1878 Des Moines Twp., Van Buren County, IA
Biographical Directory of Citizens




Search Hint: Search for surnames by using the "Find" command usually found under the "Edit" menu or by the keyboard command "Ctrl+F" on most PC's. Use "Ctrl+G" to find next instance of same name. Names in some cases are not in alphabetical order. Others my be found in the body of the bio rather than as the subject.

Allen, A. J., far., Sec. 23; P.O. Keosauqua.

Arnold, B. H., far., S. 4; P.O. Pittsburg.

Baird, A. J., far.; P.O. Cantril.

Barid, B. P., P.O. Cantril

Beatty, H., far., S. 26; P. O. Keosauqua.

Beard, J., far., Sec. 28; P.O. Cantril.

Beatty, W., far., Sec. 26; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Beer, T. J., far.; P.O. Keosauqua.

Bink, D., far.; P.O. Lebanon.

Blackledge, E. C., far., Sec. 10; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Blackledge, E., far., Sec. 35; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Blackledge, H., far., Sec. 35; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Boal, J., far., P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Boyd, J. J., far., S. 29; P.O. Cantril.

Boyd, W. H., far., P.O. Home

Brodrick, D. S., physician; P.O. Cantril.

Burns, R., far., S. 23; P.O. Keosauqua.

Campbell, Joseph, far., S. 6; P.O. Lebanon.

Carnes, A., far., S. 10; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Channel, W. J., far., S. 8; P.O. Upton

Clark, James, far., S. 7; P.O. Keosauqua; owns 196 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; born in Greene Co., Ohio, Jan. 27, 1834; left that State with his parents in August, 1840, and came to this State and county the same year. His wife, Eudora Wright, was born in Harrisburg Tp., in this county, Dec. 2, 1841; they were married Aug. 9, 1866; have four children--Samuel M., Sofa, John W. and Elizabeth B., all living. Republican; Methodist.

Cowen, A. H., far., S. 5; P.O. Lebanon; owns 75 acres, valued at about $35 per acre; born in Philadelphia June 12, 1810, and came to this county in 1853; he was on the first train that went through on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Baltimore to Fredericktown. His wife, Cornelia M. Smith, was born in Washington D. C., Oct. 25, 1819; they were married Feb. 5, 1846; John T., is their only child living; have, lost Nancy M., George H. and Edward B. Member of the Methodist Church; Republican.

Craden, M., far., S. 34; P.O. Home

Craney, J., far., S. 28; P.O. Cantril.

Cummings, O. H. P., far., S. 32; P.O. Cantril.

Cretcher, J., far., P.O. Upton.

Cretcher, Mathew Q., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Mt. Sterling; owns a farm of 400 acres, valued at about $30 per acre; also owns 300 acres in Missouri and eighty acres in Hancock Co.; born in Logan Co., Ohio, April 20, 1821; left that State in 1843, and came to this county same year. His wife, Lucinda Sayre, was born in Preston Co., Va., May 3, 1827, and emigrated with her parents to Ohio in 1836; came to this county in 1841; were married Jan. 30, 1846; have nine children--William, Lycurgus, Anna, Daiel, Lucy Jane, Ida May, Mary F., Lucinda and Q. Mr. Cretcher was an old-school Democrat, but when the party left the ancient landmarks of the fathers, he became identified with the Republican party, and, in 1856, supported Fremont. In religion, Liberal.

Cretcher, W., far., S. 9; P.O. Upton.

DeFord, John H., farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Keosauqua.

Dodson, T. C., far., S. 14; P.O. Keosauqua.

Downs, A. B., far., S. 3; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Dudly, E. C., far., P.O. Upton.

Ellis, William, farmer.

Ellis, Bradford, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Keosauqua; owns 280 acres of land, valued at about $30 per acre; born in Bourbon Co., Ky., March 11, 1812; left Kentucky in 1815, and came with his parents to Harrison Co., Ind., left that State in 1836, and arrived in this county in April, of the same year. The name of his first wife was Elizabeth Ellis, who died Dec. 4, 1859. On Oct. 14, 1860, he married Mary Sellers, who was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., May 16, 1825; his family consists of twelve children, eight of whom are now living--Martha, Edward, Eliza J., John J., Wesley, William, Nancy and Nelson. Democrat; Religion, Liberal.

Fatherson, George, farmer, Sec. 34; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Fatherson, Thomas, far., Sec. 16; P.O. Keosauqua.

Ferguson, D. W., farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Mt. Sterling; owns a farm of 476 acres, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Lawrence Co., Penn., Sept. 2, 1835; left that State in 1856, and, arrived in this county in the autumn of the same year. His wife, Sarah Alcorn, was born in Lawrence Co., Penn., July 28, 1834; they were married Nov. 2, 1858; have had three children, two of whom are living--John Adams and Lizzie Bell; Alexander P. died Sept. 4, 1862, aged 16 months. Mr. Ferguson is one of the heavy and successful stockdealers of Van Buren County. Republican; United Presbyterian.

Fix, Alexander, far., Sec. 3; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Garret, Oliver P., farmer; P.O. Keosauqua.

Gibson, W. W., far., S. 16; P.O. Keosauqua.

Gilfillan, J. F. O., far., S. 5; P.O. Cantril.

Gray, Frank, farmer; P.O. Lebanon.

Gray, Herbert, farmer; P.O. Pittsburg.

Hanna, Robert A., farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Helwig, H., far., Sec. 19; P.O. Cantril

Hilles, Edmond, farmer, Sec. 4; P.O. Cantril; owns 160 acres, valued at about $25 per acre; born in Washington Co., Penn., Nov. 24, 1817; left that State in 1843, and came to this county the same year. Mr. Hillis enjoys the confidence of his neighbors to an eminent degree, having occupied some office nearly all the time, while in the county; was elected to the office of Supervisor in 1868, and again in 1877, which office he now holds. His wife, Mary J. Woods, was born in Logan Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1832; came to this county in 1841. Married Sept. 15, 1850; their children are Hugh P., Martha, Frances A., Jessie and Annie. Liberal; Republican.

Hogue, J., far., Sec. 9; P.O. Keosauqua.

Haskin, H., Sec. 16; P.O. Keosauqua.

Haskin, W. S., far., S. 17; P.O. Keosauqua.

Hull, A., far., Sec. 19; P.O. Cantril.

Hull, C., far.; P.O. Cantril.

Humphrey, C. C., far., Sec. 7; P.O. Lebanon.

Jones, Ira, far., S. 15; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Jones, I., far., S. 22; P.O. Keosauqua.

Kilmore, C.,farmer.

Knox, W., far., S. 4; P.O. Upton.

Langford, Chas., farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Langford, Anderson, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Keosauqua; owns 410 acres, valued at about $30 per acre; he was born in Albemarle County, Va., December 18, 1802; left Virginia in 1814, and came with his parents to Harrison Co., Ind., while that State was yet a Territory; came to Illinois in 1835, and landed in Burlington in this State in March, 1836; made his claim to the farm on which he now lives the same month. On May 4, 1822, he married Miss Nancy Boston; she was born in Harrison Co., Ind., Aug. 30, 1810, and died June 14, 1870; his family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom are now living--Thornton, Turner, Perry, Harmon H., Silas, Tillman, Charles, Arraminta, Martha and Ida. In 1873, Mr. Langford married Lucy Rine; she was born in Trumbell Co., Ohio, May 13, 1825, and came to this State in December, 1850. Republican; religion, Liberal.

Langford, H. H., farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Cantril; owns a farm of 70 acres, valued at $25 per acre; born May 1, 1834, in Harrison Co., Ind.; came with parents to McDonough Co., Ill., in 1838, and from there to this county in 1842, and settled in Des Moines Tp. He was married to Miss Charlotte Drew, of this county, March 19, 1857, she was born April 10, 1836, in Tennessee; have four children living--Albert, Thornton, George and Sherman; lost one--James H. Mr. Langford has held several offices of trust in his township, and is at present serving his second term as grand juryman in his county.

Langford, Perry, far., Sec. 21; P.O. Keosauqua.

Leaverton, J., far., S. 17; P.O. Keosauqua.

Linn, A., Sec. 28; P.O. Cantril.

Linn, Alonzo, far., P.O. Cantril.

Linn, Milton, far., S. 20; P.O. Cantril.

Lock, Charles M., far., S. 4; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Long, James, farmer; P.O. Keosauqua.

McCleland, J., far., Sec. 4; P.O. Upton.

McCrary, Samuel, far., S. 12; P.O. Keosauqua.

McDonald, John & Mary, farmers; P.O. Keosauqua.

McDonald, W. A., far., S. 35; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Mason, E., far., S. 10; P.O. Keosauqua.

Miller, John, far., S. 25; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Miller, Samuel, Jr., far., Sec. 35; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Nicholson, Josiah, farmer; P.O. Cantril.

Owens, Lewis, far., Sec. 7; P.O. Cantril.

Parsons, James R., far., S. 35; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Pitman, S. D., P.O. Cantril.

Poling, R., far., S. 36; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Pollock, George, Upton.

Pollock, T. C., far.; P.O. Upton.

Potter, L., farmer and Postmaster, S. 20; P.O. Home.

Prall, E., far., S. 3; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Prall, Robert, farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Keosauqua; owns a farm of 260 acres, valued at about $30 per acre; born in Zanesville, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1833; left that State with his parents in 1843, and came to Clarke Co., Ind., where he resided until he came to this county in September, 1852. In October, 1855, he married Miss Eliza Singleton; she was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, in November, 1831; they have four children--Asa W., Frances M., Carrie and Della. Republican; Liberal.

Prall, T., far., S. 14; P.O. Keosauqua.

Rider, E., far.; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Roberts, O., far.; P.O. Home.

Ruddle, A., far., S. 9; P.O. Keosauqua.

Saar, J., far., S. 6; P.O. Cantril.

Searight, E., merchant, Upton.

Scotten, W., far., S. 25; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Shipley, S., far., S. 24; P.O. Keosauqua.

Shatten, P., far., S. 32; P.O. Cantril.

Silvers, D., far., S. 18; P.O. Home.

Silver, J. M., far., S. 20; P.O. Home.

Silvers, Wm., far., S. 30; P.O. Home.

Smith, G. W., farmer and stock dealer; P.O. Cantril.

Smith, J., far., S. 8; P.O. Lebanon.

Smith, John, far., S. 19; P.O. Home.

Smith, P., far., S. 9; P.O. Keosauqua.

Smith, W. M., far, S. 16; P.O. Home.

Sparks, J., far., S. 31; P.O. Cantril.

Stott, C., far., S. 22; P.O. Home.

Stott, G., far., S. 11; P.O. Keosauqua.

Stott, J., far., S. 17; P.O. Home.

Struble, A., far., S. 28; P.O. Home.

Struble, J., far., S. 17; P.O. Home.

Struble, P., far., P.O. Cantril.

Struble, Wm., far., P.O. Home.

Tackaberry, Tassey J., far., Sec. 24; P.O. Keosauqua.

Taylor, S., far., S. 15; P.O. Keosauqua.

Teter, Adam, far., Sec. 8; P.O. Upton.

Teter, Andrew J., far., Sec. 8; P.O. Upton.

Thorp, William, M., far., Sec. 1; P.O. Mt. Sterling; owns 1,500 acres, valued at $25 per acre; born in Lewis Co., W. Va., Jan. 28, 1842; came to this State and county in 1853; he is one of the heaviest farmers in Southern Iowa. His wife, Martha M. Withem, was born in Jefferson Co., Iowa, Nov. 15, 1847; they were married Jan. 18, 1863; they have two children--John Timothy and Adda Bell. Liberal. Democrat.

Thomos, D. M., far., Sec. 4; P.O. Keosauqua.

Thomas, R., far., P.O. Keosauqua.

Tiffey, I., far., Sec. 20; P.O. Home.

Tulley, Wm., far., Sec. 27; P.O. Home.

Wiley, James, farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. Mt. Sterling.

Warner, Nicholas, far., Sec. 6; P.O. Lebanon; owns 430 acres of land, valued at about $35 per acre; born in Schoharie Co., N.Y., Aug. 30, 1799; left that State and came directly to this county in 1837, making his present location in December of that year. Feb. 3, 1820, he married Miss Rebecca Warner, who was born March 28, 1801, and died Sept. 9, 1845; at that time, his family consisted of seven children, three of whom are now living--Sylvester, Isaac and John; his present wife was Elisabeth Hosford; she was born in Rutland Co., Vt., April 29, 1818; they were married Oct. 30, 1848, and have had six children, five of whom are now living--Mary E., Catharine, Harriett N., Harlow H. and George N. Democrat; religion, Liberal.

Wallam, J., far., S. 4; P.O. Upton.

Wooden, H., far., S. 16; P.O. Home.

Work, Andrew, far., S. 18; P.O. Home.

Workman, Noah J.

Warner, John, farmer, Sec. 6; P.O. Lebanon.

Vale, Amos, farmer; P.O. Cantril.

Vale, Johns, far., Sec. 30; P.O. Cantril.

Vance, B., far., Sec. 15; P.O. Keosauqua.

Yeager, W. L., farmer; P.O. Upton



1878 Biographies of Bonaparte Township, Van Buren County, Iowa
transcribed by Rich Lowe. E-mail - richlowe@web-iowa.com


1878 Township Index | Van Buren County, IAGenWeb

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