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 29

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 29
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 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

was elected a trustee of Franklin Township, which position he fills at present to the eu- tire satisfaction of his constituents. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belong- ing to Lodge No. 466. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Franklin was the fourth in a family of twelve children. Her parents are both living and are residents of Jefferson, Iowa.

- HOMAS J. ARMSTRONG, general merchant, and postmaster at Surry, was born in Montgomery County, In- diana, July 25, 1838. His father, Henry Armstrong, was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Indiana in 1832, surrounded with woods and wild animals. He cleared ground for a log cabin, in which our subjeet lived until 1856. IIe removed to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, in 1878, and to Greene County, Iowa, the year following. He con- dueted the Armstrong bank one winter. In the summer of 1880 he removed to Gowrie and established a coal yard, which he eon- ducted until March, 1883, then came to Surry and built a store building, and put in a stoek of general merchandise. He carries a capital stoek of $1,000, and does an annual business of $6,000. He was married No- vember 22, 1866, to Sarah Cole, daughter of Joshua Cole, deceased, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Armstrong was also born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong had one ehild, who was burned to death by his clothes taking fire from a grate, when in his fourth year. Mr. Armstrong was a soldier in the late war, being a member of Company G, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, enlisting for three months at the first eall for troops. In 1863 he enlisted for three months in Company E, Seventy-eightlı Indiana Infantry. He is a

/ T.

298

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, of ings for stock and grain, and a modern wind- the Knights of Labor, and of the Christian church. He was appointed postmaster in May, 1884. In polities he is a Greenbaeker. Mrs. Armstrong is also a member of the Christian church.

AMES ZELLER, farmer, section 36, Greenbrier Township, is one of the pio- neers of Greene County, and was born in Montgomery County, New York, Decem- ber 23, 1822. His father, Nicholas Zeller, was a native of Oppenheim, Montgomery County, New York, and his mother, Cathe- ; rine (Reed) Zeller, was a native of Albany County, same State. They were the parents of ten children-Eliza, James, William, Naney, George H., Alexander, Joel, Harri- , denee of all who know him. son, and two that died in infancy. James resided in Montgomery County until thir- teen years of age, when his father removed to St. Lawrence County, where he was reared on a farm, and reecived his education in the common sehools. He was united in marriage March 6, 1845, to Miss Sally Ann Dillinbeek, a native of Montgomery County, New York, and daughter of Jonas and Eva (Wallrod) Dillenbeek. In 1854 Mr. Zeller, with his wife and four children, removed to Wiscon- sin, and located in the town of Lynn, Wal- worth County, where he resided until 1869, when he came to Greene County and settled upon his present farm, in Greenbrier Town- ship, which was then wild and uneultivated. There were then only five families in the township. He has resided here ever sinee, and now has one of the best improved farms in the township. He has a good two-story residence, built in modern style, and well furnished, surrounded with shade trees. 1Ie has also a good, commodious barn, and build-

mill, furnishing power for a supply of pure water for his stock and for the farm. He is principally engaged in stock-raising and feed- ing. Ilis farm contains 320 aeres of some of the best land in Greene County; his sons own the remainder of the section. Mr. and Mrs. Zeller have had seven children, three of whom are living- Osear, Lafayette and Homer A. The deceased are-Naney A., who died at the age of twenty-three years; Mary C., who died at the age of three years; James Heury, who died at thirteen months, and John A., who died at the age of fifteen months. Mr. Zeller is a Republican in politics, and has served in most of the township offices, and as county supervisor. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and by tair and honorable dealings, has seeured the confi-

ASHINGTON GOODRICHI, an en- terprising farmer of Scranton Town- ship, residing on seetion 6. was born in Allegany County, New York, April 16, 1838, a son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Renry) Goodrich. In 1840 he was taken by his parents to Montgomery County, New York, his mother dying in that county. His father made his home in Montgomery County until 1866. He subsequently removed to Barry County, Michigan, where he died. Six of his children are living-Mrs. Manzer, in Barry County, Michigan; Lewis A., in White County, Indiana; James W., in Republie County, Kansas; Washington and Calvin, living in Seranton Township. Greene County; Mrs. Emma Fuller, residing at Atlantic, Cass County, Iowa. In 1855 Washington Good- rich, the subject of this sketch, left his father's home in Montgomery County for

299

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Kendall County, Illinois, and from that time lias acted for himself. November 10, 1861, he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Company H, Thirteenth Illi- nois Cavalry, being engaged principally in gnarding lines of commissary trains, and keeping the country clear of bushwhackers in the States of Missouri and Arkansas. He served until August 18, 1865, when he re- ceived his discharge. June 14, 1864, while home on a furlough, he was married in Ken- dall County, Illinois, to Miss Sarah Hedges, who was born in Orange, Vermont, June 29, 1843. Her parents, Erastns and Sarah M. (Noble) Hedges, died at Plano, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich are the parents of two children -- Francis, born October 25, 1873, and Nellie, boru December 29, 1881. Mr. Goodrich came with his family to Greene County, lowa, and settled on his present farm in Scranton Township in 1876, he hav- ing purchased his land here in 1874, He now has a fine well cultivated farm of 160 acres which he has improved from the raw prairie, erecting a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Goodrich is a comrade of N. H. Powers Post, No. 111, G. A. R., of Scran- ton, Iowa. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, casting his first presiden- tial vote for Abraham Lincoln, and his last for James G. Blaine.

ACOB HIEATER, an old and honored pioneer of Greene County, Iowa, who is now deceased, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 11, 1809, his father, Jacob Heater, being a native of the same county. He received but limited educational advantages, attending the log cabin subscrip- tion schools of that early day. When he was quite young his father died, and he was

obliged to assist in the maintenance of his widowed mother and family until her death. Hle located in Vermillion County, Illinois, in 1824, among Indians and wild animals, where he experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, serving eleven months, and helped Black Hawk across the Mississippi River at Prairie Du Chien. For his services in this war he re- ceived a grant for forty acres of land, this being the first land owned by him. He was twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Catherine Ganoe, and of the ten children born to this union five are living-Mary J., Elizabeth, Martha, Jacob and William. Mrs. Heater died in September, 1852, and April 20, 1853, Mr. Heater married Sarah A. Mc- Elroy, who was born in Lewis County, Ken- tucky, March 20, 1819, a daughter of David and Mary McElroy. They have four children -Mahala C., George W., Ilettie A. and Eliza. Mrs. Heater was taken by her parents to Adams County, Ohio, when one year old, where she lived till 1847. She then lived in Champaign Connty, Illinois, until coming to Greene County with Mr. Heater in 1855. Her first husband was a native of Kentucky, born in Harrison County, April 20, 1819, and died in Illinois. They had one daughter, Mary C., who died at the age of twenty-six years. She was the wife of Samuel Young, and to them were born four children, only two now living, named Rosa M. and George M. Mr. Heater came with his family to Greene County, Iowa, in October, 1855, set- tling on section 17 of Washington Township, the farm being still occupied by his widow. He was very successful in all his undertak- ings, and rapidly accumulated property, own- ing at one time 1,400 acres of land, and at the time of his death was worth over 840,- 000. He died of smallpox after a few days

300

- --

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

illness, his death taking place June 18, 1864. He was an earnest Christian, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal ehnreh for forty years. He was a good friend to the poor, and gave liberally of his means toward the support of charitable institutions. and was a man respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

OIN B. JOIIN, a successful agricult- urist of Washington Township, Greene County, residing on seetion 5, is a native of West Virginia, born in Tyler County, November 24, 1839. He is a son of David John, who lives in Davis County, Missouri. He was born January 13, 1803, in Greene County, Pennsylvania, a son of James John, who is now deceased. John B. John, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the rude log cabin subscription schools, which were built in the most primitive style. He came with his parents to Greene County, Iowa, in the fall of 1856, where he has sinee made his home. He enlisted in the late war in Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, in Au- gust, 1861, serving until December 10, 1862, when he was discharged on account of disa- bility. He was married October 9, 1864, to Mrs. Asenath Brown, a daughter of Isaac Crumley, of Greene County, lowa, and to this union have been born three children- Isaac (deceased), Eva Alma and William B. By her marriage with Isaac H. Brown, Mrs. John had four children, of whom only one is living, a daughter named Hannah A. Mr. Brown was a native of East Tennessee, born November 10, 1828. He was a Second Lieu- tenant of Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, during the war of the Rebellion, and was killed at the battle of Champion Hills. Mr. John has made farming the principal avoca-

tion of his life, and by his persevering in- dustry and good management he has met with excellent success, being now the owner of 194 aeres of valuable land where he re- sides. Both Mr. and Mrs. John, and their daughters, Hannah and Alma, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EORGE HANKS, one of the first set- tlers of Scranton Township, has lived on seetion 15 since the autumn of 1870, his homestead at that time being in a state of nature. Mr. Hanks is a native of Eng- land, born in Yorkshire October 18, 1831, a son of George and Jane Hanks, both of whom died in their native country. He was reared in the city of York, and when eighteen years of age entered the English army, and served three years a member of the Twentieth In- fantry, his service being on the Isle of Wight, Bermuda and Canada. After leaving the service of the Queen he lived at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, and at Gouverneur until 1859, and then went to Bennington County, Vermont, where he lived until the autumn of 1863, when he came West as far as Ogle County, Illinois, where he followed agrienltural pursuits until 1870, and then came to lowa and settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Hanks was married at Montreal, Canada, July 20, 1852. to Miss Catharine Kane, a native of County Cavan, Ireland, daughter of Patriek and Honore (MeManns) Kane. Her father died in Durham, Canada, in 1857, and her mother now lives in Seranton Township with her son Charles Kane. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanks have been born ten children, of whom bnt six are living- the eldest died in infancy; George H. is a resident of Antelope County, Nebraska; John L. lives in Dodge County,

301

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Nebraska; William E. died in 1873, aged sixteen years and four months; Francis D. lives in Scranton City; Sarah J. is the wife of William O. Maley; Susan died in Illinois, aged six years and four months; Martha died in Illinois, aged eighteen monthis; Martha E. and Elizabeth are at home. In polities Mr. Ilanks is identified with the Labor Reform Greenback party. IIe is one of the representative men of his township, and an upright, influential citizen.

ALA A. CHURCHI, the present attor- ney of Greene County, has been a mem- ber of the bar of this county since May 14, 1878. In his earliest practice at Jeffer- son he formed a partnership with Harvey Potter, Esq., which continued about eighteen months. He was then associated with A. M. Head, the firm name being Head & Church. This partnership lasted until July, 1881, sinee which time Mr. Church has been alone in practice. IIe served as justice of the peace from 1880 until 1885, and in 1884 was elected Mayor of Jefferson. After serving one year he was elected county attorney. Mr. Church was born in the town of Dayton, Green County, Wisconsin, May 28, 1852. He received his literary education at Evans- ville, Wisconsin, and in the collegiate depart- ment of the Wisconsin State University, and graduated in the law department of the Wis- consin State University at Madison, June 20, 1876. After graduation he was engaged for two years in teaching. He was married at Jefferson, May 4, 1881, to Miss May McCully, daughter of D. B. McCully, deceased. They have one child, a daughter-Iza L. Politi- | Geary, died August 23, 1886. aged thirty cally Mr. Church is a Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, being a member both of the subordinate lodge and beth. Effie M. died June 2, 1874, at the age

V/A

the encampment. Also of the Masonic fra- ternity, being a member of Blue Lodge, chap- ter and commandery, and is high priest of the chapter at present writing.

ILLIAM STEVENS, residing on see- tion 35, Jackson Township, has been identified with Greene County since 1869, coming from Boone County, where he spent his first winter in Iowa. He was born in Oswego County, New York, in the town of Oswego, February 12, 1823, son of Joel and Margaret (Tannery) Stevens, natives of Orange County, New York, both of whom died in Oswego County. William was reared to a farm life, and early inured to hard labor. IIe remained with his parents until he reached manhood, then learned the cooper's trade, which he followed about ten years in his native county. In January, 1844, he wedded Miss Mary E. Carnrite, who was born JJanuary 7, 1823, daughter of Peter and Annie E. Carnrite, of Herkimer County. Her parents removed to Oswego County when she was a child. They lived to an advanced age, each at deatlı being seventy-eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens removed to New Chester, Adams County, Wisconsin, in 1857; thence to Columbia County, where they lived two years; thence to Iowa, as before stated. Mr. Stevens owns a fine farm of 200 acres, all on section 35. They have seven children living -Letta A. M., wife of George Gymer; Lillie O., wife of John E. Dodge; Mariette A., wife of Jay Barker; Williard S .; Cora A., wife of Miner Steele: William II. and Carrie E. Laura A., wife of Hugh D. Me- years. She left four children-Agnes A., Mary Pearl, Laura Bertha and Carrie Eliza-

-..

302

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

of seven years; Caroline E. died in New York September 9, 1848, aged two years; Ernest E. died in Wisconsin April 28, 1864, aged eleven days. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have been members of the Methodist Epis- copal church for many years. Politically Mr. Stevens is a member of the Greenback party.

EORGE C. HILLMAN, general mer- chant at Grand Junction, was born in East Charlemont, Franklin County, Massachusetts, January 28, 1847. His par- ents, George and Aleuta (Coy) Hillman, were natives of Colerain, Franklin County. His early life was passed on a farm, and his education was obtained at Shelburne Falls Academy in his native county. After leav- ing school he commenced clerking in a store, continuing in that employment until 1869, when he came to Tama City this State, and three or four months later came to Grand Junction and engaged in his present business. He began on a capital stock of $2,000. Ilis first store was thirty feet long. He now carries a capital stock of from $5,000 to $6,000, and docs an annual business of $25,000. He has been very successful in the mercantile business, and his patronage is constantly increasing. Ilis genial manner, and his kind and amiable disposition have won for him hosts of friends, and secured for him the confidence of the whole community. He owns 235 acres of land adjoining Grand Junetion, besides some timber land. A part of his farin is leased, and a part is worked by his employés. He was married October 7, 1869, to Miss Dora T. Covell, daughter of Lewis Covell, of Franklin County, Massachu- setts. To this union have been born three children -- L. Alice. Covell and Edith C.

Mr. Hillinan served as justice of the peace four years, treasurer of the school board four years, and in 1886 was elected county super- visor. These positions he lias filled with great credit to himself and perfect satisfac- tion to his constituents. He and his excel- lent wife are worthy and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Hillman is a member of the society of Odd Fellows. He is very highly respected in the com- munity where lie has been so long and well known, and is considered one of the solid men of the county.

ILLIAM DICKINSON, a prominent farmer of Highland Township, resid- ing on seetion 32, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born June 7, 1820, a son of Eli and Edith (Gitbert) Dickinson. His parents were pioneers of Ohio, locating in Muskingum County when there was but one honse at the county seat. William grew to manhood on a farm in his native county, being reared to agricultural pursuits. He was married April 28, 1848. to Miss Elizabeth Wine, who was born in Virginia in 1822, a daughter of John and Elizabetlı (Vincil) Wine, also natives of Virginia. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson, three of whom are living- Solo- mon S., born August 31, 1855, living in Kansas; Ellen V., born October 17, 1857, also a resident of Kansas; and Anna Laura, born November 22, 1864, was married in 1880 to Edward Wine. Of the children deceased-Harvey C. was born January 26, 1850, died October 12, 1852; Caroline E. was born July 7, 1852, died September 28, 1854, and Howard D., born January 22, 1860, died in Ohio. July 2, 1886, leaving a wife and one child. Mr. Dickinson com-

303

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

menced farming for himself in Ohio, on a farm of 220 acres. He subsequently sold his Ohio farm and came to Greene County, Iowa, in 1882, when he settled on the farm where he has since followed agricultural pursnits, having now 240 acres of as good land as the township affords.

- HARLES M. DODGE, dealer in notions, second-hand goods, ete., sneceeded Oli- ver and Turrill Turner, who established the business. Mr. Dodge has the only store of this kind in the county. He was born in Lamoille County, Vermont, in November, 1848, and when fourteen years of age, his father, Charles Dodge, removed with his fam- ily to MeHenry County, Illinois. The fam- ily came to Greene County in the spring of 1870, settling upon a farm in Jackson Town- ! orders. ship, where the father still lives. Charles M. was reared on a farm. In 1882 he came to Jefferson and engaged in the livery business, and in the fall of 1883 he sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Roland Roberts. Mr. Dodge married Miss Ada A. Heward, daughter of Charles Heward, who came to Greene County with her parents in the fall of 1870. Iler father died in Jefferson in the spring of 1886, and her mother still lives at Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have two daughters -- Nina E. and Clara B., born in Jackson Town- ship.

OHN D. WILLIAMS, proprietor of livery stable at Angus, is a native of Ohio, born in Mahoning County March 1, 1853, a son of David Williams, of Lyon County, Kansas. The father is a native of Wales, and was in former years a miner, our

subjeet being reared principally among the coal mines of Illinois, his parents having located in Madison County, that State, in 1856. John D. Williams has followed mining mostly till within the past five years. Ile went to Kansas in 1872, where he followed farming for one year, then went to Missouri, where he worked in the inines. He came to Iowa in 1874, locating at Panora, and in the fall of 1878 came to Angus, being one of the first settlers of the town. Ile established his livery business in the fall of 1881, and in connection with it he runs a transfer and bus line. September 11, 1875, Mr. Williams was nnited in marriage to Miss Mary Powell, a daughter of James R. Powell, of Panora, Iowa. Four children have been born to this nnion, whose names are as follows-Clyde, Jennie, Harry and Eva M. Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows

OHN R. MATHEWS, a resident of Bristol Township, was born in Linn County, this State, September 13, 1853, son of William and Rosanna Mathews, who were among the pioneer settlers of Rapids Township, that county. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and settled in Linn County in 1849. The father died at their pioneer home in 1855, and the mother in 1885. Of their tive children, John R. was the youngest. One sister, Mary, is the deceased wife of William C. Stream, of Bristol Township. The eldest brother, James A., now in the In- dian Territory, served in the late war. An- other brother, George A., lives at the old home in Linn County. Robert is deceased. John R. Mathews and Miss Elizabeth Lichte- barger, danghter of John and Maria Lichte- barger, of Linn County, were united in

304

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

marriage March 14, 1876. She was born in Linn County, February 12, 1851. Her mother resides in that county, and her father is de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews came to Greene County in 1877. They reside on seetion 21, where they own a fine property of 160 acres, eighty aeres being under good im- provement. Their children are-Lillie, Edith and Nellie. In polities Mr. Mathews is a Republican. Mrs. Mathews' parents settled in Linn County during the Territorial days of Iowa, on a farm, the present site of West Cedar Rapids.

ONATHAN ROBINSON, postoffice Cooper, engaged in farming on seetion 11, Franklin Township, was born in Cayuga County, New York, September 3, 1842, a son of Ezekiel and Catherine Robin- son. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren, our subject being the youngest child. They subsequently removed with their family to Carroll County, Illinois, where their mother still lives. Their father died in 1883. Jona- than Robinson grew to manhood in Carroll County, being reared on a farm, and edu- cated in the common schools. Ile enlisted in defense of his country April 22, 1861, and was instered in May 24 among the first Illinois troops, and was assigned to Company K, Fifteenth Infantry. He participated in the battles at Pittsburgh Landing, siege of Corinth and siege of Vieksburg, and June 17, 1864, was honorably discharged at Spring- field, Illinois, when he returned to Carroll County. Mareh 6, 1865. he re-enlisted for one year in Company G, Fourth United States Army Corps, and at the expiration of his term of service was again honorably dis- charged at Columbus, Ohio. He was married December 14, 1865, to Miss Uranee Wight,

a native of the State of New York, a daugh- ter of Stephen Wight. Mrs. Robinson died November 9, 1875, leaving three children- Ellsworth, Della May, and Frank. July 4, 1876, Mr. Robinson was again married, to Miss Harriet S. Lawton, a daughter of Philip and Janet (Galt) Lawton. To this union have been born two children-Orrie and Arthur. Mr. Robinson resided in Carroll County, Illinois, until 1869, when he removed with his family to Greene County, Iowa, and set- tled in Washington Township where he re- sided for twelve years, and opened up a farm of eighty aeres on seetion 30. In 1881 he purchased his present farm which contains eighty aeres of well improved land under a fine state of enltivation, a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belong- ing to George II. Thomas Post, No. 23, at Jefferson. In polities he is an ardent Re- publiean.

REEDOM P. COOPER, proprietor of the livery and feed stable at Rippey. Greene County, was born in Niagara, Canada, the date of his birth being June 14, 1847, his father, Freedom Cooper, being now a resident of Ogden, Iowa. In 1853 our sub- ject was brought by his parents to Clarke County, Missouri, and in September, 1859, to Boone County, Iowa, where the father has sinee made his home. Freedom P. Cooper was reared to the avocation which he has fol- lowed the greater part of his life, and in his youth he attended the schools of his neigh- borhood, where he obtained a fair common school education. He was united in mar- riage January 8, 1875, to Miss Margaret Ramsey, a danghter of John Ramsey, of Boone County, Iowa. Four children have

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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