The USGenWeb Project
Benton County, IAGenWeb Project
HOME SEARCH WHAT'S NEW SITE MAP
The IAGenWeb Project

wagon train
Page Last Updated: Monday, 03-Apr-2023 13:29:38 CDT
 Pioneer Ancestor of Terri Rene (DaVar) Howard, brianter@macatawa.org
Thomas WAY

 Pioneer Ancestors of Deb Morr, dabrat@pitnet.net
Merida BRAMMER
Thomas John FERGUSON
Isaac FERGUSON
Sarah HAMLIN BRAMMER
Elizabeth nee FERGUSON
Lorinda nee BRAMMER FERGUSON BAILEY, b. 4 Jan 1846 OH and came to Benton Co. in a covered wagon in 1847. She lived all but the last few years in Urbana, and is also listed as a centurian, she passed 29 Jul 1955.

 Pioneer Ancestor of Vonda Doane DeMerritt, vondadem@cet.com
Elias DOAN was born 5 June 1814 in Washington Co., IN. He arrived in Benton County June 1850 & owned land in Big Grove. He died June 1880.

 Pioneer Ancestor of Kaye Sanchez, kkcs40434@aol.com
John George ENGEL, known to his friends as "Joe" was born on Oct 3, 1845, in Bahlingen, Germany to George Engel and the former Miss Anna Marie Koehl (Kohl). He came to America with his grandfather, J. Martin Koehl in 1856, and at first lived in Fremont Twsp. Benton County. However, a year later, his parents, brother, and sisters followed to America and John joined them on a farm in Clinton Twsp. Linn Co. in the 1850's. He married Eva Rosina Keller b. 25 Sep 1846 in Rosenberg, Baden, Germany dau of Johann Andreas Keller and Katharina Margaetha Schweizer. In 1897, John and Eva retired to Atkins, Benton Co. IA. It was a common sight to see John, with his long white beard and brown high-topped hat, riding in his wagon pulled by a team of Shetland ponies. John was known for his homemade wine and his card playing buddies would usually let him win a few games of euchre so that he would share his wine more generously. John died in Vinton 3 Dec 1926 and Eva died 25 Aug 1921 in Vinton.

 Pioneer Ancestor of Pamela Storm Wolfskill, pam@sfgenealogy.com
David JEWELL (JUELL) was born 11 May 1793 in NY, married first wife Rachel GRISWOLD (who died before 1850) and had 8 children. He then married second wife Polly E. KEELER? or KEEBLER? and had 4 more children. Lived in Linn County in 1840, and settled in Benton County before 1850. (Source: 1850 Federal Census, IA, Benton Co, District No. 11, page 53b, line 5, dwelling #38, family #38.)

 Pioneer Ancestors of Sherry Wiesen, teacher@midusa.net
John ROUSE, age 55, farmer, born in S.C. his wife Lydia, age 53, born in S.C., their daughters Mary, age 21 born in Tenn and Nancy, age 17, born in Iowa, and a son John, age 20, a farmer, born in Iowa. (Source: 1850 Census, Benton Co., Iowa; dwelling 18 page 52)

Joseph ROUSE, age 29, farmer, born in Tenn and his first wife (not my line) Hannah, age 23, born in Iowa. (Source: 1850 Census, Benton Co., Iowa; page 52 dwelling 17)


 Pioneer Ancestor of Lester R Hicks, l.hicks@mchsi.com and of Peggy Hiykel
William Hicks

 Pioneer Ancestor of Peggy Hiykel
Isaac and Thomas McBROOM were long time residents of Benton County and are both buried in McBroom Cemetery, Benton Co. IA. The source of information is the 1856 census listing Isaac McBroom as the head of household with son Thomas and their next door neighbor William Hicks.

 Pioneer Ancestor of Patricia Holt Juon
HOLT, Nathan - found in 1854 State Census of Iowa, Benton County - Microfilm Number: H.Q. #221-5, FHL #1022206 Items 2-16 Nathan is found in Harrison Twp. with the enumeration date of 4 Jul 1854: http://iagenweb.org/benton/census_state/1854.htm

HOLT, Eunice (Mrs. Nathan) - 1855 Land Patent issued 15 Jun 1855, Benton Co., IA 5th PM 086N - 010W, N1/2 SE1/4 (80 A.) Section 2 by Dubuque District Land Office, Doc. #25386, Accession or Serial #IA1500_.048:
https://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=IA1500__.048&docClass=STA&sid=grum1yie.vxx

Parents of George A. Holt who died near Fairfield, MO 13 Nov. 1861, serving in the Civil War - He was a member of the 8th Infantry Regiment, Co. D from Benton Co. Also parents of Truman, Almon and Byron Holt.

Nathan and Eunice are the great great grandprents of Patricia Holt Juon.

 Pioneer Ancestor of Judy Frerichs
My grandfather, John LORENZ  was born in Benton County in 1886, He was the son of Jochim and Friederika KRUEGER LORENZ. They came to Benton County from Germany in 1879. Jochim Lorenz 2 sisters, Mary and  Reka Lorenz were married to Charles and John RISCH.

 Pioneer Ancestors of Sheila Shutts, 6769usmc@gmail.com
Peter, James and Henry SHUTTS came to Benton county 1856-58. They were born in New York. (Source: 1860 Census, Benton Co., Iowa; 1910 History of Benton County, Iowa; Pioneer Recollections - Benton County)

 Pioneer Ancestors of Carol Troestler, ctroestl@execpc.com
According to her death certificate, Maria Emmie KELLER was born in Benton County in 1860. Her father was listed as Rev. Martin Luther KELLER and mother was Sophia WILSON PRATT . They were both 24 on the 1860 census and farmed in LeRoy township. They had another child Mary.

 Pioneer Ancestors of Susan DeWalt Wesolowski, weso3@bellsouth.net
My dad's last name was DeWalt and his family moved to Benton County in 1856. In 1878 history of Benton County on page 575 it has an aritcle about Jonathan DeWalt. Also in the 1860 census LN 21, HN 594, FN 531 the Dewalt family is listed.

 Pioneer Ancestors of Jan LaMotte, Oklahoma City
Joseph B. MORRIS family. 1850 and 1860 census, Big Grove Township, Benton County Iowa.

Joseph was the son of George Morris and Jedidah NEWMAN of Monmouth Co NJ and Porter Township, Delaware County OH. He was born 3 Feb 1818 in Monmouth Co NJ and died 22 Oct 1886 at Covert, Osborne County KS. He married Anne Maria HOYT, 22 Dec 1842 at Medina County OH. They had 10 children: Allen Divine Morris, Elmer Yocum Morris, Wilbur Fisk Morris, David Corwin Morris, Ann Morris (Shockley), Rejina Ernestine Morris, Charles Morris, Martha R. Morris, Mary Morris, and Eva Morris (Allison).


 Pioneer Ancestors of Ron & Bobbie Thompson, RThom31@aol.com, Naples, FL
Charles Henry OPPELT, born in Fairfield, Canada, in 1800, left Tuscawaras Co, OH with his wife and grown children to settle in Vinton, Benton County, IA in 1850. Charles Henry settled in Jackson Township where he farmed until his death in 1870. One of his children, Sylvanus Charles Oppelt, born in Tuscawaras Co, OH, in 1829, stayed on in Vinton where he married and raised his family of 13 children. Sylvanus was a school teacher and served in Co D, 28th IA Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Sylvanus died in Vinton in 1918. All of his surviving children left the area and most went West where descendants are living today.

 Pioneer Ancestors of Todd Hunt, route66hunts@hughes.net
I am a direct descendant of Charles J. HUNT. He lived in Jackson Township. State records indicate he was on the State Census in 1854 in Taylor Township. Federal census records him in 1860 as living in Jackson Township. His oldest son, George was born in Garrison, 1852. That is about the earlies I can place him. The 1860 census indicates that George was born in Benton Co. approximately 1852. There is also proof that Charles’ father, Charles, was buried in Carlisle Grove cemetery. His marker is photographed in the Iowa Cemetery Site. It states that he died April, 15, 1865. Age 77 years, 2 months, and 27 days.

 Pioneer Ancestors of Marjorie A. Nemitz, Manemitz@aol.com
John A. CROW, b. 1804-1805, VA and wife, Milcah BELT, b. Dec. 1803, OH traveled by covered wagon from Kosciusko Co., IN to Benton Co., IA in 1853-1853 and settled in Taylor Twp., on what became know as Crow's Creek.

John was a waggoner and farmer. Son, Aquila Belt, stated he died in 1894, place unknown. Milcah d. May 1860 and is burred in Prairie United Brethren Cemetery, Taylor Twp., Benton Co., IA.

Children brought with them to Benton Co., IA: Mary Liva, b. 1831-1832, OH; Meredith Zuriel b. 1835, OH & d. 1920 in Benton Co., IA,; David, b. 1837, IN; Aquila Belt, b. 1838, IN; Elizabeth A., b. 1838-1839, IN; Hannah Jane, b. 1842, IN; Eunice, b. 1844, IN marr. & d. 1881 Benton Co.; Rose Ann, b. 1847, IN.

Census rec. from IA State 1856 Bk. 36, p. 16 to IA State 1885 and Fed Cen. records every decade; land records.


 Pioneer Ancestors of Bruce Thayer
George Washington HARGER (HIGER)
b. Coshocton Co., Ohio 01/01/1822
d. Ciaro, NE., 2/18/1900
1856 Iowa Census for Benton County, Canton Twnshp, Page 180

Eliza Jane JONES HARGER
b. Coshocton Co., Ohio 6/28/1828
d. Benton Co., Benton Twnsp, IA 9/12/1911
1856 Iowa Census for Benton County, Canton Twnsp, page 180

The census also includes the three children they had at that time:
Julie Ann, John Allen, and Morrow Alexander (my g grandfather)

G.W. Harger and Eliza Jane migrated from Ohio coming to Iowa in a five wagon, wagon train. According to a newspaper account of Phaebe Rebecca Jones Penrose (the sister of Eliza Jane), they arrived on Halloween night, 1855, in the area accompanied by the paul Miller, William Crawford, George Jones and James Jones families.


 Pioneer Ancestors of Larry Lambert, larry.r.lambert@comcast.net

Larry Lambert is the 4th Great Grandson of David Lambert.  His line comes through David’s son, Samuel B Lambert, who remained in Clay Township, Howard County, Indiana in 1853.

David LAMBERT, at age 64, began his third and final frontier pioneering adventure in late 1853 by moving to Benton County, Iowa.  David moved to Iowa from Clay Township, Howard County, Indiana to claim a land warrant granted to him by the United States for his military service in the War of 1812.  David LAMBERT’s move to Iowa was with at least five families, which included:

David Lambert and wife, Permilia Barnard-Lambert, with their son Abner
John B. Lambert and Abigail Clark-Lambert, and three children (adult son of David Lambert)
Sherebiah Lambert and Louisa Smith-Lambert and two children (adult son of David Lambert)
Abiram Stacy Lambert and Louisa Leech-Lambert and one child (adult son of David Lambert)
Uel Mather and Laura Ann Lambert-Mather and three children (adult daughter of David Lambert)
George and Nancy Smith and children (Parents of Louisa Smith-Lambert)  

Born in 1789 at Canaan Maine, David Lambert served his country in the war of 1812 and then proceeded to Western New York, Southern Indiana, Central Indiana, and then finally to Iowa.  David was one of ten children, five of whom moved westward becoming a part of the Americas pioneering adventure.  David acquired his Iowa land for his war service though only holding it for a couple of years before selling it.  David Lambert spent his life living on the edge of civilization, and worked as a farmer, preacher, and teacher to make his community a better place to live.  David’s sons, John B. and Abiram Lambert, served along with Uel Mather in the Iowa units of the Union Army.   Uel Mather died while serving in the Union Army in 1862 and is buried at Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO.  David saw much hardship while living in Iowa, in Oct 1857 his son Sherebiah lost a leg in a threshing machine accident, his daughter-in-law (same son) died suddenly in 1860, at least three grandchildren preceded him in death, and his daughter Sophronia Lambert-Pore-Wilcox died shortly before David himself.      David’s wife Permelia died in Dec 1865 and David died in late 1866 or 1867.  (note: David Lambert’s tombstone indicates he died on 15 Dec 1865 however we have found evidence in his estate papers that indicates he lived until at least late 1866 and possible as late as 1867.)  It is to pioneers like David and his family that we owe a large debt of gratitude because without people like them our country would not have expanded and grown to become what it is today.  As a side note David’s children continued their westward movement; John B. Lambert is buried at Fort Bidwell, CA – John‘s wife Abigail is buried in Lakeview Oregon, Sherebiah Lambert is buried in Nebraska, and Abiram Lambert is buried in Twin Falls, Idaho.   

David Lambert and wife, Permilia Barnard-Lambert, with their son Abner
  – Are listed or Identified in the 1854, 1856 Iowa Census & 1860 Federal

John B. Lambert and Abigail Clark-Lambert, and three children (adult son of David Lambert)
  – Are listed or Identified in the 1854 & 1860 Census
Sherebiah Lambert and Louisa Smith-Lambert and two children (adult son of David Lambert)
  – Are listed or Identified in the 1854, 1856 Iowa Census
Abiram Stacy Lambert and Louisa Leech-Lambert and one child (adult son of David Lambert)
 – Are listed or Identified in the 1854, 1856 Iowa Census
Uel Mather and Laura Ann Lambert-Mather and three children (adult daughter of David Lambert)
 – Are listed or Identified in 1854 & 1856 Census
George and Nancy Smith and children (Parents of Louisa Smith-Lambert)
 – Are listed or Identified in the 1856 Iowa Census

David and Permelia are both buried in McBroom Cemetery in Benton County, Iowa

Sherebiah’s wife Louisa is burried in Parker Grove Cemetery Benton County,  Iowa

Uel Mather is buried in St. Louis, MO and Wife Laura Lambert-Mather-Stevens is burried in Urbana, Iowa  


Source Information: (1854 Iowa Census)
Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
The Census data can also be found at: iagenweb.org/benton/census_state/1854.htm

Note that in the 1854 Canton Township, Benton County, Iowa Census :
  John D. Lambert should read John B. Lambert
  Therebiah Lambert should read Sherebiah Lambert
  Abinanse Lambert should read Abiram Lambert      
       
Source Information: 1856 Iowa Census
Ancestry.com. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses 1856, Roll: IA_69, obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest. The Census data can also be found at: iagenweb.org/benton/1856_census/1856idxl.htm


 Pioneer Ancestors of Laura Berghoff, LLBERGHOFF@aol.com
Cyrus C. ChARLES was an early pioneer in Benton County. Born in 1823 in Ohio, he first shows up "in print" in the A.T.Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875, which makes mention of C.C. Charles and John ROYAL erecting the first saw-mill in Benton County about 1-1/2 miles southeast of Vinton on Mud Creek in the summer or fall of 1849. Pioneer Recollections of Benton County states that, "Cyrus C. Charles was the first merchant to open a store at Fremont, as it was called then." The first house built after the town was platted was "erected in 1850 by James SANDERS in the block north of the court house square, this was the first frame building in the county. It was originally designed for a store, but was used as a dwelling by Sheriff C.C. Charles."

Cyrus C. Charles appears in the 1850 census as living in Benton County (a carpenter with $500 to his name). He married Nancy P. DORSEY on December 15, 1849 in Benton County, Iowa.They appear together on the 1856 census. They had a baby, Nancy Jane, on January 20, 1856. On March 13, 1856 Nancy P. Charles died.

Cyrus Charles married Mary CRAPO on October 19, 1860 in Black Hawk County, Iowa. They had four children. Cyrus Charles died October 3, 1898 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He appeared on all censuses up until his death.


 Pioneer Ancestors of Karen Prokop, Kkprokop@aol.com
Jesse WRIGHT born in Ohio and his wife Lydia SMITH moved to Benton County in 1854. The family is listed in the 1856 Benton County Census. Jesse died in 1858 so is not listed in any other Census in Iowa.

Lydia is listed in Belle Plaine in the 1860, 1870 & 1880 US Census. She died in 1889.

Their children were George Washington Wright, Enos D. Wright, Elisha B. Wright, Augustus Wright all four being born in Ohio, Henry H. Wright born in Illinois & William Wright born in Indiana.

George Washington is listed in the 1862 Benton County, IA Civil War Roster. He died in 1890 and is buried in the Soldier's Cemetery next to the VA Hospital in Marshalltown, IA. Augustus is listed in Belle Plaine in the 1860 & 1900 US Census and the 1897 Biographical Directory of Benton County. He died in 1906 and is buried in the WRIGHT Cemetery, a Pioneer Cemetery located outside Belle Plaine, Benton, IA. Elisha B. is listed in Belle Plaine in every state and US Census until his death. He is also listed in the 1878 & 1897 Biographical Directory of Benton County. He died in 1912 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine, IA. Enos D. is listed in Belle Plaine in every state and US Census until his death. He is also listed on the 1862 Benton County, IA Civil War Roster. He died in 1905 and is also buried in WRIGHT Cemetery. Henry H. died in 1929 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Tama, IA. I have not located William as of yet.


 Pioneer Ancestors of Allan E. Nichols, allannichols@bellsouth.net

Our family bible has the following information listed:

In 1856 Abram Nichols & Mary Merritt Nichols along with children Lucy, George, William, Joseph, Mary Jane, Charles and Hannah left Morpeth ON CAN for Iowa. They traveled with the Robert Woods and James Call families in covered wagons driving 16 head of cattle in front of them. At Detroit MI they joined with a larger wagon train taking 6 weeks and 5 days before arriving in Benton Co IA in Aug of 1856.

The next notice of my family is the 1860 census… where my g-g-g grandfather ABRAM is listed as Irwin… but all the other names are correct.


Pioneer Ancestors of Lynnette W. McMahon, lmcmahon@charter.net
The Ramptons


Pioneer Ancestors of Jon Kime, jon.kime@mchsi.com
Kime Ancestors


 Sesquicentennial Pioneer Certificates were issued on November 20, 1997 to:
Kate Connerth, Kate2@cinci.rr.com and
Edith Riedel McMahan
Lyman Dixon BORDWELL
Born 28 January 1808 in Livingston County, NY
Arrived in Benton County, IA September 1842
Died June 10, 1893
Buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Benton County, IA.

Sarah Ann KENSINGER BORDWELL
Settled in Benton County in 1842
Born October 26, 1819 in Bedford County, PA
Died in Benton County, IA May 14, 1882
Buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Benton County, IA

 Pioneer Certificates were issued on November 20, 1997 to:
Kate Connerth, Kate2@cinci.rr.com and
Edith Riedel McMahan
Caroline BORDWELL
Born in Benton County 21 January 21, 1847
Married to John Allen HARGER 30 December 1874 in Benton County, IA and was divorced.
Remarried Thomas WILLIAMS June 18, 1896 in Benton County, IA.
Died February 8, 1940 in Gary, IN.

 Pioneer Certificate was issued on December 1, 1999 to:  Maureen Duncan, mduncan75@excite.com
John REDINGTON
Born February 28, 1794 in Amherst, NH
Died April 23, 1885 in Vinton, IA
Buried in Bear Creek Cemetery

1856 Iowa State Census, Benton Co.
1860 Iowa Federal Census, Benton Co., Harrison Twp., p. 757, line 35
1875 tax list, Benton Co., Harrison Twp.

 Pioneer Certificate was issued on December 1, 1999 to:  Nancy Stewart Denton, nancydenton@cet.com
John Gilpin STEWART and his wife Lavina BARKDOLL who moved to Iowa from Virginia in 1855. He is listed in the 1956 Census, land records, Iowa Biographies, 1860, 1870, Federal censuses and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery along with his wife, Lavina Stewart. He died in June 1904.

My grandfather, Jacob Stewart, was one of John Gilpin Stewart's sons. He was married in Vinton to my grandmother, Etta CLARK, in December, 1864. Their son, John Roy Stewart, was my father.



Were your ancestors Benton Co. Pioneers?

If your answer is YES!...
E-mail  your surnames to be listed here.

Please include the reference sources you have used to determine the year of your ancestors' arrival in Benton County, Iowa. Sources must include the year, volume#, page#, and where you found it.

Types of sources could be:
      • Census Records (Federal or Iowa, 1856 or earlier)
      • Land Records
      • Marriage Records
      • Will or Probate Records

The Iowa Genealogical Society issues certificates to persons who are directly descended from Iowa pioneers.
The Statehood, Pioneer and Century Certificates site has complete information about this program.




If you note any corrections, changes, additions, or  find any links provided on this web site that are
not  functioning properly please notify  John Shuck, your Benton County Website Coordinator.

Copyright © 1997-2024. This web site was created solely for the
use and benefit of the IAGenWeb Project
a part of the USGenWeb Project.
All Rights Reserved.