|
 |
|
| -548-
J. B. RICKARD is a substantial and reliable member of the farming community of Cedar Township. He is a native of Oswego County, New York, born in 1852, and is a son of H. and Christina (Snyder) Rickard, natives of Schoharie County, New York. When J. B. was a small boy his parents removed to Onondaga County, New York, where they resided twenty-six years. They were the parents of two children: Irving, who lives in the State of New York, and J. B. the subject of this notice. J. B. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. After leaving school, for five seasons he was engaged in boating on the canal, and afterward sailed upon the lakes. In 1878 his family came to Cherokee County, and settled in Cedar Township. J. B. Rickard and his father purchased 200 acres of H. C. Kellogg, and they have since sold forty-five acres for the town site of Larrabee. The farm is under a good state of culitivation, and has many excellent improvements. It is well watered by Gray Creek, making it one of the most desirable stock farms in the county. J. B. Rickard is still unmarried. His high integrity of character and honesty of purpose have won him many friends in the community.
SAMUEL SCOTT, of Cedar Township, claims recognition as a pioneer, having settled in Cherokee County in 1869. He is a native of Vermont, born February 13, 1826. He is a son of William Scott, a native of Vermont, of English and Irish ancestry. His mother was Prudence Covey, a native of Connecticut, of Scotch ancestry. William Scott was a son of Thomas Scott, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Thomas Scott married Nancy Willoughby, a sister of Calvin Willoughby, a prominent Revolutionary officer. William served in the War of 1812. Samuel Scott, the subject of this notice, spent his boyhood days on a farm; at the age of fifteen years he went to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, which business he followed many years. He was married in West Albany, Vermont, March 31, 1847, to Miss Sarah M. Hazen, who was born in Grand Isle County, Vermont, and who is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Fadder) Hazen. Her father was of Scotch origin, and her mother was a daughter of James Fadder, a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1855 Mr. Scott removed to Hamilton County, Canada, and worked in a car factory for several months, when he came to Iowa, and settled at Marshalltown; there he worked at his trade for some time, and then engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1863 he removed to Boone County, Iowa, and remained there six years, working at his trade. He then came to Cherokee County, and purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar Township. As his means increased he made further investments in land, until he now owns 200 acres, splendidly improved; he has a fine residence, a commodious barn, and numerous conveniences for carrying on farm industries. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of seven children: Sylvester, Louisa, wife of J. M. Starr; Celia, wife of E. F Coombs; Edna, wife of R. W. Luther; Emma, wife of W. G. Sylvester; Elmer F. and Lester. Mr. Scott affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are highly respected, and have reared their family in such a way as to be worthy of the esteem and regard of all.
C. L. CASTOR, one of the early pioneers of Cherokee County, settled in Cedar Township, July 9, 1868. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, September 18, 1827, and is a son of Ira and Chloie (Loomis) Castor. He grew to man's estate surrounded by the scenes and influences of his native county; he received his education in the common schools of that day. After leaving school he embarked in the lumber business, in which he was engaged for a number of years. Mr. Castor was united in marriage September 10, 1854, to Miss Phoebe Jane Phillips, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Abraham and Lydia (Barnum) Phillips. They resided in New York until 1865, when they removed to Dubuque County, Iowa, and settled at Dyersville, where they -550-remained two years. At the expiration of that time they went to Boone County, Iowa, living there until 1868, when the settled in Cherokee County. Mr. Castor and Mr. Warren made the first wagon track in that portion of the county in which they afterward made their home. Mr. Castor built a log house 16x24 feet, which was the second house in the township. In 1886 this primitive domicile was replaced with a neat frame residence. Mr. Castor has added much to the value as well as the beauty of his farm by planting a grove of twelve acres. The place contains 160 acres, and has been brought to an advanced state of cultivation through the efforts and industry of the present owner. Politically our subject is a Democratic-Greenbacker. He has served several terms as township trustee, and has never betrayed the confidence reposed in him. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M. C. L. Castor is employed at present as overseer in a large fruit-crate and lumber manufactory at Kentwood, Louisiana, a plant which, when completed, will fill orders and ship lumber to all parts of the United States. He and his wife are the parents of one son, Adelbert, born January 28, 1859, in the State of New York. He was nine years old when they came to reside in Cherokee County, and there he grew to manhood, and received his education. He was married July 20, 1885, to Miss Ella Hurley, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Scott) Hurley. By this marriage one son has been born, Guy Edward.
JOHN SPANTON, of Cedar Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of the State of Iowa, and has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1872. He was born in Yorkshire, England, June 11, 1832, and is a son of John and Anna (Simpkins) Spanton, natives of Yorkshire. John, Jr., was the youngest of seven children, and was reared to the life of a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools. His parents died in Yorkshire. At the age of nineteen years he determined to see for himself all the wonders of the New World, and to find the fortune it might hold for him. Accordingly he bade adieu to his native land, and sailed for America. He located near Racine, Wisconsin, and engaged in farm work. Later he went to La Porte County, Indiana, and in 1856 he came to Iowa, settling in Linn County, near Marion, where he lived until the breaking out of the great Rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Company K, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and nine months. He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, the expedition up the Yazoo River, Jackson, Mississippi, the siege of Vicksburg until the surrender; he then returned to Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the battles at Chattanooga, Big Shanty, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and was with General Sherman from Atlanta to the sea; he marched through the Carolinas, and attended the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. He has lost the sight of one eye from disease contracted while in the service. Mr. Spanton was married in Linn County, Iowa, December 20, 1868, to Miss Nancy Ann Beckner, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mentzer) Beckner. She was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and at five years of age was brought to the Territory of Iowa, where her parents were early settlers. John and Elizabeth Beckner were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spanton's farm in Cedar Township consists of 120 acres which is well improved; he has a substantial dwelling, a good -553-barn, and has twelve acres of fine grove. His family consists of three children: Frank, born June 5, 1871; Harry, born March 24, 1874; and Belle, born October 6, 1876. Mr. Spanton affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R. Frank and cordial in his disposition, he has gained a host of friends in the county.
party, and has been for many years. He is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sellers was married in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, October 31, 1849, to Miss Paulina Buzzell, a daughter of Elisha Allen and Madana (Greeneau) Buzzell. Four children have been born of this union: Clinton, Frederick, Warren and John. Clinton and August (Veirth) Sellers are the parents of eight children: Frederick, Paulina, Jessie, Clara, Ira, Stella, Ray and George. Frederick and Hattie (Carpenter) Sellers are the parents of four children: Lewis C., George Kennith, Walter F. and Rollie. Mr. Sellers has held many offices of trust and responsibility in his township, and has the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.
JOSIAH REES, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Amherst Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1874. He was born in Ontario, Canada, and is a son of ______and Rachel(Halford) Rees, natives of Wales, who came to Canada immediately after their marriage. Our subject is one of a family of five children; he was reared to the duties of farming, which he has made his occupation through life. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years he came to Wisconsin, and settled in La Crosse County, where he spent three years. There he was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Perry, also natives of Wales; the mother's maiden name was Roberts. Mrs. Rees was born May 12, 1844. After her marriage she and her husband took a trip to Canada, and after their return settled in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, where they remained five years. In May, 1874, they came to Cherokee County and located on a farm of 160 acres in Amherst Township; the land was raw prairie, and there were very few families in the township. On the west as far as the eye could reach there was no human habitation visible. We must ever be impressed with the bravery and courage of those pioneers who took the country as nature left it and made it "blossom as the rose." They first erected a small frame residence, which has been enlarged into a commodious dwelling. There is a beautiful grove surrounding the house and other buildings, which adds very materially to the attractiveness of the place. When he came to the county Mr. Rees had $100 in money, a team of horses and a wagon. The first few years he made a living by breaking prairie and threshing; he passed through the grasshopper raid, losing his crops for three years. It will be seen that he escaped none of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life, but his pluck and energy held out until he came off a conqueror. Politically Mr. Rees has no party affiliations, casting his vote for the man best fitted in his opinion to fill the office; his inclinations are, however, in the direction of the Democratic party. He has served on the School Board and as road supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Rees are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in carrying on the work of their Master. They are the parents of five children: Eleanor R., Robert Josiah, Perry R., Guy L. and Clarence E.
ANDREW J. WHISMAN was born in Monroe County, Indiana, September 28, 1838, and is a son of David and Catherine (Brown) Whisman, being one of a family of nineteen children. When he was sixteen -555-years of age his parents removed to Illinois, and lived for a number of years in McLean and Livingston counties. In 1867 Mr. Whisman came to Cherokee County, and entered as a homestead 160 acres of land in Willow Township, which he has brought to an advanced state of cultivation. He has added to this first purchase until he now owns over 300 acres of excellent farming land. When Mr. Whisman first came to the county the land was wild and uncultivated, and there were but three or four settlers in the vicinity of the flourishing village of Washta. The cultivated valley of the Little Sioux is described by him as a wilderness of grass, offering but small attractions as an abiding place. Sioux City, the metropolis of Northwestern Iowa, had at that time not a single railroad, and gave little promise of the prosperity which has since attended her. Mr. Whisman met all the hardships and privations of pioneer life with courage, and his efforts have been amply rewarded. After breaking out his farm he proceeded to erect buildings necessary to the comfort of the family and the care and protection of live-stock. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile business as a partner in the firm of Earl Edmunds & Co., dealers in general merchandise. In 1887, when the Cherokee & Dakota branch of the Illinois Central Railroad was built, and the town of Washta was started, this store was moved nearer to the railroad. The firm is now A. J. Whisman, and is is well and favorably known in the business circles of Cherokee and Ida counties. Mr. Whisman carries a heavy stock of general merchandise, and buys all kinds of country produce. To him belongs the honor of naming the town of Washta. At one time an old Indian came to his house, and seeing his gun, took it down and examined it carefully, and handed it back with the exclamation, "Washta!" meaning in the Sioux language "good." When a postoffice was established at this point, and Mr. Whisman was made postmaster, he was asked to suggest a name for the place, and he could think of no better adjective to describe the beautiful valley in which he lives than the word "good," or in the Indian tongue, "Washta." And so the postoffice was named. Mr. Whisman's enthusiasm on the subject of Cherokee County is expressed in these words: "During my residence here I have never known a failure of crops in this neighborhood," which is indeed a remarkable statement when we consider that he has lived in the county for twenty-one years, and that other parts of the State have suffered severely from drought, grasshoppers or extreme wet. He was married to Miss Delinda Emeline Prindle, and they are the parents of three children: Mary Catherine, wife of Earl Edmunds; Hannah Elizabeth, wife of Frank Matoon; and Miles D., who is in business with his father, and whose history is given below. Mr. and Mrs. Whisman are worthy and consistent members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Whisman has held many local offices since coming to the county, and has acquitted himself with honor and credit. He has been postmaster of Washta for sixteen years. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Southern Iowa Normal School, Bloomfield, Iowa, and was graduated in the commercial course of this institution in 1882. After leaving school Mr. Whisman taught several terms of school in Cherokee and Woodbury counties. He went into business with his father in the fall of 1886, at the old town of Washta, and when the new town was located on the Cherokee & Dakota branch of the Illinois Central RAilroad, the store was moved and was one of the first in the place. Mr. Whisman was married July 16, 1884, to Miss Lizzie F. Minnis, at Minburn, Dallas County, Iowa. Mrs. Whisman is a daughter of William and Frances (Merritt) Minnis, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of England. She was born in Buffalo, New York, August 11, 1859. One child has been born of this union, Ray, born June 24, 1885. They are among the leading members of the Congregational Church at Washta. Mr. Whisman is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is an active member of the Washta Cornet Band.
CADE SMITH,dealer in general merchandise, dealer in general merchandise, Washta, Iowa, has been a resident of Cherokee County for sixteen years. He was born near Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois, October 5, 1865, and is the son of Charles M. and Ellen (Cook) Smith, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Kentucky. When he was eight years old his parents removed to the State of Iowa and settled in Willow Township, Cherokee County. There the father bought 160 acres of land which he improved, building a house, barns and sheds, and setting out groves. Cade remained under the paternal roof until twenty or twenty-one years old, when he went away to school, attending Pierce's Business College, Keokuk, Iowa. He was afterward a student at Western Normal College, Shenandoah, Iowa. In January, 1888, Mr. Smith went into business at Washta, Iowa, opening a general stock of merchandise, including dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, gents' furnishing goods, and clothing. The style of the firm was in the first place Stratton & Smith, afterward Smith & Osborn, and finally, in July 1889, Smith & McDonald. The firm has a good trade and is doing a profitable business; by fair dealings and courteous conduct these gentlemen have commended themselves to the people of Washta and vicinity. It is the enterprise and pluck of such men as Mr. Smith that have made Washta what it is today. Our subject was married April 13, 1887, to Miss Blanch Hinkson, of Des Moines. Her mother is now living in the State of Louisiana, and her father died several years ago in the West Indies. Politically Mr. Smith affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Sioux Valley Lodge, No. 470, I.O.O.F., Correctionville, Iowa.
A. J. SMITH was born November 18, 1848, at Winslow, Stevenson County, Illinois, the youngest of a family of seven children of Abel and Margaret (Wheeler) Smith. the parents removed to Smithland, Woodbury County, Iowa, in 1858, where the father entered a tract of wild land which he improved. Abel Smith was sheriff of Stevenson County, Illinois, for several years, and when he came to Iowa was Deputy United States Marshal for the district in which he lived. In faithfully prosecuting the duties of this office he made enemies among the criminal class, who it is supposed murdered -557-him, as he met his death very mysteriously a short distance from Onawa. He set out from that town with a team, and was found the same night with a bullet wound in his head, and numerous bruises on his body. His murderer or murderers were never found. This occurred in 1871. In the spring of 1865 he had removed to Onawa and opened a hotel, which was known as the Western House. The building still stands, but is now called by a different name. A. J. Smith was ten years old when his parents came to Iowa. He began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Sioux City Journal, then a weekly paper, edited by Mahlon Gore. He remained there six months, and then returned to Onawa, and was connected with the Gazette for about sixteen months. He then returned to his native State, and was connected with the Freeport Journal for a time. He took a course in the Freeport High School before going back to Onawa, where he was again a typo in the office of the Onawa Gazette for one year, at the end of which time he purchased 120 acres of land in Grant Township, Monona County, which he improved and made his home until the summer of 1889. For a time while living on his farm he was a foreman in the office of the Danbury Vidette. In May, 1889, Mr. Smith came to Washta and established the Washta Independent. He was married November 28, 1869, to Miss Joanna L. Andrews, a daughter of Thompson and Ellen (Hawkins) Andrews. This marriage resulted in three children: Lydia G., Maggie J. and Etra, who died in infancy. Mrs. Smith died near Smithland, February 4, 1875. Mr. Smith was married a second time, to Miss Nellie A. Church, daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann (Sandford) Church. This event occurred March 3, 1878. Three children have been born of this union: Harry L., Chauncey J., and Christie Ethelyn, who died at the age of fifteen months. In politics Mr. Smith is Independent.
JAMES M. LAUGHLIN was born near La Fayette, Ohio, December 28, 1853, and is the son of James D. and Sarah (McCain) Laughlin, natives of the State of Ohio, and of Irish descent. The grandfather of Mr. Laughlin, who was also called James, was an officer in the Revolutionary War. James M. came with his parents to Tama County, Iowa, when yet a child, and lived there until he removed to Cherokee County. His parents and grandparents were among the early settlers of Tama County, living in Carlton Township, when their houses were the only buildings in sight. Mr. Laughlin may well be proud of ancestors brave and courageous enough to face the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. His grandfather entered 120 acres of land for each of his children, and the old parchment patents are still in the possession of the family. His grandfather and father died in Tama County, the former before the Civil War, and the latter in 1864. The mother afterward married Mr. John Strain, and now resides in Willow Township. Mr. Laughlin received his education in the common schools of Tama County, and in the Albion Seminary, Albion, Iowa. In 1882 he came to Cherokee County, having previously bought 120 acres of land there. He afterward sold twenty acres to his brother, so that now he has 100 acres. When he first settled there the land was wild and uncultivated, and all the improvements in the way of buildings are the result of Mr. Laughlin's industry; he has also brought the land to an advanced degree of cultivation. October 14, 1880, occurred the marriage of James M. 558-Laughlin and Miss Eva Cooper, a daughter of H. H. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Cooper. Her father is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Ohio, the latter being of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are the parents of three children: Alice, Alsie and Clarence. In politics Mr. Laughlin supports the issues of the Republican party. The people of his township have shown him honor by calling him to fill the office of constable and school director, and he has acquitted himself in these duties with much credit.
CHARLES B. BUSH is of a family long known in the history of New England and New York. He was born March 22, 1842, and is the son of Randall and Eliza (Brodhead) Bush. His father was born in Connecticut, and his paternal ancestors lived for many generations in New England. His mother was a native of Ulster County, New York, of English and Dutch descent. Mr. Bush is connected on his mother's side with John Romeyn Brodhead, of New York, a historical writer of some note. Referring to an article in Scribner's Magazine we learn that the name Brodhead is intimately associated with the Dutch occupation of New York. Among the soldiers sent by Charles II in 1664 to subdue the Hollanders in America was Captain Daniel Broadhead, a zealous Royalist of Yorkshire. After the English had taken full possession of New York Captain Brodhead determined to settle there, and from him the Brodhead family in Ameria is descended, and this doughty Captain is an ancestor of Mr. Bush's mother. History shows that some of the Brodheads were heroes in the Revolutionary War. Charles B. Bush lived in Sullivan County, New York, till he was twelve years of age when he removed to Tompkins County with his parents. His early life was spent on a farm, and after coming to the county he became the proprietor of a small farm. In the year 1865 he entered the employ of Hollister & Van Pelt, distillers, Slatersville, New York, working for this firm as traveling salesman for two years, when he was employed by A. S. Gaskin, tobacconist, Ithaca, New York. After one year this firm was burnt out, and he found employment in the same capacity with the firm of Heir & Aldrich, manufacturers of cigars and dealers in tobacco of all kinds. This business was located in Syracuse, New York, and Mr. Bush remained there until 1884, when he decided to settle on his farm in Willow Township, Cherokee County, Iowa. Before coming to the State he had purchased a farm of 320 acres, which he still owns and where he now resides. the farm was wild, but by industry and good management he has brought it to a high state of cultivation. Four never-failing springs furnish an abundance of water, and afford excellent facilities for stock-raising, in which business Mr. Bush has been engaged since coming West. Besides his residence and farm buildings he has on his farm a good set of buildings for tenant use. July 22, 1869, was an eventful day in our subject's life, for on that day he wedded Miss C. Georgiana Cantine, a daughter of Charles and Susan M. (Snow) Cantine. Mrs. Bush his a lineal descendant of the Huguenot family, Cantine, spelled also Cantyn and Cantaine, well known in the early history of New York. Numerous deeds and grants and patents in the possession of Mrs. Bush, some of which are dated as early as the "third year of the reign of William and Mary," attest the antiquity of the family, and furnish a treat to the lover of musty parchments. One of the most interesting of these documents -559-is a patent given to General John Cantine for 1,000 acres of land in Tioga County, New York, for services rendered in the Revolutionary War. General John Cantine was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Bush. Another interesting document is a deed to lands "in ye county of Ulster and Privince of New York," to Peter Cantine, and dated January 19, 1723. Mrs. Bush was born at Mott's Corners, now Brookton, New York, and lived there until her marriage in 1869. She was educated in the common schools of that town and at the Itaca Academy. For a number of years after completing her education she was a school teacher, and her success in the profession is attested by the fact that she held a State teacher's license from the school authorities of the State of New York. After her marriage Mrs. Bush lived for a time at Adams, afterward at Sandy Creek, where she was engaged in the millinery and ladies' furnishing goods business for eleven years. In 1882 she sold out her business at Sandy Creek, and lived for two years at Caroline, her native township, before coming to Cherokee County. On June 14, 1885, at night, Mr. Bush's house was totally destroyed by a cyclone. Mr. and Mrs. Bush sustained some injuries, but the rest of the family was unharmed. In politics Mr. Bush is a Democrat. He is a charter member of Alpine Lodge, No. 471, A.F. & A.M., having been made a member at Speedville Lodge, No. 365, Speedville, New York. He was also a charter member of Caroline Lodge, No. 681, A.F. & A.M. He is connected with the A.O.U.W., Sandy Creek Lodge, No. 256. The following are the names of Mr. Bush's brother and sisters: Mary Ann, deceased; Nancy, wife of Albert Goslee; Cordelia, wife of David Calkins; Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel Merwin; Daniel Bush; Catherine, wife of Hiram Hitchcock, and Lottie Bush. Mrs. Bush's brothers and sisters are: Maria Elizabeth, wife of William E. Heath; Charles A. Cantine, Holmes F. Hoffman, son of Mrs. Susan (Snow) Cantine by her second marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are the parents of one child, Charles C. R., born at Sandy Creek, New York. |
This nonprofit research site is an independent affiliate of the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP), and proud to be hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit historical and genealogical Safe-Site Server™ solely supported by tax-deductible contributions. No claim is made to the copyrights of individual submitters, and this site complies fully with USGenNet's Nonprofit Conditions of Use.
Copyright © 2000 - 2002 D. J. Coover
All Rights Reserved
Webmaster: D. J. Coover - ustphistor@usgennet.org
GEORGE SELLERS