John H Mikesell

MIKESELL

Posted By: Mary E Boyer (email)
Date: 11/29/2006 at 14:50:01

BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN H MIKESELL*
Pioneers of Marion County - Page 186 - 187
Red Rock Township - Marion County - Iowa

John H. Mikesell was born in Franklin county, Va., June 27th, 1802. In 1804 his parents moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, and in ‘25 to Franklin county, Ind., where they resided three years, and then returned to Montgomery county, Ohio. From thence Mr. M. moved to St. Joe county, Ind., in ‘35, and from thence to Iowa in ‘42, landing in the territory on the 18th of October, and took a winter lease at the forks of Skunk river, about ten miles from Brighton, Van Buren county, paying for it by building a cabin on the land.

That winter was one of considerable severity, on account of the great depth of snow, and the family lived mostly on “hog and hominy,” together with the milk of one cow that, with her calf, shared the little cabin with them during the coldest weather.

On the 28th of April, ‘43, Mr. Mikesell and two of his oldest boys set out for the “New Purchase,” intending to make a claim and prepare a place for the family, previous to moving. But their progress was interrupted by high waters, so that they did not reach their destination till about the 7th or 8th of May. This was in section 25, about a mile north-east of the present site of Red Rock village. Here he selected a claim, and then returned for the remainder of the family, leaving the boys and a man named Thomas Martin, who had come with them, to hold the claim and build a house.

No great amount of labor was required to build such a house. It consisted of light logs or poles put up in the shape of a shed, with an open front and a bark roof sloped but one way. By some this temporary sort of structure was called a cat-faced or half-faced camp, or by the Indian term, wickeup. This house stood at the foot of the hill on which stands the more commodious brick dwelling erected by Mr. M. many years after.

On the 29th of the month he arrived with the family and took possession of their new home, and occupied the shanty most of the summer, or till another log cabin containing two rooms, was built on the site of the present house.

During the first two years of Mr. Mikesell’s pioneer life he was engaged principally in trading with the Indians. Since then he has resided constantly on his farm, or till soon after the death of his wife, which occurred very suddenly on the night of 23d of March, 1869, after which he went to the village.
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*There are some great anecdotes and sketches on various situations pertaining to this person in Part II of Pioneers of Marion County.

Transcribed by Mary E. Boyer for Iowa Gen Project - Marion County