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Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

Biographies - 1891 History of Harrison County Iowa

Page Forty

Roadifer | McElroy | Mintun | Kinney | Ockerson | Kling | W Graybill


ROADIFER - Hiram H. ROADIFER, attorney-at-law at Logan, Iowa, came to Harrison County in 1878. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 2, 1850, and emigrated to La Salle County, Ill., in 1855. He is a son of Daniel and Rhoda (HUFF) ROADIFER, both of whom are deceased. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom still survive, our subject being the youngest of the family. Hiram H. spent his childhood days and received his early education in La Salle County, Ill. He attended college at Wheaton, Ill., and began the study of law with DICKEY, BOYLE & RICHOLSON, of Ottawa, with whom he remained three years, and then began the practice of law at Emerson, Mills County, Iowa, in 1876, and two years later came to Logan, Iowa, where he has since practiced law.

Politically our subject is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and has held the office of Mayor of Logan for the year�s 1883-84-85-86. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Logan and has been a prominent factor in Harrison County ever since he came here.

He was united in marriage at Logan, Iowa, January 18, 1882, to Miss Amelia J. SMITH, daughter of John H. and Elizabeth J. SMITH. Mrs. and Mrs. ROADIFER are the parents of three children--Paul E., born December 16, 1884; Jessie, February 26, 1888; and John S., February 8, 1981.

Our subject is looked upon as one of Harrison County�s able attorneys and has been conspicuous in many prominent cases, both within the county as well as abroad. In civil cases he has won distinction in many courts. He acted as attorney for the various school districts of Harrison County in the several cases brought against the assignee of CADWELL�s Bank to recover the money deposited in the bank by the School Treasurer and secured an order in the District Court directing the assignee to pay such claim in full. The cases were of more than ordinary importance, for by their determination the right of school districts to follow their funds and recover them from third parties was for the first time determined by a court of last resort. The order of the District Court was by this Supreme Court affirmed and the School District of Harrison County lost nothing by reason of the bank failure.

He was also one of the principal attorneys for the town of Logan in the county seat contest between that town and Missouri Valley during the year 1874. He also appeared as attorney for Harrison County in both the District and Supreme Courts in the case against the Blair Bridge Company, wherein the Bridge Company sought to avoid the payment of its taxes. The county was successful in both courts. He has at present a large practice in both District and Supreme Courts. He has confined his practice almost exclusively to civil business and in equity cases he has been more than usually successful. In fact, as an attorney, in whatever he undertakes he is more than ordinarily successful.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 661, 662
Family Researcher: NA
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MCELROY - Barney MCELROY, an enterprising resident of Harrison Township is a native of the county of Louth, Ireland, born December 25, 1835, the son of Peter and Mary (MCCOY) MCELROY. His mother died when he was but three months old, and four years later he came to America with an uncle, and remained in New York State eight years. When fourteen years of age, engaged at the tailors� trade which he followed nineteen months. After this he spent four summers on the Delaware & Hudson Canal, and then located at Amboy, Ill., engaged with the railroad and also dealt in grain and lumber. The last few years he remained in Illinois he followed car repairing, and July 3, 1869, came to Harrison County, Iowa, and located at Dunlap. For fourteen years after he came to Dunlap he was engaged with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as car repairer. He next purchased a team and engaged in the draying business for eight years. On account of ill-health, disposed of that is now living a retired life in the north-east part of town, where he owns a comfortable and valuable home on Montague Street.

Our subject was married July 31, 1864, to Anna E. FERREN, who was born in the County of Louth, Ireland, April 30, 1844, the daughter of Peter and Bridget (MURTAUGH) FERREN. She came to this country while young. Mr. and Mrs. MCELROY are the parents of nine children--Henry F., a resident of Portland, Ore., where he is Teller of the First National Bank. The date of his birth was August 17, 1865; Minnie, born October 6, 1867, has been a teacher in the public schools for the last five years; Jennie, born March 26, 1870, engaged at dress-making in Dunlap; Nellie, born July 10, 1872, has been teaching school one year; Emma, born February 19, 1876, at home; James, born March 18, 1878, clerking in a restaurant; Willie, born May 10, 1881; Asa, born March 7, 1885; Jesse, born May 11, 1887, died September 12, 1880.

Politically Mr. MCELROY is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and he and the family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. The oldest son, Henry, was engaged as book-keeper and clerk for some eight years in the general store of J. B. PATTERSON, and during the years of 1888-9 was a member of the firm of PATTERSON & MCELROY, of Dunlap.

In 1861 our subject went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was employed at compressing cotton, and after four years was drafted into the Rebel Army but after three days� drilling he and a comrade (his partner) MCANORTNEY, decamped for the Union lines, walking from Memphis, Tenn., to Cairo, Ill., which was attended with great danger and much privation.

The father of Mrs. MCELROY, Peter FERREN, came to Dunlap, Iowa, in 1867, and opened a meat market and boarding house, remaining in that place until 1882 and then removed to Omaha with three of his daughters. After three years in the meat business he engaged at farming prior to his moving to Omaha, where he is now living a retired life. They reared a family of eight children--Mary, wife of T. F. LONY, of Omaha; Annie, wife of our subject; Jennie, deceased; Maggie, wife of J. B. PATTERSON, of Dunlap, Iowa; Henry, a resident of Marion, Iowa; Katie, deceased; Jennie, clerk in N. B. FALCONER�s store, Omaha; Nellie, wife of A. L. COOPER, of Omaha.

Mr. MCELROY had but one brother and one sister--Patrick, a resident of Sullivan County, N.Y., and Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Thomas MCENONY. Our subject erected two residences in Dunlap and improved a farm about one mile south of that place. He is a highly respected citizen of Dunlap, always proving himself true to every interest of his community.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 662, 663
Family Researcher: NA
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MINTUN - Rev. James Frank MINTUN, of the Latter Day Saints Church at Magnolia, is a native of Harrison County, Iowa, born July 9, 1855. He remained on the farm with his father, working summers and attending school winters, until seventeen years of age, when he engaged at school teaching, following it for eight years, after which he clerked in a general store at Magnolia, for J. M. HARVEY. In November, 1881, he engaged in the missionary work in Nebraska, and remained at that for three years, traveling over the counties of Burt, Washington, Dodge, Sarpy, Saunders, Douglas, Cass, Madison, Dawes and Hamilton. At the end of that time he was appointed a Missionary, where he remained until the 20th of December, 1885, and then returned to Magnolia, where he engaged in the general mercantile business in partnership with A. M. FYRANDO, and was appointed Postmaster January 21, 1886, receiving his commission, bearing date April 20, 1880, Mr. FRYANDO being his deputy. He held the Post-office until June 30, 1890, which time he resigned his office. He sold out his general store, April 6, 1889, but continued to deal in stationery and general notions, until August 1, 1890.

Old Mr. FYRANDO requested Mr. MINTUN, just before his death, to act as his administrator, which request he carried out, completing the work in December, 1890. In June, 1886, he received his commission to serve as Notary Public, in connection with his other business, including insurance. He was selected Secretary of the Magnolia Old Settlers� Association, August 25, 1888, and has held that position ever since, except the year 1887. He untied with the Latter Day Saints Church July 22, 1877; was ordained an Elder in 1878, and in September, 1879, was ordained one of the Seventies, and is such at this time. Since December, 1890, he has labored in Northwestern Iowa.

He was united in marriage at Magnolia, April 1, 1877, to Miss Mary E. KNIGHT, and they are the parents of three children, born as follows: Ruth I., March 19, 1886; Alice E., June 29, 1889, and Guy, F., in June, 1891.

Mrs. MINTUN was born in Lucas County, Iowa, February 9, 1859, and came to Harrison County, with her parents, in June 1869, settling in Raglan Township, where she remained until the date of her marriage. She united with the Latter Day Saints Church, July 22, 1877.

Mrs. MINTUN�s father, Allen W. KNIGHT, was born in South Carolina in 1824, and came to Iowa when a young man. He married Mary H. JENKINS, January 1, 1850, and they were the parents of six children: Anna, Irene, John H., Edwin O., Mary E., and James W. Mr. KNIGHT enlisted in Company H, first Iowa Cavalry, in 1861, and died at Little Rock, Ark., in 1863. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of his death. His wife was born in Monroe County, Ind., September 11, 1822, and in 1844, accompanied her parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, and from there to Lucas County, and from there in 1869 to Harrison County. She now makes her home with her daughter Mrs. MINTUN.

Our subject is a member of he Masonic order at Magnolia, belonging to Lodge No. 126, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 664, 665
Family Researcher: NA
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KINNEY - Prof. Harvey A. KINNEY, of the Woodbine Normal School, came to Harrison County in August 1878, and the first Monday in September took charge of the Magnolia High School, and was the Principal of the same four years. The next year he was assistant Principal of the Missouri Valley High School, and served as Principal of the same school the next three years. In the autumn of 1885, he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools.

He remained in the Missouri Valley Schools until June 1886, and was a resident of the place until the spring of 1887, at which time he moved to Woodbine. In the fall of that year Messrs. KINNEY, RIDDELL and MATTER, organized the �Woodbine Normal� and about the same time our subject was re-elected as School Superintendent.

Mr. Kinney is a native of the Empire State, born in Cortlandville, Cortland County, N. Y., December 10, 1854. He is a son of John and Samantha (COPELAND) KINNEY. The father was a native of New York, born in 1812, and the mother a native of New York, born in 1829. The father was a farmer and our subject remained at home, assisting on the farm until July 1878, when he started West, stopped one month in Butler County, Iowa, and then came to Harrison County. After attending the common schools of his native county, in September 1873, he commenced attending the State Normal School, at Cortlandville, N. Y., from which school he graduated July 2, 1878. He had taught school in New York State, prior to coming to Iowa.

Mr. Kinney was united in marriage May 26, 1886, to Miss Minnie S. SMITH, daughter of Rev. Cyrus and Amanda C. (BESSEY) SMITH, both natives of Ohio. Her father was born December 27, 1839, and the mother October 1, 1842. Our subject�s wife was born in Van Buren County, Mich., August 11, 1867, and removed with her parents to Mills County, Iowa, in 1885, where she remained until the date of her marriage. She received her education at the common and high schools, and for a short time attended Simpson College, at Indianolia, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. KINNEY are the parents of one child--Harvey S., born January 10, 1891.

In religious matters, our subject is a believer in the Baptist faith and a member of that denomination, while his estimable wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically, Mr. KINNEY, affiliates with the Republican party. As an educator, the Professor ranks high among the instructors of the state. His work in the High Schools of Harrison County as well as in the �Normal� at Woodbine, together with his efficient work as County Superintendent, has made him a prominent factor in the role of an educator in Harrison County. The reader is referred to the history of the Normal School for more concerning this man�s educational career.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 665, 666
Family Researcher: NA
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OCKERSON - Alexander E. OCKERSON, a farmer living on section 18, Taylor Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1881, and settled on the farm he now occupies. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 7 and 18, Taylor Township, and fifteen acres of timber in Clay Township. As the time he purchased this farm, there was a small frame house upon the place, and one hundred and forty acres under the plow. He lived in the old house until the autumn of 1888, when he erected a two-story frame house 16x28 feet, and an ell 16x24 feet. In 1885 he built a barn 16x34 feet. His landed estate in Taylor Township, now consists of four hundred and seven acres. He also has seven hundred and twenty acres in Monona County, which he uses for pasture purposes, keeping his stock there during the summer. He usually keeps one hundred and fifty head of cattle and fifteen head of horses.

Mr. OCKERSON was born in Sweden, August 6, 1844, and when quite young accompanied his parents to America. They were intending to locate in Knox County, Ill. This was during the cholera epidemic and his mother died of this disease near Peru, Ill., and the father died just before reaching Knoxville. Our subject was then left with an odler brother and sister to take charge of things. There were five children in the family, and they remained a short time in Knoxville among friends, and then went to Galesburg, where the brother rented a house and the family lived there a short time, when a man named PALMER was appointed guardian for our subject and a younger brother. They went with him to Peoria, and remained with PALMER about three months, when a man by the name of COOLIDGE, took him to raise.

Our subject remained with Mr. COOLIDGE until twenty-one years of age, and then went to Minneapolis, Minn., remained about eighteen months in that vicinity, and then returned to Peoria County, Ill., where he lived two years, and then can to Iowa. He came by team, crossing the Mississippi River at Muscatine, and crossed the State in a northwesterly direction to Lyons County. From there went to Mills County, and there hired out to husk corn, and remained there during that winter, working out by the month. The following autumn he made a visit to Illinois, remained a short time and returned to Mills County, Iowa, where he worked by the month the following summer, and the next year rented a farm and farmed on leased land for four years. During this time he had purchased a farm in Cass County, Neb., to which locality he went and remained until February, 1881, at which time he sold out and came to Harrison County.

Our subject was united in marriage in Mills County, Iowa, December 31, 1874 to Miss Allie DAVIS, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (HOBSON) DAVIS. By this marriage two children have been born, Nellie C., deceased and Lenna F.

Allie (DAVIS) OCKERSON was born in Andrew County, Mo., and when young accompanied her parents to Mills County, Iowa. His father was a native of North Carolina. Politically our subject is identified with the Republican party.

This man�s life has been one of a checkered character, coming as he did, from a foreign land and being bereft of both parents when a small boy, his lot was indeed a hard one. But being possessed of the sterling characteristics found in the most of his fellow-countrymen, he overcame all of these obstacles, and now in his own pleasant home may count life a success.

Thomas DAVIS, father of Mrs. OCKERSON, was born in Serry County, N. C., March 17, 1813, and lived there until twenty three years of age. In 1836 he went to Henry County, Ind., and was married to Elizabeth HOBSON, August 30, 1838.

Elizabeth HOBSON was born in Surry County, N.C., December 20, 1819, and taken by her parents to Henry County, Ind., when nine months old. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. DAVIS settled on a farm in Henry County, near Newcastle, and remained there three years. In the fall of 1841 they removed to Missouri, and settled on a purchase claim, erecting a cabin 16x18 feet, which they moved into in December. In 1855 they removed to Mills County, Iowa, where they lived and prospered for over twenty years. Mr. DAVIS departed this life August 13, 1877.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 666, 667
Family Researcher: NA
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KLING - Henry B. KLING, of the firm of MATTHEWS & KLING, agricultural implement dealers at Woodbine, came to Harrison County, in August 1877, from Stoughton, Wis. When he and Mr. MATTHEWS embarked in business on the site of their present place of business, in a building that had been erected in 1866-7; they occupied that building until 1888, when they erected their large two-story brick warehouse which is 40x65 feet with a basement beneath. The second floor of this building is used for an Opera House, with a seating capacity of three hundred. The building is said to be one of the best of the kind in the county.

The business of this firm is dealing in all kinds of agricultural implements, buggies, lumber, grain and coal.

Mr. KLING was born in Walworth County, Wis., May 23, 1845. His father, Jacob R. KLING, was a farmer, who married Emily (BLISS) KLING the mother of our subject. Henry attended the Academy at the village of Milton, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years of age and then went to Milwaukee, and worked at various things for a year, after which he went to Stoughton and engaged in the broom business in company with his present partner which business he followed until coming to Harrison County.

He was married April 11, 1871 to Flora E. ALLEN, a native of Wisconsin, who is not the mother of two children, Bessie E., and Hurbert.

Mr. KLING is a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 405 at Woodbine.

Politically he casts his vote with the Republican party.

By a life of industry, and legitimate business operations Mr. KLING has surrounded himself with the comforts of life and is today in the possion of a comfortable home and a good business.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 667
Family Researcher: NA
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GRAYBILL - William A. GRAYBILL, a farmer on section 32, of Washington Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since, 1864, settling on his present farm in the month of March in that year. He, in company with A. J. GRAYBILL, William SPEARS, and O. A. STOKER purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in 1862, which was divided in 1865, Mr. GRAYBILL getting eighty-five acres, upon which he built a log house in 1864, and moved his family there in the spring. They have occupied the same building ever since. When he came to the township there were but two farms opened up, and all looked new and wild. One log school-house on section 32 graced the fair domain now so thickly settled, and religious meetings were held at Union Grove usually in private houses. Mr. GRAYBILL�s present farm comprises two hundred and twenty-five acres of choice land, the most of which is situated in the Mosquito Valley.

To learn something of his early career the reader will be informed that he was born July 28, 1840, in Adams County, Ill., and accompanied his parents, who were among the early pioneers to locate in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, coming, as they did, before Council Bluffs had an existence, that location then being known as MILLER�s Hollow. Our subject remained with his parents until 1864. For nine years prior his father, himself and brothers A. J. & L., kept bachelor�s hall in Pottawattamie County.

Simeon P. GRAYBILL was born March 26, 1816, in Jackson County, Ohio, and was the son of Mr. GRAYBILL, a native of New York and of German ancestry. The father, Michael GRAYBILL, was the son of Peter GRAYBILL, who was born in Pennsylvania and married Christena WAMPLER, who had been taken prisoner by the Delaware Indians when a child and kept with the tribe for seven years and then returned to her parents. Peter GRAYBILL was a son of John GRAYBILL who came from Germany in the days of the Revolutionary War. Simeon GRAYBILL�s father, Michael, was married to Polly STOKER, in Ashe County, N. C., May 1811, removed to Jackson County, Ohio, and reared a family of eleven children: David, Catharine, Simeon, Levi, George, Lenore, Julian, Michael, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Sidney.

Simeon was married to Amanda HILL, in Jackson County, Ohio, March 16, 1837 and the same year moved to Caldwell County, Mo., and in 1838 to Davis County, of that State. They removed back to Caldwell County, remained until 1839 and went to Adams County, Illinois, where they remained until 1848. February 14 of that year, his wife Amanda, was taken sick and died February 21. The same week, her eldest daughter, Rachel, sickened and died March 22. In the autumn of 1848, the family started West and arrived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, December 5.

The mother of our subject was born in 1817 in Jackson County, Ohio, her maiden name being Amanda HILL. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. One son, Aaron A., was killed in the time of the Civil War. He was killed at Camp Creek, Ga. August 31, 1864.

Our subject was united in marriage, January 8, 1861, in Pottawattamie County, to Miss Agnes J. SPEARS, by whom eight children have been born--Lovina J., born November 9, 1862, Louisa A., February 19, 1864; Margaret M., July 14, 1865; George A., August 10, 1867; Simeon P., January 14, 1870; William A., September 17, 1872; Clarence E., July 28, 1880; Maude A., October 27, 1881. George A., died September 10, 1884, and his sister, Maude A., died March 11, 1882.

Agnes J. (SPEARS) GRAYBILL, the wife of our subject, was born September 28, 1841, in Illinois, and came with her parents to Pottawattamie County, and remained with them until the date of her marriage.

Politically, our subject is an independent, and is a member of the Farmers� Alliance and Industrial Union, believing as he dos, that the farmer is not as well protected by the present laws of our government, as is the monopolist.

In his religious convictions, he believes in the faith that all people will be rewarded for all good deeds done in the body and punished for the bad deeds.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 686, 687
Family Researcher: NA
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