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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Cedar
County, Iowa, 1878.

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Biographies - Farmington Township

Armentrout, J., Wilton.

Ayers, J., farmer, Section 6; Post Office Wilton.

Ayers, L., farmer, Section 6; Post Office Wilton.

Bahl, S., Post Office Durant.

Banker, H. J., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Durant.

Barr, S., farmer, Section 9; Post Office Durant.

Bartscher, D., farmer, Section 10; Post Office Durant.

Bartscher, F., farmer, Section 10; Post Office Durant.

Bartscher, Wm., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Durant.

Beerkamp, A., farmer, Section 34; Post Office Durant.

Bowman, Jerry, Post Office Wilton.

Boynton, O., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Wilton.

Brammier, F. W., farmer, Section 32; Post Office Wilton.

Brammier, H. K., farmer, Section 30; Post Office Wilton.

Brown, Benton W., agent C., R., I. & P. R. R. at Durant; born in Sullivan County, New York, January 29, 1834; came to this town with his father, Hon. Matthew Brown, in 1852.  Married Miss Catherine Murphy, of Bennington, Vermont, December 25, 1856; have three children--Charles H., Edward and Frederick W.  Has been with the Railroad Company sixteen years.

Brown, P., farmer, Section 31; Post Office Wilton.

Bunger, A., farmer, Section 24; Post Office Durant.

Butterfield, Laura F., Mrs., farming, Section 30; Post Office Wilton, Muscatine County, Iowa; estate of 640 acres; was daughter of T. Ransom and Charlotte P. Austin, of Milan, Indiana, who was the son of Elisha, of Woodstock; she was born May 21, 1827.  Married Mr. Franklin Butterfield October 14, 1855; he was born January 4, 1823; son of Asa and Sarah Tuffts; his father is still living at Farmington, Maine; his mother died when he was about 2 years old, at which time he was taken into the family of his grandfather, John Tuffts; when 14 years old he, with his grandfather, moved to Dearborn County, Indiana, where school facilities were very poor and meager; at 18 years of age he attended school two terms, taught by his uncle, S. Tuffts, at Mainville, Ohio; at 19, commenced teaching District School in Ripley, at $8 per month, and continued teaching both Winter and Summer terms for ten years, with only one or two intermissions; price per month averaging about $13; in 1846, went to Nauvoo; attended the dedication of the Mormon Temple and heard the address of Orson Hyde; soon after this the Mormons commenced moving to Utah; they were generally a very ignorant class of people, and easily made to believe whatever was told them by their superiors; participated in an engagement between the citizens and a mob in the city, which lasted about one hour and a half, when the mob retreated in confusion, May 5, 1849; visited the jail at Carthage, where Joe and Hiram Smith were killed in June, 1844; Taylor and Richards were in the same chamber room and not killed.  The mob consisted of about 125 men.  July 2, 1849, his grandfather, Tuffts, died of old age; about this time he commenced clerking in Aurora, Indiana, at $110 per year; his health failing, he was obliged to leave at the end of three months; April 3, 1851, received an appointment in the Post Office Department at Washington, D. C., under President Fillmore, at a salary of $1,000; in the Fall of 1852, visited his old native home in Maine, purchased and erected suitable stones at the graves of his mother and sister.  March 15, 1853, married Mary A., daughter of Isaac Waites, of Washington, D. C.  On the 10th of May was dismissed from the department by Franklin Pierce and moved to this place, becoming a farmer, in July of the same year, and built a house on his farm that Fall; also purchased the land on which the original town of Wilton, which he named in honor of his native town in Maine, and was laid out by him in September, 1854, recorded in October, 1855; July 1, 1854, his wife died, leaving a daughter, which soon followed her; the township of Farmington was also named in    honor of the township that Mr. Butterfield was born in.  In the Spring of 1859, he and his wife were instrumental in the organization of the Free-Will Baptist Church in the Burr Oak Schoolhouse, of which he was a worthy member till death.  In the erection of the Seminary at Wilton he bore a conspicuous part, and when it was offered to the Free-Will Baptist Church became still more zealous in making the school an honor to the town and church, total donations to the Seminary amounting to $10,000.  In the village he has expended about $15,000 in permanent and substantial buildings.  He was always very radical on the question of temperance; in his will he gave the Y. M. C. Union $200, to be paid whenever the temperance vote kept the sale of spirituous liquors out of the town; also gave $100 to the Freedman's College at Harper's Ferry.  When the Free-Will Baptist Church was built, on Section 30, he paid over one-third of the entire cost of the same; his usual subscription for sustaining preaching in the church was $100, or over.  When Mr. Butterfield came to Wilton he was the possessor of about $1,500, most of which he had saved by teaching school, and when he commenced teaching he had only a very scanty outfit of $3 in money; he always lived a very unostentatious life, thoroughly despising all shams of every kind; close and careful in his dealings with his fellow men, but always meeting his word true to the letter.  Mr. Butterfield was ever watchful of his own physical system. especially his lungs, as his mother, three aunts and an uncle all died with consumption; but in spite of all his care he fell a victim to this destructive disease.  On the 18th of September he went down to Wilton to see the monument he had caused to be erected, which proved to be his last visit to Wilton.    He had been conscious of his situation for many months before this, and had often said his only desire to remain longer was his young family, who needed his counsel and advice, but was frequently heard to say he regretted that so much of his life had been spent so unprofitably; after his return home from Wilton he saw his end approaching very fast, and talked freely of death and of his bright prospects in the future; said he wanted no parade at his funeral.  At a little past 6 P. M. his pain subsided, and he gradually sank away as a child to quiet rest, while the storm was beating fiercely without, but within all was quiet, in the presence of death.  Thus he departed, on the 23d day of September, 1876, leaving three sons--Morris W., born March 11, 1857; Marshall T., born July 5, 1858; Frank, born September 5, 1860, died January 22, 1876; Charles L., born December 22, 1865.

Chamberlin, M. A., farmer, Section 20; Post Office Wilton.

Clark, Amos, Post Office Wilton.

Clay, J. H., farmer, Section 29; Post Office Wilton.

Cook, F., Sr., farmer, Section 10; Post Office Durant.

Cook, F., Jr., farmer, Section 2; Post Office Durant.

Cook, H., farmer, Section 2; Post Office Durant.

Corrin, Edward, farmer, Section 2; Post Office Durant; owns 120 acres of land; son of John and Ann Cowley; born on the Isle of Man, England, January 29, 1824; came to the United States in 1849; to this county in 1855.  On the 11th of July, 1850, married Miss Charity, of Fairfield, Connecticut; have seven children--Aubernett, born January 27, 1851; James E., February 12, 1857; Joseph E., October 30, 1861; Samantha E. and Eliza M. (twins), April 29,1863; Sarah A., May 9, 1866; and George, May 22, 1868.

Crawford, Wm., farmer, Section 19; Post Office Wilton.

Crist, Peter M., Mrs., farmer on estate of 200 acres; Post Office Durant; Mr. Crist was born in Sullivan County, New York, April 20, 1807; moved to Illinois, in 1845, and to this town in 1856.  Was married October 12, 1843, and died October 17, 1875, on this farm, leaving five children, four of whom were by his first wife.  Mrs. Crist's maiden name was Nancy J. Fraser; she has one son, Lee M., born February 13, 1853.

Cunningham, A. R., farmer, Section 35; Post Office Durant.

Decker, John, farmer, Section 19; Post Office Wilton.

Dice, John, farmer, Section 5; Post Office Wilton; owns 250 acres of land; born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 6, 1834; son of Henry Dice and Catharine Stauffer, Henry Dice was born August 23, 1808, his wife, August 31, 1807; married May, 1827; both of York County, Pennsylvania; grandparents, Andrew Dice and his wife Catharine Loucks; mother's side, John Stauffer and his wife Barbara Walker, of York County, Pennsylvania.  At the age of 21 came to this county; married, December 22, 1859, to Caroline C. Ayers, born in Vanango County, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1840; daughter of John Ayres and Rachel Wonder.  John Ayres born June 9, 1800, his wife, August 28, 1802; married May 18, 1820; grandparents, David Ayres, his wife Ann Ross; mother's side, Sebastian Wonder, his wife Mary J. Day, of York County, Pennsylvania; Clara J. Dice born January 13, 1861; Newton A., born January 15, 1864; Frank A., born April 22, 1868; Charley D., born September 4, 1871; Harry Wertz, born March 1, 1877.

Dutton, S. A., farmer, Section 23; post Office Durant.

Eaton, M. F., farmer, Section 6; Post Office Wilton.

Fintal, C., farmer, Section 17; Post Office Wilton.

Fitzger, C., farmer, Section 22; Post Office Durant.

Fitzger, H., farmer, Section 22; Post Office Durant.

Gage, H., farmer, Section 20; Post Office Wilton.

Haller, Frank, Post Office Durant.

Harley, Thos., Post Office Durant.

Hartze, M. H., farmer, Section 34; Post Office Durant.

Hedges, David T., farmer, Section 26; Post Office Durant; owns 160 acres land; born on Long Island, New York, November, 4, 1819; his parents, Samuel and Mary Talmage; his wife moved to Dutchess County, in 1821; to Wayne County in 1836, where his father died in 1847; his mother is still living, aged 78; grandparents were Nathan and Betsy; Mr. Hedges moved to Cayuga County in 1861; to this town in 1869; first wife was Cynthia R. Titus; married in Cayuga County in 1843; she died in 1858, leaving five children--Frances E., wife of  J. Talmage; Ellen M., wife of W. F. Hayford; Phoebe A., wife of  C. P. Emery; George F., Emily J., wife of C. B. Emery.  Present wife was Jane Hamilton; married in 1850; have three children--Cynthia J., Samuel H. and Charles W.  Mr. Hedges is the present Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of this county.

Hell, Clause, farmer, Section 1; Post Office Durant.

Hell, Jno., farmer, Section 12; Post Office Durant.

Hensen, P., farmer, Section 34; Post Office Durant.

Herr, Chris, farmer, Section 32; Post Office Wilton.

Herr, G.W., farmer, Section 33; Post Office Wilton.

Herr, Jno., farmer, Section 29; Post Office Wilton.

Herr, Levi, farmer, Section 32; Post Office Wilton.

Herst, D., Post Office Durant.

Herst, Jno., farmer, Section 35; Post Office Wilton.

Hinkhouse, R. W., farmer, Section 30; Post Office Wilton.

Horn, Jno., farmer, Section 15; Post Office Durant.

Horn, Josiah, farmer, Section 8; Post Office Wilton.

Jockheck, E., farmer, Section 3; Post Office Durant.

Johns, C. H., farmer, Section 5; Post Office Durant.

Kelly, A. B., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Wilton.

Kenaston, O. V., farmer, Section 6; Post Office Wilton.

Kilcom, P., farmer, Section 8; Post Office Wilton.

King, C., farmer, Section 19; Post Office Wilton.

King, Wm., farmer, Section 17; Post Office Wilton.

Klenbael, A., Post Office Wilton.

Knaach, T., farmer, Section 15; Post Office Durant.

Knight, M., farmer, Section 9; Post Office Wilton.

Krebs, J., farmer, Section 4; Post Office Durant.

Krebs, M., farmer, Section 4; Post Office Durant.

Ladehoff, H. C., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Wilton.

Lamp, H., farmer, Section 20; Post Office Durant.

Lauker, J., farmer, Section 31; Post Office Wilton.

Leth, H., farmer, Section 20; Post Office Durant.

Linsey, R. A., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Wilton.

Logi, Jno., farmer, Section 21; Post Office Wilton.

Lorenzen, J., Post Office Durant.

Orcutt, C., farmer, Post Office Durant.

McConnel, Y. M., farmer, Section 2; Post Office Durant.

McMahon, Thos., Durant.

Mason, Jas., farmer, Section 31; Post Office Wilton.

Mason, N. P., farmer, Section 31; Post Office Wilton.

Mansnest, G., farmer, Section 14; Post Office Durant.

Menof, F., Post Office Wilton.

Meyer, C., Post Office Durant.

Meyer, Wm., farmer, Section 23; Post Office Durant.

Miller, H., farmer, Section 11; post Office Durant.

Miller, Wm., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Durant.

Morehouse J., farmer, Section 6; Post Office Wilton.

Neinaber, C., Post Office Durant.

Neinaber, F., farmer, Section 27; Post Office Durant.

Noll, A., farmer, Section 3; Post Office Durant.

Peters, H., farmer, Section 13; Post Office Durant.

Piggott, I., farmer, Section 4; Post Office Durant.

Piggott, J., farmer, Section 10; Post Office Durant.

Prescott, F., farmer, Section 35; Post Office Durant.

Prescott, T. C., farmer, Section 35; Post Office Durant.

Rayner, T., farmer, Section 24; Post Office Durant.

Reiser, P., Post Office Durant.

Rorick, J., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Wilton.

Ryan, J., farmer, Section 9; Post Office Durant.

Schiele, T. W., farmer, Section 22; Post Office Durant.

Schiele, O. W., farmer, Section 27; Post Office Durant.

Sebelein, C., farmer, Section 13, Post Office Durant.

Seberlein, C., farmer, Section 1; Post Office Durant.

Shaw, Wm., farmer, Section 21; Post Office Durant.

Shoemaker, H. N., farmer, Section 13; Post Office Durant.

Shultz, P., farmer, Section 13; Post Office Durant.

Shulz, Wm. M., farmer, Section 1; Post Office Durant.

Smith, O., farmer, Section 7; Post Office Wilton.

Sobren, Chris., farmer, Section 10; Post Office Durant.

Steffer, H., farmer, Section 12; Post Office Durant.

Stoddard, J., farmer, Section 31; Post Office Wilton.

Thede, J., farmer, Section 28; Post Office Durant.

Thieson, H. A., farmer, Section 16; Post Office Durant.

Toedt, C., farmer, Section 26; Post Office Durant.

True, E. P., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Wilton.

Tuffts, J. Q., farmer, Section 30; Post Office Wilton.

Turner, J., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Durant.

Turner, R., farmer, Section 18; Post Office Durant.

Vose, Wm. F., farmer, Section 7; Post Office Wilton.

Waddle, A., farmer, Section 1; Post Office Durant.

Wallace, H., farmer, Section 3; Post Office Wilton.

Walter, Geo., farmer, Section 33; Post Office Wilton.

Walton, David W., farmer, Section 28; post Office Durant; owns 800 acres; was born in Jackson County, Ohio, October 31, 1823; son of David, born 1789, and Mary, born 1787, who settled in this county in 1835; his grandfather's name was William, of New Jersey.  In November, 1844, married Miss Louisa G. Carl; she was born December 24, 1826; have fifteen children--Henry, born December 9, 1845; Charles, February 24, 1847; Abolina, December 19, 1848; Lewis, November 19, 1850; Rachel, August 30. 1852; James, February 14, 1854; Mary, born in January, 1866, died when about 8 years of age; David G., born March 10, 1858; William, June 27, 1860; Eliza, November 7, 1861; Lincoln, October 3, 1863; Marion, November 21, 1865; Lucy, November 15, 1867; Addie, October 31, 1869; Ida, November 27, 1873.  Mr. Walton was only 13 years old when his father settled here and consequently has seen as much of a pioneer life as any; by his untiring energy and dominant will, he has acquired his share of the rich lands of this Township; no one has done more than Mr. Walton toward wiping out of existence the deer, the wolf and other wild game of this county, some of which, although hard to realize as true, can be found related in the Township History of this work.

Weaver, Joseph, farmer, Section 24; Post Office Durant; owns 480 acres; born January 1, 1824; in Salem, Pennsylvania; son of Benjamin and Nancy, grandson of Henry and Elizabeth.  Henry Weaver was a militia officer in the Revolutionary war; when discharged, received all his pay in Continental money made on heavy pasteboard paper; it soon became worthless money and his wife, Elizabeth, converted some of it into sun bonnet, kept it many years, and her grandchildren well remember it until this day.    Mr. Weaver graduated at Princeton College in 1846; studied law under Judge Wilson McCandles, of the U. S. Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania; practiced law five years in Pittsburgh, came here and entered his land on the 11th of March, 1863.   July 20, 1854, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Hon. Mathew Brown, from Sullivan County, New York; she was born April 15, 1837; have two children--Mary Elanor, born September 23, 1856; Harry B., September 9, 1858.

Ware, D., farmer, Section 11; Post Office Durant.

Ware, J., farmer, Section 11; Post Office Durant.

Whitmer, M. G., farmer, Section 3; Post Office Wilton.

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