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EDWARD S. BRINTON resides upon section 14, Clay Township, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in West Chester, Pa., Jan. 31, 1816, and is the son of John and Sarah (Matlock) Brinton, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, and who were the parents of seven sons and two daughters. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of that early day. His father died in 1840, and on his death the property was divided between the children. John Brinton was an upright man, his word being as good as his bond. He was a well-to-do farmer, and left a fair estate for that day.
In the spring of 1841 the subject of our sketch, taking his portion of the estate left Pennsylvania, and came directly to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased 800 acres of land in Clay Township, for which he paid in gold the sum of $1,000. He at once erected a cabin and commenced the improvement of his farm. For a time he lived alone in his cabin, "keeping bach," as it was called, and then rented it to a family with whom he lived until his marriage, which occured on the 29th of August, 1843, with Miss Hannah Hyde, a daughter of West and Rebecca (Hynes) Hyde, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Maryland. She was born in Virginia, March 13, 1822. Her father died July 1, 1861. He was a pioneer in Wisconsin, and a well-to-do farmer. Her mother died Feb. 7, 1885, in the eighty-ninth year of her age. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
After the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brinton took up their abode in the log cabin on the farm, in which he now lives, and for years endured the hardships incident to pioneer life. Eleven children have blessed their union: Henry, born July 7, 1844, is a farmer residing in Adair County, Iowa; George, born April 5, 1846, enlisted in the service of his country, died, and was buried in Memphis; John, born June 23, 1848, is a farmer in Adair County, Iowa; Oliver p., born Aug. 30, 1850, resides at home; Addison H. and Anson H., twins, born Nov. 8, 1852, are engaged in farming in Clay Township; Sarah R., born Feb. 1, 1854, is the wife of C.M. Cady, living in Adair County, Iowa; Thomas B., born Dec. 16, 1856, is engaged in farming in Clay Township; Stephen M., born Dec. 20, 1858; Benjamin E., Aug. 4, 1861, and Mary E., Aug. 29, 1863, all reside at home.
To his original purchase of 800 acres, Mr. Brinton has added by subsequent purchase, until he has now 1,035 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. The old log cabin has long since given place to a handsome two-story dwelling house, while the rail and straw barn has give place to a large and fine structure 40x60 feet, with 20-foot posts, in addition to which there are three other barns on the farm. For forty-six years Mr. Brinton has been engaged in bringing his farm to perfection, and certainly has one of the finest and best improved farms in this section of the State. In addition to general farming he is engaged quite extensively in the raising of a superior grade of stock, both in horses and cattle. He is a practical farmer, one ever willing to learn and to make use
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of improved methods. He is a man of excellent judgment, with good reasoning powers, and is not only well posted in regard t his own peculiar business, but in all matters pertaining to the welfare of county, State and Nation. The start in life received from his father enabled him to escape much of the hardship experienced by young men, but he made good use of that which was given him, has never squandered anything, but has continually added to his estate. He is now considered one of the wealthiest farmers in Washington County. Unlike many others, while adding to his possessions he has ever been liberal and a friend to the poor. His home has ever been a hospitable one.
Robert Maxwell, deceased. The virtues of mankind are usually spoken of by ministers who preach the funeral sermon of some worthy member of their congregation. But how soon they are forgotten. To enshrine this sketch upon an historic page forever holds in remembrance a man who, during his life, was noted not only for the strictest business integrity, but also for great personal and social worth.
Robert Maxwell was born in Brooke County, Va., Jan. 16, 1792. Before this time, no correct history of the family can be given. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Meeks) Maxwell, had ten children, of whom Thomas was the eldest son. Nancy was the first born, and became the wife of Samuel Crossen, who later moved to Northern Indiana, and both died there; they were the parents of several children. Henry married Esther Orr, who bore several children, and is referred to in the sketch of Capt. Thomas Maxwell. James wedded, and his wife bore him four children. John became the husband of Jane Orr, sister of Henry Maxwell's wife; they became residents of this county about 1842, and reared a large family, several of whom are still residents of the county, and Thomas, their son, is a noted physician of Keokuk. Samuel also married, and has several children; this family remained in Ohio. Elizabeth married Eli Fisher; Rev. George Fisher, their son, is resident pastor of the Seceder Church at Washington; they became residents of Southeastern Kansas. Walter, who married Hannah Hawthorne, came to Iowa and died in this county; they had several children. Thomas remained in Ohio and married Eliza Sweeney, who had children. Rachel M., the youngest daughter, remained single, and resides in Washington, this county.
The parents of Robert Maxwell moved to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1806, settling near Cadiz. His father secured lands in the wildwood at that time, built a log cabin, and began clearing up a farm and making a home, which for many years was a prosperous and happy one. His death occurred before that of his wife, and his remains were interred upon his own land. Robert was twenty years of age when the War of 1812 began. He enlisted under Capt. Joseph Holmes in Gen. Harrison's brigade. The inclement weather and exposure brought on sickness, for which he was discharged in the spring of 1813. He returned home, and Dec. 29, 1814, his marriage to Martha Ann Crossen was celebrated. She was born May 24, 1796, near Wilmington, N.J., of Irish parents, of whom no history can be obtained. Robert leased a piece of land near the paternal homestead, and they began in earnest to carve out for themselves a fortune. They had nothing but pluck and energy to begin with, and after farming on rented land for several years, he purchased land near the old homestead, where the family resided until their removal to this county in 1848. Robert was a noted hunter and an unerring shot. He even after coming to this county often indulged in his favorite sport, and it was well known that when his gun was discharged, game in plenty filled his larder. He never neglected his business for sport; on the contrary, he was indefatigable in labor, and as his years increased his lands were added to, and he sold two nicely improved farms in Ohio. Their children were all born in Ohio. Two died in that State, while nine came to Iowa—William, Thomas, Robert, Samuel, Martha A., John W., Elizabeth R., Nancy and Walter J. The marriages of these children are mentioned in the sketch of Walter J. Maxwell, to which the attention of the reader is called. John C. Carmon now owns the land purchased first by Robert Maxwell after coming to this
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county. As his prosperity was continuous, he became wealthy, and at the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 25, 1875, he owned a half-section of land, and had aided largely his children, who were all engaged in farming and who have each grown well-to-do during their business life.
At the ripe old age of eighty-three, this old hero passed away. Without pain his last days were spent. The life that he had lived was worthy of emulation. A Christian from principle, he became a member of the Seceder Church about 1815, and when the United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1858, he became a member, and none more revered its doctrines nor lived more fully up to its teachings. Decided, firm in his convictions of right, Robert Maxwell was known as a stanch Whig, and was one of the first to espouse the principles of the Republican party upon its organization, and his last Presidential vote was for U. S. Grant in 1872. He died as he had lived, respected alike by both old and young. His wife survived him six years. She was a tender and loving mother, a faithful wife and a devoted Christian. Her death occurred July 25, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-six. Side by side, in the old cemetery at Crawfordsville, lie the remains of those worthy people. United in life, in thought, sentiment and faith, their lives were full of peace, and discord to them was unknown. They left nine children and 106 grand and great-grandchildren.
As an addenda to this and to still further complete the family history, we give a few words regarding the family of John W. Maxwell. He is the fifth son in age of the children,w as born July 4, 1830, and was a young man of eighteen years when coming with his father in 1848 to this county. In February, 1858, his wedding with Miss Martha W. George, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Cantwell) George, was celebrated. Her parents came from Richland County, Ohio, to this county in 1853, but none of their name are present residents. Her brother, Rev. Thomas Cantwell George, is Professor of Natural Science in the University of the Pacific at San Jose, Cal., with which for ten years he has been connected. Eight children were born to John W. and Martha Maxwell: Robert C., deceased; Jacob G., Ina L.; Howard M., deceased; Etta A., Clyde M.; Carl A., deceased, and Ollie B. Jacob G. is the husband of Emma M. Anderson, and is a resident of this township; they have one daughter, Lena M.
The married life of John M. and Mrs. Maxwell was fraught with much happiness. She was a lady possessing great kindness of heart, of fine education and sterling social qualities. Her death occurred Dec. 7, 1877. In the autumn of 1880, Mrs. Rebecca (Daugherty) Stiles became his second wife. She was the mother of three children by her first husband—George T., Arthur D. and Ellen D. Her husband, Moses Stiles, was for a number of years a commercial salesman, and for some time prior to his death was engaged in the mercantile business for himself, at Keota. To the household of John W. Maxwell, want has ever been a stranger. Inheriting from his sire correct business habits, he has accumulated a competency, although a comparatively young man. HIs broad acres are well stocked, and his fields abundant harvests. To none more than the Maxwells does this township do honor.
JACOB MOUSER, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34, English River Township, was born in Shenandoah County, VA., Feb. 20, 1811, and is the son of Frederick and Nancy (Lamb) Mouser, the father a native of Virginia, born in 1781, and the mother a native of Cumberland county, Pa., born in 1789. The father served three months in the War of 1812, with the rank of Second Lieutenant, under Capt. Skelton.
In 1816 the family emigrated to Olivia, Pickaway Co., Ohio, where Mr. Mouser bought a farm which he improved, and where all of their children were reared. The family numbered ten children, five of whom grew to maturity: Isaac died in 1863, after emigrating to Iowa, where he bought and improved a farm; Jacob, our subject; Margaret, the wife of W. H. Reeves, both deceased; they emigrated to this county in 1850; Mary, deceased, wife of David Stinson, who resides in La Salle
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County, Ill.; Levi, a farmer in Pickaway County, Ohio. The death of the father of our subject occurred in 1847, at the age of sixty-six years, on the old homestead in Ohio. He was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and was prominent in all religious affairs of the community. His wife was also a member of the Baptist Church, and died at the old home.
The educational advantages in those early days were very meager, but our subject made good use of his opportunities, attending the common schools when not at work upon the farm. When he left home he first engaged in mercantile pursuits, and then drove stock over the mountains to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City for about four years, and then entered into partnership with William Irskine in buying and driving cattle to the Eastern markets, as there were no railroads in those days. He was quite successful in business and continued it for about twelve years, or until 1851, when he decided to go West, and came to English River Township, where he entered 200 acres of land upon section 34, where he now resides. In August, 1851, he returned to Ohio, not being very well pleased with the prairies of the Western country, as he has always lived in a timbered country, and he had doubts as to whether the West would ever be settled. He remained in Ohio until 1856, when he again came to his farm in Washington County, where he has since made his home. He now owns 200 acres under a fine state of cultivation, with good farm buildings and all modern improvements, and has lately turned his attention to the raising of Short-horn cattle, keeping on hand a good grade of stock. He has made all he owns by his own industry and hard toil, has planted groves and orchards, plowed the land and turned the once unbroken prairie into a land of plenty.
On the 3d day of July, 1856, Mr. Mouser was united in marriage with Miss Ellen E. Rowe, a native of Macoupin County, Ill., born Dec. 26, 1837, and the daughter of Henry and Susanna (Bradford) Rowe, the father a native of South Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. They emigrated to Iowa in the spring of 1838, and settled in Jefferson County, where they both died, the former in November, 1839, and the latter in 1847. Mrs. Mouser but faintly recollects her parents, as she was very young when left an orphan. Mr. and Mrs. Mouser have been blest with a family of nine children: Laura, the wife of Edward Flynn; John F., William, Anna, Jessie F., O.B., Nellie E., Perry R. and George P., the last two being deceased. The children have all received a good education, and four of them are now teachers.
Mr. Mouser has held various township offices, and is politically a Republican. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, but after that cast his vote with the Whig part until the organization of the Republican party, when he espoused its principles.
WILLIAM H. RILEY, Justice of the Peace, at Crawfordsville, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1830, and is the son of Harrison and Sarah A. (Settle) Riley. HIs paternal grandfather, Nathan Riley, was born in Fauquier County, Va., where he married and reared a family of eight children. They emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1828, where both parents remained during their lifetime.
Nathan Riley was a soldier during the War of 1812, serving throughout the entire campaign. Only two of his children came to this State: Nathan, Jr., who wedded Miss Frances Ferry, and Harrison, father of Esquire Riley. Both located at Crawfordsville, but Harrison came first, and became a citizen in 1849. Eight children were born to them prior to their coming—our subject, Martha J., George W., Julia, Henry, John, Nathan, David and Mary. Edwin, Elizabeth and Charles were born in this county. All the children are now living except Henry and Martha. The latter was the wife of John Berger, of Wapello. Three of the sons were soldiers during the late war, Henry and John members of the 25th Regiment. George was wounded at the siege of Atlanta, and Henry lost his life at the battle of Shiloh. All the children have been married except Charles. George was twice married, his first wife being Miss Abigal Graves, the second Mrs. Elizabeth (Blake) Sterling, and resides at Columbus Junction. Mary was the
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wife of James Wooley, after whose death she became the wife of Andrew Lester, Postmaster at Columbus City. John wedded Elizabeth Lemon, and is a resident farmer of this township. Nathan married Miss Addie Ginn, and resides in Taylor County. All the others have become residents of other States. David married Elizabeth Jarvis, of Louisa County, and is now a resident of Galesburg, Kan. Elizabeth is the wife of William Paisley, a resident of Nebraska. Charles now resides at Red Oak, Iowa. Edwin married Miss Leeper, of Winfield, Iowa, and resides in Nevada.
The aged father reached the ripe age of eighty years, and died at the residence of our subject in 1880. His wife survived him two years, and their remains are interred in Beauchamp Cemetery, on the same farm that they owned for several years. The first land owned by that couple was entered after their coming, upon which they erected their first dwelling, which is now owned and occupied as a residence by W. K. Wooley. One by one the pioneers have passed away, until few are left to tell the story of early times in the new country, and but few of the entire facts can be gleaned from their remaining children. Harrison Riley was a man of limited education, but largely endowed with a keen discrimination. In politics he was a member of the Whig party till 1844, when he became a Free-soil party man, voting for James G. Birney for President. He continued to vote with that party till the organization of the Republican party, when he identified himself with it, and voted the Republican ticket until the time of his death. His sons are all Republicans. For more than half a century he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; then on account of his anti-slavery views he withdrew and became a member of the Congregational Church of this village, and after the slavery question had been settled again united, by letter, with the Methodist Episcopal Church, remaining a member until his death.
Our subject learned with his father the trade of boot and shoe maker, and for many years followed that occupation in Crawfordsville. His marriage to Miss Eunice Hunt was celebrated April 1, 1856. She was the mother of four children—Mattie, J. M., Virginia and Nellie. Mattie is the only one surviving, the wife of Joel Martin, a retired farmer of Olds City, Iowa. After the death of Mrs. Riley, our subject wedded, in 1864, Mrs. Elizabeth Hancock, of Quincy, Ill. Her husband, Francis Hancock, was a prominent manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes at Palmyra, was a native of Bath, England, and at the beginning of the war enlisted in the 11th Missouri Mounted Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Newark, Knox Co., Mo., in August, 1862. They were the parents of two sons and one daughter—George E., William B. and Mary J. George is the husband of Miss Mary Denio, and resides at Belle Plaine, Iowa; Mary is the wife of D. L. Hunting, of this village.
In 1881 our subject received a commission as Notary Public. In 1884 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and his qualifications caused him to be re-elected to the same office in 1886, of which he is the present incumbent. Esquire Riley has been from boyhood identified with the interests of this county, both in a social and business sense. Mrs. Riley was a graduate of the Baptist Seminary of Palmyra, and was for several years engaged in teaching in Missouri. Both herself and Esquire Riley are well educated, and are prominent factors in social and Christian circles in the village.
CHARLES A. OVERFELT, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fulton, Callaway Co., Mo. in 1835. He is the sonof Eli M. and Sarah S. (Parker) Overfelt. Eli Overfelt was born in Richmond, Va., Aug. 8, 1808, and was the son of Michael Overfelt, who was born in Germany and was married in Virginia, where he was engaged as a wagon-maker in his father's shop. He was the father of Eli and Aletha. The latter wedded Capt. Charles B. Rodgers, who was a Captain of a company in the Florida war in which he was wounded, and was later a Captain in the Mexican War. He afterwards removed to Fulton, Callaway Co., Mo., where his death occurred. Keturah V. became the wife of Charles A. Robbins, a jeweler of Iowa City, one of the first of his profession in the new town. His death occurred there in 1856. Irena wedded William Russell, who was in early times a dealer in
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negroes. They were residents of Fulton, Mo. John wedded Miss Staples, and after her death wedded for his second wife, Minerva Palmer. He was married a third time, Judith Sheppard becoming his wife. He is now a resident farmer of Callaway County, Mo. Elijah married Sarah Sheppard, and is also a farmer of the same county. William married in California, and during his lifetime was a ranchman and miner. Berthena was accidently shot and killed when a child. Mary J. wedded Charles A. Robbins, after the death of her sister, his first wife; he has since died, and his widow resides in Iowa City.
Eli, the eldest son of the above-mentioned family, wedded Sarah S. Parker, Nov. 7, 1833, and settled in the town of Fulton, Mo. He acquired his education while working at the bench, and while working at his trade, studied law and was admitted to the bar in that county. He then relinquished his trade, and about 1840, began the practice of law, continuing the same until his death. His attainments were of that character which made him the choice of the Democratic party of Callway County, for Representative, and he was nominated and elected to that office in 1840. He was re-elected, served two years longer and died while in office. His was a life full of promise, and as an advocate of party principles, had no peer in his day. His death occurred Aug. 17, 1844. His wife still survives him at the ripe age of seventy-three years. she makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch. She was the mother of eight children, two dying in infancy; of the remainder George married Mrs. Phoebe (Ellis) Foster, and is a resident shoe-maker of What Cheer, Keokuk Co., Iowa. Mary J. is the wife of John Axtel, a resident of Wichita, Kan. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Overfelt wedded John E. Overstreet, who was a resident shoe-maker of Fulton, Mo. He was a native of Virginia, and during their married life two children were born, twins, James E. and Laura L. the latter died when twelve years old, in Iowa City. James is now a farmer in now a farmer in Idaho Territory, and is the husband of Kate McGloughlin. They are the parents of two children—Guy and Gertie.
Our subject, the eldest of Eli Overfelt's children, grew to manhood in Callaway County, Mo. During his boyhood he went to St. Louis and worked at almost anything he could secure. His father was an easy, good-natured man, with a great deal of money due him, scarcely any of which was collectible, consequently Charles was left to care for his mother and the younger members of the family. He went back to Fulton, Mo., and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked until 1856, when he was kicked by vicious horse and disabled, being obliged to abandon his trade. The next year he came to Iowa, and located in Iowa City, where for three years he drove a team for his aunt, Mrs. Mary J. Robbins.
In 1860, he came to this county and worked for B. W. Coe, until July 12, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, 6th Iowa Vol. Inf. When at Tipton, Mo., he was attcked with rheumatism, brought on by exposure to the rain and sleeping on the muddy ground, and in January, 1862, he was discharged on account of disability, and returned to Washington County. Aug. 27, 1862, he was married to Nora Williams, the daughter of Lorain A. and Eliza A. (Palmer) Williams, who came from near Aurora, Ill., to Washington County, in 1856, locating in Iowa Township. Mr. Williams was a native of Connecticut, a highly educated gentleman, and for many years taught school after coming to this county. They were the parents of two children, one dying at birth, and the other, the wife of our subject. Mr. Williams later went to Missouri, and his wife is now living in her daughter's cozy home.
Five children have blest the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Overfelt: Ola, the first daughter, died at the age of six months; she was followed by twin children, who died at birth; Katie L. has almost completed her education at the State Normal School, and is a teacher of this county; Charles Lester will have all the opportunities for an education which wealth can bestow. From an errand boy without a dollar, our subject has cared for his mother and her family, reared his own family, and has amassed a nice fortune. He has been a resident of Washington County for thirty years. He has been several times a member of the School Board, but unlike his father, he has espoused the cause of the Republican party. All of the sons of
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Eli Overfelt were soldiers in the late war. George was a member of Co. B, 22d Iowa Vol. Inf., of which he held a commission as First Lieutenant. Edward was in the 9th Cavalry.
The silver wedding of our subject and his wife was celebrated Aug. 27, 1887, the occasion being a most enjoyable one. to the good people of Washington County, and the residents of Iowa Township, no sketch will be read with greater interest than this of Charles A. Overfelt. Mr. Overfelt was a teacher in Johnson County, Iowa, prior to her marriage, and for the past eleven years has been Treasurer of the School Board of District No. 4.
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