SIDNEY TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHIES (cont.)
L-
739
| LINGENFELTER, L., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney;
born near Lexington, Kentucky, in August, 1822. His
father was George Lingen- (p. 740)
felter, a native of Frederick county, Maryland, but who
settled in Fayette county, Kentucky, while it was yet
an immense can6brake, about the year 1804. In that year
his father married Miss Nancy York, the daughter of a
revolutionary soldier. A few years thereafter, Mr. Lingenfelter’s
parents moved to Clay county, Missouri, locating in the
neighborhood of Liberty, where young Lingenfelter received
the major portion of his education. After thoroughly
improving the advantages of the schools of Liberty, young
Lingenfelter entered college at Fayette, Howard county,
Missouri, for two years, when his course sustained an
abrupt and painful curtailing in the death of his mother.
In the following year he taught school at Liberty, retaining
his position for two years, when he began to read law
under the instruction of Judge Wood. In 1846 Mr. Lingenfelter
married Miss Susan Lancaster, a daughter of Col. Lancaster,
of Washington county, Kentucky, by whom he is the father
of six children, four sons and two daughters, all living.
Since Mr. Lingenfelter came to Iowa he was twice elected
to the office of prosecuting attorney for Fremont county,
which he filled to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
In 1860 he voted for Mr. Douglas in the presidential
election of that year, but during the war with the confederacy
he ably sustained the administration of Lincoln. In 1864
he was appointed by the republican state convention,
one of the delegates to the Baltimore convention, which
renominated Lincoln for a second term. At the close of
the war Mr. Lingenfelter came back to his first love
and connected himself with the. Democracy, to the time
honored principles of which he still adheres. In religious
faith Mr. Lingenfelter is a Baptist, of which denomination
he has been a member for thirty-five years. He is a conscientious
temperance man, intelligently active in his interest
in educational matters, and a patron of all that tends
to ameliorate the conditions of men. From the earliest
day he has been actively interested in the welfare of
the county, and has been closely identified with its
interests. In 1876 he published a brief “History
of Fremont County,” which was an epitome of its
existence up to that date. |
740
| LINN, SYLVANIA J., nurseryman, P. O. Sidney; born
September 16, 1836, in Perry county, Ohio. Came to
Iowa when but four years of age, living in Henry county
until October, 1861, when he enlisted in company D,
4th Iowa cavalry, but, owing to disability, he was
discharged in six months. In the fall of 1863 he moved
to Sidney, engaging in various occupations until 1871,
when he founded the Sidney nursery. This is a most
commendable enterprise, of which the residents of the
county have availed themselves freely. An account of
it is elsewhere given. He was married August 27, 1863,
to Miss Charlotta Simons, of Sidney. Mr. Linn is a
member of the I. O. O. F. |
741
| LAIRD, MRS. MARY I.,
P. O. Sidney; born July 14, 1814, in Erie, Pennsylvania,
where she grew to womanhood.
April 10, 1832, she married Johnston Laird, a native
of Erie, Pennsylvania, born in March, 1806. Her husband
was, in his younger days a farmer, and in 1835 he engaged
in the mercantile business. Mrs. Laird came with her
husband to Fremont county in 1852. Her husband died
August 27, 1868. She is the mother of eight children:
William, Hamlin, Henry, George, Benjamin, John, Francis,
James and Mary. |
| LYBE, D. I., jeweler and dentist, P. O. Sidney; born
December 25, 1847, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
where he grew to manhood. He attended the college of
dentistry, of Philadelphia, and finishing his studies
located in Blair county, Pennsylvania, to engage in
the practice of his profession. In 1870 he came to
Iowa, locating in Jasper county, where he continued
until 1877, when he came to Sidney. In 1878 he opened
a jewelry store in connection with his dental office.
Mr. Lybe was married July 3, 1872, and is the father
of two children: Bessie and Leland. He enlisted in
company I, 101st regiment Pennsylvania infantry, in
1864, and served until the close of the war. |
| LEITCH, ALEXANDER, farmer, Sidney township, section
34, P. O. Sidney; born in Scotland, October 12, 1825,
in the city of Iverness. In 1837 emigrated to America
with his father’s family, and located at Raleigh,
North Carolina. In 1839 he removed to St. Louis, Missouri,
remaining until 1846 when he settled at Gallitin, Davis
county, same state, at which place he was married to
Miss Emily A. Venable, September 27, 1850. They are
the parents of four children: Elizabeth M., Amelia
A., William T. and Isabella M. In 1854 Mr. Leitch left
Missouri, and located in the town of Sidney, Fremont
county, Iowa. He was post-master at Sidney in the years
1855-6-7; he held at the same time the office of school
fund commissioner. In the fall of 1858 he was elected
clerk of the district court; re-elected at the expiration
of his first term, and appointed for a third term clerk
of the district and circuit courts by the board of
supervisors. He has also filled the offices of justice
of the peace and township trustee. Mr. Leitch and his
son are both Master Masons. His wife is sister to Dr.
Joseph Venable, one of the very first physicians to
practice in this county. |
| LEFFLER, WILLIAM,
merchant, P. O. Sidney, place of business Spring Valley;
born December 28, 1843, in Boone
county, Missouri. Came to Iowa in 1853, with his mother,
his father having died in 1849. In this county he grew
to manhood, and received his education. In his youth
he suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever,
which left him a cripple for life. He engaged in his
present business in 1875. |
742
| MORRIS, WILLIAM,
bee-keeper and farmer, section 2, P. O. Anderson; born
May 3, 1841., in Bates county,
Missouri. In 1849 he moved with his father’s
family, where he resided until 1850, when he came to
Fremont county, locating in Sidney township. In 1854
he became a resident of Cass county, Nebraska. He removed
to California in 1857. In 1863 he enlisted in company
E, Second Massachusetts cavalry, and was put on picket
duty in the defenses of Washington. In 1863 he was
captured by the Confederates, by whom he was exchanged
a few months after. Mr. Morris was in thirty-two battles,
during his connection with the army. He was mustered
out August 7, 1865, \at Boston, Massachusetts. He then
came direct to Iowa, and entered Tabor College. In
the spring of 1866 he commenced his present occupation—that
of farming and keeping bees. He Was married to Miss
Susanna Wilson, of Tabor, February 22, 1866, by whom
he has seven children: Sarah L., Martha L., Nellie
S., John W., Harriet O., Marietta I. and Emma R. He
is a son of Milton Morris, of Missouri, who came from
that State because of entertaining principles hostile
to slavery. |
| MORGAN, WILLIAM W., editor Fremont Democrat, P. O.
Sidney; born March 30, 1833, in Windsor county, Vermont.
In 1847 moved with his parents to Miami county, Indiana,
where he attained his majority. In 1850 started for
Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1854 settled in Kansas, establishing
a claim in Doniphan county. In 1856 went to Illinois,
remaining until 1858, when he went to Nebraska. In
1863 he entered the service of the United States in
the Second Nebraska cavalry, being engaged in the Indian
expeditions in the northwest. In 1864 and 1865 he was
first assistant clerk in the Territorial Council of
Nebraska. Came to Iowa, and located in Fremont, county,
at Bartlett, where he was justice of the peace. In
1869 he was elected sheriff on the democratic ticket
and was re-elected four successive terms. Since 1877
he has been engaged in the practice of law in connection
with Robert Percival, of Council Bluffs. In the fall
of 1880 he purchased the Fremont Democrat, and assumed
its management. Mr. Morgan is a Royal Arch Mason, and
a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married September
10, 1837, to Miss Hannah J. Rheinhart, of Long Island,
New York, by whom he has four children: Houston N.,
Laura B., Alice and William L. His wife died July 20,
1880. |
| MURPHY, JOSEPH, attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born
November 24, 1828, in the parish of St. Mullins, county
Carlow, Ireland. His father was of the old stock of
the adjoining county of Wexford, and his mother was
the daughter of Benjamin Wrigley, of Cheatam Hill,
Manchester, England, whose ancestry were of the followers
of William the Conqueror, (p. 743)
from Normandy, in 1066, A. D. When but a few months old
his parents moved to Dublin, in 1829, where he was reared,
and they being in comfortable circumstances he received
what might be termed a liberal education. At an early
age, and long before he had the remotest idea of emigrating
to America, he became familiar with, and a great admirer
of, her history and institutions, so that when financial
reverses rendered emigration advisable, he was prepared
to make an intelligent choice of a country for his future
home. In the year 1850 he came to America, and commenced
his career as a teacher of common schools in Indiana.
During his leisure he read law, and was admitted to the
bar by Judge Morton in 1853. In August, 1854, Mr. Murphy
came to Sidney, Iowa. He then engaged in teaching—one
term—in the old brick school house that stood on
the west side of the city. Shortly after this Mr. Murphy
began to practice—there being but two lawyers,
Messrs. Sears and Lingenfelter. Mr. Murphy has continued
in practice
until a few years since, when his sight failing him,
he was obliged to desist. He now resides on his farm,
west of the city, coming to town daily to engage in his
profession. |
743
| McDONALD, JAMES H., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney;
born April 15, 1853, in Hamilton, province of Ontario,
Canada. When a child came with his parents to Oneida
county, New York, remaining eight years, when he removed
to Columbia county, Wisconsin. In 1871 he carne to
Sidney, Fremont county, Iowa. Some of his earlier years
in this county were passed in teaching school. In 1876
he was admitted to the bar as an attorney. Mr. McDonald
was married to Miss Ella Gray, September 16, 1880.
Mr. McDonald and wife are members of the Presbyterian
church of Sidney. |
| MOOMAW, JOHN F., merchant, P. O.
Sidney; born October 11, 1837, in the state of Virginia.
When about ten
years of age moved with his parents to Grant county,
Indiana, remaining some seven years. In 1856 came to
Fremont county, of which he has since been a continuous
resident. His life, for the greater part, has been
spent at the work-bench, for he is a carpenter by trade.
In 1863 he visited the Rocky Mountains, remaining but
a year. In 1877 he entered the furniture business,
in which he is now engaged. Mr. Moomaw is a member
of the Masonic fraternity. He was married December
20, 1860, to Miss Matilda Fletcher; by this union they
have three children: William H., Joseph B. and Charles. |
| McCRACKEN, CYRUS,
physician and surgeon, P. O. Sidney; born January 4,
1833, in Morgan county, Indiana. His
education was received in the common schools of Indiana,
and Richland Seminary, Keokuk, Iowa. In 1854 he engaged
in the drug business, in Keokuk county at (p.
744) Richland,
where he remained until December, 1855. In that month
his store was burned, a disaster more heavily borne,
owing to a severe sickness, for he was at that time
suffering under a severe attack of typhoid fever. After
recovering he formed a partnership with Dr. Shelly,
engaging in the practice of medicine at Abingdon, Jefferson
county, Iowa, where he remained until 1860. He graduated
from the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons.
When he came to Sidney, he formed a partnership with
Dr. John McKilliss, with whom he continued until the
fall of 1863. He then assumed the practice in his own
name, meeting with signal success. Dr. McCracken was
married September 20, 1854, to Miss Sarah M. McCreery,
of Richland, Iowa. They have one child, Mary, born
June 28, 1856, now wife of John T. Hodges, of Sidney.
Dr. McCracken is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and A. O. U. W. |
744
| MOOMAW, JACOB B., carpenter and joiner, P. O. Sidney;
born October 24, 1799, in the state of Virginia, where
he grew to manhood, was educated and married. His father
was Philip Moomaw, born October 17, 1771, and died
November 11, 1844. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker
by trade, and from him young Moomaw learned his trade.
When twenty-one young Moomaw indentured himself to
his uncle, and for three years served an apprenticeship
at the tanner’s trade. He then assumed control
of the yard, which he continued for thirteen years.
He then entered upon his first trade—that of
carpenter—until 1845, when he removed to Grant
county, Indiana, to
follow farming. In 1855 he came to Fremont county,
and found a congenial home in the young city of Sidney,
which he helped both to plat and to build. Many of
the older houses in the town stand to attest the quality
of his workmanship. He built the old seminary building,
and the Herod hotel (now the Cromwell House). Mr. Moomaw
has filled nearly every township office since his
residence here; was thrice elected a justice of the
peace, but would not qualify. For fifty-six years he
has been a conscientious member of the Christian Church,
and a minister in the same. He was married to Miss
Anna Fisher, of Virginia, August 17, 1830, by whom
he has five children living: Mark F., John F., Catherine,
Daniel D., and Jacob. |
| METELMEN, A. F., merchant, P. O. Sidney; born June
30, 1833, in Mecklinburg, Germany. He received his
education in an excellent private school in that country,
where he remained until nineteen years of age. In 1852
he came to America, and located in Cleveland, Ohio,
finding employment as clerk in a dry-goods house in
that city. At the expiration of two years he removed
to Davenport, Iowa, remaining but a short time, when
he went to Louisville, Kentucky. Here he engaged as
a salesman until July, 1856, when he came to Fremont
county, locating in (p. 745)
the then newly constituted county seat. He entered the
employ of Tootle & Armstrong, remaining with this
firm until it was dissolved, when he formed a partnership
with the junior member of the firm, under the firm name
of Reed, Armstrong & Co. This partnership continued
until 1867, when Mr. Metelmen purchased his partners’ interest,
and conducted the business in his own name until 1876.
He then associated with himself Mr. Hodges, the firm
name being A. F. Metelmen & Co. Mr. Metelmen was
married to Miss Mary Brown, of Peoria, Illinois, by whom
he has two children: Maud Ella, born January 12, 1869;
and Charles, born October 1, 1878. |
745
| MURPHY, CHARLES W., postmaster, joint editor and
proprietor Sidney Union-Advocate, P. O. Sidney; born
in Green county, Ohio, August 20, 1846, where he grew
to man’s estate. He was educated at the Ohio
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and at the
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from the law
department of which he graduated in the spring of 1874.
He came to Iowa, and located at Hamburg in the same
year. In July, 1875, he purchased the Sidney Union,
which he published until its consolidation with the
Advocate. Mr. Murphy served in the federal army for
thirteen months, in the fifth independent battalion.
Ohio cavalry. He was married January 8, 1876, to Miss
M. B. Darst, of Circleville, Ohio, by whom he has two
children: Clark and Kenneth. In 1878 he was appointed
postmaster, which office he still holds. |
| McCORMICK, H. T., farmer, section 32, P. O. Plum
Hollow; born January 11, 1835, in Warren county, Pennsylvania,
where he grew to manhood and was educated. Came to
Iowa in 1867, and located on the farm he now occupies.
He was married June 13, 1867, to Miss Sarah Kuhns,
a native of Venango county, Pennsylvania. They have
five children living: Roselle H., Franklin U., Lulu
M., Rutherford J., and Linda F. He is a member of the
I. O. O.F., and has held several township offices. |
| NESS, WILLIAM C.,
mechanic P. O. Sidney; born May 29, 1840, in Miami
county, Indiana. In 1852 he came
to Iowa, locating in Appanoose county, where he remained
until grown to manhood, and learned the wagon-maker’s
trade. From September 1859, to the spring of 1861,
he was in school at West Point Academy, Grundy county,
Missouri. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in company
B, first Missouri cavalry, serving four years. He was
in numerous battles and was thrice wounded in the arm,
in the head, and in the breast. He was mustered out
May 16, 1865. In September of the same year he came
to Sidney, and attended (p. 746)
the Seminary which was then in operation at the county
seat. He has been in various occupations, including two
years teaching school. He was married October 16, 1872
to Miss Maggie D. Hatten, of Sidney. They are the parents
of three children: Leo, Maggie, and one unnamed. |
746
| OTTE, GEORGE,
farmer, section 24, P. O. Sidney; born February 9,
1830, in Hanover, Germany. At the age of
eighteen years he and his brother—then sixteen years
of age—came to New York. Mr. Otte came to Iowa in
1856, locating in Douglass township, Page county. In
1865 he came to Fremont county, and located on the
farm he now owns. Since coming to this county he has
accumulated all of his fine property, consisting of
640 acres of land, which is well improved and stocked.
Mr. Otte was married March 25,1852, to Miss Johanna
Klinge, a native of Germany. They are the parents of
eleven children, nine living: Rachel, George, Annie,
William, Charlie, Albert, Jessie, Fred. and James. |
| OWEN, HENRY P., farmer and blacksmith, P. O. Sidney;
born February 7, 1856, in Shropshire, North Wales.
In 1870 emigrated to America, and located for a short
period, when he moved to Nebraska. Came to Iowa in
1876. In the same year he was married to Miss Rose
A. Secrist, a native of Illinois, by whom he has one
child: Gertrude L. |
| ORR, JOHN H., farmer, section 24, P. O. Plum Hollow;
born October 29, 1843, in Wayne county, West Virginia.
When nine years of age moved with his father’s
family to Missouri, in the common schools of which
State the chief portion of his education was obtained.
Enlisted in 1862 in company E, Forty-third regiment,
remaining in the service until the close of the war.
Came to Iowa in 1868, locating first at Civil Bend,
Fremont county. He was married to Miss Elizabeth A.
Smith in 1870, by, whom he has five, children, three
living: William E., Benjamin F. and Lucy F. |
| ORR, S. S., farmer and teacher, section 24, P. O.
Plum Hollow; born March 17, 1841, in Wayne county,
Virginia. In 1852 moved to Missouri with his father’s
family. His education was largely received in the select
schools of Virginia. Enlisted in 1862 in company E,
Forty-fifth Missouri, State militia; was transferred
to the regular army, in company D, Ninth infantry.
Came to Iowa in 1865, remaining but a brief period
when he returned to Missouri to engage in school teaching.
In 1868 returned to Fremont county to remain. He has
held various township offices, among them assessor
and collector. Mr. Orr was married November 4, 1869,
to Miss Mary E. Keyser, by whom he has five children:
Francis L., Alpha C., Mary A., F. L. and Emma A. |
747
| PENN, DR. JOHN N., P. O. Sidney; born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1824, where he received
his education and reached man’s estate. In 1844
he removed to Green county, Pennsylvania, and engaged
in the stock business in connection with an uncle,
in which he continued four years. Closing out his interest
he next embarked upon another business project, engaging
in the sale of groceries and confectionery. His leisure
time during this period was employed in reading medicine,
until the year 1852, when he engaged in its practice
in connection with his preceptor. In the spring of
1855, he removed to Athens county, Ohio, but not finding
a suitable location, in the following year he came
to Iowa, locating at Sidney. After a six month’s
practice here, the outlook appearing so very flattering,
he returned to the east to bring his family to his
new home, which he did in April, 1857. Dr. Penn’s
practice soon assumed huge proportions, since, in those
early days competent physicians were few. He is the
oldest resident physician in the county; and, as may
be judged, his practice was not alone confined to Fremont,
but embraced the counties of Mills and Montgomery,
and even reached into the states of Missouri and Nebraska.
In January, 1864, he purchased the drug business of
O. A. Sykes & Co., which he superintended, in connection
with an extensive practice, until June, 1876. He was
then subjected to an experience, the most unfortunate
a man can possibly undergo, the loss of sight. He suffered
from congestion of the brain, induced by exposure,
which resulted in the total destruction of the optic
nerves, and complete loss of vision. He has continued
to practice since his misfortune, but only in special
cases. His drug business is now conducted by his son,
and a branch business at Burlington Junction, by his
second son, John H. Penn. The main business which now
engages the attention of Dr. Penn almost exclusively
is the preparation of medicines-specifics, which are
meeting with a deserved reputation. Dr. Penn was married
October 17, 1848, to Miss Emily Rickey, of Green county,
Pennsylvania, of which she is a native. They are the
parents of five children, all now living: Alphonso
V., Clarissa Jane, Phebe A., John H. and William A.
Dr. Penn has contributed not a little to the growth
of the county, and his ventures have not all been made
for selfish ends. The county has felt the influence
of his noble example. |
| PUGH, MADISON F., farmer, section 24, P. O. Plum
Hollow; born February 25, 1829, in Marion county, Indiana.
In 1854, he came with his parents to Iowa, locating
in Fremont county. His education was received in the
common and subscription schools of Indiana. He has
held the offices of road superintendent and school
director. He owns a fine farm of 100 acres. |
748
| RIST, JAMES I., attorney at law, mayor, P.O., Sidney;
born September 18, 1847, in Fulton county, Illinois.
When he was seven years of age he came with his parents
to Mills county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, and
received his preliminary education; when he entered
Tabor College and completed his studies. He then began
to read law, and was admitted to the bar in March,
1873. In the spring of 1875, he moved to Malvern and
entered the newspaper business. In the spring of 1876,
he came to Sidney, and began the practice of law, In
March of 1880, he was elected mayor of Sidney. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the I. O. O.
F. October 7, 1875, Mr. Rist was married to Miss Emma
J. Usher, of Glenwood. They have two children: Winifred
E. and Edith E. |
| ROSS, WILLIAM P., barber, P. O. Sidney; born March
15, 1849, in Davis county, Missouri. When four years
of age moved to Atchinson county, same state, remaining
until 1863, when he removed to Richardson county, Nebraska.
In August, 1864, he enlisted in company K, 48th Missouri
infantry as a musician. At the battle of Nashville,
Tennessee, he received a slight wound on the head,
from a rifle ball, which resulted in brain fever. He
was mustered out in June, 1865. From this time on he
was engaged in sundry occupations in various towns
and states until 1878, when he came to Sidney to engage
in his present business. Mr. Ross was married February
18, 1875, to Miss Sarah J. Hyatt, of Sidney, by whom
he has two children: Bertha and Clarence. |
| ROCKWELL, ALVA S., livery and feed stable, P. O.
Sidney; born October 29,1846, in Montgomery county,
New York, where he grew to manhood, and remained until
the spring of 1872, when he came to Fremont county,
Iowa, locating at Riverton and engaging in the livery
and stage business, until coming to Sidney and opening
the Pacific House, in that city. In 1879 he purchased
a farm; which he traded for his present business in
February, 1880. Mr. Rockwell was married December 20,
186--, to Miss Josephine Holmes, of Schoharie county,
New York. They have two children: Albert W. and Emery
H. |
| RICHARDS, MILTON, farmer, section 22, P. O. Sidney;
born March 20, 1810, in Highland county, Ohio, where
he lived until 1822, when he became a resident of Shelby
county, same state. He came to Fremont county, Iowa,
in 1846, locating on his present farm, which he purchased
from A. H. Argyle, the first county treasurer and a
man of note. Mr. Richards was married to Miss Jane
Jackson, a native of Shelby county, Ohio, April 7,
1835, by whom he had ten children, nine now living:
Francis M., born November 3, 1837; Mary, born September
(p. 749) 5, 1842; Edward
J., born May 22, 1845; Augustus, born July 23, 1848;
Lucy E., born December 8, 1850; Harriet, born July
12, 1854; Martha A., born February 7, 1858, and Milton
(Jr.) born April 17,1860. Mr. Richards has been closely
identified with the interests of the county since its
earliest days, and has done, much to build up the same.
The reader is referred to the county’s early
history, from which may be gleaned much to throw light
on the public life of Mr. Richards, which has been
of the purest and best. He is a prominent member of
the Christian church and an uncompromising greenbacker. |
749
| RECTOR, JASON,
farmer, section 31, P. O. Sidney; born August 24, 1825,
in Marion county, Indiana, where
he grew to manhood and was educated. Came to Iowa in
1847. Coming at so early a date he has not only witnessed
the marvelous growth of the country, but contributed
largely to the same. Mr. Rector was married March 18,
1849 to Miss Elizabeth Baylor, a native of Cincinnati,
Ohio; they have one child by adoption: Lula H. Mr.
Rector is a member of the M. E. Church, and a class
leader in the same, a position which he has held for
more than twelve years. |
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