History of Johnson County, Iowa - 1883

History of Johnson County, Iowa
Iowa City, Ia.: [s.n.], 1883.

Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Darrell Manrique.

CYRUS ABBOTT, Sr., farmer and stock raiser; was born on the 21st day of December, 1817, in Worcester county, Massachusetts ; is the son of Cyrus C. and Polly Abbott, descendants of England . The subject of this sketch was, on the 20th day of September, 1839; married to Ann B. Newton, of the same county and State he was born in. They have four children living: Mahlon S., born January 19, 1843 ; Charles N., July 4, 1847 ; Cyrus W., May 19, 1850 ; George A., March 3, 1854 . Mr. Abbott learned the trade of shoemaking. He moved to Wilksboro , Pennsylvania , where he engaged in the wholesale manufacture of boots and shoes for three years. He then moved to Carbondale and followed his trade four years. Then went into the livery business and followed that for ten years. In 1857 he came to Iowa and bought land in sections 19 and 22. He now resides on section 22, and follows farming and raising cattle and hogs. In the winter of 1857, while crossing the river on the ice he broke through, and had it not been for his two sons, Mahlon and Charles, with the aid of a rope, would have been drowned. In 1870 he ran a steamboat from his timber to Coralville, He also has a saw-mill which he runs in winter. He is a republican in politics, and voted for the amendment.

SAMUEL F. ADAIR, farmer, residing in Cedar county, just across the line, post-office, Oasis. He lived in Graham township so long, and still takes a lively interest in the welfare of his old neighbors that he thinks of returning again into Graham township. He was born in 1838 in Pennsylvania , leaving there in 1854; he lived one and a helf years in Ohio , and then settled in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa , in 1856. He was married in 1873 to Miss Sarah Harrison, of Graham township. This union is blessed with four living children. He moved into Cedar county in 1877, and will move back into Johnson county as soon as he can make arrangements to do so.

E. M. ADAMS, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born in Maine, September 7, 1811, where he lived until he was fifteen years of age; then his father, John E., moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived until 1838, when he came to Iowa and resided in Muscatine county one year, and in 1839 moved to Johnson county, where he has since resided. He owns 425 acres of land, and has his home farm well improved. In 1849 he took the gold fever and went to California , but only remained there one year. He was married, April 9, 1836, to Sally Gleason; she dying in June, 1837, leaving one son, Decatur C., now living near Council Bluffs. He was again married, May 3, 1840 , to Henrietta Lyon, daughter of John Lyon, and a native of Pennsylvania , this being the first marriage in Cedar township. By this union there are two children: John L. and Lillie, now Mrs. Herbert S. Fairall.

JAMES M. ADAMS, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio , October 28, 1828 , and is a son of John E. and Sarah Adams, natives of Maine . He lived in Ohio until 1846, and then came to Iowa and settled on the farm he now lives on, where he owns 138 acres of land. In 1852 he went to California and remained there three years, engaged in mining. He was married, July 14, 1855 , to Miss Sophia Dudley, a daughter of William Dudley, who came to this county in 1842. They have nine children: Ada P., Lydia E., Eva C., Henrietta, Jennie B., Emery D., Eugene M., Eben W. and Harry P. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN E. ADAMS, proprietor Maple Avenue farm, Cedar township, post-office Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, September 15, 1833, and is a son of Capt. John E. and Belinda Adams, they being natives of Maine and also pioneers of Ohio, where the subject of this sketch spent his early life and followed farming and the dairy business, selling milk in Cleveland for several years. In 1863 he removed to Putnam county, Ohio , and invested in wild lands and buying and selling stock, and remained there nine years, and in 1873 came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, and now owns 359 acres of fine land, a fine residence and improvements, having a beautiful location. He pays special attention to raising and feeding stock, and also breeds thoroughbred Short-Horns. He was married, December 1, 1859 , to Jemima Powell, a native of Portage county, Ohio ; she is a daughter of Henry and Cynthia Powell. Mrs. Powell, whose maiden name was Crooks, was the first white child born in Trumbull county, Ohio , and the second on the Western Reserve , being born in 1799. They had six children, three now living: Cora J., Ethie L. and Harry D. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Church of God .

MOSES ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born in Oxford county, Maine , November 2, 1815 . When eleven years of age his parents, John E. and Sarah Adams, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Cuyahoga county, where they lived eleven years, and in the fall of 1838 moved to Illinois, and came to Johnson county in April, 1839, moved into Cedar township the spring of 1841, and has since then lived in the township. He has a fine farm of 366 acres and a comfortable home. He raises considerable stock and some thoroughbred Short-Horns. Mr. Adams was married January 9, 1859 , to Sarah J. Keislar, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio , and came to Johnson county in 1851. This union has been blessed with six children: Cora, Mary, J. Quincy, Myron D., Otto M. and Harriet E.

CIPERIAN AICHAR, farmer, Newport township, post-office, Iowa City; was born September 26, 1827, in Wittemberg, Germany. Settled in Johnson county in the fall of 1854. He was married, November 4, 1856 , to Miss Elizabeth Englebert. This union is blessed by three children: Josephine, Frank and Henry. He is a democrat in politics; voted against the amendment; is a member of the Catholic Church.

GEORGE ALBIN, Scott township, farmer and stock raiser; born in Harrison county, Virginia, in 1805. Moved to Ohio 1815, and in 1827 moved to Indiana , where he lived until 1842, when he came to Iowa and settled in Cedar county on Sugar creek, and lived there ten years; he then moved to Iowa City , and lived there three years, and from there he moved to Scott township, where he now lives. Mr. Albin was married in 1848, in Cedar county, to Miss Anna Messick, of Cedar county, daughter of Geo. Messick, of Indiana . Has nine children living, five boys and four girls, three of which are married. Mr. Albin carried the first mail between Davenport and Iowa City in 1851. He at first carried it on horseback, and after he established a stage line and carried by team; carried until after the C. R. I. & P. R. R. was finished. There was at that time but two houses between Cedar river and Iowa City . He afterward carried mail between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids .

IRA J. ALDER, was born July 15th, 1844 , in Union county, Ohio ; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Iowa City in September, 1863. Admitted to the bar in January, 1869, and has practiced law in Iowa City since. Studied law under Judge W. E. Miller, of Iowa City . Left the State University and read law one year under the Hon. Rush Clark, and then went into Judge Miller's office. He was married June 8th, 1882 , to Miss Julia Buttles, youngest daughter of the Hon. J. B. Buttles of Iowa City . A member of the Episcopal Church of Iowa City; a republican in politics.

LOUIS ALDER, (deceased); was born October 28, 1814 , in West Jefferson, Ohio; died November 23, 1879 . He came to Iowa in 1855. He was the father of Ira J. Alder, a resident attorney of Iowa City . Louis was the son of Jonathan Alder, and Jonathan was the son of a soldier of the Revolution, who in his turn was the son of an English family whose name is perpetuated in Aldershot , and Aldersgate. Jonathan was born in 1773, and when a little boy was captured by the Shawnee Indians, who killed his little brother David, but saved Jonathan because he had black hair and "would make a good Indian." He lived with the Indians until he was 25 years old. He was a playmate of Tecumseh, met Logan face to face, grew up as an Indian and never wore aught but a breech clout and blanket from the day of his capture in Virginia woods until his delivery at Wayne 's treaty in 1795 when he had forgotten the English language. The story of Alder's captivity, told in Howe's History of Ohio, is of absorbing interest. The case affords interesting study in another direction. Jonathan Alder returned in 1795 to civilization after living as an Indian for twenty years. He reared a familiy, of which Louis was one, and they all showed in gait and carriage, in habits of thought, and to a great extent in appearance, strong Indian traits, as do their children in a modified degree, though he and his wife were of the purest English blood. Mr. Louis Alder was a man of much force of character, of great energy and was a valuable citizen.

SAMUEL ALLOWAY, a farmer, residing in Madison township, post-office, Shueyville. Was born July 20, 1849, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania; came to Johnson county in 1856, and settled in Madison township on section 33, and owns a farm of 120 acres of land and the Anderson stone quarry, in Jefferson township, near the Roberts ferry bridge. He built a new lime kiln with a capacity of 300 bushel. He furnishesthe Amana colonies with lime and they buy their stone at his quarry. He was married July 20th, 1869 , to Miss Mary E. Vonstein. They are blessed with four children: Samuel J., Francis M., George W., and Oscar H. He is a member of the United Brethren Church , and a member of Penn Lodge No. 289, I. O. O. F., at North Liberty , and is a democrat in politics. The Anderson quarry was opened up in 1862; it was first opened up near McCollister creek; it contains seven acres. Some beautiful fossil specmens are found at this quarry.

JACOB H. ALT, farmer, post-office North Liberty; was born April 19, 1813 , in Jefferson county, Virginia; from there his father moved to Clark county, Ohio , where he died. In 1837 Jacob H. Alt went to Henderson county, Illinois , where he was married September 28, 1837 , to Miss Mary Wein, daughter of George Wein. Their family consists of ten children, seven of whom are living: Sarah, Eliza J., L.W., Milton H., Charles D., and Arthur E. Those dead are, Maria, George W., and May E. Mr. Alt moved to Iowa in the fall of 1840 and settled in Johnson county, where he now resides, on section 17. His farm consists of 330 acres, well adapted for stock raising and producing crops of all kinds. On his farm is located the Wein burying ground. Mr. Alt and wife are members of the Methodist Church , he being the class leader for many years at North Liberty church.

JOSEPH A. ALT submitted by Mary Hitchcock

Joseph A. Alt , farmer, post-office North Liberty. The subject of this sketch was born February 12, 1817 in Jefferson Co. Virginia; son of Jacob and Mary Alt, from whence his parents, when he was only three months old, moved to Ohio, where he was raised on a farm. He came to Iowa in 1839, then a single man, and settled in Johnson County, where he now resides; on section 8, township 80, range 6. On the 25th day of January, 1848, he married Miss Eliza Kepford, daughter of John Kepford, and to them have been born seven children; six of whom are now living: Alice M., (wife of Maj. J.A. Pickler, of Muscatine), Albert J., Kate E., George J., Elly M., and Rolly H.; John W., deceased.

Mr. Alt and wife are members of the M.E. Church, and are always ready to lend a helping hand in any good cause. A man well informed; and by his industry and economy, is possessed of a splendid farm of 218 acres. He came near being killed in 1840 while felling a tree. Has a splendid orchard, and everything around him to make home comfortable.

GEORGE ANDERSON, farmer, Madison township, post-office North Liberty , son of John A. and Catharine Anderson; was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania , December 28, 1847 . When he was six years old his parents came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where he was raised on a farm. April 12, 1871 , he married Miss Sarah E. Green, daughter of David and Rachael Green, now residents of Cass county, this State. They have four children living: John E., Charles J., Iva M. and Fern O. Mr. Anderson owns 160 acres of well improved land in section 15, where he is engaged in farming and raising stock. He and wife are members of the Church of God , he being one of the present deacons; he is a Democrat in politics, and a strictly temperance man.

GEORGE W. ANDERSON, Jefferson township, post-office Shueyville; was born in Washington county, Maryland , May 13, 1816 . His parents moved to Burday county, Virginia, when he was quite young. When he was six years old his father died, and he went back to Maryland . At the age of twenty-one he went to teaming across the Alleghany Mountains , followed that for four years. On the 3d day of August, 1843, he was married to Miss Delila Trout of Washington county, Virginia. To them have been born ten children, nine of whom are living: Albertis, William R., Sylvester, Oburn, Elizabeth V., Oterbin, Theodore B., George W. and Iowa . In 1848 he moved to Augusta county, Virginia, lived there until 1863, when he came home to Iowa , where he has since that time lived. He owns a farm where he resides in section three, also owns land in Dakota. He embraced religion forty years ago, and united with the U. B. Church, of which he is still a member. He has held the office of trustee and other offices of the township.

JOHN A. ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania , December 16, 1823 ; was the son of Samuel Anderson. He learned the carpenter trade, and worked at that and cabinet making. While in Pennsylvania , June 22, 1845 , he was married to Miss Catharine Hoover, daughter of John and Anna Hoover. To them have been born six children, four of whom are living: Ann, George, Joseph W., and Susan J. In 1853 he came to Iowa , and settled in Johnson county. He worked at his trade for ten years; from that time up to his death farmed most of the time, working some at his trade. He died May 3, 1879 , aged 55 years, 4 months, and 7 days. Mr. Anderson was a faithful member of the Church of God , served as deacon several years, filled the office of county supervisor, township trustee, and other offices of trust. His widow resides in the old homestead, with her son Joseph.

LEVI ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania , September 7, 1815 . Was the son of Samuel and Mary Anderson. Was raised on his father's farm and educated in the common schools. March 2, 1840 , he was married to Miss Permelia Clapper, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania , daughter of Jacob and Mary Clapper; to them were born twelve children, seven now living: Mary E. Evens, William C., Susan, George C., Martin, Levi Jr., and Margaret J. He followed milling two years, and then farming in Pennsylvania , taught school in winter a term or two. In 1853 he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, first in Penn township; he then purchased 240 acres in Jefferson township, in section 21, 162 acres in section 22, in all 402 acres, where he followed farming and stock-raising until 1878, when he divided his land with his children, except 40 acres, on which he resided until his death, which occured August 13, 1881, aged 66 years, 11 months, and 26 days. He was a member of the United Brethren Church . Held the office of clerk, assessor, justice of the peace, and county supervisor from his township. His widow lives on the old homestead, with her son Martin. She was born May 10, 1819 , in Bedford county, Pennsylvania .

ROBERT ANDERSON, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1813, where he spent his life until 1855, when he came to Johnson county, and settled in Fremont township, where he now resides, and owns 120 acres of land. He has been married three times, first to Hannah Beazel, in February, 1834; she dying, March 1, 1849 . The second time to Polly Budd, in April, 1850; she dying September 21, 1864 . He was married to his present wife, Mary Dick, September 1, 1865 ; all three being natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania ; there is one boy, Charles E., by the last marriage. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1830, and a very hard and earnest worker for the cause of Christianity. He was one of the first to organize a church in the south part of this county.

GEORGE ANDREWS, a citizen of Iowa City, born April 3, 1807, in parish of Keith, Scotland; came to America in March, 1841, and settled in Iowa City the same year in April. He was in the mercantile trade for a number of years, and in 1855 opened the Clinton House, that stood on the lot upon which now stands the stately opera house of Iowa City . He run that hotel about seven years and sold the hotel to the banking company, and it then passed into the hands of Clark & Hill in 1866, and they built the opera house. He was married in 1830 to Miss Jannett Skinner, of Scotland . She died in 1855. They had a family of ten children, and those living are Jessie, the wife of H. Kelley; Robert, G. M., George L., Lizzie and John S. He married his secon wife April 3, 1857 , a Miss C. B. Barker, of Fredonia , New York , and by this married they have three children living: Frankie, Isabella R. and Charlie K. He is independent in politics, and an old abolitionists. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and retired from business.

O. ANDREWS, farmer, section 9, Graham township, near Morse station, post-office, Morse; was born in 1826, in the State of New York . Came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled in Newport township (now Graham) in 1854, and has made that same place his home since. He was married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Sheppard, of Pennsylvania . This union is blessed with three children; one child married.

WILLIAM ANDREWS, farmer, Graham township, post-office, Morse; was born in 1849, in Pennsylvania . Came to Johnson county, Iowa , and settled in Graham township in 1860. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Charlotte L. Morse, a daughter of E. K. Morse, an old settler and founder of Morse station in Graham township. This union is blessed with three children; two are dead and one living.

JOHN W. ANDRLE, saddler and harness maker, post-office, North Liberty ; was born Dec. 6, 1856 , in Bohemia , is the son of John and Christina Andrle. He came with his parents to America in August, 1867. They reside in this county. John W. worked on a farm a few years, learned his trade in Cedar Rapids . He then came to North Liberty , January, 1881, and started in business. In the summer of the same year he bought of H. B. White, a half interest in a grocery store; he continued in this business, working at his trade until this last spring, he sold his interest in the store to Mr. White, and bought of Mr. J. F. Price his interest in the North Liberty steam saw and sorghum mill, known as the George & Price Mill, now George & Andrle, doing sawing and making molasses and grinding feed. He still runs his harness and saddle business, has a good trade, often employs two workmen. He is also of the firm of Andrle Bros., inventors and manufacturers of the three horse draft equalizer, which was patented 15th of March, 1881; which is said to be the best. He was married October 18, 1881 , to Miss Katie B. Zak, of Cedar Rapids . John is energetic and we predict for him a brilliant future.