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 69

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 69
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 69

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

in that year the Franco-Prussian war broke out, he was in the harbor of Cardiff, England. Returning to Germany, he remained until he found that his services would not be needed. In December, 1870, Mr. Florencourt immi- grated to the New World, and shortly sailed from New York as second mate on the American bark Benefactor, for China. This voyage lasted over a year. In 1872 he went to Michigan, where he met his brother Charles, and the two came to Carroll County, where the subject of this biography has sinee resided. He followed farming two years, then taught school for three years, and since has devoted his time to Der Demokrat, in the capacity of editor. He was for six months part owner of the paper, as stated above. He was married May 18, 1886, to Miss Mina Von Lneek, of Carroll. Both are members of the Catholic church.

M ONROE ALLEN HOYT, a promi- nent attorney, and member of the firm of Beach & Hoyt, Carroll City, was admitted to the bar at Panora in 1867, Judge Maxwell presiding. He opened a law office in Carroll, and soon after engaged in the hardware and farm implement business, In 1881 he resumed his law practice. Mr. Hoyt was born in the town of Maria, Essex County, New York, in 1842, and one year later his father, Samuel Hoyt, removed to Maquoketa, Jackson County, this State, being one of the pioneers of that county. IIe erected the first business bloek in Maqnoketa. In 1856 the father removed to Daviess County, Missouri, and in 1862 returned to Jackson County and purchased a farm near Bellevue, where he lived until his decease, which oc- curred in February, 156S. He was a native of Vermont. The parents had twelve ehil-

dren, six sons and six daughters. Two died in infaney, and five sons and five danghters are still living. All are residents of Iowa except one son, Samuel C., who resides in New Mexico. Mr. Hoyt's early educational advantages were quite limited. He left home at the age of fourteen years, and being very desirons of obtaining an education he im- proved every opportunity that came in his way, thus fitting himself for the teacher's profession. He taught his first school in Bates County, Missouri, and later, taught the school at Panora, Guthrie County, Iowa. The winter of 1860-'61 he spent at Granby Mines, and at Timber Hill and Black Dos- town, in the Osage nation, trading with the Indians. He then returned to Daviess County, Missouri, and entered the organization of Home Guards under Colonel Craner, which was for some time engaged in pursuit of the rebel Colonel Patton. After this expedition he came back to Bellevue and entered the law office of Booth & Graham, where he remained two and a half years, then went to Stevenson, Alabama, as elerk in the Quarter- master's department, going thence to East- port, Mississippi, in the same eapaeity. He returned just as the war elosed, and soon after entered the law office of Colonel Byam at Marion, Iowa, going thence to Panora, where he had charge of the recorder's office, and where he was admitted to the bar, as before stated. Mr. Hoyt was married at Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Miss Susan A. Bowman, a native of the State of New York, and daughter of John Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have two children-Annie Beryl and Monroe Allen. The oldest child, John T., died when in his twelfth year. Mr. Hoyt cast his first presidential vote for Bell and Everett, and was identified with the Repub- liean party until 1878, sinee which time he has been a Greenbacker. Mr. Hoyt comes

AMAMMA

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from an old and well-known family of the Empire State. Dr. Hiram Hoyt, of Syra- cuse, and Dr. David Hoyt, of Palmyra, are brothers of his father. He was long one of the prominent business men of Carroll. April 5, 1881, by order of the town council of Carroll, by virtue of an illegal ordinance, his building and stoek were moved into the street, but after an extended litigation he re- covered his goods and building, and a judg- ment for costs against the town.

H. PLATNER, justice of the peace and real estate agent at Glidden, is a native of Iowa, born in Cedar County, March 5, 1840, a son of Christopher and Mary (Angle) Platner. Of the thirteen children born to his parents our subject was the youngest. He was reared to the avoca- _ tion of a farmer, and was educated in the common schools of his native county. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, and was soon pro- moted to Second Sergeant. June 5, 1862, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, and in November following was promoted to First Lieutenant. IIe participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Vicksburg, Kene- saw Mountain and Atlanta, Georgia. He was wounded at Atlanta in the right lung by a minie ball, July 22, 1864, and November 23, 1864, received an honorable discharge. Af- ter the war he returned to Cedar County, Iowa, where he was married August 8, 1867, to Miss Anna Pierce, of Linn County, Iowa. They are the parents of six children-Austa, George, Edward, Lewis, William and Justin. In 1871 Mr. Platner came with his family to Carroll County, and located at Glidden, where he engaged in general merchandising. Later he began dealing in groceries, and subse-

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quently engaged in the hardware business, which he followed until he began dealing in real estate. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1886, and is still filling that office to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents. IIe dispenses jus- tice in a fair, impartial manner to all who are called before him, and by his honorable deal- ing he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. In politics he is a Re- publiean, and is a strong adherent of the principles of that party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of the post at Glidden.

J. JOHNSON, farmer and .stock-raiser of Sheridan Township, residing on section 18, where he lias 160 acres of choice land, was born in the sonthern part of Sweden December 20, 1850. His parents, John and Carrie Johnson, were also natives of Sweden, where they were reared and mar- ried, and to them were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, our subjeet being the fourth child. He was reared on his father's farm in his native country, and received a fair education in the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the stone mason's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship for five years. In 1870 he sailed from Malmo Har- bor to America, landing at Quebec. He then proceeded to Rockford, Illinois, remain- ing there but a short time, when he went to Missouri and began working on the railroad. IIe subsequently came to Iowa, and began working on a farm near Des Moines, where he found employment until 1875, when he rented a farm near that eity and followed farming for himself until 1882. He was married October 30, 1878, to Miss Minta

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Curran, who was born in Polk County, Iowa, December 31, 1854, a daughter of George and Tabitha Curran, natives of Ohio, who came to Iowa in its pioneer days and settled near Des Moines. In 1882 Mr. Johnson removed to the farm where he now resides, where he has since been snecessfully engaged in farming and raising stock. His residence is commodious and convenient, and his barns and other farm buildings are noticeably good, and he is classed among the well-to-do farmers of Sheridan Township. In his political views Mr Johnson is a Republican.

OHN C. ENGLEMAN, a prominent member of the Carroll County bar, was elected to the office of county attorney in the fall of 1886, succeeding Frank M. Powers as county attorney, and A. B. Thor- nell as district attorney. Mr. Engleman has been a resident of Carroll since 1881. Ile was born in Germany in 1848. and came to America in 1855. His father died in Ger- many, and he came to this country with an uncle, who located at Bellevue, Jackson County, this State. He was educated at the public schools of Harrison County, and was for some time a student at the academy at Magnolia, graduating in the law department of the Iowa State University in 1875. IIe commenced his law practice at Bellevne, and after a time came to Carroll. Since coming here he has been alone in his practice except a very short time when he was associated with F. A. Charses. Mr. Engleman has been twice married. His first wife was formerly Mary Elizabeth Charles, who died at Lyons, Iowa, in May, 1882. Mr. Engleman prac- ticed law at Lyons a short time, and was also city attorney at that place. His present wife was Miss Alice Colelo, a sister of C. C. Col-

elo, of this city. There were two children by his first marriage-Inez E. and Mary Ethel, and one son, John, by the present marriage. In January, 1865, Mr. Engleman enlisted, at Dubuque, in the regular army, and served three years and four months. His command operated against the Indians, being stationed at Fort Buford, at the mouth of the Yellow- stone River. He took part in no general en- gagement, but was in several skirmishes with the savages. Upon one occasion he had a very narrow escape. He was engaged with a number of other soldiers in getting a load of wood for use in the fort, when they were sud- denly attacked by a party of Indians. One of the party was instantly killed and another one severely wounded; but all the rest snc- ceeded in reaching the fort. Mr. Engleman was discharged in 1869. He immediately re-enlisted, and was made a member of the band at Fort Stevenson. He had been there about four months when an order was issued by the war department requiring all soldiers to enlist for five years, or be discharged. Mr. Engleman chose the latter, and returned home, after which he was engaged in attend- ing school, teaching, and farming, until he began his legal studies.

DWIN ADAMS, associate editor and manager of the Carroll Sentinel, has been engaged in newspaper work in Carroll since 1877, and is therefore the senior, in years of service, in the county. He has been engaged in newspaper work in the State almost continuously for sixteen years. Mr. Adams is a native of Wisconsin, and is thirty-fonr years of age. He is a practical printer and pressman, and has had a wide ex- perience in the trade, and is engaged at the case or other mechanical duties daily. He is

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very particular in regard to the typograph- ical appearance of his newspaper and all work turned out, and has a reputation in this part of the State for maintaining a high standard in the business of printing, in every department. He is married, and has a family of three children.

EV. THEODORE WEGMANN is the present pastor of the Church of the Iloly Angels, at Roselle, which was built in 1874, and in 1880 was enlarged and refitted. It is a frame building and will seat. including the gallery, about 500 persons. A parochial school is sustained, which num- bers from fifty to sixty pupils. The congre- gation numbers about 130 families.

AMES B. GRAHAM, farmer, resides on section 4, Pleasant Valley Township, where he settled in 1874. His farm contains 440 acres, and he also owns 160 acres in Carroll Township. When he pur- chased his land, all was new and uncultivated. The first year lie built a part of his present residence, which he has since enlarged. Ilis land is all in a good state of cultivation, and he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock. His fine barn was built in 1886. Mr. Graham was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in November, 1834. In 1846 his father immigrated to America with his family, and located in New York City. About 1863 the family removed to Canada, where the father lived until his death. He was a tanner and currier by trade. The parents, Robert and Jennie Graham, had nine children, six sons and three daughters. James B. was the youngest of the family. 44

IIc learned the printer's trade in New York City, and followed that trade for a number of years. Later he went to Canada, where his family had already preceded him, and there married Miss Jane Lloyd, a native of England. Like most early settlers, Mr. Graham came to Iowa for the purpose of getting land where it could be bought cheap. He has been very successful in his undertaking, and is one of the best farmers and stock-growers in Carroll County. He is at present a member of the county board of supervisors, and is serving his second term in that capacity. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. In 1877 Mr. Graham was afflicted by the loss of his wife by death. He has nine children, six daughters and three sons.

R. WHITNEY, of the firm of J. R. Whitney & Co., wholesale dealers in fancy groceries, fruit and tobaccos, is one of the leading business men of Carroll. Ile established the fruit business at that place September 23, 1881, and later, added the other branches of the business. The firm make a specialty of the fruit trade. In 1886 they handled 7,000 barrels of Michi- gan and Missouri apples, besides much small frnit. They also handle oranges and lemons by the car-load. They employ two traveling salesmen, with a territory of about 100 towns, mostly in Northwestern Iowa. The firm has a large cigar trade. Their location is on Main street. Mr. Whitney has had a large experience in the fruit business. He is a son of A. R. Whitney, of Franklin Grove, Illi- nois, who is probably the most eminent horti- culturist in the West. ITis son, our subject, had acted as traveling salesman for him for a long time previous to coming to Carroll. Mr. Whitney's partner, A. W. Crawford, came to

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Carroll from Illinois, in 1883. These gen- tlemen are brothers-in-law. By good man- agement and fair and honest dealing the firm has built up a good business.

HIARLES S. LAWRENCE is a son of Samuel H. and Rachel W. Lawrence, the former being a contractor by occu- pation. He died in 1857. Mrs. Lawrence is still living, at Malone, New York, the home of Vice-President Wheeler. Charles was born at Malone February 17, 1855, and learned the printer's trade when seventeen years old. In 1875 he came to Atlantic, Iowa, where he was employed (excepting one year when he ran a paper at Dexter, Dallas County) until 1882. Early in that year he came to Manning and took charge of the Monitor. He was married March 20, 1882, to Emma F. Walker, of Atlantic. They have one child, Glades. Mr. Lawrence is a inember of the Odd Fellows order.

M S. SMITH, the leading grain and lumber merchant of Glidden, is a native of Michigan, born in Cass County, in 1848, a son of Peter Smith, a banker of Lake City, Iowa. In the fall of 1854 our subject was brought by his parents to Calhoun County, Iowa, and there he grew to manhood, and was married to Miss Arsena Shidler, a daughter of Robert Shidler, who has been a resident of Calhoun County since 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two ehil- dren, Iora and Mand, both of whom were born in Calhoun County. Mr. Smith was en- gaged in the dry goods business at Lake City, Calhoun County, before coming to Carroll County. In Angust, 1874, he and his brother,

C. M. Smith, began dealing in grain and lumber at Glidden under the firm name of Smith Brothers. In the summer of 1883 they built the elevator, and the same season M. S. Smith bought his brother's interest in the business, which he has since conducted alone. The elevator has a capacity of about 20,000 bushels, and is the only steam eleva- tor in Glidden. C. M. Smith is now engaged in the banking business with his father at Lake City. Our subject is a wide-awake business man, as well as a publie-spirited and enterprising citizen, and takes an active in- terest in any undertaking which has for its object the advancement of the town or county.

M S. TIIORN, farmer, seetion 18, Rich- land Township, was born in Maine, near Portland, November 11, 1832, son of Job Thorn. He was reared in his native State, and at nineteen years of age engaged in the trade of stone mason, which he followed many years. In 1851 he went to California, where he remained three years, working at his trade and in the mines. In 1855 he returned to Maine, living there two years, then removed to Boone County, Illi- nois, and in 1863 eame to this State, locating in Benton County. Here he improved a farm and lived upon it until 1876, when he sold and eame to Carroll County. He first pur- chased a portion of his present farm. It now contains 680 acres of as good land as ean be found in Carroll County. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, built in 1880, a native grove of trees, good buildings for stock and grain, and all farm conveniences. His son, G. W. Thorn, is a partner in the farm, and is an active business man. They are principally engaged in stoek-raising and feeding. Mr. Thorn was married in 1856 to

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Miss Caroline A. Thorn, also a native of Maine, and to this union have been born four children-G. W., Lawrence B., Irwin M. and Alva. Politically Mr. Thorn is an ardent Republican. He served as township elerk seven years.

YRUS RHOADES, one of Carroll County's pioneers, residing on section 12, Newton Township, was born April 12, 1834, the youngest in a family of nine children of William and Anna Rhoades, who were natives of North Carolina. They sub- sequently removed to the State of Iowa, where they lived till their death. Cyrus Rhoades was reared to the avocation of a farmer, receiving his education in the log cabin subscription schools of his neighbor- hood. June 2, 1853, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth M. Vance, who was born in Randolph County, Indiana, June 26, 1834, the eldest of six children of David and Sarah (Smith) Vanee. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades, as follows-Franklin P., George W., Naomi L., America J., Thomas J., James M., William (deceased). Elmer E. (deceased), Paulina, Jacob, Eva E. and Nellie V. (twins), both now deceased. In August, 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades immigrated to Iowa with ox teams, locating in Guthrie County, where he pre-empted cighty acres of land, buying an- other eighty acres near Panora, which he improved. He erected a log house on his land, on which he lived about six months, and here they experienced many of the hard- ships and privations of pioncer life. Their first milling and trading was done at Panora. Indians were numerous and game was abund- ant. Mr. Rhoades carried the United States mail from Panora to Carrollton with ox

teams, taking nine days to make the trip. He sold his land in Guthrie County in 1854. when he came to Carroll County, settling in Union Township, on section 7, before the county was organized. Three years later he removed to section 12, of the same township, where he made his home for nine years. In 1866 he removed to his farm on section 12. Newton Township, where he has since re- sided, having now 110 acres of valuable land well improved, and in connection with his general farming he is also engaged in stock- raising. Mr. Rhoades was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting March 18, 1862, in Company O, Fourth lowa Infantry, in which he served until August 11, 1863. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Arkansas Post, and was mustered ont at Black Hills, Mississippi, where he received his final discharge.

J. GRAVES, farmer, section 9, Pleas- ant Valley Township, postoffice Car- roll, was born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, August 12, 1848. ITis parents, Joseph and Mary (Fleming) Graves, were na- tives of Lancashire, England, who settled in Lafayette County in 1848, and were among the pioneers of that county. They had two children-Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Willey, and our subject. When the latter was six years of age his parents removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, where his youth was passed in assisting at farm work. He re- ceived his education in the common schools of Wisconsin. He was only nine years of age when his father died, and his mother died in 1875. He came to CarrollCounty in 1870, and purchased eighty acres of land, which is his present home. Ile has since added to that amount until he now owns 360

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

acres of excellent land. His fine residence was built in 1878. It is modern in style, and well furnished. Ilis commodious barn, 40 x 48 fect, was built in 1582. He has a grove of five aeres, and an orchard of two acres. The Graves farm is known as one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Graves was married December 6, 1871, to Miss Lo. vina Ramsey, of Glen Haven, Grant County, Wisconsin, daughter of Robert and Mary (MeDonnel) Ramsey, formerly of Pennsylva- nia. The father died in January, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of six ehil- dren-Eugene R., Carrie M., Ethel Inez, Alvin J., Sarah and Earl G. Mr. Graves is a Republican in politics, and has served several years as member of the school board. Ile has been financially very successful, having started in life without any means.

YRENIUS E. MORRIS, merchant of Coon Rapids, established his business in 1880, but has been a resident of Union Township sinec 1870. He was born in New York City in 1842, and came West with his par- ents in 1854, the family settling near Galena, Illinois, where the parents still live. The father, Crowell Morris, is of Scotch ancestry. During the late war Mr. Morris enlisted in the Independent Battalion of Fremont Rang- ers, at Galena, September 4, 1861, and joined Fremont at St. Louis. The battalion was commanded by Colonel II. A. Galop, and the Captain of his company was T. M. Wilcox, who is now assistant librarian in the Govern- ment Library at Washington. He remained in General Fremont's command until the lat- ter was superseded on account of the course he pursned with the negroes. His battalion was then attached to the Third Missouri Cav- alry. His full term of service in the army

was three years and four months, operating in the trans-Mississippi department. He par- ticipated in several engagements, and received a sabre wound in a cavalry charge, during General Banks' Red River expedition. After the war Mr. Morris was engaged in the in- surance business, also in farming near Galena. He personally knew General Grant at Galena before the war. He is a member of Jo Daviess County Monumental Association, and has a certificate of membership signed by General Grant, when the latter was presi- dent of the association. He was commander of the Perry Wright Post, G. A. R., at Coon Rapids, for three years, and is the present adjutant. The parents of our subject have three sons and one daughter. The mother is of Ilolland ancestry, her people being among the early settlers of Eastern New York. Mr. Morris has been twice married. His first wife was Julia F. Winship, of Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin, and a native of Ver- mont. She died at Coon Rapids, April 16, 1884. His present wife was Miss Ettie D. Dodge, a native of Burnham, Maine. Her grandmother was reared in the family of General Warren, who was killed at Bunker Hill. Her grandfather was General Mark Trafton, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. Mor- ris is a dircet descendant of Governor Morris, one of the early Governors of New York, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendenee.

J. STRUNK, M. D., is a native of Germany, born July 10, 1856, a son of Frederick and Christina (Barnefeld) Strunk, both natives of Germany. ITis par- ents were farmers, and he remained at home with them until sixteen years of age, when he was sent to the Seminary of St. Francis, where he remained four years. He then

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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHIES.

attended St. Joseph College, at Dubuque, Iowa, a year. He subsequently attended St. John's College, in Minnesota, two years, and then, choosing medicine as a profession, at- tended the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Keokuk. After leaving college he commenced his practice, first locating at St. Paul, Lee County, Iowa, where he remained five years. In 1885 he removed to Carroll County and lived at Brady about six months, when he located at Carroll City, where he now has a good practice. He is a young man of pleasing address, and a thorough student of his profession, and bids fair to take a place in the first rank among the physicians of Carroll County. Dr. Strunk was married in May, 18SO, to Mary K. Sandrick, a native of Fort Madison, Iowa, born September 24, 1856. They have had four children-Chris- tina, Anna, Frederick (deceased) and Barbara. In politics Dr. Strunk is a Democrat.

ONRAD MEIS, dealer in grain and furniture at Templeton, where he is classed among the prominent and influ- ential citizens, is a native of Germany, born August 14, 1845, his parents, Herman and Elizabeth Meis, being natives of the same country. He immigrated to America in 1866, first settling in Dubuque County, Iowa, where he lived about four years. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he was engaged in the furniture business for a num- ber of years. For his wife he married Miss Mary George, a native of Wisconsin, her parents coming from Germany, their native country, in an early day. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Meis all are deceased but one son, Barney, who was born March 3, 1885. Mr. Meis came to Carroll County, Iowa, in 1874, and engaged in the hardware

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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