Biographical History of Page County, Iowa, Lewis & Dunbar Publishers, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois, 1890

[transcribed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net ]

TOM HILGERSON adds another honored name to the already lengthy list of successful Swedish-American farmers, of Page County. He is a native of Smoland, Sweden, and a son of Hilger Hanson, a farmer in Sweden owning 200 acres of fine land; the place is called "Saby," all the Swedish farms being named. The farm belonged originally to his wife's family, her maiden name being Carrie Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have had six children: John M., J. Peter, Johannah M., Samuel E., Louisa C, who died in this country at the age of twenty-three years, and Augusta C. The parents are still living on the old farm in Sweden, and are now quite elderly people, the father having been born in 1821, and the mother two years later. They are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and are among the substantial farmers of their country.
John M. Hilgerson was born January 15, 1844, and received the common-school education given the youth of his native land; he was also taught the principles of agriculture, but at the age of twenty-five he conceived the idea of emigrating to the New World where he believed better opportunities awaited him. He accordingly said good-bye to his home and family, and friends, and sailed over the sea to the " land of the free and the home of the brave."   After landing he went directly to Illinois and was first employed by a railroad company; he afterward went to work on a farm, but soon rented land in Mercer County, where he lived four years. In 1871 Mr. Hilgerson was united in marriage to Anna L. Carlson, a native of Sweden, but a resident of Henry County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Hilgerson have had born to them two children: Charles O. and Frank A., both of whom are deceased. Our subject came to Iowa in March, 1875, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 9, Pierce Township, which he has improved and converted into a beautiful and valuable farm; he has added to it 160 acres, and has built a fine residence, making a most delightful home. He and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and are in every way worthy of the respect accorded them by the people of Pierce Township.
The name Hilgerson is made up of the father's Christian name and the word son, meaning son of Hilger, this being a custom in Sweden, which gives a great variety of names in the same family. The history of the origin of names is a very interesting study, and this practice among the Scandinavians is a very natural and honorable one.

PETER GUTSCHENRITTER is a native of the province which was one of the bones of contention between Germany and France in the Franco-Prussian war, Alsace-Loraine. His father, John D. Gutschenritter, was of French descent, born in Alsace; he married Francis Arnold, and to them were born four children: John D., Frank J., Mary A., and Peter, all of whom are natives of Alsace. The father was a soldier in the French army, during the Revolution in 1813, and participated in several battles.

He emigrated to America in 1844, and landed at New York, continuing his journey to Wisconsin ; there he purchased a farm, on which he lived the remainder of his days; he died at the age of eighty-two years. He was a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church, and his family were brought up according to that faith. He was a man of perseverance, and was respected by all who knew him.
Peter Gutschenritter was born June 6, 1885, and was but nine years of age when his father emigrated to America. He received but a limited education, having a new language to learn and the schools affording few advantages. At the age of thirteen years he left the parental roof, and went out into the world to seek his fortune, and the little pioneer French boy had a harder lot than falls to most American children. He came directly to Johnson County, Iowa, after leaving home, and worked for farmers at small wages; but he cared lor his money, so that with $100 which he received from his father's estate, he was able to purchase a piece of land in Johnson County, Iowa, which he placed under good cultivation.
In 1860 Mr. Gutschenritter married Ann McGinness, daughter of Michael and Catherine (McGuire) McGinness, natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Johnson County, Iowa. They were both faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church. The first wife died, and he was married a second time to a widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Gross, nee Gates. There were twelve children by the first marriage, and four by the latter. Mrs. Gustchenritter is a child of the first marriage, and she was but two years old when her mother died.
Our subject settled with his young wife, who was only seventeen years of age, on his new farm, and there they erected necessary buildings, and made their home for seven years; at the end of that time they removed to another farm two miles distant, living on it six years; they lived one year at Winton, Iowa, and they settled in Page County, Iowa, at the end of this time, in 1874. Mr. Gutschenritter bought 120 acres of new land, in Pierce Township, and he has since made it his home; by the assistance of his faithful wife he has converted in into a most desirable residence; he has added many excellent improvements, and has increased the original purchase to 360 acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Gutschenritter have had born to them ten children, three of whom died in infancy; they are Peter, Annie and James A.; the children living are John M., Mary E., Joseph A., William F., Lawrence M., Lewis E. and Clara E. Mr. Gutschenritter is a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. He is an honored member of the Farmers' Alliance, and a highly respected citizen. The children owe their father and mother a debt of gratitude for their efforts in making them a good home, and they will look back with pride to the record of their lives as pioneers of the great and wealthy State of Iowa.

EDWARD HADDEN was born in Putnam County, Indiana, December 3,1834, and is a son of John Hadden, the very first settler in Fremont Township, Page County. The father removed to Arkansas when Edward was a small boy, and when he was eighteen years of age the family came to Page County, Iowa. This was in the fall of 1850, and there was not another settler in Fremont Township. March 10, 1852, they located on the farm now occupied by Edward. The conntry was then a wilderness; the Indians roamed the prairie at will, and game [page 825] was to be found in abundance, deer, wild turkey, and 'coons forming a part of the daily "bill of fare." There were nine children in the family: Frank, Larkin, Catherine, Amanda, Matilda, Sherwood, David, Edward, and Dudley. The family were established in a log cabin and some ground was soon broken and corn planted; but they were obliged to go to Rockport, Missouri, fifty miles distant, to get their corn ground. The next settler who came to the township was John Felham, who brought his family the same fall the Haddens located there. Mr. Hadden died four years after coming to Iowa.
Edward grew to manhood amid the scenes and vicissitudes of frontier life, and became accustomed to many hardships;  the most trying one was the lack of schools, the greatest draw-back to a new country. Edward Hadden was united in marriage to Amy Bellis, sister of Adam Bellis, whose history appears on another page of this volume. The result of this union was nine children: Malinda, Louis,  Wilson, John, Benjamin, who died at the age of two years; Adam, who died in infancy; Daniel, James and Almaretta.   This large family was deprived of the educational advantages which settlers of the older States enjoy, and they were subjected to many privations which would make the heart faint of any but the most determined and courageous pioneer.   But their simple fare has produced some of the noblest specimens of manhood and womanhood to which this New World is heir.   Vice President Wilson once very truly remarked in a speech upon the settlement of Kansas, in words to this effect, that the statesmen of America were not raised upon Wilton carpets, but rather upon the rocky hills of New England and the prairies of the West. And our country's history is replete with the brilliant names of men who came from the lower walks of life. Not all the true noblemen of America have distinguished themselves in the halls of Congress, but the pioneers of the West are all true sovereigns of a race of noble sires whose lineage is traced through worthy deeds of manly valor and virtue.
Edward Hadden is well known throughout his county as an honorable and reliable citizen, and his name will be remembered as one of the brave men who have opened up the wilderness in advance of civilization, and made possible the improvements and advantages which the present generation enjoys.

JESSE CALDWELL was born January 27, 1841, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Andrew Caldwell and a grandson of James Caldwell, both of whose histories are sketched in the biography of Alexander Caldwell, which will be found on another page of this volume. James Caldwell emigrated from Ireland to America in 1774, and settled on a farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He landed in the city of New York, where he learned the brick mason's trade, which he followed both in that city and in Philadelphia until after his marriage; he then located upon his land but continued his trade, hiring the farm work done. He married Miss Annie Summers, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Summers, natives of Scotland, and of this union were born five children; Andrew, Sarah, Jane, and two who died in childhood. One of the daughters married Reason Pumphrey, of Ohio, Mr. Caldwell accumulated a large property in Pennsylvania, and when an old man joined his son in Licking County, Ohio, where he died at the age of ninety-six years. Andrew Caldwell, his son and the father of Jesse Caldwell, was  born in Washington [page 826] County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and was reared to farm life. When quite a young man he engaged in the stock business and became very successful. After his marriage to Rachel Martin he settled on a farm in the county in which he was born. His family consisted of six children: Thomas, Alexander, Joseph A., James, Jesse and Mary J. In 1842 Mr. Caldwell removed to Licking County, Ohio, where he lived until 1853, when he went to Delaware County, Ohio, and purchased 360 acres of land which he devoted to the raising of live-stock. He was very domestic in his tastes, caring little for the affairs of church or State. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church, and she accepted the teachings of that sect. She was a woman of fine traits of character and of robust constitution, living to the age of eighty-six years.
When Jesse Caldwell was but one year old his parents removed to Licking County, Ohio, where he received all the educational advantages afforded by the public schools. He was brought up on a farm and naturally was trained to agricultural pursuits. June 2,1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Granger, daughter of Sylvester Granger of Granville, Ohio. (See page 510 for genealogy.) They have had five children born to them Delia M., Llewellyn P., Jennie A., Rachel E., and Jesse E. After his marriage Mr. Caldwell settled on the old homestead in Delaware County, Ohio, a part of which he had inherited; there he had resided until 1869, when he removed with his family to Wabash, Indiana, and engaged in the lumber business. One year later he came to Iowa, and settled at Franklin Grove, Pierce Township, Page County; he embarked in the mercantile trade with M. A. Jones and continued the enterprise three years; at the end of this period he bought a farm west of Essex, but again in 1874 he entered the mercantile business at Essex, in which he continued six years. In connection with his store in Essex he also managed a branch of the business at Coburg, Iowa. In 1882 he purchased a farm consisting of 256 acres, a portion of which lies within the corporation of Essex. This land is well improved and in an advanced state of cultivation. Mr. Caldwell has devoted a large part of his time to the raising and feeding of live-stock, and is now fattening ninety head for market. He has a great horror of debt, and it has been proven that where this symptom exists there is sure to be a healthy business condition. He is giving his children the advantages of a good education. Mrs. Caldwell and the children are members of the Presbyterian Church. The family are from good pioneer stock, and their descendants may take a just pride in the family honor and name.

CAPTAIN AUGUST ANDERSON is one of the prominent farmers of Swedish nationality residing in Page County. He was born near Guttenburg, Sweden, September 28, 1834. His father was a farmer in early life, but by a reverse of fortune he lost his land, and afterward followed the sea. He married Christine Anderson, and to them was born one son, the subject of this sketch. The mother died when August was but four years old, and the home was broken up, as the father was then on the water, where he remained thirty years. After August came to America Mr. Anderson came and lived with him until his death, which occurred in 1887.
After his mother's death Captain Anderson lived with relatives, passing his youth on a farm; he acquired a good education in the schools of his native country. When sixteen years old he engaged as cook on a sailing vessel bound for Hull, England, and afterward shipped as a common sailor. After one or two years cruising in this manner he shipped at Antwerp on the American ship " Lydia " to New York; he then sailed altogether on American vessels; during his many voyages he met with all the hardships of a sailor's life, but he also had many of the pleasures; he learned to steer the vessel, and was appointed second navigator; he also sailed as captain of pleasure yachts from New York harbor. On a voyage to Rio Janeiro the captain was taken ill and placed young Anderson in command of the vessel, which he took safely into port and cleared the brig for New York in his captain's name. The weather was rough and a severe storm was encountered within a day's sail of New York; the captain was still very ill and the sails were nearly blown away, so the young commander was obliged to steer her course for the Bermuda Islands, about 600 miles from New York. When near the Islands a great storm was raging, but the pilot took them safely into port. At Rio Janeiro an inefficient navigator had been shipped who caused the young commander a great deal of trouble. In Bermuda he demanded his discharge with the announcement that unless it was given he would himself resign the command. The sick captain gladly complied with his request. He died before the vessel left Bermuda, and Anderson brought the brig back to New York in safety. He was then examined by the Board of Navigation, and passed a satisfactory examination; he sailed as captain of this vessel for years after. During the civil war he did effective service, and for six seasons he was on the great lakes, and finally became master of a vessel.
In the fall of 1864 Captain Anderson was [page 828] married to Miss Sophia Fraid, in Henry County, Illinois, and to them have been born five children: August N., Carl E., Joseph A., John E., and Annie C. Captain Anderson bought a small farm in Henry County, Illinois, on which he resided twelve years. He then came to Page County, Iowa, and by industry and economy he has added to his first purchase of 120 acres, until he now owns 200 acres of as fine land as can be found in Page County. He is a man of good business ability, and his long experience as a sailor and navigator has given him a wide field of information. He has been as successful on the land as he was on the water, and has made his farming a profitable business. The Captain and his wife are consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and for five years he has also been one of the trustees. Our country is to be congratulated upon attracting such citizens to her shores as Captain Anderson, who with other sturdy sons of an older civilization has taken deep root in our free soil, and has developed into a noble, true-hearted American.

ADAM BELLIS, one of the solid and reliable farmers of his township, is deserving of a space in this record of the pioneers of Page County. He is a son of Wilson Bellis, who was an early settler in Holmes County, Ohio, where he married Margaret S. Camp; and by this union were twelve children, eleven of whom lived to maturity: James J., John, Mary A., Adam, Amy, Dilly,George, John W., Catherine, Charity, Henry and William L. Mr. Bellis removed to Page County in 1858, and settled in Fremont Township on section 4; later he moved to section 18, where he resided until the day of his death, and where his widow now makes her home. He was one of the oldest pioneers, coming to the county when it was a wilderness, thus forming one of the phalanx of noble frontiersmen, who made Iowa what it is to-day, one of the finest States in the Union. The people of his township testified their confidence in him by calling him to fill the ofiice of trustee, the duties of which he discharged to their entire satisfaction. He was a life-long Democrat.
Adam Bellis, son of Wilson and Margaret Bellis, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 26,1842. The schools of that country were so far apart that his education was neglected, but a keen observation has enabled him to transact all the business of life with as much care and exactness as many a college-bred man. He was a youth of sixteen years when his father removed to Page County, and he at once began to assist in the home-making, no light task in a wild, uncultivated country.

WILLIAM J. PHIPPS is descended from an old American family of English origin. They settled first in Grayson County, Virginia, where Isaiah Phipps, the grandfather of our subject, was born; he was married there and reared a large family. His son, John, the father of William J., was born in Grayson County, Virginia, in 1815, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. At the age of twenty years he emigrated to Vermillion County, Illinois, where he was one of the early settlers. He married Eliza J. Hall, a daughter of William and Annie (Copeland) Hall, and to then were born three children: Mary A., Sylvester and William J. They resided in Vermillion County until 1839, and then went to Bates County, Missouri, where the wife. died.   In 1847 Mr.[page 829] Phipps removed to Lee County, Iowa, and was one of the pioneers of that county. In 1850, during the gold fever in California, he emigrated to that State and engaged in mining, meeting with marked success. While there he turned his attention to farming; he was again married to Ellen Wayman, and they had four children: Emma, Ann E., Mary E. and John N. Mr. Phipps is now living in San Luis Obispo County, Califor­nia. He is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and an honored citizen.
William J. Phipps, his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, in 1837, receiving the limited education that was afforded in that early day. His father being a pioneer of three States: he was reared on the frontier and subjected to the privations and vicissitudes of that life. In 1857 he was married to Lydia A. Copeland in Decatur County, Iowa. She is a daughter of Jefferson and Louisa (Johnson) Copeland. Seven children were born of this marriage: Mary A., deceased at two years; Miles J., deceased at the age of seven years; Julia E., deceased at five months; Emma J., Leonore and Theodore, twins, deceased in infancy, and John W., deceased at one year of age.
Mr. Phipps engaged in agricultural pursuits in Decatur County, where he lived until 1861; he then removed to Pottawattamie County, and at the end of two years went to the Rocky Mountains, remaining there three years. In 1868 he came to Page County and bought land in Fremont Township on which he settled: he still owns this farm, but it is now occupied by his daughter and son-in-law, Howard Soper, who married Emma J. They are the parents of two children, William Howard and Morris Willard.
Mr. Phipps is a man of correct principles and habits, and has endeavored always to live an upright life. He is prominently identified with all the interests of the great West, having witnessed its growth and development from the trackless prairie to its present advanced state of cultivation. He and his wife are both true Christians, and have borne the sorrow which they have met in the loss of their children with characteristic patience and resignation. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. It has been through his own unaided efforts that he has made his money, and he deservedly ranks with the honored list of self made men of the West.
Jefferson Copeland, the father of Mrs. Phipps, is a grandson of Charles Copeland, who came from Scotland to Halifax, Nova Scotia, long before the war of the Revolution. Charles Copeland married Miss Abigail Hass, and they had one son, Charles. The father returned to Scotland to recover some property belonging to his family estate, and while there broke his leg, and was detained a long time. The means of communication were very meager, and as his wife did not hear from him for such a long time, she moved with her father's family to Virginia, where she married again. After a long time her husband abandoned all hopes of gaining his part of the estate and returned to Nova Scotia, where he again broke his leg; his wife hearing of his return traveled all the distance from Virginia to see him, but he passed away before she reached his side. Her son, Charles, the father of Jefferson, was a native of Nova Scotia, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He married Hannah Osborn, and they had thirteen children, of whom Jefferson is the youngest and the only surviving one. The father was a member of the Baptist Church. Jefferson Copeland was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, in 1810, and was seven years of age when his parents removed to Indiana; there he learned to read[page 830] and write, and at the age of eighteen years he learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1834 he married Louisa Johnson, daughter of Patrick and Annie Morton Johnson, both of Scotch descent. They became the parents of five children: Charlotte, Charles, Lydia A., Martha, and Julietta. Since 1868 Mr. Copeland has been a resident of Page County; he is now eighty years of age. He is a diligent student of the Bible and preaches the Gospel as it is revealed to him by the reading of the Word. He has suffered many harships in his career, but has been of incalculable benefit to his country in clearing a path through the wilderness for the advance of civilization. There is no more honorable record in the life of any American citizen.

JOHN F. FALK, Essex, Iowa.—America owes much of her present success and prosperity to the multitude of foreigners who have sought homes on her hospitable shores, and Sweden has contributed largely to the number of energetic agriculturists found throughout the Northwest. Mr. Falk was born in Sweden, January 24, 1850, and is a son of John A. Falk, whose history will be found on page 647 of this volume. When he was four years of age his parents emigrated to America and settled in Henry County, Illinois; there he received a common-school education, and was trained to agricultural pursuits; he also took a commercial course at the college at Galesbnrg, Illinois.
In 1870 Mr. Falk was united in marriage to Carolina S. Johnson, daughter of J. P. Nelson; her brother, after the Swedish custom, had adopted the name of Johnson, and after coming to this country she also assumed this name. After his marriage Mr. Falk settled on a farm in Illinois, and by industry and good management he was enabled to buy land in Henry County, on which he resided until 1882. It was in that year that he concluded to pitch his tent nearer the setting sun, and accordingly he disposed of his property and set out for Iowa. Arriving in Page County he decided to try his fortune in what seemed a most promising section. He purchased 320 acres of rich, fertile land, and has developed one of the most desirable farms within the borders of Page County. It has required years of patient and continued effort to bring about these results, but the reward has been ample, success having attended his every undertaking.
Mr. and Mrs. Falk are the parents of eight children: Edward F., deceased at the age of seventeen years; Lndwig, who died in infancy; Ludwig T., Hilda, Frida, Laula, Nora and Nina. The parents are worthy aud consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and they are endeavoring to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The have accumulated sufficient means to give them a liberal education and fit them for the responsibilities of life.
Mr. Falk is thoroughly Americanized, is public-spirited, and gives generously to the support of all worthy enterprises. He has a wide circle of acquaintance, by whom he is highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character.

MARCUS A. CHANTRY.—In the earty settlement of this country, when men and women of intelligence and religious convictions fled from the oppression and persecution of a tyrannous church and state power, we find prominent among them a body of people who set them [page 831] selves against every form of oppression, and declared for the principles of peace, justice and liberty; these peculiar people were called Friends. Every one who is familiar with the history of the early days of this country knows the experiences of this band of truth-loving people, and the record of the religious persecutions among our forefathers constitutes the darkest chapter in the early history of this continent. Only the ignorance and superstition fostered by the false teaching of that period can be accepted as any excuse for the atrocious crimes committed in the name of religion. The ancestors of our subject were among these persecuted people. His grand­father came from Lincolnshire, England, and settled in Pennsylvania, that good, old Quaker State founded by the prince of American nobility, William Penn. He married Hannah Parmore in Philadelphia, and they were the parents of nine children: Samuel, William Elwood, David, Marcus, Sarah, Eliza, Hannah, and Allen J. Mr. Chantry was a farmer in Pennsylvania and removed from that State to Iowa, settling in Henry County, on a timber farm, where he was one of the first settlers. In 1856 he moved to Guthrie County, Iowa, and there he spent the remainder of his days. He lived to be over seventy years of age, and died in the full faith of his religious convictions.
Allan J. Chantry, son of the above and father of our subject, was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, June 13, 1841, and received but a limited education, as the schools of that time on the frontier were very primitive. His mother, however, was able to give him good instruction at home, and from her he also received training in those principles and virtues which laid the foundation of an earnest and upright character. He was a lad of thirteen years when his father removed to Guthrie County. When still a minor he attempted to enlist in the army without his father's knowledge; it being contrary to the rules of the Society of Friends to bear arms or to engage in carnal warfare, his father captured him and brought him back home. As soon as he was twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company K, and served until the close of the war. He was made Second Lieutenant soon after enlisting, and was in the battles of Helena, Arkansas, Ball's Bluff, New Orleans and Galveston, Texas. He was wounded but had his wound dressed in the field and did not go to the hospital. He was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant and came out of the army with a Captain's commission. After his return from the war in 1865, he was united in marriage, November 16, to Miss Harriet Rains, daughter of Henry and Mary (Hieronymus) Rains, old pioneers of Mills County, Iowa. In the month following his marriage Mr. Chantry moved to the farm now occupied by his son in Fremont Township, and there he lived until 1880; in that year he went to Malvern, Mills County, where he owns a farm of 200 acres and some town property.
Mr. and Mrs. Chantry are the parents of nine children: Marcus A., Warren, Alfred, Lottie, deceased; Libbie Ann, F., R., Ellis and Allan J. Mr. Chantry prospered in Page County, and through his untiring efforts and good management he became owner of 450 acres of fine farming land. He has always commanded the respect of his fellow-citizens and they have entrusted him with many positions of honor and trust. He has represented his district in Page County in the State Legislature, and also served two terms from Mills County. He is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Malvern, of which he has served as [page 832] Commander. He has been several times chosen President of the S. W. Iowa and N. W. Missouri Veteran Association. Mr. Chantry has passed a very busy and useful life and bids fair to live out the " three-score years and ten " allotted to man.
Marcus A. Chantry, son of Allan J. Chantry, was born September 13, 1866, on the homestead where he now lives. He received a good education in the public schools of Page County, and spent two years in the Western Normal College at Shenandoah. On December 29, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Summers, daughter of W. E. and Mary (Kellogg) Summers, at White Cloud, Iowa. Mr. Summers is one of the old pioneers of Mills County and is of Scotch-Irish descent.
Mr. Chantry is a practical farmer and a young man of much promise. He has inherited many of his father's prominent traits, which insure him success in life both socially and financially. He was at the age of twenty-one years chosen school director, and has been elected Justice of the Peace by the people of his township. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and was Captain of Company No. 121, Division of Iowa, at Malvern Hill. He is now a member of the Red Oak Company.

WILLIAM J. KNOX, one of the rising young farmers of Page County, will form the subject of our next biographical sketch. His father, William John Knox, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, and was reared to farm life. He married Ellen Anderson, and to them were born six children: William J., James, Robert, Thomas, Jane and Ellen, all of whom are natives of the "Emerald Isle." In 1864 the father emigrated to America and settled in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, near Galena, where he purchased eighty acres of land. In September, 1877, he came to Iowa and settled on section 17, Pierce Township, Page County, where he had bought 160 acres of land the year before; for five years he made this his home and then went to Bennett, Lancaster County, Nebraska, where he owns 520 acres; he is still living, at the age of seventy-three years.   It has been entirely through his own efforts that he has accumulated so goodly a fortune, and he is deserving of the highest praise for the honorable manner in which it has been won. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
William J. Knox, son of the above and subject of our notice, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1854, and was a lad of eleven years when his parents emigrated to America. He received a common school-education, which was not in those days what the prosperity of this nation has enabled her to give her sons of to-day. In February, 1876, he determined to push on further West in search of the fortune that might be in store for him, and coming to Iowa he settled near Essex, Page County. It was in February, eight years later, that he bought his present farm, consisting of 160 acres of fertile land; he has made numerous valuable improvements in the line of modern farming and has erected a fine residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Knox are the parents of two children: Floyd and an infant unnamed. In political opinion Mr. Knox is a Republican. He is a young man of good business qualifications, energetic and progressive, and having the confidence of his entire acquaintance.

PETER B. BEERY, one of the pioneer settlers and successful farmers of Amity Township, is descended from an old German family who came from their native land and located in Virginia early in the history of the settlement of this country. Jacob Beery, his grandfather, was born in Virginia, and was married there to a Miss Kyle; nine children were born of this union: Nicholas, Abraham, Jacob, Jonathan, William, Polly, Nancy, Katie and Betsey. Mr. Beery removed to Ohio about the year 1805, and set- [page 834] tied on a farm in Fairfield County; he resided there until 1828, when he moved to a farm near Sandusky, Ohio, on which he passed the remainder of his days. Abraham D. Beery, his son and the father of Peter B., was also a native of Virginia, and was but five years of age when his parents removed to Ohio. He received a fair education for those days and could read both English and German. He married Annie Blosser, a daughter of Abraham and Annie (Cokeanoyer) Blosser, and of this marriage seven children were born who lived to maturity: Annie, Peter B., Lydia, Mary, Daniel, Sarah and Barbara. Mr. Beery located in Hocking County, Ohio, on 100 acres of land, where he spent all his days. He was a minister in the United Brethren Church of Christ, and an able and successful preacher; he was in comfortable circumstances and made no charge for his services as a minister.
Peter B. Beery, the subject of this sketch, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, May 27, 1822. He obtained a common-school education, and was reared to farm life. He married Sarah Blosser, a daughter of John and Polly (Ault) Blosser, and to them have been born thirteen children, ten of whom have lived to maturity: Emanuel, John, Daniel and Lydia, twins, Isaac, Hettie, Barbara A., Bernard, Samuel and Matilda. After his marriage Mr. Beery lived one year in Fairfield County, Ohio, and then removed to Adams County, Indiana; he farmed there for eight years, and in 1856 he came to Iowa and settled on his present farm, which consists of 240 acres. At one time he owned 700 acres of land, but he has deeded all to his children excepting the home farm. He has been very prosperous in business and has been able to give his children a good start in life. He has been very careful and industrious, and has accumulated all his property by hard labor and wise management. He has ever been honorable and upright in his dealings, and has made a record of which his children may well be proud. During the civil war he was a strong Union man, and gave liberally to the support of the widows of soldiers. He has given financial aid to the three churches in Shambaugh, and he and his sons assisted very largely in the erection of the church belonging to the Church of God society, contributing over $500. Mr. Beery himself raised $2,800 by subscription as a member of the building committee. He and his wife are both members of this denomination. He is a man firm in his convictions and an honor to any community.

OLIVER BUSSARD, one of the prominent and substantial farmers of Pierce Township, is descended from German ancestors who settled in the State of Pennsylvania at a very early day. Conrad Bussard, his grandfather, was one of the pioneer settlers of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, before the Indians had left that part of the country. He married Mary Uplinger, and to them were born seven children: Jacob,
Peter, Conrad, George, Mary, Leah and Solomon. The father was a cooper by trade and was in very prosperous circumstances. He and his wife were members of the German Reformed Church. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years, and she lived to be ninety-six years of age, longevity being one of the marked characteristics of the family. Oliver's father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was a brick mason by trade. He married Annie Millison, and they had seven children: Jacob, Oliver, Rush, Daniel, Samuel, Eliza and Salmy. In 1879 the parents came to Iowa to pass the remainder of their days with their children. They died in Fremont County. Both were members of the German Reformed Church.
Oliver Bussard, the subject of this sketch, was also born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and at the age of eighteen years he left the parental roof to seek his own fortune. He came to Dubuque, Iowa, where he was one of the first settlers, and there he learned milling; he first worked in a saw­mill; afterwards he built a grist-mill and did a successful business for thirty years.
Mr. Bussard was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Sann, a daughter of John Sann, and of this union seven children were born: George F., Michael, John, William, Samuel, Emma and Clara. The honor and merit to which the early settlers of any section are entitled can scarcely be estimated. Our worthy subject came to Iowa and located at Dubuque without one cent of capital to invest; for three years he worked at $10 per month, and when he had saved sufficient money he began to speculate in land and was very successful. For many years he had an extensive flour mill at Dubuque which yielded him a large income; he now owns 440 acres of land and is in comfortable circumstances; he devotes his time and energies to raising cattle [page 836] and hogs for the markets. He is an honored member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and in political opinions he is a stanch Democrat. He belongs to the German Reformed Church. Mrs. Bussard died in 1875; she was also a member of the church to which her husband belongs.
George F. Bussard married Annie Burns; John married Mary Barber; William married Kate Howard, and Michael married Mary Beck.

JOHN HOLTMAN, a progressive member of the farming community of Pierce Township, is an American by adoption, having been born in Smoland, Sweden, June 2, 1852. His father, Johanes Holtman, was a farmer and miller by occupation. He married Catherine Magnus, and to them were born six children, of whom John is the oldest. Mr. Holtman came to America in 1869, and settled in Henry County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until he came to Page County with his son John, where he died at the age of sixty-five years.
John Holtman, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the occupation of a farmer in his native land, Sweden. At the age of sixteen years the spirit of adventure would no longer be repressed, and he emigrated to America in search of new scenes and the success which he was sure would attend him. He landed in the city of New York and proceeded at once to Henry County, Illinois, where he secured employment on a farm by the month; he remained there until 1871, when he came to Page County, Iowa; he had accumulated some means and invested in land, situated four miles northeast of Essex; he afterward sold this property and purchased his  present farm in 1881; it consists of 160 acres in a fine state of cultivation and well improved, and lies near Essex. There is a strong mineral spring on the land which has been analyzed and pronounced to possess excellent medicinal qualities. In connection with his general farming pursuits Mr. Holtman pays special attention to the breeding of fine horses, owning several valuable stallions.
In 1880 our worthy subject was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Stoom, a daughter of Peter and Ellen (Mobry) Stoom. Mr. Stoora emigrated to America from Sweden in 1869, and settled in Henry County, Illinois; later, in 1874, he removed to Page County, where he is devoted to farming; his family consists of seven children, of whom Mrs. Holtman is the second. Mr. and Mrs. Holtman are the parents of four children: Nettie, Annie, Frank and Lillie. Mr. Holtman is an energetic, industrious man, and has been very successful in his undertakings. He acceptably filled the office of Constable and is of unquestioned integrity; he is truly a self-made man, having worked his way from a youth; and coming as he did, a stranger to a strange land, he deserves an abundance of credit for all he has achieved; he has not only secured a comfortable home, but he has accumulated the means for support of his family in ease and plenty. And the New World welcomes all such citizens.

WILLIAM JOHNSTON is descended from an old family of Scotch-Irish extraction. Samuel Johnston, his grandfather, emigrated from Ireland and settled in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution; the fife he played on and the sword he used are both preserved by the present generation; [page 837] the sword shows him to have been an officer, but the rank is not known. After the war he was a farmer in Mercer County, and there he married Ruth Alexander, and to them were born twelve children: Jane, Elizabeth, Annie, Ruth, Charlotte, Margaret, Susan, Lucy, Malinda, James, Samuel and William. The father was born in in 1777, and lived to the age of seventy-live years. He was the owner of considerable property, and was thoroughly repected by all who knew him. His son, Samuel Johnston, the father of William Johnston, was born in Mercer County, Penn sylvania, in 1811, where he grew up amid scenes of pioneer life. At that time the Indians were numerous and frequently stopped at his father's house over night. He married Eliza Page, a daughter of John B. Page, a farmer of Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston had born to them five children who lived to maturity: Sarah J., Lucy M., William, Gilbert and Marshall, all born on their father's farm in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, near the homestead of their grandfather. Samuel Johnston, Jr., died at the early age of forty-five years from the effects of a fall.
William Johnston, son of Samuel and Eliza (Page) Johnston, was born in 1844, and early in life learned the occupation of his father, farming. At the age of twenty-one years he was employed as brakeman on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad in Missouri. After serving in this capacity eighteen months he was made conductor on a freight train on the same line. He was very efficient and faithful, serving as a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad alone ten years. When he left the road in 1884 he received from the superintendent a very highly complimentary letter, which his modesty prevents our recording. After his service with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company was closed he engaged in the passenger service under Mr. George H. Daniels at Denver, Colorado; at the end of two seasons he severed this connection, receiving a fine letter of endorsement from Mr. Daniels. In 1884 he purchased his present farm of 200 acres of rich, fertile land, pleasantly situated near Essex; he has placed it under excellent cultivation, and has established a comfortable home for his family.
In 1865 Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Sarah S. Rogers, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Quillon) Rogers of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Rogers removed to Utica, Missouri, in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of three children: William, Mary L., and Franklin Q. The parents are making every effort to give their children a good education, a legacy of which no man can deprive them.

DANlEL WHITE is a member of an old family of German ancestry. Henry White, his grandfather, was born in Germany, and emigrated to America before the Revolutionary war. He was one of the first settlers in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and was a large land-owner; he also owned two grist-mills and a still house. He was a very industrious and energetic man, and would have no man to work for him who could not eat his meals rapidly, for he said, "a man who eats fast works fast."
Christopher White, son of Henry White, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He married Catherine Poe, a daughter of George Poe, who was a brother to Adam and Andrew Poe, the celebrated Indian fighters. To Mr. and Mrs. White were born ten children who lived to maturity. Mr. White was a carpenter and millwright by trade and for many years managed the mills belonging to his father. He lived to be about seventy years of age, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. His brother Daniel, from whom our subject is named, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served seven years; he suffered all the privations and hardships to which the American troops were subjected.
Daniel White, son of Christopher White, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1816, on the old homestead. He received a very limited education, but was early trained to manual labor. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Charlotte Anderson. She was born September 7, 1818, and is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Lottheria) Anderson, of Scotch-Irish descent. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White: Mary A., Elizabeth, James, Rebecca, Joseph, Margery, David H., Charlotte and Minerva.
After his marriage Mr. White settled on a small place in Fayette County and rented additional land for some years. In 1853 he removed to Illinois and bought a tract of 600 acres in Warren County. There he resided until 1877, when he came to Page County and purchased 600 acres. He has been prosperous and successful, and has lived a life of the most strict integrity. Mr. and Mrs. White are worthy and consitent members of the Reformed Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. He is a truly self-made man, and in his old age may well be [page 839] proud of his record. Few men who have begun life with so little have accumulated so much property simply through honesty and industry.