Mills County, Iowa
History of Fremont and Mills County, 1901
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1901
Biographical Sketches
A

ADKINS, ROBERT M.
        Many lines of business are successfully carried on in the flourishing town of Henderson, Iowa, and our subject represents two, dealing in live stock and engaging in auctioneering. Mr. Adkins was born in Monroe county, Indiana, October 7, 1854, a son of Wyatt Adkins, who was a native of Kentucky, born there September 21, 1807. The grandfather of our subject, Jesse Adkins, was a planter and slaveholder of Pulaski county, that state, where he died in 1856.
        Wyatt Adkins removed to Clark county, Iowa, with his wife and nine children, all of them still living, with families, except one daughter, named Melita, who became the wife of Elijah Emory. Her death occurred in Clark county and one son was left motherless. Mr. Adkins was twice married and reared a large family. He was a farmer, owning two hundred acres, and at the time of his death, in 1884, was in easy circumstances. The second wife of Wyatt Adkins, our subject's mother, was named Mary Paekerof, and she was a native of Virginia; and our subject had one brother, David, now a resident of Creston, Iowa. Mrs. Adkins had been previously married to Reuben Wett and had two children both of whom are now deceased. Her son was a soldier in the Civil war, who died and was buried at Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Adkins lived until 1896, dying at the age of about eighty-six. She was a noble woman, kind to her neighbors, charitable and of a cheerful disposition.
        Robert M. Adkins was reared on the farm and early learned its pleasures and dull duties, but had the advantages of a good common school education in Clark county. He remained at home until the age of twenty seven, when he was married to Mary Jane Kinzom, of Warren county, Iowa, a daughter of J. E. Kinzom, of Clay Center, Nebraska. She died in 1895, on January 31st, aged forty years, leaving five children: Mamie L., wife of Rev. E. F. Lake, a minister of the Christian church at Prescott, Iowa and she has two children; Hallie Dell, the wife of William Cain, a farmer of Montgomery county, and she has one child; Opal E., a graduate of Henderson high school; Stella M., a remarkably beautiful child of eleven years; and Glenn Guy, a fine lad of eight years. Mr. Adkins was married the second time, January 13, 1897, the lady being Miss Cora E. Maynes, of Henderson, Iowa, a daughter of William Maynes, a resident of this place.
        In 1883 Mr. Adkins left the home farm and engaged in the hardware business at Hopeville, under the firm name of Adkins and Morton; but a year and a half later Mr. Morton retired and Mr. Adkins removed to Henderson, where he continued in trade for a period of four years, when he sold out and has since given his whole attention to live stock and to auctioneering. the latter business he began as early as his twenty-first year and has successfully pursued it at intervals ever since, until now his reputation in that line extends over a hundred miles, even into other states. He sells stock in Kansas City and Omaha, being the only man in the place engaged in that line, selling on commission and making a success of it.
        In 1894 Mr. Adkins built his residence in Henderson and has lately purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, upon which he will place a tenant. He is a very popular man in his home town, his genial manner and accommodating spirit making friend of all. He and his interesting family are welcome in all social circles and Mr. Adkins has acquired some celebrity as a fine checker-player.

AISTROPE, THOMAS M.
        England has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the mother country to enter the business circles of this land with its more progressive methods, lively competition and advancement more easily secured. Among this number is Thomas Marling Aistrope, who when a young man came to the new world, seeking wider fields in which to give greater scope to his ambition in the freedom and fine opportunity for progress afforded in the growing western portion of this country, and today he is one of the leading farmers and stock men in Mills county, having won splendid success along these lines of labor. Although born across the water, he is a thorough American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and true in his allegiance to the stars and stripes. He carries on farming in southwestern Iowa, where he has acquired a fortune and where he is an honored and esteemed citizen.
        Mr. Aistrope was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 11, 1828, and is a son of George and Mary (Mason) Aistrope, both of whom were also natives of Lincolnshire. The father was born in 1790 and passed away March 28, 1839, his death occurring in his native England. He was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his active business career. His wife, was born in Lincolnshire in 1788, died in England, February 20, 1875, and was laid by the side of her husband in the cemetery at Luddington. This couple were the parents of ten children, namely: John, who was born April 8, 1812, and died May 16, 1851; William, who was born February 19, 1814, and died in 1882; George, who was born July 26, 1816, and died July 17, 1820; Mary Ann, who was born February 15, 1819 and died in 1895; Alice, who was born November 19, 1821, and died in 1898; Susanna, who was born March 8, 1824, and died February 14, 1885; George, who was born October 7, 1826, and is deceased; Thomas M., who is the next of the family; Walter, who was born April 16, 1831, and died May 25, 1881; and Ann, who was born September 16, 1833, and now resides in England.
        Of this family Thomas Marling Aistrope is the eighth in order of birth and with one exception is the only survivor. The father died when Thomas was only ten years of age and he then began working by the day among farmers of the neighborhood, receiving twelve cents per day. At the age of fourteen he entered the employ of William Foster, who paid him four pounds for the first year's service and also boarded him. The second year he received five pounds and his board. He was employed as a farm hand for nine years, working for William Clark for two years and afterward for Mr. Clark's sister, Mrs. Foster. Subsequently he was employed with John Ireland for four years. In the fall of 1881 he leased a flouring mill and for three and a half years he was engaged in the milling business.
        In the meantime Mr. Aistrope heard favorable reports of the opportunities offered in the new world and accordingly decided to leave his home in England, and on the 5th of May, 1855, he bade adieu to friends and relatives and went to Liverpool. On the 7th of the same month he sailed from that port to America on the vessel Guy Mannering, and on the 18th of June landed at New York, whence he proceeded to Chicago. He remained in the metropolis of the west a week, after which he continued on his journey to McHenry county, Illinois, where he remained for three months, working on a farm for eighteen dollars per month. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa and spent two years in Van Buren county, after which he removed to Clark county, Missouri, remaining there for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Mills county, arriving on the 20th of March, 1862. In the summer of that year he lived upon a farm owned by William Dyson, but planted a crop on the John Butte farm. He spent the winter of 1862-63 in Glenwood and in the fall of 1862 he made his first purchase of land, buying a tract of Patrick Dunagan. The farm is located in White Cloud township, on sections 17 and 20, and he also has fifteen acres of timber land on section 21. In the spring of 1863 he erected a frame residence 30x34 feet and has since made many additions and improvements, transforming the place into a commodious and comfortable home. At one time he was the owner of seventeen hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Mills county, having from time to time added to his original purchase until his possessions aggregate the amount stated. He has also owned five hundred and sixty acres in Fremont county and seven hundred and twenty acres in Madison county, Nebraska, and one section in Cheyenne county, Kansas. He has given to each of his eleven children one hundred and sixty acres of land, thus enabling them to make a good start in life. He likewise owns eight town lots in Malvern and his propery is very valuable. He has given most of his attention to the raising of stock, being one of the first to engage in this business in his section of Mills county. He keeps on hand large herds of cattle of good grades and his sales bring to him a good revenue.
        Ere leaving his native country Mr. Aistrope married Miss Jane Whatt, who was born in Whigift, Yorkshire, England, December 3, 1830. The wedding was celebrated in the Episcopal church, March 31, 1850, and twelve children have been born unto them, five sons and seven daughters, but the eldest son died in infancy. Three children were born in the old country and then the family removed to the United States in the spring of 1855. From 1862 up to the time of her death Mrs. Aistrope continuously resided in Mills county and was to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet. One of the local papers published at the time of her death, which occured December 3, 1898, on the sixty-eighth anniversary of her birth, said: "Coming to this country with practically no means, save the natural gifts of health and strength, love for each other and hopeful ambition for the future, this worthy couple furnish a striking example of what loving hearts and willing hands, working in unison, may accomplish. Of Mrs. Aistrope it may be well said, 'her work is finished.' It was well and faithfully done, - a life whose wifehood and motherhood has borne rich fruitage, and whose heritage to the world is her large family of high-minded, honorable and universally esteemed sons and daughters. Surely the influence of her gentle, helpful life will linger as a sweet incense in the memories of her bereft husband and children, who are assured of the deepest sympathy of their hosts of friends." In another paper appeared the following: "Words are inadequate to express the regard and esteem in which the deceased was held by her neighbors and acquaintances. An upright, true Christian woman, she has left void a place that will be hard to fill. A loving and indulgent wife and mother, she will be sadly missed in the old home where she reared her large family in the way of virtue and goodness, and the respect and esteem in which her children are now held in the neighborhood is a living testimonial to her life's work that cannot be overlooked or forgotten. though she suffered much pain during her last few weeks of this life, she bore it all with a patient and kindly smile, which could but make better men and women of those who saw her. Though she is no more with her loved ones on this earth, yet her memory will ever linger as a strong binding cord, drawing them to her in her heavenly home where they will meet to part no more. A fitting life, well ended, she will always be held in grateful remembrance and esteem by all who knew her.
        The funeral services were held at the bereaved home on Monday morning at 11 o'clock, Rev. W. J. Watson preaching a sermon full of comfort and good cheer. The old Baptist church choir, of fifteen or more years ago, with the exception of Mrs. P. M. Cadwell, who took the place of Mrs. Joy Swain, the latter playing the accompaniment, rendered some beautiful and appropriate singing. The quartet was composed of Messrs. Arthur Brown and Joy Swain and Mrs. Laura Larison and Mrs. P. M. Cadwell. The casket was beautifully bedecked with roses, wreaths and other floral offerings, a last token of regard from the family and many friends. It was a large funeral procession which wended its way to Malvern cemetery, hundreds of old pioneer friends coming for miles to pay their last respects to their dead friend and neighbor. She was carried to her last resting place by six old pioneer citizens of Mills county, all old friends, E. Fickel, Joseph Foxworthy, William Byers. H. W. Summers, William Robinson and B. S. Riffle.
        A touching incident in connection with the funeral procession is as follows: Thirty six years ago when Mr. and Mrs. Aistrope and family were driving to their new home, the whole bottom of the Foxworthy bridge was under water. They were driving four horses and when they came to where the old bridge was they did not know how to get across, not daring to risk driving over the bridge without knowing something about it. Mr. Joseph Foxworthy, who resided where he does now, came out and led the lead team safely over the bridge. It was a little thing perhaps, but Mrs. Aistrope never forgot it, and one of her requests was that when she was being carried to the cemetery that Mr. Foxworthy should lead the hearse team back over this same bridge, saying that when they first came here he had led them over into a good country where they had prospered and been happy, and hoping that when he led her back over the bridge he would lead her to a still better place. Her request was followed to the letter and those who witnessed the old gentleman leading the hearse team over the bridge and knew the circumstances felt the full force of her last significant remark, 'to a still better place'"
        The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Aistrope are: Mrs. M. T. Davis; Mrs. M. Cunningham; Mrs. S. Kilpatrick; W. G.; Mrs. F. L. Goodwin; Thomas M.; W. W.; Mrs. W. E. Reed; Nellie V.; Mrs. F. E. Mulholland; and H. P. V. All are living in Mills county with the exception of Mrs. Reed, who makes her home in Madison, Nebraska. In the summer of 1900 Mr. Aistrope accompanied by his daughter, Nellie, made a trip to their old home in England, visiting again the scenes of his boyhood and renewing acquaintance with those friends of his early youth who were still living in the locality. They also spent some time at the Paris Exposition and then returned to the United States. In everything pertaining to the upbuilding of his adopted county Mr. Aistrope takes an active part and is a liberal contributor to the enterprises which insure its progress. He is a self made man in the fullest sense of that oft misused term, his prosperity in life being due to his industry and integrity. Fortune has certainly dealt kindly with him and his life is a living illustration of what ability, energy and force of character can accomplish. His county and state have been enriched by his example, for it is to such men that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its advancement.
       

AITKEN, DAVID
        A very prominent farmer and veteran of the Civil war who lives upon a cultivated farm in Mills county, Iowa, is David Aitken, the subject of this sketch. He was born near Glasgow, Scotland, December 20, 1828. His father, John Aitken, came to America in 1852, spending six weeks on the ocean voyage, and landed in New York, going from there to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, at which place he died in 1877, at the age of eighty four. He had married Ellen Pollock, who passed away but a short time before at the age of eighty. They had reared the following children: John, who was killed near Scranton, Pennsylvania, when about thirty years old; Mrs. Ellen Law, a widow living at Pittston, Pennsylvania; David, our subject; Valentine, who died in Oakland, California; Janet, who married George Stephens, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; and James, who resides in Wilksbarre, Pennsylvania.
        Our subject received only such educational advantages as were offered by the district schools of his locality. His father had a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and it was the duty of David to assist in clearing up the land as quickly as possible. He was made useful in picking up brush and preparing firewood and doing the chores of a farm boy until he was able to take his place at the plow. Until he was twenty-two years old he remained at home, at that time engaging with the Delaware and Hudson railroad to draw coal to the canal, for this work receiving eighty cents a day, providing his own food. For three years he worked for the Pennsylvania railroad as the manager of the force that attended to the unhooking of cars in the yards, leaving this situation, in 1852, to make a trip to California, by way of the isthmus. From June to August he was on the way, but at length reached the land of gold and engaged at work in the Feather river placer mines. All his life Mr. Aitken has had the happy faculty of being able to adapt himself to circumstances, and when he found he was not earning enough in the mines, he left there and accepted a position as a steward in a hotel at Johnson ranch, where he remained two years, receiving in wages his board and fifty dollars per month. At that date he returned to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, again taking the isthmus route. In his active life Mr. Aitken has made three trips to California "without getting rich," as he expresses it.
        In 1861 our subject enlisted in Missouri, in the state service for six months. At the expiration of that time he enlisted for nine months, in the Second Nebraska Cavalry; and the third time, in the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, for the rest of the war. His discharge was received at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in the fall of 1865 when he returned here. He receives twelve dollars a month in pension money.
        Mr. Aitken is a staunch Republican and claims the right to express and advance his views. He takes an intelligent interest in all public affairs, although he does not desire office. He owns eighty acres of fine land, and his sons own one hundred and twenty more, but Mr. Aitken has retired from active work on the farm.
        Our subject was married in 1851 to Miss Janette Gillespie, and four sons and four daughters grew up to maturity, respected by the community where they are known. These are: Ellen and Elizabeth, twins, the former of whom married Henry Chaney, in Pottawattamie county, Iowa; the latter also married; Thomas, who lives near the old home, is a widower and has his devoted mother with him at present; Mrs. Isabel Lathrop, who is a widow living at Carbondale; William; Walter; Margret, who married Daniel Martin and resides in Missouri; and Charles, who is the farmer on the home place. He married Miss Jane Patten, a daughter of J. K. Patten, of this neighborhood. Mrs. Aitken is a well preserved woman and looks after the affairs of her sons on their farm, at the present, her pleasant and thrifty ways making everything tidy and comfortable around them. Both she and Mr. Aitken are good and worthy members of the Church of Christ, and all of the sons, except one, have adopted the religious views of their excellent parents. The family is a representative one, well known and esteemed by all with whom they come into contact.

ALLIS, OTIS E.
        A very prominent agriculturalist of Mills county, who has acceptably served his township for many years in various official positions, is Otis Eddy Allis, who is the subject of this article. He was born on Cedar creek, Nance county. Nebraska, on the 4th of December, 1843, and was a son of Samuel and Emeline (Palmer) Allis. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and was of Scotch lineage, while the mother was born in Ithaca, New York, and was of French and German descent. Samuel Allis became a noted man. In early life he learned the harness-maker's trade, but in 1833 was one of a trio who were appointed missionaries to the Pawnee tribe of Indians. He then made his way westward and for forty years lived among the Indians on the border of civilization in Nebraska. He endured many hardships in his labors for Christianity, an account of which was published by the State Historical Society under the caption, "Forty Years Among the Indians" His death took place December 12, 1885, when he was eighty years of age.
        Otis E. Allis is the third in a family of six children, the first white male child born in Nebraska being his brother, Henry. The second was Gascon and the third was Otis E. Allis, who is now the only survivor of the family. He was reared in the western portion of the country in a frontier settlement. He has been an important factor in the growth and development of Mills county, and can relate many interesting incidents of its early improvements. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and today he is one of the leading farmers of Mills county, being the owner of seven hundred and eight acres of land here. He also has a great amount of stock and has been very successful in the management of both branches of the business. In his pastures are seen fine herds of cattle, good grades of other stock, and his broad fields of waving grain give promise of abundant harvests.
        In 1871 Mr. Allis was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Edwards, and unto them have been born seven children, namely: Sadie, who became the wife of Gus Plumer and resides in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, near Council Bluffs; Oliver E., who is bookkeeper and collector for the Hoagland Lumber Company and also resides in Council Bluffs; William R.; Samuel, Emeline, Harriet and Otis E., who are with their parents. The last named was a candidate for county clerk in 1898 and made a very successful candidate.
        While widely known in his affairs Mr. Allis has also performed much service in his township and county and has acceptably filled many public offices. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, unswerving in his support of the principles of that organization. For fifteen years he has held the office of school director and has been the treasurer and secretary of the school board. He has also been justice of the peace, road supervisor and township trustee, performing all of his duties in a most prompt and capable manner. A public-spirited and progressive citizen, he has withheld his support from no movement or measure calculated to prove a public benefit. He has been instrumental in securing many of the good roads for which the township is famous and has done very acceptable service in other directions.
        He is a man of unquestioned integrity, whose word is as good as his bond. The family is one highly respected in the neighborhood and no history of Mills county would be complete without mention of this honored, successful and prominent agriculturist.

ALLIS, REV. SAMUEL
        No tale of fiction can contain more interesting or exciting incidents than form a part of the life record of the Rev. Samuel Allis, who for forty years lived among the Indians, and on the eastern borders of Nebraska labored to benefit the red men by introducing the customs of civilization and the refining and elevating influences of Christianity among them.
        He was born in Conway, Franklin county, Massachusetts, September 28, 1805, and was one of a family of eight children - five sons and three daughters. His parents were consistent Christian people who held membership in the Congregational church, and he was reared to honor God and keep his commandments. His educational advantages were somewhat limited, but experience, earnest purpose and natural tact and discrimination enabled him to meet the conditions of life in which he was placed. At the age of seventeen years he went to live with Phineas Bartlett, of Conway Center, Massachusetts, under whose direction he learned the trade of saddler and harness maker, continuing with him until twenty-one years of age. During that time he sat under the preaching of the Rev. Edward Hitchcock, afterward the president of Amherst College. Subsequently he spent six months working at his trade in Williamstown, Massachusetts. There he first became actively identified with Christian work. At a later date he went to Troy, New York, where he was employed for sixteen months, followed by a period spent in Ithaca, New York, in the employ of a Mr. Kirkham, a good old Presbyterian, in whose employ he remained until he left for the west. While residing there he became a member of the Presbyterian church.
        In the winter of 1834 a movement was inaugurated in Ithaca for establishing a mission among the Indians, and as the result of this Rev. John Dunbar undertook the task of acting as a missionary, and chose as his assistant the Rev. Samuel Parker and Rev. Samuel Allis. In the spring of 1834 they left Ithaca, their destination being the country of the Nez Perce Indians. By steamer on the Erie canal and then again by steamer on Lake Erie they proceeded westward and by stage crossed Ohio. They then went down the Ohio river, and Messrs, Dunbar and Allis proceeded to the country of the Pawnee Indians. After conferring with the Pawnee agent they found they could effect nothing until the following fall, and so proceeded to Fort Leavenworth, spending the summer there and at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri among the missions of the Kickapoo, Shawnee and Delaware Indians, learning much of the Indians' character, customs and manners. They also spent some time at Fort Leavenworth, in which locality resided the Kickapoos, who had a sort of Catholic form of worship. They would meet on Sunday and the prophet of the Mormons, who were then on their westward way would preach to them in their language.
        After spending the summer at and near Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Allis and his friends proceeded to Bellevue, which was the agency for the Omahas, Otes and Pawnees. This tribe was divided into four bands. After remaining for three or four days in Bellevue, Nebraska. Mr. Allis went to the Pawnee Loups. Their first camp was at the Fur Company's fort, about two miles above the present city of Omaha. Declining the hospitality of Major Pitcher, Rev. Allis entered upon his life work among the Indians, and for the first time slept on the ground. They encamped secondly near the Elk Horn River, and the subject of this review was awakened about three o'clock in the morning by the Indians hurrying to saddle up and leave camp, as the prairies were on fire. It was the first sight of the kind he had ever witnessed, and the movements of the Indians showed that they were in danger. All were rapidly packing their ponies, and Rev. Allis found himself in somewhat of a predicament for he had two horses, a saddle and a pack horse, but he had little knowledge how to prepare for such a journey. The old chief, however, deputized two young Indians to assist him, and afterward the red men talked and laughed over his first prairie experience. After that, however, he was often for six months at a time among the red men without seeing a white man's house, sleeping on the ground and meeting the experiences of Indian life in every way. At other times he was exposed to prairie fires and sometimes had to fight to the utmost of his ability to escape with his life. The third night they camped on the bank of the Platte river and there he learned his first Pawnee word - the name of the moon. His host and his braves and deputies took great pains to entertain him, and on the fourth night after they started on their journey they arrived at the Indian village where Mr. Allis was introduced to the chief's queens, three in number, and to his six children. As soon as he was seated the old queen placed before him a wooden bowl of buffalo meat and a dish which a French trader called bouillon, and the soup was eaten with a buffalo horn spoon. He had hardly finished that meal before he was invited to dine with one of the members of the cabinet, and there received similar honors and treatment, and the invitations came thick and fast after that. At length, after much feasting, he retired to rest in the lodge on a pair of blankets and a robe with a deer-skin pillow filled with deer hair. The next day the Indians began distributing their goods and getting ready for the winter's hunt.
        Mr. Allis there formed the acquaintance of three Canadian Frenchmen, and was glad to again hear the English language , although spoken somewhat brokenly. It was not again until Christmas that he met his French friends and heard his own language, but in the meantime he set to work in earnest to learn the Indian language and soon had a vocabulary sufficient to enable him to form sentences. During the winter he familiarized himself with Indian methods of work and modes of living, attending feasts, pow-wow balls and medicine dances, learning all that he could of the people whom he had come to help. He also attended the buffalo hunts with the Indians. He found that the women secured most of the wood and water and did most of the drudgery, while the men killed the game and the boys took care of the horses. He said that there were more brawls, jealousies and family quarrels caused by horses than all other troubles combined and that a horse frequently caused separations between man and wife. The Indians also gambled to a great extent and had continuous feasts of one kind or another. Mr. Allis often being called upon to attend twenty or thirty in one day.
        Mr. Allis spent the first winter with the Indians on their hunting expedition and in the spring they returned to their permanent village. The condition of the wandering tribe made the work for the benefit of their spiritual condition of little avail and was also interrupted by the Arickarees. The warlike spirit which existed among the different tribes of Indians caused them to train their children to kill and steal from each other, and it is therefore very difficult for missionaries to make permanent peace among them. In the summer of 1836 there occurred a hunt which was much more successful than the one the previous winter, for they returned with a large amount of buffalo meat. On again reaching the village Mr. Allis started with Mr. Dunbar and sixteen Indians for Fort Leavenworth, going there to obtain their mail, to transact their business and to secure goods for the Indians. They arrived at their destination and returned by way of Bellevue. In the winter of 1836 a good hunt was made, in which they killed buffalo and also elk and deer at the head of Grand Island. They also caught many beavers and otters that autumn. They had a skirmish with the Sioux, but had no success from the fact that there was an Indian with the Sioux who was once a Pawnee, so said an old tradition. He had been killed in battle by their enemies and left on the battle field to be devoured by wolves and ravens. The wolves finally gathered his bones together and restored him to life, when he went among other tribes, on account of the barbarous treatment of his own people in leaving him to be devoured. And whenever he came to war with the enemy it was useless for the Pawnees to fight, for their muskets would flash in the pan and their bow-strings break. Many other superstitions existed among the tribe and made it difficult for the Christian religion to obtain a foothold, yet Rev. Allis said that in point of intellect many of the Indians were superior to the negroes. He acted as United States interpreter for eight years, heard many speeches to the government officials from the president and other men of the tribes and found that many of them were good orators, and "in tact and good sense some of their speeches would not disgrace the halls of congress"
        In 1862 (sic) Rev. Mr. Allis discontinued his travels with the Indians with whom he had been for two winters and one summer, - in all about sixteen months, - having remained among them for the purpose of acquiring their language and also to gain a knowledge of their manners and customs. He had invariably met kind treatment from them, for the Indians are always kind and generous to one whom they believe to be a friend. In 1835 Rev. Samuel Parker and Rev. Marcus Whitman met the subject of this review, while on their way to the Flathead Indians. In the spring of 1836, having spent the winter in Washington, there transacting some important business, they again returned to the west with reinforcements, and among the number was Miss E. Palmer, who a week later became the wife of Rev. Allis, the marriage ceremony being performed by Rev. Spaulding, who was on his way to the Oregon mission. Being disappointed in his expectation of proceeding up the river by boat, Rev. Allis purchased a wagon and three yoke of oxen and started on his journey overland. He and his wife separated from their companions at the Big Nemaha and proceeded up the Platte river to begin their labors in Nebraska. After arriving at Bellevue in June 1836, he procured four acres of land and a garden spot and that year raised a good garden and some corn. In February Mr. Allis went to St. Louis on horseback, returning in April, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Dunbar and his wife. He lived in his home at Bellvue, continuing his labors until they could take up their residence with the Pawnees, who about that time removed to a new reservation. On the 2d of August, 1837, while at Bellevue, their first child was born. He was given the name of Henry, but thirteen months later he was taken from them by death, the remains being interred in Bellevue. On account of the hostilities of the Sioux Indians they remained at that place until the spring of 1842, when they went to the reservation and began their labors among the Pawnees. While there Otis Eddy Allis was born, December 4, 1843. In the same locality for a year resided George B. Gaston and his wife. The former then became one of the government farmers and broke considerable prairie for the Indians. As soon as buildings could be prepared the workers were divided into two settlements.
        In the early part of January, 1844, Rev. Allis removed his family to the upper station. The winter was a very severe one, the coldest in all his remembrance, says Mr. Allis. At this time he and his wife and three children all slept in one bed with the last calf at the foot, and then the young animal died. (Otis Eddy Allis was the baby with the calf.) Mr. Allis several times froze his fingers while milking. The Indians lost most of their horses and several of the red men froze to death. In the spring he fenced a garden and in the fall broke the ground, completed his house, built stables and sheds and was well prepared for winter when the cold season again set it. In the summer of 1845 he erected a school house, doing all of the work himself. In the spring preceding he had begun holding a school and the chiefs would set their old criers to haranguing the village and then came two or three braves leading a band of some one hundred and fifty children. Not more than thirteen could get into the house. He had a card with large letters on it, and pointing with a long stick to a letter, would tell its name and the Indian children would repeat it after him. When they had read, the braves would turn them out and fill the house with another lot, and so on until they had all finished reading, when the braves would lead the children home. The attendance was very fluctuating, but soon, however, the children could read the letters without being told what they were. When winter came, however, the Indians would take their children with them on their hunts, so that when spring again came they had largely forgotten what they had learned the previous year. The Indians felt that they were forced to take their children because of the hostilities of the Sioux.
        The Sioux and Poncas lost no opportunity to harass their enemy, and on one occasion Mrs. Allis was shot at when in the yard at Mr. Raney's going from the chicken-house toward the home. Hearing a noise like the snapping of a gun, she turned and saw two Indians standing about four rods from her. She had a child in her arms and with the little one started to run. There were two balls in the gun that was fired and one lodged in a log, while the other passed through the chinking and was imbedded in the back of the house. As Mrs. Allis ran past the corner of the house she staggered, and the Indians supposed they had shot her and reported that they had killed a white lady. On reaching the house she fell or sat down on the floor and said that a Sioux shot at her; so Mr. Allis caught up his gun and ran after the Indians, who were then about twenty rods away. He called them and they turned and shot at him, also at his dog and at his oxen, one of which was killed.
        Mr. Allis and his family remained among the Pawnees for about four years and four months, leaving there in August, 1846. He had labored here in building houses and sheds for the cattle, in breaking ground for fields and gardens, and at the same time attempted to teach the Indians, hoping that a way would be open for still further work, but the neglect of the government to give the Pawnees protection against the Sioux made their labors of little avail. After eight years spent in that country he realized that it was not safe to remain there with his family, and left for Bellevue. There the Indian agent placed the boarding school for Indian children in charge of Mr. Allis, who conducted the school for two years. He remained in Bellevue until 1851 and then removed to St. Mary's, Mills county, Iowa, living on a farm there for two years.
        For about eight years the government urged him to become United States interpreter and he acted in that capacity at the time General Danver's treaty was made with the Pawnees, in August, 1856. After President Buchanan's inauguration he went to Washington with Major W. W. Denison and a delegation of sixteen Pawnees to have the treaty ratified, spending the entire winter there owing to the fact that congress was agitated over the Kansas question and could give no time to the consideration of Indian affairs. In April 1857, however, he arrived at his home. The Indians lived on the south side of the Platte, opposite and below where Fremont, Nebraska, is now located. They received one payment there and then removed to the reservation near Beaver Creek, Nebraska.
        In the spring of 1851 Rev. Allis took up his abode at St. Mary's, Iowa, and for two and a half years occupied what is known as the Fielder farm, removing thence to a farm three-fourths of a mile to the north, where he resided up to the time of his death. He was absent much of the time among the Indians, acting as United States interpreter, but returned to the old home in Iowa, there to resume the pursuits of private life, carrying on agriculture as a means of livelihood for himself and his family. His death occurred December 12, 1885, when he was eighty years of age. The work which he accomplished cannot be over-estimated. He was one of the advance guards of civilization among the Indians and paved the way for the work of others. He won the entire confidence of the red men by reason of his exact justice and great kindness, and though he did not accomplish what he wished in intellectual advancement and Christian education, his labors nevertheless were productive of great good. He carried the torch which shed the first glimmer of light into their lives, making them acquainted with something else besides their own manner of living. He opened the way to frontier life more than any other living man; but on account of his quiet manner there was not much said about him and due credit was not given him by the public for his heroic and persevering work. "Buffalo Bill," who has had so wide a reputation, came in after the way had been opened by Mr. Allis, and had a much easier time. The government recognized his services, and though the Indian problem is still unsettled, the key to the situation was found in such work as Mr. Allis did among the red men, a work which was prompted by his belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.

ANGUS, WILLIAM
        The American citizenship has drawn its strength from many sources. All of the civilized countries of the globe have sent their representatives to the new world, and the strong characteristics of each people have formed an element in shaping the destiny of the nation as it has progressed along intellectual, material, moral and social lines. No country, however, has furnished more desirable citizens than the land of the hills and heather, whose sons have ever been noted for their loyalty to duty, their perseverance in the pursuit of an honest purpose, their reliability and their industry.
        Mr. Angus, the subject of this sketch, was born in Campsie parish, Stirlingshire, Scotland, May 14, 1828. The older branch of the Campsie Anguses have lived at the old home and on the farm lands of Carlston for upward of three hundred years, first renting, then buying the feu lands from Duke of Montrose, some two hundred and seventy years ago. David Angus, the grandfather of the subject of this present sketch, was one of the four sons of William Angus, of Carlston, namely, William, David, John and James. David Angus held a ninety nine year lease of a farm called Balgrochen or Sandyhole, where the father of Mr. Angus, of Malvern, was born. He married Miss Margaret Douns, a daughter of James and Janet Douns, of Dalbeth. Mrs. Angus died in Scotland in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. David Angus, Jr., had eleven children, only four of whom are living.
        In 1839, when eleven years of age, William Angus accompanied his father and the family to the new world, taking passage on the sailing vessel George Cabot. Anchor was weighed in the harbor of Liverpool, England, and six weeks had passed ere they landed in New York city. The family first located in Yates county, New York, where they remained until 1853, when he and his father removed to Lake county, Illinois. In 1856 they went to Houston county, Minnesota, where the latter died in 1869, at the age of eighty-three years.
        Mr. Angus, of this review, did not come to Mills county until 1874, and then did not make a permanent location. Returning in 1875, he established his home here, and has since been a valued resident of the community. He was married in 1879 to Miss Johanna Holm, a native of Odeshog, Ostergotland, Sweden, a daughter of Hans and Maria C. Swanson. Three children have been born unto them, of whom two are living: William A. and Walter H. By her first marriage Mrs. Angus had a daughter named Hannah.
        Mr. and Mrs. Angus began their domestic life upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land in White Cloud township, where their house was a building sixteen by twenty-four feet, one story and a half in height. They afterward remodeled their house and built a barn on the farm, and resided there until August, 1899, when they purchased a residence in Malvern, and are now living there in retirement.
        Mr. Angus gives his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party, and is in hearty sympathy with its policy. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, for the spirit of liberty is strong within the Scotch people, and that candidate stood for the principles of liberty as did no other presidential candidate. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Angus are Baptists, having held membership in that denomination for thirty years. They are people of high respectability, enjoying a warm regard of many friends, and as representative citizens of Mills county they well deserve mention in this volume.

ANTHONY, JAMES M.
        James M. Anthony who is carrying on agricultural pursuits in Mills county, was born in Missouri fifty-one years ago, his birth having occurred in Cedar county, that state. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Anthony, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Mills county, Iowa, about the middle of the nineteenth century. Here he spent his remaining days and was identified with the early development of the county. The paternal great-grandfather was one of the heros of the Revolutionary war, and earnestly fought in defense of the nation.
        Jacob Anthony, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, whence he removed to Cedar county, Missouri, coming to the Hawkeye state when the subject of this review was only one year old. Here he pre-empted land and began the development of the farm upon which our subject has since resided. The father carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his life and died at the age of forty-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan Land, and she, too, was a native of the Buckeye state. When the Anthony family was established in Mills county the Mormons were very numerous here, having camped on the land which is now within the borders of our subject's farm. Soon afterward, however, the followers of Brigham Young left for Salt Lake City. In the Anthony family were four sons: J. W., a resident of Iowa; M. N., Anthony, living in Randolph, Iowa; and J. S., who makes his home in Glenwood. There were two brothers, Jonathan N. and William A., who were killed in the Civil war while aiding in the defense of the Union, both being twenty years of age at the time of their death. Another brother, J. W. Anthony, is now blind as the result of injuries sustained in battle while fighting for his country. This was certainly a great sacrifice for one family to make.
        James M. Anthony, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the wild western frontier and early became familiar with all the hardships and trials that fall to the lot of the pioneer. He improved such educational advantages as the common schools of the day afforded and worked in the field through the summer months, following the plow, planting the grain and harvesting the crops, thus gaining that practical experience which has made him a successful farmer.
        Mr. Anthony was married to Miss Amelia Schade, a daughter of Conrad Shade. She was born in Germany and is a representative of a fine old German family, well known and highly respected in Mills county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anthony have been born four children, namely: Carrie, Mabel, Charles M. and Clifford. Mr. Anthony owns a beautiful farm of one hundred and forty-two acres and gives his entire attention to the cultivation of his land and to fancy dairying, both branches of his business yielding to him good success. This farm is pleasantly located three miles southeast of Glenwood, the county seat of Mills county. In politics he is a staunch Republican, who has given an unwavering support to the principles of the party since casting his first presidential vote for Ulysses S. Grant in 1864. He was a trustee of Center township for nine years and for five years has been the township clerk, discharging his duties with marked fidelity and ability. He was census enumerator of the twelfth census for Center township. All who know him respect him for in every relation of life he is true and faithful and in Mills county he has many warm friends.

copyright © 1998-2007 Cay Merryman