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 124
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STROUD, JOHN-Farmer, section 28, P. O. Ayres' Grove. Was born in England, April 15, 1837. He received the most of his schooling there and in 1847 emigrated to America, landing in New York, from which place he went to Canada. Resided there for two years and then went to Niagara county, New York, finishing his education there. Then commenced farm- ing, which he followed until the fall of 1857, when he moved to Porter county, Indiana, and there continued farming. In 1861 he enlisted in com- pany C, Fifteenth Indiana volunteers, and remained in service about two years. He was honorably discharged and after that returned to Indiana, where he remained until the spring of 1865, then coming to Iowa. He owns eighty acres of improved land. January 20, 1863, he was married in In- diana, to Miss Clara Church. Their family consists of six children: John, Mary M., William H. and Charlotte A., living, and two deceased: Frederick and an infant.
SWAN, CHARLES-Physician, Lincoln. Was born in Oxford county, Maine, September 23, 1839, and when five years of age commenced school, finishing his education at Fryburg Institute, that State, graduating from that institution with high honors. Soon after he commenced the study of law with Augustus Strout, and in 1862 with Dr. Jennis, and remained with
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him about one year, when he went to Washington, D. C., where he got em- ployment as surveyor in the United States Government corps, continuing in that position for one year. In the fall of 1863 he came to Iowa, locating in Muscatine county, where he was engaged in the fruit tree business, and followed that for about two years. On account of ill health he returned to his native State, but soon came again to Muscatine county, and continued in his former business. In the fall of 1868 he went to Maine, remaining there until the fall of 1870, when he came to this county. He here became engaged in the insurance business, and one year later went to Winterset, Madison county, where he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John Cooper, staying with him about two years, then to Dallas Centre, and com- menced the practice of his profession, and in the fall of 1876 came to this county. August 26, 1864, he was married to Miss Julia E. N. Leonard. By this union they have four children: Mary E., Ella D., George T. and Charles A.
TEMPLE, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, P. O. Lincoln. Was born June 30, 1817, and is a native of Yorkshire, England. At the age of twelve years he went on board of a coasting vessel as cabin-boy and fol- lowed the sea for two years, when he gave up his position and commenced farming, continuing the same until the spring of 1832, when he moved to Quebec, Canada. From there he went to Lockport, New York, tended lock on Erie Canal, and also was bowsman, and continued in that position until the fall of 1845, when he went to Illinois, farming there for one year. Then tended lock on Illinois and Michigan Canal. In 1854 he came to this State and settled in Dallas county, where he engaged in stock-raising, following the same until 1865. He then came to this county. Owns a farm of 950 acres of well-improved land. He was married in Lockport, New York, September 15, 1844, to Miss Eliza Day. Had four children: William, Adams, George and Frank. Lost one, John. He married for his second wife Miss Tabitha West. They have nine children: John, Charlie, Fred., Edward, James, Claude, Nellie M., Hannah and Daniel B.
THOMPSON, LUTHER-Dry goods and groceries, Lincoln. Was born. in Wapello county, this State, September 13, 1850, and there received his education. When eighteen years of age he commenced farming and stock- raising and followed the same until the fall of 1879, when he engaged in the mercantile business and has since followed that trade. He is yet a young man but is honored highly by all his acquaintances and thoroughly under- stands his business. He was married in this State, March 30, 1876, to Miss- Ora M. Spicey. They have two children: Francis (born January 27, 1877),, and Estella (born February 19, 1879).
TOWNER, J. W .- Proprietor of Towner's Lake, section 20, P. O. Towner's Lake. The subject of this sketch owes his nativity to Canada. where he was born on the 25th of March, 1834. After obtaining his edu- cation he became engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until 1852, then went to Melbourne, Australia, where he was engaged in mining and also the commission business until 1859, when he returned to his place of birth. He there continued the mercantile business and in 1861 removed to Illinois, remaining there two years, when he went to St. Louis. For two years he was employed in the dry goods and notion firm of H. T. Simon & Gregory, after which he took up his residence in Hunts- ville, Alabama. He there followed his former occupation until 1871, when 66
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he returned to St. Louis and obtained employment in his old firm as trav- eling salesman. In 1874 he came to this county and has since made it his home. His place is one of the best in the county, and the lake, which bears his name, is a delightful summer resort. Boats may be had and the fishing is excellent, as the lake is well supplied with black bass, salmon- trout, California salmon, horned trout and various other varieties. His residence is well located, commanding a good view of the country around. His marriage was in New York State, June 28, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Foster. As the result of this union they have one son, Herbert St. John, (born June 4, 1867).
V EST, F. A .- Farmer, section 32, P. O. Ayres' Grove. Was born in New York, December 9, 1818, and at the age of twelve years emigrated with his parents to Michigan, where he obtained his education. After leaving school he commenced farming and continued therein until 1869, when he came to this county and has since made it his home. He owns seventy-eight acres of land; has a good residence with a fine location. June 30, 1847, he was married in Michigan to Miss Lydia H. Corliss. They have four children: Adelbert (born June 3, 1848), Addison (born September 15, 1850), Frederick (born June 20, 1857), Charles P. (born April 22, 1859). Have lost one son, Egbert (born April 22, 1859, died October 24, 1860).
WHITE, J. A .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, P. O. Ridgedale. Was born in Ohio, October 21, 1836, and at the age of five years commenced school. He finished his education in the High School at Warren, Ohio, after which he became engaged in the lumber business, following it until 1856. He then came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he continued the lumber business and putting up saw mills, and remained there until July, 1857, when he came to this county. In the fall of 1858 he commenced farming and followed that for about one year, when he again became engaged in the lumber busi- ness. In 1864 he returned to the occupation of farming and in the spring of 1866 came to Jefferson township, where he owns a farm of 280 acres of improved land. He is also largely engaged in feeding stock. He was married in Dallas county, Iowa, December 7, 1858, to Miss Florida Boone. They have a family of six children: William N. (born September 4, 1859), Georgie (born September 24, 1861), Jessie O. (born March 6, 1864), Cora N. (born December 30, 1869), Susie N. (born June 12, 1871) and May (born February 3, 1874). Lost one daughter, E. Joetta (born January 21, 1866, died July 23, 1879). Mr. White is a man of good business qualifications and an excellent farmer. E. Joetta White, daughter of the above sketch, on the evening of July 23, 1879, with a party of eight young ladies and children, was bathing in the Des Moines river, eleven miles north of Des Moines. There never was a happier company. As none could swim the intention was to keep in shallow water, three of the young ladies were wading down the stream; they had just been singing "Gently down the stream of time floats my bark toward the sea," when suddenly they stepped into a hole fifteen feet deep. All were nearly downed, and for one "the stream of time" was shortened to a step, and her frail bark floated off alone to the sea of eternity. It seems that the banks of the river could never cease echoing her name, so long, and loud, and pitifully was it shouted by the stricken sisters and friends of the party. All night men searched the river, and in the morning about seven o'clock found her body half a mile below the place where her lovely form first disappeared, as beautiful in
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death as she had been in life. On Friday morning, July 25, her bereaved parents and a large company of relatives and friends laid her to rest in a quiet little grave on the hill near her home. Thus closed the short but beautiful life of a bright young lady, as pure as an angel and as lovely as a flower. She was only thirteen years old, but her womanly dignity, re- serve, judgment and modesty, made her old beyond her years. She is as widely mourned as she was known and loved, and her life, though short, will exert a lasting influence for good over all who remember the pure, un- selfish character of Joetta White.
WILLIAMS, PATRICK-Farmer, section 30, P. O. Lincoln. Was born in Ireland, December 18, 1837, and was there educated. In 1853, he went to England where he commenced farming, and followed the same un- the fall of 1859, when he came to this country, landing in New York. He went from there to Vermont and followed his occupation, and in the fall of 1867 he came to this county, where he has since resided, owning a fine farm of fifty acres, improved. He was married in Vermont, January 10, 1861, to Miss Johanna Mullins. They have a family of six children living: Margaret, James H., Andrew J., Nellie, Patrick and May A. Lost one, Mary.
CROCKER TOWNSHIP.
A LBRECHT, JOHN-Farmer, section 25, P. O. Trent. Was born in Prussia, March 29, 1818, and in 1849 he emigrated to the United States, locating in New Jersey, where he resided until 1859. He then changed his location to this State, and settled in this county, and at once engaged in farming which he has followed to the present time. His farm is well-improved and under cultivation. Was married in 1847 to Ann Haah, also a native of Prussia. They have a family of four children: Louie, Richard, Ernest and Minnie.
ALBRECHT, RICHARD-Farmer, section 25, P. O. Greenwood. Was born on the third of September, 1848, and is a native of Prussia. When only eighteen months old he was brought by his parents to the United States, and immediately located in Newark, New Jersey. There he re- mained eight years, and then removed to Iowa, settling at Davenport, where they remained one year. They then came to this county, and here our subject has since resided. He was married December 3, 1873, to Alber- tena Sente; she was born in Clayton county, this State, September 7, 1851. They have one child, Daniel (born June 13, 1877).
ATKINSON, C. R .- Farmer, section 28, P. O. Saylorville. Was born January 5, 1834, in Henry county, Indiana, and was there raised. In 1855 he came to this county, since which time he has resided both in Kansas and Illinois. In 1875 he returned to this county where he has since resi- ded. During the war he was a member of company C, Ninety-first Illin- ois infantry, enlisting in August, 1862, and serving until the close of the war. He was married in 1856 to Martha Jinkins, a native of Howard county, Indiana, born in 1838. Have five children living: Sarah E., Rhoda J., James, Mary and William. Have buried one child, Elias.
C
REE, C. F .- Proprietor of brick-yard on section 28, P. O. Saylor-
ville. Was born August 9, 1858, in this county, and has here been raised. He was married March 23, 1878, to Miss Mattie Marriott, who was born near Mt. Pleasant, this State. They have one child, Roscoe Blaine;
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have lost one. Mr. Cree is now (1880), engaged in the manufacture of brick at the yard formerly owned by his father, and manufacturing a su- perior article. The majority of the brick houses in this portion of the country were built of the brick made in this yard, besides supplying the- Des Moines market with a large quantity each year. He burns on an aver- about four hundred thousand per year.
CREE, J. M .- Farmer, section 36, P. O. Trent. Was born in Monroe . county, Ohio, November 23, 1833, and when six years of age his parents removed to Washington county, that State, where he resided until he came. to Iowa in April, 1855. He then located in this county. October 27,. 1857, he was married to Lydia J. Howard, who departed this life January 22, 1871, leaving two children: Charles F. and Nellie M. He married again November 23, 1871, Miss Leonora, daughter of Franklin Nagle, of this township, and was born and raised in this county. They have three children: Harry C., Minnie V. and Raymond. Mr. Cree was elected town- ship clerk of this township in 1876, and has since been occupying that po- sition.
D' IETZ, CONRAD -- Farmer, section 21, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Heisen, Germany, October 9, 1816, and was there raised, following farming in summer and weaving during the winters. In August, 1842,. he came to the United States, and first settled in Cambria county, Penn- sylvania. He came to Iowa in 1846 for the purpose of looking up a loca- tion, and in the subsequent year settled in Polk county, on the farm on which he now resides, being one of the very first settlers in his part of the county; he has a fine farm of four hundred acres in section 22, and fifty- eight acres in section 21. He was married February 20, 1848, to Miss Susan Mill, who was born near Dayton, Ohio; have nine children living: Francis, David, Hannah, Mahala, Lyda L., Barbara, Elizabeth, George W. and Susan A. Lost one child, John F. Besides being one of the oldest settlers in his neighborhood, he is among the most highly respected citizens of the township.
DIETZ, D .- Farmer, section 27, P. O. Ankeny. Was born in this county March 19, 1850, and has been raised here. His father, Conrad Deitz, being one of the first settlers of the township. He was married Feb- ruary 17, 1875, to Amy Bell, who was born in Hamilton county, this State in 1855. They have one child, Sarah A. (born in February, 1876).
DILWORTH, CHARLES H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 3, P. O. Polk City. The subject of this sketch was born September 28, 1838, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he was raised and educated. In 1857 he removed to Delaware where he resided until 1868, when he came to Iowa, locating in this county. In 1871 he removed to Boone and was there en- gaged in the mercantile business for four years. At the end of that time he returned on his farm, where he has since resided. His farm consists of 387 acres of fine farming land, and besides farming he is extensively engaged in stock-raising and feeding. He was in 1871 united in marriage to Anna Mox- ley. They have two children: Nellie M. and Bertha M. During the war he served in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania infantry, en- listing August 2, 1862, and served the term for which his regiment was en- listed, nine months. He afterward served for a short time in the Twenty- ninth Pennsylvania infantry, participating in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Chancellorsville.
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F IEGENBAUM, A. H .- Farmer, section 14, P. O. Ankeny. Was born March 7, 1855, and is a native of Lake county, Indiana. His father being a Methodist minister his residence in various places was necessarily of short duration. He received his education at the Iowa Wesleyan University, where he attended school for three years. Since 1875 he has been engaged in teaching in this county, having been a resident here since 1869. He is at present (1880) living on his father's farm, near Ankeny, and besides teaching the schools of that village, superintends the work on the farm. In 1879 he was elected justice of the peace for Crocker township, being perhaps the youngest official occupying that position in the county.
H ARVEY, H. M .- Farmer, section 27, P. O. Saylorville. Was born in
Shelby county, Indiana, January 10, 1835, where his parents con- tinned to reside until he was fourteen years of age, when they came to this county, where he has since resided. He was married November 18, 1859, to Miss Arabelle Nagle. She was born February 4, 1842, in Belmont county, Ohio. Her father, Franklin Nagle, was one of the pioneers of this county. They have seven children: Jasper C., Ellen, Albert R., Mary B., Lewis B., William and Charles. Have lost one, Pearl. Mr. Harvey's father was also one of the early settlers of the county, coming here in the fall of 1848. Mr. H. has frequently been elected to positions of trust in his township.
HAVENS, T. W .- Farmer, section 25, P. O. Ankeny. Was born March 5, 1834, in Groveland, New York, and resided in that State until 1864, when he moved to Michigan, remaining there until 1869. He then came to Iowa, settling in Polk county. He was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hitchcock, in 1854, June 10. She is a native of New York State, and was born in 1837. They have one child living, Franklin. Lost one, Lillie. In the fall of 1877 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace. Has also held the office of township clerk, which forcibly demonstrates the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors.
HEILEMAN, FRED .- Farmer, section 25, P. O. Ankeny. Was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, May 31, 1834, and in 1850 emigrated to the United States, first settling in New York City, where he engaged in clerk- ing. He remained there nine years and from there went to Rhode Island, where he remained for six years, and then enlisted in the war of the rebellion, serving three years in company E, Second Rhode Island in- fantry. From that State he came West, locating in Wisconsin, and from there came to Iowa, settling in Des Moines, residing there for nine years. Most of that time he was engaged in the restaurant and gro- cery business. In 1876 he removed on the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1860, September 20, to Caroline Huttenlocher. She was born in Wurtemburg, December 16, 1832. They have five children living: Carry L., Hattie E., Anna M., Frederick C. and William H. Have lost three: Mary, Emma and Lilly.
TONES, RICHARD R .- Farmer, section 19, P. O. Polk City. The subject of this sketch is of Welsh descent, having been born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, December 18, 1823. He emigrated to the United States in 1844, first settling in Racine, Wisconsin, where he re- mained for four years. He then removed to Chicago, Illinois, and re- sided there twenty-four years, during thirteen of which he was engaged in working at his trade of carpenter, for one firm. In 1875 he removed to Iowa, settling in this county. In 1859 he married Miss Elizabeth Pierce. She died in 1866, leaving two children: Margaret H. and John
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P. He was again married in 1868, to Mrs. Ruth Morris. She has one child by a former marriage, Benjamin J. Mr. Jones has a farm of 283 acres, a portion of which is timber and the remainder river bottom land.
K ENNEDY, JOHN N .- Farmer, section 36, P. O. Ankeny. This gentleman is a native of Clermont county, Ohio, where he was born February 23, 1817. His parents removed to Indiana when he was very young, and there he was raised, making it his home until he came to Iowa. In 1854 he came to this county, and was one of the first settlers on the prairie portion of Crocker township. Soon after arriving here, he proceeded to set out an orchard, notwithstanding the many discouragements he met with from those who pretended that orchards in Iowa would only grow close to timber. Time has shown that he knew what he was doing, and he now has, and has had for years, one of the best orchards in this portion of the county. September 23, 1846, he was married to Eliza Noble. She was also born in Clermont county, Ohio, January 20, 1826. They have two children: J. W. and Elizabeth F. (now Mrs. A. M. Austin). Have lost two: Maria J. and Maggie. Since residing in the county, he has ever taken an active part in everything that tends to make a county prosperous, such as schools, church organizations, etc.
L ANE, RICHARD-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Saylorville. Was born March 9, 1810, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, where he was raised. He came from Muskingum county, Ohio, to Polk county, Iowa, in 1855, and has since resided here. Owns a farm of 176 acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He was united in marriage in October, 1839, to Susan Blunt, a native of Ohio. They have nine children living: Melina (now Mrs. Frank Richart), James W., Jesse, Hettie (now Mrs. H. Taylor), Thompson, Hezekiah, John H., Mary (now Mrs. Henry. Thompson) and Arabella (now Mrs. S. McClain). Have lost three: Au- gusta, Martha and Louisa. For a man of his age, Mr. Lane is remarkably well preserved, although he has done, in his day, much laborious work.
M ARRIOTT, H. T .- Farmer, section 33, 1 .. O. Saylorville. Was born November 28, 1833, in Licking county, Ohio, where he was raised, and in 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Linn county. There he resided until the spring of 1856, when he removed to Missouri, remaining for four years, when he returned to this State and settled in Henry county. He made that county his home until 1870, when he came to this county. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Rice, September 28, 1855. She died in 1876; leaving three children: W. H., Martha P. (now Mrs. Chas. Cree) and Charles T. He was married again November 1, 1877, to Eunice Larason, a native of Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Marriott is one of the many prosperous farmers of his township, having a fine farm of 225 acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation.
MARTS, MRS. ALMIRA-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, March 18, 1838, and came with her parents to Iowa in 1852, her maiden name being Breighler. Her husband, Mr. D. C. Marts was one of the first settlers of this county, settling here in 1848. She was married to him June 30, 1867, and he died December 1, 1879, leaving six children by a former marriage: J. C., Lenora, Sophrona, William, James and Laura. By his last marriage he had four children: Loran, Brenton C., Bertha A. and David A. His first wife, Susannah E. Breighler, is a sister of our sketch, to her, he was married November 27, 1851, and she died May 4, 1865. The estate consists of a farm of 160
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acres, all under cultivation and having on it one of the best farm houses in the township.
MILLER, GEORGE J .- Farmer, section 4, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Baden, Germany, February 22, 1843 and resided there until he came to the United States in 1857. He first settled in Pennsylvania, remaining there for some two years and then came West and located in McDonough county, Illinois; from there he came to this county and remained until 1864 when he went to Montana, residing in that Territory until 1871. He then returned to Polk county. May 18, 1871, he was married to Caroline C. Brobeil, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children: John W., Minnie E., George P. and Dore K. Mr. Miller is the owner of 300 acres of land in good cultivation. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising and feeding.
N TAGLE, FRANKLIN-Farmer, section 23, P. O. Saylorville. As one of the early pioneers of Iowa, this subject is deserving of more than a passing notice. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 17, 1804, and resided in his native place until he came to Iowa, locating in Van Buren county, in 1842. There he resided until 1846, when he came to Polk county, and has resided on his present farm ever since. He took an active part in the early development of the county and has ever been looked upon as one of Polk county's most prominent and influential farmers and since residing in his township has held various offices of trust. In an early day he held the office of justice of the peace, and many are the couples who have been united by him in the holy bonds of matrimony. For his age, he is a man remarkably well-preserved, looking and acting younger than many men do at forty-five, which shows that his has been a well-spent life. His home, like those of most all the early settlers is ever a hospitable one, pre- sided over by a very estimable and much-beloved mother and wife. He was married October 31, 1826, to Rebecca Jackson. She was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1806. They have nine children living: Thaddeus W., Thomas M., Adeline (now Mrs. Thomas Saylor), Webster, Josephine (now Mrs. Joseph Tiara), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Samuel Geddes), Arabelle (now Mrs. Henry Harvey), Lucina (now Mrs. Hayden Gregg) and Leonora (now Mrs. John M. Cree). Have lost three. Mr.' N. has a fine farm of 280 acres, well improved and in a good state of, culti- vation.
P ARMENTER, EDWARD-Farmer, section 22, P. O. Saylorville. Was born June 2, 1832, in Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, and when six years of age removed with his parents to Ohio, settling in Athens county, and was there raised. In 1855 he came to this county and located in Des Moines, where he followed his trade (blacksmithing) for some seven years and then moved upon his present farm. He owns 352 acres in his home farm and also 120 acres on sections 27 and 28. He has held various offices of trust since residing in this township. He married Anna E. Poter, of Guthrie county, August 20, 1862. They have seven children living: Ella J., Sabert E., Flora E., John D., Vinnie A., Walter E. and Eda M. Have lost two: Joseph L. and an infant.
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