|
History of Wapello County,
Iowa G Unless otherwise noted, all biographies were submitted by Dick Barton. Godley , Leonidas M., Clerk of the Courts; born in Mason Co., W. Va., June 13, 1836; in 1850, removed to Polk Tp., Jefferson Co., Iowa; came to Ashland, Wapello Co., in April, 1854; in April, 1858, he moved to Sedalia, Mo., where he remained until September, 1861; he was in the U. S. Army three months in Missouri; in September, 1861, he returned to Ashland, Iowa. Aug. 6, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 22d I. V. I.; was Sergeant of the company; May 22, 1863, lost his left leg in the assault on Vicksburg; was discharged on account of disability Sept. 9, 1863. He then returned to Ashland and continued to reside there until December, 1874, when he came to Ottumwa, having been elected Clerk of the Courts in November of that year; was re-elected to that office in 1876; at the late election in 1878, was not a candidate for re-election, and he retires from the position which he has so faithfully filled with the entire confidence of the people he has represented for two terms. Married Julia A. Walker Aug. 2, 1859; she was born in Estill Co., Ky.; they have had ten children, five living - Terasita, William, Mattie, Charles and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Godley are members of the First M. E. Church of Ottumwa. GRAY, JOHN G., farmer; P. O. Highland Center; born in Montgomery Co., Ky., May 21, 1805; came to Wapello Co. in 1848. Married Rachel Elliott; she was born in North Carolina in 1807; have six children - Sarah J., Priscilla, Martha E., William, Thomas R. and Elliott. Mrs. G. is a member of the Presbyterian Church; Democrat. Owns 240 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. GRAY, THOMAS R., farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Ottumwa; born in Sullivan Co., Ind. , Dec. 6, 1840 ; came to Wapello Co. in 1848. Married Mary J. Knight; she was born in Indiana _______ 29, 1841; have seven children - Joseph G., Nellie C., Sarah J., Rosa A., Daniel L., Henry C., Everin L. Owns 160 acres of land, valued at $30 acre. Greenbacker. |