USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 45
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Mr. Guy was married in 1853 to Miss Matilda Emmons, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Emmons, who were natives of Ohio, where they spent their entire lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guy have been born eight children, but the second born is deceased, and Laura, Florence and Blanche have also passed away. Clarence is a farmer living at Guide Rock, Nebraska, while Albert is an auctioneer of Indianola ; Sherman resides upon the old homestead in this county, and John is engaged in buying and selling stoek and is also the leading auctioneer in Indianola.
At the time of the civil war, Mr. Guy responded to the country's eall for aid and in September, 1862, joined Company C. of the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Towa Infantry, under command of Colonel Clark, with General Steele's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. He participated in many battles, including the siege of Vicksburg. and the last battle of the war at Fort
Blakeley. He was mustered out at Houston, Texas. August 15, 1865, and was discharged at Davenport. Iowa, returning home with a most creditable military record, making him worthy of the gratitude which the country owes to its old soldiers who preserved the Union through the darkest hour in its history. He is now a member of the Grand Army post at Milo. He was long a sup- porter of the republican party but now votes with the prohibition party. because it embodies his ideas upon the temperance question. For about thirty-eight years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life, honorable and upright in all intents. purposes and actions, has
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been in harmony with his professions. He is one of the well known citizens of the county, owing to his long residence here, and well deserves mention among the representative pioneers.
M. H. WILSON.
M. H. Wilson is one of the few remaining members of that "old guard" who were the founders of the civilization in this great and fertile region; a member of that band of sturdy pioneers who had all of the courage to do and dare in the western wilderness; who suffered the hardships and met the trials that always constitute a feature in the settlement of the frontier; who has borne his part in the work of general improvement. being particularly active along agricultural lines, and as the years have gone by. the value of his service has been widely recognized. It might be said that he had hereditary rights to pioneer life. for he was born in a hewed log house in Belmont county, Ohio, August 27, 1833, at which time the work of civilization had not been carried forward to a great extent in that section of the country.
His father, J. N. Wilson, was a pioneer there. He was a native of Loudoun county. Virginia, and in 1832 became a resident of Belmont county. Ohio. The grandfather was Moses Wilson; the grandmother. Tamah Burson, was of English descent and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years. Having for some time made his home in Belmont county. Ohio, J. N. Wilson removed to lowa with his family. In early manhood he had wedded Lydia Duncan, who was a native of Loudoun county. Virginia. The reports which they heard concerning lowa and its rich lands attracted them and they decided to try their fortune beyond the "Father of waters." The journey was made in a large covered wagon, a "prairie schooner." and four weeks were spent in travel ere they at length arrived at Fairfield, Iowa. The roads were often in poor condition and at night they camped out along the way. They were ae- companied by the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Duncan, who was then past ninety years of age. She was long a member of the Society of Friends but in her later life united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was a worthy Christian woman. The Wilson family established their home in Warren connty and J. N. Wilson spent his last days in Belmont township. He was born October 6, 1803, and died January 25. 1883. when in the eightieth year of his age, his remains being interred in the Quaker cemetery, where a mon- ment has been erected to his memory. ITis early political support was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republi- can party, which he continued to support until his death. His wife passed away several years before. She was born December 27. 1805, and died in 1872. at the age of sixty-seven years. Iler religions faith was indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family membered nine children : John William, who was born December 12. 1831, and died November 20. 1875; M. Hartley, of this review ; Lucinda, the wife of Matthew Milliean.
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M26 Wilson
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Cabrera Wilson
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who resided near Hammondsburg, Iowa; Mrs. Virginia Gregg, who married Samuel Gregg, and she died June 10, 1884; Angelia, the wife of Lindley Bowles, a resident of Belmont; Joseph Leander, who married Maggie Davis and is now deceased; James M., who wedded Ruth Harlan and is living in the state of Washington; Stephen, who married Naney Milliean and has also passed away ; and Mary A., who is living in the state of Washington.
M. H. Wilson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity, where he was reared to general agricultural pursuits, while in the publie schools he acquired his education. He was twenty-two years of age at the time of the removal of the family to lowa, and being strong and energetic, he was well fitted to cope with the conditions of pioneer life. There was something sublime and inspiring about this wild region, with its great level prairies stretching away for miles, starred in June with millions of wild flowers, while in midwinter it was covered with one unbroken, dazzling sheet of snow. No one can ever forget, who has experienced it, the stillness that broods over the broad prairies ere the work of the settlement has begun. However, the Wilson family recognized the possibilities for development here and bravely met the conditions of pioneer life in order that they might enjoy the fruits that should follow their labor in years to come. On the journey to Warren county Mr. Wilson drove a number of cows that forded the Des Moines river, and he also swam that stream. The market of the family was at thati time in Knoxville, Marion county. Mr. Wilson aided his father in making a start here and then completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage.
On the 2d of March, 1858, was celebrated the wedding of Mr. Wilson and Miss Cilicia Gregg, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and a daughter of Abner and Arcadia (MeElvein) Gregg, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father died in his native county. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: Gregg, who was named for his maternal grandfather, was born August 21, 1860, and now resides in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He married Edith Dennis and they have two children, Ethel and Ennice. Jennie, the daughter of the family, born November 29, 1868, is the wife of T. F. Wright, a resident of Milo, by whom she has one son, William Hartley, named in honor of her father.
In the year of his marriage Mr. Wilson took up his abode upon the farm which is now his home and where he has lived continuously since 1858 with the exception of six years' residence in Indianola, removing to that city in order that he might edneate his children. The old homestead is a well cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres, devoted to the raising of cereals best adapted to the soil and elimate and also the raising of stoek. It is situated six miles due east of Milo and is an attractive property, indieating in its neat and well kept appearance the general supervision and careful management of the owner. In 1902 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of October amid the deep regard of many friends who had learned to esteem and love her.
Mr. Wilson was a resident of Belmont township before its organization and served as clerk of the first cleetion in 1856. He has also filled the office
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of justice of the peace for many years, being the present incumbent in the office, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He has also been a delegate to the county conventions of his party and is a stalwart republican, earnest and unfaltering in his allegiance. For ten years he has served as a school trustee and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart advocate. Fraternally he is connected with Milo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Indianola chapter. R. A. M. No history of this county would be complete without men- tion of M. H. Wilson. who for more than a half century has lived within its borders. His name is synonymous with all that is upright in citizenship and honorable in one's relations with his fellowmen. He has been straightforward as well as active and energetic in business, and has won not only a comfortable competence. but also an untarnished name. He is, therefore, classed among the representative residents of the county and one for whom his fellow citizens have most sincere respect and regard.
JOSEPH M. BROWNE.
Joseph M. Browne is now living retired in Indianola, but for forty years was closely associated with agricultural and mercantile interests in St. Charles. The rest which has come to him is well merited, being the direct result of close application and indefatigable energy in former years. Now in the evening of life he is living at ease in the midst of many friends who entertain for him the kindliest regard and good will. He was born in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, July 11, 1820. and has therefore passed the eighty-eighth mile- stone on life's journey. His father, Mather Browne, was a native of county Tyrone. Ireland, and came to the United States in 1798, taking up his abode in Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming. In his busi- ness affairs he prospered, becoming quite well-to-do. He married Miss Jean- nette MeCaskey. also a native of Ireland. Both were members of the Reformed church and Mr. Browne gave his political support to the democracy. He died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife has also passed away. They were the parents of nine children.
Joseph M. Browne, the youngest of this family, spent his youth as do most farm boys and in the public schools he acquired his education. He afterward engaged in teaching for three or four years and later clerked for a time in stores. He afterward embarked in merchandising on his own account in Pennsylvania, and in 1855 he came to Towa, settling at St. Charles, where he established a store, which he conducted for more than forty years. In 1895 he retired and removed to Indianola, where he now resides. As the years passed he won a gratifying measure of success and made judicious investments in real estate, now deriving a good income from two farms in Madison county, while he also owns property in Indianola.
In 1852 Mr. Browne was married to Miss Mary Stilling, of Union county. Ohio, who died in August, 1881. They had three children. of whom one is
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living, Walter, a farmer residing in Madison, comity. In January, 1885, Mr. Browne was again married, his second union being with Jennie Watt, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have two children: Kenneth, who is farming, and Agnes J., who is attending college at Momnonth, Illinois.
The parents are members of the United Presbyterian church and Mr. Browne belongs to James Randolph Post, G. A. R. He is entitled to ment- bership in this organization from the fact that he loyally served his country in the civil war. He enlisted in August, 1862, at St. Charles, as a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry. He organized the company and went to the front as its captain. While he never needlessly sacrifieed his men he inspired them with his own zeal and valor. At the battle of Parker's Crossroads in Tennessee on the 31st of December, 1862, he was seriously wounded. He then resigned his commission and returned home but after partially recovering from his injuries he again went to the front and resumed his eommand. He found, however, that he was unfit for duty and was obliged to give up his position. In polities he was originally a whig and was identified with that progressive movement which resulted in the organzation of the republean party. Long prominent as one of its leaders, he represented Madison county in the state legislature in 1866. His life has been an active and useful one, characterized by fidelity in every relation, whether in social cireles, on the field of battle or in the pursuits of private life, whereby industry and enterprise have won for him gratifying sueeess. He now receives the veneration and respeet which should always be aceorded one of his years whose life has been long and whose days have been honorably spent. He has for fifty-three years been a resident of this part of the state and has witnessed mueh of its growth and development, while in the work of progress and im- provement in many ways he has borne his full share.
JOSEPH LYBRAND BOYER.
Joseph Lybrand Boyer is now living retired in Indianola, for his business activity and perseverance in former years seeured him the measure of sueeess which now enables him to enjoy the comforts of life without further reeourse to labor. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, January 8, 1842.
His father, Jesse Boyer, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Andrew Boyer, who was of German lineage. That the family was founded in America at an early period in the colonization of the new world is indicated by the faet that Andrew Boyer lived here prior to the Revolutionary war and at its outbreak espoused the American eause, joined the army and was in eamp during the memorable winter at Valley Forge. Jesse Boyer learned and followed the earpenter's trade and also engaged in farming. He became one of the pioneers of Michigan, settling in that state in 1834, after which he devoted his attention to farming, his brother having entered land for him there. He was for eighteen years a resident of that
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state and in 1852 removed to Wisconsin, where his last years were passed. He married Elizabeth Richards, who was born in New Jersey, Jannary 13, 1814, and was of English descent. They became the parents of six children : Andrew, who is now deceased; Susannah, Mary. Rebecca and Elizabeth, all of whom have departed this life; and Joseph L .. whose name introduces this review. Mr. Boyer was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife belonged to the Society of Friends. He originally supported the democracy but voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and afterward was identi- fied with the republican party. He died in 1870, in his sixty-fifth year, while his wife died in 1887. at the age of eighty-three.
Joseph Lybrand Boyer acquired a common-school education and was reared to the work of the farm, which he followed for many years. In 1869 he arrived in Iowa and settled in Belmont township. Warren county, upon a tract of land which he purchased. There he resided until 1874, when he removed to Des Moines, where he was engaged in the lumber business. Upon his return to this county he took up his abode npon a farm in White Oak township, which he cultivated and improved until 1892. He was energetic and capable in his farm work, bringing his fields under a high state of entti- vation and thus as the years passed he prospered in his labors. He afterward lived for four years in Indianola and then returned to the farm where the succeeding four years were passed. In 1901. however, he determined to put aside active business cares and again established his home in Indianola, where he has since resided. enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
In 1866 Mr. Boyer was married to Miss Elizabeth Treadwell Goodhne. whose birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts. November 24, 1844, her par- ents being William Perley and Sarah Elizabeth (Fletcher) Goodhne, who were of English ancestry. Mrs. Boyer, however, being of the ninth generation of the family in America. Among her ancestors were those who fought for inde- pendenee in the Revolutionary war. One of her uneles. Daniel Goodhue, was a member of the American army and being captured was taken to England as a prisoner of war. With others he sailed from Salem with an armed priva- teer named Fancy, to attack British commerce and after some success in that undertaking their ship was captured and all on board were made prisoners and sent to Plymouth. England, where they were incarcerated until the close of hostilities. Several of the number died before the war was brought to an end but Daniel Goodhne surviving, returned to the United States. While in England he found and copied the coat of arms granted to Lord Viscount Goodhue in 1556. William P. Goodhue, father of Mrs. Boyer was a shoe mer- chant of Boston and in 1857 became the first freight agent at Janesville. Wisconsin. He was afterward connected with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad in Missouri, as bookkeeper in the purchasing department until 1880. and his last years were spent in the home of his daughter. Mrs. Boyer, where he died in 1901. at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife passed away in 1877, at the age of fifty-eight years.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyer have been born three sons: Guy Taylor, who is engaged in the ice business in Glenwood, Minnesota; Clay F., an engineer of Nevada; and Jesse William, who is acting as maager of the Woody Supply Company, at La Crosse, Wisconsin.
There is in the life record of Mr. Boyer a chapter well worthy of mention as it regards his military history. He was among the first to respond to the country's call for aid, enlisting on the 14th of May, 1861, as a member of Company C, Third Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served until mustered out in 1865, at Baltimore, Maryland. He was wounded at the battle of Antietam in 1862 by a gunshot in the leg. His first term expired in 1864 and he afterward reenlisted as a member of Company E, of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry for a year. When the war was over he returned to his home at Broadhead, Wisconsin, was married the following year and in 1869 came to Indianola, since which time he has been a resident of Warren county. He is a republican, interested in the success of the party but without desire for office. He belongs to James Randolph Post, G. A. R., and his wife has long been a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, in which she has served two years as president and four years as treasurer. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the unqualified confidence and good will of their fellow townsmen and many who know them throughout the county.
S. S. BLACK.
S. S. Black is one of the leading citizens and progressive agriculturists of Richland township, his home being on section 21, on which farm he was born April 13, 1868. His father, Samnel Black, was a native of Virginia, in which state he continued to make his home until coming to Iowa in 1846. He entered land in Warren county, which he at once began to improve and cul- tivate, and later purchased the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. In this connty he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hartman, a native of Ohio, who came to lowa in childhood and was reared in Warren county. Here the father died in July, 1879, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother surviving him for several years, passed away on the 2d of April, 1892. In their family were four children.
During his boyhood and yonth S. S. Black attended the public schools . at Hartford and he never left the old homestead, succeeding to a part of the farm on the death of his father. On the 3d of December, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Miller, who was born and reared in Palmyra township, this county, a daughter of Hon. John G. Miller. Six children bless this union, namely : Roy, Lowell. Bannie, Merritt, Fay and Floe.
Mr. and Mrs. Black began their domestic life upon the old home farm, where he has since erected a nice two-story residence and a good barn. In this place he has one hundred and forty-eight acres of rich aud arable land,
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which he keeps under a high state of cultivation, and he also owns another farm of two hundred acres, which he rents. In connection with the eultiva- tion of the soil, he gives considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stoek, and fattens about three carloads of eattle and two earloads of hogs yearly. He is a very energetic and progressive farmer and in business affairs is notably prompt and reliable. He is independent in politics and has never sought uor desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He is well and favorably known in the community where his entire life has been passed and his best friends are those who have known him from boyhood.
WILLIAM WATTS.
William Watts, deceased, was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Warren county and was prominently identified with its business interests. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of April, 1822, and in that loeality he grew to manhood, completing his edueation at Lewisburg College. After leaving school he successfully engaged in teaching for some years. He first came to Iowa in 1848 but aft- erward returned to the Keystone state and did not loeate permanently here until 1853. He continued to engage in teaching in this state for a few years, and then opened a store in Middle River, which he eondueted for several years, becoming one of the leading and influential business men of that region.
There Mr. Watts was married February 11. 1880, to Miss Perthena Cor- zatt, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, of which state her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Corzatt, were also natives. On leaving Ohio, they removed to Indiana, where they made their home for several years, and then returned to Ohio, but in 1852 eame to Towa and settled in Warren county, where Mrs. Watts was reared and edneated. She began her married life at Middle River.
In business affairs Mr. Watts steadily prospered, at one time being en- gaged in the milling business, which he continued for a few years. He be- came the owner of a number of farms in Polk and Warren counties, and was also a stockholder in the Warren County Bank with Mr. Buxton for some years and likewise was largely interested in real estate. As a financier he possessed exceptional ability and he nsnally carried forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. Politically he affiliated with the republicau party but never sought nor desired office. He took an active interest in church and Sunday school work, serving as a teacher for some years and he gave liberally to charity, the poor and needy always finding in him a friend. In faet he never withheld his support from any enterprise which he believed calculated to prove of publie benefit. After a useful and well spent life he passed away January 26, 1901. honored and respected by all who knew hitu.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Watts had no children of their own but they reared and educated four, including two of Mrs. Watts' sister's children: Eunice, who is now the wife of Roland MeGlothen, residing with Mrs. Watts, and they have one child, Ruth Lucile, and Miss Clara Cook, who is now in Canada. Mrs. W. O. Hunt also lived with Mrs. Watts until her marriage and a nephew, Alva Corzatt, still makes his home near her, having charge of her business interests. After the death of her husband she took charge of the business and in the conduet of her affairs has displayed exceptional ability and sound judgment. She has been ably assisted by Mr. Corzatt, who is now her partner in their farming and stock-raising interests. He is married and has three children and resides on a farm near his aunt. She has made some paying investments, including the farm adjoining Carlisle and has built thercon one of the finest residences of the town and also a home for Mr. Corzatt, together with good barns and other outbuildings. The neat and well kept lawn is adorned with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers and the whole place presents an attractive appearance and indicates the supervision of a progressive and painstaking owner. Sinee childhood Mrs. Watts has made her home in Warren county and she is both widely and favorably known.
SAMUEL CHESHIRE.
Samuel Cheshire, who for cighteen years has been identified with commer -. cial interests in Indianola, is now conducting a well appointed clothing estab- lishment in the Harlan block. His life rceord began in Catlin, Vermilion county, Illinois, November 16, 1856. The family is of English origin but was founded in America in colonial days, for representatives of the family served with the American army in the Revolutionary war.
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