Biographies: Olive 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 *********************************************************************** From the 1879 History of Clinton Co., by L. P. Allen Biographies OLIVE TOWNSHIP. LYMAN ALGER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Calamus; owns 700 acres of land in this county, besides several hundred acres in the western part of the State; son of Sorrel and Polly Alger; born Sept. 12, 1800, in Madison Co., N. Y. In 1807, his parents moved to Erie Co. In 1821, he went into Pennsylvania, returned, and married Dorcas Hawkins in 1822, and moved into Cattaraugus Co. in 1824. In 1835. emigrated to La Salle Co., Ill., and put up the first house in what was known as Four-Mile Grove. In 1838, came to this county, made a claim and built a cabin, and, in the spring of 1838, moved his family there. On the 14th of August, 1839, his wife died, and lie married a brother's widow (maiden name, Martha Knight), in 1840; she was born in 1815, and died in 1841. On the 14th of August, 1841, he married Miss Esther Hawkins, sister to his first wife; she was murdered by unknown hands on the evening of the 25th of September, 1872. Had five children by first wife; those living are Mary J. Knight and Almira Berroud; deceased—Damon 0., Serrell and Maria Curtis, and one son by second wife, who was in the 2d Iowa Inf., and was killed at the battle of Spanish Fort. Member of the Free-Will Baptist Church; Republican. CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANSON, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Calamus owns 200 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; born Feb. 21, 1837, in Norway. In the summer of 1861, came to the United States, locating in this county, and on his present farm in 1865. Married Groe Egge Aug. 25, 1864; she was born in Norway Feb. 14, 1839. Have six children living—Theodore C, Albert E., Thor, Bertha C., Ammon G.. and Johann H.; lost one infant daughter. Mr. Christianson has served as Justice of the Peace, Secretary of School Board, Director, etc. Member of the Lutheran Church; Republican. HANS CHRISTIANSON, farmer; P. 0. Calamus; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Christy and Bertha Christianson; born Sept. 12, 1822, in Norway; emigrated from there to this county in 1857, and located on his present farm in 1865. Married Rachael Lawson, of Norway, in April, 1857; she died in this county in December, 1860; again married Bertha Fattison, March, 1862; she was also born in Norway, in 1832. Has one child by first wife—Christ, and lost one, Lewis; by second wife, five children—Gunder, Rachel, Martin, Bertina and Hans; lost two—Hans and Bertana. Member of the Lutheran Church; Republican. REV. DEWITT C. CURTIS, farmer, Sec. 32; p. o. Calamus; owns thirty.three acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Almon and Elizabeth Curtis; born June 12, 1826, in Erie Co., N. Y.; is one of a family of eighteen children, seventeen still living. In the fall of 1838, emigrated to Clinton Co., Iowa, and located where he is still living; there were then but five families in this township—those of Oliver Alger, Lyman Alger, William Knight, John Shook and Jeremiah Binford. He married Miss Maria Alger, daughter of' Lyman and Dorcas Alger, in February, 1847; she was born Feb. 19, 1830, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and died in this county Aug. 27, 1867. He again married Ruth A. Jennings; she was born in Ohio, and died in July, 1871. He again married Lois Phillips, Jan. 26, 1872 ; she was born in New York. Has five children by first wife—Alvira, Lyman J., Kit C., Esther J. and Emma, and host two—Charlie and Mary; by second wife had two children—Charlie D. and Laura V.; by third wife one son—Clinton H. Mr. Curtis is a minister in the Free-Will Baptist Church ; was ordained an Elder in 1859 ; has served as Justice of the Peace nine years; Republican. E. H. DAMON, retired farmer; P. 0. Calamus. Son of Jason and Lucy (Owen) Damon; was born June 16, 1809, in Madison Co., N.Y. From 1845 to 1861, he was engaged in running a hotel in Sullivan of that county. In the spring of 1861, emigrated to Iowa, stopping at Davenport till the fall, when he came into Olive Township, Clinton Co., having purchased a farm of 240 acres. In 1875, moved into Calamus and subsequently sold the farm. Married Miss Sarah Hicks Nov. 15, 1835; she was born Aug. 10, 1810, in Albany Co., N. V.; have ten children—Ammon, Albert, Elizabeth, Riley and Emily, Myron, Sarah, Norton, Alpheus and Anna. Three sons— Ammon, Myron and Riley, served in the 8th Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Albert is a member of the New York Conference of' M. E. Church. Norton and Alpheus engaged in the mercantile business in Calamus. Republican. JAMES N. DAWSON, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Grand Mound; was born in Greene Co., N. V., in 1820. His parents, Richard H. and Emily Dawson, came to Orange Township in the spring of 1841; his father died in DeWitt, in September, 1878; his mother died in June, 1874. Mr. Dawson married Eliza Goudie, of DeWitt; she died in January, 1849. His present wife was Miss Arsella Hayes, a native of Pennsylvania. He has one son, George, by first marriage; has four sons and three daughters by second marriage—Wilmott Lewis, Joseph, Elmer, Ada, Anna and Myrta. CHARLES DUTTON, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0. Dc Witt; owns 252 acres acres, valued at $30 per acre; born Sept. 17, 1823. in Chenango Co., N. V.; in 1837, started with the rest of' the family, from New York to Potter Co., Penn.; thence by raft to Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., and, in the fall of 1838, came to Alton, Ill., and, in the spring following, to Clinton Co. His mother died in New York in 1837, and his father in this county in 1859. Mr. D. married Hannah Grace Oct. 5, 1845 she was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1829; have one son—Horace G., born Sept. 15, 1865; lost three—Wilmot W., Ellen E. and Charles M. Has served as Township Trustee several years. Religion, Liberal. LORENZO D. DUTTON, farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0. De Witt; owns 340 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; is a brother of Leroy Dutton; was born June 28, 1818, in Chenango Co., N. Y.; in January, 1837, went to Potter Co., Penn., and engaged in lumbering during the winter; in the spring came, with an uncle, to Madison, Ind. ; engaged in the employ of his uncle, who was in the mercantile business' managed store for him in New Castle, Ky., one year; in the spring of 1841, came to this county; in the spring of 1850, Went by overland route to California, in company with his brother Jerome and R. S. Dickinson and wife; in the fall of 1854, returned to this county. On the 6th of December, 1856, married Miss Sarah H. Allison; she was born in 1838, in Rockingham Co., Va.; have nine children living—Charles A., Viola M., Orsini, Nancy P., Martha J.. Lorenzo D., Elva B., Orpha M. and Blanche I. Mr. D. has served as Justice of the Peace and County Assessor one year, and Township Assessor several years. Religion, Liberal; Greenbacker. LEROY DUTTON, farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0. DeWitt; owns 510 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Charles and Nancy (Pearsall) Dutton; was born April 21, 1816, in Chenenago Co., N. Y.; in the fall of 1837, came on a raft, with parents, from Potter Co., Penn., to Madison, Ind.; in December, 1838, the family came by river to Alton, Ill., he joining them two months later, and, in the spring of 1839, they all came up to Camanche, this county, came out and located in Olive Township, Mr. D. purchasing the claim of' part of his present farm. Married Miss Harriet Heller, of Scott Co., Dec. 31, 1843; she was born in Huron Co., Ohio, and died in March, 1845. He again married Mrs. Flora Baldwin, whose maiden name was Holcomb, in March, 1847; she was born June 11, 1817, in Connecticut; her mother is living in the family at the advanced age of 87. Mr. D. had one son by first wife and three children by second wife; all died in infancy; second wife had two children b/first husband—Richard C. and Olive, the latter deceased. Richard C. lives with Mr. Dutton; he married Emily Brown in July, 1860, and has four children— Anna L., Harriet M., Richard L. and William B. Greenbacker; religion, Liberal. JOHN J. HELVIG, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Grand Mound; son of John J. and Carrie Helvig; born July 15. 1830, in Norway; in the spring of 1856, emigrated to Kendall Co., Ill.; in the fall of 1859, returned to Norway, and April 22 following married Miss Anna Knudtson; she was born July 17, 1831; in the fall, of 1860, returned to America and came on to his present farm, which now contains 380 acres, valued at $30 per acre. Have eight children—Gurene K., John, Anna 0., Johanna. Knudt, Carrie, Martin J., Johannes A. Member Lutheran Church; Republican. JOSIAH F. HILL, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Calamus; owns a farm of 180 acres, valued at $30 per acre; son of John and Polly Hill; born April 5, 1827, in Erie Co., N. Y.; his mother died when he was about two years old, after which he lived with an uncle; in the spring of 1839, came with Mr. Truman Alger to this county and township; in 1850, went by overland route to California with Mr. R. S. Dickinson; followed mining and hunting there till 1854, when he returned; in November, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A of the 14th Iowa V. I.; they were sent to Fort Randall, Dakota; in 1863, was transferred to the 7th Iowa Cavalry; participated in several skirmishes and two general battles with the Indians; was discharged in June, 1866, and returned home. Married Miss Anna Johnson in September, 1855; she was born in 1835 died in March, 1858; second marriage, to Miss Sarah Wise, Nov. 26, 1866; she was born March 22, 1848, in Germany, her parents having emigrated to Scott Co. in 1845; has one son by first wife—Arthur J., and by second wife four children—Katy, Fanny, Hattie and May; lost one son—Alfred. Mr. H. is a member of the German Baptist Church. Republican. GEORGE JOHNSON, farmer, Sec. .21; P. 0. Calamus; born March 25, 1828, near Bergen, Norway; emigrated to the United States in spring of 1853; came to this county and entered 120 acres of land from the Government, where he still lives, adding to it till now he has 605 acres, upon which he built last year one of the best farm houses in the county, costing over $7,000. Married Bertha Christianson in Norway in April, 1853; she was born in April, 1831; have nine children—John D., Berthana, Christie, Elizabeth, Christiana. Bertha M., George. Johanna M. and Christian; lost two—Bertha M. and Leah. Member of Lutheran Church; Republican. HENRY LETTY, farmer and Justice of the Peace, Sec. 3; P. 0. Buena Vista; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born Oct. 7,1834, in Schleswig, Germany; in the fall of 1851, emigrated to Davenport, Iowa; the following spring, went to Rock Island Co., Ill.; in February, 1865, came on to his present farm in this county. Married Miss Mary Schultz in April, 1859; she was born in Germany in 1842 and died Sept. 22, 1860; he again married Mrs. Margaret King, maiden name Weis, March 12, 1861 ; she was born March 19, 1827, in Germany; have one son (Henry) by first wife, and by second wife one son—Wilhelm F., and lost four—Margaret E., August F., J. Christian F. and Wilhelmina W.; wife has four children by Mr. King—John. Phillip, Theresa and Anna. Mr. L. is present Justice of the Peace, Member of the Lutheran Church; Republican. DANIEL McCARTY, farmer; P. 0. Grand Mound; son of Charles and Mary McCarty; was born Oct. 4, 1814, in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; in the fall of 1837, emigrated to Kane Co., N. V.; in 1854, came to Iowa and entered a part of his present farm, and, in I865, moved on with his family; he now owns 720 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; he also owns 320 acres in Hancock Co. He married Elosia Banks, of Aurora, Ill., in October, 1844; she was born in Chenango Co., N. V., in 1819; have lost three children—an infant and Florence and Arthur B.; have an adopted son—William W. Members of the M. E. Church; Republican. WM. J. McLAUGHLIN, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Calamus; owns 460 acres of' land, valued at $25 per acre; son of John and Nancy McLaughlin; born in February, 1823, in Donegal, Ireland; in November, 1848, he shipped from Londonderry, Ireland, via Glasgow to the United States; reached . Philadelphia, Penn., in January, 1849, and, soon after, went to New Castle, Del., and, in the fall of 1849, came to Crawford Co., Penn., where be remained till the spring of 1852; came to Rock Island, Ill., and thence to Peoria, and, in 1856, came into Spring Rock Township, this county, and next to Henry Co., Ill.; in June, 1861, came on to his present farm. Married Rose McDonald Feb. 24, 1861; she was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1829; have two adopted children—Francis Herrington and William J. Shaver, Republican. THOMAS W. MILLER, farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0. Grand Mound; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Phillip S. and Chloe Miller; born May 8,1830, in Livingston Co., N. Y.; emigrated to Kent Co., Mich., in the spring of 1856. and, in the spring of 1859, came to Iowa; engaged in the employ of the C. & N.-W. R. R. Co.'s car-shops at Clinton and assisted in building the first new passenger coach that ran west from Clinton. In September, 1862, enlisted in Co. C, 26th I. V. I.; participated in battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, after which, he was employed as a mechanic on detached service principally; mustered Out at Davenport in August, 1865, and then engaged in house-building, in and about Clinton and Lyons; in May, 1871, came on to his present farm. Married Mary Perin, daughter of Noble and Sarah G. Perin, January 1,1861; she was born in this county in September, 1837; her parents were among the very first settlers of Clinton; have six children—Sarah L., Charles P., Mary C., Harvey R., Hattie R. and Thomas W. lost three, Effie M., Ada and infant. Is a member of De Witt Lodge, No. 33, A., F. & A M. Wife a member of the M. E. Church. Republican. JUNIA S. MOWRY, farmer and minister, See. 19; P. 0. Calamus. Owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. Son of Reuben and Phoebe (nee Smith) Mowry; seventh generation back on father's side were English, and fifth on mother's side. He was born July 18, 1805, in Providence, R. I.; followed teaching several years. Married Salome Lincoln Dec. 2, 1835; she was born Sept. 13,1807, in Massachusetts; she died July 21, 1841. He again married Nancy Manchester, of Tiverton, R. I., Dec. 2, 1841 ; she was born May 2, 1812. In the spring of 1851, came to Lyons, of this county, returned and brought his family in the fall of 1852. In the spring of 1854, came on his present farm. His second wife died Feb. 24, 1868. He again married Mildred M. A. Holmes July 15, 1869, her maiden name was DuBois; she was born June 1, 1811, in Michigan; she died March 11, 1879. He again married Susan Moth, of DeWitt, June 8,1879; she was born Nov. 9,1821, in Champaign Co., Ohio; has one daughter living by first wife—Amy M., and lost one—Elizabeth by second wife five children—Phoebe, Martha, Deborah, Esther and John R. ; lost three—Salome, Daniel and Reuben. Mr. M. was ordained as an Elder in the Free-Will Baptist Church Aug. 23, 1832, in Tiverton, R. I.; united with the Disciples' Church here, and has filled the same position. He also served as President of School Board. Republican. OLIVER T. NELSON, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Grand Mound. Owns 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Son of Thor and Engebor (nee Halverson) Nelson; born Oct. 18, 1835, in Norway, emigrated to this county in July, 1857. Married Miss Martha Lawson Sept. 29, 1860; she was born in Norway June 28, 1839; have six children living—Maggie H., Thor H., Cornelius, John H., Elizabeth A. and Bertha M. Mr. N's father died here in October, 1869. Member Lutheran Church; Republican. JOHN O'BRIEN, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. Calamus; owns 280 acres of' land in this county, valued at $8,000, and 120 acres of land in Boone Co., worth $20 per acre. son of James and Elizabeth O'Brien; born April 8, 1837, in Peterboro, C. W. In fall of 1853, emigrated with parents to this county; his father died Feb. 14, 1877. at the advanced age of 98 years. Married Elizabeth Smith, of Peterboro, C. W., in April, 1861; she was born in Ireland in 1842; have four children living—Mary C., James, John P. and Margaret F. Has served as Justice of the Peace two terms, and President of School Board seven years, and is present Assessor of township. Member Catholic Church; Greenbacker. JOHN OLSEN, farmer, Sec. 22 P 0 Calamus; owns 180 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born June 4,1827, in Norway; in the spring of 1856, came to the United States, stopping in Kendall Co., Ill., till the summer of 1858; came to this county, located on his present farm in 1862. Married Engel Nelson Sept. 20, 1860; she was born Dec. 26, 1837, in Norway; have one son—N. 0. Olsen; born Jan. 13, 1861. Member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 0. has served as School Director of his district; Republican. KARL PORT, farmer; P 0. Buena Vista; owns 400 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Joseph and Catharine Port; born April 22, 1830, in Prussia; In the spring of 1854, emigrated to the United States, stopping in Muscatine Co.; in 1855, went to Hampton, Ill., and engaged in wine-making; in the fall of 1859, came to this county, and, in 1866, came on to his present farm. Married Bernatina Passeck in October, 1865; she was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1828, and died Dec. 25, 1863. He again married Theresa Schmitz, whose maiden name was Bomen, March 22, 1865; she was born in Erie Co., Penn., Jan. 20, 1832; has. four children by first marriage—Otto, John,- Joseph and Catharine; and five by second marriage—Minnie, Charles, Henry, Junzlof, Francesca; and lost one—Elizabeth; Mrs. Post has four children by former husband—Mattie, Catharine, May and Hiram. Member Catholic Church: Independent. F. E. ROTHSTEIN, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Buena Vista; owns 644 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; son of Jonathan and Charlotte Rothstein; born Aug. 22, 1822, near Stockholm, Sweden; in the spring of 1843 emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business; in 1849, went by overland route to California, and engaged in mining and trading there; in the spring of 1857, came to Scott Co., Iowa, and, in 1861, to where he now lives, and built a grist-mill, which he sold in 1876. Married Elizabeth Powell, of El Dorado Co., Cal., in March, 1852; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1821, and died December, 1876. He again married Sarah J. Witman, in September, 1877; she was born in Scott Co. in August, 1843; have one daughter—Ellen E., now the wife of John Langseth, who is engaged in mercantile business at Buena Vista. Member Christian Church; Republican. WILLIAM SCOTT, dealer in hardware, stoves, .Tinware, etc., Calamus; son of Nathan B. and Lucy (nee Spaulding) Scott; born May 27, 1819, in Allegany Co., N. Y.; in the spring of 1837, he went to Potter Co., Penn. Married there Miss Harriet M. Pearsall Sept. 18, 1840; she was born in Indiana, May 18, 1819; in the spring of 1843, he built a raft of lumber, and, with his wife and two children wife's parents, her brother and sister, came on the raft down the Alleghany River to Pittsburgh, where he sold his lumber for $4 per 1,000 feet, shipped on board a boat and came, via Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, to Copperas Creek, Fulton Co., Ill., stopping at his father's, he with a son and daughter having preceded them two years. About two weeks after their arrival, his wife's mother died, and, in July following, her father came to this township stopping with his brother, William Pearsall. In September, Mr. S. and family, his father, brother and wife's brother and sister came to this township: on his arrival here found himself the possessor of 121/2 cents, a yoke of three-year-old steers and one cow; one of the steers was drowned the following winter; he cut cord wood the same winter at 25 cents per cord, and boarded himself; in 1847, he purchased forty acres of land, subsequently adding thereto till lie now has about 200 acres, valued at $30 per acre. In the spring of 1850, he made a trip to California, by overland route. In the fall of 1851, he returned home via Panama, New York, Washington, by stage to Wheeling and by Water to Davenport, since which time he has lived on his farm (with the exception of eight months that he managed the Buena Vista Ferry) till the spring of 1873, he rented his farm and came into Calamus and commenced mercantile business, which he continued till he commenced his present business, in 1877. Mr. Scott is the only member of his father's family living; there were nine children, he the fifth. Has served as a member of the Board of County Supervisors, also Justice of the Peace, etc. Has six children living—Sardinia M., Sidney S., Fatima, William W., Hattie D. and Alice 0.; lost one—Phileta .0. His son, William W., who is in company with him, was born March 24,1853; married Emma B. Hooper, Nov. 30, 1877; she was born Dec.20, 1858; they have one son—Clyde L. His eldest son, Sidney S., is engaged in the dry goods and general merchandise business in this town ; . he was born July 24,1849, and married Rosena Kenyon Jan. 27, 1876; she was born May 3,1857, in Ogle Co., Ill.; they have one son—Harry L. S. B. WALKER, Postmaster and dealer in drugs, stationery, school-books, furniture and agricultural implements, etc., Calamus; son of William and Nancy (Bellamy) Walker; born Oct. 28, 1848, in Vermont; in 1851, went to Brockville, (.. W., and in 1863, to Albany, N. V., remaining but a short time; in 1865, went to Titusville, Penn.; remained about a year, returned to Canada and taught school nine months; in 1868, came to Clarence, Iowa, where he clerked in a furniture store a few months, after which, he went on a tour through Minnesota and Wisconsin; in the fall of 1869, came to Clinton Co. and taught school following winter, and, in the spring of. 1870, engaged in the grocery business in Calamus, wits Mr. J. W. Liebler; continued but a short time, after which, he rented the. Randall House, of Lyons, in company with Mr. Carr; in February, 1873, returned to Calamus and engaged with Mr. DuBois, and, upon the death of his partner, in 1875, purchased the full interest in the business in June, 1876, sold his stock (except drugs) to Damon Brothers, since which time, has been in his present business; was appoint Postmaster in May, 1876, and Express Agent in April, 1877; is at present Secretary of the School Board; has also served as Township Clerk two terms. Republican. GEORGE E. WHITE, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Calamus; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; son of Jacob and Cynthia (nee Peck) White; born Aug. 3, 1848, in Bristol Co., Mass.; emigrated, with parents, to this county in the spring of 1855, locating upon the farm upon which he is now living. His father, died Feb. 28, 1858; his mother again married a Mr. Orin Steenberg. In March 1967, he went to Marion, Linn Co.; worked with a brother, L. E. White, at carpenter and joiner's trade, and married there Miss Serena Todd, April 4, 1869; she was born Feb. 14, 1851, in Hancock Co. Ohio. In 1847, he returned to the old homestead, which he now owns; have three children living--Sarah E., born Jan 4, 1870; Cynthia L., Aug. 20, 1871; Earl G., Aug. 16, 1872. Is a member of Methodist Episcopal Church; Republican.