Leonard Ayers

Leonard Ayers was born in Owego, Tioga County, N.Y., May 15, 1831, and remained there until 1847, when he came to Delaware County, Ia., and in 1852 went to California, where he remained three years, then returned to Delaware County. He was married there on July 19, 1855, to Martha Frances Young, and the following month removed to Clayton County. Five children were born unto them, viz.: Lyman W., born May 29, 1856, died Jan. 11, 1868; John T., born Jan. 14, 1858; James M., Aug. 21, 1859, died Nov. 20, 1870; Ella Viola, born Jan. 24, 1861, and William Lincoln, Dec. 27, 1863. Mrs. Martha F. Ayers died Aug. 13, 1868, and on July 21, 1870, Mr. Ayers married Mary Rutherford, native of Cottage Hill, Ia., born July 4, 1850. They have four children-- Laura F., born Apr. 22, 1871; Della M., Sept. 19, 1873; Leonard Leroy, Sept. 3, 1876, and Flora G., May 26, 1878. Mr. Ayers owns a finely cultivated farm of 134 acres, on section 17, and is one of the representative farmers of Clayton County. Politically he favors the Republican party.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1010

 R. G. Ash

R. G. Ash , one of the prominent citizens of Elk Township, was born in the State of New York, Jan. 16, 1824. He came West in 1844, locating in Illinois, where he resided until 1849, when he removed to Delaware County, Ia. Ten years later he went to Nemaha County, Kan., where he engaged in farming one year, then returned to Delaware County. He removed to Clayton County in 1877, where he has resided since. He purchased a farm on section 28 and 29, Elk Township, of ninety-six acres, which he now has under excellent cultivation, and thoroughly stocked. He was married in 1847, to Mary A. Bell, who was born in Ohio in 1826. Their union has been blessed with seven children-- G. W., born in 1848; John E., in 1850; Francis M., in 1853; I G. in 1856; Rose Alice, in 1858, Emily I., in 1860; Clarence A. in 1863, and Charles A., in 1866. In politics Mr. Ash is a Republican. He was appointed Postmaster at Wood Centre, in 1880, a position he still retains.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 759

 Liberty W. Cole

Liberty W. Cole is a native of Lawrenceburg, Ind., born May 31, 1819. In 1821 he removed with his parents to St. Louis, Mo., where they resided a short time, then went to St. Charles, that State. His father purchased a farm in the vicinity of St. Charles, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1833. In 1844 his mother, with her family removed to Clayton County, where our subject has located two years previous. In 1842 he went to Delaware County, and engaged in farming there until 1862, when he returned to Clayton County, and purchased his present farm in Clayton Township. He owns a finely cultivated farm of 200 acres on seciton 27. He was married in 1843 to J. D. McClellan, who was born in Fayette County, Pa. July 3, 1826, and came to Iowa when twelve years of age. Ten children have been born unto them, viz.: Louise, born April 14, 1845, married Frank Shoemaker; Anna, now Mrs. Robert Fishel, was born Jan. 10, 1847; Charles A., born Oct. 1, 1849; Seth J., Dec. 15, 1852; Juliet, born Jan. 15, 1854, died April 16, 1855; Ovrissa J., now Mrs. H. Brock, was born Feb. 1, 1856; Deloss, May 7, 1858; Edgar E., Feb. 20, 1863; Benjamin, born Oct. 23, 1865, died Aug. 26, 1869., Alta E., born Feb. 14, 1868. Mr. Cole is a Republican, and has been School Director and officiated as President of the School Board.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 720-721

 Frederick Datismann

Frederick Datismann was a son of Michael and Caroline (Hafner) Datismann, natives of Wittenberg, Germany, who came to the United States in 1848, and located at Cherlis Mound, Dubuque County, Iowa where Caroline died. Frederick was born in Wittenberg and educated in Iowa; he now owns 120 acres of fine land on section 32. In 1866 he married Gazena, daughter of  Diedrick and Elizabeth (Bierns) Krumpel, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1853, and located in Delaware County; Elizabeth died in 1878. Gazena was born in Germany on May 8, 1845. By this marriage there are three children--Emma, born Jan. 9, 1869; George, born March 6, 1873, and Clara (deceased), born March 1, 1875. Mr. Datismann and wife are members of the German Methodist church. He votes the Republican ticket, and has held several of the township offices and discharged his duties to the satisfaction of all.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 917

 Elijah Gates

Elijah Gates , one of the representative citizens of Elk Township, was born in Granville, Canada, March 28, 1825. He left Canada in 1857, and came to Iowa, locating in Delaware County, where he resided seven years, and in 1864 settled on his present farm in Clayton. It is situated on section 33, Elk Township, and consists of 170 acres of fine farming land. He also has a steam saw-mill on his place, which he operates, in connection with farming. He is a carpenter by trade and does all is own building, etc. He was married Feb. 1, 1854, to Ellen W. Gibson, a native of Edwardsburg, Canada, born Sept. 15, 1833. Four children have been born unto them, viz.: Jennie R., born Feb. 24, 1855; Sarah M., Aug. 2, 1857, married James E. Klotzbach; Isaac P., Oct. 2, 1859, and George Edgar, Aug. 31, 1869. Jennie is engaged in teaching the district school, and music. Mr. Gates had held the offices of School Director and Township Supervisor. He and two daughters are members of the Congregational church.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 760

 Nathaniel Hammond

Nathaniel Hammond, blacksmith, wagon-maker and farmer, section 22, Lodomillo Township, was born in Alleghany County, Pa., Jan. 17, 1818. His parents, Nathaniel and Betsey (Whaley) Hammond, were natives of the Green Mountain State. Nathaniel, Jr., at the age of eleven years was employed on the Pennsylvania, Erie and New York canals, and when thirteen years old engaged in steam boating and sailing on the great lakes, the Mississippi and St. Lawrence Rivers and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He followed that business until he was twenty-nine years old, when he came West. Prior to settling in Clayton County, he resided in Richmond, Wis., two years, Iroquois County, Ill., two years, Kane County, Ill., and in 1851 went to California where he mined and prospected one year, then returned to Kane County. In 1853 removed to Delaware County, Ia., and in the spring of 1870 purchased his present farm in Lodomillo Township and a steam sawmill which he has since sold. In June, 1838, he was married to Emeline Coon, of Oswego County, N.Y., who died April 5, 1844, having been the mother of two children, one living-- Samuel C., who married Harriet Carney. He was married again on May 15, 1844, to Hannah Church, who was born in Genesee County, N.Y. Her mother was a cousin to General Putnam, of  Revolutionary fame. Of nine children born of this union, six are living--  Emeline, wife of Hiram Watts; Alexander, who married Mrs. Amanda Adams, nee Reed; Orrin D., married Alise Adams; Eliza E., married Calvin Reed; Harmon P., married Sarah Bower, and Charles R. Mr. Hammond owns 280 acres of choice land, 150 under excellent improvement. His son Samuel C. served in the late Rebellion under General Banks. Mrs. Hammond's brother was starved to death in Libby Prison. In politics Mr. Hammond is a Democrat.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 890-891

 Hiram A. Harrington

Hiram A. Harrington was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., Nov. 10, 1850. His father, John Harrington, was born in Madison County, N.Y., Dec. 6, 1800, and when twenty-one years old went with his father to Chautauqua County, and purchased a farm in the Holland purchase. John was married there to Emeline Wheelock, who was born near Utica, N.Y. They had a family of eight children, and in the spring of 1855 came to Iowa, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. Hiram A. was married to Clara Huene, March 23, 1880. She was born in Delaware County, Ia., March 23, 1856, and was a daughter of Adolphus Huene, and Anne, nee Bryant, a relative of the poet Bryant. Mr. Harrington owns a finely cultivated farm of 160 acres, and is one of the energetic farmers of the township. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the A.O.U.W., Strawberry Point Lodge, No. 131, and a former member of Good Templars and Grangers. In October, 1881, he was elected Township Clerk, a position he still retains.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 891-892

 A. G. Lewis

A. G. Lewis , farmer, P.O., Elkport, son of Samuel and Sarah  (Florow) Lewis, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Missouri at an early day and lived some years, when they came to Sangamon County, Ill., where they lived some sixteen years, when in 1845 they located in Delaware County, Ia. They both died in that county; Sarah died in 1847, aged sixty-five years; Samuel lived till he was 100 years five months and twenty-two days old; he died in Delaware County. A. G. was born in Missouri, March 6, 1826; he was educated in Illinois, and has followed farming. In 1860 he bought his present farm of 148 acres on section 22 and 23, on Elk Creek bottom; previous to his present purchase he bought and sold several fine farms in Clayton County, where he located in 1847; he is one of the oldest settlers of Elk Township; his farm is one of the best and best cultivated of any in the county. On Sept. 3, 1846, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Plezzy (Allcut) Walter, natives of Ohio; they came to Clayton County, where they died. By this union there are eight children - Plezzy, wife of Levi W. Fishel; Allen B., A.G., Jr., Solomon W. and William, are living; three are dead. Mr. Lewis is a member of the I. O. of O. F. lodge at Elkport. He votes the republican ticket. Mrs. Lewis gave birth to the first white child born in Elk Township, June 15, 1847, named John; he died in 1849. Mr. Lewis was one of the first white men who settled in Elk Township, when Indians, bear, deer, etc., abounded.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 761

 Lawrence McNamee

Lawrence McNamee, son of Lawrence McNamee, Sr. and Ruth, nee Marvin, natives of Ireland and Connecticut respectively, was born in New York on Dec. 29, 1805. He was educated in his native State, and in 1842 came to Iowa, locating in Delaware County, where he now resides. He owns 240 acres of fine land lying partly in Clayton and partly in Delaware County, his residence being on the line. He also owns 240 acres in another locality. In 1829 he married Errelia, daughter of Luther and Andria Cole, nee Chase, natives of New York, the former dying in Missouri in 1833, the latter in Delaware County, Ia. In 1862. By this union there were ten children, of whom C. L., born March 13, 1831, is married and resides in Allamakee County; Mary E., Jan. 31, 1835, married Isaac Otis, of Elk Township; E. Luther born July 22, 1836, is married and lives on the old homestead; Sarah E., born April 20, 1842, is the wife of Robert Fitch ; H. Medora, born April 2, 1844, married George E. Lang ; and Eva, born July 1, 1845, are living. The deceased are Eliza Jane, Martha S., Truman, and Laura. Mrs. Errelia McNamee died Feb. 8, 1856, and on Dec. 11, 1856, Mr. McNamee married Mrs. Sebrah Clark, sister of his first wife, and widow of Samuel Clark, by whom she had five children; Harriet C., widow of P. G. Bailey ; Norman L., who died in Idaho; Henry G., of Monroe County, Wis.; Benjamin A. and Samuel C. Mr. McNamee has held the office of County Commissioner, Township Assessor, Justice of the Peace, and many other public positions of trust, discharging his duties with honor and ability. He votes the Republican ticket.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 921-922

 Francis C. Madison

Francis C. Madison, farmer, section 34, Lodomillo Township, was born in Todd County, Ky., March 12, 1822, and was the son of Reuben C. and Winnifred (Cotts) Madison, both of Virginia. Mrs. Madison was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had eight children, of whom five are living. Francis C. was the seventh child and third son. At the age of eight years, he removed with his parents to Fulton County, Ill., settling at Lewiston. His father died in 1834, his mother in 1838, at which time Francis was sixteen years old. After a year and a half he began work as an apprentice at the mason's trade, working with John Tompkins three years. He then worked for farmers in summer, and at a mill in winter, till he was twenty-one. Then he came to Ead's Grove, Delaware County, Iowa, in company with Isaac Preston and Horace Bemis and families. The following April he came to Lodomillo Township. Remaining with Isaac Preston four years, he was married to Elizabeth Purdy, in November, 1848; one child, Ervin C., was the result of this marriage. January, 1849, he settled on section 34, where he has since lived. Mrs. Madison died June 16, 1850. In December, 1852, Mr. Madison married Maria Willard, of Wisconsin, daughter of Edward and Louisa Willard. She died in 1855, and he married Julia A. Crawford, July 31, 1856. They have five children--Wilbor C., at school at Fayette; Motier C., studying law at Elkader; Curtis B., Eliza M. and Harriet M. Mr. Madison owns 160 acres of land, about ninety under cultivation. Has been Constable, Justice of the Peace and Trustee, and has held various local offices of trust and honor. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Madison and four of their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 895-896

 Christian S. Maxson

Christian S. Maxson, farmer, P. O. Edgewood, son of Ephraim and Mary (Smith) Maxson, natives of Virginia. They moved to Ohio and lived there many years. In 1852 they moved to Clayton County, Ia., and Ephraim died here in 1859. Christian was born in Indiana, Oct. 18, 1842. He was educated in Iowa, and has followed farming, with the exception of about three years at carpenter's work. He now owns 204 acres of land, a part in Clayton County, on section 33, and a part where he lives, across the line in Delaware County. In 1865 he married Clarrissa Fisher. There were three children by this union, one living--Mary Matilda. On Nov. 3, 1872, Clarrissa died, and in 1877 he married Mrs. Lorana Newman, nee Bush, widow of J. Wesley Newman, of this county. There was one child by this marriage--Mary Elmira, born in 1869. Since her marriage to Mr. Maxson there have been two children--Clara Bell and Daisy. Mrs. M. is a member of the Congregationalist church. Mr. M. votes the Republican ticket. Mr. Maxson enlisted in the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers, Company B, Captain Crook. He served three years, and was in seven of the hard-fought battles--Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Big Black, Vicksburg and several others. He was discharged at New Orleans in 1865, and although where bullets flew thick he was not wounded.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 896-897

 Harrison Noble

Harrison Noble, proprietor of the mercantile store now operated by Wilson, Foote & Noble, was born in Napoli, Cattaraugus County, N.Y., Aug. 7, 1829. His parents, Lorin and Fannie (Boardman) Noble, are natives of New York, where the former followed lumbering and farming until 1854, when he came to Iowa. He conducted a hotel in Delaware County a number of years, and is now engaged in farming in Clayton County. The subject of this memoir came to Iowa in June, 1852, and purchased land in Delaware County, where he was married to Rosanna Holt, on Dec. 29, 1858. She was born in Rutland County, O., and was a daughter of Aaron and Lucretia (Hubble) Holt. They have five children--Eddie L., born in the year 1859, is engaged in the dry-goods business at Edgewood; Elsie, born March 6, 1861, is teaching school here; Merril, born April 19, 1867; Nora, Feb. 7, 1869, and Jesse, Aug. 27, 1871. Mr. Noble in March, 1866, bought a store in Edgewood, and a farm in Lodomillo Township, the latter now comprising a portion of the town of Edgewood, in which he has always taken an active interest. It was principally through his efforts that the C.M. & St.P.R.R. was laid through the place, he giving them depot ground, and laying out Noble's addition to Edgewood. He was Postmaster here for nine and one-half years. He is a Mason, and is a member of Strawberry Point Lodge, No. 130. He owns several lots in this and Delaware Counties. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of our energetic business men.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 898

 Sherwood W. Robinson

Sherwood W. Robinson was born in Huron County, Ohio, Aug. 1, 1842, and was a son of Charles and Hannah Robinson, nee Hare, natives of New York, and the parents of six children. In 1850 the family came to Iowa, and located in Jackson County, where they remained one summer, then came to Lodomillo Township, this county. Sherwood lived on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he purchased the old homestead, and soon after, on Sept. 20, 1868, was married to Minerva J. Noble, who was born in Delaware County, Iowa, and was a daughter of Daniel B. and Minerva (Peet) Noble, of New York, and now residing in Montana. Their union has been blessed with four children--Eda C., Avery E., Herbert S. and Effie M. Mr. Robinson's farm consists of 120 acres of land, 100 under cultivation, the remainder in timber. He has one of the finest farms in this section of the country. He has held various public positions of trust; was Township Trustee two years, and is the present Assessor. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Robinson is a member of the Congregational church.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 902

James M. Robinson

James M. Robinson, son of Charles and Hannah (Hare) Robinson, was born in Huron County, O., Nov. 16, 1844. His parents removed to Clayton County when James was about nine years old and settled on section 36, Lodomillo  Township, where he now resides. He was married here to Cynthia Noble, on Dec. 3, 1866. She was born in Delaware County, Ia., and is a daughter of Daniel B. and Minerva Noble, nee Peet, of New York. Seven children have been born of this union, viz.: William D., Charles H., Jennie M., Merten S. (died in infancy), Laura D., Olive M. and Worthy A. Mr. Robinson owns a fine farm of 120 acres, all under excellent improvement except twenty acres of timber. In 1864 he enlisted in the 100 days' service in Company F, Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and served four months and twelve days. He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President. He is one of the responsible and popular men of Clayton County, where he has been identified since childhood.

~ source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 903