Sherman Township, Jasper County, Iowa Biographies (R-Z) -------------------------------------------------------------------- ===================================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for their private use as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, 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. ===================================================================================== Prepared for the Iowa GenWeb Archives by Shelley Arri 8/28/99 1878 Jasper Co., Iowa Bios: Sherman Tp. (R-Z) From: The 1878 HISTORY of JASPER COUNTY, IOWA Containing a history of the county, its cities, towns. A biographical directory of its citizens. Published: Chicago, Western Historical, 1878. ------------------------------------------------------------- RIDER, C. O.; Farmer; Sec. 9; P. O. Newton. RIDER, C. W.; Farmer; Sec. 4; P. O. Newton. RIDER, W. S.; Farmer; Sec. 9; P. O. Newton. RIFFENBURGH, G.; Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Newton. SCOTT, John; Farmer; Sec. 25; P. O. Newton. SELBHER, Geo.; Farmer; Sec. 18; P. O. Newton. SEYFORTH, J. E.; Farmer; Sec. 14; P. O. Newton. SIMS, J. L.; Farmer; Sec. 92; P. O. Metz. SIMS, S. S.; Farmer; Sec. 35; P. O. Newton. SPENCER, H. M.; Farmer; Sec. 7; P. O. Metz; born in Licking Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1827; lived there until 1857, when he moved to Delaware Co., and in June 1858, came to this county, located on his present farm. Married Amanda CHAMBERS Nov. 23, 1853. She was born in Knox Co., Ohio. They have two children - Burton, born June 8, 1858, and Mary E., Jan. 27, 1862. Mr. SPENCER and wife are members of the M. E. Church, in which he is a steward. Politically, he has always been a Republican, and is now one of the Trustees of the township. He owns 182 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. Is somewhat engaged in the dairy business, having now eleven cows. STEPHENS, J.; Blacksmith, Metz. TABOR, G.; Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Colfax. TENNANT, Thomas; Postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, Metz; began business here in June 1875, and has been more actively interested in securing a station and trading point here than any one in the neighborhood. His house was the first started, and through his efforts a bridge was built across the river south of town, and the location of the station secured to the people of this section. He takes charge of the affairs of the station and attends to the store, and is getting a fine trade. Born in Ontario, Can, June 5, 1844, and has always been in the mercantile business. Came to Iowa in 1870 and engaged with William B. STREET of Oskaloosa as a clerk, and later with A. M. ABRAHAM, until he came here in 1875. Married Lydia M. GERMAN July 23, 1875. She was born in Canada. They have one child - Susie Bell, born July 1, 1877. Mr. T. and wife are members of the M. E. Church; politically, he is a Republican. THOMPSON, J. A.; Farmer; Sec. 24; P. O. Newton. TIEDGE, H.; Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Newton; born in Holstein, Germany in 1840. Came to America 1866, and settled in Davenport, and in 1875, came to this county. Married Lena KAUTZ in 1872. They have two children - Emma and John. Mr. T. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He has always been a farmer, and now owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $4,000, also has an orchard of about one acre. TREAGER, Abram; Farmer; Sec. 13; P. O. Newton; was born in Fredericktown, Md. in 1804. He lived there till 13 years of age, when he moved to Virginia and learned the trade of blacksmith. He then went to Harper's Ferry and worked in the United States Arsenal at that place five and one-half years; he helped to manufacture many a rifle for the Government; at the close of his labors at Harper's Ferry, he went to Columbus, Ohio, and worked for the Shawnee Indians two years, when he was transferred to the Wyandot tribe and worked for them twenty-one years, receiving his pay from the Government - about $700 per year and board. After closing his work for the Indians, he lived there till 1854, when he came directly to this county, where he has since resided. He married Miss Catherine HOUCK. They have had five children, three of whom are living - Lavona, Ann and Purd. Mrs. TREAGER is a member of the M. E. Church; he has always been a Democrat. Owns 125 acres of land, valued at $3,000. TRIMBLE, W. E.; Farmer; Sec. 35; P. O. Newton. TRUSLER, T.; Farmer; Sec. 3; P. O. Newton. VOWEL, A.; Farmer; Sec. 12; P. O. Metz. VEACH, J. P.; Farmer; Sec. 1; P. O. Newton. WATT, Wm.; Farmer; Sec. 16; P. O. Colfax. WEST, J. E.; Farmer; Sec. 2; P. O. Metz. WESTBROOK, A. J.; Farmer; Sec. 1; P. O. Newton; born in Knox Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1833. He learned the carpenter trade which he followed mostly till he came to this county. He enlisted in Co. E., 121 O. V. I., August 1862 for three years, but was discharged for disability in about five months. He married Livona C. SWETLAND November 24, 1859. They have four children - Artemas F., Charles B., H. Burr and William S. Mr. W. and family came to this county in 1865, and engaged in farming, carrying on his father's place. Politically, he is a Republican. Has been Assessor of the Township four years. His brother L. B. is now Clerk of Courts in this county. WHEELER, J. R.; Farmer and Stock Dealer; Sec. 23; P. O. Newton; born in Licking Co., Ohio, December 5, 1834. Moved to Indiana when 14 years old, and to McLean Co., Illinois in 1849. Came to this county in the Spring of 1856. Married Miss S. S. TURK July 18, 1858. She was born in Winnebago Co., Illinois in 1842. They have a family of nine children. Mr. W. enlisted in Co. B, 13th I. V. I., October 1961, and served till July 9, 1862, when he was honorably discharged for disability. Bought the house in Newton known as the "Farmer's Home," in 1867, and ran it till 1870, having a good custom. Was also engaged in the saloon business in Newton. Owns 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per care. Raises from sixty to eighty hogs annually. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. WHITAKER, J. T.; Farmer; Sec. 18; P. O. Newton. WITMER, H. R.; Farmer; Sec. 15; P. O. Colfax. WOODRUFF, C.; Farmer; Sec. 6; P. O. Newton. WOODRUFF, Louis A.; Farmer; Sec. 7; P. O. Newton; born in Licking Co., Ohio, July 28, 1830; lived there twenty-four years, when he came to this county, and settled near where he now lives, being among the first settlers in this part of the county. Married Ester WILLISON April 15, 1852. She was born in the same county. They have two children - Myrtle F. and Victoria M. Mrs. W. is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican politically and helped to organize the township. Came here a poor man, with barely his hands, and a large share of energy; accumulated quite a fortune, but being involved in securities for others, a large share of it was swept away. With pluck and perseverance, he went at it again, and now has a farm of 287 acres, valued at $12,000, and forty-seven acres in Jackson Co., worth $25 per care. Usually keeps from seventy-five to 100 head of hogs; has an orchard of about 300 trees, and a fine artificial grove of maples around the house. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------