Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages, Part 20

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Greene County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 20
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 20

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" In assuming, for the second time, the office of Chief Magistrate of the State, 1 fully realize my grateful obligations to the people of lowa, through whose generous confidence I am here. I am aware of the duties and grave responsibilities of this ex- alted position, and as well what is expected of me therein. As in the past I have given

my undivided time and serious attention thereto, so in the future I promise the most carnest devotion and untiring effort in the faithful performance of my official require- ments. I have seen the State grow from infancy to mature manhood, and each year one of substantial betterment of its previous position.

" With more railroads than any other State, save two; with a school interest the grandest and strongest, which commands the support and confidence of all the peo- ple, and a population, which in its entirety is superior to any other in the sisterhood, it is not strange the pride which attaches to our people. When we remember that the results of our efforts in the direction of good government have been crowned with such magnificent success, and to-day we have a State in most perfect physical and financial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in honest pride as we contemplate the past and so confidently hope for the future. What we may become depends on our own efforts, and to that future I look with earnest and abiding confidence."

Governor Sherman's term of office con- tinued until January 14, 1886, when he was succeeded by William Larrabee, and he is now, temporarily, perhaps, enjoying a well- earned rest. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and his services as a campaign speaker have been for many years in great demand. As an officer he has been able to make an enviable record. Himself honorable and thorough, his management of public business has been of the same character, and such as has com- mended him to the hearty approval of the citizens of the State.

Ile was married August 20, 1862, to Miss Lena Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare accomplishments and strength of character. The union has been happy in every respect. They have two children -Lena Kendall and Oscar Eugene.

THE NEW YORK PINARARY

ASTC NY AND TILDEN FL , NDATIONS.

WILLIAM LARRABEE.

XII

ILLIAM LARRABEE is the thirteenth Governor of this State, and the six- teenth Governor of Iowa, counting from the Territo- rial organization. His ancestors bore the name of d'Larrabee, and were among the French Hugue- nots who came to America carly in the seventeenth century, set- tling in Connecticut. Adam Larrabee was born March 14, 1787, and was one of the carly graduates of West Point Military Academy. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, having been made a Second Lieuten- ant March 1, ISII. He was promoted to be Captain February 1, 1814, and was soon after, March 30, of the same year, severely wounded at the battle of Lacole Mills, dur- ing General Wilkinson's campaign on the St. Lawrence. He recovered from this wound, which was in the lung, and was afterward married to Hannah Gallup Lester, who was born June 8, 1798, and died March 15, 1837. Captain Larrabee died in 1869, aged eighty-two.

The subject of this sketch was born at

Ledyard, Connecticut, January 20, 1832, and was the seventh of nine children. He passed his early life on a rugged New Eng- land farm, and received only moderate school advantages. Ile attended the dis- trict schools winters until nineteen years of age, and then taught school for two winters.

Ile was now of an age when it became necessary to form some plans for the future. In this, however, he was embarrassed by a misfortune which betel him at the age of fourteen. In being trained to the use of fire-arms under his father's direction, an ac- cidental discharge resulted in the loss of sight in the right eye. This unfitted him for many employments usually sought by ambitious youths. The family lived two miles from the sea, and in that locality it was the custom for at least one son in cach family to become a sailor. William's two eldest brothers chose this occupation, and the third remained in charge of the home farm.

Thus made free to choose for himself William decided to emigrate West. In 1853, accordingly, he came to lowa. His elder sister, Hannah, wife of E. H. Williams, was then living at Garnavillo, Clayton County, and there he went first. In that way he selected Northeast Iowa as his

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future home. After teaching one winter at Hardin, he was for three years employed as a sort of foreman on the Grand Meadow farm of his brother-in-law, Judge Williams.

In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in the Clermont Mills, and located at Cler- mont, Fayette County. He soon was able to buy the other two-thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner. He oper- ated this mill until 1874, when he sold to S. M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war he offered to enlist, but was rejected on ac- count of the loss of his right eye. Being informed he might possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer he raise l a company and received a commission as First Lieu- tenant, but was again rejected for the same disability.

After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee de- voted himself to farming, and started a private bank at Clermont. He also, ex- perimentally, started a large nursery, but this resulted only in confirming the belief that Northern Iowa has too rigorous a cli- mate for fruit-raising.

Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career until 1867. He was reared as a Whig, and became a Republican on the or- ganization of that party. While interested in politics he generally refused local offices, serving only as treasurer of the School Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected to represent his county in the State Senate. To this high position he was re- elected from time to time, so that he served as Senator continuously for eighteen years before being promoted to the highest office in the State. He was so popular at home that he was generally re-nominated by ac- clamation, and for some years the Demo- crats did not even make nominations. During the whole eighteen years Senator Larrabee was a member of the principal committee, that on Ways and Means, of which he was generally chairman, and was

also a member of other committees. In the pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon him he was indefatigable. It is said that he never missed a committee meeting. Not alone in this, but in private and public business of all kinds his uniform habit is that of close application to work. Many of the important measures passed by the Legislature owe their existence or present form to him.

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1881, but entered the contest too late, as Governor Sherman's following had been successfully organized. In 1885 it was generally conceded before the meet- ing of the convention that he would be nominated, which he was, and his election followed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated January 14, 1886, and so far has made an excellent Governor. His position in regard to the liquor question, that on which political fortunes are made and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should rule. He was personally in favor of high license, but having been elected Governor, and sworn to uphold the Constitution and execute the laws, he proposes to do so.

A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate declares him to be "a man of the broadest comprehension and information, an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, and of Spartan firmness in his matured judg. ment," and says that "he brings the prac- tical facts and philosophy of human nature, the science and history of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the fundamental principles of the people's rights in govern. ment and law."

Governor Larrabee was married Sep- tember 12, 1861, at Clermont, to Anna M. Appelman, daughter of Captain G. A. Appelman. Governor Larrabee has seven children-Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, Frederic and Helen.

HISTORY

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,

SOM TOLIVER, one of Greene County's worthy farmers, resides on section 33, Bristol Township. He came to the county April 16, 1854, loeating first on seetion 11, Franklin Township, at the south end of the Raccoon Valley, where he bought 240 aeres of Government land, his being one of the very first entries made in the county. At that time the nearest mill was at Panora, Guthrie County, and their trading was done at Des Moines. Mr. Toliver lived on his farm in Franklin Township until 1869, when he moved to Bristol Township, buying the farm where he now lives, which contains 180 aeres of choice land. From a small capital of 8400 brought to Greene County, he has accumulated a large and valuable estate. Mr. Toliver was born on the top of Big Bald Mountain, in Ashe County, North Carolina, July 29, 1514, a son of John and Anna Toliver. His grandfather, Jesse Toliver, was a man of great force of character and ability, and served seven years in the war of the Revolution, five years as a Captain of the line. His father, John Toliver, died in North Carolina, and in 1834 the mother with her family moved to Owen County, Indiana. 20

Isom was the second of twelve children. He was married in Owen County in 1836 to Matilda Reynolds, a native of North Carolina, born in 1819. Her mother was Sally Greene, a granddaughter of General Greene, the friend of General Washington. In 1847 Mr. Toliver moved from Indiana to Richland County, Illinois, and thenee to Greene County, Iowa, in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Toliver have had eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. Four sons and one daughter died before coming to their majority. The following are the names and order of birth of those who lived to maturity: John H., Gillum S., Jacob M., James C., Doctor R., Tarry J. and Isom M. Four of the brothers served their country during the war of the Rebellion. John H. was a member of Com- pany E, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volun- teers, and Fife-Major of his regiment. He died at Davenport, Iowa, soon after enlisting. Jacob M. was Second Lieutenant of the same company. Ile has served eight years as Dis- trict Attorney in Northwestern Iowa, and is now praetieing law at Lake City, Iowa. Gillum S. was a member of Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He was

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

three years connty surveyor, two years county treasurer, and a member of the Thirteenth General Assembly of Iowa, but his true sphere was rather that of a lawyer than of a politieian. In the spring of 1870 he formed a law partnership with the Ilon. John J. Russell, at Jefferson, Iowa, under the firm name of Russell and Toliver. The firm soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which they have ever since maintained. James C. was a member of Company Il, Tenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Ile was two years deputy sheriff, and four years county recorder of Greene County, lowa. After that he was engaged in the real estate and abstract busi- ness at Rockwell City, Iowa, and is now a real estate dealer at Ainsworth, Nebraska. Doctor R., the seventh son, is a substantial farmer, now living in Bristol Township, Greene County, Iowa. Tarry J. and Isom M., the two younger children, are living at home, unmarried. Isom Toliver loved a new country, and always kept his family on the border, if not sometimes beyond, of what may be called the limits of civilization, so that his older sons possessed few educational advantages, but became thoroughly familiar with the arts and hardships of pioneer life. They are all self-made men.

MOS JOHNSON, an active and public- spirited citizen of Hardin Township, is 12 a native of Ohio, born February 23, 1842. son of Adam and Sarah Johnson, natives of Virginia, who, more than a half century ago, with their first born, -a dangh- ter not quite a year old .- in company with other relatives, emigrated from the monn- tainous regions of Virginia to Delaware Connty, Ohio, at that time a dense forest. Here our pioneers entered 100 acres upon

which a comfortable log house was built, and within a few years a number of acres had been cleared, npon which the necessaries of life, sufficient for health and happiness, were prodneed. This homestead remained in pos- session of the family until the entire traet, with the exception of a few acres reserved for timber purposes, was reduced to tillage, and also until these worthy pioneers were blessed with eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, ten of whom were born within the original pioneer log house. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Joseph Riley, of Morrow County, Ohio. Elizabeth, another daughter, is yet a resident of the Buckeye State, and is the wife of Sewell Brookins, of Delaware County. Cordelia, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Joseph Wagoner, residing near Fort Scott, Kansas. The par- ents, with the younger members of the family, during the fall of 1862, removed to JJones County, Iowa, remaining there till 1879, when the mother died, since which time the father has made his home with different members of the family, chiefly with his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Wagoner. Three of the sons, Jesse, Thomas and Amos. were volunteers in defense of the Union during the late civil war, and though serving under the same flag, they were widely separated from each other. Jesse, the eldest son, was a member of the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and served in the Army of the Cumberland. Amos, the third son and fifth child, enlisted in June, 1861, in Company 1, Fourth Ohio Infantry, and was with Shield's division in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862. He participated in several severe engagements, serving faithfully until he was discharged on account of disability. He was in the West Virginia campaigns of 1861 and '62, and afterward with the Army of the Potomac. It is a notable fact that, with his regiment, Amos traversed much of the coun-

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try in which his parents were reared and married, and also participated in the battle of Rich Mountain, near the home of their child- hood, a beardless youth, yet in his teens, whipping his parents' former playmates back into loyalty to the old flag. Ile was mustered ont of the service at Columbus, Ohio, January 29, 1863. Thomas, the sixth child in the family, served in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, and was in the Army of the Gulf. The three brothers already mentioned, with three of the younger brothers, Emerson, William and Elmore, are now residents of Greene County, Iowa, and all are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Robert, the second son, lives in Jones County, Iowa, where he has made his home for twenty-five years, while Newton, the ninth child in the family. is at present a resident of Sae County, lowa. Amos Johnson, whose name heads this sketch, remained in his native State until attaining the age of nineteen years, and was educated principally at the Olive Green Academy in Delaware County, Ohio. After his return from the service, having been discharged in January, 1863, he returned to Ohio, remain- ing there about five months, when, hoping to improve his shattered health, he immigrated to Cedar County, Iowa. He resided in Cedar County about five years, and during this time taught several terms of school. In 1868 he came to Greene County, locating on section 21, Ilardin Township, where he has since devoted his attention to farming and stock- raising, his farm containing eighty acres of choice land. He has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Hattie Elliott, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Elliott, who died in January, 1874, leaving two chil- dren-Addie V. and Rodney E. For his second wife Mr. Johnson married Miss Rachel McBurney, who was born in Canada in Oeto- ber, 1849, her parents, George and Jane

MeBurney, being natives of Ireland. Three children have been born to this union- George and May (twins) and Eura J. In polities Mr. Johnson affiliates with the Republican party. Since becoming a resi- dent of Greene County he has served his township efficiently as clerk, assessor and trustee. Ile is a comrade of the Grand Army post at Jefferson, lowa.

LBERT II. FEY, one of Scranton Town- ship's enterprising farmers, residing on section 9, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1842, a son of William and Esther Fey, Pennsylvanians by birth, and of German extraction. In 1853 the family removed to Du Page County, Illinois, settling on a farm in Naperville Township, where the parents still reside. Of their eleven children our subject was the eldest. He grew to manhood in Du Page County, remaining on the home farm till he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Au- gust, 1862, and was assigned to Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. llis regiment was first engaged at Resaca, and in Sherman's campaign against Johnston's army, which culminated in the capture of Atlanta. Mr. Fey also participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, and at the battle of Atlanta July 21 and 22, and in the en- gagements at Averyville and Bentonville, and with Sherman on his march to the sea. He participated in the grand review of Sher- man's army at Washington in June, 1865, and was honorably discharged the same month at Chicago, Illinois. During his entire term of service he was never out of the line of duty, was never siek, and passed through all of war's perils unscathed, proving himself to be a brave and gallant soldier. After his

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

discharge he returned to his home in Du Page County, and December 19, 1866, he was married to Miss Violet Dreher, who was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1847, a daughter of Israel and Hannah Dreher, of whom her father is deceased. Her mother is now living in Scranton City, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Fey are the parents of six children-Willard S., Elmer E., Mabel E., Oscar I., Blanche A. and Albert D. Mr. Fey followed agricultural pursuits in Du Page County until March, 1881, when he came to Greene County, Iowa, and bought 160 acres of his present farm, which had been partially improved by the former owner, Frank Irons. Mr. Fey has added to his original purchase until his farm now contains 320 acres, the north half of section 9, and has added largely to his build- ing improvements, and by his enterprising spirit and industrious habits he has gained the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fey are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican, having voted that tieket since the second election of Abraham Lincoln for President in 1864. He is a comrade of N. II. Powers Post, No. 111, G. A. R., of Scranton City.

IDMOND C. CLARK, attorney at law, Grand Junction, is a native of Broome County, New York, born at Binghamton June 17, 1841, a son of Jesse Clark, deceased, who was born in Schenectady, New York. The father being a contractor and builder, our subjeet carly in life learned the use of tools. He received good educational advan- tages, attending the schools of New York City and the Methodist Episcopal Seminary at Binghamton. He began life for himself

as a farm laborer, and was thus engaged two years, and for one summer drove horses on the canal. During the carly part of the late war he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirty-second New York Infantry, in which he served two years, taking part in the eu- gagements at West Point, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill. Fredericksburg, first and second battles of Bull Run, and others of minor importance. He was discharged with the rank of First Sergeant in June, 1863. In December, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company II, Sixth New York Cavalry. He was de- tached by special order of the War Depart- ment, and placed in command of Company B, Second Battalion, at the New York State rendezvous, doing garrison duty at Albany and Hart Island, New York harbor, for six months. He then returned to his regiment, and was again detached on sconting duty in Maryland, continuing in that capacity until the campaign of 1865, when he rejoined his regiment. He remained in the service until four months after the close of the war, during which time he was chief clerk in Petersburg Post Hospital. Ile received an honorable discharge in September, 1865. He was mar- ried January 2, 1864, to Mary J., daughter of William Bown, of Connecticut. They have one child-Gail B. After returning from the war Mr. Clark followed farming until 1870, after which he was a member of the police force of New York City for one year. Was varionsly employed for two years, during which time he also perfected a law course which he had begun some time before. In the winter of 1872 '73 he entered the employ of Borden's Condensed Milk Com- pany, of New York, and was sent to Texas, where he was engaged in condensing beef for that company till the spring of 1873. In 1880 he came to JJefferson, Greene County, where he was admitted to the bar, and for

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four years practiced law at that place. In the spring of 1884 he came to Grand June- tion, where he has since done a general law practice, and has become recognized as a leading lawyer of Greene County. Mr. Clark is a writer of some merit, and has contributed many poems to the New York Ledger and other papers, and now has a large volume of poetry in mannseript which has never yet been published, among which is the famous " Address to the Flag," an acrostic, displaying great poetical genius.

ENRY D. ROGERS, one of the success- ful agriculturists of Greene County, residing in Highland Township, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Fitz) Rogers, and a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being June 7, 1824. Ile was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life work. When but five years of age he was taken by his parents to Ohio, and from there went to Illinois, where the family lived about three years. In the spring of 1531 he removed with his parents to Linn County, Iowa, they being among the pioneers of that county. Henry D. entered 160 acres of land in that county and engaged in farming on his own account. After improving his land he sold it, and bought a farm near Mt. Vernon, Linn County, lowa, which he sold and then came to Greene County, Iowa, where he bought 320 acres of land for himself, and 320 aeres for others. lle first settled in what is now Cedar Township, a part of said township afterward being called Highland Township. There were only two log cabins in the town- ship when Mr. Rogers settled here, only one house being between his and Jefferson. Ile was married to Lucinda K. MeRoberts, a daughter of Michael and Mary Me.Roberts.

They have no chiklren of their own, but have an adopted danghter, who is now the wife of W. (). Stotts, and lives south of the home farm. Mr. Henry Rogers has prospered in his agricultural pursuits since coming to Greene County, his home farm containing 160 acres of good land well improved and under cultivation. Besides his homestead he owns property in the village of Churdan. le also bought 157g aeres of land south of his farm, which he gave to his adopted daughter. lle is a member of the Free Methodist church. l'olitieally he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

W. KIONS, farmer, seetion 4, Kendrick Township, is one of the leading agrienlturists of the town- ship, and has been identified with the county for twenty years. He was born in Mont- gomery County, Indiana, May 23, 1835, son of Nathan and Martha (Wilson) Kions, who were the parents of three children-Wilson, Adam, and M. W. Our subject lived in Montgomery County until he was twenty years of age, spending his time at farm work and in attending the subseription school. At the age of twenty he went to Platt County, Illinois, where he worked by the month one season, and then returned to Indiana. The year following he went back to Illinois, and in September, 1857, came to lowa and located on land adjoining the place where Iumiston now stands. Here he resided seven years, then sold out and removed to Fulton County. Illinois, and in 1866 came to Greene County, and settled upon his present farm, which was then in its wild state. Ile owns 380 acres of land, and it is known as one of the best farms in the county. He has a good house, sur- rounded with shade trees, one barn 30x40 feet,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and another 36x40 feet, and still another, 16x32 feet. He has seed lots, a native grove and a fine orehard. He is engaged in stock-raising and feeding. He has three children-Jose- phine D., Silas G. and Adam Lewis. Politi- cally he is a Republican.

OBERT CAIN, farmer, seetion 1, Wil- low Township, postoffice Scranton, is one of the early settlers of the township, and is a native of the Isle of Man, born April 18, 1844, son of John and Jane (Eads) Cain, who were the parents of ten children, Robert being the fifth child. When he was fourteen years of age he went to London, England, where he worked about eight years. Ile was mited in marriage January 31, 1867, to Miss Lottie Redgrave, who was born in Essex County, England, December 4, 1843, daugh- ter of Renben and Mary (Reeve) Redgrave. Her parents had seven children, six of whom are living - Jemima, George, Lottie, Ann R .. Elizabeth, John, and James, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cain came to America soon after their marriage, and settled in Warren County, Illinois, where they resided until 1881, engaged in farming. Ile then came to Greene County, and settled in Willow Town- ship, where he has since resided. His first purchase was 175 acres of partly improved land. He has since added to that amount until he now owns 335 aeres of as fine land as can be found in Greene County, and it is well cultivated and improved. He has a comfortable residence, with good buildings for stock and grain, and an orchard consisting of three aeres. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are the parents of five sous-Robert Ernest, Herbert R. J., Frank George, Alfred R. and Chester 6. Mr. Cain is a Republican in politics. and also a member of the Masonie fraternity,

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 728

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 728