HERRING - Henry HERRING, of Little Sioux Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since 1856. He was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1832, and is a son of Michael and Mary HERRING, natives of the Keystone State. Our subject's early life was spent in Pennsylvania, where he received but six weeks' schooling, yet, through hard work upon his own part, the school of life has made him a number one business man. Upon coming to Harrison County, he engaged in carpentering and also split nine thousand rails for Solomon Smith; he also worked in a sawmill on Soldier River, and cut shingles with John Ellis, also cut wood for the steamboats. In 1859, he bought a farm on section 34, and farmed that until 1877, and then started a store in River Sioux, carrying a general stock, including lumber, machinery, wagons, etc.

Our subject was united in marriage at Fairfield, Adams County, Pa., March 8, 1866 to Mary MUSSELMAN, by whom five children were born � John, Christian, Charles, Millie and Olive.

Politically, our subject affiliates with the Democratic party. He started the first store in River Sioux, and built the second dwelling in the place.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 966-967
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KENNEDY - James KENNEDY, a farmer living on section 16, of Calhoun Township, has been a resident of the county since April, 1857. In February, 1859, he and his brother William and others started for Pike's Peak, with those who went with the expectation of finding plenty of gold, but were not very successful. After his return he made up his mind that Harrison County soil was the most sure gold mine he would ever find, and consequently commenced to build him a home in these parts. He now possesses a good farm of two hundred and thirty acres and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He was born in Tipperary County, Ireland, in March, 1830. He is the son of James and Mary (DOHONAY) KENNEDY. Our subject remained at home and attended school in his native country until the autumn of 1851, and then started with his sister, Johanna, for America, arriving at New Orleans October 17, of the same year. The following April he went to Indianapolis, Ind., and for five years was switchman for the Union Belt Railroad company. We next find him in Harrison County, Iowa.

Our subject was united in marriage while in Indianapolis to Johanna DOOLY, a native or Ireland, who came to America with her parents in 1854. Our subject and his wife have reared a family of nine children � James J., Mary, John W., Katie C., Maggie, Johanna, Michael, Ellen and William. Our subject and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 970-971
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SILSBY - Asaph Milton SILSBY, a resident of Little Sioux Township, is a native of the old Green Mountain State, and came to Harrison County, in July 1868. He was born in Washington County, Vermont, December 1838, the son of Asaph and Olive (STELLE) SILSBY, both deceased, the mother dying in 1883, and the father in 1884. Asaph SILSBY was born in New Hampshire in 1800. His father Lasell SILSBY was also a native of New Hampshire, born in 1775. His father was Henry SILSBY born in Connecticut about 1740, and moved to New Hampshire in 1769. He was the first settler in the town of Acworth; the first Selectman and Town Clerk. His father Jonathan SILSBY was born in Massachusetts about 1700, and his father, whose name was also Jonathan was one of the Puritan Fathers. The family moved from Vermont to New York, and were near neighbors of John Brown of Harpers Ferry fame. They remained there until 1868 on a farm, and then came to Harrison County, Iowa. In 1889, our subject established himself in the agricultural implement business at Little Sioux. It should be stated here however that during the Civil War, our subject was a member of Company H., of the Eighty-third New York Infantry, enlisting in July 1862, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. During that terrible conflict was in the battle of the Wilderness, Williamsburg, cold Harbor, Gettysburg, Petersburg and numerous minor engagements. He was shot in the leg at Gettysburg, and received his discharge in December 1865.

Mr. SILSBY was married in New York, September 1859, to Miss Abbie CLIFFORD, by whom ten children have been born. Mr. and Mrs. SILSBY belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, he is a Democrat.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 972
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WOOD - John W. WOOD, a farmer and stockraiser, of section 2, township 79, range 43, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1865, and settled in Magnolia, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with P.J. Rudasill and James Low, and was in that business until 1871. He was elected to the office of County Treasurer, in the fall of 1872, and served two terms, and after going out of office he remained in Magnolia, until the spring of 1877, when he purchased the farm he now lives upon which then consisted of two hundred and forty acres. He now has seven hundred and twenty acres.

He was born in Rappahannock County, Va., in December, 1833, in 1854 came to Missouri, and embarked in the mercantile business and remained until the time he came to Harrison County in 1865.

Our subject was married in Atchison County, Missouri, in September 1859, to Eliza HOPKINS, and by this marriage eleven children were born � Charles, Mary, William, Frank, Kate (deceased), Anna E., Lucy, Ella, Effie, J.B., and Edward J.

Mrs. WOOD was born in Clinton County, Mo., in 1842, and remained with her parents until the date of her marriage. Mr. WOOD is a member of the Masonic lodge at Logan. In his political belief is a Democratic, and in religious matters he and his wife are connected with the Baptist Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 972-973
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CHURCH - William S. CHURCH, now a resident of Stanton County, Neb., first came to Harrison County, Iowa, in March, 1858, locating in Clay Township, where he operated a sawmill one year, then moved to Hall County, Neb., and there worked at the carpentering business for one year. He located a claim in that county, which is part of the present site of the city of Grand Island. In 1864 his family were driven out by the Indians, after building up a beautiful home, in which a daughter, Callie C., was born. Three hours after her birth, on account of the Indian troubles, she with her mother was loading into a wagon and driven to Kearney, and before they were out of sight of their house was on fire. On the advice of physicians they started for Omaha, and in due time arrived at that city, crossed the Missouri river and pushed on to Mondamin, Harrison County. In August of 1864, Mr. Church purchased a farm in section 16, in Cincinnati Township, consisting of a quarter section , where he resided until February, 1882, when he sold and moved to Stanton County, Neb., where he now owns an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved.

Our subject was born in Cortland County, N.Y., September 9, 1831. In his early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which became very valuable to him in after years. He first settled West in 1852, and was at different placed until 1858, when he was operating the sawmill above referred to, in Clay Township, Harrison County.

November 11, 1860 he was united in marriage to Melvina D. BURCHAM by whom four children were born � Henry L., Callie C., Ida J., and Emma. Mr. CHURCH was quite prominently identified with the political as well as the business interests of Harrison County during his residence here, hence very naturally finds a place in this volume, which is a record of the comings and goings of the pioneers.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 973
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SCOTT - George M. SCOTT, of Little Sioux, came to Iowa in 1854, and lived in Monona County until 1865, and has been a resident of Harrison County since 1884, farming until 1868 on the Soldier River, and then returning to Preparation, Monona County, where he had formerly lived. Mr. SCOTT was born in Medina County, Ohio, in October, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Amy (LYMAN) SCOTT, natives of Connecticut and New York, our subject being the youngest son. The parents are both deceased. The father was born in 1800, and died in 1889, while the mother died in 1853. Our subject's early life was spent in Southern Illinois, and moved from there to St. Joseph, Mo., and in 1854, moved to Monona County, Iowa, engaging in farming and stock-raising until 1882, and then engaged in the mercantile business, at Preparation, of the firm of Scott & Englehorn. IN 1884, he came to Little Sioux and conducted a general store until February, 1891; then formed a partnership with B.F. Croasdale, and is now transacting business in the general merchandise line.

Politically, ours subject is a Prohibition Republican. He was elected as County Supervisor of Monona County, in 1874, and re-elected in 1877 and in 1880; he was also Mayor of Little Sioux at one time.

He was married in September, 1860, at Preparations, to Miss Maria C. COBB, the daughter of Roland and Eliza (BUTTS) COBB. Four children were the result of this union � Laura A., George L., deceased; Willard R. and Harlan A., at home.

Our subject is a member of the Latter Days Saints Church, and belongs to the Frontier Masonic Lodge.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 973-974
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HALL - Sarah J. HALL, widow of Dr. D. M. HALL, now of Washington, but a former resident of Harrison County, is the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth MARSHALL KENNEDY, and was born in Philadelphia, July 14, 1830. in 1854, she came West with her people and settled in Crawford County, Iowa, where May 15, 1856, she was united in marriage to David M. HALL, who was a native of Ohio, born June 26, 1818, and removed to Harrison County, February 23, 1857, settling near Magnolia. In the fall of the same year, he removed to Jeddo, Jefferson Township, remained one winter and in April, 1858, moved to Douglas Township, where he remained until February, 1862, then moved to Crawford County, Lived until 1865, and returned to Jeddo and in the spring of 1866, moved to section 10, of Jefferson Township. Dr. HALL then practiced medicine at Woodbine and died at the home of his son � J.S. HALL, in Douglas Township, June 2, 1887.

Mr. and Mrs. HALL were the parents of four children � David Marshall, Lillie A., Willard S. and Arthur K.

Mrs. HALL disposed of her property in Harrison County in the fall of 1891, and removed to Vancouver, Wash. Dr. HALL was among the most successful practitioners, who ever followed the healing art in Harrison County, and will be remembered by many of the early settlers of the county.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 975
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MCGAVREN - Samuel MCGAVREN is numbered among the pioneers of Harrison County, having settled on his present farm, on section 21, Jefferson Township, February 18, 1853, and purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid $250; he entered the land as soon as it came into the market. His farm now comprises two hundred and forty acres. When he came to the county his family consisted of six children and their nearest market place was Kanesville, now Council Bluffs.

He was born on the Conemaugh River, near Johnstown, Pa., February 20, 1812, and is the son of George and Nancy (EWERT) MCGAVREN, who came from Ireland in 1800, and settled in York County, Pa. After two years they removed to Indiana County, Pa., and in the fall of 1829 removed to Columbiana County, Ohio. The father died August 27, 1853, in Auglaize County, Ohio, and the mother died at the village of St. Johns, Harrison County, Iowa, July 7, 1861, having been in the county since 1854.

Our subject is of a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, he being the second son. When twenty years of age he started in life for himself, his first work being the threshing of fourteen hundred bushels of grain with a flail. After which he worked as an apprentice, as wheelwright, for three years. He followed this and the cabinet business for twenty-six years in Ohio. September 15, 1852, he started with an ox-team for the West and arrived at Council Bluffs, November 6, and two days later at St. Johns.

Mr. MCGAVREN was married August 16, 1834, to Jane HOON, who died January 15, 1851, leaving a family of six children: Nancy J., Wallace, Mary Amanda, Scott, George and Smith. He was again married August 16, 1853, to Margaret HADDEN, by whom two children were born. The mother of these children died October 1, 1856, and he was again married January 27, 1857 to Sarah MORGAREIDGE, daughter of Richard and Amy (SCOTT) MORGAAREIDGE. By this wife four children have been born: Amy C., born November 15, 1857, and died December 5, 1863; Laura E., born August 11, 1859; Arthur H., June 30, 1861; Addie M., May 17, 1864.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 975-976
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PERKINS - Jonathan L. PERKINS, of Little Sioux Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since 1853. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 18334, the son of Erastus and Sarah (HUNTLY) PERKINS, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Jonathan L. was the youngest of a family of eleven children, and his early life was spent in Ohio, the family coming to Jackson County, Iowa, in 1844. He began farming for himself in 1852, in Clayton County, Iowa, and there remained until he came to Harrison County, in 1853.

He was married in 1852, to Miss Mary ALLOWAY, daughter of William and Alice ALLOWAY. She died in 1853, and our subject remained single until 1864, when he married Miss Orphy MEAD, in Little Sioux, the daughter of Thomas and Frances (CLARK) MEAD. By the marriage six children were born � Erastus, Cora, Justine, Ermine, Newton and Sarah still living. Mrs. PERKINS died in 1887.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 976
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GLEASON - Augustus H. GLEASON, of Little Sioux, came to Harrison County, in 1856. He is a native of Connecticut, born September 8, 1826. He is the son of Asahel and Etna (JUDD) GLEASON, who were also natives of Connecticut. The grandparents on the father's side were David H. and Isabel (NORTH) GLEASON. The grandfather was a brother to Eland and Peter B. GLEASON, one of the first to work at the printing trade in Saybrook, and Hartford, Conn. The GLEASONS are of Irish extraction. The grandmother GLEASON was a niece of Lord NORTH, of England, and was of English origin.

In our subject's father's father there were five children, he being the eldest. The children were: Augustus H., Elizabeth, John, killed by the Indians; Mary, and Julia.

Our subject's early life was spent in Connecticut, receiving his early education in the common and High Schools, and was a Civil Engineer for the New Haven & Northampton and the New York & New Haven Railroads, as well as Deputy County Surveyor of Hartford, Conn. He remained in the county of his birth, engaged in various pursuits until July, 1856, when he came to Harrison County, Iowa. In 1859 he went to Denver, Col, going with the first steam sawmill ever taken to that country, after which he engaged in gold mining, and went from there to Oregon and in 1862 engaged in mining and ranching. While crossing the plains then known as the Great American Desert, he saw very hard times, being attacked by the Indians, and running low on provisions, an experience which he does not care to pass through again. While gold prospecting he was in Colorado, New Mexico, Old Mexico and Arizona, and remained in Oregon three years, and was in Idaho, Wyoming and British America, returning to Iowa in August, 1864, and purchased land on section 25, of Little Sioux Township, where he now owns five hundred acres all of which is under cultivation. This land has cost him from $2 to $30 per acre. He is engaged in general farming and stockraising and is a very successful agriculturist.

Our subject was married November 14, 1865, at Little Sioux, Iowa, to Miss Cynthia F. SCOFIELD, the daughter of James and Olive (HATHAWAY) SCOFIELD. The latter is still living but the former died in 1882. Her father came to Harrison County in 1857, and erected the first mill in the township, that was propelled by steam; first putting in a sawmill and afterward adding a gristmill.

Mr. and Mrs. GLEASON are the parents of six children: Gertrude O., now the wife of Mr. PITTS, of Omaha; Eva A., at home; John A., deceased; Isabel, Dora and James. Mrs. GLEASON is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Lodge, No. 382, at Little Sioux.

Politically, our subject is radically a Democrat. Mrs. GLEASON taught the first school in Belvidere Township, Monona County; this school was taught in 1859.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 976-977
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