~ CALVIN BREEDEN, b. 29 May 1830 ~ Related Surnames - HARRIS, MARTIN, WILSON Calvin Breeden, one of the earliest pioneers of this county, and a Union soldier during the late war, was born May 29, 1830, in Edgar County, Ill., and is the son of Richard and Lucretia (Harris) Breeden, who were both born and reared near Louisville, Ky., and were of Irish and Scotch ancestry. The parents were married in Kentucky, and removed to Monroe County, Ind., where the father opened up a farm from the heavy timber. Later he removed to Putnam County, Ind., and improved another farm, after which he changed his residence to Edgar County, Ill., building up there also a new farm. In 1838 he came to this county, settling in Farmers' Creek Township, being the fourth man to locate here. He made the journey overland by wagon, and drove his livestock. The nearest market was at Galena, and the nearest mill six miles north of Dubuque. The Indians had not yet left the country. In Farmers' Creek Township the Breeden family settled on section 15, where they lived many years, then removed across the Maquoketa River. The father died in 1870, and the mother in 1872, each aged eighty-three years. Most of their lives had been spent on the frontier. They had fourteen children, thirteen of whom lived to mature years, and six are still living. Calvin Breeden was married, in September, 1853, to Miss Adelia, daughter of Jacob and Susan Martin. Prior to this, however, he had, in 1850, crossed the plains with a wagon train to California, where he engaged in mining until the year of his marriage. His sister Jane is still living in California. Mr. Breeden, after his return to Iowa and his marriage, engaged in farming, which he prosecuted until 1860. He then visited Pike's Peak, but returned in a few months, and in the spring of 1862, enlisted in Company B, 26th Iowa Infantry. He was first appointed Sergeant and then promoted to Lieutenant, and commanded the company at the battle of Arkansas Post. He was thereafter in many of the important battles of the war, and at Greenville suffered a broken leg. He also had the smallpox, and his constitution generally was undermined by exposure and illness, but notwithstanding this he is a man much younger looking than many of his age. Mr. Breeden is the owner of a fine farm of eighty-four acres, well improved, and lying on section 22. His children are: Frances M.; Otto N.; Rosa M., (Mrs. Frank Wilson) of Butler County, this State; and Daisy N. One child, Eva, died at the age of six months. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)

Hi. I'm new to this list and have a question about the Jackson county 1895 state census. I've rented it from the Family History Library and looked at it yesterday only to find there doesn't seem to be anything there on Springbrook. Anyone have an idea why that would be? I know it existed then because I have letters from friends of my great grandfather, Kaspar MERZ mentioning the town. They were in the Bellevue area and I did find them on the census! Was it in a different county back them? BTW, other names mentioned in these letters are Mathias NAGLER and Anton SCHWAGER, SR. Neither are related, that I know of, but were friends of my MERZ family and came from the same little town in Bavaria called Rühlingstetten. Also, does anyone have any ideas where Saint Mary's in Linn County is located? Can't find it anywhere! Kaspar and family indicated that as their destination on the ship's passenger list. Thanks for any help! Elaine Kamloops, BC

Elaine, My husband has a book concerning former post offices in Iowa. Jackson County has Springbrook given as a 2-word name, Spring Brook. It was established in in 1846 and is still a town (spelling Springbrook) in Jackson County today. On the Iowa map it is located SW of Bellevue. The info I have shows Springbrook located in Jackson Twp. Nancy

Elaine, I missed your request about Saint Marys in Linn County. It was located in Franklin Twp in the SE corner of Linn County. The post office was established in 1849 and discontinued in 1859. This may not have been actual town, but just a post office where the settlers in the area could retrieve their letters. This area today is most likely part of Mount Vernon, which is a good sized town. Nancy

Thanks for your replies, Nancy. I do know where Springbrook is located but wondered why it's not on the Jackson County census microfilm. Any ideas, anyone? As for St Mary's, your reply explains why I can't find it on a map. It's a real mystery, then, why my great grandfather, Kaspar Merz, indicated that as his destination when they came from Germany in 1893! Thanks again. Elaine Kamloops, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: "John & Nancy Malmquist" <leaguepm@wccta.net> To: <IAJACKSO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 9:50 AM Subject: Re: [IAJACKSO] Springbrook > Elaine, > I missed your request about Saint Marys in Linn County. > It was located in Franklin Twp in the SE corner of Linn County. The post > office was established in 1849 and discontinued in 1859. > This may not have been actual town, but just a post office where the > settlers in the area could retrieve their letters. > > This area today is most likely part of Mount Vernon, which is a good sized > town. > Nancy