Biographies of Cedar 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Abbott, L.C., farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. Mount Auburn. Albee, G.W., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. La Porte City; born in the State of New York in 1846; came to Benton Co. in 1869; has 100 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. Married Mary A. Ketring, in 1863; she was born in Bedford Co., Penn., in 1847; they have three children-Aaron E., Drane J. and Madison E. Republican in politics. Enlisted in the 2d Wis. Cav. in 1863, skirmishing and raiding until mustered out in December, 1865; has taught school in Cedar Valley, Black Hawk and Benton Counties ten terms or more. Amburn, H., S. 11; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Amburn, Lewis, S. 12; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Amburn, O., Sec. 12; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Amburn, W., S. 12; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Austin, J., far., S. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Avery, W., far., S. 25; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Bagley, A., farmer, S. 8; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Betsinger, A., far., S. 1; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Bixby, C., far., S. 19; P.O. La Porte City. Brody, Stephen, far., S. 36; P.O. Vinton. Brown, F., far., S. 30; P.O. Vinton. Brown, Robert, far., S. 30; P.O. Vinton. Bryant, G.C., far., Sec. 7; P.O. La Porte City. Buck, W.W., far., S. 5; P.O. La Porte City. Call, George, far., Sec. 15; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Caughlin, W., far., S. 7; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Capes, George, far., S. 35; P.O. Vinton. Chapel, R.H., far., S. 22; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Conn, H., far., S. 26; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Cotton, John, Sec. 8; P.O. La Porte City; owns 310 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Marion Co., Ind., in 1828; came to Iowa in 1853, and located on his present farm. Married Margaret Smelser in 1866; she was born in Ohio in 1837; have one child-Gertrude E.; Mr. Cotton has three children by a former marriage-Mary E., Eber and Ettie F.; lost one son-Francis, who enlisted in the 31st Iowa Infantry and died in Vicksburg. Davis, William H., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Vinton. Dearth, J., far., Sec. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Delfs, Claus, far., Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton. Delfs, John, far., Sec. 32; P.O. Vinton. Dempster, J., far., Sec. 32; P.O. Vinton. Dillon, J.P., far., S. 4; P.O. La Porte City. Dillon, O., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Dimmick, D.M., far., Sec. 9; P.O. La Porte City. Ellsworth, J.E., far., Sec. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Engledow, E., far., S. 9; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Engledow, W., far., S. 15; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Francis, I.R., cheese maker; Sec. 18; P.O. Mt. Vernon. Farris, J.W., Sec. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Boone Co., Ind., in 1829; came to Iowa in 1855, and located on his present farm. Married Rhoda C. Potts in 1861; she was born in Will Co., Ill., in 1837; have four children-James M., Cornelia, William and Bertha; lost two-Arthur and Leonard. Democrat. Frank, J., far., S. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Frank, John, far., Sec. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Frank, P., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Fulton, S.J.A., Sec. 17; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 140 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1832; came to Iowa in 1866, and settled on his present farm. Married E.H. Beatty, in 1867; she was born in Mercer Co., Penn., in 1836; have five children-John, Francis, Edith, Mary and Sarah. Are members of the U.P. church. Furry, M., far., S. 18; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Garrison, H.M. Garrison, R.V. Gillett, J.L., far., Sec. 30; P.O. Vinton. Gillett, T., far., Sec. 25; P.O. Vinton. Gingrich, E.H., Sec. 16; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns eighty acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Lancaster Co., Penn, in 1819; came to Iowa in 1866, and settled on his present farm in 1867. Married Harriet Fox in 1859; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1834; have three children-Leander J., Ira M. and Jason L. Are members of the Reformed Church; Republican. Gingrich, G., far., Sec. 4; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Good, John, far., S. 6; P.O. La Porte City. Gottsche, Paul, far., Sec. 22; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Greenewalt, W., far., Sec. 27; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Grettenberg, G., far., Sec. 6; P.O. La Porte City. Gum, A., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Harbert, J.D., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Hart, J.E., far., Sec. 9; P.O. La Porte City. Holck, C., far.; P.O. La Porte City. Holck, H.T., far.; P.O. La Porte City. Jameson, James, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O.Vinton. Jack, S., Sec. 36; P.O. Vinton; proprietor of Cedar Mills, and 25 acres of land, valued at $12,000; born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1832; came to Iowa in 1852, and located in Cedar Rapids, and in 1854, came to Vinton and engaged in manufacturing business, and in 1867 engaged in his present business. Married Caroline F. Webb in 1857; she was born in Johnson Co., Ind., in 1839; have five children-Adeline F., Ruth E., Arthur W., Anna M. and Minnie M. Jones, C.G., far., S. 7; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Jones, D.A., far., S. 7; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Kahler, James. Kahler, John. Kennan, John C., Sec. 35; P.O. Vinton; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in New Haven, Conn.; came to Iowa, in 1855, and settled in Benton Co. Married Ursula Van Horn, in 1862; she was born in Virginia in 1838; have three children-Sidney, J.A. and Nannie. Mr. K. enlisted in Co. D, 8th I.V.I., in 1861, and was discharged in 1864; held a commission as First Lieutenant and was afterward promoted to Captain of Co. F; was in all the battles that the regiment particpated in. Kester, Lorenza, Sec. 26; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns ninety acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Erie Co., N.Y., in 1844; came to Iowa in 1861, and located in Cedar Tp.; settled on his present farm in 1876. Kile, A., Sec. 6; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 500 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1826; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled on his present farm. Married Susan Gingrich in 1852; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1827; have six children-Penena, Henry W., Kate C., Lizzie R., Abraham L., and Anna M. Mrs. K. is a member of the Reformed Church; Mr. Kile has been Town Trustee five years. King, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Kline, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Vinton. Knapp, John, abstract of title, Sec. 1; P.O. Vinton; office in Court House, Vinton; born in Philadelphia, Penn., Sept. 9, 1829; he was born the 9th day of the 9th month of the 29th year of the 19th century; lived in Philadelphia until 14 years of age, then went South; lived in Tennessee and Mississippi; from there went into the Mexican War; enlisted in the 1st Mississippi Rifles, when 17 years old; served on year, then volunteered in the 2d Mississippi Rifles, and served during the war; was in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista; was slightly wounded in the leg at the battle of Buena Vista; was discharged at Vicksburg july 29, 1849; came to Iowa in 1850, and to St. Paul, Minn., and volunteered in the Indian war. Returned to Philadelphia and married Miss Hannah Kimley, from Berks Co., Penn., Dec. 12, 1850; lived there until 1856, and came to Iowa; came to Vinton in the Spring of 1857, and engaged in farming; has been engagedin making abstracts of title, and owns a complete set of books; he did not have a dollar when he came, and now, besides his business here, he owns farm and property of 345 acrs in Cedar Tp., where he lives. Has held the office of Supervisor from 1865 until 1869; also, from 1871 to 1875, when he resigned; has held other town and school offices. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are both members of the M.E. Church at Mt. Auburn; they have seven children-George R., Francis F., Hoard M., Everett W., Sherman E., Clarence I. and Gertrude; lost two daughters. Kock, Peter A. Koons, F.L. Kral, John, saloon. Kramhoft, C. Lane, James, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Lamb, H.J., Sec. 14; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 600 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Clark Co., Ind., in 1850. Married Della Newell, in 1877; she was born in Iowa. Mrs. Lamb is a member of the M.E. Church. La Rue, J.L., physician and surgeon, Mt. Auburn. Lewis, Thomas D., Postmaster and dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, etc., etc., Mt. Aburn; born in Wayne Co., Ind., in 1829; came to Iowa in 1862, and located in Cedar Tp., Benton Co., and engaged in farming, and then engaged in the lumber business, and, in 1871, his present business; was appointed Postmaster in 1865. Married Mary Ann Hall in 1859; she was born in Henry Co., Ind., in 1840; they have six children-Charles R., Julia F., Anna, M. Pearl, Emory A. and Elizabeth B.; Frederick, died at the age of 8 years. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Christian Church. Lindsley, Frank D., Mt. Auburn; born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1845; came to Iowa in 1871; engaged with railroad company as agent in 1882. Married Penena Kile, in June, 1873; have two children-Henry A. and John C.; are members of the M.E. Church. Mr. L. enlisted in Company A, 140th Ill. V.I., in 1864, and was discharged in 1864. Lormor, John W., Sec. 22; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Tompkins Co., N.Y., in 1827; came to Iowa in 1860, and located in Cedar Tp. Married Sarah Boyer in 1856; she was born in Center Co., Penn., in 1834; have five children-Frank, Lizzie, Nora, Mary and George; wife is member of the M.E. Church. Republican. Lupton, G.F., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Lupton, W.C., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Mt. Auburn. McCoy, William W., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Mt. Auburn. McIntire, A.P., far., Sec. 16; P.O. Mt. Auburn. McIntire, S., far., S. 16; P.O. Mt. Auburn. McLaughlin, Thomas, far., S. 36; P.O. Vinton. McLaughlin, Thos. J., far, S. 36; P.O. Vinton. McReynolds, P., far., S. 34; P.O. Viton. Mackie, Robert, Sec. 28; P.O. Vinton; owns 160 acrs of land, valued at $35 per acre. Born in Scotland in 1830; came to America in 1851, and settled on his present farm in 1857. Married Mary Mackie in 1854; she was born in Scotland; have five children-Isabel, Helen, Emma, Willie and David; lost two-Mary and Robert. Are members of the U.P. Church. Marquis, John, far., S. 9; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Maxfield, J.E., far, S. 19; P.O. La Porte City. Meyers, H., far., S. 8; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Minard, J., far., S. 1; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Newell, Chauncey, far.; P.O. La Porte City. Newell, L., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Peters, George, far.; S. 27; P.O. Vinton. Packard, George A., Sec. 10; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Ontario Co., M.Y., in 1828; came to Iowa in 1865, and settled on his present farm. Married Margaret Sheip in 1872; she was born in Germany in 1845; Mrs. P. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Peters, S.H., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Peterson, P., far., S. 8; P.O. La Porte City. Pierce, M.S., far., S. 16; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Hi Sue! Here is the rest of Cedar. Redington, H.M. Redington, J.P., far., S. 36; P.O. Vinton. Redington, J.T., far., S. 36; P.O. Vinton. Reigart, J.W., far.; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Reiss, Jacob, farmer and blacksmith; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Reiss, J.G., far., S. 3; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Robinson, E.D., far., 27; P.O. Vinton. Schlotfelt, Christian, Sec. 21; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Germany in 1833; came to America in 1856, and located in Rock Island Co., Ill.; removed to his present farm in 1867. Married Margaret Freese in 1856; she was born in Germany; have eight children-Maria, William, Sophia, George, Emma, Louie, Charlie and Anna; lost two-Johnny, and one in infancy. Republican. Schluter, C., far.; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Schnoor, N., far., S. 28; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Sefton, F.J., Sec. 10; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Hamilton Col, Ohio, in 1828; came ti Iowa in 1855, and located on his present farm in 1856. Married Charity Hamiton in 1852; she was born in Decatur Co., Ind.; have two children-Harrison and Henry. Are members of the Christian Church. Shields, D., farmer and mer., Mt. Auburn. Shields, Granville H., Sec. 11; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns eighty acres, valued at $32 per acre; born in Allen CO., Ohio, in 1852; came to Iowa in 1854 with his parents. (His father, David Shields, was born in Cynthiana Co., Ky., in 1812, and was married in 1838 to Jane Harbert; she was born in Virginia in 1822.) Married Martha Goodell in 1872; she was born in McHenry Co., Ill., in 1855; have three children-Mary J., Delbert and Charles M. Republican. Shields, John H., Sec. 11; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns eighty acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Allen CO., Ohio, in 1845; came to Iowa in 1854, and settled in Cedar Tp. with his parents. Married Araminta York in 1864; she was born in Indiana in 1848; have four children-Jessie, Elmer, Frank and Bertha M.; lost one, Helen, at the age of 11 years. Republican. Shurts, P., far., S. 18; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Smelser, John, Sec. 5; P.O. La Porte City; owns 120 acres, valued at $35 per acre; born in Green Co., Tenn. in 1826; came to Iowa in 1852, and located on his present farm in 1853; Married Mary A. Hogshire in 1846; she was born in Ohio in 1830; have three children-John F., Earnest and Henry. Are members of the M.E. Church. Smith, A., farm and elevator, Mt. Auburn. Smith, J.S., far., S. 16; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns eighty acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1816; came to Iowa in 1863, and settled in Cedar Tp. Married Lucinda Anderson in 1837; she was born in Beaver Co., Penn., in 1815; have six children- Rebecca J., Oliver, Annas, Juliette, Alford and Samuel; lost three-David, Matilda and Eliza. Mr. S. is a member of the M.E. Church, and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. St. Clair, A., far., S. 28; P.O. Mt. Auburn. St. Clair, H., Jr., far., S. 35; P.O. Vinton. St. Clair, J.M., far., S. 34; P.O. Vinton. St. Clair, S., far., S. 34; P.O. Vinton. St. Clair, Wm. M., Sec. 27; P.O. Vinton; owns 100 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Indiana Co., Penn., in 1835; came to Iowa in 1857, and located in Cedar Tp. Married Mary E. Kirkpatrick in 1865; she was born in Adams Co., Ohio, in 1837. Mr. S. enlisted in Co. D, 28th I.V.I., in 1862, and was discharged in 1863; was wounded in the battle of Champion Hills. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the United Presbyterian Church; Republican. Stevenson, D.M., far.; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Struve, Henry, Sec. 21; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Germany in 1819; came to America in 1852, and settled in Rock Island Co., Ill., and in 1867, removed to his present farm. Married Maria Schroeder in 1851; she was born in Germany; have seven children-Charley, Emma, Matilda, Anna, Caroline, John and Theodore; lost five-Lena, James, Margaret, William and George. Republican. Sutherland, W.H., far. S. 19; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Thomas, C.V., far., S. 3; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Thomas, D.H., far., S. 3; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Thomas, J.S., far, S. 3; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Tibbals, E., far., S. 24; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Tripp, J.M., far., S. 23; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Van Brocklin, W.R., Sec. 17; P.O. La Porte City; owns 190 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., in 1833; came to Iowa in 1875, and settled on his present farm; was a resident of Stephenson Co., Ill., twenty-three years. Married Loretta Bolton in 1861; she was born in Green Co., N.Y., in 1840; have three children-Orton, Emma and Ora. Mrs. V. is a member of the M.E. Church. Walker, George H., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Walker, C.T., dealer in drugs, boots and shoes, groceries, etc., Mt. Auburn; born in England in 1832; came to America in 1842, and located in Lenawee Co., Mich.; removed to Iowa in 1855, and settled in Muscatine Co., and in 1861, came to Benton Co.; engaged in his present business in 1874. Married Eliza A. Westgate in 1854; she was born in Michigan in 1834; have two children- Eugene and George. Are members of the M.E. Church; Republican. Wallace, James R., Sec. 35; P.O. Vinton; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Brooke Co. W.Va., in 1837; came to Iowa in 1859, and located in Vinton; removed to his present farm in 1868. Married Alice Bickett in 1877; she was born in Green Co., Ohio; Mr. W. has two children by a former marriage-Ella M. and John W. Are members of the U.P. Church; Republican. Mr. W. enlisted in Co. G, 13th I.V.I., in 1861, and was discharged in 1864; was in all the battles that regiment participated in; the most prominent battles were Shiloh, Corinth, Siege of Vicksburg and Atlanta. Wallace, J., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Wallace, L.M., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Wallace, M.E., far., S. 21; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Wandschneider, F., far., S. 20; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Webster, H.B., Sec. 4; P.O. La Porte City; owns 487 acres of land, valued at $10,000; born in Monroe Co., N.Y.; came to Iowa in 1854, and settled on his present farm. Married Mary Dillon in 1846; she was born in Ontario Co. N.Y., in 1826; have eight children-Charles H., Helen J., Alzina J., Willia W., Frank E., Addie F., Belle I. and Carrie. Mr. W. has held the office of Justice, and other town offices. Enlisted in Co. D, 31st I.V.I., in 1863, and held a commission as Second Lieutenant; discharged in 1864. Wiese, Henry, Sec. 19; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 260 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Germany in 1838; came to America in 1852, and settled in Moline, Ill.; removed to his present farm in 1874. Married Catherine Kahlar, in 1865; she was born in Germany in 1844; have one child-Johnny, born July 7, 1876; lost three-Anna, Charles and Lena; died within six days, with diptheria. Wescoatt, O.P., far., S. 8; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Whitcomb, O.B., Sec. 23; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns 250 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Merricmack Co., N.H., in 1820; came to Iowa in 1856, and located on his present farm. Married L.H. Boyd in 1850; she was born in Hillsborough Co., N.H.., in 1826; have two children-Maria F. and Emma L; lost one-George H., died at the age of 14 months. Are members of the M.E. Church; Republican. Wilson, Andrew. Wilson, Hugh, far., S. 29; P.O. Vinton. Wolfe, James, Sec. 19; P.O. Mt. Auburn; owns ninety five acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Bradford Co., Penn., in 1830; came to Iowa in 1852, and settled in Cedar Tp. Married Diantha Livermore in 1852; she was born in Knox Co., Ill., in 1836; have one child-Edith H., born in 1867. Are members of the M.E. Church. Mr. W. enlisted in Co. D, 28th Iowa V.I., in 1863, and was discharged in 1865; was in all the battles that regiment participated in. Republican. Wilson, Mitchell, Sec. 34; P.O. Vinton; owns 160 acres of land valued at $5,000; born in Allegheny Co., Penn., in 1822; came to Iowa in 1854, and settled on his present farm in 1860. Married Elizabeth Moore in 1858; she was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio, in 1830; have four children-John H., Rebecca A., Martha E. and Maggie A. Are members of the U.P. Church. Republican. Wilson, Truman, Sec. 5; P.O. La Porte City; own s160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Canada West; came to Iowa in 1855. Married Anna Atwood in 1854; she was born in Canada; have seven children-Andrew, Mary E., William A., John, Charlie, Ella M. and Patton Albert. Republican. Wilson, Wm., far., S. 29; P.O. Vinton. Wolf, James, Far.; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Wolf, Wm., Sr., far., S. 36; P.O. Vinton. Wolf, Wm., Jr., far., S. 19; P.O. Mt. Auburn. Woodley, J., far., S. 23; P.O. Mt. Auburn. York, E.R., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Mt. Auburn. York, L.T., far., S. 2; P.O. Mt. Auburn. York, P., far., S. 2; P.O. Mt. Auburn. York, S.I., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Mt. Auburn. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -----------------------------------------------------------------------