Biography

Biography of Harrison Hackett

Harrison Hackett, born on May 6, 1832, in Orange County, Vermont, was a prominent figure in early Ida County, Iowa. He served in the Civil War and later worked for the Vermont Central Railroad before moving to Minnesota to farm. In 1876, he settled in Ida County, acquiring 320 acres and cultivating corn while raising livestock. He married Almina Hatch in 1852 and later Elizabeth Howser in 1889, blending families through this union. Harrison was active in his community and a member of the G.A.R.

Biographical Sketch of Claus Rochau

Claus Rochau, born in 1842 in Holstein, Germany, immigrated to America in 1860 and settled in Galva Township, Ida County, Iowa, in 1877. He married Minnie Bower, also of German descent, and they had ten children: Gusta, Herman, Annie, Lizzie, Minnie, Emma, Willie, John, Katy, and Alice. Claus served as School Director, contributing to his community as one of its early settlers.

Biographical Sketch of Henry Lee

Henry Lee, born on March 17, 1833, in Pennsylvania, became a prominent figure in Ida County, Iowa, as the proprietor of Summit Heights stock farm. He married Maria Fishburn in 1863, with whom he had four children. A veteran of the Civil War, Lee served as a captain in the 209th Pennsylvania Volunteers, enduring captivity in several Confederate prisons. After the war, he moved to Iowa in 1882, later residing in Arkansas before returning to Ida County, where he became known for his exceptional horses and was active in the G.A.R.

Biographical Sketch of Charles Hansen

Charles Hansen, born March 25, 1856, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, immigrated to the United States at 17. He married Anna Margret Jepsen, a fellow immigrant from Denmark, in 1882. The couple settled in Ida County, Iowa, where they farmed until moving to Ida Grove in 1917. They had ten children, including Mary, Louis, and Gladys. Charles died on July 22, 1931, and Anna passed on March 3, 1939. He had siblings in Illinois, Australia, and Michigan.

Biographical Sketch of Andrew Preston

Andrew Preston, born May 8, 1850, in Forfarshire, Scotland, emigrated to America at age nine. He settled in Chicago and later in Ida County, Iowa, where he established “Bonnie Brae” stock farm and cultivated various trees and plants on his wild land. He married Elvira M. Smith and later Anna J. Ferguson, fathering five children. Active in local governance, Preston was secretary of the Ida County Agricultural Society and served in various township roles, demonstrating his commitment to the agricultural community.

Biographical Sketch of Mary Allison Harrison

William E. Harrison, born June 6, 1851, in Iowa, moved west in 1875, eventually marrying Mary Ellen Allison on December 21, 1875. They settled in Sac County, where they faced a devastating cyclone in 1878 that destroyed their home. Following this, they lived with neighbors until a new house was built. The couple later moved to Galva, where they resided until their deaths, raising six children during their life together. William died in 1931, and Mary in 1938.

Biographical Sketch of D. Countryman

D. Countryman, born in 1841 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, was a prominent farmer and stock raiser in Grant Township, Ida County. He was the first settler in the area after relocating from Linn County, Iowa, in 1875. Married to Lydia Usher in 1865, they raised seven children. Countryman was known for his quality draft horses and served on the school board and as the first Assessor of Grant Township. By 1893, he owned 292 acres of cultivated land and had built a two-story residence.

Biographical Sketch of Julia Hickey

Julia Hickey emigrated from Ireland to the United States during the famine, leaving home at her mother’s urging. After stowing away on a ship, she arrived in America, never to reunite with her brother. Settling in New York, she and her husband John had four children before relocating to Wisconsin and Iowa. Their son John pursued mining, while daughter Jennie became a teacher, selling land for a school and church. William H. became a bank director and state legislator. Julia died in 1893.

Biographical Sketch of Hector Baxter

Hector Baxter, born on June 16, 1834, in Argyleshire, Scotland, immigrated to the United States in 1877. Initially a shoemaker, he transitioned to farming after purchasing 160 acres in Tama County, Iowa, which he sold in 1881 to acquire 320 acres in Ida County. There, he built a home and barn, specializing in farming and stock-raising, particularly shorthorn cattle. He married Margaret Stuart, and they had seven children: Nellie, John, James, William, Mary, Hector M., and Stuart.

Biographical Sketch of C. C. Van Houten

C. C. Van Houten, born April 24, 1856, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, moved to Iowa at twenty, settling in various counties before establishing his farm near Battle Creek in 1882. He owned 120 acres, featuring well-maintained buildings and productive land. His father, John Van Houten, a Civil War veteran, and his mother, Mary Ann Boyles, had seven children. C. C. married Lizzie Fricke in Muscatine, Iowa, with whom he had four children, though the first died in infancy.

Biographical Sketch of John Harrison

John Harrison, born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in December 1824, was a notable pioneer of Douglas Township, Ida County, Iowa. After moving to Scotland with his family, he married Jeanette Stevenson in 1845 before immigrating to the United States in 1855. Harrison served in the Civil War and later settled in Iowa, where he took a pre-emption claim in 1868. His home served as a stage station and gathering place for travelers. He and Jeanette had six children, engaging in farming and stock-raising throughout their lives.

Biography of John H. Moorehead

J. H. Moorehead, born in Zanesville, Ohio, on September 21, 1808, moved to Ida County, Iowa, in 1856 after living in Iowa City. Actively involved in local affairs, he became the first County Judge when the county was organized in 1858. His home served as both the first courthouse and post office. Moorehead played a key role in establishing the Village of Ida and later the town of Ida Grove. He and his wife, Martha, had five children, including Giles, who became a physician in the area.

Biographical Sketch of Mathias Clouse

Mathias Clouse, born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, in 1843, was a pioneer in Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Iowa. He emigrated to America with his family, initially settling in Erie County, New York, before moving to Iowa. Mathias married Isabella Cunningham in 1869 and established a farm in Ida County in 1874. He served in the Civil War, participating in significant battles and earning an honorable discharge. The couple had five children, and Mathias was actively involved in the G.A.R. after the war.

Biographical Sketch of James Brown

James Brown, born January 16, 1843, in Perry County, Ohio, purchased land in Ida County, Iowa, on October 10, 1873, and settled there on March 29, 1874. Coming from a large family, he was the son of John Brown, an Irish immigrant. After marrying Margaret and farming in Jackson County, he plowed the first furrow in Battle Township. An active community member, he served as county supervisor and held various township offices, with notable local landmarks named in his honor.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. E.C. Heilman

Dr. E.C. Heilman was born on July 18, 1856, in Cedar County, Iowa, to Samuel and Mary Heilman. He graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in March 1877 and moved to Ida Grove, Iowa, on August 20, 1877. Heilman began his medical career in partnership with Dr. F.D. Seeber, later working with Dr. Giles Moorehead. He served as County Treasurer in 1883, then returned to practice in 1888. He married Nancy J. Blazer on September 20, 1877, and they had three children.

Biographical Sketch of Edward Eckman

Edward Eckman, born in Sweden in 1858, was a prominent figure in Hayes Township, Ida County, Iowa. After moving to Illinois in 1875, he purchased a farm in Hayes Township in 1876 and took on various civic roles, including Road Supervisor, Constable, and Assessor. He married Ida Johnson in 1885, also of Swedish descent, and they had two children, Roy and Hazel. Edward’s family included siblings Peter, Augusta, Christine, and Swanter, reflecting his deep roots in both Sweden and America.

Biographical Sketch of Enoch Jones

Enoch Jones, born on March 6, 1825, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, moved to Iowa in 1852. He settled in Scott’s Grove, Jones County, where he farmed and operated a thresher. In 1874, he purchased land in Ida County and later moved to Battle Creek in 1883 to manage his real estate. Jones was also engaged in general merchandise in Monticello from 1863 to 1873 and later specialized in buying and selling horses, acquiring notable breeds like Union Jack and Randolph.

Biographical Sketch of I. V. Miller

I. V. Miller was the owner of the Rink Livery, Sale, and Feed Barn in Battle Creek, Iowa, known for his quality service and a selection of carriages and horses. Born on September 24, 1858, in Wisconsin, he was the second of seven children and received education in local schools. After working as a traveling salesman, he settled in Battle Creek. In 1881, he married Ada Usher, with whom he had six children.

Biography of Alytte R. Dunn

Alytte R. Dunn, known as Ale, was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Ida County, Iowa. Born in 1854 in Scott County, IA, he settled in Logan township after acquiring land in the late 1870s and married Cora Andre in 1877. Dunn diligently improved his farm and participated in local politics as a Republican. Tragically, he was killed by a train on January 17, 1907, while returning from a public sale. His funeral drew a large crowd, reflecting his esteemed status in the community.

Biographical Sketch of James Anderson

James Anderson, born on November 12, 1838, in Tyrone County, Ireland, was the eldest of eight children. He received his education in Ireland before immigrating to America in 1871. Initially settling in Delaware County, Iowa, for five years, he later moved to Ida County, where he became a successful stock raiser and acquired a 640-acre farm. He and his wife had four children: Margaretta Jane, Mary, William James, and Thomas Andrew.