SIDNEY TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHIES (cont.)
S-Y
749
| SIMONS, ROBERT, joint editor Sidney
Union-Advocate,
P. O. Sidney; born May 31, 1846, in Leicestershire,
England. Came to America, locating at Albany, New York,
in August 1856. In 1857 came to Iowa, finding a location
at New London, in Henry county. , In 1863, Mr. Simons
came to Fremont, and has since resided in the county.
He was admitted to the bar, as a practicing attorney
in 1868. At about the same time he became principal
of the Hamburg schools, retaining the position for
three years. He was then elected county superintendent
of schools, holding the position for a term of two
years. At the expiration of his term of service he
purchased the American Union of Sidney, which he published
for two years, when he sold his interest in the paper
and went to Indiana. After an absence of a year he
again returned to Sidney. In April, 1880, he purchased
a half interest in the Union-Advocate, in connection
with his present partner. Mr. Simons was married April
7, 1870, to Miss Hannah M. Cosand, of Sidney. They
have one child: Percy, born December 25, 1870. |
| SCHOCKLEY, JOHN C., merchant, P. O. Sidney; born
August 4, 1841, in Hancock county, Indiana. He reached
manhood, and received his education in his native state,
having been educated at London University, and the
State University of Indiana. On reaching his majority
he located in Kansas, engaging in school teaching.
In October, 1863, he came to Fremont county, Iowa,
and located at Sidney. He became clerk (p.
750) of the district court, which office he filled
to the entire satisfaction of the county. He is a democrat
in politics, and has been identified with the political
history of that party since his residence in the county.
In 1871 he engaged in his present business; adding to
his income as a practicing attorney, he having been admitted
to the bar in 1868. Mr. Shockley was married at Council
Bluffs, February 14, 1866, to Miss Rebecca M. Mattock,
of Wayne county, Indiana; they have two children living:
Edward, and Jessie. |
750
| SCYOC, JOHN V., joint proprietor Cromwell House,
P. O. Sidney; born January 9, 1816, in Perry county,
Pa., where he attained the estate of manhood, and resided
many years. His early life was passed as a farmer,
and his educational advantages limited to the common
schools of that day. He followed the occupation of
a tanner for five years, and then, the four years following,
engaged in railroading. In the spring of 1865 he moved
to Cedar county, Iowa, following farming for one year,
when, in 1866, he removed to Jefferson county, engaging
in farming until the fall of 1871. He then moved to
Fremont county, settling permanently at Sidney. In
1873 he rented the hotel property, known as the Cromwell
House, which he conducted until 1875. In that year
he purchased the property, in co-partnership with Frederick
Crabbs, and these gentlemen still conduct the house.
Mr. Scyoc was married June 1, 1843, to Miss Julia Winters,
a native of Maryland, born August 12, 1819. They have
four children living: Isaac, Margaret, Julia and Jennie,
all married, and three deceased. Mr. Scyoc is a member
of the Masonic fraternity; and both he and his wife
are members of the M. E. church. |
| STOCKTON, T. R., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born
near Quincy, Adams county, Illinois, August 16,1834.
His parents were the Rev. J. M. Stockton and S. E.
Kirkpatrick—his mother’s maiden name. He resided
in the counties of Adams, Hancock, and Henderson, Illinois,
until 1852. In April, 1853, his father’s family
settled in the western part of Taylor county, Iowa.
The boyhood and early manhood of Mr. Stockton were
passed upon a farm, the uneventful life of which had
little to offer him in the way of mental improvement.
His education was limited to that of the common school,
but was sufficiently complete to beget a desire for
knowledge, which was met by a wide range of general
reading. At various times, from 1855 to 1860, Mr. Stockton
was engaged in teaching in the counties of Page, Taylor,
and Montgomery. He began to read law in 1859, while
still engaged in teaching, to follow which he borrowed
books from friends. He was admitted to the bar in 1861,
commencing to practice in Clarinda. From 1862 to 1863
he was editor of the Page County Herald, which had
been moved from Sidney a year or two previ- (p.
751) ously. He did not cease either his study
or his practice while engaged in editing the Herald,
but kept abreast of his brother attorneys. He was elected
county judge of Page county in October, 1863, filling
the position with entire satisfaction. Three years later,
in 1866, he removed to Sidney, Fremont county. In 1872
was elected judge of the circuit court of the thirteenth
circuit, at which time he removed to Council Bluffs,
remaining there until the expiration of his term of office.
The spring, summer and fall, of 1877, were spent in Deadwood,
D. T., in the practice of law and dealing in mining property—the
latter proving a losing venture. In November, 1817, he
returned to the states, and moved to Sidney on the first
of December, the same year. In 1879 Judge Stockton was
elected to the state legislature. While at the Capital
he entered with intelligent zeal into legislative affairs,
occupying several positions of importance in that council
of the state. He was successively chairman of the committee
on constitutional amendments, a member of committee on
judiciary, ways and means, schools, retrenchment, and
reform. He served his constituency well, was thoroughly
independent, and all his acts characterized by that complete
want of bias that marks the competent legislator. Judge
Stockton married Miss Lizzie Pierce, near College Springs,
Page county, August 20, 1863, by whom he has three children:
Lilie J., born in Clarinda, June 10, 1864, now at Tabor
College; Nellie P., born in Sidney, July 25, 1866; and
Fred R., born in Council Bluffs, December 10, 1813. |
751
| SWEARINGEN, GARRETT V., farmer, section 28, P. O.
Sidney; born August 23, 1824, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania,
where he remained until some sixteen years of age,
when he removed to Washington county, same state. Until
1852 he followed the business of machinist and millwright
in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and Virginia.
In 1852 he moved to New Cumberland, Hancock county,
West Virginia, where he followed his trade until 1854.
In that year he went to California and Oregon, engaging
in his business some three years. Mr. Swearingen came
to Iowa, locating in Mills county, in the spring of
1858, and in the same year came to Fremont county,
in which he has since resided. In 1860 a misfortune
befel [befell] him which necessited [necessitated]
the amputation of his foot. In 1861 he was appointed
postmaster at Sidney, which he held for twelve years.
In 1864 he also became revenue collector of this district.
In 1865 he assumed charge of the business of the express
companies then located in Sidney, remaining with them
until 1870. He was married March 2, 1851, to Christiana
M. Burke, of West Virginia. He has been a member of
the I. O. O. F. for twenty-two years, a fact which
of itself testifies to his worth. |
| SHIRLEY, W. R., P. O. Hamburg; born in Defiance county,
Ohio, (p. 752) May 19, 1833,
and received his education in the common school and on
a farm. Came to Iowa in 1858, and has since been a resident
of Fremont county. Was married to Miss Sarah Hunter,
October 25, 1853. They have nine children living: Elias,
Mary A., Almeda, Emma, Adolphus and Adelia (twins), Wilbur,
Wallace, and Guy. Owns eighty-three acres of finely improved
land. |
752
| SEARS, E. H., attorney at law, P. O. Sidney; born
in Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, on the third
day of May, 1815. He is a lineal descendant from some
of the early settlers of the Empire State. He was educated
in the common schools of the state, and at the academy
of Amsterdam, Montgomery county. In 1844 he moved to
Chautauqua county, same state, and in 1847 was admitted
to the bar. He was married to Miss Julia A. Allen,
October 5, 1848, who was a native of Connecticut. He
came to Fremont county in the fall of 1853, with the
interests of which he has been closely connected. The
reader may find a complete account of all his public
acts in the general history. He has done much to shape
the affairs of the county as a public officer, and
has witnessed its development from that early day to
the present. He is prominently connected with christian
charities, and has done much to improve the character
of the morals of the county. |
| SEPTKA, FREDERICK,
farmer, P. O. Sidney; born in Germany, April 22,1837,
where he lived until 1869,
when he came to America, and located in Fremont county,
Iowa. Mr. Septka was married in 1862, to Miss Etta
White, from which union there resulted the birth of
a daughter, Gusta. In 1867 he married Miss Gusta Rungard—his
first wife having died—by whom he had four children:
William, Harmon, Mary, and Frederick. Mr. Septka was
in the wars between Germany and Denmark, Germany and
Austria, and the Franco-Prussian war. |
| SWATMAN, T. W., blacksmith, P: O. Sidney; born February
22, 1848, in Essex county, Canada West. In 1858 he
moved with his father’s family to Illinois, remaining
but a short time when they came to Iowa, locating in
Page county. They soon after moved again to this county,
in which he has since resided. Was married to Miss
Sophia Secrist in 1869, by whom he has three children:
Nettie M., Walter L., and Harry U. |
| THROCKMORTON, JOB,
merchant, P. O. Sidney; born October 18, 1819, in Green
county, Pennsylvania, where he grew
to manhood, and became skilled in his trade—that of
carpenter. In 1854 he moved to Meigs county, Ohio.
In 1856 he came to Fremont county, locating at the
county seat. In 1861 Mr. Throckmorton enlisted in company
F, (p. 753) Fifteenth Iowa
infantry. In the spring of 1862 he was promoted to a
second lieutenancy, then to a first lieutenancy, and
again to a captaincy, which position he maintained until
the close of the war. Mr. Throckmorton was twice wounded,
during his connection with the army, which extended over
four years. He was discharged August 3, 1865, and returned
home to engage in the pursuits of a private life. He
was married July 8, 1842, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah
Bust, by whom he has three children: John L., Nancy E.
and Clarissa H. |
753
| TEMPLETON, WESLEY G., clerk of circuit and district
courts, P. O. Sidney; born March 3, 1845, in Buchanan
county, Missouri. In his infancy he removed with his
parents to Osceola, Clarke county, Iowa, where he grew
to manhood. In June of 1863 he enlisted in company
D, Eighth Iowa cavalry. July 30, 1864, Mr. Templeton
was captured by the confederates near Atlanta, and
taken to Andersonville, where he remained until April
1, 1865, when he was paroled at Vicksburg. He was subsequently
discharged, honorably, from the service. On his return
home he attended Simpson Centenary College at Indianola.
In the fall of 1866 he went to Glenwood, Mills county,
to learn the harness and saddlery trade, which he followed
until 1875, when he went to Hamburg, Fremont county,
to clerk for a business house in that city. He soon
after this received an appointment as assistant postmaster
in the city office, where he remained until January
1, 1879, when he entered upon the duties of his office
to which he had been elected. He was re-elected in.
the fall of 1880, polling the heaviest vote of any
candidate in the county, running more than five hundred
ahead of his ticket. Mr. Templeton was married January
30, 1868, to Miss Rachel A. Cole, of Glenwood, Mills.
county, Iowa, by whom he has two children: Frank F.
and Archy. Mr. Templeton is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and of the A. O. U. W., while both he and
his wife are members of the M. E. church. |
| THORNELL, A. B., attorney at law. P. O. Sidney; born
October 22, 1846, in Monroe county, New York, where
he grew to manhood. He was educated at the Genesee.
Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, New York, and at Tabor
College, Tabor, Iowa, and Knox College, Illinois. He
began the study of law in 1873. He was admitted to
the bar at Sidney, in March, 1875. His present partnership
was formed in September, 1878. Mr. Thornell was married
January 25, 1877, to Miss O. B. Gray, of Sidney. They
have two children: Olive E. and Susanna. Both he and
his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. |
| TRAVIS, ABRAHAM, farmer, section 12, P. O. Sidney;
born in Pike county, Ohio, December 1, 1827, where
he remained until 1830, (p. 754)
when he moved to Indiana with his father’s family.
In 1851, came to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he located.
He was married to Ruth a Stoleberger March 20,1852, by
whom he has twelve children: Sarah E., born June 11,
1893; Thomas R., born June 14, 1855; Ennis, born October
30, 1857; William E., born November 20, 1859; Amos N.,
born January 18, 1862; Charles E., born November 16,
1863; Ettie M., born December 15, 1865; Joseph, born
December 26,
1867; Amelia, January 19, 1870; Reuben, born February
2, 1872; Jessie, born March 2, 1875, and Bessie, born
August 27, 1878. Mrs. Travis is a native of Huntington
county, Pennsylvania, and has been a resident of Iowa
since 1844. |
754
| THORP, GEORGE W., farmer, section 24, P. O. Plum
Hollow; born December 9, 1841, in Holt county, Missouri,
in which state he grew to manhood and was educated.
He came to Iowa in December, 1861, and has since resided
here. He was married in 1863, to Miss Mary E. Pugh,
a native of Indiana, by whom he is the father of five
children: Robert, Lewis, George E. and E. J. living
and Eva A. deceased. He is a member of the Baptist
church. |
| WHITE, JAMES F., physician and surgeon, P. O. Sidney;
born April 20, 1843, in Washington county, Virginia.
His father died in 1845; and in 1846 he moved with
his mother’s family to Clinton county, Indiana.
Here he reached his majority and received his preliminary
education. In August, 1861, he enlisted in company
K, Tenth Indiana infantry. He was wounded in the left
arm at the battle of Chickamauga. He was mustered out
in September, 1864, having previously been detailed
as clerk in the A. A. Q. Master’s office, and
general court-martial. On his return home he engaged
in the study of medicine, and in November, 1867, began
to practice in the county of his boyhood. The degree
of Medicine Doctor was conferred on him at the Indiana
Medical College, in February, 1871. Dr. White came
to Sidney in August, 1876, entering at once on the
practice of his profession. In March, 1880, he was
elected by the eighteenth general assembly a member
of the board of trustees of the Iowa College for the
Blind, at Clinton. He was married April 7, 1870, to
Miss Mattie Cosand, of Sidney. They have two children:
Harvey and Grace. |
| WALKER, GEORGE, merchant, P. O. Sidney; born May
3, 1833, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. When seven years
of age came to America, locating at Hamilton, province
of Ontario, Canada, where he grew to manhood. When
eighteen years of age he began to learn the tinner’s
trade, which occupation he has followed nearly all
his life. Came to Iowa, Mills county, in July, 1860,
remaining three years, at the end of which time he
came to Sidney. Shortly after he returned to his former
(p. 755) home in Mills
county, remaining until 1866, when he again returned
to Sidney to remain. In 1873. he formed his present
business connection with J. C. Shockly. Mr. Walker
was married October 2, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Birdsall,
of Canada, province of Ontario. They are the parents
of seven children: George W., John W., Henry A., Nellie
M., Lillie A., Rosa and Charles G. |
755
| WILSON, THOMAS J., merchant, P. O. Sidney; born December
28, 1822, in Grant county, Kentucky. Moved to Schuyler
county, Illinois, with his parents when ten years of
age; In that State he attained manhood’s estate
and received the major portion of his education. In
1839 he opened a wood-yard on the Mississippi river,
opposite Fort Madison, in which business he remained
until 1842. While at this business, he made the shingles
to cover a house for Mr. Drake of Ft. Madison, who
was the father of General Drake, President of the State
Line Railroad company. In 1843 he returned to Schyler
county and engaged in farming for a brief period. He
then leased his farm and opened a wagon and blacksmith
shop on the farm, which business he continued until
1865. In that year he disposed of his business and
moved to Fremont county, Iowa, purchasing a large farm
one mile northeast of Sidney. Until 1873 he followed
farming, meeting always with a success that attested
his farming abilities; in that year he moved to Sidney
to engage in the mercantile business. He still manages
his farm, an extensive establishment, comprising 450
acres, all improved, just without the corporation limits
of the town of Sidney. Mr. Wilson was married September
15, 1842, to Sarah Tull, a native of Maryland, who
died in December of the same year. He was married again
to Miss Phebe Barton, a native of Illinois, November
29, 1845. By this union they are the parents of ten
children living and three deceased: James M., Ralph,
John P., Thomas I., Servanyen, Monzella, Armintie,
Frederick, Lulu May and Maude. Mr. Wilson is a member,
as is his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is successful as a merchant, and esteemed as a citizen. |
| WADE, JEFFERSON, farmer, section 14, P. O. Sidney;
born August 15, 1812, in Adams county, Ohio, where
he lived until sixteen years of age. In 1828 he moved
with his father to Jay county, Indiana. His winters
were spent in obtaining an education in the common
and subscription schools of Ohio and Indiana; his summers
were passed in work on the farm. Mr. Wade came to this
county in 1844, and located on the farm he now owns.
He was married in August, 1839, to Miss Maria Vinard,
and to them the following children have been born:
Sanford W. H., Aaron, Mahala, Mary, Franklin P. and
Andrew J.—all living. Mr. Wade is a member of the
A. F. and A. M. |
756
| WADE, WILLIAM HARRISON, farmer, section 13, P. O.
Riverton; born in Highland county Ohio, June 6, 1818,
where he resided until 1828, when he went with his
father’s family to Jay county, Indiana. His education
was received in the common and subscription schools
of his native state and the state of Indiana. Mr. Wade
came to Iowa, October 23, 1865, locating in Fremont
county, on section 13. He has filled the office of
township trustee for three terms.. Mr. Wade was married
June 11, 1846, to Miss Maleva Racer, by which union
the following children were born to them: Thomas J.,
Martin, Andrew J., Martha E. and Mahala, all living,
and Mary J., deceased. This wife died in January 1859.
Mr. Wade married for his second wife, Miss Susan A.
Fletcher January 10, 1862. She died August 10, 1877.
In March, 1878, he was again married, this time to
Mrs. Susanah J. Swigley: Mrs. Swigley was married to
her first husband August 15, 1853, by whom she had
nine children, seven living. |
| WILLIAMS, ALICE, county superintendent of schools,
P. O. Sidney; born in Madison township, Fremont county,
December 29, 1851. Her father was Thaddeus Williams,
the first county surveyor in Fremont. Miss Williams
was educated in the common schools, in a select school
at Hamburg, and spent one term at McGee College, Missouri.
She has had an extended experience in the school room,
having taught in the county for six years, in the grammar
department of the Hamburg schools. She is, therefore,
eminently fitted for the position to which she was
elected in 1879, and in which she has demonstrated
her ability. She was the joint nominee of the democratic
and greenback county ticket, and by those parties elected
to a position entirely unsolicited and is the first
lady superintendent the county ever had. |
| WORCESTER, DAVID,
farmer and minister, section 35, P. O. Percival; born
in Salem, Massachusetts, March
14, 1811, where he lived until 1836, when he moved
to Buffalo, New York. After various removals and engaging
in various business enterprises, he located in Sidney,
Iowa, in 1853. In 1854 Mr. Worcester was married to
Miss Parthemia McCroskie, by whom he had six children,
five now living: Benjamin, Newton, Leonard, Harriet,
Edward W., and Samuel D., the latter deceased. In August,
1862, Mr. Worcester enlisted in Company A, 29th Iowa
infantry, being then fifty-one years of age. He followed
his regiment during all its changing fortunes, and
in 1865 was made chaplain of the same. Mr. Worcester
has been a clergyman since 1843, and has been a most
useful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
serving as colporteur and missionary for a number of
years. He is a carpenter by trade and has followed
that occupation a number of years. He is a cousin to
the author of Worcester’s dictionary. |
757
| WADE, SANFORD, farmer, section 14, P. O. Sidney;
born in Jay county, Indiana, April 30, 1838, where
he lived until the spring of 1844, when he came to
Fremont county with his father’s family. He was
educated in the common’ schools of Fremont county.
He was married August 19, 1860, to Miss Elizabeth With,
by whom he has the following named children: Dora,
born July 5,1862; Mina A., born July 5,1867; Florence
L., born December 4, 1871; Jefferson L., born March
19, 1874; Charles, born June 9, 1876; and J. B. Weaver,
born January 19, 1880. Mr. Wade has filled several
township offices, among which were clerk, and assessor.
He is respected and universally esteemed, and a man
of the most sterling integrity. |
| WILSON, JAMES W., farmer, section 23, P. O. Anderson;
born in Warren county, Ohio, September 28, 18.31. Remained
there until about two years of age, when he removed
with his parents to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1854,
came to Fremont county, Iowa, and resided in Sidney
until 1866, since which time he has resided on the
farm now owned by him. He was one of the pioneers of
Sidney, and has largely aided to make it what it is
to-day. He was married in Indiana to Miss Lydia A.
Morgan. They are the parents of five children: Fannie,
Walter, Simon, Yandes, and William Wyatt. Owns 640
acres, nearly all tillable land. |
| WHITE, H. H., farmer, section 23, P. O. Plum Hollow;
born January 4, 1822, in Adair county, Kentucky, where
he remained only until 1832, when he, with his father’s
family, became a resident of Indiana. Owing to the
newness of the state at that day his educational advantages
were very limited. In 1842 he went to Cass county,
Missouri, and in 1847 to Illinois, where he remained
until coming to Iowa in the days of the Mormon exodus.
He came to Fremont county in 1855, and located on the
farm he now owns, three years later. He was married
November 23, 1843, to Miss J. K. Wolfe, a native of
Tennessee. By this union there were born to them nine
children, seven of whom are now living: George M.,
Mary E., Jacob A., William F., Jasper N., Jennette
K., and Cordy M. All that Mr. White possesses is the
result of a life of toil and economy, aided alone by
his faithful wife. |
| WEAVERS, GEORGE,
farmer, section 6, P. O. Plum Hollow; a native of Cambridgeshire,
England, born February
18, 1840. In 1849, came to the United States with his
parents, who located in Columbiana county, Ohio. In
1850 they moved to McHenry county, Illinois, and in
1861, to Fremont county, Iowa. Mr. Weavers enlisted
August 9, 1861, in company A, fourth Iowa infantry.
He was severely wounded at Chickasaw Bluffs in December,
1862. He was married in December, 1865, to Miss (p.
758) Susanna Hall, by whom he has four children:
Hephzebah B., Georgiana, Nettie, and Alexander F. He
owns 369 acres of fine land. |
758
| WATKINS, ROBERT, farmer, section 23, P. O. Riverton;
born in Wayne county, Indiana, 17 January, 1812. His
father moved to Randolph county when young Watkins
was six years of age. Came to Iowa November 12, 1842,
and located in Fremont county. Coming at so early a
day Mr. Watkins has proved by experience what the word “pioneer” means.
He was married in Delaware county, Indiana, February
9, 1832, to Miss Mary Gordon. There were born to them
twelve children, of whom six are living: Elizabeth,
Isabella, Mary Ann, Rebecca Jane, Nancey F., and Peninah
Elzira. Mr. Watkins and his entire family are members
of the Christian Church. |
| YOWELL, MOSES R., county recorder, P. O Sidney; born
in the state of Illinois, September 27, 1850. In December
of 1864 came to Fremont county, Iowa, and engaged in
the printing business, working on the Fremont Times,
then published at Hamburg. In 1865 he came to Sidney,
and found employment in the office of the Sidney Union.
In 1877 he purchased a set of abstract books and engaged
in the real estate business until 1878, when he was
elected county recorder on the Democratic ticket. He
was re-elected in the fall of 1880 on the democratic
ticket, when the county gave a republican majority
of nearly three hundred, a fact which testifies both
to his ability and popularity as a servant of the people.
Mr. Yowell was married May 2, 1872, to Miss Manzilla
Wilson, of Sidney, by whom he has three children: Imogene,
Helen, and an infant. |
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