ALLEN J. EDDY, a prominent stockraiser of Leroy Township, was born
in Lake County, Ohio, December 21, 1839. He is the second son and
youngest of four children of Benjamin and Lavina Eddy, natives of
the State of Vermont and New York respectively. Bothparents died in
Johnson County, Iowa. Mr. Eddy's paternal grandfather fought in the
war of the Revolution. Our subject received his earlier education
in Lake County, Ohio, where his parents had settled after their marriage.When
he was twelve years of age the family removed to Johnson County, Iowa,
going by way of the lakes to Chicago,thencethrough the country with
teams to Johnson County, where Allen grew to manhood.He enlisted in
the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company F, when there was
a call for men to defend their country's flag. He was assigned to
the western department of the army and belonged to the Sixteenth Army
Corps, then undercommand of GeneralGrant. Mr. Eddy took part in the
following battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, where his regiment
suffered great loss, about half the men being taken prisoners, and
was then ordered back to Davenport, Iowa, where the regiment was reorganized.
They were then ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, at which point they
were stationed for some time. The regiment was then ordered up the
Red River, General Smithcommanding, and took part in the battle of
Pleasant Hill, where 286 Union men were lost out of 600. After this
battle the regiment was ordered to Missouri and followed General Price.
Mr. Eddy's term of enlistment having expired he was sent to Davenport,
where he received his pay and was honorably discharged November 9,
1864. Although taking part in nine regular battles, and his comrades
being shot down by his side, he escaped without a scratch; but he
had some holes shot through his clothing. He returned to Johnson County,
Iowa, and farmed for two years, and then removed to Harrison County,
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for eight years.He then
returned to Johnson County on account of the grasshopper raid, from
which he suffered a heavy loss. In 1880 he removed to Audubon County,
Iowa, with his family, and purchased 160 acres of land, sixty of which
were broken. He put the remainder under fine cultivation and made
many improvements. He has a bank barn, which affords the best protection
to live stock, corn cribs, and all buildings necessary to farming.
Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Maria Elliott, of Johnson
County, Iowa. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, and is the eldest
daughter of George and Mary Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have had eleven
children, seven of whom survive Oren W., Hattie, wife of Baker; Emma
J., Henry J., Irvin, Alice Maud and Bernie H.Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are
devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.Mr. Eddy has served
as road supervisor, and he is a member of the G. A. R., Allison Post,
No. 34.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 752.
AMOS FANCHER, of Cameron Township, has been identified with the history
of Audubon County, Iowa, since the year 1880. He was born in Keokuk
County, near Sigourney, September 13, 1856, and is a son of William
and Rebecca Fancher, natives of Pennsylvania. Amos Fancher is the
youngest son of a family of nine children, two sisters being younger
than he. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and received a fair
education in the common schools. He remained with his parents until
he reached his twentyfirst year, when he took up the responsibilities
of life and began seeking the fortune the world might hold for him.
His first investment was in forty acres of land, on which he lived
two years. At the end of that time, in the spring of 1880, he came
to Audubon County andbought 160 acres of raw prairie laud.Later he
made an additional purchase of eighty acres, and afterward he bought
forty acres more, making 280 acres in all. Mr. Fancher's principal
success has been in raising hogs.He also feeds a large number of cattle,
and is rearing some high grades of horses. All the improvements upon
the farm have been made by Mr. Fancher. He has erected a comfortable
residence, a goodbarn, and other necessary buildings. In 1884 occurred
the marriage of Amos Fancher and CoraStoops, a daughter of Joseph
and Harriet Stoops, and a native of Mahaska County, Iowa. They are
the parents of three children Stella, Myrtle, and an infant unnamed.Mr.
Fancher adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 784.
DAVID FERGUSON, deceased, was a citizen of Leroy Township, one of
its early settlers, highly esteemed, and widely and favorably known,
not only in Audubon County but in adjoining counties.Mr. Ferguson
was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Indiana County, January 26,
1832.His parents were Hans and Margaret (Shields) Ferguson, both natives
of Pennsylvania. Hans Ferguson, the father of our subject, was a farmer
by occupation; he followed this pursuit until his death, which occurred
in early life.His wife, Margaret Ferguson, who survives him still,
resides in Cedar County, Iowa, to which place she moved with her family
in 1857; she is the mother of eleven children, nine of whom are living;
she is now in her eightythird year, and in reasonably good health.
David Ferguson moved to Cedar County with his mother, and in 1876
came to Audubon County, and purchased the farm now occupied by his
sister, Mrs. Charles H. Weeks. The farm at the time of purchase contained
120 acres without improvements.He broke the land, built a good residence,
barn and other buildings necessary to carry on successful farming.
The place is situated on the east bank of the Nishnabotna River.Mr.
Ferguson planted numerous trees which serve not only as a windbreak,
but add very much to the appearance of the place. After a successful
career, David Ferguson died, August 7, 1885; and thus passed away
one of Audubon's honored and beloved citizens. His funeral was the
largest ever occurring in the county.He had never married and Mrs.
Weeks had been his housekeeper for many yearsbefore his death; he
had deeded his farm to her before his death. He had not only been
an honored citizen, but he had assisted in the defense of his country,
serving her faithfully for three years. He was a member of Company
H, Thirtyfifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the western
army. He took part in the Red River campaign under Banks's command;
in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, under General Thomas; and was
wounded in a battle in Mississippi; he also took part in the battle
of Pleasant Hill, the siege of Vicksburg, and other important engagements.
In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Muscatine, Iowa. He
was a member of Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 732.
ELIAS FISCUS, an early settler and active farmer of Douglas Township,
was born in the Hoosier State, in Owen County, May 7, 1837. His father,
Levi Fiscus, an early settler of Indiana, was born in South Carolina,
and was a son of Frederick Fiscus, a native of Germany. His mother
was Barbara Ann Concanour, a daughter of Jacob Concanour. She was
reared in Owen County, whither her parents had removed when she was
a child. Levi Fiscus and family removed to Marshall County, Iowa,
where his wife died in 1866.He died at the residence of his son, Adam
Fiscus, in Audubon County, October 4, 1884, aged sixtynine years.
There were seven children in the family, six of whom are living, Elias
being the oldest. He received a commonschool education in Owen County,
and remained on the farmwith his parents until his twentyfirst year.
He then began to learn the carpenter and cabinetmaker's trade, which
he followed many years. He has worked at the trade some since he began
farming.In the fall of 1865 he removed to Marshall County, Iowa, locating
upon a farm nine miles northwest of Marshalltown.He resided there
until the fall of 1870, when he removed to Shelby County and settled
near Harlan. He remained there one year, and then came to Audubon
County, purchasing eighty acres in section 7, Douglas Township. This
land he broke out and improved, adding from time to time to his first
purchase, until he now owns 259 acres in an advanced state of cultivation.The
soil is fertile and is watered by the Nishnabotna River. Mr. Fiscus
has been one of the pioneer stockfeeders, and has done much to advance
this branch of farming in the county. In 1860 he was married to Harriet
Fiscus, of Owen County, Indiana, where she was born and reared.They
have four children living Benjamin F., Eliza Ann, wife of C. T. Wyley;
Mary E., wife of A. H. Speas, and Walter S.Mr. Fiscus has served ninny
years as township clerk, notary public and land agent. He takes an
active part in politics, affiliating with the Democratic party. He
is often chosen a delegate to conventions, a position he is well calculated
to fill. He began the business of making a name for himself without
any capital excepting that with which Nature had endowed him energy
and determination to succeed. That he has prospered is very evident
to him who looks over the broad fields and cultivated lands belonging
to our subject. He is a man highly respected in the community, and
is well worthy the regard in which he is held. Mrs. Fiscus died January
30, 1888. She was a devoted member of the Christian church. Mr. Fiscus
also belongs to this church, and is one of its elders. He is the inventor
of the Automatic Grain Weigher and Register, patented October 30,
1888, No. 391,888.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 788.
WILSON FISCUS. This energetic and substantial agriculturist, a resident
of Douglas Township, was born in Owen County, Indiana, March 19, 1847,
and is a son of John A. and Elizabeth (Boen) Fiscus. John A. Fiscus
was born in North Carolina, and there grew to manhood. He removed
to Indiana when a young man, and was there married, settled in Owen
County, and passed the remainder of his days. Wilson Fiscus was reared
to manhood in his native county, his time being divided between farm
work and attending the district school. His father, who was a neat
and careful farmer, instructed him thoroughly in all the details of
farming. In 1868 Mr. Fiscus was married to Emma Dean, of Owen County,
Indiana.Her parents were Fenton and Elizabeth Dean. In the fall of
1872, after spending several years upon the farm in Owen County, Mr.
Fiscus removed with his family to Marshall County, Iowa, and resided
there two years. From the latter county he came to Audubon County
and purchased a farm of 123 acres.The land is of the most choice,
being very fertile and drained by the waters of the Nishnabotna River.
His residence is a substantial building, attractively surrounded by
a beautiful grove. His farm is well stocked with cattle and hogs of
the best grades. He contends that a fine animal eats no more than
a poor one, and that in the end it pays to have the high breeds. Mr.
and Mrs. Fiscus have had born to them two children Eugene W. and E.
Bessie.They are devoted members of the Christian church, and regular
attendants atSabbathschool. Mr. Fiscus is an elder of the church.
In politics he is rather conservative, but as a rule he votes the
Democratic ticket in National and State affairs. He has held several
township offices, and is the present incumbent of the treasurer's
office, which he has held a number of terms. He has acquitted himself
with credit, and to the satisfaction of the public.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 823.
BYRON G. FOREMAN, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stables,
Audubon, Iowa, was born near Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio, April
24, 1852. He is the oldest son of David A. and Lydia A. (Dodds) Foreman.
The mother was born in Ohio, and the father was a native of the State
of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation, and an early settler of Ohio.B.
G. Foreman removed with his parents to Grundy County, Illinois, and
settled on a farm; there the parents resided for many years, and are
now living in Morris, Illinois. Six children were born to them, four
of whom are living. The subject of this notice grew to manhood in
Grundy County, Illinois, and received his education in the common
schools.He began his career as a farmer and dealer in livestock in
Grundy County, making horses a specialty. He resided there until he
came to Audubon County, when he began house and buggy painting, at
$2 per day, for John Esley. He remained in his employ for two years,
and then was compelled to abandon the trade on account of ill health.
He then began trading in livestock and town property, in which he
has been very successful. He has built extensive sheds and stables
for the feeding of horses, and the accommodation of farmers' teams.He
buys large numbers of horses, fattening them for the home, Dakota
and eastern markets. In 1889 Mr. Foreman erected a barn and sheds
for the accommodation of 100 teams, and opened a firstclass livery
stable.He has goodbuggies, carriages, hacks, and everything for the
business; he also gives attention to the breeding of fine draft horses.
Mr. Foreman was married in 1875 to Miss Ella G. Stoneback, of Grundy
County, Illinois, the youngest daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Stoneback.
They have one little daughter Georgiana E.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 783.
JOHN H. FRAHM.The Stuart House, Audubon, Iowa, was built by John
H. Frahm in 1882.It is a twostory brick front, located on the corner
of Broadway and Market streets, and is comfortably furnished and well
kept. Mr. Frahmwas born in North Germany, which was once a portion
of Denmark, April 16, 1854. He was educated in his native tongue,
and also acquired a knowledge of the English language.At the age of
sixteen years he left school and became a landscape gardener, in which
science and art he grew to be an expert. His parents, John and Anna
(Neve) Frahm, had born to them eight children, three of whom still
survive.The father and mother are both deceased.In 1875 Mr. Frahm
emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York; thence he came
to Iowa, engaging in various kinds of work in Davenport for some time.
InOctober, 1878, he came to Audubon County, this being the time of
the countyseat contest. The first business in which he embarked was
that of keeping a restaurant, which was followed by a regular hotel
business.In April, 1881, he opened a new hotel, which was called the
Farmers' Home. This he managed a few years and then sold, after which
he traveled through the western States and Territories, visiting California,
Washington Territory and Oregon. He then made a visit to his old home
in Germany, returning to the United States in the spring of 1884.Coming
toAudubon County he again opened a hotel, and has since carried on
the business successfully. Mr. Frahm was married to Rosaphine H. C.
Hansen, a native of Germany, residing at the time of her marriage
in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Frahm have had two children
Anna M. C. and Maria T., who died in infancy. Mr. Frahm owns a good
farm in Cass County, which contains 160 acres, all well improved,
and under good cultivation. Mr. Frahm began his career without any
capital, but has accumulated a comfortable living by industry and
wise management.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 751.
ORSON B. FRANCISCO is the manager of the Green Bay Lumber Cornpany
at Gray, Iowa.This company does a large business in the way of handling
lumber, cedar posts, lime,hair, cement, stucco, hard and soft coal.Mr.
Francisco, who has proven himself a most efficient man for the place,
came to Gray in 1884, and took charge of the business which had been
established in 1881.He was born in the State of New York, near Schenectady,
June 13, 1850, and is the youngest of a family of nine children of
Cornelius W. and Mary A. (Davis) Francisco. The parents grew to maturity
in their native State, New York, and in 1851 they emigrated to Lake
County, Illinois, residing therefor two years.Thence they went to
Grant County, Wisconsin, where the father lived the remainder of his
days; he died in 1865, and his wife, who survives him, makes her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Gulliford, in Sac County, Iowa. She is now
in her eightythird year and is in the full possession of all her faculties.Her
husband was born in 1805. Their children are named as follows Sarah,
Mary, Cornelia, Elizabeth D., Elisha, Nicholas J., D. Marvin, Andrew
J., Orson B., and Elizabeth, who died in her twentieth year.Until
his fifteenth year Orson B. lived in his native county; he attended
the district school, and later the high School of Boscobel, Wisconsin.He
taught school thirteen terms, from six to nine months long, in Wisconsin,
Iowa, and Minnesota. His father dying when he was but fourteen years
old, he was thrown upon his own resources. He did not continue in
the profession of teaching, but accepted a position on the government
survey through the Territory of Dakota; at the end of one year he
made a trip into the Yellowstone countryup the Missouri, and then
returned to Wisconsin, where he was married to Mary H. Winn, a daughter
of John and Maria (Griffith) Winn. Mrs. Francisco was born in the
State of Illinois, but grew to womanhood in Wisconsin. They are the
parents of four children Mark C., Edgar, Lulu Belle, Winnie O. Edgar
died in infancy.Mr. Francisco is a member of Utopia Lodge, No. 161,
I. O. O. F., at Gray;of the Knights of Pythias, No. 166, at Manning,
Iowa; of the A. O. U. W., Odobolt Lodge, No. 217, and of the Hiawatha
Tribe, No. 16, I. O. R. M., at Gray. In politics Mr. Francisco is
rather conservative. He served as assistant postmaster nearly four
years at Odobolt. The grandfather on the mother's side was Elijah
Davis, of Germanand French extraction. The grandfather on the father's
side, Nicholas Francisco, was of French descent, and served in the
Revolutionary war. Both families are noted for their longevity.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 820.
ETHELBERT J. FREEMAN, of the firm of Freeman & Armstrong, bankers,
real estate and loans, Audubon, Iowa, is a native of Pennsylvania,
born in Fayette County, September 22, 1840. The father is Mordecai
Freeman, a farmer and miller by occupation, a native of Pennsylvania,
now residing at West Liberty, Pennsylvania. The mother is Mary Freeman;
she had two sons, of whom our subject is the eldest. The brother,
Leroy Walter, was killed in the late war in November, 1864, at the
battle of South Side Railroad, near Petersburg, Virginia. E. J. Freeman,
the subject of this notice, was educated in the common schools of
his native county. In 1857 he went to McDonough County, Illinois,
and followed farming and carpentry. In 1864, May 24, he enlisted in
the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company A; he was assigned
to the department of the Army of the Cumberland; he took part in the
battles of Blue Mills, Missouri; Island No. 10, and its capture; Tiptonville,
Tennessee; Farmington, Mississippi; Stone River, Tennessee, and other
smaller engagements; he belonged to the Second Division, Second Brigade,
and the Fourteenth Army Corps. He was honorably discharged February
5, 1863, on account of disability. He then returned to McDonough County,
Illinois, and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1867 he came to Audubon
County, and settled on 160 acres, which he had purchased. In 1878
he was appointed agent for the town of Audubon, and for railroad lands
belonging to the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, a position which
he still holds. In 1880 Mr. Freeman was elected treasurer of Audubon
County, and was reelected in 1882, serving four years in all. In 1883
he formed a copartnership with A. F. Armstrong, and continued dealing
in real estate and loans; in 1885 the Citizens' Bank was established
and Mr. Freeman was made cashier, and still holds this position. September
13, 1862, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Nancy Leighty, of McDonough
County, Illinois, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel Leighty,
now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have eight childrenDaniel, Eva,
Edmond, William, Drew, Ethelbert, John, and a babe unnamed. Mr. Freeman
was elected the first mayor of Audubon, receiving every vote that
was cast. He has been chief of the fire department since the starting
of the town, and now he has been chosen to operate the waterworks.
He has been a member of the school board since his first residence
in the county. He is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. &
A. M.; Amity Chapter, No. 92, R. A. M.; Godfrey Commandery, No. 44,
K. T. Mr. Freeman has a fine residence and comfortable surroundings.
He is also a member of the Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R.
From: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa, pg. 698.
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