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Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

Biographies - 1891 History of Harrison County Iowa

Page Forty Three

I Jackson | M Jennings | Kern | Latta | Lewis | MacFarlane | Mahoney | Martin | McTwigan


JACKSON - Isaac A. JACKSON, a respected pioneer of Dunlap, came to Harrison County October 19, 1869, from Clinton County, Iowa, where he had resided since November 4, 1863. He came from Canada to Iowa and was reared in the Dominion on the old JACKSON homestead in Dundas County, Ontario. The date of his birth was May 7, 1836, and he is the son of James JACKSON, and was reared to farm life, and attended the public schools common to that country. At the age of sixteen he entered a general mercantile establishment at South Mountain, where he spent two years, and then went to Dixon's Corners, remained there a short time and then went to Kemptville where he engaged as a salesman and book-keeper. He remained here for five years. When he first commenced clerking he received $8.00 per month and board, but later was advanced to twelve dollars. When he had attained his twenty-third year he left the store and began teaching in the public schools at the old home for three terms, after which he turned his attention to farming, opening up a small farm and making substantial improvements.

January 2, 1862, marked a new era in our subject's life, for it was upon that day he was united in marriage to Mary J. WINEGARD, who was a native of New York State, born April 16, 1841. She is the daughter of John and Maria (BARKLEY) WINEGARD, who were natives of the Empire State. After the marriage our subject he went to farming for a short time, but in October 1863, he came to Chicago, and from that city drove across the country to Clinton, Iowa, a trip which he will ever remember, as it was his introduction to Western pioneer life. He remained in Clinton County, engaged at farming, until 1869. The first winter he taught school, and was a resident of the city of Clinton for one year. Since coming to Harrison County he has made it his home in Dunlap and on his farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, on section 14, of Harrison Township. He bought wild land which, under the touch of good husbandry, has come to be a finely improved place. He clerked in a hardware store two and a half years, from 1872, and then retired to his farm where he remained until 1889, when he returned to Dunlap, and has since been engaged as a salesman in the lumber yard of H. L. PRESTON.

Politically, Mr. JACKSON believes in the principles of the Republican party.

He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of hospitable Lodge No. 244, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary.

Mr. and Mrs. JACKSON are the parents of three children--James W., a resident of Randolph, Neb.; Caroline L., deceased; Lou J., the wife of H. L. PRESTON, of Dunlap. They are acceptable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

James W., their son, was united in marriage at Dunlap, September 10, 1886, to Eva J. WEED, a native of Iowa.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 694, 695
Family Researcher: NA
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JENNINGS - Mathew L. JENNINGS, one of the representative farmers of Harrison Township, was born near Pittsburg, Pa., April 9, 1832. He is a son of Levi and Emily JENNINGS, whose sketch will be found at another place in this work. When our subject was two years of age, the family remove to La Salle County, Ill., where he was reared and spent his early life, and remained nearly always until 1881, when his family came to Harrison County, Iowa. He has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was married January 5, 1870, to Clara C. PHERGUSON, who was born in McKeen County, Pa., April 30, 1851. She is the daughter of Ambrose S. and Lydia (MORSE) PHERGUSON, both natives of York State and possibly of Scotch extraction. The father was born April 30, 1815, and died November 29, 1887. His wife was born July 24, 1831, and is still living in Harrison County. The father was a farmer, and came to Harrison County, Iowa, in 1881. They had a family of six children: Mary, deceased; infant daughter, deceased; Clara C., the wife of our subject; DeWitt C., a resident of Harrison County; Frank, a resident of the county; Martha, wife of Charles TEDMAN, residing in Harrison County.

Our subject located on a one hundred and twenty acre improved farm on section 27, of Harrison Township. Here he has made his home for the past ten years, having been engaged in farming and stock raising exclusively. He has a family of five children: Jennie, deceased; Emily L., deceased; Arthur L., Minnie and Edna, at home.

Politically, Mr. JENNINGS is a Republican, and in religious affairs it may be said that he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is looked upon as one of the leading citizens in his part of the county. Mrs. JENNINGS is a member of the Farmers Wives Society; she and her husband are hearty supporters of anything which tends to better the condition of society around them.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 661
Family Researcher: NA
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KERN - Francis M. KERN, a farmer living on section 25, of Washington Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1881, and settled on the farm he now lives upon, purchasing a quarter section of improved land.

He was born in Huntington County, Pa., May 7, 1849, where he remained until the spring of 1875, then he came to Louisa County, Iowa, and there worked on a farm by the month for three years, at the end of which time he came to Shelby County, and there remained until the spring of 1881. He was married May 23, 1876, in Louisa County, to Miss Clarissa C. DRYDEN, who was born January 11, 1855, by which union five children have been born--John N., Anna M., William C., George W., deceased, Samuel M.

Mrs. KERN was born in Louisa County, Iowa, January 11, 1855, and remained in that county until the date of her marriage. She is the daughter of Robert C. DRYDEN, a native of Washington County, Pa., born March 23, 1827, and two years later he moved with his parents to Harrison County, Ohio, and in 1848 left there for Des Moines County, Iowa, and two years later to Louisa County, where he die, September 18, 1890. His wife, Mary (MICKEY) DRYDEN was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and her parents came to Des Moines County, Iowa, at an early day, but soon moved to Louisa County. They were the parents of nine children, Mrs. KERN being the second child.

The father of our subject was Peter KERN born in Huntington County, Pa., September 20, 1815. He was a farmer by occupation, and remained in the Keystone State until his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife was Anna E. (STINSON) KERN, a native of Fulton County, Pa., born April 3, 1818. After her husband's death she came to Shelby County, Iowa, where she died in September, 1885. They were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the fourth.

Politically, our subject votes with the Democratic party, and in religious matters he and his wife are Presbyterians.

Mr. KERN is now in possession of a good home, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison County, besides one hundred and twenty acres in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, and a small tract of timber land in Louisa County. At the present time he is building a commodious two-story, 20x30 house upon his place in Washington Township.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 682, 683
Family Researcher: NA
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LATTA - James M. LATTA, who has been a resident of Harrison County for a quarter of a century, and who is now a resident of section 15, Calhoun Township, forms the subject of this sketch.

He was born in Crawford County, Pa., September 22, 1834, and is the son of John and Mary (MCCONAHEY) LATTA. The father was of Scotch ancestry, born in 1801, and had a family of four daughters and three sons, of whom our subject was the oldest child. When he was about ten years of age his parents emigrated to Carroll County, Ohio, and a year and a half later to Iowa. They first located at Des Moines and drifted about the State, living in Washington, Monroe, Page, Mills and Harrison Counties. From Page County they moved to Cass County, Neb., then moved back to Iowa, and subsequently to Washington County, Neb., where the father died, October 27, 1884. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-eight. When in Cass County, Neb., our subject in the autumn of 1862, enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served until June 17, 1865, receiving his discharge at Davenport, Iowa, June 17, 1865. He at once came to Mills County, Iowa, and from there to Harrison County as above related.

November 16, 1867, just after he returned from the war, he married Anna J. KENDALL, a native of Illinois, born February 17, 1837. She was the oldest of a family of nine children, born to William W. and Martha (MCFARLAND) KENDALL, who were of Scotch descent.

Mr. and Mrs. LATTA are the parents of six children, as follows: William W., James Harry, John C., Walter L., Frank F. and Anna P.

Politically, our subject is a firm supporter of the Republican party, "voting as he shot!" Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of Fuller Post, G. A. R. at Logan.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 704
Family Researcher: NA
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LEWIS - Henry D. LEWIS, a resident of Morgan Township, came to Harrison County in 1881. He was born in Otsego County, N. Y., May 15, 182, and is a son of Henry D. and Frances (KIDDER) LEWIS, natives of England, now both deceased. The father's name was Henry W., and the mother's parents' names were John and Mary PAYNE, of Charing, England. Our subject was the only child born to his parents. His father was a farmer and mill owner.

Henry D.'s early life was passed in Morris, Otsego County, N. Y., where he received an academic education. After his father's death in 1873 he commenced working for himself on the farm, and also learned the carpenter's trade. Upon coming to Harrison County, he went to work on a farm for his uncle, M. H. P. KIDDER, and late worked a short time for the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company. He also worked six months for Mr. MICKEL. In 1866, he purchased a farm he now owns, consisting of two hundred and sixty acres, on section 27, of Morgan Township. On this place in 1888, he erected a fine farm house at an expense of $1,500. He now has one of the most desirable homes in Harrison County. His farm is all fenced with one hundred and ten acres under cultivation. He attends to general farming and stock raising.

Mr. LEWIS was united in marriage, November 13, 1884, to Miss Clara L. PUGSLEY, the daughter of J> O> and Lydia (NOYES) PUGSLEY, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS are the parents of three children, born as follows--George D., April 17, 1886; Mariam Lee, February 23, 1888; and Frances L., October 10, 1890.

Politically, Mr. LEWIS is identified with the Republican party. He has been Town Clerk of Mondamin for six years. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans Camp at Mondamin. He is well known throughout his township, being a whole-souled, genial man. He is always foremost in every public enterprise, and everything seems to be a success with which he is associated. In addition to his farm labors as superintendent of one of the finest farms on the Missouri River bottoms, he also assists Messrs. GAMET & OGDEN, in their store at Mondamin.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 705
Family Researcher: NA
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MACFARLANE - Thomas MACFARLANE, a druggist doing business at Mondamin, is a native of Ohio, and came to Harrison County in 1878. He is a son of John and Mary A. (MULHOLLAND) MACFARLANE, of Scotland and Ohio respectively. There were two children in the family, William and Thomas. Thomas was born January 14, 1852, at Washington, Ohio, where his early education was received. Later on, he attended the Normal School at Normal, Ill., then took a course in Rush Medical College at Chicago, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1876. After practicising two or three years in Yates City, Ill., he went to Wichita, Kan., and remained a year or so and then came to Little Sioux, Iowa, and from there to Mondamin. He bought the WILLIAMS drug store in 1881, and now handles grain, stock and agricultural implements, and continues to practice medicine. He enlisted at Portage City, Wis., as a member of the darkest hour of the Civil War. He was discharged for disability, and in a few months, re-enlisted at Janesville, Wis., in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and was at the second battle of Bull Run and Antietam, where he was wounded in the left arm, and discharged at the close of the war.

He was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe SILSBY in 1881. She died in 1884, at Little Sioux, and four years later Mr. MACFARLANE married on September 16, 1888, Sadie L., daughter of T. M. C. and Hattie LOGAN, of River Sioux, and as a result of this marriage union one child was born--Rex.

Politically, our subject affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and also the Grand Army of the Republic.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 706
Family Researcher: NA
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MAHONEY - Theodore MAHONEY, a representative farmer of Taylor Township, residing on section 8, came to Harrison County in company with his father in the spring of 1852. They settled in Magnolia Township. His father and Judge Jonas CHATBURN operated a mill in company, near the village of Magnolia. Our subject remained at home with his father until the spring of 1855, working in the mill and on the farm. We next find him at work in a sawmill in Pottawattamie County for a man named GARNER, with whom he remained two years, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Raglan Township. After two years he disposed of this place and bought a water-power gristmill on the Soldier River in Taylor Township, which he operated until the spring of 1887, when the mill was burned. The farm he now lives upon he bought in January, 1871, at first buying forty acres of improved land, for which he paid $50 per acre. When he bought the place there was a one-story and a half house and a small barn upon it. In 1882 he built a two-story frame house 28x30 feet. This building was destroyed by fire June 20, 1890, and in the autumn of that year built his present residence, which is a two-story frame structure, with an ell and various additions, the whole affording ample room. In 1885 he built a barn 30x42 feet, with sixteen-foot posts, besides numerous other outbuildings. His landed estate amounts to four hundred acres, the same being considered one of the best farms in Harrison County.

Our subject was born in Cecil County, Md., February 29, 1836. He is the son of Stephen and Margaret MAHONEY, both natives of Maryland. The mother died in February, 1850, and the same year the father with the family came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, remaining until the spring of 1852, and then came to Harrison County. The father had been here in 1851 and entered land. Our subject was married in Harrison County, Iowa, March 28, 1864 to Miss Emily WAKEFIELD, the daughter of William and Sarah (GARNER) WAKEFIELD. By this union seven children were born--Theodore E., James W., deceased, M. Herbert, Jesse W., Stephen G., William, deceased, and Walter died in infancy.

Emily (WAKEFIELD) MAHONEY, was born in Illinois in 1853, and when fie years of age accompanied her parents to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and one year later to Harrison County.

When Mr. MAHONEY first came to the county, his nearest trading point and post-office was Council Bluffs, and nearly all of the teams in the county consisted of oxen. Politically our subject is identified with the Republican party and has held numerous local offices. He is now one of the successful farmers of his township, usually keeping one hundred head of cattle, and from fifty to sixty head of horses and mules.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 687, 688
Family Researcher: NA
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MARTIN - Reuben A. MARTIN, of the firm of SCHRODER & MARTIN, merchants at Modale, is a son of Benjamin and Jane A. MARTIN. He was born in Harrison County, Iowa, December 26, 1869. The father of our subject was a native of West Virginia, born about 1792, and was killed by being run over by the cars in Harrison County, in the fall of 1875. Our subject's mother was a native of Kentucky, born in 1832, and died in Harrison County, in March 1884. As has been stated elsewhere in another sketch of this family, they moved to Nebraska, and then came back to Harrison County, and our subject remained with his mother until her death, after which he made his home with Mr. SCHRODER, who is his half-brother. In the fall of 1883 he went to Lewis County, Mo., and remained with his uncle, H. H. WAGGENER, until August 19, 1890. While in Missouri he attended the LaBelle Western Academy, and in May, 1891, he engaged with his half-brother, Mr. SCHRODER.

He was married in Harrison County, Iowa, May 6, 1891, to Miss Jennie E. BOYD, daughter of Samuel J. and Evaline (EPPERSON) BOYD. She was born in Harrison County, Iowa, November 5, 1871, and remained at home with her parents until married. She is a member of the Christian Church.

Politically Mr. Martin affiliates with the Republican party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 676, 679
Family Researcher: NA
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MCTWIGAN - Robert P. MCTWIGAN, proprietor of an extensive harness business at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of Western Iowa for thirty years. He was born near Providence, R. I., June 3, 1845, and is the son of James and Mary (MCGILL) MCTWIGAN, both of whom were natives of Scotland, and were married in that country. In 1840, they came to America. The father was a dress-tender in a cotton factory, and followed the same until 1856, when he immigrated to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. His family coming the next spring, remained until July and then went back East. In 1861, he and the family went West again and remained one year, but returned, except Robert P., and his brother William H. The father died in December, 1887, the mother having died in 1850. Their family consisted of five children, one of whom, our subject, was the youngest. Three of the children are still living, one brother and a sister living in Providence, R. I.

William worked in a hotel for a time in Council Bluffs, while our subject worked for George MCGAVREN, at old St. John's, and in the summer of 1862, engaged with John HENTHORN, to do freighting across the Plains, under the management of Ephraim BRANDRIFF, who died in Missouri Valley. Mr. MCTWIGAN made two round trips to Denver in the summer and winter of 1862-3, and in the spring engaged with William PEABELER in the same line and went to Denver and from there to Atchison, Kan., returning to Denver with another outfit, and there remained until the next season, when he engaged with the Government to do freighting from Denver to New Mexico, during which time much trouble was experienced by reason of their stock being stampeded by the Indians. After this he continued in the employ of the Government under the management of Thomas POLLACK, into Kansas and down the Arkansas River. At this time the Indians were very hostile, and many a thrilling incident is narrated by our subject concerning these early day experiences beyond the bounds of civilization. The first trouble they experiences was a water spout, which caused a rush of water as high as their wagon bed early one morning while they were camped on the Fountain Ka-boyer, which flood raised the stream beyond its banks. Part of the train had crossed over, while the remainder halted the night before on the opposite side, and the only way the last part of the train could cross the stream, was by making the wagon box water-tight and swimming the mules. When they saw the flood coming the wagon master ordered the mules turned loose, and the men that were the least thoughtful turned all the mules loose, without saving one to ride on themselves, and had it not been for our subject, with more foresight, two or three of the men would have been drowned. On proceeding down to Ft. Larned from Lyons, a distance of about two hundred miles, they were followed by the Indians, and it is interesting to hear our subject, in his own peculiar way, relate how that he intended to have the first Indian's scalp. The company were always on their guard, hence managed to avoid any serious trouble. Upon arriving at Ft. Larned and seeing about thirty thousand Indians in camp, one third of whom were warriors, our subject said to himself: "Mr. Injun, you let me alone and I will you." From the last named place to Council Grove, the trip was made safely, but upon their return trip, when they arrived at Cow Creek, they saw where eleven white men and two negroes had been massacred, while two boys had been scalped alive.

In The winter of 1864-'65 he started for Rhode Island, but stopped at Council Bluffs and farmed the following season, and made a trip to Ft. Collins, eighty miles north of Denver, and farmed the following summer in Pottawattamie County. In 1868 he was employed in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, and in the spring of 1869 went into the fish trade, but again in 187071 we find him tilling Harrison County soil. In 1872, he bought a farm in Crescent Township, Pottawattamie County, which he sold the following year, and then spent a year in Rhode Island, and from there came to Missouri Valley, where for eight years he was engaged in the sewing machine business, but since then he has been engaged in the harness business.

Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has been a member of the Council, and was City Marshal of Missouri Valley.

Drucilla JONES a native of Indian became our subject's wife November 7, 1869. Her parents came to Wayne County, Iowa, in 1854, and ten years later to Harrison County, Iowa. They are now both deceased. The mother was buried in Wayne County, Iowa, while the father's remains were placed in St. John's Cemetery, Harrison County. Our subject's parents are both buried in Providence, R. I., his father having served in the Greybeard Regiment from that State during the Civil War. No man under forty-five years of age was allowed in that regiment.

Mr. and Mrs. MCTWIGAN are the parents of three children, James Nathan, deceased in infancy; Robert Alexander, born August 27, 1871, still at home with his parents, and William Arthur, born April 28, 1878.

In reviewing the eventful career of this man's life, one is impressed with the thought that his lot has been cast in the wilds of a new country, and co-incident with many a privation and hardship, though perhaps not without its accompanying advantages and pleasant surroundings. To be a pioneer means to encounter many of the unpleasant things of life, as well as not a few of the pleasant. Mr. MCTWIGAN was but sixteen years of age upon coming West, and a year later crossed the plains, which at that time was described on the geographies of the common schools as "The Great American Desert." A sketch of this character is all too short to picture the transformation which has taken place West of the Missouri River during our subject's residence in the West. In fact the past forty years has been the formative period in the West, and is replete with much of thrilling interest both in adventure and history. All things considered, there are but few pioneers who found their way to the "vast, illimitable and ever changing West," and whose eyes are now growing dim with age, who ever regret having emigrated from the Old World or the back-bound coast of New England, to what has now come to be the "Middle Kingdom" of this great Republic, and our subject may well look back with pride over his experience during the past third of a century.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 673, 674, 675
Family Researcher: NA
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