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 121
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G REER, WILLIAM N .- Fruit-grower, section 25, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1824, and at the age of seventeen years moved with his parents to Dear- born county, Indiana, living there until 1853, when he moved to Scott county, this State. He had previously entered his farm in 1850, and re- sided there until 1869, when he came to this county and has since resided
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here. Owns ten acres of land all in fruit and in good condition. During the war he raised company C, Second Iowa cavalry, in Scott county, and went into camp as captain of his company August 9, 1863. During the winter of 1861-2 he resigned, on account of disability. Mr. Greer was married February 15, 1854, to Miss Margaret H. Espey, who was born in Ohio county, Indiana, June 23, 1829. They have one son living, John L. Lost one, William H. They have also an adopted daughter, Clara K.
H ARRIS, N. J .- Of the firm of Harris Bros., proprietors of Des
Moines Nursery and Fruit Groves, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Clay county, Indiana, in 1841, and was raised there until 1851, when he came to this State with his parents, settling in Boone county. In 1853 he came to this county. For ten years previous to en- gaging in his present calling he taught school. His early education was in the schools of this county, which he supplemented with a three years' course at the Mt. Pleasant University. Was married in this county in 1872, to Miss Martha J. Hendricks, a native of Iowa. They have a family of three children living: Martha May, Jasper Carey and Margaret S.
HERRICK, OSCAR D .- Farmer, section 10, P. O. Saylorville. Is a native of Penobscot county, Maine, and was born on the 24th day of April, 1841. When seven years of age he removed with his parents to Illinois and resided there until the outbreak of the war. On the 30th of Septem- ber, 1861, he enlisted in company K, Ninth Illinois cavalry, and served the term of his enlistment, which was for three years. After the war he came to this State, settling in Poweshiek county, and then came to this county in 1871. He was married in Bureau county, Illinois, October 11, 1865, to Miss Hannah P. Hazard, a native of Peoria, Illinois. She died January 24, 1880, leaving six children: Luie Priscilla, George Ellsworth, Mary Otis, Edward Burt, Richard Franklin and Harriet Priscilla.
TONES, SAMUEL-Farmer, section 23, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1813, and when fifteen years of age moved to Ohio; then from there came to this county in 1848, and has since resided here, most of the time on his present homestead. Has always followed farming as an occupation and now owns a good farm. He was married in Ohio on the 28th of February, 1844, at which time Miss Eunice Powers became his wife. She was born March 10, 1826, and died in 1863, leaving nine children: Albert M. (born No- vember 20, 1844), Sarah E. (born December 12, 1846), Mary E. (born April 28, 1848), Calvin (born December 23, 1851), Alfred (born July 9, 1854), Emma R. (born March 24, 1857), and Samuel (born February 28, 1863). Two are deceased: Hannah E. (born May 23, 1856, died April 20, 1877), and Margaret (born November 18, 1860, died August 13, 1870).
L EWIS, WILLIAM-Farmer, section 1, P. O. Trent. Was born in Butler county, Ohio, April 17, 1817, and in 1824 moved with his parents to Shelby county, Indiana. In 1838 he went to New Orleans and from there came to this county in 1848. The year following he came again, and also in 1850, but did not permanently settle with his family until the fall of 1853. He brought the first load of wheat to Des Moines and had to haul it back. In 1857 he planted the first corn with a planter, and an ox team, in the county. Has been clerk of Camp township and also justice of the peace for four years, and was clerk when that officer was secretary of the school board. He was married in Shelby county, Indiana, in March, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Haskins, a native of Kentucky but raised in Indi-
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ana. They have seven children: Lucinda, Isabel, Thomas A., Elsie, Lottie and Mary. Two sons are dead.
M cCLELLAND, NAT .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 16, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in Cecil county, Maryland, May 14, 1841, and was raised there until 1850. He then came to this State with his parents, who first settled in Des Moines, and in 1859 came to his present location, engaging in farming and stock raising, which he has made his oc- cupation since. His farm now consists of 210 acres of well-improved land. His marriage was in this county, January 31, 1867, to Miss Wealthy Clark, who was born in New York State and was raised there until she came to this State with her parents about the year 1860. By this union they have two sons and one daughter: Albert, Gideon and Sarah. Lost one daugh- ter, Mary E. His father was a native of Maryland and his mother of Eng- land, but she came to this country when a child.
McLEAN, JOHN-Steward of the county poor-farm, section 12, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in the northern part of Ireland, near Belfast, and was raised there until nearly of age, when he emigrated to the United States and settled near Cleveland, Ohio. He resided in that State up to the time he came to this county, in 1869, when he settled in Madison town- ship and engaged in farming, which has always been his occupation. He lost his father when he was twelve years of age, and from that time fought his own way in the world. He is now the owner of 1322 acres of land. In 1877 he took charge of the poor-farm and has since been its steward. Has been township trustee and for four years was treasurer of the township be- fore it was organized into independent districts. Has been twice married. First, in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, in 1845, to Miss Isabella. McBride, a na- tive of Ireland, who died in 1862, leaving seven children: Anie J. (wife of Thomas L. Dyer, of Polk City), William J., James N., George W., Mary L., S., and Robert H. Married the second time, in the same county, in 1865, to Mary Robertson, a native of Connecticut, raised in Ohio. Have four children: Elizabeth M., Arthur, H. G. and Ida.
S AYLOR, JOHN B .- Deceased. Was born in Franklin county, Indi- ana, April 11, 1807, and there was raised until fifteen years of age, his time being divided between working at the mason's trade and farming. His father being a mason, he naturally worked at that business more or less. He re- moved to Indianapolis and there married, in 1826, to a lady by the name of Margaret S. Poage, who died in about two and one-half years, leaving one child, who has since died. His second marriage was near Logansport, Indi- ana, March 18, 1824, to Mrs. Mary Saylor, whose maiden name was Howard. She had one son by a former marriage who is now living in this county, Thomas J. Mr. Saylor came to this State, May 28, 1838, locating in Van Buren county. In April, 1859, he went to the mountains on a prospecting tour and returned that same fall. He died at Vicksburg, July 26, 1863, leaving seven children: Austin W., Avis C., W. A. and George S. living, and three deceased: James A., John Q. A. and Alvin H.
SAYLOR, THOMAS J .- Farmer, section 11, P. O. Saylorville. Is the son of John B. Saylor, deceased, and was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 24th of March, 1831. June 6, 1837, he came with his parents to this State, locating in Van Buren county, where his father took a claim. For one year he settled in Wapello county, and then went back to the old place, remaining till he came to this county in February, 1845. He came here for his father with cattle to fill a contract with the government, and
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Mr. Saylor, senior, came the May following. His education was received in the common schools and in 1860 he went to Pike's Peak country and en- gaged in mining, but his principal avocation was farming. Remained for eight months and on the 15th of July, 1861, he went out with Captain Mitchell to protect the citizens from the Indians. After his return he en- listed, August 1, 1862, in company E, Twenty-third Iowa volunteer infan- try and served until August 14, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Davenport, but was mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas. In 1871 he went to that State and remained for one year and then returned to this county. When he enlisted he was made fourth sergeant and was orderly sergeant when mustered out. His marriage was in this county, February 16, 1851, to Miss Adaline Nagle, of Ohio. They have a family of six children: J. F., C. F., Lizzie Ione, Lillian May, Mattie Evaline and Duckie.
SMITH, J. J .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 26, P. O. East Des Moines. Was born in 1833 near Montreal, Canada, but was raised in Rich- land county, Ohio, about six miles from Mansfield. He came to this county in the year 1854. His occupation through life has been farming, and he now owns over 213 acres of land, well improved. He was married in this connty in 1865, to Miss Jane McFarlane Thompson, a native of In- diana. They have two children living: Ida M. and William A. They have taken one son to raise, Harry.
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C LOSE, W. R .- Farmer and brick-maker, section 28, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Madison, Indiana, September 8, 1816, and was there raised. He learned the trade of brick-making while young, and followed it there until the spring of 1840, when he removed to Fulton county, Illinois. There followed his trade and in September, 1847, he came to Fort Des Moines, and still resides in the county. Does a large business, both in brick-making and farming, and owns a well-improved farm of 150 acres. His dwelling is a large brick structure, well located. Mr. Close has been twice married. First, in Scott county, Indiana, August 15, 1839, to Miss Belinda V. Smith. They had by this union nine children, seven of whom are now living: James N., Mary F., Benj. S., Napoleon B., Sarah P., Hettie M. and Belinda V. Two are deceased: William L. (who died in the army) and Samuel D. His second marriage was to Priscilla Long. They have four children living: Anna E., Erastus, Marinda M. and Oliver R. Lost two: Sherman and Rosaltha.
CROSTHWAIT, E. G .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, P. O. Des Moines. Was born December 26, 1819, in Johnson county, Illinois, where he was educated and raised. He engaged in farming and followed it there until April, 1852, when he came to Iowa, locating in Warren county. In the spring of 1853 he went to Indianola and built an extensive flour mill, which he continued to keep and run until 1855; also dealt extensively in stock, and had a half interest in the dry goods house of J. C. Reed, of Des Moines. In 1861 he held the position of aid to the Governor, and also to the close of the war. In 1865 he came to Des Moines, became extensively engaged in the stock business and followed that until September, 1878, when he came to this township. Owns a good farm of 300 acres, well-improved, and it is one of the best sheltered and watered farms in the county. His res-
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idence is located on the banks of Beaver Creek and is surrounded by a fine orchard and shade trees. Mr. C. has been twice married. First in Fulton county, Illinois, February 4, 1840, to Miss Margaret Craig. They had five children, four of whom are living: Mary A., Nancy M., Thomas M. and William T. One is deceased, Alfred M. His second marriage was March 4, 1862, to Sarah E. Cobb.
F INK, W. W .- Author and elocutionist. Was born in Missouri, on the 8th day of November, 1844, and when four years of age came with his parents to Polk county, Iowa, and was educated at the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, and was graduated in 1870. He then returned to this county and engaged in the coal business and continued in the same until 1877. Having a talent for writing and public speaking, and having attained a reputation in this line, the demand for his services led him to re- linquish his business and devote his time to these qualifications for which he is so eminently fitted. He was married February 21, 1871, to Miss E. C. Allen, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, also a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University. Mr. Fink served in company E, twenty-third Iowa during three years of the war.
G RAHAM, D. J .- Farmer, section 18, P. O. Des Moines. Was born In Ohio, February 11, 1828, where his youth was spent. He attended the common schools, after which he engaged in teaching, and followed the same until 1853, when, on account of his health he was obliged to give up his occupation. Then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1856, when he came to this county, and has since resided here, following farming. August 13, 1862, he enlisted at St. Jo., Missouri, in company D, Thirty-fifth Missouri infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out. Participated in several battles, among which was St. Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863. Mr. Graham has been three times married. First in Richland county, Ohio, September 4, 1851, to Miss Rhoda Imes. They had two children, one of whom, James W., is now living, and one deceased, John B. He married for his second wife Elizabeth Lawson, December 2, 1857. They had ten children, six of whom are now living: William E., Mary C., Jacob M., David A., Henry A. and Ben. B. Lost four: George E., Harry N. and two unnamed. His third marriage was April 30, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Hammond. They have two children: Melville J. and Chas. W.
T TICKMAN, G. W .- Farmer, fruit-raiser and brick-maker. Was born in Indiana, December 8, 1826, and was raised on a farm. June 1, 1848, he came to this county and is now the owner of a farm of ninety acres, improved, which he entered from the government. He has an orchard comprising 2,000 trees and bears the reputation of being one of the best fruit- raisers in the county. He has an apiary of thirty-four hives and devotes considerable attention to this business. In the spring of 1870 he first started the brick business and is quite extensively engaged in it. His mar- riage was in Indiana, September 17, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Booe. They have five children: Philip A., Sarah H., Eva M., Laura S., Edgar T. and Rosa C. Mr. H. is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the county. IMBLE, C. F .- Farmer, section 19, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in
K New York, December 4, 1838, and there received his education, after which he engaged in farming there and followed the same until De- cember, 1853. Then came to Polk county, and since that time has made it his home, being engaged in farming and fruit-raising. He is the owner
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of thirty-eight and a half acres of land, improved. On the 11th of Febru- ary, 1863, he was united in marriage, to Miss Martha J. Barnes. As a re- sult of this union four children were born to them: Frank R., Glenn B., Clyde and Lillie C.
KINGMAN, A. S .- Fruit-grower, section 6, P. O. Des Moines. Was born on the 11th of October, 1827, in Monroe county, and raised in Genesee county, New York. In the spring of 1850 he came to this county and set- tled on his present place, engaging in the fruit business in a small way, and has continued to build up an extensive business. His fruit and nursery farm is second to none in the county, and is as near complete as any in this section. His homestead consists of ninety-five acres of good land, every- thing to make home comfortable. He also owns 370 acres in this county. Was married July 25, 1854, to Miss Eliza J. Higbee, born in St. Joe county, Michigan, May 29, 1837. They have thirteen children living: Frank D., Charles S., Belle S., Ida M., Virgil, Hattie L., Etta, Albert M., Lottie, Harry W., Tupper, Irving and Gracie. Lost two: Frank D. and Virgil.
KINSEY, ED .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born on the 6th of January, 1835, in Wales, and there was raised. When nineteen years of age he emigrated to America, landing in New York, and from there went to Ohio, where he commenced farming, and in May, 1855, came to this county, where he has since resided, following farming. Owns over 145 acres of improved land and his home is nicely located. He was married in this county on the 5th of June, 1856, to Miss Marilda Wolf. By this union they have three children living: Emma A., Elmer and Fred. Have lost two: John and Frankie.
KINYON, B. N .- Gardener and fruit-grower, section 33, P. O. Des Moines. Was born on the 5th of March, 1821, in New York, and was there raised. He received good educational advantages, having been educated in the Delancey Institute, of which one Mr. McHughes was principal. After leaving school he commenced the study of law, and in October, 1846, re- moved to Tishomingo county, Mississippi, was there admitted to the bar, and at once commenced to practice. He continued in his profession until 1862, when he came to Des Moines and followed his occupation. Here he remained until 1871, when he gave up the practice of his profession and re- tired to his place in Valley township. Here he owns a tract of land con- sisting of twenty acres, of which fifteen acres are devoted to the raising of fruit and vegetables. His marriage was in Alabama, in October, 1853, to Miss Harriet N. Driver. They have had a family of four children, two of whom are living: Benjamin N. and Violet V. Lost two: Ida I. and an infant.
L ANE, C. C .- Dairyman, section -, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, January 22, 1836, and resided there until he came to this county in the year 1869. He engaged at once in the dairy business and has followed that since. Has increased the number of his cows and now has one of the finest places around. He is the owner of 125 acres in Polk county and eighty acres in Dallas county, and also owns a house and lot on Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, all improved and in good condition. His marriage was to Miss Eveline Mears, a native of the same place as himself, born April 8, 1835. She died November 7, 1879, leaving six children: Emerson L., Nellie L., Delbert ()., Arthur C., Edney
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and Edmund, all at home, except Emerson, who is at present in Col- orado.
LAWSON, M. H .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Pennsylvania, York county, and lived there until ten years of age. He then removed to Indiana, where his education was completed, after which he learned the trades of carpenter and millwright. These he followed in that State until the spring of 1855, when he came to this county, continuing his occu- pation until the fall of 1857. Then became engaged in the saw-mill business, and in the spring of 1864 he commenced farming, and has since followed that business, now owning a farm of 200 acres, improved and under culti- vation. Mr. Lawson has been twice married. First in Indiana, September 6, 1854, to Miss Abigal Finnick, who died October 3, 1872, leaving eleven children: John F., Mary M., Jacob D., William A., Henry E., Mari!da E., and Minnie R., living, and three deceased: Sarah A. and two unnamed. Mrs. Lawson was an estimable lady, a devoted wife and a loving mother. She had many friends and was beloved by all who knew her and many mourned her loss. Mr. L. was married the second time September 30, 1874, to Miss Christiana Rittgers.
LAYMAN, E. H .- Farmer, section 28, P. O. Des Moines. This gen- tleman owes his nativity to Indiana, where he was born December 24, 1844. After being educated there he engaged in the confectionery busi- ness, following the same until the spring of 1861. He then raised a com- pany for the Fifty-fifth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry and afterward again recruited a company for the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana in- fantry. The last company that he recruited was for the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana, and he served until November, 1865, then being mustered out as captain of company C, One Hundred and Forty-ninth In- diana volunteer infantry, at Nashville. After the war he went to Indian- apolis, where he was paid off, and then returned to his place of birth. Af- ter this, in the spring of 1866, he came to this county and has since resided here, and, in company with his brother, owns 500 acres of land. He was married in Gosport, Indiana, March 3, 1869, to Miss Maggie Cornelius, daughter of Rev. William H. Cornelius. They have five children living: Albert W., Jennie K., George H., Cornelius and Wonderlich. Lost one, Estes Howe.
LAZENBY, JEREMIAH-Farmer, section 8, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ontario county, New York, June 29, 1824, and in the fall of 1856 removed to Branch county, Michigan, where he lived until he came to this county, in the fall 1867. Has resided on this farm since and now owns fifty-six acres of land, all in good cultivation, the largest part of which is in small fruit and orchards. On the 15th of November, 1849, Miss Frances C. Perrigo, a native of Burlington, Vermont, became his wife. She was born September 1, 1830. They have two children: Frederick D. and Charlotte M.
M cCONNELL, M .- Dairyman, section 31, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Newark, New Jersey, July 27, 1850, and was there raised and educated. After completing his schooling he emigrated with his par- ents to this county, and has since lived here, being engaged in the dairy business. He has over thirty cows, which average about fifty gallons of milk per day. His marriage was in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of January, 1880, when Miss Elizabeth Knox became his wife.
MCKEON, P .- Farmer, section 29, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ireland, February 1, 1827, and there was raised. In the spring of 1847 he
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emigrated to the United States, landing in New York, and from there went to Genesee, Monroe county, where he became engaged in farming. This he continued at that place until the spring of 1856, when he came to this county and now owns 223 acres of well-improved land. Has a dairy of eighteen cows and raised a good deal of fruit. He found a wife in the per- son of Miss Kate Fay, whom he married in Buffalo, on the 10th of May, 1856. By this union they had nine children, of whom seven are now liv- ing: Julia, James, Mary J., Celia, Sarah, Anne and John. Two are de- ceased: George F. and Kate.
McPHERSON, A. R .- Farmer, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ohio on the 6th day of June, 1845, and there lived until he reached his majority. After receiving his education he engaged in following agri- cultural pursuits and this he continued until the spring of 1875, at which time he came to this county. Since that time he has resided here, follow- ing farming. His marriage was in Ohio, March 10, 1875, when Miss Eleanor Hoffman became his wife. They have one child, Willie C., born May 31, 1878.
OLAND, JOSIAH-Farmer, dairyman and fruit-grower, section 7,
P P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 22, 1833, and in the fall of 1857 came to this State, locating in Jef- ferson county, where he remained three years. Then moved to Worth county, Missouri, and from there to DeKalb county, same State, residing at the latter place until 1862. He lived in Appanoose county, this State, for three or four years and thence to Monroe county, living there until 1878 when he came to this county, and settled on his present farm. He has a good homestead and beside farming runs a dairy and fruit wagon. On the 6th of December, 1858, Miss Eliza N. Chrisman became his wife. She was born in Clarke county, Indiana, December 31, 1843. They have nine chil- dren: Mary E., John W., Katie, Alice May, Lydia, James, Clara, Ida and Mertie.
R ITCHART, D. F .- Farmer, section 19, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1834, and at the age of five years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was raised. He moved to Virginia after leaving school and while there learned the tinner's trade, which he' followed until 1858. Then came to Des Moines and continued his trade and in 1860 came to his present location, where he has since resided, own- ing a fine farm of 180 acres, well improved. His marriage was in this county, October 16, 1863, to Miss Melissa Lane. The result of this union was eight children, seven of whom are now living: Catharine E., Frank- lin, Charlie, John, Jessie, Ellen and Ettie. One is deceased, Albert.
ROGERS, H. Y .- Fruit-grower and nurseryman, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 4, 1825, and in the spring of 1850 came to this county, remaining for two years and a: half, when he returned to Hillsborough, Ohio. Resided there for four years, then came again to this county, and has since lived here. During the. early part of his life he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for twenty-five years, and for ten years has resided on his present place. Owns fourteen acres of land in fruit and vegetables. His fruit trees are in good bearing condition. July 10, 1846, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Smith, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 25, 1824. They
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