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 116
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BROWN, E. H .- Farmer, section 16, P. O. Des Moines. Was born June 24, 1822, and is a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. When a child his parents moved to Ohio, Champaign county, where he engaged in farming and, in 1845, went to Minnesota. After remaining there for four years he came to Van Buren county, this State, in 1849, and in 1855 moved to Mahaska county, and from there came to this county in the fall of 1863. He is a machinist by trade and this he has followed more or less since re- siding here. Owns a farm of 160 acres. Has held the office of justice of the peace one term and has been district road supervisor. While living in Van Buren county he was postmaster three years. March 4, 1841, he was married in Ohio to Miss Eliza Spry, a native of Champaign county, Ohio. They have a family of six children, four sons and two daughters: C. F., John E., J. C. James E., Annie E. and Emma B. Lost two chil- dren: Mariett S. and W. R.
BURNETT, Z. M .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, P. O. Mitchell- ville. Was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, 1825, September 11, and
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when two and a half years of age moved with his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was raised. His home there was in Springfield, and while there he engaged in farming as an occupation, which, with stock- raising, he has since followed. In the spring of 1849 he came to this State and located on his present homestead, now consisting of 226 acres, well improved. He has been road supervisor and for two terms trustee of the township. Mr. Burnett was married in Sangamon county, Illinois, Janu- ary 16, 1848, to Miss Nancy H. Foutch, of Indiana. They have a family of nine children living: Margaret A., B. K., Altha J., George Etta, D. S., Jeremiah, Lucy B., E. M. and Milo. His ancestry on both sides of the house were natives of Kentucky, and their ancestors were pioneers of that State in the days of Daniel Boone.
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ALDWELL, JOSEPH-Farmer, section 29, P. O. Adelphi. Was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1809, and when four years of age came with his parents to Athens county, Ohio. His principal avocation through life has been farming and while in Athens county followed that business. In March, 1856, he came to this county and settled on his present homestead, which consists of 211 acres of well improved land. Since residing here he has held the office of township trustee, besides several others. Mr. Caldwell has been twice married. First, in Ohio, in 1834, to Miss Elma A. Laughlin, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who died in July, 1836, leaving one daughter, who has since died. His second marriage was also in Ohio, in 1837, to Miss Sarah D. Lottridge, of that State. They have one son and one daughter living: Edwin P. and Mary A. (wife of J. L. Baker). His father was of Irish descent and was raised in county Tynne, Ireland. His mother was of English origin, but raised in New Jersey.
CLARK, CAPT. W. L .- Farmer, section 1, P. O. Prairie City. Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 21, 1837, and was raised in that State. He removed to Illinois, and from there came to this State in 1866. Dur- ing the war, on the call for men to suppress the rebellion, he enlisted on the 10th of May, 1861, in company D, Fourteenth Illinois infantry and served until May 11, 1866, when he was discharged. He was married in this county in 1869 to Miss H. Z. Botsford, of Illinois. They have two sons: William and John.
K ENNEDY, ROBERT-Farmer, section 21, P. O. Adelphi. Was born in Ohio in 1822, and resided there for a while and then moved to Indiana, where he lived until he came to this county in 1849. He was raised on a farm and now owns 120 acres of land. Was married in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, July 9, 1846, to Miss Nancy A. Warren, a native of Indiana. They have six daughters living: Mary J., Sarah E., Hannah C., Melissa A., Martha E. and Louisa F. Lost two. The father of Mr. Ken- nedy came from Scotland when seven years of age, and his mother from Ireland when about the same age. They lived in Pennsylvania for a long time and then went to Kentucky, and from there to Ohio. Then left there and went to Indiana, and thence to this county. His mother died here and his father returned to Pennsylvania and there died.
L ATIMER, JAMES-Farmer, section 15, P. O. Vandalia. Was born in New London county, Connecticut, February 6, 1821, and when about five years of age emigrated with his parents to Ohio. In 1836 they moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, and he was married in that county February 1, 1844, to Miss Amanda Sutton. In October 1845, he came to,
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Iowa and located in Davis county, and in the spring of 1846 moved to what is now Warren county. One year later he removed to Logan county, Illi- nois, and there made his home until he moved to Henry county, that State, in 1852. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois volunteer infantry, and served one year, when he was hon- orably discharged on account of disability. In October, 1863, he sold out and came to this State, living for two years in Marion county, previous to his coming here, which was in 1865, and then moved on his present home- stead. Has held the office of justice of the peace in Marion county and township trustee in this county. While in Henry county, Illinois, he was a member of the Board of County Supervisors, which position he filled for seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Latimer have two daughters. Nancy (wife of James Coatney), and Hannah (wife of W. F. Logan, of Madison county, this State).
M cDANNIEL, G. W .- Farmer, section 20, P. O. Adelphi. Was born in Warren county, Iowa, on the 14th of March, 1857, and is conse- quently in his twenty-fourth year. He resided in his native county until 1870, when with his parents he came to this county. Here he was mar- ried on the 18th of December 1876, to Miss Mary E. Warren, a native of this county. They have one son, Warren Chester.
MILER, JAMES-Farmer, section 26, P. O. Vandalia. Was born in Gallia county, Ohio, December 7, 1813, and when about three years of age accompanied his father to Kentucky, where he remained for about one year, and then to Perry county, Indiana. He resided there until eighteen years of age and then removed to Morgan county, Illinois, and from there came to this county in February, 1845. Mr. Miler has been twice married. First in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1836, to Miss Sarah Roach, who died in 1846, leaving three children: Mary F. (wife of Jno D. Grim), Thomas H. and Sarah A. (wife of Daniel Beach). His second marriage was in Marion county, this State, in 1848, to Elizabeth Brouse. They have five children living: John, David, Emma, Paulina, Rosella, and one, Martha, deceased.
MONTGOMERY, T. G .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, P. O. Mitchellville. Was born in Shelbyville, Shelby county, Indiana, on the 8th of August, 1841, and from there came to this county with his parents in April, 1843. Here he has been raised, following farming as his occupation. On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, Twenty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, and served until August 15, 1865, when he was discharged. He participated in all the battles of his regiment, and after the war he re- turned to this county. Has held several offices in the township-that of trustee several terms, clerk for two terms, and president of the school board. His marriage was in this county January 11, 1866, to Miss Margaret A. Bur- nett, of this county and township. They have one son and three daughters: Moma, Magnolia, and Lou Antona. Lost two: Amos Bliss and Mary. Mr. M. owns 160 acres of improved land.
MURROW, J. S .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 3, P. O. Mitchellville. Was born in Parke county, Indiana, January 31, 1836, and in 1843 he came with his parents to this State, locating in Jefferson county. He was raised as a farmer and has followed the same most of his life. In March, 1848, he came to this county and remained until 1864, when he went overland to Cali- fornia, engaging in farming and stock-raising. In 1867 he returned to this county, and since that time has been a resident here. His present farm con- sists of 415 acres of land all improved. Was married in this county in March,
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1862, to Miss Emily Jonney, of Missouri. They have a family of six chil- dren: Eliza (wife of D. Bennett), George W., Mary, Alice, Nicholas and Alfred D. Lost two: John and Ulysses.
P ENCE, DR. W. L .- Farmer and physician, section 28, P. O. Adelphi. This gentleman owes his nativity to Logan, Kentucky, where he was born on the twenty-seventh of March, 1832. He resided there until sixteen years of age, and then traveled through Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, re- maining a short period in each State. Having made choice of medicine as a profession he commenced its study and read in Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana. In June, 1855, he graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and came to this county in 1857, at once commenc- ing the practice of his profession. This he followed until October, 1865, when he also became engaged in farming, but is still engaged in practicing medicine. Has been supervisor and assessor of the township, and at pres- ent is trustee. Dr. Pence was married in this township in February, 1863, to Miss Abigal E. Powers of Indiana. She died in February, 1867, leaving one son, James M. Was married again to Miss Julia A. Norris of Jasper. They have two children: John and Wm. R. He owns a farm of two hun- dred and ninety acres. His father was of German ancestry and his mother of Welsh, English and Irish origin.
PERSON, E. C .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 26, P. O. Vandalia. Was born in Meigs county, Ohio, May 28, 1830, and in 1852 came from there to this county, and since that time has resided here. He was raised as a farmer and now owns a farm of two hundred acres, well improved and in cultivation. His marriage was in Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Sarah A. Tippy. They have one daughter living, Ida; and one son deceased, Alan- son W.
PETERS, B. F .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, P. O. East Des Moines. Is a native of Orange county, Indiana, and was born'on the twenty-seventh of May, 1832. He lived there until twenty-one years of age, and then came to this State in 1853, locating in this county. He has since resided here with the exception of one season spent in Colorado, and one year in Taylor county, this State. He located in Des Moines in the fall of 1861 and remained in that city until he came to his present home, which consists of two hundred and sixty acres, which he has made by in- dustry and economy. He also owns about one hundred acres in other counties, some of which is in Warren county. In 1857 he obtained two hundred acres by warrants in Page county, and after partly improving the same sold it for a good sum. He has held various district offices. Mr. Peters was married in Floyd county, Indiana, in February, 1856, to Miss Phebe C. Keith, a native of that State. They have a family of five chil- dren living: William N., Mary E., Emma C., Charles F. and Etta May. The ancestors of his parents were from Kentucky, and, on both sides, of Eng- lish origin.
PORTER, REZIN-Retired farmer, section 2, P. O. Vandalia. Was born on the twenty-fifth of December, 1831, in Ross county, Ohio, and was raised there at farming as his occupation until about nineteen years of age. In the fall of 1847 he came to this county with his parents, locating in this township, and has since made this county his home. April 4, 1863, he en- listed in company D, Seventh Iowa volunteer cavalry, and was discharged in May of 1866. During the latter part of his service he was out on the plains participating in all the battles of his company and regiment. He
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was married in this county February 5, 1856, to Miss Maria McCall, a na- tive of Illinois. Mr. Porter's ancestors were natives of the State of Mary- land.
PRICER, W. A .- Farmer, section 5, P. O. Adelphi. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and was raised there at farming as an occupation, until he reached his majority. From there he came to this county in the fall of 1855, and since that time he has resided here, with the exception of two years spent in his native State. During the late war he enlisted in August, 1862, and was discharged on account of disability, after having served about one year. He is one of the present township trustees. Mr. Pricer was married first in this county, in 1865, to Miss Margaret Gar- rett, who died in 1867, leaving two children: Frank E. and Nettie. Was married the second time to Josie Irwin, in 1874. They have two children: Effie and Nellie. Owns eighty acres of land.
S' ELLARS, IRA S .- Farmer, section 22, P. O. Vandalia. Was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 1, 1813, and was raised there until about nineteen years of age, when he removed to Montgomery county, In- diana, with his parents. He was brought up as a farmer and continued that occupation until he reached his majority, then studied medicine, which he afterward practiced in Indiana and this State together, for about twenty years. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits as his principal vocation, which he has since followed, and at the same time has practiced his profes- sion more or less. Was married in Cass county, Indiana, September 13, 184-, to Miss Nancy Williams, a native of Ohio. They have three sons and two daughters living: Emily, James M., Annie M., Nathaniel T. and John S. Have lost one.
SEXTON, M. C .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, P. O. Vandalia. Is a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and was born March 11, 1822. When only a child his parents moved to Ohio, and there he was raised, making it his home until 1847. Then removed to Indiana and resided there until he came to this State, settling on his present homestead in 1857. Between the years 1863 and '65 he went back to Indiana, but with that ex- ception has resided here since first coming. Owns two hundred and forty acres of land with good improvement. He was raised on a farm and has made that his principal vocation during life. Has held the offices of jus- tice of the peace one term, and school treasurer for four terms-three terms in succession. His marriage was in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in Au- gust, 1849, to Miss Jane Rawson of Virginia. They have three sons and two daughters living: James B., Alcesta (wife of John Monasmith), Maria (wife of H. N. Groves), Francis M. and Orion. Lost one son, Van R. His ancestors on both his father's and mother's side were natives of the South- ern States.
STEWART, J. B .- Farmer, section 11, P. O. Vandalia. Was born in Christian county, Illinois, February 3, 1843, and when three years of age his parents came to this county, settling here in 1846. Since that time he has lived here with the exception of eleven years that he lived in Nebraska. He returned to this county in the fall of 1879. Has held the office of con- stable. Was married in this county to Miss I. S. Foutch in 1866. She is a native of Illinois. They have a family of five children: H. S., Mary E., Lucy E., Maggie D. and Emma B. Mr. Stewart owns one hundred and fifty-six and a half acres of land.
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B ARKALOW, G. D .- Grocer, Mitchellville. Was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 20, 1847. His mother died when he was six years of age, and he then moved to Mattoon, Illinois, where he was raised and educated. At the age of fourteen he returned to Ohio to his father, who died about two years afterward. He then came to Edinburgh, Indiana, and February 2, 1865, he enlisted in company D, One Hundred and Forty- eighth Indiana and served until the close of the war, when he was honor- ably discharged September 15, 1865, then returned to Edinburgh and en- gaged in farming, and in 1869 went upon the railroad running from Indianapolis to Jefferson. This he continued for about two years, and in the spring of 1871 came to Iowa, locating in Des Moines, engaging in working in the Des Moines Scale Works. He worked there as engineer for about eighteen months and in August, 1874, went into Heath's planing mill as engineer, remaining there about two and a half years. In 1877 he engaged in the grocery business with James Oldham. In the spring of 1880 he came to this place and opened a grocery store, which he now runs, still continuing his interest in the Des Moines store, which is in charge of his partner. He was married September 2, 1873, to Miss Carrie L. Old- ham, a native of Indiana. They have two children living: Harry and James. Lost one, Lulu.
BRITTON, SAMUEL -Farmer, section 33, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born January 12, 1834, in Knox county, Ohio, and at the age of fifteen years moved with his parents to Iowa, locating in Johnson county. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools and Kenyon College, Ohio. In 1865 he came to this county and settled in Rising Sun, and in the spring of 1877 opened a general store at that place. In the spring of 1880 he sold out there and came upon his present farm, consist- ing of 105 acres. He held the office of postmaster at Rising Sun from the spring of 1877 until he moved upon his present place. He is also a notary public, holding now his second term by appointment of Governor Gear. Was a member of the County Board of Supervisors from July, 1877, at which time he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Wm. Elli- son, deceased, and was again elected to the same position, his term closing January 1, 1880. January 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Clarinda Mc- Coy, a native of Knox county, Ohio. She died July 29, 1878, leaving six children living: Charles W., Lewis H., Elizabeth A. H., Edwin H., Kate E. and Samuel W. Three died in infancy.
BROWN, MOSES-Blacksmith, Mitchellville. Was born January 15, 1820, and is a native of Marion county, Mississippi. In 1833 his parents moved to Ohio, and there he was raised, obtaining his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years, he went to learn his trade with Jonathan Thomas, a Quaker, with whom he served an apprentice- ship of three years, and has since followed his trade. In 1844 he moved to Michigan, and resided there until 1865, when he came to this State, loca- ting at Steamboat Rock, Hardin county; remained there one year and then came to this place, opening a shop which he still carries on. He was married May 12, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Monroe, a native of Virginia. They have ten children living: Leonard, Mary (wife of Hiram Milligan, of Marshall county, Iowa), Nathaniel, Alonzo, Louisa (wife of Samuel Swee-
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ton, of Nebraska), Aaron, Harriet (wife of Benjamin Searls, of Hardin county, Iowa), Moses M., Clarence and Sarah. Three are deceased.
BURK, LEWIS M .- Farmer, section 34, P. O. Mitchellville. Was born February 22, 1797 in Maryland, and in 1802 his parents came to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and obtained a common school education. When a boy he went to learn the miller's trade with Joseph Wentz, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in wagoning on the road, which he followed in connection with stage driving about fifteen years. In 1833 he moved to Ohio and located in Zanesville, but soon went to Wheel- ing, Virginia, and again engaged in driving a stage and followed that for a time, then engaging in farming near Wheeling. In 1834 he came to Adams county, Illinois, where he lived until 1846, when he came to Iowa and located on section 33 of this township, there buying a half section of land; he resided thereon until the spring of 1880, when he moved upon the place where he now resides. He entered his land in 1849 and got a patent for it in 1852 from the government, but still the River Land Com- pany has claimed it and dispossessed him of possession thereof for more than thirty-four years; now in his old age he is deprived of his home for which he endured so many hardships in the early settlement of the coun- try. There are but very few men here to-day who were here when he came. Has been twice married: first, September 28, 1819, to Miss Isabel Whit- ford, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in February, 1844, leaving twelve children : John, Mary, Margaret, Alex., Joseph, Elizabeth, Frank and Mar- tha living, and four deceased. He married again April 6, 1848, to Mrs. Maria Vice, a native Spottslyvania county, Virginia, but raised in Mont- gomery county, Kentucky. They have had no children. She had eight children by her former marriage: William and John living, and six de- ceased.
ANFIELD, MRS. JANE-Farmer, section 27, P. O. Mitchellville. C Was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1834, and was there raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. She was married September 20, 1853, to Mr. Jeremiah Canfield, who was born April 3, 1830, in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa and located in this township in the spring of 1856, and moved to the farm on which she now lives in 1865; she is the owner of 397 acres of land. Au- gust 6, 1861, Mr. Canfield enlisted in the war and served his term of three years, when he was honorably discharged October 5, 1864, at Davenport. He returned home and resumed his occupation of farming, following the same successfully until the spring of 1876, when he was taken sick. He died May 13, 1876, leaving a family of eight children: Wallace A., Charles M., Martha (wife of O. Baker, of Colorado), William E. and Oscar living, and three deceased. She has carried on the farm since her husband's death and kept her family together the same as formerly.
CRESSEY, E. T .- Editor and proprietor of the Mitchellville News, Mitchellville. Was born in Columbus, Ohio, February 4, 1838. Septem- ber 30, 1861, he enlisted as a private in company H, Second Minnesota in- fantry, and served three years. His education was received in the print- ing office. In October, 1866, he came to Des Moines, and in July, 1878, came to Mitchellville and established the News, of which paper he now has the control.
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D UNHAM, F. A .- Furniture dealer, Mitchellville. Was born in Mid- dlesex, Massachusetts, November 7, 1822, and in 1828 his parents moved to Chautauqua county, New York, where he was raised and educated. In 1846 he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he clerked in a dry goods store, and in 1850 he opened a dry goods store with R. O. Pier. After a time he bought his partner's interest and continued the business alone until 1858, when he went to Wisconsin, and bought a farm in Green county, here he remained about six years, when his health compelled him to retire from farming, and he again engaged in clerking at Monroe. In 1870 he came to Iowa and located in Mitchellville, engaging in his present business. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, but was rejected on account of his health. He has held various township offices where he has lived, and was postmaster at Western Star, Ohio, for six years, and at Stuart, Wiscon- sin for four years, giving entire satisfaction at both places. March 9, 1858 he married Miss Matilda Blyler, a native of Pennsylvania. They have no children.
E ASTMAN, J. W .- Farmer, section 13, P. O. Mitchellville. Was born September 15, 1830, in St. Lawrence county, New York, and when ten years of age moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived for about five years. He then went to Fulton county, Illinois. Was educated in Oberlin College, and in 1848 he came to Denmark, this State, where he lived about three years and then moved to Oskaloosa. There attended Oskaloosa Col- lege for three years, and in 1861 moved to Newton, Jasper county, where he lived until 1867, then went to Des Moines and engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he followed until 1877. He was school treasurer of East Des Moines for three years. In 1877 he went upon his present farm and now owns eighty acres, upon which he has quite an extensive nursery. He was married November 4, 1856, to Miss H. A. Stone, a native of Licht- field, Connecticut. They have six children, all living: Minnie J., Allie, Frank, Cora, Lucy and Artie.
ESHELMAN, JACOB-Farmer, section 9, P. O. Altoona. Was born March 9, 1835, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and was there raised as a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1859 he moved to Ogle county, Illinois, where he lived until the spring of 1868, when he came to this State and settled where he now resides. He bought the wild prairie land, planted all the trees and shrubbery that surround his place, and has made for himself a splendid farm. He has followed farming all his life, and now owns 240 acres of land, and is one of the best farmers of the township. He was united in marriage, March 3, 1858, to Miss Catharine Kensinger, a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania,. They have ten children: Mary A., Emmaril S., Nancy A., Jacob, Johnnie, Oliver, Cath- arine N. and Susan, living, and two deceased.
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