~ MAJOR W. S. R. BURNETTE ~ Related Surnames - MABRY, MATHIS Few men are more widely and favorably known in either the business or social circles of Preston than the subject of this notice. He was until recently a senior member of the firm of Burnette & Co., dealers in lumber and coal, and having their headquarters on Gillette Street in Preston. The Major came honestly by his title, which was conferred upon him during his military services in the late war. He has been active in the councils of the Republican party for many years, and has maintained his principles with all the natural strength of his character. During the late Presidential contest he was Presidential elector for the Second District of the State of Iowa, and there is reason to suppose that in the near future he will be handsomely recognized in the conferring upon him of a comfortable Government office. The subject of this sketch was born in Allegheny City, Pa., March 27, 1841, and lived there until he was eight years of age. He then went with relatives to Virginia, where he first attended the common schools, and at the age of fourteen entered upon an academic course at Emery and Henry College. Two years later, while in his junior year, the outbreak of the Civil War interrupted his studies, which he had been pursuing with the intention of fitting himself for the practice of law. Although reared amidst the Southern element he was warmly in sympathy with the Union cause, and returning to his native State enlisted in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and repaired with his regiment soon afterward to Covington, Ky. His first battle of consequence was at Perryville, where he received a flesh wound, was left helpless on the field for a time, but was finally picked up and taken to the hospital at Louisville. Upon his recovery he was tendered the commission of First Lieutenant in t! he Quartermaster's department, but later re-entered the field as Captain of Company M, 8th Tennessee Mounted Infantry. The early part of 1863 was spent by Capt. Burnette with his regiment under Gen. Burnside in the department of the Ohio, and later he served all through the campaign of the Valley of the Tennessee, being in the siege of Knoxville and the other minor engagements which followed. In 1864 he joined the army of Gen. Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and later was with Stoneman's division. He assisted in effecting the destruction of Hood's army at Nashville, during which time occurred the assassination of President Lincoln and the surrender of Lee. He received his commission of Major at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in the spring of 1865, and his honorable discharge at Nashville on the 8th of June following. For a period of sixteen years after leaving the army Maj. Burnette officiated as a minister of the Methodist Church, belonging to the Upper Iowa Conference, to which he was attached in 1868. He had prior to this, Jan. 6, 1867, been married to Miss Mary May Mabry, in New Albany, Ind. He first met his future wife during Morgan's raid through that State, and they spent the first years of their wedded life in Rolla, Mo. Mrs. Burnette was born April 6, 1847, near New Albany, Ind., and is the daughter of Fleming and Nancy Mabry, natives of Ohio, and now deceased. The first ministerial charge of our subject was at Quasqueton, this State, and the year following he was transferred to Raymond, where he remained two years. The three years following he was on the Vinton circuit. He was next at Monmouth, this county, one year, whence he was transferred to Preston in 1876. Next he was in Delaware Junction and Miles two years each, and then, on account of failing health, he removed ! to Kansas, and preached at Bennington six months, but suffered severely from inflammatory rheumatism. Later he was stationed at Comanche, Iowa, but on account of a recurrence of rheumatism, went to Paducah, Ky., and abandoning the ministry, engaged in manual labor. Maj. Burnette returned to Iowa from Kentucky in the spring of 1884, and established himself as a coal and lumber dealer at Preston, and also utilized his spare time at carpenter work. He had during these years neither parted with his patriotism, or suffered himself to lose track of the march of political events. In 1887 he was made the candidate of his party for State Senator, but was defeated with the balance of his ticket. Later he was made Presidential Elector to the State Republican Convention for the Second Congressional District, and has exercised an important influence upon the councils of his party in this section. Joseph Burnette, the father of our subject, was of French birth and parentage, a native of the city of Paris, which he left when a youth of sixteen years, and crossing the Atlantic established himself in Allegheny City, Pa., where he learned the trade of a machinist. There also he was married to Miss Jane Mathis, who was born in that vicinity. He occupied himself as a machinist and a millwright until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, was captured by the Union troops, and died a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio, when fifty-four years of age. In this connection it is proper to state that after his marriage Joseph Burnette had settled in Virginia. After his enlistment he was promoted to the post of Adjutant General on the staff of Gen. John B. Floyd. He entered the army during the first years of the war, and served until nearly the close. The mother in the meantime had died in Virginia while her husband was in the service. Althou! gh father and son were on opposing sides in the late conflict, each fought according to his principles and his beliefs. To the parents of our subject there was born a large family of eleven children, five sons and six daughter, of whom only three are living: James, a resident of the Old Dominion; Ann Elizabeth, living in Arkansas; and William S. R., our subject. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)

~ ISAAC BARRATT ~ Related Surnames - HEARD, JOHNSTON, ROWE, KEMBALL, LAKE, BAKER Isaac Barratt, of Perry Township, is one of the early settlers of this county, and is comfortably located on a farm of 100 acres, on section 27. He was born in Wiltshire, England, Dec. 25, 1829, and attended school ten weeks during his boyhood days, which completed his education, saving that which he has learned by his natural habits of observation of men and things. He emigrated to American with his parents in the spring of 1832, leaving Bristol on the sailing vessel "Tuscan," and after a voyage of twenty-nine days landed in Wilmington. They located in Camden, N.J., but that same year our subject went to Philadelphia and worked at brick-making one year. Later Young Barratt commenced learning the trade of a plasterer, at which he continued six years, in Philadelphia, after which he went to Petersburg, Pa., where he sojourned four years, and during the winter was employed in the rolling-mills. Next we find him in Newcastle, where he lived six years and operated as overseer in the rolling-mills. Later he was twelve years in the employ of Crawford & Co. During the strike of 1850 Mr. Barratt made his way to Iowa and located in Otter Creek Township, this country, and engaged as a plasterer and gunsmith. In due time he purchased 120 acres of land, which he occupied until the spring of 1854. He then sold out and purchased a part of his present farm, and later added to it. He set out groves and an orchard, and has effected all the improvements which are now upon it. His land is finely watered by Cedar Creek, well fenced and under cultivation. He makes a specialty of fine horses, and also raises cattle and swine. He has a large apiary - from eighty to 100 hives - the only one of the kind in the township. Our subject was married Feb. 20, 1847, in Lawrence County, Pa., to Miss Sarah A., daugher of William Heard, of New Jersey. Mr. Heard was an early settler of Mercer County, Pa., where he carried on farming until his decease. The mother, Mary A. Johnston, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and was of English descent. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and died in Mercer County. Joseph, the eldest of their six children, is now a resident of Utica, Pa.; Henry is deceased; Francis lives in Waterford, Pa.; William is a resident of Montana; Alfred lives in Bradford, Pa. Mrs. Barratt was born in Mercer County, Pa., July 22, 1820, and of her union with our subject there were born six children: The eldest, Henry, is married and farming in Perry Township; Martha is the wife of Alfred Rowe, a mason of Maquoketa; Nellie is the wife of Clarence Kemball, in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha; Eugene is in the copper mines in Montana; Josephine, Mrs! . R. Lake, lives at Maquoketa; George is farming in Perry Township. Mr. Barratt has been School Director for a number of years, and has also officiated as Road Supervisor. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and prominent among the councils of his party. The father of our subject was Henry Barratt, and his grandfather Isaac Barratt, a stone-cutter by trade, both of whom were natives of Wiltshire, England. The father also followed stone-cutting, and was a workman of great skill and foreman at a gentleman's country seat. He also carried on farming in connection with his trade, and bred fancy hunters and draft horses. He was graduated as a civil and mechanical engineer, and was a Brigadier General in the militia. He left England in 1832, and coming to America, located in Cambridge, N.J., where he followed stone-cutting, surveying, etc., five years, then removed to Pennsylvania, where he operated as a contractor and builder, and where his death took place. He was a Whig politically, and in religion an Episcopalian. The mother of our subject was Mary Baker, also a native of Wiltshire, England, and the daughter of a thrifty English farmer, who lived to be nearly 100 years old. She died in England at the early age of twenty-six. Their family consisted of four children; Isaac, our subject; Sarah, a resident of Wilmington, Del; Matilda, of Westchester, Pa.; and Lovina, living near Philadelphia.

~ DAVID H. ANDERSON ~ Related Surnames - BLAINE, GOODENOW, WRIGHT The birthplace of this gentleman, who is the leading grocer of Maquoketa, was Rockingham County, Va., and he first opened his eyes to the light Aug. 24, 1843. His father, Eugene Anderson, was a native of the same county. His paternal grandfather, James Anderson, was a carpenter by trade, which he followed considerably, and also carried on farming. He spent his last days in Rockingham County. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Blaine. The father of our subject during his early manood occupied himself as a carpenter with grandfather Anderson, and also assisted in the farm work, remaining in the Old Dominion until 1852. That year he started with his wife and seven children for the farther West, his destination being Iowa Township, this county. The journey was made overland with four horses attached to a large covered wagon. They took with them their household goods besides an extra horse and a carriage, together with a large tent and cooking utensils. They camped by the wayside, and arrived in Clinton County on the 4th of June. Mr. Anderson purchased 240 acres of land in Brookfield Township, and also entered eighty acres in that township besides 480 acres in Bloomfield Township. Upon this land there were no buildings, and the family the first year, occupied a rented house. In the meantime the father put up a dwelling on his own land. This was before the days of railroads and grain was hauled to Lyons and Davenport, to market. Deer and prairie chickens were plentiful besides other wild game. The father of our subject lived to improve a large farm, and to see the country well developed, and many of its people wealthy. He departed hence in May, 1881. The subject of this sketch acquired his early education in the district school, and later attended Cornell College at Mt. Vernon. In January, 1865, he started out to see something of the world and proceeding to New York City, boarded an ocean vessel, and we next find him on the island of Cuba. Thence he went to the Rio Grande River, spent a few days at Bagdad, and from there journeyed to Matamoras, where he engaged in the lumber business until the fall of the year. He now returned to Iowa, and embarked in the grocery business at Maquoketa, in which he was engaged until 1874. That year he became connected with the firm of Boice, Fay & Conkey, wholesale grocers of Chicago, and traveled in the interests of this firm until 1880, when he resumed the grocery trade at Maquoketa, and has been very successful. He is the owner of the building in which he does business. This is a three-story brick, 37x100 feet in dimensions. The entire lower floor is used as a store-room, and fi! lled with an ample stock of groceries, china and glassware. Our subject was married Aug. 15, 1871, to Miss Mary L. Goodenow, who was born in Maquoketa, and is the daughter of John E. and Eliza (Wright) Goodenow, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Of this union there are two children, Alice and Bertha. Mr. Anderson has always been a Democrat in politics, and has served as a member of the City Council. He is at present a member of the Jackson County Agricultural Society in which he has served three years as Treasurer, and is the present Secretary. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Helion Lodge, No. 32, and Jackson Lodge I.O.O.F. He owns a farm adjoining the city limits, and is largely interested in fine horses, having twenty-one head at present, many of them standard-bred Hambletonians. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)

~ WILLIAM WILCOX ~ Related Surnames - HANCHETT, STEPHENS, DAVIS, CLINE, HUNT, MARTIN, BURDICK, LUNDBECK, EATON, MOORE, BATTLES, William Wilcox bears the distinction of having been a resident of this county for a period of nearly fifty years - dating his arrival from the spring of 1840. He is a native of Aylmer, Province of Ontario, Canada, and was born near the city of St. Thomas, Oct. 7, 1823. His parents were Ebenezer and Jael (Hanchett) Wilcox, natives respectively of Montgomery County, N.Y., and the State of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather, John Wilcox, it is supposed was born in New England in 1760, and he followed agricultural pursuits. John Wilcox, Sr., the paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was born April 15, 1732, in one of the New England States, probably Connecticut. He was married Aug. 28, 1759, to Anna Stephens, who was born Jan. 26, 1734, and they became the parents of the children born as follows: Ebenezer, Jan. 5, 1760; John, Jan. 12, 1762; James, Feb. 18, 1764; William, Feb. 18, 1766; Ann, March 17, 1768; David, Jan 18, 1770; Levi, Dec. 17, 1772; Amy, Feb. 28, 1774, and Dina, May 14, 1776. Their eldest son, John, was married to Miss Lois Auger, Feb. 26, 1784. They removed from Connecticut to Montgomery, N.Y. Prior to this, however, he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In the Empire State they took up their residence on a tract of new land from which they constructed a comfortable homestead and there spent the remainder of their days. John Wilcox departed this life Nov. 10, 1848, and his wife Lois, April 29, 1851. Their children were born as follows: Ebeneze! r, Mar. 14, 1786; Elizabeth, Mar. 19, 1788; David, Dec 23, 1790; Anna, Oct. 19, 1794; Prudence, Aug. 1, 1796; Lois, April 5, 1798; Mary, Jan. 21, 1800. Ebenezer Wilcox, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery County, N.Y., and was married to Miss Jael Hanchett in April 1807. He resided in his native county until 1818 then going over into Canada settled at Aylmer, in the Province of Ontario, where they lived until 1839, then set out for Iowa Territory. In the meantime during the Canadian Rebellion, Ebenezer Wilcox was cast into prison and confined there ten months under sentence of death by hanging. His doom, however, was averted with that of many others, a pardon being granted by the Queen of England. Upon coming to Iowa, the father of our subject, settled upon a tract of wild land in Monmouth Township, where he and his family experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. The mother passed away in 1845 and Mr. Wilcox died ten years later, in 1855. They were the parents of nine children, the record of whom is as follows: John was born April 26, 1808, and now a veteran of eighty-one years, is still living and a resident of Maquoketa; Anna E. was born Aug. 24, 1809, became the wife of Warren Davis, and died in Canada; David H. was born Feb. 2, 1811, and is a resident of Washington, Oregon; Maria was born June 10, 1813, married Leonard Cline and lives in Aylmer, Canada; Nelson, who was born July 8, 1815, died in infancy in New York State; Harmon S. was born Dec. 16, 1817, settled in Miami County, Kan., in 1860, and died there Oct. 9, 1888; Abner T. was born July 18, 1820, and residing in this county until 1888, then removed to Amite City, La.; Willia! m our subject, was next to the youngest born; Ebenezer, Jr., died in Canada at the age of four years. The subject of this sketch spent his early life in his native county, and in July 1840, made his way to Iowa Territory, since which time he has been a resident of this county. On the 8th of September he was united in marriage with one of its most estimable young ladies, Miss Angelia, daughter of Levi and Lucy (Martin) Hunt. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox settled on a farm and our subject for some time thereafter confined his attention to agricultural pursuits. After a time he engaged in merchandising at Mill Rock, and was also postmaster there for many years. About that time he met with the loss of considerable property, but finally recovered from his misfortunes and is now well-to-do. He has occupied several different farms in this county, and is now the owner of 300 acres here besides a quarter section in Dakota. He was at one time the owner of over 1200 acres of land. Mr. Wilcox in the spring of 1889 decided to retire from his hitherto arduous labors, and accordingly took up his residence in Baldwin. In politics he is a straight Republican, and has served as Justice of the Peace for many years, also officiating as Notary Public, and has made out a great many legal documents. Mrs. Angelia (Hunt) Wilcox, was born in Orange County, Vt., July 17, 1831, and spent her childhood and youth under the parental roof, attending such schools as the county afforded, and developed into a teacher. This profession, however, she followed but a very short time as she became a bride in the sixteenth year of her age. She, however, continued her studies after this event. Her mother was an excellent nurse and practiced medicine to some extent in her neighborhood. The daughter finally followed in her footsteps and subsequently took two courses of lectures in the Medical College of Iowa City. She still practices - under the Homeopathic system - and has all! the business she can conveniently attend to. She is a most estimable lady greatly respected in her community and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox there were born three children, one of whom, a son, Theodore M. died in childhood. The survivors are Jael, the wife of Alfred Burdick, of St. Joseph, Mo., and Sherman W. who is raising fine horses in this township, this county. Levi Hunt, the father of Mrs. Dr. Wilcox, was likewise a native of Orange County, Vt., and was born March 18, 1800. He was married to Miss Lucy Martin, Dec. 17, 1820. This lady was born in Connecticut Dec. 8, 1800. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hunt resided in Vermont, until 1841; they then emigrated to Essex County, N.Y., and three years later, in 1844, came to Iowa Territory and settled in South Fork Township, this County. The father followed agricultural pursuits and died Oct. 6, 1850. The mother survived her husband for a period of thirty years, passing away on the 28th of Feb. 1880. To the parents of Mrs. Wilcox there were born the children who are recorded as follows: Sarah Eliza was born Nov. 10, 1820, and was first married to George Lundbeck; her second husband was Levi Eaton, and she died in Freeport, Ill.; Eunice was born March 13, 1825, became the wife of Sylvester Moore, and died in Orange County, Vt.; Abigail was born Feb. 15, 1826, became the wife of Samuel Battles, and died in this county; John V., was born Aug. 17, 1828 and also died in this county; Angelia, Mrs. Wilcox, was the next in order of birth; Abner N. was born May 26, 1834, and is a resident of Monmouth Township, this county; Josiah K. was born April 30, 1840, and is also a resident of the same township. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)

~ JOSEPH D. SMITH ~ Related Surnames - McDOLE, SCHRAMBLING In addition to being the possessor of wealth, accumulated by his own industry and good management, Mr. Smith is a very popular man in this county - liberal, hospitable and high-minded, a favorite, both in social and business circles. His life has been largely spent in agricultural pursuits, and he has owned and lived upon several different farms, none of which have been situated over ten miles from Sabula. That which he now occupies lies in Washington Township, near Green Island Station, and comprises 800 acres of land, which he manages himself. Besides this, he deals in agricultural implements, farm machinery, buggies, wagons and other vehicles, and has built up a large trade. He owns a farm of 160 acres two miles west of Sabula, which brings him annually $500. He owns the Schreder Block, the Mitchell House, the Berner House, a large warehouse and a dwelling house in Sabula. He spends about half of his time at his farm, where he makes a specialty of fine horses, and o! wns the well-known stallion "Vulcan," a registered animal, sired by Corning's Harry Clay, the latter by Neave's Cassius M. Clay, Jr. Vulcan is one of the finest trotters in the West, and a full brother to Sim Watson, who trotted a mile in 2:28 when six years old. The subject of this sketch was born in the Township of Thorold, twelve miles west of Niagara Falls, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Aug. 28, 1833. His father, James Henry Smith, was a native of the Township of Louth, two miles west of St. Cathrines, Ontario, and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Their family consisted of seven children. Joseph D. remained a resident of his native township until twenty years of age, receiving a common-school education, and after leaving school occupied himself as a salesman. Then, determined to seek his fortune elsewhere, he emigrated directly from the Dominion to this county, and in December, 1853, located on a farm in the vicinity of Miles. For a number of years he labored with the usual disadvantages attendant upon a limited capital and a lack of experience, but in due time diligence and economy met with their legitimate reward. He was fortunate in his investments and blest with good health, but at the same time he was not! forgetful of his obligations to those less fortunate. On the 29th of November, 1855, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary McDole, daughter of Jeremiah and sister of Albert E. McDole, the liveryman of Sabula. Mrs. Smith was born Nov. 30, 1832, in Cortland, N.Y., and her union with our subject resulted in the birth of three children - May, Ernest L., and James Henry. The daughter is the wife of Charles B. Cotton of Sabula, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work; Ernest married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick Schrambling, of Sabula, and they live on the farm of our subject at Green Island. Mr. Smith established his family at Sabula the last time in the fall of 1874, where they still reside, and he spends part of his time with them. Although giving little time to political affairs, he keeps himself posted on the leading events of the day, and uniformly gives his support to the Republican party. He has had no time to run after official honors, and has uniformly refused those which his fellow-citi! zens have sought to invest him with. Few men have made better use of their time and talents, and few enjoy a larger proportion of the genuine friendship and respect of their fellow-citizens.

~ J DYER SMITH ~ Related Surnames - EMMONS, SPENCER, WYCOFF, ATWATER Probably there is no more worthy or popular man in the town of Preston, than he with whose name we introduce this biographical outline. A man of decided views and opinions, he possesses great force of character, and amid the many changes of life, has preserved that equanimity of deportment which has gained him not only the admiration, but the respect and warm friendship of all who know him. He is a Deacon and one of the pillars of the Congregational Church and in his social, business and religious life has been enabled to present an example worthy of imitation. Mr. Smith is the owner of a good property including besides his town residence, a farm of 120 acres, eighty acres lying on section 34, and forty acres on section 5, Van Buren Township, the farm buildings being on the former. The main facts in relation to his family history are as follows: his father, Joshua Smith, a native of Vermont, was the son of David Smith, one of the body guards of Gen. Washington during the Revolutionary War. The old hero is recorded as having related with pardonable pride many interesting events of those stirring times, and also concerning the Father of our Country, who was never ashamed to fall upon his knees and seek Divine guidance during his hours of peril and anxiety. It is a well-know fact that he shared the privations of his soldiers with a cheerful spirit, and David Smith frequently related how he ate roast potatoes from a shingle in lieu of pewter or silver. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was an Englishman by birth, and upon emigrating to America, settled in Connecticut, where it is probable he spent the remainder of his life, and occupied himself as a farmer. Grandfather David Smith was born in the colony of Connecticut, and married a French lady from Normany. With the exception of this digression, this branch of the Smith family is purely Anglo-Saxon and trace their ancestry back to the time of William of Orange. Joshua Smith was born and reared in Vermont, as was also the lady whom he married, Miss Hannah Emmons. The parents of our subject lived in Vermont until 1816, when they emigrated to Tioga County, N.Y. The father in the meantime, in his native State, was a member of the militia, holding the rank of First Sergeant. He had been bred to farm life, but after leaving the Green Mountain State, engaged in lumbering and operated saw-mills along the Susquehanna River. At the same time he cleared a tract of land and carried on agriculture to a considerable extent until he became interested in architecture and bridge-building, which he prosecuted very successfully. He spent the remainder of his days in Tioga County, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. Of his first marriage there were born two children, the subject of this sketch, and a son, Orman, who died at the age of eleven years. Of his second union there were born three children, two of whom lived to mature years, and are now deceased. Deacon Smith, our subject, was born Sept. 2, 1812, in Londonderry, Vt., and the scenes of his first recollections lie among the Green Mountains of his native State. He remembers many of the incidents of the journey from Vermont to New York State. He was at an early age trained to habits of industry and economy. When a youth of seventeen years, he assumed the management of one of his father's mills, and at the age of twenty, supported not only himself, but the balance of the family, his father in the meantime having failed in business and lost a large amount of property. His education was somewhat limited, having been conducted in a log school-house under the imperfect system of that day. When in the twenty-second year of his age, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Atwater, and he thereafter carried on the saw-mill and the farm until removing to Pennsylvania, where he engaged in lumbering about four years with excellent results. Of this union there were born five daughters, only two of whom are now living: Julia A., and Ellen J.; both are married and reside in Dakota. In the year 1859, our subject set out for Iowa, and took up his abode in Van Buren Township, on a tract of wild land. He had then a capital of $7, and was among strangers. He labored a number of years amid difficulties and discouragement, but in due time industry, honesty, and perseverance met with their legitimate reward, and he once more found himself on solid ground. Two years after leaving New York State, he returned in order to regain if possible a portion of the property which had once belonged to him, but the attempt proved futile. In Tioga County, N.Y., on the 20th of June, 1861, our subject was married a second time at Waverly, to Miss Julia A. Spencer, and returned to Iowa that same fall with his family. Mrs. Smith joined hands with her husband in his efforted to secure a home and a competence for the future, and Providence smiled upon their labors. Of this marriage there were born two children. The son, David married Miss Charlotte Wycoff, and has one child, Maud M. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a daughter, died in infancy. In May, 1874, Mr. Smith and his excellent wife concluded to retire from the active labors of farm life, and took up their residence at a snug home in Preston, where they now reside. Mr. Smith, politically, is a stanch Republican, "dyed in the wool," having been identified with the party since its organization. He had the honor of voting for "old Tippecanoe" in 1840, and also voted for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison in the election of 1888. He has filled his present office of Deacon in the Congregational Church for a few months, and is a man looked up to and respected by all who know him.

Just checked the WPA Graves List and found: BLIXCK, Jospeh , died 1880, aged --,; Catholic cem, Baldwin [Page 18] LEISEK, Joseph (no dates) Catholic cem, Baldwin [Page 134] Perhaps the Jospeh is a corrupted version of JOSEF (which I believe was an accepted spelling of JOSEPH. At any rate, I hope the 1880 date helps. Duane in Redding, CA

~ SAMUEL ROUSH ~ Related Surnames - HAWKINS, SADDLER, O'BRIEN, McGLEWN, ARCHER, OGDEN The subject of this notice is pursuing the even tenor of his way on a well-regulated farm of 115 acres, finely located on section 31 in Farmers' Creek Township. He has lived here since his marriage, and has effected the improvements which we behold to-day only through years of industrious labor and the most judicious management. He is quite prominent in his community, having served as Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee, and is now a member of the School Board. His wife is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Roush is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light Dec. 30, 1834, at the homestead of his father, George Roush. He came to the West in 1855, and took up his residence in Farmers' Creek Township, where he has since remained. Here he found his bride; being married, March 20, 1859, to Miss Caroline Hawkins. The parents of Mrs. Roush were Armstrong and Mary Hawkins, who removed from Indiana to Iowa at an early day, and spent the remainder of their lives in this county. Of this marriage of our subject there were born two children - Idelpha, Mrs. J.F. Saddler, of Woodbury County; and George A., a bright and promising young man, who occupies himself as a teacher, and makes his home with his father. Mrs. Caroline Roush departed this life at the homestead, May 31, 1863. Our subject contracted a second marriage, with Miss Nancy, daughter of John and Dorothy (O'Brien) Saddler; the wedding taking place in May, 1864, in this township. To our subject and his present wife there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, a son, Elsworth S., died, greatly mourned, Aug. 22, 1888, when a young man of twenty-three years. Their second child, Carrie T., is at home with her parents; Albert J., the youngest, died Sept 11, 1882, aged three years. The father of Mrs. Roush was born in the North of Ireland, where he was reared and first married to Miss Nancy McGlewn. To them were born three children, James, William, and Elizabeth who is now Mrs. Jacob Archer. The mother of these died in Ireland. Mr. Saddler subsequently emigrated to the United States, in 1830, and located in Summit County, Ohio, where he was married the year following. He died when a comparatively a young man, Sept. 20, 1849, leaving his widow with seven children. These were named respectively: Robert, Joseph, George, John, Albert, Margaret (who married Jefferson Ogden, and lives in Clinton County), and Nancy, the wife of our subje! ct. After the death of her husband, the mother of Mrs. Roush came with her children, in 1852, to this county. They located in Farmers' Creek Township, where they lived until after the marriage of Robert Saddler, who then removed to Montgomery County. The mother died there at her home, on the 9th of November, 1887, at the age of seventy-nine years. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Roush were also natives of Ireland, and Protestants in religion. They were brought to the United States by their parents when mere children. Mr. and Mrs. Roush commenced their wedding life together at the farm where they now live, and here have centered their chief interests. They have labored, hand in hand, in the accumulation of their property, and are now in a condition to enjoy the fruits of their toil. They are people held in high esteem in their community as representing its best element.

~ JOHN ROUSH ~ Related Surnames - MEYERS, SPRINGER, RISHER, BAKER, COON, BROWN, TAYLOR, TETERS, SUTTON, LISTON, FULTON, FARMER This name represents one of the oldest residents of Farmers' Creek Township, who is now retired from active labor and lives peacefully in the enjoyment of a competence. During the years of his active life he was accounted one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of this region and succeeded in transforming a portion of the soil to one of the best regulated farms in this party of the county. For many years he gathered in bountiful harvests and in the meantime effected the improvements, which not only rendered his land valuable, but assisted in building up the reputation of the county as the home of a prosperous and progressive people. >From a glance at the ancestry of our subject we find that his grandfather, John Roush, Sr., if not a native of Germany, was at least of German descent. He settled in Virginia prior to the Revolutionary War, and it is believed that his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Meyers took place there. Their son George, the father of our subject, was born in that State, and afterward the grandparents removed to Ohio, settling in what was then Jefferson, but is now Harrison County. Grandfather Roush came to his death by the falling of a tree, and the grandmother was thus left a widow with six children. She survived many years. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in the Buckeye State and married Miss Anna, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Risher) Springer. They lived in Ohio until 1842, then removed to Wabash County, Ind., locating in the heavy timber on the Indian Reserve, where the father cleared a farm and sojourned many years. Thence, in 1854, the family came to this county. The children, thirteen in number, all lived to mature years. George and Nathaniel were married in Indiana. Of Elijah a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Harriet the wife of Andrew Baker, is a resident of Woodbury County, this State; John, our subject was the fifth child; Samuel, married and lives in Farmers' Creek Township; Enoch lives in this county, and Hiram in Des Moines; Nancy, (Mrs. Byron Coon) is a resident of Clinton County; Maria was first married to H. D. Brown and afterward to a Mr. Taylor, with whom she moved to Ottumwa; Levi is in Farmers' Creek Township; Emily, (Mrs. James Teters) is! a resident of this county; Anna became the wife of William T. Sutton, who is now deceased, and she lives in this county. The mother passed away in March, 1866; the father is still living and makes his home with his son in this Township. The subject of this sketch was born in what is now Harrison County, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1832. He came to the West with his parents, and when twenty-two years old was married at the bride's home in Farmers' Creek Township to Miss Sarah A. Liston. This lady was the daughter of John and Catherine (Springer) Liston, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of four children: Elmira is the wife of John Fulton, a resident of Jefferson County, Kan.; Laura A., (Mrs. David Farmer) is a resident of Farmers' Creek Township; Addie and Emma B. are attending the Commercial College at Davenport. The old homestead is now occupied by Elijah Roush. It is a very fine estate and is pleasantly located on section 27. Upon the arrival of our subject in this county the nearest grain markets were Lyons and Dubuque. The country, however, settled up rapidly and as the facilities for transportation increased there was an increased demand for farm products. Mr. Roush, during his early manhood operated a saw-mill, which was patronized by people for miles around. He has forty acres of highly cultivated land on section 35, whereon he has put up substantial buildings. He remodeled the dwelling in 1873, and has everything about him for his convenience and comfort.

~ ELIJAH ROUSH ~ Related Surnames - LISTON The subject of this notice is the fortunate possessor of a first-class farm situated on section 27 in Farmers' Creek Township - the land upon which his father located upon coming a pioneer to this county. It first comprised 160 acres, but the present owner has added to it so that he now has 214; the whole is under a high state of cultivation, with the exception of twenty-five acres of timber. It is mostly devoted to grain and stock and yeilds a handsome income. The farm is improved with a set of neat and substantial frame buildings, and Mr. Roush employs the best known methods and the lastest improved machinery in the prosecution of his calling. The subject of this sketch may most properly be called a self-made man, who grew up with the country and has contributed his share toward the development of its resources. He well remembers it as it appeared in his boyhood and he participated in the work of clearing and improving the farm. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in May, 1829, and is the son of George Roush, mention of whom is made in the sketch of John Roush on another page in this volume. George Roush was a native of Virginia, and is now living with his son in Farmers' Creek Township. The marriage of Elijah Roush and Miss Lavina Liston was celebrated at the bride's home in South Fork Township in December, 1855. Of this union there are two children living - Hiram D. and Ariann, now the wife of John Turner, of Farmers' Creek Township. They have lost two children by death, Isah, who died when one year old, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Roush has held the office of Township Trustee a number of years. He has been an active, energetic man, aiming to excel in whatever he undertakes, whether it be in service to his fellow-citizens or in the management of his farm. He is a member of one of the best families in this part of the county, but also on account of his own intrinsic merits, is held in high esteem.

~ SAMUEL A RICHARDSON ~ Related Surnames - HULL, WAIT, STALLCUP, BLAKELY, REYNOLDS, HALL, SMITH, WRIGHT, WELLS, DESMOND, SPENCER, HAZELTON, STEWART Samuel A. Richardson, of Fairfield Township, represents a goodly portion of its wealth and prosperity, being the owner of a fine estate, comprising 320 acres of land with first-class buildings and all modern improvements. He carries on general agriculture, making a specialty of live-stock, horses, cattle and swine. A man, enterprising and energetic, he is at once recognized as possessing more than ordinary ability, while his resolution and perseverance have overcome a host of obstacles before which many would have retreated in dismay. He came to this county during the period of its early settlement, and while watching its growth and development, has contributed in no small degree to bring it to its present condition. He has tilled a goodly portion of its soil, erected some of its most creditable buildings, and thus enhanced largely the value of its taxable property. A native of Ulster County, N.Y., our subject was born near the town of Petersboro, Nov. 20, 1820, but two years later was taken by his parents to Keene, N.H. Later, however, they returned to New York State, settling near Woodstock, Ulster County, and from there subsequently removed to Sand Lake, ten miles east of the city of Troy. They lived there four years, then returned to Woodstock, where they sojourned two years, and next going into the Dominion of Canada, settled near Chatham, where they resided fourteen years. At the expiration of this time, they set out for Iowa, and located in Fairfield Township, this county, at a time when there were no settlers between Deep Creek and the present site of Maquoketa. The father put up the first house of logs, which was covered with clap-boards, and hung the door on wooden hinges. The little lumber which they obtained, had to be hauled a long distance, and then brought up the Maquoketa River in a canoe or dug-out. They took up a! claim of 160 acres of prairie land, to which our subject added later, making his present fine farm a half-section in extent. Mr. Richardson assisted in the organization of the township, and was one of its first Trustees, which office he held three terms, and has been the incumbent of all the other township offices. Both he and his sons politically, are stanch supporters of the Democratic party, and uniformly perform their duty at the polls. Mr. Richardson, while a resident of Canada, came to Michigan, and was married Jan. 11, 1844, to Miss Lois G. Hull, daughter of Benjamin F. & Lucy (Wait) Hull, of Franklin County, Vt., the father being a farmer by occupation. The mother died in 1840, and the father subsequently, in 1844, came to Iowa, locating in Fairfield Township, this county, where his death took place in 1862. His family consisted of the children who are recorded as follows: Milton C. married Nancy Stallcup, of Clinton County, and is now deceased; Mr. S. resides at Center Point, retired from active labor. They were the parents of eight children. Benjamin F. married Hannah M. Blakely, of Union Center, lives on a farm, and has four children; Sophia became the wife of Sapha Reynolds, of Clinton County, and is the mother of four children; Helen H. married Timothy Hall, became the mother of four children, and is now deceased; Mary and her husband, Amos B. Smith, of Chelsea, are deceased; they had eight! children. The wife of our subject, died Aug. 10, 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, there were born four children, of whom only two are living, William E., and Albert W. The first mentioned married Miss Clara Bell Blakely, of Union Center, and occupies himself as a farmer and stock-raiser in Fairfield Township. He has two children, Helen S. and Mary E. His is a prominent and highly respected citizen, and bids fair to follow in the footsteps of his honored father. Albert W. was first married to Miss Helen J. Blakely, of Union Center, who died leaving one child, Kathie, now deceased. He was then married to Agnes E. Blakely; they have once child, Ruby Marie, and live at the homestead. This son has been the Assessor of his township for the last ten years, and is now Justice of the Peace. The father of our subject, Asa Richardson, was a native of New York State, and married Miss Elizabeth Wright, a native of Vermont, and whose parents were from New York State. The paternal grandparents of our subject emigrated from Connecticut to New York, at a very early day. To Asa and Elizabeth Richardson, there were born the children recorded as follows: Mary J. became the wife of William Wells, who is now deceased, and she at present is a resident of Portland, Oregon; they had no children. Asa K. married Martha Desmond, of Canada West, and is operating a ranch in Washington; they had eight children, only five of whom are living. Amba married John Spencer, a ranchman of Oregion, and to them were born three children; Sarah is the wife of Mr. Hazelton, a hardware merchant of Portland, Oregon; Daniel is unmarried, and lives in Washington; Nathan C. married Eliza Stewart, of Ireland, and they are deceased; their only child, Archibald, is a farmer by occupation, and li! ves in Adair County, this State. The father of our subject was a glass-blower by trade, which he followed through life, and died at Sand Lake, N.Y. The mother later came with her children to this county, and died at the home of her son, Nathan, in 1872, at the age of seventy-four years. The old dinner table of home manufacture, and which the family used during the first years of their residence in this county, is still preserved as a relic of the past, and it is to be hoped will be carefully treasured for generations to come.

> The following new message has been posted on Jackson Queries at > <http://iagenweb.org/boards/jackson/queries/index.cgi>. To respond to this > message, click on the link below. Respond directly to the message using the > form provided. > > *************************************************************************** > > MESSAGE: (#43677) Blizek & Leisek - Holy Trinity Cemetery, Baldwin, > <http://iagenweb.org/boards/jackson/queries/index.cgi?rev=43677> > AUTHOR: Bob Ankenbauer > DATE: 1/25/2004 at 14:31:45 > > Surnames: BLIZEK,LEISEK,LASACK,LEJSEK > > There are two broken off tombstones at the Holy Trinity Cemetery at Baldwin, > Iowa that we recently came across. > > One has part of the first name broken off. It read ----EF BLIZEK. No dates > were left on the stone. The remaining piece of tombstone is laid against the > church foundation behind the church. > > Another stone had the name JOSEPH LEISEK. No dates were left on the stone. The > remaining piece of tombstone is propped up in the cemetery area to the right > of the church. > > We are interested in both of these tombstones since we believe they are > probably connected to the BLIZEK and LASACK - LEJSEK families of Oxford > Junction, Jones County, Iowa. > > Can anyone offer guidance on this? Please contact us at our e-mail address. > > Sincerely, > Bob and Mary Ankenbauer > regenbauer@tds.net > > *************************************************************************** > > This is an automatically-generated notice. To be removed from the Message > Board list, you may (Un)Subscribe at Jackson Queries at > <http://iagenweb.org/boards/jackson/queries/index.cgi>, or send your request > to iagenwebboards@iagenweb.org. If you wish to respond to this message, > please post your response directly to the board. Thank you!

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: TURNER, MCGEE, MCCARTHY, MCCAFFREY, TALLMAN, LEONARD Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5k.2ADE/1388.1.1 Message Board Post: Sorry, I don't. Maybe someone else does. PT

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BLIZEK LEISEK LASACK LEJSEK Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5k.2ADE/1572 Message Board Post: There are two broken off tombstones at the Holy Trinity Cemetery at Baldwin, Iowa that we recently came across. One has part of the first name broken off. It read ----EF BLIZEK. No dates were left on the stone. The remaining piece of tombstone is laid against the church foundation behind the church. Another stone had the name JOSEPH LEISEK. No dates were left on the stone. The remaining piece of tombstone is propped up in the cemetery area to the right of the church. We are interested in both of these tombstones since we believe they are probably connected to the BLIZEK and LASACK - LEJSEK families of Oxford Junction, Jones County, Iowa. Can anyone offer guidance on this? Sincerely, Bob and Mary Ankenbauer regenbauer@tds.net

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5k.2ADE/1388.1 Message Board Post: We are looking for the Mercedes Pitts and John J. McCarthy family. Children are; robert, Merlin, Allen, Davaid, John, Eileen, Betty Jackie Joan, Donna and Mary. Do you have anything on thsi family.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/5k.2ADE/385.1.2.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Marge, Thank you for remembering my search. I have been in touch with Earl Swanson and Janis Dorchester and have both their books. I'll take any further tidbits of information you can sahre in the future too though! Sincerely, Kevin O'Brien

~ PETER F. KUHL ~ Related Surnames - RAMM, NAYE Peter F. Kuhl, of Van Buren Township is pursuing the even tenor of his way in the care and cultivation of a good farm which he secured through his own labors, his perseverance and his economy. He is one of the most reliable German-American residents of this county, generous to a fault, with a keen desire for knowledge and all the things which pertain to a noble and worthy citizenship. A native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, he was born Nov. 28, 1845, and came to America in April of 1865, landing in New York. Thence he proceeded directly to the farther West and commenced the task of carving out his fortune by the labor of his own hands. Our subject is the son of Jerry and Maggie (Ramm) Kuhl, who were likewise natives of Schleswig, and of pure German stock. The father earned his living and made a comfortable home for his family by hard labor, and the parental household consisted of four children, all of whom are living, two in Germany, and two in the United States. Peter at an early age became familiar with agricultural pursuits, working on a farm in his native Province until coming to America. The year following, June 25, 1866, he was married to Miss Josephine Naye, a native of Germany, and at that time a resident of Van Buren Township. This union resulted in the birth of two sons and a daughter: Jerry, Mary and Peter. The eldest is nineteen years of age, and the youngest five, and all with their parents belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kuhl, politically, is independent, aiming to support the men whom he considers the best qualified to serve the people. His farm property lies on section 12, and co! nsists of 160 acres of good land, whereon he has erected comfortable buildings and is now prepared to take life easier then he could have done twenty years ago. He needs no better recommendation then the fact that he is well spoken of by his neighbors, and is fully worthy of representation in a work designed to perpetuate the names of the early settlers of this county.

~ HENRY DICKINSON ~ Related Surnames - SCARBOROUGH, CHAFER, MARSHALL, McARTHUR This name represents one of the most wealthy and prominent men of Iowa Township, a gentleman of the highest character and standing, socially and financially, and one who has been remarkably prosperous in his chosen vocation, that of farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine body of land, 600 acres in extent, and has one of the most valuable homesteads in Jackson County located on section 2 in Iowa Township. He makes a specialty of English draft horses, Short-horn and Polled-Angus cattle and Poland-China Swine. He was at one time considerably interested in Leicester sheep, but found that cattle and horses were more profitable in this region. Mr. Dickinson is a liberal, whole-souled man, and one universally popular. He has exerted no small influence among the farming interests of this region, as whatever he undertakes is accomplished in the most thorough and skillful manner, and he has sensibly aimed to excel, believing that farming is as much of a science as any other occupation which can be entered upon. This accounts for his phenomenal success. His land has been brought to the most thorough cultivation. The dwelling is tasteful and commodious, while the barns, shed and other outbuildings are amply adapted to the purposes for which they were intended. Mr. Dickinson avails himself of the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of the soil, and the result is bountiful harvests and those of excellent quality. The southern portion of this county has been largely settled by English-born citizens, and among them is Mr. Dickinson whose birth took place in Lincolnshire, Nov. 27, 1832. His father, William Dickinson, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and born in 1799. He emigrated with his family to the United States in the fall of 1842, when Henry, our subject was a lad of ten years. They spent their first winter at Alton, Ill., and came to this county the spring following, landing in Sabula, April 16. The father secured a tract of land comprising several hundred acres on section 2 in Iowa Township, near that which his son Henry now owns and occupies. Iowa was then a Terriroty, and the elder Dickinson secured his land directly from Uncle Sam. Upon this he lived and labored until his death, which occurred April 12, 1874. Mrs. Elizabeth (Scarborough) Dickinson, the mother of our subject, was also a native of Lincolnshire, England, and is still living at the old homestead, being nearly seventy-nine years old. The parental family included five children, four of whom were born in England, namely: William, Henry, Mary and John. Isaac, the youngest, was born in Iowa Township, this county. The majority of them live in Dakota. Henry, like his brothers, remained with his parents and assisted in the development of the new farm until ready to establish a home of his own. Upon the day following his twenty-seventh birthday he was married Nov. 28, 1859, to Miss Jane E., daughter of Joseph and Harriett (Marshall) Chafer. Mrs. Dickinson was born Nov. 28, 1839, and was reared to womanhood under the parental roof, receiving a common-school education and becoming familiar with all useful household duties. Of her union with our subject there have been borne nine children, seven of whom are living, namel! y: Herbert W., Joseph H., Charles W., Harriet E., John W., Eva J., and Alfred. Bessie and Lucy died when four and nine years old respectively. Herbert married Miss Mary McArthur, lives in Plymouth County, this State, and is the father of one child, a son, Henry Allen. Joseph Chafer, the father of Mrs. Dickinson, died at his home Nov. 22, 1882. The mother is still living, making her home with her son Alfred in Iowa Township and is now seventy-three years old. Mr. Dickinson was at one time the owner of 900 acres of land in this county. His extensive interests demand the most of his time and attention, and he consequently has avoided the cares and responsibilities of office, although he has served as Township Trustee a period of twelve years in succession. In political matters he sides with the Republican party. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity about 1879, and is a member in good standing of the lodge at Sabula. No man can point to a dishonorable deed that he has done during his long and useful career, and in his attachment to America and its institutions, he is fully as loyal as the native-born citizens, in fact he knows no other home or nationality as he came to these shores before his impressions of life had been fully formed, and practically has "grown up with the country."

Could you tell me how far from the present Jackson Co Historical societys bldg is the Clinton Engines Manufacturing Bdg., which will eventually house the historical societys records?? I dont get to Iowa often but when I do, would like to know where the new societys records will be located. Thanks Bonnie

OH MAN I knew these things were interesting! When I was a little girl I lived across the street from this LDS family with a bunch of kids ..... guess what their last name was? I'd never EVER heard this name before in my life? I wonder what became of them? And if I can figure it out guess who'll be getting a copy of this biography! I still have access to a phone book for Mesa Arizona so I'll have my father check! Marge