At the breaking out of the great Rebellion, he enlisted April 19, 1861, in Company B, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and served over a year in the ranks; was promoted to Second Lieutenant, September 16, 1862; First Lieutenant, June 2, 1863; Captain, May 25, 1864. August 1, 1864, he was brevetted Major by the President of the United States, with the approval of the Senate, for continued and meritorious services in the Army of the Potomac up to that time; and on the 21st of that month he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, for gallant conduct in the action of that date at Yellow Tavern on the Weldon Railroad in Virginia. March 8, 1865, he was appointed president of a military commission. March 31, same year, he was brevetted Colonel for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of White Oak or Boydtown Plant Road, Virginia, and for continued good conduct during the war. June 11, 1864, at the expiration of the term of enlistment of his regiment, the 2nd Wisconsin, he was retained in the service at his own request, by order of the War Department, and was appointed Provost-Marshal and placed upon the staff of General CUTLER, Division Commander. In addition to his duties as Provost-Marshal, he also commanded the Wisconsin Independent Battalion, composed of veterans and recruits of the Second Wisconsin, whose term of enlistment had not expired with the old regiment. He also commanded, for a short time, the first battalion of New York Sharpshooters, and at the battle of Hatcher's Run was assigned to the temporary command of the 147th New York Volunteer Infantry. He served on the staffs of Generals Henry A. MORROW, CUTLER, BRAGG, CRAWFORD and Major General G. K. WARREN. During his period of service, he commanded the 6th Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, another of the regiments of the famous Iron Brigade, and was conspicuously at its head at the grand review of the Army of the Potomac, after which he was assigned to the command of a provisional brigade, with orders to report to General LOGAN, at Louisville, Kentucky, which he did.

Following is a list of the principal engagements in which Colonel DAILEY participated: Battle of Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, where he was wounded; First Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Cedar or Slaughter Mountain, August 12 and 13, 1862; White Sulphur Springs, later in the same month; Gainesville, August 28, 1862; Second Bull Run, August 29 and 30, 1862; South Mountain, September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; campaign under BURNSIDE against Fredericksburg, and the battle of Fredericksburg, December 1862; battle of Chancellorsville, May 1863.

The winter and spring of 1863, Colonel DAILEY was on independent duty, during which he participated in and conducted several successful expeditions, through the counties lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers in Virginia, for the success of which he was highly complimented in general orders. For the crossing of the Rappahannock, at Fitzhugh Landing, Colonel DAILEY was thanked in general orders, by brigade and division commanders, for gallantry and skill displayed at the crossing aforesaid in face of the enemy, and was afterward recommended for promotion on account of same.

He was in the campaign through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and was conspicuous for gallantry in the charge of the Iron Brigade against Archer's Confederate Brigade, and in this engagement received the surrender and sword of the Confederate General ARCHER, which sword he still retains. Later in the day of that battle, he was severely wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy, but escaped from their guard on the night of July 5, and rejoining his command July 11, was assigned to the staff of General Henry A. MORROW, which position he retained until February 1864; was with the army at the battle of Mine Run and all of its encounters with the enemy at Rappahannock Station and Brandy Station. He was with General MORROW at the capture and destruction of Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan, Virginia, was wounded May 5, 1864, in the first day's battle of the Wilderness, but did not leave the field. He served through the Wilderness campaign, and was again wounded in battle in front of Petersburg, June 18, 1864. He was chief of General CRAWFORD's staff in the expedition of the Fifth Army Corps to the Maheran River, in its effort to destroy the Weldon Railroad and with General MORROW conducted the retreat of that campaign.

In the battle of Weldon Railroad, August 21, 1864, he was on General Cutler's (Division Commander) staff, and in the execution of an order of that General, was dangerously wounded by the Confederate General Johnson HAGOOD, who commanded a brigade in Mahone's division; but, just before being shot by General HAGOOD, Colonel DAILEY secured the colors of one of the Confederate regiments which surrendered to him; and at the time of being shot, he was holding the Confederate regimental colors and flag. In this transaction and dash of Colonel DAILEY, great danger was averted to the union lines behind which the gallant Confederate General HAGOOD had carried his brigade. This incident in the history of the War has become so famous that we here give it in the language of General HAGOOD who shot Colonel DAILEY:

"This officer (Colonel DAILEY of General Cutler's staff) had galloped out of a sallyport, seized a color from the hands of its bearer and demanded a surrender. Some officers and men surrendered, but were not carried in; others refused, but just around him ceased fighting. General HAGOOD called to the men to shoot him and fall back in retreat. They either did not hear him or, bewildered by the surrender of part of their number, failed to obey. It was a critical moment, and demanded instant and decided action. In a few moments the disposition to surrender would have spread, and the whole brigade would have been lost. Making his way across the intervening space as speedily as he could, exposed to a regular fire by file from the enemy's line scarce thirty yards off, and calling to his men to fall back, which they did not do, General HAGOOD approached Colonel DAILEY and demanded the colors, and that he should go back within his own lines, telling him that he was free to do so. Colonel DAILEY commenced arguing the hopelessness of further struggle, and pointed out the line in our rear. HAGOOD cut him short and demanded a categorical reply - yes or no. DAILEY was a man of fine presence, with long flowing beard, and sat with loosened rein upon a noble-looking bay that stood with head and tail erect, and flashing eye and distended nostrils, quivering in every limb with excitement, but not moving in his tracks. In reply to this abrupt demand the rider raised his head proudly and decisively answered "No!" Upon the word, General HAGOOD shot him through the body, and as he reeled from the saddle upon one side, General HAGOOD sprang into it from the other, Orderly STONEY seizing the flag from his falling hands."

"It was one of the most dashing feats witnessed by me on either side during the war. Upon the chance of securing a prize for the side he served so well, Colonel DAILEY doubly staked his life, for he was, while in the Confederate line, in as much danger from the fire of his own men as from that of his enemy."

History has recorded this dash on the part of Colonel DAILEY as one of the two bravest acts of the war. It is recorded in Volume II, page 595 of General Beauregard's Military Operations of the War; and the same brilliant conduct is mentioned in Swinton's Army of the Potomac. It is also made the subject of a poem, entitled "The Charge of Hagood's Brigade," in a work known as the "Living Writers of the South," besides being recorded in general orders and reports of the operations of that battle, by Major General G. K. WARREN, commanding the Fifth Army Corps. It was commented upon by Southern papers as one of the two bravest acts of the war; the other being a Confederate soldier. General HAGOOD and Colonel DAILEY are today the warmest and best of friends, although they have never met except upon the bloody battlefield of the Weldon Railroad, but have had extended correspondence. As General HAGOOD wrote: Colonel Dailey, to secure the surrender of a whole brigade, came very near succeeding.

On account of the above wound, Colonel DAILEY was in the hospital over three months, and is still a constant sufferer of the same. He was in battle of Gravelly Run, March 31, 1865, and at Boydton Plank Road, April 2, 1865, was wounded again. He was honorably discharged from the service of the United States at Madison, Wisconsin, July 28, 1865; visited Europe in 1866, and took up his residence at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1867, where he has ever since resided. In 1868, he was admitted to the bar. In 1872 he was appointed by the Governor of the State to the office of District Attorney for the third Judicial District, the duties of which office he performed with marked ability. In 1886, he was nominated and elected to the office of County Attorney, for two years, and declined renomination.

During his practice as an attorney, he has participated in the trial of some of the most important cases occurring in the state, both civil and criminal. In politics, he has always been an ardent Republican, and always a warm friend and advocate of the public school system of the country. He was one of the charger members of the Abe Lincoln Post, of the Grand Army of the Republic; and of the Union Veteran Legion, located at Council Bluffs, to which organization he was devoted. He took great pleasure in having been a member of the old Iron Brigade, of the Army of the Potomac, and of being a member and officer of two of the regiments composing that organization, which distinguished themselves upon every battlefield against the Confederate army under General LEE; and he was especially proud of having risen from the rank of a private soldier to that of a Captain in the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the regiment that enjoys the supreme honor and distinction of having sustained the greatest percentage of loss in killed and wounded of all regiments in the entire Union army, in proportion to its number of enrollment. May 3, 1890, Colonel DAILEY was commissioned Captain of Company A of the 5th Regiment, I.N.G., being the Dodge Light Guard, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Since the war, he has taken a deep interest in military affairs and has one of the best libraries of military textbooks and histories in the country.

On September 28, 1874, he married Miss Mary E. WARREN, who was born in Lincoln County, Ontario, Canada, and was a graduate of the high school of Council Bluffs, Iowa. They have four sons and two daughters, whose names are, in the order of age: Frances, Warren, Robert L., Ada M., Frederick Ney, and Chester A. DAILEY. Like the father, the children are fond of horseback riding and are graceful and at home in the saddle.

Mr. DAVIS, our present subject, was brought up to farm life and at the age of 22 years left home and married Mary F. RUCKLE, July 4, 1882. She was the daughter of Peter RUCKLE, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, who came to Iowa about the spring of 1863, locating on 100 acres of land in Knox Township, Pottawattamie County. He had four children, namely: Mattie, who resides at home and is teaching school in Avoca; James G., who is also a teacher, residing in Knox Township; Mary F., who is fourth in order of birth; and Charles, who resides in Echo, Umatilla County, Oregon. Mrs. DAVIS was born August 26, 1861, was reared as a farmer's daughter, and received a good education in the Avoca High School.

After their marriage, Mr. DAVIS remained in Knox Township for a half year and then located upon forty acres of land in Neola Township, which he purchased and owned for two years. Selling out, he made a prospecting trip to Nebraska, but returned and bought eighty acres of land on section 21 in Neola Township, where there were some improvements; but he has added many more, building fences, planting fruit trees, etc., and made a neat home, where he is enjoying the comforts of life.

On national questions, he is a Democrat; in local matters, he votes for the best man. He takes special interest in the temperance question, is a public-spirited citizen, doing much for the benefit of the community. Has held the various township offices; has been a member of the Board of Education, of which he was once the president; and has been Justice of the Peace two years and re-elected in 1890, receiving in his election to that office more votes than any other man has ever received. He and his wife are among the representative families of the community, taking an active part in both its social and its moral advancement. Their children are three in number: Bertha May, born August 30, 1883; Floyd Orville, June 20, 1886, and Leta M., May 26, 1889.

In his political views, Mr. DAVIS is a Democrat, and although he is growing old, he yet bears his years very lightly. He has traveled extensively and is well informed. He has three sons and two daughters: Benjamin, living at home; William, residing on Keg Creek; Mary, wife of C. HERRICK, and living on Keg Creek; James, at home; Sally, the wife of Fred PAUP, and residing in Shelby County. A great loss to Mr. DAVIS was in the death of his wife in 1867, who had shared his trials and hardships with him.

Dean, Warren


WARREN DEAN, an early settler and prominent citizen of Wright Township, Pottawattamie Co, was born in Rhode Island, March 8, 1843. His father, EDWARD DEAN, formerly a worthy citizen and pioneer of Wright Twp, now resides in Griswold, Cass County, Iowa, both he and his wife being past 80 years old. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1810 and his wife, nee MARY ANN WEST, was born in Massachusetts in 1809. She is a daughter of AMOS and AVIS (HORTON) WEST, who lived as man and wife for 68 years. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and lived to be 96 years old. The Deans were of an old New England family. EDWARD DEAN married his present wife in Rhode Island, and in 1856 came to Iowa, settling in Wright Township, this county, being the third family to locate in the township. Here they lived until 1884 when they removed to Griswold.

WARREN DEAN was a lad of 13 years when his parents came west. His youth was spent on a farm in this frontier district and his education was obtained in a log schoolhouse. During the Civil War he tendered his services to this country, enlisting in August 1862 in Company I, 23d Iowa Infantry Volunteers, William Dewey being his first Colonel. Mr. DEAN was a brave soldier and participated in many of the important engagements in the War. He was first under first at Port Gibson; was at the siege and surrender of Vicksburg; went with General Banks up the Red River; was at the siege of Mobile; and finally received an honorable discharge at Harrisburg, Texas, whither he had been ordered from Mobile. After the war he returned to Pottawattamie Co and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm.

April 3, 1867 near where Atlantic, Iowa, now stands, Cass Co, Mr. Dean wedded Miss Georgiana HARDENBERGH, who had been a successful teacher of Cass and Pottawattamie counties. She was born in Ulster Co, NY, July 6, 1844, and was a young girl when her parents moved to Lee Co, Illinois. From there the family moved to Cass Co, Iowa, in 1859. Her father and mother, THOMAS H. and FANNY (NIVER) HARDENBERGH, both natives of New York, now reside near Atlantic where they have made their home for many years. After his marriage, Mr. Dean lived on the old farm for 4 years. In 1871 he moved to a portion of his present farm. He now owns 380 acres of as good land as there is in this county. His comfortable home and surroundings indicate the taste and refinement of its occupants and also the prosperity which has attended them. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and has been eminently successful. He and his wife are the parents of 4 children: Carrie M., who was educated at Simpson College, Indianola, is a popular teacher and an artist of rare ability; Ada L., George W., and Rae L.

Mr. DEAN's political views are in harmony with Republican principles. He has served as Township Clerk and as a member of the School Board. He has been identified with the Christian Church, but as that society has no organization in his vicinity, he worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whipple, and is a liberal supporter of same. His wife is an active and zealous member of that church and is Superintendent of the Sabbath school. Mr. DEAN is a member of the G.A.R. and is associated with Worthington Post No. 9, Griswold.

WILLIAM L. DEAN came to Wright Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1856, and has since made this place his home. He was born in Rhode Island, December 18, 1848, son of EDWARD and MARY A. (WEST) DEAN, prominent and early citizens of this township. A further account of them will be found in another page of this work, in the sketch of WARREN DEAN. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family and was only 7 years of age when his parents came West and located in this township, being among the pioneer settlers here. He attended the public schools and grew to manhood on the frontier. To the rudiments of an education thus obtained he added a larger knowledge by private study and reading at home.

He was married November 2, 1868, in Cass Co, Iowa to Miss EMILY WRIGHT, daughter of SIMEON and EMELINE (ARNOLD) WRIGHT, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. Her father is a prominent pioneer of this township, it having been named in his honor. For several years he was a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Mr. DEAN remained on the home farm for five years after his marriage and then came to his present farm, which he had partly improved before removing to it. He first purchased 80 acres and from time to time as fortune favored him, he bought more land until he is now the owner of 500 acres, one of the best farms in the eastern part of the county. His residence, a modern frame house with bay windows and porches, was built in 1881, at a cost of $2,100. It is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, dotted over with evergreens and shrubs and makes a cozy and attractive home. Mr. DEAN has a good barn with a rock foundation, other farm buildings and conveniences, and a supply of water near the surface of the ground. His farm is divided into ten different fields, separated by good fences. Twenty acres of river bottom are in timber, and he also has a ten-acre grove of thrifty young trees.

Mr. and Mrs. DEAN have five children, namely: Augusta M., who has been a teacher and is now attending Simpson College at Indianola; Charlotte B., Edward A., Georgia May, and Alice Effie, all at home. Mr. Dean was a member of the Christian Church when that society had an organization in this vicinity, but more recently he has taken an active interest in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whipple, of which his wife and two daughters are members. He is a Republican and is the present Trustee of Wright Township. He has also served several years on the School Board.

DAVID DEVOL was born in Chatham, NY, Nov 27, 1805, son of JOSHUA and MARTHA (GIFFORD) DEVOL, of French extraction, and natives of Massachusetts. David was the youngest of a family of five children, and is the only one now living. His father died when he was a small child, and at the age of eleven, he began to learn the trade of carding wool and dyeing and dressing cloth, at which he worked until after he was married. October 20, 1830, in Canaan, NY, he wedded Delia TOBY, who was born in that state, January 12, 1812. They located in Chatham, and a year later he engaged in the general mercantile business, which he continued 9 years in that town and in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. After that he came West and settled at Nauvoo, Illinois, where he made his home five years. In 1846 he continued his way westward, spent the first winter on the Des Moines River, and in 1847 came to Council Bluffs, where he has since continued to reside. The first two years of his residence here he was variously employed, then clerked three years, after which, until 1861, his occupation was diversified. In that year, his son, P.C. opened a stove and tin ware store and he has been associated with him since that time.

Mr. DEVOL has officiated at various capacities: as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Deputy District Clerk, etc. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1852. He affiliates with the Republican party. To him and his wife ten children were born, five of whom grew to maturity. Their names are as follows: George, deceased; Harriet wife of William N. Green of Council Bluffs, died in 1889; P.C., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere; Emily, Martha, David, Charles, all deceased; Delia, wife of W.R. Vaughan of Omaha, Nebraska; and William, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Devol have reached an advanced age, but are well preserved considering their many years of pioneer life and the hardships through which they have passed.

Devol, P. C.

P.C. DEVOL, one of the oldest businessmen of Council Bluffs, is a native of New York state, born January 10, 1836, son of DAVID and DELIA (TOBY) DEVOL. He was five or six years old when the family removed to Illinois. Three or four years later, after a short stay in eastern Iowa, they crossed the state with ox teams and located at Kanesville, or what is now Council Bluffs, which has since been the home of our subject. He was educated in the public schools and has since acquired much valuable information in the school of experience. Until 18, his time was variously employed. At that time, he began to learn the tinner's trade, which he followed until 1861, when, in company with MILTON RODGERS, he opened a stove and tin store at the stand he now occupies. They continued in business together for two years, at the end of which time, Mr. Devol purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until 1883. Then he formed a partnership with W.S. WRIGHT. They opened a jobbing house, which they conducted two years, after which they entered into a stock company under the firm name of RECTOR, WILHELMIE & CO. at Omaha, Nebraska, transferring their jobbing department from Council Bluffs to Omaha, and leaving the tin and stove store in this city. Mr. DEVOL is president of the company and Mr. WRIGHT is secretary. They carry a large stock of hardware, tinware and stamped ware, to the value of some $125,000 and employ a large force of men in the house and on the road, while the business of Mr. DEVOL, 504 Broadway and 10 Main St., Council Bluffs, has grown from a small establishment of $1,300 or $1,400 to its present magnificent size, some $20,000. He carries a full line of hardware, tin ware, stoves, etc. He has a shop connected with his store, employs 8 or 9 men all the time, and does an annual business of about $75,000. Mr. Devol is a self-made man, having started at the very bottom.

Shortly after coming to Council Bluffs, he was ambitious to earn and save something, so he went about it this way: He secured a space of some six feet in width between two buildings and kept a small stand, selling pies, cider, etc., to the emigrants who were on their way west. His life for a time was varied, and he saw some of the rough side of pioneer experiences. The subject of our sketch was married in 1868 to Miss CATHARINE SWOBE, who was born in New York state, daughter of MICHAEL SWOBE. They have had five children: Hattie, Mary, Paul C., William Roy and Arthur. The last named is deceased. Politically Mr. Devol is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., No. 49 Council Bluffs Lodge, having passed all the chairs. The family are associated with the Presbyterian Church. Previous to her marriage, Mrs. Devol was engaged in teaching school in this county for two or three years.

Willard DeWitt Jr., was reared to farm life and was early taught those lessons of industry and honesty which were so useful to him in after life. At the age of 21, he removed to Winnebago County, Illinois where he resided several years and where he became acquainted with the lady whom he afterward married. January 18, 1850, he wedded Miss Delphia MONTGOMERY, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, March 9, 1834, and was reared in Wells County, Indiana. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (JONES) MONTGOMERY, who were natives of Pennsylvania. For several years, the father was a successful teacher, and he afterward became a hotel manager. He died in La Porte, Indiana, at the age of 40 years. The mother, who is now over 90 years of age, resides with her son in Cheyenne County, Kansas. Mr. And Mrs. DeWitt lived in Winnebago County until 1855 when they removed to Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa. In 1861 they removed to Jasper County, same state. They lived in Monroe five years, Mr. DeWitt being engaged in teaming and freighting, which at that time was a profitable business. In 1866 he moved on a farm which he improved and on which he lived until 1876. In that year, he sold out and bought 160 acres of Sam OSLER, where he now resides. This place was improved by Silas WHEELER, an old pioneer of the township, it being one of the first farms settled on in this part of the county. At the time of its purchase by Mr. DeWitt, about the only buildings on it were an old house and a small granary. In 1884, at a cost of $1,600, he erected a comfortable two-story house with porches and bay windows. It is situated on a natural building site and is surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. Mr. DeWitt has a fine grove of three acres and an orchard containing between 600 and 700 fruit trees: applies, plums and small fruits. He has good fences and suitable out buildings for his stock. His farm is devoted to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. Among his stock are some fine specimens.

Mr. And Mrs. DeWitt have five children, viz.: James Willard, who is married, has three children and lives in Cedar County, Nebraska; George Lincoln, at home; Leticia, wife of M. F. PRICE of Center Township, this county, has two children; P. Grant, who is married, has one child, and lives in Grove Township; and John Harrison, at home. Four of their children died in infancy, namely; Antionica, in her 12th year; John H., in his 10th year; William H., in his 5th year; and Cora May, at the age of 13 months.

Politically, Mr. DeWitt was rocked in a Whig and Abolitionist cradle, and under such teaching grew to be a strong and radical Republican. He never aspired for public office, although he has served as President of the School Board. He is a man well informed on general topics and is one of the respected and honorable citizens of the township. By good management and industry he has acquired a good property. He owns 240 acres of land in Grove Township, all under good state of cultivation.

WILLIAM H. DIAL, our subject, was but two years of age when his parents removed to Platte Co., Missouri, and then to Andrew Co., where he was raised to the life of a farmer. His education was received by studying during his leisure moments, and by observation; on account of living on the frontier, he was deprived of the advantages of schooling. When he was 14 years of age, in 1847, they removed to Taylor Co., a wild and unsettled territory inhabited by wolves and Indians. This was the second time he was thrown on the frontier, but he again went to work and assisted in opening up the country. Here they endured many hardships and privations, such as are incident to pioneer life, making their home in a log cabin of that day, which had no windows, and they did their cooking at the wide, old fashioned fireplace. In 1863 he came to Pottawattamie Co. and spent the first winter east of Council Bluffs, and then moved to the vicinity where he now lives. He first rented a farm of raw prairie land for seven years of William GARNER, but in 1870 he purchased a tract of 40 acres of the Rock Island Railroad Company on section 25, Hazel Dell Township, which was also raw prairie land.

In June 1871 he removed to his present farm, where he erected a residence 26 X 14 and 16 X 12, one and a half stories high. He has added to his farm at different times, until he now possesses 120 acres of the best stock land in the county, and ten acres of timberland on section 17, Hazel Dell Township. He also has property in Weston, where he has resided since February 17, 1890. He has always turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and also has a fine orchard on his farm, and one of the finest plum orchards in this section of the county. In his political views, Mr. DIAL has always been a stanch Democrat, taking an active part in all political work of his county and state. He has represented his Township as a member of the School Board, Road Supervisor, and is now acting as Justice of the Peace. Mr. DIAL was married December 4, 1852, to Martha Ann CAMPBELL, who was born in Kentucky, and the daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (PARKER) WILL. They have seven children, namely: John I., a resident of Garner Township; Mary E., wife of John GARNER, residing in Garner Township; Margaret A., wife of Mr. PRICE, residing in California; William Vallanding, deceased; Amanda, deceased; Russell F., residing in Hazel Dell Township on the old home farm; Georgia M., the widow of William A. MOORE. Mr. DIAL is a self-made man, having risen to his present position by pluck and perseverance and he now stands among the well-to-do citizens of the county.

Dingman, John B.


John B. DINGMAN, of section 9, Garner Township, is a prominent pioneer of this county, having first settled here in 1847. He was born in Upper Canada, October 16, 1827, a son of Philip and Barbara (BOYD) DINGMAN, the former a native of Schoharie County, New York, and of German ancestry, and the latter a native of Canada. At the age of fourteen years, in company with Joseph PARKER, an uncle, the subject of this sketch came West and settled at Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1840. In 1847 he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and spent the following winter and summer in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he made brick, working as a molder, in 1848. The next year he came to this county and worked upon farms in Garner Township and soon bought a tract of wild land, settled upon it and began improvements. He now owns ninety-five acres of valley land, divided into cultivated fields, meadow, pasture and wood lots. He has an abundance of good timber for fencing and fuel, etc. His farm is only two and a half miles from the city limits and is well stocked with buildings, all conveniently arranged. Politically Mr. DINGMAN is a Democrat, strong and radical. He has good health, and is frank and cordial in manner and a worthy citizen.
He was first married in October, 1848, to Elizabeth FOY, and they had three children: Orson, William and Susan E., the latter is the wife of James B. STEPHENSON, of Council Bluffs. Mr. DINGMAN, for his present wife, married Martha A. RITTER, a daughter of Adam RITTER, and by this marriage there are four children: John, a resident of Nebraska; Theodore, of Garner Township, on the home stead; Charlotte, the wife of William McDONALD, of Nebraska, and Archibald TRAVERS, of Council Bluffs.
ISAAC E. DONER, of section 36, Hardin township, is one of the enterprising, successful and well known citizens of the township, who came to Pottawattamie County in 1875. He is a native of De Kalb Co., Indiana, born July 20, 1854, the son of HENRY DONER, a native of Pennsylvania, who was the son of Jacob DONER, also a native of Pennsylvania but of German ancestry. Our subject's mother, nee Amanda JOHNSON, was born in Wayne Co, Ohio; her parents were natives of Virginia.

Isaac DONER, the fifth in a family of nine children, was a lad of ten years when the family moved to Defiance Co, Ohio, where they lived for three years. In 1867 they came to Jasper Co, Iowa, and were early settlers in that portion of the state. Here Isaac grew to manhood and resided until 1874 when he removed to Mills County, Iowa, where he remained one year. In 1875 he purchased his present farm of 80 acres of then wild land, only 18 acres being broken. He has since improved it and it is now one of the best improved farms in the township; fifty acres are cultivated and the remainder is in pasture and meadow.

Mr. DONER was married March 18, 1880, in Mills County, Iowa, to Miss Margaret Jane KERNEY, a woman of intelligence, and a very successful teacher before her marriage. She is the daughter of Jacob B. KERNEY, son of William KERNEY, also a native of Pennsylvania of Irish ancestry and a relative of GENERAL KERNEY of military fame. His mother's maiden name was MARY BISHOP, of German parentage. Mrs. Doner's mother, nee Elizabeth BLACK, was a native of England, and the daughter of William and Cecelia (LILLY) BLACK, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Whitingham, Northumberland County, England. MRS. DONER was born January 13, 1850, at Mayville, DeKalb County, Missouri, and was six years of age when parents came to Mills Co, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. Her mother died October 21, 1883, in this county and the father resides in Onawa, Monona Co, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. DONER have two children: Floyd Dwight, born January 13, 1882, and Harry Irving, born October 15, 1884. Politically Mr. DONER is a Republican and has held the office of Constable for two years, serving with credit to himself and the community, and has also served as Superintendent of the Sabbath school for six years. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. DONER is a steward of the church.

Doner, Jacob

JACOB DONER is one of the enterprising and successful citizens of Hardin Township. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, November 16,1846, the son of Henry DONER, a native of Pennsylvania who was the son of Jacob DONER, also a Pennsylvanian by birth, but of German descent. They trace their ancestors back to the time of the early settlement of Pennsylvania. Our subject's mother, Amanda (JOHNSON) DONER, was born and reared in Ohio; her father was of Irish ancestry. Jacob DONER, the eldest child, was about eight years of age when his parents settled in DeKalb County, Indiana, and then moved to Defiance County, Ohio. He was reared to farm life, and, although but a lad when the great Rebellion broke out, he enlisted in the Union Army, and was assigned to the Third United States Cavalry. His regiment was stationed at Huntsville, Alabama; from there it was ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they remained two years. After the close of the Civil War, the regiment was ordered to New Mexico, stationed first at Fort Bascom, thence to Fort Sumner on the Pecos River, now an abandoned fort. Mr. DONER was discharged at Fort Sumner, September 30, 1868, after serving nearly five years. By a special act of Congress, they were discharged earlier so as to have time to reach the States before winter.

Returning home, he went to Iowa where his family had moved during his absence, and where he remained only a short time; he then went to the following places: Ohio on a visit, spending the spring and winter of 1869; then to Bureau County, Illinois, five years, until 1875; Lucas County, Iowa, until 1883, and then Pottawattamie County, Hardin Township, section 25. Mr. DONER resided here six years, and then he bought his present improved farm of L. J. KISER. The farm consists of eighty acres of good land, a comfortable frame house, on a natural and pleasant building site, with a large grove and an orchard of six acres. The farm is well-matured and readily adapted for stock purposes.

In his political views, Mr. Doner is a Republican and is a man just in the prime of life, well-informed on all topics, frank and cordial in his manners, and is a well-known and respected citizen of his township. He was married July 4, 1870, at Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois to Miss Genevra Caroline FOLGER, who was born, reared, and educated in Bureau County, and daughter of Robert FOLGER of Nantucket Island. The family are relatives of the great statesman FOLGER. The father is now about eighty years of age and is living at Lebanon, Laclede County, Missouri; and the mother, whose maiden name was Melissa CROSS, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and is still living at the age of sixty-two years.

Mr. And Mrs. DONER have six sons, namely: Frederick, William, Charles, Isaac, Jesse and Frank.

HENRY A. DONER, a farmer residing on Section 29, Hardin Township, has been a resident of this county since 1876. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 6, 1850, a son of Henry A. DONER, Sr., and the latter was a son of Jacob DONER, of Maryland and of Swiss ancestry. The maiden name of the mother of the subject of this sketch was Amanda JOHNSON. She also was a native of Wayne County, Ohio and her father was a native of Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch, the third born in his parents' family of six sons and three daughters, was a small boy when they removed to DeKalb County, Indiana. In a short time, they returned to Ohio, settling in Defiance County, and in 1867 they removed to Jasper County, where the father died the next year; the mother now lives at Silver City, Mills County, this state.

Mr. Doner was reared a farmer. From 1871 to 1876 he was a resident of Bureau County, Illinois, and then he came to Pottawattamie County and purchased a quarter section of land on section 36, Hardin Township. Since then, he has bought ore and now has altogether 439 acres of valuable land; 279 acres are in one body, on section 36, and on sections 29 and 30, where he resides, he has 160 acres. This is one of the best farms in the county. His dwelling, built in 1890, cost $2,500; and his barn, built in 1889, cost $1,500. Both are fine structures, in modern style.

In his political views, Mr. Doner is a Republican. He has served on the School Board.

THOMAS DOOL, a substantial farmer of Valley Township, is the son of Robert DOOL, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and was of sterling Scotch-Irish descent. He was the son of Henry DOOL who came from Scotland and settled on a farm in Ireland, and was the father of five children: John, Henry, Robert and Martha. Robert came to America when a young man in 1817; his name was spelled DOOLE. He was married to Margaret SPEARS, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and they were the parents of eight children: William S., Henry and Hannah (twins), Rosean, Margaret, Mary, John, and Thomas. The first three were born in Ireland and Rosean was born on the ocean in an English ship sailing under American colors for safety in French waters; so it is said that she did not know her nationality. The remainder of the children were born in America.

John SPEARS also came to America in 1821, bringing his wife, nee May Hannah, and four children: Robert, May, Hannah, Margaret. The father came to Ohio, where he was among the early pioneers of Guernsey County, and where he lived until 1831. He was a member of the old Seceder Presbyterian Church and was an honorable man.

Mr. DOOL landed in Philadelphia and went directly to Ohio, settling in Harrison County, where he was a pioneer. He lived only to the age of thirty-nine years, dying of canal fever in 1829. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a man who loved his family, which tempted him to risk life and health in the struggle with the wilderness in order to better their condition. Mrs. DOOL was left with a family of small children, to whom she taught industry and honesty, which is always learned at the mother's knee. In 1859 she came to Illinois with her son, John, where she died at the age of ninety years. She was born in 1792 and died in 1882. She was a lady of strong character and hardy constitution and strove to teach her children, all of whom became good citizens. One son, William S., a Presbyterian minister, followed that profession in Ohio and Illinois for many years.

Thomas DOOL, our subject, was born on his father's farm in Harrison County, Ohio, July 26, 1828, and, like many of our famous men, had little chance to attend school, and after eleven years of age did not attend school at all. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eleven years. In March 1862, he went to Mercer County, Illinois, where he remained eleven years. In 1873 he came to Pottawattamie County, settling on his present farm of eighty acres, but which he has since improved and converted into a fine farm of 160 acres, on which is a new and commodious residence and many other improvements. He is respected by his fellow citizens, and takes an active interest in the cause of education, having served as Justice of the Peace and as School Director. He has made his property by hard labor and is truly a self-made man.

Mr. DOOL was married in Harrison County, Ohio, to Mary BELL, daughter of John and Margaret (CLIFFORD) BELL. The father was an Irishman by birth and came to America in 1841, settling on a farm in Harrison County. He was the father of ten children, viz.: Mary, Benjamin, Esther, Samuel (deceased in his second year), John, George, Edward, James, Margaret A., and Jane. Benjamin was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting at the beginning and was in several battles. He died in June 1862 from typhoid fever. The father removed to his farm in Mercer County, Illinois, in 1864, where he is still living.

To Mr. And Mrs. DOOL have been born four children: Henry E. (deceased at the age of twenty-six); William J., who was born in 1859; Margaret J., and Mary E. Both Mr. And Mrs. DOOL are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. DOOL has been an elder for many years. He assisted in organizing the Knox Presbyterian Church and, with Robert MARTIN, was elected elder.

Joseph, a son of the above and the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life and was but ten years of age when his father moved to Montrose, Iowa, about 1847. After marriage, he settled on a farm in Mills County, where he lived until 1876, when he moved to his present farm of 160 acres. He is a self-made man, having made all his property by his own labor. He was married in Mills County, Iowa, May 14, 1865, to Miss Mary MUNDS, daughter of John and Emily (LAFLER) MUNDS. They were the parents of six children who lived to maturity, viz.: Mary, James, William, Jane, Lona and John. The father came from Ohio in 1859, and settled on a farm in Mills County where he died at the age of sixty years. He was a member of the Baptist church and was a man of integrity and industry. To Mr. And Mrs. DOWTY have been born one child, John Franklin, who was born June 13, 1869, on a farm near Hastings, Mills County, Iowa and is now a student at Tabor College.

DAVID DUNKLE, a pioneer farmer near Crescent city, was born in Fayette Co, Ohio, March 14, 1834, son of William and Mary (McMULLEN) DUNKLE, natives of Virginia who emigrated to Ohio and were married there. The senior Mr. DUNKLE, a farmer, moved in the summer of 1840 to Greene Co, Missouri, and thence to Dade Co, that state, and in 1848 to Buchanan Co. His wife died in Missouri, in April 1844, and he came to Iowa in the spring of 1852, locating on a farm a mile east of Crescent City, this village then being called Pigeon City, and on section 30, Hazel Dell Township. This land, 160 acres, just broken, Mr. DUNKLE purchased of Solomon FREEMAN, and here he lived with his son until the end of his life, December 29, 1873, when he was about 92 years of age.

David, our subject, remained upon the home farm until 1885 when he moved to Crescent City. He bought 80 acres on sections 14 and 22, Crescent Township, which he afterward sold; and he still owns a portion of the original 160 acres, which he has placed until cultivation and substantial improvements. Being one of the pioneers of the county, he had to undergo most of the hardships incident to pioneer life, but he faced them with determination and is now reaping his reward. He brought the first horses to this part of the county that were put to general use; previous to that time, oxen had been universally employed. He was elected the first County Supervisor from this district in 1860 and was re-elected twice afterward. In 1860 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in which official relation he has since served continuously with the exception of one year in the service of the late war. He has also held the various township offices. He was instrumental in bringing about the organization of the first independent school district in this part of the county, it being the second one organized in the county; the one at Kanesville, now Council Bluffs, was the first. He has done a great deal for the cause of education, and this is the best evidence of his patriotism. November 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 13th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, May 22, 1865, on account of disability. He participated in the battle of Nashville between Hood and Thomas, December 22 and 23, 1864. He is now a member of Abraham Lincoln Post No. 29, G.A.R. of Council Bluffs. He is a high-minded Democrat on national questions, in which he takes an active interest and was generally a delegate to county and state conventions.

He was married December 22, 1852, to Margaret McMULLEN, daughter of William and Catharine McMULLEN, natives of Virginia. She was born in Fayette Co, Ohio in 1834, and died July 25, 1883, leaving four children: David William, who resides in Florence, Nebraska; Martha A, now the wife of W.H. CAFFERTY in Omaha; Sarah A, now Mrs. John DAGGETT in Florence, NE; and John W., at home.

STEPHEN THOMAS DUNN, JR., a farmer of Crescent Township, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, August 24, 1849, the son of Stephen and Mary DUNN, of Irish ancestry. The senior DUNN was born December 26, 1819, in Dublin, Ireland, where he was reared to manhood. About the age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to America, landing at New York, where he served his apprenticeship as tailor. About two years after arriving in this country, he married a French lady, who was born November 23, 1826, and died in 1865. They had three sons and one daughter, namely: William and Mary, deceased; John, now residing at Council Bluffs; and Stephen Thomas, the subject of this sketch. In 1857 the father came to Council Bluffs, where he married again, made his residence and followed his trade to within a few years of his death, which occurred December 26, 1888. Purchasing a farm eight miles north of Council Bluffs, he spent the remainder of his days there. The children by his second wife were two daughters: Allie and Winifred, both now deceased.

His son, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, married in 1874 and purchased eighty acres of land on section 34, where he now lives. There he began life anew and made the many improvements essential to a complete and comfortable home. He now has a fine imported Clydesdale stallion five years old, weighing 1,700 pounds, and being seventeen hands high, which he keeps in Council Bluffs in the season.

He was married in March 1874 to a lady who was born in Wisconsin, April 28, 1857, and since then has occupied his present farm. He is a steadfast and enthusiastic Democrat, has been Road Supervisor for the past five years, is a member of the Mutual Protective Association of Crescent City, and he and his wife are devout members of the Catholic Church and exemplary citizens. They have had two daughters and five sons, namely: Joseph Earl, born March 1, 1875; Mary Winifred, October 2, 1877, died August 24, 1878; Ellen, born September 15, 1879; Albert Francis, born January 15, 1882; John, August 10, 1886; Stephen Thomas Jr., January 24, 1888; and Andrew, March 10, 1890.

NOTE TO RESEARCHERS: Stephen Dunn Sr., married Mary Carson in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on 17 June 1857.

W.E. DURHAM, the subject of this sketch, resided in Bureau County, near Malden, until 1881, when he sold the old farm and came to Pottawattamie County, and bought his present place consisting of 580 acres, which is one of the most valuable farms in the county. Grove Farm is a beautiful home; the residence was erected in 1882, and is in the shape of three L’s, two stories high, and cost $8,000. The farm contains about 20 acres of forest and grove trees.

He was married March 27, 1856, in Bureau County, Illinois, to Miss Rebecca SHERMAN, a woman of intelligence and of a good family. She was born in Lucas County, Ohio, the daughter of John SHERMAN, who was born on the ocean, of German parents, who were on their way to America. They afterward settled at Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. DURHAM’s mother was Catherine (KEEL) SHERMAN, who was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. DURHAM was only 14 years old when her parents removed from Stark County, Ohio, to Bureau County, Illinois. Her father died at the latter place in 1861, and her mother died in Missouri in 1875. Mr. And Mrs. DURHAM have eight children, viz.: Flora V., wife of David WHITE of Carson Township; Ethelinda, wife of Felix SETZ of Washington Township; Mary W., wife of Rob STEELE of Center Township; Rhoda, wife of J. C. ELSWICKS of Carson Township; Ira E., one of Pottawattamie’s successful teachers; John Sherman, at home; William Arthur of Carson Township; and Charles K., at home. Mr. And Mrs. DURHAM, two sons, and their youngest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the other daughters are members of the Presbyterian and Baptist churches. Politically, Mr. DURHAM is a Democrat and works for the best interest of his party.

Dye Brothers & Co.


DYE BROTHERS & CO., comprising Willoughby DYE, Sylvester DYE, Henry KENNEDY and Elmer E.SMITH, constitute the pioneer and leading mercantile house of Macedonia, their establishment being one of the most popular stores in the western part of Pottawattamie County. Willoughby DYE the senior member, started in business at old Macedonia, in July 1876, as a member of the firm of Heinsteiner & Dye. In 1878 Mr. DYE purchased his partner's interest and in 1880 a partnership was formed with his brother, Sylvester DYE. In February 1878, Henry KENNEDY and Elmer E. SMITHh were admitted into the firm. Their store building 44 X 90 was erected in 1882. They keep a very large and fine stock of general merchandise, dry goods and groceries, boots and shoes, etc., doing a business of $40,000 to $50,000 per annum. They are, of course, extensively and favorably known. Willoughby Dye & Co. are the leading manufacturers of brick and tile in the eastern part of the county, making 350,000 brick each year and employing six to eight men during the season of business. Their works were established in 1882.

Mr. Willoughby DYE was born in Lee Co., Iowa, April 14, 1862, son of Henry DYE, who settled in Iowa in 1839. His mother's name before marriage was Jane MICKELWAITE, a native of England. He was brought up on a farm and completed his school education at the Academy at Fort Madison. He then taught school for a time, including two terms in Pottawattamie County. Coming here first in 1871 he returned to Lee County and in 1863 came again to this county. He taught school until February 1874 when he obtained a situation with D.L. HEIMSCHEIMER at Glenwood, Iowa, with whom he formed in 1876 the partnership, as before stated. Though yet in the prime of life, Mr. Dye has had large experience in life and as a businessman and citizen he stands high in the estimation of people. Being very liberal with his purse as well as his spirit, he has done more than any other man in the building up of the village of Macedonia. Politically he is a Democrat, and he is at present the Worshipful Master of the Ruby Lodge No. 415, F&AM; and he is also a member of subordinate lodge No. 421 I.O.O.F. He was married Oct 1, 1879 at Macedonia to Miss Maggie REINUND, who was born in Cedar County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dye have four children: Charles, Harry L., Irolene and an infant son not yet named.

GEORGE S. DYE, of section 9, Carson Township, was born in Lee Co., Iowa, April 6, 1854, son of Henry and Jane (MICKELWAIT) DYE. The father was born in Miami Co., Ohio, and was son of John DYE, who was a native of Kentucky and of Scotch ancestry. Henry DYE is now living with his son, George S., and is one of the old pioneers of Iowa, who settled in this state in 1839. The mother was a native of England, and died in Lee County in 1861. She was a member of the Baptist Church. The Mickelwaits of Mills County, Iowa, are brothers of hers.

George S., our subject, resided in Lee County, Iowa, until 1883 when he came to Pottawattamie Co., and purchased 160 acres of wild prairie land, where he now lives. He has since improved the same, and now has a fine farm of 200 acres. He also owns 80 acres of land in Silver Creek Township, on section 24. He is engaged in general farming, stock raising and feeding. Mr. Dye was married in Grant Co., Wisconsin, November 7, 1879, to Miss Julia C. KIRK of that county. She was born in St. Lawrence County, NY, daughter of Joseph and Charlotte (MEYER) KIRK. The father was engaged by the US Government as civil engineer and surveyor, and was sent to Russia to take plans of certain portions of railroads from Petersburg to Moscow. Here he met Charlotte MEYER, to whom he was married. During the Civil War, he was engaged in building gunboats and ships for the United States Government.

Mr. and Mrs. DYE have six children: Harry K., Ralph B., Albert L., Olga J., Georgia S., and Merl. Politically Mr. Dye is a liberal Democrat and is a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 444 of Carson, Iowa. Mrs. Dye is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dye has always taken an active part in educational matters. Has been a member of the school board in some capacity ever since he has resided in this county.