1893 Biographies D to F

WILLIAM M. DANN, an intelligent and successful farmer of Sac county, Iowa, whose energetic efforts have not only gained prosperity for himself, but have contributed materially to that of the county, was born on Long Island Sound, August 4, 1817. He comes of patriotic ancestors who fought many hard battles for this country. His father, Jonathan Dann, was a native of Connecticut, and an efficient soldier in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Squire Dann, was of Scotch ancestry and a brave soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Stevens, was also a native of Connecticut. Her father, John Stevens, was born in Vermont, and was a farmer by occupation. He died on the old homestead at the age of seventy-three years and the mother died in 1871. Mr. Stevens was a Republican in his political views and was an active worker in the Methodist Church.

William M. Dann, whose name heads this notice, was reared on a farm, and when twenty-one years of age went to Oneida county, New York. He, however, joined the westward tide of emigration, and, in 1845, settled in White Water, Walworth county, Wisconsin, of which he was one of the pioneers, this country being then on the frontier of civilization. Here, he followed the cooper's trade for three years, after which he followed the same trade in Janesville, Rock county, two years. He then worked at his trade in Fort Atkinson, and ran a stave factory at the same time, some years, and manufactured a million staves. In 1872 he came to Sac county, Iowa. He engaged for about three years, with R. S. Gates, in the cattle business on Coon river in Jackson township, when, in 1877, he bought his present farm, which was then wild land, but which he has assiduously cultivated until he now has 200 acres, and his son, Orey, 120 - all well improved. Eight acres are devoted to a fine grove, while he has an excellent orchard of an acre and a half, his farm being altogether one of the best in the county.

Mr. Dann was married in 1847, at Delavan, Wisconsin, by the Rev. Mr. Dudly to Miss Lucinda Passage, a native of Schenectady, New York, who was educated in Genesee county, that State. Her father, John Passage, was also born in the Empire State, and his father, George Passage, was a native of New England, while the great-grandfather, also named George, came to Pennsylvania with William Penn. He and his father, also named George Passage, came from France, the elder gentleman having more than a million dollars in gold. They were aristocratic people and very wealthy. The elder gentleman gave to his son, George, half of his wealth when his son had reached the age of twenty-four years. The latter then went to what is now called Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and bought all the land on which that city now stands, part of which land he sold to William Penn. He then encouraged settlers to locate on the portion of his property still remaining, for the purpose of inducing emigration to that vicinity, but did not deed any of the land to those living on it. This young man once saw a German family on a boat coming from Germany, who had eleven daughters. He selected one of these, who was one of the most beautiful of women, and told her parents he would give them $10,000 for her, and he would buy a house large enough for the family to live in and hire a teacher to instruct her and leave her at home with her parents for three years, until she had completed her education at college, whn he would marry her. This generous offer was accepted and the parents never afterward had reason to regret their action. Both their daughter and her husband lived to be a hundred years old and rounded out in happiness an acquaintance most romantically begun. Mrs. Dann's mother was formerly Eleanor Correll, a native of New York and of Scotch ancestry. She and her husband had ten children, one of whom, a son, served in a California Cavalry Regiment in the civil war for about three years.

George Passage, Mrs. Dann's brother referred to, was born in Schenectady, New York, was in the hotel business three years in Castile, that State, and then for fifty years was a merchant at Delavan, Wisconsin. John Passage went to California, in 1851, overland. At one time he had to go four days with nothing to drink and nothing to eat but four biscuits, and the latter he kept in his pocket to the end of that awful journey, lest he might need them more in a still greater emergency. He also had some trouble with the Mormons. In California he made and spent a fortune, came back to Wisconsin, and returned to California, where he followed mining until the spring of 1802. He then enlisted in the war, and although he expected no pecuniary reward he received, with his comrades, $400. He was in an engagement where only three men escaped alive out of the 100 on his side. He was in sixteen battles in all, besides many skirmishes. Was once wounded by a gunshot in his leg.

Mr. Dann, the subject of this sketch, after being absent from his boyhood's home forty-seven years, visited it in the fall of 1885, to see his aunt, then 100 years and eleven months old. She presented Mr. Dann with a pair of stockings which his grandmother had knit in 1770 for his grandfather to wear in the close of the Revolutionary war. They are over two feet long, and are yet as sound as ever.

Mrs. Dann's grandmother Correll was killed by a kick from a cow at the age of fifty years. Peter Correll was once bit by a mad dog in New York city, and he cut his own leg off with his pocket knife and escaped all other harm from the bite; but fifteen years after that he was drowned in the Genesee river.

Mr. and Mrs. Dann have had three children: the eldest died before a week old; Orey W. was born in Jansville, Rock county, Wisconsin, educated at Fort Atkinson, Jefferson county, same State, has been in the cattle business the most of his lite, and Dann & Son now own some road horses of the Black Hawk stock, which are as fine as any to be found in Sac county; Orey W. is now a resident of Delaware township; and Frank, the third-born, was drowned at the age of twenty months.

Politically, Mr. Dann votes with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee, as Judge of Elections and as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order, which he joined at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin; and also belongs to the I.O. O.F., No. 484. Religiously, the family are useful members of the Methodist Church, and enjoy the unqualified respect and esteem of all who know them.

JOSEPH P. DANO, a farmer of Sac county, Iowa, was born in Canada, September 19, 1838, a son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Haskins) Dano, natives of Ellisburg, New York. The father was a lumberman and farmer by occupation, and located in Canada after marriage. He was drowned in the St. Lawrence river, May 7, 1864, and the mother survived him until July, 1887, dying in DeKalb county, Illinois.

Joseph P., the third of ten children, four sons and six daughters, was reared in Jefferson county, New York, and educated in the schools of Canada. In 1864, at Alexandria Bay, New York, he enlisted in the Tenth Heavy Artillery, was mustered into service at Hart's Island, New York, assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battle of Buda Hundred. Mr. Dano was stationed most of the time in Virginia, on garrison duty, was wounded at the battle of Winchester, and was honorably discharged at Petersburg, Virginia, in 1865. After the close of the struggle he was engaged at farm labor in Jefferson county, New York, until removing to De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1875, where he followed the same occupation. In 1880 he purchased a farm in Sac county, Iowa, and he now owns 100 acres, all under a fine state of cultivation, with two acres devoted to a grove and one acre to an orchard. He remained on this place until 1888, when he came to Lake View.

Mr. Dano was married in Jefferson county, New York, in September, 1862, to Miss Mary Sheffield, a native of that county, and a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Shaw) Sheffield, natives also of that State. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in Jefferson county in 1848, ami the mother is still living, the wife of Daniel Gruver. Mrs. Dano had one sister, now deceased.

Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Church. They have three children: Alphonso, married and resides in Viola township, Sac county; William, married, has two children, and resides in Lake View; and Maggie, wife of Webster Heath, of Wall Lake township, and they also have two children. Mr. Dano takes an active interest in politics, voting with the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of William T. Sherman Post, No. 281, and of the I.O.O.F., Lake View Lodge, No. 302. He has witnessed many changes in Sac county, and is one of the most prominent citizens.

CHARLES S. DARLING - Among the popular and well-known citizens of the flourishing county of Sac, Iowa, the subject of this sketch holds a prominent position. He resides on section 1, in Cedar township, coming here in 1874. He was born in Summit county, Ohio, March 4, 1856, a son of James Darling, a well-known early settler of Sac county, now deceased. He was born in Washington county, New York, in the town of Putnam, January 8, 1824, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Portis) Darling, natives of Haddington, Scotland. Adam Darling was a carpenter and contractor by trade. James received a college education at Dr. Ballon's academy, but in 1847 he removed to Summit county, Ohio, and married Margaret Drennen, who was born and educated in that county. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Darling: Elizabeth Jane, who died at the age of thirteen years; Sarah J., the wife of S. M. Elwood, of Sac county; and Charles S. The mother died February 18, 1877. James Darling was appointed to a position in the Quartermaster's Department of the Army of Virginia, in 1864, by Governor Slocum, of Ohio, and filled an important position in the Freedmen's Bureau, with headquarters at the old home of Jeff Davis, in Mississippi. After the war our subject's father was engaged extensively in the manufacture of cheese in Ohio, and was the author of a work entitled, "Sabbath Observance in Cheese Making." In 1874 he came here and located on wild land, being a successful teacher and for four years was County Superintendent. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church and was a successful business man.

Charles Darling was reared in Summit county, Ohio, and Sac county, [owa, educated mostly at home by his talented father. He taught school for a short time, giving satisfaction wherever he taught. He married February 11, 1879, Miss Anna Parker, a successful and popular teacher, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, February 27, 1859, the daughter of W. D. and Helen (Jones) Parker, natives of Cattaraugus county. Mr. Parker was one of the early pioneers of Calhoun county. Iowa. Our subject and wife have three children: James Willis, born February 18, 1880; John DeWitt, born March 24, 1882; Eugene Drennen, born January 2, 1885.

The family residence is a frame structure, situated in a grove and orchard of five acres in extent, and he has one of the best barns in Sac county. It is 56 x 60 feet, with 24-foot posts and has room for 100 tons of hay and sixty head of cattle. He has a good dairy of thirty cows, and a flock of the best sheep to be found in western Iowa, they being Oxford Downs. There are fifty of them and very fine specimens. He also has thoroughbred cattle, shorthorns, and has spent much money and taken a great interest in the improvement of his stock. His farm is a large one of 250 acres and he has successfully conducted it. He has a reputation as a cheese manufacturer that is second to none in the West.

Mr. Darling is a prominent and active member of the Presbyterian Church, a Deacon and a most acceptable and earnest worker in the church and Sabbath-school, in which labor he is joined by Mrs. Darling. Socially, Mr. Darling is a very pleasant man to meet, being affable and agreeable, a fine conversationalist and a most intelligent and progressive citizen.

WILLIAM G. DeVINE, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1840, a son of Joseph DeVine, a native of Massachusetts. The latter's father, also named Joseph, was born in that State, of English ancestry. The mother of our subject, nee Caroline Thompson, a native of New Hampshire, was a daughter of Timothy Thompson, a native of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeVine moved to Walworth, Wisconsin, in 1844, and one year later to Dane county, where they improved a farm. The mother died there in 1882, aged about sixty years, and the father now makes his home with our subject, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He followed the vocation of a farmer through life, was a Whig in his political views, having voted for Fremont in 1856, and is a member of the Baptist Church. The parents reared a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Four of the sons were soldiers in the late war: Albert, a member of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, contracted typhoid fever in the army and died at Sulphur Springs, Missouri; William G.,a member of the same company; Henry, who served with the United States Regulars, died on the Southern coast; .lames, a member of the Thirty-Seveiith Wisconsin Infantry, resides in Spink county, Dakota.

William G., the subject of this sketch, was four years of age when his parents moved to Wisconsin, where he was educated in the old log cabin school of that early day, and reared to farm life. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the late war, in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Eagle regiment, for three years, and took part in the battles of South Mountain, Jackson, Vicksburg, siege of Biloxi, Corinth, on the Red River expedition, Guntown, Memphis, and Hurricane Creek. Mr. DeVine was honorably discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, in September, 1864, and the following two years he spent in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1867 he went to Crawford county, Kansas, remaining one year; was one year in Wisconsin, three years in Fayette county, Iowa; one year on Government land in Lincoln county, Kansas; three years in Tama county, Iowa; and in 1881 came to Sac county, Iowa. He located on 160 acres of wild land, which he has since improved, and where he has a good one and a half-story residence, 14 x 24 feet. He also has a fine grove and orchard of five acres, consisting of catalpa, maple, ash, cottonwood, mulberry, willow and all kinds of small fruit.

In October, 1864. in Dane county, Wisconsin, Mr. DeVine was united in marriage with Susan T. Bunton, a native of that county, and a daughter of Rev. Willis T. Bunton, one of the early pioneers of Dane county, locating there as early as 1842. His death occurred in that county at the age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Bunton, nee Hila Faris, was born in Virginia, died in Fayette county, Iowa, aged sixty years. They wre the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Three of the sons took part in the late war: George, a member of the Third Iowa Infantry, now resides in Adams county, Nebraska, where he was among the early pioneers; Leondes, a member of the Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry, resides in West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, here he was also an early settler; and Willis, in the United States Regulars, is a railroad engineer. Mr. and Mrs. DeVine have had three children: Hila H., wife of Samuel Phillips, of Wall Lake township, and they have two children, Edward and an infant son; Herman, born July 10, 1882; and Lola, deceased.

Mr. DeVine is a Republican in his political views, and socially, is a member of William T. Sherman Post, No. 284. He has always been identified with everything for the good of his county.

OSCAR DRAPER, one of the prominent early settlers of Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, resides on a farm of 160 acres near Odebolt.

He dates his birth in Essex county, New York, in 1843, and is a son of Henry and Emily (Palmer) Draper, both natives of Essex county. His grandfather, Timothy Draper, was of Scotch-Irish descent. Henry Draper emigrated with his family to Scott county, Iowa, in 1859, and located near Le Claire, where his wife died in 1861. He, too, died in Sac county, aged sixty-six years. He was liberal in his religious views, and in politics was a Republican. Mrs. Draper was a Baptist. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Three of their sons served in the late war. William H., who was a member of the Twentieth Iowa Infantry, is now a resident of Clinton county Iowa. John, who served in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry, lives in Seattle, Washington. August 22, 1862, Oscar enlisted in the Twentieth Iowa Infantry, and during his service participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and Vicksburg and was through the seige of Fort Morgan and Fort Blakely, besides being in numerous skirmishes. He was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama, July 8, 1865.

Returning to Iowa after the war, the subject of our sketch located east of De Witt, in Clinton county, where he was engaged in tanning until 1874. Since that year he has been identified with the interests of Clinton township, Sac county. Here he purchased 160 acres of land, has improved it with good buildings, etc., and is devoting his time chiefly to stock-raising. He keeps a dairy of about fifteen cows. His residence is a story and a half, and is 18 x 24 feet, and his harn is 48 x 60 feet. A nice grove and orchard of two acres is among other improvements Mr. Draper has placed upon his land.

March 12, 1868, he married Sarah J. Bittinger in Clinton county, Iowa. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Rebecca (Kahl) Bittinger. The Bittinger family came West from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1850, and two years later to Clinton county, Iowa. Their family was composed of seven sons and two daughters. The mother died in November, 1887, and the father is now a resident of York county, Nebraska. He is a farmer, a Republican and Lutheran. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have four children: Jessie R., Emily E., Homer J. and Asa L.

Mr. Draper's political views are in harmony with Republican principles. He is a member of Goodrich Post, No. 117, Odebolt, and he and his wife both helong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Trustee of the church and also takes an active interest in Sabbath-school work.

OLIVER PERRY DUNKIN, one of the leading citizens and pioneer farmers of Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, was born January 21, 1826.

His father, Joshua Dunkin, was a native of Virginia and a soldier in the war of 1812. His grandfather, John Dunkin, was a descendant of Scotch ancestry. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Sarah Richardson. She was born in Ohio, a descendant of German ancestry, and was first married to a Mr. Riley, by whom she had four children. She married Mr. Dunkin in Brown county, Ohio, and her death occurred in Fulton county, Illinois, at the awe of sixty. After her death the father came to Clinton county, Iowa, where he died at the age of seventy. He voted for Fremont in 1856, but was a Democrat all his life. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years was a Class Leader.

Oliver P. was a lad of fourteen or fifteen years when the family moved to Fulton county, Illinois, and on his father's farm in that county he was reared. He then moved to Jackson county, Iowa, and some years later went to Clinton county and settled near Elwood. From Clinton county, in 1875, he came to Sac county, bought 320 acres of land, and on it has since resided. He has his farm well improved with good buildings and a nice orchard and prove.

Mr. Dunkin was married in Clinton county, Iowa, November 12, 1854, to Mary Jane Clark, a native of New Jersey. Her father, Barnabas Clark, was born at Ashfield, Massachusetts, in 1799, was a wagon-maker by trade, and was a resident of Conway, Massachusetts. The family trace their settlement in New England back to 1623. Mrs. Dunkin's mother was before her marriage Miss Submit Hitchcock, who was born in Massachusetts, January 2, 1801, daughter of Heman Hitchcock. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Clark settled in Delaware county, Ohio, and from there came to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1853. They reared a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. One of their sons, Fred, served in the war in an Iowa regiment, and is now a resident of Clinton county, this State. The mother died May 6, 1878, and the father passed away in September, 1890. He was a member of the Christian Church and his wife was a Congregationalist. Mr. and Mrs. Dunkin have five children, viz.: Frederick, a resident of Wall Lake township, Sac county, Frank L., on the home farm; Sarah Submit, wife of J. B. Southwell, of Hayes county, Nebraska; and William and George, at home.

Mr. Dunkin is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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HON. D. CARR EARLY, a widely known and highly respected pioneer of Iowa, residing in Sac City, with the best interests of which place he has been identified since 1856, was born in Brown county, Ohio, April 21, 1830. His parents were Andrew and Fanny (Summers) Early, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Irish descent and the latter coming of an old Virginian family whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that State. The father was a farmer by occupation and lived for many years in Ohio, where he died.

The subject of this sketch was educated at Stringtown Institute, Bethel, Ohio, after which, when about twenty years of age, he began the study of law in the office of H. L. Penn, of Georgetown, Ohio. While pursuing this study, he was part of the time engaged in teaching. In 1852 he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court, in Columbus, Ohio, and shortly afterward came to Iowa. In 1856 he located in Sac City, boasting at that time of about two or three log houses and a log schoolhouse. He pre-empted a tract of land in this vicinity, and while waiting to prove up he was principally engaged in improving the land. He afterward returned to Ohio, and for one term taught school in Kentucky. In 1857 he returned to Iowa, where he was for a short time employed in teaching, which occupation he discontinued to accept the appointment of Deputy Treasurer and Recorder of Sac county.

On the expiration of his term of office, in the fall of that year, he was elected Treasurer and Recorder, which position he continued to hold for seven or eight consecutive years, which endorsement fully testifies to his worth and ability. When his term expired he was elected County Judge, serving one term. He has, during all this time, been more or less largely interested in real estate, which business he now follows. He has been identified with every important enterprise of this city, his aid being much sought by local organizations. He had been a director of Sac County Bank since its inception and for ten years acted as its president, bringing to his position a ripe experience and judicious judgment. It may be truthfully said that he has contributed as much as any one man to its present prosperity.

He was first married in 1859 to Harriet Wren and they had two children: Ossian C. and Walter F., the latter now deceased, as is also the devoted wife and mother. In 1865 Judge Early married Sarah A. Wren, and they have had four children, two of whom survive: Quincy Eugene; Lulu May, deceased; Lulu May, attending school in Philadelphia; and Cady, deceased.

Judge Early has been allied with the Republican party ever since the second election of Lincoln, and was a Blaine elector in 1884. Socially he affiliates with the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. A pioneer and progressive citizen the Judge has aided materially in rescuing the city from her former condition of isolation and dependence and placing her on a firm footing of commercial prosperity.

HARRISON EATON, a highly respected citizen residing on a farm near Lake View, in Viola township, Sac county, Iowa, dates his birth in Pike township, Wyoming county, New York, May 11, 1840. He was the seventh-born in the family of eight children of Amasa and Lydia (Campbell) Eaton, natives of Pennsylvania, and spent his early boyhood days in New York. When he was about nine or ten years old the family moved to De Kalb county, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where he grew to manhood.

When the war came on he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-sixth Illinois Cavalry, and served under Captains Duncan and Shear. He participated in many of the important engagements of the West, and was on the memorable "march to the sea." He was honorably discharged September 23, 1864. During his service he contracted asthma, from which disease he is still a sufferer.

After the war Mr. Eaton returned to De Kalb county, Illinois, and remained there until 1871. Then he moved to Floyd county, Iowa, and at that place developed a farm. In 1888 he came to Sac county and bought an improved farm of eighty acres in section 1 of Viola township, where he is now engaged in dairy farming, milking an average of fifteen cows. He has a comfortable cottage home, a story and a half, 14 x 22 feet, with an L, 12 x 22 feet; barn, 30 x 36 feet; sheds, yards, feed lots, windmill, etc.

Mr. Eaton was married, November 25, 1867, in De Kalb county, Illinois, to Eliza Garbutt, who was born, reared and educated in Canada. Her parents, John and Eleanor (Bellwood) Garbutt, natives of Yorkshire, England, were married in Canada and died at Sycamore, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have had seven children, viz.: Ida M., wife of Mel Wright of Wall Lake township, Sac county, Iowa; Albert F., also a resident of Wall Lake township; Myrtilla, Wilbert, George R., Arthur J. and Richard.

Mr. Eaton affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of Gardner Post, No. 90, G. A. R., Nora Springs, Floyd county, Iowa. He takes an active interest in everything for the good of the township and county in which he lives. Personally, he is a man of generous impulse, is frank and cordial in his manner, and has made hosts of friends wherever he has lived.

S. L. EDSON, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Genesee county, New York, March 23, 1837. a son of Lucius Edson, also a native of New York, and of Irish ancestry. The mother of our subject, nee Emily Wheadon, was born in that State. They were the parents of three children: Walter Scott, who served in the Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry during the late war and now resides in Gentry county, Missouri; Orpha, wife of Henry Boots, of Iowa; and Samuel L., our subject. The parents moved to De Kalb county, Illinois, in an early day, and the mother died at Sycamore, that county, at the age of sixty years. The father departed this life at Allegan, Michigan, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in his political views, and religiously, a member of the Baptist Church.

S. L. Edson, our subject, enlisted in the late war in 1861 in Company L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under General Farnesworth, and took part in the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. At the latter engagement he was thrown from his horse while on the charge, and on account of the injuries received was assigned to the invalid corps at Philadelphia and New York. He was afterward kept on detached duty until his discharge, after which he returned to Illinois. Two years later Mr. Edson went to Allegan, Michigan; two years afterward to Anamosa, Iowa, and in 1878 came to Sac county. He spent the first seven years here in Jackson township and then came to Wall Lake township. Since his residence in this county he has bought and improved five farms.

Mr. Edson was married near Syracuse, Onondaga county, New Fork, in 1864, to Miss Augusta Bicknell who was horn, reared and educated in Fulton, Oswego county, that State, and a daughter of Ira and Nancy (Watson) Bicknell, the latter of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The mother died when Mr. Edson was a child, and the father died at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1890, aged seventy years. They reared a family of four children: Augusta, Adelbert, Henry; and Lida, deceased. Our subject and wife have had four children, viz.: Emma, wife of D. S. McGilvra, of Wall Lake township; Roy; Lida, formerly a successful teacher in this county, died at the age of eighteen years; and Ettie, deceased at the age of three months.

Politically, Mr. Edson affiliates with the Democratic party; socially, is a member of William T. Sherman Post, No. 284, of Sac City; and religiously, both he and his wife are members of the church. Mr. Edson takes an active interest in every thing for the good of his county.

WILLIAM ELLWANGER, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, a son of Charles F. and Margaret (Schultz) Ellwanger, natives of Wittenberg, Germany; the father born in 1800 and the mother in 1805. The parents were married in their native country and came to America in 1825, landing in Tioga county, New York, with but 50 cents and three children. The father found employment at Syracuse, that State, but afterward bought and improved a farm of 300 acres in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, next, sold that land and purchased a farm in Marshall county, Iowa, where he died in 1884, in his eighty-fourth year. The mother departed this life in 1890 at the age of eighty-five years. The former was a Democrat in his political views, and both were members of the Evangelical Church. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to years of maturity.

William Ellwanger, our subject, was reared and educated in his native county, and his youth was spent in the timber lands and in aiding in opening the farm in Pennsylvania. In 1868 he removed to Marshall county, Iowa, but in 1879 purchased 160 acres of partly improved land in Sac county, all of which is now under a fine state of cultivation, with a good one and a half story residence, 20 x 28 feet, a barn, 40 x56 feet, and all other necessary farm improvements. Three acres of the place is devoted to an orchard and shrubbery, and a part of his fine farm is in the limits of Lake View.

Mr. Ellwanger was married in Marshall county, Iowa, in 1877, to Miss Minnie Kruse, a native of Pommern, Germany, who was born in 1854 and came to this country in 1876. She was a daughter of John and Sofia (Lodwig) Kruse, also natives of that country, who are both now deceased. To this union has been born four children: Charles, Willie, Fred and Mabel. Mr. Ellwanger affiliates with the Democratic party, and he and wife attend the Lutheran Church. He has witnessed the full developmenl of Sac county, his home having been a stopping place for travelers in an early day, and he has always taken au active interest in everything for the good of his county.

S. M. ELWOOD, an eminent jurist of Sac county, Iowa, widely and favorably known throughout the State, was born in Greensburgh, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1850. His parents were Thomas and Jane (Henry) Elwood, respectively, of English and Irish origin. They removed to Grinnell, Iowa, when the subject of this sketch was four years of age, ami in 1881 removed thence to Sac City.

Mr. Elwood received his primary education in the common schools, afterward attending Iowa College at Grinnell. He subsequently took a course in law at the Iowa State Universify, upon the completion of which, in 1873, he returned to his home, and in 1875 moved to SacCity. Here he commenced the practice of law, which he has successfully followed ever since. He has no specialty, being engaged in a general practice, although he is somewhat inclined toward suits in equity.

In 1878 he was married to Miss Sadie J. Darling, of Sac City, and they have three children: William, Margaret and Charles.

Politically, he is a Republican; socially, is a member of the A. F. & A. M.; and stands deservedly high in his community as a lawyer and citizen.

T. FARQUHAR, M.D., a physician and surgeon of Early, Iowa, located here in 1882, the year the town was platted, and has engaged in the practice of his profession at this place ever since. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, a son of David and Hannah (Shaw) Farquhar. The father was a native of East Bethlehem township, and died in Washington county, Pennsylvania, of which county the mother was a native, and there died in 1882. They reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Joseph, residing in East Bethlehem township; Mary, married Samuel Thistlewhaite, of East Bethlehem township; Caroline is the widow of Thomas West, of California, Pennsylvania; Hannah is the widow of William Greenly, of Washington county; our subject; and Eli, married, residing in East Bethlehem township, having been a member of a Pennsylvania regiment during the late war.

Dr. Farqnhar was reared in Washington county, Pennsylvania, educated in the schools of Brownville, and entered Jefferson Medical College in 1859, from which he graduated in the class of 1860. December 6, 1861, he enlisted in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the Ringgold cavalry for three years, or during the war, and was transferred to the Sixth United States Cavalry soon after taking part in the battle of Williamsburg, where his regiment opened the battle. He was in all the campaign under McCelllan, in the two battles at Bull Run, at Antietam, battle of the Wilderness and at Gettysburg; then with Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley and took part in the battle of Five Forks. He was taken prisoner after the battle of Williamsburg and was confined at Libby and Belle Isle. After his honorable discharge at Washington, in 1865, he returned to Washington county, Pennsylvania, immediately after removing to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of his profession.

He was married in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1866, to Miss Phoebe Miller, a native of Ohio, daughter of David and Martha Miller, natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Ohio, but the mother lives in Columbiana county, Ohio.

In 1882 our subject came to Sac county, as above stated. Dr. and Mrs. Farquhar have three children: Elwood, Martha and Clayton. He takes some interest in politics, voting the Republican ticket, but is much occupied with his professional duties. At the present time he holds the honorable position of Mayor of the city, serving his second term. Socially, he is a member of St. Elmo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 462, of Early, and is a Chapter Mason at Mt. Pleasant. He is also a member of McDowell Post, and has been Surgeon of the same. He and his wife are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the most respected citizens of the place.

DAYID FESSLER, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Cedar township, Sac county, Iowa, is one of the representative citizens who settled in the county in 1881, at which time the beautiful farm he now owns was but wild land. He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1834, and was the son of Jacob Fessler, who was born and reared in the same county; he was a son of George Fessler, a representative of an old Pennsylvania family whose ancestors came from Germany, took part in the Revolutionary war, and later settled in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject was named Margaret Kulp, also a native of Lebanon county, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Kulp.

Our subjecl was ten years of age, in 1844, when the family removed to Madison county, Indiana, where they were among the pioneers. They reared eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Lizzie Gray, Sarah, Polly, David and Hiram. Those deceased were named: George, Rebecca and John, the latter dying in Sac county in 1892. By trade the father was a stonecutter and brick-mason, also engaging in farming. In politics he was a Democrat.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the common schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Indiana Cavalry, under Colonel John A. Bridgland, and later under Captain Jones. The regiment was first stationed at Bowling Green, Kentucky, then at Nashville. Our subject was then on scouting expeditions against Morgan and Kirby Smith; was twice taken prisoner by Morgan's forces, but was released and paroled. He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, in October. 1863, having received injuries by being thrown from a horse, and still suffers from heart disease. He returned to Madison county, Indiana, and resided there until 1867, when he removed to Illinois, and located in Putnam county, where he lived until 1881, when he came to Sac county, Iowa. Here he bought 240 acres of wild land, which he has since improved and put in a high state of cultivation, making it one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of a good grove and orchard of three acres, and he also has a grove of six acres of evergreens. He now carries on a fine business of stock-raising and dairy farming.

Our subject was married December 24, 1863, in Madison county, Indiana, to Mrs. Carrie (Keller) Bair, widow of William P. Bair, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Erb) Keller, both natives of Lancaster county, who reared a family of eleven children, and here the father died. By her first marriage Mrs. Fessler had a family of three children: Clara, at home; Mary, wife of George Ruckingham, of Alvin, Brazoria county, Texas; and William B., of the same place. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Harry A., employed in the Sac City Mills; T. A., a pharmacist; and Horace Hilton.

In politics our subject was a Democrat, and served as Trustee for three or four terms. He was also a member of the School Board for some time, always filling positions of responsibility witli perfect satisfaction. Socially, he is a member of Sherman Post, No. 284, of Sac City, and a member of the Masonic order, having joined the Masons while living in Madison county, Indiana. Religiously, our subject is a consistent member of the Church of God. He is one of the progressive and well-known and esteemed citizens of Cedar township.

A. E. FORSYTH, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Sac county, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 13, 1846, a son of John Forsyth, a native of Muskingum county, that State. His father, John Forsyth, was of Welsh ancestry. The mother of our subject, nee Maria Loimer, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, a daughter of James and Jane Loimer. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Three of the sons were soldiers in the late war: David, in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, now resides in Guernsey county; A. F., our subject; William, in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1850, and the mother died in 1863.

A. E. Forsyth, our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served about eleven months, and took part in the siege of Knoxville. In April, 1864, he joined the One Hundred and Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C, and the regiment was stationed in Ohio. Mr. Forsyth was honorably discharged in September. 1864, but in February, 1865, he enlisted the third time in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and served on detached duty at Lexington, Kentucky, until the close of the war. The following three years were spent near Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, the next two years in Wapello county, Iowa, and in 1870 he purchased 150 acres in Wall Lake township, Sac county. At that time only few settlers resided in the county, and wild game was plentiful. Mr. Forsyth improved his farm, and now has a fine residence, a barn, 36 x 36 feet, a cattle barn, 30 x 35 feet, and everything necessary for a well-regulated home.

At the age of twenty-two years, in Warren county, Illinois, he married Araminta Yost, a native of Jefferson county, Indiana, and a daughter of Nathan and Eliza (Staten) Yost. The parents are now deceased, the father dying in Jefferson county. They had one son in the late war, Henry, a member of an Indiana regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have had three children: Clara, deceased; James and Lewis. Mrs. Forsyth has two children by a former marriage: Charles and Thomas.

Our subject is a Republican in his political views, and has served as Township Clerk, Trustee, Secretary of the School Board fourteen years, and as Justice of the Peace. Religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Free Methodist Church, of which he is Steward and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. Mr. Forsyth is one of the well-known and honored citizens of Wall Lake township, Sac county.

MILOM FOSDICK, a farmer of Wall Lake township, Saccounty, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 13, 1842, a son of Harry Fosdick, a native of Cazenovia, New York. The latter's father, John Fosdick, was a native of France, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subject, nee Poly Francisco, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, a daughter of John Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Fosdick were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, and two of the sons took part in the late war. Leroy was a member of the Fifth Iowa Infantry, was wounded, and now resides at Wichita, Kansas. The father died at Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, in 1886, aged seventy-one years, and the mother still resides in that city. The former was a farmer by occupation, and was identified with the Republican party.

Milom Fosdick, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools of McHenry county, Illinois. In August, 1862, at the call for 300,000 more volunteers, he enlisted in the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, Colonel Church's regiment, for three years, and participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Black River Bridge, Haines' Bluff under A. J. Smith, and on the Red River expedition. He was taken prisoner at Guntown, Mississippi, confined at Andersonville seven months, and at the time of his release weighed only eighty-six pounds. During that time he escaped from the prison, but was recaptured by bloodhounds. Mr. Fosdick was paroled and returned home for seventy days, after which he joined his regiment at New Orleans and took part in the battle of Mobile. During his service he received a charge of buckshot, breaking the left hip; also a flesh wound in the right arm. After his discharge, in 1865 he returned to Woodstock, Illinois, and in 1879 came to Wall Lake township, Sac county, Iowa. He now owns eighty acres of land and residence property in Douglas township, and is also the owner of property in Early, Sac county, Iowa.

In Woodstock, Illinois, at the age of twenty-seven years, our subject was united in marriage with Lany Singer, a native of McHenry county, Illinois, and a daughter of Jacob Singer. To this union have been born three children: Harry J., Jay M. and Herbert Logan. The great loss of Mr. Fosdick's life was in the death of his wife, who died July 12, 1890.

Our subject takes an active interest in politics, and has served as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of the William T. Sherman Post, No. 284, of Sac City, of which he was elected Officer of the Day five times by acclamation; of the Masonic order at Lake View, and of the I. O. O. F., No. 323, of Sac City. He is one of the representative men of Sac county.

M. D. FOX is ranked with the earliest pioneers of Clinton township, Sac county, Iowa, and to him belongs the distinction of having named the township. It is therefore appropriate that some personal mention be made of him in this work.

M. D. Fox was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 7, 1842. The Foxes trace their ancestry back to George Fox, a Quaker, who came from England to America during Colonial times and settled in Pennsylvania. Samuel Fox, the father of M. D., was born in New Hampshire in 1794, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Dorothea Bullock, also a native of New Hampshire, and a descendant of English ancestry. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was killed in that struggle. They had fourteen children, five sons and nine daughters. The mother died in Lee county, Illinois, aged forty-four, and the father departed this life in 1875. He was a farmer, a Democrat, and a Methodist.

When the subject of our sketch was a lad, the family moved to Michigan, and after living there five or six years took up their abode in Lee county, Illinois. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools and the Lee Center Seminary. In 1863 he enlisted in the Eleventh Iowa Infantry and served until 1865. He was in the battles of Atlanta and Jonesborough, and at the latter place received a flesh wound. His brother, William H., now a resident of Sawyer, Michigan, was a soldier in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry.

Alter the war the suhject of our sketch settled in Clinton county, Iowa, near Lyons. Still later he moved to a place near De Witt in Clinton county, and in 1874 came from there to Sac county. Upon his arrival here, he purchased 160 acres of wild land in Clinton township, which he has improved and to which he has added forty acres more. He has it well fenced, under a good state of cultivation and substantial buildings upon it. The residence, a story and a half frame, is 16 x 24 feet, with an L, 16 x 24 feet, and an addition, 12 x 14 feet. The grove and orchard comprise ten acres.

In May, 1867, Mr. Fox was married, in Clinton county, Iowa, to Lydia F. Bennett, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William H. and Mary Ann (Wood) Bennett. She was reared and educated at her native place and was a successful teacher previous to her marriage. Her father died in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of sixty-two years, and her mother passed away in Colorado at the age of seventy-one. They had six children, one son and five daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have six children, as follows: Flora A.. Chauncey B., Jessie M., Fanny L., Harry B. and Howard M.

Politically Mr. Fox affiliates with the Republican party. He has most acceptably filled several of the township offices. He served as Justice of the Peace fifteen years, was Trustee several years, and also served on the School Board. He is a member of Colonel Goodrich Post, No. 117, G. A. R., Odebolt, and is at present Vice-President of the Sac County Soldiers' Relief Commission. Mrs. Fox is President of the Woman's Relief Corps. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she is a teacher in the Sabbath-school.

Such is a brief sketch of one of the honored pioneers of Sac county.

M. M. FYFE, one of the prominent residents of Douglas township, a homestead settler of Sac county who came here in 1866, is the subject of the present sketch. He was born in Orleans counlty, New York, September 27, 1834, a son of James Fyfe, a native of Vermont, who was in turn a son of John Fyfe who was a Revolutionary soldier, although he was born in Scotland.

The mother of our subject was Electa (Sanford) Fyfe, a daughter of Reuben Sanford, a native of Vermont. In 1847 Mr. and Mrs. Fyfe moved to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and there the mother died at the age of fifty years and the father in 1863 at the age of sixty-nine. Our subject was reared ou a farm in Wisconsin and spent three winters in the woods at lumbering. He enlisted in 1861 in the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry, but later transferred to a cavalry regiment, and took part in the battles of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. He was a member of the Department of the Gulf in Texas, and was wounded at Clinton, Louisiana, receiving a ball in the breast, which penetrated his body and came out of his back. He was for some time in a hospital and was finally discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, July 28, 1864, and in 1866 he came here as one of the first settlers.

Our subject has a fine place within five miles of Newell. His first house was 12 x 20 feet and six feet high [?]. His present house is a very comfortable one, 16 x 24, one and one half stories high with an L, 14 x 24, also one and one half stories. He has a magnificent grove of fifteen acres and an orchard of four acres. His barn is commodious, being 20 x 30 feet, and here are all the necessary buildings for the carrying on of a first-class farm. Mr. Fyfe has a fine body of clear water near his land, called Lake Rush, although there are no rushes here, and there is plenty of fishing in this lake. He keeps a dairy of fifteen cows and on account of his fine location has succeeded admirably with his cattle. He keeps the Polled-Angus breed and has convenient stock scales erected in his grounds with other conveniences.

Mr. Fyfe was married March 4, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Seekins, a daughter of William E. and Lydia A. (Knapp) Seekins, both natives of New York. The mother died in 1869 in Sac county. Our subject and wife have a family of five children: Jennie Horine, of Clay county, Iowa; Franklin M.; Celia E.; William A., and James Dennis being the living ones, and Emma Dell died at the age of two and one half years; Ellen Lenora at the age of five years; Mary A. at the age of three years.

In politics our subject is a Republican and has been Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He is a member of G. A. R. Post, No. 416, of which he is a charter member. He is well-known and much respected in the community.

Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa.
Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893

Transcribed by Lynn Diemer-Mathews. Uploaded June 2022.

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