Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa, 1887 - V-W

Lee County >> 1887 Index

Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa
Chicago:  Chapman Brothers, 1887

 

V-W


Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Linda Brandt.

ISAAC VAN AUSDALL, of Jackson Township, is one of the extensive landed proprietors of Lee County, and the possessor of 477 acres on sections 2 and 35, in Jackson Township. He has been a resident of this vicinity since 1853, and for a period of thirty-three years has been an interested witness of the changes and improvements which have been going on within the boundaries of the Hawkeye State. Mr. Van Ausdall is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born July 6, 1810, his parents being Peter and Rachel (Banta) Van Ausdall, natives of Virginia, who removed to Ohio after their marriage. Their family comprised five sons and six daughters.

The subject of our sketch was reared in his native State, and when a young man engaged in farming until 1853. He then determined to make his future home in Iowa, and accordingly crossed the Mississippi, and purchased his present farm in Jackson Township, upon which he settled and has since remained. Since coming here he has been industriously engaged in the improvement and cultivation of his land. He has erected a comfortable farm dwelling, good barns and outhouses, and has all the appliances for carrying on agriculture in a first class manner.

Mr. Van Ausdall was married in Preble County, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Grafft, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born May 7, 1818. They have become the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom survive: Peter; Martin married Hettie Marshall, and they reside in Montrose Township; Rachel A. became the wife of H. H. Smith, and lives in Clark County, Mo.; Mary F. married Luman Hawkins, and their home is in Howard County, Ind.; Maria is the wife of Burnham Carrick, and they live in Montrose Township; John married Ida Kerby, and they reside in Saxton, Mo.; Hattie is the wife of Roy Brown, and lives in Adams County, Ill.; the others are Isaac, Jr., Harvey, Lyda and Lillie; David and Caroline are deceased.

Mr. Van Ausdall is busily engaged in his chosen calling, and is the friend of good order, morality and education, and in politics sympathizes with the Greenback party. Mrs. Van Ansdall and three of her daughters are members of the Christian Church.

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this work present the portrait of Mr. Van Ausdall in connection with this sketch, as being that of a worthy and honored representative of Jackson Township.

G. VON DER HAAR, a successful blacksmith and carriage-maker of West Point Township, is a native of Hanover, born Jan. 4, 1843, and came to the United States when a young man, in 1866. After reaching American shores he remained for a brief time in Chicago, then proceeded westward, crossed the Mississippi and came into Ft. Madison, arriving here on the 3d of November. In the December following he started in business as a blacksmith and carriage-maker, and was successful from the start. His father and grandfather before him were expert in the same calling, and their mechanical skill seems to have descended to their representative in a remarkable degree. He had two uncles also, who followed blacksmithing, one of them especially being celebrated as possessing more skill at his trade than any man in that section.

The parents of Mr. Von der Haar spent their entirelives in their native country, and were there laid to their final rest. Our subject received his early instruction in blacksmithing under the tuition of his father, and when he had determined to emigrate to the United States he set out unattended by either relatives or friends. In 1867 he was married, in Iowa County, Wis., on the 9 th of February, to Miss Christina Lambert, of Galena, Ill., and born in 1850. Her father, a merchant, was of German parentage and descent, and came to this country when a young man, before his marriage. After this event he made his home in Galena for some years, and then removed to Wisconsin.

Mr. And Mrs. Von der Haar are the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, as follows: Joseph, Henry, William, Adeline, Bennett, Margaret, George and Mary. Mr. V. is the owner of valuable property, which includes twenty-four lots, most of them being supplied with good buildings. His business is conducted with discretion and judgment, and the products of his shops are second to none in the Hawkeye state. He is a prominent man in his community and a Village Trustee. Politically he casts his vote with the Democratic party, and the various members of the family are connected with the Catholic Church.

GEORGE WILSON, a pioneer settler of Jefferson Township , is an industrious and fairly successful farmer, occupying a comfortable homestead on section 2. He came to Lee County in 1833, and has been an interested witness of the marvelous development of a rich section of country. He crossed the Mississippi River from Hancock County , Ill. , and entered a tract of land which had then not even been surveyed. This he slowly improved and cultivated, and when it came into market secured his title from the Government. The farming implements of that period were of the rudest description, and it took abundant toil to accomplish even small results. But Mr. Wilson persevered in his undertaking and finally established a comfortable home.

The father of our subject, Hugh Wilson, was born near Lexington, Ky., and after arriving at years of manhood went down to Tennessee and settled at a point on the Cuumberland River, where in due time he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Stiles. His bride was born and reared in Tennessee , and was of German and Irish descent and parentage. After their marriage they removed to Indiana, settling near the Walash River, whence, after a time they proceeded to Christian County, Ky., and later crossed the Mississippi and went into Missouri, then proceeded South to Arkansas; after a time they returned to Missouri, and a little later went to Schuyler County, Ill., where they settled near the county seat, Rushville, and Hugh Wilson hewed the logs for the first court-house that was built in the latter-named county.

In 1834 Hugh Wilson, with his family, removed from Illinois , and the third time crossed the Father of Waters, settling in what is now Jefferson Township . Here they improved a farm which was located in the first bottoms of the Mississippi , and known as Sand Prairie. They labored industriously and watched with unabated interest the growth and development of the Hawkeye State . Upon this farm the parents passed the remainder of their lives, and only one of their children is left to perpetuate their name, George Wilson being the only surviving member of a family of six sons and three daughters. The parents departed this life some years before the breaking out of the late Rebellion.

George Wilson remained with his parents through the various changes of location which occurred until they came to Iowa . He was born in Jackson County, Tenn., July 22, 1809 , and after arriving at years of manhood was married near Rushville, Schuyler Co., Ill. , to Miss Rebecca Wallace, of Jackson County, Tenn., who was born in 1812. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and removed from Tennessee to Illinois , where he died many years ago. The mother survived him several years, and died in Jefferson Township , this State. They were most excellent and worthy people, and reared their children to upright and honorable lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living: Susan is the wife of Benjamin Drollinger, a farmer of Jefferson Township; Eliza A. married Henry Mitchell, and they also live on a farm in this township; George married Miss Lucy Steward, and manages his father's homestead; Hannah is the wife of John Hatton, a farmer of Cass County , Mo.

Mr. Wilson is the owner of 440 acres of land, mostly improved. He has been quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, and is in all respects a straightforward and honest citizen. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. W. is an uncompromising Democrat.

JAMES WILSON, of Jefferson Township , is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 1, and has obtained considerable reputation as a breeder of fine stock and a business man of more than ordinary integrity. He was born Feb. 13, 1847 . His father, Thomas Wilson, was a native of Kentucky , and was reared to manhood in his native county. At this period in the history of the latter, his father, Hugh Wilson, with his wife and eight children, of whom Thomas was one of the youngest, gathered together their household goods and started to cross the Mississippi . They came into Iowa and made their first location in Jefferson Township , on the farm which now constitutes the homestead of James Wilson, the subject of this narrative. They arrived here in 1833, having previously lived for a brief time in the States of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri . They were among the first settlers of Jefferson Township , and secured Government land on what was known as the �half-breed� tract. This lay along the first bottoms of the Mississippi River , and is now called Sand Prairie. A fort had already been built at what was then Madison , as a protection against the savages, but as hostilities had then ceased for a time they had no trouble with the Indians. They proceeded with the improvement of their property unmolested, erected the primitive log cabin, and lived contentedly, occupied in the cultivation of the soil and with the hope of something better in the future. In due time they received the reward of their labors in the establishment of a comfortable home, and the substitution of smiling and productive fields for wild and unbroken prairie. Here the parents remained until the death of the father, which occurred on the 2d of April, 1870 , when he was about sixty-seven years of age. The mother still survives, and resides with her son Thomas. The household circle embraced three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living.

James Wilson was educated in the public schools of Jefferson Township , and remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place in Ft. Madison , Oct. 6, 1871 , the maiden of his choice being Miss Hannah E. Arnold. Mrs. Wilson is a native of Clark County , Mo. , and was born in 1849. Her father, Granville Arnold, in early life was a mechanic, but afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in his later days was occupied again with his trade and with farming pursuits. Mrs. W. was carefully trained, and received a good education in the public schools, remaining at home until her marriage. Her parents are now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson became the parents of five children, two of whom, Ada A. and an infant unnamed, are deceased. The living are Clayborne E., Rhoda E. and Sayburt. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have lived on the old homestead with their brother Thomas, who is part owner. It comprises 242 ½ acres, half of which is under good cultivation. Mrs. W. is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the subject of our sketch is a reliable Democrat, voting conscientiously to uphold the principles of his party.

THOMAS V.WILSON, brother of James, and third child of Thomas Wilson, is a native of Jefferson Township , and was born Feb. 15, 1849 . He was reared on his father's farm, and during his boyhood attended school winters and assisted in the duties around the homestead during the summer seasons. From earlyu childhood he was trained to habits of industry and economy, and in early youth began to save his earnings and to have a care for the future. In 1870 he and his brother James became partners, and have successfully managed the affairs of the homestead since that time. He is the possessor of a good two-story brick house, has a good barn, and is surrounded by the comforts of life.

Mr. Wilson was married, in Ft. Madison , Oct. 23, 1872 , to Miss Henrietta, daughter of John and Henrietta (Eppers) Slagenbush, of German ancestry and parentage, and who remained in their native country until after their marriage. They then emigrated to the United States , and after arriving in the New World set their faces westward, and came into Iowa , locating in Jefferson Township , this county, after a short time spent in the city of St. Louis . They became residents of the Hawkeye State in 1854, located upon a tract of land, and engaged in farming, and established a comfortable home, where they remained until their death. Mrs. Wilson was born in Germany Feb. 3, 1852 , and was little more than an infant when her parents emigrated to the United States . By her union with our subject she has become the mother of six children, as follows: William A., Valley L, Ethel O., Genevra S., Thomas C. and Ollie A.

In politics the subject of our sketch is strongly Democratic. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, who have conferred upon him the minor offices within their gift. Mrs. W. was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and still adheres to the religion of her parents.

CAPT. ASA B. WOODWARD, pilot of the steamboat �Sam Atlee,� has his headquarters at Ft. Madison, and is considered one of its worthy and excellent citizens. He was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1836, and is the son of John Mason and Elizabeth ( Wilson ) Woodward, both natives of the Buckeye State. His father was a carpenter by trade and a skilled mechanic, who died in New Corydon, Jay Co., Ind. The mother still survives, and resides at Lancaster, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. The parental household consisted of six children, two sons and four daughters.

The subject, of this biography was the eldest son of his parents' family. He grew to manhood under the parental roof and received a good education in the common schools. At the age of nineteen years, in 1855, he set his face westward to the Father of Waters, boarded a steamer, and went up the river to St. Paul, where he engaged to return with a raft of lumber. This novel occupation being quite a change from the labors of his former life, proved quite an attraction to him, and he followed the river for the next six years, or until 1861, and the breaking out of the late Civil War. He then decided to become a volunteer soldier, and enlisted as a member of Company A, 1 st Iowa Regiment, in which he served three months, that being the term of enlistment. He then continued in the service as wagon-master, and subsequently had charge of the Provost Marshal's stables at Memphis, under Gen. E. B. Washburn. He remained in the service until the close of the war and then resumed his former life on the Mississippi. Since that time he has either served as Pilot or Captain, and is well fitted for his peculiar duty.

Capt. Woodward was married in 1862 to Miss Jemima C. Gibson, and they have become the parents of two children, Rend and Ruth. Capt. Woodward located at Ft. Madison in 1869, and has made this city his residence since that time. Religiously he is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and socially with the A. O. U. W. Politically he is strongly Republican, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of that party. He is a good citizen, and the family are highly respected in their community.