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 37

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 37
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 37

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).

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and feeding. He was married in December, 1850, to Miss Mary Elliott, a native of Ire- land, and a daughter of Thomas and Mar- garet (IIill) Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have eight children - Robert, George G., Maggie, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Samnel E., William H. and Rose Alice. Mrs. Greene died October 8, 1884. Mr. Greene is a Re- publican in politics, and is a worthy and con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church, always taking an active interest in the ad- vancement of education and religion.

ACOB A. ADDY, engaged in agricult- ural pursuits on section 3, Junction Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Coshocton County, April 17, 1817, a son of Robert Addy, who was a native of Virginia. Ilis father served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. Jacob A., our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he lias followed through life with the exception of five years, from 1865 till 1870, when he was engaged in the mercantile business at Spring- ville, Linn County, Iowa. His educational advantages were limited to the log cabin sub- scription schools of that early day, where he was taught the common branches. Novem- ber 15, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary A. Rodney, a daughter of John Rodney, and of the tive children born to this union only one is living-a daughter, Catherine. She married William Sharp, of Tama City, Iowa, and to them have been born five children- Gertrude, Frank, Matie, Ruby C. and Bur- rell. The children deceased are-Sarah E., who died at the age of eighteen years; Rob- ert G., died aged seven years; Elizabeth and Clark, both died at about the age of fourteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Addy have an adopted

son, William L. Fordyce, whom they have reared from infancy, and who has taken the name of his adopted parents. Mr. Addy settled in Shelby County, Illinois, in 1841, and in 1849 removed to Linn County, Iowa, settling on wild land which he had entered, and there he endured many of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In- dians were the principal inhabitants, and wild animals were numerous. Their nearest milling and trading place was Museatine or Des Moines, a distance of sixty miles, ox teams being their principal mode of convey- ance. He came to Greene County, Iowa, in 1876, settling where he has since lived. He has been an industrious, hard-working citi- zen, and by his persevering energy, assisted by his excellent helpmeet, who has shared with him the vicissitudes of life for fifty years, he has acquired a competency for their declining years. Both are consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Dana. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

M RS. LETTITIE J. STEWARD, of Grand Junction, is a native of Han- cock County, Ohio, born August 21, 1842, a daughter of William H. and Rebecca (Keys) Harrison. In 1850 her parents moved to Jones County, Iowa, and located on a farm. She was reared in that county, receiv- ing a common-school education. She was married in JJones County, September 14, 1862, to William Steward, a native of Ohio, born July 31, 1842, a son of Spencer Steward. Mr. Steward enlisted in the defense of his country March 9, 1864, and was assigned to Company B, Ninth lowa Infantry. lle par- ticipated in a number of severe battles. From the effects of exposure and hardship he was attacked with typhoid fever, and died

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July 5, 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Steward was born one son -- Benjamin F., who is now employed at the Grand Junction coal shaft. Mrs. Steward removed to Greene County in the spring of 1869, and settled in Jefferson Township, where she lived until March, 1877, when she moved to Grand Junction. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

OBERT GIBSON, farmer, section 25, Washington Township, was born in Leicestershire. England, July 15, 1835, son of John Gibson, of this township, a native of the same country. He came to America in 1860, settling in Jackson, Michi- gan, where he remained three years. He then returned to England, and came back to the United States in May, 1864, stopping in Tioga County. New York, six months, then went to Hancock County, Illinois. The fol- lowing winter he came to Polk County, this State. Ile conducted a market garden, at Des Moines, a few years, and came to this county in March, 1872, settling upon his present farm, where he owns 120 aeres of good land. Mr. Gibson served as justice of the peace liere over two years, and as special deputy sheriff two years ; also insurance agent for Western Home and Merchant and Bank- er's Company. He is a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. and has married many couples, conducted many funeral ser- vices and taken a great many into the church during the sixteen years he has lived in Washington Township, and has always taken an active part in Sunday-school work. He used to ride to Minburn Sunday mornings, a distance of fifteen miles, to preach, then four miles south of Minburn in the afternoon, preaching at Perry in the evenings, and ride home again that same evening. He has

done more than any other man in punishing crime, in putting down saloons, and all kinds of evil. He is a public benefactor, though it has cost him hundreds of dollars. For a long time he stood entirely alone; but he proved himself to be the best friend to those who treated him the most shamefully. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father settled near Des Moines in 1856. Mrs. Gibson was married to her present husband September 1, 1866. She has always taken a great interest in Sunday-school work and has made her home for many years the home of the minis- ters of different denominations. All found a welcome there, her greatest delight being to make others happy in this life, and get them interested in the life to come. She is greatly respected by all who know her, espe- cially by the young, for whom she has so faithfully labored these many years, in the community where she lives.

QUINN FREE, farmer, section 26, Washington Township, was born in the town of Savanna, Carroll County, Illinois, November 9, 1847, a son of Samuel Free. He was reared a farmer, receiving a common-school education. He came to Greene Connty, Iowa, in the year 1869, and settled upon his present farm. September 10, 1871, he was married to Elizabeth J. Gilliland, daughter of Stephen W. Gilli- land, who settled in Dallas County, Iowa, in 1857. To this nnion have been born six children-Myron E., Katie R., Edna M., Blanche E. and James W. Mr. Free owns eighty acres of land, was elected justice of the peace in 1881, and re-elected in 1584 and 1856, and now has his office in the town of Surry. He has also served as township

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

clerk, trustee, assessor, and has been president of the school board in Washington Township. and is still a member of the board. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

ALENTINE S. BABB, farmer, Grant Township, resides on section 36, and is the oldest settler now living within the limits of Greene County. the date of his settlement being June 22, 1850. There were two other families living in what is now Grant Township when he came, viz., Enos Butterick and Richard Hardin; both are now deceased. Truman Davis had made a settle- ment in what is now Franklin Township. lle died many years ago, where he first settled. These men, with their families, constituted the population of Greene County when Mr. Babb came. His brother, William K. Babb, came with him. He was married, but had no children. He made a settlement adjoining his brother, where he lived until his death, which occurred four or five years later. Ilis widow is now Mrs. Hannah Smith, of Jefferson. IIe left two children, botlı of whom died young. Mr. Babb found the whole country in its primitive condition. The Indians had been removed, but the re- mains of their wigwams were still to be seen. Wild game, including elk and deer, was abundant. The settlers went to Fort Des Moines to do their trading, and also had to go very near there to get their corn ground. Mr. Babb was born in Greene County, Ten- nessee, July 9, 1820, and was reared in Hawkins County. Ilis parents were William and Mercy (Brown) Babb, the former a native of Tenneseee, and the latter of Virginia. They spent the most of their lives in Ten- nessee, and died in that State. They had

eight children, five sons and three daughters; the danghters and one brother are deceased. Mr. Babb was married in Tennessee to Lydia Crumley, and removed to Virginia May 1, 1850. He, with his family, his brother and the latter's wife, and William and S. G. Crumley, started for Iowa with a team of five horses attached to a wagon. There were seven persons in the company. Mr. and Mrs. Babb having one child. They stopped a few days in Dallas County, but Mr. Babb came almost immediately to Greene County and made his settlement as before stated, and here he has lived more than thirty-six years. His first house was a log cabin, where he lived with his family several years. He was a poor man when he came here. One of the horses previously mentioned belonged to him, and that constituted about all of his worldly possessions. He had not even money to enter his land, and was obliged to pay 40 per cent. interest in order to obtain the money. He pre-empted a quarter scetion, and about ten years ago added forty-five acres. He now has 205 acres of valuable land, and has suffi- cient means to make him and his family comfortable through life. His wife, who eame here with him, died February 19. 1857. Ilis second wife was formerly Abigail Ben- nett, whom he married August 9 of the same year. She died January 13, 1874. By his first marriage Mr. Babb had five children, three of whom died young. The living are- Emily, who came with her parents to this connty, and is now the wife of Luke Turpen, and Amanda Jane, wife of John Atkins. By his second marriage were seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are -Mrs. Mary Roberts, Oliver V., Amelia A .. Alice M., Mrs. Belle Jackson and Walter. Politically Mr. Babb is a Democrat. In the early days Greene County was organized into one civil township, called Washington Town-

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ship. Mr. Babb was the first justice of the peace in the county, and the first lawsuit was tried before him. A. J. Cain was elected justice at the same time, but Mr. Babb was the first to qualify, and performed the first duties. of that office. He served one term as county elerk, and was assessor for many years. William K. Babb, the brother of our subjeet, was several years younger than V. S. Ile was quite successful in life, being the owner of 400 acres of land and considerable per- sonal property. He was taken sick from exposure, and died of pneumonia. His widow afterward married Thomas J. Smith, who is also deceased. Mr. Babb has had poor health for many years. About the year 1854 he canght a severe cold which settled upon his lungs, and he has never fully recovered. In September, 1867, a horse ran away with him and broke his leg. This is also a source of considerable suffering.

UGENIO K. FRENCH, deceased, was born in Onondaga County, New York, October 3, 1847, and removed with his parents to La Salle County, Illinois, in 1865. At the age of seventeen years he ran away from home to enlist in the United States service during the late war. Ile became a member of Company F, Ninth Illinois Cav- alry, and served until the close of the war. He was married December 29, 1870, to Ans. tis M. Bradt, and they had two children- Ora V. and Albert J. Mrs. French died December 10, 1876, and January 9, 1879, Mr. French married Miss Janette Havenhill, a daughter of Oliver Havenhill, of La Salle County, Illinois. To this union have been born three children-Roseoe E., Oliver H. and Eugenio K. Our subjeet came to this county in March, 1882, settling on section 5, 28

Junction Township. Ile owned 160 acres of land, which his heirs now occupy. He hekl the office of tax collector, highway commis- sioner, and other local offices. He died May 12, 1884. Mrs. French was born in Big Grove Township, Kendall County, Illinois, and was reared on a farm. Her husband was also reared on a farm, and was eminently successful as a farmer and stock-raiser.

EESE G. SEAMAN, of the firm of Seaman & Seaman, proprietors of the Hawkeye Mills, on section 30, Bristol Township, was born June 1, 1844. in (lin- ton County, Ohio, son of W. D. Seaman. Ile was reared on a farm and remained with his father's family until his twenty-first year, when, in January, 1865, he became a recruit of Company F, Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry. His service was on detached duty at the head- quarters of General P. Richardson. After the war he became a resident of Adair Conn- ty, Missouri, where he lived abont ten years engaged in farming and in operating station- ary engines. Ile was also engaged in the marble trade four years. In Adair County, April 23, 1874, he was united in marriage with Hattie Capps, daughter of Henry Capps of that county. In 1875 Mr. Seaman became identified with the interests of Greene County and engaged in farming. Later he owned a farm on section 30, Bristol Township, which he sold, and then purchased an interest in the mill property of which he now has half of the charge. The building is 30 x 40 feet, two and one-half stories in height, with base- ment and three sets of burrs. The power comes from the North Coon River, a head of seven feet giving a safe and reliable power sufficient for all uses. They contemplate making many improvements in the near

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future. In connection with the mill prop- erty the company owns forty aeres of land upon which are three houses, a barn and ear- penter's shop. A fair valuation of the entire property would not vary mneh from $12,000. Mr. Seaman's parents lived many years in Adair County, Missouri, before their decease. The father was born in Ohio County and the mother in Roekbridge County, Virginia. They were married in Clinton County, Ohio. Of their nine children Reese G. was the sixth. The eldest, George, lives in Carroll County, Missouri; James V. is a physician, living in Butler County, Kansas. These and onr sub- jeet are all that are living. George, Jonah V. and Reese G. served in Company F, Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman have five children-Henry W., Jonah V., James D., Nellie and Edith. They are members of the Christian church, and in polities Mr. Seaman is an ardent Republican. He belongs to Golden Gate Lodge, No. 402, A. F. & A. M., at Seranton, and N. II. Powers Post, G. A. R., at the same place.

RTEMUS J. MACK, an active and enterprising agriculturist, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 13, Junetion Township, Greene County, is a native of Illinois, born in Boone County, July 12, 1856, a son of Willard Maek, who is living in Junetion Township. His father being a farmer, he was reared to the same oeenpation, his youth being spent in assist- ing on the farm and in attending the common schools of his neighborhood. He came with his father's family to Greene County, Iowa, in 1876, where he has sinee made his home, and is now the owner of a fine farm in June- tion Township which contains eighty acres of well-eultivated land, he being numbered

among the progressive farmers of this eom- munity. Mr. Maek was united in marriage March 2, 1880, to Miss May Smith, a dangh- ter of Richard Smith, who is now deceased. Four children have been born to this union, whose names are as follows-Lanra B., Ger- trude J., Spencer A. and Artemus R.

AMUEL M. TAYLOR, section 27, Grant Township, is one of the promi- nent pioneers of Greene County. His father, Joshua Taylor, settled in this county in June, 1855, buying a traet of wild land on which a log cabin had been built and one aere had been eleared and planted to potatoes. Joshua Taylor was born in Logan County, Kentucky, December 1, 1805, and September 27, 1827, married Naney More, also a native of Logan County, Kentucky, born May 12, 1809. Several years later they moved to Champaign County, Illinois, and thence to Iowa. Joshua Taylor was a man highly es- teemed by all who knew him. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal ehurel many years, and in polities was a Jackson Demoerat. At his death he left a widow and seven children, three children having preceded him to the other world. Those living at the time of his death were-Mrs. Martha J. Col- lins, Mary N., James II., Mrs. Sarah Win- kleman, Samuel M., Joshna G. and Matilda Kooder. Of this family Samuel M. is the only one living. After the father's death the mother married Wilkins Taylor (not a rela- tive). He also died and she then married Job C. Stiles. She died January 21, 1884, after a brief illness. Samuel M. Taylor was born in Champaign County, Illinois, March 25, 1838. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Franees Correy, daughter of Joseph Collins. To them were born two

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children-Rosettie C. and Naney A. His pres- ent wife was Ann Elizabeth Tilton, daughter of David Tilton. She was born in Ohio in 1851, and accompanied her parents to Illi- nois when a child, where her father died in 1865. In 1870 she and her mother came to Greene County. Her mother returned to Illinois, where she died in September, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children- Samuel M., William Arthur and Ariel Adol- phus. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In polities he is a Demo- crat.

EORGE W. WIANT, farmer, seetion 5, Washington Township, was born in Tnsearawas County, Ohio, December 2, 1846. His father, Andrew Jesse Wiant, of Tuscarawas County, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and came to Ohio when a young man. Our subject was reared on a farm, and ob- tained his edneation in the common schools. Ile has always followed farming for his ocen- pation. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting February 23, 1865, for one year, or during the war, and was assigned to Com- pany C, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was mustered out Sep- tember 28, 1865. In February, 1866, he re- moved to Peoria County, Illinois, and there attended the commercial college of Worth- ington, Warner & Cole, during the winter of 1866-767. In April, 1867, he came to Greene County, and bought and improved eighty acres on seetion 16, Washington Town- ship. He located upon his present farm in the fall of 1872, where he owns 240 acres of land. He is engaged in general farming, and gives considerable attention to graded stock. Mr. Wiant was married February 26, 1871, to Miss Lonisa A. Potts, daughter of

Jesse P. Potts, deceased, who was born in Cedar County, this State. They have had three children, only one of whom is living-Cora Emeline. Mr. Wiant has served as township elerk and township assessor several years; he is now a member of the school board and is township school treasurer.

ALVIN M. NEAL, Angus, is a native of Iowa, born in Wapello County, Inly 10, 1846, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Pierce) Neal, the father being a native of Champaign County, Ohio. The mother was a danghter of Thomas Pierce, a distant rela- tive of President Pierce, and was a colonel, and afterward acted as a spy in the Revolu- tionary war. He was a pioneer of Warren County, Illinois. The brother of our subject, John N. Neal, owns the gun which was car- ried by Mr. Pierce in the the Revolution, which he prizes very highly. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Neal, five are living-Eliza, John N., Daniel, Will- iam and Alvin M., our subject being the youngest child. His youngest sister, Ln- einda J., died at the age of thirty-four years. Ilis father died March 16, 1872, and his mother's death occurred in March, 1873. Alvin M. Neal was reared to the avocation of a farmer, receiving in his youth a com- mon-school education. He was brought by his parents to Marion County, Iowa, in the spring of 1855, and there he grew to man- hood on the home farm. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion at the age of seventeen, and was assigned to Company F, Fortieth Iowa Infantry, serving for three years, and participated in the battles of Little Rock, Memphis, Jenkins' Ferry, and others of minor importanee. He returned to his home with- ont having received a wound, but with health

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permanently impaired by the exposure and hardships he had endured while in the ser- ! vice. He was married November 18, 1865, to Miss Catherine Jones, a native of Wales, born January 29, 1842, a daughter of llenry D. and Ann (Davis) Jones, who were natives of the same country. Mr. Jones came to America with his family in 1857 and located at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in Jannary, 1858, came to Knoxville, Iowa. The parents are still living in Marion County. They were the parents of twelve children, six still living-Mrs. Neal, Seth and Owen, natives of Wales, and William, Ulysses G. and Ann, born in lowa. Seth Jones and Mr. Neal were messmates in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Neal have a family of three children-William T., born September 15, 1866; Arthur M., born October 9, 1868; Francis O., born Angust 24, 1871. Mr. Neal made his home in Marion County until 1871, when he removed with his family to Otley, Iowa. In the spring of 1881 he came to Greene County, where he followed farm- ing iuntil the spring of 1884, since which time he has been a resident of Angus. Ile has followed farming through life until with- in the past three years, since which time he has been running a bus and dray line at An- gus, in which undertaking he is meeting with snecess. He now owns two residences, and a business house at Angus, in which Mrs. Neal is running a millinery store, besides a farm of eiglity acres on section 13 of Washington Township. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

RCHIBALD BURK, farmer, section 19. Washington Township, was born in Otsego County, New York, April 23, 1840. His father, Amos S. Burk, brought

his family to this county in the spring of 1555, locating on the old Burk homestead, section 32, Washington Township, where he died several years ago. Our subjeet was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Ile has always followed the ocenpa- tion of a farmer. During the late war he enlisted in Company Il, Tenth Iowa In- fantry, and participated in the battles of Madrid, the first and second battles of Cor- inth, Inka, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vieks- burg and Missionary Ridge. For these services rendered his country he draws a pension of $4 a month. He was married May 21. 1865, to Martha Heater, daughter of Jacob Ileater. a pioneer of this county, and now deceased. They have four children -- Jennie A., James A., George E. and Nellie A., all at home. Mr. Burk owns 160 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock- raising. When the family first came to this county they had to go to Des Moines t, trade and also to do their milling, a distance of fifty miles. Mr. Bnrk is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

EORGE A. WEATIIERSON, a suc- cessful agriculturist of Junetion Town- ship. Greene County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 18, is a native of Ohio, born August 18, 1854. Ilis father, Luke Weatherson, was born in Scot- land, and came to America in 1849. Ile first located near Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1850 went to California. In 1852 he settled near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, returning to Ohio in 1854. He is now a resident of Jones County, Iowa. He was a soldier three years in the war of the Rebellion, serving until its close. George A. Weatherson, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to

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agricultural pursuits on the home farm, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. Ilis education was obtained in the common schools of his neighborhood. Hle eame to Greene County, Iowa, in June, 1880, settling on his present farm, where he has 160 aeres of valuable land. Mr. Weatherson was united in marriage January 31, 1882, to Miss Mary Gunn, a daughter of Charles Gunn, of War- ren County, Illinois. One child was born to this union, a daughter, Inldah, who is now deceased. Mrs. Weatherson is also deceased, her death taking place November 4, 1883. Mr. Weatherson never seeks official honors, preferring to devote his entire attention to the duties of his farm.

HARLES B. MECUM, seetion 36, Washington Township, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, August 25, 1822, a son of James and Julia (Dewey) Mecum, the father a native of Massachusetts, of Irish ancestry, his mother being of French deseent. His father was a First Lieutenant in the war of 1812. Charles B. Meeum was reared a farmer, and has followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life. His education was obtained at Springfield, Massa- chusetts, and at Suffield, Connectient. He is one of the few remaining " forty-niners," who April 5, 1849, with oxen and wagons, started from Galesburg, Illinois, for the gold fields of California, taking the name of " Jay-Ilawk- ers " to distinguish their party from the other parties who went the same year. After leaving Little Salt Lake the Jay-Hawkers took directions from Indian Walker, and Ward, an old mountaineer, who told them they could save 500 miles by taking the route le laid out for them, and branched off from the main body. Finding nothing

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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