Biographies of Big Grove 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Adamson, J.W., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Vinton. Auld, G.W., far., S. 6; P.O. Garrison. Baker, Samuel T., far., Sec. 11; P.O. Vinton. Baker, S., Thornton, Far., Sec. 11; P.O. Vinton. Banse, J., far., S. 5; P.O. Garrison. Bergen, Isaac, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10; P.O. Vinton; was born in Shelbyville, Ky., Sept. 3, 1828; came to this county in 1859; has 575 acres of land, valued at $12,000. Belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Married Martha H. Voorheis; she was born in Johnson Co., Ind., March 25, 1831. Joseph, born Aug. 19, 1854; Emeretta, Jan. 15, 1857; James M., June 2, 1859; R. Lilla, Jan. 12, 1862; Mattie J., March 23, 1864; Everett D., Dec. 2, 1866; James T., July 6, 1869; Guy L., July 31, 1875, are their living children; lost two children-Jane M. and James T. Emigrated with his parents to Johnson Co., Ind., when he was 3 years old; lived there until he was 31 years old; thence to Benton Co. and located on eighty acres of land, where he now lives; when he came here he was a poorman; had about $200 cash in his pocket; he came when these prairies were wild, and by his own industry has made himself a wealthy man; raises yearly, 150 acres of corn or 6,000 bushels; wheat 500 bushels; oats 2,000 bushels; turns off 150 head of hogs and 50 head of cattle; ships most of his own stock; is one of the live farmers of the county. Birch, J.G., far., S. 17; P.O. Garrison. Bohmke, E., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Garrison. Booker, I., far., S. 32; P.O. Garrison. Bowen, C.E., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Vinton. Bowen, I.W., retired farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Vinton; born in Winchester, Va., Feb. 13, 1804; came to this county in the Fall of 1852; has 130 acres of land, valued at $5,200. Belongs to M.E. Church. Married Eliza Gardner; she was born near Winchester, Va., Nov. 11, 1808; Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have lived together as man and wife nearly fifty years; she is the mother of four living children-Russell B., Martha, Eliza E., and Chester. Mr. B. emigrated with his parents from Virginia to Columbus, Ohio, when he was 4 years old; lived there twenty years; thence moved to Indianapolis, Ind.; lived there twenty years; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was here at the first election held in the township; at the time he came here there were not more than four of five buildings in Vinton, while now there is a population of about 5,000; came here when the prairies were wild, and has lived to see them developed into one of the finest farming counties in the State. Mr. B. has an old relic, a newpaper called the Ulster Co. Gazette, published at Kingston, by Samuel Freer & Son, giving the death of Geo. Washington, and the resolutions on the same by congress, probably the only one is existence. Mr. B. came to this county with limited means, and by industry and economy has made a good property and a comfortable home, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. Brant, J., far., S. 18; P.O. Garrison. Branin, M., Farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Vinton; was born in New Jersey Aug. 10, 1820; came to this county in 1854; has 280 acres of land, valued at $9,000. Married for his first wife Margery Ellyson; she was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in Oct., 1828; mother of four children-W.I., Chester, Alvertis and E.H. For his second wife, married Mary E. Tabor; she was born in Ohio in 1832. Emigrated with his parents from New Jersey when he was 4 years old, and settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio; lived there nine years; thence to Mahoning Co.; lived there about twenty-one years; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was amongst the earliest settlers of the township; Mr. H.H. Ellyson and himself were the first settlers south of the Grove; was at the first election of the township, and also helped to organize it. When he came to this county, he was a poor man; but by industry and economy has made himself and family a good home. >From - Wed Oct 08 21:08:36 1997 Return-Path: Received: from r02n02.cac.psu.edu ([146.186.15.12]) by email.mcleodusa.net (Netscape Mail Server v2.02) with ESMTP id AAA140 for ; Wed, 8 Oct 1997 21:24:01 -0500 Received: from default (AS5100-1-A11.nb.hmc.psu.edu [150.231.38.44]) by r02n02.cac.psu.edu (8.7.6/8.6.12) with SMTP id WAA109842 for ; Wed, 8 Oct 1997 22:32:29 -0400 Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19971009022921.00665028@email.psu.edu> X-Sender: dtp2@email.psu.edu X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:29:21 -0400 To: Sue Soden From: Poole Subject: biographies X-Mozilla-Status: 8005 Lagrange, J.W., physician. Lagrange, L. Lambertson, A., stock dealer. Landabaught, John, money broker. Langham, J.W., far., Sec. 25. Langstroth, E.F.B., physician. Latham, J.F., far., Sec. 25. Latham, L.W., far., Sec. 25. Lawton, C.C., plasterer. Lawton, W.C., plasterer. Lindsley, J.M., freight agent. Locke, James B., stone mason and contractor; born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., Jan 31, 1828; when 9 years of age, went to state of New York and learned his trade; came to Iowa in 1853; contracted one year in Davenport, and came to Vinton in Oct., 1854, and engaged in contracting and building; is one of the early settlers; has put up most of the best buildings here in Vinton; he and P.S. Finkbine built the State College for the Blind; Mr. Finkbine, now superintending the State Capitol, did carpenter work, and Mr. Locke did the mason work, the whole costing about $264,000 the cheapest State work done in Iowa he built the shops at Cedar Rapids for the B., C.R.& N.R.R., and is now the contractor for the Company, building bridges; he has been actively interested in the interests of this town and county; was in the army and commissioned Captain by Gov. Kirkwood, but went out as private. Married Miss Elsie Walley, from near Albany, N.Y., in Jan. 1853; they have four children-Mattie, Katie, Sadie and Frank. Lock, P.A., plasterer. Loizaux, P.J., minister. Loizaux, T.C., minister. Long, C.P., farmer. Loree, William M., dealer in groceries and provisions; born in Pittsfield, Mass., April 15, 1834; came to Ohio when 6 years of age, and lived there about fifteen years; engaged in mercantile business at Columbus; came to Vinton in 1856, and has been engaged in business here twenty-two years, and is the oldest merchant in Vinton. Married Miss Jennie G. Hawkins, from Fremont, Ohio, in 1855; they have two children-Annie and Charlie. Lowe, John D., farmer, Sec. 34; born in Mercer Co., Ky., Aug. 10, 1832; when 12 years of age, moved to Johnson Co., Ind., and lived there until 1853; came by wagon to Benton Co.; was sixteen days on the way, and arrived here Oct. 27, 1853; was one of the early settlers; only a few here now that were here when he came; he worked for Mr. Young, Mr. Vannice and Mr. Boggs; entered 160 acres from Goverment, and engaged in farming; has hauled wheat to Iowa City, 50 miles, and sold it for 25 cents per bushel; he owns farm of 180 acres, and timber, thiry-five acres; has held town, school, and road offices, and was Secretary of School Board three yers. Married Miss Marth Chaffen, from Scioto Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1855; she died Oct. 9, 1872, the same day of the month and the same hour of the day on which they were married, leaving seven children-five boys and two girls. Lowe, Samuel, farmer, Sec.34. Lowe, L.W., laborer. Lowe, W.D. Luton, Daniel, laborer. Mcallister, W.A., grain dealer. McCartney, John, retired lawyer. McCaslin, James W., Superintendent Evergreen Cemetery; born in Scott Co., Ind., Feb. 16, 1831; lived ther about twenty-five years; came to Iowa in fall of 1856; has been engaged in farming, cooper business and dealing in stock; he has held town, school and road offices. Married Miss Elizabeth Tull, from Scott Co., Indiana, Feb. 21, 1852. McConnell, W.R., laborer. McCulley, H.A. McDaniels, J.A., fine stock dealer. McDaniels, J.A., Jr., clerk. McDuff, Wm., wagon maker. McElroy, H.H., hardware. McElewain, A., teacher. McElewain, T.C., teacher. McHeffer, George, farmer, Sec. 1. McKinstry, R., fine stock dealer. McLean, S.C. McWhorter, E.T., stock dealer. McWhorter, J.T., stock dealer. Manning, J.M., laborer. Maples, D.D. Marrietta, D.S., farmer. Marietta, Harry, livery. Marietta, J.E., insurance agent. Marietta, J.W. Marine, S.A. Marine, W.T., farmer. Marquis, C.R., clerk. Mathews, J.H., carpenter. Mathews, J.P., agricultural agent. Martin, William, carpenter. Mayes, John B., farmer, Sec. 31; born in Logan Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1858; came to Iowa with his parents when 8 years of age and lived in Blackhawk Co.; came to Vinton Co. in 1873 and is engaged in farming. Means, W.W., City Marshal, Vinton; born in Portage Co., Ohio, June 14, 1832; moved to Indiana and leaned the trade of carpenter and joiner; came to Iowa by wagon, being five weeks on the way; arrived here in July, 1855, and went to work at his trade. Was in the army; enlisted in 28th Reg. Iowa Inf., Co. D; was in batles of Sabine Cross Roads, Yellow Bayou, and returned with the regiment. Holds office of City Marshal and is serving his tenth term. Married miss T.E. Slattery, from the State of New York, in May, 1852; they have six children-Harriet E., Alice M., Fanny C., Missouri R., William T. and Edward C; lost one son. Mease, J.P., carpenter. Mehan, A., stone mason. Mehan, Edmond. Mekins, Henry, laborer. Melwin, W.T., gunsmith. Meredith, Marion, Dr., physician and surgeon; born in Decatur Co; Ind., May 21, 1831; received his education and studied medicine and graduated at the Medical College of Ohio in 1866; he was Surgeon of the 68th Ind.V.I. during the war; came to Vinton in 1866, and has practiced his profession here since; has held the office of President of the Iowa Union Medical Society, and is physician for the State College of the Blind. Married Miss Sarah F. Lathrop, from Decatur Co., Ind., May 21, 1856; they have one adopted daughter. Mickey, John, stone mason. Mickey, L.W., gardener. Mickey, Samuel, stone mason. Mickey, William, stone mason. Miller, C.W., grocer. Miller, E.L., minister. Miller, E.S., shoemaker. Miller, Henry, shoemaker. Miller, J.A., grocer. Miller, Hoover, laborer. Miller, John, shoemaker. Miller, J.R. Miller, John C., retired farmer; born in Huntingdon Co., Penn, March 6, 1806; lived in Pennsylvania twenty-five years. Married Miss Margaret McKinstry, of Pennsylvania, in 1827; they moved to Ohio in 1831, and lived there nine years; in 1840, they came by wagon there, nine in family, to Iowa, and arrived in Davenport Oct. 4 and only had 75 cents in money; they were among the early settlers; only a very few buildings of any kind were there; he engaged in farming; they used to have to go to Dubuque to mill, and the snow was so deep at times they could no go, and lived only on potatoes and meat six weeks, without flour or bread; it was a hard struggle, but by industry, economy and good management he secured a competency. his wife died, leaving six children; in 1873, he married Mrs. G. White; she was one of the earliest settlers in this State; he sold his farm and came to Vinton in 1875. Miller, Levi S., of the firm Tinkham & Miller, grocers; was born in Highland Co., Ohio, Jan 7, 1829; lived in Ohio twenty-six years; learned the trade of merchant tailor; came to Marysville, Benton Co.; was clerk in store; came to Vinton in 1858; started in the tailoring business; was also in the insurance business; engaged in the grocery business with J.L. Tinkham in July, 1866; they have been in business twelve yers. Has held the office of Town Clerk six years, and City Assessor four years; also Township Assessor; holds the office of Mayor of Vinton; was elected March, 1878, Married Miss Sarah Jane Hughey, from Ohio; they have five children-Sarah A., Charles W., John A., Laura B. and James E.; lost one daughter-Mary E. Miller, W.T., far., Sec. 29. Mills, D.W., laborer. Mitchell, James R., Superintendent Benton County Poor Farm, Sec. 22; born in Scott Co., Ky., July 4, 1837; when 7 years old moved to Indiana; lived there ten years, and came by wagon to Benton Co., and arrived here sept. 24, 1854; located in Vinton. Was in the army; enlisted in Co. D, 28th Iowa V.I.; was in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, New Orleans, up the Red River with Gen. Banks, in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, then in Virginia under Sheridan, in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar creek; was slightly wounded in the head at the battle of Cedar creek; was in the service three years. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors Superintendent of the Poor Farm of this county in the Fall of 1877. Married miss Laura Knapp, from Indiana, in 1857; she died Sept. 25, 1875; they had three children; lost them all. Married Miss Jane Culver, from this State, Nov. 14, 1876. Mitchell, Irwin, butter and eggs. Moon, A.B., carpenter. Moore, Hubbard, carpenter and builder, firm of Bloodgood & Moore; born in Essex Co., Vt., Nov. 19, 1819; lived in Vermont eighteen years, and then went to Wisconsin in 1838, and lived there eleven years; learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; went to California in 1849; lived there two years; came to Bremer Co., Iowa in 1864, and came to Vinton in 1868, and engaged in the building business. Married Emma G. Peck, from Massachusetts, in 1858; she died in 1861. Married Kate Peck, from Massachusetts, in 1863; has two children-Louisa A. and Stephen W.; lost two children in infancy. Morton, Andrew, dairyman. Morrow, J.A., grain merchant. Morton, D.R., laborer. Morton, M.D., laborer. Moss, C.E., farmer, Sec. 23. Moss, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 23. Mount, C.V., jeweler. Moyer, John Z., proprietor of the City Market; born in Northampton Co., Penn., Feb. 28, 1838; lived there sixteen years; lived in New Jersey twelve yers, and returned to Pennsylvania for some years, and came to Vinton, Iowa; engaged in the market business Jan. 1, 1877. married miss Gertrude Correll, from Pennsylvania, in 1865; they have three sons-Edward, Clarence and Joseph; lost two sons-Henry and Charles. Moyer, S.G., Deputy Clerk. Murphy, W.F., carpenter. Myers, A.J., laborer. Nevin, J.R., farmer. Nichols, John D., attorney at law; born in Canada West July 22, 1834, lived there twenty-two years, and learned carriage making; came to Iowa and studied law with Traer & Gilchrist, of Vinton, and was admitted to the bar in 1872; has practiced his profession here since then. He represents this District in the Iowa State Senate, being eleted in 1876. Married miss Sarah Stevens, from Canada, in 1854; she died in 1870, leaving four sons-Malcolm E., Clarence, Clifford G. and Frank Benn. Married Miss P.J. Breman, from Canada, in Iowa Falls, March, 1872. Nickelson, David, night police. Nixon, Alex., blacksmith. Nixon, James, blacksmith. Noble, Isband, farmer, Sec. 4; born in Ontario, Canada, April 16, 1827; lived there twenty-three years and came to Benton Co., Iowa, in November 1850; he and his brother lived in a cabin on the river bottom during the Winter; in the Spring, he went to Minnesota. In 1852, he returned to Canada; married Miss Hannah P. Geddes, sister of Gen. James L. Geddes, of Iowa College, Oct. 27, 1852; she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; they came to this county in November, 1852, and located where they now live, and entered land from the government; they were among the earliest settlers; only one man in this neighborhood that was here when they came. Has held township and school offices. It used to take him three and four days with ox team to go to mill at Cedar Rapids and return, leaving his wife alone; she was as brave as he; the Indians and wolves did not frighten her; when they came, they had but little, and now own over 600 acres of land; they have five children-James A., Isband, Libbie, Andrew and Charles G. Noble, Isband, Jr., farmer, Sec. 4. Noble, James S., farmer, Sec. 4. Odell, M.G., carpenter. Oppelt, S.C., plasterer. Oppelt, W.H., farmer, Sec. 6. Osgood, S.R., carpenter. Owens, Garrett, farmer, Sec. 33. Palmer, W.S., clerk. Palmer, H.N., drugs, books and stationery; born in Richland Co., Ohio, Oct. 27, 1843; lived in Ohio until 12 years of age, when he came to Vinton in 1854; has lived here twenty-four years; he has been engaged in the drug, book and stationery business since 1866. Married Miss Nellie Cleveland from Michigan, In January, 1872; they have two children-Paul Correll and Florence May. Palmer, T.S., druggist; born in Richland Co., Ohio, July 17, 1825; lived there until 21 years of age, then went South, to Tennessee and St. Louis, and came to Burlington, Iowa, in April 1848; in the Spring of 1849, he went overland to California; returned in 1851 to Ohio, nd came to Vinton in April 1852, being one of the earliest setllers, there being no one in business here now that was here when he came; he engaged in the drug business in 1855. Has held town and school offices. Married Miss Nancy Hale, from Richland co., Ohio, in May, 1853; they have three children-Walter S., Etta and Charles S.; they have lost one daughter. Palmer, W.S., clerk, drug store. Palmerter, J.C., farmer, Sec.7. Parker, M.W., nursery, Sec. 30. Payne, J.H., blacksmith. Peacock, E.F., dentist, born in Troy, N.Y., March 11, 1845; lived in that State eighteen years; then lived in Pennsylvania for five years; removed to Rockford, Ill., and studied dentistry; came to vinton in 1871 and has been engaged in the practice of his profession here since, except several years in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Married Miss J. M. Shoonmaker from Illinois in 1872; they have two children-Sarah L. and Frank H. >From - Sun Oct 12 20:25:27 1997 Return-Path: Received: from r02n02.cac.psu.edu ([146.186.15.12]) by email1-1.mcleodusa.net (Netscape Mail Server v2.02) with ESMTP id AAA17818 for ; Wed, 15 Oct 1997 20:53:53 -0500 Received: from default (AS5200-2-A7.nb.hmc.psu.edu [150.231.38.231]) by r02n02.cac.psu.edu (8.7.6/8.6.12) with SMTP id BAA148506 for ; Thu, 16 Oct 1997 01:53:50 GMT Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19971016015039.00664efc@email.psu.edu> X-Sender: dtp2@email.psu.edu X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 21:50:39 -0400 To: Sue Soden From: Poole Subject: Big Grove X-Mozilla-Status: 8005 Catlin, James E., farmer. Sec. 34; P.O. Blairstown. Carter, J.O., far., S. 23; P.O. Vinton. Chapman, A., far., S. 34; P.O. Blairstown. Chinn, John P., farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 11; P.O. Vinton; born in Harrison Co., Ky., June 23, 1824; came to this county June 19, 1850; has 248 acres of land, valued at $12,000. Belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Married Joanna Bergon in Kentucky; she was born in Kentucky April 19, 1824; mother of four children-Isaac L., Garrett C., John T. and Eddie D. Emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana; lived there twenty-six years; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since; helped to organize the township; also was at the first election. Mr. Doan and Mr. Chinn are the oldest settlers living in the township. Clark, E.H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 25; P.O. Vinton; was born in Washington Co., N.Y., April 4, 1828; came to this county in 1863; has 272 acres of land, valued at $8,000. Belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Married Mary A. Paige; she was born in New Hampshire June 4, 1844; mother of one child-Sylvia A., born Sept. 6, 1870. Emigrated from new York to Benton Co.; worked on farm and mill for two years; then crossed the plains to California; lived there three years; was three months on the road; was four years and four months on the salt water; shipped on board the bark Eugenia in 1851 at new Bedford, Mass.; sailed around Cape Horn; thence to the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Clark makes dairy business a specialty; has twenty cows (makes butter); his cows in 1877 yielded him 4,868 pounds of butter, for which he received $937.60, averaging nearly $50 per head. Mr. C. is one of the live farmers of the township. Clifton, John, far., S. 11; P.O. Vinton. Clites, Philip, far., S. 9; P.O. Garrison. Colicott, Wm., far., S. 10; P.O. Vinton. Covert, J.V., far., S. 11; P.O. Vinton. Culp, E., far., S. 3; P.O. Vinton. Culp, Richard, far., Sec. 2; P.O. Vinton. Dean, Amos N., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Vinton. Dickson, E.S., far., S. 21; P.O. Vinton. Dickson, J., far., S. 21; P.O. Vinton. Dickson, W.D., far., S. 21; P.O. Vinton. Doan, A.H., far., S. 33; P.O. Blairstown. Doan, Elias, farmer and stock raiser, S. 12; P.O. Vinton; was born in Washington Co., Ind., June 5, 1814; came to this county June 24, 1850; has 217 acres of land, valued at $8,000; held the office of School Director, Township Trustee, etc. Married Catherine Coffman; she was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 3, 1827; is the mother of five living children-Thos. C., Florence A., Francis M., Wm. W., George H. Emigrated direct to this county, where he has resided since; came through with teams, and camped out; was three weeks making the trip; came here when Taylor Tp. extended to the Iowa River; was here when it was divided up and helped to organize the town of Big Grove; was also at the first election; at the time he came to the county there were not more than ten votes polled in the township, in 1850; to do his trading he had to go to Cedar Rapids; would make a trip without striking a fence; had one son in the 28th Regt. Iowa Inf., Co. A; was in the battles of Vicksburg, Red River Expedition, Winchester and Cedar Creek; was wounded by a musket ball through the thigh; was struck in five places at about the same time. When Mr. D. came here he was poor with the rest of the emigrants, but by good management and economy has made a good home. Doan, Thos. C., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Vinton; was born in Big Grove Tp., Benton Co., Iowa, Dec. 8, 1850; was the first white male child born in the township; has eighty acres of land, valued at $3,000. Politics, Republican; belongs to the M.E. Church. Married Sarah H. Campbell; she was born in Scott Co., Iowa, July 11, 1849. Mrs. D. married for her first husband Patrick Donahue, by whom she had five children-Estella, Havilah, Sarah A., Mary E. and Lester C. Mr. D. is the oldest living resident born in the township, having been born in it. Donoly, P., far., S. 18; P.O. Garrison. Ellyson, H.H., farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 13; P.O. Vinton; born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 8, 1826; came to this county in July, 1854; has 200 acres of land, valued at $6,000. Politics, Republican. Held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Township Assessor and Township Trustee. Belongs to the Friend's Church. Married Sarah Hutton; she was born in Portage Co., Ohio, Nov. 30, 1825; is the mother of four children-Eliza, born Jan. 12, 1846; Willis H., May 7, 1850; Grace H., Feb. 3, 1858; Mary A., Sept. 7, 1868. Emigrated direct from Ohio to this county; was here at the organization of the town; was also at the first election; came when there were not more than a dozen inhabitants in the township, it being in its wild state, and he has seen it develped into as fine a farming county as can be found in any State; Mr. E. has some full blooded Short-Horns; is one of the leading farmers in the township. Had one son in the 28th Regt. Iowa Vol., Inf. Co. A; enlisted in July, 1862; was in the service only about eight months when he contracted the disease of typhoid fever, and died at Helena, Ark., Mr. E. is President of the Eden Fire Insurance Company. Ellyson, Willis H., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Vinton; born in Stark Co., Ohio, May 7, 1850; came to this county when he was 4 years old, in 1854; has eighty acres of land, valued at $3,000. Politics, Republican. Held the offices of President of the School Board, and School Director. Married Florence Schutts; she was born in Otsego Co., N.Y., Oct. 27, 1854; mother of one child-Minnie, born Sept. 9, 1875. Raises on an average of 1,200 bushels of corn; 150 bushels of wheat; 150 bushels oats; turns off about 25 head of cattle yearly. Mr. E. came here with his parents, and was amongst the earliest settlers in the township. Flickinger, Michael, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Garrison. Flickinger, W., far., Sec. 9; P.O. Garrison. Forney, P., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Garrison. Fry, E., far., Sec. 23; P.O. Vinton. Fry, James, Sec. 23; P.O. Vinton. Gleason, Charles, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Garrison. Gordon, W., far., S.7; P.O. Garrison. Gross, John, far., S. 7; P.O. Garrison. Hall, Henry F., farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Garrison. Hamilton, R., far., S. 8; P.O. Garrison. Hanna, A.H., far., S. 21; P.O. Vinton. Hilke, C., far., S. 30; P.O. Garrison. Hoke, G., far., Sec. 29; P.O. Blairstown. Hunt, J.S., far., Sec. 6; P.O. Garrison. Hunt, O., far., Sec. 36; P.O. Blairstown. Hussey, B.F., far., S. 29; P.O. Blairstown. Illian, Charles, farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Vinton. Jacobs, J.P., (of J.P. Jacobs & Son), farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29; P.O. Garrison; was born in Dover, N.H., Dec. 25, 1821; came to this county in March, 1865; has 160 acres of land, valued at $5,000. Has held the office of Town Trustee for seven years. Belongs to the Friends' Church. For the first wife, married Mariah W. Clow; she was born in Brunswick, Me., by her he had four children-Mary S., I. Orland, Anna M. and Abbie S. For his second wife, married Naoma A. Elliott; she was born in Brunswick, Me., Nov. 5, 1828. Mrs. Jacobs was married to J. Smith, by whom she had three children-James W., Nellie M. and Katie A. Emigrated from New Hampshire to Maine, where he spent the greater part of his life; thence to Muscatine Co., Iowa, in 1863; lived there until he came to Benton Co., where he has followed farming and fine stock raising. Mr. Jacobs has on hand fifteen head of full-blooded Jerseys; had an offer for the herd of $100 per head; has cows valued at $200; also has some full-blooded Poland-China pigs, which he has demand for all over the Northwest. Any one wanting good stock, will do well to call on him. Can give pedigree of his whole herd, which consists of and can be found on A.J. Herd's book: Lady Annie, No. 1055; Jersey Bell, No. 1021; Lizzie, No. 1485; Rose of Sharon, No. 1483; Maud, No. 1484; Sylvia, No. 2385; Fawn, No. 2746; Lady Alice, No. 1054; Macon, No. 1043. Has some of the best Jerseys in the State for size and blood. Kipp, J.M., far., S. 17; P.O. Garrison. Kline, J., far., S. 8; P.O. Garrison. Knaack, H., far., S. 28; P.O. Vinton. Knaack, J., far., S. 28; P.O. Vinton. Krohuke, J.M., far., S. 31; P.O. Garrison. This is the rest of Big Grove. Sorry it has taken so long. Cold season has struck, and the kids have been total crabs. Free time? what is that????? :-) La Rue, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Garrison; born in Virginia Nov. 24, 1800; came to this county Aug. 3, 1856; has 500 acres of land, valued at $20,000. Married Acenith Harris; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio; Mother of eleven children-Sarah E., Harriet, Chambers C., Wm. H., Isaac N., Thomas P., Mary J., Jesse L., L.N.B., John J. and Edgar A. Emigrated from Virginia to Morrow Co., Ohio, in 1829, where he bought a farm, and cleared up to 160 acres with his own hands; when he commenced there, had $94 in his pocket. Traded his land in Ohio, giving one acre for five of prairie, making a good trade; has as fine a farm as there is in this county; came to this county overland with teams, and drove stock through; camped out on the roads; camped in their wagons until he built a shanty, which he covered with prarie grass, and lived there three or four months. Mr. La Rue has a fine flock of 325 sheep; also, has some fine stock of Short-Horned Durhams. Has a grove of over seven acres set out with his own hands, and has a greater variety of trees than can be found in the county; is one of the solid farmers of the Tp. L.N.B. La Rue, his son, has a fine farm of 160 acres, valued at $5,000; also, rents his father's farm, and raises, on average, 100 acres of corn, or 5,000 bushels; turns off fifty head of hogs. Is a single man, and starting out with the best prospects. La Rue, C.C., farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Blairstown. La Rue, Lewis, far., S. 33; P.O. Blairstown. Louderbaugh, Henry T., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16; P.O. Garrison; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Nov. 20, 1842; came to this county in 1863; has 240 acres of land valued at $9,000. Held the offices of Town Trustee and Secretary of the School Board. Belongs to the M.E. Church. Married Mary Parshall; she was born in Otsego Co., N.Y., Dec. 31, 1846; mother of two living children-John and James. Emigrated to Benton Co. direct from Pennsylvania where he has resided since; raises on average eighty acres 3,200 bushels of corn, 150 bushels of wheat, 600 bushels of oats; turns of fifty head of hogs and a car load of cattle. His property has been made by his own exertions and industry, and he is one of the enterprising farmers of the township. He enlisted in the 47th Regt. I.V.I. Co. C, stationed at Helena, Ark.; was detailed in the U.S. General Hospital. Lieb, C., far., S. 28; P.O. Vinton. Lurch, Jacob, blacksmith, Belle Plaine. Lynstrum, Chas., far., S. 5; P.O. Garrison. McDaniels, James, far., Sec. 4; P.O. Garrison. McDaniels, W.R., Sec. 4; P.O. Garrison. McEitt, James, far., Sec. 20; P.O. Garrison. McLean, Richard, far., S. 26; P.O. Vinton. McNeal, J.S., far., Sec. 17; P.O. Garrison; born in Ohio in 1842; came to this county in 1866; has 160 acres of land, valued at $5,000. Married Miss E.F. Bennett; she was born in Ohio; mother of two children. Mr. M. enlisted in the 1st Ohio Regt., Co. A. in the three months call; afterward enlisted in the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Co. A; was at the siege of Vicksburg; was discharged, by losing voice from exposure, after the capture of Vicksburg; afterward enlisted in the 136th Ohio National Guards, and stationed at Washington until the close of the war; was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, at Camp Chase. Merchant, Jonah, far., S. 4; P.O. Garrison. Noe, Arza B., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Garrison. Noe, Ben W., far., S. 8; P.O. Garrison. Orten, Fred, far., Sec. 15; P.O. Vinton. Ottson, Geo., far., S. 32; P.O. Blairstown. Paige, Samuel, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29; P.O. Garrison; born in Merrimack Co., N.H., Dec. 14, 1832; came to this county in the Fall of 1857; has 240 acres of land, valued at $10,000. Married Mary M. Schoonover; she was born in New York April, 1835; mother of six children-Lucy Ann, Mary Alma, Oliver L., David E., Ira W., John. Emigrated from New Hampshire to Muscatine Co., Iowa, where he lived about three years; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was among the earliest settlers in the township; when he came there it was in its wild state; there was only one shanty between here and Blairstown, that being a sod shanty built by a man name of Kanan. Has a fine grove of seven acres, planted by his own hands; raises on an average about sixty-five acres of corn yearly or 2,500 bushels; wheat, 200 bushels; oats, 600 bushels; turns off seventy head of hogs and about a car load of cattle. Mr. Paige has one of the finest Short-Horn bulls in the county, by which he is improving his stock, and is one of the thriving farmers of the county. Ramstead, Charles, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Garrison. Ravenscroft, J.T., far., S. 3; P.O. Vinton. Reynolds, Wm. T., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 20; P.O. Garrison; born in Louisiana May 24, 1834; has 480 acres of land, valued at $6,000. Married Martha E. Robinson; she was born in Indiana in March, 1842; is the mother of three children-Charles F., Wm. T., Jr., and Mary E. his father was born in Bourbon Co., Ky.; his father went to Louisiana shortly after the purchase from France, where the subject of this sketch was born; from Louisiana he came to La Porte Co. Ind., thence to Michigan, where he lived about twenty years; thence to Benton Co., Iowa, where he has resided since; he raises on an average (yearly) 160 acres of corn, or 6,000 bushels; wheat, 800 bushels; oats, 600 bushels; turns off eighty head of hogs yearly; keeps fifty head of cattle. Mr. Reynolds came here with limited means, and has risen to be amongst the wealthiest farmers in the township. Richards, J.C., far., S. 17; P.O. Garrison. Richards, R.R., far., S. 17; P.O. Garrison. Rolfs, J.L., far., S. 31; P.O. Blairstown. Roszell, J.S., far., S. 36; P.O. Blairstown. Rupp, Henry, far., S. 25; P.O. Vinton. Semler, John, farmer; S. 19; P.O. Garrison. Shrader, F., far., S. 36; P.O. Blairstown. Shaw, J.C., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Garrison; born in Ohio Nov. 11, 1837; came to this county in 1855; has 120 acres of land, valued at $3,600. Enlisted in the 13th Ohio Regt. Vol. Inf., Co. H; was in the service nearly five years;; was mustered into the service at Camp Denison, Ohio; was in the battles of Carneyfax Ferry, Fayetteville, thence to Louisville, Ky., from thence to Bowling Green, thence to Nashville, Tenn.; was at the battle of Shiloh, Chattanooga, thence back to louisville, Ky.; battle of Perryville, Stone River, Mumfordsville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Cassville, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta Ferry, Lovejoy Station; was with Thomas after Hood in several skirmishes, Pulaski, Franklin, Spring Hill, Nashville, and at Devil's Gapl was in seventeen regular engagements; was mustered out at Santown, Tex.; was once taken prisoner at the battle of Stone River, but succeeded in escaping. Shultz, H.M., far., S. 26; P.O. Vinton. Snyder, A., far., S. 7; P.O. Garrison. Snyder, M., far., S. 5; P.O. Garrison. Stadle, L., Far., Sec. 18; P.O. Garrison. Stadle, R., far., Sec. 18; P.O. Garrison. Stredluer, J., far., Sec. 29; P.O. Garrison. Sturtz, John, far., Sec. 9; P.O. Garrison. Thompson, J.M., far., Sec. 9; P.O. Garrison. Todd, Thos., far., S. 5; P.O. Garrison. Van Buskirk, J., far., Sec. 5; P.O. Garrison. Vannice, A.V., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 2: P.O. Vinton; born in Shelby Co., Ky., Aug. 8, 1821; came to this county in 1853; has 585 acres land, valued at $17,550. Married Rachel Kerlin; she was born in Henry co., Ky., Jan. 14, 1827; mother of eight living children-Mary, Henry C., George A., Katie C., Edmund H., Leah R., James A., Isaac W. Emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1822, where he resided until 1853, when he came to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was here at the organization of the town; at the first election also; helped to organize the first school district; was Secretary of the Board and levied the first tax and collected the same; the first school house was built in District No.1; Mr. V. donated the land, and also for the Presbyterian cemetery and Presbyterian Church and parsonage; gave eight acres of land in all; all it cost the township and District was the making-out of the deeds. Mr. V. was raised an Old School Presbyterian; his belief at the present is Calvanistic Baptist. When he came here there were only two houses or shanties between him and Vinton, or a house between him and Shellsburg; came here when the prairies were wild, and has seem them developed into one of the finest farming counties in the Stae; has a fine farm and good home, and is one of the enterprising farmers of the county. Varney, N.H., far., S. 29; P.O. Garrison. Ward, F. M., far., Sec. 16; P.O. Garrison. Ward, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Garrison; born in Licking Co., Ohio, May 16, 1831; came to this county in 1866; has 320 acres of land, valued at $10,000. Married Mary Hayes; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio; she is mother of six children-Frances M., Martha R., William E., Albert C., Elizabeth and John. Emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ogle Co., Ill.; lived there fifteen years; thence to Benton Co., Iowa, where he has resided since; raises on an average, eighty acres corn, 4,000 bushels; wheat, 300 bushels; oats, 500 bushels; turns of 60 head of hogs, and two car loads of cattle. Mr. W. has a fine farm of one-half of a section, situated in a fine county and is one of the solid farmers of the county. Wean, G.E., far., S. 13; P.O. Vinton. Wean, S., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Vinton. Weba, Geo., far., Sec. 1; P.O. Vinton. Wright, G.H., far., S. 24; P.O. Vinton. Wright, Henry, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Vinton; was born in England June 9, 1821; came to this country in 1842, and to this county in 1872; has 364 acres land, valued at $10,900. Republican; held the office of Township Trustee two years. Married Elizabeth Thomas; she was born in Wales Sept. 14, 1831; mother of three living children- George H., born July 5, 1851; John W., Dec. 22, 1855; Angeline, Nov. 30, 1857. Emigrated from England to Posey Co., Ind.; lived there two years; thence to Iowa Co., Wis.; lived there twenty six years; thence to Benton Co., where he has resided since; raises on average, 90 to 100 acres corn 4,000 bushels; wheat, 1,500 bushels; oats, 400 bushels; flax, 166 bushels; barley, 400 bushels; turns off about 60 head of hogs yearly. Mr. W. has a good home, plenty of fruit of the choicest varieties, such as strawberries, rasperries, grapes, etc.; is one of the sound farmers of the township. Mr. W. has just returned from his native country, perfectly willing to make America his home. Wright, J.M., far., S. 24; P.O. Vinton. Wyman, T.F., far., S. 14; P.O. Vinton. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -----------------------------------------------------------------------