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BALAAM ANDERSON, deceased, was born in Virginia, May 20, 1793, and when six months old was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where they remained nine years, then went to Adams County, Ohio, where Balaam grew to manhood. In 1815 he was married to Wilhelmina Bowen, who was born in Maryland in 1793, and when a girl of nine was taken to Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom—James B., Henry B. and Levi B.—lived to adult age. In 1839 the Andersons came to Iowa, locating on section 34, in the southern part of Washington County. They shared the hardships and privations of the pioneers, and overcame them. The only floor of their first cabin was old mother earth, on whose broad bosom has been nurtured many a worthy son.
At the time Mr. Anderson settled in this county there was not a house between his place and where Washington now stands, and the nearest trading posts were at Burlington and Lowell, and two weeks was often consumed in going to and coming from mill, teams coming from 100 miles around. Afterward "corn crackers" were started up in various neighborhoods. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson lived a happy wedded life for more than fifty-five years. The husband died on Jan. 30, 1870, and the wife on Nov. 8, 1880. Both were for several years before their death members of the Christian Church, and were esteemed upright people.
DR. FORDYCE RICE is a retired physician living in Washington. He was born in Conway, Hampshire Co., Mass., March 14, 1806, and is the son of Isaac and Anna (Ware) Rice, his mother being a daughter of Deacon Ware, one of the good old primitive stock. His grandfather on his father's side was Israel Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rice had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, eleven of whom grew to be adults, and three yet survive: Judith, residing in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N.Y.; Dr. Fordyce, of Washington, Iowa; Caroline, in Northwestern Ohio. In early life Mr. and Mrs. Rice were Presbyterians, but later they became members of the Baptist Church. They were sincere Christians and enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew them. Both died many years ago at Cazenovia, N.Y., and are buried in the cemetery at that place.
The subject of this sketch, Dr. Fordyce Rice, was reared upon a farm and was early made acquainted with hard work. In the common schools of his native county he received his education, supplemented by an attendance at Cazenovia Seminary for a short time. From the time he could remember he had an earnest wish to attend college, but this desire was never gratified. When twenty-one years of age he left the farm and commenced teaching school, and, while engaged in that profession, he was persuaded by Dr. Kennedy to study medicine, and commenced reading in his office and under his instruction. After reading for a time he attended Cazenovia Seminary, as already stated. Leaving the seminary, he entered the office of Dr. Silsby, where he remained five years, reading under the Doctor's instruction. In the meantime he attended a course of lectures at a medical college in Albany, N.Y., was there examined and licensed to practice by a County Board of Examiners. He then commenced the practice of his profession at Utica, N.Y., where he spent three years and then returned to Cazenovia. In 1831 he went to Lebanon, N.Y., where he spent three years and again returned to Cazenovia, and engaged in practice. He there became acquainted with Miss Laura Parker, a daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Clark) Parker, of Massachusetts, to whom he was married in 1834.
The Doctor remained in active practice in Cazenovia till 1863. His removal was brought about by a queer circumstance. In Cazenovia he had living with him a boy, who came west to Washington County, Iowa, and when the war of the Rebellion commenced he enlisted in an Iowa regiment, got sick, and was sent back to Washington for treatment. Before leaving Cazenovia, the Doctor told him if he ever got sick to send for him and he would come and attend him. After being in Washington for a time and experiencing no relief, and doubtless a little homesick, the young man telegraphed for the Doctor, who at once came on and took charge of the case. In a short time he raised him from the sick bed. The young man subsequently returned to Cazenovia, N.Y., and there died. While here the Doctor received many calls and was urgently requested to settle. Believing it to be a good place, he returned to New York, disposed of his practice and other effects, and the same year came back to Washington, and has since made it his home.
Dr. Rice commenced practice as an allopath, but not being satisfied with the treatment of that body of physicians, read homeopathic works, became convinced of the truth of the theories enunciated by that school, became a disciple of Hahnemann, and has since practiced homeopathy. He has never had cause to regret the change, believing it is right. For over fifty years he was in active practice, but having passed his fourscore years, has thought best to retire, leaving the field to younger and more active men. In early life the Doctor was an old-line Whig, and always with anti-slavery views. Since the organization of the Republican party, he has acted with and voted its ticket. As a citizen, he is universally esteemed by all who know him.
ISAAC N. CARR, residing on section 28, Lime Creek Township, is one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers and stock-raiser of that township. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., May 28, 1836, and is the son of Isaac and Harriet M. (Pinkerton) Carr, who were also natives of New York, and the parents of four children: Issac M. [N?], the subject of this sketch; S. B., a farmer and stock-raiser in Umatilla County, Ore.; Delos, a farmer and stock-raiser in Mt. Idaho, Idaho, and Amanda, the wife of E. Bradford, a farmer in Lime Creek Township.
Isaac Carr was a natural mechanic, and in his native State followed various occupations, including the running of a sawmill for some years. About 1841 he removed with his family to Scioto County, Ohio, and there remained until 1844, when they removed to Washington County, Iowa, and took possession of a cabin on Smith Creek. In the fall of that year, he, in company with H. H. Wilson and George Pinkerton, constructed a mill for the purpose of crushing corn-stalks after the ears of corn had been removed. By this process he obtained the first moslasses ever made in this county. About 1851 he started down the river to St. Louis, and was last heard from at that place. He is supposed to have been lost on a wrecked steamboat. Mr. Carr was a very steady and industrious man, generous in all his dealings, charitable in the extreme, and highly respected by all. Mr. Harriet Carr died in Ohio about 1849. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, interested in all religious and
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benevolent work, and in her domestic relations was a model wife and mother.
The subject of this sketch began life for himself at a very early age. The educational advantages enjoyed by him were limited to the common schools. At the age of sixteen he hired out to work on a farm with a man by the name of Hull, receiving only his board and clothes for eighteen months' service. After leaving the service of Mr. Hull, he wandered around looking for work. While passing a school-house near Isaac Leighton's in Lime Creek Township, the children of Mr. Leighton asked him to go home with them. On his arrival at their home, and making known his condition, Mr. Leighton kindly gave him a home, for which to this day he held in the most tender regard by Mr. Carr. With Mr. Leighton he remained eighteen months, and was then recommended by him to William Shaw, with whom he engaged, and worked for nine months at $10 per month. Out of this amount he saved $10, with which he made his first payment on an 80-tract of land. To make the entire payment, he borrowed $70 at forty per cent interest. giving the deed to the land as security, and receiving from the borrower a bond for the deed. After making some little improvement on his place, he went to work for J. C. Jones at $11 per month, out of which he paid the borrowed money with the forty per cent interest. In 1857, he built a small cabin near where now stands his beautiful two-story frame dwelling, and then began to break prairie, at the same time running a "bachelor's hall."
Believing it was not good for a man to be alone, in October, 1858, Mr. Carr was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Taylor, a native of Scioto County, Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1836, and the daughter of Harvey and Eleanor (Squires) Taylor, who were natives of New York. By this union there was one son, Harvey T., born May 28, 1860. Harvey Taylor, the father of Mrs. Carr, was one of the pioneers of Lime Creek Township, and was well and favorably known throughout the county. Previous to his death, he held the office of Justice of the Peace forty-four years, serving in Ohio for twenty years, and for twenty-four years without intermission in Lime Creek Township. He was a man of good judgment, and highly respected. His death occurred May 30, 1881. Mrs. Carr died Dec. 15, 1861, during which year four of her father's family died.
When the war of the Rebellion commenced, I. N. Carr was among the first to offer his services to the General Government. He enlisted in the summer of 1861, in Co. F, 11 Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. After rendezvousing at Davenport, the regiment was ordered to Benton's Barracks, near St. Louis, where it remained during the following winter, and was then sent to Jefferson City, Mo., where it was divided, part of it being stationed at Fulton, in the same state. Early in the spring of 1862, it was sent to Pittsburg Landing, and there, on the 15th of April, 1862, had its first real engagement with the enemy. In the fall of 1862, the regiment was in the second battle of Corinth, and then chased the "Johnnies" about forty miles, as far as Ripley. It was then sent with Gen. Grant to Vicksburg, but was cut off from the main army, losing all its supplies. The regiment was then ordered back to Memphis, and staid [stayed] during the winter of 1862-63, during which time there was the heaviest fall of snow ever known in that section of the country. The entire army suffered greatly during that winter. In the spring of 1863, the 11th was again ordered to Vicksburg, and after the capture of that city remained doing garrison duty for some time, in connection with fighting ague and mosquitoes. The next active service was in the Meridian raid, when the 11th Iowa, with other troops, disabled fourteen locomotives, in addition to other hard work. In the winter of 1863-64, special inducements were held out to the old soldiers to re-enlist, and Mr. Carr was among the first to again offer his services for three years more. The veterans were all given a thirty-days' furlough, during which time Mr. Carr returned to his home, to visit family and friends. When he left the South, returning home on his furlough, peaches were about as large as peas, but on his arrival in Washington County, he found it very cold, and snow upon the ground.
On the expiration of his furlough, Mr. Carr again said good-bye to his friends and rejoined his regiment at Camp McClellan, near Davenport. The regiment was soon afterward ordered to Cairo,
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and then to Paducah, Ky., and went into camp on the Tennessee River. While there the smallpox broke out, but our subject escaped the loathsome disease. The regiment was next ordered to Atalanta, Ga., serving during the entire campaign. During July it was engaged in four battles, those of July 4, 21, 22 and 28. Moving as near to the city as it dared go, the regiment lay behind breastworks until the 30th of August, when the army moved south and cut off the supplies of the enemy, thus compelling them to evacuate the city. On the 1st of September, the last battle was fought in what was known as the Atlanta campaign. On the 16th day of October, the regiment, under Sherman, began the historic "march to the sea," and arrived in Savannah, Ga., in fine condition. Taking an ocean steamer, it was sent to Beaufort, S.C., and Jan. 7, 1865, disembarked and lay in that city until January 13, when it took up its line of march, which it continued five days, and then went into camp on a rice plantation. February 1, 1865, they again took up their line of march through South Carolina, destroying railroads and building corduroy roads for a pastime. On the 16th of February the army arrived at Columbia, S.C. It next marched through South and North Carolina, on to Washington, D.C., where it arrived in due time, and took part in the grand review in that city. After remaining in Washington until June 8, the regiment was sent to Parkersburg, and thence to Louisville, Ky., where it was selected to escort Gen. Sherman into that city. On the 4th of July, Gen. Sherman delivered his farewell address to the army, which deeply moved every man. On the 18th of July, the regiment was mustered out at Louisville, and sent to Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, and was there discharged July 22, 1865. Returning to his home, Mr. Carr again resumed farming, which occupation he has successfully followed up to the present time. To the original eight acres which he purchased in 1857, he has added by subsequent purchase until he now owns 393 acres, all under fence, and which is without doubt one of the best farms in Lime Creek Township.
On the 21st of September, 1865, Mr. Carr wedded Miss Margaret Taylor, born April 9, 1847, and daughter of Harvey and Eleanor Taylor. By this union there were ten children: David A., born Aug. 13, 1866; Leroy H., Feb. 17, 1868; Norah I., Feb. 10, 1870; Sylvia, Oct. 13, 1872; E. D., born Jan. 17, 1874; died Jan. 16, 1877; Harriet E., born Oct. 10, 1876; Isabel, Sept. 29, 1879; Maud, Oct. 4, 1880; Nellie G., Sept. 30, 1882; Victory C., Aug. 25, 1885. The parents have taken pride in educating their children both in the English and German languages.
In addition to general farming, for some years past, Mr. Carr has given special attention to stock-raising, and has endeavored to improve his grade of cattle and hogs. As already seen, on reaching his maturity, he was in very limited circumstances, but has been most successful in his life work, from the fact that he is industrious, energetic, and interested in the public welfare. Politically, he is a Democrat. In the establishment of the cheese factory at Nira Mr. Carr took an active part, and it was mainly through his instrumentality that the work was commenced. All in all, he is well entitled to a place in this work, as one of the truly representative men of Lime Creek Township.
JACOB T. STILES, section 3, Marion Township, has been a resident of this county since 1858, when he settled in the present city of Washington. He was born in Washington County, Md., in 1840, and is the son of William and Henrietta Stiles, who were also natives of Maryland. HIs mother died Sept. 14, 1844, at the age of thirty-three years. His father died in Henry County, Iowa, in 1874, at the age of seventy-five years, having been born Jan. 9, 1879.
Jacob was reared on his father's farm and left his native State with his father when he was but nine years of age, going to Clarke County, Ohio, where they lived nine years, and then came to this county. The first land purchased by our subject was in 1861, when he bought twenty acres in Washington Township, and where he lived seven years, in the meantime purchasing twenty acres more. In 1867 he sold this land and purchased forty acres on section 24, Marion Township, where he lived five years, and then moved to section 3 of the same
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township, where he purchased sixty acres of land in 1874. Here he still lives, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He keeps on hand about twenty head of cattle, and from four to six head of horses.
Mr. Stiles was married in February, 1866, to Mary E. Moore, a daughter of Amos and Sarah P. Moore. She is a native of this county. They are the parents of five living children: Amos William, born March 22, 1867; Alice B., born Jan. 29, 1871; Martin T., born Oct. 21, 1876; Mary J., born July 12, 1889; Clara B., born Nov. 8, 1882. they have lost two: Jesse, born Feb. 12, 1869, died March 28, 1869, and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held several of the township offices. He has been a citizen of Washington County for almost thirty years, and has witnessed most of the improvements that have been made. As a citizen he stands well in the estimation of the community in which he lives.
DAVID BENSON, who resides upon section 2, Cedar Township, is one of the pioneers of Washington County. He was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1832, and is the son of William and Rachel (Carson) Benson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Tennessee. In 1843, the family came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on section 1, Marion Township, where the father died June 20, 1878, at the age of seventy-eight years; the mother died in 1861, at the age of fifty-four. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
David was but twelve years old when the family came to this county. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received such education as could be obtained in the pioneer schools of that day. On reaching his majority he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Marion Township, which he continued to improve until 1864, when he bought 216 acres of land on sections 1 and 2 of Cedar Township, where he still lives, and to which he has since added seventy acres, making him a fine farm of 286 acres of excellent land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Benson first married, in 1853, Miss Lucinda C. Lay, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Daniel and Mary A. Lay. By this union there were ten children: William Henry, born July 12, 1854, now residing in Cedar Township; Mary A., born March 30, 1856, died when a child; Daniel, born April 16, 1858, was drowned in English River June 16, 1871; Louisa, born Feb. 13, 1861, died Aug. 1, 1882; Luzena, a twin sister of Louisa, died in infancy; Rosetta, born Aug. 14, 1863, died Sept. 4, 1884; Melvina, born Dec. 10, 1865, died June 11, 1877; Lucy, born June 16, 1871, died in 1877. Mrs. Benson died Jan. 5, 1874, at the age of thirty-six years. Mr. Benson's second marriage occurred Oct. 17, 1875, when he wedded Maria Cooper, a native of Indiana, daughter of Joseph Cooper. Five children have been born unto them: David, Sept. 2, 1876; Grace, May 14, 1879; Newton, March 5, 1881; Myrtle, born May 11, 1883, died March 2, 1885; Bessie, born SEpt. 29, 1885.
Mr. and Mrs. Benson are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Republican. In his life work Mr. Benson has been fairly successful. By industry, economy and good management, he has been enabled to become the possessor of one of the finest farms in Cedar Township, and has sufficient of this world's goods to render him and his comfortable through life. He enjoys the respect of his fellowmen to a remarkable degree.
JAMES PORTER resides upon section 27, Oregon Township, where he owns 140 acres of land, under a high state of cultivation, and where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Mercer County, Pa., born March 14, 1843, and is the son of Joseph and Jane (Rogers) Porter, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania, but of Scotch-Irish descent. They came to this county in 1852, and settled where our subject still resides. The former died in 1879, while the latter is still living at the age of seventy-five. They reared two children, Samuel R. and James.
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The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm and has followed that occupation far through life. In the hour of its need, he offered his services to the Government, and became a member of Co. I, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., serving until the close of the war. He was in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, the battles of Atlanta, Chattanooga, Ringgold, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and in all the engagements in which the regiment participated. In the battle of Ringgold he received a flesh wound. In the grand review at Washington, in which there passed before the President and General of the army the great body of citizen soldiery of the country, he formed one of the number. The war being ended, he was mustered out at Washington, D. C., and received his discharge at Davenport a few days later.
Returning to his home in Washington County, Mr. Porter again resumed the peaceful vocation of farming, and on the 10th of November, 1868, was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Paul, a native of Allegheny County, Pa., born June 2, 1845, and daughter of James and Nancy Paul. Five children have blessed their union—Nancy J., Sarah L., Joseph P., Effie L. and Glenn G. In politics, Mr. Porter is a Republican, and has held the office of Township Trustee one term. The family are all members of the United Presbyterian Church. His mother, Jane Porter, is also a member of that Church. James Porter is an enterprising citizen of Oregon Township, a good business man, and one who enjoys the respect and confidence of all.
REUBEN RICKEY, a farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 33, Lime Creek Township. He is a native of Pikaway County, Ohio, where he was born Dec. 28, 1831, and is the son of John and Ruth (Dick) Rickey, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Dick, who were natives of West Virginia. They had a family of seven children: Reuben, the subject of this sketch; Thomas, who died in Lime Creek Township in 1850, at the age of seventeen years; William was a soldier in the war for the Union, and has since died; his widow is still living in Lime Creek Township. Mary, now the wife of Henry Nicola, resides in Mahaska County; Samuel, a soldier in the late war, was a member of the 7th Iowa Infantry, and killed at the battle of Corinth; Wellington died in 1856; Murat was a soldier for the Union, a member of the 30th Iowa Infantry; he was taken prisoner, and after having been held as such for some months was exchanged, and started for Annapolis, Md., and was suppose to have died while en route, as he was never heard from afterward. John Rickey emigrated from Virginia to Ohio about 1815, and there lived until 1849, when he came with his family to Washington County, and settled on section 33, Lime Creek Township. He died in September, 1850, at the age of forty-six. His wife died in September, 1853, at the age of forty-two.
Reuben Rickey, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents to this county in 1849, and remained with them until his marriage, which occurred March 2, 1853, to Ruth E. Ayer, a native of Baltimore County, Md., and daughter of John Ayer, also a native of that State. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was among the earliest settlers of Washington County, and here died about 1874. His wife preceded him to the spirit land. Mr. and Mrs. Rickey have been the parents of seven children, namely, Victoria, now the wife of William Haller, of Dayton, Washington County; Jenny Lind, the wife of Henry Schultz, of Cedar Township; Benjamin Franklin, now engaged in farming in Lime Creek Township; Irene R., the wife of Isaiah Oldfield, of Cedar Township; Laura A. and Viola, at home; Clara A. died in infancy.
Mr. Rickey is one of the representative men of Lime Creek Township. He commenced life a poor boy, and at the time of his marriage was in very limited circumstances. He is now the owner of 152 acres, all of which is under cultivation, and well improved. All that he has is the result of his own labor, together with that of his wife. He has been Township Assessor and Trustee for a number of years, and has held various other township offices. His wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Democrat,
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one who is well informed, and who takes great interest in public affairs. He is a public-spirited and enterprising man, a firm believer in compulsory education, believing that in the education of children lies the hope of the perpetuity of the Union.
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