Pleasant Grove Township

John Frederick Christian Bicknese     Pages 846 - 849
Born in Erichshagen, Wolpe County, Kingdom of Hanover, Dec. 17, 1815, was a son of Conrad and Marie (Lubbers) Bicknese, and the eldest son of six children. He lived at home until his fifteenth year, when he worked for a year and a half in a hotel. Then for two years for a dyer, when he entered into a contract to learn the trade. In August 1838, he took out a passport, dated Aug. 30, 1838. In those days a passport book had to be obtained and each night to be left with the police until further movements demanded its possession. His movements were about as follows: starting from Erichshagen, he staid first at Celle; from Celle he went to Bremen, from Bremen to Oldenburg. At each place all travelers are examined to see if they have been vaccinated, and if they have traveling money -$5 being requisite before proceeding. From Oldenburg he went to Varel, then to Aurish, then to Burgsteinfurth, where he worked nearly two months. After this to Osnedrick, then to Wildeshausen, then to Buckeburg; from here to Hildeshein; from here to Braunschweig, then to Grimma, Saxony, then to Leipsig; from here to Dresden; from here he went to Breslau, Prussia; from here to Lignitz, then to a part of Prussia Poland, Zduny; from here to Kozmin; from here to Thoren, then to Elbing via Grauding and Marenwerder; from Elbing to Soldan; from here to Hohenstein; here he worked three months. Then to Konigsberg; from here to Danzig, Prussia, again; from here to Stolp, then to Coslin, then to Colberg, then back to Stolp, where he secured five weeks' work. From here to Landsberg, then to Rueenwale; here he worked fourteen weeks. From here to Soldin, then to Stettin. During this time he was traveling on foot, and here, having sore feet, he had to be still a few days. Then to Stralsund; from there to Demmin, from there to Paswalk, from there to Naubrandenburg, from there to Frankfort-on-the-Oder, then back to Breslau; from there Leobschuetz, then to Hirschberg, then to Zittan, then to Freiberg, from there to Chemmitz. There he was fortunate enough to find work for one year and a half, where he had charge of forty-five men. After this, desiring more experience, he resigned and went to Erfurth, working about five weeks; then to Gotha, then to Minningen, then to Coburg, then to Bavaria, Culmbach, from there to Bayruth, then to Schnabelwid, then to Nurnberg, then to Ausbach, then to Westertrudingen, then to Koslinger, then to Donanworth, then to Augsburg, then to Schwabmunchen, then to Kaufburen, then to Kempten, then to Iesny, Wurtemburg, then to Leutkirch, then to Stuttgart, then to Nalen; there he worked fourteen weeks. From there to Gmund; there he again worked fourteen weeks. From there he went to Tubengen, then to Balingen, then to Schafhausen then passing over the border of Wurtenburg, to Gallen, Switzerland; there he worked fourteen weeks. From there to Berne, then to Lucerne; from here back to Germany, Baden Baden, to Freiburg, then to Menheim; from there to Wurzburg, then to Bamburg; from there to Cumbach, then to Hof, then to Griez, then to Altenburg, then to Hildeshim, and from there to where he was born, arriving home Dec. 8, 1842, making a journey of four years and four months. This has been taken from the passport book. It also shows about what the German journeyman has to pass through to gain that perfection in his trade that brings demand for his labor. He worked at his trade about one year at home, then from Bremen sailed to Baltimore, landing in America, Aug. 18, 1844. From Baltimore he went to Wilkinsburg, Pa.; worked seven years and a half in the Baltimore coal mine, Alex. Gray being proprietor. From here to Dane County, Wis., in 1852. While in Wilkinsburg he married Frances Hogstien. He lived in Dane County fourteen years and a half. Then came to this township, Nov. 30, 1866. His children are - Clemerce L., Mary C., John Francis, Bernard, Katy, Frank, Joseph, Dora and Lena. His wife died in March 1878. He owns 405 acres, and crops: of corn, eighty-five acres; of oats, forty-two and one half acres; of wheat, eighty-six acres; tame grass, fourteen acres.

Charles F. Beck     Pages 845 - 846
Was born in Greene Township, Gallia County, O., Mary 18, 1845. He was the sixth in a family of thirteen. His parents are Jacob and Sophia Beck, now living in Riverton, whose biographies may be found in the contents of that township. Charles F., like the majority of boys in those early days, received but a common school education, but by a wise use of that, together with shrewd powers of observation, has mastered all obstacles, so far as general knowledge and business laws, and the right and wrong in the political economy of the county goes. He was at home during his minority, and until his twenty-fourth year, when he took unto himself a wife, marrying Miss Viola Reynolds, daughter of S. L. Reynolds, formerly of this township, but more recently of Greene. Miss Reynolds had the honor of being the first teacher in School house No. 1, and perhaps in the district. About the date of his marriage he bought his present home - a farm of ninety acres, on section 8. To them one child, a daughter, has been born. Mr. Beck crops about eighty acres on his own place, and some forty more on an adjacent section. Inasmuch as we found Mr. Beck to be one of Floyd's earliest settlers, we have used many of the facts thus gleaned in the body of the work, and for which we give credit.

John Brisco     Pages 849 - 851
One of the earliest pioneers of Iowa, and one who has seen nothing but frontier life since his early boyhood in Shelby County, Ky., until now, was born of good old Kentucky stock in Shelby County. His parents moved from there to Monroe County, Ind., when he was a small boy. His reminiscences of Indiana or Hoosier pioneer life; of their log cabins without a scrap of iron; their primitive customs as a whole, are very interesting. He lived at home, assisting his father to carry on the farm until his nineteenth year, when he went to work on the river, piloting the old styled flat boat between Louisville, Ky., and New Orleans. It was a life of intense hardship. One of these boats, floating with the stream, took fifteen days or more to do the journey. The boats, when they arrived, were sold for the lumber in them, though some of them have been brought up the stream by means of ropes and horses. In 1843 he married Adeline Head, of Monroe County. Her father emigrated from "New Virginia" when she was but two years of age. Their names were Josiah and Lydia Head. Both died when she was quite young. Mrs. Brisco is a grand example of what our early pioneer women were, having endured privations and hardships with her husband, working in the field as in the house, being a "better shot" with the frontiersman's rifle than the majority of them themselves, and lastly having raised a family of fourteen children, the greater portion living today to bless the mother and father from whom they have inherited sound constitutions and pure blood. Mr. Brisco, today is healthy and vigorous. Upon Mr. Brisco's marriage they moved to Kosciusko County in the fall of 1847, and from there moved to Allamakee, living there until 1861, when he moved to Riverton. In Allamakee County he moved to Rossville, where he bought 200 acres - two besides himself living in that section at that time, and laid out the town, now Rossville. He carried on the farm for three years, then moved to town and went into the manufacturing of plows and blacksmithing with David Skinner, and remained in the company seven years, when he sold out and formed a partnership with Mr. Ross and built a steam grist mill, which he ran about one year, returning to the farm. During the time he ran the manufacturing of plows he went into and established a shop at Oronoko, on Zumbro River, running it one year and sold out. During this time he also made two trips to Pike's Peak, it being the time of the gold fever, crossing the plains four times with an ox team; the first time there was a company of sixty men and thirty wagons; the second time twenty-seven men, one woman and sixteen wagons. During the last trip they made a halt at Denver, the Indians being on the war path. At the time of their settlement in Iowa, bears and game were abundant. Mrs. Brisco has seen five bears at one time. The pigs had to be kept in the house; and being afraid they would molest the children, Mrs. Brisco learned to use the rifle. Some of her shots rival the stories of the frontier marksman. Her husband once wagered a pair of pants against a new dress that she could not kill over four or five partridges or wood pheasants at a shot; but her scoring thirty-one birds with every shot won the dress. Few women in the history of frontier life have equaled this. Squirrels and wild turkey were doomed if she could see as much as their heads. She has killed two deer. In 1870 he bought a farm of ninety acres in Pleasant Grove and lived there four years; then sold it and bought the one of 160 acres, where he now resides. Their children are - Prier L., Lydia M. and Elizabeth Jane, born in Monroe County, Ind.; Jeremiah and Harriet M., born in Kosciusko County, Ind.; Matilda I. (the first child born in the county), John L. (died when three years old), Emmie L. (Died in infancy), Josiah, Clementine, and Robinson M., born in Allamakee County, Ia; Charles C., Francis U. and Walter M. born in Riverton, Floyd County.

Wesley Brownell     Page 851 - 852
Was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1830; received a common school education; remained with his parents until about twenty-one years of age, when he commenced to do for himself, by working for his neighbors. At the age of twenty-four he bantered a chum of his own age to respond to the call from Kansas, for settlers from the East. Though his friend declined, he packed his trunk and started for the broad prairie land of the West. He spent the first year in Illinois, and in 1855 he came to Iowa. An incident we here relate illustrates the expeditiousness required upon the part of the settler in order to get land, on account of the fast inflowing population. Mr. Brownell arrived in this county Dec. 15; the Government land office at Decorah opened on the 20th. He commenced improvements on 160 acres, section 24, Riverton, now Pleasant Grove Township; filed his papers for pre-emption in the meantime, securing the land on the 20th. Upon this land he resided until 1868, when he sold and moved to Mitchell County and purchased a farm and made that his home two years. At the expiration of this term he returned to Floyd County, and farmed land on shares three years. In 1873 he purchased the farm of 160 acres where he still resides, section 36, Pleasant Grove. He crops about 125 acres; corn, seventy; oats, thirty-five; balance tame grass; keeps about twelve head cattle, four horses and from fifteen to one hundred hogs. Has always escaped the hog cholera till last year, when he lost seventy-five head. During the war Mr. Brownell was drafted as second to a drafted man; there being only one man drafted in the county. Fortunately for Mr. Brownell, the man was accepted upon examination. The township organized an insurance company for the benefit of those who might be drafted. Their first papers proving inefficient they drew up new ones. They all signed the new ones except this Mr. Wilcox, who happened to be the only man drafted in the township. Mr. Brownell was married in Bradford, Chickasaw County, Ia., April 21, 1961, to Miss Jane Adams a native of Canada. Their family consists of five children - Elva A., Martin C., Minnie O., William I. and Robert S. He is a member of the order of Freemasons. Is a member of the Baptist church, and has been a Republican ever since the party had existence. Voted for Fremont in 1856 and was previously an Abolitionist. While a citizen of Riverton Township he held the office of Assessor seven years, and was County Supervisor some three terms; was Township Clerk one year previous. Since becoming a citizen of Pleasant Grove he was elected Assessor, which position he has held for the past three years. Besides being a member of the School Board the greater part of the time, while residing in both townships, several years, he acted as Secretary. Mr. Brownell cast the first vote in this township. Mr. Brownell stands high in the esteem of his fellow towns people, as a man whose word is as good as his bond; such, too, is the reputation given the Brownells in the history of Delaware County, N. Y.

Joel Doore     Pages 853 - 854
Or "Uncle Joel," as he is familiarly called by nearly every one living in the "Maine settlement," came to Pleasant Grove Township in 1869, at the urgent solicitation of his son and daughter - now Mrs. Rudolph Young of Verndale, Minn. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. The old style Scotch practice, so eloquently described in Robert Burns' "Cotter's Saturday Night,: seemed peculiarly appropriate to Mr. Doore's whole-souled, yet simplicity of, character, and the morning worship thus conducted will ever be remembered by the writer of this sketch.

Mr. Doore was born in Dover, Piscataquis County, Maine, Nov. 7, 1813. He was a son of Joel and Hannah Doore, one of Piscataquias' early settlers. The family consisted of eight sons and three daughters. Of course in those early days, even East, schools were in a rude and primitive state, in consequence of which no one received but a common school education, and education, like many other branches of vital importance to the development of character, being dependent on a mans mind, his powers of self restraint, observation, integrity of charter and purpose. He has always followed the farm as a means of livelihood, with the exception of one year, which he spent in California in 1849 - '50.

He married Miss Sarah Cushing, daughter of James and Nancy Cushing. The names of the children born to them are - Eliza N., James N., Nancy C., Isley O., Allen J., and Pauline S. Eliza N. married Charles Ramsdell and is living directly opposite her father; his two sons, Isley O., and James N., were of the first of those brave volunteers who left the comforts of their homes, their social and domestic pleasure, and who severed for the time the ties which linked them to their families and friends, to rally for the defense of their country and the institutions under which they had been permitted to enjoy these comforts, pleasure and affections; to face the stern realities of grim-visaged war; to endure the hardships and privations of the field; to inhalethe pestilential emanations from Southern swamps; to languish in sickness and pain, and to find solitary and unknown graves where neither father, nor mother, nor brother, nor sister could come to drop affection's tears. And thus they died, and lie with thousands of unknown and unmarked graves, the former near New Orleans, where he died of fever, November 1862; the latter on Ship Island, of the same disease, July 17, 1862. But their patriotism and their sufferings, in the hearts of their towns' people, and on the Roll of Honor, shall be an enduring monument.

Pauline S. married Clifton Huckins, M. D., son of Deacon Huckins. Mr. Huckins was the first and only physician in Pleasant Grove. Mr. Doore moved from Maine in 1869, buying 160 acres in section 32. He brought with him Maine ways and economy - the wholesome teachings of thrifty, broad-minded parents, as all New Englanders of the past generation, who reared large families among the rocks and forests and the hills of the East, were. From these teachings he has been able to meet the world in a practical and yet pleasant way, and to have accomplished in these few years of Western experiences what many of our more Western residents, with an easier notion of life and methods, have been years longer in doing. He has fine buildings, a barn about 40 x 60, and his manner of husbandry evinces plainer than words its practicability. Politically he is a Republican, and when a resident of Maine held the various town offices at different periods. He crops this year about forty acres of spring wheat, twenty acres of oats, fifty acres of corn; has a large number of horses, and about fifty pigs.

James Fiddick     Page 855
An Englishman by descent, was born in Simonstown, Cape of Good Hope, Africa, April 1857. His parents' names were James and Elizabeth Fiddick. His mother was born in Cornwall County, England in 1826; was married in 1852, and moved to Cape of Good Hope in 1853. Mr. Fiddick was for many years connected with the civil service at Simonstown, living there thirteen years. Mr. Fiddick died in Cornwall, Nov. 18, 1873. Their children, born at the Cape, were Pricilla J., Richard, James, William, Laura J., Ellen E. and Emma A. Thomas and Bertha M. were born in England. James, the third of the children, emigrated to Rockford, Ill., when his mother and family came, in 1874. They lived in Rockford five years, moving to Pleasant Grove Township, to section 19, where all the family are comfortably settled. He married Rebecca Pooley in 1881, sister of John B. Pooley, a near neighbor. He is cropping about 100 acres. Mr. Fiddick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Greene, and a most exemplary man.

Lewis Forthun     Pages 855 - 856
A native of Lyster, Southern Norway, was born in the year 1837, and was the youngest and fourth son of Knut and Carrie Forthun. He lived with his parents until his nineteenth year, receiving such education as was to be had in Norway's common schools, when the desire of adventure took possession of him, the wonders of America being the unknown magnet. Bidding goodbye to father and mother, sister and brothers, and his native land, he eventually reached Dane County, Wis., after many interesting experiences. As always happens to emigrants to whom the English language is foreign. Here he lived one year, moving into Rock County, where he farmed for six years. Here it was that he assisted in setting out the first acre of tobacco set out in this county - a branch of farming that now is extensively carried on. From here he moved into Crawford County, and from here, in 1864 he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, Company E, being engaged in the memorable battle before Mobile, where he was wounded, a mini-ball striking him directly in the mouth. The eagerness with which the majority of men of foreign birth, and in come cases, of newly arrived emigrants, watched the late war, and enlisted when calls for more men were made, is a fact remarkable in history. After his return in 1865, he married Mary E. Joslyn, daughter of Marsena and Mary A. Joslyn, late of Pleasant Grove Township, now residing in Greene, Butler County. In 1866 he moved to Pleasant Grove Township, and bought an eighty, or the Joe Ripley farm, in what was then Ripley's Grove. Also at the same time he bought an adjoining eighty of Washington Young, moving into a shanty built by Mr. Young a few years before. The work at first, as was the case with all new farms in the timber, was that of grubbing, but by assiduous labors it has brought the acreage of available land from a few to those of his large farm of today, he cropping over 100 acres of corn and oats. A few years ago he bought another eighty adjoining, east of the last, upon which he has built convenient farm buildings. Mr. Forthun has been active in politics, and has been chosen to most of the township offices, at different intervals, and for the past three years has held that of County Supervisor, of which today he is Chairman. Three children have been born to him - Jessie May, Horace Orville Wallace, and Walter S. Much credit is due Mr. Forthun as member of the Board of Supervisors for the rapid construction of the present court house and also as a man, who coming to a new county, in a few years mastered its language, customs and politics so as to be one of the leading spirits.

James P. Lockwood     Pages 859 - 860
One of the honored veterans of the late war was born of good New England blood. His father, Seth Lockwood, whose interesting sketch appears here, and as will be seen was a native of staid old Connecticut. James P. was born in Greene County, Nov. 19, 1816, being second son of Seth and Diantha Lockwood. He lived with his parents until in his fourteenth year, when he turned to the state of manhood - "looking out for himself". Between this period and that of his coming West he followed various avocations that would bring him an honest penny. At first he worked on the Croton Water-works about New York City; then in the lumber business, and also learned the joiner's trade, working at it at different times, until his moving to Floyd County, in Syracuse and Rochester for several years. He helped to build the propeller "Indian Chief," after the completion of which he went up through the Welland Canal, just completed, and so on to Milwaukee, Wis., in which State he remained for several years, and from which he enlisted. While on the lake the propeller struck a ledge of rocks, giving him a touch of old ocean experience - his first and last. He lived in Detroit a few weeks only; and a year or longer in Milwaukee. He helped to build the depots along the route of the Prairie du Chien Railroad - that road, the civil engineers of which made but one important mistake, as the story went those days. When asked by the President their opinion of the road replied "that it was all right only they might have got one more curve in it as well as not". From railroad work he went to Menasha (Sweet Water), Northern Wisconsin, at the out-let of Lake Winnebago, where he was in season to help build the first frame house in that town. He also helped to build two sawmills, dam and flumes, and ran each a year or so. His experiences in this town were not of a profitable nature, working there at the hardest kind of pioneer labor for five years, and not having scarcely money enough to get fairly out of the town with. His next residence was at Union, Wis.; from there to McGregor's Landing, where he built the dry docks; from McGregor's he moved to Racine, working in the works of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. It was while at Racine he enlisted in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, being in service two years, or until his health failed him. He was detailed as hospital nurse, and afterward given full charge of a hospital from that time out. These duties are always very arduous. Some incidents connected with the duties made them extremely so. For one instance among many, we relate that while at Danville, Ky., at a rumor that Gen. John Morgan's fiends were on a raid in that locality, the whole force, 15,000 strong, broke camp in search for them, leaving Mr. Lockwood for four days in sole charge of 150 sick men. This is what ruined his health; and awhile afterward he returned to Wisconsin, bringing with him all the sick he could, landing them at Chicago. After regaining his health he threw up a pension and re-enlisted in the 100 day's enlistment, going into Company F., Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment, and for which he holds a certificate of the President's thanks for honorable service. After his discharge he was foreman of Racine & Mississippi Railroad; from this work he moved to Pleasant Grove in 1866, where he has since resided. Mr. Lockwood is a man of good judgement, out-spoken, but of honorable intentions and purposes. He was married in Menasha, Wis., in 1847, to Eliza Atwood. She died in 1857, in Chickasaw County, Iowa, leaving four children. In 1860 Mr. Lockwood was married in Racine, Wis., to Candace M. Salisbury, a native of Delaware County, N. Y., as were also her parents, April 29, 1870. Mrs. Lockwood died in Pleasant Grove, leaving a son, two years of age - Charles Erskine, who is residing with his father.

J. C. Lockwood     Page 860
Was born in Smithfield, Madison County, N. Y., May 15, 1828. Lived there until nine years of age, when his parents moved to Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y. While living there he was engaged in railroading, canaling and farming. Was engaged in the civil engineer corps in the construction of the Erie Railroad, and in railroading in general for seven years on the Canada, Great Western & Detroit. Was married to Mary L. Farwell, of Hinsdale. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are now living - Alice M., Anna Katharine, Carrie M., Edith M., and Mattie. He moved to Pleasant Grove Township in November 1868, buying 200 acres. Mr. Lockwood is at present Justice of the Peace and was elected County Supervisor in 1874.

Seth Lockwood     Pages 860 - 861
One of the oldest citizens in the county was born in Goshen, Litchfield County, Ct., May 7, 1793. At two years of age his father moved to Windham, N. Y., now Lexington, Greene County. Lived there until 1820. Was married there to Diantha Thompson, the 6th day of May, 1813, who died in Madison County, July 17, 1824, leaving four children. In November 1814 he cast his first vote for Governor, in 1817 his first vote for President, James Monroe being the candidate. Mr. Lockwood has never missed a vote since his first of 1814. Married Hepsy Boyden, of Smithfield, Madison County, in 1825, who bore him three children; she died in 1871. From Greene County he removed to Madison, Feb. 28, 1820, living there till 1837; then moved to Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, May 21, 1837, and lived there thirty years, removing to Floyd County in November 1868. The children by his first wife were - Eli T., James P., George M., and Sarah Ann; by his second wife - Mary F., J. C., and F. E. Of the four children of first wife but one is living - James P., of Pleasant Grove Township. In 1825 Mr. L. read law with Huntington & Palmer, of Peterborough, N. Y., for three years, and practiced until the new code of New York went into effect in 1842. He was justice of the sessions for two terms in Cattaraugus County. For reminiscences, Mr. Lockwood distinctly remembers the extraordinary eclipse of June 6, 1809, when for about two hours fowls went to roost. He has seen the ground and fences white with snow the 4th of July. Mr. Lockwood has always taken an active interest in the political issues of the county; voted the Democratic ticket until 1856 - or the Kansas question - when, according to his views, the Democrat party receding from true Democracy, he voted the Republican ticket, when John D. Fremont was candidate. Any one being acquainted with that question will remember the cause for change.

Orlando Powers     Pages 863 - 864
A gentleman of keen discernment and practical worth in any community, and who by hard labor has today a fine fame with necessary requirements by which farming is made profitable, was born in La Chute, Canada, Aug. 7, 1846. He lived with his parents until about his eighteenth year when he came West and into the States. His parents' names were Orlando and Lydia (Hutchins) Powers, both natives of La Chute. Mr. Powers first came to Black Earth County, and moved from there to Iowa in 1870. He was married in 1869 to Lucretia Angel. Their children are Edwin, Alice and Annie. His step-children are Charles and Lizzie Angel. Mr. Powers has a farm of 320 acres; is cropping about 125 acres, divided somewhat as follows: Sixty-five acres of oats, twenty acres of tame grass, and the greater portion of the remainder of corn. Since the failure of wheat, he has taken the practical view of the situation, which was to raise more hay and keep more livestock, consequently he owns 110 head of cattle, ten horses and 100 hogs. We bespeak for Mr. Powers a successful future.

George Pringle     Page 864
Was born July 3, 1853, near Detroit, Mich. His parents, William and Elizabeth Pringle, moved from there to Butler County, Ia., in 1855, and bought eighty acres of land from the Government. This was when that section was new, with but few settlers, and very few improvements. He and his brothers, Robert and James, lived at home until their mother died, when the family broke up, and he looked about for himself, moving into Pleasant Grove and working for I. P. Dean by the month. He bought eighty acres on section 28, and married Georgie A. Smith, daughter of H. W. Smith, Pleasant Grove. Their children are George N., who died in infancy, and Allen J.