History of Wapello County, Iowa - 1878

History of Wapello County, Iowa
Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878.

Unless otherwise noted, all biographies were submitted by Dick Barton.

MAJOR, WILL T., Secretary of the Johnston Ruffler Co.; born in Christian Co., Kentucky, April 25, 1833; came with his parents to Bloomington, Ill., in 1835; in March, 1855, he came to Ottumwa; was engaged in mercantile business here until 1870; in 1871, he purchased an interest in the Johnston Ruffler, and has continued in the manufacture of the ruffler ever since.

MAST, ISAAC, retired; born in Berks Co., Penn., May 3, 1809; moved to Champaign Co., Ohio, 1833; to Ottumwa, Iowa, November, 1867. Married Ann Gehman Jan. 1, 1833; have three children - Jacob G., Tabitha A and J. N. Republican. Members of the M. E. Church. He is owner of real estate.

MAST, J. N., attorney; born near Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1834; he came to Ottumwa in 1866; a year later, engaged in the practice of law; was a member of the law firm of Fulton &; Mast from 1869 to 1870. Spring of 1877, was elected Alderman of the Third Ward. Is Secretary of the Ottumwa Water Power Co.; Secretary and Treasurer of the Ottumwa Water Works.

MANNING, CALVIN, attorney at law; born June 7, 1851, at Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., Iowa, where his father, Edwin Manning, now resides; after spending eight years in the preparatory schools of New England, entered Cornell University and graduated; is also a graduate from the law department of the Iowa State University; Mr. Manning was with the law firm of Joy & Wright, of Sioux City, two years and a half; in April, 1875, associated with Judge Morris J. Williams in law business in Ottumwa; this partnership continued for two and one-half years, since which time Mr. Manning has been engaged in the practice of his profession alone. In the spring of 1878, was elected City Attorney, and is now holding that office. Married Julia K. Blake Sept. 18, 1877; she was born in Ottumwa. Is a member of the Congregational Church.

McCRIGHT, J. B., born March 25, 1819, Mercer Co., Pa.; came to Ottumwa in 1866; served as Deputy Marshal one year. Married Nancy Major Aug. 19, 1839; have eight children - Mary, Elizabeth, Buenavista, Squire W., Hattie B., Joseph B., Lomax B. and George G. His business, carpenter and tank-builder.

McCUNE, J. H., physician and surgeon, Kirkville; born in Canton, Ill., June 3, 1846; came to Fairfield, Iowa, when a boy, and from there to Mifflin Co., Penn.; in 1866, studied his profession with Dr. Rothrock McVeyton, and after one course of medical lectures, in Keokuk, commenced practice in Wapello Co. in 1870; after practicing three years, entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, for a second course of lectures, and graduated from that institution in spring of 1874. May 7, 1873, married Anna E. Narver, of Oscaloosa, Iowa, who was born in that city March 3, 1853; have one child - Lillie, born Sept. 1, 1876. Members of the Presbyterian Church. Is actively engaged in the practice of his profession.

McGAHEN, WINFIEL, farmer, Sec. 28; superintends the family estate, consisting of 120 acres and a coal-mine. His mother, Mrs. Mary McGahen was born Sept. 8, 1820, in Pennsylvania; came to Wapello Co. in 1850. Married Wm. McGahen; he was born in Pennsylvania; died Sept. 16, 1876. Has three children - Jerome, Salome (died May 27, 1867 ), Winfiel. Mr. McGahen employs from eight to ten hands.

McGAVIE, S. L., lumber dealer; born in Clermont Co., Ohio; came to Salem, Henry Co., Iowa, in 1855; to Ottumwa in July, 1876.

McMINN, J. T., farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Agency City; born Sept. 1, 1829, in Greene Co., Penn.; in 1857, came to Wapello Co.; owns 185 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Married Miss Elizabeth Garrison May 1, 1851; she was born Nov. 6, 1830, in Greene Co., Penn., died July 30, 1868; have three children - John Orlando, Leonidas F. and Minor L. Second marriage to Miss Mary E. Horn Sept. 22, 1870; she was born Sept. 23, 1840, in Indiana; died Feb. 6, 1872; have one child - Marietta. Third marriage to Miss Margaret E. Denison June 17, 1873; she was born in Scott Co., Ill., Sept. 17, 1835; her parents came to Wapello Co. in the spring of 1843. He has been President and Secretary of the School Board. Republican. M. E. Church.

McNETT, WM., attorney at law; born in Mt. Morris Ogle Co., Ill., March 10, 1845; lived in Ogle and Stephenson Counties, Ill., until June, 1868, when he removed from Freeport, Ill., to Marshalltown, Iowa, April 1, 1869; came to Ottumwa in June, l869; went to Eddyville, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until September, 1871, when he returned to Ottumwa, where he has since resided.

McREYNOLDS, M. M. L.; born in Washington Co., Va., May 9, 1841; came to Wapello Co. in 1849, living with his father, farming and raising stock. Member of A., F. & A. M. Owns 160 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre. Democrat.

McREYNOLDS, SOLOMON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36; P. O. Abingdon; born in Washington Co., Va., May 5, 1805; came to Wapello Co. in 1849; owns 344 acres, beautifully located on the Oskaloosa road, valued at $20 per acre. Married Miss Martha Meadows Oct. 3, 1828; she died May 22, 1838. Married again Nov. 8, 1838, Miss Martha B. Clemand; she died July 8, 1860. Married again Aug. 18, 1862, Eliza Parcell; has five children - William J., Mary A., Callie, M. M. L. and Marsh W. Democrat.

MILLER, DAVID T., attorney at law; born near Newark, Ohio, May 2, 1843; removed with his parents to Union Co., Ohio, in 1852; in the fall of 1856, came to Sigourney, Iowa; resided there until September, 1872; then came to Ottumwa. Mr. Miller has been engaged in the practice of law six years. He enlisted February 11, 1864, in Co. G, 15th Iowa Infantry, mustered out August, 1865. Married Mary Griswold October 2, 1872; she was born in Lock Berlin, N. Y., April 18, 1850.

MILLER, W. W., firm of Plough & Miller, Plough Hotel, and proprietors of livery stable, Eddyville; born Sept. 18, 1833, in Trumbull Co., Ohio; in 1845, came to Mahaska Co.; engaged in farming till 1874, when he removed to Eddyville. Married Miss Amanda J. Kavanaugh in 1860; she was born in 1836 in Ohio; died in 1869; left one son - Daniel E.; second marriage to Miss Mary E. Plough April 26, 1876; she was born September, 1853, in Ithaca, N. Y. In Mahaska Co., Mr. Miller was Township Assessor and Township Trustee His father was born June, 1801, in Washington Co., Penn., and still enjoys good health; lives with his son.

MINGUS, J. D., MD, Sec. 9; P. O. Ashland; born Jan. 3, 1820, in Lincoln, N. C.; in 1847, came to Wapello Co.; in 1872, removed to his present farm; owns 445 acres, valued at $25 per acre. Married Nancy B. Acton in July, 1848; she was born in September, 1825, in Preble Co., Ohio; had nine children; seven living - J. W., Elizabeth A., Amelia J., Harriet P., Mary F., Nancy L., W. F. He commenced the study of medicine in 1841, and practiced from 1846 to 1851; in 1865, commenced reading law; was admitted to practice in 1872. Has been a Notary Public since 1864. Republican; Baptist.

MYERS, G. F., farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Chillicothe; owns 195 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Harrison Co., W. Va., March 29, 1813; went to Fairfield Co., Ohio; ten years after, to Hocking Co., Ohio; lived there twenty years; came to Wapello Co. in 1844; has been Justice and Township Supervisor ten terms; still serving as Justice. Married Miss Hannah R. Butin in 1838; she was from New York State; have two children - Alvira R., born in 1839, and George D., born in 1859; five died in infancy. Democrat.