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 130
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D AVIS, A. T .- Farmer, section 2, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Licking county, Ohio, on the 10th of April, 1829, and while a small boy his parents removed to Henry county, where he was raised on a farm and came from there to this county in September, 1848. Has never been out of the county to exceed three months at any one time since. He was one of the jurymen on the first murder case in this county, that of Pleas Foutz for killing his wife, and since he has resided here has held various
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positions of trust in this township. His homestead consists of 251 acres of well-improved land. He has been twice married. First, in 1848, to Miss Matilda Haines, of Indiana, who died in October, of 1857, and left five children: Samuel, Louisa, Benjamin, Susannah and Henrietta. His sec- ond marriage was in this county to Almina Blashfield, in April of 1858. They have a family of seven children living: George, Rosanna, Charlie, Lewis, John, Edward and Lucretia.
E GLESTON, HARRIS-Of the firm of Egleston & Stubbs, proprie- tors of the Polk City Flouring Mills. Was born in Monroe county, New York, October 7, 1846, and while yet a small boy, his parents emi- grated to Canada, where he was raised till about fifteen years of age, when he moved to the State of Michigan. When about 18 years old he learned the distilling business, which he followed as an occupation till he came to Des Moines, in 1866, and engaged in the milling business, where he remained till 1874, when he came to his present location. He found a wife in the person of Miss Lizzie Terrell, whom he married January 30, 1870. She was born in Ohio. They have a family of four children living; three sons and one daughter: Frank, Fred, Harry and Dolly Belle.
G T ORTON, WILLIAM-Farmer, section 36, P. O. Polk City. Was born in New York, on the 16th of September, 1836, and while there learned the tanner's trade, which he followed until the spring of 1865. He then sold out his business and went to farming. In the spring of 1872 he came to this county, and owns a farm of 131 acres. He was married in New York, December 25, 1857, to Mary D. Rappleye. They have had eight children, of whom five are living: Merritt, Herbert, Lancaster, Henry and William; lost three: Jennie M., Luellen and Stanley.
GRAEBER, PHILIP-Farmer, section 15, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Germany, January 8, 1838, and when eight years of age, emigrated with his parents to America, landing in New York. From there he came to Iowa and located in Lee county, and was engaged in farming there until the spring of 1878, when he came to this county. He owns a farm of 260 acres of land. Was married in Lee county, December 10, 1861, to Miss Margaret Brandle. They have eight children: Philip, Willie, Robert, Margaret, Katie, Jacob, George and Augustave A.
GRIGSBY, C .- Farmer, section 10, P. O. Sheldahl. The subject of this sketch is a native of Guernsey county, Ohio. Born February 14, 1830. He was raised there and has always made farming his occupation. He came to Illinois, and from there to this county in 1854, where he has re- sided since. He was married in 1854, in Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, to Miss Margaret J. Ginivan of Guernsey country. They have a family of five children living: Milton W., George W., Elmer, William and Anna. They have lost one, Elbert. His home consists of 176 acres of well- improved land.
GRIGSBY, J. H .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1826, and when two years old, his parents emigrated to Guernsey county, Ohio, and this was his home till he came to this State in 1852. Settled on his present homestead in May of 1853, and it now comprises 230 acres of fine land. He has held the office of trustee of his township a number of terms, and various other offices of trust. He was first married in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1848, to Miss Susanna Warden of that State, who died in 1858 and left three children: Maria, Daniel and G. W., and Margaret, dead.
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His second marriage was in 1859, to Nancy J. Wolgamott of Ohio, and by this marriage they have seven sons and three daughters living: Ora Belle, David, Miranda, Cornelius, John, Grant, Edward, Jennie, Elsie E. and Otha; and one dead, Robert.
H AWKINS, A. J .- Farmer, section 6, P. O. Swede Point. Was born at Constantine, Michigan, in 1831, and while an infant removed with his parents to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he resided until about ten years of age. His father having died, he, with his brothers, was bound out to learn a trade, and worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age. His educational advantages were limited, having attended school but a few weeks. In May, 1851, he visited this county, returned to Indiana and re- mained until 1852, and one year later came again to this county, but only staid a short time. He went back to Elkhart and worked as fireman on the Air Line Railroad, and in 1854 came here, remaining until April, 1855, when he started across the plains to California, arriving in El Dorado county in August of that year. For about a year he was engaged in work- ing in the El Dorado saw mill, and then went to mining which he contin- ued for some time. He worked on a ranch, herding sheep, and also en- gaged in the dairy business. He worked on a ranch near Marysville, on Bear river, and thence to Frazier river, in the British Pass, to prospect for gold, but his provisions giving out he was obliged to return, but after three months went again to El Dorado county, California. He worked on an emigrant road a short time, blasting rock, thence to Sinsin Valley, and after a short time went to San Fransisco, where he embarked on the steamer Golden Gate for Panama, crossed the Isthmus and took steamer for New York, arrived in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1858. In March, 1859, he came to this county and purchased the land on which he now resides. In Decem- ber, 1859, was married to Emily Bates, of Elkhart county, Indiana. In July, 1861, Mr. Hawkins enlisted as a private in company A, Tenth Iowa infantry volunteers. Was wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863, by a ball passing near the base of the brain. Served three years
and three months and was discharged September 24, 1864, returning home. He engaged in farming until May, 1870, when he sold out and started for Kansas. He got as far as Hamburg, this State, when he changed his mind and went up the Missouri river a short distance above Yankton, Dakota, but not liking the country he came back to this county in August, and bought his present farm. They have three children living, all of whom were born in this township: Mary Isabell, William L. and Frank O. Lost one, Eliza Alice (who died October 16, 1875).
HELPMAN, SIMON-Undertaker and mayor, Polk City. Is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. Born on the 11th day of November, 1831, and when five years of age his parents emigrated to Hancock county, that State. At nineteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and has made mechanism his principal vocation during life. As early as the fall of 1856 he came to this State and located in Allamakee county, where he remained for six years, and then removed to Kossuth county, remaining there up to the time of his coming to his present location, the July of 1870. He enlisted as a recruit in the late war in company B, Twenty-sev- enth Iowa infantry, in September, 1864, and served till its close. Was married in Ohio, December 21, 1854, to Miss Ruth Hall, a native of that State. They have by this union a family of one son living, J. B., and have lost one daughter, E. L. He is the present incumbent of the office of city
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mayor, and is also a justice of the peace, the latter he has held for seven years of the time that he has been a resident of this place. Mr. Helpman is a man always participating freely in such matters as will most benefit the community in which he lives. strongly upholding the right, and on the ,other hand vigorously opposing what he knows to be wrong.
HERRMAN, JOSEPH-Farmer, section 23, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Germany, May 19, 1828, and when about seven years of age he came with his parents to the United States. April 10, 1868, he settled in this county, where he has since made his home. He has held the office of road supervisor for four years, and is at present president of the school board. He was married in Pennsylvania, October 2, 1851. His family .consists of thirteen children living: Peter, Joseph, John, William, Jacob, Caroline, Tobias, Emma, George, Andrew, Matilda, Maggie and Robert. They have lost one, Frank.
HUNT, JAMES-Farmer, section 27, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Kentucky, July 3, 1830, and when in his youth he commenced farming, which he has continued to the present time. In 1846 he came to this county, and has lived here since, owning a fine farm of seventy-one acres of land. He was married in this county, April 14, 1853, to Miss Rebecca Newbrough. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living: Sarah E., Robert B., John W., Henry, George, Salvina, Ernest and Al- phonzo. Lost two: William and Lucy E.
K ELLISON, J. B .- Farmer, section 22, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Indiana, Oct. 24, 1845, and was educated in the high schools. He was engaged in teaching school until the spring of 1868, when he came to this county. He owns a farm of 200 acres of well-improved land. He was mar- ried in this county, March 16, 1878, to Miss Ida E. Simmons. By this union they have one child, Carroll S. (born April 16, 1879).
KERSHER, PETER-Farmer, section 23, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Germany, December 15, 1815, and at the age of twelve years emigrated with his parents to this country, landing in New York. From there he re- moved to Buffalo, New York, and thence to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming until 1854. He then came to this county and has made his home here since. Owns a farm of 160 acres, well improved. Was mar- ried in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Miss Caroline Harmon. They have a family of eleven children.
KUNTZ, N. R .- Dealer in general merchandise, Polk City. Promi- nent among the early settlers of this county, and among the most enterprising and liberal-spirited of its citizens, is the subject of this sketch. He was born June 7, 1822, in Prussia, and when eight years of age came with his parents to America, first settling in Licking county, Ohio. Re- mained there but four years and then removed to Seneca county, that State, and here he received his early education in the schools of Tiffin, which he supplemented with a course at the Ohio Western University at Delaware. After he had completed his schooling he entered a mercantile establishment in Tiffin as clerk. After remaining there for three years and a half he went in 1850, by way of Panama, to California, and while there he engaged in mining, but on account of ill health returned to his home in Ohio, in the fall of 1851, and unable to attend to business for about one year. After re- covering he engaged as clerk in the mercantile business for about a year and a half, and he was then employed by the Sandusky, Day- ton & Cincinnati Railroad, as assistant civil engineer, in which capacity
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he worked till the spring of 1856, and then came and opened out a farm at Walnut Grove, in Story county, this State, where he followed agricultural pursuits, as best he could, in a pioneer country. On the 22d of February, 1859, he began the mercantile business at his present location. Twenty- one years have come and gone. The building in which he first began bus- iness became so timeworn and decayed that it has long since been torn away and replaced by the one he now occupies, and during all the period of successive years never have his doors been closed a single business day. In 1859 he was elected by the Republican party to fill the office of County Sur- veyor, but after a short time resigned on account of his private business, and in later years he was elected by the citizens of his own township to fill the office of trustee when every vote but four was cast for him. We have seen lives more sensational in their nature, but none that have reflected more credit in the community in which they reside, for he has always aided in every public improvement that would benefit his town and county. In educational matters he has always been a zealous worker, and in the cause of temperance has been untiring, and has used every effort during his whole life to advance its interests. He has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1848, and was one of the charter members at the organiza- tion of the lodge at this place. He was married in Tiffin, Ohio, November 23d, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Dentzer, a native of Baden, Germany. They have by this union a family of one son and two daughters, living: Julius A., Alice R. (wife of Rev. Benjamin F. Durfee, of the M. E. Church), and Florence E.
L EGGETT, J. W .- Farmer, section 22, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Ohio, September 10, 1839, and at the age of thirteen years moved with his parents to Indiana, and from there came to this county. After obtaining his education, he engaged in farming. He is the owner of a farm of eighty-five acres, improved. In January, 1864, he enlisted in the First Iowa battery, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Was married in this county, January 13, 1864, to Miss Mar- garet Latta. They are the parents of four children: Charlie E., Mary G., Cora E. and William L.
M cDONALD, H. J .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 17, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, September 26, 1834, and was raised there, and also received his education in the schools of that State. When thirteen years of age, he engaged as accountant in a store, which he followed for some time, and then engaged in the mercan- tile business. At the outbreak of the war, he enlisted as a private, in com- pany A, Eleventh regular Connecticut volunteers, July 5th, 1861, and served till January, 1866, and was made second lieutenant, at the battle of Newbern, and at the battle of Anteitem was promoted to first lieutenancy, and at Fredericksburg, as captain. Major at Fort Darling, and afterwards promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and was honorably discharged as such. He was a prisoner of war for thirteen months, and he also received the appoint- ments of inspector-general and provost-marshal on N. M. Curtis' staff, and after the war he returned to New Jersey, where he remained for two years, and then came to his present home of 140 acres. He has held the offices of trustee and assessor of his township. His marriage was in New Jersey, August 19th, 1860, to Miss Carrie L. Tindell, of that State. They have one son, Harry, deceased, and one adopted daughter, Mary.
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MATTER, HENRY-Physician, Polk City. Was born in Prus- sia, on the 11th day of March, 1847. He was raised there and then educa- ted, and also received his medical education in that place. He graduated M. D., in 1869, and in the fall of that year came to America, and first lo- cated in Polk City, and remained there till the spring of 1876, then went to Des Moines, and in the spring of 1878 returned to Polk City, and prac- ticed his profession. He was married in 1871, to Miss Louisa Munzenma- ier, a native of Germany. They have, by this union a family of two sons and one daughter living; Carl, Emma and Victor.
MILES, GEO. W .- Proprietor of "Miles House" and owner of saw mill, Polk City. Is a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio. Born June 13, 1842, and was raised there. His father was engaged in farming and mill contracting and jobbing, so he was more or less connected with this busi- ness in his early boyhood. In the fall of 1864 he came to Black Hawk county, this State, and the following spring to Des Moines, and shortly afterward settled in Elkhart township, where he engaged in farming and milling. He afterward moved to Jasper county, where he made his home for two years, and then in 1874 came back to Des Moines, when on the 13th day of May, of that year, he lost his left arm in a saw mill. In June of 1875 he came to his present location, where he has made farming and the saw mill business his principal vocation. In the fall of 1879 he was elected to the office of County Supervisor and is one of the present incumbents of that office. July 4, 1863, he found a wife in the person of Miss Lucinda Gear, whom he married in Ohio. She was born in Pennsylvania. Their family circle consists of two sons and two daughters: Hattie, Wilber, Cora and George. Mr. Miles is a man who has been identified with both the public and private enterprises of the county, and in all cases has given gen- eral satisfaction. He is kind-hearted, of a genial disposition and possesses social qualities that has made for him many friends.
MOORE, T. B .- Farmer, section 27, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Ohio, February 9, 1835, and there grew to manhood. He learned the oc- cupation of farming when young, and this he has followed to the present time. In 1866 he came to this county, and now owns a farm of 193 acres. Was married in Ohio, October 24, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Groscost. They have a family of five children: Reno, Alpha, Ernest L. and Nathaniel liv- ing, and one, Margaret, deceased.
MOSIER, ELI-Farmer and undertaker, section 13, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and with his parents moved to Richland county, Ohio, when yet he was a small boy. He was raised there, and when seventeen years of age began an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade, and has followed that, with the carpenter's and joiner's business, more or less through life. He came to this county as early as 1848, and is one of its pioneers. In 1837 he married Miss Maria Swan, of Connecticut, who died in 1854, and left three children: Cyrus A., Lucy J. and Cross Owen. His second marriage was in this county, in 1855, to Clarkey Payne, a native of Indiana, and by this union they have a family of eight children living. His farm consists of 180 acres of well-improved land.
MURRAY, JACOB-Farmer, section 21, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Kentucky, January 9, 1825, and at the age of two years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He engaged in farming there and followed it until the spring of 1846, when he enlisted during the Mexican war, in company A, First regiment Indiana volunteers,
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and served six months, when he was taken sick and was honorably dis- charged. He returned home, and in 1847 enlisted in the Fifth regiment Indiana volunteers and served until the close of the war. He again re- turned home and in the spring of 1850 went to California, where he ob- tained a position as salesman in a dry goods store. He followed that until 1853 he returned to Indiana, and one year later he came to this county. He owns over 100 acres of land. Was married in this county, on the 9th of January, 1859, to Miss Nancy J. Hoyt. Their family consists of four children living: Ida A., Jennie, Carrie and Lizzie. Lost one, Otho De H.
TTICHOLSON, F. M .- Farmer, section 20, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Indiana, April 25, 1839, and at the age of nine years moved with his parents to Iowa, settling in Boone county. He engaged in farming until the spring of 1877, when he came to this county. During the war he enlisted in company A, Sixth Iowa cavalry, and served one year. He was married in Mahaska county, this State, June 10, 1860, to Miss Keturah Girard. They have six children: Minnie O., James S., Eliza, Elizabeth, John W. and Warren F.
NUSSBAUM, E. M .- Carpenter, Polk City. Was born February 15, 1850, in Madison township, this county. When young he learned the trade of carpenter and has since followed it. He is probably one of the first-born in the township, his father having been one of the first settlers here. In March, 1869, he married Miss Margaret D. Byram. They have four children: Emeline, Julian D., Walter M. and Benjamin F.
P AINTER, WILLIAM T .- Merchant, Polk City. Was born in Penn- sylvania, July 5, 1828 and after leaving school he commenced farm- ing, which he continued until the summer of 1861. He then enlisted in company G, One Hundredth Pennsylvania infantry and remained in the service about eighteen months, when, on account of disability, he was hon- orably discharged. Returned to the place of his birth, remaining there until the fall of 1866, when he came to this county. Has been engaged in the mercantile business since 1866. He was married in this county, Sep- tember 27, 1870, to Miss Maggie Juvenall. The fruits of this union were three children, only one of whom is now living, John W. Mrs. Painter died of consumption on the 22d of June, 1880. She was born in this county, December 6, 1851. She was a most estimable lady, a kind and lov- ing wife, affectionate mother and a valued friend. She was a woman of domestic habits, whose life was devoted to making home happy.
PARMENTER, NAT .- Farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, P. O. Polk City. Was born in New Hampshire, Hillsborough county, December 12, 1828, and when 9 years of age his parents removed to Ohio and from there to this State in 1857. Has resided here for fifteen years. When about twelve years of age he began the carpenter and cabinet maker's trades, which he followed until 1861. Was elected a member of the Board of Su- pervisor's in the fall of 1873 and then was re-elected, serving for six years. He was superintendent of the poor farm from 1875 through the year 1879 and was also assessor of Saylor township and trustee in 1869. Was mar- ried in this county, September 19, 1860, to Miss Martha Norton, of Indi- ana. They have by this union a family of three daughters and one adopted son: Ora Agnes, Augusta O., Lennie R. and Fred N.
PIERCE, ALEXANDER-Farmer, section 9, P. O. Sheldahl. Was born
69
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in White county, Tennessee, in 1826 and when about seven years of age his father emigrated to Illinois and remained there until 1837, when he re- moved to Arkansas and four years later to the southwest part of Missouri. He came from there to his present location in June of 1850. In 1860 he went to the Rocky Mountains and remained there one year and in October of 1861 he enlisted in company D, Sixteenth Iowa infantry and served till January, 1865 and was honorably discharged, his rank being that of ser- geant during his service, He was captured July 22, 1864, and sent to Andersonville prison and kept for sixty-two days and then exchanged. He was married in Missouri, in 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Eslick, of Indiana. They have a family of eight children living: Thomas P., William B., Isaiah H., Sarah J., Frances B., Rebecca, Martha and Alice and have lost six.
PROVOTT, THOMAS-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 27, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Indiana, January 2, 1833, and there was raised and also received his education. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising there until the spring of 1855, when he came to this county. Owns 190 acres of land. Was married in Kansas, on the 20th of November, 1874, to Miss Sarah E. Terry. Their family circle is: Jennie, Harry and Alice.
R OBINSON, A. R .- Farmer, section 16, P. O. Polk City. Was born L in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1841, and was raised in that State up to the time he came West with his parents, who settled first at Rising Sun, in May of 1851. His education was received partly in his native State and partly in this county, and he has since followed teach- ing more or less. At the outbreak of the late war he enlisted in company E, Fourth Iowa infantry volunteers, August 8, 1861, and served till the close of the war and participated in thirty battles and about one hundred skirmishes. He was wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and then transferred to second lieutenancy and afterward promoted to first lieutenant of the Second regular United States infantry. The latter part of his serv- ice was out on the plains. He was married in this county, November 30, 1865, to Miss Julia A. Demary, of Wisconsin, and they have by this union a family of six children living: Ida K., Annetta, Charles S., Harry Mc., Daisy and an infant. They lost one, Maud.
ROBINSON, S. S .- Dealer in drugs and groceries, Polk City. Was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1835, and when a child his parents immigrated to Beaver county, that State, and in 1856 came to this county. While young he worked at the printer's trade for about four years. His father was a blacksmith and he learned that trade also, which he followed, together with farming, up to the outbreak of the late war, when he enlisted in company C, Twenty-third regiment Iowa vol- unteers, in August, 1862, and served three years, and after the war re- turned to this county and divided his time between farming and clerking up to the time that he engaged in his present business. He has been twice married; first, in this county, near Des Moines, May 12, 1869, to Miss Amelia Owen, of Pennsylvania, who died August 11, 1875, and left one son, Ira. His second marriage was in the fall of 1878 to Margaret Moore, a native of Ohio.
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