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Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

Biographies - 1891 History of Harrison County Iowa

Page Seventy One

Tyler | Hughes | Mintun | Lahman | James McGavren |
Satterlee | Hearn | Foreman | John McGavren


TYLER - Ernest G. TYLER, abstract and loan agent at Logan, is a native of Vermont, but has been a resident of Harrison County since 1867. He was born in Hinesburg, Vt., February 15, 1856, and is the son of Henry N. and Harriet A. (COON) TYLER. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and was of English descent, while the mother was born in Vermont, and was of Scotch extraction. Our subject's father's father, was Amasa TYLER, and the mother's father was William COON, a captain in the War of 1812, whose wife was Grace BLAIR, of New York. The COON name is a derivation of the MACCUNE, of Scotland. Of Amasa TYLER's family, there were four children: Henry N., the father of our subject, being the youngest, and he was the father of ten children, of whom our subject Ernest G., was the youngest. He spent his early life in the old Green Mountain State, and when ten years of age the family removed to Minnesota, remained one year, and in March, 1867, came to Dunlap, Iowa, where the parents still live.

Ernest G. attended school at Dunlap, and graduated from the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, in 1878, with the degree of Civil Engineer. He established his present abstracting business in 1880, and made the first set of complete abstract books in Harrison County, and has made two complete sets since then.

Politically, Mr. TYLER, believes in the fundamental principles and political economy as it is found in the planks of the National platform of the Republican party.

He was married September 5, 1883, at Logan, to Miss Hattie CADWELL, oldest daughter of Phineas and Harriett M. (FISKE) CADWELL, who came to Harrison County in 1855, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Two children have blessed this marriage union: Hattie A. and Merle, the former born May 8, 1887, and the latter April 16, 1891.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 614
Family Researcher: NA
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HUGHES - Rev. George Mead HUGHES, present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Logan, came to Harrison County in 1889, and will form the subject of this biographical notice.

He is the son of Rev. George and Mary (MEAD) HUGHES, natives of New York and New Jersey. The father was born in England, and came to this country in 1837. Our subject is one of a family of five children, he being the second in number, and the only son. He spent his early life in New Jersey, and took a four years course at the University of Hackettstown, graduating in 1885. He graduated from the Wesleyan University, of Middletown, Conn., in 1889, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and began preaching in September of the same year at Logan, Iowa, in the Methodist Church.

Politically, Mr. HUGHES is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and is well posted on all the current political issues of the day.

He was united in marriage September 3, 1889, at Catasauqua, Pa., to Margaret Alice FUNK, a native of the Keystone state, and the daughter of Samuel and Emeline FUNK, of Pennsylvania.

Mr. and Mrs. HUGHES were the parents of a child who died in infancy.

Unlike the early ministry of the Methodist Church, which today stands in educational point of view, as high as any in the land, our subject though but a young man, has received a liberal education, and stands out like a rising star in the firmament of the theological world, with a promising future before him, for it is men possessing characters, such as our subject, who are to be the future heralds of the Cross.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 614, 615
Family Researcher: NA
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MINTUN - Jacob MINTUN, who found his way from Salt Lake to Pottawattamie County, in 1852, and to Harrison County New Year's Day, 1854--thirty-seven years ago--is justly entitled to a biographical notice in this connection. His present home is on section 24, of Raglan Township. At first he bough a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which had been built a log cabin, with five acres of breaking. He paid $1.25 per acre for this land, which he sold one year later.

The next two years he rented land in Taylor Township. He put in a shingle machine which he operated two years, and then went to the village of Magnolia, where he engaged in the grocery business and served as Postmaster under President James BUCHANAN's administration, and remained there until the spring of 1860. He then moved back to Raglan Township where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land. He built a house 24x32 feet; also built cribs, shedding, dug wells, and set out a small orchard, and has remained there ever since. He, like many another Harrison County farmer, has had his crops injured by the grasshopper plague, who in their infancy hopped about on one side of the farmer's field and chirped "in the wheat bye and bye"--and they were there to cut the ripening grain, while the husbandman frowned and paid an exorbitant price for his next year's see wheat. Our subject also encountered the deep snow winter of 1856-57, and endured his share of hardships co-incident with that season.

Mr. MINTUN was born in Ohio, May 18, 1828, and is a son of Matthew and Elsie MINTUN, natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of the following ten children:--Lemuel, Hezekiah, two who died in infancy, John, Lucinda, Hannah, Mehitable, Jacob, Maria. Only Hannah and Jacob survive.

Jacob lived in Ohio until ten years of age, when his parents moved to Lee County, Iowa, and remained eleven years. The father died in that county, after which Jacob went to Jefferson County, lived there three years, and then moved to Pottawattamie County, halted a year, and then came to this county.

Our subject was married in December, 1852, to Phebe A. LAMB, daughter of Emory W. and Mary LAMB, natives of Indiana, who were the parents of eight children--Charles W., Phebe A., Tryphena, Delora, Eliza, and Ellen. The mother of these children died in 1879, and in November 1881, Mr. MINTUN married Rachel L. STREETER, daughter of Morton and Myra STREETER, natives of Vermont, whose five children were as follows:--Rachel L., Porter L., Sarah, Dennis, and one deceased.

To Mr. MINTUN have been born these children--Mary E. (deceased), James F., Charles A. (deceased), Maria J., John W., Henry W. (deceased), Ida R., Vezuettie A., George E., Edward, Willey (deceased).

By Mr. MINTUN's second marriage were born--Morton L. (deceased), Flora (deceased), Carrie, Earl and Cora

. Mr. MINTUN was the second Sheriff of Harrison County, and was also Deputy Sheriff for a number of years. He belongs to Magnolia Lodge No. 126, A. F. & A. M.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 615, 616
Family Researcher: NA
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LAHMAN - John LAHMAN, (deceased), came to Harrison County in 1866, and opened a harness shop at Missouri Valley, having put in one year prior to this in old St. Johns. He followed harness making until 1870, when he formed a partnership with Dr. G. H. MCGAVREN in the stock business, and continued three or four years, and then purchased the farm which he operated in connection with the stock business.

He for whom this memoir is written, was born in Gettysburg, Pa., November 14, 1840, and the house in which he was born was shot through with a cannon ball, fired at the battle of Gettysburg, which was the greatest battle of the Civil war. Our subject's mother died when he was a small boy, but the father survived until about 1875.

Our subject was married January 21, 1869, to Miss Clara C. HARRIS, a daughter of Judge D. M. HARRIS, of the Times, at Missouri Valley. By this union, two children were born, Edwin Bruce, born in 1874, and died in 1876; Rush C., born August 5, 1884.

Politically, Mr. LAHMAN was a stalwart Republican. He served in the town council at Missouri Valley, and took an active part in public affairs. During the Civil war he was a member of Company C, Thirty-fourth Illinois Cavalry, enlisting at Dixon, and served three years. He was a member of Belden Post, G. A. R., at Missouri Valley. Was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Triune Chapter at Missouri Valley, and Ivanhoe Commandery at Council Bluffs.

He passe from the scenes of this life July 16, 1888, and was buried with Masonic honors, in Rose Hill Cemetery. A few years prior to his death, he gave up the stock business, and spent his time in looking after his agricultural interests. He was a man very pronounced in his views, and was thrown upon his own resources at the age of twelve years. He was a considerate, kind-hearted, and thoughtful man, and left a large circle of friends to regret his demise.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 616
Family Researcher: NA
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MCGAVREN - Hon. James K. MCGAVREN, of Missouri Valley, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, December 19, 1846, and with the balance of the family came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1850. He is one of the five sons born to Robert and Rebecca MCGAVREN. His early education was received at the common schools. Later he attended Tabor College, and after completing his schooling, studied law with P. D. MICKEL, of Missouri Valley, and was admitted as a member of the Harrison County bar, in the spring of 1869, and practiced law there that summer, but in the autumn of that year removed to Seward, Neb., and became of the first settlers of the town. He homesteaded eighty acres on which he lived three and one-half years, when he disposed of his claim and removed to Missouri Valley. He dropped the practice of law and took up the loan and real estate busines, in addition to carrying on his farm work. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Missouri Valley and re-elected in 1878 and 1879, but resigned before his term of office expired and was appointed County Supervisor in 1879; in the fall was elected to fill the unexpired term, and in 1882 was re-elected Supervisor. In 1889 he was elected as a member of the House, in the Twenty-third General Assembly. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge No. 170, at Missouri Valley, being one of its earliest members.

August 5, 1869, he was united in marriage to Elmira HENRY, a native of Hardin County, Ohio. Her parents came to Harrison County in 1860, and located in St. John's Township. Mrs. MCGAVREN's father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. MCGAVREN were the parents of one child--Elizabeth, born in 1873. Mrs. MCGAVREN passed from the scenes of this life in April, 1874, was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery at old St. John's.

Our subject was married to his second wife--Cynthia DEWEESE, a native of Indiana, January 27, 1876. Her parents died when she was a young girl. By this marriage union seven children were born, three of whom are still living, viz: Lawrence, Lottie; Lucile, died at seven years of age; Bruce; Hugh, died at nine months of age; and twins, who died in infancy.

For the second time in our subject's life he has been bereft of his companion. Cynthia (DEWEESE) MCGAVREN, died October 31, 1889, and was laid away by the side of her children in Oak Grove cemetery.

Not unlike other members of the MCGAVREN family who settled in Harrison County, at an early day our subject has exhibited good business and executive ability, both as a city and county officer, and as a member of the Legislature.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 616, 617
Family Researcher: NA
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SATTERLEE - Doctor Dwight SATTERLEE, physician and druggist, at Dunlap, who is also a member of the present Board of Supervisors, ranks among the pioneers of Harrison Township, locating, as he did, in 1867. He is a native of the town of Ledyard, Conn., where he was born March 24, 1837. In the late war he was commissioned in the Sanitary Corps in the Army of Virginia, and later the Army of the James, as a member of the Eleventh Connecticut Regiment. He served his country about three years, being mustered out in December, 1865, holding the commission of Major. He came to Dunlap in 1867, and was the first physician to practice in the place, which was platted during that year, and at the time of his coming was but a small hamlet.

Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, believing in the principles of that great political organization.

Socially, the Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Hospitable Lodge No. 244, of which he was the first and present Master, the same being the first degrees of the A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to Ark Chapter No. 89, as well as to Shields Post No. 83, G. A. R., of which he is the present Commander; he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 618
Family Researcher: NA
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HEARN - David G. HEARN, of Missouri Valley, was born in the City of Watterford, in the South of Ireland, May 1, 1832. He is a son of Maurice and Margaret (POWERS) HEARN. When eight months old, the family came to America, and located at the city of New York, where our subject received his education. His father operated a bakery. Our subject was the third child of a family of six children, namely: Stephen, Thomas, David G., Michael, Mannie and Mary.

David G. learned the tailor's trade in Boston and followed that business in Boston and New York, and then came to St. Louis, Mo., where he carried on a business of his own, and just when the Civil War cloud was casting its blackened surface over this nation, and the thunder of cannon was heard on every hand, and President Lincoln was calling for troops, our subject left his tailor's bench, and put on the Loyal Blue, and became a member of the Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, being a member of Company A, and remained in the service of his country, (which had become his by adoption) until December 24, 1864, and was then discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. His regiment was one noted for its heavy fighting.

When Mr. HEARN came to Missouri Valley in 1867, only a few houses graced the spot, where now stands the thriving city. The railroad had not at that time reached this point. He at once commenced working at his trade and followed it until 1889. In 1886, he built a two-story business house on the corner of Fifth and Erie Streets.

March 20, 1870, he was united in marriage at Dunlap, Iowa, to Martha KITTERINGHAM, the marriage ceremonies being performed by the Rev. Mr. GRANVILLE, a Methodist Episcopal preacher. The lady of his choice was born in England, and came to America, when four years old. Her parents first located in Wisconsin, but came to Missouri Valley in 1867. Her father, Henry KITTERINGHAM, died at Missouri Valley, August 15, 1889, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. His wife is still a resident of Missouri Valley.

To Mr. and Mrs. HEARN have been born four children--David G., April 20, 1871, and married August 12, 1891, to Miss Fannie RICHARDS. He is now employed as a salesman in Missouri Valley; Maurice Henry, born September 11, 1873, still at home; Stephen A., May 25, 1875, at home and Mattie, December 16, 1878.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 617, 618
Family Researcher: NA
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FOREMAN - Joseph FOREMAN, located on section 32, of Jackson Township, has been identified with the interests of Harrison County since 1876. When he first came to the county he rented land, continuing for about eight years and then, bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land. He broke it out, built a good house and barn, with accompanying outbuildings, and fenced his place. After one year he sold this farm and bought the one he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and sixty-three and one-half acres. Here he built a barn 20x32 feet, made a cistern, and put up a wind-power.

He was born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, December 4, 1856. He is a son of Mason A. and Sarah E. FOREMAN, natives of West Virginia, and who had a family of eleven children--Emily, Agnes, Henry, Joseph, Margaret, Sarah E., Elizabeth, deceased; William E., Charles, John, and one who died in infancy.

Our subject remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he made his home with his brother-in-law, M. E. OVIATT, in Jackson Township, and followed farm life, working for others and renting land.

Mr. FOREMAN was united in marriage March 18, 1885, to Ida M. ROSS, daughter of William and Salena ROSS, natives of England, who had a family of twelve children--William, deceased; Ephraim, George, Nettie, Burt J., John, Ida M., Lizzie L., Martha, deceased; infant, deceased; Frank E., and Dora.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children--Ray A. and Salena E.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 618
Family Researcher: NA
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MCGAVREN - John S. MCGAVREN, cashier of he First National Bank at Missouri Valley, was born January 11, 1861, at old St. John's, Harrison County, Iowa. He is the son of Robert and Rebecca MCGAVREN, one of the early families of the county--a lengthy sketch of which appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject received his early education in this county, and later on attended the schools at Missouri Valley, and in March 1878, went to Ames where he completed the scientific course in the Iowa Agricultural College, completing his studies in 1881, and the following year followed railroading. In the fall of 1882, he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City, and graduated from the Law Department in the spring of 1883. The following fall he opened a law office in Missouri Valley, with J. S. DEWELL, which continued until September, 1890, at which time he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank at Missouri Valley.

Our subject was united in marriage at Clarence, Cedar County, Iowa, October 10, 1889, to Miss Nellie M. BELL, a native of Lyons, Iowa. By this union there has been born one son--Robert Hayward now one year old.

Mr. MCGAVREN is a member of the Knight is Pythias, Anchor Lodge, No. 66, at Missouri Valley.

Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held the office of City Clerk for three years.

Mrs. MCGAVREN is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 620, 621
Family Researcher: NA
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