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History of Cedar
County, Iowa, 1878.

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Biographies - Center Township

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Neiman, C. A., wagon maker.

Nebergall, Andrew J., farmer, Section 33; Post Office Pleasant Hill; born in Fayette County, West Virginia. February 2, 1827; lived there twenty-four years, and learned the blacksmith trade; then lived in an adjoining county nine years; came to Cedar County, Iowa, in the Spring of 1862, and engaged in the blacksmith business and also in farming; owns 420 acres of land.  Married Margaret McCue, from Nicholas County, West Virginia, in 1851; she died in 1871; they have three children living--Sarah E., John William and Charles S.; lost two children--Melinda and Allen.  Married Sarah E. Leverich, from Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1872.

Neely, Wm. F., farmer, Section 35; Post Office Tipton; born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1843, and when 2 years of age, came with his parents to Cedar County; in 1845, they landed at Rochester; they were among the early settlers, as there were only a few here when they came; the farm on which he now lives was the first farm settled in Cedar County; Benjamin Fraseur made the claim.  Mr. Neely is engaged in farming and stock raising, and owns 286 acres of land.  Married Miss Mary J. Carpenter, from Delaware County Ohio, July 19, 1869; they have two children--Edith, born October 3, 1870; Edna, September 16, 1873.

Neiman, C. F., wagon maker, Tipton

Neiman, John N., attorney, Tipton; born in Centre County, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1848; lived there eight years and came to Cedar County, Iowa, in 1856; attended the Iowa State University and took the degree of A. B. in 1874, and graduated in the Law Department in 1875 and took degree of LL. B., and was admitted to practice in the State and Supreme Courts; in 1877, took degree of Master of Arts; has held office of Township Clerk.

Neiman, S. R., wagon maker.

Neiman, P. W., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Tipton.

Neiman, William, laborer.

Newcom, James, farmer, Section 2; Post Office Tipton; born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1835; lived there twenty-two years and came to Cedar County in 1857; enlisted in the army in 1861, in the eleventh Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company E; was in the battles of Shiloh, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, around Atlanta and went with General Sherman in his march to the sea; was in the service four years; returned and engaged in farming; owns a farm of eighty acres; has held offices of Justice of the Peace and Town Trustee.  Married Mrs. Lucinda Kells, formerly Lucinda Marshall, from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, in February, 1867; they have five children--Eleanor J., Ida May, William L., Margaret A. and Bailey; lost one daughter.

Newans, Richard, farmer; Post Office Tipton.

Ocheltree, Klybe, Section 19; Post Office Tipton.

Ocheltree, Morris, farmer Section 5; Post Office Tipton; born in Green Brier County, Virginia, May 1, 1809; lived in Virginia twenty-five years; then went to Ohio and lived seven years; then came by team from Ohio to Cedar County, being twenty-seven days on the way, and arrived here November 2, 1842; was one of the early settlers, only a few here now who were here when he came; engaged in farming , and has lived on his present farm thirty-one years, and although he had nothing when he came, by industry and good management, he has now a property of 360 acres in his home farm; has been School Director.  He has been married twice; his first wife was Francina McFerrin, from Virginia; she died in 1847. He married Mrs. Margaret Brifogle, from Ohio, in 1852.  He has four children by his first wife--Mary, Ellen, Alley and Nancy; also four by his second wife--Elizabeth, Thomas H., Anna, Robert K.  Mrs. Ocheltree had five children; two of her sons--William M. and Solomon, were in the army.  Solomon died of disease contracted in the army.

Ocheltree, William, farmer, Section 34 Post Office Tipton; born in Green Brier County, Virginia, May 8, 1804 lived there thirty-two years and moved to Ohio in 1836, and lived there nine years, and came by wagon to Cedar County, being three or four weeks on the way, and married here in 1845; settled in this town one of the early settlers; only a few here when he came; engaged in farming; used to haul his wheat and pork to Muscatine.  Owns 192 acres of land; has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms, and has held school and road offices.  Married Mary Blake from Green Brier County, Virginia, 1833.  She died in 1853; and had seven children--Robert R., Sarah Jane, Ann Eliza, Ellen, and William R.; lost two.  Married Rebecca Jones, from Pocahontas County, Virginia, 1857; they have three children--Laura, Minerva and Margaret, and lost two children.  Robert R. was in the army in the fifth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

Olson, A. B. Marshal.

Orton, Nelson, janitor.

O'Toole, Michael, laborer.

Owen, Josiah, farmer; Section 14, Post Office Tipton.

Owen, Reuben, farmer; Section 7; Post Office Tipton; born in Richland County, Ohio, January 14, 1834; lived there seventeen years and came with parents to Cedar County, started September 15th., and came by wagon, and arrived October 12, 1852; then settled the first Winter west of Tipton; there his father bought where he now lives; Reuben taught school Winters for some years; then was clerk in store in Clarence, and was Deputy Postmaster there, then engaged in farming and stock raising, and owns a farm of 240 acres.  Has held the office of Town Treasurer at Clarence.  Married Miss Ruth A. Bradley, daughter of Luther Bradley, one of the earliest settlers, March 15, 1860; they have four children--Luella C., John T., Myrtle M., Sarah E.; they lost two sons--Luther W. and Freddie L.

Owen, Wesley, farmer; Section 16; Post Office Tipton; born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1805; lived there twenty-seven years; moved to Ohio and lived there twenty years, and came to Cedar County, 1852; they came by wagon, and were twenty-two days on the way, and arrived here in October, 1852, and has lived here over twenty-five years; is engaged in farming, and owns 125 acres of land.  Married Elizabeth Stewart, from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1835; they have seven children--Reuben, Josiah, Henry, Mary Ann, Rhoda J., Samantha and Emeline.

Palmer Al., clerk, Palmer House.

Palmer, Mary, Mrs., proprietor Palmer House, Tipton; born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  She married George Statler, from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1828; he was engaged in hotel business; he died in 1836.  She married Joshua Palmer from Bedford County, Pennsylvania; he died May 21, 1863.  She came to Cedar County in 1864, to Tipton and engaged in hotel business keeping the Pennsylvania House, Aldrich House, and now has the Palmer House.  She has been connected with hotel business over forty years; she has ten children, five sons and five daughters.

Parsons, A. A., saddler.

Paxton, H. C., farmer, Section 24; Post Office Tipton.

Petty, Joseph, clerk, drug store, Tipton.

Platt, H. C., attorney at law, Tipton; born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1824; lived there twenty-three years; attended Jefferson College when Robert J. Breckenbridge was President; graduated there in 1849; removed to Indiana and taught school in the Academy at La Porte City; went to South Bend and read law with Joseph Jernegan, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1852.  Married Miss Margaret Eason, from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, November, 1852, and they came to this county May, 1853, having walked from Iowa City to this town; only had five cents when he got here and has practiced his profession here twenty-five years.  Has held the office of Treasurer of this county two terms; also President of the School Board, and was President of the Cedar County Agricultural Society for eight years.  Lost two children; they have three children-- Nettie, Matie, William B.

Plank, Anton, farmer, Section 11; Post Office Tipton; born in Germany June 16, 1824; came to America in 1852; lived in New Orleans, Cincinnati and in Illinois, and came to Cedar County about the year 1856; he commenced without anything, and now owns 210 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock raising; was in the army six years in Germany.  Married Magdalena Bacher, from Germany, in Cincinnati, January, 1854; they have five children--Joseph, John, Charlie, Mary, Lena; they have lost three children.

Plank, Jos., farmer, Section 29; Post Office Tipton.

Porter, H. R., lawyer.

Potts, Andrew, laborer.

Prescott, Thos. C., Clerk of District and Circuit Courts, Tipton; born in Stratford, New Hampshire, November 16, 1837; lived in that State about twenty-seven years; was in the army; enlisted in the 8th. Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, Company G; transferred to Company H, same regiment; served in the Gulf Department; was in the battles of Port Hudson, May 27 and June 14, and was also in the Red River campaign; was wounded at Port Hudson June 14; came to this county in 1865; at Durant engaged in merchandising.  Has held the office of Supervisor; was elected Clerk of the District and Circuit Courts in 1876.  Married Miss Jennie A. Washbon, of New York State, October 7, 1868; they have one daughter.

Rapp, Morris, butcher.

Reed, James, laborer, Section 11; Post Office Tipton.

Reeder, Alfred C., farmer and stock dealer, of the firm of J. W. Reeder & Brother, Section 26; Post Office Tipton; born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 14, 1839, and when 11 years of age came with his father's family by wagon to Cedar County, in 1850; they settled about two miles west of Tipton for one year, then moved to where they now live, which is the old homestead farm; there are not many living here now who were here when they came; has seen a prairie fire a mile wide sweep over his farm; he is engaged in farming, stock raising and stock dealing with his brother, and they are the oldest stock dealers here; owns 330 acres of land; was in the army; enlisted August 6, 1862, in Company C, 24th. Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was in the battle of Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and other fights and skirmishes; was mustered out August 5, 1865; has held town and school offices.     Married Miss Eva McCune March 12, 1874; they have one son--George Avery, born June24, 1875; lost one daughter--Eva.

Reeder, Geo., retired, Section 27; Post Office Tipton; born in Frederick County, Maryland, January 8, 1797; moved to Virginia; lived there until 21 years old; learned his trade as carpenter and joiner; moved to Clermont County, Ohio, lived there until 1850, when he came with his family by wagon to Cedar County; arrived in the Fall of the same year; in the following year, he settled where he now lives and engaged in farming and has lived here twenty-eight years.  Married Sophia Stroup, from Pennsylvania, April 5, 1827, and after being married fifty years she died February 1, 1878, leaving four sons--William B., John W., Alfred C.; lost one son and one daughter.

Reeder, Geo. W., farmer and stock raiser, Section 27; Post Office Tipton; born in Clermont County, Ohio, September 21, 1834; lived there seventeen years, and then came to this county with his father's family, by wagon, and arrived here in the Fall of 1850; they were early settlers; engaged in farming and stock raising, and owns 285 acres of land.  married Miss Emma Horn, from Pennsylvania, October 26, 1867; they have four children--Alfred F., Bertha, Harry, baby, little girl.

Reeder, John W., of the firm of J. W. Reeder & Bro., farmers and live stock dealers, Section 26; Post Office Tipton; born in Clermont County, Ohio, October 11, 1836; worked there fourteen years and came with his parents to Cedar County; they came by wagon, being twenty-four days on the way here and arrived October 15,1850; engaged in farming; he was engaged in teaching in the county during the Winter seasons for ten years, and taught in grammar department in Tipton for two years.  He and his brother have been dealing largely in live stock for many years and are the oldest dealers here.     He owns 525 acres of land; has held office of Secretary of School Board and has been Superintendent of Sunday schools for fifteen years.  Married Miss Sarah E. Lee, daughter of Rev. Wm. Lee of this town; October 20, 1861; they have six children-- Charlie F., Lillie M., Rosella, Arthur C., Louie and Ralph M.

Reeve, Edwin D., farmer, Section 15; Post Office Tipton; born in Morrow County, Ohio December 28, 1839; lived there thirteen years, and came with his parents to Cedar County in 1852; they came by wagon, being twenty-three days on the way; it was all Government land east of where they now live, at that time.  Mr. Reeve was in the army; enlisted in Company E, 11th. Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, army of Tennessee; returned and engaged in farming and stock raising.  He owns 248 acres of land; has held school and road offices, and now holds office of Justice of the Peace.     Married Miss Mary E. Herr, from Ohio, March 13, 1865; they have five children--George A., Francis W., Fanny L., Mary S. and James M.

Reichert, John C., merchant and dealer in hardware, house furnishing goods and agricultural implements, Tipton; born in Germany March 27, 1835; came to this country when 3 years of age; lived in Ohio until coming to this county in the Spring of 1855; learned trade of carpenter and joiner; after working at his trade eleven years, was in the lumber business for two years, then engaged in his present business about ten years ago.  Married Miss Bertha Landrock from Ohio, February 5, 1861; they have five children-- Ella R., Mary B., Ordelia, Paul and Fred; they lost one child in infancy.

Reichert, John H., lumber dealer, Tipton; born in Stark County, Ohio January 5, 1839; lived there seventeen years; learned trade of carpenter and joiner; came to Cedar County, to Tipton, in 1856; followed his trade for ten years, then engaged in the hardware business about seven years; retired from that on account of his health and engaged in the lumber business in 1874; has held office; one of Town Council.     Married Miss Purlina Birley, from Ohio, October 1, 1863; they have five children--Lilly May, Walter, Maggie, Rosa A. and Charlie; they have lost one daughter.

Rigg, Thomas, M.D., physician and druggist, Tipton; born in the north of England, October 23, 1814; came to America in the Spring of 1840 and located in Philadelphia; studied medicine in England and Philadelphia; came to Johnson County, Iowa, and engaged in farming and practicing medicine; was also engaged in the drug business with his son in Iowa City; has been engaged in the drug business here for the past seven years.     Married Mary Musgrove, from England; she died in 1869.  Married Kate James, from Ohio, in 1870; has five children by his first wife.

Riley, J. P., tenant farmer, Section 16; Post Office Tipton.

Ripley, J. H., carpenter.

Roberdy, R., farmer, Section 1; Post Office Tipton.

Rogers, Benjamin J., farmer, retired, Tipton; born in Morrow County, Ohio, August 3, 1829; lived there nineteen years and went to California in 1849 and engaged in mining; returned in 1853, and came to Iowa, to this county, in 1853, and entered 320 acres of land.  Married Miss Jane Tuttle, from Morrow County, Ohio, in February 1854, and they came to this county, to Red Oak; in April of the same year; she died in 1855.   He was among the first to move out on the prairie, where no one thought it would ever be settled; he built a small house, set up on posts and wolves would come under the house nights and growl and fight; he was engaged in farming twenty-two years, and gave it up on account of poor health.  He owned 400 acres of land, but has sold all except a farm of 120 acres; has held office of County Supervisor and school and road offices.   Married Miss Ellen J. Cousins in December, 1856; she was born in Ireland and came to this country in infancy; has one son--Alonzo E., by his first wife; they have one daughter--Sarah M., and one adopted son--McKee Rodgers.

Ross, Albert C., Prof., Principal Tipton Schools, Tipton; born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1847; lived there seventeen years; commenced teaching when 16 years of age; he removed to Ohio in 1864, and completed his education at Wittenberg and Oberlin.  He has been engaged in teaching in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, having a long experience, and being greatly  interested in educational matters.  He came to Tipton and assumed charge of the schools here, September 1, 1875.  He married Miss Maggie Woodside, from Osceola, St. Joseph County, Indiana, nine miles east of South Bend, April 30, 1874;  she died in Tipton, July13, 1877; he had one son--Bertie McKendree, and has lost one child in infancy.

Ross Eli, farmer, Section 36; Post Office Wilton; born in York County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1834; lived in that State nineteen years, and came to Iowa, to Cedar County, in 1853, and settled near by where he now lives; learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; was engaged in building for many years and built and helped build most of the buildings here on the prairie; is now engaged in farming and stock raising; owns a farm of 130 acres; has held the office of School Director nine years in succession.     Married Miss Sarah Wilks; from Clarion County, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1856; they have seven children--Martha M., Noe E., William G., Albert W., E. Wilks, Alice A. and Roy.   They have lost two children.

Ross Isaac N., physician and farmer, Section 36; Post Office Wilton; born in York County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1837; came to Iowa in 1853, to Cedar County, with his parents.  He was in the army in the 35th. Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company K.; was in the battle of Jackson and siege of Vicksburg; was in the famous charge at the latter place, May 22, 1863; returned from the army, studied medicine and graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1865, and practiced his profession for some years at Durant, Victor and other places; then resumed farming.  Married Miss Sarah Moore, from Beaver County Pennsylvania, August, 1858; they have four children--Clara L., Joseph N., Nettie N. and Zella; have; lost three children.

Ross , John, retired farmer, Section 36; Post Office Wilton; born in York County Pennsylvania, September 6, 1793; he learned the black-smith trade.  He was in the war of 1812.  He is one of the few now living who has seen Gen. George Washington.  He remembers seeing him three times and talking with him.  Mr. Ross lived in Pennsylvania and Maryland many years; came to Cedar County in 1853 and engaged in farming.  He is now 84 years old.  Married Jane Pullinger, formerly Jane Ayers, from York County, Pennsylvania, in 1822.  They have been married fifty-five years, and have eight children--Ayers, William, Eli, Isaac N., Mary, Ann, Jane, Elizabeth; lost three children.

Rothrock, James H., Judge, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Tipton.     The subject of this sketch was born in Milroy, Pennsylvania, June1, 1829; was 10 years of age removed to Adams County, Ohio; attended Franklin College at Athens; studied law at West Union, Ohio and was admitted to the bar at Columbus in February 1853; settled in Greenfield, Ohio, and was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county.  He removed from Hillsboro, Ohio, to Tipton, July, 1860; in 1861 he was elected to the House of Representatives in this State; in August 1862, he was commissioned Lieut. Col. of the 35th. Iowa Volunteer Infantry; was at the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, and through the siege of Vicksburg; was in command of the Regiment when the assault was made on the 22d of May, in the Fall of 1863; he resigned his commission on account of ill health and returned and associated with Wm. P. Wolf and resumed the practice  of his profession; was elected District Judge in the Fall of 1866, when he was appointed by the Governor of the State Judge of the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy, and was elected to the same position in the Fall of 1876, and is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.  Married Miss Austie Foote, from Granville, Ohio, on October, 1855; they have three sons--Edward E., now attending Cornell College; James H. Jr.; and Geo. L.

Rowell, James L., merchant, jewelry, school books and stationery, Tipton; born in Hampden County, Mass. March 20, 1832; lived there fifteen years, and moved to Ohio; came to Cedar County, to Tipton, June, 1855, and has been engaged in business here for twenty-three years.  He has held town and school offices.  Married Miss Charlotte Whitson, from Pennsylvania, November 26, 1857.  They have three children--Burritt W., Lewis J. and Jennie, twins.

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