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 47

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 47
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 47

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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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was ordained at Dubuque in November, 1870, by Bishop IIennessy. After his ordina- tion he went to Clayton County and took charge of mission work in that and adjoining counties until the fall of 1875, when he went to Riekersville, this State, and built a house of worship, being the first resident priest in that place. In the spring of 1877 he went to St. Rose's, in Fayette County, where he had inneh hard work to do. He finished the church and organized other churches, besides establishing a parochial school there. IIe came to Grand Junction in September, 1879, and has built up a good congregation. He is building a fine briek church, and has six other appointments besides the one in Grand Junetion. He is a very hard worker in the eanse of Christianity, sparing neither time nor means to further its interests.

OHN H. SWARTZENDRUVER, de- ceased, was born in the State of Mary- land, May 13, 1827, a son of Christian Swartzendruver, who was a native of Ger- many. Ile came to America when a young man, settling in Maryland, and when our subject was a lad removed to Fairfield County, Ohio. John H., the subject of this sketeh, was reared to manhood in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was there educated in the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade in early manhood, which occupation he followed several years. In 1856 he went to Peoria, Illinois, and in the spring of 1858 removed to Jackson County, Iowa, where lie was mar- ried, November 10 of the same year, to Miss Mary Hurst, a daughter of John Hurst, who was a pioneer of Jackson County, Iowa, having settled there in 1854. IIe is still living in Maquoketa, Jackson County. To

Mr. and Mrs. Swartzendruver were born eight children-Almeda, now the wife of Pro- fessor James M. Seott, of Fairbury, Nebraska; Elizabeth, wife of Harry Ebbles, of Ilngo, Colorado; John A., Amos M., Anna M., Albert II., Emma F. and Charles A. In May, 1871, Mr. Swartzendruver removed from Jackson County to Greene County, when he settled with his family on section 25, Washington Township, where his widow still resides. His farm, when he settled on it, was raw prairie land, but by hard work and persevering energy he made the improve- ments on his land and brought it under fine cultivation. He was a good mechanie, and the house which is still occupied by his family was built by him. Ile began life without means, but by years of industry and striet economy he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable eireumstanees. He died Au- gust 7, 1881, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was a kind husband and an affectionate father, and was a consistent Christian. His mother still lives in Davis County, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty- three years.

W ARREN R. GARRETT, general merchant and postmaster of Paton, and an active and enterprising eiti- zen, was born in Ellenville, Ulster County, New York, September 8, 1852, a son of Marvin Garrett, who was engaged in the mereantile business at Ellenville. Warren R. remained with his mother till fifteen years of age, his father having died when he was five years old. On leaving his home he went to Wilcox, Elk County, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as a shipping elerk for a Inmber company, after which he elerked in the store of the lumber and tanning com-

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pany for some time. when his health failed him, and for two years he was unable to accomplish much. February 14, 1875, he was married to Miss Inez C. Griffin, a dangh- ter of Asa Griffin, of Grant Park, Illinois, and to this union have been born two chil- dren-Mabel and Ethel. In April, 1876, Mr. Garrett located in Grant Park, Illinois, where he made his home till 1880. In No- vember of that year he came to Greene County, Iowa, and engaged in the grocery business, and has since largely increased his stock, and now carries a full line of groceries and provisions, hats and caps, boots and shoes, etc. He carries a capital stock of 84,500, his annual sales amounting to abont $20,000. In March, 1884, he was appointed postmaster of Paton, under President Arthur, which office he has since held. He is also a notary public, besides being agent for the North British and Mercantile, Hawkeye and Des Moines Insurance companies, and is doing a good business in this line. Although not members of any religious denomination, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett do their part in sup- porting churches and benevolent institutions. Mr. Garrett is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to the lodge and com- mandery at Paton.

OSEPH COOMBS, one of Greene Coun- ty's worthy pioneers, came to this county with his family in April, 1855, making his first home on section 34, Bristol Town- ship. He made the trip from Champaign County, Illinois, in a covered wagon, camp- ing by the wayside every night for five nights. They lived a camp life until Angust after reaching the county, then occupied a log house erected on Mr. Coombs' land in October. 1856. Mr. Coombs settled in his

present home on section 32, same township. The lumber with which he built his first small house he hauled across the prairie forty miles. His farm contains 326 acres, part upland meadow and part timber. It is watered by the North Coon River, making it one of the best stock farms in the county. He has erected large, substantial farm build- ings of all kinds. A remarkable discovery of human remains, supposed to be those of In- dians, occurred in excavating for the cellar of his residence. Nine skeletons, or parts of skeletons, were unearthed, and all were of unusually large proportions. Scientists be- lieved the remains to belong to a race of giants about nine feet in height. Mr. Coombs was born in Clark County. Indiana, March 20, 1820, son of Joseph and Rachel Coombs, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky, and removed to Indiana in the pioneer days with their family of ten chil- dren. Two were born in Indiana. The parents died in Indiana many years ago. Our subject was reared a farmer, and has made that occupation his life-work. For his first wife he married Delilah Wright, and to this union four children were born-Mrs. Emily J. Gray, of this county; William M .. of Cherokee County; Mrs. Netty Tyler, of Mills County, this State; Mrs. Martha Flicks, who died in this county. Mrs. Coombs died in September, 1847, and after her death Mr. Coombs returned to Indiana and lived in Putnam County until he came to Greene Connty. In 1849 he was married to Miss Amanda Wright, daughter of Isham Wright, and a consin of his first wife. She was born in that county January 16, 1827. To this union nine children were born -Delilah died at the age of seven years; David H. resides in Jackson Township: Mrs. Malinda All- stott, of Bristol Township; Joseph A. died

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young: Sarah Frances, Oliver Il., Willis S. are also deceased; Clinton W. and George E. are at home. Mr. Coombs was formerly a Democrat, but is now identified with the Greenback party.

AMES R. FORBES, farmer and stoek- raiser, seetion 32, Hardin Township. was born in Chester County, Pennsylva- nia, April 12, 1840, his parents, John and Anna (Robinson) Forbes, being natives of the same county. He spent his boyhood days at home on his father's farm, and in 1860 he rented the farm and began farming for him- self, which he followed for one year. He then hired out as a farm hand, working by the month for two years, after which he was engaged in driving a butcher's wagon for two years. He then joined a construction corps, with which he was engaged four months, and during the war he followed Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Returning to his native home he remained two months, when he eame to Illinois looking for a location. He again returned to his home in Pennsylvania, and in 1866 he located in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he remained four years, work- ing in a mill and at earpentering. Mr. Forbes was united in marriage in January, 1866, to Miss Catherine Wilkinson, who was born February 14, 1839, and is a daughter of Anthony and Anna Wilkinson, natives of Pennsylvania. Of the four children born to this nnion, three are living --- Lewis W., born October 3, 1871; Edith R., born July 21, 1876, and Charles A., born September 1, 1880. Anna E. was born August 23, 1868, and died October 25 of the same year. After living in Illinois for four years Mr. Forbes engaged in farming, which he followed in that State for eight years. He then moved to

Calhoun County, Iowa, in 1878, and from there in 1879 he removed to Greene County, Iowa, locating on the farm where he now re- sides. Two years later he returned to Cal- houn County, Illinois, and finally returned to his home in Hardin Township, where he has since made his home. Mr. Forbes com- menced life a poor boy, but by hard work and careful management he has been pros- perous in his agricultural pursuits, his home farm containing 120 aeres of valuable land, and he is now numbered among the best farmers of Hardin Township. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows order. Postoffice, Jefferson, Iowa.

D. KELLER, general merchant at Rip- pey, formerly of the firm of Bullock & Keller, was born in Oswego County, New York, April 20, 1847, son of Dermis Kel- ler, a native also of that State. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the graded schools of Fulton, New York. At the age of seven- teen he learned the trade of earpenter and joiner, a trade he followed until 1875. In 1869 he eame to Dallas County, this State, where he built a great many dwellings, school- honses, business honses, churches, ete. In 1875 he engaged in the mercantile business at Waukee, Dallas County, and in 1876 came to this place and built a store with Mr. Bullock, with whom he continued until April, 1886, when he sold out and Mr. Keller bought it back soon after. Ile carries a capital stock of $8,000 to $10,000, and does an an- nual business of 835,000. He keeps dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and eaps, cloth- ing, notions, groceries and provisions. He was married December 29, 1867, to Miss Flora Fuller, daughter of Timothy Fuller, de- ceased. They have had two children, only

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

one living-Bertha. Mr. Keller has never accepted office. He is a member of the society of Odd Fellows.

W. THOMPSON, farmer, section 28, Kendrick Township, is one of the enterprising and intelligent citizens of Greene County. He was born in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1840, son of James and Jane (Park) Thomp- son, who were the parents of twelve children, our subject being the fourth child. When he was eleven years of age his parents re- moved to Linn County, this State, where he was reared a farmer, and received his pre- liminary education in the common schools. Later he attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon, lowa. At the breaking out of the civil war Mr. Thompson took up arms in defense of union and liberty. He enlisted October 11, 1861, in Company A. Thirteenth lowa Infantry, and took an active part in several important battles. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, in Sherman's march to the sea. Ilis regi- ment was in fifty engagements. He was honorably discharged July 21, 1865, at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and received his final dis- charge, together with his pay, at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Linn County. In 1866 he came to Greene County, his first location being in Kendrick Township. Ile came to his present farm in 1868, where he has since resided. August 12, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Latimer, a native of Indiana. To this union six chil- dren have been born-Maggie Belle, Josie A., Charlie W., Pleasie, Henry S., Lizzie, and an infant son nunamed. Mr. Thompson owns 250 acres of excellent land, which is in a good state of cultivation, commodious build-

ings, a fine orchard, and everything that tends to make a comfortable and pleasant home. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party. He is a zealous member of the Free Methodist church, and is considered one of Greene County's most worthy citizens.

ILLIAM H. VEST, restaurant keeper and proprietor of the hotel at Dana, was born in Highland County, Ohio, August 21, 1851, son of Peter M. Vest, of Jefferson, this county, who superintends thie extensive grain, coal and lumber business of MeFarland & Riger. William H. was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of Cedar County, this State, where his par- ents removed in 1857. Ile completed his education at Tipton College, in the same county. In 1873 he went to Seward County, Nebraska, returning to Jefferson, this county, in 1880. In the fall of 1886 he removed to Dana and built his hotel. It is well furnished and he is prepared to accommodate the trav- cling public. July 3, 1873, he was married to Isabel Garey, daughter of Tipton Garey, who is deceased. They have had six children, four of whom are living-Virginia, Peter, Edith and Theodore.

ORACE L. CHILDS, proprietor of Eagle plow and machine shop at Grand Junc- tion, was born in Vermont December 11, 1826, son of Lyman Childs, a native of the same State, and now deceased. He early learned the use of tools, and served an ap- prenticeship at blacksmithing in Montpelier. He has been in manufacturing and machine shops ever since. In 1849 he came to Me- Henry County, Illinois, and the following

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spring removed to Putnam County, same State, where he worked at blacksmithing un- til1 855. Ile then came to Muscatine, this State, thence to Washington, in 1856, where he operated a job shop and manufactured farm implements until 1864, when he went to Des Moines and remained one year. In 1865 he came to Greene County, settling near Rippey, and in the fall of 1880 came to Grand Junction and built his present shop. He has since added the plow department, uses steam power and the Monarch engine (eight-horse power). He manufactures cultivators, does all kinds of repairing, and is well fixed in business. He was married in Angust, 1854, to Miss Samantha Gilliland, a daughter of Willis Gilliland, now deceased, and they have had eight children, five of whom are living- Frank, Elmer, Emma, Lillie and Fred. Mr. Childs served as mayor of Grand Junction one term. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the past thirty years; has been a Royal Arch Mason nearly that length of time. He has been successful in business, and is considered one of the solid men of Grand Junction.

TILLIAM L. MCCRORY, a lumber- man at Rippey, was born in Wash- ington County, Ohio, October 21, 1843, son of James McCrory, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who re- moved to Ohio in 1840. He is now deceased. William L. was reared a farmer, and educated in Aledo Academy, in Mercer County, Illi- nois, where the family removed in 1863. IIe graduated at that institution in 1866, and came to this county in 1876, where he fol- lowed farming until 1883. Ile then came to Rippey, and engaged in his present business. He deals in all kinds of building materials,

dressed and rough lumber, and carries on quite an extensive business. He was married March 20, 1873, to Mary M. Holmes, daugh- ter of John Holmes, of Mereer County, Illi- nois. They have six children-Edna, Della, John J., Anna, Alice and Clara. Mr. Mc- Crory owns 160 acres of land, which he lets to tenants. He belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. McCrory is a member of the Baptist church.

ILLIAM ALLAN, farmer, section 35. Jackson Township, is one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Greene County, and pays taxes on more real estate than any other man in the township. His home farm contains 280 aeres, devoted to stock-raising. He owns 160 acres on section 34, and 160 aeres on section 31, Grant Township. Mr. Allan was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- land, December 22, 1850, son of William and Catherine (Walker) Allan, now deceased. Mr. Allan was reared to a farm life in Scotland. His parents never left their native soil. His mother died before he came to America, and his father afterward. Ile embarked at Glas- gow in June, 1870, for New York City, where he landed, then came directly to Iowa, and made his home in Cedar County six years. He then came to this county, bring- ing a cash capital of $3,000, made almost entirely by industry and good management. IIe has been very successful since coming to Greene County. March 3, 1875. in Cedar County, he was married to Miss Lucinda Rorick, who was born in Ohio, and of Dutch deseent. Their five children are- Mary, Isabel R., George R., Gracie and Edith. Mrs. Allan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Allan, though not a

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church member, was reared under the minis- trations of the Scotch Presbyterian church. Politieally he is identified with the Republi- ean party. He is a member of the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Jefferson. He has a brother, John Allan, who owns 160 acres of land on section 24, Jackson Township, and one sister, Isabel, wife of John Perry, of Washington Township, this eounty.

AMUEL JAY, of Jefferson, has been a resident of that eity since 1868. Ife was born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1827, where he was reared to the oeeupation of farming. His parents were Alexander and Nancy (Spears) Jay, the latter dying when he was an infant, and the former when he was twelve years of age. He was married in Greene County, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Mendenhall, who was born in that county in the spring of 1855. Mr. Jay moved with his family to Polk County, this State; thence to Dallas County; thence to Boone County; thence to this county. Ile purchased town lots and built his present residence two years later. He was for some time engaged in the groeery trade, and later in the lumber and grain business. He served as county treas- urer from January 1, 1872, to December 31, 1878. He succeeded James Stanford, who also served three terms. After he retired from the office of treasurer he was engaged in the abstraet business with J. F. Head for a period of three years, when the firm became Jay & Lawrenee. In 1884 Mr. Jay sold out to liis partner and has sinee been engaged in farming. He owns a fine farm on section 5, Grant Township, near Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. Jay have one son and five daughters. Politically he has been identified with the Republican party since its organization. Mr. | when he came to Angus, where he has since

Jay's father was a native of South Carolina, and in early life removed to Indiana with his parents, where he was married and lived until his decease. After the death of his parents, the grandparents of our subject, James and Jemima Jay, immigrated to Iowa, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

ROF. JOHN F. CURRAN, principal of the Angus schools, is a native of Dub- lin, Ireland, born September 9, 1841, a son of Timothy Curran, who was born in Kings County, Ireland. His father immi- grated to the United States in 1850, and died in New Orleans of yellow fever in 1853. The subject of this sketeh was educated in his native country, and graduated from the Dublin model schools. August 2, 1860. he was appointed tutor of a special class, which position he held from September, 1860, until March, 1862, when he came to America, and for almost three years was employed as shipping clerk for the wholesale boot and shoe house of Simpson & Co. August 2, 1867, he was married to Miss Jennie Cook, who was born in Cookstown, now Fayette City, Pennsylvania, near the birthplace of James G. Blaine, she being a daughter of George B. Cook and a great-granddaughter of Colonel Cook, the founder of Cookstown, Pennsyl- vania. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curran, whose names are Walter W. and J. Tyndall. Professor Curran came to Iowa in the fall of 1869 and accepted the principalship of the schools at Moingona, remaining there until March, 1878. He then took charge of the Van Meter sehools until 1880, and in September of the same year he beeame principal of the schools at Dallas Centre, which position he filled until 1853,

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had charge of the schools, teaching the first school in the independent distriet of Angus. Professor Curran is a popular instructor and successful disciplinarian, and keeps abreast with the educational interests of the day, using the best and most approved methods in his school, and wherever he has been called to teach has filled his position with entire satisfaction. He is a noted etymologist, of which subject he makes a specialty in the high school. The professor is also well known in conducting normal institutes. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonie orders, and holds the office of secretary in the Masonic lodge.

OHN RICE, proprietor of the Paton House, and stoek-buyer of Paton, was born in Sehuyler County, Illinois, Sep- tember 17, 1833, a son of Jefferson Rice, who was born in Chantanqua County, New York, and is now deceased. Our subject received but limited educational advantages, the country being new and the schools very poor, and from an early age he was obliged to assist his father on the farm. Since arriv- ing at manhood he has been principally engaged in farming and buying stock, in which he has met with good snecess. May 17, 1863, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha Brown, a daughter of Jacob Guinn, and widow of Wade Brown. Of the six children born to this union four are yet living -- Agnes, Minnie, Lester and John. By her first marriage Mrs. Rice had three children, all of whom are deceased. In 1875 Mr. Rice brought his family to Hancock County, Illinois, and in 1876 eame with them to Paton, Greene County, Iowa, where he has since resided. He engaged in the hotel business at this place in April, 1883,

his fine two-story hotel being destroyed by fire November 12, 1584. Hle immediately rebuilt, and has since carried on a good busi- ness, his hotel being a favorite stopping place for travelers.

RANKLIN HARMON, of the firm of Harmon Bros., blacksmiths at Rippey, was born in Hardin County, this State, June 5, 1853, son of Lafayette Harmon, of Junetion Township, this county, and a native of Lorain County, Ohio. The father removed to Polk County, this State, in 1864, thence to Boone County in 1856, thence to Boonesboro one year later, where Franklin was brought up and educated. He followed teaming for seven years, then went to the blacksmith's trade, at the age of twenty years, and has since followed that occupation. He located at Rippey in 1876. The firm does general blacksmithing, repairing, ironing new ear- riages, etc. Mr. Harmon was married Sep- tember 2, 1878, to Dora S. Hoover, daughter of Samuel Hoover, who is deceased. They have three children-Arthur, Edna and Ralph. Mr. Harmon is serving his second term as township trustee, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

AFAYETTE HARMON, farmer and stock-raiser, seetion 23, Junetion Town- ship, was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 21, 1827, a son of Horatio Har- mon, a native of the State of New York. He was reared a farmer, and received a good ed neation, attending both the common sehools and Oberlin (Ohio) College. He came to

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Iowa in 1854, and lived in Polk County two years, and in the spring of 1856 moved to Boonesboro, where he lived until 1880, when he came to Greene County and settled on the farm where he now lives, which contains eighty acres of good land, well improved and with good buildings. Ile was married June 5, 1852, to Catherine Barnes, daughter of Joseph Barnes. They have had seven children -Franklin E., Oscar L., Iva J., Della, Charles, Eugene and Belle. Frank and Oscar are residents of Rippey, and Iva and Della are prominent teachers of Greene County. While in Boone County Mr. Harmon held the offices of county supervisor, city marshal and street commissioner.

OHN G. ALLSTOTT, one of the prac- tical, energetic young farmers of Bristol Township, resides on section 28. His farm is in excellent condition, and his build- ings are comfortable and convenient. Mr. Allstott was born in Dubuque County, this State, in February, 1862. His parents, Edward and Sarah (Smith) Allstott, were born, reared and married in Indiana. They settled in Dubuque County soon after their marriage. Jolin G. was their fourth child, the others being-Mrs. Minerva Jane Smith, of Mills Connty, this State; William K., of Shelby County; James F., of Webster County; Ambrose, of Bristol Township, Greene Coun- ty, and Mrs. Mary M. Wright, of Jackson Township. The mother died in Dubnque County in 1860. The father again married, his second wife being Miss Mary D. Doty. In 1864 they removed to Marion County, thence to this county in September, 1869, making their home on a farm in Bristol Township, where the father died in 1880. His widow has since married Levi Thompson.

Our subjeet has always followed agriculture. October 28, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Malinda Coombs, who was born in Champaign County, Illinois, September 10, 1854. Her parents were among the early settlers of Greene County. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allstott lived one year with her father, working a portion of his large farm, and the following year he rented and worked the farm owned by Jesse Johnson. After this they owned and occupied their own home. Their home farm contains eighty aeres of land. He also owns sixty- seven acres of prairie on section 29, and ten acres of timber. They have four children- Jesse O., Charles E., Dora F. and IIattie. Mr. and Mrs. Allstott are consistent members of the Christian church.

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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