1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Mitchell |
Darling |
Closter |
McDowell |
Michaelson |
Groat |
Martinson |
Wadkins |
Hon |
Perry |
Sarvis |
Cooper |
Watterbury |
Olson |
Brown |
Albers
THOMAS MITCHELL, a native of the north of Ireland, born about 1826, is the son of Charles and Sarah (McKee) Mitchell, natives of Donegall and Tyrone
counties. When our subject was about seven years old the family came to America, to Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, where they remained about six years on a farm; from there they went to Holmes County, Ohio, remaining about seven years; then they went to Knox County, Illinois, remaining until 1874,
when Mr. Mitchell came with his wife to Iowa, settling in Shelby County, Douglas Township, section 4, on a farm of 240 acres of wild and unimproved land. Here he erected a house and commenced life afresh in the new country. This land he has improved until to-day his farm ranks with the finest in
the county, all of which he has accomplished by hard and unremitting labor. They had to undergo many hardships in the beginning of their life in the new country, but they faced them bravely, and have succeeded in making themselves comfortable for life. Mr. Mitchell was married July 18, 1852, to Lucinda, daughter of Adam and Sophia Hendricks, natives of North Carolina and Indiana. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Indiana, January 4, 1831. They are the parents of eleven children -- Sarah, wife of C. Landon, of Shelby County; Mary, wife of Samuel Bird, of Shelby County; Alexander, also residing in
Shelby County; Ellen, wife of Edmond Cazad, residing in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Anna, wife of Henry Wells, of Defiance, Shelby County; Jane, wife of John Anderson, of Shelby County; Albert, of Shelby County; Alvin, of Shelby County; Laudeema (deceased); Laura, wife of Albert Bigler, residing in Clay County, Iowa; Ora, at home. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Christian church, and they are among Shelby County's most valuable and esteemed citizens. Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat. He now possesses 700 acres of land, most of which he has placed under cultivation.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 534. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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THOMAS DARLING was born in New York, December 6, 1821; he is the son of John and Hannah (Pennock) Darling, both natives of New York. He was
brought up on a farm and received his education in the common schools, which at that time were not the best. He devoted himself chiefly to farming, but at times engaged in lumbering on the Allegheny. About the year 1858 he came west and settled in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, where he remained
until 1871; he then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and rented land for several years; in 1880 he purchased forty acres in section 2, of wild uncultivated land; the same summer he purchased another forty acres, and has continued to buy until he now owns 375 acres of as fine land as lies in Shelby County. He has made most of the improvements himself. He has a substantial frame house and a barn for grain and stock; everything indicates the economy and good management of the owner. He is a live, energetic man, as is shown by his increasing wealth; few have surpassed him since he began preparing his home. He has held the office of road supervisor and is a member of the school board; he always assists anything that tends to advance the interests of the educational features of the county; he directs his attention to farming and stock-raising. He was married November 24, 1869, to Mary A. Kelsey, daughter of H. P. and Ann (Landt) Kelsey, natives of New York. Mrs. Darling was born in Wisconsin, while it was yet a Territory, July 15, 1845. They are the parents of three children -- Darwin, Thomas and Myrtle, all at home. They are among Shelby County's most worthy and honored citizens. Mr. Darling has always supported the Democratic principles.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 534-535. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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JOHN O. CLOSTER, a native of Canada, born September 16, 1856, is the son of Christopher O. and Bertha E. (Walder) Closter, natives of Norway. The father came to America at a very early day, and followed ship-brokerage and speculating. The mother came with her parents to America. Iver and Walder settled in La Salle County, Illinois, where they became quite prominent as straight forward, honorable citizens. Mr. Walder was a farmer, and his family belonged to the aristocracy of Norway. John O., the subject of this sketch, began the struggle of life for himself when but ten and a half years old. He went to Chicago and engaged with Henry Sweet as clerk in a drug store; he remained with him about three years, and secured a fair knowledge of the
business. He then followed farming for one year, and returned to Montreal, Canada. Here he engaged with Cox & Green as custom house clerk, and remained several years; he was afterward appointed assistant secretary of the council of arts and manufactures, retaining this position for two years. He
then resigned and returned to Chicago, seeking and obtaining employment with McNeal & Higgins, wholesale grocers, at a salary of $25 per month. He resigned this position after a service of eight years, on account of ill health, leaving a salary of $150 per month. He was married November 16, 1880, to Miss Julia, daughter of John C. and Sophia Johnson. She was born in Christiana, Norway, June 8, 1862. They are the parents of three children -- Osborn C., Lyle O., and Lucile. In 1886 Mr. Closter came to Kirkman, and opened a stock of general merchandise, where anything can be found from the finest fabric to heavy machinery. He carries a stock of about $9,000. He is a self-made man, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is live and active in his business, and Shelby County has made a worthy acquisition by receiving Mr. Closter into her business circles. Politically he is a Republican.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 535. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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LUKE McDOWELL, a native of Poweshiek County, Iowa, was born December 14, 1848. He is the son of John and Lucinda (Perry) McDowell, natives of
Pennsylvania and Ohio. He was reared on a farm, and received the education then furnished by the common schools of the country. He was married January 1, 1867, to Eliza Jane Mitchell, daughter of George and Mary J. (Cox) Mitchell, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born March 6, 1846, in
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and came to Iowa in 1865. They are the parents of six children -- Perry, resides in Saunders County, Nebraska; Euphemia, Thomas, Cooper, Odessa and Eva. In 1869 they came to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled on a farm of sixty acres of unimproved land. Mr. McDowell erected a good frame building, and they commenced life in the then new country. After having raised the first crop, and storing it in granaries and ricking his hay, everything prepared for the winter, it was all destroyed by fire, and he lost his entire crop. But he was not discouraged, as is shown by his present beautiful home and surroundings. He has one of the finest farm residences in the county, and barns for stock and grain; he has some grove for a wind-break. He has added to his first purchase until he now owns 201 acres of as fine land as lies in northern Shelby County. He occupies his time in farming and stock-raising. He is an advocate of the Union Labor party and its principles, taking an active interest in the issues of the day. The family are numbered among Shelby County's most estimable people.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 535-536. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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CHRIS MICHAELSON, a native of Denmark, born March 18, 1847, is a son of Michael and Anna Anderson. He was raised in Denmark on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of that country. In 1867 he came to America and located in Cook County, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for two years, when he came to Iowa, and located at Merrill's Grove, Shelby County, Polk Township; here he and his brother had purchased sixty acres of land partially improved, where he resided something over a year when he removed to Bowman's Grove, Jackson Township; here he had a nine-acre tract of land on which he lived about six years, in the meantime purchasing five acres adjoining his nine-acre tract, and an eighty-acre tract in section 32, Polk Township, where his present home now stands. He moved on this farm in 1878; it was a wild piece of prairie land when he purchased it, but he has built fine barns for stock and grain and a fine residence. He has planted about five acres of grove and made all the improvements that will be seen on a well-regulated farm; it all bespeaks the thrift and energy of the owner. When Mr. Michaelson came to America he had nothing, and to-day he is possessor of over 500 acres of land in the county, having one of the finest of stock farms. He devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, and is one of the leading farmers of the county. He is a live business man, and is destined to be one of the wealthiest citizens. He is a Republican. He was married November 27, 1872, to Mary Christenson, the daughter of Christ and Kittie Anderson; she was born December 28, 1844, in Denmark, and came to America in the spring of 1872.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 539-540. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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ANDREW J. GROAT, a native of Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, was born March 6, 1832. He is the son of Peter H. and Sarah Ann (Marks) Groat, natives of New York. When he was seven months old his parents removed to Canada, where they remained for a short time; from Canada they removed to Whiteside County, Illinois, and remained there one winter. In the spring of 1833 they located in Clinton County, Iowa, on the land where Camanche
now stands. Mr. Groat homesteaded a tract of land, and added to it until he owned 320 acres of land. The Indians had not made their final departure when he settled here, and the land was wild and uncultivated. He erected the first blacksmith shop in this section of country, and was one of the first
mail carriers in that part of Iowa; his route lay between Davenport and Dubuque, and was known as the River Route. He was one of the founders of the town of Comanche. In those early days people were compelled to go to Elkhorn Grove to mill, a distance of thirty miles; it required from one to two
weeks to make the trip, as the grinding was of slow process, being done in an old ox-mill, on the tread-mill pattern, such as the people of this day and age will see nowhere. But they were right glad of even these facilities, for very often they were obliged to resort to a more ancient mode of grinding; they would take a log, and make a wooden mortar four or five feet long, and a heavy wooden maul, and placing the corn in this mortar, would
work the maul up and down until the corn was mashed into coarse meal. Their meat was principally wild, such as deer and turkey. Their buildings were of the rudest sort, constructed of rough or hewn logs, with stick and clay chimneys, and puncheon floors. Saw-mills then were almost unknown, and the lumber they had was procured by the whip-saw process. No one but a veritable pioneer can realize the hardships and privations undergone in opening up a new country. Amid such surroundings and scenes our subject, Andrew J. Groat, grew to maturity; he received his education in the subscription
schools of those days. At the age of sixteen years he returned to New York, intending to make a visit, but circumstances changed his plans and he remained three years. He was naturally of a roving disposition, and visited a good many points in Illinois.
Mr. Groat was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Irwin, December 2, 1858; she is a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Haynes) Irwin; the father was a native of Ireland, and the mother of Germany. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 18, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Groat are the parents of eight children -- John F., Lillie M., wife of George W. Moore; Flora B., Nancy E., Andrew J., Viola G., Ina E., and Alvin J. In 1872 Mr. Groat came to Shelby County, settling in Cuppy's Grove; where he rented land for two years, and then purchased eighty acres of land east of the grove. After that he made
several changes in his location, and finally settled in section 3, Polk Township, on a farm of 200 acres of partially improved land; this he has improved and placed in a fine degree of cultivation. He is a live, energetic man, and stands to-day in the first ranks of Shelby County's honored citizens. Mr. and
Mrs. Groat are members of the United Brethren church. He is a staunch Democrat, but refuses to accept any party honors in the way of public office.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 540-541. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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PETER MARTINSON was reared in Denmark, where he was born October 18, 1830; he is the son of Martin and Anna Nelson. He attended the common schools of his native country until he was fourteen years old, when he began earning his own living as a farm hand; he received for his first year's
work $6; after this, the wages he received ranged from $11 to $70, the latter being the highest amount ever paid a farm hand in his native country. In this manner his life was spent while in Denmark. In 1871 he and wife came to America, about sixteen days being occupied in the voyage; they landed at
Castle Garden and immediately came to the west, buying forty acres of land in Douglas Township, Shelby County, Iowa; he remained here four years; the land was but partially improved, and he went into debt for it about $900. After four years of labor in making improvements he sold this farm, excepting five acres, realizing $1,000 from the sale. He then purchased an eighty-acre tract in section 32, Polk Township, where he now resides.
Here he has made many improvements, until to-day he has one of the finest farms in the county; he has added to his first purchase until he now owns 500 acres of excellent land. He has a fine frame residence, and barns for stock and grain; he has planted a grove of four acres; everything bespeaks the wise management and prosperity of the owner. He occupies his time in farming and stock-raising, dealing quite extensively in both. His life
shows what a man can do if he has energy and ambition, starting as he did with nothing, and to-day owning as fine property as Shelby County affords. He was married February 23, 1871, to Mary Martinson; she was born in Denmark, March 25, 1845. They are the parents of nine children -- Mary, John, Martin, Anna, Esther, Samuel, Freddie, Lewis and William. They are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Martinson is a staunch Republican. He was a soldier for two years.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 541. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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WILLIAM WADKINS, a native of Morgan County, Indiana, is one of the pioneers of Shelby County. He was born May 10, 1848, and is a son of Stephen and Rebecca Wadkins, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. When but a small boy his parents removed to Jasper County, Illinois, where they remained a few years. Their next place of residence was Warren County, Iowa, where they lived ten years; here our subject attended the common schools and worked on a farm. The next move was to Jasper County, and after a few years' residence here, the family removed to Shelby County in 1869. Previous to his coming to Shelby County, in 1863, Mr. Wadkins was married to Miss Eliza McKeever, who died shortly after they came to the
county; they had three children -- Charles, Elizabeth, and Mary Emma (deceased). After Mr. Wadkins had been in the county about three years he settled on a piece of railroad land, where he lived four years and made many improvements. He sold this claim and purchased 240 acres of wild land in Douglas Township, which he made his home until 1877, with the exception of two years spent in Washington Territory. He had made many improvements on this farm, planting four acres of grove, building a good frame residence, and barns for stock and grain. He sold this place and bought the Highland Grove farm, consisting of 200 acres. Mr. Wadkins devotes himself to farming and stock-raising exclusively, and has been eminently successful in this pursuit. In the beginning of the late civil war he enlisted in the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and served about fourteen months; he was discharged on account of a wound received in the battle of Shiloh. He is a staunch Republican, and has ever taken an active interest in the welfare of the county. July 11, 1872, Mr. Wadkins married for his second wife Miss Louisa Edwards, daughter of Garland and Lucinda Edwards, whose sketch will be found in another page of this history. Mrs. Wadkins was born in Marion County, Iowa, February 14, 1855, and came to Shelby County with her parents. The result of this marriage is seven children -- Garland, Frank, Rutherford B., Nellie (deceased), Paul, Lulu, and an infant son (deceased).
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 541-542. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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JESSE HON, a native of Washington County, Indiana, was born July 14, 1827, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Lawrence) Hon, natives of North Carolina.
When he was five years old his parents removed to Owen County, Indiana; here he was placed on a farm, and attended the subscription schools, which afforded him only a limited education; being a close observer, however, he has acquired an amount of information equal to that of many who have
enjoyed superior advantages. Most of his early life was spent in clearing up the timbered land of his native State. Mr. Hon was married April 12, 1849, to Miss Matilda Fiscus, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Magdalene Fiscus, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Hon was born in Washington County,
Indiana, September 14, 1823. They are the parents of two children living -- Nelson, residing in Polk Township, on the old homestead and Mary Rosella, wife of Albert M. Milton, also residing in Polk Township. In 1872 Mr. Hon came to Marshall County, Iowa, and remained there one winter; in the spring
of 1873 they came to Shelby County, and settled in section 23, Polk Township, on a farm of 240 acres of partially improved land; here he has made many improvements in the way of erecting necessary buildings. After a residence of four years in Shelby County, Mr. and Mrs. Hon returned to Owen County, Indiana, and remained there four years, when they returned to Shelby County; here they have since made their home. Mr. Hon is a man that always takes an active interest in all enterprises tending toward the advancement and improvement of the community in general. He is a strong Democrat, always casting his vote with his party. Mr. Hon devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, and finds a faithful helper in his most worthy
wife. They are members of the Church of Christ.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 543-544. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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J. P. PERRY is one of the early settlers of Shelby County, coming here in 1874. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 10, 1841; he is a son of Jesse and Malinda (Poole) Perry. Jesse Perry is a relative of the old Commodore Perry, and a native of Ohio; his wife was born in Virginia. J. P. Perry was the fifth of eight children, four of whom were sons and four daughters. When he was thirteen years of age his father removed to Bureau County, Illinois, then a wild, new country; his parents lived here until their death. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. During the late
war he went to the defense of the flag; he enlisted at the first call for troops, April 24, 1861, in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, Company I; he served over three months and was honorably discharged, and returned home. At the call for 300,000 more men, he again responded, enlisting June 1, 1862, in the
Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry, Company E; he was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, September 15, 1862; was paroled, and went to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, and was exchanged January 19, 1863; in April, 1863, he was sent to the front, and took an active part at Concord, London Bridge,
the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee; with Sherman on the march to Atlanta; returned with General Thomas to Columbia, Tennessee; Franklin, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Fort Fisher, North Carolina; Fort Anderson, North Carolina; Cape Fear River, Wilmington. He was honorably discharged June 8, 1865, and returned to Bureau County, Illinois; he was discharged as Corporal. September 5, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary Chaddock, a lady of intelligence, born in Jefferson County, Ohio; she is a daughter of Richard and Eliza (Nickelson) Chaddock; the father is a native of Maryland, and the
mother, of Ohio. Her family came to Bureau County in 1864. Mr. Perry lived in Bureau County until 1873, when he came to Mahaska County, Iowa; in 1874 he came to Shelby County, and settled on wild prairie land; he now owns 320 acres of land in a body, and has one of the best improved farms in the
county; he has a good frame house, and barns for stock and grain; he farms extensively, making a specialty of Jersey Red swine, of which he has some specimens as fine as can be found in the west. Mr. and Mrs. Perry have three children -- William Grant, Jesse Harmon and Mabel. Mr. Perry is a Republican; he is a member of the Anti-horse-thief Association, No. 35, and is secretary of the same. He is yet in the prime of life; he is social and genial in his disposition, an intelligent conversationalist, honest in business, and one of Shelby county's solid men.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 544-545. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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G. W. M. SARVIS, of Fairview Township, section 23, is an ex-soldier of the late war. He was born in Dade County, Missouri, September 7, 1841. He is a son of Maldon and Mary (Flesher) Sarvis. He was fifteen years old when he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He worked on a farm until he enlisted in the army, March 11, 1862. He joined the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, Company H. He was first under fire at Hamburg Landing. He was in the battles
of Corinth, Ball's Bluff, Raymond, Mississippi, Champion Hills, Jackson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Duck Creek Gap, and Tilton, Georgia, where he was taken prisoner. He was confined at Millin, Georgia, for two months, then at Cahawba, Alabama, one month, and was then taken to Andersonville, where he was held three months. When captured he weighed 175 pounds; when released 113 was as high as he could tip the beam. He was first taken to Goldsborough, North Carolina, and then to Washington, D. C. He was also in the Red River expedition. He served
three years, one month and twenty-five days. He returned to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and was married July 6,1869, to Miss Susan Donnelson. She was born in Scott County, Iowa, and is a daughter of Levi and Mary (Stafford) Donnelson. The father is a native of New York, and the mother of Indiana.
Mr. Sarvis came to Shelby County in 1871. In 1887 he bought his present farm, which contains eighty-one acres of fine land and one of the best springs of water in the county; it is situated near the residence. There is a good barn, and a fine grove of timber. Mr. Sarvis and wife have three children living -- Hattie B., Harry and George. Mr. Sarvis is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R., U. S. Grant Post, Avoca. He is genial in his disposition, honest and upright in business.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 545. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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W. E. COOPER is one of the active, wide-awake citizens of Fairview Township. He came to the county in 1876. He is a native of Keokuk County, Iowa, and was born May 1, 1859. He is a son of Hinchman Cooper, a former well-known citizen of the township, who is a native of Ohio, and who came to Iowa in the fall of 1857, locating in Keokuk County. In 1865 he went to Mahaska County, Iowa, and in 1876 to Shelby County. Hinchman Cooper married Abigail Johnson, who was also a native of Ohio. Her parents were natives of the Green Mountain State. H. Cooper and wife had four children -- W. E.; Albert,
who lives in Dickinson County, Kansas; Robert and Nettie, who live at home with their parents in Oregon. W. E. Cooper, our subject, was in his sixteenth year when he came to this county. He was educated at New Sharon Academy, Iowa, and engaged in teaching when he was eighteen years old. He was very successful, and continued teaching for fifteen terms. He began improving his farm in 1881. He has a substantial house, a good barn, a grove and an orchard. Everything shows thrift and industry. He was married February 15, 1882, to Miss Laura Walters, daughter of D. B. Walters, a
prominent citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two children -- Myrtle and Leverne. Mr. Cooper is a Republican, and one of the wheel-horses of the party. He has served as township trustee for six years, as assessor for two years, and on the school board for five years. He has filled these offices with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the public. He is also a member and president of the Anti-horse-thief Association of Fairview Township, No. 35. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall, No. 65, of Harlan. He is a member of the Evangelical Association of
Harlan circuit. Mr. Cooper, though but a young man, has gained the confidence and respect of his associates, and has an enviable reputation, socially, politically and financially, in the county.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 545-546. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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EDWARD WATTERBURY, of Fairview Township, is one of the well-known men in the township. He is a native of the State of Iowa, born in Clayton
County, March 26, 1853. He is a son of Stephen Watterbury, and was a babe when his parents came to Shelby County. Here he grew to manhood. His youth was passed at farm work and in attending the common schools of the county. Arriving at the age of manhood he was married to Miss L. J.
Norton, of this county, March 8, 1876. By this union six children were born, five sons and one daughter -- Oliver, Lillie May, Jesse, Freddie, Pearl and Oscar. Mr. Watterbury is a Republican and a member of the Masonic order, Mt. Nebo Lodge, No. 297, of Avoca. He is also a member of the Anti-horse-thief Association, No. 17, of Fairview Township. He is a man yet in the prime of life, is social and genial in his disposition, honest in business. He has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 546. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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JENS OLSON, a farmer of Fairview Township, is one of the early settlers, having come to the county in the fall of 1868. He was born in Sweden, December 11, 1837, and is the son of Ole and Anna Olson. He lived in his native land until he was eighteen years old, when he and his brother Peter went to Denmark, and worked on a farm. He attended school in his native country until he was fourteen years old. He was married November 10, 1860, to Miss Sophia Poulson, born in Denmark, September 7, 1839, and a daughter of Andrew and Carrie (Havson) Poulson. Jens Olson had been married a year when he sailed for America, via Liverpool, England. He embarked on a large sailing vessel, and landed in New York. He came by rail to Jasper County, Iowa, where he lived for eighteen months, working on the railroad. He and his brother Peter came to Shelby County with a yoke of oxen and a wagon. They camped on the way, sleeping in the wagon at night. They arrived in Shelby County in the fall, and worked on the railroad until spring, when Jens Olson moved on the farm. He was among the earliest settlers of the township, having a wide stretch of prairie about him. Here he has since lived. He has a good farm of 167 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation. There is a comfortable house, a good barn, and yards for stock. He has planted shade trees, and everything shows the thrift and energy of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have seven children -- Carrie, Olivia, Mary, Anna, Peter, Nels and Christ. The last named is the oldest; he and the father are both Republicans. Mr. Olson and his wife are both members of the Lutheran
church. He is honorable and just in his dealings, and has won the respect of all who know him.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 546-547. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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JAPHETH BROWN of Fairview, Township, is one of the well-known citizens, having come to the county in 1870. He was born in Stafford Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, February 12, 1822; he is a son of Abraham Brown, who was born in the same county, and whose father, Samuel
Brown, served in the war of the Revolution. Japheth Brown's mother was Charity Soper, a native of New Jersey. He lived in his native State until he was eighteen years old, when the family moved to Brown County, Ohio, where they lived until 1848. They moved to Livingston County, Illinois, by
team and wagon. Mr. Brown was married in Clermont County, Ohio, August 8, 1844, to Miss Eliza Gates, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Gates. Abraham Brown died in Livingston County, Illinois, December 17, 1851, and his wife died in Shelby County, in December, 1874, at the
residence of her son Japheth. Our subject lived in Livingston County, Illinois, until 1870, when he came to his present farm, where he has since lived; the land was wild and unimproved. He now has a comfortable house, surrounded with shade trees, a good barn, stock-yard and stock-scales. All the
surroundings indicate the energy and thrift of the owner. The farm, in all, contains 240 acres of rich soil. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of three children -- Susan, wife of Lewis Watterbury; Nancy Gibson, of Avoca, and Clarence, engaged in business in Avoca. Politically Mr. Brown stands with the Democratic party. He is plain in manner, genial in disposition, honorable in business, and has many friends, of whom he is well worthy.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 548-551. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.
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CLAUS ALBERS, dealer in general merchandise, came to Corley in April, 1882, buying the stock of goods owned by Thomas McDonald. He is a native of Germany, born in June, 1855. He was ten years of age when his parents came to America, and settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he grew to manhood; he received his education in his native land, and in Davenport. At the age of fifteen years he went to work at the cigar trade, and followed it for several
years at Davenport. In 1875 he went to Avoca, Iowa, and engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and also in the saloon business for a time. Mr. Albers had resided in Corley four years when he bought the store building which he now occupies, and which is the best in Corley; he has a good cellar, and everything well arranged for the large stock of goods which he carries; he does an annual business of $15,000. Mr. Albers keeps one good clerk to assist him; his fair and honorable dealing has secured him a large and profitable trade. He was appointed postmaster in January, 1884. He was married in September, 1880, to Miss Anna Snyder; one child is the result of their union -- Mata. Our subject is a Democrat, and a member of the
I. O. O. F., Delta Lodge, No. 377, Avoca. He is numbered among the representative business men of Shelby County.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 552-553. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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