Adams Township

Excerpt from The History of Dallas County, Iowa, published in 1879 by the Union Historical Company of Des Moines, Iowa

Adams, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. DeSoto; born in Brown County, Ohio, April 14, 1826, there he lived until the fall of 1856; he then emigrated to Iowa and this county, and located in what is now Adams township, the township being named in honor of himself; he has lived here ever since, 22 years; May 13, 1847, he married Miss Matilda Walker, of Brown County, Ohio; have by this union four sons and five daughters, named: Ann E., now Mrs. John R. Wilson, Azuba, now Mrs. H. S. McKibbin, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Daniel Lance, John Q., James A., Florence S., Mary L., now Mrs. Jos. Gano, Joshua R. and Stephen M. Mr. A. has been justice of the peace since 1857; was postmaster at Chattanooga eleven years; is assessor and has been for seven years; has been secretary of the school board seven years.

Adams, J. S., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. DeSoto.

Adams, John, farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. DeSoto.

Adams, G. M., farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. DeSoto.

Alkire, W., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. DeSoto.

Ballard, Levi, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Earlham.

Barker, W. B., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. DeSoto.

Barnett, Joel, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Earlham.

Benson, Jasper, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Earlham; owns 75 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Laclede County, Missouri, in 1840; came to Iowa in 1852; and located in this township; married Marie Bingman in 1860; she was born in Marion County, Indiana, in 1845; have four children: Nancy J., Wm. N., Anna and Josie Ella. Are members of United Presbyterian Church. Democrat.

Benson, T. W., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Earlham.

Bilderback, Norris, farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Earlham; born in Laclede County, Missouri, in 1845; came to Iowa in 1852 and located with his parents on present farm; Samuel Bilderback, his farther, was born in Pennsylvania in 1817, and died in 1871; married Sallie Meads, who was a native of Kentucky; have seven children: Charles, Norris, Preston, Honor, Polly A., John and Ferdinand.

Bilderback, Thomas, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; owns 178 � acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1837; came to Iowa in 1850, and located in Adel; married Susan Meads, in 1865; she was born in Montgomery County, Illinois, in 1835; have three children: Joseph E., Eva J. and Frank S.

Bingham, J. W., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham; born in Marion County, Indiana, in 1853; came to Iowa in 1853, and located with parents in Union township; married Polly A. Bilderback in 1874; she was born in Missouri in 1852.

Bingman, J. W., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Earlham.

Bishop, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. DeSoto.

Bishop, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

Brown, James M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham; owns 300 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1832; came to Iowa in 1866 and located on present farm; married Ann E. Hale in 1862; she was born in Minard County, Illinois, in 1844; have six children: Emily J., Marietta, Clarisa, Milem, Charles and Leona. Are members of the Presbyterian Church. Democrat.

Brown, Wm., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. DeSoto.

Caldwell, John, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Adel.

Case, William P., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. DeSoto; owns 119 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Kentucky in 1826; came to Iowa in 1845, and located in Jackson County; removed to this county in 1864; married Susan A. Shearel in 1863; she was born in Hancock County, Ohio, in 1844; have three children: Emma, Minnie and Ralph E. Are members of Christian Church. Democrat.

Chestnutwood, M.A., farmer, section 13; P.O. DeSoto; owns 200 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; born in Bellfountain County, Pennsylvania, in 1815; came to Iowa in 1854, and located on present farm; married Hannah Collins in 1842; she was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1821; have ten children: Mary Ann, Sarah, Hannah, Barbara, William, Levi, Harriett, M.A., Catherine and Samuel; Mr. C. has been school treasurer about eleven years. Are members of the M. E. Church. Republican.

Chestnutwood, Wm., farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. DeSoto.

Churchman, Jas., farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. DeSoto; owns 180 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; born in Rutledge County, Tennessee, in 1829; came to Iowa in 1853 and located on present farm; married E. C. Reynolds in 1869; she was born in La  Port County, Indiana, in 1850; have two children: Winnie B. and Arthur R. Mr. C. enlisted in the 8th California cavalry in 1864, and was discharged in 1865. Republican.

Clark, F. M., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. DeSoto.

Clark, David, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

Cler, P. and M., farmers, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel.

Coffin, Wm., Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; owns 170 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1835; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Dallas County in 1857; married Rachel L. Shelley in 1857; she was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, in 1838; have four children: Jas. H., Rachel M., Seerepta J. and Cora L.; enlisted in Company C, 39th Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and was discharged in 1865. Are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Coffin has been township trustee 2 years. Republican.

College, James, farmer; Sec. 1; P.O. Adel.

College, J. K. P., farmer; Sec. 1; P.O. Adel.

Conger, M. M., farmer; Sec. 24; P.O. DeSoto; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Courtland County, N.Y., in 1815; came to Iowa in 1856, and located on present farm; married Catherine Murphy in 1851; she was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1830; have three children: Edwin, Cyrus and Emmet T. Are members of the Christian Church. Republican.

Corey, Wm., farmer; P.O. DeSoto.

Couch, J. A., farmer; Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; owns 145 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in North Carolina in 1820; came to Iowa in 1856, and located on present farm; married Ruth Coffin; she was born in North Carolina in 1831; have eight children: Harvey M., Mary, Geo. W., Hannah, Milton, Eli, Eddie and Charlie; Mr. Couch has two children by a former wife: Joel and Harriet A., now Mrs. Adkins; lost one son: Cummings W. Are members of M. E. Church. Republican.

Couch, H. M., farmer; Sec. 2; P.O. Adel.

Crowl, Wm., farmer; Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Davenport, John, farmer; Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

DeCamp, E.W., farmer; Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Dehart, Thos., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. DeSoto.

Doty, J.P., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Earlham.

Doty, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Earlham.

Ellis, Peter, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. DeSoto.

Farnham, Wm. W., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. DeSoto; owns 56 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Essex County, Mass., in 1828; came to Iowa in 1859, and located in Jones County; married Laura Bowley in 1855; she was born in Maine, in 1833; have six children: John W., Charles A., Minnie J., William B., Mary E. and Elick A. Republican.

Fidler, Alfred, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. DeSoto; owns 137 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1827; came to Iowa in 1854, and located on present farm; married Harriet Ellis, in 1854; she was born in Bureau County, Illinois, in 1834; have one child: Zenas N. Are members of the M. E. Church. Republican.

Fike, T. S., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Fish, Peter, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. DeSoto; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre; born in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, in 1832; came to Iowa in 1855, and located in this county; married Elizabeth Harrison in 1854; she was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in 1835; have four children: Samuel, Emery, Nelson and Ada; married again in 1867 to Frances Haselton; she was born in Ohio in 1847. Republican.

Forrester, J. W., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Adel; owns 135 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Indiana, 1842; came to Iowa in 1853, and located in this county; married A. E. Douglas, in 1865; she was born in Indiana, in 1842; have four children: Carrie, John E., Willis V. and Guy. Are members of the M. E. church. Enlisted in Co. A, 23d Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and was discharged in 1865. Republican.

Fox, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. DeSoto.

Francis, Geo., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Francis, Darius, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Ganoe, John, farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Adel.

Garside, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Garrett, Evan, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Earlham.

Garrett, Silas, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. DeSoto; owns 440 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, in 1833; came to Iowa in March, 1869, and located on his present farm; married Rebecca Ashenfeller, in 1855; she was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1834; have eleven children.

Garoutte, Frank, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. DeSoto.

Garoutte, W. B., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

George, F. M., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Earlham.

Graham, J. G., farmer and preacher, Sec. 19; P.O. Earlham.

Green, Wm., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

Hagerman, E., farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Earlham.

Hall, T. J., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham.

Hemphill, Thos., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. DeSoto.

Harper, Adam, farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. DeSoto.

Harper, Henry, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Harper, D.C., farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. DeSoto.

Harrison, Thos., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. DeSoto.

Harrison, G. W., Sec. 24, P.O. DeSoto; owns ninety acres of land valued at $50 per acre; born in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1838; came to Iowa in 1868 and located on present farm; married Minerva Goble in 1867; she was born in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1849; have three children: Charles E., Ada B., and an infant.

Harmon, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. Earlham.

Hibbs, L.A., farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Earlham.

Hightower, J. G., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham.

Hill, Harriet, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. DeSoto.

Hill, H. P., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. DeSoto.

Hills, G. S., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

Hocket, Stephen, farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham.

Hodson, Cary, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Earlham; owns 240 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1832; came to Iowa in 1869 and located in this township; married Mary Miller in 1873; she was born in Ireland in 1841; have two children: Lydia M. and Susan E., and Mr. H. has five children by a former wife: G. A., Catherine, Isabel, Cora and Hattie. Greenback.

Holt, W. A. & G. W., farmers, Sec. 2; P.O. Adel.

Hooks, W.F., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Hoselton, P., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. DeSoto.

Hougham, J., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Hunt, Henry, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. DeSoto.

Iles, Richard, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. DeSoto.

Johnson, H. O., farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Earlham.

Johnson, J. F., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Earlham.

Kahle, Angeline, farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. DeSoto.

Kelly, Z. W., farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. DeSoto.

Kenworthy, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Earlham; owns eighty acres of land valued at $40 per acre; born in Marion County, Ind., in 1835; came to Iowa in 1860 and located in Madison County; removed to this county in 1862; married Mary Spray in 1858; she was born in Ohio in 1840, and died in 1876; have six children: Lydia A., Ida J., Eli N., Evaline, Allen and Milton; are members of Society of Friends. Republican.

King, Wm., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Earlham.

King, J. V., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Kelly, Z. W., deputy auditor of Dallas County; residence on his farm, Sec. 23; Adams township; P.O. Adel; born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 10, 1835; he was brought up and received his education in that State; he came to Benton County, Iowa, in 1858; remained a short time and went to Missouri, and was engaged in teaching there for four years; then came to Dallas County and engaged in teaching; he was elected auditor of Dallas County in 1871, and held that office for six years; then was appointed deputy auditor, and has held town and school offices; he owns two farms, containing 253 acres; married Miss E. A. Harper, in February, 1864; she was from Indiana; they have two children: Orville A. and Myrtle D.

Longmire, John, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Adel; owns 392 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1811; came to Iowa in 1846, and located on his present farm; married Melinda Christopher in 1832; she was born in Indiana in 1814; have nine children: George, James, Michael, Benton, Elizabeth, LeRoy, Charles, Ida and Melissa; have lost five children. Greenback.

Longmire, Michael, farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. DeSoto; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Caldwell County, Missouri in 1846; came to Iowa in same year with his parents, and located in Dallas County; married Mattie Johnson in 1868; she was born in Porter County, Indiana in 1848; have three children: Lester, Alonzo and Minnie. Mr. Longmire has been connected with Cole’s circus as treasurer for about 12 years. Democrat.

Longmire, Leroy, farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. DeSoto; owns 30 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Dallas County, Iowa in 1851; married E. M. Winans in 1873; she was born in Indiana in 1854; have three children: D. J., Della and Clarence.

Longmire, Geo., farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. DeSoto.

Lowry, J. M., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. DeSoto.

McBride, C. H., farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. DeSoto.

McKibbin, S.S., farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. DeSoto.

Maliza, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel.

Mark, Geo. M., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. DeSoto; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Fayette County, Ohio in 1839; came to Iowa in 1854, and located in Marion County; removed to this county in 1869; married Mary A. Wright in 1867; she was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1844; have three children: Melvina, Levi and an infant; she has two children by a former husband: John A. and George W. Wright. Are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Mark enlisted in Co. H, 1st Iowa Cavalry in 1861, June 13th, and was discharged March 23, 1866; held a commission of 2d Lieutenant. Republican.

Mark, W. A., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. DeSoto.

Marsh, I.D., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Adel.

Mavity, L., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Mazema, Mary J., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Earlham.

Mercer, V., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. DeSoto.

Mercer, Henry, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. DeSoto.

Miller, Hiram, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. DeSoto.

Miller, J.C., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. DeSoto.

Mitchell, G. S., miller, Sec. 16; P.O. DeSoto.

Monahan, Thos., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. DeSoto.

Morzena, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. DeSoto.

Nelson, Hans P., farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Earlham.

Newhouse, J. M., farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. Earlham; owns 140 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Noble County, Indiana in 1838; came to Iowa in 1854, and located in Jasper County; removed to present farm in 1867; married Nannie E. Pearson in 1859; she was born in Missouri in 1844; have eight children: Frank L., Minnie, Samuel M., James M., Jessie, Etta, Thomas and Ella. Are members of United Brethren Church. Greenback.

Oberwetter, M. E., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Adel.

O’Neal, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. DeSoto.

Orton, Lester, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Perkins, J.D., farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. DeSoto.

Reams, I.D., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Earlham.

Rinard, C. B., farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. Earlham.

Routh, James M., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel; owns 175 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1817; came to Iowa in 1870, and located on present farm; married Eliza Atterman in 1839; she was born in Virginia in 1821; have four children: Nancy, Mary, Lewis and Hattie.

Ruth, Peter, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. DeSoto.

Sears, Fred., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. DeSoto.

Shuey, John, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; owns 97 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1812; came to Iowa in 1855, and located in Marion County; removed to this county in 1866; married Catherine Gunckel in 1839; she was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1817; have seven children: Jacob, Mary, John W., Eliza J., Jeremiah, David and Amanda. Lost three children: Joshua, Josanna and Daniel. Are members of United Brethren Church. Republican.

Snyder, Dan., farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. DeSoto.

Snyder, A. J., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. DeSoto.

Standing, Geo., farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. Earlham.

Thomas, Chas., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Earlham; owns 227� acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Carolina in 1810; came to Iowa in 1872, and located on present farm; married Isabel Maxwell in 1868; she was born in Union County, Indiana, in 1825; has ten children by a former wife: Sidney, Peter, Stephen, Hannah, Mark, Moorman, Mary, David, Amanda and Lucy; his wife is a member of the Society of Friends. Republican.

Thompson, A., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. DeSoto.

Trimble, James, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. DeSoto.

Tucker, Thos., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. DeSoto.

Tunnis, Wm., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Adel.

Van Cleve, C. J., farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Adel.

Van Cleve, B. T., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Van Cleve, Matilda, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Van Cleve, S. G., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel

Van Cleve, T. T., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel

Walker, R. S., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. DeSoto.

Walker, J. W., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel.

Webster, H. C., farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Earlham.

Whinery, S.D., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. DeSoto.

Whitney, Alden, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. DeSoto.

Wilson, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Earlham; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1825; came to Iowa in 1854 and located on present farm; married Mary Mills in 1852; she was born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1827; have seven children: Rebecca, Amy, James, Ann, Sarah, Edna and John. Are members of the Society of Friends.

Wilson, J. R., farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. DeSoto.

Williams, E., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Adel; born in Fayette County, Indiana, in 1822; came to Iowa in 1850, and located in Van Meter township; married Elizabeth Parker in 1845; she was born in Ohio in 1821; have six children: Riley T., Martha J., Rachel A., Wm. J., Thomas M. and Ora. Democrat.

Williamson, Jos., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Earlham.

Wright, B.F., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. DeSoto.

Wright, B.F., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. DeSoto; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Howard County, Indiana, in 1841; came to Iowa in 1854, and located in Jones County; removed to this county in 1854; married Caroline Adkins, in 1862; she was born in Indiana in 1842; have for children: John W., Sarah, Melinda and Otis.

Wroe, R. M., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Earlham.