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 30
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 30
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been born to this union of whom only two are living-Charles and Martha. Mr. Cooper followed farming until 1884. In March, 1886, he came to Rippey, when he opened his present stable, and by his gentlemanly and accommodating manners, and strict at- tention to the wants of his customers he has succeeded in building up a good business which is steadily increasing.
OSEPH COCHRAN, one of the pioneers of Greene County, resides on section 4, Kendrick Township, P. O., Seranton. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 20, 1823, son of Hugh and Jane (Myers) Cochran, who where the parents of nine chil- dren, our subject being the sixth child. IIe resided in his native county until 1863, where he was reared a farmer, and received his education in the common schools, which were held in log school-houses. March 5, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Camelin, who was also a native of Ross County, Ohio. In 1863 Mr. Cochran, with his family, came to Greene County and settled upon his present farm, which was then in its primitive state. He built a log house, 16x18 feet, which answered for kitch- en, sleeping-room and parlor, and all visitors to this hospitable mansion were sure of a warm reception. Mr. Cochran owns 156 acres of excellent land, has a good house, and his farm buildings are commodious and com- fortable. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have had seven children, four of whom are living-Elizabeth Jane Stephen- son, who resides in Cedar Township: Hugh Allen, who resides in Churdan engaged in the hardware business; Lafayette, a farmer re-
siding in Cedar Township; Charles, born January 25, 1864, lives at home and assists in the management and care of the farm. Rhoda Ann Powers died in May, 1877, and two died in infancy.
HARLES A. ENGLISII, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Highland Township, residing on section 3, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1836, a son of Robert and Esther (Ilenry) English. He grew to manhood in his native State, being reared to the avocation of a farmer. At the age of twenty years he immigrated to Scott County, Iowa, where he commenced farming for himself, remaining there till the fall of 1859, when he removed to Clinton County, Iowa. Ile was married in De Witt, Clinton County, Iowa, August 27, 1863, to Mary A. Williams, who was born at St. Charles, Missouri, May 1, 1841, a danghter of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams, who were also natives of the State of Mis- souri. They are the parents of seven chil- dren-Edward N., born December 14, 1864; Lulu T., October 7, 1866; Sarah G., October 1, 1869; Thomas M., August 12, 1872; Bruce H., May 11, 1875; Clyde A., Septem- ber 8, 1877, and Elizabeth, March 3, 1880. Mr. English came to Greene County, Iowa, with his family in the spring of 1881, and has since made his home on section 3, High- land Township. When he first came to the township, the creek which flows in front of his house was so high that he had to float the lumber over for his buildings. In connection with his general farming, Mr. English devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, his land being well adapted for that purpose. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and in his agricultural pursuits has met with excellent
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success, his farm containing 160 acres of valuable land, well stocked. Both Mr. and Mrs. English are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. English is a staunch Republican.
the
EORGE F. HANSON, deceased, was born in the State of Maine, February 8, 1826, a son of Silas and Hulda Hanson, who were among Iowa's pioneers, making their home in Muscatine County as early as 1839. His father died in that county the same year, his mother surviving her husband for twenty-two years, her death taking place in 1861. George F. Hanson, the subject of this sketch, was married in Jones County, Iowa, November 23, 1848, to Miss Hannah Sherman, a native of Chautauqua County, New York, born February 14, 1830, a daugh- ter of Joshua and Mary Ann Sherman. Her parents were pioneers of Jones County, set- tling there in 1843, where they died many years ago on their old homestead. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hanson made their home on a farm in Muscatine County, and there their six children were born- Silas, living at home with his mother; Hul- dah, wife of R. S. Ervin, an attorney at law, residing at Fort Dodge; Avis, teaching school at Fort Dodge; Ella, teaching school at Paton, Greene County, and Sherman and Paul, living at home. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, in order to give their children the opportunity of attending the State University, removed to Iowa City, where they remained two years. removing thence to Seranton City, Greene County, where Mr. Hanson was engaged in gen- cral mercantile pursuits until 1880. In that year he sold his stock of goods and removed to section 12, Scranton Township, intending to give his entire attention to his farm. He
improved his land from the naked prairie, and left at his death a fine estate consisting of 720 acres. He died February 1, 1884, and though left. in comfortable circumstances, his family met with an irretrievable loss. He was an active, progressive business man, and gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him, his death causing universal regret. He always took a deep interest in public affairs, and was active in promoting the in- terests of his county, township, or neighbor- hood. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but was a Republican from the organization of that party.
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R. BENJAMIN F. WEST, postmaster and druggist at Angus, was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, April 22, 1858, son of Thomas J. West, a native of the same place. The grandfather, Jeremiah West, came from Ohio to Crawfordsville in an early day, settling among the Indians and wild ani- mals. He lived in a log cabin. Our subject was reared on a farm near his native town, and educated at Wabash College, Crawfords- ville, graduating at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, March 1, 1881. He then re- turned to his native place and practiced his profession until January, 1882, then came to Angus, where he has since lived. In August, 1886, he was made postmaster, and confined his practice to office practice. He also be- came a partner with Daniel J. Morris in the drug store. The postoffice is kept in the same place. He was married September 12, 1881, to Mary Graham, daughter of Nathan Graham, now deceased. They have had two children, only one living-Harold. Wilson W. died from the effects of a burn received by his clothes taking fire from the stove. Dr. West built up a large and lucrative practice.
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He is a member of the Odd Fellows society and encampment, the Knights of Honor, Good Templars, and of the Methodist Epis- eopal church. He has been a member of the town council and of the school board.
EORGE B. McCULLY .- The merean- tile firm of MeCully & Co., at Jefferson, is composed of George B. and Elizabeth MeCully. The business was established by G. and D. B. MeCully in 1874. This part- nership continued about four years, when the latter became sole proprietor. In 1882 the partnership of D. B. MeCully & Son was formed. The former died October 4, 1884, since which time the business has been con- dueted by the present firm. They are located on the east side of the square, their building being a fine frame structure 132 x 22 feet. It was erected by D. B. MeCully in 1884. Daniel B. McCully, one of the found- ers of this enterprise, was a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1832. He was reared in his native State, and eame to Scott County, Iowa, when a young man, where he married Elizabeth Smith, also a native of Ohio. He was reared on a farm, but for several years after his marriage followed the mercantile business in Wheatland, Clinton County, where he continued until he came here in 1874. Ile was a successful business man, and built up a fine trade. His wife and son succeeded him at his death. Politically he was a Republican, but took very little inter- est in politieal matters. He was a member of the board of supervisors of this county for four years. Previous to coming here, he had for many years been identified with the Chris- tian church. There being no religious or- ganization of that church here, he united with the Baptist church at Jefferson, of which
he remained a consistent and faithful member until death. Hle left a wife and four chil- dren-Mrs. Harriet E. Warner, a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory; Mrs. Mary Church, of Jefferson; George B. and Willie S. George B., the oldest son, was born in Scott County, this State, in 1859. He was educated at Jefferson Academy, and when eighteen years old was engaged as elerk in his father's store. He married Miss Ida V. Hozad, who was born at Newton, Jasper County. They have one child, Daniel C. Willie S. McCully, the younger son, was born in Scott County, in September, 1866.
I. RITCHIE, farmer and stock-raiser, seetion 35, Cedar Township, has a good farm of 250 acres, and is one of Cedar Township's representative citizens. His parents, George and Margaret Ritchie, were natives of Maryland, and settled in Ohio in an early day, and in that State he was born
September 22, 1824. He learned the ear- penter's trade in his youth, at which he worked in Ohio and Indiana. He was mar- ried in the latter State April 14, 1853, to Miss Margaret Ann Stephenson, a native of Indiana, born August 4, 1833, daughter of James and Mary Stephenson, natives of Ohio, but early settlers of Indiana, where they were married. In 1856 Mr. Ritchie moved to Greene County, Iowa, and settled on the farm where he now lives. His first purchase was eighty acres of raw prairie land, and has improved it until he now has it under culti- vation, and has added to it from time to time as he was able. During a residence of thirty years Mr. Ritchie has witnessed all the changes that have taken place in trans- forming Greene County from a barren prairie to a fine farming community interspersed
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with thriving villages. He came West with but little capital, but his undaunted pluck and energy have resulted successfully. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie have had eight children- Mary E., born April 6, 1854; William, born March 27, 1856; Margaret E., born April 16, 1858; Adeliza, born October 29, 1860; Ro- setta and Rosanna, born June 27, 1863; Rosetta died July 24, 1874; Ever A., born August 5, 1868, died July 25, 1873; R. Pearl, born November 19, 1877. In politics Mr. Ritchie is a Republican.
YDNEY J. COUNCILMAN, one of the prominent farmers of Grant Town- ship, resides on section 34, his farm of 320 acres lying on sections 34 and 33. He paid $11 per acre for this farm, which was wholly unimproved, but is now in a good state of cultivation. He was born in Broome County, New York, July 18, 1838. His father, Frederick Councilman, removed from the State of New York to Cook County, Illinois, thence to Clinton County, Iowa, in 1853, where he died in 1884. Sydney J. lived near De Witt, Clinton County, until he came to Greene County in 1878. He mar- ried Miss Angeline Winchell, of Cascade, Dubugne County, and they have six children, one son and five danghters. Mr. Council- man has one of the most desirable farms in the township. He has given much attention to fruit-raising, and has a fine orchard which he set ont in 1879. Of the 300 trees which he set out at that time only twenty have died. The orchard now contains about 600 trees. He raises apples and very fine small fruits, including strawberries of an excellent quality. Ile has a taste for horticulture, and has given considerable attention to that sub- ject. In carly life he received a good educa-
tion, and taught eight terms of winter school in Clinton County.
EORGE W. MUNN, section 21, Jack- son Township, settled on his farm June 1, 1873, it being at that time wild prairie land, and but two families were living in sight of his residence. The developments of Greene County in the past thirteen years has nowhere been more noticeable than in his portion of Jackson Township. Mr. Munn's farm contains 160 acres of choice land, all available and productive, and shows the care of a thrifty owner. Mr. Munn was born in Oneida County, New York, June 1, 1849, a son of George and Jane (Gibbs) Munn. When he was abont a year old his parents moved to Boone County, Illinois, and there he was reared. His father died No- vember 17, 1860, leaving his widow with a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Albert E., the eldest, is now a resident of Boone, Iowa, as is also a daughter, Mrs. Jane Olmsted; Mrs. Sarah Lemmon lives in O'Brien County, Iowa; the fourth child was George W .; Gardner lives near the old homestead in Illinois; Mrs. Martha Hall lives in the Black Hills district of Dakota; James lives with his mother on the old homestead; Mrs. Ruth Silvins lives in De Kalb County, Illinois; Rufus, twin brother of Ruth, died, aged three years. George W. Munn has always followed agri- cultural pursuits, commencing as a boy on his father's farm. He was married October 13, 1870, to Miss Maria S. Chamberlin, a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, born October 13, 1847, a daughter of Griffin and Maria (Sheldon) Chamberlin. Her mother died in Massachusetts, and in 1853 her father moved to Boone County, Illinois. and died
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in New York December 12, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Munn have one danghter-Luella, born April 10, 1877. In politics Mr. Munn is a Republican.
ILLIAM A. MCALLISTER resides on section 29, Grant Township, where he owns 140 acres of land. Ile was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1845. In the spring of 1864 his father, James H. McAllister, emigrated with his family to lowa, settling in Iowa County. In the fall of 1870 the parents went to Storm Lake, expecting to make a home there, but the country proved too new for them at their age in life, and they decided to settle in Greene County. The father accordingly purchased a farm of eighty aeres in Grant Township, adjoining the farm now owned by his son William. But little improvement had been made. He erected a fine house and barn and other buildings, and there died July 20, 1885. His wife, Susanna McAllis- ter, was killed by lightning September 2, 1875, during one of the most severe rain storms ever known in this country. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister were stationed just beneath the chimney on the second floor of the house endeavoring to cateh in a tin vessel the water which came down the chimney in large quantities, threatening to flood the room. The electric fiend struck the chimney, in- stantly killing Mrs. MeAllister. Her hus- band was rendered senseless by the shock. and was made deaf to quite an extent. A very remarkable fact is that he remained deaf until about two weeks before his death. when his hearing returned, and he could hear as distinetly as he ever did. Mr. and Mrs. MeAllister were natives of Greene County, Ohio, the father of Scotch origin, and the
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mother of Irish. They had four children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are-William A. and a younger sister, Mrs. Edith Alice Scott, of Bristol Township. William A. MeAllister enlisted October 15, 1864, in Company G, Sixteenth Iowa, and took part in the closing scenes of the war, marching with General Sherman to the sea. He was taken sick at Raleigh, North Caro- lina, and transferred to Beanfort; thence to Long Island, and was discharged in New York City May 28, 1865. He was married in Iowa County to Mary Ann Wagner, who was born in Ohio, and removed with her parents to Iowa when but seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. MeAllister have one ehild- Alice, born in Iowa County in January, 1867. Mr. McAllister is a Republican politically, as was his father. IIe is quite largely en- gaged in stock-raising, and he also makes a specialty of Canadian-French horses.
- WAN NELSON, general merchant at Angus, was born in Christianstadt, Sweden, October 29, 1861, son of John Anderson, deceased. The enstoms of that country are such that if the father was living Mr. Nelson's name would be Johnson. IIis mother married a Mr. Nelson, and he took his stepfather's name. He went to Chicago with his mother in 1868, where he lived until 1879, then came to Angus, which was then in its embryo. Ile clerked for Blair & Johnson, proprietors of the first store estab- lished in Angus. He remained with them until 1882, then clerked for Webster & Lunt six months, after which he returned to Chicago and engaged as department elerk in the domestie department of Cleveland, Cum- mings & Woodruff's wholesale dry goods house, where he remained seven months,
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and then the house failed. He was floor walker in E. J. Lehmann's celebrated fair during the holidays of 1883-'84, then returned to Angns, and in February of that year bought ont the dry goods stock of Webster & Lunt, to which he added a full line of groceries and provisions. He also keeps gents' furnishing goods, boots and shoes, and everything usually found in a general store. He carries a capital stock of $1,400, with annual sales of $7,000. March 25, 1885, he was married to Miss Annie Anderson, dangh- ter of Anders Erickson, of Sweden. To this union one child has been born-Elver, born February 1, 1886. While in Chicago Mr. Nelson became a member of Moody's church.
ILLIAM J. SEMMONS, general mer- chant at Angus, was born in County Cornwall, England, October 4, 1860. His father is William Semmons, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, who brought his family to America in 1870. IIe was educated in the common schools of Shamokin, and in July, 1880, came to Braidwood, Illinois, thence to Ottumwa, Iowa, a month later, and thence, in a few weeks, to Excelsior. In the spring of 1881 he went East, and returned to Excelsior the following fall, thence to Angus in Octo- ber, 1882. Hc worked in Webster & Lunt's store for two years, and went into business for himself on the 14th day of February, 1885. Ile carries a capital stock of $3,500, and does an annual business of $10,000. He keeps clothing, boots and shoes, gents' furnish- ing goods, hats and caps, groceries, provisions and notions. He has a good trade and it is constantly increasing. Ile was married October 1, 1885, to Jennie Clayton, daughter of James D. Clayton, of Van Meter, lowa. They have one child, Harry G. Mr. Sem-
mons is a member of the Masonic lodge at Angus; also member of Palmyra Chapter, No. 86, R. A. M., Perry, Iowa. Mrs. Semmons is a member of the Methodist church.
ROFESSOR HARRISON M. HAM, a son of Kingman Ham, is a native of Maine, born in Somerset County April 19, 1845. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same oceupation, remaining on the home farm till fifteen years of age. He then entered Vassalboro College, Maine, which he attended for five years. He began his career as a teacher while attending college at the age of seventeen, keeping up with his classes while teaching. Ile taught two terms in his native State while attending college. In 1865 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois as far as New Martins- burgh, Ohio, where he taught four months at $45 per month. He then joined his par- ents in McLean County, Illinois, in the spring of 1866, and settled on the farm with them. Here he taught school two winters, working on the farm in summer. Professor Ham was married in April, 1869, to Miss Mary Merwin, who was born in Columbia County, New York, October 4, 1850, a daughter of Asher and Elizabeth (Ham) Merwin, who were natives of the same State. They are the parents of three children- Llewellyn, born March 12, 1870; Ida May, born January 5, 1881, died March 8, 1881; Mahlon K., born May 28, 1883. In the fall of 1870 Professor Ham went to Blooming- ton, Illinois, where he was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits about five years, being engaged most of that time as a commercial traveler. He was then appointed a professor in the schools of that place, which position he filled acceptably from 1875 until 1881.
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He then came to Greene Courty, Jowa, and & tted on section 24, Franklin Township. " de e as since resided. a d is now devot- ing his attention to farming and stock-raising. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and now owns eighty acres on sec- tion 25, Franklin Township, besides his home farm, which also contains eighty acres of well-cultivated land. His residence is com- fortable and commodious, and his farm build- ings are in good condition, and he is classed nt prising and prosperons miras of Franklin Township. Ilis post- office is Box 9, Jamaica, Guthrie County, lowa. Professor llam has always been a staunch Republican in politics, and always voted the Republican ticket, and believes in the trinmph of that party in the near future. He has taken great interest in politics in late years, being an effective speaker upon political subjects. Professor Ham is considered a fine publie speaker and orator upon subjects to which he has given his earnest attention.
VID CONANT, farmer, resides on section 16, Bristol Township, where he owns 160 acres of land. Hle settled upon his farm in 1869, coming from Dane County, Wisconsin. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, under Colonel Daniels. Although his regiment did very hard work in guarding property, keeping open lines of communication, fighting guerrillas and bush- whackers, and passed through many dangers, it never had the fortune to be engaged in any historic battle. Mr. Conant suffered inch while in the service and contracted a disability from which he has never recovered. He was honorably discharged at Calhoun, Georgia. Returning to Dane County, Wisconsin, he
wedded Miss Aliee M. Wilson, daughter of William and Almira Wilson, now residents of Jefferson, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Conant have seven children-Charles A., Almira L., Sammel E., Matthew A., Sarah May, Olive Myrtle and Kate B. Mr. Conant was born in Lamoille County, Vermont, April 6, 1839, son of James A. and Louisa (Carter) Conant. The mother died in Ver- mont in 1945, and the father died in the State of New York since the war. After his mother's death, our subject was taken into the family of George W. Swaim, w o reared him. Mr. Swaim now lives in Dakota.
FOIIN I. DERRY. farmer, section 5, Washington Township, was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 22, 1848, son of John R. Derry, of Douglas County, Missouri, and a native of Pennsylvania. He spent his early life on a farm and was edn- cated in the common schools. He lived mostly in Pomeroy, Ohio, until eight years of age, then came to Greene County in 1865, set- tling upon the farm he now owns. There were twenty acres broken and one acre fenced. There was also a small log cabin on the place, which had one room, a elap-board roof, and all the surroundings of a primitive dwelling, and also a very good frame house. Mr. Derry endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but is now reaping the fruits of his hard labor. In November, 1885, J. R. Derry removed to Missouri. May 7, 1874, J. J. Derry was married to Miss Hannah A. Brown, daughter of Isaac H. Brown, who was killed in the battle of Champion Hills while fighting for the Union. He was First Lieutenant and aeting as Captain when killed. Mrs. Derry was born in Jefferson, now Grant Township, Greene County, Iowa, November
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30, 1856, her father having settled there in the spring of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Derry are the parents of three children-Nelly M., Rena B. and Charles W. Mr. Derry owns 175 acres of excellent land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Republican party; religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
II. CARTER, a prominent merchant of Jefferson, is located on the east side of the square. In 1875 he purchased an interest in the store of John D. Hall. Nearly two years later he sold out to Hall and opened a store on the west side of the square. In 1884 he erected his present fine brick building, which is 22x100 feet, two stories in height, with basement. IIe has inet with marked success in his business. From a small beginning he has built up his present lucrative business. Mr. Carter was born in Vermont in 1852, and is a son of Abel Carter, of Jackson Township, who emigrated with his family to Illinois in 1867, thence to Greene County the following year. Our subject was reared to the occupation of a farmer. In the fall of 1871 he went to Ringwood, near Chicago, where he was engaged in clerking one year. He then went to Clifton, Iroquois County, where lie was also engaged in clerking. In 1875 he was married to Miss Amelia Ladd, danghter of Wesley Ladd, one of the earliest settlers of MeHenry County, Illinois. They have one daughter, Marie, born in 1885. Abel Carter, father of our subject, and one of the representative citizens of Jackson Township, resides on section 11. where he established himself in 1869. His farm contains eighty- one acres of choice land, in the valley of the
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