1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO
G
SAMUEL M. GARDNER, was born in Hancock County, Maine, June 8, 1861,
and is the son of J. S. and Lydia F. (Appleton) Gardner, also natives
of the State of Maine.He is the eleventh child of a family of sixteen,
and remained in his native place until his nineteenth year. He attended
the public schools and was graduated from the High School.On first
coming to Iowa he located at Cedar Rapids, and engaged in the carpenter's
trade, which he had learned from his father while he was yet at home.
He remained in Cedar Rapids three years, and then engaged with Fairbanks,
Moss & Company, in the construction of windmills and tanks. He
remained with this firm, at work on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad, for two years. In 1881, December 6, Mr. Gardner was
married to Miss Pina L. Patterson, daughter of Robert H. and Laura
L. (Nye) Patterson. Mrs. Gardner was born at Pine Mills, Muscatine
County, Iowa, Jannary 10, 1859. Three children have been born of this
marriage Olive Elizabeth, Willis Miles and Alice Appleton. Immediately
after their wedding Mr. and Mrs. Gardner came to Audubon County, and
settled on a farm of 160 acres of partially improved land, which they
made their home for two years. At the expiration of that time they
returned to Muscatine County, and spent the summer there; then they
came back to Audubon County, where they have since made their home.
Mr. Gardner has added to his first purchase of land 240 acres, making
400 acres in all, lying in sections 1, 2 and 3, GreeleyTownship. He
has made many valuable improvements, and has made a decided success
in the business, although he knew nothing about it when he settled
on the farm.Politically he is a staunch Republican, taking an active
interest in the welfare of the party. He has been twice elected delegate
to the State convention, and has acted as chairman of the RepublicanTownship
committee. Mr. Gardner and familyare worthy people, and enjoy the
respect of the citizens of the community in which they live.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 810.
JACOB GARRATT, one of the agriculturists of Viola Township, has been
a resident of Audubon County since 1883. He was born in the Dominion
of Canada, Province of Ontario, in August, 1850.His father, Edward
Garratt, was a native of England, and his mother, Mary A. Stong, was
born in Canada. Eight children were born to the parents, of whom Jacob
is the sixth. He received a commonschool education, and was trained
to the duties of a farmer's son, his father removing to Ogle County,
Illinois, and settling on a farm there. The father died in Cook County,
Illinois, in 1866, and the mother died in 1854. Jacob Garratt spent
most of his youth in Ogle County, Illinois, and later removed to Cook
County, which he made his home until 1867.He then went back to Ogle
County, and was there married to Miss Susan E. Sanborn, of that county,
a daughter of Ambrose Sanborn, Esq. In October, 1883, Mr. Garratt
removed to Audubon County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in section
9, Viola Township. The farm consists of 120 acres, and is well improved,
with a good residence, and buildings for stock. While he is no political
aspirant, our subject votes the Democratic ticket. He commenced life
for himself with limited means, and today owns valuable property.
Mrs. Garratt's mother was Elizabeth Good, Mrs. Garratt being her eldest daughter.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 775.
FRANK GARROUTTE, a most thorough andenterprising farmer of Douglas
Township, was born in Brown County, Ohio, near Fayetteville, November
28, 1851. He is a son of John W. Garroutte, who is a native of Ohio,
and a farmer and carpenter by vocation. His mother was a Miss Morsmon,
also a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Levi and Rachel Morsmon.
The family of Garrouttes are of French extraction. After his marriage
John W. Garroutte settled in Brown County, Ohio. He and his wife are
the parents of two children, boys Birk and Frank, bothof whomare living.Frank
Garroutte obtained his education in the district school, which offered
very limited advantages at that early day.He was trained to the occupation
of a farmer, and that his training was excellent is shown by the model
condition of his farm today.When he was two years old his parents
removed to Dallas County, Iowa, where his father died two years afterward.
His mother and brother still reside in Dallas County, Iowa. He continued
to live with them until fifteen years of age. He was united in marriage,
June 6, 1880, to Miss Jennie Merryman, of Dallas County, Iowa, a daughter
of Henry and Christina (Wolbert) Merryman, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania
respectively.The Merrymans were descendants of a Scotch family, and
the Wolberts were of English ancestry. Soon after his marriage Mr.
Garroutte removed to Audubon County, and settled on a farm in Leroy
Township. He remained there two years, devoting his time to the improvement
and cultivation of his farm, which he sold to George C. Cook. His
present farm, which is known as the Marion farm, is located in Douglas
Township, and contains 160 acres of choice, fertile land, moderately
improved. It is well stocked, and the greater part is seeded down
to pasture. Mr. Garroutte rents other land, which he cultivates in
addition to his own. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Garroutte. Two are living Dora and Emery.Katie, Barbara and Horace
were stricken down in 1888 by that dread disease, diphtheria.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 823.
RICHARD GAULT, a farmer and extensive stockshipper, of Exira Township,
was born in the City of Brotherly Love, August 21, 1834. He is the
fourth of a family of six children of Francis and Deborah (Stewart) Gault, the father being from the north of Ireland, and the mother
a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. The parents of Richard Gault removed
from Philadelphia to Wisconsin, and remained there two years.In 1853
they settled in Appanoose County, and in 1854 they moved to Audubon
County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Exira; there the father died
in 1871, and the mother in 1868.The subject of this notice passed
his early boyhood in his native city, receiving the advantages of
a cityschool education. After leaving school he learned the cutlery
trade, working at it three and a half years. When his parents removed
to Wisconsin he accompanied them, but when they went to Iowa he remained
behind until they were entirely settled in the new home. May 1, 1860,
Mr. Gault married Mary L. Herrick, the daughter of Alvin and Pauline
Herrick, who were early settlers of the county.She was born in the
State of Massachusetts. By this union six children were born -- Henry
F., Augusta C., Mildred A., wife of John B. Hash, a merchant of Exira;
Charles, Caroline and Anna B., the three latter being at home. Mr.
Gault's present home farm, which he secured in 1858, contains 360
acres, near the waters of the Nishnabotna River; here he has erected
a good residence, barns and sheds for the protection of cattle and
livestock, he also has another good farm in Greeley Township, which
is well stocked. Every winter he feeds about two carloads of cattle,
and now has 175 head on his two farms. He is a practical farmer, and
is well known throughout the county as a large dealer in livestock.
He has been politically identified with his county; first, as deputy
treasurer under Nathaniel Hamlin; then as county clerk, a position
he held four years, from 1858 to 1862, Mr. Gault commenced his career
without any capital in gold or silver; but energy and diligence and
devotion to one purpose are sometimes a better capital. With these
he has succeeded, and today is the owner of a valuable estate.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 735.
MICHAEL K. GIFFORD, a retired farmer of Audubon County, Iowa, was
born in Morgan County, Ohio, nearPennsville, a small Quaker village,
October 1, 1824. His grandfather, Abraham Gifford, was born in the
State of Maine, and removed to Ohio in 1816, and settled hear Marietta,
Ohio. He was of English ancestry, and for many years was a sailor
on a whaling vessel. The father of our subject was Alexander M. Gifford,
also a native of Maine, born March 13, 1800.He was a farmer by occupation,
and died November 16, 1884. He was married to Miss Isabel King, who
died June 19, 1842, a daughter of Michael King, of English ancestry
and Quaker stock. Mr. King was among the early settlers of Guernsey
County, Ohio, and built the first gristmill in that part of the country.
Isabel King Gifford was born July 28, 1802, in Guernsey County, Ohio.Michael
K. passed his early boyhood in Morgan County, Ohio.When he was twelve
years of age his parents removed to Noble County, Indiana, where he
grew to manhood. The family continued their residence in Noble County
until 1854, when they all removed to Cedar County, Iowa.There the
parents settled permanently and passed the remainder of their days.
Mr. Gifford was married May 7, 1848, to Miss Mary Ann Carman, of Allen
County, Indiana. After his marriage Mr. Gifford settled in Noble County,
but in 1854 removed with the family to Iowa, where he engaged in farming
in Cedar County until October, 1873. Re then moved to Jasper County,
remaining five years; thence to Pottawattamie County, remaining one
year. In April, 1880, he moved to Audubon County and settled on 160
acres of land, for which he paid $13 per acre. He lived on this place
and improved it until 1886, when he sold the farm for $25 per acre,
cash in hand, since which time he has not been actively engaged in
business. Mr. and Mrs. Gifford are the parents of seven children,
six of whom lived to maturity Almira was born October 27, 1849, wife
of Samuel T. Lambert; John W., born July 21, 1851; Charles C., born
July 16, 1854; Mary, born October 27, 1857, wife of Wesley Imes; Martha,
born May 6, 1860, wife of Joseph Bottenfield; Jason A., born August
9, 1862 and one child that died in infancy. When living in Cedar County,
Iowa, Mr. Gifford held the office of justice of the peace for two
terms. He is a member of the Wesleyan M. church, and was ordained
in 1859, Junius A. Preston officiating. Mrs. Gifford was born in Steuben
County, New York, May 6, 1829.She was the daughter of Charles C. and
Eliza Ann Carman.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 732.
GEORGE W. C. GILLESPIE, an active and enterprising farmer of Viola
Township, was born in Alabama, near Mobile, February 22, 1851, and
is a son of George W. C. and Virtue (Turner) Gillespie. The mother
was born in Lincolnshire, England, and the father was a native of
Tennessee. He followed flatboating on the Tennessee and Mississippi
rivers until he was twentysix years of age. Quitting the river, he
run a plantation, engaging in cattleraising.He lost heavily in this
business, and in 1848 he came to Burlington, Iowa, and purchased a
sawmill, which he continued to operate for three years.In 1853 Mr.
Gillespie removed to Marion County, Iowa, and located at Knoxville,
where he engaged in contracting and building for six years. In 1863
he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, and resides there at the present. His
children live in Iowa, excepting three. George W. C. Gillespie, Jr.,
passed his youth in Knoxville and Grinnell. He attended school until
he was thirteen years old, when he took charge of the farm, his father
being from home most of the time. At the age of twentyone years he
was married to Catherine Ellis, of Grinnell, Iowa, a daughter of Solonand
Phoebe Ellis. In 1874 he removed to Audubon County and settled on
his present farm, when his nearest neighbor was two miles distant.He
broke the first furrow on his farm, which is now under good cultivation,
and has made many valuable improvements.The farm contains 160 acres,
which is well stocked with highgrade animals. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie
are the parents of seven children Ross E., Gertrude M., Mary E., Nellie
B., James G., Jessie L. and Celia V.Mr. Gillespie has represented
his township as trustee and as road supervisor. In politics he votes
the Republican ticket. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is also
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Coon Rapids, of which
he has been steward for eight years. The Gillespie family are of Scotch
descent, the first emigrants coming to America about the time of the
Revolutionary war.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 797.
DORPHUS D. GRAVES, deceased, was an active and enterprising citizen
of Douglas Township. He was born in Oneida County, New York, and was
a son of Austin and Mary Ann (Bishop) Graves, natives of the State
of New York. When Dorphus D. was two and a half years old his parents
removed to Marion, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and received a
common school education. He began to learn the printer's trade at Marion,
and later worked at it in Springfield, Ohio.He afterward drifted west,
and stopped at some of the river towns in the State of Iowa. Finally
he went to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled on a farm eight miles
from Iowa City.Mr. Graves was married to Miss Malinda Hawley, of Johnson
County, Iowa, a daughter of Jesse and Eliza (Brown) Hawley, who had
removedto Johnson County from Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Graves
continued farming, and afterward removed to Keokuk County, and in
1882 he came to Audubon County, locating on a farm in section 2, Douglas
Township, known as the John Morrow farm; the place contains 320 acres.
Mr. Graves was an enterprising and energetic farmer; he fed large
numbers of cattle and hogs, which he shipped to eastern markets. He
was an active member of the United Brethren church, serving many years
as trustee, classleader and steward of the society. He was held in
high esteem by all who knew him, and his loss was deeply felt in the
community. He left a wife and six children to mourn his death, which
occurred June 11, 1887. The children are named as follows Mary E.,
wife of William Gipple; Jesse A., Calvin D., Murtle D., Walter D.
and Leonard B.Mr. Graves was a staunch Republican, and took an active
interest in the success of the party. Mrs. Graves carries on the farm,
with the assistance of her sons. She is a woman of ability, and has
been successful in the management of the property left her; she is
a devoted member of the United Brethren church.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 785.
GEORGE GRAY.There is no one among the business men of Audubon who
has given the grain trade a greater impetus, who has added more to
the commercial and financial standing of the town, who has pushed
her interests farther, than George Gray. He started his business almost
with the birth of the town, and no one has stuck to his purpose more
tenaciously than the subject of thisbrief biography.Mr. Gray was born
on a farm in the State of Vermont, August 9, 1886. He is the youngest
of a family of eleven children, and is a son of William and Isabel
(Roben) Gray; the father was a native of Vermont, a sturdy farmer,
and a man of great strength of purpose and force of character; after
his marriage he settled in Caledonia County, Vermont, where he lived
the remainder of his days; he died at the age of seventytwo years.
The mother was born in Scotland, and was of a strong mind, and of
a vigorous constitution; she died at the ripe old age of ninetytwo
years.The grandfather of George Gray, William Gray, was a descendant
from an old Scotch family. George Gray passed his youth in his native
county, receiving his education in the common school and in a seminary.On
reaching his twentyfirst year he started in the battle of life on
his own account. Drifting as far west as Stark County, Illinois, he
was employed to work on a farm for $20 per month; as his means increased
he invested in land, and was soon able to begin farming his own land;
he devoted considerable time in stockraising, and was very successful
in this. He continued to invest in land. While yet living in Illinois
he bought 1,160 acres of land in Audubon County, and 160 in Union
County, Iowa.While residing in Illinois he improved over 1,000 acres.
Having disposed of his property in Illinois, he removed to Stuart,
Iowa, where he engaged in the grain, lumber and stock business; he
carried this on successfully for seven years, during which time he
purchased 4,000 acres of land in Audubon and Carroll counties, the
whole of which he improved. In one season he sowed 3,000 acres to
wheat, and the season being favorable, he realized a handsome profit
on it.In 1880 Mr. Gray began dealing in wheat in Audubon; this he
shipped to Chicago and intermediate points. He has erected an elevator
at the town of Gray on the Northwestern Railroad, at a cost of $10,000;
besides his elevator, he has two large warehouses at Audubon, and
one at Ross, Iowa. He still carries on farming in connection with
his grain dealing. He has also shipped stock, principally handling
that of his own raising. In 1874 Mr.Graywas married to Miss Fannie
A. Spencer, a woman of unusual purity and force of character. She
was a native of Stark County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the
parents of one son George S. Gray. The mother died November 9, 1888;
the very large number attending the last rites of interment attested
the love and honor in which she was held. Mr. Gray takes an active
part in politics, affiliating with the Republican party; he has served
as delegate tothe congressional and judicial conventions. He is publicspirited,
and liberal in contributing in any enterprise tending to benefit the
community.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 800.
HOWARD J. GREEN, deceased, was born in the State of New York, RensseIaer
County, May 4, 1828. His parents were Allen and Clarissa Green, natives
of New York. The youth of Mr. Green was passed in his native county
in attending the public schools.At the age of sixteen years he went
to Williamstown, Massachusetts, and there served an apprenticeship
to a machinist for three years. After learning his trade he remained
in the shops for some time. He then went to Chicopee, Massachusetts,
and entered the employ of Ames & Company, continuing there three
years. About this time Mr. Green was taken with the western fever,
and came to Iowa, settling in Jackson County, on a farm which he cultivated
three years. He then removed to Audubon County and took up his abode
on his present farm. He built the first sawmill on a branch of the
Botna Creek, and operated it for some time. He did all the sawing
for the neighborhood, and having steam power he did a profitable business.After
selling the mill he turned his attention to farming.The place he had
bought on first coming to the county was raw prairie and contained
eighty acres, but he has added to this until his farm now consists
of 100 acres, twenty of which are in timber and the remainder under
fine cultivation.Mr. Green passed from this life June 2, 1873. He
was an enterprising citizen, and was filled with that public spirit
to which all communities owe their advancement and growth. At the
time of his death Mr. Green was a member of the board of supervisors.
His political interests lay very near the interests of the Republican
party. By industry and energy Mr. Green had accumulated a large estate.
He was married November 28, 1850, to Miss Cordelia M. Reed, a daughter
of Nelson and Theodocia (Holcomb) Reed.She was born in Granby, Connecticut,
and was reared and educated in her native town. Seven children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Green Emma C., wife of John R. Thacker; Henry
H., Clara A., Dewey W. (deceased), Walter W., Edwin E. and Mary Grace.
Mrs. Green's grandfather, Jacob Holcomb, was a soldier in the war
of the Revolution.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 795.
JOHN M. GRIGGS, attorney at law, Audubon, Iowa, was born in Indiana,
Marion County, near Indianapolis.He is the fourth son of a family
of eleven children of Hiram Lee and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Griggs. His
father was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1803, and his
mother, Elizabeth Hawkins, in Bath County, Kentucky. His father is
still living and resides at Monrovia, Morgan County, Indiana. The
father is a Methodist Episcopal minister, and has devoted many years
to that service.John M. was reared in central Indiana. His father
being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, their residence
was frequently changed, according to the custom of that church.He
began studying law while attending the Zionsville Academy, and later
attended Wabash College. On the 19th of April, 1861, he enlisted in
the service of our country (first call) at Indianapolis, Indiana.
At the time of his first enlistment he was studying law with Colonel
C. C. Nave. Being discharged from first enlistment he resumed his
studies with ColoneI Nave. On July 6, 1861, he again enlisted for
three years' service, in response to the call for 300,000, at Centreton,
Indiana, becoming a member of the Twentyfirst Indiana Volunteers,
Company K. This regiment was one of the first to leave the State under
the three years' call. After about eighteen months' service the regiment
was changed from infantry to artillery, and was thereafter known as
First Indiana Heavy Artillery.In July, 1861, he was sent to Baltimore,
thence on an expedition into Accomack and Northampton counties, Virginia,
thence to Fortress Monroe, thence to Newport News, Virginia. On the
4th of March, 1862, he boarded the Constitution for Ship Island, left
James' Bay on March 6th, witnessed the bombardment of Fort Jackson
and St. Philips.His regiment was the first at the landing at New Orleans.
Upon his discharge, dated July 31, 1864, we find the following indorsement:
"John M. Griggs, character good.Participated in the following
engagements: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, August 5, 1862; Donaldsonville,
Louisiana, September 24,1862; Bayou Des Almands, September 9, 1862;
A. J. Cotton, January 14, 1863; Camp Bisland, April 12, 13 and 14,
1863; Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, to July 8, 1863, inclusive; Cane
River Crossing, April 23, 1864; Marksville Plains, May 16, 1864; Yellow
Bayou, May 18, 1864; Mansfield, April 8, 1864; Pleasant Hill, April
9, 1864. CLAYTON COX, Captain Company K." In August, 1864, he
returned to his home in Indiana by way of the Mississippi River on
board the steamer Empress, which, while en route for Cairo, was fired
at by the enemy at Gaines' Tow Head. On his return to his home in
Indiana he resumed his studies of law, and during intervals taught
school in Marion and other counties. In 1865 he went to Emporia, Kansas;
remained there but a short time and returned to Indiana by way of
Iowa. In 1867 he again returned to Iowa, locating in Audubon County,
Iowa, where he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice
of law, and has been a resident of said county ever since. "J.
M. Griggs commenced the practice of law at Exira in the year 1869,
and has given the profession the closest individual attention.He moved
to Audubon immediately after the county seat was moved to this city.He
has never missed a term of court in the county during the whole time.
Naturally a man of studious habits, he literally lives with his profession,
and we can truly say he is wedded to it. He has been singularly fortunate
in his practice, gaining some splendid cases.He is a bold, ardent
advocate. His success depends upon his profound learning, his clear
judgment, undaunted courage, loyalty to his clients, his veracity
and perfect understanding of his case. Taken altogether, he stands
second to no lawyer of the bar of Audubon County." H. F. ANDREWS
in Advocate, January 1, 1881.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 758.
|
Contributed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs, April, 2005.
|
