Greattrax, John William 1810-1886 & Children's Families

GREATTRAX, CHAPMAN, HOLLEY, HOLLY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 5/23/2023 at 04:37:11

Greattrax, John William 1810-1886 & Julia Holley Chapman Family.

The Biography for John William Greattrax and Julia Holley Chapman’s along with their children’s families was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Information from one source to another can vary, information was entered as recorded in the cited source. There are so many variations in the records on dates, places and especially the spellings of names. The surname Greattrax had numerous different spellings which made tracking and research difficult.

A great site to explore for the name Greattrax is the Digital Archives of Sioux County at www.siouxcounty.advantage-preservation.com Enter surname in search box and enter years to be searched.
The county books ‘Story of Sioux County’ by Charles Dyke has many references to the Greattrax family and ‘Siouxland a History of Sioux County’ by Nelson Nieuwenhuis, give a glimse into life of the early pioneers.

The Greattrax family were Grant Township settlers in the early 1870s. In the 1880 census the family was in Grant Township Sioux County. In 1885 he moved to Walla Walla Washington. His sons, William P., 1838-1913, Dr. John Henry 1837-1905, and Alvin Corey Greattrax1840-1893 all were early pioneers of Grant Township and Sioux County.

BIOGRAPHY – of John Henry Greattrax MD was found on Ancestry.com trees media. It has a lot of the Greattrax family information. Transcribed for this BIOS.
John Henry Greattrax, MD was the first physician to engage in practice in Sioux County, Iowa. He was born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts on November 21, 1837 in the day of log school houses and puncheon floors. He still has a recollection of hard slab benches and a fire place before which one would freeze and roast at the same time.
His father, John William Greattrax, was a millwright and master of this trade. The paternal grand father came from Scotland to Greenbush, New York where John William Greattrax was born 1810. The grandfather died when the father of this subject was five years old, and so he went to Massachusetts to live with an uncle. Here he grew to manhood and in 1831 married Julia Holley Chapman. In 1853 he removed to Illinois, thence in 1862 to Grand Mound, Iowa where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1870 he again moved, this time to Sioux county. He was an active and energetic citizen and became prominently identified with the development of the county in which he had settled. He was elected justice of the peace and served five terms. He had also held the office of justice of the peace for three terms in Illinois. In 1874 he was elected county treasurer of Sioux county holding the office one term. In 1885 the removed to Walla Walla, Washington, where he died August 22, 1886 on his seventy sixth birthday. Dr. Greattrax’s mother, whose maiden name was Julia Holley was of Scotch-Irish decent. She was born at Mt. Washington, Berkshire county, Massachusetts in 1809 and died in Walla Walla Washington, Jan 25, 1893, aged eighty four years.
Dr. Greattrax was one of a family of five children – Three boys and two girls. His father was not financially able to give his children more than a common school education, but this opportunity the Doctor made the most of. He was a diligent student and would pursue his studies far into the night. He came west with the family in 1853 and worked with his father at the millwright’s trade until 1859. He then went to Missouri and was employed as a carpenter until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in October, 1861 in the seventh Missouri Calvary, serving until November 1864 when he was discharged at St. Louis. After taking part in the battles of Lone Jack, Mill Creek and Pea Ridge, his regiment was ordered to reinforce Mulligan at Lexington, Missouri, but could not reach him because the boats that were to take them across the river could not be secured. They were not deprived of any of their share of fighting, however, for ‘Bushwhackers’ were thick thereabouts and not on good terms with the Yankees by any means.
At the end of the war he returned to Grand Mound and later worked in a paper mill at Cedar Rapids.. In the fall of 1865 his father started a lumber yard at Grand Mound and he entered his employ, where he remained two years, and in the meantime studied medicine nights in the office of Dr. Wagnor at Dewit,. Subsequently, he studied with Dr. J. J. Hill, a homeopathic Physician for three years. He then went to Sioux County and entered a homestead, where he was since been engaged in farming and the practice of medicine. In 1882 his practice had grown to such proportions that he was compelled to rent his farm and remove to Boyden, a town near by. He has been in practice continuously since 1870.
At the time he first went to Sioux County the nearest neighbor lived twenty five miles away, and Le Mars was the trading point, thirty five miles distant.. his home later served as a post office, the mail being kept in a leather satchel. The satchel would be sent to Le Mrs, emptied by the postmaster there, the incoming mail placed in it, then it would be locked and returned to the house of Dr. Greattrax. His home was a halfway house for travelers and many times the host was puzzled to know where to put his guests, so numerous were they. He passed through the seven years of grasshopper plague, when the pests were so thick as to hide the light of the sun, and during the time ran behind in operating expenses some fifteen hundred dollars. He received a certificate to practice from the state board of medical examiners in 1887. He has served ten years as physician for the Sheridan township and seven years in the same capacity for the incorporated town of Boyden. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and has filled every office in the organization.
He was married September 27, 1883 to Mrs. Julia A Snell. They have two children L. Beaulah, born August 7, 1886 and A. Belle, born April 17, 1889. The Doctor says he earned or tried to earn, his first dollar picking up potatoes for an old fellow ‘way back in Massachusetts’ and he remembers the occasion distinctly, for he was cheated out of his pay.
(Excerpt taken from: Biographies and portraits of the progressive men of Iowa, leaders in business, politics and the professions. Author: Gue, Benjamin F., 1828-1904. Shambaugh, Benjamin F. 1871-1940 Publisher: Des Moines Conaway & Shaw Year 1899.)

RESEARCH NOTES: by Wilma J. Vande Berg
1850 Census of Egremont, Berkshire Mass. John W. Breatrax age 40 born NY a carpenter, Rebecca age 41 Julia age 41 , Children - Wm. P. 18, John H. 14, Alvin C. 14, Luther P. 18, Mary J. 16, Ellen L. 8. ( Rebecca Greattrax (Mrs. Ralph Greattrax) was a sister to Julia born 1809 died 1893 buried Mt. Everett Cemetery Mass, source Find A Grave. and the last three entries were Rebecca’s children, Luther (Male) , Mary J. (female) and Ellen (female.)
1860 Census of Aurora, Kane, Illinois G. (J.) W. Gecatrax 49, born NY, wife Julia H. Gecatrax age 50 born Massachusetts, inferred child Sarah A. 8 and grand child son of Wm. Greattrax and Mary Wells, Ira L. 4.
1870 Census of Olive, Clinton, Iowa John W. Greathax age 60 born 1810 NY, was a lumber Merchant, his wife was Julia H. age 61, and son John H. 37 and grandson Ira L. 16.
1872 See the Alton Democrat of Feb 13, 1892 for the history Matlock and of J. W. Greattrax (1810) being treasurer of Sioux County in 1872 when the court house was moved from Calliope to Orange City.
1880 census of Sioux County, Grant Township lists J. W. Greattrax age 69 born abt 1810 NY, a farmer, wife Julia H. age 70 born abt 1810 Mass.
1880 census of Sioux County, Grant township lists W. Greattrax age 47 farmer born Mass. Wife Libbie age 37 born NY, children Lula11, Annie 5, and Damion 5 mo.
1880 census of Sioux County, Grant township lists J. H. Greattrax age 44 born abt 1836 Mass. He was single and was a farmer and a doctor.
1885 May 31, Sioux County Herald J. W. Greattrax (1810) who has lived for a number of years near Boyden, has removed to Walla Walla WA Territory.

FAMILY RESEARCH Ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter:

John William Greattrax born 16 Aug 1910 Greenbush, Rensselaer County, New York, died 12 Aug 1886 Walla Walla Co. Washington. His parents names were not listed. He married Julia Holley Chapman 1831 Massachusetts, she was born 1809 Mt. Washington Massachusetts and she died Jan 25, 1892 at Walla Walla Washington. (not as listed 1893 in ancestry report, see her obit for explanation). In another report on Ancestry trees Julia’s parent were referred to as Chase Chapman 1787-1859 and Mehitable Holly 1787-1863
As reported by John Henry Greattrax in his biography, there were three boys in the family and two girls.

CHILDREN of John W. Greattrax 1810-1886 and Julia Holley Chapman 1809-1893

1. William P. Greattrax born 25 Apr 1832 Mount Washington Massachusetts and died July 1913 Nora Springs, Floyd, Iowa He wa first married to Mary Jane Wells on 22 Nov 1854 Styvesant Falls, Colombia Co. New York. They had a son John ‘Ira’ Greattrax 1855-1946. He then married 27 Jun 1865 Clinton Co. IA to Libbie Damon. They had children Lula 1869, Annie 1875, Glenn C. 1875, Damon 1881-1923 and Myron Greattrax 1883. In 1855 they were living in Illinois. 1860 they were living in Washington, Monroe Missouri, 1875 they were living in Iowa City Wright Co. Iowa, 1880-1885+ They were living in Grant Township Sioux County IA. 1900 he was living in Hartford South Dakota. 1910 he was living in Rock Grove Floyd Iowa.
No obit was found in the local papers. Alton Democrat of Mar 2, 1895 in Tale of Old Times has reference to William Greattrax – We camped in front of his house and the next morning we followed some wagon tracks up into Grant township, where we found William Greattrax building a sod hut. He had just some there and was doing some breaking in Sept 1870. (submitter not sure if this was John William 1810 or his son William 1832)

2. John Henry Greattrax 1837-1905
Obituary – John Henry Greattrax, Dr. born abt 1837 died Feb 14, 1905 Up until two years ago he was a resident of Boyden Iowa, obit from the Spirit Lake Beacon - February 17, 1905. Died In Spirit Lake, February 14, of bronchitis, Dr. John Henry Greattrax, aged 67 years. Dr. Greattrax was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. When a child he came with his parents to Illinois and in 1863 the family came to Grand Mound, Iowa. In 1861 the young man enlisted in the 7tn Missouri cavalry, serving more than three years and participating in the active service of the civil war. The Doctor and his father were early settlers in Sionx county where the former took a homestead and improved the same. He had taken up the study of medicine after the war and practiced while he farmed until the requirements of his profession caused him to locate in the town of Boyden where he waa professionally prominent for years. He was married to Mrs. Julia A. Snell nee’ Griswold, of Sioux county, who with Miss Buelah and Belle are deeply bereft by this sad event. Dr. Greattrax and family came to Spirit Lake about three years ago. Doctors have been numerous in this community, but in his quiet, efficient way this doctor grew into a good practice and was much trusted professionally. As a citizen he has been irreproachable and as a neighbor very highly esteemed. About a month ago in a professional drive to Okoboji and then to Superior on a bitter cold day he was seriously chilled and this was the beginning of the end. In his quiet uncomplaining way he witnessed the approach of death. His attendants say there never was a more appreciative sufferer or more serene and patient traveler near "that bourne from which no traveler returns." His devoted family did all that love could suggest or self sacrifice could effect, and now deeply mourn the loss of the light and strength of a home where happines has had permanent abiding place. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon. The Methodist pastor preached at the church. Twilight lodge A. F. & A. M. of which the deceased was an esteemed member turned out in force and gave burial with the impressive rites of the order. (See the Biography of John Henry Greattrax from Ancestry.com media, which appears previously in this narrative.)

3. Alvin Corey Greattrax born 14 Jul 1838 Mass. died 19 Mar 1893 Boyden IA.
Obituary of Alvin C. Greattrax, born about 1840 died 1893 buried in Sheridan Township cemetery Boyden IA. As listed in the Sioux County IA cemetery index (no dates) From the Death record of A. C. Greattrax, age 53 born 1840 Massachusetts died 19 Mar 1893 Boyden IA , he was a widower. He was a mechanic. It was stated he was a widower but couldn’t find evidence of a wife or children.
Sioux County Herald of March 22, 1893. We have heard this week the death and burial of Alvin C. Greattrax He was one of the first settlers in this part of the County coming to Sioux County and homesteading in the spring of 1870. He was an old soldier, serving in the 7th Missouri Calvary. He went to Chicago in 1884 he remained until a few weeks before his death, when he came to his brother’s home here with this health very much impaired. He went down rapidly and died on Saturday morning the funeral services were held in the U. P. church on Sabbath, conducted by Revs. Dunlap and Muilenburg.
1880 census of Rolland, Isabella, Michigan Alvin Gratetrack, age 41 born about 1839 Mass. Was a farm hand, Was single, Was living with his uncle, Stepin E. Chapman 55 and his wife Samantha Chapman. It was noted that his mother Julia Holley Chapman was found to possibly be the daughter of Chase Chapman and Mahitable Holly. If Alvin did marry late in life he possibly had no children. Note: Alvin Corey Greattrax born 1838 died 1893 was born to John William Greattrax 1810-1886 and Julia Holley Chapman1809-1893.

4. Julia Ann Greattrax born 6 Sep 1847 Mount Washington, Massachusetts. died 19 Dec 1848 buried in Mount Everett Cemetery Egemont, Berkshire Co. Massachusetts.

5. Sarah Ann Greattrax born 1852 Edgemont, Massachussetts. A marriage record was found for Sarah Ann Greattrat married 25 Jun 1868 Clinton Co. Iowa to Urias Harman. A report on Ancestry.com public family trees confirms that Sarah A. Greatorex born 23 Mar 1852 at Berkshire Massachusetts to John William Greatorex 1810-1886 and Julia Holly Chapman 1809 1893. Their children were – Francis E. Harman 1870 died 1922, Charles Wesley Harman born 1871 Iowa died1933 and Lester Leigh Harman 1880 Walla Walla WA died 1947.
Understandably the motive for her parents, John William and Julia Greattrax to move to Walla Walla WA was that their daughter’s family lived there.

OBITUARY of father - John William Greattrax 1810 died Aug 12, 1886

Sioux County Herald of Sept 2, 1886 J. W. Greattrax. esq.. a pioneer in this county and at one time county treasurer, died week before last at Wala Walla, Oregon. Memorial services will be held at Boyden one week from Sunday, Rev. Clifton officiating. Dr. J. H. Greattrax, of Boyden is a son of the deceased. We hope to be able to publish full particulars relating to the death of Mr. Greattrax next week. Note: his wife was Julia Holley Chapman.
Sioux County Herald of Sept 9, 1886 A memorial sermon will be preached next Sunday by the Rev. Clifton in the honor of J. W. Greattrax, a former resident of this County, but recently of Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where he died some time last Month aged 67 years. He was one of the early pioneers of Sioux County, and hence left a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn for him.

OBITUARY of mother Julia Holley Chapman, Mrs. John William Greattrax 1809-1892
Greattrax, Julia (Mrs. John W.) 1809-1892 The Submission of this obit/ death notice as listed here, is an editorial error – should be Mrs. J. W. Greattrax.
Error - Alton Democrat of Feb 13,1892 J. W. Greattrax. esq.. a pioneer in this county and at one time county treasurer, died week before last at Wala Walla, Oregon. Memorial services will be held at Boyden one week from Sunday, Rev. Clifton officiating. Dr. J. H. Greattrax, of Boyden is a son of the deceased. We hope to be able to publish full particulars relating to the death of Mr. Greattrax next week. (next week’s issue had no additional information)
The above obit was stated wrong by the editor of the paper and should have been for Mrs. J. W. Greattrax who died Jan 25, 1892 (another error found in WA deaths, year recorded by ancestry.com as year 1893 but the 1893 index didn’t have her name.) Her husband John William Greattrax actually died 12 Aug 1886.
It only makes sense that this death notice in the Alton paper of Feb 13, 1892 should have been for Julia Holley Chapman, Mrs. John William Greattrax who died the week before last which would have been about Jan 25, 1892, at Walla Walla Washington.

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