Portrait and Biographical Album - 1887

 
Title words

Washington County Iowa

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GEORGE GLIDER, section 20, Lime Creek Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Erie County, N.Y., Oct. 15, 1841, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Schears) Glider, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in an early day, and located in Buffalo, N.Y., where they lived about five years, then purchased a small farm near that city, upon which they resided for eighteen years, when they came to Iowa, in 1858, and bought thirty-five acres of land on section 20, Lime Creek Township, Washington County, where they reared nine children, namely: Dorothy, deceased; Henry, a resident of Washington County; Sarah is the wife of Jacob Bowers, residing in Buffalo, N.Y.; George, the subject of this sketch; Philip, a farmer in Lime Creek Township; Jacob, a resident of Wellman; Christ, also a resident of Wellman; Peter, a miner in Idaho; Charles died in infancy. The father died Oct. 5, 1865. He was a stonemason by trade, and an industrious and upright man. The mother died June 13, 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm and in attendance at the common schools, until 1862, when he enlisted in Washington, March 13, in Co. H, 7th Iowa Vol., Inf., for three years. He first went to Muscatine, then to Davenport, where the regiment took boats for Pittsburg Landing, from there to Corinth, where Mr. Glider was taken sick and sent back to Shiloh, at which place he lay sick with fever and smallpox for some time. He was offered a furlough which he refused, and, as soon as he was able, returned to the regiment at Camp Montgomery, near Corinth. From there they went to La Grange, Miss., and thence to Moscow, from which place they went back to Corinth. The regiment then participated in the raid after Gen. Forest, then went to Bethel and from there to Middle Tennessee, where, in the winter of 1863, it veteranized, and Mr. Glider enlisted for three years more. He then returned home on a furlough of thirty days, at the end of which time he rejoined his regiment at Nashville, going by way of Keokuk and the Cumberland River. From Nashville they went successively to Pulaski, Elk River, Ala.; Huntsville, Chattanooga, Brand's Roost, and then with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. The regiment was the first to cross the pontoons at Marietta, Ga., making a charge in which they drove out the rebels, and captured two cannon, but in about fifteen minutes lost ninety-five men. From there they went to Atlanta, and from Atlanta were sent back to Rome, then ordered back to Atlanta, where they arrived just in time to see the enemy leaving, when they were again ordered to Rome, where they resumed the march to Atlanta and Macon, following the Macon & Columbus Railroad, destroying the road. They next went to Savannah, and from there to Columbus, S.C., where, after making the march of 160 miles, they made a successful charge, driving the enemy through South Carolina into North Carolina, skirmishing as they went, until they reached Goldsboro, N. C. From there they went to Raleigh, N.C., then continued the march to Richmond, Va., and on to Washington, D.C., where they were fund among Sherman's brave boys in the grand review. The regiment afterward went to Wheeling, W. Va., then by steamer to Louisville, Ky., and to Michigan City and Chicago, and from there to Davenport,where Mr. Glider received his discharge, after serving three years and four months. He then returned home to Washington County, and resumed his occupation of farming. He purchased thirty acres of land, to which he has since added, and now owns a farm of 105 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. His horses and cattle are of the best, and in the last few years he has in the season turned his attention to threshing grain.

On the 30th day of December, 1865, Mr. Glider was united in marriage with Miss Myra Ferguson, who was born Aug. 3, 1847, and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Reed) Ferguson, natives

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of New York. They are the parents of nine children—Sarah C., Nettie M., Sherman W., John B., Albert W., Mary C., Myra L., and Eva F. Mr. and Mrs. Glider are members of the Evangelical Church.

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D. J. EICHELBERGER, County Auditor of Washington County, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Oct. 17, 1845, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Eberly) Eichelberger, both of whom are also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was an engineer by trade, and died many years ago, leaving a widow with five small children. Mrs. Eichelberger subsequently married Samuel Cocklin, and in 1859 came west with her husband and children, locating in Brighton Township, Washington county, where they remained for a time, and then moved into Marion Township, same county. Mrs. Eichelberger was a member of the Christian Church and died in the faith in 1883.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native State, and on coming to Iowa, being a lad of fourteen years, assisted upon the farm till February, 1864, when he could no longer resist the repeated calls made by President Lincoln for more men, and therefore enlisted as a private in Co. I, 13th Iowa Vol. Inf., continuing with the regiment till the 22d of July, 1864, when he was taken sick, and receiving a furlough, returned home to recuperate. While he was at home, Sherman started on his celebrated march to the sea, and, when he was able, he reported to Gen. Thomas at Nashville, and participated in the battle at that place, where the General won a notable victory over the rebel Gen. Hood. From Nashville he was sent to Buford, N.C., where he participated in the engagement at Kingston, N.C. He rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro, N.C., and moved with it to Raleigh, and then to Durham Station, where Johnson surrendered. The regiment next proceeded to Washington and participated in the grand review. From Washington the regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out July 20, 1865, Mr. Eichelberger receiving his discharge at Davenport, July 28, 1865.

Returning to Washington County, he again resumed his occupation of farming, in which he continued till the fall of 1883, when he was elected Auditor of the county, and was re-elected in 1885, and is now serving his second term. As an officer, he is quite popular, being accommodating and pleasant at all times. Politically, he is a Republican of the stanch kind, who "votes the ticket spring and fall," and has that confidence in the party which saved the Union, that it is still capable of administering its affairs. He is a member I. G. White Post No. 108, G.A.R., and feels happy in the wonderful growth and properity of the order. He is also a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor.

In 1867 Mr. Eichelberger was united in marriage with Miss Annie L. Essley, a native of Indiana, and daughter of W. L. Essley. By this union there have been three children, two now living—William L. and Bessie.

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EDWARD S. FREELAND is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 11, Oregon Township. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, born Jan. 1, 1834, and is the son of Jacob and Aurilla (Carr) Freeland. In 1846 the family moved from Ohio to Louisa County, Iowa, where Jacob Freeland died in 1851, at the age of sixty-five. His widow is still living in Louisa County, and is now a remarkably well preserved woman of eighty-five years. With the exception of failing eyesight, she is in the enjoyment of fair health, and did her own housework till the fall of 1886.

The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Louisa County, Iowa, when in his thirteenth year. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, and has followed the occupation of a farmer thus far through life. At the time of the settlement of the family in Louisa County, the country was new, and for several years our subject was engaged in breaking prairie with ox-teams, working as many as sixteen yoke of oxen to a plow, which made a 28-inch furrow. In 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Godfrey, a daughter of Lemuel and Ninette Godfrey, both of

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whom were natives of Maryland. She was born in 1831. They have had seven children, six of whom are yet living: Elmine, the wife of George W. West; Nettie, the wife of William Marston; John E., Isaac, William O., and Aurilla.

Politically, Mr. Freeland is a Republican. He comes of patriotic stock, his paternal grandfather serving in the Revolutionary War, while his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1859 Mr. Freeland came with his young wife to Washington County, and remained one year. He then moved just over the line to Louisa County, where he remained five years, then returned to Washington County, and settled upon his present farm, which consists of 100 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. He is a man who stands well among his neighbors, is content with his lot, and believes in a good home. A temperance man, he is decidedly in favor of the enforcement of the prohibitory law.

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JOHN W. SANDS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 24, Oregon Township, is a native of Tennessee, born in Monroe County, March 22, 1839, and is the son of Benjamin R. and Rosanna (Henderson) Sands. Benjamin R. Sands is a native of Washington County, Tenn., and is of Scotch-Irish descent. In his native State he was united in marriage, in 1835, in Monroe County, with Miss Rosanna Henderson, also a native of Tennessee, born in Blount County, and of Irish descent. They came to Washington County, Iowa, in the spring of 1851, and were therefore numbered among the earliest settlers.

Mr. Sands entered 160 acres of land, which he put under cultivation and greatly improved, and on which he remained until 1880, when he went to the village of Ainsworth, and there lived a retired life. Mrs. Sands died there June 20, 1887, leaving an aged and devoted husband, with several children and many friends to mourn their loss. She was a kind and an affectionate wife, and an indulgent an loving mother; a sincere Christian woman; a member of the United Presbyterian Church; in the faith of her fathers she died, and is now enjoying the rest that comes to the righteous. Since the death of his wife Mr. Sands has made his home with the subject of this sketch. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and as a citizen is respected by all. Numbered among the representative pioneers of Washington County, he has witnessed all the changes that have been made in its development, and now, at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, awaits the summons to come up higher. Benjamin R. and Rosanna Sands reared a family of six children, five of whom are now living: John W.; Margaret, wife of J.F.R. Leonard, a sketch of whom will be found in this work; Joseph P., of Hamilton County, Iowa; Samuel A.; of this township; James, also in Oregon Township; the deceased is Nancy J.

The subject of this sketch came to Washington County, Iowa, with his parents in 1851. Here he grew to manhood, was educated in the common schools of his adopted county, and in early life was required to do his share of the farm work. His whole life has been spent upon a farm, with the exception of three years, when he was engaged with others in helping to put down the most gigantic and unholy rebellion that was ever known. He enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. C, 11th Iowa Vol Inf. He was in the battles of Shiloh, first and second Corinth, the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, and in various minor engagements. He was mustered out at Gaylesville, Ala., and honorably discharged at the same place. Returning to his home on receiving his discharge, he again resumed the occupation of a farmer, in which business he has been fairly successful.

Mr. Sands was married in Louisa County, in 1864, to Martha A. Shaw, the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Riddle) Shaw, who came to Iowa in 1856. She was born in Monroe County, Tenn., Nov. 23, 1843. They have by this union four children—Eva J., Samuel B., Francis G. and Alva. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their three oldest children are also members of that body. In politics our subject is a Republican. He has held the office of Township Trustee, and other minor local offices. Mr. Sands is regarded as one of the enterprising citizens of Oregon Township; he is a man universally esteemed by all who know him. Commencing life in limited circumstances, by industry and economy, assisted by his wife, he has acquired a nice property, and his farm is regarded as one of the best in the township.

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