History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Continental Hist. Co., 1884.
Adair County
Transcribed by Bobbi Pohl
Franklin Darwin Arnold was born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego county, New York, on July 15, 1839. He was the second son of John F. Arnold, a farmer by occupation, but a gentleman widely known and universally esteemed in central New York, and who spent the last eight years of his life in Adair, where he died, May 19, 1883. In 1855, when the subject of our sketch was thirteen years of age the family moved to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, which was then occupied about equally by Indians and whites, where his father bought land and pursued his former avocation in the small though somewhat famous Lewis Valley, first settled by a noted family of brothers of that name, who were Mormons, but left the tribe when they were driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, and settled in this beautiful valley; here Mr. Arnold lived until seventeen years of age, when, longing for a fortune carved by himself, in 1857 he left the paternal roof with his parents' blessing and traveled westward into the then wilds of Minnesota and settled in Freeborn county a few months after the buffaloes had ceased to pasture on Freeborn county grass. Here he secured a beautiful tract of land, which in the next three years, by his unaided effors, he converted into a finely improved farm, working his farm in the summer, and returning to his father's home in Wisconsin to attend school winters until twenty years of age, when, May 3, 1860, he married Miss Laura A. Ashley, of Columbia county, Wisconsin, and selling his Minnesota farm, took up his abode in La Crosse county, where for ten years he resided, and not only gained the reputation of being a model farmer, and for several years was an officer of the county agricultural society, for which organization he rendered efficient aid and gained for himself much popularity in his county, but he also was quite a prominent local politician, but never an office-seeker, having been tendered the nomination of state senator and representative by his party; also county offices on several occasions which he invariably declined with thanks, always claiming that his party could offer him no office that he would accept, desiring the right and privilege of working for his friends and the best man untrammeled, which political independence he still maintains. In 1868 and 1869 Mr. Arrnold met with reverses in fortune in Merino sheep and hop-growing, unluckily investing in these enterprises when they commanded a high price and had the misfortune to see ruinously low prices when he had some to sell. In 1870, with little money, and poor health, but owing no man a dollar, he went West to see the country, and in February, 1871, in company with Winfield Denton of Iowa City, he bought a lumber-yard in Anita, Cass county, Iowa, where for three years he was in the lumber and grain trade, and the early settlers of that enterprising town will give Mr. Arnold no little credit for the life and business it enjoyed during his brief residence there. In August, 1873, he sold his interest in Anita and engaged with Captain Charles Stuart to run a similar business at Summit Cut, now Adair, where the railway company were about to locate a station. He was not only Mr. Stuart's manager at this station but was appointed agent for the railway, express and town companies, which positions he has held for eleven years and continues to hold, which speaks volumes for Mr. Arnold's integrity and business qualifications. He was not only the first citizen of Adair, but has contributed more than any other to its growth and prosperity and has become the possessor of much real estate in the vicinity, having more than one thousand acres of improved land, and has erected numerous buildings in the town, not only advocating the belief that Adair has a grand future but showing his sincerity by erecting buildings. Mr. Arnold has alway been an earnest advocate of schoools; has taught several terms, and in each of the three places where he has had a home since his majority he has been chiefly intrumental in erecting a large and commodious school-house, the last being the beautiful school-house in Adair, which owes its existence almost wholly to his efforts. He has, since a youth, been an unflinching enemy to intemperance and has freely spent time and money in driving out saloons and suppressing the traffic in rum. He was prominent worker among the Good Templars of Wisconsin when he left that state, and has never ceased his efforts in behalf of the cause. He has two children--Ella M., born in Wisconsin in 1863. She was among the first students of Callanan college and one of the first graduates, and is a most exemplary young lady of whom Mr. Arnold is justly proud. Charles S. was the first child born in Adair, which was in August, 1875, and is a bright little boy. In his domestic relations Mr. Arnold has been as much blessed as he has been financially prosperous, and wherever he has lived has not wanted for friends or popularity.
Josiah Arnold, one of Adair county's most prominent citizens, is a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was born June 24, 1820, his parents being Henry and Lydia (Gaskill) Arnold. Henry Arnold is a native of Pennsylvania, being born in a fort, as the indians were troublesome at that time. He died in 1831, in Pennsylvania, and his wife died in Ohio, 1848, she being a native of New Jersey. Josiah has no relations closer than a cousin, with the exception of one sister who lives in Pennsylvania at the advanced age of ninety years. He went to Athens county, Ohio, in 1839, and remained eighteen years, engaged in agricultural pursuits, then, in 1857, came to Winterset, Iowa. In 1871 he came to Lee township, Adair county, and settled on section 33, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of improved land. He was united in marriage in Athens county, Ohio, August 28, 1845, to Miss Almira Day, the Rev. Thomas Welsh officiating. They have seven children living--Helen E., Amelia J., Henry A., Charles S., Mary O., Katie L. and Hattie A. They have lost one child, Amanda. During his residence in Winterset he had one of the best boot and shoe stores there at that time. He was chairman of the first board of supervisors of Madison county, and has also been chairman of the Adair county board of supervisors. Since his residing in Iowa he has been overseer of the poor for about sixteen years. In 1878, at the senatorial convention in Stuart, there was a contest between Cass, Adair and Madison counties, and after a number of ballots had been cast Adair and part of the Madison county delegates united on Mr. Arnold, giving him fourteen votes, sixteen being necessary to a choice. He could have been nominated on the next ballot but declined. Lafe Young, of Atlantic, was finally nominated.
Isaac Bailey, one of the enterprising farmers of Jackson township, was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 8, 1837, being the son of Thomas Bailey, a cooper by trade, his people being natives of Virginia and of Scottish descent, on his mother's side. When quite young his parents removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, and her Isaac was raised, spending much of his time at the cooper's trade with his father. He came to Adair county, in the fall of 1873, and bought his present farm, consisting of one hundrd and forty-five acres in sections 11 and 12. He removed onto the farm in September, 1874, and has since paid his attention to its cultivation. Forty acres of the land is in a high state of cultivation, the remainder being in pasture, with the exception of the portion that is covered with a young growth of timber. He makes stock raising a specialty. He was married in Montgomery county, Indiana, to Miss Thompson, by whom he had two children. She died September 4, 1867. He was again married in August, 1870, to Miss Elzena Timbleson, by whom he has had five children. Mr. Bailey's farm has a good running stream on it, and a good bearing orchard with grapes and small fruit.
John H. Bailey came to Greenfield, in this county, about the year 1866 or 7, and entered upon the practice of law. On the first of January, 1870, he assumed the office of auditor, and fulfilled the duties of that position for four years. On the expiration of his second term, he resumed his law practice at Fontanelle, where he remained until 1878, when he returned to Greenfield. In this latter place he staid until 1880, when he removed to Lyons, Rice county, Kansas, where he engaged in the duties of his profession, and is county attorney. His early life was spent in Blackford county, Indiana, where he received his education, and where he studied law. He was a splendid criminal lawyer, and made this branch of the profession quite a specialty, and a success, and was, at times, a man of considerable wealth. He was married to Miss Mary A. Craw, by whom he has four children living--Julien F., now in this county; Lewis O., living in Missouri; Lily, in Colorado, and Adam in Kansas. His first wife died in Morgan county, Indiana, and his present wife was Miss Mattie V. McGuire.
J. T. Bailey is a native of Grant county, Wisconsin, born January 22, 1856. He is the son of John H. Bailey, once prominently identified with this county, but now a resident of Lyons, Kansas. When quite young, J. T. was taken to Blackford county, Indiana, where he remained seven or eight years, and from there his parents removed to Morgan county, where Julian was educated in the schools of Martinsville. In 1872 he came to Adair county, his father having preceded him, and on his arrival here, went to school for two years. He then entered the office of his father, but later engaged in the selling of agricultural machinery. He was appointed deputy sheriff under C. B. Hunt, and held that position two years and a half, at the expiration of which he entered into his present real-estate business. On the 31st of January, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Belle E. Fox, a daughter of John Fox, of Council Bluffs, and a sister of his business partner. They have one child, Nellie J. Mr. Bailey is a democrat in politics and a prominent member of the Odd Fellows.
The land office of Bailey & Fox was initiated in 1879 by J. T. Bailey, one of the present firm. This was in the spring of the year, and in November following he admitted R. H. Fox to a partnership, and they have continued in the business ever since. They deal in real-estate, which they either buy or sell, pay taxes for non-resident land owners, furnish abstracts of titles, and make the collection of claims, and the soliciting of farm and city insurance a specialty. They have been very successful in their business endeavors, and command the respect of all with whom they come in contact. They have a large land interest, both in town and country, and have unusual facilities in making loans to farmers in this section, being the agents of some large eastern companies and capitalists.
James D. Baker, a son of Jacob and Ann (Doris) Baker, was born November 26, 1834, in Ohio. He was married in Ohio, January 7, 1858, to Miss Margaret Hoskins, a daughter of Seth and Catharine Hoskins. They have nine children--Zura, Alvin, Allen, Warren, Ross, Laura, James, Myrtle M. and Drusilla. He removed to Piatt county, Illinois, November 12, 1864, and to Washington county, Iowa, December 10, 1880. In March, 1883, he came to Walnut township and settled on section 23. He owns two acres of timber in Guthrie county, and has one hundred and forty acres of land under cultivation in Adair county. He has a neat frame residence and has started a nice maple grove. Mr. Baker follows farming and stock-raising, and has some good graded Herefords, and some Poland-China hogs.
J. A. Beebe - The first blacksmith shop in the village was run by J. A. Beebe, who came to Adair in June, 1874, and opened in a building which he built at the foot of Main street. He continued in that place until 1880, when he removed to Michigan, where he now resides. He was a native of Upper Canada, and came to the United States in 1868. He went to Atlantic in 1869, to Kansas in 1870, and to this place as above. He was a splendid workman, having been an edge tool workmaker by trade, but able to do all kinds of work. He was succeeded on his leaving here by his son, Joseph E. Beebe, who runs a shop on Audubon street. J. E. Beebe is a native of Upper Canada, and was born July 13, 1855. He was married on January 23, 1877, to Miss Mary J. Stolts, a daughter of J. O. Stoltz, and a native of Missouri. Their union has been blessed with four children--James A., Harry A. and Herbert A. (twins) and William Ellis, born July 31, 1884. Mr. Beebe is a member of the United Workmen and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is the owner of a good farm of considerable size, and does a flourishing business in his shop, which is chiefly owing to his good management and honesty to all. John Cears, one of the representative old settlers of this county, came here in the year 1854, and taking up a claim upon section 3, in Jackson township, has lived there ever since. John Cears, one of the prominent men of Jackson township, was born in Switzerland on the 18th of October, 1820, and in 1823 the family moved to America, locating in Alleghany, where he remained until 1832, when his father died, and his mother and children went to Monroe county, Ohio, and there remained until 1850, when he came to Platt county, Missouri, and one year later he came to Des Moines county, Iowa, and there remained until 1853. He then came to Dallas county, Iowa, and in several months he came to his present location, and his house was stage station for some time. He now has a farm of four hundred and forty acres, and three hundred and twenty acres in Eureka township, and his farm is known as one of the best farms in the township. He was married in January, 1844, to Miss Phoebe Tucker. They have two children living--Frederick H. and Anna. He was married to his present wife, Miss P. J. Perry, in March, 1858, by whom he has had eight children--William P., Joseph H., Martha C., George B., Jennie I., Frank E., Thomas J., and Albert W. Mrs. Cear's mother was a native of Vermont, died in 1861, and her father a native of New York, died in 1871.
William Clayton, a son of Austin and Nancy Clayton, was born on the eighth day of March, 1822, in Edmundson county, Kentucky. His early life was spent on a farm there until 1841, when the family removed to Illinois, which place they made their home till 1872. Coming to this county at that time they settled on sections 4 and 5, and own 182 acres of good land under a state of cultivation, well fenced, and a fine grove of natural trees, which affords an excellent shelter in winter and shade in summer for his hogs, etc. Cattle has occupied the mind of Mr. Clayton for a number of years, and he has been successful as a stock raiser. Thoroughly understanding the business, it affords him a pleasure, and a rich remuneration for his trouble. Like other men of some considerable enterprise, and willing to serve the township, he has held the offices of constable, school director, etc. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., of the order of Masonry. Was first made a Mason at Monmouth Lodge No. 37, in 1852, and has held all the offices in three different lodges, except tyler, and has taken an active part in establishing new lodges. His marriage occurred in Illinois, September 20, 1843, to Elizabeth Ray, daughter of Hickison and Sarah (Kelley) Ray, of English extraction. They have six children--Sarah C., Josephus, Martha, Mary, Charles C. and Etta. William F. Edgerly, born on the 16th of September, 1842, is a native of Exeter, Maine, and is the son of William and Hannah (Leighton) Edgerly. He was united in marriage on the 25th of July, 1863, to Miss Artemisa Billings, daughter of Dr. John Billings. Their union has been blessed with two children--Clara and Alice. In 1866 William moved to La Salle county, Illinois, and there remained until 1875, when he came to his present location in Adair county, Iowa. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of good improved land, on section 14, Jefferson township, and is a general farmer and stock raser. He has held the township office of trustee and assessor, and has held the office of secretary of school board for four years, and is now in that office. F. Furst purchased the business of D. L. Willson in 1879 and commenced the sale of general merchandise. He is today one of the prominent tradesmen of Adair, and does a business of about $30,000 per annum. F. Furst, a son of Jacob and Anna B. (Myers) Furst was born in July, 1842. They emigrated to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1852 and settled on a farm, where he remained until 1860 when he commenced the mercantile business in Scott county, and so continued two years when he went to Memphis, Tennessee, and was there engaged in a wholesale hardware store, but soon returned to Scott county where he was employed in general merchandise. He sold out and was engaged in the grain business in Durant and remaining there some time he moved to Nascotin, and thence to Adair some years after. He was married in Scott county, Iowa, in December, 1869, to Miss Susan A. Budlong, a daughter of Budlong. They have three children--Milton C., Ray F. and Daisy. Mr. Furst owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Guthrie county and one hundred and sixty acres of land in Nebraska. He is a prominent and substantial citizen in Adair and is highly esteemed by his many friends.
Christian Gerkin - The next [2nd] to locate in this township [Union] was Christian Gerkin, a native of Germany, who was born in that country in 1816. Before he left the fatherland he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Hilman. This was in 1847. In 1853 they came to America, by way of New Orleans, and from thence by boat to Burlington, and at once came to Adair county, settling on section 2, in the last of July, where he made him a farm, on which he now resides. He has a family of four children--Maggie, John, Herman and Frederick.
James C. Gibbs was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 3d of December, 1821, and is the son of Ozias and Sallie (Winter) Gibbs, both of whom where natives of Litchfield, Connecticut. J. C. was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, and was engaged in farming until 1855. In March of that year he came West, and leaving his family in Peoria, Illinois, came into Iowa looking for a home. In June of that year he arrived in Adair county, and as they were just laying out the county seat, he determined to cast in his fortunes in that place, then called Sommerset, now known as Fontanelle. He purchased a lot and put up a cabin, and in August, 1855, brought on his family, and was the first settler in the township. He lived in this town for many years, being engaged in the various businesses of hotel keeping, newspaper, mercantile and real-estate transactions. In 1856 he was made postmaster of the village of Fontanelle, on the establishment of the office, and held the position for two years. In the spring of the same year he was elected to he office of school fund commissioner and held that office two years. Mr. Gibbs has been identified with the county government in various capacities, first serving one year as deputy clerk of the courts under W. B. Hall. He was then appointed county judge to fill a vacancy, but resigned, after serving one year. In 1867 he was elected county treasurer, and occupied that position four years. He was married September 9, 1846, to Miss Phoebe L. Filer, a native of New York, and they have five children living, viz.--Josephine B., Alanson O., Gertrude I., Lillian A., and Charles A.
Mr. Gibbs is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, of the Masonic order, and in the ancient Scottish rite has attained the 32d degree.
In 1862 he raised a company for service in the war, in Adams county, which was afterward known as Company D, 29th Iowa infantry, of which he was comissioned captain, but after being in camp about six months he was compelled to resign on account of sickness. Myron W. Haver, superintendent of Adair county schools, was born in Livingston county, New York, November 28, 1844, and there spent his early days. From 1861 to 1863 he attended the Nunda academy of his native county, but stopped his schooling to enter into the services of his country. In November, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, 1st New York dragoons, and served with them until July, 1865, in the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed the acquirement of an education at Nunda academy, graduating from there in 1867, and following this by teaching there until 1869. He then came to this county and taught school in Lincoln township and other parts of the county until 1875, when he was elected county superintendent of schools. After serving two terms (or four years) he resumed taching; but in the fall of 1883 he was again elected county superintendent, and is now filling that term. In 1881 and 1882 he was principal of the Greenfield schools. He was married June 5, 1873, to Miss Clara A. Arnold, also a native of New York, They have four children--George W., Fred N., Hattie and Clara M. Mr. Haver is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R.
J. G. Hendry, one of the worthy citizens of Washington township [Adair county], is a native of Andover, Essex county, Massachusetts, and was born February 3, 1842. He is the son of Janes and Catherine (Gregg) Hendry, both natives of Scotland, the latter coming to this country in 1828. When the subject of this sketch was but seven years of age his parents removed to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where our subject was reared, spending most of his time on the farm, with the exception of that spent in the acquirement of an education. He received the advantages obtainable in the common schools, and then attended the Fond du Lac city high school. In the spring of 1869 he came to Adair county and located on the farm, where he now resides, in Washington township. Here he has five hundred and twenty acres of choice land, divided between prairie and timber, and suited to all the purposes of a farm and country residence. He pays attention to stock raising, and has an apiary of some thirty stand of bees. Hr. Hendry was married December 18, 1869, to Mary Emma Clark, of Frederick county, Wisconsin, daughter of Daniel and Harriett M. (Jones) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Hendry have seven children--Grace, Katie, Hattie, Hayes (born the day Hayes was elected), Freddy, Charles, and Jessie. Their son James died when eight years of age. Mr. Hendry is now serving this fifth term as justice of the peace. He is also township trustee. He is a member of the Masonic order. A. G. Hoadley was one of the first settlers of the township [Grove]. He was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, July 26, 1836, and was the son of Enoch and Samantha (Flag) Hoadley. When eighteen years of age, he went to Ogle county, Illinois, where he remained until 1860, when he came to Madison county, Iowa, and in 1865 purchased his present farm, which was then prairie, where he has since lived. The arm consists of two hundred and ninety acres. He was married January 14, 1858, to Patience G. Ten Broeke, a native of New Jersey. They have ten children living--Willard C., Harry T., Albert N., Jennie E., Jessie M., Nelson V., Verne B., Frank, Arthur B., Eddie C. There is an orchard on the place of about two acres.
Peter Hoffman - The next [second] to seek a home in Prussia [township] was that of
Peter Hoffman, who located upon section 10, in 1868. Peter Hoffman, a son of George
and Margaret (King) Hoffman, is a native of Germany, and was born on the 23rd day of June,
1845, and in 1854 came with his parents to America, settling in Illinois, where his father
died in 1863, and his mother in 1866. Peter then came to Adair county, Iowa, in 1868, and
located on section 10, but in 1878 he sold his farm, and built a dwelling of considerable
size on section 14. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser, and has a nicely located
farm, having a view of Greenfield and its surrounding country. He was married in Illinois
to Miss Margaretta Bittner, by whom he has had nine children--Emil, Barbara, Caroline,
John, Emelia, Sophia, Henry, Gustave and Rosa. Mr. Hoffman has held the position of road
supervisor for one year, and township trustee and assessor. He is a member of the I. O. O.
F., and of the Lutheran church.
J. N. Bittner located a claim in the fall of 1868, on section 2,
coming from Lee county, Illinois. He still resides in the township.
Thomas Johnson - Early in the spring of 1849, Thomas Johnson, a native of Indiana, came from Page county, Iowa, whither he had gone in 1841, and seeing the fairness of the land, made a settlement on section 4, in what is known as Washington township, on the David Coffeen farm of the present. Here he built his cabin, the first permanent habitation erected upon the soil of Adair county, and broke up a small patch of ground and raised thereon a small crop of grain and vegetables for the support of his family. In 1850 he, growing tired of going long distances to mill, erected a primitive grist-mill upon his farm and in 1854 he built a saw-mill upon the same stream. In 1853 a mail route was established through Washington township, on the road from Afton to Lewis, and the house of Thomas Johnson was made a postoffice, with that gentleman as custodian of the mails, and was thus the first postmaster in the county. After living here for about twelve years, in 1861 Mr. Johnson emigrated to Oregon, where he now resides. The first school in this county was taught in Mr Johnson's house in the winter of 1851 and 1852, by Miss Dianthe Richardson, of which further on.
Lemuel Lewis came to this township in 1863, and located on section 5
[Jackson township], where he still lives, being the present postmaster of Jackson
post-office. He is a native of Tompkins county, New York, born June 8, 1814. He was
married on the 27th of July, 1836, to Miss Amanda M. Hungerford, by whom he has had two
children--Alvira and Truman L.
George R.
Peet - One of the substantial
men of Richland township is George R. Peet. He is a native of Maine,
and was born October 31, 1848. His parents were Rev. J. W. and Caroline
(Rich) Peet, both natives of Vermont. George was the fourth of a family
of five children, consisting of three daughters and two sons. When a
babe his parents removed to Fall River, Massachusetts. Here he resided
some ten years, then removing to Hopkinton, Massachusetts, where he
remained three years. He then removed to East Hampton, and from there,
went West, locating in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1864. After remaining one
year at Oshkosh, he came to Iowa, to make that state his future home,
locating first in Des Moines county, where he remained one year. He
spent the remainder of his time in the eastern part of the state till
1868, when he settled permanently at his present location. Mr. Peet
received his education in the schools of East Hampton, Massachusetts.
He was married November 29, 1877, to Miss Mary O. Gillette, daughter
of E. Gillette, of Adams county. They have three children--Ruth C.,
Sarah Louisa and Edward Wheelock. Mr. Peet has a splendidly improved
farm of eight hundred and eighty acres, with a fine bearing orchard,
and small fruits. His house and out-buildings are creditable to his
township. He also has ninety head of shorthorn cattle, and some fine
Jersey and Poland-China hogs. He has also been engaged in grain and
lumber business.
Josiah W. Peet, now of Richland township, was the next to fill this important office [county superintendent of schools], having been elected to the same in the fall of 1869 [sic], and filled it for two years. Rev. Josiah W. Peet, a man who has in his lifetime held many positions of trust and responsibility, beside taking a great interest in educational and religious matters, is now a resident of Richland township. He was born in Benson, Vermont, September 11, 1808, and it may not be out of place to state here that he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday at the place of his birth, he being there to give an address at the centennial celebration of the first settlement of the town in 1783. His parents were Wheelock and Elsie (Hickock) Peet. Josiah was the fourth of a family of six children, consisting of three boys and three girls. Three of the family are still living. He remained in his native county til 1832, when he went to Middlebury, Vermont, to attend college, graduating in 1836. He then attended the theological seminary, Andover, Massachusetts, and graduated from there in 1840. He was ordained for the ministry in 1841, at Gardiner, Maine, where he resided ten years. He then went to Fall River, Massachusetts, where he established Mount Hope seminary. He was principal of the school some ten years. He then resided in East Hampton two years, then going west. He was principal of Oshkosh high school two years, and was in charge of Yellow Spring college, (now Parson college), Des Moines county, Iowa, three years. From there he went to Fontanelle to preach the gospel. He holds a high place among Congregational preachers, and has done some good work in the sect. He labored for several years throughout the county and assisted in organizing several churches in the region. He was married 17th November, 1840, to Miss Louisa C. Rich, at Lincoln, Massachusetts. They have five children--Sarah Louisa, Elizabeth H., Caroline T., George R. and William W. He has held the position of county superintendent of schools, entering upon the discharge of his duties in 1878 [sic], and serving four years. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. His youngest son, William W., is treasurer of the American Board of Missions for Turkey and resides at Constantinople, Turkey.
Andrew J. Thompson - The Middle river grist-mill, located on section 7 [Jefferson township], was built in the winter of 1874, by Isaiah Hollingsworth at an expenditure of over $4000 including the machinery. The main building is 20x28 feet of ground area, with an addition of ten feet more. The machinery is good and consists of two buhrs, and the mill has an average capacity of reducing five bushels of wheat per hour. In September, 1876, Andrew J. Thompson bought out Mr. Hollingsworth and is the present proprietor.
Andrew J. Thompson, the present proprietor of the Middle river mill, was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, March 4, 1835, his parents being James and Ollie (Mann) Thompson. With his parents he went to Marion county, Indiana, in 1852, and came to Walnut township, Adair county, in the spring of 1855, where his parents both died, his mother dying in March, 1862, and his father in May 1876. Andrew was married March 22, 1857, to Miss Hannah McHatton, a daughter of John HcHatton, of Guthrie county. They have nine children--Melissa, Kate, Leander, John F., Sarah, Cornelia, Delilah, Pinckney and Maudie. In the fall of 1836 he bought the mill and came to his present location. He formerly followed farming, and was school director several times while a resident of Walnut township.
James Thompson, a pioneer of this [Walnut] township, came in the year of 1855. James Thompson is a native of Chatham county, North Carolina, having been born on January 12, 1812. He came to Walnut township, Adair county, in March, 1855, and was one of the first settlers of that township. he was united in marriage in May, 1876, to Polly Mann, who departed from her home and cares in 1862, leaving her husband and seven children in sorrow and loneliness. The children are--Spicey Smith, Samuel, John, Sallie, Andre, Cornelia and Margaret.
William F. Utts, born on the 5th of April, 1840, is a native of Lewis county, New York. He is the son of John J. and Catharine (Myers) Utts, an old family of New York. William came to Wayne county, Ohio, in September, 1858, and in 1862 he came to Scott county, Iowa, where, after some years a resident of that county, he came to Guthrie county and purchased a farm in Penn township. After a short stay there he came to Fonatanelle, in 1876. He then came to his present location on section 23, Walnut township, where he now owns a large farm and follows general farming and stock-raising, having some fine Norman and Clydesdale horses, Polland-China hogs and some fine cattle. He has a large number of Hereford and shorthorn cattle. He has a large and well-improved farm, and is in a good locality for a a farming country. Mr. Utts was married in Scott county, Iowa, in July, 1870, to Miss Alice D., a daughter of John and Scotte (Kelso) Porter. They have eight children--Thomas, Charley, William, Franklin, Katy, Emma, Linda and Jimmie. He is township trustee. Dr. A. W. Vaughn, a native of Rock Island, Illinois, was born on the 15th of February, 1850. He was reared and educated in Putnam county, Iowa, and in 1873 he went to Mount Pleasant, and began studying medicine, under Dr. L. A. Simmons. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Bloomfield, and commenced his practice, and in 1881 came to Adair, where he has since lived, and has the best practice in that part of the county. He was married in 1872 in Peru, Illinois, to Miss Margaret Sassenberger. They have five children--Hattie B., Eliza, Mabel, Lizzie and Lillie. George T. Whisler was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 21, 1830. His father, Jacob, was a farmer in Stark county, and it was here George was reared. He left Stark county at the age of twenty-two. He then went to Cedar county, Iowa. He received the principal part of his education in different academies in Ohio, and after removing to Cedar county was a surveyor there, having been elected to that position, holding the office two years. He commenced attending the university at Chicago, making a specialty of the law department. Graduating there in winter of 1861-2, he commenced the practice of law in Louisa county, Iowa, staying there about eight years, and in 1871, in the spring, removed to Guthrie county and practiced law there until 1875, having a good practice; from there to Marion county, practicing in a place called Bussey until 1879, when he removed to Fontanelle and engaged in the hotel business, which occupation he now enjoys. His marriage occurred in 1857, January 1, to Miss Sarah a Bwynell, of Royalton, Vermont, a daughter of Hiram Bwynell. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living--Harlan D., Clarence C., Warren A. Emma, their second child, died when young.
Mr. Whisler is a very honorable man ahd has the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
THE BRADFIELD HOUSE
This building [in Fontanelle] was erected in March, 1879, by A. N. Bradfield, who ran it as a hotel with considerable success until October, 1880, when G. F. [sic] Whisler purchased the building and became the landlord. After a time he traded off the property and the house was run by H. B. Young for about six months, also by Jesse Skillinger about the same length of time, when it again came into the possession of G. F. [sic] Whisler, the present proprietor. He, with assistance of his wife and sons have succeeded in working up a good trade and they bid fair to occupy a prominent part in the future hotel business of the town. The building is comparatively new and modern, and quite convenient.
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