Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

SHERWOOD - Lewis J. SHERWOOD has been a resident of Harrison County since the spring of 1880, and he is now a prosperous farmer located on section 7, of Allen Township. When he first came to the county he rented land in this township for two years, and then moved to Allen Creek, and rented land for eight years, and then bought the farm he now occupies, consisting of eighty acres of partly improved land, upon which he erected a building, 12x14 feet, one story and a half high, also set out an orchard of eighty five trees.

He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, June 27, 1853, and is the son of John and Drusilla SHERWOOD, natives of Ohio, who have a family of four children, our subject being the third. The family were Lewis M., (deceased); Winfield, (deceased), Lewis J., and Charles W.

Our subject remained in Ohio, until he was two years old and accompanied his parents to Clinton County, Iowa, and remained at home until his majority, and then moved to Crawford County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and cultivated that for five years, then moved to Monona County, remained one year, and then came to Harrison County.

Our subject was united in marriage, May 7, 181, to Nellie BENJAMIN, daughter of George P., and Julia BENJAMIN, natives of New York and who were the parents of eight children, our subject's wife being the sixth in number--Charles, three died in infancy, Emma, Nellie, Ell, Jay.

Politically, Mr. SHERWOOD affiliates with the Democratic party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 637, 638
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BARSBY - William H. BARSBY, a farmer of section 6, Lincoln Township, came to Harrison County in the autumn of 1884, and bought two hundred and eighty acres, upon which he now lives. It was wild land at the time and cost him $10 per acre. He at once commenced improving it, by turning over the virgin sod, built a house 22x24 feet, one story and a half high, also a barn thirty-four feet square, cribs and other out-buildings, and set out an orchard of two hundred trees.

Our subject was born in Winnebago County, Ill., and is the son of Thomas and Jane WOODWARD BARSBY, natives of England, who had a family of fourteen children, of whom he was the youngest. The following are their names: Elizabeth, Mary A., deceased, Ebenezer, Charles, Albert, Mary A. (deceased), an infant deceased, Ellen, Edward, William, and two who died in infancy.

Our subject lived with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Dakota, and there tried to make a home for himself, but failed on account of a two years' grasshopper raid, after which he returned to Illinois and farmed two years, and then went to Janesville, Wis., where he studied telegraphy. He remained there six months and received his diploma. He followed that profession four months and then returned to farm life, and two years later removed to Crawford County, Iowa, where he rented land for six years, and then came to this county.

He was married July 21, 1881, to Fannie MORSE, daughter of Henry MORSE, a native of New York State, who had a family of twelve children, our subject's wife being the oldest. The children were: Fannie, Henry, Elizabeth, John, Frank, William, Anna (deceased), Eddie, Reuben, Freddie, Roscoe and Grace.

Mr. and Mrs. BARSBY are the parents of four children--Thomas H., born August 25, 1882; Charles W., September 12, 1884; Ray. R., October 9, 1886; and Walter C., November 9, 1888.  Mr. and Mrs. BARSBY are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 638
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EVANS - James C. EVANS, a farmer, now located on Section 9, Lincoln Township, has been a resident of Harrison County for more than a third of a century, coming as he did to these parts during the month of March, 1856. The subjoined sketch is a brief review of his like, both in and out of Harrison County.

He was born in Cecil County, Md., February 20, 1827. His parents were Robert and Mary EVANS, natives of the same State, who reared the following children: James C., our subject; William M., Mark a., deceased; Sarah J., deceased; and Mary E.

James C. remained in his native State, passing his youthful days at the sports and labors common to a lad of the Sunny South, having fair educational advantages. He lived on a farm until he was eighteen years old, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until coming to Iowa.

One of the important events of his life, and one ordained by an All Wise Creator, was his marriage, which occurred March 20, 1855, to Elizabeth SCOTT, the daughter of David and Elizabeth SCOTT, both natives of Maryland. They reared seven children, our subject's wife being the second child. The children's names are, Robert, Elizabeth, Jennie, Rebecca, James, Sarah, and John, all of whom are living.

Mr. and Mrs. EVANS are the parents of two children--Gertrude and Mark A., both living in Lincoln Township.

The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Upon coming to this county Mr. EVANS followed carpentering for about six years, and then bought out the heirs to his father's estate and took the old homestead, which is situated in Boyer Township, and remained there until 1880, when he bought land in Lincoln Township, and sold all of the old homestead except thirty acres. The land he purchased in Lincoln Township was partly improved. He built a house 16x24 feet, one story and a half high, also stabling and granary, and planted an orchard of one hundred trees. He commenced life with no means save that wrapt up within his own brains and muscle, but is now surrounded with all that goes toward making a happy and successful life. To be the possessor of a well tilled farm, in one of the banner counties of the most progressive commonwealth in the Union, at this day and age of the world, is indeed a heritage to be highly prized.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 639, 640
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STEARNS - Madison C. STEARNS, a farmer located on section 5, of Allen Township, came to the county in the spring of 1882, and purchased the farm he now occupies, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land, for which he paid $12 per acre. Here he built a story and a half house 17x24 feet, with a wing 14x16 feet. He broke out about twenty acres the first ear, built a fence, set out an orchard and made general improvements.

Our subject was born in Naples, Ontario County, N. Y., March 10, 1822, and is the son of Phineas and Mary STEARNS, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire. Their twelve children were as follows; Clark, Sallie and Marinda, deceased; Asa, Parley, Nancy and Sanger, deceased; Jefferson, Harrison, Madison C., Lucretia, deceased; and Merritt. Five of these children still survive. Our subject lived in the Empire State until twenty years of age, receiving a common-school education. From New York he came West to Illinois, where he engaged in the co-operating business, which he followed for seven years, and then went to work at the carpenter trade which he followed for four years. He owned a farm in Illinois and cultivated it part of the time himself. In the spring of 1864 he went to Fremont County, Iowa, where he engaged in the hotel business, dealing cattle and farming at the same time. The next two years we find him engaged in the mercantile business, which he operated two years and then sold out, took possession of the store again and finally disposed of it and came to Harrison County.

Our subject was married in 1852, to Mary HILLS, daughter of Edwin and Phidelia HILLS, natives of Connecticut and New York, who were the parents of two children, our subject's wife being the eldest, her sister's name being Helen A. Our subject and his wife are the parents of E. Parley, deceased; one died in infancy; Fidelia, Gertrude; and Carrie, deceased; Henry, deceased.

Politically, Mr. STEARNS is identified with the Democratic party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 640
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PETERSON - Nels PETERSON, located on section 20, of Allen Township, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty-one years. It was in the autumn of 1860, when he located in Raglan Township, where he worked for his uncle the first year. He worked for various ones for ten years in Harrison County, and then went to California and worked at farming and mining for six years, and then returned to Iowa and bought the farm he now lives upon, consisting of a quarter section of well improved land. Among the improvements he has placed upon his farm may be mentioned a good granary, a fine grove of trees, whose towering braches doubtless, oft remind him of his native land beyond the sea. His place also is provided with an orchard of one hundred trees, which adds much to its value.

The man for whom this sketch is written, was born in Sweden, February 17, 1851, and is the son of Peter and Breta Christena LARSON, who reared a family of seven children, our subject being the eldest. They were named as follows: Nels, Carl, August, Gustave, Alfred, Elizabeth, deceased, and Emma. All of these children who are now living are residents of America, except Emma.

Our subject came to American when nineteen years of age, and from New York harbor came direct to Harrison County, Iowa. He was married November 26, 1885, to Sylvia STREETER, daughter of Ransom and Sarah STREETER, natives of Vermont and Iowa respectively.

Mr. and Mrs. PETERSON have been blessed in their home by the birth of three children--Julia, Eve and Alfred.

Politically, Mr. PETERSON votes with the Alliance party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 640, 641
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YOUNG - Noble W. YOUNG, a farmer living on section 5, of Allen Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1881, and first rented land in Monona County. That fall he sold his crop and rented land of John DICK, in Allen Township, and the next year bought the farm he now occupies, the same consisting of one hundred and thirty-four and one half acres of wild land, upon which he has put substantial improvements, including a good farm house 14x24 feet, good stables, cribs and hog house. He also set out a five grove, and now has fifty acres under the plow, while the balance of his farm is in meadow and pasture land.

Our subject was born in Johnson County, Ind., in August, 1845. He is the son of Jesse and Sarah YOUNG, natives of Indiana, who had five children--William S., Joseph B., Noble W., Rachel C. (deceased), and Archibald A.

Our subject's father married a lady who was a widow, having formerly been married to Jacob BANTA, by whom she had one son--David D., who is now a resident of Indiana.

When seven years of age our subject accompanied his parents to Iowa, and resided with them until he was ten years of age; then his mother died, and he made his home at his uncle's until he was about fourteen years of age. Consequently his school advantages were quite limited, for when fourteen years old he commenced working out by the month to support himself. After two years he went to Illinois, where he worked by the month for five years, then came back to Fremont County, Iowa, remained over winter, and in the spring when to Jefferson County and worked through that season. The next two years he worked in Illinois, after which he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Page County, Iowa, remaining on this farm until he came to Harrison County. He has always had to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and hence knows how every dollar's worth of his property has been made.

Mr. YOUNG was united in marriage April 7, 1879, to Delia STEARNS, the daughter of M. C. and M. F. STEARNS, native of New York, who reared a family of six children, of whom our subject's wife was the second child. The children were: Edwin D., Delia L., Mary G., Carrie, deceased, Parley C., deceased, and Henry M., deceased.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children--Vera A., born January 3, 1882, and Virnie E., October 11, 1885.

Not being fully satisfied with the conduct of either of the two great political parties in this country, our subject belongs to the People's party.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 641, 642
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NEWTON - Edwin NEWTON, an enterprising farmer of St. John's Township, has been associated with the interests of Harrison County since 1867. When he first came here, he lived where Missouri Valley now stands. He worked on the railroad and boarded the officers of the road. After two years and a half, he located on section 2, where he purchased forty acres of land, erected a house, made other improvements, and remained there about seven years, when he sold out and came to his present location, which is lot 4, section 3, of St John's Township.

Mr. NEWTON is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., September 28, 1837, of English ancestry. He can trace his family back to his great-grandfather, Reuben NEWTON, who came from England to Vermont, prior to the Revolutionary War, he having served as a Captain during the fierce struggle for liberty, and was with the "Green Mountain" boys. His son Reuben, the grandfather of our subject was born in Vermont and came to New York State. He was a manufacturer in steelyards. He married Eunice MANLY, a Vermont lady, by whom four children were born: Nathaniel, who moved to Ohio; Lyman, a resident of New York State; Jesse, the father of our subject and Daniel, living in Michigan.

Jesse NEWTON, the father of Edwin NEWTON, was born in Marcellus, New York and was reared on his father's farm. He married Louisa PUDDY, the daughter of James and Eliza (VANN) PUDDY, natives of England, who were the parents of seven children: Caroline, Mrs. TACY, living in Cattaraugus County, N. Y.; Edwin, our subject; Truman, a resident of Buffalo, N. Y.; Augustine, of Boone, Iowa; Reuben, now of Missouri Valley; Orrel, Mrs. STONE, of Jamestown, N. Y.; Harlin, a resident of Castleton, N. Dak.

Our subject was born on his father's farm, where he resided until he was six-teen years of age, assisting his father on the farm, and attending the common schools of that county. In 1852 he started for Oregon, driving cattle. He left Clinton, Iowa, May 18, and got to rogue River Valley, September 22, and from there to California, where he ran a pack train, and remained some two years, returning by the way of the Pacific Ocean and Panama, and thence to New York. He then spent some time in Wisconsin and Michigan, and afterward visited the Southern States, during the Civil War. He was not in either army, but was at Parson COGLE's when the negroes were sent to Island No. 10. He was sent to watch them, and drew the plans of the Island and river posts, and sent them to Commodore FOOTE, and when the Island was taken, he returned to New York, and a few months later came west, and lived at Sycamore, Ill., on a farm, after which he came to Boone, Iowa, and remained three years.

Our subject was united in marriage September 19, 1861, to Miss Martha E. PARCELL, of Rochester, N. Y., the daughter of James and Eliza (ORCHARD) PARCELL, who were of English descent.

Mr. and Mrs. NEWTON are the parents of the following children: Addie, Mrs. GREEVEY, now of Omaha; M. J. born November 25, 1863; William A., October 10, 1866, died May 24, 1867; and Mabel, now Mrs. Dr. W. H. SHERRDEN, born September 3, 1869, now living in Omaha.

Mr. and Mrs. Newton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 636, 637
Family Researcher: NA To Page Index--- To Bio Index
CROASDALE - Benjamin F. CROASDALE, merchant doing business at Little Sioux, will form the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bucks County March 4, 1837,and is the son of Benjamin and Agnes (HARDING) CROASDALE, both deceased. They were also natives of the Keystone State of English descent, who came to America with William PENN. Our subject's early life was spent in Pennsylvania, where he received his education in his native county and at West Chester, Pa. He taught school in 1856 in Bucks County, continuing for one year, then spent two years in a lumber office.

He enlisted May 20, 1861, the month after the breaking out of the Civil War, becoming a member of Company C, Third Pennsylvania Reserves, in the Army of the Potomac. He was at the seven days' fight in front of Richmond, Bull Run, South Mountain, and at Antietam, where he was wounded, placed in the hospital, and discharges for disability. June 25, 1863, he returned to Pennsylvania, remained until 1865, and then came to Council Bluffs, where he was engaged as a clerk in a store until the fall of 1866, and then came to Little Sioux and clerked for J. B. TABOR for two years, after which he went into business for himself and continued until 1887. In the fall of that year he was elected Auditor of Harrison County at a closely contested election, in which he received a majority of forty-five over W. H. WOOD, of Logan. He served in this capacity for two years, to the satisfaction of the whole county.

He was married June 1, 1872, at Little Sioux, to Miss Alice E. HALE, daughter of R. C. and S. (BASSET) HALE. The father died in 1868; he came from Erie County, N. Y., in 1857.

Mr. and Mrs. CROASDALE are the parents of two children--Inez, aged fifteen years, and Clara, aged eight years.

Mr. and Mrs. CROASDALE are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to both the Masonic Lodge and Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a Republican.

Upon coming to the county our subject was a poor man, having a very small capital, but gradually advancing, by his own efforts, he is now comfortably situated.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 642
Family Researcher: NA To Page Index--- To Bio Index
MARTIN - James W. MARTIN, liveryman at Woodbine, is a native of Harrison County, and was born in St. John's Township April 14, 1863, an remained on his father's farm until 1884, when he bought a farm in Lincoln Township, the same being a hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, on section 8. He improved this land, and lived upon it for four years at the end of which time he traded it for a livery business at Woodbine, which he is still conduction. His barn is 22x100 feet with an annex 33x50 feet.

Our subject was married March 20, 1884, to Julia LEGAN, in St. John's Township, who was born December 25, 1864, in Indiana, and accompanied her parents, when she was thirteen years of age, to Harrison County, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN are the parents of vie children--Vernia, Lester, Pearl and Baby twins, the latter dying in infancy; their last born was Floyd.

Politically Mr. MARTIN exercises his right of franchise by voting with the Republican party.

It should be added in this connection that our subject's father was William MARTIN, and that he died in the United States service.

Source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 643
Family Researcher: NA To Page Index--- To Bio Index

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