Home Page

Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

Biographies - 1891 History of Harrison County Iowa

Page Forty Eight

McManimie | Maule | Gilson | Webb | Ellison | Emge | Linn


McMANIMIE - James N. McMANIMIE a representative farmer of section 4, Cincinnati Township, came to Harrison County, in the spring of 1855, with his mother, and her family, together with the grandfather, who entered land in St. John's Township. The grandfather was James G. DAVIS. Our subject remained at home with his mother and grandfather until January 23, 1862, when he enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, when he was only a little past fifteen years of age. He went South and was in the following engagements�battle of Shiloh, of April 6, and 7, 1862, the siege of Corinth, Miss., the battle of Bolivar, Tenn., Iuka, Miss., battle of Corinth, October 3-4, 1862, Waterford, Miss., November 29, 1862, Lafayette, Tenn., in 1863; Richmond, La., in January, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, Oak Ridge, Monroe, La., August 29, 1863; Meridian, Miss., in February, 1864; Big Shanty, Ga., June 10, 1864; Noonday Creek, Ga., June 15, 1864; Bushy Mountain, Ga., June 19, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864; and at the same place July 1-2 of the same year; advanced on Atlanta July 20, 1864; charge of Atlanta July 1, 1864, and the battle of Atlanta one day later; Ezra Church July 28, 1864; before Atlanta August 3 to 16; Atlanta & Montgomery Railroad August 28, 1864; Jonesboro, Ga., August 31, to September 1; Flint Creek, Ga., September 1, 1864; Lovejoy Station September 2, 1864; Fairburn, Ga.,October 2, 1864,; Snake Creek Gap, Ga., October 15, 1864; Savannah, Ga., December 21, 1864; Gardner's Corner, S. C. , January 14, 1865; River Bridge, S. C., February 2, 1865, Big Salkahatchie Swamp. S. C., February 3,1865; North Edisto River S. C. , February 9, 1865; Columbia, S. C., February 17, 1865; Cheraw, S. C. March 3, 1865; Fayetteville, N. C., March 11, 1865; Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21, 1865; Raleigh, N. C., April 13, 1865.

Our subject participated in the Grand Review at Washington, which was by all odds the greatest military gathering which ever passed by a given point, at any one place in the world, that history gives us any record of. Our subject was discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. He passed through thirty-seven battles and skirmishes and lost his right eye. Considering the age at which this man entered the service and the campaigns and engagements he took part in, his war record is scarcely excelled, if equaled, in the annals o the Iowa pages of the American Conflict.

Our subject was born in Putnam County, Ind., September 12, 1846, and is the son of George and Emily ( DAVIS) McMANIMIE, and when nine years of age his grandparents and his mother, with her family of three sons and one daughter, started for Harrison County, Iowa, taking boat at Beardstown, Ill, via St. Louis, there took steamboat for Omaha. On the way from St. Louis to Council Bluffs, the grandmother and our subject's sister died with the cholera. The mother married Martin SUTTON and they now live in Springfield, Ill.

Our subject was married in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, March 6, 1866, to Miss Mary L. PARKER, the daughter of Joseph and Mary ( SMITH) PARKER, and they are the parents of six children---Minnie B., Emma E., Harvey O., Laura S., James T. and Bertha. Minnie is the wife of M.J. BREEN, and lives at Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Mrs. McMANIMIE was born in Jersey County, Ill., December 12, 1846. Her parents came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1860. She died May 3, 1891, and is buried in Calhoun Cemetery. She was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps at Modale; her husband being a member of BOYD Post, No. 397, G. A. R. at Modale.

Politically our subject is a stanch Republican, "voting as he shot!"

Since our subject's return from the army he has remained in Harrison County, except four or five months spent in Wyoming. He has improved two farms in Cincinnati Township; his present place contains two hundred and twenty-five acres. He is a thorough-going farmer and a highly-respected citizen of the progressive type. In 1890 he was appointed as one of the enumerators for the United States Census Bureau.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.765-766
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

MAULE - William MAULE, who resides on section 15, Raglan Township, was born in Harrison County, April 27, 1860. He is the son of Donald and Christina MAULE, natives of Scotland, who had a family of eleven children named as follows: James M., Mary J., David, George E., William, Joseph D., Emma E., Charles R., Albert H., Maggie A., (deceased), and Minnie M., (twins).

Our subject remained with his parents until he arrived at the years of his majority, and the following two seasons he herded cattle and then bought a quarter-section of wild land, upon which he made some improvements, and three years later sold and bought the place he now occupies, which consisted of forty acres of partly improved land. He now has substantial buildings, fine shade trees and three hundred apple trees. His present farm consists of one hundred and fifty-six acres, one hundred of which are under the plow. All he possesses, he has made by his own exertions.

Lenora LOVE, daughter of Nathan and Licena LOVE, became his wife in March, 1886. Her parents were natives of North Carolina, and their children were Frances e., Mary J., deceased; Joel P., Elkanah, Marion S., deceased; and Lenora.

Our subject and his wife have been blessed by three children: Maggie M., born October 19, 1887; Lois P., deceased, born September 1, 1889; and William A., born July 3, 1891.

In the summer of 1880, our subject made a trip to Montana. He stopped at Butte City, where he engaged as a clerk in a wholesale grocery store, remaining five months. He was taken sick and returned to Iowa. In 1882, he went to Nebraska, and took a homestead, but only remained a short time, and let the homestead go back,

Mrs. MAULE was a school teacher, having taught nine terms in Lucas County, Iowa and ten terms in Harrison County.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.767
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

GILSON - Frank GILSON, whose farm home is pleasantly situated in the north east quarter of section 19, and within the borders of that charming forest land known as Six-mile Grove in Cass Township, came to Harrison County in company with his mother twenty-two years ago, arriving August 29, 1869, and at first settled in Union Township, where his mother's sister lived. They remained however, the following winter at the home of L. M. EVANS, during which time he attended school, and in the early spring engaged to work on a farm at $7 per month. His mother was again married and he called their place home. His next work was for John JEWELL, for which he received $8 per month. He worked on a farm the next three years for E. R. PECKENPAUGH, who paid him $10 and $15 per month. He was virtually his own man after he was thirteen years of age, and improved every opportunity to attend school between the various times he was engaged at farm labor. For two years he rented a farm of John KNAUSS, who game him one-half of the grain in the field. This was during the years 1876-77. The next year he rented of B. R. COLLINS, giving him one-third of the crop.

In 1879, he purchased forty acres of wild land of the railroad company, for which he paid $8 per acre. He at once began to improve this by breaking, and building a house; also a barn. He cultivated this land until the autumn of 1885, and sold the same at $22.50 per acre, and bought the place he now occupies, paying $26 per acre. This farm contains one hundred and fifty-three acres, is under a high state of cultivation and is provided with a good house, fine barn and bearing orchard.

Our subject was born in Porter Township, Cass County, Mich., September 8, 1857. His parents were William and Sarah J. (BOLTON) GILSON. Mr. and Mrs. William GILSON were the parents of four children, of whom our subject was the second child. The father was born in New York State, while the mother was born in Michigan.

Mr. GILSON was married March 12, 1876, to Millie V. PECKENPAUGH, daughter of E. R. and Caroline PECKENPAUGH, who were the parents of twelve children, who were born and died in the following order�Rice, Lorinda, Joseph, and Martin, deceased; Anderville P., Harvey V., Willis W., William J., Stephen A., Bertha C., Millie V., Frank C. Mrs. GILSON was the eleventh child, and was born September 1,1859. Her father was born in Indiana, and her mother in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. GILSON are the parents of five children�Mabel L., born March 20, 1877; Caroline J., September 24, 1878; Gladys T., March 1, 1883; Archie E., April 3, 1886; Willis E., June 28, 1889.

Politically, our subject is identified with the Republican party.

In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. GILSON believe in the Christian faith.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.768-769
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

WEBB - R. L. WEBB, a farmer living on section 9, Cincinnati Township, forms the subject of this sketch. He came to Harrison County in the spring of 1882, and settled on the farm he now occupies. At first he bought eighty acres of improved land, to which he has added forty acres.

Mr. WEBB was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 18, 1832. His mother died when he was a small boy, and as soon as he was old enough, shifted for himself, at whatever he could get to do. About 1854, he went on the road selling boots, shoes and rubber goods, and was on the road for about sixteen years, traveling over nearly every State east of the Mississippi River. He traveled from Utica, N. Y., and after leaving the road, engaged in the boot and shoe business, at Marathon, Cortland County, N. Y., and was there until 1882, when he came to Harrison County, Iowa.

He was united in marriage, in Cortland County, N. Y. , April 5, 1865, to Miss Avis M. HUNTLY, the daughter of John D. and Louisa (FRENCH) HUNTLY, by which marriage three children were born: Frank H., January 25, 1867; Ritchie H., September 28, 1873, and Victoria L., July 11, 18980. Mrs. WEBB was born in Cortland County, N. Y., June 15, 1847, and remained at home with her parents until the date of her marriage. Her parents were members of the Baptist Church.

Charles H. WEBB, father of our subject, was a native of England, and came to America when a boy, and settled in Otsego County. He was somewhat of a speculator in lands and had at one time five hundred acres in Otsego County. About 1838 he sold out and went to Michigan was there only a short time when his wife died, and he returned to Otsego County, where subsequently he was married and went to Bradford County, Pa., where he purchased five hundred acres of pine land, and was there engaged for a number of years in sawing up this timber. He finally sold out and went to Winnebago County, Ill., where he died about 1854. Our subject's mother was a native of Otsego County, N. Y. Here maiden name was Lucinda HITCHCOCK, and she died in Michigan, about 1838. They were the parents of five children, of whom our subject was the fourth.

Politically Mr. WEBB is an out and out Democrat. His early education was received in the common schools. In addition to his farm property he has a residence in Missouri Valley, located on Seventh Street, and now occupied by Mr. HUFF. It is the intention of our subject to remove to Missouri Valley for the purpose of giving his daughter better educational advantages.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.770-771
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

ELLISON - Matt A. ELLISON, ranking among the early pioneers of Harrison County, having come in with his parents in 1852, is entitled to a biographical notice in this connection. He was born in Monroe County, w. Va., October 27, 1833, and is the son of Isaac and Cinda (CLARK) ELLISON, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. In the autumn of 1855 he pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 9, of Cass Township, and proved up in 1856, paying the Government price of $1.25 per acre. The first piece of land he owned, however, was forty acres of timber on section 17, which he purchased in the autumn of 1854 and still owns with the exception of a five-acre lot.

Having faith in this country and intending to make a home and become a man among men, he sought the heart and hand of Miss Hannah VALLIER, to whom he was married May 23, 1855. She was a native of Ohio, born May 23, 1836, and was the daughter of Alexander and Mary VALLIER. The father was French while the mother was German.

Shortly after our subjects's marriage he embarked in the realities of life for himself, having worked out just previous to his purchasing his first piece of land, and the first summer of his married life he made his home with his parents, while he was building a log house on his land, on section 9. This house was of the hewed double room style of architecture, native lumber being used for the floor. Into this cozy house, which defied the elements, and was the subject of a 'house raising,' this newly-married couple moved in the spring of 1856, occupying the same until 1879, at which time Mr. ELLISON moved to Logan, after which he still looked after his stock on his farm which he rented. But two seasons of town life, sufficed for this man of push and energy, and in the autumn of 1880, he removed to the old log house in which he lived until he had raised two crops, and then built his present two story farm house, which is 16x24 feet, with an addition sixteen feet square.

Our subject's present landed estate amounts to eight hundred acres, including two hundred and forty acres belonging to his wife. He pays great attention to the growth of stock, usually keeping about seventy-five head of cattle with the corresponding number of hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. ELLISON are the parents of eight children�Elvira, deceased; Mary Cinda, Becca Rosilla, Edward Brazillia, Ida Irene, Maggie Caroline, Bessie Violet and Robert.

Politically Mr. ELLISON votes with the Republican party, and in matters of religion he is in sympathy with the Latter Day Saints Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.782-783
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

EMGE - John EMGE, a farmer residing on section 4, Lincoln Township, has been identified with the interests of Harrison County for some years. The first four years he was here he rented land in Raglan township. He also rented in Monona County two years. He was a poor man at the time of his coming and had a wife and three children, with only a capital of $40. After these years of renting land he paid $20 per acre for a partly improved tract of land, which is included in his present farm. He broke out fifteen acres the first year, erected a comfortable house, shedding, etc., and is now in possession of a comfortable home.

Mr. EMGE was born in Pennsylvania in May, 1850. His parents were Nicholas and Elizabeth EMGE, who were natives of Germany. They had a family of six children, our subject being the youngest. The children were named Christopher, Peter, Nicholas, Agnes, Adam and John.

Our subject remained in the Keystone State until he was seven years old and then accompanied his parents to Ohio. He remained at home until he was of age, receiving a common-school education and assisting his father as he could. He was married in August, 1870, to Mary J. BARNHART, the daughter of William and Mary BARNHART, natives of New York State, who reared a family of nine children, our subject's wife being the fourth. The family consisted of William, Jasper, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Caroline, Sarah, Sylvester, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. EMGE are the parents of six children, as follows: M. R. , William R., Clarence O., Mary E., E. J., and Laura.

In religious matters our subject is a believer in the Roman Catholic faith.

Politically, Mr. EMGE is identified with the Republican party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.771-772
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index

LINN - -Absalom F. LINN, a resident of Section 14, Clay Township, was born in Adams County, Pa., in 1820. His parents were farmers, and with them our subject remained until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Maryland and served an apprenticeship of two years in a mill and then came back to Pennsylvania, followed milling until 1864, and then came to Kane County, Ill., where he ran a mill four years, and in the spring of 1870, came o this county, following the life of a miller four years, when he bought thirty acres of land in Clay Township. He was married in Adams County, Pa., in July, 1840, to Miss Catharine Heagan, and by this marriage union nine children were born: Annie D., Sylvester J., Amanda, deceased; Emory; Matilda, and Henry, deceased; Raphael; Hester; and Silas, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. LINN are both member of the Dunkard's Church, having been members for thirty-seven years. Politically, he is an Independent.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 772
Family Researcher: NA
To Page Index--- To Bio Index



Return to Harrison County Home Page