Schofield, John R.

SCHOFIELD

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 14:00:01

John R. Schofield

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.265, Wright Twp.)
John R. Schofield, farmer, P. O. Griswold, Cass Co., Iowa, born in Yorkshire, England in 1841, son of Joseph and Eleanora (Rhoades) Schofield, both natives of Yorkshire, England. His father was a farmer; left his native land and came to Racine, Wis., in July 1842, where he died about five years after. The mother died shortly afterward, from a broken heart, caused by her husband's death. After the death of his parents, our subject lived with a Scotchman by the name of Stenhouse for twelve years, after which he worked out by the month for two years. He then enlisted in the First Wisconsin Infantry, Company C., Capt. Sheldon. Their principal engagement was at Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, where three-fourths of the company were either killed or wounded. He was also at Stone River and Chickamauga, at which latter place he was taken prisoner, together with C. S. Chapman, T. Anderson, L. McDonald and J. Leach, all of Company C. They were first taken to Libby Prison, where they remained about six weeks, during which time they were in the "Sugar raid." They were then removed to Danville, where they were kept until April 26, 1864, when the escaped. They were "shipped" from Richmond, Va., in grain cars, with three or four guards inside each car, and others on top. On the way, one "reb" lost his haversack, the contents of which the prisoners had shared. He began a search for it, and while stooping over, our subject drew from his (the guard's) pocket a dirk, with a lock-spring, which was afterward of invaluable service in their effort to escape from prison. This dirk our subject managed to secrete, though the prisoners were carefully inspected several times. Once he avoided inspection by claiming to have the small-pox, which at the time, was quite prevalent. During his imprisonment, he was detected in two "serious misdemeanors." One was stealing a loaf of bread, and the other was breaking into the Sutler's store, which joined the prison. For each of these offenses, he was "bucked;" that is, his wrists were tied together and his legs put up through his arms, and a stick put through under the knees, in which knotted condition he was rolled about for a long time. There were fifteen other prisoners who escaped at the time our subject did, including all who belonged to Company C. They dug a tunnel frmo the vault of the prison privy up into an old shop, from which they cut through by means of the stolen dirk. They made good their escape just a day or two before they were to be removed to that utmost cruel and uncivilied institution, Andersonville Prison. After his escape, our subject rejoined the Union army, and, at the end of his service, returned home for a short time. He then farmed a few years in Cass County, and, in March 1868, bought and settled on his present farm, situated in Section 34, Township 75, Range 38, on which he has since resided. It now consists of 280 acres. Our subject was first married, August 6, 1867, in Racine County, Wis., to Almira Mead, born in Rochester, Racine Co., Wis., in April, 1849, and died in this county April 26, 1868. His second marriage occurred February 22, 1871, in Atlantic, Cass County, this State. He wedded Mary E. Bell, born in Madison County, this State, January 31, 1854, daughter of Elisha and Abigail (Watson) Bell., who were early settlers in Cass County. Mr. Bell was twice elected Judge of Cass County, but died before the expiration of his second term. Mrs. Bell is still living on a farm in Cass County. The parents were natives of Greene County, Ohio, and came to Winterset, this State, thirty-three years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield have three children - Edgar A., born July 7, 1872; Almira B., born August 17, 1874; and Ralph F., born January 19, 1876. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.