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Salyards,
William, farmer, section 25, P.O. Glenwood; born in
Franklin county, in Ohio. When seventeen years of age he moved
with his parents to Putnam county, where he remained eight years.
He then came to Iowa, locating in Poweshiek county, Iowa, and in
the winter of 1855 went to Davis county, Missouri, and resided
there four years. He then returned to Ohio, where he remained
twelve years, and then emigrated to Hamilton county, Nebraska, but
the grasshopper plague compelled him to leave the state, and he
went to Jasper county, Iowa. Was married in 1853, to Miss Sarah
Bogart, of Hamilton county, Pennsylvania. Ten children were born
to them; but three of whom are now living: David, William and Mary
F. Mr. Salyards at one time served a term of two years as street
commissioner of Columbus , Ohio. He purchased the farm where he
now lives in 1880. It is a neat little place of forty acres, upon
which is an elegant dwelling house and a productive orchard.
p. 627 Lyons Township
Salyers,
Samuel S., farmer, P.O. Clark; born October 24, 1831, in
Jefferson county, Indiana, where he remained until twenty-five
years of age. He then moved to Marion county, Iowa, 1856, and
engaged in farming until 1861, when he went to Monroe county,
Iowa, and to Mills 1870. He enlisted August 15, 1862, in company
G., Thirty-fourth Iowa infantry, and while in the service
participated in the following battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas
Post, siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Graham's Plantation, Fort
Gaines, Fort Morgan and Fort Blakely. Was mustered out at
Davenport, Iowa, September 5, 1865, and returned to Monroe county,
where he remained until 1870. He then came to Mills county, and in
1874 located on section 13, White Cloud township, where he now
resides. Was married May 26, 1853, to Miss Melissa J. Copeland, a
native of Indiana. They are the parents of five children, four of
whom are now living; George M., James M., William S. and Robert F.
p. 655 White Cloud Township
Salyers,
William G., farmer, P.O. Clark; born November 20,1834 in
Jefferson county, Indiana, and remained in his native county until
twenty-two years old. He then emigrated to Marion county, Iowa,
where he engaged in farming. Came to Mills county in 1872, and
located on section 26 White Cloud township, where he now resides.
Was married August __1854, to Susan M. Barber, who was born in
Indiana, December 18, 1837. They are the parents of six children:
Rhoda J., George F., William H., Charles W., Daria N. and Sadie
I., and James S. deceased. Has a fine farm of three hundred and
sixty acres, which is well improved.
p. 654 White Cloud Township
Sawyers,
N., farmer, P.O. Hillsdale; born May 19, 1823, in Knox
county, Tennessee, where he was raised on a farm and educated in
the common schools. In 1864 he came to Mills county, and has
resided here continuously since that time. He was married May 19,
1855, to Miss Nerva J. Skaggs, a native of Knox county, Tennessee.
This union has brought them eight children: Tuman, Laura, Alonzo,
Eli, John, Stella, William and James. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyers are
consistent members of the M. E. Church, of Hillsdale. His farm of
140 acres is well adapted to stock-raising and contains many
modern improvements.
p. 602 Center Township
Schanck,
D. G., section 18, P.O. Silver City; a native of Monmouth,
New Jersey, born near the battle ground bearing that name, April
15, 1821. He received his education in the common schools, and in
May 1860, left his native place and settled in Cedar county, Iowa,
remaining there until he came to Mills county in 1874. December
29, 1847, he married Miss Julia A. Vanderbilt, a native of New
Jersey, who was born September 18, 1825. They have one child,
Alice, born October, 1850. Mr. Schanck owns a good farm of eighty
acres.
p. 699 Ingraham Township
Schick,
William, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Emerson; was born
November 7, 1836, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. When three
years of age he moved with his parents to Columbiana county, and
after a residence there of some fourteen years, went to Lee
county, Illinois. In 1872 he came to Mills county, and has gained
a farm of some one hundred and sixty acres on section 14. He was
married July 2, 1857, to Miss S. Fender, a native of Illinois.
They have four children living; Sarah E., Emma I., Fannie and
Henry.
p. 700 Deer Creek Township
Scott,
B. W., section 36, P.O. Glenwood; is a native of Tyler
county, Virginia, and was born March 18, 1826. At the age of eight
years he moved with his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, which
was then a territory and sparsely settled. He witnessed the great
changes made in that county in twenty-one years, and in 1855 came
to Mills county, arriving in October of that year; at first
locating in Glenwood and engaging in hauling goods from the
Missouri river, then the only thoroughfare by which the comforts
of life were obtainable. He was then elected by the people to the
office of drainage commissioner, and served four years. He also
served as sheriff and acted as U. S. marshal. After serving as
sheriff for one year he resigned, to enable him to give his
attention to his farm, which contains 155 acres, is well improved,
with good buildings, an orchard, and is well stocked. He was
married in June, 1852, to Miss Cynthia McCammon, of Van Buren
county, who was born in 1829. The fruits of this union are nine
children: Charles B., Francis M., Willard S., George B., Romain,
R. F., Bert and Ada A. Mrs. Scott is probably the oldest resident
of Iowa in Mills county, dating her residence from 1834.
p. 687/688 Glenwood Township
Sheffer,
Rilan K., grocer, carpenter and cabinet-maker, Emerson
P.O.; was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1850, and is
the son of a carpenter. He was educated solely in the common
schools. He was early put to work at the trade followed by his
father and continued in the same until 1869. In that year he came
to Iowa, locating at Osceola, Clarke county, and followed the same
occupation. In 1870, he moved to Garden Grove, followed his trade
two years, and then entered the furniture business which he
continued until 1875. He then came to Emerson where he has since
resided. He was married May 5, 1873, to Miss Clara J., daughter of
Thomas Chamberlain, of Garden Grove. They have two children,
Thomas and Ila. Mr. Sheffer is the architect of his own fortunes,
owns a fine residence and business building. He is a master mason,
and stands very high in the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
p. 719 Indian Creek Township
Sheldon,
Ancil L., proprietor of Emerson House, P.O. Emerson; was
born in Lafayette county, New York, January 21, 1826, where he
resided until 1832 when he moved to Huron county, Ohio. In 1844 he
went to Ripley county, Indiana, remaining until 1869. He then
became a resident of this state and county, locating in White
Cloud township. His father was a clergyman in the M. E. Church. He
learned the printer's trade in 1843 and 1844, and from 1844 to
1847 worked as a Knight of St. Crispin. From 1847 to 1869 he had
cleared and worked three farms, realizing some $7,000 profit in
the meantime. With this entered the business of a general merchant
in Emerson, but soon sold out and built the Emerson House. He was
married in October, 1849, to Miss Mary J. Richardson, who died in
1862. By this wife he had three children, one living: Alla C. He
was again married in April 1864 to Miss Mary R. Sutton, who died
in October, 1875, leaving one child, Maud O., living and one
deceased. He was married again April 5, 1877, to Miss Georgie A.
Edwards. He has been a member of the M. E. Church since 1844, and
much of the time a member of some one or other of the official
boards. He owns a farm of some eighty-eight acres, near Emerson,
besides his hotel business.
p. 720 Indian Creek Township
Shepherdson,
William, farmer, section 12, P.O. Glenwood; born December
2, 1823, in Franklin county, Massachusetts. When eleven years of
age he moved with his parents to Huron county, Ohio, where he grew
to manhood, and received his education in the common schools. His
youth was passed in farming, but in after life he learned the
trade of a carpenter. On the 27th day of April, 1847, he arrived
in Mills county, locating in Silver Creek township. Three years
later he came to Lyons township, and in 1871 he located on the
farm where he now resides. Enlisted October 10, 1861, in company
F, Fifteenth Iowa infantry, and participated in the battles of
Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, and was in all the engagements of
the Atlanta campaign. He served as a fifer, and was honorably
discharged December 16, 1864. He owns a farm of 187 acres, on
which is a good dwelling house, barn, orchard and other
improvements. Mr. Shepherdson has been a township officer several
years and according to the best of authority, has lived longer in
Mills county than any one in Lyons township.
p. 627/628 Lyons Township
Sherman,
C. W., editor Journal, Glenwood, Iowa; is a native of
Richland county, Ohio, where he was born June 9, 1841. His father,
Henry Sherman was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and
his paternal grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary war
and a member of the Roger Sherman family. His mother was of German
descent, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and whose
maiden name was Nazor. The youth of Mr. Sherman was passed in the
ordinary manner, with no occurrences of note, except that his
father died in 1844, leaving him without a paternal guide at the
age of three years. In 1856 Mr. Sherman came to Iowa in company
with an elder brother, remaining a few months in Winneshiek
county, and then joining a surveying party he went to Minnesota.
In the following spring he went to Council Bluffs - performing the
long journey on foot - and entering the printing office of the
Weekly Nonpareil began the printing trade. In 1860 he went to
Omaha and remained one year. In the spring of 1861 he made two
trips as a teamster across the plains. At the commencement of the
war he determined to enlist; in order to do this he came to Marion
county, Iowa where his mother had previously located, and enlisted
August 20, in company K, Third Iowa Cavalry. He was in the battles
of Vicksburg, the second battle of Jackson, and on the raid from
Grenada to Memphis, in the engagements at Guntown, Harrisburg,
Tupelo, Old Town Creek and others. His regiment was one of those
sent in pursuit of General Sterling Price in Missouri, during
which he participated in the battles of Big Blue, Little Blue,
Independence and Little Osage. Thence they pursued Price's army
into the Indian Territory. Returning he was assigned to Wilson's
cavalry corps of the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the
battles from Montevallo to Selma, a struggle lasting nearly three
days. He participated in the last battle of the war, that fought
in front of Columbus, Georgia. He was twice slightly wounded
during his service, at Salem and at Village Creek, in Arkansas. He
was promoted from the ranks to be a sergeant, on account of
meritorious conduct. He was discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, and
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 1865. In December of
that year he purchased the Eddyville Star, and began his career as
an editor. After a year he became associate editor of the
Burlington National Merchant. He next established the Quincy
Journal, in Adams county, and in 1869 the Villisca Journal in
Montgomery county. In 1872 he established the Journal with which
he is still connected, and to the history of which the reader is
referred. He was married at Knoxville, Iowa, in 1866, to Miss
Orilla Groom, a native of Iowa, born on the banks of the Des
Moines, while this now great state was still a territory. They
have a family of four children: Eva, Charles, Mary A. and Frank M.
He has gained the reputation of being an excellent man, and adds
to his business qualities great energy and tact. He is respected
and widely known, and a justly esteemed member of the community,
and a consistent Christian.
p. 684/685 Glenwood Township
Sherwin,
James, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Emerson; was born
March 14, 1818, in Jefferson county, New York. His youth was
passed in farming, and this occupation he continued until 1852. He
then went to California, and after a mining experience of two
years, he returned to New York. The following year he went to
Kendall county, Illinois, and again engaged in farming. He came to
Mills county in 1872. Hon. John C. Sherwin, a member of congress,
from Aurora, Illinois, is a son of Mr. Sherwin. He was married
July 4, 1837, to Miss S. M. Crocker, a native of Madison county,
New York. They have six children living: John C., Mary E., Nettie
L., James P., Charles E. and V. His children all occupy positions
of influence and trust. John C. is a member of congress; Mary E.
is principal of first ward school, Bloomington, Illinois; Nettie
L. is wife to M. M. Short; James P. is a Chicago commission
merchant; and V. is now a clerk in C., B. & Q. R. R. local
office at Chicago.
p. 700 Deer Creek Township
Shinn,
Frank, attorney at law and real estate agent, Emerson P.
O.; son of a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, was born in Adams
county, Ohio, October 28, 1843. When nine years of age he moved to
Kentucky with his father's family, where he remained four years.
In 1856, he came to Iowa and to Marshalltown, where he resided one
and a half years. He then moved to Pottawattamie county, and
remained until 1862, when he came to Mills county, and has since
resided here continuously. His education was received in the
common schools, and all before the age of thirteen years. His
subsequent success as a student and lawyer has been due to his
untiring application during leisure hours. He began his practice
before the justices' courts, and in 1877, was admitted to practice
in all the courts of the state. As a lawyer he is a success, and
is building for himself a lucrative practice and enviable
reputation. He was married January 25, 1867, to Miss Almira
Schenck. they have four children: Linnie A., James A., Kate and
Iola. In his younger days an accident deprived him of the full use
of his limbs, and he has been a cripple since 1857. His legal
library is both fine and valuable. He owns a farm of 135 acres, a
house and lot; and deserves the success he has attained.
p. 719 Indian Creek Township
Sidener,
E. L., farmer and stock raiser, section 22, P.O. Silver
City; was born in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1840. His youth was
there passed and his education obtained. He was married in 1860 to
Miss Mary H. Dunbar, also a native of Indiana. In 1868 he came to
this county and located on the farm he now owns, containing some
one hundred and sixty acres, well improved and with comfortable
buildings. His attention is now chiefly directed to stock raising.
p. 698 Ingraham Township
Sidener,
M. F., proprietor city livery stable; was born in Decatur
county, Indiana, March 12, 1842. His youth was there passed, and
his education received. He enlisted in the autumn of 1861 in
company E, Thirty-seventh Indiana infantry. Soon after he was
mustered in he was discharged for disability, having been seized
with a severe sickness. In 1864 he was married in Decatur county,
Indiana, to Miss Eliza Cline, a native of that county. In the
spring of 1868 he came to Mills county, Iowa and settled in Oak
township. In the fall of 1869 he came to this township, and
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. His especial
attention is given to the breeding of fine horses, in which
business he is achieving a deserved reputation for fine stock.
p. 698 Ingraham Township
Skadan,
J. Edgar, is a native New Yorker, where he entered life
May 27, 1839, in Cayuga county, and where he lived until he was
eighteen years of age, and acquired a common school education, at
which age he came to LaSalle, Illinois, and resided for twelve
years. In 1869 he came to Iowa, where he found his future home. He
first remained some five years in Villisca, after which, in 1874,
he sought Malvern. Prior to 1869 his pursuits were various; but
since that time he has been engaged in farming, real estate and
general agency business. While a resident of Montgomery county he
was honored with the election of school director. He was twice
married - first, in 1862, to Maria Good, of Dayton, Ohio, who died
in March, 1869. His second marital alliance was with Julia M.
White, of Orange county, Vermont, February 28, 1874. Two children
by his first marriage are all he has to hand his name down the
line of coming generations. Mr. and Mrs. S. are both members of
the Baptist church.
p. 641 Malvern Township
Slater,
Sampson, is a native of the British Isle, where he first
saw light in Morley Moor, Derbyshire, February 3, 1826; and where
he continued to live until 1851, when he immigrated to America,
and located at Strongsville, Ohio. After a four years sojourn in
the Buckeye State, he came to Johnson county, Iowa, where he spent
ten years of his life, which was employed in tilling the soil. In
1865 he removed to Mills county, where he purchased a farm of two
hundred acres, in section 28, with timbered land in other
sections. He was one of the pioneers of Silver Creek township, and
aided in gathering a wheat harvest on the ground now occupied by
the town of Malvern. His farm improvements are after the modern
style, including a fine two story barn 36x46 feet, upon a stone
base for stable. His farm also contains an orchard of some 300
trees, some 200 of which are apple bearing, the others include
cherries, plumbs, peaches, etc. Mr. Slater married November 11,
1868, Kate Byers, of Ohio, and Charles born April 16, 1872, will
perpetuate the name to generations hence. In 1880 Mr. S. returned
to his old home in England for a month's visit to the relatives
and scenes of his manhood; giving London and its Museum, Tower,
Halls and other points of interest, a part of his time; as well as
other towns in the realm. He returned to his adopted country in
contentment.
p. 630/631 Silver Creek Township
Slaughter,
Franklin, farmer, P.O. Glenwood; is a native of Surrey
county, Ohio; born in 1840. In 1858 he left the state of his birth
for Iowa, and located for some years following in Lee county. In
the spring of 1866 he came to Mills county and has since resided
here. He served in the Fourth Iowa battery nearly three years. In
September of 1859 he married Miss Mary E. Lutis, a native of Ohio,
who died in September 1878. They became the parents of five
children: Lucinda, Philip, Junietta, Myrtie and John. In October,
1880, he married Miss Mary Meral, of this county. He has a good
farm of eighty acres, and commands both respect and esteem for his
qualities of character.
p. 699 Ingraham Township
Smawley,
Franklin, superintendent Mills county poor farm, P.O.
Glenwood; was born in Pennsylvania, August 30, 1830, where he
resided many years. He came to this county in 1869 and here he has
since resided. In October, 1854, he was married to Miss Rachel N.
Sidener, a native of Decatur county, Indiana. They are the parents
of three children: Harriet, Carrie and Mary. Mr. Smawley is making
the county poor farm, not only self-sustaining, but a pleasant
home for the unfortunates within its borders. His conduct of the
institution appears to be eminently satisfactory.
p. 601/602 Center Township
Smith,
T. P., a Marylander, a native of Baltimore, added one to
the census record of that city the 24th of September, 1813, where
he spent his minority, and received a public school education. In
1834, he came to Springfield, Illinois, where he resided for
eighteen years, when he was married to Sara Jones, March 21, 1837,
who died July 20, 1851, at St. Joseph, Missouri, to which place he
had removed shortly prior. He married Susan Mattingly as his
second wife July 12, 1858: Affie A., W.T., who is a presiding
elder in the M. E. church, and Elizabeth T. are the children of
the first marriage. Hotel-keeping is the vocation which Mr. Smith
has pursued for years, and is the present proprietor of the
Malvern House. In 1862 he entered the Union forces - company F,
Twentieth Missouri infantry - remaining in the service a year. He
was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry and Shiloh. For a
time he had charge of some sixteen patients as nurse, on the
steamboat Memphis. He was a member of the M. E. church, and his
present wife a member of the Catholic church.
p.640/641 Malvern Township
Smith,
W. S. C., is a native of Putnam county, Indiana, where he
entered the scenes of life April 24, 1843. In 1845 he, with his
parents, came to Illinois and tarried until 1848, when he came to
Clark county, Iowa. Here he acquired a common school education,
and worked until 1862, when he entered the service of his country,
enlisting in company F., Sixth Iowa infantry, in which he served
two years, and in 1864 re-enlisted in the same regiment as a
veteran, and served to the close of the war. He was in
twenty-seven regular engagements, among which were the battles of
Mission Ridge, Jackson, Miss., Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church,
Atlanta two days, Griswold, Georgia, and Savannah, the latter
place being the terminus of Sherman's march to the sea. Here is a
record of patriotism rarely excelled. At the close of the war in
1865 Mr. S. settled in Mills county, where he purchased a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, in section 21, being one of the early
settlers of the locality, and where he still lives, giving his
energies to farming. He was married December 25, 1867, to Rosene
Wheeler, of Glenwood, the result of which were four children:
Bernice H., Daisy R., Earnest G. and Jeptha G., who will carry
their memory hence. Mr. S. is a member of the Odd Fellows and
Masonic Orders, at Malvern.
p. 630 Silver Creek Township
Skaith,
George, farmer, section 33, P.O. Tabor; born April 25,
1842, in Lincolnshire, England, where his youth was spent
attending school and working on a farm. Immigrated to America in
July, 1861, and located in Newcastle county, Delaware, where he
remained until 1865, when he came to Iowa. He first located in
Tabor, and settled on the farm where he now lives in February,
1877. Was married April 21, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Francis and Sarah J. Spore. She was born in Delaware. They are the
parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: John F.,
Mary M., George, Jr., Sarah A., Effie M., William and Robert. Mr.
Skaith is a member of the Baptist church and a man well respected
by his neighbors. He owns a neat little farm of forty acres.
p. 615/616 Rawles Township
Spees,
F. B., farmer, section 35, P.O. Tabor; born May 3, 1830,
in Chenango county, New York, where he remained until four years
of age when he went with his parents to Hampden. When twelve years
of age he went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He
spent his youth in attending the common schools and in farming,
and also took a course in Oberlin College, and has since been many
years engaged in teaching school. Came to Iowa in 1866, and
located where he now resides. Was married October 22, 1854, to
Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Hulda Merrifield. She was born
in New London, Huron county, Ohio. They have by this union one
child, Frank. Mrs. Spees died November 27, 1859. He was married a
second time May 21, 1862, to Miss Abigail, daughter of Prelet and
Phoebe Taft. They are the parents of two children, one living,
Lora G. A son Wm. F., was killed by the accidental discharge of a
revolver in the hands of a playmate, Carl Boswoth, on the morning
of July 4, 1879. It was a sad accident, and brought great grief
upon both families. The son was about sixteen years of age, and a
lad of great promise. Mr. Spees is a member of the Congregational
church. He has held numerous township offices, and is at present
justice of the peace. He owns a well improved farm of 120 acres.
p. 616 Rawles Township
Sprague,
Ira A., of the firm of Sprague & Co., Glenwood Iron
Works. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1820. There
he spent his early youth in the pursuits of agriculture and
acquiring a liberal common school education. In 1843 he went to
Massachusetts to learn the trade of an iron worker, devoting about
two years to its pursuits there and in New York, returning to Ohio
at the end of that time, having spent his time in some of the best
shops in the country. In 1863 he turned his course westward,
arriving in Adair county, Iowa, in June of that year. The
following spring he went to Adams county, where he purchased and
improved a farm which he still possesses. In 1869 he went to Des
Moines and took charge of the iron works of Tidrick & Vorse,
which he conducted for several years. In 1873 he came to Glenwood,
and with the assistance of its citizens erected his present shops.
He was married in New York state, in 1845, to Miss Mary Colville,
a native of that state. Their family now consists of three
children, Charles and Robert, who are in business with him, and a
daughter Jessie. Mr. Sprague is a man virtually self-made and
self-educated, as he began business for himself with very limited
means, and through his habits of continued industry and close
attention to business has succeeded in surrounding himself, as
well as providing his children, with all the necessaries and many
luxuries of life. As a mechanic he stands at the head of his
trade, and in his shops can be seen many samples of his work,
which are a standing credit to his skill. He is a good citizen and
has done much toward the development of the business resources of
the town in which he resides.
p. 685/686 Glenwood Township
Starbuck,
E., attorney, of the firm of Starbuck & Ivory,
attorneys, P.O. Glenwood; was born in Belmont county, Ohio, the
9th day of April 1842. When he was about twelve years of age, his
parents brought him to Iowa, locating near Osceola on a farm.
There his early youth was spent in the pursuits of agriculture,
and acquiring an education. When he was about eighteen years of
age he engaged in school teaching, devoting about nine months in
the year to its pursuits, and the balance of his time to the
duties of the farm. He began the study of law in Osceola under the
tuition of Messrs. Scovill & Clark, of that place, in 1862. In
the autumn of 1862 he enlisted in company K, Thirty-ninth Iowa
infantry. He participated in some of the severest contested
battles of the war, among which were the battles of Dalton,
Georgia, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Altoona and others. He was on
detached duty during a part of his service; was taken prisoner at
Parker Cross Road, and after being kept a season of six or eight
months was exchanged. He was promoted to orderly sergeant during
his service. On the 5th day of June 1865, he was mustered out at
Washington, and in the autumn of that year he returned to Iowa,
resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Mills
county the spring of 1866. He was married October 1866, to Miss
Sallie L. Delashnutt; she is a native of Jefferson county, this
state. Their family consists of three children living: Gertie,
Essie and Frankie. Mr. S. is now associated with Mr. T. W. Ivory.
They practice in all Iowa courts; are also engaged in real estate
and loan and trust business, and have identified themselves as
among the leading attorneys of Mills county. They have carried
many prominent litigations to successful endings.
p. 686/687 Glenwood Township
Starbuck,
Elisha, P.O. Glenwood; born April 10, 1801 in Guilford
county, North Carolina. When four years of age he moved with his
parents to Ohio, locating in Belmont county, where he grew to
maturity, attending the public schools and working on a farm.
Thirty years of his life were passed dealing in horses, in which
business he was an expert. He located in Clarke county when he
first came to this state and came to Mills county in 1878. Was
married in 1829 to Miss Mary Plumer. They are the parents of ten
children, eight of whom are now living: Robert, Abram, Rachael,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Elisha, jr., Mary and Hezekiah. The others, John
and George, died while in defense of their country during the war
of the rebellion.
p. 683/684 Glenwood Township
Stephens,
T. L., postmaster, Glenwood; the subject of this sketch
was born in Carroll county, Ohio, the 20th day of October, 1838.
When he was about six years of age his parents brought him to
Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he made his home until 1860.
He then entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, which institution
he attended five years, graduating in the classical course in the
spring of 1865. He was then employed as a tutor in that college
for about three years. He then went to Nebraska City, where he
remained about one year, when he came to Glenwood. In the spring
of 1869 he was appointed principal of the Western Iowa College,
which he conducted about one year. He was appointed superintendent
of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, which position he held until the
close of that institution, and its change to the asylum for
feeble-minded children. He then conducted the Glenwood Opinion
about six months as its editor. He was appointed postmaster the
23rd of February, 1876, which office he still holds. He was
married at Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1865, to Miss Lizzie Prior. She
is a native of Worthington, Ohio. She is a lady of refinement and
culture, and was a teacher in the musical department of Cornell
College previous to their marriage. from this union they have one
child living, Thomas L; they lost three. In May, 1864, Mr.
Stephens was enrolled as a second lieutenant in company D,
Forty-fourth Iowa infantry, and was mustered out with the regiment
in 1865. In 1856 he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and has since been an active worker for the cause of
Christianity. He has been a local preacher in that body for the
past eighteen years, and local deacon since 1879. Mr. Stephens is
a man who is highly esteemed as a citizen, has done much for the
elevation of his fellow beings, and has made an efficient
postmaster.
p. 687 Glenwood Township
Stout,
James E., farmer, section 11, P.O. Malvern; born in Fulton
county, Illinois, April 3, 1855, and there grew to manhood. His
youth was passed in farm labor and attending the common schools of
his native county. He came to Mills county, and located on the
farm where he now resides in 1877. He owns a good farm of 120
acres, well improved. His father John Stout, was born April 18,
1810, in Pennsylvania, and was married to Sarah A. Boyd in 1847.
They had a family of seven children: Matthias J., Joshua A.,
Eliza, James E., William, Michael H. and Mary J. Mrs. Stout died
March 14, 1871. Mr. Stout was married a second time in August 1879
to Jane Noble, by whom he is the father of one child.
p. 615 Rawles Township
Stout,
Joshua, farmer and stock raiser, section 17, P.O. Malvern;
born February 17, 1843, in Fulton county, Illinois, where he grew
to manhood, attending the common schools and working on his
father's farm. Was married February 20, 1873, to Miss Eliza
Wicoff, of Fulton county, Illinois. They are the parents of three
children; two of whom are now living: Charles W. and Effa Stella.
Mr. Stout located here in February 1874. He owns a fine farm of
120 acres in a high state of cultivation with a good dwelling
house and superior facilities for raising stock, in which business
he is largely engaged.
p. 615 Rawles Township
Strahan,
J. M., is a native of Indiana. Was born in Putnam county,
November 17, 1829, where he remained until his seventh year, when
he, with his people, moved to Illinois. In 1850 he went to
California, remaining some three years, when he returned to
Illinois. In 1854 he made a second trip to California, driving a
drove of cattle overland to that New Eldorado. This time he
remained until 1855, when he returned to Iowa, locating in Marion
county. Here he resided until 1870, when he moved to Mills county,
Iowa. Here he formed a business connection with Mr. John Evans,
with whom he pursued farming and feeding cattle for market, the
latter to a large extent, from 200 to 1000 head per year. In 1873,
he, in company with others, laid out that part of Malvern, known
as Strahan's addition, into lots for building purposes. Mr.
Strahan is also the president of the First National Bank, of
Malvern, in which he is extensively interested. During the winter
of 1879-80, Strahan & Company purchased and shipped over the
Wabash road, 400,000 bushels of grain. In 1879 Mr. Strahan
narrowly escaped death from the falling of the St. Charles bridge,
over the Missouri river. Mr. S. gives these facts: He and six
other men occupied the caboose of a stock train of eighteen cars
filled with cattle, which he and others were shipping to St.
Louis. While upon this bridge, ninety two feet above the river, he
heard a sound of rushing water, which caused him to go to the door
of his car, where he saw a frightful calamity befalling their
train - a three hundred feet span of the bridge had gone down,
taking with it seventeen cars and all the living freight therein.
With active presence of mind he jumped for the ties when the car
he was in was within twenty feet of the terrible abyss, which the
falling span had opened, and it too, went down, carrying death to
the six passengers within save one, who barely escaped. Mr. S's
presence of mind and quick action saved him from the frightful
doom of his companions, whose names were Fred Davis, Josiah
Wearen, Mr. Hyde and John Somers. The others were train men. Mr.
S's farm is in section 29, and contains 1,200 acres, all under
cultivation. Among his various other business operations, he makes
a specialty of raising and dealing in short-horned cattle, the
Clydesdale English draft horses, and Cotswold and South Down
sheep, which together with his cattle and horses have frequently
been awarded premiums for excellence at fairs. Mr. Strahan married
Miss F. C. Davis of Henderson county, Illinois, January 3, 1856,
whose father served in the war of 1812, receiving the land on
which he lived, for services therein. Lucy, Ella, Frank, Rosa and
Otis are the rewards of that union. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of
the Baptist society.
p. 641/642 Malvern Township
Stranathan,
John, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Malvern: born
September 15, 1834 in Morgan county, Ohio. In 1836 he went to
Coles county, Illinois, to remain ten years, at the end of which
time he moved to Clarke county, same state, where he lived some
years. In the fall of 1859 he became a resident of this county. In
the spring of the following year, 1860, he went to the mountains,
engaging in mining for two years, when he returned home. August
13, 1863, he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa battery, and was
discharged July 14, 1865, at Davenport. In August of 1865 he was
married to Miss S. C. Byers, by whom he has three children: C. C.,
R. E., and Leonora B. His farm contains 160 acres of choice. He is
an honored citizen and intelligent, unassuming gentleman.
p. 601 Center Township
Sturgeon,
James, farmer and stock raiser, section 23, P.O. Emerson;
born July 29, 1847, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1849 he
moved with his parents to Canada where he grew to manhood, working
on the farm in the summer season and attending the common schools
during the winter. He came to Mills county, Iowa in 1870. Was
married August 1, 1877, to Marcia Lincoln, a native of Ohio. They
are the parents of one child, Frederick James. Soon after his
marriage he located on the farm where he now resides. His farm
consists of one hundred and twenty acres on which is a good
dwelling-house and a fine orchard. He has always taken an active
interest in the schools and all township improvements, and now
holds the office of township clerk.
p. 720 Indian Creek Township
Sturgeon,
John F., farmer and stock raiser, section 22, P.O.
Emerson; born in 1845. In 1849 he went with his parents to Canada,
and in 1865 returned to Philadelphia, and from thence went to the
oil regions, where he remained until April 1865, when he enlisted
in the Ninety-eighty Pennsylvania infantry. He was at Richmond a
few days after the surrender, and was with Gen. Sheridan on his
march to Danville. Was mustered out July 11, 1865, returning to
Oil City, and from there went to Canada. In 1866 he came to Iowa
and stopped in Des Moines county, He then traveled through
Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and returned to Iowa and located in
Mills county in 1868. Was married in June, 1872, to Elizabeth
Forest, a native of Iowa, born in 1854. They are the parents of
three children, two of whom are now living: Maggie, May and
Clarence. He owns a well improved farm of 320 acres, well adapted
to stock raising, in which he is largely engaged.
p. 720 Indian Creek Township
Summers,
H. W., farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Malvern; born July 4,
1826, in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he remained until 1855.
In this year, in company with his brothers, he came to Mills
county, and entered considerable land, and begun to lay the
foundation for his future home, which was done in a permanent
manner. His farm is admirable adapted to stock raising, in which
enterprise he is extensively engaged. His farms consists of 2,000
acres, 200 acres of which is in tame grass and pasture. Mr.
Summers ships a great deal of stock, and on one of his stock
trains en route to St. Louis, while crossing the railroad bridge
over the Missouri river at St. Charles, the bridge gave way, and
John, the eldest son of Mr. Summers went down with the ill-fated
train. The unfortunate young man was taken from the wreck alive,
but survived only three days. Mr. S. was married February 24,
1850, to Miss Hannah F. Jennings, who was born in Virginia, June
2, 1832. they are the parents of five children, three of whom are
now living: William L., Laura A., and Edward L.
p.654 White Cloud Township
Summers,
James M., farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Malvern; born
August 20, 1829, in Springfield, Illinois. While yet small he went
with his parents to Tazewell county, Illinois, and remained there
until 1855, engaged in farming and stock raising. He then came to
this county and entered several tracts of land. He still resides
where he first located on coming to the county, and now owns about
one thousand acres of land, upon which are all the modern
improvements. Was married February 5, 1863, to Miss Charlotte
Rains, a native of Missouri. He had by this union three children:
Charles W., Lillian A. and John H. Mrs. Summers died April 5,
1871. Mr. Summers was again married June 9, 1873, to Ella I.
Brown, a native of Illinois. By this marriage he is the father of
four children: Milton A., Ross B., Laura and Eunice.
p. 654 White Cloud Township
Summers,
William G., farmer and stock raiser; born March 25, 1831
in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he remained until 1837, and
then emigrated with his parents to Davis county, Missouri, and
resided there about one year. In 1838 he went to Lee county, Iowa,
and one year later returned to Tazewell county, Illinois, where
for several years he was engaged in farming. He came to this
county in 1856, arriving October 22nd. He had entered several
tracts of land before coming to the county, and with the
assistance of his three boys (who are now living in the immediate
vicinity) soon succeeded in improving considerable of the then
wild lands, of what is now White Cloud township. Mr. Summers owns
1,500 acres of land, 1,000 acres of which is under cultivation,
with hedges, orchards, barns and an extensive dwelling house, with
all modern improvements and conveniences. The Wabash railway, and
the branch of the C., B. & Q., running from Hastings to
Sidney, the county seat of Fremont county. He was married
September 23, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Kellogg, who was born in
Tazewell county, Illinois, November 11, 1834. They are the parents
of eight children: Verona E., Kate F., William Grant, Mary E.,
Sanford W., Varna A. and Harrison L.
p. 654/655 White Cloud Township
Swinnerton,
M., proprietor of the Mills county marble and stone works,
which were established in 1874, and conducted successfully until
March 1877, when Mr. Swinnerton visited Europe here he spent
almost three years. He then returned to Glenwood and resumed his
business in July, 1880; since then he has been doing an extensive
business in this and surrounding counties. He is a first-class
workman, having had upwards of twenty-six years experience in the
business, and it can be truthfully said that he stands at the head
of his art. He has gained a reputation for honest and upright
dealing which is a standing credit to his integrity as a business
man. He allows nothing but first-class work to leave his shops,
and always employs skillful workmen. He manufactures everything in
his line, from a paper weight to a family monument. He has
executed many pieces of creditable work since his settlement in
the county, and is now enjoying a trade which is commensurate with
his untiring efforts to please the public. His success in this
line can only be attributed to his skillful management and honest
dealings. He has proved himself a benefactor to the town in which
he resides, as he has built up an industry of which the people of
the county should be justly proud.
p. 684 Glenwood Township
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