Benton County >> 1878 Index

Unless otherwise specified, biographies submitted by Tierney Ratti.

Ulleraig, William, tenant farmer; P. O. Florence. (1878 St. Clair Township)

Ullom, W. T., farmer. (1878 Taylor Township)

Underwood, E., farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Jackson Township)

Unger, Charles, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. La Porte City. (1878 Bruce Township)

Unger, H., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. La Porte City. (1878 Bruce Township)

Urice, George, merchant, Garrison. (1878 Jackson Township)

Urice, W. J., livery, Garrison. (1878 Jackson Township)

Urmy, J. F., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Dysart. (1878 Monroe Township)

Urmy, Jonathan, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Dysart. (1878 Monroe Township)

Urmy, William, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Garrison; born in Indiana in 1833; came to Benton Co. in 1852. Has eighty acres, valued at $25 per acre. Married Mary J. Clarrilse in 1856; she was born in Illinois in 1840; three children -- Nancy J., Charles L., Anna E. Democratic. Constable six years. Member of the Christian Church. (1878 Monroe Township)

Usher, G. S., farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Uthe, A., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 Union Township)

Uthe, F., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 Union Township)

Utley, J. E., hotel, Garrison. (1878 Jackson Township)

Utley, M. S., farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Dysart. (1878 Monroe Township)

Uttley, P. L., Assistant Postmaster. (1878 Taylor Township)

Vail, C., attorney, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Valentine, W. H., foreman of Round House of N. W. Railroad, Belle Plaine; was born in Clinton Co., N.Y., 1830, in which place he remained until 1863, when he went to Chicago, Ill., entered the employ of the N. W. Railroad and has been in their employ since; he remained in Chicago two years, then went upon the Peninsula, where he remained until 1867; he then came to Clinton, this State. While there he married Miss Sarah E. Hinkley in 1868; she was born in Clinton Co., this State; they lived in Clinton until September, 1875, when they moved to Belle Plaine; they own a nice property in Clinton, valued at about $2,000. (1878 Iowa Township)

Van Brocklin, W. R., Sec. 17; P. O. La Porte City; owns 190 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., in 1833; came to Iowa in 1875, and settled on his present farm; was a resident of Stephenson Co., Ill., twenty-three years. Married Loretta Bolton in 1861; she was born in Green Co., N.Y., in 1840; have three children - Orton, Emma and Ora. Mrs. Van Brocklin is a member of the M. E. Church. (1878 Cedar Township)

Van Buskirk, J., farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Garrison. (1878 Big Grove Township)

Van Deusen, M. B., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 17; P. O. La Porte City; born in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1835; removed to Benton Co. in 1858; has 400 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Married Miss Harriet Treenor in 1859; she was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1844; they have one child -- Orpha, born in Nov., 1864. Republican in politics. Has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Assessor, School Director and others. Mr. Van Deusen was among the early settlers, and has made all he has by his own industry, working for wages the first year of his life in Iowa, at $12 per month. (1878 Bruce Township)

Van Dike, H. W., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 19; P. O. Irving; owns the farm known as the "Lone Tree Farm:" it derives its name from the tree that now stands near Mr. Van Dike 's house; that was the only tree or shrub in the township of Kane at the time. Mr. Van Dike settled on the land. He was born in Ohio April 24, 1829, and married Sarah Ashby in Benton Co., Iowa, in 1868; she was born in Ohio in 1824; they have four children - Ophelia, Amelia, Lawrence and Elba; Seymore died in infancy; Ida May died at the age of 6 years. Has 345 acres of land valued at $40 per acre. He came to Iowa in 1855; he has a good farm, and one of the grandest houses in the county, well furnished with all the comforts of life. Is a member of the A. F.& A. M. Lodge at Belle Plain, and Hope Lodge, No. 175. Has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk four years, and several other township offices; was an early pioneer, and one of the first to help to organize the township, schools, etc.; has held several school offices, and given much aid to the schools. (1878 Kane Township)

Van Dike, J. P., farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Belle Plaine. (1878 Kane Township)

Van Dike, S. P., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18; P. O. Irving; born in Delaware Co., Ohio, June 21, 1843. Married Mary E. Rusk in Tama Co., Iowa, May 6, 1875; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 15, 1852; they have two children - Flora Elizabeth and Gilbert Rusk. Has 320 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Van Dike enlisted in Co. D., 28 th I.V.I, in August 1962; was disabled while in the service. Is a member of the A. F & A. M., Hope Lodge at Belle Plaine, and a member of the I.O.O.F., West Lodge, No. 283. Holds the office of Township Assessor; has held the same five years. Came to Iowa in October 1861. Mr. Van Dike followed school teaching several years in Ohio; dealt in agricultural implements two years in Ohio, and returned to Iowa in 1870. (1878 Kane Township)

Van Dugan, G. L., Farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. La Porte City. (1878 Bruce Township)

Van Duyn, James W., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11; P. O. La Porte City; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1824; came to Benton Co. in 1858; has 165 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Married Mary J. Sayles in 1846; she was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y., in 1825; they have three children - Charles L., born Aug. 27, 1850; George L., born Oct. 6, 1852, and Ella J., in Jan. 6, 1862. Republican. Has held the offices of Assessor, Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk, Road Supervisor and School Director. Member of the Trowel Lodge, 216, La Porte City. (1878 Bruce Township)

Van Vechten, Giles, Sec. 27. (1878 Eldorado Township)

Van Winkle, A. A., farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Garrison. (1878 Monroe Township)

Van Winkle, Isaac I., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Dysart; born in Bergen Co., N. J., 1811; removed to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1855; thence to Benton Co., in 1861; owns 200 acres, worth $35 per acre. Married Anna D. Brown in 1837; she was born in Essex Co., N. J., in 1841; they have five children �- Phebe, born March 31, 1838, Hester, Jan. 25, 1840; Anna E., Feb. 5, 1844; Isaac, Jr., May 5, 1846; Cornelia, March 11, 1853. Republican. School Director, Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee. He is a member of the Presbyterian and she of the Methodist Church. (1878 Monroe Township)

Van de Venter, W. H., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Vandresen, F. D., farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 Union Township)

Van Horn, Ben S., farmer, P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Van Horn, W. B., grain buyer. (1878 Taylor Township)

Van Kirk, Randal, drayman, Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Vanmeter, H. C., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Blairstown. (1878 Union Township)

Vannice, A. V., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 2: P. O. Vinton; born in Shelby Co., Ky., Aug. 8, 1821; came to this county in 1853; has 585 acres land, valued at $17,550. Married Rachel Kerlin; she was born in Henry Co., Ky., Jan. 14, 1827; mother of eight living children -- Mary, Henry C., George A., Katie C., Edmund H., Leah R., James A., Isaac W. Emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1822, where he resided until 1853, when he came to Benton Co., where he has resided since; was here at the organization of the town; at the first election also; helped to organize the first school district; was Secretary of the Board and levied the first tax and collected the same; the first school house was built in District No. 1; Mr. Vannice donated the land, and also for the Presbyterian cemetery and Presbyterian Church and parsonage; gave eight acres of land in all; all it cost the township and District was the making-out of the deeds. Mr. Vannice was raised an Old School Presbyterian; his belief at the present is Calvanistic Baptist. When he came here there were only two houses or shanties between him and Vinton, or a house between him and Shellsburg; came here when the prairies were wild, and has seem them developed into one of the finest farming counties in the State; has a fine farm and good home, and is one of the enterprising farmers of the county. (1878 Big Grove Township)

Vannice, J. N., retired farmer. (1878 Taylor Township)

Vanscoyee, Aaron K., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Luzerne. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Van Skike, N., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Burk; owns 400 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1825; came to Iowa in 1851, and settled on his present farm in 1859. Married Sarah E. Thompson in 1864; she was born in Indiana in 1847; they have two children - Akbar and William. Republican. (1878 Harrison Township)

Varney, N. H., farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Garrison. (1878 Big Grove Township)

Verharen, Frank T., of the firm of Verharen & Ray, dealers in agricultural machinery and farm implements; born in Prussia Nov. 1, 1843; came to America in 1850; lived in Illinois for some years, in Galena and in Whiteside county; lived in Dubuque three years; came to Vinton in 1870, and engaged in his present business. Married Miss Lottie B. Drake, from Massachusetts, in July, 1871; they have two daughters - Lena and Lula. (1878 Taylor Township)

Verharen, H., harness makers. (1878 Taylor Township)

Viles, J. G., laborer; P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Viles, J. G., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Decatur Co., Ind., Feb. 27, 1827; came to this county in 1853; has 175 acres of land, valued at $6,000. Married for his first wife Charlotte Taylor; she was born in 1828; mother of two children -- Malissa A. and Nancy E.; for his second wife, he married Elizabeth A. Parker; she was born in Kentucky Aug 20, 1826; mother of one child -- James A., born Oct. 9, 1860; emigrated from Indiana to Benton Co., Iowa, where he resided since; when he first came to this county, he located on 240 acres of land, where there was nothing but the wild prairie, and has made as fine a farm as there is in this township; came here poor and had nothing but his own hands to make him a home; when he first came here, he could see but one shanty on all the prairie. (1878 Canton Township)

Viles, J. S., farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Vinton. (1878 Eden Township)

Vinton, D. D., painter, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Vogt, Hans, saloon, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Volentine, J., farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Urbanna. (1878 Polk Township)

Volz, C., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Watkins. (1878 Eldorado Township)

Voozark, John, laborer, Belle Plaine. (1878 Iowa Township)

Vorhies, A. J., farmer. (1878 Taylor Township)

Voris, David E., Vinton, Iowa; although a young man, he has by industry and a careful and systematic course of legal training, developed into one of the most reliable attorneys in the State; Mr. Voris is a native of Indiana, born in Johnson Co. Sept. 17, 1850; emigrated to Benton Co., Iowa in Aug., 1864, with his father and family, and worked on the paternal acres for several years; like most men who carve out an enviable reputation for themselves, Mr. Voris, has almost, it might be said, worked his own way upward in the path of knowledge, as he had but few education advantages beyond some three months in each year at the district school, until he was 17 years old, when he attended Rev. J. S. Dunning 's select school, some eighteen months, and one term at Tilford's Academy, under charge of Rev. T. Tobin, in Vinton, Iowa; Mr. Voris ' chosen profession was the law, upon the study of which, he commenced with Traer & Gilchrist, in Vinton, Iowa, defraying all incidental expenses by teaching school; in due time he was admitted to the bar in Vinton, March 1874, and in April of that year, commenced the practice of his profession at Sac City, Iowa; in Nov. of 1874, he decided to return to Vinton, at which place he has vigorously followed the practice of law ever since; first, in partnership with H. Jones, afterward, with Robert St. Clair; but in Jan. 29, 1877, he purchased the interests of Mr. St. Clair, and has since been running the office alone. By strict integrity and close application to the interest of his clients, aided by his private irreproachable character, Mr. Voris had admirably succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, which is annually increasing, and his service sought for by parties' litigant throughout the State, from Davenport to Council Bluffs. Mr. Voris was married Aug. 26, 1875, to Miss Mary Olivia Dukes, an estimable young lady, by Rev. Stephen Phelps; time has developed this atrimonial venture to be a wise one for both parties; there being at this time no more cozier, happier or cheerful home than that of Mr. and Mrs. David E. Voris, in the State of Iowa; and add to this, a flourishing practice, the subject of this sketch is to be envied for his deserved success in business and personal popularity as a private citizen. (1878 Taylor Township)

Voris, Fielding R., born July 10, 1810, in Mercer Co., Ky. Inheriting an iron will and untiring perseverance, at the early age of 18, for the purpose of making a home for his parents, he plunged into the woods of Indiana, then the border of civilization, and almost within hearing of the red man's war whoop, and purchased for his father an eighty acre tract of land, and, after returning for his father's family, cleared up the land and prepared a farm by cutting out the dense and heavy forest growing thereon. Taking these things into consideration, young Voris had undertaken no small task; but with filial affection he struggled to get a home for his parents. He enlisted in the United States service, in 1832, in the Black Hawk war; a part of his army life in that year was spent on the grounds where the city of Chicago now stands, which, at the time mentioned, was but a mere trading point, with some five or six rude buildings and right here it may be added that when the guns of Fort Sumter proclaimed the morn of the rebellion at hand, although surrounded by relatives and neighbors unfriendly to the Union, Mr. Voris fearlessly and manfully unfurled the flag and boldly proclaimed that, as for him and his, they were for the Union; and to show his faith by his works, notwithstanding the infirmities of age were creeping upon him, when John Morgan crossed the line into Indiana, he left family and property and rushed to the front to meet the invader, and was color-bearer under Colonel Lamberson for Captain A. C. Woods until his discharge became necessitated on account of sickness. In politics, Mr. Voris may be classed as a thorough Republican, he has affiliated with that party in its organization, and has ever since earnestly and vigorously supported its principles. He married June 22, 1835, Miss Sarah Smock, who died Jan. 9, 1844; was again married June 23, 1845, to Mrs. Ann Smock, who is still living, and the name of " Mother Voris " is a synonym of matronly goodness; his family, which consists at present of three boys and two girls, all of whom have been finely educated and teachers of the highest type; two of his sons have adopted the law, the other, mercantile pursuits; the young ladies have won a reputation second to none as practical teachers. Mr. Voris moved from Indiana to Benton Co., Iowa in August 1864, and purchased a farm of 160 acres from A. W. Boggs, upon which himself and family resided for eight years; and in 1872, he purchased a fine home in the city of Vinton and retired from active life, and is now a member of the City Council, and brings to bear all his energies in transacting official business, in consequence of which has been constantly re- elected in his ward. (1878 Taylor Township)

Voris, S. H., farmer, Sec. 32 P. O. Shellsburg. (1878 Canton Township)

Voris, Samuel, retired farmer; Sec. 32; P. O. Shellsburg; born in Mason Co., Ky., March 13, 1805; came to this county in 1865; has eighty acres of land, valued at $2,400. Member of the Presbyterian Church. Married Sarah A. Pogue in 1832; she was born in Mason Co., Ky., Nov. 15; is the mother of seven living children -- Mary J., born Oct. 7, 1833; Elizabeth M., Sept. 17, 1898; Harris A., March 29,1841; S. Abbie, Feb. 9, 1843; John C., Aug. 11, 1849; Bell, Sept. 14, 1853; Samuel H., Feb. 1, 1856; emigrated from Kentucky to Brown Co., Ohio, when he was 4 years old; lived there forty-four years; then came to Mercer Co., Ill.; lived there twelve years; thence to this county. Mrs. Voris died Nov. 13, 1876; his son, William M., enlisted the 17 th Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. F; enlisted as private; was transferred to a colored regiment as Second Lieutenant was in the battles of Fredericktown Siege, Fort Donelson and Shiloh; he died at Meliken's Bend July 2,1863. (1878 Canton Township)

Voss, H., restaurant, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Vottler, John, shoemaker, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)

Vottler, M., shoemaker, Blairstown. (1878 LeRoy Township)