Biographical Sketch of I. V. Miller

He was the proprietor of the Rink Livery, Sale & Feed Barn, Battle Creek, Iowa. The building was 30 x 80 feet, well arranged, and equipped throughout. Mr. Miller kept a full line of carriages and buggies, with ten to sixteen good driving horses, speedy and gentle. His kind courtesy to patrons secured for him a good trade. He was born near Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin, September 24, 1858. His father, Charles Miller, was a native of Pennsylvania. His mother’s maiden name was Martha Adams, born in Tennessee, and moved to Martin County, Minnesota. I. V. Miller was the second … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Anderson

He lived in Section 21, Silver Creek Township and was a stock raiser. He was born in the Emerald Isle, in Tyrone County on November 12, 1838. He was the oldest of 8 children born to Thomas and Phoebe (Cook) Anderson, natives of Ireland. He was educated in the common schools of Ireland, coming to America in 1871. He located first in Delaware County, Iowa, for 5 years and then came to Ida County to live on the same farm when he located in Ida County. He kept buying land until he owned a section, 640 acres. Silver Creek runs … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James H. Fair

James H. Fair was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1853, son of Thomas and Mary Ann Fair, natives of Ireland, and descendants of Scotch ancestry. At the age of 20, he came to America. He settled in Delaware County, Iowa, in 1873. In 1877, Mr. Fair was united in marriage to Miss Lindsay, a native of Ireland, who came to America that same year. Her parents, James and Sarah (Irwin) Lindsay, remained in Ireland. For 3 years they lived in Section 18 of Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Ia., and then moved to Section 32 and opened up a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Rinehart

Hotel Rinehart was one of the hostelries of Battle Creek, Iowa, situated a short distance from the railroad depot. It had 14 bright, cheery, neat and comfortable rooms and was inviting to the dusty, fatigued traveler. There was a restaurant and lunch counter where the best of meals and all temperance drinks were provided. Mr. Rinehart was born in Frederick County, Maryland, February 21, 1859, son of Daniel and Margaret (Hyder) Rinehart, both natives of the same state. Joseph Rinehart joined the westward tide of emigration in 1882 and moved to Ida County, Iowa, where he entered the employ of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. C. Newland

Mr. & Mrs. R. C. Newland were married March 20, 1856, in Bedford, Indiana, which was also their birth place. Mrs. Newland’s maiden name was Catherine J. Swan and she was born August 17, 1834. Mr. Newland was born Dec. 24, 1836. In 1864, they moved to Galva, Illinois, where they resided until 1881 when they moved to Ida County, Iowa and made their home on a farm near Clarendon. Through the influence of Mrs. B. M. Miller (their daughter) who was born at Galva, Illinois, the name of Clarendon, Iowa, was changed to Galva, Iowa. They had 5 children: … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James J. Rogers

He was a farmer residing near Holstein, Iowa, in Battle Township in Ida County, 1883. He was a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born December 21, 1835. His limited education was received in a log schoolhouse, built with puncheon floor and slab seats. He came to Ida County in 1883. He married Agnes Miller of Pa., a daughter of Michael and Jane (Currey) Miller of Pa. They had 5 children: Samuel L. of Holstein, Ia.; Jacob E.; Leila; Henry C.; and Nora (a teacher in Ida County, Ia.). Henry Rogers, his father, was born in Pennsylvania, son of Robert Rodman … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Bassett

He came to Ida County in 1877 and was identified with the contracting and building interests in Ida Grove, Iowa. He located there when the town was just starting and put up many of the best buildings in the city. Thomas Bassett and his son, William H., were partners for a number of years. Thomas was born in the County of Cornwall, England, August 2, 1828, son of Thomas & Jane (Pierce) Bassett. He married Eliza A. Rouse in his native land; and in 1854, came to America. He remained in Zanesville, Ohio, until 1875 and went to Greene County, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas S. Brannan

He was an attorney-at-law in Ida Grove, Iowa, and was a resident of Ida County since 1879. He was born in Keyesville, Clinton County, New York, August 15, 1839, and reared in Canada East until 14 years of age. In July 1861, being in the state for a visit, he enlisted in Co. C., 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the same company and regiment in January 1864 and served until the close of the war. He was twice slightly wounded. He was a member of the G.A.R., Matthew Gray Post No. 93. He was a Past Commander. In … Read more

Biography of Emeline J. Harris

Emeline J. Harris daughter of Samuel B. and Mary (Eastman) Harris, was born in Licking Co., Ohio; married Samuel Allison, March 2, 1852, by whom she has had eight children: Oscar H. Allison, born January 2, 1853; Anna L. Allison, born August 8, 1854; Mary E. Allison, born March 8,1857; Minerva Allison, born April 14, 1859; Laura E. Allison, born May 4, 1862; Frank E. Allison, born April 12, 1865; Eugene R. Allison, born August 18, 1868; Ida L. Allison, born July 2, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Allison removed from Ohio to Delaware County, Iowa, in April, 1852, and settled … Read more

Biographical Sketch of E. B. Baird

He was born in Onondaga County, New York, November 6, 1837, and was raised on a farm. In 1872, he came to Iowa and bought land in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa. Mr. Baird was married at age of 30 to Harriet Conover, daughter of Isaac Talmage, in Scholarie County, New York. Their child was Edmund C. Baird. Mr. Baird married Matilda Preston in 1877. She was the daughter of John Preston, who was born and educated in Scotland. They had three children: Andrew E., Preston, and Mabel Laura. E. C. Baird was vice president and director of the Maple … Read more

Samuel John Hunter

SAMUEL JOHN HUNTER: entomologist; b. Ireland, Nov. 11, 1866; s. of Rev. James and Rebecca (Davison) Hunter, removed with parents to Iowa in infancy; A.B., A.M., U. of Kans. 1893; grad. student, Cornell U., 1896; investigator Marine Biol. Lab., 1901-02; m. Lida W. Campbell of Atchison, Kans., June 16, 1897; 1 dau. Geneva (Mrs. John N. Monteith). Prin. Columbus (Kan.) High Sch., 1890-91, Atchison County School (High) 1893-96; absent on leave, 1894, to visit zool. laboratories of Europe; asst. prof. Entomology, 1896-99, asso. prof. 1899, asso. prof. Comparative Zoology and Entomology, 1901, head dept. Entomology, 1902, prof., 1906, curator entomol. … Read more

Biographical Sketches of Sac County Iowa

Residence in Odebolt Iowa

The first settlement in Sac County Iowa was made by Otho Williams, who came from Michigan in the autumn of 1854, with his family, and took up a claim in the timber near Grant City, in the southeastern part of the county. He and his family were the first white inhabitants of Sac county, but during the two succeeding years quite a number of settlers made their homes either in the same neighborhood or in the vicinity of Sac City, and Otho Williams, at the end of about two years, complained that ‘folds are gittin’ to thick ’round yer,’ and … Read more