A. A. HULL, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 18, Lime Creek Township, was born in Erie County, Pa., Sept. 23, 1837. He is the son of Rufus S. and Amanda (Blair) Hull, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of four children: Charlotte, wife of John Estell, resides in Battle Creek, Mich.; Hannah is the wife of James Barr, an express messenger residing in Toledo, Ohio, and who has been in that business for thirty-six years; A. A., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of James Cooper, resides in Battle Creek, Mich. The mother of these children died in 1845 in Erie County, Pa.

At the time of his mother's death our subject was but six years old, and at the age of nine years he went to live with Milton Hull, a distant relative, with whom he remained until eighteen years of age, engaged in helping on the farm and attending the country schools in the winter months. He then went to work in a sash factory, and remained at that business about eight months, when he went to Warren County, Pa., and commenced working in the lumber camps, continuing at lumbering for about two years, and then returned to Erie County in the fall of 1861, and began work by the month. In 1862 a company of young men began drilling, meeting twice a week for that purpose, until August of 1862, and then as one of their number, he enlisted in the 145the Pennsylvania Infantry for three years. He was mustered in and started for the front, first stopping at Carlisle, where the regiment went after Mosby's cavalry, being under fire for nine successive days. On the 17th of September it was engaged in the battle of Antietam, from which place it was sent to Harper's Ferry, crossed

the Blue Ridge, and went on down to Fredericksburg, on the Rappahannock, and then with Hancock's Division, took part in the charge at Mary's Height, in the rear of Fredericksburg, where our subject was wounded just below the right knee, a part of the bone being removed at the time, and in 1870 another operation was made from the effects of which he has never recovered. He was taken to the stone hospital at Washington, D.C., where he staid [stayed] nine months, and was then transferred to Mt. Pleasant Hospital, and afterward received a furlough of thirty days. He went home and remained until the expiration of his furlough, and then went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where the wound became so bad that he was finally discharged Sept. 10, 1864, and returned home to his native county.

Mr. Hull was united in marriage, Oct. 4, 1865, with Miss Eliza Hull, a native of Erie County, Pa., born June 8, 1845, and the daughter of Hiram and Abigail (Northrup) Hull, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Vermont. Mrs. Hull's father, Hiram Hull, came from Pennsylvania to Washington County in 1845, and remained one year, but returned to Pennsylvania and then moved to Missouri, where he lived until 1868, when he again came to this county and purchased a small farm in Lime Creek Township, where he resided until his death in 1882. He was a man of rather a reserved disposition, but was highly respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Hull is still living, at the age of sixty-four years, and is residing at Wellman. They were the parents of six children, of which number three are yet living: Ada, wife of Wilson Stafford, residing near Battle Creek, Mich.; J. W., a druggist in Alexandria, Dak., and the wife of our subject.

W. H. BURHAM, residing on section32, township 76, range 8, an attachment to Franklin Township, is a native of Hampshire County, Va., born in 1832, and is the son of Augustus and Rebecca (Stewart) Burham, both of who were also natives of Virginia. Augustus Burham was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1800, and there married in 1827, Rebecca Stewart. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom twelve are yet living—John Thomas, Hiram B., William H., James Gibson, Nelson C., Henry Harrison, L. R., Franklin P., Martha Ann, Harriet A., Custer A., Julia A. and Lucy A. The family came to Iowa in 1852, Mrs. Burham dying here Aug. 8, 1879, and Mr. Burham, June 28, 1887. At the time of his death he had twelve living children, fifty-three grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren.

William H. Burham came to Iowa in 1852, in company with his parents. He settled two miles south of Washington, where he lived four years, working on a farm and brick-making. He then went to Clark County, Iowa, where he engaged in blacksmithing and carpentering for seven years in

Hope Village. He then enlisted in the war for the Union in Co. B, 18th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served two years. He was in the battles of Prairie D'Anne, Poison Springs, Jenkins' Ferry and Clarksville. He was wounded at Ft. Smith, Ark., while on picket duty, being shot in the left hand, and losing one finger. He was discharged at Little Rock, Ark., June 10, 1865, for disability received while he was in the service. On receiving his discharge, he returned to Washington County and located on section 33, Cedar Township, where he lived one year, and then moved to another farm on the same section, belonging to Calvin Craver. Here he lived four years, and then moved to a farm on section 34, which he rented for five years. At the expiration of that time, he went to West Chester, where he lived six years, and then moved to his present farm on section 32, where he bought forty acres of improved land. In 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Sigafoos, a native of Virginia. They are the parents of seven children: George H., now of West Chester; Louis Nelson, now in Oregon; Elizabeth Susan, born Jan. 29, 1860, and died Oct. 27, 1862; Phoebe Jane, wife of George Barnett, of Washington; Emma L., the wife of Milton Barr, of North English; Rosetta, the wife of George L. Hays, of Franklin Township; Charles W., at home. Mr. Burham and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For twelve years he has held the position of Constable. He is a well-known and highly respected citizen of West Chester, and is a live man in every respect.

JESSE BROWN, section 24, Dutch Creek Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Richmond County, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1834, and is the son of Jesse and Susan (Tetter) Brown, who were natives of Pennsylvania. When but about eleven years old, his father and mother died, and he then lived with Jacob Barringer for four years, after which he worked for different persons and attended the district schools as the opportunity was afforded him. In 1855 he came to Iowa and entered 120 acres of land in Benton County, which he traded in 1861, for a farm on Davis Creek, in Washington County. On the 1st of January, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret A. Cahill, a native of Iowa born in Iowa City in 1844, and daughter of Thomas Cahill. Six children were born unto them: James, born Dec. 10, 1861, is a traveling salesman and has in the discharge of his duty, traveled in almost every State in the Union, and also in Canada; while in the latter country he lost an arm in a railroad accident. Ada, born July 21, 1866; Frankie, born July 10, 1869, was killed May 15, 1880, by a mule, and is buried in the New Haven church cemetery; Jessie I., born July 1, 1870; William, born July 10, 1875; Thomas Homer, born Sept. 25, 1880.

The war for the Union being in progress Mr. Brown left his young bride, and Aug. 15, 1861, enlisted in the 10th Iowa Infantry, and actively participated in all the engagements and campaigns of the regiment, including the battle of Corinth, Lookout Mountain, and the famous march to the sea. At Lookout Mountain he received a slight flesh wound. Going into the service with the intention of remaining until the Rebellion was suppressed or his life should have been offered up, in the fall of 1863, he re-enlisted as a veteran for three years more, and served in all four years and two months. The regiment was in the grand review at Washington City, from which place it was ordered to Little Rock, Ark., was there mustered out, and sent to Davenport, Iowa, where they were discharged. Although in the ranks Mr. Brown performed his duty as a soldier in a faithful manner. On receiving his discharge at Davenport he returned to his home in Iowa Township, Washington County and resumed the old occupation of farming. In 1876 he traded his farm in Davis Creek, Iowa Township, for eight acres of fine land under good improvement in Dutch Creek Township. On the 7th of March, 1886, Mr. Brown was bereft of his wife. She was a member of the Baptist Church, a most excellent Christian woman, one who exemplified in her daily life the teachings of the Savior of men. In the education of his children Mr. Brown has taken a special pride.

Although the war has long since been over, Mr. Brown has lost none of the patriotic ardor of his youth; he still believes in the old flag, believes that the North was right, and the South wrong in that great struggle. As one who served more than four years to preserve the Union from dismemberment, he believes in rigidly maintaining all the right won by that struggle. He is one of that large number of old soldiers forming the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of Washington Post No. 108.

JOHN DAVISON one of the early settlers of Marion Township, is a well-known citizen of Washington County. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1817, and is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Eike) Davison, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was among the pioneers in Ohio. He died when John was a boy of nine years. John Davison was reared on a farm and came to this county in 1847, and settled on section 30, Marion Township. He was accompanied by his mother, who subsequently married James Wolf and settled in Keokuk County, Iowa, where they have both since died.

On coming to this county, Mr. Davison first purchased eighty acres of timber and eighty acres of partially improved prairie land. To his original purchase he has since added from time to time other purchases, and is now the owner of about 2,000 acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. He was married, in 1838, to Elnora Van Wagoner, a native of New York. Ten children have blessed their union: Elizabeth, the wife of William Snyder, of Marion Township; Renson died in 1883; Perry resides in Marion Township; Martha is the wife of George Snyder, of Jefferson County, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Henry Davis,of Henry County, this State; Francis Marion resides in Brighton Township; Solomon resides in Frontier County, Neb.; Benjamin, who was drowned in 1878, in the Skunk River, was born Oct. 18, 1856, and was remarkable for his tact and talent, was of a mirthful disposition, true to every promise, knew the value of a friend, and was a favorite among his associates; Lydia married Madison Tucker, and died in 1886; John resides in Washington Township.

John Davison, like thousands of others, commenced life without a dollar, but he had industrious habits, and was possessed of a determination to acquire more than a bare living in his life. That he has succeeded is abundantly testified by his large possessions. He first began life by working as a farm-hand by the month, after which he rented a farm for three years, in Ohio. He then bought a farm in Washington County, Iowa, which he sold on his arrival, and purchased that on which he now resides. Politically, he is a Republican, and as a temperance man, he favors prohibition. As a citizen, he enjoys the respect of his neighbors and of all who know him. He is a man of more than ordinary ability, and all his actions are governed by a desire to do that which is right, and to live at peace with his fellowmen. He is a man of great heart, and will not turn the unfortunate from his door empty-handed. Lydia Elnora Tucker is the child of his deceased daughter Lydia; she is now making her home with her grandparents, and is their especial care.

A fine portrait of Mr. Davison may be seen upon an adjoining page, which was taken especially for this work.

JACOB KISSEL, a member of the firm of Detmars & Co., carriage manufacturers, and business manager of the same, was born in Clinton County, Pa., April 16, 1836. His father, Jacob Kissel, was a miller by trade, a native of Pennsylvania, while his mother, Margaret (Mook) Kissel, was a native of Baden-Baden, Germany. The father died in Clinton County, Pa. The mother is still living. Of the family of eleven children, five are yet living: Samuel, in Pennsylvania; Jane, in Nevada County, Cal.; Alex and Robert in Pennsylania; and the subject of this sketch.

The educational advantages of our subject were very meager indeed. Hard work was his lot from

the time he was physically able to do the simplest thing. At fifteen years of age, he left home, going to Clearfield County, in the same State, where he worked in a lumber camp for a time. He than went to Bellefonte, Pa., where he learned the carriage-making trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, receiving $4 per month, with board and washing. Out of this sum he saved $11.12 1/2 per year. In 1856, he went to Wooster, Ohio, and hired out to drive a lot of cattle from that place to Litchfield County, Conn. Returning to Wooster, he remained there until 1856, when he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., and from there to Niles, in the same State, where he was employed as manager of the Murray carriage shop for three years. Going from Niles to Decatur, Mich., he embarked in the manufacture of carriages for himself, and succeeded in building up a fine and profitable trade, but in 1868 had the misfortune to lose his manufactory by fire, which entailed a loss to him of about $12,000.

In 1873, he went to Sterling, Whiteside Co., Ill., to work at his trade, and was there converted and united with the Baptist Church. Having some ability for public speaking, he commenced talking to the people there in the social and prayer meetings of the church, and in time became a regular minister of the Church. For eleven years he continued actively in that work but through failing health, was compelled to abandon it, much to his regret. In 1877, he came to Iowa, and in 1879 located at Columbus Junction, where he remained until 1885, when he came to Washington and took charge of the business management of the carriage works of Detmar & Co. The largely increased trade enjoyed by the firm attests his ability in that direction.

Mr. Kissel was married in Kalamzoo, Mich., April 18, 1860, to Miss Stirena Verbeek, a native of Holland. By this union there have been eight children, five of whom are now living: Jennie and Etta are attending the Des Moines University; Ella, Gordon and Eva are at home. The family are all members of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Kissel is a thorough going business man, pleasant and agreeable in his dealings, but full of business. In times past he has taken a decided stand on the temperance question, and was very active in the advocacy of temperance. While a resident of Washington but a few years, he has made a host of friends.

JAMES STEVENSON, residing upon section 32, Franklin Township, is also numbered among the pioneers of Washington County, arriving here in 1844. He is a native of Bloomfield, Columbia Co., Ohio, born Aug. 7, 1822, and is the son of Robert and Martha (Gilmer) Stevenson, both of whom were natives of County Londonderry, Ireland; the former, however, being of Scotch descent. The family removed from Columbiana County to Carroll County, Ohio, when James was quite young, and where a farm was cleared out of the heavy timber. James remained at home with his parents, working on a farm and attending the common schools as opportunity offered, until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Washington County and settled on section 4, Brighton Township, where he entered 160 acres of prairie and forty acres of timber land, at the same time purchasing 155 acres in Dutch Creek Township.

In March, 1845, James Stevenson returned to Ohio and was there married, Oct. 29, 1846, to Margaret McColm, a native of County Londonderry, Ireland, and daughter of Daniel McColm. In a few days after their marriage the young couple came to Washington County where they have since continued to reside. They are the parents of nine children: Robert died at the age of one year; Daniel died at the age of two years and ten months; Nathaniel is living in this county; David Andrew resides on section 29, Franklin Township; George W. lives in Dutch Creek Township; James Patterson resides on his father's farm in Franklin Township; Margaret Jane married Rev. Robert Hood, of Keota, and died Aug. 16, 1885, aged twenty-six; Elizabeth Ellen and Charles Alexander are at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are members of the Associate Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican, and was originally a Whig, casting his first vote for William Henry Harrison for President. Among the local offices which he has held

is that of Justice of the Peace, a position he filled for eight years. The father of Mr. Stevenson died in 1844, aged sixty-five years, and his mother in 1862, aged seventy-eight years. They were both members of the Associate Presbyterian Church. James Stevenson commenced life a poor boy, receiving but $60 from his father's estate. By hard work, good management and habits of industry, he has acquired considerable property, having a farm of 451 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. To each of his children leaving home, he has given a good start in life. The cause of temperance has in him a steadfast friend, as well as all moral reforms.

J. B. CRAYNE, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in grain and stock, West Chester, Iowa, was born in Greene County, Pa., Feb. 14, 1840, and is the son of Elihu and Mary A. (Bell) Crayne, who were also natives of the Keystone State. The family came to Washington County, Iowa, in 1855, and settled on section 35, Franklin Township, where the father bought 200 acres of raw land which he improved and on which the family lived until 1866, J. B. cutting and splitting the rails with which to fence it.

In 1861, the subject of this sketch bought sixty acres of land in Marion Township, which he improved, and on which he lived two years. His father than being taken sick, he returned and took charge of the home farm, where he remained two years. He then bought 160 acres of land broken. He improved this farm and there lived till 1876, when he rented the same and commenced buying grain and stock in West Chester. He continued to rent his farm until 1875, when he sold it and bought 210 acres of land on sections 30 and 31, Cedar Township, adjoining the village of West Chester. He now owns 230 acres of land with a good residence property on lots 11 and 12 on block 2 in the village of West Chester.

In 1859, Mr. Crayne was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Walton, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of Jonathan Walton. They are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living: Dora E., wife of Frank Bean, of Cedar Township; Elmer Ellsworth, now residing in Lane County, Kan.; Carrie B., the wife of F. Coffman, of West chester; Milton E., Annie, Lizzie, Almeta May, Bessie Lee and Bertha. The father of Mr. Crayne died in Dallas County, Iowa, in 1871, aged fifty-five years and eleven months. His mother is still living in West Chester, and is now sixty-four years of age. She is a member of the Baptist Church, of which body her husband was also a member. Elihu Crayne was a soldier in the Mexican War, but did not get to the front till the war closed.

The subject of this sketch is still engaged in the stock and grain buying in connection with farming. Religiously, he is a Baptist, and he is also a strong temperance man. In his farming operations he makes a specialty of fine stock, having on his place a number of head of imported horses as well as imported cattle. A short account of his stock will be found elsewhere in this volume. Politically, he is a Democrat. Although not numbered among the very earliest of Washington pioneers, Mr. Crayne came to the county when it was comparatively new, and during his residence of almost a third of a century, he has made many strong friends, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him.