The History of Appanoose County, Iowa
Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
Abreviations |
| agt - agent | mach - machinist |
| carp - carpenter | mech - mechanic |
| clk - clerk | mar - merchant |
| co - company or county | mfr - manufacturer |
| dlr - dealer | mkr - maker |
| fmr - farmer | P.O. - Post Office |
| gro - grower | prop - proprietor |
| I.V.A. - Iowa Volunteer Artillery | S. or Sec. - section |
| I.V.C. - Iowa Volunteer Cavalry | st - street |
| I.V.I. - Iowa Volunteer Infantry | supt - superintendent |
| lab - laborer | treas - treasurer |
Walnut Township
I - Z
Jackson, Geo., far., Sec. 2; P.O. Walnut City.
Kinnaman, Daniel, Sec. 36; P.O. Dennis.
Lepper, James, far.,S. 15; P.O. Centerville.
Lincoln, Wm.,, far., Sec. 3; P.O. Walnut City.
Long, D.H., far., Sec. 10; P.O. Walnut City.
Luce, Bowen, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Walnut City; born in Greene Co., Penn., in 1824. His father, Henry, was born in New Jersey in 1793, as was also his grandfather, Samuel L.; moved to Greene Co., Penn., in 1803; all farmers. Married Miss Mary Buckingham, born in Greene Co., Penn., in 1790; remained there until their deaths; raised a family of seven children; she died in 1845, at the age of 55 years; he died August 15, 1873, at the advanced age of 80 years. Bowen L. remained at home until 25 years of age, then engaged in farming for himself, renting a part of his father's farm. In 1854, he married Miss Hannah Homer; she was born in Fayette Co., Penn. in 1828; her father, Amos, a farmer and wagoner, was killed in February, 1848, by his team; her mother died four years previous and left a family of fifteen children, all of whom are settled in the East. In September, 1864, they moved to this county, purchased 300 acres of land, to which he has since added 139 acres, all valued at $25 per acre, and erected a residence at a cost of $2,000. Have three children - Joseph, born Aug. 22, 1855; John, born Sept. 20, 1860, and James Franklin, born Dec. 22, 1863. Republican; Mrs. Luce is a member of the M.E. Church.
McConnell, D., farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Walnut City.
McNeal, W., far., S. 10; P.O. Centerville.
McNeff, D.T., farmer and stock grower, Sec. 33; P.O. Walnut City; born in Harrison Co., Ind., in 1825; his grandfather, John T. McN., a dealter in fine horses, mysteriously disappeared in 1802, while away with a drove of horses; supposed to have been murdered; his father, Thomas M., born in Kentucky; went to Corydon, Harrison Co., Ind.; learned the cabinet-maker's trade; ten or twelve years after, engaged in farming; in 1853, came to this county and township, where he died in 1856, at the age of 56; his mother died in 1844 in Morgan Co., Ind.; she was of German descent; born in Pennsylvania; her parents came down the Ohio River on a flatboat; settled in Harrison Co., Ind., among the earliest settlers; her father was a blacksmith. Mr. McNeff married Miss Maria J. Glasscock, daughter of George M. and Isabell G.; she was born in Mason Co., Ky.; moving to Morgan Co., Ind., when married; she died May 12, 1870, leaving seven children - Sarah C. (now wife of Newtwon Harris), Thomas M., a successful teacher and salesman, John S. (farming), Mary A. (of Ottawa, Kan., also a successful teacher), Franklin P. (who married Miss Phebe J. Hiat in 1871), George M. and Emma A. He and his first wife were members of the M.E. Church; Mrs. McNeff is a Baptist; Republican. Mr. McNeff, while young, was a successful teacher; since coming here has attended much to teaching vocal music, also an auctioneer.
McNeff, Thomas, far., S. 33; P.O. Walnut City.
McVay, V.C.,far., Sec. 2; P.O. Walnut City.
Miner, Wm., far., Sec. 34; P.O. Walnut City.
Morris, R.S., far., Sec. 18; P.O. Centerville.
Myers, William, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 3; P.O. Walnut City; born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Jan. 29, 1832; moved to Iowa in November, 1852; settled 200 acres of land, has since bought additional, and has now 700 acres, valued at $35 per acre; has three bearing orchards, twenty miles of fence, and three and one-half miles of good Osage hedge. Married Elizabeth Osburn, daughter of William Osburn; she was born in Pike Co., Ill., in 1835; they have three children - Mary Alice, Manna and Rosia W.; they were born in Iowa. Mr. Myers was left an orphan boy; came here poor, and by his industry has accumulated a large property, free of debt; he has several sets of good buildings, good fruit, and all the comforts of life; he is about the oldest settler in the township; he helped to build the first schoolhouse in the township; ground his first wheat in a coffeemill; labored hard, but never neglected to purchase books and other reading for the benefit of his family. They are members of the Christian Church; he is a Republican. He breeds and deals in thorough-bred short-horn stock.
Neff, J.W., far., S. 15; P.O. Centerville.
Nash, Noah H., farmer and stock-grower, Sec. 35; P.O. Walnut City; born in Jackson Co., Mo., in 1837; in 1845, his father, Noah N., Sr., removed to this county and settled in Chariton Tp., among the very earliest settlers, and experienced all the disadvantages of pioneer life; wolves were troublesome, and notwithstanding all precautions, frequently killed their pigs and sheep; a neighbor lost eleven of the latter at one time; one great inconvenience was the want of money, $3 being the entire sum in his possesion, a very limited amount for the maintenance of a family of ten, until something could be produced in the way of a crop, and, as he was lame, he was incapable of performing very hard work; hadn't even a team, having hired his family and goods transported from Alexandria; it required all the men within a circuit of six miles to erect a log cabin; they broke a farm, and remained until 1860, when his wife died, leaving a family of eleven children; after which he married a widow lady, by name Hixon, having one child; lived with her until his death in 1874; on arriving at Appanoose, Noah Jr. was 8 years of age; he remained with his father, doing all in his power for the maintenance and support of his family, the cultivation and improvement of the farm, until 20 years of age, when he engaged in farming for others, working land on shares, etc., until 1862, when he purchased his farm, consisting of sixty-five acres. Sept. 25, 1858, he married Miss Rosana Darrah, daughter of Henry D., of this county; she was born in Monongalia Co., Va., in 1838; have five children - Delilah, born in June, 1860; Cornelius, born Nov. 15, 1861; Charles H., born in May, 1864; died Feb. 14, 1870; James A., born Feb. 14, 1866; Louisa D., born Sept. 18, 1867. He has added to his real estate until he owns 255 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. Greenbacker. Has held the office of Constable, and school offices; now elected Supervisor.
Needham, B.W., farmer, Sec. 17: P.O. Centerville; born in the barrens of Kentucky, in April 1813, while his parents, John and Nancy N., were moving from North Carolina to Indiana; attempted to settle in Indiana, but were driven back by the Indians, and returned to Kentucky, but in 1815 made a permanent settlement in Jennings Co., Ind. The settlers built a blockhouse, and often fortified themselves within it for protection. They cleared a farm near where the village of San Jacinto now stands, where he died in 1851, she in the fall of 1855. B.W.'s grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution; two Tories were killed in his own house; himself and B.W.'s father buried a boy who was executed for informing the enemy where the Whigs were encamped. His mother's brother, Harry Bland, also a soldier of the Revolution, while leaving his house was killed by Tories, who first tried to run him through with a sword. Her father, Moses B., was a resident of North Carolina. At 23, B.W. married Miss Zerilda E. Holman; she was born in Kentucky in 1815. Her parents, William and Mary, early settlers of Kentucky, afterward emigrated to Ohio; pioneers of that State. The father served as Judge, for a term; his father and oldest brother were killed as rangers in Ohio. In November, 1837, moved to Bartholomew Co., Ind., engaging in farming; in December, 1838, his wife died, leaving one child - George M., now a resident of Decatur Co. He married Miss Nancy Blair, daughter of Benjamin and Ruth Blair, of Clarke Co., Ind., from North Carolina, afterward of Jackson Co., where he died when she was 6 years of age; her mother died three years previous. She lived with a sister who moved to Jefferson Co., thence to Jennings Co., where they were maried, after which they removed to Bartholomew Co.; thence, in 1854, to this county, where he owns 200 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. They have two children - Zerilda, born Dec. 21, 1843, and Silas M., born July 16, 1848; they have lost five. Republican; Members of the M.E. Church. He has been since December, 1831; she joined when 17 years of age.
Osborn, A. far, Sec. 16; P.O. Centerville.
Pennington, Thomas, far., Sec. 1; P.O. Dennis.
Phillips, J., far., S. 16; P.O. Centerville.
Robison, James E.,farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Centerville; born in Montgomery Co., Va., in 1830; his father (of German descent) was born in htat ocunty; grandfather moved there from Pennsylvania; his mother, Nancy R. (nee Christman), of Irish descent, born in the same country, and remained until her death, in 1836 or 1837; his father died in 1858. James E. remained at home, allowed the most limited advantages for education, until 18 years of age, then worked at the carpenter's trade, learned before leaving home; visited Tennessee and worked for a time in Knoxville, Nashville and other cities in Tennessee; in 1849, went to Peoria, Ill., and followed his trade. August, 1852, married Mrs. Lavina Smith, daughter of Amos and Ruth Brown; her first husband was William Smith, of Belmont Co., Ohio, at the time of his death a farmer near Peoria; a man much loved and esteemed by all who knew him, for his strict honesty and integrity, which won him the name of Honest Billy; left three children - Sarah H., Robert B. and Eliza J.; Sarah H., now Mrs. J.B. Sommers, of Centerville, married May 8th, 1863, resides in Derby, Lucas Co.;Robert B., a resident of Cherokee Co., Kan., a farmer, enlisted in Co. G, 36th Iowa V.I.; was at Mark's Mill and other battles; taken prisoner and held at Tyler, Tex., ten months; mustered out at close of war; Eliza J., married, April 19, 1869, C.M. Man, of this county, a blacksmith; served through the war in Co. B, 6th Iowa V.I.; afterward died in Reno Co., Kan., June 26, 1876. His father, of English birth, came to this country when a boy, and early settler of Maryland; moved to South Carolina, laid out and owned the town of Snowhill; thence to Kentucky; was an early settler of that State in the time of Boone; some of his sons served in the Revolutionary war; her mother (nee Nelson), born in Kentucky, the youngest of ten children, died at the remarkable age of 110 years; her brothers were Charles, Nathaniel, Samuel, John and Joseph, all died in Indiana; her sisters are Mrs. Polly Hutchinson, Mrs. Sarah Keith, Mrs. Jane Drake, and Rebecca, unmarried, all died in Indiana between the ages of 70 and 90. September, 1852, Mr. and Mrs. Robison came to Centerville, where he worked at his trade; fall of 1857, moved to his present farm in Walnut Tp., of fifty-five acres, valued at $30 per acre. They have five children - Lucy M., Frances E., Mary, George M. and Henry. Republican; Mr. R. is a member of the M.E. Church; Mrs. R. is a member of the Christian Church.
Scott, A.R., far., Sec. 3; P.O. Walnut City.
Scott, C., far., S. 32; P.O. Walnut City.
Scott, Nancy, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Walnut City; born in Lincoln Co., Ky., in 1819. Her father, Joseph Ray, was from Virginia; her mother, Grace Ray (nee Lang), was born in Pennsylvania, both near the division line of the two States. Soon after marriage, moved to Kentucky; engaged in farming; in 1826, moved to Ripley Co., thence to Morgan Co.; cleared a farm and remained until their deaths, in 1848. After teaching school for some time, at the age of 22, Miss Ray married David Scott; he was born in Indiana, in 1817; was a farmer of Morgan Co., Ind.; in 1853, came to this county and settled in Walnut Tp.; purchased land of the Government; engaged in farming and stock dealing until 1862; while on business in Kansas, he died, leaving seven children - Noah M., now Clerk of the Court of this county; C.R., who died of the disease contracted in the army; B.M., died at Davenport, Iowa of disease contracte in the army; Dayton O., Thomas, Clayton and Milton. Owned over 700 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; well stocked and improved. Members of the Christian Church.
Scott, N.M.,far., S. 5; P.O. Walnut City.
Scott, R.B., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Centerville; born in Wayne Co., Ky., Jan. 13, 1816; he went to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1829, moved to Iowa in 1837, and thence to Missouri, and returned to Lee Co., Iowa; came to this county in 1857; he followed brick making while in Missouri, and returned to Lee Co., Iowa; came to this county in 1857; he followed brick making while in Missouri, followed farming the remaineder of his time; also followed the ministry and exhorting twenty years in M.E. persuation. Has 145 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; formerly owned 600 adjoining his present farm; has held the offices of Constable and Deputy Sheriff in Lee Co. He married Vashti Smith in Lee Co., Iowa, in 1846; she was born in Licking Co., Ohio, in 1824; they have three children - Lavina, Nevada Bell and Charles Harvey; and a daughter died at the age of 18 years; Mrs. Scott died in Iowa in 1874. He married for his second wife Mary Conger, in Iowa, in 1875; she was born in Ohio; he has been a Class-Leader and Superintendent of Sabbath school; they have one child - Alma Luella. Republican.
Scott, Thos. C., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Walnut City.
Shank, G.far., S. 16; P.O. Centerville.
Sherrard, S.T., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O Walnut City; born in Lawrence Co., Penn., in 1840, attending district school until at 18, when he entered the academy; remained for two years, alternately teaching; in 1860 married Miss Eliza Mathews, daughter of Joseph and Jane M.; she was born in Lawrence Co., in 1838; her father died when she was six weeks old, her mother two weeks later; raised by her uncle, Elijah Mathews; she was educated at Elizabethtown, Washington Co., Penn.; were married by Rev. R.A. Browin, President of Westminster College, Wilmington, Penn. Her only brother, Dr. David Mathew, is a missionary to Syria, 100 miles north of Jerusalem, where he has been for fourteen years. Mr. S. taught school during the winter months and farmes during the summer; in 1872, they came to this county, where he has since engaged in farming; owns 180 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre. The father of Mr. S. is an extensive farmer of Henry Co., Ill.; his mother, Elizabeth S. (nee Baldwin), died there in 1865; his father married Mrs. Angeline Cunningham. Have three children - Ella, born Feb. 1, 1864; Albert L., born Nov. 20, 1865; John Elmer R., born in April, 1871. Republican; regular attendants of the Baptist and Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Sunday school; Mr. S. is and Assistant Superintendent of Sunday school. He has held school offices since coming to this county; was Assessor two terms, also Justice of the Pece; is Representative to the State Legislature.
Smith, C.L.,far., Sec. 14; P.O. Centerville.
Stafford, P., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Centerville.
Stark, A., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O.Walnut City.
Stark, D.L., far., Sec. 33; P.O. Walnut City.
Stark, D.T., far., Sec. 32; P.O. Walnut City.
Stark, Phillips, far., Sec. 8; P.O. Walnut City.
Stephens, J.H., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Walnut City.
Stephens, W.J., far., Sec. 11; P.O. Centerville.
Swanson, S.E., far., Sec. 9; P.O. Walnut City.
Sweetman, Jacob, far., Sec. 35; P.O. Centerville; born in Delaware Co., Ind., in 1828, and moved to Van Buren Co., Iowa, in 1844, with his parents, and then to this county in 1850; he improved the present farm; he followed milling until the last three years; had both a flouring and saw mill; has now 200 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. Married Mary E. Pierce in Iowa in 1861; she was born in Schuyler Co., Ill., in 1844; they have three children - David D.D.C., Elmira M. and Thomas H. Democrat.
Thompson, W.R., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Centerville.
Vandike, A.R., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Centerville.
Van Dike, D.M., carpenter and builder, Sec. 16; P.O. Centerville; born in West Virginia, May 11, 1841; moved to Iowa in 1852; he has principally followed carpentering and building; recently sold his farm. He married Mary F. Bacus in Iowa in 1862; she was born in Ohio in 1841; they have six children - Ora Bell, Charles W., Clara Alice, George F., Cora A. and Orila N. They are members of the Baptist Church; a Greenbacker.
Vohlmer, J.H., far., Sec. 2; P.O. Walnut City.
Walker, B.A., far., Sec. 31; P.O. Walnut City.
Williams, M.M., farmer, Sec. 10, P.O. Centerville; born in Oneida Co., N.Y., Nov. 23, 1833; his parents, William and Lucretia W., settled in Oneida Co., in 1832; his father was born at West Point; died in Oneida Co., in 1860; his mother was born in Oneida Co.; died in this county in 1876. At the age of 14, Wm. M. went to work on the canal, first as driver, then steersman; afterward Captain; followed that nine years, then learned the trade of boat builder on North Oneida Bay; was employed at that for five years, after which he followed the lumber trade at same place for two years. Oct. 22, 1862, married Miss Cordelia D. Sheldon; she was born in Oneida Co., N.Y., in 1842; her father, Orlando W., a tanner and currier by trade, was born in Massachusetts; died from the effects of gas in a hotel in Springfield, Mass; her mother, Mary W. (nee Linn), was born in that county and died in Oswego Co., N.Y., in 1868. Came to this county and purchased a quarter- section of land in Chariton Tp., and engaged in farming; September, 1872, sold his property and removed to his present place of residence; owns seventy-six acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; they have one child - Ida M., born in 1866. Republican. Has held the office of Township Trustee; was School Director four years, and holds the office of Justice of the Peace.
Wood, A., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Centerville.
Zinn, C.Z., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Centerville.