J. H. ONSTOTT

View Portrait of Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Onstott

Military experiences have been the theme of song and story from the earliest ages and as long as the American people cherish their history they will hold in grateful remembrance the soldiers who fought for the preservation of the Union in the darkest hour of our national existence. Among this number was J. H. Onstott, who marched with the Iowa troops to the defense of the old flag. He was, however, no more loyal to the stars and stripes through the period of the war than he is at the present time, for Cedar county numbers him among her public-spirited citizens. He is now living retired in Mechanicville and, moreover, is numbered among the early settlers of Cedar county, dating his residence here from the fall of 1851. His birth occurred in Muskingum county Ohio, near Zanesville, October 23, 1844.

His father, John Onstott, was a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being March 10, 1815. He removed to Ohio with his father, Jacob Onstott, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania. On going to Ohio he took up his abode in Muskingum county, where John Onstott was reared to manhood and married Miss Mary Young, a native of Morgan county, that state. He had previously learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed in early life. In the family were twelve children, three of whom were born in Ohio. In 1851 the parents came with their family to Iowa, settling in Mechanicsville, where the father purchased land on which the town now stands. The district that is now thickly covered with good homes and business blocks was then devoted to farming and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he followed his trade and also did considerable repair work. Subsequently in connection with Daniel H. Comstock he laid out and established the town of Mechanicsville, selling lots and erecting several buildings in the town. After rearing his family here, he removed to Pawnee City, Nebraska, where his last years were spent, his death there occurring January 13, 1893.

J. H. Onstott is the eldest of two sons, now living, his brother being John J. Onstott, a contractor and bridge builder of Pawnee City, Nebraska. The subject of this review received common school advantages inhisyouth and was trained to habits of industry, perseverance and integrity—the lessons of early life bearing richfruitin later years. The need of his country in 1862 roused his patriotic spirit and on the 28th of July he joined Company H of theThirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the south, the regiment being assigned to the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was first under fire at Raymond and at Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, being one of theboys who marched into the city for their 4th of July dinner in 1863. Later they returned to Jackson, taking part in the second battle at that place, July 11, 1863, and subsequently were engaged in the three days’ fight at Tupelo. At Nashville Mr. Onstott aided in routing Hood’s army, after which he went up the Red river onBanks’ expedition, his command being known as Smith’s Guerrillas. They skirmished along the river and at length joined the command of General Banks. He likewise participated in the battles of Spanish Fort, and Fort Pulaski in April, 1865, near the close of the war. After the fall of Vicksburg he was ill for a time and returned home, his father going to the front for him. As soon as possible,however, he rejoined his regiment and continued on active duty until honorably discharged at Davenport on the 16th of August, 1865. He went to the front as a corporal and later was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

When the war was over Mr. Onstott returned home and for a time was engaged in farming in different parts of the state. He also engaged in selling sewing machines at Waterloo, Iowa, for sixteen months and later gave his attention to speeding horses, following the track for two or three years.

On expiration of that period he returned home and was married in Cedar county on the 23rd of May, 1876, to Miss Julia Rodgers, who was born in Ohio and was reared in Cedar county, Iowa, to which place she came with her parents when a little maiden of three summers. She is a daughter of Ezekiel Rodgers, for years proprietor of the Mechanicsville Hotel. Following his marriage Mr. Onstott conducted a Grange store for two years and subsequently engaged in clerking for three years. In the fall of 1882, in connection with E. L. Bennett, he bought out an implement business which he carried on for twenty years. Mr. Bennett was succeeded in the business by D. C. Gilliland, who was Mr. Onstott’s partner for thirteen years. He continued in the business until 1902 and ranked with the prominent and progressive business men of the town. He was also one of the stockholders of the State Bank and a stockholder, promoter and director of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank.

His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party, his first presidential vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while he was serving with the Union Army in Missouri on the banks of the Osage river. He has ever stood as a stalwart champion of republican principles and on that ticket has been elected to several offices. He has served as township clerk, as a member of the town board, as mayor of the city, and as postmaster at Mechanicsville for four years under President Harrison. He was appointed clerk of the board of the independent school district of Mechanicsville in1882 and that he has been most loyal to the interests of the schools is indicated in the fact that reelection has kept him continuously in the position to the present time. In 1903 he was elected supervisor and by reelection is now serving for the seventh consecutive year, while for one or more terms been chairman of the county board. He has frequently been chosen as a delegate to county and state conventions of his party and in fact is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in this district.

Mr. Onstott is also prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M.; Mechanicsville Chapter, No. 134, R. A. M; Cedar Rapids Commandery, K. T.; and the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. For years he has served as secretary of the lodge and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit which underlies the craft. He was chosen the first commander of the Grand Army Post at Mechanicsville and has since served as quartermaster. His excellent business ability has gained him prominence in commercial and financial circles. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way and he stands high in business and social circles, while Cedar county recognizes him as one of its most public-spirited.