Allen J. Eddy

EDDY, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 3/27/2009 at 13:18:26

ALLEN J. EDDY, a prominent stockraiser of Leroy Township, was born in Lake County, Ohio, December 21, 1839. He is the second son and youngest of four children of Benjamin and Lavina Eddy, natives of the State of Vermont and New York respectively. Both parents died in Johnson County, Iowa. Mr. Eddy's paternal grandfather fought in the war of the Revolution. Our subject received his earlier education in Lake County, Ohio, where his parents had settled after their marriage. When he was twelve years of age the family removed to Johnson County, Iowa, going by way of the lakes to Chicago, thence through the country with teams to Johnson County, where Allen grew to manhood. He enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company F, when there was a call for men to defend their country's flag. He was assigned to the western department of the army and belonged to the Sixteenth Army Corps, then under command of General Grant. Mr. Eddy took part in the following battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, where his regiment suffered great loss, about half the men being taken prisoners, and was then ordered back to Davenport, Iowa, where the regiment was reorganized. They were then ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, at which point they were stationed for some time. The regiment was then ordered up the Red River, General Smith commanding, and took part in the battle of Pleasant Hill, where 286 Union men were lost out of 600. After this battle the regiment was ordered to Missouri and followed General Price. Mr. Eddy's term of enlistment having expired he was sent to Davenport, where he received his pay and was honorably discharged November 9, 1864. Although taking part in nine regular battles, and his comrades being shot down by his side, he escaped without a scratch; but he had some holes shot through his clothing. He returned to Johnson County, Iowa, and farmed for two years, and then removed to Harrison County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years. He then returned to Johnson County on account of the grasshopper raid, from which he suffered a heavy loss. In 1880 he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, with his family, and purchased 160 acres of land, sixty of which were broken. He put the remainder under fine cultivation and made many improvements. He has a bank barn, which affords the best protection to live stock, corn cribs, and all buildings necessary to farming. Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Maria Elliott, of Johnson County, Iowa. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, and is the eldest daughter of George and Mary Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have had eleven children, seven of whom survive Oren W., Hattie, wife of Baker; Emma J., Henry J., Irvin, Alice Maud and Bernie H.Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.Mr. Eddy has served as road supervisor, and he is a member of the G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 752-753