1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa
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Hawkins | Winters | Cobb | McIntosh | McDonald | Howlett | Peterson | Roundy | Steen | Westrope | Smith | Irwin
JAMES HAWKINS
JAMES HAWKINS, deceased, who was the first man to settle at or near the present thriving village of Shelby, was a native of England, born December 9, 1811. When a young man he went to sea, following the life of a sailor for many years. He visited every port along the coast, both of North and South America. He served through the Mexican war, and also in the civil war of this country. Up to the time of his settling down on the banks of Silver Creek, in Shelby County, Iowa, his career had been an eventful one, full of stirring scenes and thrilling adventures. He entered his land in Shelby County in 1855, the same being described as section 33, township 78, and range 40, upon which oh the village plat of Shelby was surveyed in 1868-'69. Mr. Hawkins came to this land to live upon and improve it. In 1865 he erected a rude log cabin and lived in it until within the past few years, when he built a fine farm house which he made his home until overtaken very suddenly by death. He was unmarried and was held in high esteem by every one within the circle of his acquaintance. He was a man of firm belief in his convictions of right and wrong. In his business transactions he was strictly upright with all. He died of apoplexy, June 24, 1888.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 304-305
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
MRS. A. G. M. WINTERS
Angie Gertrude Michener, a well-known pioneer teacher of Shelby County, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, June 16, 1844. Her father, Daniel Miçhener, belonged to the Society of Friends, and was noted for his genial disposition, his integrity of character, and his devotion to the cause of education. Death called him to the other side when the subject of this sketch was less than two years old. Her mother, Mary (Havens) Michener, was of good Presbyterian stock, in whose family ministers and physicians predominated. When a child Angie G. Winters and her only sister were taken by their mother to Indiana, which was then considered the wild west, and settlers had to endure many hardships. Schools were few and very inferior, but the mother, being a woman of unusual ability and liberal education, did much for her children to supplement their limited educational advantages. When twelve years old Angie became lame from blood-poisoning.
When thirteen years old her parents removed to Tipton, Iowa. Here were better schools, but owing to her lameness, which lasted five years, she could attend school but little. Always a lover of books, she determined not to be left behind in the race for knowledge. Studying at home, with the assistance of her mother, she kept far in advance of other girls of her age, often studying hard to divert her mind during hours of extreme pain. In quite early childhood Angie determined to be a schoolma'am, and as she grew older she realized more and more the dignity and responsibility resting upon those who mold the plastic minds of youth. During her career as a teacher she was very conscientious, trying to educate the heart as well as the head. Being full of a missionary spirit, she did a great deal of evangelistic work wherever she taught school. Inheriting a talent for nursing the sick, she was in great demand in cases of sickness and accidents. One time she was called to treat a case of delirium tremens, and another time to stop a serious hemorrhage. In the spring of 1861 she came to Harlan, where she taught her first school in the old brick school-house. The wages received were $10 per month, with the privilege of boarding around, a favor not accepted. No two pupils had the same kind of text-books; new ones could not be procured nearer than Council Bluffs, and most of the patrons were too poor to buy new ones, so the teaching was principally oral. In the fall of 1861 Miss Michener began teaching what was known as the Waterbury school, in Fairview Township; but exposure brought on rheumatic fever, from which she did not recover until the following June. The next ten years found her in the school-room.
In 1869 Miss Michener was united in marriage to Lorenzo L. Winters, a well-known farmer of Clay Township, a genuine Christian gentleman. Being wedded to her profession as an educator, Mrs. Winters continued teaching for two years. Her husband then went into business in Atlantic, Cass County. Here Mrs. Winters took charge of a class in Sabbath-school, superintended a Band of Hope, and taught a mission school in her own house. Always a strong advocate of total abstinence and equal suffrage, Mrs. Winters early identified herself with the woman's temperance movement. One of the first fruits of the great tidal wave of temperance that followed the woman's crusade, was the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, in which Mrs. Winters was a leading spirit. A writer of some note, and having contributed to a score or more of papers, a fluent speaker, she now consecrated her talent and much of her time to the temperance cause. This she was enabled to do, having a husband in perfect sympathy with her, and having no children with whom to divide her time and attention.
In 1882, when the Dakota fever was at its height, Mr. and Mrs. Winters bade adieu to Cass County, Iowa, and journeyed to the land of the Dakotas. Here they began pioneer life anew, living for a time in a sod shanty on a claim which was called Glen Rose. In less than a month after taking possession, Mrs. Winters had gathered the children from three families, constituting the settlement, into a Sunday-school in her sod house. Fortunately it was a large one, for as the country settled rapidly the Sunday-school grew accordingly, people coming from every direction for miles around. For two years she resumed her place at the teacher's desk. One winter she rode two miles to school, where she would have to wait for a fire to be kindled every morning, with the thermometer often indicating twenty-five to thirty-five below zero. During all these years she had not forgotten the temperance cause, but with tongue and pen had done much to advance its cause.
Mr. Winters' failing health demanding lighter occupation, they left their ranch and took up their residence in Miller, Hand County. Here was an organization of the W. C. T. U., with which Mrs. Winters immediately united. She edited a temperance department of the Hand County Republican, and organized and superintended a Band of Hope. During the local option campaign of 1887, Mrs. Winters and a Mrs. Williams, of Miller, were employed by the County Temperance Alliance to canvass the county in the interests of prohibition. Their meetings were successful; besides the regulation campaign speeches, Mrs. Winters gave temperance chalk-talks. Mrs. Williams was a fine vocalist, and this accomplishment added greatly to the interest of the meetings. Soon after Mrs. Winters was appointed lecturer and organizer for the W. C. T. U., a position of more honor than pay.
Mr. and Mrs. Winters, having no children, have adopted two children, a son and a daughter, and have given them all the advantages possible. Mr. Winters' health continuing poor, they were advised to seek a milder clime, so they went to the Ozark region in western Missouri. In 1888 Mrs. Winters gave some temperance lectures and chalk-talks in Shelby County. At present she divides her time between the care of her husband and evangelistic work, hoping that at the last it may be said of her, "She hath done what she could."
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 305-306
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
ELLIOTT A. COBB
ELLIOTT A. COBB, physician and surgeon, Harlan, has been directly interested in the welfare of Shelby County since 1880, at which time he came to the place. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wayne County, July 16, 1843, and a son of Justus and Eliza J. (Morgan) Cobb; the father was a native of Pennsylvania and of English ancestry, and the mother was a native of New York and of Welsh descent. Dr. Cobb was only six years old when his parents moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, where his youth was spent in working on the farm and in attending school. At the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company A, going south with his regiment. He participated in many hard-fought battles; among the more prominent were McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Charge of Resaca under General Benjamin Harrison, Burnt Hickory, or Pumpkin-vine Creek, Marietta, Peachtree Creek, and at the evacuation of Atlanta. He served his country faithfully until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged in the spring of 1865.
After the war he returned to his Ohio home and began the study of medicine under the teaching of Dr. John. B. Rice, of Fremont, Ohio, as preceptor. He attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated from Charity Hospital Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868. Dr. Cobb then began practicing at Kingston, Illinois, where he remained one year; then he removed to Richmond, Washington County, Iowa, and remained there until 1878, when he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York. He graduated from this institution in 1879, and then came to Harlan, where he has built up a large and successful practice. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Society.
Dr. Cobb was first married in 1872, to Miss Martha Foster, a native of Ohio. By this union one child was born - Clyda B. The mother died January 7, 1874. Dr. Cobb was again married, in 1883, to Miss Nettle E. Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By this union three children were born, only one of whom still survives; this child is named Elliott C., the other two died in infancy. The Doctor is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Bichmond Lodge, No. 96. Politically he is a Democrat.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 306-307
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
JOHN A. McINTOSH
JOHN A. McINTOSH, a native of Logan, now Todd, County, Kentucky, was born April 14, 1806, and is the son of Cornelius and Sarah (Montgomery) McIntosh, natives of North Carolina. Until he attained his seventeenth year he resided in his native county. He then emigrated to southern Illinois, and thence went to Tennessee, remaining there three years, in Gibson County, where he met and associated with Davy Crockett. There, in 1826, he was married to Miss Susan Boran, a native of Robinson County, Tennessee. After six years she died, leaving three children, one of whom still survives - Cornelius G. About the year 1840 Mr. McIntosh was married to Miss Nancy McIntosh, who was born in West Tennessee. She died in 1846, leaving two children, one of whom survives - Malinda. In 1852 Mr. McIntosh married his third wife, Miss Malinda Hunt, who was born in Kentucky, March 8, 1830. By this marriage ten children were born--John, William (deceased), Jennie, David, Douglas, Virginia (deceased), Emma (deceased), Fannie, Minnie, Maggie. Mr. Mcintosh was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. When about fifteen years old he joined the Baptist church, and when he had reached his thirty-second year he united with the church of the Latter Day Saints, being baptized, confirmed and ordained. He immediately entered the ministry, and has since devoted his time and attention to this work. He has traveled through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Nebraska in the interests of the church, and his earnest and zealous labors have been crowned with success.
He came to Shelby County in 1857 and located in Grove Township, on seventy acres of land; there he made his home and reared his family. He organized the society of the Latter Day Saints in Grove Township in 1859 with a small membership, but the church now numbers over 200 members. He has organized several churches in this country, having done more in that direction than any other minister now in the society. Mr. McIntosh has done much to elevate the morals of the community in which he lives, and is a man who is honored and beloved by people far and near; everybody has a kind word for "Uncle John," as he is familiarly called. He has figured very prominently in the political history of the county, having held the offices of county supervisor and justice of the peace for eight or ten years; he also served on the school board, and has filled other minor offices. He has always been a staunch Democrat.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 307-308
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
THOMAS McDONALD
Foreign countries have bequeathed to America some of her best and most brilliant citizens, and the Emerald Isle has not been behind in the quality of her contribution to the strong and vigorous growth of this country. To her Shelby County is indebted for her greatest benefactor and best beloved citizen, Thomas McDonald, now at rest, the rest won by a life of tireless activity in the interests and welfare of those whose lives touched his; and these were not few, as will be attested by numbers of citizens of western Iowa. Thomas McDonald was a most remarkable man; to meet him was to be attracted to him; to know him was to be won as a fast friend, and hearty admirer. He was kind and obliging, and possessed the faculty of adapting himself to all sorts and conditions of men, who always found in him the satisfaction of their pressing needs. He had within him a strong public spirit, ever willing to sacrifice his own interests to those of the majority, in his home he was all that a wife and children could desire, and only those who have been blessed by the association of such a beautifully rounded and perfect character can know the loss of the family in his death.
Thomas McDonald was born in Bandon, twenty miles southwest of the city of Cork, Ireland, July 20, 1843. His parents came to America when he was four years old. They settled in Massachusetts, but remained there only a year; they then went to La Salle, Illinois, where Thomas resided with his parents until he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in the army, pledged to defend the flag of his adopted country; he joined the Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he was Sergeant Major. He served through the entire war and was honorably discharged at its close. After the close of the war he joined the famous detective service of Allen Pinkerton, of Chicago; he spent most of his time when in Pinkerton's employ in eastern cities, and gave eminent satisfaction. He quit the service upon his marriage, April 24, 1867, in Chicago, to Miss Mary T. Corley, of Arlington, Bureau County, Illinois. He then came to Iowa and settled in Dunlap, Harrison County, where he resided six years; he then settled on his farm of 600 acres, six miles south of Harlan, and lived there until his death. During his residence in the county he filled various offices of honor and trust. He was elected county treasurer in 1875, and re-elected in 1877. It was due to his untiring energy and good management that the A.H. & N. R. R. was secured to Harlan; he was president of the company. He laid out the village of Corley, his wife's maiden name, in 1873. His death occurred at his residence in Corley, December 16, 1881. Mrs. McDonald was born in Rochester, New York, and educated in St. Vincent's Academy, La Salle, Illinois. She is a daughter of Martin and Sarah (Bigelow) Corley. She and four children survive Mr. McDonald. The children are - Agnes D. Brewer, wife of George D. Brewer; Martin E., Thomas C., and Martina V.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 308-309
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
WILLIAM HOWLETT
WILLIAM HOWLETT, Sr., of Fairview Township, is one of the old setlers, having come to the county in 1859. He was born in Norfolk County, England, April 28, 1802. He is a son of Samuel and Charlotte (Patterson) Howlett. William was the eldest of twelve children, seven of whom are living. He was reared on a farm, and worked at bricklaying and plastering-occupations his father had followed. He was married in October, 1844, to Miss Susan Egelstone, and sailed for America April 27, 1855. They arrived in New York May 29, 1855. They settled in Chicago, Illinois, for a time, where Mr. Howlett worked at his trade. His wife died August 22, 1855, and one child, August 24, 1855. Mr. Howlett moved to Augusta, Illinois, in 1857, and worked at his trade until he came to Shelby County, Iowa. He moved with a team and wagon, and was thirteen days on the road. The first months were spent in Adams County, and the seasons of 1860 and 1861 were spent in Audubon County, farming. In 1862 he came to his present farm, where he has since lived, first in a log house, and later in a good frame house. He has worked a good deal at his trade, being an expert and experienced workman. His farm contains ninety-three and a half acres of good land, a portion of it being in timber. There are good buildings for stock and grain. Mr. Howlett was married the second time, in October, 1860, to Miss Myra Chambers, who was born and reared in Tennessee. By the first marriage three sons were born -Samuel, William, Jr., and Lambert. The second wife died July 17, 1874. No children were born by the second marriage. He was married to his present wife February 17, 1876; she was Mrs. Ruth Peterson, whose husband was Samuel Peterson; her parents are Hugh and Rebecca (Negley) Leslie. She was born and reared in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. She came to Davenport, Iowa, when she was fifteen years of age. By this last marriage one child was born - Phillis Gertrude, who died when one year old. Mr. Howlett is a Democrat, and has served as township treasurer, road supervisor, and on the school board. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a respected and valued citizen of the county.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 309
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
ANDREW PETERSON
ANDREW PETERSON is one of the well-known citizens of Harlan, his residence there having begun in 1876. He was born in Denmark, February 14, 1830, and is a son of Peter and Anna Maria (Christianson) Anderson. He was given the opportunity to attend school until he was fourteen years old, and at the age of sixteen he went to learn the tailor's trade, which he has followed the most of his life. Mr. Peterson was married December 26, 1855, to Miss Hansine Nelson, who died in 1872. In 1873 Mr. Peterson emigrated to America sailing from Copenhagen, via Liverpool, to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of two children. Nels Peter was born September 14, 1856. He was sixteen years of age when he came to America. Before coming to this country he had received a good common-school education, and after arriving here he attended school in Council Bluffs. For a time he was located in Harlan, and was a popular young businessman. At present he is in business in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. He was married in Harlan to Maria Rasmus. The second child of Mr. Peterson is Anna L., born August 27, 1862. She is the wife of J. B. Brock, whose history appears on another page of this volume.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 309-310
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
WASHINGTON ROUNDY (portrait)
HON. WASHINGTON ROUNDY, one of the pioneers of Shelby County, was born in Onondaga County, New York, September 22, 1825. He is the son of Uriah and Polly (Lyons) Roundy, his mother being a cousin of General Lyons, of Connecticut. The father was a native of Vermont, and the mother was born in New York. Washington was the fourth in a family of nine children, of whom three survive, a brother and sister, both residents in Iowa. When he was about nine years of age his parents came to Ohio, and settled in Cuyahoga County, remaining there one year. They afterwards lived in Clay County, Missouri; Adams County, Illinois, and Pike County, Illinois, remaining in the last-named place for thirteen years. Our subject received his education in the common schools, and was reared to farm life. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced life for himself, with nothing but pluck and ambition; however, he was determined to succeed; and success has been his reward.
He was married October 31, 1848, to Alvira Williams, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Coleman) Williams, natives of Kentucky, who had removed to Illinois at an early day; there they remained until death. They had a family of thirteen children, of whom Alvira was the sixth; she was born in White County, Illinois, December 5, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Roundy are the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living - Newton, Polly A., wife of William McCole; Sarah, wife of James Addison; Adda, wife of William Major; Julia, wife of William Fonts; Rena, wife of James Fonts; Ellen, wife of David Adamson; Fannie, wife of Freeman Vandemark; John W., Mary E. and Adelbert. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Roundy, on account of ill health, attempted to make a trip to California, and pursued his journey as far as Council Bluffs; here he was dissuaded from continuing the trip, and remained the winter in the Bluffs, then a small village. The following spring he traded one of five yoke of oxen for 160 acres of land in Grove Township; this claim had been taken out by Frank Rudd, and a rude log cabin had been erected on it. Here Mr. Roundy and family settled, intending to stay a year or two and then go on to California; they were among the very first settlers in the township, only seven other families having located there previous to them. The plan to go to California was abandoned, and they have ever since made this their home. They endured all the hardships encountered by pioneers in those early days, and have done their share in building up Shelby County from a wild and unbroken prairie, inhabited by wolves, deer and elk, to a fine, prosperous, enlightened community. They have ever extended a hearty welcome to the cold and hungry traveler, and have always lent a helping hand to the needy. In sickness and distress, in joy and health, they are ever the same true friends, and they receive the affection and respect of the entire community.
Mr. Roundy possesses nearly 1,000 acres of land in Shelby County, 645 of which are in his home place. At one time he owned over 1,200 acres in this county. He has made many valuable improvements, and has one of the finest homes in this part of the county; he has commodious barns for live-stock and grain, and devotes his time to general farming. He is a staunch Democrat, and strongly advocates the issues of the party. In 1887 Mr. Roundy was elected a member of the Iowa Legislature, and has served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituency.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 310-313
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
ROBERT STEEN
ROBERT STEEN, a native of Beever County, Pennsylvania, born February 14, 1844, is a son of John and Nancy Steen, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared to farm life and received his education in the common schools. When he was but four years old, he came with his parents to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he spent his life until March, 1879, when he came to Shelby County, Iowa. He located about five miles northeast of Kirkman, on a farm; since that time he has resided in Douglas and Greeley townships on various farms for about seven years; then he removed to Kirkman; since locating here he has engaged in farming quite extensively. He owns and manages the only livery stable in Kirkman, and controls the drayage of the town. During the threshing season he follows threshing. He is one of Kirkman's live business men, and is well calculated to fill any branch of business to which he might be called. He is a man of honor and integrity, and is one of Shelby County's most worthy citizens. He was married February 19, 1869, to Sarah A., daughter of John and Lucinda McDowell; she was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, June 18, 1852. They are the parents of seven children - Reuben R., Mattie, Lucinda, Latla, Netta, Emma and Mable. Mr. Steen is an active supporter of the Democratic principles.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 313
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
T. R. WESTROPE
T. R. WESTROPE is the proprietor of Pine Valley Stock Farm, Harlan Township, Shelby County. He is a native of Morgan County, Illinois, born September 2, 1825, and is a son of Abner and Sallie (Ashbrook) Westrope. He was five years of age when his parents removed to the wilds of La Fayette County, Wisconsin; here be grew to manhood and was educated in the district school, situated four miles from his home. He was married April 8, 1848, to Miss Sarah Ann Huntsmnan, of La Fayette County, Wisconsin. In 1849 Mr. Westrope went to California, overland; he was five months on the road, and remained two years engaged in mining; he returned home via the Isthmus of Panama, and New Orleans, making the trip in fifty-six days; at that day this was considered rapid travel. Three years later, in 1854, he drove a large number of cattle across the plains to the Pacific coast, and remained in California two years. This time he came back via the Nicaraugua River, taking a steamer at Greytown for New York, and going thence to Wisconsin. Mr. Westrope resided in Wisconsin until 1871 occupied with farming and stock-raising. At that time he came to Iowa and settled on land in Montgomery County, which he had purchased two years previous. Here he improved 1,000 acres of land and engaged extensively in the breeding of short-horn catt1e, in which he was very successful. He gave several of his sons farms in Montgomery County, and in 1881 he removed to Shelby County, and settled on Pine Valley Stock Farm, which contains 480 acres of rich land well adapted to stock-raising. There is a comfortable residence, and one of the finest barns in western Iowa, with a stone basement, and stabling for ninety-six head of cattle. It is admirably arranged for the care and handling of cattle. There is also a mill for grinding and cutting feed by horse-power. Pine Valley can show sixty-five head of registered cattle, second to no herd in western Iowa. Mr. Westrope has received his share of first premiums, and his many years of experience in the breeding of cattle justify his reputation as one of the best judges of cattle in western Iowa. He is known as one of the most successful and reliable short-horn cattle breeders in the northwest. Mr. and Mrs. Westrope have ten children - Maria Jane, Abner J., Perry, T. R., Jr., Orville D., Otis, John G., W. W., Almira, Norman S. Three children were lost by death - Mary Ellen died at the age of one year; George, at the age of eleven years, and Frank, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Westrope is a strong Republican. Although on the shady side of sixty he bears his years lightly, and is as active as many a man of forty years. Mr. Westrope is one of Shelby County's leading citizens, and is of the type for which any community is proud.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 313-314
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
THOMAS H. SMITH
THOMAS H. SMITH, of the law firm of Smith & Cullison, Harlan, Iowa, was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, September 30, 1854, and is a son of Paris S. and Nancy J. Smith, of Davis County, Iowa. Paris S. Smith was a native of Ohio, and a son of Noah and Elizabeth Smith, also natives of Ohio, who removed from that State and settled in Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1848. Nancy J. Smith, wife or Paris S. Smith, was a Virginian by birth, and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Jones, natives of Virginia. When she was quite small her father removed from Virginia, and settled in Ross County, Iowa, remaining there until she was sixteen years old; her father then came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Davis County, within one-half mile of the place where Mrs. Smith now resides. She was married to Paris S. Smith April 1, 1852, and they now reside upon the farm that has been their home for the last thirty years. They are the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living; all of the children received a liberal education, and with one exception were teachers.
Thomas H. Smith lived upon the farm with his parents until his eighteenth year, assisting with the farm work, and attended the district school. At the age of eighteen years he taught his first school, and continued to teach each winter thereafter, until his admission to the bar in the spring of 1818. All the education he received, aside from that obtained in the common schools, was in the Troy Academy and the Southern Iowa Normal, at Bloomfield, Ohio, in 1875-'76. His present partner, G. W. Cullison, was one of his instructors. In the spring of 1816 he began the study of law in the office of M. H. Jones, of Bloom field, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1818, in Bloomfield. Immediately thereafter he located in Harlan, and commenced the practice of his profession. In a few weeks after coming to Harlan he formed a partnership with P. C. Truman, under the firm name of Truman & Smith; this firm continued until January, 1881, when G. W. Oullison succeeded to the interests of P. C. Truman, under the present firm name. Smith & Cullison have an extensive and lucrative practice, and a large and well, selected library. Mr. Smith has a fine farm of 295 acres adjoining Irwin, Iowa, and owns one of the finest residences in Harlan. Mr. Smith was married June 3, 1880, to Miss Josephine Wonn, a daughter of Hon. H. A. Wonn of Davis County, Iowa. They have three children - Mabel, aged eight years; Orpha, aged six years; and Lois, aged eighteen months. Mr. Smith was elected county attorney of Shelby County, Iowa, in the fall of 1886, and filled this position with much credit for two years; he refused a re-nomination by acclamation at the expiration of his term. Mr. Smith is a close student, an untiring worker, and a self-made man in the true sense of the word. All that he is and has was acquired by his own efforts.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 314-315
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
E. W. IRWIN
E. W. IRWIN, a native of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, was born April 7, 1820. He is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Decker) Irwin, natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native county, near Johnstown, on a farm, and received a limited education in the subscription schools, in the old log school-house. Not satisfied with such meagre knowledge, he devoted his leisure hours and evenings after his day's work was done to his books, and in this way acquired an education equal, if not superior, to many college educations at the present day; he is a close observer, and is endowed with an unusually retentive memory, both of which have been of great assistance to him in his self-education. He is the second in a family of five children; his father died when he was seven years of age, leaving the mother with a family of small children to support; so, as soon as he was able it fell upon him to assist in their maintenance. When only nine years old, a mere child, yet a veritable man in courage and determination, he made his first business venture; he was hired as driver on the tow-path of the Pennsylvania Canal, receiving $8 per month and board for his services. He kept this position for three years-his wages being increased after the first year. At the end of this time he was much gratified at being promoted to the position of steersman, receiving as wages $15 per month. He was held in the employ of the canal and railroad companies until 1849, when the Pennsylvania Central Railroad was being constructed, and he secured work with this company. He remained with them as a laborer and contractor until 1865; the last three years and a-half he served as night police, being sworn into the service by the government; in this as well as all other positions he was faithful in the discharge of his duties.
In April, 1865, Mr. Irwin started to Iowa, and arriving there, settled in Washington County, on a farm, where he remained until March, 1870. He brought his family, consisting of his wife and seven children with him. When he came to Shelby County in 1870 he located on the land which is now section 31, Jefferson Township. The fall previous he had purchased 200 acres of wild land here, and he began the improvement of this. Mr. Irwin's brother-in-law, William Constable, came with him to this wild, new country, and their families were the only ones in what is now Jefferson Township; their nearest neighbor was four miles distant. When moving to the new country, they came to Avoca by rail, and there hired teams to convey them and their effects to their destination; this was not easily done, as teams were scarce and roads were bad in those days. They finally succeeded, and all went well until they reached Harlan, late in the evening. There was but one small hotel, and when the emigrating party arrived, consisting of twenty-three persons in all, there was much wonderment as to how and where they were to be stowed away for the night. Mr. John B. Swain, one of the oldest settlers of the county, was the landlord, and he was equal to the occasion, and soon had everything in ship-shape for his guests. His family, however, were compelled to stay up all night, but that was a small affair in those pioneer days. The next day the travelers continued their journey, and landed safely at their respective places of abode. It was spring time, and the waters were soon so high that the families living on opposite sides of the creek were cut off from all communication with each other for three weeks. But Mr. Irwin decided to put a stop to this isolation, and improvised a ferry out of a wagon bed, and by means of a rope thrown across the stream, attached to some bushes, he succeeded in drawing himself across. This is but one of many incidents which might be recounted of the adventures and hardships undergone by the pioneers of the State of Iowa.
In 1881 the town of Irwin was laid out, and derived its name from the worthy subject of this sketch, Ebenezer W. Irwin, through whose efforts the town was founded. It is built upon land owned by Mr. Irwin, who gave a good portion of land as an inducement to settlers. Mr. Irwin has served his township in an official capacity since its organization. From the very beginning he has filled the office of trustee and school director without a break. He is a staunch Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the political affairs of the country. Mr. Irwin was married August 25, 1844, to Miss Mary A. Homer, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Beam) Homer, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Irwin was born in Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1824. They are the parents of eleven children - John (deceased), Sarah, wife of L. W. Wilson; David S., Ruth(deceased), Clarinda, wife of William Kimble; Evalina, wife of Miles Reynolds; Julia (deceased), Lucretia, (deceased), Ellen, wife of Chauncey Randall; Priscilla (deceased), and Etta, wife of W. J. Wicks. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are worthy members of the Christian church.
Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 364-365
Contributor: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
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1889 Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa
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