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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Benjamin E. Bailey, merchant at Lehigh, was born in Grant County, Wisconsin, May 24, 1841 , a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Bailey, the former a native of Vermont , and the latter of Ohio . The family moved to Missouri from Wisconsin and thence to Tama County , Iowa , where the father died. The mother afterward married Rev. M. Bly, now of Grundy County , Iowa . B. F. Bailey was given good educational advantages, and for some time was a student under Prof. Pickard, late of the Iowa State University . He learned the trade of blacksmith of his father, working with him until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. February 27, 1864 , he enlisted and was assigned to Company A., Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Colonel Frank Haskell, and served until the close of the war. He was with General Grant in his Virginia campaign, and participated in all its battles, including the engagements at North Ann River , Turner's Farm, Cold Harbor , Petersburg , Jerusalem Plank Roads, Deep Bottom, Deep Run, Ream's Station, and the first and second engagements at Hatchie Run. February 5, 1865 , he was taken sick and was unable from that time to perform active duty. He was a brave and faithful soldier, never shirking any duty, and as a result of the exposure and privations undergone, has never since been able to do manual labor. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was made quite deaf by the concussion of artillery, causing paralysis of the drum of the ear. Two of his brothers, James H. and William M., were members of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery. Mr. Bailey was married October 18, 1863 , to Mattie L. Aiken, daughter of Robert Aiken, of Richland Centre. They have two children – Myrtle and Claud.

H. C. Ballou, proprietor of the Arlington livery and sale stables. This is one of the largest livery stables in the city of Fort Dodge, and is located on Market street, opposite the Arlington Hotel. It was established in 1883 by E. W. Twining, and was bought by Ballou & Andrews in November, 1887, and in 1888 Mr. Ballou bought Mr. Andrew's interest. He keeps a good stock of driving horses, carriages of all kinds, and is also the proprietor of a ‘bus and hack line. He has a good trade, and is one of the leading business men of the city. H. C. Ballou was born in LaSalle County, Illinois, August 23, 1846, a son of Nelson and Sylvia (McNitt) Ballou. He was reared in his native county, and in 1869 went to Kankakee, Illinois, where he lived until 1881, when he removed to Fort Dodge. He was married in 1868 to Mary E. Powell, and to them have been born three daughters – Anna, Sylvia and Olive.

Charles H. Bartlett, farmer and a representative citizen of Deer Creek Township, resides on the southeast quarter of section 20. He has been a resident of Deer Creek since April, 1866, when he made a claim of the north half of the northeast quarter of section 28, which he improved and made his home until the fall of 1884, when he sold it and bought his present farm. Mr. Bartlett was born in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, March 1, 1829, a son of Asa and Electa (Pease) Bartlett, the former of English and the latter of German descent, the ancestors of both being among the first settlers of America. The mother of our subject died in 1841, and in 1844 his father moved to Wisconsin and pre-empted land in Winnebago County, where he lived until his death, the farm now being owned by his son Frederick L. Charles H. followed his father to Wisconsin in 1845, and made that State his home until after the war. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and served nearly three years when he was discharged on account of disability, the result of wounds received. He participated in the battle of Williamsburg, and other battles of McClellan's peninsula campaign, and also at Antietem. In June, 1864, he was severely wounded by a gunshot in his right hand, and although his hand was saved is badly crippled and he now receives a pension of $15 a month. On the organization of his company he was made Corporal and finally was promoted to Second Sergeant. He was a gallant soldier and served his country with courage and manliness, winning the esteem of his fellow soldiers and superior officers. In politics he is a Republican, but of late is a sympathizer with the prohibition movement.

Theodore Bastian, section 14, Newark Township, is one of the first settlers of the township, there being but three families within its limits when he came. He was born in Mechlenburg-Schweren, Germany, June 19, 1848, the eldest son of Frederick and Mary (Wakaro) Bastian. In 1866 the family came to America, leaving Hamburg, April 14, on the steamship Alamania and landed in New York the latter part of the month. They proceeded direct to LaSalle County and settled on Farm Ridge. The mother died September 26, 1879, and the father now lives with his son Theodore and is in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Theodore remained with his parents until 1872 when he came to Webster County, Iowa, and located in Newark Township, where he has since lived with the exception of three years spent in Humboldt County. He is an enterprising man, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs and has served his township a number of years as trustee. He has been a successful farmer and although he began life a poor boy has by industry and frugality acquired a good property, and is now in affluent circumstances. In politics he is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and in religion is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. February 16, 1875, he was married to Miss Metha Schwenck, a native of Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Hyacinthe and Elizabeth (Bentz) Schwenck, who were natives of Germany, but are now living in Wright County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Bastian have six children – Edwin W., Otto F., Arthur R., Louise M., Wesley T., and John M.

Alexander Beach, of Fort Dodge , has been a resident of Webster County since 1856. His father, Isaac H. Beach was a native of Connecticut , born August 15, 1805 , and when a young man moved to Ohio , where he married Miss Eleanor Duncan, a native of Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , of Scotch descent. He worked at the blacksmith's trade in his young days, but in 1852 turned his attention to agriculture. In the spring of 1856 he moved with his family to Webster County, Iowa, and engaged in farming in Sumner Township until his death, August 15, 1873 . He left a widow and eight children, viz – Benjamin, of Steel City, Nebraska; Annie M., wife of E. V. Moore, of Bunkleman, Nebraska; Alexander; Isaac E., of Stratton, Nebraska; Catherine, wife of A. H. Townsend of Stratton, Nebraska; Susan C., wife of A. H. Anderson, of China, Louisiana; Leonidas L., on the old homestead in Sumner Township, and Charles L., of Ough, Nebraska. Three children died before the father – John Wesley died in Ohio , aged eleven years; Isabella married Charles Roberts and died in Sumner Township ; William died in Colorado . Mrs. Beach now lives with her son Charles in Nebraska . When Mr. Beach came to Iowa his health was impaired, and he was never able to take a very active part in business life. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and his sons are all identified with the same great political party. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a liberal supporter of the gospel. He was an efficient worker in the church of his choice, a great part of his life being devoted to religious work, and was highly esteemed for his many Christian virtues. Alexander Beach is a native of the Buckeye State , as are all the family except his youngest brother. He was born near Granville, Licking County , March 18, 1838 , and was about eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to Webster County . He devoted his attention to farming and milling until 1864, when, January 4, he enlisted in defense of the Union and was assigned to Company I, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. In August, 1865, he was transferred to the Eighth Iowa Infantry, and remained with that regiment until mustered out of the service, April 20, 1866 . He participated in many notable battles of the war, among others being that of Nashville , where the Union forces under General Thomas annihilated the Confederate forces under General Hood, and also the capture of Fort Blakely , which was practically the last important battle of the war. He was a gallant and faithful soldier, and while he escaped the bullets of the foe his health became much impaired, and he has never regained his former robustness. Since 1872 he has lived in Fort Dodge , and has been engaged in official duties the greater part of the time. In the fall of that year he was elected county recorder and served two years. He was deputy sheriff several years, and later was Deputy United States Marshal until the advent of the present administration. Mr. Beach was married in 1859 to Miss Jane Ewing, a native of Pennsylvania , daughter of D. T. Ewing, who settled in Webster County in 1858. They have four children – Mary M., wife of Charles H. Walkling; Elnora M., wife of F. H. Vanosdall; Isaac N. and Carrie E. Five children died in early childhood. Mr. Beach and one brother are the only representatives of the family now living in Webster County . He is one of the honored citizens of the county, and has always taken an active interest in assisting to further its improvements, being ready at all times to aid materially any enterprise that promises benefit to the county.

Wickliffe C. Beem is a representative of the pioneers of Sumner Township . His father, John Beem, was born in Washington County , Maryland , May 2, 1805 , of German ancestry, the Beems coming to America from that country in an early day. Before the days of railroads John was employed as post-boy, going over the mountains on horse-back. When he was a boy his father, Richard Beem, moved to the vicinity of Columbus , Ohio , making that place his home until death. John Beem married Sarah Shisler, a native of Ohio, a daughter of George Shisler, who was a native of Germany, coming to American when eighteen years of age. About 1812 John Beem moved to Noble County , Indiana , living there until 1855 when he moved to Webster County, Iowa, and settled in Yell Township , on section 18. At that time there were probably not more than a half dozen families in the county. Here Mr. John Beem lived until his death, which occurred in November, 1885. He was one of the highly respected pioneers of the county. In his religious belief he was a Free-will Baptist, and was one of the organizers of that church in this county, and for several years served in the capacity of deacon. His farm of 160 acres is still in the possession of the family, and is the home of his widow. Mrs. Beem was born March 21, 1810 , and although now seventy-eight years of age is in the enjoyment of a good degree of health. Mr. and Mrs. John Beem had a family of seven children – Margaret, wife of D. D. Douglass, of Otho Township; Wickliffe C.; Emily, wife of A. D. Rolfe, of Sumner Township; Ellen, wife of George Marsh, of Yell Township; John Q., on the old homestead; Angeline, wife of James Brundage, died several years ago; Noble was drowned in the Boone River in 1854. Wickliffe C. Beem was born in Ohio , January 30, 1841 , and was thirteen years old when his parents came to Iowa . In 1859 he went to Colorado at the time of the gold excitement at Pike's Peak, and remained there two years, when on account of failing health he returned to Iowa. In 1862 he enlisted for frontier service at the time of the Mankato massacre and reached that place in time to assist in burying the dead and was present when thirty-two Indians were hanged. Mr. Beem's life work has been farming and stock-raising. He owns 500 acres of land and is numbered among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county. In 1875 he opened a coal mine on his land and has since been successfully engaged in mining it. His mine is located on Crooked Creek, and is known as the Black Diamond Mine. Mr. Beem married Mary J. Nicholas, a daughter of Richard Nicholas, who settled in Yell Township in 1861, and is now a resident of Kansas . She was born in Luzerne County , Pennsylvania , in 1846, and for some time was a successful teacher of Yell Township . Mr. and Mrs. Beem have five children – Lillie, Noble M., Leona, Minnie E., and Floyd Wickliffe. In politics, like his father, Mr. Beem is a warm supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

James B. Black, section 4, Cooper Township, is a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, born September 24, 1856, a son of James A. and Sarah (Steele) Black, who still reside at Greensboro. His parents being farmers, he was reared to the same occupation, and received his education in the district schools of his native county, attending school during the winter and assisting in the work of the farm during the summer months. He remained at home until his majority, and then, having a brother in Iowa, where the prospects for starting in life with a small capital were good, he was induced to leave home and join his brother Charles. He left Pennsylvania the last day of December, 1877, and arrived at Fort Dodge January 3, 1878. He went to work with his brother at the butchering business, which he followed about three years, and then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, first on a farm owned by his brother. He has since bought the farm where he now lives, to which he moved in the spring of 1884. He owns 325 acres of choice land, much of it being under cultivation, devoting all his attention to his farm and to stock raising. He was married February 23, 1881, to Maggie Blackshere, the eldest daughter of A. F. and Nancy (Dunaway)Blackshere, early settlers of this county. They have four children – Edna, James Allen, Lucy and an infant son. In politics Mr. Black is a Democrat, and a warm supporter of his party, being now an advocate of free trade. He was reared in the Methodist church, but is not a member of any religious denomination. He is public-spirited, and takes an interest in education and other matters pertaining to the public good.

Aaron F. Blackshere, of Cooper Township , section 26, is among the prominent and widely known pioneers of Webster County . He was born in Monongahela Township , Greene County , Pennsylvania , November 16, 1827 , the eldest son of Francis and Sarah Blackshere, who were natives of the State of Delaware , but settled in Pennsylvania in 1803, where they continued to reside. Francis Blackshere died in 1842, but Mrs. Blackshere is still living at the age of eighty-seven years. The Blacksheres were originally from Wales , and came to America in the early part of the sixteenth century, and previous to the landing of the Pilgrim fathers in 1620. Ebenezer Blackshere, the grandfather of our subject, served seven years in the Revolutionary war, serving part of the time under General Greene and the remainder under General Washington, and was with the latter at Valley Forge and took part in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine (where he was quite severely wounded), and some others of less importance, and was also with Washington at Yorktown at the surrender of Cornwallis. He was possessed of a remarkably strong constitution, with remarkable powers of endurance, as he lived to be ninety-six years of age. The last years of his life were spent in Northwestern Virginia . Francis Blackshere, the father of our subject, served in the war of 1812. He was by occupation a farmer. A. F. Blackshere was reared to farm work, and received his education in this common subscription schools in his native township. His advantages in this respect were very limited, comprising only about ten months in all, as his services were needed assisting his father on the farm. He remained at home until 1846, when he went to Marion County , Virginia , and served two years as clerk in the general store of an uncle, Elias Blackshere, who proved to be a very valuable friend and instructor to the young and inexperienced country lad. Elias Blackshere being a man of sterling integrity and strict business habits, he taught his nephew many lessons of industry, frugality and punctuality, which served him a good purpose in after life. So exacting was his uncle that at the expiration of the two years he caused A. F. to work out the two days he had lost during his term of service. Here he acquired his first business education and experience which laid the foundation for his future success. Leaving here, he returned to the home of his youth, and at Mapletown bought an interest in a general store, and remained two years, doing a successful and profitable business. It was while engaged in business here that he first began to speculate in live-stock, dealing somewhat extensively in cattle and hogs. In the pursuit of this business he visited Iowa and Illinois in 1849, and near Springfield, Illinois, he bought a large herd of cattle and drove them east to Philadelphia and Baltimore, the journey occupying between three and four months. Much of his life during the many years passed since that date has been spent in his favorite occupation of buying, herding and selling live-stock, and at various times he has been extensively engaged in it, owning large herds, and his operations have extended to a number of States. In May, 1856, he first settled at Fort Dodge . While here at this time he made the acquaintance of O. B. Ryall, of Ashland , Ohio , with whom he had many very pleasant and amusing experiences, they being boon companions, and are still warm friends. He relates that at the time of his arrival here there were but very few actual settlers, and Fort Dodge contained not more than a half dozen rude residences. Here he worked as a laborer, and at times earned large wages, making shingles by the old-fashioned process of riving and shaving them. In 1857 and 1858 he was engaged in teaming goods and supplies from Iowa City to Fort Dodge , $5 per hundred being often paid for carrying goods this distance. In 1858 he helped to organize a company called the Fort Dodge Navigation Company, and was elected its president. They had a steamboat built at Pittsburg called the Charley Rodgers, which they used, trading between Keokuk and Fort Dodge . This was the first boat ever built for this route, and she was started on her first trip June 28, 1859 , and A. F. Blackshere was Pilot-Captain of the craft. Mr. Blackshere relates that in the spring of that year provisions and produce were very high in price at Fort Dodge . Flour $11 per cwt., bacon 22 cents a pound, salt $15 a barrel, sugar 18 cents a pound, and other things proportionately high. After the arrival of the first cargo by boat he put flour down to $5, bacon 12 ½ cents, sugar form 8 to 10 cents, and salt $4.50. In the fall of 1859 he sold his interest in the Rodgers and went back to his native town in Pennsylvania . May 2, 1860 , he married Miss Nancy Dunaway, a native of Greene County , Pennsylvania , and a daughter of John and Margaret (Robinson) Dunaway, who were natives of that State. Immediately after his marriage he started back to Fort Dodge , coming by boat from Pittsburg to Burlington , from there to Ottumwa by cars on the Missouri River Railroad, and from there by team. After his arrival in the spring of 1860 he engaged in butchering and keeping a grocery and provision store. In 1863 he was elected sheriff of Webster County , and was re-elected in 1865, serving four years in all. During his term of office he still kept up the business of dealing in stock. He afterward served four years as deputy sheriff under Jacob Waltz. Mr. Blackshere has been married three times. By his first marriage he had three children born to him, two daughters and one son. The son died in infancy, but the daughters are still living. Maggie, the eldest, is now Mrs. J. B. Black, and resides in Cooper Township . Anna is living in Virginia , Cass County , Illinois . Mrs. Blackshere died April 12, 1865 . February 16, 1866 , he married Margaret Ericson, a native of Ulrick County , State of Ostergottland , Sweden , who lived but a few months. March 24, 1868 , he married his present wife, who was Miss Frances C. Con, a daughter of O. W. and Frances (Miner) Con, of Greene County , Pennsylvania . By this marriage he has had eight children, seven of whom are still living – Martha, Cora C., Frances E., Jessie May, Edith, James Aaron and Grace Mildred. He bought his present homestead about 1873, when it was in its natural state, and made all the improvements. He now has a pleasant home, his farm consisting of 410 acres, on which are good substantial and commodious buildings, beautifully surrounded by a grove planted by himself. His farm is known as the Paran Stock Farm, and he has been for a number of years largely interested in breeding thoroughbred short-horn and Durham cattle, and keeps on hand a number of registered animals. In early life he was a Democrat in politics, but on the nomination of Abraham Lincoln he became a supporter of him, and has since supported the Republican party. He is a friend of education and a strong advocate of temperance, and has always taken a lively interest in all things pertaining to the public good. He has been president of the Horticultural Fair Association and president of the Fort Dodge Manufacturing Company. He is a genial and pleasant gentleman, who has a host of personal friends and enjoys the confidence and respect of the community generally. He is a member of the Mason fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows' order.

Robert W. Blain, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, Douglas Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1827, a son of W. W. and Catherine (Wein) Blain, the former a son of Robert Wilson and Elizabeth (Johnson) Blain, and the latter a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Lyons) Wein. W. W. Blain went to California in an early day and while there, in 1852, was poisoned by his partner. The mother now lives in Medina , Ohio . They had a family of five sons and four daughters. Robert W. was reared a farmer, but in his youth went to work in a gun shop. In 1853 he moved to Ohio , and a year later to Clayton County, Iowa. In 1857 he spent a season in Webster County, and in 1858 moved to Clay County, where he lived until 1862, when he spent another year in Webster County, and in 1863 moved to Colwell County, Missouri, but the climate not agreeing with his family, in 1864, he again came to Webster County and in the fall of 1865 bought eighty acres of land where he now lives. How now owns 240 acres in his home farm, and 160 acres of cultivated land in Humboldt County . His homestead is one of the best in Douglas Township , his land being under cultivation and his buildings being commodious and convenient. Mr. Blain was married October 12, 1856 , to Lydia Kendilspire, a native of Woodford County , Illinois , daughter of John and Mary ( Moore ) Kendilspire, her father a native of Summerset County , Pennsylvania , and the mother of Germany . They have a family of ten children – James W., Rosella A., Sarah C., Carrie C., Charles L., Fannie L., Kittie M., Will, Harry and Elmo. In politics Mr. Blain is a Democrat, although he cast his suffrage for Garfield for President. He is a strong believer in the principles of prohibition.

O. F. Blunck, one of the representative citizens of Fulton Township , is a native of Hamburg , Germany , born October 31, 1839 , a son of F. O. and Mary Blunck. His parents came to America in 1847 and lived one year in St. Louis , Missouri . In 1848 they located in Davenport , Iowa , and there the mother died during the cholera epidemic, leaving two sons, Henry, now of Republic County , Kansas , and O. F. In 1856 the father went to California and engaged in mining until 1864, when he started for home, and has never since been heard from, it being supposed that he was murdered for his money. O. F. remained in Davenport until twenty years of age, when he went to Rock Island County , Illinois . In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company E, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, and took part in many of the most important battles of the war, including Shiloh , Corinth , siege of Vicksburg , Iuka, and siege of Atlanta . He was wounded at Atlanta on the 22d day of July, when Hood made his celebrated raid on the Union forces, and was also captured and confined in the noted Andersonville prison sixty days, when he was exchanged by special arrangement for the exchange of prisoners between Hood and Sherman. He then went with Sherman to the sea and participated in the battle of Bentonville and marched to Washington , where with his regiment he was in line at the grand review of the army. He was discharged at Davenport in 1865. After his discharge he located in Rock Island County , where he lived until 1870, when he came to Webster County and located in Fulton Township which at that time contained but eleven voters. He bought forty acres of wild land to which he has added until he now has 320 acres of good land, being the entire half of section 15. In politics Mr. Blunck is a Democrat. He has served in most of the township offices and in 1887 was elected to the county board of supervisors. He is a member of Fort Donelson Post, No. 236, G. A. R., at Fort Dodge . He was married in December, 1865, to Eliza J. Smith, a native of New York , daughter of Henry and Mary (Luke) Smith. They have seven children – Frederick H., Nora M., William E., James H., George E., Lydia L., and Lewis E.

George Y. Boyd, section 35, Colfax Township , was born in Bristol , Bucks County , Pennsylvania , April 16, 1837 , a son of John and Susan L. (Yardley) Boyd, who were also natives of Pennsylvania . His father was of Irish parentage, and his mother's ancestors were from England , and came to America in a very early day, settling in William Penn's colony, the village of Yardleyville being named in honor of this family. John Boyd was a merchant, and for upward of thirty years was engaged in business in the same store in Bristol . In 1853 he sold out and moved to Huron County , Illinois , locating near Cambridge on a farm, where he lived a few years, and then moved into the town of Cambridge , where he lived until his death, February 2, 1877 , his wife having preceded him in 1864. He and three of his sons were soldiers in the war for the preservation of the Union . George Y. Boyd enlisted in the spring of 1861 at the call for three months' men, but was not accepted. In August, 1861, he again enlisted for three years in Company C, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and participated in a number of skirmishes, in one of which he met with an accident which injured his spine, and he was sent to the marine hospital at Cincinnati , Ohio . At the end of a month, in February, 1863, he was discharged and returned to his home in Illinois . After his recovery, February 24, 1865 , he again enlisted in the same company for one year or during the war, and was discharged from the service October 31, 1865 . He has since drawn a pension for services rendered his Government. After the close of the war he engaged in farming near Cambridge , Illinois , until December, 1871, when he came to Iowa , and settled on section 36, Fremont Township , Hamilton County , where he lived until July, 1878, when he moved to his present farm in Webster County , where he owns forty acres of good land. In addition to attending to the cultivation of his farm he has for thirteen years been an agent for the Farmers' Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids , and has done a profitable business in that line. Mr. Boyd is one of the representative men of his township, and has filled a number of responsible offices. He was township clerk four years. In politics he is a strong Republican, and takes an active part in protecting the interests of his party. December 29, 1869 , he was married to Sarah Matheson, a native of Canada , born in Vaughan Township , York County , Ontario , a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Armour) Matheson, who moved to Iowa in 1869, and now live in Buena Vista County . Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have six children – Grace Elizabeth, Elwood D., Susie L., Jessie M., George W. and Ruth G.

B. F. Burns, section 15, Douglas Township , was born in La Porte County , Indiana , September 2, 1850 , a son of J. D. Burns, a prominent pioneer of that county. When he was thirteen years old his parents moved to Webster County, Iowa, and here he grew to manhood, and was educated. After reaching manhood he visited the Black Hills and New Mexico , but finally returned to Webster County , and settled on the farm where he now lives. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and also is proprietor of Factory No. 187, where he manufactures a fine grade of cigars. Although but a young man he is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He has served six years as road supervisor of his township. In politics he is a Republican. He was married in 1879, to Miss Hattie Pierce, a daughter of C. H. Pierce, of Douglas Township . They have two children – B. F., Jr., born in 1880, and Zazel, born in 1882.

James D. Burns, farmer and stock-raiser, Douglas Township , was born in Mifflin County , Pennsylvania , December 30, 1808 , a son of Magill and Margaret ( Dixon ) Burns, natives of Cumberland County , Pennsylvania , of Scotch descent. He remained in his native State until 1836, when he moved to La Porte County , Indiana , and there improved two farms. In 1852 he came to Iowa and improved two farms in Delaware County , and in 1863 removed to Webster County and bought 160 acres of land in Douglas Township , which he has improved and has since made his home. He at one time owned 480 acres, but has given his children 280 acres, and now owns a good farm of 200 acres. His land is all under good cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodious. Mr. Burns was married May 4, 1837 , to Maria L. Gilbreath, a native of Highland County , Ohio , born March 2, 1819 , a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Gilbreath. To them have been born eleven children – Margaret, Elizabeth, Jane Ann, Butler, Mary E. (deceased), James (died August 5, 1864, at Rome, Georgia, while in the service of his country), Benjamin, Alice (deceased), Eva, Rebecca and Angie. In politics Mr. Burns is a Republican. He has served his township as trustee and is a member of the school board.

J. H. Busey, of Douglas Township , has been a resident of Webster County since March, 1855. He was born in Washington County , Indiana , a son of Charles and Lydia (Ward) Busey, his father a native of North Carolina , and his mother of Virginia . His parents were married in Kentucky , and soon after moved to Indiana , being among the pioneers of Washington County . From there they moved to Champaign County , Illinois , where the father died, and the mother died in Southwest Missouri . John H. Busey was reared a farmer, passing his youth in Indiana and Illinois in the early days of those States. In 1855 he came to Iowa and bought wild land in Douglas Township , paying the Government $1.25 an acre for it. He was one of the first settlers west of the river, and, like others, had some trouble about getting a clear title to his land. His first house in the county was a log cabin, but in 1867 he built his present residence, which is a substantial brick, and his other buildings are convenient and comfortable. He owns forty acres of good land situated a mile and a half west of Fort Dodge , and his surroundings are among the pleasantest in the township. Mr. Busey was married first to Nancy Davis, who died in 1850. October 25, 1854 , he married Anna Mary Andrew, a native of Washington County , Pennsylvania , daughter of Lemuel and Polly (Day) Andrew. In politics Mr. Busey is a Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He is liberal in his religious belief, Mrs. Busey being a member of the Presbyterian church.