Guthrie County >> 1884 IndexHistory of
Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
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Victory Township John R. Bell, a farmer and stock raiser, came to his present location on section 10 [Victory township] and established his occupation in March, 1880, where he now owns a farm, and raises large number of stock and other farm products. He was born in October, 1851, in Madison county, Iowa, where he remained until 1854, when he moved with his parents to Story county, Iowa. He was married in 1874, in Story county, to Miss Matilda Baxter, a daughter of C. H. and Lydia (Mann) Baxter. They have three children--Lemetta C., Hugh and Blanche. In 1875 he moved to Jewel county, Kansas, where he remained until July of that year, when he returned to Story county, and in 1880 moved to his present location. Mr. Bell has been school director and supervisor for two years. William F. Brann, a farmer and stock-raiser on section 7, came to Victory township, in March, 1871, where he owns a large farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres under cultivation, and raises large number of cattle and other stock. He was born in Putnam county, Indiana, in December, 1851, and is the son of James and Mary A. (Benifield) Brann. His parents came to Davis county, Iowa, in 1856, where his parents both died. In 1867 William came to Guthrie county, settling on his present location in 1873. He was married in Guthrie county in 1871, to Miss Caroline E. Reynolds, a daughter of Robert and Leanner (Hoopengarner) Reynolds. They have had one child--Laura, who died at the age of seven years. Mr. Brann is trustee at present, having been the same for eight years. He worked at carpentering in Guthrie county until 1872. James Butler, another prominent resident of Victory township, in a native of Northampton, England, being born in that place in November, 1827, and is the son of Thomas and Anna (Dean) Butler. He was married in England, in December, 1848, to Miss Sarah Gilbert, a daughter of Junia and Elizabeth (Cobler) Gilbert. They have been blessed with seven children--Junia, Elizabeth H., Rebecca G., Mary, George, Sarah and Sylvester. In 1852 Mr. Butler emigrated to New York, and in 1853 he moved to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to Lee county, in the same state. In 1871 he removed to Guthrie county, locating in the neighborhood of Panora, but in 1872 removed to his present location, on section 9, where he raises cattle and hogs of choice breeds, and for which he finds a ready market. Junia F. Butler was born in Northamptonshire, England, in October, 1849, and is the son of James and Sarah (Gilbert) Butler. He came to Victory township in 1872 from New York, where he emigrated with his parents in 1852. He returned to England in 1881, where he was married to Miss Ellen Dowling, a daughter of Charles and Sarah Dowling. They have one child, James George. Junia returned to this country and settled on section 9 in Victory township, where he carries on agriculture to some extent, and raises cattle and other stock. Peter H. Bryan, a son-in-law of Thomas Moffitt, came with that gentleman in May, 1852, and settled upon a part of section 14 [Victory township]. He was a native of the Keystone state, but resided for some time in the same place as the Moffits, where he was married to Miss Caroline Moffitt, in March, 1852. He was a deep student and quite reserved, although not morose nor taciturn, but of quite warm feelings. He and his family are now residents of Morris county, Kansas, whither he emigrated in the fall of 1883. He had four children--Thomas M., William O., John and Mary E. Abijah H. Carpenter is a native of Tolland county, Connecticut, being born there in 1803. He moved with his parents in 1815 near Monpelier, Vermont, where they followed farming until their death. Abijah was married in May, 1827, to Susan H. Dow, a daughter of Nathan and Susan (Hackett) Dow. Mrs. Carpenter was born in 1811, in New Hampshire, and died in 1872. They have had twelve children--Lucinda, married Orrin Randall; James H., married Octavia Sanford; Eliza A., married Hiram Hannaford, Mary Jane, married Edwin Russell; Geo. W., Elvina F., married Delia S. Perry; Almyra L., married Homer Hollister; Myron D., united to Martha Shadle, in 1843; Oscar L, married in 1845 Elizabeth Yolton, --had one infant. George and Myron were in the late war. Mr. C. moved to Zuma, Illinois in February, 1855, where he remained until he came to Guthrie county, in 1880, settling in Beaver township. He now lives with his son-in-law, Edwin W. Russell. Elijah Carrick , one of the settlers of 1854, was born in Darke county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1810, and is the son of Henry and Eleanor (Shreves) Carrick. In 1832 he removed to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he was married on the 24th of July, 1834, to Miss Nancy Ireland, by whom he had seven children--Margaret, Martha, Edgar, Clarinda, Albert, William T. and Francis M. On the 7th of August, 1854, he came to this township [Victory], taking up a claim on section 23. His wife died here in the spring of 1855, and in his loneliness he was again married on the 2d of May, 1861, to Miss Isabel Shanks Peterson. This latter union has been blessed with four children--Marion B., Jane, Catherine and Clarinda. This old settler is still a resident of the old homestead. Robert T. Chambers settled upon a portion of section 2, in Victory township, on the 2d of October, 1854, and settled down to the hard life of a pioneer. He was a native of New Jersey, he having been born in Monmouth county, that state, on the 16th of June, 1816. He is the son of Job and Mary J. (Thomas) Chambers. In 1837 his parents removed to Clay county, Indiana, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married in his native place to Miss Lydia A. Hulse, in October, 1836, and their union has been blessed with ten children--Job, Amy J., Mary E., Rhoda A., Harriet S., Edward, Robert P., Hannah A., Nancy and Eliza. He removed to Indiana at the same time as his parents and came to Guthrie county as above. He is now residing with his sons Job and Edward in Dodge township, his wife dying April 13, 1881. The subject of this sketch, Marshall Coe, was born October 8, 1834, in Cattaraugus county, New York, and is the son of Cornelius and Freelove (Stanbro) Coe. His parents moved to Henry county, Illinois, in 1855. Marshall was married in Illinois, September 28, 1858, to Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Whitesides county, that state, and the daughter of Henry and Hannah (Thoman) Smith. They have two chldren--Frank and Mary. In 1876 they moved to Marshall county, Iowa, and to Jasper county in 1879, where they ran a boarding-house; came to their present location in Victory township in 1883, where Mr. Coe follows farming. Polemon S. Coons is a native of Cass county, Michigan, being born there in 1850, and is the son of John G. and Phoebe (Sutton) Coons. His parents came to Iowa county, Iowa, in the spring of 1854, and in 1865 they moved to Linn county, Missouri. Not liking the country, Polemon returned to his birthplace, where he followed the occupation of farming, spending about two years in Osceola county, Michigan, and Cass county, Michigan. He at last settled down in Victory township, Guthrie county, in 1883, where he follows general farming and stock raising. His father died in Linnens, Missouri, in 1876; his mother died in Cass county, Michigan, in 1852. He was married in Osceola county, Michigan, to Miss Jennie E. Wise, a daughter of Myron and Sarah (Frost) Wise, by whom he has one child, born July 2, 1884, whose name is Fred Eugene. James Dalzell made a settlement on section 21 [Victory] in the fall of 1855. He was a native of County Monnahan, Ireland, where he was born on the 9th of September, 1811. He came to America in 1840, staying for some time near New York City. From there he removed to New Jersey, and then to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and, after several other stoppages on his western way, arrived in Guthrie county as above. He died here on the 23d of August, 1877, and his wife is a resident of Dodge township. His son, Samuel, lives on the old homestead in this township. William W. Davis, a prominent farmer of Victory township, was born in February, 1856, in Guthrie county, Iowa, his parents being Benjamin and Sarah A. (Martin) Davis. In 1876, his parents moved to Victory township, where they still reside. William W. was married in 1878, to Miss Mary E. Fisher, a daughter of Sanford and Eliza J. (Mills) Fisher. They have one child--Maggie. Mrs. Davis' mother died in Kansas some twenty years ago; her father now resides with William. Mr. Davis has been honored with the positions of road supervisor, township trustee and clerk. He carries on a general stock of farming and raising of stock. James W. Devoss, a farmer and stock raiser on section 13 [Victory township], was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 27, 1840. His father, David Devoss, followed blacksmithing until his death, which was in 1863. James W. moved to Randolph county, Indiana, in 1852, where his mother still resides. He was married in 1866 to Miss Angeline Burden, a daughter of Nehemiah and Margaret (Campbell) Burden. They have six children--Florence E., Ora Bell, Irena D., Virgie Gertrude, Joseph William and Bertha Pearl. Mr. Devoss moved from Randolph county, Indiana, to Jackson township, Guthrie county, in 1869, where he remained until 1878, when he moved to his present location. He now holds the offices of squire, road supervisor and school director. In October, 1856, Jacob Dubbs removed his family to this township and located upon section 13 [Victory township], where he is yet living. Jacob Dubbs was born January 12,1819, in Darmstadt, Germany, being the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Scheats) Dubbs. His father died in Germany, December 22, 1833. Jacob emigrated to the United States in 1840, landing in New York, from which place he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1841, when he went to Stark county, Ohio. He afterward went to Carroll county, Ohio, where he worked at cabinet-making. Was married there, November 9, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Carrothers, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Snodgrass) Carrothers. They have one child, John A., who now lives in Denver, Colorado. In 1845 Mr. Dubbs moved to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and in October, 1855, he came to Victory township, section 13, and remained till December, when he returned to St. Joseph county, Indiana, moving his family here in October, 1856. He has held the positions of trustee and sub-director. His son, John A., enlisted in August, 1862, in Company I, 29th Iowa infantry, and was mustered out in 1865. He was engaged in battles at Helena, Kittle Rock, Mobile, Saline river, Fort Blakesley and other points. Bartholomew Dunley was born on the 24th of June, 1811, in county Cork, Ireland. His father died in February, 1824, and in 1850 his mother came to America and settled in Louisville, Kentucky, where she remained until 1852, when she moved to Jackson county, Indiana, where she died in 1853. Bartholomew was married in Ireland, on the 18th of October, 1853, to Miss Margaret Walsh, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Gleason) Walsh. They have had six children--Bridget, Patrick, Edward, Ellen and Anna. In 1853 Bartholomew moved to Louisville, where he remained one year, when he came to Jasper county, Iowa, and to his present quarters in Victory township, Guthrie county, in March 1872. He has been sub-director, road supervisor and township treasurer. Benjamin Erven has a farm on section 30, in Victory township, and has all of his land under cultivation, and well improved. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 30th of January, 1830. In the fall of 1836 his parents removed to Guernsey county, in that state, where they resided until the death of the father, George Erven, the father died March 14, 1857, aged seventy years, the mother died January 3, 1865, aged seventy-five. Both the parents were born in Virginia. Benjamin left Noble, late Guernsey county, in the spring of 1870, and settled in Guthrie county, where he now resides. He was married September 4, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Porter, daughter of James and Elizabeth Porter. Mrs. Erven was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 20, 1827. They have six children--James A., born July 8, 1852, and married to Miss Viola A. Simeoke, September 26, 1882; Mary Jane, born August 13, 1853, married June 9, 1878, to Thomas M. Davis; George M., born November 15, 1854, married May 21, 1881, to Miss Ida M. McFee; Andrew P., born February 24, 1858; Leicester H., born May 16, 1860; John B., born October 11, 1865, and died January 30, 1878. Mrs. Erven"s father, James Porter, was born April 17, 1784, and died in Ohio, January 11, 1832. Her mother was born March 14, 1786, and died in Muscatine county, Iowa, April 17, 1876. Mr. Erven, his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church at Guthrie Center. Lewis W. Fansler was born in August, 1859, in Waterloo, Indiana, and is the son of John and Mary (Hively) Fansler. In 1861 he moved with his parents to Jasper county, Iowa, where his father worked in a mill until 1881, when he came to his present quarters on section 9, Victory township. Lewis worked at building stone arches on the Chicago and Rock Island railroad until 1881, when he was engaged in milling. His father owns a large mill and is millright and miller, being one of the best in the county. John was married in 1855 in Waterloo, Indiana, to Miss Mary Hively. They have nine children, Samuel, Lewis, Delilah, James, Rosa Bell, George, Van Walker, Vesta and Champ. The subject of this sketch resides with his parents and works in the mill most of the time. His father, John Fansler, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 11th of October, 1831, and his wife whose maiden name was Mary Hively, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on July 18, 1838. Lewis' elder brother, Samuel is a native of Waterloo, Indiana, and was born in December, 1857. He learned his trade under the instruction of his father. He is now one of the best millers in the county and known among all of that profession as the equal of his father. William A. Grove, a son of John and Mary (Mateer) Grove, was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May, 1854. He came with his parents to Jasper county, Iowa, in the spring of 1860, where he remained until 1878, when he moved to Seeley township, Guthrie county, where his parents still reside. He came to his present location, on section 32 [Victory township], in March, 1880, where he owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land, and raises fine stock. William was married in 1876, to Miss Bella Magehan, a daughter of Henry and Mary Magehan. They have had four children all girls--Ada F., Mabel (died in 1879), Mary and Minnie. Mr. Grove is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of the prominent citizens of the township. In the year 1830 there was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, to William and Mary Guthrie, a son whom they called William, and who is the subject of this sketch. His mother died in Kansas in 1858, his father having previously died in 1829. In 1844 William came to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he learned the blacksmithing. He was married in Noble county, Indiana, in 1854, to Miss Catherine Williamson, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Williamson. They have had nine children--Antonia, died in August, 1857; Eugene, Mary A., Sarah, Elvina, William, died in ___; Minnie, Samuel, and Jimmie (adopted) died in June, 1881. He moved to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1855, where he remained until 1881, when he came to Guthrie county, settling in Victory township, where he follows general farming and raises stock. He was in the service of the state of California for six months. Samuel Heald came to Guthrie county in 1870, settling in Victory township where he follows general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in August, 1836, where he remained until 1841, when he moved to Ohio with his parents, where they died. He remained there until 1870, when he move to his present location. He was married in 1860, in Noble county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah E. Phillips, a daughter of Thomas and Maria Phillips. They have had eight children--John W., died in 1863; Henry, died in 1863; Jacob L., James., Walter, died in 1869; Carrie H., Charles D. Mrs. Heald died in July,1880, leaving her husband children to mourn her departure. Mr. Heald is a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Manasseh M. Hess, one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of Victory township, was born in October, 1850, in Center county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Jacob and Julia A. (Schaffer) Hess. His parents moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1851, where he was engaged in farming until the fall of 1857, when he came to Guthrie Center, Iowa, where he established the grocery business. In 1864, he moved his locality to Victory township. His father died June 11, 1866, and was buried in the the Guthrie Center cemetery. Manasseh was united in marriage, in 1872, to Miss Mary Lydick, a daughter of Adam and Kitty A. (Liter) Lydick. They have three children living: William, Annie L. and Edna. Marseilles died in February, 1873. Mr. Hess now resides on section 11. George W. Jarnagin was born on the 12th of July, 1831, in Highland county, Ohio, his parents being Eli and Mary (Franklin) Jarnagin. George moved with his parents to Randolph county, Indiana, in 1837. He was married in October, 1854, to Miss Nancy J. Kent, a daughter of Merrill and Mary (Bradley) Kent. They have seven children living and three dead--Theresa R., married J. M. Couch; Fred L., Chester E., Cora M., Maggie G., William H., and Burrill K., Mary B., born in August, 1855, died in June, 1859; Horace Elmer, born in 1860, died in 1881. Mr. Jarnagin came to Guthrie county, Iowa, in 1866, locating on South Coon, near Stuart, and came to Victory township in 1879, where he follows general farming and stock-raising. He enlisted in Company H, 1st United States infantry in the Mexican war, and was mustered out in 1849, at Fort Brown, Texas. He has held the office of subdirector and is township trustee of present. Samuel Landes came to his present location on section 12 in March, 1881. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of January, 1843, and is the son of John and Catherine (Strickler) Landes. His father died in 1874, his mother having previously died in 1852. Samuel was married in March, 1864, to Miss Catharine Stum, a daughter of John and Sarah (Custer) Stum. They have two children--Emma J. and John W. In 1867 Mr. Landes moved to Frederick county, Pennsylvania, where he remained on a farm until 1870, when he returned to York county, Pennsylvania. He moved several times to and from York county until 1877, when he came to Des Moines, Iowa. He remained there but a year when he moved to Marion county, and then to his present location [Victory township]. Mr. Landes is supervisor at present. Patrick Mahoney was born in county Cork, Ireland, on the 20th of September, 1823, and is the son of Timothy and Catharine (Russell) Mahoney. His father died in October, 1848, and his mother died in 1835. Patrick imigrated to America with a brother and two sisters, in January, 1850, and located in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1855, Patrick left Boston and came to Crawford county, Wisconsin, where he remained nine years, when he came to Clayton county, Iowa. In 1871 he came to Victory ownship, Guthrie county, and settled on his present location on section 21, on the 1st of March, 1883. He was married on the 5th of April, 1853, to Miss Ellen Cummins. a daughter of John and Ellen (Dinnen) Cummins. They had five children--Catharine, died on April 16, 1879; Timothy J., John, Patrick, married Ellen Dudley on the 24th of November, 1883; Ellen, died on the 13th of July, 1868. Mr. Mahoney follows general farming and stock-raising, and owns four hundred and sixty-five acres of good cultivated land. He is treasurer of the land-league for Guthrie county. Peter H. McClaran was born in May, 1846, in Owen county, Indiana, his parents being Samuel and Mary (Cline) McClaren. His parents moved to Panora in June 1853, where they remained until August of the same year, when they moved to Victory township, settling on section 10. In 1870 Peter was married to Miss Sarah M. Truax, a daughter of James and Jane (Carson) Truax. They have had three children--Laura May, born in August 1873, died in June, 1875; Daisy and Clarence. Samuel McClaran was the next pioneer in this township [Victory], settling in October, 1853. He was a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1805. After his marriage to Miss Mary Cline, he remained in Holmes county, in his native state, until 1805, when he removed to Owen county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming. He came to this county in June, 1853, stopping for a short time in Panora, when he came here, locating on section 10. On the 18th of Aughust, 1858, he died, and on the 16th of January, 1880, his widow followed him. Henry Moffitt was a settler of the year 1855, locating on section 3 [Victory township] in the fall of that year. He was a native of Hancock county, Ohio. He was married to Miss Mary Davis, in Ross county, Ohio, by whom he had eight children--King Robert B., Ema R., Henry, Emmett, Aledoras, Theodore, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Moffitt died in 1858, and is buried in Moffitt's Grove cemetery. His widow afterward moved to Carroll county, where she died. One of his sons, K. R. B., is a resident of Grant township, this county. With his father [Thomas] came Orlando Moffitt, then a young man, as he was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 18th of December, 1826. He lived with his parents until April 13, 1848, when he was married, in Hancock county, Indiana, to Miss Rebecca McClish, a daughter of James and Patience (Bishop) McClish. They have been blessed with a numerous family, having had ten children--Edson G., Caroline, Elizabeth, Thomas, Curtis L., Frances V., Helen J., Emma A., Amanda C. and Charles. he came to Victory township in May, 1852, and located upon section 14, where he is at present living. He has held the office of justice of the peace, township assessor and clerk, and, although following farming, takes great interest in things political and educational. Holoman Parker, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, was born in December, 1840, being the son of John and Caroline (Finch) Parker. He moved with his parents to Randolph county, Indiana, in 1849, where his mother still resides, his father having died in 1875. Holoman was married on the 3d of December, 1863, to Miss Nancy E. Thornburgh, a daughter of Henry C. and Eleanor Jane (Gilmore) Thornburgh. They have six children--Seneca LeRoy, Mary Catherine, John Henry, Cora Caroline, Elsie May and Eva Gatella. They have lost two children. In the spring of 1868 he moved to Dallas county, Iowa, and in 1879 he came to Guthrie county, settling on section 13, in Victory township, after living a short time on section 15. He was a member of Dallas county Grange. He enlisted in the 54th Indiana infantry in 1862, and was mustered out in the latter part of the same year. William H. Patterson was born in 1838, in Morgan county, Ohio, being the son of William and Mary E. (Taylor) Patterson. He moved with his parents to Allamakee county, Iowa, where they followed farming. He was married in 1863 to Miss Harriet Minert, a daughter of John and Amy Minert. They have eleven children--David, married Lizzie Burton, December 26, 1883; Mary E., married Iona Motz, July 3, 1878, Joel, Charles H., Ella, Willis P., Effie L., John W., Hattie B., Louie S. and Emmie. William H. moved to Marion county, Iowa, in 1865, and in April, 1870 moved to Panora, and in August of the same year, he moved to his present location, on section 36 [Victory township]. His father died in Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1874, and his mother died in 1880 at the same place. Culbertson F. Reed located in Victory township on the 23d day of April, 1857. Culbertson F. Reed, a native of Ohio, was born January 15, 1833, in Guernsey county, his parents being Samuel and Annie (Rose) Reed. He was married in that county July 14, 1855, to Miss Rebecca B. Raney, a daughter of William and Mary (Mackey) Raney. Mrs. Reed was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 24, 1837. They have had ten children, nine of whom are still living--Anna M., Charles S., Ernest F., Alice J., Minnie L., Fred D., Willie A., Jessie and Josie. Their first child, Emily H., died April 1, 1877. April 23, 1857, Mr. Reed moved his family to Victory township, locating on section 29, and to their present quarters, on section 19, November 1, 1868, where he is engaged in general farming. His parents came to Guthrie Center November 1, 1859, where his father died July 7, 1882, and his mother still resides there. Mr. R. is a Missionary Baptist, and has preached for a number of years. Silas J. Reed, a son of T. P. Reed, of Victory township, was born July 12, 1857, in Victory township, Guthrie county. He was married October 11, 1883, to Miss Hetty Rich, a daughter of Lorenzo D. and Barbara (Bixler) Rich. Mrs. Reed was born in Bureau county, Illinois, August 1, 1857. Her parents moved to Victory township in 1880, where they remained until moving to Audubon county in 1881. Silas holds the position of clerk of the school board at present and has held the constable's office for some time. Among the arrivals in 1857 was that of T. P. Reed, one of the most prominent citizens of Guthrie county. T. P. Reed was born December 23, 1835, in Guernsey county, Ohio, his parents being Samuel and Anna (Rose) Reed. Mr. Reed came to Victory township April 21, 1857, and settled on section 29. He was married in Guernsey county, September 18, 1856, to Miss Sarah Hooks, a daughter of Allen and Charlotte (Leasure) Hooks. They have had seven children to bless their union, five of whom are yet living--Silas J., who married Hetty Rich, October 11, 1883; Miss C. B., married N. W. Patterson; Elizabeth M., married Silas Buckholter; James D. and Bertha. Kleber, the third child, died in 1861, and Paul, the sixth, is also dead. Mr. Reed is a consistent church member, and is a trustee in the Baptist church. He is a member of the board of supervisors at present. His parents came to Guthrie Center in the fall of 1858, where his father died in July, 1882, his mother still being a resident of that place. Mr. Reed has some excellent land in section 28 and 29. He is in every sense a representative citizen. Robert and Jonathan Reynolds were the next settlers, coming her in September, 1855. Jonathan, the elder, was born on the 10th of July, 1819, in Blunt county, Tennessee, and is the son of Thomas L. and Nancy Reynolds. His parents moved to Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1826, and engaged in farming. His father died here in 1830, and the widow, with her children moved to this county, settling in Jackson township, on the 13th of November, 1854. On the 1st of September, 1855, Jonathan leaving the parental roof, came to this township [Victory], locating upon section 5, where he still resides. His wife was Mary J., a daughter of James and Christia Dalzell, and they have had five children--Albinus, James, Samuel, Thomas and Cora Edith. James and Samuel are both dead. His [Jonathan's] brother Robert [Reynolds] was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on the 1st of February, 1828. When he came to Victory township, on the 1st of September, 1855, he located on section 6, where he is still living. His mother accompanied him hither, and lived with him until the day of her death, which deplorable event occurred April 28, 1863. Robert was married in Indiana, to Miss Leaner Hoopingarner, on the 16th of March, 1849, and they have three children--Simpson, Elizabeth C. and Charles H. Simpson Reynolds, son of Robert and Leana (Hoopengarner) Reynolds, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, May 9, 1850. He remained there until he was four years of age. He came with his parents to Guthrie county in 1854, settling in Jackson township, where the remained one year. They then went to Victory township, locating on section 6. He remained at home until February 6, 1873, when he was married to Miss Alfreda Bell, daughter of John Bell, a native of Story county, Iowa. They have two children--Charles Wesley, aged four years, and Aletta, aged one year. He owns two hundred and ninety-five acres of land, two hundred acres of which are cultivated, and he built a house and other outside buildings in 1879. He has a large stock of fine cattle and hogs. George M. Rich, one of Victory township's most prominent men, settled here, on section 34, in the spring of 1856, where he still resides. George M. Rich was born in Monongahela county, West Virginia, and came to Guthrie county in the spring of 1856, and located on section 34, Victory township. He was born in December, 1831, and when quite young, his parents having died, he was taken to raise by a man by the name of Andrew Anderson, of Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania. He remained there about three years, when he moved with Mr. Anderson to Bureau county, Illinois. After remaining about one month in that place, Mr. Rich went to Marshall county, where he was married in 1853, to Miss Mary J. Straight, a daughter of Luther and Elizabeth (Lott) Straight. They have had eleven children--De Witt, born July 20th, 1855, died in December, 1864; Minerva E., born in September, 1857, married in 1877 to Henry J. Hess; Louis H., born November 18, 1859, married in November, 1880, to Miss Delilah Russell; William M., born October 8, 1861, married March 28, 1883; Elmer F., born in September, 1863; Albert C., born in September 1865; Peoria E., born December 6, 1867; Joseph, born July 13, 1865; died in August, 1869; John, born in July, 1870; Lola E., born in August, 1872; Clara J., born in May, 1874, died November 15, 1874. Mrs. Mary J. Rich also died in 1874. Mr. Rich was married for the second time in October 1876, to Miss Eliza Bateham, a daughter of George W. and Calista (Hoover) Bateham. Her parents came to Grinnell, Iowa, in 1867, where her father still resides, her mother having died in April, 1858. The subject of this sketch was elected coroner, and has been sub-director for eleven years, which position he now holds, and was president of the county fair association in 18__, and vice-president in 18__. When he came to this county he had one yoke of cattle and but thirty dollars, while he now owns five hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, all under cultivation, and raises a large stock of cattle and other stock. His place is called the Gospel Ridge Farm. Edwin W. Russell was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1828, being the son of Allen and Eliza (Dow) Russell, with whom he moved to Laporte county, Indiana, in the spring of 1833. They remained there but a year, when they moved to Boone county, where they remained but a short time when they removed to Rock Island county, Illinois. He was married in Rock Island county, December 25, 1857, to Miss Jane M., a daughter of A. H. Carpenter. They have three children--Mary V., married in April, 1880, to Samuel Dalzell; Myra E. and Susie A. Mr. Russell moved to this county in 1877, locating on section 21, Victory township, where he carries on general farming. Frank Schmidt was born in Prussia, February 20, 1838, his parents being Joseph and Mary O. Schmidt. In 1848 his parents emigrated to the United States, settling in Maintowoc county, Wisconsin, where they now reside. Frank was married there in November, 1860, to Miss Margaret Meyer, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Meyer. They have five children--Joseph, Mary, Henry, Rosa and John. At different times in Mr. Schmidt's life he has worked in a saw-mill and farmed. He came to his present location on section 12, in Victory township, June 20, 1873, where he has a nice farm, and is engaged principally in farming, but also has some good stock. Samuel E. Sipe, one of the prominent and reliable men of Victory township, was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, in December, 1847, being the son of John and Hannah (Hedden) Sipe. In 1850 his parents moved to Decatur, Illinois, where his father died in the fall of 1852, while his mother lived merely two weeks after. Samuel E. was taken to raise by Mr. Munch, a farmer, where he remained until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in Company E, 145th Illinois infantry, and was mustered out at Camp Butler in September, 1864. He returned to Mr. Munch's where he remained until he was twenty years of age, when he came to Dallas county, Iowa, where he was married in 1867 to Miss Sarah C. Fetrow, a daughter of Andrew and Deborah (McMillan) Fetrow. They have five children--Letha E., married to Josiah Slaybaugh, Ida Irena, Fanny M., Mary E. and John D. Mr. Sipe moved to Victory township, Guthrie county, in 1875, where he settled on section 10. He now has a fine farm of eighty acres, raises stock and follows general farming. Mr. Sipe has been road supervisor, which position he held for some time. Luther, Abram, William and David Straight were the next to come to this locality [Victory township] in search of a home. This was in the spring of 1853. These parties came here from Marshall county, Illinois, although natives of New York state. Luther settled upon section 27, where he followed farming until the day of his death. He was united in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth Lot, in New York, before he left that state, and had seven children. He was a frank, generous man, who was considered a most excellent "yarn spinner" by his friends. His wife died in the spring of 1873, and both are buried in the Guthrie Center cemetery. William remained here about two years when he moved to Kickapoo, Kansas, but afterward went to Sandy Point, on the Missouri river, where he now resides. Abram settled on section 28, where he remained until 1858, when he went into the grocery business in Guthrie Center. In later years he started for Oregon, but died while on his way to that land of promise. David remained about seven years, when he removed to Sandy Point with his brother, where he has since died leaving a wife and six children. James Truax, a native of Brook county, West Virginia, was born in 1817, and is the son of William and Martha (Malette) Truax. In 1833 James married June Carson, daughter of Charles and Mary (Long) Carson. They have eight children living and five dead. Mary was born in West Virginia, August 31, 1840, and was married to Alexander Morgan in 1860; William Truax was born in West Virginia, April 25, 1842, and was married Mary Harper, November 6, 1864; William died October 18, 1872; Charles C. Truax was born March 22, 1844, and was married to Mary F. Shepherd in April, 1860; John Truax was born in February, 1846, and died in February, 1847, and married Mary Neal in 1873; Martha A. Truax was born June 18, 1849, and was married January 13, 1866, to Miss[sic] Jackson; Sarah M. Truax was born August 20, 1850, and was married December 13, 1870, to Peter McClaran; John W. Truax was born August 17, 1865, and was married February 21, 1882, to Clarinda Tobert; Elizabeth Truax was born March 18, 1858, and died in 1860; David Truax was born April 7, 1859, and died September 30, 1880; Thomas Truax was born July 28, 1862; James Truax, Jr., was born October 30, 1853; John, Robert, Charles, Martha, Sarah, James and John Westley were born in Ohio, Tuscarawas county, except Charles, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio. Elizabeth, David and Thomas were born in Mahaska county, Iowa. Mr. James Truax moved to Tuscarawas couty, Ohio, where he remained until 1862, when he moved to Mahaska county, Iowa, where he remained until coming to Guthrie county in 1864, and settling in Cass township, where he remained until 1868, when he moved to his present location, on section 2, in Victory township. Mrs. Truax's father died in 1871, at the age of ninety-eight years, and her mother died in 1860 in Mahaska county. Mr. Truax hauled lumber from Des Moines to build his home, whch he found was no easy task in those days. He is a member of the board of supervisors, and was member of the Victory grange. Another of the early settlers was John Vandevanter, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 9th of March, 1819. He was the son of Cornelius and Sarah (Hestewood) Vandevanter. In early life his parents took him with them to Vermillion county, Illinois, where the father died. John came to Victory township, in this county, and located upon section 23, but in the following December, removed to section 22. He was a carpenter as well as a farmer, and followed the double trade for some years. He was a married man, having been united in matrimony May 7, 1846, with Miss Emily, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Myers) Frazier, by whom he had one child--Peter. John Vandevanter died at his residence on section 22, on the 13th of May 1883. His widow resides on the old homestead. She was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, April 10, 1828, and came to Jackson township, Guthrie county, in July, 1853. Her mother died August 13, 1871; her father, Movember 5 1874. Peter the son of John and Emily Vandevanter, was married December 7, 1871, to Miss Julia A., daughter of Abram and Mary J. (Younger) Straight, and they have been blessed with five children--Mary E., Mahalia J., Marinda E., John W., and Peoria Viola. Peter Vandevanter was the pioneer settler of Victory township, according to the most authentic accounts. He located upon section 23, in the spring of 1851, having come here from Indiana. He was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and was an odd, peculiar kind of individual, very fond of fun and all kinds of jokes. He resided here until the day of his death, which took place in the winter of 1858, when he was buried on section 22. His wife removed to Grand Round Valley, Oregon, where she is a present residing. Mr. Vandevanter had five children, but all of them have removed from the county. His youngest son--John--accidentally shot himself while hunting, shortly after removing to Oregon, in 1869. Israel Vandevanter evidently settled in this township [Victory] in 1851 or '52, but the year is not settled beyond doubt. George S. Wine came to Guthrie county, Iowa, in October, 1874, and settled in Victory township, section 4. He was born in LaGrange county, Indiana, on the 14th of February, 1847. He moved with his parents to Sac county, Iowa, in 1836, and there remained until 1864, when he enlisted his service in Company H, 23d Iowa infantry. In 1859 his father went to California, where he died in 1862, and his mother died in this county, in 1875. On the 9th of January, 1869, George was married to Miss Alice P. Seekins. Mrs. Wine was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 5th of June, 1852. Her mother died in Sac county, in December, 1868. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1865, and soon after was married. They have had eight children--Ernest, born in Sac county, Iowa, on March 19, 1871; Lillie May, born in Sac county, on May 24, 1872; Gracie, born in Sac county, on March 3, 1874; Charley was born in Guthrie county, on January 4, 1876; Ada Belle was born in Guthrie county, on the 20th of October, 1877; Bert, born on the 1st of October, 1880, in Guthrie county; Walter Clyde was born on the 25th of October, 1883, and died in May, 1884. Harmon Witthauer was born in Prussia, August 19, 1829, and is the son of Gotlieb W. and Elizabeth (Huneshagen) Witthauer. He came to this country in May, 1854, locating in Center county, Pennsylvania, where he lived on a farm until 1865, when he came to Guthrie county, locating on section 35 in Victory township, where he still resides. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Floel, in Prussia, in 1850, and by their union eight children have been blessed--Ida, born in March 1856, died in August, 1856; Louis Otto, married in 1883 to Hattie Bowman; Bruno, born in February, 1860, died in April, 1865; Hugo, born in 1862, died in July, 1863; Thomas and Edward. Mr. W. served three years in the German war, and now follows general farming and stock-raising. |