savoy, Massachusetts, May 4, 1823, and when two years of age moved with his parents to Chautauqua county, New York, residing there until he came to this county in the fall of 1855. He first settled in Des Moines and followed stage driving for fifteen years, and in 1877 he came upon his present place. Owns twenty acres of land and is constantly im- proving the same. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Ella M. Love, November 15, 1848. She was a native of Madison county, New York, born June 8, 1831. She died November 12, 1862, leaving four chil- dren: George W. and Esther, living, and two deceased: Anna M. and Thomas B. He was married the second time January 1, 1866, to Miss Lucinda M. Peet, born July 17, 1842, in Wyoming county, New York.
WOMACKS, L. T .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Ashawa. Was born in Brown county, Ohio, September 14, 1834, and after residing there for some time he removed to Helena, Kentucky, where he was engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business for two years. In the spring of 1857 he went to Colorado and remained for one year and then returned to Ohio, and from there to Illinois City, where he engaged in teaching school for two years. In the spring of 1867 he came to this county and has since resided here. Owns a well-improved and finely-cultivated farm of 330 acres. July 9, 1861, he was mustered into the service of the Fourth Ohio independent cavalry company, fought in the battles of Silver Creek, Shiloh and siege of Corinth, and acted as McPherson's escort through all the engagements up to the time of the death of that general. He was mustered out August 26, 1864, having served over his time. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Stevens, April 15, 1875. She is a native of this county and was born July 26, 1856. They have a family of two children: Chester C. and Harry A.
TOUNGERMAN, JOHN-Farmer, section 33, P. O. Ashawa. Was born March 10, 1826, in Germany, and when four years of age emi- grated to the United States, settling in York county, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1835 he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and followed the black- smith's trade, and in the winter of 1850 he moved to this county and has since resided here, following farming. Has lived on his present farm nine- teen years, and it consists of 280 acres of improved land, upon which are two good orchards, houses, etc. Mr. Y. has been three times married. First, September 16, 1848, to Miss Mary Cunningham, a native of Virginia, who died August 16, 1850, leaving one child, John W. Was married the second time, September, 16, 1855, to Miss Amanda J. Hall, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, She died October 1, 1859, leaving two children: Albert H. and Ella Ann. He took for his third wife Mrs. Mary Fitger, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio. They were married September 15, 1862, and have five children : Harrietta E., Laura A., William L., Charles C. and George M. Mrs. Y. has four children by former marriage: Emma, Sophia, Rebecca K. and Etta.
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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.
B ECK, THOMAS -- One of the proprietors of the Eclipse Coal Com- pany. Was born in county Durham, England, January 27, 1842, and raised there, and early commenced the business of miner. In 1821 he emigrated to the United States, and settled first in Ohio. In 1868 he came to this county, where he still follows his legitimate occupation. He was married in 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Bates. By this union they have four children: Ralph, Jacob, Fremont and John.
BRISCO, R. M .- Farmer and stock raiser, section 34, P. O. Des Moines. Was born April 2, 1830, in Monroe county, Indiana, and when fourteen years of age moved with his parents to Kosciusko county, the same State, where he lived until nineteen years old. From there he went to Berrian county, Michigan, where he remained until 1865. He then came to this county, and April 1, 1865, settled on section 27, just north of his present home. He owns 400 acres of land, all improved and in cultivation. The north line of his land is two miles south of the incorporation of Des Moines, while his building is three miles. September 5, 1850, he married Miss Catharine J. Wykoff, a native of Indiana, born October 26, 1834. Her mother is living with them. She was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, in 1800, and enjoys reasonable good health. Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe have a family of ten children living: Sarah E., Martha E., Emma F., Charles H., Jennette B., Kittie, Maggie, Ida, Clara and Samuel B. Two are dead: Alice E. and Annie D.
BUTLER, CHARLES-Farmer and stock raiser, section 26, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ohio, July 3, 1851, and when seven years of age his parents, Frank and Charlotte Butler, moved to Des Moines, where he was raised and learned the trade of saddler, which business he followed until 1871, when he commenced farming and stock raising. In 1877 he moved on his present place, which consists of 277} acres of land. Has 1,000 apple trees, and one of the best residences and barns in the county. Janu- ary 13, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Susan Boone, born in Indiana, in 1850. They have one child living, Frank, born October 16, 1879. Joshua C. died in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Butler are members of the M. E. Church.
ARTER, RANZEL-Farmer and fruit grower, section 25, P. O. Des C Moines. Was born in Virginia, in 1830, and lived there until eighteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to Henry county, this State. Lived there until 1855, when he came to his present home- stead of 400 acres of land. He has 125 acres of orchard, upon which are 875 apple trees, 15 acres of grapes, 700 evergreens, 6 acres in strawberries, cherry trees and plums of various varieties. In 1856 he was married to Miss Sarah J. Mills, a native of Indiana, born in 1838. Their family con- sists of seven children living: Alfred, Sanford, Charles, Sherman, Alice, William and George. Have lost one, Elizabeth.
CLARK, LESTER-Farmer, section 23, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in 1837 in the State of New York, and was there raised on a farm. He made that State his home until December, 1859, when he came to this county, and has since resided here, with the exception of two years spent in Adair county. In 1874 he moved upon his present farm, and owns 80 acres of improved land. He has a number of never-failing springs on his
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farm; 200 apple trees and some small fruit. Has been twice married. First in 1861, to Miss Jernsha Page, a native of Illinois. She died Febru- ary 22, 1863, and he was again married January 1, 1869, to Miss Emma Hazle, a native of New York.
D EARTH, A .- Farmer, section 35, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1806, and there was raised, living there until he came to this county, in 1857. He first lived in Des Moines for eighteen months, and then moved on a farm in section 6 of this township, where he resided for about a year and a half, then moving on what is now the Perkins farm, where he lived until 1873. He then took up his resi- dence on his present farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, upon which he has about 800 apple trees. He was married in Ohio in 1827, to Miss Margaret Derdorff, a native of the same county and State as himself. They have four children living: Jacob, Perry, Eliza A. (wife of John Chambers, a resident of Warren county) and Levina (wife of John McGriff, a resident of this county.) James W. is deceased. Mr. Dearth is of Scotch descent on his father's side, and on his mother's side is of German ancestry. He and his wife have been members of the M. E. Church for fifty years.
E ASTON, F .- Farmer, section 24, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in
1834, in Michigan, and was raised on a farm, living there until 1865. In the spring of that year he came to this county, and in 1868 moved upon his present farm, which consists of 120 acres of land. He has 500 apple trees and a quantity of small fruit, comfortable home, etc. He was mar- ried March 31, 1859, to Miss Olive Taylor, a native of Michigan. Their family consists of four children: Celestia, Ida M., Harry F. and Edith.
RENCH, J. P .- Gardener and fruit raiser, section 17, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in New Hampshire, November 12, 1832, and at the age of eighteen years commenced learning the printing business in the office of the New Hampshire Statesman. He served his time, three years, and at the close of his apprenticeship went to Boston, Mass., working at the busi- ness there and at Cambridge until 1856. From thence he came to Iowa, arriving in Iowa City in April, 1856. Remained there until July, then went to Des Moines, and after sojourning there for a few months returned to Iowa City and remained till June, 1858. He came again to Des Moines, and worked for J. Teesdale, State Printer, until F. W. Palmer was elected to that office. He was foreman of the Register office from that time until April, 1869, when he removed to his present place, following the occupation of gardener and fruit grower, occasionally applying himself to his first trade, that of printing. Owns twenty acres of land, and has an orchard of 700 apple trees and a variety of small fruit. He was married at Iowa City in 1857, to Miss Helen L. Bennett, a native of New York, born June 17; 1840. Have had five children, three of whom are living: Frank A., born Sept. 1, 1859, Ella B., born Sept. 7, 1862, and Arthur P., born Nov. 30, 1865. Lost two: Charlie S., born March 10, 1871, died Oct. 20, 1875, and Edwin, born Aug. 4, 1875, died April 28, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. F. are mem- bers of the First Baptist Church.
FULLER, J. H .- Farmer and fruit grower, section 14, P. O. Sevastopol. Was born in Parmelia, Jefferson county, New York, Sept. 22, 1842, and at the age of eleven years his parents, Benjamin and Sylvia Fuller, moved on the place now owned by him, in the spring of 1853. Here he has been raised as a farmer. Owns fifty-four acres of land, mostly in cultivation, about 500 apple trees, 1,400 grape vines, and small fruit. His father died
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April 17, 1878. His mother is still living, at the age of 63 years. He was married in 1874, to Miss Eva Wagner, a native of New York. They have two children, Mary and Sylvia, both living. Mrs. F. is a member of the Baptist Church.
RANGER, BARLOW-Among the well and favorably known pio-
G T neers of this portion of Iowa is the subject of the following sketch. He was born May 31, 1816, in Tioga county, New York, and when a mere child his father removed to Rochester, where he remained several years, and took up his residence in Courtland. In 1830 Mr. G. commenced to learn the trade of a printer in the office of the Courtland Advocate, and a short time thereafter took charge of the office. He remained in the Advo- cate office until 1835, when he commenced his wanderings as a jour printer. For several years he worked in Albany, during which time he was foreman of two different establishments. In 1848 he turned his face westward, and early in that year arrived in Des Moines. In the fall of 1848 he established a land office in Des Moines, which business, in connection with the practice of law, he was actively engaged in for some fifteen years. He established the first newspaper at Des Moines, the Iowa Star, Democratic, in June, 1849, issuing the same from a double log cabin on what was then called 'Coon Row, hauling the press and material of which the office was com- posed from Iowa City by team. He remained in charge of the paper for nearly one year, when he turned it over to others for the purpose of devot- ing his time exclusively to the land agency business and the practice of his profession, his business having grown to such proportions as to demand his entire attention. In 1854 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the county, which position he held until Judge Rice resigned the office of County Judge, in July, 1855, when by virtue of his office as Prosecuting Attorney he became County Judge, which position he filled until the latter part of August following. During the time he served as Prosecuting Attorney he never had an indictment quashed, and gained every suit but one. He was elected mayor of the city in 1855, and served in that capacity for one term. He also served as mayor of the incorporated town of Sevas- topol for two terms, being elected at the time the town was first incorpo- rated. He took a very active part in the early settlement of Iowa, and anything he could do in the pioneer days of the State to advance its inter- ests was done with a will. He has been a life-long Democrat, and when his party was in the ascendancy in Iowa he took a very active part in political matters, striking many a hard and effectual blow in the interest of true Democracy. He was united in marriage in October, 1856, to Mrs. Lucinda L. Rush.
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