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 66

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 66
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 66

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1870 settled in Carroll County and bought his present farm, which was then in the wild state. Hle now owns 240 aeres of well im- proved land, a fine residence and good farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Hood have had eight children, three of whom are living- Gurney T., Nettie M. and Guy W .; the deceased are-Carrie, Charles, Stella, Walter and a babe unnamed. Mr. Hood is a member of Glidden Post, No. 291, G. A. R., also a member of the Presbyterian church. He has served ereditably as a member of the school board.

H. GATES, one of the pioneer physi- cians of Carroll County. is a native of Vermont, born at Castleton, in Rut- land County, November 27, 1827, a son of Elisha and Betsey (Kingsley) Gates. Ilis father was a consin of General Gates, of Revolutionary fame. The parents of our subjeet had a family of eleven children, he being the fifth child. His early life was spent in his native county, where he received a fair common-school edneation. On arriving at the age of twenty-two years he went to Genesee Station, Allegany County, New York, having learned telegraphy under Pro- fessor Morse. He was the forty-sixth tele- graph operator in the United States. IIe followed telegraphy many years, and held many important positions, and for some time was division operator. Dr. Gates has been twice married. He was first united in marriage December 25, 1849, to Miss Sarah J. Gray, a daughter of Hon. Henry Gray, of Bennington County, Vermont, and to this union were born two children-Harley and Jennie. Mrs. Gates died in 1853, and in May, 1857, the doctor was married to Miss Mary JJ. Conway, of Jackson County, Iowa.

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This union has been blessed with six children -Albert C., Alice V., Frank V., Charles, Fred and Ray. Dr. Gates came to Iowa in 1855, when he located at Wheatland, in Clinton County. June 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, and shortly afterward was appointed Hospital Steward, and later was commissioned Assist- ant Surgeon. In December, 1863, he was promoted to Surgeon, which position he filled till the close of the war, and June 28, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. In 1869 he came to Glidden, Carroll County, when the surrounding country was mostly in a state of nature, Glidden at that time having but five houses. In those pioncer days he fre- quently rode a distance of twenty miles to visit patients, he going to attend the sick in Guthrie, Greene and Calhoun counties, as well as in Carroll County. He is a man of strict integrity and honorable in all his deal- ings, and during his residence in the county has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.

ILLIAM F. ERP, one of the leading business men of Arcadia, is a mem- ber of the mercantile firm of Erp Brothers. This firm was established in the early history of the town, and the three broth- ers, being energetic and enterprising business men, have succeeded well in business, having by their accommodating manners and strict attention to the wants of their customers established a good trade. In September, 1883, a frame store building, built in 1880 by I. N. Voris and bought by Erp Brothers in 1883, was destroyed by fire. They then erected the substantial brick store, 25 x 80 fcet, which they still occupy. The firm is composed of William F., D. Erp, Jr., and

Claus Erp, sons of Detlef Erp, who immi- grated with his family from Germany to America in 1873. The family spent two years in Chicago, Illinois, where William F. obtained a good practical business education while acting as clerk in a business house in that city. After leaving Chicago the father settled with his family on section 7, Arcadia Township, where he improved a farm. He subsequently removed to the village of Ar- cadia, where he still lives. In connection with their general mercantile pursuits the firm of Erp Brothers do an extensive busi- ness in grain and lumber, and are classed among the active and public-spirited citizens of Arcadia.

OBERT R. WILLIAMS, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Manning, who has been a member of the medical staff of Carroll County since October, 1878, was born at Dodgeville, Wisconsin, the date of his birth being March 11, 1849. His par- ents, R. R. and Elizabeth (Jones) Williams, were natives of Wales, where they spent their youth. They were married after com- ing to America, in Wisconsin, the mother being now deceased. Of the twelve children born to them our subject is the eldest. IIc was reared on his father's farm in the vicin- ity of Dodgeville, his education being re- ceived in the district schools, and later in the academies of Southern Wisconsin, gradu- ating from the Wisconsin State University, in the class of 1874. He completed his medical studies at Rush Medical College, Chi- eago, Illinois, graduating from that institution in the class of 1876. After two years of prac- tice among his friends and neighbors at Dodgeville the doctor came to Carroll Coun- ty, where he has, by diligent attention to his

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profession, and conscientions performance of duty to his patients, built up a large and quite Incrative practice. The doctor has been twice married. IIe was first united in marriage at Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, June 6, 1882, to Miss Anna Martin, a classmate and a graduate of the same class (1874), at the State University at Madison, Wisconsin. She died May 8, 1883, and August 12, 1885, Dr. Williams was married to Miss Emma Branson, who had taught school in the south- western part of Carroll County for the greater part of the previous ten years, and was a teacher in the Manning High School at the time of her marriage. The doctor owns and occupies a very fine residence at Manning. He has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the town, and every movement caleulated to aid in building up the place or developing its business has his encourage- ment and assistance.

EV. JOHN FENDRICH, pastor of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Car- roll, Iowa, was born in Holland, No- vember 30, 1826, and was educated in Holland and Germany. He studied at the universities of Bonn and Munster, taking degrees in philosophy and theology. In 1858, having completed his preparations for priestly work, he came to America and the State of Iowa. He first had charge of two missions in Washington County, and was next for five years at Dubuque, during which time he built a church at Charles' Monnd. He was then for five years at Burlington, where he built a $16,000 academy for ladies. From Burlington he came to Carroll County, and built a ehnreh at Mount Carmel. In 1879 he visited Europe, and on his return was assigned to Areadia, Wells County.

Thongh now residing at Carroll, he has charge still of the Areadia church. The reverend father has been for twenty-eight years in the service of the church, and his success in the different fields of work has been but meagrely outlined above. Though now over sixty years of age, he is in excel- lent health and vigor.

OSEPII ANNEAR, one of the success- ful farmers of Pleasant Valley Town- ship, residing on section 16, is a native of Yorkshire, England, born October 16, 1845, a son of Joseph and Jennifred (Blake) Annear. The family came to America in the year 1848, and located in Iowa County, Wisconsin, where the father died the same year. The mother and her children lived some six years in Iowa County, Wisconsin, when they removed to Riehiland County, Wisconsin. The parents had born to them three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the eldest son and second child. Ile was reared to manhood in Richland County, his youth being spent in working on the farm and attending the schools of his neighborhood, where he received a fair com- mon-school education. IIe has been identi- fied with Carroll County, Iowa, since 1865, in which year he purchased eighty aeres of wild land, a part of his present farm, although he did not settle here until the spring of 1870. He was united in marriage Septem- ber 7, 1871, to Miss Jane Bedford, this being the first marriage in the township, the entire neighborhood being invited to participate in the wedding festivities. She was a daughter of Rev. Charles Bedford, of Pleasant Valley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Annear were the first to unite with the Methodist Episcopal church in Pleasant Valley Township. To

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

them have been born five children. their names being as follows: Oletha Etta, Charles Arthur, James Albert, John Blake and Lillie May. Mr. Annear has added to his original purchase and improved his land until he now owns 320 acres of Carroll County's best soil. His home farm now contains 200 acres of well-cultivated land. Ilis fine two-story resi- dence, which was erected in 1883, is pleas- antly situated, and his barns and out-buildings are noticeably good. He has a native grove of five acres, and a good orchard covering two acres. His remaining 120 acres is located in Grant Township, one and a half miles south- east of Carroll, this farm being also well improved. In connection with his general farming he devotes some attention to raising and feeding stock. In his political ideas Mr. Annear affiliates with the Republican party.

S AMUEL WILSON, residing on section 36, Union Township, came to this part of the State in 1854. He first settled just across the line in Guthrie County, Orange Township. Carroll County was then attached to Guthrie County for judicial purposes. The first election in this vicinity was held at Copeland Grove, Carroll County. There were not more than a half dozen votes cast at that election. Mr. Wilson returned to Illi- nois with his family the following spring, but soon after came back and raised a erop on his place. Not being fully decided that Carroll County was the best place to settle, lie resolved to go to Nebraska. He made the change, and located among the Indians, with whom he had spent much of his early life. This did not quite satisfy him, and he returned to the homestead, but soon after went to Tuttle's Grove, where he made some improvements. In 1861 or 1862 he came to

Coon Rapids, and he and Crockett Ribble built a saw-mill. Two or three years later they built the grist-mill, and Mr. Wilson sold his interest to Mr. Ribble, after which he engaged in farming. He was born in Mount Morris, Livingston County, New York, in 1819. His father, William Wilson, was a native of Ireland, and came to America when a young man with two brothers, settling in the State of New York. When Samuel was a child his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Sandusky County, where they lived until their decease. The father died when Samuel was nine years of age, and he was bound ont to learn the trade of a blacksmith. The wife of the man to whom he was bound treated liim so badly, and was so abusive to him, that he did not stay to complete his trade, but escaped to the woods and joined a tribe of Indians, with whom he remained the most of the time until he reached manhood. Ile adopted their habits to some extent, and went with them from place to place. He was in Chicago in 1832, or rather, where Chicago now is, there being nothing but a fort there at that time. He was married in Will County, Illinois, to Miss Emily A. Huyck, born in Saratoga County, New York. Her parents were Abraham and Asenatlı Huyck, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Connecticut. They removed to Michigan when Mrs. Wilson was abont three years old, and six years later the family moved to Will County, Illinois, where the parents passed the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had nine children, seven of whom are living-Alonzo N., Sarah E., George A., R. L., Lillie, Daniel and Net- tie. Spending so much time with the Indians, Mr. Wilson's education was extremely limited. His book knowledge was all obtained later in life, which was sufficient to enable him to become well informed on the topics of the

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day. Previous to the war he was an Aboli- tionist, but later became a Republican, being an uncompromising Union man during the war. He had no affinity for any person that sympathized with the Rebellion to any extent whatever. Mr. Wilson is a worthy repre- sentative of the early pioneer element of Carroll County.

50 AUL MORROW MACLEAN is a son of Matthew and Naney (Logan) Mac- lean, who are now residing on a farm near Columbus City, Lonisa County, this State. He was born December 10, 1862, in the State of Pennsylvania, and received a good education, including one year's study at Oberlin College in Ohio. He then entered the profession of journalism, which he fol- lowed for three years at Columbus Junetion, Iowa, and for the last three years at Carroll. Hle bought the Carroll Herald of E. R. Ilastings, January 1, 1884, and at the same time leased him a half interest. In June, 1886, Mr. Hastings retired, and Mr. Maelean sold a half interest in the paper and plant to J. B. Hungerford, who is still associated with him in its management. Mr. Maclean is a member of the Masonie order and of the Knights of Pythias, and is politically a Re- publiean.

H. LOUTHAN, Coon Rapids, Iowa, proprietor of the Pioneer Harness Em- porium, is a native of Wythe County, Virginia, born April 22, 1823, a son of James and Margaret (Gibbs) Louthan. He was the fifth of a family of seven children. He grew to manhood in his native State, remaining there nntil 1845, when he moved to Clai-

bourne County, Tennessee, where he was married in 1846 to Miss Mary Hatfield. Ile lived in East Tennessee until 1850, when, with his wife and two small children, he moved to Iowa and settled in the southwest- ern part of Clarke County, near the present site of Hopeville, where he was living during what was called by the pioneers of Clarke and Ringgold counties the Indian war. The country at that time was in a state of nature, only 160 acres of land having been en- tered in the county. In the fall of 1851 Hopeville was laid out and a postoffice estab- lished, with David Newton as postmaster. In 1863 Mr. Louthan moved to Hopeville and engaged in the manufacture of boots, shoes and harness, being the pioneer in that in- dustry in the place. After the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he went with the militia, under Colonel Edwards, to Allenville, Missouri, and a few days later was commis- sioned recruiting officer. He then returned to Iowa. He enlisted sixteen recruits and took them to Mount Ayr, where he found Captain Douglas with a company of eighty- six men, but no commission to leave the State. This company was turned over to Mr. Louthan, and with the 102 men he marched to St. Joseph, Missouri, and report- ed to Colonel Edwards. He then returned to Iowa, bnt being devoted to the ease of the Union his services were in demand, and he was employed as a spy. Under the in- structions of Hon. H. M. Hoxie, United States Marshal, he went to work on the borders of Iowa and Missouri. He joined the Knights of the Golden Cirele, and soon became one of their leaders, and obtained valuable information, and at one time was captured and sent in irons to Des Moines, where he was confined a short time. At the time of the great excitement about home- stead land in Audubon County, in 1871, he

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

removed to that county and lived at Exira about a year, and in 1872 moved to Carroll County, and lived in the southeastern part until 1876, when he moved to Scranton, Greene County, where he he manufactured harness until 1881, when he removed to Coon Rapids, where he has since lived. Iu politics Mr. Louthan is a Republican. He is serving his third term as mayor of Coon Rapids, and has held the office of treasurer two terms. He is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias orders.

ILLIAM F. STEIGERWALT, coun- ty surveyor and an active and enter- prising citizen of Carroll County, engaged in farming on section 31 of Grant Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in 1843. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and in his youth received good educational advantages. He was engaged in teaching school the greater part of the time from 1863 until 1866, when he went to Philadelphia and completed a course in what was then known as the Quaker City Business College, and here he laid the foundation of a business life and obtained a knowledge of the principles of penmanship, which resulted in his becoming an excellent scribe. He completed his com- mercial course in June, 1866, when he as- sisted his father on the home farm till the following September. He then entered the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Mans- field, Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, taking a regular normal course, and partly scientific course, and at the same time was also instructed in penmanship and book- keeping. Ile graduated in 1868, remaining there one year after his gradnation. During

his last year spent at the normal school he paid special attention to the theory of sur- veying. He then resumed teaching, and for a time was principal of the school at Donald- son, in the coal regions. After leaving his school at Donaldson he entered the Agricult- ural College in Center County, Pennsylvania, where he paid special attention to practical surveying, intending to adopt surveying as a business. In the fall of 1870 he eame West, and since October of that year has been a resident of Carroll County, and has been prominently identified with the educational interests of the county longer perhaps than any other man. The winter following his arrival in Carroll County he taught school at Carroll, closing his school about the middle of February, when he was prevailed upon to open a select school, which he conducted about four weeks, when he discontinued it, the enterprise proving a failure. He then rented fifty acres of land near Arcadia, in- tending to locate here, and the next day he rode to Coon Rapids and bought a team and wagon, returning to his farm with a load of seed wheat. He rented this farm with others and together they put up stables, and here kept bachelors' hall. There had been no permanent settlement made in Arcadia Town- ship at that time. He raised a fine crop the first season. In the spring of 1871, soon after seeding his land, hie purchased a half of section 23, Washington Township, paying for the same $5 per acre, and at once located on this land, which he began to improve. Not being accustomed to breaking prairie, he had a hard time of it at first, but after a few weeks he got along better, and that season broke ninety-five acres. In the fall of that year he went back to Pennsylvania, where he taught the following winter, returning to Carroll County in the spring. He then erected a house on his land, which was occu-

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pied by his cousin and family for a short time. The place was then occupied by a man named Jason Keys, who came from In- diana, with whom our subject made his home. In the fall of 1873 he was elected county superintendent of the schools of Carroll County, and served in that capacity two years, and at the same time assisted in im- proving his farm. After his term as super- intendent had expired he taught the following winter at Arcadia, when he returned to his farm. In the fall of 1875 he made a trip to Kansas, where he bought property in the town of Larned, and also took up a timber claim. In June, 1876, he went to the Cen- tenial at Philadelphia, as correspondent for the Carroll Herald, remaining there two months. His farm had been rented up to this time, but he had assisted in making im- provements, building several houses on the place. In December, 1876, his sister came West with her husband, S. B. Alspach, and settled on his farm. In January, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Colelo, her father, J. H. Colclo, being one of Carroll County's pioneers. Four children have been born to this union-Mabel, their eldest child, died aged six years; Garfield was born four days after the election of General Garfield to the Presidency, and was called in honor of him; Blanche and Samuel. In August, 1877, the father of our subjeet died at his home in Pennsylvania, and the following September he went East to eare for his mother and look after his father's estate. After his marriage he resided for a time in the Carroll House, but since the fall of 1878 he has made his home on seetion 31 of Grant Township, and now devotes most of his time to agri- cultural pursuits, although, as before stated, he holds the office of county surveyor. Be- sides his home farm Mr. Steigerwalt still owns his farm in Washington Township. He

takes an active interest in all enterprises for the good of his township or county, and is much respected by a large circle of friends throughout the county.

OHN L. McQUAID. dealer in dry goods and notions, groceries, etc., is the pioneer merchant of Manning, having established his present where he is now located Septem- ber 6, 1881. He is a native of Knox County, Indiana, born September 11, 1842, a son of Joel H. and Mary A. (Cassiday) McQuaid, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father died in Livingston County, Illi- nois, in December, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. The mother is still living in that county at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The subject of this sketch passed his youth principally in Marshall County, Illi- nois, to which county his parents had removed. He enlisted in defense of the Union July 20, 1862, and was assigned to Company K, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, serv- ing faithfully three years to a day. He was in the siege at Knoxville, which culminated in the retreat of General Longstreet and the rebel army upon the approach of General Sherman with his relief army in December, 1863, and was in the Twenty-third Corps under General Schofield. He joined the army under General Sherman, and partici- pated in most of the battles leading up to the capture of Atlanta, and was almost daily under fire for three months. With the Twenty-third Corps, he participated in the racing and fighting campaign against General Hood, and in the terrific battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, and later at the battle of Nashville, where Hood's army was de- stroyed. IIe was transferred to Wilmington, North Carolina. He served till the close of

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the war, and was honorably discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina, July 20, 1865. After the war he returned to Marshall County, Illinois, where he remained until 1871. IIe then came to Carroll County, buying property in Arcadia, where he engaged in general mer- chandising. He was married at that place July 2, 1873. to Miss Margaret J. Goundrey, a native of the State of New York. They are the parents of three children - Elsie V., Charles A. and Edith M. Mr. McQuaid followed mereantile pursuits at Arcadia until he came to Manning and established his present business, in which he has met with good success. Beside his business block Mr. McQuaid owns his fine substantial residence and several lots in Manning, and business property, which herents, in Manilla, Crawford County. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is quarter- master of MePherson Post, No. 33, at Man- ning. Mr. McQuaid is an officer and stoek- holder in the Manning Cemetery Association, and one of the founders of the Union Fair and Driving Park Association, of which he is still a stoekholder.

A. WIELAND, farmer, seetion 11, Carroll Township, was born in Column- biana County, Ohio, June 19, 1855, son of G. A. and Bridget Ann Wieland. He was the sixth of twelve children. His early life was passed on a farm, and his edneation was obtained in his native State. When he was eleven years of age his parents removed to Washington County. April 10, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Reiter, a native of Grant County, Wisconsin, and a danghter of Joseph and Mary Ann Reiter. Mr. and Mrs. Wieland are the par- 1

ents of three children-Fannie, George S. and Emma. Mr. Wieland eame to Carroll County in 1873, and in 1875 bought his farm, and commeneed to improve it the following year. He owns 160 acres of excellent land. which is in a good state of cultivation and well improved. In polities he is a Democrat, and a strong adherent of the principles of that party.

OHN PARKER resides on section 22, Union Township. His farm comprises 127 acres of land, which he purchased in 1875, and settled upon it the following year. No improvements had been made, but it is now in a good state of cultivation. Hle ereeted his buildings at a cost of about $800. Mr. Parker has been a resident of Carroll County sinee 1874, and of Iowa since 1852. Ile was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1836, son of Asa L. Parker. His parents had thirteen children, of whom he was the sixth child. Most of his life has been spent in farming. In June, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and served un- til the elose of the war. His regiment served in the First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was engaged in the siege of Vieksburg and Arkansas Post. When Gen- eral Grant entered on the Vicksburg eam- paign, and decided to attack the enemy from below, Mr. Parker was one of the many who volunteered to run the blockade. He went aboard of one of the gunboats, and did not aeecompany his regiment around by land. He rejoined it in time to take part in the last charge on the enemy's works, then, with his regiment, he accompanied General Grant to Chattanooga. He took part, under General Hooker, in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He took part in the

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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