Providence Township

E. Andrews, one of the early settlers and enterprising farmers of Hardin county, was born in Virginia, on the 25th day of February, 1824, his parents removing to Columbiana county, Ohio, when he was three years old, remaining there until the spring of 1836, when they removed to the southern part of Illinois, about twenty-five miles from St. Louis.  In the fall of 1840 they came to Jefferson county, Iowa.  In 1855 E. Andrews came to Hardin county, locating on the place where he now resides, where he embarked in farming, erecting a fine residence, which was blown away at the time the cyclone passed over this county, Mr. Andrews sustaining a loss of $3,000.  After the storm had passed, he looked around and saw the results of his five years' work swept away as in the twinkling of an eye.  No wonder he became disheartened and thought strongly of leaving the county.  Traveling extensively over the State in search of another location, he finally came back, threw off his coat and manfully went to work.  By judicious management, he has accumulated a fine property, and to-day is among the well-to-do farmers of the county.  He has 100 acres of land, valued at $75 per acre.  In May, 1850, he was united in marriage with Catherine Bedell, of Greene county, New York, where she was born March 5, 1827.  By this union they had seven children, three of whom are living, viz.: Edna J., wife of Aaron Roberts; Dillwin C. and Estella.  In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the office of County Surveyor and other local offices.  Mr. Andrews was elected by the General Assembly one of the Trustees of the Reform School.  He also had charge of the Mitchellville School.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

William F. Andrews, one of the early settlers and prominent business men of Hardin county, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 20th day of January, 1829.  He is a son of John and Edna (Crew) Andrews, natives of Virginia, where they were married, and three children were born -- Benjamin C., Eleazer and John H.  In 1828 his parents emigrated to Columbiana county, Ohio.  Settling in the timber, they cleared up a farm, where they remained until 1839, when they removed to Madison county, Ill.  In the fall of 1840 they removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where they experienced all the inconveniences of a frontier life.  In 1856 his father sold out, and came to Hardin county, where he died the following year.  His mother died in 1865.  They were members of the Society of Friends.  William F. Andrews was reared to a pioneer life, receiving his education in a log cabin.  When he became of age he had saved money enough to buy a horse, and received $275 from his grandmother's estate.  In 1853 he spent eighteen months in Urlam College, at Richmond, Indiana, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Hunt, a daughter of David Hunt, who at the time was Superintendent of the College.  They were married April 24, 1856.  She was born in Logan county, Ohio, December 17, 1833.  Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are the parents of three children, two of whom are living, viz. -- Wallace V., and Hiram W.  Cora Lee died in infancy.  Immediately after marrying they came to Hardin county, Iowa, locating at New Providence.  Mr. and Mrs. Andrews came to the county in limited circumstances, but, instead of sitting down, went to work with a will to make a home, and by close attention to business, have accumulated a fine property.  Mr. Andrews ranks among the large and well-to-do farmers of the county, having 400 acres of land, mostly in Providence township; he also has 1,800 acres of land in Texas.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Caleb Baldwin was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, on the 11th day of February, 1819; a son of John and Charlotte (Payne) Baldwin.  Caleb was one of a family of nine -- six sons and three daughters.  In 1825 his parents emigrated to Wayne county, Indiana; purchasing timber land, which he cleared and made a farm of, where they lived for a number of years.  They were members of the Friends Church.  Caleb Baldwin was reared in the wilds of Indiana, receiving his early education in the log cabin, going a mile and a quarter through the woods.  In 1843 he married Mary Lindly, a daughter of David and Mary Lindly.  She was born in North Carolina, November 24, 1822.  They had a family of twelve children, ten of whom are living -- Aceneth, Martha, Mary, Caroline, Lindley M., Hadly J., deceased; Horace C., Albert E., Emma, Oscar and Naomi.  Mrs. Baldwin departed this life March 11, 1882.  She was a member of the Honey Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends, and for many years acceptably filled the station of Elder in the Church.  Like Timothy of old, form a child she had known, loved and diligently read the holy scriptures; diligent in attendance at meetings, interested in the work of the church, especially in the Bible class and school, and in the cause of temperance.  With the sick and afflicted she was sympathizer, helper and comforter.  At home she was wife and mother in the fullest sense; and, like Deborah of old, she was a mother in Israel.  Mr. Baldwin has a beautiful residence in New Providence, valued at $2,500; 191 acres of land on section 16, and 16 acres on Honey creek, valued at $40 per acre.

Marcus Blair, one of the pioneers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, January 29, 1815, where he was reared on a farm, and received his schooling in the log cabins of his native State -- the times when they cut out a log and pasted greased paper over the opening for lights.  Mr. Blair gives a reminiscence of his school life.  He said that his folks used to do a great deal of weaving, and one day as he sat on a board, which was split, he began to pass this board under his legs and slam it together.  He was caught in the act, and was called out, and a little of the oil of birch applied to his jacket.  In 1835 he married Miss Nancy Elliott, who was born in North Carolina.  There was a family of eight children, six of whom are living -- Bartling, Enos, Anna, Marcus, Jr., Nancy R., and Daniel.  In 1843 he left North Carolina, and came to Hendricks county, Indiana, coming through with teams.  Here he remained until 1855, when he again started out with his prairie schooner, and landed in Providence, Hardin county, Iowa, where he now resides.  On the 20th day of March, 1879, Mrs. Blair departed this life, leaving her husband to plod along alone for a short time.  Mr. and Mrs. Blair were members of the Society of Friends.  She was a Christian in every sense of the word, and did much to build up the cause.  She was a kind and loving wife and an indulgent parent.

John S. Bond, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in Wayne county, Ind., on the 23d day of May, 1828.  He is a son of Darius and Betsy (Hockett) Bond, who were married in Randolph county, Ind., in 1827, and who were the parents of five children, four of whom are living -- John S., Reuben, Eunice and Matilda.  John S. was raised on a farm, and is principally a self-made man.  In 1849 he married Miss Elizabeth Collins.  She was born March 3, 1827.  Seven children blessed this union, six of whom are living -- Sabina, Annie, Hannah, Amanda, Emma and Eunice.   Mrs. Bond died March 20, 1868, and he again married Mrs. Mary J. Hammer, a widow of Hiram Hammer, by whom she had six children, four of whom are living -- Nettie, Annie, David V. and Melissa.  By this union there were three children -- Libbie, Sadie and Hattie.  In the fall of 1854, Mr. Bond came to Hardin county and located on the place where he now lives.  He has 140 acres of land under cultivation, valued at $50 per acre.  Mr. Bond is an acknowledged minister in the Friends Church.

William Bond, one of the large stock growers and farmers of Providence township was born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 17, 1822.  When twenty-one years of age, he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he followed for a number of years.   In 1841 he married Miss Sarah Hunt, of Ohio, by whom he has two children -- Josiah and Lucinda.  Mrs. Bond died in 1847.  She was a member of the Society of Friends, and respected by all who knew her.  Mr. Bond afterwards married Hannah Pressnell in 1876, by whom he has three children -- William, Mary A. and May.  He has 640 acres of land, 600 under cultivation, valued at $25 per acre.  He has 150 head of cattle, 14 head of horses, and turns off 75 head of hogs yearly.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Ernest Bossemeyer, an energetic farmer of Providence township, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, on the 18th day of June, 1838. In the fall of 1854 he came to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. He then went to Lee county, Illinois, where he was employed on a farm for Frederick Bossemeyer five years, to pay his passage. He then went to Whiteside county, Illinois. In 1863 he married Anna Ackermann. She was born in Hesse Castle, Germany. A family of seven children were born unto them, five of whom are living -- Libbie, Henry, Frank, Ernest, and Harrison. In the fall of 1867 he came to Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased his present home. Mr. Bossemeyer has 100 acres of land under cultivation, valued at $35 per acre. In politics he is a Greenbacker.

W. H. Crook was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1808; son of Malachi and Sarah Hews Crook, natives of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1807, locating in the backwoods of Pennsylvania.  His father died from a gunshot wound in his leg, accidentally received while hunting deer in the winter of 1809.  When Wm. H. was fourteen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of a saddler.  In 1836 he came to LaPorte, Indiana, where he married Emily Rook.  By this Union there were two children, both of whom died in infancy.  Mrs. Crook died January 2, 1846.  He returned to Pennsylvania and brought his mother out, who kept house for him for some time.  For his second wife he married Malinda Beckner, a widow of Joseph Beckner by whom she had three children - Joel, Harriet and George.  In the fall of 1855 he came to Hardin county and located in Providence township.  Mr. Crook suffered by the cyclone of 1860, having the first residence he built blown away.  Mrs. Crook died July 5, 1880, she was a member of the Congregational Church and respected by all.  November 29, 1881 he married Eliza Furman for his third wife, born May 20, 1808.  She was the widow of J. A. Miller, by whom she had thirteen children, five of whom are living -- John F., Ruth E., Franklin R., Charles H., Olive A.  Mr. Miller died in 1856.  After living a widow fifteen years, she married Henry Cline, who died within eighteen moths from the time they were married.  Mr. Crook has 223 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; home property valued at $1,500.  Mr. Crook is a member of the Congregational Church.

Jesse C. Davis was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on the 11th day of May, 1834.  When twenty-one years of age he came to Marshall county, and the following winter taught school; being one of the first teachers in the county.  In 1857 he went to Humboldt county, Iowa, and opened a farm, where he remained three years.  In 1858 he married Miss Rebecca Wing.  By this union there were ten children; nine are living -- Cynthia E., Henry E., William B., Mary A., Alvin C., Joseph A., Dora and Ethel.  Renting his farm for one year, he returned to his native State, where he remained four years, and then returned to Iowa and located at Iowa Falls, and embarked in the mercantile business, which he followed for three years, when he purchased his present place of 178 acres, which is valued at $35 per acre.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Henry Dudley was born in Upper Canada, in 1827.  He was reared on a farm, and received a limited education.  In the fall of 1849 he married Miss Lorina Slack, a daughter of Philip Slack.  She was born in Canada, September 16, 1829.  By this union there were eight children; five are living -- Minerva, Mary, Philip, Susannah May and Phoebe.  In the spring of 1850 he came to Iowa, locating in Lee county, where he remained until 1864, when he removed to Hardin county, locating in Providence township, where he took up land where he now lives.  Mr. Dudley has 137 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.  Mr. and Mrs. Dudley are members of the Society of Friends.  In politics he is a Republican.

H. M. Hadley, a son of J. S. and Anna (Mills) Hadley, was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, July 11, 1837, and came with his parents to this county in 1856.  He was reared on a farm, and is practically a self-made man.  In 1861 he married Tempy Tulburt, a daughter of William Tulburt.  She was born in North Carolina, June 27, 1836.  Mr. and Mrs. Hadley are the parents of four living children -- Julia M., Edwin, Annie L., and Effie C.  Mr. Hadley has a fine prairie farm of 106 acres, with a living spring, making it a desirable stock farm.  It is valued at $50 per acre.

Jeremiah S. Hadley was born in North Carolina, on the 11th day of February, 1816; son of Simon B. and Sarah Hadley, who were married in their native State, where six children were born -- Martha, now Mrs. Josiah Mills, who settled in Hendricks county, Indiana; Ruth, who married William A. Woodard; Eliza, deceased; Emma, wife of Jesse Bray, of Morgan county, Indiana, died in 1853; Noah, who married Lucinda Hinshaw.  In the fall of 1826 his parents emigrated from North Carolina, and located in Morgan county, Indiana, in the heavy timber, where he erected a log cabin.  Seven children were born in Indiana, six of whom are living -- Levi, Miles, Moses, Zimri, Simon H., Sarah and Elizabeth.  Mr. and Mrs. Hadley died in Indiana; they were members of the Society of Friends.  The subject of this sketch married Hannah Mills, a daughter of Henry and Anna M. Mills.  She was born in Tennessee, her parents emigrating to Indiana when she was a mere child, and locating in Wayne county.  By this union there were nine children; but four living, viz. -- Henry M., Perry C., Seth M. and Mahlon.  Mr. Hadley removed to Keokuk county in the fall of 1853, and in 1855 to Warren county, Iowa, and the following year came to Hardin county, locating on section 26.  Mr. Hadley has been identified with the county for twenty-six years.  They family are members of the Society of Friends.

P. C. Hadley was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, December 27, 1838.  He was reared on his father's farm, and received his early education in the pioneer log cabins of Indiana and Iowa.  In 1853 he came with his parents to Keokuk county, Iowa, and in 1856 came to Hardin county, then an unbroken wilderness.  In 1865 he married Hannah Hunnicutt, a daughter of George C. Hunnicutt.  She was born in Carthage, Rush county, Indiana, in 1843.  Mr. Hadley has been identifed with the county for 26 years, and has seen the wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms and homes.  He has 108 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.

Levi Hampton, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1825.  He is the son of James and Emily (Walton) Hampton.  Mr. Hampton died when Levi was four years old, and his mother afterward married a brother of her first husband, James Hampton, by whom there were three children born.  About 1825 the family left Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio.  Levi, in 1850, married Miss Hannah M. Patterson.  She died in 1851, and in the same year he removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he married Mary Hockett, a daughter of Isaac Hockett, of North Carolina.  In 1860 he came to Hardin county, where he purchased a farm of 177 acres, which is valued at $35 per acre.  Mr. and Mrs. Hampton are members of the Society of Friends.

T. D. Hinshaw, one fo the enterprising farmers of Providence township, and an early settler of Hardin county, Iowa, was born in East Tennessee, August 5, 1835.  He is a son of William and Matilda (Doan) Hinshaw, who emigrated to Morgan county, Indiana, in 1837, where they purchased a farm and remained until the spring of 1849, when they removed to Henry county, Iowa, and shortly after removed to Keokuk county, and, in the spring of 1855, came to Hardin county, in Providence township, where he is at present living.  T. D. Hinshaw was reared on a farm, and received a liberal schooling in Keokuk county.  In 1858 he married Miss Anna Lundy, a daughter of Levi Lundy.  She was born in Marion county, Indiana, June 17, 1842.  Nine children blessed this union, eight of whom are living, viz. -- Mary E., Lydia F., Levi E., William W., Sarah M., Marion V., Grace, and Dick A.  Mr. Hinshaw has 160 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and is valued at $40 per acre.  He makes a specialty of feeding stock, and turns off two car loads of cattle per year, besides forty head of hogs.

Jonathon S. Hockett, an early settler of Providence township, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, October 1, 1823, son of Joseph and Martha (Smith) Hockett.  His father was a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Virginia.  They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be adults.  Immediately after their marriage, they moved to Indiana, being about the year 1816, and, in 1838, removed to Henry county, Iowa, where they made a home and remained until the death of Mr. Hockett, which occurred while on a visit to Indiana, in 1846.  The mother died in Clay county, Iowa, May 20, 1877.  They were members of the Society of Friends.  Mr. J. S. Hockett was educated in the pioneer school.  In 1850 he married Ann Frazer, a daughter of Francis and Eunice Beard, natives of North Carolina.  She was born in Indiana, May 24, 1832, her father's house being a station on the under-ground railroad, and many a poor negro has received protection and support.  There are two living children - Joseph L. and Francis H.  In March, 1856, Mr. Hockett came to Hardin county, and located in Union township, moving into a cabin, 10 by 10 feet, where they lived for three months.  They had previously traded for a place, and were waiting for the parties to move.  In 1858 he sold out and went to Bangor, Marshall county, where they lived until 1864, when they came to their present home.  Mr. Hockett has been identified with the county for 26 years.  He has 80 acres of beautiful land, valued at $45 per acre.  The family are members of the Society of Friends, and Mr. Hockett has been an acknowledged minister for 15 years.

George E. Hunnicutt was born in Prince George county, Virginia, April 1, 1808.  He is the son of Ephraim and Margaret (Peebles) Hunnicutt, father of Welsh and mother Scotch descent, but natives of Virginia.  They were married in Prince George county, Virginia, where seven children were born -- five sons and two daughters.  Mr. Hunnicutt died in 1817, and he afterward married Rachel Hunnicutt, by whom there was one child born.  He died in 1831.  George E. was reared on a farm and received his education in the pioneer school house of that day.  When seventeen years of age his health failed, and he taught school for a number of years.  He afterwards embarked in the mercantile business, which did not prove a success.  In 1827 his brother, William P., left Virginia and went to Belmont, Ohio, and soon after the family followed.  Mr. Hunnicutt settled in Clinton county, Ohio, where he remained about five years, then to Rush county, Indiana, where his principal occupation was farming.  He was married in Rush county, Indiana, to Martha Pusey, a daughter of Joel and Hannah Pusey.  By this union there were five children born, four of whom are living -- William P., Hannah P., Margaret and Mary Ann.  Mrs. H. died in 1856, and he afterwards married Mrs. Mary A. Winslow, nee Barker, the widow of Edward Winslow, of Cayuga county, New York.  There were three children by this union -- Mary B., now the wife of John Nicholson, Richard and Robert B.  In 1860 Mr. Hunnicutt left, and came to Hardin county, and settled on section 6, Providence township, where he remained until 1869, when he removed to New Providence, where he is living a retired life.  He has 500 acres of land valued at $35 per acre.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Asher Kersey was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, April 22, 1807, where he received a limited education.  In the fall of 1825 his parents left North Carolina with teams and prairie schooners, locating in Wayne county, Indiana, where his father erected a log cabin in the timber, cleared and opened up a farm.   There they remained a number of years, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Henry county, where he remained until his death, which occurred April 23, 1844.  His mother died September 20, 1868.  The subject of this memoir was married in Wayne county, Indiana, August 5, 1829, to Susannah Morgan.  She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, November 6, 1809.  There were two children, one of which died in infancy, and Benj. V., who enlisted, September, 1861, in the 11th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company B; was taken prisoner on the 22d day of July, 1864, and was imprisoned at Andersonville for a couple of months.  From there he went to Florence, South Carolina, where he contracted a disease which resulted in his death, February 6, 1865.  Mrs. Kersey died November 2, 1833, and for his second wife, Mr. Kersey married Edith Schooley.  She was born in Randolph county, Indiana, February 8, 1818.  By this union there were eight children, six of whom are now living -- Jane, Martha, Thomas C., Elizabeth, Albert H. and Ada.  Mrs. Kersey died February 15, 1858.  Mr. Kersey afterwards married Susan M. Tulburt, who came to this county in the spring of 1852, from North Carolina, in company with her mother, four sisters and one brother, who was but a boy at the time.   It was an undertaking for a stout-hearted man to leave North Carolina, in company with teams to Illinois.  She was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, January 31, 1829.  Two children blessed this union -- Wm. F. and Retta.  Mr. Kersey came to Iowa in 1855, locating in Marshall county, where he remained one year, and, April 22, 1856, came to the place where he now lives.  He has 90 acres of land, all under cultivation, valued at $45 per acre.  Mr. and Mrs. Kersey are members of the Friends Church.

E. W. Lundy, one of the enterprising farmers and stock feeders of Hardin county, was born in Grant county, Ind., May 6, 1844, and is a son of Levi and Sarah (Wickersham) Lundy.  E. W. is a practical farmer, a business which he has followed all his life.  November 10, 1867, he married Miss H. L. Moreland, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Moreland, of Ohio, who emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, in the fall of 1853, and to Marshall county in 1854.  She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 19, 1848.  By this union there are three children -- Ellward, Lela and Johnny.  Mr. Lundy came to the county, when it was new, a poor boy, but, by close attention to business, has succeeded in accumulating a fine property and home.  He has 420 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre.

James Lundy is a pioneer of Hardin county, and was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 10th day of April, 1811.  His parents, James and Elizabeth Lundy, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, emigrating to Ohio in an early day.  They had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters.  Mrs. Lundy died in 1823.  Mr. Lundy married Sophia Hollingsworth for his second wife, by whom he had one child, which died in infancy.  Mrs. Lundy died, when he married Sarah Schooley, a widow of Nathan Schooley, by whom he had one child, which also died in infancy.  Mr. Lundy died in Clinton county, Ohio.  He was an active member of the Society of Friends.  The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, receiving his education in a log school house of his native State, at the time when they ruled with a hickory rod.  Mr. Lundy was married in Clinton county, Ohio, September 22, 1833, to Lucy Gage, and was blessed with three children -- Levi, Zimri and Cyrus.  In 1840 he emigrated to Grant county, Indiana, where he settled in the wilderness; built a log cabin, moving into it before the doors were hung.  He first purchased 80 acres, afterwards adding 80 more, of which he cleared 110 acres, when he built a comfortable residence.  Three children were born in Indiana, viz: Susannah, Charles and Eliza Jane.  In the spring of 1855 he sold his property in Indiana and emigrated to Hardin county, Iowa, locating on the place where he now resides.  He has 188 1/2 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre.  In 1878 Mrs. Lundy died.  She was an esteemed member of the Society of Friends, and a sincere Christian.  He then married Fannie Kinzer, a widow of Jacob Kinzer, of Ohio, and a native of Pennsylvania.

Daniel H. Martin, one of the pioneer ministers of Providence township, was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, Jan. 4, 1821.  His schooling was received in subscription schools.  When nineteen years of age he commenced teaching school, and taught winters for about twenty years.  December 12, 1844, he married Miss Malinda Reece, a daughter of Thos. and leah (Greenwood) Reece.  She was born December 7, 1821.  Mr. and Mrs. Martin were blessed with nine children, six living -- Thos. A., born November 3, 1845; N. S., born January 25, 1848; Dephina K., born December 20, 1852; Zenas L., born September 27, 1855; Penelope C., born January 17, 1858; Alexander H., born February 27, 1861.  In the summer of 1859, Mr. Martin left North Carolina for Hardin county with teams.  The roads being in a bad condition, he was two months making the trip.  He has now 100 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.  In 1861, Mr. Martin embarked in the tannery business with his brother, Jesse F., probably one of the first, if not the only one, that was ever operated in the township.  Mr. Martin and family are members of the Society of Friends; he an acknowledged minister for thirty-two years.

J. B. McCormick was born in Decatur county, Indiana, on the 28th day of September, 1845.  His parents were Bailey and Patsy (Brady) McCormick, natives of Lincoln county, New York, where two children were born -- Wm. and Mary.  In an early day they emigrated to Indiana, where they are at present living, and where four more children were born.  J. B. was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education.  In the spring of 1855 he removed to Marshall county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming.  He enlisted in the 5th Indiana Cavalry, Company H, serving two years.  His brother, William, was at the second day's fight at Nashville, Tennessee.  September 28, 1870, J. B. married Amanda McLane.  She was born in Indiana, July 15, 1853.  By this union there were four children -- Nora Lee, Laura M., Arthur J., and Frank E. (deceased).  Mr. McCormick has 80 acres of fine improved land, valued at $40 per acre; also has a fine residence in Union, valued at $800.

E. B. Mendenhall was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 15, 1824.  He is a son of Miles and Margaret (Bundy) Mendenhall, natives of North Carolina.  In 1832 his parents emigrated to Wayne county, Indiana, and, in 1836, located permanently in Hendricks county of that State, where they remained until 1866, when they sold out, and moved to Jasper county, Iowa, where the father died in 1867.  His mother is still living in Jasper county.  Mr. Mendenhall was reared on a farm, receiving his early education in the log cabins, of the rudest kind.  In 1852 he married Miss Mary Jane Pearson, a daughter of Isaac Pearson.  She was born in Miami county, Ohio, May 11, 1831.  Ten children were the fruits of this union, nine of whom are living -- Albanus H., Marcellus W., Estella M., Larissa E., Ledru R., Leona A., Luella F., Arrietta M., and Hubert P.  Mr. Mendenhall emigrated to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he located on a quarter section of raw prairie land.  He remained there twelve years, and then sold out and came to Hardin county, where he purchased his present home.  He has 103 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre.  Mr. Mendenhall has one of the finest orchards in the township, of very choice fruit.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Benjamin Mills was born in East Tennessee, Jefferson county, February 12, 1829.  He is a son of John and Mary Mills.  In 1840 his parents emigrated with a four-horse team and prairie schooner to Keokuk county, Iowa where they had to go fifty miles with teams, to mill.  It being before land was in market, his father made a claim, where he remained until his death, in 1854.  His mother died in August, 1846.  Benjamin was reared on a farm, receiving but little schooling.  He was married in Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1849, to Mary A. Maulsby.  She was born in Putnam county, Indiana, June 6, 1830, and came with her parents to this State in 1837, and settled on Crocket creek, Washington county, where the Indians were their nearest neighbors; the nearest white man being eight miles away.  Her parents were driven from their claim by the Indians, and did not return for two years.  They found their cabin safe; but some of their neighbors were not so fortunate.  Mr. and Mrs. Mills are the parents of nine living children, viz. -- Charles D., Ira, John W., Mary L., Henry M., Macy J., Lewis B., Ava R., and Martha L.  In the summer of 1856 Mr. Mills came to Hardin county, Iowa, and settled on section 18, where he remained a few years, when he came to his present place.  He has 100 acres of land under cultivation, which is valued at $40 per acre.

George W. Mitchell, one of the prominent farmers of Hardin county, was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, October 28, 1838, and is a son of Abner and Elizabeth Mitchell, who settled in Tazewell county, in 1832, remaining there a few years, when he removed to Rock Island county, Illinois, and from there to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he died in 1878.  His mother died in Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1849.  Geo. W. Mitchell, in 1860, married Lorana A. Valentine, daughter of William and Margaret (Moore) Valentine.  She was born in Mercer county, Illinois, May 24, 1841.  By this union there were born eleven children, nine of whom are living, viz: Lucy C., Edwin N., Lois A., Miles E., Minnie M., Nellie G., Alice L., Linus C. H., William S. R.  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell came to the county poor, having but three yoke of oxen and $25 in ready money, but to-day they are among the large and well-to-do farmers of the township.  They have 268 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.  They are members of the M. E. Church.  Mr. Mitchell enlisted, in 1861, in the 12th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company A, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. At the time of the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, he was on detached duty in a hospital.  He was taken prisoner and carried to Jackson, and from there to Libby Prison, where he was exchanged, rejoining his regiment at Vicksburg.  The regiment veteranizing, he was assigned to the 35th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, the command being ordered to report to General Banks, at Alexandria, and was on the Red River expedition.  He was under fire 62 times in 60 days.  The command was then ordered north, and was on an expedition through Mississippi.  He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, November 8, 1864.

A. M. Mulford, one of the early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Ontario county, New York, October 25, 1827, and is a son of M. D. and Mary (Munson) Mulford.  A. M. was reared on a farm, and received a liberal education.  In 1850 he attended the East Bloomfield Branch of the New York State Normal School, of Ontario county, receiving a certificate as Normal teacher.  After leaving school, he taught several terms.  In 1853 he married Miss Harriet Beckner, of Laporte, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph and Malinda (Crook) Beckner.  She was born in Monroe county, Virginia, October 11, 1830.  By this union there were three children, two of whom are living -- Wm. C. and Mary E.  They lived in Laporte for three years.  April 4, 1855, they emigrated to Hardin county, Iowa, locating on section 5, Providence township.  Two years later settled on section 2, where he now resides.  In April, 1856, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for eighteen years.  He was represented the county in the Board of Supervisors, four years.  Mr. and Mrs. Mulford came to the county in limited circumstances, commencing at the lower round of the ladder, but, by good management, have succeeded in making themselves a comfortable home, and to-day are among the well-to-do farmers of the township.  He has 120 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $40 per acre.  The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S. S. Mulford, a merchant of New Providence, was born in Ontario county, New York, on the 6th day of July, 1833, and is a son of Miller D. and Mary (Munson) Mulford, who were the parents of seven children (six sons and one daughter), six of whom are living -- Ansom M., Luther M., S. S., J. Burnett, Miller D., Jr., and Emily.  His father, by occupation, was  carpenter and joiner, and is still living in Hardin county.  His mother died in Erie, Pennsylvania.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.  In the spring of 1836 his parents emigrated to Erie, Pennsylvania, and, in 1849, to Racine, Wisconsin, and from there to LaPorte county, Indiana, where they remained until 1858, when they came to Hardin county.  The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received but a limited education.  In 1856 he came to this county.  In 1860 he married Miss Linda T. Cobbs, a daughter of Thos. Cobbs, and a step-daughter of David Hunt.  She was born in Ohio, in 1839.  Four children have been born unto them -- Eva L., David M., Emily and Anna Laura.  Mr. and Mrs. Mulford are members of the Society of Friends.

Providence township is one of the finest and wealthiest townships in the county, and comprises Congressional township 86 north, range 20, west of the fifth principal meridian. It was first settled in the fall of 1851. Levi Reece, William Dobbins, E. I. Reece, and John J. Thornton landed here on the first day of September, of that year, located their claims, and commenced erecting their cabins. William Reece also located a claim at the same time, with a niew of making it his home in the near future...

The first to settle here in 1853 was William Reece, who located his claim in the fall of 1851, as already stated. He was followed the same year by Levi Reece, Jessie Allgood and E. J. Reece. In 1854 David Bennett, Thomas Bennett, and others, located here. David Bennett and a son of Thomas Bennett subsequently lost their lives, being struck by lightning while breaking prairie. John Allen Hayworth come in 1854; also, J. A. Allgood and William Flemming.

William Reece, one of the first settlers of Providence township, was born in Surry county, N. C., September 16, 1814. In 1839 he married Miss Mary Ann Dobbins, a daughter of William Dobbins, who emigrated to Hardin county in 1851, and died in 1852. She was born June 15, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Reece were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom as now living -- Martha, now Mrs. L. Armstrong; Keziah, widow of Zimri Lundy; Elkanab, Miles, Sarah, now Mrs. L. Baldwin; William S., Ruth, now Mrs. Frank Lewis; Eli and James L. In 1851 Mr. Reece, in company with about forty, left North Carolina for Iowa, coming through with teams; being two months in making the trip; arriving in Henry county, Iowa, in June, where they remained a short time; and in the meantime looking up a place to locate, and finally settling in Providence township. The first land located was by Mr. Reece, who waslked to Des Moines and entered the land for Daniel H. Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Reece came to the county in limited circumstances, when there was not in Providence township a mark of civilization, but, being young and vigorous, went to work to make a home, and by hard work and good management, having accumulated a fine property. They have 293 3/4 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Levi Rubottom was born in Morgan county, Indiana, October 2, 1826; is a son of George and Elizabeth (Doan) Rubottom; the father a native of North Carolina, and mother of Tennessee.  There was a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters.  The subject of this sketch was early educated in the Pioneer School house of Indiana.  In the fall of 1853 he left Indiana for Iowa with teams, driving his stock.  He located in Warren county, purchased wild land and opened up a farm.  In the spring of 1865 he sold out and came to Hardin county.  In the winter of 1852 he married Miss Louisa Thompson, a daughter of Thomas A. and Elizabeth Thompson of North Carolina, where she was born in 1833.  By this union there were ten children, eight of whom are living, viz. -- Rodolpho, Ludoric, Thompson, Alwilda, Charlie, Misses Florence and Vinton.  Mr. Rubottom came to the State poor, has now fine property and a home.  He has 148 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.

Henry C. Smith, farmer, was born in Steuben county, New York, February 1, 1845; a son of Thos. J. and Margaret (Gilchrist) Smith.  In 1862, Henry C. enlisted in the 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company A, and participated in the battles of Triune, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Tullahoma, Mission Ridge and Chattanooga, Buzzard Roost, Ressacca, Kenesaw Mountain, where he was struck in the left eye with a minnie ball, coming out near the right ear.  He was under fire from the 8th day of May until the 27th day of July; was taken prisoner at Stone River, and spent five months in Libby Prison.  In 1865 he came to Hardin county.  In 1876 he married Miss Hannah Eve Bushman.  She was born in Carroll county, Illinois, May 18, 1850.  They have three children, viz. Herschel, Julia Eve and Edith.  Mr. Smith has 80 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre.

Joseph Spurgin, farmer, was born in East Tennessee, January 17, 1841.  He is a son of Samuel and Rosanna (Duncan) Spurgin, who were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living -- William, John, Jesse, Amanda, Ellen and Joseph.  In 1847 his parents moved to Henry county, Iowa, where they remained a few years, when they removed to Warren county, where they both died; his father in 1849, and mother in 1850.  They were members of the M. E. Church, and always took an interest in the support of the same.  The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a liberal education.  In 1862 he married Susannah Lundy.  By this union there was one child -- Levi.  In 1856 he came to Hardin county, and at the age of fifteen commenced breaking prairie.  In 1864 he purchased a farm of 40 acres, where he lived until 1878, when he sold out and purchased his present farm, of 95 acres, valued at $45 per acre.  The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Seneca Wildman, an acknowledged minister of the Society of Friends, and one of the early settlers of Hardin county, was born in Grayson county, Virginia, March 29, 1812.  He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Bond) Wildman, who were married in Virginia, where seven children were born.  In 1812 they emigrated to Warren county, Ohio, where they remained a couple of years; thence to Clark county, Ohio, where they hade a home, and where one child was born.  His mother died in 1815, and father in 1840.  They were members of the Society of Friends.  The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm and was educated in a pioneer cabin.  December 26, 1833, he married Jane Hadley.  She was born in Clinton county, Ohio, July 20, 1815.  Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are the parents of four living children -- Ruth, Elizabeth, William and Oliver S.  In the summer of 1859 Mr. Wildman came to Hardin county for the purpose of settling his children.  He purchased land in Hardin township, where he remained until 1871, when he came to his present home, where he is living a retired life.

Wm. Wildman was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 31st day og March, 1834, and received his early education in the common schools.  He also attended Urlam College, at Richmond, Indiana.  His parents came to the county in 1859.  On the 13th day of October, 1836, he married Miss Aceneth J. Adams, a daughter of Joel and Rachel (Davis) Adams.  She was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, April 19, 1844.  Mr. Wildman and his brother embarked in the mercantile business in New Providence, where hr remained for two and a half years, when -- his brother having died a year previous -- he sold out, and in 1873 came to his present place, where he embarked in farming and stock growing.  He has a fine stock farm of 216 acres, valued at $35 per acre.  Mr. Wildman makes a specialty of feeding and shipping stock, shipping from six to seven car loads per year.  Mr. and Mrs. Wildman are the parents of three children -- Alonzo S., Wm. M. and Clarence J.  They family are members of the Society of Friends.  Mr. Wildman is at present building a beautiful residence, with all the modern improvements of our best farm houses.

E. R. Wright was born near Richmond, in Wayne county, Indiana, February 5, 1828, and is a son of Cyrus and Mariam (Cosand) Wright, natives of North Carolina.  His parents emigrated to Indiana in 1807, when his father saw the first lot sold in Richmond, a fact in itself which indicates what marvelous changes have taken place.  His father was an honest, upright man -- was a friend to the down-trodden, and especially of the colored race.  Among those who mourned his loss, none, perhaps, were more deeply moved than the colored people of his neighborhood.  He was benevolent to a fault.  He died at his homestead, in Indiana, in 1877.  His mother is still living, in Richmond, Indiana.  The subject of this memoir is a self-made man. When fifteen years of age, he was employed in a store as clerk for a time, when his health failed him and he went on a farm for a couple of years, afterwards being engaged in various occupations until 1860, when he again engaged in the mercantile business as one of the firm of Wood & Wright.  In 1861 he sold out and was employed as a conductor on the L. & I. R. R. for six years.  In February, 1869, he came to Hardin county and located on the prairie, where he now lives, having a beautiful home and all the comforts of life.  He has 200 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.  In 1867 he married Miss Florence Kirby.