USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 72
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"J. TEESDALE. " M. L. MORRIS."
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
As before remarked Mr. Woodin in particular was active and diligent in transacting the business delegated to him. He made a complete tonr of the counties lying in the proposed route of the "emigrants " and established committees. He succeeded in enlisting in this enterprise the most active and reliable men in the various towns which he visited who were in sym- pathy with the movement. Most of these men are still living, and many of them have since achieved a National reputation. The following are the names of the individuals composing the committees at the various points along the route:
Wasonville-Isaac Farley, Myron Frisbee, N. G. Field.
Sigourney-M. H. Keath, A. T. Page, T. S. Byers, A. C. Price.
Oskaloosa-William H. Seevers, A. M. Cassiday, James A. Young, Louis Reinhart, S. A. Rice.
Knoxville-J. M. Bayley, James Mathews, Hiram W. Curtis, William M. Stone, James Sample, Joseph Brobst.
Indianola-B. S. Noble, Geo. W. Jones, Lewis Todhunter, J. T. Lacy, G. W. Clark, H. W. Maxwell.
Osceola-J. D. Howard, G. W. Thompson, A. F. Sprague, John Butcher, J. G. Miller, G. L. Christie.
Quincy-R. B. Lockwood, T. W. Stanley, H. B. Clark, E. G. Bengen, D. Ritchey.
Winterset-H. J. B. Cummings, W. L. McPherson, D. F. Arnold, W. W. McKnight, J. J. Hutchings.
Des Moines-A. J. Stevens, T. H. Sypherd, W. W. Williamson, R. S. Chrystal.
Newton-H. Welker, W. Skiff, W. Springer, E. Hammer, H. J. Skiff.
It was necessary to observe great caution and secrecy, as the administra- tion was at that time in sympathy with the pro-slavery party and United States marshals were on the lookout for armed bands on their way to Kansas from the north. The underground railroad having been put into good run- ning order, Superintendent Woodin and his station-agents did quite a busi- ness in forwarding "cmigrants" during the fall, winter and following spring and summer.
In October, 1854, the town of Dayton was laid out in section 18, and what glory or pestige Wassonville may have been able to retain it lost all its trade and for a number of years Dayton showed signs of prosperity. The surrounding country is well settled and very productive, there being abundant resources from which a town of considerable size might draw sus- tenance. However, the shriek of the first engine on the railroad sounded the death knell of Dayton and what of life and vitality it once possessed has now transmigrated to the body corporate of Wellman.
WELLMAN.
Wellman is situated on English river, section 24. It is a thriving busi- ness town, it having achieved all its growth since September, 1879. There are now four stores of general merchandise, two drug stores, two harness shops, one hardware store, two blacksmith shops, one livery stable, three hotels, and other places of business. This town will without doubt, in course of time become one of the most important trading points, outside of Washington, in the county.
There are a number of churches in this township; Pilotsburg M. E. church, Seventh Day Adventist church, of Pilot Grove, the Daytonville M. E. church, and a Christian church a few miles west of Daytonville.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WASHINGTON.
A NDERSON, R. C., farmer; Sec. 5; P. O. Washington; prominent among the practical and successful business men of this county is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, March 1, 1830; when about eight years of age he removed witlı his parents to Laporte county, Indi- ana, where they lived four years; his father came to this county in the spring of 1842, and built a house one-half mile north of Washington where Wm. Todd now resides, and the following fall the family came; he was married in Washington to Miss Nancy, daughter of James H. and Margaret Young, October 17, 1855; she was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, and came to this county when fourteen years of age; Mr. Anderson is a man of independ- ent thought bnt of a kind and oblig- ing nature; a man of the people and one true to the highest principles of honor and morality; as a citizen quiet and unostentatious, cordially supporting any measure of real pub- lic benefit.
ANDERSON, J. B., farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Washington; among thie pioneers of this county the subject of this sketch is one of the first; was born in Highland county, Ohio, Aug- ust 29, 1816; when quite young his parents moved to Ross county, Ohio; he was raised there and in Pickaway
county; he was married in Ross county to Miss Elizabeth McCoy, a native of Ross county, Ohio, August 29, 1839; they came to Iowa the same year and located where they now live, and have been residents of the county ever since; they have a family of six sons and three daugli- ters: Daniel M., Eliza J., Fredonia H., Henry R., Oscar S., Melville M., Lewis, Florida M., and Seward L. B ELL, W. B., postmaster; was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in March, 1832, and was rais- ed there and learned the trade of blacksmith which he followed as an occupation; he came to Iowa in 1854, and settled in Muscatine and lived there two years and then removed to this county where he has since resided, and in connection with his brother has conducted a large man- ufactory of carriages, wagons, etc .; he enlisted in the Eighth Iowa in- fantry during the late war and was commissioned captain and promo- ted to lieutenant-colonel; he was breveted colonel of U. S. volunteers for meritorious services at Mobile; he was taken prisoner and held six months in the hand of the enemy and confined in various southern prisons; the regiment was in various severe engagements and saw hard service; Colonel Bell was appointed postmaster in September, 1878; as a business man he has been upright,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
reliable and honorable, as a soldier brave and chivalrous, as a public offi- cial attentive and obliging but in- flexible and unswerving in the dis- charge of his duty; in all places and under all circumstances he was loyal to truth, honor and right; he mar- ried Miss Nora C. McDonald in 1855; she was a native of Ohio; their family consists of four chil- dren: Emma, George, Harry and Cora.
BELVILLE, JOHN, farmer; Sec. 30; P. O. Washington; was born in Belmont county, Ohio, June 18, 1815, where he lived until about thirteen years of age, when his pa- rents moved to Union county, Ohio; he was married there November 17, 1840, to Miss Mary M. Amarine, a native of Ohio; they came to this county in the fall of 1849; he lived near Eureka until 1864, and then moved to where he now lives; their family are three sons and three daughters: Joseph, Mary E. (now Mrs. Adam Lewis), Alonzo, Melissa (now Mrs. Robert Lutes), John, Jr., and Minnie; owns a farm of eighty- six acres; Joseph was in the late relellion in company H, Second Iowa. and served three years; Mr. B. is a good neighbor and highly respected by all.
BRITTON, M. B., proprietor of the Bryson House; is a native of New Hampshire and was born No- vember 3, 1835; he was raised a farmer and followed it as an occupa- tion until 1853, and then followed the water for three years; in 1858 he removed to Illinois and lived there five years; of late years he has been engaged in the hotel business, and in 1878 took the Bryson House and has succeeded in making it one of the most popular hotels in the State; no pains are spared in making it pleasant for his guests, and he well deserves his success; he was married to Miss Helen Lee in 1862; she was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; they
have two daughters: Daisey and Hattie.
BRYSON, JOHN; among the self-made men of Iowa who have have passed the ordeal of pioneer life and commenced life penniless there is no one deserving a more prominent place in this work than the subject of this sketch; he was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 20th day of June, 1819; he was one of thirteen chil- dren, and his parents being in hum- ble circumstances, John was appren- ticed to a cabinet maker when ten years of age and followed this occu- pation as an apprentice, journeyman and on his own account over twenty years; in 1847, he removed to Ohio and engaged in business for himself; during his residence here the Cali -. fornia fever was raging and flatter- ing inducements was offered Mr. B. to try his fortune in the new Eldorado but he decided it was best not to go; in 1851, he came to Iowa and settled in Muscatine, and in 1856, came to Washington and engaged in the lum- ber business; his capital at that time was scarcely $1,500, and the first year he lost $700; but he was not the man to be discouraged by a sin- gle reverse and he continued the business in this place with eminent success for years, and is now one of the largest dealers in the State, and at the present time is conducting twelve lumber yards in this State and Kansas in addition to the dis- tributing yard in Chicago; he has proved himself one of the foremost inen in Washington county in the way of public improvements; the first sidewalk was laid through his instrumentality and individual ef- fort; soon after coming to Washing- ton he had the misfortune to lose one of his children, and when laid away in the cemetery the indiffer- ence and negligence in keeping the grounds in order was so repulsive to his sensitive feelings that he inter-
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ested himself at once and called a public meeting and secured enough to improve the cemetery and make it the pride of the town; in building and improving the town he has taken the lead, and in this has shown more sagacity and good judg- ment than those who were disposed to criticise his actions without doing anything themselves; the Bryson House and other buildings are monu- ments of his energy and progressive spirit; the Southwestern railroad was secured through his individual efforts and contributions in cash of over $1,400 and his public spiritedness has not been confined to this county; in Red Oak and other places where he has business interests he is foremost in advancing the interests of the towns; in a business point his lite has been a grand success, and the lesson of his indomitable industry is before the young men of the county; he has never sought or held office nor is he a candidate for popularity or public fame; he is plain and un- assuming in his habits and manners, social and obliging as a neighbor and kind and warm hearted as a friend, and as a citizen generous and hospitable to all; he is purely a self- made man; commencing life in straightened circumstances he has by his own indomitable will, energy and perseverance made for himself a fortune; he married Miss Evaline Lentman in 1843; she was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; a lady of refined taste and domestic habits, whose life is devoted to mak- ing home happy; their family con- sists of eight children: Isaac H. {now of Red Oak, Iowa), James F. (now of Shenandoah, Iowa), Mar- garet J. (now Mrs. Ashby, of Kan- sas), William S. (of Essex, Iowa), John M. (of Concordia, Kansas), Samuel A. (of Red Oak, Iowa), Ed. ward E. (of Scandia, Kansas), and Eva (at home with her parents); have lost one son: Myron.
BURRELL, H. A .; was born in Lorain county, Ohio, January 4, 1838, and is therefore about forty- two years of age; his ambition from a boy was to be a writer, and to this end he lias bent all his energies, and now that he has arrived at the full growth of manhood he may be said to have fully achieved the object of his ambition, for he is universally admitted to be one of the ablest newspaper writers of the State, and his sprightly leaders on the political topics of the day have in a great measure the effect of shaping the policy of the Republican party of the State; in contrast with a large ma- jority of the newspaper men of the county Mr. Burrell does not design to make his business a stepping- stone to office; he has never held an office, has never been a candidate for office and there is probably no office which he would accept without deeming it a great personal sacrifice; he graduated at Oberlin College in 1862; from college he went to Cleve- land, Ohio, and was engaged as a writer on the "Leader" for three years; from Cleveland he came to Iowa and in 1866 purchased the Washington "Press"; on assuming control of the "Press " he found that journal a second-class periodical located in the second story of a rented building; it is now the lead- ing Republican paper of the State and has a home in the elegant and well-arranged building erected by the proprietor for that exclusive pur- pose ; aside from the real ability of Mr. Burrell as a newspaper man and his financial success in managing the business, lie has certain peculiarities as a writer which distinguish him from all others: he is original, inde- pendent, sprightly and erudite, and there is not a daily paper published in the west which contains editorials of equal merit with those found in the Washington ""Press"; in 1863 Mr. Burrell was married to Miss
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Harriet Everson, by which marriage there are three children living, viz: Norman E., Helen and Anna; Mrs. Burrell died January 5, 1876; De- cember 19, 1877, Mr. Burrell was again married, his second wife being Miss Martha Jackson, daugliter of John Jackson, one of the pioneers of Washington county.
C HILCOTE, J. H., dealer in tinware, stoves and house fur- nishing goods; was born in Ohio in 1827, and was raised there with a mercantile experience; in 1857 he removed to Madison, Wisconsin, and remained there five years, and came to this county in 1863, and has been in business since that date; ten years of the time he was engaged in sell- ing drugs; he afterward formed a partnership with A. Hott; a disso- Intion took place during the present month and Mr. Chilcote is conduct- ing business alone; he has avoided political office, preferring the quiet and peace of his business to political honors, and yet has felt constrained to serve on the school board when elected to that position; Mr. C. is a man of good, sound understanding, and large practical experience, and one of those fortunate individuals who succeed in what they under- take; he was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah J. Simmons, a native of New York; they have three chil- dren: George E., Mabel and Maud.
CHILCOTE, A. W., president of the First National Bank; was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1825, and was raised there; having a taste for the profession of medicine he commenced the study; in 1848 he removed to Indiana, and in 1853 he came to this county and established himself in the drug business and prosecuted the business for many years, and with eminent success; he was one of the organizers of the Washington National Bank in 1868, and in 1870 was elected president and has been elected each succeed-
ing year to the same position; he has proved a sagacions and success- ful banker and business man and it is but due to say that but few men possesses more fully the entire con- fidence and respect of their acquain- tances; his career has been marked by integrity, fair dealing and con- scientiousness in his business, com- bined with honesty and perseverance; without possessing an avaricious disposition, and although he has, in a quiet and unostentatious manner, shown a commendable liberality in all publie, religious, benevolent and charitable enterprises, he has accu- mulated an ample competency, which he quietly enjoys in his com- fortable and substantial home; he was married in 1848 to Miss Jane: A. Bullord, a native of Indiana.
CORBIN, S. C., of the firm of S. C. Corbin & Son, boot and shoe dealers; was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1832, and lived there until twelve years of age when the fam- ily emigrated to Iowa and settled near Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, in 1843; in 1853 Mr. Corbin came to Washington where he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits, first in hardware, tinware, etc .; he has been established in his present busi- ness six years; as a business man he has an enviable record-upright, re- liable and honest, he commands the respect of all with whom he has business connections; he is a man of sound judgment and large practical experience; in educational and other public enterprises he has always been prompt to act and efficient to serve; he has been a member of the board of education eleven years and has- served as member of the city coun- cil: he married Miss Elizabeth Fer- guson in 1854; she was a native of Ohio; they have one son: Norton C.,. who is associated with his father in business; they have lost two chil- dren: Elden S. and Cora.
CRAWFORD, Oliver, retired
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farmer; was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1836; came to this county in 1846; was raised as a farmer and followed it as an occupation most of liis life; owns a farm of 560 acres and owns half interest in the Bryson House property; he married Miss Lydia Singmaster in February, 1871, a na- tive of Virginia; she died Angust 8, 1878, leaving three children: Anna J., Frances D. and Lydia E .; lost one son : Matthew R.
D' EWEY, A R .; was born in Ohio, October 1, 1845; during his youth he had the advantages of the best public schools in the United States, and when old enough attend- ed college a number of years at one of the best educational institutions in a State which is noted for the num- ber and character of its colleges and universities; he came to Iowa in 1868 and located at Washington where he engaged in the study of law; three things contributed to the gentleman's rapid advancement in his chosen profession, natural genius, close application, and the fine prep- aration made when it college; he was admitted to the bar in 1869, but before engaging in the practice he devoted another year to hard study and close investigation; with this preparation he opened an office and entered into competition with some of the ablest representatives of the bar in the State; with this furnishing he succeeded and now has a large and rennmerative practice; as a poli- tician Mr. Dewey has for a number of years figured entensively not only in local affairs, but at the State con- ventions where he is usually sent as a delegate; beside being one of the leading Masons in the State he has been permanently connected with all the secret and benevolent socie- ties which have existed at Washing- ton; socially Mr. Dewey is, doubt- less, one of the most prominent citi- zens of Washington, and he allows
neither the cares of business nor advancing years to blight his youth- ful sympathies or prevent him from enjoying the fleeting hours as they pass; he was married in 1873 to Miss Sarah A. Rosseau; the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey is cheered by the presence of two children: Mattie aged four, and Charley, aged three years.
DOWNING, T. H., of the firm of Downing & Brothers, liverymen and merchants; is a native of Kentucky and was born April 5, 1824; while he was an infant his parents moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, where he was raised a farmer until eighteen years of age; he then learned the carpenter's trade and followed it as an occupation for several years; in 1853 he came to this connty and settled in Lime Creek township at Wassonville and engaged in mer- cantile and stock business; he is the oldest shipper in this and adjoining counties; in connection with his brother has a store at the new town of Wellman and owns a valuable farm of 550 acres of improved land; he was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Sterling, who died in 1854, leaving one daughter (now Mrs. James Bryson); he was again married to Miss M. E. Young in 1859; she was born in Kentucky; by this union they have three children: Viola M., Anna J., and Thomas.
E CKELS, JAMES E., farmer; Sec. 2; P. O. Washington; was born December 1, 1829, in the State of Ohio; there he grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools; in the fall of 1856 he came to this county and located where he now lives; he owns a farm of 125 acres, upon which he has two stone-quarries that furnish as good building stone as there is in the county, being the Burlington lime- stone, and he is prepared to furnish stone in any quantities on short notice at lowest prices; he also owns
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
and operates a tile factory where he manufactures all sizes of tiling from two to eight inches of the best qual- ity and is prepared at all times to furnish them in any quantities de- sired at the lowest living prices; these tile are as durable as any made in the country, and while his factory is in its infancy he is prepared to increase his capacity to meet the de- mands of the country; his tile are made on the celebrated "Tiffany" tile machine, which has no superior in the market, making a perfect and smooth tile; he was married April 15, 1852, to Miss Emma Ross, a na- tive of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; they have a family of twelve chil- dren: Martha E. (wife of Thomas Simpson of this township). Anna C. (wife of J. C. Purvis, of Washing- ton), Wm. T., Mary B., Lizzie E., Annetta F., Lillie May, John W., Rena A., Josie L., Charles C. and Robert H., all living.
EYESTONE, W. J., county audi- tor; was born in Rush county, Indiana, in 1830, and lived there until fifteen years of age, and is the soul of John and Alice Young, his father being a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio; they came to this county in 1845; the subject of this sketch in early life divided his time between attending school and helping in the management of the farin; he after- ward engaged in teaching and farm- ing, and owns a farm of 100 acres in Cedar township; he has held various township offices, and in 1879 was elected to his present position; he married Miss Eliza Weller in 1858; she was born in Ohio; they have a family of six children: Viola, Alice, Lillis, Leslie W., Nannie, and Wil- bur F.
EVERSON, NORMAN, was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1815; he was brought up on a farm, and after arriving at manhood removed to Kentucky, where he di-
vided his time between teaching school and studying law; that is, he tanght school as a means and studied law as an end; he removed to Wash- ington in 1841, having been admit- ted to the bar a short time prior to his removal west; Washington was then a small town, the settlers were few and money scarce; the young at- torney found the practice of law at first not very remunerative, and was compelled to teach school part of the time for a livelihood; as the country became settled the people were not slow to recognize liis ability as a law- yer, and in a few years he became master of a large and remunerative business; in the course of time he was elected to the State senate, and in 1853 he established an exchange bank; this business lie conducted with great success aud gradually re- tired from the practice of law; when the State Bank was merged into the First National Bank he became a heavy stockholder and more recently was elected president of that institu- tion, which position he now occupies; Mr. Everson has not only been sin- gularly successful in accumulating property, but has devoted a large share of his income toward the build- ing up of the town; the opera house block, one of the most extensive buildings in the city, was erected by him some twelve years since, and beside this he lias erected several other creditable buildings; he was chiefly instrumental in the building of the academy, and gave the greater part of one season in personally superintending the erection of that creditable structure; he has also acted a prominent part in securing the construction of the several lines of railway which center in Wash- ington, and lias, in fact, been one of the foremost men in every enter- prise calculated to build up the city; but Mr. Everson has not solely de- devoted his attention to money-mak- ing and developing the city where
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he makes his home; considerable time and money he has spent in travel and self-culture; has a fine li- brary, many selections for the prac- tical study of natural history. and aside from extensive journeys through his own country has made a tour of the old world; the wife of Mr. Everson is a lady of more than ordinary culture, and like him, has had opportunities for gaining exten- sive information by means of travel and the advantages which extended tours through this and foreign coun- tries bring to the tourist.
F LEMING, JAMES, farmer; Sec. 2; P. O. Washington: was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1824, where he lived until 1849; was raised on a farm, and received the advan- tages of the schools of that Com- monwealth; he was married there to Miss Mary J. (daughter of Wm. and Lydia) McCollister, June 15, 1847, and in the spring of 1849 they came to Iowa, and located in Washington county, where he lived on a farm as a renter until 1855, when he bought and moved on his present well- improved farm of 125 acres; Mrs. Fleming died May 3, 1879, leaving a family of two sons and two dangh- ters: Win., Anna M., Sarah L. and James V .; Mr. Fleming is a plain, unassuming farmer, social and obliging as a neighbor, kind and warm-hearted as a friend, and a citizen of whom Washington county may be proud.
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