Biographies of Benton Twp., Benton County, Iowa - 1878 From "History of Benton County, 1878" Contributed by Kate Pool, dtp2@psu.edu ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Addy, George, far., S. 27; P.O. Shellsburg. Arble, W.B., far., S. 32; P.O. Shellsburg. Barnard, J.W., far., S. 25; P.O. Shellsburg. Barr, T., far., S. 14; P.O. Shellsburg. Benfer, F., far., S., 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Berry, Ebenezer, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Vinton; born in Orange Co., Vermont, July 2, 1810; lived in that state thirty-nine years; engaged in farming and coopering; came to Iowa in Oct., 1849, and located where he now lives, and entered land from the Government. He was one of the early settlers here; the Indians were here at that time; has sold dressed pork for 2 cents per pound, and wheat at 50 cents per bushel; used to take two days to go to mill with ox team. The first wagon he had, he made himself; it was an ox cart without iron. He owns 193 acres of land. He married Miss Permelia Floyd, from Clinton, Ohio, May 8, 1861; she came to Linn Co., Iowa, in Oct. 1854; they have two children-Ella, born Nov. 23, 1863, and Lulu, born July 13, 1874. Berry, J., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Bort, S.B., far.; P,O, Shellsburg. Broddy, E., S. 7; P.O. Vinton. Broddy, far., S. 7; P.O. Vinton. Broddy, J., far., S. 19; P.O. Vinton. Brooks, C.B., far., S. 32; P.O. Shellsburg. Brooks, L., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 32; P.O. Shellsburg; born in Genesee Co., N.Y., Feb. 11, 1818; came to this county in 1855; has 320 acres of land, valued at $9,000. Held nearly all the Township offices; belongs to the M.E. Church. Married Jane S. Pease in 1839; she was born in Cortland Co., N.Y., Feb. 4, 1820; mother of five children-Marianne (now Mrs. Dr. Dickerson), was born Dec. 12, 1842; Charles H., April 13, 1846; Chester B., May 8, 1851; Alfred Le Roy, June 6, 1859; Emory L., July 20, 1861. In 1852, emigrated to Williamson Co., Ill. and lived there three years; then came to Benton Co.; came with teams, camped out, and did their own cooking; when they came here, there were only three shanties on the prarie south and west; now, from his farm, he can count nine churches, showing what the development of the country has been in the last twenty two years. Came here poor, and, by industry, has made him a good home. Brumwell, F.; P.O. Shellsburg. Brumwell, J., far., S. 30; P.O. Shellsburg. Brumwell, J.H.; P.O. Shellsburg. Brumwell, Wm., far., S. 30; P.O. Shellsburg. Buttolph, A.M., far., S. 25; P.O. Shellsburg. Callicott, F.C., farmer; P.O. Shellsburg. Cantonwine, David, far., Sec. 32; P.O. Shellsburg. Carriher, G.E., far., S. 31; P.O. Shellsburg. Carriher, Joseph, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton; born in Lycoming Co., Penn, Jan. 26, 1833; came to this county in 1853; has 185 acres of land, valued at $7,400. Republican in politics. Held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Township Trustee, Town Treasurer, etc. Married Cynthia Ann Raelsback, who was born in Indiana Nov. 12, 1834; they have seven children-George E., born Sept. 18, 1859; John C., Aug. 2, 1861; Joseph G., Dec. 29, 1864; Clarence S., June 10, 1866; Herry F., Nov. 10, 1869; William E., Aug. 13, 1870; Nellie May, May 8, 1875. Emigrated from Pennsylvania to Indiana; lived there thirteen years; thence to Ohio; stayed there three years; thence came to Benton Co., where he has lived since; when he came here brought twenty-seven head of horses; sold them to the emigrants; has dealt in horse more or less ever since he came here; has handled as many as 600 head, and never lost one in his life; the second year he was here went to Missouri, and bought steers and brought them to this county and fed; the first ever fed in the county. Mr. C. has a fine farm and a good, comfortable home. Casefeer, J.M., far., P.O. Shellsburg. DeWitt, D.H., farmer; P.O. Shellsburg. Dickenson, J.N., far., Sec. 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Dine, John C., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Vinton; born in Decatur Co., Ind., Dec. 19, 1840; lived there until 11 years old, and came with parents by wagon to Iowa; was four weeks on the way; arrived in this county in Sept., 1852; they were among the early settlers. Was in the army; enlisted in Co. A, 28th Iowa V.I.; was in the battles of Port Gibson-shot in the leg; was in the service eighteen months; returned and engaged in farming. Owns a farm of 100 acres. Has held the office of School Director for the past five years, and is President of the Board. Married Miss Louisa M. Wheeler, from Pennsylvania, in Feb. 1865; they have four children-Alice A., Myrtie, Edson and Electa; lost two children in infancy. Donels, J., far., S. 34; P.O. Shellsburg. Donels, W.G., far., S. 34; P.O. Shellsburg. Dorsey, Beal, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton; born in Lexington, Ky., April 29, 1823; came to this county in the fall of 1845; has 335 acres of land, valued at $10,000. Republican in politics. Held the offices of Township Trustee, Deputy Sheriff, etc. Married Eliza J. Railsback; she was born in Parke Co., Ind., July 13, 1827; they have nine living children-Mary Ann, George, Samuel, Allie, James F., Lucinda J., Charles, Richard and Malissa E. Emigrated from Kentucky to LaSalle Co., Ill.; lived there one year; thence to Tazewell Co., Ill.; nine years; thence to Carroll Co., Ill.; stayed there one year; from there to Linn Co., Iowa, in May, 1839; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since. Was at the first election held in Benton Township. When he came here there was not a house in Vinton, and only four families in the neighborhood. Had in his pocket $120, team, one plow, and old dray, two cows and five hogs, which was the extent of his wealth. Mr. D. has by industry and economy made himself and family a good home, and is one of the sound farmers of the township. Dorsey, J.F., far., S. 31; P.O. Vinton. Elwood, E.Z., far., Sec. 18; P.O. Vinton. Elson, Daniel, farmer S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg; born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, Jan 15, 1834; came to this county in 1852; has 160 acres of land, valued at $3,200. Politics, Republican. Married Catherine Swallum, who was born in Merrill Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1837; mother of ten children-Sylvester H., Albert A., Mary A., James E, Roxa I., Phebe L., Cora A., Rebecca J., Sarah E. D., and Oliver Thomas. Emigrated from Ohio, direct to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was amongst the first who come to the county; had to rough it, and knows what it is to lead a pioneer life; when he first came here he worked for $13 per month, and by hard work has made a good home. Elson, S.H., far., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Freeman, George, farmer and fruit grower, S. 27; P.O. Shellsburg; born in Broome Co., N.Y., Feb. 8, 1820; came to this county in 1857, in the Spring; has 180 acres of land, valued at $3,600. Politics, Republican. Held the offices of Town Trustee, Town Clerk and Treasurer; belongs to the Christian church. Married Mary E. Keeler in 1848; mother of five living children-Ella H., born Aug. 20, 1850; Mary B., born Aug. 24, 1852; Stacey H., born Aug. 22, 1856; Ida F., born March 2, 1863; Alice E., born March 5, 1870. Emigrated to Bradford Co., Penn., where he lived for three years, thence to Luzerne Co.; taught school three years; run a canal boat at the time of the epidemic in the Wyoming Valley in 1844; thence to Bradford Co., where he was married; thence to Burlington, N.J.; lived there two years; thence to Broome Co., N.Y.; bought a farm and built a saw-mill, stayed there three years and lost $500 in the undertaking; thence to Bradford Co., Penn., to Mrs. Freeman's old home; lived there three years, and then came to Linn Co., Iowa, and from there to Benton Co. Mr. F. has one orchard of 450 trees of the choicest fruit. Mr. Freeman takes a great interest in the township, and is one of its leading spirits. Glimes, W.N., far., P.O. Shellsburg. Grubb, Jacob, farmer and stock raiser, S. 33; P.O. Shellsburg; born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., Nov. 30, 1825; has 197 acres of land, valued at $5,000; also ten acres in Canton Tp., valued at $800. Politics, Republican. Married Elizabeth Acker, who was born in Blair Co., Penn.; mother of two children-Henry L., born Aug. 25, 1853; Mary C., born May 18, 1861. Emigrated from Pennsylvania to Benton Co., direct; located on eighty acres of land; bought the balance second handed; came here in limited circumstances, but has made himself a good and comfortable home. Was at the first election in Benton Tp.; there were only three families between here and Parker's Grove; the most of the prairie where he now lives was covered with hazel brush, where now you can find groves from fifteen to twenty-five feet high; at the time he came, there were plenty of Indians and wild game; built a shanty the first year he came here; lumber was scarce and hard to get; was amongst the pioneers, and knows what a pioneer life is. Grubb, U.L., far., S. 33; P.O. Shellsburg. Hall, Elie, far., S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. Hanover, F.W., far., S. 27; P.O. Shellsburg. Harrison, J.W., far., S. 18; P.O. Vinton. Harrison, R.C., far., S. 7; P.O. Vinton. Hite, J., far.;P.O. Vinton. Hopper, W., carpenter, S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Issenhuth, M., far., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Johnson, R.E., far., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Kimball, G., far., S. 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Kimball, Ira C., farmer Sec. 28; P.O. Shellsburg; born in LaMoille Co., Vt., Nov. 14, 1840; came to this county in 1854; has eighty acres of land, valued at $1,600. Held the office of Town Trustee. Married Caroline I. Marshall; she was born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., June 7, 1847; mother of three children-Abbie E., born June 9, 1868; Carrie C., Dec. 19, 1872; and Roy, March 31, 1876. Emigrated from Vermont to St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., when he was 8 years old, and lived there about five years; thence to Linn Co., Iowa, where he lived one year; then came to Benton Co., where he has resided since; when he came to this county, it was new, and very few inhabitants; has lived to see it devlop into one of the finest of farming counties. King, S.N., Rev., minister, Sec. 12; P.O. Vinton; born in Armstrong Co., Penn., March 12, 1833; lived in Pennsylvania for twenty years. He educated himself by his own efforts, and prepared himself by his own efforts, and prepared himself for the ministry; studied two years in Pennsylvania, then came to Ohio, and pursued his studies four years longer, and graduated; he received a call from a church in New Lisbon, Ohio, which he accepted, it being his first pastorate; he remained there for ten years, and then accepted a call to preach in Fulton Co., Ill., four years; came to Vinton in 1873, and united with the Cedar Rapids Presbytery, is now engaged in preaching under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society of New York, preaching regularly both at Ely and Fairfax, where he has been the means of doing great good. He owns 160 acres of land. Married Miss Sarah Ann Krilley, from Ohio, April 1, 1857; they have five children-John A., Franklin M., Harriet A., Mary L. and Benjamin A. Leach, J., farmer; P.O. Shellsburg. Lee, A., far., S. 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Lee, A.W., far., S. 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Lee, C., far., S. 28; P.O. Shellsburg. Lehew, J., far., S. 15; P.O. Shellsburg. Lehew, W.I., S. 15; P.O. Shellsburg. Linderman, M., far., S. 6; P.O. Vinton. Livermore, D.A., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. McBroom, T., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Shellsburg. McClintock, A.J., far., S. 25; P.O. Shellsburg. McCormick, R., far., S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. McCoy, J.F., far., S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. Magill, J., far, S. 29; P.O. Shellsburg. Maxon, T., far., S. 31; P.O. Shellsburg. Mirkmans, D., far., S. 25; P.O. Shellsburg. Mirkmans, M., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Mushawick, W., far., S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. Myers, C., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Myers, W., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Powers, I., farmer, S. 16; P.O. Shellsburg. Parker, John, farmer and President of the Farmers' Exchange Bank, Shellsburg, Sec. 36; born in Ireland in 1817; came to this county in the Fall of 1849; has 600 acres of land, valued at from $16,000 to $20,000. Belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Married Harriet Kirkpatrick; she was born in Ohio April 5, 1833; they have five children-David K., born July 20, 1855; Thomas A., Oct. 13, 1857; Nancy A., July 18, 1860; Sarah A., June 6, 1864; Mattie E., Sept. 9, 1868. Emigrated from Ireland in 1843 to Coshocton Co., Ohio, where he lived seven years; then came to Benton Co., where he has resided since. Worked the first year after he came here for a man of the name of Thomas P. Johnson for $12 per month; entered the land he now lives on the same year; went back to Ohio in the Spring of 1851; lived there one year; then came to Benton Co. Was married in 1854. The first election was held at John Pogue's, in Benton Tp. When he first came here he could have bought Parker's Grove for $700-a claim of about 600 acres; within two years some of the timberland was sold for $50 per acres. The first sermon preached in Vinton was by Rev. Dr. Wood, from Iowa City (a Presbyterian); Mr. P. was instrumental in getting up the meeting; it was held in a little frame court house, not finished; laid planks down upon sleepers for seats. When he came to Iowa he was very poor; worked out by the month, and rented land, and in seven years had $500 to start into his Benton Co. farm; by good management has accumulated a fine property. Quackenbush, C. L., far., Sec. 20; P.O. Vinton. Quinn, Robert, far., S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. Richart, J., far., Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton. Rice, James, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Vinton; born in Rockingham Co., North Carolina, Dec. 10, 1810; when 16 years of age, he went to Virginia, and served an apprenticeship in the tailoring business at Danville; in 1835, went to Tennessee, and lived there fourteen years; came to Benton Co., and located where he now lives April 18, 1849; bought the claims of Jesse Brody, and was one of the early settlers, only several living here now that were here when he came; carted his first crop of wheat to Muscatine, and sold it for 57 cents per bushel; at one time, he and F. Brison and A. Johnson, went together, and were gone two weeks. He was elected County Commissioner of this county in 1851; held the office of Supervisor of Roads, represented his town in the Board of Supervisors for eight years, and has held the office Justice of the Peace for fifteen or twenty years in all, and still fills that office; owns farm of 140 acres. He has been married three times; his first wife was Margaret Hunt, of Virginia; she died in Tennessee, leaving three children-Mary Spencer, Sallie Gaylord and Nathan, who was in the army, having gone as First lieutenant, and acted as Captain of Company C, 9th Iowa V.I. ; was shot and killed at the battle of Pea Ridge. His second wife was Lucinda Brison, daughter of Fielding Brison; she died Jan. 22, 1854, leaving five children-Le Roy, Henry C., Elizabeth and Lucinda; lost one son-Fielding-in 28th Iowa V.I., Company A.; he was killed in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va. He married his present wife, Mrs. Mary Floyd, from Ohio, in April, 1856; they have one son-Wm.O. Rife, S.M., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Rodecap, J., far., S. 18; P.O. Vinton. Roll, F., Sr., far., S. 33; P.O. Shellsburg. Roll, F., Jr., far., S. 33; P.O. Shellsburg. Roll, P., S. 33; P.O. Shellsburg. Sanders, C.C., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Sanders, W.I., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Scott, J., far, S. 26; P.O. Shellsburg. Smith, A.K., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Snyder, D., far., S. 26; P.O. Shellsburg. Soden, J.H., far.; P.O. Shellsburg. Spangler, J., far., S. 12; P.O. Vinton. Spencer, J.D., far., S. 8; P.O. Vinton. Starff, John, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Vinton; born in Germany Jan. 27, 1814; emigrated to America, and landed in New Orleans Dec. 1, 1839, without a cent; after being without work for three months, he hired to a gardener; received $8 for the first month, $12 for the second, and $30 for the third month; then went to Little Miamai, Ohio, and worked in harvest for five bits per day-and the whisky; but it was very good whisky; worked in Ohio a year and a half, working on farm and in distillery and chopping wood; went to St. Louis and drove omnibus there; worked in Iowa City and in Cedar Co., this State; after living in this county seven years alone, taking it rough and tumble, up and down, sweet and sour, he got married to Mrs. Lizzie Young, from the old country, Aug. 28, 1847; they came to Benton County in April 1849, and were early settlers. He traded a pair of pants, jacket, vest, and bridle, for the first horse he ever owned, and it was blind; his first wagon was a cart, made by himself, E. Berry and Berry Way, without iron; he used to cut and cart to Vinton three loads of wood a day, three-fourths of a cord in a load, and has cut a cord of wood in forty-five minutes. He owns 453 acres of land. They have three children-Daniel, Matilda and Thomas, and lost two in infancy. Starf, T., far., S. 12; P.O. Vinton. Stephens, J.H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton; born in Clarion Co., Penn., Jan. 26, 1850; came to this county in April, 1852; had an undivided interest in 160 acres of land, valued at $5,000. Held the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. Married Annie Kimball, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., Aug. 21, 1851; mother of two living children-Nellie, born Jan. 7, 1875; Jessie, born Aug. 5, 1877. Henry Stephens, father of the above sketch, was born in Blair Co., Penn., Dec. 2, 1810. He married Margaret McDowell, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Feb. 3, 1810; she was mother of five children, three of whom are now living-James, J.H. and Mollie. Was among the earliest settlers in Benton Township. He had one brother in the 28th I.V.I., Co. D; was in the battles of Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Red River expedition, in the two last fights of the Wilderness; was shot through the hip, which caused his death. Sterns, P., far., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Tracy, M., far., S. 14; P.O. Shellsburg. Wence, A., far., S. 18; P.O. Vinton. Wence, J.H., far., S. 18; P.O. Vinton. Whitney, H.E., far.: P.O. Shellsburg.. Wilcox, W., farmer, S. 24; P.O. Shellsburg. Williams, C., Sec. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Williams, E., Sec. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Williams, I.Z., far., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Williams, T., S. 36; P.O. Shellsburg. Wilt, J.W., far., S. 35; P.O. Shellsburg. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. -----------------------------------------------------------------------