Henry County, Iowa  

Samuel I Shaner

SAMUEL I. SHANER, merchant, New London, Iowa, dealer in clothing, gents' furnishing goods, notions and jewelry, and ex-County Treasurer, is a pioneer of Henry County of 1844.  He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 7, 1832, and is the son of George and Juliana (Bricker) Shaner.  His father was born in the same county, while his father's parents were of German birth, who on emigrating to America first settled in Maryland, and removed from there to Westmoreland County, Pa. Samuel came to Iowa with his parents in 1844, landing in Burlington on the 10th of April; ten days later they came to New London.  His father was a tailor by trade, and engaged in that business until 1850, when getting the gold fever, he went overland to California, where he spent seven years in mining and other pursuits, and returned home in 1857, via Panama and New York.  On his return he entered the service of the Burlington & Missouri Railway Company, as Station Agent at New London; his death occurred in the winter of 1876.

Samuel learned the tailor's trade, but not being pleased with that vocation, did not follow it.  He entered the service of the Burlington & Missouri Railway Company as agent at New London in 1858, being the second person to serve in that capacity at that place.  He was retained in the company's employ until 1872, covering a period of fourteen years, during which time he
served as Station Agent, first at New London, as we have said, next at Fairfield, then at Ottumwa, and again at New London.  In 1872 he engaged in mercantile business at New London, and continued it until 1882.  He was elected Treasurer of Henry County in the fall of 1879, and entered upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1880.  He was re-elected and served until Jan.
1, 1884.  Mr. Shaner made a capable and faithful officer.  He had continued the mercantile business up to the close of his first term of office.  He did not again resume active business until 1886, when he engaged in his present trade.  He has held various local offices, and has taken an active part in public affairs.  He was married at New London, Jan. 27, 1859, to Miss Martha G. McManus, a daughter of James N. McManus.  Mrs. Shaner was born in Fairfield, Ind.  They have two children, a daughter and a son.  The daughter, Clara L., is the wife of M.B. Cullum, of St. Paul, Minn.  The son, Frank N., was born at New London, Aug. 24, 1870, and is with his father in the store.

Mr. Shaner is a Republican in politics, and has been associated with that party since its organization.  He has many friends in the county, and bears an honorable name in the community in which he resides.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 188)(PW)

     FRANCIS DRAKE SHELDON, farmer.  Perhaps no man in Salem Township is more widely known, or is considered more of a peculiar character, than the gentleman named above. He was born in Leeds County, Canada, Dec. 26, 1809, and is a son of Jeremiah and Experience (Fuller) Sheldon. They were natives of Pittsford, Conn., and emigrated to Canada several years be­fore the birth of our subject. For many years before his marriage, and as long as he remained in Connecticut, Jeremiah Sheldon was a Lieutenant in the regular army. The eldest son, Horace, was born before the family removed to Canada, where the father purchased a farm, upon which Riley, Rustin W., Amelia, Richard, Francis D., Jane, Alexander and Experience, were born.

     The parents both died on this farm, their children being grown and well educated prior to that time. Our subject fell from a tree when seventeen years of age, and broke both his wrists, which practically disabled him for farm work, but his father being in somewhat straightened circumstances, the son determined to shift for himself. He attended school for three years, and paid both for board and tuition, and when twenty-one years old began teaching, which he continued for three years. Not liking that profession, in 1823 he began clerking in a store, and in 1826 was married to Sarah, a daughter of Sheldon and Olive Stoddard, the former a member of the firm of Hartwell & Stoddard, in whose employ he had been.

     Francis Sheldon had economized and saved money enough to purchase a farm at Rideau Lake, near Beverly, and the domestic life of the young couple was begun on this farm. The father of Mrs. Sheldon was, in his day, a very wealthy man, who owned extensive mills, and shipped large quantities of lumber to Quebec; and was also engaged in the mercantile trade. Later, they removed to Porter County, Ind., where they both died. One daughter, Olive, now deceased, graced the union of our subject and wife before they became residents of the United States. Their removal was made to Porter County, Ind., about 1836, and the next year they went to Cass County, Mich., where Mr. Sheldon purchased a farm. In Porter County, Ind., a son, Franklin, was born, who wedded Mary Vaughn, and at the time of his death, Dec. 19, 1883, was the editor of the McPherson (Kan.) Free Thinker. Olivia, the second daughter, now deceased, was born in Michigan. She became the wife of William M. Carter, of Lee County, Iowa.

     Mr. Sheldon had erected a new house on his farm in Cass County, Mich., and after it was cleaned and ready to move into, the cabin caught fire and burned to the ground with all its contents. This was a severe loss to the young couple, as it swept away all their earnings; so they returned to Indiana, where the death of Mrs. Sheldon occurred the next year, Dec. 9, 1841. While a resident of Canada, our subject embraced the doctrine of the Friends, and for a term of years was a prominent member of that society.  After the division in that body regarding slavery, Mr. Sheldon still remained in the church, though in sentiment he was an Abolitionist.  He labored faithfully in the society even after his removal from Michigan, and after the death of his wife, returned to Cass County, Mich., and taught a monthly meeting school. The next year he returned to Canada, and while there was married to Miss Charlotte Booth. She was a daughter of Isaac and Thursey (Wing) Booth, whom, as is well authenticated, bore in their veins royal blood. Her father was born in Orange County, and her mother in Dutchess County, N. Y., but their parents were natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Booth settled on a farm in Canada, and there their children grew to maturity. Charles, the eldest son, was a well-known surveyor, and also taught school, as did Mrs. Sheldon before her marriage. Her mother bore fifteen children, nine reaching maturity—Anna, Elizabeth, Caroline, May, Rebecca, Charlotte, Charles, James and Daniel. Mrs. Sheldon is the only one living, and was born July 9, 1822.

     After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon lived for three years in Cass County, Mich., and in 1845 came to Lee County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm. For many years after his coming to Iowa, Mr. Sheldon labored earnestly in the Society of Friends, but after careful consideration of the subject, aided by a liberal and intelligent study of moral and Divine law, he and his wife (who was born in that faith) asked for a discontinuance of their membership. Having fully investigated the subject, both have allied themselves with the great body of materialists, and with all their former zeal are now laboring for the welfare of their fellow-men. In 1878 they became residents of Salem, where they have a neat cottage on a nice little farm inside of the corporation. Six daughters and three sons have graced their union: Sarah, the wife of Charles Brown, a farmer of Henry County; Thursey wedded to Hiram H. Root, a farmer in Colorado; Hoag B. was a soldier during the late war, belonging to an Iowa regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Atlanta, but recovered, and is now a resident of Mesa County, Col., and is a bachelor; Rebecca is the widow of James South, and resides in Lee County, Iowa; Experience is the wife of Elihu Bond, and resides in Dawson County, Neb.; Rachel is the wife of Lemuel Kenley, a resident of the same county; Charles W. married Minnie Stamper. and resides in this township; Olive is the wife of William M. Steward, a farmer of Henry County; Franklin Sheldon, the other son, was also a soldier in the late war, serving three years, a part of which time he was connected with the hospital staff.

     Mr. Sheldon and his wife, by reason of their long residence in the State, and their unswerving uprightness of character here, are entitled to and have the respect and esteem of the people who know them. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 254-255)(JC)

     CAREY D. SHELLEDY, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 29, Baltimore Township, was born in Jennings County, Ind., in 1822, and is the son of George and Isabella (Graham) Shelledy. Edward, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia, and the ancestors are supposed to be of Irish origin. He married Miss Bovell, and later moved to Ohio, from thence to Jennings County, Ind., and lastly to Edgar County, Ill., where both himself and wife died. They had seven children: Margaret, de­ceased, who wedded William Moore, of Lowell, Iowa, and died in that village; George, father of our subject, who married Isabella Graham in Indi­ana, where his death accidentally occurred while clearing up his farm; Stephen married Elizabeth Vance, and both are dead; Alfred, Gillen and Alex, who died unmarried, and John, married to Mary A. Milton, completed the number of children.

     The family of George and Isabella Shelledy consisted of three sons—Edward, George and Carey D. The widow afterward married John Compton, and bore him six children—Samuel, Virginia, Loui­siana, Stephen, William and Isabella. The death of the mother occurred in Marion County, Iowa, in 1822. After the death of his father and marriage of his mother Carey D. Shelledy, then sixteen years of age, left home and went to Charleston, Ill., where he learned the saddlery and harness trade. When eighteen years old he came to this county, and in the winter of 1840 opened a shop, the first mechanic of this art in the now thriving county seat. He made the first saddle and breeching harness ever manufactured in Henry County. His shop stood upon the site of Presley Saunders’ bank, but there was not enough call for his services to pay the young man, and he went to Lowell and took charge of a carding-mill for Thomas Angell, which he operated for two years. The next year he went to what is now known as the second pur­chase of Indian lands, upon which Ottumwa and Oskaloosa are situated. He aided in building all the first cabins of Oskaloosa, as when he reached the place only one log store stood upon its site. This was a general store that retailed groceries and whisky, owned at the time by Leeper Smith. Mr. Shelledy was present at the Osage Agency when the treaty was made, and selected three claims, built a log cabin on each, later sold two claims, and secured enough money to enter eighty acres at the first land sale at Fairfield. His marriage had been celebrated prior to this time, Miss Amanda Shelledy becoming his wife. They began life on limited capital, and in Mahaska County theirs was one of the first marriages. The father of Judge Seavers performed the ceremony, and the young bride was installed mistress of a log cabin, with hewed pun­cheon floor erected by her husband. That was the beginning of his good fortune. Children came to their cabin home. The first was Elizabeth, now the wife of Charles Simpson; her birth was followed by that of a son, George E., who died in infancy; then Jane, who died in childhood, and who was born in Jasper County, to which her parents had removed, and where other children were born, viz.:  Ella, now wife of George Collins; Margaret, wife of Hugh Bowen, and Stephen, the husband of Deborah Collins. In 1869 Mr. Shelledy returned to Henry County, and purchased the farm upon which William Archibald now resides. His wife died in Jasper County, and in Des Moines County Mr. Shelledy married his second wife, Mrs. Jane (Linder) Hale, who had three children by her first husband, named George W., Sylvester and Sarah J. After her marriage to Mr. Shelledy she bore Leander and Andrew, twins; Fremont, Nathaniel, Emma, Charles, Amy, Ella, John, Frank and Fred.  All are living except Ella, and are widely scattered. Leander married Mary Kyle, and Andrew married her sister Rena; Fremont wedded Ella Cook, in Nebraska; Emma is Richard Foster’s wife, while the others are unmarried. Margaret was a teacher in Marion and Cass Counties prior to her marriage, but all the sons are farmers, and the daughters have wedded farmers.

     From the lad in 1840, with thirty-seven and a half cents in his pocket, our subject grew to manhood, reared a large family, and is now, in his mature years, one of the large landowners and wealthy men of Baltimore Township. For many years Mr. Shelledy served as a member of the School Board, but disliking to attend to any business except his own, has declined any connection with other official positions. His education in his youth was very limited, all his learning being self-acquired, but his children have all been given a liberal education. In 1876 he purchased the Hussey farm, and is now the owner of 200 broad acres, and is in easy cir­cumstances. He is the grandsire of eighteen children, and the father of seventeen. Genial and social, Mr. and Mrs. Shelledy have always been noted for their hospitality, and this sketch will be read with interest by scores of old pioneers, among whom they are numbered. His step-father was a cruel man to the children, and was very fond of chastising them upon the least provocation. The last seen of him by our subject, he was standing in the door with a birch switch in his hand, waiting for Carey to put in an appearance, but he had climbed out of a back window, and was making tracks for Illinois, without bidding any of the family adieu. When he next saw his mother he had grown to manhood, and she failed to recognize him.  He went to Indiana after her, intending to give her a home, her second husband being also dead at the time.  That good lady accompanied him to Iowa, and found a comfortable home under his roof during the remainder of her life. Mr. Shelledy was in early days an avowed Abolitionist, and was largely interested in the underground railroad, of which mention will be made elsewhere, and in that connection acted both as Station Agent and as conductor, and was instrumental in securing the freedom of many a poor colored man before the Emancipation Proclamation gave them all their liberty. For his manly character, his uprightness and straightforward manner, he is greatly esteemed by those who know him. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 225-227.)  (JC)

     JOEL M. SMITH, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Mt. Pleasant, was born in Henry County, Iowa, on the 8th day of July, 1838, when Iowa was yet a Territory.  His parents were Samuel and Hannah (Walters) Smith; the former, a native of Henderson County, Ky., was born in 1816, and the latter, a native of Tennessee, was born in 1822. His grandparents were Scotch and French, with the exception of his grandmother on his father’s side, who was an Indian squaw.  Samuel Smith left Kentucky in 1832, while yet a young man, and located for a short time in Burlington, Iowa. He then went to Au­gusta, Des Moines Co., Iowa, where he was married, subsequently settling near Skunk Rivet, in Jackson Township, Henry County. Here he took up a claim which he developed into a beautiful and pro­ductive farm.  In 1850 he removed to California, where he remained two years engaged, in mining. He then returned to Henry County, where his wife died the following year, leaving a family of eight children to mourn their loss. Of these, three are now living: Joel, of Mt. Pleasant; Elias, of Des Moines, and Benjamin E., a contractor, also of Des Moines. Mr. Smith was again married, to Miss Mary J. Herring. By this union there were two children, one of whom is dead; the other, Calvin B., is located in Warren County, Iowa. Mr. Smith was a man of intelligence, and one who always kept well posted on all public affairs.

     Joel N. Smith, the subject of this sketch, received but three months’ schooling, having no chance to obtain an education by the usual methods, but by sheer hard work and earnest application has obtained more than an ordinary education, and what is better, a practical one. He always keeps well informed in regard to the affairs of the country, and is a good conversationalist. In 1858 Mr. Smith went to Pike’s Peak, then returned to Florence, Neb., where he had a brother-in-law who was a Mormon Elder. From there he went to Denver Plains, where he remained till 1863, as wagon-master. He then Proceeded to Montana, with Cal. Bozman, traveling around Big Horn. They were the first men to make the trip. Subsequently he went to the Red River country, and continued traveling until 1869. In the year of 1869-70 he embarked in business at Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., but in 1871 returned to Henry County, where he has since resided, and for a time was engaged in railroading, which proved a losing business. In 1883 Mr. Smith patented a tile ditching-machine, and a company was organized for its manufacture, known as the Iowa Ditching-Machine Manufacturing Company, of which he was elected President, having full charge of the business until the time he disposed of his interest. The Monitor Roadgrader was the invention of W. J. Martin, to which Mr. Smith added many improvements.

     Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Isabel Martin, by whom he had two children—Thomas J. and Laura Bell. His present wife was Alice H. Roderick, and by this union there are four children now living—Joseph S., Clyde A., Bertie and Dottie. Mr. Smith is a self-made man. With no advantages, by hard labor and good management, he has gained a competency, and is the owner of 2,480 acres of land in Cheyenne County, Neb., worth $8,000. In polities Mr. Smith is a Greenbacker, and was the first man to be initiated into the Knights of Labor in Henry County. He is a strict abstainer from all that can intoxicate, and is a just and upright man.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 270-271) (JC)

     JOHN D. SMITH, one of the farmers and extensive stock-raisers residing on section 7, Marion Township, was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 21, 1830, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (McCready) Smith, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Robert McCready, grandfather of our subject, was one of those brave men who fought so gallantly for the freedom of his country during the Revolutionary War. Nine children blessed the union of Thomas Smith and Elizabeth McCready: Nancy, widow of Alexander Lawthers, now resides in Washington County, Pa., on a farm adjoining the old home farm; Jane, wife of J. B. Hart, a resident of Mt. Pleasant; Robert M., who died Jan. 1, 1886, in Davis County, Iowa; Joseph, a farmer of Van Buren County, Iowa; Thomas P. died near Mt. Pleasant in 1846; Elizabeth died on the home farm in Henry County, where H. C. Weir now lives; our subject is the seventh child in the order of birth; William McCready Smith was Chaplain in a Pennsylvania regiment during the late war, and died in the service in 1864; E. J. died in Henry County in 1855; Anna M. is the deceased wife of P. M. Ogan, a resident of St. Louis.

     Thomas Smith brought his family to Iowa in 1840, settling on the farm now owned by H. C. Weir, on which he made the first improvements, and at the time of his death he had one of the best farms in the county. He was an active church worker, and organized the first temperance society in Richland County, Ohio, and was also one of the first farmers who dared to lay aside the use of whisky in the harvest fields and in public gatherings. He was a man of great moral convictions, always upholding that which was right, and in politics was an old-line Whig and a strong Abolitionist. In his younger days Mr. Smith was a teacher, and for several terms held the office of Justice of the Peace of the county. He ended this life in April, 1848, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wile died in 1866, and with her husband was a member of the Congregational Church.

     Our subject’s early life was spent in attending the district school until the age of twenty-one, when, in the spring of 1852, he decided to go to California. Crossing the plains with an ox-team he landed in Placerville, and from there went to Scott’s Valley, Siskiyou Co., Cal., where he engaged to work on a farm. The first year he received $1,000, the second and third year $1,200 each, and the last two years he received $180 per month, from all of which he saved $6,000. Returning to Henry County, he purchased 125 acres of land, of which he took possession in the spring of 1858, when he was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Paine, a native of Virginia, being born in Berkeley County in 1832. She came to Henry County with her parents in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of five children: Nevada, born June 25, 1859, died March 20, 1861, in infancy; Charles, born Oct. 30, 1861; Clara A., born May 11, 1864; Walter E., born Jan. 23, 1867, died April 10, 1874, and Elbert E., born June 5, 1870, now in college at Mt. Pleasant.

     Mr. Smith has kept adding to his first purchase until he now owns 525 acres of the best cultivated land in the county. Starting in life with a capital of $54, he has by his own honest labor become one of the well-to-do farmers of Henry County, and is an extensive stock-raiser. He imported the first fine imported Norman horse into the county in 1873, for which he paid $2,500. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has held many township offices. He is always ready to push forward any public interest, and is, with his wife, an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 314-315) (JC)

 John P. Smith

      JOHN P. SMITH, a farmer of Henry County, residing on section 16, Centre Township, was born near Elizabeth City, N. C., April 11, 1818, and is of English and Welsh descent. He is a son of Samuel and Lydia (Pritchard) Smith, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. They were the parents of two children, one of whom is living, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Smith was previously married to Gresham Overton, and by this union there were two children, both of whom are now dead. Of all this family Mr. Smith is the only one left to record their history. John was a boy when his parents died and was bound out to John Gregery, a painter, but not liking this he ran away, and resolved to earn his own living. In 1838 he was married to Miss Julia Kenyon, a native of North Carolina, born in 1812. In 1843 they emigrated to Henry County, Ind., and in 1849 came to Henry County, Iowa. They made the journey with teams, camping out at night, and located on land in Jackson Township. In 1836 he purchased his present farm of forty acres in Center Township, situated a mile and a half south of Mt. Pleasant. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with six children: Thomas J. enlisted in Company K, 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Sterling Farm, in Louisiana, Sept. 29, 1863; Will­iam L. also enlisted in Company K, 19th Iowa Vol­unteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles: That of Ft. Morgan, Miller’s Ford, Browns­ville, Tex., siege of the Spanish Fort and the battle of Mobile. He served thirty months and was always found at his post of duty. James M., of Ft. Madison, Iowa, also served in the same regiment. The other three died in infancy.

     Mrs. Smith departed this life in 1863. She was a sincere Christian, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a kind wife and mother. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Smith was again married, to Elizabeth J. Booth, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Booth, who died in Guernsey County, Ohio. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By this last union there were five children: Rose E., who died Aug. 13, 1886; Bertram E., Jesse B., Joseph H. and Minnie E. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, but before the organi­zation of that party he was a Whig. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are greatly respected throughout the community. Mr. Smith has lived in Henry County since 1849, and has witnessed the changes that have transformed it from a wild, uninhabited region, to one of the most cultivated counties in the State. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p 172.)(JC)

     PETER SMITH, a stock-raiser and farmer residing on section 28, Marion Township, was born July 12, 1830, in Switzerland County, Ind., and is a son of Abraham and Eleanor (Van Dorin) Smith, the former a native of North Carolina, born May 19, 1794, and the latter Aug. 10, 1800, in Pennsylvania. They have had a family of twelve children: John, who died in 1836; William and Sarah died in infancy; Jabez, a plasterer and brick-layer of Villisca, Iowa; Mary A., widow of Abram Osborne, now a resident of Omaha, Neb.; Cheney, a farmer in Crawford County, Kan.; Peter, the subject of this sketch, is the seventh child ; Marcus K., a farmer in Jefferson County, Iowa; James C., a resident of Omaha, Neb.; Nancy L., deceased wife of Walter F. Crew, a resident of Mankato, Jewell Co., Kan.; Hiram, a farmer in Jefferson County, Iowa; Phoebe C., wife of Rufus Van Tassal, a farmer in Jewell County, Kan. Mrs. Smith went to Switzerland County, Ind., in 1804, and Mr. Smith in 1814. Here they became ac­quainted and friendship ripened into love, and the marriage was celebrated in 1815. They remained in Switzerland County, Ind., until 1833, and here their seven oldest children were born. In that year they emigrated to Hancock County, Ind., at which place the five youngest children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Smith made Hancock County their home until 1849, when they came to Henry County, Iowa, locating near Rome. Here he bought 120 acres of raw land and developed a fine farm, residing here until his death in July, 1871. Mrs. Smith died Aug. 3, 1875. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of their death, but had formerly belonged to the Baptist Church before coming to Iowa. They were devoted members of the society, and no couple in the county were more highly esteemed than they were.

     The earlier years of our subject were spent in attending the common schools in the State of Indiana and doing his part of the farm work. Born upon a farm, the greater part of his life has been spent in the peaceful avocation of a farmer. He remained with his parents until 1853, when he made the overland trip to California, where he remained but a short time, then went to Oregon, and for two years was there engaged in farming. Returning to California, for about fourteen months he engaged in mining, and then went to freighting in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington Territory, but later engaged in stock-raising in Oregon, and for a time in merchandising. He was very successful in the far West, remaining there until 1868, when he returned to Henry County and pur­chased eighty acres of land, a portion of the farm on which he now resides. In 1883 he bought ninety acres more, making 170 acres, which is now under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Smith is a successful stock-raiser, his stock consisting principally of fine Poland China hogs and Durham cattle.

     Everything that he has was made by his own industry. On the 26th of April, 1869, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Lucy B. Crew, daughter of Walter and Sarah (Rice) Crew. She was born Aug. 18, 1844, near Richmond, Va. Five children have been born to them: Annie L. was born Jan. 27, 1870; Nellie M., born Feb. 25, 1871, died May 28 of the same year; Charles S., born Aug. 16, 1873; Mary J., born Jan. 30, 1875; John, born Jan. 28, 1877, died Jan. 18, 1879. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a Democrat. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of all. He is always ready to advance any interest for the public good. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 213-214.)(JC)

Sylvester Smith

     SYLVESTER SMITH, is a farmer and Postmaster, residing on section 3, Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa. Only one person, Mrs. Elizabeth Woodruff, antedates our subject in priority of citizenship in Wayne Township. He was born in Lake County, Ohio, March 7, 1831, and is a son of Sylvester and Lucretia (Woodworth) Smith, both natives of Franklin County, Mass. they were perhaps married in. that State, removed later to Warren County, N. Y., and afterward to Lake County, Ohio, where Mr. Smith purchased a tract of woodland, and cleared up a fine farm prior to their removal to Iowa in 1842. Sylvester Smith, Sr., came the year previous and purchased lands, to which the family removed the next spring. A house was erected within a few feet of where the fine residence of our subject now stands, and here for forty-five years the represent­atives of the honored father have held possession and wielded a power for good, both in the social and business worlds. Nine children were born be­fore the family removed to Iowa, two of whom died in infancy, and a daughter, Eliza, when twenty years of age; and the following six sons comprised the family in 1842: Dexter C., husband of Phoebe Pence, both now deceased; Edward, the husband, first of Celia Schockley, and after her death of Mrs. Fannie (Buffington) Haines, all now deceased; John L., husband of Lucretia C. Woodworth; Elijah P., who wedded Catherine Haines, and after her death Addie Kimbal; Charles A., husband of Margaret Young; and Sylvester. The sons aided in the improvement of the new farm, at that time Wayne and Scott Townships forming one voting precinct, with thirteen polled voters. Through the instrumentality of Sylvester Smith, Sr., Wayne post-office was established in 1851, and he received in August of that year his commission, and a mail service was established between Iowa City and New London, one round trip made each week. Perry Ketchum was the first mail carrier. After the resignation of his father, our subject was appointed Postmaster of Wayne, Nov. 10, 1858, his commission bearing the signature of Aaron V. Brown, Postmaster General, and from that time has held the place, being to-day the oldest continuous Postmaster in the county, having for more than twenty-nine years filled that position.

Charles A. Smith, one of the brothers, was a volunteer in Company G, 11th Iowa, and served from 1862 until the close of the war. He was cap­tured at the battle of Atlanta, July 27, 1864, and was confined in the prison pen at Andersonville for several weeks, but was later sent to Florence where he was exchanged.

Our subject, Sylvester Smith, is the son of a sol­dier of the War of 1812, and Sylvester Smith, Sr., laid his land warrant, received at that time, after he came to Iowa. He was an able man and one who aided largely in the culture and improvement of this community. Being a professed Christian, a member of the Congregational Church, the family were in attendance at the organization of the Craw­fordsville Congregational Church the next Sunday after they came, and when sufficiently strong to organize a church in Wayne Township, both himself and wife aided in its establishment, Sylvester Smith, Sr., becoming its first Deacon, and remaining in that capacity the remainder of his life. The death of that good man occurred Dec. 21, 1863. He was known far and wide as “Yankee Smith,” and was one of the organizers of the Republican party in this county, being an avowed Abolitionist for years. His wife survived until Aug. 13, 1875, having lived to see the principles so long advocated by her husband fully established.

     Sylvester Smith, Jr., was married, Feb. 18, 1857, to Miss Delilah J. Coen, of this county, born in Washington County, Ohio, and a daughter of Will­iam and Rachel Coen. Both parents are now deceased, and only three of their children are living: James S., who married a lady of Kansas, near Garden City; Susan, wife of Perry Ellis, of Carroll County, Mo.; and Delilah, wife of Mr. Smith.

     Since the spring of 1842 our subject has never known any other home but his present; changes, of course, have been made; the roomy mansion has taken the place of the unpretentious home of almost half a century ago; children have been born, reared and married; one generation has passed away, and the second is of mature years, and wealth has come as he and his good wife have grown in years. Five children have graced their home, four now living:  Charles S., a resident farmer of this township, wedded to Charlotte Kitch, of Marion Township; Harry K. is the husband of Margaret McKee, and also resides on a farm near the Smith homestead; William E. almost reached the age of manhood ere summoned from earth; Francis I. and Rosa J. are unmarried and still inmates of the parental home. Francis has become an expert telegraph operator, and if his health permitted would make that his business. We are pleased to present this brief sketch of one of the oldest and best known families of the township, as they deserve this recognition of their long, useful, prosperous and happy domestic life within her boundary. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp .175-176)(JC) 

     William Smith

WILLIAM SMITH, born Oct. 5, 1833, is a native of Beaver County, Pa. He resides on section 20, Trenton Township, where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres. When but a lad of twelve years he emigrated with his parents, Robert and Nancy (Bryarly) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, to Indiana. In that State William was reared on a farm and received his education at the district schools. He came to this county in the fall of 1855 with his parents, who subsequently removed to Decatur County, where they both died. The father departed this life in August, 1877, and the mother in August, 1885. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a Republican, always taking a lively interest in political affairs. They reared a family of eight children: Sarah S., wife of John Jones, now resides in Decatur County, Iowa; Jane M., widow of John Bouse, now living in Tipton County, Ind.; William, our subject; Agnes, wife of Isaac Dick, residing in Indiana; Margaret, widow of John Stone, of Decatur County, Iowa; Robert, a soldier in the 34th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisted in August, 1862, and died at Helena, Ark., when fighting for his country; Mary A., wife of Preston Creveling, of Decatur County, Iowa; Louisa Ann died in infancy.

     William Smith, our subject, went with his par­ents to Decatur County, Iowa, in the spring of 1856; remaining but a short time, he returned to Henry County, engaging as a farm hand, then rent­ing farms until October, 1861, when he responded to his country’s call for troops. He enlisted in Company D, 4th Iowa Cavalry, and served until Aug. 9, 1864, as Corporal. His eyes became sore and he suffered from other disabilities, from the effects of which diseases he has never fully recovered. After his discharge he returned to Henry County, and was united in marriage, in February, 1865, with Rhoda Ann Messer, a native of Henry County, and a daughter of Hiram Messer.  He made his home upon a rented farm on section 20, Trenton Township, until 1873, when he made a home on a farm of eighty acres which he had previously bought, and has developed a good farm.

     Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of two children—W. G. and E. M. His first wife died April 14, 1870, and he was again married in 1873, to Margaret Messer, a sister of his former wife, and by their union eight children have been born—William Sherman, Robert Hiram, John Miller, Ann Eliza, Rosa Blanche, Maggie Luella, Nancy Adeline and James Harlan. Mr. Smith has held the office of Township Trustee for six years. Politically he is Republican. He is one of the stanch supporters of the party, and takes great interest in all political affairs. Mr. Smith commenced life a poor boy, and has made his own way in the world without assistance. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 181-182.)(JC)

William L. Smith

WILLIAM L. SMITH, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, one of time early settlers of Henry County, was born in Monongahela County, W. Va., Dec. 25, 1827. His father, Thomas P. Smith, was born in Virginia, in 1799, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He married Sarah Lazell, a native of Monongahela County, Va. They settled in what is now West Virginia, where eight children were born, four sons and four daughters, four of whom are living: John W., of Moundsville, W. Va.; William L., the subject of this sketch; Jane, wife of William Logston, of West Virginia; Amanda, wife of Frank Morgan, of Belmont County, Ohio. Thomas P. Smith was well posted on all affairs, and was a man highly respected in the country in which he lived. He died in 1855. Mrs. Smith died later.

The subject of this sketch when four years of age went to live with Marcus Moore, and remained with him until nineteen years old, attending the common subscription schools in the winter, and working upon the farm during the summer months. On leaving Mr. Moore he returned to his old home, and engaged in the butchering business. On the 3d of July, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Grandstaff, a native of Marshall County, Va., born in 1831. While a citizen of Marshall County he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served two years. In 1855 he left his native State and came to Iowa, locating at Muscatine, where he engaged in the butchering business. In 1856 he came to Mt. Pleasant and embarked in the same trade, continuing in it until 1861. In 1862 he was appointed United States Deputy Provost Marshal, and commissioned by Provost Marshal General Fry, serving until the close of the war. Dur­ing this time he had some rough experiences. At Ft. Wayne, Ind., he came near being mobbed by rebel sympathizers. On the close of the war he engaged in the livery business at Mt. Pleasant, in which he continued for several years under the firm name of W. L. & J. M. Smith. In 1869 he went to Burlingame, Kan., and embarked in the lumber trade under the firm name of Smith & Roads, and also at Wichita, Kan., under the firm name of McClure & Co. In 1879 he went to Colorado where he was interested in the Columbus mine, and also in the Tomichi mining district, in Gunnison County. In 1883 he returned to Henry County, where he has since continued to reside. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four living children: George W., now residing at Detroit, Mich.; Clara, wife of Dewitt Harden, of Monmouth, Ill.; Ada, wife of A. W. Morton, of Monmouth, Ill.; and Sally M., residing at home.

Mr. Smith has taken great interest in Masonry, and was Master of Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, for six years, and was a charter member of Xerium Lodge No. 207, of which he was appointed Worship­ful Master by dispensation, and was elected three successive terms thereafter; he was also High Priest in Henry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., for two years, and was a Charter Member of Jerusalem Commandery No. 7, K. T., in which he was Captain of the Guard. He has also taken the Consistory degrees, being a 32°. In 1869—70 he was Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of the general public, and in every enterprise calculated for the public good he is ready to do his part. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 173-174.)(JC)

Benjamin Spry

      BENJAMIN W. SPRY, now deceased, was a native of Ohio, and was born in Zanesville, Oct. 23, 1817. He remained in that city until after his marriage, which occurred in March, 1844, to Miss Ivy Johnson, who was also a native of Ohio. He was engaged in the mercantile business until the time of his death, which occurred July 6, 1827. His life throughout was an entirely upright one, and he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His devoted wife preceded him to the better world, her death occurring June 25, 1875. After the death of his wife Mr. Spry made his home with his son-in-law, G. W. Burton, of Mt. Pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Spry were the parents of seven children: Hattie J., born in 1845, is now the wife of E. D. Anderson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Annie E., born in 1846, is the wife of J. W. Burton, of Mt. Pleasant; Charles W., born in 1847, is a farmer in Marion Township; he married Miss Flora B. Moford. J. W. died in infancy; Mary E., who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. J. W. Burton; Emma C., who died in 1873, at the age of twenty; Homer J., born in 1857, is a farmer in Marion Township; his wife was Miss E. L. Anderson.

     Mrs. Harriet Boyce, now deceased, was a native of Washington County, Md., and a grandmother of Mrs. Anderson. Her maiden name was Thompson.  She was born Dec. 7, 1792. Her first husband was Jacob Johnson, and to them were born thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to man and woman­hood. At the time of her death she had seven children, forty-eight grandchildren, and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. Her second husband was Mr. Boyce. She was a member of the Methodist. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p 222.)  (JC)  (NOTE:  The date of Benjamin’s death as listed above is what was printed in the biography even though it is clearly in error.)

Deceased, of Salem, Iowa. He was born in Harrison Co. OH 5 Sept 1812. He was the son of Ralph and Eleanor (Cleary) Spurrier. They were both natives of Maryland, and both lived and died in Ohio. They have 5 sons and 6 daughters, six of whom are now living: Samuel resides in Clearfield, Iowa and is the resident physician; Warner resides at New Lisbon, Linn Co. IA, and is married to a cousin of the late president James A. Garfield; William m. Miss Dungan and is a farmer of Iowa County; Matilda m. George Heberling, a farer of Harrison Co. OH; Elizabeth is the widow of John Matson and resides in Nebraska; Mary a. m. Hezekiah Harrison, now deceased, and resides in New Lisbon. The rest of the children lived to be married--but are not listed. Richard, our subject, married in Cadiz, OH in 1833, to Miss Amy Barrett, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Barrett, who were Quakers and natives of Virginia. When they removed from the state of Ohio the Barrett brothers came to get their entry of land.

In 1842, Richard and wife came to Iowa by way of Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In Iowa they remained for 18 months 14 miles north of Iowa City and then came to Henry County.Richard farmed a short time and then clerked for John Andrews, a merchant of Salem, until 1853. He then took an overland trip to California with an ox-team. He had cholera enroute. He tried mining for awhile and then returned about 1856 to Iowa. He was sick for one year with Panama Fever.Richard and Mrs. Spurrier had seven children, 2 daughters and 5 sons: Thomas married Lavina Woodmanse, and resided in Wichita, KS.; John died at age two years; Mary, (now deceased), m. Thomas Rook; William H. resides Dectur Co., IA and is the husband of Jane Cammack; Ralph C. m. Josephine Barton and they also reside in Decatur County, they also have a section of excellent land that adjoins that of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Elder's son; Joseph, who was the only one who was born in Iowa,died at age 8, a victim of the first cholera epidemic in Salem.

Thomas and Ralph both enlisted in Co. D, 14th Iowa Infantry. Ralph was wounded at Shiloh. Richard has resided in Salem since 1845. He was a member of the Salem Lodge #48 of the IOOF, and was a member of the Salem Lodge #17 of the A.F.&A.M. He was president of the Old Settlers Association.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 481)(PW)

     GEORGE WILLIAM STEADMAN, retired farmer and blacksmith, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was born in Jefferson County, Va., Jan. 15, 1815, and is the son of William and Mary (Berry) Steadman. His father was born in Virginia, and was descended from good old English stock. His mother was born in Maryland, and was also of English descent. When sixteen years of age our subject was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, to work until twenty-one years of age, at $36 a year, and eight days in harvest time. During the first year he saved $18 out of his wages, but at the end of the first six months of the second year his employer failed and went out of business, leaving his apprentice to begin over again, and at a loss of his half year’s earnings. He was then newly apprenticed to another man in the same business, for the term of three years, at the rate of $50 for the first year, $55 for the second and $65 for the third. His employer was a very close, but upright man, and taught his apprentices to be frugal as well as industrious. At the end of the three years it was found that our subject had lost two and a half days, which he was obliged to make up. Having finished his four and a half years of apprenticeship, six months prior to his majority, he began work as a journeyman. In the spring of 1836 he went to Highland County, Ohio, and opened a shop, but not meeting with the success he anticipated, he removed to Chillicothe, the same State, where he worked as a journeyman, at $1 per day. Six months later he started a shop for himself at Marble Furnace, Adams Co., Ohio, where he met the estimable lady whom he afterward made his wife, Miss Eliza­beth Long, daughter of John Long, who was born in Adams County July 28, 1820, and to whom he was married April 19, 1838. Having carried on a shop at Marble Furnace for one year prior to his marriage, six months later Mr. Steadman went with his wife to Sinking Springs, Highland County, where he opened a shop in company with his brother-in-law, where he carried on business for eight years, and then removed to Bainbridge, Ross County, where he worked at his trade very successfully for eleven years, securing the best of the trade and making considerable money. At the end of this time Mr. Steadman again removed, this time going to Hillsboro, in that State, in hopes of doing still better, but this move was a mistake, and he sunk about $3,000 of his hard-earned savings. He then came to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in the spring of 1857.

     The financial panic of that year crippled all lines of business, and after a year and a half spent at Mt. Pleasant he became disgusted with the prospect and returned to Bainbridge, Ohio, and opened a shop, and again made money. Mr. Steadman remained at this place eight years, at the end of which time he went to Montgomery, Ind., and thence returned to Mt. Pleasant in 1867. He purchased a grocery and bakery, which he conducted a year and a half, when, being satisfied that there was no money in that enterprise for him, he sold out and returned to his old trade of blacksmithing. Two years later he bought his present fine farm of 160 acres in Marion Township, since which time he divides his attention between his farm and his residence in the city.

     Mr. and Mrs. Steadman have been the parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons, four of whom are living. Evaline was born May 30, 1839, and is the wife of James Miller, of Marion Township, and to them were born two sons and two daughters; Mary Ann, born Dee. 21, 1843, who was the wife of Abraham Blackson, and died April 24, 1869, leaving three children, two daughters and a son; Samuel Joseph, born Dec. 25, 1846, mar­ried Carrie Mathews, and resides on the home farm in Marion Township, and to them were born three boys and two girls:  William E. was born March 13, 1849, married Mary Spry, and lives in Marion Township, and four children, one boy and three girls, graced their union; Laura was born Feb. 27, 1854, and is the wife of L. E. Williams, a resident of Keokuk, and they have one child living; Lizzie, born March 7, 1865, died July 22, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Steadman have now been married nearly fifty years, and if living, they can celebrate their golden wedding on the 19th of April, 1888. They have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church nearly all their lives, and their children are members of the same denomination. Mr. Steadman united with the church in 1833. He is an earnest Republican in politics, with strong temperance sentiments. During the seventy-two years of a well-spent life he has lived a temperate, industrious life. Both he and his wife have always been industrious and fru­gal in their habits; starting in life with almost nothing, they have lived well, reared a large family, and accumulated a comfortable property. Mr. Steadman is a thorough mechanic in his line, and wherever he has worked has always won the highest opinions of his customers for the rapid dispatch and fine quality of his work. Physicians and druggists have never enjoyed much profit from his custom. Temperate and a total abstainer in his habits, his total doctor’s bills during his life will not exceed $5. He is still rugged and strong, and bids fair to enjoy many more years of life. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 269-270) (JC)

     JOSEPH L. STEADMAN, a farmer and stock-raiser of section 24, Marion Township was born in Bainbridge, Ross Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1846, and is a son of G. W. and Elizbeth (Long) Steadman. (See G. W. Steadman’s sketch on another page of this work.) He attended school in his native town until 1861, when he en­tered the army, enlisting in Company G, 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was captured at Harper’s Ferry. Va., but Joseph was taken sick with typhoid fever at Winchester, and subsequently captured and held prisoner for about two months. His mother having gone to the bedside of her sick boy, remained with him until he was exchanged and sent home. As soon as sufficiently recovered, he was sent to Chicago, where he was paid off and discharged in November, 1862. Returning home, he remained there until January, 1863, when he re-enlisted, in the 4th Independent Battalion of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry for six months, but remained nine in that command. The battalion was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in a number of minor engagements, but was generally engaged in scouting and foraging. After he was discharged from this regiment, he again enlisted, in the 13th Ohio Cavalry, and was in the seven-days battle of the Wilderness, also at Hatches Run, Weldon Railroad and Five Points. On the 31st of March, 1865, Mr. Steadman was wounded in the right arm above the elbow, and was again taken prisoner. Having a good knowledge of Andersonville, he determined to risk his chances at escape, and did get away, but was shot at twice and missed. Not having had his wound dressed for some hours, the pain was so intense that it almost crazed him, but he was finally cared for, and sent to City Point, Va., and from there to Washington, D. C. He was in Ford’s Theater the memorable night when our beloved President Lincoln was assassinated. This caused such an excitement and jam, that in trying to escape from the building he was hurt and had to be sent home on the general order of furloughs for all disabled soldiers. He remained at home until July, 1865, when he went to Cincinnati, and there received his discharge.

     In the spring of 1866 Mr. Steadman went to Tennessee, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory, but returned home and was united in marriage, March 20, 1867, with Miss Caroline M. Mathews. She was born in Lipidelmutt, Prussia, Aug. 25, 1848, and is a daughter of Henry and Caroline L. Mathews, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Steadman are the parents of nine children, four of whom died in infancy; the living are Laura L., George H., Joseph A., Ed­ward W. and Lillie Lena. After their marriage they moved to Henry County, Iowa, where they lived for six years on a farm. In 1872 they emigrated to Elbert County, Col., where Mr. Steadman took up a soldier’s claim of 160 acres, and lived on it for three years. In 1875 he sold his farm and engaged in the hotel business in South Park for about one year. Taking his family by team, he went to Walla Walla, Wash. Ter., being on the way sixty days. From there he went to Spokane Falls, where he bought a piece of land, but also ran a hotel in that place about two years. He was also engaged in the transportation business with a drove of thirty animals. His route was from the evolution on South Fork of Coeur d’Alene River, to Eagle City, on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, in Idaho, then in 1885-86 freighted from Granite to Aspen, Col. he ran a freight team across the Continental Divide for two years. In June, 1887, Mr. Steadman returned to Henry County, after an absence of nearly fifteen years, and took charge of his father’s farm of 160 acres, where he is at present employed. Politically, he is a Republican, and takes great interest in public affairs.

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p 236)  (JC)

     HON. SAMUEL L. STEELE, manager of the Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company, and  present Representative in the Iowa Legislature from the Twentieth District, resides on section 36, Marion Township, Henry Co., Iowa, and does business in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Steele has been a resident of Henry County since 1847, and was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 8, 1836. His parents, James and Mary H. (White) Steele, were natives of Virginia, and were born in Berkeley County, now West Virginia. They were of the old orthodox Quaker faith. On the father’s side the family was of Irish origin, but residents of America from Colonial days. Gen. Steele, of Revolutionary fame, was a distant relative of our subject. Mr. Steele’s parents moved from Virginia to Clarke County, Ohio, in 1826, and from there to Henry County, Iowa, in 1847, arriving in Jefferson Township, where they located Oct. 25, 1847.

     Samuel L. was reared on a farm, and in August, 1862, enlisted for the late war. He was elected Second Lieutenant of Company B, 25th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to a First Lieutenancy in August, 1863, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, June 6, 1865. His regiment was assigned to the 15th (Gen. John A. Logan’s) Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Miss.; Arkansas Post, Ark.; siege of Vicksburg, Miss.; Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Goldsboro, N. C., and Sherman’s historic march to the sea. The official history of the regiment shows that it participated in thirty-seven dis­tinct engagements. In almost all of these Lieut. Steele was a participant, and showed himself a brave and gallant soldier. On his return from the war Mr. Steele engaged in the mercantile and lumber business at Sedalia, Mo., which business occupied his time for four years, at the end of which he returned to Henry County, Iowa, and engaged in farming on section 6, Marion Township. In 1873 he purchased a farm of 280 acres on section 36 of the same town­ship, where he still resides. He has lately sold 120 acres, leaving his present farm 160 acres in extent. Mr. Steele was married in Jefferson Township_, Henry County, May 27, 1866, to Miss Sarah Mar­garet, daughter of Lawrence M. and Margaret L. Everts. Mrs. Steele was born in the State of New York, and came to Iowa in childhood. One child, a daughter, Mary E., was born to them, who is now the wife of Guy Norton, of St. Paul, Neb. Mrs. Steele died Oct. 26, 1868. He was again married Dec. 24, 1872, in Henry County, to Miss Martha D. Oaks, a daughter of John S. Oaks, who was born in Lycoming County, Pa. Five children, four sons and a daughter, were born of their union: John Oaks, now aged eleven; James Arthur, aged nine; Edna, aged seven; Charles C., aged three, and Fred, an infant.

     Mr. Steele is an out-and-out Republican, and has voted with that party since its organization. He has been chosen to various offices of public honor and trust, and was elected as a member of the County Board of Supervisors in 1868, and was subsequently re-elected and served six years. Prior to that he had served as a member of the Township Board of Trustees, and for fourteen years has been a member of the District School Board. He was elected Nov. 8, 1887, on the Republican ticket, as Representative to the State Legislature from the Twentieth District, by a majority of 696 over his competitor. In every position to which he has been chosen he has borne the reputation of a competent and upright official, and has earned the esteem of his fellow-citizens.

     Mr. Steele is a member of the McFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church his first wife was also a member, while his present wife is a Presbyterian. In August, 1887, he was instru­mental in organizing and incorporating the Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Company, of which he is general manager. (See notice of business elsewhere in this work.) Mr. Steele is an energetic, sagacious, business man, a most indomitable worker, possess­ing superior executive ability and great force of character. The enterprise upon which he has so lately entered promises to develop into an important industry, and already orders are flowing in faster than the company, with their present facilities, can fill them. Mr. Steele is a man of unquestioned integrity, and justly ranks among the leading business men of Henry County. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 221-222.)  (JC)

John S. Stephenson

     HON. JOHN S. STEPHENSON, deceased, an honored pioneer of Henry County, Iowa, of 1836, was born in Virginia, in the old block house at the fort, on the site of the city of Parkersburg, now West Virginia, when the Northwest Territory was ceded by Virginia to the United States. His birth occurred April 11, 1800, while his parents were temporarily seeking shelter at the fort from a threatened Indian attack. Their home properly was in Wood County, Va., to which they returned soon after the birth of our subject. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Dilts) Stephenson, were worthy people of Scottish birth, and had emigrated to America in the first years of the Republic. John S. was educated at Parkersburg, Va. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1821, to Miss Elizabeth Archibald, daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Archibald. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Massachusetts, Oct. 28, 1801, and died in New London, Iowa, April 7, 1887. Mr. Stephenson removed to Dearborn County, Ind., from Virginia, while a single man, but resided in Hamilton County, Ohio, from the date of his marriage till 1836, when lie emigrated from that county to Henry County, Iowa, and settled in what is now Baltimore Town­ship, on what is now known as the Britton farm. Three years later he removed to Jackson Township, in the same county, where he bought a large tract of land, and was engaged in farming till 1857, then removed to the village of Lowell, Baltimore township, where lie had established a general store several years before. He also had a store at Boylston, which he left in the care of his sons.

     Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson’s family consisted of five sons and two daughters: William A., born Nov. 5, 1823, and died Jan. 26, 1844; Edmund J. was horn Oct. 2, 1826, went to California in 1849, and died at New Orleans, La., on his return voyage, May 2, 1854; Edward H. was born April 27, 1829, married Permelia Smith, and is engaged in the drug business at New London. (See his sketch elsewhere in this work). Alva H. was born March 7, 1831, and married Nellie Kearns, and died April 29, 1885; his wife survives him, and resides in Memphis, Tenn. John S. was born Oct. 2, 1834, and married Anna Price, and is a farmer of Pleasant Ridge Township, Lee Co., Iowa; Sarah E., born Sept. 9, 1838, is the wife of Charles Kirkpatrick, of Lowell, Henry Co., Iowa; Mary Eliza, born Oct. 2, 1841, is the wife of William Jackman, and resides in New London, Iowa.

     When Mr. Stephenson settled in Jackson Township he purchased a claim on which he built a double-room log cabin, and named his place “Hard­scrabble,” where he kept open house after the whole-souled, hospitable manner of the Virginians. He was known far and near, and every stranger or belated traveler who sought shelter with him was sure of a warm welcome, and the best the house afforded. Mr. Stephenson was a man of very superior mental endowments, a thorough scholar, and a great student of history and political economy. He soon became prominent in public affairs, and was elected Register of Land Claims in this part of the county, and Notary Public, and was one of the first Justices of the county, and held that position for several years. He was chosen to represent his district in the State Senate, and was influential in framing laws for the young commonwealth of Iowa.

     In early life he was a Whig of the pro-slavery type, and on the dissolution of his party in 1856 attached himself to the Democratic party, of which he was an ardent supporter till the day of his death. While bitterly opposed to the policy of the Republican party, during the war he was true to the Union, and the Constitution as made by the fathers of the Republic. His fund of general information was comprehensive and varied, while his affable, courteous manner and entertaining conversation made him an agreeable host and a welcome guest.  His generosity was unbounded; no one ever asked in vain a favor within his power to grant. His brother Edward was a gentleman of marked ability, and thorough culture, a great linguist, and a prominent lawyer of Virginia. His death occurred at Matamoras, Mex., April 11, 1870. Another brother, James, was born in Virginia, in 1791, and was a prominent and wealthy attorney of Wood County, Va.  Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson were members of the Presbyterian Church from early life until its close. Mr. Stephenson continued to reside at Lowell until the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. His memory will long remain fresh in the hearts of his numerous friends.

 (Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 172-173.)(JC)

    Edward H Stephenson

EDWARD H. STEPHENSON, druggist, New London, Iowa, and a pioneer of Henry County of 1836, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., April 27, 1830. His parents, John S. and Elizabeth (Archibald) Stephenson, were among the early pioneers of Henry County, Iowa. His father was born in Wood County, Va., April 11, 1800. He came to Henry County, Iowa, in 1836, and was prominent in the early history of that county, at one time representing his district in the State Senate (see sketch elsewhere in this work).

Our subject removed with his parents in early childhood to New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, and from there to Henry County, Iowa, in 1836. He was brought up on his father’s farm, and in the spring of 1819, in company with his elder brother, Edmund J., he started overland for California with ox-teams for conveyance. The long and tedious journey was accomplished in safety after encountering numerous adventures and hardships incident to crossing the plains in those early days. His party was fortunate in not finding the Indians so hostile as they became a few years later. The experience, however, was peculiar and attractive to our subject, who was but a boy in his teens. Arriving in California, young Stephenson engaged in placer mining, washing the precious metal by hand with the traditional rocker. Later he engaged with the Government at Benicia, building docks and ware­houses, spending three years in that line. Mr. Stephenson remained in California five years, and was quite successful in his various ventures. He returned home via Panama and New Orleans. His brother Edmund had been failing in health for some time before they started on their return voyage. He succeeded in reaching New Orleans, where he died May 2, 1854. After burying his brother, Mr. Stephenson returned to Henry County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 1857 he went to Lowell in the same county, where he engaged in milling and general merchandising in company with Dr. E. Archibald. He was married at Lowell, Henry County, in April, 1859, to Miss Permelia Smith, daughter of Hiram Smith. Mrs. Stephenson was born in Lee County, Iowa, where her people were pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have two daughters, Clara and Nora. Mr. Stephenson continued in business at Lowell until 1873, when he removed to New London and engaged in the dry-goods trade in company with Mr. Stoddard, under the firm name of the “Stoddard Company.” That connection continued till 1877, when lie sold out and lived retired until 1884, when he commenced the drug business at New London, which lie still carries on.

Mr. Stephenson is an earnest Democrat in his political views, and a cordial supporter of the present National administration. He is a Master Mason and a member of New London Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M. He was made a Mason in Lowell Lodge No. 48, in 1858. The lodge was removed to Danville in 1864. Mr. Stephenson is one of the oldest settlers of Henry County, and is widely known and highly respected. His mother, a lady who was held in high esteem by all who knew her, survived her husband and lived to the good old age of nearly eighty-six years. She was born Oct. 28, 1801, and died April 7, 1887. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 184-185.)

Oliver Stephenson, farmer and Trustee of Wayne Township, Henry Co., Iowa, residing on section 18, was born in Southern Sweden in 1834, and is the son of Stephen and Christiana C. (Poulson) Stephenson, who in 1849 emigrated to America, settling in Trenton Township, Henry County. They brought with them eight children---Paul, Oliver, Charles J., Stephen, Caroline, Christiana, Mary and Louisa. The latter died in Chicago of cholera while on the way to Iowa. Stephen Stephenson, Sr., purchased the farm upon which Daniel Vorhies now lives, in Trenton Township, and upon this the parents, two brothers and one sister died. Besides Oliver, two sisters are now living. Caroline wedded Peter Alsen, who resides near Madrid, Boone Co., Iowa; and Christiana is married to James Sexton, a native of Ohio, commercial agent for a Chicago firm, and a resident of Pella, Iowa.

Our subject grew to manhood in Trenton Township, and from boyhood developed the characteristics which have been so marked during his later years. He received but a limited school education, but, as his business habits were formed he secured a practical one, and to-day takes front rank among the prominent farmers of the county. He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary H. Johnson, also born in Sweden, who came alone from that country in 1858. The young couple began their domestic life in Jefferson County, and six years later moved to Wayne Township, this county, Mr. Stephenson purchasing a quarter section of land. He has made this one of the most beautiful farms in the township, and has expended large sums of money in the erection of a mansion and fine out-buildings, and as his means increased, his broad acres have grown to a half section of land, where he resides; and he also owns other farms, in Nebraska, Kansas, and in this township and in other parts of the county, showing what can be accomplished in a few years by industry and thrift, backed by good judgment. When Oliver was a lad he worked for twenty-five cents per day, but is now one of the largest taxpayers in Wayne Township, and every dollar he is worth is the legitimate result of a successful business.

Since their marriage ten children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson: Tillie, wife of John Lindell, a farmer of Wayne Township; Caroline, Charles, Clara, Solomon, Archie, Alma, Melvin (deceased), Ettie and George. Charles has taken a course at Howe's Academy, Mt. Pleasant, and in point of education the children are all intended to have every advantage.

Oliver Stephenson has filled almost every township office, and for years was President of the School Board, and also Treasurer from the organization of the independent district. He has repeatedly filled the offices of Township Supervisor, Township Trustee, and is the present incumbent and his own successor. He was one of the original members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, at Swedesburg, and was one of its first Trustees, being both Trustee and Deacon, with the exception of one year, from its organization. He was elected one of the Board of Directors of the Augustana College, of Rock Island, Ill., in 1885, and has another year to serve. As a useful citizen the township and county are proud of Oliver Stephenson. As a family, all are held in high esteem, and with pleasure we offer this sketch of one of the best known men of his nationality in Wayne Township.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, p. 178)(PW)

 William Summers

    WILLIAM SUMMERS, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers residing on section 27, Center Township, was born in Warwickshire, England, on the 29th day of November. 1833. His parents were John and Mary (Hopkins) Summers, and to them three children were born: Richard, a machinist residing in London; Mary A., who died in Morgan County, Mo., was the wife of W. C. Wheatley ; and William, our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Summers both departed this life in England. For many years they were earnest workers in the Episcopal Church.

William Summers, deciding to leave his native land and, come to America, embarked in a ship at Southampton for this country, in 1856. Soon after landing he purchased some land, but subse­quently removed to Henry County, where he still resides. In those days hogs were worth $1.50 per hundred pounds, and thinking this might be a paying investment he killed and packed several hundred hogs, which he shipped to England in 1862. Corn at this time sold at twelve and one-half cents her bushel, potatoes at fifteen cents, and eggs at two cents per dozen. After remaining in England for about a year Mr. Summers returned home.

     Mr. Summers was united in marriage before he was twenty-one years old to Eliza Mary Woodcock, a native of England, born in Warwickshire. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are the happy parents of seven children: Joseph, born June 15, 1855, a resident of this county; Theresa, born Dec. 8, 1856, wife of William Rathdon, of Antelope County, Neb.; Helen, born April 3, 1863, a graduate of the university of Mt. Pleasant, is now a teacher in Fremont, Neb.; Mary, born Dec. 18, 1864, wife of William Moore, of Trenton, Mo.; Colletta, born April 21, 1867, now a student at the University of Mt. Pleasant; Maria, born Aug. 20, 1870; and John F., born March 6, 1874; are still inmates of the parental home. The deceased are William, Ambrose, Lucy and Walter. In politics Mr. Summers is a Democrat, and an active worker for his party; he has also held several township offices with credit to himself and to his constituents. In educational matters he always takes an active interest, having a good, practical education himself, and has endeavored to give his children such an education. He is a man who keeps well posted on the affairs of the county, and is always ready to advance any public enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are members of the Catholic Church, and are univer­sally respected throughout the community. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 174-175.)(JC)

Clara J. Swan

 CLARA J. SWAN, M.D., homeopathic physician, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was born in St. Paul, Minn.  Her parents, Andrew and Margaret Swan, were natives of Sweden, who emigrated to America in their youth.  They were honest and industrious, and died leaving Clara an orphan when she was but eight years old.  She came to Iowa in 1873, and lived near Oakland Mills, Henry County, where she received her primary education in the public schools.  In 1882 she came to Mt. Pleasant and entered Prof. Howe’s Academy and Training School, where she took a two-years course of general study. She began reading medicine with Dr. J.H. Drake in 1883, and in October, 1884, entered the Iowa State University as a medical student, taking a general course of study in medicine and surgery, and graduating in the class of 1887.  Immediately after receiving her diploma, she opened an office at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where at present she is the only lady physician in actual practice.
 
Dr. Swan is a young lady of superior ability, and is a thorough medical student and cool reasoner. Her misfortune in childhood of being left an orphan has taught her that self-reliance and patience necessary to win an honorable place in the profession of her choice.  She realizes that she has much to contend with from the competition of the many able physicians in the city, and from the common prejudice against employing female physicians, especially one so young.  But time remedies many things and rights many wrongs.  The most eminent in the profession have been guilty of the heinous crime of once having been young, and the world is fast learning that men must not, nor cannot, monopolize the learned professions.  That she may win that high rank among practitioners that is the result of steadfast determination and earnest effort, is certainly the desire of all who know her, and who admire the courage that triumphs over every obstacle.

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp.234-235) (PW)

    MONROE SWIFT, miller, of New London, has operated the New London Mills almost continuously since April, 1862. He was born in Milan, Ripley Co., Ind., Feb. 12, 1832, and is the son of Mason arid Mary (Hannan) Swift. His father was born in Connecticut, and his mother on the eastern shore of Maryland; both families were long time residents of this county. The subject of this sketch spent his boy­hood on his father’s farm, and when sixteen years of age began life for himself as a miller’s apprentice. He worked at all sorts of milling business, both in sawmills and gristmills, and was married, April 7, 1852, in his native State to Miss Sarah Jane Courtney, daughter of John and Miranda Courtney. Mrs. Swift was born in Jerseyville, Ill. Five children were born of their union, three sons and two daughters, two of whom died in infancy: Sadoras, aged thirty-seven, is a machinist, and a resident of Argentine, Mo.; Estus resides at Mt. Pleasant, and is employed in a mill; Mary Ellen is time wife of E. M. Alter, of Taylor County, Iowa; Frank is in Mt. Pleasant; Anna Belle, the youngest, keeps house for her father.

     Mr. Swift emigrated from Indiana to Henry County, Iowa, in October, 1854, and for the next eight years was employed in the sawmill business. He engaged as a miller in the New London Mills in April, 1862, and has had charge of them ever since. Mrs. Swift, an estimable Christian lady, died Sept. 26, 1885. Mr. Swift is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of New London Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M.; of Henry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., and of Jerusalem Commandery No. 7, K. T., the two last named of Mt. Pleasant. He is an out-and-out Republican, and a member of the Baptist Church, and has held several offices in the township since he has resided here. He is well known and highly respected in the community. 

(Portrait and Biographical Album, Henry County, Iowa; Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, 1888, pp 210-211.)