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EDWIN F. BROCKWAY was born at Brockneyville, Jefferson Co., Pa. His father, James Brockway, was born in the State of New York, near Broadalbin. The family were of English descent, their ancestors having emigrated to this country 260 years ago. His mother, Lydia (Goff) Brockway, was the daughter of William Goff, who was a descendant of William Goff, one of the judges who sentenced King Charles I, of England, to death, and with his father-in-law, Edward Whaley, another one of the regiede justices, escaped to America to avoid the wrath of Charles II. William Goff and Edward Whaley were members of Cromwell's Parliament, and were both men of great military skill.
Edwin F. Brockway was eight years old when his father moved to Iowa, in May, 1842, locating near the village of Cone, Muscatine County. The Indians had then just left the vicinity, and the bones of the buffalo and deer were to be found everywhere. There were than in that neighborhood no roads, no schools, no churches, no mills; the country remaining just as the Lord had finished it, beautiful and unmarred by what men call improvements.Under those circumstances young Brockway grew to manhood, battling with all the privations of a new country, and longing for an education which it was impossible to get, except as his parents taught him, or at the district school taught in the room of some neighbor's house. At that day Iowa did not have a school-house on every hill top, and often Mr. B. compares the advantages possessed by the youth of these times with the surroundings of that early day. In the spring of 1857 he rafted lumber from Black River Falls, where his oldest brother was extensively engaged in the lumber business, for the purpose of improving his farm, which he had entered from Government. He also brought a large number of evergreens with him, mostly white pine. These were the first of the kind introduced into Muscatine County, and now, at thirty years old, are sixty feet high and two feet in diameter. There are said to be more and larger pines in that county now than in any other county in the State.
September 11, 1860, Mr. B. married Miss Rowena Letts, oldest daughter of Mr. N. M. Letts, of Lettsville, Louisa County. In the spring of 1866 he sold his farm in Muscatine County, and moved to Washington County, and improved the farm on which he now lives, and where their three children, Libbie, Allie and Jamie, have been born. Soon after removing t the county he was elected County Supervisor form Highland Township, and served two terms. In the fall of 1873 he was elected to represent the county in the Legislature, with B. F. Brown as his colleague. This was the ever memorable "Granger" House which passed the railroad tariff bill, and at which two weeks were spent in electing a Speaker, the House voting on it 144 times. In the fall of 1874 Mr. B. was elected President of the Washington County Agricultural Society, serving as such six years, and leaving the society, at the close of that period, out of debt and in good condition.
Previous to this time, for over twenty-five years, the society was in a condition of continual financial embarrassment. On the 14th of January, 1880, he was elect Vice President of the State Agricultural Society, and was so elected for the fourth time. In these positions Mr. B. always used
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his influence in suppressing gambling and similar evils frequently indulged in. The introduction of what is known as "Soldier's Day" and "Children's Day" at the State Fair was mainly through his influence. His daughter, Miss Libbie, has a natural love for art, which has been developed to a great extent in the direction of portrait and scene painting. Some specimens of her work will compare favorably with those of artist of much greater pretensions, and at the County and State Fairs she has taken quite a number of premiums. Miss Allie, the youngest daughter, bids fair to become a fine musician, and every faculty is afforded her for the cultivation of her taste in that direction. Jamie, the only son, will probably follow the business of a farmer.
Mr. B. is decidedly a home man, and, surrounded by his family, he enjoys life, as a man of wealth and intelligence should. Few finer country residence can be found than that at Pine Grove farm. The farm of 400 acres of well-improved land, besides the residence, has a good barn, and all the necessary out-buildings. The house is well furnished, and, presided over by Mrs. Brockway, a lady of culture and refinement, is truly a model home. Friends are always welcome beneath the hospitable roof, and none visit the family without an earnest desire to enjoy their hospitality again and again.
F. B. HUNT, one of the prominent stock-growers and breeders of Washington County, Ill., born June 1, 1846. He was educated at the Fulton Military Academy, at Fulton, Ill., and at Notre Dame, near South Bend, Ind., where he remained about two years, and was compelled to abandon his studies on account of failing eyesight. Soon after leaving school he commenced the business of auctioneer, which he successfully followed for more than twenty years. In March, 1885, he came to Washington County, where he purchased property of D. L. Wheelock, and has now a farm of 400 acres of valuable land, all of which is well improved and well stocked.
Mr. Hunt was married in St. Charles, Kane Co., Ill., Nov. 25, 1867, to Miss Betsy B. Flint. By this union there are four children—Frank C., Bertha F., Eva May and Effie W. In politics, Mr. Hunt is a Democrat, and during the campaign of 1884, in company with H. H. Harrison, sang at many of the political meetings of his party throughout the State, adding much to the enthusiasm of the occasion. He was Mayor of the city of St. Charles for six years, held the office of Police Magistrate for six years, and was a member of the City School Board for several years.
Few men are more actively engaged in business than Mr. Hunt. He is the owner of a cheese factory near St. Charles, Ill., and is a member of the Board of Trade, Elgin, Ill. In this county he is engaged in the breeding of fine stock, and is the owner of some of the best horses in Washington County. In another part of this volume will be found a more extended account of his stock farm, to which the attention of the reader is called. While a citizen of this county but a short time, Mr. Hunt has been quite actively engaged, is well known throughout the entire county and has made many friends.
HENRY B. ANDERSON is a son of Balaam Anderson, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this volume. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 26, 1821. He attended the schools of the day, receiving most of his education from a brother of the celebrated Edward Everett. He was also a pupil of Hon. Allan G. Thurman, while that distinguished statesman was himself engaged in laying the foundation on which was built his future greatness.
When he was eighteen years old Henry came to Iowa with his parents. In 1851 he was married in Ripley County, Ind., to Laura M., daughter of Gursha and Experience (Babcock) Richardson, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. After their marriage, Mr. Anderson and his wife returned to Washington County. Their union was blessed with three children, two of whom are now living: Eugene, a grocery merchant at Washington, his native county; and Minnie, who is the wife of
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J. H. Shenefelt, a farmer in Washington County. The other child was a son, Rienzi B., who was drowned July 25, 1866, when thirteen years old.
In 1845 Mr. Anderson went to Nauvoo, Ill., and was there at the time of the Mormon troubles, and there saw Gov. Ford. He engaged as carpenter and afterward as engineer on a steamboat which traded along the Mississippi and its tributaries. This business he followed for three years, filling almost every position from Captain down. While the cholera was raging along the river he made two trips with none but the mate to assist him, all the other engineers having left the boat. After leaving the river Mr. Anderson worked for George P. Powell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, putting up a steam sawmill and lathe machines. From Cincinnati he came back to Washington County which has since been his home, and where he engaged in farming.
Mr. Anderson has ever since its organization been an ardent supporter of the Republican part. He and his wife are attendants at the Christian Church, and are justly honored as worthy and useful citizens of the county.
GEORGE W. GRIFFITH is one of the leading farmers of Franklin Township, the home farm being situated on section 28. He is the son of Robert W. and Eleanor (Long) Griffith, the former being a native of Delaware and the latter of Pennsylvania, and was born in Crawford, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1844. The family emigrated from Ohio to Washington County, Iowa, in 1848, and settled in Clay Township, four miles north of Brighton, where the parents still live.
George W. Griffith was reared on his father's farm, educated at the district school, but finished at the Brighton High School, and remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he went to California by way of New York and Panama, making the trip from New York to San Francisco in twenty-two days. He remained in that State until 1871, engaged in farming and the shipping of grain to San Francisco. Returning to Washington County in the spring of 1871, he located on section 28, Franklin Township, on eighty acres of land given him by his father. In his farming operations he has been uniformly successful, having added from time to time to the original eighty, other lands until he is now the owner of 600 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, with three miles of hedge fence, together with wire and board fence sufficient to enclose the entire tract and to divide the same into suitable lots. On the premises is a good dwelling-house erected at a cost of $1,500 and a barn erected at a cost of $1,200. In addition to general farming Mr. Griffith makes a specialty of raising and shipping a superior grade of cattle, and each year turns off about 200 head of fat cattle, and from 100 to 300 head of hogs.
Mr. Grifith was married in 1874 to Miss Julia A. Humphrey, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Eli Humphrey. As already stated, in his farming operations Mr. Griffith has been uniformly successful. He is a practical farmer, one who makes a study of his profession, and who is determined to do well in everything he undertakes. Of a jovial disposition, he makes friends wherever he goes,and few men stand higher in the estimation of their fellow-citizens than George W. Griffith. At his writing he is just in the prime of life, and with that same energy that has heretofore nerved him to action, will take a still higher rank among the many prosperous men of Washington County. A portrait of Mr. Griffith, copied from a photograph taken a few years since, appears upon an accompanying page.
[Portrait page is missing from the album.]
GEORGE W. DYE is Division Roadmaster of the Southwestern and Oskaloosa division of the C., R.I. & P.R.R., with headquarters at Washington. He has also charge of the maintenance of all bridges and buildings in the territory covered by the two divisions. Mr. Dye is a native of Virginia, born in 1836, but reared in Muskingum County, Ohio, there receiving a liberal education in the common schools. He early evinced a taste for railroading, his first venture being as an engineer on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad,
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after which he was in the employ of the Wabash Valley Railway Company, in charge of a gang of men.
In 1860, when but twenty-four years of age, Mr. Dye was employed as Superintendent of Construction of the Pekin, Peoria & Jacksonville Railroad. In 1862 he became connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad as Roadmaster and Superintendent of buildings, with headquarters at Geneseo, Ill. In 1869 he was transferred by the company to Davenport, and placed in charge as Roadmaster of the main line from Davenport to Brooklyn, and the Oskaloosa branch. In September, 1875, he came to Washington, and was given charge of the construction of the Oskaloosa branch from Sigourney to Knoxville, Iowa. After completing this work, he was assigned to his present position. He has now under his supervision 505 miles of road which he has to keep in repair, while at the same time he has charge of all buildings and bridges on his division. To do the work he has under him 1,000 men, in the various departments of building, track laying, repairs, etc.
Mr. Dye is a thorough railroad man, and an expert in all matters pertaining to his line of work. That he has given satisfaction to the company is attested by his remaining in its employ now for a quarter of a century, and by his promotion from one responsible position to another.
JOHN S. MAPEL, a miller by trade, will be found on section 8, Lime Creek Township. He was born in Dunkard Township, Greene Co., Pa., Aug. 22, 1810, and is the son of Rev. Thomas and Elizabeth (Sroyer) Mapel, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of Pennsylvania, but of German descent. The father lived in that township until about 1795 or 1796. They reared a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity save one. He was a member of the Methodist Church for over fifty years, and died in that county about 1850; the mother died in 1851. Their children were as follows: Benjamin, deceased; Rebecca is the wife of Rev. Edward E. Parish, a resident of Willhomahi Valley, Ore.; Stephen died in Iowa; Nancy died in Pennsylvania; John S. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of E. Maquire, resides in Cincinnati; Simon L. is a resident of Ohio; Thomas resides in Monongahela County, Va.; Elizaeth, the wife of G. M. Ray, resides in Morgantown, Va.; Joseph, deceased; Lydia, the widow of George Kener, is a resident of Greene County, Pa.; Lewis resides in Ohio, about ten miles from Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Andrew J. died in West Virginia, and Maria died in infancy. The family were highly respected by all who knew them.
Our subject made his home under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he rented a mill in Dunkard Township, Green Co., Pa., and started out for himself. He operated there one year and then went to Monongahela County and bought a mill,which he operated four years, then went back to the first mill and remained some years. In July, 1845, he made a visit to Washington county and bought 120 acres of land, for which he paid $6 per acres. In the fall of that year he returned to Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1846 came to Iowa with his family. He was much pleased wit his purchase, and took possession of a log cabin that was so low that he could not stand straight in it. Indians and wolves were both plentiful. At that time an old fort stood just west of the present village of Wassonville. He remained upon that farm eighteen years, and at one time was the owner of 400 acres, but adversities overtook him, and he moved to Richmond in the spring of 1863, and was there elected County Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee.
Mr. Mapel remained at Richmond a little over a year, and then went to Sigourney, Iowa, having traded his farm for a hotel at that place. He continued in the hotel business four years, and then traded for a farm of 209 acres of land on section 6, Lime Creek Township, together with six lots in Dayton and $2,000 in money. By this transaction he was again placed upon the way to prosperity. In 1875 he traded 149 acres of land for a half interest in what was once known as the Hewett mill, which was put in operation about 1842, and was among the first mills in Washington County, and is to-day in fine repair, making as good a grade of
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flour as is turned out in this part of the State. It is now called the Mendona mill, and is located on English River, section 8, Lime Creek Township, in this county.
OUr subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Smith, June 4, 1834. She was born Jan. 23, 1814, in Monongahela County, W. Va., and is the daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Billingsley) Smith. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Mapel are the parents of the following children: Cyrus B., was a member of Co. E, 30th Iowa, Vol. Inf., and is now a hotel-keeper in Woolsey, Dak.; Thomas C. was also a member of the 30th Iowa, but lost his life in the service, and now sleeps in the sunny South; Samuel S. also served in the 30th Iowa, and is now a liveryman; Hannah E. is at home; Martha A., deceased, was the wife of Elias Temple, a resident of Clay County, Kan.; John N. died in Sigourney, Iowa, aged seven years.
Mr. Mapel has held various township offices; was Assessor two years, and has been Treasurer of the school district fourteen years. He introduced the first reaper used in Washington County. Together with his loved companion, he is now living a retired life, while both are highly esteemed by all the citizens of Lime Creek Township. Mr. Mapel has been a member of the Masonic fraternity over forty-six years. He has been identified with the growth of Washington County for the past forty years, and is a representative pioneer. The golden wedding of this worthy couple was celebrated in June, 1884, by a family reunion, at which time many presents were made them by their friends, including a handsome gold-headed cane, of which Mr. Mapel was the recipient.
J. G. HENDERSON, M.D., of West Chester, this county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1854. He is the son of J. T. Henderson, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. He received an academic education, and on reaching his majority commenced reading medicine. In 1876 he attended a course of lectures at Drake Medical College, Chicago, and for the next two years attended Starling's Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, graduating from that institution Feb. 5, 1879. He has also a special diploma from the State Board of Health of the State of Iowa.
Dr. Henderson came to this county in 1884, locating in Washington, and during that year was made County Physician. In August, 1885, he came to West Chester, where he has since continued to reside, and where he is building up an active and prosperous practice. He is of the regular school of medicine. In politics, he is a Republican, and a strong temperance man. In the neighborhood where he resides he is best known, he is universally esteemed.
ANSON MOORE was among the pioneers of Washington County and located land here in 1840. He was born in Hartford County, Conn., Dec. 23, 1906. His father was Joseph Moore, who was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting when he was sixteen years old. His mother's maiden name was Alcinda Adams, and both were native of Connecticut. In 1818 this couple sought fairer field in the then distant West, and settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, where, with the assistance of his sons, and after years of hard labor, the elder Moore succeeded in clearing up a home in the wilderness. He and his wife, who had lived together more than half a century, were the parents of eleven children, of whom but two are now living, namely: Pluma, the widow of Milton Walters, who resides in Ohio, and Anson, the subject of this biographical notice.
In his youth Anson acquired a fair education. In 1830 he was married to Lucia Meacham, born in Trumbull County in 1809. A few years later he determined to join the tide of emigration flocking West, and in 1840 came to Washington County to locate a home. Having done so he returned East, and the following spring brought his family to his location, adjoining Brighton on the West. Here he found ample employment at his trade of carpenter and joiner, putting up many of the best buildings in the village and surrounding county, and at the same time running a small farm. Mr. Moore was
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an old-line Whig, and naturally became a Republican on the organization of that party. For two years before leaving Ohio he was a Justice of the Peace, resigning when he left. Soon after coming here he was elected to the same position, which he has filled continuously ever since, with the exception of one year when he refused to act, and is today one of the oldest Justices in the State, having served for forty-seven years. He is well read and thoroughly posted in public affairs.
Of Mr. and Mrs. Moore's children the following are now living: Orli, sCharlotte, Abigail, Janet, Laura, Celia and Eliza. The mother of this family died April 23, 1885, sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives, to whom her gentleness and kindness of heart had greatly endeared her. Mr. Moore, though past fourscore, is yet hale and hearty, and it is hoped by his many friends that he may be spared for years to come. His long life in this county has never been marred by a stain on his character, and no resident of the county stands higher in it than Anson Moore.
C. H. LOWDER resides at West Chester, Iowa, and is a son of Madison and Nancy (Bray) Lowder, both of whom were natives of Indiana. He was born in 1845 in the same State, and came to this county in 1846, in company with his parents, who settled near Riverside, where his father bought a farm, which he improved. His early life was spent on the farm and working in a mill. His father owned a grist and saw mill on English River, east of the village of Riverside.
In 1861, our subject enlisted in Co. E., 10th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served with the regiment as a private until after the battle of Corinth, when he was discharged on account of disease contracted while in the service. Recovering his health, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Co. B, 22d Iowa Vol. Inf., serving with this regiment until the close of the war, and being mustered out at Davenport. Returning from the army, he settled in Richmond, Washington County, where he worked fourteen years for Alex Gibson on a farm. He then went to Indiana to visit his sister who was teaching in the schools of Indianapolis.
While in Indiana, on the 22d of December, 1876, Mr. L. was united in marriage to Lucinda Johns, a native of Noble County, that State. They have had five children, four of whom are living—Wyatt, Rollo, Orville and Wealthie. Lettie May is deceased. Mr. Lowder is the owner of a residence and two lots in the village of West Chester. He is now drawing a pension from the General Government on account of his weak eyes, which were diseased while in the service.
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