Thomas C. Beamer is a native of Gurnsey Co., 0., born Sep. 5, 1841, son of Simon and Anna (Cooper) Beamer, natives of Ohio. The former died in July, 1878; the latter Sept. 24,1856. Thomas C. was adopted by his grandfather, Thomas Cooper, when very young. The family came to Scott County, arriving here Oct. 1845. They resided in Rockingham about six months, then moved onto the grandfather's farm in section 12, Buffalo Township, where our subject still resides. Thomas Cooper was a minister in the Methodist church for nearly 40 years. He died at the ripe old age of 80 years. The subject of this sketch was married Oct. 1,1863 to Phebe A. Conley, a native of Hancock Co., Ill. Her parents were Joel and Rebecca Conley, nee Edwards. He is an engineer and resides in St. Louis. Mo. She died in March, 1864. Mr Thomas Beamer enlisted Sept. 1, 1864, in Company C. 14th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and served until May 28, 1865, when he was mustered out at Camp McClelland, near Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Beamer have had two children-Ella M. and Charles A. Mr. Beamer owns a fine farm of 80 acres in Buffalo Township which he has under good cultivation and well stocked. He is a member of the K. P., Lodge No.10, and of the I. 0.0. F., Lodge No, 7.at Davenport. He is classed with the prominent farmers of the county, and is an enterprising and honored citizen of Buffalo Township.
F.X. Beh was born in the village Oberbergen, Alt Brusach Baden, Germany, Dec. 9,1827, son of Francis S. and Barbara (Baumgardner) Beh, natives of Germany, where he died; she is still living with the subject of this sketch. F. X. Beh served 3 years in the German army; the State of Baden declared itself republic, and the King of Prussia with his army defeated them and their attempt to assert their rights. Mr. Beh was married ,Jan. 1853, to Caroline, daughter of Theo. and Mary (Meyer) Heckle who came to Scott County in 1855. Mrs. Heckle is now deceased.He is living at Quincy, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Beh came to America and landed in New York City, Jan. 14,1854. From there they went to Detroit, Mich., where they remained until June 22, 1855,thence to Scott County, and located in Buffalo, where he engaged in dressing stone until the spring of 1868, when he bought a farm of 120 acres in section 18, this township(Buffalo), where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Beh have had nine children eight living-Henry, married Mary Stretcher; Anna M., now Mrs. Moritze Bernick; Joseph, Frank, Katy B., Charlie, Benjamin and Mary. Mr Beh owns 160 acres in sections 17 and 18, Buffalo Township, 110 in Montpelier and 160 in Fulton Township, almost all under good cultivation. He is classed with the prominent men of the county, and is an enterprising citizen of Buffalo Township.
Edwin A Blackman was born on the farm where he now resides, in Buffalo Township, Dec.19, 1844. He was a son of Levi and Susan (Hull) Blackman, of Canada. Mrs. Susan Blackman died in 1854. He was then married to Elizabeth Evans. They reside in Rockingham Township. The subject of this memoir enlisted in Company E,20th Iowa Infantry, in September, 1864.He participated in the Battle of Fort Blakeslee, Ala., and numerous other skirmishes. He was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., and discharged at Clinton, Ia., in July, 1865. After leaving the service he worked on the farm in Buffalo Township until 1870, teaming some eight months in Davenport in the meantime, then worked in a saw-mill one season, when he was appointed carrier of the city post office division, and held that position until March, 1879. He then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided. His marriage with Maria J.Pester occurred in Davenport, Sept. 2, 1868. She was born in England, of Edwin and Sarah J. (Harrison) Pester who came to America in 1841, and are now residents of 1320 Second Avenue, Davenport, Ia. Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Blackman have had seven children, three living-Jennie R., Harrison S. and Levi R. Mr. Blackman farms 160 acres of land, which is under good cultivation and thoroughly stocked. He is classed with the enterprising farmers of Scott County, with which he has been identified all his life.
John Bohl, owner of the Buffalo feed-store, was born in Woldzgarden, State of Mecklenburg,Schwerin, April27, 1828. He remained there attending school and engaged in training horses until his 21st year; then served in the German army three years. He was married in his native country to Maria Junker in August,1857. She was born in Roebel, Mecklenburg,Schwerin, of Frederic and Eliza (Fanger) Junker, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bohl imigrated to the United States in November, 1867, making the trip in 12 days. They came to Scott County, and located in Buffalo soon after. He worked in a lumber-yard and saw-mill until October, 1879, when he established his present store, which is the only one of the kind in Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Bohl have had five children, two living - Anna S., born in Germany, July 21,1864, and Hattie M., born in Buffalo, Aug. 29, 1869. The parents of our subject were Ludwick and Maria (Schnell) Bohl, natives of Germany. The subject of this sketch is a member of Buffalo Lodge, A.O.U.W., No. 72. In politics he is a Republican.
Jacob Long, farmer and stock raiser, LeClaire, Ia., was born in Blair Co., Pa., Nov. 27, son of Jacob and Magdalena Pacht. By this union there was a family of 11 children, eight of whom are living,viz.:Peter, DavidJ, Jacob ,Martin ,Susannah,Elizabeth,Margaret, and Sarah. Mrs. Long died in 1842 leaving a large family to mourn her loss. Mr. Long again married Mrs Mary Hopkins, a widow of James Hopkins. Mr. Long died April 29, 1877. Mrs. Long died in LeClaire, July 22, 1876, wher Mr. Long first located after coming to this county in 1851. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. When 15 years of age he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner which he followed until he came to Scott County. Dec. 20, 1854, he married Elizabeth Davidson. She was born in Blair Co., Pa., June 7, 1835. By this union there was a family of six children, viz.: William, born Jan. 28, 1856; Edmund, born May 19, 1857; James E., born June 18, 1862; Mary Ann, born Aug. 17, 1870; Sarah M., born March 10, 1873; Aramelia, born Jan. 4, 1876. Mr. Long has 158 acres of land under cultivation, valued at $65 per acre. In politics Mr. Long was an old-line Whig, but at the time of the organization of the Republican party joined them and has affiliated with them since.
Domnick Gillin was born in county of Sligo,Drun Clibb, Newton Parish, Ireland, June 24,1824. He emigrated to America and landed at New York on the 14th of April, 1847. He remained in New York three weeks, then went to Pittsburg,Pa. In 1853, he came to Scott County, and bought his present farm in Winfield Township. His first purchase of 160 acres has increased until he now owns 205 acres of rich land, all under good improvement. He was married to Ann McSteen, Oct 18, 1852, in the city of Pittsburg, Pa. She was born in County Sligo, Parish of Riverstown, Ireland, April 18, 1832, and came to America in 1851. Of eight children born of this union, six are living-Catharine, born Dec. 13, 1854, in Pittsburg, Pa., and married John Carroll; Michael V., Nov. 6, 1856; Thomas, Nov. 23, 1858; Peter, Sept. 20, 1860; John A., Aug. 19, 1862; and Jupta R., Sept. 21, 1868. The family are members of the Catholic church. In politics, Mr. Gillin is a Democrat; he is one of the prominent, representative farmers of his township.
Isaac N. Port was born on a farm near Huntingdon, Pa., Nov 9, 1831. He lived there until 22 years of age when he came to this State. He worked for different parties in Lincoln and LeClaire Townships until his marriage to Catharine N. Hoover, Jan. 5, 1858. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John D. and Margaret (Hanson) Hoover, also natives of the Keystone State. The had a family of 12 children. Mrs. Hoover died Feb. 17, 1880; he is still living in Nebraska. The parents of Isaac Port were John Port, Sr., and Martha (Fox) Port, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Port resided in LeClaire Township until March, 1877, when they moved on his father's farm in Lincoln Township, where they now reside. They have had eight children, six living, viz.: John C., Emma J., Martha A., Frank H., Sarah A., and Elsie L. Mrs. Port is a member of the LeClaire Christian church.
John Port, Jr., was born near Huntingdon, Pa., Nov. 7, 1835. He is one of 10 children of John and Martha (Fox) Port, natives of Huntingon Co., Pa., and now residents of Davenport. In March,1856, John Port, Jr., came with his parents to this county and settled on a farm in Lincoln Township; subsequently moved to LeClaire Township. Aug 4, 1862, he entlisted in Co. K, 20th Iowa Inf.Vols. He was at the siege of Vicksburg and other battles; was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 8, 1865. He then returned to the old homestead in Lincoln Township, and he married here to Susan A. Royer, March 24, 1867; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., and was a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Zimmerman) Royer, who were the parents of six children. After his marriage, Mr.Port rented land until January, 1872, when he purchased the farm of 80 acres where he now resides. He has his farm well stocked and highly cultivated. He is classed with the well-to-do enterprising farmers of his township, and has been identified with this county since 1856. He was elected supervisor two terms, and holds the office at present; has also been school director. He and wife are the parents of four children, viz.: Evalena, Laurena, Ulysses G. and Fannie M. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Mathias Proudfoot was born in Cambria Co., Pa., May 24, 1834; worked there on the farm and learned the carpenters's trade. He came to Iowa with his father, May 16, 1861, and located in Lincoln Township, on the farm where he now resides. He was maried here to Eliza Walker, May 22, 1873; she was born in Blair Co., Pa., and was a daughter of William and Maria (Kincade) Walker, natives of Pennsylvania. Mathias Proudfoot's father ,Richard J. Proudfoot, was born in London, England, Aug. 26, 1798. He came to the United States with his parents and settled in Philadelphia. He was married in Cambria Co., Pa., to Rebecca Hoover. In the spring of 1861 he came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Lincoln Township, where he died Nov. 25, 1853. They were the parents of 10 children, five living, viz.: Richard, Mrs Jane Osborne, Mathias ,Eliza (now Mrs. Douglas) and Emma. After Mr. Mathias Proudfoot was married he settled on the farm where he now lives. He lost his wife Oct. 22, 1877; she was laid to rest in the Summit Cemetery. He has his farm of 120 acres in Lincoln Township and one of 120 acres in LeClaire Township, all under cultivation. He is one of the leading stockraisers of Scott County. He is a member of Lodge No. 182, A.O.U.W., and at present is Master Workman of this lodge. His father, R.J. Proudfoot, was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature and was auditor of Cambria Co., Pa. In politics Mr. M. Proudfoot is Republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont.
George H. Jacobs was born in Liberty Township, this county, Nov. 2, 1841, and is a son of Mark C. Jacobs, deceased . Mr. Jacobs is the eldest of eight children. He was reared on his father's farm, and attended the common schools. He was always engaged in farming until within the past three years, since which time he has been dealing in stock. He was a soldier for the Union in the late war three years, and served in Company C, 20th Iowa Infantry. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, siege of Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely, and others. He was married Jan. 1, 1874, to Miss Emma Pennington, daughter of Eli Pennington, deceased. They have four children - Sadie E., George E., Edith E., and Mark C.
Mark C. Jacobs, deceased, was born in Cayuga Co., N.Y. Feb. 9, 1813. His father was Richard Jacobs, a native of Pennsylvania. Mark received a limited education. He came to Ohio in 1834, and to Scott County in 1837. He worked here as a farm laborer, and broke the first prairie in Liberty Township for Hacob Heller, the first settler in that township. In 1839 he entered 80 acres on section 22, and the same number in Walnut Grove. He settled on this land in 1840, and was there engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death which occurred July 24, 1877. He was married Aug. 1, 1840, to Lois Grace, a daughter of Michael Grace, who came to this county in 1839 from Ohio. At that time there was only one house between Hickory Grove and Davenport. They had to go to Illinois to mill. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jacobs had a family of eight children, seven living, viz.: George W. , Sarah A., Melissa A., Eliza, Augustus D., Mary E. and Lota. When Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs came to their present home, they had to move on a sled drawn by oxen. They had no stove, had three chairs and a few dishes. Ther was a hole dug under the floor of their cabin for a cellar. By toiling early and late, they cleared their land and made for themselves a comfortable home. Mr. Jacobs was one of the prominent men of the county, and his loss was deeply felt by the community.