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 59

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 59
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 59

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).

M. PARSONS, mayor of the city of Carroll, and the leading grain mer- chant of the town, was elected to his present office in 1886, succeeding Thomas F. Barbee. Ile is one of the early business men of Carroll, having located here in the spring of 1875. At that time he took a half inter- est in a grain business with J. E. Jones; this partnership continued until the death of Mr. Jones in October, 1884, since which time Mr. Parsons has conducted the business alone. The elevator now owned by him was erected by Mr. Jones in 1874. Mr. Parsons was born in New York, near the city of Rochester, in

1847. When he was six years of age, his father, John Parsons, removed with his fam- ily to Coldwater, Michigan, where our sub- ject was reared to manhood in the nursery business, that being the occupation of his father. When nineteen years old he went to Ogle County, Illinois, and engaged in the grain business, at Creston, for an uncle, and later he purchased the elevator at that place and went into business for himself. He re- mained at Creston until he came to Carroll. Mr. Parsons is also engaged in the live-stock business. The parents of our subject had three children, two sons and a daughter. The latter, Mrs. Nellie Hunter, resided in Carroll. The father died in Michigan and the mother resides in Carroll. Mr. Parsons was married at Creston, Illinois, to Miss Emma Chamberlain, a daughter of Porter E. Chamberlain, of Rockford, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have two children- Charles and Willis, the former born in Creston and the latter in Carroll. Politically Mr. Parsons is a Republican.

HARLES W. BABCOCK, a successful agriculturist of Carroll County, engaged in farming and stock-raising in Warren Township, was born in Kane County, Illinois, August 6, 1853, a son of Chester and Sarah (Profert) Babeock. Ilis parents were natives of the State of New York, coming to Carroll County, Iowa, in 1884, where they still reside. They had a family of four sons, of whom Charles W. was the second. He grew to manhood on the home farm in his native county, receiving his education in the district schools of his neighborhood. He was reared a farmer and has made that the principal avocation of his life. At the age of twenty- one years he began farming his father's farın,

北上

541

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

which he continued one year. In 1860 his father moved to Clinton County, where he resided till he came to Carroll County. Charles W. Babcock was married April 12, 1877, to Miss Margaret V. Smithi, a native of Iowa, born in Jackson County March 31, 1853, a daughter of J. G. and Lucy Smith, who were born in the State of Kentucky, but are now residents of lowa. They are the parents of four children-Arthur L., born August 6, 1878; Sadie M., March 1, 1880; Ernest S., October 12, 1882, and Clarence, August 25, 1885. Mr. Babcock has been successful in his farming and stock-raising and is now making a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. He has a large and sub- stantial residence on section 20, Warren Township, and excellent farm buildings, his residence being within a mile of Manning. Ile is the owner of 320 acres, 160 on sections 19, 20, 29 and 30, Warren Township, and the remainder in Audubon County, Lincoln Township. In polities he votes the Repub- lican ticket.

till ten years of age. Ile then immigrated with his parents to Clayton County, Iowa, where he lived until the spring of 1864. He was married November 19, 1865, to Miss Anna E. Hoon, who was born in Ohio De- eember 7, 1847, a daughter of Jacob and Ilannah Hoon, early settlers of Ohio, and natives of Pennsylvania and England re- spectively. They removed from Ohio to Iowa and settled in Jones County when Mrs. Fobes was seven years of age. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fobes-Walter, born January 1, 1867; Nellie C., born De- cember 30, 1870; Charles W., born May 6, 1875, died July 6, 1875; Milton, born March 6, 1879, died in infancy; Ida May, born June 30, 1883, and Gilbert, born March 11, 1885, died April 14, 1885. Mr. Fobes lived in Jones County from 1864 until 1876, and in the fall of the latter year he came with his family to Carroll County, where he made his first purchase of land, consisting of 160 acres of raw prairie land. Ile has now one of the best improved farms in the county, with good residence and com- modious farm buildings. He has a fine barn, octagon in shape, sixty-eight feet in diameter and 224 feet in circumference, his barn being one of the finest in his township, and cost about $2,100. He came to the county in limited circumstances, and experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to life in a newly settled country, but owing to his persevering industry and indomitable will he has succeeded well in his farming operations, being now classed among the prosperous citizens of Jasper Township. In connection with his general farming he de- votes considerable attention to the raising of stock. and is making a specialty of short-horn cattle. Mr. Fobes sinee coming to Carroll County has held the offices of township trustee,

- FOBES, farmer and stoek-raiser, see- tion 32, Jasper Township, where he has a splendid farm of 160 acres, is one of the representative citizens of Carroll County, as well as a prosperous agriculturist. Besides the farm above mentioned he owns 160 acres on seetion 29 and eighty acres on section 33. He is a son of A. K. and Caro- line Fobes, who were natives of Massachu- setts, but pioneers of Ohio. They were the parents of fourteen children, our subject being the tenth child. His maternal grand- father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died while in the service of his country. E. Fobes was born in Ohio, the date of his birth being December 25, 1845, and there he lived | road supervisor and school director. In poli-

----------

542

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

tics he is an ardent Republican. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

LFRED BEDFORD, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Knowles) Bedford, and 1

a member of one of the representative families of Pleasant Valley Township, was born in Yorkshire, England. December 10, cause of religion and that of education.

1851. He was married August 17, 1876, to Miss Charlotte J. Willey, daughter of | Josiah Willey, of Pleasant Valley Township, formerly of Grant County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Bedford have four children-Josiah Charles, William Alfred, Thomas Melvin and John A. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HARLES BEDFORD, section 15, Pleasant Valley Township, is one of the early settlers of Carroll County. He is a native of the city of York, Yorkshire, England, born November 24, 1817, a son of William and Hannah (Todd) Bedford. He was reared a farmer, and also at an early age learned the trade of a bricklayer. He lived in England until 1870, when, with his wife and five children he came to the United States. He left his family in Illinois while he went on a prospecting tour through Mis- sonri, Kansas and lowa. Deciding to locate in Carroll County, he bought 160 acres of wild land, to which, with the help of his sons, he has added until they now own a fine tract of 720 aeres, all under a high state of culti- vation, with good building improvements. Mr. Bedford was married August 4, 1843, to Elizabeth Knowles. a native of Yorkshire, England, daughter of John and Elizabeth

(Colson) Knowles. Four of their children are living-William, Alfred, Mary Jane and Thomas. A son, Charles, died in Carroll County, aged thirty years. Mr. Bedford has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since fourteen years of age, and when a young man was licensed to preach, and has been an active and zealons worker in his church. Ile has always taken an interest in and has been a liberal supporter of both the

ANDREW PARK, proprietor of livery, feed and sale stable, Carroll. is located on Fourth street, one block east of the Lynch House. He keeps in stock good driving horses, and fine carriages and saddle horses. Horses are bought and sold, or ex- changed, rates reasonable, and satisfaction guaranteed. The genial proprietor was born in Scotland, August 3, 1852, son of Andrew and Sophia (Milligan) Park. When he was five years of age his parents immigrated to Ameriea and located in Delaware County, New York, where he was reared and edu- cated. In 1869 he removed to Iowa, Linn County, where he resided until 1871, then removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was engaged in the smelting business until 1877. At that time he removed to Wyoming, where for four years lie was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and assisted in laying the rails from Laramie, Wyoming, to North Platte, Nebraska, and on the Jules- burg extension from Denver Junction to La Salle, Colorado. In 1880 he removed to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he assisted in building railroads for some time. In 1881 he located at Carroll, and engaged in the business of agriculture with his brother, D. H. Park, which he continued until January,

543

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1886, when he was employed as traveling salesman for Aultman, Miller & Co., of Ohio. In Angust he engaged in the livery business, which he has since followed, and with good snecess. Mr. Park is a member of Signet Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Knights of Labor. By his courteous manners and honest dealings he has made many friends, and is receiving the liberal patronage he so riehly deserves.

EV. II. J. HEMESATH is the second resident priest in charge of St. John's Catholic Church at Arcadia. Rev. John B. Fendrick was the first, the church prior to his coming being in charge of Fathers .J. Kempker, W. Pape, J. Urbany, J. B. Fend- riek and M. C. Lenihan. Father Hemesath took charge of the church December 21, 1886, this being his first parish. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857, and when a boy accompanied his parents to Iowa, they locating near Ossian, Winneshiek County. He was educated at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, and the Grand Seminary at Mon- treal, Canada, where he graduated. Ile was ordained at Dubuque, December 8, 1886. He is a good speaker, a hard worker, and has the prospect of a bright and useful career.

ILLIAM TROWBRIDGE, the lead- ing hardware merchant of Carroll, is located on the corner of Main and Fifth streets. He established the business in 1878, under the firm name of Russell & Trowbridge. This partnership continned about three months, when the illness of Mr. Russell compelled him to retire from the

business. Mr. Trowbridge then conducted it alone for a considerable length of time, but the business increased so rapidly that he felt the need of assistance, and consequently sold a half interest to Mr. I. M. Gilley, who re- tired from the firm in 1885. Since that time Mr. Trowbridge has been alone. Ilis store is a fine briek structure, 27 x 66 feet, two stories in height, with basement. It is a part ot the Gilley block. Mr. Trowbridge is one of the early settlers of Carroll, with whose interests he has been identified since 1873. Ile was engaged in the livery busi- ness about one year, and was then employed as clerk in the hardware store of M. A. Hoyt for two years. He elerked for Wetherell Bros. until he went into business for himself. He was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1847. His father, Prosper Trow- bridge, died when he was about five years of age. The mother remarried, and the family emigrated to Black Hawk County, Iowa, in 1856. There was a large family of children, and they were in limited circumstances. William was thrown upon his own resources at the age of eleven years, leaving home at that time. By his own efforts he succeeded in providing for himself and in securing a good English education. In 1862, when the war of the Rebellion had been in progress one year, he determined to enlist, but was refused on account of his youth; but when Company C of the Thirty-second Iowa was organized at Waterloo, although he was not accepted as an enlisted soldier, he succeeded in engaging as cook for the company. He remained with this company for several inonths, accompanying them as far as Fort Pillow. In 1863 he returned and hired out as a farm hand, and the following winter attended school, working for his board. On the 24th of February, 1864, he succeeded in enlisting by misrepresenting his age. Soon

544

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

after enlisting he was sent to Davenport to be assigned to a regiment. Being quite small of his age, it was still a question whether he would be formally accepted. But there were a large number of soldiers at Davenport to be disposed of, and as the war advanced the anthorities had become less partieular as to the age and size of enlisted men, and he got through without mueh trouble. Having the privilege of selecting his own regiment, he preferred the one he had formerly served with, and rejoined the Thirty-second at the mouth of the Red River, on its return from the disastrous Red River campaign, under Banks. His old comrades were rejoiced to see him, and there was a glad reunion. The Thirty-second was a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by General A. J. Smith. They immediately proceeded up the Mississippi River, and were soon under fire from the Confederate batteries along the river's bank. The division to which he belonged was landed on the Arkan- sas side of the river, and they engaged the enemy, doing considerable fighting and skirmishing. This was the first experience of Mr. Trowbridge in actual war, and it was a severe one. Ile had been anxious to meet the enemy, and he received ample evidence of their fighting qualities. Ilis brigade was ordered to charge a rebel battery. A bayon was between the opposing forees, which was not seen by the Union troops till they ap- proached very near to it. The command thus being unable to approach the enemy's battery, threw themselves flat upon the ground and fought the best they could, but suffered severe loss. Mr. Trowbridge was armed with an old musket which he sue- ceeded in discharging several times, but soon found a better weapon, taking a gun from a comrade that was killed near him. He served until the close of the war. He took

part in the battles of Tupelo and Oldtown Creek, against Forrest, and at the latter engagement, in July, 1864, had a narrow escape, but was uninjured, and soon after re- turned to Memphis, Tennessee. At this time St. Louis was threatened by General Sterling Price, and the Sixteenth Corps was sent to intercept him. They followed Price to Stone River, undergoing heavy marching, and con- tinued to follow him until they broke up his army. The eorps then returned to St. Louis. At this time the election of 1864 took place, and the command stopped to vote. Mr. Trowbridge was not old enough to exercise the right of franchise, and while the voting was going on took the opportunity to go out foraging, accompanied by another boy about his own age. They had a very narrow eseape from capture by the enemy. They secured some sweet potatoes and a pair of socks from an old lady whom they interviewed. On their return they captured a hog, which they slaughtered, and loaded down with their plunder were captured by the patrol guard of our army, and taken before General Girard. They eseaped with nothing more than a reprimand. At St. Louis they received new elothing and were refreshed. In December, 1864, they were sent to Nashville, joining the army of General Thomas, and taking an active part in the destruction of Hood's army. They then returned to Eastport, Mis- sissippi, thenee to Mobile and New Orleans, where they embarked on ship for Dauphin's Island, near Mobile. The Sixteenth was here pitted against Fort Blakely, and our subjeet participated in the charge that resulted in the capture of that fort. The war was now about coming to a close. From Fort Blake- ly the Sixteenth marched to Montgomery, Alabama. Soon after they started on this march they received the news of the assassi- nation of President Lincoln. The time of

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

his regiment had expired, but Mr. Trow- bridge having enlisted as a recruit, had yet considerable time to serve, and was trans- ferred to the Eighth Iowa Veterans. In view of his gallantry as a soldier, the men of his company, before the transfer, had elected him Corporal. There was but one vacancy of that office in the new regiment to which he was transferred, and candidates that were equally entitled to the place drew cuts to de- termine who should go home. That fortune fell upon Corporal Trowbridge, and he was soon after discharged. Ile returned to Black Hawk County and engaged in farming, follow- ing that occupation until he came to Carroll. lle was married at Carroll to Miss Ida S. Gilley, daughter of William Gilley, and they have two children-Blanche and Emma. Mr. Trowbridge is a Republican, and a member of the Jeff. C. Davis Post, G. A. R., at Car- roll.

ON. JOHN K. DEAL, of Carroll, the present State Senator from the Forty- eighth Distriet, was elected to his posi- tion in the fall of 1886. Ile is one of the few who came to Carroll when the town first started. When the county records were removed from the old county seat, Carrollton, in 1868, Mr. Deal was county superintendent of schools, and changed his location with the change of county seat. Ile was born in the town of Groveland, Livingston County, New York, in 1843. His father, George Deal, removed with his family to Allen County, Indiana, settling on a farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. Our subject served about two years in the army during the great Rebellion, enlisting in July, 1862, as a member of Company C, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and making an honorable

record as a soldier. Soon after the close of his service he entered Fort Wayne College, and attended and taught school for several years. Ile came to Carroll County in the spring of 1867, and engaged in teaching the school at Carrollton. In the fall of that year, he was elected county superintendent of schools, and served in that capacity, very satisfactorily, two years. While holding that office he conducted the first teachers' institute ever held in Carroll County. In the fall of 1868 he was elected clerk of the courts, and served four years. Ile then engaged in a general law, banking and real estate business, in the firm name of Griffith & Deal. After the fire in 1879 he sold out his banking interest, but continued in the real estate busi- ness. IIe was elected State Senator by the Republican party, and his popularity is evi- denced by the fact that he ran 500 votes ahead of his tieket in Carroll County. Mr. Deal cast his first presidental vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1864. He has always affiliated with the Republican party. He was married in Medina County, Ohio, to Miss Julia Gilley, a sister of William Gilley, of Carroll. They have two children-Lauren K. and Winniefred, both born in Carroll.

ACOB BRAND, of Glidden Township, is one of the pioneers of Carroll County, having settled here in 1869. Ile was born in Holmes County, Ohio, September 15, 1833, son of Michael and Mary Brand, natives of Germany. He resided in Ohio until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Illinois, where he engaged with Walker & Co. to drive stage. He afterward drove stage for a Western stage company in Northi - western Iowa for many years. He was reared on a farm and edneated in the common

.. .

546

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

schools. May 30, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Moore, who was born in Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Hiekson) Moore, who came to America when Mrs. Brand was a babe. In 1859 Mr. Brand engaged in driving stage at Denver, Colorado, and in 1860 he located in Dallas County, this State, and drove stage two years, and then went to Black Hawk County, where he was engaged in farming until 1869, when he came to Carroll County. He first bought eighty acres of wild land. He now owns 230 aeres of good land, which is in a good state of cultivation, and well improved. He has a comfortable house, surrounded with shade trees, commodious buildings for stoek, a fine orehard and a large variety of small fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Brand are the parents of ten children-Frederick, John, Anna Sny- der, Mary, Ella, Etta and Henry (twins), Edward, Salina and Jacob. Mr. Brand is a Republican in politics, and a strong believer in the principles of that party. He has served as member of the school board, and is interested in all educational matters. He is very highly esteemed in the community where he resides.

ERDINAND MOERSHELL, junior member of the general mercantile firm of Moershell Brothers, of Manning, and of Walnut, Pottawattamie County, was born in Erie County, New York, the date of his birth being August 4, 1845. His parents, Conrad and Catharine Moershell, were of German birth, coming to America after their marriage. They are now living at Home- stead, Iowa, where they located in 1861. Ferdinand is the youngest of their three children. The eldest ehild, Henrietta, is the wife of Philip Gefaller, of Homestead, Iowa,

and William F. is the senior member of the firm of Moershell Brothers. The family are all members of the Amana Society. Ferdi- nand Moershell, whose name heads this sketch, was in the employ of Field, Leiter & Co., wholesale merchants, of Chicago, Illinois, as salesman, during 1872-'73 and 1874, and later was engaged in business at Indianapolis, Indiana, for two years. October 25, 1876, he was married at Indianapolis to Miss Annie Beard, a daughter of Solomon Beard, of that eity. She was born at Richmond, Indiana, but reared principally at Indianapolis. They are the parents of two children-Robert Arthur and Floyd. In 1876 Mr. Moershell engaged in the general mereantile trade at Walnut, Iowa, and in 1878 he became asso- eiated with his brother, William F., thus formning the present firm of Moershell Brothers, the business at Walnnt being still eondueted under the management of his brother, where they carry stock amounting to about $10,000. Their business at Man- ning was established in 1882, and has been a very successful venture. The firm occupy a fine brick business house, and carry a stock of abont 88,000, including almost everything found in a well-kept general store, the busi- ness at this point being under the supervision of Ferdinand Moershell, who is deservedly popular as a merchant and citizen. Mr. Moershell was one of the charter members of Manning Lodge, No. 122, I. O. O. F., and is its present secretary.

EV. JOIIN P. HOFFMANN is a native of Luxemburg, Germany, born in the year 1855. He was reared in his native country until about fifteen years of age. when, in 1871, he accompanied his parents to America. In January, 1878, he entered St.

wwww

547

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Francis College, near Milwaukee, where he remained two years. About one month after entering this institution his father died. After leaving St. Francis College he attended St. Lawrence College, Mount Calvary, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, for a period of three years. Father Hoffman began his theo- logical studies at the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada, completing his course in June, 1886. and was ordained into the priest- hood by Bishop John Hennessy, of Dubuque, Iowa. IIe is now in charge of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, of Pleasant Valley Township, he being the first resident priest of this church. The church edifice was erected in 1883, Rev. Theodore Weg- mann attending to the spiritual wants of the congregation before Father Hoffman was ap- pointed to this church.

M. GUTHRIE, of Carroll, is a mem- ber of the well-known firm of Guth- rie & Bowman, general agents for the Iowa Railroad Land Company. The firm was established in 1871, the gentlemen coming from Dubuque, this State. Mr. Guthrie has been a resident of Iowa since 1853, at which time he settled in Dubuque, and was one of the prominent residents of that city. He was born in Clare County, Ireland, in 1830, and came to America in 1848. His parents, Matthew and Sabina Guthrie, came to this country in 1852. The father died in Du- buque in 1857, and the mother is still living, at the age of eighty-eight years. Mr. Guthi- rie was but eighteen years old when he came to America. In 1846-'47 he was in the em- ploy of the British Government. During the troubles in Ireland he was imprisoned for several weeks for having taken his fath- er's gun to shoot some hares. . It was soon

after this event that he came to America. Upon his arrival here he engaged as clerk for a firm in Wisconsin for six months, and was then employed as foreman on the Michigan Southern Railroad while that road was being built. He was engaged in that capacity when that road entered Chicago, and it was the first railroad that entered that city from the East. Mr. Guthrie was also a contractor in the construction of the Rock Island and Illi- nois Central roads. He contracted for and built some of the principal structures of Du- buque, including the city hall, and was also a contractor for improving the streets of that city. He was treasurer of Dubugne from 1862 to 1867. Ile was one of the contract- ors in the construction of the Dubuque & Southwestern Road, between Farley and Cedar Rapids. The immediate cause of Mr. Guth- rie's making his home in Carroll was the fact that he and Mr. Bowman had bought of the Iowa Railroad Land Company a tract of land which now constitutes the township of Wheatland, in this county. They at one time owned the whole of that township, and had been here but a year when they were appointed the general land agents of that company. They have also an office in La Mars, in this State, of which Mr. Bowman has charge. Mr. Guthrie is a Democrat in politics, and has long been influential in the councils of his party. During the adminis- tration of President Buchanan, he, with W. H. Heath, published at Dubuque, the North- west, a journal devoted to the interests of the Democratic party. Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Bowman established Der Demokrat, the pres- ent German Democratic paper of Carroll. He is still president of the company and owns much of the stock. The firm of Guth- rie & Bowman do a very extensive business. They have sold all the lands belonging to the railroad in Carroll County, and much in Sac

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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