The following are the present township officers: Clerk-W. J. Mottern. Assessor-Uriah Richards. Trustees-G. W. Gose, G. W. Proffitt, A. N. Kice. THE TOWN OF WHEELING. This town was laid out by Thos. Polson and John Rankin, July 5, 1851. ow contains a population of eighty-five; a church, a two-story frame chool-house, two general stores, one of which is owned by P. W. C. Greenay, the other Polson & Bros.; one blacksmith shop, by A. Hallowell; ost-office, John Polson postmaster. Fine farming county surrounds it. CHURCHES. The Christian Church-Was organized as early as 1860. John Shook, Michael Shook, Gibson Shook, Joe. Metcalf, John Gates, Willian Farley, Villiam Swafford, John Brown, were among the prominent members. The difice was put up on section 18, in the summer of 1867; cost $1,400. It as dedicated in the summer of 1867 by Elder Thos. Bly. The preachers rere Elders A. Williams, Peter Russell, W. White, James Roach. It has membership of about seventy-five in the Sunday-school; R. Brooks, superEntendent. Protestant Methodist--There is a Protestant Methodist Church of about wenty-five members. Rev. Samuel Talbott has preached considerable for he congregation. It was organized in the winter of January, 1874. The riginal members were: Simon Walker, Cyrus Polson, Mary Polson, Mary Mottern, Leander Hardin and wife, Win. Reed and wife, W. W. Hardin and wife, James Hardin and wife, J. T. Polson and wife, I. F. Polon, John Trent and wife, Samuel Trent and wife. TOWN OF SWAN. The Albia, Knoxville and Des Moines Railroad bought the land, forty cres, from John Shook, on southwest corner of section 17, and laid out the own of Swan, in the month of October, 1879. It now contains a popula ion of 105. The following are the business and professional enterprises of Swan: Two general stores-Nye & Rees; Shook, Wilson & Co. Drug store-Duncan & Evans. Restaurant-Samuel Wellans. Large grain elevator—J. M. Jaques & Co. Post-office-Jasper Nye, postmaster. Saw-mill-Philip Porter. School-house-Miss Mattie Smith, teacher. Blacksmith-J. H. Woodward. Two hotel boarding houses—Mrs. Sarah Henry, W. J. Emery. Photographer-Samuel Wellans. Physician-C. E. James. BIOGRAPHICAL. DYER, JOHN Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 34, P. O. Pleasantvile Is a native of Sullivan county, Tennessee, and was born on the sixth day of March, 1827. He early engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in the year 1851 emigrated to Marion county, Iowa. He settled on section 34, the township, a short distance from the town of Wheeling. He was married on the 20th of January, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Parkes. This union ha been blessed with twelve children, seven of whom are living: Peter A, Rutledge, Melvin, Landon, Robert, Emina and Edna. Death has taken from the fold: Samuel, Allen, Thirza, Ella and an infant son. Not onl is Mr. Dyer a successful practical farmer, but is also a good business man ager, being one of the most extensive land owners in Swan township, and having in his possession over 528 acres of land in a good state of cultiv tion. As a man he is honest, above reproach, careful, prudent and econom ical, and always ready to advance any enterprise that may promise good t the community in which he lives. Go OSE, S. Y.-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 3, P. O. Pleasantville. We born October 11, 1826, in Russell county, Virginia. When five years of age his father, Stephen Gose, emigrated to Boone county, Indiana, where he passed his early life on a farm. In the year 1849, ambitious to make for himself a home and a name in the then distant West, he came to Iow and took up his abode in Polk county. Five years later he removed Marion county, where, with the exception of a short sojourn in the State of Texas, he has since lived. In 1854 he became a merchant in the town of Wheeling. He was married to Miss Martha Miller on the 30th day of January, 1855. She died November 29, 1874. During the winter of 185 and '64, Mr. Gose was selected to represent the people of Marion county in the lower house of the Iowa State Legislature. The duties of his office were performed to the grateful satisfaction of his constituents, and with credit and honor to himself. In the year 1871 the Republican party recognized his services and ability by nominating him for the office of State Senator. In him the Republican party has ever found a staunch and energetic supporter and a faithful representative. Besides having been a repre sentative, he was a member, and for some time the chairman of the board of supervisors of Marion county. He has held the office of justice of the peace in Swan township for the period of six years. On the 30th day of December, 1875, he was married for the second time to Miss Margaret A. Cart, an estimable lady, daughter of William Cart, an old settler of Swan township. The family consists of six children: Thomas J., Joanna, Edwin S., Edmund B., William B. and Minnie May. Of children dead there are two: John S. and Sarah E. ARDIN, ELISHA-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. Wheeling. One of the oldest and most respected citizens of Swan township, as well as one of its most wealthy men, is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Washington county, Indiana, and was born February 16, 1822. In early, as in after life, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, >metimes varied by teaching school. He caine to Iowa on the 18th day of [ay, 1848, and settled in what is now known as Swan township. On the 15th ay of September, 1846, he was married to Miss Nancy K. Polson, and om this marriage they have had ten children: John F.. Mary E., Martha E., arah A., Susan C., Leander M., an infant son, Sephronia, Cora A., and Iattie J. Mr. H.'s father and grandfather were both named John. His randfather was a private in the war of the Revolution. His father was a ative of North Carolina and emigrated to Indiana at an early day in the istory of that State. For a long time Mr. Hardin has been known as an xtensive horse-raiser, and during the war he raised a great number of ules, which he sold at high figures. He is now engaged in raising horough-bred Norman horses, of which he has a fine stock. He has about 00 acres of good land, most of which is in a good state of cultivation. He is an energetic, business man, honest, practical and industrious. HUNT, DANIEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20, P. O. Swan. Is a ative of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and was born on the fifth of May, 817. In early life he was a poor boy and made his living by working on a arm. For years his wages were but ten dollars a month. In 1838 he emgrated to Knox county, Ohio, where he remained until 1840, when he came o Iowa. He first settled in Van Buren county, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1843 he settled in Wapello county, about two niles from Ottumwa. He was a visitor at the Agency when the Indians eded to the United States the country known for years afterward as the 'New Purchase." In the year 1847 he removed to Swan township, Marion county, and bought a claim on sections 16 and 21. At this time his means were very limited. His family for a time was compelled to live on what is known as grit bread, an article of food well remembered by the old settlers. In the year 1850 Mr. Hunt went to California, remaining three years with a considerable degree of success. His landed estate consists of 983 acres. To Mr. Hunt Marion county farmers are much indebted for introducing a fine breed of horses. Normans of as good a grade as the State affords, are within his barn. In the enterprise of stock-raising, as in many others, he has shown himself to be a far-sighted man. His successful career 'can be looked upon encouragingly, by young men of the present day who are pulling hard against the stream. He has been twice married; first, in January, 1844, to Miss Rachel Groom. By this union he had one son, John, who in the late war was a soldier in company G, of the Fortieth Iowa, and was killed at the battle of Saline River. Mrs. H. died in the autumn of 1847. In 1854 Miss Caroline Vanderford became his wife. She is a native of Athens county, Ohio, born May 7, 1831. Their family consists of seven children: Emerson, Isabelle, LeRoy, Ann, Miranda, William and Este. AMES, C. E.-Physician and surgeon, Swan. The subject of this sketch is a native of Warren county, Iowa, and was born December 5, 1852. He attended school for three years at the Des Moines University, and then in 1876 engaged in the drug business at Palmyra. Soon after this began the study of medicine. He attended lectures at Keokuk and graduated from the medical college at that place. Commenced the practice of medicine at the village of Swan, in the summer of 1880, and has already a good business and one that is constantly increasing. His father, S. V. R. James, is one of the old settlers of Warren county, having gone there in 1849. He is still living, a respected and honored citizen. He is a native of New York, and was born in January, 1812. M1 ILLER, JOHN S.-Retired farmer, P. O. Pleasantville. Is a native of Greenbriar county, Virginia, and was born November 14, 180 In early life he was engaged in farming and boating on the Ohio Rive Came to Ohio at the age of ten years where he remained for thirty year when he emigrated to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he remained u he came to Swan township, Marion county, in 1854. He was married Miss Elizabeth Poor, in 1824. She was a native of Ohio, and was born in 1804. From this marriage he has four children living and five deceased Mr. Miller is a man respected and honored by all who know him. MINER, W. H.-Farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Pleasantville. Th subject of this sketch is a native of Koscuisko, county, Indiana, and born on the sixteenth of August, 1840. In early life he was engaged in farming, and during the winters attended school. After he was twen years of age he commenced teaching school, and in the year 1842 his fathe Adam Miner, came to Iowa and settled in Swan township, Marion count being one of the first settlers. He died in March, 1864, respected and beloved by all who knew him. William H. Miner was the first mayor d the town of Pleasantville, and was for a number of years engaged in the furniture business at that place. He was married on the twenty-fourth November, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Blivens, also born in Indiana. this union they have five children: Walter S., Evermonte, Nora Bell Frederick, and Carroll C. (deceased). Mr. M. has the full confidence of the people and has been honored by various city and township offices. From YE, J.-The subject of this sketch is the senior member of the firm of Nye & Rees, merchants, of Swan. He is a native of Kosciush county, Indiana, and was born on the sixth of October, 1839. In early life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and obtained a good common school education. He engaged in business in 1879, and now has a good trade. He has a good reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and the business is con stantly increasing. Mr. Nye is the present postmaster of the town. He was married March 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Rees, daughter of Thomss Rees, an old settler of Union township. They have six children: Lillian Avery, Mary D., Mabel, Beatrice and Orville T. On the fourteenth day of July, 1862, he enlisted in company A, of the Seventy-fourth Indiana volanteers. Was engaged in seventeen battles and was with Sherman in his celebrated "March to the Sea." He was discharged January 26, 1865. PAL ALMER, W. H.-Farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Swan. Among the earlies settlers of Swan township, the subject of this sketch deserves special mention. He is a native of Kennebec county, Maine, and was born Febrüary 18, 1819. In early life he was a farmer and came to Iowa in 1839, while this State was still a Territory. First settled in Van Buren county. Here he became well acquainted with Keokuk, the celebrated Indian chief, and soon after Black Hawk was buried made a visit to his grave, about tw miles above Iowaville on the banks of the Des Moines River. Mr. P. remained in Van Buren county till 1845, then came to Marion county in company with James Crabb. These two were the first white men that settled in this township, and the county owes a debt of gratitude to such sturdy pioneers as William H. Palmer. He participated in all the vicissitudes, dangers and toils of the early settlers, was an active member of the vigilance committee that drove the notorious Casners from the country and was in every way identified with every good enterprise in the new land to which he had come. Married to Miss Martha J. Thomas, December 9, 1846, & 20 ative of Pittsburgh, born in 1829, and a daughter of Mr. Chas. M. Thomas, native of Pennsylvania, a soldier in the War of 1812, and one of the oldest ettlers of Swan township. The family consists of ten children: Emma J., harles, Adaline, Melissa, Iva, Ira, Lina, William, Sam. and John. PHILLIPS, DAVID-Farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Pleasantville. Was orn in Ross county, Ohio, September 26, 1823, and when a mere lad his ther removed to Kosciusko county, Indiana. In the spring of 1851 he came > Marion county. He was married January 14, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Letcalf, a native of Fayette county, born January 12, 1833. The family consts of ten children living and two dead: Martha (now Mrs. Williams), arah, John W., James H., Prudence, Chas. M., Mary M., Arletta, Anna leceased), C. W: (deceased), Chester D. and Marvin E. Mr. Phillips is ne of the most respected citizens of Swan township. Coming to this county with very limited means, by industry, economy and foresight he has become ne of the most prosperous men of the township. REES, W. M. Of the firm of Nye & Rees, merchants, Swan. Is a na tive of Highland county, Ohio, born February 20, 1848, and is a son f Thomas Rees, one of the old settlers of Union township, who came to owa in the year 1851. In early life he was engaged in farming and was ducated in the common schools and the Central University at Pella, Iowa. On the nineteenth of September, 1869, he was inarried to Miss Isabelle Miller. This union has been blessed. by, four children: Frankie (born November 1, 1872), Oral (born June 12, 1875), Walter G. (born January 3, 1880, died July 18, 1880), Charles B. (born July 22, 1870, died January 7, 1874). ROÚZE, A. W.-Farmer and school-teacher. One of the most respected citizens of Swan township. Is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and was born July 25, 1830. He was the son of poor but honest parents, and his opportunity for attending school was confined to a few months each winter for six years. At the age of sixteen he attended school for a few months at the Urbana Academy. His father and mother both died about this time, and Mr. R. commenced teaching school, and it is a remarkable fact that he has taught school every winter since, covering a period of thirty years. He received as a remuneration for teaching his first school $12.50 per month. A short time after this he heard of the school at Oberlin, and resolved to avail himself of its advantages. He walked there, a distance of forty miles, and with very limited means commenced his studies, and remained three years, excepting while teaching during the winter months. In 1855 he left Ohio to come to Iowa, stopping a short time in Illinois, where he married Miss Sarah Kavanaugh. He came to Pleasantville in 1856, and took charge of the school in Wheeling. It is an admitted fact that he has proved himself an excellent educator. After the organization of the Republican party he was one of the first to receive the nomination for the State Legislature, and he has held various township of fices, and his honesty and integrity have never been questioned. He was a soldier in the late war, and enlisted in the Forty-seventh regiment, company A, Iowa volunteers, under Capt. J. L. Cormack. Mr. and Mrs. R. have four children living: Horace (born July 4, 1856), Homer (born April 13, 1858), Stella (born May 14, 1860) Sibyl (born April 7, 1862). Lost two: William (born April 7, 1865, died April 4, 1880), Albert (born April 7, 1868, died February 14, 1869). |