Iowa

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Preston

Andrew Preston was a proprietor of “Bonnie Brae” stock farm and a dealer in shorthorn cattle. He was born near Dundee in Forfarshire, Scotland, May 8, 1850. His parents were John and Matilda Preston of Scotland. When Andrew was nine years old, he came to America and located in Chicago, Illinois. Then he went to Dundee, Kane County, Illinois and attended school one winter. In 1872, he came to Ida County, Iowa and moved on wild land there. In his eight-acre grove, he planted one acre of walnuts, one acre of maples, one acre of evergreens, hedges, windbreaks, etc. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of D. Countryman

D. Countryman was a farmer and stock raiser of Section 31, Grant Township, Ida County, was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1841, a son of Peter and Margaret (Nicholas) Countryman. He was reared and educated in Rock County, Wisconsin. He began farming for himself in Linn County, Iowa. In 1875 he came to Ida County, and was the first settler in what is now Grant Township (then Maple Township). He bought 65 acres of raw Iowa land on the West Soldier River. He at once began improving the land, and erected a small shanty. After breaking 20 acres, he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hector Baxter

Hector Baxter, a farmer of Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, June 16, 1834. His parents were John and Mary (McNeil) Baxter, natives also of that country where they lived and died. Hector was reared and educated in Scotland where he learned and followed the trade of shoemaker for many years. In 1877, he left his native land for the United States, and after landing in New York, purchased and improved 160 acres of wild land in Tama County, Iowa. He sold this land in 1881, and bought 320 acres in Ida County. He built a … Read more

Biography of John H. Moorehead

J. H. Moorehead came to Ida County in June, 1856. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 21, 1808. He was a son of Thomas Moorehead who was of Scotch ancestry. He had been engaged in shipping flour down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. In 1854, Mr. Moorehead came to Iowa City, Iowa, where he remained until 1856, when he and his family came to Ida County. He took an active part in all public affairs and assisted in the upbuilding of the county. He had been a man of business for many years and shouldered the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Yousling

George Yousling of Corwin Township, Ida County, Iowa, settled here in 1879 on Section 26. He was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa., October 28, 1825, the son of George Yousling, Sr., a native of Switzerland. His mother was Elizabeth Yousling, also a native of Switzerland. George Yousling was reared and educated in Dauphin County, living there until 18 years of age where he learned the trade of carpenter. His present farm was south of Ida Grove where he redeemed the farm from its original wild state. His residence was two stories in height, with an added L the same … Read more

Biography of Alytte R. Dunn

Alytte R. Dunn, known as Ale, a farmer and stock-raiser of section 23, Logan township, Ida County, was born in Scott County, Iowa, in 1854, a son of A.R. and Margaret (Grace) Dunn, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. When a young man the father located in Allen’s Grove, Scott Co., IA, and at that time Davenport contained only seven log houses. He was married in that county, where he was engaged in farming until 1890, and in that year the parents went to California. They still reside in that State. The grandparents of our subject, John and Eleanor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peter Morrison

Peter Morrison was reared and educated in New York where he learned the trade of a carpenter, and was engaged there in railroad contracting. In 1867 he came to Ida County, Iowa, in 1872 located in Garfield township, and in 1874 settled in Battle Creek when that place contained only a post office. He immediately began contracting and building. In 1861, in Dane County, Wisc., he enlisted in Company H, 8th Wisc. Infantry, known as Runnell’s Guards. He took part in the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Murfreesboro, Lookout Mountain, and in the Peninsular Campaign. He was twice wounded … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Crane

Thomas Crane was born on the Isle of Man, March 25, 1844. His father, William Crane, was a soldier in the British army and died of cholera while in the Indias when Thomas was 18 months old. His mother, Catherine (nee Faragher), was born on the Isle of Man. His brother was William Crane and they lived in a sod house thatched with straw and had an earth floor. At the age of eleven, Thomas came with his uncle, C. Faragher, to America, landing at New Orleans after a voyage of 6 weeks and 2 days. They then went up … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. A. Barrick

He was one of the representative business men of Battle Creek, Ida County, Ia., since 1881. In 1878, he married Hannah Gillmore of Jackson County, Iowa. They had two children: Roy and Archie. He is a native of Chicago, Illinois, born June 5, 1852, son of William and Elizabeth Barrick, natives of England. When A. A. was a year old, his father moved to Clinton County, Ia., and on a farm he grew to manhood. He served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith’s trade and was engaged in business on the Maquoketa road one year. He engaged in blacksmithing in Morris … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. O. Crawford

James O. Crawford, a farmer of Garfield Township, Ida County, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, February 17, 1828, a son of Alexander and Mary (Floyd) Crawford, natives also of Scotland. The father was a farmer and weaver by trade. The parents reared a family of four children: William, James O., Alexander, and John. James O. was reared and educated in his native land. He was there engaged for many years in a cotton factory, then in boiler making, and ship building. He then became a member of the police force in Glasgow. In 1879 he came to America, locating near … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. F. Gilbert

H. F. Gilbert resided on a farm of 160 acres in Section 3 of Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa. He settled on the land in Maple Township in 1888. His father had purchased the land in 1883. He was born in Herkimer County, New York, September 26, 1856, son of S. L. and Eveline (Seaman) Gilbert, natives of New York. His grandfathers were Amos Gilbert and Jacob Seaman. He married Mary E. Doherty in Jones County, Iowa, January 1, 1881. Mary was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and a daughter of P. F. and Mary Doherty. When Mrs. Gilbert was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Crane

William Crane was born on the Isle of Man, May 16, 1841. His father, William Crane, was a soldier in the British army for 3 to 4 years, and died of cholera while in the Indias at the age of 33. His mother, Catherine (nee Faragher), was born on the Isle of Man. His brother was Thomas Crane and they lived in a sod house thatched with straw and had an earth floor. When he was 21 years old, he married Miss Margaret Bolt, born in the Isle of Man, daughter of James and Ann (Faragher) Bolt. William came to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dennis Cain

Dennis Cain, a farmer of Section 22, Blaine Township, Ida County, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, December 26, 1844, a son of William and Mary (Noon) Cain, natives of Roscommon County, Ireland. The parents were married in Ireland, but in an early day came to America, locating in New Jersey. In 1856, they opened a farm near Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois. They were the parents of 9 children: Thomas (a furniture dealer of Racine, Wisconsin), Ann (married John Linberry of Libertyville, Illinois), Ella of New Jersey, John (resided near Libertyville), Kate (married James Mark of Chicago), William of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Bros. Bownam & Kranz

The firm of Bowman & Kranz Bros., lumber and coal dealers of Holstein, Iowa, was organized July 1, 1886, purchasing the business of S. H. Bowman Lumber Co., the pioneer lumber dealers of Holstein. Their large building, 80 x 100 feet, with all the smaller buildings, were located near the railroad depot. H. G. Kranz was born in Altenberg, near Cassel, Germany, February 7, 1865, a son of Adam and Elizabeth Kranz. He received a good education in his native language, attending school until 15 years of age. When eighteen, he came to Odebolt, Iowa, Sac. Co., and found employment … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Collins F. Tillotson

Collins F. Tillotson was a farmer of Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa. He purchased wild prairie land in February, 1874, when he came to Ida County and resided on 417 acres in Section 18. He was born in Onondaga County, New York, December 7, 1846. His father was Sanford P. Tillotson born in Connecticut and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His mother was, before her marriage, Miss Nancy Jane Ward. His grandfather, David Tillotson, was a native of Connecticut and served in the war of 1812. Collins was reared in New York and received his education in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mathias Clouse

Mathias Clouse was a pioneer of Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Ia. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in 1843. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Fisher) Clouse, natives of same country. The Clouse family had once lived in Amsterdam, and were a trading family. When the sons became of age they were sent up the Rhine River to establish trading posts. They emigrated to America and settled in Erie County, New York. Mathias received his early training and education principally in New York state. The grandfather Clouse also emigrated to the country, dying in Ohio at the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Brown

Jim Brown purchased land in Section 25 of Battle Township, Ida County, Iowa, on October 10, 1873. On March 29, 1874, he came back to live on the farm. James Brown was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 16, 1843. He was from a family of 13 children, nine sons and 4 daughters. His father was John Brown and he was born in 1800 in Waterford County, Ireland, and at the age of 15 came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. He worked for 7 years in the Carolinas and Georgia, and then located in Perry County, Ohio, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. E.C. Heilman

He located at Ida Grove, Iowa, August 20, 1877. He was born in Cedar County, Iowa, July 18, 1856, son of Samuel and Mary (Ranck) Heilman. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He was reared in Iowa, received his literary education at Cornell College and took his medical course at the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, graduating at the latter institution in March 1877. Upon his arrival here he entered into a partnership with Dr. F. D. Seeber, & was associated with him for 2 years. After conducting his practice alone for 2 years, Dr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Eckman

He was an Assessor of Hayes Township, Ida County, Iowa, and was born in Sweden in 1858. He was the son of Frederic and Sophia (Anderson) Eckman, natives of Sweden. Edward was reared and educated in the schools of Sweden and De Kalb County, Illinois, arriving there in 1875. He was engaged in farm labor and in 1878 located on his farm in Hayes Township, Ida County, which he purchased in 1876. He served as Road Supervisor for 4 years for Hayes Township, as Constable two years, and was Assessor beginning 1890. He had a brother Peter, a sister Augusta … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Enoch Jones

Enoch Jones, a well-known citizen of Battle Creek, Iowa, was a resident of Ida County since 1883, and of Iowa, since 1852. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 6, 1825. He was reared and educated in Kentucky, and learned the trade of blacksmith. John Jones, his grandfather, married a native of Wales. He was a prominent hotel man of Culpeper, Va. Moving to Bourbon County, Ky., he settled on Boone Creek, and was a participant in many of the Indian wars. His son, James Jones, father of Enoch, was born in Va., and married Dicie Gregory, a native … Read more