CASE - Timothy C. CASE, located on section 26, of Calhoun township, came to Harrison County in the fall of 1855, and stopped in St. John's Township. He came to Harrison County a poor man, and was compelled to rent land for twelve years. He then bought the farm he now occupies, which consisted, at the time, of eighty acres of wild land, upon which he built a house, barn, and cribbing; also dug wells and set out an orchard of one hundred and twenty trees. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of land, sixty acres of which are under the plow. He lived in this country, during the never-to-be-forgotten hard winter of 1856-57, when he lost both cattle and hogs, through the severity of the weather. The grass hoppers were also a "burden unto him," as they destroyed his entire crop for two years.

Concerning our subject's career outside of Harrison County, let it be said, that he was born in Hendricks County, Ind., in November, 1831. He is the son of John and Sarah CASE, natives of Virginia and South Carolina respectively, he being the sixth of a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living, four residing in Harrison County. The names of his father's family are as follows � Acenith, deceased; Squire L., deceased; John G., Martha, deceased; Hannah, Sarah, Timothy C., Jacob, Tabitha deceased; Nancy, deceased; Sylva and William T.

Our subject lived in the Hoosier State until sixteen years of his life had passed, when he went to the Lone Star State�Texas. In 1849, he enlisted in the regular army, under command of N. P. BANKS. He enlisted in Louisville, Ky., was assigned to Company G, First Infantry, and served in the regular army five years. He was stationed on the frontier in Texas, to protect the settlers from the depredations of the Indians, with whom they had several skirmishes. He received his discharge at Eagle Pass, Tex., after which he went to work for the Government, as teamster of a freight wagon, going up to the New Mexico line, the trip taking three months' time. We next find him in Indiana, where he remained one year, after which he came to Harrison County, Iowa.

He was married in October, 1856, to Eliza A. DEAL, daughter of John and Sarah DEAL, who were natives of Kentucky, and had a family of eleven children, of whom our subject's wife was the eighth. The family were -- William, deceased; Polly A., James, Peter, deceased; Barbara, Rachel, Sarah, Eliza A., Joseph A., John B., and Eli, deceased.

Our subject's wife's parents moved to Harrison County, in 1852.

Mr. and Mrs. CASE are the parents of seven children, born and named in the following order -- John F., August 16, 1857; William H., March 24, 1860; James T., April 25, 1862; Sarah, March 27, 1864; Timothy J., April 22, 1868; Joseph E., March 17, 1870; and Andrew R., March 23, 1877.

Mr. and Mrs. CASE are members of the Baptist Church, and in his political relations, he favors the Democratic party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 332-333
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KIEFER - Jacob J. KIEFER, a resident of section 23, Boyer township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1860, and lived with Mr. Richard Jefferson for about six months and then bought forty acres on section 26, of Boyer Township, upon which he lived a year when he bought the place he now lives upon. On the first tract of land he bought here he built a log cabin, sixteen feet square, and on the place he now lives his log cabin was 11x14 feet with summer kitchen added. This served until 1882, with a few additions. He has improved both of the above named tracts of land, but encountered many hardships to bring this about. He came to the county without means, and the first year his wife was ill and the following year he had that miserable disease known as ague which terminated in typhoid fever, laying him up for six months. It should be remembered that there were but few settlers in his neighborhood at this time and they were frightened in regard to the disease; hence it was that his callers were not over numerous.

Our subject was born in Germany, August 27, 1833, where he remained until the autumn of 1853, when he sailed for America, the land of freedom and prosperity. Upon landing he came direct to Seneca County, Ohio, where he hired out at farm labor and continued this until he came to Harrison County.

Miss Esther JACOBS, of Seneca County, Ohio, became his wife April 18, 1858, by which union four children were born � Samuel R., born June 27, 1860; Mary E. February 19, 1863; Charles G., July 13, 1867; Rose D., July 17, 1871. Samuel R. was drowned July 12, 1876.

Mrs. KIEFER was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 16, 1840, and her parents moved to Crawford County, of that State and her father died when she was two years of age. Her mother married again in the last-named county where she spent the remainder of her days.

Mary E., the daughter of our subject, married John H. THOMAS, March 27, 1888, at her father's residence in Boyer Township. Her husband was born in Marion County, Ohio, June 16, 1859, coming to Harrison County in September 1882.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 334, 337
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ELLIS - Marion ELLIS, who has been a resident of Harrison County since March, 1875, is now a resident of section 34, Union township. When he came to the county he rented a farm in Harrison Grove, of Benjamin PUGH. The following year he moved to a farm near Neola, Pottawattamie County, where he remained one year and then moved back to Union Township, renting a farm of Mr. WHITTINGER for three years. From there he moved to the "forty" on which he now lives, renting it one year before he purchased it. The place had a small log house upon it, but otherwise was well improved. The price paid per acre, was $20. After a few years he purchased eighty acres, to the east of this, for which he paid $15 per acre. This he broke up, built a story and a half house 16x24 feet, dug one well for use at the house and another for stock purposes, provided the place with numerous outbuildings, set out an orchard of one hundred trees, besides a large amount of shade trees.

Our subject was born December 28, 1851, in Davis County, Mo., and is a son of Phillip and Mary Ann ELLIS, natives of Virginia, who reared a family of five children, our subject being the youngest. The family were born in the following order: John N., Nancy E., Owen, one who died in infancy, and Marion.

Mr. ELLIS was married November 25, 1869, to Nancy (DEEM) ELLIS, daughter of Jefferson and Rebecca DEEM, who were the parents of nine children.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of eleven children; J., born September 22, 1870; Cora M., January 21, 1872, Rebecca A., June 20, 1874, Eddie S., February 20, 1876, Orvil, June 24, 1878, Marion J., February 24, 1880, Mary S., December 19, 1882, Lovinia M., June 5, 1883; Grover C., February 18, 1885; Christopher, December 19, 1887; Lillie L., April 27, 1888.

Of these the following are deceased: Grover C. and Lillie L.

Politically, Mr. ELLIS is identified with the Democratic party.

Viewing the life of this man, one finds he has passed through many vicissitudes, had done a great amount of hard labor. Upon coming to the county his only possessions were his horses, harness and wagon, and $18 in money, and from this small start he has made for himself a comfortable home, and has the respect of all those within the radius of his acquaintance.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 341
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JOHNSON - Claiborn F.JOHNSON, a representative farmer of Jefferson Township, residing on section 32, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1859. He was born near Des Moines, in Polk County, Iowa, March 7, 1856, the son of Archy and Olive (OWENS) JOHNSON. The father was a native of Scotland, while the mother was born in Indiana. They farmed in Polk County until the spring of 1859, and then came to Harrison County, renting a place in Magnolia Township for three years, and then bought eighty acres of wild land in Jefferson Township, which he improved, and to which he added until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. The father is now living a retired life in Logan. The mother of our subject died in Harrison County, during the month of October, 1873.

Mr. JOHNSON remained at home, on the farm, working for his father until he was twenty-two years old, when he went to Smith County, Kas., bought a quarter section of land, remained three years, and rented his place there and came back to Harrison County, Iowa, rented land for two years and then took charge of his father's farm, which he operated until the spring of 1886, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved land constituting his present farm.

He was united in marriage at Omaha, Neb., March 9, 1882, to Miss Minnie JOHNSON, daughter of Peter C. and Mary (MARTIN) JOHNSON. The father is a native of Russia and the mother, of Paris, France. Our subject's wife was born in Central City, Colo., December 25, 1863, at which place she lived at the time of their marriage.

By this union one child has been born � Robert Bruce, August 14, 1890. He died December 25, 1890.

Mr. JOHNSON received his education in the common schools of Harrison County. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church and politically, he affiliates with Republican party. He takes an active part in local politics and has been Trustee of Jefferson Township three years, and has held other offices of a local nature.

Mrs. JOHNSON'S father, Peter C. JOHNSON, was a merchant for many years, at Central City, Colo., going there at an early day. He had extended mining stock, and was the owner of Elliot Mine, near Central City, where he died November 23, 1884, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife died at the same place, in January, 1867. They were the parents of seven children of whom four are still living: Tillie, Mrs. WEBB, of Colorado; Robert C. and Charles J., of Colorado, who are engineers at the mines, and Minnie, our subject's wife.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp.341-342
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JOHNSON - Harvey JOHNSON, a representative farmer of Jefferson Township, whose farm home is on section 19, was born in Harrison County, June 22, 1865, the son of Archy and Olive (OWENS) JOHNSON. The father is a native of Scotland, while the mother was born in Indiana. Our subject was reared in Jefferson Township, on his father's farm, where he remained until he had reached his majority, and still lingered about the old home, but rented his father's farm, conducting the same until April, 1890, when he bought the place upon which he now lives, the same being ninety-eight acres of well-improved land, lying one-half mile south of Logan.

Mr. JOHNSON was united in marriage in Harrison County, September 26, 1888, to Miss Allie McCOID, daughter of James and Emeline (STRAIGHT) McCOID. Allie McCOID was born in Harrison County, December 9, 1865.

Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON both received their education in the common and High Schools of Logan. Mrs. JOHNSON was a teacher in the Primary Department at Logan, four years prior to her marriage. In September, 1891, she engaged with the school again, teaching the same classes in the second Primary Department.

Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON are both acceptable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Superintendent of the Logan Methodist Episcopal Sabbath school at this time.

Politically, he is identified with the Republican party, and is a man well posted in the political history of the country, and has proven himself an efficient campaign speaker, both in his own and adjoining counties.

Our subject was among the first in the county to engage in breeding registered Poland-China swine. He now has a large number and enjoys an excellent trade. By reason of his general farm enterprise, he represents his township on the Agricultural Board.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 342-343
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HOWARD - Francis M. HOWARD, one of the men who found their way to Harrison county during the month of February, 1879, and now owns a farm on section 34, of Union Township, will form the subject of this sketch.

He was born in Greene County, Ill., in April, 1845, and remained under the paternal roof until he had reached the years of majority, passing his youthful days on the farm. After he was of age, he worked by the month for one year and then bought a team and worked his father's farm on shares until he came to Iowa.

His father was John HOWARD, and his mother, Margery Ann (BELL) HOWARD. The father was a native of Tennessee and the mother of Illinois. They had six children: Francis M., William H., Thomas B., John A., Elizabeth A. and a baby, deceased.

Our subject was married in March, 1871, to Melissa J. TEEPLE, daughter of Bryant and Mahaley TEEPLE, who reared a family of eight children: George, Rachel A., Mattie M., James T., Melissa, William A., Charles and Frederick W. The father was a native of New Jersey and the mother of Tennessee.

Mr. and Mrs. HOWARD are the parents of three children: Neva F., born July 6, 1872, George A., May 26, 1875, and Edith M., September 29, 1881.

Mr. HOWARD'S first farm consisted of eighty acres, for which he paid $4.50 per acre, in the wild state. His first improvement was the breaking of forty acres of this land, and the building of a one-story house, 20 x 24 feet. He has since bought forty acres more, making one hundred and twenty in all.

Politically, our subject affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Having only a common school education, commencing life without means, he is entitled to much credit for the success he has achieved thus far in life.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 354, 357
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JEFFERSON - Richard JEFFERSON, a prosperous farmer living on section 24, of Boyer Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since April 1, 1858, when he settled upon the place, upon which he now lives. He purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land, which has been provided with a small frame house and a ditch fence, on two sides of one forty-acre piece, while the other sides were fenced with poles. The enclosure contained about fifteen acres of breaking. He lived in the house above referred to until 1868, when he built the brick house in which he now lives. It is 26 x46 feet, in the main part, with various angles and additions.

In 1887, he built an excellent barn, but prior to this time had used the well-known Iowa "straw shed" stable.

Mr. Jefferson was born in England, February 22, 1830. And when a mere youth emigrated with his parents to America, and lived in New York State, about three years, after which they moved to Marion County, Ohio, where his father died in a short time. Our subject lived with his mother on a farm until the fall of 1852, and then came to Marshall County, Iowa, remained a few days and returned to the "Buckeye State" and on to New York City, where he took a ship for Aspinwall reaching there after of voyage of eight days, landing in January, 1853. Starting over the Isthmus New Year's day, and from Aspinwall to Panama went part of the way by rail, and part of the way they poled up Chagres River assisted by the natives and were then twenty two miles from Panama, which point they wanted to reach, in order to take ship on the Pacific Ocean.

It was at their option whether they paid $32 and ride a mule or walk this twenty-two miles, but our subject concluded to walk. After arriving there he took the steamboat "Golden Gate." He left Panama on March 12, arrived at San Francisco on the 28th and reached Sacramento the last day of the month. From Sacramento they went to Eldorado County, Cal., to Uniontown, a mining place, arriving April 1, 1853. He walked from Sacramento City, reaching Uniontown the same day, covering a distance of fifty miles.

He left San Francisco, June 16, 1857, for New York, coming the same route he had gone. Upon his arrival in Uniontown he borrowed $80, to go out gold prospecting with and mined on his own account. He secured enough gold dust, which he had minted at Philadelphia, to amount to $3,000. He arrived at his home in Ohio in August, 1857, remained a short time and then came to Page County, Iowa, where he purchased a quarter section of land about six miles from Clarinda, which he lost on account of a defective title, and in December of that year, returned to Ohio, spent the winter and in March, 1858, came to Harrison County.

He was married in Marion County, Ohio, to Miss Caroline JACOBS, March 7, 1858, and by this union eleven children were born -- Phebe, Oscar, Rosetta, Eve, William, C., Laura D., Della, Henry H., Lillie M., Emma V. and Fred.

Mrs, JEFFERSON was born in Crawford County, Ohio, June 19, 1842, and remained in that county with her mother until the date of her marriage.

The father of our subject was William JEFFERSON, who was born in England, and died in Ohio, about 1838. The mother, Phebe (DAN) JEFFERSON, was also a native of England and died in Harrison County, Iowa, in 1866, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. JEFFERSON were the parents of five children, of which our subject was the third.

Politically, Mr. JEFFERSON affiliates with the Republican party and in religious matters is a member of no church but believes God is what the Bible represents him to be and believes in Christ his son and that the Bible does not teach that man will ever have life eternal, unless he obeys and lives a holy life; if so, then God will at the resurrection give him life eternal but the sinner he will destroy.

Before closing this sketch it should be related that Mr. JEFFERSON visited California in 1875 -- not as he did in the '50s -- but he left Woodbine, June 30, traveled by Union Pacific Railway, arriving at Sacramento City in ten days. From that he went to Tulare County, where he remained until August, putting his time at visiting, planting corn, hoeing sorghum, pickling beans and harvesting. On a journey in the mountains, in August, he made snow-balls, which to him, seemed very odd. After a pleasant trip to the Golden State, he arrived home at Woodbine, August 30, 1875, having only been to an expense of $150.

In reviewing this man's life, one finds it full of events of interest, coming as he did from the Old World when a youth and being one of the earliest gold miners in California, braving the dangers co-incident with the long journe, to and from the Golden State, and the hardships endured within the mining district, together with his having been a pioneer farmer in Harrison County, all contributes, to make his a life replete with interest and thrilling events.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 351-352
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COCHRAN - Addison COCHRAN (Portrait), or Colonel COCHRAN, as he is familiarly called, is a highly respected citizen of Little Sioux township, and is the largest land-owner in Harrison County. Came to Iowa in 1849 on an exploring expedition, and became a permanent settler in 1854, when the land came into market, and in September of that year Mr. COCHRAN attended the land sale at Council Bluffs and assisted the settlers in securing land in this section. He entered it in his own name, and gave the settlers one year's time, they paying him forty per cent. interest (which was common at that date), and he giving them a bond for a deed. A quarter section of land at Government price, at the end of the year, with even this high rate of interest added, only cost $280.

At this same sale Col. COCHRAN purchased a claim and located three hundred and seventeen acres at Sioux City, the same now being owned by the stock yards company. The original cost of this land was $396.25, which, together with compound interest and taxes, amounted in 1887 to $8,000. He sold the tract for the handsome sum of $100,000.

Our subject has made his home here since 1883, but has always had a home at Council Bluffs, and still holds the same. Beyond question, no one man owns the amount of land in this county that Col. COCHRAN possesses. He has seven thousand acres. Five hundred acres of this land are under a high state of cultivation. His whole landed estate is surrounded with a fence, the total length of which (simply to enclose) is forty miles, saying nothing of the many miles of subdividing fences running hither and yon over this land.

His home farm contains five thousand acres, all in grass. The Colonel's time and special attention is turned in the direction of raising, grazing and breeding stock. He has one hundred head of horses, mares and colts, and about six hundred head of cattle, together with three hundred head of Poland-China hogs.

In 1883 our subject built a bridge over the Little Sioux River, which meanders through his farm. This bridge was built for him and for his special private use. It was constructed by the Council Bluffs Bridge Company, the material being wrought iron. It is two hundred and sixty feet long by eighteen feet wide, and rests on boiler iron piers three and one-half feet in diameter, filled with cement. These go down to the hardpan. The cost of this bridge was $6,000, which is the most expensive outlay of any private bridge in the West. This bridge connects his lands on either side of the Little Sioux River.

Of Mr. COCHRAN's ancestors, it may be said they were from Scotland, and emigrated to Lancaster County, Pa., settling at Cochransville, one hundred and fifty years ago. His grandfather emigrated to Virginia and settled in Loudon County, where our subject was born August 18, 1817, forty miles west from the city of Washington. Our subject is the second of a family of eleven children, two of whom are living.

Politically, Col. COCHRAN is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. The only office he has ever allowed his name to be used for, in the West, was the office of Mayor of Council Bluffs, and during his administration and under his supervision the street grade was established. He was also instrumental in having the water works put in. Warrants at that time were only worth firty cents on a dollar, but at the end of his administration they were held at par.

He of whom this notice is written forms an important character in the history of Harrison County, where he is well and favorably known in almost every one of the twenty townships comprising the county.

He is an enthusiastic worker in his political party, ever being ready to adopt any honroable means for the purpose of electing the one who, in his judgment, is the proper candidate. As an example of his loyal party zeal, it may be said that when Gov. BOIES was campaigning the State prior to his election, in the autumn of 1891, he was billed for Onawa, and the Colonel, at his own expense, chartered a car from River Sioux to Onawa, swinging the doors wide open, free to all to go and hear the Governor speak, which secured him some more votes at least.

This is but one of many similar cases wherein the true, broad-minded, liberal and enterprising spirit of Col. COCHRAN has been manifest, the same being an index to the secret of his success, both financially and socially.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 357-358
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DALE - Samuel N. DALE, came to Harrison County in November, 1881, from Harrison County, Mo., and in March, 1882, moved to his present place, which he had bought the winter before. It is situated on section 11, Jefferson Township, comprising ninety-five acres. He later purchased forty acres, giving him one hundred and thirty-five acres, twenty-five acres of which is timber land. His place is well located on Six-Mile Creek.

Mr. DALE was born in Hart County, Ky., February 19, 1848, son of Abraham DALE, a native of the same State, born November 2, 1804, and is still living in Harrison County, Mo. The mother was Martha (MASTERS) DALE, born in Kentucky in 1819. Abraham DALE and wife were the parents of ten children, our subject being the fifth child.

When twenty-one years of age our subject, just entering man's estate, full of ambition to accomplish something in life, started for himself, his first work being splitting rails and working at various things for two years, at the end of which time he had saved enough of his earnings to purchase a team, and went to farming; for four years he rented, then bought a farm on the State line, of which ten acres were in Iowa. This he held and farmed until coming to Harrison County.

Our subject was married December 1, 1872 to Martha J. DEPUTY, a native of Indiana, born November 7, 1853. She was the daughter of Solomon and Lucy (LAWRENCE) DEPUTY, and was the eldest of seven children. The parents are now residents of Woodbine, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. DALE are the parents of six children: Nellie A., Laura E., Harvey and Minnie C., (twins), Bennie C. and Elsie C. (twins), all living at home. The history of this man's life shows the advantages of living in this, the "Middle Kingdom," where honest industry is always rewarded for its labors, and men of small means may be surrounded by the comforts of good society and a pleasant home.

Politically, our subject votes with the Republican party, and in religious matters believes in the creed of the Baptist Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 360-361
Family Researcher: NA To Page Index--- To Bio Index

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