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 42
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 42
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his part in any enterprise looking to its ad- vancement. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, of Jefferson, and also of Gar- field Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at the same place. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party.
ACOB J. MISH, of the firm of Mish & Co., general merchants, at Grand Junc- tion, was born in Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1834, son of Jacob Mish, who died when his son was an infant. Onr subject was educated in the commnon schools, and began clerking in a store when fifteen years of age; he has been engaged in the mercantile business ever since. Ile went to Wooster, Ohio, in 1853, thence to Peoria, Illinois, in 1854, remaining until 1871, then came to Grand Junction and engaged in the grocery trade. He has kept adding to his stock until he now carries a general stock of goods, with a capital of $8,000 to $15.000, and does an annual business of $20,000. IIe was married in October, 1854, to Miss Sarah Morris, daughter of Moses Morris, deceased.
ACOB A. SMITTLE, section 32, June- tion Township, and foreman of section No. 9, Des Moines & Fort Dodge Rail- road, at Grand Junction, was born in Wash- ington County, Wisconsin, July 6, 1850, a son of Anton Smittle, of Junction Township. He was reared and educated in Wisconsin, and when he was large enough went to work in the pineries, and followed lumbering three and a half years. In 1870 he went to Taze- well County. Illinois, where he worked at farming until the fall of 1973. In the spring i of 1874 he moved to Greene County, Iowa,
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and located at Grand Junction. He engaged in farming two years, and in 1876 went to Jefferson, Iowa, and was foreman of a section on the Northwestern Railroad seven years. In 1883 he bought the farm where he now lives, and in November, 1853, was appointed foreman of section 9. Mr. Smittle was mar- ried November 30, 1870, to Eve Heisel, and to them have been born five children, four of whom are living-William J., Jacob M., Anton and Mary M. Mr. Smittle's farm contains 120 acres of good land, which is carried on by his sons. Mr. and Mrs. Smittle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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EORGE WATSON, of the firm of Wat- son & Co., general merchants at Angus, was born in County Durham, England, November 11, 1850, son of Robert Watson, a native of the same country, and now de- ceased. He was brought up and educated in his native county, at Middleton, and set sail for the United States June 6, 1871. He lived two years at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, then came to Coal Creek, Iowa, where he mined coal until 1880. Ile then went to Brazil, where he mined eoal two years, and in March, 1882, he removed to Angus, where he has since resided. He mined coal here one year, then clerked until July, 1886, when he engaged in his present business. Watson & Co. carry a stock of $2,000, and have a good trade. They keep dry goods, groceries, provisions, boots and shoes, hats and caps, trunks, valises, notions, etc., etc. Mr. Wat- son was married at Mckeesport in the sum- mer of 1873 to Miss Fannie Furness, danghter of John Furness, deceased. Mrs. Watson is also a native of England. They have had three children-John, Grace, and Amzi, de-
ceased. Mr. Watson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also of the town council. Mrs. Watson is a Methodist.
N. VADER, farmer, section 30, Kendrick Township, was born in Bennington, Gen- esee County, New York, in 1822, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Vader, natives of Herk- imer County, same State, who were the par- ents of eleven children, our subject being the third son. When he was five years of age his parents removed to Chautaugna Connty, where he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married in 1842 to Miss Lodema Rider, a native of Ver- mont, and daughter of Benjamin Rider. To this union were born seven children-Martin, Jacob. Daniel, Frank, Palmer, Elizabeth and Sylvia. Mrs. Vader died April 12, 1882. During the late civil war Mr. Vader enlisted September 11, 1862, in the First Battalion, New York Sharp-Shooters, under Captain George Waith. lIe participated in the bat- tles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Suffolk, Virginia, and was before Petersburg twenty- one days. He served in the Quartermaster's department for some time. He was honora- bly discharged June 9, 1865, at Albany, New York, and returned to his home, where he resided until 1869, then came to Greene Connty and settled upon his present. farm, where he has since resided. He owns eighty acres of well-cultivated land, a comfortable, well furnished residence, commodious farm buildings, and a maple grove of his own planting, from which he makes sugar and syrup. Mr. Vader was married August 10. 1882, to Mrs. Maryette Kingsbury, née Rice, who was born in Carrollton, Cattaraugus County, New York, and a daughter of Ira and Sarah (Wiekson) Rice. Politically Mr.
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Vader is a Republican, and a strong adherent of the principles of that party which he fought to preserve. He is a member of the Grand Army Post, No. 111, at Scranton.
S YLVESTER B. ANDERSON, of Jef- ferson, is a representative of one of the early settlers of Greene County. IIis father, J. G. Anderson, settled in what is now Grant Township in November, 1854. The farm he located upon is now owned by Henry Gilroy. In the spring of 1855 the family removed to what is now Jasper Town- ship. The father had entered a section of land in that township in the fall of 1954, when he first came to the county, near the mouth of the stream since called Purgatory, named by hunters who in crossing met with much difficulty, sinking deep into the mud and sand which prevails in the bed of the river. J. G. Anderson was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1815, where he was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and when a young man he learned the trade of harness- maker and shoemaker. Mrs. Anderson was formerly Mrs. J. Pore, née Cain. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had five sons and one daugh- ter when they came to Iowa. All are living except one son, Alfred B., who died in 1880. The surviving children are-Joseph A., living near Storm Lake, Iowa; David B., a farmer of Greene County; William H., living in Jefferson; Miranda, wife of A. R. Mills, of Jefferson, and Sylvester B. Mrs. Ander- son had two sons by her former marriage- Jerry and William, residing in Ohio. Mr. Anderson took an active part in the events of the early history of Carroll County. He held the offices of sheriff, road commissioner, assessor and surveyor, two terms cach, hold- ing all these offices at the same time. He !
also took an active interest in the political history of the county up to 1860. Ile was a Democrat, and voted for Stephen A. Douglas that year. Immediately after the breaking out of the war he changed his views and be- came a Republican, and was identified with that party during the remainder of his life. Religiously he was a Methodist. In March, 1860, he removed to Jefferson and kept the Cottage House for four years, and later worked at his trade. Ilis wife survived until 1884. Our subject was born in Ohio in 1846, being about eight years old when he came to Iowa with his father. He taught school several terms before his marriage, and has taught several terms since his marriage. Ile was deputy sheriff from 1873 until 1879, and served as constable six years. Since 1881 he has been engaged in the insurance business. He also is a Republican in poli- tics, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. An- derson was formerly Cornelia Price, daugh- ter of Owen Price, an early settler of Marshall County, having located there in 1855. He died in March, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son have five children, one son and four daughters. Their names are-Mary W., Edith M., Josephine E., Lovina S. and Sylvester B.
- OBERT MUIR, JR., dealer in groceries and notions, Angus, was born in Dom- bartonshire, Scotland, in the town of Cumbernauld, April 1, 1858. His father, Robert Muir, of Fall Brook, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, is a native of Glasgow, Scot- land, and bronght his son to America in June, 1870. They went to work and earned sufficient money to bring the rest of the family, who came about three months later. In 1876 Mr. Muir came to Ohio, taveling
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among the mines of Ohio and Western Penn- sylvania until 1880, then went to Carbondale, Kansas, returning to Chicago in May of the following year. One month later he went to La Salle, Ilinois, where he mined coal one year, then came to Angus and worked in the mines about eighteen months, when he was appointed State secretary of the Miners' Amalgamation Association. This was in January. 1884, and he resigned the position in May of the same year and established his present business. He earries a full line of groceries, provisions and notions, and has a good trade. In 1886 he met with a severe loss in the burning of a store at St. John Center, where he had established a home- stead. It was the first store in the place. He was obliged to sell his new stoek of goods, which were then at the depot, at re- duced rates, and returned home. Mr. Muir was married August 1, 1881, to Margaret Welch, daughter of John Weleh, deceased, and their children are-Maggie D., Robert N. and John W. Mr. Muir belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, has served as constable and as member of the town council.
AMUEL R. RIFTGERS, farmer and stoek-raiser, seetion 24, Washington Township, was born in Polk County, Iowa, April 26, 1857. His father, Jacob B. Rittgers, deceased, was a native of Shenan- doah Valley, born February 9, 1800, and set- tled in Polk County in an early day. He was raised on the old Rittgers homestead in Valley Township, eight miles northwest of Des Moines. He was reared to the oceu- pation of a farmer and has always followed that occupation. He came to this county in Jannary, 1880, settling in Washington Town- ship, which has sinee been his home. He
located on his present farm in 1881. He was married April 6, 1879, to Miss Mary A. Fry, daughter of Samuel Fry, of Polk County, and they have two children-Alineda C. and Burton A. Mr. Rittgers owns 240 aeres of land, and gives considerable attention to graded stoek. Mrs. Rittgers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Rippey.
ILLIAM STROUD, farmer, seetion 12, Willow Township, was born in Newington, Oxfordshire, England, in October, 1810, son of John and Catherine (Harris) Stroud, who were the parents of nine children-Fred, Jane, Lucy, William, Thomas, George, Sarah, and two that died in infaney. The father was a horse-dealer, and William's first business was buying and selling horses. He was united in marriage January 17, 1833, with Miss Mary Gunn, born in August, 1810, daughter of Thomas and Charlotta (Bolton) Gunn, who were the parents of nine children-Richard, William, Samuel, Sarah, Henry, Mary, Ann, Jane and Hannah. In 1847 William, his wife and six children removed to Canada, loeating near Toronto, where they lived two years, and in 1849 removed to Niagara County, New York, where they resided ten years; thence to Porter County, Indiana; thence, in 1869, to Dallas County, Iowa; thence, in 1880, to Greene County, settling on his present farm. He rented the farm three years before he purchased it. It consists of 200 acres of excellent land in a good state of cultivation. Hle has good buildings, and an orehard of four acres. Mr. and Mrs. Stroud have seven children-Thomas, Jolm, Charlotta, Lucy, Mary Ann, William and Jane. Two are deceased-Catherine, who died at the age of twenty-five, and an infant. Mr. Stroud was
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reared under the rules of the Church of Eng- land, and adheres to the principles of that church. Politieally he is a Democrat. Will- iam G., the youngest son, was married in March, 1876, to Miss Emma Painter, and they have four children-William T., George T., John J. and Mary. He resides with his parents, and assists in the management of the farm.
OIIN DAVENPORT, of Jefferson, came to Greene County in the fall of 1864, and purchased 220 acres of land on Har- din Creek, Grant Township, and 640 aeres on seetions 13 and 24, in Hardin Township. The first farm mentioned had about sixty aeres improved, and a small log house had been built; the large farm in Hardin Township had about forty aeres improved. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Davenport settled with his family on the farm in Grant Township. where he lived one year. then removed to his farm in Hardin Township, renting the other farın for a time, then sold it. He improved sold 200 aeres to Mr. James Harker. The farm contained two very fine groves of sixty acres each, and was well watered by the Buttrieks Creek, which flowed through the farm. The land which he sold to Mr. Harker contained one of these groves. At that time Mr. Da- venport had no near neighbors, the nearest one being Terrence Reynolds, who lived two miles south. On the east there were no neighbors nearer than twenty miles, and his next neighbor on the north was at Fort Dodge, forty miles away. On the west set- tlements had been made on Coon River, about ten miles distant. ITis other neigh- bors were at Jefferson, seven miles distant. The reason of his selling a portion of his land
the farm in Hardin Township, and in 1866 in 1852, leaving five children. In 1854 Mr.
to Mr. Ilarker was that he might have nearer neighbors. In 1867 he gave to his son, William H., 120 acres of the farm. and re- tained the rest until 1884, when he sold to Mr. Bernard, who still owns and resides on the place. This land was entered by George May, and is one of the oldest farms in the county. Mr. Davenport was born in Tomp- kins County, New York, June 13, 1816, where he was reared and educated. His par- ents were Aaron W. and Eleanor (King) Davenport, who were also natives of Tomp- kins County. In 1840 they removed to Michigan, where they passed the remainder of their days. They had eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and only four are now living-two sons and two daughters. The subject of this notice went to Lenawee County, Michigan, in 1835, when he was but nineteen years of age. IIe was engaged in the mercantile business for four years, then engaged in farming and hotel- keeping, remaining nntil 1865, then came to this county, as before stated. He was mar- ried in Michigan, to Lueretia Valentine, a native of the State of New York, who died Davenport married Miss Elizabeth Valen- tine, a sister of his former wife, who died in 1863, both dying in the same house. In 1866 he was married, in Greene County, to Mrs. Phebe Ann Haight, who died Noven- ber 16, 1884, while on a visit to her children in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Davenport has two living children of his first marriage- William H., who lives in Hardin Township, and Eleanor J., widow of J. J. Haight, living at Gainesville, Cook County, Texas. His third wife had four children, two of whom are living in Kansas, and two in Oregon- James R., Ettie, Emma and Luella. J. J. Haight was a son of Mrs. Davenport by her first marriage. He died in Texas, June 8,
ANAI
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
1886, leaving a wife and five children. In early life Mr. Davenport was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has always endorsed the principles of that party. He is a man that is highly respected in the community where he resides.
- ICHARD C. MOORE, one of the pros- perous agrieulturists of Scranton Town- ship, residing on section 18, is a native of Ireland, born in County Mayo in 1833, a son of John and Marcella Moore, both of whom died in their native country. Onr subject was reared in his native country till attaining the age of seventeen years, and in 1850 immigrated to America, landing at New York City, going thence to Hamilton County, Ohio, residing at Cincinnati until 1865, with the exception of the time in the employ of the Government during the war. For three years he worked at his trade, that of a black- smith, in West Virginia and Tennessee. In 1859 he was married at Cincinnati to Miss Rosanna Casselle, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, and they are the parents of four children, as follows- Edward, Thomas, Alice' and Mary. In 1865 Mr. Moore came with his family to Iowa, and located in Polk County, where he followed agricultural pur- snits. From Polk County he removed to Warren County in 1873, thence to Greene County in 1877, where he has since been very successful in his farming operations, now owning a very fine property in real estate and stock, which he has accumulated by industry, frugality and good business management. Ile lived one year in Wash- ington Township after coming to Greene County, and in 1878 settled on the farm where he now resides, which consists of 280 acres of well improved and cultivated land, a com-
fortable residence, and good farm buildings for the accommodation of his stock. At national elections Mr. Moore votes the Demo- cratic ticket, but in local elections is inde- pendent of party, voting for the man whom he deems best fitted for office. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and respected citizens of Seranton Township.
OIIN R. THOMAS, general merchant, Angus, Iowa, is a native of Wales, born April 7, 1849, his father, John T. Thomas, who is now deceased, being born in the same country. Our subject immigrated to the United States in 1866, locating first in Mahoning City, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining coal till 1868. He then went to Audenried, Pennsylvania, and in 1869 went to California. In 1871 he returned to Pennsylvania, and attended school at Charles- ton for two years. In the spring of 1873 he went to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and in 1874 went to Shawnee, Ohio. He returned to Andenried, Pennsylvania, in 1875, where he had charge of the outside works of the Pension mines for eighteen months. Ile then went to Selma, Alabama, where he took charge of the entire works of the Cahaba mines, remain- ing there for eighteen months. He then resided in Rosedale, Wisconsin, for eighteen months, when he went to Bangor, Wisconsin, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he had followed a short time before leaving Rosedale. In the fall of 1882 he came to Angus, Boone County, Iowa, and engaged in his present business, carrying a full line of dry goods, flour, feed. glassware, etc., and by his genial and accommodating manners and strict attention to the wants of his customers, he has established a good
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trade, and gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is at present fill- ing the office of justice of the peace for Angus and Union Township, serving as such with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of the Con- gregational church. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to both lodge and encampment at Angus.
living on section 30, Highland Town- ship, where he has eighty acres of choice ! land, is a native of New Jersey, born May 3, 1819, a son of Martin and Margarette (Port) Breiner, his father born in Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of France. Both parents are deceased, the father dying September 13, 1839, and the mother .Inne 8, 1873. Peter B. Breiner was married January 1, 1842, to Mima Smith. born in Pennsylvania, but reared in New Jersey, her parents, William and Sarah (Farven) Smith, settling in that State when she was a child. Mr. Breiner was reared to the carpenter's trade, which he followed till coming to Greene County, when he engaged in farming. Mrs. Breiner was not permitted to spend many days in Greene County, she dying January 10, 1861, leaving at her death four children -- Jolin, who was born October 19, 1842; William S., born February 10, 1845; Sarah, born June 7, 1847, and Stewart, born July 8, 1852, all of whom are living. Mrs. Breiner was buried on the home farm in Highland Township. Mr. Breiner was married a second time Feb- ruary 2, 1876, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Mrs. E. A. Snyder, who was born near Centerville, Delaware, September 29, 1825, her parents, Perry and Rachel Carr, having
been born in Delaware. Three children were born to Mr. Breiner's second marriage - Eleanor, Jacob S. and Andrew Jackson, all of whom are living in the East. Mr. Brein- er was one of the early pioneers of Greene County, Iowa, and was the first settler of Highland Township, and here he has en- dured all the hardships incident to the life of a pioneer. He was the only settler in Highland Township for ten years, before other settlers began to arrive, and in the whole of Greene County there were at that time but eighty-two voters. Jefferson had then but
RE1502 ETER B. BREINER, an old and hon- ored pioneer of Greene County, Iowa, | four houses. His trading was done at Des Moines, Iowa. He has lived to witness the many wonderful changes that have occurred, changing the wilderness into thriving towns and well-cultivated farms, and has himself become one of the most prominent citizens of Highland Township, being respected by all who know him. In politics Mr. Breiner is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
ESLEY R. PARK, jeweler and tinner, Grand Junction, was born in the town of Weston, Windsor County, Vermont, September 28. 1832, son of Thomas K. Park, a native of Windham Connty, same State. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Ile came to Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1853, where he worked at various things, and was also engaged in farming to some extent. He was married November 18, 1855, to Calista D. Hazeltine, daughter of Orrin B. Hazeltine, of Dane County, who settled near Milwaukee in 1836. They have one child-Agnes M., who married William G. Rugg, of this township. Mr. Park came to Jefferson, this county, in the spring of 1869, and to Grand Junction in
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
1873, where he has since lived. He worked in a hardware store and at his trade while in Jefferson. He bought an interest in the store, and conducted it three years. He embarked in his present business in 1880, and added the jewelry department in 1885. He served as postmaster of Grand Junction from 1882 to November 15, 1885. He has served as justice of the peace six years and still holds that office. He is a member of the society of Good Templars. In politics he is a Republican. He attended the first Republican convention held in the United States, at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1854, and was one of its organizers.
HOMAS ROBERTS, one of the first twelve settlers of Greene County, is the owner of the largest farm property in Jackson Township. Perhaps no one of the early settlers has done as much toward the development of the county as he. His first land purchase was in Grant Township, where he settled in April, 1851. He then bought 300 acres, seventy-five of which he improved, and sold the same to Esquire Rose, whose heirs still own and occupy the place. In 1856 he located on section 14, Jackson Town- ship, where he has resided ever since. He owns 1,500 acres of land, 687 acres consti- tuting the home farm. Mr. Roberts was born in North Wales, May 5, 1823, son of Thomas and Mary Roberts, and the second in a family of seven children. His parents never left their native land. April 15, 1845, Mr. Roberts embarked at Liverpool for New York City, and proceeded at once to Colum- bus, Ohio. In the autumn of 1847 he visited Illinois and Iowa. The same season he re- turned to Wales and spent the following win- ter with his father's family. He then returned
to the United States and established himself in the tannery business at Des Moines. Ile learned the trade in Wales, and followed it in Ohio. He closed out that business when he came to this county. October 7, 1847, he was married at Des Moines to Miss Mary Myrick, a native of Ohio. After a wedded life of forty-five years she was called to the better life, May 7, 1882. She was an exem- plary woman in all her relations of wife, mother and neighbor, and long will her memory be cherished, not only by her family, but by all who knew her. She was the mother of ten children-Benjamin F., a druggist at Scranton City; Eli, of Jefferson: Edward N., deceased; Mrs. Sarah A. Brackett, a widow, and now a teacher in this county; Samuel, living at home; Mary Elizabeth, who died in her fourth year; Lydia C., a teacher of crayon work; Martha J., wife of Will. Forbes, a merchant of Audubon County ; William War- ren, a resident of Ainesworth, Nebraska, and Carrie Belle. Mr. Roberts has been a mem- ber of the Baptist church many years, and politically is a Republican.
RANCIS LIBIS, farmer, resides on sec- tion 14, Bristol Township, where he settled in 1871. He was born in the State of Ohio, December 15, 1835, son of B. and C. Libis, who are natives of Germany and now living in Ohio, having been married over fifty-two years. Mr. Libis came from Cedar County, this State, to Greene County, and soon after visited Montana, where he was for some time profitably employed in Virginia City. Returning to Cedar County, May 15, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Bellinger, daughter of David and Catherine Bellinger. Mr. and Mrs. Libis have one daughter, Orvada, born November
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