Abijah Beach
Eicher,
Was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1837, where he was married
in 1857 to Margaret Ruth Allen, a native of Ohio. In Feb., 1860, they
came to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, where they resided until
September 1872, when they came to Greene county, locating on section
13 in Bristol township, where he had previously purchased 160 acres of
prairie land, to which he has added from time to time; until he now
owns 320 acres of splendid land and one of the best appointed farms in
the county. He came to Iowa a poor man, but by industry and thrift
himself and wife and secured an ample competence for their declining
years. They have four children, all married: John A, living at Snyder,
Colorado; Arminda J., (Mrs. Banks) now living on the homestead; James
I., Lyon county, Iowa; Sarah M., (Mrs. Young) in New Mexico. In
politics, Mr. Eicher is a republican.
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M.B. Westervelt,
Proprieter of the Spring Brook Stock farm, was born in Franklin
county, Ohio, in 1856. At the age of 22 years he want to the far west
spending two years in California, Oregon and Washington. Was married
in 1882 to Rose Diemer, a native Iowan, and they came to Greene county
the same year, locating on section 3 in Bristol township, where he now
owns 520 acres of good land, well improved. They have six children:
Alanson K., 15; Milo B., 13; Belle, 11; Hazel, 9; Kate, 7; Ralph 5. In
politics Mr. W. is a republican.
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Charles E. Davis,
Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1833, and moved with his
parents near Bloomington, Indiana, in 1838, and they came to Greene
county in 1849, locating on what is now section 1, Franklin township.
In 1855 he married Mary Murphy, a native of Ireland, and that year he
and his young wife located on section 6, Washington township, where
they lived until 1866, when they moved on to what is known as the
Cavenaugh farm, where they found a home for 16 years. There is perhaps
not a man in Greene county who is better acquainted with its earliest
history. He is now quite active in spite of the hardships of pioneer
life. Nine children, five living: Truman L., 42; Maggie (Potter); John
W., 33; James E., 29; Isaac L., 27.
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Patrick Minnehan,
Farmer and stockraiser, was born in County Linerick, Ireland, in
1833. In 1851 he married Johanna Scully, of Irish Ancestry. In 1862
they emigrated to America locating at Alton, Ills., where he worked
for a time as a farm hand and renter. In 1871 he came to Greene
county, settling on section 25, Bristol township, 80 acres of which he
purchased, making a small payment down, to which he has added until he
now owns 560 acres after generous gifts of land to his children. He
came here a poor man and now has more than a competence. Twelve
children were born of this union; nine now living: Hattie, 39; Maggie,
37; William, 35; Annie, 33; John, 30; Mary, 28; James, 24; Simon, 21;
Louis 18. They have, out of their generosity, brought up and educated
the orphan daughter of an old neighbor, James Quirk, who died in 1890,
making her one of the family.
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Thomas Williams,
Was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in the year 1830. At the age
of seventeen years he came to this country, locating in New York,
where he spent a year. In 1855 he married Margaret Kays and in 1866
they came to Greene county to seek a home in this then new region. He
was the first section hand on the C.&N.W. Railway west of
Jefferson. In 1872 he located on section 23, Bristol township, where
he bought 120 acres of land, where he now lives.
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Alexander B.
Campbell,
Is a native of Rush county, Indiana, born Sept 23, 1837. When he
was three years old, his parents came to Iowa, locating in Johnson
county where he was married in 1877 to Sarah E. Yessler, a native of
Washington county, Maryland, to whom was born one son, Fred L., 19
years old. In 1895 Mrs. Campbell died, and February 116, 1899, Mr.
Campbell married Mrs. Flora Slaughter, who has four children. She is a
native of Iowa. Mr. Campbell is sixty-one years of age and a rugged
man for his time of life. In politics he is a republican.
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John Finn,
Was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1839. At the age of fifteen
years he came to the United States, locating in Long Island, New York,
where the family lived four years. In 1864 he married Mary Calohan, of
Irish ancestry, and came to Greene county in 1874, locating in Hardin
township, where he lived two years and then moved to Jefferson, where
he resided four years. He then located on section 35 in Bristol
township where he now owns 320 acres of excellent land. He came here a
poor man but by industry and economy has accumulated a competency.
They have six children: Mary (Staley), 36; Thomes, 31; John, 25;
Hannah, 26; Agnes (Northway,) 30; David 24. He lived in Illinois ten
years, 1858-1868.
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Alonzo B. Morlan,
Is a native Iowan, born in Dallas county in 1854. The year of his
birth his parents came to Greene county, locating on what is now the
Peter Mosteller farm, where they lived 21 years, and where his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Morlan died. In 1875 he married Sarah H.
Brezee, of this county, and in 1882 he purchased 95 acres of wild land
in section 2, where he has since resided. He now owns 115 acres of
good land. They have had six children, five living: Alpha A., 22;
Myrtle M., 19; Emery M., 16; Earl E., 13; Pearl B., 9. In politics he
affiliates with the republican party.
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James H. Empie,
A native of Wisconsin, was born in Jefferson county in 1848, and
came to Greene county at the age of 21, locating on section 26, where
he purchased 40 acres. In the spring of 1893 he bought 40 acrews
additional in section 34. He owned the Jos. Buchmiller place of 40
acres before buying his present farm, and rented in the meantime,
residing all the time in Bristol township. In 1870 he married Sarah E.
Wright of Jackson Township. To this union were born two children: Mary
A. (Fleck), 27; Eugene, 25, telegraph operator. Mr. Empie is a thrifty
farmer, a good citizen and well circumstanced to enjoy life.
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Michael S. Jacoby,
Was born near Shippensburg, Pa., in 1824, where he lived until he
was married in 1851 to Sarah Neir, to whom were born two children. In
1856 his wife died. The same year he went to Mendota, Illinois, and in
1861 returned to Greencastle, Pa., where he married Srah F. Fuss. They
moved to Mendota, Illinois, where they lived until 1881, when they
came to Greene county, locating on section 25, Bristol township,
living there until 1892, when he purchased a 320 acre farm of Zebulon
Ferrin. In 1895 Mrs. Jacoby died, leaving her husband and four
children: Charles W., 36; E. Clement, 31; Maud, 28; J.D., 24.
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Edmund Oxenford,
Was born in Germany, in 1861. When he was seventeen years old, his
parents came to this country, locating in Henry county, Ills., where
they lived until 1879, when they came to Greene county, locating in
Greenbriar township. June 16, 1885 he was married to Katie Ulrich, of
Grant township. In 1892 he purchased a 120 acre farm in Bristol
township, on which he now lives, and himself and family are enjoying
the blessings of a pleasant home. They have five children: Elsie E.,
12; Mabel H., 10; Lillie R., 8; Nellie L., 4; Benjamin E., 1.
Politically Mr. Oxenford is a republican.
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William H. Garland,
Farmer and stockraiser, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, in 1862,
and lived there with his parents until 1870, when they located on
section 16 in Kendrick township where they resided until his father
went to Jefferson as county treasurer. In 1884 he married Margaret E.
Trimble, of Ontario, Canada, and commenced housekeeping on the old
homestead where they resided until 1892, when he bought a farm on
section 30, in Bristol township, where they now reside. They have two
children: Alma M., 14; Delmar L., 13. In politics he is a republican
and is the nominee of that party for county treasurer, which insures
his election.
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Nathan Wright,
Was born in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1843. At the age of five
years he removed with his parents to Champaign county, Ills., where
they lived until the fall of 1854, when they came to Iowa, and lived
in Boone county a year, coming to Greene county in 1855, locating in
section 14, Bristol township, where they entered 240 acres of
government land. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. E, 39th Iowa
Infantry, and was with Sherman on that memorable march to the sea. Was
honorably discharged in 1863. He married Julia S. Fleck, a native of
Ohio, in 1866. In 1878 he purchased 120 acres of land in section 20,
Bristol township, which he now owns and has improved until it ranks
with the best farms in the township. They have had nine children,
seven of whom are living: William T., 32; Nettie, 30; Freddie 28;
Hattie T., 24; Ida, 22; Myrtie T., 21; James C., 18; Vernia 16. Effie
died in '75 and Verna in '56. He is a republican in politics.
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George Ellis,
Was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1828, where he lived
until 1849, when he with his parents moved to Ogle county, Illinois,
where he lived for eight years. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating in
Jones county and in 1864 married to Mrs. Mary Reynolds, to whom was
born one child, Flora (Harrison) Sept. 14, 1865. Mr. Ellis is one of
the fifteen sons of Benjanin Ellis, who died in Jones county, Iowa, in
1878. He also has one sister, making a family of sixteen children, an
occurrence so rare as to warrant a special mention. He is now seventy
years old and active and rugged for a man of his years, considering
his practical experience with the hardships of pioneer life.
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Perry C. Stream,
Farmer and stockraiser, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1837,
and lived in his native State until 1855, when his parents came to
Iowa, settling in Linn county, near Cedar Rapids, where they lived
until 1876. In 1865 he married Anna Langdon, a native of Ohio, and
came to Greene county in 1876, locating on section eight in Bristol
township, where he purchased sixty acres and now owns 200 acres which
he has improved until he has a very pleasant and valuable farm home.
They have had eight children, four of whom are living: Thomas L., 28;
Charles E., 25; Perry C. Jr., 21; Mattie M., 13. In politics he is a
republican and ranks as one of Bristol township's best citizens.
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Merida Wright,
Was born in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1837. At the age of 18 years
he with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isom Wright, removed to Greene
county, locating on section 33 in Jackson township; where they died.
In 1860 he was united in marriage to Adeline Snyder, a native of Ohio,
who came to this county in 1855. They commenced housekeeping on a 40
acre tract in Jackson township, where they lived until 1892, when he
bought an 80 acre farm in section 23 Bristol township, and has
established a pleasant and permanent home. They have seven children,
all living; Mahala (Reynolds) 38; Geo. B. McClellan, 37; Monroe, 34;
Mary E., 32 (Buchmiller); Martha E. (Buchmiller) 28; Delana E. (Buchmiller),
26; Delia A., 20. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Church of
Christ.
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Frank W. Lornce,
Was born near Policka, Bohemia, in Nov. 1845. When he was nine
years old his parents came to the United States, locating near Racine,
Wis., and in 1854 they came to Iowa, settling near Cedar Rapids, where
he was married in 1870 to Diantha Streams, a native of Ohio. They came
to Greene county in 1875, locating on section 10, where he now owns
240 acres of fine land has a very comfortable home. They have had six
children, five of whom are living: Charles W., 28; Etta A., 25; Jesse
O., 23; Nellie May, 21; Mary J., 17; Emma P., 7. Politically Mr.
Lornce is a republican. He enlisted at the age of 18, in 1862, and was
honorably discharged in 1864. Outside of eight years spend in Linn
county on account of poor health, himself and family have resided
continuously in Greene county, and are universally respected wherever
known.
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Willard E. Boggs,
Is a New Englander by birth, a native of Massachusetts, born in
1845. When he was four years old his parents moved to DeWitt county,
Ills., where they resided until he was of age, when he went to Jasper
county, Mo., where he married, in 1868, Amelia J. Coyle, a native of
Missouri. Returning to DeWitt county, they lived there three years and
then came to Iowa, locating in Bristol township; thence they moved to
Jefferson, and in 1888 moved to Kendrick township where they lived
three years, when they located on section 17, Bristol, where he
purchased 80 acres of prairie land and has now a desirable farm home.
They have eleven living children: Minnie (Ulrich), 26; Carrie T., 25;
Charles E., 23; Orrin T., 21; Annie E., 19; Emil W., 17; Bertha A.,
15; Earl T., 13; Dollie V., 10; Elvan L., 6; Ruby, 2.
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Edward S.
Buchmiller,
Owner of Variety Farm, farmer and stock raiser, was born Jan. 10,
1853 in Henry county, Ill. In 1873 he married Veleria Young, a native
of the same county. Three years later they came to Greene county,
locating in section 9, Bristol township, on 80 acres of wild land to
which he has added so that he now owns 120 acres which he has improved
until he now has a fine farm and a comfortable home. They have eight
children, all living: Delia M., 25; John E., 23; Richard, 19, Ethel
R., 17; Rory B. 15; Huldah V., 12; Radah M., 9; Gladys V., 3. Mr.
Buchmiller was born and raised a democrat, but is a protectionist and
for sound money, and in 1896 became a republican. He has held many
important offices.
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Wilson Stream,
Was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1848. When he was eight years
old his parents moved to Linn county, Iowa, where they lived until
1874, when he came to Greene county, locating on section 10, Bristol
township. In 1877 he married Ophelia M. West, a native Iowan. They
commenced housekeeping on his 160-acre prairie farm which he has
improved until now it is splendid property and the family enjoy a fine
home. Five children have been born to them, all living: Elsie B., 21;
Ida E., 18; Chauncey E., 14; Ray E., 6; Adrian M., 4. In politics Mr.
Stream is a republican.
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John W. West,
Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Waukesha county, Wis., in
1847, and is of English and French descent. When he was four years old
his parents came to Clayton county, Iowa, locating near Elkader, where
he was married in 1870 to Betsey Hill, a native of England, who came
to this country when a child. In 1871 he came to Greene county,
locating in section 5, Bristol township, where they resided until
1874, when he purchased 80 acres of wild land in section 9, to which
has been added, so that he now owns a fine farm of 178 acres, well
improved. Two children are living: Wm. C., 23; Charles T., 21. In
politics Mr. West is a democrat.
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John W. Blake,
Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Warren county, Ills., in 1861.
At the age of seven years his parents brought him to Iowa, locating in
Jasper county; where they lived for three years and thence came to
Polk county where they lived until 1874, and then located in Greene
county on section 4, Bristol township. In 1884 he married Hannah
Clipperton, a native of Canada, and commenced housekeeping in section
28, Highland township, where they still reside and won a comfortable
home. In politics he is a republican.
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William Anderson,
Was born in Berkeley county, Va., in 1830. When he was nine years
old his parents moved to Senea county, Ohio, where they lived until
1851, when they came to Iowa, locating in Dubuque county, where he was
married in 1862 to Susan Alstott, a native of Indiana. They came to
Greene county in 1876, locating on section 16, where they lived until
1881, when they moved on to section 2, Bristol township. July 10,
1891, Mr. Anderson died, laving a wife and three children: John H.,
36; George A., 31; Sarah A., 28; James W., died Dec. 23, 1876.
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