| page 247
J. S. ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, whose post-office is Ainsworth, resides on section 28, Oregon Township, where he owns 393 acres of fine land, all of which is under cultivation and well improved. In addition to the home farm he owns 253 acres on another section. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1829, and is the son of Isaac H. and Belinda (Stinson) Adams, the former a native of Kentucky and of Irish descent, and the latter of Ross County, Ohio, of good old REvolutionary stock, her father serving in that war. Mr. Adam's paternal grandfather moved to Ross County, Ohio, from Kentucky. He first visited that country during the winter time, and while there what was known as the "big snow" fell, following which there was a great sleet. The country being new and provisions scarce, the party with which he had visited the country came near perishing from hunger. Finally, one of their number killed a wild turkey, which served to temporarily relive their wants.
Isaac H. Adams and Belinda Stinson were married in Ross County, Ohio, in 1826. They came to Washington County, Iowa, in 1864, and settled in Cedar Township, where they remained until the death of the former, which occurred in 1883, at the age of eighty-two years. The latter is still living in Cedar Township. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are yet living, four of the number residing in this county: Robert lives in Cedar Township, this county; J. S. is the subject of this sketch; Patience is the wife of N. A. Holson, of Iowa City; James H. is a resident of Cedar Township; Maggie is the wife of T. A. Allen, of this county; H. W. lives in Adair County, Iowa. In the death of the elder Adams the county lost one of its best citizens, the wife a kind husband, and the children an indulgent father.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and when nineteen years of age commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, and followed that occupation some twelve years, since which time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1855 he came to Wshington County, Iowa, and in 1857 married Hannah O., a daughter of Isaac and Penelope Dawson, and born in 1838. There were eight children in her father's family: Sarah, deceased; Hannah O., a daughter of Isaac and Penelope Dawson, and born in 1838. There were eight children in her father's family: Sarah, deceased; Hannah O., the wife of our subject; William, John P.; Caroline, the wife of H. W. Adams, Rosa L., the wife of B. D. Utterback, James, and Ettie, wife of Mr. McCan, of Nebraska. Her parents came to this county in 1844, and were thus numbered among its pioneers. By this union ten children have been born: Patience, the wife of Elbridge Sherfey, has two children—Pearl and John; Harvey married Grace Mickey, and is now residing in North Bend, Neb.; Maggie is the wife of M. Miller, of Cedar Township, this county, and has two children—Earl and an infant; John now resides in Idaho; Minnie, Frank, Grace, Faith, Ortus and Flossie M. are at home.
Mr. Adams is a member of Orient Lodge No. 365, A.F. & A.M. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife and a portion of the family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Adams has made a success in life, and has now one of the best improved farms in Oregon Township. HIs present residence was built in 1871, at a cost of $1,400. The farm is mostly
page 248
under hedge fence. Everything around it denotes thrift and enterprise, and there can certainly be no reason why all the members of the family should not lead a happy life.
DAVID L. AMSPOKER one of the earliest settlers of Washington County, Iowa, resides upon section 25, Washington County, Iowa, resides upon section 25, Washington Township. He was born Oct. 23, 1833, in Harrison County, Ohio, his parents, Alexander and Mary (Lyons) Amspoker, being among the pioneers of that county. In 1834 they moved to Hancock County in 1840. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: eliza, the wife of Almon Dunning, of Adams County, Iowa; David L., the subject of this sketch; Samuel, of Keya Paha, Neb.; James, of Wyoming; Mary, of Harrison County, Ohio; Martha, the wife of Hugh Mitchel, of Ohio. Mrs. Amspoker died in Harrions County, Ohio, in February, 1876. She was a sincere Christian woman, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her death was deeply mourned by family and friends. Mr. Amspoker is still living in Harrison County, Ohio, at an advanced age.
David L. Amspoker was reared in Harrison County, Ohio, and was educated for that day. In 1856 he left Ohio and came to Washington County, Iowa, where he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Nelson, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born Dec. 27, 1826. Her parents, William and Ann Nelson, were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Wayne County, Ohio, at an early day, and who were also early settlers of Washington County, Iowa, arriving her in 1845, and locating in Washington Township. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Martha, of Lenox, Taylor Co., Iowa; Mary, of Washington; Sarah J., and Lizzie, the wife of John Hall, of this county. They were members of the Seceders; Church, and were very hospitable people.
Mr. and Mrs. Amspoker have become the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Lurena, the wife of Mathew Lewis, of Grainfield, Gove Co., Kan.; Frank, Etta and Myrtle at home. The deceased were Anna, Alex B., William N. and Ross L. Politically Mr. Amspoker is a Republican, but has never asked for nor accepted office. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, his wife also being a member of the same body. Mr. Amspoker has 120 acres of land which is well improved, having a good house, barn and all necessary out-buildings. While not a large land-owner, he has sufficient t make him a comfortable living, and is content with his lot. What he has is the result of his own labor, he not having inherited a cent.
T. H. ASHTON is a dealer in general merchandise at Nira, his stock consisting of dry-goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, clothing, groceries and queensware. He was born Jan. 28, 1850, in the town of Bainbridge, Lancaster Co., Pa., and is the son of John and Frances (Baker) Ashton, both also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a tailor by trade, and followed that occupation until his health failed, and then lived a retired life. The family moved from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1872, to Columbus City, Iowa, where the father bought a farm near the city, and remained there till the spring of 1874, and then bought eighty and one-half acres of land in Jefferson County, to which they moved in the same year. Our subject took charge of the farm until the death of his father. John Ashton was a charitable man, a devoted member of the Church of God, taking an active part in all Church work as far as his health would permit.
The subject of this sketch was an only child, and received his education in the common schools of his native town in Pennsylvania. After coming West he lived with his parents on the farm until he embarked in the general merchandise business under the firm name of Baker & Ashton, in South English, Keokuk Co., Iowa, in the fall of 1880. He continued at this business until the spring of 1881, when by mutual consent the partnership was dissolved, and in June of that year young Ashton came to Nira and established himself in the general merchandise trade at that place, where he has since
page 249
continued to reside. He carries a stock of about $5,000 worth of goods, and by close attention to business and honest dealing, he has built up a large trade and possesses the confidence of the entire community. His mother is still living, at the age of sixty-two years, and makes her home with him at Nira. She is a devoted member of the Church of God.
Mr. Ashton was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Roman, the daughter of John and Mary Roman, and of this union there is one child, born Aug. 11, 1887. Mrs. Ashton is a member of the Catholic Church; Mr. Ashton is a member of the I.O.O.F.
EUGENE ANDERSON, senior member of the firm of Anderson & Brindley, grocers, at Washington, is a son of Henry B. and Laura M. (Richardson) Anderson. He is a native of Washington County, Iowa, born May 20, 1852. He was educated in the common schools and the High School of Washington, Iowa, and subsequently took a commercial course at Rocheser, Minn. In 1878 he came to the city of Washington and engaged as a clerk for T. S. Dougherty, and afterward with S. C. Corbin. He subsequently was employed as a traveling salesman for Bell, Smith & Segner, wholesale grocers, of Burlington, Iowa, and remained with that firm for three years, when he formed his present partnership and engaged in the grocery and provision trade in this city.
Mr. Anderson was married, in November, 1884, to Miss Anna E. Warren, a native of Massachusetts. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., and is the present Secretary of the same. He is also a member of Cyrus Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., and comrade in Bethlehem Commandery No. 45, Knights Templars. In politics he is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his party, though never having held any political office. Mr. Anderson comes of a family who were pioneers in Washington County. He is one of the active business men of Washington, and in every enterprise calculated to build up the city and county, he is ever ready to give of his time and means. While one of the youngest merchants in this city, he has succeeded in building up a trade in his line second to none. A full stock of groceries, provisions and queensware is always to be found at the store of Anderson & Brindley, and sold at the lowest possible price. Socially, Mr. Anderson is well respected and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.
|
Visit our family of homepages and join us.