BIOS: Polk County 1880 Lincoln Township Biographies, Polk County, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT 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/ ************************************************************************ Permissions and Restrictions I have a copyright to these files and give permission for these files to be posted to any site that offers free access to all. Copying to any medium for the purpose of profit is strictly prohibited. This prohibition pertains to all photographs, text files, and graphics. I hope you find this information of value in your genealogy research. Marion John Rice, mjrice@dakotacom.net ___________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Polk County, Iowa Please visit the Polk County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/polk/ ____________________________________________________________________________ "The History of Polk County, Iowa" published by the Union Historical Company, Birdsall, Williams & Co. 1880. Polk Township Biographies Walnut, Bloomfield, Grant, Four Mile, Allen, Camp, Beaver, Clay, Delaware, Saylor, Valley, Webster, Jefferson, Crocker, Douglas, Franklin, Washington, Elkhart, Lincoln, Madison LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. ALLEMAN, G.-Farmer, section 22, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Cranbender, Switzerland, January 30, 1835, and in 1846 immigrated to this country, settling in Sauk county, Wisconsin. He was engaged in farming there until 1864, and then came to this county, and owns a farm of 320 acres, all improved. He was married August 4, 1860, to Miss Clara Fausch, a native of Egis, Switzerland. They are the parents of eight children: John P., Clara, Mary, George, Wilhemenia, Eliza, Susan and Emma. BADER, THOMAS-Farmer, section 27, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Switzerland, December 21, 1820, and in 1856 moved to this country, settling in Wisconsin, and lived there until 1867. He then came to this .county, and now owns a farm of 160 acres of land. He was married in May, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth W. Burkey, a native of the same place as himself: They have two children: Joseph L. and Mary Ann (wife of Ambrose Swidler, of this county). BEALS, S. C.-Farmer, section 29, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, February 14, 1838; and at the age of nineteen years came this county. His occupation through life has been farming, and he now owns a farm of eighty acres. During the war he was mustered into company B, Twenty-third Iowa volunteer infantry. Participated in the battles of Fort Esperanza, Champion's Hill, Black River 1022 BIOGRAPHICAL. Bridge, Siege of Vicksburg, and numerous skirmishes, and was mustered out in August, 1865. He was married in Polk City, November 14, 1865,, to Miss Anna Wilson, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, who was born October 16, 1843. They have six children: Lela May, Bertha G., Elsie, E., Leroy J., Robert C. and Edith Rose. BODA, ADAM-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 11, 1837, and in 1857 he moved to Henry county, Illinois, living there until the fall of 1868. He then moved on the farm he now occupies, consisting of 165 acres of good land. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in company D, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois infantry . Participated in the battles of Knoxville, Resaca, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Wilmington, and in the raid through East Tennessee, in all ninety-five battles and skirmishes. October 14, 1867, he was married to Miss Louisa Ringgenberg, a native of Holmes county, Ohio. They have nine children: Mary C., Sarah A., Emily C., Hulda S., Isadore, Ida J., Peter C. and Clara, living, and one dead, Rachel Louise. CARTER, J. M.-Farmer, section 27, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Van Buren county, this State, September 4, 1843, and lived there until about the year 1867, and then moved to this county, settling in this township. He owns a farm of 160 acres, with good improvements. In the fall of 1861 he was mustered into company F, Fourteenth Iowa infantry. Participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, and others, besides numerous skirmishes. May 18,. 1864, he was wounded, and now receives a pension from the government. He was mustered out of the service during the winter of 1864-5. March 29, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary A. Cross, a native of Ohio. They have had five children: Barbara A., Emma J., Clinton M. and Homer C.,. living, and one, Clarence C., deceased. ERICKSON, H.-Farmer, section 20, P. O. Sheldahl. Was born in Southern Norway, May 16, 1819, and at the age of thirty-one years emigrated to this country, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. He resided there until 1868, when he came to this county and settled upon his present homestead of seventy acres. October 10, 1860, he was married to Miss Malinda Holverson, a native of Southwestern Norway. They are the parents of ten children: Ida, Malinda, Edward, Holver, Illinois, Henry, Caroline, Lena, Mary and Andrew, all living. FLEMING, WILLIAM-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 26, P. O. 1 Palmer.Was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1821, and in 1852 emigrated to this country, first settling in Philadelphia. He lived there five years and then came to Iowa, locating in Burlington, and in 1865 came to this county and settled on his present farm. Owns 400 acres, and has one of the best stock farms in the county. He was married in Philadelphia in August, 1856, to Miss Nancy Nelson, a native of the same place as himself. They have two children: James W. and Mary E. On landing in Burlington Mr. F. had less than one dollar in money, and has made what he now owns by farming. HOLVERSON, O.-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Sheldahl. Was born April 14, 1822, in the southern part of Norway, and in 1857 emigrated to America, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin, and there followed farming. In 1867 he came to this county, and settled on this place, living in his wagon until he could build himself a house. He landed here without means, and has succeeded in obtaining a good farm of 160 acres. He was LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 1023 married to Miss Anna Olsen, of the same place as himself. They have three children living: Ole O., Malinda and Emily. Lost one son, Halver. JOHNSON, PETER-Farmer, section 18, P. 0. Sheldahl. Was born in the southern part of Norway, October 13, 1836. He emigrated to this country, and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1867 came to this county. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, improved, all of which he has made since coming here, as he was obliged to borrow $53 with which to reach this country. He was married November 9, 1856, to Miss Emily Nelson, a native of the same place as himself. They have six children: John, Nelson A., George H., Emma M. and Andrew, living; and one deceased, Anna S. December 19, 1861, he was mustered into the Fifteenth Wisconsin infantry, company E, and was wounded May 27, 1864, at New Hope Church, Georgia. Participated in eighteen battles and twenty-six skirmishes. Was mustered out December 19, 1864. KELSALL, THOMAS-Farmer, section 31, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Albany county, New York, May. 29, 1830, and resided there until 1860, when he moved to Columbia county, same State, where he remained one year. He then came to this county, in 1861. He owns a farm of 240 acres, well improved. He was married to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Donaldson. She has two children by her former marriage: Robert A. and Anna M. (now Mrs., Frank Nash, of Adams county, this State; she was born February 5, 1832, and was married March 20, 1862). They have two children living with them: Grace Wilson (whose parents are dead) and Emery E. Barrlck (whose father is deceased). McCONNEL, R. L.-Farmer, section 29, P. 0. Polk City. Was born in New York on the 22d of May, 1831, and at the age of five years moved to Medina county, Ohio. In the spring of 1866 he came to this county, settling in Madison township. In 1869 he came to this township. Owns 120 acres of land, improved. He was mustered into the United States service in April, 1861, in company K, Ohio infantry. At the end of fourteen months he was commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to company G. Was mustered out in 1864. Participated in the battles of Winchester, Antietam, Fredericksburg, battle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg, and in numerous skirmishes, until the taking of Richmond. He was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Mary C. Williams, of Medina county, Ohio. They have two children: Schuyler and Clara Maud. MAUCH, DAVID-Farmer, section 31, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Wurtemburg, Germany. December 27, 1834, and emigrated to the United States in 1854, settling in Delaware county, Ohio. He remained there seven years, following farming, and in the spring of 1861 came to this county. He has followed farming since coming, and is the owner of 235 acres of land, finely improved. He married Miss Christina Likinger, a native of the same place as himself. They have ten children: George A:, Hannah B., Charlie F., Mary, Lydia, John W., Minnie and Willie (twins), Eddie and Carrie. Have lost three: George A., Mary and Willie. MOECKLY, JACOB-Farmer, section 32, P. O. Polk City. Is a son of J. U. Moeckly, who was born in Switzerland, January 24, 1835, and was one of the first settlers of this township. He was a son of Conrad Moeckly, who died on the 30th of March, 1876. J. U. Moeckly came to this country in 1852, and in 1854 moved upon this farm, where our subject still resides. He died upon this place, leaving a wife and five children: Jacob, John, Jefferson, George and Mary, all living. The subject of this 1024 BIOGRAPHICAL. sketch was married April 24, 1856, to Miss F. Heaglen, a native of Germany. The home farm consists of 240 acres, one of the finest and best improved farms in the township. He also owns 377 acres in Crocker township and 46 in Madison township. NELSON, THOMAS-Farmer, section 20, P. O. Sheldahl. Was born in the southeastern part of Norway September 14, 1821, and in 1842 came to this country, settling in Rousseau county, Wisconsin. He lived there about eighteen months and then moved to McHenry county, Illinois, living there for three years. He then went to Kendall county, remaining for three years and then returned to McHenry county. After residing there for two years he moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, then came to Iowa, and eighteen months later came to this county. Owns 120 acres of land, improved with a good young orchard. He was married December 29, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Osmundson, a native of the southwestern part of Norway. They have seven children: George O., Anna C., William F., John F., Henry C., Mary E. and Walter, all living. RAPPLEYE, G. S.-Farmer, section 35, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Seneca county, New York, May 17, 1800, and when thirty years of age moved to Genesee county, same State, where he resided until 1839, then moved to Monroe county, and, after residing there for thirty years, returned to Seneca county. He lived there until he came to this county in 1869, and now owns eighty acres of improved land, in good condition. Was married May 1, 1833, to Miss Catharine C. Wolverton, who was born in New York, October 7, 1805. She died June 22, 1842, leaving four children : Mary D. (wife of Wilson Gorton, of Polk City), James . C. (present township clerk), and Jeremiah, living, and one, Margaret A., deceased. RINGGENBERG, PETER, SR.-Farmer, section 27, P O. Palmer. Was born in Switzerland February 28, 1815, and in 1839 moved to this country, settling in Holmes county, Ohio. He lived there until he came to this county, in 1868. Owns 160 acres of land, well improved, also 160 acres on section 34, all of which he has made since coming to this country. He was married in Ohio March 7, 1841, to Miss Anna Duttler, who was born near the same place as himself. They are the parents of fourteen children: Louisa, Peter, David, Christian. Mary, John, Jacob F., Susan, Adolph H., Samuel R., Amelia E., Charles R. and Maggie, living, and one, Rosannah, deceased. RINGGGENBERG, PETER, JR.-Farmer, section 28, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 22, 1844, and in the fall of 1870 moved from there to this county. Owns 200 acres of improved land, all under good cultivation. Was married to Miss Anna Imboden August 17, 1864. She was born in Switzerland. They have ten children: Henry A., Robert A., William C., John A., Edward S., Charles O., Albert C., Frankie and an infant, living, and one, Martha A:, deceased. RINGGENBERG, JOHN-Farmer, section 17, P. O. Palmer. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, October 22, 1851, and at the age of eighteen years came to this county. He is the owner of a farm of eighty acres, well improved. He was married March 28, 1874, to Miss Caroline Kurtz, a native of this county. They have two children: Dora (born December 25, 1875) and Louis (born April 13, 1878.) SCHAAL, W. D.-Farmer, section 30, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 23, 1835, and in 1860 came to this country, settling in this county. He now owns 500 acres of land. He had LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 1025 about $500 on landing here and with that as a beginning, has made him- self one of the wealthy men of the township. He was married to Anna B. Houser, a native of Baden, Germany, September 13, 1858. They have seven children living: John F., Charlie S., Sophia M., Rosa A., Willie F.; Lydia C. and Stowe. Lost one, George A. VAN GUNDY, E. W.-Farmer, section 22, P. O. Palmer. Was born March 7, 1829, and is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. When five years of age he moved to Seneca county, same State,. where he lived Until 1849, and then returned to Pickaway county. In 1854 he moved to Knox county, Illinois, living there until 1865, when he came to this county. He owns 120 acres of land. He was married August 28, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of Pike county, Ohio, born October 13, 1831. They have fourteen children: John W., William S. and Byron S.( twins), Abraham L., Mary E., Henry A., Edwin G., Ella C. and Clara May, living, and five deceased: Susannah C., Flora A., Emma R., Anna L. and Thomas S. VERTS, T. C.-Farmer, section 34, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1837, and resided there until eighteen years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Des Moines county. He lived there for eighteen months and then moved to Henderson county, Illinois, residing there for seven years. He then came to this county in the spring of 1866. He owns a farm of 160 acres of improved land. March 6, 1863, he was mustered into the service in company H, Twenty-eighth Illinois infantry. He participated in the battles of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile Bay, besides numerous skirmishes, and was mustered out September 1, 1864. He was married October 19, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Mack, a native of the same county as himself. She was born August 19, 1841. They have had five children, of whom one is now living, Perry W., who was born June 19, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Verts are raising two children: Effie and William H., children of John Mack, a brother of Mrs. Verts. WILLIAMS, JOHN-Farmer, section 19, P. O. Polk City. Was born in Calmer, Sweden, November 26,1820, and when twenty-six years of age he came to this country. Prior to that time he had followed ship carpentering as an occupation. In 1856 he came to this county and has resided in and around Polk City since. Owns a farm of 290 acres. He was married July 13, 1854, in the city of New York, to Miss Caroline Fletcher, a native of the north of Ireland. They have eight children: John F. (married to Estella Vanhow, now living in Shelby county, this State), Isaac A., Edward A., Ella F., Anna M. and Rosa Belle, living, and two, Ida May and Carrie L., deceased.