Compiled by Sharyl Ferrall for Allamakee co. IAGenWeb from biographies, obituaries, cemetery records, gravestone inscriptions, newspaper articles, GLO-BLM land records, government pension records, Fold3 records and the National Archives War of 1812 Service Records

War of 1812 Pensioner's Meet, 1882

From last week’s Waukon Democrat,we got the following items that were news twenty years ago: — At the county clerk’s office last Monday morning three pensioners of the war of 1812 met. They were Peter Goodrich, aged 87 years; John Dunday, 86 years; and Mrs. Woods, mother of Dr. Barnes, 74 years old. They all happened to be in there together to have their vouchers approved, and it was a meeting- likely never to occur again.

Source: Decorah Republican Sept. 11, 1902 Twenty Years Ago Column - Page 4 Col 1
Contributed by Bill Waters

Thomas Bentley

Born c1783 in Rhode Island. He served in Capt. Virgil's Company New York Militia. War of 1812 Pension #29809. Widow's pension #30960.

Thomas (age 64) and Ann (age 63) Bentley are found on the 1850 US census in Mercer county, Illinois. A young child, Ann, is living with them. It is unknown if Ann is a daughter or granddaughter. By 1856 the family is in Center twp. Allamakee co. In addition to Thomas SR, his wife Ann and young Ann (age 9), is Thomas Bentley JR (age 43). The family is on the 1860 & 1870 US census in Center twp. The 1872 Ratcliff plat-book shows that Thomas Bentley owned land in Section 13, Center twp.

This news article appeared in the Postville Review, January 1876: "Thomas Bentley, the oldest man in Allamakee county aged 93, was burned out of house and home on the night of the 13th. His aged wife and himself were the sole occupants, and they escaped in their night clothes. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and possessed considerable means in cash but this was burned with the house -- nothing being saved but a small trunk, and no insurance."

Thomas Bentley died on July 11, 1878 when he was struck by a bolt of lightening. He may be buried in the Village Creek cemetery. Death notice.

John Dunday / Dundey / Dundee

John Dunday was a Private in Captain Isaac Van Horn's Company, Nineteenth Regiment US Infantry, War of 1812.

An article in the Waukon Standard, September 25, 2002, by Jennyanne Grimstad gives the following information: "John Dundey Sr. was born in New Jersey in 1796. At a young age, he served for one year in the the War of 1812 under Captain Isaac Van Horn. He then served with the Ohio militia, in Harrison's Armored Division at the Battle of Thames. While in Ohio, he was married to Mary Seth. The family moved further west into Rock County, Wis. then to Iowa, settling in Jefferson twp., Allamakee county, about 1851/22. He died in 1887."

Bounty Land, Warrant No. 3013 - 160 acres, located in the Southwest quarter of Section 9, Twp 97N, Range 5W. Issued to John Dunday on 02/10/1852; GLO Vol. 607, page 493.

The John Dundey family is enumerated in Jefferson twp. on the 1856 Iowa State census. At that time he had been a resident of Iowa for 4 years. He and Mary are also enumerated on the 1870 & 1880 US census in Jefferson twp.

A list of (Iowa) pensioners, January 1, 1883 shows that John Dundy, Waukon, a survivor of the War of 1812 was receiving $8.00/month pension. Pension certificate #16611. The date of the original allowance was May 1872.

John Dundey died Sept. 23, 1887 and is buried in the Dundey Cemetery, the family cemetery in Jefferson twp. Death notice

Levi Ellis

Born January 31, 1783 in New Hampshire. Private in Capt. Warner's Company Vermont Militia.

For his service he received Bounty Land. Warrant No. 39150, 160 acres in Twp 11N, Range 31W, Section 4, Brown co. MN. He assigned this land to Asa Cheadle, who in turn assigned it to John B. Custer.

Census records:

1850, Washington twp., Union co. Ohio:
Levi Ellis, age 63, farmer, b. N.H.
Eunice D., age 52, b. Maine
Bethuel, age 24, b. L. Canada
Maria, age 19, b. VT
Pike, age 21, b. L. Canada

1860, Franklin twp., Allamakee co. Iowa
Levi Ellis, age 74, farmer, b. N.H.
Unice, age 63, b. N.H.
and several Campbell children: Sarah Ann (7, b. OH), Julia (13, b. IL), Sarah (12, b. WI), E?? (8, b. IA)
His son Bethuel (35, b. Canada) is next door

1870, Knoxville, Franklin twp., Marion co. Iowa
Levi Ellis, age 85, b. N.Y. (sic) and Eunice, age 74, b. N.Y. (her age & birthplace are incorrect on this census). They are living in the household of Levi's daughter from a first marriage: Abigail Herd/Hurd, widow of Wilder Hurd, age 55, b. VT. Also in the household are Abigail's children George W. and Mary Jane Hurd, ages 22 & 16, both b. Ohio. Next door is the household of Abigail's married son Levi Herd/Hurd and his wife Sarah Jane with their 2 young children. (Note: 1870 census information was provided by Connie Ellis, who is researching this family. Her email address can be found in the surname registry for Ellis)

1880, Post twp. Allamakee co. Iowa
Levi, age 97, b. N.H. and Eunice, age 85, b. Maine are living in the household of his son Jonathan Ellis, age 67, b. NH. Also in the home is Comfort Dow, age 74, b. N.H., the mother-in-law of Jonathan (mother of Jonathan's wife Lydia A.)

The name of Levi Ellis' first wife is unknown. His obituary states that she died in 1820. Eunice nee Dearborn, was his second wife. Levi died December 11, 1880 and is buried in the Postville cemetery. Obituary. Gravestone.

Peter Mangor Goodrich

Born August 17, 1795 in Middlebury, Vermont. Army #2513. He was a Private in Capt. John Bliss' Company 11th Regiment US Infantry (consolidated to 6th US Infanty May 17/1815), enlisting at age 17 on August 17th, 1812 for a period of 5 years. His name appears on the payroll of the company of Capt. Phineas Williams 11th Regiment US for January & February, 1813. According to the 1886 biography of his son L.W. Goodrich, "Mr. Goodrich's father lives with him, and is well advanced in years, being in his 87th year. He served under Gen. Scott in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Lundy's Lane."

Peter Goodrich was "wounded in the right leg by a musket ball at Buffalo while on fatigue duty causing Scrotal Hernia", was at "W'msville since July 26/14". The 11th Regiment consolidated to the 6th US Infantry in June 1815. He was discharged at Greenbush on July 24, 1815.

For his service he received Bounty Land, Warrant No. 8113, 160 acres in Twp 2N, Range 5W, Section 1, Adams co. IL.

He married Sally 'Sarah' Curtis, who died c1848 in Illinois. P.M. Goodrich is enumerated in Algonquin, McHenry co. IL on the 1850 & 1860 US census and in Cuba, Lake co. IL on the 1870 census. Although his obituary states that he came to Allamakee county in 1850, he is not found on census records in Allamakee until 1880, living with his son, Lymon in Ludlow twp. He appears on the Post twp. Pension Roll, December 1883, receiving $8.00/month for a wound in his right leg.

Peter M. Goodrich died November 14, 1888. Buried in Minert Cemetery. Death notice. Gravestone.

Amos Grattan

Born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts Sept. 29, 1797; he served under Gen. Winfield Scott at the battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25, 1814. He was married to Abigail 'Abbey' Guyant. She was born September 8, 1794, in Wyndham co., Connecticut. The family removed to Wisconsin in 1835, settling where Kenosha now stands. (sources: gravestone inscripton; 1882 biography of Henry Gutant Grattan & the 1913 biography of John Edmund O'Brien, whose wife Decorah Grattan was the granddaughter of Amos Grattan - see both biographies on this website)

Census records:

1840, Racine, Wisconsin territory - Amos Grattan household - 3 males, 1 female
1850, Millville, Jo Daviess co., IL - Amos Grattan, age 52, blacksmith and Abagail, age 56
1860, Sterling, Whiteside, IL - Amos Grattan, age 62 and Abby, age 65, are living in the household of their son Henry G. Grattan
1870, Ludlow twp., Allamakee co. IA - Amos Grattan, age 73, b. Mass and Abigal, age 75, b. Conn.
1880, Ludlow twp., Allamakee co. IA - Amos (age 82) and his wife Abba (age 86) are living in the household of their son Henry

From the 1934 autobiography of Marvin Trask Grattan, written while serving a life sentence at Fort Madison penitentiary*: My grandmother, Abigail Guyant Grattan .... "lived to be 93 and is buried at Waukon, beside her husband, who fought under Scott at Lundy's Lane, where the British were driven back to Canada."

Amos Grattan died in Ludlow township, Allamakee county, Iowa, June 2, 1881. Abigail died in Ludlow township, Allamakee county in 1886. They are buried in Oakland Main cemetery, Waukon, Lot 169. His gravestone is marked with a War of 1812 flag stake. Gravestone. Obituary

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*Amos Grattan's grandson, Marvin Grattan, a Civil War veteran, was convicted of the 1933 murder of Claude Meade at the Decorah fairgrounds. He was 85 years old at the time. First sentenced to life in prison, the Iowa Supreme Court ordered a re-trial, the result being that Grattan was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years at Fort Madison penitentiary, but was transferred to the Iowa Soldiers' home at Marshalltown due to ill health. In 1939 the governor commuted his sentence, and in 1940 granted a full pardon to Grattan. Marvin farmed near Peston, MN for 48 years before moving to Decorah in 1918.

Thomas E. Miner

Thomas Miner was born ca1796, in Virginia. The 1913 biography of his son Harvey B. Miner (abstracted) ".... after serving in Captain Blinco's Company, Virginia Militia, War of 1812, he removed to Ohio. In 1856 he moved his family to Allamakee county, Iowa and entered 100 acres in Linton twp. A portion of this land was 40 acres he received as bounty land for serving in the war. He spent the remainder of his life upon the homestead, dying November 3, 1872."

Military Bounty Land Warrant: No. 47,787 for 40 acres, in the Northwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of section twenty-six, township ninety-six north, range four west; issued in favor of Thomas E. Miner, Private in Captain Blinco's Company, Virginia Militia, War of 1812; dated January 15, 1858. GLO vol. 923, page 303. The land described is in Section 26, Linton twp., Allamakee county.

The 1860 US census, Linton twp. Allamakee co. enumerates Thomas Miner, age 64, farmer. In his household is Fanny, 65, wife; Martha, 38 and Harvey, 20.

Thomas E. Miner died Nov. 1, 1872 and is buried in Council Hill cemetery, Giard twp. Clayton county.

The 1913 History of Allamakee County (chapter 19) lists Andrew Peck among the earliest settlers in Jefferson twp. Peck, who enlisted on May 29, 1813, had served as a Private in Captain Jones' Company, Twenty-ninth New York Militia, War of 1812.

For his service he was granted bounty land, Warrant No. 5411 for 160 acres in the Northwest quarter of Section 9, township 97N, range 5W. GLO Vol. 613, page 73, dated March 10, 1852. This land is in Jefferson twp., Allamakee county.

Peck did not stay in Allamakee county long. In an affadavit written on behalf of a fellow soldier, signed by Peck in the town of Jay, Essex co., NY, July 1854, he stated that his age was 59 years and that he served as a "private soldier in the War with Great Britian declared by the United States in 1812; that he has drawn bounty land for his services in said War. 160 acres. "... he thinks the number of his Warrant was 4544, but is not positive as he has disposed of his Warrant."

Andrew Peck was enumerated in Jay, Essex co., on the 1855 NY State census; and on the 1860 U.S. census living in Jay, occupation is "basket maker".

He likely lived out the remainder of his life in Essex county.

Served as a private in Captain Utley's company, Vermont Militia, War of 1812. For this service he was granted bounty land. Warrant No. 8608 for 160 acres in the SW quarter of section 33, twp 98N, range 4W (Center township), dated January 3, 1853. GLO vol. 646, page 60.

"... first funeral in Center twp. was of Joseph Reynolds, who was a soldier of the war of 1812. He entered the SW¼ of section 33 from the government, and was buried thereon. Rev. E. Howard conducted the services." (History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties Iowa,1882, chapter 5; and Past & Present of Allamakee County, 1913, chapter 19)

The exact date of his death is unknown, but likely occurred between 1856 and 1860. Center twp. was cut from Lafayette twp. and organized (originally named Village Creek twp.) in March 1856. Reynolds is not found on the 1860 census. He is buried near Elon, in a grave now known as "Reynold's Plot", on a bit of land from his original grant. The photo below was taken in 1958 and appeared with a newspaper article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Read the news article

Moses Andrew Ross was born in Fayette co. PA on August 11, 1790. He served as a Musician / Drummer in Captain William's Company, Massachusetts Militia during the War of 1812. After the war he lived in German twp., Fayette co., PA where he served as a township Justice and taught school. (source: 'The History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania', 1882; pgs 596, & 599)

Two Military Bounty Land Warrants are found for Moses A. Ross: No. 60688, for 40 acres in Piatt co., IL, dated 7/20/1853. This land was assigned to John Hayward. The 2nd, Warrent No. 9785, for 120 acres in Floyd co., IA, dated 12/01/1858. This land was assigned to Thomas Tenney.

Moses Ross was an early settler in Allamakee county coming in about 1853. He purchased nearly a dozen patents of land in Allamakee county directly from the federal government. The 1854 Iowa State census enumerates Moses A. Ross in Jefferson twp. In his household are 7 males & 4 females. He and his wife Isabel, and 6 of their children are next enumerated on the 1856 Iowa State census in Jefferson twp. At the time of the census the parents and 3 youngest offspring had been residents for 3 years. Three of the older children had been in the county for 4 years. The 1860 U.S. census shows that Moses A. Ross was a wealthy farmer, age 69 and living with his large family in Jefferson twp.

He died on November 22, 1862. He and his wife Isabella nee Gilmore, are buried in Rossville cemetery. Gravestone (full view) Gravestone (close-up)

The 1860 U.S. Census, Paint Creek, Allamakee co. includes Daniel Rublee, age 60, farmer, born Vermont. Also in his household are M.D. Rublee, age 19, Clerk; and Orlando Rublee, age 28, carpenter - both born in VT

January 1866 Allamakee County Board of Supervisors: Dan Rublee posted $500 bond as Constable

The 1870 U.S. Census, Paint Creek, Allamakee co. includes the enumeration of Dan Rublee, age 72, Justice of the Peace, born Vermont.

Lansing Mirror, Friday, February 2, 1877: "....pension agent at Dubuque, Jacob Rich, Esq., paid out in pensions .... quite a number of pensioners reside in this county - the oldest, we believe, being Daniel Rublee, of this Township, who is aged 78 years, served in the War of 1812, and draws $96 per annum. Mr. Rublee, though bent under the weight of four-score years, is still hale and hearty, and a man of great intelligence, being extraordinarily well-posted on the topics of the times, and a consequent lover of papers and books."

A list of (Iowa) pensioners, January 1, 1883 shows that Daniel Rubber [sic], Lansing, a survivor of the War of 1812 was receiving $8.00/month pension. Pension certificate #14418. The date of the original allowance was March 1872.

Daniel Rublee died in Vermont on July 13, 1882 while visiting his son. He's buried in the East Franklin cemetery, Franklin co. VT.
Gravestone. Obituary

A statement in the 1885 obituary of Sophia Crawford Barnes Wood, widow of Isaiah Wood: "For some years, and until within a few month Mrs. Maria Shattuck grandmother of Mrs. L. M. Bearce, 81 years old and an 1812 pensioner, has been living with Mr. L. M. Bearce; she now resides in Warren, Pennsylvania." ~FamilySearch.org in the family photos/stories section

This is possibly referring to George C. Shattuck, born 1788, and an early settler in Waukon. He removed from the area in the early 1870's. There is quite a bit of information about him on this website, including his service in the Black Hawk war. It is very possible he also served in the War of 1812, no other records have been found to support this. His bounty land was given for the Black Hawk war service.

Jacob Singleton was born April 19, 1795 in Pennsylvania. He served as a Private in Captain McLean's Company, Pennsylvania Militia, War of 1812. For his service he was granted bounty land in Warren co., Missouri. Warrant No. 31,689 for 80 acres, May 1, 1854, which he assigned to James McFaden. Also bounty land in Linn co., MO. Warrant No. 24,374 for 80 acres, Sept 10, 1859, which he assigned to George Thompson.

Jacob Singleton may have served in the Florida War, receiving bounty land for that service also - interested researchers should verify this service.

Jacob and Elizabeth lived in the state of Virginia for many years, where he was a grocer. They removed to Allamakee county sometime after 1860. They are enumerated in the 1870 census in French Creek twp. He is age 75 and she is age 60. They are living in the household of their son J.W. Singleton. By 1880 they have moved to the household of their daughter and son-in-law, John & Elizabeth Gilchrist, in Union City twp. A supplemental schedule to the 1880 census indicates that Jacob had been blind due to old age, since age 80.

A list of (Iowa) pensioners, January 1, 1883 shows that Jacob Singleton, French Creek, a survivor of the War of 1812 was receiving $8.00/month pension. Pension certificate #10,617. The date of the original allowance was Jan. 1872.

He died July 13, 1883. He and Elizabeth are buried in Mt. Hope cemetery. Gravestone. Death notice

David Starks

David Starks served as a Private in the First Regiment, New York Militia, Nellis' company.

Unknown is when he removed to Allamakee county. He first appears on the 1880 U.S. census in Post twp., where he was enumerated as "uncle" aged 86, born NY; living in the household of James Bursell.

Allamakee county was giving him a pauper allowance, which was officially discontinued as of April 15, 1882, by the board of supervisors during their November session, 1882. He died in early April 1882 and is buried in the Postville cemetery. Gravestone.

Served in the War of 1812 as a Private in Capt. James B. Moore's Company, Mounted Illinois Militia and a Private in Captain Jacob Shorts' Company of Mounted Volunters, Illinois militia. For his service in Short's Company, he was granted bounty land in Clinton co., Illiois. Warrant No. 8237 for 160 acres, July 1, 1854, which he assigned to John W. McMurtry. (GLO Vol. 790, pg 203)

From the 1882 History of Allamakee County, chapter 4: "John A. Wakefield was the first who put up a dwelling on the ridge out from Lansing; at least we found him ensconced in a good house with some improvements at our first advent there (1852). He was a man of considerable avoirdupois and went by the title of Colonel or Major. He had a great desire for prominence and office, and was subject to many hard hits from competitors. As he often gloried in his valorous deeds in the war with Blackhawk; the keen, cutting sarcasm of J. W. Remine, the Lansing lawyer, and some others, drove the old Colonel almost to frenzy on some occasions. As he was indeed a pioneer, he sold out and moved to Nebraska [sic] in the summer of 1854." From the 1913 History of Allamakee County, chapter 20: "Colonel John A. Wakefield, referred to in the reminiscences of Mr. Raymond, was a man of considerable ability and diversified talents, as will be seen by the following condensed sketch of his life. Born in South Carolina in 1797, his family removed in 1808 to Illinois and settled near the present Lebanon, St. Clair county. Though but a lad Wakefield served as a scout in the war of 1812-15. Afterwards he studied medicine both in Cincinnati and St. Louis, but abandoned that profession for the law, was admitted to the bar in 1818, and the same year settled at Vandalia. where one of his acquaintances was young Abraham Lincoln. He enlisted in the army raised for the Back Hawk war, and was later appointed surgeon because of his medical knowledge. He served throughout the war and was slightly wounded at the battle of Bad Axe. Returning home he wrote a “History of the Black Hawk War” from his daily journal and his fresh recollections, which was published at Jacksonville in 1834, and is considered good authority. The work was republished in 1907 under the auspices of the Caxton Club, of Chicago. Three years later (1837) he removed to Jo Daviess county, and in 1846 to Iowa county, Wisconsin. In 1849 he settled at St. Paul, where he was chosen judge, but finding the winters too severe in 1854 he removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, building a home on the north part of section 2, Makee township, which he had entered from the government the year before, and which later became the Hugh Norton place. He also took land in section 9, later the Benedict Troendle place. He remained here three years, and in 1854 removed to Kansas, settling at Lawrence, where as a strong anti-slavery man he took active part in struggle over that territory. He died in Kansas, June 18, 1873, after serving his adopted state in many capacities."

photo source: Wikipedia

Wakefield lived on Lansing Ridge and was the first postmaster at Lycurgus when it was established in July 1851. He served until the summer of 1854 when he removed to Kansas.

Wakefield is buried in the Oak Hill cemetery, Lawrence, Douglas co., KS. Biography & Gravestone.

Born in Virginia, 1795, Isaiah Wood was a Private in Captain Allen's Company, Virginia militia, War of 1812. For this service he was granted bounty land. Warrant No. 7870, for 160 acres in Pine co., MN, dated Sept. 10, 1858. Mr. Wood assigned the land to Jeremiah Foster. (GLO Vol 86, pg 79)

In 1849, after the death of his first wife, he married Sophia Crawford Barnes, a widow with one son. In 1850 Isaiah & Sophia are living in Racoon twp., Gallin co., OH. They removed to Volney in 1857 and a couple of years later to Waukon. They are living in Makee twp. in 1860, where Isaiah's occupation is 'sawyer'. He possibly owned or worked in a saw mill. The 1870 census enumerates Isaiah & Sophia in the household of her son, T.H. Barnes, in Waukon.

A list of (Iowa) pensioners, January 1, 1883 shows that Sophia Wood, Waukon, widow of a soldier of the War of 1812 was receiving $8.00/month pension. Pension certificate #31560. The date of the original allowance was April 1881.

He died 10/19/1871 and is buried in Oakland (Main) cemetery, Waukon, lot 104. Gravestone