USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 75
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In his political views Mr. Kimzey is a democrat with strong prohibition tendencies. He has served as township trustee and school director and the public duties entrusted to his care have ever been discharged capably and faithfully. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Milo. He has reached the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has ever been such as to win and retain the confidence and trust of his associates.
GEORGE MILLER.
George Miller, one of the promoters and president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona. having acted in that capacity since its organization. is also one of the wealthiest landowners of this section of the state. owning and operating three hundred and ninety-seven acres. situated on section 21. White Breast township. He is also numbered among the old settlers of Warren county. having resided here for more than thirty-seven years, so that he is thoroughly familiar with the progress that has here been made in the years that have since come and gone.
Mr. Miller was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania. January 1. 1838. a son of Jacob and Polly (Billivan) Miller. who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father's death was occasioned by an accident in 1838. during the infancy of the son George. The mother then reared her family and later married a second time. after which she removed to Fulton county. Illinois, where she passed away.
George Miller, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in his native state, and there remained to the age of nineteen years, when, attracted
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GEORGE MILLER AND FAMILY
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by the new and growing west. he made his way to Peoria county, Ilinois, where he went to work for a Mr. Riec, by whom he had been employed in Pennsylvania, and he remained with him altogether for cleven and a half years. After making his way to Illinois he enlisted as a member of the Civil war, becoming identified with Company D, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, joining in Peoria county, on the 11th of Angust, 1862. He went sonth with his company, participating in the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Chicka- mauga, Kenesaw Mountain, also participated in the Atlanta campaign, and was also with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. He also took part in the last battle of the war-that at Goldsboro, North Carolina. During his serviee he was taken ill and for a time was confined in a hospital. He marehed with the army to Washintgon, where he took part in the grand review, after which he was mustered out and received his papers of discharge at Chicago.
Following the close of hostilities Mr. Miller returned to Peoria county, and was married there, October 16, 1867, to Miss Nancy JJane Frank, who was likewise a native of the Keystone state. Her father, George Frank, removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, becoming one of the early settlers of Peoria county. After his marriage Mr. Miller removed to Stark county, Illinois, and rented a farm near Wyoming, which he cultivated for five years and then re- moved to Iowa, having previously purchased a farm in Liberty township. Warren county. He located thereon and immediately began the further development and improvement of his place, living there for three years, after which he disposed of that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, this constituting a portion of his present landed possessions. As his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until his home farm now comprises within its borders three hundred and ninety- seven acres, situated on sections 21 and 28, White Breast township, within a mile of Lacona, so that while enjoying the pleasures of rural life he can also avail himself of the advantages to be found in the city.
Since locating on his farm he has erected a commodious and modern country residence, has built barns and other outbuildings necessary in carrying on the raising and feeding of stock, and the care of grain, and altogether his place is one of the most valuable to be found in the entire state. He also owns another tract comprising eighty acres, and is considered one of the wealthiest landowners in the county, and is one of the heaviest tax-payers. In addition to raising grain he is also engaged in feeding and fattening cattle and hogs. preparing for the markets from two to three carloads of cattle, and about one hundred head of hogs each year. In connection with his farming interests Mr. Miller has also found time for the promotion of business concerns and was one of the promoters of the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona, and has aeted as its efficient president from the time of its organization to the present.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with four sons and one daughter, namely: Frank Edgar, who is married and follows farming in Warren county, and has two sons, Glen and Harrold ; Charles F., a business man of Truro, Iowa; Bert, who is at home; Alvin R., who is engaged in farming, is married and has one danghter, Margaret ; Mary Ida, the wife of Fred Manser,
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
a farmer of White Breast township, by whom she has two children, Carl and lola.
Politically, Mr. Miller is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. He has never aspired to publie office, feeling that his time is amply occupied with his private business affairs. Mrs. Miller and two of their sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lacona. Steadily pur- suing his way, undeterred by the obstacles and difficulties in his path, Mr. MiHer has achieved a prosperity of which he has every reason to be proud. Nor has he labored alone for his own individual interest. but has found time to give to the promotion of and interest in the Farmers Savings Bank of Lacona. which is to-day one of the safe financial institutions of this section of the state.
DANIEL C. PEARSON.
Daniel C. Pearson, residing on section 15, Union township, was born in Massachusetts on the 15th of January. 1828. Ile was reared and educated in Ohio and when twenty-one years of age he adventurously set forth on horse- back to explore the western country. He passed by the states of Indiana and Illinois, but on reaching Iowa the country suited him. He first settled in Henry county, where he secured employment in a flour and saw mill, and the history of his life from that time is closely interwoven with the early devel- opment of the state.
His father, Joseph F. Pearson, son of John Pearson, was a native of Massachusetts. in which state he grew to manhood and wedded Mrs. Ruth (Foster) Kimble, who was a daughter of Amos Foster. He carried on farming operations first in Massachusetts, later in New Hampshire and eventually, in 1840. he removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he settled in the woods and undertook the arduous task of clearing the land and preparing it for the raising of grains and cereals. Here he spent the remainder of his days and to this place our subject returned for a visit in 1906, after an absence of fifty- six years. the mere fact of which demonstrates the strength and loyalty of his affections and is indicative of the depths of his nature. Needless to add that he found few traces of its early occupancy in the pioneer days. as its rugged appearance at that time has given way to a finely improved and highly developed country. Daniel C. Pearson was one of four sons, and is now the only one surviving. Jeremiah died at the age of twenty-two years. Dana reached the years of maturity. married and moved to California, where he died. Joseph died at Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
It was in the year 1849 that Daniel C. Pearson settled in Henry county. this state. There he remained for some years, and there he wedded Miss Rosanna M. Parker, who was born and reared in eastern Tennessee. One year after their marriage he started overland to California with a three-yoke ox team. He made the journey in safety and there he engaged in mining for a time. He returned to the states by way of Panama, landing at New Orleans
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and taking the boat up the Mississippi river to Burlington, Iowa, thence by stage to Mt. Pleasant. He then rented a farm in Polk county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for nine years, coming from there to Warren county, where he bought his first eighty aere tract in Union township, of which thirty aeres were broken and cleared. The soil possessed the main requisite for con- verting it into a prosperous farm-that of fertility-and with charaeteristie energy Mr. Pearson set about the task of clearing the land and getting it under cultivation. He at first built a log house and other temporary struct- ures until his land should get to yielding good returns, and all of these build- ings have long since been replaced by good substantial structures. In addi- tion to the improvements made Mr. Pearson bought forty additional acres of land and has made this place his home for the past forty-three years.
On May 10, 1903, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was laid to rest in Sandyville cemetery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pearson were born ten children, seven of whom still survive. They are: Ed M., who is a prosperous and prominent man in Payne conty, Oklahoma, where he holds the office of eounty commissioner; Charles, who also resides in Payne county, Oklahoma; Alice, the wife of Parke Anderson, of Nebraska; Helen, the wife of Charles Spaulding, of Nebraska; John, residing in British Columbia; Sher- man, who also resides in Canada; and Lizzie, the wife of Frank A. Ikenbill, whose sketeh follows.
Mr. Pearson has ever taken an active interest in politieal matters, his support being given to the democratie party now, though formerly he was a republican. He has served on the petit jury for years, also has served as township trustee. His interest in edneation has never flagged and for eighteen years he has been the school treasurer of his district. He has also aeted as delegate to the county conventions. Religiously, he is a member of the United Brethren church. He was a member of the first Grange organized in Warren county and has watehed the development and growth of this seetion with keen interest, which has been heightened by the knowledge that he has con- tribnted in no small measure to its onward progress.
FRANK A. LUKENBILL.
Frank A. Lukenbill, residing on seetion 15, Union township, where he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and forty aeres, is a native son of this county, having been born on the old home farm on February 4, 1865, the son of Henry Lukenbill and brother of S. G. Lukenbill, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this issue. Mr. Lukenbill is actively engaged in the work of farming and raising stoek, which he also buys and feeds for the market. On September 29, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Pearson, a daughter of Daniel C. Pearson. Following their marriage the young couple settled on a farm which Mr. Lukenbill rented and operated for three years. At the expiration of that time he bought the place where he now resides, which
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fact indicates his success as a manager and is a high tribute to his thrift and industry. He is well known in Sandyville. Pleasantville and Indianola as being a man of good business ability and excellent judgment. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Unkenbill has been born one daughter, mez, who is now a student in Sandyville.
CHARLES D. QUICK.
Charles D. Quick, who owns and operates a farm of two Inmdred and three acres on section 19. Greenfield township, is a native son of Iowa, having been born in Davis county on the 12th of April, 1842, the son of James and Elizabeth (Goodin) Quiek. His father was a carpenter and contractor by trade, and as such did not confine his labors to any particular section, but sought those fields where the best opportunities presented themselves from time to time He was born and reared in Virginia, where he early learned the carpenter's trade. When a young man he went to Warren county, Indiana. where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Goodin, a native of England. Mr. Quick worked at the carpenter's trade for several years and about 1840 re- moved to Iowa, settling first in Van Buren county and later in Davis county. It was there that our subject was born and there that he had the misfortune to lose his mother, who died in 1847. Following his wife's death, James Quick took his family of little children, consisting of four sons and one daugh- ter, back to Indiana, where our subject was reared and educated. In 1857 Mr. Quick again came to Iowa, locating in Warren county. Here he learned of the extensive building operations that were going on in St. Joseph, Mis- souri, and removed to that point, where he engaged in contraet work for several years. From St. Joseph he removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. dying at the ripe old age of ninety- six years. His children are all yet living with the exception of one son.
At the outbreak of the Civil war when the first call was issued for volun- teers for three months' service, Charles D. Quick joined Company B of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was sent east, his first engagement being at Rieh Mountain, Virginia. At the expiration of the three months' term of enlistment he was discharged and returned to his home. He later en- listed in Company F. Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and near the close of the war was transferred to Company D. Forty-fourth Indiana Mounted Infantry, with which company he was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain and was in the Atlanta campaign. He was also with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the capture of Jefferson Davis he had the gratification of seeing him in person and also the other members of his family. Mr. Quick was honorably discharged from army service in August. 1865, when he returned to his home in Indiana and engaged in the livery business for a year, after which he conducted farming operations until in 1867, when he removed to Warren county, lowa, and located near
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Summerset in Lincoln township. He here engaged in farming for several years and then went to Colfax county, Nebraska, where he entered a home- stead and took a tree claim. There he remained for thirty years, converting his land into a finely improved, well enttivated place. He sold this property in 1902 and bought his present home in Greenfield township where, in connec- tion with farming, he deals in live-stock, both raising and buying in the open market.
On December 31, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Charles D. Quick and Mary Elizabeth Shover, a daughter of Alexander Shover. Mrs. Quick is a native of this county, as were her parents, both of whom she had the mis- fortune to lose when but a child. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quick were born ten children, of whom two, Horace and Neva, died in infancy. Those living are : Minnie, who is the wife of W. June, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and has six children, five sons and one daughter; Lottie, who is the wife of Iver Frances, of Iliff .. Colorado, and has one son and one daughter; Charles D., Jr., a resident of Colfax county, Nebraska, who is married and has one son and one daughter ; Harrison, residing in the same county, who also has one son and one daughter; Bertha, who is the wife of Fred Onstott, of Ringgold county, Iowa, and has two sons; Cozie, the wife of Albert Rosander; Eva and Ethel, who reside at home with their parents.
In polities Mr. Quick is independent, supporting the principles and meas- ures which he thinks best represent his country's interests, regardless of party lines. He east his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which organization he joined in Schuyler, Nebraska. It will be seen from the foregoing sketch that Mr. Quick has been prominently identified with the growth and development of this section of the country from the opening of the first agricultural fair in Warren county, which he had the honor to attend, down to the present time. Hle also can lay claim to the distinction of having driven the first six-yoke ox team to break prairie in Waren county.
SILAS GREENFIELD.
Silas Greenfield, now living retired at Milo, was born in Bartholomew connty, Indiana, January 5, 1835. a son of Campbell and Jane (Garner) Green- field, both natives of Tennessee. The mother of our subject passed away in 1837. Mr. Greenfield was subsequently again married, in the vicintiy of Vin- cennes. Indiana, where he resided until the time of his demise at an advanced age. Unto Campbell and Jane (Garner) Greenfield were born but two child- ren : a daughter who died in infancy; and Silas, of this review.
The last named was reared in the state of his nativity, and in the year 1870 came to Warren county. Iowa, where for a number of years he was sur- cessfully engaged in farming. For the past eleven years however, he has
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
lived retired in Milo, having gained a competence through the careful control of his agrienltural interests.
Mr. Greenfield was united in marriage, in Indiana, to Miss Elizabeth Cline, a native of Tusearawas county, Ohio, where her birth ocenrred April 30, 1840. Her parents, Philip and Margaret (Kogan) Cline, were farming people and for three years resided in Missouri, but subsequently removed to Indiana, where they died. Mrs. Greenfield was the youngest of eleven children.
In his political views Mr. Greenfield is a democrat and has served as trustee of White Breast township. He resided for twelve years in Lincoln township and there acted as school director. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian church, and are highly respected people of the county, having gained an extensive circle of warm friends during the long period of their residence here.
JOHN OWENS.
John Owens, owning and operating three hundred aeres of well improved land on section 1, Allen township, was born in JJackson county, Ohio, April 2, 1836. his parents being John and Hannah (Manuel) Owens. both of whom were natives of Wales. They were married in that country but subsequently emi- grated to the United States, taking up their abode in Stark county, Ohio, where they resided for three years. On the expiration of that period they re- moved to Jackson county. Ohio, where they made their home until called to their final rest. The father was an agriculturalist by ocenpation and had a good farm in that county. His family numbered nine children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth.
John Owens remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and in 1863 purchased his present farm, comprising three hun- dred acres of land on section 1, Allen township, before the railroad was built. He erected a substantial and commodious dwelling, also built good barns and outbuildings. fenced the fields and as the years passed by developed a model farm property. In addition to the work of general farming he also raises good graded stock, feeding cattle, hogs and horses, and is well known as a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community.
On the 1st of April. 1865, Mr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Re- becca MeElroy, a native of Ohio. They have become the parents of eight children, namely : one who died in infancy; Robert. who passed away when eighteen years of age; Archibald, who follows farming in the state of Wash- ington ; Elmer. Frank and Bertha, at home; William, of Washington, who married Bertha Hackleberry. by whom he has one child; and Clayton, who wedded Miss Edith MeCall and assists in the operation of his father's farm.
In his political views Mr. Owens is a stanch democrat where national questions and issues are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. IIe
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served as township trustee for one term, acted on the first primary board in lowa and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is a Master Mason. belonging to the lodge at Carlisle. A resident of Warren county for more than a half century, he is well and favorably known here and has witnessed and participated in the work of development that has transformed this from a barren district into one of the rich agricultural districts of the Union. Mrs. Owens is a member of the Brethren church.
O. B. WOLCOTT.
O. B. Wolcott, who is numbered among the prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Warren county, owns and operates a valuable tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 6, White Breast township, where he has lived for many years, dating his residence in the county from the fall of 1870. He was born in Delaware county, New York, on Christmas day of 1847, a twin brother of Orlin Wolcott, and a son of F. C. and Mary Ann (Robinson) Wolcott, both natives of New York, the former a native of Delaware county. The father followed farming as a life work, first in the east, while later he removed with his family to Ogle county, Illinois. Ilis last days, however, were spent in Creighton. Nebraska, where he passed away in 1883, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife survived and passed away in Jamary, 1908, at the advanced age of ninety-two.
O. B. Wolcott, whose name introduces this record, was a little lad at the time of the parents' removal from the east to Illinois, where he was reared on a farm. He was a young man of twenty-three years, when, in the fall of 1870, he came to Warren county, renting a farm in Otter town- ship, which he cultivated for several years. During this time he accumulated a competence that enabled him to invest in land of his own and he then became owner of eighty aeres. On this tract he built a good residence and substantial outbuildings and farmed the land for eight years, after which he sold and purchased the traet on which he has since made his home. Ho has here one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 6, White Breast township. Since locating here he has tiled and fenced the fields, has set out shade and fruit trees. has erected good buildings and altogether has a model property, which supplies him with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. In addition to raising the grains best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged to some extent in the raising of stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable to him.
It was on the 2d of September, 1872, that Mr. Wolcott established a home of his own by his marriage on that date to Miss Keziah Largent, who was born in Missouri and lived there to the age of fifteen years. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and one daughter, namely : Francis C .. who is married and follows farming in Liberty township; Charles E., who is married and is engaged in farming in Belmont township: Robert D., who
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is married and resides with his father on the home place; and Eura, who is at home. After a happy married life of more than twenty-eight years, Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott were separated by the death of the latter, which occurred in Jume. 1900, and her remains were interred in Plainsville Chapel cemetery.
Mr. Wolcott gives his political support to the democracy, and while liv- ing in Otter township served for five years as assessor and was also a town- ship trustee for one term. He has also been identified with the school board for several years. Fraternally he is a member of the Encampment lodge, of which he is a past grand patriot, and he is also a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Milo, of which he is a past noble grand. His religious faith is that of the Christian Union church. of which he is a devoted member. He is a man of exemplary habits, strict integrity and has a strong personality. He is heartily interested in the progress and advancement of the community in which he has so long made his home and takes just pride in what is being accomplished.
ELI MYRICK.
Eli Myrick. deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens of Warren county, his home being on section 29. Palmyra township. He was born in Athens county. Ohio. December 15. 1833. and was a son of Elias and Lydia (Jackson) Myriek. both natives of Maine, where they were reared and married. From that state they removed to Athens county, Ohio, and subsequently went to Lake county, Indiana, whence they came to lowa in 1845. locating first in Washington county. Coming to Warren county, the father entered four hundred and forty acres of land, which he commeneed to improve and cultivate and his family joined him here in 1846. In this county he and his wife reared their family and spent their remaining days.
Eli Myrick accompanied his father on his various removals coming to Warren county in 1846. Here he grew to manhood and acquired his education in the common schools. In early life he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade and later engaged in contracting and building, erecting many structures in Palmyra. Hartford and the surrounding country during the fifteen years he carried on that business.
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