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History and Genealogy
of
Shelby County, Iowa

Biographies for Shelby County
HARLAN
W. E. Armstrong, barber, formerly of Humboldt, Humboldt county, Ia. (where he was engaged in business two years) came to Harlan in, Dec., 1880, and established his present business on the west side of square; moved to his present room, which adjoins the City Hotel office, in Oct., 1881. He runs two chairs, keeping one man to assist.
William Baughn, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Washington, Fayette county, O., in Nov., 1857; moved with parents to Harrison county, Ia.; thence in 1866 to Council Bluffs, and to Shelby county in 1869, and engaged in farming until 1875, then engaged in the livery business at Harlan, which he continued about a year, sold to Elias Monroe, and returned to farming. In 1878 he engaged in the stock business. His office is in the Stock and Grain Exchange, on the southeast corner of the square.
Hiram Baughn, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, is one of the oldest settlers of Shelby county, Ia., and has a fine stock farm of 140 acres.
Merrills Barton, farmer, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1823, and at four years of age moved with parents to Chautauqua county. In 1852 he moved to Waupaca county, Wis., where he engaged in farming until 1870, when he moved to Mitchell county, Ia., and the following year came to Shelby county, locating two miles east of Harlan. He owns a farm of 131 acres, where he resides, and another of 600 acres in Douglas township. They are both well improved stock farms. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors.
F. A. Bayer, M. D., was born in Dansville, N. Y., in 1840. In 1862 he enlisted in the 130th N. Y. Vol., was in several of the most important battles; was wounded at Opequan Creek, near Winchester, Va., and was discharged in 1864. He returned to N. Y.; afterwards entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, O.; from which he graduated in 1867, and moved to Benton county, Ia., and there engaged in the practice of medicine for four years. In 1872 he came to Harlan and opened his present office.
N. Booth, dealer in agricultural implements, wagons, carriages, etc.; came to Shelby county, Ia., in 1871, from Cal. He engaged in farming until 1881; then bought an interest in business of E. J. Trowbridge; afterwards purchased the entire business and premises on Upper Second street. He handles Deering's twine binders, N. C. Thompson's goods, of Rockford, Ill.; Moline Plow Co.'s goods, Norwegian Plow Co.'s goods, Davenport Co.'s goods, Courtland Wagon Co.'s goods, and is special agent for J. I. Case's machinery and Aultman & Taylor's threshing machines.
J. V. Brazie, stock raiser and farmer, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., in April, 1853; in 1863 he moved with parents to Albany; thence the same year to Lapeer county, Mich. In 1864 he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and the year following to Butler county, Ia., and to Harlan in the spring of 1866. In 1847 he attended the University at Des Moines; engaged in teaching several terms, and in 1875 engaged in farming. In 1876, he purchased the livery stock of E. Monroe; conducted business until May, 1881; then sold to E. C. Swain, and continues farming, paying special attention to the raising of pure Berkshire and Poland China hogs.
M. M. Bechtell, grain dealer, was born in Hagerstown, Me., in 1822; remained there until 1843; then studied for the ministry at Pennsylvania College, from which he graduated in 1874; then took a course in the theological seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.; was licensed as a preacher in the Lutheran church, and ordained in 1853; moved to Somerset county the following year; continued preaching, and also engaged in the lumber business. In 1858 he moved to Cumberland county, Me., and continued the lumber trade; in 1865 was engaged in the oil trade in Pa., and the following year removed to Victor, Ia., and engaged in farming; thence to Mitchellville in 1873, and engaged in the grain business; the next year to Lennox, Taylor county, where he built a mill and remained four years; removed to Essex, Page county, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence to Harlan in 1879, and engaged in the hardware business, which he sold to Mr. Snively; then built elevator number two, and engaged in his present business.
Irving W. Beems, justice of the peace and insurance agent, was born in Muskingum county, O., in 1847; removed with parents to Jasper county, Ia., in 1856; was in the employ of the C. & R. I. railroad company several years, and in April, 1875, moved to Shelby county, and engaged in farming in Jackson township, until Sept., 1878, when he moved to Harlan, and engaged in the insurance business; is special agent for the Underwriters, of N. Y. Gemania, of N. Y.; Westchester, of N. Y.; N. Y. City Fire Ins. Co. American, of Philadelphia; Springfield Fire and Marine Ins. Co., Iowa State, of Keokuk; and Hawkeye, of Des Moines office on the north side of public square, he was elected justice of the peace in 1881, on the republican ticket. He was married in 1868, in Jasper county, to Sarah E. Plummer, and has four children.
Charles Bergstresser, harness maker, was born in Snyder county, Pa., in 1847; moved with parents to Harlan in 1865. His father established the first harness shop in the county; he worked for his father two years: was employed by P. Louchor in Nov., 1875; remained with him three years, and then, purchased the business; keeps two men employed, and carries a full stock of everything in his line.
Henry S. Burk, justice of the peace and collecting agent, was born in Southeastern Ky., Sept. 23rd, 1816; moved to Decatur county, Ind., in 1827, where he resided until coming to Shelby county, Ia., in 1869; engaged in farming and gardening. In 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds.
S. A. Burk, attorney at law, was born in Decatur county, Ind., in 1853; came to Ia. with parents in 1869; received his education, at Moore's Hill College, Ind.; read law with Hon. Platt Wick, was admitted to practice in Mar., 1878, and became a partner with Mr. W., which partnership was dissolved in 1880, when Mr. Burk opened his present office in Harlan.
W. H. Carl, of the firm of Carl & Graves, dealers in furniture, and undertakers; was born in Wapello county, Ia., in 1849, learned carpentering, and in 1872 located at Harlan, and engaged in contracting and building in partnership with W. H. Griffith; in 1876 they bought out the furniture business of William Stanley. In Mar., 1880, Mr. Griffith sold his interest in the business to Mr. Graves. They have a fine business house, carry a large and complete stock of everything in their line, and in connection own a handsome hearse that cost $800. Mr. Carl is a member of the I. O. O. F. In May, 1880, he was married at Harlan to Miss A. C. Bergstresser.
Riley Cass, proprietor of the Harlan steam carriage and wagon factory and blacksmith shop, was born in Chautauqua county. N. Y., in 1831; there learned his trade, and in 1853 moved to Van Buren county, Ia.; thence to Harlan in 1874, and established his present business in 1877, with a very small capital, in what is now his wood-work shop; added a blacksmith shop in 187(J, and later in the same year added an engine room and polishing room; has a twelve-horse power, horizontal engine, also machinery for plow-work and sawing. He employs in his paint shop R. W. Straley, who is a painter and finisher of long experience. This factory has gained an extensive reputation for its fine work, having none but competent workmen employed. Mr. C. was married in 1856 to Sarah Brown, and has five children.
Hon. ,T. W. Chatburn, proprietor of the Harlan and the Shelby Mills, was born at Sabden, England, in 1821; served an apprenticeship there as millwright, and in 1845 came to America; was engaged in milling at Philadelphia, Pa., five years; removed in 1850 to Kanesville—now Council Bluffs—Ia.; remained two years; removed to Harrison county and took a claim near the present town of Magnolia; built a mill in 1853, which was the first mill north of the Boyer river; remained there until 1869; then moved to near the present town of Woodbine, and built what was afterwards known as Dunmire's mill. In 1867 he built the Harlan mill, which he still owns, and in connection has a flour, exchange, sale and feed store in Harlan, which is managed by J. Hersey. In 1878, Mr. Chatburn erected the Shelby steam mills, at Shelby, which are run by Thomas Chatburn. Mr. J. W. Chatburn was elected county judge of Harrison county for two years, and is a member of the county board.
Warren Closson, of the firm of Closson & Hardie, wholesale dealers and shippers of butter, eggs, etc., was born in Delaware county, O., in 1834. He served in the war of the rebellion, and at its close located in Ind., and in 1869 removed to Pella, Ia.; thence to Harlan in 1871; has been justice of the peace eight years; is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. P. & A. M. orders; was mayor of this city in 1880, and in Nov., 1881, engaged in his present business with Mr. Hardie. He was married in 1862 at Fort Wayne, Ind., to Fannie Hardie, and has six children.
L. C. Cooper, barber, purchased his business in April, 1881, of Geo. Jackson, who established it in Jan., 1881. His shop is on the west side of square. It is well furnished. He has two chairs, and employs one man. Mr. C. was formerly in business at Avoca, Ia.
John Coenen, of the firm of Coenen & Luecke, proprietors of the one-price clothing store; dealers in clothing, hats, caps, gents furnishing goods, boots, shoes, etc., also have merchant tailoring in connection. He came from Marion county, Ia., to Harlan in 1878, and established a lumber yard; in 1880, built the corner block, also the brick store building occupied by the clothing store, and two business houses adjoining. He sold the lumber business to John Reid & Co. Mr. C. is vice-president of and a stock-holder in the Shelby county bank. H. Luecke came from Carroll county to Harlan in Dec., 1880; formed his present partnership in 1881.
Mr. Cullison, of the firm of Smith & Cullison, attorneys at law, graduated from the State Normal School, of Kirksville, Mo., in 1870; was conductor and principal of the Troy Normal School, from 1871 to 1875. He studied law with A. A. J. Allerton, of Kirksville, and was admitted to the bar in 1875; was associate principal of the Southern Iowa scientific institute, and superintendent of the city schools of Allerton, Wayne County, Ia.; thence came to Harlan and formed his present partnership in Jan., 1881.
J. W. DeSilva, attorney at law, was born in Gilboa, Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1834; attended the Gilboa Seminary, and in 1854 graduated from the Charlotteville Seminary; then began the study of law in the office of Hon. Lyman Tremaine, and was admitted to the bar in 1859; practiced for one year at Sullivan, and in 1869 came to Shelby county, Ia., locating at Old Harlan. His office is on Court street, opposite city building.
F. B. Eshelman, dentist, was born in Foreston, Ogle county, Ill.; began the study of dentistry with Dr. C. W. Chamberlain, of Lanark, Carroll county, Ia., in 1862; remained there until 1880; then located at Harlan, and formed a partnership with Dr. Frazey, whom he bought out in Oct., 1881. He has a fine, well furnished office, on the second floor of Long's block, of three rooms—reception room, operating room and labratory.
C. Will. Fisher, photographer, was born in 1849; came to Harlan in 1876, and established his present business, which was the first in the county. His close application to business, and the fine work produced, has gained him a reputation as an artist. Gallery on East Second street, one door south of Herald office. He is a member of the V. A. S., beneficiary society. In 1875 he was married at Andalusia, Ill., to Rachel M. Parker. They have three children.
Dr. L. D. Frost, druggist, was born in Morrow county, O., in Aug., 1834; removed to Guthrie county, Ia., in the fall of 1854; engaged in running the hotel and stage station at the old town of Morrisburg, and devoted much time to the study of medicine. The following year he removed to his present location, on the south side of the square, where he has a fine stock of drugs, groceries, confectionery, etc. He has an elegant private office, and fine library in connection. This was the first drug store in Shelby county. He was elected city treasurer in 1881. In 1854 he was married in Morrow county, O., to Lydia Babcock. He has an orchard of ten acres adjoining town, with one thousand bearing apple trees, and quantities of small fruit. This is the largest orchard in the county.
E. Gish, proprietor of the Central House, formerly known as the Swain House; was born in Va. in 1837; moved with parents to Green county, O., in 1847; thence, in 1856, to Jasper county, Ia., and engaged in farming, until 1864; then moved to Shelby county, bought two hundred acres of well improved land in Harlan township, and there engaged in farming until Apr., 1881, when he moved to Harlan and engaged in the hotel business. He has been engaged in this business before, and keeps a first-class house. He was married in 1867, at Bowman's Grove, Ia., to Marrietta Poling, and has two children.
G. S. Gibbs, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Ypsilanti City, Mich., in 1848; removed to Harlan. In., in 1869, and was in the employ of J. W. & E. W. Davis. They had at that time the only business house in the town. He remained with them five years, and was employed by J. B. Stutsman until 1876; and in partnership with J. Jackson established his present business July 1st, 1879. He purchased Mr. Jackson's interest, and now carries on the business alone; has a very fine stock, and does a lively business. Has a branch business at Irwin, which is conducted by W. W. Gibbs, under the firm name of W.W. Gibbs & Co. Mr. G. S. Gibbs has just completed a very fine brick residence in Harlan at a cost of $7,000. He was the first city treasurer of this place, and is at present a member of the council, also of the board of supervisors. Is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. lodges. He was married Jan., 1875, at Council Bluffs, to Delia Baughn, daughter of Hon. Chas. Baughn. They have one son and one daughter.
J. T. Graham, of the firm of Graham & Hunger, hardware dealers, came to Harlan, Ia., in Dec., 1880 from Sharon, Mahaska county, where he was engaged in business three years. Jan. 1st, 1881, he bought a half-interest in the hardware store of E. J. Trowbridge, who sold the remainder to Mr. Munger June 18th, 1881. They have a full stock of everything in their line; keep two men employed, and a first-class tinner; have telephone connections.
O. F. Graves, of the firm of Carl & Graves, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y. in 1848; there learned carpenter and joiner's trade; was for seven years engineer on the R. W. & O. Ry.; four years on the N. Y. & O. M. Ry., and one year on the U. P. Ry. In 1875 he opened the sash, blind, and door factory of Graves & Van Doren, at Watertown, and in March, 1880, came to Harlan, Ia., and formed his present partnership. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and V. A. S. orders.
S. W. Harmon, of the firm of Seeland & Harmon, proprietors of the temperance billiard hall, on East Market street. This firm has three Brunswick & Balke Co.'s billiard tables, and two pool tables. The room is fitted up in first-class style; keeps for sale cigars, cider and soda water.
Lucien Herbert, proprietor of saloon on west side of square, was born in Luxemburg, Ger.; is a graduate from the Luxemburg University, which he attended six years, graduating in 1878; came to the U. S. in 1879, and located at Wesphalia, Shelby county, Ia.; moved to Harlan in May, 1881.
J. A. Hardie, of the firm of Closson & Hardie, was born in Rockport, N. Y., in 1858; moved to Pella, Ia,, in 1869; was for four years foreman for R. P. Brown, at Grand Junction; has had nine years experience in present business. Their place of business is in the basement of Coenen's block.
Harry Howell, boot and shoe-maker, was born in Somerset, England, in 1848; came to America in 1868, first locating at N. Y. City; worked at trade there for six years; removed to Harlan, Ia., in the autumn of 1875; was in the employ of P. Louchor, harness, boot and shoemaker, three years; then purchased the boot and shoe business; continued in the same place one year, and built his present place of business in 1879 in partnership with Charles Bergstresser. He is now doing a good business; keeps two men employed.
H. C. Holcomb, clerk of the courts, was born in 1823, in Essex county, N. Y.; moved to Kanesville, Ia., in 1853; was engaged in teaching school in Mills and Pottawattamie counties until 1858; then came to Harlan, which was just laid out, and erected the first house in the town, and engaged in carpentry, until 1859, when he was elected clerk of the courts; was re-elected in 1860,1862 and 1864; was defeated in 1866, and re-elected in 1868 and 1870; was not a candidate for the next term, but was re-elected in 1878 and 1880. He was married in 1862 to Elizabeth A. McCoy, and has one son.
D. S. Irwin, attorney at law, came to Washington county, Ia., in 1865, from Pa. In the spring of 1870 he removed to Shelby county, and engaged in farming for several years, teaching school during the winters; was admitted to the bar at circuit court, at Harlan, in Mar., 1881, Judge Loofborow presiding; then engaged in the practice of law at Irwin, a new town on the Iowa Southern Ry. It was named after Mr. Irwin, having been laid out on his land. His office is in the post office building.
Hon. Thomas Ledwich, of the firm of Ledwich, Hunt & Long, dealers in lumber, coal, lime and cement; was born in Canada in 1841; came to the U. S. with parents, and located in N. Y. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the 2nd N. Y. Cav.; was wounded at the second battle of Bull Rim. He was at the battle of Fredricksburg, the fall of Mobile, and several other important battles, and was discharged in 1865; remained in Ky. two years; then removed to Avoca, Ia., and in June, 1869, shipped the first carload of lumber into that place that was ever received there, and opened a lumber yard. In 1871 he started the first newspaper of the place, called the Avoca Delta, which he sold after two years. He removed to Harlan in 1879 and formed his present partnership. Their office is on Market street; adjoining it is the door and sash room, and in connection they manufacture Fry's patent combination wood and wire fence, having the right for Shelby county. They keep four men employed, make sixty rods per day. Their large and well stocked lumber yard fronts Market and Court streets. Mr. Hunt was in business with Mr. L. at Avoca previous to coming to this place, and was the builder of the first steam mill there. Mr. Ledwich is president of the Shelby county fair association; has been president of the Botna Valley District Agricultural Society, he is mayor of the city, and has been a member of the council several years.
James M. Long, of the firm of Ledwich, Hunt & Long, came to Shelby county, Ia., in the spring of 1856, and located within three-fourths of a mile of the present town of Harlan; bought eight hundred acres of land in this and Harrison counties, and engaged in farming; two years later, the old town of Harlan was located, and in 1859 Mr. L. laid out the present town, which joins the old town on the south, and was called Long's addition. The same year the county seat was moved here from Shelbyville, and the year following he built the old court house; in 1870 he erected the Harlan House; six years later, the first brick business block in the town, on the north side of the square; in 1878, he built another business block on the southwest corner of the square, and the City Hotel, and a brick building in rear of the hotel used as a saloon; and now has in course of erection the new opera house, which is to be a first class opera house with all of the latest improvements. It will have three store-rooms on the ground floor, two in front and one in the rear. Besides these buildings, he owns a fine residence, livery barn, and other town and country property. In 1860 he was married at Jeddo, Harrison county, to Hattie McCoid.
Cyrus Mentzer, dealer in groceries and queensware came to Harlan in the spring of 1880, from Marion, Linn county, Ia., where he was in business for eight years. He engaged in his present business with J. Jackson, and in the spring of 1881 bought Mr. J's. interest. He now employs three clerks, runs a delivery wagon for city trade, and carries one of the largest stocks of goods in his line in the city; store in Coenen's block, on the northeast corner of the square.
James E. Miller, harness maker, was born in Ky. in 1851; moved with parents to Mexico, thence to Audrian county, Mo., where he learned his trade; then came to Ottumwa, Ia., and worked with J. Taylor; afterwards to Des Moines, and was with F. Butler. In 1875 he came to Harlan, and was in the employ of E. E. Swain for two years, and after taking a trip to the Black Hills, took charge of the business for G. H. Walker, who sold to E. B. Gard in Sept., 1879. He continued in the business for Mr. G. until April 7th, 1880, when he purchased the business. He now keeps four men employed, and keeps constantly on hand a large and complete stock of harness, saddles, whips, etc.; also has a branch establishment at Irwin. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. order. Sept. 12th, 1878, he was married at Harlan to Hattie Brazie, and has two children.
Myerly, Sheller & Harrod, attorneys at law, land, loan, insurance and abstract office. The business was established in 1879, by R. E. Carruthers. Messrs. J. B. Myerly & Co. purchased the office Jan. 1st, 1880, D. B. Sheller joining in March of the same year, and Mr. Harrod in Jan., 1881, thus forming the present partnership. Mr. Myerly came to Harlan from Des Moines, and is a graduate from the Iowa City University; attends to the law practice of the firm. Mr. Sheller came from Dallas Center, where he was for several years in the Dallas Center bank. Mr. Harrod, is from Shelby, this county. Mr. H. was elected county treasurer in the fall of 1879, and at the expiration of the term became a partner in the present firm. They have an extensive and growing business, are agents for the Hamburg American Packet Company, Red Star Line, and American Steamship Company, for the sale of emigrant tickets, and have a complete set of abstract books of this county.
J. S. Murray, of the firm of J. S. Murray & Co., proprietors of elevator No. 1, on the west side of the track of the Harlan branch of the C,, R. I. & P. Ry.; was born in Canada in 1837; came to the U. S. in 1875, located at Avoca, Ia., and engaged in the grain business; was proprietor of the Avoca elevator. He came to Harlan in 1878, built the elevator, and engaged in his present business. He has a branch business at Defiance, on a branch of the C., M. & St. P. Ry., which is conducted by Miles & Miles. The Avoca business was conducted by P. F. Murray until Sept., 1880, when he came to Harlan, and became a member of the above firm. They also handle Des Moines and Oskaloosa hard and soft coal.
J. W. Newby, dealer in agricultural implements, sewing machines, organs, etc., was born in N. C., in 1849; moved with his parents to Carroll county. Ind.; thence to Mills county, Ia., in 1867, and to Shelby county the following year, locating one and one-half miles east of Harlan, on what was known as the Baughn farm. In 1875 he moved to Harlan, and established his present business, which is now located on West Market street. He is agent for the White, Domestic, and Household sewing machines, and for Furst & Bradley's, Walter A. Wood's Wier Co.'s., and Aultman, Miller & Co.'s goods, and for other leading manufactories. He has a branch establishment at Irwin.
Dallas F. Paul, county auditor, was born in Saratoga, N. Y., in 1846; moved to Mills county, Ia., in I860, and engaged in farming for ten years; then moved to Shelby county, and located in Cass township, where he owns 728 acres of land, well improved for stock purposes. He was elected to his present office in 1881.
Andrew Peterson, merchant tailor, was born in Denmark, in 1830, learned his trade and was engaged in business there; came to America in Sept., 1873, and located at Troy, N. Y.; moved to Schenectady, and was in the employ of Holtzman & Fritzmaurice as foreman in their tailoring department for two and one-half years. In the fall of 1876 he came to Harlan and established his present business.
R. M. Pomeroy, county treasurer, was born in Franklin county. Pa., in 1849; moved to Louisa county, Ia., in 1872; was engaged in business at Morning Sun, and three years later moved to Shelby, Shelby county, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he still owns. He is mayor of Shelby. He was elected county treasurer in 1881.
W. R. Parker, proprietor of billiard parlor and sample rooms, in rear of City Hotel, (formerly of Missouri Valley) established his present business in Nov., 1880. Has two Brunswick, Balke & Co.'s billiard tables, and one pool table.
H. C. & E. D. Potter, of the firm of Potter Bros., proprietors of the steam wagon, blacksmith and machine shop, on West Market street; came to Harlan, Ia., in Nov., 1878, from Whiteside county. Ill., and established his present business. They have a four-horse engine, and employ three blacksmiths and one woodworker. They make a specialty of building fine light buggies and track sulkies to order.
C. R. Pratt, of the firm of Pratt Bros., proprietors of the Harlan Herald, edits and conducts the paper. It was established in 1875 by Geo. Musgrave, is republican, and the official paper of the county, is thoroughly fitted for jobbing purposes; has a fine Campbell power press.
J. H. & E. W. Reynolds, of the firm of Reynolds Bros., contractors and builders, located at Harlan in 1879, shop on East Market street, where they employ two men, do wagon work in connection. They are from Keokuk, Ia., are thorough workmen, and capable of handling large contracts.
John Reed & Co., dealers in lumber, lime, cement, coal, and paints, were formerly of Rock Island, Ill., where they were engaged in the lumber business; came to Harlan in Dec., 1880, and purchased the business of Coenen & Fairchild, on Upper Third street. Mr. John Reed conducts the business at Harlan; they have a branch establishment at Kirkman.
Ramsey Bros., dealers in clothing, boots, shoes, and gents’ furnishing goods; came to Harlan from Prairie City, Jasper county, Ia. The business was established in the spring of 1879, by Hoidefer & Ramsey; the former sold his interest in Jan., 1882, to J. H. & J. W. Ramsey, who with their brother W. H. constitute the present firm. They carry an immense stock of goods, and do a. flourishing business; store on north side of square. They have a branch house at Irwin, under the charge of J. W. Ramsey.
Frank and Albert Reynolds, of the firm of Reynolds & Co., photographers, formerly of Keokuk county, Ia.; learned their trade at Des Moines, and came to Harlan in the spring of 1879; established business in Sept., 1880. They occupy four rooms in Coenen's block, on the second floor. They make a specialty of copying and enlarging.
Alden K. Riley, attorney at law, loan and abstract office; was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1852; began attendance at the Fort Edwards Institute, N. Y., in 1808, and graduated in 1872; then entered Princeton College, N. J., obtained a degree in 1876, and entered the law firm of Krum & Grant, at Schoharie; removed in the following year to Jefferson, Greene county, Ia.; there entered the law firm of Russel & Toliver, and was also professor of mathematics at the Jefferson Academy. In April, 1878, he came to Harlan, and opened an office. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the Shelby county bank, also attorney for the bank; office in Coenen's block, front room up-stairs. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. August 27th, 1878, he was married at Harlan to Betta M. Hard, and has one child, Alden K.
Geo. D. Ross, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., in Dec., 1842. He enlisted at the commencement of the war in Co. G, 21st Wis. Inf.; was in a number of important battles; was wounded at Atlanta, Ga., necessitating the amputation of his right arm; was discharged in 1865. In May, 1872, he came to Harlan, purchased property and engaged in teaching school. In the fall of the same year he was elected clerk of the courts, and re-elected twice on the republican ticket. He established the first livery in the town, in the spring of 1873, which he sold after two years. He had the mail route between Harlan and Dunlap, and carried mail and express between Harlan and Avoca, for several years. In Aug., 1875, he bought the Herald printing office, of Geo. Musgrave, and in Feb., 1876, bought the Record printing office, combined them, and published the Herald until 1879; then bought farms joining town, one of eighty acres on the west, and 160 acres, one mile northeast of town. He also owns valuable town property.
John Rogers & Son, proprietors of restaurant and bakery, deal in staple and fancy groceries, confectionery, etc. They came to Harlan, in Dec., 1881, and purchased the stock and business of Lew Tamesiea on the east side of the square. They employ a first class baker and confectioner, keep day boarders and furnish lunches, ice cream, oysters, soda water, etc.
J. S. Snively, hardware dealer, came from Carroll county, Ill., where he had been engaged in teaching school, to Harlan, la,, Oct. 1st, 1880, and established his present business, on the north side of the square. He carries a full stock of everything in his line; keeps three men employed; is the sole agent in the town for the Glidden barb wire.
Samuel Smith was born in Guernsey county, O., in 1836; removed to Guthrie county, Ia., in 1857, and engaged in farming. He engaged in freighting to Denver, Col., in 1861 and 1862; then returned to Guthrie county, where he remained until 1869; then came to Shelby county; engaged in teaching several years, and previous to the coming of the railroad to Harlan, ran freighting teams between there and Avoca.
Mr. Smith, of firm of Smith & Cullison, came to Harlan from Bloomfield, Davis county, Ia., where he studied law with M. H. Jones, was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1878, and came to this city the same year, and formed a partnership with P. C. Truman, which continued three years. Mr. T. then sold his interest to Mr. Cullison, in Jan., 1881, thus forming the above firm.
Joseph Stiles, attorney at law, and land loan and insurance agent, was born in O., in 1846; removed to Benton county, Ia., in 1853; thence to Western, Linn county, in 1856; there attended college, and in 1867 moved to Jefferson, Green county, where he engaged in teaching school. In 1873 he began the study of law, with Henderson & Howard. The following year he was admitted to the bar, in the district court, Judge Reed presiding. He was associated in practice with Judge Potter, of that place, one year; removed to Harlan in the autumn of 1875, and opened an office; was elected justice of the peace in 1877, which office he held two terms.
Steinhilber & Schnuettgen, dealers in furniture, and undertakers; established business April 1st, 1880. They command and occupy for the retail business the store building on Market street, having sales-room, work-shop and ware-room below, and on the second floor the finishing and undertaking rooms, in which they employ two men, a wood worker and finisher. Their factory on Third street employs from twenty to thirty men. They do a large wholesale business. E. R. Steinhilber was formerly engaged in the stock business in Davenport. Mr. Schnuettgen is by trade a fresco painter; worked several years in Philadelphia, Pa., and Milwaukee, Wis. He was employed on the Centennial buildings in Philadelphia.
E. C. Swain, proprietor of Swain's livery stables, was born in Ind. in 1848; removed to Ia. in 1857, locating in Guthrie county; the following year moved to Shelby county, and to Harlan in 1869. He engaged in the harness business for six years, and in 1878, bought an interest in the livery business of J. V. Brazie. The present barn was built by this firm in 1879, and in 1881, Mr. S. became sole proprietor: keeps sixteen horses and eight carriages for livery purposes.
J. B. Swain was born at Randolph, Ind., in 1825; moved to Dallas county, Ind., in 1854, and engaged in farming for two years; then moved to Denison, Crawford county, being one of the first to locate there; remained until the spring of 1859; then came to Shelby, and built a mill in Grove township, which he sold to Milton Lynch, in 1861. He again engaged in farming, until his removal to Dunlap, when it was first laid out, in 1867, and the following year opened a harness shop, which business he sold to his son, E. C. Swain. He purchased the Harlan House of J. M. Long, conducted it for five years, and in the spring of 1879 erected the Swain House, which he conducted until April, 1881, when he leased to E. Gish, and retired from active business. He was married in Wayne county, Ind., in 1846, to Irena Whitenger, and has three sons and five daughters.
D. O. Stuart, attorney at law, was born in Pa. in 1848; moved with parents to Va. in 1851; took a preparatory literary course at the university at Morgan town. He served one year as scout during the rebellion, and at the close of the war, removed to Warren county, Ia.; attended Simpson's Centenary College, at Indianola; graduated in 1872, obtaining the degree of B. A. He commenced reading law while at college, with Col. P. Gad Bryan, and was admitted at the Nov. term of the district court at Newton, Jasper county, in 1872; was admitted to practice in the supreme court in June, 1874:, and to the U. S. circuit court in Oct., of the same year, at Des Moines. In the spring of 1877, he moved to Des Moines, and to Harlan in Aug., 188O. His office is in Long's block on the north side of the public square.
A. D. Tinsley, editor of the Harlan Tribune (established in 1879), was born in Wapello county, Ia., in 1854; removed to Harlan in 1875, engaged in joiner work with Riley Cass, and taught school during the winter of 1875-6. In 1877 was assistant county treasurer under Thomas McDonald; in the fall of the same year, engaged in business with his brother Prior Tinsley, and in 1879, still retaining his interest in the store, he opened the Tribune office. He has since been chairman of the county democratic central committee. He has always been an active participant in the campaigns, and is recognized as one of the party leaders in the county. The Tribune has been a county official paper since its establishment, and a city official paper for some time: office on north side of the square. Nov. 10th, 1881, Mr. Tinsley was married to Cicily Chatburn, daughter of the Hon. J. W. Chatburn of Harlan.
G. W. Todd, M. D., was born at Bellevue, Huron county, O., in 1838; attended college at Granville three years, then the Cleveland Medical College, graduating in 1861, and obtaining a degree. He enlisted in the 55th O. Inf., Co. A, and was discharged in 1865; then came to Tabor, Fremont county, Ia., and engaged in the drug business; remained eight years, then moved to Montgomery county, Ia., and engaged in the practice of medicine at Milford. In the spring of 1878 he moved to Shelby, Shelby county, Ia., and to Harlan in 1881; where he formed a partnership with Dr. Cartlich, who located here in 1880.
Geo. H. Walker, was born in W. Va., in 1814; moved to Northern Ind., in 1834, and engaged in farming; was also engaged in the mercantile business at Benton, Elkhart county. In 1854 removed to Linn county, Ia., and engaged in farming until 1860, when he engaged in business at Mt. Vernon. In 1876 he moved to Harlan and in June of that year established a mercantile house; retired from business in the autumn of 1881, still owning the property, besides other town property, and 420 acres of land in Thayer county, Neb. He was married in Ind., in 1842, to Celina Smith, and has four children.
A. G. Waynick, of the firm of Waynick & Hunter, grocers; was born in Monroe county, Ia., in 1852; moved with parents to Chariton, Lucas county, in 1854. In 1870 he went to Golden, Col., and two years later to Chicago, Ill.; thence, in 1874, to Burlington, Ia.; and two years later to Corning, where he engaged in the clothing business, until 1879, when he came to Harlan and established his present business, which he carried on alone until the spring of 188O. Mr. Hunter, of Corning, then bought an interest, but remains at Corning, Mr. W. conducting the business, which is in Long's block on the southeast corner of the square.
J. E. Weaver, attorney at law, was born in Henry county, Ind., in June, 1849; moved with his parents to Powsheik county, Ia., in 1859; entered the Iowa College, at Grinnell, Ia., in 1866, and in 1870 commenced the study of law with Emery & Lewis, of Montezuma; was admitted to the bar in 1873 by the district court, Judge E. S. Sampson presiding. In 1874 moved to Pella, where he practiced one year, and then came to Harlan, establishing his present business; office on the north side of square. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. order.
Thomas R. Westrope, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, was born in Morgan county, Ill., in 1825; moved to La Fayette county, Wis., in 1850; thence to Montgomery county, Ia., where he owns sixteen hundred acres of well improved farming land, two hundred and fifty head of graded cattle and fifty head of pedigreed shorthorns. He came to Shelby county in the spring of 1881, and here owns 440 acres of land and 150 head of cattle; has 360 acres of well improved farm in Audubon county, and 260 acres in La Fayette county, Wis. He carries on all of these farms himself, keeping sixteen men constantly employed, besides extra help in cropping seasons. He is one of the most extensive farmers in western Ia. In 1848, he was married, in La Fayette county, Wis., to Sarah A. Huntsman. They have eight sons and two daughters.
D. M. Wyland, of the firm of J. C. & D. M. Wyland, was born in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1846; came to Shelby county, Ia., in 1861; in 1864 took charge of the treasurer's office under William Wyland, and the year following attended the university at Iowa City, remaining four years; returned to Harlan and was appointed clerk of the courts in 1869, which position he resigned in the spring of 1870, to accept one offered by the Council Bluffs savings bank; remained there until 1872; then formed a partnership with his present partner. He is a member of the city council, and of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. orders. In Sept., 1878, he was married at South Bend, Ind., to Belle Keasey.
C. J. Wyland, of the firm of C. J. & D. M. Wyland, bankers, real estate, loan and insurance agents, was born in Ind. in 1836; came to Shelby county, Ia., in 1861, and engaged in farming in Harlan township; was elected treasurer of the county in 1871, on the democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1873. In 1875, he, with with D. M. Wyland, with whom he had previously been engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business, established the bank. They occupied a frame building until 1880, when they erected the present two-story building, of brick with stone front. The first floor is used for the real estate, loan and insurance office and telephone exchange, of which J. C. has charge, and the second floor by the bank, in charge of D. M. In 1864, the subject of this sketch was married to Amanda H. Dunnington, at Harlan. They have five children.
Hon. William Wyland, farmer, was born in O. in 1830; removed to northern Ind. in 1832, with his parents, where he remained until 1850; then came to Shelby county, Ia., which at that time was very sparsely settled, the inhabitants having to go to Kanesville— now Council Bluffs—for mail and to do trading. He entered land, and engaged in farming until 1859; was elected county treasurer in 1857, and county judge in 1859; returned to farming in 1861, and in 1873 engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Thos. Wood; closed out business in 1877, and returned to farming in North Harlan.
Hon. Pratt Wicks, attorney at law and representative for the 74th district, was born in Manchester, Ind., in 1832; was admitted to the bar in 1853 at a term of the circuit court at Shelbyville, Ind., Hon. R. D. Logan presiding. The following year he began the practice of law at Greenburg; was elected to the office of district attorney in 1856, and re-elected in 1858; was elected prosecuting attorney of the 4th judicial circuit in 1866; held the office until 1869, and then resigned, on the division of the circuit, and came to Harlan, Ia.; was elected to the 18th general assembly in the autumn of 1879, and re-elected to the 19th general assembly in 1881, on the republican ticket.
D. A. Williams, proprietor of the City Hotel, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1840; removed with parents to Marshalltown, Ia., in 1857. He enlisted in 1863 in the 9th Ia. Cav.; was discharged in 1865, and assisted his father in the stock business; traveled through the west in 1868, handling stock; was engaged in freighting to the Winnebago Agency several years, and was in the stock business at Missouri Valley, Ia., some time; also at St. Paul, Minn., Denver, Col., and Texas. In 1875 he established a drug store in Council Bluffs, Ia., which he sold in the summer of 1881 to Shephard Bros, and then moved to Harlan Oct. 11th, 1881; he opened the City Hotel, built and owned by J. M. Long, which is a fine building, well furnished, has one of the finest sample rooms in the west for the accomodation of commercial travelers, and has omnibus in connection.
J. J. Zimmerman, proprietor of livery, feed and sale barns, on the west side of square, was born in Pa. in 1840; moved to Jones county, Ia., in 1856, and engaged in farming; removed to Shelby county in 1876 and engaged in farming until March, 1880, when he engaged in the livery business at Old Harlan House barn. In Oct., 1881, he purchased Hurless' barn and stock, and now runs both barns; keeps eighteen horses for livery purposes, and nine carriages, has telephone connections.