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 MICHAEL WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section29, Washington Township, is one of the best known men in Washington County. He is a pioneer among pioneers, coming to this county in 1840, and has been identified with it since that time. He is a native of Alleghany County, Md., born Aug. 13, 1808. His father, James Wilson, was a native of Maryland, born March 6, 1871. His mother, Martha (Ashby) Wilson, was also a native of that State, born Feb. 12, 1786. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom lived to be adults, one dying in infancy: Michael, of this county; James R., of Perry County, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Israel Moore, of Perry County, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of Robert Huston, of Perry County, Ohio; Rachel, wife of Isaac Cooper, of Perry County, Ohio; Martha, wife of Isaac Hull, of the same county; Jonathan, the eldest, died in Washington County, Iowa; Thomas died in Perry County, Ohio.
Politically, James Wilson was an old-line Whig, a great admirer of Henry Clay, and when the latter was defeated for the Presidency, could scarcely restrain his feeling. He held several local offices in Perry County, and was Judge of the County Court of that county for eight years. In his case, it was the office seeking the man, and not the man the office. He was a great student, and well posted in the affairs of the country. Honest and upright in all his dealings, charitable in all laudable enterprises, there was not a man in the State of Ohio more universally respected. He and his wife were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal
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Church, and always took an active interest in the same. James Wilson died March 31, 1853, and Martha Wilson died in 1877. Both died in Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the pioneer log school-house, attending school in the winter, and assisting his father upon the farm during the summer months. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age, when he commenced work for himself, his first venture being the raising of a crop of tobacco, and in which he was quite successful, realizing quite a handsome sum for that day.  He was married on the 15th of February, 1849, to Miss Catherine Ann Hood, born March 1, 1826, in Perry County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Judge Charles C. and Frances (Hammond) Hood, the family being among the best known and highly respected in that section of the country. Judge Hood was a man of strong common sense, the people of his section of country going to him for legal advice to the detriment of the attorneys, for he would almost invariably secure a settlement of difficulties without litigation. Judge and Mrs. Hood were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both died in Perry County, Ohio. In 1840, Mr. Wilson came to Washington County, Iowa, and made a claim to a tract of land on section 29, Washington Township, to which he afterward secured the deed, and which he improved, and on which he has lived for almost a half a century. To his original purchase he has since added other purchases, until he now owns 800 acres of land, lying within a short distance of Washington. When the second purchase was made from the Indians, Mr. Wilson went to Mahaska County, made claim to a tract of land on Six-Mile Prairie, and there improved a good farm, though he never moved to that county.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of four living children: Charles J., an attorney-at-law, Washington County, Iowa, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Thomas resides in Mahaska County, Iowa; he married Frances Davis, by whom he has two children, Catherine and Clara. William Willis, of this county, married Emma Ream, and has one child, Charles R.; Allie A. resides at home. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body his wife is a member, and to the support of the Church always contributes quite liberally. Financially, his life has been a success. In addition to his land, he is a stockholder in the Washington National Bank, and has been one of its Directors almost from the time of its organization. Of a jovial disposition, looking upon the bright side of life at all times, it is no wonder that he is surrounded by a host of friends and enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, which is only acquired by right dealing.
In connection with this sketch may be found portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, which will be well appreciated by the readers of this work.
GEORGE W. HOWE, attorney-at-law, real-estate agent and loan broker, Washington, Iowa, was born in Albany, Delaware Co., Ind., May 25, 1840, and is the son of Dr. Nathan D. and Mercie (Crone) Howe. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1775, and the mother of New York, born in 1800. Both of them moved to Ohio in an early day, and were there married. By their union there was a family of six children, five of whom are living: Thomas J., now of Warren County, Ohio, enlisted in the 1st Ohio Cavalry and served three years; Louisa is the widow of Mason Chenowith, and resides in Celilna, Mercer Co., Ohio; Margaret married Rev. J. Botkin, who died in Washington, Iowa, in 1871; Elizabeth married Hazael Weldy, now of West Charleston, Miami Co., Ohio; George W. is the subject of this sketch. Dr. Howe was of the regular school, and practiced for a number of years at Old Town, Ross Co., Ohio, then moved to Indiana, then back to Ohio, locating in West Minster, Auglaize County. While engaged in his professional duties, a horse fell with him, injuring him seriously, so that he had to abandon the practice of his profession. He died at Milledgeville, Fayette Co., Ohio, in 1859, aged eight-four years. Mrs. Howe subsequently married Lewis D. Paris, and died in January, 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years.
George W. Howe received an academic education, and for a time engaged in teaching school,
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though at the time having in view the study of law. In 1866 he commenced regularly the reading of law, and in 1868 entered the law department of the Cincinnati Law College, from which he was graduated in 1870. In 1872 he came to Washington, where he formed a partnership with L. Twining in the practice of law. This partnership was dissolved in June, 1872. In August, 1872, he went to Lebanon, Ind., and there married Miss Mary Davis, a daughter of Charles Davis, of that place. Two children have been born unto them: Charles D., aged thirteen, and Mercie M., eight years of age.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Howe returned with his bride to Washington, where they have since resided, and where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession, to which he has added they buying and selling of real estate and the loaning of money for Eastern and home capitalists. Politically, Mr. Howe was, up to 1884, a Republican, but is now in hearty accord with the administration of President Cleveland. Socially, he is a member of Hawkeye Lodge No. 1, A.O.U.W. In every enterprise for the good of Washington, city or county, Mr. Howe can always be found at the front, advocating the measure with pen and vice. Having clear-cut ideas as to what will promote the interests of the community in which he resides, he does not hesitate to advocate them as the opportunity presents itself.
ARCHIBALD DAVIDSON, section 7, Highland Township, is one of the prominent stock-raisers and farmers of Washington County. He was born March 13, 1837, in Venango County, Pa., and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Major) Davidson. (Thomas Davidson is the subject of a sketch found on another page of this volume.
The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm of his native State, and in attending the district schools. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, or until the 29th of December, when he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eakin, daughter of William and Maria Eakin, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been the parents of five children, namely: Minnie J., a teacher; William P., a farmer, residing in Greeley County, Kan.; Edwin J., at home; Thomas O. and Stella M. They remained in Pennsylvania, living upon the farm which his father then owned until the fall of 1867, when they came to Iowa and settled in Jackson Township, where they resided one year, and then moved to section 7, Highland Township. Here Mr. Davidson has since lived, and owns a farm of 130 acres, 120 acres under a fine state of cultivation and ten acres of timber. He has held various township offices, and is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, to which office he was elected by the Democratic party. He is an outspoken temperance man, well versed in public affairs, and in his native State always took a lively part in political matters. Mr. Davidson and wife are earnest members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, giving both time and means to advance its interests.
JAMES FLEMING, farmer and stock-raiser, section 2, Washington Township, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Dec. 30, 1824. His father, James Fleming, was a native of Ireland, while his mother, Jane (Black) Fleming, was a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in Allegheny County, Pa., and were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: James, the subject of this sketch; Jane, the wife of Stephen Brewer, now of Butler County, Pa.; Alexander, of Pottawatomie County, Kan.; Margaret, wife of Robert Fulton, of this county, and Elizabeth, wife of Wilson Hazlett. In early life Mr. Fleming was politically a Whig, but with anti-slavery tendencies, and on the organization of the Republican party became identified with it. He was a member of the Associate Reformed Church in early life, but on the union of that body with the Associate Church became a member of the United Presbyterian Church. His wife was also a member of that body. He died in Allegheny County, Pa., in 1872, and Mrs. Fleming in 1865.
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The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, working in summer and attending the common schools of his native county during the winter months. The school facilities of that day were very meager indeed, but young James availed himself of all the opportunities afforded him. After leaving the farm, he spent three years in a rolling-mill at Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. McAllister, a native of the same county and State in which he was born. They were children together, and attended the same school and church. In the spring of 1849 they left Pennsylvania for the West, coming through by water to Burlington, Iowa, bringing with them one horse, on which Mrs. Fleming rode and carried her child, which was then about one year old. Mr. Fleming came the entire distance from Burlington to this county on foot. For three years he rented land, and then purchased wild prairie in the northeast part of Washington Township, and is now the oldest settler in that section. At the time of their settlement, the country around them was unoccupied and neighbors were few and far between. When Mr. Fleming came to Washington County he had nothing on which to live, but with the willing hands and a disposition to work the object of his life has been secured, and he is now the owner of 205 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation. In politics he a strong supporter of the Prohibition party, being a temperance man from principle.
Mr. and Mrs. Fleming were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: William and Anna reside in Minneapolis, Minn.; Sarah is at home, and James V. in Colorado. Mrs. Fleming died in 1879. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was highly respected by all who knew her. In 1886 Mr. Fleming again married, choosing as a companion Mrs. Rosenberg, the widow of Jonathan Rosenberg, and a native of Ohio.
In 1864 Mr. Fleming enlisted in Co. B, 45th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was mustered out at Keokuk, at the expiration of his term of service. Mr. Fleming has now been a citizen of Washington County for thirty-eight years, and is well entitled to the name of an old settler, and should be honored by the rising generations for being one of the number that has made Washington County one of the best in the State of Iowa.
B. W. NICOLA junior member of the firm of Fesler & Nicola, dealers in hardware, furniture and farm implements, Wellman, Washington Co., Iowa, was born Aug. 29, 1851, in Somerset County, Pa. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Cress) Nicola, natives of Virginia, and the parents of ten children, nine of whom are yet living: John, a farmer of Washington Township; Catherine,wife of Otha James, resides in Indianola, Iowa; Henry, and Adventist minister, residing at New Sharon, Iowa; Zalmon, a farmer, residing in HIghland Township; Marcellus, a farmer residing in Harper County, Kan.; Eugnenus, a merchant in Riverside, Washington County; Collin, also a merchant in Riverside; Amziah, a hardware merchant at Riverside; Lucinda, deceased.
The family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1852. The father was a farmer by occupation, and the entire family were reared upon a farm. In the fall of 1854, they removed from Ohio to Iowa City, where they remained a few months, when the father purchased 330 acres of land near Pilot Grove, a part of which was in Lime Creek and the remainder in Cedar Township. Here the family remained until the death of the mother in April, 1869. She was a member of the Adventist Church, active and influential in all Church work,a nd a kind and indulgent mother. The father subsequently married Mrs. Ewing and removed from the farm to the city of Washington, Iowa, and there engaged in running a hotel about two years. He then moved to Riverside, where he died Feb. 10, 1885. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, a public-spirited man, who gave his children the benefits of a good common education. Politically, he was a Democrat, but liberal in his views. He was honored at various times by election to local offices.
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The subject of this sketch left the parental roof at the age of twenty-one, and learned the trade of a blacksmith, in which occupation he was engaged for ten years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in connection with a creamery at Riverside, Washington County, and there remained four years. Selling his interest at Riverside, he removed to Wellman and purchased a half interest in the hardware, furniture and farm implement establishment of D.A. Fesler, and also in the stock of E. S. Fesler, at Kalona, organizing the firm of Fesler & Nicola at Wellman, and E. S. Fesler & Co., at Kalona. Both firms carry a complete line of hardware and furniture, together with farm implements. The stock at Wellman is valued at about $8,000. Both men composing the firm are well known citizens of Washington County, are pleasing and agreeable gentlemen at all times, and do everything in their power to give satisfaction to their numerous patrons.
On the 27th day of April, 1876, Mr. Nicola was united in marriage with Miss Ida Richards, a native of Illinois, born Jan. 5, 1856, and a daughter of G. B. and Louisa (Ballangee) Richards, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Nicola are the parents of one child, born Jan. 27, 1883. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Nicola is regarded as one of the most enterprising citizens of Wellman, and is ever ready to assist in the prosecution of any work for the public interest.
A. M. ROWAN, proprietor of a livery and feed stable, at Ainsworth, Iowa, is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born Sept. 9, 1845, and is a son of John and Sarah (McGloughlin) Rowan. In 1856, the family emigrated to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Oregon Township, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents, and here grew to manhood, being reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of this county. His occupation during the greater part of his life has been that of a farmer, but since 1866 he has been engaged in the livery business in Ainsworth.
In 1871 Mr. R. was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Clement, a native of Kentucky, born in 1852, and daughter of Malin and Mary (Palmer) Clement. By this union there have been three children, two of whom are living, Ida and Mary. The deceased was Irene.
Mr. Rowan is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Rowan is a member of the Christian Church. Both are highly respected citizens of the community where they reside, each endeavoring to do their duty in all things.
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