The following biographies were scanned from the remnants of a book that apparently was a copy of "The History of Polk County, Iowa" published by the Union Historical Company, Birdsall, Williams & Co. 1880.  Marion John Rice has a copyright to this transcription file and gives permission for this file to be posted to at the Iowa Biographies Projects. VALLEY TOWNSHIP. CLOSE, W. R.-Farmer and brick-maker, section 28, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Madison, Indiana, September 8, 1816, and was there raised. He learned the trade of brick-making while young, and followed it there until the spring of 1840, when he removed to Fulton county, Illinois. There followed his trade and in September, 1847, he came to Fort Des Moines, and still resides in the county. Does a large business, both in brick-making and farming, and owns a well-improved farm of 150 acres. His dwelling is a large brick structure, well located. Mr. Close has been twice, married. First, in Scott county, Indiana, August 15,1839, to Miss Belinda V. Smith. They had by this union nine children, seven of whom are now living: James N., Mary F., Benj. S., Napoleon B., Sarah P., Hettie M. and Belinda V. Two are deceased: William L. (who died in the army) and Samuel D. His second marriage was to Priscilla Long. They have four children living: Anna E., Erastus, Marinda M. and Oliver R. Lost two: Sherman and Rosaltha. CROSTHWAIT, E. G.-Farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, P. O. Des Moines. Was born December 26, 1819, in Johnson county, Illinois, where he was educated and raised. He engaged in farming and followed it there until April, 1852. when he came to Iowa, locating in Warren county. In the spring of 1853 he went to Indianola and built an extensive flour mill, which he continued to keep and run until 1855; also dealt extensively in stock, and had a half interest in the dry goods house of J. C. Reed, of Des Moines. In 1861 he held the position of aid to the Governor, and also to the close of the war. In 1865 he came to Des Moines, became extensively engaged in the stock business and followed that until September, 1878, when he came to this township. Owns a good farm of 300 acres, well-improved, and it is one of the best sheltered and watered farms in the county. His res- 966 BIOGRAPHICAL. idence is located on the banks of Beaver Creek and is surrounded by a fine orchard and shade trees. Mr. C. has been twice married. First in Fulton county, Illinois, February 4, 1840, to Miss Margaret Craig. They had five children, four of whom are living: Mary A., Nancy M., Thomas M. and William T. One is deceased, Alfred M. His second marriage was March 4, 1862, to Sarah E. Cobb. FINK, W. W.-Author and elocutionist. Was born in Missouri, on the 8th day of November, 1844, and when four years of age carne with his parents to Polk county, Iowa, and was educated at the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, and was graduated in 1870. He then returned to this county and engaged in the coal business and continued in the same until 1877. Having a talent for writing and public speaking, and having attained a reputation in this line, the demand for his services led him to relinquish his business and devote his time to these qualifications for which he is so eminently fitted. He was married February 21, 1871, to Miss E. C. Allen, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, also a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University. Mr. Fink served in company E, twenty-third Iowa during three years of the war. GRAHAM, D. J.-Farmer, section 18, P. O. Des Moines. Was born In Ohio, February 11,1828, where his youth was spent. He attended the common schools, after which he engaged in teaching, and followed the same until 1853, when, on account of his health he was obliged to give up his occupation. Then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1856, when he came to this county, and has since resided here, following farming. August 13, 1862, he enlisted at St. Jo., Missouri, in company D, Thirty-fifth Missouri infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out. Participated in several battles, among which was St. Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863. Mr. Graham has been three times married. First in Richland county, Ohio, September 4,1851, to Miss Rhoda Imes. They had two children, one of whom, James W., is now living, and one deceased, John B. He married for his second wife Elizabeth Lawson, December 2, 1857. They had ten children, six of whom are now living: William E., Mary C., Jacob M., David A., Henry A. and Ben. B. Lost four: George E., Harry N. and two unnamed. His third marriage was April 30, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Hammond. They have two children: Melville J. .and Chas. W. . HICKMAN, G. W.-Farmer, fruit-raiser and brick-maker. Was born in Indiana, December 8, 1826, and was raised on a farm. June 1, 1848, he came to this county and is now the owner of a farm of ninety acres, improved, which he entered from the government. He has an orchard comprising 2,000 trees and bears the reputation of being one of the best fruit raisers in the county. He has an apiary of thirty-four hives and devotes considerable attention to this business. In the spring of 1870 he first started the brick business and is quite extensively engaged in it. His marriage was in Indiana, September 17,1846, to Miss Mary T Booe. They have five children: Philip A., Sarah H., Eva M., Laura S., Edgar T,. and Rosa C. Mr. H. is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the county. KIMBLE, C. F.-Farmer, section 19, P.O. Des Moines. Was born in New York, December 4, 1838, and there received his education, after which he engaged in farming there and followed the same until December, 1853. Then came to Polk county, and since that time has made it his home, being engaged in farming and fruit-raising. He is the owner VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 967 of thirty-eight and a half acres of land, improved. On the 11th of February, 1863, he was united in marriage, to Miss Martha J. Barnes. As a result of this union four children were born to them: Frank R., Glenn B., Clyde and Lillie C. KINGMAN, A. S.-Fruit-grower, section 6, P. O. Des Moines. Was born on the 11th of October, 1827, in Monroe county, and raised in Genesee county, New York. In the spring of 1850 he came to this county and settled on his present place, engaging in the fruit business in a small way, and has continued to build up an extensive business. His fruit and nursery farm is second to none in the county, and is as near complete as any in this section. His homestead consists of ninety-five acres of good land, everything to make home comfortable. He also owns 370 acres in this county. Was married July 25, 1854, to Miss Eliza J. Higbee, born in St. Joe county, Michigan, May 29, 1837. They have thirteen children living Frank D., Charles S., Belle S., Ida M., Virgil, Hattie L., Etta, Albert M., Lottie, Harry W., Tupper, Irving and Gracie. Lost two: Frank D. and Virgil. KINSEY, ED.-Farmer, section 7, P. O. Des Moines: Was born on the 6th of January, 1835, in Wales, and there was raised. When nineteen years of age he emigrated to America, landing in New York, and from there went to Ohio, where he commenced farming, and in May, 1855, came to this county, where he has since resided, following farming. Owns over 145 acres of improved land and his home is nicely located. He was married in this county on the 5th of June, 1856, to Miss Marilda Wolf. By this union they have three children living: Emrna A., Elmer and Fred. Have lost two: John and Frankie. . KINYON, B. N.-Gardener and fruit-grower, section 33, P. O. Des Moines. Was born on the 5th of March, 1821, in New York, and was there raised. He received good educational advantages, having been educated in the Delancey Institute, of which one Mr. McHughes was principal. After leaving school he commenced the study of law, and in October, 1846, removed to Tishomingo county, Mississippi, was there admitted to the bar, and at once commenced to practice. He continued in his profession until 1862, when he came to Des Moines and followed his occupation. Here he remained until 1871, when he gave up the practice of his profession and retired to his place in Valley township. Here he owns a tract of land consisting of twenty acres, of which fifteen acres are devoted to the raising of fruit and vegetables. His marriage was in Alabama, in October, 1853, to Miss Harriet N. Driver. They have had a family of four children, two of whom are living: Benjamin N. and Violet V. Lost two: Ida I. and an infant. LANE, C. C.-Dairyman, section - P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, January 22, 1836, and resided there until he came to this county in the year 1869. He engaged at once in the dairy business and has followed that since. Has increased the number of his cows and now has one of the finest places around. He is the owner of 125 acres in Polk county and eighty acres in Dallas county, and also owns a house and lot on Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, all improved and in good condition. His marriage was to Miss Eveline Mears, a native of the same place as himself, born April 8, 1835. She died November 7, 1879, leaving six children: Emerson L., Nellie L., Delbert O., Arthur C., Edney 968 BIOGRAPHICAL. and Edmund, all at home, except Emerson, who is at present in Colorado. LAWSON, M. H.-Farmer, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Pennsylvania, York county, and lived there until ten years of age. He then removed to Indiana, where his education was completed, after which he learned the trades of carpenter and millwright. These he followed in that State until the spring of 1855, when he came to this county, continuing his occupation until the fall of 1857. Then became engaged in the saw-mill business, and in the spring of 1864 he commenced farming, and has since followed that business, now owning a farm of 200 acres, improved and under cultivation. Mr. Lawson has been twice married. First in Indiana, September 6,1854, to Miss Abigal Finnick, who died October 3, 1872, leaving eleven children: John F., Mary M., Jacob D., William A., Henry E., Marilda E., and Minnie R., living, and three deceased: Sarah A. and two unnamed. Mrs. Lawson was an estimable lady, a devoted wife and a loving mother. She had many friends and was beloved by all who knew her and many mourned her loss. Mr. L. was married the second time September 30,1874, to Miss Christiana Rittgers LAYMAN, E. H.-Farmer, section 28, P. O. Des Moines. This gentleman owes his nativity to Indiana, where he was born December 24, 1844. After being educated there he engaged in the confectionery business, following the same until the spring of 1861. He then raised a company for the Fifty-fifth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry and afterward again recruited a company for the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana infantry. The last company that he recruited was for the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana, and he served until November, 1865, then being mustered out as captain of company C, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, at Nashville. After the war he went to Indianapolis, where he was paid off, and then returned to his place of birth. After this, in the spring of 1866, he came to this county and has since resided here, and, in company with his brother, owns 500 acres of land. He was married in Gosport, Indiana, March 3, 1869, to Miss Maggie Cornelius, daughter of Rev. William H. Cornelius. They have five children living: Albert W., Jennie K., George H., Cornelius and Wonderlich. Lost one, Estes Howe. LAZENBY, JEREMIAH-Farmer, section 8, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ontario county, New York, June 29, 1824, and in the fall of 1856 removed to Branch county, Michigan, where he lived until he came to this county, in the fall 1867. Has resided on this farm since and now owns fifty-six acres of land, all in good cultivation, the largest part of which is in small fruit and orchards. On the 15th of' November, 1849, Miss Frances C. Perrigo, a native of Burlington, Vermont, became his wife. She was born September 1,1830. They have two children: Frederick D. and Charlotte M. McDONNELL, M.-Dairyman, section 31, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Newark, New Jersey, July 27, 1850, and was there raised and educated. After completing his schooling he emigrated with his parents to this county, and has since lived here, being engaged in the dairy business. He has over thirty cows, which average about fifty gallons of milk per day. His marriage was in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of January, 1880, when Miss Elizabeth Knox became his wife. McKEON, P.-Farmer, section 29, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ireland, February 1, 1827, and there was raised. In the spring of 1847 he VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 969 emigrated to the United States, landing in New York, and from there went to Genesee, Monroe county, where he became engaged in farming. This he continued at that place until the spring of 1856, when he came to this county and now owns 223 acres of well-improved land. Has a dairy of eighteen cows and raised a good deal of fruit. He found a wife in the person of Miss Kate Fay, whom he married in Buffalo, on the 10th of May, 1856. By this union they had nine children, of whom seven are now living: Julia, James, Mary J., Celia, Sarah, Anne and John. Two are deceased: George F. and Kate. McPHERSON, A. R.-Farmer, section l, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Ohio on the 6th day of June, 1845, and there lived until he reached his majority. After receiving his education he engaged in following agricultural pursuits and this he continued until the spring of 1875, at which time he came to this county. Since that time he has resided here, following farming. His marriage was in Ohio, March 10, 1875, when Miss Eleanor Hoffman became his wife. They have one child, Willie C., born May 31, 1878. . POLAND, JOSIAH-Farmer, dairyman and fruit grower, section 7, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1833, and in the fall of 1857 came to this State, locating in Jefferson county, where he remained three years. Then moved to Worth county, Missouri, and from there to DeKalb county, same State, residing at the latter place until 1862. He lived in Appanoose county, this State, for three or four years and thence to Monroe county, living there until 1878 when he came to this county, and settled on his present farm. He has a good homestead and beside farming runs a dairy and fruit wagon. On the 6th of December, 1858, Miss Eliza N. Chrisman became his wife. She was born in Clarke county, Indiana, December 31, 1843. They have nine children: Mary E., John W., Katie, Alice May, Lydia, James, Clara, Ida and Mertie. RITCHART, D. F.-Farmer, section 19, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Pennsylvania, August 10, 1834, and at the age of five years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was raised. He moved to Virginia after leaving school and while there learned the tinner's trade, which he followed until 1858. Then came to Des Moines and continued his trade: and in 1860 came to his present location, where he has since resided, owning a fine farm of 180 acres, well improved. His marriage was in this county, October 16, 1863, to Miss Melissa Lane. The result of this union was eight children, seven of whom are now living: Catharine E., Franklin, Charlie, John, Jessie, Ellen and Ettie. One is deceased, Albert. ROGERS, H. Y.-Fruit-grower and nurseryman, section 7, P. O. Des: Moines. Was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 4, 1825, and in the spring of 1850 came to this county, remaining for two years and as half, when he returned to Hillsborough, Ohio. Resided there for four years, then came again to this county, and has since lived here. During the early part of his life he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for twenty-five years, and for ten years has resided on his present place. Owns fourteen acres of land in fruit and vegetables. His fruit trees are in good bearing condition. July 10, 1846, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Smith, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 25, 1824. They 970 BIOGRAPHICAL. are the parents of five children: William H., Margaret J., Celia A., Thomas J. and Editha May. SMITH, E. D.-Proprietor of brick-yard, section 33, P. O. Des Moines. Is a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, being born on the 21st of July, 1847. When two years of age he moved with his parents to Illinois, and there received his education. He engaged in farming and followed the same until the spring, of 1868, when he commenced brick making. In 1875 he removed to Dexter, Iowa, where he continued his trade until in June, 1876. He deals quite extensively in brick and manufactures about 14,000 per day, employing twenty hands. He was married in Illinois, July 14, 1869, to Miss Emaline E. Burroughs. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Ezra D., Cora E. and Annie E., Lost one, Cora A. SM1TH, E. M.-Farmer, section 20, P. O. Des Moines. Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, April 27, 1829, where he was raised. His education was obtained at the Baptist College at Franklin, Johnson county, that State, after which he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed it as an occupation until 1857, when he came to Iowa and settled in Des Moines. Here he continued his trade; and March 2d, 1875, he came to this township, where he still resides, following farming. Owns a farm of 120 acres, improved, and has a good orchard Of 1,000 bearing trees. He deals quite extensively in fruit. On the 10th of September, 1858, Miss Missouri A. Snow became his wife. They were married in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their family consists of six children: Herbert G., Eva, Florilla, Nellie, Hattie and Edith B. WILLIAMS, WM. H.-Brick-maker, section 33, P. O. Des Moines. This gentleman is a native of Michigan, being born the 31st of May, 1850 When three years of age he removed with his parents to this State, locating in Iowa City, and from there moved to Dallas county. After re siding there for a short time he came to Des Moines. After obtaining his schooling he learned the trade of brick making, and since that time has followed it as his occupation. Owns a good farm of twenty-seven acres, well improved, and upon it he has a good coal mine. Mr. Williams is a man of good business qualifications and thoroughly understands his trade. He was married in Des Moines on the 30th of March, 1878, to Belinda V. Close.