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 39

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 39
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 39

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Second Wisconsin was a part of the renowned "Iron Brigade," so well known in history. At the second battle of Bull Run, Mr. Wilson was wounded in the left leg, and he was again wounded at Gettysburg. A portion of his service was in an ambulance train and a portion as conrier and orderly. He was honorably discharged February 26, 1865, and returned to Dane County, Wisconsin. May 23, 1867, he was united in marriage at Rich- land County, Wisconsin, with Mrs. Amy Standish, a lady who was orphaned in early youth. She was born in Iowa County, Wis- eonsin, in April 4, 1843. Mr. Wilson came to Greene County in 1869, as before stated. Of their five children, only two, Harold E. and Elmer L. are living. The deceased are John, Jessie and Abbie. Politically, Mr. Wilson has always affiliated with the Repub- liean party.

ENRY BUCHER, residing on seetion 14, Bristol Township, has been a resi- dent of that township since 1874. His farm was then wild prairie. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. September 16, 1841, son of Martin and Mary Bneher, also natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1841, locating at Mount Vernon, Linn County, where the father worked at the blacksmithi's trade several years, then removed to Cedar Connty, where he made a home on a farm and worked at his trade until his ad- vaneed age compelled him to abandon it. The parents now live in Yates County, Ne- braska. Of their eleven children Henry was the third and the oldest now living. IIe re- mained with his parents until twenty-one years of age; then, in the fall of 1864, en- listed as a soldier in the Union army. IIe was a member of Company A, Sixteenth Iowa

Infantry. He joined the army of General Sherman at Atlanta, and was in the glorious march to the sea. He started with the army on its campaign through the Carolinas, but while in South Carolina sickness compelled him to go to the hospital, where he remained four weeks. He was eared for at Buford, and was then sent to Long Island, where he was carried from the steamer to the hospital, on a stretcher, and for nine weeks had a dear fight for life. Later he was sent to the con- valescent eamp at Keokuk, this State, and discharged at that place. IIe then returned to Cedar County and lived with his parents until September, 1870, when he married Miss Lena Herbst, daughter of Ilenry Ilerbst, a native of that county, born in 1850. They remained in Cedar County until 1874, then removed to their present home in Greene County, where they have a well-im- proved farm and a home with very pleasant surroundings. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Bueher bought an additional forty aeres. They have four children-Minnie, Edward, Ebby and Bertie. Willie, Georgie, Amelia and an infant unnamed are deceased. Polit- ically Mr. Bneher is a Demoerat.

B ENJAMIN WINKELMAN, farmer, resides on seetion 19, Grant Township, where he owns 245 acres ou sections 19 and 30. Ile settled there in December, 1856. The only improvements that had been made were abont twenty acres broken, and a log eabin 16 x 18 had been built. There were but few settlements in the vicinity when he located there. On that farm Mr. Winkelman has lived for thirty years. It will be remem- bered that the winter he settled here was the winter of the famous deep snow and severe weather. They were very comfortable during

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the winter, and suffered but little from the severity of the season. He first purchased 320 acres of land, for which he paid $1,500. He was able to pay for it all, and had a few hundred dollars remaining. Their nearest mill was at Panora, abont twenty miles dis- tant. On one occasion Mr. Winkelman sent his hired boys to mill. While there a severe rain storm came up, and Mr. Winkelman was obliged to ferry them back across the stream. Panora was also their nearest post- office. At that time there was no postoffice at Jefferson. The next year arrangements were made so that all Greene Connty mail was left at Des Moines, and when one of the residents of the county would go there he usually called at the postoffice for the Greene County mail, which would be left at some convenient place for distribution, usually at Jefferson. Mr. Winkelman has witnessed all the changes in this county, from its prim- itive wildness to its present flourishing condition. He was born at Canton Berne, Switzerland, Angust 17, 1818. He came to America with his parents in 1833, the family then consisting of parents and four children. The parents were Benjamin and Catherine Winkelman. They settled at Blue Creek, Franklin County, Indiana, on a farm, and eight years later removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Champaign County, Illinois, in 1843, where the mother died in 1854. The father died in Cincinnati in 1863. Three of the children are living-Annie, a resident of Champaign County, Illinois; Benjamin, our subject, and Catherine, who married Charles Stifel in Cineinnati. She lost her husband, then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, with her children. In 1880 she came to Greene County to visit her brother, whom she had not seen for twenty-eight years. She was taken siek the day after her arrival, and died two weeks later at the honse of her brother.

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She left one son and fonr daughters in St. Louis. John, the youngest of the children, lives in California. Benjamin was married in Cincinnati in 1843, to Miss Margaret Phoner, a native of Germany, who died in Illinois in 1854. In 1852 Mr. Winkelman went the overland ronte to California and engaged in mining, returning in 1855. IIe was in California at the time of his wife's decease. Ile returned via the Isthmus of Panama, on the first passenger train that crossed the Isthmus. In February, 1855, he married his present wife, Angeline Bush, of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in March, 1824. Mr. Winkelman remained in Illinois until he came to this county. He has three children by his first marriage-Catherine, John and Fred. By his second marriage are four children-James, Susan, Martha and William Sherman. Mary, the oldest, wife of James Ganoe, is deceased. Ella is also de- ceased, having lost her life under the follow- ing painful cirenmstanees: On the evening of the 9th of May, 1885, Mrs. Winkelman and her daughter Ella were returning from Jefferson in a small spring wagon, James Ganoe being the driver. When crossing the Panora bridge, which spans Coon River, a span of the bridge gave way and all went down a distance of abont twenty feet. Ella was so severely injured that she died the 10th day of June following. She was an amiable, intelligent and worthy young lady, beloved and respected by all who knew her. Her untimely death saddened the whole com- munity, and was a terrible affliction to her immediate family. She had a fine edneation, and had taught several terms of school. Mrs. Winkelman was also severely injured, and has never entirely recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelman are worthy members of the Methodist church, and belong to that sturdy, honest pioneer element that is fast passing

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

away. Mr. Winkelman east his first vote in Iowa for James Buchanan, but since then las voted the Republican ticket. He was per- sonally acquainted with President Lincoln, and voted for him at both elections.

HOMAS JAQUES, an old settler of Greene County, Iowa, residing in Wil- low Township, is a native of West- moreland, England, born January 30, 1816, a son of John and Dorothy (Dobson) Jaques. They were the parents of nine children- Nicholas D., Mary, Thomas, Ann, Dorothy, John, Elizabeth, Agnes and Anthony. Thom- as was reared in his native conntry till seven- teen years of age, when he went to Canada and settled near Hamilton. He was married in Canada March 1, 1841, to Miss Margaret Bird, who was born in Cumberland County, England, November 29, 1816. Her parents, Robert and Ann (Jackson) Bird, had a family of ten children-Elizabeth, Margaret, Esther, Samuel, Thomas, Mary, Joseph, William, Robert and Sarah. To Mr. and Mrs. Jaques were born nine children, eight of whom are still living-Nicholas, Esther, John, Thomas, William, Benjamin, Agnes and Nettie. A daughter, Margaret, is deceased. Five of the children are living in Iowa; one son re- sides in Nebraska, and two daughters live in Dakota. Mr. Jaques lived in the vicinity of Hamilton until 1854, when he removed to Middlesex County, Ontario, remaining there till 1869. He then came with his family to Greene County, Iowa, when he settled on the farm in Willow Township, where he has since made his home. Ilis son, Benjamin F., is one of the leading citizens of Willow Town- ship, where he is extensively engaged in stoek breeding on seetion 14. He was born in Can- ada in 1854, was reared a farmer and educated

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in the commnon sehools. He came to Greene County with his parents in 1869, and has been very successful in his agricultural pur- snits. The Jaques farm is one of the largest in Willow Township, and is under a fine state of cultivation. They have a fine two- story residence, built in modern style, and good out-buildings for the accommodation of their stoek, feed-lots and a good wind-mill. Thomas Jaques, the father, is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Postoffice, Bayard, Guthrie County, Iowa.

EV. JOIIN C. CARTER, pastor of the Baptist church at Grand Junetion, is a native of Illinois, born in Clinton Coun- ty March 25, 1849, a son of Wiley L. Carter, now deceased, who was a native of the same county. His grandfather, John Car- ter, settled in Illinois in its territorial days. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Our subjeet was reared to the avoca- tion of a farmer. Ile was educated prinei- pally in Shurtliff College, of Alton, Illinois, graduating from that institution in 1881. He also attended the Agricultural College at Irvington, Illinois, for one year. Ile engaged in the ministry before finishing his college course, having been ordained at Diamond Springs church, in Clinton County, Illinois, in January, 1876. At the time of his grad- uation he was preaching in Troy, Illinois. In January, 1882, he came to Iowa and had charge of the church at Bowman's Grove, Shelby County, until May, 1883, when he went to Logan County, remaining there until the latter part of 1885, and Jannary 1, 1886, he assumed the charge of the church at Grand Innetion. May 11, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Marshall, dangh- ter of Thomas Marshall, deceased. Of the

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five children born to this union four are liv- ing-Grace T., Alva G., Gilman K. and Ray. Mr. Carter is a member of the Odd Fellows order.

ILLIAM P. SEAMAN, of the firm of Seaman & Roberts, proprietors of the Eureka Mills in Jackson Town- ship, has been a resident of Greene County since 1866. He was born in Springfield, Illi- nois, December 23, 1839, son of John and Jane (Broadwell) Seaman, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of St. Louis, Mis- souri. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority. Upon the breaking out of the civil war he volunteered in August, 1861, in defense of his country, becoming a member of Company C, Eleventh Missouri Infantry. At that time the quota of Illinois under all former calls had been filled, and Illinois men who felt it a duty to enter the service organized in large numbers as Mis- souri volunteers. The Eleventh Missouri was under General Pope, and participated in the siege of Corinth and in the succeeding cam- paign at the same place. During a violent wind storm which occurred August 14, 1862, after the occupation of Corinth, Mr. Seaman was injured by the falling of a tree while standing in his tent. Both of his legs were broken, and it became necessary to amputate his right leg below the knee. Of course this ended his army life. He now receives a pension. Returning to his home in Illi- nois, he remained in the employ of his father on the farm in Sangamon County until 1866. Soon after he came to Greene County, and engaged in farming in Jackson Township. In August. 1877, he traded his farm property for a half interest in the Eureka Mills, since which time he has given his entire attention

to the milling business. The building is 30 x 40 feet, two stories and basement, fitted with three sets of burrs and two sets of rollers. The mill receives its power from the North Coon River, and it is considered one of the best mill properties in this part of Iowa. It is doing an extensive business, and satisfies all its patrons. In 1869 Mr. Seaman was married to Miss Amanda, daughter of Isaac Scaman, who died about two years later, leaving one child-Maggie Stella. For his sceond wife he married Miss Sarah Capps, daughter of Henry Capps, and they have four children-Florence, Bertha, Charles and William. Mr. Seaman owns an improved farm on section 36, Bristol Township. Po- litieally he affiliates with the Republican party.

ILLIAM H. BISTLINE, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 17, Junction Township, was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1850, a son of George and Elizabeth (Bird) Bist- line, the father being a native of Penn- sylvania. Our subject was reared to the avoeation of a farmer, his father being a farmer by occupation, and his education was received in the common schools and in Bloomfield Academy in his native county. He came to Ogle County, Illinois, in 1871, where he was united in marriage January 16, 1872, to Miss Mary Barrick, a daughter of Jacob Barrick, a resident of Ogle County. Six children have been born to this union- Elizabeth E., Jennie B., Grace, Charles (de- ceased), William and Ethel. In 1876 Mr. Bistline visited his old home in Pennsyl- vania, and also visited the Centennial Exhibi- tion at Philadelphia. The same year he came to Iowa, locating in Tama County,

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where he made his home till Mareh, 1881. Hle then came to Greene County and has sinee followed farming on his present farm, which contains eighty acres of well-cultivated land. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving nine months in Company E, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, participating in the battles of Nashville and Fredericks- burg. He was of German ancestry, his great- grandfather coming from that country and settling in Pennsylvania, where his father was born. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject. George Miller, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subjeet was also of German ancestry. her name being originally Vogel, the name being changed to Bird on the arrival of her ancestors in this country. Undoubtedly Mrs. Bistline would have fallen heir to a share of a large amount of money due to her family had the name not been changed. Margaret Barrick, the grandmother of Mrs. W. H. Bistline, died in 1882, at the advanced age of 106 years. She was born in Pennsylvania, and during her life was never out of her native State.

R. CASTANUS B. PARK, physician and banker at Grand Junetion, was born in Grafton, Vermont, December 14, 1834, son of Castanus B. Park, a native of the same place, once a prominent merchant of Grafton, now deceased. Hle was educated at Chester Academy, at Chester, Vermont, and graduated at Albany Medical College, New York, June 10, 1856. The same year he came to Darlington, Wisconsin, where he practiced one year, thence to St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, lowa, in 1857, practicing 29

two years, then returned to his native town. where he practiced until 1862. He was then commissioned Surgeon of the Sixteenth Ver- mont Infantry, serving nine months, when his term expired. Soon after this his regi- ment presented him with a silver tea-set, as a manifestation of their appreciation of his services, accompanied by affectionate remarks of tribute. He was again commissioned Sur- geon of the First Vermont Heavy Artillery, and assigned to duty in the Vermont Heavy Artillery October 3, 1863. We quote the following from a book entitled " Vermont Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley," written by Lieutenant-Colonel A. F. Walker: " But among all the faithful soldiers of the brigade, the one who will be the longest remembered with affection, and with the greatest reason, is Castanus B. Park, of the Eleventh Regi- ment, the Brigade Surgeon. As a worker, Dr. Park was indefatigable, and his skill was equal to the requirements of his position. Of all its medical staff' the brigade was justly proud, the assistant surgeons as well as the surgeons being always found at their posts, and shrinking from no labor that might ben- efit the men on their march, in the camp or in the battle. Their duties were often ex- tremely arduous. In case of an engagement. their work was but just begun when ours was over. After the battle of Cedar Creek Dr. Park was at his table forty-eight consecutive hours, and during this campaign it was his duty to perform all the capital operations required in the brigade. The number of amputa- tions which he performed was exceedingly large; but he traeed with care the subsequent history of each patient, and in no single case did one fail of recovery. This fact speaks equally well for the physique of the men and the science of the doctor." Regarding the present mentioned, the following is quoted from the Bellows Falls (Vermont) Times, of

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

October 23, 1863: " Dr. C. B. Park, Dear Sir: Your visible connection with our regi- ment as its Surgeon, has eeased, but the re- membranee of your fidelity, energy and uneeasing eare, will live long in the hearts of itsindividual members. In the first place, you won our confidence hy manifesting a skill in the art of healing which few possess; then by untiring diligence and eontinned wateh- fulness, you almost robbed disease of its ter- rors and death of its vietims. But this is not all. Your whole intercourse with us was characterized by gentlemanly deportment and kindly consideration. Neither the annoy- anees of dealing with unpleasant subjects, nor the necessary inconveniences of eamp life, in- dueed negleet or sourness. In order to mani- fest our appreciation of your services, the accompanying silver-ware has been selected, and I have the honor of presenting it to you in behalf of the enlisted men of the Sixteenth Vermont Regiment. Accept it, not for its intrinsic value, but for the memories which eluster around it. Receive it as an expres- sion of grateful remembrance from hearts which have been quiekend to nobler emotions by devotion to the principles of freedom and humanity. I am yours respectfully,

"LVMAN E. KNAPP."

The doctor came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, in 1867, and to Grand Junetion two years later, hoping to quit his praetiee alto- gether; but his reputation followed him, almost compelling him to praetiee a portion of the time. He established a lumber yard in Grand Junetion, it being the first in the place. He also built a warehouse, bought grain and sold implements. He also bought considerable real estate, and sold all the coal here for several years. Ile introduced the first herd of short-horn cattle in Greene County. He then sold out all his other busi- ness exeept his farm and stoek, and in 1879

built and started the banking house of C. B. Park, at Grand Junction. In 1882 he sold his farm and stoek, and now does general banking business. He was married July 3, 1856, to Naney D. Carlton, daughter of Jo- seph Carlton, now deceased. She is a native of Andover, Vermont. They have had three children, only one living-Jennie M., who is attending Callanan College at Des Moines. One child died in infancy, and William L. was accidentally shot, June 15, 1886. He was a bright, promising young man, and a graduate of the State University of Iowa City. Ile was twenty-five years old. All mourn his untimely death and his family are grieved beyond measure. The doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, and be- longs to the Masonie fraternity. He has held the office of county supervisor for nine years.

ILLIAM SHEARMAN, a prominent farmer of Jackson Township, located on seetion 26 in 1870. Ile first bought forty acres of land on the prairie, which he rapidly improved and made pro- dnetive. By honesty, industry and economy he has inereased his number of aeres to 160, and now owns one of the best farms in Greenc Connty. Mr. Shearman was born in England November 6, 1841, in Lincolnshire. His parents, Matthew and Maria Shearman, are still living on the old homestead. He was the sixth of a family of eleven children, of whom his brothers, James and Joseph, are in this country. None of the others have ever left England. Our subjeet left England in May, 1869, with a capital of 8500, hoping to better his chances in life in this broad country. His brother James, who had pre- ecded him twelve years before, was living in

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Clinton County, Iowa. He lived with his brother for a time, then found employment at a packing and malt-house on Rock Island, and a portion of the time was an employe of a Government contractor of arsenal buildings. March 25, 1873, he was married at Rock Island to Miss Elizabeth Holden, daughter of Joseph Ilolden, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States in May, 1867. They have two sons-William and Archie. Mr. and Mrs. Shearman are worthy members of the Church of England.

EV. LYMAN STILSON was born in Meredith, Delaware County, New York, January 29, 1805, where he grew to manhood. Ile engaged in teaching at the early age of seventeen, near his home, a vocation which proved pleasant to himself and beneficial to others during many years of his after life. He engaged in the business of marble cutting in the intervals of teach- ing, but finding the dust injurious to his lungs he turned his attention to organ building, and settled upon that as his life work. But God had something better awaiting him. He was converted and united with West Mere- dith Baptist church January 17, 1830, Rev. W. Kingsley, pastor. He entered Madison University (then ealled Hamilton Literary and Theological Institute) in 1833, one year in advance, and graduated in 1836. He remained as resident graduate some months to study Ilebrew under Dr. Conant. Incidents of great interest were transpiring meanwhile. Mr. and Mrs. Wade, with two natives from Burmah, were there seeking helpers in the work of foreign missions. Four students, Dean, Comstock, Vinton and Howard had given themselves to the work. Mr. S. seeing his duty in the same direction, was ordained

to the gospel ministry in July, 1837. He was soon married to Miss Lucretia Brownson, a lady admirably fitted, as her after record shows, to be his companion in toil and saeri- fiee; and on the 28th of October following. in company with the Revs. D. L. Brayton and E. A. Stevens and their wives, all of whom are still living and laboring there. they sailed for Maulmain, Burmah, arriving Feb- ruary 19, 1838. Here he was met by Jud- son, Osgood, Ilaswell, Ingalls and Comstock, some of whom had been driven thither by siekness elsewhere. Here he remained one year studying the language. His destination had been Ava, the capital: but owing to a revolution there, making it impossible to do mission work except covertly, he went to Arracan with Comstock, where he remained seven years. During this time occurred the noted visit of the mountain chief from Kemee Hills, begging the missionaries to come and teach his people, promising to build a house and a chapel. Mr. Kincaid and Mr. Stilson visited the chief, the latter removing his family and remaining long enough to acquire and reduce their language to writing, in which he afterward prepared some elementary books and a catechism. A brief notice of the Kemee language may be found written by him in the Journal of the Oriental Society, Vol. 8, No. 1. Rev. H. E. Knapp and wife were sent out in 1849, but their early death buried the hopes of that interesting people in the dust, and rendered useless the labors and sacrifices of Mr. and Mrs. Stilson. In February, 1843, Mr. and Mrs. Kineaid came to America for health. Soon Mrs. Comstoek and two children died, and in just one year Mr. Comstock followed them, dying of cholera in Mr. Stilson's house. During his residence in Arracan he was repeatedly urged to prepare works in arithmetic, geography and other branches for the use of schools, as

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

he was admirably adapted to sneh work, Henceforth his time was divided between preaching, teaching and the preparation of books. Illustrations were needed, but 110 engravers were at hand. His mind being fertile in resources, he soon acquired sufficient knowledge of the art to overcome all ob- stacles in that line. No maps had been printed. He commeneed with maps illus- trating Seripture history, and followed with others as needed. There being no press in Arracan, necessitated his removal to Maul- main, where he prepared other books, many of which are still in use in the schools of the mission. Soon after his arrival in Manhain he was called to the office of mission treasurer, which he held till his health wholly failed. During this term of office, while sitting alone in his study on the evening of September 12, 1847, an armed band of ten robbers came to his house; three entered and demanded money. He resisted; a fearful struggle en- sned in which he nearly lost his life, the sears of which he carried to his grave. In the loss of blood by these injuries was laid the foundation of the disease that necessitated his leaving Burmah. The extra labor required to secure means to send the venerable Judson on his last health-seeking trip, but which was rather his ocean grave, and Dr. Binney and wife on their return to America was the immediate cause. From that time he never knew perfect health. In August, 1851, his devoted companion died of consumption, leaving him with four motherless children, three of whom, Mrs. Turrill, superintendent of schools of Greene County, Iowa; N. P. Stilson, surveyor in Montana, and Miss Sarah L., teacher in the Central High School in Brooklyn, New York, and three grandehildren are his only descendants now living. IIe left Burmah with his children in December, 1851, arriving in New York June 30, 1852.

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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