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 49

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 49
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 49

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).

eight children born to them, but six are living-Elizabeth M., Melvin B., William G., Joseph L., Benjamin F. and Maude.

OHN D. ARCH, one of the representa- tive farmers and a prominent citizen of Jackson Township, Greene County, is a native of New Jersey, born in Morris County, June 11, 1822, his parents, Thomas and Betsy Ann Arch, being natives of the same State, where they resided till their death. John D. was reared a farmer, and has never pursned any other avocation. His education was such as was common to the farmer boys in his native State, and he made the most of his opportunities, becoming quite well edu- cated. He was married in New Jersey in 1843 to Miss Catherine Colwell, a daughter of Joshua and Ann Colwell, who afterward settled in Bureau County, Illinois, among the early settlers. In 1850, with his wife and three children, Mr. Areh came west, locating in Burean County, Illinois, where he im- proved a small farm, making that his home for nearly twenty-five years, when he came with his family to Greene County, Iowa, and in November, 1874, settled on section 31, Jackson Township. He has made almost all the improvements on his fine farm of 240 acres, although before his occupancy a few acres had been broken and a log cabin erected by the former owner, John C. Frazee. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arch-George, a resident of Greene County; William A., living at Scranton City, Greene County; Ransom, Mrs. Anna Jaquies, Mrs. Emma Gonger, John and Eddie. Two sons, Walter S. and Frank, died in early childhood. Mr. Arch is an active and public-spirited citizen, and gives liberally of his means toward any enterprise for the good of his

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

township or county, and is highly respected by all who know him. In his political views he is very independent, men, not parties, being his motto.

OHN C. GREIF, engaged in blacksmith- ing at Dana, Greene County, was born in Hesse, Prussia, a son of George Greif, who was a native of the same country, and is now deceased. John C. was born December 5, 1862, and was reared and educated in his native country, remaining there till seventeen years of age. He immigrated to the United States in the fall of 1879, when he came to Iowa, locating in Dallas County, where he was employed on a farm almost two years. He then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has since followed. He resided in Dallas County until 1885, and in April of that year went to Calhoun County, Iowa. In March, 1886, he came to Greene County, Iowa, and bought the shop of William C. Barth, where he has since done general blacksmithing and repairing, and being a skillful workinan he has succeeded in build- ing up a good trade. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

K. BURKHOLDER, farmer, section 33, Greenbrier Township, Greene Connty, postoffice Bagley, Guthrie County, was born in Adams Connty, Penn- sylvania, July 26, 1833, son of Samuel L. and Anna (Knopp) Burkholder, who are the parents of seven children, four boys and three girls, all of whom are living-Jacob, of Leipsic, Putnam County, Ohio, married Malvina Elsworth, formerly of New York; Abram, residing near York Sulphur Springs,

Adams County, married Lizzie Raffensbarger, of York County, Pennsylvania; Henery, re- siding near New Basel, Dickenson County, Kansas, married Snsanna Harbolt, of Adams County, Pennsylvania; Hannah, single, lives on the old homestead in Adams County with her widowed mother; Mary, residing near East Berlin, Adams County, married Cor- nelius Mummert; Anna Maria, residing near East Berlin, Adams County, married John B. Ziglar. Cornelius K. Burkholder passed his youth on his father's farm, assist- ing his parents in agricultural pursuits and attending public school in the same district. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the saddle and harness-making business as an apprentice, and worked at that trade for a number of years. In 1854 he went to Leip- sic, Putnam County, Ohio, on a visit to his brother Jacob, and while there he concluded to engage in the saddle and harness business, which he continued for several years; then returned to Adams County, located in Abbotts- town, at which place he remained two years, and then went to York Sulphur Springs. where he resided until the spring of 1868; thence to Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. In October. 1869, he em- barked in the saddle, harness and wholesale fly-net business, and in April, 1871, John A. Eberly became associated with him, forming the firm of Burkholder & Eberly. They manufacture fly-nets, collars and winkers ex- tensively for the wholesale trade, in addition to attending to their retail trade of saddles and harness. Mr. Burkholder is the inventor and patentee of some important machinery belonging to the fly-net business. In 1874 they dissolved partnership and Mr. Burk- holder and family moved to Ogle County, Illinois, where he gave his attention to farm- ing. He bought 160 acres of raw prairie in Greenbrier Township, Greene County, Iowa.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and moved on it in 1876. He has improved and cultivated it until it is one of the best farms in the township. He has a good house surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, a fine native grove, a large orehard and fruit garden and a commodions barn, and is quite extensively engaged in raising fine eattle. Mr. Burkholder was married in January, 1866, to Anna Lizzie Mohler, who was born April 12, 1840, and is a danghter of John and Maria (Hurst) Mohler. Mr. and Mrs. Burkholder are the parents of two children, one now living-Anna M., who was born October 14, 1866, in Adams County, Penn- sylvania, and was married in November, 1886, to David M. Austin, of Greenbrier Township, formerly of Riehland County, Wis- consin. Emma Clara was born August 10, 1872, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and died August 29, 1879, of diphtheria eroup. Mr. Burkholder, wife and daughter belong to the Church of the Brethren, sometimes known by the name of German Baptist, erroneously ealled Dunkards, originating from the Ger- man. They believe in the whole plan of salvation as taught by Christ and practiced by the apostles. Mr. Burkholder has taken an aetive part in his township sehools, and is a strong advocate of temperanee and anti-tobaeeo principles, and politically he atliliates with the Republican party.

schools. In 1871 he came to Junction Town- ship. Greene County, Iowa, where he has since made his home. His farm contains 160 aeres of fine land, well adapted to stoek- raising. He is making a specialty of graded stock, and has on his farm some very large hogs. Ile is also engaged in blacksmithing, and the blacksmith shop at Dana was built by him. May 28, 1875, Mr. Jewett was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Hughes, a daughter of Franeis Hughes, who is living in Junetion Township, Greene County. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jewett-Lottie and Alvin, aged respectively ten and eight years. Mr. Jewett began life without capital, but with a stout heart and a determination to sneeeed, and by his own persevering industry and good management he has acquired his present fine farm of 160 acres, and by his upright and honorable dealings he has gained the respeet of all who know him.

'ACOB F. BEATY, farmer and stoek- raiser, Junetion Township, was born in Preston County, West Virginia, October 12, 1831. His father, James Beaty, deceased, was a native of the same place; his brothers, Robert and Steven, were soldiers in the war of 1812. Our subject's grandfathers, Robert Beaty and Jacob Feather, were in the war of the Revolution. He was reared on a farm and edueated in the log cabin subscription schools. The eabins had slabs for seats, and boards fastened on walls for desks, elapboard roof. He came to Iowa in 1853, settling in Washington County. The next year he went to Story County, and in 1864 to Keokuk County. He came here in the fall of 1881.

ILLIAM F. JEWETT, an enter- prising and progressive farmer of Greene County, residing on seetion 2, Junction Township, is a native of Massa- chusetts, born Angust 7, 1855, his father, James Jewett, being a native of the same State. Ifis parents settled in Gridley, Illi- nois, when he was but a child, and there he ' He owns 240 aeres of land here and 160 was reared and educated in the common aeres in Knox County, Nebraska. He was

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married in December, 1859, to Elizabeth Blick, daughter of Joseph Bliek, deceased. They have five children-Marcellus E., Henry W., Huldah A., Ehmna E., and Margery A. Mr. Beaty has held several local offices here and also in other places. He is a member of the Odd Fellows society, and in religion is a Methodist. His wife and two danghters are also Methodists. His uncle, John Feather, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and received a bullet in his leg which remained until his death.

3NTON SMITTLE, farmer, seetion 32, Junction Township, was born in Nas- sau, Germany (now Prussia), March 29, 1825, son of Anton Smittle, deceased, a native of the same country. He came to America in 1847, settled in Wisconsin, forty miles north of Milwaukee, where he was engaged in farming until 1873, when he came to his present farm. He was married November 14, 1847, in Milwaukee, to Philipena Reichel, daughter of John Reichel, deceased. They have eight children-Charley, Ponise, Jacob, Catherine, Bina, Elizabeth, Mary and Anton. Mr. Smittle owns eighty acres of excellent land, and is engaged in farming and stock- raising. He is a stonemason by trade, at which he works in summer. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.

ORACE SHIPMAN, fur dealer, has been engaged in his present business at Jefferson since 1866. He deals in hides, pelts, wool, and raw furs of all kinds. Hle spends much of his time on the road during the winter season in the interest of his business, and employs several salesmen.

The territory in which he operates includes Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska, and his goods are shipped directly to New York. J. L. Prouty, of that city, has handled his goods for the past seventeen years. Mr. Shipman is a genuine Yankee by birth, hav- ing been born in Hartford, Connecticut, in March, 1828. His father was a farmer by occupation, but our subject, when a young man, engaged in driving stage and in the livery business. He came to Sioux City, this State, about the year 1854, when that city was in its embryo. Mr. Shipman lived there and in that vicinity abont nine years, and it was there that he had his first expe- rience in the fur business. He was married in Connecticut to Susan Warren, a native of Marlborough, Hartford County, that State. Much of his suceess in a business point of view has been due to the valuable assistance of his excellent wife, who possesses good business qualifications.

AMUEL S. RUTTER was born in Lan- caster County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1852, son of Jonathan Rutter, of that place. Ile received his elementary education in the common schools, and later attended the high school at Smithville, Ohio. Hle taught four terms of school in Pennsylvania, fonr in Ohio and two in Illinois. He came to Wayne County, Ohio, in March, 1876, thence to Piatt County in 1879, and to this county in 1881, and lived in Paton Town- ship until Angust, 1886, when he came to Dana and entered the employ of William C. Bartlı, a merchant of that place. He was married January 4, 1883, to Althia Chipman, daughter of Ansel Chipman, of Kankakee County, Illinois. They have two children -- Fred C. and Gilbert E. He served as re-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

corder of Paton Township two terms. He is a member of the fraternity of Good Temp- lars.

F. OSBORN, of Rippey, was born in Westville, Indiana, July 17, 1854, son

Q of William Osborn, a native of that State. He removed to Iowa in 1870. Hle was educated at Des Moines University, grad- uating with the degree of A. M. in 1876. He then engaged for one year in the grain and stock business in Perry, Iowa, and has since been connected with the drug business. He came to Rippey in the spring of 1878, and established the first drug store in the village. He has one of the largest private collections of geological specimens in the State. He was married May 17, 1876, to Miss Mittie Shelton, daughter of George P. Shelton. They have three children-Will- iam S., Winnie and Wayne. He is serving his second term as county supervisor.

DWARD S. BUCHMILLER, an active, public-spirited agriculturist of Bristol Township, resides on section 9. His farm of 120 acres is well cultivated, and his residence is one of the best in this part of the county. Ile settled in his present home in 1876. Mr. Buchmiller was born in Henry County, Illinois, Januray 10, 1853, son of Jolin D. and Frances Buchmiller, who were natives of the province of Baden, Germany. The father was born October 11, 1812, and the mother March 29, 1822. They established their home in Henry County soon after com- ing to the United States. Their children are -Edward S .; Bertha, wife of A. F. Knap- pen : Joseph, a resident of Bristol Township;

Mary A., wife of M. W. Resser; John D., Herman, Frank and Elizabeth. The last three are living at the old homestead in Henry County, Illinois. Edward S. and Valaria M. Young were united in marriage in Henry County in 1873. Mrs. Buchmiller's parents, Felix W. and Catherine (Briton) Young, are natives of Kentucky, and are living in Bristol Township. Mr. and Mrs. Buchimiller have five children-Odelia M., John E., Richard M., Ethel R. and Roxy B. Politically Mr. Buchmiller is prominently identified with the Democratic party, and has served many years as chairman of the town- ship Democratic committee. He has held several offices of public trust, and has served creditably.

KNOWLES, farmer, section 16, Green- brier Township, is one of the pioneers of the township, having been identi- fied with its interests since 1869. He is a native of Gibson County, Indiana, born June 8, 1814, son of James and Anna (Reed) Knowles. The father was a native of Dela- ware, and was reared in Georgia. The mother was a native of North Carolina. The parents were married in Georgia, and came to Indiana in 1811, when it was a Territory. They reared a family of nine children-Reecy, Nancy and Patience, born in Georgia, and Albery, Sarah R., Comfort, Kitty, Marticia and William B., born in Indiana. Albery, our subject, spent his early life in assisting at farm work and attending the common schools. He learned the cooper's trade of his father, and worked with him for some time. February 17, 1836, he was married to Miss Sarah R. Smith, who was born in Adair County, Kentucky, Octo- ber 26, 1819, a daughter of Andrew and Ezna Smith. Mr. Knowles resided in In-

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diana until the fall of 1869, when he came | to Greene County, Iowa, locating in Jefferson, and February 18. 1870, moved to his present farm, which was partly improved. This was one of the first improved farms in the town- ship. There was a wagon trail from his place to Jefferson, and posts were set to guide the traveler to that small eity. Mr. Knowles has cultivated and improved his farm until it is known as one of the best farms in the township. It contains 360 acres of as good land as can be found in the county. He has a good farm residence, a fine building for grain and tools, a building for corn, an orchard, and everything about the premises indicates the enterprise and thirift of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles have had fourteen children, seven of whom are living-Martha Ann, Ezna, Margaret E., Mary F., David E., Will- iam L. and Morton. The deceased are -- Hiram II., Nancy J., Angusta C., Thomas B., James F., Delaney J., and one nnnamed. James F. was a soldier in the service of his country, and died at Glasgow, Kentucky, in 1863. Mrs. Knowles died August 6, 1878, lamented by all who knew her. She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and a consistent Christian. Mr. Knowles is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, and has served as ruling elder for many years. Politically he is a Republican.

ELIX W. YOUNG, a native of Ken- tucky, was born in 1823. Early in life he became a pioneer in Southern Illinois, and nearly all of his active life has been spent in that State. He came to Greene County in 1873, and owned and resided for a short time npon a farm in Bristol Township. Ile returned to Henry County and lived there until 1882, and in that year came back to

Greene County, where lie bought an improved farm of 180 acres on section 11, Bristol Township, where he now lives. Mr. Young is the father-in-law of Mr. Edward S. Bueh- miller.

OIIN QUAYLE, farmer, section 30, Franklin Township, is a native of the Isle of Man, born January 7, 1840, son of William and Mary (Christian) Quayle, who were the parents of five children-Maria, Catherine, Ann, William and John. Our subjeet was the youngest of the family, and his youth was spent at farm work, obtaining his education in the schools of his native island. His father died when he was a child, and his mother died in 1863. At the age of seventeen years he came to America, locating in Warren County, Illinois. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, with Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll as commander. Ile par- ticipated in the battle of Shiloli, and in all the battles in which this famous regiment was engaged, and was honorably discharged in September, 1865, at Memphis, and re- ceived his final discharge at Springfield, Illi- nois, September 30, 1865. He was married March 6, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth M. Cain, a native of the Isle of Man, and daughter of John and Jane Cain. Mr. Quayle remained in Warren County until 1869, when he re- moved to Henry County, Illinois, and lived until 1874, then came to this county and settled upon his present farm. Hle first bought 160 acres of wild land, and has since added to that amount until he now has 400 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, and it is one of the best-improved farms in Franklin Township. IIe has a good, well-furnished residence, barn and ont-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

buildings for stock, and is engaged in stock- raising and stoek-feeding. Mr. and Mrs. Quayle are the parents of five children- Mary Jane, Fanny Bell, Walter Ed., Cora A. and Fred A. Mr. Quayle is independent in politics, and is pledged to support no party. Ile started in life without means, but by in- dustry and good management has acquired a fine property.

ENRY C. RITTGERS, teacher, resides at Surry, Iowa. He was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, May 6, 1849. His father, Jacob B. Rittgers, now deceased, was a native of Virginia, born February 9, 1800. Ilis mother, Esther (Patterson) Rittgers, was also a native of Virginia. His parents had twelve children-Samnel S., Isabella, John A., Israel P., Margarett, Jacob R., Eli D., . Perry C., Sarah, Peter M., Esther, and Henry C., our subject. His father was a soldier under Winfield Scott, in the war of 1846, and received an honorable discharge. Re- moved from Ohio to Polk County, Iowa, in 1852, and located in Valley Township, where he purchased a large farm. In 1855 his wife departed this life, and in 1857 he married again and had nine children by his second wife-Daniel R., Kate, Salena, Benjamin F., Priscilla, George M., Andrew J., Lilly and Mary. In 1878 he departed this life, and was interred in the cemetery on the old home- stead in Polk County. HI. C. Rittgers, the subject of our sketch, attended the common school on old Beaver Prairie, and in 1868 he attended school at Western College, Linn County, one year; then taught in the public schools in Greene County, and attended the academy at Jefferson, Greene County, under Professors Grumbling and Huntington. In | Minnesota.

1871 he attended the Baptist University of Des Moines, in which institution he tanght penmanship, paying his tuition, board and room rent by the same. He was married December 25, 1872, to Lonesa J., daughter of James and Emma Edwards, of Washing- ton Township, both natives of England. In 1875 he and his wife went to California, and he taught school there one year. He fol- lowed farming three years, and was engineer in a gold quartz-ernsher for three years; then served in the several capacities of principal amalgamator in a five-stamp quartz-ernsher (capacity eight tons per day), general clerk. book-keeper, and chief engineer. Mr. Ritt- gers is now what might be called an old school-teacher, having taught in his life-time seventy-eight months. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He was the unsuccess- ful candidate in 1878 for the office of county clerk in Inyo County, California, it being a strong Democratic county. He was beaten by only sixty-two votes, however. Of late he has been working on the force of the Lewis Publishing Company, in compiling biographical and historical county records. Five of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Rittgers are living-William H., born No- vember 30, 1873; Emma Irene, born Sep- tember 16, 1875; John A., born February 4, 1877; Lilly Madaline, born April 5, 1881; Harry E., born Jannary 13, 1883; Perry and Percy, twins (deceased), born March 30, 1886. Mrs. Rittgers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

W. GAYLORD, general superintend- ent of the Standard Coal Works, Angus, is a resident of Minneapolis,

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459

INTRODUCTORY.

** INTRODUCTORY. ***

ITHIN one brief gene- ration the wild soli- tude of the prairie has been transformed | into a cultivated re- gion of thrift and prosperity, by the un- tiring zeal and energy of an enter- prising people. The trails of hunt- ers and trappers have given place to railroads and thoroughfares for ve- hieles of every description : the cabin and garden patches of the pioneers have been succeeded by comfortable houses and broad fields of waving grain, with school-houses, churches, mills, postoffices and other institutions of convenience for each eominnnity. Add to these numerous thriv- ing villages, with extensive business and manufacturing interests, and the result is a work of which all concerned may well be prond.

The record of this marvelous change is history, and the most important that can be written. For more than thirty years the people of Greene County have been making | a history that for absorbing interest, grand practical results, and lessons that may be 34

pernsed[with profit by citizens of other re- gions, will compare favorably with the narra- tive of the history of any county in the great Northwest; and, considering the extent of territory involved, it is as worthy of the pen of a Bancroft as even the story of our glorious Republic.

While our venerable ancestors may have said and believed

" No pent up Utica contracts our powers, For the whole boundless continent is ours,"

they were nevertheless for a long time con- tent to ocenpy and possess a very small corner of it; and the great West was not opened to industry and civilization until a variety of eanses had combined to form, as it were, a great heart, whose animating principle was improvement, whose impulses annually sent forward armies of noble men and women, and whose pulse is now felt throughout the length and breadth of the best country the sun ever shown upon --- from the pineries of Maine to the vineyards of California, and from the sugar-eanes of Louisiana to the wheat fields of Minnesota. Long may his heart beat and push forward its arteries and veins of com- meree.

Not more from choice than from enforeed

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

necessity did the old pioneers bid farewell to the play-ground of their childhood and the graves of their fathers. One generation after another had worn themselves out in the serv- iee of their avaricious landlords. From the first flashes of daylight in the morning until the last glimmer of the setting sun, they had toiled unceasingly on, from father to son, carrying home each day upon their aching shoulders the precious proceeds of their daily labor. Money and pride and power were handed down in the line of succession from the rich father to his son, while unceasing work and continnous poverty and everlasting obseurity were the heritage of the working man and his children.

Their society was graded and degraded. It was not manners, nor industry, nor educa- tion, nor qualities of the head and heart that established the grade. It was money and jewels, and silk and satin, and broadeloth and imperious pride that triumphed over honest poverty and trampled the poor man and his children under the iron heel. The children of the rich and poor were not permitted to mingle with and to love each other. Court- ship was more the work of parents than of the sons and daughters. The golden calf was the key to matrimony. To perpetnate a self-constituted aristocracy, withont power of brain, or the rich blood of royalty, purse was united to purse, and consin with cousin, in bonds of matrimony, until the virus boiling in their blood was transmitted by the law of inheritance from one generation to another, and until nerves powerless and manhood dwarfed were on exhibition everywhere, and everywhere abhorred. For the sons and danghters of the poor man to remain there was to forever follow as our fathers had fol- lowed, and never to lead; to submit, but never to rule; to obey, but never to com- mand.

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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