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JACKSON TOWNSHIP
(Page 592)
In many respects Jackson is the most noted township in the county.
It has the first history. Up to 1851 it included all of Taylor
county. The first settlers of Taylor county located in Jackson.
They were Matthew Hindman and Isaac Guyll. Hindman located on
section 8 and Guyll on section 14. They came in 1843, seven
years before the present State line was run. In 1844, probably
when there were but these two families in the county, Jesse Guyll
and Martha Hindman were united in wedlock at the residence of Mathew
Hindman, who was the bride's father. In 1844, after this marriage,
a son was born to James H. and Melissa A. Burge. He was given
the name of William Thomas Burge. Pasetta Guyll was the first
girl baby that visited the county or the township. Alexander
Guyll died in 1844 on section 14, and was buried on the same.
The physician who ministered to the physical ailments of the people
in those early times was Dr. Torrence, of Maryville, Missouri, who
is now dead. The first religious services were held at Matthew
Hindman's; Alexander Spencer furnished the sermons. He was of
the Methodist denomination. The first school was taught in 1845,
on section 15; fifteen pupils attended. The teacher was Smith
Haubble. His compensation was two dollars and fifty cents for
each pupil for three months; in other words, he taught fifteen scholars
three months for $37.50. This was raised by subscription.
The first school-house was built on section 15, in 1845; it was made
of round logs; the plaster was mud - pure and undefiled. The
people built it for themselves and their children. The public
was to no expense in the matter. That was thirty-six years ago
- a long time. The old school-house - the first in (page 593)
Taylor county, is no more. Not the vestige of a log remains
to mark the place where it stood when the kingdom of Taylor was the
home of the savage, the beasts and the birds. The next school-house
was built by a Mr. McGuire in 1855, at a cost of two hundred and fifty
dollars. It was located near Mr. Daniel Hoover's. The
first teacher, after Haubble, was John O. Meehan, who taught on Mr.
B. B. Hoover's farm. Mary Edmiston wove the first cloth.
The nearest neighbors that the Hindmans and Guylls had, lived
fifteen miles distant, and that was in Missouri. After six months,
immigration brought one or two families a trifle nearer. Whatever
necessaries of life that were required which their guns did not bring
them, or that were not raised, could not be obtained nearer than St.
Joseph, Missouri. This was a distance of seventy-five miles,
over streams that had never seen a bridge, and across prairies that
had never dreamed of roads. To cross a stream, shallow water
with a pebbly bed must be hunted, and the divides were taken as roads
from one house and from one place to another.
The soil of Jackson township is well adapted to farming purposes.
For stock raising it cannot be excelled in the county. Honey
Creek, which is quite a stream runs down its west side. It is
fed by several small tributaries. The west branch of Platte
River takes in the larger part of its eastern boundary.
James Gartside, who came to the county in 1850, and located
there, was one of its most prominent citizens. He died at Red
Oak, Iowa, in 1877, and an entire county mourned the loss of man universally
esteemed. He left a widow and four children who live in the
county. The daughter married Mr. Joe Turner, who resides in
the township.
George Larison came in 1857, and John W. Wood, a man passionately
fond of horticultural pursuits, and eminently successful in them,
in 1855. He lives in section 17.
Daniel Hoover settled on section 9, in 1854, and has been a
prosperous farmer, and a well known and popular citizen throughout
the county for many years. His brother, B. B. Hoover, came about
the same time.
The Methodist church has an organization at Straight school-house.
It was organized at the Forest Grove school-house in an early day,
and was removed to the Straight school-house. It has a membership
of seventeen. Rev. T. P. Newland is the pastor. A successful
sabbath-school is also conducted there. Jackson township ranks
fairly in educational matters.
(Page 719)
ALLEN, JOHN, farmer, section six, post-office
Bedford, was born in Scotland, December 11, 1836. When twelve
years old his parents immigrated to this country, settling in Alleghany
county, Maryland, where they remained four years, then moved to Preston
county, Virginia. Our subject received a limited education in
the common schools. In the spring of 1857 he came west and located
in Knox county, Illinois, where he engaged in mining for three years.
In 1860 he went to California, and while in the gold fields of the
Pacific Slope he spent his time in mining. He returned to Knox
county, Illinois, and in 1865 came to Taylor county, where he has
since resided. He was married October 23, 1863, to Miss M. Stuart,
of Knox county, Illinois, but a native of the Empire State.
Four children are the fruits of this union: William F., Milton H.,
Anna Mary (deceased) and Cora May. Mr. Allen owns a good farm
of 122 acres, good house, barn and orchard. He is a man of excellent
qualities. Is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
BARNUM, J. Q., farmer, post-office Bedford,
was born in Ontario county, New York, where he remained until twenty-one
years of age. Was educated in Canandagua Academy. He enlisted
in the Fifteenth New York cavalry, serving as a private two years
and eight months, and participating in the battles of New Market,
Piedmont, Lynchburg, Winchester, Five Forks, Appomattox and Petersburg.
After the surrender of Richmond his regiment was sent to Kentucky,
where he performed provost duty until the fall of 1865, when he was
honorably discharged. He returned to his home in the Empire
State, remained one year, then came to Taylor county and to his present
location. He is now engaged in farming and stock-raising, in
which he is being eminently successful.
(Page 720)
CHAVASSE, J. H., farmer, section ten,
post-office Bedford, was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England,
April 20, 1856, where he grew to man's estate - his youth being spent
in school at Ripton, Derbyshire. At seventeen he went to Burrickshire,
Scotland, where he resided about four years engaged in farming.
In February, 1877, he sailed for America, and in March following came
to this state, stopping for a time in Winneshiek county. He
then came to Taylor county, and has since made it his home.
He was married June 16, 1880, to Mrs. Mary E. Gilman, of Middleton,
England. they are the parents of one child (Thomas John), born
May 13, 1881. Mr. C. has a farm of 325 acres in the best cultivation,
with good residence, barns, etc. Himself and wife are members
of the Church of England.
GARTSIDE, JAS. (deceased), was born in
England, November 4, 1822, and was there educated. Immigrated
to America when nineteen years of age, first settling in Pennsylvania,
near Philadelphia, where he resided until 1849, engaged in a woolen
factory. Came to Taylor county in October, 1850. Was married
October 7, 1846, to Miss Ellen Ashworth, also a native of Great Britain.
Four children have blessed their union: Orelbia Thomas, Wm.
Henry, B. W. and Mary Ann Elizabeth. Mr. Gartside died in October,
1877. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. WILLIAM
H. (son of Jas. Gartside, deceased), was born in this county May 21,
1852, and excepting two years while at work in his father's woolen-mills
at Clarinda, has made this his home. He was reared on a farm,
and educated in the common schools. He has an excellent farm
of two hundred acres, good buildings, orchard, etc. Is a jovial
old bachelor, and possesses excellent business qualifications.
GARTSIDE, BENJ. W., farmer, section twenty-four,
post-office Bedford, was born in this county April 21, 1854.
He is a son of James Gartside, whose biography will be found above.
Was reared on a farm, and acquired a liberal education in the common
schools. Was married August 29, 1878, to Miss Ella Fleming,
also of this county. Two children have blessed this union:
Bertha Allura and a babe. Mr. G. owns a fine farm of 163 acres,
neatly arranged, good buildings, and all the requisites of a pleasant
home. Though a young man, he possesses that energy and business
capacity which will insure him success in life.
HARBISON, A. J., farmer, section fifteen,
post-office Bedford, was born in Dubois county, Indiana, March 23,
1848. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
Excepting the period of his service in the army, his whole life has
been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He enlisted in October,
1864, in company E, Thirty-third Indiana, and served under (page 721)
General Sherman. After his discharge he returned to his home
in the Hoosier State and remained until 1872. He then came to
Taylor county, engaged in farming, and was married in October, 1867,
to Miss Mary Potts, also a native of Indiana. They are the parents
of four children: Thomas E., Miles D., Carrie E., and William
B. Mr. Harbison has a fine farm of eighty acres well improved,
comfortable house and other buildings. He is a neat farmer,
good neighbor and an excellent citizen.
HOOVER, D., farmer and stock-grower, section
nine, post-office Bedford. Prominent among the enterprising
farmers of Jackson township we find Mr. H. He was born September
10, 1825, in Hardin county, Kentucky. When four years of age
his father died and his mother moved to Breckenridge county, of the
same State. He there arrived at man's estate and received his
education. At eighteen he came to Iowa, stopped in Lee county,
where he remained eleven years, then went to Gentry, Missouri, remained
one year, and in the fall of 1854, came to Taylor county. Shortly
after arriving here he entered 320 acres of his present farm and at
once commenced making improvements. He was married December
29, 1849, to Miss Sarah Jane Hinkle, of Lee county, Iowa, formerly
of Vermillion county, Illinois. Of their children seven are
living: Josiah, Edgar D., and Edward B., twins, Clinton D.,
Charles S., Mary A. and Lenora. Three are deceased: Josephine,
Otho, and Ann Eliza. Mr. H. is located on one of the best stock
farms in the county. It contains 640 acres, fine residence surrounded
with a beautiful lawn, commodious barn, etc. His farm is watered
by three never failing springs which furnish him with an abundance
of water. He is now extensively engaged in stock growing and
feeding. Has held the office of county supervisor, is connected
with the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the M. E. Church.
HOOVER, O., post-office Bedford, was born
in this township, January 9, 1860. He has here grown to manhood
and received a liberal education. At the age of nineteen he
engaged in teaching school, which business he followed for a time.
The greater portion of his time however, he has devoted to agricultural
pursuits. He is now superintending his father's large farm and
has the reputation of being one of the most industrious and promising
of Taylor county's young men.
LARISON, GEORGE, farmer and stock-grower,
section twenty, post-office Bedford, was born in Shelby county, Indiana,
August 11, 1828, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the
common schools. He came to Taylor county in October, 1857, and
settled in Benton township near Bedford. He moved to his present
location in 1868. January 24, 1850, he married Miss Eliza Jane
Halbrook, also a native of the Hoosier State. They (page 722)
are the parents of ten children: Robert, Franklin, Mary Jane,
now Mrs. J. H. Roe, William C., Elvira, Catherine, John Elmore, Hattie
May, Cassie Lillian and Ray. Mr. Larison owns a farm of 170
acres well improved, with good buildings, orchard, etc. Subject
is now engaged in stock raising and has a farm well adapted to that
business. He and Mrs. L. are members of the Baptist Church.
LAMUNYON, J. A., farmer, post-office
Bedford, was born in March, 1829, in Joe Daviess county, Illinois,
and remained there until he was two and a half years old when his
parents moved to Adamson county, Kentucky, and located near the Mammoth
Cave; there our subject received a common school education, and remained
until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1854 he moved to Warren
county, Illinois, where he made his home for twenty years. He
came to Taylor county in 1874 and located on his present farm.
His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and by
properly directing his efforts he has made it a success.
McMURRAY, DAVID B., carpenter, post-office
Bedford, a native of Tennessee, was born December 30, 1843.
When about three years old his parents moved to Iowa and settled in
Appanoose county, and in that county and Davis our subject was reared
and educated. In 1861 he left the farm for the field of battle,
enlisting in company G, Third Missouri cavalry, and participated in
many of the severest engagements of the rebellion. He took part
in the fight of Mount Zion Church where two hundred Federals encountered
and drove six hundred Confederates, killing twenty-seven and wounding
one hundred and fifty, with but slight loss to the Federals.
At the close of the war he returned to Unionville where he attended
school and prepared himself for teaching, which business he followed
several years. During the time he was engaged in teaching he
studied law, and was admitted to the bar by Judge Day in 1872, after
which he traveled in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and other Western
States; he then returned to Bedford and engaged in the carpenter business.
He is now contracting and building.
OLLCOTT, A., deceased, born in Muskingum
county, Ohio, in 1833. Remained in his native State about twenty
years, then came to Iowa and settled in Wapello county, where he lived
until 1874. Came to Taylor county in the last named year and
remained until his death which occurred five years later. Mrs.
Ann Ollcott, relict of the above, was born in Ross county, Ohio, June
19, 1838. Lived there twelve years, then came with her parents
to Wapello county, Iowa. While there she was married to A. Ollcott,
the ceremony taking place November 26th, 1856. They were the
parents of nine children: Anna, Mattie, Frank, Charles, Norman,
Ida, Jennie, Maria and Lida. Mrs. Ollcott is located on a splendid
farm of 225 (page 723) acres, good house and other buildings, orchard
of twelve acres, and is engaged in stock-growing and feeding.
She is a lady of extraordinary business ability and with the aid of
her children conducts her large farm successfully.
ROWE, E. S., farmer, section twenty-eight,
post-office Bedford, was born in Lincoln county, West Virginia,
September 13, 1840, and when twelve years old his parents moved to
Andrew county, Missouri, and remained there six months, then came
to this county. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools. When twenty-two he went to Nebraska and
remained there for a time, then returned, and in 1863 went to Salt
Lake City, Utah Territory. He returned after a short visit
and remained here two years. He next went to Nodaway county,
Missouri, and made that place his home for three years; he then returned
again to this county, and in 1870 located on his present farm.
He was married December 29, 1863, to Mary Ann Davis of this county,
but formerly of Missouri. Four children have blessed their union:
Isaac, Minerva, Eldrad S. and Anna May. Subject is located on
a farm of 160 acres with excellent improvement; he also owns another
in Worth county, Missouri, and one and a half miles from his present
home. He is energetic and industrious, and one of Taylor county's
most substantial farmers.
WOOD, W. J., farmer and stock-grower, section
twenty-one, post-office Bedford, a native of the Sucker State, was
born in Edgar county, March 1, 1837. There he tilled the soil
and attended the schools of his neighborhood. In 1855 he moved
to Nodaway county, Missouri, and remained there until 1875, excepting
the period of his services in the army. He enlisted July 7,
1861, in company I, First Nebraska, for three years. Participated
in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Cape Girardeau,
Black Water and others. The last year of his service was spent
in fighting bushwhackers. Was discharged November 10, 1864,
at Omaha, Nebraska. At the battle of Shiloh he had his clothes
riddled with bullets. He came to this county in 1875.
Mr. Wood was married January 29, 1864, to Miss Asenath Ray of Nodaway
county, Missouri. Of their children five are living; Antoinette,
John H., Daisy D., Ella and Otho Don; one, Leon, is deceased.
Subject has a good farm of 100 acres, a fine large house and barn,
and an abundance of fruits.
WOOD, JOHN W., farmer, section seventeen,
post-office Bedford, a native of the Empire State, was ushered into
this life October 30, 1829. His early youth was spent in agricultural
pursuits and in attending school. When fourteen years of age
our subject went to Michigan and remained there about three years,
spending the last two working at the harness trade. (Page 724) He
then returned to his native State, where for half a decade he made
his home. In 1853 he came to Iowa, locating in Scott county,
where for a time he tilled the soil. Three years later he came
to this county and settled in Washington township, residing there
two years, he then moved to Bedford and made that his home until 1869.
While there he took two trips to California prospecting. In
the last named year he purchased his present farm, and at once took
possession. He was married June 3, 1849, to Percy Martin, a
native of New York. This union has brought them sixteen children,
nine of whom are living: Maynard W., Harry A., Emma A., Waddie,
Jas. G., Frank M., Albert E., Carrie M., and Alta J.; seven are dead:
Ellen E., Elsie M., George W. H., Charles and three babies.
Mr. Wood is located on an excellent farm of 427 acres, well improved
with a magnificent three-story house, large barn, orchard of 500 trees,
and as fine a vineyard as the county affords. He has held the
office of justice of the peace seven years. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
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