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 |
Lincoln Township
M - Z
McElvain, W.D., far. , S. 16; P.O. Seymour.
Maning, John Jr., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Numa; born in Clermont Co., Ohio, in 1805; his father John Sr., and early settler of that county, was born in New Jersy, and moved to Pennsylvania; when 80 years of age, came to Jefferson Co., Iowa, where he died near Libertyville, aged 93; his mother died in Ohio; in 1856, john Jr., came to Lee Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming on rented land; in 1854, came to this county; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. In 1826, he married Miss Martha S. Dill, who was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, in 1811; they have seven children - William J., Enoch, Joseph, Sarah, Angeline, Artemisia, Amanda. Mr. M. is as member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Mrs. M. is a member of the Christian Church. Has held the office of Township Trustee. Democrat. His son Harvey, enlisted in the 8th I.V.C. in 1863; died with erysipelas at Jeffersonville, Ind., in 1865.
Miller, G., far., Sec. 24; P.O. Numa.
Miller, J.W., far., S. 24; P.O. Numa.
Miller, L.D., far., S. 14; P.O. Numa.
Mitchell, W.W., far., S. 5; P.O. Jerome.
Moore, J.L., far., S. 2; P.O. Jerome.
Moore, John, far., Sec. 4; P.O. Jerome; born in Davidson Co., N.C., in 1826; worked for his brother in a distillery until 22 years of age; in 1848, came to this county; owns 140 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. July 1849, he married Miss Mary R. Elam, who was born in Tennessee in 1830; her father, Joel E., came to this county from Bond Co., Ill., in 1846; a farmer and carpenter; ied in Johns Tp., in January 1866; he was an early settler of this county; they have nine children living - Elijah, Joel E., George R., James A., John A., Frances E., H. Alfred, Mary A., and Lizzie J.; their first son William E., died in 1850. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Baptist Church; their three eldest children of the M.E. Church; Independent. When Mr. Moore came here there was abundance of game, even buffalo and elk; he killed thirty deer in two weeks, beside attending to his other work; wolves were so numerous that their flocks were in danger; he killed a buck, carried the hams to town, adn purchased their first set of cups and saucers; no mill nearer than Des Moines, so they boiled their corn and grated it; ground their buckwheat in a coffee-mill.
Morrison, B., far., Sec., 15; P.O. Numa.
Moss, E., far., Sec. 13; P.O. Numa.
Murphy J.H., far., S. 12; P.O. Numa
Murphy, T.A., farmer and stock-grower, Sec. 4; P.O. Jerome; born in Cumberland, N.J., in 1825; his father, William M., a farmer, died when T.A. was 4 or 5 years of age; he was bound to John Hawkins, farmer, with whom he came to Fulton Co., Ill., and remained with him until of age; received a common-school education. In 1847, married Miss M.J. Matthews; she was born in Christian Co., Penn., in 1826; daughter of Charles and Nancy Matthews; both died when she was a child in Clark Co., near Springfield, Ohio; they have five children - W.S., Edward, William Henry, all residents of Kansas; Charles A., and Mary A.; he engaged in farming by renting; in 1868, came to this county; he owns thirty acres of land, well improved, valued at $30 per acre. Held office of Trustee for four years, and was Treasurer of School Board and Director for several years. Republican.
Norris, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Numa; born in Franklin Co., Penn., in May 1830; in 1834, his mother died, leaving a family of small children, who were taken charge by the county, as his father was poor and intemperate; at 10 years of age, he was bound out to William Cressler, a farmer in that county; at 21, with not even respectable clothing, he left his hard master and engaged to work by the month for another farmer; in 1850, he came to Macomb Co., Ill.; was employed by James Head as hostler at his hotel; in March 1851, came to Burlington, Iowa; worked in McCoslis' livery stable; then on a farm in Des Moines Co. Jn. 4, 1852, married Mary J. Abbott, daughter of Hayes and Elizabeth A.; her father settled in that county from Ohio in 1842; her mother died there when Mrs. Norris was but 9 years of age; in 1852, purchased eighty acres in Louisa Co.; exchanged it for a team and wagon and farmed on rented land; in the spring of 1856, came to Davis Co.; purchased 100 acres; remained there ten years, and, in 1866, came to this county, where he owns 400 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre, well improved and stocked. They have eleven children - Ellen M., Vandors, Phoebe, Jacob A., Iva M., Isaac G., Charles G.,James E., Lewis J., Flora F. and Mary M. Mr. N. was a Whig; now a Republican; they and three children are members of the M.E. Church; Mr. N. is Class-Leader and Trustee of the Church.
O'Neil, G.W., far., Sec. 1; P.O. Numa.
Owen, Thomas, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 5; P.O. Seymour; born in Putnam Co., Ind., 1839, where his father died in 1853; with his mother, he came to McLean Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming; in 1859, came to this county, first settling in Independence Tp., where he purchased land, and engaged in farming. On Jan. 30, 1862, he married Miss Mary A. Morlan; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., Sept. 30, 1840; daughter of Henry and Melinda M.; from Putnam Co., Ind., in 1851; have six children - William H., born in 1862; John M., born in 1864; E., born in 1867; Elvin, born in 1871; Samuel J., born in 1874, and Mary C., born in May 1878. Democrat. Has held school offices; Director and President.
Pendergast, J.,far., Sec. 2; P.O. Jerome.
Pendergast, Addison, farmer., Sec. 2; P.O. Jerome; born in Ripley Co., Ind., in 1840; in 1847, with his father, Samuel Pendergast (now a resident of Moulton), came to Lee Co., Iowa; farmed there until 1861, and came to this county, where Addison now owns 120 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 5th Kansas Calvary; was at Prairie Grove, Sandhill, Morristown, and others; in 1864, he was captured and held at Tyler, Tex., for one year; with three others he made his escape by copying a pass; traveled by night 200 miles; were re-captured and taken to Louisville, thence to Magnolia, Ark., and Shrevesport, La.; returned to Tyler, Tex., and held one month; sent to New Orleans for exchange, thence to Levenworth, Kan., where they were paid off; mustered out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., in November 1865. Married Miss Almira Snediker; she was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1840; have two children - Frank E., born in 1869; Clinton B., born in 1875. Republican; she is member of the M.E. Church.
Pendergast, J.W. far., S. 2; P.O. Jerome.
Pettigrew, A.M., far., S. 20; P.O. Seymour.
Rinker, Frank,far., S. 21;,P.O. Numa.
Rinker, Jonathan, far., S. 5; P.O. Numa; born in Mason Co., Ky., in 1810; his father, George R., a native of Virginia, in 1819, moved to Washington Co., Ind.; was an early settler; cleared a farm and remained until his death in 1827; his mother, after her husband's death, came to Lee Co., Iowa, then to Ralls Co., Mo., where she died in 1847; Mr. R. went to Lawrence Co., Ind., in 1830. In 1833, married Miss Elizabeth Flinn; she was born in Kentucky in 1810; her parents were pioneers of Lawrence Co., Ind.; in 1818, made their own roads and crafts for crossing streams; lived in forts or protection from the Indians; a cousin of Mr. R. was killed and an uncle taken prisonerby the Indians; in 1845, came to the Territory of Iowa and settled in Van Buren Co.; cleared a farm; in November 1851, came to this county and entered land; owns 240 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; on arriving here, has a yoke of oxen and wagon, $11 in money and eleven in his family; had to go to Des Moines River to mill. Has eight children Olver C., Robert F., Eranklin, Leander, Walter, Elizabeth, Caroline and Emily. George W. enlisted in the 6th Kansas Cav.; was killed in the battle of Mazzard Prairie; Oliver C. was taken prisioner and held at Tyler, Texas until the close of the war; Robert F., also in same regiment, served until the close of the war. Mr. Rinker was a Democrat; since the rebellion a Republican; member of the M.E. Church. Has held the office of Township Trustee and other offices.
Rinker, R.F., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Numa; born in Lawrence Co., Ind., in 1839; in 1845, his parents, Jonathan and Elizabeth R. came to Lee Co., Iowa, engaged in farming; in 1851, came to this county. In 1861, R.F. enlisted in Co. B, 5th Kan. Cav.; April 1862, transferred to the 6th Kan. Cav.; was in battle at Morristown, where their Colonel and several of the company were killed; for over eighteen months their company was detached from the regiment, engaged in guerrilla warefare, fighting Quantrell over a year; mustered out Second Sergeant, at Ft. Levenworth, Kan., Nov. 18, 1862. April 1866, married Miss Julia N. Brinkley, daughter of W.D. Brinkley, of Linn Co., Mo.; she was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, in 1846; they have six children - William J., Charles Homer, John E., Frank, Tommy, George. Republican. Held the office of Township Trustee for several years, Constable, member School Board, Secretary, etc; member of the A., F. & A. M., No. 133, at Numa. Owns 180 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre.
Ruby, H.F., far., Sec. 19; P.O. Seymour.
Speers, Irwin, far., Sec. 19; P.O. Seymour.
Sidles, Peter, Jr.,far., Sec. 3; P.O. Jerome; born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1823; his grandfather, Peter Sidles, a native of Germany, came to this country during the Revolution; enlisted at 16 and served in that campaign; settled in Pennsylvania on the Alleghany River. Peter's father married Miss Nancy Morrison in Clinton Co.; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1801; daughter of Galvin and Catherine, of that county. His father died in January 1865; mother still resides on the old farm where Peter Jr., was born, an which she has owned for fifty-seven years. In 1846, Peter married Miss Susan Crossman, who was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1824; her father, a farmer and stock dealer, one of the first settlers of that county, is a native of New Jersey; her mother died in 1826; father in 1853; were highly respected members of the Baptist Church. Soon after marriage, Mr. Sidles bought 100 acres of wild land, farmed it for seven years, but the labor of clearing a timber farm proving too great for his health, he sold and came to Appanoose during 1859, to his present home; owns 470 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre, well improved, with good buildings, his residence cost $3,000, and an extinsive orchard. They have six children - Maria A., Mary M., Hannah E., John A., George I. and Susan A.; those married are in business; Mary - a successful teacher for eleven years. Republican; members of twenty- two years' standing in the M.E. Church; he is a Class-Leader. Member of A., F. & A.M., of thirty years' standing, now belonging to Lodge No. 133 of Numa; held the office of Justice of the Peace for eleven years, and of Township Trustee and Assessor. August 1861, enlisted in 5th Kansas Cavalry; transferred to 6th Kansas Cavalry; taken prisoner at Mazzard Prairie; held at Tyler, Texas; escaped and reached Capt. Gedney's Co., 36th I.V.I.; has seven months' prison fare, five weeks sick with fever, but was so fortunate as to have one of his own company's men, James Asher, to care for him, and whom he greatly esteems for his kindness; accompained Capt. Gedney's Company to Cairo, Ill.; at Levenworth, Kansas, mustered out April 18, 1865.
Squire, J., far., S. 7; P.O. Seymour.
Squire, S.,far., S. 7; P.O. Seymour.
Steele, M.far., S. 11; P.O. Numa.
Stoner, N.,far., S. 4; P.O. Jerome.
Stewart, James,farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Numa; born in Montgomery Co., Ky., Sept. 22, 1807; settled in Indiana in 1825; located in this State in 1849; owns 172 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. His wife, Dicy Wright, was born in North Carolina Aug. 25, 1811; married Dec. 24, 1829; have seven children - Nety, Elizabeth, Amos, Melinda, Rity, Issiah and Nancy Jane.
Van Dorn, A.S., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Numa; born in Licking Co., in 1819; his parents, Joseph and Hanna V., were early settlers of that county from New Jersey. At 16, commenced learning the trade of blacksmith; served an apprenticeship of four years; worked at journey work two years; in 1839, he came to Farmington, Van Buren Co., this State. In Feburary 1843, he married Miss Minerva Vito; she was born in Ohio in 1826. Worked at carding; returned to his trade; followed it until 1850, when he, with two others, went to the Missouri River, joined a company and went to California; engaged in mining for four years, with moderate success; in 1854, returned via the Nicaragua route; reached Van Buren Co., after a journey of three months, in October 1854; in the spring of 1855, came to this county; engaged in farming; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $15 per acre. Have six children - Josephine, Maryette and Mary (twins), Stephen Douglas, George B. and Virginia M. Greenbacker.
Vanness, S.C., farmer and stock-grower, Sec. 16; P.O. Seymour; born in Lycoming Co., Penn., in 1819; his father was of Holland descent, and his mother of English; they were married in New Jersey; his father was blacksmith; moved to Pennsylvania; thence to Columbiana Co., Ohio; were early settlers, and so poor that they wore wooden shoes; thence to Trumbull Co., Ohio; returned to Pennsylvania, where his parents died - his father at the age of 86 years, his mother at 84. In December 1842, he married Miss Mary Cronk; she was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio (afterward Mahoning Co.), in 1823; her parents, Issac C. and Margaret (nee Deal), were born in Pennsylvania; they moved to Ohio, where her father died, the family removing to Indiana. In 1857, came to this county; owns 340 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. Have five children living, lost one - Madison M., born in 1845, died in May 1848; Addison M., born in 1851; Canfield B., in 1853; William C., in 1855; Peter M., in 1856, and Abraham L., in 1863. The father of Mrs. Vanness, Isaac Cronk, was lawyer; admitted to the bar, and practiced in Mahoning Co., Ohio; a highly educated man; for many years taught school, but from ill-health left if for other pursuits. Republican; have been members of the Baptist Church at Livingston for twenty-five years.
Wilson, A.F., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Numa.
Ware, M.I., farmer, Sec. 18,P.O. Seymour; born in Orange Co., Ind., in 1839; in 1847, his father, William W., came to Lee Co., Ind., engaged in farming; in 1849, came to Davis Co., and in 1851, to this county, where he now resides, one mile south of Centerville. July 1861, M.L. enlisted in Co. D, 6th Iowa V.I., Capt. M.M. Walden; on account of ill-health, was discharged at Tipton, Mo., in 1862. April 1, 1863, married Miss M.J. Hamilton, daughter of A.H. Hamilton; she was born in Hendricks Co., Ind., in 1844; died July 14, 1873. After marriage, settled in Centerville; in 1875, moved to his present farm; owns eighty acres of land, valued at $25 per acre. February 1876, he married Miss Harriet Putnam, a resident of Fremont Co., where they were married; they have one child - Chloe, born in August 1877. Republican.
Wilson, H., far., S. 3; P.O. Jerome.
Wilson, J., far., Sec. 24; P.O. Jerome.
Wilson, R.P., far., Sec. 22; P.O. Numa.
Wilson, P.,far., Sec. 22; P.O. Numa.
Wright, William H., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Centerville; born in Miami Co., Ind., in 1848; in 1854, his father, Zebida W., moved to Putnam Co., Ind.; farmed for two years; in 1856, came to this county; purchased a farm of 240 acres in Bellair Tp.; now resides at Seymour, Wayne Co. In 1866, married C.A. Mills; she was born in Putnam Co., Ind., in 1849; her parents, Henry and Rebecca, were early settlers of this county; her mother died here in 1853; her father Jan. 1, 1877. They have three children - Ettie B., born in 1868; Oliver P., born in 1871; Z.H., born in 1875. Owns eighty ares of land, valued at $25 per acre. Republican; members of M.E. Church.