Portrait and Biographical Album - 1887

 
Title words

Washington County Iowa

mailto:djcov@prodigy.net

Divider image

Home Back to book index On to next page

Divider image

page 181

LYMAN H. GILBERT, a farmer and stock-raiser, on section 4, Franklin Township, is a son of Reuben and Mary A. (Gype) Gilbert, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, and came to this county with his parents when but two years of age. They came through in a one-horse wagon. Lyman was reared upon his father's farm, and when old enough assisted in its cultivation, in the meantime attending school as the opportunity offered. In 1877, he went to Shelby County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he cultivated til 1886, when, by the desire of his parents, he returned to this county and purchased a small farm adjoining that of his father, where he still continues to reside. He was married, in 1874, to Miss May A. De Groff, a native of Illinois, born near Freeport. They have three children—Ella, Ollie and Katie. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the I.O.O.F. In politics he is a Republican. In addition to general farming Mr. Gilbert makes a specialty of raising cattle. The farm now consists of eighty-two acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.

Divider image

Bozell F. TiptonHON. BOZELL F. TIPTON, residing on section 17, Cedar Township, a fine portrait of whom appears upon the opposite page, is a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born June 27, 1828, and is a son of Jonathan and Melinda (Denison) Tipton, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio and Illinois. In 1838 the family moved from Ohio to Fulton County, Ill., and then removed to Knox County, Ill. Here our subject grew to manhood, and in 1851 came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on the present site of West Chester, where he rented land for one year, and then bought 240 acres of land on section 7, Cedar Township, and section 24 of Lime Creek Township. He built a house on the northeast quarter of section 7, Cedar Township, improved the land, and there lived until the spring of 1858, when he bought 120 acres on section 17, Cedar Township, where he now owns one of the best improved farms in the county. That same year he also purchased ten acres of timber on section 28. He owns 457 1/2 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, with a good dwelling-house, fine barns and other out-buildings. He is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Tipton was married, July 5, 1849, to Miss Lucinda Jackson, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and the daughter of John Jackson. They are the parents of seven children: Israel now resides in the Indian Territory, and is engaged in stock-raising; John is a farmer residing in Cedar Township; Florence is the wife of C. C. Gardner, also of Cedar Township; Alvonzo is engaged in stock-raising in Indian Territory; David is a farmer residing in Smith County, Kan.; Myrtle and Hazard are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Tipton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1862, when the call was made by President Lincoln for more men, Mr. Tipton enlisted in Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and as a Sergeant served till the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and in the last engagement of the war, at Bentonsville, N. C. After participating in the grand review at Washington, he was mustered out with his regiment, June 6, 1865. He then returned home and at once resumed farming, in which occupation he has since been engaged. As might well be expected, Mr. Tipton is a stanch Republican, one who firmly believes in the principles advocated by that party. He has been honored by his friends and neighbors with various township offices, and in 1885 was elected a member of the Twenty-first General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and as such served with credit to himself and

his constituents upon some of the most important committees in the Lower House. While this work was in preparation he was renominated for the same position, which is proof of the esteem in which he is held by the party. He is also a strong advocate of prohibition, and of the enforcement of the law. On coming to this county, Mr. Tipton was in limited circumstances, but he has by hard work, assisted by his faithful wife, accumulated sufficient property to render them comfortable during the remainder of their lives, and to amply provide for their children. Socially he is esteemed by all.

Jonathan Tipton, the father of our subject, died at the residence of his son in 1885, at the age of eighty-one years. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and served as Justice of the Peace in his township for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Divider image

WILLIS RUSH, deceased, was born Sept. 21, 1808, in Somerset County, Pa., and was the son of David and Mary (Skinner) Rush, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, but of Welsh descent. He was reared a farmer, but learned the blacksmith's trade, which he worked at till forty years old, then went on a farm, which occupation he followed the remainder of his life. On the 3d day of July, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Boden, daughter of James and Catherine (Page) Boden, the former of English and the latter of German descent. She was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 22, 1816. They have had nine children, seven of whom are now living: Sylvester married Jennie S. Spear; they have two children—Harry S. and Mary G. Nathaniel married Nettie Hamer; they have seven children—Willis, Mary, Freddy and Eddie (twins), Mattie and Minnie, with one deceased, Effie. Martha is the wife of Cyrus W. Chrisman, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Simeon married Katie Sigafoos, and has one child, Glen; Samantha is the wife of Dr. Allen Brown, of Nebraska; they have one child, Ethel. Ella is the wife of Rev. William E. Patterson, of Ft. Madison, Iowa; Catherine married Simon Cool, and died leaving one child, Willis; Elizabeth married Corydon Seng, and died leaving two children—Charles and Arrela.

Mr. Rush died Jan. 20, 1887. He had been a lifelong member of the Methodist episcopal Church. HIs widow is also a member of the same church. Politically he was a republican. He was a kind and loving husband and an affectionate father, and in his death the county lost one of her best citizens. At his death he was the owner of a fine farm of 320 acres, all of which was under a high state of cultivation. The widow resides in Ainsworth, "waiting, only waiting," to join her loved one who has gone before.

Divider image

View book Book image by J.O.D's Old Fashioned B&W Clip Art Collection Sign book



Image by J.O.D's Old Fashioned B&W Clip Art CollectionMardos Memorial Library



J.O.D's Old Fashioned B&W Clip Art Collection

GenNetwork.orgVisit our family of homepages and join us.

The American History and Genealogy Project

Divider image

Copyright © 2000 - 2002 D. J. Coover
All Rights Reserved
Webmaster: D. J. Coover - [email protected]