Abbott, Edwin J.


EDWIN J. ABBOTT, Assistant Clerk and Treasurer of Council Bluffs, has been serving this city in various capacities at least eight or nine years. He was born in London, England, September 27, 1841, the son of Joseph and Mary (Bamford) Abbott. At the age of twelve years, he came to America, locating at Cleveland, Ohio, where he received his education, and remained until his fourteenth year, when he commenced work for himself. He was variously employed until he entered the service of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern (Northern Indiana) Railroad. In 1861 he enlisted in the hundred-day service, after which he did hospital duty for some time. Mr. Abbott then enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged September 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio. After the war Mr. Abbott returned to Cleveland and connected himself with the Metropolitan Police force, in which capacity he served until 1871. In that year lie came to Council Bluffs, where he has since remained. He has served as Deputy Recorder and Township Clerk for several years, and since that time he has been twice elected as Justice of the Peace and in the employ of the city as Finance Clerk. He has been a faithful friend to the public, and has been untiring in his duties. He is a member of the G. A. R., Abe Lincoln Post, No. 29, of which he is a charter member, and Past judge Advocate and Assistant Adjutant General of' the Department of Iowa, G. A. R. He has organized fifteen posts in the locality. He is also a charter member and Post Commander St. Albans Lodge, K. of P., No. 17, and also a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he affiliates with the Republican Party.
Mr. Abbott was married October 27, 1861 to Sarah E. Packer, of Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, who died December 26, 1888, leaving the following children: Mrs. James H. Craigmile, of Council Bluffs; Mrs. James R. Barrett, also of Council Bluffs, and two deceased. Mr. Abbott was again married, January 1890, to Mrs. Mary H. Dougherty, a native of Rome, New York. They are both members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Abel, Joseph

JOSEPH ABEL, owning and occupying 240 acres of land as a farmer on section 7, Garner township, is one of the well known, enterprising early settlers of Pottawattamie County, having located here as early as 1847. He was born in Lee County, Iowa, February 20, 1842, a son of David Abel, now a resident of Council Bluffs. His grandfather, William Abel, was a Revolutionary soldier. David was born in Canada and married Ann Ewing who was born near Perth, Scotland, and came with her parents to Canada when a girl. He moved to Illinois and to Missouri, and finally to this county. Of his two sons and one daughter, one son is a stock dealer in Council Bluffs; the daughter, Cordelia, is the wife of E.M. Hubbard, also of this city; and the other son is the subject of this sketch. Joseph was a lad of 7 years when his father moved to this county with one of the foremost bands of Mormons under Brigham Young, and with many others decided to remain in this county; and he has accordingly made this his home ever since, with the exception of several years in Missouri. Arriving at the age of manhood, he went west and engaged in freighting from the Missouri River to Denver for five years, during the fearful period of Indian troubles, and massacres on the plains, and stages were escorted by United States soldiers. He and others took 21 wagons in one train to Denver, not escorted by the military. He had many hairbreadth escapes from the savage cruelty of the Indians. For days he acted as scout, riding high divides to guard the train. Returning home, he purchased a portion of the present homestead, one mile from the city limits. The farm is well improved. The dwelling is a fine frame structure, one and a half stories high, on an elevated plat of ground, in a natural grove, and built in modern style. Every feature of the premises denotes the thrift of the proprietor. Mr. Abel is a man yet in the prime of life. He has traveled extensively, both in the east and in the west, and is well informed on western life. Frank and cordial in his manner, honest in all his dealings, he is counted as a reprsentative and succesful farmer of this community. Politically he is a Democrat and a member of the Protective Alliance. He has served three years as Trustee of Garner Township. He was married in Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 9, 1866 to Miss Frances Winchester, a daughter of Benjamin Winchester, a prominent and well known resident of this city. Mrs. Abel's mother's maiden name was Maria Stone. Mr and Mrs Abel have five children: Marvin H., Allura Ann, Allan B., Harvey J., and Ivan E., all of whom are still with their parents.

Ackels, Paul


PAUL ACKELS is one of our substantial German-American citizens and one of the early settlers and promoters of this town, who by industry and energy has made a place of honor for themselves, as well as assisted to promote the business enterprises of Avoca, Iowa. He was born in the beautiful Province of Rhine, Germany, son of Malt Ackels, who was a farmer of that province and the father of four sons: Joseph, John, Paul and Malt. The father is in comfortable circumstances and has reached the age of 90 years. He served three years in the regular Prussian army and was also in the rebellion of 1848 as a soldier for the Government. He is a man of remarkable constitution and of great strength of character, and this robust constitution his son, our subject, has inherited to a great degree. The strong and sturdy sires of the old country have given to their sons, the voyagers to the new world, that vitality and character which are making them leaders in the West. Paul Ackels was born April 20, 1844 and, as all Prussians are obliged by law to learn a trade, he chose that of tailor which he completed in a very thorough manner in France, that country which for so many years was the emporium of fashion for the world. Mr Ackels remained in the old country until the age of 29 years when, in 1873, he came to America landing in New York city in the early part of May. His brother, Malt, was a farmer in this country, and he naturally came direct to Avoca and after spending a few months working at his trade in Council Bluffs, he came to this city and established himself in business as a merchant tailor. In 1876 he went into the clothing business and has ever since been the leading clothier in the city. He married Miss Augusta Fincks in 1876. In his political opinion, he is a stanch Republical and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Catholic Church. He is a man of liberal ideas and has by industry and economy accumulated handsome property, owning real estate in this town and also in Nebraska. He is well known for his integrity of character and his honor as a merchant is established. Coming from a foreign country and unable to speak our language, he deserved great credit for the manly way in which he has overcome every difficulty and won success by his own unaided and laborious efforts.

Acker, William C.


WILLIAM C. ACKER, a prominent farmer of Pottawattamie Co., is the son of JOHN ACKER, who was born in Sandy Hill, NY, near the head of Lake Champlain. He studied surveying and also received a good education, and later became a school teacher. In 1830 he went to Illinois where he ran a steam sawmill at Beardstown, and where he was married to ELIZA ELMORE, a widow lady, formerly a Miss EARLY, and they had 7 children: David, John, William, Mary, Nathaniel, Sarah, and Samuel. In 1837 Mr. ACKER settled in Oregon, Ogle Co., Illinois, where he ran a ferry for some years and was also a trunk-maker. About 1852 he bought a farm, where he remained some tie, and then engaged in the mercantile business at Ashtown, remaining five years. In 1876 he came to Pottawattamie Co., Iowa, where he was in business at Avoca for some time;next he lived in Marysville two years, and then retired from active life. He is now living with his son, William C., and has always enjoyed the respect of the community in which he lived. He was an industrious man, and was entrusted with many public offices in Illinois, having been County Commissioner, Trustee, and Clerk of the county. He had three sons in the Civil War: John, Nathaniel, and Samuel. The two former were in the Army of the Potomac, were on General McClellan's bodyguard, and were in many battles. Samuel was in the Army of the West. Mr. ACKER is still living, at the age of 90, and bids fair to live to the age of 100. His eyes are still bright and his health firm. WILLIAM C. ACKER, the subject of this sketch, was born March 5, 1835, in Beardstown, Illinois, and learned the carriage and wagon-maker's trade in Chicago, where he worked for 25 years. After his marriage, he settled in Ashton, Ogle County, Illinois, and established a wagon and carriage shop, where he remained five years. He then went to Amboy, same State, remaining until 1869 when he settled in Boone, Boone Co., Iowa, where he had the first carriage shop, and also was one of the founders of the town. He lived there about six years, and then came to Pottawattamie County, settling on his present farm of 160 acres in Valley Township, which is well improved. Mr. ACKER takes an active interest in the sfchools. He built the first school-house in his district; has been School Director and Township Supervisor, and has always commanded the respect of the community. He has ornamented his place by setting out fine trees, and now has a beautiful home in which he has been assisted by his sons. His father is a stanch Republican, and has always been an active temperance man; and William C. is also very earnest and active in the cause of temperance, assisting to enforce the law in his county and advocates the cause. Mr. ACKER was married in Ogle Co., Illinois, to SOPHIA VAN LOON, daughter of ISAIAH and ISABEL (REEDER) VAN LOON. The father was born in New York and went to Ohio when a boy, then moved to Illinois, where he is now a well-to-do farmer of Ogle County. They were the parents of 7 children, viz: Harriet, Elsworth, Jane, Phoebe, Clarissa, Sophronia and Rachel. Mr. and Mrs. VAN LOON are members of the Methodist Church and the father is now 76 years of age. The children of WILLIAM C. ACKER married as follows: William C. Jr. married EMMA BILGER, and is now a farmer in Valley Township. They have three children: Frank, Ray, and Cottie. ESTELLE ACKER married B.B. BROWN, a farmer in Valley Township, and they have three children also: Mabel, Bert, and Clarence.

Agnew, Smith G.


SMITH G. AGNEW, one of the substantial farmers of Layton Township, is descended from a prominent old American family of Scotch descent. His grandfather came from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania and his father, GIBSON AGNEW, was born on a farm in that State and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed several years. When a young man, he went to Ohio and was there married to ELEANOR SMITH, and to them have been born 12 children: Eliza, Sarah, Martha, Amanda, William, David, Margaret, John, Mary, Smith G., George, and Irwin. The father settled on a farm in Parke Co Indiana where he ran a distillery and where he remained one-fourth of a century. In 1852 he settled on a farm in Cedar Co, Iowa, where he was among the early pioneers. He then removed to Muscatine Co where he died in 1877 at age 81 years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in which he was an elder. SMITH G. AGNEW, the subject, was born October 8, 1848, in Parke Co, Indiana and was but four years of age when his parents came to Iowa. After the death of his father, he managed the home farm for two years. After marriage Mr Agnew came to Pottawattamie Co and settled on 160 acres of wild land, which he had bought a few years before. With the help of his wife and his own hard work, he has added to this place until he now owns a fine homestead of 240 acres, which is pleasantly situated near Walnut. Politically Mr Agnew is a stanch Democrat and also takes an active interest in the cause of education and in the good of the schools. He was married in Clark Co in 1879 to LAURA WOODS, daughter of John and Amanda (Walker) Woods, who were the parents of: Laura, Charles, James, Loren and Warren Woods. The father was an old settler of Muscatine Co, having come in 1851. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. Mr and Mrs Agnew are the parents of four children: Millie, Harry, Loren, and Edith. Both Mr and Mrs Agnew are members of the Presbyterian Church. The grandfathers of Mrs. Agnew are both living. Valentine Woods, her father's father, is now living in Cass Co at age 79 years. He emigrated from Pennsylvania to Dearborn, Indiana, where he lived many years. Robert Walker, her mother's father, is living in Sacramento, California, at age 78 years. He came from Switzerland, is a carpenter by trade, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Aldridge, H. L.


H. L. ALDRIDGE, a prominent farmer of Rockford Township, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, November 23, 1846, a son of John Sanford and America (Jones) Aldridge, also natives of Indiana and of English and Welsh ancestry. The first immigration to this country was in an early day, locating first in North Carolina and then in Indiana; were farmers. In the family of the father of John S. Aldridge were six children: Ruth, John, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Betty and Josiah. John S., the second child, was born in North Carolina, June 15, 1819, but when young his father died. In the winter of 1846 he moved to Illinois, taking with him his mother, who afterward died, in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Her husband, John S. Aldridge, had died March 16, 1849, leaving two children: H. L., our subject, and Mary E., now the wife of George Frazier. Mrs. John S. Aldridge, in 1853, after her husband's death, married Josiah Skelton, a native of Tennessee. In 1854 they came to Pottawattamie County, located upon Honey Creek, where they lived until his death in 1885, and are the parents of eleven children: John, Lewis, Josiah, Jane, Albert, Alice, Allen, Margaret, Jonas and Eddie, the two last deceased.
Mr. Aldridge, our present subject, was brought up by his mother to farm life. A little after he was twenty years of age, April 14, 1867, he married Margaret E. Selvy, a daughter of William and Mary (Foster) Selvy, natives of Tennessee and of Irish and German extraction. Her parents came to Missouri, and after some years moved to this county (Pottawattamie), and finally to Harrison County, this State, where the father died, April 10, 1885, leaving eleven children: Frank M., George W., Martha, Margaret E., Eliza Ann, Susan, Mary, Amanda, William, James Edwin, and one who died in infancy. Margaret, the fourth child, was born in Missouri, July 6, 1850, brought up as a farmer's daughter, and was married at the age of seventeen years. After his marriage, Mr. Aldridge purchased forty acres of rough, wild land in the Missouri River bottom, in Harrison County, erected a log house 14xl6 feet in dimensions, and began to make the improvements essential to a complete home; but at the end of eight years, in 1875, he sold and came down to Pottawattamie County and bought 150 acres of wild land, excepting that there was a small farm house upon it; remained there eight years also, and then purchased forty-four acres of land on section 1, Rockford Township, where he now resides. At that time some improvements had been made here, but they had greatly deteriorated. He went to work and has made out of the place a fine home. He has now a good frame house, two stories high, 24 x 38 feet in ground area, including porches, verandas, etc., a good orchard containing both large and small fruits; indeed it is one of the finest orchards in the county. He has dealt also in livestock to a considerable extent, taking special interest in horses and in Poland-China hogs. He has added to his first purchase of land until he now has 290 acres, all but ten of which is in fine cultivation, 100 acres being in pasture. He has also a quantity of bees, doing well. He first started out in life here with almost nothing, but his ambition and energy has won for him success. Both his mother and his wife's mother are living with him, at an advanced age. Willis A. Selvy, a nephew of theirs, was born August 3, 1868, and left an orphan when young, was brought up by Mr. Aldridge and now resides upon an eighty-acre farm in Harrison County. Also a niece, Annie Jones, born August 26, 1872, was reared by him.
Mr. Aldridge is a reliable gentleman, independent on local issues. He has been Township Trustee twelve years, and is now Road Supervisor. He is an honored member of Missouri Valley Lodge, No. 232, F. & A. M.; also a member of the Mutual Protective Association, of St. John, of which he has been treasurer ever since its organization.

CHARLES ALEXANDER, a prominent farmer of Boomer Township, was born in Philadelphia, April 2, 1837. His father, ALEX A. ALEXANDER, a native of Scotland, spent his youthful days on a farm in his native country and learned the millwright and carpentry trades. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to ELIZABETH MOYES who was born in the East Indies in 1797 her father being an English officer of war sent to that country, who remained in charge of a post there some fifteen years. He then returned to Scotland in ill health, where he soon died, leaving a wife and five children: Andrew, James, John, Walter and Elizabeth. The latter was married at the age of twenty-five years and by this union there were the following children: Maron, James, Elizabeth, Ann, Alexander, William, Charles and Margaret, and two died young. Their parents came from Scotland to America in 1835, landing at Philadelphia where they remained two years and then came to Dubuque in 1837. Mr. Alexander built the first frame house erected in that city, and died there in September 1845 leaving a wife and eight children: Marian, James, Elizabeth, Ann, Alexander, William, Charles (our subject) and Margaret. The mother spent her last days with her children on the farm in Jackson Co which her husband had bought, dying in January 1877. Mr. CHARLES ALEXANDER, our subject, inheriting 40 acres of land, married and three years afterward disposed of that land and in 1861 came to Pottawattamie Co and purchased another 40 acres of wild land in Boomer Twp and commenced to improve it. August 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Council Bluffs, was placed under General Steele in Western Kentucky, in the Army of the West. His regiment participated in several fierce battles. At Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River, he was wounded in two places, one ball passing through his arm below the elbow and then through his side and left lung. In this condition, he was taken prisoner, while his comrades were on the retreat, and he was held captive 8 months at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas and other places. In the camp where he was placed were 80 cases of yellow fever, of which but two recovered, he being one of the two. Shortly afterward he was paroled at Galveston and rejoined his regiment at Little Rock, Arkansas. After spending two months at home, he again joined his regiment and was at the capture of Spanish Fort, next at the Rio Grande and about the last of July the regiment was ordered back to New Orleans, where August 10 it was mustered out. Returning to his farm, Mr. ALEXANDER made many improvements and purchased forty acres more land, broke it and made a comfortable home. In 1871 he sold that place and purchased 80 acres of unimproved prairie and made another home. Subsequently he sold this also for $2,000, spent a year in California buying property in San Jose. Returning to Pottawattamie County, he purchased the 80 acres where he now lives, on section 8, Boomer Twp. Here he has erected a fine frame house, 32 X 44 feet and the usual farm structures, and has devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising. Considering the serious wound he received in the service of his country and the abuse while a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, -- which was equally in the service of his country, -- thus disabling him to a great extent, it is really a source of marvel to witness how much he has accomplished. Mr. ALEXANDER is a thoroughgoing Democrat. He has held nearly all the township offices, been County Supervisor a year and a half, etc. and has always fulfilled his public duties with satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He has taken an active and efficient part in all the movements that are of public benefit. He is a zealous member of the Mutual Protection Association. Of his five children, there are still four living, namely: Moyes, born January 1, 1860, and died February 5, 1863; Alice, born Feb 1, 1862, is the wife of DENVER HOUGH in Crescent City; Henry Thomas, born Nov 28, 1865, died August 22, 1867; Elizabeth A., born March 28, 1868, is now Mrs. EDWARD SEABOLD, residing in Harrison County; Charles I., born Nov 28, 1870 and Nellie May, born March 7, 1873, are both at home; and William Edward, born March 19, 1879, died July 9, 1879. Mrs. Alexander's brothers and sisters are: Phoebe, wife of Adam Heagney in California; Hannah, wife of Dominick Heagney, residing in Missouri Valley, Iowa; Henry, in California; Henrietta, deceased; she herself (Catherine) was the youngest in order of birth. Their parents were ISAAC and CATHARINE (EARL) SCOTT, natives of New York state. Mr. Scott was born in NY June 10, 1805, and his wife Oct 2, 1802. He was a farmer all his life, removing first to Pennsylvania then to Iowa in an early day. His wife died in NY in 1841 and he was subsequently married to CATHARINE RICE, whose parents were natives of England and then he came to Dubuque and to this county in 1860 locating in Boomer Twp where he died Oct 27, 1877. His wife survived only one week.

F.M. ALLEE, one of the substantial farmers of Lincoln Twp, was born in Parke Co, Indiana, June 25, 1844 son of LIMUS ALLEE, who was of American birth. His parents were Quakers who came from the North of Ireland at an early day, settling on a farm in Hancock Co, Indiana. LIMUS ALLEE was born in that county but removed to Parke Co, same state, when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade, and was married to SARAH A. WARNER and they had 7 children: F.M., John, William, Mary E., Martha, Susan and Etta. The mother died in Parke Co, from an accident caused by her clothes catching fire. Mr. ALLEE was again married to RUTH HIGGINS and in 1857 moved to Vermillion Co, Illinois, where he bought a farm. He died in 1859; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as Assessor his township. He was a man of sterling integrity and industrious habits. FRANCIS M. ALLEE, our subject, enlisted at the early age of 17 years in the Ninth Indiana Battery and served three years and seven months, or through the war. He was in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7 and many skirmishes. He was on the steamer Eclipse at Jonesville, Tennessee, January 25, 1865, when the boiler exploded and he received a severe wound, and was thrown into the river. He served all his time, however, with no hospital record and no other wounds. Mr. Allee was also under ROSECRANS and his corps the Sixteenth, was commanded by General A.J. Smith. They followed General Price, the noted Confederate General, from St Louis across the state of Missouri to Kansas City, where a battle was fought at Big Blue River and thence from Kansas City into Kansas, then back to Glasgow, Missouri, where the army went into camp for election; was in the battle of Nashville. He was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, June 26, 1865 being then just 21 years of age. Thus the days of his earliest manhood were spent in the defense of his country. Mr. ALLEE lived on a farm in Parke Co, Indiana, until 1880, when he came to Pottawattamie Co and settled on his present farm of 150 acres of fine land. Socially he is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow and politically is a stanch Democrat. He is serving his second time as Township Trustee. He has descended from old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather having fought in the battles for our independence and he fought to preserve the Union. He was married in Parke Co, Indiana, to NANCY C. WOLFE, daughter of JOSEPH and ELIZABETH WOLFE, and by this marriage there were two children: Preston and May. The former was married to ORA RATCLIFF and settled on a farm in Indiana and had one daughter, Nellie; the latter died in infancy. Mr. ALLEE's first wife died and he was married to MARY E. HUXFORD, nee GRIFFITH, the daughter of WILLIAM R. and EDITH GRIFFITH. The father was born in Belmont Co, Ohio, in 1824 and was the son of MAHLON GRIFFITH, who died in Muskingum Co, Oh. He was a farmer and was the father of three children: Mahlon, William R. and Leahann. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr and Mrs William R. Griffith were the parents of nine children: Mary E., William W., Mahlon, Theodore (who died at age 12 years), Almon, John R., Perry, Edgar G. and Leahann. Mr Griffith lived in Belmont Co for some years; then moved to Muskingum Co and in 1865 settled in Parke Co, Indiana. In 1877 he came to Pottawattamie Co and settled on a farm in Valley Township, where he still resides, at age sixty-seven. Both Mr and Mrs Griffith are members of the Methodist Church. Politically he is a Democrat. He was of Welsh descent and is a man of great force of character and upright morals and has labored hard to lead a just and honorable life.

Allen, Amon L.


AMON L. ALLEN, a substantial farmer of Layton Township, descended from a prominent American family who were early settlers of Maryland. His grandfather, Isaac ALLEN, was born in that State, settled on a farm in Harrison Co, Ohio, and died from cholera in Burlington in 1851. Hi son, Isaac ALLEN, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio and learned farming in early life. He was married in his native state to Sarah A. LEMMON, daughter of Jacob LEMMON, of Scotch descent. They were the parents of five children: Amon L., Madison, Alvin, Alice and Frank. In 1851 the father moved to Iowa, settling in Washington Co where he became a substantial farmer. He passed the remainder of his days on this farm, and was a hard-working and influential man. He held many of his township's offices and died at the age of fifty years. His son, AMON L., our subject, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, December 5, 1847, and was reared to farm life. When but three or four years of age, his father moved to Iowa so that he has passed nearly his whole life in this state. In 1882 he moved to Pottawattamie County and bought his present farm of 160 acres, which is now under good state of cultivation.

He was married in Washington Co at the age of 23 years to Mattie MAXWELL, daughter of Robert and Rachel (THOMPSON) MAXWELL. To Mr. and Mrs. ALLEN have been born two children - Sheldon and Roy. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Robert MAXWELL, the grandfather of Mrs. Allen, was born in America but his father was a native of Ireland and settled in this country in an early day. Robert MAXWELL was a farmer of Harrison County, Ohio and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was married to Martha CROWSON of Scotch descent and to them were born 11 children: William, Thomas, Robert, Samuel Martha, Rachel, John, Nancy, Walter and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were both members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1847 they came to Iowa, settling in Washington County where the father lived to the age of 87 years.

ROBERT MAXWELL, a son of the above, was born in Harrison Co, Ohio, in 1819. At the age of 28 years, he was married to Rachel J THOMPSON, and in 1846 they settled in Washington Co, Iowa. They were the parents of nine children: Ella, Martha, Mary, Jennie, Thomas, Florence, Estella and two who died in infancy. The parents were members of the Presbyterian Church and the father was a hard-working and substantial farmer and is still living at the age of 70 years. He was one of them men who helped to build up the country in which he lived and has added his quota in making the State of Iowa one of the grandest in the Union. Thomas THOMPSON, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a pioneer of Ohio and lived in that State when the Indians were very troublesome. He married a lady of German descent and they were the parents of 11 children.

Allensworth, James, P.

JAMES P. ALLENSWORTH is one of the prominent citizens of Silver Creek Township. He came to Pottawattamie County in 1882 and has since made this place his home. Mr. Allensworth was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, November 15, 1835. His father, JOHN ALLENSWORTH, a native of Pennsylvania, was a son of EMMANUEL ALLENSWORTH. JOHN ALLENSWORTH was married in Jefferson Co., Ohio, to Miss LYDIA BARTHOLOMEW, who died when James P. was a small child, in 1841. The family subsequently removed to Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they resided several years. The father came to Mills Co., Iowa, and died in 1874. He was by trade a cabinet-maker and wood-turner and was a good mechanic in his younger days, but in later life turned his attention to agricultural ursuits. Politically he was a Democrat. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Jefferson Co., received his education in a log schoolhouse, and at the age of 21 years, went to Muskingum Co., Ohio. Four years later he moved to Morgan Co., same state, where he lived until 1872. In that year he came to Iowa and settled in Mills Co. Upon his arrival there he had little money, but had great faith in Iowa, and with a willing hand he went to work. He bought 120 acres of land which he improved and which he sold in the fall of 1881. He then purchased 240 acres of prairie land where he now resides, to which he afterward added five acres of timberland. The soil had been broken and the land fenced, but no buildings had been erected. Mr. ALLENSWORTH has improved this property and it is now considered one of the best farms in the township. He put up a good frame house on a natural building site and surrounded it with a grove and orchard of four acres, and built a barn 34 X 48 X 16 feet. He also has a granary, cribs, cattle yards, sheds for stock, and a modern windmill. In short, everything about the farm indicates thrift and prosperity. He is extensively engaged in stock raising, in which he has met with eminent success. Mr. ALLENSWORTH was married in Morgan Co., Ohio, February 26, 1860 to Miss MALINDA SOWERS, a lady of intelligence and refinement, who was reared and educated in that county. Her father, WILLIAM SOWERS, was a native of Maryland and her mother, nee MARY ANN THURSH, was born in Ohio. They lived in the latter state until their death, the mother dying when Mrs. Allensworth was fifteen years old. Her father died in September 1889 at the age of 85 years. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and for many years was a class leader and exhorter. Mr. and Mrs. ALLENSWORTH have four children: Allethea, wife of J.P. BOYLEAN, Belknap Township, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa; George C., married CORA TIPTON and resides on a farm adjoining his father's; William, at home; Edith, a successful and popular teacher. In his political views Mr.Allensworth is independent, casting his vote for whom he considers the best man for the position. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a steward and a liberal supporter of the same. During the Civil War he served 100 days in the National Home Guards of Ohio. He has always been interested in educational matters and has given his children the benefit of good schooling and fitted them for respectable positions in life. He is ranked among the enterprising, successful and popular citizens of his community.

Mr. And Mrs. ALSTON have three children: Margaret, wife of David SNAPP of this township; Joseph W., who is married and lives in Carson Township; and Nancy A., the wife of Charles FREDERICKS of Lee County, Iowa. Mr. And Mrs. ALSTON are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and politically he is a Republican.

Altmannsperger, Charles A.


CHARLES A. ALTMANNSPERGER, one of the prominent businessmen of Iowa, and a Council Bluffs City Councilman, was born in the town of Burgehaun, Province of Kurhessen, Germany, July 12, 1858, the son of ANDREAS ALTMANNSPERGER, who was a lawyer of Marburg, Germany. He was elected a Judge of his notive province, and died at the age of 51 years. CHARLES ALTMANNSPERGER received an excellent education at the Gymnasium of Fulda, Germany, where he obtained a knowledge of the English language, and after completing his education he entered the business house where he served three years. During this time he book a commercial course, and then served three years as a clerk in Switzerland. In 1880 he came to America, and in 1881 to Avoca, Iowa, where he entered the employment of Seifest & Wiese, an extensive business firm of that place. After remaining with them a few months, he came to Minden and took charge of their business here, which is principally lumber and coal, and since that time he has attended to their work with satisfaction to his firm and credit to himself. Mr. Altmannsperger takes an interest in thoroughbred English mastiffs, being a lover of the traits and character exhibited by that noble breed of dogs, and like many men, see many traits which are worthy of being cultivated and improved. He now has a large kennel, numbering at times as many as 30 thoroughbred English mastiffs. Ashmund, Suwanee, American Kennel Club, 16,006; Vesta, 6,854; Queen Victoria, 16,008, are the leaders from which he breeds. His dog Ben Harrison, 2d, 16,010 is a splendid animal and is one of the best specimens of the English mastiff now living. He is now only twenty months old, and weighs 185 pounds. Mr. Altmannsperger is a careful breeder of the English mastiff, and his dogs are being shipped to all parts of the country. His noble race of dogs have descended from old English stock, made famous by the pens of the great English writers. Sir Walter scott described in "Woodstock" a magnificent specimen of this race as the famous guardian of Woodstock Hall. Socially, Mr. Altmannsperger is a prominent Mason, being a member of the blue lodge, Neola Chapter of Avoca, and Scottish Rite, Council Bluffs. He has taken 14 degrees in Masonry. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias of Neola. He has the confidence of the people of Minden, and is now serving as township Clerk which office he has held six years. He has taken an active interest in good schools, having been treasurer of the School Board for five years, and has lately been elected, as before stated, to the first Town Council of Minden. In 1881 Mr. Altmannsperger married ELIZA BOHREN, a native of Switzerland, and they have three girl: Caroline, Eliza and Matilda. Mr. Altmannsperger is a reliable citizen, owning his residence and other property, and also a farm in this township. He is a young man and has just entered upon his career of usefulness. He is an active and reliable businessman, possessing the confidence of his firm and the respect of the community in which he lives, and he is not only a credit to the sturdy German race from which he sprang, but a direct benefit to the county in which he has settled. He is a courteous host, having a delightful home, in which he takes great pleasure entertaining his friends, and in which he dispenses a liberal hospitality.

ANDREW ANDERSON of sections 24 and 25, Macedonia Township, is one of the enterprising and successful citizens of this county and one of the first of his countrymen to settle in the eastern part of the county. He, like many of Iowa's successful and enterprising citizens, is a native of Sweden, born January 15, 1844, the son of Andrew and Blanda ANDERSON. Andrew was reared in his native country until 22 years of age. He attended school until fifteen years of age, receiving a good education. He was two years in the Swedish Army. At the end of that time, he worked at farm work, which avocation he followed until he came to America.

In 1869 he sailed from Guttenburg, Sweden, to Hull, England, and from there overland to Liverpool and then by steamer and sail vessel to New York. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he remained a short time, and then went to Junction City, Kansas, where he stayed but two days, as the grasshoppers were too plentiful in that region. He then went to Council Bluffs where he obtained work on the Rock Island Railroad, which was then being built into that place. Here he worked during the fall and winter and in 1870 he went on a farm in Mills county, where he resided four years and for two or three years worked in different places.

The first land he bought was 40 acres in section 36, Macedonia Township, which he bought on speculation and sold. He then bought another 80 acres on section 14, which he again sold. He bought 80 acres of land where he now lives in 1878-79, and has since added to it until he now has 149 acres, well improved.

Mr. Anderson was married in September, 1874, to Miss Sarah SHANK, a native of Parke County, Indiana, and a daughter of James and Alzina SHANK. They have four sons: Archie Monroe, Olin Oscar, Evert C. and Aredie A. Politically Mr. Anderson in 1889 supported the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Macedonia, as is also his wife.

Avery, A. E.


A. E. AVERY, Street and Sidewalk Commissioner of Council Bluffs, was elected to his present position in 1887. Previous to that time, during the years 1882-83, he officiated in the same capacity and in 1883-84 he was Sidewalk Commissioner. Mr. Avery was born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in January 1843, son of George L. and Mary L. (HARDING) AVERY. His father and mother were descendants of English ancestry and were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively. Mr. Avery was reared on a farm in his native county and was educated in the public and commercial schools. At the age of twenty-one, he began to do for himself and in 1867 he came to Council Bluffs. In the fall of the same year, he went to Monona County, Iowa, where he remained until 1869. Since his return to Council Bluffs, he has principally been engaged in corporation work. He is a Democrat, and is one of the energetic men of this city.

Axtell, J. M.


J.M. AXTELL, a farmer of Boomer Township, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1838. (For parentage and ancestry, see sketch of L.S. Axtell). Being the youngest child, he remained at home until his father died. In 1857 he married Miss Sarah Franklin, daughter of Leander and Sarah (Barker) Franklin, natives of New York state who, after her birth, moved to Pennsylvania. Mr. J. M. Axtell, after his marriage, moved to Sparland, Marshall County, Illinois, where he took charge of a farm for Lewis Burson two years, and there his wife died, February 19, 1866, leaving five children, namely: Samuel Albert, who resides now in Harrison County, Iowa; Leona, wife of G.W. Howland, residing in Harrison County, also; Charles and Oscar died in infancy. June 6, 1867, Mr. Axtell married Miss Mary, daughter of Daniel and Maria (Erwin) Graham, natives of Pennsylvania who afterward moved to Illinois and finally to Missouri where they both now live.

The Grahams were the parents of twelve children, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Elliott, and residing in Illinois; Mary, the second in order of birth; Luther and Henrietta, deceased; Findlay, at home; Ann, wife of Dr. Sherman, residing at Coffeeville, Kansas; Jesse, living in Harrison County; Ervin in Shell City, Missouri; Laura and Emma, twins, the former at home and the latter in Colorado; Albert and Alice, twins, the latter the wife of Richard Newton and both residing in Colorado. Mrs. Axtell, born October 9, 1845, brought up as a farmer's daughter, and was married at the age of 22 years. After his second marriage, Mr. Axtell came to Pottawattamie County and purchased 60 acres of unimproved prairie and began to make the necessary improvements thereon, and also, in connection with his farm work, continued at his trade as carpenter, which he had learned in younger days. At the end of five years he sold out, bought 40 acres elsewhere, built a house and made valuable improvements upon the tract, and remained there ten years, dealing also extensively in livestock. Selling this place, he finally bought his present farm of 80 acres of wild land, on section 10, and this now is the third home he has made. Sixty acres is under cultivation, while the remainder is in meadow and pasture. He has a comfortable residence and surroundings, with shade trees, orchard, etc. While his sons manage the farm, he is engaged by the Pottawattamie County Mutual Insurance Company, for whom he began to operate about three years ago.

He is an active and influential Republican. Has held the various offices of his township, especially in school matters, and is now Justice of the Peace. He is also a member of the Mutual Protection Association of Hazel Dell, and of the I.O.O.F. In Pennsylvania and Illinois, he and his wife were members respectively of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. They are the parents of ten children, namely: Milton, born September 8, 1868, resides in Harrison County; John, October 7, 1870; Lutellis, September 20, 1872; Gertrude, October 20, 1874; James, August 25, 1876; Daniel, November 22, 1878; Mary Alma and Maria, twins, born March 28, 1881 (Maria died a month afterward); George, born September 9, 1883; and Blanch, born January 20, 1886, died March 20, 1886. All those who are living, except the first mentioned, are still at their parental home.

LOVRIDGE SAMUEL AXTELL, now a prominent farmer of Boomer Township, was born November 24, 1832 at Sheakleyville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather was THOMAS AXTELL, born in New Jersey in 1750, was a Revolutionary soldier and settled soon after the war in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He first married Mary Tuttle, and they had eight children: Nathan, Hannah, Sally, Cecilia, Polly, Phoebe, Ruth and Samuel. After his wife's death, he was again married to Nelly McLain, and they had two sons: Charles and Thomas. Samuel Axtell, above mentioned, the father of the subject of our biography, was born about 1794, was reared on a farm, graduated at Washington College, and then took a thorough course in the profession of medicine. He married Mary Lovridge, the youngest of three daughters (the only children) of John Lovridge, a German farmer of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania, where the Doctor had a large and successful practice for nearly 50 years. They raised ten children, namely: Bethsheba (a mute) who married Peter Burnett (also a mute); William Harvey, a physician of Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania; Permelia, wife of G.W. Lord of Meadville, Pennsylvania; Jane, wife of Louis Burson of Sparland, Illinois; Hannah, wife of Dr. J.M. Dillie of Cooperstown, Pennsylvania; Milton Blochley, M.D. of Pepin, Wisconsin; Abijah Clinton, M.D. of Youngsville, Pennsylvania; Lovridge Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Nathan Hutton, minister of a Methodist Episcopal Church at Chicago, Illinois; Joseph Monroe, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this volume. Of this large family, all but one, Permelia, have raised large families and are at this date still living.

L.S. Axtell had the advantage of a good common school education and also attended Allegheny College during the seasons of 1850-51-52, teaching during the winters. In 1854 he was chosen, in connection with Dr. Owens of Conneautville, Pennsylvania, as agent for a colony of about 200 families in Western Pennsylvania who proposed removing to Kansas, and as such agent, he made an extensive tour through Kansas in the fall of that year. He was one of the judges of election, appointed by Governor Reader at the first general election ever held in Kansas, March 30, 1855, when the polls of his precinct, now Burlingame, were forcibly taken possession of by a horde of Missourians, and Colonel Younger, of Jackson County, Missouri, a relative of the notorious Younger brothers, was elected to the Kansas Legislature. During 1855, Mr. Axtell taught school at Lee's (postoffice), now Lee's Summit, in Jackson County, Missouri. September 14 of that year, he married Sarah, daughter of Ira Halloway, a farmer of New Vernon, Pennsylvania, and both were employed at the school above referred to until July 1856, when they removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Here Mr. Axtell was employed about a year by J.P. Williams at carpenter work, a trade he had partially acquired during his minority.

At Council Bluffs, a daughter, Flora, was born and a few months later, April 24, 1857, the mother died, to be followed the succeeding fall by her babe. After the death of his wife and child, Mr. Axtell commenced teaching the public school, then the only one, in Council Bluffs. It was taught at a large log building on Madison, now First Street, that had been erected by the Mormons as a church, and afterward appropriated by the gentiles as a courthouse. There Mr. Axtell labored hard, and under the circumstances successfully, with an average daily attendance of 85 pupils and a highest daily attendance of 105. April 17, 1862, Mr. Axtell married Frances Sarah Wade, daughter of Henry and Mary (Carter) Wade. Her parents were natives of England, emigrating in 1850 to St. Louis, Missouri, and removing in 1854 to Council Bluffs. Mr. Wade raised five children, all daughters, namely: Mary Ann, Frances, Roseanna, Isabella and Elizabeth. Frances, with whom we are especially interested, was born January 16, 1841.

With the exception of about a year spent in the Colorado gold mines near Black Hawk, Mr. Axtell taught almost continuously in Council Bluffs until the spring of 1865. During the latter portion of this time, he taught the high school and was also Superintendent of Schools for the county. His health being seriously impaired by his long confinement in the school room, he removed, in April 1865, to his present place of residence in Boomer Township, and commenced his farm life. Mr. Axtell has been more than ordinarily successful. His original farm of 120 acres has grown to about 400 and supports a large stock of hogs, cattle, and horses. His buildings, reared by his own hands, are large, neat and commodious. Mr. Axtell has been very successful, too, as a fruit-grower. His orchard, commenced over 20 years ago, has by later additions grown to be over ten acres and has never failed for a single season, since large enough to bear, to yield a plentiful supply of fruit.

Politically, Mr. Axtell has from early manhood, especially since his Kansas experience, acted with the Republican party. He represented this county in the Legislature of 1873-74 and was very appropriately made Chairman of the Committee on Schools. July 30, 1874, he was stricken with paralysis of the right side, subsiding gradually into the right leg. From this attack, he has but partially recovered, going about with difficulty by the help of a cane.

In religious matter, Mr. Axtell, though formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is now considered liberal or skeptical. While retaining a reverent belief in the existence and beneficence of God and a strong hope of future life, he has lost all confidence in so-called revelation or prophecy and the conflicting dogmas of human creeds.

Mr. Axtell and his estimable wife are enjoying in comfort the quiet evening of their active lives, surrounded by a pleasant family to whom their highest ambition is to leave a character unsullied and an example worthy of their imitation. They have eight children, born and named as follows: Lovridge Hutton born April 9, 1864; Charles Monroe, May 7, 1866; Ida Permelia, October 4, 1868; Aggie Jane, January 4, 1871; Henry Wade, September 25, 1874; Frank, February 13, 1876, died one year later; Walter Garfield, born May 7, 1879; and Spencer Burson, August 17, 1882.

Aylesworth, Egbert E.


JUDGE EGBERT E. AYLESWORTH is one of the earlier and well known members of the bar of Council Bluffs. Judge Aylesworth is a native of the Empire State, having been born in the town of Milford, Otsego county, New York in 1838. His father, now deceased, was also birn in the state of New York, as was his mother, Savina Adams. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. The former in the order of their birth, are the subjects of this notice; Lorenne of Council Bluffs, and Freting, who is still a resident of the State of New York, as are the sisters of the family.
Judge Aylesworth was reared in his native town and was educated at Hartwick Academy, and at the Delaware Literary Institute, at Franklin in Delaware county, New York, and began the study of law in 1861, at Portlandville in his native county, with R. M. Townsend, Esq., a prominent lawyer of that place. He was admitted at Binghamton, New York, May 12, 1863, but continued in the office of his preceptor till he came west three years later.
Politically Judge Aylesworth is a Democrat. In 1884 Judge Aylesworth was the Democratic candidate for Judge in the Fifteenth Judicial District, his opponent being C.F. Loofbourrow. The canvass of the votes gave Judge Aylesworth a majority of two votes, but the election was contested and Loofbourrow was declared elected by fourteen votes. Four years before that election, he ran again the same gentleman for the same office, when the latter was elected by but sixty-four votes, though the Republican general ticket received a majority of about 3,000.
In 1873 Judge Aylesworth was appointed by the City council to the office of City Attorney of Council Bluffs, to succeed Judge J.R. Reed, and was elected to that place in 1874 and re-elected in 1876, serving in that position for four years. In march 1882, he was elected Judge of the Superior Court, a position that he filled in an able and satisfactory manner for the period of eight years. He has also been a member of the council and of the School Board of the city. Judge Aylesworth is a lawyer of fine legal attainments and is a progressive and popular citizen.
He was married in the state of New York to Miss Marcella Winsor, also a native of Otsego County. Their children are Paul Clark, Ellen Winsor, Egbert DeWitt and Seth Winsor.