Notable Kin: “Wild Bill” Hickok

1. John Doggett m. Alice Brotherton
2. Thomas Daggett m. Hannah Mayhew
3. Thomas Daggett m. Elizabeth Hawes
4. Benjamin Daggett m. Margery Homes
5. Benjamin Daggett m. Elizabeth Hathaway
6. Love Daggett m. Elijah Luce
7. William S. Luce m. Huldah Rogers
8. Alonzo Luce m. Catherine Finley
9. Alonzo Edwin Luce m. Mary Alice Byrd
10. Edna Marie Luce m. Percy Henry Miller
11. Larry Gerald Miller m. Janet Jeanette DeLong
12. James Dean Miller

1. John Doggett m. Alice Brotherton
2. Thomas Daggett m. Hannah Mayhew
3. Jemima Daggett m. Thomas Butler
4. Israel Butler m. Elizabeth Blossom
5. Benjamin Butler m. Susannah (Sarah?) Whiting
6. James Butler m. Unis Kinsley
7. Polly Butler m. William Alonzo Hickok
8. James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok*

* “Calamity Jane” whose real name was Martha Jane Canary who claimed to have married “Wild Bill,” was born May 1, 1852, in Princeton, Mercer County, Missouri the same county as my great grandmother, Mary Alice Byrd who was born there on July 28, 1887.

Roy Earnest Hall: Obituary

Roy Earnest Hall, son of Ed and Flora Nell Hall, was born August 8, 1882, near Weldon and departed this life March 1, 1956 in Des Moines, at the age of 73 years, 6 months and 7 days.

On August 10, 1902, he was united in marriage to Mary Sales of Leon. To this union eight children were born.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1951, an infant daughter in 1911, his father, mother, three sisters and two brothers. He leaves to cherish his memory five sons and two daughters: Burdette Hall of Glidden, Mrs. Gladys DeLong and Mrs. Bess McLain of Osceola, Ralph Hall of Tama; Neil Hall of Des Moines; Robert Hall of Williams, and Olin Hall of Sioux Falls, So. Dakota. Also nineteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, an aunt, Della Keeler of Osceola, and other relatives and friends.

With the exception of a few years spent in New Mexico and Oklahoma, Roy lived in Clarke and Decatur Counties as a farmer and auctioneer.

He was a most devoted father and grandfather, and will be sadly missed in the family circle.

Funeral services were held at Leon Friday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. from the Stewart funeral home with Rev. Cecil Murrow of Des Moines and Rev. Geo. Lam of Leon officiating. Burial was in the Leon cemetery.

—Published in the Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa on Thursday, March 15th, 1956, p. 8

Harry Claude Hall: Obituary

Harry Claude Hall, Oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Hall was born Sept. 8, 1880 in Decatur county, Iowa, and departed this life at his home in Lucas, Jan. 21, 1954, at the age of 73 years, 4 months and 13 days.

His boyhood days were spent on a farm near Van Wert. He then went to Oklahoma and New Mexico where he remained a number of years. He was united in marriage to Essie Wells on June 3, 1903, in Catoosa, Okla., and most of their married life was spent in Lucas, Iowa. He was a member of the Christian church in Weldon.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, three sisters and one brother. Besides the sorrowing wife, he leaves to mourn their loss one brother Roy Hall of Osceola and several nieces and nephews.

During the years of his active life he made many friends over the county and was respected as an honest, upright citizen. He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him.

Pallbearers were Ralph Hall, Nell Hall, Burdette Hall, Morris Keeler, Wayne Keeler and Bob Hall.

Funeral services were held at the Lucas Presbyterian church Sunday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. They were conducted by Rev. A. E. Beals, assisted by Rev. Cecil Morrow of Des Moines. Burial was in the Green Bay Cemetery in Clarke county.

—Published in the Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa on Thursday, January 28th, 1954, p. 2

B. F. Hall

B. F. HALL, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Clarke County, residing on section 31, Green Bay Township, was born in Monroe County, Indiana, November 28, 1834, a son of Warren Hall, a native of Kentucky, and Cynthia (Parks) Hall. They were the parents of nine children – Sarah Ann, B. F., W. N. John W., James M., Samuel L., Albert T., Mary Ann and Sarah M.  Our subject remained in his native county till seven years of age, when his parents moved to Putnam County, Indiana, where he resided nine years. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education in the primitive log school-houses. In 1851 he went to Decatur County, Iowa, locating four miles southeast of the present site of Leon, where he lived until 1860.  He was married December 14, 1855, to Miss Martha Ann Walton, of Decatur County, she being a daughter of H. L. Walton. They have three children – Edward P., Charles E. and Della May. In 1860 Mr. Hall bought 160 acres of his present farm, which was at that time unimproved. He has since added to his original purchase, till his farm now contains 545 acres of choice land, with comfortable and commodious residence, and good barns and out-buildings. This is one of the best stock farms in Clarke County, and is located two and a quarter miles west of Weldon. Mr. Hall is a self-made man, having by his own good management, combined with his industry and habits of economy, made his property, and has now a competency for his declining years. He is a consistent member of the Christian church, and a respected citizen of Green Bay township. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 308-9

John W. Hall

JOHN W. HALL, proprietor of the Osceola creamery, is a native of Whitehall, Indiana, born December 27, 1841. He came to Iowa with his parents, Warren and Cynthia (Parks) Hall, in 1851, they locating near Leon, in Decatur County, where the mother died. The father died in Clarke County.  John W. Hall came to Clarke County in 1860 and settled at Green Bay, where he was engaged in carpentering and contracting for a time. He subsequently engaged in farming, which he followed till 1872.  He was married in Mills County, Iowa, in 1868, to Sarah A. Scott, a native of Wisconsin, but at the time of her marriage living in Mills County. Mr. Hall came to Osceola, where he again began contracting and building, erecting creameries in different parts of the State, and was the contractor on the State Asylum for the feeble-minded. He continued contracting till he engaged in his present business, as successor to I. W. Johnson.  The business was established by Holt & Hall, in 1878, and has always been carried on with success. The building is 30 x 120 feet in size, the rear part being the creamery department, and the front devoted to their butter-and-eggs business. They manufacture about twenty-five hundred pounds of butter daily, and also deal extensively in eggs, shipping a car load a week, their average shipment per year being about 30,000 dozen.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 397

Benjamin Franklin Applegate

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN APPLEGATE, farmer, P. O. Eastwood, fifth child of Vincent and Ann (Lemon) Applegate, was born in Mason County, Ky., July 5, 1834. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Maryland. His grandfather, Richard Applegate, a native of Virginia. The subject of this sketch was married in 1856, to Frances Cardie, daughter of Thomas McLain, of Sterling Township. They had one child--Wesley O., now a resident of Illinois. Mr. Applegate emigrated to Kansas in 1856, and was there during “the border raids," and went with the first excitement to Pike’s Peak; was on the border eleven years, then went to Utah and remained three years, and then returned to Ohio. In 1879, he married a second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Frank and Johanna Vanbelt, and a native of Ho1land; they have one daughter--Stella. Mr. Applcgate is a member of Locust Ridge Lodge No. 618, I. O. O. F., and his wife of the Catholic Church. He is an energetic farmer.

SOURCE: Josiah Morrow, History of Brown County Ohio, p. 294

NOTE: Frances C. McLain, is the daughter of Thomas E. & Mary Ann (Hiles) McLain and the grand daughter of Isaiah & Hester (Thomas) Hiles, my 3rd great grandparents.

Lorenzo H. Sales, 2nd Lieutenant, Co. A, 17th Iowa Infantry: Civil War Pension Index Card

SOURCE:  Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Footnote.com

Lorenzo H. Sales, M. D.

LEON.

LORENZO HARRISON SALES, a resident of Iowa since it became a state, is a descendant of a Mohawk Dutch family, and was born in Ontario county. New York, on the 28th of March, 1819. His parents were Hiram Sales, surveyor and farmer, and Nancy Ann Thorington, his mother being a native of Rutland, Vermont. His maternal great-grandfather was a Phillips, whose ancestry is traced back directly to the Mayflower. He was in the revolutionary army; was taken prisoner, brought as far west as Detroit, Michigan, by the Indians, and kept there several years. At length he made his escape, and after much hardship reached Vermont.

When Lorenzo was three years old the family removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. Young as the boy was, he still recollects the trip down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers on a raft. The scenes on the way were a wonderful novelty to his young eyes, and time fails to obliterate them. After spending one year in Cincinnati his father removed to Troy, Miami county, where he died in 1823, leaving his widow with seven children. There Lorenzo received a common-school education in a log school-house.

In 1834 the family removed to Defiance, where Lorenzo prepared himself for the medical profession, and where he practiced until 1846; removing to Iowa City, Iowa, a few months before it doffed its territorial robes. After practicing in Iowa City a little less than two years he removed to Washington county, continuing his profession in Washington and Richmond villages until 1856, when he removed his family to Leon, Decatur county. While at Richmond he received from President Pierce the appointment of receiver of the United States land office, at Chariton, Lucas county, and was in that position three years, when the office was moved to Des Moines.

Since residing in Leon Dr. Sales has been in a variety of occupations, — practicing medicine a little ; keeping a hotel at sundry times, in all about twelve years; selling drugs; editing a newspaper; dealing in real estate, and acting as county officer, being judge of Decatur county two years. The judge is well known all over the county.

In 1862 he went into the 17th Iowa Infantry as lieutenant, company A, and acting adjutant; served six months and was discharged on account of disability.

In his political principles, the judge has been a life-long democrat.

In August, 1845, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Ann Wartenbe, of Defiance, Ohio, and they have three children. Nancy Ann, the eldest child, is the wife of Lyman W. Forgrave, contractor and builder, of Leon ; Lewis Cass is a printer in Leon, and Frank Knox is a brick mason and resides in Crete, Nebraska. Both sons are unmarried.

SOURCE, The United States Biographical Dictionary And Portrait Gallery Of Eminent And Self Made Men. Iowa Volume, American Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago & New York, 1878, p. 581-2

Death of Lorenzo H. Sales

We are again called upon to record the death of an early settler of Decatur County.  Judge Sales died last Wednesday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. L. W. Forgrave, in Leon, with bright's disease of the kidneys.  The deceased was born in Ontario County, New York in 1819 and was 68 years of age.  He lived with his parents in Cincinnati Ohio, a short time, when they removed to Defiance county where they resided until 1846, when the family came to Iowa.  In 1856 Judge Sales located in Leon where he practiced medicine for some time.  He was appointed receiver in the United States land office at Chariton where he remained three years.  In 1860 he built the Sales House of which he was manager for many a year.  He served as county judge for two years with marked ability and in 1862 enlisted in the 17th Iowa Infantry and soon received the appointment of Lieutenant of Company A.  Failing in Health soon compelled his resignation.  He drew a pension for disability incurred in the service.  The deceased leaves a widow and three children all of whom were present at the time of his death.  A man of integrity and ability has fallen and has many old friends among the pioneers of this county will drop a tear to his memory when they hear the sad news of his death.

– Published in The Decatur County Journal, Leon, Iowa, March 16, 1887, bottom of page 1

Jennie A. Byrd

JENNIE A.³ BYRD  (DANIEL², (--?--)¹), daughter of DANIEL BYRD and RACHEL STRATTON was born 26 Apr 1886 in Missouri, and died 10 Jun 1912 in Salt Creek, Tama County, Iowa.  She married (1) JACOB E. HAYES 4 Sep 1898 in the home of Daniel Byrd, Princeton, Mercer Co., MO.  He was born Bef. 1877, and died Bef. 15 Jul 1908.  She married (2) GEORGE A. STOTELMYER 15 Jul 1908 in Centerville, Appanoose Co., IA, son of EDWARD L. STOTELMYER and ELIZA SMITH.  He was born 16 Mar 1885 in Iowa, and died 27 Aug 1914 in Salt Creek, Tama County, Iowa.

More About JENNIE A. BYRD:

Burial: Rector Cem., Salt Creek, Tama Co., IA

Residence: 1905, OsceolaTwsp., Clarke Co., IA

More About JACOB E. HAYES:

Residence: 1905, Osceola Twp., Clarke Co., IA

Marriage Notes for JENNIE BYRD and JACOB HAYES:

At the time of her marriage, Jennie was under the age of 18.  Her father, Daniel Byrd, Gave his consent.

More About GEORGE A. STOTELMYER:

Burial: Rector Cem., Salt Creek, Tama Co., IA

Marriage Notes for JENNIE BYRD and GEORGE STOTELMYER:

At the time of their marriage Jennie's marital status was listed as "Widowed."

Walter Edward Partridge

W. E. Partridge, now living retired in Alta, is numbered among the old settlers of Buena Vista county and is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War. He is a native of England, born in Berkshire, June 3, 1833, a son of James and Anne (Edwards) Partridge, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a mechanic, being a wheelwright by trade, and he also engaged in farming. His family numbered thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to years of maturity.

W. E. Partridge, whose name introduces this review, spent the years of his boyhood and youth in his native land and when fifteen years of age accompanied a brother to the United States. He first located in Maryland and secured work on the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in that state, after which he spent two years working on the canal. He then took up his abode in Pennsylvania and from that state removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1882 when he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34, Nokomis township. This was an uncultivated and unimproved tract when it came into his possession but he at once began to develop the land, erected a good house, barns and outbuildings, and now has a well improved and valuable farm property, whereon he made his home for twenty-seven years. He planted a good orchard, which is now in bearing, and beautiful shade trees add to the attractive appearance of the place. In addition to general farming he engaged in raising stock, keeping registered shorthorn cattle and good grades of hogs. In 1908 he removed to Alta and is now living retired.

Mr. Partridge’s private affairs were interrupted at the time of the Civil War when, loyal to the best interest of his country, he enlisted September 9, 1861 at Aurora, Illinois, as a member of Company F, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, joining the regiment at St. Louis. From that city they made their way to Rolla, Missouri, and Mr. Partridge participated in many of the important battles, including Pea Ridge, Perryville, Chickamauga, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was also for four months on duty at New Orleans, his regiment acting as guard to General Sheridan. After a hard service lasting four years and two months he was mustered out at New Orleans and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois.

When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Partridge returned to Illinois and took up his abode in Kankakee county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he operated for sixteen years prior to taking up his abode in Iowa. It was prior to his enlistment for service in the war that Mr. Partridge was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriett Cottew, who was likewise born in England, coming to America when but two years of age. Their marriage was celebrated in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1860, and their union has been blessed with ten children: George, who follows farming in Nokomis township; Martha, the wife of William Miller, a farmer of Linn Grove, Iowa; Lizzie, the wife of Charles Reese, of Nokomis township; Charles who follows farming on the hold homstead in Nokomis township; Lincoln, who is engaged in farming in Minnesota; Ida, the wife of G. H. Tutt, a resident of Marathon, Iowa; Kate, the wife of John Sassman, who follows farming near Albert City, this state; Frank, who carries on farming near Marathon; Hugh; and William who died when eighteen months old.

Mr. Partridge gives his political support to the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has held some township offices. He keeps in touch with his old army friends through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic at Alta, of which he has served as vice commander. He has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Alta for several years. His labors have contributed in substantial manner to the development and progress of Buena Vista county and not only as a worthy pioneer settler but also as a loyal defender of the Union cause he is well deserving of mention in this volume. His circle of friends is large and all esteem him for his genuine worth. In 1908 he had the pleasure of visiting his old home in England where he remained from July 12 until the 23rd of August.


SOURCE: Wegerslev, C.H. & Thomas Walpole, Past and Present of Buena Vista County, Iowa, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, © 1909, p. 279-280

David Andrew Griffith

D. A. GRIFFITH - The retired farmers living in Winterset are highly esteemed and contribute not a little to the advancement of the community. Among them is D. A. Griffith, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1841, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Archibald) Griffith, the former born upon the ocean in 1808 while his parents were crossing to this country from Wales and the latter born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1816. Isaac Griffith was a miller and shoemaker and followed those trades in Holmes county, Ohio. In 1843 he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he ran a mill until he removed to Scioto county, that state, which was his home for ten years before his death. He died in 1848 and was survived by his wife for three years.

D. A. Griffith at the usual age entered the city schools of Portsmouth, Ohio, and there laid the foundation of his education. When he was eleven years of age, however, his parents died and he was taken by a family who mistreated him and he accordingly ran away. He became a farm hand and thus provided for his support and was so engaged until the outbreak of the Civil war. On the I5th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Captain Dan Parnell. The command rendezvoused at Columbus, Ohio, and Mr. Griffith was made first duty sergeant. After being three months with Company C he was transferred to Company D, of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served as sergeant in that command for a year, after which he was made first lieutenant. He was under fire in Virginia, at the battle of Charleston, Maryland, at Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and the siege of Chattanooga and accompanied Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He was wounded by a bayonet thrust at South Mountain, Maryland, and lost his hearing at the battle of Antietam, as his regiment was for hours in the midst of eight hundred pieces of artillery. His regiment, which in that engagement lost five hundred men, together with the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, charged the Burnside bridge and took it. Colonel Coleman, who led the charge, fell pierced by seven bullets. Lieutenant Griffith succeeded in capturing some rebel cannon and his record throughout the war proved him a fearless and an able officer. He has a medal presented him by the state of Ohio for continuous and meritorious service. He was mustered out on the 3d of July, 1865, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later in that year removed to Fairfield, Iowa.

In 1870 he came to Madison county and began farming in Jefferson township, where he lived for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Union township and engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1893. In that year he purchased two hundred acres of land in Douglas township on North river and gave his time and attention to the operation of that farm. He was very successful in all that he attempted, his energy, determination and knowledge of the best methods of agriculture making him one of the leading farmers in his township.

On the 4th of March, 1866, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Hester E. Miller, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, December 27, 1847, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hillis) [sic] Miller. Her father was born in Germany in 1822 and upon emigrating to this country settled in Cincinnati, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until his health failed. He then removed to Brown county, Ohio, which remained his home until 1865. In that year he migrated westward and settled in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Fairfield. Nine years later he homesteaded land in Buena Vista county, where his death occurred in 1875. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, passed away in Buena Vista county in 1904, having survived him for almost three decades.

Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are the parents of seven children: Anna B. gave her hand in marriage to Elias Van Scoy, of Logan county, Colorado, by whom she has four children. U. Grant, who was born May 7, 1868, died January 20, 1907. Isaac, born on the 5th of September, 1869, is a well-to-do farmer who is married and has three children, David A., Winifred and Hester. Jerome is represented elsewhere in this work. David T., whose birth occurred on the11th of July, 1879, is engaged in the implement business at Van Meter, Iowa. Linnie E., born November11, 1880, passed away February 4, 1890. Robert S. was born on the 16th of October, 1888.

Mr. Griffith is identified with the republican party and has always been as true to the best interests of his country in times of peace as he was when he led his command upon the battlefields of the south. None begrudges him the competence and the leisure which are now his, as they were won by industry and sound judgment.

SOURCE: History of Madison County Iowa and Its People, Volume 2, p. 285-7


NOTE: According to the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, David A. Griffith of Companies D & H, mustered in as a private and out as a sergeant. David A. Griffith is listed on page 148 of J. H. Horton & Solomon Teverbaugh’s A History of the Eleventh Regiment (Ohio Volunteer Infantry) as “an original member; promoted to Sergeant; veteranized, and was left at Chattanooga.”

Obituary: Ronald Eugene Cornelison

Ronald E. Cornelison, 66, of Lorimor, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at his home. A 2 p.m. memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Lorimor Community Building, where the family will greet friends immediately following the service. Burial of the cremated remains will be held at a later date in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton. Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.ochiltree.com/.

Ronald was born Aug. 30, 1943 in Osceola, the son of Wayne W. and Opal D. (Miller) Cornelison. He attended school in Murray and Truro, and graduated from East Union High School in 1962. Later Ronald joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was a jet mechanic; he was honorably discharged from service in 1966. Ronald Cornelison was married March 28, 1964, to Ruby Irene Bailey in Belton, Mo. Ronald worked as a mechanic and in construction as a heavy equipment operator for various employers. He was also a member of the Lorimor City Council and was recently appointed mayor protem.

Ron is survived by his wife, Ruby of Lorimor; daughter, Renea Cornelison and her husband, Tim Beaty of Prescott; son, Randy Cornelison and his wife, Lisa of Adel; four grandchildren; two step grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle Cornelison of Hagerman, Idaho, and a brother-in-law, George Kelly of Las Vegas, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Kimberly Kelly.

Memorials in Ronald’s name may be directed to the family.

– Published in The Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa, Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Noted Character Dies - Margaret French

With the death of the old colored woman, "Aunt Maggie," last Thursday evening an odd character who has haunted the streets of Leon for years was removed from our midst. Her history has been a strange one. Born a slave on a southern plantation in the ante-bellum days, nurtured as were the colored people of those times, who can wonder that her life has been otherwise than it has.

If all of the dead woman's history was known, what a strange recital of events it would be. "Aunt Maggie" has often told many of our people scraps of her early life, such as she could remember, and from such sources we state the following: "Aunt Maggie" was born on a plantation near Natchez, Miss. It is thought that her first master's name was Robinson. According to Maggie's story, Robinson would have made a fit companion for the cruel Legree of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" fame, for her back bore evidence of brutal whippings in great scars. Long before the war, Maggie's only daughter was separated from her. She related that one of her master's daughters was married to a man named French (presumably Gen. S.B. French of the rebel army) and she was bestowed upon the bride as one of the wedding gifts. About the same time, her daughter was given to another daughter of Robinson, who afterwards went to Europe with her husband, taking the colored girl along. From that time Maggie has been unable to obtain any trace of the lost child.

Nothing is known of Maggie's subsequent history until about the time the union army was marching upon Vicksburg when she allied herself with the army as customary with the negroes when the union soldiers were in the neighborhood of a plantation for any length of time. French was kind to her, however, and she adopted his name.

A mess from Company B, 4th Iowa Infantry, of which George Burton was originally captain, though later promoted to a lieutenant-colonelship, secured Maggie's services as cook. She remained with the regiment until after the battle of Mission Ridge, being present at the battle and also at Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, often times acting in the capacity of nurse. After the battle of Mission Ridge, Col. Burton resigned his command and came home to Leon bringing Maggie with him, arriving here in the latter part of l864.

Maggie at once entered the services of the family of John P. Finley. When Dr. Finley went to Des Moines as an examining surgeon the same year, Maggie accompanied the family to that place. In January, l865, Mrs. Finley died from a fever, after which Maggie contracted the disease and was sick some time. The Finley family then came back to Leon, bringing Maggie. She resided with them five years and then started out for herself, purchasing the lot on which her house now stands, just south of the Presbyterian Church, with her savings and aided by Mr. Finley. A small house which had been built for her on Dr. Finley's land was removed to her own lots and later, what now forms the main part of the house, was built.

Mattie's one matrimonial venture was far from a success. She was married to Richard R. Williams, October l, l885. Williams was a mulatto who came here and worked himself into Maggie's affections simply for the purpose of securing her money. He was of a thieving disposition and served in the Ft. Madison Penitentiary two years for house breaking at Garden Grove before he came here to live. After securing all of Maggie's money, said to have been in the neighborhood of $l,000, her savings for years, he deserted her. When last heard from, a few years ago, Williams was serving a sentence of sixteen years in a Texas prison for cattle stealing. Maggie secured a divorce from him almost two years ago.

Maggie's life is well known to every person in Leon. The drink habit fastened itself upon her, more especially the later years of her life. But she never turned a needy person from her door and was kind hearted in this respect to a fault. Her honesty was a marked trait; she was industrious, economical, saving, though far from stingy. Unscrupulous persons often took advantage of her and secured sums of money from her under the guise of loans. She was well known in all the neighboring towns, and a few years ago, all the big events, celebrations and the like, would find Maggie on hand, stylishly dressed, and "cutting a wide swath." She was acquainted with all the traveling men, doing their washing for them, and thus became known over the state.

Her age has always been a matter of conjecture, but it is presumed that it was but a few years less than eighty at the time of her death.

Short funeral services were held at her home Friday, conducted by Rev. Gurley and the remains were interred in the Leon Cemetery. Before her death, Maggie acknowledged waywardness, and expressed her repentance and we have reasons to hope that her future will be brighter than her past.

- Published in the Decatur County Journal, Leon, Iowa, July 8, l897. This article was transcribed by Nancee McMurtrey Seifert and posted on the Decatur County, Iowa Genweb site.

COL. GEORGE BURTON

Postmaster of Argonia, is what may be termed "a gentleman to the manor born," possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and that courteous bearing which wins for him friends wherever he goes. He comes of substantial Irish ancestry, and was born March 7, 1819, in the city of Dublin, where he spent the first thirteen years of his life. Then, equipped with only a limited education, he started out in the world for himself, embarking as cabin boy on an ocean vessel and from that time until 1842 his life was spent on the water — the sea and lakes. The next four years were occupied at various businesses and in 1846 he entered the volunteer service of the United States during the war with Mexico, being a member of Company G, Fourth Illinois Infantry, under Col. Ed. Baker. He served for one year and returned a Third Sergeant. He and ex-Gov. Richard Oglesby, who was then a Sergeant in Company K, frequently reported together. He served under Gen. Taylor until a part of the army was ordered to join Gen. Scott, and he participated in the battles of Vera Cruz, Natural Bridge, Cerro Gordo and other minor engagements. Later he was under the command of Gen. Shields and under Division Commander, Gen. Twiggs.

Upon retiring from the service Mr. Burton repaired to Tazewell County, Ill., where he operated a sawmill until 1849. Being seized then with an attack of the California gold fever, he set out overland across the plains and worked in the mines until the fall of 1850. In returning home he went down the coast as far as Cape St. Lucas, where the vessel "Louisa Boston" was sunk in the harbor of Mazatlan, and he rode a mule from there to Durango, and finally succeeded in reaching home safely after being chased in Mexico by the Apache Indians. He now resumed sawmilliug and was engaged in the mercantile business for probably two years. He in 1852, crossing the Mississippi, took up his abode in Decatur County, Iowa, where he operated as a general merchant three years and also engaged in farming. He became prominent in local affairs and was County Auditor for three years until the outbreak of the Civil War.

Watching the conflict which ensued with more than ordinary interest, Col. Burton in June, 1861, organized a military company in Leon, Iowa, of which he was elected Captain and which was assigned to the Fourth Iowa Infantry, under command of Col. Dodge. He fought at the battle of Pea Ridge, skirmishing all through Arkansas, was in the fight at Chickasaw Bayou, and then at Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Ga., and Woodville, Ala. On the 2d of May, 1862, he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Iowa Infantry. At the battle of Pea Ridge he was wounded by a canister shot through the left arm, and at Cherokee Station received a sabre cut in the left hand. He resigned his commission April 10,1864, and returning to Iowa resumed the duties of a private citizen.

Col. Burton became well-known in the Hawkeye State and in 1869 was elected Auditor of Decatur County, which office he held three years. Later, for the same length of time he engaged in the livestock business, purchasing cattle in Indian Territory, and selling them in Iowa. In 1875 he settled on a farm near Mayfield, this county, where he sojourned until 1883, coming that year to Argonia and engaging in the mercantile business. He also began speculating considerably. On the 2d of April, 1888, he was appointed to the office of Postmaster, the duties of which have since occupied his time and attention until February 1, 1890.

In 1848, Col. Burton was united in marriage with Miss Jane Waring, who died in 1863, leaving no children. In 1865, the Colonel contracted a second marriage with Miss Martha S. Walton. This lady was born in Ohio and is the daughter of George and Martha Walton who spent their last days in Iowa. Of this union there were no children. Mrs. Burton was a very excellent lady and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Colonel takes an interest in politics, voting the straight Democratic ticket. He is Past Grand in the I. O. O. F., belongs to the Encampment, is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Chapter in Masonry.

The father of our subject was John Burton, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and a manufacturer of cotton cloth. The mother bore the maiden name of Martha Whitehead and she also was born in Dublin. They came to America in 1833, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, and about 1842. removed to Bloomington, Ill. There the mother died in 1835 and the father in 1848. Only two of the five children born to them are living — G. B. and Eliza, now Mrs. Burnes, the latter being a resident of Leroy, McLean County, Ill.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Sumner County, Kansas, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, Ill., 1890, p. 177-8

Found: Another Civil War Veteran

Albert Downer Gleason, born in New York he was the son of Hiram & Caroline (Farnham) Gleason and brother of Isbon & Henry Gleason both of the 96th Illinois Infantry. He enlisted as a private for a term of 1 year, in Co. B, 12th Illinois Infantry on October 1, 1864 in Marengo, Illinois and was mustered in on that same date and place. He was Mustered out by Capt. Guthrie on May 31,1865 at Washington, D.C.

At the time of his enlistment he was a carpenter living in Libertyville, Lake Co., Illinois. He was 30 years old, 5’ 7” tall, and had a fair complexion with black hair and eyes

Corporal Henry Gleason

Age 24; born in Owego, N. Y.; farmer: enlisted from Libertyville ; was appointed Fifth Corporal at the organization of the Company ; is a brother of Isbon S. Gleason, of same Company ; m. o. with Regiment. Is station agent at Winona Junction. Minn.; address, Box 779. La Crosse, Wis.

SOURCE: Partridge, Charles A., Editor, History of the Ninety-Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 826 & 912 (photograph)

Isbon S. Gleason

Age 21 ; born in Owcgo, N. Y.: carpenter and joiner; enlisted from Libertyville ; was detailed in Pioneer Corps at Brentwood, Tenn., April 7, 1863, and transferred to the 1st U. S. Veteran Engineer Regiment Aug. 25, 1864, serving with that command until the close of the war, and being promoted to Corporal Sept. 1, 1864, and to Sergeant Dec. 25, 1864. Is a contractor and builder at Libertyville, Lake County, 111., of which village he has been a Trustee for four years.

SOURCE: Partridge, Charles A., Editor, History of the Ninety-Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 639 (photograph) & 834

John G. Thrasher

Age 18; born in Taberg, Oneida County, N. Y ; farmer ; enlisted from Vernon ; died from disease at Shell Mound, Tenn., Dec. 11, 1863. Captain James wrote to his father: "Your son was a noble soldier and a very amiable young man, possessing many good qualities ; he was beloved by all who knew him. The country has lost a good soldier, and his parents a devoted son ; he has died a martyr to his country, and yielded his life a willing sacrifice." His grave is No. 9,360 in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn.

SOURCE: Partridge, Charles A., Editor, History of the Ninety-Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 839

Marion A. Hatch: New Information

MARION ARTHUR HATCH, son of Henry L. Hatch & Lois Stevens, was born 31 Jan 1862 in Madison Co., IA, and died 19 Aug 1938 in Sheldon, Vernon Co., MO. He married MAMIE R. SHEPHERD Abt. 1883, daughter of (--?--) SHEPHERD and SARAH (--?--). She was born Dec 1863 in Pennsylvania.

Children of MARION HATCH and MAMIE SHEPHERD are:

EVELYN HATCH, b. Abt. 1885, Missouri.
CLAUDE HATCH, b. Abt. 1885, Missouri; d. Aft. 19 Aug 1938.
DELLA HATCH, b. Abt. 1890, Missouri.
MAUDE V. HATCH, b. Abt. 1893, Missouri.
MAMIE HATCH, b. Abt. 1892, Missouri.
LOIS HATCH, b. Abt. 1897, Missouri.
(--?--), b. Bef. 1900; d. Bef. 1900.