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HENRY BREED is a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 21, Oregon Township, where he owns ninety-nine acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Broome County, N.Y., May 10, 1832, and is a son of William and Sabia (Holmes) Breed, who were natives of New Jersey, but of Irish descent. the latter died in New York, and in 1865 the former came to this county, where he died in 1878. (For an account of the family see sketch of William H. Breed.)
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on a farm, and has followed that occupation thus far through life. The only educational advantages he enjoyed were such as were afforded in the common schools. On the 10th of October, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Seeley, who was born in Dutchess County, N.Y., and is the daughter of Sylvanus and Sarah (Fowler)
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Seeley. She was born July 14, 1834. Four children have been born to them, all now living—Freddie; Ettie, now the wife of T. W. Livingston; Sarah and Mary.
In 1866, Mr. Breed came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and settled three miles north of Ainsworth, where he remained till 1881, when he purchased and removed to his present place. He has held various township offices with entire satisfaction to his constituents. In political matters he takes but little interest, and when he does vote, endeavors to select those whom he regards as the best men. Religiously, he is a Free-thinker. As a citizen he is well esteemed, and with his wife, is classed among the best citizens of Oregon Township.
O. S. PICKENS, residing upon section 1, Marion Township, has been a resident of Washington County since 1856. He is a native of Chautauqua County, N.Y., born in 1831, and is the son of William H. and Flora A. (Smith) Pickens, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. On the father's side he is of Irish descent, and on the mother's side of New England descent. His mother died when he was a small boy, and his father in the fall of 1859, at the age of sixty-one. when about ten years of age, the father moved to Pennsylvania, where he remained two years.
In 1852, the subject of this sketch came to Washington County, Iowa, and made claim to eighty acres of land in Franklin Township, and then returned to New York. In 1856, he again came to Washington County, Iowa and settled in Brighton, engaged in farming and laboring until the breaking out of the war. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the 2d Iowa Infantry, and served until June, 1862, when he was discharged for disabilities acquired while in the service. He was in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. After the battle of Corinth he was sent to a hospital at Keokuk, where he remained until his discharge. Returning to Brighton, he there remained until the spring of 1863, when he rented a farm in Dutch Creek Township, and there lived for two years. He then moved to Seventy-Six Township, where he rented a farm for one year, and then purchased eighty acres of unimproved land on section 5, Seventy-Six Township, which he improved and on which he lived until 1868, when he sold the same and purchased 100 acres of land on section 1, Marion Township, where he has since continued to reside, and where he has now a well-improved far of 136 acres.
Mr. Pickens was married, Oct. 21, 1851, to Myrtilla Matteson, a native of New York, and daughter of Joel and Mary (Sherman) Matteson. To them eight children have been born: Elias L. is a printer by trade, and is now living in Dakota, engaged in publishing the Harrison Globe; Francis E., now in Dakota, engaged in farming; George Byron died Oct. 5, 1859, aged six months; Orange Smith, Jr., now resides in Dakota and is engaged in farming; Mordecai Ellis died April 2, 1866, aged one year, two months and thirteen days; Eva May is the wife of John Davidson of this county; Ernest Eugene died Feb. 20, 1875, aged seven years and two months; Mary Alice is living at home.
Mr. Pickens, wife and four of their children are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Republican. When Mr. Pickens came to Washington County he was not the possessor of a dollar. That which he now has, he has acquired by his own exertion, assisted by his good wife and children. In the community where he resides, and by all who know him, he is universally respected, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all.
HON. CHARLES WILSON, grocer, of Washington, is one of the leading and representative citizens of the city and county. He is the son of William, Sr., and Minerva J. (Hellen) Wilson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and was born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa., April 25, 1834. He had the advantages of the common schools of his native town until seventeen years of age, when he entered a printing-office—the "Poor Man's College"—than which there is no better place for
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acquiring a general knowledge of social, political, or other affairs that may be agitating State or Nation.
Our subject's first experience in the printing business was in the office of the Pennsylvania Democrat, at Uniontown, Pa., where he remained until July, 1853, when, like many others, he got the Western fever, and following Horace Greeley's advice, he came west to Iowa, locating at Muscatine, where he entered the office of the Muscatine Journal, where he worked one year as a "jour," and then purchased a half interest in the paper. In January, 1855, in company with J. W. Logan, he started the Muscatine, Daily Journal, which was one of the first dailies established in the State of Iowa. but his newspaper career was not of long duration, for during the same year he sold out to a man by the name of Early, and has never since engaged in the business. Whether his profit and loss account was so great that he became discouraged, or whether satisfied with the glory attained during his brief career as the manager of a leading daily of the State, is unknown to the writer. After disposing of his interest in the Journal, Mr. Wilson clerked for a time with Dunsmore & Chambers, dealers in dry-goods and furniture, after which he engaged with Charles Nealey, boot and shoe dealer, with whom he remained until the fall of 1858, when he came to Washington and embarked in the grocery trade in which he continued until 1865, when he sold out and became a partner in the firm of Wilson Bros., dealers in hardware. This partnership continued until 1871, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Wilson retiring and again engaging in the grocery trade, in which he still continues, being the oldest dealer in that line of trade in the city.
In the fall of 1857, Mr. Wilson returned to Pennsylvania, and on the 13th of October of that year, he was united in marriage in Greene County with Miss Lucy J. Gray. By this union there were four children: Ella, now the wife of N. C. Corbin, of this city; Charles G., night foreman in the office of the Chicago Dailey News; Frank L., of this city, who married Hattie Williams, daughter of J. Albert Williams, one of the leading shoe men of this section of the State; Robert, better known as "Bert," at home. Mrs. Wilson died July 3, 1869. She was a consistent Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Washington, and was universally esteemed by all who knew her. For his second wife, Mr. Wilson chose Miss Mary A. Beard, the marriage taking place Nov. 25, 1870. She is the daughter of W. T. Beard, of Washington, and is a native of Somerset County, Pa. To them have been born three children, two of whom died in infancy. Laura M. survives.
In politics, Mr. Wilson has, since the organization of the party, been an uncompromising Republican, and has always kept well posted in the various questions at issue. From time to time he has been honored by his fellow-citizens with local offices, having served for several years as a Councilman of the city of Washington, and in 1870 was elected Mayor and served one term. In 1871 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State, and served with credit to himself and to his constituents.
Since coming to Washington County, Mr. Wilson has been connected with almost every enterprise calculated to build up, and has been ready to contribute of his means to that end. As a business man, he is conservative, yet withal enterprising, and success has crowned his efforts, he being numbered among the solid and substantial men of the city. He is connected with the Legion of Honor, United Workmen and V.A.S. Religiously, he holds fellowship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife also being a member of that body.
RESIDENCE OF DAVID HORTON
BRIGHTON, SEC. 23, CLAY TOWNSHIP
DAVID HORTON is a farmer, residing on section 23, Clay Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., Jan. 30, 1836, and is the son of David A. and Lucia D. (Ingham) Horton, both of whom were natives of New York. they were the parents of six children: Willis, born June 3, 1831, is now engaged in farming in Cass County, Neb.; John I.,
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born Sept. 26, 1833, is now living in Clay Township; Lucinda, born June 24, 1838, is the wife of L. Wilson, a farmer in Cass County, Neb.; Eugene, born May 15, 1841, died in Fabius, N.Y., March 21, 1842; Sarah F., born Sept. 1, 1843, is the widow of Frederick Fisbie, who served three years in an Illinois regiment during the late war. She resides in Cass County, Neb.
The maternal grandfather of our subject settled in Washington County in a very early day, and, returning to New York on a visit, gave such a glowing description of the country that he induced the family to move to this State, which they did in 1844. They came through what is now the great city of Chicago, and which was then but a small village. On arriving here, David A. Horton, the father of our subject, entered eighty acres of land in Clay Township, for which he paid $100, all the money that he had. After the erection of his cabin he at once commenced the improvement of his place, and as the years went by he prospered in material wealth, and from time time made other purchases of land, and before his death, which occurred in December, 1878, had the satisfaction of seeing all his family married and comfortably settled on good farms. Mrs. Horton died in November, 1872. They were members of the Congregational Church, and took an active part in Church and Sunday-school work.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's farm in Clay Township, receiving his education in the common school. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted Co. E, 30th Iowa Vol. Inf., for three years or during the war. He was with the regiment from the beginning until its final muster out. On being mustered into the service at Keokuk, on the 23d of September, the regiment was immediately sent to Arkansas, where it joined in the White River and Tallahatchie marches, then went to Vicksburg by way of Grand Gulf to Jackson, and from thence to Black River, and then back to Vicksburg, arriving there on the 18th of May, and remaining until the final capture of that city. It was in the charge on Vicksburg on the 22d of May when Col. Abbott, its commander, was killed while leading the regiment. After the capture of the city the regiment went into camp on Big Black River, where it remained until the latter part of September, when it returned to Vicksburg. Being sent to reinforce Hooker, it was in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold. In the battle of Taylor's Ridge Mr. Horton was wounded and sent to the hospital at Nashville, and there received a furlough and came home for a time. Returning to the regiment on the expiration of his furlough, he was in the campaign through Georgia from May 6, till September 5. He was again wounded at the battle of Resaca, and had it not been for his knapsack would have been killed. The regiment formed a part of the grand army under Sherman on his famous march to the sea. When near Rolla, S.C., they heard that Lee had surrendered, and there was great rejoicing. They believed now that the war would soon end, and that in a short time they could again join their families. While rejoicing over the glorious news, word came that Lincoln was assassinated, and their joy was turned to sorrow. Continuing its march, the regiment reached Washington, D.C., in time to join in the grand review in that city, and where it was mustered out and sent to Davenport for final discharge. Returning to his home, Mr. Horton at once resumed farming, in which occupation he has since been engaged. On the 8th day of October, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary H. DeVecmon, a native of Alleghany County, Md., born May 3, 1839, and daughter of George W. and Sophia (Lance) DeVecmon who were also natives of Maryland. They came to Jefferson County, Iowa, and lived there until 1876, when they came to Washington County, Iowa, and made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Horton until their death, her mother dying Feb. 9, 1878, and her father May 11, 1880. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, always attending upon the services in the Lord's house.
To Mr. and Mrs. Horton four children have been born. The first born were twins, and died in infancy. George A. was born Dec. 1876, and Lucia S. was born Aug. 8, 1878. Mrs. Horton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Horton has in the home farm 120 acres, and owns elsewhere 110 acres, in addition to which he is the
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owner of a business house in Brighton. He is a member of the G.A.R. Post at Brighton. Politically he is a Republican.
An excellent view of Mr. Horton's residence will be found in this work.
RESIDENCE OF A. J. SMITH
SEC. 10, DUTCH CREEK TOWNSHIP
A. J. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, Dutch Creek Township, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born Dec. 6, 1831. His father, Jacob W. Smith, was born in Connecticut, and, while in his youth, moved with his father, Dr. Samuel Smith, and his mother, Bertha (Weed) Smith, to New York and from that State, when he was a young man, he moved with his parents to the wild woods of Fayette County, Ind., between 1818 and 1820. Soon after arriving in Fayette County, he became acquainted with, and in a few years married, Miss Margaret Ronald, the mother of the subject of our sketch. She was born on the Connecticut River, in Vermont. When a young woman, her father, George Ronald, a native of Scotland, and her mother, Betsy (Smith) Ronald, a native of New Hampshire, moved to Fayette County, Ind., arriving there the same year as the Smith family. These two families were among the first settlers of that county—the pioneers who inaugurated the change from dense woodland into cultivated fields. Jacob W. Smith and Margaret Ronald being married, of their union sprang twelve children, of whom two died in infancy. The others, given in the order of their birth, are as follows: Mary Jane, wife of Elijah Hamilton, now living in Fayette County, Ind., near the old home farm; Calista, widow of R. H. Sprague, living in Keota, Iowa; George R., farmer living in Osborne County, Kan.; Loretta died in girlhood; A. J., the subject of this sketch; Edwin, a stonemason, living in Johnson County, Kan.; Rosanna, wife of W. J. Sturgeon, farmer, living in Washington County, Iowa; Nelson, farmer, living in Wright County, Iowa; Rhoda, wife of Aaron Schofield, retired farmer, living in Cottonwood County, Minn.; and Austin, carpenter and wagon-maker, living in Pawnee County, Neb.
On Sept. 10, 1856, A. J. Smith was married to Miss Mary M. Millen, who was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, on the 4th day of January, 1835. Her father, Capt. John Millen, followed the sea in his younger years, but afterward retired from business and settled in Ireland, where he remained until he died, Jan. 13, 1865, at the age of ninety. Her mother, Jane (Louden) Millen, died when she was quite small, and she, on the 3d of August, 1847, set sail from Londonderry for America, in company with her uncle, James Louden, who settled in Fayette County, Ind., and with whom she afterward resided. Her she became acquainted with and married our subject, A. J. Smith. Shortly after their marriage, in the fall of 1856, they moved to Louisa County, Iowa, in company with Mr. Smith's parents, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington. they settled in Louisa County, four miles above Wapello and two miles from the Mississippi and Iowa Rivers. There they remained until February, 1865, when they moved to their present home in Washington County. Mr. Smith first bought eighty acres of land, for part of which he went into debt. He has been continually engaged in farming, giving it his whole time and attention. By his own unaided industry he has from time to time added to the original eighty until he owns 200 acres, under cultivation, and fifteen acres of timberland. This farm is among the best improved in the county; house, bank-barn, out-buildings and fences all being in prime condition. The father and mother of Mr. Smith moved to Washington County in the same year in which he came, residing here until their death, the father dying in February, 1870. Had he lived until March, he would have been seventy-one years old. The mother died July 30, 1887, aged eighty-five.
there have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children: J. M., born Jan. 4, 1858; Alva L., born June 18, 1860, died Aug. 16, 1874; George R., born Aug. 1, 1862, died Aug. 4, 1864; Margaret M. born Sept. 8, 1864, died July 30, 1874; D. Everett, born Nov. 24, 1867; Mary J., born
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Feb. 24, 1870, died Aug. 23, 1880. Of these six children only two are still living, J. M., who is attending the home farm, and D. E., who is attending college at Monmouth, Ill.
On the 30th of May, 1887, Mary D. Swan, a niece of Mrs. A. J. Smith, arrived at their home in this county from County Londonderry, Ireland,where she was born June 13, 1870. Hereafter she will reside with them and be regarded as one of the family. Mr. Smith and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have a high social standing. He is a thorough-going Republican, and participates actively in county, State and national politics. As a citizen he is greatly esteemed, and in all moral work he is ever in the advance.
A lithographic view of Mr. Smith's residence is shown in this connection.
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