Biographical History of Page County, Iowa, Lewis & Dunbar Publishers, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, 1890

[transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net ]

HENRY C. BINNS, one of the largest land-holders in Fremont Township, is one of the early settlers of Page County. Samuel Binns, his grandfather, was an Englishman from Yorkshire. His son, Jonathan Binns, was the real founder of the family in America, emigrating before his father when he was a yet young man twenty-four years of age. He located at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in various occupations. He married Hannah Morris, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Lewis) Morris, of Washington County, Pennsylvania. The Morris family were of Welsh descent and settled in Pennsylvania long before the Revolutionary war. All the brothers of Isaac Morris were officers in that struggle for liberty, and they also participated in the Indian wars and the war of 1812. The Lewis family originally settled in Virginia and belonged to the Society of Friends or Quakers. Benjamin West, the celebrated portrait painter, was connected with this family. Isaac Morris was a substantial farmer in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and lived to the advanced age of eighty years. Jonathan Binns and wife reared a family of eleven children: Henry C., Isaac N., Robert, Elizabeth, Rebecca, George, Charles, Mary and Margaret. In early times the parents were Friends but afterward united with the Baptist Church. In 1855 Mr. Binns removed to Iowa, settling in Montgomery County, and finally removing to Page County, he was a man who made and spent a considerable amount of money. He was active, energetic and successful in business.
Henry C. Binns, the subject of this notice, was born in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and during his infancy was taken by his parents to Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He obtained a good education in the common schools, and began life as a clerk in a store at Brownsville. When he was seventeen years old he secured employment as clerk on a steamboat, and for several years he was on the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, which position he gave up in 1861 on account of ill health and took up a farm in Wapello County, where he regained his former strength; he returned to the river and in 1854 again abandoned it to come to Iowa; he settled the second time in Page County on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres. There were then but two families in the township, that of Aaron Stafford and a man by the name of Martindale. The following year Mr. Binns' father, brothers and sisters came to Iowa, and they all lived in a log house which occupied the site of the more modern residence.
Mr. Binns was married in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Robert Davis, one of the pioneers of Montgomery County, Iowa. Three children have been born of this union: Hester, William and Charles. The mother died in 1868, and in 1871 Mr. Binns was married to Miss Mariette Weidman, daughter of Philip Weidman.
In his political opinion Mr. Binn is a Republican. In 1856, during the Fremont campaign, he and his father and three brothers, were the only men in Fremont and Pierce Townships who voted for John C. Fremont for President. The family were stanch abolitionists. Jonathan Binns had assisted the slaves to escape, to Canada when he lived in Pennsylvania, and took an active interest in the cause of freedom. He had the honor of naming Fremont Township, which ranks among the best in the county.

Henry C. Binns, our worthy subject, has been a prosperous farmer, and by industry and wise management has added to his original homestead until he owns 420 acres in Page County; he owns about 440 acres in Montgomery County, Iowa, and both farms are under good cultivation. He has never accepted any political office, preferring to lead a private life. For twenty years he has served as school director, and has lent a helping hand to the cause of education wherever opportunity has presented itself. He is well informed on the leading questions of the day, and is highly esteemed in the community where he has so long resided.

CHARLES A. JOHNSON.—In the subject of this sketch we have another example of the superior benefits and privilege of a free government, and also of the success which usually attends a determined will, an honest purpose, and industrious habits. Mr. Johnson is one of the prominent farmers in the county. He was born in Smoland, Sweden, June 22, 1834, and is a son of Jonas Neilson. Mr. Neilson was a farmer by occupation, and the father of ten children. He died in 1868, at the age of sixty eight years. He was a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church and took an active interest in religion.
Charles A. Johnson, son of the above, emigrated to America in 1852, at the age of eighteen years. He landed at New York, and came to Andover, Henry County, Illinois, where he hired out at farm labor. He was united in marriage to Hannah S. Lundberg, February 6, 1858, and to them were born nine children, eight of whom are living: Edna, August, Albert, Hilda, deceased, Lizzie, Eddie, Emma, Joseph and Anna. By industry and economy Mr. Johnson saved enough money to buy a farm of 120 acres, and he lived in Henry County until 1871, when he came to Page County, Iowa. He has prospered since coming to America beyond many native born citizens who have had much less with which to contend than a man pf foreign birth, in a strange land in the midst of a strange tongue. He has raised a large family of children and has accumulated a handsome property. He has been very liberal in assisting his own countrymen in America, and has made generous donations to the Swedish Orphans' Home at Stanton, Iowa. He has assisted in building and maintaining four churches. He has served his township as trustee for nine years and as county Supervisor six years; he has taken an active interest in the public schools and has been school director fifteen years. He and his wife are worthy members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which he is also a trustee. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.
Whatever success Mr. Johnson has achieved in life has been through his own efforts. He enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community and is an honor to his countrymen and his family. His daughter Edna married Lemuel Hugner, a farmer in Illinois, and manager of the Orphans' Home in Henry County; they have three children. August married Ida Peters, and they are the parents of two children; their home is in Nebraska.

ADEN F. LARGE, M. D., Braddyville, Iowa, is one of the prominent physicians of Page County, where he has been engaged in a successful practice for eight years. His great-grandfather, Ebenezer Large, was a native of New Jersey, and he married Annie Freeman. Their son, John Large, was also a native of New Jersey, and he married Elizabeth Fletcher, a native of Ireland; to them were born nine children, one of whom was William Large, the father of Dr. Large, the subject of this notice. He first saw the light of day at Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and was a brick and stone [page 844] mason by trade. He married Levina Hankins, and they were the parents of seven children: Aden F., Mary E., Sarah A., John W., Missouri, deceased; Stephen D., and Alma J. The father of Mrs. William Large was David Hankins, a native of Virginia, and his wife was Jane Clevenger; they were the parents of eleven children, all of whom lived to maturity. In 1856 William Large removed to Taylor County, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile trade; be afterward purchased a farm in Taylor County and has been uniformly successful in all his business under­takings; he now owns 1,400 acres of land in Taylor County, Iowa, and Worth County, Missouri. He has all his life been a hard­working man; he has avoided debt and has kept his honor unspotted; he furnishes an example of what a man can accomplish who relies upon his own efforts and observes the laws of industry, economy, and integrity.
Dr. Aden F. Large, the son of William Large, began the study of pharmacy in the drug store of Dr. King at Bedford, Iowa; he then attended the Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, and was graduated from that institution. He then entered the Iowa City School of Pharmacy, where he completed the course of study; he was next graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, in the winter of 1883-'84. During all these years of study he had been in practice, gaining practical experience in the art of healing. In 1881-'82-'83 he practiced at Shambaugh, Iowa, meeting with success; he also followed his profession in Worth County, Missouri, and at Platteville, Iowa. He attended lectures one year beyond the usual course. In 1884 he located at Braddyville, Iowa, and his extensive practice is the best evidence of his popularity. Demands for his services are not confined to one small neighborhood, but extend over a wide scope of country. He is recognized as one of the most skillful physicians and surgeons, and a practical pharmacist and druggist. He holds certificates of pharmacy from three different States, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. He also holds certificates of courses of special study, which he has taken in addition to the regular course. He is a man who keeps up with the times in reading and is well versed in the discoveries of the medical world and the opinions of the most learned physicians and surgeons of the day. His library contains the latest and best works of the ablest authors on medical subjects.
Dr. Large is a conscientious physician, and takes a genuine delight in his profession. By hard labor he has endeavored to place himself among those physicians who thoroughly understand the science of medicine. He has met with decided success in his profession, not only from a medical standpoint, but also from a financial one. Aside from his high reputation as a physician he commands an extensive influence as a citizen. He is a worthy member of the Masonic order.

   
JOSEPH A. REID, one of the prominent early settlers of Amity Township, is of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having emigrated from Scotland to Ireland during the time of Cromwell. James Reid, his grandfather, married in Ireland, and within three months, in 1790, he set sail for America; he first settled in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and thence removed to Kentucky, where he was among the pioneers; he afterward went to Ohio, and in 1809 he settled in Greene County, Ohio. There he spent the remainder of his days engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and was a man of strong [page 845] principles and a decided, energetic character. He was the father of six sons: John, Robert, William, Thomas, Joseph and James, all of whom lived to rear families. Robert was the father of Whitelaw Reid, editor of the New York Tribune, and one of the most eminent of newspaper men of the present age. John Reid, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, but during his infancy was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he grew to manhood; he received a common-school education and was well versed in the three R's. He married Sallie Sterrett, and to them were born eleven children, of whom Joseph A. is the fourth. After his marriage John Reid settled in Greene County, Ohio, and spent the rest of his life in farming. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a man of most excellent habits, and gave his children good moral training. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as were also his wife and children. He died at the age of eighty-two years on the old homstead in 1870; his widow survived him six years.
Joseph A. Reid was born May 1, 1824, in Greene County, Ohio, about six miles from Xenia. April 5,1851, he was united in marriage to Margaret J. Long, a daughter of James and Elsie (Boggs) Long. The Longs were au old family from Virginia, who settled in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs Reid were born seven children: James H., who married Sadie Lorimer; John F., who married Margaret McCullough; Julia E., wife of Archie Anderson; Edward H., who married Mamie Maiden; Anna L., wife of L. H. Goudy; Jane W. and William L.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Reid removed to Muncie, Indiana, and was engaged in the lumber business there for six years. In 1857 he came to Iowa and settled near Amity College, on land which he had bought of the college.   His children, the daughters as well as the sons, have been educated at Amity College. He has taken an active interest in educational matters, and has been a trustee of Amity College for twenty-eight years, and is now president of the board. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow-townsmen. He has served as County supervisor and also as township trustee. In his business he has been prosperous and now owns 240 acres of tine farming land. He is alive to all the political questions of the day, and formerly was a Republican. He was a strong Abolitionist and Union man during the war, and voted for Horace Greeley; he is now in favor of the third party, as he is a stanch Prohibitionist, believing the temperance question the most vital of the day. Mr. Reid is a clear thinker, an interesting conversationist, and a man of pure principles and high purpose. His views are the result of a life of long and varied experience; his record is of the best, and his Character and reputation are unspotted.

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CORYDON B. McCLELLAND is numbered among the progressive citizens of the county of Page. In order to learn something of his ancestry we will go back to his great-grandfather, a native of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent. He emigrated to this country at a very early day and settled in Wetsmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His son, William McClelland, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation; he married Martha Sharp and they had eight children born to them. Robert McClelland, their son, and the father of the subject of this notice, was born on the old homestead in 1815, and received a very good common-school ed- [page 847]ucation. He married Nellie Kirkpatrick, a daughter of Thomas Kirkpatrick, of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Eleven children were born of this union, of whom Corydon B. is the oldest. After his marriage Robert McClelland engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. In 1876 he removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and settled on a farm, where he died in 1885; he was a man of high principle and good habits, and deserved the esteem and respect which he constantly received. He was prominently identified with the public interests of his county, and held many public offices.   He died at the age of seventy years.
Corydon B. McClelland was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1837. He received an academic education and began life as a school-teacher in Mercer County, Pennsylvania; he afterward followed his profession in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Iowa. May 24, 1863, he was united in marriage with Jane S. McCartney, a daughter of William and Grace (Scott) McCartney. The McCartneys descended from Alexander McCartney, who came from the Highlands of Scotland to the Lowlands, and brought with him his sister Janet, about five generations from Mrs. McClelland, who was born in Scotland; her parents emigrated from Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the summer of 1839, and after landing settled in Onio.
Mr. and Mrs. McClelland are the parents of five children: Robert A., Herbert L., Hattie J., who died in infancy; Annie G. and Adaline E. Mr. McClelland was engaged in farming in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and in 1869 he removed to Missouri and settled on a farm in Vernon County; the land was wild and unimproved, and he and his family encountered all the hardships of pioneer life. At the end of seven years he came to Page County, Iowa, and purchased a farm west of Clarinda, on which he lived five years; he then came to College Springs, in order to give his children the advantages offered by the college. Robert A. was graduated in the scientific course in 1887, and Herbert and Annie are juniors in the classical course. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. McClelland is trustee, class - leader and steward; he has also been Sabbath-school superintendent for many years. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the college since his residence here, and is elected for two years to come. He was recently elected clerk of his township. He has been prosperous in business and has been able to give his children excellent educational advantages. The family is descened [sic] from a long line of American pioneers and soldiers, and desevedly stands high in the community in which they reside.

SILAS WHITE, a resident of Douglas Township, is entitled to a space in this record of the leading citizens of Page County, and will next claim our attention. His ancestors have an honorable right to be called American citizens, as they fought for American principles and American institutions in every war from the Revolution to the Rebellion. John White, the grandfather of Silas White, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country when a young man of twenty years, just in time to engage in the war of the Revolution; he served all through that memorable struggle for liberty.
William White, the maternal grandfather, also served through that war. The father and two brothers of Silas White served in the war of 1812, one of them being a Captain. Three of his brothers, Shem, Paul, and Charles, were soldiers in the Rebellion, serving all through that conflict, and receiving honorable discharges. This is a military record of which a family may well be proud, as no nobler ancestors can be found in the history of any nation.
After the Revolution John White, the grandfather of Silas, settled on a farm near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, aud there he was married and reared a family of nine children: Thomas, John, William, Shortes, James, Betsey, Mary, Nancy, and Sally. The father was a strict Presbyterian and an elder in the church for many years. He died at the age of eighty years. He was a man widely known among the early settlers as a man of great integrity of character.[page 850]

William White, son of John White, was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was trained to the occupation of a farmer. After his service in the war of 1812 he was united in marriage to Polly White, his cousin and the daughter of William White. To them were born thirteen children: Daniel, Foster, Ruth, Jane, Shem, Silas, Paul, Theodore, Tabitha, Andrew, Jacob, Martha, and Charles. They all lived to maturity, and all but two were married and reared families. This is indeed a remarkable record. After his marriage Mr. White settled on a farm in Indiana County, Pennsylvania; he had acquired a good education and taught school; he was also a surveyor; he was especially well read in history, and was a very intelligent man. In his early life he was a Presbyterian, but in later years he became a Baptist. Politically he was a Whig, and later was an Abolitionist, raising his voice and registering his vote against the crime of slavery. He was known as a very just and honorable man, and was possessed of true dignity of character. He died at the age of seventy-three years, and his memory is cherished with affectionate regard by all his descendants.
Silas White, our worthy subject, the son of William and Polly (White) White, was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, in 1823. The first schools he attended were taught by his father; his yonth was spent on a farm, and he was trained in the details of agriculture. At the age of twenty-one years he removed to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and embarked in the lumber business; this was at that time a very profitable enterprise, as he often made $10 per day. He purchased 800 acres of land in Clearfield County and cut off the timber, converting it into lumber; he continued in this business twelve years, and was very prosperous. He was united in marriage to Catherine Miller, the daughter of John and --------       McClaren) Miller. Mr. Miller was an Irish soldier under the English government, and was drowned when his daughter Catherine was a girl seventeen years of age. After the death of her husband Mrs. Miller removed with her family of seven children from Canada to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. White have been born six children, all of whom have lived to be married and rear families. Their names are Mary, Edmond, Thomas F., A. Judson, Carrie E. and Elizabeth.
In 1859 Mr. White removed to Iowa and settled in Page County on a farm in Douglas Township. He now owns 120 acres of fine farming land clear of any incumbrance; an idea of the quality of the soil may be gained from the fact that eighty-two bushels of corn to the acre have been raised on it. The farm was granted to Mr. White's father by the Government on a land-warrant for his services in the war of 1812; this was finally deeded to Mr. White, and he has converted the wild prairie into a farm of exceeding richness and fertility. For seventeen years he has been engaged in a suit with the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, the company claiming that his farm comes within the boundary of their grant; but he has successfully combatted the suit in its various forms for years, and finally has been victorious, his claim being that when the grant was made to the railroad company, he was already in possession of it by virtue of the warrant issued to his father for his services in the war of 1812. His determination in the defense of his rights is to be admired, and all just and reasonable men rejoice in his success.
Mr. White was converted to the Baptist faith when seventeen years of age and became a member of the church at the age of twenty-two.   In 1859 he was licensed to preach the [page 851] Gospel; he was one of the founders and incorporators of the First Baptist Church at Red Oak, Iowa, and assisted largely with his means in its building; he became one of the trustees and served in that capacity a number of years; he also preached there frequently and taught in the Sabbath-school, although he lived twelve miles distant from the church. After 1872 he began preaching in his own district, holding meetings in the school-house. He has labored faithfully and earnestly in the cause of his Master; he was ordained a minister at Red Oak in 1862. He has diligently endeavored to bring up his children in the principles of right and truth, and to instil into their minds the truths of the Christian religion. He has served as Justice of the Peace for four years, and has acceptably filled many other township offices. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a Union League man during the war. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and is a genuine patriot in his devotion to his country. He is in comfortable circumstances, and his family are all well settled; they may well take pride in their father's example, and in having descended from a long line of American pioneers and soldiers, and this noble record should be preserved for the many generations to come.

FREDRIC NELSON, one of the most substantial and progressive citizens of Amity Township, first saw the light of day amid the pine-clad hills of Sweden. He is a son of Neils Peterson, and after the Swedish system the son was named Fredric Neilson, meaning Fredric, the son of Neils. In order to Anglicize the name the spelling was changed to Nelson. Neils Peterson was a prosperous farmer and owned his land.   In Sweden the farms are all named and the people are designated as from such a farm; the name of the Peterson farm was " Nos; " the farm was obtained through his marriage, the land having been in the possession of his wife's family for generations. He married Catherine Anderson, and to them were born ten children: Peter, Neils, Andrew, Fredrick, Lars, Carl, John, Oliver, Maria and Caroline. Mr. Peterson passed his life on his farm, living to the advanced age of ninety years; his wife lived to be eighty-five years old. They lived in comfort and plenty, and were a happy, contented family. A greater number of the Peterson family emigrated to America and located in the Western States. Neils Peterson was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church.
Fredric Nelson was born in 1835, and at the age of eighteen years he set sail for America, " the land of the free and the home of the brave." Having an energetic temperament and a considerable amount of ambition he was desirous of trying his fortune in anew country. He landed in New York city in 1853 and proceeded directly to Chicago, where he engaged as a laborer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; he spent the winter of 1853-'54 in this way, and then tried farming in Illinois until 1856. He carefully saved his earnings and when he had accumulated between $350 and $400, he came to College Springs, Iowa, and invested in stock in Amity College, being one of the original stockholders; he received land from the college and also pre-empted land in Lincoln Township. He worked at various occupations and saved a sum sufficient to enable him to attend Amity College three years.
In 1861 Mr. Nelson was married to Julia N. Johnson, a daughter of James P. and Margaret (Rouse) Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a native of the State of New York. The [page 852] Ross family lived in New York State for many generations, and one of them loaned money to the Continental Government; they were true patriots and loyal citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of two children: Emma W. and Hattie, who died at the age of four years and eight months. Mr. Nelson settled on his present farm in 1861, and now owns 240 acres of as fine land as lies in Page County; he has made many valuable improvements and has a large orchard. He is a member of the board of trustees of Amity College, and is also a trustee of the Congregational Church, of which he and his wife are members. He has also represented the people of his township in the various local offices. He has been agent for the American Emigration Society, and while acting in that capacity he crossed the ocean ten times; he was instrumental in bringing many of his countrymen to this country, where they have secured homes for themselves and have led happy, prosperous lives. On one of these trips Mrs. Nelson accompanied her husband and spent three years in her native land; there Emma W. was born.
Mr. Nelson is a man who has shown great perseverance and strength of character. He began life without a dollar and is a self-made man in every sense of the world. He has been very industrious and frugal, and has understood how to save as well as to make money; being of a strong constitution he has frequently worked extra hours for extra pay. While acting as agent for the Emigration Society he advertised the resources and advantages of America with such success that thousands of his countrymen became interested, and the King of Sweden, fearing the loss of many good subjects, issued a proclamation to induce them to remain. But many who wished to better their condition entrusted their prospects and money to Mr. Nelson with the greatest confidence, so that many dollars were held by him for others. He opened an office in Chicago, where he lived three years; he also acted as the Scandinavian agent for the Inman Steamship Line. He then owned 560 acres of land in Amity Township, and was in very prosperous circumstances; his credit stood high both in Europe and America, and this was taken advantage of by dishonest men, and a large amount of money belonging to him and others who had entrusted their means to him, was stolen. Although Mr. Nelson was not legally responsible he went to work and replaced every dollar to the innocent sufferers. Through all these adverse circumstauces he has preserved his reputation unspotted, a legacy more precious than gold. He is now local agent for the Inman Line. He is entitled to great credit for his success in life and for the forti­tude with which he has met adversity.

WILLIAM W. ANDERSON is one of the thrifty, prosperous, young farmers of this county.   Simon Anderson, his grandfather, was a native of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent.   Jonathan Anderson, son of Simon and father of William W., was born in Oulpeper County,   Virginia, July 28, 1805.   When he was but five months old his parents removed to Ohio.   April 8,1830, he was united in marriage to Julia A. Gardner, daughter of George and Catherine (Dorsey) Gardner.   George Gardner was an old pioneer preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, residing many years  in Lickiug County, Ohio; he preached in all that part of Ohio in the days of its first settlement. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and in his young manhood, followed boating. The pioneer Methodist Episcopal preachers rode [page 853] a large circuit, or walked if too poor to ride, and preached the gospel to settlers in log cabins, or in the shade of the trees, " God's first temples." He continued preaching after he was an old man; he reared a large family and was in comfortable circumstances. He came to Iowa in 1876 with the Andersons, and sometimes preached in the pulpit. He died at the great age of ninety-nine years, lacking but a few weeks of being 100 years old. He was with his children iu Ohio at the time of his death. He was a remarkable man in many respects and was well known for his great piety. He was not afraid of death and had a firm belief in the truths of the Christian religion.
Jonathan and Julia A. (Gardner) Anderson had born to them nine children: Daniel, Catherine, Nancy, Maria, Sarah, Rachel, James, who died from exposure during the late civil war; Ellen and William. The father was a prosperous farmer in Ohio, and owned the land on which he resided until 1866; he then came to Iowa and located in Henry County, and in 1875 he removed to Page County. He had bought a farm in Henry County, and when he came to Page County he purchased 222 acres of land. He died July 24, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He and his good wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a man of great industry and integrity of character, and commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Anderson was born May 18, 1811, and died November 3,1881.
William W. Anderson, the subject of this notice, was born November 17, 1852, in Licking County, Ohio, and came with his parents to Iowa at the age of twelve years. He was brought up to the occupation of a farmer. He married Merab Harlan, a daughter of William and Emma (Johnson) Harlan, and six children were born of this union: Eldia S., Florence, Verner, Leroy, Clarence and Myrtle. After his marriage Mr. Anderson settled on the homestead, of which he now owns 122 acres. He is a young farmer of energetic and industrious habits, and has inherited his father's superior business qualifications. Mrs. Anderson's father, William Harlan, was born in Indiana, and is a son of John Harlan, a native of South Carolina. He and his wife had four children bom to them: Nancy, Alice, Merab and John K. Mr. Harlan was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, a member of the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His death was caused by disease contracted in the service.

HENRY LAUB is one of the prominent land-owners and farmers of Buchanan Township. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a son of Philip Laub, who was a gardener by occupation; he also learned the art of printing in the city of Stuttgart and became very skillful, commanding high wages. He continued in the printing business eighteen years and was one of the principal men in a large establishment where the only newspaper in a wide community was printed. He owned land and town property and was considered well off. He married Rosina Heller, and three children were born of the union: Ernest, Gustavus and Henry. The father died at the age of forty-three years. He was a member of the Christian Church and also belonged to a benevolent secret society among the printers, from which his wife drew a pension for many years; she lived to be nearly seventy years old.
Henry Laub, son of Philip and Rosina Laub, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1834. He received a common-school education, and at the age of fourteen years he emigrated with his brother, Gustavus, to Ohio; and for six years was engaged at work in the vineyards near Cincinnati. In 1854 he came to Bureau County, Illinois, but remained there only four months; he then came to Page County, Iowa, and entered 120 acres of Government land, which is his present home­stead.
In 1860 Mr. Laub was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Shearer, daughter of Joel and Mary (Farer) Shearer, natives of North Carolina and early settlers in Page County. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laub, one of whom died in infancy: Mary A., wife of Robert Donison; Rosina, wife of Henry Carr; Margaret L., wife of William Nixon; William E., Tabitha J., Charles H., Effie L., George L., Thomas E., Ira D., Ivy P. and Sarah M., twins.
In 1864 Mr. Laub entered Company K, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, Decatur, Alabama, and several skirmishes. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church while his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. He is an ardent Republican, but believes in free trade.   He has taken an act-[page 855] ive interest in educational affairs and has held the office of school director. He has been industrious and thrifty, and by wise management has accumulated a competence. He owns 500 acres of as fine farming land as can be found in Page County, well improved. He has brought up a large family of children and has given them a liberal education. He is well worthy of the esteem in which he is held by the entire community.

JOSIAH THOMPSON, one of the leading farmers of the county, is a son of Larkin Thompson, who was one of the oldest settlers of Page County, having settled here in 1844. Larkin Thompson was born in Ray County, Tennessee, April 11, 1809, and is one of a family of nine children. One of his brothers was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died in the service. He was married in Tennessee, January 11, 1830, and three children were born of this union: Mary C, Emeline E. and Josiah. The father was a farmer by occupation; he removed with his family to Rushville, Illinois, and thence to Missouri, settling in Buchanan County, where he remained several years. He then came to Iowa in 1844, and settled in East River Township, Page County, about four miles southeast of Clarinda. In 1846 he moved to Buchanan Township and settled on the land now owned by his grandson, F. M. Thompson; he died there June 3, 1879. He was a successful farmer and was among the most highly respected of the old pioneers. Politically he adhered to the principles of the Democratic party.
Josiah Thompson, the subject of this notice, was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, February 12, 1839. He obtained his education in the pioneer log school-house and therefore enjoyed rather limited advantages. His parents removed to Buchanan Township when he was but five years old, and he has passed his life since that time in Page County. His father being a farmer he was naturally trained to the same occupation. He was united in marriage to Charlotte M. Bridgman, and four children have blessed this union: Larkin F., Artemisia, Frank M. and John. After his marriage Mr. Thompson settled on his present farm, where he has led an industrious and energetic life; he has added to his first investment until he now owns 316 acres of choice land in an excellent state of cultivation. In political opinion he is a stanch Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office. He is an honorable, law-abiding citizen whose word is as good as his bond.

SILAS INGRAM, the subject of this biographical notice, is a resident of section 28, Nodaway Township. It was in the year 1854 that he came to Page County, landing in the month of October. He was born in Scott County, Virginia, August 11, 1814, and is now seventy-five years old, past the "three score and ten" allotted to man. He is a son of Silas and Sarah (Spear) Ingram. The father was born in Scott County, Virginia, and the mother was a native of North Carolina.
Silas, Jr., spent his early youth on a farm, and at the age of fourteen years he went to learn the tanner's trade, which he followed until he came to Iowa. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Tennessee. He was married in Campbell County, Tennessee, in 1843, to Miss Sarah Hampton, who was born in Tennessee in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Ingram resided there until 1854, when in company with five other families they emi- [page 856] grated to Page County, Iowa. Some of the company had horses and others had oxen, and it was a long and tedious trip; they crossed the Ohio river at Louisville, Kentucky, and went via Terre Haute, Indiana, across the great prairie State of Illinois to Warsaw, below Keokuk, Iowa; thence they followed the Mormon trail, fording the streams and camping by the wayside at night. Upon their arrival in Page County there were but a few log cabins to welcome them. Mr. Ingram settled a quarter of a mile south of his present place, built a log cabin, and set about making a home. He furnished his family with meat by killing wild game. Thinking he might better his condition he removed to Nodaway County, Missouri, but after one year he returned to his pesent location. His farm consists of eighty acres of land, much of which he has cleared and converted into excellent farm land.
Mr. and Mrs. Ingram have six children living: Laban S., Mahala, wife of Ralph Delop; Frank David, William, Sarah, wife of David McCuen and Eva M,
Politically our subject is a stanch Republican. He has served acceptably as a member of the school board. He was reared a Methodist and believes in the teachings and government of that church. Notwithstanding his advanced years he is quite rugged and shows the temperate life he has lived. He is, indeed, a genuine pioneer, and claims our respect and admiration. He has reared a family, an ornament to any community.

H. H. BROCK MAN, one of the ambitious young farmers of Page County, is an adopted citizen of America, his birthplace being Oldenberg, Germany, and the time of his birth May 31, 1864. His parents, John Henry and Catherine (Drace) Brockman were also natives of the " Fatherland," but emigrated to America and settled in Mason County, Illinois, when H. H. was an infant. There were only two children who lived to maturity, our subject and Mrs. Lizzie D. McCabe, who still lives in Mason County on the old farm. The father died in October, 1873, and the mother passed away in October, 1887.
Mr. Brockman was reared to farm life and obtained his education in the common schools of Mason County, Illinois. He remained there until the spring of 1890, when he came to Page County for the purpose of investing in land and making a home for himself. He bought a valuable farm in Harlan Township, containing 118 acres; it was improved by Robert McElhose, and is worth $50 per acre. The buildings are all of a most substantial character and are well arranged: the orchard, one of the most desirable features of a western farm, is surrounded by two rows of evergreen trees, which make a perfect wind-break, protecting the trees from the strong winds of the winter. The improvements have been made at a cost of $2,500, and there is little to be desired in addition to all the conveniences for modern farming. In this free land every citizen, whether native or adopted, must be guided more or less by the political  creed of one of the [page 858] parties, and Mr. Brockman is identified with the Democrats. In his religious faith he is a Lutheran. He is in the prime of yonng, vigorous manhood, is energetic and industrious, and we anticipate for him a successful career in his newly found home where true merit is ever appreciated.

ELIZABETH J. HILES, one of the most practical and energetic women in Page County, is the widow of Peter Hiles, a native of Perry County, Ohio. His father, Henry Hiles, was born in the old Keystone State, and was afterward a farmer in Perry County, Ohio. He married Alice Ketchman, and to them were born twelve children. Henry Hiles removed to Nodaway County, Missouri, before the Rebellion, and he died at Braddyville, Iowa, in July, 1885, over one hundred years of age. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  His widow still lives in Braddyville, with one of her daughters.
Peter Hiles, son of Henry Hiles, and husband of the subject of this notice, was born in Perry County, Ohio, and was trained to the occupation of a farmer. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Peterson, a daughter of Michael and Frances (Tipton) Peterson. Of this union eight children were born, all of whom lived to maturity: Eliza F., Mary E., Martha J., William T., Henry A., John M., Ida A. and Charles E. After his marriage Mr. Hiles lived on a farm in Hocking County, Ohio, for five years; he then removed to Fulton County, Illinois, and resided there one year, at the end of which time he came to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased a farm, on which he lived twelve years; he gave special attention to the business of buying farms, and improving them for sale. We next find him settled on a farm in Nodaway County, Missouri, where he made his home for fourteen years; he then came to Page County and lived three years near Morseman, and removed thence to Kansas, where he passed the remainder of his days. When he was taken ill in Kansas, he was on a claim which he had taken up; his wife went to him at once, and not only nursed him through six long weary months of pain and suffering, but continued the cultivation of the land and earned the means of their support. Mr. Hiles had ever been a man of industrious habits and labored earnestly to make a home tor his family. He was a consistent member of the Free Methodist Church, and was honored by all who knew him. Mrs. Hiles is a woman of excellent business qualifications; she has managed her property with good results and has brought up her family to habits of industry and thrift. She has been very self-sacrificing, and has been brave and courageous in meeting and overcoming her troubles.

Michael Peterson, father of Mrs. Hiles, was a native of Germany, and came with his father, Adam Peterson, to America when a small boy. He was reared on a farm in Franklin County, Ohio, and married Frances Tipton, a daughter of Thomas. Tipton, of English ancestry. They were the parents of five children. Mr. Tipton died when Mrs. Hiles was but eight years old; the mother is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years; she was married again, to John C. Taylor, of Keokuk County, Iowa.
Mary E. Hiles, deceased, married David Watkins; Eliza T. is the wife of Absalom Burch; Martha J. is the wife of Cyrus Hosterer; William T. married Nannie Nichols; John married Indiana Cole; Henry A. married Laura Cole; Ida R. is the wife of Louis Carver.

ANTON E. SEABLOM, farmer near Essex, was born in Sweden, September 29, 1859, on the old home farm called " Gnottnehult" in Ostergotland. His father, John P. Seablom, was also born on this farm, which has been in the family for generations; it consists of a fine tract of land, on which there are many lakes well-stocked with fish. Mr. Seablom married Evelyn Israelson, and the most of their children were born on this farm; they are named as follows: Charles J., Charlotte H., Peter A., Annie U., Aaron S., Anton E., David J., Sadie M. and Alice M. In 1866 the father emigrated to America with his family and settled in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, where he lived seven years; at the end of that period he came to Page County and settled in Tarkio Township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Seablom are worthy members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Seablom has served as deacon. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
Anton E. Seablom was but six years of age when his parents emigrated to America. He attended the common schools of this country, and remained at home, assisting his father in the cultivation of his farm and the support of the family, until he had attained his majority. At the age of twenty-three years he went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Red Oak, and soon became fireman of a locomotive, which position he held for one year. In 1883 he determined to return to agricultural pursuits, and purchased 120 acres in Pierce Township, Page County, which he improved and sold, and in 1887 he bought his present farm, which consists of 160 acres.
Mr. Seablom was united in marriage, September 28,1887, to Miss Josephine A. Lindburg, daughter of John and Charlotte (Wallin) Lindburg. Mr. Lindurg is a farmer in Douglas Township, Page County, and emigrated from Sweden to America in 1866; he settled first in Illinois, and then came to Page County in 1871. His family consists of five children: Elizabeth, Josephine, Mary, Alexander and Oscar. He is a prosperous farmer, owning 320 acres of choice land well improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Anton E. Seablom have had born to them one child, Herbert J. The parents are both members of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Our subject is a man of excellent character and good habits. He is blessed with a robust constitution, and in this land of liberty and equality, he has an opportunity of realizing a reward for his labors and of meeting with appreciation of his abilities.
It is a matter of comment among intelligent American citizens that the young men of Scandinavia who come to this country have[page 861] almost without exception succeeded, not only in making a home, but in acquiring property, and that very rapidly. This is accounted for in the fact that the youth of Scandinavia receive early training in habits of industry and economy, and are taught to honor labor and despise the false pride and lack of principle which seek to accumulate wealth without effort.

JAMES B. NEWMAN, an intelligent agriculturist of Washington Township, resides on section 14, where he owns a fine farm of 240 acres. He is a native of the " Buckeye" State, born in Madison County, July 14, 1822. He is a son of Isaac Newman, and a grandson of George Newman, a native of Virginia of English descent; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a pioneer settler in Ohio, where he located in 1833. Isaac Newman was reared in Ohio and there married Margaret Slaughter, a native of Maryland and a daughter of George and Priscilla (White) Slaughter, descendants of German and Irish ancestors. Eight children were born of this union, of whom James B. is the fourth. The parents removed to Illinois in 1852 and settled in Knox County, where they passed the remainder of their days.
James B. was reared to the occupation of a farmer; he received his education in the common schools of Mechanicsville, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in teaching. He was united in marriage, November 26, 1856, in Knox County, Illinois, to Miss Abbie H. Hoag, a daughter of James and Levina (Lee) Hoag. Mrs. Newman was born, reared, and educated in Otsego County, New York, and also resided in Duchess County, New York. Her parents came to Knox County, Illinois, in 1846. Mr. Newman was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Knox County, Illinois, until 1874, when he removed to Page County, Iowa. One year later he purchased his present farm, which was wild and unimproved; he has since devoted his energies to its development, and has established a most delightful home; there are 240 acres of land, and the improvements are all first-class; there are eight acres of grove and a fine orchard with an abundance of small fruits. The surroundings are all indicative of the prosperity and wise management of the owner.
Mr. and Mrs. Newman are the parents of five children: Gertrude, a successful teacher; Margaret, wife of J. A. Mawhinney; Joye, wife of S. W. Dewey; James S., and Jessie, who died at the age of four years. The parents are worthy members of the Baptist Church of Northboro, and are active in all religious and moral reforms of the day. Politically Mr. Newman is identified with the Republican party; he has represented the people of his township as assessor and as a member of the school board, discharging his duties with much judgment and to the satisfaction of all interested in the welfare of the community.
             

GEORGE E. MORRILL is the pioneer livestock and grain-dealer of Northboro, Iowa. The elevator, which has a capacity of 15,000 bushels, was built by G. J. Cole. The present firm of Howard & Morrill do an annual business of 100,000 bushels, and the past year they shipped seventy-five car-loads of stock. Mr. Morrill shipped the first car-load of lumber into Northboro, and shipped the first car-load of wheat from that point. He is an excellent judge of both grain and stock and has won [page 862] an enviable place in the business circles of Page County.   He is descended from good, old, New England stock, the earliest ancestors having settled in Massachusetts about 1620.   He was born in Dexter, Penobscot County, Maine, December 23, 1840, and is a son of Levi and Dorcas (Mason) Morrill. He passed his youth in his native State and at the age of sixteen years removed with his parents to Marshall County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood.   During the Rebellion he reponded to the call for help in the defense of this Nation, and enlisted August 27, 1862, in Company C, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.   The most noted battles in which he participated were Perryville and Chickamauga; he was with General Sherman on his immortal march to the sea, and returned through the Carolinas and on to Richmond, and thence to Washington, being present at the grand review.   He was honorably discharged June 6, 1865, as Corporal. He returned to Marshall County, Illinois, where he remained five years.  At the end of this time he removed to Page County, Iowa, and settled in Washington Township on wild land. By diligence and industry he succeeded in placing it under good cultivation, and has converted it into one of the best farms in the township; it consists of 160 acres and is situated on section 32.
Mr. Morrill was united in marriage in Marshall County, Illinois, in the fall of 1865, to Isabelle Thompson, and of this union three children have been born: Clara, Edwin S. and Shirley D. Mrs. Morrill was a popular teacher in the public schools before her marriage. In politics Mr. Morrill adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He has been township trustee, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the school board, discharging his duties with much good judgment. He is a member of Gettysburg Post, No. 241, G. A. R., at Northboro; he is a charter member of this post and is its present commander. He has always taken an active interest in religion and education, and has assisted in every public enterprise having for its object the advancement of the community. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is also a deacon of the same. He is a man of upright conduct and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

WILLIAM J. SPUNAUGLE, a well-known citizen of Tarkio Township, came to Page County in October, 1867: hence he is counted among the pioneers and is entitled to representation in this volume. He was born in Highland County, West Virginia, January 10, 1839. His parents, William and Jemimah (Waybright) Spunaugle, were also natives of Highland County, and reared a family of nine children. In 1856 they removed to Illinois. William J. remained under the parental roof until Lincoln's call for 300,000 men, when he became a member of Company C, which was afterward a part of a Missouri Regiment. He was first under fire at New Madrid and was also in the engagement at Island No. 10. He helped cut an eighteen-mile canal, and acted as a guard along the line of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and also assisted in repairing and building railroad lines. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and was honorably discharged August 18, 1864, after which he returned to Prairie City, Illinois. He resided there until 1867, when he came to Page County and purchased eighty acres of land; there were thirty acres broken and a small, log house stood on the place. He has added from time to time to his land until he now owns 200 acres of as fine land as lies in [page 863] Page County. In 1883 he erected a good residence at a cost of $1,200; it stands upon a natural building site in the midst of shade and ornamental trees. In 1888 a well planned barn was erected and all the surroundings indicate economy and wise management. Special attention is given to raising and feeding live-stock, in which Mr. Spunaugle has been very successful.
Our subject was married January 12,1864, to Miss Mary Gibson, a native of Indiana. By this union six children have been born: Alice J., wife of L. G. Griffey; Belle, Charles, Ada, wife of Roy Willburg; Eva and Ralph. The mother of these children died April 3, 1883. Mr. Spunaugle was married to his second wife, Anna M. Markle, May 7, 1885. She is a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Moore) McDonald, who came to this county in 1859.
Politically Mr. Spunaugle is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He has represented the people of his township in many local offices and has been an efficient officer. He is a man of frank and cordial manner, possessed of a goodly amount of intelligence, and has gained many friends since coming to Page County. It is not strange that a man of excellent habits, a true and loyal citizen, a kind neighbor, should enjoy the esteem and respect of all with whom he mingles.

HON. E. P. STONE, the present Mayor of Clarinda, has been a resident of the place since 1880. He is a native of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, February 10, 1837, and a son of W. H. H. Stone, a native of the " Buckeye " State, whose ancestors were early settlers in Virginia. The mother died when our subject was an infant, and he found a home with his maternal grandparents, with whom he remained until he was fourteen years old.   He was reared to agricultural pursuits and attended the common-schools.    In 1856 he went to southern Illinois, where he engaged in school teaching following that profession until the outbreak of the civil war when he entered the Union army, enlisting in Company D, Twenty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois.   He entered as a private but was at once elected Second Lieutenant.   He participated in many hard-fought battles, including Donelson, Corinth, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Helena, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely; he was also engaged in several skirmishes, and was on the famous Texas expedition.   At the battle of Shiloh, he was promoted to the position of Captain of his company and served in that capacity until the war closed.   He was mustered out September 16, 1865, at Houston, Texas, and at once returned to Illinois and engaged in the mercantile trade at New Haven. This he followed until 1873, when, he again took up agricultural pursuits, and in the spring of 1880 he came to Clarfnda and has since been engaged in business.   In 1884 he was elected Justice of the Peace and still holds that office.   In the autumn of 1888 he was elected Mayor of Clarinda and is the present incumbent.
Mr. Stone was married September 23 1866, to Miss Agnes I. Boydle, a native of Illinois.   By this union six children have been born: Arthur died at the age of eight years; Emma died when one year of age;
B------   died at the age of three years and eight months; Leon, Julian and Mabel are still living. Captain Stone and wife are acceptable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Grand Army Post and assisted in the organization [page 864] of the Sons of Veterans at Clarinda. He has served as senior and junior warden of the post and as commander of the camp of veterans. It should be stated in this connection that Mr. Stone's father removed to Illinois in 1840, and when the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Illinois Cavalry; he died March, 1862, from disease contracted in the service of his country. His death occured at Mound City, Iowa.
Captain Stone is a man quiet and unassuming of manner, a true and loyal citizen, and one whom all respect for his manly virtues.

ROBERT THOMPSON, a scientific and prosperous farmer of Douglas Township, on section 9, is one of the early and well-known settlers there, having been a resident there since 1865. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1823; and of the same State his father, also named Robert, was a native. His mother's name before marriage was Nancy Gravatt. She was a native of New Jersey.   In 1855 Mr. Thompson came to Jackson County, Iowa, lived there nine years, and then for a time in Jasper County, and finally he came to Page County and purchased 160 acres of improved land from Hiram Ward, who had entered the same from the Government; and Mr. Thompson has further improved the place until it is now one of the best farms in the neighborhood. His residence, built in 1878, cost $1,200. The premises are ornamented with shade-trees and a beautiful grove.
Mr. Thompson was married in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1848, to Miss Harriet Wallace, a native of that State, who has since died, November 16,1881, a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a kind and loving mother. The children are four in number: Alice Rebecca, wife of B. T. McCormick, of Shenandoah; Marietta, a successful, teacher; Frank, and James M., who is married and has the care and management of his father's farm. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in his political views, has served as Township Trustee, and is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is at present one of the trustees.