1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO
R
ISAAC W. REED, of the firm of Reed Brothers, extensive farmers and
dealers in livestock, has been a resident of Audubon County since
1883. He is the second of a family of eleven children, eight of whom
survive. The father, John Reed, is a native of Pennsylvania, arid
was born in 1812. The mother, Mary (Brewer) Reed, was born in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, and after her marriage to John Reed they came
to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and settled near Montezuma, where they
remained until 1883, when they came to Audubon County. They now reside
in Leroy Township. Isaac W. Reedwas born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
August 4, 1857, and at the age of twelve years came to Poweshiek County,
Iowa, with his parents. He received the advantages of a district
school education, and was thoroughly drilled in the details and management
of a farm. He remained with his parents until his majority, when he
formed a partnership with his brother, John J. Reed, under the firm
name of Reed Brothers. They began farming by renting the farm of C.
H. Cross for six years.In the spring of 1889 they rented and moved
to the farm of John C. Bonwell, which covers 720 acres. They have
the farm well stocked, and employ three men, and run five teams during
the busy sea son. In the season of 1888 they raised 10, 000 bushels
of corn. They fatten from fifty to 100 head of cattle annually. The
Reed Brothers are very successful farmers, devoting their whole time
to the business. The grand father of Isaac W. Reed was Isaac Reed,
who removed from beyond the Alleghany Mountains and settled in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, at an early day. He was descended from an old
English family, three or four generations of whom were born in America.
Isaac Reed married Miss Jannett Johnson, and reared a family of twelve
children. The mother of Isaac W. Reed, Mary (Brewer) Reed, is a daughter
of Henry Brewer, of German descent, and Mary (Randolph) Brewer, who
reared a large family. Mary (Brewer) Reed was born March 22, 1819,
and is the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are living -- James
Z., John J. and Isaac W. (twins), William, Herman E., A. C., Mary
E., Harriet M., and four who died in childhood. Isaac Reed, the grand
father of Isaac W., was a spy during the Indian troubles in the early
settlement of Pennsylvania.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 773.
JOSEPH M. REYNOLDS is the senior member of the firm of Reynolds &
Ide, merchants at Brayton, Iowa. Messrs. Reynolds & Ide carry
a general stock, and bothbeing active business men they do a large
and prosperous trade.Both gentlemen are welland favorably known. Mr.
Reynolds was born in Orange County, New York, in the heart of the
great cheese and butter region, January 4, 1852. He is the third of
a family of six children of Patrick and Mary (Muden) Reynolds, who
were born and reared in Ireland.The father was born in the county
of Longford, and the mother in the county of Leitrem, near the Shannon
River.In the fall of 1839 the parents emi grated to America, landed
in the city of New York,and at once proceededto Orange County. Patrick
Reynolds at once identi fied himself with the old Whig party, and
became a warm supporter of the same. On the organization of the Republican
party his sympathies were with it, and he fought in the war of the
Rebellion. From Orange County the family removed to Muscatine County,
Iowa, in January, 1854.For many years the father was employed by the
C., R. I. & P. Railroad, and was a valued and trusty man.He died
at West Liberty, Iowa, honored by all who knew him. His wife is still
living, and is now a resident of Des Moines. The boyhood days of JosephM.
Reynolds were passed in West Liberty, where he re ceived his education.
On leaving school he accepted a clerkship for a shorttime; he then
entered the employ of the railroad com pany, beginning at the bottom
round of the ladder. He rose to the position of passenger conductor,
when he met with an accident that caused the loss of two fingers of
his left hand. He then took up the study of telegraphy, and became
an operator and station agent in the employ of the C., R. I. &
P. R. R. Co., for a period of ten years. In 1876 he came to Brayton
and opened the station, and contin ued there until 1886. In 1887 he
embarked in the mercantile trade, purchasing the stock of W. Bartlett
& Son, and associating him self with O. F. Ide, Esq. Mr. Reynolds
is a thorough business man, and in connection with his mercantile
interests he carries on farming and stockraising to a considerable
extent. Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage in 1881 to Miss Lillie
Bartlett, the only daughter of Washington Bartlett, Esq., whose biography
appears on another page of this volume. This union has been blessed
with one child Beatrice. Although young she is quite accomplished
in music. Owing to failing health Mr. Reynolds has traveled considerably
during the past two years. He is one of the active members of Audubon
Lodge, No. 217, I. O. O. F.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 805.
JOSEPH RIDPATH, farmer and stock raiser, Audubon County, Iowa, was
born inMontgomeryCounty, Virginia, on the west side of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, September 21, 1829. He is the son of James A. and Rebecca
(Kelsey) Ridpath, who were the parents of five children. The father
was a native of Virginia and a farmer by occu pation, and the motherwas
of German descent. The grandfather of our subject was a native of
England, and was brought to this country at the age of eight years.
Joseph is a cousin of the historian, John Clark Rid path, aresident
of Greencastle, Indiana. He passed his boyhood in Ross County, Ohio,
whither his parents had moved when he was one year old.His father
died here three years later, leaving him an orphan when a mere child.
The mother and children, a few years later, removed from Ross County,
Ohio, to Putnam County, Indiana, where they bought a piece of land
in the green woods, which they partly cleared out.During this time
Joseph was bound out to Henry Picket, with whom he remained until
his eighteenth year. Mr. Picket proved to be a good father, and when
Joseph left him, gave him a suit of clothes, a horse, saddle and bridle.
In the meantime the mother and other members of the family had removed
to Parke County, In diana. Here the mother was again married and passed
the remainder of her days. In 1849 Mr. Ridpath left Putnam County
and came to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he bought forty acres of land,
paying $1.25 per acre. This he improved, and added to it eighty acres,
more, on which he resided until the spring of 1880, when he removed
to Au dubon County, Iowa. Mr. Ridpath was mar ried to Miss Betsey
Jarrad, of Mahaska County, Iowa, by whom four children were born Henrietta,
wife of G. H. Petty; Thomas M., Otis (deceased) and Albert. The mother
died in Mahaska County. Mr. Ridpath was married to his present wife
in May, 1866. Mrs. Ridpath's maiden name was Rebecca J. Petty, and
she is a daughter of James B. Petty, a native of Ohio. On the breaking
out of the late civil war Mr. Ridpath enlisted in Company E, Thirtythird
Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was immediately sent to Lit tle Rock, Arkansas,
under General Steele. He was then sent to Camden, Arkansas, and on
the defeat of General Banks he was ordered into the Seventh Army Corps.
He was fol lowed and overtaken at the Saline River, and had a sharp
engagement with General Price's forces, in which a good many men were
killed and wounded and taken prisoners.He was then ordered back to
Little Rock, thence to Mobile, Alabama, where the siege continued
eight days. He was then ordered to the mouth of the Rio Grande River,
and then to New Orleans, where he was transferred to Company E, Thirty.fourth
Iowa Volunteer Infantry. August 15, 1865, he was mustered out of the
service at Houston, Texas. He then returned to Mahaska County, Iowa,
where he engaged in the more peaceful pur suits of agriculture, having
served his coun try faithfully and honorably. He is a member of the
G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34, of which he is QuartermasterSergeant.Mr.
Ridpath's farm consists of eighty acres of well-improved land.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 753.
JOHN RILEY, physician and surgeon, Exira, Iowa, is a native of the
State of Illinois. He was born in Bureau County, near the spot where
Neponset now stands, August18, 1850, and is the second in a family
of seven sons, all of whom lived to maturity. John and Abigail (Burnet)
Riley were his parents, and they were both natives of New York.Mrs.
Riley's mother and General Slocum were first cousins, and they trace
their ancestry back for five generations. John Riley, Sr., is also
a doctor, and he and his wife are both living at Spring Hill, Illi
nois. He was one of the pioneer physicians in Illinois. He was educated
in New York, and came to Chicago by way of the lakes, and thence across
the prairies by wagons.In his younger days he conducted a large and
profitable practice, and gained some distinction in that section
of country. John Riley, Jr., passed his boyhood in Whiteside County,
Illinois, whither his father had removed when he was an infant. His
primary education was received in the district school, and later he
attended the Academy of Prophetstown, and finished his literary education
at Fulton, Illinois. He then began teaching school in Clinton, Iowa,
and continued in this profes sion for six years.While engaged in teach
ing he took up the study of medicine, and afterward entered the office
of Doctors Mc Cormick & Smith, the leading physicians of the place.After
reading under their direction for some time he entered the medical
department of the Iowa State University, and was graduated from that
institution in 1880. He then came to Exira, and began the prac tice
of his profession, to which he has devoted the whole of his time
and energies with gratifying results. Dr. Riley was married August
26, 1880, to Miss Mary J. Powers, a native of Ohio. She was a graduate
of the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and for some time was
engaged in teaching at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have two chil dren -- Ethel M. and John. The Doctor is Master of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A.
F. & A. M., and M. W. of the A. O. U. W. He is a member of the
town council, and is now president of the school board; he is also
a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and president of the Botna
Valley Medical Association. Of the seven sons in this fam ily three
are physicians, three are lawyers, and one is a farmer. One of the
attorneys died in March, 1888; he had studied law with Mrs. Foster.Their
names are Charles, at torney; John, physician; William, attorney (deceased);
George W., attorney; Bruce, phy.. sician; Lincoln, physician; and
Henry Clay, at home on the farm in Illinois. All are married, except
Bruce.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 719.
ALEXANDER H. ROBERTS, pharmacist, Audubon, Iowa, came to the place
October 15, 1878, the day on which the town lots were first offered
for sale. He is a native of the State of Iowa, was born August 26,
1848, in Des Moines County, twelve miles west of Burlington. His father,
James Dorsey Roberts, is a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation.
He removed to Iowa in 1838, and is now a resident of Henry County,
Iowa, where he has lived since 1855. He was born in 1823. The mother
of Alexander H. Roberts is Susan (McDonald) Roberts, a daughter
of Alexander McDonald. She was born in 1826, and is still living.
The family consists of four children, of whom A. H. is the second.
The subject of this brief sketch was seven years old when his parents removed to Henry County, Iowa. He attended the common-schools, and
later pursued a three years' course at Howe's Academy. After leaving
school he taught for a time, and then went to Burlington, where he
graduated at the Bryant & Stratton Business Col lege, and where
he was employed as mailing clerk in the Burlington Hawkeye office
for six months. He then embarked in the mercantile business in Corning,
Iowa, where he remained twelve months. He went from Corning to Mount
Pleasant, where he engaged in the drug business, in which business
he has been engaged since that time. In the autumn of 1878 he came
to Audubon and opened a stock of drugs, books and stationery. He is
well established in trade, and is a very efficient druggist and careful
pharmacist. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage, September 14, 1871,
to Miss Lizzie Pritchard, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, a daughter of Thomas
Pritchard, Esq. Mrs. Roberts was born in Henry County, Iowa, where
her father was one of the earliest settlers, coming to the county
from Philadel phia in 1834.Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children
Ira Pearl and Ralph Pritchard. Mr. Roberts was a member of the first
school board, serving six years.At present he is president of that
body.He was also a mem ber of the first city council. He is a member
of Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., Mount Pleasant,
Iowa; of Amity Chap ter, No. 93, R. A. M., Audubon, and of God frey
Commandery, K. T., Audubon. He was the first treasurer of the Audubon
County Agricultural Society, serving four years, and has been elected
secretary for the coming year. In political matters he is rather con
servative. He is an active member of' the Methodist Episcopal church,
and has been since childhood. He is serving his tenth year as superintendent
of the Sabbath-school, for the success of which he has been a faithful worker. Mr. Roberts has not only been an active spirit in all business
enterprises in Audubon, but he has also been instrumental in elevating
the morals of his adopted city. Reuben Roberts, grandfather of A.
H. Rob erts, came to Iowa at an early day. He made the journey via
the Ohio River to the Mississippi, thence via the Mississippi to Burlington. He came from near Wheeling, West Virginia, and was the father of twelve
children.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 710.
OLIVER H. P. ROBERTS, a successful farmer and stockraiser of Leroy
Town ship, was born in Lawrenceburg, Dear born County, Indiana, February
20, 1829. He is the oldest son of Moses and Elmira E. (Clark) Roberts.
Eben E. Roberts, the father of Moses M. Roberts, was born in the State
of Maine, and was a soldier in the war of 1812.Moses M. Roberts was
also born in the State of Maine, and Almira E. Clark, his wife, was
born in Newport, Rhode Island, andat an early day removed to Dearborn
County, Indiana. She was the daughter of George Clark, who removed
to Cincinnati, where he was a ship carpenter for many years. Moses
M. Roberts and family removed from Indiana to Illinois, and settled
on a farm in Henderson County. O. H. P. Roberts was at this time about
twelve years of age.He received only a commonschool education, and
remained on the farm with his parents until his twentyfourth year,
at which time he was married to Martha W. Miller, the oldest daughter
of Robert and Elizabeth Miller. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Roberts removed
with his family to Audubon County, Iowa, andsettled on a farm in section
1, Leroy Township, on the east branch of the Nish nabotna River.The
landwas wild, and neighbors were few and far between. E. J. Freeman,
an old and tried friend, was Mr. Roberts's most intimate associate,
with whom he passedmany happy hours. On first coming to the State
his means were limited, and there were many hardships to be met, and
many burdens to be borne; but his cour age and industry were equal
to the test, and by diligence and good management he has one of the
best farms in the neighborhood. The place contains 187 acres of choice
land in a high state of cultivation. The residence, which is a twostory
frame building, stands in the midst of a natural grove. There are
also many pines and cedars growing near the house, which add to the
attractiveness of the place as no other foliage can.Although they
were planted by Mr. Roberts,they have grown to be forty or fifty feet
in height. The farm is well stocked with the best grades of livestock,
and everything is arranged with an eye to convenience and ease in
the care of them.Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have seven children William
S., Robert C., Ida L., Herbert M., Mary E., Lewis W. and Oscar P.
Mr. Roberts has been officially identified with his township as trustee,
and also as clerk. He is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 302, A. F.
& A. M. In political mat ters he is rather conservative. He was
a staunch Union man during the war, and offered his services to his
country, but was not accepted, on account of illhealth.In National
elections he votes the Democratic ticket, but in local affairs he
votes for the man best fitted for the office, regardless of party ties.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 719.
ALPHEUS F. RODGERS,a model farmer of Leroy Township, section 9, was
born in the State of Michigan, Cass County, near Dowagiac, February
15, 1839. He is the third child of Samuel and Margaret (Burk) Rodgers.
The mother was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of William Burk.The
father was born in Preble County,Ohio, October 13, 1810. He grew to
manhood in his native State, and at an early day removed to Michigan,
where he carried on farming and milling as a business. He served as
a soldier in the Black Hawk war. He received land war rants, with
a portion of which he located land adjoining his home. He is still
living, and is a resident of Benton harbor, Michigan. A. F. Rodgers
passed his early boyhood in Michigan, receiving the advantage of a
good common-school education. In the year 1854 he removed with his
parents to La Salle County, Illinois, and worked on the farm with
his father until he reached his majority; he then began life on his
own account, fol lowing farming until 1864, when he started for the
mines of Idaho and Montana. He left Omaha the 3d day of May, and arrived
in Virginia City the 10th day of July. He engaged in mining in Last
Chance and Hard Scrabble gulches, built a cabin, and the first hotel
building in what is now Helena, the capital of Montana. Returning
to Seneca, Illinois, he opened a meatmarket and dealt in livestock.
Afterward he went into the lumber business, which he conducted suc
cessfully until 1878.In March, 1879, Mr. Rodgers went to Audubon County,
Iowa, and in March of the following year be moved his family to Audubon.
October 21, 1880, he moved on his present farm, and devotes his time
to general farming.He endeavors to raise good grades of stock, believing
that it costs no more to raise a good animal than a poor one.The place
is well provided with buildings for the protection of livestock. Mr.
Rodgers was married August 23, 1859, to Miss Caroline Hurlburt, a
daughter of Will iam and LaurindaHurlburt, of La Salle County, Illinois.
Mr. Rodgers is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A.
M.; of Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M.; and of Blaney Commandery,
No. 5, K. T., at Morris, Illinois. In politics he is a Republican.
Mrs. Rodgers's father was born and reared in Massachusetts; her mother
was a native of New York State. Her parents were married in Ohio,
and afterward removed to Illinois. The grandfather of A. F. Rodgers
was Alex ander Rodgers, who married Miss Margaret Culton, a native
of Rockbridge County, Virginia.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 766.
GEORGE M. ROSS, a successful agriculturist and stockraiser, of Cameron
Township, has been a resident of Andubon County since 1878. He was
born in Indiana County, near the town of Marion, Pennsylvania, May
4, 1851, and is the fifth of a family of eight children of Samuel
and Elizabeth (McCowen) Ross. The parents were born in Ireland, and
emigrated to the United States in their early married life, and settled
in Pennsylvania; they are still living on the old homestead in Indiana
County where they first settled. Seven of the eight children are living,
five sons and two daughters. George M. was reared to the life of a
farmer, and obtained his education in the common school.He remained
under the parental roof until his eighteenth year, when he took up
the responsibilities of life for himself. He went to Louisville, Kentucky,
and engaged in retailing manufactured tobaccos, cigars and smoker's
articles, in which he made money rapidly. He sold out the business
and removed to Page County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming two
years.In the spring of 1878 he came to Audubon County, Iowa, and bought
a half section of choice land, which at that time was wild prairie
land. He went to work with a will, and as time has passed he has added
many valuable improvements.Mr. Ross has here to fore been engaged in
general farming, but in the past two years he has given more at tention
to the feeding of livestock, and has been quite successful; he has,
however, suf fered heavy losses from cholera at times. Mr. Ross was
married in the spring of 1878 to Miss Alice C. Price, a daughter of
Fred Price, Esq., of Page County, Iowa. Four children have been born
of this union David Cameron, Bessie, George and Samuel. Mr. Ross has
been politically identified with his township as trustee, having been
elected in the fall of 1888. He affiliates with the Republican party.His
landed estate num bers 760 acres, 440 in Audubon County, and 320 in
Woodbury County, Iowa. Mr. Ross was entirely without means when he
began his business career, but he has not remained at the bottom of
the ladder; he has exerted all his energies, and to no small purpose,
as can be seen from the valuable property he has accumulated.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 785.
GEORGE B. RUSSELL, a prominent business man of Audubon, of the firm of G. B. Russell & Sons, dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes,
and gentlemen's furnishing goods, is a native of Scotland. He was
born February 16, 1833, and when five years of age his parents emigrated
to America, landing in New York City, where they remained until George
was twelve years old; they then removed to Portland, Dodge County,
Wisconsin. Charles Russell, the father, a farmer by occupation, has
retired, and is now living in Stoughton, Wisconsin, at the advanced
age of eightyfive years. His mother, Ellen Crawford Russell, was a
native ofScotland. Charles Russell and wife were the parents of three children -- James Russell,of the State of Georgia, one son deceased,
and George B. Russell, the subject of this notice. He received the
greater part of his education in New York, for on going to Wisconsin
his school days had ended in a measure. At that time Indians were
numerous, and the sight of them was as common as the sight of the
whites. Young Russell remained on the farm with his parents until
reaching his nineteenth year, when he went to the State of Georgia,
where he remained two years, engaged in the bricklayer's trade. On
his return to Wisconsin he was occupied with farming, and then with
clerking in a store. In 1872 he removed to Exira, where he opened a
stock of general merchandise, at the same time continuing his farming
interests. By honest dealing and close application to business he
built up a large and prosperous mercantile trade. In the fall of
1879 Mr. Rus sell started a store in Audubon, which was managed by
his oldest son, Charles Russell, he himself continuingthemanagement
of the business in Exira. In 1880 Mr. Bussell's family removed to
Audubon, and he afterward closed the business at Exira, and concentratedall
his capital in Audubon, where he has since resided.In 1888 he re moved
his old store building, a frame structure, 24 x 80 feet, and erected
a fine three story brick on the same lot. The size of the present
store is 30 x 100 feet. The first floor is occupied by a stock of
goods, the second story is fitted up in offices, and the balance of
the building is finished for an opera house, which is well supplied
with attractive scen ery and all the equipments of a firstclass opera
house. It has a seating capacity of 600, and is an enterprise for which
Mr. Russell deserves great credit. In 1857 Mr. Russell was united
in marriage to Miss Jane Hutchinson, of Lowell, Dodge County, Wis
consin, who is a native of the State of New York, and a daughter of
Henry and Gertrude Hutchinson. The father died in New York, and after
his death the mother and family removed to Wisconsin. Mrs. Russell
is a person of unusual domestic qualities, and is perfectly at home
amid her household duties. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have four children
Agnes R., Charles, a member of the firm of G. B. Russell & Son;
Gertrude C., the wife of John A. Nash, and James F., also a mem ber
of the firm. Mr. Russell commenced at the bottom of the ladder, but
has not re mained there.He owns several good farms in Audubon County,
which he rents, and he has a neat, substantial residence, tastefully
finished and furnished, in politics he takes an active part, voting
for the man whom he thinks best fitted for the office. While he is
not a member of any church he is a strong advocate of temperance in
all things.He is public spirited, and ever stands ready and willing
to assist in any work tending to the good of the community.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 798.
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