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W. N. HOOD, ESQ., was born in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio. He is the son of Walter C. and Sarah L. (Leet) Hood. Walter Hood was a native of Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, born Feb. 3, 1825. Sarah Hood, his wife, was a native of Potter County, Pa., born Sept. 19, 1833. They were married at Ironton, Ohio, in May, 1855. At that date and for a score of years later, Walter Hood was connected with the press of Ohio, being editor of the IrontonTimes, Portsmouth Times, and Marietta Times, all of which he owned.
Mr. Hood studied law and was admitted to the bar, but was by education and profession a newspaper man in the fullest sense, and ranked highly in
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journalism in Ohio. His talents were known outside the State, for a position on the New York World was offered to Mr. Hood, leaving him to name his own salary, but he declined the offer. In 1860, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal of the Southern District of Ohio, and assisted in taking the census of the State for that year. He was also appointed State Librarian, at Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1874, and his death occurred while filling that position. He was appointed by Gov. Allen. His wife died at Marietta, Ohio, July 19, 1870, in her thirty-seventh year. She was the mother of four children— Ralph L., William N., Charles C., deceased; and Frances. E. The latter is a graduate of St. Mary's College, Columbus, Ohio. Our subject, W. N. Hood, completed his education at Marietta, Ohio. From that date he became connected with the Marietta Register, and learned the printer's trade in all its branches. Later, he accepted a position in the office of the Columbus Gazette, and after the death of his father went to Portsmouth, Ohio, becoming engaged soon after to work upon the Times of that city, where he remained until June, 1876, when he came to Washington, Iowa, and in July of the same year began work on the Gazette, Mr. Hood became connected with the Washington Democrat, which was ushered into existence Aug. 14, 1874.
In September, 1879, in company with L. Waters, Mr. Hood purchased the office and good-will of the Democrat, continuing its publication successfully until the death of Mr. Waters in September, 1881. George G. Rodman then purchased the interest of Mr. Waters, and the firm has since done business under the name of Rodman & Hood. This paper is the only official Democratic paper in the county. The editors and publishers have made it a very profitable journal. Both gentlemen are ready writers.
Mr. Hood was married, Oct. 11, 1882, to Miss Ida, daughter of Azel and Hannah (Sherfey) Farnsworth, of Muscatine, Iowa. Mr. Farnsworth, during his life in Muscatine, was a well-known capitalist. He left a widow and three children: Julius R., a farmer, residing in Muscatine; Carrie O., a teacher in the public schools of Muscatine, and Ida F., the wife of Mr. Hood. One daughter, Winifred, has graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hood. The family of Mr. Hood are well acquainted in Washington, and Mr. Hood has practically from boyhood been identified with all its business interests.
ELDER JOHN THOMAS, Pastor of the Maple Grove Congregation, of German Baptists, Crooked Creek, resides upon section 3 of Seventy-Six Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Rockingham County, Va., and is the son of John and Susan (Miller) Thomas, who were also natives of Virginia. His father died when he was a small boy, and his mother died in 1862. The subject of this sketch was reared on a a farm and received a good English education. On the 25th day of May, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Sanger, a native of Virginia, and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Floree) Sanger, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Fourteen children have been born to them: Elizabeth, born May 15, 1849, died in the spring of 1862; Daniel Henry, born Aug. 7, 1851, is a farmer in Washington County; Sarah Ann, born March 20, 1853, is the wife of Samuel L. Burger of Seventy-Six Township; Jacob F. born Sept. 23, 1854, now resides in this county; Mary C. born Dec. 25, 1855, resides at home; John L., born March 20, 1857, is a farmer residing in Cass County, Iowa; Martin D., born Aug. 18, 1858, died at the age of three years and eight months; Isaac Newton, born July 2, 1860, died at the age of one year and seven months; James Madison, born Nov. 19, 1861, died in infancy; William H., born Dec. 25, 1863, resides in this county; Virginia, born Jan. 15, 1866, is now the wife of Samuel Brower, of Sherman County, Neb.; Edward S., born March 10, 1867, resides at home; Lavina Ellen, born Oct. 1, 1868, died at the age of one year and eighteen days; Martha Elsie, born May 2, 1872, died at the age of two years.
In the fall of 1862, the family came to Washington County, Iowa, where Mr. Thomas purchased 160 acres of land, comprising the farm where he
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now lives, and which is well improved and all under a high state of cultivation. He has for many years been a minister of the Gospel, and following the example of those living in apostolic days, he has labored as the opportunity was given him, without money and without price. In the ministry of the Word he endeavors to follow not only the precepts of our Savior, but His example in all things. He was ordained an Elder in 1870. The congregation over which he ministers now numbers about seventy members. The family of Mr. Thomas are all members of the Church.
J. W. NICHOLS, a farmer and stock-raiser, section 21, Oregon Township, is the owner of 133 acres of fine land, under a good state of cultivation, and well improved in other respects. He was born in Franklin County, Ind., March 27, 1832, and is the son of Richard and Mary (Pinkston) Nichols, the former a native of Delaware and of English descent, the latter of Tennessee and of Welsh descent. Both are now deceased; the former died in Illinois, and the latter in Indiana. They reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are living.
The subject of our sketch was reared upon a farm and after he grew to manhood continued that occupation, in addition to which he engaged in buying and shipping stock for fifteen years. He was married in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1852, to Margaret Stone, a native of that county, born in 1835. They have had a family of eight children, five of whom are living: Alvin L., a conductor on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; Emerson E., Clarence E., Myra L. and Charles P. The deceased are Mary E., William W. and Vernon. Clarence E. was also a conductor on the railroad, and while actively engaged in the discharge of his duties, received an injury, disabling him for active labor and was therefore discharged by the company.
Mr. Nichols came to Washington County with his family in 1855, coming through from Indiana with a team, locating on the farm where he now resides, and on which he has lived almost a third of a century. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body his wife is also a member. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been a leader in the councils of that party in Washington County. He was honored by his fellow-citizens with almost all the township offices, including Township Assessor. which office he held for four years; has served as a member of the board four years; Justice of the Peace two years; Notary Public six years; Township Clerk several years, and came within two votes of securing the nomination as a member of the Legislature. In the past few years Mr. Nichols has turned his attention to fine stock, and now owns one of the best horses in the county, "Luther Benson," by Saxon's Blue Bull, son of Wilson's renowned Blue Bull, No. 75, of Ruth County, Ind.
Mr. Nichols is well entitled to the honor of being one of the representative citizens of the county, and as such is entitled to representation in the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM of Washington County.
FREDERICK KREBS, farmer, was born in Wernigersock, Prussia, in 1820, and is the son of Henry and Louisa (Spear) Krebs. Henry Krebs was born in Prussia, but his wife was a native of Hanover. He was a gardener near the village mentioned, where he and his wife lived and died. They were the parents of seven children,of whom our subject is the only one now living.
Frederick Krebs, our subject, was reared and educated in Prussia, and while a resident of that country was engaged in the same business as his father, except that to this was added a knowledge of hothouse gardening, and this of itself is a wonderful science. The propagation of plants and gathering of seeds, which were sent throughout almost the whole world, was for many years his business. He was educated in German and Latin in the schools of his native country, and from his majority was enlisted in the German army, in which he served three years.
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His money was carefully saved, both from his service and from his labor until a small sum of cash was at his command, when efforts were again made to place him in the ranks, but being on good terms with the military officers he was given a pass, and with his money in his pocket he sailed from Brement March 15, 1848. After a seven weeks' voyage he hailed with delight the shores of America. He landed at New York, and hearing that many market gardeners were located at Cincinnati, Ohio, he purchased passage to that city, but in going down North River his boat was wrecked in the night, and he escaped only with his life and apart of his clothes. A valuable trunk full of the choicest seeds was lost. He was taken from the wreck to Albany, N.Y., and at once engaged with John Kittle, an English farmer, for $4 per month, as he was desirous of learning the English language. He worked for Kittle on year, and then went to Connecticut, from whence he returned two years later and began work again for Mr. Kittle at $11 per month.
When he came to America Mr. K. had $25 left, but he carefully saved his money, and in 1853 determined to come West, hearing that lands could be secured cheaply there. So with about $300, the result of his earnings, he started for Chicago, but on his arrival was disgusted with the place, so he concluded to emigrate to Iowa. He reached Washington County in November, 1853, entered an 80-acre tract, where he yet resides, and set to work to erect a pole cabin. After this was done and he was fairly settled, the cabin was accidently burned while he was getting his breakfast. For six weeks afterward he slept under a tree, while building another cabin. His story of how the wolves used to come near and howl their dismal music in his ears while trying to sleep on the open prairie is truly amusing. Sometimes he would seize his pitchfork and jump from his blanket, but the wolves would scamper away, only to return again as soon as he had composed himself to sleep. The site of the old cabin is yet marked by some evidences of former habitation, but a frame building was later completed. He made some improvements and bought a yoke of cattle, but most of his breaking was hired. About this time he concluded he had kept bachelor quarters long enough, so, in 1857, he was married to Rachel, daughter of John Hogan, who lived in English River Township, and was one of the first settlers of the county. The ceremony was performed by Jacob Mausk, Esq., and the young couple began their domestic life in the new farm house which was built by Frederick's own hands. The walls were devoid of plastering, but it was shelter from the winter winds and the summer's sun, and from the time of their marriage prosperity began. Children came to grace their prairie home, and the walls of the old bachelor quarters were made to ring with childish glee. The joy of his wife and family, and the possession of a farm of his own in a free country were almost more than he had hoped for in the old country.
Mr. Krebs made brick with his own hands, and lined the inside of his house, which when white-washed gave it a cheerful appearance, but the old house has long been replaced by a handsome frame dwelling, and large barns have been erected. The 80-acre farm was the nucleus of his present fine farm of 700 acres, highly improved, except a small portion of timber; 1,513 rods of osage hedge surround his farms, all of which is under fence, and is situated in the most fertile part of the township. He has become by his own energy a wealthy man and through all the hardships of the new country his good wife has bravely done her part, and now at middle age enjoys with him the fruits of a well-spent life. They are the parents of six sons and four daughters: Mary, a daughter by the first husband of Mrs. Krebs, wedded James Patterson, a farmer of English River Township; Louisa wedded Jacob Frank, a farmer living near our subject; Jane is the wife of Jacob Leuser, the Postmaster of Kalona, and dealer in hardware; Henry is a bachelor and a farmer in this township; Frederick, Jr., John, Charles, Gottlieb and Rachel are all unmarried and reside with their parents upon the old homestead.
For some years Mr. Krebs has served upon the School Board, yet even now he cannot read the English language well. In his own language he is well educated, and all his children have been given a good common-school education. Success has crowned the life of Frederick Krebs, and he is known and honored among the best people of the
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county for his honest and purity in private and public life. Wilhelm, their fourth son, is somewhere in the West, but his whereabouts is unknown.
Mr. and Mrs. Krebs are both Free-thinkers in the fullest sense. They love Protestant institutions and freedom in everything, both political and religious.
ROBERT W. ALBERTSON, Washington, is one of the early setters of the county, having resided here principally since 1855. He is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born July 28, 1831. His parents, Thomas and Fannie (Campbell) Albertson, emigrated to Ohio at an early day and were among the first to locate in Harrison County. They were the parents of seven children, four daughters, one daughter and three sons yet living: Mary, residing in Ashland County, Ohio; William and James, also of that county and State, and Robert W. of this county. Thomas Albertson in his religious views, affiliated with the Presbyterians, and for many years, and until his death, was a Deacon in that body. He died June 17, 1876; Mrs. Albertson died Nov. 7, 1879. She was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Both were earnest in the faith and highly respected wherever known.
Robert Albertson was reared upon his father's farm, and educated in the common schools. When eighteen years of age he engaged with a plasterer to learn that trade, at a salary of $5 per month, with board and washing, working two years for those wages. In 1855, believing that he could do better in a newer country, he came to Washington County, worked his trade, became acquainted with, and in 1857 married Miss Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of David, Sr., and Siblie (Archibald) Gordon. The former was one of the pioneers of the county. Five children were born unto them—John, William, Fanny, Frank and Vida B. Soon after his marriage he returned to Ohio with his bride, and was there until 1862, when the call was made by President Lincoln for 300,000 more men and, in response to the call, he enlisted in Co. K, 102d Ohio Vol. Inf. With his regiment he was mustered into the service at Mansfield, Ohio, from which place they were sent into Tennessee, and in the battle of Murfreesboro, which soon afterward occurred, the regiment lost heavily. It was next sent to Clarksville, Tenn., where it did guard duty. While there Mr. Albertson was taken sick, and sent to the hospital, where he lay one month, and was then discharged for physical disability. His sickness was caused from exposure, the regiment being for weeks without blankets, the men having to lie upon the bare ground. From the effects of this exposure Mr. Albertson never recovered, and for some years has been drawing a pension of $12 per month. the increase was merited, and, though, tardy, is duly appreciated. On receiving his discharge Mr. Albertson returned to Ohio, remaining a short time, and then came back to Washington, where he has since continued to reside, following his occupation of plasterer whenever his health would permit.
In politics, Mr. Albertson is a Democrat. He is a member of the G.A.R., of Washington. For upward of thirty years, Mr. Albertson has been identified with the county, and in that time has witnessed many changes. The principles of the Golden Rule he endeavors to apply to his daily life.
J. H. ROMINE is a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 2, Seventy-Six Township. He is a native of Fulton County, Ill., and is the son of L. B. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Romine, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Maryland. They were among the early settlers of Fulton County, Ill., where they remained until 1850, when they came to Washington County, Iowa, and were thus numbered among the early settlers of this county. His father died Oct. 10, 1885, at the age of seventy-nine years. His mother is still living in this county, at the age of seventy years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch came to Washington County with his parents, in 1850, and remained with them until the spring of 1863, when he enlisted
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listed in the 2d Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. On receiving his discharge at the close of the war, he returned to Washington County, Iowa, and resumed his former occupation of farming. For four years he rented land, and then bought eight acres of unimproved land on section 2, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and where he still continues to reside. To the original eighty he has added from time to time, until he now owns 400 acres of as fine land as there is in Washington County. Mr. Romine was first married in 1866, to Martha Flitz, a native of Dubuque County, Iowa, and daughter of George and Hester (Merchant) Flitz. Two children were born unto them: William, now residing at home, and Jennie May, who died in infancy. Mrs. Romine died in 1869, at the age of twenty-three. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1873 Mr. Romine wedded Nancy C. Cochran, a daughter of John and Jane (Hellyer) Cochran, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of West Virginia. Mrs. Romine is a native of Noble County, Ohio, born Sept. 4, 1853. by this union there are five children: Jesse Holland, who died at the age of ten months; Franklin E., Lenora A., Morris E. and Ursa Iris.
As stated, Mr. Romine has one of the best farms in Washington County, and that which he now has acquired by industry, energy, close attention to business and practical economy. Yet in the prime of life, Mr. Romine has made a success of his chosen profession, and is well entitled to be classed among the representative citizens of Washington County. Ready at all times to assist in any laudable enterprise, he is regarded by his friends and neighbors as one well worthy of respect. Politically, he is a strong Republican, and fraternally, is a member of the G.A.R. at Wellman.
HARVEY TAYLOR, deceased, was born Sept. 10, 1804, in Tioga County, N.Y., and was the son of David and Anna (Landon) Taylor, who were the parents of seven children: James, Robert and Harvey, deceased; those living are Olive, in Elmira, N.Y., who is ninety years old; Amelia, in Michigan,a aged eighty-six; and Sally, in Ohio, aged eighty-eight. These are mentioned because it is a remarkable occurrence to see so many of one family spared to reach the ages to which they have attained.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools, supplemented by study and reading in after life. At the age of fifteen the death of his father occurred, and young Taylor was sent to learn the cooper's trade with his brother, and remained with him until he mastered the trade, and then removed to Scioto County, Ohio, about 1828. He taught school in Ohio, for which he received $7 per month, continuing teaching until 1838.
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Squires. She was the daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Bennett) Squires, natives of New York. After Mr. Taylor was married he bought a farm of 100 acres in Scioto county, where he remained, engaged in farming and coopering, until 1847. In 1846 he came to Iowa and bought 300 acres of wild land, and in that winter returned to Ohio. In the spring of 1847 he brought his family to the new western home, and lived in an old log cabin on a farm near where Wellman now stands. In the spring of 1848 he moved upon his first purchase, on section 25, Lime Creek Township, and commenced to improve the farm, and at the time of his death had one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Taylor was an honored man in his time, always taking an active part in all political and public affairs. He was a strong believer in the doctrine of the universal salvation of all men.
Mr. Taylor held various township offices, was a Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty-four years, both in this State and Ohio, serving twenty consecutive years in this State. He was always ready to lend both time and money to the needy, and no one was more willing than he to help in any cause that had for its object the betterment of humanity. He died May 31, 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife had preceded him to the home of rest, dying Dec. 15, 1861, at the age of fifty-one. She was a very pious woman, a kind mother, and was greatly loved by all who knew her.
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Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of eleven children: Jefferson K., born Jan. 7, 1832, died June 7, 1836; Sally, born Nov. 12, 1834, died Jan. 7, 1861, was the wife of Joseph Scranton; Elizabeth, born Feb. 14, 1836, was the wife of I.N. Carr, died in August, 1861; B. H., born Feb. 4, 1838; David, born Jan. 27, 1840, is a farmer of Johnson County, Neb.; E.M., born Jan. 7, 1842, died June 16, 1861; Addison, born Oct. 19, 1843, in Scioto County, Ohio, is a farmer in Hutchinson County, Dak.; John G., born July 27, 1845, died April 6, 1847, in Washington, Iowa; Margaret, born April 18,1 847, in Washington, is now the wife of I.N. Carr; Anna, born April 17, 1850, died in Washington County, in infancy; Eleanor, born April 1, 1852,is the wife of John Brewer, living in Wayne County, Iowa.
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