1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Ramsay |
Gilmore |
Comstock |
Bacon |
Custer |
Watterbury |
Cooper |
McKeig |
Osborn |
Kleeb |
Olson |
Cox |
Albertus |
Hummert |
Robinson |
Stanley
J. O. RAMSAY, of Lincoln Township, is a native of Maryland. He was born May 28, 1839, and is a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Whiteford) Ramsay. His
father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Maryland. James O. is the third of seven children. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He was married January 15, 1863, to Miss Eliza M. Glassgow, a lady of intelligence and culture, born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. She is a daughter of James and Mary A. (Rice) Glassgow. Her grandfather, Thomas Rice, taught the first school in Galena, Illinois, and his daughter, Miss Alena Rice, taught the first deaf and dumb pupils in St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Ramsay's father located in Galena, Illinois, in 1827. She, was educated there and at Jacksonville, Illinois, and was a successful teacher previous to her marriage. Mr. Ramsay lived in Maryland until
1873, when he came to Shelby County, Iowa. He settled on wild prairie land, where he has since resided. He has improved his farm from year to year, until he now has it under as good cultivation as any in the county. His first house cost $500, and was destroyed in a cyclone in 1877. The family had a narrow escape, Mrs. Ramsay being badly hurt and all the rest more or less injured. The present house, built in 1884, at a cost of $1,600, is of modern style and well furnished, showing the refinement and culture of the inmates. There is a large barn, a windmill, and all the equipments of a first-class farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay have three children -- Edith Alena, Evelyn Adelle and James Downey. The two daughters have graduated in the Harlan common school, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Harlan. Mr. Ramsay's political influence goes with the Democratic party.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 438. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. P. GILMORE was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 2, 1842. He is a son of George Gilmore, a native of Ohio. His mother died when he was a child. His father moved to Jones County, Iowa, in 1850, and was one of the early settlers. J. P. Gilmore was reared on a farm, and received a limited education in the public schools. At Lincoln's call for 200,000 men he responded, enlisting in the Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company G. He
was first under fire at the first attack of Vicksburg. He was in the battle of Arkansas Post, and later, on account of disability, he was transferred to the Reserve Corps, and was sent to Rock Island, where he was on guard duty, guarding rebel prisoners until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged and returned to Jones County, Iowa. in 1872 he was married to Mrs. Margaret Blizzard, a widow with two sons -- Willis and Edward. In 1875 Mr. Gilmore came to Shelby County and bought wild land, paying $10 per acre. Since then he has bought forty acres more, and has improved all until he
has a fine farm under excellent cultivation. He has a good house, a barn, grove and orchard. Mr. Gilmore has no children. Politically he is a Republican. He was formerly a member of the G. A. R. He is yet in the prime of life, and has made for himself an enviable reputation among his neighbors and friends.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 438-439. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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ORVILLE COMSTOCK, one of the early settlers of Lincoln Township, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, June 2, 1833. He is the son of James Comstock, who was in the war of 1812. His ancestry is traced back to five brothers who came to America before the Revolution. Two of them, Daniel and Jason, were in the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subject was Maria Card, a native of New York. The parents moved to Venango County, Pennsylvania, when Orville was thirteen years old. Here he grew to manhood. He moved into the pine woods, and engaged in lumbering on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers for several years. He was the oldest of nine children. Two of his brothers were in the late war -- Elihu, and George, who died of fever at Dalton, Georgia. Mr. Comstock was married March 4, 1856, to Miss Sarah Temple, born and reared in Pennsylvania. By this union one child was born -- James, whose birthday is November 6, 1858. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Comstock was married September 7, 1864, to Miss Mary S. Day, of Forest County, Pennsylvania. By this marriage one son, W. A. Comstock, was born March 29, 1868. Mr. Comstock separated from this wife October 12, 1869, and the following June obtained a divorce from her. Mr. Comstock was again married August 29, to Hetty Hickson, a native of Guernsey
County, Ohio, and a daughter of Elias and Mary A. Hickson. In 1862 Mr. Comstock went to Bureau County, Illinois, and in February, 1864, returned to Pennsylvania, and spent some time in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. In 1870 he settled in Harrison County, Missouri. Afterward he went
to Ford County, Illinois, and then returned to Harrison County, Missouri. In 1873 he settled on his present farm, which he has under fine cultivation. He has made all the modern improvements, and has a comfortable home. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Comstock, although fifty-six years of age,
appears to be in the prime of life. He has a good memory, is a great reader, and is well posted on all subjects of general, interest. He is honorable in business, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 439. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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THOMAS BACON, an extensive stock-raiser of Shelby County, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, March 5, 1836. He is a son of Elijah and Anna
(Kerr) Bacon. His father was a native of Tennessee, and his mother was born in Scotland, and came to America when a child. They were married in Morgan County, Illinois, when that was a new country. They had nine children. Thomas, one of a pair of twins, and Miss Emeline Miller, also one
of a pair of twins, are the only surviving children. Thomas Bacon was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. He lived at home until he was twenty-one years old. In 1861 he removed to the far west, Idaho, where he engaged in freighting goods. From there he removed
to Illinois, and then went to Saline County, Missouri, where he engaged in shipping stock until 1876, when he went to Washington Territory, where he spent one year. He then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and bought his present farm, which was improved. He now owns 480 acres, and has one of the best stock farms in Shelby County. He has a good two-story residence, a commodious barn and two windmills. He has a grove of thirteen acres, one of the best in the county. Everything manifests the excellent management and industry of the owner. Mr. Bacon was married October 28, 1875, to Miss Emeline Miller, of Poweshiek County, Iowa, a daughter of Jacob Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have three children -- Tuda, Alice and Richard M. Mr. Bacon
gives his support to the Democratic party. He is a man yet in the prime of life, and has gained an enviable reputation socially and financially in the county.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 439-440. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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BENTON C. CUSTER is one of the successful and enterprising citizens of Fairview Township. He was but a babe when his father, Henry Custer, whose history will be found on another page, came to this county; here he has lived for thirty-five years; his youth, spent amid the wild surroundings
of pioneer life, was occupied in farm work and in attending school. Arriving at the age of manhood he was married January 1, 1879, to Miss Laura McGee, who was born at Big Grove, Pottawattamie County, Iowa; she is a daughter of William and Eda (Huff) McGee; the father is a native of Indiana, and the mother of Illinois. Our subject came to his present farm, which is a portion of the old homestead farm, in 1879; he now owns 320 acres of well-improved land, consisting of rich bottom lands and timber. Custer's Grove is on this farm. He built his present house in 1878; it is a fine frame building of modern style, and well furnished; it is well located on an excellent building site, surrounded by a grove of native trees. Mr. Custer is engaged
in general farming, making a specialty of the better breeds of stock. He and his wife are the parents of five children -- Grace E., Gertrude G., Eva E., Eda Inez and Glen Dale. He is a Republican, and a strong one. Though but a young man he has gained an enviable reputation in the county, and is one of her
best citizens.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 440. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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DANIEL WATTERBURY, of Fairview Township, section 16, was born in Onondaga County, New York, February 3, 1842; he is a son of Stephen Watterbury, (deceased). He was eleven years of age when his parents came to Shelby County; he grew to manhood on the old homestead, spending
his time on the farm and in attending school. During the late war he went to the defense of his country; he enlisted October 14, 1863, in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, Company M, Colonel C. Trumbull commanding the regiment. Company M was organized September 2, 1863, and was composed mostly of
men from Wapello, Lee and Shelby counties; they went into camp at St. Louis, Missouri, and were there for some time; they were ordered on scouting expeditions into Missouri, and acted as a safe-guard to the Union infantry for awhile. Their heaviest engagement was probably at Clarendon, Arkansas. The regiment was at Duval's Bluff from June 25 to June 29, 1864, and in August of the same year had had some sharp engagements with the enemy. Mr. Watterbury was taken prisoner in Searcy County, Arkansas, September 6, 1864, by Captain Reyburn's men, of Shelby's brigade; he was held three days and paroled; he went to St. Louis, Missouri, via Iron Mountain. December 25, 1864, he was sent by boat down the river to old Brownsville, Arkansas, where he joined his regiment; he was then engaged for several months against the bushwhackers; he was honorably discharged February 3,1866. After his discharge he returned to Shelby County and engaged in farming in section 21, Fairview Township, where he lived until 1844, when he
came to his present home known as the McKeig farm.
Mr. Watterbury now owns 340 acres of well improved land; the farm lies two and a half miles from Corley Station, and is one of the best in the township. He was married in September, 1872, to Miss Hannah McKeig, a daughter of Wesley McKeig and Salina McKeig. By this union two children
have been born -- Virgil and Effie Maud. Our subject is a Republican, a member of the U. S. Grant Post, of Avoca, a member of the Masonic Order, Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 297, of Avoca, and a member of the I. O. O. F., of Avoca. He is one of the solid men of the county.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 440 & 443. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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CAPTAIN D. C. COOPER, of the firm of Abbott & Cooper, grain dealers, Shelby County, Iowa, was born in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut, October 17, 1834. He is a son of Calvin and Harriet (Kies) Cooper. Calvin Cooper was the son of Calvin Cooper, Sr., a Baptist minister of the gospel, of English ancestry and Puritan stock. The mother was a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of William Kies. D. C. Cooper is the only son of six children;
his youth was spent in attending the common schools, and his education was finished in the West Killingly Academy. In 1854 he removed to Illinois and engaged in farming for one season. He returned to his native State and was married to Miss Theresa Adams, of Windham County, Connecticut; she is a daughter of Arba and Rachel Adams, natives of Connecticut. In 1855 Calvin Cooper and family removed to Bureau County, Illinois, and in 1856 D. C. Cooper followed them and engaged in farming, which he continued until the late war.
In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E, serving in Virginia until he was made a prisoner of war at the surrender of Harper's Ferry, where he was paroled and sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago; there he was exchanged January 10, 1863, and ordered to
Kentucky, serving as mounted infantry in the eastern part of the State, and also in western West Virginia. In August of that year he was ordered to Lexington, Kentucky, and was there included in the organization of the Twenty-third Army Corps, which formed a part of the Army of the Ohio under General Burnside, who afterward occupied East Tennessee. Captain Cooper took part in many active engagements; among the most noted are the siege of Knoxville, Blain's Cross Roads, and Dandridge. After the siege of Knoxville he suffered the hardships of the next winter's campaign, probably the most severe endured by any troops during the war. In March he was discharged as Orderly Sergeant from the Sixty-fifth Illinois, at Knoxville, to assist in the organization of the First United States Colored Artillery, and was commissioned as Senior Second Lieutenant. During the summer of 1864 the regiment was engaged in building fortifications. Mr. Cooper was promoted to Senior First Lieutenant in the fall of 1864. After the surrender of
General Johnson the regiment, then at Ashville, North Carolina, was ordered to Knoxville, thence to Chattanooga, to garrison the town and relieve northern troops. Lieutenant Cooper was ordered to Lookout Mountain as Captain of Company H, and was in command there during the military occupation of that point. He was honorably discharged in the spring of 1866, and returned to Bureau County, Illinois; there he was occupied with
teaching and farming for five years; during this time he was a member of the board of supervisors for two terms. He was elected to the office of superintendent of the Bureau County infirmary, filling the position with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public for nine years.
In 1880 he resigned his position and came to Iowa, settling in Shelby County, in the town of Shelby. There he opened a grain business in partnership
with Mr. S. D. Abbott. At the beginning of the business Mr. Abbott resided in Illinois. This business relationship has continued up to the present time, and the firm of Abbott & Cooper are well known as honorable, reliable business men; they do an extensive business, their elevator having a capacity of
15,000 bushels. Captain Cooper is also one of the hardware firm of D. C. Cooper & Company, which business is managed by his son-in-law, Mr. B. L. Watson. Besides this mercantile business, Captain Cooper has superintended the improvements of about 500 acres of land which he owns in Shelby Township. In 1882 he was elected a member of the council of the town of Shelby and served six years; in 1885 he was elected supervisor of Shelby County, and served three years, during the year 1888 acting as chairman of the board. At the present time he is mayor of the incorporate town of Shelby. He is one of the charter members of the Dick Yates Post, No. 364, G. A. R, and was for two years its commander. He is a member of Silentia Lodge, No. 371, A. F. & A. M.; of Princeton Chapter, No. 28, Princeton, Illinois; he is one of the charter members of Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49, and was captain general under the dispensation. Captain Cooper and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Shelby.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 442-444. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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WESLEY McKEIG. - One of the well-known, early pioneers was Wesley McKeig, who came to Shelby County in 1855 from Fountain County, Indiana,
with his wife and two children. He was married in Indiana to Sauna Aberanthy. When he came here he settled in section 16, Fairview Township, where he improved an excellent farm and lived until his death. The farm contained 110 acres, of which twenty-five acres were timber land. Wesley McKeig and wife reared eight children -- Samantha, wife of Thomas Long; Hannah, wife of Daniel Watterbury; Lizzie, wife of Joseph Eustis; John, Charles, Alma and Alva, who are twins. Mr. McKeig was a strong, robust man, well suited to undertake the hardships of pioneer life. He was a Republican. He died in April, 1874, and his wife passed away in the same month, one week previous. John W. McKeig, of Fairview Township, was born July 20,1861.
He is a son of Wesley McKeig, and was reared on the old homestead. He received his education in the district schools of Shelby County. When his parents died he lived with R. Custer for several years. He was married December 27, 1882, to Miss Maggie McConnell, who was born in Rock Island County, Illinois. She was a daughter of James and Sarah McConnell. Mr. McConnell died in Harlan. Mr. McKeig has a good farm of 120 acres near Corley; he has a good house, and stables for stock, and a windmill; everything shows the energy and industry of the owner. He is a Republican and a member of the Anti-horse-thief Association of the township. Mr. and Mrs. McKeig have two children -- Dale and Harrold. They are both in the prime of life,
and have the prospect of a long life of prosperity and happiness before them.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 444-445. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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A. G. OSBORN, Township Trustee, came to Shelby in the spring of 1877. He was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1826, a son of Christopher Osborn, who was a native of the same county, and whose ancestry goes back to William Penn's colony to Pennsylvania, when the first
Osborn came to this country. The mother of our subject was Mary Griffith, of German and Welsh origin. Mr. Osborn was reared in his native county, and passed his youth in farming and attending the common schools of that day. Arriving at the age of manhood he was married to Rosanna Foster January 23, 1851; she was born and reared in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Foster. Mr. Osborn lived in Pennsylvania until 1856, when he removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana. In June, 1857, he went to Knox County, Illinois, where he lived until 1868, when he came to
Iowa, locating in Johnson County, near Iowa City; here he lived until lie came to Shelby. The first year he lived north of the town three miles, then he bought land and built where he now lives. He has a good one and a half story house, located on a fine building site, from which one has a fine view of the town and surrounding country. He has a grove and orchard, and everything indicates the thrift and wise management of the proprietor. He owns forty-one acres in the town limits. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn have five children living -- Mary Frances, wife of Henry Foster, of Bird City, Kansas; Lemuel E., who is a farmer and lives four miles in Harrison County; William P., a photographer of Shelby; Wesley E., a farmer of Woodbury County, Iowa; Sarah Belle, at home. Mrs. Osborn and three of the children are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Osborn is a Republican,casting his vote first for Zach Taylor. He has served on the council, and was elected township trustee in the fall of 1888. He is honorable and upright in business, and the family are esteemed and respected by all.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 448. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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WILLIAM KLEEB was born in Green County, Wisconsin, May 16, 1851, and is the son of John and Barbara Kleeb, whose history will be found elsewhere in this work. He was the oldest of a family of eleven children, and until his sixteenth year he resided in Fayette County, Iowa, working on a farm and attending the common schools. In 1867 he came with his parents to Shelby County, and settled in Washington Township. In October, 1879, he was married to Miss Julia F. Wheeler, daughter of Monroe and Mary E. (Washburn) Wheeler; she was born in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, August 19, 1855, and came to Iowa in 1879. They are the parents of four children -- Arthur W., Blanche E., Harry W. and Gladys L. After Mr. Kleeb's marriage he settled on
a farm of eighty acres in section 34, Grove Township, and has since made this his home. When he bought the land it was uncultivated and unimproved, but he has brought it up to a high state of cultivation, and has erected large and comfortable buildings. He has purchased the adjoining eighty acres, so his farm now contains 160 acres. Mr. Kleeb is energetic and enterprising, and stands in the front ranks of Shelby County's farmers. He affiliates with the Union Labor party, and has held the office of school director. The family are numbered among the respected and worthy citizens of the county.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 448 & 451. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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T. B. OLSON, a native of Norway, born April 6, 1848, is the son of Barry and Jorena (Torstenson) Olson. When he was eleven years old his parents came with three other children to America. At the end of one year they came to Mahaska County, Iowa, New Sharon being the postoffice. They purchased a farm where they resided until 1875. In 1873 T. B. came to Shelby County and purchased of the railroad company in section 3, of Lincoln Township, a fractional forty acres of unimproved land; the nearest neighbor at that time was two miles distant. Here he erected a small house in which he lived until 1883. In the meantime he had bought an adjoining forty acres; in 1883 he purchased his present home in section 13, Douglas Township, which was but partially improved; he has since placed it under good cultivation and made many improvements. He was married March 23, 1872, to Miss Stena Larson, a daughter of Lars and Stena Larson.; she was born in Norway, February 25, 1852, and came with her parents to America about the year 1864, locating first in. Henry County, Iowa, and afterward removing to Mahaska County. Here she met Mr. Olson. She died March 19, 1885; she was a good wife and mother, assisting her husband through all his early life in the hardships and struggles to gain for them a home. They started in married life with comparatively nothing, having only a team of horses and willing hands. They are the parents of seven children -- Joseph L., Benjamin F., Stella E.,
Henry M., Leroy, Albert and Amy. The last two are twins; they are all at home. Mr. Olson was elected county supervisor in 1886, in which capacity he still serves. He is a staunch Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Farmers' Alliance. His father died in 1886, and since that time
his mother has made her home with him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 450-451. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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W. W. COX, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 27, Harlan Township. He was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, March 6, 1843, and is a son
of J. M. Cox, a minister well known to the citizens of Harlan, and Mary (Trotter) Cox. W. W. was a lad of seven years when, his father went to Wisconsin, and lived there two years; then the family came to Jasper County, Iowa, where our subject grew to manhood. He was trained to a farmer's occupation and
was educated in the common schools. He was married in Jasper County, July 28, 1864, to Miss Lucinda E. Woody, a native of Lawrence County, Indiana, who came to Jasper County with her parents at the age of seven years. Her father and mother were James W. and Asenath (Meglemer) Woody. In 1868 Mr. Cox came to this county and bought forty acres of land and built a small frame house. Now things are changed; the small dwelling has been replaced by a fine residence built in modern style, and there are 189 acres of land in the farm. In 1886 Mr. Cox did his building at an expense of $1,600; there are barns for stock and grain, and all the surroundings indicate the prosperity and thrift of the owner. Mr. Cox is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He and his wife are the parents of eight children -- James M., Mary A., John M., Harvey B., William A., Olive Lillian, Carl M. and Laura Daisy. Mr. Cox has formerly affiliated with the Democratic party, but in 1888 he voted the Union Labor ticket. He is one of the leading citizens of the township, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 451-452. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. A. ALBERTUS, of Portsmouth, is a prominent and well-known dealer in imported horses. He makes a specialty of English shire horses, and has spent much time and money in introducing valuable breeds into western Iowa and Nebraska. He has been very successful in this business, and is known as one of the best judges of draft horses in the county. He and his brother were among the first to bring imported horses into the county; they have bought and sold many valuable horses, and are well known for their strictly honorable dealing. J. A. Albertus was born in Sauk County, Wisconsin, July 26, 1863, and is the son of F. D. Albertus, a prominent citizen of Panama, Iowa. In 1874 he came to Shelby County and there grew to manhood, receiving the advantage of a public-school education. In 1886 he was married to Miss Louisa Williams, of Portsmonth. The result of this union has been two children -- Maria and Robert G. In politics Mr. Albertus stands with the Republican party. He is of a genial disposition, and has won an enviable position in the business circles of Portsmouth.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 452-453. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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REV. JOSEPH B. HUMMERT was born in Quincy, Illinois, March 25, 1860. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Lubecke) Hummert, who came from Hanover, Germany, their native place, to America about the year 1849. They first resided in St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1852 removed to Quincy, Illinois, where they still reside. Joseph B. was the fifth of a family of ten children. His primary education was received in the private Catholic schools of
Quincy, Illinois, and when he had attained his thirteenth year he studied one year under the private tutorship of Father Reinhart, of Quincy. He then took a thorough classical and philosophical course at St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His theology he studied at St. Mary's Seminary,
Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated in 1885, and in September of the same year he was ordained from this institution, by his pastor, the Right-Rev. H. Cosgrove, at Davenport, Iowa. Soon after his ordination he entered into active ministerial work, as assistant to the Rev. J. C. White, at Marengo, Iowa. In November of the same year he was sent to take charge of the missions at Portsmouth, Panama and Earling. During the first year, as pastor of these missions, he resided in Portsmouth, and erected a church and parsonage in that place. At the expiration of this year his residence was changed to Earling, by the Right-Rev. Bishop, where he now resides. Being the first pastor sent to these missions, he found them destitute of church property. During the time he has been with these congregations, two churches, one at Portsmouth and one at Panama, have been erected, and a good two-story building has been erected at Earling, which is used for school and church purposes. For the present the church services are held in the upper
story, and the lower floor is devoted to the school and residence of the Franciscan Sisters who have charge of the school. The school at this time numbers over 100 pupils. The congregation at Earling are planning to erect a commodious church building the coming year, 1890, at a cost of $20,000. They have an elegant parsonage, built in 1888, at a cost of $2,000. It has eight rooms, is heated by a furnace, and does credit to the congregation
at Earling. The Rev. Father Hummert has labored with untiring zeal in behalf of his congregation, and has been repaid by seeing a growing interest and increasing efforts on their part in the cause which lies so near his own heart.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 453. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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CHARLES ROBINSON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 11, 1824, and is the son of Asa and Hannah (Strattan) Robinson, natives of Virginia and West Virginia respectively. Being a farmer's son, our subject was reared to that occupation, and received his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen years he removed with his parents to Iowa, settling in Jones County, where he remained one year, and then went to Cedar County. Here Mr. Robinson, Sr., resided until his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife had died in Ohio, when our subject was thirteen years old. Charles remained with his father until he was twenty-seven years old, when he was married and removed to Jones County, Iowa. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth T. Reynolds occurred March 7, 1851. She is a daughter of William and Nancy (Forgey) Reynolds, natives of Tennessee, and was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, September 9, 1838.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are the parents of nine children -- Nancy E., wife of John Easterly; John W., Hannah L. (deceased), Lincoln A., Laura A., wife of George Casey; Clemence M., wife of Horatio Sykes; Eliza, wife of Asa E. White; Theresa J. and Charles A. Mr. Robinson resided in Jones County until
1875, when he removed to Shelby County and settled on a farm of 160 acres of partially improved land, three miles southwest of Harlan. Here he made his home for six years, when he purchased 120 acres of wild land in Greeley Township. This he has greatly improved by erecting a fine frame residence and buildings for stock and grain, and planting two acres of grove. Since his first purchase Mr. Robinson has added eighty acres
to his farm, making his farm 200 acres, all of which is under the finest cultivation. Mr. Robinson is a man of push and energy, which is shown by his beautiful home and its surroundings. He has done much toward the improvement and advancement of the county, and well deserves the position and
respect which he commands in the community. Mr. Robinson has met with his share of adversity. In 1860 all his possessions, except his land, were swept away in the great tornado, and one season his crops and orchard were ruined by a hail storm, but despite all this his energy and courage
never forsook him, and to-day he is enjoying the fruits of his labors. He is a member of the Republican party, and has served on the board of education and as road supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are worthy members of the Christian church.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 453-454. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. L. STANLEY, proprietor of the pioneer meat market of Harlan, started the business in that place in the spring of 1871, and continued in the trade until 1881. He then sold the business and engaged in farming in Jackson Township until 1887, when he returned to Harlan and re-engaged in this occupation. This market affords an excellent assortment of all kinds of meat, fish and vegetables in their season. Mr. Stanley has a good trade which he has won by fair and upright dealing. The subject of this notice was born in Louisa County, Iowa, June 12, 1837. and is the son of T. J. and Rachel (Hoskins) Stanley, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. The parents were among the first settlers of Louisa County, and when J. L. was five years old they removed to
Whiteside County, Illinois, in which place he was reared and educated. In 1860 he returned to Jefferson County, Iowa, and there resided until he came to Harlan. Mr. Stanley was married in 1864 to Miss Lucinda Hodgen. They are the parents of nine children -- Henrietta, Lemuel, James, Isaac,
Charles, Elizabeth, John, Elsie and a baby girl. In politics Mr. Stanley affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 454 & 457. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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