Portrait and Biographical Record of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties - 1894 - W

Jasper County >> 1894 Index
Grundy County
Marshall County

Portrait and Biographical Records of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1894.

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Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

William H. Weatherly, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Marshalltown, is one of its leading and influential business men, and is prominent in public circles. A native of North Carolina, he was born in Stokes County, September 27, 1824, and is a son of James Weatherly, who was born in Guilford County, N. C., October 27, 1797. By occupation he was a farmer. His father was Zebediah Weatherly, and the latter was a son of Abner Weatherly, who served in the Revolutionary War and was killed at the battle of Guilford Court House. He emigrated to America from Wales when a young man. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Charity Ronark, was born in north Carolina in 1799, and was a daughter of Timothy Ronark. The great-grandfather, Jesse Ronark, was a native of Scotland and founded the family in this country.

Our subject removed with his parents to Athens, McMinn County, Tenn., where they spent three years, and then went to Greene County, Ind., locating on White River. They afterward removed to Owen County, Ind., where the father died in 1851. His widow afterward came to Iowa, and died in Albion in 1871. Our subject is the eldest of their eight sons and five daughters. His boyhood was spent in Indiana, where he attended the subscription schools, and he was reared as a farmer. October 24, 1844, he married Miss Eliza Edwards, of Owen County, Ind., a native, however, of Stokes County, N. C., and a daughter of Thomas Edwards.

In the fall of 1850, accompanied by his family, Mr. Weatherly removed to Marshall County, Iowa, locating in Bangor Township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government and also secured a tree claim of forty acres. His first home was a log cabin, 16 x 20 feet, and it is still in a good state of preservation, one of the landmarks of pioneer days. After three years he sold his first farm and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he at once began to improve. In 1854 he was elected Sheriff of the county for a term of two years, and removed to Marshalltown to enter upon the duties of the office. In 1856 he was re-elected on the Whig ticket, and served in all for four years. He then aided in the organization of the Republican party in this locality and has since been one of its prominent supporters.

Strongly opposed to slavery, after the breaking out of the war, Mr. Weatherly enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, as a private, and was afterward commissioned First Lieutenant. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and he took part in the battles of Corinth, Shiloh, the siege of Vicksburg and battle of Iuka. At the battle of Corinth he received a flesh wound in the hip. In 1863 he was commissioned Captain, and commanded his company until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was mustered out, in March, 1864.

Mr. Weatherly at once returned to his home, and the same year was again elected Sheriff. Since his retirement from that office he has engaged in the real-estate business, and has met with success in his undertakings. He was again called to public office in 1882, being elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, which position he filled for three years. Socially he is connected with Banner Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F., and with Frank M. Thomas Post No. 94, G. A. R.

Mr. and Mrs. Weatherly have a pleasant home at No. 310 South Sixth Street. Unto them have been born five children: Albert W., Thomas C., Hulda (wife of T. C. Smelser, of Marshalltown), Mary J. and A. F. the latter was a student and died at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. Weatherly is a man of sterling worth and is as true to his country in its days of peace as when on southern battlefields he followed the Old Flag which now floats so proudly over the united nation.

Lucy Ann (Woody) Whitted submitted by Sue Simpson

Lucy Ann (Woody) Whitted was born in Lawrence County, Ind., on the 9th of November, 1836. She is the daughter of John and Mary (Horton) Woody, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. Grandfather Joseph Woody was a native of North Carolina, and a farmer by occupation. Grandfather Horton was a native of Virginia, and also followed the honest calling of a farmer. John Woody located with his parents in Lawrence County, Ind., when but twelve years of age, and there remained with them until attaining his majority, when he was married to Mary, the daughter of John and Lucy Horton. They became the parents of twelve children, all but two living to years of maturity. The living are named: Joseph N., James, William, Lucy A., John, Asa N., Sarah E., Emily J., Eliza E., and Nancy C. The mother of this worthy family passed away at the age of sixty-seven years, in the faith of the Baptist Church. She received but limited education and was among the first settlers in Fairview Township. Her husband entered eighty acres of land in this place, and subsequently purchased eighty more, making a goodly estate. He was never afraid of labor, and being a good financier accumulated a large amount of property before his death. He was a Democrat politically, and was, with his wife, a believer in the Baptist faith.

Our subject came with her parents to Iowa when a lass of thirteen summers, and was reared and educated on the farm and in the common district schools. When but seventeen she was united in marriage with Joseph A. Whitted, a son of Joseph and Mary (Sikes) Whitted, who were born in North Carolina. This happy union was blessed by the birth of eleven children, all of whom with the exception of one are living. They bear the following names: John, Oscar, Robert W., Mary E., Isis B., Joseph M., Emily J., Francis A., Thomas J., and Elmer E. Mr. Whitted is one of seven children born to his parents, his brothers and sisters being: Thomas, Jane, John, William, Mary and Fanny (deceased). He was educated in the common district school, conducted in a log schoolhouse with its crude furnishings. He was a hard working man, and in his agricultural pursuits he always showed a disposition to improve his opportunities by means of unflagging industry and persistence. He was connected with the Free & Accepted Masons, and always cast his vote with the Democratic party. He was called from time to eternity in his fifty-first year, August 2, 1881, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Two of the strongest characteristics of this gentleman were his fondness for home and the pleasures he took in domestic life. Mrs. Lucy Whitted is residing on a finely improved piece of land, consisting of one hundred and seventy broad and fertile acres, which was left to her by her husband. She is one of the valued members of the Baptist Church, and is highly regarded and loved far and wide.

THOMAS J. WILLIAMS

Prominent among the citizens of Marshall County who have materially contributed to its prosperity is the subject of this sketch. He is one of the ablest farmers and stock-raisers in the county and has been a conspicuous figure in its civic life for many years. He is the proprietor of one of the largest and best equipped farms in Greencastle Township , and here he and his family have one of the best appointed and most attractive homes in this part of the state.

Born in Westmoreland County, Pa., January 16, 1841, our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, only five of whom are living, namely: Alexander; Pamelia, Mrs. Allen Ogan, W. B. and Carrie. Harriet E. died in 1862, when twelve years of age, and Sarah B. departed this life in 1860, when in her eighth year.

Benjamin Williams, the father of our subject, was born in Cambria County , Pa. , while his mother, who fore the maiden name of Sarah Rhodes, was born in Juniata County , the same state. The parents came west in 1850, and resided for three years in Davenport, this state, at which time the father followed his trade of a blacksmith. At the expiration of the three years, he removed to Princeton , where he followed the same business for seven years. Again on the move, he went with his family to Whiteside County , Ill. , and varying his line of work somewhat began farming, which he carried on with indifferent success until 1865, the date of his advent in Marshall County , where he still resides, at the advanced age of eighty years. His good wife, who is also living, is in her seventy-ninth year. Grandfather Williams was born in Wales , and, coming to this country in early life, made his home in the Keystone State , where his decease occurred.

Thomas J., of this sketch, was a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and carried on his studies in the common schools of Davenport and Princeton . Here he was living at the outbreak of the late war, and in June, 1861, became a member of Captain Graham's Cavalry, attached to the Fourteenth Missouri Regiment, he being mustered into service August 1, of that year. In September of the following month, he was taken prisoner at the battle of Lexington , but received his discharge at St. Louis October 16. Re-enlisting, however, he joined Company B in the three-years service, this time being one of General McClellan's body guards. He was thus engaged until the latter was relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac ,, when young Williams removed to headquarters and acted as Provost-Guard under Burnside while that general was in command of the Army of the Potomac . In the spring of 1863, Mr. Williams was transferred to Company I, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, serving with that regiment as Sergeant until being mustered out at the close of the war. During his life in the army he participated in many prominent engagements, among which were the battles at Yorktown , Williamsburg , Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull Run , Antietam and Gettysburg .

Again returning to the peaceful pursuits of life, Mr. Williams came to Marshall County , making his home in Jefferson Township for about two years. Then establishing a home of his own, he was married in the fall of 1868 to Miss Esther Johnson, a native of Dodge County , Wis. , and the daughter of Andrew B. and Jane ( Ludlow ) Johnson. Her parents were natives of the Green Mountain State and died at the respective ages of forty and fifty-nine years. Mr. Johnson enlisted his services in the Union army, but died before reaching the front. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Williams are: John, now living in Hickory Grove Township , Jasper County ; Florence (Mrs. T. L. Cannon), of Clintonville , Wis. ; Alice (Mrs. H. M. Jones), of North Dakota , and Ira, residing in Nebraska .

Mr. and Mrs. Williams of this sketch have five children, three living: Frank L., Earl T. and Jennie E. Our subject came to Greencastle Township in the spring of 1869 and located upon the farm where he is at present living, but which then only comprised eighty acres. To this he has added from time to time until it now includes two hundred and forty acres, on which, in addition to raising the cereals, he devotes considerable time to the breeding of fine grades of stock, carrying about fifty head of cattle on an average, and from sixty to seventy head of hogs. In 1880 Mr. Williams erected his present commodious residence, and two years later further embellished his place by building a fine farm and all the necessary outbuildings for carrying on agriculture in a first-class manner.

Since Mr. Williams has resided here, he has been prominently identified with its public and political life, and is a sound and consistent Republican. He is a man of much energy, tact and business capacity, and his fellow-townsmen have not failed to recognize his superior merits and qualifications, and have called him to responsible offices. He has been Trustee of Greencastle Township for the past twenty years, and aided very materially in the erection of the first schoolhouse built in his district. He also served as School Director for about twenty years, was School Treasurer for twelve years, and Road Supervisor for ten years. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army, being connected with Farragut Post No. 95, at Gilman. He also belongs to Cyrus Lodge No. 338, A. F. & A. M., at Gilman.

R. J. Williamson, who is engaged in the practice of law at Grundy Centre, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., February 3, 1856, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, Hamilton Williamson, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and came to America when about twenty years of age, locating in Newburgh, N. Y., where he followed the mason's trade. In 1856 he removed to Independence, Iowa, becoming one of its early settlers, and there followed his trade for many years. He still makes his home in Independence. He married Mary J. Faulkner, who was also a native of Ireland. She died December 24, 1880.

Our subject is the third in a family of five children. Ere he was a year old the family removed to Independence, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in Lenox College, of Hopkinton, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1878 with the degree of A. M. Before entering college, he pursued a course in the Independence Business College. After his graduation he assumed the management of the National Advocate, the organ of the Greenback party at Independence, and continued in that position for about two years. In 1878 he became a candidate on the fusion ticket in Buchanan County for County Clerk. The election returns showed that he was successful in the race for the office, and he acceptably filled the position for two years. Having read law, he was admitted to the Bar in November, 1880, and in January, 1881, he entered upon practice in Independence as a partner of his brother, J. H. Williamson, who had pursued his law studies in the State University at Iowa City, and was also graduated from Lenox College. Our subject continued to practice in Independence until 1886, since which time he has been one of the leading lawyers of Grundy Centre.

On the 10th of December, 1885, Mr. Williamson married Miss Laura B. Lamb, daughter of Curtis Lamb, a farmer of Centre Point, Iowa. Mrs. Williamson is a native of Woodbury County, and by her marriage she has four children. In politics Mr. Williamson is a Democrat. He held the office of County Attorney in Grundy County for two terms, from January, 1888, until January, 1893. In the spring of 1885 he was elected City Solicitor for Independence, Iowa. He served as County Attorney when the court house was being built, and during his term of service two murder cases were tried, and the defendant was convicted in both cases. Mr. Williamson has taken an active part in the work of the Democratic party, and has served as Chairman of the Central Committee.

Socially, our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in religious belief is a Presbyterian. In 1889 he was made a Trustee of his Alma Mater at Lenox College, and filled that position three years. He is a stockholder in the Reinbeck State Bank, and is recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of this community. He is not only prominent in professional circles, but also holds an enviable position in social circles.

J. T. WINTERS, the owner and proprietor of a general store at Galesburg , was born in Illinois April 23, 1849 , and is the only son and the eldest of four children, his sisters being Electa, Mrs. J. G. Bates, of Des Moines ; Matilda, who married E. A. Bates, also a resident of Des Moines ; and Ella, who died at the age of twelve years. The father of this family, W. S. Winters, was a native of Maryland , and at the age of about twenty years removed to Illinois . There he married Louisa Thomas, a native of Ohio and a daughter of J. B. Thomas, who settled in the Buckeye State at an early day, and there died at the age of sixty-nine years.

For many years W. S. Winters worked at the carpenter's trade, and later in life he engaged in farming, and also conducted a successful mercantile business. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union army and served for four years. His death occurred in Iowa at the age of sixty-four years; his widow is still living (1893) at the age of sixty- one years. Grandfather Winters was a native of Maryland , and the remote ancestors were Germans.

At the age of one year the subject of this sketch was taken by the family to Ohio , and about two years later came to Iowa , settling in Mahaska County , where he lived until thirty-four years of age. At the age of twenty years he started out in life for himself, and followed farming pursuits until 1883, when he came to Elk Creek Township and settled in the village of Galesburg . He has since been successfully engaged in the general mercantile business and carries the variety of stock required in the conduct of a first-class country store.

In 1869 Mr. Winters married Phoebe J. Sawyer, a native of Indiana and a daughter of F. P. and Sarah Sawyer. Her parents, who were natives of Virginia , removed to Indiana , where Mr. Sawyer engaged in farming, though by trade he was a gunsmith and blacksmith, and had followed these occupations in early life. Mr. and Mrs. Winters have seven children, viz.: Lesta M., the wife of Allen Griffith, of Galesburg ; Electa M., Ida May, Florence E., Daisy B., Porter E. and Ollie E., who reside with their parents. Like his father, our subject was an enthusiastic champion of the Union during the Rebellion, and he enlisted in Company I, Forty-seventh Iowa Regiment,, serving until about the close of the war. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican and an earnest worker in the party. Socially he is a member of the order of Free & Accepted Masons, and has been Junior Warden of Monumental Lodge No. 311, and at the present time is Secretary. He is deeply interested in the order and is active in the interests of the lodge.