1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO
D
ROBERT H. DAVIDSON, an early settler of Douglas Township, was born
in Brooke County, West Virginia, August 22, 1820. He is a son of William
and Sarah (Hawkins) Davidson, natives of the State of Pennsylvania.
The father was a carpenter and farmer by occupation. His grandfather
was Thomas Davidson. When Robert H. was ten years old his parents
removed to Monroe County, Ohio, where he grewto manhood; he was reared
to the life of a farmer, and obtained a limited education in the common
schools. He remained under the shelter of the parental roof until
his maturity, when he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Canada,
who died, leaving one child William E., a resident of Ohio. Mr. Davidson
was married a second time, to Maria J. Stoots, by whom he had five
children Charles S., Nora C., the wife of Elisha Fiscus; Ida, wife
of Henry Gillett, and two children who died in infancy.Mr. Davidson's
present wife was Mrs. Lacy E. (Reasoner), widowof William Kunkle,
of Guthrie County, Iowa; eight children were bornof this marriage
Vantura, wife of John C. Baker; Anna B., wife of Bert B. Givens; Calvin F., Fred B., Joseph W., Milton H., Maud and Kittie Lulu. In the spring
of 1857, when Iowa was considered to be the frontier, Mr. Davidson
removed his family from Noble County, Ohio, to Guthrie County, Iowa;
there he worked at the carpenter's trade, and cultivated his farm
of 120 acres. Selling out his possessions in Guthrie County,he removedto
southwestern Missouri, and remained there eighteen months; the climate
of that latitude not agreeing with him he returned to Guthrie County,
and resided there until 1873, when he came to Audubon County.Helocated
upon his present farm, which is situated on the east fork of the west
branch of the Nishnabotna River; the land is fertile, and there is
a natural grove upon the place, which adds very materially to the
value of the farm. Mr. Davidson devotes considerable attention to
the feeding and raising of good grades of livestock, and has been
very prosperous in this enterprise. In politics he is inclined to
the principles of the Republican party.He has served histownship as
justice of the peace for fourteen years, the period of his service
beingindicative of the respect in which his judgment is held.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 822.
WILLIAM E. DAVIS, of Exira Township, was born in Wales, in the village
of Merther, May 28, 1839. When he was five years old his parents emigrated
to the United States, and settled in Minersville, Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. His father, David Davis, was a miner by occupation,
and followed this calling the greater part of the time after he came
to America. Later in life, however, he removed to Trumbull County
Ohio, and there died in 1861.His wife, Lucy (Todd) Davis, died in
Minersville In 1852; she was the mother of nine children, only three
of whom survive. William E. was the second child, and he attended
the winter schools of Minersville until he was fourteen years old.
At the age of ten years he began working in the mines, and when he
bad reached his sixteenth year he made a regular hand. He continued
this occupation until he was forty years of age. Mr. Davis was first
united in marriage to Martha, daughter of John James, of Trumbull
County, Ohio. Two children were the result of this union, one of whom
is living David. In 1864Mr. Davis entered the Union army, enlisting
in Company D, One Hundred and Seventyfirst Ohio Volunteer Infantry.He
was sent to guard Johnson's Island, and later was taken prisoner at
Cynthiana, Kentucky. He was held for thirtysix hours, when he was
paroled and ordered to Camp Denison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and was
there exchanged andordered back to Johnson's Island. He served the
full term of his enlistment, and was mustered out of the service in
August, 1864. He then returned to Trumbull County, and thence went
to Rock Island County, Illinois, and engaged in coalmining for two
years.He then went to Henry County, Illinois, and worked in the mines
at Green River. In the spring of 1879 removed his family to Audubon
County, Iowa, having purchased eighty acres of wild land in1872. Since
thenhe has added to his first purchase until he owns 240 acres, which
lie has developed into a fine stock farm. He has been very successful
in the feeding of cattle, and occasionally ships a carload to eastern
markets.Mr. Davis's second marriage occurred in 1864 to Mrs. Martha
Evans, widow of Edward Evans, and daughter of Daniel Davis.Five children
were the result of this union Lucy, the wife of T. Thomas; William,
Benjamin and Leona, at home; one died in infancy. By her first marriage
Mrs. Davis had seven children, only one of whom is living Elizabeth,
wife of H. Hill.Mr. Davis has served a number of years as school director.
In political matters he is rather conservative, but in State and National
elections he votes the Republican ticket.He began life without any
capital, but by diligence, hard work and economy he has accumulated
a comfortable fortune.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 739.
ANTHONY N. DETWILER, of Lincoln Township, is assured of his success
in life in being a descendant of German ancestors, on both his father's
and mother's side. He was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, near
the village of Allensville, January26, 1840. He is the secondson of
Christian and Caroline(Ham) Detwiler, natives of Pennsylvania. The
father was a gunsmith by trade, which he followed for many years.In
1854 he removed his family to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled on
a farm near Iowa City, where he lived the remainder of his days.He
died in his sixtyeighth year, and hiswifeis still living, making her
home with her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Gibson, of Lincoln Township, Audubon
County. Anthony N. Detwiler passed his youth in Johnson County, Iowa,
receiving his education in the common schools. He taught one term,
and in August, 1861, he entered the army for the defense of his nation's
flag, enlisting in Company H, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He was
sent to Davenport, Iowa, thence to St. Louis, thence to Bird's Point,
opposite Cairo, Illinois, and thence south to Island No. 10. Afterward
he went to New Madrid, and thence across the country into Tennessee,
where he joined the forces returning from Columbus.He was wounded
in a battle with buckshot, and was disabled for a few days. He also
took part in the battle of Iuka, and was taken prisoner in the battle
of Nashville, Tennessee, and was held for three months at Jackson,
Mississippi, where he was handled pretty roughly by his captors. After
his release he returned to his regiment, and soon after the news of
General Lee's surrender he was ordered to Selma, Alabama, where he
wasmustered out and sent to Davenport, Iowa; there he received his
final discharge and pay, having served his country faithfully for
four years and two months. At the time of his discharge he ranked
as QuartermasterSergeant. Returning to Johnson County, Iowa, he became
an honest tiller of the soil, renting lands until he was able to buy
a farm of his own.As a farmer he was quite successful, and carried
on the business extensively until 1886, when he sold his farm inJohnson
County, and removed to Audubon County.After looking over the countyhe
bought 160 acres on section 35, which is beautifully situated and
of a very superior soil. It is drained by the Nishnabotna River, is
well fenced and most of the land is seeded down to grass. In 1886
Mr. Detwiler built a substantial residence, which is surrounded by
a fine grove and very attractive in appearance.In1870 he was married
to Miss Nancy J. Shaffer, daughter of David and Agnes (Miller) Shaffer.
She was born and reared in Indiana, and was living with her sister
in Johnson County at the time of her marriage. The result of this
union has been six children Adda, Edna, Carrie, Dora, Mollie and Christian
A. Mr. Detwiler is one of the active members of Allison Post, G. A.
R.In politics he is a staunch Republican, taking an active interest
in the party and its successes.He is a man of genial disposition,
of public spirit, and has the confidence and respect of all who know
him.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 809.
JOHN B. DOAK, Treasurer of Audubon County, Iowa, is a native of the
State of Pennsylvania, born in Columbia County, on a farm near Bloomsburgh,
October 19, 1851. He is the eldest son and second child in a family
of four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. His father,
Henry Doak, is a farmer by occupation; his mother was Dorcas Brothwell,
a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Dr. C. Brothwell; both
parentsare living on a farmnear Bloomsburgh, the father in his sixtythird
year, and the mother in her sixtyfirst. The boyhood of our subject
was spent in his native county, attending the district school; later,
he entered the Normal School at Bloomsburgh, and afterward taught
two winters. He remained with his parents until his twentyfirst year.
He then went to Lehigh Coal Mines, and remained there four years,
having various connections with the coal company. In 1877 he went
to Saint Joseph County, Michigan, stopping near Three Rivers. In 1879
he came to Audubon County, stopping at Exira, where he spent one winter;
he then came to Audubon and remained one year. He then went to Fort
Collins, Colorado. In 1881 be returned to Audubon County, and acted
as a clerk in a store until he was elected treasurer of the county
in 1887. Mr. Doak assumed the duties of this office January 1, 1888.
He is a member of the Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M.; of
Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M., and of Godfrey Commandery, No. 44,
K. T.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 723.
SAMUEL F. DONALDSON, a farmer of Lincoln Township,was born in Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania, October 18, 1837. He is the youngest of a family of
eight children of Robert and Ann (Felton) Donaldson.Her mother was
Catherine Kincade, of ScotchIrish descent, who came to America to
look after her father, who was supposed to have lost his life in the
Revolutionary war. The great-grandfather of Samuel F. Donaldson, Isaac
Donaldson, after serving in the Revolutionary war, was killed by the
Indians in 1783, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. At the same
time an aunt and seven children were taken prisoners. The children
were killed by the Indians, and after ten years the aunt made her
escape.James Donaldson, the grandfather of Samuel F., served in the
war of 1812. Robert Donaldson, the father of S. F. Donaldson, was
born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on the farm owned by his
father, James Donaldson. The grandfather on the mother's side was
Robert Felton, a native of Scotland. He also served in the war of
1812.The father of our subject, Robert Donaldson, remained in Westmoreland
County, following the occupation of a carpenter until 1850, when he
removed to the wild woods of Indiana, settling in Wells County.There
he cleared out a farm and remained until his death, which occurred
in 1880. His wife, the mother of S. F. Donaldson, died in 1861.Samuel
F. Donaldson was thirteen years of age when he removed with his parents
to Indiana. There he grew to manhood, attending the common logcabin
schools, and receiving the usual training of a farmer's son. In 1861
he enlisted in Company A, for three months' service, at the first
call for 75,000 men.On the expiration of the three months he enlisted,
on the 30th day of August, 1861, for three years, in Company A, Thirty-fourth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was immediately made chief musician
of the regiment, and served in that capacity for four and a half years.He
was honorably discharged at Brownsville, Texas, February 20, 1866.
He then returned to Wells County, Indiana, and engaged in agricultural
pursuits until 1868, when he removed to Polk County, Iowa, and settled
on a farm near Polk City. There he resided until the spring of 1880,
when lie came to Audubon County, settling upon his farm in Lincoln
Township, which was then wild prairie.Upon this new farm he erected
a board shanty, twelve feet square. which sheltered the family until
better quarters couldbe provided.However, before these temporary quarters
could be provided the family lived in wagons.The first thing to be
done was to break out the new farm, and make arrangements for the
home. What has been accomplished can best be realized by making a
visit to Mr. Donaldson's farm. The place is well fenced, and is stocked
with reasonable numbers of hogs, cattle and horses. The residence
is attractively surrounded by a grove which was planted by Mr. Donaldson.
September 4, 1861, occurred the marriage of Samuel F. Donaldson and
Lizzie Marshall, of Wells County, Indiana, in which place she was
born and reared. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary A. (Weisner)
Marshall, natives of Scotland and Ohio respectively. Mr. and Mrs.
Donaldson have had born to them four children Kate F., wife of J.
L. Van Dorn (the latter died in 1885); Anna E., William F. and Bonnie
C.Mr. Donaldson was elected clerk of his township in 1882, and has
served in that office ever since until the present time. He is a member
of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., at Audubon, and of Utopia
Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F., at Gray, being one of the charter members.
He is also a member of the Hiawatha Tribe, No. 16, I. O. R. M., and
of the G. A. R. post at Manning, and is a member of the Tall Cedars
of Lebanon, and also the Universal Brotherhood. In politics he actively
supports the issues of the Republican party.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 786.
GEORGE M. DUBOIS,deceased, was one of Audubon County's most enterprising
citizens. He was born in the State of Indiana in 1850.When a small
child his parents emigrated to Jones County, Iowa, where they settled,
and where he grew to manhood.He received a common school education
and was reared a farmer, becoming well skilled in his occupation.
In 1878 he came to Audubon County and secured a farm in the southeastern
corner of Leroy Township, which he broke and improved in many ways.
The place was well fenced, there was a comfortable residence, a large
frame barn, and other buildings for stock. He planted a grove, which
added very much to the attractive appearance of the place.At the time
of his death the farm contained 357 acres. Mr. Dubois was an excellent
judge of livestock, and was very successful in their care. He was
a man of quiet force and great energy, working late and early in all
kinds of weather. He was married in his twentyninth year to Miss Ella
Bowdish, of Audubon County, Iowa a native of the State of Indiana,
and a daughter of Ira and Sallie E. Bowdish. She came to Iowa with
her parents in infancy.Mr. and Mrs. Dubois are the parents of three
children Anna Pearl, Dolly D. and Mabel. Mr. Dubois died December
19, 1885, of consumption. After the death of her husband Mrs. Dubois
took charge of her farm, and conducted it with much ability until
her marriage to Mr. James M. Pratten in 1886. Mr. Pratten is a native
of England, but came to America when in his youth. He has worked in
various kinds of business, but is a practical farmer, and is an excellent
judge of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Pratten are the parents of one daughter -- Alice M. Pratten.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 757.
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Contributed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs, April, 2005.
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