1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Shorett |
Pieffer |
M Larson |
Roundy |
Collins |
Cosgrove |
Bonne |
Booker |
Colby |
Kidd |
Means |
Kostelecky |
Morris |
Edwards |
Brown |
N Larson
LEWIS SHORETT has been identified with the history of Shelby County since April, 1872. He was born in New York, July 16, 1846, and is a son of Antoine and Amelio (Des Vough) Shorett. They were the parents of eleven children -- Antoine, Philus, Joseph, Amelio, widow of Mr. Pratt; Lewis, Harriett, Mrs. Potter, two children who died in infancy; Jefferson, who went south before the war, and is supposed to be dead, as he has not been heard from since;
Mary Goodal (deceased), and Louisa Smith (deceased). When a mere child of ten years Lewis left home and began the battle of life. He worked as a farm hand until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, July 16, 1861, his fifteenth birthday. He was sworn into the United States service September 1, 1861. He was in the following engagements, besides many skirmishes: Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, campaign of Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and the battle of Bentonville. He was discharged July 12, 1865; his regiment disbanded in Chicago July 16, 1865, and he reached home July 20. Mr. Shorett was married December 10, 1867, to Miss Harriett A., daughter of John and Susana (Hunter) Hopkins. She was born in New York December 11, 1848. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shorett lived in Whiteside County, Illinois, for four years. In 1872 they started to Iowa, traveling with teams. Mr. Shorett first bought forty acres of wild land and built a rude hut, in which they lived for a number of years. He now owns 320 acres of land in a high state of cultivation and well improved - otherwise. He carries on farming and general stock-raising, shipping a car-load of cattle and from one to two car-loads of hogs annually from his own place; he also does some buying and shipping. From the time the Chicago, Milwaukee & Saint Paul Railroad came through Panama until recently, Mr. Shorett bought
stock and grain at that point. He was a member of the county board of supervisors two terms, and has served in all the township offices. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a liberal contributor to all public enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Shorett have had three children -- Augusta (deceased), John Berton and Judson W.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 505-506. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. M. PIEFFER is one of the leading merchants of Panama. He keeps a general stock of hardware and jewelry, carrying a stock of $2,500. He has been in this business since February, 1888, having bought out Nelson Swenning. He had bought out L. M. Eby, who had established the business in 1881. Mr. Pieffer is a native of Shelby County, Iowa, born March 15, 1859. He is a son of Benjamin and Elmira (Kauble) Pieffer, who are the parents of five children
-- Hattie, the wife of Caleb Smith; Benjamin F., J. M., Fannie E., the wife of F. J. Swenning, and William H. Benjamin Pieffer, Sr., came from Pennsylvania to Kanesvil!e, now Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1852. He remained there but a short time, and then came to Monroe Township, Shelby County, and entered fifty-nine acres of land from the government, which he still makes his home. He has made additional purchases until he now owns 290 acres, all under cultivation. He carried on general farming and stock-raising until he retired from active business. He and his wife are natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pieffer was born September 5, 1823, and Mrs. Pieffer was born May, 1824. Both are of German descent. J. M. Pieffer remained with his parents until he was nineteen years old, assisting with the work on the home farm. He then engaged in farming for himself, and continued that
occupation until he bought his present business.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 509. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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( portrait)
The subject of this biography was born at Stevenger, Norway, November 4, 1842, and is the second of a family of eight children -- the others being Augustine, Lewis, Christian, Maria, Stena (deceased), wife of T. B. Olson; Christena and Sarah. The parents were Larse and Stena Larson, natives
of Norway. In 1864 the family emigrated to America and settled in Henry County, Iowa. Soon after they removed to Mahaska County, where Mr. Larson, Sr., died in 1870. The family came to Shelby County in 1880, and in 1887 Mrs. Larson died at Manning, the residence of one of her sons. Stevenger
being a seaport town, Marselius early became familiar with seamen and vessels, and longed to be a sailor lad; so, when he had arrived at his thirteenth year he secured a berth as cabin boy, and in a few years became a full-fledged sailor. For seven years he trod the decks of a sailing vessel, but seeing no chance of promotion above the level of a common sailor, without more of an education than he possessed or had facilities of acquiring, he decided to leave the sea and come to America, in which country better opportunities would be open to him.
Accordingly we find him at twenty-two years of age in the United States, working to secure a home for his loved one, who had crossed the ocean with his own family. It took but a short time to satisfy him that he could provide for two, and so after a few months they were united for life. Mrs. Larson's maiden name was Hannah Svensen, and she was born at Stevenger, October 21, 1843. They were married December 28, 1864. The first two years
in America Mr. Larson spent as a sailor upon the lakes, leaving his wife with his father's family. He then secured fifty acres of land in Mahaska County, Iowa, and besides farming that he dug wells and did odd jobs of masonry and painting, turning his hand ti anything to earn an honest penny.
In 1880 Mr. Larson removed to Shelby County, Iowa desiring to secure more land than was available in the older county. His present home "Hillside Farm," in Douglas Township, two miles east of Kirkman, consists of 200 acres of excellent land, all of which is finely improved. He has a nicely located commodious house, well arranged stables and yards and plenty of live-stock of the best breeds Mr. Larson affiliates with the Republican party, and has frequently been called to positions requiring executive ability and public confidence. He was a county delegate to the Des Moines convention to select delegates to the Chicago presidential convention in 1888. He is the present chairman of the township board of trustees, and has been a trustee for
the last seven years. Having always taken an active interest in educational matters, he has often been elected to the board of education. He was active as a director in the organization of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, and much of its success and prosperity are due to his personal attention.
The confidence of the board of directors in his ability was shown by choosing him president of the company, a position he is now filling for the third time. Quitting Norway when a young man Mr. Larson has held a desire to revisit the scenes of his boyhood, and in 1885 he carried the desire into execution. Once more crossing the ocean that was his home for so many years, he passed several pleasant months among old scenes with the companions of his youth, and returned to appreciate more fully the country of his adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have nine children -- Lewis G., Julia Ann, wife of
Thomas Errett, of Nebraska; Regena Belle, an intelligent young lady of nineteen; Mary, wife of Sherman H. Tague, of Shelby County; Marcus G., Alma Margretta, Dora, Edgar and Alfred.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 506-509. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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NEWTON J. ROUNDY, a resident of Washington Township, is an old settler, having come to the county in 1851. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, March 27, 1850, and is the son of Washington and Alvira (Williams) Roundy, being the oldest of a family of eleven children. He remained at home working on his father's farm until he was nineteen years old, when he went to work by the month for another farmer. March 17, 1870, he was married to Miss Anna Kleeb, a daughter of John and Barbara (Spars) Kleeb. She was one of a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom survive. She was born in
Fayette County, Iowa, August 17, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Roundy are the parents of five children -- Carrie A., John E., George W., Albert B. and Lorinda B., who died July 25, 1888. Her death was very sad, being caused by her clothing catching fire from matches with which she was playing. Her brother George rode to Panama, three and a half miles distant, and brought back the physician, Dr. Gregg, in thirty minutes. But there was no help for her, and after four days of suffering her soul was released from the tortured little body. For three years after his marriage Mr. Roundy rented land. He then concluded to go to Nebraska, but his father offered to make him a gift of forty acres of land in Shelby County if he would live upon it. He accepted this proposition, and made this place his home for three years. He then sold it to his father and bought eighty acres, which are included in his present farm; it consists of 485 acres, 295 of which are under the plow, 140 in pasture, and fifty in hay land. In 1888 Mr. Roundy erected a fine frame residence at a
cost of $2,400. He handles live-stock quite extensively, shipping from 150 to 200 head of hogs each year, and from two to three car loads of cattle. Politically Mr. Roundy is inclined to the principles of the Democratic party. He has served his township as assessor, clerk, trustee, and is the present treasurer. He is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 32, A. F. & A. M.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 509-510. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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DAVID COLLINS, a farmer residing in Washington Township, is one of the oldest settlers of Washington Township, Shelby County, having come there in 1871. He sold his farm in Ogle County, Illinois, and came to Iowa, and bought forty acres in Washington Township, Shelby County. At that time there was not a house within a mile of Mr. Collins's place. He improved this small farm and made it his home until 1880, when he removed to eighty acres which he had purchased the year previous, and which is now his home. He has filled the offices of township clerk two terms, township trustee, and secretary of the school board; the last-named office he has held since March, 1884. David Collins is a native of Massachusetts, and was born May 25, 1837. I{e is a son of Timothy and Caroline (Wing) Collins, and the oldest and only surviving one of a family of three; his brother died at the age of three years, and his sister at the age of nine months. When he was but seven years old his mother died, and three years later his father was killed by the caving in of a bank; at the time he was attending school in Boston. In the year 1840 he went to Cape Cod and worked on a farm until 1855. He then went to sea for
two years, making several trips abroad. In 1857 he left the water and came west, arriving in Chicago April 16, 1857. Mr. Collins was married March 18, 1860, to Miss Elsie M. Wade, the daughter of Henry and Emeline (Norton) Wade. Shortly after his marriage he enlisted, August 29, 1863, in the army
for the defense of this nation, and was enrolled in Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was in several skirmishes and battles, and the siege of Charleston. He was duty sergeant two years. He says his regiment was one of the most lucky until 1864. He was mustered out of the service September 10, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia. He then returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1865 bought forty acres of land in Ogle County, Illinois, which he made his home until removing to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of nine children -- Ella, wife of Adelbert Whitney; Dora Josephine, wife of O. D. Whitney; Henry A., at home; Lulu May, wife of Edwin Foot; Nellie, Minnie, Laura, Jessie, all at home. The second born died in infancy. Mr. Collins votes the Republican ticket.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 510-511. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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THOMAS COSGROVE, a farmer and stock-raiser of Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County, Iowa, since 1875. He was born in the County Mayo, half baronet of Erris, Ireland, July 25, 1828, and is the son of James and Mary (Robinson) Cosgrove. They were the parents of ten children, all deceased except Thomas. In 1847 he left Ireland and went over to England, remaining there until 1849, when he went to the Isle of Wight. There he remained until 1851, when he crossed the sea in the service of the British army, under Colonel Lochair. He was stationed at Halifax, and in 1852 he went to Boston and entered the United States service in Company G, Third Artillery, commanded by Major Robert Anderson, at Fort Sumter. On account of disability he was discharged July 19, 1863. From Boston he went to St. Louis the same year, and worked at his trade in a foundry for three and a half years. For several years after that he was engaged in running a stationary engine. He left St. Louis in 1863 because he did not wish to join the Southern army, and came to Clinton County, Iowa, engaging in farming and keeping a grocery store. In 1875 he came to Shelby County, as before stated. His first investment in the county was in eighty acres of wild land. He owns at the present day 240 acres, all under cultivation. He carries on general farming, and devotes some time to raising special grades of live-stock. Politically Mr. Cosgrove casts his vote with the
Republicans. He has served his township as road supervisor and as school director. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mary W. McAndrews, daughter of Antony and Mary (Burk) McAndrews. The wedding occurred in St. Louis. Mrs. Cosgrove was born in Ireland in 1834. They have had born to them eleven children; two of them died in St. Louis when children, and were buried there. James, a promising young man, died in Shelby County, Iowa, at the age of twenty-nine years. Those living are -- Sarah, wife of Michael McAndrews; Margaret, Rosa, wife of Michael Nash; Mary, wife of Patrick Grady; Bridget, Antony, Dominick and Catherine.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 511. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. C. BONNE, undertaker and dealer in furniture and farm implements, is one of the well-known business men of Shelby, where he located and began business in June, 1878. He started in a small way in a building where he had his furniture and workshop. He has been industrious and his trade has constantly increased. He has added warerooms and filled them with a well-selected stock of goods. In 1883 he added to his furniture and undertaking business farm machinery, and carries a large stock of standard make of goods. He does a business of $6,000 per annum. Mr. Bonne is a native of Denmark, and was born December 20, 1846. He is a son of M. P. and Mary Ann (Christianson) Bonne. He was reared in his native country, and attended school until he was fourteen years of age. For three years he worked on a farm. At the age of seventeen he began working at the painter's trade, but owing to ill-health he gave it up and worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1873 he landed at Quebec, and then went to New Jersey, where he worked for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company at Dover. From swinging a large hammer in the workshop he was promoted to assistant in building passenger coaches. He lived here until 1878, when he came to Shelby, to better his fortunes in the west and grow up with a new country. In addition to his other business Mr. Bonne operates a blacksmith-shop, where he keeps an experienced workman. He is an honorable and fair business man, and has many friends. He was married in 1875 to Miss Dorothea Katherine Henrickson. They have three children -- Alfenia Hellen, Leah Abbe and a baby boy. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Omaha, Nebraska.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 511-512. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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E. B. BOOKER, dealer in agricultural and farm implements and machinery, established his business at Shelby March, 1886. He carries a full line of goods, such as one will find in a first-class establishment. He is fair and honorable in his dealings and has a good trade, which he well merits. During the season of 1888 his sales amounted to between $5,000 and $6,000. He also deals quite extensively in flour and feed, in which he has a good trade. Mr. Booker is a native of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1855, and was ten years of age before his parents removed to Johnson
County, Iowa; here he grew to manhood. His youth was passed on the farm and in attending the common schools. In 1878 he came to Harrison County, a few miles northwest of Shelby, where he bought wild land and improved it in good style; he engaged in farming until the spring of 1886, when he started in business in Shelby. He was married in Johnson County, Iowa, in 1878 to Miss S. A. Dennison, of that county. They have two children -- Myrtle D. and Roy Vance. Mr. Booker's business is located in what is known as the Campbell building, near the center of trade. He has extensive rooms for his business, in fact one of the best in the town.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 512. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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GEORGE F. COLBY is one of the well-known early settlers of Shelby County, and an ex-soldier of the late war. He was born in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, July 5, 1836, a son of Ira and Polly (Foster) Colby. He was reared in the place of his birth and was educated in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he took Horace Greeley's advice and came west. He spent some years in the west and south, and just before the war broke out located in southern Illinois. He enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Company E, in July, 1861, taking an active part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and going with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He served three years in the Twenty-fourth Illinois, then re-enlisted in the Eighteenth Kentucky, where he served ten months; he was honorably discharged as a private He then returned to the north and engaged in the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture, settling in Fayette County, Iowa. He was united in marriage at McGregor, Iowa, October 28, 1867, to Miss Cornelia Lawson, a lady of intelligence of that town, a daughter of John D., now of Lincoln Township, this county. Mr. Colby engaged in farming in Fayette County until 1873, when he came to Shelby County and bought 240 acres of wild land in sections 9 and 10, Shelby Township; this he has improved and has built a good house and barn, and has set out a grove, so there is no better farm in the neighborhood. He made this his home until the fall of 1888, when he came to the village of Shelby to give his children better educational advantages. Mr. Colby is a Republican and a strong adherent to the principles of the party; his first vote was cast for Lincoln. He has served as trustee and as a member of the school board. He is a member of the G. A. R, Dick Yates Post, No. 361; also a member of the A. F. & A. M., and the Mt. Zion Commandery at Harlan. Mr. and Mrs. Colby are both worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shelby. They have two children, a son and a daughter -- George William and H. Etta. Mr. Colby is a man well known in the county, cordial to all, honorable in business and always gives his hearty support to any enterprise to advance religion and education. He is one of Shelby's most valuable and respected citizens.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 512 & 515. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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( portrait)
CHARLES KIDD, one of the pioneer settlers of Douglas Township, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in the year 1818. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Kidd, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native State and received his education in the public schools; in addition to the
opportunities afforded in school, he has enjoyed the advantages of traveling through the States of Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois. In 1856 he came to Douglas Township, Shelby County, and has improved a farm of 160 acres in sections 16 and 17. Mr. Kidd is a member of
the Republican party, and has been officially identified with this body in his township. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years. Mr. Kidd's wife, who was Miss Susan Williams, died in Missouri in 1854. She was a native of the State of Ohio, and survived her marriage a little over one
year. Mr. Kidd has always been a lover of law and order, and has ever upheld all enterprises tending to the advancement of the community.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 514-515. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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OTHO MEANS is one of Shelby's intelligent and respected citizens; he came to the town in December, 1882. He is a native of Lewis County, West Virginia, born February 3, 1821; he is a son of Isaac Means, a native of the same place; his grandmother was a native of Ireland; his father's brother
served five years in the United States army and was in the war of 1812; he died at Galena, Illinois. The mother of our subject was a Miss Elizabeth Starcher, a native of Virginia, and of German ancestry. The parents had nine children of whom Otho was the oldest; there were four sons and five daughters. The family removed from Virginia to Morrow County, Ohio, in 1883, and were among the early settlers. Otho assisted his father to clear the land of heavy timber, and received his education in the subscription schools and the Marion Academy. Later he engaged in teaching, and taught some twelve terms. In 1858 he removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, near Warsaw, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for two years. In 1852 he was elected county surveyor and served four years. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, when Lincoln called for 300,000 men, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-fourth Indiana Volunteers. He was in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Buzzard's Roost. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, as musician, fifer of the regular musicians.
In the fall of 1865 he removed to Johnson County, Iowa, near Iowa City, where he bought a farm and engaged in its cultivation until 1882, when he
came to Shelby. He bought the homestead of W. F. Cleveland, a fine house situated in the east part of the village, where he has all the comforts of a good home. Mr. Means is engaged in the insurance business, representing the most reliable companies in the country. Politically Mr. Means is a Republican; he cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He was elected mayor of Shelby in 1886 and 1887, serving with credit to himself and to the best interests of the town. He is a member of G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364. He has served as Chaplain. He is a member of the Good Templars, No. 430. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years and is one of the stewards. He was married September 3, 1850, to Catherine Grouse, who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and reared in Richmond County, Ohio. They have four children living -- James H., John F., of Woodbury County, Iowa; Mrs. Geneva A. Sampey, and Charles Henry. Mrs. Means died January 15, 1885; she was a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church from the time she was sixteen years old. Mr. Means is a man well informed, firm in his belief of right and wrong, honest in business; he has the confidence and respect of all.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 515-516. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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JAP MORGAN, Mayor of Shelby, and one of its well-known business men, has been identified with the town since April, 1881; he is a native of the Hawkeye State and was born in Scott County, December 6, 1848. His father was William Morgan, who was born in Greene County, Indiana; his mother, Elizabeth (Stafford) Morgan, was a native of Indiana. The Morgan family came to Scott County in June, 1845; there were ten children in the family, Jap being the third child. His youth was passed on a farm and in attending school. He resided at home until 1871, when he went west, where he spent two years at different points; he then returned to Iowa, where he made his home; in 1878 he moved to Jasper County, where he lived three years, opening a meat-market; in 1881 he came to Shelby, where he is proprietor of the meat market, and has a good trade. He also deals extensively in live-stock, being junior member in the firm of Winters & Morgan, stock-shippers. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat. He was married in Scott County, October 10, 1877, to Miss Etta Gibson, of that county. They have two children -- Bert and O. Ethel. Mr. Morgan stands high in the community, both as a business man and politically; he is a man friendly to all and has many admirers.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 516. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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CHARLES KOSTELECKY is the proprietor of the city livery; feed, sale and exchange stables, located on the north side of Main Street, where he has a large barn for horses, carriage-rooms and offices; everything is conveniently arranged, and all the details of the business are promptly attended to by him or his assistants. He keeps a good stock of carriages, phaetons and spring-wagons for his trade. He started in business in 1882. He has been a resident of Shelby eleven years. Mr. Kostelecky is a Bohemian by birth and was born in March, 1854. He is a son of Joseph Kostelecky; he was a lad eight years old when his parents came to America and located in Johnson County, Iowa, near Iowa City, where he grew to manhood. His father was a blacksmith, but Charles's first manual labor was on the farm. He received his education in the public schools. In 1877 he came to Shelby; he first did teaming, then he engaged in draying, doing quite an extensive business; in 1882 he began the livery business. He is a man of unusually great physical strength and activity. By a strict attention to his business he has secured a good trade, and is well worthy of it. Mr. Kostelecky was married at Iowa City in 1878 to Miss Lena Brotershoky, of Iowa City; they have four daughters -- Anna, Nell, Sada and Lena. Mr. Kostelecky is a Republican, and is one of Shelby's active business men.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 516-517. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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D. E. MORRIS is one of the early settlers of the township, coming to the county in the spring of 1870. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, January 18, 1838. He is a son of Dennis Morris, a native of Seneca County, New York, and Olive Orpha (Hough) Morris, a native of Canada, although reared in Connecticut. D. E. Morris is the oldest of thirteen children. When he was four years old his parents removed to Peoria County, Illinois, where they were early settlers; here he grew to man's estate; he was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of the country. During the Rebellion he went to the defense of the old flag; he enlisted October 10, 1861, in the Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, Company H, at Lincoln's call for 300,000 more men, and was mustered into the service December 26, 1861. He was first under fire at Fort Donelson; later in the battles of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Corinth, Town Creek, Resaca, Kingston, Rome, Altoona Pass, Atlanta, Savannah, Bentonville, and Sherman's march to the sea; he was honorably discharged December 25, 1864. He then returned to Peoria County, Illinois. He was married to Miss Mary C. Vanduyn, October 10, 1865; she was a native of Seneca County, New York, and a daughter of Dennis and Margaret (Mapes) Vanduyn. Mr. Morris engaged in farming and carpenter work until 1870, when he came to Shelby County. In 1872 he came to the land in Shelby Township where he now lives; it was wild prairie land, and he was one of the first settlers in the neighborhood; he has improved the land and has a good, comfortable house, a barn for grain and stock,
and six acres of grove, all indicating the energy and economy of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have three children -- Allen B., Ellis Frank and Jennie Blanche. Mr. Morris is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R, Dick Yates Post, No. 364, and a member of the Legion of Honor. He is a man well posted, kind to all, and one of Shelby Township's best citizens and representative men.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 517. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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WILLIAM EDWARDS is one of the representative men of Shelby Township; he came here in June, 1869. He was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, April
12, 1838; he is the son of E. J. and Ceynor (Phillips) Edwards; he was but eighteen months old when his parents came to America. They first settled in Jackson County, Ohio, and later in Gallia County, Ohio. William E. was reared a farmer and was educated in the common schools. In the great Rebellion, at the first call for three months' men, he enlisted at Rock Island, where he was living at the time, in the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Company C. He served his time, and in the fall of 1862, at the call for 300,000 more men, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois, Company H, for three years; he took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg, and was in General Steele's expedition from Helena to Little Rock. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865, as First Lieutenant, having been a brave and gallant officer. He came to Mahaska County, Iowa, where, in company with a brother, he engaged in mercantile business at Beacon. About three years later he sold his interest, and improved some land he owned in Monroe
County, Iowa. In 1869 he settled on 160 acres of land that he owned in Shelby County; here he has since made his home. His farm lies about two and a half miles north of Shelby; he has a good house, an orchard, a grove and a windmill; the grove contains six acres. He was married September 13, 1876, to Miss Mary Jane Cousins, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and reared in Muscatine County, Iowa; she is a daughter of William and Margaret (Armstrong) Cousins. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have two children -- Hannah Myrtle, born June 20, 1877, and Mary Agnes, born November 10, 1882. Mr. Edwards is a Republican; he has served on the school board with credit to himself; he is a member of the Masonic order, Shelby Lodge. He and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He has always taken an active interest in religious and educational affairs. He is kind and hospitable, and has made many friends in his western home.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 517-518. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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R. C. BROWN came to Shelby County in April, 1872. He was born in Jackson County, Indiana, February 19, 1847. He is a son of the Rev. J. D. and
Jane Brown. The mother's name was Stillwell. R. C. was a lad of eight years when his father moved to Carroll County, Illinois. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the Carroll County public schools and at Eagle Point Seminary, Illinois. He engaged in teaching, and taught for several
years, both in Illinois and Iowa. During the late war he enlisted in April, 1864, in the One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, Company D. He was honorably discharged in November, 1864. He was married March 6, 1872, to Miss Ella A. Frazee, born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
When she was ten years of age her parents came to Carroll County, Illinois; she was a daughter of Noah and Eliza (Maiken) Frazee. Mr. Brown settled in Shelby in 1872, and engaged in teaching for three years. In 1875 he settled on a farm, where he has since lived. He has a good house, a fine grove and an orchard. His farm contains eighty acres of good rich land near the village. He has engaged in farming and general stock-raising; everything about the farm indicates the energy and thrift of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children -- Claude R. and Grant C. Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has served as township assessor, as township clerk, and as a member of the school board. He has filled all these offices with
credit to himself. He is a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364, and has served as Quartermaster for three years. He has taken an active interest in education and religion, and every enterprise that had for its object the advancement of the community. He is cordial and genial in his disposition, and has made many friends among the citizens of Shelby Township.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 518. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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N. LARSON is one of the well-known prominent citizens of Shelby Township. He came to Shelby County in the fall of 1870. He was born in Niagara
County, New York, December 26, 1841; he is the son of J. B. Larson, a well known citizen of the township. Nathaniel was but a lad of four years when his parents came to McHenry County, Illinois, where they lived a few years; they then removed to Clayton County, Iowa. Our subject was brought up
on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of McHenry County, Illinois, and Clayton County, Iowa. He was one of the first to answer the call for 75,000 men. He enlisted October 20, 1861, in the Thirteenth United States Regular Army, Com- pany C, and served three years. He was
with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was first under fire at Yazoo Bottom, Arkansas Post, Black Bayou, Champion Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Collierville, Tennessee, and Missionary Ridge. Our subject enlisted as a private and was discharged as Sergeant, October 20, 1864, having served three years as a faithful and gallant soldier. He returned to Clayton County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1865 moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was married July 3, 1866, to Miss Emma Price, a daughter of Daniel Price (deceased), who was one of Shelby Township's well-known pioneers. Mr. Larson, in the spring of 1867, moved to Howard County, Iowa, where he lived until lie came to Shelby County in 1870; here he bought 100 acres of wild land, where he has since lived. He now owns 320 acres of as good land as the county affords. Eighty-seven and one-half acres lie in Lincoln Township, section 31, and the balance in section 4, Shelby Township. His farm is well improved; he has a good house and barn, also sheds for stock and a windmill. He has a grove of ten acres. Everything bespeaks the energy and wise management of the owner; he is engaged in stock-raising and feeding extensively. He has thorough-bred and high-grade cattle. Mr. Larson and wife have five children -- Ethel, Fred D., Roy G., Ralph and Grant. The two eldest attend Mount Vernon Seminary, Iowa. Mr. Larson is a Republican, he served two years as assessor and two years as trustee, which he did with credit to himself and the best interest of the township. He is a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates Post No. 364; he is one of the charter members. He has always liberally supported any worthy enterprise. He is cordial to all, genial in his disposition, and has secured the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 518-519. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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