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 119

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 119

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JOHNSON, J. E .- Farmer, section 36, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born in

Montgomery county, Ohio, June 28, 1821, and at the age of fourteen, removed with his parents to Miami county, Indiana. There he was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools. In 1856 he came to Iowa and located in Jasper county, where he lived three years, and then came to Rising Sun, this county, where he lived four years. In 1863 he came upon his present place. Has followed farming all his life, and now owns 263 acres of land. Was married November 4, 1849 to Miss Mary Cox, a native Miami county, Ohio. They have four children living: J. C. Fre- mont, Tressa E., Elijah G. and Hala. Lost three.

JOHNSON, A. R .- Stock-dealer, Altoona. Was born May 18, 1852 in Van Wert county, Ohio, and in 1855 his parents came to this county, loca- ting near Trullinger's Grove, in Franklin township. He followed farming all his life until the spring of 1880, when he sold his farm and engaged in buying and shipping stock in partnership with John Martin. They are the largest stock shippers from the place, and are doing an extensive busi- ness. He was married January 9, 1874, to Miss Mary Brown, a native of Ohio. They have three children: Emily J., Lass W. and Maud, all living. L AIN, R. C .- Agent of the C., R. I. & P. R. R., Altoona. Was born in New York, June 27, 1843, and was raised and educated there. In the fall of 1862 he moved to Wisconsin, and engaged in teaching school. In the spring of 1863 he returned to New York, and then went to Washing- ton City, and was there employed by the government until 1864, as clerk in the Commissioner's Department. In 1864 he attended the commercial college, at Elmira, New York, remaining there four months as student and three months as assistant book-keeper. During the summer of 1865, he was engaged in the patent right business, and in August of the same year went to New York City, and engaged in clerking. In November he re- turned to Elmira, and thence to Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In the spring of 1866, he reurned to New York. In August, to Washington, and

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in November went to Georgia, as route agent of the post-office Depart- ment. In 1867, he was promoted to postal clerk from Atlanta, to Chat- tanooga, and occupied that position until August, 1869, when, on account of political differences, he returned to Elmira. In the spring of 1870, he came to Chicago, and shortly afterward to Des Moines, and commenced work for the C., R. I. & P. R. R., at Des Moines. In November, 1870, he went to Casey, and in February, 1872, came to Altoona, as the agent of the company. He was married June 4, 1868, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Miss Mary G. Angier, a native of Wisconsin. They have three children: Lena C. and Guy H. living, and one, an infant, deceased.

M ADAGAN, M .- Farmer and graind-ealer, Altoona. Was born in

St. Lawrence county, New York, October 15, 1839, and in 1853, his father moved to Canada, where our subject grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1859, he moved to Jefferson county, New York, where he resided until 1866, when he moved to Wis- consin, remaining there two years. In 1868, he came to Iowa, settling in this county, and located on section 25, this township, where he bought a farm and worked it four years. He then rented his farm, and bought out the lumber yard at Altoona, which he continued to keep until the fall of 1869, when he again sold out and began dealing in corn at this place. He is now the owner of three good farms of 160 acres each, and a fine residence in the town. He also owns 320 acres of land in Montgomery county, Illi- nois. All this large estate has been made by his own efforts. He is a man of sterling worth and sound judgment, always doing his business on firm business principles. Has held several of the township offices, and is now mayor of the city. He was married January 1, 1864, to Miss Lucy Delano, daughter of John Delano, of Jefferson county, New York. She died Feb- ruary 29, 1876, leaving two children: Libbie and Jessie. He was married again January 15, 1877, to Miss Mattie Cree, daughter of David Cree, of this place. They have one child, Blanche.

GLEVIE, J. F .- Farmer, section 35, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, March 7, 1832, and he accompanied his parents to Vermillion county, Illinois, where he lived a few years and came to Iowa in 1843, locating in Keokuk county. In the spring of 1847, he came to this county, and located on section 35, of this township. Here he has grown to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. He is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county. In the spring of 1857, he came upon his present farm, consisting of ninety-five acres. When he took possession of this farm, he lived for four years in a shanty twelve by twelve, with four posts set in the ground, and boards nailed upon these. then a layer of plaster, and then boards again. The floor was covered with boards hewn out of large trees. He was married December 6, 1856, to Miss Jane Knox, a native of Ohio. They have nine children: Emma J., Anna Rosa, J. F. and Sadie living, and five deceased. During the war he was not able to go into the army, but furnished a substitute.

OGLEVIE, D. B .- Farmer, section 35, P. O. Oakwood Station. Was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, October 3, 1830, and removed with his parents to Vermillion county, Illinois, where they lived for a few years and then came to Iowa in 1843, locating in Keokuk county. He lived there until 1846 and then came to this county and located in Rising Sun. Here he has been raised and educated. In 1855 he came upon his present farm, consisting of 123 acres. He and his brother are the oldest settlers

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now living in the township. Mr. O. has been twice married. First, in 1844, to Miss Sarah A. Wheeler, who died in February, 1858, leaving five children: H. F. and Amelia (wife of Henry Foust), living, and three de- ceased. Was married again in January, 1860, to Miss Rebecca J. Pack, a native of Indiana. They have eight children: Kerlin, Genevia, Georgia and Cora, living, and four deceased.

P ITSTICK, JOHN-Farmer, section 20, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Kuelin, Prussia, on the Rhine, January 18, 1836, and in 1843 he emigrated with his parents to the United States, locating in La Salle county, Illinois. He was raised and educated there, and was engaged in farming, which he has since followed. In 1863 he came to this State and located where he now lives, and what he now has is the result of hard, honest toil and strict attention to business. Owns 160 acres of land. Was married March 5, 1858, to Miss Frances Billingsfelt, a native of Prussia. They have nine children: Charles, Louisa, Frances, William, Lizzie, Amy, Ella, Johnnie and Eddie, all living. Mr. P. is agent for the celebrated Tower's Pulverizers and Cultivators, made in Mendota, Illinois.

PLUMMER, J. E .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 32, P. O. Rising Sun. Was born November 12, 1832, in Highland county, Ohio, and when very young was taken by his parents to Allen county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He came to Iowa in 1852 and located in Camp township, this county, remaining there until 1860, when he went to Colorado; he lived there about six years and in 1866 came back to this county and located where he now lives, owning a farm of 185 acres, well improved and cultivated. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county. April 15, 1863, he was married to Miss Lovena S. Garrett, a native of Ohio. They have six children: John W., Vincent V., Esther L., Denver N. and Effie D., living, and one, the oldest, Emma A., died in Georgetown, Colorado.

POST, JAMES-Farmer, section 20, P. O. Atloona. Was born in Otsego county, New York, April 3, 1816, and was raised on a farm. When young he learned the stone and brickmaker's trade and followed that in connection most of his life. He also worked for a number of years at the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he removed to Medina county, Ohio, and in 1866 came to this State, locating where he now lives. Owns a farm of eighty acres. Mr. Post has been twice married. First, in 1846, to Miss Nancy Phelps, who died in 1854, leaving two children: Walter and Mary, both living. Was married again in 1856 to Miss Sarah Preston.

POST, A. M .- Farmer, section 18, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Otsego county, New York, May 12, 1824, and was there raised. He enjoyed the advantages of a common school education, and has followed farming the most of his life. In 1854 he removed to Medina county, Ohio, and resided there six years, following the business of milling in a steam flouring mill. In 1860 he went to Ogle county, Illinois, and engaged in farming, which he followed for three years, and in 1864 he came to this State and located where he now resides, and has since remained here. Owns a farm of eighty

acres. Was married September 15, 1847, to Miss Jane Jennings, a native of New York State. They have two children: William and Marian (wife of Thomas Sutton), both living.

S CHOLEY, J. W .- Shoemaker, Altoona. Was born February 10, 1821, in Burlington, New Jersey, where he remained until he reached his majority. In 1842 he went to Norfolk, Virginia, and engaged

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in working at his trade, having learned the same from the ages of fifteen to twenty-one years. In the spring of 1843 he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and remained until the fall of that year and then moved to Dayton, Ohio, continuing in business there until 1849; at that time he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, and opened a boot and shoe store, running a shop in con- nection with it. He made that place his home until 1855, when he came to Iowa and located near Saylorville, this county, engaging there in farm- ing. The following year he moved into Saylorville, opened a shop, and in 1876 came to Altoona and there opened a shop which he still carries on. He was married May 20, 1846, to Miss Margaret Sayre, a native of Ohio. She died July 10, 1879, leaving a family of eight children: John, Eliza (wife of Frank Dorr, of this county), Ella (wife of Benj. Cchubbuck, of this county), Edith, Lizzie, Jennie and Clara, living, and one deceased.

SHAFFER, L. O .-- Druggist, Altoona. Was born in Henry county, Indiana, March 2, 1862, and in 1875 came with his parents to Iowa, locat- ing in this county on section 23 of this township, where his mother still resides, his father having died in the spring of 1879. He was educated in the common schools, supplemented by a course in the Des Moines Uni- versity, of Des Moines. In March, 1878, he came into the drug store to learn the business and is now associated with Dr. Booth, under the firm name of Shaffer & Booth. They carry a large and well assorted stock of drugs, and by their strict attention to business have built up a good trade.

SHIVERS, SAMUEL-Farmer, section 35, P. O. Oakwood Station. Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 11, 1820, and there was raised on a farm, receiving a common, school education. When twenty years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1856, then came to Iowa, locating in Linn county and engaged in farming and also in working at his trade at odd times. He resided there for nine years and then came to this county, locating where he now lives in 1865. Owns a farm of 150 acres. Just after arriving here he was drafted into the army, and although over age he could not prove it by records, and was forced to go or furnish a substitute. He chose the latter, at an expense of $800, as it was impossible for him to leave his family. This took most of his available means, and although it was a great set back to him, he has gained for himself and family a fine home. He was married July 7, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Patterson, a native of Ohio. They have a family of seven children living: Martha J. (wife of William Porter), Thomas, Lizzie (wife of Thomas Aultman), William, Mary A. (wife of Samuel Harvey), Emma and Ella. Have lost two.

T OMPKINS, W. H .- Dealer in hardware and agricultural imple- ments, Altoona. ĮWas born October 17, 1840, in Virginia, and was raised on a farm. In 1866 he moved to Kentucky and engaged in the mer- cantile business at Canton, remaining there about two and a half years. He then sold his stock and in the fall of 1868 came to this State, locating in Des Moines. He remained there a short time and then bought a farm of 1 20 acres on section 16 of this township, which he still owns, and on which he lived until the fall of 1878, when he came to Altoona. He then engaged in his present business. On the 21st of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Sec- ond Virginia artillery of the Confederate army, and served until the sur- render of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House. He was in all the bat- tles in which the army of Northern Virginia was engaged. He was wounded three times-once at Knoxville, Tennessee, and twice at Gettysburg. On

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account of meritorous conduct at the second day's fight at Richmond, he was promoted to adjutant of the first battalion of his regiment and held that position to the close of the war. He was married September 10, 1868, to Miss Lucy Herndon, a native of Kentucky. They have no chil- dren.

V ERSAW, LEVI-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Canada, June 15, 1834, and there he lived until fifteen years of age. His father having died he left his mother in that country and emigrated to the United States to seek a home among strangers. His first location was at Buffalo, New York, where he went to learn the machinist's trade with one Mr. Hemmingway, with whom he remained about three years. He was then engaged as engineer on the lakes and followed that for three years, when he took a trip to Pike's Peak in 1859. In the spring of 1860 he re- turned, landing in Des Moines with one dollar in his pocket. Here he went to work at his trade, which he followed until the 25th of July, 1862, when he enlisted in company C, Twenty-second Iowa infantry. He served until the close of the war and was discharged June 1, 1865, at Washington, D. C. He then returned to this State and settled in Vandalia, Jasper county, where he resumed his old business. In the fall of 1874 he bought and came upon his present farm, consisting of 160 acres. Was married July 18, 1861, to Miss Anna M. Rawson, a native of Indiana. They have five children living: Arabella, Eddie, Fred., Alvie and Claude. One infant is de- ceased.

W ATTER, GEORGE-Farmer, section 31, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1822. In 1858 he came to Iowa, locating near Vandalia, Jasper county, and re- sided there for about seven years, and then returned to Pennsylvania, and came here again in the spring of 1867 and located near Prairie City. After a residence there of one year he came to this county, and located where he now lives. He owns a farm of eighty acres. December 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Sarah Hunnel, a native of Pennsylvania. They have a family of eight children: Isaac, John, David G., Mary E. (wife of Walter Hick), and George R., living, and three deceased: Robert enlisted in com- pany E, Fourteenth Iowa, and was killed at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 5, 1864. Isaac was also in the same regiment and served to the close of the war.

WOODROW, I. H .- Retired farmer and justice of the peace, Altoona. Was born in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1816, and at the age of fifteen years came with his parents to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools and Clermont Academy, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1854 he came to Iowa and located near Des Moines, and in 1856 came to this township, locating on section 7, and bought a fine farm of 120 acres, which he im- proved, living on the same until 1877. He then disposed of it and moved to Altoona. In building his house in this township the lumber he used was brought from Saylor bottom in an old canoe that had been made by the Indians. He filled it with lumber and then hitching four yoke of oxen to it, ran it over the snow to his farm. Mr. W. has held various township offices and was special United States Marshal for about six years and bailiff of Circuit and District Courts at Des Moines for about ten years. Although he has passed his three-score years he is full of energy and ever ready for the active and busy scenes of life. He was married February 22, 1828, to

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Miss Sarah E. Robinson, a native of Ohio. They have thirteen children: Ambrose D., Charles, John R., Mary A. (wife of Theo. Hartley, of Warren county, Iowa), Anna M. (wife of John W. East, of Audubon county), Thomas, Kate (wife of Wm, F. Davidson, of Eddyville, Iowa), Isaac H., Emma (wife of Fred: Fermel, of Dakota), and Wm. W., living, and three deceased.

WOODROW, B. E. H .- Farmer, section 7, Altoona. Was born August 25, 1825, in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Hend- ricks county, Indiana, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He came to Polk county at an early date in the history of Iowa, and being pos- sessed of the indomitable will and energy characteristic of the pioneers, he settled in Beaver township in the year 1854, and owns a farm of forty acres of land. Was married in the year 1848, to Miss Eliza Robison, of Indiana. She died in 1856, leaving four children, living: Isaac S., Joseph T., Wil- liam W. and Benjamin F., and one deceased. He was married again in 1867, to Mrs. Rosetta, widow of the late David Butterfield, of Michigan. By this union they have three children: Ella May, Henrietta, and Ed- ward A.

"ANT, ANTHONY-Farmer, section 13, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1807, and resided there until six years of age, when with his parents he removed to Clark county, Ohio. There he was raised a farmer and formed the habits of in- dustry and integrity which have followed him through life. He came to this State in November, 1853, and settled at Muscatine, and on the 2d of January, 1854, made the entry which now constitutes his present homestead of 320 acres. Has held the office of justice of the peace and township super- visor. He was married in Ohio, in 1831, to Miss Annie Snively, of that State. They have eight children, living: Levi, David, Martha (twins), Jo- seph and an infant (twins), Franklin, Abram and Ruth A. Lost three. His ancestors were of Pennsylvania on his father's side. His grandfather and two brothers were in the Revolutionary War.

YANT, DANIEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, P. O. Altoona. Is a native of Stark county, Ohio, born March 29, 1827, and was raised in that State and county until 1855. At that time he came to this county and settled where he now resides. His home farm consists of 420 acres, improved and cultivated He has held the office of township supervisor. His mar- riage was in his native county in January, 1853, to Miss Neoma Hudson, of the same place. They have six children living: Isaiah, Amanda, Harvey, Philip, Finley and Ella.

YANT, LEVI-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 7, P. O. Altoona. Was. born in Stark county, Ohio, February 17, 1833, and followed farming as an occupation until November, 1853. He then accompanied his parents to this. State and settled in Muscatine, and in December, with his father, Anthony Yant, came to this county. He is the owner of 165 acres of improved land. Has been twice married. First, in Muscatine county, Iowa, December 2, 1856, to Miss Nancy B. Randleman, of Illinois. She died in 1874, leaving five children: Scott S., William H., Rosa, Georgia and Nancy E. His second marriage was in Wisconsin, in 1875, to Hannah Sutherland, of New York State.

YANT, ISAIAH-Lumber dealer, Altoona. Was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 29, 1854, and in the spring of 1855 he came with his parents to 65 a

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this county, locating on section 12, of this township. Here he has been raised and educated. He followed farming all his life until the fall of 1879, when he bought the lumber yard of M. Madigan, which he has since con- tinued to keep. He is at present clerk of Clay township. Was married September 2, 1878, to Miss S. E. McPherson, daughter of M. C. McPher- son, of Iowa Center, Story county. She was born in that place. They have one child, Rettie May.

DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.

NKENY, P. D .- Farmer, section 16, P. O. East Des Moines. Was

born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1826, and at the age of five years moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where he lived until 1855, then came West and finally settled in this county in the fall of 1858. He owns 200 acres of well-improved land, good house, orchard, etc. In 1870 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors and served for three years. December 6, 1859, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Judge S. L. Lorah, of Cass county, this State. She is a native of Wayne county, Ohio. They have five children living: Rose, Daisy, Mary Louise, Paul and an infant. Have lost two. Since writing the above Mr. A. has been ap- pointed County Clerk to fill an unexpired term.

B AKER, JOSEPH-Farmer, section 15, P. O. Altoona. Was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, November 8, 1832, and at the age of seven years moved to Wayne county, Indiana; and from there came to Jasper county, this State in the fall of 1854; resided there until 1869, and then came to this county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of im- proved land. He is a plow-maker by trade, and followed that until he came to Iowa, some of the time working at it there, but since residing here he has followed farming. He was married May 17, 1857, to Miss Anna Groves, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, born January 6, 1840. They have nine children: Alida, Sadie, Mary M., Elmer, Maggie M., Wilson, Morris L., Bertha and Rose.

BARLOW, L. W .- Farmer, section 21, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in this county December 24, 1851, and has since resided here. He owns in this township one hundred and eighty acres of improved land. He was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of the late Thos. J. Henderson. She is a native of this county.

BLACKMAN, GEO. W .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Verona, Oneida county, New York, September 10, 1830, and lived there until twenty-five years of age, when he moved to Joliet Ill- inois; engaged in the mercantile business until 1861. Returned to New York, and in 1866 he came to this county and has since resided here. He owns one hundred and fifty-five acres of land well-improved. He has been local minister in the Methodist Church, and has been a member of that de- nomination for thirty-five years. Has been married four times; first, to Miss Harriet R. Adams, a native of the same place as himself. She died April 6, 1861, leaving two children living: A. A. and Inez Elizabeth, and one, Etta Sophia, deceased. He was married the second time to Harrietta L. Adams, sister of the first wife, April 16, 1862. She died February 28, 1867, leaving two children: Nathan L. living, and George E. deceased. He married for his third wife, Alvira Nagle, a native of this county, No- vember 17, 1867. She died May 9, 1873, leaving two children: Charles D.

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living, and Otho W. deceased. His last wife was Miss Rebecca J. Maggart, who was born in Madison county, Indiana. They were married October 9, 1873.

C ARPER, A. G .- Farmer, section 30, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Whitley county, Indiana, and resided in that State until 1864, when he went West. In the fall of 1865 he was captured by the Sioux In- dians and remained a prisoner until 1868, when he was brought away from them in that year by Narsell. From 1869 to 1873 he was guide and inter- preter for the government. In 1873 he was wounded by Red Cloud's band of Sioux Indians, and now carries twenty-one wounds, caused by thirteen different balls. January 29, 1874, he came to this county. Was married March 10, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Clapper, a native of Henry county, In- diana. Mr. Carper is the owner of two hundred acres of land in Harrison county Iowa.

CASE, P. L .- Farmer, section 31, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Delaware county, Ohio, June 7, 1838, and at the age of five years came to this county with his parents. His father is now dead, and his widow lives on the same land which he entered in the year 1847, comprising 160 acres. Our subject received the advantages of a common school education, and is now the owner of thirty-eight acres of land all well-improved. Dur- ing the late war he was mustered into the United States service, in company D, Second Iowa infantry, and served until he was mustered out, May 27, 1864. Participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Bat- tle of Corinth, Bear Creek, Town Creek, Snake Creek and others. He was married in 1864 to Miss Catharine Craft of Hancock county, Indiana. They have eight children now living at home.

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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 119

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