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History of Iowa County, Iowa Marengo Following biographies submitted by Carol C. Eddleman Adams, N. M. (Noel M. ed. note) -- County Treasurer. Resides on section 13, Honey Creek township, where he owns a farm of 170 acres. Was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 28th day of August, 1842, and in 1838, with the remainder of the family he removed to this county, settling in Honey Creek township, on the place where he now lives. During the late war he enlisted in August, 1861, as private in company H, Thirteenth Iowa infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Sherman’s march to the sea, and Bentonville. After he returned he engaged in farming until January, 1879, when he was elected to the office of county treasurer. His marriage was in this county, to Miss Mary White. Their family consists of three sons and one daughter: James B., Charley, Willis (twins) and Elizabeth S., ; have lost one daughter, Josie (aged three years). Mrs. Adams is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. Alverson, E. E. -- Formerly of the firm of Hedges & Alverson. This gentleman is a native of Barry county, Michigan. Born August 10, 1849. Seven years later he with his parents came to Marengo, and he has lived here with the exception of three years ever since. Mr. Alverson received the advantages of a good school education. He graduated from the law department of the State University in June, 1876. The following fall he formed a partnership with Judge Hedges, which continued successfully until January 1, 1881, when Mr. Hedges took his place on the bench. Mr. Alverson is a good lawyer, stands high among his fellow practitioners, and enjoys the confidence of all. He was married, December 20, 1876, to Miss A. J. Hunter. By this union they have one daughter, Ethel E. (born June 27, 1879). Baltz, George P. -- Dealer in groceries, queensware, etc. Was born on the 14th of January, 1844, in Germany, and there grew to manhood and was educated. After leaving school he learned the bookbinding business, and in the summer of 1861 went to the commercial institute at Darmstadt, graduating therefrom in 1862. Then went to Frankfort-on-the-main engaging as clerk in a banking house. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in first company First regiment of Hessian dragoons and served two years. Then returned to Frankfort-on-the-main, being employed as clerk in the office of a machine and foundry establishment. He followed his trade until January, 1867, and in that year obtained a position in a wholesale grocery store in Mainz on the Rhine. In May, 1868, he emigrated to America, landing in New York, and from there came to this county where he followed farming until 1878. In the fall of that year he removed to Iowa City, and worked as book-keeper in the Union Brewery until 1879, then returning to Marengo. In January, 1880, Mr. Baltz commenced the grocery business which he has since followed, enjoying a good trade. Beem, J. T. -- Of the firm of Beem & Fairall, attorneys at law. This gentleman, whose protrait appears in another part of this work, is a native Hawkeye, having been born on the 22d of October, 1852, upon the very site of his present law office. We are sure that his is an exceptional case, there being no one else in the city, born here, who is now doing business on the place of his birth. Mr. Beem received the advantages of a good school education, and until 17 years of age employed his time in working on a farm; after a time he commenced to attend the law department of the State University at Iowa City, and in June, 1875, graduated therefrom. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, and in this undertaking has been very successful. As a lawyer he is acknowledged by the legal fraternity round about to be one of the best, and his arguments in a case are sharp and right to the point. For the last four years Mr. Beem has been secretary of the school board, a position he is admirably qualified to fill. He is the present incumbent of the same. Berstler, Joseph G. -- Auditor of Iowa county. Was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th day of July, 1832. When 3 years old his parents moved to Guernsey county, Ohio; here our subject was reared on a farm until he was 19, when he went to Beverly, Ohio. He here engaged in a woolen manufactory and learned the trade. In 1855 he came to this county but remained only a short time, when he went to Linn county and there worked at hi trade about two years. He then returned to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war when he enlisted in company I, Thirteenth Iowa infantry, November 2, 1861, as fifth sergeant, was mustered out on July 31, 1865, as second lieutenant. He was engaged in the following battles: Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, first and second Bolivar, Siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Sherman’s march to the sea and through to Washington. On his return from the army he continued farming until 1869, when he was elected county auditor, to fill vacancy, and same fall was elected for a full term. He was again appointed in June, 1877, to fill vacancy, and elected the following fall, and re-elected in 1879. Mr. B., as a county official, has a good record and good business qualifications, is energetic and reliable in all business transactions, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. He was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Mary E. Plummer Jan. 1, 1857. She is a native of Bangor, Maine. They have had a family of seven children, of whom there are six living: Lydia A., Jennie, Wallace F., Charles S., Ella C., John, Lillie M. (died in April, 1878, aged 6 years.) Branch, J. H. -- President of the First National Bank. Prominent among the business men, and a man who by his own unaided efforts has attained an enviable reputation, is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of the old Buckeye State, born in Farmington, Geauga county, May 13, 1838. He is the son of Daniel and S. F. Waldo Branch, who were both professional school teachers, his father being a graduate of Union College, of New York. Young Branch, owing to failing health, did not finish the classical course which he had begun. He came to Iowa City during the winter of 1856-7, and here it may be said was the starting point of his life. March, 1867, he removed to this place and started a private bank, which he continued to operate successfully until July, 1880, when it was merged into the First National Bank of Marengo, and upon organization Mr. B. was elected its president. He has the honor of being the first banker in Marengo. At the time the institution for the deaf and dumb was located at Iowa City Mr. Branch was treasurer, and one of the trustees for quite a length of time. Since coming here he has been closely identified with Marengo’s best interests and has proven himself a courteous and safe financier. He was married in Iowa City on the 15th day of August, 1866, to Miss Susan R. Rawley, a native of New York. Their family circle are Widfred M. and Ernest W. Such is the brief outline of the life history of one who, by constant, persistent and honest efforts has made his way to a position of honor and influence. Brockman, D. C. -- Physician and surgeon. Is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was born on the 15th of September, 1853. His father, W. L. Brockman, came to Linn county this State in 1842, and entered a portion of the land upon which Cedar Rapids now stands Our subject was raised a farmer and followed that occupation for some time. He entered the Cornell College at Mr. Vernon and attended that institution until his junior year. In 1874 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. M. J. Jones, of Blairstown, and graduated from the medical department of the State University at Iowa City in 1878. He came to this city in the spring of the same year and engaged in the practice of his profession. He enjoys a large practice, second to none in the county. Dr. Brockman was married on the 5th of November, 1879, to Miss Augusta Mallory, of Marshalltown, Iowa. Butterfield, James -- Of the firm of Butterfield & Co., proprietors of foundry and machine shops, Marengo. The subject of this sketch is a native of Port Huron, St. Clair county, Michigan, where he was raised and educated. After finishing his education he learned the machinist trade, which he continued until the spring of 1873, when he came to Scott Co., this State. There remained until February, 1876, when he came to this county, locating in Ladora, where he started a general repairing shop, but finally built a machine shop and later added a foundry. In October, 1879, he came to this city, built a foundry and machine shop, which was burned down Sunday morning, June 27, 1880. Although the firm has met with misfortunes they have rebuilt and are prepared to do all kinds of work in their line. Mr. B. is a thorough business man as well as a master mechanic. He has been twice married. First in Michigan, on the 20th of November, 1867, to Miss Ruth Townsend. By that union they had three children: Emory, Ella and Herbert. Mrs. B. died Nov. 18, 1874, and he was again married in Ladora, December 3, 1877, to Miss Mary Terry. They have two children: Emma and Roy. Crenshaw, H. R. -- Postmaster and of the firm of Spering & Crenshaw, editors and proprietors of the "Marengo Republican." Was born in Monroe county, Indiana on the 5th day of April, 1842, where he lived until he was 14 years old. In 1856 he came to this county with his parents and has been a continuous resident ever since, with the exception of the time he was in the army. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company B, Twenty-eighth Iowa infantry, as corporal and was mustered out in August, 1865, as first sergeant, and was engaged in the following battles: Port Gibson, Champion’s Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi; Red River campaign and through the Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan; about twenty-three engagements in all. Mr. C., when a lad, learned the trade of printer and on his return from the army he went into the "Republican" office as compositor and soon after, in 1866, bought an interest and has been connected with that paper ever since. In 1874 was appointed postmaster and is the present incumbent and fills the office to the complete satisfaction of all, and commands the respect of all who are fortunate enough to know him. He was married in Marengo to Miss Alice C. Edwards, a native of Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. Three sons and four daughters are the complement of their family circle: Hattie M., Henry H.., Clarence J., Susie M., Josephine, Edna and Baby. Deffinbough, H. -- Merchant. Was born in New York City in 1853, and at the age of ten years was left an orphan. He then went to Erie, Pennsylvania, living with a brother-in-law, and there served his time in a printing office. In 1856 he left Erie and came to Iowa City, and while there was engaged in the milling business. He came to this city in June, 1857, and clerked for Ogle & Reno. From 1861 to 1874, he was in the express business. In 1871 he engaged in the dry goods trade which he still follows with success. Mr. Deffinbough was married in Westfield, New York, on the 13th of October, 1856, to Miss Martha Lamberton. They have one son, William H. Dillin, C. R. -- Of the firm of Norton, Dillin & Co., dealers in general merchandise. Was born on the 13th of May, 1857; a native of this State and county. He was educated here and brought up, and after leaving school engaged in painting. This he continued some three years, and in 1876 commenced the study of law with Smith & Kirk. In 1877 he attended the State University, graduating therefrom in 1878. Then went to Shelby county, this State, following his profession until 1879, and then returned to this county and became engaged in the general merchandise business, under the firm name of Norton, Dillin & Co. Mr. Dillin is a fine business man and with Mr. Norton, by their fair and honorable dealings, have built up a good trade. Downard, A. L. (Albert L. ed. note) -- Jeweler. Was born in the city of Chicago, Illinois, July 11, 1845. He is the son of William Downard, the first merchant of Marengo, who with his family came to Iowa, in November, 1845. In 1848 he came to this city where he has since resided. Our subject was married January 5, 1869, to Miss Amanda J. Collins, a native of Johnson county, this State. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of this county. Their family consists of three sons and two daughters: Willie W., Nellie T., Maggie, Fred and Valey. Mr. Downard enlisted during the war, November 3, 1863, in company B, Ninth Iowa cavalry, and was mustered out in April, 1866. Participated in several battles and skirmished during Price's raid through Missouri. He has been assistant postmaster of this place since 1866, with the exception of about eighteen months. His jewelry store is in the post-office and he enjoys a liberal patronage. Downard, William -- The oldest resident of the city of Marengo was born June 3, 1808, at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, thirty-six miles from London bridge. He was the son of Henry and Sarah Downard. His father was a carpenter and filled many large contracts in building at Tunbridge Wells and the adjacent country, and died in 1856. His mother died in 1858. At sixteen years of age young William was bound to John young to learn the tailor’s trade where he remained five years. He then worked at his trade in Brighton, London, his native city and Hastings. He came with his wife and children to the United States in 1843; passing through Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland and Detroit he reached Chicago. While on the schooner across the great lakes they encountered a storm after leaving Mackinaw and a whole week was consumed in endeavoring to pass the Manitou Islands, during which they lost all their sails and were obliged to throw overboard all the deck cargo. The captain, who was a religious man, thought the misfortunes encountered in the storm were attributable to having left the port of Mackinaw on Sunday night before twelve o’clock. Mr. Downard followed his trade one year on Lake Street, Chicago. On the first day of November, 1845, started from Chicago by private conveyance to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled on Old Man’s Creek. There he left his family and clerked for George Andrews in Iowa City for some time. In the summer of 1847 he brought a stock of goods to the old trading post, and commenced trading with the Indians, and the following year came to Marengo and commenced selling goods in his own log house which he had constructed while at the trading post. This was the first store as also the first house on the original town plat of Marengo. This was on the second street went of the public square. He lived on a farm seven miles west of town from 1853 to 1857. While here he was justice of the peace and postmaster. He removed to town and in the spring of 1861 entered the Union army. He saw much service in Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and other points in the Western army. He was in the Union army nearly five years and served his adopted country well, holding several important positions there. He has since resided in Marengo Where he has sustained the highest respect for his sterling worth as a citizen. Their family consists of five sons and one daughter. The eldest son, William, was born in England and now lives in Arizona. The second, Edward now living in Topeka, Kansas, where he has been assistant Secretary of State for nine years. George, also born in England, is now farming in Kansas. John died in London when nearly three years of age. Betsy was the fourth child, born in London, now the wife of John Cartwright, of Audobon county. Stephen, born in London, is a printer in Kansas. Albert, born in Chicago, now deputy postmaster at Marengo. Thomas, born at Marengo, died when one and a half years old. Sarah, born in Marengo, died when one and a half years old.
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