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 23
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 23
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W. JACKSON, farmer, section 14, Greenbrier Township, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1843, son of Waterman and Sophia (Gunn) Jackson, the father a native of New York, and the mother of Massachusetts. They were married in New York, and reared a family of eight children-Jane, Angusta, Hiram, Zylpha, Helen M., G. W., Andrew and Asa. The latter, a twin brother of An- drew, is deceased. When our subject was two years of age his parents removed to Portage County, Ohio, where they lived eleven years, then removed to Porter County, Indiana. G. W. was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. September 5, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Battery, Indiana Volunteers, Captain A. K. Bush commanding. Ile participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga, and other minor engagements. At the latter place he was wounded in the right thigh, and confined in the hospital six months. He re- turned to the service and remained until the term of his enlistment expired, which was three years, and November 2, 1864, he re- enlisted in the same battery, and was pro- moted to Second Lientenant. Ile served in that capacity until August 1, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. In- diana, and returned to his home. Ile was married April 6, 1869, to Miss Alice E. Marine, a native of St. Joseph County, Indi-
ana, and daughter of Ed. C. and Parthena (McClean) Marine, In 1874 our subject re- moved to Dallas County, Iowa, near Redfield, where he lived four years, engaged in farm- ing. In March, 1878, he removed to Green- brier Township, this county, and settled upon his present farm. Ilis first purchase was eighty acres; he has since added to that until he now owns 240 acres of Greene County's best soil. Ile has a comfortable house, and ont-buildings for stock and grain, and is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and feeding. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the parents of ten children-Archie A., Sybil Es- telle. Clyde L., George M., O. P. Morton, Ralph, Merle, Percy M., Helen E. and Zylpha. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics, and is now serving as township treasurer and member of the school board. He is senior vice-commander of May's Post, No. 264, G. A. R. Ile started in life without a dollar, but by good management, industry and econ omy he has acquired a fine property. Ilis postoffice is Bagley, Guthrie County.
OHN DINAN, one of the self-made inen of Greene County, and an enter- prising farmer of Scranton Township, where he resides on section 19, is a native of Ireland, born in County Limerick in 1840. His parents, Thomas and Kate Dinan, never left their native country. They had a family of seven children, our subject being the sixth child, and the only one who came to America. lle left Ireland during the war of the Rebell- ion, and landed at New York City in very limited circumstances, but possessed of a stout heart and a determination to succeed in life. He lived at New Haven, Conneeti- cut, several years, and was there married to Miss. Letitia Lynch, who was born in County Derry, Ireland. Four children have been
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born to them, three of whom are living, all natives of New Haven, Connecticut-Thomas, born December 4, 1864; John, born May 24, 1867, and Albert, born September 24, 1871. Their son Robert was born in Benton County, Iowa, May 5, 1874, and died in the same county January 25, 1878. Mr. Dinan came with his family to Iowa in 1871, and lived in Benton County several years. They after- ward resided in Story County, and from there came to Greene County, settling on his present farm in the spring of 1880. Ilis farm of 160 acres is one of the best in his neighborhood, and almost entirely under cultivation, and is located half on section 19, Scranton Township, and half on section 25, of Richland Township, in Carroll County, which he has acquired by persevering toil and energy, combined with good management, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him. Politically Mr. Dinan affiliates with the Democratic party. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
HIARLES WALTON, one of the enter- prising citizens of Paton, engaged in contracting and building and dealing in furniture, was born in Toronto, Canada, the date of his birth being February 6, 1859. His father, John Walton, is now a resident of Scott County, Iowa, having settled there with his family in 1861. Our subject lived on his father's farm in Scott County till nine years of age, after which he attended school at Davenport, lowa, till 1880 He then came to Paton, Greene County, lowa, and engaged in contracting and building, which he still follows, and in 1881 he engaged in the furniture business, and is doing a good business. Mr. Walton was married October
7. 1883, to Miss Anna L. Marker, a daughter of Martin V. Marker. Their only child, Irene Blanche, was choked to death at the age of fourteen months. Since coming to Paton Mr. Walton has held the office of con- stable for two years. Hle is the proprietor of Walton's Hall, which is used for traveling theatrical troupes, and for balls, etc.
G. EAGLESON is now serving his third term as sheriff of Greene County, having first assumed the duties of that office January 1, 1882. Ile settled in the county in 1868. He was born in the town of Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, in 1839, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He served his country in the war of the Rebellion as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry. He enlisted in 1862, and served in the Army of the Potomac until March, 1865. Ilis regiment belonged to Sedgwick's corps-the noted Sixth. Ile was captured at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, and was confined at Andersonville for eight months, when he was exchanged. Ile has never fully recovered from the effects of that terrible experience. He participated in the battle of Martinsburg, West Virginia, June 14, 1863, and the battle of Mapping Height, July 23, in the same year. On the 6th day of August, 1863, the brigade to which his regiment belonged was ordered to New York to assist in enforeing the draft. They re- joined their corps at Fox's Ford, and partici- pated in the battle of Culpeper Court-Ilonse, September 15; October 14, battle of Bristol Station; October 24, battle of Bealten Station November 7, battle of Kelly's Ford: Novem- ber S, Brandy Station; November 26, Locust Grove; November 28, Mine Run; May 4, 5,
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6, 1864, battle of the Wilderness, being eap- tured on the 6th, and sent to Andersonville as previously stated. Ile was discharged for disability at Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1865. Ile remained in Ohio until he came to Greene County, and was engaged in farming until elected to his present position. Politically Mr. Eagleson is a Republican. While he was in Ohio he was married to Miss Mary Jane Taggart, a native of that State, and they have three children- Nettie, Belle and Clyde.
USTUS M. RHOADS, agent of the United States Express Company, at Jefferson, dealer in musical instruments, sewing machines, stationery, cigars, etc., has been prominently identified with the interests of Jefferson since December, 1871, at which time he became a resident of the town. At that time he bought a half interest in the Jefferson Bee, and in May, 1874, he became sole proprietor and editor of that paper. In October, 1877, he sold a half interest to (). R. Gray. In 1883 he again became sole pro- prietor, and in 1884 sold to the present owner, Mr. E. B. Stillman. Mr. Rhoads was postmaster at Jefferson from Inly 8, 1873, until November 1, 1885, a period of more than twelve years. In 1881-'82 he was mayor of Jefferson, and is at present a mem- ber of the school board and common council of the town. Mr. Rhoads was born in Pier- pont, Ashtabula County, Ohio, April S. 1845. In 1856 his father, F. W. Rhoads, removed with his family to Story County, this State, where he died in 1867. In 1861 our subject went to Des Moines and engaged in printing, having previously worked two years in a printing office at Nevada. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company E, Forty-seventh Iowa. He remained in the
army four months, and in December, 1864, went to Ohio and again entered the army as a member of the Eighteenth Ohio, serving until July, 1865. After the war closed he returned to Des Moines and was foreman of the Register from 1867 until 1871. In 1863 he crossed the plains with a team to Colo- rado, returning in the fall of the same year. In 1871 he repeated the journey for the ben- efit of his health, and was for a time in the printing business in Central City, in that State. February 3, 1867, Mr. Rhoads was married in Des Moines to Miss Augusta E. Hemingway, a native of Pennsylvania, and for some time a resident of Livingston Coun- ty, New York, being educated at the Nunda Literary Institute in that county. Her father was Nathan Hemingway, one of the pioneers of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have five children-Fred HI., Charles G., Jennie M., Frank P., and Justus A. The two ellest were born in Des Moines, Jennie in Colorado, and the other two in Jefferson.
- AMES DILLAVOU, farmer, section 17, Kendrick Township, is one of the prom- inent pioneers of that township, and was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 15, 1825, son of John and Rebecca (Roberts) Dillavou, natives of New Jersey, who were the parents of eight children, of whom our subjeet was the youngest. When he was about twelve years of age his parents removed to Randolph County, Indiana, where he lived until twenty- five years of age. He was reared a farmer and received his education in the common schools. lle was married May 21, 1848, to Miss Margaret Coon, daughter of John and Mary Coon, a native of Delaware. In 1850 Mr: Dillavon removed to McLean County, Illinois, where he resided five years, and No-
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vember 9, 1855, he came to Greene County, locating on his present farm in Kendrick Township. There were about twenty-five families living in the township at that time. lle first lived in a tent for some time, and his stock was sheltered in the brush. After a time he built a log cabin. Hle had to go forty miles to mill, and his postoffice was at Des Moines; the mail was frequently brought to Jefferson with an ox team. Elk were fre- quently found here at that time. Mr. Dilla- vou owns 460 acres of well-cultivated land, with good improvements. He has a com- fortable honse, a commodious barn and ont- buiklings for stock and grain. Mrs. Dillavou died May 25, 1862, leaving six children- George, Elza, Rebecca, John, Mary and a babe; two are deceased. October 14, 1866, Mr. Dillavou was married to Mrs. Nancy Morelan, a native of Putnam County, Indi- ana, and daughter of William and Susan Beck. Mrs. Dillavon was the widow of Jackson Morelan and the mother of three children-Evan, William and Jackson. By the second marriage there were eight children -Martha, Samuel, Henry, Ira, Amos, Anice, Stacy and Margaret, deccased. Politically Mr. Dillavou is a Republican, casting his first vote for General Fremont. He has served in most of the township offices, and has served twice as county supervisor. Ile donated the ground for the Dillavon eeme- tery. and is a liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises.
M ELVILLE HI. RICHARDSON, farm- er, resides on section 22, Jackson Township, where he owns eighty acres of excellent land, in a good state of cultivation. He has been a resident of Greenc County since 1869, and has lived in his pres-
ent home about ten years, his residence being on section 2 of the same township. Mr. Richardson came from St. Lawrence County, New York, where he was born September 4. 1834, son of Anson and Polly (Southworth) Richardson, the father a native of Bennington County, Vermont, and the mother of Con- neetient. Their early life was passed in Bennington County, and the father located in St. Lawrence County when only seventeen years of age, in the year 1806. lle settled near where Canton, the county-seat, now is. Ile made a home in the wilderness and lived there the rest of his days, passing away in 1850, aged sixty-one years. Ile was Orderly Sergeant in the New York militia during the war of 1812, being twice called into the service. His wife survived until 1866, being seventy-two years old at death. Anson Richardson was one of the promoters of the building of the first Methodist church in St. Lawrence County. During the late war that building was replaced by a more pretentious structure. The father was a class-leader twenty-four years. He raised three children -Lucins, now seventy years of age, living near where he was born; Arvilla, who married Ira Starks, inherited the old homestead, and Melville Il., the subject of this sketch, who was reared on the oldl homestead, and edu- cated in the schools which the limited resources of his native county afforded. In October, 1559, he was married to Miss Naney Pitt, danghter of William and Jane Pitt, who was born October 27, 1834, also in St. Lawrence County. They were playmates and schoolmates. Mr. Richardson enlisted in Company K, One Ilundred and Forty-second New York Intan- try, August 27, 1862. llis regiment was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in some of the early historic battles, but his health failing, he was placed on detached and lighter duties. lle served his full term of
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enlistment and returned to his home in St. | Lawrence County, where his wife died Febru- ary 17, 1872, whither she had gone in hopes of restoring her failing health. She left one child-Adell, born June 21, 1862. For his second wife, Mr. Richardson married, May 2, 1878, Miss Sally Eister, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Eister, who was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Angust 8, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have no children, but they have an adopted daughter, Lona, daughter of Aaron Hanson. Mr. Richardson's daughter, Adell, married W. A. Young, and they have three children - Ross W., Lydia A. and Harl. In polities, Mr. Richardson is an ardent Republican, casting his first Republican vote for John C. Fremont. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M.
AMES L. HUNT, engaged in wagon and carriage making, and painting and re- pairing, Paton, is a native of Illinois, born in Winslow, Stephenson County, May 22, 1851, his father, Elias II., being a native of the State of Massachusetts. He was brought np in a blacksmith and wagon shop, his father and grandfather following the same avocation. Mr. Hunt was united in marriage July 26, 1872, to Miss Martha Pratt, who was born at Edwardsburg, Michigan. Sep- tember 17, 1852, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 1. S. Pratt. To this union were born two children, who are named Abbie R. and Bertha P. In November, 1879, Mr. Hunt brought his family to Paton, Greene County, Iowa, where he has by his reason- able prices and accommodating manners, es- tablished a good business, and has gained the respeet of all who have business with him, by his fair and honorable dealings. Sinee
coming to Paton he has served as president of the school board for one term. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows' order. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Hunt died June 11, 1886, her death be- ing a source of universal regret throughout the community in which she resided. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an active Sabbath- school worker.
EBULON FERRIN, one of Greene County's wealthiest agriculturists, re- sides upon and owns the entire section 27, of Bristol Township. lle settled in his present home in the autumn of 1870, and the improvements upon his 640 aeres have all been made by himself. llis residence is situated in the northwest corner of the see- tion and commands a view of the whole. Hle devotes his farm entirely to stoek-raising and feeding, in which he has been successful. Mr. Ferrin was born in Livingston County, New York, May 10, 1829. Ilis father, Zob- ulon Ferrin, was born in New Hampshire, and his mother, Luey Belle Wilson, was born in Pennsylvania. They were married in Livingston County, it being the second mar- riage of each, and each having a family by the former marriage. At the age of ten years our subject was orphaned by the death of his parents, and he was left a poor boy to fight the battles of life in his own behalf. Thrown entirely upon his own resources, those sterling qualities necessary to the high- est degree of manhood were developed in him; but the lessons of life thus early learned were hard ones. They were well learned, however, and never forgotten. From the day which left him an orphan, to this day of prosperity, he has never had a dollar
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that was not earned by himself, the legiti- mate reward of his own industry. When twenty years of age he left his native county | land in Dallas Township, Dallas County, in and settled in Du Page County, Illinois, where he lived several years, then removed to Bureau County, same State, in 1863.' What means he had earned he used in col- lecting a drove of horses, which he took to California, crossing the plains and moun- tains. Ilis venture was a very successful one and netted him a handsome profit. Re- turning home via the Isthmus and New York City, he stopped in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he bought a farm, then pro- ceeded to Illinois. At the Adams House in Chicago, December 29, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha S., daughter of Frederick and Vesta (Remmick) Boydan, who was born in New Hampshire, Angust 11, 1838, and was also orphaned when quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrin commenced house-keeping on the Ohio farm, and later removed to Burean County, Illinois, where they lived until they came to Greene County. Their three children are all deceased. Viria Belle died at the age of two years; Charles Z. died at the age of one year, and Wilbur R. died at the age of five months. Politically Mr. Ferrin belongs to the Greenback party, and has served as township trustee. He is a member of the Ancient and Progressive or- der of Free Masons, Morning Star Lodge, No. 159, Jefferson.
ILLIAM IL. ADAMS resides on sec- tion 27, Grant Township, where he settled in 1880. having purchased land of the Walter Rhoads estate. The land was entered by Thomas Roberts, but was pur- chased by Mr. Rhoads in 1856. Mr. Adams came to Greene County in the fall of 1855
and settled in Washington Township. ITis father, William Adams, purchased a tract of
1855, and also purchased a traet in Washing- ton Township. Geeene County. lIe now lives in Dallas County. William II. settled | upon the land which his father purchased in Washington Township, which he improved, and lived there until he came to his present home. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1832, and when he was two and a half years of age, his parents removed to Champaign County, Illinois. In 1855 he came to Iowa, stopping a few days with Mr. John Ganoe. in Dallas Connty. In the spring of 1855 his father came and made the purchase, before mentioned, and our subject has been a resident of the county since that time. Ile has 460 acres in his homestead farm, and also owns land in Washington Township, owning over 800 acres in all. Ilis parents were natives of Ohio, and had twelve children. Four sons and three daughters are now living. Charles and George W. live in Washington Township. Our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Wal- ter and Mary Rhoads, who were natives of Maryland, and removed to Greene County, Ohio, when they were young, where they lived until their marriage, then removed to Champaign County, Illinois, about 1830. In 1855 they came to Greene County, this State, and settled where Mr. Adams now lives, re- maining until their decease, the father dying in September, 1861, and the mother in 1871. They had ten children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have nine children -William W., John W., Lewis A., Warren, Mary A., Frances E., Minnie, Viana and Jemima. Laura, the eldest daughter, died at the age of five years. Mr. Adams is a Republican in polities, and east his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in
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1856. ITis next vote was cast for Abraham ; O. F., and also belongs to the Ancient Order Lincoln. Himself and wife are members of , of United Workmen at Scranton. As a citi- the Methodist Episcopal church. zen and neighbor Mr. Paul ranks high with all who know him, having by his fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
ILLIAM S. PAUL, farmer, residing on the northwest quarter of section 15, Scranton Township, was born in Linn County, Iowa, July 26, 1843, a son of Jonathan and Dorcas Panl. His parents came from Greene County, Pennsylvania, to Linn County, Iowa, in a very early day, being among the first settlers of that county. They settled in Brown Township, that county, a few months before the birth of our subject. They are still living in Linn County, well advanced in years. They are the parents of seven children-Mrs. Margaret Kramer, of Linn County; William S., whose name heads this sketch; George, of Linn County; Wilson, of Greene County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Rachel M. Dean, of Linn County; Alexander II., still unmarried, living with his parents, and Jonathan T., also a resident of Linn County. William S. Paul came to Scranton Township in 1876, and in the spring of 1877 settled on his present farm, his residence being one mile southwest of Scranton City. Ilis land when he settled on it was almost entirely un- improved, and he has improved and brought his farm under good cultivation, and the building improvements are his work. Ile was married in Scranton Township, Decem- ber 20, 1877, to Miss Susan Campbell, who was born in Linn County, Iowa, December 20, 1849. They have two children living- Rachel D. and Thomas T. Their first born, Myrtie E., died aged five years and five months. Mrs. Paul is a member of the Sec- ond Advent church. In politics Mr. Paul is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of Scranton Lodge, No., 357, I. (.
S. SCHERMERHORN, M. D., has been a member of the medical fra- ternity of Greene County since July, 1870, at which time he located at Jefferson. lle was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida County, New York, in 1833. He began the study of medicine in 1850, at Frankfort, ller- kimer County, and graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1853. The following year he settled in Lodi, Columbia County, Wis- consin, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for a period of twelve years, save the time spent in the army. In the fall of 1864 lie was commissioned as Assistant Surgeon of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, and served through the Atlanta campaign and in the march to the sea. In the fall of 1867 he went to Portage City and engaged in the revenue service as assistant assessor and col- lector under General Hammond, resigning in July, 1870. Politically the doctor has always affiliated with the Republican party, and while a resident of Wisconsin was an ardent worker in the interests of that party, and in 1866 represented his district in the Legislature. He is a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Asso- ciation. He is a prominent Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the Em- mans Commandery at ,Jefferson. Ile was married in the State of New York to Jane Loomis, who was born in Frankfort, Herki- mer County. They have four children Hattie, wife of L. L. Smullin, agent of the
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Northwestern Railroad Company at Jeffer- son; George, now a student at the Agrieult- ural College at Ames, and two younger daughters, Grace and Mary. The two eklest were born in Wisconsin, and the two youngest in Jefferson. The doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for thirty years. Dr. Schermerhorn's parents, Evart L. and Marga- ret (Smith) Schermerhorn, were natives of New York. He was only three years old when his father died, and his mother died when he was thirteen years old. lle was thus left an orphan in early life. He acquired sufficient education to enable him to teach, and in that way he defrayed the expenses of his medical education.
RANCIS J. HUGHES, one of the well- to-do farmers of Greene County, resid- ing on section 12, Junction Township, was born in Lanark County, Upper Canada, March 1, 1854, a son of Francis Hughes, who is now a resident of Junction Township. Francis J., our subjeet, was reared a farmer, and has always followed that avocation, and in his boyhood received the benefits of the common school. He came with his parents to the United States in 1865, locating in Kane Connty, Illinois, and in March, 1869, came to Greene County, Iowa. He was en- gaged in working on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad part of two summers during the construction of that line. He now devotes his entire attention to farming and stock-raising, and by his persevering industry and good management he has accumulated a fine property, his farm containing 200 acres of choiee land. Mr. Hughes was united in marriage September 9, 1880, to Miss Nettie B. MeFarlin, a daughter of Abraham Y.
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