Webster County

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago. 1888.

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Jabez A. Adams, section 36, Elkhorn Township, has a fine farm of 160 acres, which he has improved and cultivated, it being a tract of wild land when settled on by Mr. Adams in 1870. He has a good residence and farm buildings, and near his house is a grove of three acres of native forest trees. Mr. Adams was born in Kane County, Illinois, in October, 1846, a son of James Adams, a descendant of an old New England Family. He was given good educational advantages, and after leaving the public school attended McGebney's Seminary in Dekalb County, Illinois, three years. He then taught a number of years, and in 1872 was appointed principal of the school at Webster City, holding the position a year. In 1875 he was elected superintendent of schools of Webster County, a position he held for four years. He now devotes his attention to his farm, although he still teaches during the winter. He was married January 6, 1874, to Ellen M. Persons, a native of the State of New York, daughter of Rev. R. Persons. They have three children – Lawrence, Ruth and Stella K. In politics Mr. Adams is a Democrat.

John Q. Adams, sheriff of Webster County, was elected to that office in November, 1887, succeeding G. F. Gustafson. He has been a resident of Webster County since 1868, at which time he located in Otho Township, and for some time alternated farming with school teaching. From 1880 until 1886 he lived at Fort Dodge, engaged in the manufacture of brick. He is a native of Kane County, Illinois, born April, 1848, a son of J. L. Adams, a native of Massachusetts. In December, 1863, when but fifteen years old, he enlisted as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and with his regiment took part in the expedition under the famous cavalry leader, General Grierson, in Tennessee and Mississippi. At Franklin, Mississippi, while engaging the enemy, his regiment were lying on the ground, and a musket ball struck his right shoulder and passed down between the scapula and clavicle, penetrating his right lung. The command were at this time in the enemy's country, 275 miles from Vicksburg. The bravery and determination with which he sustained himself after receiving this terrible wound is indicated by the fact that he rode on horseback the entire distance to the hospital at Vicksburg before it was dressed. Another young soldier, named William Marshall, of the same command, also deserves to be remembered. He was wounded in a similar manner as our subject the day before, and rode a longer distance to Vicksburg before having his wounds dressed, bearing up with remarkable courage and fortitude. Hospital life possessed no charms for these young soldiers, and together they left without permission and joined their command. For about a year following the close of the war Mr. Adams served with his regiment under the gallant General Custer. Mr. Adams has never recovered from the effects of his service for the old flag, still carrying in his body the rebel bullet, and it was the hope that the climate would be beneficial that he removed to Iowa. Nor has he been disappointed, as he is much improved, although his health will probably never be robust. He is a popular and able official, and one of Webster County's most enterprising citizens.

Willard Carpenter Ainsworth, eldest son of LeRoy A. and Mary (Carpenter) Ainsworth, was born in Madison County, New York, December 6, 1837. His parents resided here until 1842, when they removed to Allegany County, New York, where he was reared. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade of his father. He had good educational advantages, attended school at Alfred College. In 1856 he began the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1860, when, following the western movement that was then flowing into Iowa, he came to Boone County in which place he resided until 1864, during which time he held the position of principal of the schools of Boonesboro. May 20, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. He participated in the battle of Tupelo, and later met with an accident which resulted in a broken leg, and he was discharged May 17, 1865. He then returned to Boonsboro and again engaged in teaching. September 13, 1865, Mr. Ainsworth was united in matrimony with Julia Ann Stevens, a popular teacher from Fort Dodge. After a resident of one year in Boonsboro, during which time they were both engaged in teaching, they moved to Fort Dodge and settled on the farm that has since been their home. His first land purchase consisted of only eighty acres, and he has since added to this until he now owns 480 acres of land under cultivation and well improved. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, but makes a specialty of dairying. After improving and beautifying their farm they have one of the pleasantest homes in the county. Five children have been born to them during the twenty-three years of their wedded life, which Providence has graciously bestowed upon them – Harriet M., Minnie A., Willard L., Addie L., Alburn S. Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth, fully realizing the importance of a good education, have given their children the benefit of the best schools, and two of their daughters are now successful teachers. In politics Mr. Ainsworth is a Republican.

Eleazor H. Albee, of Fort Dodge, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, November 19, 1816. His ancestry dates back to the early settlement of the Green Mountain State. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His parents, Zatto and Mary (Chapman) Albee, were both natives of Rutland County. Zatto Albee was a carpenter by trade. He and his wife had a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but one daughter, who died in early childhood, and nine are still living, four sons and five daughters. Eleazor H. Albee came to Iowa in 1845, while it was yet a Territory, and resided in Muscatine until 1854, when he came to Fort Dodge, and it will therefore be seen that he was one of the earliest pioneers of the place, and has ever been intimately connected with its growth and prosperity. He was for many years connected with the Western Stage Company in the capacity of agent, and later with its successor, the Northwestern Stage Company. He remained in this connection until the coming of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad, and since then has given his attention principally to his farming interests. Mr. Albee was married February 22, 1841, at Zanesville, Ohio, to Miss Electa M. Pier, who was born in Addison County, Vermont, June 4, 1821, and went to Ohio with her parents when quite young. Her father was Andulasia Pier. Her mother's maiden name was Spraigue. Mr. and Mrs. Albee had five children, three sons and two daughters. The sons, Edward, Frank A. and Charles C., died young, the latter being fifteen years of age, and the others younger. Of the daughters, Mary Ellen became the wife of Albert Jenkins, and died May 23, 1869, and Adeline became the wife of Robert W. Crawford, and died November 11, 1887. May 17, 1886, Mrs. Albee died, after a married life of about forty-seven years. Thus it will be seen that in his old age Mr. Albee is left alone. Surely he has had his share of troubles of this life. During his long residence in Webster County Mr. Albee has formed an extensive acquaintance, and is everywhere regarded with respect and esteem. In politics he has taken no active part. In early life he was a Whig, but since the disruption of that party has been a Democrat. His immediate ancestors were Methodists in their religious belief. Although he has never identified himself with any denomination he has always gauged his life by the Christian religion, and has been a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel. He has long been prominently identified with the two great secret organizations, the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

Henry D. Alvord, residing on section 28, Otho Township, Webster County, was born in the town of Geneseo, in Livingston County, New York, March 17, 1823. His father, Melzer Alvord, was a native of New England, and a pioneer of Livingston County, New York. He was among the pioneers of the Genesee Valley, and at one time owned eighty acres of land where the city of Rochester now stands, which he sold for $200. He was also one of the early merchants of Geneseo. The mother of our subject was Lura (Smith) Alvord. In 1836, when Henry D. was a lad of thirteen years his father immigrated to La Grange County, Indiana, and a few weeks later, after finding a location, sent for his family, which consisted of his wife and three children. Henry D. being the only son, drove the team through from Geneseo to their frontier home. They were also accompanied by an uncle, Ansel Dewey, who settled in LaSalle County, Illinois. At the time of their settlement the State of Indiana was almost in a state of nature, and was principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals. Melzer Alvord was unfortunate in his pioneer experience in Indiana. Soon after settling there he contracted a disease of the eyes which compelled him to return to Rochester, New York, for treatment. He finally partially recovered the use of his eyes, but in the meantime had spent most of his substance. He however only survived a few years, and the labor of supporting the family devolved on the mother and her son, the subject of this sketch. In 1852 the family removed to Clayton County, Iowa, settling in the town of Farmersburg, eight miles west of McGregor, where the mother died May 25, 1856. August 31, of the same year, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Rawson, who was born in Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, December 2, 1836, a daughter of Enos and Eliza (Lewis) Rawson. In 1852 Mr. Rawson immigrated with his family to Clayton County, Iowa, and settled on a new farm, remaining there until 1870. In that year the Rawson family removed to Humboldt County, where the mother died in March, 1874. Mr. Rawson died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, in December, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Rawson were the parents of five children of whom Mrs. Alvord is the eldest, the names of the others being Lucina M., Charles M., Hester A. and George F. The two sisters of Mr. Alvord before mentioned, were named Harriet and Catherine. The former married John Merriman, and died in Indiana many years ago. The latter is the wife of H. W. Wakeman, of Holyoke, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have had born to them nine children – Lura E., Hartley D., Charles J., Henry M., Alice M., Hattie L., Jessie L., Mabel E. and Leslie E. In March, 1876, Mr. Alvord settled on his present farm in Otho Township, which he purchased from Edwin Twining, and since then has made some improvements on his place. In politics Mr. Alvord is a Republican, having been identified with that party ever since its organization. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Alvord are identified with any religious denomination, but both are believers in the principles of Christianity, and their lives have ever been consistent with that belief.