The History of Appanoose County, Iowa

Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878

Transcribed by Renee Rimmert.    A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.

Abreviations

agt - agent mach - machinist
carp - carpenter mech - mechanic
clk - clerk mar - merchant
co - company or county mfr - manufacturer
dlr - dealer mkr - maker
fmr - farmer P.O. - Post Office
gro - grower prop - proprietor
I.V.A. - Iowa Volunteer Artillery S. or Sec. - section
I.V.C. - Iowa Volunteer Cavalry st - street
I.V.I. - Iowa Volunteer Infantry supt - superintendent
lab - laborer treas - treasurer

Taylor Township

A  - D



Anderson, B.H., far., Sec. 6, P.O. Moravia.



Anderson, J.B., far., Sec. 6; P.O. Moravia.



Andrews, H.M., far., Sec. 21; P.O. Moravia; one of the old settlers and enterprising farmers of Appanoose Co., born in Bedford Co., Tenn., in 1808; at the age of 20, went to Cornersville, Giles Co. (so called from its being at the corners of three counties), where he helped to erect the first business house in what became quite an enterprising town, but was demoralized by the war.  In that building, he served a one year's apprenticeship at the saddlery trade, worked as journeyman for two or three years, and then opened a shop in Cornersville and followed the trade for seventeen years.  In 1834, married Miss Nancy L. Woods, daughter of Oliver Woods; he was born at Boone's Station Ky., Oct. 15, 1784; his father, Samuel Woods, was one of the very early settlers of Kentucky; one of his sons was killed by the Indians; he afterward removed to Giles Co., Tenn., where Oliver, Nov. 4, 1807, married Nancy Haines; she was born in North Carolina March 5, 1784, daughter of John Haines, who afterward removed near Cornersville, Giles Co.  Several brothers of the Haines family were in the Revolutionary war, were in the battle with Cornwallis at Cowensford; one was killed, another taken prisoner; John H., an expert rider, was active in pursuit of the British, made many narrow excapes.  The parents of Mrs. Andrews moved to Alabama; in 1835, to southwest Missouri, where her mother died in 1859, aged 75 years; her father died in this county in 1863, aged 78 years, leaving five children, Mrs. A. the eldest daughter, was born in Giles Co., Tenn., in 1824; remained in Cornersville until 1851, came to this county and settled on present farm; has improved 700 acres and divided among his children, except 240, which he retains.  On arrival in Appanoose, Mr. A. invested all his money in land, erected a log cabin with no window or door casing, from which the wind soon blew the roof; engaged at splitting rails for a neighbor, at which he labored until his hands were so worn that he left blood on his maul handle, and caused the report that he had killed a man.  They had four children - James O., born at Cornersville in 1835; George M., born at Cornersville in 1844; Harvy M., born at Cornersville in 1849; Isora, born in this county in 1854.  Mr. A. has held various township offices, and been a member of the Board of Supervisors; has also taken an active part in the cause of temperance.  Their son, Cephus P., enlisted in Co. F, 18th Iowa V.I., was captured at Camden, Ark., and taken to Tyler, Tex., removed to Camp Felden, where he died Oct. 15, 1864; buried at Camp Felden as unknown.  Democrat; Mrs. A. has been a member of the C.P. Church since 17 years of age.



Arnold, M., far., S. 24; P.O. Moravia.



Barnet, M.E., far., Sec. 12; P.O. Moravia.



Beatty, J., far., Sec. 4; P.O. Moravia.



Biddle, William M., far., Sec. 5; P.O. Moravia; among the enterprising, industrious farmers of northern Appanoose; born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1827, where his grandfather, Timothy Biddle, born near Newark, N.J., had settled at a very early day; his father, J.T. Biddle, was born in the same county in 1802; his grandfather lived to be 80, and his great-grandmother 98 years of age; his mother, Jane Kerney, of Irish descent, was born in Ohio in 1804; they were married in Washington Co., Penn., about the year 1820; removed to Greene Co., Penn., where his father died October 19, of the present year, leaving seven children - two daughters, residents of this State; one son in California; a younger son, graduate of a theological school, preached at Uniontown, Penn., for five years; removed to West Grove, Iowa, where he was killed in 1870; William m. remained at home, assisting in the labors of the farm, until 23 years of age; received a good education in the common schools and Greene Academy; came to Iowa; one year after, returned to Greene Co.   April 7, 1853, he married Miss Eunice V. Patterson, daughter of Maj. Robert Patterson; born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1798, and living in the days of the Pennsylvania militia, he took his part in nome military duty.  Married Sophronia Minton, also a native of Washington Co., Penn.; parents very early settlers here; she was born in 1831; immediately after their marriage they removed to Iowa, coming direct to Appanoose Co., and settled where now resides, and owns 120 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. They have six children - Alvaretta M., born in August 1855; John M., in April 1859; Oliver M., in November 1862; Cora E., in January 1866; Isaac N., in July 1869; Clara E., in September 1873.  Republican; member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, since 16 years of age, of which he is an Elder.   Has been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has held various Township offices.  Member I.O.O.F., No. 196, Moravia.



Blair, Henry, far., sec. 4; P.O. Moravia.



Blumerstuck, F., far., Sec., 4; P.O. Moravia.



Bower, F.M., far., Sec. 4; P.O Moravia.



Brunson, L.M., far., Sec. 2; P.O. Moravia.



Burns, A., far., S. 19; P.O. Moravia.



Callen, P.L., far.; Sec. 28; P.O. Moravia.



Callen, M.M., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Moravia; born in Tennessee in 1828; came to Van Buren Co., iowa, in 1842; remained seven years; thence to Appanoose Co. in 1849; he improved his farm and has good buildings, orchard, etc.; owns 100 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre.  He married Ida M. Andrews in Iowa; she was born in Tennessee; she died in 1872; he married Mrs. Emma E. Detwiler, in Iowa in 1877; who was born in Illinois in 1839; she was the widow of J.W. Ditwiler, who was a soldier in 3d I.V.I., and was wounded at Arkansas Post and died in the army from effect of his wounds Jan. 11, 1862; she has two sons - Douglass W. and Isaac W.  He is a Presbyterian and Mrs. C. a Baptist; Republican.   Mr. C. makes a specialty of breeding Italian queen-bees; has imported bees, which he paid $40 each for, is the most scientific bee dealer in the country.



Callen, W.P., far.,S. 28; P.O. Moravia.



Cate, Eli,far., Sec. 27; P.O. Moravia.



Cate, Samuel, Jr., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Moravia; of Southern birth and parentage; his grandfather, Samuel Cate, Sr., was born in North Carolina, about 1783; removed to Tennessee; married Miss Barbara Wilhite, also born in North Carolina; had eleven children; William C., the father of Samuel, Jr., was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., in 1804; married Susan Locke; born in North Carolina in 1805, daughter of John Locke; had fourteen children.  Samuel was born in Jefferson Co., Tenn., in 1830; his parents moved to Sevier Co., Tenn; in 1848, to Iowa - first to Van Buren Co.; in the winter of 1849, to Appanoose, where his mother died in April 1877; his father still lives with him.   August 29, 1852, he married Miss Lucinda Wicker, daughter of James W., of this county, from North Carolina; she was born in North Carolina in 1835; in 1854, they moved to Mercer Co., Mo., and purchased a farm, with the expectation of making that his home; in 1860, his wife died, leaving two children - James M., born in 1854, now a successful teacher in Nebraska; and Harvey C., born in 1858.  March 13, 1862, he married Susan J. Armstrong, who was born in Harrison Co., Ind., in 1840; daughter of Joseph A., who was born Jan. 24, 1797; married Jane Bently March 20, 1820; daughter of Abel b., a resident of Pittsburg, Penn.; they afterward became residents of Appanoose Co., where she died Jan. 10, 1858; her father studied for the ministry, and for thirty-four years was Pastor of the Predestination Church; died Nov. 28, 1862; after marriage, Mr. Cate returned to his farm in Missouri; remained until 1864, when he removed to his present place of residence, where he owns 260 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; since has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, except on year spent in traveling in Nebraska and other States for the benefit of his wife's health.  Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Predestination Church; his first wife was a member of the United Bretheren Church; his mother a member of the Predestination Church for fifty years.



Chambers, William L. farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Moravia; born in Vermilion Co., Ind., in 1833; in 1850, with his father, John C., who was born in Indiana in 1810, came to Appanoose; his mother, whose maiden name was Norris, died three years after coming to Iowa; his father again married, and move to Nodaway Co., Mo., where he died Feb. 25, 1863.  William L. remained in Appanoose with his brother-in-law.   May 30, 1857, married Miss Adeline C. Callen, daughter of Henry Co., from Van Buren Co., Iowa, where they had settled from East Tennessee in 1844; came to this county in 1846; were the third family who settled in Taylor Tp.; they remained here until their death in 1853.  Mr. Chambers engaged in farming by renting until 1861, when he purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of ninety-seven acres, valued at $1,200.   Mr. C. takes an active part in educational matters and in the schools, having five children of his own to educate - John F., born in October 1860; Henry E., in December 1863; Clara A., in May 1866; Alex A., in April 1868, and George R., in January 1870.  Has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Constable and Assessor.  A brother of Mrs. Chambers, Albert H. Callen, just after re-enlistment in Co. D, 6th Iowa V.I., was killed in action at Resaca May 15, 1864; was buried at the National Cemetery at Chattanooga.



Coat, W., far., S. 22; P.O. Moravia.



Coffin, B.F.,far., S. 21; P.O. Moravia.



Coffin, J.A., far., S. 23; P.O. Unionville.



Coulson, E., far., S. 29; P.O. Moravia.



Coulson, Wm., far., S. 29; P.O. Moravia.



Cox, M.P., far., S. 3; P.O. Moravia.



Crawford, H.S.,far., S. 2; P.O. Moravia.



Cree, J.J., far., S. 4; P.O. Moravia.



Criddlebough, M.,far., Sec. 20; P.O. Moravia.



Crist, Lewisfar., S. 4; P.O. Moravia.



Croft, Wm.,far., Sec. 4; P.O. Moravia.



Cummins, E.,merchant, proprietor general store and drug store, Moravia; born in Spencer Co., Ind., in 1832; came to Iowa in 1848, and with his parents located in Moravia in 1849; was one of the first settlers in Moravia; about the first to commence the mercantile business; he opened a general store in 1856, in which he continued with good succes until he formed a company of men and went with them as Captain of Co. F, 8th I.V.C., in June o1863, and while leading his company in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, received a severe wound in the left leg, and, after recovering from his wound, returned to his regiment and took command of his company until the close of the war, participating in the principal battles under Gen. Sherman, and also with Gen. Sherman, and also with Gen. Thomas in his victory against rebel Gen. Hood, in Tennessee, and was mustered out of the service by reason of physical disability.  After the close of the war he returned to Moravia and continued his former business; he has a large double brick store in which he keeps a large stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, drugs and the post office; he has held the office of the Postmaster twelve years, and Notary Public twenty-four years; he has 600 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre, with fine bulding, bearing orchard, etc.; he was editor and publisher of the Weekly Messenger and the Videt four years.  Mr. C. has been a very energetic citizen; has dealt very largely in live-stock in connection with his other business; has acquired a large property by energy and good management, and not by cut-throat mortgages and robbing the poor, and he has the respect and confidence of all that know him.   He married Miss R.E. Stanber, in Moravia, Iowa, in 1852; she was born in Iowa in 1834; they have five children - E.E., now Mrs. Hunnell; R.E., W.R., Grant, Tracy and Mable.  Mr. C. is a member of the A., F. & A.M. Lodge at Moravia; Republican.



Cummins, M.J., far., S. 8; P.O. Moravia.



Cummins, R. Dr., physician and surgeon, Moravia; born in Spencer Co., Ind., in 1830; he came to Wapello Co., Iowa, in 1848; he studied medicine in 1850-51, and practiced the greater portion of his time until 1864, in Moravia, and kept a general store several years at Iconium and Moravia; he moved to California in 1864, and graduated in the California Medical Association at San Francisco in 1867; followed his practice and kept a drug store until May 1878, and returned to Moravia, where he now continues to practice.   He married Catherine Tolbert in Iowa; they had one child - D.E., who is now in Colorado; his wife died at Moravia, November 1856; he married for his second wife, Mary J. Higdon in Iowa; they have two children - A.C. and John M.  Owns store, house and lot in Colorado.



Dill, John, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Moravia.



Duvall, John, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Moravia; born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1817; he moved to Iowa in 1857; has 318 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre, with good house and barn, bearing orchard, etc.   He married Sarah Crawford in Pennsylvania, in 1843; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1824; they have three children - Henry Co., Elizabeth R. and Eli Homer.  He has held the office of Township Trustee and Assessor, and School Diretor.  A member of A., F. & A.M. Lodge at Moravia, and a Republican.  Mr. Duvall has improved his farm and made his property by his hard labor; spent a share of his time at the carpentering and building business; a breeder and dealer in fine Poland-China hogs.



Dodd, F.M., far., S. 11; P.O. Moravia.



Dodd, Reed W., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Moravia; born in Montgomery Co., W.Va.; he moved to Indiana; remained nineteen years, and thence to this county in 1850; he has 203 1/2 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.  He married Irena Montgomery in Virgina, in 1812; they had ten children - Eli, Sarah, Lydia Jane, Clemintine, Martha, Leah and Frank, and three deceased.  Members of the Baptist Church; Republican.



Duvall, H.C., far., S. 16; P.O. Moravia.



Duvall, H., far., S. 11; P.O. Moravia.



Duvall, J., far., S. 11; P.O. Moravia.



Duvall, W.J., far., S. 1; P.O. Moravia.