CHAPMAN - Giles L. CHAPMAN, a leading citizen, and an old settler of Harririson County, was born in New London County, Conn., November 19, 1845. He is the son of Joseph N. and Elizabeth A. (ROTH) CHAPMAN, both natives of Connecticut, but of English descent. The father, Joseph N., was the son of Joseph and Betsy CHAPMAN, and was born in October 1815, and the mother was born March 2, 1819, and was the daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (SHOALS) ROTH.

Joseph N. and Elizabeth CHAPMAN were married November 28, 1839, in Connecticut, where they remained until 1869, and then moved to Iowa, and settled in Douglas Township, Harrison County, on a farm, after first having spent one year in and around Dunlap. This farm is situated on section 5, and here they erected a fine frame residence, in 1870, and made other valuable improvements on the premises. They lived upon this place until 1880, and then moved to Dunlap, where they now reside. They have been associated with the Baptist Church for many years, having united early in life and have always been active, consistent members of that denomination. Mr. Chapman has been a Deacon in this church for some fifty years. Was Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a number of years. His family consists of three children: Rosanna, wife of Lucius EGGLESTON, a resident of Dunlap; George N., deceased, at the age of thirty-three years; he was Principal of the Baltic schools at the time of his death and was in the Civil War four years and sixteen days; Giles L., our subject,. This venerable couple sailed over the changeable sea of life, reared a family of children, who do honor to their name. They were companions on the road until they had passed the fiftieth milestone of their married life, and in the month of October, 1889, when nature was putting on her robes of beauty, and the earlier leaves were falling to the ground, they celebrated their golden wedding and renewed the marriage covenant, that had been solemnized on a like day in 1839.

Giles L. CHAPMAN, the subject of this sketch, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1868. He was reared on his father's farm, educated at the public schools, and at the age of eighteen commenced teaching himself, and followed it for two years. May 30, 1866, he was married to Juliett YOUNG, who was born in Plainfield, Conn., June 24,1843. She was the daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (WOOD) YOUNG, who were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, and died in the former State. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom died in infancy. The second year following the marriage of our subject, he located in Harrison County, Iowa, and took charge of the County Poor Farm for one year, and then removed to Douglas Township, where they purchased forty acres of land, built a house and made other necessary improvements, and lived there for twelve years. He added to his first purchase until he now owns one hundred acres. In 1880 he moved to Dunlap, where he lived four years engaged at various pursuits, including buying and selling property, and also in the butcher business. In 1885 he purchased the farm he now occupies on section 8, the same consisting of seventy acres, upon which he has erected a handsome residence which overlooks the Boyer Valley, presenting a most charming rural landscape, the scene extending for twelve miles. He turns his attention to farming, money-loaning and general brokerage business, and is looked upon as among the far-seeing business men of Harrison County. While he lived in Douglas Township he farmed summers and taught school winters, and was Assessor of the township for four years, and after moving to Harrison Township, was a member of the School Board.

Politically, Mr. CHAPMAN casts his vote with the Republican party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Order, belonging to Lodge No. 178, at Dunlap, and has passed all the Chairs in that Lodge. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having united in 1876, and are also active workers in the Sabbath-school cause. Our subject and his wife are the parents of four children: Nellie I., born in 1870; George N., in 1876; both of whom died and were buried the same day, December 3, 1879. The living children are: Bessie, born September 16, 1881, and Charles, August 1, 1882.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 416-417
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
SEELEY - Alvin SEELEY, a farmer of section 21, Magnolia Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since the autumn of 1866, when he bought a quarter section, a part of his present farm. There were about thirty acres under the plow, and a frame house 16x24 feet on the place, in which he lived until 1884, and then built his present farm house. He sold eighty acres of his original place and bought forty more, making one hundred and twenty in his farm, besides forty acres of timber land. When he came to the county, he supposed that he would have a range for his cattle, as long as he lived, believing that the hill sides and uneven surface of Magnolia Township, would never be settled in his day.

Mr. SEELEY was born in Erie County, Pa., March 6, 1830, and in 1843, his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio, and lived there until 1850, then moved to Hillsdale County, Mich., where his father cleared up and improved a farm. In 1852, our subject left the paternal roof and went to work at $14 per month, and bought forty acres of land with his wages. He remained there until 1866, sold out and came to Harrison County, Iowa.

He was married in Hillsdale County, Mich., August 26, 1855, to Miss Julia PALMER. Mr. and Mrs. SEELEY are the parents of five children, born as follows: Jennie M., March 3, 1857; Jerome F., February 13, 1860; Anna. August 20, 1863; Clara M., March 16, 1866; and Roy A., September 27, 1873. Mrs. (PALMER) SEELEY was born in Ohio, May 24. 1837, and when a girl moved to Hillsdale, Mich.

Daniel SEELEY, father of our subject, was born in Vermont in 1800, and when a small boy his parents removed to Erie County, Penn., and in 1843 moved to Ohio, and in 1850 to Hillsdale County, Mich., where he died in 1889.

Sophia (HART) SEELEY was born in Rhode Island about 1810, and she came to Erie County, Pa., with her parents where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. SEELEY are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 417-418
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
GANZHORN - William GANZHORN, a successful farmer and stock-grower residing on section 1, of Magnolia Township, has been a resident of the county for twenty-one years, coming as he did in the spring of 1870, and worked by the month for Frank Clark, remaining with him ten months. In the spring of 1871, he rented a farm in Magnolia Township, for one year, in partnership with Uncle Henry Zanker, who, the following year, bought a half of section 36, in Allen Township. This was wild prairie land, which they improved and farmed for three years, at the end of which time "Uncle Henry" got away with our subject financially, when he again became a renter, having lost everything except one horse. But being possessed with the genuine grit he rented two years and then bought eighty acres where he now lives. He built a frame house 16x24 feet, with an addition of 14x16 feet, and the same year (1880) erected a barn 24x26 feet, to which he has since added. Year by year this good manager and hard worker has accumulated until he has four hundred and eighty acres in Magnolia Township, and eighty acres in Allen, with two hundred and fifty-five acres under the plow. He usually feeds two car loads of cattle a season.

Mr. GANZHORN was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 2, 1848. When eight years of age he accompanied his sister to America, having an uncle in Lancaster County, Pa. In 1865 they both came to Johnson County, Iowa. Our subject remained with his uncle two years, receiving $5 through the season, and working for his board in the winter. The next three years he worked for another farmer, at $20 per month, and then came to Harrison County.

He was married in this county, January 1, 1873, to Miss Bertha BOLLIER, and they were the parents of seven children�Caroline, Magdalena, Arthur, Ernest, Anna, Henry and Effie.

Bertha (BOLLIER) GANZHORN was born in Switzerland, May 1, 1855, and accompanied her parents to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1863, and to Harrison County, in 1868. Her parents settled in Magnolia.

Mr. and Mrs. GANZHORN are members of the Evangelical Church at Magnolia.

Mr. GANZHORN has seen many a hard year, and knows full well the cost of every dollar's worth of property he possesses. Coming as he did to this country from the Old World, working by the month at low wages and then losing all that he had gained by reason of a faithless partner, and then rising again to become one of the largest landholders in his township, he is entitled to much credit, and the writer believes that he does have the respect of all within his community.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 418-419
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
FALLON - William T. FALLON, a farmer living in Magnolia Township came to Harrison County, in January, 1857, settling at Magnolia, where he clerked in the store for J. W. Bates for about two years, then went into business on his own account, handling general merchandise at Magnolia. He continued this for about three years, and then sold out and went to Colorado. This was in August, 1860. He engaged in freighting with a mule-team making his first trip to Denver. In 1861 he made four trips, and all told he has made thirty-one trips across the plains. Upon one occasion he drove one hundred and twenty-five head of cattle through to Denver. Among his overland freighting trips he made one to Salt Lake and one to Idaho City, and, while it will be remembered that this was during the Indian trouble in the West, he was never molested by them; but upon one occasion they passed where three men had been burned and their wagons destroyed, a few days before they got there. Mr. FALLON quit the plains in the autumn of 1865, and returned to Magnolia, and went to farming on a farm he had purchased on section 33, containing one hundred and sixty acres: this he had purchased in 1855. He improved this farm partly before he went to freighting on the plains, but mostly after he returned. After running this farm for five years he came to Magnolia and operated the Bates House for five years, leaving that in November, 1876. He returned to his farm where he remained until March, 1880, when he returned to the village of Magnolia again, still carrying on his farm. The first house built on his place was a frame structure 14x24 feet, built out of cottonwood lumber. Afterward he built an addition to this house and it is now used as a storehouse for his machinery and also for granery purposes.

He was born in Cecil County, Md., November 15, 1834, and in 1851 came with his parents to Mills County, Iowa, where he remained until 1857, and then came to Harrison County.

He was married at Magnolia, Iowa, January 28, 1866, to Miss Amelia E. PATCH, and they are the parents of four children born as follows: Lloyd W., August 15, 1867; Willard B., May 5, 1872; Hattie I., September 28, 1873, and Augustus E., February 5. 1877.

Amelia E. (PATCH) FALLON was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, January 19, 1843, and in 1853 her father came to Harrison County, Iowa. Her mother died in Ohio.

The father of our subject (Lloyd FALLON) was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1804, and when a young man went to Maryland, where he was foreman in the Elk Rolling Mills. He worked at this business until 1851, and then left for Mills County, Iowa, where he died in March, 1883. His wife, Sarah (FURGESON) FALLON was born in Cecil County, Md., December 15, 1805, and remained there with her parents until the date of her marriage.

Of the parents of our subject's wife let it be said that Joel H. PATCH, the father, was born in Massachusetts, October 10, 1814, and when four years of age his parents moved to Lake County, Ohio, where he remained until 1853, during which year he settled in Magnolia Township, and there remained on his farm until his death, January 21, 1879. He was one of the first pioneers who came to Harrison County, and was one in whom all had confidence.

Hannah (ROBINSON) PATCH was born in Connecticut, August 18, 1817, and came with her parents to Ohio, where she was married. She died in Ohio, June 29, 1847. She and her husband were the parents of four children, of whom our subject's wife was the third child.

Mr. FALLON's parents had six children, he being the eldest. His mother was a widow prior to her marriage to his father, and by her first husband she had two children.

Mr. and Mrs. FALLON are members of the Latter Day Saints Church, he uniting in May 1875, and his wife a year later. The three youngest children are also members of the same church.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 419-420
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
MINTUN - Daniel P. MINTUN, of section 19, Taylor Township, has been a resident of Harrison County since January, 1874, when he rented a farm for two years, after which he returned to Madison County, Iowa, remained one year, then went to Washington County, where he worked at the trade of a plasterer. He lived there and worked at his trade until the autumn of 1878, when he again removed to Harrison County, and rented the farm which he now occupies. At the end of three years he purchased this farm.

He was born in Hendricks County, Ind., October 16, 1837, and in 1838 his parents removed to Lee County, Iowa, where his father claimed land. Our subject remained with his parents until he was nine years of age, during which time they removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, and remained four years, then removed to Washington County Iowa, and in 1856 went to work at the mason's trade, which he has followed nearly, ever since.

Mr. MINTUN was united in marriage in Brighton, Washington County, Iowa, March 1, 1859, to Miss Mary J. DONOVAN, the daughter of George and Ann (HICKS) DONOVAN. The father was a native of Kentucky, and the mother a native of Ireland. Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children: Ardivan W.; Ida B., Mrs. TURNER; George M., Josephine, Mrs. HAYES; Edward P. and Mary A., all of whom are living. Mary J. (DONOVAN) MINTUN was born in Clark County, Ohio, March 30, 1838, and in 1849 came with her parents to Washington County, Iowa.

John MINTUN, our subject's father, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1809, and died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 8, 1874. His mother was Mary (COX) MINTUN, born in Ohio in 1811, and passed from the scenes of this life September 8, 1864, at Brighton, Iowa. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, our subject being the third child. The mother was a member of the Christian Church. Our subject's wife's father was George DONOVAN, born in Kentucky, December 26, 1807, and died in Washington County, Iowa, February 24, 1882. The mother is still living in Washington County. She was born in Ireland, in 1811, and came to America with her parents when she was a baby. Mr. and Mrs. George DONOVAN were the parents of fourteen children, nine daughters and five sons, Mrs. MINTUN being the third child.

Ida B. (MINTUN) TURNER, daughter of our subject, was born in Washington County, Iowa, October 6, 1862, and was married in Taylor Township, Harrison County, at her father's home, March 1, 1885, to George W. TURNER, by whom she had two children -- Daniel B. and Georgie A. George W. TURNER died at Daniel P. MINTUN's February 4, 1888; he was born near Valparaiso, Ind., April 4, 1853. Mrs. Turner, since the death of her husband, follows school teaching as she had done before her marriage. She has taught twelve terms in all. Josephine (MINTUN) HAYES, another daughter, is married and lives at Appleton, Minn

George M. MINTUN, son of our subject, was born in Marion County, Iowa, August 10, 1864. He remained at home until he was seventeen years old, and then worked out by the month on a farm. He spent a part of the years 1886-87 in Dakota and Wyoming, teaming for the railroad company, after which he returned to Harrison County, and worked two years for Col. Cochran. He was married February 12, 1890, to Miss Louisa FARBER, by whom one child was born, Addison M.

After Mr. and Mrs. MINTUN (our subject and his wife) were married, they lived in Washington County three years, then removed to Marion County, remained two years and then removed to Leavenworth, Kan., where they remained a short time and returned to Washington County, Iowa, where they remained until 1874, at which time they came overland to Harrison County.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 422-423
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
PEASE - Ziba W. PEASE, blacksmith and wagon-maker, at Dunlap, who also deals in agricultural implements, is one of the enterprising mechanical and business factors of that place. He founded his business in July, 1870, in a shop 18x24 feet, and two stories high. Here he carried on his trade until 1880, when he erected his present shop, which is 25x100 feet and two stories high. Here he carries on a general blacksmithing business, operating three forges and manufactures all kinds of farm, spring and road wagons, also does carriage work. He built the first wagons and carriages ever made in Dunlap.

Our subject is a native of Michigan, and was born November 10, 1842. He is a son of H. C. and Louisa (TURNER) PEASE, natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. They are descendants of the early settlers of the Eastern States, who trace their ancestry back to English origin. The grandfather of our subject was Oliver C. PEASE, of Massachusetts. The father of our subject was born in Massachusetts, July 5, 1808, and was reared in the Empire State upon a farm, and also followed sailing on the lakes for a short time. When a young man he went to Adrian, Mich., where he was united in marriage to Louisa P. TURNER, who was born in New York State. After they were married they settled in the town of Blissfield, where they resided until about 1863, and about the year 1868, he removed to Bert County, Neb., having resided in Benton County, Iowa, for about five years. In the spring of 1880 or 81 he returned to Iowa, locating at Dunlap, where he died May 19, 1890. The wife is still living. They had a family of nine children, Rebecca R., widow of Jonathan OSBORNE, a resident of Jefferson, Iowa; J. W., our subject, born November 10, 1842; H. E., a resident of Dunlap; Oliver C., living in Pittsburg, Kan.; Hampton A., living in Mankato, Kan.; Alfred L., a resident of Washington; Louisa R. (deceased), wife of Cyrus MANSFIELD, Jefferson, Iowa; Vienna A., wife of William AYLES, a resident of Blair, Neb.; Ella W., wife of Frank COURTWRIGHT, a resident of Garden City, Kan.

Ziba W. was reared in his native state midst the scenes of rural life, and was educated in the old log school houses common to pioneer days. At the age of nineteen he went to Palmyra, Mich., and learned the wheelwright and blacksmithing trades, mastering both branches. He completed his trade in Adrian, Mich., remaining in the Wolverine State and working at his trade some eleven years, and in 1870, located at Dunlap, Iowa, where he has done a large business ever since. He employs three skilled men, and at times has use for more. It may be said of him that he is a thorough mechanic, and purely a self-made man, having worked himself up the financial scale, until to-day he is one of the well-to-do men of Harrison County, owning several valuable pieces of property.

Politically, he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Golden Rule Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 178, having been a member of that fraternity for twenty-five years, and has taken the Encampment Degree and passed most of the chairs in that lodge.

He was married November 12, 1867, to Elizabeth FRANCISCO, a native of Michigan, born February 9, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. PEASE are the parents of five children.

It only needs to be added that Mr. PEASE is an active, leading citizen, always ready to assist, and is held in high esteem by his friends, who number legion.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 423-424
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
GRIFFIN - William R. GRIFFIN, of the firm of Griffin & Jensen, Dunlap, Iowa, who are the proprietors of one of the finest meat market establishments in Western Iowa, will form the subject of this notice. This business was established October 1, 1890. They have worked up a large trade, slaughtering five head of cattle per week. Our subject, who is the senior member of the firm, was born in New London, Canada, May 9, 1869. He is the son of Charles P., and Elizabeth (PIPER) GRIFFIN, natives of Devonshire, England, and who are now residents of Stewart, Iowa. The father being a butcher by trade is still engaged at such work. William R., of whom we write, was reared in his native country, up to the time he was four years of age, when the family moved to Eldora, Iowa, where they lived three years and then went to Stewart. Here our subject was reared and educated and when old enough engaged in the butcher business. At the age of nineteen he opened a shop of his own in Stewart, Iowa, where he operated for about one year, and then spent a year in the West, chiefly in Denver, Colo. Upon his return to Iowa, he re-purchased his former business and continued to operate it until he came to Dunlap.

Politically, Mr. GRIFFIN is identified with the Republican party. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias Order, and is what may be termed an enterprising young business man, who is almost sure to win success as the years shall come and go. He is a fine musician, as was every member of his father's family. The children are Albert C., a resident of Denver, Colo., a printer by trade, who is also the leader of the Alpha Band; William B., our subject; Ethel, at home a music teacher, also a member of the family band; Arthur H., at home, a butcher by trade and teacher of band music; Frank, at home, a member of the family band; Fred, at home and a member of the family band; Edgar, at home and a member of the family band. The family constitutes a full band, both brass and orchestra music, each member handling an instrument of some kind. It is a remarkable family in this respect, their musical talent being a gift of nature, none of them ever taking lessons outside of their home circle.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, p. 426
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
JENSEN - Christopher M. JENSEN, junior partner of the firm of Griffin & Jensen, proprietors of a meat market at Dunlap, Iowa. He was born in Europe, July 23, 1863, and when six years of age, he in company with his parents and two sisters came to America, and located at Dexter, Dallas County, Iowa, where he was reared and received his education at the public schools, and also took a thorough course in German. When he was twenty-one years of age he embarked in business for himself, at the town of Dexter, where he operated a meat market for two years, and then removed to Stewart, Iowa, where he worked a short time at his trade and then purchased an interest in the meat market. After about eighteen months he removed to Denver, Colo., spent four months and returned to Iowa, and spent his time at various places until 1890, when he located in Dunlap.

His parents were Julius and Dorothy (CLAUSAN) JENSEN. The father resides at Dexter, Iowa, his good wife dying when our subject was but seven years old. The family consisted of four children -- Anna, wife of J. ABBOTT, a resident of Creston, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Benjamin WILT, of Earlham, Madison County, Iowa; our subject, Christopher; Ida, deceased.

Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias order, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 426-427
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index
BENJAMIN - John A. BENJAMIN, of Dunlap, one of the pioneer settlers of Western Iowa, came from Du Page County, Ill., in 1857, and located at Galland's Grove for a time, where he purchased a tract of timberland and rented a farm near the Village of Manteno, Shelby County, where he made his home until 1862, and August 18, of that year (the second year of time Civil War), he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, by a rifle-ball, in the leg; he was taken prisoner of war the same day, April 30, 1864, and was held at Camden, Ark., three months. He was at Shreveport, La., and Camp Ford, Tex., and was paroled February 25, 1865. He participated in the battles of Helena, Ark., in 1863; Little Rock, Ark., the same year, and Jenkins' Ferry. The last named was one continuous fire of rifle and cannonshot. Our subject was honorably discharged June 3, 1865, after which he returned to Shelby County, and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1867, when he moved to his farm, on section 12, Harrison Township, which consisted of eighty acres, to which he has added a hundred acres, including timber-land in Shelby County. He improved and resided on this place until 1880, when he removed to Dunlap, in order to educate his children. He has retired from active service, and is enjoying the fruits of his long years of toil.

To go back earlier in his life, it may be stated that he was born in Warren County, Ind., February 26, 1831, and when three years of age his parents removed to Du Page County, Ill. He was reared and educated in the Prairie State upon a farm, attending the district school. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-four years old. October 1, 1854, he was married to Margaret BILLINGS, a native of Warren County, Ind., born January 27, 1834. After his marriage his family remained in Illinois until 1859, when they came to Iowa. His family consists of eight children: Wilson, a resident of Colorado; Alice, wife of H. S. RUNNALDS, of Council Bluffs; Robert; Allen, a resident of Dunlap; Lillie, wife of George CLARK, of Crawford County, Iowa; Frank, (deceased); James and Benton (twins). James resides at home and Benton in Utah.

Our subject is a stanch Republican, and is a member of Shields Post No. 83, of the Grand Army of the Republic; also a member of the Golden Rule Lodge No, 178, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is Past Grand, and has filled all the chairs of his lodge.

The father of our subject is still living in Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother died in 1862. They reared a family of eight children: -- William, John A., Nathan and Daniel (twins); Elizabeth, George, Walter, and Elva.

The father was a farmer by occupation, and one of the leading citizens of the county in which he lives. His son, our subject, a "chip of the old block," when he came to this county only possessed ten dollars in money, a span of horses and a wagon, and a little furniture, but to-day he is counted a well-to-do citizen.

source: 1891 Harrison County Iowa History, pp. 427-428
Family Researcher: NA To Bio Index

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