Colfax Township Biographies

Excerpt from The History of Dallas County, Iowa, published in 1879 by the Union Historical Company of Des Moines, Iowa

Armagost, Elias G., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Dallas Center.

Arthurs, Geo., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Arthurs, Wm., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Badger, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Panther Creek.

Bates, John, farmer, Sec.29; P.O. Redfield.

Bates, Charles, farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Redfield.

Bates, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Redfield.

Bates, Daniel S., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Redfield.

Beaver, Israel, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Panther Creek.

Beaver, T. J., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Panther Creek.

Beazor, H. E., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Panther Creek.

Beasley, W., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Adel.

Burnett, S., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Redfield.

Bentall, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Redfield.

Britton, G. W., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Bringhan, J. N., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Adel.

Bullis, L. D., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Adel; he owns a farm of 120 acres; was born in Oswego County, New York, February 9, 1830; when he was about three years of age his parents moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age; he then went to Rock County, Wisconsin, where he lived three years; he then removed to Henry County, Illinois; he enlisted in Co. B, 19th Illinois Infantry, in June, 1861, and mustered out in February, 1862; November 12, 1862, he married Miss Emily A. Enslow, a native of Oswego County, New York; he enlisted again in February, 1864, in Co. A., 42d Illinois Infantry, and was mustered out in January, 1865; he came to this county in the spring of 1867, and located in this township; they have one son: Dwight O.; was a member of the board of supervisors one term.

Chaney, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Adel.

Chapman, Wm., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Redfield.

Clark, Abraham, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Adel.

Clark, J. F., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Adel.

Clark, John, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Adel.

Crouse, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Redfield.

Cunningham, W., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Redfield.

Cunningham, H. G., farmer, Sec. 29; P.O. Redfield.

Curtis, A.H., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Adel; was born in Genesee County, New York, April 24, 1839; he lived there until he was sixteen years of age; he then emigrated to Stark County, Illinois, where he staid about four months, and then went to Grant County, Wisconsin; remained there three years and then returned to Stark County where he married Miss Elizabeth Imes, April 4, 1858, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio; came to Iowa in 1866, and to this county in 1870; owns a farm of 41 acres; have a family of two sons and one daughter: Chas. A., Liewevin and Nora A.; he served about one year in the late rebellion in Co. B, 7th Illinois Infantry.

Dorr, J.C., farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. Adel.

Doyle, Michael, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Redfield.

Ellis, S. J., farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29; P.O. Adel; born in Vermilion County, Illinois, July 26, 1834; when eleven years of age he came with his mother and her family by wagon to Iowa; they arrived in Jefferson County in the fall of 1845; the following spring they came to Dallas County and arrived here May 1, 1846, and located near Adel; they located and made a claim; they were among the earliest settlers in Dallas County, and there are only a few here now that was here when they came; he married Miss Lydia Beeson, from Indiana, in 1857; she died in 1867, leaving two children: Luvada and Augusta V.; married Mrs. Clarinda J. Nichols, formerly Miss Clarinda Brenton, daughter of Dr. Brenton; he has held office of sheriff of Dallas County, was elected in 1875; and has held town and school offices; he owns 276 acres of land; Mrs. Sarah Ellis, mother of Mr. Ellis, is now living in Van Meter township; she has eight children living and has lost two.

Emmert, Theodore, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. Panther Creek.

Fair, Josiah, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Redfield.

Fitzgerald, Mike, farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Adel.

Fitzgerald, Pat, Jr., farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Adel.

Fitzgerald, D. F., farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Adel.

Fitzgerald, Maurice, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Adel.

Fitzgerald, Pat, farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Adel.

Flack, Geo., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Redfield.

Foster, E. B., farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Adel.

Francis, Wm. H., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Adel; born in Butler County, Ohio, October 16, 1819; he was brought up and lived there except two years until coming to this state;; he married Phebe Phillips from Ohio, May 16, 1844; they came by wagon to Iowa, and were 26 days on the way; arrived in this county in 1855, and engaged in farming; they have six children: John, Nancy J., Sarah E., George W., Elmer E. and Tabitha; and have lost six children.

Francis, Franklin, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Adel; born in Dark County, Ohio, April 7, 1837; he was brought up there until 17 years of age; then came with his parents to Iowa by wagon, in 1855, and located in the county; Mr. Francis is engaged in farming and stock-raising; owns 335 acres of land; married Miss Margaret J. Van Cleave from Indiana, in July, 1859; they have six children: George, Eugene, Charles, Cora, Laura, Belle and Sarah; they have lost one daughter.

Gray, V.P., farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Adel.

Gray, Geo., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Adel.

Hayes, C. W., nursery and fruit growing, Sec. 36; P.O. Adel; was born in the town of Spafford, Chenango County, New York, May 8, 1835; he came to Dallas County in the spring of 1869; has lived on his present place 4 years; owns 40 acres of land; he married Miss Calista Ripley, July 4, 1860; she was a native of the same county; she died April 14, 1864, leaving one son and one daughter: Bertha J. and James W.; he married again to Miss E. M. Adams, October 9, 1867; she was a native of Niagara County, New York; have one daughter: Alma J.

Hollinberger, J. J., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Redfield.

Huffman, R. B., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Adel.

Jewell, Victor, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Adel.

Jolley, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Adel; was born in Darby township, Union County, Ohio, December 21, 1827; he lived there until March, 1855, and then emigrated to Iowa and this county, and located at Adel, where he remained 4 years working at his trade, that of a carpenter; he then removed to his present farm, which contains 250 acres, all well improved; he married Elizabeth J., widow of G. G. Young, her maiden name was Sowash; she was born in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1824; they were married February 12, 1857; she came to this county in 1856; have one son and one daughter: Jasper L. and Mary E.; Mrs. Jolley has two daughters by her former marriage: Nancy J., now Mrs. Frank Houghton, and Maggie A., now Mrs. Albert L. Wooster.

Kenedy, F. A., farmer, and stock dealer, Sec. 33; P.O. Redfield; was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, November 18, 1831; came to this county, in the fall of 1856, and located where he now lives -- farm of 312 acres, all well improved; he married Miss Nancy Doyel, who was born near Lexington, Kentucky, but raised in Montgomery County, Indiana, they have one son: James M.

King, David, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Adel.

Lee, S.C., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Adel.

Lee, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Adel.

Long, Christian, farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Adel; owns a farm of 320 acres; born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1813; he lived there until 1852, and then emigrated to Carroll County, Illinois, and in 1869 came to this county and located in this township; he married Miss Susanna Hershey in February, 1834, a native of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; have a family of three sons and two daughters: Abraham, Jacob, John, Mary, now Mrs. Christian Emmert, Annie, now Mrs. William Pennebaker. Lost three sons and one daughter: David, George, Benjamin, and Catherine, wife of J.P. Strickler.

Loper, William, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Adel; born in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in 1804; came to this county in 1853 and located where they now live; owns a farm of 70 acres; he married Lucy A. Garoutte, January 22, 1827; she was born in the same county, May 16, 1807; their children are: Mary E., Sarah E., Henry T., John W., Susan C., William and Margaret P.

Ludington, J. N., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Adel; born in Duchess County, New York, May 25, 1809; he lived there until he was about seven years old; his parents then moved to Indiana, locating near Vincennes, where he lived about six years, then with his older brother removed to Vermilion County, Illinois; when he was about nineteen years of age he went to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade, that of a tanner; in 1853 he came to this county and located where he now lives; owns a farm of 160 acres; he married Miss Elizabeth Spar in the fall of 1841; she was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1812; he previously married Mary Hoover, March 18, 1832; born August 17, 1811, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania; she died February 28, 1841; left one son and one daughter: Alfred N. and Sarah J. Has two sons and four daughters by second marriage: John W., Mary E., William H., Cornelia V., Elizabeth A. and Almira.

Ludington, A. N., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Adel.

Ludington, Josiah, farmer, Sec 15; P.O. Adel.

Ludington, W., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Adel.

Lyon, J. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Adel.

Machen, W. W., farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. Adel.

Machen, W., Sr., farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Adel.

Mahar, Patrick, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. Redfield; born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1821; he emigrated to the United States in 1848; stopped for a short time in Buffalo, New York, and then came to Illinois; he came to this county in 1868; came from Illinois here with his team and was three weeks on the road; when he arrived here all he owned was his team and by hard work and economy he has a farm of 166 acres, all paid for; he married Margaret Auraught, in 1851, at Ottawa, Illinois; she died in 1861; he married again to Margaret Hayden, in 1863, at LaSalle, Illinois; has four children by first marriage: Jeremiah, Honora, Margaret and Patrick.

Maxon, Duane, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Redfield.

Messamer, J. M., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Panther Creek.

Mills, Henry, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Adel; born in Gilford County, North Carolina, May 25, 1817; he lived there until the fall of 1833, and then with his parents moved to Madison County, Indiana; he married Julia A. Farlow, September 6, 1838, a native of Wayne County, Indiana, born May 5, 1819; they emigrated to Dallas County, and located where they now live, in the spring of 1856; have four sons and three daughters: Isaac, N.J., Mary E., Lucinda A., H. E., H. C. and Ada.

Mills, N.J., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Adel.

Mills, J. M., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Dallas Center; was born in Gilford County, North Carolina, May 17, 1824; lived there until 1833; his parents then moved to Madison County, Indiana; he married Hannah Flint, March 11, 1847; she was born in Wayne County, Indiana, January 27, 1828; they came to this county in the spring of 1856, and located where they now lived; farm 181 acres; they have nine children, and lost two: Martha A. (deceased), J. R., Charity (deceased), Mary, Joseph W., Jacob H., John M., Middleton M., Chas C., Hannah E. and Emma J.

Mills, Jerry, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Dallas Center; was born in Gilford County, North Carolina, May 12, 1822, he lived there until 1833, his parents then moved to Madison County, Indiana; he married Nancy Etchison, March 15, 1846; she was born in North Carolina, but raised in Indiana; they came to this county in the spring of 1856, and located where he now lives; farm of 313 acres; they have one son and three daughters: Mahala A., John F., Mary E. and Clara D.

Myers, Isaac, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Dallas Center; was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1822, he lived there until 12 years of age; his parents then moved to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1851; and then to Huntington County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1855; he then emigrated to Jo Daviess County, Illinois, where he lived until coming to this county in 1875; his farm contains 240 acres, and 10 acres timber, one of the bet improved in the county; he married Miss Sarah Garver, December 4, 1845, a native of Franklin County, but raised in Huntington County, Pennsylvania; they have four sons and four daughters: Nathan, Rebecca (now Mrs. John Glock), Geo. S., Albert, Harriet (now Mrs. John Long), Christia A., Henry E. and Emma J.

Myers, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Panther Creek.

O’Brian, J. T., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Panther Creek.

Olin, A. J., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Dallas Center.

Parkinson, J., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Adel.

Payne, C. H. W., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Adel; was born in Clinton County, Indiana, September 20, 1844; came to this county in the spring of 1856, with his parents, remained one year, then removed to Henry County, Illinois, where they remained until 1866, and then returned to this county; farm 80 acres; he married Mary E., daughter of Henry Mills, May 9, 1868; she was born in Madison County, Indiana; he served about 3 years in the late rebellion, in Co. D, 112th Illinois Infantry; enlisted August 9, 1862; mustered out June 20, 1865.

Payne, E. R., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Adel.

Phillips, L. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Redfield.

Piatt, Joshua, former, Sec. 29; P.O. Redfield.

Plummer, J. S., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Adel.

Potter, John R., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Adel.

Powell, Robert, Mrs., farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Adel.

Quigley, James, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Adel.

Reeves, Jeremiah, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Dallas Center.

Schamel, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Panther Creek.

Shaffer, J. S., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Adel.

Shaffer, Martin, farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Adel.

Shirk, Reuben, farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Adel.

Skinner, Alvah, farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Adel.

Smith, John, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Redfield.

Snyder, J. S., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Redfield.

Stafford, John, farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Adel.

Stine, W. H., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Redfield.

Sutherland, M., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Adel.

Sutherland, Darius, farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Dallas Center; owns a farm of 679 acres; born in Washington County, Indiana, November 30, 1828; his parents moved form there when he was eleven years of age to Fulton County, Illinois, where they lived about seven years, and then removed to Bureau County, Illinois; he came to this county August 23, 1878; he married Miss Auzoletta Britton May 1, 1853; she is a native of New York; they have eight sons and five daughters: Simon R., born April 16, 1854; Henry H., born March 29, 1856; Charles E., born December 31, 1857; Andrew L., born September 5, 1959; George H., born April 13, 1861; Benjamin F., born May 20, 1863; Annetta E., born May 6, 1865; Mary F., born September 27, 1867; Susan A., born July 27, 1869; Martin R., born September 7, 1871; Corrianna M., born August 27, 1973; Samuel H., born September 26, 1875; Nora C., born March, 1878.

Tice, John, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Redfield.

Tice, M., farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Redfield.

Tyer, F. W., farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Adel.

Tyer, John, deceased; born in London, England, February 9, 1829; he married Miss Harriet Franklin, of the same place, May 15, 1841, and the following September they emigrated to the United States and New York, where they staid but a short time, and then removed to New Orleans; staid but a short time, and then went to New Jersey; remained there and in Massachusetts until coming to Iowa in March, 1855; located in Colfax township, where he remained until his death, which occurred July 11, 1874, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters: John M., Charles F., Frederick W., Edward (who has since died), Harriet E. and Mary L.

Tyer, Charles F., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; owns a farm of 86 � acres; born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, September 29, 1844; his parents moved to Massachusetts when he was very young; they came to this county in 1855, and located in this township; he married Miss Cornelia V., daughter of J. N. Ludington, Esq., November 7, 1870; she was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; they have two sons: Charles W., born August 25, 1871; Oscar F., born May 8, 1878.

Tyer, John M., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel; born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, October 19, 1842, where he lived until he was six years old; his parents then moved to Massachusetts, where he lived until the spring of 1855, and the, with his parents, came to this county, and located in Colfax township; his farm contains 160 acres; he married Miss Addie J. Hoyt, December 6, 1868; she was born in Maine, but raised in Rock County, Wisconsin; they have one son and two daughters: Addie N., born October 2, 1869; Henry W., born February 7, 1871; Ina Pearl, born July 15, 1878; he was justice of the peace one term; township clerk tow terms, and is school director.

Van Cleave, I. J., farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Adel.

Wagner, Michael, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Panther Creek.

Walters, G. W., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Walker, S.F., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Panther Creek.

Wicks, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Wood, J. K., farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Adel.

Worster, A. L., farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Adel.

York, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Panther Creek.

Young Frank, farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. Redfield.