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CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
FROM
The pistor" Department
Cornell University Library
F 627G7 B61
Biographical and historical record of Gr
3 1924 028 913 998
olin Overs
The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028913998
Greene and Carroll Counties, Iowa.
Containing Portraits of all the Presidents of this United States from Washington to
Cleveland, with accompanying Biographies of each; Portraits and Biographies
of the Governors of the State; Engravings of Prominent Citizens
in Greene and Carroll Counties, with Personal Histories
of many of the leading families, and a concise his-
TORY of the two Counties and their
Cities and Villages.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY,
113 Adams Street, Chicago.
^■■ ■■■ ■■■-■■■■-■■■■■■■■■■■-■■■■-■.■■-■■■■■■-■-■-■-■..■■Jlii
CONTENTS.
m
I
I
Ik
PRESIDENTS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
George Washington 9
John Adams 14
Thomas Jefferson 20
James Madison 26
James Monroe 32
John Quincy Adams 38
Andrew Jackson 47
Martin Van Bnren 52
William Henry Harrison 56
John Tyler 60
James K. Polk 64
Zachary Taylor 68
Millard Fillmore 72
Franklin Pierce 76
James Buchanan 80
Abraham Lincoln 84
Andrew Johnson 93
Ulysses S. Grant 96
Kutherford B. Hayes 102
James A. Garfield 109
Chester A. Arthur 113
Grover Cleveland 117
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Aboriginal 123
Caucasian 124
Pioneer Life 133
Louisiana Territory 137
Iowa Territory 139
State Organization and Subse-
quent History 141
Patriotism 146
Iowa Since the War 151
State Institutions 151
Educational 154
Statistical 157
Physical Features 158
Geology 158
Climate 163
Census of Iowa 164
Territorial Officers 164
State Officers 165
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
Robert Lucas 171
John Chambers 173
James Clarke 175
Ansel Briggs 179
Stephen Hempstead 183
James W. Grimes 187
Ralph P. Lowe 191
Samuel J. Kirkwood 195
William M. Stone 199
Samuel Merrill 303
Cyrus C. Carpenter 207
Joshua G. New bold 211
John H. Gear 215
Buren R. Sherman 219
William Larrabee 223
"»-*«§»3»-»S H *f*'-
39'
4:
V
-** History of Greene Soubty,**
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Adams, W. H 254
Addy, J. A 360
Addy, W. L 358
Adkins, H. H 314
Albert, J. H 443
Allan, William 439
Allen, Mrs. R. A 433
Allen, Rensselaer 396
Allison, Alfred 258
Allstott, John G 442
Ames, W. E 392
Anderson, B. F 323
Anderson, D. B 313
Anderson, D. P 370
Anderson, J. W 288
Anderson, S. B 399
Andrew, George 426
Arch.J.D 450
Armstrong, T. J 297
Atchinson, George 352
B.
Babb, V. 8 362
Barker, A. B 333
Barnes, I. M 315
Barth, W. C 350
Bassett, C. H 347
Beaty, J. F 452
Beebe, Henry 418
Berrien, E. B 447
Berry, J. E 266
Bish, John 374
Bistline, W. H 378
Blake, H. M 338
Blanshan, D. 1 356
Bofink, Charles 279
Boggs.L. W 407
Bolin, Benjamin 428
Bontz, J. P 321
Boyden, John 395
Bradley, J. F. M 450
Bradshaw, Frank 344
Breiner, P. B 403
Bucher, Henry 375
Buchmiller, E. S 454
Burk, Archibald 366
Burk, Joshua 248
Burk, Leroy 259
Burke, James 336
Burkholder, C. K 451
Cain, Abram 235
Cain, Edward 274
Cain, Robert 234
Carey, A. H 406
CONTENTS.
Carlton, E.O 395
Carter, E. H 312
Carter, J. C 377
Cass, F. D 268
Childs, H. L 438
Church, Z. A 301
Churdan, Joseph 294
Clark, E. C 232
Cleveland, C. L 316
Clipperton, "William. 413
Clopton, Isaac 286
Cochran, Joseph 305
Conant, David .311
Connell, Rohert 343
Coombs, Joseph 436
Cooper, P. P 304
Copeland, John 445
Councilman, S. J 308
Cowan, J. T 352
Crabb, James 372
Crandall, L. B 319
Crow, W. M 316
Crowder,W. G 331
Culley, J. M 271
Curran, J. P 440
D.
Davenport, John 401
Dawson, J. H 448
Day, G. W 335
Deny, J. J 311
Dickinson, H< W 265
Dickinson, William 302
Dillavou, G. C 247
Dillavou, James 251
Dinan, John 249
Dodge, C. M 303
Dunterman, William 292
Dwinnell.H.A 370
E.
Eagleson, G. G 250
Eason, Robert 279
Edinborough, C. J 408
Edwards, Daniel 428
Ellison, Samuel 409
Elmore, W. A 391
Embree, Daniel 320
Enfield, Charles 396
English, C. A 305
English, J. R 385
F.
Ferguson, P. M 341
Ferguson, W. M 383
Ferrin, Zebulon 253
Fey, A. H 231
Fitz, J. AV 284
Fitzpatrick, J. J 426
Fitz Patrick, P. M 292
Fleck, G.W 410
Forbes, E. P 347
Forbes, J. M 373
Forbes, J. R. . . ." -437
Ford,!. W 340
Foy, E. W 372
Franklin, F.M 324
Franklin, W. A 281
Franklin, W.l 294
Free, F. A 354
Free, Samuei 348
Free, S. Q 361
French, E.K 363
French, E.P 257
French, G. Y 411
Freund, Leo 334
Prymier, I. W 356
G.
Gallup,J. N 282
Garland, J. B 277
Garrett, W. R 435
Gaylord,'E. W 456
Gibson, Robert 361
Gilliland, A. H 281
Gilliland, G. M 242
Gilroy, G.W 235
Goodrich, Calvin 260
Goodrich, Washington 298
Goodwin, Robert 338
Graham, H. W 314
Gray, A. J 393
Gray, John 423
Greene, "W. R 359
Greif, J. C 451
Groves, "W. R 325
Gulick, J. P 331
H.
Haight, D. B 427
Hall, J. B 326
Ham, H. M 310
Ham, Kingman 313
Hanks, George 300
Hanson, Robert 417
Hanson, G. F 306
Harding, E 278
Harmon, Franklin 441
Harmon, Lafayette 441
Harmon, O. L 353
Harris, A. C 347
Hatfield, G.B 413
Haun, J.C 349
Head, AM. 383
Heath, H. B 430
Heator, Jacob 299
Heisel, John 408
Henderson, H. L 419
Henderson, J. A 293
Herron, S. W 444
Higgins, James 358
Hillman, G. C 302
Hoshaw.J. jVI 247
Howard, I. D 234
Howard, R. L 433
Huffman, G. A 328
Hughes, Frances 257
Hughes, F.J 256
Hunt, J. L 253
Hutchinson, Jonathan 333
I.
Inbody, John 416
Infield, Henry 258
J.
Jackson, C. H 238
Jackson, G. W 349
Jaques.N.D 240
Jaques, Thomas .377
Jay, Samuel 440
Jeffries, C.L 323
Jenks, Rev. S. E 257
Jewett, W. F 452
John,D. B 357
John, J. B 300
Johnson, Amos 230
Johnson, D. E 445
Johnson, Emmerson 243
Johnson, Ephraim 285
Johnson, I. H 268
Johnson, Jesse 317
Johnson, J. B 422
Johnson, J. F 238
Johnson, Joseph 350
Johnson, S. W 272
Jones, E.W 237
Jones, H. J 425
Jones, Josiah 425
K.
Keller, A. D 437
Kelley, Charles 343
Kellogg, H. W 276
Kendall, G.B 408
Kettell, Henry 421
Kinsey, U.B 244
Kinsman, J. C 431
Kions, M. W 233
Knowles, A 454
Koenig, Augustus 424
Krause,A. F 267
Krause, C. "W 406
Kuder, G.W 275
L.
Lawrence, G. G 244
Lee, William 242
Libis, Francis 404
Lilley.D. M 337
Linn, J. J 411
Linn, Mason 239
Linn,W.S... ,...419
Livermore, H. N 327
Livingston, W. B 373
Lloyd, E. L 409
Long, Charles 417
Lovejov, J. C 323
Lowery, O. W 353
Lowry, R. A 318
Luccock, Rev. G. N 445
Lunnon, George 432
Lyon, J.L 348
Lyons, Theodore 405
M.
Mack, A. J 364
Mack, Willard 271
Manning, Rev. Joseph.. 332
Mantz, P. C 405
Marker, Emanuel 339
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CONTENTS.
Marquart, August 409
Martin, 8. S 289
Martin, T. B 287
Martin, T. W 442
Mathews, J. R 303
Matteson, I. J 432
Maynard, S. C 412
McAllister, W. A 309
McCarthy, John 245
McCrory.W.L 439
McCulley, G. B 307
McDonald, William 357
McDuffle, M. B 265
McKay, John 342
McNaught, "W. A. J 355
Mecum, C. B 367
Merrill, Mrs. E. H 443
Metzger, CO 328
Meyer, Philip 346
Miller, R.W 319
Millett, T. A 260
Mish, J. J 397
Moore, B. C 402
Morden, R. P 274
Morris, D. J 449
Moss, J. E 390
Muir, Robert, Jr 399
Munn, G. W 308
Myers, H. R 412
N.
Neal, A. M 365
Neary, R.W 267
Nelson, Swan 309
Noyes, N. G '. .346
Nugent, John 443
O.
O'Connor, John 415
Odell, G. M 444
Olds, J. K 315
Olive, Richard 289
Osborn, B. P 454
Osborne, John 270
Oxley, E. T 425
P.
Park, C. B 379
Park, O. W 429
Park, W. R 403
Parker, James 326
Parmenter, F. H 385
Paul, W. S 255
Perkins, W. H 322
Perkins, W. H 434
Peterson, Martin 236
Pettit, J. E 388
Phelps, E. P 419
Pierce, W. H 414
Potter, Harvey 241
Q-
Quayle, John 455
Quirk, Rev. M. J 434
R.
Raver, A. F 240
Ray, J. W ,392
Reece, T. B 286
Reeder, J. M 418
Reese, G. W 349
Reniick, L. B 371
Renner, William 332
Renner,W. H.... 335
Reynolds, Patrick 420
Reynolds, Terrence 359
Rhoads, J. M 251
Rhoad, Samuel 334
Rice, Columbus 368
Rice, F. T 422
Rice, John 441
Richardson, Matthew 351
Richardson, M. H 252
Ridle, J. H 237
Riley, E. H 343
Rinehart, Elhanan 290
Ritchie, L. I 307
Rittgers, H. C 456
Rittgers, S. R 400
Robbins, F. E 239
Roberts, Eli 397
Roberts, Roland 337
Roberts, Thomas 404
Roberts, Rev. Willam 272
Robinson, George 259
Robinson, I. E 447
Robinson, Jonathan 304
Roby, W. G 424
Rogers, H. D 233
Root, D. P 420
Rosa, Francis 284
Rowles, J. A 285
Russell, Caleb ,. . ..327
Russell, J. J 389
Russell, N. F 293
Rutter, S. S 453
Sanders, James 427
Sayers, M. C 270
Schermerhorn, W. S 255
Seaman, R. G 363
Seaman, W. P 378
Semmons, W. J 310
Shannon, A. F 273
Shaw, Joel 320
Shearman, William 380
Sherman, J. M 416
Shipman, Horace 453
Shreve, James 291
Smith, Aaron 386
Smith, J. W 246
Smith, P. A 429
Smittle, Anton 453
Smittle, J. A 397
States, G. W 422
Steele, J. M 269
Stevens, W. R 317
Stevens, William 301
Stewart, Mrs. L. J 360
Stillman, E. B 393
Stilson, Rev. Lyman 381
Stockwell, Levi 341
Stream, P. C 414
Stream, W. C 386
Stream, Wilson 388
Stroud, William 400
Suydam, C. H 280
Swartzendruver 435
T.
Tallman, J. H 325
Taylor, S. M 364
Terrill, T. M 369
Thomas, J. R 402
Thomas, L. B 391
Thompson, C. W 438
Thompson, G. W 430
Thompson,L.S 392
Thompson, W. A 276
Thornton, James 369
Toliver, Isom 229
Towers, James 344
Turrill, H. A 414
V.
Vader, I. N 398
Vader, J. W 283
Vance, T. W 446
Vest,W. H 438
W.
Walrad, Horace 321
Walton, Charles 250
Ward, E. S 395
Warner, S. E 322
Watson, George 39S
Way.C.W 283
Weatherson, G. A 366
Weatfeerson, J. H 282
Wells, A. C 369
Wessling, Daniel 330
West, B. F 306
Westervelt, M. B 243
Wherry, J. P 291
White, O.J 263
Whiteside, Samuel 266
Wiggins, S. W 349
Wight, Marion 266
Wilkinson, John 384
Will, Christian 385
Williams, J. D. . 303
Williams, M 345
Williamson, J. B 341
Williamson, J. J 421
Wilson, John 348
Wilson, S. E 374
Wilson, William 431
Winkelman, Benjamin 375
Wood, Robert 250
Woods, B. G 337
Woods, C. A 245
Wright, Ervin 371
Wright, G. W 394
Wyant, G. W 365
Yates, William 345
Young, F. W 456
Youngman, H. A 449
■«-■"■»«-■■-■'
^■■'■■■BBI
z.
Zavitz, "W. D 280
Zeitler, Hillburn 277
Zeller, A 324
Zeller, James 298
Zellhoefer, Rev. George 322
Zellhoefer, W. F 320
Zimmerman, Stephen 370
GENERAL HISTORY.
Introductory 459
Early History 465
Official Register 474
Political History 477
The Civil War 484
The Press 489
Professional 492
Miscellaneous 496
Jefferson 503
Towns and Villages 511
►$nj«
^•Record of Carroll County,^
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A.
Adams, Edwin 622
Amos, H. W 612
Anderson, L. T 594
Annear, Joseph 597
Armstrong, Alexander 537
Arts, William 613
B.
Babcock, C. W 540
Bannister, William 561
Becker, W. L 629
Bedford, Alfred 542
Bedford, Charles 542
Beiter, Nicholas 578
Bell, Harvey 568
Bell, John 635
Berger, Peter 535
Bingham, Samuel 555
Bohnenkamp, J. H 591
Bowman, Samuel 578
Boyce, John 559
Brand, Jacob — ' 545
Brigham, L. P 615
Bruning, Clemens 609
Bruning, J.'H 560
Byerly, J. H 594
C.
Carpenter, Henry 561
Charles. F. A 583
Chevalier, J. F 586
Christmas, Daniel 610
Cojclo, C. C 549
Conner, George 563
Cooley, H. J 632
Cooley, I.N 592
Cooney , John 632
Coppock, J. J 631
Couch, C. F 556
Coulter, J.N 533
Culver, M. M 574
D.
Davis, Daniel ' 628
Deal, J. K 545
Deshler, J. J 583
Dickey, J. H 617
Dickson, Robert 536
Drees, J. M 564
E.
Elliott, Asa 589
Elwood, Thomas 558
Engleman.J. C 622
English, J. W 592
Erp, W. F 596
Everts, DF 579
F.
Pendrich, Rev. John 597
Ferguson, George 611
Florencourt, F. F 619
Fobes, E 541
Frisbee,H.M 608
Fuerth, J.J 552
Funk, E. M 549
G.
Gabel, H.J 552
Gardner, J. W 552
Gates, H. H..... 595
Geiselhart, Conrad 558
George, Henry 562
Gilley, William 573
Gnam, J. H 628
Graham, J. B 623
Graves, J. J 625
Griffith, 1. N 557
Griffith, J. E 577
Grote, Henry 609
Guthrie,P. M 547
II .
Harris, Arista 565
Harris, Isaac 564-
Hatfield, A. R 618
Havens, J. 591
Hayner, Robert 604
Heffelfinger, U. S 536
Hemesath, Rev. H. J 543
Henry, S.D 609
Hess, J. P 012
Hesslingh, George 565
Hesslingh, Herman 634
Hilan, David 582
Hinkley, J. D 618
Hobbs, J.W 560
Hoff.W.L 555
Hoffman, Rev. J. P 546
Hood, J. A 595
Horton, Oliver 590
Howard, J. R 587
Hoyt, M. A 620
Hungerford, J. B 628
I.
Ingledue, O. C 580
J.
Jeffries, George 562
Jerome, Orin 614
Johnson, P.J 621
Jones, U. C 576
K.
Kay, J.W 585
Kloke, Henry 613
Kniest, Lambert 630
Kotas, John 587
Krause, F. W 586
Kuhn, Jacob 539
L.
Lamont, Peter 577
Lawrence, OS 624
Leibfreid, F. M 585
Louthan, J.H 599
Lynch, William 614
Lyons, L. M 611
M.
Maclean, P. M 599
McClue, T. B.. 608
McCormack, G. W 565
McKenna, T. S 590
McQuaid, J. L 601
CONTENTS.
Meis, Conrad 627
Miller, Michael 615
Moershell, Ferdinand 546
Mohler, Isaac 550
Moore, O. M 538
Morlan, J. W 548
Morris, C. E 626
Morrow, W. J 603
N.
Nestle, John 568
Neu, Charles 539
O.
O'Connor, Rev. P. J.
.607
P.
Paine, G. W 589
Park, Andrew 542
Parker, Cephas 634
Parker, John 602
Parker, T. L 581
Parsons, E. M 540
Patton, TJ. L 559
Platner, W. H 621
Powell, Henry 569
Preston, Sylvester 633
Q-
Quint, S. C 582
K.
Radeleff, H. D 593
Reever, E. H 604
Reid, T. C 629
Rhoades, Cyrus 625
Ribble, Crockett 616
Richman, E. P 556
Ricke, J. H 557
Ricke, Richard 627
Roberts, Moses 563
Roderick, Thomas 566
Roush, Valentine 566
S.
Salinger, B. 1 584
Schelle, P. J 610
Schmich, Michael 554
Schulze, D. & Son 574
Shirk, D. E 538
Smith, M. 8 624
Smith, Seth 575
Soat,H. P i ...556
Soper.O.J 570
Staak, August 551
Stearns, L. A 603
Steigerwalt, W. F 600
Stevens, J. W 619
Stevens, Robert 607
Stokes, George 551
Stoll,L.S 579
Stouffer, P. B 594
Strunk, H. J 626
T.
Talbott, A. A 569
Thorn, M. S 624
Toune, E. B 580
Tregloan, W. G 553
Trowbridge, William 543
Tuel, Alexander 634
Turechek, Prank 581
W.
Wagner, Theodore 619
Waldron, W. F 567
Wegmann, Rev. Theo 623
Weiland, G. A 602
Weiland, J. J 617
Westbrook, C. H 575
Wetter, George 535
AVhitman, C. S 616
Whitney, J. R 623
Wiedemeier, Joseph 567
Williams, R. R 596
Wilson, Samuel 598
Wine, E. S 588
Winnelt, G. M 548
GENERAL HISTORY.
Introductory 639
Early and Civil History 643
Political and Official 661
The Civil War 667
The Press 671
Professional 674
Miscellaneous 678
Carroll 685
Towns and Villages 694
►$wj«
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Adams, John 15
Adams, John Quincy 39
Armstrong, T. J 296
Arthur, Chester A 112
Briggs, Ansel 178
Buchanan, James 81
Carpenter, Cyrus C 206
Chambers, John 170
Clarke, James 170
Cleveland, Grover 116
Fillmore, Millard 73
Garfield, James A 108
Gear, John H 214
Gilley, William 572
Grant, Ulysses S 97
Grimes, James W 186
Gulick, J. P 330
Gulick, Mrs 330
Harrison, William Henry 57
Hayes, Rutherford B 103
Hempstead, Stephen 182
Iowa State House 122
Jackson, Andrew 46
Jefferson, Thomas 21
Johnson, Andrew 92
Kirkwood, Samuel J 194
Larrabee, William 222
Lincoln, Abraham 85
Lowe, Ralph P 190
Lucas, Robert 170
Madison, James 27
Merrill, Samuel 202
Monroe, James '. 33
Newbold, Joshua G 210
Pierce, Franklin 77
Polk, James K 65
Sherman, Buren R 218
Stevens, Robert 606
Stone, William M 198
Taylor, Zachary 69
Tyler, John 61
Van Buren, Martin 53
Washington, George 8
White, O.J 262
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EORGE WASHING-
TON, the " Father of
his Country" and its
first President, 1 789-
'97, was born Febru-
ary 22, 1732, in Wash-
ington Parish, West-
moreland County, Virginia.
His father, Augustine Wash-
ington, first married Jane But-
ler, who bore him four chil-
dren, and March 6, 1730, he
married Mary Ball. Of six
children by his second mar-
riage, George was the eldest,
the others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au-
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the
youngest died in infancy. Little is known
of the early years of Washington, beyond
the fact that the house in which he was
born was burned during his early child-
hood, and that his father thereupon moved
to another farm, inherited from his paternal
ancestors, situated in Stafford County, on
the north bank'of the Rappahannock, where
he arcted as agent of the Principio Iron
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died
there in 1743.
From earliest childhood George devel-
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily
strength. His education was somewhat de-
fective, being confined to the elementary
branches taught him by his mother and at
a neighboring school. He developed, how-
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en-
joyed in that branch the instructions of a
private teacher. On leaving school he re-
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with
his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as
his guardian, and who had married a daugh-
ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto-
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax; for some
time president of the executive council of
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law,
Lawrence Washington, had served with dis-
tinction in 1740 as officers of an American
battalion at the siege of Carthagena, and
were friends and correspondents of Admiral
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on
the Potomac has been named. George's
inclinations were for a similar career, and a
midshipman's warrant was procured for
him, probably through the influence of the
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his
mother the project was abandoned. The
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how-
ever, opened another career for the young
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap-
pointed surveyor to the immense estates of
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then
on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly after-
ward established his baronial residence at
Greenway Court, in the Shenandoah Valley.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Three years were passed by young Wash-
ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex-
perience which afterward proved very es-
sential to him.
In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were
put under training with a view to active
service against France, Washington, though
only nineteen years of age, was appointed
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep-
tember of that year the failing health of
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces-
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and
George accompanied him in a voyage to
Barbadoes. They returned early in 1752,
and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav-
ing his large property to an infant daughter.
In his will George was named one of the
executors and as eventual heir to Mount
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece
soon succeeded to that estate.
On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752
the militia was reorganized, and the prov-
ince divided into four districts. Washing-
ton was commissioned by Dinwiddie Adju-
tant-General of the Northern District in
1753, and in November of that year a most
important as well as hazardous mission was
assigned him. This was to proceed to the
Canadian posts recently established on
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand
in the name of the King of England the
withdrawal of the French from a territory
claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had
been declined by more than one officer,
since it involved a journey through an ex-
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes,
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful
attachment. Major Washington, however,
accepted the commission with alacrity ; and,
accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached
Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered
his dispatches and received reply, which, of
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the
posts. This reply was of such a character
as to induce the Assembly of Virginia tb
authorize the executive to raise a regiment
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining
the asserted rights of the British crown
over the territory claimed. As Washing-
ton declined to be a candidate for that post,
the command of this regiment was given to
Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing-
ton, at his own request, was commissioned
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio,
news was received that a party previously
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the
Monongahela with the Ohio had been
driven back by a considerable French force,
which had completed the work there be-
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor
of Canada. This was the beginning of the
great " French and Indian war," which con-
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com-
mand of the regiment, and so well did he
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly
commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief
of all the forces raised in the colony.
A cessation of all Indian hostility on the
frontier having followed the expulsion of
the French from the Ohio, the object of
Washington was accomplished and he re-
signed his commission as Commander-in-
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro-
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in
the General Assembly, of which he had
been elected a member.
January 17, 1759, Washington married
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de-
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter-
rupted only by his annual attendance in
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at
Williamsburg, until summoned by his
country to enter upon that other arena in
which his fame was to become world wide.
It is unnecessary here to trace the details
of the struggle upon the question of local
B»*« l «»M»W|-M»> » »iHI_M i »W M W M » M W M W M W ,l» M » M B, g M M_M»B,ai M » M M M M„a M l« m W H , M B ,n m I B a lll M anilU'l l ie»!
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
self-government, which, after ten years, cul-
minated by act of Parliament of the port of
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia
that a congress of all the colonies was called
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774,
to secure their common liberties — if possible
by peaceful means. To this Congress
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele-
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom-
mended the colonies to send deputies to
another Congress the following spring. In
the meantime several of the colonies felt
impelled to raise local forces to repel in-
sults and aggressions on the part of British
troops, so that on the assembling of the next
Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara-
tions of the mother country were unmis-
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex-
ington had been fought. Among the earliest
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the
selection of a commander-in-chief of the
colonial forces. This office was unani-
mously conferred upon Washington, still a
member of the Congress. He accepted it
on June 19, but on the express condition he
should receive no salary.
He immediately repaired to the vicinity
of Boston, against which point the British
ministry had concentrated their forces. As
early as April General Gage had 3,000
troops in and around this proscribed city.
During the fall and winter the British policy
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub-
lic sentiment and to build up a British party
in the colonies. Those who sided with the
ministry were stigmatized by the patriots
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them-
selves the name of " Whigs."
As early as 1776 the leading men had
come to the conclusion that there was no
hope except in separation and indepen-
dence. In May of that year Washington
wrote from the head of the army in New
York: "A reconciliation with Great Brit-
ain is impossible When I took
command of the army, I abhorred the idea
of independence ; but I am now fully satis-
fied that nothing else will save us."
It is not the object of this sketch to trace
the military acts of the patriot hero, to
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of
the United States were confided during the
seven years' bloody struggle that ensued
until the treaty of 1783, in which England
acknowledged the independence of each of
the thirteen States, and negotiated with
them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The
merits of Washington as a military chief-
tain have been considerably discussed, espe-
cially by writers in his own country. Dur-
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed
for incompetency, and great efforts were
made to displace him ; but he never for a
moment lost the confidence of either the
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783,
the great commander took leave of his offi-
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms,
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where
the Congress of the States was in session,
and to that body, when peace and order
prevailed everywhere, resigned his com-
mission and retired to Mount Vernon.
It was in 1788 that Washington was called
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He
received every electoral vote cast in all the
colleges of the States voting for the office
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was
the time appointed for the Government of
the United States to begin its operations,
but several weeks elapsed before quorums
of both the newly constituted houses of the
Congress were assembled. The city Of New
York was the place where the Congress
then met. April 16 Washington left his
home to enter upon the discharge, of his
new duties. He set out with a purpose of
traveling privately, and without attracting
any public attention ; but this was impossi-
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met
with thronging crowds, eager to see the
man whom they regarded as the chief de-
fender of their liberties, and everywhere
ii
^^^^^^^^^ B^BSSaSaSSSSS ^ SSSS^nSmSS ^SsSM.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
1
he was hailed with those public manifesta-
tions of joy, regard and love which spring
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec-
tionate and grateful people. His reception
in New York was marked by a grandeur
and ail enthusiasm never before witnessed
in that metropolis. The inauguration took
place April 30, in the presence of an immense
multitude which had assembled to witness
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath
of office was administered by Robert R.
Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When
this sacred pledge was given, he retired
with the other officials into the Senate
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural
address to both houses of the newly con-
stituted Congress in joint assembly.
In the manifold details of his civil ad-
ministration, Washington proved himself
equal to the requirements of his position.
The greater portion of the first session of
the first Congress was occupied in passing
the necessary statutes for putting the new
organization into complete operation. In
the discussions brought up in the course of
this legislation the nature and character of
the new system came under general review.
On no one of them did any decided antago-
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a
limited government, clothed only with spe-
cific powers conferred by delegation from
the States. There was no change in the
name of the legislative department ; it still
remained "the Congress of the United
States of America." There was no change
in the original flag of the country, and none
in the seal, which still remains with the
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle,
with other emblems, under the great and
expressive motto, " E Pluribus Unum."
The first division of parties arose upon
the manner of construing the powers dele-
gated, and they were first styled "strict
constructionists " and " latitudinarian con-
structionists." The former were for con-
fining the action of the Government strictly
within its specific and limited sphere, while
the others were for enlarging its powers by
inference and implication. Hamilton and
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet,
were regarded as the chief leaders, respect-
ively, of these rising antagonistic parties,
which have existed, under different names,
from that day to this. Washington was re-
garded as holding a neutral position between
them, though, by mature deliberation, he
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790,
passed by the party headed by Hamilton,
which was based upon a principle construct-
ively leading to centralization or consoli-
dation. This was the first exercise of the
veto power under the present Constitution.
It created considerable excitement at the
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur-
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has
been adhered to in principle in every ap-
portionment act passed since.
At the second session of the new Con-
gress, Washington announced the gratify-
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro-
lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June
1 of the same year he announced by special
message the like " accession of the State of
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on
the happy event which " united under the
general Government" all the States which
were originally confederated.
In 1792, at the second Presidential elec-
tion, Washington was desirous to retire ;
but he yielded to the general wish of the
country, and was again chosen President
by the unanimous vote of every electoral
college. At the third election, 1796, he was
again most urgently entreated to consent to
remain in the executive chair. This he
positively refused. In September, before
the election, he gave to his countrymen his
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan-
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit
and crowning glory of his illustrious life.
After March 4, 1797, he again retired to
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
13
His administration for the two terms had
been successful beyond the expectation and
hopes of even the most sanguine of his
friends. The finances of the country were
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the
public credit was fully restored, life was
given to every department of industry, the
workings of the new system in allowing
Congress to raise revenue from duties on
imports proved to be not only harmonious
in its federal action, but astonishing in its
results upon the commerce and trade of all
the States. The exports from the Union
increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,-
000 per annum, while the imports increased
in about the same proportion. Three new
members had been added to the Union. The
progress of the States in their new career
under their new organization thus far was
exceedingly encouraging, not only to the
friends of liberty within their own limits,
but to their sympathizing allies in all climes
and countries.
Ol the call again made on this illustrious
chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon
and take command of all the United States
forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General,
when war was threatened with France in
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo-
nial of the high regard in which he was still
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po-
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop
to all action under it. He again retired to
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799,
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The
whole country was filled with gloom by this
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli-
tics and creeds in religion, in every State
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay-
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his country-
men."
His remains were deposited in a family
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount
Vernon, where they still lie entombed.
3EEgBSg5 IG5HigB»gg5BBB igg
PRESIDENTS OF TtiE UNITED STATES.
OHN ADAMS, the second
President of the United
States, 1797 to 1801, was
born in the present town
of Quincy, then a portion
of Braintree, Massachu-
setts, October 30, 1735. His
father was a farmer of mod-
erate means, a worthy and
industrious man. He was
a deacon in the church, and
was very desirous of giving
his son a collegiate educa-
tion, hoping that he would
become a minister of the
gospel. But, as up to this
time, the age of fourteen, he had been only
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had
no taste for books, he chose farming. On
being set to work, however, by his father
out in the field, the very first day con-
verted the boy into a lover of Books.
Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he
entered Harvard College, and graduated in
1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed
for integrity, energy and ability. Thus,
having no capital but his education, he
started out into the stormy world at a time
of great political excitement, as France and
England were then engaged in their great
seven-years struggle for the mastery over
the New World. The fire of patriotism
seized young Adams, and for a time he
studied over the question whether he
should take to the law, to politics or the
army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a
friend, making prophecies concerning the
future greatness of this country which have
since been more than fulfilled. For two
years he taughf school and studied law,
wasting no odd moments, and at the early
age of twenty-two years he opened a law
office in his native town. His inherited
powers of mind and untiring devotion to
his profession caused him to rise rapidly
in public esteem.
In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married
Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy-
man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per-
sonal and intellectual endowments, who
afterward contributed much to her hus-
band's celebrity.
Soon the oppression of the British in
America reached its climax. The Boston
merchants employed an attorney by the
name of James Otis to argue the legality of
oppressive tax law before the Superior
Court. Adams heard the argument, and
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a
flame of fire. With a promptitude of
classical allusion, a depth of research, a
rapid summary of historical events and
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a
.,!»" *i
■»■■»»■»■■■
'a'"" »'■'
*s»»»,»»i»s»s»s»i
yOtfTV ADAMS.
prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried
away all before him. American independence
was then and there born. Every man of an
immensely crowded audience appeared to
me to go away, as I did, ready to take up
arms."
Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be
read before the literary club of his town,
upon the state of affairs, which was so able
as to attract public attention. It was pub-
lished in American journals, republished
in England, and was pronounced by the
friends of the colonists there as " one of the
very best productions ever seen from North
America."
The memorable Stamp Act was now
issued, and Adams entered with all the
ardor of his soul into political life in order
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso-
lutions remonstrating against the act, which
were adopted at a public meeting of the
citizens of Braintree, and which were sub-
sequently adopted, word for word, by more
than forty towns in the State. Popular
commotion prevented the landing of the
Stamp Act papers, and the English author-
ities then closed the courts. The town of
Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid-
ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a
petition before the Governor and council
for the re-opening of the courts ; and while
the two first mentioned attorneys based
their argument upon the distress caused to
the people by the measure, Adams boldly
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation
both of the English Constitution and the
charter of the Provinces. It is said that
this was the first direct denial of the un-
limited right of Parliament over the colo-
nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was
repealed.
Directly Mr. Adams was employed to
defend Ansell Nickerson, who had killed an
Englishman in the act of impressing him
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his
client was acquitted, the court thus estab-
lishing the principle that the infamous
royal prerogative of impressment could
have no existence in the colonial code.
But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers
who had been arrested for murder when
they had been only obeying Governmental
orders ; and when reproached for thus ap-
parently deserting the cause of popular
liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a
thousandfold rather live under the domina-
tion of the worst of England's kings than
under that of a lawless mob. Next, after
serving a term as a member of the Colonial
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find-
ing his health affected by too great labor,
retired to his native home at Braintree.
The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa-
mous Boston " Tea Party," the first open
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the
Congress at Philadelphia; and when the
Attorney-General announced that Great
Britain had " determined on her system,
and that her power to execute it was irre-
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that
Great Britain has determined on her sys-
tem, and that very determination deter-
mines me on mine. You know that I have
been constant in my opposition to her
measures. The die is now cast. I have
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or
die, with my country, is my unalterable
determination." The rumor beginning to
prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress
had independence in view, Adams foresaw
that it was too soon to declare it openly.
He advised every one to remain quiet in
that respect ; and as soon* as it became ap-
parent that he himself was for independ-
ence, he was advised to hide himself, which
he did.
The next year the great Revolutionary
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams,
residing near Boston, kept her husband ad-
vised by letter of all the events transpiring
in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hill
l- RES I DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES
a
came on. Congress had to do something
immediately. The first thing was to
choose a commander-in-chief for the — we
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the
colonies. The New England delegation
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint-
ing General Ward, then at the head of the
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged
the appointment of George Washington,
then almost unknown outside of his own
State. He was appointed without oppo-
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution,
which was adopted, annulling all the royal
authority in the colonies. Having thus
prepared the way, a few weeks later, viz.,
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Vir-
ginia, who a few months before had declared
that the British Government would aban-
don its oppressive measures, now offered
the memorable resolution, seconded by
Adams, " that these United States are, and
of right ought to be, free and independent."
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and
Livingston were then appointed a commit-
tee to draught a declaration of independ-
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams
to draw up the bold document, but the
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform
that responsible task. The Declaration
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost
defender on the floor of Congress. It was
signed by all the fifty-five members present,
and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his
wife how great a deed was done, and how
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued
to be the leading man of Congress, and
the leading advocate of American inde-
pendence. Above all other Americans,
he was considered by every one the prin-
cipal shining mark for British vengeance.
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to
the most dangerous task of crossing the
ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the
British, who knew of his mission, which
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera-
tion of the French. Besides, to take him-
self away from the country of which he
was the most prominent defender, at that
critical time, was an act of the greatest self-
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the
sea, he had two very narrow escapes from
capture ; and the transit was otherwise a
stormy and eventful one. During thc-
summe'r of 1779 he returned home, but was
immediately dispatched back to France, to
be in readiness there to negotiate terms of
peace and commerce with Great Britain as
soon as the latter power was ready for such
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more
popular than he at the court of France, Mr.
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was
far more successful as a diplomatist.
The treaty of peace between the United
States and England was finally signed at
Paris, January 21, 1783; and the re-action
from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had
so long been experiencing threw him into
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re-
covered he was in London, whence he was
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti-
ate another loan. Compliance with this
order undermined his physical constitution
for life.
In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy
to the court of St. James, to meet face to
face the very king who had regarded him
as an arch traitor! Accordingly he re-
paired thither, where he did actually meet
and converse with George III.! After a
residence there for about three years, he
obtained permission to return to America.
While in London he wrote and published
an able work, in three volumes, entitled :
" A Defense of the American Constitution."
The Articles of Confederation proving
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a
carefully draughted Constitution was
adopted in 1789, when George Washington
was elected President of the new nation,
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met
for a time in New York, but was removed
to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable
■■'■■■'■■■■■■■■
JOHN ADAMS.
■.«-■■■ ■ „ ■..■.. ■Jll^J
19
4'
Hi
buildings should be erected at the new
capital in the District of Columbia. Mr.
Adams then moved his family to Phila-
delphia. Toward the close of his term of
office the French Revolution culminated,
when Adams and Washington rather
sympathized with England, and Jefferson
with France. The Presidential election of
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first
place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer-
son the second place.
Mr. Adams's administration was consci-
entious, patriotic and able. The period
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel
could not have reconciled the hostile par-
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng-
land and France was bitter, and for four
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he
was not truly a popular man, and his cha-
grin at not receiving a re-election was so
great that he did not even remain at Phila-
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr.
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly
intimacy between these two men was
interrupted for about thirteen years of their
life. Adams finally made the first advances
toward a restoration of their mutual friend-
ship, which were gratefully accepted by
Jefferson.
Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity
to retire to private lile, where he could rest
his mind and enjoy the comforts of home.
By a thousand bitter experiences he found
the path of public duty a thorny one. For
twenty-six years his service of the public
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im-
portant sense he was as much the " Father
of his Country " as was Washington in
another sense. During these long years of
anxiety and toil, in which he was layingi
broad and deep, the foundations of the
greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he
received from his impoverished country a
meager support. The only privilege he
carried with him into his retirement was
that of franking his letters.
Although taking no active part in public
affairs, both himself and his son, John
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr.
Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of
England, who persisted in searching
American ships on the high seas and
dragging from them any sailors that might
be designated by any pert lieutenant as
British subjects. Even for this noble sup-
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou-
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion,
for the first time since his .retirement, he
broke silence and drew up a very able
paper, exposing the atrocity of the British
pretensions.
Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family.
Though his physical frame began to give
way many years before his death, his mental
powers retained their strength and vigor to
the last. In his ninetieth year he was
gladdened by the popular elevation of his
son to the Presidential office, the highest in
the gift of the people. A few months more
passed away and the 4th of July, 1826,
arrived. The people, unaware of the near
approach of the end of two great lives —
that of Adams and Jefferson — were making
unusual preparations for a national holiday.
Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial
music and the roar of cannon, with silent
emotion. Only four days before, he had
given for a public toast,*" Independence
forever." About two o'clock in the after-
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives."
But he was mistaken by an hour or so;
and in a few minutes he had breathed his
last.
B-^jb - wJSj^lj
■~™ — — ~
,«_■„». » .«,. M .H. I ll. « .M.«_«.l.. l
■■■■■■■-■■■■ ■ -■■ "S "i
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
fHOMAS JEFFER-
son, the third Presi-
dent of the United
States, i8oi-'9, was
born April 2, 1743,
the eldest child of
his parents, Peter
and Jane (Randolph) Jef-
ferson, near Charlottes-
ville, Albemarle County,
Virginia, upon the slopes
of the Blue Ridge. When
he -was fourteen years of
age, his father died, leav-
ing a widow and eight
children. She was a beau-
tiful and accomplished
lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His
parents belonged to the Church of England,
and are said to be of Welch origin. But
little is known of them, however.
Thomas was naturally of a serious turn
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at
school, his choice studies being mathemat-
ics and the classics. At the age of seven-
teen he entered William and Mary College,
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an
expensive style, consequently being much
caressed by gay society. That he was not
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character.
But during his second year he discarded
society, his horses and even his favorite
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen
hours a day to hard study, becoming ex-
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek
authors.
On leaving college, before he was twenty-
one, he commenced the study of law, and
pursued it diligently until he was well
qualified for practice, upon which he
entered in 1767. By this time he was also
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An-
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine
arts. Being very polite and polished in his
manners, he won the friendship of all whom
he met. Though able with his pen, he was
not fluent in public speech.
In 1769 he was chosen a member of the
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest
slave-holding member of that body. He
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected
by an overwhelming vote.
In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great
loss ; his house at Shadwell was burned,
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes
was consumed. But he was wealthy
enough to replace the most of it, as from
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his
practice at the bar his income amounted to
about $5,000 a year.
In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton,
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished
'■■.».» .,Br».».
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of
land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu-
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his
new home he selected a majestic rise of
land upon his large estate at Shadwell,
called Monticello, whereon he erected a
mansion of modest yet elegant architecture.
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste
in magnificent, high-blooded horses.
At this period the British Government
gradually became more insolent and op-
pressive toward the American colonies,
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most
foremost to resist its encroachments. From
time to time he drew up resolutions of re-
monstrance, which were finally adopted,
thus proving his ability as a statesman and
as a leader. By the year 1774 he became
quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de-
fending the right of the colonies to defend
themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A
Summary View of the Rights of British
America," attracted much attention in Eng-
land. The following year he, in company
with George Washington, served as an ex-
ecutive committee in measures to defend
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem-
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech-
maker, yet in conversation and upon
committees he was so frank and decisive
that he always made a favorable impression.
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re-
mained in hopes of reconciliation with the
parent country.
At length, however, the hour arrived for
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen-
dence," and this responsible task was de-
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections
before it was submitted to Congress, which
was June 28, 1776, only six days before it
was adopted. During the three days of
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened
not his lips. John Adams was the main
champion of the Declaration on the floor
of Congress. The signing of this document
was one of the most solemn and momentous
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer
and silence reigned throughout the hall,
and each signer realized that if American
independence was not finally sustained by
arms he was doomed to the scaffold.
After the colonies became independent
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat
in Congress in order to aid in organizing
the government of Virginia, of which State
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he
was thirty-six years of age. At this time
the British had possession of Georgia and
were invading South Carolina, and at one
time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a
secret expedition to Monticello to capture
the Governor. Five minutes after Mr.
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man-
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The
British troops also destroyed his valuable
plantation on the James River. " Had they
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them
freedom, they would have done right."
The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the
Virginia Governor. While confined to his
secluded home in the forest by a sick and
dying wife, a party arose against him
throughout the State, severely criticising
his course as Governor. Being very sensi-
tive to reproach, this touched him to the
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur-
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re-
solved, in despair, to retire from public life
for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr.
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during
which time unfeeling letters were sent to
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith-
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost
so much property and at the same time
done so much for his country ! After her
death he actually fainted away, and re-
mained so long insensible that it was feared
he never would recover ! Several weeks
a »i.Hj»i
-4
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
I'
passed before he could fully recover his
equilibrium. He was never married a
second time.
In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng-
' land compelled their king to make to the
Americans overtures of peace, and in No-
vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap-
pointed by Congress, unanimously and
without a single adverse remark, minister
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty.
In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap-
pointed on a committee to draught a plan
for the government of the Northwestern
Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause
in that plan was stricken out by the pro-
slavery majority of the committee; but amid
all the controversies and wrangles of poli-
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra-
dict anybody or engage in any discussion
as a debater.
In company with Mr. Adams and Dr.
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce
with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his
mission. The suavity and high bearing of
his manner made all the French his friends;
and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote
to her sister that he was " the chosen
of the earth." But all the honors that
he received, both at home and abroad,
seemed to make no change in the simplicity
of his republican tastes. On his return to
America, he found two parties respecting
the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams
sympathizing with that in favor of England
and himself favoring France.
On the inauguration of General Wash-
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of
State. At this time the rising storm of the
French Revolution became visible, and
Washington watched it with great anxiety.
His cabinet was divided in their views of
constitutional government as well as re-
garding the issues in France. General
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was
the leader of the so-called Federal party,
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the
Republican party. At the same time there
was a strong monarchical party in this
country, with which Mr. Adams sympa-
thized. Some important financial measures,
which were proposed by Hamilton and
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved
by., Washington, were opposed by Mr.
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to
reproach him with holding office under an
administration whose views he opposed.
The President poured oil on the troubled
waters. On his re-election to the Presi-
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his
resignation at two different times, probably
because he was dissatisfied with some of
the measures of the Government. His
final one was not received until January 1,
1794, when General Washington parted
from him with great regret.
Jefferson then retired to his quiet home
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even
reading the newspapers lest the political
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi-
dent's again calling him back to the office
of Secretary of State, he replied that no
circumstances would ever again tempt him
to engage in anything public ! But, while
all Europe was ablaze with war, and France
in the throes of a bloody revolution and the
principal theater of the conflict, a new
Presidential election in this country came
on. John Adams was the Federal candi-
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi-
can candidate. The result of the election
was the promotion of the latter to the Vice-
Presidency, while the former was chosen
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson
really did not desire to have either office,
he was " so weary " of party strife. He
loved the retirement of home more than
any other place on the earth.
- p m 8» a w B W| M a M a M a^ ia , B M K m w m i B M i » „ m m w^ B m a Ml t M B CTr »iB M M » M, a M M,iii_ a M M»M M w , i» M M M a m M w MJM gw
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
25
L
But for four long years his Vice-Presi-
dency passed joylessly away, while the
partisan strife between Federalist and Re-
publican was ever growing hotter. The
former party split and the result of the
fourth general election was the elevation of
Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men
being at the head of a growing party, their
election was hailed everywhere with joy.
On the other hand, many of the Federalists
turned pale, as they believed what a portion
of the pulpit and the press had been preach-
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist,"
a "Jacobin," the " incarnation of all evil,"
" breathing threatening and slaughter ! "
Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con-
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments,
expressed in fine language, and his personal
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme
of American, democratic simplicity. His
disgust of European court etiquette grew
upon him with age. He believed that
General Washington was somewhat dis-
trustful of the ultimate success of a popular
Government, and that, imbued with a little
admiration of the forms of a monarchical
Government, he had instituted levees, birth-
days, pompous meetings with Congress,
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried
in his countenance the indications of an ac-
commodating disposition.
The political principles of the Jeffersoni-
an party now swept the country, and Mr.
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which
was never exceeded even by Washington.
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou-
isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000,
the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com-
prising all the land west of the Mississippi
to the Pacific Ocean.
The year 1804 witnessed another severe
loss in his family. His highly accomplished
and most beloved daughter Maria sickened
and died, causing as great grief in the
stricken parent as it was possible for him to
survive with any degree of sanity.
The same year he was re-elected to the
Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice-
President. During his second term our
relations with England became more com-
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp-
ton Roads, the United States frigate
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit-
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made
to surrender. Three men were killed and
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara-
tion. England grew insolent. It became
evident that war was determined upon by
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri-
cans were forced into the British service
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's
Presidential term closed. Amid all these
public excitements he thought constantly
of the welfare of his family, and longed
for the time when he could return home
to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub-
sequent life was very similar to that of
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi-
tality toward his numerous friends, indul-
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his
property, etc., finally involved him in debt.
For years his home resembled a fashion-
able watering-place. During the summer,
thirty-seven house servants were required !
It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs.
Randolph.
Mr. Jefferson did much for the establish-
ment of the University at Charlottesville,
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the
spirit of American institutions, but poverty
and the feebleness of old age prevented
him from doing what he would. He even
went so far as to petition the Legislature
for permission to dispose of some of his
possessions by lottery, in order to raise the
necessary funds for home expenses. It was
granted ; but before the plan was carried
out, Mr. Jeffdrson died, July 4, 1826, at
12:50 P. M.
m'
\\\
AMES MADISON, the
fourth President of the
United States, i8oo-'i7,
was born at Port Con-
way, Prince George
County, Virginia, March
16, 175 1. His father,
Colonel James Madison, was
a wealthy planter, residing
upon a very fine estate
called " Montpelier," only
twenty-five miles from the
home of Thomas Jefferson
at Monticello. The closest
personal and political at-
tachment existed between
these illustrious men from their early youth
until death.
James was the eldest of a family of seven
children, four sons and three daughters, all
of whom attained maturity. His early edu-
cation was conducted mostly at home,
under a private tutor. Being naturally in-
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him-
self with unusual vigor to studj . At a very
early age he made considerable proficiency
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton
College, New Jersey, of which the illus-
trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi-
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char-
acter of the utmost purity, and a mind
highly disciplined and stored with all the
learning which embellished and gave effi-
ciency to his subsequent career. After
graduating he pursued a course of reading
for several months, under the guidance of
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re-
turned to Virginia, where he continued in
incessant study for two years, nominally
directed to the law, but really including
extended researches in theology, philoso-
phy and general literature.
The Church of England was the estab-
lished church in Virginia, invested with all
the prerogatives and immunities which it
enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de-
nominations labored under serious disabili-
ties, the enforcement of which was rightly
or wrongly characterized by them as per-
secution. Madison took a prominent stand
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities,
repeatedly appeared in the court of his own
county to defend the Baptist nonconform-
ists, and was elected from Orange County to
the Virginia Convention in the spring of
1766, when he signalized the beginning of
his public career by procuring the passage
of an amendment to the Declaration of
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub-
stituting for " toleration" a more emphatic
assertion of religious liberty.
B^M^a.. <■« ■«■.. IB,.»^l^
J dsCcs-^ ^^CC ecs#^o? ^%,
JAMES MADISON.
In 1776 he was elected a member of the
Virginia Convention to frame the Constitu-
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he took
but little part in the public debates. His
main strength lay in his conversational in-
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777,
he was chosen a member of the Council of
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in
the Continental Congress, where he first
gained prominence through his energetic
opposition to the issue of paper money by
the States. He continued in Congress three
vears, one of its most active and influential
members.
In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem-
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren-
dered important service by promoting and
participating in that revision of the statutes
which effectually abolished the remnants of
the feudal system subsistent up to that
time in the form of entails, primogeniture,
and State support given the Anglican
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon-
strance" against a general assessment for
the support of religion is one of the ablest
papers which emanated from his pen. It
settled the question of the entire separation
of church and State in Virginia.
Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to
the study and experience through which he
had already passed :
" Trained in these successive schools, he
acquired a habit of self-possession which
placed at ready command the rich resources
of his luminous and discriminating mind and
of his extensive information, and rendered
him the first of every assembly of which he
afterward became a member. Never wan-
dering from his subject into vain declama-
tion, but pursuing it closely in language
pure, classical and copious, soothing al-
ways the feelings of his adversaries by civili-
ties and softness of expression, he rose to the
eminent station which he held in the great
National Convention of 1787 ; and in that of
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the
new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off
the palm against the logic of George Mason
and the fervid declamation of Patrick
Henry. With these consummate powers
were united a pure and spotless virtue
which no calumny has ever attempted to
sully. Of the power and polish of his pen,
and of the wisdom of his administration in
the highest office of the nation, I need say
nothing. They have spoken, and will for-
ever speak, for themselves."
In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the
initiative in proposing a meeting of State
Commissioners to devise measures for more
satisfactory commercial relations between
the States. A meeting was held at An-
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five
States were represented. The convention
issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi-
son, urging all the States to send their dele-
gates to Philadelphia, in Ma) r , 1787, to
draught a Constitution for the United
States. The delegates met at the time ap-
pointed, every State except Rhode Island
being represented. George Washington
was chosen president of the convention,
and the present Constitution of the United
States was then and there formed. There
was no mind and no pen more active in
framing this immortal document than the
mind and pen of James Madison. He was,
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of
the Federalist.
Mr. Madison was a member of the first
four Congresses, i78q-'q7, in which he main-
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's
financial policy. He declined the mission
to France and the Secretaryship of State,
and, gradually identifying himself with the
Republican party, became from 1792 its
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice
for the Presidency as successor to Wash-
ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote : " There is
not another person in the United States
with whom, being placed at the helm of our
affairs, my mind would be so completely at
^^^■■■'^gfg^^SMSa^^.^CT g^g
I
30
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
rest for the fortune of our political bark."
But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi-
date. His term in Congress had expired,
and he returned from New York to his
beautiful retreat at Montpelier.
In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young
widow of remarkable powers of fascination
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro-
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir-
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been
educated in the strictest rules of that sect.
When but eighteen years of age she married
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia,
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and
became one of the most fascinating ladies
of the republican court. In New York,
after the death of her husband, she was the
belle of the season and was surrounded with
admirers. Mr. Madison won the prize.
She proved an invaluable .helpmate. In
Washington she was the life of society.
If there was any diffident, timid young
girl just making her appearance, she
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging
friend.
During the stormy administration of John
Adams Madison remained in private life,
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso-
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report"
in which he defended those resolutions,
which is, by many, considered his ablest
State paper.
The storm passed away ; the Alien and
Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef-
ferson was chosen President. The great re-
action in public sentiment which seated
Jefferson in the presidential chair was large-
ly owing to the writings of Madison, who
was consequently well entitled to the post
of Secretary of State. With great ability
he discharged the duties of this responsible
office during the eight years of Mr. Jeffer-
son's administration.
As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and
neither of his daughters could be often with
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over
the festivities of the White House ; and as
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold-
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable
woman was the mistress of the presidential
mansion for sixteen years.
Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by
the cares of his office, all the duties of so-
cial life devolved upon his accomplished
wife. Never were such responsibilities
more ably discharged. The most bitter
foes of her husband and of the administra-
tion were received with the frankly prof-
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel-
come; and the influence of this gentle
woman in allaying the bitterness of party
rancor became a great and salutary power
in the nation.
As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency
drew near its close, party strife was roused
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was
a death-grapple between the two great
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr.
Madison was chosen President by an elec-
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated
March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when
the relations of the United States with Great
Britain were becoming embittered, and his
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels,
aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of
May, 1810, and finally resulting in a decla-
ration of war.
On the 18th of June, 1812, President
Madison gave his approval to an act of
Congress declaring war against Great Brit-
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility
of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and in the autumn
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency
by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of
George Clinton.
March 4, 1817, Madison yielded the Presi-.
■SBggBjg SgSBjiH^^
dency to his Secretary of State and inti-
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he
passed the evening of his days surrounded
by attached friends and enjoying the
merited respect of the whole nation. He
took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as
president of the county society, and in
watching the development of the University
of Virginia, of which he was long rector and
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829
as a member of the convention called to re-
form the Virginia Constitution, where his
appearance was hailed with the most gen-
uine interest and satisfaction, though he
was too infirm to participate in the active
work of revision. Small in stature, slender
and delicate in form, with a countenance
full of intelligence, and expressive alike of
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten-
tion of all who attended the convention,
and was treated with the utmost deference.
He seldom addressed the assembly, though
he always appeared self-possessed, and
watched with unflagging interest the prog-
ress of every measure. Though the con-
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole
house paused to listen. His voice was
feeble though his enunciation was very dis-
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansbury,
relates the 'following anecdote of Mr. Madi-
son's last speech:
" The next day, as there was a great call
for it, and the report had not been returned
for publication, I sent my son with a re-
spectful note, requesting the manuscript.
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had
taken with me to act as amanuensis. On
delivering my note, he was received with
the utmost politeness, and requested to
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait
while his eye ran over the paper, as com-
pany had prevented his attending to it. He
rdid so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct
the report. The lad stood near him so that
his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a
certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison
erased a word and substituted another ; but
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the
second word, drew his pen through it also.
My son was young, ignorant of the world,
and unconscious of the solecism of which he
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic-
ity, he suggested a word. Probably no
other person then living would have taken
such a liberty. But the sage, instead of
regarding such an intrusion with a frown,
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ;
it is the very word,' and immediately in-
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli-
ment on the young critic."
Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28,
1836, at the advanced age of eighty -five.
While not possessing the highest order of
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers,
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well-
balanced mind. His attainments were solid,
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener-
ally sound, his powers of analysis and logi-
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language
and literary style correct and polished, his
conversation witty, his temperament san-
guine and trusfful, his integrity unques-
tioned, his manners simple, courteous and
winning. By these rare qualities he con-
ciliated the esteem not only of friends, but
of political opponents, in a greater degree
than any American statesman in the present
century.
Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir-
teen years, and died July 12, 1849, m the
eighty-second year of her age. She was one
of the most remarkable women our coun-
try has produced. Even now she is ad-
miringly remembered in Washington as
" Dolly Madison," and it is fitting that her
memory should descend to posterity in
company with thatof the companion of
her life.
51 '
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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AMES MONROE, the fifth
President of the United
States, 1817-25, was born
in Westmoreland County
Virginia, April 28, 1758.
He was a son of Spence
Monroe, and a descendant
of a Scottish cavalier fam-
ily. Like all his predeces-
sors thus far in the Presi-
dential chair, he enjoyed all
the advantages of educa-
tion which the country
could then afford. He was
early sent to a fine classical
school, and at the age of six-
teen entered William and Mary College..
In 1776, when he had been in college but
two years, the Declaration of Independence
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with-
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug-
gling against the trained armies of England.
James Monroe left college, hastened to
General Washington's headquarters at New
York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the
army.
At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis-
tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap-
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound,
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster-
ling, and in that capacity he took an active
part in the battles of Brandywine, Ger-
mantown and Monmouth. At Germantown
he stood by the side of Lafayette when the
French Marquis received his wound. Gen-
eral Washington, who had formed a high
idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was
Virginia at that time that the effort proved
unsuccessful. He, however, received his
commission.
Finding no opportunity to enter the army
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his
original plan of studying law, and entered
the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was
then Governor of Virginia. He developed ,
a very noble character, frank, manly and .
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him:
"James Monroe is so perfectly honest
that if his soul were turned inside out there
would not be found a spot on it."
In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem-
ber of the Executive Council. The next
year he was chosen delegate to the Conti-
nental Congress for a term of three years.
He was present at Annapolis when Wash-
ington surrendered his commission of Com-
mander-i n-chief .
With Washington, Jefferson and Madison
he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old
Articles of Confederation, and urged the
formation of a new Constitution, which
should invest the Central Government with
something like national power. Influenced
by these views, he introduced a resolution
^7
that Congress should be empowered to
regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty
of five per cent. The resolution was refer-
red to a committee of which he was chair-
man. The report and the discussion which
rose upon it led to the convention of five
States at Annapolis, and the consequent
general convention at Philadelphia, which,
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the
United States.
At this time there was a controversy be-
tween New York and Massachusetts in
reference to their boundaries. The high
esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held
is indicated by the fact that he was ap-
pointed one of the judges to decide the
controversy. While in New York attend-
ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright,
a young lady distinguished alike for her
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly
fifty years this happy union remained un-
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration
and affection by the loveliness of her per-
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the
amiability of her character.
Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe
commenced the practice of law at Freder-
icksburg. He was very soon elected to a
seat in the State Legislature, and the next
year he was chosen a member of the Vir-
ginia convention which was assembled to
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of
the Constitution which had been drawn up
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted
to the several States. Deeply as he felt
the imperfections of the old Confederacy,
he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of the Republi-
can party, that it gave too much power to
the Central Government, and not enough
to the individual States.
In 1789 he became a member of the
United States Senate, which office he held
acceptably to his constituents, and with
honor to himself for four years.
Having opposed the Constitution as not
leaving enough power with the States, he,
of course, became more and more identi-
fied with the Republican party. Thus he
found himself in cordial co-operation with
Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub-
lican party became the dominant power
which ruled the land.
George Washington was then President.
England had espoused the cause of the
Bourbons against the principles of the
French Revolution. President Washing-
ton issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France
had helped us in the struggle for our lib-
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were
now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from tyranny a thousandfold
worse than that which we had endured.
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than
prudent, was anxious that we should help
our old allies in their extremity. He vio-
lently opposed the President's procla-
mation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.
Washington, who could appreciate such
a character, developed his calm, serene,
almost divine greatness by appointing that
very James Monroe, who was denouncing
the policy of the Government, as the Minis-
ter of that Government to the republic of
France. He was directed by Washington
to express to the French people our warm-
est sympathy, communicating to them cor-
responding resolves approved by the Pres-
ident, and adopted by both houses of
Congress.
Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na-
tional Convention in France with the most
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and
affection. He was publicly introduced to
that body, and received the embrace of the
President, Merlin de Douay, after having
been addressed in a speech glowing with
congratulations, and with expressions of
desire that harmony might ever exist be-
36
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
tween the two nations. The flags of the
two republics were intertwined in the hall
of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented
the American colors, and received those of
France in return. The course which he
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng-
land and to the friends of England in
this country that, near the close of Wash-
ington's administration, Mr. Monroe, was
recalled.
After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af-
fairs." In this work he very ably advo-
cated his side of the question; but, with
the magnanimity of the man, he recorded a
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and
spotless integrity of John Jay, between
whom and himself there was intense antag-
onism ; and in subsequent years he ex-
pressed in warmest terms his perfect
veneration for the character of George
Washington. .
Shortly after his return to this country
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of
Virginia, and held that office for three
years, the period limited by the Constitu-
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France,
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his
wife and children and an ample competence
from his paternal estate, enjoyed a few years
of domestic repose.
In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of
office expired, and many of the Republican
party were anxious to nominate James
Monroe as his successor. The majority
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon-
roe withdrew his name and was soon after
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia.
He soon resigned that office to accept the
position of Secretary of State, offered him
by President Madison. The correspond-
ence which he then carried on with the
British Government demonstrated that
there was no hope of any peaceful adjust-
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of
St. James. War was consequently declared
in June, 1812. Immediately after the sack
of Washington the Secretary of War re-
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest
request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad-
ditional duties of the War Department,
without resigning his position as Secretary
of State. It has been confidently stated,
that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the
War Department a few months earlier, the
disaster at Washington would not have
occurred.
The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon-
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou-
sand men, picked from the veteran armies
of England, were sent with a powerful fleet
to ISIe w Orleans to acquire possession of
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan-
ces were in the most deplorable condition.
The treasury was exhausted and our credit
gone. And yet it was necessary to make
the most rigorous preparations to meet the
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec-
retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in
Greek or Roman story, stepped forward
and pledged his own individual credit as
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus
succeeded in placing the city of New Or-
leans in such a posture of defense, that it
was enabled successfully to repel the in-
vader.
Mr. Monroe was truly the armor-bearer
of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. His energy
in the double capacity of Secretary, both
of State and War, pervaded all the depart-
ments of the country. He proposed to
increase the army to 100,000 men, a meas-
ure which he deemed absolutely necessary
to save us from ignominious defeat, but
which, at the same time, he knew would
render his name so unpopular as to preclude
the possibility of his being a successful can-
didate for the Presidency.
The happy result of the conference at
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in-
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not
too much to say that James Monroe placed
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the
weapon with which to beat off the foe at
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties
of Secretary of State. These he continued
to discharge until the close of President
Madison's administration, with zeal which
was never abated, and with an ardor of
self-devotion which made him almost for-
getful of the claims of fortune, health or
life.
Mr. Madison's second term expired in
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of
the Republican party, now taking the name
of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition.
Out of 232 electoral votes, he received 231.
The slavery question, which subsequently
assumed such formidable dimensions, now
began to make its appearance. The State
of Missouri, which had been carved out of
that immense territory which we had pur-
chased of France, applied for admission to
the Union, with a slavery Constitution.
There were not a few who foresaw the
evils impending. After the debate of a
week it was decided that Missouri could
not be admitted into the Union with slav-
ery. This important question was at length
settled by a compromise proposed by
Henry Clay.
The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which
so much has been said, originated in this
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the
Holy Alliance was about to interfere to
prevent the establishment of Republican
liberty in the European colonies of South
America. President Monroe wrote to his
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in
the emergency. In his reply under date of
October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the
supposition that our attempt to resist this
European movement might lead to war:
" Its object is to introduce and establish
the American system of keeping out of our
land all foreign powers; of never permitting
those of Europe to intermeddle with the
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our
own principle, not to depart from it."
December 2, 1823, President Monroe
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to
be the policy of this Government not to
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu-
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere
with the affairs of nations on the American
continent; and the doctrine was announced,
that any attempt on the part of the Euro-
pean powers " to extend their system to
any portion of this hemisphere would be
regarded by the United States as danger-
ous to our peace and safety."
March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered
the presidential chair to his Secretary of
State, John Quincy Adams, and retired,
with the universal respect of the nation,
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou-
doun County, Virginia. His time had been
so entirely consecrated to his country, that
he had neglected his pecuniary interests,
and was deeply involved in debt. The
welfare of his country had ever been up-
permost in his mind.
For many years Mrs. Monroe was in such
feeble health that she rarely appeared in
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his
residence with his son-in-law in New York,
where he died on the 4th of July, 1831.
The citizens of New York conducted his
obsequies with pageants more imposing
than had ever been witnessed there before.
Our country will ever cherish his mem-
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc-
ing him the worthy successor of the illus-
trious men who had preceded him in the
presidential chair.
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3S
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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I
State by President Jackson, but resigned
in April, 1831, and during the recess of
Congress was appointed minister to Eng-
land, whither he proceeded in September,
but the Senate, when convened in Decem-
ber, refused to ratify the appointment.
In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi-
nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice-
President, and elected in the following
November. May 26, 1836, he received the
nomination to succeed General Jackson as
President, and received 170 electoral votes,
out of 283.
Scarcely had he taken his seat in the
Presidential chair when a financial panic
swept over the land. Many attributed
this to the war which General Jackson had
waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to
secure an almost exclusive specie currency.
Nearly every bank in the country was com-
pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin
pervaded all our great cities. Not less than
254 houses failed in New York in one week.
All public works were brought to a stand,
and there was a general state of dismay.
President Van Buren urged the adoption of
the independent treasury system, which
was twice passed in the Senate and defeated
in the House, but finally became a law near
the close of his administration.
Another important measure was the pass-
age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set-
tlers the preference in the purchase of
public lands. The question of slavery, also,
now began to assume great prominence in
national politics, and after an elaborate
anti-slavery speech by Mr. Slade, of Ver-
mont, in the House of Representatives, the
Southern members withdrew for a separate
consultation, at which Mr. Rhett, of South
Carolina, proposed to declare it expedient
that the Union should be dissolved ; but
the matter was tided over by the passage
of a resolution that no petitions or papers
relating to slavery should be in any way
considered or acted upon.
In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr.
Van Buren was nominated, without opposi-
tion, as the Democratic candidate, William
H. Harrison being the candidate of the
Whig party. The Democrats carried only
seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes
only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re-
maining 234 being for his opponent. The
Whig popular majority, however, was not
large, the elections in many of the States
being very close.
March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired
from the Presidency. From his fine estate
at Lindenwald he still exerted a powerful
influence upon the politics of the country.
In 1844 he was again proposed as the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency,
and a majority of the delegates of the
nominating convention were in his favor ;
but, owing to his opposition to the pro-
posed annexation of Texas, he could not
secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His
name was at length withdrawn by his
friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina-
tion, and was elected.
In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo-
cratic candidate. A schism, however,
sprang up in the party, upon the question
of the permission of slavery in the newly-
acquired territory, and a portion of the
party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers,"
nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drew
away sufficient votes to secure the election
of General Taylor, the Whig candidate.
After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es-
tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder
of his life was passed, with the exception of
a European tour in 1853. He died at
Kinderhook, July 24, 1862, at the age of
eighty years.
Martin Van Buren was a great and good
man, and no one will question his right to
a high position among those who have
been the successors of Washington in the
faithful occupancy of the Presidential
chair.
PRESIDENTS OP THE UNITED STATES.
WILLIAM HENRY HflfifilSDN
ILLIAM HENRY
HARRISON, the
ninth President of
the United States,
i 84 i, was born
February 9, 1773,
in Charles County,
Virginia, at Berkeley, the resi-
dence of his father, Governor
Benjamin Harrison. He studied
at Hampden, Sidney College,
with a view of entering the med-
ical profession. After graduation
he went to Philadelphia to study
medicine under the instruction of
Dr. Rush.
George Washington was then President
}f the United States. The Indians were
committing fearful ravages on our North-
western frontier. Young Harrison, either
lured by the love of adventure, or moved
by the sufferings of families exposed to the
most horrible outrages, abandoned his med-
ical studies and entered the army, having
obtained a commission of ensign from Pres-
ident Washington. The first duty assigned
him was to take a train of pack-horses
bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami
River, about forty miles from Fort Wash-
ington. He was soon promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army
which Washington had placed under the
command of General Wayne to prosecute
more vigorously the war with the In-
dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great
commendation from his commanding offi-
cer, and was promoted to the rank of
Captain, and placed in command at Fort
Washington, now Cincinnati, Ohio.
About this time he married a daughter
of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron-
tiersmen who had established a thriving
settlement on the bank of the Maumee.
In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his
commission in the army and was appointed
Secretary of the Northwest Territory, and
ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St.
Clair being then Governor of the Territory.
At that time the law in reference to the
disposal of the public lands was such that
no one could purchase in tracts less than
4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the
face of violent opposition, succeeded in
obtaining so much of a modification of
this unjust law that the land was sold in
alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The
Northwest Territory was then entitled
to one delegate in Congress, and Cap-
tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of-
fice. In 1800 he was appointed Governor
■■-■"■"WW
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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
59
of Indiana Territory and soon after of
Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin-
tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he
fulfill these duties that he was four times'
appointed to this office. During his admin-
istration he effected thirteen treaties with
the Indians, by which the United States
acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804
he obtained a cession from the Indians of
all the land between the Illinois River and
the Mississippi.
In 18 12 he was made Major-General of
Kentucky militia and Brigadier-General
in the army, with the command of th,e
Northwest frontier. In 1813 he was made
Major-General, and as such won much re-
nown by the defense of Fort Meigs, and the
battle of the Thames, Octobers, 1813. In
1814 he left the army and was employed in
Indian affairs by the Government.
In 18 16 General Harrison was chosen a
member of the National House of Repre-
sentatives to represent the district of Ohio.
In the contest which preceded his election
he was accused of corruption in respect to
the commissariat of the army. Immedi-
ately upon taking his seat, he called for an
investigation of the charge. A committee
was appointed, and his vindication was
triumphant. A high compliment was paid
to his patriotism, disinterestedness and
devotion to the public service. For these
services a gold medal was presented to him
with the thanks of Congress.
In 1 8 19 he was elected to the Senate of
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden-
tial electors of that State, he gave his vote
to Henry Clay. In the same year he was
elected to the Senate of the United States.
In 1828 he was appointed by President
Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom-
bia, but was recalled by General Jackson
immediately after the inauguration of the
latter.
Upon his return to the United States,
General Harrison retired to his farm at
North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, six-
teen miles below Cincinnati, where for
twelve years he was clerk of the County
Court. He once owned a distillery, but
perceiving the sad effects,of whisky upon
the surrounding population, he promptly
abandoned his business at great pecuniary
sacrifice.
In 1836 General Harrison was brought
forward as a candidate for the Presidency.
Van Buren was the administration candi-
date; the opposite party could not unite,
and four candidates were brought forward.
General Harrison received seventy-three
electoral votes without any general concert
among his friends. The Democratic party
triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen
President. In 1839 General Harrison was
again nominated for the Presidency by the
Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr.
Van Buren being the Democratic candi-
date. General Harrison received 234 elec-
toral votes against sixty for his opponent.
This election is memorable chiefly for the
then extraordinary means employed during
the canvass for popular votes. Mass meet-
ings and processions were introduced, and
the watchwords " log cabin " and " hard
cider " were effectually used by the Whigs,
and aroused a popular enthusiasm.
A vast concourse of people attended his
inauguration. His address on that occasion
was in accordance with his antecedents, and
gave great satisfaction. A short time after he
took his seat, he was seized by a pleurisy-
fever, and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died April 4, just one short month after
his inauguration. His death was universally
regarded as one of the greatest of National
calamities. Never, since the death of
Washington, were there, throughout one
land, such demonstrations of sorrow. Not
one single spot can be found to sully his
fame; and through all ages Americans will
pronounce with love and reverence the
name of William Henry Harrison.
6o
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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*OHN TYLER, the tenth
President of the United
States, was born in
Charles City County,
Virginia, March 29, 1790.
His father, Judge John
Tyler, possessed large
landed estates in Virginia,
and was one of the most
distinguished men of his
day, filling the offices of
Speaker of the House of
Delegates, Judge of the Su-
preme Court and Governor
of the State.
At the early age of twelve
young John entered William and Mary
College, and graduated with honor when
but seventeen years old. He then closely
applied himself to the study of law, and at
nineteen years of age commenced the prac-
tice of his profession. When only twenty-
one he was elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He acted with the Demo-
cratic party and advocated the measures of
Jefferson and Madison. For five years he
Was elected to the Legislature, receiving
nearly the unanimous vote of his county.
When but twenty-six years of age he was
elected a member of Congress. He advo-
cated a strict construction of the Constitu-
tion and the most careful vigilance over
'Es-as
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State rights. He was soon compelled to
resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill'
health, but afterward took his seat in the
State Legislature, where he exerted a
powerful influence in promoting public
works of great utility.
In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor
of his State — a high honor, for Virginia
had many able men as competitors for
the prize. His administration was signally
a successful one. He urged forward inter-
nal improvements and strove to remove
sectional jealousies. His popularity secured
his re-election. In 1827 he was elected
United States Senator, and upon taking his
seat joined the ranks of the opposition. He
opposed the tariff, voted against the bank
•as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions
upon slavery, resisted all projects of inter-
nal improvements by the General Govern-
ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal-
houn's views of nullification, and declared
that General Jackson, by his opposition to
the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles
of the Democratic party. Such was Mr.
Tyler's record in Congress.
This hostility to Jackson caused Mr.
Tyler's retirement from the Senate, after
his election to a second term. He soon
after removed to Williamsburg for the
better education of his children, and again
took his seat in the Legislature.
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JOHN TTLER.
In 1839 he was sent to the National Con-
vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi-
dent. General Harrison received a majority
of votes, much to the disappointment of the
South, who had wished for Henry Clay.
In order to conciliate the Southern Whigs,
John Tyler was nominated for Vice-Presi-
dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu-
rated March 4, 1841. In one short month
from that time President Harrison died,
and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well
as that of the nation, found himself an
occupant of the Presidential chair. His
position was an exceedingly difficult one,
as he was opposed to the main principles of
the party which had brought him into
power. General Harrison had selected a
Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and
thus surround himself with councilors
whose views were antagonistic to his own?
or should he turn against the party that
had elected him, and select a cabinet in
harmony with himself? This was his fear-
ful dilemma.
President Tyler deserves more charity
than he has received. He issued an address
to the people, which gave general satisfac-
tion. He retained the cabinet General
Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill
chartering a new national bank led to an
open quarrel with the party which elected
him, and to a resignation of the entire
cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary
of State.
President Tyler attempted to conciliate.
He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all
strong party men, but the Whig members
of Congress were not satisfied, and they
published a manifesto September 13, break-
ing off all political relations. The Demo-
crats had a majority in the House; the
Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon
found it necessary to resign, being forced
out by the pressure of his Whig friends.
April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded,
through Mr. Calhoun, a treaty for the an-
nexation of Texas, which was rejected by
the Senate ; but he effected his object in the
closing days of his administration by the
passage of the joint resolution of March 1
1845.
He was nominated for the Presidency by
an informal Democratic Convention, held
at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with-
drew from the canvass, perceiving that he
had not gained the confidence of the Demo-
crats at large.
Mr. Tyler's administration was particu-
larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied.
Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him.
Situated as he was, it is more than can
be expected of human nature that he
should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest
manner ; but it will probably be the verdict
of all candid men, in a careful review of his
career, that John Tyler was placed in a
position of such difficulty that he could not
pursue any course which would not expose
him to severe censure and denunciation.
In 1813 Mr. Tyler married Letitia Chris-
tian, who bore him three sons and three
daughters, and died in Washington in 1842.
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar-
riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New
York. He lived in almost complete retire-
ment from politics until February, 1861,
when he was a member of the abortive
" peace convention," held at Washington,
and was chosen its President. Soon after
he renounced his allegiance to the United
States and was elected to the Confederate
Congress. He died at Richmond, January
17, 1862, after a short illness.
Unfortunately for his memory the name
of John Tyler must forever be associated
with all the misery of that terrible Re-
bellion, whose cause he openly espoused.
It is with sorrow that history records that
a President of the United States died while
defending the flag of rebellion, which was
arrayed against the national banner in
deadly warfare.
■ ■■■■■l
'I
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.'
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AMES KNOX POLK,
the eleventh President of
the United States, 1845-
'49, was born in Meck-
lenburg County, North
Carolina, November 2,
1795. He was the eldest
son of a family of six sons
and four daughters, and was
a grand-nephew of Colonel
Thomas Polk, celebrated in
connection with the Meck-
lenburg Declaration of In-
dependence.
In 1806 his father, Samuel
Polk, emigrated with his fam-
ily two or three hundred miles west to the
valley of the Duck River. He was a sur-
veyor as well as farmer, and gradually in-
creased in wealth until he became one of
the leading men of the region.
In the common schools James rapidly be-
came proficient in all the common branches
of an English education. In 1813 he was
sent to Murfreesboro Academy, and in the
autumn of 181 5 entered the sophomore class
in the University of North Carolina, at
Chapel Hill, graduating in 1818. After a
short season of recreation he went to Nash-
ville and entered the law office of Felix
Grundy. As soon as he had his finished
legal studies and been admitted to the bar,
he returned to Columbia, the shire town of
Maury County, and opened an office.
James K. Polk ever adhered to the polit-
ical faith of his father, which was that of
a Jeffersonian Republican. In 1823 he was
elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. As
a " strict constructionist," he did not think
that the Constitution empowered the Gen-
eral Government to carry on a system of
internal improvements in the States, but
deemed it important that it should have
that power, and wished the Constitution
amended that it might be conferred. Sub-
sequently, however, he became alarmed lest
the General Government become so strong
as to undertake to interfere with slavery.
He therefore gave all his influence to
strengthen the State governments, and to
check the growth of the central power.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss
Mary Childress, of Rutherford County, Ten-
nessee. Had some one then whispered to
him that he was destined to become Presi-
dent of the United States, and that he must
select for his companion one who would
adorn that distinguished station, he could
not have made a more fitting choice. She
was truly a lady of rare beauty and culture.
In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk was chosen
a member of Congress, and was continu-
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JAMES K. POLK.
67
ously re-elected until 1839. He then with-
drew, only that he might accept the
gubernatorial chair of his native State.
He was a warm friend of General Jackson,
who had been defeated in the electoral
contest by John Quincy Adams. This
latter gentleman had just taken his seat in
the Presidential chair when Mr. Polk took
his seat in the House of Representatives.
He immediately united himself with the
opponents of Mr. Adams, and was soon
regarded as the leader of the Jackson party
in the House.
The four years of Mr. Adams' adminis-
tration passed away, and General Jackson
took the Presidential chair. Mr. Polk had
now become a man of great influence in
Congress, and was chairman of its most
important committee — that of Ways and
Means. Eloquently he sustained General
Jackson in all his measures — in his hostility
to internal improvements, to the banks, and
to the tariff. Eight years of General Jack-
son's administration passed away, and the
powers he had wielded passed into the
hands of Martin Van Buren ; and still Mr.
Polk remained in the House, the advocate
of that type of Democracy which those
distinguished men upheld.
During five sessions of Congress Mr.
Polk was speaker of the House. He per-
formed his arduous duties to general satis-
faction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to
him was passed by the House as he with-
drew, March 4, 1839. He was elected
Governor by a large majority, and took
the oath of office at Nashville, October 14,
1839. He was a candidate for re-election
in 1 84 1, but was defeated. In the mean-
time a wonderful revolution had swept
over the country. "W. H. Harrison,the Whig
candidate, had been called to the Presiden-
tial chair, and in Tennessee the Whig ticket
had been carried by over 12,000 majority.
Under these circumstances Mr. Polk's suc-
cess was hopeless. Still he canvassed the
State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones,
traveling in the most friendly manner to-
gether, often in the same carriage, and at
one time sleeping in the same bed. Mr.
Jones was elected by 3.000 majority.
And now the question of the annexation
of Texas to our country agitated the whole
land. When this question became national
Mr. Polk, as the avowed champion of an-
nexation, became the Presidential candidate
of the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic
party, and George M. Dallas their candi-
date for the Vice-Presidency. They were
elected by a large majority, and were in-
augurated March 4, 1845.
President Polk formed an able cabinet,
consisting of James Buchanan, Robert J.
Walker, William L. Marcy, George Ban-
croft, Cave Johnson and John Y. Mason.
The Oregon boundary question was settled,
the Department of the Interior was created,
the low tariff of 1846 was carried, the
financial system of the Government was
reorganized, the Mexican war was con-
ducted, which resulted in the acquisition of
California and New Mexico, and had far-
reaching consequences upon the later fort-
unes of the republic. Peace was made.
We had wrested from Mexico territory
equal to four times the empire of France,
and five times that of Spain. In the prose-
cution of this war we expended 20,000
lives and more than $100,000,000. Of this
money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico.
Declining to seek a renomination, Mr.
Polk retired from the Presidency March 4,
1849, when he was succeeded by General
Zachary Taylor. He retired to Nashville,
and died there June 19, 1849, in the fifty-
fourth year of his age. His funeral was at-
tended the following day, in Nashville, with
every demonstration of respect. He left
no children. Without being possessed of
extraordinary talent, Mr. Polk was a capable
administrator of public affairs, and irre-
proachable in private life.
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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Si
ACHARY TAY-
LOR, the twelfth
President of the
United States,
1849-50, was born
in Orange County,
Virginia, Septem-
ber 24, 1784. His father,
Richard Taylor, was Colo-
nel of a Virginia regiment
in the Revolutionary war,
and removed to Kentucky
in 1785 ; purchased a large
plantation near Louisville
and became an influential cit-
izen ; was a member of the convention that
framed the Constitution of Kentucky; served
in both branches of the Legislature; was
Collector of the port of Louisville under
President Washington; as a Presidential
elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon-
roe and Clay; died January 19,1829.
Zachary remained on his father's planta-
tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he
was appointed First Lieutenant in the
Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc-
casioned by the death of his elder brother,
Hancock. Up to this point he had received
but a limited education.
Joining his regiment at New Orleans, he
was attacked with yellow fever, with nearly
fatal termination. In November, 18 10, he
was promoted to Captain, and in the sum-
mer of 1 812 he was in command of Fort
Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash
River, near the present site of Terre Haute,
his successful defense of which with but a
handful of men against a large force of
Indians which had attacked him was one of
the first marked military achievements of
the war. He was then brevetted Major,
and in 18 14 promoted to the full rank.
During the remainder of the war Taylor
was actively employed on the Western
frontier. In the peace organization of 181 5
he was retained as Captain, but soon after
resigned and settled near Louisville. In
May, 1816, however, he re-entered the army
as Major of the Third Infantry ; became
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry
in 1 8 19, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy
of the First Infantry, of which he had been
Lieutenant-Colonel since 1821. On different
occasions he had been called to Washington
as member of a military board for organiz-
ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the
Government with his knowledge in the
organization of the Indian Bureau, having
for many years discharged the duties of
Indian agent over large tracts of Western
^^C^^/^/'
ZACHAltr TATLOR.
1i
country. He served through the Black
Hawk war in 1832, and in 1837 was ordered
to take command in Florida, then the scene
of war with the Indians.
In 1846 he was transferred to the com-
mand of the Army of the Southwest, from
which he was relieved the same year at his
own request. Subsequently he was sta-
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work
had been built under his direction in 1822.
May 28, i845, he received a dispatch from
the Secretary of War informing him of the
receipt of information by the President
" that Texas would shortly accede to the
terms of annexation," in which event he
was instructed to defend and protect her
from " foreign invasion and Indian incur-
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus
Chnsti, where his force was increased to
some 4,000.
Taylor was brevetted Major-General May
28, and a month later, June 29, 1846, his full
commission to that grade was issued. After
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced
in September on Monterey, which city ca-
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist-
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters.
The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by
way of Vera Cruz, with General Scott in
command, was now determined upon by
the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor
was about to resume active operations, he
received orders to send the larger part of
his force to reinforce the ' army of General
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently
reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro-
viding a garrison for'Monterey and Saltillo
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In
this weakened condition, however, he was
destined to achieve his greatest victory.
Confidently relying upon his strength at
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long
time, Santa Anna directed his entire army
against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's
more formidable invasion. The battle of
Buena Vista was fought February 22 and
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of
Congress and a gold medal, and " Old
Rough and Ready," the sobriquet given
him in the army, became a household word.
He remained in quiet possession of the
Rio Grande Valley until November, when
he returned to the United States.
In the Whig convention which met at
Philadelphia, June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi-
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate of
the Whig party for President, over Henry
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster.
In November Taylor received a majority
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of
1,360,752, against 1,219,962 for Cass and
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and
Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated
March 4, 1849.
The free and slave States being then equal
in number, the struggle for supremacy on
the part of the leaders in Congress was
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849
California adopted in convention a Consti-
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders.
Taylor advocated the immediate admission
of California with her Constitution, and the
postponement of the question as to the other
Territories until they could hold conven-
tions and decide for themselves whether
slavery should exist within their borders.
This policy ultimately prevailed through
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of
Henry Clay ; but not during the life of the
brave soldier and patriot statesman. July
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious
fever, which proved fatal, his death occur-
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters
married Colonel "W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju-
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during
his Presidency. Another daughter was
married to Jefferson Davis.
■-■-■-"--Jgj f ■.■-■ ;
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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flLLARD FILL-
I MORE, the thir-
131^* teenth President
of the United
& States, i85o-'3, was
^*T born in Summer
Hill, Cayuga
County, New York, Janu-
ary 7; 1800. He was of
New England ancestry, and
his educational advantages
were limited. He early
learned the clothiers' trade,
but spent all his leisure time
in study. At nineteen years
'of age he was induced by
Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade
and commence the study of law. Upon
learning that the young man was entirely
destitute of means, he took him into his
own office and loaned him such money as
he needed. That he might not be heavily
burdened with debt, young Fillmore taught
school during the winte* months, and in
various other ways helped himself along.
At the age of twenty-three he was ad-
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and*
commenced the practice of his profession
in the village of Aurora, situated on the
eastern bank of the Cayuga Lake. In 1825
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great
moral worth. In 1825 he took his seat in
the House of Assembly of his native State,
as Representative from Erie County,
whither he had recently moved.
Though he had never taken a very
active part in politics his vote and his sym-
pathies were with the Whig party. The
State was then Democratic, but his cour-
tesy, ability and integrity won the respect
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected
to a seat in the United States Congress.
At the close of his term he returned to his
law practice, and in two years more he was
again elected to Congress.
He now began to have a national reputa-
tion. His labors were very arduous. To
draft resolutions in the committee room,
and then to defend them against the most
skillful opponents on the floor of the House
requires readiness of mind, mental resources
and skill in debate such as few possess.
Weary with these exhausting labors, and
pressed by the claims of his private affairs,
Mr. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu-
ents and declined to be a candidate for re-
election. Notwithstanding this cemmuni-
u.
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MILLARD FILLMORE.
75
LP
cation his friends met in convention and
renominated him by acclamation. Though
gratified by this proof of their appreciation
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and
returned to his home.
In 1847 Mr. Fillmore was elected to the
important office of comptroller of the State.
In entering upon the very responsible duties
which this situation demanded, it was nec-
essary for him to abandon his profession,
and he removed to the city of Albany. In
this year, also, the Whigs were looking
around to find suitable candidates for the
President and Vice-President at the ap-
proaching election, and the names of Zach-
ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th
of March, 1849, General Taylor was inaug-
urated President and Millard Fillmore
Vice-President of the United States.
The great question of slavery had as-
sumed enormous proportions, and perme-
ated every subject that was brought before
Congress. It was evident that the strength
of our institutions was to be severely tried.
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore
became President of the United States.
The agitated condition of the country
brought questions of great delicacy before
him. He was bound by his oath of office
to execute the laws of the United States.
One of these laws was understood to be,
that if a slave, escaping from bondage,
should reach a free State, the United States
was bound to do its utmost to capture him
and return him to his master. Most Chris-
tian men loathed this law. President Fill-
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas,
and annex it to the United States. Presi-
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his
exalted station against the atrocious enter-
prise.
Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to
contend with, since the opposition had a
majority in both Houses. He did every-
thing in his power to conciliate the South,
but the pro-slavery party in that section
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran-
sient conciliation. The population of the
free States was so rapidly increasing over
that of the slave States, that it was inevita-
ble that the power of the Government
should soon pass into the hands of the free
States. The famous compromise measures
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin-
istration, and the Japan expedition was
sent out.
March 4, 1853, having served one term,
President Fillmore retired from office. He
then took a long tour through the South,
where he met with quite an enthusiastic
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al-
luding to the rapid growth of the country,
he said:
" Canada is knocking for admission, and
Mexico would be glad to come in, and
without saying whether it would be right
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re-
ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of
this Government to embrace the whole
North American Continent."
In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe
where he was received with those marked
attentions which his position and character
merited. Returning to this country in
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency
by the " Know-Nothing " party. Mr. Bu-
chanan, the Democratic candidate was
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur-
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly
silent. It was generally supposed, how-
ever, that his sympathy was with the South-
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the
conflict without any words of cheer to the
one party or the other. For this reason
he was forgotten by both. He died of
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8,
1874-
I s
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I
31
31
,1
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?■ L
• 5
•RAN KLIN PIERCE,
the fourteenth Presi-
dent of the United
States, was born in
Hillsborough, New
Hampshire, Novem-
ber 23, 1804. His
father, Governor
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier, a man of
rigid integrity ; was for sev-
eral years in the State Legis-
lature, a member of the Gov-
ernor's council and a General
of the militia.
Franklin was the sixth of eight children.
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu-
ments of his father, enforced by strong and
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It
was in the days of intense political excite-
ment, when, all over the New England
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar-
rayed so fiercely against each other.
In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824,
and commenced the study of law in the
office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin-
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted
to the bar. He practiced with great success
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served
in the State Legislature four years, the last
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the
House by a very large vote.
In 1833 he was elected a member of Con-
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com-
menced his administration.
. In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means
Appleton, a lady admirably fitted to adorn
every station with which her husband was
honored. Three sons born to them all
found an early grave.
Upon his accession to office, President
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen-
eral of the United States, but the offer was
declined in consequence of numerous pro-
fessional engagements at home and the
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health.
About the same time he also declined the
nomination for Governor by the Demo-
cratic party.
The ^war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce
into the army. Receiving the appointment
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a
portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during
this war, and distinguished himself by his
bravery, skill and excellent judgment.
When he reached his home in his native
State he was enthusiastically received by
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
79
the advocates of the war, and coldly by its
opponents. He resumed the practice of his
profession, frequently taking an active part
in political questions, and giving his sup-
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo-
cratic party.
June 12, 1852, the Democratic convention
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate
for the Presidency. For four days they
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal-
lotings no one had received the requisite
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been
thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then
the Virginia delegation brought forward
his name. There were fourteen more bal-
lotings, during which General Pierce
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other
candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce
was elected with great unanimity. Only
four States — Vermont, Massachusetts, Ken-
tucky and Tennessee— cast their electoral
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was
inaugurated President of the United States,
and William R. King, Vice-President.
President Pierce's cabinet consisted of
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel-
land, James Campbell and Caleb Cushing.
At the demand of slavery the Missouri
Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter-
ritories of the Union were thrown open to
slavery. The Territory of Kansas, west of
Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainly
from the North. According to law, they
were about to meet and decide whether
slavery or freedom should be the law of
that realm. Slavery in Missouri and
other Southern States rallied her armed
legions, marched them into Kansas, took
possession of the polls, drove away the
citizens, deposited their own votes by
handfuls, went through the farce of count-
ing them, and then declared that, by an
overwhelming majority, slavery was estab-
lished in Kansas. These facts nobody
denied, and yet President Pierce's adminis-
tration felt bound to respect the decision
obtained by such votes. The citizens of
Kansas, the majority of whom were free-
State men, met in convention and adopted
the following resolve :
"Resolved, That the body of men who,
for the past two months, have been passing
laws for the people of our Territory,
moved, counseled and dictated to by the
demagogues of other States, are to us a
foreign body, representing only the lawless
invaders who elected them, and not the
people of this Territory ; that we repudiate
their action as the monstrous consummation
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud
unparalleled in the history of the Union."
The free-State people of Kansas also sent
a petition to the General Government, im-
ploring its protection. In reply the Presi-
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that
Legislature thus created must be recog-
nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan-
sas, and that its laws were binding upon
the people, and that, if necessary, the whole
force of the Governmental arm would be
put forth to inforce those laws.
James Buchanan succeeded him in the
Presidency, and, March 4, 1857, President
Pierce retired to his home in Concord,
New Hampshire. When the Rebellion
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast
to the principles he had always cherished,
and gave his sympathies to the pro-slavery
party, with which he had ever been allied.
He declined to do anything, either by
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands of
the National Government. He resided in
Concord until his death, which occurred in
October, 1869. He was one of the most,
genial and social of men, generous to
a fault, and contributed liberally of his
moderate means for the alleviation of suf-
fering and want. He was an honored
communicant of the Episcopal church.
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So
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
'AMES BUCHANAN, the
fifteenth President of the
United States, 1857-61,
was born in Franklin
County, Pennsylvania,
April 23, 1791. The
place where his father's
cabin stood was called
Stony Batter, and it was
situated in a wild, romantic
spot, in a gorge of mount-
ains, with towering sum-
mits rising all around. He
was of Irish ancestry, his
father having emigrated in-
1783, with very little prop-
erty, save his own strong arms.
James remained in his secluded home for
eight years enjoying very few social or
intellectual advantages. His parents were
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli-
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer-
cersburg, where James was placed in
school and commenced a course in English,
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution, and was
able to master the most abstruse subjects
with facility. In 1809 he graduated with
the highest honors in his class.
He was then eighteen years of age, tall,
graceful and in vigorous health, fond of
athletic sports, an unerring shot and en-
livened with an exuberant flow of animal
spirits. He immediately commenced the
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and
was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose
very rapidly in his profession and at once
took undisputed stand with the ablest law-
yers of the State. When but twenty-six
years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate
one of the Judges of the State, who was
tried upon articles of impeachment. At
the age of thirty it was generally admitted
that he stood at the head of the bar, and
there was no lawyer in the State who had
a more extensive or lucrative practice.
In 181 2, just after Mr. Buchanan had
entered upon the practice of the law, our
second war with England occurred. With
all his powers he sustained the Govern-
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros-
ecution of the war; and even enlisting as a
private soldier to assist in repelling the
British, who had sacked Washington and
were threatening Baltimore. He was at
that time a Federalist, but when the Con-
stitution was adopted by both parties,
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal-
ists: we are all Republicans."
The opposition of the Federalists to the
war with England, and the alien and sedi-
■ »B.|l'»H|l»M"»"H»««'aiBalli|lll|BB»«i
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31 1
ii<
BRAHAM LIN-
COLN, the sixteenth
President of the
United States, i86i-'5>
was born February
12, 1809, in Larue
(then Hardin) County,
Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan
Creek, three miles west of
Hudgehsville. His parents
were Thomas and Nancy
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an-
cestry and early years the little
that is known may best be
given in his own language : " My
parents were both born in Virginia, of un-
distinguished families — second families, per-
haps I should say. My mother, who died
in my tenth year, was of a family of the
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain
in Adams, and others in Macon County,
Illinois. My paternal grandfather, Abra-
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or
1782, where, a year or two later, he was
killed by Indians — not in battle, but by
stealth, when he was laboring to open a
farm in the forest. His ancestors, who were
Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks
County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden-
tify them with the New England family of
the same name ended in nothing more defi-
nite than a similarity of Christian names in
both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor-
decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like.
My father, at the death of his father, was
but six years of age, and he grew up, liter-
ally, without education. He removed from
Kentucky to what is now Spencer County,
Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached
our new home about the time the State came
into the Union. It was a wild region, with
bears and other wild animals still in the
woods. There I grew to manhood.
" There were some schools, so called, but
no qualification was ever required of a
teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher-
in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup-
posed to understand Latin, happened to
sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked
upon as a wizard. There was absolutely
nothing to excite ambition for education.
Of course, when I came'of age I did not
know much. Still, somehow, I could read,
write and cipher to the rule of three, and
that was all. I have not been to school
since. The little advance I now have upon
this store of education I have picked up
from time to time under the pressure of
necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which
CH
<2^^>T3Z*--ik^_ c rT^--
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
87
I continued till I was twenty-two. At
twenty-one I came to Illinois and passed
the first year in Macon County. Then I got
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon,
now in Menard County, where I rfimained
a year as a sort of clerk in a store.
"Then came the Black Hawk war, and I
was elected a Captain of volunteers — a suc-
cess which gave me more pleasure than any
I have had since. I went the campaign,
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the
same year (1832) and was beaten, the only
time I have ever been beaten by the people.
The next and three succeeding biennial
elections I was elected to the Legislature,
and was never a candidate afterward.
" During this legislative period I had
studied law, and removed to Springfield to
practice it. In 1846 I was elected to the
Lower House of Congress ; was not a can-
didate for re-election. From 1849 to I 854,
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid-
uously than ever before. Always a Whig
in politics, and generally on the Whig elec-
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was
losing interest in politics, when the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise roused me
again. What I have done since is pretty
well known."
The early residence of Lincoln in Indi-
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio
River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a
half miles east of Gentryville, within the
present township of Carter. Here his
mother died October 5, 18 18, and the next
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush)
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom
Abraham was indebted for his first encour-
agement to study. He became an eager
reader, and the few books owned in the
vicinity were many times perused. He
worked frequently for the neighbors as a
farm laborer; was for some time clerk in a
store at Gentryville ; and became famous
throughout that region for his athletic
powers, his fondness for argument, his in-
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as
well as for mock oratory and the composi-
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 he
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as
" bow-hand " on a flatboat ; removed to
Illinois in 1830; helped his father build a
log house and clear a farm on the north
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of
Decatur, and was for some time employed
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which
was prominently brought forward for a
political purpose thirty years later.
In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on
the Sangamon River and navigate it to
New Orleans. The boat " stuck " on a
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor
through an ingenious mechanical device
which some years later led to Lincoln's
taking out a patent for "an improved
method for lifting vessels over shoals."
This voyage was memorable for another
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal-
treated and flogged at New Orleans was
the origin of his deep convictions upon the
slavery question.
Returning from this voyage he became a
resident for several years at New Salem, a
recently settled village on the Sangamon,
where he was successively a clerk, grocer,
surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot
to the first steamboat that ascended the
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter-
ested himself in local politics after his
return from the Black Hawk war, and
became known as an effective "stump-
speaker." The subject of his first political
speech was the improvement of the channel
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on
which he announced himself (1832) a candi-
date for the Legislature was his advocacy
of this popular measure, on which subject
his practical experience made him the high-
est authority.
Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a
>■'
■»■«.■»!
!■ ■ .■■ ■ . ■.■.■■■
88
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
" Henry Clay Whig,'' he rapidly acquired
that command of language and that homely
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his
intimate knowledge of the people from
which he sprang, made him more than a
match in debate for his few well-educated
opponents.
Admitted to the bar in 1837 he soon
established himself at Springfield, where
the State capital was located in 1839,
largely through his influence; became a
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and
District Courts ; married in 1842 a lady be-
longing to a prominent family in Lexington,
Kentucky ; took an active part in the Pres-
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as
candidate for elector on the Harrison and
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected, to the
United States House of Representatives
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright.
During his single term in Congress he did
not attain any prominence.
He voted for the reception of anti-slavery
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade
in the District of Columbia and for the
Wilmot proviso; but was chiefly remem-
bered for the stand he took against the
Mexican war. For several years there-
after he took comparatively little interest
in politics, but gained a leading position at
the Springfield bar. Two or three non-
political lectures and an eulogy on Henry
Clay (1S52) added nothing to his reputation.
In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri
■ Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and
in attacking that measure he had the im-
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well
the motives and the record of its author,
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu-
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The
latter came to Springfield in October, 1854,
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi-
cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti-
Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin-
coln had often measured his strength with
Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be-
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the
opinion of those who heard it, was one of
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer-
tainly the most effective in his whole career.
It took the audience by storm, and from
that moment it was felt that Douglas had
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for
the United States Senate in place of General
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855,
and led to several ballots; but Trumbull
was ultimately chosen.
The second conflict on the soil of Kan-
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be-
gan. The result was the disruption of the
Whig and the formation of the Republican
party. At the Bloomington State Conven-
tion in 1856, where the new party first
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an
impressive address, in which for the first
time he took distinctive ground against
slavery in itself.
At the National Republican Convention
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi-
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for-
ward by the Illinois delegation for the
Vice-Presidency, and received on the first
ballot no votes against 259 for William L,
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the
canvass, being on the electoral ticket.
In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi-
nated by the Republican State Convention
as its candidate for the United States Senate
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of
acceptance used the celebrated illustration
of a "house divided against itself " on the
slavery question, which was, perhaps, the
cause of his defeat. The great debate car-
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois
between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena-
torial candidates resulted at the time in the
election of the latter ; but being widely cir-
culated as a campaign document, it fixed
the attention of the country upon the
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ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
89
former, as the clearest and most convinc-
ing exponent of Republican doctrine.
Early in 1859 ne began to be named in
Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu-
ing year, and a political address delivered
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru-
ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in
New England, first made him known to the
Eastern States in the light by which he had
long been regarded at home. By the Re-
publican State Convention, which met at
Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi-
dency. It was on this occasion that two
rails, said to have been split by his hands
thirty years before, were brought into the
convention, and the incident contributed
much to his popularity. The National
Republican Convention at Chicago, after
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward,
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt-
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform.
The Democratic party having been dis-
organized and presenting two candidates,
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem-
nant of the "American" party having put
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re-
publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln
being elected November 6 by a large plu-
rality, comprehending nearly all the North-
ern States, but none of the Southern. The
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf
States was the immediate result, followed
a few months later by that of the border
slave States and the outbreak of the great
civil war.
The life of Abraham Lincoln became
thenceforth merged in the history of his
country. None of the details of the vast
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin-
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly
escaping assassination by avoiding Balti-
more on his way to the capital, he reached
Washington February 23, and was inaugu-
rated President of the United States March
4, 1861.
In his inaugural address he said: " I hold,
that in contemplation of universal law and
the Constitution the Union of these States is
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex-
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na-
tional governments. It is safe to assert
that no government proper ever had a pro-
vision in its organic law for its own termi-
nation. I therefore consider that in view
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability
I shall take care, as the Constitution en-
joins upon me, that the laws of the United
States be extended in all the States. In
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio-
lence, and there shall be none unless it be
forced upon the national authority. ' The
power conferred to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government, and to col-
lect the duties and imports, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects
there will be no invasion, no using of force
against or among the people anywhere. In
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-country-
men, is the momentous issue of civil war.
The Government will not assail you. You
can have no conflict without being your-
selves the aggressors. You have no oath
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov-
ernment, while I shall have the most sol-
emn one to preserve, protect and defend
it."
He called to his cabinet his principal
rivals for the Presidential nomination —
Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se-
cured the co-operation of the Union Demo-
crats, headed by Douglas ; called out 75,000
militia from the several States upon the first
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter,
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the
Southern posts April 19; called an extra
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
session of Congress for July 4, from which
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McClellan
at the head of the Federal army on General
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan-
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862,
issued a proclamation declaring the free-
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of
States then in rebellion from and after
January 1, 1863. This was the crowning
act of Lincoln's career— the act by which
he will be chiefly known through all future
time — and it decided the war.
October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those
whose term of enlistment had expired ;
made a celebrated and touching, though
brief, address at the dedication of the
Gettysburg military cemetery, November
19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-
Chief of the armies of the United States,
March 9, 1 864; was re-elected President in
November of the same year, by a large
majority over General McClellan, with
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice-
President; delivered a very remarkable ad-
dress at his second inauguration, March 4,
1865; visited the army before Richmond the
same month; entered the capital of the Con-
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the
surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army,
April 9, was actively engaged in devising
generous plans for the reconstruction of the
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri-
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byJohnWilkes
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early
on the following morning, April 15. Al-
most simultaneously a murderous attack
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre-
tary of State.
At noon on the 15th of April Andrew
Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active
measures were taken which resulted in the
death of Booth and the execution of his
principal accomplices.
The funeral of President Lincoln was
conducted with unexampled solemnity and
magnificence. Impressive services were
held in Washington, after which the sad
procession proceeded over the same route
he had traveled four years before, from
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel-
phia his body lay in state in Independence
Hall, in which he had declared before his
first inauguration " that I would sooner be
assassinated than to give up the principles
of the Declaration of Independence." He
was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near
Springfield, Illinois, on May 4, where a
monument emblematic of the emancipation
of the slaves and the restoration of the
Union mark his resting place.
The leaders and citizens of the expiring
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation
at the murder of a generous political adver-
sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn-
ing the death of a statesman who had proved
himself a true representative of American
nationality. The freedmen of the South
almost worshiped the memory of their de-
liverer ; and the general sentiment of the
great Nation he had saved awarded him a
place in its affections, second only to that
held by Washington.
The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln
have been familiarly known throughout the
civilized world. His tall, gaunt, ungainly
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con-
versations overflowing in humorous and
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu-
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions
of the time, are recognized as forming the
best type of a period of American history
now rapidly passing away.
•s~
fjtyl^
NDREW JOHNSON,
the seventeenth Presi-
dent of the United
States, i865-'9, was
born at Raleigh,
North Carolina, De-
cember 29, 1808.
His father died when
he was four years old, and in
his eleventh year he was ap-
prenticed to a tailor. He nev-
er attended school, and did
not learn to read until late in
his apprenticeship, when he
suddenly acquired a passion for
obtaining knowledge, and devoted
all his spare time to reading.
After working two years as a journey-
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South
Carolina, he removed, in 1826, to Green-
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his
trade and married. Under his wife's in-
structions he made rapid progress in his
education, and manifested such an intelli-
gent interest in local politics as to be
elected as " workingmen's candidate " al-
derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being
twice re-elected to each office.
During this period he cultivated his tal-
ents as a public speaker by taking part in a
debating society, consisting largely of stu-
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and
again in 1839, he was chosen to the lower
house of the Legislature, as a Democrat.
In 1841 he was elected State Senator, and
in 1843, Representative in Congress, being
re-elected four successive periods, until
1853, when he was chosen Governor of
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the
administrations of Tyler and Polk in their
chief measures, especially the annexation
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon
boundary, the Mexican war, and the tariff
of 1846.
In 1855 Mr. Johnson was re-elected Gov-
ernor, and in 1857 entered the United
States Senate, where he was conspicuous
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the
Pacific Railroad. He was supported by the
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic
convention in i860 for the Presidential
nomination, and lent his influence to the
Breckenridge wing of that party.
When the election of Lincoln had
brought about the first attempt at secession
in December, i860, Johnson took in the
Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and
in May, 1861, on returning to Tennessee,
he was in imminent peril of suffering from
94
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
popular violence for his loyalty to the " old
flag." He was the leader of the Loyalists'
convention of East Tennessee, and during
the following winter was very active in or-
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu-
gees from that region, his own family being
among those compelled to leave.
By his course in this crisis Johnson came
prominently before the Northern public,
and when in March, 1862, he was appointed
by President Lincoln military Governor of
Tennessee, with the rank of Brigadier-Gen-
eral, he increased in popularity by the vig-
orous and successful manner in which he
labored to restore order, protect Union
men and punish marauders. On the ap-
proach of the Presidential campaign of 1 864,
the termination of the war being plainly
foreseen, and several Southern States being
partially reconstructed, it was felt that the
Vice-Presidency should be given to a South-
ern man of conspicuous loyalty, and • Gov-
ernor Johnson was elected on the same
platform and ticket as President Lincoln;
and on the assassination of the latter suc-
ceeded to the Presidency, April 15, 1865^
In a public speech two days later he said:
"The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a
crime and must be punished; that the Gov-
ernment will not always bear with its ene-
mies; that it is strong, not only to protect,
but to punish. In our peaceful history
treason has been almost unknown. The
people must understand that it is the black-
est of crimes, and will be punished." He
then added the ominous sentence: " In re-
gard to my future course, I make no prom-
ises, no pledges." President Johnson re-
tained the cabinet of Lincoln, and exhibited
considerable severity toward traitors in his
earlier acts and speeches, but he soon inaug-
urated a policy of reconstruction, proclaim-
ing a general amnesty to the late Confeder-
ates, and successively establishing provis-
ional Governments in the Southern States.
These States accordingly claimed represen-
tation in Congress in the following Decem-
ber, and the momentous question of what
should be the policy of the victorious Union
toward its late armed opponents was forced
upon that body.
Two considerations impelled the Repub-
lican majority to reject the policy of Presi.
dent Johnson: First, an apprehension that
the chief magistrate intended to undo the re-
sults of the war in regard to slavery; and.sec-
ond, the sullen attitude of the South, which
seemed to be plotting to regain the policy
which arms had lost. The credentials of the
Southern members elect were laid on the
table, a civil rights bill and a bill extending
the sphere of the Freedmen's Bureau were
passed over the executive veto, and the two
highest branches of the Government were
soon in open antagonism. The action of
Congress was characterized by the Presi-
dent as a " new rebellion." In July the
cabinet was reconstructed, Messrs. Randall,
Stanbury and Browning taking the places
of Messrs. Denison, Speed and Harlan, and
an unsuccessful attempt was made by
means of a general convention in Philadel-
phia to form a new party on the basis of the
administration policy.
In an excursion to Chicago for the pur-
pose of laying a corner-stone of the monu-
ment to Stephen A. Douglas, President
Johnson, accompanied by several members
of the cabinet, passed through Philadelphia,
New York and Albany, in each of which
cities, and in other places along the route,
he made speeches justifying and explaining
his own policy, and violently denouncing
the action of Congress.
August 12, 1867, President Johnson re-
moved the Secretary of War, replacing
him by General Grant. Secretary Stanton
retired under protest, based upon the ten-
ure-of-office act which had been passed the
preceding March. The President then is-
sued a proclamation declaring the insurrec
1
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.■.■.l,»a» M ■o, l ll„»
ANDREW JOHNSON.
tion at an end, and that " peace, order, tran-
quility and civil authority existed in and
throughout the United States." Another
proclamation enjoined obedience to the
Constitution and the laws, and an amnesty
was published September 7, relieving nearly
all the participants in the late Rebellion
from the disabilities thereby incurred, on
condition of taking the oath to support the
Constitution and the laws.
In December Congress refused to confirm
the removal of Secretary Stanton, who
thereupon resumed the exercise of his of-
fice; but February 21, 1868, President
Johnson again attempted to remove him,
appointing General Lorenzo Thomas in his
place. Stanton refused to vacate his post,
and was sustained by the Senate.
February 24 the House of Representa-
tives voted to impeach the President for
" high crime and misdemeanors," and March
S presented eleven articles of impeachment
on the ground of his resistance to the exe-
cution of the acts of Congress, alleging, in
addition to the offense lately committed,
his public expressions of contempt for Con-
gress, in " certain intemperate, inflamma-
tory and scandalous harangues" pronounced
in August and September, 1866, and there-
after declaring that the Thirty-ninth Con-
gress of the United States was not a
competent legislative body, and denying
its power to propose Constitutional amend-
ments. March 23 the impeachment trial
began, the President appearing by counsel,
and resulted in acquittal, the vote lacking
one of the two-thirds vote required for
conviction.
The remainder of President Johnson's
term of office was passed without any such
conflicts as might have been anticipated.
He failed to obtain a nomination for re-
election by the Democratic party, though
receiving sixty-five votes on the first ballot.
July 4 and December 25 new proclamations
of pardon to the participants in the late
Rebellion were issued, but were of little
effect. On the accession of General Grant
to the Presidency, March 4, 1869, Johnson
returned to Greenville, Tennessee. Unsuc-
cessful in 1870 and 1872 as a candidate re-
spectively for United States Senator and
Representative, he was finally elected to the
Senate in 1875, and took his seat in the extra
session of March, in which his speeches
were comparatively temperate. He died
July 31, 1875, and was buried at Green-
ville.
President Johnson's administration was a
peculiarly unfortunate one. That he should
so soon become involved in bitter feud with
the Republican majority in Congress was
certainly a surprising and deplorable inci-
dent; yet, in reviewing the circumstances
after a lapse of so many years, it is easy to
find ample room for a charitable judgment
of both the parties in the heated contro-
versy, since it cannot be doubted that any
President, even Lincoln himself, had he
lived, must have sacrificed a large portion
of his popularity in carrying out any pos-
sible scheme of reconstruction.
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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LYSSES SIMPSON
GRANT, the eight-
eenth President of the
United States, i86a-'77,
was born April 27; 1822,
at Point Pleasant,
■^ Clermont County,
Ohio. His father was of Scotch
descent, and a dealer in leather.
. At the age of seventeen he en-
tered the Military Academy at
West Point, and four years later
graduated twenty-first in a class
of thirty-nine, receiving the
commission of Brevet Second
Lieutenant. He was assigned
to the Fourth Infantry and re-
mained in the army eleven years. He was
engaged in every battle of the Mexican war
except that of Buena Vista, and received
two brevets for gallantry.
In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia,daughter
of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis-
sion in the army. For several years he fol-
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc-
cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois.
When the civil war broke out in 1861,
Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en-
tirely unknown to public men and without
any personal acquaintance with great affairs.
President Lincoln's first call for troops was
made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers
at Galena. He also offered his services to
the Adjutant-General of the army, but re-
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois,
however, employed him in the organization
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the
Twenty-first Infantry. He took command
of his regiment in June, and reported first
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior
knowledge of military life rather surprised
his superior officers, who had never before
even heard of him, and they were thus led
to place him on the road to rapid advance-
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap-
pointment having been made without his
knowledge. He had been unanimously
recommended by the Congressmen from
Illinois, not one of whom had been his
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks
he was occupied in watching the move-
ments of partisan forces in Missouri.
September 1 he was placed in command
of the District of Southeast Missouri, with
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with-
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth
of the Tennessee River, and commanding
the navigation both of that stream and of
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the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky
to the Union ; for the State Legislature,
which had until then affected to be neutral,
at once declared in favor of the Govern-
ment. In November following, according
to orders, he made a demonstration about
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ;
but in order to accomplish this purpose he
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con-
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of
artillery and 200 prisoners.
After repeated applications to General
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was
allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in
conjunction with a naval force. The gun-
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi-
ately made preparations to attack Fort
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on
the Cumberland River. Without waiting
for orders he moved his troops there,'and
with 15,000 men began the siege. The
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a
strong one, but after hard fighting on three
successive days Grant forced an " Uncon-
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon
the initials of his name). The prize he capt-
ured consisted of sixty -five cannon, 17,600
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,-
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night,
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the
first important success won by the national
troops during the war, and its strategic re-
sults were marked, as the entire States of
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the
National hands. Our hero was made a
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in
command of the District of West Ten-
nessee.
In March, 1862, he was ordered to move
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth,
where the Confederates were concentrat-
ing a large army ; but he was directed not
to attack. His forces, now numbering 38,-
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi-
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more;
but April 6 the Confederates came out from
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant
violently, hoping to overwhelm him before
Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were
beyond supporting distance, so that he was
largely outnumbered and forced back to the
river, where, however, he held out until
dark, when the head of Buell's column
came upon the field. The next day the
Confederates were driven back to Corinth,
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on
both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to
Buell, commanded on both days. Two
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front
and assumed command of the army, Grant
remaining at the head of the right wing and
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was
evacuated by the Confederates. In July
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and
Grant succeeded him in command of the
Department of the Tennessee. September
19 the battle of Iuka was fought, where,
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom-
plete victory was obtained.
Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved
down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks-
burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was
sent by way of the river to attack that place
in front; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's
surrendering Holly Springs to the Con-
federates, Grant was so weakened that he
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman
failed to sustain his intended attack.
In January, 1863, General Grant took
command in person of all the troops in the
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4,
following, the place surrendered, with 31,-
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi
River thus fell permanently into the hands
of the Government. Grant was made a
f. 1 3
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Major-General in the regular army, and in
October following' he was placed in com-
mand of the Division of the Mississippi.
The same month he went to Chattanooga
and saved the Army of the Cumberland
from starvation, and drove Bragg from that
part of the country. This victory over-
threw the last important hostile force west
of the Alleghanies and opened the way for
the National armies into Georgia and Sher-
man's march to the sea.
The remarkable series of successes which
Grant had now achieved pointed him out
as the appropriate leader of the National
armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864,
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he
assumed command of the armies of the
United States. Planning the grand final
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia,
Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler
to capture Richmond, while he fought his
own way from the Rapidan to the James.
The costly but victorious battles of the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture
any particular point. In June, 1864, the
siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman,
meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward
Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the
valley of Virginia, and was superseded by
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na-
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered
up a force which he placed under Sheridan,
and that commander rapidly drove Early,
in a succession of battles, through the valley
of Virginia and destroyed his army as an
organized force. The siege of Richmond
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks,
but was only partially successful. The
people of the North grew impatient, and
even the Government advised him to
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or
crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he
never wavered. He resolved to " fight it
out on that line, if it took all summer."
By September Sherman had made his
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him
on his famous " march to the sea," a route
which the chief had designed six months
before. He made Sherman's success possi-
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of
Richmond, but also by sending reinforce-
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and
defeated the only army which could have
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri-
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's
plans. Each executed his part in the great
design and contributed his share to the re-
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat
the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash-
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him ;
and all this while General Grant was hold-
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate
army, near Richmond, as it were chained
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil-
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he
was sent into the interior of North Caro-
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move
northward to join him. When all this was
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant
brought the cavalry leader to the front of
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove
Lee from his entrenchments and captured
Richmond.
At the beginning of the final campaign
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in
the lines at Richmond, besides the local
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting
to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force
Grant had 110,000 men in the works before
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on the
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch-
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless
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ULTSSES S. GRANT.
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energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows,
and Lee at last found himself not only out-
fought but also out-marched and out-gen-
eraled. Being completely surrounded, he
surrendered on the 9th of April, 1865, at
Appomattox Court-House, in the open field,
with 2.7,000 men, all that remained of his
army. This act virtually ended the war.
Thus, in ten days Grant had captured
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller
ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle,
and received the surrender of 27,000 more
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an
army of 70,000 soldiers.
General Grant returned at once to Wash-
ington to superintend the disbandment of
the armies, but this pleasurable work was
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was
• assassinated. It had doubtless been in-
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ;
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving
Washington early in the evening, declined
an invitation to accompany the President
to the theater where the murder was com-
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson
President, but left Grant by far the most
conspicuous figure in the public life of the
country. He became the object of an en-
thusiasm greater than had ever been known
in America. Every possible honor was
heaped upon him ; the grade of General
was created for him by Congress; houses
were presented to him by citizens ; towns
were illuminated on his entrance into them ;
and, to cap the climax, when he made his
tour around the world, " all nations did him
honor " as they had never before honored
a foreigner.
The General, as Commander-in-Chief,
was placed in an embarrassing position by
the opposition of President Johnson to the
measures of Congress ; but he directly man-
ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi-
dent, although for a short time
served in his cabinet as Secretary
Of course, everybody thought of Ger
Grant as the next President of the United
States, and he was accordingly elected as
such in 1868 "by a large majority," and
four years later re-elected by a much larger
majority — the most overwhelming ever
given by the people of this country. His first
administration was distinguished by a ces-
sation of the strifes which sprang from the
war, by a large reduction of the National
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties
with England which had grown out of the
depredations committed by privateers fit-
ted out in England during the war. This
last settlement was made by the famous
" Geneva arbitration," which saved to this
Government $15,000,000, but, more than all,
prevented a war with England. "Let us
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this
is the most appropriate place to remark
that above all Presidents whom this Gov-
ernment has ever had, General Grant was
the most non-partisan. He regarded the
Executive office as purely and exclusively
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect-
ive of "politics." But every great man
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant
was well aware of.
After the close of his Presidency, our
General made his famous tour around the
world, already referred to, and soon after-
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward,
of New York City, he engaged in banking
and stock brokerage, which business was
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him-
self, by his rascality. By this time an in-
curable cancer of the tongue developed
itself in the person of the afflicted ex-
President, which ended his unrequited life
July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who
was as truly the " father of this regenerated
country" as was Washington the father of
the infant nation.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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UTHERFORD BIRCH-
ARD HAYES, the nine-
teenth President of
the United States,
i877-'8i, was born in
Delaware, Ohio, Oc-
tober 4, 1822. His
ancestry can be traced as far
back as 1280, when Hayes and
Rutherford were two Scottish
chieftains fighting side by side
with Baliol, William Wallace
and Robert Bruce. Both fami-
lies belonged to the nobility,
owned extensive estates and had
a large following. The Hayes
family had, for a coat-of-arms, a
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying
eagle. There was a circle of stars about
the eagle and above the shield, while on a
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed
the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in
1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut.
He was an industrious worker in wood and
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul-
tivated mind. His son George was born
in Windsor and remained there during his
life.
Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsbury, Con-
necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of
President Hayes, was born in New Haven,
in August, 1756. He was a famous black-'
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in
Brattleboro where he established a hotel.
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi-
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813,
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming-
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch-
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor-
wich. Both of her grandfathers were
soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
The father of President Hayes was of a
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow,
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that
he might undertake. He was prosperous
in business, a member of the church and
active in all the benevolent enterprises of
the town. After the close of the war of 1 8 1 2
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a
farm near the present town of Delaware.
His family then consisted of his wife and
two children,, and an orphan girl whom he
had adopted.
It was in 181 7 that the family arrived at
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his
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RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
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farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into
business in the village. He purchased an
interest in a distillery, a business then as re-
spectable as it was profitable. His capital
and recognized ability assured him the
highest social position in the community.
He died July 22, 1822, less than three
months before the birth of the son that was
destined to fill the office of President of the
United States.
Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak,
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble
at birth that he was not expected to live
beyond a month or two at most. As the
months went by he grew weaker and weaker
so that the neighbors were in the habit of
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs.
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc-
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly
terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous
care of him, said to her, in a bantering way,
" That's right ! Stick to him. You have
got him along so far, and I shouldn't won-
der if he would really come to something
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs.
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell
but I shall make him President of the
United States yet."
The boy lived, in spite of the universal
predictions of his speedy death; and when,
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he
became, if possible, still deardr to his mother.
He was seven years old before he was
placed in school. His education, however,
was not neglected. His sports were almost
wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circum-
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that
gentleness of disposition and that delicate
consideration for the feelings of others
which are marked traits of his character.
At school he was ardently devoted to his
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care-
ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of
his schoolmates were involved. He was
always waiting at the school-house door
when it opened in the morning, and never
late in returning to his seat at recess. His
sister Fannie was his constant companion,
and their affection for each other excited
the admiration of their friends.
In 1838 young Hayes entered Kenyon
College and graduated in 1842. He then
began the study of law in the office of
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health
was now well established, his figure robust,
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short
time he determined to enter the law school
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for
two years he pursued his studies with great
diligence.
In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went
into practice as an attorney-at-law with
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he
remained three years, acquiring but limited
practice, and apparently unambitious oi
distinction in his profession. His bachelor
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always
manifested great interest in his nephew and
rendered him assistance in boyhood, was
now a wealthy banker, and it was under-
stood that the young man would be his
heir. It is possible that this expectation
may have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent
to the attainment of wealth than he would
otherwise have been, but he was led into no
extravagance or vices on this account.
In 1849 ne removed to Cincinnati where
his ambition found new stimulus. Two
events occurring at this period had a pow-
erful influence upon his subsequent life.
One of them was his marriage to Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his
introduction to the Cincinnati Literary
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John
Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes.
The marriage was a fortunate one as every-
body knows. Not one of all the wives of
106
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
I
I
our Presidents was more universally ad-
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs.
Hayes, and no one has done more than she
to reflect honor upon American woman-
hood.
In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the
office of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, but declined to accept the nomina-
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the
office of City Solicitor.
In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out,
he was eager to take up arms in the defense
of his country. His military life was
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third
Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was
sent to Virginia. October 15, 1 861, he was
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment,
and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel
of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but
refused to leave his old comrades. He was
wounded at the battle of South Mountain,
and suffered severely, being unable to enter
upon active duty for several weeks. No-
vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo-
ber 15.
December 25, 1862, he was placed in com-
mand of the Kanawha division, and for
meritorious service in several battles was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also
brevetted Major-General for distinguished
He was wounded four
horses were shot from
services in 1864.
times, and five
under him.
Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics,
and was among the first to unite with the
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864
he was elected to Congress from the Sec-
ond Ohio District, which had always been
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098.
In 1 866 he was renominated for Congress
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur-
man, the Democratic candidate, and re-
elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard
died, leaving his large estate to General
Hayes.
In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi-
dency. His letter of acceptance excited
the admiration of the whole country. He
resigned the office of Governor and retired
to his home in Fremont to await the result
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest
he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His
Presidency was characterized by compro-
mises with all parties,, in order to please as
many as possible. The close of his Presi-
dential term in 1881 was the close of his
public life, and since then he has remained
at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso-
nian retirement from public notice, in strik-
ing contrast with most others of the world's
notables.
JAMES A. GARFIELD.
109
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AMES A. GARFIELD,
twentieth President of
the United States, 1881,
was born November 19,
1 83 1, in the wild woods
of Cuyahoga County,
Ohio. His parents were
Abram and Eliza (Ballou)
Garfield, who were of New
England ancestry. The
senior Garfield was an in-
dustrious farmer, as the
rapid improvements which
appeared on his place at-
tested. The residence was
the familiar pioneer log cabin,
and the household comprised the parents
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas,
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the
father died, and the care of the house-
hold consequently devolved upon young
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in-
debted for the educational and other ad-
vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon,
Ohio, near their birthplace.
As the subject of our sketch grew up, he,
too, was industrious, both in mental and
physical labor. He worked upon the farm,
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at
any other odd job that would aid in support
of the family, and in the meantime made the
most of his books. Ever afterward he was
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for-
got the friends of his youth. The poorest
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he
always exhibited the character of a modest
gentleman.
Until he was about sixteen years of age,
James's highest ambition was to be a lake
captain. To this his mother was strongly
opposed, but she finally consented to his
going to Cleveland to carry out his long-
cherished design, with the understanding,
however, that he should try to obtain some
other kind of employment. He walked all
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first
visit to the city. After making many ap-
plications for work, including labor on
board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin,
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl-
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he
quit this and returned home. He then at-
tended the seminary at Chester for about
three years, and next he entered Hiram In-
stitute, a school started in 1850 by the
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was
a member. In order to pay his way he
assumed the duties of janitor, and at times
taught school. He soon completed the cur-
riculum there, and then entered Williams
College, at which he graduated in 1856,
taking one of the highest honors of his class.
^^^m&wmsmzmnsm jEKSMisws*
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi-
dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a
man of strong moral and religious convic-
tions, and as soon as he began to look into
politics, he saw innumerable points that
could be improved. He also studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1859.
November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after-
ward proved a worthy consort in all the
stages of her husband's career. They had
seven children, five of whom are still living.
It was in 1859 that Garfield made his
first political speeches, in Hiram and the
neighboring villages, and three years later
he began to speak at county mass-meetings,
being received everywhere with popular
favor. He was elected to the State Senate
this year, taking his seat in January, i860.
On the breaking out of the war of the
Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to
fight as he had talked, and accordingly he
enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving
his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio Volun-
teer Infantry, August 14, that year. He
was immediately thrown into active service,
and before he had ever seen a gun fired in
action he was placed in command of four
regiments of infantry and eight companies
of cavalry, charged with the work of driv-
ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey
Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky.
This task was speedily accomplished, al-
though against great odds. On account of
his success, President Lincoln commissioned
him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862;
and, as he had been the youngest man in
the Ohio Senate two years before, so now
he was the youngest General in the army.
He was with General Buell's army at Shi-
loh, also in its operations around Corinth
and its march through Alabama. Next, he
was detailed as a member of the general
court-martial for the trial of General Fitz-
John Porter, and then ordered to report to
General Rosecrans, when he was assigned
to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili-
tary history closed with his brilliant ser-
vices at Chickamauga, where he won the
stars of Major-General.
In the fall of 1862, without any effort on
his part, he was elected as a Representative
to Congress, from that section of Ohio
which had been represented for sixty years
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and
Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the
youngest member of that body, and con-
tinued there by successive re-elections, as
Representative or Senator, until he was
elected President in 1880. During his life
in Congress he compiled and published by
his speeches, there and elsewhere, more
information on the issues of the day, espe-
cially on one side, than any other member.
June 8, 1880, at the National Republican
Convention held in Chicago, General Gar-
field was nominated for the Presidency, in
preference to the old war-horses, Blaine
and Grant ; and although many of the Re-
publican party felt sore over the failure of
their respective heroes to obtain the nomi-
nation, General Garfield was elected by a
fair popular majority. He was duly in-
augurated, but on July 2 following, before
he had fairly got started in his administra-
tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented
assassin. After very painful and protracted
suffering, he died September 19, 1881, la-
mented by all the American people. Never
before in the history of this country had
anything occurred which so nearly froze
the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as
the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer.
He was duly tried, convicted and put to
death on the gallows.
The lamented Garfield was succeeded by
the Vice-President, General Arthur, who
seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy
inaugurated by his predecessor.
CHESTER ALLEN
ARTHUR, the twen-
ty-first Chief Execu-
tive of this growing
republic, i88i-'5, was
born in Franklin
County, Vermont,
October 5, 1830, the eldest of a
of two sons and five
enters. His father, Rev.
William Arthur, a Baptist
,'tnan, immigrated to this
from County Antrim,
in his eighteenth year,
ed in 1875, in Newton-
ville, near Albany, New York,
after serving many years as a successful
minister. Chester A. was educated at that
old, conservative institution, Union Col-
lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he
excelled in all his studies. He graduated
there, with honor, and then struck out in
life for himself by teaching school for about
two years in his native State.
At the expiration of that time young
Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the
city of New York and entered the law office
of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In
due time he was admitted to the bar, when
he formed a partnership with his intimate
friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar-
diner, with the intention of practicing law
at some point in the West ; but after spend-
ing about three months in the Westen.
States, in search of an eligible place, they
returned to New York City, leased a room,
exhibited a sign of their business and al-
most immediately enjoyed a paying patron-
age.
At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's
business prospects were so encouraging
that he concluded to take a wife, and ac-
cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu-
tenant Herndon, of the United States Navy,
who had been lost at sea. To the widow
of the latter Congress voted a gold medal,
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery
during the occasion in which he lost his
life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi-
dency, leaving two children.
Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb-
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon
suit, which was brought to recover posses-
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared
free by the Superior Court of New York
City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who
was nominated by the " Straight Demo-
crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi-
dency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem-
li 4
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes,
but he lost the suit. In this case, however,
Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M.
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored
woman was ejected from a stfeet car in
New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car
company in her behalf and recovered $500
damages. Immediately afterward all the
car companies in the city issued orders to
their employes to admit colored persons
upon their cars.
Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well
as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to
prominence in the party of freedom ; and
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to
the first National Republican Convention.
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the
State of New York, and then Engineer-in-
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861,
the first year of the war, he was made In-
spector-General, and next, Quartermaster-
General, in both which offices he rendered
great service to the Government. After
the close of Governor Morgan's term he
resumed the practice of law, forming first a
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse-
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm.
Each of these gentlemen were able lawyers.
November 21, 1872, General Arthur was
appointed Collector of the Port of New
York by President Grant, and he. held the
office until July 20, 1878.
The next event of prominence in General
Arthur's career was his nomination to the
Vice-Presidency of the United States, under
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the
National Republican Convention held at
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar-
field was placed at the head of the ticket.
Both the convention and the campaign that
followed were noisy and exciting. The
friends of Grant, constituting nearly half
the convention, were exceedingly persist-
ent, and were sorely disappointed over
their defeat. At the head of the Demo-
cratic ticket was placed a very strong and
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were
elected by a respectable plurality of the
popular vote. The 4th of March following,
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu-
rated ; but within four months the assassin's
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of
General Garfield, whose life terminated
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur,
ex officio, was obliged to take the chief
reins of government. Some misgivings
were entertained by many in this event, as
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the
Republican party ; but President Arthur
had both the ability and the good sense to
allay all fears, and he gave the restless,
critical American people as good an ad-
ministration as they had ever been blessed
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti-
sanism ever characterized any feature of
his public service. He ever maintained a
high sense of every individual right as well
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood
so high that his successor, President Cleve-
land, though of opposing politics, expressed
a wish in his inaugural address that he
could only satisfy the people with as good
an administration.
• But the day of civil service reform had
come in so far, #nd the corresponding re-
action against " third-termism" had en-
croached so far even upon " second-term"
service, that the Republican party saw fit
in 1 884 to nominate another man for Presi-
dent. Only by this means was General
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash-
ington. On his retirement from the Presi-
dency, March, 1885, he engaged in the
practice of law at New York City, where he
died November 18, 1886.
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ROVER CLEVE-
LAND, the twenty-
second President of the
United States, 1885 — ,
was born in Caldwell,
Essex County, New
Jersey , March 18,
1837. The house in which he
was born, a small two-story
wooden building, is still stand-
ing. It was the parsonage of
the Presbyterian church, of
which his father, Richard
Cleveland, at the time was
pastor. The family is of New
England origin, and for two centuries has
contributed to the professions and to busi-
ness, men who have reflected honor on the
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve-
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in
Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose
house he died. He left a large family of
children, who in time married and settled
in different parts of New England. A
grandson was one of the small American
force that fought the British at Bunker
Hill. He served with gallantry through-
out the Revolution and was honorably
discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in
the Continental army. Another grandson,
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron
Cleveland, who was distinguished as a
writer and member of the Connecticut
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand-
father. William Cleveland became a silver-
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac-
quired by industry some property and sent
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College', where
he graduated in 1824. During a year spent
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after
graduation, he met and fell in love with a
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth.
He was earning his own way in the world
at the time and was unable to marry; but
in three years he . completed a course of
preparation for the ministry, secured a
church in Windham, Connecticut, and
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he
preached for nearly two years, when he
was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey,
where was born Grover Cleveland.
When he was three years old the family
moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County,
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived
until he was fourteen years old, the rugged,
healthful life of a country boy. His frank,
generous manner made him a favorite
among his companions, and their respect
was won by the good qualities in the germ
which his manhood developed. He at-
tended the district school of the village arid
''J''
' i'
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
was for a short time at the academy. His
lather, however, believed that boys should
be taught to labor at an early age, and be-
fore he had completed the course of study
at the aeademy he began to work in the
village store at $50 for the first year, and the
promise of $100 for the second year. His
work was well done and the promised in-
crease of pay was granted the second year.
Meanwhile his father and family had
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton
College, where his father acted as agent to
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions,
preaching in the churches of the vicinity.
Hither Grover came at his father's request
shortly after the beginning of his second
year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After
three years spent in this town, the Rev.
Richard Cleveland was called to the vil-
lage church of Holland Patent. He had
preached here only a month when he was
suddenly stricken down and died without
an hour's warning. The death of the father
left the family in straitened circumstances,
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his
salary of $1,000 per year, which was not
required for the necessary expenses of liv-
ing, upon the education of his children, of
whom there were nine, Grover being the
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil-
ton College, but the death of his father
made it necessary for him to earn his own
livelihood. For the first year (1853-4) ^ e
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in
the Institution for the Blind in New York
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was
for many years the patron. In the winter
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent
where the generous people of that place,
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a
home for his mother, and in the following
spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the
West to earn his living.
Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to
an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known
stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few
miles distant. He communicated his plans
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of
the West, and finally induced the enthusi-
astic boy of seventeen to remain with him
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded
short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer-
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen
& Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a
few months without pay, was paid $4 a
week — an amount barely sufficient to meet
the necessary expenses of his board in the
family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle
with the world. He took his breakfast by
candle-light with the drovers, and went at
once to the office where the whole day was
spent in work and study. Usually he re-
turned again at night to resume reading
which had been interrupted by the duties
of the day. Gradually his employers came
to recognize the ability, trustworthiness
and capacity for hard work in their young
employe, and by the time he was admitted
to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con-
fidence. A year later he was made confi-
dential and managing clerk, and in the
course of three years more his salary had
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap-
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie
County by the district attorney, the Hon.
C. C. Torrance.
Since his first vote had been cast in 1858
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until
he was chosen Governor he always made
it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the
polls and give out ballots to Democratic
voters. During the first year of his term
as assistant district attorney, the Democrats
desired especially to carry the Board of Su-
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250
majority, but at the urgent request of the
W« t. ^-»-" -™-M- m -"« "-»-»« llg ireiwiswii»n^-» M »„»
iir
party Grover Cleveland consented to be
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor,
and came within thirteen votes of an elec-
tion. The three years spent in the district
attorney's office were devoted to assiduous
labor and the extension of his professional
attainments. He then formed a law part-
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel,
ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul-
ders, and he soon won a good standing at
the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr.
Cleveland formed a partnership with ex-
Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol-
som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve-
land & Folsom. During these years he
began to earn a moderate professional in-
come; but the larger portion of it was sent
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent
to whose support he had contributed ever
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie
County, i870-'4, and then resumed the
practice of law, associating himself with the
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.
The firm was strong and popular, and soon
commanded a large and lucrative practice.
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass
in 1879, an d the firm became Cleveland &
Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was
added to the firm.
In the autumn election of 1881 he was
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given
a candidate for mayor— and the Democratic
city ticket was successful, although the
Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000
majority for their State ticket. Grover
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully
justified the confidence reposed in him by
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the
great vote he received.
The Democratic State Convention met
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi-
nated Grover Cleveland for Governor
on the third ballot and Cleveland was
elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall of
1884 he was elected President of the United
States by about 1,000 popular majority,
in New York State, and he was accordingly
inaugurated the 4th of March following.
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ASQRIGEN&E-.
|HE race or races who
occupied this beau-
tiful prairie country
before the advent of
the whites from Eu-
rope had no litera-
ture, and therefore
have left us no history of
themselves. Not even tra-
ditions, to any extent, have
been handed down to us.
Hence, about all we know
of the Indians, previous to
explorations by the whites,
is derived from mounds
and a few simple relics.
The mounds were erected
by a people generally denominated Mound
Builders, but whether they were a distinct
race from the Indians is an unsettled ques-
tion. Prof. Alex. Winchell, of the Michigan
State University, as well as a number of
other investigators, is of the opinion that
those who built mounds, mined copper and
iron, made elaborate implements of war,
agriculture and domestic economy, and
built houses and substantial villages, etc.,
were no other than the ancestors of the
present Indians, who, like the ancient
Greeks and Romans, were more skilled in
the arts of life than their successors during
the middle ages. Most people have their
periods of decline, as well as those of prog-
ress. The Persians, Hindoos and Chinese,
although so long in existence as distinct
nations, have been forages in a state of de-
cay. Spain and Italy do not improve,
while Germany, Russia and the United
States have now their turn in enjoying a
rapid rise. Similarly, the Indians have long
been on the decline in the practical arts of
life. Even since the recent days of Feni-
more Cooper, the " noble " red men have
degenerated into savages, despite the close
contact of the highest order of civilization.
Nearly all modern authorities unite in
the opinion that the American continent
was first peopled from Eastern Asia, either
by immigration across Behring's Strait or
by shipwrecks of sailors from the Kamt-
schatkan and Japanese coast. If mankind
originated at the north pole, and subse-
quently occupied an Atlantic continent,
now submerged, it is possible that the
American Indians are relics of polar or
Atlantic races.
The ancient race which built the towns
and cities of Mexico and the Western
United States is called the Aztec, and even
of them is scarcely anything known save
what can be learned from their buried
structures. The few inscriptions that are
found seem to be meaningless.
Indian mounds are found throughout
the United States east of the Rocky
Mountains, but are far more abundant in
some places than others. In this State
they abound near the principal rivers.
They vary in size from a few to hundreds
of feet in diameter, and from three to fifteen
or more feet in height. They are generally
round, or nearly so, but in a few notable
exceptions they bear a rude resemblance in
their outline to,the figure of some animal.
Their contents are limited, both in quantity
and variety, and consist mainly of human
bones, stone implements, tobacco pipes,
beads, etc. The stone implements are axes,
skinning knives, pestles and mortars, arrow
points, etc. The human bones are often
found in a mass as if a number of corpses had
been buried together, and indicate that their
possessors were interred in a sitting posture.
Judge Samuel Murdock, of Elkader, this
State, who has made this subject a special
study for many years, is of the opinion that
these remains are not of subjects who were
inhumed as corpses, but of persons who,
under the influence of a savage religion,
voluntarily sacrificed themselves by under-
going a burial when alive.
CAUCASIAN.
The first member of this race to discover
the Mississippi River was Ferdinand De
Soto, a Spaniard, who explored the region
of the Lower Mississippi in 1541, but came
no farther north than the 35th parallel.
He founded no settlements, nor was he ever
followed by others of his country to make
settlements, and hence Spain lost her title
to the country which she had earned by
discovery through her subject, De Soto.
At a subsequent period a Frenchman re-
discovered the realm, took possession of it
in the name of France, and his fellow
countrymen soon followed and effected
actual settlements. Accordingly, in 1682,
France claimed the country, and, accord-
ing to the usage of European nations,
earned a proper title to the same. The re-
sult was a collision between those two na-
tions, success finally crowning the efforts of
France.
In a grand council of Indians, on the
shore of Lake Superior, they told the
Frenchmen glowing stories of the " Father
of Waters " and of the adjacent country,
and in 1669 Jacques Marquette, a zealous
and shrewd Jesuit missionary, became in-
spired with the idea of visiting this re-
gion, in the interests of civilization. After
studying the language and customs of
the Illinois Indians until 1673, he made prep-
arations for the journey, in which he was
to be accompanied by Louis Joliet, an agent
of the French Government. The Indians,
who had gathered in large numbers to wit-
ness his departure, endeavored to dissuade
him from the undertaking, representing that
the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were
cruel and bloodthirsty. The great river
itself, they said, was the abode of terrible
monsters which could swallow men, canoes
and all. But the shrewd missionary, already
aware of Indian extravagance in descrip-
tion, set out upon the contemplated jour-
ney May 13. With the aid of two Miami
guides he proceeded to the Wisconsin
River, and down that stream to the Mis-
sissippi. Floating down the latter he dis-
covered, on the 25th of June, traces of
Indians on the west bank, and landed.
This was at a point a little above the mouth
of the Des Moines River, and thus a Euro-
pean first trod the soil of Iowa. After re-
maining a short time and becoming ac-
quainted with the red man as he then and
there exhibited himself, he proceeded down
to the mouth of the Illinois, thence up
that river and by Lake Michigan to the
French settlements.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
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Nine years later, in 1682, Rene Robert
Cavelier La Salle descended the Missis-
sippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and in the name
of the King of France took formal posses-
sion of all the Mississippi Valley, naming it
Louisiana, in honor of his king, Louis XIV.
The river itself he named Colbert, in honor
of the French minister. Soon afterward
the Government of France began to en-
courage the establishment of a line of trad-
ing posts and missionary stations through-
out the West from Canada to Louisiana,
and this policy was maintained with par-
tial success for about seventy-five years.
Christian zeal animated both France and
England in missionary enterprise, the
former in the interests of Catholicism and
the latter in favor of Protestantism. Hence
their haste to pre-occupy the land and prose-
lyte the aborigines; but this ugly rivalry dis-
gusted the Indians and they refused to be
converted to either branch of Christianity.
The traders also persisted in importing
whisky, which canceled nearly every civ-
ilizing influence that could be brought to
bear upon t he savages. Another character-
istic of Indian nature was to listen atten-
tively to all that the missionary said, pre-
tending to believe all he preached, and then
offer in turn his theory of the world, of re-
ligion, etc.; and, not being listened to with
the same degree of attention and pretense
of belief, would depart from the white
man's presence in disgust. This was his
idea of the golden rule.
Comparatively few Indians were perma-
nently located' within the present bounds
of the State of Iowa. Favorite hunting
grounds were resorted to by certain bands
for a time, and afterward by others, subject
to the varying fortunes of their little wars.
The tribes were principally the Illinois,
Iowas, Dakotas, Sioux, Pottawatomies and
finally the Sacs and Foxes.
In 1765 the Miami confederacy was com-
posed of four tribes, whose total number
of warriors was estimated at only 1,050
men. Of these about 250 were Twigh twees,
or Miamis proper; 300 Weas, or Ouiate-
nons; 300 Piankeshaws and 200 Shockeys;
but their headquarters were along the
Maumee River, in Indiana and Ohio.
From 1688 to 1697 the wars in which
France and England were engaged re-
tarded the growth of their American colo-
nies. The efforts made by France to
connect Canada and the Gulf of Mexico by
a chain of trading posts and colonies nat-
urally excited the jealousy of England and
gradually laid the foundation for a struggle
at arms. The crisis came and the contest
obtained the name of the French and Indian
war, the French and Indians combining
against the English. The war was termi-
nated in 1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which
France ceded to Great Britain all of North
America east of the Mississippi, except the
island on which New Orleans is situated.
The preceding autumn France ceded to
Spain all the country west of that river.
In 1765 the total number of French fami-
lies within the limits of the Northwest Ter-
ritory did not probably exceed 600. These
were in settlements about Detroit, along
the river Wabash and the neighborhood of
Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. The
colonial policy of the British Government
opposed any measures which might
strengthen settlements in the interior of
this country, lest they should become self-
supporting and consequently independent
of the mother country. Hence the settle-
ment of the Northwest was still further
retarded. That short-sighted policy con-
sisted mainly in holding the lands in the
possession of the Government, and not
allowing it to be subdivided and sold to
those who would become settlers. After
the establishment of American indepen-
dence, and especially under the administra-
tion of Thomas Jefferson, both as Governor
of Virginia and President of the United
, '5
L
States, subdivision of land and giving it to
actual settlers rapidly peopled this portion
of the Union, so that the Northwest Terri-
tory was formed and even subdivided into
other Territories and States before the
year 1820.
For more than 100 years after Marquette
and Joliet trod the virgin soil of Iowa and
admired its fertile plains, not a single settle-
ment was made or attempted ; not even a
trading-post was established. During this
time the Illinois Indians, once a powerful
tribe, gave up the entire possession of this
" Beautiful Land," as Iowa was then called,
to the Sacs and Foxes. In 1803, when
Louisiana was purchased by the United
States, the Sacs, Foxes and Iowas pos-
sessed' this entire State, and the two for-
mer tribes occupied also most of the State
of Illinois. The four most important towns
of the Sacs were along the Mississippi, two
on the east side, one near the mouth of the
Upper Iowa and one at the head of the
Des Moines Rapids, near the present site
of Montrose. Those of the Foxes were —
one on the west side of the Mississippi just
above Davenport, one about twelve miles
from the river back of the Dubuque lead
mines and one on Turkey River. The
principal village of the Iowas was on the
Des Moines River, in Van Buren County,
where Iowaville now stands. Here the last
great battle between the Sacs and Foxes
and the Iowas was fought, in which Black
Hawk, then a young man, commanded the
attacking forces.
The Sioux had the northern portion of
this State and Southern Minnesota. They
were a fierce and war-like nation, who often
disputed possessions with their rivals in
savage and bloody warfare ; but finally a
boundary line was established between
them by the Government of the United
States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien
in 1825. This, however, became the occa-
sion of an increased number of quarrels be-
tween the tribes, as each trespassed, or was
thought to trespass, upon the other's side of
the line. In 1830, therefore, the Govern-
ment created a forty-mile neutral strip of
land between them, which policy proved to
be more successful in the interests of peace.
Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana by
our Government, the latter adopted meas-
ures for the exploration of the new terri-
tory, having in view the conciliation of the
numerous tribes of Indians by whom it was
possessed, and also the selection of proper
sites for military posts and trading stations.
The Army of the West, General Wilkin-
son commanding, had its headquarters at
St. Louis. From this post Captains Lewis
and Clarke, in 1805, were detailed with a
sufficient force to explore the Missouri
River to its source, and Lieutenant Zebulon
M. Pike to ascend to the head of the Missis-
sippi. August 20 the latter arrived within
the present limits of Iowa, at the foot of the
Des Moines Rapids, where he met William
Ewing, who had just been appointed Indian
Agent at this point, a French interpreter,
four chiefs and fifteen Sac and Fox war-
riors. At the head of the rapids, where
Montrose now is, Pike held a council with
the Indians, merely for the purpose of stat-
ing to them that the President of the United
States wished to inquire into the needs of
the red man, with a view of suggesting
remedies.
On the 23d he reached what is supposed
from his description to be the site of Bur-
lington, which place he designated for a
post; but the station, probably by some
mistake, was afterward placed at Fort Madi-
son. After accidentally separating from his
men and losing his way, suffering at one
time for six days for want of food, and after
many other mishaps Lieutenant Pike over-
took the remainder of the party at the point
now occupied by Dubuque, who had gone
on up the river hoping to overtake him. At
that point Pike was cordially received by
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman who held a
mining claim under a grant from Spain, but
was not disposed to publish the wealth of
his possessions. Having an old field-piece
with him, however, he fired a salute in
honor of the first visit of an agent from the
United States to that part of the country,
and Pike pursued his way up the river.
At what was afterward Fort Snelling,
Minnesota, Lieutenant Pike held a council
with the Sioux September 23, and obtained
from them a grant of 100,000 acres of land.
January 8 following (1806) he arrived at a
trading post on Lake De Sable, belonging
to the Northwestern Fur Company, whose
field of operations at that time included this
State. Pike returned to St. Louis the fol-
lowing spring, after making a successful
expedition.
Before this country could be opened for
settlement by the whites, it was necessary
that Indian title should be extinguished and
the aboriginal owners removed. When the
Government assumed control of the country
by virtue of the Louisiana purchase, nearly
the whole State was in possession of the
Sacs and Foxes, at whose head stood the
rising Black Hawk. November 3, 1804, a
treaty was concluded with these tribes by
which they ceded to the United States the
Illinois side of the great river, in consider-
ation of $2,234 worth of goods then de-
livered, and an annuity of $1,000 to be paid
in goods at cost ; but Black Hawk always
maintained that the chiefs who entered into
that compact acted without authority, and
that therefore the treaty was not binding.
The first fort erected on Iowa soil was at
Fort Madison. A short time previously a
military post was fixed at what is now
Warsaw, Illinois, and named Fort Edwards.
These enterprises caused mistrust among
the Indians. Indeed, Fort Madison was
located in violation of the treaty of 1804.
The Indians sent delegations to the whites
at these forts to learn what they were do-
ing, and what they intended. On being
"informed" that those structures were
merely trading-posts, they were incredu-
lous and became more and more suspicious.
Black Hawk therefore led a party to the
vicinity of Fort Madison and attempted its
destruction, but a premature attack by him
caused his failure.
In 1 812, when war was declared between
this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk
and his band allied themselves to the British,
partly because they were dazzled by their
specious promises, but mostly, perhaps, be-
cause they had been deceived by the Amer-
icans. Black Hawk said plainly that the
latter fact was the cause. A portion of the
Sacs and Foxes, however, headed by Keo-
kuk ("watchful fox"), could not be per-
suaded into hostilities against the United
States, being disposed to abide by the
treaty of 1804. The Indians were there-
fore divided into the " war " and the
" peace " parties. Black Hawk says he
was informed, after he had gone to the war,
that his people, left on the west side of the
river, would be defenseless against the
United States forces in case they were at-
tacked ; and, having all the old men, the
women and the children on their hands to
provide for, a council was held, and it was
determined to have the latter go to St.
Louis and place themselves under the
" American" chief stationed there. Ac-
cordingly they went down, and were re-
ceived as the " friendly band " of Sacs and
Foxes, and were provided for and sent up
the Missouri River.
On Black Hawk's return from the British
army, he says that Keokuk was introduced
to him as the war chief of the braves then
in the village. On inquiry as to how he
became chief, there were given him the
particulars of his having killed a Sioux in
battle, which fact placed him among the
warriors, and of his having headed an ex-
pedition in defense of their village at Peoria.
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In person Keokuk was tall and of portly
bearing, and in speech he was an orator.
He did not master the English language,
however, and his interpreters were never
able to do him justice. He was a friend of
our Government, and always endeavored
to persuade the Indians that it was useless
to attack a nation so powerful as that of
the United States. .
The treaty of 1804 was renewed in 1816,
which Black Hawk himself signed ; but he
afterward held that he was deceived, and
that that treaty was not even yet binding.
But there was no further serious trouble
with the Indians until the noted " Black
Hawk war" of 1832, all of which took place
in Illinois and Wisconsin, with the expected
result — the defeat and capture of the great
chief, and the final, effectual and permanent
repulsion of all hostile Indians to the west
of the great Mississippi. Black Hawk died
October 3, 1838, at his home in this State,
and was buried there ; but his remains were
afterward placed in the museum of the His-
torical Society, where they were accident-
ally destroyed by fire.
More or less affecting the territory now
included within the State of Iowa, fifteen
treaties with the Indians have been made,
an outline of which is here given. In 1804,
when the whites agreed not to settle west
of the Mississippi on Indian lands. In 1815,
with the Sioux, ratifying peace with Great
Britain and the United States ; with the
Sacs, a treaty of a similar nature, and also
ratifying that of 1804, the Indians agreeing
not to join their brethren who, under Black
Hawk, had aided the British ; with the
Foxes, ratifying the treaty of 1804, the In-
dians agreeing to deliver up all their
prisoners ; and with the Iowas, a treaty of
friendship. In 1816, with the Sacs of Rock
River, ratifying the treaty of 1804. In 1824,
with the Sacs and Foxes, the latter relin-
quishing all their lands in Missouri ; and
that portion of the southeast corner of
Iowa known as the " half-breed tract " was
set off to the half-breeds. In 1825, placing
a boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes
on the south and the Sioux on the north.
In 1830, when that line was widened to
forty miles. Also, in the same year, with
several tribes, who ceded a large portion of
their possessions in the western part of the
State. In 1832, with the Winnebagoes, ex-
changing lands with them and providing a
school, farm, etc., for them. Also, in the
same year, the " Black Hawk purchase "
was made, of about 6,000,000 acres, along
the west side of the Mississippi from the
southern line of the State to the mouth of
the Iowa River. In 1836, with the Sacs and
Foxes, ceding Keokuk's reserve to the
United States. In 1837, with the same,
when another slice of territory, comprising
1,250,000 acres, joining west of the forego-
ing tract, was obtained. Also, in the same
year, when these Indians gave up all their
lands allowed them under former treaties ;
and finally, in 1842, when they relinquished
their title to all their lands west of the
Mississippi.
Before the whole of Iowa fell into the
hands of the United States Government
sundry white settlers had, under the Spanish
and French Governments, obtained and oc-
cupied several important claims within our
boundaries, which it may be well to notice
in brief. September 22, 1788, Julien Du-
buque, before mentioned, obtained a lease
of lands from the Fox Indians, at the point
now occupied by the city named after him.
This tract contained valuable lead ore, and
Dubuque followed mining. His claims,
however, as well as those to whom he after-
ward conveyed title, were litigated for
many years, with the final result of dis-
appointing the purchasers. In 1799 Louis
Honori obtained a tract of land about three
miles square where Montrose is now sit-
uated, and his title, standing through all
the treaties and being finally confirmed by
Bi.HaiHnlSctJ. B .a.BBB.Hai i Mt. lK
gagyjBSJ «ng»g it! gigMg5gg lH
Hisronr OF IOWA.
129
the Supreme Court of the United States, is
the oldest legal title held by a white man
in the State of Iowa. A tract of 5,860 acres
in Clayton County was granted by the
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Louisiana
in 1795 to Basil Girard, whose title was
made valid some time after the preceding
case was settled.
Other early settlers were : Mr. Johnson,
an agent of the American Fur Company,
who had a trading-post below Burlington.
Le Moliere, a French trader, had, in 1820,
a station at what is now Sandusky, in Lee
County, six miles above Keokuk. During
the same year Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a sur-
geon of the United States army, built a
cabin where the city of Keokuk now stands.
His marriage and subsequent life were so
romantic that we give the following brief
sketch :
While stationed at a military post on the
Upper Mississippi, the post was visited by
a beautiful Indian maiden — whose native
name unfortunately has not been preserved
— who, in her dreams, had seen a white
brave unmoor his canoe, paddle it across
the river and come directly to her lodge.
She felt assured, according to the super-
stitious belief of her race, that in her dreams
she had seen her future husband, and had
come to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr.
Muir she instantly recognized him as the
hero of her dream, which, with childlike
innocence and simplicity, she related to
him. Her dream was, indeed, prophetic.
Charmed with Sophia's beauty, innocence
and devotion, the Doctor honorably mar-
ried her, but after a while the sneers and
gibes of his brother officers — less honorable
than he, perhaps — made him feel ashamed
of his dark-skinned wife, and when his regi-
ment was ordered down the river to Belle-
fontaine, it is said that he embraced the
opportunity to rid himself of her, and left
her, never expecting to see her again, and
little dreaming that she would have the
courage to follow him. Rut, with her in-
fant child, this intrepid wife and mother
started alone in her canoe, and after many
days of weary labor and a lonely journey of
900 miles, she at last reached him. She
afterward remarked, when speaking of this
toilsome journey down the river in search
of her husband, " When I got there I was
all perished away — so thin !" The Doctor,
touched by such unexampled devotion,
took her to his heart, and ever after until
his death treated her with marked respect.
She always presided at his table with grace
and dignity, but never abandoned her na-
tive style of dress. In i8i9-'20 he was
stationed at Fort Edward, now Warsaw,
but the senseless ridicule of some of his
brother officers on account of his Indian
wife induced him to resign his commission.
He then built a cabin as above stated,
where Keokuk is now situated, and made
a claim to some land. This claim he leased
to Otis Reynolds and John Culver, of St.
Louis, and went to La Pointe (afterward
Galena), where he practiced his profession
for ten years, when he returned to Keokuk.
His Indian wife bore to him four children —
Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr.
Muir died suddenly of cholera in 1832, but
left his property in such a condition that it
was soon wasted in vexatious litigation, and
his brave and faithful wife, left friendless
and penniless, became discouraged, and,
with her two younger children, disap-
peared. It is said she returned to her peo-
ple on the Upper Missouri.
The gentleman who had leased Dr.
Muir's claim at Keokuk subsequently em-
ployed as their agent Moses Stillwell, who
arrived with his family in 1828, and took
possession. His brothers-in-law, Amos and
Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him
and settled near. Mr. Stillwell's daughter
Margaret (afterward Mrs. Ford) was born
in 1 83 1, at the foot of the rapids, called by
the Indians Puckashetuck. She was prob-
^■■■igiaig!B B^»ii^nTOr»ir
^"■t-w
13°
HISTORY OF IOWA.
1* .
i s5
ably the first white American child born in
Iowa.
In 1829 Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a settle-
ment on the Lower Rapids, at what is now
Nashville. The same year James S. Lang-
worthy, who had been engaged in lead-
mining at Galena since 1824, commenced
lead-mining in the vicinity of Dubuque. A
few others afterward came to that point as
miners, and they soon found it necessary to
hold a council and adopt some regulations
for their government and protection. They
met in 1830 on the bank of the river, by the
side 1 of an old cotton wood drift log, at what
is now the Jones Street Levee in Dubuque,
and elected a committee, consisting of J. L.
Langvvorthy, H. F. Lander, James Mc-
Phetres, Samuel Scales and E. M. Wren,
who drafted a set of rules, which were
adopted by this, the first "Legislature" of
Iowa. They elected Dr. Jarote as their
officer to choose arbitrators for the settle-
ment of difficulties that might arise. These
settlers, however, were intruders upon In-
dian territory, and were driven off in 1832
by our Government, Colonel Zachary Tay-
lor commanding the troops. The Indians
returned and were encouraged to operate
the rich mines opened by the late white
occupants.
But in June of the same year the troops
were ordered to the east side of the Missis-
sippi to assist in the annihilation of the
very Indians whose rights they had been
protecting on the west side !
Immediately after the close of the Black
Hawk war and the negotiations of the treaty
in September, 1832, by which the Sacs and
Foxes ceded the tract known as the " Black
Hawk Purchase," the settlers, supposing
that now they had a right to re-enter the
territory, returned and took possession of
their claims, built cabins, erected furnaces
and prepared large quantities of lead for
market. But the prospects of the hardy
and enterprising settlers and miners were
again ruthlessly interfered with by the
Government, on the ground that the treaty
with the Indians would not go into force
until June 1, 1833, although they had with-
drawn from the vicinity of the settlement.
Colonel Taylor was again ordered by the
War Department to remove the miners,
and in January, 1833, troops were again
sent from Prairie du Chien to Dubuque for
that purpose. This was a serious and per-
haps unnecessary hardship imposed upon
the miners. They were compelled to aban-
don their cabins and homes in mid-winter.
This, too, was only out of respect for forms ;
for the purchase had been made, and the
Indians had retired. After the lapse of
fifty years, no very satisfactory reason for
this rigorous action of the Government can
be given. But the orders had been given,
and there was no alternative but to obey.
Many of the settlers re-crossed the river,
and did not return; a few, however, re-
moved to an island near the east bank of
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in
which to store their lead until spring, when
they could float the fruits of their labor to
St. Louis for sale, and where they could re-
main until the treaty went into force, when
they could return. Among these were the
Langworthy brothers, who had on hand
about 300,000 pounds of lead.
No sooner had the miners left than Lieu-
tenant Covington, who had been placed in
command at Dubuque by Colonel Taylor,
ordered some of the cabins of the settlers to
be torn down, and wagons and other prop-
erty to be destroyed. This wanton and
inexcusable action on the part of a subordi-
nate, clothed with a little brief authority,
was sternly rebuked by Colonel Taylor, and
Covington was superseded by Lieutenant
George Wilson, who pursued a just and
friendly course with the pioneers, that were
only waiting for the time when they could
repossess their claims.
The treaty went formally into effect June,
HISTORY OF IOWA.
131
1833, the troops were withdrawn, and the
Langworthy brothers and a few others at
once returned and resumed possession of
their homes and claims. From this time
must date the first permanent settlement of
this portion of Iowa. John P. Sheldon was
appointed superintendent of the mines by
the Government, and a system of permits
to miners and licenses to smelters was
adopted, similar to that which had been
in Operation at Galena since 1825, under
Lieutenant Martin Thomas and Captain
Thomas C. Legate. Substantially the primi-
tive law enacted by the miners assembled
around that old cottonwood drift log in
1830, was adopted and enforced by the
United States Government, except tha"t
miners were required to sell their mineral
to licensed smelters, and the smelter was
required to give bonds for the payment of
6 per cent, of all lead manufactured to_the
Government
About 500 people arrived in the mining
district in 1833, after the Indian title was
fully extinguished, of whom 150 were from
Galena. In the same year Mr. Langworthy
assisted in building the first school- house in
Iowa, and thus was formed the nucleus of
the populous and thriving city of Dubuque.
Mr. Langworthy lived to see the naked
prairie on which he first settled become the
site of a city of 15,000 inhabitants, the small
school-house which he aided in construct-
ing replaced by three substantial edifices,
wherein 2,000 children were being trained,
churches erected in every part of the city,
and railroads connecting the wilderness
which he first explored with all the eastern
world. He died suddenly on the 13th of
March, 1865, while on a trip over the Du-
buque & Southern Railroad, at Monticello,
and the evening train brought the news of
his death and his remains.
• Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was
one of the most worthy, gifted and influ-
ential of the old settlers of this section of
11
Iowa. He died greatly lamented by many
friends, in June, 1865.
The name Dubuque was given to the
settlement by the miners, at a meeting held
in 1834.
Soon after the close of the Black Hawk
war in 1832, Zachariah Hawkins, Benjamin
Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine Horton,
Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson and Peter
Williams made claims at Fort Madison. In
1833 General John H. Knapp and Colonel
Nathaniel Knapp purchased these claims,
and in the summer of 1835 they laid out the
town of " Fort Madison." Lots were ex-
posed for sale early in 1836. The town was
subsequently re-surveyed and platted by
the United States Government. The popu-
lation rapidly increased, and in less than
two years the beautiful location was cov-
ered by a flourishing town, containing
nearly 600 inhabitants, with a large pro-
portion of enterprising merchants, median-
ics and manufacturers.
In the fall of 1832 Simpson S. White
erected a cabin on the site of Burlington,
seventy-nine miles below Rock Island.
During the war parties had looked long-
ingly upon the " Flint Hills" from the op-
posite side of the river, and White was
soon followed by others. David Tothers
made a claim on the prairie about three
miles back from the river, at a place since
known as the farm of Judge Morgan. The
following winter the settlers were driven
off by the military from Rock Island, as
intruders upon the rights of the Indians.
White's cabin was burned by the soldiers.
He returned to Illinois, where he remained
during the winter, and in the following
summer, as soon as the Indian title was ex,
tinguished, returned and rebuilt his cabin.
White was joined by his brother-in-law,
Doolittle, and they laid out the town of
Burlington in 1834, on a beautiful area of
sloping eminences and gentle declivities,
enclosed within a natural amphitheater
formed by the surrounding hills, which
were crowned with luxuriant forests and
presented the most picturesque scenery.
The same autumn witnessed the opening of
the first dry-goods stores by Dr. W. R. Ross
and Major Jeremiah Smith, each well sup-
plied with Western merchandise. Such
was the beginning of Burlington, which in
less than four years became the seat, of
government for the Territory of Wisconsin,
and in three years more contained a popu-
lation of 1,400 persons.
Immediately after the treaty with the
Sacs and Foxes, in September, 1832, Colonel
George Davenport made the first claim on
the site of the present thriving city of
Davenport. As early as 1827, Colonel
Davenport had established a flat-boat ferry,
which ran between the island and the main
shore of Iowa, by which he carried on a
trade with the Indians west of the Missis-
sippi. In 1833 Captain Benjamin W. Clark
moved from Illinois, and laid the founda-
tion of the town of Buffalo, in Scott County,
which was the first actual settlement within
the limits of that county.
The first settlers of Davenport were An-
toine Le Claire, Colonel George Davenport,
Major Thomas Smith, Major William Gor-
don, Philip Hambough, Alexander W. Mc-
Gregor, Levi S. Colton, Captain James May
and others.
A settlement was made in Clayton County
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey River, by
Robert Hatfield and William W. Wayman.
No further settlement was made in this part
of the State until 1836.
The first settlers of Muscatine County
were Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G.
W. Kasey, all of whom came in 1834. E.
E. Fay, William St, John. N. Fullington,
H. Reece, Jonas Pettibone, R. P. Lowe,
Stephen Whicher, Abijah Whitney, J. E.
Fletcher, W. D. Abernethy and Alexis
Smith were also early settlers of Musca-
tine.
!*-■■■*
ig.maa"in"« » ..''.i' ' c
3;SB al W a ^M' | j^CT fifl|'g^«a"ll«g
As early as 1824 a French trader named
Hart had established a trading-post, and
built a cabin on the bluffs above the large
spring now known as " Mynster Spring,"
within the limits of , the present city of
Council Bluffs, and had probably been there
some time, as the post was known to the
employes of the American Fur Company
as " La Cote de Hart," or " Hart's Bluff."
In 1827 an agent of the American Fur
Company, Francis Guittar, with others,
encamped in the timber at the foot of the
bluffs, about on the present location of
Broadway, and afterward settled there. In
1839 a block house was built on the bluff in
the east part of the city. The Pottawat-
omie Indians occupied this part of the
State until 1 846-7, when they relinquished
the territory and removed to Kansas. Billy
Caldwell was then principal chief. There
were no white settlers in that part of the
State except Indian traders, until the arri-
val of the Mormons under the lead of Brig-
ham Young. These people on their way
westward halted for the winter of i846-'7,
on the west bank of the Missouri River,
about five miles above Omaha, at a place
now called Florence. Some of them had
reached the eastern bank of the river the
spring before in season to plant a crop. In
the spring of 1847 Brigham Young and a
portion of the colony pursued their journey
to Salt Lake, but a large portion of them
returned to the Iowa side and settled mainly
within the present limits of Pottawatomie
County. The principal settlement of this
strange community was at a place first
called " Miller's Hollow," on Indian Creek,
and afterward named Kanesville, in honor
of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, of Pennsyl-
vania, who visited them soon afterward.
The Mormon settlement extended over
the county and into neighboring counties,'
wherever timber and water furnished de-
sirable locations. Orson Hyde, priest, law-
yer and editor, was installed as president
1*
(I
I
I!
of the Quorum of Twelve, and all that part
of the State remained under Mormon con-
trol for several years. In 1847 they raised
a battalion numbering 500 men for the
Mexican war. In 1848 Hyde started a
paper called the Frontier Guardian, at
Kanesville. In 1849, a fter many of the
faithful had left to join Brigham Young at
Salt Lake, the Mormons in this section of
Iowa numbered 6,552, and in 1850, 7,828;
but they were not all within the limits of
Pottawatomie County. This county was
organized in 1848, all the first officials be-
ing Mormons. In 1852 the order was pro-
mulgated that all the true believers should
gather together at Salt Lake. Gentiles
flocked in, and in a few years nearly all
the first settlers were gone.
May 9, 1843, Captain James Allen, with
a small detachment of troops on board the
steamer lone, arrived at the site of the
present capital of the State, Des Moines.
This was the first steamer to ascend the Des
Moines River to this point. The troops
and stores were landed at what is now the
foot of Court avenue, and the Captain re-
turned in the steamer to Fort Sanford to
arrange for bringing up more soldiers and
supplies. In due time they too arrived,
and a fort was built near the mouth of Rac-
coon Fork, at its confluence with the Des
Moines, and named "Fort Des Moines."
Soon after the arrival of the troops, a trad-
ing-post was established on the east side of
the river by two noted Indian traders
named Ewing, from Ohio. Among the
first settlers in this part of Iowa were Ben-
jamin Bryant, J. B. Scott, James Drake
(gunsmith), John Sturtevant, Robert Kin-
zie, Alexander Turner, Peter Newcomer
and others.
PIONEER LIFE.
Most of the early settlers of Iowa came
from older States, as Pennsylvania, New
York and Ohio, where their prospects for
even a competency were very poor. They
found those States good — to emigrate from.
Their entire stock of furniture, implements
and family necessities were easily stored
in one wagon, and sometimes a cart was
their only vehicle.
After arriving and selecting a suitable
location, the next thing to do was to build
a log cabin, a description of which may be
interesting to many of our younger readers,
as in some sections these old-time struct-
ures are no more to be seen. Trees of
uniform size were chosen and cut into logs
of the desired length, generally twelve to
fifteen feet, and hauled to the spot selected
for the future dwelling. On an appointed
day the few neighbors who were available
would assemble and have a " house-raising."
Each end of every log was saddled and
notched so that they would lie as close down
as possible; the next day the proprietor,
would proceed to " chink " and " daub "
the cabin, to keep out the rain, wind and
cold. The house had to be re-daubed ev-
ery fall, as the rains of the intervening time
would wash out a great part of the mortar.
The usual height of the house was seven or
eight feet. The gables were formed by
shortening the logs gradually at each end
of the building near the top. The roof was
made by laying very straight small logs or
stout poles suitable distances apart, and on
these were laid the clapboards, somewhat
like shingling, generally about two and a
half feet to the weather. These clapboards
were fastened to their place by " weight-
poles" corresponding in place with the
joists just described, and these again were
held in their place by " runs " or " knees "
which were chunks of wood about eighteen
or twenty inches long fitted between them
near the ends. Clapboards were made
from the nicest oaks in the vicinity, by
chopping or sawing them into four-foot
blocks and riving these with a frow, which
was a simple blade fixed at right angles to
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M - ™"™'
■■■H»»"ii"a« iB»ai»« »«''»»»"« J «'«« 1
134
UTS TORT OF IOWA.
its handles. This was driven into the
blocks of wood by a mallet. As the frow
was wrenched down through the wood,
the latter was turned alternately over from
side to side, one end being held by a forked
piece of timber.
The chimney to the Western pioneer's
cabin was made by leaving in the original
building a large open place in one wall, or
by cutting one after the structure was up,
and by building on the outside, from the
ground up, a stone column, or a column of
sticks and mud, the sticks being laid up
cob house fashion. The fire-place thus made
was often large enough to receive fire-wood
six to eight feet long. Sometimes this
wood, especially the " back-log," would be
nearly as large as a saw-log. The more
rapidly the pioneer could burn up the wood
in his vicinity the sooner he had his little
farm cleared and ready for cultivation.
For a window, a piece about two feet long
was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the
hole closed, sometimes by glass but gener-
ally with greased paper. Even greased deer-
hide was sometimes used. A doorway was
cut through one of the Vails if a saw was to
be had; otherwise the door would be left
by shortened logs in the original building.
The door was made by pinning clapboards
to two or three wood bars, and was hung
upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch,
with catch, then finished the door, and the
latch was raised by any one on the outside
by pulling a leather string. For security
at night this latch-string was drawn in, but
for friends and neighbors, and even stran-
gers, the " latch-string was always hanging
out," as a welcome. In the interior over
the fire-place would be a shelf called " the
mantel," on which stood a candlestick or
lamp, some cooking and table ware, possi-
bly an old clock, and other articles; in the
fire-place would be the crane, sometimes of
iron, sometimes of wood; on it the pots were
hung for cooking; over the door, in forked
cleats, hung the ever-trustful rifle and pow-
der-horn; in one corner stood the larger bed
for the " old folks," and under it the
trundle-bed for the children; in another
stood the old-fashioned spinning-wheel,
with a smaller one by its side; in another the
heavy table, the only table, of course, there
was in the house; in the remaining was a
rude cupboard holding the tableware,
which consisted of a few cups and saucers,
and blue-edged plates, standing singly on
their edges against the back, to make the
display of table-furniture more conspicu-
ous; while around the room were scattered
a few splint-bottom or Windsor chairs, and
two or three stools.
These simple cabins were inhabited by a
kind and true-hearted people. They were
strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler
seeking lodging for the night, or desirous
of spending a few days in the community,
if willing to accept the rude offering, was
always welcome, although how they were
disposed of at night the reader might not
easily imagine; for, as described, a single
room was made to answer for kitchen,
dining-room, sitting-room, bed-room and
parlor, and many families consisted of six
or eight members.
The bed was very often made by fixing a
post in the floor about six feet from one
wall and four feet from the adjoining wall,
and fastening a stick to this post about
two feet above the floor, on each of two
sides, so that the other end of each of the
two sticks could be fastened in the oppo-
site wall; clapboards were laid across these,
and thus the bed was made complete.
Guests were given this bed, while the fam-
ily disposed of themselves in another cor-
ner of the room or in the loft. When
several guests were on hand at once they
were sometimes kept over night in the fol-
lowing manner: When bedtime came the
men were requested to step out of doors
while the women spread out a broad bed
.■„■:. u ^ a m m m m m 9 m u m mi^ m ml m^w m m m M i m m m M m m m it m .m a ,m m u m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m a u a m mi m m u u ^
HISTORT OF IOWA.
135
upon the mid floor, and put themselves
to bed in the center; the signal was given,
and the men came in and each husband took
his place in bed next his own wife, and
single men outside beyond them again.
They were generally so crowded that they
had to lie " spoon " fashion, and whenever
anyone wished to turn over he would say
" spoon," and the whole company of sleep-
ers would turn over at once. This was the
only way they could all keep in bed.
To witness the various processes of cook-
ing in those days would alike surprise and
amuse those who have grown up since
cooking stoves and ranges came into use.
Kettles were hung over the large fire, sus-
pended with .pot-hooks, iron or wooden,
on the crane, or on poles, one end of which
would rest upon a chain. The long-hand-
led frying pan was used for cooking meat.
It was either held over the blaze by hand
or set down upon coals drawn out upon
the hearth. This pan was also used for
baking pancakes, also call flapjacks, batter-
cakes, etc. A better article for this, how-
ever, was the cast-iron spider, or Dutch
skillet. The best thing for baking bread
in those days, and possibly even in these
latter days, was the flat-bottomed bake
kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting
cast-iron cover, and commonly known as the
Dutch oven. With coals over and under it,
bread and biscuits would be quickly and
nicely baked. Turkey and spare-ribs were
sometimes roasted before the fire, sus-
pended by a string, a dish being placed
underneath to catch the drippings.
Hominy and samp were very much used.
The hominy, however, was generally hulled
corn — boiled corn from which the hull or
bran had been taken by hot lye, hence
sometimes called lye hominy. True hom-
iny and samp were made of pounded corn.
A popular method of making this, as well
as real meal for bread, was to cut out or
burn a large hole in the top of a huge
stump, in the shape of a mortar, and pound-
ing the corn in this by a maul or beetle
suspended by a swing pole like a well-
sweep. This and the wellsweep consisted
of a pole twenty to thirty feet long fixed in
an upright fork so that it could be. worked
" teeter " fashion. It was a rapid and sim-
ple way of drawing water. When the samp
was sufficiently pounded it was taken
out, the bran floated off, and the delicious
grain boiled like rice.
The chief articles of diet in an early day
were corn bread, hominy or samp, venison,
pork, honey, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for
more than half the year), turkey, prairie
chicken, squirrel and some other game,
with a few additional vegetables a portion
of the year. Wheat bread, tea, coffee and
fruit were luxuries not to be indulged in
except on special occasions, as when visit-
ors were present.
Besides cooking in the manner described,
the women had many other arduous duties
to perform, one of the chief of which was
spinning. The big wheel was used for
spinning yarn and the little wheel for spin-
ning flax. These stringed instruments fur-
nished the principal music for the family,
and were operated by our mothers and
grandmothers with great skill, attained
without pecuniary expense, and with far
less practice than is necessary for the girls
of our period to acquire a skillful use of
their costly and elegant instruments. But
those wheels, indispensable a few years ago,
are all now superseded by the mighty fac-
tories which overspread the country, fur-
nishing cloth of all kinds at an expense ten
times less than would be incurred now by
the old system.
The traveler always found a welcome at
the pioneer's cabin. It was never full.
Although there might be already a guest
for every puncheon, there was still " room
for one more," and a wider circle would be
made for the new-comer at the big fire. If
pansorcnn
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HIS TOR r OF IOWA.
the stranger was in search of land, he was
doubly welcome, and his host would vol-
unteer to show him all the " first rate claims
in this neck of the woods," going with him
for days, showing the corners and advan-
tages of -every " Congress tract " within a
dozen miles of his own cabin.
To his neighbors the pioneer was equally
liberal. If a deer was killed, the choicest
bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a
half-dozen miles away perhaps. When a
pig was butchered, the same custom pre-
vailed. If a new-comer came in too late
for " cropping," the neighbors would sup-
ply his table with just the same luxuries
they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal
quantity, until a crop could be raised.
When a new-comer had located his claim,
the neighbors for miles around would
assemble at the site of the proposed cabin
and aid himin " gittin " it up. One party
with axes would cut down the trees and
hew the logs; another with teams would
haul the logs to the ground; another party
would " raise " the cabin; while several
of the old men would rive . the clap-boards
for the roof. By night the little forest
domicile would be up and ready for a
" house-warming," which was the dedica-
tory occupation of the house, when music
and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed
at full height. The next day the new-comer
would be as well situated as his neighbors.
An instance of primitive hospitable man-
ners will be in place here. A traveling
Methodist preacher arrived in a distant
neighborhood to fill an appointment. The
house where services were to be held did not
belong to a church member, but no matter
for that. Boards were collected from all
quarters with which to make temporary
seats, one of the neighbors volunteering to
lead off in the work, while the man of the
house, with the faithful rifle on his shoulder,
sallied forth in quest of meat, for this truly
was a "ground hog" case, the preacher
coming and no meat in the house. The
host ceased not to chase until he found the
meat, in the shape of a deer; returning he
sent a boy out after it, with directions on
what " pint " to find it. After services,
which had been listened to with rapt atten-
tion by all the audience, mine host said to
his wife, " Old woman, I reckon this 'ere
preacher is pretty hungry and 3 7 ou must
git him a bite to eat." " What shall I get
him?" asked the wife, who had not seen
the deer, " thar's nuthen in the house to
eat." " Why, look thar," returned he,
" thar's a deer, and thar's plenty of corn in
the field; you git some .corn and grate it
while I skin the deer, and we'll have a
good supper for him." It is needless to add
that venison and corn bread made a sup-
per fit for any pioneer preacher, and was
thankfully eaten.
Fires set out by Indians or settlers some-
times purposely and sometimes permitted
through carelessness, would visit the prai-
rie every autumn, and sometimes the for-
ests, either in autumn or spring, and settlers
could not always succeed in defending
themselves against the destroying element.
Many interesting incidents are related.
Often a fire was started to bewilder game,
or to bare a piece of ground for the early
grazing of stock the ensuing spring, and it
would get away under a wind and soon
be beyond control. Violent winds would
often arise and drive the flames with such
rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds
could scarcely escape. On the approach
of a prairie fire the farmer would immedi-
ately set about " cutting off supplies " for
the devouring enemy by a " back fire."
Thus by starting a small fire near the bare
ground about his premises, and keeping it
under control next his property, he would
burn off a strip around him and prevent the
attack of the on-coming flames. A few
furrows or a ditch around the farm were
in some degrees a protection.
. !»,.■..«.,«.. Ul .. IB , «, IB..».«i-«.?™JgJI
HISTORT OF IOWA.
An original prairie of tall and exuberant
grass on fire, especially at night, was a mag-
nificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the
pioneer. Here is an instance where the
frontiersman, proverbially deprived of the
sights and pleasures of an old community,
is privileged far beyond the people of the
present day in this country. One could
scarcely tire of beholding the scene, as its
awe-inspiring features seemed constantly to
increase, and the whole panorama unceas-
ingly changed like the dissolving views of
a magic lantern, or like the aurora borealis.
Language cannot convey, words cannot
express, the faintest idea of the splendor
and grandeur of such a conflagration at
night. It was as if the pale queen of night,
disdaining to take her accustomed place in
the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon
myriads of messengers to light their torches
at the altar of the setting sun until all had
flashed into one long and continuous blaze.
One instance has been described as follows:
" Soon the fires began to kindle wider
and rise higher from the long grass; the
gentle breeze increased to stronger currents,
and soon formed the small, flickering blaze
into fierce torrent flames, which curled up
and leaped along in resistless splendor; and
like quickly raising the dark curtain from
the luminous stage, the scenes before me
were suddenly changed, as if by a magi-
cian's wand, into one boundless amphithea-
ter, blazing from earth to heaven and
sweeping the horizon round, — columns of
lurid flames sportively mounting up to the
zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke
curling away and aloft till they nearly ob-
scured stars and moon, while the rushing,
crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts,
mingled with distant thunders, were almost
deafening; danger, death, glared all around;
it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstand-
ing the imminent peril of prairie fires, one
is loth, irresolute, almost unable to with-
draw or seek refuge.
LOUISIANA TERRITORY.
As before mentioned, although De Soto,
a Spaniard, first took possession of the Mis-
sissippi Valley for his Government, Spain
did not establish her title to it by following
up the proclamation with immediate settle-
ments, and the country fell into the hands
of France, by whose agent it was named
" Louisiana."
By the treaty of Utrecht, France ceded
to England her possessions in Hudson's
Bay, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, but
retained Canada and Louisiana. In 171 1
this province was placed in the hands of a
governor-general, with headquarters at
Mobile, for the purpose of applying a new
policy for the settlement and development
of the country. The very next year ano-
ther change was made, placing all this ter-
ritory in the hands of Anthony Crozat, a
wealthy merchant of Paris, but this scheme
also failed, as Spain continued to obstruct
the efforts of any Frenchman to establish
trade, by closing the ports against him. In
l 7 ! 7 John Law appeared on the scene with
his famous "Mississippi Company," as the
Louisiana branch of the Bank of France ;
and as his roseate scheme promised to do
much in raising crippled France upon a
surer footing, extended powers and privi-
leges were granted him. He was to be
practically a viceroy, and the life of his
charter was fixed at twenty-five years. But
in 1720, when the " Mississippi bubble " was
at the height ot its splendor, it suddenly
collapsed, leaving the mother country in a
far worse condition than before.
Heretofore Louisiana had been a sub-
ordinate dependenc'e, under the jurisdiction
of the Governor-General of Canada. Early
in 1723 the province of Louisiana was
erected into an independent Government,
and it was divided into nine districts, for
civil and military purposes.
Characteristic of human nature, the peo-
ple were mce excited with prospects of
m m m mSit
USSSSmSSSBSmSSSSSmMSSMMSSmSaSS
■38
HISTORY OF IOWA.
n;
m
finding enormous wealth ready at hand, if
they should continue to scour the country,
which they did in places as far west as the
Rocky Mountains, to the neglect of their
agricultural and domestic interests. A habit
of roaming became fixed. At the same time
their exposed condition was a constant
temptation to Indian rapine, and the Nat-
chez tribe in 1723 made a general assault
upon the whites. At first they were re-
pulsed, but about five years afterward,
aided by the Chickasaws and others, they
fell upon the French village of St. Catha-
rine and massacred the whole male popu-
lation. Two soldiers, who happened to be
in the woods, alone escaped to New Or-
leans, to bear the news. The colonies on
the Yazoo and the Washita suffered the
same fate. Maddened by these outrages,
the whites turned upon the Natchez and in
the course of three years exterminated
them. They were probably the most in-
telligent tribe of Indians north of Mexico.
During the fifteen years from 1717 to
1732 the province increased in population
from 700 to 5,000, and in prosperity to a
wonderful degree. It remained under royal
governors until 1764, the end of the French
dominion. Most of this time the Indians
were troublesome, and in 1754 began the
long "French and Indian war" with Eng-
land, which resulted in favor of the latter,
that Government obtaining all of New
France, Canada, and the eastern half of
Louisiana. This province did not suffer
by being the scene of battle, but did suffer
a great deal from a flood of irredeemable
paper money. In the meantime the western
portion, or residue, of this province was
secretly promised to Spain ; but before
either of the foreign powers had opportu-
nity to rejoice long in their western posses-
sions, a new power on earth, the United
States, took independent possession of all
the country except Louisiana and Florida,
which it has maintained ever since. During
the seventy years of French control the
province of Louisiana increased in popula-
tion from a few destitute fishermen to a
flourishing colony of 13,540.
St. Louis, Missouri, was started in 1764.
Don O'Reilly, the new Governor of Loui-
siana in 1764, ruled with a despotic hand,
yet for the general advantage of the peo-
ple. His successor, Don Antonio Maria
Bucarelly, was mild, and he was succeeded
January 1, 1777, by Don Bernard de Gal-
vez, who was the last Governor. He sym-
pathized with American independence. The
British, with 140 troops and 1 ,400 Indians,
invaded Upper Louisiana from the north
by way of the Straits of Mackinaw, and in-
vested St. Louis, Missouri, in 1780, but
were driven off. When the Indians saw
that they were led to fight " Americans" as
well as Spaniards, they found that they had
been deceived, and withdrew from the
British army, and thus General George R.
Clark, in behalf of the Americans, easily
defended St. Louis, and also all the new
settlements in this western country.
After the Revolutionary war the country
began again to prosper. Governor Galvez,
by a census, ascertained that Louisiana had
in 1785 a population of about 33,000, exclu-
sive of Indians.
In the summer of the latter year Don
Estavan Miro became Governor pro tern, of
the Spanish possessions in this country, and
was afterward confirmed as such by the
king. During his administration a vain
attempt was made by the Catholics to
establish the inquisition at New Orleans.
He was succeeded in 1792 by Baron de
Carondelet, and during his term the Spanish
colonies grew so rapidly that their Govern-
ment became jealous of the United States
and sought to exclude all interference from
them in domestic affairs ; but all efforts in
this direction were ended in 1795 by the
treaty of Madrid, which, after some delay
and trouble, was fully carried out in 1798.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
'39
Under the leadership of Livingston and
Monroe, the United States Government,
after various propositions had been dis-
cussed by the respective powers, succeeded
in effecting, in 1803, a purchase of the whole
of Louisiana from France for $11,250,000,
and all this country west of the great river
consisted of the " Territory of Orleans "
(now the State of Louisiana) and the " Dis-
trict of, Louisiana " (now the States of Ar-
kansas, Missouri and Iowa, and westward
indefinitely). The latter was annexed to the
Territory of Indiana for one year, and in
1805 it was erected into a separate Terri-
tory, of the second class, the legislative
power being vested in the Governor and
judges. Before the close of the year it was
made a Territory of the first class, under
the name of the " Territory of Louisiana,"
the Government being administered by the
Governor and judges. The first Governor
was James Wilkinson, and he was succeeded
near the close of 1806 by Colonel Meri-
weather Lewis, the seat of Government be-
ing at St. Louis ; and during his adminis-
tration the Territory was divided into six
judicial districts or large counties — St.
Charles, St. Louis, St. Genevieve, Cape
Girardeau, New Madrid and Arkansas. In
1 8 10 the population of Louisiana Territory
was 21,000, five-sevenths of whom were in
Arkansas.
In 1812 the State of Louisiana was ad-
mitted into the Union, and then it was
deemed expedient to change the name of
the Territory. It was accordingly given
the name of " Missouri Territory," which it
retained until the admission of the State of
Missouri in 1821.
IOWA TERRITORY.
Although the " Northwestern Territory"
— carved out of Virginia and now divided
into the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan and Wisconsin — never included
Iowa, this State was in 1834 incorporated
into the " Territory of Michigan," and thus
became subject to the ordinance of 1787;
and two years later it was made a part of
" Wisconsin Territory," and two years still
later, in 1838, the "Territory of Iowa"
was formed independently, with sixteen
counties and a population of 23,000.
In 1833, at Dubuque, a postoffice was
established, and some time prior to 1834
one or two justices of the peace had been
appointed. In 1834 the Territorial Legis-
lature of Michigan created two counties
west of the Mississippi — Dubuque and Des
Moines — separated by a line drawn west-
ward from the foot of Rock Island. These
counties were partially organized. John
King was appointed " Chief Justice" of Du-
buque County, and Isaac Leffler, of Bur-
lington, of Des Moines County. Two
associate justices in each county were ap-
pointed by the Governor. In October,
1835, General George W. Jones, of Du-
buque, was elected a delegate to Congress.
April 20, 1836, through the efforts of Gen-
eral Jones, Congress passed a bill creating
the Territory of Wisconsin, which went
into operation July 4, that year. Iowa was
then included in that Territory, of which
General Henry Dodge was appointed Gov-
ernor. The census of 1836 showed a popu-
lation in Iowa of 10,531, of which 6,257
were in Des Moines County and 4,274 in
Dubuque County.
Ths first Legislature assembled at Bel-
mont, Wisconsin, October 25, 1836; the
second at Burlington, Iowa, November 9,
1837 ; and the third, also at the latter place,
June 1, 1838.
As earl)' as 1837 the people of Iowa be-
gan to petition Congress for a separate
Territorial organization, which was granted
June 12 following. Ex-Governor Lucas, of
Ohio, was appointed by President Van Bu-
ren to be the first Governor of the new
Territory. Immediately upon his arrival
he issued a proclamation for the election of
HIS TORT OF IOWA.
members of the first Territorial Legislature,
to take place September 10. The following
were elected :
Council. — Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E.
A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, Robert
Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne,
D. B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles
Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner
Lewis, Stephen Hempstead.
House. — Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tay-
lor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James
Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker,
James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van B.
Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H.
Beeler, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace,
Asbury B. Porter, John"Frierson, Wm. L.
Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings,
Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers,
Jabez A. Burchard, Jr., Chauncey Swan,
Andrew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Har-
din Nowlin.
At the session of the above Legislature
Wm. W. Chapman was elected delegate
to Congress. As the latter body had given
the Governor unlimited veto power, and
as Governor Lucas was disposed to exer-
cise it arbitrarily, the independent " Hawk-
eyes " grew impatient under his administra-
tion, and, after having a stormy session for
a time, they had Congress to limit the veto
power. Great excitement also prevailed,
both in the Legislature and among the
people, concerning the question of the loca-
tion of the seat of Government for the
State. As they knew nothing concerning
the great future development and extent of
the State, they had no correct idea where
the geographical center would or should
be. The Black Hawk purchase, which was
that strip of land next the Mississippi, in
the southeastern part of the State, was the
full extent and horizon of their idea of the
new commonwealth. Hence they thought
first only of Burlington or Mount Pleasant
as the capital. Indeed, at that time, the
Indians had possession of the rest of Iowa.
But a few of the more shrewd foresaw
that a more central location would soon be
further to the north at least, if not west,
and a point in Johnson County was ulti-
mately decided upon.
Commissioners, appointed by the Gov-
ernor, selected the exact site, laid out a sec-
tion of land into a town, sold lots and
proceeded to erect the public buildings.
The capitol was commenced in 1840 and
Iowa City became thenceforward the capi-
tal of the State. The fourth Legislative
Assembly met at this place December 6,
1841, but not in the new capitol building,
as it was not yet ready. Being somewhat
difficult to raise the necessary funds, the
building was not completed for several
years. The early Territorial Legislatures
of Iowa laid the foundation for a very just
and liberal Government, far in advance of
what had ever been done before by any
State.
About this time a conflict arose between
this Territory and Missouri concerning the
boundary line between them. There was
a difference of a strip eight or ten miles
wide, extending from the Mississippi to the
Missouri rivers, which each claimed. Mis-
souri officers, attempting to collect taxes
within the disputed territory, were arrested
and confined in jail by Iowa sheriffs, and
the respective Governors called out the
militia, preparing for bloodshed. About
1,200 Iowa men enlisted, and 500 were act-
ually armed and encamped in Van Buren
County, ready to defend their Territory,
when three prominent and able men were
sent to Missouri as envoys plenipotentiary,
to effect, if possible, a peaceable adjustment
of the difficulty. Upon their arrival, they
found that the county commissioners of
Clark County, Missouri, had rescinded their
order for the collection of the taxes, and that
Governor Boggs had dispatched messen-
gers to the Governor of Iowa proposing to
submit an agreed case to the Supreme
HISTORT OF IOWA.
Court of the United States for the settle-
ment of the boundary question. This prop-
osition was declined; but afterward, upon
petition of Iowa and Missouri, Congress
authorized a suit to settle the controversy.
The suit was duly instituted, and resulted
in the decision that Iowa had only asserted
" the truth of history," and she knew where
the rapids of the Des Moines River were
located. Thus ended the Missouri war.
" There was much good sense," says Hon.
C. C. Nourse, "in the basis upon which
peace was secured, to-wit: ' If Missourians
did not know where the rapids of the river
Des Moines were located, that was no suffi-
cient reason for killing them off with powder
and lead; and if we did know a little more of
history and geography than they did we
ought not to be shot for our learning. We
commend our mutual forbearance to older
and greater people.'" Under an order
from the Supreme Court of the United
States commissioners surveyed and estab-
lished the boundary. The expenses of the
war, on the part of Iowa, were never paid,
either by the United States or the Territo-
rial Government.
STATE ORGANIZATION AND SUBSEQUENT
HISTORY.
The population having become, by the
year 1844, sufficient to justify the formation
of a State Government, the Territorial Leg-
islature of Iowa passed an act, approved
February 12, that year, submitting to the
people the question of the formation of a
State Constitution and providing for the
election of delegates to a convention to be
called together for that purpose. The
people voted upon this at their township
elections in the following April, giving the
measure a large majority. The elected
delegates assembled in convention at Iowa
City, October 7, 1844, and completed their
work by November 1. Hon. Shepherd
Leffler, the President of this convention,
was instructed to transact a certified copy
of the proposed Constitution to the Dele-
gate in Congress, to be submitted by him
to that body at the earliest practicable day.
It also provided that it should be submitted,
together with any conditions or changes
that might be made by Congress, to the
people of the Territory, for their approval
or rejection, at the township election in
April, 1845.
The Constitution, as thus prepared, fixed
the boundaries of the State very differently
from what were finally agreed upon.
May 4, 1846, a second convention met at
Iowa City, and on the 18th of the same
month another Constitution, prescribing the
boundaries as they now are, was adopted.
This was accepted by the people, August
3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The new
Constitution was approved by Congress,
and Iowa was admitted as a sovereign
State in the American Union, December
28, 1846. The people of the State, antici-
pating favorable action by Congress, held
an election for State officers October 26
which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de-
clared Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr., Secre-
tary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor;
Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of
the Senate and House of Representatives.
The act of Congress which admitted
Iowa gave her the 16th section of every
township of land in the State, or its equiv-
alent, for the support of schools; also
seventy-two sections of land for the pur-
pose of a university; also five sections of
land for the completion of her public build-
ings; also the salt springs within her limits,
not exceeding twelve in number, with sec-
tions of land adjoining each; also, in con-
sideration that her public lands should be
exempt from taxation by the State, she
gave to the State five per cent, of the net
proceeds of the sale of public lands within
the State. Thus provided for as a bride
with her marriage portion, Iowa
com- \ I
142
HISTORr OF IOWA.
menced " housekeeping " upon her own
account.
A majority of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1846 were of the Democratic party;
and the instrument contains some of the
peculiar tenets of the party at that" day.
All banks of issue were prohibited within
the State. The State was prohibited from
becoming a stockholder in any corporation
for pecuniary profit, and the General As-
sembly could only provide for private cor-
porations by general statutes. The Consti-
tution also limited, the State's indebtedness
to $100,000. It required the General As-
sembly to provide public schools through-
out the State for at least three months in
the year. Six months' previous residence
of any white male citizen of the United
States constituted him an elector.
At the time of organization as a State,
Iowa had a population of 1 16,65 1, a s appears
by the census of 1847. There were twenty-
seven organized counties in the State, and
the settlements were rapidly pushing to-
ward the Missouri River.
The first General Assembly was com-
posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep-
resentatives. It assembled at Iowa City,
November 30,1846, about a month before
the State was admitted into the Union.
The most important business transacted
was the passage of a bill authorizing a loan
of $50,000 for means to run the State Gov-
ernment and pay. the expenses of the Con-
stitutional conventions. The great excite-
ment of the session, however, was the
attempt to choose United States Senators.
The Whigs had a majority of two in the
House, and the Democrats a majority of
one in the Senate. After repeated attempts
to control these majorities for caucus nom-
inees and frequent sessions of a joint con-
vention for purposes of an election, the
attempt was abandoned. A school law was
passed at this session for the organization
of public schools in the State.
At the first session also arose the ques-
tion of the re-location of the capital. The
western boundary of the State, as now
determined, left Iowa City too far toward
the eastern and southern boundary of the
State; this was conceded. Congress had
appropriated five sections of land for the
erection of public buildings, and toward the
close of the session a bill was introduced
providing for the re-location of the seat of
Government, involving to some extent the
location of th6 State University, which had
already been discussed. This bill gave rise
to much discussion and parliamentary ma-
neuvering, almost purely sectional in its
character. It provided for the appointment
of three commissioners, who were author-
ized to make a location as near the geo-
graphical center of the State as a healthy
and eligible site could be obtained; to select
the five sections of land donated by Con-
gress; to survey and plat intq town lots not
exceeding one section of the land so se-
lected, etc. Soon after, by " An act to
locate and establish a State University,"
approved February 25, 1847, the unfinished
public buildings at Iowa City, together
with ten acres of land on which they were
situated, were granted for the use of the
University, reserving their use, however,
by the General Assembly and the State
officers, until other provisions were made
by law.
When the report of the commissioners,
showing their financial operations, had
been read in the House of Representa-
tives, at the next session, and while it was
under consideration, an indignant member,
afterward known as the eccentric Judge
McFarland, moved to refer the report to a
select committee of five, with instructions
to report " how much of said city of Mon-
roe was under water, and how much was
burned." The report was referred with-
out the instructions, but Monroe City never
became the seat of Government. By an
aginrwr ggCT -M-M^w.w^ B ^ i i^ W rea.^; ^^ ^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
H3
act approved January 15, 1849, the law by
which the location had been ,made was re-
pealed and the new town was vacated, the
money paid by purchasers of lots being re-
funded to them. This, of course, retained
the seat of Government at Iowa City, and
precluded for the time the occupation of
the building and grounds by the University.
After the adjournment of the first Gen-
eral Assembly, the Governor appointed
Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and George
Green and John F. Kinney, Judges of the
Supreme Court. They were afterward
elected by the second General Assembly,
and constituted the Supreme Court until
1855, with the exception that Kinney re-
signed in January, 1854, and J. C. Hall, of
Burlington, was appointed in his place.
At this session Charles Mason, William
G. Woodward and Stephen Hempstead
were appointed commissioners to prepare a
code of laws for the State. Their work
was finished in 1850 and was adopted by
the General Assembly. This " code " con-
tained among other provisions a code of
civil practice, superseding the old common-
law forms of actions and writs, and it was
admirable for its simplicity and method. It
remained in force until 1863, when it was
superseded by the more complicated and
metaphysical system of the revision of that
year.
The first Representatives in Congress
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine,
and Shepherd Leffler, of Des Moines
County. The second General Assembly
elected to the United States Senate Au-
gustus Cassar Dodge and George W. Jones.
The State government, after the first ses-
sion, was under the control of Democratic
administrations till 1855. The electoral vote
of the State was cast for Lewis Cass in 1848,
and for Franklin Pierce in 1852. The popu-
lar vote shows that the Free-Soil element
of the State during this period very nearly
held the balance of power, and that up to
1854 it acted in the State elections to some
extent with the Democratic party. In 1858
Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes, Zachary
Taylor 11,034, and Martin Van Buren, the
Free-Soil candidate, 1,226 votes, being 167
less .than a majority for Cass. • In 1852
Pierce received 17,762 votes, Scott 15,855,
and Hale, Free-Soil, 1,606, being for Pierce
301 votes more than a majority.
The question of the permanent location
of the seat of government was not settled,
and in 185 1 bills were introduced for the
removal of the capital to Pella and to Fort
Des Moines. The latter appeared to have
the support of the majority, but was finally
lost in the House on the question of order-
ing it to its third reading.
At the next session, in 1853, a bill was
introduced in the Senate for the removal of
the seat of government to Fort Des Moines,
and on first vote was just barely defeated.
At the next session, however, the effort was
more successful, and January 15, 1855, a
bill re-locating the capital within two miles
of the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines,
and for the appointment of commissioners,
was approved by Governor Grimes. The
site was selected in 1856, in accordance
with the provisions of this act, the land
being donated to the State by citizens and
property-holders of Des Moines. An asso-
ciation of citizens erected a building for a
temporary capitol, and leased it to the State
at a nominal rent.
The passage by Congress of the act or-
ganizing the Territories of Kansas and Ne-
braska, and the provision it contained abro-
gating that portion of the Missouri bill that
prohibited slavery and involuntary servi-
tude north of- 36° 30' was the beginning of
a political revolution in the Northern States,
and in none was it more marked than in the
State of Iowa. Iowa was the " first free
child born of the Missouri Compromise,"
and has always resented the destruction oi
her foster parent,
■ »l.» l .». » .»." M ". » ,» ai ». » M » l .l M B|.B.».».H.".» a l . » . H . » . t i|»" .T i
HIS TORT OF IOWA.
The year 1856 marked a new era in the his-
tory of Iowa. In 1854 the Chicago & Rock
Island Railroad had been completed to the
cast bank of the Mississippi River, opposite
Davenport. In the same year the corner-
stone of a railroad bridge that was to be. the
first to span the " Father of Waters," was
laid with appropriate ceremonies at this
point. St. Louis had resolved that the
enterprise was unconstitutional, and by
writs of injunction made an unsuccessful
effort to prevent its completion. Twenty
years later in her history, St. Louis re-
pented her folly, and made atonement for
her sin by imitating Iowa's example. Jan-
uary 1, 1856, this railroad was completed to
Iowa City. In the meantime, two other
railroads had reached the east bank of the
Mississippi — one opposite Burlington, and
one opposite Dubuque — and these were be-
ing extended into the interior of the State.
Indeed, four other lines of railroads had
been projected across the State from the
Mississippi to the Missouri, having eastern
connections.
May 15, 1856, Congress passed an act
granting to the State, to aid in the con-
struction of railroads, the public lands in
alternate sections, six miles on either side
of the proposed lines. An extra session of
the General Assembly was called in July of
this year, that disposed of the grant to the
several companies that proposed to com-
plete these enterprises. The population of
Iowa was now 500,000. Public attention
had been called to the necessity of a rail-
road across the continent. The position of
Iowa, in the very heart and center of the
republic, on the route of this great high-
way of the continent, began to attract atten-
tion. Cities and towns sprang up through
the State as if by magic. Capital began to
pour into the State, and had it been em-
ployed in developing the vast coal measures
and establishing manufactories, or if it had
been expended in improving the lands, and
in building houses and barns, it would have
been well. But all were in haste to get
rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the
hour.
In the meantime, every effort was made
to help the speedy completion of the rail-
roads. Nearly every county and city on
the Mississippi, and many in the interior,
voted large corporate subscriptions to the
stock of the railroad companies, and issued
their negotiable bonds for the amount.
Thus enormous county and city debts were
incurred, the payment of which these mu-
nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea
that they had exceeded the constitutional
limitation of their powers. The Supreme
Court of the United States held these bonds
to be valid, and the courts by mandamus
compelled the city and county authorities
to levy taxes to pay the judgments re-
covered upon them. These debts are not
all paid, even to this day ; but the worst is
over, and the incubus is in the course of
Ultimate extinction. The most valuable
lessons are those learned in the school of
experience, and accordingly the corpora-
tions of Iowa have ever since been noted
for economy.
In 1856 the popular vote was as follows:
Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,170, and
Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,296 less than a
majority for Fremont. The following year
an election was held, after an exciting cam-
paign, for State officers, resulting in a ma-
jority of 1,406 for Ralph P. Lowe, the Re-
publican nominee. The Legislature was
largely Republican in both branches.
One of the most injurious results to the
State, arising from the spirit of speculation
prevalent in 1856, was the purchase and
entry of great bodies of Government land
within the State by non-residents. This
land was held for speculation and placed
beyond the reach of actual settlers for many
years. From no other one cause has Iowa
suffered so much as from the short-sighted
SS B S SSSS
HISTORT OF IOWA.
HS
policy of the Federal Government in selling
lands within her borders. The money
thus obtained by the Federal Government
has been comparatively inconsiderable.
The value of this magnificent public do-
main to the United States was not in the
few thousands of dollars she might exact
from the hardy settlers, or that she might
obtain from the speculator who hoped to
profit by the settlers' labors in improving
the country. Statesmen should have taken
a broader and more comprehensive view of
national economy, and a view more in har-
mony with the divine economy that had
prepared these vast fertile plains of the
West for the " homes of men and the seats
of empire." It was here that new States
were to be builded up, that should be the
future strength of the nation against foreign
invasion or home revolt. A single regi-
ment of Iowa soldiers during the dark days
of the Rebellion was worth more to the
nation than all the money she ever exacted
from the toil and sweat of Iowa's early
settlers. Could the statesmen of forty
years ago have looked forward to this day,
when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annually
into the treasury of the nation for the ex-
tinction of the national debt, they would
have realized that the founding of new
States was a greater enterprise than the re-
tailing of public lands.
In January, 1857, another Constitutional.
Convention assembled at Iowa City, which
framed the present State Constitution. One
of the most pressing demands for this con-
vention grew out of the prohibition of
banks under the old Constitution. The
practical result of this prohibition was to
flood the State with every species of " wild-
cat" currency.
The new Constitution made ample pro-
visions for home banks under the super-
vision of our own laws. The limitation of
the State debt was enlarged to $250,000,
and the corporate indebtedness of the cities
and counties was also limited to 5 per cent,
upon the valuation of their taxable property.
The judges of the Supreme Court were to
be elected by the popular vote. The per-
manent seat of government was fixed at
Des Moines, and the State University lo-
cated at Iowa City. The qualifications of
electors remained the same as under the old
Constitution, but the schedule provided for
a vote of the people upon a separate propo-
sition to strike the word " white" out of the
suffrage clause, which, had it prevailed,
would have resulted in conferring the right
of suffrage without distinction of color.
Since the early organization of Iowa there
had been upon the statute book a law pro-
viding that no negro, mulatto nor Indian
should be a competent witness in any suit
or proceeding to which a white man was a
party. The General Assembly of 1856-'/
repealed this law, and the new Constitution
contained a clause forbidding such disquali-
fication in the future. It also provided for
the education of " all youth of the State "
through a system of common schools. This
Constitution was adopted at the ensuing
election by a vote of 40,311 to 38,681.
October 19, 1857, Governor Grimes issued
a proclamation declaring the city of Des
Moines to be the capital of the State of Iowa.
The removal of the archives and offices was
commenced at once and continued through
the fall. It was an undertaking of no
small magnitude; there was not a mile of
railroad to facilitate the work, and the
season was unusually disagreeable. Rain,
snow and other accompaniments increased
the difficulties; and it was not until Decem-
ber that the last of the effects, — the safe of •
the State Treasurer, loaded on two large
" bob sleds " drawn by ten yokes of oxen,
— was deposited in the new capital. It is
not imprudent now to remark that during
this passage over hills and prairies, across
rivers, through bottom lands and timber,
the safes belonging to the several depart
146
HISTORY OF IOWA.
1
ments contained large sums of money,
mostly individual funds, however. Thus
Iowa City ceased to be the capital of the
State, after four Territorial Legislatures,
six State Legislatures and three Constitu-
tional Conventions had held their sessions
there. By the exchange, the old capitol at
Iowa City became the seat of the university,
and, except the rooms occupied by the
United States District Court, passed under
the immediate and direct control of the
trustees of that institution. Des Moines
was now the permanent seat of govern-
ment, made so by the fundamental law of
the State, and January 11, 1858, the Sev-
enth General Assembly convened at the
new capitol. The citizens' association,
which built this temporary building, bor-
rowed the money of James D. Eads, Super-
intendent of Public Instruction, and leased
it to the State. In 1864 the State pur-
chased the building. At the session of the
General Assembly in 1858, James W.
Grimes was elected United States Senator
as successor to George W. Jones.
During the years 1858-60, the Sioux
Indians became troublesome in the north-
western part of the State. They made fre-
quent raids for the purpose of plunder, and
on several occasions murdered whole fami-
lies of settlers. In 1861 several companies
of militia were ordered to that portion of
the State, to hunt down and expel the
thieves. No battles were fought. The
Indians fled as soon as they ascertained
that systematic measures had been adopted
for their punishment.
PATRIOTISM.
The Presidential campaign of i860 was
the most remarkable and exciting of all in
the history of Iowa. The fact that civil
war might be inaugurated and was threat-
ened, in case Mr. Lincoln was elected, was
well understood and duly considered. The
people of Iowa indulged in no feeling of
hatred or ill-will toward the people of any
State or section of the Union. There was,
however, on the part of the majority, a
cool determination to consider and decide
upon our national relations to this institu-
tion of slavery, uninfluenced by any threat
of violence or civil war. The popular vote
of Iowa gave Mr. Lincoln 70,409; Stephen
A. Douglas, 55,011; Breckenridge, 1,048.
The General Assembly of the State 01
Iowa, as early as 185 1, had by joint resolu-
tion declared that the State of Iowa was
" bound to maintain the union of these
States by all the means in her power." The
same year the State furnished a block of
marble for the Washington monument at the
national capital, and by order of the Gen-
eral Assembly there was inscribed upon its
enduring surface the following: " Iowa:
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders,
flow to an inseparable Union." The time
was now approaching in her history when
these declarations of attachment and fidelity
to the nation were to be put to a practical
test.
The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last
annual message, that the nation possessed
no constitutional power to coerce a seced-
ing State, was received by a great majority
of our citizens with humiliation and dis-
trust. Anxiously they awaited the expiring
hours of his administration, and looked tr>
the incoming President as to an expected
deliverer that should rescue the nation
from the hands of traitors, and the control
of those whose non-resistance invited her
des truction. The firing upon the national
flag at Sumter aroused a burning indigna-
tion throu ghout the loyal States of the re-
public, and nowhere was it more intense
than in Iowa; and when the proclamation
of the President was published, April 15,
1861, calling for 75,000 citizen soldiers to
" maintain the honor, the integrity, and
the existence of our national Union, and
the perpetuity of popular government,"
HISTORY OF IOWA.
the good people of Iowa were more
than willing to respond to the call. Party
lines gave way, and for a while, at least,
party spirit was hushed, and the cause of
our common country was supreme in the
affections of the people. Peculiarly fort-
unate were the citizens of Iowa at this
crisis, in having a truly representative
man, Samuel J. Kirkwood, as executive
of the State.
Within thirty days after the date of the
President's call for troops, the first Iowa
regiment was mustered into the service of
the United States, a second regiment was
in camp ready for the service, and the
General Assembly of the State was con-
vened in special session, and had by joint
resolution solemnly pledged every resource
of men and money to the national cause.
The Constitution of Iowa limited the
State debt to $250,000, except debts con-
tracted to " repel invasion, suppress insur-
rection, or defend the State in war." The
General Assembly authorized a loan of
$800,000 for a war and defense fund, to be
expended in organizing, arming, equipping
and subsisting the militia of the State to
meet the present and future requisitions of
the President. Those in power looked to
the spirit rather than to the letter of the
Constitution, and acted upon the theory
that to preserve the nation was to pre-
serve the State, and that to prevent in-
vasion was the most effectual means of
repelling it. A few, however, in both
branches of the General Assembly were
more careful of the letter of the Constitu-
tion. Three votes in the Senate and sev-
enteen in the House were cast against
the loan bill. These bonds were at 7 per
cent, interest. Only $300,000 were ever
issued, and they were purchased and held
chiefly by our own citizens. At this crisis
James W. Grimes and James Harlan were
in the United States Senate, and General
Samuel R. Curtis and General Vandeverin
13
the House of Representatives. During the
first year of the war, Iowa furnished sixteen
regiments of infantry, six of cavalry and
three batteries, — in all, 22,000 soldiers.
Iowa had no refuse population to enlist as
" food for powder." Her cities contained
none of that element found about the pur-
lieus of vice in the great centers of popu-
lation. Her contribution to the armies of
the republic was a genuine offering of
manhood and patriotism. From her fields,
her workshops, her counting-houses, her
offices, and the halls of her schools and
colleges, she contributed the best muscle,
sinew and brain of an industrious, enter-
prising and educated people. The first
regiment of Iowa soldiers fought the bat-
tle of Wilson's Creek after their term of
enlistment had expired, and after they were
entitled to a discharge. They were citi-
zen soldiers, each of whom had a personal
interest in the struggle. It was to them no
question of enlistment, of bounty or of pay.
When the gallant General Lyon placed
himself at their head, and told them that
the honor of Iowa and of the nation was in
their hands, he addressed men who knew
what the appeal meant, and to whom such
an appeal was never made in vain.
At the fall election of 1861, party spirit
had revived; and the contest for the control
of the State administration was warm and
earnest. Dissensions arose in both parties
but the election resulted in a majority of
16,600 votes for Kirkwood, who was thus
retained as Governor of Iowa. In 1863
the Republicans elected their candidate
for Governor, William M. Stone, by a ma-
jority of 29,000.
Meanwhile the General Assembly had
passed a law authorizing the " soldiers'
vote," that is, citizens of the State in the
volunteer military service of the United
States, whether within or without the limits
of the State, were authorized to open a poll
on the day of the election, and to make re-
!• 5
it
■
148
HISTORY OF IOWA.
turn of their votes to the proper civil au-
thorities. In the Presidental contest of
1864 the popular vote at home was as
follows: Lincoln, 72,122; McClellan, 47,-
703. The soldier vote returned was: Lin-
coln, 16,844; McClellan, 1,883.
The General Assembly did all in its
power to encourage enlistment and to pro-
tect the soldiers in the field and their fami-
lies at home. Statutes were enacted sus-
pending all suits against soldiers in the
service, and all writs of execution or attach-
ment against their property; and county
boards of supervisors were authorized to
vote bounties for enlistments, and pecuni-
ary aid to the families of those in the serv-
ice. The spirits of our people rose and
fell, according to the success of the Union
armies. One day the bells rung out with
joy for the surrender of Vicksburg, and
again the air seemed full of heaviness be-
cause of our defeats on the Peninsula; but
through all these dark and trying days, the'
faith of the great majority never wavered.
The Emancipation Proclamation of the
President was to them an inspiration of a
new hope.
In the Adjutant's department at Des
Moines are preserved the shot-riddled col-
ors and standards of Iowa's regiments.
Upon them, by special authority, were
inscribed from time to time during the war
the names of the battle-fields upon which
these regiments gained distinction. These
names constitute the geographical nomen-
clature of two-thirds of the territory lately
in rebellion. From the Des Moines River
to the Gulf, from the Mississippi to the
Atlantic, in the Mountains of West Virginia
and in the valley of the Shenandoah, the
Iowa soldier made his presence known and
felt, and maintained the honor of the State,
and the cause of the nation. ' They were
with Lyon at Wilson's Creek; with Tuttle
at Donelson. They fought with Sigel and
with Curtis at Pea Ridge; with Crocker
at Champion Hills; with Reid at Shiloh.
They were with Grant at the surrender of
Vicksburg. They fought above the clouds
with Hooker at Lookout Mountain. They
were with Sherman in his march to the sea,
and were ready for battle when Johnston
surrendered. They were with Sheridan in
the valley of the Shenandoah, and were in
the veteran ranks of the nation's deliverers
that stacked their arms in the national cap-
ital at the close of the war.
The State furnished to the armies of the
republic, during the war, over 70,000 men,
and 20,000 of these perished in" battle or
from diseases contracted in the service.
We append here a brief notice of each
regiment :
The First Regiment was organized under
the President's first call for three-months
volunteers, with John Francis Bates, of Du-
buque, as Colonel. It comprised various
independent military companies that had
been organized before the war, who ten-
dered their services even before the break-
ing out of hostilities. They were mustered
in May 14, and first saw service under
General Lyon in Missouri.
Second Infantry; Samuel R. Curtis, of
Keokuk, Colonel. This was the first three-
years regiment, and. made a most distin-
guished record throughout the South, go-
ing with Sherman to the sea, returning
through the Carolinas, etc. After the
battle at Fort Donelson, the unenthusiastic
General Halleck pronounced this regiment
"the bravest of the brave."
Third Infantry ; Nelson G. Williams, of
Dubuque County, Colonel. Veteranized
in 1864, but before the new officers received
their commissions the regiment fought itself
out of existence at the battle of Atlanta !
Fourth Infantry ; G. M. Dodge, of Coun-
cil Bluffs, Colonel. Engaged in the prin-
cipal battles of the South.
Fifth Infantry ; William H. Worthington,
of Keokuk, Colonel; 180 veteranized in"
msw at m m iB a .m m m m m m m m m m m m m m Ki„m m m^m m m m m m B m ,wri
1864 and were transferred to the Fifth
Cavalry.
Sixth Infantry; John A: McDowell, of
Keokuk, Colonel. Engaged faithfully in
many of the prominent battles.
Seventh Infantry ; J. G. Lauman, of Bur-
lington, Colonel. It lost 227 at the single
battle of Belmont.
Eighth Infantry ; Frederick Steele, of the
regular army, Colonel. Most of this com-
mand suffered in rebel prisons for eight
months. Was on duty in Alabama nearly
a year after the collapse of the Rebellion.
Ninth Infantry ; William Vandever, of
Dubuque, Colonel. Was in almost every
Southern State, traveling altogether 10,000
miles ; marched more than 4,000 miles !
Tenth Infantry ; Nicholas Persczel, of
Davenport, Colonel. Fought mainly in
Mississippi ; losing half its number at the
battle of Champion Hills alone !
Eleventh Infantry ; A. M. Hare, of Mus-
catine, Colonel. Served mainly in the in-
terior of the South, doing as valiant service
as any other regiment.
Twelfth Infantry ; J. J. Wood, of Maquo-
keta, Colonel. In rebel prisons eight
months. Veteranized January 4, 1864, a
larger proportion of the men re-enlisting
than from any other Iowa regiment. Served
for several months after the close of the
war.
Thirteenth Infantry ; M. M. Crocker, of
Des Moines, Colonel. Fought in the South-
ern interior and made the famous round
with Sherman to the sea, being the first to
enter Columbia, South Carolina, where se-
cession had its rise.
Fourteenth Infantry ; William T. Shaw,
of Anamosa, Colonel. Nearly all captured
at Shiloh, but were released after a few
months. Engaged in some of the severest
contests.
Fifteenth Infantry; Hugh T. Reid, of
Keokuk, Colonel. Served three and a half
years in the heart of the Rebellion.
Sixteenth Infantry ; Alex. Chambers, of
the regular army, Colonel. Bravely served
throughout the South.
Seventeenth Infantry ; John W. Rankin,
of Keokuk, Colonel. Served in the in-
terior of the South.
Eighteenth Infantry ; John Edwards, of
Chariton, Colonel. Much of its time was
spent in garrison duty.
Nineteenth Infantry ; Benjamin Crabb,
of Washington, Colonel. Served mainly in
Mississippi. Were prisoners of war about
ten months.
Twentieth Infantry, comprising five com-
panies each from Scott and Linn counties,
who vied with each other in patriotism;
William M. Dye, of Marion, Colonel. En-
gaged mainly on the Gulf coast.
Twenty-first Infantry ; ex-Governor Sam-
uel Merrill, Colonel. Distinguished in val-
iant service throughout the South. See
Twenty-third Regiment.
Twenty-second Infantry ; William M.
Stone, of Knoxville, since Governor of the
State, was Colonel. Did excellent service,
all the way from Mississippi to old Virginia.
Twenty-third Infantry ; William Dewey,
of Fremont County, Colonel. Its services
were mainly in Mississippi. At Black River
but a few minutes were required in carry-
ing the rebel works, but those few minutes
were fought with fearful loss to the troops.
The Twenty-first also participated in this
daring assault, and immediately after the
victory was gained General Lawler passed
down the line and joyfully seized every man
by the hand, so great was his emotion.
Twenty-fourth Infantry ; the " Iowa
Temperance Regiment," was raised by
Eber C. Byam, of Linn County. Engaged
mainly in the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Twenty-fifth Infantry ; George A. Stone,
of Mt. Pleasant, Colonel. " To the sea."
Twenty-sixth Infantry ; Milo Smith, of
Clinton, Colonel. Took part in many great
battles.
■.».i..i. i.i. i .ii.i. i .i. i .
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Twenty-seventh Infantry ; James I. Gil-
bert, of Lansing, Colonel. On duty all the
way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
Twenty-eighth Infantry ; William E.
Miller, of Iowa City, Colonel. Service, in
the region of the Lower Mississippi.
Twenty-ninth Infantry ; Thomas H. Ben-
ton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, Colonel. Sta-
tioned in Arkansas.
Thirtieth Infantry ; Charles B. Abbott,
of Louisa County, Colonel. In the thickest
of the war, coming home loaded with
honors.
Thirty-first Infantry ; William Smyth, of
Marion, Colonel. Returned from its many
hard-fought battles in the interior of the
South with only 370 men out of 1,000 en-
listed.
Thirty-second Infantry ; John Scott, of
Nevada, Colonel. Engaged in a number of
battles.
Thirty-third Infantry ; Samuel A. Rice,
a popular politician of Central Iowa, Colo-
nel. Served from Arkansas to Alabama.
Thirty-fourth Infantry; George W.Clark,
of Indianola, Colonel. Traveled 15,000
miles in its service !
Thirty-fifth Infantry ; S. G. Hill, of Mus-
catine, Colonel. Served bravely in a dozen
battles, and traveled 10,000 miles.
Thirty-sixth Infantry ; Charles W. Kitt-
redge, of Ottumwa, Colonel. Suffered a
great deal from sickness— small-pox, measles,
malaria, etc.
Thirty-seventh Infantry, the " Gray-
Beard Regiment," being composed of men
over forty-five years of age, and was the
only one of its kind in the war. Garrison
and post duty.
Thirty-eighth Infantry; D. H. Hughes,
of Decorah, Colonel. Most unfortunate of
all in respect of sickness, 300 dying during
the first two years.
Thirty-ninth Infantry ; H. J. B. Cum-
mings, of Winterset, Colonel. One of the
most distinguished regiments in the field.
■ -■- ■ ..■- ■..■.■■-'■■■-■'■.■-■■■"lii"^
Fortieth Infantry; John A. Garrett, of
Newton, Colonel.
Forty-first Infantry was not completed,
and the three companies raised for it were
attached to the Seventh Cavalry.
There were no regiments numbered
Forty-second or Forty-third.
Forty -fourth Infantry for 100 days;
Stephen H. Henderson, Colonel. Garrison
duty in Tennessee.
Forty-fifth Infantry, for 100 days ; A. H.
Bereman, of Mt. Pleasant, Colonel. Garri-
son duty in Tennessee.
Forty-sixth Infantry, for 100 days; D. B.
Henderson, of Clermont, Colonel. Garri-
son duty in Tennessee.
Forty-seventh Infantry, for 100 days;
James P. Sanford, of Oskaloosa, Colonel.
Stationed at the sickly place of Helena,
Arkansas.
Forty-eighth Infantry (battalion), for 100
days ; O. H. P. Scott, of Farmington, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel. Guarded prisoners on Rock
Island.
First Cavalry ; Fitz Henry Warren, of
Burlington, Colonel. Served for three
years, mainly along the Lower Mississippi.
Second Cavalry ; W. L. Elliott, a Cap-
tain in the Third Cavalry of the regular
army, Colonel. Fought faithfully in many
important battles in Tennessee and Missis-
sippi.
Third Cavalry ; Cyrus Bussey, of Broom-
field, Colonel. Distinguished in war.
Fourth Cavalry; A. B. Porter, of Mt.
Pleasant, Colonel. Participated with zeal
and judgment in the hottest of battles in
Tennessee and Mississippi.
Fifth Cavalry, only in part an Iowa regi-
ment; William W. Lowe, of the regular
army, Colonel. Distinguished in the hotly
contested battles of Tennessee and vicinity.
Sixth Cavalry; D. S. Wilson, of Du-
buque, Colonel. Served against the In-
dians.
Seventh Cavalry ; S. W. Summers, of
■«"■«-«■— IBI-«».B-«»M»«il»M'
J
Ottumwa, Colonel. Served against
Indians.
Eighth Cavalry ; Joseph B. Dorr, of Du-
buque, Colonel. Served faithfully in guard-
ing Sherman's communications, etc.
Ninth Cavalry; M. M. Trumbull, of
Cedar Falls, Colonel. Scouting, guard and
garrison duties in Arkansas.
First Battery of Light Artillery; C. H.
Fletcher, of Burlington, Captain. Served
in Arkansas and Tennessee.
Second Battery ; Nelson I. Spoor, of
Council Bluffs, Captain. Engaged at Farm-
ington, Corinth and other places.
Third Battery ; M. M. Hayden, of Du-
buque, Captain. Engaged at Pea Ridge,
and in other important battles.
Fourth Battery ; on duty most of the
time in Louisiana.
Iowa Regiment of Colored Troops ; John
G. Hudson, of Missouri, Colonel. Garrison
duty at St. Louis and elsewhere.
Northern Border Brigade ; James A.
Sawyer, of Sioux City, Colonel. Protected
the Northwestern frontier.
Southern Border Brigade ; protected the
southern border of the State.
The following promotions were made by
the United States Government from Iowa
regiments : To the rank of Major-General
— Samuel R.Curtis, Frederick Steele, Frank
J. Herron and Grenville M. Dodge ; to that
of Brigadier-General-^Jacob G. Lauman,
James M. Tuttle, W. L. Elliott, Fitz Henry
Warren, Charles L. Matthies, William Van-
dever, M. M. Crocker, Hugh T. Reid,
Samuel A. Rice, John M. Corse, Cyrus
Bussey, Edward Hatch, Elliott W. Rice,
William W. Belknap, John Edwards, James
A. Williamson, James I. Gilbert and Thomas
J. McKean ; Corse, Hatch, Belknap, Elliott
and Vandever were brevetted Major-
Generals ; brevetted Brigadier-Generals —
William T. Clark, Edward F. Winslow, S.
G. Hill, Thomas H. Benton, S. S. Glasgow,
Clark R. Weaver, Francis M. Drake,
George A. Stone, Datus E. Coon, George
W. Clark, Herman H. Heath, J. M. Hed-
rick and W. W. Lowe.
IOWA SINCE THE WAR.
The two principal events of political in-
terest in this State since the war have been
the popular contests concerning woman
suffrage and the liquor traffic. In the
popular elections the people gave a ma-
jority against the former measure, but in
favor of prohibiting the sale or manufact-
ure of intoxicating liquors.
A list of State officers to date is given on
a subsequent page. The last vote for
Governor, October 9, 1883, stood as fol-
lows: For Buren R. Sherman, Republican,
164,141 ; L. G. Kinne, Democrat, 140,032,
and James B. Weaver, National Green-
back, 23,093.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The present capitol building is a beauti-
ful specimen of modern architecture. Its
dimensions are, in general, 246 x 364 feet,
with a dome and spire extending up to a
height of 275 feet. In 1870 the General
Assembly made an appropriation, and pro-
vided for the appointment of a board of com-
missioners to commence the work of build-
ing. They were duly appointed and pro-
ceeded to work, laying the corner-stone with
appropriate ceremonies, November 23, 1871.
The structure is not yet completed. When
finished it will have cost about $3,500,000.
The State University, at Iowa City, was
established therein 1858, immediately after
the removal of the capital to Des Moines.
As had already been planned, it occupied
the old capitol building. As early as Janu-
ary, 1849, two branches of the university
were established — one at Fairfield and one
at Dubuque. At Fairfield, the board of
directors organized and erected a building
at a cost of $2,500. This was nearly de-
stroyed by a hurricane the following year,
■■■■■■■■■»»M»a"«»i
grnggggggSEgggBBEBHSaagBSB
HISTORY OF IOWA.
but was rebuilt more substantially by the
citizens of Fairfield. This branch never
received any aid from the State, and Janu-
ary 24, 1853, at the request of the board,
the General Assembly terminated its rela-
tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque
had only a nominal existence
By act of Congress, approved July 20,
1840, two entire townships of land were
set apart in this State for the support of a
university. The Legislature of this State
placed the management of this institution
in the hands of a board of fifteen trustees,
five to be chosen (by the Legislature) every
two years, the superintendent of public
instruction to be president of the board.
This board was also" to appoint seven trus-
tees for each of the three normal schools, to
be simultaneously established — one each
at Andrew, Oskaloosa and Mt. Pleasant.
One was never started at the last-named
place, and after a feeble existence for a
short time the other two were discontin-
ued. The university itself was closed dur-
ing i8SQ-'6o, for want of funds.
The law department was established in
June, 1868, and soon afterward the Iowa
Law School at Des Moines, which had been
in successful operation for three years, was
transferred to Iowa City and merged in the
department. The medical d epartment was
established in 1869; and in 1874 a chair of
military instruction was added.
Since April 11, 1870, the government of
the university has been in the hands of a
board of regents. The present faculty
comprises forty-two professors, and the
attendance 560 students.
The State Normal School is located at
Cedar Falls, and was opened in 1876. It
has now a faculty of nine members, with' an
attendance of 301 pupils.
The State Agricultural College is located
at Ames, in Story County, being established
by the legislative act of March 23, 1858.
In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 240,000
acres of land for the endowment of schools
of agriculture and the mechanic arts. The
main building was completed in 1868, and
the institution opened the following year.
Tuition is free to pupils from the State
over sixteen years of age. The college
farm comprises 860 acres, of which a major
portion is in cultivation. Professors, twen-
ty-two; scholars, 319.
The Deaf and Dumb Institute was estab-
lished in 1855, at Iowa City, but was after-
ward removed to Council Bluffs, to a tract
of ninety acres of land two miles south of
that city. In October, 1870, the main build-
ing and one wing were completed and
occupied. In February, 1877, fire destroyed
the main building and east wing, and dur-
ing the summer following a tornado par-
tially demolished the west wing. It is at
present (1885) manned with fifteen teachers,
and attended by 292 pupils.
The College for the Blind has been at Vin-
ton since 1862. Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself
blind, a fine scholar, who had founded the
Institution for the Blind, at Jacksonville,
Illinois, commenced as early as 1852 a school
of instruction at Keokuk. The next year
the institution was adopted by the State
and moved to Iowa City, with Prof. Bacon
as principal. It was moved thence, in 1862,
to Vinton. The building was erected and
the college manned at vast expenditure of
money. It is said that $282,000 were ex-
pended upon the building alone, and that it
required an outlay of $5, 000 a year to heat
it, while it had accommodations for 130 in-
mates. At present, however, they have
accommodations for more pupils, with an
attendance of 1 32. There are eleven teach-
ers. The annual legislative appropriation
is $8,000, besides $128 per year for each
pupil.
The first Iowa Hospital for the Insane
was established by an act of the Legislature
approved January 24, 1855. It is located at
Mt. Pleasant, where the building was com.
HISTORr OF IOWA.
153
pleted in 1861, at a cost of $258,555. Within
the first three months 100 patients were ad-
mitted, and before the close of October,
1877, an aggregate of 3,684 had been ad-
mitted. In April, 1876, a portion of the
building was destroyed by fire. At this in-
stitution there are now ninety-four superin-
tendents and assistants, in charge of 472
patients.
Another Hospital for the Insane, at Inde-
pendence, was opened May 1, 1873, in a
building which cost $88,114. The present
number of inmates is 580, in the care of 1 1 1
superintendents and employes.
The Soldiers' Orphans' Home is located at
Davenport. It was originated by Mrs. Annie
Wittenmeyer, during the late war, who
called a convention for the purpose at Mus-
catine, September 7, 1863, and uly 13 fol-
lowing the institution was opened in a brick
building at Lawrence, Van Buren County.
It was sustained by voluntary contributions
until 1866, when the State took charge of
it. The Legislature provided at first for
three " homes." The one in Cedar Falls
was organized in 1865, an old hotel build-
ing being fitted up for it, and by the follow-
ing January there were ninety-six inmates.
In October, 1869, the Home was removed
to a large brick building about two miles
west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosper-
ous for several years; but in 1876 the Leg-
islature devoted this building to the State
Normal School, and the buildings and
grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home
at Glenwood, Mills County, to an institution
for the support of feeble-minded children,
and also provided for the removal of the
soldiers' orphans at the Glenwood and
Cedar Falls homes to the institution at
Davenport. The latter has now in charge
169 orphans.
The Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children,
referred to above, is at Glenwood, estab-
lished by the Legislature in March, 1876.
The institution was opened September 1,
following, with a few pupils; but now the
attendance is 215, in the care of four teach-
ers. This asylum is managed by three trus-
tees, one of whom must be a resident of that
county, Mills.
The first penitentiary was established in
1841, near Fort Madison, its present loca-
tion. The cost of the original building was
$55,934, and its capacity was sufficient for
138 convicts. At present there are at this
prison 364 convicts, in charge of forty-three
employes.
The penitentiary at Anamosa was estab-
lished in i872-'3. It now has 239 convicts
and thirty-four employes.
The boys' reform school was permanently
located at Eldora, Hardin County, in 1872.
For the three years previous it was kept at
the building of the Iowa Manual Labor In-
stitute at Salem, Henry County. Only
boys between seven and sixteen years of
age are admitted. Credit of time for good
conduct is given, so that occasionally one
is discharged before he is of age. There
are now (1885) 201 pupils here.
The "girls' department" is at Mitchell-
ville, similarly managed. Inmates, eighty-
three.
The State Historical Society is in part
supported by the State, the Governor ap-
pointing nine of the eighteen curators.
This society was provided for in connection
with the University, by legislative act of
January 28, 1857, an d it has published a
series of valuable collections, and a large
number of finely engraved portraits of
prominent and early settlers.
The State Agricultural Society is con-
ducted under the auspices of the State, and
is one of the greatest promoters of the
welfare of the people among all the State
organizations. It holds an annual fair at
Des Moines, and its proceedings are also
published annually, at the expense of the
State.
The Fish-Hatching House has been sue-
;i5
1 9
M i
i • 5
i ■
cessfully carrying on its good work since
its establishment in 1874, near Anamosa.
Three fish commissioners are appointed,
one for each of the three districts into which
the State is for the purpose divided.
The State Board of Health, established
in 1880, has an advisory supervision, and to
a limited extent also a police supervision,
over the health of the people, — especially
with reference to the abatement of those
nuisances that are most calculated to pro-
mulgate dangerous and contagious diseases.
Their publications, which are made at the
expense of the State, should be studied by
every citizen
EDUCATIONAL.
The germ of the free public school sys-
tem of Iowa, which now ranks second to
none in the United States, was planted by
the first settlers, and in no other public
measure have the people ever since taken
so deep an interest. They have expanded
and improved their original system until
now it is justly considered one of the most
complete, comprehensive and liberal in the
country.
Nor is this to be wondered at when it is
remembered that humble log school-houses
were built almost as soon as the log cabins
of the earliest settlers were occupied, and
school-teachers were among the first im-
migrants to Iowa. Schools, therefore, the
people have had everywhere from the start,
and the school-houses, in their character and
accommodations, have kept fully abreast
with the times.
The first school-house within the limits
of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built by
J. L. Langworthy and a few other miners,
in the autumn of 1833. When it was com-
pleted George Cabbage was employed as
teacher during the winter of 1833-4, thirty-
five pupils attending his school. Barrett
Whittemore taught the next school term,
with twenty-five pupils in attendance. Mrs.
Caroline Dexter commenced teaching in
Dubuque in March, 1836. She was the first
female teacher there, and probably the first
in Iowa. In 1839 Thomas H. Benton, Jr.,
afterward for ten years Superintendent of
Public Instruction, opened an English and
classical school in Dubuque. The first tax
for the support of schools at Dubuque was
levied in 1840.
At Burlington a commodious log school-
house, built in 1834, was among the first
buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught
the first school in the winter of 1834-5.
In Muscatine County, the first school was
taught by George Bumgardner, in the
spring of 1837. In 1839 a ^°S school-house
was erected in Muscatine, which served for
a long time as school-house, church and
public hall.
The first school in Davenport was taught
in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Sawyer,
James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed taught
school in 1839.
Johnson County was an entire wilderness
when Iowa City was located as the capital
of the Territory of Iowa, in May, 1839.
The first sale of lots took place August 18,
1839, an d before January 1, 1840, about
twenty families had settled within the limits
of the town. During the same year Jesse
Berry opened a school in a small frame
building he had erected on what is now
College street.
In Monroe County, the first settlement
was made in 1843, D y Mr. John R. Gray,
about two miles from the present site of
Eddyville ; and in the summer of 1844 a log
school-house was built by Gray, William
V. Beedle, C. Renfro, Joseph McMullen
and Willoughby Randolph, and the first
school was opened by Miss Urania Adams.
The building was occupied for school pur-
poses for nearly ten years.
About a year after the first cabin was
built at Oskaloosa, a log school-house was
built, in which school was opened by Sam-
uel W. Caldwell, in 1844.
SgiOB
M " lM »» Mr " l»" ' l»ii l M"^Mm™MMMS|«'»M"»«"r^
HISTORY OF IOWA.
At Fort Des Moines, now the capital of
the State, the first school was taught by
Lewis Whitten, Clerk of the District Court,
in the winter of i846-'7, m one of the rooms
on " Coon Row," built for barracks.
The first school in Pottawattamie County
was opened by George Green, a Mormon,
at Council Point, prior to 1849 > an d until
about 1854 nearly all the teachers in that
vicinity were Mormons.
The first school in Decorah was taught in
1855, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, since Gov-
ernor of the State. In Crawford County the
first school-house was built in Mason's
Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry first
occupied it as teacher.
During the first twenty years of the his-
tory of Iowa, the log school-house pre-
vailed, and in 1861 there were 893 of these
primitive structures in use for school pur-
poses in the State. Since that time they
have been gradually disappearing. In 1865
there were 796; in 1870, 336; and in 1875,
121.
In 1846, the year of Iowa's admission as
a State, there were 20,000 scholars out of
100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school dis-
tricts had been organized. In 1850 there
were 1,200, and in 1857 the number had in-
creased to 3,265.
In March, 1858, upon the recommenda-
tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction, the seventh
General Assembly enacted that " each civil
township is declared a school district," and
provided that these should be divided into
sub-districts. This law went into force
March 20, 1858, and reduced the number of
school districts from about 3,500 to less than
900. This change of school organization
resulted in a very material reduction of the
expenditures for the compensation of dis-
trict secretaries and treasurers. An effort
was made for several years, from 1867 to
1872, to abolish the sub-district system.
Mr. Kissell, Superintendent, recommended
14
this in his report of January 1, 1872, and
Governor Merrill forcibly endorsed his
views in his annual message. But the
Legislature of that year provided for the
formation of independent districts from the
sub-districts of district townships.
The system of graded schools was in-
augurated in 1849, an d new schools, in
which more than one teacher is employed,
are universally graded.
Teachers' institutes were organized early
in the history of the State. The first offi-
cial mention of them occurs in the annual
report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr.,
made December 2, 1850, who said: "An
institution of this character was organized
a few years ago, composed of the teachers
of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wisconsin
and Iowa. An association of teachers has
also been formed in the county of Henry,
and an effort was made in October last to
organize a regular institute in the county
of Jones."
No legislation, however, was held until
March, 1858, when an act was passed au-
thorizing the holding of teachers' institutes
for periods not less than six working days,
whenever not less than thirty teachers
should desire. The superintendent was
authorized to expend not exceeding $100
for any one institute, to be paid out by the
county superintendent, as the institute may
direct, for teachers and lecturers, and $1,-
000 was appropriated to defray the expenses
of these institutes. Mr. Fisher at once
pushed the matter of holding institutes, and
December 6, 1858, he reported to the Board
of Education that institutes had been ap-
pointed in twenty counties within the pre-
ceding six months, and more would have
been held but the appropriation had been
exhausted. At the first session of the Board
of Education, commencing December 6,
1858, a code of school laws was enacted,
which retained the existing provisions for
teachers' institutes. In March, i860, the
, General Assembly amended the act of the
board by appropriating " a sum not ex-
ceeding $50 annually for one such institute,
held as provided by law in each county."
In 1865 the superintendent, Mr. Faville, re-
ported that "the provision made by the
State for the benefit of teachers' institutes
has never been so fully appreciated, both
by the people and the teachers, as during
the last two years." Under this law an in-
stitute is held annually in each county,
under the direction of the county superin-
tendent.
By an act approved March 19, 1874, nor-
mal institutes were established in each
county, to be held annually by the county
superintendent. This was regarded as a
very decided step in advance by Mr. Aber-
nethy, and in 1876 the General Assembly
established the first permanent State Nor-
mal School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk
County, appropriating the building and
property of the Soldiers' Orphans Home
at that place for that purpose. This school
is now " in the full tide of successful ex-
periment."
Funds for the support of the public
schools are derived in several ways. The
sixteenth section of every congressional
township was set apart by the General
Government for school purposes, being
one thirty-sixth part of all the lands of the
State. The minimum price of these lands
was fixed at $1.25 per acre. Congress also
made an additional donation to the State of
500,000 acres, and an appropriation of 5
per cent, on all the sales of public lands to
the school fund. The State gives to this
fund the proceeds of the sales of all lands
which escheat to it; the proceeds of all
fines for the violation of the liquor and
criminal laws. The money derived from
these sources constitutes the permanent
school fund of the State, which cannot be
diverted to any other purpose. The pen-
alties collected by the courts for fines and
forfeitures go to the school fund in the
counties where collected. The proceeds
of the sale of lands and the 5 per cent, fund
go into the State Treasury, and the State
distributes these proceeds to the several
counties according to their request.
In 1844 there were in the State 4,339
school districts, containing 11,244 schools,
and employing 21,776 teachers. The aver-
age monthly pay of male teachers was
$32.50, and of female teachers $27.25. There
were 594,730 persons of school age, of whom
431,513 were enrolled in the public schools.
The average cost of tuition for each pupil
per month was $1.62. The expenditures
for all school purposes was $5,129,819.49.
The permanent school fund is now $3,547,-
123.82, on which the income for 1881 was
$234,622.40.
Besides the State University, Agricult-
ural College and Normal School, described
on preceding pages, ample provision for
higher education has been made by the
different religious denominations, assisted
by local and individual beneficence. There
are, exclusive of State institutions, twenty-
three universities and colleges, and one
hundred and eleven academies and other
private schools for the higher branches.
All these are in active operation, and most
of them stand high.
Amity College, located at College
Springs, Page County, has eight instructors
and two hundred and forty-five students.
Burlington University, eight instructors
and forty-three pupils.
Callanan College, at Des Moines, has
eighteen in the faculty and one hundred
and twenty students enrolled.
Central University, at Pella, Marion
County, is under the auspices of the Baptist
church, and has eleven in the faculty and
one hundred and two students.
Coe' College, at Cedar Rapids, has a
faculty of ten, and an attendance of one
hundred and ninety-nine.
Cornell College, Methodist Episcopal, at
Mt. Vernon, Linn County, has eighteen
members of the faculty and four hundred
and seventy-nine scholars. This is a strong
institution.
Drake University, at Des Moines, has
thirty instructors and three hundred and
twenty-five pupils.
Griswold College, at Davenport, is under
the control of the Episcopal church, and
has seven instructors and seventy-five stu-
dents.
Iowa College, at Grinnell, is permanently
endowed. • Has fourteen instructors and
three hundred and eighty-four students.
Iowa Wesleyan University (Methodist
Episcopal), at Mt. Pleasant, has six mem-
bers of the faculty and one hundred and
seventy-five students.
Luther College, at Decorah, Winneshiek
County, has a faculty of ten, and one hun-
dred and sixty-five pupils.
Oskaloosa College has a faculty of five,
and one hundred and thirty-five students.
Penn College, at Oskaloosa, has a faculty
of five members, and one hundred and forty
pupils in attendance.
Simpson Centenary College, at Indianola,
Warren County (Methodist Episcopal), has
a faculty of seven and an attendance of two
hundred.
Tabor College, at Tabor, Fremont
County, modeled after the Oberlin (Ohio)
College, has twelve members in the faculty
and an attendance of two hundred and ten
scholars.
University of Des Moines has five in-
structors and fifty pupils.
Upper Iowa University (Methodist Epis-
copal), located at Fayette, in Fayette
County, has eleven instructors and three
hundred and fifty students.
Whittier College, at Salem, Henry
County, is under the auspices of the
Friends. There are two instructors and
sixty pupils.
When Wisconsin Territory was organ-
ized in 1836, the entire population of that
portion of the Territory now embraced in
the State of Iowa was 10,531. The Terri-
tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque
and Des Moines, erected by the Territory
of Michigan in 1834. Since then the
counties have increased to ninety-nine, and
the population in 1880 was 1,624,463. The
following table will show the population at
different periods since the erection of Iowa
Territory :
Year.
1S38. .
1840. .
1844. .
1846. .
1847..
1849..
1850. .
1851..
1852..
1854- •
185S. .
Population
22,589
•■•• 43,"5
7S.IS2
.... 97,588
....116,651
152,988
191,982
204,774
230,713
326,013
....519,055
Year Population
i859 638,775
'f, 60 674.913
l8 63 70J.732
1865 75°.699
1867 902,040
1869 1,040,819
1870 i.i9'.7 2 7
l8 73 1.251,333
1875 1.366,000
1880 1,624463
The most populous county is Dubuque —
42,997. Polk County has 42,395, and Scott,
41,270. Not only in population, but in
everything contributing to the growth and
greatness of a .State, has Iowa made rapid
progress. In a little more than thirty-five
years its wild but beautiful prairies have
advanced from the home of the savage to a
highly civilized commonwealth.
The first railroad across the State was
completed to Council Bluffs in January,
1 87 1. The completion of three others scon
followed. In 1854 there was not a mile of
railroad in Iowa. Within the succeeding
twenty years, 3,765 miles were built and
put in successful operation.
The present value of buildings for our
State institutions is as follows :
State Capitol $2,500,000
State University. 400,000
Agricultural Col.
and Farm 300,000
Inst, for the Blind 150,000
Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb 225,000
Institutions for the
Insane $1,149,000
Orphans' Hume.. 62,000
Penitentiaries 408,000
Normal School. . 50,000
Reform School. . 90,000
■■-■-■-■■
■ "g|JgSTS»^— mmmtm
■■■■■■■-■5"snr"«"n"«i
'S8
HISTORT OF IOWA.
The State has never levied more than
two and one-half mills on the dollar for
State tax, and this is at present the consti-
tutional limit.
Iowa has no State debt. Whatever obli-
gations have been incurred in the past have
been promptly met and fully paid. Many
of the counties are in debt, but only four of
them to an amount exceeding $100,000 each.
The bonded debt of the counties amounts
in the aggregate to $2,592,222, and the float-
ing debt, $153,456; total, $2,745,678.
In the language of Judge C. C. Nourse,
we feel compelled to say : " The great ulti-
mate fact that America would demonstrate
is, the existence of a people capable of at-
taining and preserving a superior civiliza-
tion, with a government self-irriposed, self-
administered and self-perpetuated. In this
age of wonderful progress, America can
exhibit nothing to the world of mankind
more wonderful or more glorious than her
new States — young empires, born of her
own enterprise and tutored at her own
political hearth-stone. Well may she say
to the monarchies of the Old World, who
look for evidence of her regal grandeur
and state, ' Behold, these are my jewels !'
and may she never blush to add, ' This one
in the center of the diadem is Iowa !' "
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Iowa, in the highly figurative and ex-
pressive language of the aborigines, is said
to signify " The Beautiful Land," and was
applied by them to this magnificent section
of the country between the two great rivers.
The general shape of the State is that of
a rectangle, the northern and southern
boundaries being due east and west lines,
and its eastern and western boundaries de-
termined by southerly flowing rivers — the
Mississippi on the east and the Missouri
and the Big Sioux on the west. The width
of the State from north to south is over 200
miles, being from the parallel of 43 ° 30' to
that of 40 36', or merely three degrees;
but this does not include the small angle at
the southeast corner. The length of the
State from east to west is about 265 miles.
The area is 55,044 square miles, nearly all
of which is readily tillable and highly fer-
tile.
The State lies wholly within, and com-
prises a part of a vast plain, and there is no
mountainous or even hilly country within
its borders, excepting the bluffs of the larger
rivers. The highest point is near Spirit
Lake, and is but 1,200 feet above the lowest,
which is in the southeast corner, and is 444
feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico.
The average descent per mile between these
two points is four feet, and that from Spirit
Lake to the northeast corner of the State,
at low-water mark of the Mississippi, is five
feet five inches.
It has been estimated that about seven-
eighths of Iowa was prairie when the white
race first settled here. It seems to be a set-
tled point in science that the annual fires of
the Indians, prevented this western country
from becoming heavily timbered.
GEOLOGY.
Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into
three general divisions, which not only
possess different physical characters, but
also differ in the mode of their origin.
These are drift, bluff and alluvial and be-
long respectively to the deposits bearing
the same names. The drift occupies a
much larger part of the surface of the State
than both the others. The bluff has the
next greatest area of surface.
All soil is disintegrated rock. The drift
deposit of Iowa was derived to a consider-
able extent from the rocks of Minnesota;
but the greater part was derived from its
own rocks, much of which has been trans-
ported but a short distance. In Northern
and Northwestern Iowa the drift contains
more sand and gravel than elsewhere. In
aggggo
.■.b.u,i.b,.b.«;
m 5 m s m eSmmS *m*MMmSBE£*££mMM*M2SB SB2:
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Southern Iowa the soil is frequently stiff
and clayey. The bluff soil is found only in
the western part of the State, and adjacent
to Missouri River." Although it contains
less than i per cent, of clay in its com-
position, it is in no respect inferior to the
best drift soil. The alluvial soil is that of
the flood plains of the river valleys, or bot-
tom lands. That which is periodically
flooded by the rivers is of little value for
agricultural purposes ; but a large part of
it is entirely above the reach of the highest
flood, and is very productive.
The stratified rocks of Iowa range from
the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive ; but
the greater portion of the surface of the
State is occupied by those of the Palaeozoic
age. The table below will show each of
these formations in their order :
o
o
K 3 ■£ DgE
nan 3
S"SS
O CO
%
a pi
o'o o
c sr 3
co i-3
8 MJ» o
N 3 3 C
SftE.?
§ S I
._, rr » o 3* < >3. <
3FCmS.3
ft 3* f ^ r^
e c o-o
en-
o o o o 8 o
OJ M M M
The Sioux quartzite, in the azoic system,
is found exposed in natural ledges only
upon a few acres in the extreme northwest
corner of the State, upon the banks of the
Big Sioux River, for which reason the
specific name of Sioux quartzite has been
given them. It is an intensely hard rock,
breaks in splintery fracture, and of a color
varying, in different localities, from a light
to deep red. The process of metamorphism
has been so complete throughout the whole
formation that the rock is almost every-
where of uniform texture. The dip is four
or five degrees to the northward, and the
trend of the outcrop is eastward and west-
ward.
The Potsdam sandstone formation is ex-
posed only in a small portion of the north-
eastern part of the State. It is only to be
seen in the bases of the bluffs and steep
valley sides which border the river there.
It is nearly valueless for economic purposes.
No fossils have been discovered in this for-
mation in Iowa.
The Lower Magnesian limestone has but
little greater geographical extent in Iowa
than the Pots :iam sandstone. It lacks a
uniformity of texture and stratification, ow-
ing to which it is not generally valuable for
building purposes.
The St. Peter's sandstone formation is
remarkably uniform in thickness through-
out its known geographical extent, and it
occupies a large portion of the northern
half of Allamakee County; immediately be-
neath the drift.
With the exception of the Trenton lime-
stone, all the limestones of both Upper and
Lower Silurian age in Iowa are magnesian
limestone. This formation occupies large
portions of Winneshiek and Allamakee
counties, and a small part of Clayton. The
greater part of it is useless for economic
purposes; but there are some compact,
even layers that furnish fine material for
window caps and sills.
1
m*Sx-3B&BSBSBB&SmZmSi
HISTORT OF IOWA.
The Galena limestone is the upper for-
mation of the Trenton Group. It is 150
miles long and seldom exceeds twelve miles
in width. It exhibits its greatest develop-
ment in Dubuque County. It is nearly a
pure dolomite with a slight admixture of
silicious matter ; good blocks for dressing
are sometimes found near the top of the
'he'd, although it is usually unfit for such a
purpose. This formation is the source of
the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines.
The lead region proper is confined to an
area of about fifteen miles square in the
vicinity of Dubuque. The ore occurs in
vertical-fissures, which traverse the rock at
regular intervals from east to west ; some
is found in those which have a north and
south direction. This ore is mostly that
known as galena, or sulphuret of lead, very
small quantities only of the carbonate being
found with it.
The surface occupied by the Maquoketa
shales is more than 100 miles in length, but
is singularly long and narrow, seldom reach-
ing more than a mile or two in width. The
most northern exposure yet recognized is
in the western part of Winneshiek County,
while the most southerly is in Jackson
County, in the bluffs of the Mississippi.
The formation is largely composed of bluish
and brownish shales, sometimes slightly
arenaceous, sometimes calcareous, which
weather into a tenacious clay upon the sur-
face, and the soil derived from it is usually
stiff and clayey.
The area occupied by the Niagara lime-
stone is forty and fifty miles in width and
nearly 160 miles long from north to south.
This formation is entirely a magnesian lime-
stone, with a considerable portion of sili-
cious matter, in some places, in the form of
chert or coarse flint. . A large part of it
probably affords the best and greatest
amount of quarry rock in the State. The
quarries at Anamosa, Le Claire and Farley
are all opened in this formation.
The area of surface occupied by the
Hamilton limestone and shales, is as great'
as those by all the formations of both Upper
and Lower Silurian age in the. State. Its
length is nearly 200 miles, and width from
forty to fifty. Portions of it are valuable
for economic purposes ; and, having a large
geographical extent in the State, is a very
important formation. Its value for the pro-
duction of hydraulic lime has been demon-
strated at Waverly, Bremer County. The
heavier and more uniform magnesian beds
furnish material for bridge piers and other
material requiring strength and durability.
A coral occurs near Iowa City, known as
" Iowa City marble" and " bird's-eye mar-
ble."
Of the three groups of formations that
constitute the carboniferous, viz., the sub-
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian,
only the first two are found in Iqwa.
The Subcarboniferous group occupies a
very large area of surface. Its eastern
border passes from the northeastern part of
Winnebago County, with considerable di-
rectness in a southeasterly direction to the
northern part of Washington County. It
then makes a broad and direct bend nearly
eastward, striking the Mississippi at Mus-
catine. The southern and western bound-
aries are to a considerable extent the same
as that which separates it from the real
field. From the southern part of Poca-
hontas County it passes southeast to Fort
Dodge, thence to Webster City, thence to
a point three or four miles northeast of El-
dora, in Hardin County, thence southward
to the middle of the north line of Jasper
County, thence southeastward to Sigour-
ney, in Keokuk County, thence to the north-
eastern corner of Jefferson County, thence
sweeping a few miles eastward to the south-
east corner of Van Buren County. Its arc
is about 250 miles long and from twenty to
fifty miles wide.
The most southerly exposure of the Kin-
te»E».l»«U»»H<»«»»l»M''M'
^ & nm m m m m m m m u m m m a„* „x m w„ m „ m m m m m a m m m m *„w„*„m m w m tt„w„x m *i xl u m m m m !S ,m m m m m m -M
HISTORY OF IOWA.
161
derhook beds is in Des Moines County,
near the mouth of Skunk River. The most
northerly now known is in the eastern part
of Pocahontas County, more than 200 miles
distant. The principal exposures of this
formation are along the bluffs which border
the Mississippi and Skunk rivers, where
they form the eastern and northern bound-
ary of Des Moines County ; along English
River, in Washington County ; along the
Iowa River, in Tama, Marshall, Hamlin
and Franklin counties, and along the Des
Moines River, in Humboldt County. This
formation has a considerable economic
value, particularly in the northern portion
of the region it occupies. In Pocahontas
and Humboldt counties it is invaluable, as
no other stone except a few boulders are
found here. At Iowa Falls the lower
division is very good for building purposes.
In Marshall County all the limestone to be
obtained comes from this formation, and
the quarries near Le Grand are very valu-
able. At this point some of the layers are
finely veined with peroxide of iron, and are
wrought into both useful and ornamental
objects. In Tama County the oolitic mem-
ber is well exposed, where it is manufact-
ured into lime. Upon exposure to atmos-
phere and frost it crumbles to pieces ;
consequently it is not valuable for building
purposes.'
The Burlington limestone is carried down
by the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so
that it is seen for the last time in this State
in the valley of Skunk River, near the
southern boundary of Des Moines County ;
it has been recognized in the northern part
of Washington County, which is the most
northerly point that it has been found ; but
it probably exists as far north as Marshall
County. Much valuable material is afforded
by this formation for economic purposes.
The upper division furnishes excellent com-
mon quarry rock. Geologists are attracted
by the great abundance and variety of its
fossils — crinoids — now known to be more
than 300.
The Keokuk limestone formation is to be
seen only in four counties : Lee, Van Buren,
Henry and Des Moines. In some localities
the upper silicious portion is known as the
Geode bed ; it is not recognizable in the
northern portion of the formation, nor in
connection with it where it is exposed,
about eighty miles below Keokuk. The
geodes of the Geode bed are more or less
masses of silex, usually hollow and lined
with crystals of quartz ; the outer crust is
rough and unsightly, but the crystals which
stud the interior are often very beautiful ;
they vary in size from the size of a walnut
to a foot in diameter. This formation is of
great economic value. Large quantities
of its stone have been used in the finest
structures in the State, among which are
the postoffices at Dubuque and Des Moines.
The principal quarries are along the banks
of the Mississippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo.
The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost
of the subcarboniferous group in Iowa. It
occupies a small superficial area, consisting
of long, narrow strips, yet its extent is very
great. It is first seen resting on the Geode
division of the Keokuk limestone, near Keo-
kuk; proceeding northward, it forms a
narrow border along the edge of the coal
fields in Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Jeffer-
son, Washington, Keokuk and Mahaska
counties; it is then lost sight of until it
appears again in the banks of Boone River,
where it again passes out of view under the
Coal Measures, until it is next seen in the
banks of the Des Moines, near Fort Dodge.
As it exists in Iowa, it consists of three
tolerably distinct sub-divisions : The mag-
nesian, arenaceous and calcareous. The
upper division furnishes excellent material
for quicklime, and when quarries are well
opened, as in the northwestern part of Van
Buren County, large blocks are obtained.
The sandstone, or middle division, is of
HISTORY OF IOWA.
little value. The lower, or magnesian di-
vision, furnishes a valuable and durable
stone, exposures of which are found on Lick
Creek, in Van Buren County, and on Long
Creek, seven miles west of Burlington.
The Coal Measure group is properly
divided into three formations, viz.: The
Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures,
each having a vertical thickness of about
200 feet. The Lower Coal Measures exist
eastward and northward of the Des Moines
River, and also occupy a large area west-
ward and southward of that river, but their
southerly dip passes them below the Middle
Coal Measures at no great distance from
the river. This formation possesses greater
economic value than any other in the whole
State. The clay that underlies almost every
bed of coal furnishes a large amount of ma-
terial for potter's use. The sandstone of
these measures is usually soft and unfit, but
in some places, as in Red Rock in Marion
County, blocks of large dimensions are ob-
tained, which make good building material,
samples of which can be seen in the State
Arsenal, at Des Moines.
The Upper Coal Measures occupy a
very large area, comprising thirteen whole
counties, in the southwestern part of the
State. By its northern and eastern bound-
aries it adjoins the area occupied by the
Middle Coal Measures.
The next strata in the geological series
are of the Cretaceous age. They are found
in the western half of the State, and do not
dip, as do all the other formations upon
which they rest, to the southward and west-
ward, but have a general dip of their own
to the north of westward, which, however,
is very slight. Although the actual ex-
posures of cretaceous rocks are few in Iowa,
there is reason to believe that nearly all the
western half of the State was originally
occupied by them ; but they have been
removed by denudation, which has taken
place at two separate periods.
^ ■ ■ ■ ■■■■.- ■ - ■ ■■ ■"■■g«^»iSW M W M W M » M M M W,IB m M„M,W M M M M,»a WSggl
The Nishnabotany sandstone has the most
easterly and southerly extent of the cre-
taceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the
southeastern part of Guthrie County and
the southern part of Montgomery County.
To the northward, it passes beneath the
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter
passing beneath the chalky beds. This
sandstone is, with few exceptions, valueless
for economic purposes.
The chalky beds rest upon the Wood-
bury sandstone and shales. They have not
been observed in Iowa except in the bluffs
which border the Big Sioux River in Wood-
bury and Plymouth counties. They are
composed almost entirely of calcareous ma-
terial, the upper portion of which is exten-
sively used for lime. No building material
can be obtained from these beds, and the
only value they possess, except lime, are
the marls, which at some time may be use-
ful on the soil of the adjacent region.
Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern
Middle Iowa, which, it is estimated, contain
the following areas : Cerro Gordo County,
1,500 acres; Worth, 2,000; Winnebago, 2,-
000; Hancock, 1,500; Wright, 500; Kos-
suth, 700; Dickinson, 80. Several other
counties contain peat beds, but the peat is
inferior to that in the northern part of the
State. The beds are of an average depth
of four feet. It is estimated that each acre
of these beds will furnish 250 tons of dry
fuel for each foot in depth. At present
this peat is not utilized ; but owing to its
great distance from the coal fields and the
absence of timber, the time is coming when
its value will be fully realized.
The only sulphate of the alkaline earths
of any economic value is gypsum, and it
may be found in the vicinity of Fort Dodge
in Webster County. The deposit occupies
a nearly central position in the county, the
Des Moines River running nearly centrally
through it, along the valley sides of which
the gypsum is seen in the form of ordinary
' m ~ m " m "m ^m*^ ' m «m^ m m m m„ m m ms^ ^a^^ m W! m ui^ia m m m ti„ m m Bi m m^m ^m^m „ m „ «i a , n a m ,
. n
HISTORY OF IOWA.
163
rock cliff and ledges, and also occurring
abundantly in similar positions along both
sides of the valleys of the smaller streams
and of the numerous ravines coming into
the river valley. The most northerly known
limit of the deposit is at a point near the
mouth of Lizard Creek, a tributary of the
Des Moines River and almost adjoining the
town of Fort Dodge. The most southerly
point at which it has been exposed is about
six miles, by way of the river, from the
northerly point mentioned. The width of
the area is unknown, as the gypsum be-
comes lost beneath the overlying drift, as
one goes up the ravines and minor valleys.
On either side of the creeks and ravines
which come into the valley of the Des
Moines River, the gypsum is seen jutting
out from beneath the drift in the form of
ledges and bold quarry fronts, having al-
most the exact appearance of ordinary lime-
stone exposures, so horizontal and regular
its lines of stratification, and so similar in
color is it to some varieties of that rock.
The principal quarries now opened are on
Two Mile Creek, a couple of miles below
Fort Dodge.
Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having
been discovered near Burlington, all the
sulphates of alkaline earths of natural origin
have been recognized in Iowa, all except
the sulphate of lime being in very small
quantity.
Sulphate of lime in the various forms of
fibrous gypsum, selenite and small, amor-
phous masses, has also been discovered in
various formations in different parts of the
State, including the Coal Measure shales
near Fort Dodge, where it exists in small
quantities, quite independently of the great
gypsum of deposit there. The quantity of
gypsum in these minor deposits is always
too small to be of any practical value,
usually occurring in shales and shaly clays,
associated with strata that contain more or
less sulphuret of iron. • Gypsum has thus
15
been detected in the Coal Measures, the St.
Louis limestone, the Cretaceous strata, and
also in the dead caves of Dubuque.
Sulphate of strontia is found at Fort
Dodge.
CLIMATE.
The greatest objection to the climate of
this State is the prevalence of wind, which
is somewhat greater than in the States south
and east, but not so great as farther west.
The air is purer than either east or south,
as indicated by the bluer sky and conse-
quent deeper green vegetation, and is
therefore more bracing. By way of con-
trast, Northern Illinois has a whiter sky
and a consequent more yellowish green
vegetation.
The prevailing direction of the wind is
from the west.
Thunder-storms are somewhat more vio-
lent here than east or south, but not so
furious as toward the Rocky Mountains.
The greatest rainfall is in the southeastern
part of the State, and the least in the north-
western portion. The increase of timber
growth is increasing the amount of rain, as
well as distributing it more evenly through-
out the year. As elsewhere in the North-
western States, easterly winds bring rain
and snow, while westerly ones clear the sky.
While the highest temperature occurs here
in August, the month of July averages the
hottest, and January the coldest. The mean
temperature of April and October nearly
corresponds to the mean temperature of
the year, as well as to the seasons of spring
and fall, while that of summer and winter
is best represented by August and Decem-
ber. Indian summer is delightful and well
prolonged. Untimely frosts sometimes oc-
cur, but seldom severely enough to do
great injury. The wheat crop being a
staple product of this State, and not injured
at all by frost, this great resource of the
State continues intact.
164
HIS TORT OF IOWA.
CENSUS OF IOWA.
COUNTIES.
Adair
Adams
Allamakee.. .
Appanoose . .
Audubon
Benton
Black Hawk.
Boone
Bremer
Buchanan . . .
Buena Vista..
Butler
Calhoun
Carroll
Cass
Cedar
Cerro Gordo.
Cherokee
Chickasaw. . .
Clarke
Clay
Clayton
Clinton
Crawford
Dallas
Davis
Decatur
Delaware
Des Moines..
Dickinson. . .
Dubuque
Emmett
Fayette
Floyd
Franklin
Fremont
Greene
Grundy
Guthrie ,
Hamilton
Hancock
Hardin
Harrison
Henry
Howard
Humboldt
Ida
Iowa
Jackson
Jasper
Jefferson
Johnson
Jones
Keokuk
Kossuth
Lee
Linn
Louisa
Lucas
Lyon
Madison
Mahaska
Marion
Marshall
Mills
1850
777
3,131
5i7
3,94'
709
"3,873
2,822
' ' '8.S4
7,264
965
',759
12,988
1,244
i860.
8,707
822
7,210
1,280
9,9°4
4,47 2
3,007
4,822
'18,86 1
S.444
4,939
47i
i,i79
5 989
S482
338
•
984
i,533
12,237
",93i
454
8,496
8,244
4,232
4,9i5
7,906
57
3,724
'47
281
1,612
I2 ,949
940
58
4,336
5,427
52
20,728
18,938
383
5,244
13,764
8,677
11,024
19,611
180
31,164
105
12,073
3,744
1,309
5,o74
•,374
793
3,058
1,699
179
5,440
3,621
18,701
3,168
332
n 43
8,029
J 8,493
9,883
15,038
'7,573
13,306
13,271
416
29,232
i8,947
'0,370
5,766
7,339
14,816
16 813
6,015
4,481,
1870.
3,982
4,614
17,868
16,456
1,21
22,454
21,706
14,584
12,528
1 7,034
1,585
9,95'
1,602
2,45
5,464
I9.73I
4,722
1,967
io,t8o
8,735
1,5^3
27,771
35,357
2,530
12,019
15,565
12,018
1 7,432
27,256
1,389
38,969
1,392
16,973
10,768
4.7."
",174
4,627
6,399
7,061
6,055
999
13,684
8,93i
21,463
6,282
2,596
226
16,664
22,619
22,116
17,839
24,898
i9,73i
19,434
3,35 1
37,2io
28,852
'2,877
10,388
221
13,884
22,508
24,436
17,576
8,718
1880.
11,199
11,188
1 9,791
16,636
7,448
24,888
23,913
20,838
14,081
i8,547
7,537
M, 2 93
5595
i2,35i
16,943
i8.937
11,461
8,240
M-534
11,512
4,248
26,829
36,764
12,413
18,746
16,468
15,336
17,952
33,o99
1,901
42,997
i,55o
22,258
14,677
10,248
17,653
",725
12,639
14,863
11,252
3,453
17,808
16,649
20,826
10,837
6,34i
4,382
19,221
23,77i
25,962
17,478
25,429
21,052
21,259
6,179
34,859
37,235
13,146
14,530
1,968
17,225
25,201
25,1"
23,752
COUNTIES.
Mitchell
Monona
Monroe
Montgomery. .
Muscatine
O'Brien
Osceola
Page
Palo Alto
Plymouth
Pocahontas. . . .
Polk
Pottawattamie.
Poweshiek
Ringgold
Sac
Scott
Shelby
Sioux
Story
Tama
Taylor
Union
Van Buren. . . .
Wapello
Warren
Washington
Wayne
Webster
Winnebago. ..
Winneshiek
Woodbury
Worth
Wright
Total
1850.
i860.
5,731
55i
4,513
7,828
615
5,986
12,270
8,47i
961
4,957
340
546
192,214
3,409
832
8,612
1,256
16,444
5,668
2,9 2 3
246
25,959
818
10
4P5 «
5,285
3,590
2,OI2
l7,o8l
10,281
"4,235
6,409
2,504
16S
13,942
1,119
756
653
1870.
9,582
3,654
12,724
5,934
21,688
715
9,975
1,336
2,199
1,446
27,857
16,893
15,581
5,691
1,411
38,509
2,549
57o
11,651
16,131
6,989
5,986
17,672
22,346
17,980
18.952
11,287
10,484
1,562
23,570
6,172
2,892
2,392
6 74,9'3 1, '91,792 1,624,463
1880.
14,361
9,055
i3,7'9
15,895
23,168
4.155
2,219
19,667
4,131
8,567
3,7i3
42,395
39,846
• 18,936
j 2,08 5
8,77+
41,270
12,696
5.426
16,966
21,585
15.635
14,980
17,042
25,282
19,578
20,375
16,127
15,950
4,9i7
23,937
14,997
7,953
5,062
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
Governors. — Robert Lucas, 1838-41; John
Chamber, 1841-45 ; James Clark, 1845.
Secretaries. — Wm. B. Conway, 1838, died
1839; James Clark, 1839-41; O. H. W.
Stull, 1841-43; Samuel J. Burr, 1843-45 ;
Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditors. — Jesse Williams, i840-'43; Will-
iam L. Gilbert, 1843-45; Robert M. Secrest,
1845.
Treasurers. — Thornton Bay lie, 1839-40;
Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judges. — Charles Mason, Chief Justice,
1838; Joseph Williams, 1838; Thomas S.
Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council. — Jesse B. Brown,
1838-49; Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40; M.
Bainridge, 1840- '41; J. W. Parker, 1 841-42;
John D. Elbert, 1842-43 ; Thomas Cox,
ids
HISTORT OF IOWA.
1843-44; S. Clinton Hasting, 1845; Stephen
Hempstead, i845-'46.
Speakers of the House. — William H. Wal-
lace, 1838-39; Edward Johnson, 1839-40;
Thomas Cox, 1840-31 ; Warner Lewis,
1841-42; James M. Morgan, i842-'43; James
P. Carleton, 1843-44; James M.Morgan,
1845 ; George W. McLeary, 1845-46.
STATE OFFICERS.
Governors. — Ansel Briggs, 1846-50;
Stephen Hempstead, 1850-54; James W.
Grimes, 1854-58; Ralph P. Lowe, 1858-
'60; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-64; Will-
iam M. Stone, 1864-68; Samuel Morrill,
1868-72; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872-76;
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876-77; J. G. New-
bold, 1877-78; John H. Gear, 1878-82;
Buren R. Sherman, 1882-86 ; William Lar-
rabee, 1886.
Lieutenant-Governors. — Oran Faville,i858-
'60; Nicholas J. Rusch, i86o-'62; John R.
Needham, 1862-64; Enoch W. Eastman,
1864-66; Benjamin F. Gue, i866-'68; John
Scott, 1868-70; M. M. Walden, 1 870-72 ;
H. C. Bulis, 1872-74; Joseph Dysart,
1874-76; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78;
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82; Orlando H.
Manning, 1882-85 5 John A. T. Hull, 1886.
This office was created by the new con-
stitution Sept. 3, 1857.
Secretaries of State. — Elisha Cutter, Jr.,
i846-'48; Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50;
George W. McCleary, i85o-'s6; Elijah
Sells, i856-'63; James Wright, 1863-67;
Ed. Wright, i867-'73 ; Josiah T. Young,
1873-79; J- A. T. Hull, 1879-85; Franklin
D. Jackson, 1885.
Auditors of State. — Joseph T. Fales,
i846-'5o ; William Pattee, i85o-'54; Andrew
J. Stevens, 1854-55 ; John Pattee, 1855-59 ;
Jonathan W. Cattell, i859-'65 ; John A.
Elliott, 1865-71 ; John Russell, 1871-75 ;
Buren R. Sherman, 1875-81; Wm. V.
Lucas, 1 88 1 ; John L. Brown, 1882-83 ; J.
W. Cattell, acting, 1885-86.
Treasurers of State. — Morgan Reno,
i846-'5o; Israel Kister, i85o-'52; Martin L.
Morris, 1852-59; John W.Jones, i85o-'63 ;
William H. Holmes, 1863-67 ; Samuel E.
Rankin, 1867-73 ; William Christy, 1873-
'77; George W. Bemis, 1877-81; Edwin
H. Conger, 1881— '85 ; Voltaire Twombly,
1885.
Attorney-Generals. — David C. Cloud,
1853— '56 ; Samuel A. Rice, i856-'6o; Charles
C. Nourse, 1860-64; Isaac L. Allen, 1865-
'66; Frederick E. Bissell, i866-'67; Henry
O'Connor, 1867-72 ; Marcena E. Cutts,
1872-76; John F. Mcjunkin, 1877-81;
Smith McPherson, 1881-85 ; A. J. Baker,
1885.
Adjutant-Generals. — Daniel S. Lee, 1851-
'55; George W. McCleary, 1855-57; Eli-
jah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, i857-'6i ; Na-
thaniel Baker, 1861-77; John H. Looby,
1877-78; W. L, Alexander, i878-'84.
Registers of the State Land-Office. — Anson
Hart, 1855-57 ; Theodore S. Parvin, 1857-
'59; Amos B. Miller, i859-'62 ; Edwin
Mitchell, 1862-63; Josiah A. Harvey,
1863-67; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71;
Aaron Brown, 1871— '75 ; David Secor,
1875-79; J. K. Powers, 1879-82*
Superintendents of Public Instruction. —
James Harlan, i847-'48; Thos. H. Benton,
Jr., 1848-54; James D. Eads, 1854-57,
Joseph C. Stone, 1857; Maturity L. Fisher,
1857-58; Oran Faville, 1864-67; D.Frank-
lin Wells, i867-'68 ; A. S. Kissell, i868-'72;
Alonzo Abernethy, 1 872-76 ; Carl W.
Van Coelen, i876-'82; John W. Akers,
1882-84.
This office was created in 1847 and abol-
ished in 1858, and the duties then devolved
upon the secretary of the Board of Educa-
tion; it was re-created March 23, 1864.
State Printers. — Garrett D. Palmer and
George Paul, i84Q-'5i ; William H. Merritt,
1851-53; William A. Hornish, 1853 ; Den-
*Office abolished January i, 1883, and duties devolved
on the Secretary of State.
HISTORY OF IOWA.
nis A. Mahoney and Joseph B. Dorr, 1853—
'55 ; Peter Moriarty, 1855-57 I J ohn Tees-
dale, 1857-61 ; Francis W. Palmer, 1861-
'69; Frank M. Mills, i86 9 -'7i ; G. W. Ed-
wards, 1871-73 ; Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-
'79; Frank M. Mills, 1879-81; Geo. E.
Roberts, 1881.
State Binders. — William M. Coles, 1855-
'58 ; Frank M. Mills, 1858-67 ; James S.
Carter, 1867-71 ; J.J. Smart, 1871-75 ; H.
A. Perkins, 1875-79 ! Matt. Parrott, 1879-
'85 ; L. S. Merchant, 1885.
Secretaries of Board of Education. — T.
H. Benton, Jr., i85o-'63 ; Oran Faville,
i863-'64.
This office was abolished March 23, 1864.
Presidents of the Senate. — Thomas Baker,
i846-'47; Thomas Hughes, i847-'48; John J.
Selman, i848-'49; Enos Lowe, i849-'5i ;
Wm. E. Leffingwell, i85i-'53; Maturn L.
Fisher, 1 853-' 5 5 ; Wm. W. Hamilton, 1855-
'57-
Under the new Constitution the Lieuten-
ant-Governor is President of the Senate.
Speakers of the House. — Jesse B. Brown,
1846-48; Smiley H. Bonham, 1848-50;
George Temple, i850-'52 ; James Grant,
i852-'54; Reuben Noble, 1854-56; Samuel
McFarland, 1856-57; Stephen B. Sheledy,
1857-59; John Edwards, 1859-61; Rush
Clark, 1861-63; Jacob Butler, 1863-65; Ed.
Wright, 1865-67; John Russell, '1867-69;
Aylett R. Cotton, 1869-71 ; James Wilson,
1871-73 ; John H. Geer, 1873-77; John Y.
Stone, 1877-79; LoreAlford, 1880-81; G.
R. Struble, i882-'83; Wm. P. Wolf, 1884;
Albert Head, 1886.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. —
Charles Mason, 1847;, Joseph Williams,
1847-48; S. Clinton Hastings, 1848-49;
Joseph Williams, 1 849-' 5 5 ; George G.
Wright, 1855-60; Ralph P. Lowe, i86o-'62;
Caleb Baldwin, 1862-64; George G.
Wright, 1864-66; Ralph P. Lowe, 1866-
'68 ; John F. Dillon, 1868-70 ; Chester C.
Cole, 1870-71; James G. Day, 1871-72:
Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74; W. E, Miller,
1874-76; Chester C. Cole, 1876; Wm. H.
Seevers, 1876-77 ; James G. Day, 1877-7S;
James H. Rothrock, 1878-83 and '84;
Joseph M. Beck, i879-'8o and '85; Austin
Adams, i88o-'8i and '86; Wm. H. Seevers,
1882.
Associate Justices. — Joseph Williams, held
over from territorial government until a
successor was appointed ; Thomas S. Wil-
son, 1847; John F. Kinney, 1847-54; George
Greene, 1847-55; Jonathan C. Hall, 1854-
'55; William G.Woodward, 1855 ; Norman
W. Isbell, 1855-56; Lacon D. Stockton,
1856-60; Caleb Baldwin, i86o-'64; Ralph
P. Lowe, i860; George G. Wright, i860;
John F. Dillon, 1864-70 ; Chester C. Cole,
1864-77; Joseph M. Beck, 1868; W. E.
Miller, 1870; James G. Day, 1870. ,
United States Senators. — Augustus C.
Dodge, 1848-55 ; George W. Jones, 1848-
'59; James Harlan, 1855-65; James W.
Grimes, i859-'69; Samuel J. Kirkwood,
1866; James Harlan, 1867-73; James B.
Howell, 1870; George G. Wright, 1871-
'77; William B. Allison, 1873-79; Samuel
J. Kirkwood, 1877-81; Wm. B. Allison,
1879-85 ; James W. McDill, 1881 ; James
F. Wilson, 1883.
Present State Officers (1886). — Governor,
William Larrabee ; Secretary of State,
Frank D. Jackson ; Auditor of State, J. W.
Cattell, acting ; Treasurer, Voltaire Twom-
bly ; Superintendent Public Instruction,
John W. Akers ; Printer, George E. Rob-
erts; Binder, L. S. Merchant; Adjutant-
General, W. L. Alexander • Librarian, Mrs.
S. B. Maxwell.
Supreme Court. — William H. Seevers,
Chief Justice, Oskaloosa; James G. Day,
Sidney, James H. Rothrock, Tipton, Joseph
M. Beck, Fort Madison, Austin Adams,
Dubuque, Judges; A. J. Baker, Attorney-
General.
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ROBERT LUCAS.
.71
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OBERT LUCAS, the first
Governor of Iowa Ter-
ritory, was the fourth
son and ninth child of
William and Susan,
nah Lucas, and was
born April 1, 1781,
in Jefferson Valley,
at Shepherdstown, Jefferson
County, Virginia, a few miles
from Harper's Ferry, where his
ancestors settled before the Rev-
olution. His father, who was
descended from William Penn,
was born January 18, 1743, and
his mother, of Scotch extrac-
tion, was born October 8, 1745.
They were married about the
year 1760, and reared a family of six sons
and six daughters. His father, who had
served as a Captain in the Continental army
during the Revolutionary war, and had
distinguished himself at the battle of Bloody
Run, emigrated with his family to Scioto
County, Ohio, early in the present century.
At the time of this removal Robert was
a young man. He had obtained his educa-
tion chiefly in Virginia, from an old Scotch
schoolmaster named McMullen, who taught
him mathematics and surveying. The latter
afforded him remunerative employment im-
mediately upon his entrance into Ohio.
He was married at Portsmouth, Ohio,
April 3, 1 810, to Elizabeth Brown, who died
October 18, 181 2, leaving an infant daugh-
ter, who afterward became Mrs. Minerva
E. B. Sumner. March 7, 1816, he formed
a second matrimonial connection ; this time
with Friendly A. Sumner, who bore to him
four sons and three daughters.
The first public office held by Robert
Lucas was that of County Surveyor of Sci-
oto County, the commission from Governor
Edward Tiffin, of Ohio, appointing him such
being dated December 26, 1803. Decem-
ber 16, 1805, he was commissioned by
Governor Tiffin justice of the peace for
three years. His first military appointment
was that of Lieutenant of militia, by virtue
of which he was authorized to raise twenty
men to assist in filling Ohio's quota ,of 500
volunteers called for by the President in
view of possible difficulties with the Spanish.
He was subsequently promoted through
all the military grades to Major Gen-
eral of Ohio militia, which latter rank was
conferred upon him in 1818.
He was a Brigadier-General on the
breaking out of the war of 18 12, and had
much to do with raising troops. He was
appointed a Captain in the regular army,
but before his commission reached him he
was already in active service, scouting,
spying, carrying a musket in the ranks and
in other useful capacities. After Hull's
surrender he was paroled and returned to
Ohio. He was in the course of time made
a Lieutenant-Colonel, and then a Colonel,
from which position he resigned.
He served in numerous civil offices in
Ohio, and at the time of his second marriage,
in 1816, he was and had been for some time
a member of the Ohio Legislature, serving
successively for nineteen years in one or the
other branch, and in the course of his leg-
islative career presiding over first one
and then the other branch. In 1820 and
again in 1828, he was chosen one of the
Presidential electors of Ohio. In May,
1832, at Baltimore, Maryland, he presided
over the first Democratic National Con-
vention — that which nominated Andrew
Jackson for his second term as President,
and Martin Van Buren for Vice Presi-
dent. In 1832 he was elected Governor
of Ohio, and re-elected in 1 834. He declined
a third nomination for the same office.
Under the act of Congress to divide tne
Territory of Wisconsin and to establish the
territorial government of Iowa, approved
June 12, 1838, the subject of this sketch was
appointed Governor of the new Territory,
and he immediately accepted the responsi-
bility. A journey from the interior of Ohio
to the banks of the Upper Mississippi was
then a matter of weeks ; so that, although
Governor Lucas set out from his home on
the 25th of July, delaying on his route
a few days at Cincinnati, to arrange, for the
selection of the books for a territorial
library, it was not till nearly the middle of
August that he reached Burlington, then
the temporary seat of government.
The first official act of Lucas as Gov-
ernor of Iowa was to issue a proclamation
dated August 13, 1838, dividing the Terri-
tory into eight representative districts, ap-
portioning the members of the Council and
House of Representatives among the nine-
teen counties then composing the Terri-
tory, and appointing the second Monday
in September ensuing for the election of
members of the Legislative Assembly and
a delegate to Congress. His first message
to the Legislature, after its organization,
was dated November 12, 1838, and related
chiefly to a code of laws for the new com-
monwealth. He opposed imprisonment for
debt, favored the death penalty for murder
(executions to be in the presence of only
the Sheriff and a suitable number of wit-
nesses), and strenuously urged the organi-
zation of a liberal system of common
schools. The organization of the militia
was also one of his pet measures. There
was a broad difference between the views
of a majority of this Legislative Assembly
and the Governor, on many questions of
public policy, as well as points of authority.
This resulted in the sending to the Presi-
dent of a memorial, dated January 12, 1839,
signed by eight of the council and seven
of the Representatives, praying the re-
moval of Governor Lucas. In addition to
this, a memorial for the Governor's re-
moval was passed by both Houses, signed
in due form by their presiding officers, and
transmitted to the President. The charges
made were met by a protest signed by
eight Representatives, and as a result Gov-
ernor Lucas was allowed to remain in office
until the next change of administration.
In 1839 and '40 occurred the well-known
boundary dispute with Missouri, which
was finally settled in favor of Iowa, by the
Supreme Court of the United States. No-
vember 5, 1839, Governor Lucas announced
that the Territory had advanced in improve-
ment, wealth and population (which latter
was estimated at 50,000) without a parallel
in history, and recommended the necessary
legislation preparatory to the formation of
a State government. This was overruled
by the people, however. Among the latest
of Governor Lucas's acts was a proclama-
tion dated April 30, 1841, calling the Leg-
islature to assemble, for the first time, at
Iowa City, the new capitol.
March 25, 1841, he was succeeded by
John Chambers. He lived a private life
near Iowa City until his death, February
7, 1853, at the age of seventy-one years.
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JOHN CHAMBERS.
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XttE third to fill the of-
fice of Governor of
Iowa, and whose
name deserves a
fore most rank
among the men
whose personal his-
tory is interwoven insepar-
ably with that of the State,
was James Wilson Grimes.
He was born in the town
of Deering, Hillsborough
County, New Hampshire,
October 20, 18 16. His
parents — John Grimes,
born August 11, 1772, and
Elizabeth Wilson, born
March 19, 1773 — were natives of the same
town. Of a family of eight children born
to them, James was the youngest. In
early childhood he evinced a taste for
learning, attending the district school and
also studying Latin and Greek under the
instruction of the village pastor. He
completed his preparation for college
at Hampton Academy, and entered Dart-
mouth College in August, 1832, in the
sixteenth year of his age. Upon leaving
college in February, 1835, he commenced
reading law with James Walker, Esq., in
Petersburgh, New Hampshire.
Being young and adventurous, and wish-
ing to carve a fortune for himself, he left
his native home in 1836 for the -far West,
landing in Burlington, then a new town in
what was known as the " Black Hawk
Purchase." Here he opened an office and
soon established a reputation as a rising
lawyer. In April, 1837, he was appointed
city solicitor ; and entering upon the duties
of that office he assisted in drawing up the
first police laws of that town. In 1838 he
was appointed justice of the peace, and be-
came a law partner of William W. Chap-
man, United States District Attorney for
Wisconsin Territory. In the early part of
the year 1841 he formed a partnership with
Henry W. Starr, Esq., which continued
twelve years. This firm stood at the. head
of the legal profession in Iowa. Mr. Grimes
was widely known as a counselor of supe-
rior knowledge of the law, and with a clear
sense of truth and justice. He was chosen
one of the representatives of Des Moines
County in the first Legislative Assembly
of the Territory of Iowa, which convened
at Burlington, November 12, 1838; in the
sixth, at Iowa City, December^ 1843 ; and
in the fourth General Assembly of the
State, at Iowa City, December 6, 1852.
He early took front rank among the pub-
lic men of Iowa. He was chairman of the
judiciary committee in the House of Rep-
resentatives of the first Legislative As-
sembly of the Territory, and all laws for the
new Territory passed through his hands.
iSS
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
He was married at Burlington, Novem-
ber 9, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Sarah Neally.
In February, 1854, Mr. Grimes was nom-
inated by a convention of the Whig party
for Governor of the State. It was the
largest convention of that party ever held
in Iowa, and the last. He was elected, and
assumed the duties of the office in Decem-
ber, 1854. Soon after his election it was
proposed that he should be sent to the
United States Senate, but he made it under-
stood that he should fill the term of office
for which he had been chosen, and he
served his full term to the entire satisfac-
tion and acceptance of all parties. He was
a faithful leader in the political regenera-
tion of the State. He introduced liberal
measures to develop the resources of
the State, and to promote the interests
of all educational and humane establish-
ments. Up to the time of his election
as Governor, Democracy reigned supreme
in the Territory. The representatives in
Congress were allies of the slave power.
He, after being elected, gave his whole
soul to the work, and it may truly be said
that Governor Grimes made Iowa Repub-
lican and allied it with the loyal States.
January 14, 1858, he laid down his office,
only to be placed in another and greater
one ; for on the 25th he was nominated
by the Republican caucus for United
States Senator. He took his seat in the
Senate March 4, 1859, an d was placed upon
the committee on naval affairs January 24,
1 86 1, on which he remained during the
remainder of his senatorial career, serving
as chairman from December, 1864.
Mr. Grimes voted for the Pacific Rail-
road bill on June 20, 1862, and for estab-
lishing the gauge of the road from the Mis-
souri River to the Pacific Ocean, at four
feet eight and a half inches, February 18,
1863.
January 16, 1864, Mr. Grimes was again
chosen United States Senator from Iowa
for six years from March 4, 1865, receiving
the votes of all but six of the members of
the General Assembly in joint convention ;
128 out of 134. His council was often
sought in matters of great moment, and in
cases of peculiar difficulty. Always ready
to promote the welfare of the State, he
gave, unsolicited, land worth $6,000 to the
Congregational college at Grinnell. It
constitutes the " Grimes foundation," and
" is to be applied to the establishment and
maintenance in Iowa College, forever, of
four scholarships, to be awarded by the
trustees, on the recommendation of the fac-
ulty, to the best scholars, and the most
promising, in any department, who may
need and seek such aid, and without any
regard to the religious tenets or opinions
entertained by any person seeking either
of said scholarships." These terms were
imposed by Mr. Grimes and assumed July
20, 1865, by the trustees. He received
the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1865
from Dartmouth College, and also from
Iowa College. He also aided in founding
a public library in Burlington, donating
$5,000, which was expended in the purchase
of costly books, and subsequently sent from
Europe 256 volumes in the German lan-
guage, and also contributed 600 volumes of
public documents.
In January, 1869, he made a donation of
$5,000 to Dartmouth College, and $1,000-
to the " Social Friend," a literary society of
which he was a member when in college.
His health failing, Mr. Grimes sailed for
Europe April 14, 1869, remaining abroad
two years, reaching home September 22,
1871, apparently in improved health and
spirits. In November he celebrated his
silver wedding, and spent the closing
months of his life with his family. He voted
at the city election February 5, 1872, was
suddenly attacked with severe pains in the
region of the heart, and died after a few
short hours of intense suffering.
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RALPH P. LOWE.
191
|HE fourth Governor
of the State, and
the seventh of Iowa
without reference to
the form of govern-
ment, was Ralph P.
Lowe. He was born
in Ohio in 1808, and lived
just three-fourths of a cent-
ury. He came to the
Territory of Iowa in 1839
or 1840, when he was a
little over thirty years old.
He settled in Muscatine,
where in a short time he
became prominent in local
affairs and of recognized
ability in questions of public policy. While
yet residing in that city, he represented
the county of Muscatine in the constitu-
tional convention of 1844 that framed the
rejected" Constitution.
After this constitutional convention, Mr.
Lowe took no further part in public mat-
ters for a number of years. He removed
to Lee County about 1849 or '5°» where
he became district judge as a successor to
S-eorge H. Williams, who was afterward
famous as President Grant's Attorney Gen-
eral. He was district judge five years,
from 1852 to 1857, being succeeded by
Judge Claggett. In the summer of 1857
he was nominated by the Republicans for
Governor of Iowa, with Oran Faville for
Lieutenant - Governor. The Democracy
put in the field Benjamin M. Samuels for
Governor and George Gillaspy for Lieu-
tenant Governor. There was a third ticket
in the field, supported hy the American or
" Know Nothing " party, and bearing the
names of T. F. Henry and Easton Morris.
The election was held in October, 1857, and
gave Mr. Lowe 38,498 votes, against 36,088
for Mr. Samuels, and 1,006 for Mr. Henry.
Hitherto the term of office had been four
years, but by an amendment to the Consti-
tution this was now reduced to two. Gov-
ernor Lowe was inaugurated January 14,
1858, and at once sent his first message to
the Legislature. Among the measures
passed by this Legislature were bills to in-
corporate the State Bank of Iowa ; to pro-
vide for an agricultural college ; to author-
ize the business of banking ; disposing of
the land grant made by Congress to the
Des Moines Valley Railroad ; to provide
for the erection of an institution for the
education of the blind ; and to provide for
taking a State census.
No events of importance occurred dur-
ing the administration of Governor Lowe,
but it was not a period of uninterrupted
prosperity. The Governor said in his
biennial message of January 10, i860, re-
(i
viewing the preceding two years: " The
period that has elapsed since the last
biennial session has been one of great dis-
turbing causes, and of anxious solicitude to
all classes of our fellow citizens. The first
year of this period was visited with heavy
and continuous rains, which reduced the
measure of our field crops below one-half
of the usual product, whilst the financial
revulsion which commenced upon the At-
lantic coast in the autumn of 1857 did not
reach its climax for evil in our borders until
the year just past."
He referred at length to the claim of the
State against the Federal Government,
and said that he had appealed in vain to
the Secretary of the Interior for the pay-
ment of the 5 per cent, upon the military
land warrants that the State is justly en-
titled to, which then approximated to a
million of dollars. The payment of this
fund, he said, " is not a mere favor which
is asked of the General Government, but a
subsisting right which could be enforced in
a 'court of justice, was there a tribunal of
this kind clothed with the requisite juris-
diction."
The subject of the Des Moines River
grant received from the Governor special
attention, and he gave a history of the
operations of the State authorities in ref-
erence to obtaining the residue of the lands
to which the State was entitled, and other
information as to the progress of the work.
He also remarked " that under the act
authorizing the Governor to raise a com-
pany of mounted men for defense and pro-
tection of our frontier, approved February
9, 1858, a company of thirty such men,
known as the Frontier Guards, armed and
equipped as required, were organized and
mustered into service under the command
of Captain Henry B. Martin, of Webster
City, about the first of March then follow-
ing, and were divided into two companies,
one stationed on the Little Sioux River,
the other at Spirit Lake. Their presence
afforded security and gave quiet to the
settlements in that region, and after a ser-
vice of four months they were duly dis-
banded.
" Late in the fall of the year, however,
great alarm and consternation was again
felt in the region of Spirit Lake and Sioux
River settlements, produced by the appear-
ance of large numbers of Indians on the
border, whose bearing was insolent and
menacing, and who were charged with
clandestinely running off the stock of the
settlers. The most urgent appeals came
from these settlers, invoking again the
protection of the State. From the repre-
sentations made of the imminence of their
danger and the losses already sustained,
the Governor summoned into the field once
more the frontier guards. After a service
of four or five months they were again
discharged, and paid in the manner
prescribed in the act under which they
were called out."
Governor Lowe was beaten for the
renomination by Honorable S. J. Kirkwood,
who was considered much the stronger
man. To compensate him for his defeat
for the second term, Governor Lowe was
appointed one of the three judges under
the new Constitution. He drew the short
term, which expired in 1861, but was
returned and served, all told, eight years.
He then returned to the practice of
law, gradually working into a claim busi-
ness at Washington, to which city he re-
moved about 1874. In that city he died, on
Saturday, December 22, 1883. He had a
large family. Carleton, one of his sons,
was an officer in the Third Iowa Cavalry
during the war.
Governor Lowe was a man of detail,
accurate and industrious. In private and
public life he was pure, upright and honest.
In religious faith he was inclined to be a
Spiritualist.
jHE subject of this brief
sketch was the ninth
to hold the position
of Governor of Iowa,
and the sixth to fill
the office under the
State organization.
He held the office four
years, from 1864 to 1868.
William Milo Stone was
born October 14, 1827,
a son of Truman and La-
vina (North) Stone. His
great-grandfather on both
sides of the family was in
the seven years' struggle
for independence. His
grandfather, Aaron Stone, was in the second
war with England. Truman Stone moved
to Lewis County, New York, when the son
was a year old, and six 3'ears later to Co-
shocton County, Ohio.
Like many other self-made men, William
M. had few advantages. He never attended
a school of any kind more than twelve
months. In boyhood he was for two seasons
a team-driver on the Ohio Canal. At seven-
teen he was apprenticed to the chairmaker's
trade, and he followed that business until
twenty-three years of age, reading law
meantime during his spare hours, wher-
ever he happened to be. He commenced
at Coshocton, with James Mathews, who
afterward became his father-in-law ; con-
tinued his readings with General Lucius V.
Pierce, of Akron, and finished with Ezra B.
Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted to
the bar in August, 1851, by Peter Hitch-
cock and Rufus P. Ranney, supreme judges,
holding a term of court at Ravenna.
After practicing three years at Coshocton
with his old preceptor, James Mathews, he,
in November, 1854, settled in Knoxville,
which has remained his home since. The
year after locating here Mr. Stone pur-
chased the Knoxville Journal, and was one
of the prime movers in forming the Repub-
lican party in Iowa, being the first editor to
suggest a State convention, which met
February 22, 1856, and completed the or-
ganization. In the' autumn of the same
year he was a Presidential elector on the
Republican ticket.
In April, 1857, Mr. Stone was chosen
Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District.
He was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial
District when the new Constitution went
into operation in 1858, and was serving on
the bench when the American flag was
stricken down at Fort Sumter. At that
'■■■■■■-■-■-■,»iibW M » M m,»-MS»J«reB5r»ii»gi
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
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time, April, 1861, he was holding court in
Fairfield, Jefferson County, and when the
news came of the insult to the old flag he
immediately adjourned court and prepared
for what he believed to be more important
duties — duties to his country.
In May he enlisted as a private; was
made Captain of Company B, Third Iowa
Infantry, and was subsequently promoted
to Major. With that regiment he was at
the battle of Blue Mills, Missouri, in Sep-
tember, 1 861, where he was wounded. At
Shiloh, the following spring, he commanded
the regiment and was taken prisoner. By
order of Jefferson Davis he was paroled for
the time of forty days, with orders to re-
pair to Washington, and if possible secure
an agreement for a cartel for a general ex-
change of prisoners, and to return as a
prisoner if he did not succeed. Failing to
secure that result within the period speci-
fied he returned to Richmond and had
his parol extended fifteen days ; repairing
again to Washington, he effected his pur-
pose and was exchanged.
In August, 1862, he was appointed by
Governor Kirkwood Colonel of the Twen-
ty-second Iowa Infantry, which rendez-
voused and organized at Camp Pope, Iowa
City, in August, 1862. The regiment was
occupied for several months in guarding
supply stores and the railroad, and escorting
supply trains to the Army of the Southeast
Missouri until January 27, 1863, when it re-
ceived orders to join the army under Gen-
eral Davidson, at West Plains, Missouri.
After a march of five days it reached its
destination, and was brigaded with the
Twenty-first and Twenty-third Iowa regi
ments, Colonel Stone commanding, and was
designated the First Brigade, First Divis-
ion, Army of Southeast Missouri. April 1
found Colonel Stone at Milliken's Bend,
Louisiana, to assist Grant in the capture of
Vicksburg. He was now in immediate
command of his regiment, which formed a
part of a brigade under Colonel C. L.
Harris, of the Eleventh Wisconsin. In the
advance upon Port Gibson Colonel Harris
was taken sick, and Colonel Stone was
again in charge of a brigade. In the battle
of Port Gibson the Colonel and his com-
mand distinguished themselves, and were
successful. The brigade was in the reserve
at Champion Hills, and in active skirmish
at Black River.
On the evening of May 21 Colonel Stone
received General Grant's order for a gen-
eral assault on the enemy's lines at 10 A. M.
on the 22d. In this charge, which was
unsuccessful, Colonel Stone was again
wounded, receiving a gunshot in his left
forearm. Colonel Stone commanded a
brigade until the last of August, when,
being ordered to the Gulf department, he
resigned. He had become very popular
with the people of Iowa, and they were
determined to make him Governor.
He was nominated in a Republican con-
vention held at Des Moines in June, 1863,
and was elected by a large majority. He
was bre vetted Brigadier-General in 1864,
during his first year as Governor. He was
inaugurated January 14, 1864, and was re-
elected in 1865, his four years in office
closing January 16, 1868. His majority in
1863 was nearly 30,000, and in 1865 about
16,500. His diminished vote in 1865 was
due to the fact that he was very strongly
committed in favor of negro suffrage.
Governor Stone made a very energetic
and efficient executive. Since the expira-
tion of his gubernatorial term he has sought
to escape the public notice, and has given
his time largely to his private business in-
terests. He is in partnership with Hon. O.
B. Ayres, of Knoxville, in legal practice.
He was elected to the General Assembly
in 1877, and served one term.
In May, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet
Mathews, a native of Ohio, then residing in
Knoxville. They have one son — William A.
^^■■■■■■■■■ ■ ■■- ■ -■■■■■■■■■;^n^ nw;iyj i i;;'^^^^^^^
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i
OLONEL SAM-
UEL MERRILL, the
seventh Governor of
the State of Iowa, the
successor of Governor
Stone, is among the
men of the West who
have been called from
private life to places of trust on
account of their peculiar fitness
for office. He was born in the
town of Turner, Oxford County,
Maine, August 7, 1822. He is
of English ancestry, being a
descendant on his mother's side
of Peter Hill, who came from
the West of England and set-
tled in Saco, Maine (now known as Bidde-
ford), in 1653. From this ancestry have
sprung the most of the Hills of America.
On his father's side he is a descendant of
Nathaniel Merrill, who, with his brother
John, came from Salisbury, England, and
settled in Newburg, Massachusetts, in 1636.
Abel Merrill married Abigail Hill, June
25, 1809, in Buxton, Maine. They soon
moved to Turner, where they became the
parents of eight children, Samuel, the sub-
ject of this sketch, being next the youngest,
the fourth and youngest son in the family,
and in the eighth generation from his Pil-
grim fathers.
18
Samuel was married first to Catherine
Thorns, who died in 1847, but fourteen
months after their marriage. In January,
185 1, he was again married, his second wife
being a Miss Hill, of Buxton, Maine. To
this union there have been born four chil-
dren, three of whom died young, the eldest
living to be only two and a half years old.
At the age of sixteen he moved with his
parents to Buxton, where his time was
mostly engaged by turns in teaching and
in attending school until he attained his
majority. Having determined to make
teaching a profession, he set out for that
purpose toward the sunny South, but, as
he says, he was " born too far north " for
his political comfort. Suspicion having
been aroused as to his abolitionist pro-
clivities, and finding the elements not al-
together congenial, he soon abandoned the
land of chivalry for the old Granite State,
where he engaged for several years in
farming.
In 1847 ne removed to Tam worth, New
Hampshire, where he embarked in mer-
cantile business in company with a brother.
In this, as in all his business enterprises, he
was quite successful. Not being satisfied
with the limited resources of Northern
New England, he determined to try his
good fortune on the broad prairies of the
new and more fertile West. Accordingly,
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204
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
in 1856, he turned his face toward the set-
ting sun. He made a final settlement at
McGregor, Iowa, where he established a
branch house of the old firm.
During all these years of business Mr.
Merrill took an active but not a noisy part
in politics. In 1854 he was elected as an
Abolitionist to the New Hampshire Legis-
lature, at the same time General N. B.
Baker, ex-Adjutant General of Iowa, was
Governor of the same State. In 1855 he
was returned for a second term to the Leg-
islature. In Iowa he was equally fortunate
in securing the good will of those who
knew him. His neighbors and those who
had dealings with him found a man who
was honest in his business, fair in his deal-
ings, social in his relations, and benevolent
in his disposition. He took an active in-
terest in the prosperity of the town and
ever held an open hand to all needed chari-
ties. These traits of character had drawn
around him, though not realized or intended
by himself, a host of personal admirers.
This good will resulted in his being nomi-
nated for a seat in the State Legislature,
and he was the only one on his ticket that
was elected. The Legislature met in extra
session in 1861 to provide for the exigencies
of the Rebellion, and in its deliberations Mr.
Merrill rendered effective and unselfish
service.
He continued in business at McGregor
until the summer of 1862, when he was
commissioned as Colonel of the Twenty-
first Iowa Infantry, proceeding immediately
to Missouri, where active service awaited
him. Marmaduke was menacing the Union
forces in Central Missouri, which called for
prompt action on the part of the Union
Generals. Colonel Merrill was placed in
command of a detachment of the Twenty-
first Iowa, a detachment of the Ninety-ninth
Illinois, a portion of the Third Iowa Cavalry
and two pieces of artillery,' with orders to
make a forced march to Springfield, he be-
ing at Houston, eighty miles distant. On
the morning of the nth of January, 1863,
they having come across a body of rebels,
found them advancing in heavy force.
Colonel Merrill immediately made dis-
position for battle, and brisk firing was
kept up for an hour, when the enemy fell
back. Colonel Merrill now moved in the
direction of Hartville, where he found the
rebels in force under Marmaduke, and from
six to eight thousand strong, with six pieces
of artillery, while Colonel Merrill had but
800 men and two pieces of artillery.
In this engagement the rebels lost several
officers and not less than 300 men in. killed
and wounded. The Union loss was seven
killed and sixty -four wounded, five captured
and two missing. The regiment performed
severe marches and suffered much in sick-
ness during the winter. It was assigned to
the Thirteenth Corps, General John A. Mc-
Clernand ; fought gallantly at the battle of
Port Gibson; and while the impetuous
charge of Black River bridge was being
made Colonel Merrill was severely, and re-
ported fatally, wounded. The battle of Black
River bridge, the last of the series of engage-
ments during the campaign of Vicksburg in
which the rebels fought without their fortifi-
cations, was a short but bloody combat.
While Colonel Merrill was leading his regi-
ment in this deadly charge he was wounded
through the hips. This brought his mili-
tary career to a close. Suffering from his
wounds, he resigned his commission and re-
turned to McGregor, but was unable to at-
tend to his private affairs for many months.
In 1867 he was chosen Governor to suc-
ceed William M. Stone. He was inaugu-
rated January 16, 1868, and served till
January n, 1872, being re-elected in 1869.
After the expiration of his term of office
he returned to McGregor, but as soon as
he could adjust his business interests he lo-
cated in Des Moines, where he is now
President of the Citizens' National Bank.
._.„M„»,»
■■ ■ ■■.■■».»
CTRUS C. CARPENTER.
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ROM his numerous offi-
cial positions, and
the ability with
which they have
been filled, Cyrus
C. Carpenter, the
eighth Governor of
the State of Iowa,
deserves to be remembered
as one of Iowa's foremost
men. He is a native of Sus-
quehanna County, Pennsyl-
vania, and was born Novem-
ber 24, 1829. His parents
were Asahel and Amanda M.
(Thayer) Carpenter, both of whom died be-
fore he was twelve years old. His grand-
father, John Carpenter, was one of nine
young men who, in 1789, left Attleborough,
Massachusetts, for the purpose of finding a
home in the " new country." After various
vicissitudes they located upon the spot
which they called Harford, in Northeastern
Pennsylvania, the township in which Cyrus
was born. This location at that time was
far from any other settlement, Wilkesbarre,
in Wyoming Valley, near the scene of the
celebrated Indian massacre, being among
the nearest, though fifty miles away.
Cyrus attended a common school three
or four months in a year until 1846, then
taught winters and worked on a farm sum-
mers for three or four years, and with the
money thus raised paid his expenses for
several months at the academy which had
been established in his native town. After
leaving this institution, in 1852, he started
westward; halted at Johnstown, Licking
County, Ohio; taught there a year and a
half, and with his funds thus replenished he
came to Iowa, loitering some on the way,
and reaching Des Moines in June, 1854. A
few days later he started on foot up the
Des Moines Valley, and found his way to
Fort Dodge, eighty miles northwest of Des
Moines, from which place the soldiers had
moved the previous spring to Fort Ridgely,
Minnesota.
He now had but a single half dollar in
his pocket. He frankly told the landlord
of his straightened circumstances, offering
to do any kind of labor until -something
should " turn up." On the evening of his
arrival he heard a Government contractor
state that his chief surveyor had left him
and that he was going out to find another.
Young Carpenter at once offered his ser-
vices. To the inquiry whether he was a
surveyor, he answered that he understood
the theory of surveying, but had had no
experience in the field. His services were
promptly accepted, with a promise of steady
208
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
employment if he were found competent.
The next morning he met the party and
took command. When the first week's
work was done he went to Fort Dodge to
replenish his wardrobe. As he left, some
of the men remarked that that was the last
that would be seen of him. He was then
of a slight build, jaded and torn by hard
work, and, when he left the camp, so utterly
tired out it is not surprising that the men
who were inured to out-door life thought
him completely used up. But they did not
know their man. With the few dollars
which he had earned, he supplied himself
with comfortable clothing, went back to
his work on Monday morning and con-
tinued it till the contract was completed.
The next winter he taught the first school
opened in Fort Dodge, and from that date
his general success was assured. For the
first two years he was employed much of
the time by persons having contracts for
surveying Government lands. He was thus
naturally led into the land business, and
from the autumn of 1855, when the Land
Office was established at Fort Dodge, much
of his time was devoted to surveying, select-
ing lands for buyers, tax-paying for foreign
owners, and in short a general land agency.
During this period he devoted such time as
he could spare to reading law, with the
view of eventually entering the profession.
Soon after the civil war commenced he
entered the army, and before going into the
field was commissioned as Captain in the
staff department, and served over three
years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-
Colonel and being mustered out as brevet
Colonel.
He has served his State in numerous
civil capacities. He was elected Surveyor
of Webster County in the spring of 1856,
and the next year was elected a Represen-
tative to the General Assembly, and served
in the first session of that body held at Des
Moines. He was elected Register of the
State Land Office in 1866, re-elected in
1 868, and held the office four years, declin-
ing to be a candidate for renomination.
He was elected Governor of Iowa in
1 87 1, and was inaugurated January 11, 1872.
He was re-elected two years later, and
served until January 13, 1874. He made
an able and popular executive. In his first
inaugural address, delivered January 11,
1872, he made a strong plea for the State
University, and especially its normal de-
partment, for the agricultural college, and
for whatever would advance the material
progress and prosperity of the people, urg-
ing in particular the introduction of more
manufactories.
At the expiration of his second term as
Governor Mr. Carpenter was appointed,
without his previous knowledge, Second
Comptroller of the United States Treasury,
and resigned after holding that office about
fifteen months. He was influenced to take
this step at that time because another bureau
officer was to be dismissed, as the head of
the department held that Iowa had more
heads of bureaus than she was entitled to,
and his resigning an office of a higher grade
saved a man who deserved to remain in
Government employ.
He was in the forty-seventh Congress
from 1 88 1 to 1883, and represented Web-
ster County in the twentieth General As-
sembly. He is now leading the life of a
private citizen at Fort Dodge, his chief
employment being the carrying on of a
farm. He is not rich, which is a striking
commentary on his long official service.
He has led a pure and upright life.
He has been a Republican since the or-
ganization of that party. In religious mat-
ters he is orthodox.
He was married in March, 1864, to Miss
Susan C. Burkholder, of Fort Dodge. They
have no children, but have reared from
childhood a niece of Mrs. Carpenter, Miss
Fannie Burkholder.
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JOSHUA G. NEWBOLD.
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OSHUA G. NEWBOLD
was the tenth Governor
of the State, and the
thirteenth of Iowa, num-
bering from the first
Territorial G o v e r nor.
He is" yet living at Mount
Pleasant. He is a native of
Pennsylvania, and his an-
cestors in this country were
among the very early set-
tlers in New Jersey. They
were Friends, and conse-
quently none of them
figured in the struggle for
the independence of the colo-
nies. Governor Newbold is the son of
Barzilla and Catherine (Houseman) New-
bold. He was born in Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, May 12, 1830, and reared as
a farmer. When he was eight years of age
the family moved to Westmoreland County,
same State, where he was educated in the
common school, and also in a select school
or academy, the latter taught by Dr. John
Lewis, since of Grinnell, Iowa. At sixteen
he returned with the family to Fayette
County, where he remained eight years,
assisting his father in running a flouring
mill, when not teaching. When about nine-
teen he began the study of medicine, read-
ing a year or more while teaching, and then
abandoning the notion of being a physician.
In the month of March, 1854, Mr. New-
bold removed to Iowa, locating on a farm,
now partly in -the corporation of Mount
Pleasant, Henry County. At the end of
one year he removed to Cedar Township,
Van Buren County, there merchandising
and farming till about i860, when he re-
moved to Hillsboro, Henry County- and
pursued the same callings.
In 1862, when the call was made for 600,-
000 men to finish the work of crushing the
Rebellion, Mr. Newbold left his farm in the
hands- of his family and his store in charge
of his partner, and went into the army as
Captain of Company C, Twenty-fifth Regi-
ment Iowa Infantry. He served nearly
three years, resigning just before the war
closed, on account of disability. During
the last two or three months he served at
the South he filled the position of Judge
Advocate, with headquarters at Woodville,
Alabama.
His regiment was one of those that made
Iowa troops famous. It arrived at Helena,
Arkansas, in November, 1862, and sailed in
December following on the expedition
against Vicksburg by way of Chickasaw
Bayou. At the latter place was its first en-
gagement. Its second was at Arkansas
Post, and there it suffered severely, losing
in killed and wounded more than sixty.
After Lookout Mountain it joined in the
pursuit of Bragg's flying forces to Ring-
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
gold, where it. engaged the enemy in their
strong works, November 27 losing twenty-
nine wounded. The following year it joined
Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, then on
the famous march to the sea and through
the Carolinas.
On returning to Iowa he continued in
the mercantile trade at Hillsboro for three
or four years, and then sold out, giving
thereafter his whole attention to agricult-
ure, stock-raising and stock-dealing, mak-
ing the stock department an important
factor in his business for several years. Mr.
Newbold was a member of the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth General Assem-
blies, representing Henry County, and was
chairman of the school committee in the
fourteenth, and of the committee on appro-
priations in the fifteenth General Assembly.
In the fifteenth (1874) he was temporary
Speaker during the deadlock in organizing
the House. In 1875 he was elected Lieu-
tenant Governor on the Republican ticket
with Samuel J. Kirkwood.
His Democratic competitor was E. B.
Woodward, who received 93,060 votes. Mr.
Newbold received 134,166, or a majority of
31,106. Governor Kirkwood being elected
United States Senator during that session,
Mr. Newbold became Governor, taking the
chair February 1, 1877, an< ^ vacating it for
Governor Gear in January, 1878.
Governor Newbold's message to the Leg-
islature in 1878 shows painstaking care
and a clear business-like view of the in-
terests of the State. His recommendations
were carefully considered and largely
adopted. The State's finances were then
in a less creditable condition than ever be-
fore or since, as there was an increasing
floating debt, then amounting to $340,-
826.56, more than $90,000 in excess of the
Constitutional limitation. Said Governor
Newbold in his message: "The common-
wealth ought not to set an example of dila-
toriness in meeting its obligations. Of all
forms of indebtedness, that of a floating
character is the most objectionable. The
uncertainty as to its amount will invariably
enter into any computation made by persons
contracting with the State for supplies, ma-
terial or labor. To remove the present
difficulty, and to avert its recurrence, I
look upon as the most important work that
will demand your attention."
One of the greatest problems before
statesmen is that of equal and just taxation.
The following recommendation shows that
Governor Newbold was abreast with fore-
most thinkers, for it proposes a step which
yearly finds more favor with the people :
" The inequalities of the personal-property
valuations of the several counties suggest
to my mind the propriety of so adjusting
the State's levy as to. require the counties
to pay into the State treasury only the tax
on realty, leaving the corresponding tax on
personalty in the county treasury. This
would rest with each county the adjust-
ment of its personal property valuations,
without fear that they might be so high as
to work injustice to itself in comparison
with other counties."
Governor Newbold has always affiliated
with the Republican party, and holds to its
great cardinal doctrines, having once em-
braced them, with the same sincerity and
honesty that he cherishes his religious senti-
ments. He has been a Christian for some-
thing like twenty-five years, his connection
being with the Free-Will Baptist church.
He found his wife, Rachel Farquhar, in
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, their union
taking place on the 2d of May, 1850. They
have had five children, and lost two. The
names of the living are— Mary Allene,
Emma Irene and George C.
The Governor is not yet an old man, and
may serve his State or county in other
capacities in the coming years.
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JOHN H. GEAR.
US
[HE eleventh to hold the
highest official posi-
tion in the State of
Iowa was John H.
Gear, of Burlington.
He is yet living in
that city. He was
born in Ithaca, New York,
April 7, 1825. His father
was Rev. E. G. Gear, a cler-
gyman of the Protestant
Episcopal church, who
was born in New London,
Connecticut, in 1792.
When he was quite young
his family removed to
Pittsfield, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts; in 18 16, after being or-
dained, he emigrated to New York and
settled at Onondaga Hill, near which is now
the thriving city of Syracuse. Soon after
locating there he was married to Miranda E.
Cook. He was engaged in the ministry in
various places in Western New York until
1836, when he removed to Galena, Illinois.
There he remained until 1838, when he was
appointed Chaplain in the United States
Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He
died in 1874, aged eighty-two years.
John H., his only son, in 1843, came to
Burlington, where he has since continued
to reside. On his arrival he commenced
his mercantile career by engaging as clerk
with the firm of Bridgeman & Bros. After
being with this firm for a little over a year
he entered the employ of W. F. Coolbaugh
(since president of the Union National
Bank, of Chicago), who was even at that
early date the leading merchant of Eastern
Iowa. He was clerk for Mr. Coolbaugh
for about five years, and was then taken
into partnership. The firm of W. F. Cool-
baugh & Co. continued in business for
nearly five years, when Mr. Gear suc-
ceeded to the business by purchase, and
carried it on until he became known as the
oldest wholesale grocer in the State. He
is now president of a large rolling mill
company at Burlington.
Mr. Gear has been honored by his fellow-
citizens wi^h many positions of trust. In
1852 he was elected alderman ; in 1863 was
elected mayor over A. W. Carpenter, be-
ing the first Republican up to that time
who had been elected in Burlington on a
party issue. In 1867 the Burlington, Cedar
Rapids & Minnesota Railroad Company
was organized, and he was chosen as its
president. His efforts highly contributed
to the success of the enterprise, which did
much for Burlington. He was also active
in promoting the Burlington & Southwest-
ern Railway, as well as the Burlington &
Northwestern narrow-gauge road.
^■"^ ■" ■ "■"^■^ -■ r J»»"'is"
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216
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
He has always acted with the Republican
party, and in 1871 was nominated and
elected a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the Fourteenth General As-
sembly. In 1873 he was elected to the
Fifteenth General Assembly. The Repub-
lican caucus of the House nominated him
for Speaker by acclamation, and after a
contest of two weeks he was chosen over
his opponent, J. W. Dixon. He filled the
position of Speaker very acceptably, and
at the close of the session all the members
of the House, independent of party affili-
ations, joined in signing their names to a
resolution of thanks, which was engraved
and presented to him. In 1875 he was the
third time nominated to the Assembly by
the Republican party, and while his county
gave a large Democratic vote he was again
elected. He was also again nominated for
Speaker, by the Republican caucus, and
was elected by a handsome majority over
his competitor, Hon. John Y. Stone. He
is the only man in the State who ever had
the honor of being chosen to this high posi-
tion a second time. He enjoys the reputa-
tion of being an able parliamentarian, his
rulings never having been appealed from.
At the close of the session he again received
the unanimous thanks of the House for his
courtesy and impartiality.
In 1877 he was nominated for Governor
by the Republican convention which met
at Des Moines, June 28, and at the election
held the following October he received
121,546 votes, against 79,353 for John P.
Irish, 10,639 for Eliasjessup, and 38,228 for
D. P. Stubbs. His plurality over Irish was
42,193. He was inaugurated January 17,
1878, and served four years, being re-elected
in 1879, by the following handsome vote :
Gear, 157,571 ; Trimble, 85,056; Campbell,
45,439; Dungan, 3,258; Gear's majority
over all competitors, 23,828. His second
inauguration was in January, 1880.
Governor Gear's business habits enabled
him to discharge the duties of his office
with marked ability. He found the finan-
cial condition of the State in a low ebb, but
raised Iowa's credit to that of the best of
our States. In his last biennial message he
was able to report : " The warrants out-
standing, but not bearing interest, Septem-
ber 30, 1 88 1, amounted to $22,093.74, and
there are now in the treasury ample funds
to meet the current expenses of the State.
The war and defense debt has been paid,
except the warrants for $125,000 negotiated
by the executive, auditor and treasurer,
under the law of the Eighteenth General
Assembly, and $2,500 of the original bonds
not yet presented for payment. The only
other debt owing by the State amounts to
$245,435.19, due to the permanent school
fund, a portion of which is made irredeem-
able by the Constitution. These facts place
Iowa practically among the States which
have no debt, a consideration which must
add much to her reputation. The expenses
of the State for the last two years are less
than those of any other period since 1869,
and this notwithstanding the fact that the
State is to-day sustaining several institu-
tions not then in existence; namely, the
hospital at Independence, the additional
penitentiary, the normal school, and the
asylum for the feeble-minded children, be-
sides the girl's department of the reform
school. The State also, at present, makes
provision for fish culture, for a useful
weather service, for sanitary supervision
by a board of health, for encouraging im-
migration to the State, for the inspection of
coal mines by a State inspector, and liberally
for the military arm of the Government."
Governor Gear is now in the sixty-first
year of his age, and is in the full vigor of
both his mental and physical faculties. He
was married in 1852 to Harriet S. Foot,
formerly of Middlebury, Vermont, by whom
he has had four children, two of whom are
living.
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BUREN R. SHBRMA.V.
219
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|HE twelfth Governor
of the State was
Buren . R. Sherman,
who held office two
terms, from 1882 to
1886. He was born
in Phelps, Ontario
County, New York, May
28, 1836, and is the third
son of Phineas L. and Eve-
line (Robinson) Sherman,
both of whom were natives
of the Empire State.
The subject of this sketch
received his early educa-
tion in the public schools
of his native place, and con-
cluded his studies at Elmira, New York,
acquiring a thorough knowledge of the
English branches. At the close of his
studies, acting on the advice of his father,
who was a mechanic (an ax maker), he ap-
prenticed himself to Mr. S. Ayres, of El-
mira, to learn the watchmaker's trade. In
1855, with his family, he removed to Iowa
and settled upon an unbroken prairie, in
what is now Geneseo Township, Tama
County, where his father had purchased
lands from the Government. There young
Sherman labored on his father's farm, em-
ploying his leisure hours in the study of
law, which he had begun at Elmira. He
also engaged as bookkeeper in a neighbor-
ly
ing town, and with his wages assisted his
parents in improving their farm. In the
summer of 1859 he was admitted to the bar,
and the following spring removed to Vin-
ton, and began the practice of law with
Hon. William Smyth, formerly District
Judge, and J. C. Traer, conducting the
business under the firm name of Smyth,
Traer & Sherman.
They built up a flourishing practice and
were prospering when, upon the opening
of the war, in 1861, Mr. Sherman enlisted in
Company G, Thirteenth Iowa "Volunteer
Infantry, and immediately went to the
front. He entered the service as Second
Sergeant, and in February, 1862, was made
Second Lieutenant of Company E. On the
6th of April following he was very severely
wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing,
and while in the hospital was promoted to
the rank of Captain. He returned to his
company while yet obliged to use crutches,
and remained on duty till the summer of
1863, when, by reason of his wound, he was
compelled to resign and return home. Soon
after returning from the army he was
elected County Judge of Benton County,
and re-elected without opposition in 1865.
In the autumn of 1866 he resigned his judge-
ship and accepted the office of clerk of the
District Court, to which he was re-elected
in 1868, 1870 and 1872, and in December,
1874, resigned in order to accept the office
.'
J.'!
m
220
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
of Auditor of State, to which he had been
elected by a majority of 28,425 over J. M.
King, the " anti-monopoly" candidate. In
1876 he was re-nominated and received 50,-
272 more votes than W. Growneweg(Demo-
crat) and Leonard Brown (Greenback) to-
gether. In 1878 he was again chosen to
represent the Republican party in that office,
and this time received a majority of 7,164
over the combined votes of Colonel Eiboeck
(Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger (Green-
back). In the six years that he held this
office, he was untiring in his faithful appli-
cation to routine work and devotion to his
especial share of the State's business. He
retired with such an enviable record that it
was with no surprise the people learned,
June 27, 1 88 1 , that he was the nominee of the
Republican parly for Governor
The campaign was an exciting one. The
General Assembly had submitted to the
people the prohibitory amendment to the
Constitution. This, while not a partisan
question, became uppermost in the mind
of the public. Mr. Sherman received 133,-
330 votes, against 83,244 for Kinne and 28,-
112 for D. M. Clark, or a plurality of 50,086
and a majority of 21,974. In 1883 he, was
re-nominated by the Republicans, as was L.
G. Kinne by the Democrats. The National
party offered J. B. Weaver. During the
campaign these candidates held a number
of joint discussions at different points in the
State. At the election the vote was : Sher-
man, 164,182; Kinne, 139,093; Weaver, 23,-
089 ; Sherman's plurality, 25,089 ;' majority,
2,000. In his second inaugural Governor
Sherman said :
" In assuming, for the second time, the
office of Chief Magistrate of the State, I
fully realize my grateful obligations to the
people of Iowa, through whose generous
confidence I am here. I am aware of the
duties and grave responsibilities of this ex-
alted position, and as well what is expected
of me therein. As in the past I have given
my undivided time and serious attention
thereto, so in the future I promise the most
earnest devotion and untiring effort in the
faithful performance of my official require-
ments. I have seen the State grow from
infancy to mature manhood, and each year
one of substantial betterment of its previous
position.
"With more railroads than any other
State, save two ; with a school interest the
grandest and strongest, which commands
the support and confidence of all the peo-
ple, and a population, which in its entirety
is superior to any other in the sisterhood,
it is not strange the pride which attaches to
our people. When we remember that the
results of our efforts in the direction of good
government have been crowned with such
magnificent success, and to-day we have a
State in most perfect physical and financial
condition, no wonder our hearts swell in
honest pride as we contemplate the past
and so confidently hope for the future.
What we may become depends on our own
efforts, and to that future I look with earnest
and. abiding confidence."
Governor Sherman's term of office con-
tinued until January 14, 1886, when he was
succeeded by William Larrabee, and he is
now, temporarily, perhaps, enjoying a well-
earned rest. He has been a Republican
since the organization of that party, and his
services as a campaign speaker have been
for many years in great demand. As an
officer he has been able to make an enviable
record. Himself honorable and thorough,
his management of public business has been
of the same character, and such>as has com-
mended him to the hearty approval of the
citizens of the State.
He was married August 20, 1862, to Miss
Lena Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young
lady of rare accomplishments and strength
of character. The union has been happy
in every respect. They have two children
—Lena Kendall and Oscar Eugene.
WILLIAM LARRABEE. 2-3
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ILLIAM LARRABEE
is the thirteenth
Governor of this
State, and the six-
teenth Governor
of Iowa, counting
from the Territo-
rial organization. His ancestors
bore the name of d'Larrabee, and
were among the French Hugue-
nots who came to America early
in the seventeenth century, set-
tling in Connecticut. Adam
Larrabee was born March 14,
1787, and was one of the early
graduates of West Point Military Academy.
He served with distinction in the war of
1 812, having been made a Second Lieuten-
ant March I, 181 1. He was promoted to be
Captain February 1, 1814, and was soon
after, March 30, of the same year, severely
wounded at the battle of Lacole Mills, dur-
ing General Wilkinson's campaign on the
St. Lawrence. He recovered from this
wound, which was in the lung, and was
afterward married to Hannah Gallup Lester,
who was born June 8, 1798, and died March
15, 1837. Captain Larrabee died in 1869,
aged eighty-two.
The subject of this sketch was born at
Ledyard, Connecticut, January 20, 1832,
and was the seventh of nine children. He
passed his early life on a rugged New Eng-
land farm, and received only moderate
school advantages. He attended the dis-
trict schools winters until nineteen years of
age, and then taught school for two winters.
He was now of an age when it became
necessary to form some plans for the future.
In this, however, he was embarrassed by a
misfortune which betel him at the age of
fourteen. In being trained to the use of
fire-arms under his father's direction, an ac-
cidental discharge resulted in the loss of
sight in the right eye. This unfitted him
for many employments usually sought by
ambitious youths. The family lived two
miles from the sea, and in that locality it
was the custom for at least one son in each
family to become a sailor. William's two
eldest brothers chose this occupation, and
the third remained in charge of the home
farm.
Thus made free to choose for himself
William decided to emigrate West. In
1853, accordingly, he came to Iowa. His
elder sister, Hannah, wife of E. H. Williams,
was then living at Garnavillo, Clayton
County, and there he went first. In that
way he selected Northeast Iowa as his
224
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
future home. After teaching one winter at
Hardin, he was for three years employed as
a sort of foreman on the Grand Meadow
farm of his brother-in-law, Judge Williams.
In 1857 ne bought a one-third interest in
the Clermont Mills, and located at Cler-
mont, Fayette County. He soon was able
to buy the other two-thirds, and within a
year found himself sole owner. He oper-
ated this mill until 1874, when he sold to S.
M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war
he offered to enlist, but was rejected on ac-
count of the loss of his right eye. Being
informed he might possibly be admitted as
a commissioned officer he raised a company
and received a commission as First Lieu-
tenant, but was again rejected for' the same
disability.
After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee de-
voted himself to farming, and started a
private bank at Clermont. He also, ex-
perimentally, started a large nursery, but
this resulted only in confirming the belief
that Northern Iowa has top rigorous a cli-
mate for fruit-raising. 1
Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political
career, until 1867. He was reared as a
Whig, and became a Republican on the or-
ganization of that party. While interested
in politics he generally refused local offices,
serving only as treasurer of the School
Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that
year, on the Republican ticket, he was
elected to represent his county in the State
Senate. To this high position he was re-
elected from time to time, so that he served
as Senator continuously for eighteen years
before being promoted to the highest office
in the State. He was so popular at hoftie
that he was generally re-nOminated by ac-
clamation, and for some years the Demo-
crats did not even make nominations.
During the whole eighteen years Senator
Larrabee was a member of the principal
committee, that on Ways and Means, of
which he was generally chairman, and was
also a member of other committees.' In the
pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon
him he was indefatigable. It is said that
he never missed a committee meeting. Not
alone in this, but in private and public
business of all kinds his uniform habit is
that of close application to work. Many
of the important measures passed by the
Legislature owe their existence or present
form to him.
, He was a candidate for the gubernatorial
nomination in 1881, but entered the contest
too late, as Governor Sherman's following
had been successfully organized. In 1885
it was generally conceded before the meet-
ing of the convention that he would be
nominated, which he was, and his election
followed as a matter of course. He was
inaugurated January 14, 1886, and so far
has made an excellent Governor. His
position in regard to the liquor question,
that on which political fortunes are made
and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should
rule. He was personally in favor of high
license, but having been elected Governor,
and sworn to uphold the Constitution and
execute the laws, he proposes to do so.
A Senator who sat beside him in the
Senate declares him to be " a man of the
broadest comprehension and information,
an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and
conscientious in his conclusions, and of
Spartan firmness in his matured judg-
ment," and says that " he brings the prac-
tical facts and philosophy of human nature,
the science and history of law, to aid in his
decisions, and adheres with the earnestness
of Jefferson and Sumner to the fundamental
principles of the people's rights in govern-
ment and law."
Governor Larrabee was married Sep-
tember 12, 1 861, at Clermont, to Anna M.
Appelman, daughter of Captain G. A.
Appelman. Governor Larrabee has seven
children— Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna,
William, Frederic and Helen.
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SOM TOLIVEK, one of Greene County's
worthy farmers, resides on section 33,
^ Bristol Township. He came to the county
April 16, 1854, locating first on section 11,
Franklin Township, at the south end of the
Raccoon Valley, where he bought 240 acres
of Government land, his being one of the
very first entries made in the county. At
that time the nearest mill was at Panora,
Guthrie County, and their trading was done
at Des Moines. Mr. Toliver lived on his
farm in Franklin Township until 1869, when
he moved to Bristol Township, buying the
farm where he now lives, which contains 180
acres of choice land. From a small capital
of $400 brought to Greene County, he has
accumulated a large and valuable estate. Mr.
Toliver was born on the top of Big Bald
Mountain, in Ashe County, North Carolina,
July 29, 1814, a son of John and Anna
Toliver. His grandfather, Jesse Toliver, was
a man of great force of character and ability,
and served seven years in the war of the
Revolution, five years as a Captain of the
line. His father, John Toliver, died in
North Carolina, and in 1834 the mother with
her family moved to Owen County, Indiana.
Isom was the second of twelve children. He
was married in Owen County in 1836 to
Matilda Reynolds, a native of North Carolina,
born in 1819. Her mother was Sally Greene,
a granddaughter of General Greene, the
friend of General Washington. In 1847
Mr. Toliver moved from Indiana to Richland
County, Illinois, and thence to Greene County,
Iowa, in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Toliver have
had eleven children, nine sons and two
daughters. Four sons and one daughter
died before coming to their majority. The
following are the names and order of birth
of those who lived to maturity: John H.,
Gillum S., Jacob M., James C, Doctor R.,
Tarry J. and Isom M. Four of the brothers
served their country during the war of the
Rebellion. John H. was a member of Com-
pany E, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volun-
teers, and Fife-Major of his regiment. He
died at Davenport, Iowa, soon after enlisting.
Jacob M. was Second Lieutenant of the same
company. He has served eight years as Dis-
trict Attorney in Northwestern Iowa, and
is now practicing law at Lake City, Iowa.
Gillum S. was a member of Company H,
Tenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He was
three years county surveyor, two years county
treasurer, and a member of the Thirteenth
General Assembly of Iowa, but his true
sphere was rather that of a lawyer than of a
politician. In the spring of 1870 he formed
a law partnership with the Hon. John J.
Russell, at Jefferson, Iowa, under the firm
name of Russell and Toliver. The firm soon
built up a large and lucrative practice, which
they have ever since maintained. James C.
was a member of Company H, Tenth Iowa
Infantry Volunteers. He was two years
deputy sheriff, and four years county recorder
of Greene County, Iowa. After that he was
engaged in the real estate and abstract busi-
ness at Rockwell City, Iowa, and is now a
real estate dealer at Ainsworth, Nebraska.
Doctor R., the seventh son, is a substantial
farmer, now living in Bristol Township,
Greene County, Iowa. Tarry J. and Isom
M., the two younger children, are living at
home, unmarried. Isom Toliver loved a new
country, and always kept his family on the
border, if not sometimes beyond, of what may
be called the limits of civilization, so that
his older sons possessed few educational
advantages, but became thoroughly familiar
with the arts and hardships of pioneer life.
They are all self-made men.
-— *§•**►§•—
^MOS JOHNSON, an active and public-
spirited citizen of Hardin Township, is
««f>- a native of Ohio, born February 23,
1842, son of Adam and Sarah Johnson,
natives of Virginia, who, more than a half
century ago, with their first born, — a daugh-
ter not quite a year old, — in company with
other relatives, emigrated from the moun-
tainous regions of Virginia to Delaware
County, Ohio, at that time a dense forest.
Here our pioneers entered 100 acres upon
which a comfortable log house was built, and
within a few years a number of acres had
been cleared, upon which the necessaries of
life, sufficient for health and happiness, were
produced. This homestead remained in pos-
session of the family until the entire tract,
with the exception of a few acres reserved for
timber purposes, was reduced to tillage, and
also until these worthy pioneers were blessed
with eleven children, eight sons and three
daughters, ten of whom were born within the
original pioneer log house. The eldest
daughter is now the wife of Joseph Riley, of-
Morrow County, Ohio. Elizabeth, another
daughter, is yet a resident of the Buckeye
State, and is the wife of Sewell Brookins, of
Delaware County. Cordelia, the youngest
daughter, is the wife of Joseph "Wagoner,
residing near Fort Scott, Kansas. The par-
ents, with the younger members of the family,
during the fall of 1862, removed to Jones
County, Iowa, remaining there till 1879, when
the mother died, since which time the father
has made his home with different members of
the family, chiefly with his daughter, Mrs.
Joseph Wagoner. Three of the sons, Jesse,
Thomas and Amos, were volunteers in defense
of the Union during the late civil war, and
though serving under the same flag, they
were widely separated from each other.
Jesse, the eldest son, was a member of the
Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and served in the
Army of the Cumberland. Amos, the third
son and fifth child, enlisted in June, 1861, in
Company I, Fourth |,Ohio Infantry, and was
with Shield's division in the Shenandoah
Valley in 1862. He participated in several
severe engagements, serving faithfully until he
was discharged on account of disability. He
was in the "West Virginia campaigns of 1861
and '62, and afterward with the Army of the
Potomac. It is a notable fact that, with his
regiment, Amos traversed much of the coun-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
331
try in which his parents were reared and
married, and also participated in the battle of
Rich Mountain, near the home of their child-
hood, a beardless youth, yet in his teens,
whipping his parents' former playmates back
into loyalty to the old flag. He was mustered
out of the service at Columbus, Ohio, January
29, 1863. Thomas, the sixth child in the
family, served in the Ninety-sixth Ohio
Infantry, and was in the Army of the Gulf.
The three brothers already mentioned, with
three of the younger brothers, Emerson,
William and Elmore, are now residents of
Greene County, Iowa, and all are engaged in
agricultural pursuits. Robert, the second
son, lives in Jones County, Iowa, where he
has made his home for twenty-five years,
while Newton, the ninth child in the family,
is at present a resident of Sac County, Iowa.
Amos Johnson, whose name heads this sketch,
remained in his native State until attaining
the age of nineteen years, and was educated
principally at the Olive Green Academy in
Delaware County, Ohio. After his return
from the service, having been discharged in
January, 1863, he returned to Ohio, remain-
ing there about five months, when, hoping to
improve his shattered health, he immigrated
to Cedar County, Iowa. He resided in Cedar
County about five years, and during this time
taught several terms of school. In 1868 he
came to Greene County, locating on section
21, Hardin Township, where he has since
devoted his attention to farming and stock-
raising, his farm containing eighty acres of
choice land. He has been twice married,
taking for his first wife Miss Hattie Elliott,
a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Elliott,
who died in January, 1874, leaving two chil-
dren — Addie V. and Rodney E. For his
second wife Mr. Johnson married Miss Rachel
McBurney, who was born in Canada in Octo-
ber, 1849, her parents, George and Jane
McBurney, being natives of Ireland. Three
children have been born to this union —
George and May (twins) and Eura J. In
politics Mr. Johnson affiliates with the
Republican party. ' Since becoming a resi-
dent of Greene County he has served his
township efficiently as clerk, assessor and
trustee. He is a comrade of the Grand Army
post at Jefferson, Iowa.
ALBERT H. FEY, one of Scranton Town-
ship's enterprising farmers, residing on
section 9, was born in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania, September 23, 1842, a son of
William and Esther Fey, Pennsylvanians by
birth, and of German extraction. In 1853
the family removed to Du Page County,
Illinois, settling on a farm in Naperville
Township, where the parents still reside. Of
their eleven children our subject was the
eldest. He grew to manhood in Du Page
County, remaining on the home farm till he
enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Au-
gust, 1862, and was assigned to Company B,
One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry.
His regiment was first engaged at Resaca,
and in Sherman's campaign against Johnston's
army, which culminated in the capture of
Atlanta. Mr. Fey also participated in the
battle of Peach Tree Creek, and at the battle
of Atlanta July 21 and 22, and in the en-
gagements at Averyville and Bentonville,
and with Sherman on his march to the sea.
He participated in the grand review of Sher-
man's army at Washington in June, 1865,
and was honorably discharged the same month
at Chicago, Illinois. During his entire term
of service he was never out of the line of
duty, was never sick, and passed through all
of war's perils unscathed, pro%'ing himself to
be a brave and gallant soldier. After his
■■■°ja"«'5B
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
discharge he returned to his home in Du
Page County, and December 19, 1866, he
was married to Miss Violet Dreher, who was
born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania,
November 27, 1847, a daughter of Israel and
Hannah Dreher, of whom her father is
deceased. Her mother is now living in
Scranton City, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Fey are
the parents of six children — Willard S.,
Elmer E., Mabel E., Oscar I., Blanche A.
and Albert D. Mr. Fey followed agricultural
pursuits in Du Page County until March,
1881, when he came to Greene County, Iowa,
and bought 160 acres of his present farm,
which had been partially improved by the
former owner, Frank Irons. Mr. Fey has
added to his original purchase until his farm
now contains 320 acres, the north half of
section 9, and has added largely to his build-
ing improvements, and by his enterprising
spirit and industrious habits he has gained
the respect and confidence of the entire com-
munity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fey are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Politically he is a Bepublican, having voted
that ticket since the second election of
Abraham Lincoln for President in 1864. He
is a comrade of N. H. Powers Post, No. Ill,
G. A. B,., of Scranton City.
»Si < S *
|DMOND C. CLAKK, attorney at law,
Grand Junction, is a native of Broome
County, New York, born at Bingham ton
June 17, 1841, a son of Jesse Clark, deceased,
who was born in Schenectady, New York.
The father being a contractor and builder,
our subject early in life learned the use of
tools. He received good educational advan-
tages, attending the schools of New York
City and the Methodist Episcopal Seminary
at Binghamton. He began life for himself
as a farm laborer, and was thus engaged two
years, and for one summer drove horses on
the canal. During the early part of the late
war he enlisted as a private in Company E,
Thirty-second New York Infantry, in which
he served two years, taking part in the en-
gagements at West Point, Gaines Mills,
Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, first and second
battles of Bull Bun, and others of minor
importance. He was discharged with the
rank of First Sergeant in June, 1863. In
December, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company
H, Sixth New York Cavalry. He was de-
tached by special order of the War Depart-
ment, and- placed in command of Company
B, Second Battalion, at the New York State
rendezvous, doing garrison duty at Albany
and Hart Island, New York harbor, for six
months. He then returned to his regiment,
and was again detached on scouting duty in
Maryland, continuing in that capacity until
the campaign of 1865, when he rejoined his
regiment. He remained in the service until
four months after the close of the war, during
which time he was chief clerk in Petersburg
Post Hospital. He received an honorable
discharge in September, 1865. He was mar-
ried January 2, 1864, to Mary J., daughter
of William Bown, of Connecticut. They
have one child — Gail B. After returning
from the war Mr. Clark followed farming
until 1870, after which he was a member of
the police force of New York City for one
year. Was variously employed for two years,
during which time he also perfected a law
course which he had begun some time before.
In the winter of 1872-'73 he entered the
employ of Borden's Condensed Milk Com-
pany, of New York, and was sent to Texas,
where he was engaged in condensing beef
for that company till the spring of 1873. In
1880 he came to Jefferson, Greene County,
where he was admitted to the bar, and for
MOGMAPHlOAL 8KMTCHMS.
233
four years practiced law at that place. In
the spring of 1884 he came to Grand Junc-
tion, where he has since done a general
law practice, and has become recognized as a
leading lawyer of Greene County. Mr.
Clark is a writer of some merit, and has
contributed many poems to the New York
Ledger and other papers, and now has a large
volume of poetry in manuscript which has
never yet been published, among which is
the famous " Address to the Flag," an acrostic,
displaying great poetical genius.
Jjj^ENRY D. ROGERS, one of the success-
fUD ^ a g r i cu 'turists of Greene County,
-jfSflg residing in Highland Township, is a
son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Fitz) Rogers,
and a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his
birth being June 7, 1824. He was reared to
the avocation of a farmer, which he has made
his life work. When but five years of age
he was taken by his parents to Ohio, and from
there went to Illinois, where the family lived
about three years. In the spring of 1831 he
removed with his parents to Linn County,
Iowa, they being among the pioneers of that
county. Henry D. entered 160 acres of land
in that county and engaged in farming on his
own account. After improving his land he
sold it, and bought a farm near Mt. Vernon,
Linn County, Iowa, which he sold and then
came to Greene County, Iowa, where he
bought 320 acres of land for himself, and 320
acres for others. He first settled in what is
now Cedar Township, a. part of said township
afterward being called Highland Township.
There were only two log cabins in the town-
ship when Mr. Rogers settled here, only one
house being between his and Jefferson. He
was married to Lucinda K. McRoberts, a
daughter of Michael and Mary McRoberts.
They have no children of their own, but have
an adopted daughter, who is now the wife of
W. O. Stotts, and lives south of the home
farm. Mr. Henry Rogers has prospered in
his agricultural pursuits since coming to
Greene County, his home farm containing
160 acres of good land well improved and
under cultivation. Besides his homestead he
owns property in the village of Churdan. He
also bought 157-| acres of land south of his
farm, which he gave to his adopted daughter.
He is a member of the Free Methodist church.
Politically he casts his suffrage with the
Republican party.
W. KIONS, farmer, section 4,
Kendrick Township, is one of the
f=^° leading agriculturists of the town-
ship, and has been identified with the county
for twenty years. He was born in Mont-
gomery County, Indiana, May 23, 1835, son
of Nathan and Martha (Wilson) Kions, who
were the parents of three children — Wilson,
Adam, and M. W. Our subject lived in
Montgomery County imtil he was twenty
years of age, spending his time at farm work
and in attending the subscription school. At
the age of twenty he went to Piatt County,
Illinois, where he worked by the month one
season, and then returned to Indiana. The
year following he went back to Illinois, and
in September, 1857, came to Iowa and located
on land adjoining the place where Humiston
now stands. Here he resided seven years,
then sold out and removed to Fulton County,
Illinois, and in 1866 came to Greene County,
and settled upon his present farm, which was
then in its wild state. He owns 380 acres of
land, and it is known as one of the best farms
in the county. He has a good house, sur-
rounded with shade trees, one barn 30x40 feet,
234
MISTORY OP GREBNtt COUNTY.
and another 36x40 feet, and still another, 16x32
feet. He has seed lots, a native grove and a
fine orchard. He is engaged in stock-raising
and feeding. Pie has three children — Jose-
phine D., Silas G. and Adam Lewis. Politi-
cally he is a Republican.
|OBERT CAIJST, farmer, section 1, Wil-
low Township, postoffice Scranton, is
one of the early settlers of the township,
and is a native of the Isle of Man, born April
18, 1844, son of John and Jane (Eads) Cain,
who were the parents of ten children, Robert
being the fifth child. When he was fourteen
years of age he went to London, England,
where he worked about eight years. He was
united in marriage January 31, 1867, to Miss
Lottie Redgrave, who was born in Essex
County, England, December 4, 1843, daugh-
ter of Reuben and Mary (Reeve) Redgrave.
Her parents had seven children, six of whom
are living — Jemima, George, Lottie, Ann R.,
Elizabeth, John, and James, deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Cain came to America soon after
their marriage, and settled in Warren County,
Illinois, where they resided until 1881,
engaged in farming. He then came to
Greene County, and settled in Willow Town-
ship, where he has since resided. His first
purchase was 175 acres of partly improved
land. He has since added to that amount
until he now owns 335 acres of as fine land
as can be found in Greene County, and it is
well cultivated and improved. He has a
comfortable residence, with good buildings
for stock and grain, and an orchard consisting
of three acres. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are the
parents of five sons — Robert Ernest, Herbert
R. J., Frank George, Alfred R. and Chester
G. Mr. Cain is a Republican in politics,
and also a member of the Masonic fraternity,
being a member of Golden Gate Lodge, No.
402, at Scranton. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are
worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and Mr. Cain has served as Steward
and Sunday-school superintendent. He has
always taken an active part in educational
and religious matters, and is a liberal sup-
porter of both.
D. HOWARD, one of the older members
of the bar of Greene County, is at pres-
ent the senior member of the firm of
Howard & Rose. He has been a resident
of Jefferson since about 1860, and began the
practice of his profession in 1869. During
the early part of his residence here he was
engaged in teaching. Afterward he was
elected to the office of clerk of the district
court, in which capacity he served for a
period of eight years. During the first four
years of his official life, the office included the
duties of the present county auditor, as clerk
of the board of supervisors. He commenced
the practice of law about a year previous to
the close of his term of office. His first
partner was Mr. Jas. A. Henderson, with
whom he continued about four years. He
was then associated with I. J. McDuffie for
ten years. The present partnership was
formed in 1886. Mr. Howard was born in
Franklin County, Massachusetts, July 10,
1834. His mother died while he was still
quite young. When seventeen years of age,
he removed with his father to Ohio, where he
lived until he attained his majority. He
came to Iowa in 1853, and has been a resident
of Greene County since 1860. He was reared
to the occupation of farming. He followed
the occupation of teaching for ten years, the
last four years being in Iowa. Politically
he is a Republican, and has ever been a strong
MOG&APBIOAL SKETCHES.
235
adherent to the principles of that great politi-
cal organization. He cast his first presi-
dential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856.
He is a self-made man, and has always been
a hard worker. He studied law and prepared
himself for admission to the bar while clerk
of the courts. His success, and his ability as
a lawyer is universally recognized. He was
married in Boone County, this State, to Eliza
J. Kenney, a native of Pennsylvania.
jBEAM CAIN, farmer, section 35,
Greenbrier Township, is among the
leading citizens of Greene County, and
was born on the Isle of Man, May 30, 1840.
His parents were Jehu and Jane (Eads)
Cain, and they were the parents of ten chil-
dren — Sarah A., John, Abram, Edward,
Bobert, Jane, Elizabeth, Matilda (deceased),
"William and Morris E. Abram resided in his
native country until he was twenty-live years
of age, having been reared in the village of
Balla Salla, where he received his education.
He worked at blacksmithing for three and a
half years, then came to America and settled
in Warren County, Illinois, where he lived
over four years, and then went to England.
He was united in marriage October 10, 1869,
to Miss Ellen J. K. Kermode, who was born
on the Isle of Man, and a daughter of Jehu
and Ellen (Cubbon) Kermode. After his
marriage Mr. Cain returned to America, and
resided in Warren County, Illinois, until
1876, when he came to Greene County and
settled on section 35, Greenbrier Township.
He came to his present farm in 1879, which
was then in a wild state. He has cultivated
and improved it until it is now one of the
best farms in Greene County. It, is situated
one mile north of Bagley. He has a good
one and a half story residence, built in modern
style and well furnished, and a commodious
barn and sheds for cattle. He is extensively
engaged in stock-raising, stock-feeding, and
dealing in stock to some extent. A wind-
mill furnishes a power for a water supply.
The farm is all seeded to grass, and everything
about the premises indicates the industry and
thrift of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Cain have
four children — Ella Jane, William Ed., Emma,
and Harry K. Charles E., Ben F. and Arthur
G. are deceased. Politically Mr. Cain is a
Republican. He is a worthy member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and a local
preacher of that church. He is numbered
among the best citizens of the county.
» S i t ; J
|EORGE W. GILBOY, one of Greene
County's pioneers, and an active and
enterprising citizen of Franklin Town-
ship, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the
date of his birth being November 2, 1842.
His parents, James and Anna (Crawford)
Gilroy, were natives of Ireland and Ohio
respectively. In 1855 they immigrated with
their family to Greene County, where they
made their home for many years, witnessing
the country change from a wild state into
well-cultivated farms and thriving towns and
villages. The father died in Greene County
February 25, 1885. The mother is now
living in Saline County, Nebraska. The
father being a farmer, George W. was reared
to the same occupation, and his youth was
spent in assisting his father clear and culti-
vate the home farm. February 10, 1862, he
enlisted in the late war at Des \Moines in
Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, serving
in Hamilton's division, Sullivan's brigade.
He took part in the siege of Corinth and
battle of Inka, and was wounded at the
second battle of Corinth October 4, 1862, the
■■»■«.■ J »CWS»a M =WS^"»"«W«"l»"«M«»«M»«»«M"-»«^» -"»"- » .. " - " - " »W -"-W-"-"»' ll « l
S36
MlStORY OF GREENS COUNT?.
ball passing through his right elbow. He
then lay in the hospital at Corinth three weeks,
when he was removed to Keokuk, Iowa,
remaining there until he was honorably dis-
charged February 28, 1863. He then returned
to his home in Greene County, and spent
four months attending school. After leaving
school he began clerking in Isaac Tucker's
store, where he served to the best interest of
his employer for one year. He then clerked
in the store of J. Orr, of Boonesborough,
Boone County, Iowa, for one year, when he
returned to Jefferson, Iowa, and became
associated with Thomas Reese, this partner-
ship lasting two years. He then, in 1867,
formed a partnership with Anderson & Too-
good in the stock business, which they fol-
lowed together about one year, when the
partnership was dissolved by mutual consent.
Mr. Gilroy then went on a prospecting tour
to Kansas, but becoming dissatisfied with the
country he came to Appanoose County, Iowa,
where he engaged in farming for two years.
He then returned to Greene County, and has
since followed farming on the old home place
in Franklin Township. He was married in
Greene County November 10, 1867, to Miss
Nancy A. Tucker, a -native of Boone County,
Indiana, born September 15, 1832, daughter
of Inskip and Dicey Tucker, the father being
a native of Kentucky, and the mother of
Indiana. To this union have been born three
children — Victor W., Ada A. and Floy W.
Mr. Gilroy's residence is located on section
12, Franklin Township, where he has sixty-
seven acres of well-cultivated land. Beside
his home farm he owns forty-seven acres on
section 35 of Grant Township. He has
served his township efficiently as clerk, and
for ten years was secretary of the School
Board. He is a charter member of the
Masonic lodge at Jefferson, Iowa. In poli-
tics he casts his suffrage with the Republican
party. Mrs. Gilroy is a member of the
United Brethren church. Their postoffice is
Cooper, Iowa.
►$Hf<
|ARTIN PETERSON, residing on
f section 20, is one of Scranton Town-
ship's most enterprising farmers.
When he came to his present farm, in the
spring of 1877, his fine homestead was raw
prairie, but by persevering industry he made
it one of the best farms in his neighborhood,
and it now consists of 200 acres of well-im-
proved land, 120 acres being under cultiva-
tion, and his building improvements are
noticeably good. Mr. Peterson is a native of
Denmark, born January 28, 1840, the second
in a family of six children of Peter and Karie
Peterson. Both of his parents died in their
native country. His brothers and sisters are
now living in Wisconsin. He was the first
of his father's family to come to America,
landing at Quebec June 6, 1862, going thence
directly to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began
life in America as a farm laborer, which he
followed near Milwaukee nearly two years.
He was then engaged in the pineries in
Oconto County, Wisconsin, and in the Green
Bay district, until 1866. In the fall of 1864
he was married to Miss Hannah Peterson,
who was also a native of Denmark, born
March 2, 1840, a daughter of Jacob Peterson.
Of the eight children born to this union only
two are living — Charles, born in February,
1869, and Albert, born in August, 1878.
They lost three children in the spring of
1875; their two eldest, Peter and Mary, died
aged ten and eight years respectively, and
Eleanora aged two years. Nora died in 1877,
aged one year and two months; Edwin at the
age of four years and five months, and San-
ford aged two years and seven months, in
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MOQitAPSIGAL SKETCBM.
23?
1885. In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. Peterson set-
tled in Columbia County, Wisconsin, and
there followed agricultural pursuits until
coming to Greene County, Iowa, in 1872.
They then located on their own land, on sec-
tion 27 of Scranton Township, a farm of
eighty acres improved by themselves, and
there lived till they settled in their present
home on section 20. Mr. Peterson came to
America a poor man, but possessed of strong
hands and a stout heart, and by his perse-
vering energy and industry, combined with
strict economy, he has succeeded well in his
farming operations, and acquired a good
property, and gained the confidence and re-
spect of the entire community. In politics
he has always affiliated with the Republican
party. Both he and his wife are members of
the United Brethren church.
►3MJ
S[DGAR W. JONES, residing on section
16, Junction Township, Greene County,
was born in Cass County, Michigan,
May 10, 1848, a son of Oscar and Caroline
0. (Wheeler) Jones, the father born in Rens-
selaer County, New York, June 14, 1817.
They were married July 3, 1841, and to them
were born five children, of whom only two
are living — Edgar W., the subject of this
sketch, and Mrs. Phoebe Melissa Smith, who
was born August 15, 1843, and is now residing
in Cass County, Michigan. Edgar W. Jones
was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and
educated in the common schools of his native
county, and at a select school at Niles, Michi-
gan, which he attended two terms. He
came to Greene County, Iowa, in the fall of
1867, locating at Jefferson, where he ran a
meat market from 1868 until 1869, since
which time he has followed agricultural pur-
suits. He was married May 19, 1869, to
Florenda A. Witherell, who was born Decem-
ber 19, 1848, a daughter of Theodore and
Adeline (Flanders) Witherell, both of whom
are deceased. They are the parents of four
children — Lena D., Fred M., Myrtie L. and
Clyde L. Mr Joues settled on his farm in
Junction Township in the fall of 1870, where
he is engaged in farming and stock-raising,
making a specialty of graded stock. His
farm contains eighty acres of land, well im-
proved and under cultivation. Since becom-
ing a resident of Junction Township Mr.
Jones has served as constable, school director,
and was secretary of the School Board some
four or five years.
> S n ;«
fOSEPH H. RIDLE, section 10, Wash-
ington Township, was born in Meadville,
Crawford County, Pennsylvania, July 7,
1814, a son of Peter Ridle, also a native of
the Keystone State. His early life was spent
on the home farm, and when eighteen years
of age he began to learn the trade of a car-
penter and joiner, being at that age thrown
on his own resources. In 1840 he came West
and lived in Fulton County, Illinois, a few
years, subsequently moving to Stark County,
where he lived until 1870, and while there
was engaged in contracting and building. In
1870 he came to Iowa, and settled in Greene
County, on the farm where he now lives.
He has been successful and now owns 160
acres of good land, well improved, and a
comfortable residence and farm buildings.
Mr. Ridle was married April 8, 1841, in Ful-
ton County, Illinois, to Angeline Buck,
daughter of Daniel Buck. To them were
born eight children, ,five of whom are living
— Harriet, Charles M., Henrietta, Miles D.
and Joseph A. Their eldest son, Aaron, was
killed at the battle of Knoxville, Tennessee,
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MsTdst of G&nmn cotrttTT.
while fighting for his country in the war of
the Kebellion. Mrs. Ridle died March 30,
1857, and October 2, 1858, Mr. Ridle married
Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Bennett. Two
of their three children are living — Olive and
Mary. Mr. Ridle has held the offices of
township trustee and school director. He
was once elected justice of the peace, but re-
fused to serve. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
» Sn£ «
fOHN F. JOHNSON, a member of the
general mercantile firm of Erickson &
Johnson, was born in Winnebago County,
Illinois, the date of his birth being Septem-
ber 5, 1852. His father, Peter Johnson, was
born in Norway, coming to America about
1843 or 1844. He settled in Illinois in an
early day, and is still making his home in
Winnebago County. John F., the subject of
this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, and received his education in the
common and graded schools of Durand in his
native county. He followed agricultural pur-
suits until about the year 1884. In 1875 he
came to Greene County, Iowa, and purchased
a tract of wild land, on which he settled in
1876, which he improved and put under cul-
tivation, and partially improved another farm.
He sold his farm in August, 1883, and began
dealing in farm implements, in company with
his present partner, in March, 1884, to which
he added his present business in March, 1885.
In March, 1886, they traded their implement
business for land, and have since devoted their
attention to the mercantile business. The
firm of Erickson & Johnson carries a capital
stock of $4,400, and both being active and
enterprising business men, have succeeded in
building up a good trade. Mr. Johnson was
married November 29, 1877, to Miss Katie
Wise, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca
Wise, her mother living in Paton, and her
father deceased. One child, named Samuel
F., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson is one of the active and public-
spirited citizens of Paton.
|HARLES H. JACKSON, attorney at
law, United States Commissioner and
notary public, has been in practice at
Jefferson since 1870. He at first formed a
partnership with Judge Harvey Potter, under
the firm name of Jackson & Potter. This
partnership continued several years. Mr.
Jackson then became associated with Captain
Albert Head, which was also continued several
years. Since that time he has been alone.
He was born in Chittenden County, Vermont,
December 14, 1832. .In .1848 his father,
Abram Jackson, removed with his family to
Hendersonj Knox County, Illinois. In Au-
gust, 1862, Mr. Jackson enlisted in Company
F, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry,
and served until July 11, 1864, when he was
discharged at the officer's .hospital at Nash-
ville for disability. His first service was at
Louisville, Kentucky, thence to Frankfort,
thence to Bowling Green, thence to Nashville,
Tennessee; thence to Chattanooga, where his
regiment became attached to the Twentieth
Army Corps. He participated in the severe
battle of Resaca and Burnt Hickory, but was
soon after compelled to enter the hospital,
and resigned July 9, 1864. Upon the
organization of his company he was elected
its Captain. He commanded the company
until October, 1863, and on the 20th of that
month he was appointed Major by Governor
Yates, of Illinois. November 10 following,
he was mustered into the service as Major of
hi6 regiment, and remained in that capacity
,._-»_<-*f«fc-'-^ "*.'-* "*!'■•-' *>-'"^ -■*
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►.■^^l^-^.' ■%--^>^'- l *l '•^-*-%.» J ^-'
MOGBAPStCAL SkMTOBM.
239
during his army service. He has never
recovered his former vigor since his army
experience. He began the study of law in
1859, and was admitted to the bar at Madison,
Wisconsin, in October, 1859. September
18, 1865, he was married to Miss Annie E.
Chaffee, a native of Ohio. To this union
have been born four children — E. H., Nellie,
Frances and Maud May. Mr. Jackson was
a Democrat for many years, but recently has
been a Greenbacker. He belongs to the
Grand Army of the Republic at Jefferson,
and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and
Commandery.
ii \ t \ i >
fE. BOBBINS, superintendent of the
Jefferson Brick and Tile Works, was
«^ Q born in Oswego County, New York,
in 1842. When he was twelve years of age
he went to Peoria, Illinois, and two years
later engaged to work in a brick-yard at that
place. He has been engaged in that branch
of the business ever since. His father,
Phillip Robbins, is still a resident of Oswego
County, New York. F. E. Robbins was
married to Miss Anna R. Butler, a native of
Maryland, and they have four children —
Minnie, Florence, Frank and Anna. Olive
D. died in infancy. The Jefferson Brick and
Tile Works, one of the most important
industries of Greene County, is located in the
south part of the corporation of Jefferson.
Originally brick alone was manufactured, the
business being started by Ira Hammer in the
spring of 1868, although a man named New-
man had made a few brick previous to that
time. In the fall of that year Mr. F. E.
Robbins bought out Mr. Hammer, and has
been connected with the business as owner,
part owner and superintendent since that
time. May 18, 1882, a stock company was
organized, called the Jefferson Brick and Tile
Company. This company was composed of
F. E. Robbins, D. B. McCully, Albert Head,
Mahlon Head and William Enright. The offi-
cers chosen were: D. B. McCully, President;
Mahlon Head, Secretary and Treasurer, and
F. E. Robbins, Superintendent. The only
change that has been made in stockholders
and officers is the substitution of President
Charles Bofinch for President McCully, the
former having purchased the stock of the
latter. The works are operated by an engine
of forty-horse power. The engine and
machinery room is 26 x 80 feet, the brick
shed 30 x 70 feet, and the tile shed 26 x 100
feet. The business is extensive and constantly
improving, the latest improved machinery
being in use. The clay of which the brick
and tile are made is of the best quality. Mr.
Robbins is one of the progressive business
men of Greene County. His long experience
in his business qualifies him most thoroughly
for the position he now occupies. Politically
he is a Republican.
-*-| "% " 3 i ' I *% j' »-—
|ASON LINN, farmer, section 3, Ken-
IttV/tll drick Township, was born 'in Butler
W^ County, Ohio, November 26, 1826,
son of Joseph and Nancy ' (Watson) Linn,
who were natives of Pennsylvania, and were
the parents of ten children, Mason being the
sixth child. When he was a babe his parents
removed to La Fayette County, Indiana, where
they resided about ten years; thence to Por-
ter County for four years; thence to Hender-
son County, Illinois, for a short time; thence
to Kankakee County, where they lived four
years. He was reared a farmer and educated
in the common schools. In November, 1848,
he was married to Miss Rebecca Kyle, a na-
1
=«!§{
S4ft
msfOBf op G'REtiNS: cozrrtrr.
tive of Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter
of Henry and JSancy (Haskins) Kyle. They
resided in Kankakee County until 1854,
when, with ox teams and wagons, they came
to Greene County, this State, and settled
upon the farm he now occupies. At that
time there were but six or eight familes in
the township. His milling was done at
Panora, and his postoffice was at Des Moines.
His first residence was a log cabin, about
16 x 18, which served for kitchen and parlor,
and where hospitality was extended to the
traveler or to a neighbor of the, settlement.
He now owns 179 acres of excellent land,
which is well improved and well cultivated.
He has a good house, a commodious barn,
36 x 44 feet, for stock and grain, and a fine
orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Linn have had three
children — Mansfield, William Wesley, who
died at the age of nine months, and Nancy
Ellen. Mrs. Linn died May 7, 1886, lament-
ed by all who were so fortunate as to make
her acquaintance. She was an affectionate
wife, a kind mother and a good neighbor.
Politically Mr. Linn is a Kepublican. He is
a member of Zerrubabbel Lodge of Lake City,
No. 240, A. F. & A. M.
D. JAQUES, farmer, section 2, Willow
Township, is one of the leading citi-
^| ° zens of Greene County, and the first
settler of Willow Township. He turned the
first furrow, set the first post, and built the
first cabin on the wild prairie of that town-
ship. He was born in Canada, near Ham-
ilton, July 17, 1842, son of Thomas and
Margaret Jaques. When about eight years
of age his parents removed to Middlesex
County, where he lived ten years. He was
reared a farmer, receiving his education in
the common schools of Canada. At the age
of eighteen years he came to the United
States, and for seven years was engaged in
various kinds of work and in different States,
until 1865, when he returned to his father's
house for a visit. He then bade farewell to
all the family and started for the Golden
State of California, starting from New York
via the Isthmus of Panama. He remained
in California and vicinity four years. In
1869 he returned to New York, thence to
the home of his parents, and in the spring of
1870 came to Greene County and located in
Willow Township all alone. His first loca-
tion was at the place where his father and
brother Benjamin now reside. For several
years he bought farms, partially improved
them and then sold to persons wishing to buy
such farms. He came to his present farm a
few years ago. It consists of 360 acres of
choice land, and it is one of the best stock
farms in Greene County. He has a fine two-
story residence, built in modern style and
well furnished. He has a large, commodious
barn for stock and hay, 74 x 112 feet, feed-
lots and stock-scales. He is a member of
Golden Gate Lodge, No. 402, A. F. & A. M.,
at Scranton. He started in life without
means, but by hard work and good man-
agement he has acquired a fine property.
He takes an active interest in educational
and religious matters, and is a liberal con-
tributor to both.
> S i i S «
,LBERT F. HAVER, postoffice Jeffer-
■..\, \s son, is a native of Germany, born Feb-
tDP^ ruary 15, 1838, remaining in his native
country until fifteen years of age. He then
immigrated with his parents to America,
sailing from Hamburg June 9, 1853. He
landed at New York, where he remained
about eighteen months, when he went to
BIOGBAPHIOAL sketches.
241
Canada. After residing in Canada for ten
years he returned to the United States and
settled in Illinois, in which State he made
his home about fifteen years, following the
tailor's trade the first six years of his resi-
dence there. He settled in Greene County,
Iowa, in 1883, and since coming here he has
met with excellent success in his agricultural
pursuits. He is now engaged in general
farming on section 33, Hardin Township,
where he has a well-cultivated farm contain-
ing 160 acres of valuable land. Mr. Eaver
has been twice married. His first wife was
Lydia Ayres, daughter of Charles Ayres.
She was born in England February 25, 1839,
her parents being natives of the same country.
She died in 1875, leaving four children, as
follows — Charlie, May, Lydia and Bartie.
For his second wife Mr. Eaver married Miss
Bessie "Wilson, who was also a native of
England, born in August, 1847, and to this
union have been born two children, named
Violet and Claude. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eaver
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. In his political views he affiliates
with the Eepublican party.
JWJ"
tAEVEY POTTEE, attorney at law, has
been a resident of Jefferson since May,
1865. He was the second attorney
that settled in that city, the first being Dan
Mills, who is still living in Jefferson, but is
retired. Mr. Potter was born at Turin, Lewis
County, New York, July 17, 1834. His
father, Chester Potter, was a stone mason in
early life, and a farmer in later years. His
mother, Dinah (Miller) Potter, was of Eng-
lish and Irish parentage. The Potters were
wholly English. Harvey's paternal grand-
father was a soldier in the Eevolutionary war,
and his father was in the war of 1812. When
he was three years of age his father removed
with his family to Illinois, settling near
Somonauk, DeKalb County. Our subject
remained at home until twenty years of age,
then went to Wheaton, twenty-five miles west
of Chicago, where he sjient six years in the
preparatory and college course, graduating
July 4, 1860. He attended the law depart-
ment of Chicago University and graduated in
1862, with the degree of LL. B. In 1864
he received the degree of A. M. from his Alma
Mater. At the time of his graduation from
the law department, the civil war was at its
height, and he felt that he owed his first
duty to his country. Before entering
upon his profession, he enlisted, in August,
1862, as a private in Company H, One
Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. He
was promoted from time to time, until
1863, when he was made First Lieuten-
ant of his company. He commanded Com-
pany F, of his regiment, during part of his
Atlanta campaign, that being the company
that captured the colors of the Twelfth Louisi-
ana in the battle of Peach Tree Creek. He
was struck by a fragment of a shell, at Eesaca,
but was not much injured. He participated
in several other important events of the
Atlanta campaign, and resigned in August,
1864, on account of the illness of his wife.
He returned from the army and the following
winter taught school. In May, 1865, he
settled in Jefferson, and at once entered upon
the practice of his profession. He served as
United States Assistant Assessor of Greene,
Calhoun and Sac counties, in 1866-67, and
was the last county judge of Greene 'County,
serving in that capacity in 1868-'69. Politi-
cally he has always affiliated with the Eepub-
lican party, and his first vote was cast for
John C. Fremont in 1856. He is a man of
culture, having received a thorough literary
and legal education. He has been admitted
242
BISTORT OF GREENE COUNTY.
to practice in the United States Courts, the
Supreme Court of the State of Illinois, and
the Circuit, District and Supreme Courts of
Iowa. He possesses the Jeffersonian qualifi-
cation of honesty, integrity and ability.
Judge Henry Booth, dean and leading pro-
fessor in the law department of the University
of Chicago, paid him the following tribute:
" Among all the students of my school, from
twenty popular colleges, not one was superior
to Harvey Potter." August 24, 1862, he
-was married to Miss Mary L. Price, a native
of Illinois. She is a woman of education and
refinement. Religiously Mr. Potter and
wife are devoted and consistent members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are
devoted to the Sunday-school and other
religious work. They graduated at the
Chautauqua Sunday-school Assembly at Clear
Lake, Iowa, in the summer of 1877. Both
have long been active, earnest workers in the
cause of temperance and prohibition, Mrs.
Potter for some time being State vice-presi-
dent of the "Woman's Christian Temperance
Union and having charge of the work of that
organization in the entire Eleventh Con-
gressional District of Iowa.
— «*»<§*$«Hi«*-» —
ILLIAM LEE, one of the old settlers
of Washington Township, residing
»T3 on section 6, is a native of Ohio,
born in Harrison County May 11, 1816, a
son of John Lee, who was born near Rich-
mond, Virginia. "William Lee, our subject,
was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his
education being obtained in the rude log
cabin subscription schools. He was married
in 1849 to Miss Martha McLain, a daughter
of Alanson McLain, and of the eight chil-
dren born to this union, five are living —
Henry, John, Emma, Daniel and Delbert D.
One son, "William, died in 1885 at the age ot
twenty-two years. In the fall of 1854 he
came to Greene County, Iowa, settling on
the farm where he has since resided. His
first dwelling was a split-log cabin consisting
of one room 16 x 18 feet in size. Elk,
wolves, deer, and other wild animals were
then in abundance, the surrounding country
being in a state of nature. Here the family
experienced many of the hardships and pri-
vations of pioneer life. Their nearest milling
and trading point was Des Moines. He has
met with fair success in his farming opera-
tions, and by years of toil and industry has
acquired his present fine farm of eighty-two
acres, all of which is under good cultivation.
|EORGE M. GILLILAND, of Paton, a
member of the firm of Gilliland Broth-
ers, contractors and builders, is a son of
Archibald and Mary (Henderson) Gilliland,
natives of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, the
father born in 1800, now deceased, and the
mother in 1818. George M. Gilliland, the
subject of this sketch, is a native of Boone
County, Iowa, the date of his birth being
September 14, 1859. His educational advant-
ages were some what limited, he attending
the district schools of his native county in his
boyhood. At the age of fifteen years he
began learning the carpenter's trade, his
ancestors being workers or carvers in wood for
many years. His grandfather, John Gilli-
land, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war
and in the war of 1812, being a gunner in the
latter war, and was transferred from the land
forces to the lakes. Mr. Gilliland has fol-
lowed the trade learned in his youth through
life, and is considered one of the finest work-
men in his part of Greene County. In the
fall of 1873 he went to Oregon, where he
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
243
remained till the spring of 1877. The same
spring he went to Warren County, Iowa, and
returned to his home in Boone County, in
the fall of 1878. In the spring of 1881 he
came to Paton, Greene County, when he
formed a partnership with his brother, A. H.
Gilliland, and has since followed contracting
and building and during their comparatively
short residence here have erected over ninety
buildings. Mr. Gilliland has never married,
but makes his home with his mother, who is
now living in Paton. He never seeks official
honors, preferring to devote his entire atten-
tion to his business. He is a member of the
Odd Fellows' order.
|MMERSON JOHN SON, an enterprising
f. farmer and stock-raiser of Hardin
Township, residing on section 5, was
born in Delaware County, Ohio, August 14,
1845, a son of Adam and Sarah Johnson,
who were natives of Virginia, and early
settlers of Ohio. The mother died in 1878,
and the father has since made his home with
his children; at present is living with his
daughter, Mrs. Wagoner, in Kansas. The
father being a farmer, Emmerson was reared
to the same avocation, which he has followed
through life. At the age of twenty-eight
years he rented a farm in Jones County,
Iowa, which he farmed for two years. He
was united in marriage in 1873 to Miss
Cenith Jones, a native of Indiana, born Oc-
tober 5, 1848, a daughter of Thomas and
Jane (Tatun) Jones, the father born in Mon-
roe County, Indiana, November 29, 1819,
and the mother a native of North Carolina,
born March 25, 1825. The father settled
with his family in Jones County, Iowa, in
1863, where he followed farming till his
death, which occurred May 3, 1880. His
widow, Mrs. Jones, is still living at Grand
Junction, Iowa. Nine children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Jones, two sons and seven
daughters, Mrs. Johnson being the fourth
child. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are keeping
two of their brother Newton Johnson's chil-
dren, their mother being deceased. They are
— Myrtle B., born August 31, 1872, and
Alta M., born July 7, 1880. About the year
1869 Mr. Johnson took a trip to the north-
western part of Iowa to determine a location,
and finally settled on his present farm in
Hardin Township. He is one of the self-
made men of Greene County, having by fair
dealing and hard work acquired his present
fine property. He has his land now well
improved, and it is considered one of the
finest stock farms in Greene County. He
devotes considerable attention to the raising
of stock, and is making a specialty of Jersey
hogs, short-horn cattle and a fine grade of
Norman horses. In politics Mr. Johnson
affiliates with the Democratic party. Mrs.
Johnson is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
» l > * i «
ILO B. WESTERVELT, farmer, re-
sides on section 3, Bristol Township,
¥^5=* where he owns 400 acres of excellent
land on sections 2 and 3. He was born in
Franklin County, Ohio, December 8, 1856,
the only son of James and Kate (Knox)
Westervelt, now deceased. He was reared a
farmer, and obtained a good education,
becoming a teacher before reaching his
majority. When twenty-one years of age he
entered into a partnership with his uncle,
John Knox, in farming and stock-raising,
which continued until 1878, when he formed
another partnership in the cattle and sheep
trade, shipping to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
In 1879 he visited Greene County, stopping
only two weeks, then went to California,
where he led an active business life for the
next two years. He then returned to Greene
County, where he spent several months in
the abstract and recorder's office, under
Recorder Head. Iu 1883 he settled upon his
farm, and is now engaged in improving and
stocking the same. September 12, 1883, he
was united in marriage with Miss Hose,
daughter of John and Sarah Diemer, of
Wayne County, this State. Mrs. Westervelt
was born in that county September 12, 1860.
They haye two sons — Alanson K., born July
7, 1884, and Milo B., born December 2, 1885.
Politically Mr. Westervelt affiliates with the
Republican party.
— »-«§*>*•!«**>• —
G. LAWRENCE, of the firm of Law-
Ij- rence & Haag, the principal real estate
^ a dealers and abstractors in Jefferson,
engaged in his present business in January,
1876, at which time he bought a half interest
in the Greene County Abstract and Real Es-
tate Agency. This business was established
in 1867 by W. B, Mayes. Mr. Lawrence
possesses the only complete set of abstract
books in the county. He has been a resident
of Jefferson since 1867, and for six years he
was engaged in the bank of Head Brothers.
For four years he served as auditor of Greene
County. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
in 1844, and came to Iowa with his parents
in 1854, the family settling iD Poweshiek
County. In 1861 he enlisted in Company
F, Tenth Iowa Infantry, and served in Gen-
eral Sherman's army until 1865, participating
in many of the important events of the war,
including the Atlanta campaign and march
to the sea, and took part in the grand re-
view at Washington. After the war Mr.
Lawrence was engaged in farming one year,
and was then employed in Mickle & Head's
bank at Montezuma for a short time. After-
ward he attended school at Davenport, from
which place he came to Jefferson. Politi-
cally he affiliates with the Republican party.
LYSSES B. KLNSEY, section 10, Jnnc-
! \ tion Township, Greene County, was
born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl-
vania, June 13, 1822, a son of Samuel and
Susannah (Beam) Kinsey, who were natives
of the same State, the father born in Lancas-
ter County and the mother in Chester County.
The father is deceased, the mother still living
in Junction Township at the advanced age of
eighty-six years. Our subject was taken by
his parents to Coshocton County, Ohio, in
1827, they settling on a farm in the then
new country. He obtained such education
as the rude log cabin schools of that early
day afforded, his early life being spent in at- ,
tending these schools and in assisting with
the work of the farm. He was married
February 1, 1844, to Matilda Draper, a
daughter of James and Elizabeth Draper,
and to this union have been born five chil-
dren — Leander B., Sarah J., Mary I., James
IT. and Edgar L., all of whom are married
and living in Junction Township. Mr. Kin-
sey was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion,
enlisting in Company I, Fifty-first Ohio In-
fantry, as First Sergeant. He was shortly
afterward promoted to Quartermaster-Ser-
geant, serving as such till December 11, 1864,
and participated in the battle of Stone River
and a number of skirmishes. He came to
Greene County, Iowa, in October, 1869, set-
tling where he now lives in Junction Town-
ship. He owns eighty acres of land, which
he rents to tenants, he working at the qar-
W H il H
■ ■■■■■■■ ■ ■■- ■ ■■ ■■■■■■■i
E gEBBEEH
■^■^■■■■'■ ,
■ ■ - ■ - ■ - ■ ^—- ■ -■^i
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
245
1
!
penter's trade, which he has followed for
many years. He began life entirely without
capital, and while living in Ohio he failed in
business. He came to Iowa without means,
but a stout heart and a pair of willing hands.
Began here on wild land, which he cleared
and improved, and he experienced many of the
hardships and privations of pioneer life. He
was one of the earliest settlers of Junction
Township, locating on his present farm when
there was scarcely a house in the township.
The first two winters he trapped muskrats,
from the sale of which he built his house
and helped to pay for his land, at one time
taking as many as 2,200 skins to Grand
Junction. He never seeks official honors,
but has been induced to accept the office of
township trustee, which he has filled accept-
ably for several years. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, also a member of the
Grand Army. He and his wife and their
daughter, Mrs. Mary Coburn, are members
of the Presbyterian church.
1[HAKLES A. WOODS, engaged in farm-
lecjj ing and stock raising on section 22 of
Franklin Township, is a native of Ohio,
born August 18, 1843, his parents, Thomas
and Mary A. (Latta) Woods, being natives
of Ireland, the father being a farmer by oc-
cupation. At the early age of nine years
Charles A., our subject, began working in a
rolling-mill nail factory, where he was em-
ployed for twenty years. He was united in
marriage in May, 1863, to Miss Mary H.
Potts, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
vania, November 3, 1846, and died in Greene
County, Iowa, July 4, 1882. She was the
daughter of David and Mary (Patterson)
Potts. To Mr. and Mrs. Woods were born
seven children, their names being as follows
21 °
— Minnie, Charles, John, Harry, Cora, Maud
and Ethel. In February, 1875, Mr. Woods
came with his family to Greene County,
when he settled on his farm on section 22,
Franklin Township, where he now has a good
farm, well improved, consisting of 160 acres.
He has on his land a fine maple grove which
covers two acres, from which the name of
his homestead, "Maple Grove Farm," is de-
rived. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, his wife having been a
member of the same church. In politics he
affiliates with the Republican party. Post-
office, Cooper, Iowa.
fOHJST McCAETHY, mayor of the city of
Jefferson, is one of the prominent busi-
ness men of that town, though not one of
its oldest residents. In December, 1880, he
purchased 200 acres of land in Hardin Town-
ship, and erected buildings thereon and
improved and cultivated the farm. He pur-
chased other land adjoining, until he now has
540 acres. The land lies near town and is
very valuable; he also owns real estate
elsewhere. The total amount of his land in
Greene County is 1,040 acres. To Mr. Mc-
Carthy, more than to any other man, is due
the investigation which led to the production
of the numerous artesian wells which now
exist in this vicinity. In 1881 he produced
one of these wells on his farm near town, and
from this well flows an abundance of excellent
mineral water. A specimen of the water was
analyzed by Professor Hunt of the Agricul-
tural College, the formula of which shows
that it possesses valuable medicinal proper-
ties. The benefit of this well to the fine
stock farm of Mr. McCarthy can hardly be
estimated. The owner is extensively engaged
in raising and feeding and buying and selling
246
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
stock. He is also engaged in the boot and
shoe business at Jefferson. Mr. McCarthy
was born in the city of Rochester, State of
New York, in 1843. Three years later his
father, Jeremiah McCarthy, removed with his
family to the State of Illinois, and settled in
what is now Prairie Center, LaSalle County.
Here our subject was reared to the occupation
of farming and stock-raising. The father
remained in LaSalle County until his decease.
Mr. McCarthy was married in Illinois to
Miss M. F. Blackwell. Politically Mr. Mc-
Carthy is a Democrat. His popularity is
indicated hy the fact that in a strong Repub-
lican town he was elected mayor by a major-
ity of eighty-one votes. They have an adopted
son, Fred, born in 1863.
» lUl n
fAMES W. SMITH resides on section 35,
Grant Township, Greene County, Iowa,
where his father, Pleasant Smith, settled
in July, 1855, having purchased 210 acres of
land of Winson Crouse. The father, however,
lived but about three years after making his
settlement here, dying in 1858. He caught
a severe cold while hunting elk the winter
following his settlement here and an illness
followed which resulted in his death. He
left a wife and eight children, four sons and
four daughters, the wife dying in December,
1868. Only three of the children are now
living. James W. and Sarah live on the old
homestead. Jackson resides in "Washington
Township. Pleasant Smith was born in Ten-
nessee in December, 1799. He married Jane
Upton in 1819, removing to Illinois in 1828,
thence to Iowa in 1855. Two of his sons
served in the Union army during the Rebell-
ion. Robert T. was a member of Company H,
Tenth Iowa Infantry. He was captured near
Missionary Ridge in 1863, and imprisoned at
Andersonville, where he died June 24, 1864.
James W. owns and occupies the homestead
farm. He was born in DeWitt County,
Illinois, November 14, 1839. August 15,
1863, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-
ninth Iowa Infantry, and was in the battle of
Parker's Cross Roads, Tennessee, December
31, 1862, and also in the battles of Snake
Creek, Georgia, May 9, 1864; Horse-shoe
Bend, May 16, 1864, and the terrible battle
of Allatoona Pass, Georgia, October 5, 1864.
At the last mentioned battle he was twice
wounded, the first time, while occupying
the ditch in front of the fort, receiving a
gun-shot wound in the head. After the army
had been driven back to the fort, after the
third charge, he was shot through the elbow
joint of the right arm, which resulted in
amputation on the 31st of October. Being
disabled by these severe wounds he was sent
to army hospitals for treatment as follows:
First to Rome, Georgia, and remained there
until November, 1864, just before Sherman's
"march to the sea;" thence to Chattanooga,
Tennessee; thence to Nashville, Tennessee;
thence to Jeffersonville, Indiana ; thence to Jef-
ferson Barracks, Missouri ; thence to Keokuk,
Iowa, where he was discharged May 24, 1865,
being in the active service two years and
nearly ten months. Notwithstanding his
terrible experience in the army his health is
good. He was married to Susan A. Bell,
daughter of Rev. Watson A. Bell, May 30,
1865, at Sigourney, Iowa. Mrs. Susan A.
(Bell) Smith was born in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, in 1843. They have
nine children, seven sons and two daughters.
In 1868 while driving a pair of young horses
he was thrown from his wagon, receiving
great injuries. While trying to escape from
the run-away team he fell under the wagon,
the wagon passing o'ver him and breaking
his lower jaw in two places, and his left leg
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
247
below the knee. After lying at the point of
death for several weeks he was restored to
health by the kind nursing of his faithful
wife, materially assisted by his strong consti-
tution and his indomitable will. He fully
recovered from these injuries and enjoys the
blessing of a sound constitution, carrying
the marks of no affliction other than the
bullet wounds he received in the service of
his country as related above. Politically Mr.
Smith affiliates with Republican party.
J||E0KGE C. DILLAVOU, farmer, sec-
flW ti° n 17, Kendrick Township, was born
W^ in Randolph County, Indiana, August
29, 1850, son of James Dillavou, a prominent
pioneer of this county. He was five years
of age when his father came to Iowa and
settled amid the wild surroundings of pio-
neer life. His youth was spent in assist-
ing his father on the farm, and in attending
the common schools of Greene County. He
was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Lotta
Chase, who was a native of Canada, and a
daughter of Rev. John "W. Chase, a promi-
nent minister in the United Brethren church,
and the founder of the first church of that
denomination in Greene County. He was a
native of Connecticut, and married Miss
Susan Crawford, who was a native of Canada.
They lived in Canada several years, and in
1855 came to Iowa, settling in Clayton
County, where they lived until 1868, then
came to Greene County and settled in Cedar
Township. Mr. Dillavou came to his present
farm in the spring of 1879, which he pur-
chased some time previous. He owns 200
acres of excellent land, and his farm is known
as one of the best in his township. He has
a good two-story residence built in modern
style, with bay window and piazzas, and
surrounded with shade trees, and his farm
buildings are commodious and comfortable.
He is quite extensively engaged in stock-
raising and feeding. Mr. and Mrs. Dillavou
have had four children — Mahlon J., Statten
G. ; Ross L., who died at the age of two years,
ten months and fifteen days, and Maud.
Politically Mr. Dillavou is a Republican. He
served as township clerk when only twenty-
one years of age. He has served as a mem-
ber of the School Board and township assessor
with satisfaction to his constituents. He
well remembers seeing the deer and elk run
up and down the creek on the farm of his
father; seeing and hearing the prairie wolves
howl when only a little boy, and at one time
getting scared by the wolves, and in the
place of seeing carpet-baggers and plug hats,
hoops and bustles, or banged hair, he saw the
hunter with his coon-skin cap and long rifle
on his shoulder, and women dressed plain
with long hair.
►^-tjo
iWAMES M. HOSHAW, farmer, section 36,
Jll Hardin Township, is a native of Shelby
^C County, Ohio, born March 27, 1833, a
son of Henry and Elizabeth (Shigley) Hoshaw,
who were both natives of Shenandoah County,
Virginia. They left their native State in
1811, in which year they settled in Ohio.
Both are now deceased. James M. was
reared on the home farm till twenty-one
years of age, when he began to learn the
carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship
of three years. After twelve years hard
work he had saved enough money to purchase
a farm of forty acres of improved land in
Marion County, Iowa, on which he located
in 1856, at that time not a railroad being in
the State. He was united in marriage in
Shelby County, Ohio, January 2, 1857, and
i it
,m B B» g , ra„m a a i» g ni M a» M io M Mi M —iiM M iM M »»S»» 1 ,8J^1g5SMrsrigB.Mi|iia™i'l
■■.■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■nj.»i«pgj t|
248
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
J <5
jl
(*.
2 'l
15
to this union were born four daughters —
America, Araminta, Matilda and Martha.
While a resident of Marion County, Iowa,
his wife returned to Ohio, where she died.
He was a resident of Marion County about
sixteen years, but after the death of his wife
he moved to De Witt County, Illinois, where
he lived about eight years. He was married
. a second time in March, 1868, to Miss Evaline
Warrenburg, who was born in Fayette County,
Ohio, in November, 1840, her parents, George
and Mary Warrenburg, being natives of the
State of Virginia. One child has been
born to this union — James Henry, born
June 10, 1869. Mr. Hoshaw came with his
family to Greene County in the spring of
1874, when he settled in Hardin Township,
on the farm where he still resides. He is
an industrious and enterprising farmer, and
his present fine farm of 120 acres has been
acquired by years of toil. His land is now
under a fair state of cultivation, and well im-
proved. Both he and his wife are members
of the Christian church, and are classed
among the respected citizens of Green County.
►*+«
fOSHUA BUEK, one of the self-made
men of Greene County, and an old pio-
neer of Washington Township, was born
in Oswego County, New York, March 31,
1833, a son of Amos S. Burk, who was a
native of the same State. The father removed
with his family to Carroll County, Missouri,
in 1844, and to McDonough County, Illinois,
in 1846, where he lived till his death. Joshua
Burk, the subject of this sketch, went to Cass
County, Illinois, in 1852, where he worked
as a farm hand for one man for four years.
He was married in the spring of 1856 to
Amanda C. Hall, a native of Virginia, and a
daughter of John Hall, deceased. They are
the parents of eleven children — Viola E.,
married Tupper Kirby, of Grand Junction,
and has two children, named Osa Viola and
Edgar P. ; Catherine, wife of Frank Taylor,
of Washington Township; Banyer, married
Emma John, and lives in Washington Town-
ship; John and Amos, twins, living in Wash-
ington Township, the latter married to Cora
White; Nicholas P., Hannah, Eliza, Lilian,
Andrew J. and Isaac J. Mr. Burk came to
Iowa with his young wife the same year of
their marriage, making the journey with an
ox team in about three weeks, when they set-
tled on the farm which has since been their
home. His first land purchased here was
forty acres, for which he paid $100 in work
at forty or fifty cents per day, and a note for
$54. His first house was built of rough oak
boards, and consisted of one room 14 x 16
feet in size. He hauled lumber to the mill
for a party, and for his services received a
quarter of the lumber, and with this he built
his house. This house is still standing in the
rear of his present residence. When they
first settled in Washington Township the
surrounding country was in a wild state,
Indians and wild animals being the principal
inhabitants, and for several years they were
well supplied with wild game. Pork was
scarce, selling at 25 cents a pound, and the
price of flour in 1857 was $8.25 per hundred
weight. Their trading and milling was done
at Des Moines. Mr. Burk began life in Iowa
without means, but by hard work and strict
economy, assisted by the good management
of his wife, he has become one of the pros-
perous citizens of Greene County. He made
his first money on buckwheat which he raised
in 1857, taking 101 bushels to Des Moines,
and after getting it ground at Walnut Creek
Mills, sold it for $3.25 a hundred weight.
Mr. Burk is now the owner of 401 acres of
valuable land, and has given to his children
240 acres. Mr. Burk was a soldier in the
i!
I
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
240
war of the Kebellion, serving in Company H,
Tenth Iowa Infantry, almost three years. He
participated, in the battles of Iuka, Corinth,
Missionary Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, Jack-
son, Mississippi, and others of minor im-
portance, and was wounded in the battles of
Corinth and Missionary Ridge.
» 3ns »
W. JACKSON, farmer, section 14,
Greenbrier Township, was born in
L® Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March
13, 1843, son of Waterman and Sophia
(G-unn) Jackson, the father a native of New
York, and the mother of Massachusetts.
They were married in New York, and reared
a family of eight children — Jane, Augusta,
Hiram, Zylpha, Helen M., G. W., Andrew
and Asa. The latter, a twin brother of An-
drew, is deceased. When our subject was
two years of age his parents removed to
Portage County, Ohio, where they lived
eleven years, then removed to Porter County,
Indiana. G. W. was reared a farmer and
educated in the common schools. September
5, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Battery,
Indiana Yolunteers, Captain A. K. Bush
commanding. He participated in the battles
of Perryville, Stone Kiver and Chickamauga,
and other minor engagements. At the latter
place he was wounded in the right thigh, and
confined in the hospital six months. He re-
turned to the service and remained until the
term of his enlistment expired, which was
three years, and November 2, 1864, he re-
enlisted in the same battery, and was pro-
moted to Second Lieutenant. He served in
that capacity until August 1, 1865, when lie
was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, In-
diana, and returned to his home. He was
married April 6, 1869, to Miss Alice E.
Marine, a native of St. Joseph County, Indi-
ana, and daughter of Ed. C. and Parthena
(McClean) Marine. In 1874 our subject re-
moved to Dallas County, Iowa, near Redfield,
where he lived four years, engaged in farm-
ing. In March, 1878, he removed to Green-
brier Township, this county, and settled upon
his present farm. His first purchase was
eighty acres; he has since added to that until
he now owns 240 acres of Greene County's
best soil. He has a comfortable house, and
ont-bnildings for stock and grain, and is
engaged in general farming, stock-raising
and feeding. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the
parents of ten children — Archie A., Sybil Es-
telle, Clyde L., George M., O. P. Morton,
Ealph, Merle, Percy M., Helen E. and Zylpha.
Mr. Jackson is a Republican in polities, and
is now serving as township treasurer and
member of the school board. He is senior
vice-commander of May's Post, No. 264,
G. A. R. He started in life without a dollar,
but by good management, industry and econ
omy he has acquired a fine property. His
postofiice is Bagley, Guthrie County.
SfOIIN DINAN, one of the self-made
M\ men of Greene County, and an enter-
^C prising farmer of Scranton Township,
where he resides on section 19, is a native of
Ireland, born in County Limerick in 1840.
His parents, Thomas and Kate Dinan, never
left their native country. They had a family
of seven children, our subject being the sixth
child, and the only one who came to America.
He left Ireland during the war of the Rebell-
ion, and landed at New York City in very
limited circumstances, but possessed of a
stout heart and a determination to succeed
in life. He lived at New Haven, Connecti-
cut, several years, and was there married to.
Miss Letitia Lynch, who was born in County
Derry, Ireland. Four children have been
m^M^m^^^»Bm^j,m„m m u„m m m m msmsat=x^ ^ SsS^^iRSr.
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250
HISTORY OF GREfiNB OOtffrTT.
born to them, three of whom are living, all
natives of New Haven, Connecticut — Thomas,
born December 4, 1864; John, born May 24,
1867, and Albert, born September 24, 1871.
Their son Kobert was born in Benton County,
Iowa, May 5, 1874, and died in the same
county January 25, 1878. Mr. Dinan came
with his family to Iowa in 1871, and lived
in Benton County several years. They after-
ward resided in Story County, and from
there came to Greene County, settling on
his present farm in the spring of 1880. His
farm of 160 acres is one of the best in his
neighborhood, and almost entirely under
cultivation, and is located half on section 19,
Scranton Township, and half on section 25,
of Richland Township, in Carroll County,
which he has acquired by persevering toil
and energy, combined with good management,
and by his fair and honorable dealings he
has won the confidence and respect of all who
know him. Politically Mr. Dinan affiliates
with the Democratic party. The family are
members of the Roman Catholic church.
fpAJRLES WALTON, one of the enter-
prising citizens of Paton, engaged in
1 contracting and building and dealing
in furniture, was born in Toronto, Canada,
the date of his birth being February 6, 1859.
His father, John Walton, is now a resident
of Scott County, Iowa, having settled there
with his family in 1861. Our subject lived
on his father's farm in Scott County till nine
years of age, after which he attended school
at Davenport, Iowa, till 1880. lie then
came to Paton, Greene County, Iowa, and
engaged in contracting and building, which
he still follows, and in 1881 he engaged in
the furniture business, and is doing a good
business. Mr. Walton was married October
7, 1883, to Miss Anna L. Marker, a daughter
of Martin V. Marker. Their only child,
Irene Blanche, was choked to death at the
age of fourteen months. Since coming to
Paton Mr. Walton has held the office of con-
stable for two years. He is the proprietor
of Walton's Hall, which is used for traveling
theatrical troupes, and for balls, etc.
G. EAGLESON is now serving his
r r third term as sheriff of Greene County,
■1° having first assumed the duties of
that office January 1, 1882. He settled in
the county in 1868. He was born in the
town of Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, in
1839, and was reared to the occupation of a
farmer. He served his country in the war
of the Rebellion as a member of Company
C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio
Infantry. He enlisted in 1862, and served
in the Army of the Potomac until March,
1865. His regiment belonged to Sedgwick's
corps — the noted Sixth. He was captured
at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864,
and was confined at Andersonville for eight
months, when he was exchanged. He has
never fully recovered from the effects of that
terrible experience. He participated in the
battle of Martinsburg, West Yirginia, June
14, 1863, and the battle of Mapping Height,
July 23, in the same year. On the 6th day
of August, 1863, the brigade to which his
regiment belonged was ordered to New York
to assist in enforcing the draft. They re-
joined their corps at Fox's Ford, and partici-
pated in the battle of Culpeper Court-House,
September 15 ; October 14, battle of Bristol
Station ; October 24, battle of Bealten Station
November 7, battle of Kelly's Ford; Novem-
ber 8, Brandy Station ; November 26, Locust
Grove; November 28, Mine Run; May 4, 5,
2 sjjjigsg BBMgfigagEagagi«gag ^
Bl06ttApmGAL SKElOBBS.
251
6, 1864, battle of the Wilderness, being cap-
tured on the 6th, and sent to Andersonville
as previously stated. He was discharged for
disability at' Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1865.
He remained in Ohio until he came to Greene
County, and was engaged in farming until
elected to his present position. Politically
Mr. Eagleson is a Republican. While he
was in Ohio he was married to Miss Mary
Jane Taggart, a native of that State, and
they have three children — Nettie, Belle and
Clyde.
►3Hf«
fUSTUS M. RHOADS, agent of the United
States Express Company, at Jefferson,
dealer in musical instruments, sewing
machines, stationery, cigars, etc., has been
prominently identified with the interests of
Jefferson since December, 1871, at which
time he became a resident of the town. At
that time he bought a half interest in the
Jefferson _Bee, and in May, 1874, he became
sole proprietor and editor of that paper. In
October, 1877, he sold a half interest to O.
R. Gray. In 1883 he again became sole pro-
prietor, and in 1884 sold to the present
owner, Mr. E. B. Stillman. Mr. Rhoads was
postmaster at Jefferson from July 8, 1873,
until November 1, 1885, a period of more
than twelve years. In 1881-'82 he was
mayor of Jefferson, and is at present a mem-
ber of the school board and common council
of the town. Mr. Rhoads was born in Pier-
pont, Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 8, 1845.
In 1856 his father, F. W. Rhoads, removed
with his family to Story County, this State,
where he died in 1867. In 1861 our subject
went to Des Moines and engaged in printing,
having previously worked two years in a
printing office at Nevada. In the spring of
1864 he enlisted as a member of Company
E, Forty-seventh Iowa. He remained in the
army four months, and in December, 1864,
went to Ohio and again entered the army as
a member of the Eighteenth Ohio, serving
until July, 1865. After the war closed he
returned to Des Moines and was foreman of
the Register from 1867 until 1871. In 1863
he crossed the plains with a team to Colo-
rado, returning in the fall of the same year.
In 1871 he repeated the journey for the ben-
efit of his health, and was for a time in the
printing business in Central City, in that
State. February 3, 1867, Mr. Rhoads was
married in Des Moines to Miss Augusta E.
Hemingway, a native of Pennsylvania, and
for some time a resident of Livingston Coun-
ty, New York, being educated at the Nunda
Literary Institute in that county. Her father
was Nathan Hemingway, one of the pioneers
of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have
five children — Fred H, Charles G., Jennie
M., Frank P., and Justus A. The two eldest
were born in Des Moines, Jennie in Colorado,
and the other two in Jefferson.
fAMES DILLAVOU, farmer, section 17,
Kendrick Township, is one of the prom-
inent pioneers of that township, and was
born in Greene County, Ohio, May 15, 1825,
son of John and Rebecca (Roberts) Dillavou,
natives of New Jersey, who were the parents
of eight children, of whom our subject was
the youngest. When he was about twelve
years of age his parents removed to Randolph
County, Indiana, where he lived until twenty-
five years of age. He was reared a farmer
and received his education in the common
schools. He was married May 21, 1848, to
Miss Margaret Coon, daughter of John and
Mary Coon, a native of Delaware. In 1850
Mr. Dillavou removed to McLean County,
Illinois, where he resided five years, and No-
m£t^«s a iKnm it u^m^ m m ,m^m ^
:*1
M\
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j-Wiw-my, 5*ti •iui.'^Ji^-r •*
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252
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
vember 9, 1855, he came to Greene County,
locating on his present farm in Kendrick
Township. There were about twenty-five
families living in the township at that time.
He first lived in a tent for some time, and
his stock was sheltered in the brush. After
a time he built a log. cabin. He had to go
forty miles to mill, and his postoffice was at
Des Moines; the mail was frequently brought
to Jefferson with an ox team. Elk were fre-
quently found here at that time. Mr. Dilla-
vou owns 460 acres of well-cultivated land,
with good improvements. He has a com-
fortable house, a commodious barn and out-
bnildings for stock and grain. Mrs. Dillavou
died May 25, 1862, leaving six children —
George, Elza, Rebecca, John, Mary and a
babe; two are deceased. October 14, 1866,
Mr. Dillavou was married to Mrs. Nancy
Morelan, a native of Putnam County, Indi-
ana, and daughter of William and Susan
Beck. Mrs. Dillavou was the widow of
Jackson Morelan and the mother of three
children — Evan, William and Jackson. By
the second marriage there were eight children
— Martha, Samuel, Henry, Ira, Amos, Anice,
Stacy and Margaret, deceased. Politically
Mr. Dillavou is a Republican, casting his
first vote for General Fremont. He has
served in most of the township offices, and has
served twice as county supervisor. He
donated the ground for the Dillavou ceme-
tery, and is a liberal supporter of all worthy
enterprises.
isELVILLE H. RICHARDSON, farm-
fft er, resides on section 22, Jackson
^p^ 1 Township, where he owns eighty
acres of excellent land, in a good state of
cultivation. He has been a residentof Greene
County since 1869, and has lived in his pres-
ent home about ten years, his residence being
on section 2 of the same township. Mr.
Richardson came from St. Lawrence County,
New York, where he was born September 4,
1834, son of Anson and Polly (Southworth)
Richardson, the father a native of Bennington
County, Vermont, and the mother of Con-
necticut. "Their early life was passed in
Bennington County, and the father located
in St. Lawrence County when only seventeen
years of age, in the year 1806. He settled
near where Canton, the county-seat, now is.
He made a home in the wilderness and lived
there the rest of his days, passing away in
1850, aged sixty-one years. He was Orderly'
Sergeant in the New, York militia during
the war of 1812, being twice called into the
service. His wife survived until 1866, being
seventy-two years old at death. Anson
Richardson was one of the promoters of [the
building of the first Methodist church in St.
Lawrence County. During the late war that
building was replaced by a more pretentious
structure. The father was a class-leader
twenty-four years. He raised three children
— L uc i us ! now seventy years of age, living
near where he was born ; Arvilla, who married
Ira Starks, inherited the old homestead, and
Melville II., the subject of this sketch, who
was reared on the old homestead, and edu-
cated in the schools which the limited
resources of his native county afforded. In
October, 1859, he was married to Miss Nancy
Pitt, daughter of William and Jane Pitt, who
was born October 27, 1834, also in St. Lawrence
County. They were playmates and schoolmates.
Mr. Richardson enlisted in Company K~, One
Hundred and Forty-second New York Infan-
try, August 27, 1862. His regiment was as-
signed to the Army of the Potomac. He took
partin some of the early historic battles, bnthis
health failing, he was placed on detached and
lighter duties.
He served his full
B55»S!!iaiHI!!iS«- w JiJM! h'^V *«-^^
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
253
enlistment and returned to his home in St.
Lawrence County, where his wife died Febru-
ary 17, 1872, whither she had gone in hopes
of restoring her failing health. She left one
child— Ad ell, born June 21, 1862. For his
second wife, Mr. Richardson married, May
2, 1878, Miss Sally Eister, daughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth Eister, who was born
in Northumberland County; Pennsylvania,
August 8, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson
have no children, but they have an adopted
daughter, Lona, daughter of Aaron Hanson.
Mr. Richardson's daughter, Adell, married
W. A. Young, and they have three children —
Ross W., Lydia A. and Harl. In politics,
Mr. Richardson is an ardent Republican-,
casting his first Republican vote for John C.
Fremont. He is a member of Morning Star
Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M.
— -HrSMHH . —
?AMES L. HUNT, engaged in wagon and
carriage making, and painting and re-
pairing, Paton, is a native of Illinois,
born in Winslow, Stephenson County, May 22,
1851, his father, Elias H., being a native of
the State of Massachusetts. He was brought
up in a blacksmith and wagon shop, his
father and grandfather following the same
avocation. Mr. Hunt was united in marriage
July 26, 1872, to Miss Martha Pratt, who
was born at Edwardsburg, Michigan, Sep-
tember 17, 1852, the eldest daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. I. S. Pratt. To this union were
born two children, who are named Abbie R.
and Bertha P. In November, 1879, Mr.
Hunt brought his family to Paton, Greene
County, Iowa, where he has by his reason-
able prices and accommodating manners, es-
tablished a good business, and has gained the
respect of all who have business with him,
by his fair and honorable dealings. Since
coming to Patoti he has served as president
of the school board for one term. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows' order. He also
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Hunt died June 11, 1886, her death be-
ing a source of universal regret throughout
the community in which she resided. She
was a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and an active Sabbath-
school worker.
«o» ip iS * 2 * *E * y * " *
EBULON FERRIN, one of Greene
County's wealthiest agriculturists, re-
sides upon and owns the entire section
27, of Bristol Township. He settled in his
present home in the autumn of 1870, and
the improvements upon his 640 acres have
all been made by himself. His residence is
situated in the northwest corner of the sec-
tion and commands a view of the whole. He
devotes his farm entirely to stock-raising and
feeding, in which he has been successful.
Mr. Ferrin was born in Livingston County,
New York, May 10, 1829. His father, Zeb-
ulon Ferrin, was born in New Hampshire,
and his mother, Lucy Belle Wilson, was born
in Pennsylvania. They were married in
Livingston County, it being the second mar-
riage of each, and each having a family by
the former marriage. At the age of ten
years our subject was orphaned by the death
of his parents, and he was left a poor boy to
fight the battles of life in his own behalf.
Thrown entirely upon his own resources,
those sterling qualities necessary to the high-
est degree of manhood were developed in
him; but the lessons of life thus early
learned were hard ones. They were well
learned, however, and never forgotten. From
the day which left him an orphan, to this
day of prosperity, he has never had a dollar
^ ^ ZzZ^JzZ ^ ^^^zZz^ Ji 'i
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**Ljy*j'+s-+t-'^J^*'*J**J'}
254
M'lSfOk'y OF GREteNB GOtJ'NTt.
that was not earned by himself, the legiti-
mate reward of his own industry. When
twenty years of age he left his native county
and settled in Du Page County, Illinois,
where he lived several years, then removed
to Bureau County, same State, in 1863.
What means he had earned he used in col-
lecting a drove of horses, which he took to
California, crossing the plains and moun-
tains. His venture was a very successful
one and netted him a handsome profit. Re-
turning home via the Isthmus and New
York City, he stopped in Ashtabula County,
Ohio, where he bought a farm, then pro-
ceeded to Illinois. At the Adams House in
Chicago, December 29, 1864, he was united
in marriage with Miss Martha S., daughter
of Frederick and Vesta (Remmick) Boydan,
who was bom in New Hampshire, August
11, 1838, and was also orphaned when quite
young. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrin commenced
house-keeping on the Ohio farm, and later
removed to Bureau County, Illinois, where
they lived until they came to Greene County.
Their three children are all deceased. Yiria
Belle died at the age of two years; Charles
Z. died at the age of one year, and Wilbur R.
died at the age of five months. Politically
Mr. Ferrin belongs to the_ Greenback party,
and has served as township trustee. He is a
member of the Ancient and Progressive or-
der of Free Masons, Morning Star Lodge,
JSTo. 159, Jefferson.
J|gj||j|ILLIAM H. ADAMS resides on sec-
wSifl ^ on ^' G^ 1 ^ Township, where he
\-j3jOi settled in" 1880, having purchased
land of the Walter Rhoads estate. The land
was entered by Thomas Roberts, but was pur-
chased by Mr. Rhoads in 1856. Mr. Adams
came to Greene County in the fall of 1855
and settled in Washington Township. His
father, William Adams, purchased a tract of
land in Dallas Township, Dallas Cdunty, in
1855, and also purchased a tract in Washing-
ton Township, Geeene County. He now
lives in Dallas County. William H. settled
upon the land which his father purchased in
Washington Township, which he improved,
and lived there "until he came to his present
home. He was born in Jackson County,
Ohio, in 1832, and when he was two and a
half years of age, his parents removed to
Champaign County, Illinois. In 1855 he
came to Iowa, stopping a few days with Mr.
John Ganoe, in Dallas County. In the
spring of 1855 his father came and made the
purchase, before mentioned, and our subject
has been a resident of the county since that
time. He has 460 acres in his homestead
farm, and also owns land in Washington
Township, owning over 800 acres in all. His
parents were natives of Ohio, and had twelve
children. Four sons and three daughters are
now living. Charles and George W. live in
Washington Township. Our subject was
married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Wal-
ter and Mary Rhoads, who were natives of
Maryland, and removed to Greene County,
Ohio, when they were young, where they
lived until their marriage, then removed to
Champaign County, Illinois, about 1830. In
1855 they came to Greene County, this State,
and settled where Mr. Adams now lives, re-
maining until their decease, the father dying
in September, 1861, and thejmother in 1871.
They had ten children, eight of whom are
still living. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have nine
children — William W., John W., Lewis A,
Warren, Mary A, Frances E., Minnie, Yiana
and Jemima. Laura, the eldest daughter,
died at the age of five years. Mr. Adams is
a Republican in politics, and cast his'first
Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in
jBsgsgMggBHSgsg aaMgg
L
BIOGRAPHICAL SKSi'CHSS.
1856. His next vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln. Himself and wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
• K> *~"' Y fl ' > 3 ' * l * y* -***
fILLIAM S. PAUL, farmer, residing
on the northwest quarter of section
S^I 15, Scranton Township, was born in
Linn County, Iowa, July 26, 1843, a son of
Jonathan and Dorcas Paul. His parents came
from Greene County, Pennsylvania, to Linn
County, Iowa, in a very early day, being
among the first settlers of that county. They
settled in Brown Township, that county, a
few months before the birth of our subject.
They are still -living in Linn County, well
advanced in years. They are the parents of
seven children — Mrs. Margaret Kramer, of
Linn County; "William S., whose name heads
this sketch; George, of Linn County; Wilson,
of Greene County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Eachel
M. Dean, of Linn County; Alexander H.,
still unmarried, living with his parents, and
Jonathan T., also a resident of Linn County.
William S. Paul came to Scranton Township
in 1876, and in the spring of 1877 settled on
his present farm, his residence being one
mile southwest of Scranton City. His land
when he settled on it was almost entirely un-
improved, and he has improved and brought
his farm under good cultivation, and the
building improvements are his work. He
was married in Scranton Township, Decem-
ber 20, 1877, to Miss Susan Campbell, who
was born in Linn County, Iowa, December
20, 1849. They have two children living —
Eachel D. and Thomas T. Their first born,
Myrtie E., died aged five years and five
months. Mrs. Paul is a member of the Sec-
ond Advent church. In politics Mr. Paul is
identified with the Democratic party. He is
a member of Scranton Lodge, No. 357, I. O.
O. F., and also belongs to the Ancient Order
of United Workmen at Scranton. As a citi-
zen and neighbor Mr. Paul ranks high with
all who know him, having by his fair and
honorable dealings gained the confidence and
esteem of the entire community.
» S i i ; »
S. SCHEKMEKHORN, M. D., has
been a member of the medical fra-
ternity of Greene County since July,
1870, at which time he located at Jefferson.
He was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida
County, New York, in 1833. He began the
study of medicine in 1850, at Frankfort, Her-
kimer County, and graduated at the Albany
Medical College in 1853. The following year
he settled in Lodi, Columbia County, Wis-
consin, where he was engaged in the practice
of his profession for a period of twelve years,
save the time spent in the army. In the fall
of 1864 he was commissioned as Assistant
Surgeon of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, and
served through the Atlanta campaign and in
the march to the sea. In the fall of 1867 he
went to Portage City and engaged in the
revenue service as assistant assessor and col-
lector under General Hammond, resigning in
July, 1870. Politically the doctor has always
alliliated with the Kepublican party, and while
a resident of Wisconsin was an ardent worker
in the interests of that party, and in 1866
represented his district in the Legislature.
He is a member of the Iowa State Medical
Society, and of the American Medical Asso-
ciation. He is a prominent Mason and
a Knight Templar, a member of the Em-
mans Commandery at Jefferson. He was
married in the State of New Fork to Jane
Loomis, who was born in Frankfort, Herki-
mer County. They have four children
Hattie, wife of L. L. Smullin, agent of the
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S18T0MT OF QUBfiHE COUNTY.
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Northwestern Railroad Company at Jeffer-
son ; George, now a student at the Agricult-
ural College at Ames, and two younger
daughters, Grace and Mary. The two eldest
were born in Wisconsin, and the two youngest
in Jefferson. The doctor and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian church, of which
he has been an elder for thirty years. Dr.
Schermerhorn's parents, Evart L. and Marga-
ret (Smith) Schermerhorn, were natives of
New York. He was only three years old
when his father died, and his mother died
when he was thirteen years old. He was
thus left an orphan in early life. He acquired
sufficient education to enable him to teach,
and in that way he defrayed the expenses of
his medical education.
SRANCIS J. HUGHES, one of the well-
to-do farmers of Greene County, resid-
ing on section 12, Junction Township,
was born in Lanark County, Upper Canada,
March 1, 1854, a son of Francis Hughes,
who is now a resident of Junction Township.
Francis J., our subject, was reared a farmer,
and has always followed that avocation, and
in his boyhood received the benefits of the
common school. He came with his parents
to the United States in 1865, locating in
Kane County, Illinois, and in March, 1869,
came to Greene County, Iowa. He was en-
gaged in working on the Des Moines & Fort
Dodge Railroad part of two summers during
the construction of that line. He now
devotes his entire attention to farming and
stock-raising, and by his persevering industry
and good management he has accumulated a
fine property, his farm containing 200 acres
of choice land. Mr. Hughes was united in
marriage September 9, 1880, to Miss Nettie
B. McFarlin, a daughter of Abraham Y.
McFarlin, of Clinton County, Iowa. Of the
three children born to this union only two
are living, named Ethel and Mabel.
i-JWf*
OBERT WOOD settled in Greene County
|f in 1868, first locating in Jackson Town-
*=^, ship, where he bought 125 acres of land
upon which some improvements had been
made. A little breaking had been done and
a shanty had been built. He removed to his
present home on section 33, Bristol Township,
where he has a good farm and a comfortable
house. Mr. Wood was born in Rutland
County, Vermont, June 20, 1830, son of
Samuel S. and Eliza (Niles) Wood, who were
also natives of Vermont. He was reared in
St. Lawrence County, New York, where his
father died. His mother afterward lived
with a married daughter, and died in the
State of New Hampshire. Mr. Wood was
married to Miss Samantha J. Briggs,
daughter of Caleb and Alsina Briggs, who
was born in Vermont, June 30, 1831. Her
parents removed to Franklin County, New
York, in 1834. In August, 1862, Mr. and
Mrs. Wood came West, and made a home in
the township of Dane, Dane County, Wis-
consin, remaining there until they came to
Greene County, where they have lived over
nineteen years. They have five children —
Edmund S. and Elmer A. are general mer-
chants at Jefferson, under the firm name of
E. S. Wood; Fidelia D. is the wife of H. C.
Parker, of Howard County, Nebraska; Elias
R. is a general merchant at Lohrville, Cal-
houn County, this State; Lillie May married
William Kinsman, of Bristol Township. Mr.
Wood lias served as trustee, road supervisor,
and as school direcor. Few men have taken
a more active part in promoting the efficiency
of the common schools. His own children
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
have had excellent educational advantages,
and all except Elmer have been teachers.
Mr. and Mrs. "Wood are members of the
Baptist church, and are practical Christians.
Mr. Wood is a member of the Knights of
Pythias, Garfield Lodge, No. 62, at Jefferson.
HDWAED P. FRENCH was born in
Onondaga County, New York, Septem-
ber 9, 1838, a son of E. Y. P. French.
Pie received a good education in the schools
of his native county. He came "West in
1855, and lived in Grundy County, Illinois,
eleven years, coming to Iowa in 1866. He
lived in Muscatine County until 1880, when
he removed to Greene County and located on
section 30, Paton Township, where he owns
a small farm. He has been employed as
teacher in public schools much of the time
since 1856; was principal of the public
schools of "West Liberty, Muscatine County,
from 1868 to 1872, and is now (1887) teach-
ing at Paton. Mr. French was married June
26, 1861, to Eleanor K. McFarlane, a native
of Trumbull County, Ohio. They have had
five children, four of w T hom are living —
Eugenio, Hettie, Clark and Mary. Mr.
French is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and is now worshipful master of Gem
Lodge, No. 429, Paton.
fRANCIS HUGHES, one of the old pio-
neers of Greene County, residing on
section 12, Junction Township, is a
native of Ontario, Canada, born in Lanark
County, December 25, 1825. His father,
Owen Hughes, was born in County Cavan,
Ireland, coming to America when quite
young, and lived in Canada till his death.
Francis Hughes received such education as
the log cabin subscription schools of a new-
country afforded. He was married July 24,
1848, to Miss Rebecca Avery, a daughter of
Captain Benjamin Avery. Of the thirteen
children born to this union, eight are still
living — John, Mary, Frank, Joseph, Rebecca,
Carrie, Rose and Ella. Mr. Hughes*came to
Augustus, Iowa, in 1859, and in I860 re-
turned to Canada. In 1865 he settled in
Kane County, Illinois, where he lived till
1869, when he came to Greene County, Iowa,
and for a time was employed on the Des
Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad. He settled
on his present farm in the spring of 1871,
then a tract of wild prairie, but by industry
and persevering energy he has made good
improvements on his farm, w,hich now con-
tains 160 acres of well-cultivated land. In
his religious faith Mr. Hughes is a Catholic.
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EV. S. E. JENKS resides on sec-
tion 29, Kendrick Township, and has
been identified with the interests of
Greene County for many years. He was
born in Canandaigua, New York, September
5, 1818, son of Clark and Elizabeth Jenks,
who were the parents of six children, our
subject being the fifth child. "When he was
three years of age his father removed to
Geauga County, Ohio, where they lived four
years, thence to Cuyahoga County, where he
resided seventeen years. He was reared a
farmer and received a common-school educa-
tion, also studied at home. "When twenty
years of age he removed to Stephenson
County, Illinois, and lived there four years.
He was married May 31, 1845, to Miss Eliza-
beth Ann Carney, a native of Kentucky, and
daughter of Andrew and Martha Carney.
Soon after his marriage he removed to Greene
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
County, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1868,
thence to Benton County, Iowa, for one year,
thence to this county, where he has since re-
sided. He purchased 160 acres of wild land
with no improvements except a rude board
shanty. The Jenks farm is now known as
one of the best farms in the township. He
has a good story-and-a-half residence, sur-
rounded with shade trees, a native grove,
orchard, and comfortable farm buildings for
stock and grain. Mr. and Mrs. Jenks have
nine children — Sarah Jane, Daniel Jefferson,
Albert Ensign, Andrew Clark, Edmond Riley,
Martha Zuba, Emery Lincoln, Harriet Au-
gusta and Lillian Josephine. Mr. Jenks cast
his first vote for General Harrison, and has
since voted on that line of politics. He is a
consistent member of the United Brethren
church, and served as an ordained minister
for twenty-five years. He has always been
an earnest worker in the cause of his Master.
f\ENRY INFIELD, farmer, section 10,
Junction Township, Greene County,
was born in Coshocton County, Ohio,
November 24, 1840, a son of John Infield, of
Owen County, Indiana, who was a native of
Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Our subject
was reared a farmer, and received in his
youth the benefits of the common schools,
where he obtained a fair education. He was
a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving
in Company I, Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry,
almost three years. He participated in the
battles of Perryville, Stone River, Missionary
Ridge, Charleston, Tennessee, Rocky Face
Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw
Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jones-
boro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nash-
ville, Tennessee, receiving his discharge at
Nashville, June 10, 1865. During the war
his regiment lost in killed and wounded 534
men. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Infield settled
in McLean County, Illinois, where he worked
as a farm laborer till April, 1870, when he
came to Greene County, Iowa, and purchased
land. He located in Greene County perma-
nently June 1, 1871, since which he has
lived on his present farm, where he owns
eighty acres of well cultivated land. Decem-
ber 1, 1871, he was married to Miss Josephine
Kinsey, a daughter of Ulysses B. Kinsey, of
Junction Township. They are the parents of
two children whose names are Minnie and
Ida. In politics Mr. Infield casts his suffrage
with the Republican party. He is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of
the Odd Fellows, belonging to the latter order
for eighteen years.
» ;nS «
,LFRED ALLISON, one of Greene
County's pioneers, resides on section
•^ 15, Cedar Township, where he owns
280 acres of valuable land. He was born in
Yorkshire, England, in September, 1829, the
eldest of five children of Job and Anna
(Coates) Allison. His parents left England
in 1830, sailing from Liverpool and landing in
Quebec in May. In 1832 they returned to
England. He was reared in his native coun-
try, and was there married October 22, 1850,
to Miss Ann Arnett, who was born in York-
shire, in May, 1827, a daughter of Thomas
and Hester Arnett. They started immedi-
ately for America, sailing from Liverpool,
October 25, 1850. They landed at New
Orleans, December 16, and from there went
to Mobile, Alabama, where they lived until
June, 1851, when they moved to Rock Coun-
ty, Wisconsin, where they lived fourteen
years. In 1854 he bought eighty acres of
land, which he improved. In September,
jmSSSSaSmSSSSSmSii^SSa^M
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
259
1865, they moved to Greene County, Iowa,
and settled near where they now live on a
tract of unimproved land. His first home in
the county was a log cabin, and at the time
of his settlement there were but six families
in the township. He now has a good house,
and other farm buildings, an orchard of bear-
ing trees, and all his surroundings betoken
the thrifty and energetic farmer. From
1877 until 1882 he was postmaster at Cedar
Creek, the postoffice being at his house. In
politics Mr. Allison is a Eepublican. He and
his wife are members of the Episcopal church.
They have three children — John W. ; Eliza
A., wife of G-. E. Waters, and Mary J ., wife of
William J. Bryant.
«*-»i | « 3nS » | i">-* "
^EBOY BUEK, farmer and stock-raiser,
residing on section ,32, Washington
Township, Greene County, and a teacher
in district No. 4 of the same township, was
born in McDonough County, Illinois, Febru-
ary 22, 1855, his parents, Amos S. and Catha-
rine A. Allen, being natives of the State of
New York. They had a 'family of fourteen
children, seven sous and seven daughters,
nine still living — James A., Joshua, Archi-
bald, Albro A., Eineline, Fernando C, Leroy,
Sarah J. and Samantha. Selina, Goldsbrow
B., Caroline, Mary L. and Celestia P. are de-
ceased. The father is deceased, and the
mother still lives on the old homestead in
Washington Township with our subject, aged
seventy-two years. Leroy Burk, whose name
heads this sketch, was brought to Greene
County, Iowa, in 1856, in which year his
parents settled on the farm which is now
owned and occupied by him, and here he grew
to manhood, being reared to agricultural pur-
suits. He received fair educational advantages,
attending the Normal schools of Greene Coun-
ty, and at the age of eighteen years began his
career as a teacher, and since that time has
made teaching his principal occupation, be-
coming well and favorably known as a
popular instructor. He is quite a successful
agriculturist, and owns eighty acres of choice
land where he resides. He is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
nSn; «
|EOEGE EOBINSON, one of Greene
County's pioneers, and an enterprising
farmer and stock-raiser of Franklin
Township, is a native of New York, born
April 26, 1840, his parents, Ezekiel and
Catherine (Bushman) Eobinson, being natives
of the same State. They subsequently be-
came residents of Carroll County, Illinois.
George Eobinson was reared to the avocation
of a farmer, remaining with his parents till
attaining the age of twenty-six years. Jan-
uary 1, 1866, he was married to Miss Almira,
daughter of E. and Julia (Jones) Townsend,
natives of New York, of whom the mother is
deceased. Mr. Townsend is now living in
Michigan. Mrs. Eobinson is a native of
New York, the date of her birth being Feb-
ruary 21, 1841. Four children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Eobinson — Agnes,
born in New York, February 23, 1867 ; Edith,
born in Greene County, Iowa, January 3,
1871; Delbert J., born in Greene County,
July 8, 1875, and died January 1, 1876, and
Herbert W., also a native of Greene County,
born March 8, 1878. Mr. Eobinson came
to Greene County, Iowa, March 14, 1866, and
has since followed agricultural pursuits on
his farm on section 10, Franklin Township,
where he has forty acres of well improved
and highly cultivated land. Beside his home
farm he also owns forty acres on section 11 of
the same township, his property having been
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■■■»■■■»■'
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
acquired by persevering industry and good
management. In politics Mr. Robinson
casts his suffrage with the [Republican party.
He is a member of the Knights of Pvthias,
belonging to Garfield Lodge, Jefferson. Post-
office, Cooper, Iowa.
ffHERON A. MILLETT resides on sec-
tion 17, Grant Township. The land
was purchased by his father, Alexander
Millett, April 1, 1886, of whom he bought
it the following October. He was born in
Lenawee County, Michigan, in 1844, and was
reared to the occupation of a farmer. He
was married in Michigan, in 1870, to Miss
Mary A. Simmonds, also a native of that
State. He came to Greene County, Iowa,
and settled four miles from Jefferson, in
Grant • Township, where he lived until 1885.
He then removed to his present home. He
has eighty acres of land in his home farm,
and also twenty acres of timber land else-
where in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Mil-
lett have four children — Erwin, Alma, Her-
bert and Amy. Mrs. Millett was born in
Lenawee County, Michigan, in December,
1849. Her parents were Stephen and Ann
Simmonds, natives of England. Her father
died in Lenawee County, in 1886, and her
mother is still living. Her parents had seven
children, all of whom are living, but none
are residents of Iowa except herself. Mr.
Millett is the only one of his father's family
residing in Greene County. The following
is a brief sketch of the life and death of
Alexander Millett, the father of our subject:
Mr. Alexander Millett died at his residence,
near Jefferson, April 7, 1886, at the ripe age
of seventy-three years, eight months and ten
days. He was born in Wayne County, New
York, and remained there until the year 1838,
when he came to Michigan, purchased a
farm, built a residence, then returned to his
native town and married Miss Hannah Hoag
and settled upon his farm in Michigan. In
1870 he came to Greene County, and located
upon a farm four miles south of Jefferson.
His wife died June 8, 1872, leaving five boys
and one girl — Theron A, Jonathan H., Ed-
mund P., who died October 11, 1873, Mar-
tin IL, Eosetta V., wife of Robert Clopton,
of Adrian, Nebraska, and Frank. In 1874
Mr. Millett was married to Mary Blyler, who
was a very kind and affectionate wife. She
died February 15, 1878. In 1879 he mar-
ried Lillie E. Hall, who has been a kind wife
and an indulgent mother, doing everything'
to make his last days pleasant and free from
care. Two small children were left with the
mother, to whom the prudent plannings of
the deceased secured an ample competency.
For sixteen years he was one of the leading
farmers of Greene County, and he died re-
spected by all who knew him. As a business
man, he was upright and honest in his deal-
ings ; as a friend and neighbor he was thought-
ful and accommodating, and as a citizen, he
enjoyed the highest respect of the whole
community. As a husband and father he
was kind and affectionate, and as a business
man, was very successful.
■ c *" , *'*[t*3^ , S*3**-*"
f[ALVIJST GOODRICH, a successful ag-
riculturist of Scranton Township, re-
... 1 siding on section 17, was born in Mont-
gomery County, New York, the date of his
birth being October 18, 1847. He is a son of
Ebenezer and Elizabeth Goodrich, and brother
of Washington Goodrich, of Scranton Town-
ship. He was reared in his native county,
remaining there till nineteen years -of age,
when he went with his father's family to
j^assossssma^D^sffl!
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
263
Barry County, Michigan, living there two
years. On attaining his majority he went to
Kendall County, Illinois, and made his home
in Kendall and Lee Counties, that State, un-
til he came to Greene County, Iowa, in 1881,
when he settled on his present farm. While
living in Lee County he returned to Barry
County, Michigan, for his bride, Miss Grace
E. Chapman, a daughter of Ruluff Chapman,
whom he married September 8, 1872. After
their marriage they made their home in Ken-
dall County, Illinois, for a time. They are
the parents of six children; their names
given in order of their birth being as follows
—Floyd C, Zaidie V., Orlow L., Verdie H,
Harris V. and Ivan P. His farm consists of
120 acres of choice land, eighty acres of
which had been broken by the former owner.
The present residence and commodious farm
buildings have been erected by Mr. Good-
rich, and he has brought his land under a good
state of cultivation. In his political views
Mr. Goodrich is independent, voting for men,
not party. He is a member of the Farmers'
Alliance, and believes that farmers should be
prepared to act together, and to act more in-
telligently, in order to protect their own in-
terests, the greatest in the Nation. He also
believes that until they make themselves felt
as a political, power against monopolists in
land and other large capitalized interests that
the evils now endured cannot be remedied.
«■■ ipi j > « 3 * * S * y 1 " * b>
LIVER J. WHITE, one of the pioneers
of Greene County, was born in the
town of Sandisfield, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts, in 1830. At the age of sev-
enteen years he ran away from home and
went to New York, where he tried to enlist
for the Mexican war, but being too young
and too small was rejected, and therefore he
23
shipped aboard of the whaling vessel Mary
at the port of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The first landing the vessel made was at the
Island of Juan Fernandez, in the Pacific
Ocean, an island made famous by being the
residence of Alexander Selkirk. The vessel
was five and a half months in reaching that
island. The second landing made was at
Callao, near Lima, Peru. At Peru he ran
away from the vessel, but remained at Callao
about three months. He worked at shoe-
making a part of the time, a trade he had
already worked at for some time previous,
and a portion of the time he was in the em-
ployment of vessels in the harbor. When
he left Callao he shipped aboard an Ameri-
can whaler called The Leonidas. With
this vessel he cruised around the coast ot
South America, spending about three weeks
on Albemarle Island, one of the Galapa-
gos cluster, then cruised off the coast ot
California, and down the coast of Peru, and
put into Arica. Here the crew mutinied.
After the difficulty was settled the vessel
resumed its cruising, visiting Easter Island,
at that time inhabited by cannibals; thence
to Juan Fernandez and other islands; thence
to Valparaiso, Chili, where he again ran
away, remaining at the latter place about
three weeks. He left the vessel because he
felt that he had seen enough of the world for
one trip, and resolved to leave the first oppor-
tunity. The whaling vessel Uncas lay in
the harbor about to return to New Bedford,
but the crew being full he could not ship as
a hand, and had no money to pay his passage
home. So he stowed himself away in the
"hold," only one sailor being cognizant of
his presence on board. When he made his
appearance on deck, after the vessel was well
under way, the captain was very angry, or at
least pretended to be, and threatened to put
him aboard the first vessel they met and
'■'■■■■»■■■'.■■■■■■ ■ .»■ ■ .
| E B M "M«Lli
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
send him back, or else put him off on some
island; but Mr. White soon gained his favor
by taking a hand at the watch, and in time
he reached New Bedford. He remained at
home about two years, then took passage on
board a merchant vessel bound for Australia,
and was 154 days in reaching his destination,
stopping at Peruambuco, in Brazil. His
next landing was at Cape Town, on the
southern extremity of the coast of Africa,
where the vessel remained three weeks taking
on supplies. Their next landing was at
Melbourne, Australia. Soon after reaching
that point Mr. White joined a party for the
mines, 125 miles in the country. The cost
of living at Bendigo, the mining town, was
too great for his resources, and he returned
to Melbourne and commenced working at his
trade. He is said to be the first journeyman
peg shoemaker that ever worked in Australia.
He worked there about eight months, then
returned to the mines, where he remained
two years, then went back to Melbourne.
At this time the excitement attending the
finding of gold in large quantities in the
Amazon regions of South America reached
Australia, and Mr. White decided to join the
" rush " for that country. He accordingly
shipped aboard a merchant vessel for Callao.
On the voyage from Australia to Callao he
was robbed of all he had made in Australia,
which was no small sum. This left him
poor, but did not discourage him from trying
to make more. He found that the gold
report was gotten up by vessel owners to
catch the passenger traffic across the ocean,
and consequently he was again obliged to
resort to his trade as a means of support.
He was soon attacked with that dread scourge,
yellow fever. He became reduced very low,
but finally recovered, and soon afterward took
passage on board a British steamer, went to
Panama, crossed the isthmus; thence to New
York, and again safe at home. His intention
was to return to Peru, but his friends pre-
vailed upon him to abandon the project, and
he accordingly went to work at his trade in
North Adams, Massachusetts. Two years
later, in 1856, he came to Linn County, Iowa,
having a sister living in Marion in that
county. In the fall of 1857 he came to Jef-
ferson, where he has worked at his trade most
of the time since. He was the first shoe-
maker, and the first boot and shoe merchant
in Jefferson. In 1860 he purchased eighty
acres of land in Hardin Township, and later
added a fractional eighty to his first purchase,
which he improved and still owns. He has
devoted much attention to fruit-growing,
making a specialty of apples. He has about
eighty varieties of crab apples, and has made
a great success, and has also been successful
in getting a fine flowing artesian well in his
orchard. He was married in Jefferson in
1861 to Miss Sarah Ann Stiles, a native of
Greene County, Ohio. She came to Iowa
with her father, Job Stiles, now a resident of
Jefferson. Mr. and Mrs. White have five
children now living — Ed. Grant, Fred C,
Elsie E., Osa K. and Harley A. Their first
child, Volney, died at the age of thirteen
months. Mr. White's father, Jedediah White,
was a native of Litchfield, Connecticut. He
is a direct descendant of Peregrine White,
the first child born in the Plymouth Colony.
O. J. White's early education was under the
auspices of the Calvinistic dogmas, his father
belonging to the Baptist school (close com-
munion), and very devoted to the observance
of the rules and rites of the church, and as a
matter of duty the father endeavored to
impress on the mind of his son the strict
observance of the same. But the develop-
ment of the brain in the region of veneration
and surrounding faculties created in the child
a spirit of inquiry, which led him gradually
into the belief that man was a creature gov-
erned by natural law, came into the world by
the laws of nature, and goes out of the world
in the same manner. And all the allegiance
he owes to a Supreme Being is to obey as
near as possible the laws of nature, ignoring
entirely the idea of a personal God. Taking
the broad ground of Pantheism, believing
that religion is true reverence of nature, and
worship is obedience to or of natural law.
» S i i ; «
MARSHALL B. McDUFFIE, one of
the leading business men of Jeffer-
son, has been a resident of this town
since 1865. He was born in Schoharie
County, NewYork, in 1842, and removed when
a child to St. Helena, "Wyoming County. He
was educated at the Nunda Literary Institute
in Livingston County, and soon after engaged
in teaching. In 1865 he settled in Jefferson,
and was for a time principal of a school at
this place; but receiving the appointment of
postmaster, he resigned before the close of
his first term and entered upon the duties of
his office. He held the office of postmaster
two years, and during that time served as
county superintendent of schools. He was
county auditor two terms, or four years, and
was afterward engaged in the drug business
until the organization of the City Bank of
Jefferson in 1876, of which he was one of
the founders. He was cashier of this bank
until 1886, when he resigned and was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Hughes. The success to
which this institution has attained is due in
a large degree to the business ability of Mr.
McDuffie. He is a brother of I. J. McDuffie,
who was long a prominent member of the
Greene County bar, but is now a resident of
Le Mars, Iowa. In 1876 Mr. McDuffie re-
turned to Nunda, New York, and was united
in marriage with Miss Sophia B. Warner, a
daughter of L. B. Warner, a prominent mer-
chant of that town. Mr. and Mrs. McDuffie
have five sons — Duncan, Lewis, Robert,
Charles and William.
\ENRY W. DICKINSON is the homoe-
opathic physician and surgeon of
~*M Jefferson. He was born in Ithica,
Tompkins County, New York. In 1857,
while an infant, his parents removed to
Schenectady County, New York. He re-
ceived his literary education at Union Col-
lege, where he was a student for two years.
When he was quite young his father died,
and his mother died when he was nineteen
years of age. At the age of twenty years
he went to Chicago, and was for one year
assistant editor of the Railway Review, pub-
lished in that city. He began the study of
medicine in the fall of 1878, with Dr. Har-
lam P. Cole, professor of anatomy in the
Hahnemann Medical College, of that city,
and graduated at that institution in 1881.
During the last two years of his college
course he was demonstrator of anatomy.
He began practice at Clarksville, Butler
County, Iowa, where he was local surgeon
for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North-
ern Railroad for two years, and was also
county physician of Butler County one
year. While at Clarksville he was associated
with A. F. Tichenor, but owing to ill health
he sold out his practice to his partner, with a
view of going to California. Having occasion
to stop in northern Missouri, he found him-
self improving in health, and believing that
Jefferson afforded a good location for a
homoeopathic physician, he decided to locate
here. He is a thoroughly educated physi-
cian, and has a large and lucrative practice,
-~» — " —
»■-■-»
» — M"1»M"1"M»M™ M 1
266
HI8T0RY OF GBEENE COUNTY.
He lias an enviable reputation both as a
physician and a citizen. Dr. Dickinson was
married in Clarksville to Miss Anna Kilts, a
daughter of Christopher Kilts, of that town.
-*o» iii O i n ^ t l £ « —**hu *o»
E. BEEEY, farmer, section 27, Green-
brier Township, was born in Davis
' County, Iowa, April 23, 1846, son of
James and Nancy (McConnell) Berry, who
reared a family of eight children— -Thomas,
J. E., John, Samuel, Ephraim, Margaret,
William and Mary E. Mr. Berry was reared
on a farm, and educated in the common
schools. He learned the carpenter's trade,
and has followed it many years. He was
married March 9, 1873, to Lucinda Breeding,
daughter of Alexander Breeding, a promi-
nent pioneer Of Davis County. In 1879 he
came to this county, locating upon his
present farm, which was then in its wild
state. He has since made good improve-
ments, has a comfortable house and a good
barn and orchard. His farm consists of 120
acres of as good land as can be found in
Greene County. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have
two sons — William Guy, born May 1, 1876,
and Thomas G., born June 20, 1881. Politi-
cally Mr. Berry is a Bepublican. He takes
an active interest in educational matters, and
in the improvement of Greene County.
ayfeARIOJS WIGHT, postoffice Cooper,
alvfw en g a g e d in general farming and stock-
^kt^* raising on section 10, Franklin Town-
ship, is a native of Allegany County, New
York, born May 17, 1837, a son of Zial and
Caroline (Van Buren) Wight, his maternal
grandfather being a cousin of President Van
Buren. His parents had a family of eight
children, he being the seventh child. When
four years of age he was taken by his parents
to Chautauqua County, New York, where he
remained till twenty years old, his early life
being spent in assisting with the work of the
farm and attending the common schools. At
the age of twenty he removed to Genesee
County, New York, where he resided two
years. At the age of twenty-two years he
was married to Miss Clara White, a daughter
of Stephen and Hannah (Felt) White, and to
this union have been born three children —
Louisa, Samuel and Mary. In 1860 Mr.
Wight settled in Carroll County, Illinois, and
in 1865 came to Greene County, Iowa, when
he located in Franklin Township, settling on
his present farm in 1881, which was then in
its natural state. He has in his farm eighty
acres which he has improved and brought
under cultivation, making it one of the best
farms in the township. In his political
views Mr. Wight is a Democrat. He has
been a member of the school board, has
served as township trustee and assessor, hold-
ing the latter office six terms, serving in all
with credit to himself and to the best in-
terests of his township.
AMUEL WHITESIDE, farmer and
stock raiser, section 13, Junction Town-
ship, Greene County, is a native of
Toronto, Canada, born October 30, 1840, a
son of William Whiteside, who was also born
in Canada, now deceased. The grandfather
Whiteside, was at one time very wealthy, and
owned the greater part of the heart of the
city of Toronto. Our subject was brought to
Galena, Illinois, when a child, and in 1847
to Burlington, Iowa, where he lived with his
parents till 1860. He then went to Pike's
Peak, where he owned an interest in a saw-
1
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MOGRAPBIOAL SKETOBES.
267
mill in which he worked for one year. He
remained at Pike's Peak till he enlisted in
the late war, September 27, 1861, when he
was assigned to Company L, First Colorado
Cavalry, and for a time was fighting against
the Indians, and participated in the battles
of Smoky Hill, Sand Creek, Apachee Can-
yon, and others of minor importance. At
Apachee Canyon, twenty-five miles east of
Santa Fe, New Mexico, they were met by
the Texans, and, after a bloody battle, drove
them back into Texas, thereby saving Fort
Union, where there was a large amount of
military stores. His regiment was on guard
duty most of the time in the Southwest. He
was discharged November 18, 1865. After
the war Mr. Whiteside located in Des Moines
County, Iowa, where he resided till 1880.
He was married October 7, 1873, to Miss
Sarah Follett, a daughter of Daniel Follett,
of Marion County, Iowa, and to them have
been born five children — George, William,
Samuel, Clarence and Kate. In 1880 Mr.
Whiteside removed with his family to Greene
County, Iowa, when he settled on his present
farm in Junction Township, where he owns
160 acres of well-cultivated land, and during
his short residence in the county has gained
the confidence and respect of all who know
him.
* n > '" */L* 3 * * S * v?i 'i>-«<»
|UGUST F. KRAUSE, postoffice Bayard,
HiXtk ^ owa » en g a ged in farming and stock-
3^ raising on section 28, Willow Township,
was born in Prussia, Germany, September
29, 1852, a son of Carl and Wilh'elmine (Mar-
tain) Krause, who were also natives of Ger-
many. They were the parents of seven
children, our subject being the fifth child.
When but a child he was brought by his
parents to the United States, they first locat-
ing in Dane County, Wisconsin, in July,
1856, where the father died in October, 1865.
August F. was reared to agricultural pursuits,
receiving his education in the country school
of his neighborhood. He remained on the
home farm in Dane County until 1876,
helping to support his mother and her family.
He then immigrated to Greene County, Iowa,
when he settled on part of his present farm
in Willow Township. His first . purchase
here was forty acres of wild prairie land,
which he cleared and improved, and by his
persevering industry and excellent manage-
ment he has succeeded well in his farming
operations, and has been enabled to add to
his original purchase till lie now has 200
acres of as good land as can be found in
Greene County. He makes a specialty of
raising graded Clydesdale horses and Hol-
stein cattle. He was united in marriage
November 15, 1878, to Miss Mary Hagan,
who was born in Warren County, Iowa,
August 12, 1862. To this union was born
one daughter — Lena R., August 19, 1879,
who died August 23 following. The mother
died August 30, 1879, and February 26,
1882, Mr. Krause was married to Miss Belle
Shaw, a native of Iowa, born August 29,
1864, a daughter of John B. and Amanda
(Sharts) Shaw, who were natives of Indiana.
They are the parents of three sons — Earle
A., born September 1, 1883; John Clarence,
born in October, 1885; and an infant yet
unnamed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Krause are
members of the English Evangelical Asso-
ciation. In politics he affiliates with the
Republican party.
i~5«-^
j|| W. NEARY, engaged in farming and
|| stock raising on section 34, Hardin
,® Township, where he owns 160 acres of
highly cultivated land, is a native of Nova
268
ZlsToMT 6F G&EENE OOtffrTY.
Scotia, born February 14, 1840, and is a son
of Henry and Mary Neary. He was reared
to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he
has followed through life with the exception
of three years when he was engaged in driv-
ing a stage from Jefferson, Iowa, to Panora,
Iowa. He remained in Nova Scotia until
1868, when he sailed for Boston, remaining
in that city about three years when he immi-
grated to Greene County, Iowa, and settled
on the farm where he has since made his
home. Mr. Neary was united in marriage
April 26, 1870, to Miss Anna Bishop, who
was born in Nova Scotia in 1848, her parents,
Allen and Rebecca Bishop, also being natives
of Nova Scotia. Two children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Neary — George W.,
born March 26, 1872, and Ervin R, born
October 16, 1875. In politics Mr. Neary
casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
He is an^active and public-spirited citizen,
and since coming to Hardin Township has
served as trustee and assessor, holding the
latter office one year, and has also served five
years as school director, to the satisfaction of
his constituents.
H. JOHNSON, farmer, section 21,
Kendrick Township, has been identified
3 with the interests of Greene County for
twenty-one years. He was born in Cham-
paign County, Ohio, June 24, 1836, son of
Isaac Johnson, a native of Vermont, and
Sarah Johnson, a native of Rhode Island.
They were the parents of twelve children.
Mr. Johnson resided in his native place until
sixteen years of age. He was reared a farmer
and educated in the common schools. In
1855 his father removed to DeKalb County,
Illinois, where they lived two years, then
came to Cedar County, Iowa. August 14,
^
1862, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-
sixth Iowa Infantry, and participated in the
battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post,
siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi,
Black River Bridge, Fourteen Mile Creek,
Ramon, and was then transferred to the Vet-
eran Reserve Corps, Seventeenth Regiment,
Company E, and was stationed at Indianapo-
lis, Indiana. He was honorably discharged
as Corporal, July 24, 1865, and returned to
his home. August 20, 1865, he came to
Greene County, Iowa, and settled upon his
present farm, which was then in its wild
state, and was one of the first improved farms
in the neighborhood. He owns ninety-four
acres of excellent land, a well furnished
residence, built in modern style, a commodious
barn for stock and grain. November 30,
1860, he was united in marriage at DeWitt,
Clinton County, Iowa, with Miss Mary Kim-
ball, daughter of Horace and Rachel Kimball,
born in Cedar County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson have three children — Ella Rosella,
John Jasper, and Mary Yiola. Two children,
William P. and Elmer, are deceased. Politi-
cally Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and has
creditably served in several township offices.
He is a member of Post 111, G. A. R., at
Scranton. By his genial manner, and hon-
est dealings, he secured the confidence of all
his acquaintances. His grandfather was a
soldier in the war of the Revolution and his
father in the Mexican war.
fD. CASS, physician and surgeon of
Churdan, Iowa, is a native of the State
-jr ® of Illinois, born December 6, 1832, a
son of James and Ann Cass, who were
natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively.
Both parents are deceased, the mother dying
May 30, 1837, and his father in April, 1863.
( ^ ■ ■■ 8 ^^«»g«a" i^gii^ ^»M " « » w " » " «i " «"^«^a»ia««
MO&BAPBiOAL SKMTOSES.
Dr. Cass lived with his father till attaining
the age of twenty-two years. In 1855 he
began the study of medicine, taking his first
course of lectures at the Miami Medical
College in 1856, remaining in that institu-
tion one year. In 1857 he began the prac-
tice of medicine, which he followed until
1863, when he entered Rush Medical Col-
lege of Chicago, Illinois, from which he
graduated in 1864. After his graduation he
settled in Logan County, Illinois, where he
built up a lucrative practice, remaining in
that county until 1875. He then returned to
Miami College, graduating from that insti-
tution in 1876. He then resumed his prac-
tice is Logan County. In 1882 he came to
Greene County, Iowa, and after spending a
short time in Jefferson he removed to Chur-
dan, locating at that place August 31, 1882,
and has since been successfully engaged in
the practice of his chosen profession. In
July, 1885, he purchased a stock of drugs.
He has recently built a new store, and in
connection with his medical practice he deals
in drugs, all kinds of stationery and school
books. Dr. Cass was united in marriage in
1858 to Miss Sarah G. Landis, a daughter of
P. K. and Eliza P. Landis, natives of Ohio.
They are the parents of one son — Edward K.,
born December 17, 1859, who is now en-
gaged in the insurance business in Chicago,
Illinois. In politics the doctor is a staunch
Eepublican. He was appointed First Assis-
tant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty -
first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
February 12, 1865, and served till the close
of the war.
AMES M. STEELE, residing on section
13, Bristol Township, is one of the early
settlers of this portion of Greene County.
He was born in Bedford County, Pennsyl-
vania, June 24, 1834, son of Solomon and
Fanny (Metzgar) Steele, also natives of Penn-
sylvania. The father was of Swiss ancestry,
and is now deceased. The mother is of
German descent, and is still living in Penn-
sylvania. Of -their nine children, James M.
was the third child and eldest son. One son,
David Frank, a member of the Thirty-third
Pennsylvania Infantry, was killed at Burn-
side's battles of Fredricksburg. He was a
member of General Hooker's corps. Four
other sons, Thomas, John, Levi and Edward,
served in the Army of the Potomac, and are
all living. The two sisters are Mrs. Sophia
Ake and Mrs. Eliza Herschberger, a widow,
with whom the mother lives. All are living
in Pennsylvania except Edward, who lives in
Yirginia. James was reared a farmer, and
has always followed farming with the excep-
tion of a few years spent at carpenter work
at Muscatine, Iowa. He settled in Muscatine
in 1858, where he married Miss Hannah
Maria Lower, daughter of Henry Lower, who
died at the home of Mr. Steele in 1873. The
mother, Mrs. Hannah (Steele) Lower, now in
her ninety-second year, is cared for by her
daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Steele is
also a native of Pennsylvania, and was born
in Huntingdon County, February 1, 1836.
She came with her parents to Muscatine in
1850. Mr. Steele removed to St. Joseph,
Missouri, in 1859, where he lived two years,
then returned to Muscatine and lived there
until 1866, then, with his family, went back
to his native State. In 1872 he returned to
Iowa and settled in his present home. He
first bought eighty acres of land incurrring
an indebtedness for the purchase money. He
has cleared that indebtedness, and added
forty acres to the original purchase, so that
he has a competency for his declining years.
Mr. and Mrs. Steele have four children—
"II
270
BISTORT OE GREENE COUNT?.
;5 ;
i I
1 1
Marion L., a young man of excellent business
qualifications, is cashier of Greene County
Bank, at Jefferson ; Fanny, a very successful
teacher, now at home; Harriet S., attending
school at Davenport; and Charley, living at
home. The parents are consistent members
of the, Presbyterian church, and politically
Mr. Steele is a Republican. He is now serv-
ing as township trustee and school director.
fOHK OSBORNE, dealer in grain, lum-
ber and coal and one of the prominent
men of Scranton, is a native of Cornwall,
England, born in the year 1844, a son of
Robert Osborne. The father immigrated to
America when our subject was a child,
settling in Iowa County, "Wisconsin, where
he resided till his death in May, 1878. The
father was a miner, and followed that occu-
pation from the time he came to America in
1848 until 1855 when he engaged in farm-
ing, which he followed the remainder of his
life. His family consisted of six children,
three sons and three daughters. John, the
subject of this sketch ; Robert living in Iowa
County, Wisconsin ; Joseph, of Carroll County,
Illinois; Emma, wife of Fairfield Sylvester, of
Ogden, Iowa; Ellen, wife of W. J. Burns, of
Ponca, Nebraska, and Margaret J., wife of J.
"W": Taylor, of Iowa County, Wisconsin.
John Osborne, our subject grew to manhood
in Iowa County, being' reared to agricultural
pursuits. He remained with his parents till
1866, but remained near his home till 1872,
when he came to Iowa, and located at Ogden,
Boone County, where he was engaged in
dealing in live stock and farm implements
until 1877, when he came to Scranton,
Greene County. The year before leaving
Ogden lie began dealing in grain in connec-
tion with his other business. In 1876 Mr.
Osborne formed a partnership with Sylvester
& Huntley, they succeeding A. S. Omro in
his grain trade, and the same year this firm
built the west elevator. Mr. Osborne bought
out Sylvester and Huntley's interest in 1882
and has since conducted the business alone,
becoming one of the leading business men of
Scranton. His elevator has a capacity of
about 14,000 bushels. In the spring of 1885
he added the lumber trade to his business, in
which he is meeting with good success. Mr.
Osborne was united in marriage to Miss
Elizabeth A. Baker, a daughter of John U.
Baker, of Iowa County, Wisconsin. In poli-
tics Mr. Osborne affiliates with the Republi-
can party.
Y JILTON C. SATERS, farmer, section
SKWk 25, Jackson Township, owns one of
^#^ the best farms in that part of Greene
County. It consists of 240 acres of land, 160
acres being on section 25, 80 on section 26,
all being connected and constituting one farm.
He came here from Bureau County, Illinois, in
March, 1871, and settled in his present home
the following year. He was born in Miami
County, Ohio, January 7, 1844, son of Thomas
and Margaret (French) Sayers ; the father died
in Ohio, the mother is still living on the old
homestead. Mr. Sayers served one year dur-
ing the late war in the Mississippi squadron
under Admiral Porter, entering the service
in December, 1863. In the fall of 1865 he
became a resident of Bureau County, Illinois,
where he engaged in the mercantile trade at
Walnut. September 22, 1867, he was united
in marriage with Miss Henrietta Jones,
daughter of Samuel and Miriam Jones, and
sister of Josiah Jones, of Jackson Township.
She was born in Princeton, Bureau County,
Illinois, October 15, 1845. They have two
**-ft-^i> ^_t.*U ■^.. '-^■r m j w "*.>-w,_'.^*^i»fc>^»>%_»%.^'
■■■^■■■■■■■■■■■.■■■■■■.■■■■■-■-■■■■■■■■■■■■l
BIOGRAPHICAL SK3T0&B8.
271
i
children— Milton C. and Samuel J. Mr.
and Mrs. Sayers are worthy, honest and up-
right people, and have won many friends in
the community where they have so long re-
sided. They are consistent members of the
Baptist church, and in politics Mr. Sayers is
a radical Kepublican. Thomas J. Sayers, the
father of our subject, was born in the State
of Ohio and the mother in the State of Penn-
sylvania. They were married in Ohio. Mil-
ton C. was the youngest of seven children,
and the only one residing in Greene County.
His brother Enos lives in Atlantic, Cass
County, this State, Ezekiel lives in Ohio,
John in Kansas, Harrison in Bureau County,
Illinois, Judson at Farmer's Valley, Illinois,
and Mrs. Sarah Class in Miami County, Ohio.
■■■ .» ij? . 2 i i £»§i « ■ "
?1LLARD MACK, farmer and stock-
raiser, section 1, Junction Township,
was born in Stanstead, Canada, April
21, 1826. His father, Sebie Mack, was a
native of Connecticut, but went to Canada
with his parents when a boy, and from there
to Niagara Falls, New York, in 1827. In
1828 he went to Upper Canada, and in 1844
to Boone County, Illinois. "Willard Mack
remained in Illinois until April, 1876, when
he came to Iowa and settled on the farm
where he now lives. He owns 160 acres of
valuable land, and his building improvements
are among the best in the township. Mr.
Mack was married October 15, 1850, to Laura
Smith, a daughter of Frederick Smith. To
them were born eight children — Sophrouia
J., Mary A., Alice F., Artemus J., Elizabeth
L. (deceased), Ella N., Lovilla L. and Emma
L. Mrs. Mack died June 20, 1872, and
Thanksgiving day, 1873, Mr. Mack married
Hattie, daughter of Thomas Mumi, of To-
peka, Kansas. December 10, 1875, Mrs.
Mack died, leaving two children — Edgar H.
and Daniel C. September 27, 1881, Mr.
Mack married Jennie Peake, a native of
Rockford, Illinois, daughter of Loami Peake,
and a lineal descendant of Roger Williams
and John Rogers. To them have been born
two children — Lucy E. and John W. Mr.
and Mrs. Mack are members of the Baptist
church.
fOHN M. CULLEY, one of the pioneers
of Greene County, came to Jefferson
January 26, 1856, when that city had
but two log houses and one frame house. In
one of the log houses George S. Walton kept
a hotel and store. Dr. Lewis lived in the
other log house, and Robert M. Rippey lived
in the frame house; he was a lawyer and land
agent. Neither of them now live in the
county. Mr. Culley, Robert Rippey and Dr.
W. S. McBride erected a steam saw-mill at
Jefferson in 1856, which was operated by Mr.
Culley about three years. He then followed
farming one year, and in 1860, was appointed
clerk of the court, which at that time included
the duties now performed by the auditor.
He served two years, and then became a con-
tractor for furnishing railroad ties in Boone
County, for the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad. In 1866 he engaged in the hard-
ware and farm implement trade, which he
continued until 1877, since which time he
has been interested in milling and farming.
He was engaged in milling at Grand Junc-
tion four years, and now resides on section
10, Jackson Township, where he settled in
May, 1884. Mr. Culley has witnessed the
changes in the county, from its earliest his-
tory, when his postoffice was at Des Moines,
where his milling was also done. His son
Charles, now a business man at Jefferson, was
the first white male child born in Jefferson.
■■■■■-,■ » ■ » ■ - ■ . ■ ;
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SW
MiSfOBT 6P Q&tiBNi! douRfY.
Mr. Culley was born at Milan, Huron County,
Ohio, October 20, 1830, a son of M. D. Cul-
ley. When he was ten years of age his parents
removed to Ashtabula County, where he grew
to manhood. When a young man he learned
the tinner's and coppersmith's trades which
he followed until he came to Iowa. At Lancas-
ter, New York, he married Miss Sarah Ann
Hamilton, in June, 1852. Mrs. Culley died
at Jefferson December 11, 1862, aged twenty-
nine years. She left two children — Charley
and Will D., who are now the firm of Culley
Brothers, engaged in a restaurant and bakery
at Jefferson. For a second wife Mr. Culley
married April 1, 1864, Miss Hattie E. Beers,
daughter of Jesse Beers, of Delaware County,
New York, and to this union were born four
children, all of whom died young. Mr. and
Mrs. Culley are members of the Baptist
church. Mr. Culley is one of the charter
members of Morning Star Lodge, No. 159,
A. F. & A. M., at Jefferson, and is the only
one of the charter members now living in
Greene County. He has held the office of
senior and junior warden, and has held many
offices of trust in the township. Politically,
he is a Republican.
WESLEY JOHNSON, of the firm of
S. W. Johnson & Bro., dealers in
ip^ 9 hardware, stoves, tinware, kitchen fur-
niture, farm implements, shelf and heavy
hardware, at Rippey, was born in Perry
County, Ohio, November 25, 1852, son of
Ephraim Johnson, of this county, who re-
moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, in 1865.
He passed his early life on a farm, and was
educated in the common district schools. He
came to Rippey in 1882 and engaged in the
hardware business with J. P. Law, under the
firm name of Law & Johnson. This partner-
ship continued three years, when Mr. John-
son purchased his partner's interest, and sold
a third interest to his brother, William A.
Johnson. He was married January 10, 1878,
to Harriet Parrish, daughter of Watson Par-
rish, now deceased. They have had four
children, only one of whom is living — Nellie
C. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Odd
Fellows fraternity. William A. Johnson
was born April 10, 1860, in Perry County,
Ohio, and was educated in the common school
of Whiteside County, Illinois. He came to
Iowa in 1882, spending his summers in Da-
kota Territory for three years, and passed the
winters in this coimty. He located perma-
nently at Rippey in 1885. He is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church; also of
the Rippey Cornet Band.
«*-^3nf*|<**-
|EV. WILLIAM ROBERTS, one of
lliaf Greene County's prominent men, re-
-=^| siding in Dawson Township, where he
owns a farm of 240 acres on section 23, and
forty acres on section 26, is a native of Wayne
County, Indiana, born November 9, 1832, a
son of Thomas Roberts. His parents were
both natives of North Carolina. They were
the parents of two children — William and a
daughter now deceased. The mother died
November 11, 1832, at the age of twenty-two
years, the father surviving her till September
21, 1839. William Roberts was thus left an
orphan at the tender age of six years. He
was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his
boyhood being spent in assisting on the farm
of Levi Jessup. At the age of eighteen
years he began working for himself, chopping
wood, etc., for which he received 25 cents a
cord. His education was obtained in the
country school-houses of his neighborhood,
and at the Friends' Boarding School, now
U*SJ
^*J"*^»>*J'
^^.' *L>-*.^ < ; »
IEORGE W. KUDER, one of the old and
honored pioneers of Greene County, who
is engaged in farming and stock-raising
on section 21, Willow Township, is a native
of Pennsylvania, born in Columbia County,
June 15, 1832, his parents, George and Sarah
(Morris) Kuder, being natives of the same
State. He was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, bis early boyhood being spent in
assisting his father on the home farm. In
1844 he was taken by his parents to Cham-
paign County, Illinois, where his father
entered land at $1.25 per acre, the city of
Champaign being now located on part of the
land owned by the father. The father died
there September 17, 1845, the mother sur-
viving her husband until August 1, 1874.
They were the parents of seven children, our
subject being the fifth child. He came to
Greene County, Iowa, in 1854, and settled at
Jefferson when that now thriving town con-
tained but one house. The following spring
he went to Minnesota, remaining there one
year, when he returned to Greene County and
entered eighty acres of land on North Coon,
nine miles north of Jefferson, where he
erected a log cabin, remaining there till 1859.
Here he was engaged in trapping and hunt-
ing during the winter seasons and during the
summers worked on his farm. He experienced
many hardships and privations in his pioneer
home. His nearest milling place was Des
Moines, then a small place containing about
a dozen houses, and his provisions were
obtained at Keokuk, 125 miles distant, he
making the trip with ox teams, and taking
two weeks or more to make the journey. He
was united in marriage February 18, 1851 to
Miss Isabelle Brock, born in Boone County,
Indiana, June 13, 1840, a daughter of Allen
and Lavina (Cocks) Brock, natives of Ten-
nessee. To this union have been born five
children— Madison M., Arabelle, Jennette G.,
Melissa and George Franklin. In 1859 Mr.
Kuder went to Pikes Peak, remaining there
one year, when he returned to Greene County,
and a short time later returned to his old
home in Illinois, where he remained till after
the close of the war. He again returned to
Greene County, Iowa, in the fall of 1866, and
in 1881 settled on his present farm. To his
original purchase he has added till he now
276
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
has 240 acres located on sections 16 and 21
of Willow Township, his land being well
improved and well cultivated with the excep-
tion of about nine acres. He has a good
orchard and a comfortable and commodious
residence surrounded by fine groves, and
good out buildings for his stock. Mr. Kuder
began life a poor boy but by years of per-
severing toil and good management he has
prospered in his farming operations, and
become the owner of his present fine prop-
erty, and is now identified with Greene
County's best farmers. He has done his
share toward improving the county, having
improved six different farms. Mr. and Mrs.
Kuder are worthy members of the Church of
God, and are among the most respected
citizens of Greene County.
■SSEKRY W. KELLOGG, county audi-
flifl *' 01 ' °^ Greene County, is now serving
"sg<(g his second term in that capacity, having
been first elected in the fall of 1883, and re
elected in 1885. He succeeded Andrew A.
Watts, who had served six years, and the latter
succeeded G. G. Lawrence, who had served four
years. Mr. Kellogg settled in Grant Township^
this county, in 1869, where he purchased and
improved a prairie farm which he still owns,
and which he occupied until elected to his
present office. He was born in Sycamore, De
Kalb County, Illinois, January 14, 1840, and
was reared in his native county. His father,
Jesse C. Kellogg, died in Sycamore in 1874.
He was born in Connecticut, and removed to
Lamoille County, Vermont, when quite
young. He settled in Sycamore in 1836.
He was one of the early settlers of the county,
and was clerk of the circuit court for many
years. August 9, 1862, H. W. Kellogg en-
listed in Company A, One Hundred and
Fifth Illinois Infantry, and served until June
14, 1865. His regiment was attached to the
Army of the Cumberland. Upon the con-
solidation of the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps,
the brigade to which he belonged became the
Twentieth. Previous to that time his regi-
ment was not attached to any corps. Mr.
Kellogg participated in many important bat-
tles and campaigns, including Kesaca, Kene-
saw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and Sher-
man's march to the sea. He was engaged in
the battle of Bentonville, and marched to
Washington after the surrender of Johnston
and took part in the grand review in that
city. His exposures, as a soldier, induced
the asthma, and it was to find relief from that
trouble that decided him to come to Iowa.
He was for many years engaged as mercan-
tile clerk. In 1865 he married Miss Maggie
Countryman, who died January 29, 1873.
His present wife was formerly MissSamantha
Kingsley. By his first marriage were two
children — Jessie and Hiram, and a son and
daughter by his present marriage, Bertha and
Henry. Bertha died when five months old.
He is a Republican in politics, casting his
first presidential vote for General Grant. He
was a voter when Lincoln was elected the
second time, but being in the army he could
not exercise his right. Mr. Kellogg is a popu-
lar and efficient officer, and one of the highly
respected and progressive citizens of Greene
Count}'.
ILLIAM A. THOMPSON, farmer,
Grant Township, resides on section
^H 22, where he owns 200 acres of land
on sections 22 and 23. This farm was en-
tered by Mr. Beece, who made the first im-
provements. Mr. Thompson purchased the
place in 1875. It is one of the most desir-
able farms in the township, 160 acres being
?■"■— HI"-'
iSSS21(
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in a fine state of cultivation and the remain-
der well timbered. Mr. Thompson has been
a resident of Greene County since 1867,
when he settled in what was then Junction
Township, on an unimproved farm. He still
owns the farm and has made many improve-
ments. He is a native of the Buckeye State,
having been born in Richland County, Ohio,
in 1837, where he lived until nine years of
age, when his parents removed to Cedar
County, Iowa. His father, John Thompson,
was one of the pioneers of that county, hav-
ing settled there in 1846. He removed to
Junction Township, this county, in 1874,
where he passed the remainder of his days,
surviving his wife two years. They were the
parents of ten children, five sons and five
daughters ; one son and one daughter are de-
ceased. "When William A. started out for
himself he located in Keokuk County, where
he improved a farm and resided until he came
to Greene County. He lias been twice mar-
ried. His first wife was Martha J. Wright,
a native of Lee County, Iowa, who died in
this county, August 11, 1879. His present
wife was formerly Mrs. Matilda Richardson,
ne'e Nuterfee, who came to Washington
County with her parents in 1842. Her
father, Golston S. JSTuterfee, is now deceased.
By his first marriage, Mr. Thompson had four
children— August C, Mary I., William II.,
and Bessie Centennial. Politically, he is a
Bepublican, and cast his first presidential
vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In 1886
he was assessor of Grant Township.
•
I^ILLBURN ZEITLER, a prosperous
farmer and stock-raiser of Hardin
Township, residing on section 20, was
born in Pennsylvania, June 13, 1837, his
parents, John and Mary (Schloneker) Zeitler,
being natives of the same State. He re-
mained in his native State till sixteen years
of age, when he came with his parents to
Cedar County, Iowa. At the age of seven-
teen he began working out by the month,
which he followed till twenty-three years of
age. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion
and was assigned to Company A, Fifth Iowa
Infantry, his regiment being mustered into
service shortly after. He participated in the
battles of Iuka, Vicksburg and Chattanooga,
and other engagements of minor importance.
He was mustered out of the service at Chat-
tanooga, and received his final discharge at
Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1864. He was
married February 16,1865, to Miss Catherine
Brown, a native of Ohio, born August 30,
1840, a daughter of William and Susan
(Ellis) Brown, who were both natives of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Zeitler is in every re-
spect a self-made man; commencing as a pio-
neer in Greene County on comparatively
nothing, he has by his persevering industry
and good management acquired a good prop-
erty, having a fine farm of 240 acres under
good cultivation. In connection with his
general farming he pays some attention to
stock-raising, keeping a good grade of stock.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican
party. PostofBce, Jefferson, Iowa.
"J, *>' "S"
B. GARLAND, farmer, section 16,
Kendrick Township, was born in
Boone County, Kentucky, November
25, 1840, son of Ebenezer and Eliza (Hoshall)
Garland, who were the parents of ten chil-
dren, J. B. being the eldest. When he was
a babe his parents removed to the Territory
of Iowa, settling in Jackson County, where
he was reared on a farm, and educated in the
common schools of that county. He engaged
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
in teacning at an early age, and taught
several terms in Jackson and Greene coun-
ties. Upon arriving at the age of manhood,
he was united in marriage, March 28,
1860, with Miss Emma Hawkins, born in
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and daughter
of John B. and Hetty (Smith) Hawkins, who
"Hjere the parents of nine children, Mrs. Gar-
land being the eighth. Mr. Garland resided
in Jackson County, until 1869, then came to
Greene County and purchased eighty acres of
wild land, which is his present home. He
has since added to his original purchase until
he now owns 370 acres of excellent land,
which is in a good state of cultivation and
well improved. He has a very pleasant
residence, surrounded with shade trees, a
native grove of two acres, and orchard, barn,
and out buildings for stock, and a wind-mill
which furnishes power for water supply for
stock. He keeps from eighty to 100 head of
cattle, and about 100 to 150 hogs, besides
considerable other stock. Mr. Garland is a Re-
publican in politics, and a strong adherent of
the principles of that party. He has served
as a member of the school board, township
assessor, justice of the peace, and is at present
serving as member of the board of super-
visors. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge,
Golden Gate, at Scranton, and is also a mem-
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
> lnl -
t HARDING, one of Churdan's promi-
nent men, and mayor of the village,
v- a was born in Salem County, New Jer-
sey, October 1, 1820, a son of Thomas and
Lydia Harding, who were also natives of the
State of New Jersey. He was reared to the
avocation of a farmer in his native State, re-
maining on the home farm with his parents
till attaining, the age of twenty-one years.
He then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and engaged in the drug business, remaining
there till 1856. He was, united in marriage
in the spring of 1841, to Miss Elizabeth N.
Zane, a daughter of Redman and Lydia Zane,
who were natives of New Jersey. Three
children were born to this union, all dying
in infancy. Mrs. Harding died in Philadel-
phia in 1851. In 1852 Mr. Harding married
Miss A. C. Zane, a sister of his first wife,
and this union was blessed with six children
— Harry, Charles F., Ella K., Clarence A.,
Lillian M. and Orville A. Plarry, a prosper-
ous farmer living near Churdan, was born in
1853; was married in 1874 to Elizabeth
Bardsley, a daughter of William and Betsy
Bardsley. Charles F., born in 1855, gradu-
ated from the law department of the State
University at Madison, Wisconsin, and is now
practicing his profession at Chicago, Illinois.
He was married July 10, 1885, to Hattie
Hoover, her parents, William and Agnes
Hoover, being residents of Wisconsin. Ella
K. was born in 1856, and in 1879 was mar-
ried to James W. Huntington, and now lives
at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Clarence A. was
born in 1860. He is now living at Fonda,
Iowa. Lillian, born in 1866, is still living
with her parents. Orville, the youngest,
lives with his parents, and is engaged in
Churdan. In 1856 Mr. Harding removed
with his family to Dane County, Wisconsin,
where he bought a farm, and there followed
agricultural pursuits until 1881. He then
resided in Excelsior, Richland County, Wis-
consin, eighteen months, and in 1883 he
came to Greene County, Iowa, locating at
Churdan, subsequently engaging in the in-
surance, collecting and official business. In
1885 he was elected to his present position
of mayor, and in March, 1886, was re-elected,
and re-elected in 1887. Mr. Harding has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
)
I
BiOGttAPElGAL SKMtCBM.
m
church since 1841, and since 1857 has been
connected with the ministry, traveling part
of the time as an ordained minister. In poli-
tics he was formerly a Whig, but is now a
staunch [Republican. He has been a member
of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
►JmS-i
OBERT EASON, president of the bank
of Scranton, has been a resident of
Greene County, Iowa, since October,
1872, at which time he settled on a farm of
560 acres in Jackson Township. Here he
resided till February, 1885, when he removed
to Scranton, and till the following November
operated the tile factory at this place. He
then bought the bank of Scranton, where he
has since carried on a general banking busi-
ness, his son, W. M. Eason, being cashier of
the bank. This is the only bank in Scranton,
and was established in the fall of 1877 by
T. P. Larue, he having erected the present
substantial brick building at a cost of $4,800.
Mr. Eason still owns his valuable farm in
Jackson Township, which is well-iinproved
and well stocked, and is carried on by his son
Frank A. Mr. Eason is a native of Ohio,
born in Wooster, "Wayne County, in 1838,
where he was reared till his sixteenth year,
and in 1854 removed with his parents to
Iowa City, Iowa. He was married in John-
son County, Iowa, to Miss Ellen Burke, a
native of the State of New York. They are
the parents of three children — Frank A.,
Willis M. and Martha. In October, 1861,
Mr. Eason enlisted in Company B, Fourteenth
Iowa Infantry. Immediatelay after the battle
of Shiloh he was transferred to the Forty-
first Iowa Infantry, and sent to the frontier
in Dakota, and nine months later he was
transferred to the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, with
which he served seven months. He was then
as
assigned as Quartermaster of the One Hun-
dred and Twenty-second United States Colored
Infantry, with headquarters at Lexington,
Kentucky, and was afterward stationed at
Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he received
his discharge in March, 1865. He was in
active service during the whole term of his
enlistment. Though never severely wounded
in battle, the exposure and hardships which
he endured while in the service have left
their permanent effects on his constitution.
After the war he returned to Johnson County,
Iowa, where he remained till settling in
Jackson Township, Greene County, in the
fall of 1872. In politics Mr. Eason is a
Republican, casting his first vote while in the
army in 1864 for President Lincoln. Alex-
ander G. Eason, the father of our subject,
was a native of Pennsylvania, removing with
his parents to Wooster, Ohio, in 1816, when
fourteen years of age. In 1854 he came
with his family to Iowa City, where he resided
till his death in 1876. His wife, the mother
of our subject, died two years later. They
were the parents of ten children, nine yet
living, one having died since the death of
the parents. Three of them live in Greene
County — Samuel, engaged in the livery busi-
ness at Scranton, Mrs. Sarah Burke, living in
Kendrick Township, and Robert, the subject
of this sketch.
~-§~>^ <*j ■*J ^j^
■■- ■ ■■■■■■■ ■ ■ ■ ■■■■■■■ ■ ■■-■■■■■■■ ■■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■H i
iSV
II
MOQMAPatOAt sKfiT&£tM
born four children. — Eosa, Ora, Nona and
Nina. Louisa- is the wife of Alvin S. Grilli-
land, of Greene County, Iowa. Amanda,
another daughter, who is deceased, married
James II. Carter, of Daviess County ,Missouri,
and had four children, of whom three survive
her — Charity, Lawrence and Frank. When
Mr. Kinehart was a young man he learned
the printer's trade, serving his apprenticeship
in Danville and Paris, Illinois. Since becom-
ing a resident of Greene County he has held
the office of county supervisor, justice of the
peace, school treasurer, beside filling other
local offices of trust and responsibility, and
in all of these positions served with credit to
himself, and to the best interest of his county.
» In; »
fAMES SHBEVE, farmer, section 15,
Kendrick Township, was born in Brown
County, Ohio, October 12, 1819, son of
Caleb and Anna (Slack) Shreve, the former a
native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland.
They were the parents of thirteen children,
James being the tenth child. He lived in
Brown County until he was fourteen years of
age. His youth was spent in assisting at
farm work, and in attending the subscription
schools of that day. In 1834 his parents
removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where
they lived one year, then removed to Cham-
paign County, Illinois, his father being one
of the pioneers of that county. His father
died in the fall of 1835, leaving him to
control and manage the farm and other
business. April 8, 1841, he was married
to Hester Ann Shutter, formerly Hester
Ann Argo, who was born in Pickaway Coun-
ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander and
Esther Argo. Mr. Shreve remained in
Champaign County until 1858, when he
moved to Appanoose County, this State,
residing there six months, then came to
Greene County and purchased some wild
land of a Mr. Musselman, which is his present
farm. For many years his house was a home
for travelers who were coming to this new
country. He has improved his farm, and has
a good house, a commodious barn for stock
and grain, a fine orchard and a native grove
of trees. He owns 140 acres of excellent
land. When he first came here he had to go
to Panora to mill. Mr. and Mrs. Shreve had
six children born to them — William H. H.,
Caleb Alexander, Nancy Armilda, Hannah
Mary, Sarah Catherine, and Julia Ann. Mrs.
Shreve died July 15, 1885, aged sixty-seven
years. She was a worthy and consistent
member of the Christian church, an affec-
tionate wife and mother, and a kind neighbor.
Politically Mr. Shreve is a Eepublican. He
has served as township trustee, member of
school board, and road supervisor.
fOHN P. WHEEEY, a successful and
enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of
Cedar Township, Greene County, re-
siding on section 3, was born in Guernsey
County, Ohio, February 23, 1835. His par-
ents, John and Catherine (Bonnell) Wherry,
were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia
respectively. They immigrated to Jones
County, Iowa, with their family in 1853,
being among the pioneers of that county.
Both are now deceased. John P. Wherry,
the subject of this sketch, was reared in his
native county, his boyhood days being passed
in assisting on his father's farm and attend-
ing the district schools. He was about
eighteen years old when he accompanied his
parents to Jones County, and at the age of
twenty-five years he began farming on his
own account on a farm of eighty acres which
1
J
' ^ ■ ■ ■ ■ " ■■^" ■ ■ -■■■■ ■ ■ ■ ^■- ■srw
^
m
HISTORY Of GRtiMNtf COUNTY.
had been given him by his father. He re-
mained in Jones County on his farm until
the fall of 1880, when he removed to his
present farm in Cedar Township, Greene
County, where he has 240 acres of well-
watered land, besides fifty acres of timber
land. His residence is comfortable and com-
modious, and his farm is among the best in
Greene County, and although he has lived in
the county but a short time, he has made
many friends and gained the respect of all
who know him. Mr. Wherry was married in
Jones County, December 24, 1862, to Miss
Lucinda E. Coon, who was born July 1, 1844,
a daughter of S. and M. Coon. They are the
parents of five children — Dora A., Elmer E.,
Ellen J., Ida H. and Emma A. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Wherry are members of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran churcb. In polities he affili-
ates with the Republican party.
WILLIAM DUNTERMAN, postoffice,
Bayard, Iowa, engaged in farming
IJN^S and stock-raising in Willow Town-
ship, was born in Cook County, Illinois, No-
vember 15, 1849, his parents, C. and M.
(Erlman) Dunterman, being natives of Ger-
many. He was reared to the avocation of a
farmer, his boyhood being spent in assisting
his father on the farm and attending the dis-
trict school of his neighborhood. On attain-
ing the age of twenty-one years he began
learning the carpenter's trade, which he fol-
lowed about six years, and from his earnings
saved enough money to purchase his Greene
County property, settling where he now re-
sides, on section 20, Willow Township, in
1878. He was united in marriage to Miss
Minnie Numberg, a daughter of Charles
Nurnberg, and to this union have been born
four children, as follows — Herman F., Henry
W., Ida L. and Alcena L. Since coming to
Greene County Mr. Dunterman has followed
farming with success. His land when he
settled on it was in a state of nature, but by
hard work and persevering energy he has
converted it into a well-improved farm, and
has erected a comfortable and commodious
residence, and good barn and other farm
buildings, the entire surroundings showing
the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer.
By industry and good management he has
acquired his present fine property, which
consists of eighty acres on section 20 and
forty acres on section 8, Willow Township.
Mr. Dunterman has held the office of road
supervisor of Willow Township, and has also
served as school director. Both he and his
wife are members of the Lutheran church.
*3nh
I M. FITZ PATRICK, farmer and
4 stock-raiser section 22, Cedar Town-
^C ° ship, is a son of Miles and Julia Fitz
Patrick, who came from Ireland to America
in 1845. They first settled in Illinois, living
there ten years, and in 1855 came to Iowa,
and were the first settlers of Cedar Township,
Greene County. Our subject was the sev-
enth of nine children. He was born in
Ireland, March 10, 1844, and was therefore
but one year old when his parents came to
America. He remained with his parents
until twenty-six years of age, and in Febru-
ary, 1870, he settled on the farm where he
now lives. He first bought eighty acres, but
to this he has added and has improved it
until he now owns one of the best farms in
Greene County. His first trading point was
Des Moines, which was also his postoffice.
As there were no bridges and all the streams
had to be forded, the trip was a hard and
long one. Mr. Fitz Patrick was married
r^f+^rns*
MO&mAPSioaZ SgEfC&M.
393
January 9, 1870, to Josephine Khoads, a
nature of Ohio, daughter of Samuel Rhoads,
who came to Iowa in 1850, and settled in
"Washington Township in 1855, where he
still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Fitz Patrick have
six children — Mattie, Nellie, Mary and Miles
(twins), Charles and Carl. Mr. Fitz Patrick
and his family are members of the Catholic
church. Although beginning life a poor
man, Mr. Fitz Patrick has by hard work and
economy acquired a valuable property. His
farm contains 260 acres of choice land, all
well improved, and his home is a model of
beauty and convenience. He is one of the
influential men of the township and has held
most of the important offices, serving in
each with efficiency and to the entire satisfac-
tion of his constituents.
4 spe
ORMAN F. RUSSELL, one of the
JOT active and enterprising farmers of
"5=H! Junction Township, where he has a
fine farm of 160 acres on section 9, is a
native of Boone County, Illinois, the date of
his birth being August 9, 1844. His father,
Caleb Russell, was born in the State of Ver-
mont, and in 1833 immigrated to Illinois.
In 1849 he went to" California with his family,
by the overland route, their wagons in which
they made the journey being drawn by oxen
and mules. The father returned with his
family to DeKalb County, Illinois, in 1852,
and in the fall of 1855 came to Iowa, locating
first in Cedar County. He is now a resident
of Greene County, making his home in Patou
Township. Norman F. Russell, the subject
of this sketch, came to Iowa with his parents
in the year 1855. He was reared to the
avocation of a farmer, which he has always
followed, with the exception of three years
spent in the late war, and his education was
obtained in the common schools of his neigh-
borhood. He was a member of Company I,
Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and was in the
battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Lookout
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw
Mountain, Marietta, Georgia, Atlanta, Jones-
boro, Lovejoy Station, Goldsboro, and others
of minor importance. He was wounded
three times at Ringgold, all shots taking
effect the same instant. In that conflict, out of
thirteen of his company, three were killed and
six wounded. May 18, 1867, he was united
in marriage to Miss Lucy Pike, a daughter
of Abram Pike, and to this union have been
born three children — Nellie F., Nelson L.
and Clarence R. Clarence R. Grubbs, a son
of Mrs. Russell's deceased sister, is also being
reared by them. Mr. Russell came to Greene
County, Iowa, in 1876 and lived in Paton
Township until the spring of 1885, when he
settled on his present farm in Junction
Township. He has held the offices of road
supervisor, township trustee and school direc-
tor, since being a resident of Greene County.
Mr. Russell is a member of the Baptist
church, being baptized in Coon River, joining
Calamus Creek Church, in Carroll County.
"""" "A) « St < l U-3jfrl»-»o—
fAMES A. HENDERSON, clerk of the
courts of Greene County, was elected to
his present office in the fall of 1884, and
was re-elected in the fall of 1886, suc-
ceeding his father, who had served three
terms or six years. Mr. Henderson was born
in Johnson County, Iowa, near Iowa City, in
1862. In early life he attended the common
schools, and for a time was a student at the
academy in Jefferson. He was reared on his
father's farm, and during the latter's admin-
istration of the office of clerk of the courts,
he was employed as clerk, thus becoming
*.J«w-i.,.
! i» ""V « ' r ^B»B"a»g»i i l l S»^Hi
M
»«■-■■■»»»■
Msfo&'f oP atttititrfi cotrfrfY.
~~7j
well qualified to succeed his father in office.
He came to this county with his father in
February, 1873. Politically he is a Repub-
lican. Mrs. Henderson was formerly Eliza
J. Fetzer, a native of Indiana.
fOSEPH CHURDAN, Sk., is one of the
oldest and most prominent pioneers of
Highland Township, coming here when
there were only two log buildings in the
township, the date of his arrival being May
24, 1868. He is an Englishman by birth,
born in Cumberland County, April 25, 1824.
His parents, John and Ann Churdan, were
both born in England, and lived in their
native country till their death, the mother
dying eighteen years ago. Joseph Churdan,
the subject of this sketch, was reared to the
avocation of a farmer, remaining in his
native country till twenty-six years of age.
He left England March 20, 1850, landing at
New York May 20, and first located in Sara-
toga, New York, where he was engaged as
overseer of a railroad tunnel being erected at
the head of Lake Champlain, and also of the
laying of the Troy & Plattsburg Railroad,
the work being completed in eighteen
months. He then went to Canada, but in
February, 1852, returned to the United
States, settling in Indiana, when he again
entered the railroad employ. He started for
Iowa in November, 1852, his route being
from Madison, Indiana, down the Ohio River
to Cairo, Illinois, thence up the Mississippi
River to Muscatine, Iowa. No railroad being
in the State at that time, he proceeded by
teams to Cedar Rapids. He settled in Linn
County, and for sixteen years followed farm-
ing in that county. In the spring of 1868
he sold his farm in Linn County, and bought
eighty acres of his present farm in Highland
Township, Greene County, and to his original
purchase he has added from time to time till
he now has 170 acres of fine land, well
stocked. Mr. Churdan was united in mar-
riage February 13, 1851, to Miss Eliza Ken-
nedy, who was born in England, her parents
living in their native country (England) till
their death. Of the seven children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Churdan, six are living-
Joseph, Jr., born December 26, 1852; Anna
Fouts, living in Cedar Township, Greene
County, was born in Canada, November 6,
1851; John, born April 25, 1857; Jennie
Eliza "Wilson, born March 16, 1854; Rosa
Ellen Robinson, born January 16, 1866, and
Alfred Addison, born July 11, 1870. Robert
Amos died June 16, 1856. Mr. Churdan
takes an active interest in the growth and
advancement of the village which was named
Churdan in honor of him. He has held the
office of school treasurer for several years,
serving with credit to himself and to the en-
tire satisfaction of his constituents. In poli-
tics he has affiliated with the Republican
party since its organization. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Churdan are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, having united with that
religious denomination in 1860.
» Si
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
297
he now resides. At the age of twenty-one
yearshe wentin company with G. B. Burk and
several others to Pike's Peak, starting across
the plains in 1860. They remained about
two weeks at Council Bluffs, Iowa, waiting
for more company before going farther, then
reached their destination about six weeks
later, crossing the plains with cattle. Mr.
Franklin then engaged in mining with Mr.
Burk, remaining there but a short time, when
he returned to Greene County, Iowa. In 1862
he enlisted in defense of his country, and was
assigned to Company E, Thirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry. He was present at the battle of
Cross-Boads, and was engaged in several
skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at the
battle of Allatoona, Georgia, where he was
confined about six months, when he escaped.
The prisoners at that time were being moved
from one place to another when he made his
escape by jumping from the train, but in
doing so was wounded. He then returned to
the Union lines, traveling by night for six-
teen nights, and during the day-time hid in
swamps andforfour days was withoutanything
to eat. He also passed on this perilous jour-
ney several rebel pickets. He finally reached
the Uuion lines near Newburn, North Caro-
lina, and was mustered out of the service at
Washington, but not being present he re-
ceived his papers at Clinton, Iowa, in June,
1865. He then returned to Greene County
where he began farming on his own land, and
by hard work and good management he has
now a fine farm containing 185 acres under a
good state of cultivation. Mr. Franklin was
united in marriage to Miss Consignee T.
Boberts, who was born in Kentucky, Febru-
ary 20, 1852, her parents, George and Nancy
Boberts, being natives of Tennessee. Mr.
and Mrs. Franklin are the parents of three
children — Lillie E., George W. and Halsie A.
Although not an office seeker, Mr. Franklin
24
was elected a trustee of Franklin Township,
which position he fills at present to the en-
tire satisfaction of his constituents. He is
a member of the Odd Fellows order, belong-
ing to Lodge No. 466. Both he and his wife
are members of the Baptist church. Mrs.
Franklin was the fourth in a family of
twelve children. Her parents are both living
and are residents of Jefferson, Iowa.
I 'l l ■*•$*> Si lg * jgl ' N «ol
gfHOMAS J. AEMSTEONG, general
| merchant, and postmaster at Surry,
^' was born in Montgomery County, In-
diana, July 25, 1838. His father, Henry
Armstrong, was a native of Kentucky, and
settled in Indiana in 1832, surrounded with
woods and wild animals. He cleared ground
for a log cabin, in which our subject lived
until 1856. He removed to Blue Earth
County, Minnesota, in 1878, and to Greene
County, Iowa, the year following. He con-
ducted the Armstrong bank one winter. In
the summer of 1880 he removed to Gowrie
and established a coal yard, which he con-
ducted until March, 1883, then came to
Surry and built a store building, and put in
a stock of general merchandise. He carries
a capital stock of $1,000, and does an annual
business of $6,000. He was married No-
vember 22, 1866, to Sarah Cole, daughter of
Joshua Cole, deceased, a native of Virginia.
Mrs. Armstrong was also born in Virginia.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong had one child, who
was burned to death by his clothes takino- fire
from a grate, when in his fourth year. Mr.
Armstrong was a soldier in the late war,
being a member of Company G, Eleventh
Indiana Infantry, enlisting for three months
at the first call for troops. In 1863 he
enlisted for three months in Company E,
Seventy-eighth Indiana Infantry. He is a
I'
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.■■■■■■T,W»W^W M H M « M W M « _« M « M W _a M W_ a M w.»,M, M , 'M B -M S ^ = w S n g M S »n
298
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, of
the Knights of Labor, and of the Christian
church. He was appointed postmaster in
May, 1884. In politics he is a Greenbacker.
Mrs. Armstrong is also a member of the
Christian church.
AMES ZELLER, farmer, section 36,
Greenbrier Township, is one of the pio-
^ neers of Greene County, and was born
in Montgomery County, New York, Decem-
ber 23, 1822. His father, Nicholas Zeller,
was a native of Oppenheim, Montgomery
County, New York, and his mother, Cathe-
rine (Reed) Zeller, was a native of Albany
County, same State. They were the parents
of ten children — Eliza, James, William,
Nancy, George H., Alexander, Joel, Harri-
son, and two that died in infancy. James
resided in Montgomery County until thir-
teen years of age, when his father removed to
St. Lawrence County, where he was reared
on a farm, and received his education in the
common schools. He was united in marriage
March 6, 1845, to Miss Sally Ann Dillinbeck,
a native of Montgomery County, New York,
and daughter of Jonas and Eva (Wallrod)
Dillenbeck. In 1854 Mr. Zeller, with his
wife and four children, removed to Wiscon-
sin, and located in the town of Lynn, Wal-
worth County, where he resided until 1869,
when he came to Greene County and settled
upon his present farm, in Greenbrier Town-
ship, which was then wild and uncultivated.
There were then only five families in the
township. He has resided here ever since,
and now has one of the best improved farms
in the township. He has a good two-story
residence, built in modern style, and well
furnished, surrounded with shade trees. He
has also a good, commodious barn, and build-
ings for stock and grain, and a modern wind-
mill, furnishing power for a supply of pure
water for his stock and for the farm. He is
principally engaged in stock-raising and feed-
ing. His farm contains 320 acres of some of
the best land in Greene County; his sons own
the remainder of the section. Mr. and Mrs.
Zeller have had seven children, three of whom
are living — Oscar, Lafayette and Homer A.
The deceased are — Nancy A., who died at
the age of twenty-three years; Mary O, who
died at the age of three years; James Henry,
who died at thirteen months, and John A.,
who died at the age of fifteen months. Mr.
Zeller is a Republican in politics, and has
served in most of the township offices, and as
county supervisor. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and by fair and
honorable dealings, has secured the confi-
dence of all who know him.
WASHINGTON GOODRICH, an en-
}iyMv|! terprising farmer of Scranton Town-
~ep^3 ship, residing on section 6, was born
in Allegany County, New York, April 16,
1838, a son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Reury)
Goodrich. In 1840 he was taken by his
parents to Montgomery County, New York,
his mother dying in that county. His father
made his home in Montgomery County until
1866. He subsequently removed to Barry
County, Michigan, where he died. Six of
his children are living — Mrs. Manzer, in
Barry County, Michigan ; Lewis A., in White
County, Indiana; James W., in Republic
County, Kansas; Washington and Calvin,
living in Scranton Township, Greene County;
Mrs. Emma Fuller, residing at Atlantic, Cass
County, Iowa. In 1855 Washington Good-
rich, the subject of this sketch, left his
father's home in Montgomery County for
Kendall County, Illinois, and from that time
has acted for himself. November 10, 1861,
he enlisted in the war of the Kebellion, and
was assigned to Company H, Thirteenth Illi-
nois Cavalry, being engaged principally in
guarding lines of commissary trains, and
keeping the country clear of bushwhackers
in the States of Missouri and Arkansas. He
served until August 18, 1865, when he re-
ceived his discharge. June 14, 1864, while
home on a furlough, he was married in Ken-
dall County, Illinois, to Miss Sarah Hedges,
who was born in Orange, Vermont, June 29,
1843. Her parents, Erastus and Sarah M.
(Noble) Hedges, died at Flano, Illinois. Mr.
and Mrs. Goodrich are the parents of two
children — Francis, born October 25, 1873,
and Nellie, born December 29, 1881. Mr.
Goodrich came with his family to Greene
County, Iowa, and settled on his present
farm in Scran ton Township in 1876, he hav-
ing purchased his land here in 1874. He
now has a fine well cultivated farm of 160
acres which he has improved from the raw
prairie, erecting a good residence and farm
buildings. Mr. Goodrich is a comrade of N.
H. Powers Post, No. Ill, G. A. R, of Scran-
ton, Iowa. In politics he affiliates with the
Eepublican party, casting his first presiden-
tial vote for Abraham Lincoln, and his last
for James G. Blaine.
■■■- »|j » ! ' 't ' ^j'
fACOB HEATEK, an old and honored
pioneer of Greene County, Iowa, who is
now deceased, was born in Pickaway
County, Ohio, June 11, 1809, his father,
Jacob Heater, being a native of the same
county. He received but limited educational
advantages, attending the log cabin subscrip-
tion schools of that early day. When he
was quite young his father died, and he was
obliged to assist in the maintenance of his
widowed mother and family until her death.
He located in Vermillion County, Illinois,
in 1824, among Indians and wild animals,
where he experienced many of the hardships
and privations incident to pioneer life. He
was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, serving
eleven months, and helped Black Hawk
across the Mississippi Kiver at Prairie Du
Chien. For his services in this war he re-
ceived a grant for forty acres of land, this
being the first land owned by him. He was
twice married, taking for his first wife Miss
Catherine Ganoe, and of the ten children
born to this union five are living — Mary J.,
Elizabeth, Martha, Jacob and William. Mrs.
Heater died in September, 1852, and April
20, 1853, Mr. Heater married Sarah A. Mc-
Elroy, who was born in Lewis County, Ken-
tucky, March 20, 1819, a daughter of David
and Mary McElroy. They have four children
— Mahala C, George W., Hettie A. and
Eliza. Mrs. Heater was taken by her parents
to Adams County, Ohio, when one year old,
where she lived till 1847. She then lived in
Champaign County, Illinois, until coming to
Greene County with Mr. Heater in 1855.
Her first husband was a native of Kentucky,
born in Harrison County, April 20, 1819, and
died in Illinois. They had one daughter,
Mary C, who died at the age of twenty-six
years. She was the wife of Samuel Young,
and to them were born four children, only
two now living, named Rosa M. and George
M. Mr. Heater came with his family to
Greene County, Iowa, in October, 1855, set-
tling on section 17 of Washington Township,
the farm being still occupied by his widow.
He was very successful in all his undertak-
ings, and rapidly accumulated property, own-
ing at one time 1,400 acres of land, and at
the time of his death was worth over $40,-
000. He died of smallpox after a few days
L
J
300
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
illness, his death taking place June 18, 1864.
He was an earnest Christian, and was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
for forty years. He was a good friend to the
poor, and gave liberally of his means toward
the support of charitable institutions, and
was a man respected and esteemed by all who
knew him.
i-JmS-i
fOHN B. JOHN, a successful agricult-
urist of Washington Township, Greene
County, residing on section 5, is a native
of West Yirginia, born in Tyler County,
November 24, 1839. He is a son of David
John, who lives in Davis County, Missouri.
He was born January 13, 1803, in Greene
County, Pennsylvania, a son of James John,
who is now deceased. John B. John, the
subject of this sketch, received his education
in the rude log cabin subscription schools,
which were built in the most primitive style.
He came with his parents to Greene County,
Iowa, in the fall of 1856, where he has since
made his home. He enlisted in the late war
in Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry, in Au-
gust, 1861, serving until December 10, 1862,
when he was discharged on account of disa-
bility. He was married October 9, 1864, to
Mrs. Asenath Brown, a daughter of Isaac
Crumley, of Greene County, Iowa, and to
this union have been born three children —
Isaac (deceased), Eva Alma and William B.
By her marriage with Isaac H. Brown, Mrs.
John had four children, of whom only one is
living, a daughter named Hannah A. Mr.
Brown was a native of East Tennessee, born
November 10, 1828. He was a Second Lieu-
tenant of Company H, Tenth Iowa Infantry,
during the war of the Rebellion, and was
killed at tbe battle of Champion Hills. Mr.
John has made farming the principal avoca-
tion of his life, and by his persevering in
dustry and good management he has met
with excellent success, being now the owner
of 194 acres of valuable land where he re-
sides. Both Mr. and Mrs. John, and their
daughters, Hannah and Alma, are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
> ? i i t ■
|[EOEGE HANKS, one of the first set-
tlers of Scran ton Township, has lived
on section 15 since the autumn of 1870,
his homestead at that time being in a state
of nature. Mr. Hanks is a native of Eng-
land, born in Yorkshire October 18, 1831, a
son of George and Jane Hanks, both of whom
died in their native country. He was reared
in the city of York, and when eighteen years
of age entered the English army, and served
three years a member of the Twentieth In-
fantry, his service being on the Isle of Wight,
Bermuda and Canada. After leaving the
service of the Queen he lived at Ogdensburg,
St. Lawrence County, New York, and at
Gouverneur until 1859, and then went to
Bennington County, Yermont, where he lived
until the autumn of 1863, when he came
West as far as Ogle County, Illinois, where
he followed agricultural pursuits until 1870,
and then came to Iowa and settled on the
farm where he now lives. Mr. Hanks was
married at Montreal, Canada, July 20, 1852,
to Miss Catharine Kane, a native of County
Cavan, Ireland, daughter of Patrick and
Honore (McManus) Kane. Her father died
in Durham, Canada, in 1857, and her mother
now lives in Scranton Township with her son
Charles Kane. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanks
have been born ten children, of whom but
six are living — the eldest died in infancy;
George H. is a resident of Antelope County,
Nebraska; John L. lives in Dodge County,
:
HffJB— — ■——l liiBullB Ba— ■■■■■■^■■■■■■■■■■■BiHH
.W„IB„»7 i
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
301
Nebraska; William E. died in 1873, aged
sixteen years and four months; Francis D.
lives in Seranton City; Sarah J. is the wife
of William O. Maley; Susan died in Illinois,
aged six years and four months; Martha
died in Illinois, aged eighteen months ;
Martha E. and Elizabeth are at home. In
politics Mr. Hanks is identified with the
Labor Reform Greenback party. He is one
of the representative men of his township,
and an upright, influential citizen.
?ALA A. CHURCH, the present attor-
ney of Greene County, has been a mem-
ber of the bar of this county since May
14, 1878. In his earliest practice at Jeffer-
son he formed a partnership with Harvey
Potter, Esq., which continued about eighteen
months. He was then associated with A. M.
Head, the firm name being Head & Church.
This partnership lasted until July, 1881,
since which time Mr. Church has been alone
in practice. He served as justice of the
peace from 1880 until 1885, and in 1884 was
elected Mayor of Jefferson. After serving
one year he was elected county attorney.
Mr. Church was born in the town of Dayton,
Green County, Wisconsin, May 28, 1852.
He received his literary education at Evans-
ville, Wisconsin, and in the collegiate depart-
ment of the Wisconsin State University, and
graduated in the law department of the Wis-
consin State University at Madison, June 20,
1876. After graduation he was engaged for
two years in teaching. He was married at
Jefferson, May 4, 1881, to Miss May McCully,
daughter of D. B. McCully, deceased. They
have one child, a daughter — Iza L. Politi-
cally Mr. Church is a Republican. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, being
a member both of the subordinate lodge and
the encampment. Also of the Masonic fra-
ternity, being a member of Blue Lodge, chap-
ter and commandery, and is high priest of the
chapter at present writing.
ibi i i i iS * \\ l £* y» «°»
ILLIAM STEVENS, residing on sec-
tion 35, Jackson Township, has been
identified with Greene County since
1869, coming from Boone County, where he
spent his first winter in Iowa. He was born
in Oswego County, New York, in the town
of Oswego, February 12, 1823, son of Joel
and Margaret (Tannery) Stevens, natives of
Orange County, New York, both of whom
died in Oswego County. William was reared
to a farm life, and early inured to hard labor.
He remained with his parents until he reached
manhood, then learned the cooper's trade,
which he followed about ten years in his
native county. In January, 1844, he wedded
Miss Mary E. Carnrite, who was born January
7, 1823, daughter of Peter and Annie E.
Carnrite, of Herkimer County. Her parents
removed to Oswego County when she was a
child. They lived to an advanced age, each
at death being seventy-eight years old. Mr.
and Mrs. Stevens removed to New Chester,
Adams County, Wiscousin, in 1857; thence
to Columbia County, where they lived two
years; thence to Iowa, as before stated. Mr.
Stevens owns a fine farm of 200 acres, all on
section 35. They have seven children living.
— Letta A. M., wife of George Gymer;
Lillie O., wife of John E. Dodge; Mariette
A., wife of Jay Barker; Williard S.; Cora
A., wife of Miner Steele; William H. and
Carrie E. Laura A., wife of Hugh D. Mc-
Geary, died August 23, 1886, aged thirty
years. She left four children — Agnes A.,
Mary Pearl, Laura Bertha and Carrie Eliza-
beth. Effie M. died June 2, 1874, at the age
***«%*. *%.? m* ^u ' S «
fONATHAN ROBINSON, postoffice
Cooper, engaged in farming on section
11, Franklin Township, was born in
Cayuga County, New York, September 3,
1842, a son of Ezekiel and Catherine Robin-
son. They were the parents of twelve chil-
dren, our subject being the youngest child.
They subsequently removed with their family
to Carroll County, Illinois, where their mother
still lives. Their father died in 1883. Jona-
than Robinson grew to manhood in Carroll
County, being reared on a farm, and edu-
cated in the common schools. He enlisted
in defense of his country April 22, 1861, and
was mustered in May 24 among the first
Illinois troops, and was assigned to Company
K, Fifteenth Infantry. He participated in
the battles at Pittsburgh Landing, siege pi
Corinth and siege of Vicksburg, and June
17, 1864, was honorably discharged at Spring-
field, Illinois, when he returned to Carroll
County. March 6, 1865, he re-enlisted for
one year in Company G, Fourth United States
Army Corps, and at the expiration of his
term of service was again honorably dis-
charged at Columbus, Ohio. He was married
December 14, 1865, to Miss Uranee "Wight,
a native of the State of New York, a daugh-
ter of Stephen Wight. Mrs. Robinson died
November 9, 1875, leaving three children —
Ellsworth, Delia May, and Frank. July 4,
1876, Mr. Robinson was again married, to
Miss Harriet S. Lawton, a daughter of Philip
and Janet (Gait) Lawton. To this union have
been born two children — Orrie and Arthur.
Mr. Robinson resided in Carroll County,
Illinois, until 1869, when he removed with
his family to Greene County, Iowa, and set-
tled in Washington Township where he re-
sided for twelve years, and opened up a farm
of eighty acres on section 30. In 1881 he
purchased his present farm which contains
eighty acres of well improved land under a
fine state of cultivation, a good residence and
farm buildings. Mr. Robinson is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic, belong-
ing to George H. Thomas Post, No. 23, at
Jefferson. In politics he is an ardent Re-
publican.
SREEDOM P. COOPER, proprietor of
the livery and feed stable at Rippey,
& Greene County, was born in Niagara,
Canada, the date of his birth being June 14,
1847, his father, Freedom Cooper, being now
a resident of Ogden, Iowa. In 1853 our sub-
ject was brought by his parents to Clarke
County, Missouri, and in September, 1859,
to Boone County, Iowa, where the father has
since made his home. Freedom P. Cooper
was reared to the avocation which he has fol-
lowed the greater part of his life, and in his
youth he attended the schools of his neigh-
borhood, where, he obtained a fair common
school education. He was united in mar-
riage January 8, 1875, to Miss Margaret
Ramsey, a daughter of John Ramsey, of
Boone County, Iowa. Four children have
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
305
been born to this union of whom only two
are living — Charles and Martha. Mr. Cooper
followed farming until 1884. In March,
1886, he came to Rippey, when he opened
his present stable, and by his gentlemanly
and accommodating manners, and strict at-
tention to the wants of his customers he has
succeeded in building up a good business
which is steadily increasing.
fOSEPH COCHRAN", one of the pioneers
of Greene County, resides on section 4,
Kendrick Township, P. O., Scranton.
He was born in Ross County, Ohio, October
20, 1823, son of Hugh and Jane (Myers)
Cochran, who where the parents of nine chil-
dren, our subject being the sixth child. He
resided in his native county until 1863,
where he was reared a farmer, and received
his education in the common schools, which
were held in log school-houses. March 5,
1846, he was united in marriage with Miss
Margaret Camelin, who was also a native of
Ross County, Ohio. In 1863 Mr. Cochran,
with his family, came to Greene County and
settled upon his present farm, which was
then in its primitive state. He built a log
house, 16x18 feet, which answered for kitch-
en, sleeping-room and parlor, and all visitors
to this hospitable mansion were sure of a
warm reception. Mr. Cochran owns 156
acres of excellent land, has a good house, and
his farm buildings are commodious and com-
fortable. Politically he is a Democrat, and
is a worthy and consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs.
Cochran have had seven children, four of
whom are living — Elizabeth Jane Stephen-
son, who resides in Cedar Township; Hugh
Allen, who resides in Ohurdan engaged in the
hardware business; Lafayette, a farmer re-
siding in Cedar Township; Charles, born
January 25, 1864, lives at home and assists
in the management and care of the farm.
Rhoda Ann Powers died in May, 1877, and
two died in infancy.
* o *-" i | a? i> 3* ' £ * ?)/* * "
HARLES A. ENGLISH, one of the
prominent farmers and stock-raisers of
Highland Township, residing on section
3, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania,
August 1, 1836, a son of Robert and Esther
(Henry) English. He grew to manhood in
his native State, being reared to the avocation
of a farmer. At the age of twenty years' he
immigrated to Scott County, Iowa, where he
commenced farming for himself, remaining
there till the fall of 1859, when he removed
to Clinton County, Iowa. He was married
in De "Witt, Clinton County, Iowa, August
27, 1863, to Mary A. Williams, who was
born at St. Charles, Missouri, May 1, 1841,
a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams,
who were also natives of the State of Mis-
souri. They are the parents of seven chil-
dren — Edward N., born December 14, 1864;
Lulu T., October 7, 1866; Sarah G., October
1, 1869; Thomas M., August 12, 1872;
Bruce H., May 11, 1875; Clyde A., Septem-
ber 8, 1877, and Elizabeth, March 3, 1880.
Mr. English came to Greene County, Iowa,
with his family in the spring of 1881, and
has since made his home on section 3, High-
land Township. When he first came to the
township, the creek which flows in front of
his house was so high that he had to float the
lumber over for his buildings. In connection
with his general farming, Mr. English devotes
considerable attention to stock-raising, his
land being well adapted for that purpose.
He is a thorough, practical farmer, and in his
agricultural pursuits has met with excellent
306
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
success, his farm containing 160 acres of
valuable land, well stocked. Both Mr. and
Mrs. English are active members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr.
English is a staunch Republican.
iEOEGE F. HANSON, deceased, was
born in the State of Maine, February 8,
1826, a son of Silas' and Hulda Hanson,
who were among Iowa's pioneers, making
their home in Muscatine County as early as
1839. His father died in that county the
same year, his mother surviving her husband
for twenty-two years, her death taking place
in 1861. George F. Hanson, the subject of
this sketch, was married in Jones County,
Iowa, November 23, 1848, to Miss Hannah
Sherman, a native of Chautauqua County,
New York, born February 14, 1830, a daugh-
ter of Joshua and Mary Ann Sherman. Her
parents were pioneers of Jones County, set-
tling there in 1843, where they died many
years ago on their old homestead. After
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hanson made
their home on a farm in Muscatine County,
and there their six children were born —
Silas, living at home with his mother; Hul-
dah, wife of R. S. Ervin, an attorney at law,
residing at Fort Dodge; Avis, teaching school
at Fort Dodge ; Ella, teaching school at Paton,
Greene County, and Sherman and Paul, living
at home. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, in
order to give their children the opportunity
of attending the State University, removed
to Iowa City, where they remained two years,
removing thence to Scranton City, Greene
County,where Mr. Hanson was engaged in gen-
eral mercantile pursuits until 1880. In that
year he sold his stock of goods and removed to
section 12, Scranton Township, intending to
arive his entire attention to his farm. He
improved his laud from the naked prairie,
and left at his death a fine estate consisting
of 720 acres. He died February 1, 1884,
and though left in comfortable circumstances,
his family met with an irretrievable loss. He
was an active, progressive business man, and
gained the confidence and respect of all who
knew him, his death causing universal regret.
He always took a deep interest in public
affairs, and was active in promoting the in-
terests of his county, township, or neighbor-
hood. In politics he was formerly a Whig,
but was a Republican from the organization
of that party.
I °*~'" 4 (ir" 3* ' S '"-S*"--*"
R. BENJAMIN F. WEST, postmaster
and druggist at Angus, was born in
Crawfordsville, Indiana, April 22, 1858,
son of Thomas J. West, a native of the same
place. The grandfather, Jeremiah West,
came from Ohio to Crawfordsville in an early
day, settling among the Indians and wild ani-
mals. He lived in a log cabin. Our subject
was reared on a farm near his native town,
and educated at Wabash College, Crawfords-
ville, graduating at Miami Medical College,
Cincinnati, March 1, 1881. He then re-
turned to his native place and practiced his
profession until January, 1882, then came to
Angus, where he has since lived. In August,
1886, he was made postmaster, and confined
his practice to office practice. He also be-
came a partner with Daniel J. Morris in the
drug store. The , postoffice is kept in the
same place. He was married September 12,
1881, to Mary Graham, daughter of Nathan
Graham, now deceased. They have had two
children, only one living — Harold. Wilson
W. died from the effects of a burn received
by his clothes taking fire from the stove. Dr.
West built up a large and lucrative practice.
»-»ftjWfe J «^..*-%._*-*_W^ '■
• I" 1 *! **>** ^* »-" »«*. "-*Ljfr %-«»-*»-• ■
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
1
307
I
r ■
I
L
He is a member of the Odd Fellows society
and encampment, the Knights of Honor,
Good Templars, and of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He has been a member of the
town council and of the school board.
|EORGE B. McCULLY.— The mercan-
tile firm of McCully & Co., at Jefferson,
is composed of George B. and Elizabeth
McCully. The business was established by
G. and D. B. McCully in 1874. This part-
nership continued about four years, when the
latter became sole proprietor. In 1882 the
partnership of D. B. McCully & Son was
formed. The former died October 4, 1884,
since which time the business has been con-
ducted by the present firm. They are
located on the east side of the square, their
building being a fine frame structure 132 x
22 feet. It was erected by D. B. McCully in
1884. Daniel B. McCully, one of the found-
ers of this enterprise, was a native of Ohio,
where he was born in 1832. He was reared
in his native State, and came to Scott County,
Iowa, when a young man, where he married
Elizabeth Smith, also a native of Ohio. He
was reared on a farm, but for several years
after his marriage followed the mercantile
business in Wheatland, Clinton County,
where he continued until he came here in
1874. He was a successful business man,
and built up a fine trade. His wife and son
succeeded him at his death. Politically he
was a Eepublican, but took very little inter-
est in political matters. He was a member
of the board of supervisors of this county for
four years. Previous to coming here, he had
for many years been identified with the Chris-
tian church. There being no religious or-
ganization of that church here, he united
with the Baptist church at Jefferson, of which
he remained a consistent and faithful member
until death. He left a wife and four chil-
dren — Mrs. Harriet E. Warner, a resident of
Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory; Mrs. Mary
Church, of Jefferson; George B. and Willie
S. George B., the oldest son, was born in
Scott County, this State, in 1859. He was
educated at Jefferson Academy, and when
eighteen years old was engaged as clerk in
his father's store. He married Miss Ida V.
Hozad, who was born at Newton, Jasper
County. They have one child, Daniel C.
Willie S. McCully, the younger son, was born
in Scott County, in September, 1866.
i-jMf-i
§1. RITCHIE, farmer and stock-raiser,
section 35, Cedar Township, has a good
Q farm of 250 acres, and is one of Cedar
Township's representative citizens. His
parents, George and Margaret Ritchie, were
natives of Maryland, and settled in Ohio in
an early day, and in that State he was born
September 22, 1824. He learned the car-
penter's trade in his youth, at which he
worked in Ohio and Indiana. He was mar-
ried in the latter State April 14, 1853, to
Miss Margaret Ann Stephenson, a native of
Indiana, born August 4, 1833, daughter of
James and Mary Stephenson, natives of Ohio,
but early settlers of Indiana, where they were
married. In 1856 Mr. Ritchie moved to
Greene County, Iowa, and settled on the
farm where he now lives. His first purchase
was eighty acres of raw prairie land, and has
improved it until he now has it under culti-
vation, and has added to it from time to
time as he was able. During a residence of
thirty years Mr. Ritchie has witnessed all
the changes that have taken place in trans-
forming Greene County from a barren prairie
to a fine farming community interspersed
308
HISTORY OF QBE EN E COUNTY.
with thriving villages. He came West with
but little capital, but his undaunted pluck
and energy have resulted successfully. Mr.
and Mrs. Eitchie have had eight children —
Mary E., born April 6, 1854; "William, born
March 27, 1856; Margaret E., - born April 16,
1858; Adeliza, born October 29, 1860; Eo-
setta and Eosanna, born June 27, 1863;
Eosetta died July 24, 1874; Ever A., born.
August 5, 1868, died July 25, 1873; E.
Pearl, born November 19, 1877. In politics
Mr. Eitchie is a Eepublican.
■ % t > i a
|YDNEY J. COUNCILMAN, one of
the prominent farmers of Grant Town-
ship, resides on section 34, his farm of
320 acres lying on sections 34 and 33.
He paid $11 per acre for this farm,
which was wholly unimproved, but is now in
a good state of cultivation. He was born in
Broome County, New York, July 18, 1838.
His father, Frederick Councilman, removed
from the State of New York to Cook County,
Illinois, thence to Clinton County, Iowa, in
1853, where he died in 1884. Sydney J.
lived near De "Witt, Clinton County, until he
came to Greene County in 1878. He mar-
ried Miss Angeline Winchell, of Cascade,
Dubuque County, and they have six children,
one son and five daughters. Mr. Council-
man has one of the most desirable farms in
the township. He has given much attention
to fruit-raising, and has a fine orchard which
he set out in 1879. Of the 300 trees which
he set out at that time only twenty have
died. The orchard now contains about 600
trees. He raises apples and very fine small
fruits, including strawberries of an excellent
quality. He has a taste for horticulture, and
has given considerable attention to that sub-
ject. In early life he received a good educa-
tion, and taught eight terms of winter school
in Clinton County.
'■» "a , » S i » £ ' %' » »•
|EOEGE "W. MUNN, section 21, .Jack-
jif son Township, settled on his farm June
r- 1, 1873, it being at that time wild
prairie land, and but two families were living
in sight of his residence. The developments
of Greene County in the past thirteen years
has nowhere been more noticeable than in
his portion of Jackson Township. Mr.
Munn's farm contains" 160 acres of choice
land, all available and productive, and shows
the care of a thrifty owner. Mr. Munn was
born in Oneida County, New York, June 1,
1849, a son of George and Jane (Gibbs)
Munn. "When he was about a year old his
parents moved to Boone County, Illinois, and
there he was reared. His father died No-
vember 17, 1860, leaving his widow with a
family of nine children, five sons and four
daughters. Albert E., the eldest, is now a
resident of Boone, Iowa, as is also a daughter,
Mrs. Jane Olmsted; Mrs. Sarah Lemmon
lives in O'Brien County, Iowa; the fourth
child was George W. ; Gardner lives near
the old homestead in Illinois; Mrs. Martha
Hall lives in the Black Hills district of
Dakota; James lives with his mother on the
old homestead; Mrs. Euth Silvins lives in
De Kalb County, Illinois; Eufus, twin
brother of Euth, died, aged three years.
George "W. M unn has always followed agri-
cultural pursuits, commencing as a boy on
his father's farm. H e was married October
13, 1870, to Miss Maria S. Chamberlin, a
native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, born
October 13,-1847, a daughter of Griffin and
Maria (Sheldon) Chamberlin. Her mother
died in Massachusetts, and in 1853 her father
moved to Boone County, Illinois, and died
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
309
in New York December 12, 1871. Mr. and
Mrs. Munn have one daughter — Lnella, born
April 10, 1877. In politics Mr. Munn is a
Republican.
"►- "f * 3"S , |" ~*°'
WILLIAM A. McALLISTEE resides
on section 29, Grant Township, where
he owns 140 acres of land. He was
born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1845. In
the spring of 1864 his father, James H.
McAllister, emigrated with his family to
Iowa, settling in Iowa County. In the fall
of 1870 the parents went to Storm Lake,
expecting to make a home there, but the
country proved too new for them at their
age in life, and they decided to settle in
Greene County. The father accordingly
purchased a farm of eighty acres in Grant
Township, adjoining the farm now owned by
his son William. But little improvement
had been made. He erected a tine house
and barn and other buildings, and there died
July 20, 1885. His wife, Susanna McAllis-
ter, was killed by lightning September 2,
1875, during one of the most severe rain
storms ever known in this country. Mr. and
Mrs. McAllister were stationed just beneath
the chimney on the second floor of the house
endeavoring to catch in a tin vessel the water
which came down the chimney in large
quantities, threatening to flood the room.
The electric fiend struck the chimney, in-
stantly killing Mrs. McAllister. Her hus-
band was rendered senseless by the shock,
and was made deaf to quite an extent. A
very remarkable fact is that he remained deaf
until about two weeks before his death, when
his hearing returned, and he could hear as
distinctly as he ever did. Mr. and Mrs.
McAllister were natives of Greene County,
Ohio, the father of Scotch origin, and the
mother of Irish. They had four children,
two of whom died in infancy. The others
are — William A. and a younger sister, Mrs.
Edith Alice Scott, of Bristol Township.
William A. McAllister enlisted October 15,
1864, in Company G, Sixteenth Iowa, and
took part in the closing scenes of the war,
marching with General Sherman to the sea.
He was taken sick at Raleigh, North Caro-
lina, and transferred to Beaufort; thence to
Long Island, and was discharged in New
York City May 28, 1865. He was married
in Iowa County to Mary Ann Wagner, who
was born in- Ohio, and removed with her
parents to Iowa when but seven years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. McAllister have one child —
Alice, born in Iowa County in January, 1867.
Mr. McAllister is a Republican politically,
as was his father. He is quite largely en-
gaged in stock-raising, and he also makes a
specialty of Canadian-French horses.
i>3«-ij">
^WAN NELSON, general merchant at
Angus, was born in Christianstadt,
Sweden, October 29, 1861, son of John
Anderson, deceased. The customs of that
country are such that if the father was living
o
Mr. Nelson's name would be Johnson. His
mother married a Mr. Nelson, and he took
his stepfather's name. He went to Chicago
with his mother in 1868, where he lived until
1879, then came to Angus, which was then
in its embryo. He clerked for Blair &
Johnson, proprietors of the first store estab-
lished in Angus. He remained with them
until 1882, then clerked for Webster &
Lunt six months, after which he returned to
Chicago and engaged as department clerk in
the domestic department of Cleveland, Cum-
mings & Woodruff's wholesale dry goods
house, where he remained seven months,
a "«"»"ws£
.»■»„ »■■»'■
314
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
lived till 1866. April 30, 1840, he was mar-
ried to Miss Elizabeth Magoon, who was born
in Maine, February 1, 1817, the third in a
family of four children of Benjamin and
Charlotte (Batty) Magoon, who were also
natives of Maine. Three children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Ham — Edwin, Harrison and
Caroline. In 1866 Mr. Ham removed with
his family to McLean County, Illinois, set-
tling on a farm which he afterward sold, and
in 1876 went to Michigan, where he made his
home about seven years. In 1882 he came
to Greene County, Iowa, and settled in Frank-
lin Township, where he has since resided, and
ranks among the best citizens. In politics
he is a Republican. Postoffice, Jamaica, Iowa.
»~«§*>**§»~*~— -
JP^ARVY W. GRAHAM, one of the suc-
cessful farmers and business men of
Bristol Township, has been identified
with the interests of Greene County since
1871, during which year he came from Noble
County, Indiana. The four succeeding years
he resided in Cedar Township, where he
owned a farm on section 20. In January,
1876, he sold that property and bought an
interest in the Hawkeye Mills in Bristol
Township, with Edward Hobden and W. J.
Kinnett as partners, under the firm name of
"W. J. Kinnett & Co. About two years later
Mr. Graham and Mr. Kinnett purchased the
interest of Mr. Hobden, and continued the
business under the name of Kinnett & Gra-
ham until 1882, when Mr. Graham sold out
to Mr. Kinnett and purchased the fine farm
property of 160 acres he now owns and
occupies. He has added largely to the build-
ing improvements, and has one of the finest
farms in this part of the county. Mr. Gra-
ham was born in Athens County, Ohio,
December 19, 1840, son of "William and
Elizabeth (Camp) Graham. The father died
when Harvy W. was five years of age, leaving
a wife and a younger child, Ivy, now the wife
of "William "Walker, of Eaton County, Michi-
gan. For her second husband the mother
married Mr. Francis Porter, who died in
1881. The mother died in Noble County,
Indiana, in 1884. Mr. Graham removed to
Noble County with his mother and step-
father. He was married in Adams County,
Indiana, to Miss Isabel Van Buskirk, May
21, 1861. They remained in Noble County
until they came to this county. They have
five children, all of 'whom are under the
parental roof — Wilbert D., Annie, Lora B.,
Ella F. and Bertha E. Elizabeth O., the
third child, died, at the age of three years and
six months. In politics Mr. Graham is a
Republican, and he is also a member of
Jefferson Lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M.
«■&-•£«
fk>ENRY H. ADKINS, farmer, section 6,
Washington Township, was born in
^Sd Champaign County, Illinois, November
2, 1846. His father, Lewis Adkins, de-
ceased, was a native of Ohio, born in 1816,
and emigrated to Illinois in an early day.
His mother, Mary A. (Phillippee) Adkins, is
living with her son, and is aged seventy-two
years. The parents had ten children, four of
whom are living — Angeline, Henry, Nelson
and Fannie. They removed to Dallas County,
Iowa, in 1856, arid to this county in the fall
of 1857, settling where Henry now lives.
The country was very new and wild, and
abounded in deer, elk, wolves, etc. The
father died in December, 1882. Our subject
was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. The first school he attended
was taught by A. R. Mills, in a small plank
house. Mr. Adkins owns 120 acres of excel-
•SSmSmSm:
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
315
lent land, and is engaged in farming and
stock-raising. He was married July 18,
1869, to Mary E. Hoover, daughter of Sam-
uel and Sarah Hoover, pioneers of Washing-
ton Township, having settled there in 1855.
The father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ad-
kins have had six children, three of whom are
living — Charles W., Effie E. and Mabel M.
In politics Mr. Adkins is a Republican, and
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mrs. Hoover's father was born in
Ohio, March 10, 1823; her mother is a native
of Virginia.
►*-*•
||SAAC M. BARNES, living on section 10,
H Highland Township, is one of the active
*F farmers and stock-raisers of Greene Coun-
ty. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio,
June 25, 1841, a son of Nathan and Mary
Barnes, who were natives of Ohio and Penn-
sylvania respectively, both now deceased.
When he was ten years of age he was taken
by his parents to Clinton, Iowa, remaining
with them till about twenty years of age.
He then went to Illinois, and enlisted in the
defense of his country, in Company F,
Eighty-third Illinois Infantry. He went
with his regiment to Fort Donelson, where
he was wounded January 29, 1863, remaining
in hospital six weeks, when he received an
honorable discharge and was sent home. Mr.
Barnes, like many others, has never fully
recovered from the effects of his army experi-
ence. Besides the loss of a limb he con-
tracted heart disease, and now receives a
pension. His brother James was a member
of Company H, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry,
and was killed at the battle of Arkansas, and
buried at St. Louis. Another brother, Nathan
Barnes, enlisted in Company F, Eighty-third
Illinois Infantry, returning home with a
broken limb. After the war Isaac M. Barnes
settled in Clinton County, Iowa, where he
made his home till 1879. He was married
September 29, 1870, to Miss Laura Nowles,
who was born in Ohio, December 9, 1849,
her parents, G. R. and Emily Nowles, also
being natives of Ohio. They came to Iowa
in 1850, being pioneers of Scott County,
where Mrs. Barnes was reared. Pier parents
still reside in Scott County. Mr. and Mrs.
Barnes are the parents of seven children —
Mary Tacy, born August 7, 1871; Albert M.,
born September 2, 1872; Mabel, born Sep-
tember 2, 1875 ; Alice, born June 6, 1877 ;
Laura, born March 6, 1879; Icyda, born Jan-
uary 22, 1882, and Lester, born March 16,
1885. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, belonging to the post
at Scranton City, Iowa. In politics he is a
straight Republican. Postoftice Churdan,
Iowa.
K. OLDS, merchant, Angus, was born
in Morgan County, Indiana, September
12, 1854. His father, Jared Olds, of
Minburn, was a native of Connecticut, and
settled in Morgan County in 1832, removing
to Dallas County, this State, in 1872. He
was reared a farmer, and educated at Moores-
ville, Indiana. He was engaged in farming
two years, then embarked in the mercantile
business at Minburn. In March, 1886, he
disposed of his stock, and came to Angus the
following September, and purchased the Utter
stock of goods, to which he added a large
stock. He also has a store in the Standard
addition to Angus, and carries a capital stock
of $4,000, with annual sales amounting to
$40,000. He has an extensive trade, and is
well liked as a business man. He was mar-
ried September 12, 1877, to Minerva A.
■■■■■»B»H»t
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■■■■■.'■■■■■■■-"-■■■■''■■.^
316
HISTORY OF ORBENE COUNTY.
West, a daughter of Thomas J. West, a pio-
neer of Dallas County. They have three
children — Jennie B., Myrtle M. and Eva M.
He has never sought official positions. He
is a member of the Masonic order, and has
filled all the offices except worshipful master,
and would have held that office, but moved
away just on the eve of the election. He and
his wife are Methodists.
t-T*
yj^HARLES L. CLEVELAND, one of the
leading agriculturists of Jackson Town*-
ship, resides on section 18, his home-
stead containing 200 acres of choice prairie
land, all well improved, and his residence
and other buildings are all noticeably good.
He also owns forty acres of timber land on
section 32, Bristol Township. Mr. Cleveland
was born in Chautauqua County, New York,
February 23, 1842, the only child of Nathan
and Emeline (Raveline) Cleveland, his father
a native of New York, and his mother of
Vermont. His father died in 1844, and in
1845 his mother moved to Kane County,
Illinois, and was there married in 1847 to
Eben Foss. She lived in Kane County until
her death, which occurred in November, 1885,
aged sixty-seven years. Charles L. Cleveland
was reared on a farm in Kane County, living
there until after the breaking out of the war
of the .Rebellion. In August, 1862, he
enlisted in Company B, one Hundred and
Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and was
with his regiment at the engagements at Fort
Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills,
Black River and the siege of Vicksburg, and
at the storming of Fort Hill (at Vicksburg)
after it was blown up. Through this .cam-
paign he was under the gallant John A.
Logan. After the latter campaign they were
sent to the Gulf Department, and under the
gallant General A. J. Smith did meritorious
service in the relief of General Banks on his
retreat from the disastrous Red River expe-
dition. Later, under General Smith, the
regiment participated in the assault on Spanish
Fort, at Mobile, which was their last cam-
paign. Mr. Cleveland was discharged June
10, 1865, and returned to Kane County,
Illinois, and lived in Kane and De Kalb
counties until 1872, when he came to Iowa
and located in Greene County. As an agri-
culturist Mr. Cleveland is excelled by none
in the county. Understanding fully the
needs of the times, his methods are those
adapted to the progressive age. He com-
menced in Greene County on a small capital,
although he had enough to pay for the tract
of prairie which is now his fine farm. He
has prospered beyond his expectations. He
early turned his attention to stock-raising,
and has found in this industry the road to
independence. Mr. Cleveland was married
in Kane County, Illinois, January 2, 1866,
to Miss Wealthy A. Allen, a native of Ohio,
born October 25, 1841, a daughter of Levi
Allen. They have two sons — Fred and Frank,
aged respectively seventeen and thirteen years.
Three children, Alta,Nellie and Arthur, died
in, childhood. In politics Mr. Cleveland is
identified with the Democratic party. He is
a member of N. H. Powers Post, No. Ill,
G. A. R, and of Blackberry Lodge, No. 359,
A. F. &A. M.
h 3 n £ «
flLLIAM M. CROW, druggist, Grand
fm Junction, was born in Warren Coun-
tI ty, Indiana, February 20, 1844. His
father, John Crow, is a native of Dansville,
Kentucky, and now resides in Polk County,
this State. William M. was reared a farmer,
and was educated in the high school at Des
ifoWm m mmmmmMmmm m m V m U W mMm m ^mm WAM^VmmmtomB-mii&^mmmmimm^mBmmmmmmmM&'mMAmmWmW S
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
317
Moines, and also at Worthington and "War-
ner's Commercial College of the same city.
He came with his parents to Des Moines in
1850. In many respects he is a self-made
man, having taught school sixteen years. He
taught in Polk, Jasper, Dallas and Greene
counties; he also taught in Kansas. His
mother was formerly Medina Mace, a sister
of Hon. Daniel Mace, who represented the
La Fayette, Indiana, district from 1852 to
1856, and it was he who presented the name
of Andrew Johnson for Vice-President of the
United States. He was a celebrated lawyer,
and was the attorney of the famous criminal,
Bowles. Afterward, while talking with Presi-
dent Johnson, he was stricken with paralysis,
from which he never recovered. Mr. Crow
came to Grand Junction in 1878, and engaged
in his present business. He carries a capital
stock of $2,500, consisting of drugs, medi-
cines, paints, oils, books, stationery, school
books, notions, and everything usually kept
in a first-class drug store. He does an annual
business of $8,000. He was married Sep-
tember 1, 1874, to Mary E. Jenks, daughter
of William C. Jenks, deceased, and they have
three children — E. Ernest, Arthur M. and
Hazel. The latter was named for the heroine
of the beautiful drama, Hazel Kirk. Mr.
Crow is serving as president of the school
board. Mrs. Crow is a member of the Pres-
byterian church.
E. STEVENS settled on section
30, Grant Township, in 1885. He
l-cp#j » hag 357 acres f ja^d, and is largely
engaged in stock-raising. He has a fine brick
residence, built by Alexander Millett, who
formerly owned the place. Mr. Stevens has
one of the best barns in Greene County,
which he built in 1886, at a cost of about
$1,600. He is a native of Massachusetts,
and removed to Illinois in 1860. In 1862 he
went to Ohio, and in January, 1864, enlisted
in the Thirty-eighth Ohio, and served until
the close of the war. His regiment was at-
tached to the Fourteenth Army Corps, in the
Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the
Cumberland, being in active service all the
time. After the war he returned to Ohio,
and in 1872 went to Clay County, Nebraska,
where he took up land and improved a farm.
He had 345 acres, and sold out at $30 an
acre. He was married in Illinois to Editha
Lord, a native of Illinois. Mr. Stevens has
an excellent farm, well adapted to stock-
raising as well as to general farming. His
improvements are of the best quality, and his
location is a very desirable one. They have
an adopted son.
***" l "S * 3* ' i'S 1 * - — '
fESSE JOHNSON, of Jefferson, settled
in Bristol Township, May 19, 1868, and
was one of the first settlers in that part
of the township. He located upon 160 acres
of land that was entirely wild. He now
owns a half section, besides a half section in
Highland Township. Upon coming to this
county he immediately engaged in the dairy
business. He brought with him seventy
head of cattle, about thirty of which were
cows. He at once procured a fine apparatus
for manufacturing cheese and butter, obtain-
ing a " Eoe Western Eeserve Vat and Cheese
Press" of the best manufacture, and pre-
pared himself for doing an extensive busi-
ness. He was the first manufacturer of butter
and cheese on a large scale in Greene County.
He continued that business until 1883, then
sold his stock, rented his land and removed
to Jefferson. Mr. Johnson was born in Dela-
ware County, Ohio, in January, 1835, where
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318
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
he was reared to manhood. He came to
Jones County, this State, in 1858, and engaged
in farming with his brother Eobert. In Oc-
tober, 1861, he went to Chicago with a car-
load of cattle. He had already contemplated
going into the army, but expected to return
to Ohio and enlist in an Ohio regiment; but
upon reaching Chicago he found the war
fever running pretty high, and yielded to the
temptation there offered, enlisting at Camp
Chase, October 20, 1861, in Company A,
Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and serving over
four years. He participated in many of the
most important battles of the war, including
Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Resaca and New Hope Church. At the bat-
tle of Stone River he served as Fourth
Sergeant. The Second Lieutenant, Jackson
Keith, was killed, and our subject was pro-
moted over the Orderly Sergeant to the
Lieutenant's place. At the battle of New
Hope Church he received a gun-shot wound
in the right leg, below the knee. It was a
severe wound, and the ball remained in his
leg until 1871, when it was removed by Dr.
Enfield, of Jefferson. He was sent to the
hospital at Nashville for about a month, then
went home on furlough. He rejoined his
regiment at Atlanta, thence to Chattanooga.
While General Sherman was marching to
the sea, Mr. Johnson's regiment, under
Thomas, was in the battle of Franklin; thence
to Nashville, and took part in the fight at
that place. After General Hood had been
effectively disposed of, his regiment was
ordered to Texas. While at New Orleans,
en route for Texas, he received the commis-
sion of Captain, but had commanded his
company all the time after the battle of
Chickamauga. He was discharged with his
regiment at Springfield, Illinois, September
25, 1865, and returned to Ohio. He soon
after came to Jones County, Iowa, again,
where he lived until he came to this county.
Mr. Johnson was married February 25, 1864,
while at home on veteran furlough, to Mary
A. Denny, a native of Delaware County,
Ohio, born March 8, 1843. Her parents,
John and Sarah Denny, were early settlers
of that county; they now live in Chicago.
Mr. Johnson's parents were Adam and Sarah
Johnson. They removed to Jones County in
1862. The father is now living at Fort
Scott, Kansas, and the mother is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had five children
— Elfa S., Clara, Jessie F., Emma and Har-
old. Clara, the second child, died at the age
of twelve years.
,OBERT A. LOWRY, editor and pro-
f| prietor of the Angus Black Diamond,
is a native of the State of Illinois, born
in Oswego September 24, 1859, a son of
Hiram S. Lowry, who was born near Parkers--
burg, West Virginia, in 1834. During the
late war he was Sergeant in Company I,
Thirty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
was killed at the siege of Atlanta, while
fighting for the Union, August 27, 1863.
Robert A. Lowry, whose name heads this
sketch, spent the first nine years of his life
in his native town, when he accompanied his
mother and step-father to Polk County, Iowa,
living there from 1868 until 1876. He then
spent two years in attendance at the Agri-
cultural College at Ames, Iowa, after which
he engaged in teaching school, following that
avocation in Pottawatomie and Cass counties,
Iowa, until the fall of 1880. He then en-
tered the law department of the State Uni-
versity of Iowa, at Iowa City, and graduated
with honors from that institution in June,
1881, and the same year began the practice
of law at Stratford, Iowa. In 1882 he bought
■7
1
ssasBsasisssQ
lUKBBll
the Stratford Register, which he carried on
in connection with his law practice until 1883.
In July of the same year he came to Angus,
Iowa, and with C. M. Oarr established the
Angus Black Diamond. In 1884 he bought
the interest of C. M. Carr, and has since
devoted his time to the editing of his paper
and to his law practice, in which he is meet-
ing with success. Mr. Lowry was united in
marriage September 24, 1883, to Miss Anna
A. Keeler, a daughter of James F. Keeler,
of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Lowry was born
in Lena, Stephenson County, Illinois, but
afterward moved to Chicago with her parents,
where she lived till her marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Lowry are the parents of two children
— Chester H. and Orlo C.
» SnS «
tEWIS B. CBANDALL, residing on sec-
tion 9, "Washington Township, was born
in the town of Horseheads, Chemung
County, State of New York, August 31,
1835. His father, Archibald Crandall, was
born near Seneca Lake, New York, and his
mother, Betsey A. (Strait) Crandall, was born
in the town of Horseheads. He was brought
up on a farm, and obtained his education in
the common schools of his native county.
He came to this county in the fall of 1867,
settling upon his present farm, which was
then entirely unfenced. A shanty had been
built, and there was also a small stable on the
place. Mr. Crandall has planted trees, groves
and hedges, and has the farm well improved.
He owns 199 acres, and is engaged in general
farming and stock-raising. He was married
in the State of New York March 18, 1861,
to Alena A. Boyer, daughter of Thomas and
Sarah (Griffith) Boyer, both of whom are
deceased. They have had ten children, five
of whom are living — James K., Lewis B.,
Mabel L., Nettie E. and George W. Mr.
Crandall held the office of township trustee
one term, but he never seeks official honors.
►*-•**
W. MILLEE, farmer, is one of the
X pioneers of Greene County, and resides
3 on section 21, Franklin Township,
where he owns 200 acres of excellent land.
He was born in Franklin County, ■ Ohio,
February 15, 1837, son of J. C. and Margaret
(McKinstry) Miller, the father a native of
Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and the mother
of Cumberland County, same State. They
were the parents of twelve children, seven of
whom lived to maturity — Eoss W., Hoover,
Margaret,' Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary E. and
Jehu. Five of these children are still living.
E. W. was the oldest of the family, and when
he was seven years of age, his parents
removed to the Territory of Iowa, locating at
Walnut Grove, Scott County, sixteen miles
north of Davenport, on Government land, and
were among the first settlers of that county.
Davenport was but a small village, and there
was no railroad west of the Mississippi Eiver.
Mr. Miller saw the first railroad coach that
came to Eock Island. He was reared a farmer
and received a limited education in the pio-
neer log school-house. Arriving at the age
of manhood, he was united in marriage
November 4, 1857, with Miss Anna Eliza
Mooney, a native of Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, and daughter of Frederick and
Margaret (McWilliams) Mooney, who were
the parents of six children — William, Jane,
Hannah, Anna Eliza, John and George. Mr.
Miller resided in Scott County until 1871,
when, with wife and three children, he came
to this county and settled upon his present
farm. He has a good house, and comfortable
buildings for stock and grain. Mr. and Mrs.
Bgggwgggijgggw
"ssSQgi
320
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Miller are the parents of three children —
Clarence E., Ida M. and Ada M. He has
given them good educational advantages, and
all are well fitted for teachers and to take
responsible positions in life. Politically Mr.
Miller is a Republican, and is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
►3ms-
tfLLIAM F. ZELLHOEFER, dealer
in hardware, stoves, tinware, shelf
l&fl and heavy hardware, Grand Juuction,
was born in Home, Jefferson County, Wis-
consin, September 22, 1851, son of George
and Frederica (Tartsch) Zellhoefer, natives of
Germany, the former of whom is deceased.
He went to Foreston, Illinois, in 1869; thence
to Boone County in 1870, and to Grand
Junction a year later, where he has since
resided. He was engaged in the harness
trade one year, having previously worked
seven years at that trade. He engaged in
his present business in May, 1879, and carries
a capital stock of $3,000. He does an annual
business of $15,000. He was married De-
cember 26, 1875, to Ellen A. Thompson,
daughter of John Thompson, who is deceased.
They have three children — Guy W., Bertha
and Forrest. Mr. Zellhoefer is a member of
the Evangelical Association, and his wife is
a Methodist. He served as town assessor
two terms, and as treasurer several terms.
He is now a member of the school board.
i-JM-J-i
|ANIEL EMBREE, lumber and" coal
dealer at Grand Junction, was born in
Yermillion County, Illinois, October
14, 1839, son of Joseph Embree, a native of
Georgia, who is now deceased. He lived on
a farm until twelve years of age, when the
family removed to town. He came with his
parents to "Warren County, Iowa, in 1850.
Daring the late war, he enlisted in Company
G, Fifteenth Iowa Iufantry, and served over
three years. He enlisted as a private, and
was promoted to Second Lieuteuant. He
participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth,
Iuka, Yicksburg, the Atlanta campaign,
march to the sea, and through to Washing-
ton. He came to Des Moines in 1865, and
was engaged in the mercantile trade until
1869, when he came to Grand Junction and
clerked for the railroad companies at that place
and was proprietor of the railroad eating house
at Grand Junction for five years. In 1879 he
embarked in the lumber and coal trade, and
carries a capital stock of $5,000. He has a
good trade, and it is constantly increasing.
He was married August 6, 1868, to Aggie J.
Johnston. They have one daughter, Bertha,
thirteen years old. Mr. Embree is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows,
and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mrs. Embree is a member of the Presbyte-
rian church.
■"•-M§*3m5»§»»*»
fOEL SHAW, a successful farmer and
stock-raiser of Greene County, residing
on section 13, Dawson Township, where
he has 160 acres of choice land, is a son of
Joel and Mariam Shaw, natives of England.
They were the parents of six sons and six
daughters, our subject being the fifth child.
He was born in Butler County, Ohio, the
date of his birth being September 27, 1838.
He lived on the home farm till eight years
old, when he began working in a woolen fac-
tory, where he was employed for three years.
At the age of twenty-three years he enlisted
in defense of his country in Company H,
Seventy-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was later
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1
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
321
transferred to Company H, Fourth Regiment,
Yeteran Reserves. He was sent north and
served on garrison duty at Rock Island,
Illinois, Davenport, Iowa, and Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. He received his discharge at
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 25, 1865, when
he returned to Illinois, and for the two years
following made his home with his brother-
in-law, N. Drayer. He was united in mar-
riage September 25, 1867, to Miss Livia
Griffin, a daughter of Asa and Margaret
(Schultz) Griffin, natives of New York State.
They were the parents of three sons and three
daughters, Mrs. Shaw being the fifth child.
She was born January 31, 1847, at Cloves-
ville, Delaware County, New York. To Mr.
and Mrs. Shaw have been born five children,
as follows — Charles J., Hester I., Mary A.,
Medford A. and Edith M. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Shaw are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Politically he affiliates
with the Republican party. Postoffice Paton,
Iowa.
HORACE WALRAD, farmer, section 11,
Kendrick Township, postoffice Scranton,
is a native of De Kalb County, Illinois,
born September 10, 1844, and son of Daniel
and Ann (Mullen) Walrad, the former a
native of New York. They were the parents
of three children — Horace, Arvilla B. and
Watson. Horace was reared a farmer, his
father being a farmer and a local preacher.
In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company' B,
Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, Captain Fox
commanding. He was wounded at Shiloh,
above the elbow, by a musket ball, and his
arm had to be amputated. He was confined
in the hospital at Keokuk for a long time,
and was honorably discharged August 22,
1862, at Chicago, Illinois. He was married
June 4, 1874, to Mary Marinda Jane Mowry,
who was born in Ohio, and a daughter of P.
W. and Miranda (Morgan) Mowry. Mr.
Walrad resided in De Kalb County until
1870, when he came to Greene County, Iowa.
He settled upon his present farm in 1874,
which was then in its primitive condition,
and there he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs.
Walrad have two children — Daniel Irven and
Walter M. Waland. Politically Mr. Walrad
is a Republican, and is a member of N. H.
Powers Post, No. Ill, G. A. R., at Scranton.
His father was twice married. To the second
marriage were born three children — Julia
Ann, Sarah Jane and D. E. Sarah Jane
lives in Arkansas, and the others in Kansas.
i ^»ShS»Sh -»»i
fOHN P. BONTZ, farmer and stock-raiser,
residing on section 18, Hardin Township,
is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born
June 25, 1837, his parents, Jacob and Eve
Bontz, also being natives of Bavaria. He
was reared to the avocation of a farmer. He
left his native country when about twelve
years of age, sailing from Marseilles, France,
in 1849, and landing at New Orleans. He
immediately located in Peoria, Illinois, where
he resided until 1862, in which year he went
to Boulder County, Colorado, where he worked
by the day in the gold and silver mines. In
1864 he went to Montana and commenced
mining for himself, remaining there till 1866,
when he returned to Colorado and engaged in
farming, which he followed until 1869. He
then came to Iowa, and was engaged in work-
ing in the coal mines in Boone County until
1872. He then removed to Greene County,
and has since resided on his farm on section
18, Hardin Township. He was married in
Greene County in February, 1875, to Miss
Anna Shaw, who was born in Illinois in June,
^^■ ■■■'■ag»S»S^aMMi-» M ».
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323
SSgiajSaSPS»S »s*-w« "- ■■■B"ii"ag"aip g"S"iniiS«r
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
1856, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet Shaw,
natives of Canada. Three children have been
born to this union — Yiola, Fred and Joseph.
Mr. Bontz is one of the self-made men of
Greene County. He came to America a poor
boy, but by hard work and careful manage-
ment he has met with good success, and is
now classed among the best farmers of Har-
din Township, where he owns 268 acres of
choice land, 160 acres located on section 18,
and the remainder on section 6. His farm
is well improved and under good cultivation,
and his residence and farm buildings are
comfortable and commodious.
jEV. GEORGE ZELLHOEFER, de-
m ceased, late of Grand Junction, was born
**Cn| in Byren, Germany, April 1, 1818.
He came to America in 1850, settling in Jef-
ferson County, "Wisconsin. He was a minis-
ter in the Evangelical Association over
twenty-five years; preached mostly in "Wis-
consin and Iowa. He came to Grand Junc-
tion in 1871, where he preached and worked
on a farm until his death, which occurred
June 17, 1885. He was married October,
1848, to Frederica Tartsch, daughter of Gott-
lieb Tartsch, deceased. They were the par-
ents of eleven children, ten living— Chris-
tina, William, John, George, August, Mary,
Emma, Caroline, Edward and Sarah. The
heirs still own the farm.
J|g||ILLIAM H. PERKINS, dealer in
wtffllf groceries, boots and shoes at Angus,
r^sffeH was born in "Wales, February 17, 1852,
son of John Perkins, also a native of Wales.
He left his native country in September,
1869, coming to LaSalle, Illinois, and the
following spring, to Emporia, Kansas, living
there and in Osage City and Leavenworth
until 1874. He spent one winter, in the
meantime, in Bloomington, Illinois. In
1874 he went to Covington, Indiana, and the
following year, visited his native country,
returning in the spring of 1876, and in 1880
made a second visit to "Wales, and visited Cali-
fornia the same year, returning in the fall of
1880. "While in Indiana, he kept a grocery
store at Coal Creek, near Covington. He
came to Angus in 1882, and engaged in his
present business the following April. He
keeps a full line of groceries, provisions,
boots, shoes and notions. He was married in
September, 1881, to Jane Morgan, daughter
of Thomas Morgan, deceased. Their children
are — Janett, John and Edith. Mr. Perkins
is a member of the Odd Fellows order, is
town treasurer, in 1886, and re-elected for town
treasurer for 1887 — and has served as a mem-
ber of the town council.
R. SAMUEL E. WARNER, the lead-
ing dentist of Greene County, has been
engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion at Jefferson since January 1, 1879. He
is located in McNeal's Block, on the north-
west corner of the square. Dr. Warner was
born in Erie County, New York, where he
grew to manhood. He began the study of
dentistry at Springville, in his native county,
when about twenty years of age. In 1877
he came west, spending one year in Michigan
and Illinois. His skill in his profession is
everywhere recognized as is indicated by his
extensive practice. His education has been
thorough, and he is well informed on all
matters pertaining to his business, adopting
all improvements as soon as they are shown
to be such. His office is completely fnr-
.».i„ii.. ...i.B.n^i
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. Jfc>»_«%_*9feJ-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
323
!'
nished with the latest instruments pertaining
to his profession, a recen,t addition being a
Wilkerson chair. The doctor is the only one
of his father's family residing in Iowa.
i^Hf.
lEN. F. ANDERSON resides on section
16, Grant Township, where his father,
Preston Anderson, settled in 1866. The
latter was a native of Greene County, Ohio,
where he grew to manhood and married Eliza
Jones. He emigrated with his family to
Iowa, settling near Polk City, Polk County.
The father bought the farm, now owned by
his son, of Frank .Robinson, who had made a
few improvements, but the most of the im-
provements have been made by Mr. Anderson,
who died June 22, 1885. His wife is still
living. They were the parents of three chil-
dren — William, who lives in Muscatine
County; Julia, wife of Caleb Head, and Ben.
The latter was born in Greene County, Iowa,
married Isadore Humphrey, and they have
one child — Robert L.
»«- "| » 3 i' ! » |" ^>°'
&R. JAMES C. LOYEJOY resides on
section 17, Washington Township,
where Old Rippey formerly stood. He
was born in Orange County, Vermont, June
24, 1819. His mother, Jemima (Kingsbury)
Lovejoy, was born in Orange County, July
10, 1797. She resides alone, at Old Rippey,
at the age of ninety years; is stout and well.
His parents had eight children, he being the
only one living. His father's family emi-
grated to Connorsville, Fayette County, Indi-
ana, in 1820, thence to La Fayette, Tippeca-
noe County, in 1829, living there and in the
vicinity for twenty years, his father dying
on a farm, eight miles from La Fayette, in
1838. Our subject was educated at Wabash
College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. He taught
school between the ages of sixteen and
twenty-two years, reading medicine in the
meantime. He practiced a few years, then
graduated at Rush Medical College, of Chi-
cago, in February, 1848. He then returned
to Indiana and practiced in Warren and
White counties until 1854, the ncame to Des
Moines, this State, where he carried on the
mercantile trade in connection with his prac-
tice. In 1859 he came to this county, and
settled at Old Rippey, where he has prac-
ticed ever since. He established a store at
Old Rippey in 1859, and closed it out in 1872.
He was married July 4, 1847, to Miss Eme-
line Bunnell, daughter of Isaac Bunnell, now
deceased. The doctor and Mrs. Lovejoy have
had twelve children, nine of whom are living
— Arthur O, Walter, Halsey E., Owen, Al-
bert, James, Frederick, Victor and Lillie E.
Dr. Lovejoy is one of the oldest Odd Fellows
in Greene County, having been a member of
that order nearly forty years. He was post-
master from 1859 until 1872, at Rippey; has
also served as county supervisor and one term
as county superintendent of schools and
icounty coroner. He has been secretary of
the school board for a number of years. In
religion, he is liberal, and believes in the
'Golden Rule. In polities a Republican with
a big R., believing in the final restoration and
eternal salvation of every mother's son, who
have or who in the near future embraces that
political faith.
"■jMf"
ILARENCE L. JEFFRIES, ornamental
and sign painter, at Grand Junction,
was born in Jones County, Iowa, Feb-
ruary 29, 1856. His father, Martin Jeffries,
was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a son
>«mii~.» l ««.»*»»»/»»
54
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
of William Jeffries, who was the third settler
in Jones County, having' located there among
the Indians and wild animals. Our subject
was reared on a farm. In 1878 he went to
learn his trade, then taught school during the
winter and worked at his trade in the sum-
mer. He now does sign and ornamental
painting during the summer, and carriage
painting during the winter. He was mar-
ried April 22, 1884, to Emma Howe, daugh-
ter of Rev. William R. Howe, now deceased.
They have one child — Blondel. Mr. Jeffries
came to Grand Junction in March, 1884,
where he has since lived. He is a member
t>f the society of Good Templars.
K fRANCIS M. FRANKLIN is the lead-
ing furniture dealer of Jefferson, his
business being located on the northeast
side of the square. He engaged in his pres-
ent business June 28, 1875, succeeding
Henry Bowman. It was the first establish-
ment of the kind in Jefferson. He has both
a jobbing and a wholesale trade. Mr. Frank-
lin is a son of one of the pioneers of Greene
County. His father, William A. Franklin,
settled on section 13, in what is now Frank-
lin Township, in 1855. He was the third
settler in the township, which was named in.
honor of himself. He was a native of North
Carolina, and when a boy removed with his
parents to South Carolina, thence to the
State of Indiana, where he married Margaret
Brown. Soon after his marriage, about 1844,
he removed to Muscatine County, this State,
where he entered several hundred acres of
land, and resided there until he came to
Greene County, April 28, 1855. Mr. and
Mrs. William A. Franklin had eight children,
three of whom died young. Mrs. Serilda
Robinson died, leaving a family. The sur-
viving children are — James B., a farmer of
Franklin Township; Willliam L.,who resides
on the homestead where the mother still
lives; Francis M. and Sarah V. The latter
is the wife of F. L. Robertson and lives in
Oregon. Our subject was born in Muscatine,
Iowa, 1846. He married Anise Scott, a
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Scott, who
was born in Indiana, where her father died.
Her mother, with two sons and four daugh-
ters, came to Iowa when Mrs. Franklin was
a child. The eldest . daughter, Nancey, was
killed by the kick of a horse while the family
were en route to Iowa. Mrs. Franklin is the
only child left in Greene County. Mr. and
Mrs. Franklin have two sons — William 1.
and Vincent V. Eddie W. died in infancy.
Mr. Franklin's parents were very highly es-
teemed in their community, and though the
father long since passed away, the remem-
brance of him still survives. His aged wife
is still left, a worthy representative of that
grand old pioneer element that is fast pass-
ing away.
lint nl\ ir^* *^ - . J±* . i pl
tZELLER, farmer, section 31, Franklin
Township, is one of the pioneers of
° Greene County, having been identified
with its interests since 1872. He was born
in Montgomery County, New York, Novem-
ber 13, 1835, son of Nicholas Zeller. He
was the fifth of seven children, and when six
months of age his parents removed to St.
Lawrence County, where they lived nine
years, then removed to Jefferson County,
where our subject resided until 1854. He
was reared on a farm and received his educa-
tion in his native State. In 1854 he removed
to Racine County, Wisconsin, where he re-
sided until 1861, then returned to New York.
He was married April 17, 1867, to Miss
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
325
Fidelia Lathrop, of Theresa, Jefferson County,
New York, daughter of Carlos and Tamer-
son (Kilbourrr) Lathrop, who were the parents
of three children, Mrs. Zeller being the
youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Zeller resided in
Jefferson County until 1872, when he came
to this county and located upon his present
farm, which was then in a wild state. He
first bought 160 acres, and has since added to
that amount until he now has 480 acres of
excellent land. He has a very pleasant home,
surrounded with shade trees, a commodious
barn for stock and grain, a fine orchard, and
a native grove of six acres. His farm is one
of the best in the township. Mr. Zeller is a
staunch Republican, and has served as trustee
four terms, and justice of the peace two
terms, in a very satisfactory manner. Mr.
and Mrs. Zeller have two sons — Willard and
"Wilbur, twins, born February 20, 1871. Both
parents are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and are exemplary citizens,
always taking an active interest in all that
pertains to education and religion.
- -M. .. . iL . .. 3« if ^ "A .. «--
jjILLIAM E. GEOVES, residing on
section 14, Highland Township,
where he is engaged in farming and
stock-raising, is a native of England, the date
of his birth being September 30, 1845. In
1850 he was brought to America by his par-
ents, Samuel and Eebecca Groves, they
settling in Dane County, "Wisconsin. The
mother died while a resident of "Wisconsin, in
the year 1870, and about the year 1882 the
father came to Greene County, where his
death occurred a year later. William E.
Groves, the subject of this sketch, passed his
youth in Dane County, "Wisconsin. He was
married May 29, 1876, to Miss Marion Tow-
ers, who was born in Wisconsin, June 29,
1861, a daughter of James and Margaret
Towers. Her parents are natives of Scot-
land, and are now living on section 14, High-
land Township, Greene County. Mr. and
Mrs. Groves are the parents of four children
— Eansom W.,born February 3, 1878; Daisy
E., born September 6, 1880; Maggie May,
born September 15, 1882, and Susan D.,
born December 11, 1884. Mr. Groves came
to Greene County a poor man, but being in-
dustrious he has by his persevering energy
met with success, and is now the owner of
a good farm well stocked. He is in his po-
litical views an ardent Eepublican, having
affiliated with that party for many years. He
has been trustee of Highland Township eight
years, and has also served as school director.
PostofEce, Churdan.
■:*-*&>
fAMES H. TALLMAN, farmer, section
20, Paton Township, was born at Canal
Winchester, Ohio. His father, John
Tallman, of Jones County, Iowa, came west
in the fall of 1845, all the way by wagon,
and settled on Government land, which was
then in its wild state, where our subject was
reared on a farm and received an elementary
education in the common school. During
the late war he enlisted in Company E,
Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, for three years.
He participated in the battles of Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, second
battle at Jackson, Canton, Cherokee Station,
Tuscumbia, Lookout Mountain, Mission
Eidge, Ringgold, Eesaca, Dallas, Big and
Little Kenesaw, Atlanta, capture of Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Savannah, Con-
garee Creek, Columbia and Bentonville.
After the war he attended school at Mt. Ver-
non, Iowa, and taught school for three years.
December 31, 1868, he was married to
Landora J. Eistine, daughter of John Eis-
tine, now deceased. Their children are —
Wilbur M., Gertie P. and James, O. Mr.
Tallman came to this county in the spring of
1874. He owns 110 acres of good land, and
is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In
the spring of 1868 he went to Denver, Colo-
rado, and taught school near there for a time,
then traveled among the mines in the mount-
ains, returning in the fall of that same year.
He was one of the prime movers in having
the political township of Paton set off, and
was appointed by the county officers to call
the first election in the township. The
original portion of Paton village is situated
on his land. He served as township trustee
two years. He was not wounded during his
service in the army, except receiving a small
scratch on the thumb by a rifle ball. He
had the measles and afterward was very sick,
with but little hope of recovery. His iron
will carried him through.
'-3++S-
ffAMES PAEKEE, farmer, section 12,
, "Willow Township, P. O. Scranton, is one
of the enterprising citizens of the town-
ship. He was born in Lincolnshire, England,
nine miles from the city of Lincoln, that is
noted for having one of the largest bells in
Europe. He was born October 4, 1829, and
was a son of "William and Martha (Bernard)
Parker, who were the parents of ten children,
James being the seventh son. His youth was
passed in both town and country, and his first
manual labor was at farm work. The only
education he received was by study at home.
He has a good practical education, and is well
posted in matters pertaining to business. In
1852 he emigrated to Canada, and was there
united in marriage, April 2, 1855, with Miss
Phoebe Ann Hern, who was born in Barn-
stable, Devonshire, England, January 28,
1838, daughter of John and Phoebe (Bowers)
Hern. In March, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Parker
removed to Marshall County, Illinois, where
they lived three years, then removed to
Peoria County where they resided about
eight years. In the 6pring of 1876 they
came to Greene County, this State, and
settled upon their present farm, which was
then wild land, and was one of the first
improved farms in the neighborhood. He
has a comfortable residence, good barn and
buildings for grain and stock, and an orchard
of his own planting. Mr. and Mrs. Parker
are the parents of two sons — Alfred, who
reside on section 1, "Willow Township, and
is a promising young farmer; and George H.,
who resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Politi-
cally Mr. Parker is an Independent. He was
for many years a zealous and active member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has
always been interested in educational and
religious matters. He is one of Willow
Township's most worthy citizens.
E. JOHN B. HALL, veterinary surgeon,
also farmer and stock raiser, section 10,
Washington Township, was born in
Eockingham County, Virginia, March 13,
1848. His father, John Hall, was a native
of the same county, and in 1853 brought his
family to Cass County, Illinois, and to this
county in 1859. He lived here until the fall
of 1883, and died aged eighty-nine years.
They settled here when the country was wild
and infested with wolves. Their trading and
milling were done at Des Moines. Our sub-
ject was raised on the homestead on section
29, in the north part of "Washington Town-,
ship, and educated in the common schools.
He commenced the study of veterinary sur-
^""""T^"""T!!r^^!!!r^!^
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^■■^^■■■■■■■g'gggggg
327
gery when seventeen years of age, and has
been practicing for the past eleven years. He
has had several very complicated cases, and is
becoming noted for his skill in surgical work.
His practice comprises an area of twenty
miles. In 1886 he lost less than nine per
cent, of his cases. His success is due to his
close attention to all cases in their acute
form. He settled upon his present farm in
March, 1876, where he owns eighty acres of
good land. He was married November 28,
1869, to Minerva A. Smith, daughter of
Thomas J. Smith, deceased, who came from
Piatt County, Illinois, to Dallas County,
Iowa, in 1853, and to this county in 1858.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall have six children — Ada
A., Ida I., John T. W., Charles M., Frank
and Winnifred M. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are
worthy and consistent members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church.
|ALEB RUsSELL, farmer, section 23,
Paton Township, was born in Caledonia
County, Vermont, April 9, 1822, son
of David Russell, deceased. He was reared
a farmer,, and received a limited education in
the subscription schools, three miles distant.
His parents were poor, and he had to work
very hard. In the fall of 1834 they emi-
grated to La Porte County, Indiana; thence
to De Kalb County, Illinois, the following
spring. In the spring of 1849 he went to
California, starting May 14, and reaching
Placerville September 10. He went the
overland route, driving an ox team all the
way. His wife and three children accom-
panied him. He remained there two years,
working in the gold mines. He returned to
Illinois, then removed to Cedar County, Iowa,
where he followed farming until 1874, then
came to this county and settled on his present
home, where he owns 240 acres of land. He
was married in September, 1842, to Orendoro
Corey, daughter of Samuel Corey. Seven of
their nine children are living — Nelson S.,
Normand, Orendoro M., Mariette, Elizabeth,
Jasper and Jennie. Mrs. Russell died May
6, 1883. Mr. Russell was again married May
10, 1885, to Mrs. Ann Pike, who had nine
children by a former marriage — Hattie,
Philena, Alvira, Lucy, John, James, Elnora
and Isolia. Betsey J. died in her thirty-
fourth year. Mr. Russell is a member of the
Baptist church.
-*-»5-«
kARLAN N. LIVERMORE, an active
and energetic agriculturist of Dawson
Township, engaged in farming and
stock-raising on section 32, was born in the
State of Vermont July 26, 1850, the only
son of N. and Mary (Chapin) Livermore,
who were natives of the same State. His
mother died in his infancy, and in 1852 his
father married Sarah F. Thayer, and to them
were born one son and three daughters. His
father being a farmer, he was reared to the
same avocation. In 1855 he was taken by
his parents to Waupaca County, Wisconsin,
and there he grew to manhood, remaining
there till 1873. He received a fair education
in his youth, and subsequently engaged in
teaching school for a short time. He was
united in marriage September 23, 1872, to
Miss Julia E. Dunham, a native of Maine,
born June 17, 1849, a daughter of John and
Ternpa Dunham, who were also born in the
State of Maine. In 1873 Mr. Livermore
opened a railroad restaurant at Amherst
Junction, Wisconsin, which he carried on till
1879, when his buildings were destroyed by
fire. Shortly after he came to Greene County,
Iowa, settling in Dawson Township, where
^r^**"™"^"""'""""' - »»»»»»«
■.■■■■.■■■.■■■.■.■■■.■.■.■.■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■.■■ -■.■.■. ■.■.■^
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
in 1882 he erected his present fine residence
and other farm buildings to correspond. In
connection with his general farming he is
engaged in raising thoroughbred short-horn
cattle, Poland-China and Duroc-Jersey hogs,
mammoth bronze turkeys and Plymouth
Bock and Wyandotte chickens, all stock of
the purest and best strains. Mr. Livermore
is a member in good standing of the Masonic
Lodge at Paton, and also of the Odd Fellows
Lodge at Jefferson, Iowa. Politically he is
a staunch Republican. Postoffice Jefferson,
Iowa.
» 3u£ «
|EORGE A. HUFFMAN, foreman of
Grand Junction Headlight, and assistant
postmaster, was born in Medina, Medina
County, Ohio, April 17, 1861. His father,
Jacob F. Huffman, of Ithaca, Michigan, is a
native of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and
removed to Michigan in 1867, and engaged
in contracting and building, a business he
still follows. His mother, Lydia (Vaughn)
Huffman, died in 1867. He was educated
in the schools of Ithaca, and in 1876 entered
the Gratiot County Journal office as com-
positor, having worked in that capacity morn-
ings, evenings and Saturdays while in school.
He remained in that office until the fall of
1880, then went to "Wellington, Kansas, and
entered the office of the Sumner County
De?nocrat as compositor. Three months
later the name was changed to the Welling-
tonian, and Mr. Huffman was made solicitor.
He remained three months longer, then took
a trip through Missouri, Arkansas, Missis-
sippi, Indian Territory and Texas, then back
to Kansas and Nebraska, through Iowa and
back to Michigan. In October, 1882, he
entered the Jo umal office again as compositor,
and soon was promoted to foreman, which
position he held until April, 1884, when he
went to Duluth, Minnesota, and worked on
the morning Daily Tribune. He remained
there two months, then went to Port Arthur,
Canada, working three months on the Daily
Sentinel; thence back to Duluth; thence on
an excursion to Glendive, Montana Territory,
stopping at the principal towns along the
route. Returning to St. Paul he started for
Omaha. Being delayed two hours at Grand
Junction he entered the Headlight office,
found the editor sick, and accepted the situa-
tion of foreman of the office. This was
October 1, 1884, and Mr. Huffman still re-
mains in the Headlight office. When the
editor, S. C. Maynard, was appointed post-
master he was made assistant, and still holds
that position. He is a member of the society
of Odd Fellows, and of the Printer's Union
at East Saginaw, Michigan. He was married
December 16, 1886, to Miss Lettie G. Miller,
daughter of Philo W. Miller, of Grand Junc-
tion.
r"*-#*
HARLEY C. METZGER, proprietor of
[r„, the meat market at Grand Junction,
was born in Baden, Germany, Novem-
ber 1, 1836. His father, Jacob Metzger, also
a native of Germany, came to the United
States January 7, 1855, and lived two years
in Crawford County, Ohio. In the fall of
1856 the family came to Cedar County, Iowa,
where our subject lived until 1870, then
came to Grand Junction and engaged in his
present business. He is the pioneer butcher
of Greene County. He was married Novem-
ber 19, 1872, to Miss Carrie J. Richter,
daughter of Charles Richter, of this place.
They have six children — William F., Charley
E., Sarah T., Frank E., Theresa M. and Guy
A. Mr. Metzger served as township trustee
■l«"M''ll''lll"«»M »«»''S'*M"«"B*B"M"«"«"l
T^WFWsffl
,r~
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
331 \
six years, and has also been a member of the
town council. He belongs to the Ancient
Order of United Workmen, and himself and
wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
" *^" t §""^ t i'"S*'"^°'
fOHN P. GULICK, farmer, Grand Junc-
tion, was born in Northumberland Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1810,
son of Abram Gulick, born in Sussex County,
New Jersey, who was a soldier in the. war of
1812, and now deceased. He was. reared on
a farm, and educated in the subscription
school, in a small frame house covered with
slabs, slab benches, and a board fastened to
the wall for a desk; a huge fire-place in one
end, a lQng window on one side, two rows of
lights, and a four-light window for the teacher.
In 1843 he removed to Three Rivers, Michi-
gan, being in search of a fair young damsel
whom he had met in Pennsylvania. He
traveled through Illinois to Iowa, and back
to White Pigeon, Michigan, and found her in
the person of Mary D. Kownover, whom he
married October 29, 1844. She was a daugh-
ter of Richard L. Kownover, of New Jersey,
and was born in Northumberland County,
Pennsylvania. July 4, 1844, our subject
drove a reaper and thresher combined, on
prairie round, drawn by fourteen horses.
The machine had on it a liberty pole, bearing
the names of "Polk and Dallas." That day
they cut and sacked twenty-eight acres of
wheat with that machine. Mr. and Mrs.
Gulick have had eight children, six of whom
are living— William B., Emma J., Charley
M., Kate, Margaret M. and Addie L. They
have an adopted child— Maude. In 1846
they returned to Luzerne County, Pennsylva-
nia, thence to Northumberland County, Vir-
ginia, in 1852, and returned to Pennsylvania
in 1862. They spent about four years in
26
Washington, D. C, Mr. Gulick being in the
employ of the United States four years. He
was Captain of a squad of the Sixteenth New
York, under Colonel Nickelson, sent by Gen-
eral Auger to capture Booth, the assassinator
of Lincoln. He rendered valuable service to
the Government during the war; being a
sailor, he gave information which led to the
capture of many rebel vessels. In 1866 he
removed to St. Joseph County, Indiana,
thence to this county in 1873, where he has
since lived. 'He conducted the Ashley House
over three years. He belongs to the Masonic
and Odd Fellows societies, and is a member
of the Presbyterian church. The family are
Baptists.-
ILLIAM G. CROWDER, farmer,
section 4, Paton Township, was born
in Canada, forty miles above Corn-
wall, November 18, 1841. His father, Paul
Crowder, now \a resident of Winnebago
County, Illinois, is also a native of Canada,
and removed to Illinois in 1852. He came
to this county in June, 1876, settling on his
present farm the following fall. At the time
of his settlement here there were but two or
three houses in sight, but twenty-eight were
built that season. He has operated or helped
to operate a threshing machine every season
since he was eighteen years old. He was
married January 10, 1860, to Miss Eliza C.
Otto, daughter of Peter Otto, now deceased.
She is also a native of Canada. Seven of
their eight children are living— Frank W.,
George W., Sherman A. and Sheridan H.
(twins), Louisa A., Fannie M. and Ralph D.
Ross F. died in his third year. Mr. Crowder
owns 120 acres of land, and devotes his time
to farming and stock-raising, giving consider-
able attention to graded stock. He has held
332
HI8T0BY OF GREENE COUNTY
a few local offices, is a member of the Odd
Fellows order, the Good Templars, and be-
longs to the Methodist church. His son
Sheridan is a prominent teacher in this
county. Fannie is also a teacher. In April,
1882, a cyclone tore his house to pieces, de-
stroying nearly all its contents. There were
five persons in the house at the time, but no
one was seriously injured. Sheridan was the
only one that could extricate himself, and he
assisted the others. The loss was about $600.
» i t i; i
H||!HILLIAM RENNER, section 2, Junc-
wfflfl t ' on township, was born in Baden,
{-TDpsfJ Germany, June 28, 1829, a son of
Casper Renner. In 1848 he accompanied his
father to the United States, and lived nearly
two years in Rochester, New York, and from
there' removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where
they lived two years. In 1852 they w.ent to
Walworth County, where the father still
lives. In 1855 our subject went to Jefferson
County, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1875,
when he came to Iowa, and settled on the
farm in Greene County, where he still lives.
Mr. Renner was married November 22, 1854,
to Jane Rickemann, daughter of Charles L.
Rickemann. They have four children — Sarah
J., George W., William H. and Charles L.
Mr. Renner owns a fine farm of 300 acres,
making a specialty of stock-raising. He and
his wife are members of the Evangelical
Association.
jEV. JOSEPH MANNING, of Jefferson,
k has resided in that city since October,
1866. He laid out an addition to the
northeast part of the town, which bears his
name. He is a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and one of the pioneers of
this part of the State. He was born in Abing-
ton, Wayne County, Indiana, April 7, 1824,
where he was reared to manhood. His father,
Thomas Manning, was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and one of the early settlers of Wayne
County, Indiana, where he lived until his de-
cease. Mr. Manning entered the itineracy
of the United Brethren church when only
twenty years of age, his field of labor being
in the White River Conference. Later, he
was transferred to the Wabash Conference,
where he remained five years, thence to the
Iowa Conference, his field of labor being in
the eastern part of the State. He traveled
five years in the Iowa Conference, in the in-
terests of the Western College, and two years
as presiding elder and one year as station
preacher at Lisbon. When he came to Jef-
ferson there was no United Brethren society
in the place, and he decided to unite with the
Methodists. In the fall of 1868 he joined
the conference at Council Bluffs and engaged
in itinerant work of the Methodist church.
He organized a church at Carroll in 1869, and
at Glidden the same year. In 1870 he or-
ganized the first Methodist Episcopal church
at Grand Junction. This is but a small por-
tion of the work accomplished by Mr. Man-
ning; he has devoted time and energies to
ministerial work for many years. He was
married in 1846, in Preble County, Ohio, to
Miss Jane Bonebrake, of that county, born in
1828. Her father, George Bonebrake, was a
minister of the United Brethren church. He
came to Iowa from Indiana, and many years
later went to Topeka, Kansas, where he died
in 1865. The mother, Eliza (Adams) Bone-
brake, died in Indiana before her husband
came to this State. Mr. and Mrs. Manning
have four children. The eldest son, Orlando
H, is a man of much distinction. He ob-
tained his education at Western and Cornell
BIOGRAPHICAL a KETCHES.
333
Colleges, Iowa; studied law with Head &
Russell, at Jefferson ; later, located at Carroll,
where he practiced law until the fall of 1881,
when he removed to Council Bluffs, and
later settled in Topeka, Kansas. He served
two terms in the Iowa Legislature, from Car-
roll and Greene Counties; was elected Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Iowa in 1881, and re-
elected in 1883. He is at present attorney
for the Central National Bank, of Topeka, and
also for the Loan Investment Company; he
is a man of marked ability. Their second
child, Jennie, is the wife of Alfred A. Kear-
ney, of Stanton, Nebraska, an attorney of that
place. Their third child, George B., is with
his brother in Topeka; and May L. is en-
gaged in teaching. Mr. Manning has spent
the best portion of his life in the ministry,
and has been an advocate of all principles
tending to the advancement of religion and
the moral interests of mankind.
» 3 l l £ «
fONATHAN HUTCHINSON, deceased,
late of Washington Township, was born
near Trenton, New Jersey, in 1815. He
came to this county in 1853, settling in
Washington Township, and was among the
first settlers in the township. The country
was then in its primitive condition, and
abounded in deer, elk, wolves, wildcats, and
other wild animals. Mr. Hutchinson was a
skillful hunter and killed great quantities of
wild game. He suffered all the hardships
and privations of pioneer life, but was brave
and persevering amid all his trials. He was
married in December, 1839, to Miss Dorothy
Burgess, a daughter of Jacob Burgess, and to
this union were born five children, only three
of whom are living — Barzilla B., Joseph W.
and Sabra J. Two sons, Smith and Madison
N., lost their lives while lighting in defense
of the Union. Mr. Hutchinson died in 1861.
He was a man that was greatly respected by
all that knew him, and his death cast a gloom
over the whole community. He was a kind
and affectionate husband, a tender parent and
an obliging neighbor. In his death the
county lost a valuable citizen.
«o» a n » ^ I g * On
jOLAND ROBERTS, proprietor of the
Washington street livery stable, at Jef-
ferson, has been a resident of Greene
County since 1870, at which time he set-
tled on a farm in Grant Township. He im-
proved this farm, and sold it to D. P. Root,
who formerly owned the livery stable. The
*w e '?i'°ig'"w**a°ta r - g a' E ii—M M 'M g '« l
VlmJBamOmiWMm
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BBSS
338
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
i ' i
firm was at one time Eoot & Eoberts, being
established as such in 1879. This firm was
succeeded by Eoberts & Williams, Mr.
Eoberts becoming sole proprietor in 1883.
He is a native of Wales, born in 1840, and
came to this country with his parents when
six years of age. His father, J. H. Eoberts,
settled near Mazomanie, Dane County, Wis-
consin, and died when Eoland was eleven
years old. Our subject was reared in Dane
County, and married Miss C. M. Ballard.
They, have three children — Hugh B., Bessie
C. and Gertie. The two oldest were born in
Wisconsin. The parents of Mr. Eoberts had
ten children, five of whom are living — three
sons and two daughters. Mr. Eoberts is a
successful business man, and receives the
libera] patronage of the traveling public.
«»-»«§*§«£*§»*-••'——
OBEET GOODWIN, of the firm of Dale
| & Goodwin, proprietors of the Grand
^S^| Junction pipe and tile works, was born
near Lith, Scotland, February 23, 1847, son
of Eobert Goodwin, now deceased. He was
educated in the public schools of his native
place. He came to America in May, 1865,
and lived five years in Mercer County, Penn-
sylvania, spending a portion of that time in
the oil regions, and also mining coal and
prospecting generally. He came to Trum-
bull County, Ohio, in 1870, and worked in
the mines most of the time until 1877, then
came to Grand Junction and engaged in farm-
ing until 1882, when he helped to build the
present manufactories. He still manages a
farm of 200 acres. The factory is large, run
by a forty-five horse-power steam engine, with
a capacity from one to two cars of tile or
brick every day. They use the Tracer crusher,
also own and operate a coal shaft in connec-
tion with the factory, all run by the same en-
gine. They mine their own coal and sell to
local trade, using the clay from under the
coal vein to make tile and brick. They do
an extensive business, and it is constantly in-
creasing. Mr. Goodwin was married Decem-
ber 25, 1868, to Margaret Maxwell, daughter
of Thomas Maxwell, deceased. She is a na-
tive of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are
the parents of seven children — Thomas, Eob-
ert, William J., Daniel, Mary, Maggie and
Katie; all are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Good-
win are members of the Presbyterian church.
-M*VHI*3*4jHP~