Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa
New York, Chicago: Lewis publishing Co., S. Thompson Lewis, editor. 1903
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
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GEORGE D. PORTER & CLAUDE R. PORTER - Through a long line of good Irish ancestral stock - and a good ancestral heritage is often worth more than money - reared among surroundings that were favorable to the growth and development of the excellent traits of his character, the subject of this biography was one who made the most of life's opportunities, and his career is well worth study and emulation. In tracing the ancestry of the Porter family we find that in the year 1797 Robert Porter with his wife Elizabeth and son George left their native land of Ireland and sought a home in the new world, landing at Wilmington. From there he drifted into Pennsylvania, and there maintained his residence. So far as is known he had only one son, George, who was born in Ireland and married Mollie Dougal. Their son, George D. Porter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and married Sarah McCoy, and they became the parents of the subject of this sketch. George D., Sr., was a Presbyterian minister, and preached at various points in Illinois, later moving to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1851, in which state he preached at several points. He continued in the active work of the ministry until his death, which occurred in Blairstown, Iowa.
George D., the son of George D. and Sarah (McCoy) Porter, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1846. He obtained a fair education in the public schools and later studied law in Richmond, Missouri, being admitted to the bar at that place. He began the practice of his profession at Moulton, Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1870. In the following year he returned to Richmond, and there married Hannah Rodman, a native of Indiana. They then came to Moulton, but soon took up their residence in Centerville, where he carried on a very lucrative general law practice. Mr. Porter was a thorough believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and was always active in the party councils. The citizens of Centerville chose him to the important position of mayor of the municipality, and he also served on the school board. His useful life came to an end in Centerville, on the 11th of February, 1899, and thus passed away a man whose worth was well recognized by his fellow-citizens and whose influence in public and social affairs will long be felt in the community. He left behind his widow, who resides in Centerville, and five children: Claude R., Sadie L., Northa I., George McCoy, and Anna Mary.
Claude R. Porter, the son of George D. and Hannah (Rodman) Porter, was born in Moulton, Iowa, July 8, 1872. After graduating at the Centerville high school he spent one year of study at Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa. He then decided upon the legal profession as his life work, and after studying under his father for a time attended the St. Louis Law School for one year, and was admitted to the Iowa bar in October, 1893. He has since carried on a high-class practice in Centerville. As an evidence of his popularity and eminent fitness for important positions in county and state, it is only necessary to give the offices he has held in the gift of the people. Although, like his father, he was an ardent Democrat, in 1895 the voters of his county, which is Republican, elected him as a representative to the lower house, and chose him again in 1897, while in 1899 he was made state senator from the district consisting of Appanoose and Davis counties, which is a Republican district, and in 1902 he was elected county attorney of Appanoose county. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, and in religion is a Presbyterian. In 1899 his marriage was celebrated to Miss Maud L. Boutin, of Centerville, and they have one son, George.
ASBURY W. POTTS - One of the most prosperous and substantial farmers of Appanoose county, Iowa, is Asbury W. Potts, who owns and operates a valuable farm in Chariton township, it's neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicating his careful supervision and excellent management. He belongs to an old Virginia family, noted for industry, honesty and morality. His birthplace was Jackson county, now West Virginia, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 2nd of October, 1846, the year Iowa was admitted in the Union. His father, William H. Potts, was born in Bath county, Virginia, October 29, 1824, and was one of the early settlers of Chariton township, Appanoose county, Iowa. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Potts, was born in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, and was the son of a well known hotel man of Baltimore, Maryland, the family having previously resided in the latter state. William H. Potts grew to manhood in the Old Dominion and there married Rachel Welch, a native of the same state, and a daughter of John Welch, who died in Virginia. In 1849 Jacob Potts and his wife and children, of whom William H. was one, together with their families, came to Iowa, making the journey by water, down the Ohio and up the Mississippi, to Keokuk. They located in Franklin township, Monroe county, where the grandparents of our subject spent their remaining days, their deaths occurring on the old homestead where they first settled. Upon his own place in Chariton township William H. Potts built a log house and at once began to break the sod and cultivate the fields. He died in 1857 at the comparatively early age of thirty-three years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a good husband and father and a kind neighbor. His widow still survives him, being now in her eightieth year, as she was born on the 16th of September,1823. She is well preserved both in mind and body, and is well loved for her kindness of heart and many admirable characteristics. She is still living on the old home farm. In her family were five children, namely: Asbury W., whose name introduces this sketch; Cornelia E., wife of H. A. Thompson; Bernhart H., a resident of Monroe county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Miner, who died in Graham county, Kansas, and Eugenie, who lives with her mother. In his political views the father was a Democrat.
Asbury W. Potts was quite small when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa and was only eleven years old when his father died. Being the oldest of the family, he became his mother's assistant in the operation of the farm and in providing for the younger children. He early learned lessons of honesty and industry, which have been the chief elements in his success. He attended school in a log cabin furnished with slab benches that were immovable, and the writing desk was made by a slab placed upon pins driven into the wall.
Mr. Potts remained with his mother until he was married, at the age of twenty-three, in Monroe county, Iowa, the lady of his choice being Miss Cynthia O. Gilliland, one of the most popular and successful teachers of this part of the state at that time. She was born, reared and educated in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in teaching for a time in that state prior to coming west. Her parents, Simpson and Hannah (Lewis) Gilliland, were also natives of Crawford county, where they spent their entire lives, the former dying at the age of fifty years, the latter at the age of forty-five. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a Republican in politics. By occupation he was a farmer. They had four children: William L. and Cynthia O., who are still living, and Samuel A. and Mrs. Mary Thompson, now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Potts were born five children: Albert, the eldest, is now a widower and has one child; he resides with his father, al- though he owns a farm of his own. Jessie is the wife of W. P. Davis, of Monroe county, Iowa. Horton is married and lives on a farm in Chariton township. Amy is the wife of O. Duvall, of Taylor township. Elva, the youngest of the family, is at home. The children have all received good educations and the family is one of prominence in the community where they reside. The sons are capable business men and are meeting with success in their undertakings.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Potts has followed farming and has steadily prospered until he is now the owner of eight hundred and ninety acres of the best farming land in Appanoose county. His elegant home was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars, and everything about the place is in perfect harmony therewith. There are large barns and other outbuildings and a windmill, while a fine orchard and grove add greatly to the beauty of the place. The fields are well cultivated, and everything betokens a painstaking and progressive owner, who thoroughly understands his chosen vocation. He is an up-to-date farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of high grade cattle. The success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own well directed and energetic efforts, for he started out with no capital, and he deserves an honored place on the roll of the county's self-made men. He is a man of more than ordinary business ability, possesses keen discrimination and sound judgment, and these qualities have enabled him to leave the ranks of the many and stand among the successful few. In manner he is hospitable, frank and genial, and he makes many friends. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and with her husband shares in the friendship of all who know her.
HENRY PERRY POWERS - In studying the ancestral sources of this family we discover that the progenitors were from Germany and that the name was originally spelled Pouer, then Power, and later Powers; and it is also possible to see in the character of our worthy subject some of the sturdy traits that be must have inherited from his Teutonic forefathers, who as a people still retain the characteristics that have made them famous since the dawn of history. The earliest American ancestor of whom we have definite knowledge was grandfather Joseph Powers, a native of Virginia. Thomas Powers, the son of Joseph, was a native of West Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio; in that state he married Mary Barron, a native of New York, and in 1851 came to Iowa; they settled near Centerville and spent the remainder of their days in and about that town. In early life he followed farming and later engaged in the carpenter's trade, and these two occupations made the principal pursuits of his life. Although he was ardent in his adherence to the principles of the Democratic party, he never aspired to hold any public office. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Twelve children were born to them, and eleven of these are still living.
Henry Perry, the son of Thomas and Mary (Barron) Powers, is a native of Centerville, Appanoose county, Iowa, being born in that thriving city on the 28th day of February, 1836. He passed the first twenty-one years of his life in and about Centerville and had the privilege of a common school education. When he became of age he came to Moulton and learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed up to 1889. But within him there was the constant desire for higher things which finally impelled him to put aside his awl and take up the study of law. He began reading law with W. F. Garrett, which he continued till 1894, and then entered Drake University to carry out his studies. He was successful and in 1895 passed the examination before the supreme court and was admitted to the bar. He then returned to Moulton and opened an office and has since been carrying on a good practice, at the same time dealing in fire insurance and real estate. He owns a fine professional library and is a deep student of all the live questions of the day.
In the true sense of the word Mr. Powers is a self-made man, and as such deserves all the rewards that have come to his well directed efforts. He is a Democrat, a Baptist, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie Ogden, a native of Appanoose county, and they have two children, Buhless and Harry.
 Edward T. Printz |
EDWARD TRENTON PRINTZ - The medical profession has an eminent representative in Edward Trenton Printz, a leading physician of Moulton, Appanoose county, Iowa. He is of German ancestry and inherits some of the estimable traits of that worthy race. Peter Printz, his paternal grandfather, was of German lineage and a native of Virginia, being a large planter. Solomon Printz, our subject's father, married Sarah Kibler, whose Father, John Kibler, was a Virginia planter and also of German descent, and later came west with our subject's parents and died in Illinois at the age of eighty-seven. Solomon and Sarah Printz were both natives of Page county, Virginia, and in 1849, with a family of two sons and two daughters, came west in a wagon and settled in Jasper county, Illinois, on a farm; there they spent the rest of their lives, he dying when past sixty, and she when past seventy. They belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran church, and he was an active Democrat and a successful farmer. Their children were as follows: Calvin F., deceased; Hiram, living in Newton, Illinois, and a prominent business man of that place; the two daughters next in order died in childhood in Illinois; Lydia, the wife of Mr. Strall, of Illinois; John A., a farmer and stock-raiser of Jasper county, Illinois; Edward Trenton; and Mary, who died at the age of twenty-six years. |
Edward Trenton Printz was born in Newton, Jasper county, Illinois, November 6, 1856, and was reared on a farm up to his sixteenth year; he first attended the country schools and then attended the normal school at Newton. Having fitted himself thoroughly for the task of teaching, he followed that profession for five years in the state of his birth. Having decided that his bent of mind was toward medicine as a calling, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago and graduated in 1884, after which he located in Newton, Illinois, and practiced for two years. The date of his arrival in Moulton is 1886, since which time he has gained a large and lucrative patronage. Mr. Printz is a member of a number of professional organizations, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Des Moines Valley Medical Society, the Appanoose and Wayne Counties Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the National Association of Railway Surgeons.
Dr. Printz was married in 1888 to Lizzie Marshall, who died in 1890; in 1895 he was married to Verna Dye, and he has had two children by his last wife. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
EMERY MELVILLE PROBASCO - The legal profession is the lodestone that attracts many a man of keen, brilliant intellect, for in that field lie boundless opportunities for wealth, social position and fame. And one of the devotees of the law in Appanoose County and one to whom marked success has come while still young, is the attorney whose name heads this article.
Grandfather Peter Probasco was a native of New Jersey and later came west and made a permanent settlement in Putnam county, Missouri, where he entered land and devoted almost all the rest of his life to farming; toward the end of his life he started to California to spend his last years, but while visiting in Wayne county, Iowa, he passed away, being about seventy years of age. He reared a large family, and of this was Edward Probasco, the father of our subject. The latter was born in New York, came west to Missouri and was a pioneer merchant of Mendota, that state: about 1880 he came to Appanoose county, Iowa, and here pursued farming for ten years; in 1890 he removed to Moulton, where he engaged in the lumber business for a time, but is now retired. During the Civil war he served in the Union army for two years. While living in Missouri he was married to Malinda R. McConnel, a native of Iowa and of Scotch descent; only three children of this union arrived at years of maturity.
Of this parentage Emery Melville Probasco was born in the village of Mendota, Putnam county, Missouri, September 20, 1871. His childhood and youth were spent on a farm and in the common schools; he graduated at the high school at Moulton and also the Highland Park Commercial College. Having determined upon the study of law, he was graduated in 1897 in the law department of the Iowa State University and in June of the same year was admitted to the bar. He then opened up his office in Moulton and was soon enjoying a good practice. In politics Mr. Probasco's lot has been cast with the Republican party, and as the candidate of that party he was chosen to the office of county attorney in 1900; on the first day of the following year he entered upon his duties, at the same time removing to Centerville. He has shown much ability in the conduct of this position and now ranks as one of the rising lawyers of the county. Mr. Probasco was happily married in 1901, Miss Anna Nelson of Indianola, Iowa, becoming his wife.
DAVID PUGH , belongs to a family that was connected with the early settlement of different sections of this country, and he himself can claim the right to attend the conventions of the old settlers of Iowa. No class of people is worthy of more respect than those who have blazed the way for the oncoming army of civilization, and in the coming years the figures of these brave and hardy pioneers will loom up larger and larger on the horizon of history, for to them belongs in great measure the credit for "western expansion," the wonder of the nineteenth century. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Levi and Jane (Watkins) Pugh, both natives of Virginia. Levi Pugh was one of the honored veterans in the war for the final vindication of American rights in 1812, and by occupation he was a tiller of the soil. Joining the tide of emigration which, after the war for independence, streamed across the mountains into the western territory, in 1827 they settled in Wayne county, Indiana, and from there moved to Washington county. Levi Pugh died while living in Wayne county, and his wife passed away in Harrison county, Missouri.
David Pugh claims the Old Dominion state for his birthplace, being born in Montgomery county, January 12, 1819, and he spent his youth in the invigorating work of the farm, and moved with his parents to their different places of residence. His coming to Johns township, Appanoose county, is dated on May 9, 1854, and he has ever since made this his home, with the exception of twenty-two months spent in Kansas. His occupation throughout his active career has been that of farmer and teamster. In 1892 he removed to Plano, and he now resides there with his wife, spending his remaining days in peace, and quiet contemplation of the future and happy memories of the past.
Mr. Pugh was married in 1842 to Nancy Needham, a native of Jennings county, Indiana, born May 4, 1824. She was living with her parents, Enoch and Lucretia (Spaulding) Needham, in Bartholomew county, Indiana, at the time of her marriage, and in that state both her parents died. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pugh twelve children. Five of these died in infancy, one was killed while bravely serving his country in the Civil war, and the five now living are as follows: Mrs. Jennie Baird, of Centerville; Mrs. Ann Baker, of Kansas; Preston Pugh, in Nebraska; William H. Pugh, in Kansas; and Mrs. Josephine Needham, living in Ringgold county, Iowa.
GEORGE T. PULLIAM - The most that can be attempted in a brief sketch of this kind is a recital of the main facts of the outward life of a man, and from these details posterity must judge the character of him who lived and wrought in the past; but surely it does not always require the seer to scan the history of the individual to judge his fitness for the higher rewards of the world, for the book of man's life lies open and there the deeds done here show the fruit of his best endeavors. And while the career of the prominent citizen of Moulton, Iowa, whose name heads this article, may be summed up in a few lines, there is evidence therein of hard, conscientious, well directed effort, ever lifting the life of today a step above that of the yesterday.
The father and mother of George T. Pulliam were James and Charity (Hindi) Pulliam, both natives of Kentucky; they were taken to Illinois in youth and there they grew up and married. In 1853 they came to Iowa and first settled near Eddyville; the next year they removed to Davis county, and in 1856 moved to Orleans, Appanoose county. He was a farmer, a merchant and a stock dealer, and was one of the pioneers of the village of Orleans. He was a pioneer Republican, joining that political organization at its inception; in religion he and his family were members of the Christian church. He died in 1868 at the age of fifty years. In 1858, while living in Orleans, his first wife died, aged thirty-six years, having borne him six children. The oldest son, William H., served in the Twenty-first Missouri Infantry and later in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry; during the siege of Atlanta he received a wound and from its effects died August 1, 1864.
The birth of George T. Pulliam occurred in Pike county, Illinois, November 1, 1849. His boyhood was spent on the farm and he was given a common school education. At the age of twenty he was thrown upon his own resources and soon started upon his career as a merchant in Moulton; he was one of the successful retailers of that town for more than twenty-five years, but in 1898 he retired; his principal line was clothing. For twenty years J. V. Wooldridge was his partner, first under the name Wooldridge, Pulliam & Deupree, and then Wooldridge & Pulliam, and later Geo. F. Pulliam.
In 1885 Mr. Pulliam was married to Miss Ollie M. Gates, who was at the time a very popular and successful teacher in the Moulton schools. In politics he is Republican; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a great friend of the public schools, of which they are so justly proud. His success is due to his own efforts, and he is justly ranked as one of the leading business men of Moulton and Appanoose county.
THOMAS PULLIAM , one of the old settlers and highly respected citizens of Sharon township, Appanoose county, was born in Pike county, Illinois, on the 26th day of January, 1843, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Likes) Pulliam. His paternal grandfather was Thomas Pulliam, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Illinois and there spent his last days, his death occurring in that state. The father of our subject was born in a block-house on the Wabash river in Illinois during the pioneer development of the state. The place in which he was born had been built for the protection of the settlers against the Indians, and all was wild and unimproved in that region. After arriving at years of maturity he was married in his native state to Miss Rebecca Likes, who was born in Indiana and was a daughter of William Likes, a native of Pennsylvania. Both of the grandfathers of our subject were soldiers in the war of 1812, and removed to Illinois in pioneer times, taking an active part in laying broad and deep the foundation for the future development and progress of the localities with which they were associated. After their marriage the parents of our subject continued to live in Illinois until March, 1864, when they determined to seek a home in Iowa, and settled in Wells township, Appanoose county, where both passed away, the mother departing this life about 1873, while the father survived her for three years and died in 1876, at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters, and three of the sons are now deceased. In order to support his family the father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life, being a progressive and enterprising farmer. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat, and in religious faith was a Dunkard, while his wife held membership with the Baptist church.
Thomas Pulliam was reared upon the home farm and received a common school education. He was only eighteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Union army, joining the boys in blue on the 14th of August, 1862. He was assigned as a private to Company F., One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry, and remained with that command for more than three years, when he was honorably discharged, on the 30th of October, 1865. He participated in the Vicksburg campaign, including the siege and capture of the city, and was afterward in the battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River and many other engagements. At Black River the company was mounted and thereafter was on cavalry duty. Mr. Pulliam was ever found to be a loyal soldier, faithful to the old flag and the cause it represented. He was always found at his post of duty, whether in the midst of battle or upon the tented fields.
After the war was over and the country no longer needed his Services, Mr. Pulliam returned home. He first came to Appanoose county in 1865 and remained for a year. He then returned to his native state, where he spent two years, and then once more came to Appanoose county. Later, however, he removed to Missouri, where he resided for ten years, but since 1882 has made his home continuously in this county, following the occupation of farming. He has one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he has operated with good success, acquiring a comfortable competence, which now enables him to enjoy not only the necessities but many of the comforts of life.
In 1869 Mr. Pulliam was united in marriage to Miss Laura Smith, who was born in Ohio, and they have an interesting family of five children: Emma, Charles, Edward, Gertrude and Laura. Mr. Pulliam exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business affairs, which he has capably conducted, with the result that he is now a prosperous farmer of his adopted county.