USA > Nebraska > Dakota County > Warner's history of Dakota County, Nebraska, from the days of the pioneers and first settlers to the present time, with biographical sketches, and anecdotes of ye olden times > Part 9
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DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.
Changes have been made from time to time in this judicial distriet, which is at present the Seventh, and its judges have been: Lorenzo Cronnse, Samuel Maxwell, Thomas L. Griffey, E. K. Valentine, J. B. Barnes, J. E. Crawford, Isaac Powers and W. F. Norris.
The territorial court for the Third district was
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
held at Dakota City, and its judges were, up to the time the state was admitted into the Union, in 1867: Eleazer Wakely and William F. Lockwood.
ORGANIZING THE PRECINCTS.
In organizing Dakota county it was divided into four precincts, to-wit: Dakota, St. Johns, Coving- ton and Omaha Creek, the latter so called until April 18, 1863, when the name was changed to Omadi.
April 2, 1873, Pigeon Creek precinct was estah- lished.
July 3, 1877, Summit precinct was established.
Hubbard precinct was organized in 1882.
July 23, 1884, Pender and Emerson precincts were established.
October 23, 1888, Winnebago precinct was estab -. lished. In organizing Thurston county Pender and Winnebago precincts were stricken from Dakota county.
Various changes have been made in the boundary lines of the precincts. Their boundaries until Novem- ber 18, 1889, were as follows:
Dakota Precinct .- Beginning where the line be- tween Townships 28 and 29 intersects the Missouri river; thence west to guide meridian; thence north to. old state boundary line to the Missouri; thence up, main channel to line between Sections 33 and 34. Township 29, Range 8; thence sonth to the south west. corner of Section 22, Township 28, Range 8; thence east to the Missouri; thence up main channel to place of commencement,
Covington Precinct .- Beginning at the northeast corner of Dakota precinct; thence up main channel of river to old state boundary line, in middle of Crystal lake; thence along said line to guide meridian; thence south to line between Townships 28 and 29; thence; east to place of comniencement.
Omadi Precinct .- Beginning at the southwest
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ORGANIZING THE PRECINCTS.
corner of Dakota precinct; thence west to the north- west corner of Section 27, Township 28, Range 8; thence south to the northwest corner of Section 10, Township 27, Range 8; thence west to northwest cor- ner of Section 8; thence south to northwest corner of Section 17; thence west to northwest corner of Sec- tion 15, Township 27, Range 7; thence south to south- west corner of Section 15; thence south to the Winne- bago reserve; thence east to Missouri river; thence up main channel to place of commencement.
St. Johns Precinct .- Beginning at the northwest corner of Dakota precinct; thence up main channel of the Missouri to middle line of Section 9, Township 29, Range 7; thence south to line between Townships 28 and 29; thence west to northwest corner of Section 5, Township 23, Range 7; thence south to southwest cor- ner of Section 5; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 4, Township 28, Range 8; thence north to place of commencement.
Summit Precinct .- Beginning at the northwest corner of St. Johns precinct; thence up main channel of the Missouri to line between Townships 29 and 30; thence west to northwest corner of county; thence south to southwest corner of Section 34, Township 29, Range 6; thence east to middle line of Section 33. Township 29, Range 7; thence north to place of com- mencement.
Hubbard Precinct .- Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 9, Township 28, Range 8; thence west to northwest corner of Section 8, Township 28, Range 7; thence south to southwest corner of Section 32; thence east to southeast corner of said section: thence south to southwest corner of Section 9, Town ship 27, Range 7; thence east to southeast corner of Section 12; thence north to northeast corner of said section; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 4, Township 27, Range 8; thence north to place of com- mencement.
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
Pigeon Creek Precinct .- Beginning at the north- east corner of Section 6, Township 28, Range 7: thence west to county line; thence sonth to southwest corner of Section 34, Township 28, Range 6; thence east to southeast corner of Section 31, Township 28, Range 7; thence north to place of commencement.
Emerson Precinct .- Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 5, Township 27. Range 7; thence west to county line; thence south to Winnebago re- serve; thence east to line between Sections 34 and 35, Township 27, Range 7; thence north to northeast cor- ner of Section 22; thence west to northwest comer of said section; thence north to northeast corner of Sec- tion 16; thence west to the northwest corner of said section; thence north to place of commencement.
November 18, 1891, the Board of Supervisors changed precincts as follows:
Dakota precinct is enlarged as follows: To take in all of Sections 25, 26, 27, in Township 28, Range 8. east, and Sections 29 and 30, in Township 28, Range 9, east.
Covington precinct to be enlarged as follows: To take in all land north of the 7th standard parallel, and bonnded as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 36, Township 29, Range 8, east; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 34: thence north to the Missouri river; thence following the Missouri river to the southeast corner of Section 34, Township 29. Range 9, east; thence west to place of commencement.
At that time the supervisors numbered the pre- cincts as follows: Covington, No. 1; St. Johns, No. 2; Summit, No. 3; Dakota, No. 4: Hubbard, No. 5; Pigeon Creek, No. 6; Omadi, No. 7: Emerson, No. 8.
CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC CEMETERIES-PUBLIC LIBRARIES -- HOLIDAYS- "BOTTOM DISEASE"-LOST STEAMER NUGGET-BASE BALL-CAMP MEETINGS -- BERGER POOR FARM-SOL~ DIERS' RELIEF COMMISSION-BRASS BANDS.
PUBLIC CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery in the county was the old Omnadi cemetery, situated on a sand ridge south of A. H. Baker's farm and east of where Gustave Berger lives, in Section 30. Henrietta Hirsch, a daughter of Mrs. Henry Ream was the first person buried here.
St. Johns cemetery is situated two miles north of Jackson, on the east line of Section 23, Township 29, Range 7.
Dakota City cemetery is situated within the corporate limits of that town, on its northern boundary. The first to be buried here were Mrs. Charles Reom and child, L. G. Packard and a child of Geo. A. Hins- dale, in 1857. The cemetery at present is enclosed with a good substantial fence, and otherwise in first class condition.
The Taylor cemetery is situated in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec. 34, Township 28, Range 8, near Wm. Taylor's house, eight miles southwest of Dakota City, on the high bluffs, con- taining three acres. and deeded to the Salem Evan- gelical Lutheran church by William Taylor. The first
---- ---
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
buried there was a child of William Gribble, in the winter of 1856.
The Omaha Creek Valley cemetery, formerly known as the Potter cemetery, is situated near the northwest corner of Section 25, Township 27, Range 8, two miles south of Homer.
Grove cemetery is located in the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 14, Township 27, Range 7, on Fiddler's creek. The following officers were elected by the association. May 10, 1893, for a period of two years: Il. F. Shull, treasurer; C. M. Antrim, Robert Gurnsey, Geo. San- ford, John Welker and Fred Wilkins, trustees.
St. Mary's cemetery lies less than a mile to the northwest of Homer, and was established in 1889.
The Hubbard cemetery is situated on the high hills a short distance south of the town of Hubbard. and was deeded to the association by John Howard. The first person buried there was James Thornton, who died on his farm west of Hubbard.
Green Valley cemetery, or Johnson's cemetery as it was formerly called, is situated on Wigle creek near the Johnson school house.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
There are a number of private libraries in the county, but as yet there are no public libraries, al- though three attempts have been made in that direc- tion, which have entirely failed. In 1878 L. M. War- ner established the "Dakota County Library" in Omadi precinct, several hundred volumes being con- nected with the institution.
In 1880 another attempt was made at Dakota City. A meeting was called for the purpose of organ- izing a "Library Association," October 5, and Rev. H. Wilson elected president; M. M. Warner, vice presi- dent; Will S. Jay, secretary, and Mrs. M. O. Ayres, treasurer.
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PUBLIC LIBRARIES-HOLIDAYS.
Rev. J. Zimmerman endeavored to create a public library at Dakota City in 1884, but all that remains of it at present is a few books at Dr. Stinson's store.
There was also a "Circulating Library" partially established at Dakota City in 1888, but it is not in the nature of a permanent institution.
HOLIDAYS.
Fourth of July .- The first attempt at celebrating our nation's birthday was July 4, 1855, when a party of men came across the river from Sergeants Bluff and planted the stars and stripes upon the subsequent site of old Omadi, little apprehending that in less than six years from that date several of their number would be marshaling in defense of that same noble flag.
The first regular Fourth of July celebration in Dakota county was held in 1857, at Logan, in the old house that Col. Baird afterwards moved to his farm for a residence. J. F. Warner read the Declaration of Il- dependence, and William G. Crawford delivered an oration that fired the hearts of the pioneers with patriot- isin and devotion to their country, as was demonstrated when the great war cloud burst upon the land. A grand ball was held in the evening.
In 1873, the Patrons of Husbandry organized sev- eral "Granges" in Dakota county, and that year held a great celebration at Baird's grove, at which time they wore their sashes and uniforms. Speeches were made by J. F. Warner, .D. C. Dibble, J. W. Davis and John Naffziger. Other enthusiastic celebrations have from year to year taken place at Dillon's grove. in Jackson; Ashford's grove, Baird's grove, Shulls' grove and Ha- ger's grove, and Clinton park-the two latter situated near Dakota City.
Memorial Day .- Which occurs on the 30th of May of each year, has been duly observed in Dakota county since the holiday was established. The graves of our dead heroes are annually strewn with the choicest flow-
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
ers, as a fitting tribute in commemoration of their heroic services in our country's darkest hour. One of the most successful observances of this day was at the Dakota City Cemetery, May 30, 1884, conducted by the Crittenden Grand Army Post, with Rev. Carter chaplain; Col. J. F. Warner, commander; W. R. Kin- kead, corporal, and Frank H. Ayres, adjutant. One thousand people witnessed the ceremonies, and Mrs. Kelly W. Frazer read a beautiful poem entitled "The Nation's Dead," of which the following is the first verse:
Four hundred thousand men- The brave, the good, the true- In tangled wood, in mountain glen, On battle plain, in prison pen, Lie dead for me and you! Four hundred thousand of the brave Have made our ransomed soil their grave For me and you! Good friend, for me and you!
The Following original poem, composed by Mrs. Lucy Bullock, was recited in a manner that would have done credit to an elocutionist by Nora Miller, a bright little 10-year-old girl, whose elocutionary power is marvelous:
DECORATION DAY.
Adown the sunny, dusty street A little child was trudging on; One dimpled hand a banner grasped, The other filled with lilac bloom.
"Oh, why such haste with flag and bloom. A crowd is coming little lass, With banners waving, drums abeat- Stay here with me and let them pass."
"Oh. no," she cried, "my flowers may fade;
I must be there before they come:
On papa's grave this flag I'll place, And then I'll wait 'till they are done."
Oh, Soldier's child! thy tender heart For father's sake the honor craves;
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HOLIDAYS.
Assured that others bearing bloom Will decorate anew his grave.
Wave, flag of freedom! Well thy folds were borne along to victory's heights, By heroes brave whose graves to- day We decorate with stars and stripes.
The years have passed, that flag still waves, A symbol grand, since slaves are free; And Liberty enthroned yet guards O'er all the land from sea to sea.
For long ago in springtime fair, Beneath that flag they marched away:
Undaunted hearts to fight for right They bore their part in freedom's fray.
Oh, Decoration Day so fair! With buds and blossoms for each tomb.
Oh! day of days, thy sunshine bright Bathes every mound, dispels the gloom.
Anew we gather where they lie, Each soldier's grave is marked the same- One silent band where rank is naught,
Their names are green in memory's chain.
Brave Colonel Warner-rest!
That flag shall wave o'er all the boys who wore the blue; Till roll-call answered one by one
They join with you the last review.
Arbor Day .- This is a day set aside for planting trees, originated by Hon. J. Sterling Morton, of Ne- braska, in 1873, and afterward designated as a legal holiday by the Legislature, and the time fixed was April 22, of each year. The day has been generally observed in Dakota county, and has greatly encouraged tree planting. On Arbor Day in 1889 the Dakota City schools planted an evergreen tree in memory of their departed teacher, Julia O'Connor.
BOTTOM DISEASE.
In 1857 Alfred Elam lost a horse, which died of some strange disease,and from that time on the farmers
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
on the Missouri bottom lost many valuable horses, when the disease became generally known as the "Bottom Disease." The cause of this wholesale destruction of horses could not be ascertained, some attributing it to iron in the water, and various other theories were ad- vanced. It was discovered that mules were not subject to the disease, and all the farmers procured these ani- mals to work on their farms. After a lapse of inore than thirty years of the ravage of this disease, Dr. G. W. Wilkinson discovered the true cause. which was from eating the "rattlebox," a plant which grows in the grass on the bottom, and bears a small pod contain- ing the poisonous seeds which destroys the horses, when it is fed to them with the hay. The farmers are now keeping horses by feeding them straw fodder and hay which is cut before the rattlebox has matured.
LOST STEAMER NUGGET.
On January 1, 1871, Henry Ream and his sons, Charles and Marcellus, George Shiebley and Charley Martin discovered on a sandbar the wreck of the lost steamer, Nugget, which sank in the Missouri river about five years before, at a point two miles up the river from the mouth of Omaha creek. A company was formed and considerable property taken from the wreck, such as flour, meat, whisky, spades, shovels, and other tools. The "wrecking company" was composed of the following members: George T. Woods, Harlon Baird, Gideon Warner, Henry and M. M. Ream, John G. Ogden, Charley Martin, George Shiebley, George Bayha, Andrew Forbs, James Willis, Britton Willis and Charley Ream. Charley Martin had the misfor- tune to contract a severe spell of sickness from expos- ure to the cold while working at the boat, which re- sulted in his loss of hearing and speech.
BASE BALL.
The first base ball club in the county was orgall-
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BASE BALL -- CAMP MEETINGS.
ized at Dakota City July 16, 1870, by electing John G. Ogden president, J. P. Bayha vice president, J. A. Mikesell secretary, John Mitchell treasurer, William Adair umpire, M. O. Ayres, David Bales and P. F. O'Sullivan board of directors. For years this club was recognized as being one of the very best in northeast- ern Nebraska, Marcellns Ream acting as pitcher from its organization to the present time. Other clubs have since been organized at Homer, Jackson, Brushy Bend and South Sioux City, and many are the exciting games which have been played by these clubs.
CAMP MEETINGS.
Rev. S. P. Vandoozer, a Methodist minister, in- augurated the first camp meeting in the county, be- ginning at Col. Baird's place on September 7, 1870, and lasting about one week, conducted by Presiding Elder A. G. White, Rev. S. P. Vandoozer, Rev. J. A. Smith, Rev. Mr. Easterbrook, Rev. John Trineand and Rev. Moses Warner. The meetings were largely at- tended, and the ministers were much encouraged by the result.
The following year another enthusiastic camp meeting was held on Col. Warner's place, nine miles south of Dakota City, and continued two weeks, end- ing September 13, 1871. Great religious excitement prevailed, and on Sunday more than 1,000 people as- sembled "beneath the groves, God's first temples," and made the hills and woods resound with their songs of rejoicing. Many people brought a good supply of tents and household effects and lived on the meeting grounds. Restaurants and eating houses were also es- tablished.
BERGER POOR FARM.
For a number of years the project of establishing a poor farm for Dakota county was agitated, but nothi- ing was done until Gotleib Berger died in Sioux City,
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
Iowa, February 3, 1890, bequeathing to the county $5,000 with which to provide for the poor.
On the 17th day of October, 1891, the county commissioners bought with this money, of J. P. Twohig, the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 25, Township 28, Range 8, for the sum of $3,600, to be known as the "Berger Poor Farm." Dennis Armour, Thomas C. Clapp and Thoms Sullivan, Jr, were appointed as trustees. W. T. Bartlett was appointed as overseer of county poor March 9, 1891.
March 15, 1892, W. P. Altemus and J. N. Peyson were appointed to draw up plans and specifications for a poor farm house, not to exceed $1,400, and the con- tract was let April 8, to T. F. McGee, of Hubbard, for $1,297.50, who accordingly erected the building.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF COMMISSION.
In 1889 the Nebraska State Legislature established a "soldiers' relief fund" for each county of the state for the benefit of indigent Union soldiers, sailors and marines, and indigent wives, widows, and minor child- ren, not over fourteen years of age in the case of boys, and not over sixteen years of age in the case of girls, of such indigent or deceased Union soldiers, sailors or marines having a legal residence in said county. A "soldiers' relief commission," to manage the distribn- tion of the funds was appointed by the county commis- sioners, consisting of S. R. Cowles, John Blessing and Henry Loomis, since which time others have served on the board as follows: W. R. Kinkead, April 6, 1891, to succeed Henry Loomis. who resigned; H. Sayre and Andrew Forbs, March 15, 1892. On Jannary 24th. 1893, the present board or commission was reorganized by appointing Andrew Forbs for a period of three years; A. H. Baker, two years, and Harlon Baird one year.
The establishment of this relief fund is truly a. noble act on the part of our state legislature, in recog- nition of the heroic services of brave Union soldiers
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BRASS BANDS.
who rallied in defense of this nation in the darkest hours of its existence, and marched with dauntless courage to southern fields of war, snatched the flag of treason from its height and subdued a rebellious and arrogant people. The unflinching courage and heroic deeds of those daring men in their struggle for liberty and union will ever mark the standard of loyalty and be the gauge of patriotism until the government of the United States of America shall be no more.
BRASS BANDS.
The Sinith Band of years ago, which was the first ever organized in the county, consisted of Uncle Johnny Smith and three sons, Joseph, George and John, and Joseph and Herb Harris.
It was the 4th of July 1862, and they were to furnish the music for the celebration held that day in the cottonwood grove sonth of Dakota City. The "band wagon" with the pioneer musicians arrived at Dakota City bright and early, with the stars and They stripes floating in the breeze above them.
joined the procession as it marched to the ground, but the man who held the large flag could not keep it steady against the strong wind that was blowing that day, and consequently the emblem of the brave and free was oft times trailed in the dust, -wherenpon Isaac Monroe jumped up and declared that he could "by the help of the Almighty hold that flag and three fence rails!" and he did hold the flag pole with his powerful arms as firm and steady as though it had been bolted to the wagon.
The president of the day called out: "Music by the band!" and they struck up in fine shape. Geo. Smith led with the E clarionet, followed by John with the B clarionet, Uncle Johnny tuned in with the bass, Joseph Smith gripped the trombone, Herb and Joseph Harris chimed in with their horns, all bright as bright could be, and made those old woods ring to the anthem of the
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
free. Then everybody sang "Away down Sonth in the Land of Dixie," ate a good dinner, for those dis- tant days, and went home happy.
There was no other attempt at organizing a band for a number of years after this, and the Smith band held full sway in Dakota county's "musical world."
Bands have since been organized at Dakota City, Jackson, Homer. Emerson and South Sioux City. Dakota City Cornet band consists of the following mem-
The
bers: Mell A. Schmeid, leader and instructor, 1st B flat; C. P. Brannaman, solo B flat; D. W. Griffey, pic- colo; Geo. W. MeBeath, 2nd B flat; Wm. Leamer. 3rd B flat: Elmer Robinson, 1st alto; Geo. Il. Haase, 1st tenor; R. E. Evans, baritone; Paul Pizey, B flat bass; Henry Niebuhr, E flat bass; S. A. Stinson, bass drum and cymbals; Chas. S. Hollman, snare drum.
The Homer Cornet band is made up as follows: John Ream solo B flat, Wm. Lamson E flat, Leon Ream E flat clarionet, Nelson Jones 1st B flat cornet, Walter Smith solo alto, John Harris 1st alto, Hans Anderson 2nd, Tim O'Connor 3rd, George Ilarris 1st tenor, Rasmus Fredrickson 2nd, Joseph Harris baritone. Alonzo MeEntarffer tuba, Wm. Ream snare drum, J. R. Kelsey bass drum. Organized October, 1888.
The Homer Orchestra was organized in Jannary, 1889, as follows: John Ream 1st violin, Hans Ander- son 2nd violin, Carl Fredrickson flute, Chris Hansen clarionet, Rasmus Fredrickson bass.
Following are the parts taken by each member of the Emerson Cornet band: M. M. Engelen and Chas. - Borowsky solo B flat cornet, C. W. McQuaid solo alto, T. Kuntz 1st alto. Z. M. Baird 2nd alto, Chris Larson 1st tenor, H. D. Engelen baritone, James Bannon tuba, J. H. Winters snare drum, John Bannon bass drum and cymbals.
1
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHAPTER XVII.
PIONEER SETTLERS OF 1855.
JESSE WIGLE, the sage of the pioneers, and first set- tler of Dakota county, journeying across the uninhabited lands of the west, halted one pleasant morning in June, 1855, upon the present site of South Sioux City. He beheld the high bluffs more than twenty miles away to the south and southwest, but no where over all this great scope of country were there any signs of ·civilization-it was one vast wilderness, where the song- sters of the groves and the wild animals of the prairie and forest lived unmolested. He was looking for a location, and now he had found the land of his choice. Retracing his steps back over the wild prairies of north- western Iowa to get his family, he again landed upon the banks of the Missouri river in August, opposite where Dakota City now stands, and on the 17th crossed ·over to Nebraska. After looking over the country for two days he crossed the river to narrate to his friends glowing accounts of the rich and beautiful country he had seen. So strong was his enthusiasm he determined that henceforth his abode would be upon the soil of Dakota county, and on the 19th of August, 1855, crossed his family to Nebraska, which was the first white
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
family that settled in the county. J. D. M. Crockwell's ferry boat.
He crossed on Dr. Along with him came Spencer Moore, Robert and William Pilgrim, and others. They camped the night of the 20th at the foot of the bluffs near where John Braunt now lives. Just fifty-one years before this, on the morn- ing of August 20, 1804, Lewis and Clarke set sail from a point on the river near where Omadi used to stand, and camped in the evening on the Floyd. During that day Sergeant Floyd died, and was buried on the high bluffs southeast of Sioux City. The Jesse Wigle party next camped on the Col. Baird place, where they remained until march 17, 1856, when Mr. Wigle moved onto the tract of land where Homer is now located, and afterwards settled on a piece of land north of where Capt. O'Connor now lives. Next moved to Wigle , Creek-so named in honor of himself-in 1863. Here he lived for many years and witnessed the transforma- tion of a wild and almost uninhabited country into a rich and prosperous county, as we behold it to-day. In 1883 he moved to a tract of land east of Emerson, on the north boundary line of the Winnebago reservation, where he lived to the time of his death, April 13, 1893, leaving a wife and three children-Marion, Jason and Loretta. The other three children -- Emina, Mary and Flora-are dead. Emma was the first child born in the county. Jesse Wigle was born January 29, 1825, at Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio. Went with his parents to Union county, Ohio, and from there to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1847, where he was married to Nancy H. Burdett, August 9, 1849. Afterwards went to El-
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