| page 597
 E. P. PRATT, farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, Marion Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1820. He is the son of Elias and Polly (Swain) Pratt, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Pennsylvania. When he was but two years of age his father moved to Athens County, Ohio, and there the subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of that county. In October, 1845, he left Ohio and came to Iowa with his wife and two children, and stopped in Cedar Rapids, where he remained during the following winter. In the spring of 1846 he settled where the Omish settlement now is, on the Iowa River, where he attended a farm one year for another man. He then went to Johnson County, twelve miles northwest of Iowa City on the Iowa River, and there took up a claim of 160 acres of Government land. He improved that place and made it his home for some six or eight years, and then bought another quarter of raw land, which he also has improved, and where he lived eight years. He helped organize the first school district in that county, and held the office of director for twelve years. While living in Iowa County he was on the grand jury that met at an Indian trading point. This was before the admission of Iowa as a State. When he went to attend that Court he found the County Clerk making shingles, on the site of the present city of Marengo.
In 1859 Mr. Pratt went to Doughlas County, Kan., and there remained from October till the following May. While there his wife died, and was buried at Bloomington, Kan. In May, 1860, he came to Washington County and leased a farm for four years. During this time he bought a farm of 160 acres on section 1, Marion Township, to which he moved on the expiration of the lease, and where he has since continued to reside. He was first married in 1842, in Athens County, Ohio, to Amanda Roberts, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Amos and Mary Roberts. By that union there were eight children: Jasper N. died at the age of twenty-two years; Lavinna Frances, the wife of Solomon White, of Crawfordsvile, Iowa; Sarah Jane married A. G. Bentley, and died in Ringgold County, Iowa, in 1884; Mary Eliza, the widow of John Nichols, who died in Ringgold County, Iowa; Melissa Emeline, now the wife of John White, of Ringgold County, Iowa; Viola married George R. Black, a mail clerk on the route between Burlington, Iowa, and Albert Lee, Minn.; Sophia is the wife of M. T. Benson, Postmaster at Goshen, Iowa.
Mr. Pratt contracted a second marriage in 1864, with Mrs. Mary F. Benosn, the widow of J. C. Benson. She was a native of Pennsylvania. By this union there are five children: Margaret A., the wife of I. M. Lewis, of his county; Ephraim Porter died Aug. 12, 1886, aged eighteen years; Norman N. resides at home; Olive O. died at the age of two years, and Alva B. is at home. Mr. Pratt has thirty-four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all in good health and smart. He feels a just pride in the fact that all his daughters have married good men. Mr. Pratt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican. Mrs. Pratt died Jan. 6, 1887.
Commencing life in limited circumstances, Mr. P. has by close attention to business, good management and economy, acquired a competency. He is a man well respected by all who know him. A representative citizen of Washington County, his portrait properly adorns the pages of this volume.
JAMES G. BURHAM is the son of Augustine and Rebecca (Stewart) Burham, and was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1833. When a boy of ten years, his parents moved to Allegahany County, Md., where he grew to manhood on a farm, and received such education as
page 538
was afforded by the common schools. In 1852, he came to Washington County, Iowa, with his parents, and engaged in running a threshing-machine and in breaking prairie. In this kind of work he continued for sixteen years. He was united in marriage, March 18, 1858, with Miss Rosanna Hout, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Morrow) Hout, who were also natives of Jefferson County, Ohio, and of German and Irish descent. Four children have been born to them: Anna Luella, wife of Ira Bowman, a farmer now residing in Franklin Township; Leroy Test, of Dundy County, Neb.; Elmer, Stanton and Cora, at home.
The first land purchased by Mr. Burham was forty-six acres on section 22, of Cedar Township, on which he moved and lived for two years. He then bought 100 acres of partially improved land on section 28, Cedar Township, to which he moved, and where he still resides. To his original purchase he has since added other lands, until he now owns 403 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, with a good dwelling-house, barns and other out-buildings. When he came to this county, it may be said that he was almost penniless, and even when he was married, had nothing but strong arms and a willing heart, but by his industry, assisted by the faithful counsel and help of his wife, he has from time to time added to his possessions, until he is now considered one of the most substantial farmers in Washington County. In addition to general farming, he gives considerable attention to stock-raising, having generally upon his farm from forty to eighty head of cattle in addition to other stock. He is a practical farmer in every respect, and has himself occupied the position of a farm-hand, a tenant, and a landlord. He has shipped some of the finest cattle that ever went from Washington County. In 1876 he visited his old home in Virginia, and in 1886 visited the State of Tennessee. With this exception, it can be said that he was hardly out of Washington County since his removal here in 1852.
Politically, Mr. Burham advocates the principles of the Greenback party. He is a liberal man in every respect, and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his township and county, and has been honored by his fellow-townsmen with various local offices. All in all, he is a representative citizen of Washington County, and as such, deserves a place in its history.
BENJAMIN H. TAYLOR, a retired farmer, is a resident of Wellman, Washington Co., Iowa. He was born Feb. 4, 1838, in Scioto County, Ohio, and is the son of Harvey and Eleanor (Squire) Taylor, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He came with his father's family to Iowa in 1846, and spent his early life upon the farm and in attendance at the common schools.
Mr. Taylor remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he decided to go West, a promise he had made himself in his youth, and April 20, 1864, he started upon his contemplated trip, stopping at Dublin, this county, to witness the marriage of his companion on the journey, T. B. Dunshee, and with the new bride, they traveled westward, and in fifteen days crossed the river at Omaha, where they purchased four yoke of cattle and a mule-team, walking from there to Winnemucca, on the Humboldt Mountains in Nevada, where they remained until July 12, 1865, and then went to Smoke Creek, Cal. Our subject then acted as escort and guide for Capt. Knight and Maj. Smith, and was in a fight with the Indians, in which his horse was shot from under him and he was wounded in the right knee. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Taylor went to Soldier Meadows, and drove a ten-mule team in the summer, until October, 1867. In the winter of 1868, he returned home and bought eighty acres of the old homestead and turned his attention to the tilling of the soil. He made his home with his brother David until 1871, when he chose for a companion Miss Laura C. Izor, the marriage occurring March 30 of that year. She was born Dec. 27, 1847, in Wayne County, Inds., and is the daughter of Alexander and Anna (Gregg) Izor, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of one child, Ollie A., born Sept. 4, 1872, in Washington County, Iowa. Mr. Taylor has held several township offices, and is politically a Democrat.
page 539
Mrs. Taylor's father, Alexander Izor, was a bugler in the 2d Indian Cavalry, and served three years in that regiment, and re-enlisted in the 9th Indiana Infantry, for three years more, and was discharged at the close of the war. Her father and mother are now residents of Lyons, Iowa. They were the parents of three children: William H., who married Mary I. Allen, and now resides in Denver, Col.; Alma married Frank Scotty; they reside in Lyons, Iowa.
WILLIAM BROWN, deceased, was born in Luzerne County, Pa. He was a son of Thomas and Maria (Askam) Brown. They were married in Pennsylvania, in which State a family of five children were reared—William, David, Susanna, Benjamin and Martha. All came to Iowa except Martha, wife of Eleazer Shoemaker, a resident of Seneca County, Ohio. Thomas Brown was born and reared in England, coming from Warwickshier to America. By trade he was a ribbon weaver, but after coming to this country purchased a farm in Luzerne County, Pa., upon which he opened and operated a coal-mine. His wife was born in America, but of English parents. William and Alice Askam reared four sons and four daughters—William, John, Thomas, Burton, Maria, Caroline, Catharine and Susanna. The parents both lived and died in Pennsylvania, but several of the children came to Ohio, Mrs. Thomas Brown being the only resident of Iowa. In 1846 William Brown wedded Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer. The Shaffers were both natives of Gemany, where they were married and remained for several years on a small farm near Strasburg. There the eldest son, John A., was born, who is now the husband of Mary (Allibaugh) Clause, and resident of Henry County, Iowa. Catharine Shaffer was when married to Jacob, the widow of Mr. Worth, by whom she husband [mother] of two children—John and Philip, who came with them to America. Philip is deceased; John married Mary Maller, and resides in Worth County, Mo. Two children were born to Jacob and his wife Catharine, in Pennsylvania—Catharine and Jacob. All trace has been lost of the latter, but Catharine is the widow of our subject. She, with her husband, removed in 1846 from Pennsylvania, engaging in farming till their emigration to Iowa, in 1856. In Pennsylvania their two eldest children were born: Marietta, wife of Allen B. Lemon, now deceased; Thomas J., now a partner in the tile factory of the Brown Brothers. The journey from Wilkes Barre, Pa., to Scranton, was made by stage, the remainder of the trip to Burlington by rail, and from thence to Mt. Pleasant by stage, where our subject and his family came in 1856. After spending a few months in Henry County, Mr. Brown purchased nearly a quarter-section adjoining the family homestead, which was later added to by other purchases. A small house, which is now used for a barn, had been erected by the former owner, and into this the Brown family moved in the autumn of 1856. In that home their last children, John W. and Scott M. were born. The later is the husband of Mary, daughter of James and Elizabeth A. Straine, old residents of this county, whose family history will be found elsewhere in this work. In the autumn of 1856 the aged parents of our subject came to Iowa, and during the remainder of their lives they found a happy home and cordial welcome beneath the hospitable roof of our subject. Thomas died in 1857, aged eighty-one, and his wife twenty years later, in her eightieth year. Both are interred at the cemetery at Asbury Chapel. William Brown became quite a wealthy man prior to his death, in 1879, most of which was accumulated by his own industry, aided by his energetic and economical wife. After coming to this State they owned two farms in Henry County and three 80-acre farms northwest of Washington, in this county, besides the home farm of more than a quarter section. They made their children each a present of a valuable farm, and were nicely prepared to spend their remaining years in comfort, when the death of Mr. Brown occurred, since which time the sons have managed the farm. In 1882 Thomas and John erected a large tile factory, the first and only one of the kind in this township. A fine building, provided with all the most approved machinery,
page 540
has been erected, and is the source of a fine income.
Scott and his wife are with Mrs. Brown, in the roomy family residence. Two grandchildren, Marietta and Jessie Elizabeth, nestle in the arms of the fond grandma, who, although a lady of middle age, has reared a nice family, and has seen them all develop into business men and women of the most correct business habits. Marietta taught several terms of school in this and other counties, and afterward taught in Independence, Kan., of the city schools of which her husband, Allen B. Lemon, was Principle.
JAMES H. LEWIS is a hardware, lumber and grain merchant at Nira, but resides on section 19, Lime Creek Township,where he owns and manages a fine farm of 320 acres, all of which is under a good state of cultivation, with a beautiful farm residence, and all necessary out-buildings. Mr. Lewis is now turning his attention to the breeding of farm draft horses, and on the premises will be found a fine thoroughbred Norman stallion. He was born in Decatur County, Ind. Sept. 13, 1836, and is the son of William B. and Eliza J. (Donnell) Lewis, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. He came wit his parents to this county in 1845, and has since made it his home.
His early life was spent upon the farm, and in attending the district schools, until nineteen years of age, when he entered Washington College and remained three years. On leaving college he engaged in the book and notion trade, at which he continued on year. In July, 1861, he enlisted for three years in Co. H, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was made Orderly Sergeant of that company, being a part of the time in command of the company. He participated in the siege of Ft. Donelson, and in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, after which he was discharged on account of disability incurred in service. Returning home, he entered the law office of J. F. McJunkin, reading law during the summer of 1862. He also canvassed the county to obtain volunteers for Co. C, 19th Iowa Vol. Inf., and then took a trip to Clinton, where he was taken sick, and again returned home, after which, on account of his ill-health, he removed to the country and engaged in farming for three years, when he went back to his law studies and was admitted to the bar in April, 1866. He at once commenced the practice of law in Washington, at which he continued for thirteen years, then moved upon his present farm on section 19, Lime Creek Township, and in 1880 embarked in grain and stock shipping, and in 1885, opened a full line of lumber, lath and lime, and all building materials. In 1886, he added to the business a large stock of hardware.
In May, 1860, our subject was united in marriage with Miss M. E. Doig, a native of Cambridge Washington Co., N.Y. She was the daughter of David F. and Rhoda (Culver) Doig, both of whom were natives of Washington County, N.Y. Two children blessed this union, Harvey E. and Edwin D., both farmers in Kidder County, Dak. Mrs. Lewis died in the fall of 1863, and is buried in the Washington County Cemetery. Mr. Lew was again married, in April, 1866, to MIss Mary J. Moore, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born May 25, 1841, a daughter of John and Rachel (Gibson) Moore, both natives of Pennsylvania. By this union there have been four children: Perley M. and Clifford C., both deceased; Clarence, born Dec. 29, 1871; John W., Oct. 25, 1873.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He has held various township offices, and was Justice of the Peace in Washington for six years. Mr. Lewis is a progressive farmer and merchant, always ready with his influence and means to aid in any public enterprise, and one to whom much is due for the advancement of Nira and the surrounding country. He is well known and favorably known in the county.
C. T. BUSH, section 25, English River Township, is engagedin general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 25, 1841, and is the son of Absalom and Violet (Arnold) Bush, both natives of
page 541
Ohio, but who removed to English River Township, this county, in the fall of 1846.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on the farm with is parents, and in attending the common schools. He followed farming until the breaking out of the Civil War. On the 15th of July, 1861, being engaged in mowing in the field, he stuck his scythe under a swathe of hay, and enlisted in Co. H, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., and went to Burlington, Iowa, where he was sworn into service. He remained there three weeks, and then went to St. Louis, from there to Jefferson Barracks, thence back to St. Louis to the arsenal, where he remained but two days, and then went to Iron Mountain or Pilot Knob, and was sent on detached duty, Companies H and G going to Potosi, Mo., and guarding the lead mines there to keep the enemy from obtaining lead. They staid [stayed] in the mountains six weeks, and then joined the regiment at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, from which place they went to Bird's Point and down the river to Belmont, and here took part in the first fight. In this fight our subject was wounded in the left shoulder and was sent to Mound City Hospital, Ill., but only remained there three weeks and and went back to St. Louis, received a furlough of two months, and returned home.
At the expiration of his furlough Mr. Bush rejoined his regiment at Ft. Donelson, in March, 1862, and went up the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing, where he took part in that bloody engagement. From there the regiment went to Corinth, and participated in the siege of that place, and then, under Halleck with a force of 100,000 men all in good condition, followed the enemy to Booneville, Miss., thence back to Corinth, and were then engaged in guard duty on the Mobile & Ohio, and the Memphis & Charleston Railroads for a period of one year, or until 1863, participating in many scouting expeditions and marches through the surrounding country. It took part in the second battle of Corinth, and assisted in driving the enemy out, and was then ordered on the march to Pulaski, Tenn., then south to Prospect, Tenn., where it did guard duty for three months, and then went to Huntsville, Ala., thence to Chattnooga, and from Chattanooga to Louisville, Ky., where our subject was mustered out after serving for more than three years. After receiving his discharge, on Aug. 18, 1864, he returned home, and resumed the occupation of farming.
Mr. Bush was united in marriage with Miss Alice E. Brown, March 23, 1871. She was born Nov. 7, 1850, in Henry County, Iowa, and is the daughter of Henry and Barbara Ann Brown, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are the parents of six children: Harry A., born April 28, 1872; Effie B., May 23, 1875; Cyrus E., Nov. 28, 1878; Stella M., July 24, 1879; Henry, July 2, 1881; and Minnie A., Aug. 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are members of the Baptist Church.
In 1875 Mr. Bush bough his present farm, consisting of eighty acres on section 25, and twenty-five acres on section 18, which is in a good state of cultivation, with substantial farm buildings. He has acquired all of his property by his own efforts and good management since coming home from his country's defense. He has in stock a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and everything around his place betokens a thorough, practical farmer. He takes an active interest in all matters which relate to the public good, is a Republican of the truest type, and as a neighbor no one is more highly respected than the subject of this sketch.
JOHN BROWN, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 35, English River Township, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 4, 1837, and is the son of Manley and Rebecca (Hawkins) Brown, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Delaware. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject was first in order of birth, and following him was Thomas, a member of the 13th Iowa Infantry, who died while in the service; Nancy J., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Kanouse, a resident of Louisa County; Mary A. is the wife of D. C. Troup, a farmer in Washington County, Kan.; Ellen is the wife of Fletcher Haigler, and resides in Junction County, Kan.; William, a merchant in Manhattan, Riley Co., Kan.; Henry died in infancy; Charles and George, both deceased;
page 542
Wilson, a resident of Manhattan, Kan.; Clara, wife of A. J. Singmaster, a farmer in Dutch Creek Township; Ira, a yardmaster at Wamego. Kan.
The family lived upon a farm in Ohio until the year 1849, when they emigrated to Des Moines County, Iowa, and remained in that county about two years, then removed to Appanoose County, and again bought land and improved eighty acres, where they lived the true and tried life of a pioneer. Here the wolves were more plentiful than the necessaries of life, and often when going to mill the team would be stopped by the animals, and while some member of the family was gone for flour the children at home were crying for bread. The children attended school at an old log school-house, with cracks between the logs for windows. This was a trying period in the history of this family, but about 1851 they sold the farm and came to Washington County, and bought eight acres, which they improved, and afterward sold the same. Mr. Brown owned a number of farms in this county at different times, and now owns a fine farm of eight acres of prairie and twenty acres of timber, which is managed by his sons. He is now living a retired life, takes a great interest in all public matters, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Washington County. Mrs. Brown died in 1862. She was a kind mother and a good Christian woman. Mr. Brown is now a well-preserved man of seventy-four years.
The subject of this sketch, John Brown, made his home with his parents upon the farm and in attendance on the common schools, until he reached the age of twenty-one, or on Oct. 6, 1858, when he was united in marriage with Hannah Bailey, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Kirkpatrick) Bailey. She was born May 22, 1836. Her parents were pioneers of Ohio, and emigrated to Iowa at a very early day, and have witnessed the many changes brought about by the pioneers of the different States.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of five children: Sarah A., at home; Albert died in infancy; Ida, at home; Henry and Charles. They have given their children a good common-school education. Mr. Brown owns eight acres of fine farming land on section 28, of this township, all in good condition, with substantial farm buildings. For the last twelve years, and until the spring of 1886, he rented 240 acres of land on section 35, his sons helping him to manage and operated the farms. All that he now has he acquired by his own hard work, assisted by his wife, each doing all they could to provide a home for their old age. Politically he is a Democrat.
|
Visit our family of homepages and join us.