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 ELMER BENNETT was born in Fairfield Township, Cumberland Co., N.Y., Nov. 27, 1805. He is a son of William and Esther (Elmer) Bennett. Nathan Bennett, an ancestor of our subject, was a son of Samuel Bennett, one of the first settlers of Western New Jersey, and the first to erect a saw and grist mill. He was a native of Holland, and reared a large family, among whom were Jonathan, and Samuel, the great-grandfather of our subject. Nathan married Sarah Bateman, who bore Nathan, William, Samuel, John, Josiah, Sarah, Abigail, Ruth and Rhoda, all married in New Jersey. Jonathan Elmer, the maternal grandfather, was a prominent man in that State, and for many years was a civil engineer in that country. He surveyed and made a deed from the State to Samuel Bennett of several sections of land in that State, at the nominal price of five cents per acres. After Bennett's death the land was divided between his heirs, none of whom are present owners.
In the spring of 1836 the Bennett family moved to Shelbyville, Ind., and in 1838 came to the State of Iowa, locating on Brush Creek in Des Moines County. Our subject states that letter postage was then twenty-five cents, and that their mail was obtained at Burlington, then a little town which had not a frame building, and there were but two brick houses in it. The post-office was kept in a small log house on the river bank. The first land sale was held in Burlington, at which he was present, and at that date his father and Rufus both purchased an 80-acre tract in Des Moines County, and 120 acres besides. William Bennett and his wife were the parents of nine children, all born in New Jersey, and all came to Iowa. Our subject was the only one married at that time, his wife being Lucy A. Jaggers, born May 17, 1811, who was he mother of three children before they had located in Iowa. Emily was the wife of Alexander Neal, and Caroline the wife of Charles Berg, born in New Jersey, and Rufus, husband of Mary F. Moore, was born in Shelbyville, Ind.
Our subject was a very poor man in a financial sense, and his first land was purchased not with money, but by splitting for Terry, 14,000 rails, for which he was given a deed to sixteen acres of timber land, which was afterward traded to his brother Rufus for forty acres on section 28, on Crooked Creek, Elmer also giving a yoke of steers. His brother Rufus had taken a claim of 160 acres now owned by our subject, but after a trial in the new and undeveloped country, traded the claim to Elmer for a trifle, and helped him build a log cabin, about 1840, and during that spring Elmer moved his family to their new home. The land was entered about 1843, he purchasing it from Hon. John H. Gear, of Burlington, for $110. The patent from the Government is still in his possession, and the land has never been owned by any other man. Every improvement on that farm has been made by Elmer Bennett. Mary, the wife of Thomas Maxwell, was the first child born to them in Iowa, followed by the births of Frank F., husband of Margaret H. Maxwell, who were both born in Des Moines County; Violetta, the wife of John A. Alexander, and Robert, were born on the ancestral farm in this township. All are living except Robert. Thomas Maxwell was a soldier during the late war, and Jesse Berry, first husband of Caroline Bennett, was killed at the first assault before Petersburg. Both were brave soldiers and honorable men.
The Bennetts were Free-soilers in New Jersey, but were ardent members of the Republican party after coming to Iowa, being among the organizers of the part in this State. Elmer Bennett has grown from a very humble beginning to be one of the wealthy men of this township. Honest, energetic, a kind father and liberal neighbor, both himself and family have endeared themselves to the residents of
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their county in every way. Their children were all well educated, and Mary was a teacher of merit in the State of Ohio. Rufus, the eldest son, was for three years a soldier, and served in all the memorable battles of the war. The aged father and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1882, and take rank among the oldest, if not the very oldest, married couples in the county. After the death of Dr. George Pulsifer, first husband of Mary Bennett, their son Frank was adopted by our subject, and is as dearly loved by them as their own children. His father was a talented man, highly educated in medicine and dental surgery, and an accomplished gentleman. Mr. Bennett has served as Justice of the Peace, and for many years was supervisor. Both himself and wife have been members of the Congregational Church for fifty years, but both were reared in the Presbyterian Church.
Elmer Bennett is perhaps the only man residing in the township who was personally acquainted with the noted Indian chief, Black Hawk. He is also an intimate friend of ex-Governor John H. Gear, present Member of Congress of this district, from whom his first land was purchased, and who, in his visits to this part of the country, never fails to call upon his old and honest friend. No family deserves more especial mention than that of Deacon Bennett, who for more than half a century has been a Deacon in the Congregational Church. Two of his daughters have been contributors to several of the leading magazines and papers, and have shown more than ordinary ability in literature, and had they endeavored to make themselves known in the literary world, might have ranked among the most illustrious, especially the eldest and youngest daughters, Carrie and Lettie. "The Conflict is Over," with many others of note, composed by Carrie, won meritorius praise throughout the State, and "Apple Blossoms," composed by Lettie, is by many eminent critics ranked second only to "Gray's Elegy;" showing the same style of expression, and is a rare production. Competent judges have decided that their poems rank even higher than those of the noted Cary sisters. In a series of articles written for an Eastern magazine, she displays a degree of humorous talent rarely equaled. In each and all of this family no thought of self has been fostered; charity and love for all is the maxim that binds them together, and in possession of gifted intellects, they stand far above many who have become more widely known. Their household cares were not neglected while engaged in literary work, and while soothing their children, many of their brightest poetic gems were created. An excellent portrait of Mr. Bennett accompanies this sketch.
WILLIAM G. STEWART, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Washington County, being numbered among the settlers of 1844. He was a native of Virginia, born Dec. 5, 1819. He was reared upon a farm and received a common-school education. When sixteen years of age he went to Maryland and located near Frostburg. He married Miss Hannah Patterson in 1841. She is a native of Maryland, born Oct. 30, 1822. To them were born eight children, of whom seven are yet living: John G., is a farmer, residing in Franklin Township, this county; Charles N. is engaged in the nursery business in Washington; William S. is a farmer, residing on the old homestead in this county; Lovina, is the wife of Fred Geisler, of Muscatine, Iowa, a dealer in agricultural implements; Frank is a member of the firm of Stewart Bros., dealers in agricultural implements, of Washington; George W. is junior member of the firm of Stewart Bros., Washington; Lloyd died Sept. 13, 1864.
Some three years after their marriage the family moved to Washington, coming through by water to Burlington, and from there by teams. This was before the admission of Iowa into the Union, and before a railroad was built to or from Chicago. Mr. Stewart first located in Seventy-Six Township, where he remained two years and partially developed a farm. Selling out, he purchased a tract of land near Washington, part of which was the original claim of Mr. Baker, one of the settlers of 1836. On this farm he lived until his death, which occurred June 16, 1864, and which he made one of the best improved and most productive farms in the
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county. In addition to the breeding and raising of fine stock, on the completion of the railroad to Washington, Mr. Stewart engaged in buying and shipping stock, becoming one of the largest dealers in the county.
In politics, Mr. S. was, before the organization of the Republican party, an old-line Whig, but was always opposed to slavery, especially to its extension into free territory. When the Republican party came into existence, its views coinciding with his own on the slavery question, he allied himself with that party. Religiously, he was for many years a member of the United Brethren in Christ, and gave much of his means to build up the Church. He was strictly honest in all his dealings, highly respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Stewart is yet living, and resides in the city of Washington, Iowa, and is a woman of excellent worth, a Christian in every sense of the word, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN M. LYTLE, section 13, Jackson Township, is a native of Indiana County, Pa., where he was born in 1844, and is the son of Robert and Eliza J. (Smith) Lyle. The nativity of the Lytles belongs to Scotland. Robert, the grandfather of our subject, and John, the great-grandfather, were also residents of Pennsylvania, but the latter came from New Jersey at an early date in the history of the former State, and was forced to return on account of trouble with the Indians. Later, however, he again settled in Pennsylvania, and lived and died there, as did also the grandfather, Robert. The last mentioned was the father of a large family, of whom Robert, the father of our subject, and Alexander, his brother, came in 1857 to the State of Iowa, locating first in Jefferson County, and in 1859 removed to this county. Robert yet resides upon the original purchase, adjoining the farm of our subject on the west, and has reached the ripe old age of seventy-six years.
During the long life of Robert Lytle in this county he has eschewed politics and paid exclusive attention to his farm. His good wife is now in her seventy-second year, and the aged couple have traveled down the hillside of life with the consciousness of having reared a family fitted by education and social standing to grace any position in life. Of their children five are now living: Kate, the wife of Capt. Montgomery; John M., the subject of this sketch; Rev. D. Smith Lytle, a missionary in India, of the United Presbyterian faith, who left for his field in 1881; his wife was formerly Miss Belle Gordon and now share his far-away home. J. Alexander wedded Victoria Cunningham, and is a resident farmer of Jackson Township; Rebecca, the wife of S. W. Glashow, a book-keeper for a Des Moines publishing house. All the children were educated in, and were all married to residents of this county.
John M. Lytle, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm and gave his attention to farming until Aug. 9, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 19th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in some of the most important battles. At Prairie Grove, Ark., Springfield, Mo., Vicksburg and Yazoo City he faced the rebel shot and shell, and at the engagement at Sterling farm, one of the Federal outposts in Louisiana, he was captured along with his regiment, and taken to Shrevesport, La., and later, to Tyler, Tex., and for ten months endured the horrors of a rebel prison. He was wounded at the time of capture, but ultimately recovered. After being exchanged, the regiment served in the battle at Spanish Fort, and after numerous skirmishes, his war days were ended by a safe return to home and friends. He was honorably discharged at Mobile, Ala., in 1865.
After his return home from the war, in 1867, Mr. L. was married to Miss Maggie Glasgow, the daughter of Gen. R. B. Glasgow,who was well known in this county. they are the parents of one child, Ralph R. G., born July 5, 1877. The life of our subject has not been an eventful one, except that by his energy he has acquired a successful business and the esteem of his fellowmen. Although a prominent factor in Republican politics, Mr. Lytle has not aspired to political honors. However, in 1887, he was, without solicitation, chosen by the Republican party of Washington County for
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County Auditor, which fully demonstrates their confidence in his ability as a thorough business man, being chosen from among a large number of aspirants. This is a compliment well deserved, which we are pleased to chronicle, and also to give Mr. Lytle a place in the history of his chosen county.
JEFFERSON DUVALL is a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 25, Seventy-Six township. He is a native of Maryland, born in 1823, and is the son of Horace and Mary (Cunningham) Duvall, the former a native of Prince George's County, Md., and the latter of County Down, Ireland. When but three years of age his parents removed to Washington County, Pa., where they remained six months, and then removed to Carrrollton, Ohio, where they lived till his father's death, which occurred in 1837, at the age of forty-two. Our subject now went to work on a farm, and worked for others for many years.
On the 27th of November, 1851, Mr. Duvall was united in marriage with Miss Mary Brown, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, and daughter of Samuel Brown. Two years later he came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, where he entered 120 acres of land, which he improved, and where he has since continued to live. From time to time he has added to his possessions until he now is the owner of 330 acres of as fine land as can be found in Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Duvall have had ten children: William L., born Jan. 27, 1853, is now living in Seventy-six Township; Reaves A., born Jan. 5, 1855, died Nov. 5, 1871; H. W., born June 22, 1857, is now engaged in farming in Audubon County, Iowa; A. B., born Oct. 20, 1859, is now living in Cedar Township; Emma and Ella, twins, born April 9, 1862, are yet at home; Frank E., born July 5, 1867, is now engaged in farming in Adams County, Iowa; James Smith, born in 1869, died June 18 of the same year; Katie, born Feb. 17, 1870, is a teacher in the public schools of Audubon County, Iowa; Eddie, born April 3, 1871.
Mr. and Mrs. Duvall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican. On his father's side Mr. Duvall is of French descent, and on his mother's side of Irish. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died, as already stated, in 1837. His mother is still living, at the age of eighty-eight years, and is making her home with the subject of this sketch. Mr. Duvall was among the first settlers of Seventy-Six Township, and is well known and respected by all. When he came to this county he was in very limited circumstances, but through his industry, energy and good management, he has acquired a competency, and is now numbered among the most prosperous farmers of Washington County.
JESSE PEARSON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, Oregon Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Allegheny County, April 17, 1825, where his ancestors settled in 1796, coming from Essex County, Mass. His father, himself and his oldest son, were all born in the same house, and in which his father died. Jesse, of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and has made farming his life-long business. He was married in Allegheny County, Pa., Oct. 11, 1847, to Miss Mary J. Frew, who was born in the same county in 1827. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living: John H. Postmaster, and editor of the Ainsworth Clipper; Mary R. is the wife of J. B. McCoy, and they have four children—Jesse H., Mary E. Charles and Henry H.; Samuel C., who resides in this township, married Mattie Colthurst, and Emma J. is the wife of D. H. Miller; they reside with Mr. Pearson. The deceased are William F., Charles E. and Henry H.
In 1855 Mr. Pearson turned his face westward, and with his family moved to Iowa and settled in Dubuque County, where they remained until Sept. 5, 1856, when they came to this county and located on his present homestead, which consists of 160 acres of fine land, under the best cultivation, and on which is one of the finest residences in the township. The family lived in the house which was on the place when purchased, twenty-one years to a day, and on reaching its majority, "moved our
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of the old house into the new." Mr. Pearson's ancestry for several generations back were Yankees, while his wife was of Irish descent.
The life of Mr. Pearson affords another example of what may be acquired by a young man in this country. Starting in life with but limited means, he went to work, and with a determination to do, has by the labor of his own hands, assisted by his wife, acquired considerable property, and is to-day one of the leading and influential citizens of Oregon Township. Politically, he is independent, voting for the best men regardless of party. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which body his wife is also a member. A resident of the county for almost a third of a century, he is well known and universally respected by all who know him.
DAVID LETTS, deceased, was for many years a resident of Highland Township. He was a native of Illinois, born Dec. 19, 1843, and was the son of Nehemiah Letts, and of German descent. His mother's maiden name was Graves. They were among the early settlers of Louisa County, Iowa, where they were well known, and where the mother died in 1850. The father is yet living at a ripe old age.
David G. Letts was reared upon a farm, and followed the occupation of a farmer through life, but unlike many farmers' sons, his educational advantages were superior, having for some time the privilege of attending one of the colleges at Galesburg, Ill. When the war for the Union was at its height, when men were urgently needed to put down the most gigantic rebellion of modern times, a rebellion that was really without excuse, young Letts offered his services to the General Government and became a member of the 45th Iowa Infantry, and did his duty manfully and well. The war being ended, he returned to his home in Louisa County, and resumed the peaceful vocation of a framer, a branch of business which he especially seemed fitted for by nature as well as by training.
In 1866 our subject came to Washington County and purchased 640 acres of land and located upon section 31. For five years he continued to run the farm without a "helpmeet," and then, on the 12th of September, 1871, he was untied in marriage with Miss Hannah Dickinson, a native of Muscatine County, Iowa, and daughter of O. and Miranda (Gale) Dickinson, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, but who came to Muscatine County at an early day. Her father is yet living at the age of seventy-four. They were married in 1826, and in September, 1876, celebrated their golden wedding, at which time they received the congratulations of a host of friends, and received a number of valuable presents, as a reminder that the golden period of their wedded life had commenced and that all thereby expressed the wish that their love one for the other should be as precious as gold.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living, as follows: Julia P., the wife of Joseph Boiler, now living at Walnut, Pottawattmie Co., Iowa, engaged in the real-estate business; Levi, a farmer, now living in Danbury, Iowa; Ocran, proprietor of the New London Hotel, New London, Iowa; Abbie M., the wife of William Lucas, a farmer of Monmouth, Kan.; Maria L., the wife of Charles Wilson, a retired farmer, of Marcus, Iowa; Hannah, the widow of our subject; and Frank, the wife of Albert Sheldon, a farmer of Cowley County, Kan. Mr. Dickinson was of French descent. In early life he learned the trade of a harness-maker, but later chose the occupation of a farmer, in which he was quite successful. Mrs. Dickinson was for many years a member of the Congregational church. To Mr. and Mrs. Letts, the following children were born, namely: Madison L., Freddie D., Clarence F., Emma F., Ernest G. and Gladys G., all of whom are residing at home.
In his farm work Mr. Lets was eminently successful, and at the time of his death, which occurred May 16, 1884, he was the owner of 1,000 acres of as fine land as can be found in Washington County, all of which he had highly improved. For some years he had made a specialty of stock raising and shipping, in which lines he was likewise successful.
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As a citizen he was greatly esteemed and honored by his fellow-townsmen. For two years he was a member of the County Board of Supervisors and discharged the arduous duties of the office in a highly creditable manner, entirely satisfactory to his constituents. In the discharge of all his duties, he brought to bear a high order of executive and business talent. At the time of his death he was a member of the A.0.U.W.
Mrs. Letts is still carrying on the large farm, and, like her late husband, has good executive abilities, and, under her management, the farm is highly remunerative, every detail being carefully considered, and no part left to look after itself. Few farms present a neater or more attractive appearance. Religiously, she is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
SOLOMON KANOUSE is a farmer residing on section 19, Oregon Township. He was born in Lehigh County, Pa., in 1842, and is the son of Jesse and Sarah A. (Hernley) Kanouse, both of whom are of German descent; the latter died Nov. 9, 1874, while the former is still living, and making his home with the subject of our sketch. He is now seventy years of age, though looking twenty years younger. He is a man well informed on general subjects, is of a jovial disposition, and well respected in the community where he resides.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm and followed that occupation until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. G, 2d Iowa Vol. Cav., from Muscatine, Iowa. He served three years, and was in a number of battles and skirmishes. At the battle of Shoal Creek, Ala., he received a flesh wound in the left thigh. He received his discharge at Keokuk, in 1865. While in the service he had the smallpox and erysipelas, from the effects of which he lost his eyesight. While of itself no compensation for the loss of sight, Mr. Kanouse receives from the General Government a pension of $72 per month.
In 1858 Mr. Kanouse was united in marriage with Anna Ayres, a native of New York, born in 1845. They have six children: Thomas J. married Mary Nichols, by whom he has one child, Ethel May; they reside in Eldon, Iowa, Thomas being a conductor on the C., R.I. & P.R.R. Rebecca O. is the wife of George H. Corwin, of Muscatine; they have one child, Elmer P. Sylvester E., Sarah A., Minnie S., and Nellie I. reside at home.
In 1854 Mr. Kanouse commenced to learn the printing trade, which he followed till he came to Iowa in 1857. Since he lost his eyesight he has learned to bottom chairs, and now does considerable work in that line. Of his father's family there was also, besides himself, one son and one daughter. Sylvester V., the son, was a soldier in the 11th Iowa Infantry, and died while fighting the battles of his country. The sister, Rebecca E., is now the widow of J. W. Kanoff, and resides in Oregon.
Mr. Kanouse is a member of I. G. White Post, No. 108, G.A.R., of Washington. Notwithstanding the loss of his sight, he manages to keep posted upon all questions affecting the public interest. In general literature he is also well posted, and has read to him such standard works as may be available. In the political and general news of the day he keeps well informed, and is able to express himself intelligently upon almost every subject.
JOE M. KILGORE, Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, is a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, born in 1843, and is the son of John L. and Mary (Meek) Kilgore, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. In 1845 he came with his parents to this county, and remained with them until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served until June, 1865. He was in all the principal engagements of his regiment and company. The first battle in which he participated was that of Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 1862, where he was wounded by a cannon ball which just grazed his hip. With the regiment, he was in the battle of Arkansas Post, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Lookout Mountain, Missionary
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Ridge, Ringgold, the Atlanta campaign and in the march to the sea. At Atlanta he received a gunshot wound in the groin, from which he suffers to this day.
After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Kilgore returned home and remained one year, then went to Madison County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming four years, near Winterset. Returning to this county, he purchased a farm of eight acres in Washington Township, where he has since continued to reside until appointed as Superintendent of the poor farm. Mr. Kilgore has been twice married. His first wife was Alice Wilson, a native of Des Moines County, Iowa. They were married in 1868. She died in 1874, leaving four children—Annie C., Ophie May, John Wilson and Frank A. In February, 1881, Mr. Kilgore married Mrs. Eliza J. Shields, widow of James Shields, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Matthew Shields.
In February, 1887, Mr. Kilgore was appointed Steward of the County Hospital, and Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, which position he now occupies, and in discharge of its duties is giving excellent satisfaction. He seems to be adapted to the work, having perfect control over the inmates. While yet firm, he treats all with the utmost kindness. Mr. Kilgore is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of which body his wife and daughters are also members. He is also a member of the I. G. White Post No. 108, G.A.R. Politically, he is an uncompromising Republican, believing strongly in the principles advocated by that party. For the old flag he has an undying love, and while he is willing to extend the olive branch to those who were engaged in rebellion, he is not yet ready to abandon the principles for which he fought.
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