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 114
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131
912
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WEBER, JOHN-Manager of the Sevastopol Coal Mines. Was born in Germany, September 7, 1837, and was there raised and educated until seventeen years of age, then emigrated to this country and stopped in Ohio, remaining there about one year, when he removed to Rockford, Illinois. There he resided about three years, being principally engaged in farming. In 1859 he came to Des Moines and has since lived in this county, with two exceptions. He made two trips to the mountains of Colorado and Mon- tana, remaining for five years. In 1875 he became interested in the Sevas- topol Coal Mine. This mine produces about 100,000 bushels per annum and employs about twenty men. Mr. Weber was married November 2, 1858, to Miss Louisa Weber, a native of Germany. They have a family of six children: Louisa, Mena, Helen, John, Charles and Caroline.
YOUNG, R. F .- Sevastopol. Was born in Germany, December 22, 1826, where he was raised. He came to the United States in 1847, first locating in Philipsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in clerk- ing a short time. He went then to Pittsburgh, where he was engaged for three years working at the locksmith trade, and in 1850 he took up his res- idence in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1857, during which time he was engaged in the manufacture of soap. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Des Moines and has since been principally engaged in the manufacture of soap and candles. From 1863 to 1865 he was engaged in the tannery and harness business. In February, 1867, he began keeping books for A. Mattes' brewery, which position he held until 1878, when he became a partner in the business, remaining until 1880. He was married June 21, 1849, to Mary Kleipstein. She was also born in Germany. They have three children living: Amelia (now Mrs. John Lewis), Ida and Ed- ward A. Have buried two children: Charles H. and Robert. Mr. Y. was largely instrumental in the incorporation of the town in which he resides, and has, ever since it was incorporated, been a member of the town council.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
B ARLOW, MRS. GEORGIA A .- Wife of John Barlow, deceased, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, March 4, 1828. On the 27th of March, 1850, he was married to Georgia Ann West, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, September 25, 1827. Mr. Barlow died Febru- ary 16, 1873, leaving five children, of whom two are living: Lewis Will- iam and Indiana F. Lost three: Martha E., Mary Ann (wife of Anderson Winterrowd), and Maria V. Mrs. Barlow owns 150 acres of land well im- proved and in good cultivation. She came to this county in 1848, and came to reside permanently in 1850, and has since resided here.
BENNETT, WILLIAM S .- Farmer, section 12, P. O. Des Moines. Was born May 22, 1819, in Fairfield county, Connecticut. Received a common school education, and in his sixteenth year moved to Buffalo, New York, residing there one year, then went to Chicago, Illinois, and re- mained until the spring of 1856, when he came to Des Moines, Iowa. He owns 125 acres of land, upon which are the noted mineral springs known as Deep Rock Springs, a favorite resort for invalids. He was married Jan- uary 6, 1847, to Miss Marietta S. Shepard, a native of Hamilton county, New York. They have had five children, two of whom are now living at
913
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
home: Julia M. (wife of F. S. Plumb, a native of New York) and Albert A. (twenty-five years of age).
BROWN, STEPHEN A .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in New Hampshire January 26, 1835, and lived there until twenty-three years of age. He received a common school education, and in 1858 came to this county, where he has since resided, owning thirty-two acres of land, well improved. He was married August 27, 1863, to Miss Maria L. Knox, of this county. They have six children, all living. His father was born in Strafford, New Hampshire, and served in the Revolu- tionary War. His mother was born in the same place.
D' EAN, JOHN S .- Deceased. Grandfather of J. H. and D. P. Dean.
Was born August 9, 1797, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He moved from there to Pelpee, Ohio, and thence to Ross county, where he lived until he came to this county, November 1, 1847. On moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio he went by raft on the Ohio river. When he first came here he entered 318 acres of land, running north of Court Avenue in East Des Moines. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in his house in 1848, north of Walnut street, on the bank of the river, near where Grupe & Turner's boiler shop now stands. Of the denomination he was a charter member. He built the first steam saw and grist mill in the county, known as Shepard & Perrior's mill, in 1849, hauling the machinery from the Mississippi river. He departed this life on the 25th day of December, 1878.
DEAN, MRS. ANN-Section 1, P. O. East Des Moines. Widow of the late Abram S. Dean, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 9, 1820, was raised on a farm and received a common school education. When twenty-two years of age he was married to Ann Welshimer, a native of Virginia. Lived there until 1847, and then came upon the place where she now resides on the 1st day of November, where she has since lived. Mr. Dean died January 25, 1859, at the age of thirty-nine years and six- teen days. Mrs. Dean was born in Virginia, February 16, 1819, and was married in her twenty-third year. She has three children, and lives with one son, David P. Dean, on the old homestead; it consists of 220 acres, which were entered from the government when they first came. David P. Dean was born on his present homestead, February 16, 1852, and was mar- ried August 22, 1876, to Miss Jennie Brattain, a native of Henry county, Indiana.
DEAN, JAMES H .- Farmer, section 1, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 12, 1843, and at the age of four years came to this county and has lived on this section ever since. The land upon which he now resides was entered from the government by his father. He owns forty-nine acres well improved. He received the advantages of the common schools, and when twenty-two years of age was married to Miss Sarah A. Blatchley, a native of Connecticut. They have six children, five of whom are now living. September 19, 1862, he enlisted in company C, Twenty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, and was mustered out at Harris- burg, Texas, July 26, 1865. Participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, Milliken's Bend, Vicks- burg, Metagorda Island, Texas, and Spanish Fort.
F INCH, JAMES H .- Farmer, section 1, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 1, 1822, and was married to Miss Sarah J. Dean, of the same place, when twenty-four years of age. He was
914
BIOGRAPHICAL.
left an orphan at the age of six years, and the care of the family fell upon him. He lived in Ohio until November, 1847, when he came to this town- ship, being forty days on the road. He entered 240 acres of land on sec- tion 1, the first river land entered in this county. He and his brother have lived on this land ever since. The former owns 130 acres, well improved. Has raised a family of ten children, three of whom are dead. Four sons are living, and all are married and living in this county. One daughter, Martha, was born in Ohio, and is now Mrs. George W. Smith, of this county. Mr. Finch was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church of Des Moines, in the year 1848 (June). He was one of the charter members, and the first trustee of the Agency burying ground, located on section 6 of this township.
FREDREGILL, J. J .- Farmer, section 5, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1824, and when four years of age removed to Crawford county, Ohio. He received a common school education, and when about twenty-five years of age was married to Miss Nancy Deachtal, a native of Wayne county, Ohio. They lived there until the 19th of October, 1854, when they started for this county by wagon and were twenty-four days on the road. They are the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living in this township. One son, John W., now lives on the farm with his father. Mr. Fredregill's father, who lives in Sabina county, Missouri, was born in France and is eighty-nine years of age. His mother was born in Germany, and is eighty-four years of age. He owns forty-nine acres of land. Has held all the township offi- ces in the township.
G REEVER, J. M .- Farmer, section 1, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 19, 1832, and when four years of age moved to Coles county, Illinois, where he resided until 1864. He then came to Iowa, locating in Decatur county, and was married to Mary E. Witter, a native of St. Joseph county, Indiana, and born May 6, 1843. They have four children, one is dead. In 1865 he came upon his present farm, and here has since resided, owning twenty-one acres of improved land. He has been school clerk ever since his residence in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Greever are members of the Christian Church.
H ARVEY, LYSANDER-Farmer, section 5, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, June 1, 1834, received a limited common school education, and when fourteen years of age moved with his father, Samuel Harvey, to the place where he now resides. The former entered 190 acres of land where the son lives, and died at the age of forty- two years. Our subject was married, June 30, 1853, to Rachel Roberts, a native of Ohio. Eight children were born to them, of whom five are living. Mrs. Harvey died April 15, 1867, and he married again, October 3, 1869, Miss Laura A. Fredregill, a native of Ohio. They had three children, two are now living. This wife died June 11, 1875, and he married for his third wife Nancy Enichs, a native of Missouri, on the 3d of October, 1875. They have had two children, one now living. He has one daughter, Eliza J., who is now Mrs. James Henderson, of this township. Mr. Harvey has been township trustee for three terms.
HARRIS, P. W .- Proprietor of Deep Rock Springs, section 12, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, May 12, 1829, and remained there until seven years of age, when he moved to Vermillion county, Illinois, and from there to Grundy county, Missouri. In the spring
915
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
of 1846 he moved to Polk county. He was married here when twenty-four years of age to Miss Jemima Harvey, a native of Indiana. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. The eldest son, Samuel H., is married and living in Dallas county, the others are at home. Mr. Harris' father, John Harris, was born in Carolina and died in this county, in 1864, at the age of sixty-six years, he having entered the land where M. W. Harris and C. Thornton, his son-in-law, now live, from the government in 1847. P. W. Harris is now proprietor of the Deep Rock Springs. He owns the hotel connected with the springs. It contains about forty rooms, all told, good bathing, having either warm or cold baths, and in every particular it is a first-class hotel for all persons. While a boy he had but a common school education and that only what he obtained at night, after working hard all day.
HARRIS, M. W .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 19, 1826, and in January, 1847, came to this county. He has spent one and one-half years in Indiana and five and one-half years in California, and with that exception has resided here since he first came. Owns 622 acres of land, under cultivation, with good orchard, etc. He was married, November 7, 1865, to Mrs. Harriet Gill, a native of Pleasant county, Virginia. By this union they have eight children: Anna M., Maggie M., Laura M., Lina L. and James E., living, and three deceased: Luella, Jonas C. and an infant. His father, John Har- ris, was one of the first settlers of Agency Prairie. Mrs. H. has one child by her former marriage, Fannie.
HENDERSON, JAMES-Farmer, section 18, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in this county on the 9th day of October, 1848, on the place where he now lives with his mother. He was educated in the common school. His father, T. J. Henderson, now deceased, entered the land from the government. Owns 117 acres of improved land and 20 acres of timber in Four Mile township. February 4, 1875, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane Harvey, daughter of L. Harvey, of this township. She is a native of this county. They have one child.
HENDERSON, ABRAM-Farmer, section 7, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and when two years of age came to this county, where he has since resided on the old homestead. He owns eighty acres of land in this township, and twelve acres in Four Mile town- ship, all improved. When twenty-five years of age he was married to Miss Clarissa Hughes, daughter of David Hughes, of this county. She is a na- tive of Morgan county, Ohio. They have five children, four now living at home.
HENDERSON, ELIZA-Wife of Thomas J. Henderson, deceased. Was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in January, 1814, and after a time settled on the land where she now resides, her husband having entered it from the government. She owns ninety-three acres of land, all well im- proved.
HUGHES, DAVIS-Farmer, section 7, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 19, 1824, and at the age of twenty-six years came to this county. He was educated in the common schools. Was married, in 1845, to Miss Margaret E. Reed, a native of Morgan county, Ohio. They have had eleven children, seven now living. Three of them are married: Clarrissa (wife of Abram Henderson, of this township), Fran- ces Mary (wife of Harry C. Lawson, living in Kansas), and one son, Manuel,
916
BIOGRAPHICAL.
(now in his thirty-first year, living in this county). He owns eighty acres of land, all well improved.
L' AMB, NEWTON-Farmer, section 17, P. O. East Des Moines. The
subject of this sketch is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and was born August 11, 1818. He received his early education from the common schools while the seats were merely slabs. When twenty-three years of age he moved to Jefferson county, this State, and from there came to this county in the winter of 1845. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of land from the government in the fall of 1849. He then (1845) lived between two Indian villages, one the Fox village, about one mile below on the river, and the Hardfish village, where the noted Bennett Spring now is. Mr. Lamb's father came to this county at an early day, and farmed for the government on the land where the pork houses now stand in Des Moines. Lived here for about four years and moved to Lee county, leaving his son (our subject) here. The latter was here for about two years, marketing to the soldiers at Fort Des Moines before he made it his home. He was here at different times until he moved his family here. Mr. Lamb's experience of his first trip to the Raccoon Fork was quite thrilling. There were but few houses on the road between Oskaloosa and this place. The former city was designated by a pole set up, a man by the name of Canfield living there. The next house he came to was where Pella now stands, and the next one near where Monroe now is, known as Tool's Point. Those were the only shopping points from Jefferson county to this place. When he and his fam- ily were back on a visit the wolves were so numerous that they ate all his poultry. He owns 160 acres of land, the same that he entered when he came. He was married in Wayne county, Indiana, February 4, 1841, to Miss Caroline Evans, a native of Clermont county, Ohio. They are the parents of fourteen children, nine living. Three boys and two girls are mar- ried: Harriet (now Mrs. James A. Garrett, now living in Kansas), Fannie (wife of J. D. Finch, of this township). One son is living in Leadville, one near Dallas Center, one in Oregon, and the remainder at home, except one son, Henry, who is in Four Mile township.
ARICLE, LAUDOWICK-Farmer, section 17, P. O. East Des
M Moines. Was born in Pennsylvania, April 3, 1812, and was raised in New York until twenty-two years of age. In 1836 he came to Iowa and settled in Webster county. In March, 1880, he moved to Polk county. He owns forty acres of land all improved. He was married here December 22, 1848, to Miss Barbara Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. They have nine chil- dren, six now living. Two sons are married and living at home, one son in Webster county and one in Grand View attending school.
MARK, M. W .- Farmer, section 17, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 2, 1829, where he resided until seventeen years of age. He received a common school education and in 1846 moved to Bur- lington, this State, and from there went to Illinois. In 1866 he left that State and came here. He was married in Henderson county, Illinois, No- vember 25, 1847, to Miss Sarah Watson, a native of New York, but raised in Illinois. They are the parents of nine children, five now living. One daugh- ter, Mary, is now the wife of O. D. Shoop, of this county. Since residing in this county he has held several offices in the township.
N TEWCOMER, PETER-Farmer, section 18, P. O. East Des Moines, one of the first settlers of Polk county, was born in Washington county, Maryland, on the 29th day of August, 1812, and in 1837 removed
917
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
to Wayne county, Indiana, and after a short residence here removed to Ohio, and thence to Jefferson county, Iowa. In 1843 he came to this county, nearly three years before settlers were permitted to locate here, special permission being given Mr. Newcomer to make a claim in consider- ation of his building a bridge over Four Mile Creek, and he has continued to reside here since that date. It is impossible, in the limited space we have, to recount the hardships of this sturdy pioneer and his family in the early days of their settlement, and the rising generation can but faintly realize how much they are indebted to those who were the early settlers of the county. Mr. Newcomer now owns a farm of 320 acres. He was married in Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1842, to Miss Rosanna Lamb, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, but a resident of Iowa, her father coming here the same year and same time that the subject of this sketch came. By this union they have two children: Catharine (wife of Thomas McConklin, liv- ing at the old homestead) and Anna (now Mrs. James Mills, of Bloomfield township). To illustrate some of the early inconveniences, he had to go 140 miles to mill. His first churn was made of bark peeled from a sap- ling.
P RENTICE, MRS. LUCY A .- Section 9, P. O. East Des Moines, widow of the late F. R. Prentice, who was born January 2, 1815, in Otsego county, New York. In 1836 he came with his father's family to McDonough county, Illinois, and in 1853 came to this county and lived in Franklin township. During the troubles with the Mormons he was in Nauvoo. He removed to Mills county in 1856 but returned and re-occu- pied his old farm until 1865, at which time he purchased the farm on which he died. He was married, in the year 1843, to Miss Lucy Ann Kirk, a na- tive of Marion county, Kentucky. She moved to McDonough county in the year 1840. To them were born nine children, five boys and four girls. The eldest son, Pitt, is in Franklin township, and D. N. F. is living in Kansas. The remainder are at home. The family reside on the old home- stead, which consists of 173 acres, all well improved. Father Prentice be- came a member of the Masonic order at Glenwood, Mills county, of which he remained a worthy member until his death. He was always favorable to the Christian religion, leading a moral, honest and upright life, although not making a profession of religion until last March. At that time he be- came more deeply interested and resolved, after much thought, and reflec- tion, to make a public declaration of his faith, and was accordingly im-, mersed by D. R. Ellis. From this period until his death he seemed wholly absorbed in his new profession, spoke much of his decease and longed to depart to that better land.
S IMS, L. D .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 22, 1816, and came to this county by wagon. He was thirty-four days on the road and reached here on the 28th of October, 1848. He was married to Miss Christiana Bowshier, a native of the same place as himself. She died August 11, 1857, leaving nine children. Seven are now living: A. B. (living in Rising Sun), G. C. (lives in East Des Moines), Sarah E. (wife of Jackson Henderson, of Cass county, this State), Matilda (wife of Jerry Winterrowd, deceased), the re- mainder being at home. Mr. Sims served during the Mexican War in the Fourth Ohio infantry, company E, and also as wagon-master, for six months, in the Fourth Iowa infantry. He is the owner of 140 acres of well- improved land.
918
BIOGRAPHICAL.
T THORNTON, CALVIN-Farmer, section 6, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, January 7, 1830, and in the fall of 1849 came to this county and has since resided here. He is a cabi- net maker by trade and in his early days followed the carpenter business. He now owns an excellent farm of about 230 acres, with good improve- ments. Was married, January 1, 1854, to Miss Annette Harris, a native of Henry county, Indiana, born March 15, 1831. They have seven chil- dren: Nancy E. (wife of Jonas Henderson), Jerome B., Ida Jane (now Mrs. W. R. Wilkins, of Audubon county), Laura V., Alta M., Viola and Maud.
W ARNOCK, J. G .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, August 8, 1836, and resided there until twenty-two years of age. Educated in the common schools. He was married, about the year 1858, to Miss Rebecca Milligan, of the same county. They have had ten children, of whom six are now living in this county. He served for two years in the Missouri State militia, and has resided in this county about four years.
WILKINS, RESIN-Farmer, section 7, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, April 8, 1824, and in the fall of 1845 moved to New Orleans. In the spring of 1846, came to this county, and has since resided here. July 5, 1848, he was married to Miss Martha J. Henderson, a native of Wayne county, Indiana. She is a daughter of Thomas J. Hen- derson, deceased, of this county. They are the parents of nine children, all living: Eliza E. (wife of Jerome Thornton, now living in Audubon county, this State), Will R. (also living in the same county), Robert H. (living in Nebraska), the remainder of the children are at home. November 1, 1861, he enlisted in company B, Fifteenth regiment Iowa volunteers, and was mustered out, as second-lieutenant of his company, in March, 1863. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Iuka, beside numer- ous skirmishes. He owns 153 acres of well-improved land and also a house and lot on the East Side, in Des Moines.
WILKINS, J. N .- Farmer, section 8, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born January 24, 1836, in Knox county, Ohio. Received a common school education, and in his twenty-fourth year came to this county. He has since resided here, and now owns 80 acres of well-improved land. He was mar- ried, on the 27th of October, 1859, in this county, to Miss Frances M. Hen- derson, daughter of the late Thomas J. Henderson, of this county. She is a native of Indiana. They have six children, three of them living at home.
FOUR MILE TOWNSHIP.
B ARLOW, THOMAS E .- Farmer, section 2, P. O. Rising Sun. Among the prominent and successful farmers of Polk county is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Shelby county, Indiana, and was born March 29, 1829. Made that county his home until about twenty-two years of age and had all the advantages of a common school education. He was there married to Miss Eliza J. Bonner, January 10, 1850. She is a native of the same place. They came to this county in June, 1852, by wagon, and were one month on the road. Entered 230 acres of land from the government in this township, and he is now the owner of 200 acres, all well improved. They have one daughter, Mary (now Mrs. A. B. Sims). The career of Mr. Barlow has been both honorable and successful, and he has always enjoyed
919
FOUR MILE TOWNSHIP.
the confidence and respect of the community in which he has resided. Every good cause receives his hearty support.
BARLOW, JESSE-Farmer, section 3, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, May 6, 1834, and when in his eighteenth year removed from there to this county, where he has since resided. He received a common school education. Was married in this county to Miss Lucy J. Madden, a native of Pennsylvania. They have had four children, two of whom are now living at home.
BURK, ALEXANDER-Farmer, section 1, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born April 10, 1832, in the State of Virginia, and when two years of age was taken to Adams county, Illinois. From there he came to this county in the fall of 1844, settling in Beaver township. In 1877 he moved upon his present homestead of fifty acres of well-improved land. He has been twice married. First to Miss Harriet Shaw, a native of Wapello county, this State. She died May 30, 1876, leaving six children living, and he mar- ried for his second wife Miss Olive Rooker, a native of New York, but raised here. They have two children living.
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.