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ABIJAH HUBBELL VAN SICKLE, M.D., a retired physician living in Washington, Iowa, was born in Mason County, W. Va., April 15, 1813. He is the son of Anthony and Zilpha (Hubbell) Van Sickle. the former ws a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 13,1 760, and of German descent. He was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca VAn Meter, by whom he had the following children: Henry, Samuel, Jesse, Hannah, Anthony, Abraham, Martha A., John, Joseph, and Eli. Rebecca Van Sickle died, and June 16, 1811, Mr. VAn Sickle married Zilpha Hubbell, a native of Massachusetts, of the old Puritan stock, born Oct. 10, 1788. They were married in Ohio, and then moved to Virginia. There were born to them three children, two of who lived to be adults—Polly and Abijah.
The former married Bartlett Payne, of Ohio, and has since died. Anthony Van Sickle was a soldier in the War of 1812, with the rank of Captain. He died Sept. 29, 1815, in Virginia. Mrs. Van Sickle subsequently married Rev. Eli Steadman, a Free-Will Baptist minister, by whom she had three children, two of whom are yet living: William J., of Hancock, Neb., and Lucinda Hugg, of Meigs County, Ohio. Mrs. Steadman died many years ago in Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was taken by his mother to Ohio when but three years old, and in the pioneer schools of those early days received his education. Of the old school-house and the teachers of the early day he has a vivid recollection. The building was of logs, with puncheon floor, slab seats, and greased paper window lights. The writing-desks were of slabs resting upon pins driven in the wall. The teacher was either a man too lazy to work, "good for nothing else but to teach school," as expressed by the pioneer, who had generally a poor opinion of a man who wouldn't work, or an "old maid with such a sour expression that the children's biscuits were always soured before lunch time." It never was required of a teacher
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that a child should be taught anything but "readin', ritin' and 'rithmetic'," and in the latter only to the "double rule of three." The boys in the winter time had to haul and cut the wood necessary to roast the children on one side while the other was freezing, as was customary from the fire in an old fireplace. In summer the boys were dressed in tow linen shirts that came down about their knees, while the girls had a similar garment only reaching a little lower. In those days, says the Doctor, the girls had to hunt the cows with a club in their hands to kill the snakes that might cross their path, while the cows had a habit of eating leeks upon the road, which tainted the milk. In order to destroy the taste of the leeks, the Doctor says his mother used to give each of the children a bit of onion. Bread and milk was the chief diet. In his boyhood days wild game was plentiful, including deer and bears. The latter were in the habit of helping themselves to the lambs and pigs, and to protect the stock each farmer had to have a supply of dogs, with guns and plenty of ammunition.
But, notwithstanding such surroundings in his early days, the subject of this sketch grew t manhood, and, Jan. 2, 1842, was married to Mahala Brown, a daughter of Dr. James E. and Mary (Ford) Brown. She was born near Pittsburgh, Pa., and removed with her parents to Meigs County, Ohio, at an early day. Dr. Brown was a soldier in the War of 1812, and faithfully served his country during that struggle. After going to Meigs County he studied medicine, and for many years was a practicing physician. His practice extended over a large scope of country, and in attending his patients he was frequently from home for weeks at a time. There were four children in the family who lived to be adults, but all have since died save Mrs. Van Sickle. Dr. and Mrs. Brown were members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, dying in that faith many years ago in Meigs County. The Doctor was a man of more than ordinary ability, and the family stood high in the esteem of all their acquaintances.
Shortly after his marriage our subject commenced the study of medicine in the botanic school, and was engaged in its practice for ten years in Ohio, and for twenty years after coming to this county. As a practitioner he had very gratifying success, and only relinquished practice on account of increasing age. The Doctor came to this county in 1856, purchasing a farm in Jackson Township, on which he moved and where he resided till his removal to Washington, combining farming with the practice of his profession. In 1881 he moved to the city, where he has since been living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
Dr. and Mrs. Van Sickle are the parents of four living children: Neal now resides in McPherson, Kan., and is engaged in the grocery business; Anthony is a farmer in this county; James Eli is also engaged in farming in this county; Abijah R. is a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine at Hastings, Neb. Dr. Van Sickle has been identified with this county for almost a third of a century, and has witnessed many of the changes that have been made. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has been since the organization of the party. He is a man of jovial disposition, enjoys a joke to-day as well as he did a half century ago, and has probably as few enemies as any man in Washington County.
W. E. WOODBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 15, HIghland Township. His post office is Riverside. He is a native of Bradford Cunty, Pa., born in 1827, and is the son of Moses and Esther Woodburn, the former a native of New York and of Scotch descent, and the latter of Massachusetts. Moses Woodburn died in Pennsylvania in 1843, and Mrs. Esther Woodburn in Washington County, Iowa, in 1885.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native State, and, in 1852 was ulnited in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Wattles, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1832. In 1856, Mr. Woodburn determined to come west, and, accompanied by his family and mother, came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled in Highland Township, where his wife died June 17, 1876, leaving four children: Lawrence C., who is residing
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upon the home farm; Louis F. married Jennie McClaughlin, who died in December, 1886, and by whom he has one child, Pearl; Fannie married Frank Stewart, who died, and she subsequently married Christ. Bookwalter; Thodocia married Annie Potter. Mr. Woodburn was the second time married in this county, Jan. 21, 1881, to Amelia Chapin, who was born in New York in 1842. By this union there are two children Libbie, and John W.
Mr. Woodburn is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, which is now principally under the management of his son Lawrence. He is a man well respected in the neighborhood where he resides, and by all who know him. He is well informed upon all subjects of general interest, and can express himself in an intelligent manner. Both himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln and James A. Garfield, and now desires to live to see James G. Blaine President of the United States. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Woodburn had three brothers respond to their country's call, and went forth to fight in defense of the Union. Theodore was a member of the 141st Pennsylvania Infantry, and Wilson L. of the 25th Iowa Infantry. Lawrence C. enlisted in the 10th Iowa Infantry. All survived the hard service, returned home, and once again resumed the peaceful lives of farmers.
When Mr. Woodburn emigrated to Iowa he was accompanied by his only living sister, who became acquainted with and, in 1857, married N. U. Fogg, a native of Vermont. He was a man widely and favorably known in this county. By industry and economy he accummulated considerable property, and at his death, in December, 1885, left his widow in comfortable circumstances.
HIRAM WALLINGFORD, farmer, was born in Mason County, Ky., near Maysville, Sept.. 23, 1825. He is a son of Joseph and Susan (Conway) Wallingford. this couple were probably born near Culpeper Court-House, Va., for her father, John Conway, came to Kentucky prior to the Indian War of 1812, and was frequently called out to defend the families who were placed in the block-house for safety. Both of the grandparents had large families, and the aged parents lived and died in Mason County, Ky. John Conway had nine children who lived to maturity. Nicholas Wallingford was the father of seventeen children, ten born to his first wife and seven to his second wife. The parents of our subject were married in Kentucky. HIs father died when he was but six years of age, and his wife survived him many years, nearly ninety when her death occurred.
Our subject, Hiram Wallingford, was married in Mason County, Ky., to Evaline Henderson, June 8, 1848. The next year they came to Washington, this county; where Mr. Wallingford, who was a tailor in Kentucky, established himself in business. They remained in Washington until 1863, he being engaged in different occupations, part of the time as a merchant. Their children were all born there except the youngest, Susan J; Mary E., the wife of Joseph A. Heatherington, of EMporia, Kan.; David h>, the husband of Martha Harvey; Hiram J.; Lizzie, the wife of Joseph Glasgow, a resident of Cass County, Neb.; and Clara, complete the family. When the war began Mr. Wallingford volunteered in Co. I, 18th Iowa, and was sent to the front, where he remained until the close of the war, after which he began an agricultural life, and for many years rented land, but in 1881 purchased his present farm.
Mr. Wallingford has served as Sheriff of the county for one term. He was also Constable for years. His wife is a sister of James Henderson, a well-known citizen, and an early settler of the county, who came with his father, David Henderson, from Kentucky to this county in 1848. David was a blacksmith, one of the first in the village. The lands owned by his son were entered by him about 1854, and were improved during his lifetime. The readers of this sketch will remember our subject as an active business man of twenty years ago, but he is one of the veterans who have grown old since beginning pioneer life in the new country. Three grandchildren have nestled in his arms: Annie M. and Susan M. are daughters of Mrs. Heatherington, and Hiram G., named after both
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his grandfathers, is the only son of Lizzie Glasgow.
The lives of such men as Mr. Wallingford have been such as inspire confidence among men, and his prosperity since the disastrous days of 1857 has proved him to be one of the most enterprising of men, as he began farming without a dollar, after his failure, which occurred on account of being too lenient to customers, and every obligation has been met in full.
SAMUEL ERDICE, deceased, was a native of Ireland, born Jan. 4, 1816, and the son of John and Jane Erdice, who were also natives of that country. When but twelve years of age he was brought by his parents to the United States. They settled in Mercer County, Pa., and there lived during the remainder of their lives. Our subject grew to manhhood on his father's farm in Mercer County, and not only followed the occupation in his youth but in mature age. He was married in the latter-named county, Jan. 1, 1848, to Rachel Fell, born Jan. 6, 1827, and the daughter of George and Rachel (Campbell) Fell, the former a native of Bucks County, Pa., and of English descent, and the latter of Westmoreland County, Pa., and of German descent. Both died in Mercer County many years ago. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are living—Andrew, Aylett, Elizabeth and Rachel.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Erdice resided in Pennsylvania until 1864, at which time they emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Washington County, where Samuel Erdice purchased 208 acres of fine land on section 21, adjoining the village of Ainsworth, which he improved, and where he remained until his death, which occurred May 18, 1886. He was a kind and affectionate husband and an indulgent father, and was respected by all who knew him. Commencing life in limited circumstances, before his death he had acquired a large property, which he left to his family and which was enough to render them comfortable through life.
Mr. and Mrs. Erdice were the parents of two children: Alpheus S., born Nov. 1, 1848, and Allie, April 4, 1853. The former is now engaged in the mercantile trade at Keota, Keokuk Co., Iowa. He married Eliza Stewart, daughter of Kennedy Steward, by whom he has four children—Eleanor, Clyde, Lelia and Earl. The daughter, Allie Erdice, is now the wife of A. E. Spalding, Principal of the High School of Ainsworth, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Erdice is yet living on the home farm. She has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church for many years, and in her life endeavors to walk consistent with her Christian profession. She is a lady of fine ability, and is highly respected by all who know her. Her father was one of the first settlers and large land-holders of Mercer County, Pa., and became wealthy by his own efforts. The father of Samuel Erdice was also an early settler of Mercer County, Pa., and one of its most wealthy citizens at the time of his death.
ROBERT H. FULTON resides upon section 28, Cedar Township. He is a native of Butler County, Pa., born in 1829. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was the son of James and Jane (Hays) Fulton, the latter being a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, who received a pension for his services. They were natives of Pennsylvania. James Fulton was born May 17, 1895, and when but two years old was taken by his parents to Butler County, Pa., where he lived till his death, which occurred June 10, 1858. He was reared on a farm and became one of the leading men of Butler County, Pa., where he served as Justice of the Peace for ten years. He was a self-educated man, a natural mechanic, and in youth learned the cabinet trade in Greensburg, Pa. He was a cousin of the celebrated Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat, and, like his cousin, his mind naturally ran in the mechanical field. For many years he was engaged in the woolen manufacture and no man was better known in Butler County. He married, in that county, Miss Jane Hays, who was born in 1794, and died in 1869. They reared of family of nine children, of whom Robert H. is the fourth.
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The subject of this sketch remained at home till twenty-seven years of age, assisting his father on the farm and in the mill, and in his youth attending the district schools during the winter months of each year. In 1859, on the 3d of May, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Fleming, a native of Allegheny County, Pa., and the daughter of James and Jane (Black) Fleming. They were the parents of nine children: James B., a farmer residing in this township; George M., Clara Jane, Harper Allen, Emma Luella, Elizabeth Ann, all residing at home. In 1873 Mr. Fulton came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and in connection with is brother William, who is now a resident of Washington, Iowa, bought 223 1/2 acres of land on section 28, where he still continues to reside. In addition to general farming he is making a specialty of stock-raising, and has now upon his farm fourteen head of high-grade draft horses. He also keeps on hand an average of twenty-five head of fine cattle. He is one of the leading farmers of Cedar Township, and enjoys the respect and confidence of his friends and neighbors to a remarkable degree. He is now serving his seventh years as Justice of the Peace. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously he is a member of the United Presbyterians; Mrs. Fulton is also a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Their home is a hospitable one, in which all find a hearty welcome.
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