Biographical Sketch of Gilbert S. Usher

He is a citizen of Battle Creek, Ia., Ida County, and an ex-soldier of the Civil War. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio on September 22, 1837. He was raised on a farm in the Territory of Iowa, Linn County. He had his school lessons in a primitive log schoolhouse of Iowa. In 1862, he answered Lincoln’s call for more men for the Civil War. In 1881 he came to Ida County and bought a tract of land in Grant Township and engaged in farming. He married Amanda Marsh in Linn County, Iowa, when he was 22 years of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Preston

He came to the Battle Creek, Iowa, Ida County, in 1872 to farm. He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, June 27, 1857, son of John and Matilda (Hill) Preston. His parents are from Scotland and they reared a family of eight children with John being the 7th born. He received a good education in his native land, and clerked in a drug store for a short time at Dundee, Scotland. In 1872, when he was 15, he came to America to Ida County where he had two brothers, Andrew and James C. Here he went to school in the winter. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. T. Payne

Mr. Payne was born in Clay County, Indiana, in 1851 and was the son of William Benjamin and Malinda (Sturdevant) Payne. He was reared and educated in Boone County, Iowa. May 18, 1875 he purchased prairie land in Section 20, Hayes Township, Ida County, Iowa. Two years later he erected a small house and began farming the land. In 1890 he built a fine, frame residence. He assisted in organizing and naming Hayes Township in 1878, which was taken from Corwin Township. He organized the school districts and was Secretary of the Board during the erection of six school buildings. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Grouell

He was a farmer of Battle Township, Ida County, Iowa, Section 23, and was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on April 19, 1846. When George was a lad of 10 years, his family came to Iowa and located near Lowden in Cedar County, later moved to Wheatland, Clinton County. In 1883, he came to Ida County and settled on new land. His cottage home is 14 x 20 feet, with an L, 14 x 16 feet. George’s father was John Grouell and his mother was Christena Weaber, natives of Germany. Mr. Grouell was first married in October, 1870, in Clinton … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William C. Forney

He was of Corwin Township, Ida County, Ida Grove, Iowa, and settled here in 1882. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 13, 1854. His father was Michael Forney (born October 15, 1824 in Dauphin County, Pa.) who came here in 1885. His mother was Margaret Crownshield, born in Maryland. Michael and Margaret’s children were: Sarah C., wife of David O. Crum, and William C., the subject of this biography. William C. Forney received his education at Millersville Normal School, Pa., and entered the boot and shoe business. Since coming West in 1882, he engaged in farming and stock-raising. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. C. Dall

H. C. Dall lived in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa and was a resident since 1881. He was born in that portion of Denmark which became a part of Germany in 1864. The date of his birth was July 31, 1845. He was the son of C. H. and Elizabeth (Iverson) Dall. He was raised in Denmark, attending school from the time he was seven until he was fourteen. In 1872, at the age of 27 years, he left his native land and came to America and settled in Lee County, Illinois. He engaged in farming on rented land. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of C. C. Van Houten

C. C. Van Houten lived on a farm near Battle Creek, in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa, and was identified with the agricultural interests of this place since 1882. Mr. Van Houten was born in Clarion County, Pa., April 24, 1856. John Van Houten, his father, a native of the Keystone State, served during the Civil War as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He then resided near Cushing, Iowa. John married Miss Mary Ann Boyles, a native of Pennsylvania. They had seven children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. C. C. Van Houten was … 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

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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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