Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
M - N
Mack, A. S., Dr.
Mahone, B. W.
Marcks, August J.
Marsh, Alonzo
Maurer, Joseph
McCoy, J. C.
McWhirter, John
Medlar, Frank W.
Merritt, Charles J.
Mills, J. P. (2)
Mitts, David
Moeller, Rudolph
Moore, P. M.
Morgan, E. G., Jr.
Morrow, Alexander
Munger, Warner Gayus
Newman, M. O.
Nolan, James H.
Norman, Frank J.
Clay county biographies: A-B, C-D,
E-F-G, H-I, J-K-L,
O-P, Q-R, S-T-U-V,
W-X-Y-Z.
Return to Index.
Mack, A. S. Dr., veterinary surgeon and member of the firm of Mack Bros., liverymen, was born in North Hampton county, Penn., Aug. 15th, 1861, where he remained until about two years old, when his parents moved to Albion, Michigan, and lived a couple of years. They then removed to Davis, Stephenson county, Illinois, and the doctor remained in that place for twenty-three years. During this time he devoted his attention to the study of diseases peculiar to horses and the necessary remedies. After several years of careful preparation and close study, he began the practice of this profession. In 1888 he came to Clay county, and in company with his brother, F. W. Mack, purchased a livery stable in Spencer. Dr. Mack is a thorough veterinary surgeon, a good business man, understands the livery business thoroughly, and is a genial gentleman. He was married in 1884 to Miss Mary A. Stegner. They have two children: Maudie Estella and Glossie Belle.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 151.
Mahone, B. W., farmer, born in Germany in 1857, came to Clay in 1886, from Sigourney, Iowa.
August J. Marcks, born November 22, 1840, married Fredricka Schwichtenberg, born February 5, 1842 in Stitten, Germany. Fredricka came with her family from Stitten, Germany in 1868 landing in Quebec, Canada. From there they went to Watertown, Wisconsin where Fredricka married August J. Marcks about 1860 or 69. After their marriage they lived in Watertown for two years. Fredricka's family left for Norfold, Nebraska from Watertown, Wisconsin after the marriage of August and Fredricka.
In 1870 August and Fredricka settled on a farm four miles southwest of Spencer, Iowa. They first lived in a sod house and Spencer was not even a town. Sioux Rapids, Iowa was the closest town and that is where they went for supplies.
August J. Marcks died October 28, 1909 at the age of 68 years, 11 months and six days. Fredricka (possibly Fredericka Marcks) died June 30, 1917 at the age of 75 years, four months and 25 days. They are both buried in Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, Iowa.
August and Fredricka had six children, 5 girls and 1 boy. They had a son, William Lyle Marcks, born March 6, 1881 and a daughter, Anna Marcks (Schooning), born in 1873. We have been unable to find any record of the birth or death dates of the other four girls.
August and Fredricka's son, William Lyle Marcks, at the age of 21, married Elizabeth Proctor, age 18, on April 24, 1902 (marriage record in Clay County Courthouse, Spencer, Iowa). William and Elizabeth had two children: Lyle Marcks, born September 26, 1904 in Clay County and died September 10, 1980 in Milford, Iowa (buried in Milford Cemetery) and Marie Marcks (Garnjobst) born February 25, 1921 in Clay County, Iowa (name was spelled wrong and recorded in Clay County Courthouse as Anna Mary Mark born January 29, 1903). William Marcks was a farmer and in his later years ran a seed store in Milford, Iowa and Windom, Minnesota. William L. Marcks died in 1954 in Windom, Minnesota but is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer.
Contributed by: Verlyn D. Marcks. Son on Lyle Marcks and Grandson on William Lyle Marcks.
Marsh, Alonzo, born at Anson, Somerset county, Maine, on Feb. 11th, 1835, remained with his parents until he was twenty-one, removing to Washire county, Wisconsin. Soon after coming to Wisconsin, Nov. 26th, he enlisted in the eighth Wisconsin Light Artillery, serving under Gen. Rosecrans in engagements. He was sergeant of his company, and was mustered out in Feb. 1865. Returning from the army he engaged in farming for three years, when he made a trip to Kansas; there losing his first wife, and, after a year's stay he returned to Wisconsin. He came to Clay county in 1884, and purchased his present farm on the s. e. quarter section 24, Spencer township. Married his present wife in 1869. Mr. Marsh is among the energetic and prosperous farmers of the county, devoting much of his time to stock-raising.
Maurer, Joseph, farmer, was born in Bavaria in 1816, where he lived until he was thirty-two years of age, when he came to the United States and for a short time lived at Buffalo but finally went to Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, and settled. For fifteen years he was engaged in lime burning, but subsequently went to farming. In 1878 he moved to Clay county and has since that period employed his time in farming. In 1887 he leased the land known as the "Hewitt Farm," which is one of the finest farms in Riverton township. Mr. Maurer has handled this place with remarkable success. He is a good and careful farmer and few in the county can show a better record during the past two years. He was married first in 1842, and again in 1866. He has ten children.
Was born on Prince Edward's Island, July 4th, 1838, and moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with his parents, when 8 years old. From there they moved to Trempealeau county, of the same state, and made that his home until his removal to Iowa. During his residence in Wisconsin he learned the mason trade and worked at it for a number of years. Soon after the declaration of war between the north and the south, he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, and served with his battery for three years, and for gallantry and efficiency was promoted sergeant. Soon after receiving his discharge he re-enlisted in the 46th Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry as second lieutenant and served until April, 1865, when he was mustered out. Soon after his return to Trempealeau county he was elected sheriff, and held that office four years. In 1871 he came to Spencer and since that period has worked at his trade. He has held a number of local offices of importance. He was married in 1864 to Miss Elizabeth Cadwell. They have two children: Luman C. and Archie A. He participated with his regiment in every battle and skirmish during his nearly four years of experience as a soldier and has an honorable and creditable record.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 150.
John McWhirter, treasurer of Clay county, and a representative and highly respected citizen, was born in Cook county, Illinois, June 28, 1859, a son of James and Jane (Hanna) McWhirter, natives of Scotland, who had three children, namely: David, of South Dakota; Maggie, wife of James Gardner, of Waterloo, Iowa; and John. The father has followed agricultural pursuits since he came to America, at which time he settled at Arlington Heights, Cook county, Illinois, from which place, in the year 1869, he moved to Iowa and located in Tama county, where he still resides and is active in the cultivation of a farm containing two hundred and twenty acres. He is held in high respect as a citizen of genuine worth. He and his wife are stanch adherents of the Presbyterian faith. The paternal and maternal grandfathers of John McWhirter were natives of Scotland, where they passed away after having lived to a ripe old age.
John McWhirter, in company with his parents, came to Iowa in 1869, when nearly eleven years of age and was reared on his father’s farm in Tama county, while in the district schools he acquired his education. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years old, when for several years he was engaged by his brother as a stock buyer. Subsequently he formed a partnership with S. C. Hause and for two years they conducted a grocery business in Morrison, Grundy county. After disposing of his interest in the business, he engaged in farming in that county for several years and after having spent ten years as a grain dealer in Everly, Clay county, he removed to Spencer in 1902, where for two years he was in the real estate business, at the expiration of which time he was elected county treasurer, which position he has filled for five years. He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Red Lake county, Minnesota.
Mr. McWhirter, on December 6, 1885, wedded Miss Letitia Morrison, daughter of Jeff and Susan (Troutman) Morrison, who was born in Grundy county, where her parents, natives of the Keystone state, were early settlers and where he father still lives, her mother having passed away, leaving the following children: John; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Mutch; Kate, widow of A. S. Wier; Ulysses G.; Allie, deceased; and Letitia. Mr. and Mrs. McWhirter have two children: Ralph and Esther. Mrs. McWhirter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, where her husband also attends services but with which he is not affiliated. Politically he is an advocate of the republican party, using his vote and influence during campaigns in behalf of its candidates. He is a man of executive ability and of industry, and these qualities are making him an able official, his record having won him high commendation.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 616.
Medlar, Frank W., photographer, was born in Woodstock, Ill., December 28th, 1865, and remained in that thriving place until 1887, when he came to Spencer and located. He first commenced to learn the art of photography in 1881, and has since that year applied himself most assiduously. He has the reputation of being a most energetic photographer, and his gallery is supplied with all the necessary modern appliances known to the art. He is prepared to do all kinds of work. His photographs indicate skill, taste and high art. His specialties are large, direct heads, cabinet size photographs and views. He has a splendid established business which is constantly growing. His patrons are not confined to Clay county, but spreads beyond the confines of county lines.
Merritt, Charles J., of J. Merritt & Son, was born in De Ruyter, N. Y., in 1859, and with his parents moved to Syracuse, and also came with them to Spencer in 1871. After attending the public schools of Spencer for a number of years, he entered his father's store and clerked for a while, and then worked at the printer's trade for about six or eight months. In 1882 he went west, but was taken seriously sick after several months and was brought back. In 1883 he as admitted as his father's partner, and since that period has been actively engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was married in March, 1884, to Miss Bertha Martin. They have one child, Mildred.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 152.
Mills, J. P., was born January 11, 1845, in Juniata county, Pa., and moved with his parents to La Fayette county, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1846. He worked on a farm and attended country schools until the fall of 1864, when he entered the army as a private in Co. E, Forty-third regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged July, 1865. He then followed the occupation of a farmer, and was married to Elizabeth J. Sprague on the 19th day of December, 1867. He moved to Carroll county, Iowa, in the spring of 1869. He removed to Clay county in January 1870. Lived on rented land until the spring of 1874, when he located on the west half of southeast quarter, section 32, 95, 36, where he has since resided, except two years on his father's farm in Herdland township. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Clay county, November 7th, 1882, and served three years, and is at present serving the second term as Township Clerk of Gillett's Grove township. He was elected each time without dissenting vote. He is also Secretary of the Clay County Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Mills has also served the people in the office of School Director for about ten years. As a member of the Board of Supervisors Mr. Mills was a careful, painstaking and economical legislator, and served the people with a fidelity that he has ever done in all the public positions he has ever held. He is regarded by all who know him as a careful, conscientious and upright citizen and an energetic and successful farmer.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 164.
A notable example of a long and useful career is furnished in the life history of John P. Mills, who came to Clay county in pioneer times and was long a factor in the development of its rich farming lands. For more than two decades he has been one of the outstanding figures in commercial circles of Spencer and although he has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, he is still active in commercial affairs, retaining the priceless possession of physical and mental vigor. He was born January 11, 1845, in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and his parents, Samuel and Nancy (Emory) Mills, were also natives of the Keystone state.
Mr. Mills is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. He was reared on the homestead in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and attended the district school in winter, aiding his father in the cultivation of the fields during the summer months. In 1864, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company E of the Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the Civil war. He then returned to his home and engaged in farming in the Badger state until 1869, when he came to Iowa, first locating in Carroll county. In January, 1870, he moved to Clay county and rented a farm near Sioux Rapids. He operated that place until 1873 and with his savings purchased an eighty-acre tract in Gillett Grove township, on which he established his home. As his resources permitted he added to his holdings and eventually acquired a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres. He afterward sold one hundred and sixty acres and now owns a half section in Clay county. Having an expert knowledge of his occupation, Mr. Mills brought his land to a high state of development, erecting substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and through unceasing effort transformed the property into one of the finest farms in the township. In 1902 he moved to Spencer and turned his attention to business affairs. He was elected president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and for seventeen years was its executive head. During that period the business made rapid strides and he is now acting treasurer of the company, of which he is also a director.
On December 19, 1867, Mr. Mills married Elizabeth Sprague, a native of Cornwall, England, and ten children were born to them. Their son, Charles
B., died in 1922. Mr. Mills is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church and his wife is also of that faith. He belongs to Annett Post, No.
124, of the Grand Army of the Republic, whose membership is rapidly diminishing, and he finds much enjoyment in his association with the "Boys
in Blue." He is a republican in his political views and was formerly active in public affairs. He was county supervisor, road commissioner,
and for two terms acted as town clerk, rendering valuable service in each of these offices. Mr. Mills has acquitted himself with dignity,
fidelity and honor in every relation in life and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen.
Contributed by: Debbie
Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History
and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
Mitts, David, farmer, was born in Sangamon county, Ill., Nov. 29th, 1852, where he lived until 1883, when with his family he came to Clay county and purchased 160 acres of farm land in Meadow township, which he has greatly improved. He was married to Miss Mary J. Nelson in 1874. They have five children, Maggie E., James M., Ivy M., Nina S., and Flora Belle.
The attractiveness of Iowa as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, believing that her advantages and opportunities are equal if not superior to those to be secured in other parts of the country. Mr. Moeller was born in this state, the place of his nativity being in Scott county and the date of his birth September 8, 1860 . His father, Henry Moeller, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and spent his youthful days in that country and came as a young man of nineteen years to the new world, landing at New Orleans. For a time he remained in Louisiana, working on plantations there, but eventually he started northward and located in Scott county, Iowa . It was in that county that he married Miss Sophie Moeller, also a native of Mecklenburg , Germany . The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Scott county, where the husband continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits for many years, or until 1887, when he sold his property there and removed to Clay county, taking up his abode on a farm on section 18, Lone Tree township. This was an proved property of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he bought other land, from time to time adding to his holdings, until they aggregated fourteen hundred acres comprised in several farms. Thus with the passing of the years he became one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county and his success was attributable entirely to his own labors, his sound judgment, his judicious investments and his unabating energy. In all of his business dealings he was thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transaction. He died here about 1897, while his wife survived him and passed away in 1901, Clay county thus losing two of its representative and valued citizens.
Rudolph Moeller was reared upon the old home farm in Scott county and in order to obtain an education attended the common schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. During the periods of vacation he was employed at farm labor on the old homestead and after he had completed his education worked with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated in Clay county. In order to have a home of his own he then rented his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived for a few years as a renter, after which he purchased a tract of one hundred sixty acres that was largely undeveloped and unimproved. Resolutely he set himself to the arduous task of developing a new farm, breaking the sod, harrowing the fields and planting the seed which in due course of time brought forth abundant harvests. Substantial improvements have been made as the years have passed, including the erection of a pleasant residence, two good barns and commodious sheds and other outbuildings, so that stock and grain are amply protected from inclement weather. He has built many rods of fence, has set out a grove and adorned the lawn with evergreen and other ornamental trees. An orchard of his own planting is now in bearing and all of the features of a model farm property are here to be seen, while an air of neatness and thrift pervades the entire place. Mr. Moeller bought eighty acres adjoining his original tract and he and his brother also own one hundred and sixty acres in another farm. His business interests likewise include stock in the Moneta Bank and in the Farmers Elevator at Moneta. Up to his retirement he engaged in raising and feeding stock, making a specialty of fine hogs. His success placed him among the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Lone Tree township.
Mr. Moeller was married in Clay county to Miss Emma Brogeman, who was born in Scott county and was reared and educated there. They began their domestic life upon the farm and early in 1909 retired to Everly, where they live in one of the many fines homes of that pretty village. Unto them have been born three children: Carl, who is now a student in the Cedar Rapids Business College ; Ella, who has been well educated and is now a teacher in the old home school; and Walter, a lad of eleven years, attending school. They also lost a son, Albert, who died in his second year.
In his political views Mr. Moeller is a democrat, somewhat active and influential in the local ranks of the party. He has served as road boss several years being again and again elected to the office. He has now filled the position ten consecutive years and was reelected in the fall of 1908. He has also been township clerk and in matters of citizenship is progressive and public spirited. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and attend the Everly German Lutheran church. Mr. Moeller is a member of the Modern Woodsmen camp and also of the Yeomen lodge at Moneta. A resident of the county for more than twenty-two years, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in his citizenship and in his business relations have gained him a high pace in the regard and good will of his fellow townsmen.
Source: History of Clay County, Iowa, by Samuel Gillespie and James E. Steele. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1909.
P. M. Moore was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, on the 13th day of October 1841. In September, 1857, he moved with his father to Point Bluff, Wisconsin, where he finished his education in Bronson Academy. For three years he taught in the academy and one year in the public school of Mauston, besides several terms in district schools. His health failed so he was obliged to give up teaching. He joined a party made up to go to the gold mines of Idaho. He crossed the plains and mountains in the summer of 1863 and back to the mines on the headwaters of the Missouri, and remained in Virginia City sixteen months, mining most of the time. In the fall of 1864 he came home by way of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers with a company of men who built flat boats on the banks of the river--near where Livingston now is--on the North Pacific railway. August 19th, 1865, he married the eldest daughter of Daniel Rowe, of Watworth county, Wis. In the spring of 1866 he moved to Clay County, Iowa, and settled at Gillett's Grove, where he now lives. He served one term as county auditor, two terms as surveyor and was the first treasurer of Lincoln township and the first of Gillett's Grove township. He built a sawmill on the river that manufactured all the native timber of the township. He has been farming and stock-raising during his entire residence here. The summers of 1886 and 1887 he took grading contracts on the Chicago & Northwestern in Nebraska and Wyoming and Manitoba in Montana. His children are Arthur R. and Minnie L. Their mother died in the spring of 1873. He married again, in 1878, Mrs. Lizzie F. Adams, the eldest daughter of W. G. W. Sawyer, of Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Moore is one of Clay county's most successful farmers and prosperous business men. He is connected with the Farmers' Alliance; was one of the founders of the Spencer Congregational Church; an active and enthusiastic worker in the Sunday schools of the county; a fervent and energetic laborer in the cause of temperance and is prominently identified with many other important and prominent organizations of a public and social character.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 166.
CC Note: P. M. Moore died 10/25/1910 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. Click for Gravestone Photo.
Morgan, E. G., Jr., was born at Fort Dodge, Sept. 16th, 1858, and remained in that city until 1878, when he went to Des Moines and held the position of assistant secretary of the State Railroad Commission. On May 30th, 1881, he came to Spencer and accepted the position of book-keeper in the banking house of Griffin & Adams, and has held that position ever since. Mr. Morgan is a splendid accountant, a thorough master of book-keeping, banking, insurance and the abstracting business. He was married in 1886 to Miss Lillie D. Felker. They have one child, Cora Louise. Mr. Morgan is the owner of 1,000 acres of excellent farm land.
Alexander Morrow is a prosperous farmer of Royal, Clay county, whose successful life merits exceptional praise owing to the fact that when
scarcely out of boyhood, at a time when children of his age were going from comfortable homes to acquire their education, he was practically homeless,
cast out into the world with strangers and compelled to get along as best he could. But he possessed the possibilities of a successful career and
little by little they evidenced themselves. He accepted any employment offered him
and applied himself diligently, day by day becoming stronger for life's battles, and thus gradually bettered his condition, at the same time
strengthening his self-reliance, so that finally, through industry, thrift and economy, he saved sufficient means to purchase some land, and has
since prospered, until he is today one of the most successful and enterprising farmers in this county.
He was born in Canada, September 15, 1842, a son of M. and Abigail (Yew) Morrow, the father being a native of that place who came to the United
States and located in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he died in May, 1852, his wife passing away there December 5, 1879. They were the parents of six
children, one of whom is Alexander Morrow, our subject. He was but nine years of age when his father died, but was relegated to strangers upon the
remarriage of his mother, and consequently received no education. At that tender age he was compelled to seek employment for himself, and worked at
whatever he could get until he was forty-one years old, when he came to this county and eventually located in Clay township. His life thus far had been
modest, and of his scant earnings he laid by the greater portion, and consequently upon arriving in this township he had sufficient means to
purchase a small farm, upon which he worked early and late, meeting with splendid success and annually adding to his landed holdings, until he now
owns three-quarters of section 21, composed of the best soil and as fine a farm upon which to produce general crops as there is in the county. His
land is highly improved, with drainage, buildings, and machinery, and he possesses every convenience with which to follow farming by modern
methods. Not withstanding that his life was a busy one, he laid aside his interests
for the honor of his country and served during the Civil war in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
In 1866 he wedded Odella Buckrow, to which union were born: William; Edward, an agriculturist of Clay township; Lucinda; Clara, who lives in Clay
township; Hattie, a resident of Royal, Iowa; Walter; and Lilly. After their mother departed this life, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage to Mrs.
Rosalie Trumbler, and they are the parents of: Delor, of Royal, Iowa; Pearl, of Clay
township; Laura; Agnes; and Paul. Politically Mr. Morrow is loyal to the republican party and has served the township in a profitable manner as a
member of the school board. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, where he meets his old army comrades. His career is a
commendable one and is one of the many evidences of what patience and perseverance will do in
overcoming difficulties, surmounting discouragements and achieving success.
Mr. Morrow is an upright man, interested not only in the financial but also in the moral standing of the
community, and has acquired the confidence and respect of his neighbors, both as a substantial farmer and a useful
citizen.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 483.
Nearing the 100 Mark
W.G. MUNGER Begins his 90th Year Sunday --
Some Reminiscences of an Early Day.
Peterson's oldest citizen passed his eighty-ninth birthday Sunday of this week, and is now entered upon his Ninetieth year. To see Mr. Munger as we do every day we do not realize how near the century mark he has arrived. He has retained his strength and vigor of several years past and his mental faculties are as bright as they were several years ago. With no accident or severe illness we fully believe Mr. Munger will round out his hundredth year.
We had a pleasant chat with Mr. Munger Saturday and the tales he told of his early life and experiences we believe worth relating. The Mungers are among American's earliest settlers. In the year of 1620 a young man named Munger, age seventeen landed near Boston. Presumably he came on the Mayflower which brought the first shipload of people to America from England following the landing of Captain John Smith at Jamestown in 1609. From this beginning the Munger family started in America and in 1827 the subject of this article was born in Ohio near Sandusky, on March 19th. The family moved four years later to Indiana, and when Mr. Munger was ten the family moved again to Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
Mr. Munger launched out upon a career of hardship and one filled with much danger and exciting times when he joined a logging crew and helped float a great drive down the Mississippi. He left the loggers upon hearing of a Government Overland Train being started across the Plaines and took a job driving an ox team. Everything went well until they arrived in Wyoming. It was in September of 1857. The Mountain Meadow Massacre happened and the Mormons were still continuing their depredations when this wagon train arrived in that locality in October. They had been joined by another wagon train and were camped in a circle for the night near Green River. The Mormon outlaws came upon them at Midnight and after allowing them to take their personal effects burned the wagons and rounded up the cattle. Col. W.F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was driving a lead team with the freighters but was not as famous at that time as later. Mr. Munger in the company with four or five young men, left the camp and went on down the river and struck out over land to Fort Briger. There another Mormon outfit were camped and the Munger party accompanied them to Salt Lake. They remained there during the winter and in the Spring went on to California where Mr. Munger remained for seven years.
Mr. Munger returned to the States by water landing in New York in 1865. He was in Buffalo, New York when news of the assassination of President Lincoln was flashed over the country. He returned to his home in Wisconsin and came out to Iowa late in the '60's with Anson Allbee, who is now his neighbor and worked on the grading of the Illinois Central through Storm Lake and Alta. Hearing of the possibilities in Clay County on homesteads both came on to Peterson and after looking over several places, located on the farms they still have northwest of Peterson.
Mr. Munger and Mr. Allbee married sisters when young men and both have their early sweethearts as companions in their declining years, living as neighbors in the east end of town. Mrs. Munger celebrates her Eightieth birthday this month and like her husband, enjoys good health and will no doubt pass many more birthdays with her life companion whom she married so many years ago in Wisconsin. We extend our best wishes to both Mr. and Mrs. Munger upon the birthdays they are passing, hope we may be able to record many more such anniversaries.
Contributed by: Colleen Boose. Source: Peterson newspaper, 1916.
Additional notes by Colleen Boose:
Warner Gayus Munger married Almira Sophia Washington Barry on January 1, 1853 in Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
Almira Barry's sister -- Helen Hannah Eliza BARRY married Anson Allbee (mentioned in above article) on January 2, 1867 in Wonewoc, Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Migration pattern -- by 1880 . . . Don Carlos Barry and his wife Eliza Spoor
Barry . . . and their entire family (both married and unmarried -- John Carlos
Barry & family, Almira Sophia Washington Barry Munger & family, Lucy Lovina Lucretia
Barry Mack & family, Helen Hannah Eliza BARRY Allbee & family, Mary Agnes Estella
Barry Miner & family, Abigail Alice Ella BARRY Diggins & family, Edgar Alfonzo
Barry & Edwin Alonzo Barry) had transplanted themselves in O'Brien or Clay Counties in Iowa. In addition -- the sister of Don Carlos
Barry -- Lucretia Cynthia Barry Shepard and her husband, Thompson Shepard and all of their children (except for one married son who stayed in Wisconsin) . . . were all living in O'Brien County, Iowa.
Deaths:
Warner Gayus Munger died January 2, 1920 in Peterson, Clay County, Iowa Almira Sophia Washington
Barry Munger died January 8, 1924 in Peterson, Clay County, Iowa. Both are buried at Oakland Cemetery, Peterson, Clay County, Iowa.
General agricultural and stock raising engage the attention of M. O. Newman, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Peterson township, this county who was born in Green county, Wisconsin, March 6, 1860, a son of Samuel A. and Mary (Roderick) Newman, his father having been a native Pennsylvania. He removed to Wisconsin about the year 1846, locating in Green county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and remained there until his death, which occurred November 17, 1876. His mother, who was a native of Virginia, lived in Pennsylvania to the age of twelve and then removed to Wisconsin. She was united in marriage in Wisconsin and departed this life in Green county March 3, 1906. They were the parents of six children: Elliot, who passed away in 1861; George, a stock buyer of Monroe, Wisconsin; Ella, who departed this life in 1888; Hattie, matron of a hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin; Marion J., a dentist; and M. O.
In the common schools of his native town M. O. Newman acquired his education and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went to Kansas, thence to Nebraska, and after a sojourn of two years he returned to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1897, which year found him settled in Clay county, this state, having located in the southeastern portion of section 12, in Peterson township. After a period he removed to the southwestern portion of section 14, where he now resides and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land, on which he raises general crops and pays some attention to stock raising. In addition to this tract of land he owns eighty acres in section 15 and a quarter section of land in Brooks township, Buena Vista county, these tracts of land being highly improved and under cultivation. Mr. Newman’s farms present the appearance of thrift, and the neat and complete fencing, together with a comfortable residence, barns, outbuildings and other conveniences, evidence the industry and prosperity of the owner.
In 1887 Mr. Newman wedded Miss Catherine Stauffacher, a native of Green county, Wisconsin, and the couple are the parents of two sons, Ralph, who departed this life in 1903, and Harold J., and one daughter, Marian. Mr. Newman votes with the republican party, and among the other services which he has rendered the township is that of trustee, in which capacity he is now acting. He belongs to Royal Lodge, A. J. & A. M., the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member, and both attend divine services at St. John’s Evangelical church. Mr. Newman is among the substantial farmers of the township and all he has he acquired by his own efforts, having started out in life with few educational advantages and without means, but with the more valuable assets of laudable ambition, patience and perseverance, by which he gradually bettered his condition. Now he is in comfortable circumstances and occupies a prominent place in the financial interests of the county, and is a stockbroker and director in the First National Bank of Peterson.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 483.
Carpenter, P. O. Spencer
Was born in Detroit, Michigan, Dec. 25th, 1841, and lived in that city until about nine years of age, when his parents moved to Jackson county, Michigan, where he remained ten years and then went to Chicago, and from that place to Kansas City, and then to Lawrence county, Kansas, and finally, after considerable wandering, settled in Sharon, Wis. Here he stayed for about two years and then moved to Clear Lake. Subsequently he came to Spencer and then went to Dickinson, and from this last place returned to Spencer. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Co. I, 22nd Michigan, and served three years, and was one of the brave soldier boys that marched with Sherman to the sea. He was married in 1878 to Miss Alice E. Ellis. They have two children: Mabel M. and Lillie G. He is at present in partnership with H. J. Taber in carpentering business.
NORMAN, Frank J., D. C.
Dr. Frank J. Norman is devoting his talents to the alleviation of the physical ills of mankind and maintains an office in Spencer representing the chiropractic school of healing. He was born September 27, 1888, in Lane county, Kansas, and is a son of George and Mary (Yelm) Norman, the latter born in Illinois. The father is a native of Sweden and came to the United States as a young man. For many years he followed the occupation of farming in Knox county, Illinois, and is now living in Scott county, Kansas He has a family of eight children: Ada, the wife of Spencer H. Hall, of Grigston, Kansas; Charles, whose home is in Scott City; Allie, who married Dr. A. L. Hotelling, now a prominent physician of Estherville, Iowa; Frank J.; Emma, who is the wife of C, E. Turpin, of Grigston; Anna, who married C. L. Shull, also of Griston; John, a resident of Scott City, Kansas; and Eva, the wife of C. E. Riley, of Tribune, Kansas.
Dr, Norman attended the public schools of the Sunflower state and resided on a ranch until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa, and was graduated with the class of 1912. He began his professional career in Lenox, Iowa and in the spring of 1924 moved to Spencer. He accurately applies his scientific knowledge to the needs of his patients and has already established a large practice, inspiring respect and confidence in those to whom he ministers.
On October 8, 1913, Dr. Norman married Miss Delphine Louise Peltier, a native of Iowa, and to this union has been born a daughter, Elizabeth Louise. Dr. Norman belongs to the Masonic order and is a consistent member of the Congregational church. He votes the democratic ticket but has never sought political honors, reserving all of his energies for his profession, in which he is making rapid progress.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume III, 1804-1926.
