Biographical History of Page County, Iowa, Lewis & Dunbar Publishers, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, 1890

[transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net ]

BENJAMIN DAVIS has been closely connected with the history of Page County for many years, having come here when the broad, trackless prairie was dotted with few places of habitation, and long before the "iron horse" had penetrated the frontier. He is descended from an old American family of Welsh ancestry. Two brothers, James and Frank Davis, came from Wales at an early date in the settlement of this country and located in Maryland. Benjamin Davis, son of James, was a farmer by occupation and became a wealthy man: he married an Irish woman, and to them were born eight children: Robert, Betsey, Nancy, Martha, Benjamin, James, William and Miles. The father died in Baltimore County, Maryland, at the age of forty-eight years, in the prime and full strength of a vigorous manhood. His son James, the father of our subject, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade. He married Elizabeth Zimmerman, of German extraction, and they became the parents of ten children: Mary, Susan, James, John M., Benjamin, William, Robert, Catherine, Nancy and Elizabeth. Mr. Davis worked at his trade in Maryiand for thirteen years after his marriage; but meeting with financial reverses through acting as security, he decided to make a change in his business. He removed to Preble County, Ohio, in 1835 and settled on a farm, where he remained five years; he then went to Jay County, Indiana, and bought land there; he was one of the pioneers of that county, and passed the remainder of his days there. He died in March, 1858.   He had become quite a wealthy man, owning about 400 acres of land and being extensively engaged in the live-stock business. He was very capable, energetic and industrious, and was possessed of a keen, shrewd judgment; he was of an exceedingly social, genial disposition, and had a fund of humor that made him the best of company. One brother of James Davis, William Davis, the only one of the family now living, is a lawyer in the city of Baltimore, Maryland.
Benjamin Davis, the son of James and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Davis, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, April 19,1832. He received but a limited education, as he was but three years of age when his father removed to the State of Ohio: five years later he went to Jay County, Indiana, where the school-houses were of the primitive, log-cabin style, to which the methods of instruction fully corresponded. He remained with his father, helping to clear the land and till the soil; he thus early became accustomed to all the vicissitudes of frontier life in a heavily timbered section.
At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Davis was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Charity Bellis, daughter of Adam and Rachel (Wolverton) Bellis, and this union was blessed with the birth of six children: Ann, Wilson, John, Mary, Amy and Charity.
The tide of emigration in those days was bearing many to the frontier, where it was believed honest effort would be honestly rewarded. In 1855, two years after his marriage, we find Mr. Davis and his young wife equipped for the journey; when he had reached Page County he found it a land of great promise, and purchased 160 acres of land, a portion of his present farm. This was partly timber and partly prairie and had no improvements; he built a log house, which stood near the site of his present dwelling. The first year he broke twelve acres of land [page 776] with four yoke of oxen; his corn and other supplies had to be brought from Missouri, and he went to mill at Rockport, a point forty miles distant. After the first year, however, he had no difficulty in providing abundantly for his family. It is impossible for one who has been brought up in a welLsettled country to realize in any degree the privations of pioneer life, and the hearts must indeed be stout and brave to meet the various hardships with that unshrinking firmness characteristic of the early settlers. Mr. Davis prospered in his newly chosen home, and from time to time he added to his farm until he owned 1,160 acres; three years ago he divided 720 acres among his children; he and his son Frank owns 640 acres of Kansas land. After the first quarter section bought from the Government, he paid, on an average, nineteen dollars per acre.
Through all his good fortune Mr. Davis has attributed his success to the constant encouragement and aid of his inestimable wife. She was a woman of education and keen perceptions, fondly devoting her whole life to the care of her family. She was called from earth in 1886, at the age of fifty-five years, beloved and mourned as only a true mother can be.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis had born to them eight children: James, who married Mary Barnhart; Mary, wife of Frank Rockwell; Almaretta, wife of A. D. Buckingham; Elizabeth, wife of J. P. Barnhart; Olive, wife of Charles Weidman; Frank M., who married Alfreda Helstrom; Ada R. and Annie. Elizabeth, Frank and Ada have attended college at Shenandoah, and Elizabeth and Ada have been teachers.
Mr. Davis enjoys the fullest confidence of his fellow-citizens, as has been attested during the past twenty years by their calling him to various positions of trust and honor.   He is one of the original members of the Masonic order at Red Oak, Iowa, assisting in the organization of Montgomery Lodge, No. 57. He has taken eleven degrees in Masonry and is a member of the Council.
In the community where he has lived so many years, he has been prominently identified with all public enterprises. In his private life he is above reproach, and is regarded by all who know him as a man of the highest integrity.

JOHN LYON GILES, proprietor of Giles' popular livery and feed stables, was born at Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey, February 22, 1827, and is a son of John and Joan (Lyon) Giles, also natives of New Jersey. The Giles family are from direct English stock, but of remote Spanish origin. John Giles, the grandfather of our subject, was an old sea captain and his life was mainly spent on the water. The maternal great-grandfather, whose name was Miller, was a pioneer of New Jersey; he lived near Trenton, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father of John L. Giles was a carpenter by occupation, and John, Jr., learned the trade, which he followed for many years. When he was four years old the family removed to Marion County, Ohio, and in a few years to Mount Gilead, Ohio, where both parents afterward died.
Mr. Giles was married June 20, 1848, at Mount Gilead, to Miss Susan Merrick, a native of Harrison County, Ohio. About 1854 they removed to Iowa and settled in Mahaska County, improving a farm near Oskaloosa. After living there three years Mr. Giles improved another farm in Keokuk County, and in a few years returned to Mahaska County; thence he came to Page Counly in 1867 and [page 777] settled in the extreme southeast corner in Buchanan Township, adjoining Taylor County, and but one mile from the Missouri line. After farming there three years he concluded that he could make money faster at some other business; so he took an agency to sell farm pumps for a St. Joseph firm; for three years he sold large numbers throughout Page and Taylor counties, Iowa, and Nodaway and Andrew counties, Missouri. His family still lived upon the farm. Becoming well grounded in this line of trade he exchanged his farm for a pump, safe, and lightning-rod establishment at St. Joe, and for three years did an extensive and remunerative business. Disposing of this concern he returned to Page County and secured land in East River Township, and there he farmed a number of years, growing some very fine crops. He then removed from his farm to Bedford, Taylor County, and embarked in the livery business, which he successfully conducted until 1880, when he again came to Page County and opened a livery stable at Clarinda. In three years he came to Shenandoah and engaged in the livery business, being located at his present stand. In about four years he sold the business and removed to Council Bluffs, where he was similarly engaged until June, 1889. He then for the fifth time returned to Page County and purchased the establishment he had formerly owned. He has the largest barn in Shenandoah, with stable-room for forty-five head of horses and shed room for nearly 100 more. He keeps the finest outfits to be had and his horses are carefully kept in excellent driving condition. His drivers are courteous and thoroughly understand their business. No effort is spared to make the stable first-class in every respect, and the superior accommodations command a profitable trade. Mr. Giles has a pleasant home on Elm Street, and there enjoys the faithful companionship of his wife. They have had four children: John Fletcher died at the age of three and a half years; Joan is the wife of William Wamsley; George M. resides in Kansas, and Florinda Ereline is the wife of John H. Reeves. Mr. Giles affiliates with the Masonic brethren, and is Republican in politics. Mrs. Giles is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

G. C. PEARCE, dealer in boots and shoes is one of the latest acquisitions to Shenandoah's business circles, and although a new man he is fast working into a splendid trade and already ranks as the leading dealer in his line of goods. He brings with him business capacity and sagacity, which, coupled with an extensive experience not only in this but other lines of mercantile life, enable him readily to attain an advanced position in any community. His fine stock of choice and standard makes of all grades of boots and shoes is new and well selected and consists of just such goods as the trade demands. Mr. Pearce comes to Shenandoah from Keokuk, where he had been in the Government employ for some years as construction clerk in connection with the erection of the recently completed postoffice building of that place. Prior to the erection of the Keokuk building he served in the same capacity upon the new building at Jackson, Mississippi.
G. C. Pearce was born at Virginia, Cass County, Illinois, February 29,1848, and is a son of Jesse B. and Anna (Clark) Pearce. The father is still living, in McDonough County, Illinois, to which place they removed when G. C. was a child three years old. He attended [page 778] the district school and afterward took a short course at Abingdon in Hedding Academy; he then took an irregular course at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, which he completed in 1871. In 1872 he engaged in the grocery business at Scottsburg, Illinois, and conducted this trade for two years, during which time he also acted as Postmaster, receiving his appointment under Grant's administration. He disposed of his store, and was employed in teaching, for one year in Warren County, Illinois. Being very desirous of studying law he entered a large law office at Macomb, Illinois, as clerk, and soon after was appointed United States Commissioner in Bankruptcy for the Southern District of Illinois, a position he acceptably filled for two years and until the repeal of the bankrupt law. The duties pertaining to this office were such as to require his attention and presence throughout his district wherever an assignment should be made, and were of an exacting and arduous nature. However, every detail was carefully and accurately attended to, and to the entire satisfaction of the Government. Upon the completion of his duties as commissioner he decided to engage in trade and located at Seward, Nebraska, where for two years he was in a business similar to his present one. He then removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he was superintendent of a store for a mining company, and he was also in the grocery business from 1881 until 1885. In that year he received his third appointment from the Government and assumed his duties at Jackson, Mississippi. After the completion of the new postoffice building at Keokuk he decided to enter mercantile life again, and selected Shenandoah as presenting many advantages.
Mr. Pearce was married, October 5, 1876, to Miss Addie R. Ingals, a native of Pike pounty, Illinois, and a daughter of Tompkins and Esther Ingals. Two children have been born of this union: Norman and Ruby Fay.

EDWIN DAY was born in Huron County, Ohio, December 16, 1832, and is a son of of John and Amanda (Hannon) Day, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The ancestry of the Day family is easily traced back through several generations to English origin. John Day served as Captain under General Harrison in the last war with Great Britain, and did gallant service for his country. Edwin was but fifteen years old when his father died, and he was thrown upon his own responsibility entirely; from the time he was twelve years old he received but little assistance from his family; he attended the public schools when he could spare time from his work. He remained near his old home until he was twenty-nine years old, when he came as far west as Fulton County, Illinois; there he remained until 1861 engaged in agricultural pursuits; he was soon able to secure a farm of his own, and resided there until 1872. In that year he came to Iowa in company with his brother, Levi B. Day. Each purchased a fine tract of Page County's choicest soil, three miles from Shenandoah, and our subject devoted his energies to making an excellent farm of 320 acres; he has brought it to a high state of cultivation, and it is well improved with excellent buildings; there is an extensive orchard set with the finest varieties of fruits, and all the surroundings are of the most attractive character. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Day removed to Shenandoah, where he has a very pleasant home near the College. Excepting one season, when he was buying and shipping stock, he has given his entire attention to the demands of his farm, feeding large numbers of cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. Day have a family of three daughters: Ona, Lydia and Edna. Ona is the wife of John B. Vickers; Lydia, is married to C. G. Heifner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heifner are graduates of the Western Normal College. Mr. Heifner is now a student in the law department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor.
Mr. Day is a Republican politically, but thinks for himself and sometimes breaks from the party ranks. He is a man of decided views and forms warm personal attachments; as a conscientious business man he has no superior, and none are held in more exalted estimation by his associates.

FREDERICK C. NELSON, a successful agriculturist of Harlan Township, was born in the State of Yermont, April 12, 1837, and is the son of John and Priscilla (Bovee) Nelson. His father was a native of Scotland, and came to America when he was about nineteen years of age; he was reared to the avocation of farming, which he followed through life. Frederick C. was trained in his father's calling, and obtained a common-school education. When he was seven years old his parents removed to the State of New York, and there he grew to manhood. He remained under the shelter of the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred Jan-[page 780]uary 1, 1862, to Miss Alice Simms, a native of New York, who was born about 1844, and died September 28, 1868. By this union two children were born: John W. and William R., residents of Harlan Township.
After his marriage Mr. Nelson settled on a farm in Cattaraugus County, New York, where he remained until after the death of his wife. In 1869 he caught the spirit of western emigration, and removed to Washington County, Iowa, residing there one year; he then came to Page County and purchased eighty acres of raw prairie in Harlan Township; the first year he erected a residence and afterward made many excellent improvements. In 1881 he removed to a farm of eighty acres on section 17, and he also brought this to an advanced state of cultivation; he has a good frame residence, and barns for stock and grain. He gives his undivided attention to farming and stock-raising. He takes an active interest in all public movements, and has assisted materially in the growth of the county. Mr. Nelson is a stanch Republican, and has represented his district as a member of the school board. During the Rebellion he enlisted in an independent company, but was never in active service.
April 20, 1869, he was again united in marriage to Abbie Gardner, a native of Vermont. Seven children have been born to them: Frederick, Alice, Rosa, George, James, Cassie and Hugh. Mrs. Nelson was called to her eternal home April 9,1884.

JONATHAN J. CHANDLER, one of the leading stockmen of Page County, was born in Henderson County, Illinois, November 4, 1848. His parents, Jesse and Rachel (Wright) Chandler, natives of Greene County,  Pennsylvania, settled  in Illinois about 1838. The father is still living, in Abingdon, Illinois. Jesse Chandler is a son of Justus Chandler, who was of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of the old country. Jonathan J. is the tenth of a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom survive. Until he was twenty years old he lived on a farm in Illinois; he received his earlier education in the common schools, and afterward attended the educational institution at Abingdon, Hedding College; there, for two years, he was under the tuition of old Professor Wilson. In 1870 he came to Iowa and engaged in farming for two years. At the end of this time he returned to Abingdon, Illinois, and embarked in mercantile trade. The West still a had strong attraction for him which he was not able to resist, and he again, in 1877, went to Iowa, settling in Fremont County, three miles from the Page County line. There he improved a half section of land, and has one of the finest stock farms in that section. He still retains the place, and feeds from two to three hundred head of cattle annually; some years he sells even a greater number. He is also engaged in shipping stock in connection with John L. Carey, the firm being Carey & Chandler.
In December, 1888, Mr. Chandler came to his present place, where he has 160 acres known as the De Clark farm, lying one half mile from the college. He has a splendid residence, erected at a cost of $2,500, and the barn and sheds are neatly and substantially built. He has a telephone connection with Shenandoah, which is a great convenience and satisfaction.
Mr. Chandler was united in marriage December 22, 1870, at Abingdon, Illinois, to Miss Mary I. Scott. She was born in McDonough County, Illinois, January 12,1850, and is a daughter of Walton K. and Sarah Jane (Stickles) Scott, the father being a native [page 781] of Kentucky, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Chandler was also educated at Hedding College, and taught for a time. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chandler two of whom died in infancy; those surviving are, Arthur Scott, Elbert Ross, Fannie Lee and Nellie Bly.
Politically Mr. Chandler is identified with the Republican party, and he is also connected with the order of Modern Woodmen.

O. E. MOORE, agent of the Wabash Railroad Company at Coin, Iowa, claims our attention as the subject of this brief notice. He was born in West Virginia, January 21, 1866, and is the son of M. C. and Susan A. (Livermore) Moore, natives of Virginia. The family removed to Iowa and located in Cedar County during the childhood of our subject: there and in Davis County he passed his youths receiving a common-school education. Having some aspirations in a journalistic line he entered the office of the Bloomfield (Iowa) Republican, where he spent two years as an apprentice at the printer's trade.
In the meantime he had mastered the art of telegraphy and after leaving the office of the Republican he was employed at Malvern, Iowa, as operator; there he remained about eighteen months and was then called to Chillicothe, Missouri remaining there two months.
April 9, 1885, he came to Coin and took entire charge of the rail Way company's business, since which time he has faithfully discharged all the duties pertaining to the office.   He is [page 782] a young man of ability, which fact is recognized by his employers.
Mr. Moore is identified with Republican politics, in which he takes a great interest. He is a member of the Coin Lodge, No. 455, I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs of the order; he is also a member of the encampment at Blanchard, Iowa, and of the O. R. T., Thurston Division, No. 2.

ARCHIBALD E. BROWNLEE.—For twenty years this reliable and successful farmer has been a resident of Page County, Iowa, and during this period he has made a record that entitles him to a place in the history of the representative men of the county. He is a native of Ohio, born in Marion County, September 7, 1837, and the son of James and Ruth (Sargent) Brownlee, natives of the old " Keystone " State. He is one of a family of eight children, and received the training usually bestowed by a farmer upon his sons. Until he was twenty-one years of age he was under his father's rule, but he then started out in life for himself.
Mr. Brownlee was united in marriage December 6, 1860, to Miss Mary J. Dickson, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (McGrew) Dickson. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but she was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 6, 1842, one of a family of seven children. After their marriage our subject and his wife continued to reside in Marion County, Ohio, for a period of eight years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The tide of emigration was westward, and it was pretty strong, so much so that Mr. Brownlee and family removed to Iowa, and settled in Page County in 1869. He purchased a tract of wild land on section 26, Lincoln Township and at once began making improvements.
It was a wild scene and uninviting to hearts less stout and brave; there were but three houses between this place and College Springs, a distance of six miles, and the lumber from which the first house was built was hauled thirty miles; wolves roamed the prairie at will, and made the nights hideous with their cries. After a few years Mr. Brownlee sold this place and rented the farm on which he now lives; at the end of this time he purchased the land, 160 acres on section 26, Lincoln Township; it had all been broken out except twenty-five acres, and it is now under excellent cultivation. In 1883 a substantial two-story house took the place of the smaller one which had first been their dwelling place, and it is now surrounded with a grove; and 100 fruit trees have been set out, adding alike to the beauty and value of the place.
In this free land of ours every man must have his political creed; our subject has chosen the Republican principles. The people of his township have shown the confidence which they repose in him by calling on him to fill the office of trustee for the past ten years.
Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee are the parents of six children: James S., William H., Ruth E., Lizzie E., deceased; Samuel and Roy E. They are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have assisted in advancing the social, moral and religious features of the county.

J. A. GILLESPIE, physician and surgeon, Coin, Iowa, is one of the energetic and successful professional men of Page County. He was born at Saint Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, and is the son of James and Clara (Anderson) Gillespie, natives of the " Buckeye " State.   His child- [page 783] hood and early youth were spent on a farm and he received more than an ordinary literary education; he attended the common schools, the Normal School at Hopedale and Franklin College at Athens, Ohio.
Being a young man cf ambition and spirit he was desirous of making for himself a name and of gaining a position in the world above the common level. Believing that better opportunities existed in the West, at the age of twenty years he emigrated to Iowa, and located at Chariton, Lucas County. In 1882 he entered the office of Dr. I. A. McElveen, with whom he studied until 1886, when he entered the Iowa Eclectic Medical College at Des Moines; he was graduated from this institution April 17, 1888, and in June of the same year he came to Coin. By his proficiency in his profession and his universally kind and courteous manner he has acquired a large practice. He is making a special study of certain branches of surgery and we bespeak for him a successful and brilliant future.
Dr. Gillespie was united in marriage April 17, 1888, the same day of his graduation, to Miss Lizzie Huggins, a daughter of Philip and Rena (Snead) Huggins. She was born in St. Joe, Missouri. The Doctor and his wife are worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Coin Lodge, No. 455.

DAVID E. SCOTTON is engaged in that most independent of all occupations, agriculture. He is a native of the " Hoosier " State, born in Franklin County, December 9, 1839. His father, Emery Scotton, was a native of one of the Atlantic States, and he married Mary S. Slaughter, a native of Delaware, of English extraction. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: T. W., who resides with David E.; [page 784] James, of Kokomo, Indiana; Esther Hart, of Brown County, Nebraska; Allen, of Hamilton County, Indiana; Enoch, of Douglas County, Illinois, and David E., our subject who was reared on a farm in Indiana. He, early in life; learned to chop wood, roll logs and split rails, "arts" in which "Hoosiers" became proficient. He received a limited education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-eight years he removed to Knox Connty, Illinois, where he resided until he came to Page County, Iowa, in 1871.
To undertake the settlement of a new country requires rare courage and great determination, and the pioneers of Page County are deserving of unlimited praise, for they have certainly " builded well." It was in 1871 that Mr. Scotton came to the county and began improving his present farm. He owns eighty acres of rich land, and has made many valuable improvements; he has erected a comfortable house, has planted a grove and an orchard, and has established a pleasant home for himself and family. He and his wife have been blessed with four children: Mary Sophia, Mark E., Eliza and Thomas Burton. The family all belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and are zealous workers in the cause of Christianity.
Mr. Scotton was married in Knox County, Illinois, October 16, 1869, to Harriet Cook, who was born and reared in Knox County, a daughter of Mark Cook, a native of Maryland. Her mother's maiden name was Sophia Godfrey, and she was a native of Maryland, also.

MERRITT A. STEARNS, M. D., Essex, was born at Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, February 2, 1836, and is a son of Harrison and Amanda (Russell) Stearns, natives of Massachusetts and
New York respectively. His early youth was passed at Jamestown, and when he was fourteen years of age the family removed to McDonough County, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where he remained three years.
He was attending school at Prairie City when war's shrill alarm was heard; he answered the call, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Bushnell, in 1862, under Captain McConnell. His first service was at Memphis, Tennessee, and after participating in a few skirmishes he was disabled by chronic disease, and being considered unfit for further duty was discharged and sent home after four months' service. He again entered school, and in 1863 began to teach the district school. He also taught at Bushnell, Illinois, and for several years was engaged in this profession. In 1870 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Westfall at Bushnell, and after pursuing a course of several years he opened practice at Towanda, Kansas, in 1877. Soon after he entered the Homeopathic Medical College of St. Louis, where he graduated in the class of 1879. He at once located at Essex, and has since given his attention strictly to the duties of a laborious profession. His success has been marked from the first, and no practitioner stands higher among the people of Page and Fremont counties. He has frequently had cases that after defying the efforts of more pretentious men have quickly yielded to his natural treatment.
Dr. Stearns was married at Bushnell, Illinois, to Miss Abigail Dorrence, a native of Michigan. Their family consists of six children: May, Lulu, Edwin, Kate, Daisy and Floyd. May is the wife of James Donnell of Omaha; Lulu is a teacher of considerable reputation in the county and has made a marked success in her profession. [page 785] Mrs. Stearns is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a respected member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He has filled all the chairs of the latter order and stands high in the councils of the Encampment.

MRS L. C. HESTER is the daughter of Captain J. A. and Juliann (Pennebaker) Clark, and was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, where she grew to womanhood. She has been a resident of Page County since 1880, in which year she came West with her parents.
At the early age of thirteen years she began teaching school and followed the profession for a number of years. After she had taught four terms she was given a position in one of the Pennsylvania academies, which she filled acceptably until coming to Iowa. After coming to Page County she was engaged to teach the Page Centre school and was employed there four or five terms. When Coin began to develop into a village she was tendered a position in the schools there; she accepted the offer and had taught three terms when on account of failing health she was obliged to abandon the profession in which she had been so successful. She then turned her attention to the study of pharmacy and was registered a pharmacist in 1887; she devotes her whole attention to the drug business, owning the only drug store in Coin. She established the business in January, 1888, and carries a stock of $2,500, and her annual sales will aggregate $7,000. A fine assortment of drugs and other articles usually found iu a well regulated drug store can be had at Mrs. Hester's.
Business cares have not been allowed to shut out all other interests, as Mrs. Hester is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, and has served two years as treasurer of the United Presbyterian Missionary Society and also of the home society.
Our subject is one of a family of nine children, three of whom reside in Page County: Benjamin, Elizabeth, wife of W. Bull; Mary M., W. J., J. N., deceased; Anna, wife of Dr. Pecard; Jennie, wife of L. F. Stitt; M. B., deceased; D. B. and Mrs. Hester.
The father, Captain J. A. Clark, was born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and spent the greater portion of his life; he died in Page County in 1880. His wife is also a native of Pennsylvania, and still survives, residing at Coin.

JOHN T. SNYDER, of section 21, Washington Township, is one of the prosperous farmers of the community. He was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, August 10,1851, and is a son of Barney and Matilda (Kuhns) Snyder, natives of the old " Keystone " State and of German ancestry. John T. passed his youth, in the county of his birth and in Maryland. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer and received an education at the common schools of that day. In the fall of 1867 he emigrated to the West and located in Cass County, Missouri, where he resided eight years; he was engaged in agricnltural pursuits and improved a good farm. In 1876 he came to Page County and bought eighty acres of land, which was entirely without improvements; he at once set about the task of making a home, and has succeeded in converting the raw prairie into one of the best farms in the township; he has eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation, a nice, substantial residence, erected at a cost of $2,000 in 1883, and commodious barns and [page 786] sheds for the care of live-stock. A grove and an orchard add beauty to the scene and increase the value of the place.
In political thought and action our worthy subject is allied with the Democratic party. He is a man yet in the prime of life, with the prospect of many years of actual usefulness before him. He has assisted in the upbuilding of the community in which he resides, and has come to be reckoned as one of the solid men of the county of Page.
Mr. Snyder was married January 15, 1879, at Decatur, Iowa, to Miss Rebecca Bumgardner, a daughter of John and Mary Bumgardner. Four chlidren have been born of this marriage:  Bertie, Grace, Mamie and Bessie.

H. H. WHITNEY, who for many years has been an energetic and successful agriculturist of Page County, is deserving of mention in this connection. In order to learn something of his earlier career we will take the reader back to Washington County, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day June 18,1838. His father, John Whitney, was born in Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of English ancestry. When a young man he came with his brother to the West and settled in Washington County, Ohio, where he married Sarah Chapman, a native of Long Meadow, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, and of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney lived in Washington County, Ohio, until death; they reared a family of eleven children, of whom H. H. was the eighth. When he was eleven years old he went with a brother older than himself to De Kalb County, Illinois, and after a few months went on to Winnebago County, Illinois, where he resided two years; thence he removed to Boone County, Illinois, where he lived until he was sixteen years old. He next went to Woodhull, Henry County, Illinois, and secured work on a farm. The limited education he received in the schools of that day was supplemented by much reading during his leisure time, so that he acquired a fund of information enabling him to attend to any business that may devolve upon him.
Mr. Whitney was married, January 21, 1860, to Elizabeth Anderson, who was born in Washington County, Ohio, a daughter of James and Catherine (Hoglin) Anderson. The father was a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, and emigrated to America when a young man. He died in Washington County, Ohio, but his wife is still living, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Whituey lived in Henry County, Illinois, until 1862, when he offered his services to his country in her hour of peril; he was not accepted, however, and returned to Ohio, where he learned the molder's trade, which he followed some time; he also acted as foreman in a molding establishment until the close of the war, when he went back to Illinois and settled in Knox County. About a year later he removed to Iowa, and first settled near Clarinda, Page County; he then moved to Harlan Township and resided near Page Center until 1872; in that year he located on his present farm, which was then wild, raw, prairie land. He was one of the early settlers in the neighborhood, and had to undergo many of the hardships, to which pioneers are subject in a new country. But by several years of patient toil and industry he has converted this land into one of the most fertile and productive farms in the county; it consists of 120 acres, and the improvements are all first-class in every respect; the house is a comfortable, roomy building, and is situated in the midst of flowers, trees, and shrubs; a magnificent grove of Mr. Whitney's own planting adorns the landscape, and [page 787] a fine bearing orchard adds to the plenty abounding on the Whitney homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of four children: Ella, wife of D. W. Flickinger, of whom we make further mention on another page; James W., Sarah Florence, a successful music teacher, and Harrison H. The parents and three children are active members of the Christian Church, and are zealous and active workers in the cause of Christianity. Mr. Whitney also serves as an elder in the church. For several years he has been afflicted with paralysis, and with all the money he has spent he has not been able to regain his health. He keeps up his spirits, however, and is very cheerful and patient under his suffering. He is well posted on all the leading questions of the day, is a man of a genial, cordial disposition, and has a host of friends in Page County.

F. C. CHAPMAN is one of the well-known stockmen of Washington Township, where he has been successfully engaged in business for the past twenty years, enjoying the confidence and respect of all who know him. He was born near Toronto, Canada, June 12,1845, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Wolf) Chapman, natives of England. When the mother was four years old her parents emigrated to Canada, where she grew to womanhood. She reared a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. The father lived until death in Canada, and the mother is still residing there, at the age of seventy years.
Young Chapman was not allowed to pass his time in idleness, but was early trained to the details of agriculture; during his youth he attended the common schools, receiving a somewhat limited education compared with that bestowed by the State upon the children of the present day. In 1870 he came to Page County and settled in the northwest part of Washington Township, where he began to improve a farm of 160 acres; he sold this place and purchased eighty acres on section 2, which he sold after a time; he then bought his present farm consisting of 160 acres. He has a good residence, a grove, orchard, and all the conveniences for stock-raising, to which branch of farming he gives special attention; the farm is well adapted to this business, and he has been very successful in its pursuit. In addition to his home farm he owns forty acres in Morton Township.
Mr. Chapman was united in marriage, in Canada, March 2, 1882, to Ellen Lester, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Thomas Lester, a native of Yorkshire, England. Five children have been born of this union: James, William, Eva May, Francis, and Ora. The mother was brought up in the Church of England (Episcopal). Mr. Chapman was reared a Baptist. In his political belief he is not allied with any party, but is independent, voting for the men and measures which his judgment approves.

DAVID SHERMAN was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1846. His father, Samuel Sherman, was a native of Connecticut, but at the age of three years was brought by his parents to the State of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood; he married Miss R. E. Palmer, who was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. When David was sixteen years of age his parents removed to Carroll County, Illinois, and there he was trained to the occupation of a farmer. In the autumn of 1865 the family came to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, but after a short time they went to Fremont County, locating in Locust Grove Township. In 1876 our worthy subject started out in life for himself, and came to Page County, where he purchased forty acres of wild land; later, as he prospered in his business, he made an addition of eighty acres to the original purchase, and now owns one of the best farms in the neighborhood. He has a good, comfortable residence, surrounded by a beautiful grove and a bearing orchard; the barns and sheds are ample and well arranged, and he has been very successful in raising and feeding stock, [page 789] to which branch of farming he has given special attention.
Mr. Sherman was united in marriage December 6, 1876, to Miss Eliza Ann Freeman, daughter of B. C. Freeman, whose biography is published in this history. Mrs. Sherman was born, reared and educated in Page County, Iowa. Their five children are: Ivy Augusta, Eva Adelaide, Lessie Edna, Eleanora Josephine and Ella Eddie.
Our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of good business qualifications, just and upright in his judgment, and deserving of the respect of all who know him.

SAMUEL BLACK came to Page County, Iowa, in the Centennial Year of our Independence, 1876. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 14, 1814, and is a son of James Black, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America at the age of twenty two years and settled in Pennsylvania; there he married Nancy Clark, a native of Pennsylvania and of German ancestry. Samuel was the eighth of a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. When he was a lad the family removed to Floyd County, Indiana, and there he assisted in clearing a farm in one of the heavily timbered sections of the " Hoosier" State. During the winter season he attended the pioneer schools and spent his leisure time at home with his books, the best society he could possibly have chosen. When he was sixteen years of age his father died, and he went to learn the cooper's trade; he served his apprenticeship and then went to work as a journeyman for some time; afterward he had a shop which he operated several years. In 1851 Mr. Black removed to Warren County; Illinois, where he pursued his trade two years; he then returned to the occupation of his earlier days, farming, which he followed until he came to Page County. He then bought the S. D. Blanchard farm, which had been improved in a good style; it is three-quarters of a mile from Northboro. and has many of the most modern conveniences. It is altogether one of the most desirable homes in Washington Township.
Mr. Black has been twice married: in June, 1844, in Floyd County, Indiana, he was united to Sarah J. Dunn, a native of Maryland; ten children were born of this union: Sarah, wife of Henry Lydon, Patrick, William, George Robert F., who married Pearl Safford, and resides on the home farm; Rosa, wife of W. S. Hooker, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this volume. Robert F. Black and wife have one child, Edith. Mrs. Sarah Black died December 19, 1869, and Mr. Black was united in marriage in December, 1870, to Sarah Miller, who was born in the State of Tennessee.
Politically Mr. Black is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party. He has been a zealous member of the United Brethren Church since 1844. Although he is seventy-six years of age he is well preserved in mind and body; has traveled much, and is well informed on the topics of the day. He is a man honored and respected by all with whom he comes in contact.

JAMES ANDERSON is one of America's adopted citizens of whom his countrymen may well be proud. He was born in heather-clad Ayrshire, Scotland, March 23, 1843, and is a son of James and Mary (Borland) Anderson. When he was seventeen years of age the family emigrated to America, believing it to be a land of peace [page 790] and plenty.   After landing they at once proceeded to Knox County, Illinois, where the parents passed the remainder of their days. The father was a skilled veterinary surgeon, receiving his education in that profession at a celebrated veterinary college in Edinburgh, Scotland. Young Anderson resided in Knox County, Illinois, until he had attained man's estate.   September 7, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Leighton, of Knox County, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Jessie (Russell) Leighton, natives of Scotland. In 1871 Mr. Anderson pushed still farther out into the great West, and located in Page County, Iowa, on eighty acres of wild land which he at once set out to place under cultivation.   By prudence and industry he has been enabled to make further investments in land, and now owns an additional 120 acres on section 17, Washington Township. He makes a specialty of breeding fine road and draft horses; his "Careless Spragne" is one of the tinest horses in Page County, having an excellent pedigree.   He has also studied the science of veterinary surgery and has been very successful in his treatment of all the diseases to which horseflesh is heir.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of six children: Thomas, William, Jessie, Kittie, Arthur, and Emma. In political thought and action our esteemed subject is an avowed Democrat. He is a member of Emanuel Lodge, No. 405, A. F. & A. M., at Blanchard. He is candid and cordial of manner, and is one of the most popular and respected citizens of Washington Township.