Biographies: DeWitt Twp, Clinton County, Iowa Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Annette Lucas ClintonRoots@aol.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF De Witt TWP. From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879) JAMES N. ARTHUR, farmer; P.O. De Witt; born in Cornwall, England, in 1828; he emigrated to Hamilton, Canada, when 21 years of age, where he resided four years; in the fall of 1853, he came to Iowa and entered a farm of 260 acres in Monmouth Township, Jackson Co.; he then went to Illinois, and returned to England in the fall of 1855, where he remained one year, when he returned to Illinois; he settled on his farm in Jackson Co. in 1857. He married Miss Harriet Arthur, native of England, but, at the time of their marriage a resident of Massachusetts; they have two children-William J., born in March, 1860, and Charles H., in November, 1863. Mr. Arthur has 575 acres in his farm in De Witt Township; since he came to Clinton Co., he has been extensively engaged in stock raising, but is now giving much attention to the dairy business. Mr. Arthur and wife are members of the Methodist Church. R. S. BEACH, coal dealer, De Witt; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1826; be removed to Milwaukee in 1855; was a resident of that city for sixteen years; was engaged, during his residence there, as superintendent of a grain elevator; he came to De Witt in 1871 and engaged in his present business. ABNER BEARD, retired merchant, De Witt; was born in Wilmington, Middlesex Co., Mass., in 1800; was a teacher in the public schools of Boston from 1822 to 1831; he then went to Greensboro, Orleans Co., Vt., where he was for some time engaged in the mercantile business; thence to Albany, N. Y., where he engaged as book- keeper for the firm of F. J. Barnard & Co., lumber dealers; he came to Clinton with his brother, Eldad, in June, 1838, and took a claim in what is now the township of Orange; in 1841, he went to Barry's Point, near Chicago, and engaged in the hotel business; from 1843 to 1852, was engaged in the lumber business at Muskegon and Marquette; he then returned to Albany, N. Y., and again became book-keeper for F. J. Barnard & Son. He married, in 1855, Mrs. Mary K. Munson, widow of Francis A. Munson; she was born in Williston, Chittenden Co., Vt., April 27, 1815; her parents removed to Burlington, Vt., when she was an infant; she married, in 1832, Francis A. Munson, a native of Colchester, Vt.; she came with her husband to Clinton Co. in April, 1840; they went to Lyons, Ill., in 1841, and engaged in the hotel business; in 1843, they went to Chicago and took charge of what was then called the Illinois Exchange Hotel; Mr. Munson died of cholera in 1849; in 1851, Mrs. Munson returned to Vermont and married Mr. Beard in 1855. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Beard returned to Clinton Co. and settled in De Witt; Mr. Beard engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued fourteen years; he retired from business in 1869. They had one child-Abigail, born Dec. 10, 1856, and died Dec. 16, 1859. Mrs. Beard had five children by first marriage, four now living-Lucia B., born at Greensboro, Orleans Co., Vt.. in 1833; Mary F., at Colchester, Vt., in 1838; Alice J., in Chicago in 1846, and William E., in Chicago in 1847; Francis I., deceased, was born in Lyons, Cook Co., Ill., in 1843. SAMUEL N. BEDFORD, carpenter, De Witt; born in Morris Co., N. J., in 1819; his parents were David and Nancy Bedford; they removed to Western Pennsylvania in the fall of 1831, where they resided till the spring of 1839, when they came to Clinton Co.; during the first year of residence in Clinton Co., they lived on the farm of Loren Wheeler, at Round Grove, De Witt Township; the next year his father entered a farm in Section 29. where he resided until his death in 1844; his mother died in 1843. Mr. Samuel Bedford married, in 1849, Miss Elizabeth Dunham, native of Fayette Co., Penn.; they have had thirteen children, eight now living-Mary, Lizzie, Annie, Louisa, Ashbel, Josephine, Lillian and Ada; their deceased children died in infancy. Mr. Bedford located in De Witt in 1844; has worked at the trade of a carpenter for thirty-five years. A. R. BISSELL, retired farmer, De Witt; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in July, 1812; at 20 years of age, he went to Pittsburgh, Penn., where for three years he was clerk in a wholesale dry goods store; thence to Alton, Ill., where he remained three years; then returned to his native town and engaged in the dry goods business in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where, in 1838, he married Maria Burr, a native of Massachusetts; he came to Clinton Co. in 1840; engaged in farming in De Witt Township; has followed the occupation of farming most of the time since he came to Iowa but for a time was engaged in the dry goods business in De Witt; was School Fund Commissioner for eight years. Mr. Bissell has two sons and two daughters-Joseph B., Helen E., Evelyn and Charles P. Mrs. Bissell was born in South Hadley, Mass., in 1809. JAMES D. BOURNE, De Witt; born in Prince William Co., Va., Jan. 27, 1811; his parents, William and Elizabeth Bourne, removed to Spencer Co., Ky., in 1813; thence to Hannibal, Mo., in 1824; in September, 1832, Mr. Bourne, then a young man of 21 years, went to Wisconsin and engaged in mining a few miles north of Galena, Ill.; in 1833, he went to Potosi, Grant Co., Wis., where he built the first log furnace for smelting ore built at that place; in June of the same year, he removed to Dubuque; he has been a resident of Iowa since that date, forty-six years; he remained in Dubuque till September, 1836, engaged in mining; he then came to what is now Clinton Co.; his only property at that time, to use his own language, was a gun and six dogs; he was appointed Postmaster in January, 1837, of Waubesipinicon, now contracted to Wapsie, situated in the southwest corner of what is now Eden Township, Clinton Co., then Dubuque Co.; he was the first Sheriff of Clinton Co., being appointed by Gov. Dodge March 13, 1840; he served as Sheriff eight years; took the United States census of Clinton Co. in 1840, and also in 1850; was a member of the General Assembly of 1848 and 1849; was elected Recorder in 1851; served two years; since that time has been engaged in general business-farmer, land agent, money-loaner, etc.; he settled in De Witt in 1841, and now occupies the house, a part of which he built in 1842. He married in 1843 Christiana Dennis, a native of Lockport, N. Y. born in 1827; has had ten children, only four now living-Mary E. (now Mrs. B. D. Hadley), M. Virginia (now Mrs. George W. Lambertson), Notley A. and Robert Lee; those deceased are James (died in Nevada in October, 1863, aged 20 years), Zachary I. (died March 6, 1879, aged 32 years, leaving two daughters-Abbie and Maud); Sarah K. (married James Simpson; died in 1874, aged 26 years; left one son-Harry B.), Pauline L. (married A. E. Hess; died May 9, 1878, aged 24 years), Anna B. (died in 1863, aged 4 1/2 years), Jefferson (died in 1863, aged 1 year). Mr. Bourne has for many years dealt extensively in real estate, and has been very successful in business. His father was a slaveholder; the only property he received from him was a few slaves, which he sold to his brother for one-half their value rather than have them sold to strangers; he took his brother's note, which he canceled when the slaves were emancipated by President Lincoln. DR. JOHN H. BOYD, DeWitt; born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1816; studied medicine in Butler, Penn.; began practice in Clarion Co., Penn., in 1840, where he remained ten years; then removed to Beaver Co., near Pittsburgh, where he remained five years. In 1855, returned to Clarion, disposed of his property and came to DeWitt the same year; has resided here since, except one year; was engaged in the drug business at Wheatland, Clinton Co. His twin brother, Jacob K. Boyd, attorney, came to De Witt in 1853; he is now District Judge of Allen Co., Kan. Dr. Boyd married, in 1840, Hannah M. Messenger, a native of Allegany Co., N. Y.; she died Feb. 15, 1870; had six children-five are living; his second child and only son, Dr. Robert B. Boyd, born in 1847, died at Dunlap, Harrison Co., Iowa, Sept. 1, 1878. He was a graduate of the Medical Department of the Michigan State University in 1875; practiced two years with his father, then located at Dunlap, where he had already acquired a fine reputation as a man and physician. His daughters are Jane, now Mrs. Benjamin Beard, resides in Kansas; Pheobe H., married William L. Spottswood; Nancy S., now Mrs. John Dobler, resides in De Witt. DAVID H. BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser, residence, De Witt; born in Worcester, Mass., in 1811; his parents removed to Erie Co., N. Y,. about 1815; he married, in 1832, Philena Evans, born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1812; removed to Erie Co., Penn., in 1833; came to what is now De Witt, in 1837; have six children-Mary Ann, now Mrs. Riggs, born in 1833; Hannah, now Mrs. Stevens, born in 1835; Mercy, now Mrs. Salem Cotton, 1837; James W., born in 1837; Martha B., now Mrs. George Holmes, born in 1846; and George D., born in 1854. Mr. Brown has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising; makes a specialty of Jersey thoroughbreds. ROLLIN G. BROWN, County Surveyor, De Witt; was born in Vermont in 1825; his parents removed to Ohio about 1832; he graduated at Franklin College Ohio in 1849; was for five years Civil Engineer on the Steubenville & Indiana Railroad; he came to De Witt in June, 1855; has been engaged in the mercantile and grain business during the greater part of the time since he came to De Witt; has boon County Surveyor two years; his wife was Miss Mary Carter, of De Witt. PATRICK BURKE, farmer, Secs. 3 and 4; P.O. De Witt; owns 375 acres of land. Mr. Burke was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, about 1825; he emigrated to America in 1847, and located in Chester Co., Penn.; he came to Clinton Co. in 1850, settling in Center Township, Sec. 6; he purchased his present farm in March, 1869. He married Mary Prendergast, born in Canada, of Irish parentage; have twelve children, five sons and seven daughters; have lost two children. A. JUDSON CLARK, grain, storage and commission merchant, De Witt. Mr. Clark was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in 1837. His parents, Rev. T. W. and Ann T. Clark came to De Witt in 1840. He was married in 1866 to Miss Tillie Bell, a native of Waynesburg, Greene Co., Penn., born in 1841 they have five children- John W., Francis W., George H., Albert B. and Anna M. Mr. Clark is an energetic and successful business man; soon after be became of age, he engaged in the banking and real estate business; was in the dry goods business from 1867 to 1870; has for many years dealt largely in real estate; he owns 600 acres of improved land in Clinton Co.; has been engaged in present business for eight years. BALlS CARR, farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. De Witt; born in Ohio in 1818; he removed to Indiana in 1840; came to De Witt about 1857; he purchased a farm in Orange Township, where he lived two years; sold out and rented a farm near Grand Mound for one year; he bought the farm which he now owns in 1861. He married Miss Marsula Jones, a native of Ohio; they have four sons and three daughters; have lost one daughter. REV. T. W. CLARK, De Witt; born in New Brunswick Feb. 23, 1808; he removed to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1830. Married, Dec. 19, 1833, Ann Turner, of Horton, Nova Scotia; came to De Witt from Ohio in 1841 was licensed to preach in 1843, and ordained in 1845; was engaged, principally, in missionary work from the time of his ordination until 1866; was some time Pastor of the Baptist Church in De Witt. Mrs. Clark died on the 10th of February, 1866. Mr. Clark married, in 1872, Mrs. Elizabeth Marker, formerly of Lockport, N. Y. During the years that Mr. Clark was engaged as missionary, he preached at Spring Brook two years, also at North Bend and Hickory Grove one year. Mr. Clark had six children by his first marriage, only two of whom are living-A. J., born in 1837, resides in De Witt; George W., born in 1844, resides in Nebraska; those deceased are-Amy, aged 22 years; Sarah J., aged 7 years; Loretta, aged 3 years, and Eliza J., aged 11 years. DANIEL CONLEY, deceased; was born in Ohio in 1834; he was raised in Perry Co.; went to Dixon, Ill., in March, 1865; he came to Clinton Co. in December, 1865. He married, in 1869, Marietta Taylor, of Sycamore, Ill.; they had three children-Francis D., Marietta and Robert. Mr. Conley came to De Witt in 1876; he had been engaged in the marble business for twenty-six years. SALEM COTTON, real estate, De Witt; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1833; his parents, John and Mary Cotton, came to Clinton Co. in 1844; his father entered the farm now owned by L. S. and N. S. Harrington; his father died in 1870, his mother several years later. Mr. Cotton married, in 1860, Mary Brown, a native of Pennsylvania; they have five children-Wickliff W., Della, Bertha, Grace and John. D. J. CRANSTON, dealer in pumps, bed-springs and wheel-barrows, DeWitt; born in Ohio in 1842; came to Iowa in 1853; resided in Scott Co. till 1855, when he came to Clinton Co. He enlisted, in 1862, in the 26th I. V. I.; was at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge; he lost a leg at the battle of Ringgold, in 1863; was discharged in April, 1865. Married, in 1871, Hannah Dawson, a native of Ohio; has three children-Harry 0., David G. and Fred. Mr. Cranston located in De Witt in 1869; engaged in his present business in 1873. R. J. CROUCH, attorney, De Witt; born in Ripley Co., Ind., Feb. 8, 1836; his parents, John and Maria Crouch, came to Clinton Co. in 1854; he taught school from 1854 till 1860; was elected member of the Board of Supervisors in 1861; was for some time Principal of the school in De Witt; was elected County Superintendent of Schools in 1862, and served eight years; was admitted to the bar Dec. 9, 1871; admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Iowa in October, 1872. Married Oct. 8, 1868, Philena Foster, a native of Haverhill, N. H.; they have had four children, three of whom are living-Grace, Mildred and Marshall C.; they lost their second daughter, Dora. Mr. Crouch was Grand Worthy Chief of the Iowa Grand Lodge of Good Templars in 1869; is Master of De Witt Masonic Lodge, No. 34; was for several years Secretary of State Teachers' Association. Mr. Crouch is quite fond of literary work, and has been contributor to several magazines and papers. JOSEPH W. DEARBORN, mechanic, De Witt; born in Orange Co., N. Y. in 1830; his parents, Albert G. and Elvina Dearborn, removed to Indiana in 1837; to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1845; they came to Clinton Co. in 1846; his father conducted a dairy in De Witt Township for some time; then engaged in farming; he died in June, 1875. Mr. Dearborn married 1851, Eliza J. Dennis. He was Deputy Sheriff of Clinton Co. for four years; was Overseer of the Poor in 1877. Has three children -Willard, Anna and Ella. Mr. Absalom Dennis, father of Mrs. Dearborn, was born in New Jersey in 1800; he married, about 1826, Mary Ann Merritt, of Seneca Co., N. Y.; she died in 1854. Mr. Dennis has two daughters- Mrs. Bourne and Mrs. Dearborn. Mr. Dennis came to Clinton Co. in 1837. He has resided in De Witt Township for thirty-eight years. EBENEZER DORR, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. De Witt. Mr. Dorr was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1822 in 1843 he came to Jackson Co., Iowa, and engaged in teaching; he taught the school in Maquoketa during the winter of that year, and was the first male teacher of that town; he returned to New York the following year, but returned in 1845, and again taught the school at Maquoketa; he entered a half- section of land in Richland Township; in 1850, he crossed the plains to California; was absent two years. He was elected to the Legislature from Jackson Co. in 1861, and again in 1863; he came to his present location in the spring of 1864; in 1873, was elected to the Legislature from Clinton Co. He married Miss Catharine Earl, daughter of William V. Earl, of Maquoketa; they have five children-William H., Joseph W., George E., James E; their eldest, Amelia, married Mr. Stephen Nowles, a brother of Mr. G. R. Nowles, of Berlin Township. FRED DRIFFILL. carriage-maker, De Witt; was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1848; his parents, Benjamin and Louisa Driffill, came to this country and settled in Clinton Co. in 1851; they located in Welton Township; his father died of cholera in Davenport in 1856; his mother resides at Rock Island. Mr. Driffill came to De Witt in September, 1866; he served his apprenticeship with Johnson & Rutledge; worked for Mr. William Fuller for six years; then purchased the business of his employer; he now employs ten workmen, and is doing a fine business. G. B. EARLE, proprietor of Gates House, De Witt; born in Vermont came to Iowa in 1855; located at Davenport in 1856, where he was for many years engaged in the mercantile business; he was also engaged in the grain trade in Davenport and De Witt for about ten years; was United States Revenue Agent at Davenport for two years; took charge of the Gates House in De Witt in March, 1878. Married, in 1858, Hannah B. Fowler, a native of New York; has one daughter-Stella M. PETER FLANNERY, dealer in machinery and hardware, De Witt; was born in Ireland in 1826; he came to the United States in 1849; first located in Du Page Co., Ill.; thence to Clinton Co. in 1850; after coming to Iowa, was engaged for some time in farming with his brother, Berard; settled in De Witt in 1861 was engaged in the grocery trade four years; then engaged in the hardware business. He married, in 1861, Rose N. Mattingly, a native of Maryland; they have six children- William T., Ellen G., John, Mary A., George and Henry P. Mr. Flannery is a member of the City Council. DANIEL W. FORBES, blacksmith, De Witt; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1830; his parents, John and Mary Forbes, removed to Chicago in 1832; they located in Jackson Co., Iowa, in the fall of 1837; his father died in 1864; his mother still lives in Jackson Co. Mr. Forbes enlisted in 1861 in the 1st I. V. C., Co. B; served two years. He came to De Witt in 1858 and engaged in the blacksmith business. He married, in 1851, Susan Usher, of Ohio; has six children-Charles G., Janette, Minnie, Elmer, Susie and Fitz W. Mr. Forbes was a member of Walker's filibustering expedition in 1856; except two years absence in the army, he has been engaged in his present business since he came to De Witt. WM. FULLER, retired farmer. DeWitt; born in Augusta Co., Va., in 1820; he removed to Ohio in 1841; served an apprenticeship to the tailoring business, in which occupation he engaged at Bourneville, Ross Co., Ohio; was also Postmaster at that place for five years. He came to De Witt in November, 1849, and engaged in the mercantile business; also worked at his trade; in 1853, he purchased a farm of 200 acres in Sec. 20; in 1859, he again engaged in mercantile business in De Witt in company with Mr. John Wallace, at the same time continuing his farm operations, Mr. Wallace conducting the business in town; Mr. Fuller and family were sufferers by the terrible tornado of 1860; all of his family were more or less injured; several have not yet recovered from the effects of their injuries; one son. George A.. was caught up by the cyclone, carried about eighty rods and escaped with but slight injuries; the buildings of Mr. Fuller were swept away and much other property destroyed. Mr. Wallace died in 1861. Mr. Fuller then assumed entire charge of the business, which he continued till 1870; he also engaged in the manufacture of wagons from 1868 to 1878; since, has superintended his farming interests alone; he has a farm of 400 acres in De Witt Township and one of 320 in Boone Co. He married, in 1846, Miss Sarah J. Saxton; has had ten children, eight are living-Maria A. (married Mr. George D. Staggs), George A., Kate (now Mrs. M. Mills, of Chicago), Ann A. (now Mrs. Butterfuss), Mary F., Mattie E., Harrie E. and Lois; deceased-Alice S. and Carrie C. J. M. GATES, De Witt; born in Vermont in 1818; removed to Lowell, Mass., in 1845; worked for a time at his trade of carpenter; afterward, purchased the Lowell Museum, which he owned for three years; he removed to Illinois in the fall of 1852, where he purchased a mill; was burned out the following year; he came to De Witt in the fall of 1855, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He enlisted in the 1st I. V. C.; was promoted to Orderly Sergeant in the fall of 1862; transferred to the recruiting service as Second Lieutenant; raised Co. C of the 6th I. V. C.; became its Captain; was discharged in November, 1865. Returned to De Witt; bought the Knowlton Hotel, now the Gates House, which he remodeled and conducted for twelve years; he then leased the hotel and is now engaged in farming. MOSES GOFF, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. De Witt; was born in Canada in 1811. He married Sarah A. Sherman, also a native of Canada. They came to Lyons in the fall of 1841 and settled on their present farm in the spring of 1842; have resided there for thirty-seven years; have two children-Mrs. Mary A. Dean lives in Sioux Co., Iowa, and Lemuel, who married Alice Saxton, a native of Clinton County, has two children-Henry and Florence Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Goff have lost nine children, seven of whom had attained adult age. David, a Union soldier, died at New Orleans during the war; Samuel died at Denver, Col.; Alexander, also a Union soldier, died at home in October, 1862; Mrs. Sarah A. Work, a daughter, died in March, 1878. W. H. HALL, proprietor of Silver Creek Mills; P.O. De Witt. Mr. Hall was born in Indiana Co., Penn., in 1834; he removed to Southern Illinois in 1855, and came to De Witt in 1857. He learned the trade of a millwright, which business he followed till the fall of 1859; he then rented, in company with Mr. George Rule, Rock Creek Mill, in Clinton County, where he remained two years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 26th Regt. I. V. I., Co. H; served till the close of the war; he enlisted as a private; was promoted to 2d Sergeant, 1st Sergeant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain; was commissioned Captain in June, 1864. After the close of the war, in company with Mr. Alexander Work, he bought Clear Creek Mills, which they conducted till 1867; he then sold his interest in that mill, and, with Mr. Timothy Follett, bought the mill which he now owns; he purchased Mr. Follett's interest in 1871. This mill has two runs of stones; its full capacity is about two hundred bushels per day. His wife was Miss Janette Rule, a native of New York State; they have four children-Fannie J., William S., Edgar and Nelson; they lost four children in infancy. JAMES HEDDEN, harness-maker, De Witt; born in Fayette Co., Penn. in 1821. He married Miss Mary A. Wood, also a native of Fayette Co., Penn. Mr. Hedden came to De Witt Township in the spring of 1851; he first located on a farm in Sec. 14, belonging to his father-in-law, Mr. William Wood; he afterward bought and improved a farm in Sec. 15, which he sold in 1868, and came to De Witt in the autumn of that year. Has had nine children, six of whom are living-Hattie E. Miner, (resides in Humboldt Co., Cal.), Leonora J. Evans (resides in Clinton Co.), Loretta B. Hart (resides in San Francisco), Alice Christopher (also lives in California), Anna M., Helen H., and Mary S. are at home. WM. J. HANNUM, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. De Witt; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1820. Married in 1841 Jane Thomas, born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1817. He removed from Guernsey Co, Ohio, to De Witt Township in April, 1846. He first located on a farm in Sec. 14, where he remained till about 1866 he removed to De Witt in 1873, lived there till 1875, when he purchased the farm where he now lives. Has had six children, four are living-Joseph A., William N., Abbie J. and Albert H. His oldest son, Jonathan T., born in 1843, enlisted in 1861 in the 8th I. V. I., and died while a prisoner near Chattanooga, July 1, 1862; Nancy A., died in 1872 Mr. Hannum owns 160 acres where he lives; also 122 acres in Sec. 22. GEORGE HEY, grocer and baker, De Witt; a native of France, born in 1835. He served three years in the 24th Ohio Vol. Inf.; at the end of his first term of enlistment, he re-enlisted as veteran in the 180th Ohio Vol. Inf.. where he served till the close of the war; was in fifteen general engagements, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, etc. He came to De Witt in the fall of 1866. He married Mary J., eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Hatfield, one of the pioneers of Clinton Co.; Mr. Hatfield was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1800; he married Elizabeth Henry, also born in Fayette Co., Penn.; he came to De Witt in 1839, and settled in Sec. 27, where he continued to reside till his death, Nov. 29, 1875; his wife died Dec. 28, 1870; Mr. Hatfield had five children when he came to Clinton Co-Mary J. (now Mrs. George Hey), William (died Aug. 12, 1863), Sarah (afterward Mrs. John Frey, who, with her son, was killed by the tornado of 1860), Elizabeth (afterward Mrs. Greer Foster, who died July, 1858, leaving one son-Alfred T., who lives at Valley Falls, Kan.) Mr. Hatfield was an extensive land-owner from the time he came to Clinton Co. until his death; he was quite wealthy, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow men. In 1871, he married Mrs. Sarah Canada, who now resides in De Witt. Mrs. Hey was born in 1826, and was, therefore, 13 years of age when her parents came to Clinton Co.; she has five children by a former marriage -Sarah J. (now Mrs. David Drew), Frances E. (now Mrs. John Saxton), Mary C. (now Mrs. Francis J. Pruyn), and two sons, residents of De Witt. T. T. HOBBS, furniture dealer, of the firm of Meredith & Hobbs, De Witt. Mr. Hobbs was born in Norway, Oxford Co., Me., in 1830; he removed to Terre Haute, Ind., in 1853, where he remained till 1866 while there, he was engaged as contractor of mechanical work. He married, in 1858, Huldah Creal, of Terre Haute; they have four children-Frederick E., Mary M., Nellie K. and Octavia. Mr. Hobbs came to De Witt in 1866; was engaged as contractor for several years then purchased a half-interest in the furniture business of his present partner. He owns a farm in Washington Co., also other real estate. His partner in business, Mr. D. P. Meredith, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1821; removed to Washington Co., Ohio, in 1844; came to Clinton Co. in 1850. Married, in 1842, Sarah Bush, a native of Ohio; has had seven children, five now living. His present wife was Mary S. Baxter, a native of Vermont. L. S. HARRINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. De Witt; born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1836. His parents removed to Genesee Co., N. Y., about 1853; afterward to Chautauqua Co., where his father, Truman Harrington, died in 1865. Mr. L. S. Harrington learned the carriage trade at Akron, N. Y., where he afterward engaged in that business; removed from Akron to Chautauqua Co., where he also engaged in the manufacture of carriages. In 1867, Mr. Harrington and his brothers, F. W. and N. S. Harrington, with their mother and sister, came to De Witt. He and his brother N. S. purchased the farm, which they now own, of Mr. John Cotton; the firm is now divided each owning a part of it. L. S. married, in 1861, Louise Hoag, of Erie Co., N. Y:; they have one child-Alta, born in 1868. N. S. Harrington was born in 1829; married, in 1855, Ruth Webb; they have four daughters. L. S. and N. S. were, for many years and until recently, engaged together in business; they make a specialty of fine horses and cattle. JOHN F. HOMER, hardware dealer, of the firm of Homer & Son, De Witt; born in Massachusetts in 1817; came to DeWitt in June, 1838; married, in 1842, Eleanor Turner, a native of New Brunswick; she died in 1850; March, 1853, he again married D. A. Vanderberg, a native of Canada; Mr. Homer had one child by first marriage-Ann, who died in 1859; have four children by second marriage-George F., Mary, Nellie and John F. Mr. Homer engaged in farming till 1855; has since been engaged in the mercantile business in De Witt; was Justice of the Peace in 1840, and Assessor in 1841. E. P. HUBBARD, lumber and coal dealer, De Witt; born in Halifax Co., Va., in 1818 his parents, Clark and Lucy Hubbard, removed to Tennessee when he was 2 years of age; he married, in 1843, Susan Donelson, a native of Kentucky; he removed to Kentucky in 1844. Mrs. Hubbard died in 1849; have three children by first marriage-Ann, who married Mr. J. E. Wick; Mary, now Mrs. E. Hall, and Lewis. The daughters are residents of Kansas; Lewis, of Illinois. In 1854, Mr. Hubbard married Martha Green, a native of Kentucky; have two children by second marriage-George N. and Henry C. Mr. Hubbard engaged in the grocery trade when he came to De Witt, afterward in the livestock and grain business; he went to California in 1850, and engaged in mining; returned in 1852; he went to California again, in 1875, for the benefit of his health; returned with health improved. A. W. JOHNSON, proprietor of livery stable, De Witt; was born in Washington Co.. Ohio, in 1836; his father, Erastus Johnson, removed to Illinois in 1850, and died in 1877. Mr. Johnson came to De Witt in 1867, and engaged in the livery business; he is also engaged in breeding fine horses, making a specialty of the Morgan; has now several fine specimens of that famous stock of horses. He married, in 1857, Mary J. Johnson; they have five children-Horace, Frank, Walter, Laura and Nellie-the last two, twins. JOHN JONES, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. De Witt; was born in Clarion Co., Penn., in 1814; learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed till 1836; he was then engaged in the lumber business till 1844; was for some time engaged in building on contract. He married, in 1838, Lucinda Fulton, of Clarion Co.; have six children- Mrs. Angeline A. Gove; Mrs. Nancy C. Shearer, F. C., Cynthia E., P. C. and C. B. Mr. Jones came to De Witt in May, 1855; resided in De Witt one year, then purchased the farm where he now lives. THOMAS KELLY, farmer and auctioneer, De Witt; born in Antrim Co., Ireland, in 1818; he came to America in 1838, and located in Philadelphia, where he resided seven years; he then returned to Ireland, but in 1847 returned to America and located in Canada. He married, in 1851, Nancy Flaoter, of Canada; he first came to Clinton in 1859, with a drove of horses, which he disposed of and returned to Canada; he located in De Witt in 1860; has five children-Thomas, Mary M., Laura J., and Fred and Edward, twins. Mr. Kelly was engaged in butchering in De Witt for eleven years; he owns a farm of 200 acres, two miles south of town. FRED. P. KETTENRING, Postmaster, De Witt; born in Lycoming Co., Penn., in 1836; his parents, Henry and Agnes Kettenring, removed to Scott Co., Iowa, in 1845; his mother died in 1846; his father died in Rock Island Co., Ill., in 1858; he entered the 8th Iowa Regt. of Inf. in 1861; enlisted as private; rose to Second, then to First Lieutenancy, and promoted to Captain of Co. B Dec. 7, 1864; participated in the battles of Shiloh, Jackson, Vicksburg, etc.; was slightly wounded at Vicksburg, and severely, in the arm, at Spanish Fort; was taken prisoner at Shiloh; was confined as prisoner at Tuscaloosa for thirty days; at Montgomery, Ala., the same length of time; then at Macon, Ga.; thence transferred to Libby Prison, where he was paroled October, 1862; discharged May, 1866. Married, in 1867, Eleanor Hender, a native of England; have three children-Frank, Fred and Carrie E. Was appointed Postmaster, April, 1878. JAMES W. KIRTLEY, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. De Witt; born in Westmoreland Co., Va., June 15, 1811; he removed to Marion Co.,. Ill., in 1831; to Galena, Ill., in 1832; then to Dubuque; he came to Clinton Co. in 1836, and entered a claim near De Witt; he has resided in Clinton Co. since that time, a period of forty-three years. He married, in 1858, Dora Guth; they have six Sons and four daughters. THOMAS LARGE, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. De Witt; was born in Ireland in 1821. He married Elizabeth Rogers, a native of same country; he came to the United States about 1844; settled in Boston, Mass., and engaged in the boot and shoe business; he came to De Witt in March, 1859, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade; he located on eighty acres of the farm which he now owns in 1860, which he had bought in 1858; he has now 450 acres; is engaged principally in stock-raising. Mrs. Large died in 1864; his present wife was Miss Mary Gorman. Mr. Large has eight children, four by each marriage. S. LUM, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. De Witt; was born in New York in 1814; He married, in 1835, Eunice Cass, also of New York; they removed to Scott Co., Iowa, in 1839; settled where they now live in 1840. Mr. Lum has a fine farm of 220 acres, just without the limits of De Witt. REV. T. McCORMICK, Pastor of St. Simon's Church, De Witt. Father McCormick was born in the State of New York in 1850; he is of Irish parentage; was educated at Niagara Falls; he went to Dubuque in 1874; in 1875, he came to Clinton Co. and took pastoral charge of the church at Center Grove; he came to De Witt in the autumn of 1878. Father McCormick was the founder of St. Patrick's Temperance Society, at Center Grove, organized in 1876; it has connected with it a fine library, also the fruit of his labors; this Society, aided by his faithful labor, has done much to aid the cause of temperance among the people. He is an earnest though quiet worker in the temperance reform, and much good is accomplished wherever his influence is felt. He has organized a school in connection with his church at De Witt, which is now in a flourishing condition; in this school he now employs three teachers; it has an enrollment of over one hundred pupils. JAMES McKAY, engaged in drilling wells, selling pumps and wind-mills, De Witt; born in 1832; came to De Witt in 1865; he sells the Barnes Pump, manufactured at Maquoketa, Iowa, also the Rockford Pump, and is agent for the Wind-Mill Co. at Freeport, Ill.; has followed his present occupation for eleven years. His wife is a native of Canada; has nine children, two sons and seven daughters. ALANSON McLAUGHLIN, carpenter and farmer; P.O. De Witt; born in Mercer Co., Penn., in 1830. Married, January, 1856, Nancy Bates, a native of Crawford Co., Penn.; born in 1835. They came to De Witt in the spring of 1856, where Mr. McLaughlin worked at his trade until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. H, 26th I. V. I.; served till close of war; was in all the battles in which his regiment took part; was wounded at Arkansas Post. At the close of the war, he returned to De Witt, and resumed his trade, which he continued till 1873, when he exchanged his property in De Witt for the farm he now owns. Has six children- Eugene F. Laura E., Carrie J., Wandy L., Claude and Maud (twins). His parents, Henry and. Laura McLaughlin, came to De Witt in the spring of 1870. His father died in July, 1872; his mother resides with her son. JAMES S. HAYES, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. De Witt; was born in. Harrison Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 1835; be came to De Witt Township in the spring of 1860. He married, in 1865, Sarah Ann Barrett, whose parents, Wm. and Ann Campbell, came to Clinton Co. in 1853. NATHANIEL A. MERRELL, attorney, De Witt; born in the village of Copenhagen, Lewis Co., N. Y., in 1829. His parents, Seth and Mabel Sanford Merrell, were from Connecticut. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution; his father was a soldier in the second war with England. From the time he was 16 years of age until 22, he divided his time between farming, teaching and attending school; he then began the study of law with an elder brother, Eliada S., who was then residing at Copenhagen, now a resident of Lowville, and Judge of Lewis Co.; he was admitted to the bar at Watertown, Jefferson Co., July, 1855, and the next spring came to De Witt and worked up a good reputation as an attorney; his professional career has been one of marked success; he is a fluent speaker, and, in any reasonably just cause, carries the jury with him. Mr. Merrell entered the army in the fall of 182, as Captain of Co. D., 26th I. V. I.; he was severely wounded at the battle of Arkansas Post, Jan. 11, 1863. He was Mayor of De Witt two years, and a member of the Lower House of the General Assembly during its fourteenth session, and of the Senate during the fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth sessions. He has been a life-long Democrat, but does not "give up to party what was meant for mankind." He was an earnest supporter of the administration in its efforts to suppress the rebellion. He married at Lowville, N. Y., July 17, 1855, Mrs. Mary A. Momam Merrell, the widow of his brother; they have three children living; have lost two. MELVIN HORTON, engaged in general draying and expressing business, De Witt; born in Ontario, Canada, in 1849; his parents, Lowell and Emily Morton, removed to Michigan about 1854; they came to De Witt about 1858; his father died in the army during the rebellion; his mother, now Mrs. Robinson, resides in Cedar Rapids. Mr. Morton has been engaged in his present business in De Witt for twelve years. He married Miss Dolly M. F. Familton, of De Witt; she was born in Ohio her parents were early settlers of this county; they have one son-Lowell W. MRS. ANN E. NEVILLE, widow of the late George W. Neville; resides in Sec. 21; Mrs. Neville was born in Berks Co.. Penn., in 1810. She married, in 1832, Mr. George Neville, who was born in Maryland,. then a resident of Philadelphia; they came to De Witt Township in the fall of 1837; has resided where she does since 1841; has had eight children, five living-Mrs. Rosaltha Cassey, William T., Lewis L., Winfield S. and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Smith; Mrs. Isabella L. Browning died July 15, 1857, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. T. W. Grear; two others, Anna and Charles, died in infancy. Mr. Neville died June 14, 1864. REV. DAVID NICOLL, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, De Witt. Mr. Nicoll was born in the town of Andes, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1841; he entered Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1861. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Knapp's Pennsylvania Battery; was wounded at Wahatchie Valley Oct. 28, 1863; from that time till the close of the war, was employed in the Provost Marshal's office in New York City; was discharged May 19, 1865. In September, 1865, returned to Jefferson College; Jan. 1, 1866, he entered Monmouth College, Ill., graduating June, 1867; he graduated at the Theological Seminary, Monmouth, March, 1869; in November of the same year, was ordained, and installed Pastor of the U. P. Church, of De Witt. Married, Jan. 16, 1870, Isabella F. Brown, a native of Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y.; has four children-Wm. A., Thomas E., Geo. D. and Mary. The U. P. Church at De Witt was organized Sept. 8, 1855, with sixteen members. The Elders were John Barrett and James Bartlett; in June, 1856, the Rev.. R. S. Campbell became the first Pastor; remained till April, 1868; he was succeeded by the present Pastor in January, 1870. In 1861, nine members of the Church enlisted in the army-John Barrett, John Henderson, D. J. Cranston, J. A. Hyde, W. H. Hyde, James Barnes, John F. Beard and James V. Patterson. Of these, but one, D. J. Cranston, survived till the end of the war, and he lost a leg at the battle of Chattanooga, in 1863; the others were killed in battle or died of disease while in the service. The Church has now ninety members. The members of Session are James Bartlett, N. T. Baird, Robert McClenahan, J. D. Buchanan and J. S. Mayes. CHARLES M. NYE, attorney at law, De Witt; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1828; he came to Davenport, Iowa, in 1856, to De Witt in 1858; he went to California, Moniteau Co., Mo., the same year, and engaged in the practice of law. He returned to De Witt in 1862, and enlisted in the 26th I. V. I.; was elected Captain of Co H; was promoted to Major in 1863.; he served a year and a half, resigning on account of ill-health. He soon after engaged in the practice of his profession in De Witt. His first wife was Miss Anna Rodgers; left one child- Charles A.; his present wife was Emma C. Lowe, of De Witt; they have two children-Martha W. and George L.; has lost one child-James B. A. G. OATMAN, retired farmer, De Witt; was born in Middletown, Rutland Co., Vt., in 1829; his parents, Ira and Lovica Oatman, removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., about 1827; his mother died in 1834; he returned to Vermont and lived in the family of his mother's brother until he was of age; he went to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851; in the spring of 1853, he went to California and engaged in mining remained in California six years; returned to Vermont in 1859. Married, in October of the same year, Ellen S. Adams, of Vermont. Came to Clinton Co. in February, 1861, and bought a farm in Eden Township the following year; he retired from the farm in the spring of 1877, and came to De Witt; he built a fine residence in 1878, where he now resides. DR. F. G. POTTER, dentist, De Witt; was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1833; he removed to Jackson Co., Iowa, in 1851; prepared for the practice of his profession at Maquoketa, where he practiced three years; he returned to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1857; returned to Maquoketa in 1865, where he remained till November, 1874, when he located in DeWitt. His wife was Miss Sarah J. Barnes, of Maquoketa, formerly of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.; they have one child-Irene. ABRAHAM PRUYN, farmer; P.O. De Witt; born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1807; his parents removed to Herkimer Co. when he was a child. Mr. Pruyn's first wife was Sophia Minott; they had six children; three are living-Minott A., who lives in New York; Francis J., lives in Tipton, Iowa; Mrs. Harriet McErlain, lives in Dyersville, Iowa. His present wife was Arvilla Miles, native of New York; they have two children-William E. and Lillian F. Mr. Pruyn came to Clinton Co. in 1861; he lived one year in De Witt, then located on his present farm. DAVID J. PRUYN, farmer; Sec. 24; P.O. De Witt; born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1831; his parents, Henry D. and Mary A. Pruyn, removed to Oswego Co. about 1834, and to Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., in 1845; he went to New York City in 1858. He served in the army as Assistant Quartermaster and Quartermaster during the war. He resided in Raleigh, N. C., from the close of the rebellion till 1870, when he returned to New York City; he came to Clinton Co. in 1872, and located on his farm, which he had purchased in 1867. His father, born in 1800, and his mother, born in 1804, reside with him. ACHILLES ROBB, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. De Witt. Mr. Robb was born in Knox, now Gibson Co., Ind., in 1801; in the fall of 1827, he removed to St. Louis Co., Mo., where he lived eight years; thence to Greene Co., Ill., where he resided three years; thence to Lewistown, Ill., where he engaged in the mercantile business for eight years; thence to Albany, Ill., and came to De Witt in 1846; here he entered the mercantile business, but his health failing, he concluded to resort to farming, and entered the farm where he now lives. He married, in 1822 Mary Youngman, of Indiana; she died in 1854; his second wife was Miss Sarah A. Burrowes, of Lancaster, Penn., a native of Ireland; she died in December, 1863; his present wife was Miss Chloe N. Merrill, of Lewis Co., N. Y. Mr. Robb has resided on his farm for twenty-seven years; has 200 acres. J. B. ROSE, proprietor of cheese factory and produce dealer, De Witt; Mr. Rose was born in Canada in 1844; his parents removed to Ohio in 1855; he went to Illinois in 1864. Married, in 1865, Mary C. Lovejoy, of Wellington, Ohio. Mr. Rose went to Davenport in 1874, and engaged in the butter and egg business; he came to De Witt in 1875; built his cheese factory at this place in 1818; this is the pioneer cheese factory in the county, being the first one built in the county; it is one of the finest in the State; has the capacity for the milk of 1,000 cows. Mr. Rose is Manager of the Pleasant Valley Dairy Association, at Berlin, Iowa; his intention is to make Clinton Co., second to none in dairy interests. In 1878, his cheese took the first premium at the State Fair, at Cedar Rapids; also, over thirty competitors in St. Louis in October, 1878; and again at the International Fair, in New York City in December of the same year. He is manager of the Dairy Department of the De Witt Observer. Has two children- Ida and Ira. SAMUEL SADDORIS, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. DeWitt; born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, 1816; he removed to Holmes Co., Ohio, where he resided till 1845, when he came to Davenport, Iowa; he purchased and improved a farm near Davenport, and lived there seven years; resided in Davenport for twelve years, engaged in real estate business; he then exchanged his home in Davenport for forty acres of the farm which he now owns of 540 acres in Clinton Co., the most of which is under a fine state of cultivation; has also 240 acres in Boone Co. Mr. Saddoris and Mr. Harrison Dwire were the organizers of the Grange movement in Clinton Co.; he was instrumental in organizing the Farmers' Store in De Witt in 1874; he is Secretary of the Farmers' Insurance Company, of Clinton, Jackson and Scott Cos. He married Miss Eliza Werum, a native of Germany, then of Ohio; have eight children-Harriet Mummey, Charles, an extensive farmer of Orange Township; Thomas, an extensive farmer of Boone Co., Iowa; Nancy E., Mary C., William H., Clifford E. and Samuel, Jr.; the last five reside at home. JOSEPH SHEARER, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. De Witt. Mr. Shearer was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., July 4, 1814; he came to Camanche, Clinton Co., an 1854, and located where he now lives the same year. He married, in 1835, Mary A. Milligan, a native of Pennsylvania; have had twelve children, four are living- Mrs. Deborah Kellogg, James M., Robert T. and John M; have lost two sons and six daughters. James M. enlisted August, 1861, in the 8th Iowa V. I.; was taken prisoner at the battle of Pittsburg Landing; was a prisoner eight months; served till close of war; he now resides in Webster Co., Iowa. Robert T. is a lawyer by profession; resides at Ida Grove, Ida Co., Iowa. SAMUEL H. SHOEMAKER, editor of De Witt Observer; born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1840; he came to De Witt in 1853; learned the printing business in the office of the De Witt Clintonian , published by O. C. Bates; has been engaged in the business since that time, except seven months, which he served in the army; he enlisted in June, 1862, in Co. A, 18th Iowa V. I.; discharged on account of disability; established the De Witt Observer in 1864. Married, in 1866, Miss Rette Ferree, a native of Iowa; have two children-Jessie and Frank H. Mr. Shoemaker was appointed Postmaster of De Witt in 1871, which office he held for seven years. JOHN A. SMITH farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. De Witt; born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1835. Married Ursula Mummey, a native of Ohio; they came to Clinton Co. from Ohio in 1863. Mr. Smith purchased a part of his present farm in 1867, a part an 1868 and the rest in 1874; he has 160 acres, under a fine state of cultivation; have two children-Lucetta C. and George M. ROBT. L. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. De Witt; born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1810. He married, in 1833, Molly Graham, also of Butler Co., Penn. Mrs. Smith died April 17, 1879, leaving five Sons and three daughters-Alfred B., Ezra J., Orange S., William L., Samuel S., Margarette A., Nancy E. J. and Candace C. Mr. Smith came to De Witt in the fall of 1848; he engaged in the blacksmith business during the following winter; during the season of 1849, he worked a farm, which included that part of the present site of De Witt, lying west of Jefferson and south of Clinton streets; made his present location in the autumn of 1849, where he has since resided. ROBT. M. SMITH; P. O. De Witt; was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, April 14, 1850; he came with his parents to Clinton Co. October, 1863. He married, in September, 1873, Elizabeth C. Neville; they have one child-Ellsworth L., born October, 1876. S. SMITH, artist, De Witt. Mr. Smith was born at St. Thomas, Ontario, in 1840; he removed to the State of Indiana in 1865; came to De Witt in 1867. He married, in 1868, Mary E. Niclaus, a native of Indiana; have one child-Harry M. WILLIAM SMITH, farmer. Sec. 4; P.O. De Witt; owns 200 acres; was born in March, 1813, in Belmont Co., Ohio; his father died in Morgan Co., Ohio, where his mother still lives. He married, in 1834, Sarah Beal she died in 1848; he again married Mary Hill in 1849; has five children by first marriage, and the same number by second marriage; has lost three children. Mr. Smith came to Clinton Co, in 1863; his brother, John N., who came with him, died in 1870. Mr. Smith located on his present farm in 1870. E. R. TOWNSEND, retired farmer; P.O. De Witt; born in Dutchess Co., N. Y. in 1821. Married, in March, 1848, Miss J. C. Vanderbilt, a native of New York; came to Clinton Co. in 1857, and purchased a farm in Eden Township, which he still owns; this farm contains 220 acres, and ranks with the best farms in Clinton Co.; in 1875, Mr. Townsend purchased a home in De Witt, where he has since resided. His mother, Mrs. Hannah Townsend, formerly Miss Van Vorhees, lives with him; she is 83 years of age, and is a descendant of one of the early Dutch families of New York. Mr. Townsend has four sons and one daughter---James E., John R., Fred, Geo. W. and Julia. JAMES E. TOWNSEND, proprietor of flour and custom mill, De Witt; is a son of Mr. E. R. Townsend; born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1849, His mill, which is driven by steam power, he built in 1875, at a cost of $15,000. It has three runs of buhrs for grinding about four hundred and fifty bushels in eleven hours. He married, in 1873, Lydia Harrison, a native of Bridgeport, Ohio; they have one child-Edwin-born in August, 1875. PETER TRAVER, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. De Witt; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1814. He married, Dec. 27, 1832, Catharine Hanson, also born in Montgomery Co. in 1815; accompanied by his parents, removed to Medina Co., Ohio, in 1834; his father died July 25, 1835. Mr. Traver came to De Witt Township in 1854; purchased his present farm in the summer 1856, where he located in 1857 have five children-Nicholas P., George P., Nancy A. Hatfield, Mary A. Wallace and James P.; they lost their first and third children-Elizabeth Stanley and Margaret H. Crawford. James P. Traver married, on Jan. 8, 1873, Anna E. Volmer, daughter of Allen A. Volmer. Mr. Traver's father, George E. Traver, was born 1787; died in 1835 his mother, Elizabeth Plantz Traver was born 1797; died at Wheaton, Ill. MRS. HARRIET TURNER TRITES; P.O. De Witt; widow of Mr. Job Trites; resides in Sec. 14. Mr. Trites was born in New Brunswick in 1823; his parents removed to Harrison Co., Ohio, when he was a child; he came to De Witt Township about 1841. He married his present widow, Harriet Turner Trites, daughter of George William H. Turner, in 1842, and located on the farm where Mrs. Trites now lives in 1845; he enlisted in the 26th Iowa V. I.; was wounded at the battle of Arkansas Post, and died from the effects of his wounds at Memphis Feb. 14, 1863. Mrs. Trites has three children-Mrs. Nancy M. Bird, Lewis Cass and Edwin R. ALBERT VOLLMER, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. De Witt; owns 200 acres. Mr. Volner was born in Baden, Germany, about 1820; his parents, Michael and Mary Volner, came to this country in 1830; they resided in Baltimore, Md., one year; then removed to Seneca Co., Ohio. Mr. Albert Volner came to De Witt in 1845 and engaged in the tailoring business; he located on his farm about 1850. His wife was Miss Eleanor West, native of Pennsylvania; have six children-Sarah, Ann, Clara, Stella, Willis and Emma. ALEXANDER M. WALLACE, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. De Witt; born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1840; he removed to Illinois in 1862; came to De Witt Township and bought his present farm of 190 acres in the fall of 1865; his parents, Thomas and Jane B. Wallace, came to De Witt Township from Illinois in the spring of 1866; his father, Thomas Wallace, died Oct. 31, 1872, aged 60 years; his mother, Jane R. Wallace, died Jan. 1,1868, aged 58 years 2 months and 20 days. He married, March, 1869, Mary A. Traver, of De Witt Township; have five children- Martha J., Harland M., Herman B., Elmer P. and Nannie M. Mr. Wallace enlisted in the 1st Ohio V. Cav. in 1861; served one year; discharged for disability. G. W. WALLACE, merchant, of the firm of Wallace Bros., De Witt; was the son of Mr. John G. Wallace, who came from Pennsylvania to Clinton Co. in 1843. Mr. John G. Wallace purchased a farm in De Witt Township, where his family resided till 1860; they were among the sufferers by the tornado of June 3, of that year; he then removed his family to De Witt, where he had established a store in 1856; he continued in business till his death, on Sept. 17, 1863; his widow, Mrs. Mackey Wallace, is still a resident of De Witt; she has five children, all residents of De Witt except a daughter, Mrs. T. H. Ellis, who resides in Clinton. G. W. Wallace was born Dec. 26, 1847. He married, in 1874, Miss L. E. Beach, of Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa. A. J. Wallace, brother of G. W., and engaged in business with him, was born Oct. 24, 1854. He married, Oct. 1,1875, Miss Estelle Beach, of De Witt. MONROE WARREN, blacksmith, of the firm of Warren & Son, De Witt; was born in Ohio in 1823; his father, Bennett Warren, came to Clinton Co. in 1841, and engaged in farming; he died in 1857. Mr. Monroe Warren came to De Witt in the fall of 1844; he is the pioneer blacksmith of De Witt; has followed that business here for thirty-five years. He married, in 1845, Betsey A. Soliss; has three sons- John N., James W. and Thomas M.; the latter is engaged with his father in business. M. R. WAGGONER, MD., De Witt; born in Ontario, Canada, in 1837; his parents, George and Mary Waggoner, removed to Jones County, Iowa, in 1854; the Doctor attended the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in the winter of 1861-62; he began practice in De Witt in 1863. In 1870. he attended the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Ill., graduating February, 1871; returned to De Witt, where he has since practiced his profession. He married, in 1862, Lucelia E. Sozier, a native of New York; they have three children-Mortimer C., Lucelia E.. and M. R., Jr. The Doctor is a member of the Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa; also of the Homeopathic Medical Department of the University of Iowa. JOHN T. WATERS, De Witt; born in September, 1832, in England; his father settled in Ohio in 1842. In 1849, Mr. Waters, then a young man of 17, passed four years along the Mississippi River, returning to Ohio in the fall of 1853; he came to Clinton County in the fall of 1855. Married, in December, 1855, Rosina Dinsmore, a native of Now York. He entered the army in 1863; was 2d Lieutenant in the 9th I. V. C.; served till February, 1865. Have two children-Maggie I. and Carroll W.; he went to California in 1875; his wife, who accompanied him, died Aug. 26, 1877 he returned in March, 1878. Mr. Waters was Clerk of the office of County Judge from 1858 to 1860; was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1860 under Charles H. Toll, Sheriff; was re-appointed under George Griswold; engaged in farming during 1865-66; from the spring of 1867 till 1877, was, with Thomas F. Butterfield, in the grain, lumber and agricultural implement business; during that time, held most of the township offices; was Township Collector four years; holds that office at present; has been Assessor for township and city, member of School Board, etc. JAMES WELCH, farmer; P.O. De Witt. Mr. Welch was born in County Wexford, Ireland; he came to the United States in 1854; lived in Dutchess Co., N. Y., for five years; came to Clinton Co. in 1859, and settled on the farm he now owns in 1861; he has 212 acres of land. His wife was Catherine Hall, a native of Ireland; they have seven children-James, Helena, Catharine, Mary, Ellen, Ann and John. EDWARD WEST, farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. De Witt; born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1803. He married Miss Sarah Phillips in 1828; they came to Clinton Co. in 1843; in 1852, Mr. West bought a quarter section of school land, south of De Witt, which he sold the next year, and entered the farm where he now lives. He has five children-Mrs. Ellen Vollmer, Mrs. Sarah Barre, William H. H., Daniel and Mrs. Rachel McCulloch. HENRY WESTON, farmer; P.O. De Witt; Mr. Weston was born in England in 1813; he came to the United States in 1835; he was one of the early settlers of McHenry Co., Ill, where he located in 1837. He came to De Witt in 1851; he resides just without the limits of the city, where he has a farm of 100 acres; he also owns another farm of 146 acres in De Witt Township. His first wife was Miss Sarah Baldwin, a native of England; she died April 3, 1840. His second wife was Elizabeth Watson, of English parentage; she died Dec. 9, 1870; he has two children by first marriage-John H., born in 1836, and Thomas, born in 1838; has 9 children by second marriage, seven of whom are living-Mary J., George E., James, Daniel, Ann, Amelia and William M. K. Three nieces of Mr. Weston-Ann, Mary Jane and Margaret Walker-reside with him; they came from England in 1868. MRS. SARAH A. WESTBROOK, nee Burton, De Witt; her parents, S. P. and Eliza Burton, came to Clinton Co. in March, 1840; her father entered the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Weston; her parents had seven daughters, two now living. Mrs. Westbrook was born in April, 1828; her sister, Mrs. W. H. McCracken, born in 1827, resides in Kansas. Her father, now 75 years of age, is a resident of De Witt. Mrs. Westbrook married, in 1848, Mr. B. L. Westbrook; Has had two sons, both deceased; her eldest son, James A , was born May 13, 1849; he entered the army as drummer-boy in August, 1862; his health failing, he was discharged Feb. 19, 1863, learned the printing-business, and gave bright promise for the future, but the disease he contracted in the army resulted in consumption. He went to California for the benefit of his health, in July, 1871, and died at San Jose, in December of that year; her younger son, Leonard, died at the age of 21 years. LORING WHEELER, retired farmer; P.O. De Witt; was born at Westmoreland, Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1799; in 1821, he went to Alton, Ill., thence to Greene Co., Ill., where he remained two years; then to Morgan Co., Ill., where he remained three years. Mr. Wheeler served in the Black Hawk war; was a member of Gen. Dodge's regiment. He was for some time employed in mining at Galena, Ill.; in 1834, Went to Dubuque, where he engaged in mining and in the mercantile business till the spring of 1841. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin for two years, the first session was hold at Belmont, Grant Co., Wis.; the second at Burlington, which was then included in the Territory of Wisconsin; in the spring of 1841, he settled on the farm which he still owns, near De Witt, and in the autumn of that year was appointed Clerk of the Court for the county of Clinton, and held that office during the Territorial history of Iowa; in 1846, he was elected to the State Senate for the term of four years. In 1849, Mr. Wheeler went to California by way of the overland route, and returned via the Isthmus in 1853. In 1854, was elected Clerk of Clinton Co.; continued in that office till 1862 since has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors four years; was Chairman of that body for three years of that time; is a stockholder in the Clinton National Bank, and has been one of its directors; several years since he lost the use of his right eye from inflammation; he retired from active life in 1873. Mr. Wheeler married in 1837, Susan B. Harrison sister of Jesse M. Harrison, of Dubuque, and of Alvin G. Harrison, of De Witt; has had nine children, four of whom are living-George L., Thomas W. and Lloyd B., residents of Clinton Co.; his daughter Martha Frances, married Mr. Frank Cottrell, formerly of Dubuque, now a farmer of Harrison Co., Iowa. DENNIS WHITNEY, attorney and real estate, De Witt; born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1828; his parents, Dennis and Elizabeth Whitney, removed to Niagara, N. Y., in 1839; Mr. Whitney came to Clinton Co., in 1856, to De Witt in 1861. Was Deputy Treasurer of Clinton Co. till 1864; was Recorder from 1864 till 1866. Since that time has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married in 1854, to Helen Butrick, of Lockport, N. Y. V. YEGGE, brewer, De Witt; was born in Switzerland, in 1831; he came to America in 1852; he resided in Hillsdale, Mich., from 1853 to 1859, when he came to De Witt; he established his brewery in De Witt in the fall of 1859. He married in 1856, Mary F. Holly, a native of Germany. He has seven children, five sons and two daughters.