Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeObits/152 Surname: Brockway, Field ------------------------- Ft. Madison Weekly Democrat, Ft. Madison, Iowa' Wenesday, 28 Mar. 1906; p.8 column 6; BROCKWAY At his home in Denmark, Iowa, Wednesday, March 21, 1906, at 3:20 p.m., Wilder Brockway, aged 72 years, 9 months, and 11 days. Deceased was born in Tumbull* County, Ohio, June 11, 1833, coming to Iowa with his parents when but four years old and had spend the greater part of his life in Lee County. He was the constable of Denmark township for many years and well known in Ft. Madison, where he had many friends. November 21, 1858, he was married to Louisa C. McNeill in Marion County, Iowa, who with one son, A.E. Brockway, survives him. He is also survived by one sister and two brothers, Mrs. Electa Field of West Point, Nathaniel Brockway, of Des Moines and D.M. Brockway of Denmark. Funer took place Thursday at 2 o'clock. Interment in Denmark Cemetery. *should read Trumbull County, Ohio

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/55 Surname: King, Cramer, Cade ------------------------- (I am not related to this family.) Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887 Page 284 JOHN KING, a well-to-do and prosperous farmer residing on section 23, Cedar Township, was born three miles south of Wheeling, W.Va., Feb. 11, 1836. His father, John King, was a native of Germany, and his grandfather, also named John, was a native of the same country, where he was reared to manhood and became a Benedict. The latter came to America with his wife and three children about 1800, and settled in Westmoreland County, Pa., on a farm, and there lived until his death. Of their eleven children born in that State, ten grew to attain the age of maturity and to become the heads of families. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania, and subsequently settling near Wheeling, W.Va., there rented and cultivated a tract of land, meeting with partial success. In 1838 he returned to Westmoreland County, and renting a farm, was cooupied in agricultural pursuits until his death, which took place two years later, in 1840. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Rachel Cramer, and her demise occurred five months previous to that of her husband. She left eight children to mourn their loss. The subject of this notice was four years old when his parents died, and being orphaned at that early age, he was bound out to a farmer of Westmoreland County, James Hayes by name, and was exceedingly fortunate in obtaining a home with that gentleman, for he remembers him as one just in his dealings and possessing a kind heart. In 1843 Mr. King came to this county with his adopted father, who located in Franklin Township. there our subject grew to manhood on a farm and in the home of Mr. Hayes. He continued to live with him until his death, when he took charge of the farm for Mrs. Hayes, and successfully conducted it until he was twenty-four years old. At that age in life Mr. King joined the army of Benedicts, and settled in Knox County, Mo., where he cultivated rented land for four years. After that he returned to Lee County, and was a renter for two years in Cedar Township, and then bought the place he now owns. It was but little improved at the time he bought it, and he now has all the land under an advanced state of cultivation and good buildings on the place, together with fruit and shade trees. His marriage took place in 1859, and the lady chosen as his life companion was Miss Eliza J. Cade. She was born in Ohio in 1843, and has bourne our subject ten children - Julia A., Minerva E., Adelia F., John R., James K., Charles W., Horace M., Jesse L., Daisy J. and Daniel G. In politics Mr. King is a Democrat.

MABEL TROTTER was born 28 Dec 1900, died Dec 1982 in Fort Madison, IA. Her last known address was: 2411 Avenue L, Fort Madison, Iowa 52627. In the mid-1920's she taught fourth grade in Centralia, Missouri. She was married twice, first husband-- H.B. Howell, second husband was Ellis R Hall If there are living descendants of Mabel, I know someone who has her old scrapbook and may be willing to give it to them. It contains newspaper clippings and programs from her days in Missouri. Descendants or no, the current holder of the scrapbook is curious about her life and would like to know more details. Kevin Kelly kkelly@trib.net

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/54 Surname: RICHARDSON, FOSTER, AGNO, BALL, HYTER ------------------------- (Please note: I am not related to the following persons.) Transcribed from The History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Greenbay Township, page 882: "RICHARDSON, S. F., far., Sec. 8; P. O. Wever; son of David Richardson, who was born in New Jersey, in 1795; in 1812, his parents moved to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where David grew to man's estate, and married Jemima, daughter of Absalom Foster, an early emigrant from Maryland to Hamilton Co.; after their marriage, they moved to Hancock Co., Ind., remained until 1846, when they came to Lee Co. and settled near Fort Madison, where he died in 1864, leaving two sons and two daughters; S. F., the youngest, was born in Hamilton Co. [Ohio], in 1833; came with his parents to Iowa; he received an education in the common schools. In 1854, in company with A. Agno, of Fairfield, Joseph Ball and William P. Hyter, of Lee Co., purchased a large drove of cattle, and crossed the plains to California – were five months on the route; they disposed of their cattle to good advantage, and, in 1855, returned home via Nicaragua and New York. In September, 1856, he married Catharine [sic] Hyter, a sister of Samuel Hyter; she was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1833; after their marriage, they settled in Hancock Co., Ill., until 1859, when he removed to his present farm, consisting of 167 acres, valued at $45 per acre; have five children – R. A., born in December, 1858; Alice, Nov. 5, 1867; Ida, Dec. 20, 1871; Caroline, Jan. 6, 1875; Samuel Clyde, Feb. 15, 1877. Mr. Richardson is a Democrat; his wife is a member of the Christian Church.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/52 Surname: McNEILL, GADYALE, MUSSER ------------------------- (Please note: I am not related to the following persons.) Transcribed from The History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Washington Township, pages 843-844: “McNEILL, AMOS, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Denmark; of Scotch origin, from Whiting, Vt.; in 1813, when in his 2nd year, his father removed to the Western Reserve, now Medina Co., Ohio; his father refused to give a silver watch for 160 acres of land where Akron now stands, and settled six miles distant; when Amos was 12 years of age, his mother died, and about the same time, his father lost his sight and became dependent upon his children for support; they were scattered to different parts of the country; Amos was bound to a farmer named Gadyale, who afterward joined the Mormons at Salt Lake City; Amos learned the stone-cutter’s trade, which he has since followed. July 6, 1837, he married Miss Linda McNeill (his cousin), daughter of John McNeill, who died in Lee Co. Jan. 20, 1852; her mother died in Mahaska Co. three years later. In September following their marriage, they moved to Warsaw, Ill., where he followed milling, and worked at his trade two and a half years; thence to Lee Co., this township, and settled on the farm now occupied by O. T. Hayes; three years after, he moved to the section where he now owns 146 acres, valued at $45 per acre. They have five children – Elias, born in September, 1840 – enlisted with Engineers of the West in 1861, and served through the war; Alvin, born in December, 1842, also a soldier in the late war; enlisted in the 7th I. V. I. In 1861, was discharged and re-enlisted in the 30th I. V. I., in 1862, in which he was detailed as forager, and, after many narow escapes, mustered out at the close of the war; he is now a resident of Colorado; Alice E., born in December, 1844, the wife of W. J. Musser, a carpenter of Denmark, from Pittsburgh, Penn., married Dec. 15, 1878; Jonathan E., born in December, 1850; Rueben C., in December, 1853. Republican; Mr. and Mrs. McN. [sic], with two of their children, are members of the Baptist Church, she fifty years’ standing. He has never sought public office."

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/51 Surname: MORGAN, OSBORNE, STRUNK ------------------------- Transcribed from The History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Greenbay Township, page 882: “MORGAN, JOHN, Sr., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Wever; born in Montgomery Co., Penn, in 1806; at 12 years of age, with his parents moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Dearborn Co., Ind. At the age of 23, Mr. Morgan married Mary Osborne, who was born in Ohio in 1808; in 1839, they came to Lee Co.; settled upon and improved the land (240 acres) where he now resides; in 1864, his wife died, leaving seven children – Elizabeth, born in Indiana Sept. 30, 1831; Joel, born in Indiana Oct 9, 1833; Edward, born March, 1835; Abraham, born in Indiana Aug. 4, 1837; Priscilla, born in Indiana Sept. 30, 1839, and died in Lee Co., Oct. 27, 1840; Sarah, born in Lee Co., Aug. 27, 1841; Eli, born in Lee Co., Dec. 18, 1843; John, born July 28, 1849. April 6, 1874, Mr. Morgan married Catharine, wife [sic] of David Strunk, one of the early settlers; she was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., in 1816. Mr. Morgan’s children are all married and settled on farms, except John, who is a machinist in Burlington. Mr. M. [sic] is a Democrat in political belief; he has been a Deacon in the Christian Church for forty-seven years; his wife and three of his children are also members of that Church.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/49 Surname: McCOMB, MARDER, MASON, HILL, COOPER, HUGHS, PIERSON, VAN HORN, WADE ------------------------- This biography contains a short biographical sketch of the life of Mr. George B. Wade within the biography of the principle subject, William McComb. (Please note: I am note related to the following persons.) Transcribed from The History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Washington Township, page 842: “McCOMB, WILLIAM, deceased, son of Robert McComb, who was born in Washington Co., Penn., March 31, 1783; his wife, Isabella McComb, was born in the same county on the 1st day of November, 1789. They were married December 5, 1805; they emigrated from Pennsylvania, and were among the early pioneers of Lee Co.; they fist settled on the farm now occupied by Frank Marder; they had ten children – Margaret, wife of William Mason, of this township; Eliza married David Hill, now deceased; she now lives in Pennsylvania; Jane married Mr. Cooper, both deceased; Mercy married Hugh W. Hughs [sic], and died in 1842; Mary A. died the same year; Ellen, wife of Joseph Pierson, of Nevada Co., Cal.; William, the eldest son, was born in Washington Co., Penn., January, 1808, and grew to manhood under the parental roof; educational advantages were limited, and William always lamented the fact that his surroundings were such as to cramp and cripple his desire for a good education. Oct. 4, 1866, he married Miss Ruhama, daughter of John Van Horn, of Illinois; after marriage, they settled on Sec. 22, in this township, and commenced the battle of life; their first child, Robert William, was born Aug. 11, 1867; Lulu May, born Sept. 25, 1869; the third child, James, was born April 23, 1872, and died Aug. 19, 1872; the father, William McComb, died May 21, 1877, leaving two children, who are being raised and educated by George B. Wade and his wife, their uncle and aunt – Mrs. Wade being a sister to their mother; Mr. Wade was born in Monongalia Co., Va.; at 10 years of age, he was bound to a tailor to serve until he was 21 years of age, but ran away the spring before his time was out; went to Monroe Co., Mo., and engaged as a laborer. In the fall of that year he married Phoebe J. Van Horn, who was born in Buchanan Co., Va., Jan. 28, 1842; in 1863, he enlisted in the Missouri State service, and served four months and twenty days; when the cause of the Missourians began to look dark, the forces to which he belonged disbanded, and Wade moved over to Hancock Co, Ill., and, in 1869 he came to Lee Co., and settled in this township. William McComb was a man universally recognized as the noblest work of God – an honest man – and during his residence in Lee Co., filled various offices of public trust. He was a Member [sic] of the Presbyterian Church.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Wills Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeWill/7 Surname: BEELER ------------------------- SAMUEL BEELER: son of Isaac Beeler and Jane Hughes Born: 31 October 1809 Sullivan Co., TN Died: 1 June 1871 Lee Co., IA Aged 61 y, 7 m, 1 d Burial: Beeler Cemetery Will of Samuel Beeler: Lee Co., IA Courthouse “The last Will and Testament of Samuel Beeler of Harrison Township, Lee County, Iowa being in a weak state of body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this last will and testament hereby revoking and cancelling any will by me anytime heretofore made. And first: it is my will and desire that as soon after my death as practicable all my just debts shall be paid and satisfied. And second: I hereby give and bequeath to my kind and affectionate brother David Beeler all my estate real personal and arrived after payment of my debts as aforesaid. As to the farm and timber appertiment thereto now owned by me and fully described in the deeds, therefore, now on record, in trust that he the said David Beeler shall have use and occupy if he chooses, or lease at his pleasure using his own judgement and discretion, by taking and enjoying in person and not otherwise the rents issues and profits, thereof and during his natural life without the power of alienation either as to title or use and occupation except to lease as above set out, and at his death to be owned in fee simple as tenants in common by anyone living children of his that may survive him by his present wife Mrs. Mary Jane Beeler. And third: I hereby constitute and appoint my brother David Beeler legate as aforesaid my sole executor with full powers and without giving bond, and hereby authorize him to collect any money or monies that may be due and owing me at my decease. And fourth: In case of my misfortune overtaking my said brother, so that creditors or other may seek to alienate from him by law or otherwise his rights to said realty under this will, and it should be held that said rights can be taken from him for debts or forfeitures of any kind then it is my will that his wife shall be considered guardian for his own children and that all the rights and privileges of the father be exercised by the mother and the rents issues and profits of the said realty be equally divided by her among her children until her husbands death, when it shall go to the surviving children as aforesaid, and that in case of her death before her husband she may by will appoint a person male or female at her option to take her place as guardian aforesaid, or in case she fails to do so then a guardian to be appointed by the county court or any tribunal in Lee County then exercising the present functions of the county court on the subject of guardian and wards. In testimony whereof I shall hereunto set my hand this 17th day of September 1860.” Samuel Beeler We the undersigned have hereunto set our names as witness of the execution of the fore going will at the request of the testator and in his presence and in the presence of each other. Witness our hands this 17th of September 1860. A. J. McKashen Frances Semple State of Iowa Lee County I J. A. Mc Dowell clerk of the circuit court of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing will was this day given to be and established as the last will and testament of Samuel Beeler late of Lee County, IA, deceased, and the same was ordered to be recorded as such. In witness where of I have herunto set my hand and seal of said county this 9th day of August 1871 J. A. Mc Dowell Clerk Circuit Court {Seal} by W. C. Hobbs, Deputy

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/47 Surname: BEELER, HARNESS ------------------------- David Beeler, a well-known resident of Franklin Township, is an honored pioneer of this section and a representative farmer of Lee County, of which he has been a resident for the last half century. He has been an interested spectator of remarkable changes along the Mississippi Valley, and has aided materially in the development of this section of country, not only by his own example of energetic industry, but by being willing to lend a helping hand to his brother pioneers in their struggles for the establishment of homes in the wilderness. Mr. Beeler was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Sept. 11, 1823. His father, Isaac Beeler, was of Swiss ancestry, but a native of Tennessee, descended from progenitors who came to the United States more than 100 years ago. Isaac Beeler, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and lived to an advanced age, he was connected with the command of Gen. Harrison, of Indiana, and was with the old hero at the battle of Tippecanoe. His son, Isaac, Jr., served as a private in the War of 1812. Neither the father nor the grandfather of our subject received any serious wounds from the enemy during their military career, the latter dying peacefully at his home in Tennessee. Isaac Beeler, Jr., was reared and educated in his native State of Tennessee, and there married Miss Jane Hughes, who was born and reared in his own locality. After the birth of one child they removed to Indiana and located in Montgomery County, where were born to them ten additional children, and where they remained until 1836. In that year the father decided to cross the Mississippi, and accordingly, with his family, made the trip in safety, and located in Iowa on the site of what is now Harrison Township. The land was wild and unimproved, and the little home in the wilderness was surrounded on all sides by Indians and wild animals. They were prepared, however, for all the emergencies of the enterprise, and resolved to establish here a permanent home, whatever the difficulties might be. They improved the land, and in time were rewarded by the pictrue of smiling fields and growing grain. Here the parents remained the balance of their lives, and were peacefully laid to rest in a lot on the old homestead. Isaac Beeler had become the owner of 1,100 acres of land. During the existence of the Whig party he was an adherent of its principles, and when this party was abandoned he associated himself with the Republicans. David Beeler was the seventh child of his parents' family, and remained with them until his marriage, which took place in Henry County, Iowa, June 16, 1851, his bride being Miss Mary J. Harness, a native of the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Beeler, John A. Harness, was a farmer by occupation, and came to Iowa in 1845, when his daughter, Mary J., was a child of twelve years old. They located in Lee County, thence removing to Henry County, where they lived for many years, and finally removed to Van Buren County, where the lives of the parents terminated. John A. Harness was an industrious and energetic man, and was highly respected in his locality for his excellent traits of character. Mrs. B. remained with her parents until her marriage, receiving careful home training. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of six children, the record of whom is as follows: Amanda J. is the wife of F. T. McKeehan, a farmer of Powell County, Neb.; J. J. lives in the village of Donnellson; Hattie E. is the wife of O. L. Powell, of Marion Township, Lee County; Ida is at home assisting her parents; Anna is the wife of Abel Slaughter, a farmer of Franklin Township; D. F. is the manager of his father's homestead. Mr. Beeler is the possessor of nearly 400 acres of land in Franklin and Harrison Townships, most of which is under cultivation. He is a valued citizen, and takes an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community. In politics he is strongly Republican, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of that party. This was sent to me and is supposed to be from a history of Lee County, IA-1887...

Dear Susan, I have been enjoying the biographies you are putting on the above county site. Would you be able to check on the Almendinger family who came from Germany and settled in Ft. Madison, IA? I have an aunt who married George Almendinger who was born in Franklin in 1876, and lived in Ft. Madison from age three. Jacob Almendinger was the father's name. Siblings: Julius, Edward and Caroline. Thank you so much for any assistance. Andrea Strahl

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/45 Surname: MCCREADY, DOUGLASS, MORRISON ------------------------- History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Washington Township, pages 842-843. "McCREADY, LUCY A., P.O. Fort Madison; daughter of Daniel McCready, who was born in Ireland May 2, 1797; of Scotch and Irish ancestry; received a liberal education; at the age of 14, with his parents, came to America; started with seven children, three of whom were buried at sea. They first settled near Enon Valley, Penn.; there they engaged in farming; her father afterward purchased a half interest in a store, where he continued business until 1816, then married Margaret Douglass, of Ohio; she was born on the Western Reserve, in Pennsylvania, and there married; soon after, he sold out his business, and they removed to Ohio, thence to Clarke Co., Ind., near Utica, and for a time engaged in teaching, then farming; in the spring of 1838, they came to Lee Co., and after living one year in Madison, came to what is now the Morrison farm, this township, thence to their present place of residence; the farm contains 120 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. In 1848, Mr. McCready began taking observations of the weather, which afterward he reported regularly to the Smithsonian Institution, at Washington; this he continued until three days previous to his death; his daughter has since made the report; he died April 13, 1872; his wife March 26, 1877, leaving a family of four children - William, born in Ohio, Oct. 5, 1817; Maria L., born May 27, 1820, and died in December, 1873; Mary M., born Sept 24, 1828, and the subject of this biography, who was born in Clarke Co., Ind., Dec 19, 1832, the two last named having remained with their parents until their death, and still occupy the home vacated by them; others of her mother’s family had preceded them to Lee Co.; her brother James was at Madison [sic: Ft. Madison?]; was killed at the explosion of the steamer Moselle, on the Mississippi River, in 1837; a brother William at West Point; John in Van Buren Co., and Charles near Charleston, this county - all pioneers to this county; her father held the office of County Clerk by appointment, when the county seat was at West Point, and again elected to the office, after the county seat was removed to Fort Madison; also elected County Commissioner; was Justice of the Peace for years; was Assessor for Green Bay, Washington and Madison Townships at the same time."

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/44 Surname: MCCREADY, MONTGOMERY ------------------------- History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Washington Township, page 843. “McCREADY, WILLIAM, far., Section 23; P.O. Fort Madison; born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1817; when 2 years of age, his parents emigrated to Clarke Co., Ind.; there, at the age of 10, he attended school, walking two miles, frequently barefooted, to a log schoolhouse; had for eight years a three-months' term each winter; in the spring of 1837, with his father and family, he came to Lee Co. May 13, 1852, he married Miss Melvina C., daughter of Clayton and Juliet Montgomery, of Schuyler Co., Ill., formerly of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in 1835; she was born in Adair Co., Ky., in 1833; they settled in this township, near the residence of his father, until 1874, when he purchased the farm on which he now resides, of 135 acres, valued at $35 per acre. They have eight children - Juliet, born in May, 1853; John C., April 9, 1855; Mary M., Oct 19, 1856; George D., June 19, 1858; Charles H., Jan 1, 1861; Fred, Nov 6, 1865; Sylvester C., May 17, 1869; Minnie, June 4, 1874; all born in Lee Co., and all at home; have received liberal educations. Mr. McC. [sic] is a firm Democrat; Mrs. McC. [sic] and their eldest daughter are members of the M.E. Church. He has held most of the school and township offices.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/43 Surname: MUELLER, SCHENERMANN, ELLERMAN ------------------------- (Please note: I am not related to the following person.) History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Madison Township, page 743: “MUELLER, GEORGE, stonemason; born in Bavaria, Germany, July 18, 1827; he was brought up there and learned the trade of stone-mason; he emigrated to America in January, 1850; came to Iowa in June, 1856; settled in Fort Madison and began working at his trade; has worked at it every season for twenty-three years. He married Miss Barbara Schenermann, from Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 18, 1853; they have seven children – Barbara, Philippine, Elizabeth, George, Katie, Emma, and Charlie. Philippine married August Ellerman Dec. 3, 1876; they have one son – George John (born May 18, 1878).”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/42 Surname: MORRISON, ESPY ------------------------- Please note: I am not related to the following person.) History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Madison Township, page 743: “MORRISON, JOSEPH B., of the firm of Morrison Brothers, manufacturers of plows, scrapers and agricultural implements; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1842; his father came to Iowa in 1847, located in Fort Madison in 1853; Joseph was brought up and attended school here; when only 18 years of age, he enlisted in 1861 as a private in the 7th Regiment I. V. I., Co. D.; he was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1862, and to First Lieutenant in 1863, and was commissioned Captain of his company; he was in a number of battles, among them Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Iuka, Corinth and through Sherman’s campaign; he was slightly hurt at Corinth; he served on staff duty for two years and was mustered out in September, 1864, with the rank of Major and Lieutenant Colonel by brevet; after the war he returned, and since then has been connected with their manufacturing business; July 1, 1875, Mr. Morrison retired from the business giving it up to his sons; Joseph has the financial management of the business. He married Miss Toma Espy, a native of this city, May 5, 1868; they have five children – Vincent, William, Genevieve, Mabel, and Maria.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/41 Surname: MORRISON, KENNEDY ------------------------- (Please note: I am not related to the following person.) History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Madison Township, page 743: MORRISON, DENNIS A., of the firm of Morrison Brothers, manufacturers of plows, scrapers and agricultural implements; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1839; when 9 years of age, came with his parents to Iowa, and in 1853 they came to Ft. Madison; he went in [sic] his father’s shop and learned the trade of plow-making; they carried on the business, sparing no effort to make a superior plow; from this small beginning, their business has grown to the present magnitude. When the war broke out, he enlisted, in September, 1862, in the 7th I. V. I., Co. D., and served until the close of the war, nearly three years; since his return, he, with his father and brother, have carried on their extensive manufacturing business; he gives his attention to the iron and steel work, and has the practical management of this department. He married Miss Emma A. Kennedy in October, 1868; she is a daughter of John G. Kennedy, one of the oldest settlers of Lee Co.; three children – Maud E., Ed. K., and Don.

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/40 Surname: MEYER, BUFORD ------------------------- (Please note: I am not related to the following person.) History of Lee County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Madison Township, page 743: MEYER, S., of the firm Meyer Bros., manufacturers, dealers in harness and saddlery hardware; born in Province of Westphalia, Prussia, in 1840; when 6 years of age, his parents emigrated to America; came to Ft. Madison the same year, where he learned his trade; he engaged in business here with his brother in 1877. He married Mary E. Buford, a native of Virginia, in October, 1868; they have three children – Lawrence, Blanche, and Rosa.

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/39 Surname: BEELER, HUGHES, NEWTON, VAIL, GARDNER, BARTLETT ------------------------- IN PURSUIT OF ISAAC BEELER ISAAC BEELER: (1) son of unknown Born: 15 January 1783 Sullivan Co., TN Died: 16 February 1872 Harrison Township, Lee Co., IA Burial: Beeler Cemetery, Section 13, Harrison Township, Lee Co., IA Married: 1) December 1808 Sullivan Co., TN JANE HUGHES daughter of unknown Born: 24 February 1788 Sullivan Co., TN Died: 9 May 1860 Lee Co., IA Burial: Beeler Cemetery Lee Co., IA CHILDREN OF ISAAC AND JANE: 1. Samuel Beeler 2. John Beeler + Hannah Vail (Veil) 3. Molly Beeler 4. Nancy Beeler + William Henry Newton 5. William Beeler + Matilda Bartlett 6. Martha Beeler + Eli Seeley 7. Sarah Beeler + Andrew Weir 8. Joseph Beeler + Margaret Gardner 9. David Beeler + Mary Jane Harness 10. Isaac Beeler 11. Jesse Beeler + 1) Martha P. Moore + 2) Permilia M.(nee unknown) Married: 2) 25 February 1862 MARIA BLAUFUS daughter of Born: January 1825 Died: March 1865 Burial: Beeler Cemetery Beeler Cemetery is located on Isaac Beelers' homestead. On 2 August 1998, we visited and took pictures of Beeler Cemetery. The fence is beautiful, even tho it is rusty and part has been moved inward, because the land has eroded. There is a creek on two sides of the cemetery. We drove through the field about œ mile and parked in an opening in the trees. We walked a short distance to a white gate, opened it and walked back through the woods to the cemetery. There were very few markers in the cemetery. The markers that were readable were photographed. Both of Isaac’s wives were buried with him, one on either side. Isaac’s stone says he was 89 years, 1 month and 1 day. The stones for Jane Hughes Beeler and Maria Blaufus Beeler are much newer than Isaac’s. Isaac’s stone appears to be the original stone. Robert Mc Keehan in his notes made mention that Abraham Beeler had replaced his mother’s stone in the 1930's. According to Robert Mc Keehan, sometime in 1811, they left Tennessee and went to what is now Dearborn Co., in Indiana Territory. He also notes Isaac was drafted from Dearborn Co., IN for the War of 1812. And states that Isaac was listed in the 1820 Wayne Co., IN Census. >From my notes: Abstracts from: “Early Settlers of Indiana’s “Gore” 1803 - 1820" by Shirley Keller Mikesell. “The Indiana Territory was formed in 1800 upon the division of the old Northwest Territory and with separation from the new state of Ohio. The Gore area remained part of Ohio’s Hamilton County; its western boundary was defined by the Greenville treaty Line of 1795. The “Gore” was named Dearborn County when it became part of Indiana in 1803.” ”The boundary line which defined the western border of the Gore was only a suggestion to the Indians. This period was the time of Tecumseh and his efforts to unite his people and win back their land. The Whitewater River which meanders through present-day Union and Franklin counties was a favorite encampment spot. Indian resistance ended with the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811; sporadic raids occurred for a few more years” “THE INDIANA GORE: War of 1812 muster rolls” Wayne Co/ 8th Regt: Capt. ENOS BUTLER’s Co. Isaac Beales (Isaac Bealer) Wayne Co/ 8th Regt: Capt. JOHN FARLOW’S Company Isaac Beason (Isaac Bealor) These are two of the three enlistments Isaac listed in his pension application for the War of 1812. Wayne County was taken from Dearborn County 27 November 1810. According to the early history of Washington Co., IN, there were a number of families holed up in Fort Hattabaugh which was near Plattsburg. The family of Isaac Beeler was one of those documented families. “These ‘forts’ were usually heavy log-cabins provided with port-holes from which to shoot, and furnished to accommodate several families; but in some instances real forts were built as at Hattabaugh’s inclosure in Monroe Township, where a row of log-cabins, provided with port-holes, etc., was built together with a high block-house at each end, and then all surrounded by a high fence of heavy slabs planted firmly in the ground, and leaving a space of about a rod around the cabins. Several of these block-houses or forts had been built before the general uprising, and after that others were hastily erected and occupied by the families of the settlers. In the Hattabaugh Fort were gathered the families of Robert Ellison, Dempsey Rice, Thomas Denny, Elisha Driskell, Elijah Rinker, Isaac Beeler, George Hattabaugh, John Ramsey and others.”....Abstracted from the “History of Washington County Indiana 1884"... “The Hattabaugh fort was probably the only regulation old-time fort in the county. It consisted of a pen twenty feet square, built of logs hewed square, to a height of about eight feet, and ontop of this there was another pen twenty-six feet square, projecting three feet on all sides beyond the walls of the bottom pen. There were port holes on all sides of both pens, as well as in the floor extension of the upper pen, to enable inmates to shoot straight down in case of an attack by Indians or an attempt to fire the fort. A stockade was built around this fort, made of chestnut poles about ten feet long, set two feet in the ground and touching each other. There were port holes arranged through this fence, one about every six feet. This fort was on the east side of the road, not far from a big spring that comes out of the hillside, and it remained there till some time after 1830, when it rotted and tumbled down.” Abstracted from “Centennial History of Washington County Indiana” by Stevens 1916... >From the notes of Robert Mc Keehan: Isaac Beeler served in the War of 1812 in the state of Indiana. He served three different times. 1st he was drafted from Dearborn Co., IN 13 October 1812 - discharged 12 January 1813 Sholts Battalion under Captain Enos Butler’s Company of IN; 2nd 18 May 1813 _ 18 July 1813 in Captain Weaver’s Company; 3rd 9 October 1813 - 11 March 1814 in Captain John Farlow’s Company. He applied for his pension in March of 1871 and it was granted 14 November 1871. He was living in Lee Co., IA at that time. He was granted $8.00 per month. His pension numbers are: SO or SC 9767 was his application number SC 7937 where they granted his pension. Abstracted from the “History of Montgomery County” by H. W. Beckwith 1881... “There were altogether a dozen or fifteen families in Crawfordsville, and most of these were located in the neighborhood of the Whitlock spring, near where Brown & Watkins’ mill now stands. West of town, between where Wabash College now stands and Sugar creek, there was a small settlement, composed of the following persons: John Beard, Isaac Beeler, John Miller, Isaac Miller, George Miller, Joseph Cox, John Killen and John Stitt.” The section on Union Twp., refers to “Old Settlers” by Sanford C. Cox. Mr. Cox was one of the first schoolmasters who kept a diary of his experiences and travels and has the following to say about Crawfordsville in the years 1824 and 1825. “Crawfordsville is the only town between Terre Haute and Fort Wayne. The land office is held here. Maj. Whitlcok is receiver and Judge Williamson Dunn, register. Maj. Ristine keeps tavern in a two-story log house, and Jonathan Powers has a little grocery. There are two stores, Smith’s, near the land office, and Isaac C. Elston’s, near the tavern. Thomas M. Curry and Magnus Holmes are the only physicians, and Providence M. Curry the only lawyer, in town. John Wilson is clerk of the court, and David Vance sheriff. William Nichalson carries on a tannery and shoemaker shop. Scott and Mack have cabinet shops, and Geroge Key blows and strikes at the black smithing business. Old man Hill has a small mill on the south bank of Sugar river, north of town. West of town, in the country, there is a small neighborhood composed of the following persons and their families, namely: John Beard, Isaac Beeler, three of the Millers (John, Isaac and George), Joseph Cox, Joseph Hahn, John Killen, and John Stitt, who owns a little mill about two miles west of town.” Notes from Robert Mc Keehan: “When Isaac Beeler died, in 1872, nearly all of his children had moved away. The two who remained in Lee Co., IA were David Beeler and Martha Beeler Seeley. Nancy Beeler Newton was living in Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., IN; William Beeler was living in Anderson Co., KS; Joseph Beeler and Jesse Beeler were living in Crawford Co., KS.” >From records I have found: William Beeler was deceased and his widow was living in Anderson Co.,KS Abraham was only 9 years old when Isaac died. Isaac had raised him alone since the death of Maria Blaufus Beeler. Maria Blaufus Beeler was ill and under doctors care for a span of time. The doctor gave deposition on how Isaac behaved while his second wife was ill and dying. He classified Isaac’s behavior as Senile Dementia. He was critical of Isaac for believing that Maria would get well and complained that Maria spoke German and he was unable to communicate with her. He said he would give Isaac instruction on how to care for her and medicate her. He seemed to say that Isaac did not follow his directions well. The doctor seemed so frustrated with the whole situation. Finally, he requested Isaac obtain another physician to care for her. He said a couple weeks later Maria Beeler died. On 21 September 2000 visited Beeler Cemetery, the cemetery had deteriorated some since we visited 2 August 1998. They had mowed the perimeter of the field leading to the woods surrounding the cemetery. The white gate was lying on the ground. The trail thru the woods was clear of major debris. The creek is eroding into the cemetery. Some of the fence is down or separated, especially the left side as you face the gate. The gate has to be lifted off the ground to open it. The five stones that were readable in 1998 are still in good condition. I turned over some of the ones lying on the ground, but they were smooth both sides. When we were in Donnellson, IA, at the library on Tuesday, the librarian spoke of having been at the cemetery 5 years ago. She stated, “at that time horses were being kept in the surrounding woods and had knocked down the fence and trampled some of the stones.” She had reported this and the fence was put back up to keep out the horses. I had noted several smooth and broken stones when we were there in 1998.

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/37 Surname: WILSON, DEAN ------------------------- The History of LEE COUNTY, IOWA Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, Madison Twp., pg. 756: “WILSON, HAZEN, retired; was born in Windsor Co., Vt., June 21, 1825; when 12 years of age, his parents emigrated to Iowa; they came by wagons, his father driving one ox-team and he and his brother drove the other; they started May 19, 1837, were ten weeks on the way, and arrived in Lee Co. the last of July, 1837; they located in Washington Tp., on Sec. 1, and made a farm; they built a saw-mill on Lost Creek, started it in December, 1838, and sawed the first lumber in Lee Co.; in 1849, they rebuilt their mill; in the spring of 1850, Hazen started overland to Oregon; he went with an ox-team, and was six months on the way; he remained there three years, was engaged in manufacturing lumber; he built five sawmills while there; he returned in 1853, and in 1855 bought his brother’s mill on Skunk Creek; operated that a short time, and then removed to Mendota, Ill., lived there three years; and went to Southern Illinois and engaged in fruit-growing; he had the largest fruit orchard in the State [sic], if not in the country; it contained 1,100 trees and he grew small fruits in proportion; he returned to Ft. Madison in 1870, and since then has not been engaged in active business, except attending to the care of his property. He is a strong Republican and was an Old-Line Abolitionist when is cost men something to stand by their principles. He married Miss Susan Dean, a native of Ohio, Dec. 3, 1853; they have two daughters – Ada and Birdie May.”

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/33 Surname: WEAVER, MCCONN ------------------------- The History of LEE COUNTY, IOWA Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, Madison Twp., pg. 756: "WEVER, LAURA C., MRS., formerly Miss Laura C. McConn, is a native of this city, and a daughter of Daniel McConn, Esq., one of the earliest settlers of Lee Co.; she grew up here, and was educated in St. Louis. She marred C. R. Wever, a native of Jefferson Co., N.Y.; he was engaged in the banking business, and died in February, 1874, leaving a large property."

Posted on: Lee Co. Ia Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/LeeBios/32 Surname: WINTERS, CRISHER, COOK ------------------------- The History of LEE COUNTY, IOWA Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, Madison Twp., pg. 756: "WINTER [sic- should be Winters], WILLIAM, City Assessor of Ft. Madison; born in York, York Co., Penn., Jan. 27, 1827; when 9 years of age, his father moved to Ohio; William lived there until the spring of 1847, when he enlisted for the Mexican War, in the 4th Regiment, O. V. I. , Co. G.; the regiment voted to enlist for the war; he was discharged Aug. 20, 1848, returned to Ohio, and, in the spring of 1849, married Miss Mary A. Crisher, a native of Pennsulvania; they came to Iowa, settled in Ft. Madison, and opened a bakery; in the summer of 1852, his wife and one child of cholera, leaving one son - William H.; he returned to Ohio, remained two years, and there, on Dec. 17, 1853, married Minerva L. Cook, of Ashland, Ohio; they came here. Mr. Winter [sic] has held the office of City Assessor for sixteen years; they have six children - Charles F. (pilot on the ferry), George, Albert, Clara, Julia, and Sherman."