Van Meter Township Biographies

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

Aldrich, Sumner, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Van Meter.

Baichtal, J. S., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Balmer, Peter, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Adel.

Bales, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Bales, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter.

Barto, John, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Adel.

Barnes, John H., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Adel.

Barret, John, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Adel.

Beck, Wm., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. DeSoto.

Bever, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. DeSoto; owns 225 acres of land valued at $36 per are; born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1836; came to Iowa in 1856 and located in this county; married Ruth Payne in 1861; she was born in Indiana in 1837; have five children: Sarah M., Sovena M., Tenis M., Edward E. and Minerva Elizabeth. Are members of the M. E. Church. Democrat.

Bilderback, Chas, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Bishop, C. E., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. DeSoto.

Bishop, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. DeSoto.

Bixler, Peter, farmer, Sec. 10; P.O. Van Meter.

Broyhill, T. D., farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Van Meter; owns 105 � acres of land valued at $40 per acre; born in North Carolina in 1816; came to Iowa in 1854 and located in this township; married Emeline Wooley in 1840; she was born in New York in 1814; have one child: Mary E.; lost one son in the U.S.A., died at New Orleans. Mrs. B. is a member of the U. B. Church. Republican.

Brown, G. H., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Waukee.

Brown, James B., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel; was born in Van Meter township, this county, November 29, 1856, and has lived here ever since; his father and mother, William and Elizabeth, came to this county in 1846, and were among the first settlers.

Brown, J. E., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel; was born in what is now Van Meter township, December 3, 1848; his father, Wm. Brown, came to this county and township in the spring of 1846; J. E. now lives on the farm entered by his father; he married Miss Louisa Dillon, September, 1867; a native of North Carolina; she died May 30, 1869; he married again to Lucinda Kendal, January 1, 1873, a native of Iowa; they have four children by this union, three sons and one daughter. Sarah E., Bertie O., Thos. T. and George; was school director three terms, and is assessor, and has held that office two terms; homestead contains 374� acres.

Buckley, Dennis, farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Waukee.

Buell, Dewey, Mrs., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Chestnutwood, W. L., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. DeSoto.

Clayton, Susan M., farmer, P.O. Van Meter.

Clayton, L. W., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Van Meter.

Clayton, Henry C., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter; owns 160 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; born in Lawrence County, Indiana, in 1845; came to Iowa in 1853; married Sarah J. Roberts in 1878; enlisted in 1864 in Co. C., 46th Iowa Infantry, and discharged 1864. Republican.

Clayton, James D., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter, owns 360 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; born in North Carolina in 1833; came to Iowa in 1853 and located in this township; married Sarah A. Goodson in 1858; she was born in Indiana in 1837; have six children: B.C., Ada E., Ida J., Chas. U., Owen W. and Anna P. Are members of the M. E. Church. Republican.

Clayton, Simeon, farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Van Meter; owns 215 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; born in Pierson County, North Carolina, in 1810; came to Iowa in 1853, and in 1866 purchased his present farm; married Anna White in 1845; she was born in Indiana in 1825; have seven children: W. A., Ruthanna, Louisa A., Susanna M., Louis W., John D. and Almira Jane.

Clayton, J. H., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter; owns 160 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; born in Lawrence County, Indiana, in 1850; came to Iowa in 1853; married Ella McCoy in 1876; she was born in 1856; have one child: Wilda R. Republican.

Conant, Richard, farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. DeSoto.

Conant, S., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. DeSoto.

Cook, Wm., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. DeSoto.

Cook, John, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. DeSoto.

Cook, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter.

Cosby, Robert, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Crawford, R. M., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Waukee.

Crawford, W. D., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Waukee; owns 190 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1823; came to Iowa in 1865, and located on his present farm. Democrat.

Davidson, Silas, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Dillon, J., merchant, Sec. 3; P.O. DeSoto.

Dillon, Jesse, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Van Meter; owns 200 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; born in Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1830; came to Iowa in 1855 and located in Warren County; removed to this county in 1869; married Sarah Golden in 1853; she was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1830; have six children: Frank, Alice, David, Hannah, Mary and George.

Dillon, Wm., farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. DeSoto; owns 180 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; born in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1822; came to Iowa in 1846, and located in Warren County; removed to this county in 1874; married Mildred Hadgens, in 1856; she was born in North Carolina in 1833; have six children: Jane, Cornelia, Lucinda, John, Jennett and Lenora.

Dodge, Margaret, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. DeSoto.

Donaldson, A. J., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Douglas, James, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. DeSoto; owns 140 acres of land valued at $3,000; born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1799; came to Iowa in 1853, and located in this township; married Catherine Rick in 1836; she was born in 1814 in Crawford County, Pennsylvania; have six children: Wm. Harrison, Adeline E., Sarah M., James Albert, Chas. T. and John Milton. Are members of the Christian Church.

Ellis, T. C., Farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Adel.

Evans, W. J., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Feller, Mary, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Booneville.

Feller, John, farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Booneville.

Feller, Andrew, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Booneville.

Fish, David M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Van Meter; owns 100 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1828; came to Iowa in 1855, and located on present farm; married Elizabeth Riddle in 1854; she was born in Indiana in 1837; have 4 children: Sarah, George, Lucinda and William.

Foley, Francis, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. DeSoto.

Foley, John, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. DeSoto.

Foster, Francis, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Golden, A., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Van Meter.

Golden, Eli, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Van Meter; owns 560 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1834; came to Iowa in 1849, and located on present farm; married Sallie A. Johnson in 1855; she was born in Jay County, Indiana, in 1837; have 13 children: Lucinda, Olive, Mary A., Emma E., Clara Belle, Elam H., Nellie E., Ida I., Albert O., Owen Elden, May, Frank E. and John C. Are members of the United Brethren Church.

Graham, Elizabeth, farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. Van Meter.

Gross, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Waukee.

Gundy, John, farmer, Sec. 35; P.O. Van Meter; owns 106 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1844; came to Iowa in 1871, and located on present farm; married Emma Pitzer in 1865; she was born in Ohio in 1848; have four children: Addie, Rodella, Maggie and Jacob W.

Gutchall, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Booneville; owns 600 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, in 1815; came to Iowa in 1855, and located on his present farm; married Mahala Snyder in 1843; she was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1823; have four children: Hannah E., Ruth A., J. H. and George A.

Halterman, Jas., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Van Meter.

Halterman, J. W., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Waukee.

Hazlett, Elias, farmer, Sec. 36; P.O. Booneville; owns 262� acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1840; came to Iowa in 1865, and located in this township; married Rebecca Algeo in 1862; she was born in Washington County, Ohio, in 1845; have seven children: Thursa A., Chas. L., Maria F., Geo. W., James B., Johnny B. and Ruth M. Are members of the U. B. Church. Democrat.

Hester, S.R., farmer, Sec. 33; .O. Van Meter; owns 170 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre; born in Miama County, Indiana, in 1842; came to Iowa in 1860, and located in Warren County; removed to this county in 1868; married Mary E. Peckempaugh in 1863. She was born in Illinois in 1843; have 7 children: Albert, Belle, Dora, Ada, Emma, Robert and Carrie; enlisted in 16th Iowa Infantry in 1861, and discharged in 1865. Are members of United Brethren Church.

Hester, Chas., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Van Meter.

Hester, J. F., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter.

Hill, C.C., farmer, Sec.19; P.O. DeSoto.

Hoffstot, Wm., farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter; owns 90 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1830; came to Iowa in 1856, and located in this township; married Eunice Knight in 1865; she was born in Indiana in 1842; have two children: George and Lizzie E.; lost one: Melvin. Republican.

Huff, J. M., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Jennings, Taylor farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Van Meter; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Gurnsey County, Ohio, in 1846; came to Iowa in 1854, and located in Louisa County; removed to this county in 1867; married Elizabeth Hunt in 1869; she was born in Ohio in 1848; have three children: Ruth, Frank and Alice.

Knight, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Van Meter; owns 185 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1836; came to Iowa in 1852, and located in Oskaloosa; removed to this county in 1854, and located in this township; married Mary E. Broyhill in 1859; she was born in Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1839; have four children: Otis E., Othello E., E. E. and C. W.; enlisted in Co. A, 15th Iowa Infantry, in 1864, and discharged in 1865. Republican.

Lauterback, L., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Waukee.

Leaverton, Aaron, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel; son of James and Massa; his father was born in North Carolina, October 12, 1791; his mother was born in Virginia, February 14, 1793; they emigrated to Iowa and this county in 1849, and located in what is now Van Meter township, and entered land from the government; he died March 10, 1861; Aaron still occupies the old homestead, and his mother is living with him enjoying good health, and at the present writing being eight-six years old; he married Cyntha Hardin, February 20, 1865, a native of Missouri; she has been a resident of this county twenty-five years; they have by this union three sons and four daughters: Aaron J., Luella, George, Massa, John, Hattie and a baby.

Lowrey, W.F, farmer, Sec. 7; P.O. DeSoto; owns 143 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Vermilion County, Illinois, in 1839; came to Iowa in 1852, and located in this county; married Rachel Foley in 1860; she was born in Lake County, Indiana, in 1839; have five children: Theo. A., Susanna, John W., Sarah A. and James M.; enlisted in Co. C, 39th Iowa Infantry, in 1862, and discharged in 1863. Are members of the M. E. Church. Republican.

Lowrey, Lydia, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. DeSoto.

McDowell, Jas., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

McKee, John, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Waukee.

Magart, Joana, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. DeSoto.

Magart, B.F., farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Adel; owns 52 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in this county in 1848; married Elizabeth Hasty in 1869; she was born in 1848; they have three children: Minnie, Edward and an infant.

Mattox, John W., farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Adel; owns 75 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Lake County, Indiana, in 1838; came to Iowa in 1859, and located in Adel; married Maria Wright in 1865; she was born in Illinois in 1840; have two children: Levi H. and Estella. Enlisted in 2d Iowa Battery in 1861, and again in 1862, in Co. A, 23d Iowa Infantry, and was discharged in 1865; held a commission of First Lieutenant; in 1874, was elected county Recorder and re-elected in 1876. Republican.

Mark, James A., farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Van Meter; owns 117 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in 1840; came to Iowa in 1866, and located in this county; married Sarah J. Mitchell in 1868; she was born in Illinois in 1850; have four children: Mary F., John S., William O. and James.

Marshall, M. and N., farmers, P.O. Waukee.

Miller, Ambrose, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Van Meter.

Miller, G. W., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Adel.

Miller, Sarah A., farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. DeSoto.

Moore, Nathan, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Van Meter; owns 210 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Hardy County, Virginia, in 1823; came to Iowa in 1846 and located in this county; married Elizabeth Crowl, in 1848; she was born in Ohio in 1829; have seven children: J. N., W. H., Cyrus O., Abram, Mary A., Archie and Rosetta. Are members of United Brethren Church. Republican.

Mitchell, D. B., farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Van Meter.

Neal, Samuel, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Booneville.

Neal, D. B., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Booneville.

Neally, Daniel, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Neally, Ludlow, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel.

Otterman, Joseph, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. DeSoto; owns 390 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in West Virginia, in 1826; came to Iowa in 1864 and located on present farm; married Melissa Westfall in 1852; she was born in Ohio in 1830; have two children: Carrie, now Mrs. Campbell, and Hattie. Are members of Christian Church. Greenback.

Patten, Joel, farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Van Meter.

Payne, P. H., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Van Meter.

Reece, C. E., farmer, Sec. 17; P.O.. DeSoto.

Richards, Hiram J., farmer, Sec. 31; P.O. DeSoto; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1842; came to Iowa in 1866, and located on present farm; married Samantha Payton in 1865; she was born in Blackford County, Indiana, in 1845; have seven children: Calvin B., Edward, Jacob Franklin, Kittie, William, Mollie and Joseph. Are members of M. E. Church. Republican.

Ross, F. M., farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Van Meter.

Routh, J. M., farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. DeSoto.

Shannon, Jas., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Waukee.

Starrs, C.R., farmer, Sec. 1; P.O. Waukee.

Stump, Jacob, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter; owns 340 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 1825; came to Iowa in 1853, and located in Boone township; he removed to this township and settled on his present farm in 1865; married Mary Troxell, in 1849; she was born in Ohio in 1832; have eight children: Jenny, now Mrs. Kinnick, S. Albert, Nellie, Nettie, Walter, Bertie, Katie and Arthur. Mr. S. is county supervisor. Republican.

Stump, Louis, farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. Van Meter; owns 320 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born near Crawfordsville, Indiana, January 22, 1823; came to Iowa in 1845, and located on present farm; Mr. S. erected the first cabin that was built in Dallas County; married Elizabeth Leverton in 1850; she was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1835; have eleven children: Oliver, James, Sarah, Rachel, Jane, Isaac Aaron, Jacob, Minerva, Belle and John.

Swallow, G. W., farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Van Meter.

Thornton, Rebecca, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter.

Thornton, Lea, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter.

Thornton, W.R., farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Van Meter; son of Isaac Thornton; born in Polk County, Iowa, in 1848; removed to this county in 1850, and located with his parents on present farm; married Olive Aldrich in 1870; she was born in Jones County, in 1850; have two children: Hattie S. and Thomas. His father, Isaac Thornton, was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1819, and died in 1876; he married Miss Rebecca Stanfield; she was born in Tennessee, in 1822; they had six children: Sarah, William R., Anna Maria, Marietta, Cynthya and Arminta.

Trindle, George E., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Van Meter; owns 180 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born in Ray County, Missouri, in 1839; came to Iowa in 1858, and located in this county; married Susan E. Clayton, in 1861; she was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, in 1840; have four children: Flora, Florence, John and Henry. Are members of the U. B. church. Republican.

Van Meter, J. J., farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. DeSoto; owns 1,093 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, in 1829; came to Iowa in 1863, and located in this township; married Amanda K. Pence in 1851; she was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana; have two children: Edgar H. and Alphonzo. Are members of the Christian church. Republican.

Van Meter, H. G., miller, Sec. 18; P.O. DeSoto.

Vangrundy, S., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. DeSoto.

Violet, L. M., farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. DeSoto.

Watson, Ellen, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Van Meter.

Watson, J. W., farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Van Meter.

Weems, Mary, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. Adel.

Wilson, Lewis R., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Waukee.

Wilson, Rufus R., farmer, Sec. 2; P.O. Waukee; owns 100 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; born in McDonough County, Illinois, in 1841; came to Iowa in 1867, and located on present farm; married Martha A. Harkrader in 1867; she was born in Ohio in 1848; have six children: Charles, John, Silas, Della, Jany and an infant.

Williams, Nancy A., farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Adel; widow of John Williams, who was born in South Carolina, in 1794; he came to this county at quite an early day, and located on the farm now occupied by the family. Mrs. W.�s maiden name was Wood; she was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1853; she was previously married to Henry Gross, of North Hampton County, Pennsylvania; he was born December 2, 1804; they were married December 21, 1843; he died April 23, 1861; she married Mr. W. October 21, 1866; he died July 28, 1878; she has three sons and one daughter by her former marriage, and lost two sons and one daughter: William D., born May 28, 1845; John H., born May 11, 1847; Joseph, born September 15, 1850; George W., born August 24, 1849, died September 3, 1849; Margaret, born August 18, 1853, died September 29, 1857; Louisa, born October 2, 1855; Charles, born March 17, 1858, died October 14, 1858.

Wolf, Calvin, farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. DeSoto.

Wright, C. W., farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. DeSoto.

Wright, Levi, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. DeSoto.

Wright, Jackson, farmer, Sec. 22; P.O. Van Meter.

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