Perry Crooks

In June, 1855, Perry Crooks and family, followed in a short time by his nephew,--Captain John McEwen--landed on Bear Creek (which romantic name was given it on account of several bears having been killed on its banks by a "band" of government surveyors), where the first thing they did was to mow the grass from out a shed, the size of which was nine by fourteen feet, the shed having been moved up from Dalmanutha, a few weeks previous. This one shed, constituting the various apartments of the family, excepting the kitchen, which was out of doors, under the blue canopy, they commenced roughing it in earnest. Though their house could not be called a mansion, yet the characteristic hospitality of the family discovered itself, even here, as a little incident will illustrate. One night, after the family had retired, two men, who had lost their way, stumbled on this habitation, and asked for shelter. Of course with the limited space at their command, the spare bed was lacking. There were two or three, all filled with members of the family. Captain McEwen's generous heart at once suggested a way to provide for the wanderers. He called out, "Aunt Mary, make me a bed under the bed, and they can have mine." And in the despensation of true hospitality, the noble-hearted man crept under the bed, that two fellow mortals might have shelter and rest. Ever thus the Crooks home,from the shanty to the good, substantial dwelling, continued to be a beacon light to weary travelers through the Grove. After residing fourteen years on his place in this township, in 1869 Perry Crooks removed to the town of Menlo, or Guthrie, as it was then called, where he died in 1874, mourned by a large circle of friends, and missed by everyone who knew him. John McEwen is now a resident of his old home in Ohio.

Richard Hopkins, one of the prominent men of Bear Grove township, is a native of England, having been born in Hampshire on the 25th of July, 1830. His father died in England, in 1844, and his mother in 1865. Richard came over the sea to this country in 1849, and settled first in Illinois, where he remained mine years, after which time he removed to Iron county, Missouri. He staid there several years, when he was driven from that section by the rebels, and returned to McHenry county, Illinois. Here he made his home until 1864, when he came to Bear Grove township, while in the employ of French & Skillman, and bringing with him a thousand head of sheep, belonging to those parties. He was united in marriage, in March, 1857, to Miss Emma J. Ladd, at Elgin, Illinois, and by whom he has had three children--Mary E., Edward A. and George M. Mr. Hopkins was taken prisoner while forming a company of soldiers, in Iron county Missouri, in 1860, and was placed in the Bloomfield prison, where he was kept about three months as a hostage, by General Jeff. Thompson, to be shot in the case General John C. Fremont enforced his order to shoot any man found in arms north of a described line. He has held the office of justice of the peace for some twelve years, and is a member of the Masonic order. He owns two hundred and eighty-five acres of land, one hundred and twenty of which are under a high state of cultivation. He has just completed his fine barn and makes a specialty of general stock-raising. He has a comfortable residence, and has held the office of school treasurer since March 1, 1869.

R. R. Kirkwood, a prominent citizen of Bear Grove township, is a native of Richland county, Ohio, where he was born March 2, 1851, his parents being Charles and Elizabeth (Hickman) Kirkwood, both of whom still reside in Ohio. Mr. Kirkwood came to eEar Grove township in 1873, and settled upon section 21, where he still rsides. He is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of improved land, and in addition has twenty acres of timber. On his farm he has a bearing orchard containing two acres and also has one and a half acres of shrubbery. He was married in 1878, in Bear Grove township, to Miss Mary Stonebraker, Squire Hopkins officiating. They have three children--Edward, Burt and Clarence. In politics Mr. Kirkwood is a democrat.

Henry North, a son of Martin and Nancy North, and a native of Litchfield, Connecticut, came to Bear Grove, September 24, 1854, and settled. He at first went to work for Crooks & McEven, in putting up the mill. He was shortly afterward married to Miss Mary Betts, and settled down upon a farm on section 21. Here he lived for two years, when he removed to Dalmanutha, and entered upon a mercantile creer in that town. He is now engaged in the drug trade in Casey.

John C. Parsons was born on the 10th of September, 1821, in Connecticut, being the son of Oliver and Vena (Pascoe) Parsons. His mother died in 1826, in Connecticut, and his father died in the same state in 1830. When young the subject of this sketch was cast on his own measures, and had no permanent residence. He was married in Connecticut in 1846, to Miss Emily Fenton, Rev. Walker officiating. In 1846 he removed to Munson, Massachusetts, and came to Benton county, Iowa, 1857, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Guthrie county, locating on section 10, in Bear Grove township. His first wife having died, Mr. Parsons was married in Connecticut in 1852, to Miss Julia E. Fenton a sister of his first wife. In all they have four children--Oscar C., Edgar F., Adel E. and John W. He is a member of the Methodist church, and in politics is a republican. His farm contains eighty acres of cultivated land, and has a fine three-acre orchard.

John W. Rauts, a farmer and stock dealer on section 10. The subject of this sketch was born in Will county, Illinois, on the 12th of September, 1841. He moved from Illinois in 1869, and came to Iowa, where he settled on his present location in Guthrie county. He has never been married, but lives a bachelor's life upon his farm. He owns eighty acrds of improved land, and has a nice bearing orchard of about two acres, and deals in the celebrated Duroc hogs. Mr. Rauts enlisted in Company E, 100th Illinois infantry, and served in that capacity for one year. He was in the battle of Perryville and Stone River. He was discharged on account of disability. Mr. Rauts is a republican.

Olearcus Reed, general merchant, is a native of Wyandotte county, Ohio, and was born August 13, 1846, being the son of Sanders A. and Caroline (Teller) Reed. He was raised and educated in Little Sandusky, where his father followed the carpentering business. When fourteen years of age Olearchus enlisted in Company D, 15th Ohio infantry, and was mustered in and served nearly four years, his enlistment dating December, 1862. He paricipated in the battles of Shiloh, Murphysboro, Mission Ridge, and Kenesaw mountains, being wounded in the leg during the latter engagement, June 23, 1864. He was with Sherman in the march to the sea, and was mustered out in January, 1866. At the end of his service he returned to Ohio, and went into the grocery business, which he afterward sold and removed to Carroll county, where he farmed untll the spring of 1869, when he came to Guthrie county and settled in Union township. In 1871 he removed to Bear Grove township, buying one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 11, which he afterward sold, and then traveled through Nebraska and Colorado, going to the Black Hills. He returned to Guthrie county and bought four hundred and twenty acres in Baker township. He also owns a house and lot in Bear Grove where he is engaged in general merchandising, having a commodius building, and always carrying a full and complete stock of everything in his lines. By honesty and good business ability he has succeded in building up a fine trade. He was married March 15, 1873, in Audubon county, to Miss Jennie Ely, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Moore) Ely. They have two chldren--Dana and Mason. In politics, Mr. Reed is a republican.

Thomas Rodda, general merchant and dealer in agricultural implements, is a native of England, having been born there October 14, 1842, and is the son of John and Anna (Tonkin) Rodda. His mother died in England, in 1880. Thomas emigrated to the United States in 1865, settling in Michigan, where he remained about one year, when he went to Connecticut, remaining only one year. From there he went to Davison county, North Carolina, where he stayed about seven months and then returned to Connecticut, and in a short time he went to Michigan, where he engaged in copper mining, near Lake Superior. While there his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Davis was solumnized, in 1869, after which he moved to LaSalle county, Illinois. In 1871 he moved to Whitesides county, in the same state, where he engaged in farming. He came to Adair, Iowa, in 1876, where for three years he kept a hotel. At the expiration of that time he came to Bear Grove township, where he has remained ever since. In 1882 he engaged in general merchandising at North Branch, and in connection therewith deals in agricultural implements. Mr. Rodda is also the postmaster, the post-office being in his store. He is a republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Rodda have had seven children, four of whom are dead. Those dead are--Thomas E., Martha M., William G., and Mabel M. Those living are--John H., Justin A., and Thomas J.

S. R. Saxton

In April of the same year [1853] S. R. Saxton made a settlement upon section 13, and built a log cabin 16x20. He is still a resident of the old homestead, although the primitive cabin of early days is now replaced by a neat frame cottage. Sanford R. Saxton, who is a native of Sherburne, Chenango county, New York, was born on the 17th of February, 1815, and is the son of Joseph and Jeannette (Wallis) Saxton. Sanford came to Michigan in 1835, where he remained until 1851, when he went to California. He remaned there about a year, when he made a voyage to Australia. He returned to Michigan two years later, and there meeting his family, brought them to Iowa, and settled on section 13, Bear Grove township, Guthrie county, in the spring of 1854. He was married in 1841, in Jackson county, Michigan, to Miss Sarah Miner. They have had five children--Almeda, Joseph, Eleanor, Grant and Jessie. Joseph M. was a member of Company I, 29th Iowa volunteer infantry, and died in Helena. Luther G., died some seven years ago, at the old homestead. Mr. Saxton owns one hundred acres of land, forty acres of which are improved, and the rest are timber lands and orchards. He has raised some fine blooded horses, and graded cattle, but of late years has abandoned it. In 1854 he built a small log cabin, on the southwest corner of eighty acres, and some years after built his present residence, which was completed in 1867. This is a handsome residence and is the resort for all the traveling public.

Benjamin F. Wire, an enterprising farmer of this township [Bear Grove], lives upon section 17. He was born in Canada, on the 21st of January, 1839. In 1848, in company with his stepfather, he came west to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and 1852 removed to Ward's Grove, Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Here he was married on the 10th of November, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Davis, who was born in Kent, England, on the 23d of December, 1838. The year following their marriage they moved to Stphenson county, Illinois, where they resided until 1879, when they came to Guthrie county, locating on the farm which he now owns. During the late civil war, Mr. Wire enlisted in Company G, 147th Illinois volunteer infantry, and was mustered with the company into the service of the United States, on the 18th of February, 1865, and moved direct to Dalton, Georgia, then the extreme front of our lines. Until the surrender of the rebel forces this regiment was actively engaged in scouting and fighting the guerillas in Northern Georgia. After the surrender the regiment moved to Resaca, Calhoun, Americus, Hawkinsville, Augusta and Savannah, protecting the Union interests of the people. Previous to this, in 1860, Mr. Wire made a visit to Pike's Peake where he engaged in mining and prospecting for the precious minerals in the neighborhood of Blackhawk, Central and Nevada cities. He has always been a republican in politics, independent in religion, and a strong and earnest advocate of temperance and prohibition. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an active worker in all good and righteous causes. Mr. and Mrs. Wire have seven children, named as follows--Orpha V., Lydia A., Cora M., Aeschylus B., Florence L., Matta A. and Chloe B. G.