Adair County >> 1884 Index

History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Continental Hist. Co., 1884.

Lincoln Township

Transcribed by Bobbi Pohl

Lorenzo D. Aultman, farmer and stockraiser on section 3 [Lincoln township], was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 3d of January, 1858, his father being Joshua Aultman. With his parents he moved to Douglas county, Illinois, when he was five years of age, and remained there three years; then going to Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived for five years, then coming to Adair county, Lincoln township, and settling on the farm where he now resides. In 1880 he went to Colorado, prospecting, but returned to Adair, and a short time afterward went to Manning, Carroll county, where he ran a meat market under the firm name of L. D. Aultman & Co., for some two years. He then returned to Adair county, and is on the farm of his brother, J. Aultman. By his own exertions while on the farm Lorenzo obtained a fair education. He was married December 24, 1883, to Miss Nancy H. Rourk, daughter of J. Rourk, of Pella, Iowa. The farm contains two hundred and forty acres of fine land, and he is engaged in raising shorthorns, and at present has fifteen head of pure bloods. He also makes a business of selling fine stock for breeding purposes.

Joseph Barnett, now deceased, came to Adair county in 1868, and bought the south half of section 23 [Lincoln township], where his widow and a portion of the family reside at present.  He improved this farm and set out a beautiful grove and excellent orchard.  He was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born September 15, 1820, and died on his farm in Lincoln township March 5, 1881.  His parents were Thomas and Jane (Parks) Barnett.  He was a blacksmith by trade, and made it a business from quite early in life, till the time of his demise.  While in Pittsburgh working at his trade he met Miss Sarah Price, and they were married in 1845.  She was a native of Ireland, but was raised at Pittsburgh.  At the time of the gold excitement in 1852, he went to California and was gone about three years.  Returning he lived again at Pittsburgh until 1861, when the family removed to Moline, Illinois, where he worked at his trade until the removal to Fulton, Muscatine county, where they remained til his removal to Adair county.  Mr. Barnett, from the time he was twenty-one years old, was troubled with a cough, which prevented his working as hard  as his ambition dictated.  He was an honorable, upright and honest citizen, and gained hosts of friends.  His remains were interred at Stuart, leaving a family of five children, four sons and one daughter--Joseph W., living in Summit township; Jay L., Scott P., William H.S., married and living near, and Minnie, now the wife of Seth Mount.

Joel W. Belden is a native of Greenfield, state of New York, born January 22, 1821, in Saratoga county; he was reared on a farm. When but four years of age the family removed to Genesee county, where he live till his eighteenth year. The next place he removed to was Knox county, Illinois, and engaged in farming at Galesburg, until the spring of 1876, at which time he removed to Adair county. He owns the southwest quarter of section 13 [Lincoln township]. His parents were Aaron and Sarah (Wood) Belden. Augusta (Glyde) Belden was a native of Summersetshire, England, and a daughter of Benjamin Glyde and Mary (Belyn) Glyde. They came to America in 1839, locating at Pittsburgh, removing to Kenwanee, Henry county, Illinois. Mr. Belden was married September 10, 1851, to Miss (Augusta Glyde), and six children have blessed the union --Laura, wife of John Cook, of Summit township; Ann, wife of Joseph W. Barnett, also living in Summit; Marcus M. carrying on the farm; Mary, Charlotte, and LeRoy; Marcus and Laura have taught. This location, where Mr. Belden lives, is fine. He has a nice yard set out to different kinds of trees and shrubs, and the house setting back a little way from the road; a beautiful grove of trees surrounds the house, and his farm is under a good state of cultivation, with running water and good pasturage.

Samuel G. Chamberlin lives on the northwest quarter section 28, he came to Lincoln township in June, 1874, buying a rich piece of land, which was not improved to any extent. Mr. Chamberlin has put up a nice farm-house, and good barn; he has also set out a good orchard and nice grove, and the tidy appearance indicates a thorough knowledge of the way a home should be made beautiful. He has been engaged principally in grain raising since coming here, but is now making an effort to raise more stock. Has some fine Herefords and intends to make this a specialty in the future. The subject of this sketch was born in Orleans county, Vermont, February 25, 1823, on a farm. His father was Joseph Chamberlin, born in Petersham, Massachusetts. His ancestors were English. He died in Orleans county, Vermont, in 1854. He was a diligent student of the bible, and a strong politician, first a democrat and later an abolitionist. His wife was Miss Nancy Cushing, of Windham, Vermont, born in the village of Putney, and was of Scotch origin. She also died in Orleans county. Samuel had learned the carpenter's trade, and at twenty years of age, went to Canada East, where he followed this occupation eight years. He was married in Canada, in September 1848, to Miss Teresa H. Tabor, of Bedford, Canada East, and born in Trailsburg. He next moved to Addison county, Vermont, and engaged with his brother one year in the manufacturing of plows. Resuming his trade, continued there four years. His next place of residence was Morrow county Ohio, where he followed carriage-making one year, and in 1857 removed to Cedar county, Iowa, at which place he purchased and improved a small farm. Mr. Chamberlin followed farming a number of years and again resumed his old occupation until he removd to Adair county. There were ten children born, eight of whom are now living--Harrison S., in Nebraska; Adelbert D., in Wyuoming; Alma M. wife of D. S. Hale; Joseph H., Fred I.-, Octavius, Elsie and Zula. Is now servig the Independent district, North River, as treasurer.  

Henry Cook, so well known in the county and other portions of the state, on account of his political work and strong adherence to the great republican party, made his advent into this world March 22, 1813.  He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in the village of Cookstown, his father, Abner Cook, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was a chair maker and wheelwright by trade.  His ancestors were all Quakers, and were descendants from William Penn's colony.  The wife of Abner Cook was Margaret Alters, a native of Berlin, Summerset county, Pennsylvania.  In 1826 the family removed to Indiana county, the same state, and after a few years' stay, to Armstrong county, and then again to Indiana county.  Here Henry engaged in a store where he clerked some time.  Then commenced working in a warehouse; after this he opened out a store and bakery, which he operated some four or five years, closing out this business he again engaged in a warehouse.  In 1850 he took the census of Cambria county, and in 1851 went to California, and remained till 1858.  He was financially successful and cleared, on an average, fifty dollars per month.  Returning home, he concluded to remove west, doing so, he located in Muscatine county, and lived on a farm there about ten years, making about $5000.  In 1868 he came to Adair and bought two hundred and sixty acres; his removal, however, dates from April, 1869.  He now owns five hundred acres of land in the county, one hundred and sixty acres in Walnut township.  The improvements have all been made by himself and family.  There were twenty acres broken and a small house erected on the south line of the farm.  He now has a fine farm-house, situated on a rise of ground; this location is fine, the water running in every direction from the house, affording dry and pleasant location.  A grove of some four acres, including a good orchard, surrounds the place.  Stock attracts Mr. Cook's attention almost exclusively; like the other good farmers, he finds the raising of grain very discouraging, and has been for some time almost exclusively giving his attention to the raising of good cattle and hogs.

His wife was Miss Catherine A. Fuller, born and reared in Pennsylvania; they were married in 1845, and they have had eight children, only two of whom are living--John L. lives in Summit township, and Willard J., a man of marked ability.  Mr. Cook has served this township as trustee and sub-director; he has taken an active part in the schools of the township, and especially his own district, being always in favor of good teachers.  He has fixed ideas and great determination in the cause of right, regardless of the enmities it might secure to him from those who disagree with him.

John F. Coppock - The next settlement in Lincoln was made by John F. Coppock, shortly after that made by Zimri Horner, who purchased the farm now owned by Thomas Harris, in the center of the township, erecting a dwelling where the lone trees stand, on section 22. Coppock was a natural mechanic and a thorough-going man, and made some good improvements. He came from Indiana, to which state he afterward returned.

William F. Gordon was born in Donegal, Ireland, on the 23d of February, 1838.  His father, William Gordon, was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to the region of the iron mines in Pennsylvania in 1855, where he remained some two and a half years, and then came to Scott county, Iowa, and in 1871 to Grove township, Adair county, where he died in 1875.  His wife's maiden name was Jane McHugh, also a native of Ireland, and who died in Adair county in 1881.  William F. enlisted in Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1861 in Company C, 2d Iowa infantry, and served up to May 9, 1862, when he lost his right limb in the battle of Corinth, and was honorably discharged August 11, 1862, at St. Louis, Missouri, and returned to his home at Stockton, Muscatine county.  When he was able he rented land there and farmed.  He was married October 31, 1867, to Miss Eliza Chambers, a daughter of William Chambers, senior, who is now a resident of Lincoln township.  He sold in Muscatine county and bought a farm in Grove township, Adair county, which he also sold and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30.  He has improved it and built a fine house on the southeast corner of the farm, and intends to make stock-raising a principal feature.  The land is all under cultivation, and there is a creek in close proximity to the barn.  Mr. and Mrs. Cordon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  They have eight children--William, Mary, Jane, Nan, Thomas, Carrie, Nellie G., and Lizzie F.  Mr. Gordon is school director in the district of Harmony.

Thomas Harris came to Adair county, Lincoln township, in 1869, and purchased the west half of section 22, and has since added to his possessions until he now has eight hundred and eighty acres, all in a body, of as fine land as is to be found in the state, and all under cultivation. He has a nice residence, and an orchard and a large grove for protection. He has a very desirable farm, and has all the barns and other buildings necessary, and it is his intention to engaged in the stock business. He was born on the 7th day of February, 1837, near Bath, England, and was the son of James and Hester (Flower) Harris. James Harris, Thomas' father, came to America in 1868, and lived with his son. While in the old country he had a farm of three hundred and fifty acres. His death occurred April 13, 1882, being eighty years of age at the time. Hester Harris, the mother of Thomas, was a native of England, and was born in July 1803, and now lives with her son. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1857, and remained in New York from May till October the same year, when he came to Mucscatine county, Iowa, where he farmed up to 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company B, 7th Iowa infantry, and served to the close of the war. He was mustered out as first duty sergeant. He was taken prisoner at Shiloh and parroled after two week' imprisonment, and was wounded at Vicksburg, and spent three months in the hospital. Among the principal engagements in which he took part, we mention Shiloh, Jackson, Vicksbrug and Spanish Fort. He was engaged in Alabama for two years on a cotton plantation as a companion for a young planter, and was in the internal revenue service in the second district of Alabama, which position he resigned to take effect in February, 1869. He was married in Columbus, Georgia, May 28, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Roper, a daughter of Dr. Roper. They have four children--Ada, George, Bessie and Josie. He is an active worker in the republican party, and has frequently been a delegate, and is a member of the A.F. and A.M., the Grand Army of the Republic and other organizations.

Zimri Horner - The first steps toward settlement in Lincoln were by Zimri Horner, who entered land October 24, 1854, on section 2, and moved thereon a few weeks afterward. Part of the land is now owned by A. Osborn. Mr. Horner was a native of Indiana, a straight-forward man, and a member of the Friend's church. He afterward went to Wyscotte, Iowa, and erected a mill, selling his farm in 1863 to A. L. McPherson.

Seymour S. Middleton was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, near the city of Madison, July 19, 1848. He is the son of John D., and Harriet (Johnson) Middleton, both natives of Ohio. but at present living in Hutchison county, Dakota Territory. When nineteen years old, Seymour removed to Adair county with his parents and made it his home with them until his marriage, January 1st, 1871. His wife was formerly Miss Matilda Ewers, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and daughter of Robert Ewers, and was an early resident of Adair county. He built the round-house at Stuart. In 1869 he purchased a farm on section 14 [Lincoln township], eighty acres, there living till 1874, sold it and bought another farm in Penn township, Guthrie county, and in 1881, he bought his present farm, the north half of southeast quarter of section 10, but carries on adjoining farm, and makes grain raising his especial feature. Four children have been born to them--Otis V., Edna E., Leone M., Cay J. In politics, a greenbacker, and is director of Independent district of Washington.

T. M. Newby took up his abode in Adair county, in 1870, settling in Lincoln township, on section 7. He took up eighty acres and improved the same, sold out in 1874, and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, improved that, and sold it in 1881, but remaining on the place until spring of 1884, when he removed to section 6, where he remained for a short time, removing to Stuart. Mr. Newby was born in Morgan county, Indiana, March 10, 1839. His parents were Rix and Nancy Newby, nee Monicle, natives of the same place. His enlistment in the service of the United States, was July 25, 1862, serving til June 8, 1865. He enlisted in Company C. 70th Indiana volunteers infantry, as high corporal, and was mustered in at Indianapolis. He was with Sherman, through from Chattanooga, and on his famous march to the sea, and back to the city of Washington; where he was mustered out. Returning home at the close of the war, he staid in Indiana til 1868, when he removed to Dallas county, Iowa, making that his home till spring of 1870. Mr. Newby has been a useful citizen of Adair county, serving the people in the capacity of assessor of Lincoln township since 1875 to the present time; is also member of town board. Was intrumental in establishing the Grand Army post in Stuart, and has been treasurer of the I.O.O.F. lodge for nine years. He was married to Miss Jemima E. Tansey, a native of the same county as himself. The marriage took place March 24, 1859. There were six children born to them--four sons and two daughters. Her death occurred November 7, 1879, and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Stuart. Mr. Newby now resides in the city of Stuart, Guthrie county, Iowa.

Thomas J. Simcoke, another of Lincoln's energetic and enterprising farmers, is a native of Randolph county, Indiana, born June 3, 1840.  His father is John Simcoke, living near Guthrie Center, a native of Tennessee, and his mother was Mary Simcoke, nee Hodson, a native of North Carolina, where she was reared, and her death occurred in 1858.  In the spring of 1866 Mr. Simcoke left Indiana and removed to Charlton county, Missouri, where he lived on year.  He went from there to Dallas county, Iowa, and remained there one year, after which he came to his presnt location on section 10, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 9; one hundred and sixty acres of this farm is devoted to tame grass, and the remainder is mostly put to corn.  The buildings are good, and a beautiful grove surrounds them.  As nice an orchard as can be found in this vicinity, and set out by himself, is also found on this place.  Mr. Simcoke has been engaged in raising shorthorm cattle, but is now taking an active interest in Herefords, owning fifty to sixty cows, mostly shorthorns.  He proposes to cross with the Herefords, having a very fine animal at the head of the herd.  He also owns a fine messenger horse, and keeps for sale a number of good horses.  His marriage occurred December 22, 1861, to Miss Lydia Macy, of Randolph county, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph Macy, and they have one child, Joseph O.

Abraham Sipe - Among those who have nice homes in Lincoln township and made by their own exertions, is Abraham Sipe, living on section 12. He came to Adair county in the spring of 1870, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land. He has since added, making one hundred and sixty acres in all, at present. For one to commence on an unimproved piece of land and subdue the wildness of nature is no easy task; trees have to be planted, buildings erected, and fences built. Mr. Sipe has a fine orchard, also a great plenty of small fruits, and surrounding his home a beautiful grove, making shade for summer and a defence from the blasts of winter. The only springs in this section of country are found on his farm. Two streams of water gush from the bosom of the earth to slake the thirst of man and beast within easy access. This makes the farm more valuable, which in connection with its high state of cultivation, is a desirable location. Mr. Sipe was born and reared on a farm, the date of his birth being November 11, 1829. His father was Samuel Sipe, a native of Pennsylvania. His mother was Barbara (Brubaker) Sipe, also a native of Pennsylvania. When Abraham was about seventeen years old the family removed to indiana, and made their home in Randolph county till 1865, at which time they removed to Dallas county, Iowa, living at Redfield four years, and thence to Stuart, but stopping at the platter place only a few months before he settled on his farm. His parents both died in Randolph county. Miss Rachel, a daughter of David Hain, of Stuart, became his wife November 18, 1852. She is a native of Ohio, having been born in Clark county. They have five children--Joseph W., in Avoca, Iowa; Henry W., engaged in the bank at Perry; James R., Susan C., and Gertrude. Mr. Sipe is a member of the Methodist Eppiscopal church, and in politics a democrat.

George Waters lives on section 2.  He came to Adair county from Illinois.  Was born in Wiltshire, England, August 12, 1800, coming to the United States in 1856.  He worked by the month the first two years, in Missouri.  One son, Thomas, came with him to America and lives in Kansas.  His daughter came to Missori, but subsequently removed to Australia.  Mr. Waters lost his wife in England; his family numbered nine children.  His present wife was Mrs. Maria N. Thompson, nee Norton, a native of Connecticut.