| page 566
THOMAS DAVIDSON, farmer, residing on section 7, Highland Township, was born May 19, 1813, in Venango county, Pa., and is the son of Archibald and Jane Black Davidson. The father was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America with her parents when a child. Archibald Davison and wife were the parents of three children— Jane and Patrick, both deceased, and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Davidson died when Thomas was but two years of age. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Davidson was again married, Miss Margaret McDowell becoming his wife. She was a native of Pennsylvania. By this union five children were born, and of that number four are yet living: Martha, the widow of Daniel Williams, is now a resident of Clintonville, Pa.; Mary is the wife of William Riddle, a farmer in Vanango County, Pa.; Margaret is the wife of James Scott, a resident of Venango County, Pa.; John, a farmer, in Taylor County, Iowa. The father died about the year 1856, at the old home in Venango County, Pa., aged seventy-three years. He was a very charitable and religious man, always gave of his means to all benevolent objects, and trained his children in the way of righteousness. His children have all remembered their early instruction, and now walk in the light of the redeemed.
Our subject spent his early life upon the farm with his father, and received his education in the subscription schools of his native State. At the age of twenty-three, June 23, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Major, who was also a native of Venango County, Pa., born April 21, 1816, and the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shorts) Major, who were both natives of Pennsylvania.
page 567
Mr. and Mrs. Major were the parents of nine children, and of that number only two are now living—Mrs. Davidson, and Margaret, the wife of William Arnold, of Meigs County, Ohio. the parents died about the year 1845, the father at the age of sixty-two and the mother sixty-one. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were well and favorably known for their good works.
Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been the parents of nine children: Archibald, a farmer in this township; Lizzie, wife of J. T. Walker, a farmer in Greeley County, Kan.; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Jesse Fordice [Fordyce]; J. M. was killed by a tornado that swept away his residence; the spot where he was killed is now marked by a beautiful tree. Sarah is the wife of William Owen, a resident of Louisa County, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Samuel Anderson, a farmer of HIghland Township; Tilda is the wife of Loran Housel, a resident of Norton County, Kan.; Franklin P. is a stock-dealer in Riverside, this county; one died in infancy. Mr. Davidson made his home on the old farm in Venango County, Pa., until 1864, when he decided to come West, and having a good chance to sell out during the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, made a trip to Washington County, arriving in the city of Washington on the 10th of October of that year. He at once purchased 160 acres of land on section 7, Highland Township, where he has since made his home. The farm is in a good state of cultivation, with all necessary out-buildings for the management of a general farm.
Thomas Davidson has always taken an active part in local politics until within the last few years, but owing to his declining health and advancing age is not able to do as much as he would desire. He formerly cast his vote with the Democratic party, but lately, not liking their views on the temperance question, has become a Prohibitionist, and now takes great interest in all movements to advance the cause of temperance. June 23, 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Davidson celebrated their golden wedding. Seven of their children, with twenty-eight grandchildren, were at the old home to gladden the hearts of the aged couple, and many of their neighbors assembled with them, and all partook of a bounteous repast spread under the trees . They were the recipients of several valuable presents, testifying to the love and appreciation of children and friends. This couple should be an example to the coming generation. Both Mr. Davidson and his wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over forty years, and their house has always been the ministers' home.
HON. G. T. AULD, now of Keota, Iowa, but for many years a resident of Crawford Township, Washington Co., Iowa, was born in Harrison County,Ohio, in 1825, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Todd) Auld, who were the parents of three children—James, George T. and Alexander. The first wife of William Auld was a Miss McAdo, who bore him one daughter, Maria, now the widow of Samuel Stewart, and who yet resides in Harrison County, Ohio. The mother of our subject died when he was four years of age, but his father was married later to Elizabeth Alexander, who proved a kind and affectionate mother to the children, all of whom revere her memory.
William Auld was born either in chester or Lancaster county, Pa., but was of Irish descent, his parents both being natives of that country, were there married, and some of the eldest children were there born. William and Elizabeth Auld, accompanied by their eldest sons, who were then married, located in Henry County, Iowa, in 1851, remaining there until 1867, when our subject purchased lands in this county, to which all removed, the parents finding a happy and welcome home under the hospitable roof of their son as long as they lived. Both are interred in the cemetery at Crawfordsville. James, the elder brother of our subject, wedded Caroline Fitzgerald, in Ohio. she bore him five children—Mary, Thomas, Benjamin, James and Alwilda. He was a member of the 40th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the late war, enlisting only a short time before the defeat of the Union troops at Red River, and while crossing the Saline River, upon their retreat from the Red River country, a
page 568
rebel sharpshooter's bullet laid low this brave man, an intrepid soldier. His remains now lie in Southern soil which was consecrated by the blood of thousands of brave men. Alexander Auld wedded Rose Cunningham, who bore him five children—William, John, Elizabeth, Lincoln and Nanny. After the death of his first wife, he wedded a lady in Kansas City, where he still resides, and is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace.
George T. Auld, in 1847, married Martha A. Maxwell, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Crossin) Maxwell, who came in 1848 to this county from Ohio, and whose history will be found elsewhere in this work. They were prominent in every respect, and left a heritage of wealth and an honored name to nine children, 106 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children—John M., who married Elizabeth Love, is a graduate of the celebrated Keokuk Medical College, and is a resident physician of Keota, Iowa; Elizabeth J. is the wife of James M. Bailey, a farmer residing in Logan County, Kan.; Martha A. wedded J. H. Montier, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., who is at present engaged in Sabbath-school work; Nettie M. is the wife of Seward L. Anderson, who resides upon her father's homestead in Crawford Township, Washington County; Alma L. remains with her parents at their home in Keota.
Although by occupation a farmer, our subject has always been an active politician, espousing first the Whig and then the doctrines advocated by the Republican party, of which he was one of the organizers in Henry County, Iowa, and in fact, of the Republican party of this State. He was elected to office in Henry County, serving two terms as Supervisor, and was a member of the first board doing business under the present law in relation thereto. In 1867, he became a resident of Washington County, and the succeeding autumn was elected one of her Supervisors, serving two years. In 1875, he was the choice of his party in this county, and was by then elected a member of the State Legislature. His acts were characterized by the same prudence displayed in minor official positions, and Hon. George T. Auld retired from the high office to which he had been elected with all the honor due one who had served his constituents faithfully and well.
In addition to other public services, Mr. Auld has held the office of Township Assessor, and served numerous terms on the School Board, of which for fifteen years he was Secretary. He was several time elected Township Trustee, and was a member of the Republican Central Committee of this county. All his acts have been characterized by fairness and good judgment. In the fall of 1886, he purchased a residence in Keota, Keokuk County, and intends there living a retired life. He has large landed interests in this county, to which he will attend, and his business yet retains him nominally as a citizen of Washington County.
JOSEPH LUTES, dealer in lumber and general merchandise, West Chester, Washington Co., Iowa, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1837, and is the son of John and Mary (Malin) Lutes, the former a native of New Brunswick and the latter of Virginia. When fourteen years of age he came with his parents to Washington, Iowa, where they lived one year, and then moved to a farm in Cedar Township, in the same county, which was rented fro two years, at the expiration of which time his father bought a farm in Washington Township. His father died while living on a farm south of Washington, about 1878, aged seventy-eight.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the district schools. In addition to the work on the farm, he learned the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1862 he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Tinder, a native of Owen County, Ky., and daughter of Anthony Tinder. They have one adopted daughter, Mary Jane. In 1866 Mr. Lutes bought a farm in Franklin Township, where he remained for ten years, engaged in general farming. In 1875 he bought a lumber-yard in West Chester, in which business he is still engaged, carrying a full stock of all kinds of building materials. In 1884 he established a general merchandise store, and is also still carrying on that business, with a full line of
page 569
general merchandise. Politically, Mr. Lutes is a Democrat, and has held several local offices. In May, 1886, he was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist Church, and is at present Clerk of the Church, of which his wife is also a member.
Mr. Lutes commenced life a poor boy, but by industry and good management in the conduct of his business affairs, he has accumulated a fair property. In the village of West Chester he owns, in addition to his stock of general merchandise and lumber, the store building in which he carries on the business, and has also a good, comfortable dwelling-house. No man in West Chester or vicinity stands higher in the estimation of the people than Joseph Lutes.
A. E. SPALDING, Principal of the Public Schools at Ainsworth, is a native of Beaver County, Pa., born Jan. 15, 1848, and is a son of Andrew and Rachel (Crawford) Spalding, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Pennsylvania, but of Scottish descent. His father, in the year 1816, while a child, with his parents came from Scotland to the neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., and after remaining there a short time removed to Beaver County, Pa., where he grew up, was married, and lived until 1854, when he took his family to Richland County, Ohio. After remaining there two years, he again took his march westward, and settled in the western part of Washington County, Iowa. To Andrew and Rachel C. Spalding were born nine children, seven of whom are still living. The mother, Mrs. Spalding, died in 1876, aged fifty-seven.
A. E. Spalding was reared upon a farm, and being the eldest of the family, was at an early age made acquainted with hard work in helping his father provide for the family. He remained at home until he was nineteen, when he began teaching school in Keokuk County, Iowa, during the winter season, but for several years he continued farm work at home during the summer months. Mr. S. is truly a self-educated man, three years' attendance at the public schools, and an additional six months at HIgh Schools constituting all his regular instruction in that way. But by reading, home study, and observation, he has acquired a knowledge of men and events surpassed by very few of his age and opportunities.
In 1874 Prof. Spalding became Principal of Ainsworth school, giving his entire attention to the work until 1880, when he formed a partnership with R. R. McGill, and entered the florist and seed business. The firm the same year began the publication of a floral paper called the Floral Instructor. This business grew on their hands to such an extent, and demanded so much of the time and attention of Mr. Spalding that he gave up the educational work. In 1883 he took entire control of the florist, seed and publishing business. In March of that year he began the publication of a weekly newspaper called the Sentinel. After flourishing for six months this enterprise came to an untimely end through the agency of a fire, which destroyed his entire printing out fit, seed stock and buildings, causing him a loss of $3,000. Notwithstanding this disaster, he has continued the seed and plant business, but for a time discontinued the publishing branch. In 1885, at the earnest solicitation of the patrons, he again consented to take charge of the schools, and still occupies the position of Principal, although giving special attention to other business. At this time he has the finest greenhouse in this part of the State, and having a natural taste for the business he has gathered together a large number of rare plants, together with all the standard varieties known to the trade.
In 1886 Mr. S. again entered upon the publishing business, and in November of that year he sent out the first number of a horticultural paper called the Planter's Guide, at first a bi-monthly, but changed to a monthly, and which now has a very large circulation.
Prof. Spalding was married, Feb. 3, 1886, to Allie P. Erdice, only daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Fell) Erdice, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of English and German extraction. Her father died in 1886, but her mother still lives on the home place near Ainsworth. As a teacher, Prof. Spalding has been eminently successful, and as a citizen he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to the weak, and while his view are broad enough to respect all men in their honest beliefs and opinions, he is firm in his own convictions, while quietly adhering to them.
DANIEL MICKEY, farmer and stock-raiser, and dealer in stock at Ainsworth, Iowa, resides on section 15, where he owns 465 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1827, and is the son of Robert and Mary (Piper) Mickey, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, the former being of Irish descent and the latter of German. They both died in Ohio, the mother in 1852, at the age of fifty-five, and the father in 1857, at the age of sixty-five. They reared a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are yet living.
At the age of seventeen Daniel commenced to learn the blacksmith trade, worked two years, and in May, 1846, enlisted in the Mexican War, serving fourteen months. He was on the Rio Grande and was in the battles of Monterey and Buena Visa. On the close of the war he returned to his home in Ohio, worked at his trade for a time and also upon a farm, and then went to California, where he remained two years, engaged in mining. Again returning to Ohio, he remained one years, and in 1853 came to Iowa and located on his present farm in Oregon Township, purchasing 400 acres of wild land, on which there was no improvement save a small log cabin. He at once commenced the improvement of the farm, and soon had it under a high state of cultivation. In 1867 he erected his present neat and commodious residence at a cost of $3,000; the barn and out-buildings being erected at such times as the necessity of the case demanded. All his land is under good fence, mostly hedge. Mr. Mickey was married in Ohio, in 1853, to Lovinia, a daughter of Henry and Permelia (Slocum) Keith. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1834. By this union there were eleven children, six of whom are living: Almedia is the wife of S. H. Blair, of Columbus Junction, they having two children, Claude and Daniel H.; Charley L. married Eva Nelson; Clement C. is at home; Grace C. is the wife of Henry Adams, of North Bend, Neb.; Daniel W. and Walter are at home. The deceased are Alice C., Samuel S., Benjamin F. and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Mickey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has held the office of Township Assessor and other minor offices. He has never been an office-seeker, nor ever at any time desired one.
Daniel Mickey is truly a self-made man; starting in life without means he has, by hard labor, economy and good management, acquired a reasonable competency, and is classed among the solid influential citizens of Washington County. He has now been a resident of Washington County for a little more than a third of a century, and few men are better known or more highly respected. When he came to the county it was comparatively new, the settlements being mostly confined to the prairies. He has lived to see every acres of available land under cultivation, to see elegant farm residences and fine barns erected upon almost every quarter, to see railroads, telegraph and telephone wires traverse every part of the county, as well as the fair State of Iowa. In the march of improvement he has borne his part, and has done much in developing the resources of Washington County. A plain, unassuming man, he is kind and warm-hearted, hospitable and generous to all.
J. W. MORGAN, M.D., of the firm of Morgan & Gardner, Wellman, Iowa, was born in Table Grove, Fulton Co., Ill., Dec. 8, 1837, and is the son of Joseph and Lydia (Thomas) Morgan, both of whom were natives of New York. They moved from Oneida county, N.Y., in 1830, to Chicago, Ill., where they remained until 1832, and then moved to near Table Grove, Fulton County. In that place he purchased eighty acres of land, remaining on it until 1845, and then purchased another farm in the same county, where he remained until 1862, then sold out and moved to
page 571
the village of Cuba, in the same county. The reason assigned for selling the farm was that his sons had enlisted in the service of their country, and he did not feel like continuing to actively engage in farm work.
After making his home in Cuba for about five years, Mr. Morgan removed to Bushnell, McDonough Co., Ill., where he remained until his death, which occurred from Bright's disease, in 1877. His remains were buried in the cemetery at Bushnell. For many years he was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and did much for the advancement of the Lord's cause. He was a sincere Christian, and a man who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. His wife, who yet survives him, has passed her eighty-sixth birthday, and is now making her home with her children. They were the parents of eleven children: D. T. was for a number of years a practicing physician in Bushnell, Ill., and died in 1881; William, a farmer residing in Sumner County, Kan., was a member of the 52d Illinois Infantry, and was discharged on account of disability after the second battle of Corinth; Joseph died at the age of four years, from the bite of a snake; J. W., or subject, was next in order of birth. A. R. was a member of the 8th Illinois Infantry, and served three years during the war of the Rebellion; he is now a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is stationed at Moline, Ill. R. A. is engaged in farming near Bushnell, Ill.; he was a member of the 17th Illinois Infantry during the war of he Rebellion, and served three years. Mary A. is the wife of G. W. Moss, of Cuba, Ill. Three died in infancy.
J. W. Morgan, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon his father's farm, and attended schools generally until twenty-two years of age, when he commenced reading medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. D. T. Morgan, of Bushnell, Ill. He continued with his brother for about four years, and then attended the Keokuk Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in 1876. Before his graduation, he practiced for a time in Illinois. In 1868 he came to Lexington, Washington Co., Iowa, and there engaged in practice on year. He then removed to the old town of Dayton, in Lime Creek Township, where he remained until 1882. The railroad having been completed and the village of Wellman laid out, he removed to the latter place, where he has since continued to reside, and is actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Morgan was united in marriage, July 4, 1861, with Miss Mary E. Wright, a native of Licking County, Ohio, and daughter of George Wright. she died Oct. 3, 1863, leaving one child, Nellie, born Dec. 15, 1862. Nellie grew to womanhood, married O. W. Moon, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and died in June, 1887. Dr. Morgan, Jan. 31, 1865, married Miss Mary A. Long a native of Indiana and daughter of James and Nancy (Jones) Long. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Doctor is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Medical Association of Washington County.
Dr. Morgan is a great admirer of good horses, and has in his stable two Hambletonian horses which are numbered among the finest in Washington County. For one colt he refused $500 when it was three years old. He has also one Membrino and one English Foxhunter horse. As a physician, Dr. Morgan ranks high in the profession, and has a practice probably second to no physician in Washington County. He is of a jovial disposition, enjoys a joke well, and is a fine judge of human nature.
J. G. FORDYCE, farmer and stock-raiser, section 5, HIghland Township, was born in Greene County, Pa. in 1840. He is the son of James H. and Nancy (Bowers) Fordyce, both natives of Greene County, the former born in 1804, and the latter in 1809. the father was an old and highly respected citizen of that county, and died at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, in 1883. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. The mother is still living at the old home. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he answered the call to arms, and in 1861 enlisted in the 1st
page 572
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served three years, participating in the following engagements: Fredericksburg, second battle of Bull Run, Shenandoah campaign, Chancellorsville, battle of the Wilderness, and with Sheridan at Richmond. At Hays' Church he was wounded in the arm, and at Malvern HIll was wounded in the leg. He also participated in the battles of Petersburg and Gettysburg, and was several times detailed on important duty as dispatchman. Once while foraging he was surrounded by rebels and shot at six times, but escaped, though his horse was shot. At another time he was surrounded and ordered to surrender, which he did, but afterward made his escape. At Baltimore Cross Roads, Va., he was shot at, the ball coming so close to his head that the shock stunned him. He was discharged Sept. 9, 1864, at that time being compelled walk on crutches on account of the wound in his leg. Returning to Greene County, Pa., he engaged in the oil business for a year and then emigrated to Washington County, Iowa, in the spring of 1866, locating on section 6, HIghland Township, where he bought forty acres of land which he improved and to which he has since added until he now owns 240 acres of land in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Fordyce was married, Nov. 21, 1867, to Jane B. Davidson, a native of Pennsylvania, born Aug. 11, 1841, and the daughter of Thomas Davidson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. By this marriage there were two children: Willie B., born Dec. 31, 1870, and an infant. Mrs. Fordice (Fordyce) died in Jan. 7, 1876. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject was again united in marriage, Lucinda Scott becoming his second wife. She was born in Ohio, Aug. 5, 1856, and was the daughter of Samuel and Naomi (Walker) Scott, the father a native of Ireland, and the mother of Ohio. They moved to Iowa in the spring of 1868, with six children, and located in Washington County. The former died while defending his country, in the late war for the Union. By this marriage there have been two children: Lora Maud, born Oct. 16, 1880, and Samuel Harvey, born Aug. 13, 1882, died in infancy. Mr. Fordyce has followed the occupation of a farmer the most of his life, and has been eminently successful. HIs present farm is in good condition, with substantial improvements, the residence being built in 1883, at a cost of $1,500. He is a self-made man, having started in life without a cent, but has accumulated a competency for his old age. Politically he is a Republican and has held the office of Township Trustee. Religiously he is a member of the United Brethren Church, of which body his wife is also a member.
JOSEPH A. McINTIRE is a retired farmer residing in the villageof Brighton. He is a native of Franklin County, Pa., born Feb. 3, 1810, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Adams) McIntire, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. they were the parents of six children, of whom but two are living: Thomas A., a farmer residing near Burlington, Iowa and Joseph A., the subject of this sketch. the deceased were John N., William, Jane and Mary Ann. The family moved from Franklin County, Pa., to Miami County, Ohio, in 1811, when that part of Ohio was inhabited by the Indians. They were among the first settlers on the Big Miami River. The father died in 1850 and the mother in 1852. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.
The early life of the subject of our sketch was spent on his father's farm in Miami County, Ohio, and in attendance upon a subscription school of that section. In 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Ann McClay, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in June, 1844, leaving two children—James and Rebecca A. The former grew to manhood, and when the war of the Rebellion broke out enlisted in the 30th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner and died in Libby Prison. Rebecca A. married J. R. Snyder, and now resides in Wichita, Kan. On the 29th of October, 1846, Mr. McIntire wedded Miss Deborah Kendall, a native of Miami County, Ohio, born Nov. 5, 1817, and daughter of Mason and Mary (Blackwood) Kendall, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ireland. Four children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy, and one, William H. H., born June 18,1856, grew to manhood.
page 573
In the spring of 1854 Mr. McIntire came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased 100 acres of land in Brighton Township, and in the spring of 1855 added 110 acres more, making a farm of 210 acres. On this farm he lived till the fall of 1856, when he moved to the village of Brighton, and followed the trade of carpenter, which he learned in his youth. He continued in that line of work until he felt that he could retire. His farm he sold in 1859. In the spring and summer of 1883 he built a beautiful two-story house in the village of Brighton, where he now resides, and is the owner of twenty-three acres of land, lying within the city limits.
Mr. McIntire has held various township offices, which he has filled with credit to himself and his constituents, and for two terms was a member of the City Council. Fraternally he is a Mason, uniting with the order in 1850, in Pickaway County, Ohio. He has filled all the offices in the Blue Lodge except Senior Deacon and Tyler. For several years he was Master of the lodge. Mrs. McIntire is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The subject of this sketch is a man who enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens in a high degree, and in his life has always endeavored to live in obedience to the Golden Rule.
DR. A. N. MILLER, Washington, Iowa, came to this State in 1844, and is therefore a representative pioneer, and as such is now President of the Old Settler's Society of the County. He was born in Preston County, Va., March 6, 1821, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Stewart) Miller. The latter was a descendant on the one side of the Kelsos of Ireland, and on the other of the Stewarts of Scotland. David Miller was born in Virginia. They were married at Stewartstown, a village which received its name in honor of the Stewart family, and to hem were born nine children, five of whom are yet living: Mary A., wife of Anthony Rigger, a retired farmer, of Buchanan, Va.; Isabel, wife of Lucian Michael, of Smithtown, Monongahela County, Va.; Maggie C., of Washington, Iowa; Thomas S., of Pueblo, Col., and Dr. A.N., of Washington. David Miller was a highly educated man, understanding and using the German, as well as his native language. He was a fluent speaker, taking an active interest in politics, and often speaking upon the practical issues of the day. He died in Preston County, VA., many years ago. His wife survived him some years, and died in Washington, Iowa. they were both members of the Presbyterian Church, dying in that faith.
The subject of this sketch remained in his native county until in his twenty-fourth years, receiving a liberal education for that day. In November, 1844, he came West, locating at Bloomington, now Muscatine, Iowa, where he worked at his trade of cabinet-making, which he had learned in his youth. He remained at Muscatine but a few months, going from there to Iowa City. While in Muscatine Dr. Dodge, a physician of the old school, urged him to abandon his trade and take up medicine. A medical college had just been opened at Keokuk, and he was urged to enter as one of the students. He obtained a few medical works and began a course of reading, but soon became disgusted with the theories set forth as fact, and came to the conclusion that, as taught in the books, the science of medicine was a humbug, and therefore abandoned his study on that line. Having acquired some experience in taking care of the sick, he was often called in to watch with, and care for the afflicted. In some way a few copies of Fowler and Wells' publications were placed in his hands, which he read, and the views therein expressed coinciding with his own, and being in conformity with common sense, he naturally drifted in the hydropathic system of treating the sick, and, in time, became a full practitioner, giving up his trade and devoting his time to his new profession. When the law was passed requiring all engaged in the practice of medicine should either be a graduate of some college, or receive a certificate from the State Board of Health, he went before that body, passed a successful examination, and received his certificate. The Doctor has now been engaged in the practice of his profession for many years, and has met with unqualified
page 574
success. He has been called in counsel or to take charge of cases in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Chicago, and the cures effected speak as to his skill in the treatment of diseases. He has never advertised, as have some others, but has had patients come to him for treatment from many parts of the country.
Dr. Miller was married in Green County, Wis., Aug. 3, 1851, to Mrs. Sarah C. Weltner, widow of Ezekiel Weltner of that county. She is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and a woman of intelligence and refinement. Four children have been born to them: James is a printer, now on the Washington County Press; Clara B. was educated in the High School if Washington, and at the State University, Iowa City, after which she took a special course in the Academy of Design, Chicago, having developed a decidedly artistic taste. She is now considered an artist of much more than ordinary ability, and is the inventor of imitation-stained glass; Josephine is a musician of some skill; Nellie, the fourth child, has also developed a taste for the fine arts, and is now engaged in teaching painting; she is also an elocutionist of some talent. Mrs. Miller had one daughter by her first husband, Louisa Weltner, now the wife of David L. Brower, of Polk County, Iowa.
Dr. Miller became a resident of Washington County in 1847, and in the forty years that have passed, has witnessed many marvelous changes in politics, science and religion. He has witnessed the overthrow of some nations, the building up of others, and the suppression of the most powerful Rebellion in the history of the world. He has seen the Indian wigwam, and the log cabin closely followed it, displaced by the more elegant frame or brick structure, and the straw sheds of the fathers displaced by the elegant barns of the present generation. But in the contemplation of the past, he yet takes a delight. It is a pleasure to him to think of the early days, when settlements were few and far between, when every man was willing to do a good turn for a neighbor, and when to be a neighbor, you were not required to live within a stone's throw, but, it may be, a half score of miles away. From the fact that he thus delights to recall the past, he has taken great interest in the Old Settlers' Association, and its annual gatherings. Of that association he is at present President. In politics, Dr. Miller is a Republican.
|
Visit our family of homepages and join us.