-392- SILAS B. PARKHURST, who forms the subject of this biographical notice, is one of the remaining pioneers of the original Milford Colony who settled in Cherokee County in 1856. It is truly befitting that some record here be given of the members of that brave band of people, so few of whom survive as residents of the county which they first settled, explored and organized, and finally helped to bring to its present standing among Iowa's best counties. Mr. Parkhurst is a native of Massachusetts, born at Milford, April 24, 1815, and is the youngest of a family of five children. HIs parents were Silas and Lydia (Robins) Parkhurst, natives of New England. The father of our subject was a carpenter and contractor by trade; both he and his wife died in Milford. Silas B. lived in his native town until he -393- reached man's estate. He attended the common schools of that day, whose term did not exceed nine weeks during the entire year; he began at an early age to work in a boot and shoe factory, which was not furnished with the machinery now found in those establishments, but all was done by hand, and at the greatest disadvantage. It is no wonder that so many of the New England shoemakers desired to make a change by seeking prairie homes in the West! Our subject toiled on at pegging the soles of boots and shoes for fourteen years, and then for a short period of time engaged in farming. In 1842 he was married to Miss Izanna Fisk, daughter of Martin Fisk, of Milford, Massachusetts. Mrs. Parkhurst was born in 1818. In 1856 they removed to Cherokee County, coming with a part of the Emigration Society by rail to Dubuque, and thence by wagons across the wild and unsettled prairie State. The first winter, that of 1856-'57, they spent in Sac City. In the summer of 1857 Mr. Parkhurst pre-empted a quarter section of land and then deeded the same to the agent of the Emigration Society; when the division was made it left him sixty-two acres of prairie and twenty acres of timber land adjoining the town site. He served as a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of Company I, which was largely from Sioux City. He was sent up the Missouri River to guard he frontier from the attacks of Indians. His company was under General Sully's command, and they took part in the battle of White Stone Hill, near Devil's Lake, Dakota. Mr. Parkhurst served three years, and was mustered out of the service of the United States in 1864. He then located at Sioux City, Iowa, remaining there two years, and thence removed to Woodbury, Woodbury County, Iowa, where he lived a year, at the end of that time coming back to Cherokee County. He settled on a small tract of land near Albert Phipp's place, and had a shoe-shop in town; he also took up a homestead north of Hayword's mill, on Mill Creek. Upon this eighty-five acre farm he lived until the autumn of 1888, when he sold his homestead and moved into Cherokee, spending the winter with G. W. Lebourveau. In the spring of 1889 he built a house on a two-acre tract in the extreme northern portion of the "Addition," where he now leads a somewhat retired life. In political belief Mr. Parkhurst is a stanch Democrat. He belongs to Custer Post, No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are among the most aged of the original colony, he being seventy-four years old, and she seventy-one; she is still hale in body, clear in mind, and does all her own housework. To form any correct idea of the labors, and the privations endured by the pioneers in Northwestern Iowa a third of a century ago, one must converse with an aged couple who have battled through all obstacles and have overcome all difficulties. The bowed form, the whitened locks, the furrowed brow, all tell their story, and it is to these heroic people that the present generation is indebted for the high state of culture and development attained by the county and State. This worthy couple had two children, born to them, both of whom are deceased; one was Charles, and the other was an infant unnamed. JAMES A. BROWN is one of the early and well-known pioneers, a member of the Milford Colony who settled in the county of Cherokee in 1856. This section of country was wild and uninhabited, and offered few inducements to any but the hardy and courageous. James A. was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, January 17, 1820, and is -394- a son of Henry and Sarah (Vose) Brown, natives of Rhode Island and Maine respectively. The father was a mechanic, a wheel-wright by trade, but our subject was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-five he was married to Miss Louisa S. Sholes, a native of Rhode Island, born December, 25, 1820. Five years after his marriage he removed to Milford, Massachusetts, and there he was employed i a boot and shoe factory. It was there he made the acquaintance of Messrs. Phipps, Corbett, Lebourveau and others, who were also pioneers of Cherokee County. Mr. Brown has been engaged in farming since coming to the county, and has been successful in the pursuit of this industry. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has represented his county as supervisor, clerk and as justice of the peace, serving with credit to himself, and to the best interests of the public. He has experienced all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, well remembering the time when meal was ground in the coffee-mill for the family use. Mr. Brown's thrilling experience with the Indians is related in the chapter on Indian Troubles. He and his wife reared five children: George, Clara (widow of George E. Fisher), Thomas, Ida (wife of Henry Hubbard), and Ella. The great loss of Mr. Brown's life was the death of his wife, which occurred July 30, 1888. She had been a member of the Baptist Church since 1841, and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her. Mr. Brown has been a member of the Baptist Church for forty-eight years, and has held the office of deacon of the same. He has always taken an active interest in education and religion, and is numbered among the leading farmers of the county. Ida (Brown) Hubbard was the first white child born in Cherokee County. George Brown was born at Cumberland, Rhode Island, December 25, 1847, and is the son of James A. and Louisa (Sholes) Brown. When a lad of nearly nine years he came with his parents to Cherokee County, and has witnessed the wonderful growth and development of this productive section of country. Mr. Brown was married March 19, 1878, to Miss Mary Souter, a daughter of Robert and Alison (Crombie) Souter, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Five children have been born of this union: Elmer, Arthur, Ella, Maggie and Alice. THOMAS McCULLA ,Editor and Manager of the Cherokee Times, and present Mayor of the city, is the subject of this brief biographical notion. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, November, 29, 1855, and is a son of John and Sarah (McCraith) McCulla, of Scotch-English extraction. He received a good common-school education, and then took a special couse [course] at Wilton (Iowa) collegiate Institute. He afterward entered the law department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, and was graduated in the class of 1879. He was admitted to the bar at Muscatine, Iowa, in June, 1878, and located in Cherokee, July, 1879, and entered into the practice of his profession. He has always been considered a sound attorney with whom to counsel. He is a diligent reader, and is well posted on the topics of the day. Mr. McCulla practiced law and handled real estate until 1887, when he became editor of the oldest Republican journal in the county, the Cherokee Times. At present he divides his energies between the publication of his paper and the practice of his profession. He was elected mayor of Cherokee in 1885, and has held that office ever since to the entire satisfaction -395- of the public. In the was of offices he has held that of city recorder and city attorney. Politically he is a Republican, who can always be counted on as true to his party and sound in his judgment. He is an honored member of the various Masonic divisions from the Blue Lodge to the Commandery. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. He is interested in many of the commercial enterprises of the place, and always works for the best interests of the masses. F. S. BARNES, a man highly esteemed in the business circles of Cherokee County, was born in Delaware County, Iowa, July 14, 1848, and is a son of James and Margaret M. (Hudson) Barnes. He is the second of a family of nine children, and was reared in his native county, being trained to the occupation of a farmer. He received his earlier education in the common schools, and at the age of nineteen years entered Lennox College, at Hopkinton, Iowa, where he took a business course. He mad his home in Delaware County until 1879, when he came to Cherokee County, and purchased 160 acres in Marcus Township; from time to time he added to this purchase until he owned 540 acres; he has since engaged in buying and selling land until he now owns 220 acres, besides a large mortgage interest. After coming to this county he engaged in the live-stock business, feeding and shipping quite extensively, in connection with his other farming interests. In 1884 the Citizens' Bank was organized, with Mr. Barnes as president and cashier, the partnership being formed with M. A. Creglow, Esq., of Guttenberg, Iowa, with a good cash capital. Mr. Barnes also owns an interest in the Clayton County Bank, of which he is Vice President. He is well posted on all financial questions, and is looked upon as one of the wisest financiers in Northwestern Iowa, as well as one of the most influential citizens of Cherokee County. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and enjoys a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Republican, and has the distinction of being chairman of the Board of County Supervisors; he has also filled the office of township treasurer for four years. He is a member of the A.O.U.W. Mr. Barnes was united in marriage December 28, 1871, to Miss Sarah Edith Everhart, a daughter of H. B. and Caroline (Kirk) Everhart. Mrs. Barnes was born in the State of Pennsylvania, October 12, 1850. This union has resulted in three children: Alice Gertrude, born December 25, 1873; Frances Edith, born June 2, 1878, and Floyd Senate, born May 17, 1886. Mr. Barnes was reared in the Freewill Baptist Church, and his wife was brought up in the Presbyterian faith. J. H. GROVES, proprietor of the Woodbine Valley Stock Farm, Pilot Township, is one of the prominent and extensive agriculturists of Cherokee County. He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 1, 1842, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Sellers) Groves, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. In 1855 the family removed to Clinton County, Iowa. the father died in Scott County, Iowa, Iowa, and the mother in Pilot Township, Cherokee County. J. H. Groves, the subject of this biography, was reared to farm life, and received the advantages of the common schools. During the great Rebellion he enlisted in August, 1862, in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company C; he took an active part in the engagements of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, -396- Jackson, Mississippi, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Ridge; thence he went to Chattanooga, thence to Vienna, spending the winter there; afterward he went to Resaca, and thence to the Kinnesaw Mountains; at one time he belonged to the First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and was detached from Sherman's army and placed under Hooker at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge; he marched through the Carolinas, and was with General Sherman at Raleigh, North Carolina, at the time of the surrender of General Johnston. He attended the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, was honorably discharged, and was mustered out of the service at Clinton, Iowa. Mr. Groves engaged in farming in Clinton County until 1869 when he came to Cherokee County and took a homestead of eighty acres of Government land in section 26, Pilot Township; he was prosperous in his undertakings, and invested in land until he owned 760 acres in one body, on which he lived until 1887, when he removed to Woodbine Valley Stock Farm; this place contains 1,280 acres of well-improved land; there is a comfortable dwelling, and one of he best barns in the county; in the stone basement is a tank filled with a natural supply of water, and all the arrangements of the barn are equally convenient. Mr. Groves is one of the oldest and most extensive cattle and most extensive cattle feeders in Cherokee County; in raising stock he makes a specialty of the higher grades, and has been very successful in this enterprise. The large tracts of land now owned by Mr. Groves, viewed from the small beginning, attest his thrift and wise management. In Clinton County, Iowa, Mr. Groves was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Bull, who was born in England, and came with her parents, George and Catherine (Bruce) Bull, to America. Mr. and Mrs. Groves have four children: George F., Charles H., Alice E. and Roy A. Politically our subject is an Independent Republican. He was elected county supervisor in 1871, serving one term; he has also filled the office of township trustee, acquitting himself with much credit. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M., and Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M. Mr. Groves is still in the prime of life, is cordial in manner, firm in his convictions of right and wrong, honorable in business, and highly respected by all who know him. JOHN FRENCH, of Amherst Township, has experienced more than the average adversity, as well as prosperity, of the pioneer settler of Cherokee County. To trace his career from the beginning let us go back to Lincolnshire, England, where he was born December 18, 1830. His parents were Edward and Ann (Parkin) French, also natives of England. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and obtained his education through his own efforts, as the advantages offered him were very meager; being a close observer, however, he has acquired a fund of information that enables him to attend to any business that may devolve upon him. When he had attained his nineteenth year he bade farewell to his native land, and sailed for America; he located in Ontario, near Hamilton. After coming to this country he learned the trade of general building, and followed this avocation until 1867, when he came to Iowa, and settled in Jackson County; there he remained until 1871, when he came to Cherokee County, and purchased a farm in Amherst Township. At that time there were only eight homesteads in the township, and only two or three actual settlers. Mr. French had -397- bought eighty acres, and he erected a small house which made a home for several years; in 1885 he built a handsome brick residence, which is second to none in the township; it is surrounded by a beautiful grove of two acres, which adds very much to the attractiveness of the place. all of the improvements have been made by the present owner, and are of the best kind. He has made additions to his first purchase of land until he has at different times owned several hundred acres of land. He has made generous gifts of land to three of his sons, and takes delight in being able to render them assistance, being fully able to appreciate the difficulties which beset the young man without capital or lands. When they first came to the county, Mr. French and his family were compelled to undergo many hardships; their neighbors were few and far away; the roads were poor, and the market places at a great distance, while the prices paid for produce were oftentimes very low; the prairie fires were often very destructive, and two different seasons there were grasshoppers in such abundance that Mr. French on one occasion caught fifty-three bushels. He erected the first school-house in the township, and while doing this work he was shut in by a blizzard for two days and two nights, with only two meals' provision. Mr. French was married January 19, 1858, to Jane Ward, a daughter of George and Ann (Pickering) Ward, who was born in Canada September 20, 1840. Six children were born of this union: George Edward, John Albert, Thomas William, James Robert (who was the fist male child born in Amherst Township), Lizzie Ann Malissa and Charles Henry. On first coming to the county Mr. and Mrs. French were associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church; after several years they joined the Second Adventist Church, and have taken an active part in the work of that society. Mr. French has done much of the ministerial work in Tilden and Amherst townships, helping to organize the Methodist Episcopal Church in the latter township. He has labored diligently in the cause of his Master, and well deserves the respect and esteem in which he is held. Mr. French and his family are numbered among the leading people of Amherst township. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as justice of the peace, and as trustee. EDWARD W. PARKER, M.D., is one of the men now living in Spring Township who came here in the early days and entered Government land. HIs settlement there dates back to September, 1865, when a company of ten persons migrated from Wisconsin to find homes in this new country. Among them were Mrs. Parker's parents, who settled on land adjoining the Doctor's. Edward W. Parker was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1845, and is a son of Bramen C. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker. The father is also a physician, and is practicing at Wilber, Nebraska. He was born in the State of New York, of English ancestry. Wilson Parker, grandfather of our subject, removed to New York from Massachusetts,where his family had been rooted for generations, having been among the earliest settlers of that commonwealth. Dr. Parker's mother was born in the Hoosier State, where she was married to his father. There were three children in the family. James W., the eldest, was a homsteader of 1866 in Cherokee County, but left the following year, and is now a locomotive engineer. The only daughter, Margaret, died at the age of thirty-two years. Edward -398- W. was but four years old when his mother died, and his father afterward reared a large family by a second marriage. At the age of eight years he came West with his father and settled in Dane County, Wisconsin. When he was fourteen years old his father gave him his time and he became his own guardian, and although doing for himself he made his home with his father. When the Rebellion in the South arose he responded to the President's call for men to defend the nations's flag. August 16, 1881, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and after a service of four years he was discharged July 3, 1865, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. For months he was detailed on special duty as provost guard on General Newton's staff, while he was in command of the First Army Corps. He participated in most of the battles of the Eastern campaign, including Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill and Spottsylvania. After the last battle he was taken sick and for eight months lay at Fort Schuyler Hospital. He was fortunate enough to escape being wounded, though he passed through many of the hottest battles. When the battle-flags were furled and pace was declared he returned to his home in Wisconsin. While ona furlough he had been united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Crooks, October 2, 1864, and on rejoining her the question naturally arose, "Where shall we make our home?" Iowa offering many inducments, they located upon a homestead in Cherokee County, and there they have passed their maturer years. Having for a long time been desirous of studying medicine, our subject embraced the first opportunity and entered the office of R. L. Cleaves, M.D., in 1872. He then took tow courses of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in 1876. He began to practice with Dr. Cleaves, with whom he was connected one year, at the end of which time he returned to his farm. He has since devoted his time to his profession in connection with some agricultural pursuits. HIs field of work includes Cherokee, O'Brien and Buena Vista counties, and he has been very successful. He has often been solicited to locate in some city, but he is content to remain where he is surrounded with rural comforts, and where he can give some attention to his apiary, in which he is much interested. He also breeds Poland-China hogs, having a fine herd of thirty head. HIs son has charge of the farm, and he can now enjoy life as only those can who have passed through the hardships of pioneer life and have been successful. Dr. Parker has the respect and confidence of the people of his county, and repeatedly his neighbors have shown their confidence by asking him to attend to the duties connected with the offices of the township in which he resides. He is thoroughly imbued with the principles of the Republican party, and is a stanch and effective supporter of the same. He is of a strong social nature, and numbers his friends among all classes and beliefs. He is a member of the G.A.R., the I.O.O.F. and the K.P. societies, taking a prominent and active part in the deliberations of these bodies. Mrs. Parker, a most estimable person, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1845. She is a daughter of William and Jane Crooks. the mother died three years ago, and the father is now a resident of Lake Park, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Parker's family consists of C. Augustus, born April 26, 1866, and Bertha, born June 17, 1879. She has the distinction of being the first white child born in Spring Township. -399- She has chosen the profession of teaching, and is fitting herself to do her work well. She is attending the State Normal at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and will soon finish the course of study of that institution. She has taught four terms, and has met with most gratifying success. ELIAS DUBES, a prominent farmer of Silver Township, entered eighty acres of Government land in Cherokee County in 1868, and his family have been residents of the county since 1870. He was born September 17, 1828, in York County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jacob and Betsey (Motter) Dubes, his mother being the daughter of English parents. At the age of twenty-one years Elias removed to Carroll County, Ohio, remaining there one year, when he returned to Harrison County. there he was married January 8, 1852, to Miss Hannah Sawvel, a daughter of Michael and Sarah (Warner) Sawvel, natives of York County, Pennsylvania. The father died at the age of seventy-seven, and the mother lived to be sixty-five years old. Mrs. Dubes was born in Harrison County, Ohio. In 1853 the tide of emigration flowing westward, Mr. Dubes emigrated to Iowa and settled in Clayton County; thence he removed to Allamakee County, Iowa, where he improved 120 acres of land. In August, 1862, he left the peaceful pursuit of agriculture to engage in the defense of the Union; he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and served two years and a half; he participated in the battles of Clifton, Jackson, Mississippi, and Holly Springs, Arkansas. He was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, when he returned to Allamakee County, where he lived until he came to Cherokee County. Mr. Dubes now owns 360 acres of land in Silver Township, and forty acres in Diamond. His dwelling was built in 1883 at a cost of $2,300, and is one of the handsomest farm residences in the county; he has a large and substantial barn, a modern windmill supplying water for livestock, and stock scales; there is a large grove adding to the comfort of the place, and all the indications are that Mr. Dubes is a successful farmer. He and his wife are the parents of seven children: Lucinda Clara, wife of J. P. McDowell, of Diamond Township; Michael Francis, of Silver Township; Sarah E., wife of H. M. Lane, of Silver Township; Daniel, of Diamond Township, and Maggie A., at home; two children have died. Flora J., in 1881, in her thirteenth year; Amanda E., in 1882, in her twenty-first year. Mr. Dubes is a member of the Republican party, and has served his township seventeen years as treasurer, eight years as trustee, and two years as justice of the peace, and his county as coroner; he has filled these offices with credit to himself and honor to his constituency. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and their house was for many years known as the Baptist headquarters. Mr. Dubes is a member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R. he is frank and genial in manner, and is honored and respected by many friends. WILIAM B. CHICK, the present treasurer of Cherokee County, has been closely connected with public matters hereabouts for nearly twenty years, coming to the place when the broad, trackless prairies made up the surroundings of a mere hamlet, and before the iron horse had found his way to this part of had found his way to this part of Iowa. He came in -400- March, 1870, in company with Dr. Royal L. Cleaves, they came overland from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeing lots of "beautiful prairies" between here and there. In attempting to sketch the life of so active a man as Mr. Chick it is the writer's first duty to gain what facts he can from the subject, and then draw from the fund of popular sentiment for the remainder. It will almost go without the saying that this gentleman, by reason of his ability and genial traits, has no real enemies in the county, where he has mingled with all classes of men for almost two decades. But before speaking of his career in Cherokee County, the reader will please go with us in thought to the old "Pine Tree" State, Maine, down by that wave-washed and rocky coast whence came so many of Iowa's early and best settlers. In York County William B. Chick was born July 25, 1848, his parents being Nathan and Barbara (Foster) Chick, natives of Maine, and of Puritan blood. The father died when William B. was a mere child, and he was thrown upon his own resources to carve out life's history by his unaided hand. At the age of thirteen years he went to the city of Portland, where he remained until that great conflict, the Civil War, demanded the service, and life if need be, of the bravest and best of our sons. Accordingly, you Chick enlisted in April, 1864, when only sixteen years old, becoming a member of the First Maine Battery; he went South and participated in the battles of Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, and others, and was discharged July 15, 1865, before he had reached his seventeenth birthday. He returned to Maine, and shortly thereafter went to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed as clerk in a clothing house for two years and a half. Thence he went to Chicago, Illinois, in 1868, but remained there only a short time before he retraced his steps as far east as Michigan, where he worked in the lumber business for about a year. In August, 1869, he came to Iowa, stopping at Cedar Rapids until March, 1870, and then came to Cherokee. In company with Dr. Cleaves he bought a pre-emption claim on section 30, Cherokee Township, about two and a half miles west of the city. The romance of breaking prairie with ox-teams soon wore off, and the quarter section was sold at a good paying margin. Mr. Chick then clerked for two years for F. W. Huxford, and January 1, 1874, began his duties as deputy county treasurer, which position he held for two years. In the fall of 1875 he was elected county auditor, and was twice re-elected, holding that responsible office for nearly six years, resigning to engage in the mercantile business as a member of the firm of Ballard & Chick. Later he bought his partner's interest and continued in the trade until the spring of 1882, when he again took charge of the county auditor's office, managing it until the next general election, which occurred in the fall of 1883, when he was elected treasurer of the county. He was re-elected again in 1885 and 1887, and is now serving the third term of this office, to which he was called without opposition. Mr. Chick was married February 9, 1875, to Miss Sarah Delaney, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mitchell and Prudence Delaney. By this union three children have been born, one of whom is living, named Myrtie; Howard and Edith died within a week, in the month of November, 1887; Howard was six years old, and Edith, three years and five months. This sad bereavement cast a deep gloom over the fond parents, whose hearts still feel the great affliction. Mr. Chick is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A.F. & A.M.; of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R.A.M.; and of Crusade Commandery, No. 39, K.T. He has served as Master of the Blue Lodge, -401- and High Priest of the Chapter. He is now serving his fourth years as Commander of the K.T. Commandery. He also belongs to Custer Post, No. 25, G.A.R., of which he has been Adjutant. He has been Chief of the Fire Department for many years, and there is no better business man in all the county than "Chick," by which name he is known far and wide, but seldom is his given name mentioned, if indeed it be known to the masses. In his manner he is polite and pleasing, in business matters prompt and reliable, and as a friend, neighbor, and good citizen, no one stands higher than William B. Chick.

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