Abraham, M. A., dealer in dry goods, carpets and clothing, Oskaloosa; born in Louden county, Virginia, April 18, 1833; when 5 years of age removed with his parents to Muskingum county, Ohio; lived there 11 years, and in 1849 went to Cal., remained there two years and then returned to Ohio, and came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in 1855, and has been engaged in the dry goods business here since 1864. He married Miss Loraine Greenough from New Orleans, July 31, 1856; they have three children, Ida, Alice an d Fred.
Acomb, Joseph paints, oil and glass.
Adlon, John B., jeweler and dealer in watches and clocks, Oskaloosa; born in Germany, December 26, 1826, and was brought up and learned his business there; he emigrated to America in 1849; came to St. Louis; he came to Iowa and located at Oskaloosa in December, 1850; after working at his business for nine months went to Keokuk, and was there twenty months, and then returned here, and since then has been in the jewelry business, and has been in the business the longest of anyone in this county. He has held office, city councilmen; married Elizabeth Calflesh, in St. Louis, in 1850; she was from Germany; she died in 1863; he married Sarah Beyers from Pennsylvania in 1867; she died in 1875; he has eight children two sons and six daughters.
Alexander, Elizabeth.
Allumbaugh Mrs. E.
Allumbaugh, J. F., lecturer.
Anderson, Andrew, merchant tailor, Oskaloosa; born in Sweden in 1840, and was brought up and learned his trade there; he emigrated to America in 1869, and lived in Chicago about two years, and came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in 1871, and since then has been engaged in business here.
Ankeney, Peter, laborer.
Atchison, Jas., finisher, woolen mills.
Atkins, J., worker, woolen mills.
Bacon, R. P., born in Washington county, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1825; he came to Iowa, to Mahaska county, in July, 1848; located in White Oak township, being one of the early settlers; during that winter he and his brother, and the Dibble boys, Josiah and David, intended to get out lumber for a house, but the well remembered big snow came and they could do nothing but hunt. Mr. Bacon and his brother dug out a canal and went from Currier's Mills, being the first navigators of Skunk river, down to Ft. Madison; the voyage was a perilous one; they remained in Keokuk during the summer, and in the fall went to California by way of New Orleans, going by water all the way, except crossing the isthmus; was engaged in mining four years, then returned; has been engaged in farming and in the mercantile business. There are few older settlers than he now living here; he holds the office of town trustee, and has held other town and school offices. He married Phebe A. Dunbar, May 22, 1853. She was from Indiana, and came to this county with her parents in 1846. Her father was one of the earliest settlers, and was one of eight persons who started the Republican party in this county.
Bacon, P. A., carpenter.
Bacon, R. H., engineer.
Bach, E., banker, firm Frankel, Bach &; Co.
Baer, John R., deputy sheriff; Oskaloosa; born in Park county, Indiana, March 11, 1839; when quite young he went with his parents down to the Cherokee Nation and remained there until six years of age, and then came to this county with his parents in 1844; they were among the earliest settlers. Upon the breaking out of the war, he enlisted July 15, 1861, in the 7th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. C, and was in the battles of Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, and siege of Corinth; was in service three years. After the war he was engaged in business at Beacon for five years, and was appointed deputy sheriff, January 1, 1878. He married Miss Frances Carnahan, from Ohio, November 8, 1866; they have two children, Nellie A., Grace L.
Baldauf, Samuel, firm Baldauf Bros., dealers in dry goods, carpets and notions, Oskaloosa; born in Bavaria, December 20, 1848, and came to America in the spring of 1866. He attended college in Chicago, and afterward came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa, and established the business of the present firm in 1870, the firm name being Samuel Baldauf. In the spring of 1877 his brother became interested in the business with him, and they are doing a large and extensive trade.
Baldwin, Mary.
Ballard, Mrs.
Ballard, D. H., Grocer.
Ballard, Uriah, clerk.
Baldwin, R. G., making washing machines.
Bailey, J. E., retired.
Bailey, James, clerk.
Baker, E., traveling agent.
Baker, D. D., teacher.
Ballsome, B., laborer.
Barnhart, Aaron, with E. M. Beatty.
Barnhart, William, marble cutter.
Barnhill, J. W., shoemaker.
Barnes, John R., firm of Boyer &; Barnes, Oskaloosa, dealers in dry goods and clothing; born in Stark county, Ohio, August 19, 1833; he was brought up and received his education there; he came to Iowa and located in Mahaska county, April 1, 1855; located in Scott township and engaged in lumbering. In 1859, he engaged in the mercantile business with Dr. Boyer, of Rochester; he was elected and served three years as county supervisor. In 1871 he came to Oskaloosa and engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being Boyer &; Barnes. He holds the office of county treasurer; was married to Miss Mary R. Boyer, daughter of Dr. Boyer, December 27, 1858; they have six children, Eddie A., Andrew T., Nellie, Frankie, Fred, John R.
Barr, Marquis, sheriff of Mahaska county, Oskaloosa; born in White county, Ind., August 14, 1844. When ten years of age, came with his parents to Iowa by wagon,and was nineteen days on the way; arrived here in October, 1854, and located in Adams township, and has lived here since then. He was in the army in the 47th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. I, one hundred days' service. He was elected sheriff of this county in the fall of 1877. He married Miss Augusta Ballinger, from this county, in December, 1873; they have three children, Elda, Nellie, and Cora.
Baugh, George H., born in Highland county, Ohio, January 22, 1838; when 11 years of age he came to this county with his mother and step-father; they located on a farm and were among the early settlers here; he used to cart wood into Oskaloosa at $1.00 per cord, and melons at $1.00 per load; in the spring of 1858 he came to this city and attended school, and afterwards studied law, and in 1862 engaged in practice of law here for four years; he bought a woolen and grist mill, and carried on the business for sometime; he was elected Mayor of this city in March 1870, and was re-elected for six successive terms, when he declined a further re-election; he also held the office of Justice of the Peace. He was elected Captain in the 7th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, but on account of ill health did not go into the field. Married Miss Flora I. Lough from Ohio, in March 1865; they have 4 children; Richard, John, Daisy and Thomas.
Baughman, Andrew J., lumber dealer, Oskaloosa; born in Hardy county, Virginia, March 31, 1826; when 3 years of age removed to Ohio and was brought up there; married Miss Mary Carpenter from Alexandria, Ohio, May 9, 1850; they came with their own wagon to Iowa, and were 21 days on the way; arrived in Oskaloosa the last of September, 1851; the next day he traded his team for the first house that was built in this city, they used to hold court in it; the lot is the one on which Philip Herbig's brick building now stands; engaged in the book business, being appointed agent of the History of the United States; after one year he engaged in farming, and continued for many years; since January, 1876, has been engaged in the lumber business; has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and other town and school offices; they have four children; Orlena, Frank A., Emma and Carrie D.
Baumgart, Louis, proprietor great western bakery and restaurant; born in Prussia in 1833, and when fourteen years of age, emigrated to America, in 1847, and located in Troy, New York. He removed from there to Saginaw, Michigan, and lived in that state fourteen years, and came to Iowa in 1864, and located in Mahaska county, and engaged in farming. He has been engaged in his present business for the past seven years, and since then has built large improvements; married Miss Barbara Kofka, July 11, 1859; she was from Bohemia; they have six children, Emil, Julia, Meda, Tilda, Lena, and Ella, and have lost three children.
Bean, John.
Beardsley, C. A., marble cutter.
Beatty, E. M., merchant, dealer in boots and shoes, Oskaloosa; born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1830; was brought up and lived there until 1857; when he came to Iowa and located in Poweshiek county, at Montezuma, and was engaged in mercantile business there for 8 years; then came to Oskaloosa, in 1866, and was engaged in the firm of Siebel &; Co., in the milling business for eight years; and since then has been engaged in his present business. He has held town and school offices; married Miss A. H. Shipley from Pennsylvania, in 1860; they have one daughter, Winnie P.
Beatty, M., harness maker.
Beckman, Fred., cigar manufacturer.
Beckman, M. J., cigar manufacturer.
Beechler, G. N., firm Beechler Bros., druggists, Oskaloosa; born in Williams county, Ohio, February 21, 1841; he was brought up in Ohio until 20 years of age, and then went in the army, and was in the medical department; after being in the service 17 months he was obliged to leave it on account of ill health; he studied medicine and graduated at Columbus, O.; practiced medicine at Lima, Ind., for 3 years, then went to Virginia City, Nevada; he came here in 1871, and since then has been engaged in the drug business.
Beechler, J. C., druggist.
Beede, Cyrus, retired.
Bell, Isaac, teamster.
Bell, Nathaniel, teamster.
Bennett, M. E., constable.
Bentley, George, agent and dealer in coal.
Benton, W. L., wagon maker.
Berkey, Al., painter.
Berkey, W. H., painter.
Berman, S. N.
Berry, James, with McMullin &; Co.
Binns, Benj., stone mason.
Bird, M., plasterer.
Bird, P. M., carpenter.
Blanchard, Lucien C., Judge of the 6th Judicial District of Iowa, Oskaloosa; born in Lewis county, New York, April 15, 1838; he enjoyed the advantages of the schools there, and entered Rock River seminary, at Mt. Morris, Illinois, in 1858; he came to Iowa in 1860, when he engaged in teaching, and reading law; during the Rebellion he enlisted as private in Co. K of the 28th Regiment of Iowa Infantry; he was in the battle of Port Gibson, Champion Hills and the assault on Vicksburg. He entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arber, and graduated; he commenced the practice of his profession in Montezuma, Powshiek county; in 1867 he was appointed county judge of Powshiek county, to fill an unexpired term; in the fall of 1868 he was elected judge of the 6th Judicial District, comprising the counties of Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk, Mahaska, Marion, Jasper and Powshiek, and took his seat on the Bench in January, 1869; he married Miss Sallie Kilburn, daughter of F. A. Kilburn of Montezuma, January, 13, 1870; she died February 19, 1878, leaving. 2 children, Rosa and Claude.
Blattner, Charles, firm of Blattner &; Newbrand, proprietors of the Oskaloosa Brewery; born in Xenia, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1845; when 7 years of age he removed with his parents to Kentucky, and lived there for 14 years, and came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in Dec., 1867, and engaged in the brewery business; he is also extensively engaged in gardening and fruit, employing seven and eight men in its cultivation; he has sold the present season about 100 bushels of strawberries and 150 bushels of cherries; he married Miss Louise Blattner, from Ohio, in June, 1869; they have one daughter, Rosamond.
Bolton, James B., attorney at law, Oskaloosa; born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1840; he was brought up and received his education there; he attended Martinsburg Seminary and Academy; entered the freshman class, and was there until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Third Regiment Ohio Infantry, and was transferred to the Fourth Ohio three months men under Loring Andrews; owing to ill health he was obliged to return; he came here to this county Mar. 16, 1863, and studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1871; married Miss Anna McMains, a native of this State, in 1867; they have one son, Leslie C.
Boswell, Isaac, weaver.
Braden, J. P., plasterer.
Braden, Nancy.
Brandon, L. G., book-keeper.
Brands, A., meat market.
Breckner, Charles, Cabinet maker.
Brewster, Thos. K., surgeon dentist; born in Green county, Ohio, in 1828; he received his education and studied his profession in Dayton, Ohio, and attended dental college in Cincinnati, and graduated in the winter of 1851-2; he engaged in the practice of his profession in Dayton, and continued until 1874, when he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa, and since then has practiced his profession here; he was in the 100-day service during the war in the Ohio National Guards; he married Miss Mary Emma Snowden, from Green county, Ohio, in April, 1858; they have two children, James B. and Katie; have lost one daughter, Bertha B.
Brick, Jerry, laborer.
Briggs, Henry L., firm of H. L. Briggs &; Co., druggists, Oskaloosa; born in Troy, Davis county, Iowa, April 21, 1851; he was brought up in this State, and received his education at Mt. Pleasant; he came to Oskaloosa in 1867, and learned the drug business with Dr. Wm. H. Wells, and since then has been connected with the business; he married Miss Jennie Seevers, Dec. 1, 1875; she is a native of this city, and daughter of Judge Wm. H. Seevers; they have one daughter Hattie.
Bristol, M. B., central book store.
Broerman, Mary E.
Broerman, T. H., tailor.
Brown, George, mason.
Brown, J. T., central book store.
Brown, J. W., plasterer.
Buck, Thomas, traveling agent.
Buckner, James.
Burnside, William, land and loan agent.
Bush, Z. T., laborer.
Bundy, I. C., miller.
Byers, James M., retired, Oskaloosa; born in Mercer county, Pa., Feb. 12, 1814; he was brought up there and learned the trade of brick layer; he came to Iowa in 1851, spent one summer in Burlington, and one year in Washington Co., and came to this county in March, 1853; he engaged in building; he built the Presbyterian Church, St. James Hotel, and many of the best buildings here; he built the house where he now lives the first year he came, twenty-five years ago; he opened the first coal bank near Oskaloosa; he holds the office of coroner of this county, and has held other town and school offices. Mr. Byers has been married three times; he married Permelia E. H. Marshall, from North Carolina, in 1836; she was a grand niece of Chief Justice Marshall; she died August 21, 1838, leaving one son, Samuel H. M.; married Eliza Birch, from Pennsylvania, in 1839; she died in 1845, leaving three children, Sarah, Annie and James W.; he married his present wife, Hannah E. McVickers, from Ohio, in 1847.
Byers, John, carpenter.
Byers, Samuel H. M., son of James Byers, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1838; he received a common school education, and studied law with Hon. Wm. Loughridge, and was admitted to the bar in 1861; upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in 1861 in the 5th Regiment Iowa Infantry, and was appointed quarter-master sergeant; he was soon after promoted to adjutant of the regiment; at the battle of Mission Ridge he was taken prisoner with eighty others of his own regiment, Nov. 25, 1863; he was held a prisoner for sixteen months, and was taken from one prison to another, and suffered almost everything but death. After making two attempts to escape and being recaptured, the third time, Feb. 16, 1865, he was successful. While in prison he composed the song which has become national, "Sherman's March to the Sea." After his escape Gen. Sherman sent for him, and assigned him to duty on his staff; he was selected by General Sherman as bearer of the first dispatches to Gen. Grant and the President after leaving Savannah. After the war he returned here; in 1869 he was appointed United States Consul to Zurich, Switzerland, and he has held that position since then, nine years, and is the only one of President Grant's foreign appointments that remain abroad; he married Miss Maggie Gilmore, from Michigan, in 1869; they have two children, Lawrence and Helen.
Cadwalder, V., retired.
Call, C., carpenter.
Call, F. M., manager central book concern.
Carin, N., surveyor.
Carpenter, Prof. George T., president and principal of Oskaloosa College, Oskaloosa; born in Nelson county, Ky., March 4, 1834; when only eight years of age he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, and was reared and educated there, and then attended Abingdon College, and graduated in the class of "59." After graduating he came to Winterset, Madison county, and engaged in teaching, taking charge of the academy in connection with preaching, he remained there two years, then came here and in connection with his brother they established this school in September, 1861; since then he has been connected with it, and this institution owes much to his efforts and ability-he has earned a high position as an educator; he was editor of "The Record and Evangelist" for four years, during which time, in 1873, he visited Europe, being appointed honorary member from this State to the Vienna Exposition. He married Miss Henrietta T. Drake, June 21, 1863; she is a daughter of Judge Drake, of Drakeville, Davis county, Iowa; they have four children, John D., Mary A., Henrietta D., and Jennie.
Carroll, Robert, teamster.
Carroll, S. S., teamster.
Carter, John, retired.
Chew, B. W., machinist.
Church, Ed, painter.
Churchill, Samuel, wagon maker.
Cis, D. C. M., teamster.
Clancy, J. R., laborer.
Clark, Byron, carpenter.
Clark, Daniel, polisher.
Clark, John M., carpenter.
Clark, Perry H. assistant cashier Mahaska county Savings bank; born in Iowa City, Feb. 4, 1851, and is the son of Ezekiel Clark, the well known banker of that place. Perry was brought up and received his education there and in St. Louis; in 1870 be went to Europe, and spent two years there during the Franco-Prussian war; after his return he entered his father's bank in Iowa City, and was, afterward connected with the management of the gas company there; he came to Oskaloosa in July, 1875, and became interested in the Mahaska county savings bank, and was elected assistant cashier, and since then has held that position.
Clark, W. P., laborer.
Coffin, Dr. J. L., physician, Oskaloosa; born in Warren county, New Jersey, April 17, 1817, and received his education there. In 1843 he removed to Pennsylvania, and after two years, removed to Elmira, New York. He studied medicine and graduated in 1854. He came to Columbia, Wisconsin, and practiced medicine there until 1870, and then came to this city and has been practicing here ever since; married Hannah Westfall, from Sussex county, New Jersey; she died, November 14, 1868. They had five children, only two living, Carrie C., and Judson A. One son was killed while in the army, at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He married his present wife, Hannah Hicks, from Vermont, in August, 1869.
Cogley, Aurelia A.
Cook, Levi, blacksmith and wagon maker, Oskaloosa; born in Rensselaer county, New York, Nov. 11, 1832; he was brought up there and learned the trade of hoe and fork manufacturer. He came to Muscatine, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, and came to Oskaloosa in the spring of 1855, and engaged in blacksmithing, and since then has been engaged in that business and manufacturing agricultural and implements. He has held the office of city marshal, and is engineer of the city fire engine. He married Miss Mary E. Hart, from Ohio, near Columbus, in August, 1856; they have two children, Nelson J., and Edward M.
Coleman, Andrew, minister.
Collins, George E., firm of Johnson &; Collins, Novelty Foundry, Oskaloosa; born in Troy, Ohio, July 10, 1849, and when seven years of age, came to Iowa, and came to Oskaloosa in 1860. He learned his trade here and in Ottumwa. In 1875 he associated with Warren C. Johnson in their present business.
Cone, C. P., firm of Cone Bros., attorneys, Oskaloosa; born in Mahaska county, March 27, 1845, and was brought up in this county and has lived in this county thirty-three years. Is one of the earliest native-born settlers now living here. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in February, 1876, and since then has practiced his profession at Albia and in this city; he married Miss E. J. Shuck, from Jefferson township, in this county, in 1864; they have two children, Addie B. and Martella L.
Cone, W. J., firm of Cone Bros., attorneys; born in Mahaska county, Iowa, August 5, 1848, and was brought up here; attended schools here, and afterward attended commercial College, at Chicago. He studied law here, and was admitted to the bar in 1874, and since then has practiced his profession here; he has held the office of justice of the peace, town clerk, and other town and school offices; he married Miss Helen M. Henness, from this county, in April, 1867; they have five children, Trenmor T., John L., Lano D., William N. Doc.; they have lost two children.
Confer, David, grocer.
Cooledge, F. W., physician.
Cooper, Cary, Oskaloosa; dealer in Iron and heavy hardware; was born in Lexington, Richland county, Ohio, September 22, 1839; he removed to Mt. Vernon with his parents when a child, where he resided until he came to Iowa, arriving in Oskaloosa, April 14, 1857; he began as clerk in the hardware store of which he is now proprietor; he first went into business in 1864 as junior partner in the firm of Seeberger &; Cooper; subsequently the firm name changed to that of Cooper, Bennett &; Co., and again to that of Cooper, Stevenson &; Co.; in 1868 he purchased his partner's interest, and since that time has been sole proprietor; he has been in the business 21 years; it is the oldest house of the kind in central Iowa, and has attained a wide reputation; February 27, 1866, Mr. C. married Miss Susie Thurston at her mother's residence in Knox county, Ohio; she was born in the house she was married in, September 13, 1843; they have by this union 2 daughters, Maude Thurston, born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, December 28, 1868; Bessie Dean, born in Oskaloosa, December 27, 1874.
Copenheffer, John, lawyer.
Corigan, Ed., painter.
Correll, Wilson, carpenter.
Courtney, James, boarding house.
Courtney, John, buss driver.
Cowan, William R., recorder of Mahaska county, Oskaloosa; born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 1, 1844; when six years of age he came with his parents to Iowa; from Burlington they came here by wagon. He was in the army; enlisted August 7, 1862, in the 33d Regiment, Iowa Infantry, Co. K. He was in the battles at Helena, Arkansas, Jenkins' Ferry, and siege of Mobile; he was wounded at Helena and Jenkins' Ferry. After the war he returned here and was elected county recorder in 1872, and re-elected in 1874, and again re-elect- ed in 1876. He married Miss Nancy Newell, from Louisa Co., Iowa, September 20, 1870; they have two children, Lena A. and Frank N.
Cowen, H. A., blacksmith.
Cowgle, Thos., railroad laborer.
Cox, Seth, physician, Oskaloosa; born in Belmont Co., Ohio, April 19, 1819; when ten years of age his parents removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived until he came to Iowa, and located in Oskaloosa, March 6, 1866, and since then has been engaged in practicing his profession. He married Ruth Kindley, from Ohio, in 1849; they have one daughter, Sallie, and have lost three sons.
Craig, George, barber.
Craig, John, tinner.
Crawford, J. L., clerk.
Cricket, Wm., Jr., bridge building.
Cricket, Wm., Sr., bridge building.
Crill, John, retired.
Crookham, J. A. L., lawyer.
Curran, John, laborer.
Cutts, M. E., attorney-at-law, Oskaloosa; born in Orwell, Addison county, formerly Rutland county, Vermont, May 22, 1833; he attended the common schools there, and afterward attended St. Lawrence Academy, at Pottsdam, New York; he then joined a surveying expedition engaged in sub-dividing townships into sections; when 20 years of age, in 1853, he came to the State of Wisconsin, and located at Sheboygan, and engaged in teaching and reading law for 2 years; in June, 1855, he cane to Iowa, and was admitted to the Bar in August, 1855; he located in Montezuma, Poweshiek county, and practiced his profession there, until coming to Oskaloosa in August, 1866; he was elected to the State Legislature to fill vacancy, in May, 1861, it being the war session; he was elected to the State Senate in 1863, and served for 4 years; he was again elected to the State Legislature in 1869; he received the appointment of Attorney General of this State, in February, 1872, to fill vacancy occasioned by O'Connor's resignation; he was elected Attorney-General in fall of 1872, and again reelected in 1874, and held that office until January, 1877; at the recent election he was the choice of the Republicans in this district for Representative in Congress, but declined the proffered honor. Mr. Cutts entered upon his career in life without funds, or favors by which to help him to position, or pave his pathway to success; he came to this place an entire stranger, without a personal friend or acquaintance west of the Mississippi river, and by close application to study, and untiring energy and perseverance, he has attained a deservedly high position in his profession; he married Miss Helen Frick from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in June, 1857; they now have a family of four children, Lizzie, Charles E., Thomas, and Nellie, to share with them the burdens and pleasures of a life of industry and prosperity.
Cutts, Thos. M., firm of N. J. Smith &; Co., hardware dealers, Oskaloosa; born in St. Lawrence county, New York, and at an early age, removed to Rutland county, Vermont, and was brought up there. He was in the army; enlisted in the 5th Regiment Vermont Infantry, Co. H, in the First Vermont Brigade, and was struck by a ball and slightly wounded in the battle of the wilderness; after the war returned to Vermont; came to Oskaloosa in 1873, and for the past three years has been associated with Mr. Smith in the Hardware trade. He married Miss Harriet Bigelow, from Vermont; she died in 1870, leaving four children, William, Mary E., Gilbert and Samuel; married Samantha I. Frater, from Belmont county, Ohio, in February, 1877; they have one daughter, Lena F.
Dagger, Sarah.
Davenport, Francis M., attorney, Oskaloosa; born in Gallia, county Ohio, May 1, 1840; when seven years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa, and arrived in Oskaloosa, Oct. 5, 1847; they located on section 1, Adams township,and entered from the government the land where his father now lives; there was only four neighbors at that time on the north bank of the river, from Currier' s Mills to Warren's Mills. Francis entered school in 1859, and graduated at Mount Pleasant, in classical course, in 1864, teach school winters during that time. He studied law and attended law school, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, one year; then entered the law office of Seevers &; Cutts, and was admitted to the bar, and since then has practiced his profession here, and holds the office of city solicitor; married Miss Martha M. Griffith, from Pennsylvania, in Mount Pleasant, May 1, 1870; she was born in Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio and came to Iowa in 1862; she achieved a reputation throughout this State as a lecturer on temperance and self-dependence of women; they have one son, William Warren, born August 17, 1874.
Davis, John, carriage trimmer.
Davis, William, teamster.
Delashmutt, Van B., retired, Oskaloosa; born in Ohio county, afterward Tyler county, Va., January 4, 1802, and was brought up there; he came to Burlington Iowa, June 22, 1837, and lived there three years, and removed to Jefferson county, and lived there until coming to Mahaska county in April 1843, before the Indians had left, and before the settlers were allowed to take possession of the land; he made a claim and entered land from the government at the first land sale held in Iowa, and engaged in farming; he is one of the oldest settlers in Mahaska county, and has been through it all. Many and very interesting are the incidents which he and Dr. Boyer and a few others recite of the early days of this county; he had but little when be came, but by industry and good management, he long ago secured an ample fortune. He was elected sheriff in Va., in 1829, and served two years, and was again elected for two years; he was elected to the State Legislature in Virginia, and served during the sessions in winters of 1833, 1834, and 1835; after coming to Iowa he was elected in Burlington to the first State Legislature held in Iowa, and was a member of the first constitutional convention, and held office of swamp land commissioner, and held town and school offices. He married Martha W. Inghram from Greene county, Pa., in 1821; she died in August, 1853; he married Mary H. Inghram in June 1868; he has six children, three sons and three daughters.
Delashmutt, William, farmer.
Desch, J. L., teamster.
Desch, W. F., teamster.
Dice, Anderson carpenter.
Dice, John, carpenter.
Dickens, Esther.
Dimmit, B., sexton of cemetery.
Dilly, Jacob, farmer.
Dirr, A. J., agent of the Central R. R. of Iowa at Oskaloosa; born in Mansfield Ohio, in 1843, and at very early age removed to Naperville, Illinois, and was brought up there. He went south and remained there until 1870, then went to Parsons, Kansas, and made some investments; and engaged in railroading, and remained there until coming here in 1877; in May of the same year he was appointed agent of the Central R. R. of Iowa in this city; he still retains his interest in Parsons, Kansas. He married Miss Ella Lundy from Naperville, Dupage county Ills., in May, 1876. They have one daughter.
Dix, James, well-digger.
Dixon, Mrs. J. B.
Dixon, Mrs. J. P.
Dodge, N., boot and shoe dealer.
Dolby, M., machinist.
Dorland, Edwin H., physician; born in Duchess county New York, March 31, 1842, and when four years of age came with his parents to Salem, Henry county Iowa; he entered Erlham College at Richmond, Ind., and remained five years, graduated there; after graduating engaged in teaching in academy and private high school. After traveling for one year he came to Oskaloosa; he married Miss Lydia A. Jones from Waynesville, Warren county Ohio, September 1, 1869; she died July 1, 1876, leaving one son, Walter E.
Doud, Morris, laborer.
Douglas, Mrs. H. S.
Douglas, W. W., marble cutter.
Downing, Foster L., proprietor Downing House, Oskaloosa; the subject of this sketch was born in Madison county, Ohio, April 11, 1828; Mr. D. received all the advantages of a common school education in his native state; January 23, 1851, he married Miss Sarah A. Croney; he emigrated to Iowa in 1855, landing at Muscatine, October 12th; in May of the following year he came to Oskaloosa; upon his arrival he bought the old Madison House, which stood on the same location where the Downing House now stands; and with the exception of 5 years, has been in the hotel business since; in 1874 he built the Downing House at a cost of $40,000; during the war he was quarter-master of the 19th Iowa Infantry; he has been connected with the Iowa Agricultural Society since 1862; he was elected President of the National State Bank in January 1871, which office he held until bank stock changed hands; has been a member of the city council of Oskaloosa; and for many years among the most active members of the Mahaska county Agricultural Association, and of which he was for a long time its president; his wife died August 3d, 1869, leaving one son and one daughter: Dwight F., who is now practicing law in Beloit, Kansas; and Ollie H., who resides with her father; February 21, 1871, he married Miss Eunice, daughter of Dr. Albert Dart, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; she was born in Clarmont county, Ohio; Mr. D., is an energetic and thoroughgoing business man, and whatever he undertakes to do, he does with all his might.
Drinkle, A. T., dealer in furniture, Oskaloosa; born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1845; when six years of age he came to Lockport, Illinois; lived there until 1858, when he came to Iowa, and came to this county in 1861; was in the army in the Twelfth Regiment Michigan Infantry, and was connected with the band; married Miss Mary E. Cricket, from Ohio, in November, 1871; they have four children, Fred C., Alice Maud, Harry A., Willie E.
Duke, Ham, carpenter.
Duke, J. C., carpenter.
Duke, Sarah.
Duke, W. H., carpenter.
Dumont, Richard, abstracts and conveyancer, Oskaloosa; born in Hightstown, Warren county, New Jersey, July 24, 1820; he removed at an early age to the city of New York, and was brought up there; was afterward engaged in the sash, blind and door business, and ship work; lived there until 1848; he lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Mansfield, Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1854, to this county, and put in the sash and blind machinery in Roup's mill, and was in cabinet business; in 1857 was appointed deputy clerk, and was elected clerk in 1862, and re-elected in 1864; has been engaged in abstract business since 1872; married Miss Sarah Grafton, from city of New York, in May, 1842; they have five children, Mary E., Thomas, Maria L., John H., Charles; lost one son.
Duncan, David, Carpenter.
Duncan, Hannah.
Dunn, John, carpenter.
Dutton, B. T., carpenter.
Dutton, L. K., mechanic.
Dutton, S. J., groceries and provisions.
Earhart, Isaac, teamster.
Easton, W. S., insurance agent.
Ebey, Thomas carpenter.
Edson, M. W., house mover.
Eisinminger, T. J., furniture manufacturer.
Ellsworth, C. W., groceries and provisions; born in Cooperstown, New York, July 15, 1831; when 4 years of age removed to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; lived in Pennsylvania 10 years and then came to Iowa, to Washington county; they started in May and got ice bound at Quincy; there was five families, and they had to leave one family there, as they could only get wagons to carry four families; they arrived in Washington county December 24, 1845; be broke prairie with 4 yoke of oxen, at $6.00 a month; he and his brother had a contract for carrying the mail from Wapello, Louisa county, to Ellen Grove, 18 miles, west of here, 110 miles; it was all the mail they had in the several counties through which they passed, until 1850. He then went to California, was there two years and returned; he was in the army, enlisted in the 1st Regiment, Iowa Cavalry, Co. E, and was in many battles and skirmishes; after war he came to this county in June, 1865; he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, town clerk and other town and school offices; he married Miss Helen E. Maxson of Louisa county, September 16, 1852; they have seven children, three sons and four daughters.
Ellsworth, O. J., grocer.
Ellsworth, P. J., dentist.
Else, Henry, farmer.
Emmons, Cyrenus, retired.
Emmons, D. W., carpenter.
Ennis, John laborer.
Esgen, W., woolen mills.
Evans, B. F., coal.
Farr, Gilbert L., butcher.
Faxon, A., retired.
Felker, J. S., express driver.
Ferrall, J. B. farmer and stock dealer.
Ferrall, Jonathan D., farmer; born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1827; he was brought up in that state, and lived there 27 years; came to Iowa, and arrived in this county June 1st, 1855; he located in Pleasant Grove township, and engaged in farming and stock raising for 10 years; then removed here in the city, where he now lives; he owns a farm of 70 acres, finely located, adjoining the city limits, it is also valuable coal land; he married Miss Margaret Charters, from Cambrea county, Pennsylvania, September, 13, 1852; they have three children, John C., Lizzie A., and George R.
Ferris, E. A., plasterer.
Fisher, Horace W., agent Chicago, Rock Island &; Pacific R. R., Oskaloosa; born in Lebanon, Ohio, March 18, 1849, and was brought up and attended school there until fifteen years of age, and came with his parents to this county in 1864; attended school here; in 1870 he went to Denver City, Colorado, and was connected with railroads in the freight and ticket department; he returned here in 1875, and was appointed agent, at Oskaloosa, of the C., R. I. &; P. R. R.; he was deputy clerk under Captain Searle for two years; he married Miss Mattie Mays, from this city, April 14, 1874.
Fisher, William, stoker in Gas Co.
Fitzgerald, John, laborer.
Fitzgerald, M., marble cutter.
Fitzgerald, Pat, laborer.
Foehlinger, Adolph, mechanic.
Foehlinger, Charley, furniture finisher.
Foehlinger, Adam, wood turner.
Frankel, I. &; Co., bankers.
Frankel, I., of the banking house of Frankel, Bach &; Co., Oskaloosa; born in Germany, October 14, 1832; when twenty-one years of age came to this country; in 1853 he located in Clark county, Indiana, and remained there for three years, when he removed to Missouri, and was there four years, and came to Oskaloosa in May, 1861, and engaged in mercantile business, and is the oldest clothing house here. September 1, 1873, he engaged in the banking business, and established the banking house of Frankel, Bach &; Co.; he has been actively identified with the interests of the city and county; he married Miss Babbette Stenerman, from Germany, January 20, 1864; they have five children, Anselin, Manassa, Nathan, Henrietta and Rosa.
Frederick, W. H., clerk.
Gadd, Samuel, cabinet-maker.
Garner, Jesse, brick-moulder.
Garretson, E. T., sewing-machine agent.
Garretson, Reuben T., retired.
Garretson, Thomas B., agent.
Gibbs, Ernest H., capitalist, Oskaloosa; born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, February 10, 1848, and was brought up there until seventeen years of age; in 1865 he came to Lee county, Illinois, and entered a bank in Amboy; he remained there until 1868, and came to Parkersburg, Iowa; he came to Oskaloosa in 1870, and engaged in banking; he married Miss Martha J. White, April 1, 1872; she was daughter of the late John White, one of the earliest settlers of the county; they have one daughter.
Gilchrist, John, marble cutter.
Gilchrist, Mrs. P.
Gilliland, Mrs. E. N.
Givens, M. P., professor and principal of the business department of the Oskaloosa College; born in Bloomington, Indiana, August 29, 1842; when thirteen years of age removed to Illinois, and attended school at Abingdon College, in Knox county, and also at Eureka College, in Woodford county, Illinois; afterward attended Bryant &; Stratton's Commercial College at Chicago, and graduated there; he taught one year for Bryant &; Stratton in St. Louis; came here in 1866, and since then has been connected, with the Oskaloosa College, being principal of the business department, and secretary of the faculty; he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for twelve years, and was president of the Young Men's Christian Association one and one-half years.
Glasscock, Joseph, farmer.
Glaze, B., marble cutter.
Glaze, Ed., marble man.
Gleason, H. W., attorney, firm of Crookham &; Gleason, Oskaloosa; born in Warren, New Hampshire, May 2, 1845; was brought up and received his education in that state. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in the 12th Regiment New Hampshire Infantry, Co. G. He was in the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harber, and many others. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg; he remained in the service until 1865. He came to Iowa in 1867, and located in Benton county, and engaged in teaching; he studied law and was admitted to the bar, and since then has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He represents this district in the State Legislature, being elected in the fall of 1877; married Miss Flora A. Howard, daughter of Henry Howard, Esq., October 20, 1875; they have one son, Howard L., born February 1, 1877.
Glenn, John, laborer.
Golden, Jacob H., plasterer.
Golden, Samuel, teamster.
Golden, William, plasterer.
Gordon, John B., carpenter and joiner, Oskaloosa; born in York county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1818; he went to York State and learned his trade, and engaged in building. He married Jane E. Kennedy, from York State, in 1846; they had three children and lost them all. In 1871 he came to this county on account of his health, and since then has lived here.
Graham, Samuel, blacksmith.
Green, I. C., merchant; dealer in boots and shoes, Oskaloosa; born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 10, 1826; he was brought up there and lived in that state until the spring of 1868, when he came to Oskaloosa and engaged in the mercantile business, and for the past seven years has been engaged exclusively in the boot and shoe business, and having an extensive trade. He has held office of justice of the peace, and held the office of mayor of New Vienna, Ohio. He is president of the board of trustees of Penn College. He married Rachel Moorman, from Greene county, Ohio,in 1848; they have six children, T. Homer, Mary Susie, Emma R., Oscar, Lizzie and Walter.
Green, J. H., firm of J. H. Green &; Co., dealers in agricultural implements and farm machinery; born in Harrison county, Ohio, June 16, 1832; he was brought up in Ohio and lived there until 1856, when he removed to Minnesota; he came to Iowa and located in this county, in 1864. He engaged in business in 1866, and is the oldest house in this business here. He has held town and school offices; married Hannah Terrell, from Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1862; they have three children, Mabel, Clara. and Frank.
Greenough, Mary.
Griffin, Mrs. S. B.
Grooms, Mrs. J.
Gruwell, J. P. physician.
Guthrie, James, coal agent.
Hadly, C., carpenter.
Hadly, William, carpenter.
Hadly, Z., carpenter.
Hagan, Peter, laborer.
Hale, G. W., vice-president and manager National State Bank.
Halfmann, George W., manufacturer of laundry and toilet soaps, and perfumery, Oskaloosa; born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1848; was brought up and received his education in that city, and went through a complete course of chemistry, attending the Wagner Free Institute of Science. He was superintendent, for six years, for Bader, Adamson &; Co., in their extensive manufactory in Philadelphia; on account of his health, he came west, to this city, in July, 1876, and engaged in making soap; married Miss Emma L. Harper, of Philadelphia, October 24, 1871; they have two children, Alberta Grace, and Harrold.
Hall, William H., laborer.
Halleck, J. M., veterinary surgeon.
Hambleton, Levi, dealer in carpets, oil cloths, and matting, Oskaloosa; born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 4, 1821; when 17 years of age he removed to eastern Pennsylvania, while living there he married Miss Mary H. Hall, near Philadelphia, Chester county, Pennsylvania; in October, 1845; she was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and removed to Chester county, Pennsylvania, at an early age. They returned to Ohio, and Mr. Hambleton was engaged in mercantile business, and pork and wool business in Stark county, Ohio, for 9 years; they came to Iowa in 1857 and located in Powshiek county, and engaged in mercantile business, and was burned out; he then improved 3 large farms, and had a saw mill, and that was burned; he was engaged in shipping stock for 10 years; came to Oskaloosa in 1870 and engaged in mercantile business; but the fire followed him here, and he was again burned out; he is one of the managing directors of the Central Iowa Loan and Trust Co.; they have two sons, John T., and Albert F. M., merchants at Springville, Linn county, Iowa. They have lost two sons.
Hanson, Elizabeth.
Harrington, J. C., foundry.
Harris, A. B., teamster.
Hart, W. M., farmer.
Hart, W. S., salesman.
Harvy, Samuel F., teamster.
Haskell, W. W., lawyer.
Haverfield, Albert, teamster.
Haverfield,, Sarah.
Hay, Prof. O. P., teacher Osk. Col.
Hawkins, Abram, retired.
Hawkins Bros &; Co., proprietors of the Quaker livery, sale and boarding stable; and buying and shipping stock; shipping horses weekly to Minnesota, and shipping cattle and hogs to eastern markets;; and doing a large and extensive business.
Hawkins, S. P., real estate and insurance agent.
Hedger, W. E., traveling agent.
Hawkins, W. H., Quaker livery and sale stable.
Hedge, Porter, gardener.
Hellings, Wm. P., firm of Woody &; Hellings, abstracts and loans, Oskaloosa; born in Logan county, Ohio, May 29, 1851; he came with his parents to Oskaloosa when only 2 years of age; he was brought up and received his education here; he was in the U. S. government survey in the mountains, for two years; he learned printer's trade, and was in printing office 5 years, and correspondent for Chicago and other eastern papers; he entered the law department of the Iowa State University, and graduated in 1876, and practiced law here until March 1878, when he associated with Prof. John W. Woody in abstract and loan business; he is secretary of the Central Iowa Loan and Trust Co.; married Miss R. Emma Green, from Clinton county, Ohio, November 19, 1874; they have two sons, Harry, and Frederick De Billion.
Hemilrich, O. P., bank clerk.
Hendriks, J., retired.
Herbig, P. C., manufacturer of buggies and fine carriages, Oskaloosa; born in Bavaria, Germany, December 25, 1808; he was brought up, and learned his trade there; emigrated to America in 1839, lived in South Carolina and North Carolina; then went to Philadelphia Pa., for a year and a half; then removed to Ohio, and lived there thirteen years, and in Springfield, Illinois one year, and came to Oskaloosa February 23, 1855, and engaged in working at his trade, and was the first one that could make a buggy in this county, and is the oldest carriage maker here, has been engaged in business here over twenty-three years. Married Takobina Gotthold, from Germany in 1836. They have seven children and have lost eight children. Mr. Herbig is the oldest German settler in this county, with one or two exceptions.
Herron, John M., attorney at law, Oskaloosa; born in Clermont county, Ohio, January 25, 1845; he was brought up in Ohio, and in 1865 he removed to Illinois and located at Sterling, Whiteside Co.; was engaged in teaching, and afterwards studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1869; he removed to Des Moines, practiced law there, and was local editor of the Des Moines Leader; he came to Oskaloosa in this county in 1876; he was appointed justice of the peace in this city, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of G. H. Baugh; married Miss Mary E. Hotchkiss from Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, in January, 1876.
Hetherington, C., retired.
Hewett, Levi, patent right agent.
Hickey, Allen, minister.
Higlin, John F., teamster.
Himes, Jacob miller.
Hinesley, J. W., justice of the peace, Oskaloosa; born in Indianapolis, Marion county Ind., March 19, 1832. When fourteen years of age removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, and served apprenticeship as blacksmith; returned to Indianapolis and married Miss Sarah E. McWhorton. a native of Ind., January 3, 1854; she died the following year, 1855, leaving one son, George W. He came to Iowa in 1855, and located at Indianapolis in this county, and worked at his trade. He again married Hannah J. Atwood, April 23, 1856; on the 4th of July 1860, he met with a severe accident; he and some of his friends prepared for a celebration, and procured what is known as a mandrel, and by drilling a hole converted it into a cannon. He was ramming in the charge when it exploded and shattered his arm to pieces; after losing his arm he served as constable and assessor of Monroe township; in 1863 he was elected sheriff of the county-soon after this he moved to Oskaloosa-he held that office for ten years; in the late October elections he was elected justice of the peace of Oskaloosa township. They have two children, William F. and Ida M.; lost two daughters.
Hoffman, D. A., physician and surgeon, Oskaloosa; born in Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio, September 28, 1824; he received his education there, and studied medicine at Athens, and attended the Ohio Medical College, and afterward attended and graduated at the Cleveland College, in February, 1848; he practiced his profession in Ohio until 1861, when he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa, and since then has practiced his profession here; married Miss Emily Smith, from Hocking county, Ohio, in November, 1848; they have four children, Edgar B., John A., Effie L., Ripley C.
Hoffman, John A. attorney at law, Oskaloosa; born in Jackson county, Ohio, April 23, 1851; when five years of age removed to Ohio with his parents, and lived there five years, then came with his parents to Oskaloosa, in October, 1861; after attending school here he entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant; he studied law here, and was admitted to the bar in 1874, and since then has practiced his profession here; he has served as chairman of the Mahaska County Rep. Cent. Committee; married Miss Anna Wallace, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, December 15, 1875; they have one son, Wallace.
Holdsieder, Jo., shoemaker.
Hole, Leonard H., attorney, Oskaloosa; born in Carroll county, Ohio, June 23, 1845; he was brought up and received his education there; graduated at Mount Union College, class 1867; he was, for two years during the war, under General O. O. Howard, in the Freedmen's department; he studied law in Southern Illinois, and attended the Law University at Iowa City; he came to Oskaloosa in 1870, and since then has practiced his profession here; he is chairman of the Mahaska County Rep. Cent. Committee, and has been in one city council; married Miss Belle Maffit, from Harrison county, Ohio, July 14, 1870; they have three children, J. Wilber, Homer, little boy not named.
Holmes, A. J., salesman.
Holmes, Hannah.
Holmes, J. H., salesman with Mitch. Wilson.
Holt, Oliver, butcher.
Holt, Robert, laborer.
Holt, Susan.
Hoopes, D. C., miller.
Hoopes, Elizabeth.
Hoover, Sarah.
Hoover, W. N., miller and distiller.
Houtz, Christian, retired, Oskaloosa; was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1806; he was raised in Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, where he received a good common school education; when sixteen years of age he served apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, then removed to New York, and worked at his trade for two years; he married Miss Priscilla Colyer, February 22, 1830; she was a daughter of Thomas Colyer; she was born in Myerstown, Lebanon county, November 6, 1812; in 1834 he moved to Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, and lived there thirteen years; he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in June, 1847; he was engaged in building until 1854; he gave his attention to buying and selling land; he was very fortunate in selecting and buying land at low figures which rapidly advanced in value; he has laid out two additions to this city; he had but very little when he came here, but by good management; and being a man of strict integrity, and conscientious in all his dealings, he has amassed a nice property; he owns several farms, besides his city property; he has given liberally to railroad enterprises, churches, colleges and schools; his wife died February 2, 1872; he married Josephine M. Jenkins October 1, 1873; she was born in Carroll county, Ohio, October 3, 1839; he has one daughter by his first union, Mrs. Eva H. Needham, widow of the late John R. Keedham.
Howar, George, undertaker.
Howard, Henry, firm Henry Howard &; Son, grocery and provision dealers, Oskaloosa; born in Washington county, New York, July 11, 1821; lived there until fourteen years of age; removed to Franklin county, Ohio; learned carpenter's trade, and sash and blind making, and followed that business for seventeen years; he came to Iowa and located in this county in October, 1855, and in the following spring, 1856, he engaged in his present business, and is the oldest grocery merchant now in business here, and is one of the oldest merchants in this county; he has held various town and school offices, and has been actively identified with the interests of the city and county; he is treasurer of five or six different organizations-Forest Cemetery, Mahaska County Bible Society, D. E. Payne's Commandery, No. 6, Horam Chapter No. 6, and Oskaloosa No. 7; he married Miss Mary Scofleld, from Washington county, New York, in 1845; they have five children, Maria L., George F., Flora A., Harry S., and Edwin S.
Huber, Charles, firm C. Huber &; Bro., dealers in hardware and house furnishing goods, Oskaloosa; born in Baden, Germany, February 2, 1846, and when eleven years of age emigrated to America, and came to Oskaloosa in June, 1857; he engaged as clerk in store in 1860, and was connected with the hardware business as clerk and salesman for twelve years; and in 1874 engaged in business for himself, and has carried it on since then; he had nothing when he began life; he married Miss M. V. Warren, from Pennsylvania, December 7, 1875; they have one daughter, Anna.
Huber, Francis, retired.
Hughes, Patrick, wagon-maker.
Hull, Amaziah, teacher.
Hull, E. W., carpenter.
Hull, L. L., harness and sadlery.
Hunt, D. W., superintendent and manager of the Oskaloosa gas works; born in North Carolina, January 7, 1832; when five years of age he moved with his parents to Indiana; he received his education at Haverford, Pennsylvania, and afterward engaged in teaching at Bloomingdale Academy; he came to Iowa in 1865, and located in Oskaloosa and engaged in real estate and insurance; he has been connected with the gas works for the past five years; he married Miss Mary R. Llewelyn, from Haverford, Pennsylvania in 1859; they have five children, Hermon, Anna R., Esther D., Hannah R. and H. Rowland; they have lost two, Mary E. and Sibyl J.
Huntsman, H. C., physician.
Hurst, D. A., physician.
Hurst, James, stock dealer.
Ingels, Bruce, marble cutter.
Irvin, George, teamster.
Jackson, M. L., surgeon dentist, Oskaloosa; born in South Carolina, August 14, 1829; when quite young removed to Illinois, and lived there twelve years, then removed to Lee county, Iowa; he returned to Illinois and read medicine, then went to St. Louis and studied dentistry; he came to this county in 1854, and engaged in the practice of his profession, and has continued since then, nearly twenty-five years; he has held the position of vice-president of the Iowa State Dental Society for two terms, and was director in the old State Bank of Iowa, and also in the State National Bank, which succeeded it here; married Miss Joan Phillips, from Illinois, November 1, 1855; they have five children, Harry, Dwight, Gertie, Lizzie and Willie.
Jenkins, Jesse, farmer.
Jenney, J. M., expressman.
Jessup, Riley, deputy sheriff.
Johnson, A. W., butcher.
Johnson, Prof. B. W., editor and minister.
Johnson, J. Kelly, attorney, firm Lafferty &; Johnson, Oskaloosa; born in Greene county, O., August 22, 1841; when 13 years of age he removed to Indiana and received his education there and in Ohio, and entered the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan; he came to Oskaloosa and read law with Seevers &; Williams, and attended the law school at Des Moines, and was admitted to the Bar there in the spring of 1867; after spending one year in Eddyville, he associated with Geo. W. Lafferty in the practice of his profession here; he held the office of city solicitor here for six years; married Miss Ann E. Gruwell, daughter of Dr. Gruwell, April 21, 1871; they have four children, Irving C., Bessie, Ralph, Herbert.
Johnson, Warren C., firm Johnson &; Collins, Novelty Foundry, Oskaloosa; born in Warren county, Ohio, August 15, 1853; at an early age removed to Indiana, and lived there 8 years; he came to this city in 1864, and learned his trade here, and engaged with Geo. E. Collins in the foundry business, and manufacturing light machinery; and they are doing an extensive business.
Johnson, William horse dealer.
Jones, James, laborer.
Jones, Mrs. Jane.
Jones, John M., Oskaloosa city flouring mills; born in Belmont county, Ohio, January 10, 1823; was brought up there, and learned the wagon making business, and worked at it until 1856, and since then has been engaged in millwright and milling business; he came to Oskaloosa in 1869, and since then has been connected with the above mills; during the war, at the time of John Morgan's raid he was in the State service, and commanded a company. He is now serving his 6th year as member of the school board; married Miss Sarah A. Condon, from Knox county, Ohio, January 25, 1842; they have 3 children, Mary L., Albert M., and Charles W., and have lost 4 children.
Jones, Joseph, carriage and wagon making, Oskaloosa; born in Wales, March 22, 1834, and came to America in 1851, and went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he learned his trade; then removed to La Salle county, Ill.; and came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in spring of 1856, and engaged in his business, and has continued since then; he had nothing when he came here, but by industry and good management has built up a good business; he married Miss Catharine A. Gilmore from Indiana, in January, 1857; they have 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daughters, Joseph A., William, Edwin, Franklin, Susie, Alice, Nellie, Ida, Grace.
Jones, Wesley, teamster.
Kalbach, I., lumber dealer.
Kalbach, John A., firm of I. Kalbach &; Son, lumber dealers, Oskaloosa; born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1844; when 5 years of age removed to Indiana, came to Muscatine, Iowa in 1850, and came to Mahaska county in 1851, over 27 years ago, being among the early settlers; he engaged in the lumber business in the summer of 1864, and has been engaged in the business longer than any one in the same trade; they also carry on the business at New Sharon; has held the office of city councilman; he was elected county supervisor, Oct. 8, 1878; married Miss Louise Patterson, in June, 1873; they have 3 children, Warren, Helen, and a little girl.
Kelly, Joseph, retired, Oskaloosa; born in London, England, between Story's Gate, St. James Park and Westminster Abbey; he came with his parents in boyhood to this country, and settled in Chillicothe, O.; removed to La Salle county, Illinois, and located about 3 miles from Peru, which at that early day only contained one building; being among the earliest settlers there, he was prominently identified with settling up that county; he entered 2,000 acres of land near Dixon, Illinois; he married Mrs. Fidelia Pierce from Rochester, N. Y., August 18, 1845; they came to Iowa and arrived in this county October 17, 1854; he engaged in merchandising here and at Montezuma; he received appointment of Collector of Internal Revenue, October 1, 1862, and filled that office until August 9, 1869; with but one exception he was the only Federal official in the State who was retained, that did not Johnsonize, and he was retained on account of his efficiency, which was acknowledged by the department; he has since then had offers of Federal appointments, but he preferred to remain in private life; and has been engaged in real estate and insurance business; he is, and has been prominently identified with his church in all of its interests; they have four children, Wilbur F., Frank, Fred E., Stella May; have lost 2 children, Ella and Clarence.
Kemble, Amos, manufacturer of canned vegetables and fruits, Oskaloosa; born in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 15th, 1827, and lived there until 22 years of age; he came to Iowa in 1850, and located in Polk county, taught school there and came to this county in 1852 and engaged in farming; he was appointed deputy sheriff under sheriff Edmondson and held that office for 3 years; and then carried on a steam bakery until 1865, when he engaged in gardening quite extensively, and in 1873 he connected the canning business with it; his canned goods are of a superior quality, and he finds a ready market for them; he married Miss Margaret J. Apple, from Salem, Ohio, March 12, 1850; they have 8 children, Emma, Nora Kay, John, Ida, Willie, Josie and Charlie; have lost one daughter, Mollie.
Kemper, Wm., carpenter and builder, Oskaloosa; born in Virginia, September 20, 1818, and lived there until thirteen years of age, and removed to Ohio and was brought up, and learned his trade there. He came to Iowa by wagon and carriage, was twenty-five days on the way, and arrived in Oskaloosa October 7, 1849, and began working at his trade. He was one of the early settlers and is the oldest builder here now. He has put up many buildings in the city and county, owns a farm of 120 acres, which he entered from the government and laid out Kemper's addition to Oskaloosa; has been vice-president of the school board; married Elizabeth J. Elsey, from Hardin county, Ohio, August 1, 1843; they have six children, Hattie, George, Eliza, Clarence, Alice and Jennie, and lost one daughter.
Kendig, A. A., teller and bookkeeper; born in Stark county Ohio, December 30, 1846, he came to Iowa and arrived in Oskaloosa May 5, 1855, and was brought up and received his education here; married Miss Josie E. Danner, from Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, November 26, 1868; they have had one daughter who died in infancy.
Kendig, H. R., justice of the peace, Oskaloosa; born in Lancaster county, Pa., April 30, 1830; when eight years of age, he removed to Stark county, Ohio, in 1838, and lived there seventeen years and came to Iowa in 1855 and located in this county, and has lived here over twenty-three years; he has held office of county treasurer for six years, was elected in 1871. He also held the office of town clerk for ten years; he married Miss Catherine Earhart from Portage county, Ohio, in November 1852; they have seven children, Olivia L., Clara E., Myra M., Sylvia H., Maud A., Daisy B., Homer R., and have lost two children, one son and daughter.
Kennedy, William, lawyer.
Kenworthy, W. S., attorney; born in Henry county, Indiana, May 24, 1840; he was brought up there until eighteen years of age, and then removed to Jasper county Iowa; he was engaged in teaching there, and came here and studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1865, and has practiced his profession here for six years; he married Miss Margaret Straughan from Washington county Pa., November 28, 1866; they have four children, Byron, Horace, Gertie and Bessie.
Kernahan, D. R., carpenter.
Ketner, Eli, farmer.
Kimble, William, insurance agent.
King, H. E., wagon maker.
Kingsley, I. W., book agent.
Kissick, Robert, attorney at law born in Mercer county, Pa., May 4, 1843; when he was sixteen years of age came to Iowa, and located in Oskaloosa April 7, 1859; during the war went in the army; enlisted in Aug., 1862, in the 33d Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. C., and was sergeant and United States color bearer; in the spring of 1864 he was transferred to the 113th United States Colored Infantry, and was commissioned first lieutenant and adjutant; was in the Yazoo Pass expedition in rear of Vicksburg, and at Capture Rock, and in other engagements. He was obliged to resign on account of ill health; after his return from the army; he entered school and engaged in teaching; studied law, and entered the Iowa State University, and graduated from the law department in class 1872, and since then has practiced his profession here; he held office Deputy United States revenue collector for Mahaska and Marion counties, for three years; he was elected justice of the peace in January, 1877; a as re-elected in October, 1878; he married Miss Mary J. Pettitt, from Ohio, in November, 1868; they have four children, Ralph W., Frank P., Guy E., and Edwin Robert.
Klein, John E., retired.
Knowlton, S., farmer.
Knox, John, paper hanger.
Kreitzer, Henry, coal miner.
Lacey, Major John F., whose portrait is found on another page of this work, was born in West Virginia, at New Martinsville, in 1841. The days of his childhood were spent in New Martinsville and Wheeling, in the schools of which latter place and those of Mahaska county, the Major laid the foundation for his success by a thorough mastery of those rudimental branches which the artificial style of our modern schools sometimes ignore, to the great misfortune of the youth attending. Young Lacey removed to Oskaloosa with his parents in the spring of 1855, being then fourteen years of age. Having commenced the study of law, the call of April, 1861, for troops, roused the young student from his dreams over Greenleaf and Vattel. In the very front of those who sprang to answer the treasonable roar of the guns upon Sumpter, John F. Lacey enlisted in Co. H, 3d Iowa Infantry, which left Mahaska May 30, 1861, his twentieth birthday. The close of the battle at Blue Mills Landing found young Lacey a prisoner of the Southern Confederacy. Fortunately he was paroled at Lexington, Missouri, after the siege of that place, and as a paroled prisoner was discharged November, 1861; he returned to the law books in the office of Samuel A. Rice, in Oskaloosa; but when Mahaska made her great contribution to Uncle Sam, the flower of chivalry in the 33d Regiment, young Lacey, having been exchanged with the other paroled prisoners, again enlisted as private in Co. D, and was soon appointed sergeant major of the regiment. In the following spring he was promoted and commissioned first lieutenant, after which time he was on staff duty; his most active service was in the battle of Helena, he expedition on Yazoo Pass, and in the campaigns against Little Rock and Camden, and the campaign of Mobile, where he took part in the last battle of the war-the storming of Blakely. After the death of General Rice at Jenkin's Ferry, Major Lace was appointed on the staff of General Steele as adjutant general, and acted in the that capacity until after the fall of Richmond; he then went with General Steele, who commanded 40,000 men in the army of observation on the Rio Grande. Having returned to Oskaloosa in 1865, and completed his legal studies, he was admitted to the Bar, and has since been engaged in practice in that place. In 1869 he was elected to the legislature from Mahaska county, and served one term. Not only has Major Lacey served his country in the military and civil list, but he has likewise benefited his profession in the preparation of valuable legal works; the Major is energetic, a diligent student and an indefatigable worker; he published the 3d Iowa Digest, making with Judge Dillon's and Judge Hammond's the complete Digest of Iowa Reports; he also published in 1875 Lacey's Railway Digest, being a full Digest of Railway Cases and Railway Law; this is a volume of 1,000 pages, and is a very complete and exhaustive work. In that other sphere of life where mankind is to look for the most of happiness this world gives, where the soul is fed, the manhood strengthened and his nobility nourished-in his own home, Major Lacey has been abundantly blessed. The partner of his joys and the sharer of life's ills he found in the person of Miss Mattie Newell, of Ohio, whom he married September 19, 1865; four children, Nellie, Raymond, Kate and Bernice, are the complement of his family circle.
Lacey, W. R., lawyer.
Ladynski, C., shoemaker.
Lafferty, George W., attorney, firm, Lafferty &; Johnson, Oskaloosa. Born in Mercer county, Pa., April 9, 1838; he was brought up and received his education there; upon the breaking out of rebellion he enlisted in April, 1861, in the 10th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, Co. G, and afterward enlisted in the service for three years. He was in the second battle of Bull Run and Fredericksburg, and in all the battles of the wilderness up to May 31, 1864; after the war he came to Iowa and located here July 16, 1864; he read law with John R. Needham and was admitted to the bar in 1865, and was associated with him in the practice of his profession until the death of Mr. Needham, in July, 1868; he soon after associated with J. Kelly Johnson, which association still continues; he was elected district attorney in the fall of 1874, which office he still holds; he married Miss S. A. Fisher, from Warren County, O., December 26, 1865; they have one daughter, Mabel E.
Lahr, John, laborer.
Larkins, Mordecai, retired.
Lauglin, Prof. G. H., Oskaloosa College. - Prof. George Hamilton Laughlin Correction and info
Lee, Absalom, laborer.
Lee, George R., editor Oskaloosa Herald. Born at Verplank, New York, February 25, 1842; he was brought up and lived there, except one year spent in Connecticut, until thirteen years of age, and came with his parents to Iowa, and located in Oskaloosa in October, 1855,; he entered the printing office of the Oskaloosa Times in 1858, and remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the first company organized in this town under the call for 75,000 men; the company was not accepted and temporarily disbanded; he went to Illinois and enlisted in Chicago in the 1st Illinois Artillery, Co. E; their battery fired the first gun in the battle of Shiloh; on account of sickness he was obliged to return home; he was in siege of Vicksburg and siege of Jackson; after the war he returned to Muscatine county for four years, then came here and entered the Herald office, and continued there until 1877, when he became associated with Henry C. Leighton in publishing the Herald; upon the death of Mr. Leighton, January 31, 1878, he assumed the entire editorial charge of the paper. He has held the office of city clerk for four years. The subject of this sketch is a man of taste and good order in all that he undertakes; as a compositor at the he was among the most rapid in the west, and as foreman of the Herald office, he always kept things "in apple pie order," until by the death of Mr. Leighton, he was called to the editorial chair of the great journal, of which he had been one of its best builders. He married Miss Mary E. Dumont, daughter of Richard and Sarah Dumont, of Oskaloosa, and formerly of New York City, April 8, 1868. They have three children, Edith, Florence and Ralph, and have lost one daughter, Leona.
Lee, E. R., restaurant.
Leighton, Charles, business manager of the Weekly Oskaloosa Herald, Oskaloosa; was born twelve miles east of Ottumwa, Wapello county, Iowa, January 21, 1846, and in 1847 his parents removed to Oskaloosa. When fifteen years old, he commenced in the Herald office to learn the printing business; but in May, 1864, dropped his stick and enlisted in company I, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and served till October, 1864. In Dec., 1865, he went west and spent five years on the plains, and in the mountains. September 21, 1870, he was married to Hester A. Wray, who was born in Shelbyville, Indiana, December 13, 1850. The issue of this marriage was one son, Harry, and one daughter, Ida, both of whom are deceased. After marrying he went into the lumber business in Oskaloosa, in which he was engaged until February, 1878, when, by the death of his brother, the lamented Henry C. Leighton. he was called to the administratorship of the estate of the deceased, and became business manager of the Herald. The subject of this sketch is a self-made man, and is noted for his energetic and methodical business habits; which, together with his quiet and reserved manner, stamp him with the indelible impress of those elements of his elder brother, whose place at the desk he so worthily fills.
Leighton, Tobias, assistant postmaster, Oskaloosa. Born in Somerset county, Maine, April 4, 1812; he was brought up there and learned the carpenter's trade; he removed to Illinois in 1836 and lived there eight years, and came to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1844; he came to Oskaloosa in 1847 and engaged in building; he is one of the early settlers, and has held town and school offices; married Miss Harriet Coe, from Greene county, Ill., December 3, 1840; they have two sons, Charles and William, and have lost si x sons.
Lester, T. R., minister.
Levi, Morris L., dealer in ready made and custom clothing, and gent's furnishing goods, Oskaloosa; born in Clear Spring, Washington county, Maryland, August 5, 1845; he lived there until sixteen years of age, when he removed to Goshen, Indiana, and was engaged in clerking for his father until 1866, when he came to Iowa, and engaged in his present business May 1, 1866, and has continued since then doing a large and extensive business; he has held the office of city councilman, and is treasurer of Masonic Lod ge, and has been connected with several other organizations.
Levi, Solomon, clothing store.
Lindly, E. D., cashier of the National State Bank; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1849, and was brought up and received his education there; came to Iowa in 1867, and located in Oskaloosa, and has been connected with the bank since 1870, and has held the position of cashier for the past three years.
Lindly, W. A., cashier and manager of the Mahaska County Savings Bank, Oskaloosa; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1846; he was brought up there, and received his education at Waynesburg; he came to Iowa in 1866, and located in Oskaloosa; he was engaged in mercantile business for two years, and since then has been connected with banking business; he held the office of city treasurer for six years; married Miss Eliza Wray, from Indiana, near Indianapolis, September 20, 1870; they have two children, Mabel and Henry.
Lindsley, F. W., printer.
Little, H. N., stereoscopes and views.
Little, Joel H., photographer.
Little, Rebecca.
Lofland, Col. John, collector internal revenue, Oskaloosa; born in Belmont county, Ohio, January 10, 1830, and was brought up and received his education in that State; he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in 1855, and engaged in the marble business; after the breaking out of the war he went in the army; enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment Iowa Infantry, and was captain of Company D; was in the battle of Helena, July 4, 1863; also at Shell Mound, Mississippi, and in the skirmishes from Helena until the taking of Little Rock; also at Jenkin's Ferry, Spanish Fort, nine day's fight at the taking of Mobile; he was promoted, and commissioned Lieut. Colonel; though the shot passed through his clothes and hat, he was never wounded, and never lost a day's duty; after the war he returned, and was appointed assistant-assessor of internal revenue, August 1, 1869, and in 1873 was appointed to his present position, deputy-collector internal revenue; married Miss Sarah J. Bartlett, from Harrison county, Ohio, December 4, 1851; they have two children, Frank C., clerk in the post-office at Oskaloosa, and Charles E., civil en- gineer on the Burlington &; Missouri R. R.; they lost one son, George B.
Long, John, firm of John Long &; Sons, manufacturers of brick and draining tile; born in England, December 12, 1814; he was brought up and learned his business of brick and tile making, and was engaged in that business until 1868, when he came to America and located in Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the same business there until 1877, when he came here, and associated with his sons; they selected ten acres of land, and engaged in manufacturing brick and tile; they have three kilns, having a capacity of 50,000 each, and have a capacity of making 20,000 per day; they built their own machinery, and have their drying sheds heated by steam, requiring from 3,000 to 4,000 feet of steam pipe, thereby enabling them to manufacture all winter; they make an excellent quantity of tile, and have a capacity of making 10,000 daily; he married Elizabeth Dawson, from England, August 30, 1838, and they have seven children, John D., Edward, Thomas, Henry, Ann, Mary J., Hannah E.
Lord, R. T. C., coal dealer.
Loring, D. W., dealer in dry goods; born in Belpre, Washington county, Ohio, December 1, 1821, and was brought up there; he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa December 17, 1851, and engaged in the mercantile business; he used to haul his goods from Keokuk; it was a long, tedious trip, and during the winter season it was attended with much suffering from cold and exposure; Mr. Loring is the oldest merchant in this city, there being no one in business here now that was here when he came; he has held town and school offices; married Miss Mary K. Soule, from Marietta, Ohio, in March, 1853; they have two children, Mary L. and Frank W., and have lost two children, Henry and Willie.
Loring, Major F. H., firm of Shaw &; Loring, grocery and provision dealers, Oskaloosa; born in Centre Belpre, Washington county, Ohio, July 9, 1832, and was brought up there; during the war he enlisted in Ninety-second Regiment Ohio Infantry, Company G, July 26, 1862; he, having raised the company, was elected and commissioned captain Company G; was in battles of Reseca and Dalton, and from there to Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta; in active service most of the time; he was under Sherman from "Atlanta to the sea"; was discharged June 25, 1865; he was in the service three years and did not receive a scratch, and was not reported off duty a single day; the last year in the army he commanded a battalion, and was promoted major by brevet; he came to this county in 1865, and since then has been engaged in business here; he married Miss Delia Armstrong, from Washington county, Ohio, in 1863; they have four children, Lizzie M., Charles M., Carrie A., Mabel H.; C. R. Loring, father of Major Loring, died in 1873, at eighty-four years of age, and at that time was the oldest native born citizen in the State of Ohio.
Loughridge, J. M., Insurance agent.
Loughridge, Wm., lawyer.
Lough, David, route agent, C. R. R. of Iowa.
Lundy, James, flour and feed.
Lundy, William, janitor.
Lupton, David G., retired.
Lynch, Con., section boss.
Lyons, Mrs. P. A., physician.
Lyster, W. A., butcher.
Mansfield, Pat, laborer.
Mark, Bannar, minister.
Marks, J. G., retired.
Martin, Alexander, carpenter.
Martin, John N., foreman, L. L. Hull's harness shop.
Martinstein, A. W., book-keeper.
Mason, Jacob, well digger.
Mason, John, laborer.
Mattison, James, flour dealer, Oskaloosa; born in Westmoreland, England, Nov. 19, 1838, and came to America in 1844, and located in Stark county, Ohio; after living there twelve years, he came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1856, and lived there until 1865, when he came to Oskaloosa and engaged in the grocery trade, also, in the grain and produce business. For the past three years has been engaged in dealing in flour. He enlisted in the 47th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. G, one hundred day's service, and was at Helena Arkansas. He married Martha Mendenhall, from Columbiana county, Ohio, November, 1873; they have two children, Charles Wesley and Eva Meriam.
Mattisorm, William, grocer.
Mattox, C. M., clerk.
Mattox, Henry, dealer in groceries and provisions, Oskaloosa; born in Logan county, Ohio, December 27, 1827; he was brought up there and learned the trade of brick mason; he came to Iowa, and arrived in this county, at Oskaloosa, Saturday evening, July 29, 1854; he began working at his trade and continued in it many years. He has lived in this county over twenty-four years. He has been engaged in the grocery business since 1873; he has held the office of city councilman. He married Miss Letitia A. McBeth, from Logan county, Ohio, March 18, 1852; they have three children, Laura Alice, Lucy Ann, and Mattie J.; and have lost two children.
Mays, William S., druggist.
McAyeal, Rev. R. A., pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, Oskaloosa; born in Washington county, Pa., January 9, 1825, he was raised in Westmorland county, and received his literary education at West Geneva College, and entered Alleghany Theological Seminary; he was licensed to preach in August, 1855, and came to Oskaloosa, Iowa, in June, 1856, and assumed the pastoral charge of the church, where he has preached for the past twenty-two years, and is the only pastor here now that was here when he came, there being one other, and possibly two ministers in this State that have preached for twenty-two years to the same congregation. He was chaplain in the army of the Thirty-third Regiment Iowa Infantry one year during the war. He married Miss Mary E. Sharpe, from Delaware, Ohio, June 2, 1856; they have four children, one son and three daughters.
McCall, Francis W., proprietor of the Oskaloosa marble works, Oskaloosa; born in Galea county, Ohio, October 9, 1831; he came at an early age to La Salle county, Ill.; his father died when he was only seven years old; he worked out for four dollars a month; he was bound out to learn the wagon maker's trade; after serving his time, he married Miss Emma Woodward, from Taunton, Mass., in La Salle county, Ills., November 3, 1852; they came to Iowa by wagon, and arrived here in Oskaloosa; in May, 1855 engaged in wagon making and carpenter business; in 1862 he engaged in his present business; he had nothing when he began, and by energy and good management his business has grown, and in this line is one of the most extensive in the State, extending over this State, and beyond it. They have four children, Lewis H., Ella, Lilly and Charlie, and they have lost four children.
McCarty, Dennis, laborer.
McCarty, Cornelius, second-hand furniture.
McCoy, Ben, attorney, firm Bolton &; McCoy, Oskaloosa; born in Jefferson county Indiana, March 22, 1846; when nine years of age he removed with his parents to Mitchell county, Iowa, and came to Mahaska county in March, 1856. He received his education in this State, entered Cornell college at Mt. Vernon, in the class of "68"; he studied law in Seevers &; Cutts of this city, and was admitted to the bar in 1871, and since then has practiced his profession here; he enlisted in Forty-seventh Regiment of Iowa Infantry, company C; has held office of city solicitor, and is a member of the school board; married Miss Mary M. Dixon, from Ohio, January 1, 1870; they have three children, Eva, John N., and Samuel R.
McCoy, W. F., grocer.
McCulluch, James, of the firm of McMullin &; Co., livery and boarding stable; born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 29, 1836, he was brought up and lived there until 1864, when he came to Iowa, and located in the county and engaged in farming and stock raising; he was also engaged extensively in buying and shipping stock. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres; he sold off most of his land and came to Oskaloosa and associated with Major McMullin in his present business; he has held office of city councilman; he married Miss Harriet Devers, from Ohio, in Jan., 1865; they have two children, Charlie and Vida.
McCurdy, Jonas B., firm of J. B. McCurdy &; Co., furniture dealers, Oskaloosa; born in Franklin county, Ohio, August 4, 1843; he lived there eleven years, and came to Iowa in 1854; lived in Cedar and Poweshiek counties; was in the army; enlisted in the 28th Regiment Iowa Inf'y, Co. C, August 14, 1862. On account of ill-health was on detached service in V. R. C.; was discharged July 5, 1865; after the war he came to Oskaloosa and was connected with the woolen mill; they put in the first woolen machinery. He has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for the past eight years; has held the office of city councilman; married Miss Marcella P. Moore, from Morrow county, Ohio, in September, 1872; they have two children, Lena A., and Ralph B.
McGee, Thomas, Sr., shoemaker.
McGee, Thomas, Jr., shoemaker.
McKamey, Andrew, occulist.
McKee, A. W., carpenter.
McKinley, John, clerk, A. M. Abraham.
McMikel, Dan, conductor buss line.
McMillen, B. F., physician.
McMullin, James W., firm Mullin &; Co., livery, sale and boarding stable; born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1827, and when ten years age removed with his parents to Dark county Ohio; lived there and in Piqua, Miami county, until 1855, when he came to Oskaloosa; he went in the army; enlisted in the 7th Regiment Iowa Infantry, and was commissioned Captain Co. C; was in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and the advance on Corinth, and the battles of Inka, Corinth, and in the whole advance from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and others. He was wounded in the battle of Corinth, and lost his horse. He was promoted and commissioned Major at battle of Pittsburg Landing. After the war he returned here and has been engaged in business here ever since. He married Miss Carrie E. Munsell, from Miami Co., Ohio, April 24, 1855; they have one daughter, now Mrs. J. R. Noble, of Fort Madison.
McNalty, Pat, works on railroad.
McNeilan, J. S., baker.
McQuiston, James, undertaker.
Mendenhall, E., house mover.
Mendenhall, Ezekiel, carpenter.
Mendenhall, J. C., farmer.
Mendenhall, Moses, retired, Oskaloosa; born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and when ten years of age, removed to Columbus, Ohio, and was brought up there. He was connected with iron interests in Belmont county, Ohio, and operated the first iron blast furnace within a section of one hundred miles; he yet retains an interest in the iron works. He came to Iowa in 1871, and located in Oskaloosa; he owns a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Marshall county. He was elected to the State Legislature in Ohio, in 1855. he married Sarah Johnson, from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1843; they have five children, and have lost three.
Mendenhall, T. W., farmer.
Merrill, Jesse J., tonsorial parlors, Oskaloosa; born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1848; when seven years of age he came with his parents to Iowa, and located in Jasper county, in 1855; came to Oskaloosa in 1871 and engaged in the insurance business with Cook &; Hunt; has been engaged in his present business for the past five years. He married Miss Alta L. Orvis, from Wisconsin, June 10, 1877; she was principal of the school at Beacon, and was engaged in teaching for a long time.
Merrill, Thomas, minister.
Mershon, G., grocer.
Metler, Wesley, teamster.
Miller, Fenton, furniture dealer, Oskaloosa. Born in Louden county, Va., December 27, 1826; he removed at an early age with his parents to Muskingum county, Ohio, and was brought up there and at Zanesville, and learned the chair making business; he left Zanesville, Ohio, March 20, 1854, and arrived in Oskaloosa April 5, 1854, and has lived here almost a quarter of a century; engaged in painting, and then was clerk in store for three years, and then went to work at his trade; he has been engaged in the furniture business for himself since 1866 and is the oldest furniture house here; married Cynthia J. Yerian, from Muskingum county, Ohio, near Zanesville, December, 1852; they have three children, Laura J., Harry and Cora, and have lost three children, two sons and one daughter.
Miller, George, blacksmith.
Minnick, David, coal man.
Mitchell, G. B., teamster.
Mitchell, J. M., cooper.
Mogran, Prof. William B., president Penn College, Oskaloosa. Born in Henry county, Indiana, December 2, 1830; he was brought up there receiving the advantages of a common school education, and then attended the Friends' Boarding School, now Ehrhan College, at Richmond, Ind. He afterward entered school at Haverford, Pa., and graduated there in 1853; after graduating there he was engaged in teaching at Westtown, Pa., and had charge of the classical department; while there he became acquainted with Miss Sarah Henley, from North Carolina, who was also engaged in teaching there, and they were married October 10, 1855; after teaching in Ehrlan College he entered the University of Michigan and took a course in engineering and graduated; he was appointed professor of mathematics, in Ehrlan college, and continued for some years; he was professor of mathematics and engineering, in Perdue University, at Lafayette and was afterward appointed governor of Ehrlan College; he was called to the presidency of Penn College in the fall of 1876; he has taken a high position as an educator, and the institution is prospering under his management; he has two children, William Earl and Jesse Henley.
Montgomery, J. C., carpenter.
Montgomery, John C., carpenter.
Moore, David R., clerk of the courts of Mahaska county, Oskaloosa. Born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1840; he was brought up and received his education there and prepared himself for teaching; he commenced teaching when seventeen years of age; he came to Iowa in 1865 and located in this county, and was engaged in teaching for some years; he was elected clerk of the courts of this county in 1874, and re-elected in 1876, and again reelected in 1878; he married Miss Nora King, from Washington county, Ohio, October 26, 1869.
Moore, H. C., dealer in lumber, Oskaloosa. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 23, 1831; he was brought up in that State and lived there until 1856, when he came to Iowa and located at Waterloo; removed to Waverly and was elected clerk of the courts of Bremner county and held that office for six years, and also held town and school offices; he came to this county in 1868 has been engaged in the lumber business for the past three years; married Miss Elizabeth L. Parkhurst, from Norwalk, Ohio, in March, 1858; they have one daughter, Ella L.
Moore, John M., carpenter.
Moony, D., clerk.
Morgan, Dr. J. W., druggist and physician, Oskaloosa. Born in East Tennessee, November 20, 1836, and lived there until twenty-four years of age, when he came to Oskaloosa, November 27, 1860. Being engaged to open Spring Creek Institute, he continued in the management of the institution for eighteen months, and on account of failing health was obliged to retire and removed to Warren county and went on a farm; his health becoming restored he studied medicine and attended lectures in Cincinnati, and after graduating practiced his profession in Warren county until 1876, when he removed to this city and engaged in the drug business; he married Miss Lizzie Cox from Indiana, in 1862; she died in 1872; he married Mrs. Col. McCowan, from Illinois, in 1876; she has one daughter, Anna.
Morris, Geo. W., laborer.
Munroe, Charles, carpenter.
Murray, Ed., laborer.
Musgrove, Sam., laborer.
Myers, J. C., pump manufacturer.
Nachman, M., meat market.
Naegle, John, shoemaker.
Nash, Wm., agent and dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery, Oskaloosa; born in Green county, Ohio, May 3, 1832, and removed in infancy to Warren county, Illinois, and was brought up and lived there until 1867, when he came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa, and engaged in his present business; married Miss Ann E. Boyd, from Columbus, Ohio, in 1859; they have 6 children, Carrie, Charles, Eddie, Howard, William, and little son not named.
Needham, David, retired.
Needham, William H., born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August 22, 1840, and when 13 years of age came with his parents to Iowa; they came by wagon, and were 21 days on the way and arrived here in October, 1853; he attended school here, and in 1857 entered the Herald office and learned the printing business; after working at his trade here, and at Des Moines, and Albia, he enlisted in the 22d Regiment. Iowa Infantry, Co. D; was in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Jackson, Black River Bridge, and in the charge on Vicksburg, May 22d, 1863, and during time siege of Vicksburg; was also under Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, at battle of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek; he enlisted as private and was promoted sergeant, then 2d Lieutenant, and afterward 1st Lieutenant Co. D; after the war he returned and bought an interest in the Herald, and was connected with it for 12 years; he held the office of postmaster for 6 years, from February 1st, 1870, to March 1st, 1876; and is president of the Mahaska county blue ribbon club; married Miss Olive A. Knowlton, from Clinton county, Ohio, December 20, 1866; they have four children, Charles K., John R., Edna Pauline, and a little girl;lost one daughter, Alice Pearl.
Newbrandt, Christiana, Mrs., of the firm of Blattner &; Newbrandt, Oskaloosa; was born in Germany, and when 17 years of age emigrated to this country; in 1853 she went to Ohio and lived there 5 years; while living there she married David Newbrandt in 1858; he was born in Germany in 1832, and emigrated to America in 1849; he lived in Cincinnati, and in Delaware, O.; after they were married they came to Iowa and settled in Oskaloosa, May 7, 1858; engaged in brewery business, and continued in the business until his death, which occurred June 10, 1877, leaving 6 children, Charles, George, Willie, Christina, David and Rosa; Mrs. Newbrandt still retains an interest in the business.
Newell, Thomas, stone cutter.
Nichols, A. S., retired, farmer, Oskaloosa; born in Highland county, Ohio, December 25, 1811; he was brought up in that State, and learned the blacksmith trade; in 1836 he removed to Wolf Lake, Indiana, and in 1837 he removed to Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, and was one of the early settlers there; he married Miss Mary Edgar, July 10, 1833, in Springfield; she was from Highland county, Ohio; they came from Illinois in their own wagon, started April 22, 1843, and arrived at the boundary line of the Indian territory, April 29th on Friday, and came in the Indian purchase Sunday, May 1st; after staking out his claim, the following Wednesday he returned to the boundary line after his family; he bought a claim which proved to be in four townships and in two counties; the claim he first made was claimed by others, and he would not contest for it, but gave it up, and did much better by not doing so; he started the first blacksmith shop in this county, and the first one west of Agency City; he has had persons came 50 miles to have a plough sharpened, which cost $25; in the following September he sold out down in Harrison township and came here to the county seat at Oskaloosa, and bought the claim where he now lives, and engaged in blacksmithing, which he continued until 1856; he planted the first apple and cherry, trees, and dug the first well in Mahaska county; he went 80 miles to Bonaparte to mill; he used to do work in his shop here for customers 50 miles above Des Moines, making the distance over 100 miles; he was one of the commissioners on the first board of commissioners elected in this county; he was again elected county commissioner but did not serve; he was elected assessor, but as a rule he has steadily avoided office. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are old and honored settlers of this city and county; they have brought up four children, all of whom are married except one, who is now living at home with them.
Nichol, Thomas, retired.
Nidiver, G. M., plaster.
Ninde, H. P., insurance.
Noe, J. B., proprietor Oskaloosa Hotel and Marble Works, Oskaloosa; born in Licking county Ohio, January 10, 1832; when five years of age he removed to Noble county, Indiana, and lived there until 1856, when he came to Knoxville, Iowa, and to Oskaloosa in 1859; was engaged in preaching for several years, was laboring in the interests of the college, and was a director in that institution; has been actively identified with temperance interests; has been engaged in marble business for the past twelve years; married Miss Sarah Balantine, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 4, 1854; she was from Franklin Co., Ohio; they have six children, one son and five daughters.
Norris, R. W., teacher.
Nugent, Dr. W. R. druggist.
Nowles, Moses, farmer.
Oberfell, Joseph, cooper.
O'Hara, George E., clerk.
O'Hara, Ralph, insurance.
Oldhamn, William, bridge builder.
Owen, Dr. C. G., physician; born in Derby, Orleans county, Vermont, August 9, 1806; when seven years of age removed to York state, and from there to Monroe county, Michigan, near where the battle of Frenchtown was fought; he studied medicine in Ohio; came to Iowa and arrived in Oskaloosa May 13, 1845, and located on the corner of Jefferson and High streets, and lived there in that location thirty-two years; he is one of the old settlers, and has practiced his profession here for thirty-two years, longer than any other physician here; he has been married three times; his first wife was Mariam Roup, from Pennsylvania, married September 11, 1828; she died in 1841, leaving two children, Eliza M. and Henry B.; married Electa C. Frederick, from Cumberland Co., Ohio, in 1843; she died in 1858; in 1860 he married Mrs. Cynthia Kyle, from Ohio.
Owen, Henry B., carpenter and builder, Oskaloosa; born in Muskingum county, Ohio, December 25, 1834; when about ten years of age came with his parents in covered wagon to Iowa; they arrived in this town in May, 1844, and were among the first settlers here; he learned trade of carpenter and joiner, and is the oldest builder and mechanic here; married Miss P. A. Barton, from Wayne county, Indiana, March 1., 1855; they have six children, Chester T., Eva M., Lucinda A., Mabel, Barton, Bessie, and have lost two children Frank and Myrtle.
Paine, A. A., laborer.
Pardun, Vincent, magnetic healer.
Parkhurst, A. J., proprietor Parkhurst Washing Machine, Oskaloosa; born in Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, October 24, 1833; was removed to Ohio in infancy, and came to Bremer Co., Iowa, in 1852, lived there sixteen years, and came here in 1868; he patented the Parkhurst Washing Machine, and in 1877 he engaged in manufacturing them; married Lucinda Sherwood, from Bethel, Connecticut, in 1858; they have one son, Elmer.
Parker, Richard, farmer.
Parsons, George W., clerk.
Patterson, John, car repairer.
Patton, William N., clerk.
Perdue, B. R., blacksmith, Oskaloosa; born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, July 15, 1820; he was brought up and learned his trade there; he lived there and in Illinois until 1849, when he came to Iowa by wagon; they were twenty-eight days on the way, and during their journey only crossed the track of one railroad; they arrived here October 28, 1849; he engaged in blacksmithing, and has carried on the business longer than any blacksmith here, and is one of the early settlers; he was a volunteer in the three-month service during the war, but was not accepted; he has held office of city councilman for four years, and is a member of the masonic order, thirty-second degree; he married Miss Catharine Shriver, from Stark county, Ohio, April 7, 1844; they have seven children, four sons and three daughters.
Perdue, David S., painter.
Perdue, Pierce, printer.
Perdue, C. A., retired.
Perkins, George, coal miner.
Perkins, John, butcher,
Phillips, T. G., retired, Oskaloosa; born in Scott county, Kentucky, February 18, 1823, and when nine years old removed to Morgan county, Illinois, and lived there until twenty-one years of age, when, with his parents, he started for Iowa by ox team; he drove four yoke of cattle to one wagon; they were about twenty days on the way, and arrived here in Oskaloosa April 22, 1844; they brought provisions with them, and the settlers being aware of it before they had unloaded their goods, people came with pails, pans and dishes to borrow flour, and, though they were all strangers, every one was helped and no questions asked; there was only one log cabin in the town, and a new double log house, not completed, for a hotel; his father had bought five hundred acres the previous year, and they built a cabin and moved into it without any floor; he was engaged in farming for twenty-five years; all the land they took up when they came is now in the city; he has held the offices of justice of the peace, assessor, and was acting sheriff and member of the board of supervisors; he married Miss Semira A. Hobbs, from Indiana, January, 1846; she taught the first school in Mahaska county; they have two children, O. C. G., lawyer, and O. Q., living at home.
Phillips, O. C. G., attorney, Oskaloosa; born in Oskaloosa, August 31, 1848, and was brought up here; he received his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and then studied law with Judge Crookham, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1872; since then he has practiced his profession; he married Miss Sallie J. Newhall, from Delaware, Ohio, in September, 1873; they have three children, Dot, Jack, and Anna Lee.
Pickerell, William, retired.
Pike, Robert G., carpenter.
Pilgrim, William H., dealer in stoves and house furnishing goods, Oskaloosa; born in Whiteside county, Illinois, August 29, 1839, and when three years of age came with his uncle to this county, in 1842, before the Indians left, and was one of the earliest settlers here, there being very few now living that were here then; he was brought up here; he went west to the Rocky Mountains, California and Oregon; he was in the army, in the First Regiment Colorado Infantry, Company H; the regiment was afterward mounted; he was in many severe skirmishes; was in service two years, then returned, and has been engaged in business for the past seven years; married Miss Jennie Ayres, from Marion county, in 1871; they have four children, Medora, Charles A., William A., and a little girl not named.
Pillsbury, Rev. W. H. H., pastor First M. E. Church, Oskaloosa; born in York county, Maine, July 14, 1840, and was brought up and received his education there, until the breaking out of the rebellion; he was preparing for the ministry, and had completed his sophomore year when he enlisted in the Seventeenth Regiment Maine Infantry, Company I; he was in the battles of the army of the Potomac; among them was the second battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and others; he was discharged on account of sickness, after serving two years; he returned and resumed his studies, and graduated at the Boston University and in the school of theology, and began preaching in 1868; in 1870 he as transferred west, and had charge of Division Street church, in Burlington, Iowa, for three years, and at Keokuk for two years, and came to his present large and growing church in 1876, and has, at the conference just closed, been appointed here for another year, at the unanimous request of his people; he married Miss Eliza C. Bowers, from Kennebec county, Maine, August 3, 1870; they have four children, Walter B., Willie H. H., Sue, and Edward A.
Pool, Simeon, retired.
Porter, Nelson D., publisher and proprietor of the Oskaloosa Standard. Born in Brownville, Pa., January 23, 1838; he was brought up and regularly educated and studied for the ministry; preached in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Pennsylvania, for six years; then removed to Ohio and preached in Union Presbyterian and Congregational Churches; since then has preached in the Congregational Church; he came to Iowa in 1870, and came here in 1875, assuming the management of the Oskaloosa Standard. He married Miss Sallie A. Bennett, from Brownville, Pa., June 2, 1864; she died in Chicago, December 22, 1867; he married Anna P. Grover, from Cleveland, in August, 1869; he has four children, Harry S., Chris, C., Fred N., and Ada M. Mr. Porter was chaplain of the 58th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the war.
Price, Henry, dealer in watches, clocks and jewelry, Oskaloosa; Born in Franklin county, Indiana, July 21, 1831; he was brought up and lived there until twenty-one years of age; then removed to Illinois. He was in the army; enlisted in 1862, in the 119th Regiment Illinois Infantry, Co. C; he was in a number of battles and skirmishes, was mustered out in 1865, came to Oskaloosa in 1867, and since then has been engaged in his present business, Married Miss M. J. Gardner, from Cincinnati, in April, 1867; they have two children, George L. and Edgar S.
Priestly, James, cook.
Prine, M. K.., farmer and fine stock.
Priestly, William, laborer.
Quick, D. C., clerk Proudfit &; Co.
Raynes, L. B., retired.
Ream, John, teamster.
Reser, David, shoemaker.
Rhinehart, James, retired, Born in Greene county, Pa., August 22, 1802; he was brought up and received his education there; then studied law and was admitted to the bar; he lived in Pennsylvania thirty years, and removed to Guernsey county, Ohio and practiced law there; held the office of justice of the peace there for nine years. He came to this county in May, 1854, and located on a large farm, but after one year he came to Oskaloosa and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was elected judge of Mahaska county, and held that position for eight years, transacting all of his business without a clerk; he held the office of mayor of this city for three years. Married Miss Delila Eagon, from Waynesburg, Greene county, Pa., They have three children, Mrs. Eliza J. Johnson, Mrs. Minerva McKinley, and Mrs. Lubitia Smith; they have lost one son.
Rice, Jas. A., attorney, Oskaloosa, Son of the late Gen. S. A. Rice; was born in Oskaloosa, September 30, 1855; after attending school here he took his college course at Jefferson college, class of 1875, and then entered the law department of the Iowa State University, and graduated in 1877; since then he has practiced his profession here. He holds the office of mayor of this city; was elected March 4, 1878.
Rice, Milo M., county recorder.
Rickey, J. B., traveling salesman,
Rinard, Henry, teamster,
Rinker, W. A., grocer.
Robb, William, spinner.
Roberts, J. W., carpenter.
Roberts, J. L., farmer.
Robertson, David, carpenter.
Rogers, Ezekiel, carpenter.
Rogers, Frank, laborer,
Rogers, Charles, teamster.
Rosenberger, Henry D., miller.
Ross, George A., county auditor, Oskaloosa; born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 19, 1840; his father was professor of Bethany College, Virginia, for seventeen years, and was professor and acting President of Oskaloosa College, and was President of Franklin College, Ohio, until his death which occurred in February, 1876. The subject of this sketch received his education at Bethany, Virginia, and then attended West Liberty Academy, Virginia, now the State Normal school, for two Years; he engaged in teaching at Lexington, Kentucky, and at Hickman, and then to Wheeling; at Wheeling he held the office of assistant assessor of Internal Revenue until 1865; he came to this county in 1867; he was elected county Auditor in 1873, and was re-elected in 1875, and again re-elected in 1877; married Miss Emma Yarrall from Wheeling, Virginia, in fall of 1861; he has 7 children, 6 sons and one daughter.
Rounds, L. D., dentist.
Ruple, J. R., miller.
Ryan, Pat, gardner.
Scott, W. R., carpenter.
Scott, David E., physician and surgeon.
Scruggs, J. E,, retired.
Searle, Charles P., attorney, land and loan agency, Oskaloosa; born in Chester, Hampden county, Massachusetts, April 16, 1831; he was brought up and received his education there, and in 1850 moved to Trumbull county, Ohio; he came to Iowa and located in this county in May 1854, and went in a store, and afterwards engaged in mercantile business until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in 1861 in the 8th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. H; he was in the battle of Shiloh and was taken prisoner there April 6, 1862; he was taken to Montgomery, and then to Macon, and Madison, Georgia, and to Libby prison; he was a prisoner 6 months,- and was exchanged October 19th, 1862; he joined his regiment in St. Louis, and was in the siege of Vicksburg and in the two battles of Jackson; at Brandon he was promoted from Sergeant major of the regiment to 1st Lieutenant, and was promoted to, and commissioned Captain of the company; during Forrest's raid on Memphis when the Union forces were surprised, Captain Searle and his command were taken prisoners; though he was severely wounded he was determined not to again partake of the hospitality of Libby prison; he had narrow escapes from death several times, but his life was saved by his courage and presence of mind; he still suffers from the wounds he received; he was discharged in January 1865, on account of disability; after the war he was elected clerk of the courts in 1866, and held that office for 8 years; during this time he studied law and was admitted to the bar; he was cashier of the National State Bank, and afterward purchased the abstract books and engaged in his present business; married Miss Martha E. Turner, daughter of Rev. Asa Turner, April 12th, 1859; they have 3 daughters, Dora E., Alice M., and Hattie L.
Seerley, Prof. Homer H., superintendent of schools of the Independent District of Oskaloosa; born in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 13, 1848; when three years of age his parents removed to Stark county, Illinois, and he came with them to Iowa, in 1854, and located in Keokuk county. He attended the common schools in that county, and in April, 1866, entered the preparatory department of the Iowa State University; remained there for one year, and then engaged in teaching until 1869, when he returned to the Iowa University and entered the freshman class and graduated in the academical department, in 1873. He came here the following September and engaged in teaching as assistant in the High School, and teacher of German; the following year he was chosen principal of the High school, and in April, 1875, he was elected to his present position as superintendent of schools; this action was entirely unexpected on his part, and was done without his knowledge. He has been elected to the same position every year since. Prof. Seerley labors indefatigably for the interests of the schools, and during the three years that he has occupied his present position, there has not been an appeal to the school board. He married Miss Clara F. Twaddle, of this city, July 9, 1878.
Seevers, Byron V., attorney, Oskaloosa; born in Coshocton county, Ohio, March 3, 1847, and when six years of age, came with his parents to Iowa, arriving in this county in 1858; he attended school here, and completed his education in Ohio. After graduation there, he returned and studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1874, and since then he has practiced his profession here; he is a member of the school board. He married Miss Laura M. Smith, daughter of Wm. T. Smith, Esq., January 1, 1874; they have two children, Ada L, and Mildred Pauline.
Seevers, Mrs. Mary, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Collins, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, and lived there until fifteen years of age, and then came with her parents to Marion county, Iowa and came to Mahaska county, in early part of 1854. She married James A. Seevers, in May, 1855. He was born in Jefferson Co., Va., March 6, 1832; when ten years of age he came with his father to Iowa, His father left him in school at Burlington, but he did not have a very good opinion of the teacher, so he left and started on foot and walked to Oskaloosa. He received his education in this State, and studied law with his brother, Judge Seevers, and was admitted to the bar in 1853, and engaged in practice of law, Upon the breaking out of the war, he, with one or two others, raised a company, and enlisted in October, 1861; was elected and commissioned captain of Company C, 15th Regiment, Iowa Infantry. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Bolivar, Corinth, and received injuries on the march from Corinth to Grand Junction, and was obliged to resign. After his return, he practiced law here until his death, November 5, 1865, leaving three children, Charles A,, James E., and Eva.
Seevers, Thomas, Oskaloosa, foundry.
Seevers, Judge W. H., While in this land of democratic principles and sudden changes, which sometimes lift the cobbler's apprentice to the foremost legislative honors, or drop the son of a world's idol into the gutter and bury him in an unknown grave, there is not much attention given to family rank and ancestral deeds; yet it is sometimes with a pardonable pride that the friends of a man who has emulated the good name of his forefathers, point to the record of his family and read with pleasure the life work of his kinsman. Judge Seevers is of one of the proud old Virginia families; his father, James Seevers, who still lives with him, is one of the heroes of 1812, who has lived to receive the morning smiles of the quarter of a century whose quarter had seen him a retired volunteer from his country's service, a sharer in the battle of Baltimore. James Seevers married Rebecca Wilkins, of Virginia, in August 1819, and of their children the subject of this sketch is the oldest survivor. Mr. Seevers family was arge one, being of eight sons and two daughters of whom those living besides Judge Seevers are Mrs. M. T. Williams and Thos. L. Seevers, of Marshalltown. The family came to Mahaska in 1843, arriving in June; the journey was made across the prairies by means of a four-horse team and one horse barouche. The father made a claim of a quarter section about one mile southeast of Oskaloosa. Three sons were in the war; John N. as sergeant, James A. as captain, and Theodorick as second lieutenant. The venerable father of this family, of whom it is our pleasure to speak thus fully, is now (1878) eighty-six years of age, and is one of Mahaska's most respected pioneers; he bears well and heartily the honors of a ripe old age. Judge Seevers did not come to Iowa until the year following the immigration of his parents; he arrived in June, 1844, finding at that date the glory of Oskaloosa wrapt in the embryo of a boarding shanty and a corner grocery. Mr. Seevers chose the law as his profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1846, at which time he began practice; he is the only attorney yet living in Oskaloosa who was engaged in practice at that time; he was elected prosecuting attorney in 1848 (?) and served two years, and from 1852 to 1856 filled with credit the office of district judge; two terms in the legislature, during the years 1848 and 1874, brought to the judge a state reputation, and in 1876, having been temporarily appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa, he was elected to that position by the votes of the people in the fall of the same year; still holds that high place of honor. February, 1849, Mr. Seevers married Miss Caroline M. Lee; their children are Mrs. Jennie Briggs, Mrs. Carrie Fletcher, Harry W., Grace, Nellie and Wm. H.; death plucked one blossom, a daughter, Alice, Judge Seevers is a standard man; it were well for our nation had she more such on the bench; reliable, true as steel, himself a close reasoner, Judge Seevers, early in his judicial career, became a favorite of the bar, and the terror of "shysters," a class whose friendship is easily spared.
Setzer, D, H., Oskaloosa City Flooring Mills; born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, September 21, 1833; when between two and three years of age, he removed with his parents to Licking county, Ohio; he learned his business in that state, and lived there about twenty years; came to Iowa, in 1857, and, located in this county; engaged in the milling business, and has been engaged in it since then, twenty-one years, and longer than anyone here in the same business, He married Miss Ann E. Colwell, from Licking county, Ohio, in February, 1860; they have three children, Martin V., Emily M. and David J,; and they have lost two children.
Shannon, Jabez, butcher.
Shannon, John A., dealer in dry goods and groceries, Oskaloosa; born in Warren county, New Jersey, November 25, 1839; when sixteen years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa, in September, 1856, and located in Mahaska county, at New Sharon, and engaged in farming; went in the army; enlisted August, 1862, in the 33d Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. D; was in the siege of Mobile, and Red River expedition, and others; was in the service three years. After the war he was in the engineering department of the Central Railroad of Iowa, for five years, and engaged in his present business in 1872. He is a member of the city council, He married Miss Katie C. White, from Chillicothe, Ohio, February 14, 1871.
Shaw, John, constable,
Shaw, Thomas E., Prof. Penn College.
Shaw, William H., firm of Shaw &; Loring, grocery and provision dealers, Oskaloosa; born in Mufflin county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1840; when eight years of age, removed to Ohio and lived there nine years, and came with his parents to Iowa, in 1858, and located in this county, near Fremont, on a farm; he was also engaged in teaching. He was in the army; enlisted August 12, 1862, in the 33d Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. K; was orderly sergeant of the company; was in the battle, of Helena, siege of Spanish Fort, and others, and in many skirmishes and raids; was discharged August 8, 1865. After his return from the service, he engaged in teaching, and afterward engaged in business, and has continued for the past twelve years. He married Miss S. M. Mc Williams, from Ohio, October 25, 1868; they have two children, Ella C. and Ernest H.
Sharp, R. A., carpenter.
Sheak, J. H., firm Sheak &; Shirra, elevator, buying and shipping grain, Oskaloosa; born in Duchess county, New York, and at an early age removed to Binghampton, where he was brought up; he was engaged in business for some years in New York City and Philadelphia; came to Oskaloosa in 1873, and engaged in grain and elevator business; they ship grain to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and eastern markets; he married Miss Lizzie Martin, from Pennsylvania, in September, 1867; they have had one son, David W., who died in infancy.
Shearer, James, minister.
Shearer, W. J., minister.
Shoemake, Isaac, farmer.
Shoemake, M. L., pump business.
Shriver, David, gunsmith.
Shriver, L. P. firm Whitaker &; Shriver; born in Columbiana Co., Ohio in 1832 and lived there until 1850, when he came with his parents by wagon to Iowa; were twenty-eight days on the way, and only crossed one railroad track during the entire journey; they came to this county April 1, 1851, and located in Harrison township; they were early settlers, only few being there at that time; he engaged in farming and stock raising, and continued it for many years; engaged in his present business in 1877; he has held office of township clerk, and served on the hoard of supervisors for three years.
Sims, John, barber,
Simmons, A., painter.
Simmons, P. J., painter.
Sinclair, Samuel, laborer.
Smith, Al, stone cutter.
Smith, C. M., farmer and stock dealer.
Smith, D. C., minister.
Smith, Henry, tinner.
Smith, John C., stone mason.
Smith, Omer, farmer.
Smith, S. E., stone mason.
Smith, T. K., jeweler.
Smith, William T,, the subject of this sketch is recognized at once as among the foremost citizens, and superior business men of Mahaska county; he is, and has been known in many parts of the State, as one of Oskaloosa's staunchest capitalists; Mr. Smith sprang from the middle ranks of life, whence the majority of successful men can trace their lineage; he was born May 23, 1824, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, his parents removing thence to Ohio while he was yet a lad, first to Dayton, and thence to Xenia; his parents had been in fair circumstances, but lost heavily in assisting others; during his boyhood young Smith attended the select school of Thomas Steele in Xenia several seasons, working in the summer on a farm or in town; at the age of sixteen he commenced teaching district school, and continued teaching, mostly in winter, and attending school or reading law in summer, until July 31, 1847, when on examination by the Supreme Court of Ohio, at Defiance, he was regularly admitted to practice as attorney and counselor at law in any of the courts of the State of Ohio, On the 18th day of September 1847, with but $35 in his pocket, and light baggage, not supposing he knew a single individual in Iowa, he started for the far western Hawkeye State to seek his fortune on the frontier; descending the Ohio, thence up the Mississippi to Burlington; he was there on October 18, 1847, admitted to the Iowa bar, on motion of J. C. Hall of that place; Judge Williams was at that time on the Bench of this district; having taught school one winter near Fairfield, Mr. Smith on his coming into Oskaloosa, brought with him three dollars in money and quite a scanty wardrobe; soon after his arrival, (March 10, 1848), he entered into a law partnership with W. H. Seevers, and as neither of the "young limbs" had law books or money, Mr. Smith went to Burlington and purchased one hundred dollars worth of books from J. Fox Abrams, "on time," after making a plain statement of his financial condition, prospects, etc.; he was forced in the same way to secure credit for his board bill; but brighter days were ahead; at the annual election held in 1848, Mr. Smith having received the almost unanimous nomination of the Democratic county convention, was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the county, which office he held during two years; re-visiting Ohio in the summer of 1849, he married Miss Magdalene Shannon, of Green county, in that State; upon dissolution of partnership with Judge Seevers, May 17, 1852, he associated with Judge Loughridge in legal practice; this partnership closed within the first year, and September 1, 1854 he became a member of the firm of Smith &; Williams, Mr. M. T. Williams being his partner; these gentlemen, as elsewhere mentioned, opened the first bank in Oskaloosa, March 1, 1855, they continued in partnership until January 1st, 1857, when Mr. Smith became sole proprietor of the bank, under the style of Wm. T. Smith &; Co.; from this time, for some ten years, Mr. Smith was foremost in banking interests at the county seat, of which full particulars are given in a previous chapter on "banking in Oskaloosa," where the reader can see more clearly the prominence of Mr. Smith in this business, than could be set forth in a personal sketch. Mr. Smith while an attorney, had acquired quite a reputation in the line of mercantile collections, then a very considerable and profitable business in Iowa; to avoid the throwing away of business of this kind, which frequently offered itself; and which Mr. S. had no time to attend to, he became a beneficiary, but not a working partner in the firm of Smith, Rice &; Myers, in 1857; this firm was dissolved April 1, 1859; as president of the school board during several terms, and also as member of the board of directors, Mr. Smith rendered active and valuable service to the cause of public education; many improvements in buildings and methods, were made at his suggestions or with his aid; he was a large subscriber to Oskaloosa College, and in the contest made for securing its location at Oskaloosa by the church controlling it, took an active part, and was the author of the proposition made in the convention securing such location. As a land owner, agriculturist and citizen, Mr. Smith has taken great interest in Mahaska county fairs, having been intimately connected with every association of the kind, from his inception until the present time, more or less, as exhibitor, contributor, stockholder, director and president; he was also a member of the finance committee, on the part of the State Agricultural Society for some years, and by his wise financiering and counsels, contributed to its welfare. The list of city officers in Oskaloosa shows Mr. Smith to have been its first Mayor, elected in 1853; and that he afterward filled that office in 1856, 1857, and again in 1872; these facts are the more complimentary when it is considered that he was a member of the minority party in the city, and evinces alike the gratitude of Oskaloosa citizens for his public work and enterprise, as well as executive force, and his impartial and strict enforcement of the laws, Mr. Smith was president of the "Iowa Insurance Company" during the time of its existence; this company as will be seen elsewhere on these pages, was an institution of excellent record; Mr. Smith's presidency of the Iowa Central road during two years of the most trying time of its construction, and his praiseworthy efforts in carrying forward this enterprise, are given in connection with the history of the Central road in the previous part of this work, Mr. Smith as likewise been interested in every railroad project in Mahaska county, sometimes to his considerable cost, and repaid even by a doubtful gratitude for some of his sacrifices. Though not a politician Mr. Smith was raised, and ever has been, a Democrat, and believes it to be the duty of every citizen to watch and participate in an intelligent way in the political movements of the nation. At the outbreak of the rebellion, Mr. Smith, believing the South should seek redress and assert its rights under the Constitution and in the Union, was among the first at a public meeting held at Union Hall, in Oskaloosa, to announce himself in favor of coercion and was active in all movements in his neighborhood, gotten upon the side of the Union. That Mr. Smith did as much, and perhaps more, for his country than any other Mahaskan who remained at home, is evident from Mr. Kirkwood's letter, which we give below. In 1870, Mr. Smith, by unanimous and unexpected nomination of the Democracy of what was then the fourth district, became an unwilling candidate for United States Representative. This district at that time contained a greater population than any other in the United States, and the battlefield in which Mr. Smith was to contest with his opponent, Hon, Madison M. Walden, then Lieutenant-Governor of the State, was a wide one in which, in point of members, Mr. Smith's party was ordinarily in a a very considerable minority. By arrangement, the candidates made a joint canvass, speaking in most of the important places in each of the twelve counties in the district. That being a day in which a man's war record was an important matter, that Mr. Smith's position might be indisputably shown, the following letter was put in circulation: Ex-Governor Kirkwood's Letter to hon. Wm. T. Smith Democratic Candidate for Representative in Congress from Iowa Fourth Congressional District. Iowa City Aug. 27 1870. Wm. T. Smith, Esq., Oskaloosa, Iowa. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 25th inst., asking me for a statement relative to your course during the late war between the United States and the so-called Southern Confederacy, so far as the same came under my observation, during my term of office as Governor, has just been received, and I very cheerfully comply with your request. It is well known to some, but may not be known to all the people of our State, that those who were charged with the duty of placing in the field the troops called for from this State, labored under very serious embarrassments during the first few months of the war. There was not any difficulty in raising the men, They came by thousands when hundreds only were called for. The difficulty was in raising money to organize them and put them in the field. The United States could not then furnish the money, and there was not any money in the State Treasury. At the extra session (May, 1861) our State Legislature authorized the issuance and sale of the bonds of the State. At that time three regiments had already been organized without any money from the State, and several weeks must necessarily elapse before the bonds could be prepared and offered for sale in the way provided by law. In the meantime more troops were called for and more money was needed for their organization. The validity of the bonds of the Sate was attacked, both in our State and in New York, on the ground that the legislature had not the power to authorize their issue, thus injuring their credit and of course lessening the chance their sale. In this emergency an appeal was made to certain citizens of the State who had or who could control money-amongst others to you. That appeal was promptly responded to by you and by others. You at once took my personal drafts for about five thousand dollars and advanced me the money. You also, at my suggestion, advanced about two thousand dollars to other persons to meet the expense of organizing certain troops, and afterwards took about thirteen thousand dollars of our State bonds at the, highest price at which any of them were sold, and when they were wholly unsalable in New York. In short, you was one of a few men through whose liberality and patriotism the State was enabled, in the early part of the war, to achieve for itself at home its reputation of "always ready" which throughout the war it so well maintained at home and in the field, and during my term of office I believed and acted upon my belief, that you steadily maintained throughout the war the stand you took at its commencement. You and I belong to different political parties, but I must wholly lose my self-respect before I can, for political or any other consideration, refuse to do justice to one who encouraged and aided me, at a time of public peril, when I so much needed encouragement and aid. Very respectfully, S. J. Kirkwood. Notwithstanding the fact that Judge Loughridge had been elected over John P. Irish, two years previously, by a majority of some 7,300, Mr. Walden's majority was reduced to 4,122, as shown from the following extract from official records: COUNTIES. Madison M. William T. Walden Smith Appanoose ........ ..... 1249 1153 Benton................. 2172 1114 Iowa ......... 1261 1115 Jasper........... 2026 1063 Johnson.................1838 1812 Keokuk ............... 1581 1457 Mahaska ............... 1705 1461 Mazion.............. 2026 2029 Monroe .................997 596 Poweshiek ............. 1252 875 Tama................ 1610 608 Wapello .............. 1288 1600 Total............. 19205 14883 Mr. Smith is now engaged in farming, owning about 1200 acres in Mahaska county. He has given special attention to stock raising, and his Short-horns, Jersey cattle and other line stock, are known throughout the State among stock men. His hospitable and pleasant home, in the suburbs of Oskaloosa, known as "Ridge Farm," draws many a visit from business men of different parts of the State and elsewhere, who may frequent Oskaloosa, and find it pleasant to talk over early enterprises in which Mr. Smith had mutual interest. Mr. Smith and wife have lost five children in early infancy, and have three living, viz: Laura M., wife of Byron V. Seevers, Esq. Omer O. and Lua L., all highly respected for their intelligence, industry and promise of future usefulness. At the time of our present writing, Mr. Smith, in view of selling "Ridge Farm," to a coal company, for mining purposes proposes to remove to his farm of nine hundred and sixty acres known as "Highland Farm," in the center of Adams township, and six miles northeast of Oskaloosa, which has the reputation of being one of the very best large farms in the State, where he expects to gratify his taste for fine stock to a greater extent than heretofore, and engage more extensively in general farming. Mr. Smith has a sanguine temperament, is strong in his prejudices, warm in his friendships a good conversationalist, and a gentleman whom one meets only to wish for a more extended and intimate acquaintance. We are convinced that to him Mahaska county is much indebted; that he deserves his success, his fortune and his friends.
Smith, N. J., N. J. Smith &; Co., dealers in hardware, Oskaloosa; born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1814, and at an early age removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio; he married Miss Sarah A, Crandell, from Essex county, New York, March 4, 1834; they came to Morgan county, Illinois in 1837, and in 1840 they came to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and lived there five years; he was here in 1843, when there was not a house here completed-they were building a log grocery; in 1845 he came here to locate, but it was so wild and unsettled that he gave it up, and, with his family, went to Michigan; in 1853 they again came here, and located in Oskaloosa, and he engaged as clerk in a store; he has been connected with mercantile business here for twenty-five years; he has held town and school offices; they have two children, Mrs. Francis J, Carleton, living here, and James Edward, in Colorado; they lost three children in infancy.
Snowden, James E., pastor Congregationalist church.
Snyder, Henry, retired,
Sonderegger, Henry, malter.
Southwick, James, laborer.
Southwick, R. W., laborer,
Spencer, Harry L., firm of Wright &; Spencer, wholesale grocers, Oskaloosa; born at Spencer Station, Guernsey county, Ohio, December 30, 1842; he was brought up and received his education there; during the war he enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, Company B, February 9, 1864; was appointed First Sergeant June 8, 1865; was at headquarters, and in the quarter-master's department; was discharged at Lexington, North Carolina, July 20, 1865; after the war he was at Zanesville two years, and came to Oskaloosa in November, 1867, and engaged in business, the firm being Terry &; Spencer for one year; then Mr. Wright became connected with the firm; after a short time they bought Mr. Terry's interest; associated with Mr. Wright, they carried on the business until the death of Mr. Wright, in 1875; since then Mr. Spencer has conducted the business; the house does a large and strictly wholesale trade; Mr. Spencer married Miss Mary E. Paine, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, October 20, 1869; they have two children, Anna E. and Ida Gertrude.
Squires, Charles, laborer.
Stafford, Dr. Elam, physician and surgeon, Oskaloosa; born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 1, 1826; he lived there and in Tippecanoe county for seventeen years, and came with his father's family to Iowa by wagon, and arrived here in this county in June, 1843; the principal thing here then was a pole stuck up to designate the spot supposed to be a center of the county; he was one of the earliest settlers here; he sat on a log and wrote tickets on election day; the election was held one mile north of town, in the edge of the timber; he studied medicine, and graduated. in Cincinnati in 1852, and began the practice of his profession, and is one of the oldest physicians here; he was connected with the drug trade here for eleven years; married Miss Sarah Stanley, from Illinois, in June, 1852; they have one daughter, Emma F., and have lost one son, Charles W., and one daughter Katie.
Stafford, Henry, teamster.
Stanley, E. T., life insurance agent.
Stanley, Jesse, retired.
Stanley, John, farmer.
Stanley, William P., constable.
Stanton, W. R., stock buyer.
Sterling, George F,, blacksmith,
Sternes, William, horse trainer.
Stoner, Milton, farmer.
Street, Wm. B., retired, Oskaloosa; born in Shawneetown, Ill., July 12, 1819; his father was Gen. J. M. Street, the humane and Christian Indian agent; he studied law with Henry Clay, and afterward practiced law with Andrew Jackson; he was appointed Indian agent by President Adams, in 1827, and was twice appointed by Andrew Jackson, and also by Martin Van Buren, and after his death President Van Buren, on account of his services and great usefulness to the government, offered to appoint as his successor either of his sons whom his widow might select, General Street married a daughter of Major General Thomas Posey, of Revolutionary fame; he was with Morgan's Rifleman under "Mad Anthony Wayne"; he was the second man in scaling the fort in the capture of Stony Point. The subject of this sketch, when eight years of age removed to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1828, and came to Iowa in 1834, and was constantly among the Indians until 1843, much of the time at or near what is now known as Agency City; his father being Indian agent under the Sac and Fox tribes, he remained there until the treaty was made with the Indians; there is perhaps no person in the State of Iowa who has so intimate and correct a knowledge of Indian affairs as Mr. Street he came to Oskaloosa in 1844; one of the earliest settlers, he built the first frame store building within the city limits, and engaged in the mercantile business, buying his goods in St. Louis, and hauling them from Keokuk, and taking ten days to make the trip; he continued in business until 1857; he has held town and city offices; he married Miss P. M. Cobb, daughter of William Cobb, of Rutland, Vermont, in July, 1854; she was great-grand-daughter of Samuel Allen, brother of General Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. and Mrs. Street have one daughter, Miss Ida Maria, who is
page 602 and 603 are missing.......................
Strong, Joseph, cooper.
Strong, Joseph P., horticulturist.
page 602 and 603 are missing....... Wagoner, Wm., carpenter.
Walling, Henry, mason.
Walling, James, brick mason.
Walton, D. M., retired, Oskaloosa; born in Washington county, Pa., in 1874; was brought up there and was engaged in farming, milling, and merchandising in Washington and Greene counties for many years; he came to this county, to Oskaloosa, in October, 1868, and engaged in the mercantile business here for three years; he married Miss Mary Drake, from Green county, Pa., in October, 1834; she died in July, 1859, leaving four children, John W., Samuel, Daniel, and Edward; they lost six children; (one of his sons James was in the the army; enlisted in first Regiment West Virginia Cavalry, Co. B, in August, 1861; he was in thirty-seven engagements, among them was Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg; he died in April, 1870); in November, 1877, Mr. Walton married Harriet Alexander, from Pennsylvania.
Warren, Robert, laborer.
Warrington, A. W., photographer.
Waterford, Jefferson, laborer.
Waters, J. G., gardener.
Waters, Mat, teamster.
Watts, P. A., clerk Huber &; Co.
Watts, William M;, tinner.
Weeks, George W., clerk.
Weint, Jacob, coal miner.
Welch, Porte C., journalist.
Wells, Charles, tinner.
Wells, Frank, laborer.
Wells, George A., stoves and tinware.
Wells, W. M., physician and specialist.
Whitaker, R., stationer.
White, John, deceased, Oskaloosa; born in Peperell, Massachusetts, November 23, 1813; when quite a small boy he removed with his parents to Venice, on the Big Miami river, Ohio; he learned the cooper trade, and at the age of eighteen, removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, and engaged in the coopering business. He married Miss Martha J. Cloud, April 2, 1837, in Dearborn county, Indiana; they came to Iowa and located in Van Buren, county, in 1843. Mr. White came to this county the same year and located the land where Mrs. White now lives. In the following year, in April, 1844, he brought his family here. He engaged in farming and carried it on extensively for some years; he was afterward engaged in banking business. Mr. White was one of the most sagacious of business men; he was largely interested in railroads, and at the time of his death, which occurred December 24, 1870, he was one of the wealthiest men in the State. He left one daughter, Mrs. Ernest H. Gibbs. Mrs. White still resides on the homestead adjoining the city of Oskaloosa.
White, M. W., plasterer.
Wiley, Jno. H., physician, Oskaloosa; born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and was brought up and lived there until 1846, and then removed to Indiana. He studied medicine and attended lectures in the city of New York, and also attended a second course of lectures in Cincinnati. He practiced his profession in Indiana, until 1865, and then came to Iowa, and located in Mount Pleasant, practicing his profession there, and in Ottumwa, until coming here, in 1872. He married Angeline Antrobus, from Decatur county, Indiana, December 6, 1846; they have four children, Isabella J., Elizabeth, Alice A., Carrie Maud, and they have lost one son, Harry.
Willard, Chas. T., firm of C. T. Willard &; Co., dealers in dry goods; born in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, February 18, 1848; he was brought up and received his education there. He came to Oskaloosa in 1869 and engaged in the dry goods business He married Florence A. Reece, from Abington, Knox Co, Illinois, October 26, 1870; they have two children, Warren Reece and Helen C.
Williams, J. C., county superintendent.
Williams, M. T., this gentleman's name has occurred quite frequently in the body of this work. It should be so. No name is more intimately connected with the early history of Mahaska, than that of M. T. Williams. Mr. Williams is an Ohioan. He was born in Butler county, in the old Buckeye State, May 29, 1820. During his early boyhood his father removed to Indiana, and settled near Terre Haute. Here young Williams enjoyed the benefits of a common school education until he was sixteen years of age, when he attended Wabash college, at Crawfordsville, during two years. After leaving school he engaged in engineering in Hoosierdom, in employ of the State of Indiana, for a few months when the internal improvement work on which he was engaged was suspended. While yet eighteen years of age, young Williams returned to Ohio and studied law in Cincinnati with Judge O. M. Spencer, and afterward graduated at the Ohio law school; he was admitted to the bar April, 1842. Believing that the best place for a young man was on the frontier, on the second day of the following month Mr. Williams started for Iowa, coming across Illinois in a wagon. Arriving at Mt. Pleasant, he formed a partnership with G. W. Teas, a somewhat noted character in that day, a partnership which lasted about one year. He first came to Mahaska county in December, 1843, and shortly afterward went to Iowa City, where he spent the winter, and in the following spring, as has been elsewhere related, he became organizing clerk of the county, with Wm. Edmundson as first sheriff. He continued to fill the office of clerk of court until 1854, when at the August election of that year, he refused to become a further candidate. During the latter part of this service he was also clerk under John A. L. Crookham, county judge, and in accordance with the law, in the absence of the latter, was acting county judge. At this time, and in this way, he acquired the title of Judge Williams, by which he is currently known. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Williams was elected to the state legislature, where he represented his county during the succeeding term. September 1st, of this same year he engaged in the practice of law in Oskaloosa, with Wm. T. Smith as partner. March 1, 1855, these gentlemen opened the first banking house in Mahaska county, and continued to do a general banking and land business, for two years and a half, when Mr. Williams withdrew from the firm. In 1858 a partnership was formed with Judge Seevers which partnership continued for ten years. During five of these years, from 1863 to 1868, these gentlemen, in connection with H. P. Ninde, had a land agency which had the personal attention of Mr. Williams. The latter continued with Mr. Ninde in the land agency until 1873, practicing law in the meantime; in the last named year Mr. Williams associated in law business with Liston McMillen, a young man from Ohio, with whom he is still in partnership; Judge Williams was elected to a second term of the Legislature in 1861; for the past 15 years he has been U. S. Commissioner; as elsewhere mentioned, he served with great credit six years as trustee of the Iowa Asylum for the Insane, at Mount Pleasant from 1868 to 1874; he was also locating commissioner in 1846, of the county seat of Polk county; in 1850 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now a prominent Sir Knight in that order in Oskaloosa; during quite a number of years he was, and now is, a member of the vestry of St. James Episcopal church. Judge Williams has lived a life which has ever been one of quiet usefulness; he holds an honored place in the community; his record shows no entries of wrong doing; he ranks high in the, esteem of his fellow citizens, and is especially loved by the younger people; "Caje" Williams is a general favorite; he has a pleasant home in the town of his choice; during the summer of 1845 he built with his own hands, a house just north of the public square, and in September of that year brought to it as his bride, Miss Virginia Rebecca Seevers; this lady was born near Winchester, Virginia, and is a daughter of James Seevers (who came to Mahaska in 1844, and is now 86 years of age); the first home of the young couple has long since been abandoned for a more comfortable and elegant residence, where Mr. and Mrs. Williams with their two daughters, Alice Eugenia, and Beulah J., extend a hospitality to their friends such as few are able to bestow, and there enjoy the reward, to which years of frontier life and hardships have justly entitled them. [A further sketch of Mr. Williams occurs under the chapter on "First Court."
Williams, W. B., boot and shoemaker.
Wilson, Isaac, farmer.
Wilson, Mitchel, dealer in dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, Oskaloosa; born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 30, 1833; he was brought up there until nineteen years of age; then came to Iowa, by wagon, being about thirty days on the way, and arrived here about Nov. 1, 1852, a few days before the election of President Pierce. He was engaged in the mercantile business for several years. He entered the Oskaloosa Branch of the State Bank of Iowa, and became cashier of that institution, and was also cashier of the National State Bank, which succeeded it, for some years; held office of city treasurer two years, and city councilman. He married Miss Ella Crawford, from Indiana, in the spring of 1863; they have three children, Cora A., Lena A. and Walter Guy.
Wilson, Rezin, dealer in leather and saddlery hardware, and trunks, Oskaloosa; born in Ohio, October 1st., 1830; he was brought up and learned his trade, and engaged in business in Marion, Ohio. He came to Iowa and arrived in Oskaloosa, August 12, 1854, and worked at his trade for eighteen months, then engaged in business with J. B. Dixon, and they continued together until the death of Mr. Dixon, in 1876. Mr. Wilson and D. W. Loring are the oldest merchants that have been in business without change, and Mr. Wilson has been in the leather and saddlery hardware business longer than any one in the State. He married Miss Amelia S. Baer, from Crawfordsville, Indiana, October 13, 1858; she is one of the earliest settlers, and has been here thirty-five years; there were only three cabins here when she came; they have two children, George W. and Stella Maud; and they lost one son, Harry.
Wilson, Samuel, salesman.
Woods, E. M., farmer.
Woody, John W., firm Woody &; Hellings, abstracts and loans; born in North Carolina, March 17, 1841, and was brought up and received his education there, and in Indiana and Ohio; he removed to Indiana in 1860, and attended school and engaged in teaching until 1868, when he came to Iowa and was president and principal of Whittier College, at Salem; he resigned in 1872, and read law; he was principal of the high school for one year, and then was called to the presidency of Penn College, and remained here for five years; during the present year he associated with Mr. W. P. Hellings, and engaged in the abstract and loan business; he is also president of the Central Iowa Loan and Trust Company; he married Miss Mary Chawner, of Indiana, April 1, 1868; they have one son, Horace H.
Wray, W., lumber dealer.
Wray, William H., firm of Mattison &; Wray, grocery and provision dealers; born in Shelby county, Indiana, April 29, 1837; when seventeen years of age he came with his parents by wagon to Iowa; they were twenty-eight days on the way, and arrived in this county, five miles east of Oskaloosa, April 19, 1854; he was on the farm for about ten years, then came to this city and engaged in the lumber business in 1866, and continued for twelve years, until 1877, when he sold out and engaged in his present business; he has held the office of city alderman; married Miss Francis Montgomery, from Shelby county, Indiana, October 5, 1858; they have three children, Walter, Joseph and Nellie, and have lost two children, Eddie and Cooper.
Wright, Dillon, blacksmith.
Wright, Mrs. Emily J., formerly Miss Emily J. Ellis; was born in Warren county, Ohio, and removed, with her parents, in infancy to Fountain county, Indiana; they came to Mahaska county in 1855, and located in Oskaloosa; she married Thomas T. Wright, September 10, 1861; he was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 6, 1833; he was brought up and received his education there, and came to Iowa and located in Oskaloosa in 1854; he was engaged in the grocery and drug business for some years, and afterward engaged with Terry &; Spencer in the wholesale grocery trade; they bought Mr. Terry's interest and he retired; associated with Mr. Spencer they continued the business until the death of Mr. Wright, February 19, 1875; Mrs. Wright still retains her interest in the business of the present firm of Wright &; Spencer; she has one son, Samuel B., born March 29, 1862, and has lost one son, Benjamin F., born December 13, 1863, and died August 9, 1864.
Wroughton, Job H., lightning rods, pumps, etc.
Yates, Elias, barber.
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Township List, Mahaska County History, Iowa 1878