1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa

Page Index:

G H Miller | Noah Miller | W F Miller | F A Miller | Fritz | Keyes |
Dammand | Macy | Chase | Sheller | Campbell | Harrod | Terrill

G. H. MILLER

G. H. MILLER was born on the old Miller homestead in Harlan Township, Shelby County, Iowa, October 10, 1858. He is the fourth child of J. J. Miller. He remained with his parents until he grew to manhood. He received his education in the common schools. Mr. Miller was married in February, 1882, to Miss Mattie E. Carter, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Barnhill) Carter. They are the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter - Charles J., Eva Lena and Ralph Waldo. Mr. Miller began his married life on an eighty-acre tract of land, given him by his father. Here he resided for one year, and then bought his present home. He owns 240 acres of valuable land, which he has greatly improved. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church. Her parents are both deceased. Mr. Miller has departed from the political faith of his father, and votes with the Republican party. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 536 & 539. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

NOAH MILLER

NOAH MILLER, a native of Macon County, Illinois, born March 30, 1831, is a son of James and Mary (Herrald) Miller, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. When he was about thirteen years of age he left Illinois with his parents and came to Iowa, settling in Marshall County, where he made his home until 1875; he then came to Shelby County, locating in the southwest part of Polk Township for one year, when he traded for 100 acres of partly improved land iii Polk Township; here he made many first-class improvements and has one of the finest farms in this part of the county. He has dealt quite extensively in real estate since coming to the county, having owned at one time over 300 acres of land; he has since sold and divided among his children, retaining for himself 100 acres. He was reared to farm life, owing to limited facilities in schooling and much depending upon him in his youth. Although deprived of a good education he has an abundance of good sense, which he has put into use in his business relations; being a close observer he has acquired a good practical education. He has had a successful career, being one of the most prosperous farmers in this part of the county. He has devoted him. self to farming and stock-raising, aside from dealing in stock quite extensively. He is a Democrat. Mr. Miller was married February 7, 1851, to Rebecca Duke, daughter of John and Nancy (Mathis) Duke, both natives of Kentucky. She was born in Grayson County, Kentucky, September, 1833, but at the age of two years came to Iowa with her parents, who located in Des Moines County. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living - Nancy, wife of L. D. Whitehead, resides in Polk Township; Uriah B. resides in Marshall County, Iowa; Charles resides in Polk Township; Ruth, wife of L. H. Merritt, resides at home; Harriett E., wife of H. B. Gaer, resides in Cummings County, Nebraska; Mary E. (deceased), wife of William A. Holmes; Lydia A., wife of Joseph W. Ross, resides in Polk Township; James I. resides at home; Sarah D. (deceased), and an infant, (deceased). Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 542-543. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

W. F. MILLER

W. F. MILLER, a citizen of Lincoln Township, is a native of the Buckeye State, Ohio. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 8, 1854, and is a son of Alfred and Anna (Stone) Miller. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Iowa, and settled in Jackson County. The mother died in March, 1884, and the father still lives in Jackson County. W. F. Miller was reared to farm life, and was educated in the Jackson County schools. For two or three years he was employed in operating a well drill. He resided in Jackson County until 1877, when he came to Shelby County and bought his present farm, which was then wild prairie land; he was one of the early settlers in the western part of the county. He has made many improvements on his farm, and put it under a fair state of cultivation; he is engaged in general farming, and stock. raising and feeding. Mr. Miller was united in marriage March 5, 1878, to Miss Mary Mann, a native of Canada, reared in Jackson County, and a daughter of John and Mary (Kennedy) Mann. By this union two children were born - Bert and Daisy Belle. Mrs. Mary Miller died November 2, 1882. Mr. Miller married his present wife March 20, 1884; she was Miss Lou Mann, a sister of his first wife. They are the parents of three children - Roy, Frances and Edith. Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He is yet in the prime of life, and has every prospect of a prosperous future. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 559. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

FREDERICK ANDREW MILLER

This substantial and enterprising farmer and breeder of fine live-stock is widely and favorably known. The principal feature of his business is that of breeding thoroughbred Poland-China hogs, he being the proprietor of the Silver Ridge herd of Poland Chinas. He has been a very successful breeder of these valuable swine for fifteen years, but did not make them a specialty until two years ago. His herd now consists of over 100 head of registered animals, and is becoming extensively known and largely patronized. Mr. Miller's farm of 160 acres in section 15, Shelby Township, is well adapted naturally for this class of stock, and the excellent arrangement of sheds and barns contributes to make it a model stock-farm, with facilities for breeding 200 head per year. He has a fine residence of ten rooms, delightfully located on the border of a beautiful grove; it was erected in 1885 at a cost of $2,500. Frederick A. Miller first saw the light near Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, February 5, 1843, and is the eldest of a family of fifteen children, of whom fourteen grew to maturity, and thirteen are now living. His parents were Jacob S. and Armilda (Edwards) Miller. The father was a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, born October 12, 1812; his death occurred May 21, 1876, in Poweshiek County, Iowa. The mother was born in Pike County, Missouri, April 17, 1825, her parents having emigrated from Vermont at an early day. She is still living in Norton County, Kansas. Of the family, one sister, Emeline, wife of Thomas Bacon, resides in Shelby County; Angeline Sheley lives in Poweshiek County; Jacob S. died at his home in Ringgold County; Solomon C. and George H. live in Nebraska; Luther M. lives in New Mexico; Joseph M., Daniel H., Stephen T., Grant, and Anastasia Sheley reside in Norton County, Kansas. Benjamin F., John and Armilda Raabe live in Charles Mix County, Dakota. Jesse died at three years of age. in 1850 the family settled in Mahaska County, Iowa, where they resided eight years, removing at the end of that time to Poweshiek County; there they continued to live until the father died. When living in that county Frederick became nineteen years of age, and his father gave him his tune, as he did all his sons at that age. He then started out in life for himself He worked by the month for his future father-in-law, Samuel Coffin, for two years. At the end of this time he was married to Miss Susan Coffin, January 24, 1864. She was born in Mahaska County, January 13, 1847, her parents being Samuel and Sophia (Fisler) Coffin, who were natives of Indiana, and pioneers of Mahaska County, making that their residence during life. The mother died January 24, 1850, and the father died May 6, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Miller rented land in Mahaska and Poweshiek counties, and in 1871 he came to Shelby County, selecting his present home. He bought 240 acres, paying $6.25 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children - Edwin Martin, born January 1, 1865, who married Mary Elizabeth Moore; Fred Tilman, born November 15, 1866; Olive, born February 10, 1876, and Daisy May, born December 22, 1884. They suffered the loss of one bright little boy of five years, Chester A., born September 10, 1881, and died January 5, 1886. Mr. Miller is a director of the Shelby District Agricultural Society. He has served as township assessor, and as township trustee and as school treasurer. Politically he adheres to the principals of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in all public matters. He belongs to Silentia Lodge, No. 371, A. F. & A. M., of Shelby. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 590-591. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

SILAS FRITZ

SILAS FRITZ was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1824, and is the son of Martin L. and Mary (Huffman) Fritz, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. Until sixteen years of age he lived on a farm in his native State, and attended the subscription schools; at that age he went to Ohio, where he remained fourteen months, and then went to Indiana, settling in Owen County-making this his home for twenty-eight years. He then removed to Missouri, and in 1870 he came to Iowa and located in Palo Alto County. He next removed to Cass County, and in 1874 he came to Shelby County, since then making his home in Jackson and Jefferson townships. Mr. Fritz was married, May 16, 1848, to Miss Letitia Arthur, daughter of Reuben and Lavinia Arthur, who was born in Kentucky, January 29, 1829. They are the parents of ten children - R. A., M. L., Mary L., Joseph (deceased), S. B., E. M., A. J., W. A., John F., and Sarah J. Politically, Mr. Fritz is a staunch supporter of the Union Labor party. S. B. Fritz, the fifth child of Silas and Letitia Fritz, was born in Owen County, Indiana, February 22, 1857. At the age of twelve years his parents removed to Missouri, remaining there one year; then they came to Iowa, locating in Palo Alto County, and afterward lived in Cass and Shelby counties. S. B., the subject of this biography, was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. After a residence of two years in Shelby County he went to the Black Hills, Dakota, remaining there until 1881 engaged in mining for gold. On his return to Shelby County in 1881 he rented a farm in the southern part of the county for one year. At the expiration of this time he came to Jefferson Township, and rented a farm for three years, and then came to Botna, engaging in the mercantile business; this he operated alone for about one year, when he established a grain market in connection with his mercantile interests. He has done an extensive business in grain, his annual shipments reaching 350 cars. Mr. Fritz is a live, energetic man, and has made his way from the bottom of the ladder to his present position. In the beginning of his mercantile venture he carried a stock of $500, and gradually increased it, until he now carries $5,000 in a well-selected stock of goods. Mr. Fritz has done much toward the building up of Shelby County; he has erected some good buildings and an elevator at Botna, and has made other improvements which have proven a benefit to the county. In January, 1889, he disposed of his mercantile and other interests in Botna and removed to a farm in section 15, Jefferson Township. Mr. Fritz was married May 11, 1884, to Sarah Slisher, daughter of Hero and Johanna Slisher, residents of Shelby County. Mrs. Fritz was born in Peoria, Illinois, January 4, 1855. They are the parents of two children - Helen and Gracie. Mr. Fritz is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a staunch Democrat. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 329-330. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

C. H. KEYES

C. H. KEYES, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, was born February 4, 1840. He is a son of Gershom and Matilda (Matheny) Keyes, and was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the common schools. At the breaking out of the late civil war, when there was a call for men to defend the flag of this nation, Mr. Keyes responded, enlisting in Company B, Thirty- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded March 28, 1865, near Mobile, Alabama, during the investing of Fort Spanish. He was thus disabled for active service dur ing the remainder of the war. He participated in a number of hard-fought battles, and after four years' service was discharged as Sergeant, having entered as a private. After the close of the rebellion he returned to his native county, pursuing his old avocation-farming. He resided in Sangamon and Christian counties until 1869, when he removed to Bourbon County, Kansas; there he lived until 1882, when he came to Shelby County, and settled on section 9, of Greeley Township. His farm consisted of eighty acres of unimproved land, which he has placed under good cultivation. He has made many valuable improvements in the way of erecting buildings and planting groves. He has added to his first purchase forty acres adjoining. He devotes himself to farming and stock-raising. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He is a member of Phelps' Post, No. 438, G. A. R. Mr. Keyes was married August 8, 1871, to Miss Hattie Burt, daughter of H. W. and Mary M. (Stam) Burt. Mrs. Keyes was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, April 25, 1848. They are the parents of two children - Gertie, born December 10, 1874, and Edwin C., born January 25, 1883. They are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 330-331. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

ROBERT PETERSON DAMMAND

ROBERT PETERSON DAMMAND, photographer, Harlan, is a native of Denmark, born in Horsens, September 6, 1855. He is a son of P. II. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Dammand, natives of Denmark. When he was thirteen years old his father died. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of his country, which he attended until he was fourteen years old. After leaving school he went on the farm, and remained a year and a half; then he went to the city of Horsens, where he engaged in various occupations until he came to America in 1873. He landed at Portland, Maine, and went from there to Montreal, Canada; he then went to Racine, Wisconsin, where he engaged in a wagon factory. He worked at this for some time, and then went on a farm, where he staid for a year and a half and then returned to his native country. There he worked at the carpenter's trade for three years, and afterward attended school for awhile. At the age of twenty-two he entered the army, according to the requirements of the Danish government, and served for fifteen months. After leaving the army he began the study of the photographer's art, and served an apprenticeship of eight months, when his employer died, and he again returned to his former trade of carpentering. He worked at that until 1880, when he, accompanied by his mother and sisters, came to America and settled in Story City, Iowa. Here Mr. Dammand remained four months, when he went to Des Moines and engaged in photography. Here he remained three years, and then went to Houghton, Michigan, where he resided one year. January 10, 1885, he came to Harlan and purchased the gallery of F. Reynolds, and has since been doing a profitable and satisfactory business. Mr. Dammand was united in marriage August 11, 1887, to Mrs. Lettie Potter, who was a native of Whiteside County, Illinois, and a daughter of Frederick Hille. Mr. and Mrs. Dammand are the parents of one child - Vera Lenore. Mrs. Dammand is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Dammand is a member of the Danish Lutheran church. Politically he is independent. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 331. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

JUDGE NATHAN W. MACY

JUDGE NATHAN W. MACY, Harlan, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since the autumn of 1879. He is a native of Indiana, born in Henry County, March 25, 1848; he is a son of Nathan and Jane (Wilson) Macy, natives of North Carolina. Nathan Macy, Sr., came to Henry County about the year 1830, and was married there; he followed farming until 1862, when he emigrated to Cedar County, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his days; he died in 1868, aged sixty-five years. The mother died in Indiana in 1857, at the age of forty-two years. Nathan W. Macy spent his youth in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the public schools. At the age of fourteen he came to Cedar County, Iowa, where he attended school, and graduated from the Normal and classical department of the State University at Iowa City. In 1873 and 1874 he was principal of the schools at West Liberty, Iowa. He began the study of his profession in 1874, and graduated in 1875; he commenced the practice of law in the fall of 1875, in Adel, Dallas County, with the firm of Willard & Calvert; the firm was known as Willard, Calvert & Macy. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Macy abandoned his profession on account of weakness of his eyes. For three years he was principal of the schools at West Branch, Cedar County. In the fall of 1879 he came to Harlan, and formed a partnership with Mr. D. W. Smith, the firm being Macy & Smith. After one year Mr. Smith was appointed deputy State treasurer, and withdrew from the firm. In November, 1882, Mr. Macy formed a partnership with Mr. Gammon, which continued until Mr. Macy was elected judge of the Fifteenth Judicial District, comprising Fremont, Page, Montgomery, Mills, Pottawattamie, Cass, Shelby and Audubon counties, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Macy was married October 5, 1875, to Miss Eunice Chambers, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John Chambers. By this union one child was born, that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Macy are members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Macy is a Republican. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 331-332. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

DANIEL W. CHASE

DANIEL W. CHASE, grocer, of Harlan, came to Shelby County in the fall of 1879. He is a native of New York, born in Oneida County, November 10, 1849. He is a son of Oliver T. Chase, a native of the same county and a son of Seth Chase, a descendant of William Chase, who was one of three brothers who came from England in 1670 and settled in Brattleboro, Vermont. During the latter part of the last century the Chase family settled in Otsego County, New York. The subject of this sketch is one of the ninth generation. His father, Oliver T., followed farming in New York until he emigrated to Iowa in 1880. He was married in 1843 to Miss Philena Walling, a native of New York, born in Columbia County. She was a daughter of Ebenezer Walling. The ancestors of Mr. Chase, on the paternal side, were from England, and from Holland on the maternal side. He and his wife were the parents of three children, all of whom survive - George B., of Dawes County, Nebraska; Daniel W. and Newton H. As before stated, the family came to Harlan in 1879, where the father died March 24, 1882, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Chase still lives in Harlan. They were both members of the Baptist church. Mr. Chase was an old-line Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party he cast his suffrage with that party. Daniel W., the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He lived with his parents until he reached his majority. He was married December 4, 1871, to Miss Malissa Bornt, a native of Otsego County, New York. By this union one child was born - Etta M. Chase. Mrs. Chase died July 29, 1875. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Chase took a trip through the west. February 8, 1876, he was again married to Miss Nellie Cady, a native of Ypsilanti, Michigan. By this marriage two children were born - Kitty Belle and Rosalie. Mr. Chase engaged in the grocery business when he came to Harlan, and has built up a large and profitable trade. He is the leading grocer of Harlan. Mr. Chase occupies the corner store in the Opera-House Block, and carries a large stock of groceries and queensware. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a Republican. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 332-333. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

DAVID B. SHELLER

DAVID B. SHELLER, of the firm of Sheller & Phelps, real-estate, loans and abstracts, at Harlan, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, September 6, 1853. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Butterbaugh) Sheller, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. Mr. Sheller was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education. He resided with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, in December, 1875, he came to Iowa, and accepted a position in the Dallas Bank, of Dallas Centre, Iowa, where he remained until March 22, 1880; he then came to Harlan and formed a partnership with J. I. Myerly, and engaged in his present business. In January, 1882, Mr. J. W. Harrod became associated with the firm, which was then known as Myerly, Sheller & Harrod. The business was thus continued until the following June, when Mr. Myerly withdrew, and the business was continued by Sheller & Harrod. January 25, 1887, Mr. Harrod withdrew, and Mr. Sheller continued alone until the following November, when he took Mr. D. Phelps as a partner. The firm is now known as Sheller & Phelps; they transact a successful business, principally in abstracts, loans and real-estate. Mr. Sheller was married November 6, 1880, to Miss Theda Allen, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of W. T. and Julia Allen. Mrs. Sheller is a member and zealous worker in the Congregational church. Mr. Sheller is a member of the A.F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49; and Lebanon Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, No. 8. He has been secretary of the Shelby County Agricultural Society since 1885, and is now secretary of Harlan Business Association, and secretary and treasurer of Western Iowa Poultry and Pet Stock Association. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 333. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

HON. M. K. CAMPBELL

HON. M. K. CAMPBELL, Cashier of the Shelby County Bank. In looking through the histories of the body of responsible men of the country, the men who turn the wheel, we find that the majority of them either lived until early manhood, or else through boyhood, upon a farm. So it will seem that no fault can be found with the influence that early communion with Nature has upon the full years of manhood. M. K. Campbell, the subject of this biography, has been found well equipped and fully equal to the duties that have devolved upon him, and Shelby County has not been the loser thereby; her interests have been identical with his since 1873, when he came to Shelby County to live. Mr. Campbell was born in the Buckeye State, Belmont County, November 1, 1837; he is a son of William and Mary (Kerr) Campbell, who were formerly from Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent. When only a small boy he came to Iowa with William Ramodge, with whom he made his home until he went into the army. He first settled in Jasper County, engaging in various pursuits; he attended the Central University, Pilla, Iowa, and taught school for a time. At the breaking out of the civil war he responded to the call for defenders of our nation's flag. He enlisted July 14, 1861, in the Fifth Iowa volunteer Infantry, Company B. After the regiment was organized at Burlington, they went to Keokuk, and then to Missouri, where they remained until the following spring, when they went south. Mr. Campbell participated in the following battles: New Madrid, Missouri, Iuka, Corinth, and the expedition down the Yazoo Pass; during this march, in the spring of 1863, he contracted a malarial fever, which unfitted him for duty for the rest of his term of service. He was honorably discharged in August, 1864. He returned to Jasper County, and was married September 6, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Currier, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Rev. Joshua Currier. He engaged in the mercantile business until he came to Shelby County, in the autumn of 1873; he then settled upon an unimproved tract of land in Lincoln Township, one and a half miles from Harlan, where J. H. Lewis now lives; here he improved a farm of 160 acres, and resided until 1881, when he removed to Harlan. He then engaged in the land business for a short time, and in December, 1880, he aided in the organization of one of Shelby County's solid institutions, the Shelby County Bank. He was chosen one of the directors, and in August, 1883, he was elected cashier of the bank, and has since held this position. In 1876 Mr. Campbell was elected by the Republican party to represent the counties of Shelby, Cass, Adair and Audubon in the Sixteenth General Assembly, serving one term. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were the parents of three children, one of whom survives - Carl C., who is being educated at Grinnell College; Gracie died when four years of age, and Fanny, at the age of nineteen years, while attending Tabor College. Mrs. Campbell was called from her husband and children to her last rest, in February, 1882. She was a worthy member of the Baptist church. Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Todd, of Tabor, Iowa, September 27, 1884; she is a daughter of the Rev. John Todd. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are both active and worthy members of the Congregational church. Politically Mr. Campbell lends his support to the Republican party. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 333-334. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

H. HARROD

H. HARROD, ex clerk of the Shelby County Court, has been identified with the interests of the county since his residence here, which began in July, 1871. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 12, 1843, and is a son of John and Rachel (Veatch) Harrod, natives of Pennsylvania. The former was born in Washington County, and is a son of Michael Harrod, of English ancestry; the latter was born in Greene County-a daughter of Nathan Veatch, of Scotch descent. John Harrod settled in Knox County, Ohio, in 1814, where he claimed a farm from out the heart of the forest; here he remained to the end of his earthly career, following agricultural pursuits. He departed this life May 26, 1879 at the age of seventy-two years. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom still survive. Mrs. Harrod still lives on the old homestead, at the advanced age of eighty- three years. H. Harrod, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools; he remained with his parents until his majority. In 1865 he came to Iowa, and settled on a farm, that was unimproved, in Poweshiek County, where he remained until January, 1871. He then came to Shelby County, and settled in Shelby, engaging in general mercantile business; he followed this alone for a year and a half, when his brother became associated with him, and the firm was known as Harrod Brothers. This firm continued until the summer of 1876, when they sold out. H. Harrod then occupied himself in dealing in stock for about one year, at the end of which time he returned to his home, and cared for his father and the home farm until the death of his father; he settled the estate, and returned to Iowa in 1884. He purchased 240 acres of improved land in Lincoln Township, section 22, and followed farming until he was elected clerk of the court, in the fall of 1886. He has attended to the duties of this office in connection with his farm work, directing special attention to stock-raising. Mr. Harrod was married September 27, 1868, to Miss Harriet L. Shearer, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Snell) Shearer, both of German descent. They were the parents of four children -- Charles E., John Sherman, Mary L. and Ada E. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. Charles E. and John Sherman are also members of the Christian church. Politically Mr. Harrod affiliates with the Republican party. When residing in Shelby he was appointed postmaster under President Grant's administration, and served for two years. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 334-335. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

DWIGHT TERRILL

DWIGHT TERRILL, farmer and stock- raiser, section 1, Harlan Township, is the oldest living settler in the eastern part of Shelby County, Iowa, having come here in August, 1853. He is a native of Ohio, born in Lorain County, July 8, 1830. He is a son of Horace J. and Minerva (McNeal) Terrill, natives of Connecticut. Dwight Terrill's grandfather was the first settler in Ridgeville Township, Lorain County, Ohio, and an aunt of his was the first white woman who settled in Ridgeville Township. His parents were reared and married in Lorain County, and there reared their own family of thirteen children, of whom eight still survive. Dwight was fourteen years old when his family removed to the Territory of Iowa, and settled in Monroe County, where he made a claim; here the mother died. The father died in Sullivan County, Missouri. When thirteen years of age, our subject started out to seek his own fortune; he worked on a farm in Monroe County for two months, and then went to Ray County, Missouri, where he worked on a farm, receiving from $8 to $10 per month for his labor. He then returned to Iowa, and engaged in various occupations until his marriage to Miss Louisa Tinsley, in February, 1853. Miss Tinsley was a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas Tinsley, who was among the pioneers of Iowa. The following fall Mr. and Mrs. Terrill removed to what is now Shelby County, and took a claim, which they purchased at the first government land sale. Mr. Terrill afterward entered 120 acres more, which he began to improve. Mrs. Terrill died September 23, 1853. Mr. Terrill was again married, November 15, 1854, to Miss Catherine Bowman, a daughter of Leonard Bowman, who was a native of Pennsylvania; he drifted west with civilization, and settled in Iowa; Bowman's Grove is named for him. Mrs. Terrill was born in Elkhart County, Indiana; her father died in June, 1877, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Terrill resided upon his farm, which he improved and sold in 1862, and removed to Cass County, Nebraska; here he resided four years. He then went to Taylor County, Iowa, and settled on a farm on the Missouri line, half of the farm lying in Missouri; here he resided for eight years and sold out, and returned to Shelby County. Here he purchased his home farm of 320 acres; it is well-improved and is in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Terrill are the parents of four children, three of whom still survive - Asa, of Taylor County, Iowa; Minerva, (deceased), wife of Charles Gish; Daniel, of this county, and Leora. Politically, Mr. Terrill affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a self-made man, and by his industry and exertion has accumulated a large property, which he uses to the best advantage in surrounding himself and family with all the comforts of life. In the late civil war he enlisted April, 1863, in the Second Nebraska Cavalry, Company F, and served in northern Dakota. He participated in one hard-fought battle with the Indians. He served nine months, and was honorably discharged in December, 1863. He was mustered out of the service at Nebraska City. Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 335-336. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.

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