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JOHN C. DOWDING.—This enterprising and progressive citizen of Diamond Township claims England as his mother country. He was born in Wiltshire, July 23, 1846, and is a son of James and Alice Dowding. He is the third child of a family of three sons and one daughter. the eldest, Jacob E., was a resident of Diamond Township, and for ten years was its assessor. His death occurred March 16, 1889, and his widow -450-still lives on the home farm. Joseph lives in Cherokee. the sister, Emily, is the wife of W. D. McAndrews, and lives in Ainsworth, Nebraska. The family emigrated to the United States when John C. was about ten years old, and lived for a few years in Dutchess County, New York. In 1859 they came West and settled in Clayton County, Iowa, and there the parents have since resided. John was thirteen years of age when he came to Iowa, and from that time until he had attained his majority he was employed at work on his father's farm. After that he went to Monona County, and secured a job in a saw-mill at $30 per month. He worked there three years serving in the capacity of engineer the last year and in the meantime secured a small farm in that county. The climate of that section did not agree with him as he suffered with ague, so he decided to make a change in his residence, and located in Cherokee County, where he was assured he would be free from his former disease. He at once purchased eighty acres of land, and entered it as a homestead. He built a house 12x16 feet, and began the task of developing the land. The fall of 1870 he returned to Clayton County, and February 21, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine McCullough. He returned to Cherokee County, his wife soon following, and since that time for nearly twenty years they have since resided on the farm. Mr. Dowding has added to the original purchase until he now has a tract of 160 acres of as fine land as Cherokee County affords. His farm is well improved with a commodious new house, and a good barn, all the surroundings indicating thrift and prosperity. He handles such stock as the farm is adapted to, and usually feeds one or two car-loads of cattle. His wife, who shared the hardships and privations of his first years in Cherokee County, was called to the other life August 15, 1885, and he was left with four little girls, and to them he has since devoted his life and attention. As they are unusually bright and intelligent children he will endeavor to give them a good education to fit them for a life of usefulness. Their names are: Mary Edna, Carrie Ethel, Rosa Belle and Catherine May. Mr. Dowding was united in marriage a second time January 25, 1887, to Miss Lizzie Neville, a daughter of Edward Neville. She was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 17, 1859, and is a lady of taste and refinement, and devotes herself to the interests of the family. Mr. Dowding and wife and the two eldest daughters belong to the Mt. Olive Regular Baptist Church, and Mr. Dowding does not hesitate to practice in the midst of his family the teachings of the church. This is truly a model Christian home, and every influence for good is thrown around the lives of these young girls. How much better could all the children of the land be trained under such influence. Mr. Dowding has the confidence of a large number of citizens of Diamond Township, having been repeatedly asked to attend to public duties. Were the interests of the people place in the hands of such men as John C. Dowding there would never arise any fear for the safety of our Government or the perpetuity of Republican institutions.
O. S. WIGHT has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since August, 1858. He was born in Coos County, New Hampshire, in the town of Milan, September 16, 1828, and is a son of William and Rhoda (Rowell) Wight. The father was born in Portland, Maine, in 1806, and was a son of Nathaniel Wight, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1780. the -451-mother was born in New Hampshire in 1806. O. S. Wight was five years of age when his parents removed to Chemung County, New York; there the family lived until the fall of 1845 when they removed to Keokuk County, Iowa. There Mr. Wight was married to Miss Tillitha Orsborn, November 28,1 854; she was born in Union County, Ohio, May 17, 1828, and is a daughter of Daniel and Dorothy (Burkett) Orsborn; the Orsborn family came to Keokuk County in 1849. In 1856 Mr. Wight removed to Crawford County, Iowa, and remained there two years, at the end of which time he came to Cherokee County, locating near the town of Cherokee; after residing there two years he moved four miles south of the town, and in 1865 he took a homestead on section 28, Pilot Township; this he sold in 1873, and located on his present farm, which consists of 120 acres in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Wight and wife have two children living: Rosa Belle, wife of M. S. Draper, of O'Brien County, and Alice Cary, wife of Samuel Shook, of Cherokee County; five children have died; Martha Ann, John Morris, Abbie Jane, William Arthur, and Charles Ernest; the last-named son died a short time ago (1889); he was a young man of fine intellectual ability, and was respected and beloved by all who knew him. Mr. Wight casts his suffrage with the Republican party; he has represented his township officially for many years as clerk, trustee and justice of the peace; he was elected county clerk in 1863, serving three years; he was also a member of the Board of County Supervisors, discharging his duties with much credit to himself and the best interests of the public. He is a worthy and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he was licensed to preach in Crawford County, Iowa, May 30,1 857; for a time he had charge of the Cherokee and Spirit Lake Circuit, preaching the first Methodist sermon in Cherokee County. He has been a zealous worker in the cause of his Master, and has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
GILMAN BROTHERS.—The most extensive firm of stock shippers and dealers of Cherokee County is composed of Charles W. and John H. Gilman, of whom a brief biographical sketch has been attempted. They are the only sons that grew to maturity out of a family of seven children; four died in childhood, and one sister, Lucy Ellen, wife of William Coffin, Esq. died at the age of twenty-five years, in Wisconsin, in 1870. Their parents were Eben B. and Catherine (Barker) Gilman. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and died at the age of thirty-eight years. The mother was born in Maine, and thirty years after her husband's decease was again married to Mr. F. P. Ferguson; they removed to Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 1868, and she is still living there, aged sixty-eight years. The home of the Gilmans was in Lynn, Massachusetts, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of shoes. In this old town of historical interest, amid the din of countless thousands of spindles and the hum of numerous manufactories, the brother first saw light. Charles was born April 30, 1841, and John, December 10, 1844. Growing up in their native city they became accustomed to the rush and bustle of a busy city. At the age of sixteen years Charles entered one of the shoe factories, and for two years was employed as a cutter. Then when the news of the gold discovery fired the youth all over the land with excitement, and thousands started for "California's Golden Shore," he decided to seek his fortune -452-there; so, at the age of eighteen years, when life's prospects are tinged with most glowing colors, he boarded an ocean steamer at New York, and in a few months stood upon the shore that proved the last resting place of many a young man full of ambition as he himself. He went to the "diggins" in Trinity County, and for two years passed through the average miner's experience. Then the news of a gold find in Washington Territory sent him, along with hundreds of others, to that field, and he spent one season on Granite Creek, and then passed over into the Boise Basin in 1862, in company with a party of eleven other miners. He remained there for three years, at the end of which time he visited his old New England home, having met with a fair degree of success in his search for gold. He passed the winter of 1864 at home. John was anxious to accompany his brother on his return to the Rockies the next spring. Up to this time he had remained in the town in which he was born. At the age of sixteen years he had entered the office of The Bay State, and worked at the front for two years, when he entered a shoe factory and for several years worked at his machine, his specialty being heel work. The two brothers started out together, and reaching the mining region of Idaho they remained together one summer, when Charles took a trip to the Coeur d'Alene country, where he fell in company with a Mr. Davidson from Montana, who reported new finds in that region. A party of eight was at once formed, and away they went to Montana, reaching McClellan's Gulch when not more than fifty miners had begun prospecting there. He was soon joined by John, and they remained in that section of country for two years; being among the first there they passed through all the exciting times that followed the finding of gold in Montana. In the spring of 1868, having made and saved quite a nice little fortune, they decided to become again identified with the States, and accordingly abandoned the mines and excitement of mining life. They returned to New England, but the same season migrated to Wisconsin and purchased a farm in partnership, on which they lived for three years. Becoming restless, and ping for "old times," they sold out and started for the Pacific slope. Coming through Iowa, they stopped to see friends near Aurelia, and becoming fascinated with the beauty and fertility of Cherokee County, decided to remain there, and purchased the land that they now own. They have a splendid tract of 560 acres lying in the Maple Valley, four miles southeast of Aurelia. It is well improved with pleasant homes and comfortable surroundings. The Gilman brothers are known far and wide as extensive stock shippers; they are constantly buying and selling, and feed on their own farm from 250 to 350 head of cattle annually. The are men who stand high in business circles, and their integrity is never called in question. In politics they stand with the Republican party. Charles W. Gilman was married in Chicago, January, 1869, to Miss Addie P. Gilman, of Lynn. They have had four children: Ellen F., Irene, Hattie and Inez. Mr. C. W. Gilman was county supervisor for one term, and his associates on the board speak of him as being the clearest headed man in matters of business of public interest. He is also president of the Maple Valley Mutual Insurance Company. John H. Gilman was united in marriage in Wisconsin, September 13, 1871, to Miss Martha H. Hurlburt, who was born in Vermont, Oct 1, 1849. Their family consists of Arthur H., born December 13, 1872; Fannie E., born Decem 5, 1874; Harvey E., born March 17, 1879; Eva Ione, born -453-March 31, 1881, and Harry L., born November 28, 1888. The Gilman brothers command the respect of all those with whom they are thrown in contact, and are among the most energetic and pushing business men of the county. Of strong social dispositions, both are members of the I.O.O.F. lodge of Aurelia, and with their amiable wives and interesting children form a little circle that is a credit to Cherokee County.
ROBERT BRUCE RUTHERFORD was born near Colesville, Wyoming County, New York, May t, 1844, and is a son of James and Hetty (Milligan) Rutherford. James Rutherford was born June 15, 1803, in county Cavan, Ireland, and came to America in 1821. His wife was born December 21, 1801, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where they were married. They had a family of thirteen children: John, the eldest, died February 24, 1889, in South Africa, where he was employed as an expert in the diamond mines; James is a resident of Bathurst, Australia, where he owns an extensive ranch, and is a proprietor of an important stage route; Alexander is a dealer in mining stocks in California; Lucretia is the wife of A. Starbird; George is a capitalist in California; Mary married G. W. Appleton; Andrew died of the small-pox in California, at the age of thirty-five years; Catherine is the wife of Henry Taggart; she died near Cherokee, May 5, 1875; Onias died in Japan in 1870; Phebe Ann died in San Francisco unmarried; Helen is the wife of John Berry; she died in Missouri; Joseph died in infancy. James Rutherford, Sr. died December 29, 1869, in Branch County, Michigan. Mrs. Rutherford died in Cherokee County, October, 1881. After their marriage they lived in Buffalo, New York, for ten years; then in Colesville, where Robert Bruce was born; he was fourteen years old when the family removed to Michigan, and at the age of seventeen years he left home and went to Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1864. He then spent four years on Green Lake County, Wisconsin. In the summer of 1870, after taking a trip through Kansas and Missouri in company with his brother-in-law, G. W. Appleton, Mr. Rutherford located in Diamond Township, four miles south of Aurelia. He bought 220 acres of land, and began to improve a farm. In the fall of 1873 he went to California, intending to engage in the live-stock business in Nevada, but decided to return to Iowa, where he could secure cheaper land. On his return in 1874 he bought 280 acres of present home and began making improvements. He soon after married and lived on the place three years, when he leased his brother's place, consisting of 1,400 acres, lying in Diamond Township; there he lived a greater part of the next ten years. In 1887 he returned to his own farm one-half mile west of Aurelia. He has since erected a commodious, ten-room house, situated upon a gentle rise of round, commanding a view of the village and surrounding country. His barn is roomy, and well arranged, being especially adapted to the handling of horses. The dwelling and barn are supplied with an abundance of water by a windmill. These improvements have been made at an outlay of $5,000. The farm now consists of 590 acres, 180 acres lying in the home place, and the remainder in Maple Valley. Mr. Rutherford has been extensively engaged in breeding high grades of horses. Mr. Rutherford was married October 1, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Randall, who was born January 13, 1855, in Monroe County, New York. Her parents are Jefferson and Elizabeth (Billings) Randall 454-residents of Pitcher Township. The father was born March 8, 1824, in Monroe County, New York, and the mother in Orleans County, New York, April 9, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford have an interesting family of four children: Grace Edith, born November 2, 1875; George W., born July 30, 1877; Louis R., born July 25, 1879, and Hettie, born November 13, 1881.
JAMES BARNES, a native of the State of Kentucky, was born April 6, 1827, and is a son of John and Abarilla (Sutherland) Barnes, also natives of Kentucky. The ancestors of the Barnes family came originally from Scotland and settled in New England. James is the eldest of a family of five children, and the age of eight years was left an orphan in Indiana, whither his parents had removed when he was three years old. He and his brother John were bound out to a man by the name of McBride, who came to Iowa the following year, 1836, and located in Van Buren County, when there were only three other families within its borders. The brothers were bound until they were sixteen years old, and when James's time had expired he continued his service for several months to assist his brother in earning his freedom. In six months he went to Buchanan County, remaining there two years; thence he removed to Delaware County, Iowa, where he engaged in work by the month for a short time. He then took a claim of 160 acres of land, on which he built a home, being at that time only nineteen years of age. He was married March 25, 1846, to Miss Margaret M. Hutson, a daughter of Robert B. and Nancy (Elliot) Hutson, natives of Virginia and Alabama respectively. Mrs. Barnes was born in Parke County, Indiana, May 8, 1828. After their marriage they continued to reside on their new claim for two years, when Mr. Barnes sold it, and purchased an improved claim of 160 acres in the southern part of the county; there he made his home until September, 1888, when he came to Marcus, Cherokee County. He had increased his original purchase to 195 acres, which he had brought to a high state of cultivation; he had also made many excellent improvements, furnishing an example of what a man can accomplish with energy and perseverance. He was compelled to make many hard struggles in the beginning of his business career, and the life of a pioneer is not easy at the best. The nearest market place was fifty miles distant, and other conveniences were in proportion. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes reared a family of eight children, one, Robert Henry, dying in infancy: Frank S.; John W. died in Colorado, December 18, 1885, in his thirty-fifth year; Edward F.; Alice F., wife of I. C. Thompson; James O., Byron A., Fred V. and Walter C. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are worthy and consistent members of the Freewill Baptist Church, and have always striven to inculcate in the minds of their children the principles of Christianity. Mr. Barnes has always been a stanch REpublican, and is a strong advocate of Prohibition.
CHARLES DAVIS, of Pilot Township, section 19, is an intelligent and enterprising citizen, having settled in the county in 1871. He was born in Herkimer County, New York, December 18, 1852, and is a son of Silas and Catherine (Simmons) Davis, also natives of Herkimer County. Charles was two years old when his parents removed to Jefferson County, New York. In -455-1867 the family were caught in the tide of western emigration, and settled in Cedar County, Iowa. Mr. Davis was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received a common-school education. He was united in marriage in Cedar County, Iowa, August 6, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Lee, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Collins) Lee. She was born and reared in Cedar County, Iowa. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother was born in the South. A few weeks after his marriage Mr. Davis came to Cherokee County, and took a homestead of Government land in Pilot Township, section 30, making his home there until 1885, when he came to his present farm. He still owns the eighty acres deeded to him by the Government, and 120 acres in his home farm, which is in an advanced state of cultivation. He has a substantial two-story residence, a good barn, and a grove, one of the most ornamental and valuable improvements of the prairie farmer. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and has been successful in his chosen occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had born to them two children: Frank and Bess. In political thought and action Mr. Davis is Republican. He has served as a member of the School Board, and has taken an interest in the advancement of educational facilities in his township.
C. E. WHITNEY, one of the well-known and popular farmers of Silver Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1876. He was born in Chautauqua County, New York, October 4, 1847, and is a son of Truman and Jane (Ransom) Whitney. They were the parents of five children, only two living: Mary J., wife of Wallace Wilcox, of Chautauqua County, New York, and C. E. Whitney, the subject of this notice. The father was a shoemaker in early life, but in later years took a heavily timbered farm which his son assisted him in clearing. He died in December, 1887, and his wife died when C. E. was five years old. When Mr. Whitney was twenty years old he broke the ties of childhood and youth and went out into the world to make a career for himself. He came to Delaware County, Iowa, and having been trained to agricultural pursuits, he worked at farming by the month in Delaware, Fayette and Buchanan counties. He was married October 25, 1868, in Buchanan County, to Miss Sarah M. Warner, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a daughter of George and Mary (Goodman) Warner. Farming through the wet year of 1869, in 1870 he obtained a position with Granger & Bradshaw, prominent stockmen of Marion County, Iowa, in whose employ he remained for five years, running a threshing-machine every fall. In 1876 he removed to O'Brien County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. the grasshoppers totally destroyed his crops that season, and in the fall he came to Cherokee County, and located on his present farm the following April, 1877. He has a barn, granary, cribs, and many conveniences for feeding stock, one of the best wells in the county, a fine grove of timber, and an orchard, with a great variety of small fruits. One hundred and forty acres of the land is in cultivation, and the balance is in pasture and meadow. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of nine children: Rosa Bell, Martha Dell, alice Nell, Mary Estell, Genie Ethell, Addie Louell, Nina Vell, Edna Aurell and Orrin Emmett. In politics Mr. Whitney is idependent. He and his wife and four daughters are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are in the prime of life, cordial and -456-hospitable, and among the leading families of the township.
Copyright © 2000 - 2002 D. J. Coover |
