Polk Co. IAGenWeb

ANKENY, GEN. ROLLIN V. - Was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 22,1830. While yet a child his parents removed to Millersburg, Ohio, and his time during youth and early manhood was chiefly spent in the mercantile house of his father. In 1852 he engaged in the drug business at Millersburg, in which he continued about four years. In 1855 he removed to Freeport, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. He was one of the originators of the Stephenson County Agricultural Society and Farmers' Club, of which society he was the honored president and secretary for more than four years. He followed the occupation of farmer till the breaking out of the late war. During the first months after the beginning of the war he was engaged in "stumping" his own and adjoining counties, persuading his friends to enlist; by their energetic course of action he was instrumental in raising more recruits for the army than any other one man in the county.. After having done much effective work in recruiting volunteers, himself volunteered in August, 1861, in company B, Forty-sixth infantry, as a private soldier, became orderly sergeant, first lieutenant, and then captain of his company, and in September, following, was in the first organization of the Army of the Tennessee, participating in the first campaign, and up to the capture of Vicksburg, when he was acting under confidential orders, until July, 1864. During the month last named he was engaged in recruiting the One Hundred and Forty-second regiment of Illinois Infantry, and went to the front as colonel of said regiment, and was soon promoted to the command of the brigade, which position he held till the close of the war. In 1865 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general for gallant and efficient conduct. At the close of the war he returned to his former home and became connected with the Freeport Journal, and was connected with that paper about a year; was elector on the Republican ticket in Illinois during the campaign which resulted in Grant's first election; he was also chairman of the Stephenson county Republican central committee. He resumed the occupation of farming in 1866, which he followed till 1870, when he removed to Polk county. He was engaged in the lumber business at Winterset during 1872,'73. HL disposed of the business in Winterset, and returned to Des Moines, and was appointed deputy United. States Marshal, which office he held until 1878, when he was severely injured in an accident on the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad, and was thereby unfitted for active business for the time being. After having spent about one year in Colorado recruiting his health he returned to Iowa. In 1879 he received an appointment in the Department of the Interior, and was engaged in the discharge of his duties chiefly in Florida and Illinois. In July, 1880, he was sent on duty to Oregon. He was married August 4, 1853, to Miss Sarah Irvine. She was the daughter of Dr. J. S. Irvine, of Millersburg, Ohio; she was raised and educated at the latter place, and was a lady of fine education and rare personal accomplishments. She died January 12, 1879, leaving a family of four children; they are named Irvine S., Hattie L. wife of J. W. Conger, of Dexter, Rollin V., and Mary E.